My first year at Hogwarts was over and now I was home. My parents had seemed happy to see me but after a few days things went back to normal and they went back to ignoring me. During the summer I spent most of my time studying for next year's classes and doing the homework I had been assigned. I really had nothing else that I wanted to do here. I would write Fred, George, Daphne and Hermione a lot too. I wanted to make sure I wouldn't lose touch with the new friends I had made, or the old one I had either. Draco visited a lot in the summer so I didn't need to write to him. It was August now and I was sitting in our patio with Draco drinking "cold coco". It was just like hot chocolate except made to be cold with ice so I could enjoy it in the summers. Alla had given it to me one summer and we kept the tradition going. Draco had given me a few looks when looking at the mug he knew had been given to me by Fred and George. He had complained about it before but after a while he knew I wouldn't change my mind about keeping it so he kept silent.
"Why is that thing here?" he said looking over at Lev who was making his way towards us. Lev was my new puppy, given to me by my parents. They had said it was a reward for getting such good grades on my first year examinations. He was a white Samoyed pup with dark blue eyes that looked almost black. He was adorable. As most Samoyed dogs Lev was really playful and sweet, well to me at least. He didn't really seem to like other people.
"He wanted to come outside, I guess." I answered as Lev ran up to us. He stopped in front of us and turned to growl at Draco until he scooted away from. Once there was enough room for him he sat between Draco and me and looked happy while doing it. My pup was very protective of me and didn't like it when others were around me, not even my parents. It was unusual behavior for his breed but that made him special and made me love him even more. Being a magical dog he could do things normal dogs couldn't, and I knew he scared Draco because of it
"Evil mutt" Draco muttered under his breath and Lev barked at him, loudly. Draco flinched away and tried to cover it up by pretending he had just wanted to adjust himself in his seat which made me laugh. Between the two of them it was almost too cute to handle. "Why did you even get this one? I'm sure there must've been better, less aggressive dogs around"
"My parents took me to pick out a pet I liked and I liked him so I brought him home with me" I said reaching over to Lev and hugging him. He licked my cheek and smiled a big puppy smile. I did the same and placed him on my lap
"You know they're just using it as an excuse for when they leave you alone" Draco said scooting closer to me and taking up the space that Lev had left behind. I smiled at him a little as I knew he was right. Ever since Lev had been with me they had gone out more than usual. Not that I minded, even when they were home I felt alone. At least now I have him I thought as I stroked Lev's head "But I still don't see how a demon dog can be a reward"
Lev didn't like this comment and bit Draco in his hand. I didn't blame him, he was just a misunderstood pup, and he wasn't evil just a bit over protective. Before either of them did something stupid I sent Lev inside with Bonny, our house elf, to get something to eat. He didn't like her too much but he didn't bark at her so I knew they'd be okay
"Ow. Ow!" Draco complained as I wrapped a bandage around the bite mark
"Well what did you expect?" I told him. He continued to grumble until I finished and thanked me when I did. We sat around for a while and talked, mostly about Hogwarts. It was exciting to think of all the new things we would learn this year, as well as all the Quidditch matches we would get to see.
"Why are you so interested in Quidditch, it's nothing special" he said when I had told him I was looking forward to seeing the games again
"Are you kidding? They're all such talented fliers and I really like their uniforms and… I don't know. Quidditch players are just amazing" I said not being able to explain exactly why I loved them so much. I wish I was skilled enough to play but my parents would never allow me to do something so dangerous even if I had made the team.
"Are they…" Draco said absentmindedly looking around as if distracted. In part I think my excitement for the game was more of me trying to sidetrack myself from what I was really thinking. The truth was I was scared to go back to Hogwarts. A lot had happened last year and I didn't know if I wanted to be around for more. Draco noticed. "What is it?"
"I was thinking about last year…" Ron, Harry, and Hermione had gone through a lot last year and it was a miracle that they had gotten such light injuries. Hermione had told me all things that Dumbledore hadn't and I had to admit it was terrifying. "What if Hogwarts isn't as safe as everyone thinks?"
"Of course it is" Draco said as if it was obvious but his eyes softened when he saw how worried I was. "It'll be fine, don't worry. Even if there is something wrong there's that idiot Dumbledore taking care of us students. And if not then you always have me and that demon dog of yours" he said looking over at the door that Lev was standing behind. I laughed and hugged him as he seemed more scared of a little puppy dog than the possibility of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named coming back into power. I just hoped he was right.