Draco Malfoy sits in the Great Hall, bored as they announce something about the ministry and a new Defense Against the Dark Arts Teacher. He stifles a yawn as they continue with official business, biding his time until they can get to what really mattered: the food and his friends.
"Now that they're finally done boring us to death," the young Malfoy scion speaks up, drawing the attention of his mates, grinning as he makes his next barb, "it's you blokes' turn to bore me." Blaise, his dark-skinned mate, gives him an unimpressed look, while Nott, who by the way looks a lot less dough-y and a lot more toned, has an expression of confusion on his face. Draco rolls his eyes and says just one word to clarify his meaning. "Summer."
"Oh. Um…well…" The once timid boy clears his throat. "It started off pretty standard, but then I made a breakthrough on dimensional and transportation magic, allowing me to make portkeys and apparition points." His voice slowly rises with intensity and excitement. "Then I moved on to wards, you know the defensive stuff, blood-keyed, and all the works, and then…" Draco nods along, half listening as the more eccentric of his best mates rambles on and on about tracking spells and summoning charms, enchantments, and something about a prison.
As Draco, he's happy for is friend honestly, and thankful for his help. As Thriller, he'd witnessed the fruits that such genius can bring, even if Nott isn't quite the level of Crane or… Draco's eyes narrow in anger and fury as he recalls the man who killed him in his first life. Never mind that, it's Blaise's turn.
"If you must know, I did get some work done—"
"B-but Blake, you were beautiful as you were!" Nott cuts him off, looking distraught, silencing the darker-skinned boy and surprising the Slytherin King. His mouth then morphs into the wickedest grin, one that gives Thriller a run for his money, as a malevolent cackle escapes his throat. Soon enough, the laughter spreads, as even Blaise has a chuckle at his own expense.
"Theodore Nott making a joke. It doesn't happen often, but when it does…" Blaise shakes his head in disbelief.
"I didn't think he had it in him." Draco chimes in. "But then again, I of all people should know better than to count out our dear mate Theo at anything he puts his mind to." Blaise rolls his eyes, as Nott almost blushes, looking bashful at receiving such compliments, muttering an almost unheard word of gratitude.
"Anyways, as I was saying, I got some work done, on the dueling circuit." Both of the much paler boys lean forward, intrigue and excited by this news. "Nothing public." He clarifies, waving off their apparent enthusiasm. "Just some training, a mock battle here and there?"
"But did you win?" The not-so-Little Demon interjects, eyebrow raised. Blaise retorts with the most Slytherin of grins.
"I remain undefeated of course." After some silent and not-so-silent praise, all eyes turn to the Malfoy heir.
"What?" He questions innocently.
"Your summer, mate." Blaise questions, bringing a drink to his lips. "We told you about ours, so spill." Draco licks his lips and nods, the jovial expression gone from his face as he prepares himself.
"I…had the pleasure of having a face to face with the Dark Lord, courtesy of my aunt." He relays with a sour expression.
"Bloody hell, so Potter was right?" Exclaims Nott, to which Draco can only nod.
"First time for everything." He represses a snort of amusement due to the seriousness of the topic. "Your father should be getting a visit soon…" Realization and understanding then come over Draco's visage as he plays his own words in his head. "Bloody hell, I only said 'me and my parents', I…" He brings his palm to his forehead in a show of frustration. He then sighs.
"Look, if he tries for you, tell him to bugger off. You're implied." He explains with a serious tone, before turning to his other friend. "You too."
"You want us to tell the Dark Lord to 'bugger off.'" Blaise responds in a dry tone, causing Draco to shrug.
"You can tell him to sod off if the word choice bothers you." Blaise shakes his head in disbelief.
"And here I thought you liked us." The Dragon King chuckles.
"That's your first mistake." He sobers up quickly, his grey, stormy eyes steeling over. "But seriously, if he does come…just…don't take the bloody mark." He advises. "Other than that…well I guess if he asks you to torture a schoolgirl or something then you can tell him I said 'fuck off."
"You care about torturing schoolgirls?" Blaise asks, eyebrow raised.
"I care if he makes you torture schoolgirls." Draco clarifies. "If you want to do so on your own time…" He gestures around the Great Hall where students year 1 to 7 are currently eating and chatting. "Go ahead, we have plenty. Same with muggle hunting or…whatever else it is he does." It's silent for a bit as both of his mates think things over. It's Blaise who breaks the silence, a look of curiosity on his face.
"How did you get…him to leave you and your parents alone?" Blaise inquires quietly. Draco smirks at the question, remembering his moment of triumph.
"The cheeky half-blood sent a Cruciatus at me, and I blocked it. We talked, I told him what he can do and where he can shove it, and he sent a much stronger one at me, using his words this time." Draco's smirk transforms into his trademark grin. "I batted it aside like it was a Bludger" At those words, the Zabini heir's breathing quickens for a moment and his expression turns stricken.
"Bloody hell…isn't he supposed to be inhumanly powerful? With snake-like speed?" He recalls breathlessly, repeating what his dueling master taught him. Draco only shrugs.
"He's quick." The grin returns. "But I'm just that quicker." The platinum blond stops to take a drink of his own and gather himself. "But again, do what you need to do to survive, just…don't take the mark." He instructs once more. "I know you have the skills, the fruits of your labor that can allow you to survive, but if he keeps on coming…" He lets it trail off there, not needing to say more.
"And you?" Nott asks quietly, causing Draco to snort.
"I beat a dragon." He says, going back to his meal and his drink as both of his mates look on, wanting for more. With a roll of his eyes and a sigh, Draco continues. "And he doesn't have the slightest idea as to how I did it so…" He shrugs.
"Yeah, no one does, not even us." Blaise remarks, causing Draco to grin.
"And no one ever will."