Bound by Blood and Magic

Chapter 3 : The Slytherin Bond

The first night at Hogwarts was always an eventful one, full of nervous excitement and endless chatter among the students. For (Y/N), however, it felt like a heavy silence settled over her, despite the bustling noise around her in the Slytherin common room. The dark, elegant decor of the room was familiar—green and silver tapestries hung from the walls, the low-lit atmosphere almost comforting in its gloom. It was her home within the castle, yet tonight, something felt different.

After the Sorting and the feast, she had been surrounded by other Slytherin students, each eager to talk to her, the famous (Y/N) (L/N). Her beauty had once again captivated everyone, and compliments poured in—how stunning she looked, how poised and graceful she was, the usual praise she had grown accustomed to. But she found it exhausting. Beneath the surface, (Y/N) felt a growing restlessness, a desire for something more than just being admired for her appearance or her family's legacy.

Draco, as always, lingered in the background, his grey eyes catching hers every so often, though he said little. His usual crowd—Crabbe, Goyle, and Pansy Parkinson—seemed to surround him, but (Y/N) could feel his gaze on her more than once during the evening. Something about it unsettled her, but she wasn’t quite sure why. Was it the pressure of their families’ expectations, or was it something more?

As the night drew on, (Y/N) excused herself and made her way toward the Slytherin dormitories, her mind clouded with thoughts of what the school year might hold. As much as she tried to focus on her studies and the opportunities ahead, Draco’s presence in her life was impossible to ignore. They had grown up together, their families intricately tied in both friendship and power. But recently, Draco had changed—his coldness toward her softened in subtle ways that made her question what he truly felt.

She was deep in thought when she heard footsteps behind her, and a familiar voice called out. “(Y/N), wait up.”

Draco’s voice carried the usual cool confidence, but there was a slight edge to it tonight. She slowed her pace and turned to face him. He was walking toward her, his expression unreadable, but the intensity in his eyes told her that this wasn’t just a casual conversation.

“Draco,” she greeted, her voice measured. “Is something wrong?”

He hesitated for a moment, something unusual for him. Draco Malfoy was never unsure of himself—at least, that’s what he wanted everyone to believe. But tonight, as he stood before her, there was a flicker of vulnerability in his eyes that made (Y/N) pause.

“I just wanted to… talk,” Draco said, his voice low as he glanced around to make sure they were alone. “I know it’s been a lot, with our families constantly pushing us together.”

(Y/N) raised an eyebrow, surprised by his candor. This wasn’t the usual arrogant Draco she was used to. “You’re right,” she replied, crossing her arms. “It has been a lot. I suppose we’re both expected to play our parts.”

Draco let out a frustrated sigh, running a hand through his platinum blond hair. “I’m not blind, (Y/N). I know you don’t like the idea of our families deciding our future for us.” He took a step closer, his voice softer now. “But that doesn’t mean I don’t care about you. I—”

He stopped, the words hanging in the air between them.

(Y/N)’s breath caught for a moment. Draco was never one to speak about his feelings, especially not with her. She had always assumed that, like her, he was simply going along with their families’ plans because it was expected of them. But now, standing here in the quiet corridor, it felt like something had shifted.

“What are you trying to say, Draco?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Draco hesitated again, his usual mask of arrogance cracking ever so slightly. “I’ve always liked you, (Y/N),” he admitted, his grey eyes locking onto hers. “Not because of what our parents want, but because you’re… you.”

(Y/N) blinked, taken aback by his honesty. Draco Malfoy, the boy who was always so self-assured, was now confessing something real, something vulnerable. She hadn’t expected this, not from him. For years, she had assumed that Draco saw her the way everyone else did—as a means to an end, a perfect match to solidify power and status. But now, it seemed there was something deeper beneath the surface.

“Draco,” she began, unsure of how to respond. She had never really considered how she felt about him, beyond the weight of their families’ expectations. “I don’t know if we—”

“I’m not asking you to decide anything right now,” Draco interrupted, his voice suddenly more determined. “I just wanted you to know. Whatever happens, I’ll be here for you, not because I have to, but because I want to.”

(Y/N) stared at him, her mind racing. This was a side of Draco she had never seen before—a boy who wasn’t just the heir to a powerful family, but someone who was trying, in his own way, to break free from the chains of their shared legacy. For a moment, she felt a spark of understanding between them, something that went beyond family duty.

“Thank you,” she said softly, her voice sincere. “I didn’t know you felt that way.”

Draco gave a small, almost imperceptible nod, the vulnerability in his eyes quickly replaced by his usual guarded expression. “I won’t push you, (Y/N). I just thought you should know.”

With that, he turned and walked away, leaving her standing in the empty corridor, her thoughts swirling. She had always seen Draco as an inevitable part of her future, but now, for the first time, she was beginning to see him as something more.

But even as her heart fluttered at the thought, (Y/N) couldn’t shake the feeling of uncertainty. Her life had always been dictated by duty, by expectations she had never asked for. And yet, here she was, standing at the threshold of something she had never anticipated—something that might just be real.

As she made her way to her dormitory, (Y/N) couldn’t help but wonder what this year would hold. Perhaps Hogwarts wasn’t just an escape from her family’s plans, but a place where she could finally find out who she truly was—and maybe, just maybe, what she wanted.