Redemption | Drarry

005: Frostbound (Edited)

Hadrian had just finished explaining his inheritance to Neville. To say Neville was impressed would be an understatement-he was amazed. However, any further conversation was cut short when the temperature in the compartment dropped abruptly.

"Is it me, or is it c-cold in h-here?" Neville stammered, rubbing his hands together for warmth.

Hadrian frowned, feeling the chill seep into his bones. Luna tilted her head slightly, her dreamy expression shifting to something more focused.

Something was wrong.

For once, Hadrian's instincts didn't push him to immediately investigate. Instead, he stayed seated, letting his logical mind weigh the situation. The cold had appeared suddenly-unnaturally-but it didn't seem to be a direct threat.

Still, he raised his wand, considering a warming charm-

And then, in the distance, he saw Ron running.

Hadrian barely had time to process before Ron disappeared from view, and a faint yell reached his ears before cutting off.

And then, just as suddenly as it had come, the cold vanished.

Hadrian narrowed his eyes.

Something had definitely happened.

---

A Few Minutes Prior

A fox moved silently through the cabin, its thick, glacial fur shimmering under the lantern light. It prowled forward, ears twitching, as if waiting for something.

Ron, meanwhile, had gone rigid, his face paling.

When the fox took a step closer, its presence almost suffocating, Ron did the only thing his instincts allowed-

He ran.

Before the fox could follow, Pansy's voice rang out, sharp and clear.

"Draco! That's enough."

The change was immediate.

Draco's breath hitched, and his silver eyes darkened back to their usual stormy gray. The fox hesitated before curling back around his legs, its glacial presence no longer biting into the room.

Draco blinked slowly, as if waking from a trance, before taking in the thin sheen of frost on the windows and the ice melting along the cabin's edges.

"What happened?"

Blaise, lounging with an effortless air of boredom, arched a brow. "You got annoyed. The room suffered for it."

Draco exhaled slowly, regaining his composure. His mother had told him he was different-not a typical Veela, but a Nyxian Veela. One of the few in existence.

Unlike other Veela, Nyxian Veela did not rely on allure. Their magic was old, deeply rooted in elemental forces and emotions. When calm, they were impossible to distinguish from any other high-born wizard. When angered-well. The frost still clinging to the walls was proof enough.

The fox brushed against his leg, looking up at him with intelligent eyes.

And then-

"Well met, Master."

Draco froze, his lips parting slightly. The voice hadn't come from the fox's mouth-it had echoed inside his head.

He took a careful breath. 'I assume you are my familiar.'

The fox's eyes gleamed, its fur shifting from white to silver and then back again. "Correct. I am Ingrid. Your Magical Animagus."

Draco exhaled sharply. Of course. His life could never be simple.

With a slow, refined motion, he brushed imaginary dust from his sleeve before glancing at his companions. "If we're finished gawking, we should prepare to leave."

Blaise inclined his head slightly, a smirk playing at the edges of his lips. "As you wish, Your Grace."

Pansy rolled her eyes but stood gracefully, smoothing down the front of her robes. "Honestly, I was expecting something more dramatic. You're losing your touch, Draco."

Draco let out a slow breath, regaining his usual poise. "Hardly."

He turned, Ingrid at his heels, and stepped out of the cabin without another word.

---

The ride to the castle was uneventful, and by the time Draco arrived at the entrance, he had fully settled into himself once more.

His posture remained impeccable as he moved through the crowd, Blaise and Pansy flanking him on either side. Students instinctively made way, not because of fear, but out of expectation. A Malfoy did not shove through crowds-people simply moved.

As they passed, he caught sight of younger students whispering, their eyes darting to him before quickly looking away. Draco paid them no mind. He had long since grown used to the quiet attention.

Ingrid walked beside him, now small enough to curl around his shoulders if she pleased. For now, she remained at his feet, her presence subtle yet undeniable.

Pansy adjusted her gloves, glancing sideways at him. "Do let me know if you start freezing rooms again, darling. I'll make sure to wear my fur-lined cloak next time."

Draco gave her an unimpressed look. "I would never be so inconsiderate."

Blaise hummed. "Mm. Next time, warn us before summoning a snowstorm."

Draco's lips curved slightly, though he said nothing.

With effortless grace, he strode toward the Great Hall, the murmurs of students fading into background noise.

For now, everything was as it should be.