The first day of classes was nothing short of a roller-coaster for Draco Malfoy.
Draco and Luna had left the Great Hall together after breakfast, along with the many other students eager to start the first official day back. When they arrived in Charms, Luna led them to a pair of seats, where they were soon joined by Anthony on Draco's side, and both Harry and Neville on Luna's side. Harry and Neville both cast him identical nods before taking their seats, and Draco delivered a practiced, polite nod in return, masking his surprise. The other Eighth Years filed in quickly, and Draco was again forced to notice the absence of any Slytherin students. The other houses, admittedly mostly Ravenclaws and Gryffindors, sat amongst each other, paying no mind to houses.
Professor Flitwick distributed a list of charms that they should know at this point in their education; unfortunately, many of them, including Draco, had yet to master them all. As Draco scanned the list, he found the charm to turn the green on his robes to blue, but he didn't dare try it in front of the class. Though he was rather good at non-verbal spell work, having been trained by his father since he was eleven, he usually needed to do new spells verbally first to be successful in the non-verbal application. He would wait until he was alone to try it. Flitwick asked them to pair off for the second half of class, and Draco couldn't keep the smile off his face when Luna gripped his arm, claiming him as her partner.
Draco watched Luna fire off several charm spells, some at inanimate objects, and some at him. She had no problem with any of them, being obviously very good at Charms. When she fired a Tickling Charm in his direction, Draco burst out in laughter as his most sensitive, ticklish places were harassed under invisible fingers. He quickly flicked his wand over himself, silently removing the charm. As he noticed the looks he was receiving from around the classroom, he bit the inside of his cheek to reign in his laughter. He doubted any of these people had ever seen him smile, much less laugh out loud.
He quickly cast his own Tickling Charm at her, and though he tried to restrain himself, he broke out into a broad smile as he watched her laugh take over. Her blonde hair fell away from her face as she threw her head back, her laugh high pitched and uncontrolled. Her head snapped to Draco as she clutched her sides, her eyes filling with tears of mirth. She pulled her wand and pointed it at herself, trying to stutter the incantation to stop the charm, "F-F-Fini…" She couldn't quite get the words out, so Draco flicked his wand and released her from the charm.
Draco stared at her as she breathed in a sigh of relief and clutched the back of the nearest chair. She was looking straight at him, her laugh still evident in the sparkle in her eyes, the flush on her cheeks, and the smile on her face. How was it he had never given her any notice before the Manor? He couldn't stop the daze that came over him as she approached him, complimenting his use of non-verbal magic.
He left the class with her holding his arm, promising to take time in the evening to help her with her wordless magic. Draco's at first timid hopes were now soaring high above him, and he had no problem acknowledging that Luna was the reason for that. In some part of his mind, he was aware that he was being unsafe; he was aware that he and Luna were catching glances from all around; and he was aware that the joy and freedom he was feeling now could not last. But he pushed those thoughts aside, and smiled at the beautiful blonde on his arm.
His hopes dwindled, but remained intact when they entered the Potions classroom, where they saw that instead of the usual double desks, there were several tables set up for single use. Draco and Luna chose work tables next to each other.
"Good morning, everyone! And welcome back!" Slughorn entered the room looking thinner than he had the previous year, yet no less jolly. "Now, everyone up! You'll be assigned your seats by me."
Draco was disappointed, but he picked up his bag and went to the back of the room with the rest of the class. It didn't take Draco long to understand Slughorn's pattern of arranging the students around the room. He didn't stop the sneer that rose to his face as he watched everyone be assigned a seat before him. Luna was put in the center section of the room along with Harry, Ron, Hermione, Neville, and Terry—all the most popular heroes, all members of Slughorn's beloved club. He was far more careless with the seating arrangements for the other students, scattering them at random around the central group. Finally, he got to Draco.
"Ah, Mister Malfoy, I have a very special seat for you," he grinned at Draco and placed his hands on a table at the very front, very center of the room. "From here, we can all keep an eye on you, you see?"
Draco was beyond horrified! Slughorn's tone was condescending and his assumption that he needed to be watched was infuriating and embarrassing, but it was not the worst part. Draco's fear level peaked as all eyes turned on him as he stood frozen at the back of the room.
