Chapter 13

Afternoon classes were about to commence, and Draco knew he could not hide in the room of requirement any longer. He twisted the handle of the green door slowly and entered the empty corridor. He kept his steps quiet and took the long way to the dungeons in order to avoid all of the busy hallways.

As he rounded the corner to the stairwell, his eyes met a disappointed Professor McGonagall.

"Ah Mr. Malfoy, how kind of you to grace us with your presence. You were missed this morning in transfiguration," she said sternly.

Draco took a deep gulp and mumbled an apology.

"Don't apologize to me Mr. Malfoy. It is only you that your actions are hurting. I'll remind you once again that the ministry is keeping a close eye on you. Attendance to your classes is not optional if you wish to stay enrolled at this school."

Uncomfortably, Draco responded, "The paper… I just needed…"

"Yes, I did happen to see Rita's article this morning," McGonagall cut in. "Per usual, she added quite the flair to a mundane story. Anyone with half a brain would have noticed that the only new information in that article was that your mother visited your father, and you did not. Clearly nothing worth gossiping over."

The gentle grin across Professor McGonagall's face made it clear she was once again offering Draco more than he believed he deserved, kindness.

"Now go on. I wouldn't want you to be late for Professor Slughorn's class."

"Thank you, Professor," Draco nodded before descending the stairs.

When Draco finally got to the potion's classroom, Slughorn was just about to begin. He entered with his head kept low and found his seat beside Hermione for their assignment.

It was comforting to be beside her again. He didn't dare try to speak with her when every other student in the class was watching him intently, waiting for a mistake. But despite not being able to embrace her, he still felt safer with her by his side.

Slughorn's lecture droned on about the principles behind potion making. Draco focused as hard as he could on the lesson in order to avoid the temptation to look at Hermione, but every now and then he caught himself drifting towards her.

She looked beautiful as always, Draco thought. Her curls were resting on her shoulders and her eyes were glazed over in some kind of daydream. It wasn't like Hermione to stop listening to her professors, but clearly something else was on her mind. Draco wondered if she too could feel the energy between them. He wondered if he was the thing she was daydreaming of.

When Slughorn finally ended his lesson and instructed the class to begin working on their assignments, Hermione's focus returned, and she shifted in her chair to face Draco. Even in the dimly lit dungeon, her brown eyes shined.

Knowing that the other students were likely eavesdropping on him, he decided it was best to stay focused on the schoolwork. And so, when he looked at Hermione, he calmly said, "so the potion."

Hermione fumbled with her words before changing topics, "Um… Draco are you okay?"

She clearly didn't notice the many students tilt their heads to listen. Cutting her off from saying anything else, Draco stated, "not here," while subtly gesturing to the students.

It wasn't that he didn't want to open up to her. It was just that he didn't want to drag her down with him. If he were to pursue any form of relationship with Hermione, she too would be viewed as a villain. He couldn't risk hurting her, and so, instead of letting other people see her compassion, he forced her to act indifferent towards him.

Barely any other words were shared between them in class. Instead, they worked silently on their potions.

When Slughorn dismissed the class, Draco didn't waste one second before grabbing his bag and heading out of the room. He didn't want to linger around and give his classmates a chance to make comments about him. But mostly, he couldn't risk walking out of the room with Hermione and starting a forest fire of rumours about them throughout the school. He couldn't do much to protect himself, but at least he could protect her.


Draco returned to the room of requirement that evening and remained there all night. This time, it was decorated with a bed in the center. Clearly, the room was aware that Draco had no intention of going back to his dormitory and thus, as always, was adequately prepared for his stay.

As he sat alone in the room, a quiet tapping sound came from the window across from the bed. There, on the windowsill, sat a large brown owl carrying an envelope sealed with the dreaded M.

