𝗦𝗰𝗮𝗿-𝗖𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗟𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀 - 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗢𝗻𝗲

16 | The Forbidden Forest

Draco's P.O.V.

Filch is leading Potter, Weasel-bee, Granger, (y/n) and I to the big oaf's hut.

I can't believe McGonagall is actually punishing me. Did I not deliver the rule breakers to her?

Maybe she's angry because they're in her house and she was forced to take points from them. I suppose even McGonagall is competitive.

Although, there's no real competition anymore. Not now that Potter and his gang of idiots have lost Gryffindor two hundred points.

I would've loved to punish (y/n) Roberts personally for her snarky comments but I couldn't.

For one, there was a teacher there and I didn't need any more trouble.

Then of course there's my mission from my father. He wants me to get close to Harry through her, gain their trust, and await further instructions.

He says it's important.

And so I'm doing the only thing I can think of. I'm pretending to have a crush on her. Potter's clearly jealous, but I don't have to worry about him. Once he comes to terms with it, we'll be best friends.

Yuck.

"Pity they let the old punishments die," Filch complains. "There was a time when detention would find you hanging by your thumbs in the dungeons. God, I miss the screaming."

I gulp and the mudblood speeds up. (Y/n) moves a bit closer to Potter, but whether she does it consciously or not I don't know.

Maybe he will be a problem.

"You'll be serving detention with Hagrid tonight," Filch says as we stop at the hut. "He's got a little job to do inside the dark forest."

I clench my jaw to keep the fear off my face.

Hagrid opens his door holding a crossbow. That's not a good sign.

"A sorry lot this, Hagrid," Filch tells him, tilting his head toward us. Hagrid just sniffles. "Oh, good God, man! You're not still on about that bloody dragon, are you?"

The giant sighs and addresses the quartet, completely ignoring me

"Norbert's gone. Dumbledore sent him off ter Romania ter live in a colony."

"Well, that's good, isn't it?" asks Granger. "He'll be with his own kind."

"But what if he don' like Romania? What if the other dragons are mean to 'im? He's only a baby, after all!"

Pathetic.

"Oh, for God's sake, pull yourself together, man!" Filch exclaims. "You're going into the forest, after all. Got to have your wits about you."

"The forest?" I ask, shocked. "I thought that was a joke! We can't go in there. Students aren't allowed. And there are..." I can't think of anything. Then I hear a distant howl. "...Werewolves!"

"There are more than werewolves in those trees, lad. You can be sure of that." Filch grins evilly. "Nighty-night."

Filch walks away, taking the lantern and its light with him.

"Right. Let's go."

I'm reluctant to go but everyone else is going and I'll look like a coward if I just stand here.

Still, my legs refuse to work.

"Coming, Malfoy?" (y/n) calls. "Or are you afraid of your father and the dark?"

"No!" I reply, speeding to the front of the group. That came out a bit more defensive than I had hoped but it'll have to do.

"Whatever you say, dragon boy. Whatever you say."