"Come, now, Mister Malfoy, we don't have all morning to wait on you. Take your seat," Slughorn demanded, not faking politeness so much anymore.
Draco swallowed around the lump of fear that was lodged in his throat and slowly made his way past the other students to his stool. His breathing sped up and he couldn't control the prickles on the back of his neck as he sat down slowly, his back to the room full of members of Dumbledore's Army. He cast a shield over his shoulder, more thankful than ever that he had mastered the art of casting spells without the use of words.
Only once did something hit his shield, and a glance over his shoulder showed a confused Dean Thomas of Gryffindor being scolded by Seamus Finnigan. Potions ended without any further hexes thrown at Draco's back. But that didn't stop Draco's hands from shaking as he chopped, diced, and crushed his ingredients. He had never been so happy to see the end of a Potions class.
Most of the Eighth Year students, including Luna, would be getting a free period now, but Draco had signed up for Advanced Potions. When the class ended, he focused on cleaning his work area and didn't turn around to see if Luna would wave goodbye. His nerves were fried.
"Alright, the rest of you come to the front of the room here, behind Mister Malfoy," Slughorn instructed. Draco heard movement behind him as the remaining students shuffled forward and sat at the tables directly behind Draco. A scraping noise brought Draco's eyebrows together, and he turned in confusion to the source of the noise. Terry Boot was holding his wand over his desk, commanding it forward silently. It screeched to a halt right beside Draco. Draco starred up at him, but Terry just arched an eyebrow at him before flicking his robe imperiously behind him and sitting on his stool beside Draco. Draco returned the arched brow in much the same fashion and was greeted with a small smile from Terry. Seconds later, the scraping noise returned. Terry and Draco both looked over as Padma and Parvati Patil followed Terry's lead, moving their desks alongside them. Though neither sat beside Draco or acknowledged him in any way, Draco still felt gratitude towards them. Even if they had only been following Terry's lead, Terry's lead seemed to be in Draco's favor. Slughorn appeared openly startled at their behavior, but said nothing.
Draco was much calmer in his Advanced Potions class than he had been in the regular Potions class. He took his shield charm down, and followed the instructions for the potion that Slughorn left them to do. Soon he was standing over a brewing potion, calmer than he had been all day. Potion brewing had always been a way for him to find his center and readjust. When his Potion was done, he put it into the glass vial, corked it, and took it to Slughorn for inspection.
"First one finished, Mister Malfoy?" Slughorn asked, his eyebrows raised in surprise. Draco fought to keep the sneer from his face. How could Slughorn act surprised? Of course, seeing as how Draco was less than popular in light of his actions during the war, he wasn't surprised that Slughorn would treat him this way. Slughorn only favored the most popular, well connected students. That still didn't negate Draco's obvious skill and talent as a Potions student and future Potions Master. Even when Draco had been highly distracted, stressed, and depressed during his sixth year, he still managed to effortlessly obtain top marks in Potions. Slughorn knew that, or he wouldn't have permitted Draco to take his Advanced Potions class.
"Very well," Slughorn shrugged when Draco said nothing, only passing the vial over to his professor. "You can pack your things and leave. No need to wait on the others to finish. Good day."
Draco turned sharply on his heel, cleared his work area and packed his things. Even after all the peace-inducing brewing, he felt more wired and agitated than he had when he started the class.
He stomped from the room, but was at least careful not to slam the door behind him. With every step he took, the cautious side of him grew louder and his mask that he had foregone for far too long that morning was put back together piece by piece. He walked right past the Great Hall, bustling in the lunch hour, not wanting to sit among the stares right now. By the time he reached the massive oak front doors, his back was straight and rigid, his head held high, and all emotion void from his features. He strode across the grounds until he reached Greenhouse Seven. He conjured a small blanket and slumped down on it, leaning against the greenhouse wall.
He was just getting into a good scowl session when a voice called to him in question, "Malfoy?" Draco leapt from the ground as fast as he could and whipped around. Neville Longbottom's head was peeking out from around the front of the greenhouse. He stepped out and took strides towards Draco. "What are you doing here so early?" Neville asked.
