MALFOY

2

Draco's head turned quickly, staring at the door. A familiar figure stood there, smile on her face. Draco couldnt bring himself to look her in the eye as she stood, a large pile of magazines under her arm.

"Hello Malfoy. Why aren't you sitting with your friends?" Luna asked with a tilt of her head. Draco shrugged, "Dunno," he spoke quietly, focus on the ground. Luna shifted, "Quibbler?" she adjusted the papers. Draco looked up for a moment, "I uhh.. yeah, sure," he'd never taken one before. He would always look at her as if she was one of the many strange creatures in the magazine. He couldn't be picky with who he talked to now. He got to his feet, taking a few steps to take a copy from her. She held onto it briefly, looking directly at him, "Are you alright?"

Draco was taken back by the sudden action. He tugged on the Quibbler, "..Don't worry about it," he said as he pulled it from her hands. Luna just shrugged, "I was only curious. I understand," she offered a smile and with a turn on her heel, she was onto the next compartment. He raised a brow before moving to sit once again.

Reaching the school, Draco got anxious. He grabbed his things and was the last off the train. He kept fussing with his uniform to avoid eye contact. He wouldn't sit by anyone in the Great Hall, and the sorting ceremony was brutal. Any first years were sorted into Slytherin and they'd cringe, looking at him immediately. He wouldn't look back to them, he was too afraid. He knew they were looking at him like he was a monster. It was odd being on the other end of that. All the disgusted and judgmental eyes were making him itch.

As soon as the ceremony was over, Draco left quicker than he had entered. His entire body froze in the doorway though, seeing a small green robe with tears. It was hesitant, but he approached. A young boy sat crying, hands over his face. His entire body wracked with sobs and Draco was worried. He crouched down in front of the boy, lightly tapping is leg, "Hey.. Are you okay?"

The boy looked up and seemed like he saw a ghost. His eyes shot wide, "You-You're that.. that Malfoy kid," he stumbled over words, seeming to move further back and pressing against the wall. Draco nodded, "Yeah that's me.. That Malfoy kid.. Why are you crying?"

"I.. I.."

"Nevermind, I'm sorry I scared you," Draco gave a sigh, pushing to stand. A small hand grabbed onto his sleeve, which caused him to stop where he was.

"I was sorted into Slytherin.." the boy muttered. Draco moved to sit next to him, brushing his shoulder against him, "What's your name?" he asked with a gentle smile. The boy wiped his eye, "Scorpius Mundle.." he muttered. Draco nodded, "Well, Scorpius, I'm gonna tell you something. Being in Slytherin isn't as bad as you think. I know the house has a bad reputation and I'm no exception to that, but.. that doesn't make the house bad. You're cunning, intelligent, fraternal, and determined. You are not evil, I promise."

Scorpius gave a sniffle, turning his head towards him. Draco nudged him, "It's not that bad. Once you get to the commons, you'll see. Nobody in there wants to hurt you. We'll protect you with our lives, okay?"

There was a pause as the kid leaned towards Draco, latching onto his arm, "You know.. you're not as bad as everyone says. Thanks for helping me," he said, looking up to him. Scorpius was the human embodiment of innocence. With dirty blonde hair and shining green eyes, he made Draco melt. His face was slender and his cheeks seemed too big for his head. Freckles ran across his cheeks and nose, a heavy blush supporting them.

Draco smiled, getting to his feet and offering his hand, "Come on kid. How about we get to the commons, yeah? I'll save you a bed next to mine." Scorpius gladly took his hand and stood with a smile. The two walked together down the halls, Draco with a hand on his back. The night was short, since Draco avoided all contact unless it was Scorpius. The boy was always trying to pull him into conversation, but Draco had to politely decline.

As the moon got higher in the sky, everyone began claiming their beds. It wasnt hard to get a bed next to Draco, since nobody was interested in having one anywhere near him. Scorpius made his bed right next to Draco, which got some curious looks, "Mundle! Why are you next to Malfoy? He's evil!" But Scorpius ignored it. He just spoke positively with a smile, curling up under the sheets. Draco couldn't help his own smile, seeing this kid telling everyone he was Malfoy's friend. It was weird hearing that, considering nobody really liked him, but it was nice to hear.

The room was dark and quiet, other than the noises of Draco's previous friends. Crabbe twisted and turned, Goyle gave loud snores, Pansy breathed louder than most others. He wasn't fond of hanging out with them. They hadn't changed since the war, keeping their awful ways. Draco was shocked they weren't in Azkaban. Their parents were, but according to law they weren't old enough. They plead that they were brainwashed, and people bought it because Draco plead it first. They assumed it was a common theme in young Death Eaters. They assumed a lot of dumb things, which was why Draco's Father wasn't in Azkaban. Lucius was so stupid was a genius.

Draco prayed to God he wasn't like his Father. He wanted to be like his Mother, Narcissa. She was so sweet and loved more fiercely than anyone he knew. She saw the good in Lucius when Draco couldn't, and that was impressive. Draco wished he could be that accepting, but no matter how hard he tried.. he just couldn't do it. There was nothing there, there was nothing good about his Father, and nobody could convince him otherwise.