Last Words Should Always Be I Love You ~ A Draco Malfoy Love Story

Chapter 5

As it turns out, Draco did not return to lessons the next day; Not because he was too wounded to attend, but because it was Saturday. During the night Draco had made a brilliant recovery, thanks to Snape's regular doses of the disgusting elixir, and the fact he was remarkably comfortable, nestled in the corner of the office with the fire crackling by his feet and the soothing rhythm of the sleeping school around him.

When he slept, he dreamt of the girl he had imagined, sleek blonde hair down to her waist and a stunningly beautiful face. Everyone would be so jealous of him for getting to date her, and he'd flaunt their relationship wherever possible, displaying public affection to irritate the likes of Granger, Potter and Weasley. 

~

At Twenty Past Seven on the Saturday morning, Draco awoke to Snape standing over him, swilling a bottle of the foul liquid in his hand, a thoughtful sneer plastered to his lips. Draco sat up hastily, ignoring the  dull ache in his right forearm and smiled falsely.

"I think I'm okay now Professor, My arm is absolutely fine-"

"Well, this batch will help improve your brain power if it's not healing your arm now. Drink up." Snape jeered, and Draco's facade faltered. He sighed, grasping the bottle in his right arm, supporting himself with his left, and pressed the glass rim to his lips. He tilted it horizontally, and downed the liquid, holding his breath to dilute the awful taste. "Good boy Draco. Now, I think it is in your best interest to go out for a stroll around the grounds to get some fresh air in your pathetic lungs and strengthen yourself... And Professor Dumbledore has arrived with someone who I feel you would be quite excited to meet, if you get to the main entrance quick enough."

Barely registering what Snape had said, Draco leaped to his feet and pressed his face against the cold window which was dripping with condensation, and sure enough three figures were walking slowly across the lawn from the forbidden forest. Although, none of them seemed to have blonde hair... She probably had her black hood up, covering them, Draco thought to himself. It was just the mist getting in the way.

"Thank you sir! I'll see you in Lessons-"

"If you want to impress, make yourself a bit more presentable, Malfoy!" Snape hollered after him, and Draco could tell he was smiling, he himself not being able to conceal the grin forming on his lips. Draco dashed down the hallway, swinging himself around the stone banister and running three steps at a time down to the entrance hall. On the last flight of stairs, Draco swung himself up onto the banister, much to the annoyance of Argus Filch, the Caretaker. 

"Out of my way Squib, I have business to do!" Draco called over his shoulder to Filch, who was mid-tantrum, and laughed. As he swiftly approached the entrance hall, Draco launched himself off of the stone banister and landed with a painful skid on the floor, an agonizing tremor juddering up his leg, but he barely noticed. He darted to the trophy cabinet, desperate to make sure he didn't look awful, and was terrified by the sight.

His silvery blonde hair was far too slick and he hadn't washed it in two days, so he ruffled it with his scuffed hands, and attempted to straighten out his crumpled robes when he heard faint talking outside the entrance hall. For good measure, he slapped himself lightly (well, what he thought was lightly) around the face, ending with him clutching his jaw as it collided with his knuckles, and stumbled to the main entrance.

He took a deep, flustered breath and gripped the handle so hard his knuckles turned white, before wrenching open the entrance and dashing outside, hardly looking where he was going. 

He collided face first with a figure cloaked in black robes, his pointed chin digging into the person's ribs. They yelped in surprise and mild pain, before staggering backwards and skidding across the polished marble steps of Hogwarts school. Draco collapsed on top of them as well, knees knocking sickeningly against the persons hips. Draco looked up, after being pressed against the person for roughly ten seconds, expecting to see his true love, but was mildly alarmed instead.

A young man, with spiked ebony hair, and very owl-like hazel eyes, with a wiry, feminine frame lay underneath him wincing, and swamped in the black cotton robes.

"Draco," Professor Dumbledore's voice said from his right,  and Draco turned to see him smiling down at him, a mildly amused look in his eyes. "I'm sure Professor Thornsnipe will like you too, but there's no need to get so attached so soon."

Draco blushed, before looking back down at the man, who was scowling at him, attempting to wriggle out from underneath him.

"Mind getting off?" The man said sharply, and realizing he should probably get off of this stranger, he clambered off, feeling embarrassed. The man stood up, huffing angrily, and wiping of his dusty robes.

"Professor Thornsnipe. This is Draco Malfoy, your new herbology student." Dumbledore said kindly, smirking beneath his long silver beard. Draco extended a hand sheepishly, but the man refused to take it, and instead fixed Draco with an intimidating, pierced look.

"Draco Malfoy? I've already heard a lot from Dumbledore about you." He said slowly, as if being cautious. Unfortunately, Draco blushed even more, turning a vibrant shade of pink.

"Oh, Father!" A feminine voice said from behind Professor Thornsnipe, causing Draco to give a startled jump. Professor Thornsnipe, still glaring at Draco, stepped backwards and turned to face the girl, eyes finally being ripped away from Draco's pale face and facing hers. "This place is absolutely huge! How on earth am I going to find my way around-?"

The girl stopped mid-sentence, staring right at Draco with her luminous green eyes. Draco, jaw slack, was returning her puzzled look. 

Draco was stunned instantly by this girl. Everything about her seemed so unique. Her wild mane of black hair, her startling green eyes, her thick pink lips and nimble frame, shouldn't have worked together.... But they did.

The girl raised on sharp eyebrow at Draco, sideways glancing to Her Father and Dumbledore. "Is he Okay?"

"Genevieve," Dumbledore stated with a sly smile. "This is Draco Malfoy. Draco, this is Genevieve Thornsnipe."

"How'd you do?" Genevieve said curiously, extending her hand. Draco was so busy staring at her face he forgot to shake her hand, and instead, flustered, grabbed her wrist and yanked it hard. He blushed even more as she pulled back scowling. 

"Let us go Genevieve, and show you your dormitory and give you a tour of the school. Goodbye Draco."

And leaving Draco staring after them, feeling stupid, Dumbledore, Genevieve and Professor Thornsnipe entered the school, the door slamming and ruffling Draco's hair even more than he had wanted.