"I…didn't much fancy eating right now. Thought I'd come on out…get to class early," Draco bit out a bit harsher than was necessary, but Neville seemed unaffected by the attitude.
"Oh, well…I'm moving a few plants for Professor Sprout, you know, helping her set up for class. Maybe you'd like to help me out?" Neville asked, shrugging.
Draco narrowed his eyes, not sure if the once awkward Gryffindor had some hidden motive. He watched Neville look to the ground and dig his toe nervously into the dirt when Draco didn't immediately answer. No, Draco decided, Neville's bravery was legendary. He was a Gryffindor through and through. He wasn't going to curse Draco, at least not when his back was turned. "I suppose I have nothing better to do," Draco finally stated.
Neville's head shot up at the answer, and a small, albeit genuine grin appeared on his face. "Alright," he nodded, "Follow me."
They spent the next hour moving a number of plants that certainly had the ability to be dangerous if not handled properly from Greenhouse five to Greenhouse Seven, where Herbology would be held. Though Draco had been exposed to many magical plants at his Manor Home, and many others that he had used in Potions, he was still unfamiliar with most of them. Neville, on the other hand, seemed to be an endless pot of knowledge when it came to them.
Neville had been insistent that Draco should wear his protective gloves and goggles the whole time, along with a face mask, in the case of some of the more feisty plants releasing harmful fumes. Draco felt utterly ridiculous in the garb. They spoke little in the way of personal conversation, but Neville kept up a polite, informative stream of instructions on the best way to move the plants. Too many times, Draco found himself outright harassed and abused by the plants. He'd been bitten, slapped, tugged on and bound, no matter how closely he followed Neville's directions. Luckily, Neville was efficient in getting Draco out of every mess he got into with the plants.
Draco had just set the last plant down in the back of Greenhouse Seven when he heard none other than the voice of Harry Potter from the front of the Greenhouse, "Neville! Where are you?"
Draco hurriedly stood up to make some sort of exit when the plant reached out and gripped him tight around the ankle.
"Right here, Harry," he heard Neville reply.
Draco dropped to one knee, hurriedly stroking the leaves on the plant the way that Neville had showed him. The plant only tightened his grip, and Draco huffed in frustration.
"Are we alone?" Harry asked. Draco's ears perked at the suggestiveness that oozed from Harry's voice.
"Only for a moment, Harry. I found Malfoy outside, and he's been helping me set up for class. Sprout's down in Greenhouse three, cleaning up from her last class," Neville answered.
"So we are alone, at least until Malfoy gets here?" Harry asked. Draco looked around the plant, intent on making his presence known, but the sight only caused his eyes to widen and his voice to freeze on his tongue.
Harry waved his wand, and with an audible click, the greenhouse door was locked. Potter pulled Neville close, and the two began making out with vigor. Harry's lips quickly moved down Neville's neck, though Neville tried to protest, "No, Harry…mmm….Malfoy could….ah….be here any second."
Draco snapped into action, tearing off his mask and goggles, stroking the leaves with all the finesse he could muster, but the damn thing wouldn't loosen! His eyes darted back to the snogging pair just as Harry lifted Neville onto the table, pushing his robes aside. He was just about to pull out his wand and sever the plants hold on him—exactly what Neville had told him not to do-when Neville's eyes opened and met Draco's. Both boys eyes went wide and Neville squeaked, "Malfoy!"
Harry stopped his groping and spun around. "Malfoy, what are you doing?" Harry demanded.
Draco shut his eyes and slowly stood from his position on the ground. "This fucking plant won't let go of me," he managed. He couldn't open his eyes, too embarrassed with the entire situation. As intriguing as it was to find out about Neville and Harry's relationship this way, Draco couldn't stop the overwhelming embarrassment at having been caught witnessing it.
"Oh," Neville said. Draco opened his eyes when he heard Neville approaching him. Neville dropped to his knees, and gently began stroking the leaves closest to Draco's ankle. Draco looked up at Potter, who was looking at him with a look between confusion and anger. The plant loosened on his ankle and Draco was free.
