The Girl Who Lied || Draco Malfoy

New Allies

November, 1995

"Detegus," she whispered, wand flicking over her food. Detegus for potions. Ostendo for curses. Revelio for objects. Homenum Revelio for people. Aparecium for words.

The color of the drink did not change. It'd only done so once, back in early September, but Hyacinth would never trust a cup again because of it. She'd overheard Parkinson running her big mouth to Crabbe in the Common Room about how some sixth year girl was going to try slipping Hyacinth Hellebore's Embrace.

That's a stupid way to kill someone. They'd get you to the Hospital Wing for an antidote in plenty of time. There are many little known concoctions that the antidote to common poisons won't resolve.

Regardless, Hyacinth used her detection spells. Even with the low likelihood that the inept children's methods were successful. Even when no one had so much as touched her in nearly two weeks, after she made an example out of Avery. Even on a day like today, when they had a Quidditch game against Gryffindor and the Slytherins couldn't afford a dead Chaser.

The seats around her were completely empty. Not even Tracey sat with her in the Great Hall anymore. They still talked in the dorms every night, giggling about silly things like their lives were normal. But for the most part Tracey stayed far away from Slytherin. The little wannabe death eaters mostly ignored Tracey - hurting Hyacinth Potter meant they were showing their lord how capable they were, but hurting Tracey Davis just meant they were torturing little girls for fun. Still, the few times Tracey got caught in between Hyacinth and a hex were enough. She now spent her time bouncing among her various friends in different houses that she'd worked hard to cultivate over the years. Today Tracey sat with some boys in Ravenclaw.

And Hyacinth sat alone.

She finished her breakfast staring down at a copy of the Daily Prophet just for the sake of looking busy, even if the Prophet was a bunch of crock. The Gryffindors filed out to head to the pitch early and Hyacinth supposed maybe she should do the same. The worst part about the Great Hall, however, was leaving and passing by the unsavory part of the table. They never threw anything lethal at her - not in front of Dumbledore at least - but she didn't appreciate silly spells either. She wasn't going to let herself be forced to dance, tripped, or hung by her ankle in the Great Hall. All things they'd tried back in September. They wanted to humiliate you.

No spells flew her way today. Instead, Graham Montague stood as she passed. "Potter. Let me walk you to the pitch."

Malfoy stood as well, clothed in matching uniform with his green Quidditch robe slung over his shoulder. "Yes, Captain. Let's all walk to the pitch."

Crabbe and Goyle started to shuffle up as well with twin looks of confusion, like they'd already been hit by a bludger even though the game hadn't started yet.

Montague waved them away. "Finish eating. I don't need you fools to escort our Chaser."

Were they acting this way because someone made a threat and they were trying to protect her for the sake of Quidditch? Did they want to hurt her? Were they just being dumb men? That's uncalled for.

The panic had to be visible in her eyes, so Malfoy raised his hands in surrender. His eyes were so grey in the lighting that they looked translucent; she thought of his sister with those same eyes. What did Fred and George mean when they said she wasn't a Malfoy anymore?

"Nothing serious. We're playing a little prank on Gryffindor during the game," Malfoy eventually said. Montague groaned loudly like he had just spoiled everything. "Just a little harmless fun."

"And you were getting rid of me so I don't warn the Gryffindors," Hyacinth filled in the rest. "That's completely insulting."

Montague and Malfoy shared a look that Hyacinth couldn't interpret, like a staring contest, and it eventually ended with Montague sighing in defeat. Malfoy grinned widely, looking completely diabolical, before tapping Goyle's shoulder. The beater pulled a bag out from under the Great Hall table and it was passed to her.