silent affections || draco malfoy

Chapter 1: The Journey Back to Hogwarts

Veronica Adams was sitting in the Hogwarts Express compartment with her best friends, Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley. The train was rumbling steadily along the tracks, carrying them back to Hogwarts for their sixth year. The atmosphere was a mix of excitement and anxiety; with Voldemort's return, the wizarding world had become a much darker place. Yet, the companionship of her friends provided a sense of normalcy and comfort.

"Another year, another set of adventures," Ron said with a grin, leaning back in his seat. "Hopefully fewer detentions this time."

Harry chuckled. "As long as Snape's around, don't count on it."

Hermione rolled her eyes but smiled. "Honestly, if you two could stay out of trouble for five minutes..."

Veronica laughed softly at their banter, but her mind wandered. She couldn't shake the feeling of apprehension she always had when the topic of Draco Malfoy came up. Draco had been a constant thorn in their side since their first year. However, there had always been something different in the way he treated her. He had only insulted her a few times, which was unusual for someone who seemed to relish making life difficult for her friends.

The compartment door slid open with a harsh thud, and there he was—Draco Malfoy, flanked by his ever-present cronies, Crabbe and Goyle. Draco's sharp features twisted into a familiar sneer as he looked at Harry and Ron.

"Well, well, well, if it isn't Potter and his motley crew," Draco drawled. "Enjoy your last year of mediocrity before you all meet your inevitable end."

Harry and Ron were on their feet in an instant, their wands half-raised. Hermione stood up, ready to intervene if necessary. Veronica felt her heart rate quicken but remained seated, her eyes locked on Draco's face.

"What do you want, Malfoy?" Harry said, his voice low and dangerous.

Draco's cold grey eyes flickered over to Veronica for the briefest of moments before returning to Harry. "Just wanted to remind you that some of us have real futures ahead of us," he sneered, but the usual venom was missing. "And to stay out of my way."

Ron scoffed. "Like we'd ever want to be in your way, you git."

To everyone's surprise, Draco didn't retaliate. Instead, he turned on his heel and walked away, his lackeys trailing behind him. The door slid shut with a resounding click.

Hermione frowned, looking puzzled. "Did anyone else notice that?"

"Notice what?" Ron asked, slumping back into his seat.

"Malfoy didn't insult Veronica," Hermione said slowly. "He didn't even acknowledge her."

Harry nodded, his brow furrowing. "Yeah, that was odd. He usually takes any chance he can get to insult all of us."

Veronica felt her cheeks heat up under their scrutiny. "Maybe he's just getting tired of the same old routine," she said, trying to sound casual.

Ron shook his head. "I doubt that. Malfoy lives for making our lives miserable."

Hermione's eyes narrowed in thought. "It's almost as if... he's avoiding you, Veronica."

"Why would he avoid me?" Veronica asked, trying to keep her voice steady.

Harry leaned forward. "You tell us. Have you noticed anything different about him?"

Veronica shook her head. "No, he's been the same arrogant prat he always is."

The conversation drifted back to safer topics, but Veronica's mind remained fixated on Draco's odd behavior. She had noticed his eyes on her more than once over the years, but she had always dismissed it as paranoia. Now, she wasn't so sure.

The rest of the journey passed uneventfully. As the train pulled into Hogsmeade station, Veronica's mind was still spinning with questions. They gathered their belongings and made their way towards the carriages that would take them to the castle.

As they approached the carriages, Veronica caught sight of Draco again. This time, he was alone, his expression unreadable. Their eyes met briefly, and Veronica could have sworn she saw a flicker of something—regret, maybe?—in his gaze before he quickly looked away.

"Come on, Veronica!" Ron called, jolting her out of her thoughts.

She hurried to join her friends, but the encounter with Draco lingered in her mind. Something had definitely changed, and Veronica was determined to find out what it was. As they made their way up to the castle, she couldn't shake the feeling that this year would be different, not just because of the war brewing outside but because of whatever was happening with Draco Malfoy.

The Sorting Hat's song echoed in her mind as they settled into the Great Hall, reminding her that sometimes the bravest thing one could do was to face the unknown. And as the golden plates filled with food, Veronica made a silent promise to herself: she would get to the bottom of Draco Malfoy's strange behavior, no matter what it took.