For a moment, Draco debated ignoring the owl and avoiding the letter all together. But then he determined that it wasn't fair to punish the owl by making it sit outside on the windowsill all night. The owl was only doing his job after all. And so, Draco unhinged the window and pushed it open, allowing the bird to enter the room. He took the envelope and stroked the owls head a few times as a thank you, before sending it out of the room.

When the window was resealed, Draco returned to the comfort of the bed and tore the envelope open. The parchment inside contain the familiar handwriting that belonged to Draco's father.

Son,

I am entirely disappointed in your behaviour. You were raised better than this. Your mother was completely heartbroken when you didn't arrive to the visitation and I hope you understand that by avoiding your family, you are not hurting me, only her.

Another visitation is scheduled for during your Christmas Holidays. You will return to the Manor for the break and attend the visit with you mother in order to make her happy. You will abide by the conduct all Malfoy men are expected to abide by. I hope I make myself clear.

Know that if you decide to continue this behaviour, there will be consequences. I may be in Azkaban, but I am still you father, and I can still control my family. You of all people should know that I always get my way… no matter the cost.

L.M.

Draco read over the letter twice before setting it ablaze. His father was threatening him, a thought that almost made Draco laugh. In the past, Lucius' threats were terrifying to Draco. But now, they were empty. Despite what he may believe, Draco's father no longer had any power over him. He was locked away for the rest of his life without any magic and so, what could he possibly do?

Draco hated his father more and more each day, but he was no longer scared of him like he used to be as a child. It felt liberating to finally know his threats couldn't hurt him.

That thought began to set Draco free. From now on, he would no longer dream of his father.


Draco continued to feel isolated as snow began to fall on the ground. Angry glares and whispers persisted as weeks passed by, and so, he avoided crowds. He arrived at his classes at almost the exact time they commenced and left directly after being excused. His spare time was often spent hiding in the room of requirement or wandering outside in the cold, where few other students chose to go. He ate all of his meals away from the Great Hall, often asking house elves to bring food to him in his common room, empty classrooms, or the room of requirement.

Although his invisibility act allowed him to minimize scrutiny from his fellow classmates, it also prevented him from seeing Hermione. If it weren't for their potion's assignment, they wouldn't have spoken for the entirety of November. He wanted desperately to spend time with her, but knew it was too risky. Hermione's reputation was too important. He couldn't save himself, but he could save her.

Draco looked forward to Slughorn's class for the two weeks they were granted to work in pairs on their assignment. Although class wasn't a good place to talk about anything other than ingredients, it still allowed him to spend time near Hermione without other people being suspicious.

On a few occasions, their hands would meet when reaching for a vial or they would momentarily make eye contact. This intimacy was subtle, but it was enough to make Draco feel like his worries were far away. He hoped Hermione noticed them too.

When their assignment ended, he felt more alone than ever. Mostly, this was his own fault, because he was choosing not to join in with his fellow Slytherin's, who seemed rather indifferent about Draco's family situation. But to Draco, solitude seemed better than faking smiles and acting tough.

So, the only company he received were the owls that delivered him pestering letters from his parents reminding him of their holiday plans. They seemed endless, and it was getting to the point where Draco wasn't even bothering to read them.

He had no intention of going home for the break. His mother had chosen Lucius over him when she attended the visitation. It was a poor choice in Draco's opinion, but it was her choice to make. And now, it was her who would have to deal with the consequences.

Draco would instead remain at the castle for the break. He had already informed Professor McGonagall, who believed he was being very wise by remaining separate from his dysfunctional family.

Draco was actually looking forward to this year's break more than any other year. Normally, the holidays would have consisted of uncomfortable parties filled with pure-blood families pushing their daughters onto Draco in hopes of attaining the Malfoy fortune. And last year, he had been forced to spend the holiday catering to Lord Voldemort's wishes, which was terrifying and unpleasant.

This year, the quiet would be more than enough for Draco. He would be able to wander the halls without his classmates around, he could eat in the Great Hall once again, and he wouldn't have to worry about rude stares while he studied in the library. Draco was quiet looking forward to the break.