Second Chances: A Draco Malfoy Love Story

Chapter 18

"This place is crushing my soul." Eli declared as he slid his finger along the top of the mantle, a thick layer of dust collecting on the tip of his finger. Kyra rolled her eyes, moving her wand in a sweeping motion over the couch, remove the dust and dirt from it before sitting down. Neville took a seat next to her, brushing his hand against hers. She let a small smile rise to her face as she glanced down. As her eyes panned back up, she spotted Draco across the room, staring back at her with a wide grin on his face. She could feel Neville's fingers slowly entwining with her own and for a brief moment she recoiled at his touch, though she was certain he hadn't noticed.

"It just needs some dusting!" Piped a chipper girl with waist length blonde hair. Sophie was a girl George had met in the cafeteria a few days back and he had rarely let her leave his side. She was from America but she was as true a Gryffindor as they came as far as Kyra could tell. She was also clearly smitten with George. He hadn't admit his feelings yet but everyone could tell they were there. It was the first time Kyra had seen him so unsure of himself. He had never been this nervous around Chelsea, though Kyra wasn't surprised, they both knew they were only temporary. However, no one would have guessed why it was wouldn't last. Kyra's thoughts of Chelsea quickly turned dark and she forced herself back into the present, realizing Sophie had begun to use her wand to clear the cobwebs from the corner. George was helping her, following behind looking like a helpless puppy.

Kyra shifted on the couch, facing them, her legs folded underneath her. Her eyes followed Sophie across the room as she briefly wondered if she should be helping. A small sigh of relief escaped her lips and Maddie stood and helped instead. Kyra had always hated cleaning—even magic cleaning. Her room at home had always been a mess. While her parents had made sure to clean it up the second she left for school each year, she had would mess it up as soon as she got back. Her focus trailed down as she noticed Neville's hand gingerly settling on her thigh. A wave of heat rose to her face but she was distracted as the fireplace beside her erupted in a flash of green.

Harry stepped out of the fireplace, a small stack of papers clutched in his hands. He stumbled out the fireplace, nearly tripping on the lip but catching himself on the arm of the couch, the papers flying from his hands. Draco snickered several feet away but Harry ignored him.

"Alright everyone, Hermione and I were talking and we think there is something we need to discuss." He paused, allowing everyone to turn and face him, "Look, Dumbledore's Army was great and exactly what it needed to be but this is not the same thing. The Carrows were dark arts teachers and incredibly important death eaters. Alecto is highly skilled and we cannot hope to win a battle against her with basic knowledge. She will know the moves we want to use and will be several steps ahead. We don't stand a chance if we simply continue to perfect the moves we have always used." Neville furrowed his eyebrows, discouraged.

"Okay, Potter, we get it, we suck. Do you have a suggestion or are you just here to tell us to abandon hope?" Draco snapped. Harry clenched his jaw, slamming the papers onto the table in front of Draco. Draco spread them out, scanning over them quickly, his eyes widening. They flashed up to Harry, incredulously. "You can't be serious. There is no chance we could do this. None of us are this advanced!" Kyra glanced up, curious.

"Can't do what?" She piped in, rising to her feet in one swift motion, leaving Neville's hand to lie dejected on the seat of the couch. Her brow furrowed as she spotted the scribbles that were scattered over the parchment on the table.

"Potter seems to think we are advanced enough to create our own spells." Malfoy fumed, seemingly amused by the thought. Harry stared at Kyra, hoping to gauge her reaction. Kyra rubbed a hand on her neck, taking a large inhale of breath. She had never known anyone who had created their own spell but from what she had heard, it was a terribly complicated and dangerous process. The true process was also said to have been lost ages ago. Only truly gifted witches and wizards had created new spells in the past century.