The Benefits of Growing Up

Ch. 2 (Tables Turning In The Wizarding World)

As I dropped my bag next to the sofa in the common room, I felt a pang of sadness that Draco wasn't here. We had become tentative but fast friends after being appointed heads, and he could usually calm me down after a spat with the boys. Even though Harry and Ron still disliked him, Draco took it in stride and tried to weigh in on situations of unrest objectively. Just thinking about all of the opportunities for fights Draco had passed up in the last few months really showed what kind of person he is.

He had flipped halfway through the war. Even though that proved his goodness to me, the late Headmaster Dumbledore, and most of the order, some were suspicious; Harry and Ron were in no way convinced that he had changed. However, at that time, I couldn't really blame them. Draco was still a spy, not just a full-fledged order member, meaning that he had to maintain his mannerisms and attitudes. I recognized that his actions were necessities for survival, but the boys did not. Much like Severus in the fact that he had to be sure that no one was given a reason to doubt his evilness. And even though (much like former Headmaster Snape) Draco's demeanor was cold and a bit off-putting, the courage and selflessness he exhibited just by coming to us in the middle of a war was enough. Besides once Voldemort was defeated and the weight was off of his shoulders, Draco tried to make amends for his past.

- Flashback -

As Harry, Ron, and I walked down the train, trying to find an empty compartment, I felt someone's eyes on me. War instincts taking hold, I whipped out my wand and pinned the man to the floor of the train.

"What do you want, Ferret?" Ron asked.

Draco started to stammer out his apology, but I beat him to it by expressing my observation.

I abruptly cut in saying, "Congratulations on making Head Boy, Draco!"

Of course noticing the badge pinned onto his robes, since it was almost identical to the Head Girl one pinned neatly onto my lapel. As I said this both Harry and Ron's eyes widened in disbelief at the thought. Ron also started turning as red as his hair, and at this point I knew what was coming.

"What?" Harry and Ron screamed at the same time.

- End Flashback -

After the scene on the train, I really had gotten to know Draco and without the pressures of being a spy and of having Voldemort reading every intention in your mind (or rather trying to keep the intentions from him), Draco really developed into a nicer person. This is at least what, me, opening my eyes saw. Yet Harry, Ron, and even Ginny retained their grudges. They all provoked Draco endlessly, and looked down their noses at him for being born as a Malfoy. Oh how the prejudice of the Wizarding world had been reversed. If I hadn't been on the receiving end before, I would have appreciated the irony more. But since I understood that this was nothing Draco could help, I did not align myself with the feelings of retribution that the ignorant held so dear. His own house of Slytherin even sunned Draco, for being a "trader" in the war. Therefore with us working so closely both being heads and all, and also me being one of the only people that didn't hate his guts… A friendship formed.

AN: What do you think? My promise to make the chapters longer was truth, and yes I'm shocked myself that I actually delivered. I was a little unsure of this chapter just because it's easy to forget all the details that are already in my mind about the back-story. If someone would like to beta this that would be great, just to call me on it when my BS doesn't make sense. Beyond that, lots of feedback is always appreciated… Should I include another flashback about Draco talking to Hermione on the train in the Heads compartment, apologizing again? Also while you're waiting for another chapter of this, I have another story that I have started. I know that I'm a bad girl for not finishing this one first. But what can you do, the pen writes what the pen writes. Also if you are wondering why it takes me so long to update…? I have to write everything out on paper first, then type, and then upload. So sorry, but it is just my creative process. Never fear though, I have already started another chapter. Enjoy!