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A/N: As you see, We're back with the next chap here. Thanks to those who reviewed the last time! We're so happy to know that you really liked our story! Hehe…So please R&R. We would really appreciate it if you would review. Thanks a lot!
rutherford-cuties
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Only I
Chapter 3
Harry, Ron, Ginny and Hermione's eyes widened as realization hit them…
Draco Malfoy…?
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Whispering erupted in the Great Hall. Dirty and disgusted glances were shot at the people seated at the table at the far left. And they're talking about only one topic.
There are Slytherins here…There are Death Eaters…
Some Slytherins shamefully bowed their heads and avoided everybody's eyes. Funny, really…Slytherins being ashamed to others when before, all of them felt like they were superior because of their blood.
McGonagall already sensed this beforehand. She quieted the students as she looked pitifully at the students who are being talked about.
Draco POVSuddenly, Malfoy felt like he couldn't breathe. He knows exactly what they are thinking about them…especially him.
He couldn't understand himself even. He came back and gave his hand to the light instead of helping on his father's side. He came back…but then…
Is he still that mean Draco Malfoy?…with the way he talked to Hermione that morning and before they entered the castle?
Maybe…maybe not.
'I'm so tired of it! All this acting that I hate the world, that I hate people…that I hate Potter…that I hate mudbloods…I'm just so tired of it!' Draco said to himself, frustrated.
'It's totally natural…It's your defense mechanism. You've been hurt so long and the tendency for you to forget is to hurt other people too. You've just got to accept yourself first before you ask for acceptance from others.' A gentle voice from the back of his mind said.
'It comes out as natural…right. But not because it's your defense mechanism! It's because you're still a Malfoy…in looks and in blood! You are born to hurt many people!' another voice, this time, a nasty one said.
'Shut up both of you!' Malfoy said, ending the heated conversation inside his head.
He looked up once. Still, many students are talking and almost all of them are already looking at his direction. Draco shifted his gaze again. He just couldn't take it, meeting the eyes of people who thought of him as the old and traditional Malfoy…the one he was forced to show to others that he is proud of his blood and what his father and his whole family has done to innocent people together with the Dark Lord.
Yes, he may still be a Malfoy. He himself has served the Dark Lord and almost killed Dumbledore… But…aren't people allowed to change? Won't he be accepted as a person? A person who can realize his wrong ways…a person who can feel…a person who can be hurt…a person who just needed even a little of that warm, comfortable feeling…
That was all he needed from others…if his parents can't give it to him…It's just a simple acceptance…and love.
'How pathetic Draco… No one will accept you for who you are…' the nasty voice spoke again.
He couldn't think of anything to retort to that. His heart sank as he said to himself, 'Anyway, it's always been like this since I was a child. No one ever learned to accept me…even my own parents…It's always been like this…I'm always…alone…'
His pale hand found its way through his hair while the other was clenched to a fist.
'It's just the way it is…It will never change…' he chorused with the nasty voice in his head.
Normal POVThe people in the Great Hall are actually shouting now. All of it directed to the Slytherins. And not only that, they are starting to throw papers and other wastes that the cast from their wands, hitting them on the head or square on the face.
"Stop that this instant!" the new headmistress shouted, now losing all her patience with the students.
The students stopped and just sat down but they still continued their whispering to each other.
"Now—I do hope you do know the meaning of respect." She said, her voice booming across the Hall.
Complete silence filled the place as McGonagall eyed each and every person occupying the place.
"There…at last. Now, as you see, there are a few Slytherins left with us. These people are our new comrades against the Dark side. They became a spy for us and now left the ranks of You-Know-Who to join us. We want you to give them respect and acceptance you give to others. They came back whole-heartedly and without any trace of trickery…if that's what you're thinking right now." Professor McGonagall stated clearly.
But still the students were unconvinced. These are again, the dark times for goodness' sake! You will never know whom to trust! You may never know who are the real enemies! And these people…once a member of the group of death eaters coming back without any trace of trickery! What load of rubbish!
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Hermione POVHermione looked at Draco's direction the whole time, still not believing her eyes.
'What is he doing here? Why didn't I realize the wrongness of his presence beforehand?' Hermione thought silently.
"What the heck is that Malfoy doing here! After what he has done last year?…bringing Death Eaters to the castle…" Ron whispered, while the others agreed.
"And there's Pansy too…and his cronies, Crabbe and Goyle…" Parvati said quietly.
"Maybe, he's really changed…you know. Maybe he realized that he's wrong in choosing You-know-who's side." Hermione butted in.
"Are you insane Hermione? Him?…a Malfoy? Join us against You-Know-Who? That is totally ridiculous!" Ron exclaimed.
"Think! Maybe he did it to avoid Voldemort!—oh get a grip with yourselves!—" said Harry when all of them flinched. "He should be dead by now and so is his mother if he had not joined the Order. I heard Dumbledore's offer to him that he will be hidden and kept safe by the Order, together with his mother! I'll bet everything he's still a Death Eater…" Harry explained.
A murmur of agreement greeted Harry's words.
Hermione looked at them but stayed silent. She couldn't be mistaken…those eyes…they were the same as hers. They are trying to hide emotions of loneliness and grief. Those eyes clearly wanted acceptance and trust that have been kept from them for so long. He was just like her…
"Hermione, are you okay?" Harry asked, concern filling his features.
"I—I'm okay Harry. Just thinking." She replied.
"Okay, then." Harry just said. He didn't like to question her further, seeing that she is disturbed since they met in the station hours ago. 'Some people still need some time alone.'
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So that's it. It's short but we hope you appreciate it. Tell us what you think of it okay? Sorry if this is very, very late, by the way, no time to make chaps and update, as always.
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