"How'd you do that? I was stroking the damn thing like my life depended on it!" Draco asked Neville.
He was startled when Neville broke into a smile and began chuckling, "Yeah, I bet you were! Sorry you had to see that," he nodded towards Harry.
Draco didn't know what to say, but was saved from having to come up with an adequate response by Harry. "Look, Malfoy, only the important people in our lives know about us. I don't need to be reading this in the Daily Prophet over breakfast." He sounded desperate and angry.
Draco blinked. It hadn't even occurred to him to blab on Potter and Longbottom. "It's really not my business who you choose to date, Potter."
"So…you won't say anything?" Neville asked, still standing close to him.
"No, I will not." Draco tilted his head towards Neville and Harry, hoping they'd believe him, though he wouldn't be surprised if they saw obliviation as a better way to ensure their secret than to actually trust him.
After a moment of silence, Harry joined him and Neville. "Alright, Malfoy," he said with finality, extending his hand forward. "Not a word."
Draco looked at the hand for a moment before slowly extending his own. "Not a word," he concurred, shaking Potter's outstretched hand. The first sounds of students coming up the slope from the castle could be heard now. Harry's grip was firm and aimed at intimidation, but Draco didn't let any sign of discomfort cross his face.
The voices outside grew louder as the eighth years drew closer. Professor Sprout came into the room first, covered in her usual film of dirt and grass stains.
"Neville, thank you so much for setting up. Take five points," she said. "Oh hello Harry…and Mister Malfoy?" the plump, aged witch seemed confused with the students that made up the trio in the room.
"Hello, Professor," Harry and Draco said at the same time, though Harry's voice was much warmer and far less proper than Draco's.
"Professor, Draco helped me set up," Neville said politely, motioning to Draco.
"Oh really?" Professor Sprout asked, not hiding her surprise as she looked at Draco. "Well, in that case take five points for Slytherin—oh excuse me, it's Ravenclaw now, isn't it?" Draco nodded his head. He was caught off guard when Professor Sprout laughed, "Oh my, that's going to take some getting used to, isn't it! Five points to Ravenclaw, Mister Malfoy. Well done."
The door to the greenhouse opened and the first of the class bustled in. Neville and Harry shared a look before turning to Draco. They seemed to come to some sort of silent agreement before walking to one side of the long table. Neville turned his head and motioned for Draco to follow. Though unsure why, Draco followed anyway.
He stood on one side of Neville, though he left a sizable space between them. He almost jumped up in surprise when Luna slid between them, "Hi!" she chirped, smiling at him.
"Hi," he said quietly, feeling calmer by her presence.
"Hey, Loo!" Neville said cheerfully, pulling Luna between him and Harry.
"Hello, boys," Luna teased, letting herself be pulled between them. If Draco didn't know any better, he would think the three of them were entirely too flirtatious. But as he now knew the status of Potter and Longbottom's orientation, he found their campy behavior with Luna to be amusing. The term faghag, in a non-derogatory sense, of course, certainly rang a bell.
The table was filling up fast around them. He received a hello from Anthony, who sidled up on his left, as he had done in Charms that morning, and Hermione and Ron came to stand across from Neville and Harry. Draco became suddenly aware of his state of appearance. He knew he had a couple of cuts on his face, if the slight burning situation was anything to go by. He'd broke quite a sweat helping Neville carry the troublesome plants back into the classroom greenhouse and had used his sleeve more than once to wipe at the sheen of sweat on his brow. He shuddered as his imagination presented a picture of his hair in his mind. On top of that, the tenderness around his eyes suggested that his goggles had left suction rings around them. Even Quidditch didn't leave him feeling so out of sorts. And at least the sport provided a good excuse to appear so unkempt and sweaty.
But when Luna bumped into him after an obvious shove from Neville and clung to his arm to keep from falling, he couldn't care less what he looked like. That was another first.
"So, there's going to be a party—to sort of celebrate the end of our first day back-in the Room of Requirement tonight. Would you like to go?" she asked, straightening but staying close to him.
