Nyctophilia ➳ Draco x Reader

XVII;

SHE WAS EMBARRASSED TO BE associated with Draco Malfoy, he knew that much. Draco indeed felt insulted and wanted to take out his wand the moment she turned away. But suddenly remembering what happened the last time he did that, he hesitantly let go of his wand from inside his pocket.

He couldn't believe that such a prideful girl cared about something as little as rumors. Draco himself didn't really mind them all that much. In fact, he couldn't care less. If it didn't affect his character, it wasn't something to be bothered by.

But today was a new day and the first day of the new term. Perhaps this was a sign of new beginnings.

The secret regarding Hagrid had spread around quite fast among the Slytherin students, thanks to Draco's friends. Nott was quite the gossip boy, after all.

Although the school grounds were still covered in thick layers of snow, Draco was excited for Care of Magical Creatures. Once he finished a boring lesson in Transfiguration, him and the rest of the Slytherins made their way to Hagrid's cabin gleefully. Struggling through the snow, Draco saw from a distance that some of the class already arrived before them, including Harry Potter- who appeared to be upset. He was in conversation with the replacement professor, Professor Grubbly-Plank.

"Look at Potter, he doesn't know about Hagrid." Nott sneered, pointing at the raven-haired boy.

Draco laughed in response. Potter turned when he heard this unpleasant laughter, seeing that the Slytherins were not at all surprised about Professor Hagrid's absence.

"This way, please," The elderly witch with cropped gray hair and protruding chin said as she marched off around the paddock where the Beauxbatons horses were quivering in the cold. Draco and his friends followed right behind her.

"What's wrong with Hagrid?" Potter asked, trying to catch up with the woman's fast pace.

"Never you mind," She responded rudely.

"I do mind, though," Potter said. "What's up with him?"

The woman ignored Potter and continued on leading the students towards a tree on the edge of the forest, where a beautiful unicorn was tethered. The unicorn was so incredibly white, it made the sparkling snow look dull. Its golden hooves started pawing the ground anxiously.

"Boys keep back!" Bellowed Professor Grubbly-Plank. "They prefer the woman's touch, unicorns. Girls to the front, and approach with care, come on, easy does it..."

Draco rolled his eyes, joining the rest of the boys near the paddock fence. As the professor and the girls walked slowly towards the unicorn, Draco caught sight of (Y/N) Phoenix, who seemed glum and bored compared to all the others who were squealing. Draco raised a brow, curious of why she wasn't so excited to see the unicorn.

However, Draco's attention on her was broken when he heard Potter's voice talking to Weasley.

"What d'you reckon's wrong with him? You don't think a skrewt-?"

"Oh he hasn't been attacked, Potter, if that's what you're thinking," Draco interrupted as he stepped into the conversation. "No, he's just too ashamed to show his big, ugly face."

"What d'you mean?" Potter said harshly.

Draco reached his hand into the pocket of his robes and pulled out a folded page of newsprint.

"There you go," he said, holding out the page. "Hate to break it to you, Potter..."

A smirk was tugging at Draco's lips as Potter snatched the paper, unfolding it to reveal the article that was written by Rita Skeeter. Some of the other Gryffindor boys gathered around him, reading it over his shoulder.