The Wrong Slytherin • Draco Malfoy

08|| Hogsmeade

Ophelia and I had taken some time to look over Herbology in the library. Ophelia and Neville had made a strong friendship and she had now had a crush on him since second year. From what I had seen, Neville also quite liked Ophelia, although Ophelia didn't believe me when I tried to tell her.

They spent a lot of time together, in the library or around the grounds looking for interesting plants and wildlife. She was smitten and it was adorable, she often got up early and went to the kitchens just to bring him some pies or sweet treats when they went out.

"Daniels!" I stiffened. Malfoy had appeared behind Ophelia. I glanced around but weirdly it was just him.

"Uh . . . here's the work you let me borrow." He awkwardly handed me the sheets of parchment I had given to him when he was 'injured'.

"Oh, thank you." I said, confused. He hadn't even insulted me yet.

"It was well . . . written. I could understand it better than Pansy's, that is." He walked away quickly and out of the library.

That was a compliment. I raised my eyebrows at Ophelia, who in turn looked very shocked.

"You gave him your work?" She looked at me, raised eyebrows as Herbology lay forgotten.

"Oh yeah, Pansy was supposed to do it but she apparently had no time." I said, rolling my eyes.

"He complimented you!" She cried, shaking her head.

"I know," I said, frowning, that was still confusing to me. "But it doesn't make up for all the insults. Especially about my parents."

She nodded.

"Alright, let's go over what we learnt about mandrakes last year." I nodded back to our books.

~

Malfoy was back to normal next time I saw him, insulting Professor Lupin whenever he could.

"Look at the state of his robes," Malfoy would say in a loud whisper as Professor Lupin passed. "He dresses like our old house elf. "

But no one else cared that Professor Lupin's robes were patched and frayed. His next few lessons were just as interesting as the first. After Boggarts, we studied Red Caps, nasty little goblin-like creatures that lurked wherever there had been bloodshed: in the dungeons of castles and the potholes of deserted battlefields, waiting to bludgeon those who had gotten lost. From Red Caps they moved on to Kappas, creepy. water-dwellers that looked like scaly monkeys, with webbed hands itching to strangle unwitting waders in their ponds. I hated Kappas the most.

My other classes were also going well. In Ancient runes we had finished the alphabet and were now learning specific words. And despite what everyone else thought, I enjoyed Care of Magical Creatures, although they were slightly more boring now after the Hippogriff incident.

I had also tried out for Quidditch. I practised loads with Ophelia who had made the hufflepuff team in second year as a seeker. I was able to become a Beater, I had strong arms despite being small and honestly, I quite liked to hit things sometimes. It was a good stress reliever.

Quidditch practices took up quite a lot of time and the increased amount of time spent with Malfoy made me glad I was at least able to hit a bludger at him to relieve frustration. Although I did then have to listen to more of his whining  so it wasn't a completely foolproof plan. Quidditch practices were becoming very gruelling with how wet and cold it was becoming.

The first Hogsmeade trip was also coming up quickly. As third years it was our first time being allowed out of the castle and down to the local village. Ophelia couldn't stop talking about it as she had heard loads about it from her older sister, Tonks. Ophelia was also going to Hogsmeade with Neville, ditching me completly. I was going with Pansy who also seemed quite excited, and we were planning on going there with Blaise and Theo who were looking forward to visiting The Three Broomstick.