Destiny and the Dragon (A Draco Malfoy Love Story)

Chapter Seven

I left early the next morning to sneak off to breakfast before Malfoy could hex me or have his goons pummel me senseless. To my surprise, one of the only other students in the hall was Harry Potter, poking his porridge and radiating despair. I crinkled my eyebrows. Surely he had not been caught, despite my extreme efforts?

"What's wrong?" I asked Potter, slipping into the seat beside him.

"Filch got us. We lost a hundred and fifty points in one go." My mouth fell open.

"A hundred and fifty?" I repeated in disbelief.

"Neville was there-tried to warn us that Malfoy was coming—and McGonagall took fifty for each of us. And we've got detention with you and Malfoy."

"That's terrible-wait, how did you know I was with Malfoy?" His eyes shifted guiltily.

"Hermione and I were nearby when you were caught. Thanks for trying to stop him, even if we got caught in the end," he attempted a smile but it failed.

"I'd do it again, even if your friend Weasley gets my goat sometimes. Malfoy is a git, and you two were doing the right thing," I told him. I gave Potter a hug for comfort, he seemed absolutely miserable about setting Slytherin up for a surprising victory in the House Cup, and walked over to my table, knowing that if he was seen with me, a Slytherin herself, he'd get even more hate from his fellow Gryffindors.

"You betray me and now you're hugging your boyfriend Potty?" Malfoy sneered from across the table. I hadn't noticed his presence. Ah, blissful ignorance.

"When was I ever on your side? You tried to get him expelled! The least I can do is try to make him feel better, after the points they lost—"

"What points?" Malfoy asked eagerly.

"A hundred and fifty," I admitted, and his pale face lit up.

"Merlin's beard! I'd hug you right now if you weren't such a filthy mudblood! That's brilliant!" he grinned, and I rolled my eyes.

Our detention ended up being the week before exams. Malfoy and I both got notes from McGonagall that day, and we left the common room bickering to meet Filch in the entrance hall.

"This is all your fault," I huffed.

"Shut it, Mudblood," he sneered back. "You didn't have to be such a traitor and try to save your pathetic friends."

"At least I have friends; you and Parkinson should start your own little 'Unlikable Git' club. 'Course you'll be lonely there as well, because you'll be the only members," I wheezed back at him, but Filch cut off our arguing with a glare and we waited in silence, our arms crossed and staring away from each other with our noses high in the air until Harry, Neville, and Hermione walked up.

"Follow me," announced Filch, lighting his lantern and leading us outside. "I bet you'll think twice about breaking a school rule again, won't you, eh?" he leered. "Oh yes... hard work and pain are the best teachers if you ask me... It's a pity they let the old punishments die out... hang you by your wrists from the ceiling for a few days, I've got the chains still in my office, keep 'em well oiled in case they're ever needed.... Right, off we go, and don't think of running off, now, it'll be worse for you if you do.

"You alright?" I whispered to Neville Longbottom, the pudgy little boy from the train that I still didn't know well, who kept sniffling. He nodded, but his eyes were teary. I put my hand on his shoulder, and rubbed for a minute before Malfoy pulled me away from him forcefully.

"Is that you, Filch? Hurry up, I want ter get started," a familiar voice called out. Hagrid! This wouldn't be so bad, after all then. Filch didn't agree, though.