Golden || Draco Malfoy

Chapter 2

As soon as Harry left the shop, he began talking to Hagrid and pointing excitedly at Draco through the window. 

Now, back when Draco was in his original timeline, he thought badly about Hagrid. He thought of him only as a great big lump of waste with far too much time on his hands. Just another one of Harry's protectors, who liked to think that the rules shouldn't apply to "The chosen one".

Back then, Draco had resented the giant for it, but now he knew why. He now knew the reason why everyone had coddled Harry all these years.

Still, when Hagrid's tiny beetle-eyes stared at him through the glass, he could have sworn that Hagrid knew everything. Those eyes had seen Draco bully Harry and his friends, try endlessly to sabotage anyone who dared associate with the boy, and eventually, they had seen him betray the magical school by joining the death eaters.

Harry and Hagrid walked out of Draco's sight and it was then that Draco realized, he had no idea where his parents were. He had forgotten if he was to meet them somewhere or if they were to pick him up. 

"Uhm, pardon me, Madam Malkin," said Draco in a rather timid voice, which was very unlike him. Madam Malkin turned and gave him a smile, "Yes, dear?"

"Did my parents say when they were going to pick me up? I forgot..." 

"Ah, yes. You should head down the road and wait by the entrance of Knockturn Alley...You should meet them there, but don't you go down that Alley! It's far too dangerous for a boy your age," she warned and pointed a finger at him.

Draco nodded and feigned innocence with a sly smile. If only she knew that Draco had been down that Alley plenty of times...For all the wrong reasons.

Draco left the shop, carrying his new robes in his arms, and headed down the road. He walked past various Witches and Wizards wearing expressions of glee and carelessness. Back in "real" times, this was nowhere to be seen. Everyone was worried and anxious. Draco desperately longed to stay eleven forever. 

When he was eleven, he was just his usual snarky self. He had no care in the world and his biggest problems included finding new ways to torment random kids at school.

Now, his days were filled with grief and regret. He had to face the fact that he was a death eater. 

Draco froze in the middle of the road. 

He flung his robes onto his shoulder and pushed up the left sleeve of his emerald jumper. 

He sighed, relieved to find untouched, porcelain skin. Not a dark mark in sight.

His heart jumped at the thought that he might be able to make sure that it stays this way.  

He waited by the entrance to the eerie alleyway for his parents to come and collect him when a tuft of orange in the crowd of witches and wizards caught his eye. He leaned in closer and in the clearing, he saw very clearly a boy with a long nose, big ears, and vibrant red hair.

Weasley. 

Draco paused for a moment, contemplating his next move. Should he go talk to Ron, or should he stay away? 

He didn't like Ron. Not in the slightest, however, he had a feeling that he should make an effort to befriend Harry's friends.

He shuddered to think of how he would have to make friends with Granger.

He shuddered even more by the sudden presence of a tall man behind him.

"All done, Draco?" said a cold, slow voice. Draco turned around to see a man with luscious blonde hair that cascaded down the man's robes. The man wore a bitter expression with the corner of his lips pointing downwards and his eyes looking down at Draco.

Draco nodded, as his words got caught in his throat.

"Well then, we must head back home. We have visitors this evening," said Lucius. 

Draco found his words, "Visitors?" 

"Yes. Some of my old colleagues are coming to see me."

Draco swallowed hard. He knew what that meant. Dad's old death eater colleagues were coming over.

He felt a wave of relief flood through him when he realised that Bellatrix wouldn't be there, since at this time, she was locked away in Askaban.

Still, he would see Crabbe and Goyle.

And Blaise.

Draco didn't know why he singled out the thought of Blaise Zabini in his head. Towards the end of their school days, he had been hanging out more with Blaise than he had been with Crabbe and Goyle. That must be the reason.

Draco shook off the weird feeling to observe the Weasleys closer.

Mrs and Mr Weasley seemed to be arguing with each other, while the twins brushed off some of the dust off of Ginny's (presumably hand-me-down) robes.

Ron stood beside them, silently.

Suddenly, Ron's eyes locked with Draco's for a split second. The corners of the freckled boys' mouth turned up in an awkward smile.

Draco smiled back, but jumped when he suddenly felt a hand on his shoulder. He looked up to see his father wearing a look of disgust.

"Don't associate with that boy, Draco. I don't want you mixing with blood-traitors."

Draco nodded and gave one last look to Ron, who was now also standing under displeased looks from his parents.

This was going to be harder than he thought.