The Malfoy Project

𝟒𝟓 - 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐀𝐥𝐥 (*TW)

*TW: eating disorder

A/N: Hey guys! Thank you so much for sticking with this story so far! The next chapters are going to be taking a little break from the interviews as I want to focus a little more on present-time for now. 

And also that seems to be what you guys are more interested in? (correct me if I'm wrong!) I noticed that the interview chapters don't get as many interactions as Draco x OC ones, but I just wanted to say that the story reads best if you don't skip any chapters! 

There aren't any 'filler' chapters and each one (including the interviews) has details that play a part in all the subplots, which will eventually lead to the main reveal of this whole story :D So to avoid any confusion later on, it'll be best if all the chapters are read in order!

That said, please let me know if it's getting a bit draggy or too boring. I always love hearing your feedback and constructive criticism! 

Much love xx

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✼¹

     It is the last weekend before everyone goes home for the holidays. Tomorrow, those who can Apparate will do so after saying their goodbyes, and the rest will board the Hogwarts Express for King's Cross.

     They will talk and laugh and sip hot chocolate as the hours fly by with the rolling, snow-covered hills. The train will scream to a halt, and once their feet hit the scuffed and worn stone  of Platform 9¾, they will become strangers, eager to be away from the bustle and clamour. Eager to go home.

     Which is why we've gathered in the Slytherin Common Room, camped on the couches in front of the fireplace for warmth: Monty, Blaise, Pansy, Vaisey, and two Ravenclaw girls whom I recognised as Blaise and Vaisey's picks of the month, for a last farewell. It will be at least three whole weeks before we see each other again.

     I used to dread the holidays. There's a wave of excitement that ripples through the students whenever December rolls around. Like a boiling kettle, it brews beneath the surface of their concentrated faces as they pretend to listen in class. They aren't thinking of the doom spelt out in their tea leaves, or how to defeat a Chameleon Ghoul. Instead, their minds are on green fir trees, Christmas dinners, and wrapping paper. It always made me feel left out, like everyone else knows a secret that I didn't.

     Now, the idea of being alone prompts a spurt of excitement within me. Three whole weeks without the constant, irritating hum of idyll chatter, the chilling silence of my Hufflepuff bunk, and the razor sidelong glances from people I once called my friends.

     Three whole weeks without Monty.

     A bottle of Firewhiskey passes hands around the circle of couches, floating on the tide of banter and uproarious laughter. I gratefully accept when it comes back around to me, and take three big gulps.

     "Whoa, slow down there, Ains," Blaise chuckles from his seat across me. "The night's barely begun and you've already necked half the bottle!" 

     Next to me, Monty takes my legs and swings them over his lap. "Can't send me off if you're hungover tomorrow," he reminds me.

     They are right. The sparks from the fire pop and flare at me like glitter confetti, and my head is starting to feel like a flower too heavy for its stalk. But I'm too giddy with anticipation to care. I loop my arms over Monty's neck. "Don't worry," I assure him, spiritedly. "I'll be there."