"The room of requirement?" Draco asked. "Is that somewhere near the Ravenclaw common room?"
"It's the room of hidden things, Malfoy," Harry calmly interrupted, his eyes not quite meeting Draco's.
Draco made to say "Oh," but the words seemed to get lost in his throat though his mouth formed the shape. He looked down at the table as the memories from that room flooded his mind. He hadn't been expecting for the safely tucked away memories of sixth year and of Crabbe's death to be brought to the surface so abruptly.
He heard Professor Sprout call the class to attention, and Luna whisper, "It's okay, we'll talk about it later." He nodded his head in her direction without fully comprehending the words.
When the class came to the time to actually work with the plants, Draco was forced out of his horrid thoughts. His focus was still off, and had he not been wearing his protective gloves, he'd probably have an array of cuts all over his hands and wrists.
Luna and Neville were both enthusiastic about the class, and were constantly talking about the unusual methods the French were using to grow the plants, or the amazing uses the Americans had found for the roots, or the uniqueness of the leaves of those grown at Hogwarts, and just about every other aspect of the plant. Draco chanced a glance at Potter, who didn't look like he was enjoying the assignment any more than Draco. When Potter saw him looking, he rolled his eyes at Luna and Neville, sliced a leaf off the plant, and tossed it over his shoulder dramatically. Draco couldn't help but smile discreetly at him.
"I saw that, Harry, and if you do one more thing to hurt that lovely piece of life that you have the pleasure to care for, I will not be spreading my legs for you when you're drunk after the party tonight. Understood?" Neville didn't stutter or miss a beat.
Harry turned red and gaped at him before finally stuttering out, "But…Nev…please, you know how I get when I've been drinking!"
"Oh, I love when they get like this," Luna whispered, moving closer to Draco and further away from the other two.
"It is quite entertaining," Draco whispered back as he watched Neville point a finger at Harry, followed by Harry saying, "Understood! Okay! Just don't…you know…get all withholding! I'm sorry I hurt this…lovely piece of life." By this point Neville was focusing back on his plant, and Harry looked at Draco again, rolling his eyes with an amused smile on his face.
By the time they left Herbology, Draco thought the day had rounded out nicely, despite the bad moments. Luna walked beside him as they strode across the lawn back to the castle. She didn't walk as quickly as the average person, so the class was soon ahead of them.
"If you don't want to go to the party tonight, I'm sure no one would mind," Luna randomly stated.
Draco's eyes widened and he laughed as he looked at her. As soon as he looked at her face, he realized that she had no idea exactly what she had said. His smile widened and he replied, "I have no doubt that no one would mind, Miss Lovegood. And it's not that I do not wish to go-" he stopped speaking, unsure how to lead the statement away from his unwanted thoughts from earlier.
"I know. You don't have to share that with me if you're not ready," Luna said softly.
Draco was taken aback by her blunt insightfulness. A part of him wanted to ask what she was talking about—deny that there was anything to talk about, but instead he just said, "Thanks…and perhaps I will go."
"I'm so glad classes are done for the day! Aren't you? You certainly look like it! What did those poor plants do to you?" The change of subject was swift, and again Draco was unable to fight off a laugh at Luna's bluntness.
"Those plants were stubborn and had some ingrained aversion to me. I swear I did everything Neville told me to do, but I obviously have no talent when it comes to Herbology…and I don't look that awful, do I?" he asked as an afterthought.
"Oh no! I rather like this look on you. It's much more natural and certainly makes you seem more approachable. If you decide to escort me to the party tonight, I won't be disappointed if you decide not to freshen up."
Draco, this time, was left gaping at her, just barely remembering to keep his feet moving. Had she just asked him to be her escort to the party?
When he didn't immediately answer, she quickly amended, "Oh, but I think you look just as nice your usual way. If you decided to clean up, I wouldn't be disappointed with that, either!"
Draco swallowed and forced himself to answer strong, "If you really don't mind, I think I will freshen up a bit before escorting you to the party."
The smile she gave him was soft and unexpected, "Thank you, Draco," she said just as softly as her smile. Draco couldn't say anything; all he could do was smile back at her as the familiar words were spoken. Thank you, Draco.
