Draco Malfoy fan fiction

Conflicted Royalities

Aurora sat at a table, flipping through a book but barely reading. Her mind kept drifting back to Ron's behavior—he had been aloof, snapping at her for obvious reason.
As much as she wanted to deny it, Ron had all the rights to be mad at her.
She was too focused on him to hear the footsteps behind her.
Draco strolled in, confidence radiating from him. He noticed her distracted demeanor and smirked.
«Looks like you're solving a puzzle. What's wrong?»His voice had an unmistakable childish lilt.
«It's Ron,» she replied.
Draco quickly masked his irritation at the mention of that redhead. He settled into the chair beside hers, arms crossed, a hint of mockery in his tone.
«That idiot is probably upset you chose to hang out with someone who actually has potential.»
Aurora frowned, a mix of irritation and concern churning within her. «He's not exactly the most ambitious person, is he?»
A knot formed in her stomach. She knew Draco was being harsh, but part of her wondered if there was truth in his words.
«You don't have to put him down to make your point,» she said, her voice steady.
Draco shrugged, a flicker of defensiveness crossing his face. «I just call it like I see it.»
She closed the book she had been pretending to read earlier. «Why did you come here?»
«You'd look like a loser if you were in the library by yourself.» he replied with a teasing grin.

«I'm telling you, she completely changed once she started hanging out with that Malfoy! It started with a simple 'hello,' and now they're best buddies all of a sudden!» Ron argued, his arms crossed defiantly.
«Have you tried to speak with her, at least?» Harry asked, concern etching his features.
«What is there to say? I'm sure Malfoy was badmouthing us at the Great Hall—I heard him! And what did she do? She didn't say anything to defend us!»
«And if you keep yelling like this, she'll know YOU'RE badmouthing her,» Hermione interrupted, coming out of nowhere and uninvitedly contributed to the conversation, her tone reproachful.
«oh- for merlin's sake! are you trying to give me a heart attack?! Where did you come out from!»
«You should be glad it's me and not the professor scolding you for being so loud.» She replied.
Ron gave her a dirty look and whispered to harry loud enough for Hermione to hear-
«I told you she's weird..»

Back at the library, Aurora rubbed her temples, trying to shake off the tension. Draco, sensing her unease, leaned closer.
«Why do you even care about what he thinks? You're not like him, Aurora. You're better than that and you know it, how many times do I and your parents have to tell you this?» he said, his voice softening slightly.
«But Ron has been my friend for years,» she replied, torn. «I can't just ignore him because he's upset.»
«Friendship isn't about sticking around when someone's being pathetic,» Draco remarked, an edge of sincerity creeping into his tone. «Maybe it's time to choose who you want to be around based on who lifts you up, not who drags you down.»
Aurora felt a flicker of anger rise within her. «You don't know what it's like to be in a friendship that matters. You think just because you're popular and have so many 'friends', you understand loyalty?»
Draco raised an eyebrow, taken aback.
«Is that what you think? That I don't know anything about loyalty? You're the one who seems ready to toss aside someone who's been there for you.»
«Ron might have his flaws, but he's been a friend to me!» she shot back, her voice rising- causing a loud 'SHH' to come out of the librarian's lips, temporarily interrupting their conversation.
«..You don't get to judge what our friendship means just because you think you're better than him.»
«Think— i'm Better?» Draco's voice hardened, anger flashing in his gray eyes. A look of disgust crossed his face, as if her words were a bitter taste he couldn't swallow.
«Are you out of your mind..?
Of course I'm better than Ron. He's a blood traitor, clinging to ideals that will only drag you down-
You know what I think, Aurora? You need to make up your mind, You're mistaken if you think i'll listen to you defending him forever. Who do you want to be friend with: me or..Ron?»
And then silence.
There was a hint of hurt in his expression, deep inside, he wasn't completely sure she would choose him over Ron- he knows.. that for her, status is not enough of a reason to prefer someone over another person.
Aurora seemed almost petrified, unable to utter a single word, in disbelief of being put in a situation where she had to choose.
They looked at each other like they were trying to read the other's mind.

«Now, don't forget that nice wrist movement we've been practising! Swish and flick, remember, swish and flick. And saying the magic words properly is very important, too - »
Professor Flitwick carefully explained, demonstrating the correct movement to adopt in order to lift that feather on everyone's desk.
Draco hardly paid attention to the professor's words, his eyes constantly falling on the girl sitting next to him. He couldn't explain how frustrated he felt at the moment, he had so many things to say, internally cursing at her for leaving without a response.
«There's your friend.» Draco whispered bitter, once Ron interrupted the lesson by being late and apologizing.
He sat near his two gryffindor friends, and draco couldn't keep quiet, noticing that empty chair beside the redhead.
«Why don't you sit with him, since you miss him so much.» He continued, this time turning his head towards her.
«You know, you'll have to choose at some point, you can't be everything to everyone.»
She choose to ignore him and write down the informations she heard, acknowledging the fact she can't concentrate enough to perform the charm at the moment.
«Oh, I forgot you he refuses to speak with you, how shocking." Draco spat- making her turn her head to look at him only to realize he started to ignore her himself.
«Great..» She muttered, before continuing to write on her textbook.