𝐁𝐎𝐑𝐃𝐄𝐑𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐄 || 𝐃.𝐌

XXVII

“I told you not to annoy
Rita Skeeter!”

[Ronald Weasley.]

☄. *. ⋆

“Draco?” The little girl looked up at him as she was seated beside him in the chamber, waiting for the famous interviewer to come and interview the five champions that will compete at this year's Triwizard Cup, including Draco. She fidgeted with her robes, her eyes darting from one corner of the room to another, clearly anxious. “I'm sorry, because of me, you had to join this scary tournament.” Y/n said, looking down at the ground.

Draco immediately noticed the sadness in her voice and the guilt on her face. He knew she had been blaming herself for his involvement in the tournament. He took her small hand in his and gave it a gentle squeeze. “No, Y/n. Don't say that. You didn't make me join the tournament. It was my own decision.” He reassured her.

“Don't worry, Y/n,” he smiled, “I'm happy to be here, competing in the tournament. It's a great honor.”

Y/n looked up at him, her big brown eyes filled with admiration. “Really, Draco? You're not scared?” Draco chuckled at that as he stared at her, and replied, “Of course, I'm scared, Y/n, but that's what makes it exciting, right?”

Y/n nodded, still looking worried. “I just don't want you to get hurt,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. Draco's heart swelled with adoration for the little girl beside him. “I know, Y/n,” he said, pulling her closer to him, “but I promise I'll be careful, and besides, I have a secret weapon.”

Y/n, with a curious gaze, directed her attention towards Draco, her eyebrows slightly furrowed. She couldn't help but inquire, “A secret weapon?” Her voice was filled with intrigue, as she eagerly awaited his response.

Draco, wearing a mischievous grin that played upon his lips, nodded affirmatively. “Yes, a secret weapon.” he repeated, “but it's a surprise. You'll have to wait and see.”

Y/n's face lit up with a radiant smile, her previous anxiety dissipating into thin air. “Okay, Draco,” she exclaimed. “I trust you.”

Draco felt a warm sense of contentment washing over him as he held the little girl in his arms. “You know, Y/n,” he whispered, “There's nothing in this world that I can't do for you.” with that, he planted a soft kiss on her forehead, feeling grateful for the love and support Y/n has given him throughout the whole time.

Truth be told, Draco was feeling quite lost and uncertain at the moment. On one hand, he knew that his participation in the tournament would very likely result in his face being plastered all over the front page of the newspaper, with the headline announcing him as the famous son of Lucius Malfoy and Narcissa Malfoy competing in the tournament. The prospect of this made him feel incredibly anxious and scared. He had no idea what he was getting himself into with this tournament, and he wasn't sure how his father would react to his participation. He had always been afraid of disappointing his father and feared that his father would look at him with the same disappointed eyes that he had whenever Draco failed to accomplish what he asked him to.

As he thought about it more, Draco realized that he was completely out of his mind. He couldn't understand why he had thrown himself headfirst into this tournament just to help a little kid that he barely knew, but then again, Y/n wasn't just any kid to him, she was family. She was the only person who had ever acknowledged and defended him despite all the rumors and negativity that surrounded him. He couldn't bear the thought of letting her down. He had always been good at breaking everyone's expectations of him, but he refused to break hers.