The Serpent Princess (Draco Malfoy)

FOURTEEN- REMINISCING ON THE BAD AND THE GOOD

"Don't listen to him Kat, he's a daft old prick" Draco spoke softly, reaching his hand out to  wipe the tears that were cascading down my cheeks with the pad of his thumb. I glanced up at him through my eyelashes that had banded together, biting my lip in a desperate attempt to stop my lip from quivering. My father always told me that I was an ugly crier. 

He watched me with sympathy, scanning my face in it's entirety. He didn't know what to say, and neither did I. 

My father sent me my fourth howler of the year, his howlers were not like any 'normal' howlers; they were vicious, they carried a trait of evil intent. His voice always echoed in my head afterwards, but this one was particularly cruel: specified details of how bad my grades were getting, even though I am the second best witch in my year- the first being Hermione Granger.

"I simply cannot believe that you have allowed a filthy mudblood to surpass you and your abilities. If you keep it up this way Katerina you will be a disgrace to this family name. Your mother would be so disappointed"

He then went on to talk about the fact that I am gaining weight. Pansy says that the only reason I need bigger clothes is because I'm getting older, therefore I am naturally going to go up a few sizes.

"I wish that you would tell them to stop feeding you as much as they are. That's another bigger sized robe that I have had to get you. Keep it up at this rate and not only will Draco feel as though he is marrying a giant, but if he see's you in any light that a normal man would then there is no possible way he would ever want to marry you, let alone allow you to carry his children"

ouch

His words ricocheted off of the hollow walls that stood in the great hall, every single student listening to every insult. No one laughed, no one smirked, no one spoke. They all just stared at me with empty faces, not knowing what to do or how to react. 

I didn't stay to listen to the remainder of the message, as soon as I felt a tear prick my cheek I got up and ran as fast as my legs could carry me. I didn't have anywhere in particular in mind, I just let my body float to wherever it wanted to go. 

It took me to somewhere I felt at home, the only place in the whole wide world that held no sad memories whatsoever; the astronomy tower. Draco had followed me there, running after me as soon as I sprung up from my seat. And now here we are, sat in front of each other, holding our knees to our chests.

"Please don't believe anything he utters to you Kat, he lies. He lies as a profession and he lies to you" He cooed, laying his body down on the firm, glacial floor beneath us, dragging me down with him. "One day, you won't ever need to see or speak to him ever again. We will run away, far away from both of our fathers. I promise Kat" His eyes glimmered as he spoke of his dream, our dream. I didn't respond with words, a kind smile and a pressured  squeeze of his hand was enough to communicate my feelings towards him. 

"Happy 14th birthday Kat" 

My eyes fluttered open, observing the world around me. I lay on the same firm, glacial floor as then, surrounded by the same crisp breeze of the midnight sky. The same shadows lurk around me, tricking me into thinking that they were not shadows but something much darker and spookier. The same stars shine above me- the ones that Draco used to name and dive into adorning stories about in order to calm me or himself down.

It's been nearly two months since our visit to Borgin and Burkes, and I would be dishonest to say that I've had a pleasant few months. It seems that fixing this cabinet is proving itself to be a lot more difficult than me or Draco ever could have imagined. Draco and I haven't been attending many lessons, and if we do then they are short lived due to us making excuses as to why we have to go.