One-shots/Short Stories

Draco Malfoy

The Greetings
"Malfoy."
   "Santiago." That was all they said whenever they crossed paths. It was all they needed to say to each other.
   Draco Malfoy and Lavina Santiago used to be best friends - childhood friends. But when he got sorted into Slytherin, and she got sorted into Gryffindor, there was a slim chance of them ever being friends again. Malfoy and his family hate the mention of Gryffindor people and basically people bellow them that are not purebloods. It was a shock that Lavina got sorted into Gryffindor, since her family were all Slytherin. Because of that, she was shunned from her own flesh and blood and from then on, was a disgrace to her family. Because of that, that also meant the Malfoys -close family friends of them- had to shun her out as well. The Malfoys did not like the sound of that, but nonetheless followed.
   But Draco really didn't like the idea. So instead of leaving the poor girl fully alone, he would just greet her coldly when crossing paths, and leave her be. He never realised how much he needed her, until he joined the dark side.

***

She found out he was in the hospital wing and had immediately made her way to the room, needing to know if her childhood friend was okay. Word went around the school quickly that Malfoy and Potter got into a duel in the abandoned girls toilet, and that Potter used a dangerous curse on Malfoy, making him bleed out. Lavina needed to know if Malfoy was okay, despite having not been in an actual conversation before in years.
   She entered the hospital wing to see Dumbledore at the foot of the bed, staring down at Malfoy with sad eyes. He looked up when he heard Lavina walk towards them, sending her a small smile. "Hello, Miss Santiago." he greeted quietly.
   "Professor." she greeted back just as quiet. "How's. . .how is he?"
   "He will be fine." Dumbledore assured her. "Help came to him just in time before he could bleed out. It will leave a scar, however." Lavina suddenly felt a surge of anger go through her veins towards Potter. . .
   "Do not be mad at Potter, for it was self defence and he had no idea of what the spell could do." Dumbledore said calmly, interrupting her thoughts. Lavina turned to him quickly.
   "He used a spell on him that he didn't even know the consequences to?" she said sharply. "Ugh, there are times when Harry can be such an. . .ugh!"
   "Miss Santiago. . ."
   "I know, I know. . ." Lavina sighed. "He didn't mean it. I'm just mad, that's all. I don't really mean all this."
   "I know." he nodded with a small understanding smile. "You care deeply about young Malfoy despite the strained friendship."
   "How did you -"
   "I know lots of things should I be concerned over my students." Dumbledore interrupted her. "Also because of the fact that when you all were just merely in first year, did Malfoy come to me seeking comfort and help about your situation."
   "My situation. . .?"
   "He had come to me feeling conflicted." Dumbledore went to explain. He watched as she made her way beside Malfoy and putting her hand in his, squeezing it gently. "Your parents didn't like that you are in Gryffindor, yes? They shunned you and therefore, made other Slytherin purebloods shun you."
   "Y-yes. . ." Lavina avoided his gaze with an embarrassed look.
   "Well, when young Malfoy came to me that night, he was conflicted about having to leave you." Dumbledore explained. "He went to me seeking for comfort and advice. He didn't want to leave you, since you were his childhood friend, but he also wanted to make his family proud. He didn't know what to do."
   "And you told him to leave me and be rude to me?" she said confused.
   "No, Miss Santiago." he shook his head. "Be a bit cold to you? Yes. But ignore you wholeheartedly? No."
   "So that's why when we crossed paths he would greet me." she whispered in realisation. "Those greetings. . .he was telling me all along that no matter what, he was there for me."
   "And that is also the reason why Miss Parkinson hasn't pestered you along with the other Slytherins." Dumbledore added. That's right; at first Pansy and the other Slytherins would pick on her for being a blood traitor, when suddenly one day they just stopped and ignored her. It made her happy but confused at their sudden action.
   "Draco told them to bugger off." Lavina whispered, disbelief lacing through her voice.
   "Indeed." Dumbledore nodded. "If I may say so boldly, I think this may be more than just friend protectiveness. If I know any better, Malfoy cares about you a lot, and may in fact love you."
   "Love me?" Lavina pulled away from Malfoy in shock. Him, love her? That's absurd. "But we haven't spoken to each other in years -"
   "Yet he loved you from afar, like you to him." Dumbledore said. "Draco needs you, my dear. He needs you now at a moment like this. He's going through very hard problems right now and needs a bit of some light in his life. Go back into each other's life. I know you both will not regret it."