Secret of Malfoy | Drarry | English

Chapter 1

Bon Jovi | Walls (2016)

A calm atmosphere prevailed in the eighth-year common room. Since it was Friday evening, no one had retreated to their rooms to sleep early. Except for a few people, everyone was chatting with their own group of friends in different corners. The Gryffindor students had sprawled out in the most casual corner of the room. Harry was reading the sports section of the Daily Prophet, while Ron was examining the cards from chocolate frogs.

"According to George, they're planning to add new cards," he said.

"Really?" Harry asked, turning the page. "Who are they going to include?"

"Are you seriously asking?" Seamus interrupted. "Could it be... the guy who won the recent war?"

"You mean the boy who lived, died, and came back again? What's his name?" Dean asked, maintaining his seriousness.

"Come on, guys," Harry said. But he was ignored.

"Yeah, Dean! Even came back to life? What was his name again?"

Ron, pretending to think, said, "Hmmm, could it be Harry James Potter? What do you think, mate?" turning to Harry.

"Doesn't ring a bell," Harry said. The others laughed while Hermione, who had just returned from the library, sat down in the single armchair next to them. A long silence fell as she looked judgmentally at Harry and then Ron. Harry tried not to look at her from behind his newspaper. Ron, on the other hand, attempted to avoid her gaze for a while. But eventually, he couldn't stand it.

"What's the problem, Hermione, just say it..."

"When do you two plan on studying?" she asked, frowning. "It's the only year we don't have to fight for our lives, and instead of studying, you're lounging around."

"We... We are studying!" Ron defended.

"Really? When?"

"Harry and I study in our room every day. Say something, Harry..."

"Uh... Yeah, that's right," Harry said, looking over the newspaper.

Hermione rolled her eyes. "You're coming to the library with me tomorrow."

Ron immediately started to protest. Harry didn't react because his eyes were fixed on Draco, who had just entered the common room. As he watched him from the corner of his newspaper, he became easily detached from the conversation around him. Draco was still in his school uniform, holding a black leather-bound book. With his usual graceful movements, he made his way to the Slytherin friends. He started chatting with Blaise, who stood up when he saw him. For a moment, he seemed to turn his head towards Harry, who quickly raised the newspaper to cover his face. After waiting a few seconds, Harry slightly bent the edge of the newspaper to create a small gap to watch him again. But as soon as he did, he found himself meeting Draco's cold gaze. With his heart pounding in his ears, Harry knew he should turn away, but he couldn't. Hypnotized by his eyes, he found it hard to look away. Luckily, Draco did it for him, turning his head back to Blaise.

"Mate, are you going to respond?"

"Huh?" Harry turned to Ron without realizing. "What?"

"You zoned out," Ron explained.

"I was saying you're coming to the library tomorrow," Hermione said.

"Don't you think he's up to something?" Harry asked in a whisper.

"Who?" Hermione asked.

Harry glanced once more towards Draco and then quickly turned back to his friends. "Malfoy," he whispered.

Ron turned to look at the group. "Come on, mate," he said, turning back to Harry. "We've moved past this, haven't we?"

"Why are you suspicious?" Hermione asked.

"I don't know," Harry said. "I've felt something odd since the beginning of the term. He's hiding something."

"Could you just be prejudiced?" Hermione asked.

"I've been watching him closely for a while and-"

"This isn't new," Ron said, in a suggestive tone.

"And I'm almost certain he's hiding something."

"Almost doesn't get us anywhere," Hermione whispered. "If you really have suspicions, we can talk to Professor McGonagall."

Harry shook his head. It had been two months since the start of their eighth year, and every time he saw Draco, his mysterious behaviour caught his attention. Apart from a few people from Slytherin, he wasn't communicating with anyone. He didn't talk during classes. He only did what was told, giving short answers if asked. As soon as class ended, he would leave alone. He spent a lot of time in the library. He returned to the dormitory late most nights and left earlier than everyone in the mornings. Actually, his behaviour could be considered normal for everyone else. Maybe... Without defending the dark side and bothering Harry, this was what Draco Malfoy turned out to be. But it wasn't enough for Harry. The thought that he was up to something had taken root in his mind.

"So what could he possibly be up to?" Ron asked, breaking Harry's thoughts. "There are no Death Eaters left to smuggle into the school. Voldemort's gone."

"He has a private life," Hermione said. "He might be hiding something, but I don't think it concerns us. So, Harry, I think you should leave it alone. They're being monitored closely by the Ministry. If there was a problem, he wouldn't be here."

Watching Draco move towards the dormitories, Harry replied, "Okay, fine." His answer didn't satisfy his friends, but the topic was dropped.

About ten minutes passed, and Draco re-entered Harry's line of sight. He had changed out of his school uniform and into all black. With a black turtleneck, black jacket, and black trousers, he walked towards the common room exit. It was forbidden to leave at this hour, but Harry had seen him disregard this rule before. He wanted to follow him but didn't want to draw attention.

"I'm heading to the room," he announced, ignoring Ron's questions as he went. He immediately took out the Marauder's Map from the drawer, tapped it with his wand, and murmured the necessary words. As the blank parchment turned into a map, Harry quickly found the eighth-year common room and started looking for Draco's name from the exit. He was so focused that he didn't even hear the door open.

"Just as I guessed," Ron said, sitting on the bed across from Harry. "When you get fixated, you really get fixated, mate."

"It's just curiosity," Harry explained as he found Draco. "Here he is."

"Where's he going?"

"Wait," he continued watching. "What's he doing there at this hour?"

"Where?"

"Seems like he's heading to the Potions classroom," Harry explained.

"Maybe he got detention or something."

Harry shook his head. "Slughorn's not in the classroom," he said. "He's in his office."

"He's probably just studying. Everyone knows he likes potions." When Harry didn't respond, Ron sighed deeply. "I understand your suspicion, but Hermione's right," he said. "You shouldn't bother."

"It's just curiosity, like I said," Harry replied nonchalantly.

"You just can't do without chaos, can you?"

Harry grinned. "Maybe too much peace isn't good for me after getting used to it."

"All right, do what you want. Malfoy's harmless now anyway," Ron said before going to his own bed. Harry, however, continued to watch Draco on the map.

An hour passed. Harry put the map aside and tried to work on one of his assignments. After struggling to finish it (thinking he had), he placed it on the bedside table. Picking up the map, he lay down. Hearing Ron snoring, he glanced at him before focusing back on Draco's footprints. At that moment, a thought crossed his mind, leaving a faint smile on his face.

Just like old times.