enchanted • draco malfoy

Year 2: Hermione and Hagrid Back at Home

Felicity's POV

That night, a feast was held in the Great Hall to celebrate the revitalization of the cat, the students, and the ghost who'd been petrified. Nearly Headless Nick floated between tables, exchanging pleasantries and telling stories. I was in the middle of a conversation with Neville and Harry when Neville nudged me in the side and pointed to the entrance of the room. "Look!" he said loudly.

I turned to see my best friend, looking as if not a day had passed. "Hermione!" I shouted, leaping out of my seat. I ran, met her halfway through the hall, and tackled her in an hug, much like the first time we'd met. "Bloody hell, Mione," I said into her hair, "Never do that again! I nearly had a damn heart attack!"

Hermione laughed and hugged Harry next; wide smiles were mirrored on everyone's faces. It just wasn't the same without Hermione. She broke away from Harry and went to hug Ron, too, before pausing. The grins slid off their faces and Ron cleared his throat, sticking out his hand. Hermione shook it politely and I shared an exasperated look with Harry, rolling my eyes. "Welcome back, Hermione," Ron said a little awkwardly.

"It's good to be back," Hermione replied. If she noticed his discomfort, she didn't seem to care. "Congratulations," she continued, "I can't believe you solved it!" I was shaking my head before she even finished her sentence. "Hermione, we literally could not have done it without you," I told her truthfully.

McGonagall tapped her spoon against her goblet and the Hall instantly quieted. Harry, Hermione, Ron, and I scrambled to our seats as Dumbledore stood up. "Before we begin the feast, let us have a round of applause for Professor Sprout and Madame Pomfrey, whose Mandrake Juice has been so successfully administered to all who had been petrified."

Everyone, even a few Slytherins, cheered. As soon as the noise died down, he spoke again. "Also, in light of the recent events, as a school treat, all exams have been... cancelled!" Even louder cheers broke out, along with whoops and hollers from every table.

Suddenly, the doors to the Great Hall opened and Hagrid strolled in. "Sorry I'm late," he apologized when everyone turned to him, "The owl that delivered my release papers got all lost and confused. Some ruddy bird named Errol." Ron's eyes widened and he grimaced. "Should've sent Hermes," he muttered, referring to Percy's owl. Hagrid began walking down the long aisle before stopping in front of the four of us. "Well, I'd just like to say that if it hadn't been for you, Harry, and Ron, and Felicity, and Hermione," he said, motioning to each one of us as he said our names, "I would, uh.. I'd still be You-Know-Where, so I'd just like to say thanks."

The four of us exchanged looks before Harry stood up, voicing all of our thoughts for us. "It's not Hogwarts without you, Hagrid," he said sincerely. He hugged Hagrid, who looked touched. Hermione was almost crying, and Ron and I had huge grins plastered to our faces.

Dumbledore began clapping slowly before everyone else joined him. Harry pulled away and applauded Hagrid, laughing at his red face as we all stood up to shout and cheer. I caught sight of Crabbe about to stand up with the rest of the school before Malfoy pulled him back down and glared at him. As if he could feel my stare, Malfoy turned to me with his usual sneer. I rolled my eyes and stuck my tongue out childishly before Hermione pulled me, Ron, Harry, and Hagrid into a group hug.

~*~

Exactly 8 days later, I boarded the Hogwarts Express with Marvin and my trunk. I'd promised Hermione, Ron, and Harry that I'd get a seat while they all bid our fellow peers goodbye. I didn't like saying goodbye; it always felt to permanent. I sat farthest back in the train and pulled out my book, not expecting anyone to bother me, seeing as there were at least a dozen more empty compartments to be filled.

So imagine my annoyance when the door flings open to reveal none other than Draco Malfoy. I sighed loudly, making my irritation clear. "What do you want, Malfoy?" I asked, slightly wary (but mostly just aggravated). He closed the door and glared at me as he sat, uninvited, by the way, across from me. "You freed my servant," he stated coldly. He sounded like a prepubescent version of his father. "Yeah, and? What are you gonna do, hex me?" I said testily and with a glower of my own.

Malfoy drew his wand. "Maybe," he responded with an excessive amount of confidence. I scoffed and shook my head, my eyes returning to the book. "Yeah, right," I replied, "And pigs will fly, and Crabbe and Goyle will get girlfriends, and Snape will actually like someone in Gryffindor... oh, wait, that'll never happen." I looked up to meet his startling grey eyes with a sarcastic half-smile. He stared at me, his expression unreadable, before he smirked.

He stood up abruptly and opened the door before pausing. "Have a nice summer, blood traitor," he said tauntingly. I rolled my eyes. "You, too, you arrogant prick."