The Choices That Make Us- Adult Draco Malfoy Imagines

You're Still a Fucking Brat (Draco X Ravenclaw Reader)

***

This Morning

***

You were running late. VERY late.

Was that out of character for you? No. Were you just as embarrassed about it as you were every other time? Absolutely.

Your scruffy gray cat watched with idle curiosity as you tore through your kitchen in search of anything grabbable that could (maybe) pass for a meal. Normally, you liked to eat a balanced breakfast when you had the time, but today was not one of those days.

You Accio'ed a chocolate chip cookie from the cooling rack still out from last night's bout of stress-baking. If flew across the kitchen and into your hand as you grabbed a fistful of floo powder with the other. You scurried into the fireplace yelling "Ministry of Magic!" and threw the floo powder at your feet, engulfing yourself in bright green flames.

When you arrived at the Ministry, you made a beeline for the Department of Mysteries. You hurriedly guzzled down your cookie as you speed-walked through the lobby. Already, your mind was milling through the inevitable repercussions of your tardiness- Augusta would chew you out for the 50th time. Padma would snicker and give you a bit of hell for it. But, just like usual, all would be normal after that.

You were all but sprinting down the polished black hallway when you turned a corner and collided with someone who had been standing on the other side, sending the both of you to the floor with a collective "Oof!"

"Oh my goodness, I am so sorry!" You stumbled around an apology as you struggled to push yourself up off of the poor, unlucky soul into whom you had crashed. You paused however, when you saw his face.

"Malfoy?"

***

7 Years Ago

***

"Let me ask you a question." Professor Flemming turned around and faced the class, a mischievous smile on her face.

It was the first day of your third year and you had just begun your second class of the day: Magical Theory. You had chosen a seat in the second row, wanting to position yourself close enough to the front that you would pay attention, but not being quite brave enough to sit up front and center. Newly purchased parchment and a crisp new quill in your hand, you perked up at the sound of Professor Flemming's voice and paid her your utmost attention.

"Can greatness be achieved simply by practice and dedication, or must one be born with natural talent in order to achieve it?"

The classroom was silently contemplative for a few moments before someone raised their hand. "Yes, miss-?"

"-Chang." Your friend Cho said, her soft voice ringing out more than usual through the silence of the classroom. "Cho Chang."

Professor Flemming smiled encouragingly, nodding for Cho to continue.

"I think... that talent certainly makes it easier for someone to achieve greatness."

The professor raised her eyebrows slightly and nodded in agreement. "I concur, Miss Chang, thank you for your contribution." Cho smiled at the praise. "However," Professor Flemming continued, "My question was not about the difficulty of achieving success with or without talent, but of whether or not it is even possible."

Flemming looked around the room for any other students brave enough to try their hand at answering the question. You saw her eyes light up as her gaze landed on another student who had raised their hand. "Ah, you! Mr. Malfoy, I believe?"