The Dragon in The Ice Fortress- Draco Malfoy

6

Late one evening, Draco and I are in the Slytherin common room. The room is warm and dimly lit, but a sense of tension hangs heavily in the air. I'm pacing restlessly, my frustration bubbling just below the surface. Draco is sprawled on one of the couches, his gaze focused on a book.

"Do you ever get tired of waiting?" I snap, my voice cutting through the quiet.

Draco looks up from his book, a smirk playing on his lips. "Patience isn't exactly your strong suit, is it?"

"It's not about patience," I retort, "It's about the fact that nothing ever seems to happen. We're stuck in this endless cycle of watching and waiting while everyone else is actually doing something."

Draco raises an eyebrow, unimpressed. "And what do you suggest we do, exactly?"

"I don't know," I snap, "Maybe actually do something about what's going on? We're just as much a part of this mess as anyone else."

Draco's expression hardens. "You think you can just waltz in and fix everything? You've barely been here a month. There's a lot you don't know."

His words hit me harder than he probably intended. "And you think you know it all? Just because you've been here longer doesn't mean you have all the answers. We're all in this together, whether you like it or not."

Draco's face darkens. "You know, it's easy for you to criticize when you don't have a family that's been supporting Voldemort and dark magic for generations. You don't know what it's like to be expected to carry on those traditions."

My mouth drops open in shock. "Are you seriously using your family's dark affiliations as an excuse? That's just another way for you to justify your inaction. You think you're special because of your family's legacy?"

Draco's eyes narrow, his anger flaring. "It's not about being special. It's about surviving in a world where every misstep could lead to ruin. You don't understand the pressure that comes with that."

My face flushes with frustration. "I get that you have a complicated history, Draco, but don't use it as a shield to avoid responsibility. We all have our own battles to fight, and sitting on the sidelines isn't going to help anyone."

Draco's jaw tightens, his patience wearing thin. "I'm trying to protect you from making mistakes. I didn't think I'd have to babysit you while you rushed into things."

"Rushing into things?" I challenge, "You mean like you're always doing? I've seen you take risks without a second thought. Maybe if you actually listened instead of constantly trying to be the big shot, we'd have more progress."

Draco's face darkens, his anger and frustration evident. "I'm trying to keep us safe, and all you do is question my every move. If you think you can handle everything on your own, then fine. But don't come crying to me when things go wrong."

The argument escalates, our voices rising as we exchange heated words. The tension between us is palpable, and it's clear that both of us are feeling misunderstood.

As our argument reaches a fever pitch, Daphne and Blaise enter the common room, their expressions shifting from confusion to concern. Daphne steps in between us, trying to mediate.

"Hey, hey, calm down," Daphne says, placing a hand on my shoulder. "What's going on here?"

I take a deep breath, trying to regain my composure. "It's nothing. Just a disagreement."

Draco's jaw tightens, but he nods in agreement. "Yeah, just a disagreement."

Daphne glances between us, sensing the lingering tension. "Alright. Why don't we all take a break? It's been a long day."

Blaise nods in agreement, his gaze sympathetic. "Sounds like a good idea. Let's just try to relax for a bit."

As the group disperses, Draco and I both retreat to opposite corners of the room, our tempers still simmering. The argument has left a rift between us, and the weight of our unresolved conflict hangs heavy in the air.

I decide I need some space to clear my head. Without a word, I head up the staircase to the dormitory. The dim light from the torches flickers as I make my way down the corridor. The silence of the empty hallways only adds to my growing frustration.

When I reach the girls' dormitory, I find Daphne sitting on her bed, flipping through a magazine. She looks up as I enter, her expression shifting from curiosity to concern.

"Wanna talk about it?" she asks, setting the magazine aside.

I sit down on the edge of my bed, letting out a sigh. " I'm so tired of this constant tension."

Daphne's eyes soften with understanding.

"It's just—he keeps using his family's past as an excuse for everything. Like, he thinks because his family supports Voldemort, he's somehow exempt from taking responsibility. It's infuriating."

Daphne nods thoughtfully. "I can see why you'd be frustrated. It's hard when people use their family as a shield. But remember, Draco has his own demons to deal with. It doesn't make it right, but it might explain some of his behavior."

"I get that," I admit, "But it doesn't make it any easier to deal with. I just wish he'd stop letting his family dictate his life."

Daphne reaches out and places a comforting hand on my shoulder. "You're not alone in this, Thalia. We're all trying to navigate this mess together. Maybe it'll take some time, but hopefully, things will smooth out."

I nod, feeling a bit better with Daphne's support. "Thanks, Daphne. I really needed to hear that."

She smiles warmly. "Anytime. We'll get through this. Now, why don't we take a break and watch a movie? It might help take your mind off things."

I chuckle, feeling a bit lighter. "That sounds like a great idea."

As we settle in to watch a movie, the tension from the argument slowly begins to dissipate. For now, I can focus on the comforting presence of a friend and the distraction of a good film, hoping that tomorrow brings a fresh start.