Unexpected Danger

Chapter 25

Draco's POV

I wasn't feeling thrilled at being back in Hogwarts for the second term of fifth year. My father's word still etched in my mind:

If I see you even 1 metres away from that Lovegood, there will be consequences. Both of you.

I was fiddling with my fork and staring at my food, but my mind kept drifting to Luna. She was right across my table, joining Potter and his gang - but I knew she was looking towards me in hopes I'd return the gesture. As badly as I wanted to, I can't help but shuddered at the thought of Luna being in danger. My feelings doesn't matter anymore.

"Hey Malfoy, didn't Daily Prophet reported something huge?" Idiotic Theodore Nott decided to test my patience early morning.

"What's going on?" Pansy interjected. Oh no.

"Malfoy kissed Looney Lovegood!" Blaised delivered the news, half smirking half gagging. My hands clenched into a fist. When Pansy let out a gasp and a "you did what?" my fist landed on Blaise's idiotic face that caused his nose to bleed.

"Mr. Malfoy!" Mr Filch screamed, with Mrs Norris trailing behind him, her gleaming red eyes looked malicious for a cat while she hissed.

Mr. Filch grabbed by my robes and pulled me towards McGonagalls office.

"Let me go! You filthy little squib!" I spat as everyone turned to me. Great. I besmirched my own reputation, and now the whole school knew I kissed Luna, and a resounding agreement to be made by Slytherins to bully Luna relentlessly.

As we reached the Deputy Headmistress's office, that squib gripped me harder and I tried to escape.

"Let go!" I hissed, and he did it at once as we reached in front of her desk.

"What brings him here Mr. Filch?" McGonogall asked curiously, placing her quill on her parchment.

"He punched a student Professor. Caused the nose to bleed," he replied. I rolled my eyes.

She dismissed Mr. Filch and turned to me.

"So, Mr. Malfoy. Pray tell, why on Earth would you punch a student, moreso caused him to bleed? And who is this unfortunate student?" She enquired, her brows furrowed in disdain.

"Blaise Zabini, professor," I replied, my eyes focused on the floor instead of meeting her hazel ones.

She tapped her foot - signalling me to meet her gaze. She widened her eyes, prompted me to add the clincher to my story.

I sighed. It's like I left behind my old ways - I would usually tell the teachers off, but this time, I'm holding back from being my old-self.

"Because he spread rumours about me kissing a girl," I explained, not sure to mention it was Luna whom I kissed.

McGonogall sipped her tea - wafts of the aroma reached my nose. Something about it made me felt calm.

"Is the rumor true Mr. Malfoy?" She asked, curiosity in her tone rather than judgement.

I looked down again. "Yes, Professor. It was just a one time thing. And some Slytherin saw it and decided to tarnish my reputation because they are jealous of me," I lied, trying to sound like myself as much as possible. Draco Malfoy, who loves attention and gloating the Malfoy name.

Despite trying to hide my real persona, letting out to her felt good. I never talked to my mother like this before - but the Dragon Lady has seen my vulnerabilities more than my family ever had.

She looked up from her tea - her hazel eyes glimmered in sadness. "Why is it a one time thing? Are you not planning to make this particular lady your girlfriend?"

I swallowed - what do I answer to a teacher that asked me a question I never expected? Moreso coming from someone I never expected? I was awaiting something like "you're not allowed to forge a relationship in school Mr. Malfoy," or "this is unacceptable behavior!" I stared astounded at her. Her hazel eyes showed somehing only Luna showed to me - compassion.

I felt my chest tightened - not used to this newfound emotion.

"Ummm, I dont know. We're different I guess. Shes..." I paused, unsure whether I should continue or not. But her eyes showed signs I could tell her anything.

She adjusted her glasses and continue to gaze at me intently. "Look Mr. Malfoy. Though I'm old, doesn't mean I cant see whats going on. You like this girl. Clearly. You dont care about her differences. You and I both know what is homding you back." Clearly, this dragon lady knows more than she lets on. Im pretty sure she knew about Luna.

Whats holding me back - both her and I absolutely know - are my death eater families and their ties.

"I understand, Professor," I replied, trying to appease her but clearly not.

I know she was still eyeing me and I couldnt bring myself to look at her. Am I scared or embarrased? Maybe both.

I'm sure no one had seen this side of Malfoy. Not even Moaning Myrtle.

She then made her way towards me. Her steps are light, but it still made my heart thumped hard in my chest.

She stopped right in front of me, and I forced myself to look down at her since I'm taller.

"You know, I knew your grandfather, Abraxas. You look...much like him compared to your father Lucius," she commented. Her eyes depicted that longing feeling that were festering all over the years - was she in love witn my grandfather whom I never met before? I saw him in pictures - he was better looking than Father, and I admit I do resemble him than other Malfoy members. The thought made me smirked a little.

Something tells me they had history. Curiosity receptors slowly made its way into the nerves of my brain.

"He was charming, most of the girls like him. Malfoys were known to be followers of the Dark Magic - but Abraxas had doubts. He was done as he was told, but he was a boy who had no choice," she explained, her eyes twinkled solemnly.

A boy who had no choice. Something a Malfoy could relate to another.

It was akward to stand in front of her and hearing stories about my grandfather - but an empathy feeling rose in my chest as she wiped her tears who were about to fall.

"My point is, Mr. Malfoy," she continued. "You shouldnt lead on a girl if youre not absolutely sure of your feelings. I know you are young and open to explore things. But I warn you. Heartbreak is not easy to get over no matter how old you are."

She looked uneasy and adjusted her hat to make situation less akward. Nothing could be more awkward than Mcgonagall confronted a Malfoy - the grandson of the man she once fell in love with. Two different worlds can never collide together.

As she stood straight again, looking more like her normal self - she looked me sternly as she did when I stepped into her office. "But your behavior is still unacceptable Mr. Malfoy. I'm afraid I have to give you weeks of detention."

I nodded and walked after being dismissed - not planning to argue with her. I replayed her words in my mind and conluded that; First love is the hardest. True love takes a part of your soul with you.

Oh Luna Lovegood, I truly am in love with you.