Dragon's Rose (A Draco Malfoy Fanfiction)

Prove It

Neville and Adeline were walking to Herbology. They had most of the same classes this year, just like they did last year. Both of them chose certain classes because they knew the other would take them.

This was their first day back and Adeline could already say that she felt more than at home in her crimson robes. She adored them more than any royal gown she owned. Her uniform may be a bit uncomfortable or itchy at times, but it meant that she belonged somewhere. Somewhere she wasn't born into.

Neville rambled on about the plants they'd be learning about this year and Adeline listened intently, asking questions about the plants he talked about along the way.

"What is it used for?" Adeline questioned as Neville talked about a plant she hadn't heard of called a Flitterbloom.

Although Herbology wasn't her favourite subject, she enjoyed Neville's constant and passionate chatting about each plant he found interesting.

It was refreshing to Adeline see him out of his comfort zone. It was rare.

"Mostly just for Potions. It's not used that much though. I just think the properties are cool." Neville shrugged.

"From what you've explained to me, I think they're nice as well." Adeline smiled at her shy best friend.

He blushed furiously. "Thank you."

"The whole idea of the Flitterbloom being related to Devil's Snare in some way is quite interesting in my opinion." Adeline replied.

Adeline listened. She listened before she talked. That was something most of her other Gryffindor pals didn't do. Most acted emotionally and irrationally. She was sorry to say it, as much as she loved Harry, he was ridiculously stupid sometimes.

But she always listened. It might have been the way her mother taught her 'don't speak unless spoken too,' or it could've been the constant need to try to be older than she was to fit in with the adults conversations. She did anything to avoid the Pureblood's her age. Anything.

"Well, well. Gryffindor's Princess and Jester."

Adeline stopped in her tracks, taking a deep breath to control herself. That voice. That voice made her want to pound her head into a wall.

She turned around and put her best controlled look on. "Don't talk to my friends like that, Malfoy."

"Why not? It's fun." Malfoy swaggered towards them with a vicious smirk on his face. Crabbe and Goyle — who were behind Malfoy — snickered heartily.

Don't punch him, Adeline. Don't do it.

She closed her hands in tight fists, raising her head up high. "It won't be fun when I hex you!"

She probably shouldn't have threatened that. Malfoy could tell his father at any given moment, and Merlin forbid her parents find out. If they did, Adeline would be sent letter after letter on how she had to behave around the young Malfoy boy.

"Do it, Princess." He tormented. Crabbe and Goyle laughed again. They were all so fake, she couldn't stand them.

Adeline fumbled for her wand that was in her robes somewhere as Neville spoke up quietly. "He's not worth it, Addy."

Malfoy scoffed. "I'm not worth it, Longbottom? You're one to talk! Look at you, pathetic! You're nothing-

Adeline mumbled a warning hex and pointed her wand directly at Malfoy. It hit him on the shoulder, making him stumble back a couple steps.

She lowered her wand proudly and glared at Malfoy with pure hatred. He was vile, and he deserved that. He deserved worse.

But — to her utter horror — Malfoy regained himself, standing up tall, and he smirked. He smirked.