"Draco Malfoy!" The shriek came from the entrance to the castle. Draco and Luna both stopped dead in their tracks. That was a voice he would recognize anywhere, yet he was absolutely not expecting to hear now. "Draco what happened to you?" Pansy Parkinson descended the stairs and hurried forward. "Have you been attacked? Oh, Draco, your hair!" She reached him and gave Luna a slight bump to the side. Her hands went immediately to straightening him. "Oh, these stains on your robes—" she abruptly stopped moving as she peered at his robes. Her silence seemed to snap him out of his shock at seeing her. He followed her eyes and realized that she was staring at the badge on his robes.
"Pansy," he started, his eyes darting between her and Luna. Luna was backing away to leave, and Draco quickly nodded his head without a second thought, practically begging her to stay. She stopped moving, but didn't take any steps towards them. "Pansy, what are you doing here?" It wasn't the most graceful of statements, but he really couldn't think of anything better to say.
"Draco, what the fuck is that thing on your robe? Where is your Slytherin badge?" Pansy cried, pointing at him, backing away slightly.
"A lot's happened since you've been away, Pansy-" Draco tried.
"I've only missed one day of classes! What could I possibly have missed?" she cried. Draco could see his ex-girlfriend becoming slowly more and more angry. He stuttered to come up with an adequate excuse—and fast—to stop her rising temper. One look at Luna behind Pansy, and Draco resolved that nothing he could say would stop Pansy's anger. No matter how he explained it, she was going to be pissed off. "You tell me right now why that thing is on your robe, Draco Malfoy."
"I've been resorted," Draco said quiet but firm.
Pansy's mouth all but fell open with a huff before she hurriedly clamped it shut again. "Can I please speak to you—in private?"
"Um-" his eyes flashed to Luna, but he was cut off as Pansy jerked him roughly by the sleeve.
"Now, Draco!" she demanded, half-dragging him past Luna and up the stairs into the entrance hall. Draco managed to send a look at Luna, hoping his face wasn't betraying the fear that he felt. As embarrassing as it would be to be rescued by a girl, he was really wishing Luna would come after him. But she just waved as though this were any standard goodbye, looking a curious brand of confused.
Pansy dragged him into the entrance hall and towards the dungeons. Draco didn't jerk from her grasp until Luna was completely out sight.
"Pansy, what are you doing here?" he demanded. "Last I heard, you had fled to Romania!" He was so confused, and quickly becoming angry that he had been dragged so unceremoniously away from Luna. Luna, who he hoped would still want to go to the party with him. He knew it was not wise to let his mind be clouded by thoughts of Luna with a very angry Pansy in front of him.
"I did not flee, Draco! I sustained injuries that were left untreated during the trials, and I didn't think it would benefit me to use St. Mungo's—dark mark or no dark mark," she turned around and continued walking at a fast pace. "Hurry up, Draco. I am not going to have this conversation in the hallways."
Draco huffed and stormed after her. He bit his tongue as they descended into the dungeons. Draco realized he had not been down there since being back. Feeling the cold penetrating his robes the further he went, he couldn't say he was particularly sorry. They came to a halt outside the Slytherin common room, and only now did Draco open his mouth to object.
"I can't go in here, Pansy," Draco said quietly.
"Nonsense, Draco. Just because you've been Ravenclaw for a day doesn't mean you're suddenly not a Slytherin anymore," Pansy quipped. "Traitor Blood," she stated the password. Draco's eyes widened and he gulped, but when Pansy turned to look at him with a little smirk, his face was impassive. "Come, Draco," she said, stepping into the Snake Pit.
Draco followed, cautiously at first. As eyes around the room turned to him, though, he moved much closer to Pansy, hoping that her presence would protect him. Did the rest of the school see Slytherins this way? They were bloody scary from the other side!
"What is he doing here?" Draco snapped around and recognized the boy as being the one that had spoken to him in the threstral- drawn carriages.
