Hogwarts is My Home (A Harry Potter Fanfiction), Part 4/7

Chapter 5

I wake up and look at the clock. It's 10:47. We got back at around 1:00 in the morning, so I'm kind of well rested. I go straight downstairs, not caring that my hair probably looks like it's been attacked by a bird. Draco is already downstairs.

"Mother's still asleep, and Father had to go back to work," he says before I can ask. "Nice hair."

"Thanks, I worked hard on it," I shoot back. "Sleeping is hard work."

"Wanna play Quidditch?" he asks me.

"Sure, might wanna go brush my hair first though," I admit. "You should too. Your bedhead is probably worse than mine." His hands go straight to his hair, which of course messes up it's perfection. "I was joking, but not now," I laugh. His hair looks good messed up, though.

"I'll get you for that," he threatens. I laugh.

"You'll have to catch me first!" I run upstairs, brush my hair, and grab my Firebolt. He's already out in the yard. He throws a Quaffle at my face. I catch it, mount my broom, and take off toward the makeshift goal post. His Nimbus 2001 is no match for a Firebolt! I score. I fly around the goalposts and catch the Quaffle. I start at the middle of the field, then fly back towards my goalposts. Draco tackles me from behind. He controls our fall so that we land softly on the ground, but I'm laying on the ground with him almost on top of me.

"That's cheating!" I protest.

"No, you were the one that was cheating. It was my ball," he says. I laugh. His gaze drops to my lips, then back up to my eyes. He leans closer. Someone clears his or her throat behind us. I turn my head and see Mr. Malfoy. I suddenly feel very self-conscious about how close Draco is. Like oh my gosh was he actually about to kiss me? Draco gets up and helps me up, too.

"Just wanted to let you know that we have to get your stuff from Diagon Alley next week," Mr. Malfoy says. I nod awkwardly.

"Okay, Father, thank you," Draco says. Mr. Malfoy leaves. I get back on my broom, and Draco gets back on his. We play the game awkwardly. I end up winning, 160-80. We go back inside when it's time for dinner (we skipped lunch).

After I get back into my room upstairs after dinner, I realize I left my Firebolt by the front door. I go back downstairs to get it. The dining room branches off from the main hallway, so I don't have to walk through there. I stop outside the door when I hear raised voices. I really don't want to eavesdrop, but I'm a curious person.

"I don't want you associating with Mudbloods!" Mr. Malfoy snaps. "Especially Mudbloods like her!" What's that supposed to mean?

"Father, Ashlyn is not just a Mudblood," Draco shoots back. "She's a wonderful person once you actually get to know her!" OH MY GOSH HE THINKS I'M A WONDERFUL PERSON? Focus, Ashlyn.

"Oh yes? And what makes her so different from other Mudbloods?" Mr. Malfoy asks.

"She's my friend," Draco says defiantly.

"It didn't look like she was your friend earlier," Mr. Malfoy says coldly.

"Well, that was different. I'm going back upstairs if you don't mind, Father." Oh no, I have to grab my Firebolt and go! I run as silently as I can down the hall and grab it. I hear Draco's footsteps coming out of the dining room. His tall figure appears in the doorway.

"Draco, you must clean up your dinner plate, how many times do I have to tell you?" Mrs. Malfoy says. Yes, saved!

I run up the stairs, into my room, cast my broom aside, shut the door, turn off the light, and jump into bed. It's really not that early, the Malfoys eat dinner at like 9:00. I hear Draco's footsteps coming up the stairs. He turns my doorknob and opens the door. I hardly dare to breathe. He leaves and closes the door. Phew. That was close.

* * *

The next week passes without mention of the row, not that they would talk about it in front of me anyway. Draco and Mr. Malfoy aren't on speaking terms, and when they do talk their voices are cold. Mr. Malfoy is being coldly polite to me. We have to go to Diagon Alley for our fourth year school supplies now.

We Apparate to outside the Leaky Cauldron. When we get to Diagon Alley, I look at my school supply list. There's nothing for new books except for The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 4. I'm hoping to run into one of our friends from school, but we don't. After I get some new quills, parchment, and refills for my potion-making kit, I look at the last thing on Draco's list.

"One set of. . . dress robes?" I ask. "What're those for?"

"Oh, they're for the ―" Draco begins.

"Draco, that's classified information, you shouldn't even know," Mr. Malfoy says. "But yes, you will need dress robes." I look at my list.

"It says I need a dress. I don't own any dresses," I point out.

"They wouldn't have them at Madam Malkin's," Draco says. You don't say? "But maybe at Muggle-Wear World."

"That's a thing?" I ask.

"Oh, yeah, although it's mostly for wizards with Muggle jobs," Draco says.

"You get your dress, we'll go to Madam Malkin's for Draco's dress robes," Mrs. Malfoy says. When I walk in, the attendant is quick to help me.

"Hogwarts?" he asks. I nod. "Ah, I've had a lot of those in here since the letters went out. What house are you in?"

"Slytherin," I reply.

"Okay, we have a section over in the seasonal wear with dresses according to house. Take your pick, fitting rooms are over there," he points to a doorway over by the far wall.

I look through the dresses, examining each one closely. Obviously we're having some sort of dance, so I'll need to look nice. The first one that catches my eye is a pretty silver one, but they don't have it in my size. Boo. I find a different one that's in my size. It's green and strapless, not really my type, but I decide to try it on anyway. There are these really cute silver heels that come with it, though. I try it on in the fitting room, and it's actually really comfortable. I buy it.

I walk outside with the bag in my hands. The Malfoys aren't there yet, so I decide to get some ice cream at Florean Fortescue's. I then wait outside Madam Malkin's. When the Malfoys come out, Draco is quick to spot me. He comes over.

"Can I see your dress?" he asks.

"No," I say. "I want it to be a surprise for whatever this dance thing is.

"Sorry it took so long, I couldn't find a set I liked," he says.

"Boys? Shopping. . . for clothes. . . difficult?" I laugh.

"No. Never." His parents come over to us now.

"Ready to go?" Mrs. Malfoy asks.

"Yep," I say. We go back to outside the Leaky Cauldron and Apparate back to the Malfoy manor.