Unforeseen Bonds || Draco Malfoy

✭34✭

(Draco's POV)

I hate summer. It's the worst time of year. As much as I despise school, anything is better than spending two whole months alone with my parents. At Hogwarts, at least I can focus on grades, and while I'm not fixated academically, I'm able to be in the presence of the only people who make me feel sane. Once my feet hit the cold platform, entering on to the Express, a wave of dread fills through my body.

Many students' faces are filled with glee, to be able to see their family, and spend time alone from school. For me on the other hand, I will have the unfortunate break of rotting in the manor. The train was quieter this evening. Once me and Crabbe found a compartment, the others soon filed in, and by others, I mean Miles and Blaise. Though, I would probably be able to spend some time away from my family, mainly with Bletchley, thankfully the group is known to not speak about how relieved they were to get away from school. Because I was not.

The train ride home was quiet. Crabbe and Blaise were playing with cards, while Nott was thinking, fixated on the window.

"Hey, I'm going to find the others." Theo started fixing up, waiting for me to make room.

"Okay." I replied, standing up so he would be able to get past me. After he left, we soon went back to the normal routine of the two Slytherins whispering to each other about whatever was going through their heads, while I sat, regretting my decision to leave for the summer. If it wasn't for their appearances, I would be positive that both Blaise and Crabbe are two teenage girls, gossiping about whatever crosses their mind.

After I finished counting every inconvenient stitch on my robes—twice—then the exact number of hairs clinging to my trousers, and finally each and every tile lining the walls of the train compartment, I came to the excruciating realisation that there was still a whole half hour left before we'd reach King's Cross. The boredom was almost unbearable.

These train rides are the closest thing to hell on earth.

I mumble under my breath, getting up from the compartment.

"Where ya' going?" Crabbe questioned me.

"Bathroom."

Many girls giggled as I walked down the train compartments, students gossiping, Ravenclaws reading. The lights above flickered, sending a wave of déjà vu from the very beginning of the school year train ride to Hogwarts. I was almost so deep in thought and remembrance of what had happened to her, that I didn't see the Gryffindor practically tumble into me.

"Watch where you're going Longbottom! Maybe if you spent less time chasing down the sweets trolley, you would actually be able to stand on those two feet of yours." I spat, positing myself so he would be able to continue down the isles of compartments, though when I did so, an unexpected friend of his, stood in my view. As the Gryffindor composed itself and continued on, I felt my stomach physically drop when I saw Nitara looking at me with the most disgusted and disapproving look.

"Wow, Malfoy. Maybe if you spent less time being a complete dick to everyone, Pansy wouldn't be off snogging some other guy in another compartment. She's on the other side of the train, by the way." Nitara's voice dripped with sarcasm as she shot me a withering look. It took everything to suppress an eye roll when I heard Pansy's name. "Now, move aside so we can get past, and you can go find your little hook-up." With that, she gave me a sharp shoulder check as she brushed past, following Neville. My eyes didn't leave her, until they were both out of sight. I let out a sigh—as she was the first, and last person I wanted to see—before continuing up the train.

. ┊⋆ ┊ . ┊⋆ ┊.

As the Hogwarts Express screeched to a halt at King's Cross, I lingered in my seat for a moment longer than necessary

Pulling my trunk down from the overhead compartment, I stepped off the train, the cool summer air doing nothing to shake the unease that settled in my chest. Mother would be waiting, I knew. She always was, standing gracefully among the crowds, her eyes scanning for me, while Father stayed behind, too preoccupied with more 'important' matters. This time, though, it felt different. Something about the silence at the Manor lately, the stiff letters from Mother—it all hinted at something I couldn't quite put my finger on.

I spotted her easily in the sea of parents and guardians. Mother, elegant as ever, stood at the edge of the platform, her pale hair neatly pinned back, her face an expressionless mask. But there was something in her eyes when she met mine, something that felt... off. I didn't waste my time saying goodbye to my friends, and just went straight to where I saw my mother, though I did catch a glance of Nitara and Miles go find their own family.

She greeted me with a tight embrace, the way she always did, but her touch lingered a little longer this time. "Draco, darling," she said, her voice soft yet strained. "Let's get home."She didn't say another word leading the way to the awaiting carriage. The moment we were inside, the door shut with a sharp click, sealing us in a silence that was far from comfortable.

"Everything alright, Mother?" I asked, trying to sound casual, but the unease gnawed at me. Her face remained unreadable, and for a moment, she didn't respond.

"It will be," she said quietly, but there was a coldness to her voice that sent a chill down my spine.

The ride back to the manor felt longer than usual. The sky outside was dark, ominous clouds gathering in the distance as if reflecting the tension in the air. When we finally arrived, I stepped out of the carriage, my chest tightening with an inexplicable sense of dread. I barely made it to the front door before the house-elf appeared with a letter in hand. The Malfoy crest glistened in the dim light of the manor's entrance.

"Master Draco... We have some news."

"What is it?" I asked, impatience rising within me.

"Due to some business matters, you and Mistress Narcissa will not see Master Lucius until the Quidditch World Cup."

"This is rubbish! What business matters?!" My voice came out sharper than I intended, the frustration echoing through the heavy silence that enveloped us. The house-elf looked around nervously, as if fearing being overheard, and leaned in closer.

"It's about the Dark Lord, sir. Master Lucius is involved in a group to resurrect... him."

A chill swept through me at the mention of the Dark Lord, sending a jolt of disbelief through my veins. "Resurrect him?" I echoed, my mind racing. "Why would he even be involved in something like that?"

Kreature's eyes darted around before he continued, his voice dropping to an even lower whisper. "It is dangerous, sir. But Master Lucius believes it is necessary... for our family, for our future."

"Necessary?" I scoffed, disbelief mixing with a surge of anger, but before I could say anymore, my mothers hand was resting on my shoulder. 

"Draco..." She whispered in my ear. "We will discuss it later, go to your room."

The tension in the air thickened as I stood there, grappling with the revelation. The world felt unstable, and my family's legacy suddenly seemed less like a privilege and more like a burden. I turned away from the house-elf, heart racing, my mind swirling with thoughts of the future and the darkness that loomed ahead.