Pansy studied the other boy from down her nose, before coming to a decision. Draco was almost feeling sorry for what was going to happen to the boy when Pansy shocked the hell out of him and said, "Very well, Patrick, you may stay—the rest of you leave!" Pansy ordered the room at large. Between the stares of Patrick and Pansy, the room reluctantly scattered to their dormitories.
Pansy led them swiftly over to the sitting area and conjured a tea tray. "Sit, Draco," she ordered.
Draco slowly walked around the couch. He was hoping he would be able to use it as a barrier between himself and the two dark haired Slytherins. He settled himself on the edge of his seat on the couch, across from Pansy and as far away from Patrick as he could get.
"Tea, Draco?" Pansy asked.
"No, thank you," Draco muttered.
"Tea, Draco," she demanded, flicking her wand and sending teacup and saucer soaring over to him.
"Thank you," Draco took the cup from the air and mock sipped it. He didn't really believe she had tampered with it, but one can never be too sure when it comes to a Slytherin.
"This is my cousin, Patrick. He informed me that you had returned to Hogwarts; hence, why I have returned. I had thought you would need an ally here with you," her eyes darted to the Ravenclaw badge, "but I see you've made other arrangements that Patrick failed to inform me of."
"I chose to be resorted. The hat decided I would do best in Ravenclaw. That's what happened," Draco stated as firmly as possible.
Patrick snickered from across the couch, "Yes, and to be with your new girlfriend, of course," the little shit added.
Draco had to fight from rolling his eyes as Pansy arched a brow at him. "Girlfriend, Draco? Moved on from me so quickly?" Pansy sipped her tea after speaking quietly. It was unnerving how much like Draco's own mother she appeared then.
"I don't have a girlfriend," Draco narrowed his eyes at the younger boy.
"Well, that's settled then. I can see how you found resorting to be a good plan to protect yourself; however, now that I am here you can return to your house, and perhaps your betrayal can be forgiven in time. Shall I remove that badge from your robes, Draco?" She pulled her wand out, ready to sever it.
Draco's hands went instantly to cover the Ravenclaw badge, a surprising panic coming over him. He jumped from the couch, "No, Pansy. That won't be necessary." He backed around the couch, hand still over the badge, his other hand sliding his wand out as discreetly as possible. He understood that Pansy's offer was beyond generous and beyond what they would have done for anyone else. He was only being given the option to return because he was Draco Malfoy. And refusing that offer was a grave offense.
Pansy and Patrick had both risen from their seats, wands out. Patrick had come around the couch, towards Draco, but Pansy stopped him with a word. Draco kept backing away, knowing that at any moment, Pansy's attack would come.
"Draco Malfoy," Pansy began, and the formality of her voice sent icicles forming down Draco's spine, freezing him to the spot, "are you willingly and knowingly abandoning the house of your fathers, the house of our fallen Lord, the house of Salazar Slytherin?"
Draco took another step back, realizing that the smartest, safest, easiest path was clear: Accept Pansy's offer; return to Slytherin. Then he opened his mouth and said, "Yes. I suppose I am."
Pansy's face twisted in horror momentarily, and Draco raised his wand slightly, waiting for the attack to come. But Pansy did something even worse. With rigid back and sneering mouth, she put her wand away in the folds of her expensive robes. "Patrick," she said softly, her eyes never leaving Draco's. "Lower your wand."
Patrick whipped his head around to look at Pansy incredulously. "We'll let him go for now," she said firmly. Draco couldn't stand there anymore. He almost tripped over himself as he backed away. With a gasp, he hit the entrance, wrenched it open, and finally fled away. His heart pounded in his chest as he ran as fast as he could to escape the dungeons. He strained his ears for footsteps behind him and looked fearfully over his shoulder every few feet; but no one came after him. He emerged from the dungeon corridors, breathing a sigh of momentary relief.
So Pansy had let him walk away, unscathed. Draco knew it was only for now. As he quickly made his way to the fifth corridor, and up the winding staircase, Draco consciously acknowledged that he had just made the most dumb, most un-Slytherin decision ever; yet never in all his years as a Malfoy had he felt such Pride in himself; and never in all his years as a Slytherin, had he shown such bravery. But never in his very short time as a Ravenclaw had he felt such fear.