Purebloods and Peppermints

Progress

TW: Not eating

~Sophia's POV~

One month. One month had gone by and I had made as much progress with Draco as I did the first day. Everyday was the same as the one before. He barely spoke to me. When he did it was always to cast the same insults my way. By the end of the first thirty days, I had heard it all. "Blood-traitor" was one of his personal favorites. 

"Worthless, disgusting, and repulsive" also were said often. 

I learned not to take it personally. Unless you were Zabini, Crabbe, or Goyle, Malfoy would more than likely call you something along those lines. 

It was hard to not get discouraged, but I knew I couldn't. 

I wouldn't.

I thought back to the day after I decided to decipher Malfoy. I went down to Hogsmeade Village. I arrived about half a mile from the village with a sharp crack. The cool weather nipped at my already pale face. It was cold enough that I put on the jumper I brought with me. As I slid it over my shoulders, I took a step forward and realized how uninviting the grass was. The ground was soft from rain the night before. The air seemed heavy and bleak. 

I made my way to Tomes and Scrolls. It was a bookshop. I cracked open the mahogany colored door. The paint was peeling on the front of the door. No doubt a cause of the elements. With the weather getting colder and fall beginning  to fade, everything was starting to decay. 

As I pushed the door open, I was immediately welcomed by the smell of old leather and parchment that has been penetrated by ink. The smell was rich and earthy. It was almost sweet. 

The bell over the doorframe alarmed the shopkeeper that I had entered. An elderly woman, mid-sixties appeared before me. She was a plump woman, dressed in multicolored robes and half-moon beaded glasses that rested on the bridge of her nose. Even though she was older, her hair was still an auburn colour. When she noticed me she gave me a warm sincere smile. She reminded me of Molly.

"Oh hello there dear. Looking for anything specific?" she asked while rubbing her worn hands on the front of her robes.

"Yes, please. I was wondering where you kept your journals?" I had decided that I needed to keep track of everything that happened between the two of us. Malfoy was clever and tricky. 

He was devious. 

The woman gave me a quick nod and another smile before gesturing me to follow her to a low-lit corner in the back of the store.

"Our journals aren't very popular. Journaling is a lost art I'm afraid. Most students that come in only purchase school books. It's nice to see someone so young interested in writing," she said. 

I thanked her and she gave my arm a pat before turning to tend to some misplaced books in the front of the store.  

My eyes gleamed at the sight of all the wonderful leather-bound journals. Even before deciding to keep a record of Malfoy, I have always loved to write. I picked up one that was on the top shelf and ran my thumb along the side of the pages before opening it. As I flicked it open, the smell engulfed me. 

I brought the journal up to the counter. The woman looked absolutely delightful that I found a journal I deemed worth purchasing. 

"Oh, I can't tell you how pleased I am to see that you found one!" she said as she rung up the price. Her eyes glittered as she touched the journal herself. I could tell she honestly had a passion for journalism. I thanked her for her help and left the shop. 

As I was walking back to my apparition spot, I couldn't help but think about all the questions I had about Malfoy.  

"Why was he the way he was?"