Rainfall │ Oliver Wood

Chapter 3 - Goodbyes

Over the years, Rain and Draco had carved out a world of their own, full of mischief and shared secrets. Draco, ever the instigator, had a knack for pulling her into his schemes—whether it was sneaking into Lucius's study to rummage through forbidden artifacts or charming the house elves into smuggling them sweets and firecrackers. Rain, quieter but clever, often played the voice of reason, though she couldn't deny the thrill of following Draco's lead.

Their adventures often led them to their secret hideouts: the nook by the brook where they could whisper without fear of eavesdroppers, or the dusty attic of Malfoy Manor, where they'd discovered a forgotten trunk filled with magical oddities. Rain would sketch in her notebook while Draco plotted their next big adventure. Together, they created their own reality in which they could just be, away from the expectations of their guardians and the weight of their respective lives.

Though their mischief sometimes ended in trouble—like the time Draco's homemade potion exploded and left both them, their clothes, and his room covered in soot for days—it was those moments of shared laughter and whispered promises that solidified their bond. Rain wasn't sure when Draco had gone from the aloof boy she met at the Ministry to her closest companion, but she knew it would be hard to imagine life without him.

Back in the present, the two of them were making their way to their favorite spot on the sprawling Malfoy estate—a small, secluded alcove nestled by a brook that meandered through the woods.

Draco led the way through the Malfoy garden, their familiar path unfolding as if no time had passed. As they walked, Rain couldn't help but notice the small traces of their past scattered among the bushes. There were the sunflowers she had once enchanted to dance in the light of day, their heads swaying and leaves waving as she passed. A stone bench, chipped and worn, where they had spent hours debating spells and practicing charms under the shade of an old oak tree. And just ahead, the low stone wall they had always treated like a highway to somewhere great—balancing along it as they made their way to the secret meeting place, pretending it was a path to hidden kingdoms or far-off adventures, the weathered stones a silent witness to the times they'd shared.

Draco settled onto the grass, leaning back on his elbows, while Rain sat cross-legged beside him, still admiring the letter.

"So," she said, "what's Hogwarts like?"

Draco glanced at her, smiling at the memory of it. "Oh, you'll love it," he said, though his tone carried a trace of his father's disdain. "When I was there last year with Father, it was... well, it's not exactly Malfoy Manor, but it has its charms."

Rain tilted her head, curious. "You didn't tell me much about it, actually. Did something happen?"

He nodded. "Father brought me along during an inspection, seeing as he's on the Board of Governors, and all. It was mostly to convince me that Hogwarts wasn't good enough for a Malfoy." Draco's smirk widened, though his eyes betrayed a flicker of defiance. "Didn't work. Mother wanted me to make my own choice, and after what happened, I knew Hogwarts was the place for me."

"What happened?" Rain leaned in, intrigued.

His smirk turned into a proud grin. "There was a conspiracy against Slytherin House—some students trying to sabotage them. I got caught up in it and ended up helping uncover the plot. Snape thanked me in front of the whole school." His chest puffed out slightly at the memory. "It was brilliant. Made me certain I wanted to be there."

Rain's eyes sparkled with admiration. "That's incredible! Weren't you scared?"

"Not at all," he said, though his tone suggested otherwise. "It's just Hogwarts, Rain. You'll see. It's magical in ways I can't even explain."

Rain smiled, though a hint of nervousness flickered in her expression. "It sounds amazing. I just... I hope I fit in."

"You will," Draco said firmly. "Trust me, you're going to do fine. You'll have people eating out of your hand in no time."

Rain laughed softly, the tension easing from her shoulders. The boy certainly had a way with words. What a little bugger.

~☆ ~ ☆ ~ ☆~

As the sun began to dip below the horizon, casting warm golden glow over the trees, Draco reached into his pocket and pulled out a small object wrapped in brown paper.

"I almost forgot," he said, holding it out to her. "This is for you."

Rain blinked in surprise, taking the parcel carefully. She unwrapped it to reveal a miniature silver broom, which was quite old, but still polished to perfection.

"Draco..." She was honestly more shocked that she recognized it than anything.

"It's my old model broom," he said quickly, as if brushing off the sentimentality. "The one I had when we first met. Thought you might like it, since you've always been curious about Quidditch."

Rain lifted it up and watched it hover above her hand. "It's lovely."

She looked down at him, and saw that he still seemed to be watching her reaction carefully. "Thank you, Draco. Really."

He shrugged, though she could see he was almost glowing. "It's nothing. Besides, it'll be lonelier here without you around. You're leaving me all by myself, you know."

Rain raised an eyebrow. "You'll be fine. You've got other friends now, don't you? Crabbe and Goyle?"

Draco scoffed. "They're not you."

The sincerity in his voice caught her off guard, and for a moment, neither of them spoke. The brook babbled softly in the background, and the golden light bathed them in warmth.

She knew what he meant. These past few years, the boy had been like a younger brother to her, and she like an older sister to him.

"I'll write to you," Rain said finally.

"You'd better," Draco replied, his serious look returning. "I'll expect updates. And if anyone gives you trouble, let me know. I'll handle it."

Rain laughed. He was unbelievable. "And how would you, pray tell, 'handle' anything at Hogwarts?"

Draco shrugged. "Send them curses, or instruct you on how to hex them, I expect."

Rain smiled down at the boy, the silver broom cupped in her hand, feeling the weight of it, both literal and symbolic. It felt like more than just a gift to her.

~☆ ~ ☆ ~ ☆~

As they slowly trudged through the gardens back to the manor, Rain glanced at Draco with a mischievous smile. "What house do you think I'll be in?" she asked, though she already knew his answer.

Draco didn't hesitate. He straightened slightly and looked down his nose at her, his expression one of supreme certainty. "Slytherin," he declared, his tone leaving no room for debate.

Rain couldn't help but laugh, her guess spot-on. "Are you sure you're not just self-projecting your hopes onto me?"

Draco smirked, a rare glint of humor in his gray eyes. "Maybe a bit," he admitted.

Then, with a mock-serious tone, he added, "But if you get into Gryffindor, I'll personally cut you off."

Rain laughed again, the sound echoing in the quiet air. But as her laughter faded, a small part of her wondered just how much of it was a joke. She brushed off the feeling as quickly as it had come. Bah, it was just Draco. There was no way he was serious.

And as she looked at his innocent face in the dimming evening light, she knew she had nothing to fear.

A/N:
Awww, isn't he sweet? Don't you guys just think that a sensible older sister is just the thing Draco needed to turn him nice? He may or may not have a serious attitude change in the future, though. No spoilers!