Harry Potter ❥ IMAGINES

Draco Malfoy (Forbidden Forest)

     "Our younger students; please note, the Forbidden Forest is out of bounds to all students..." You snorted to yourself as you draped your warm cloak over your body, recalling what the Headmaster had told everyone at the beginning of school. Dumbledore would never take away the one environment that you felt most at peace in, ever since you were a child. You fastened on some boots, gently held your cat in your arms, and swiftly left the common room, avoiding any pitfalls and teachers.

      You reached the edge of the Forbidden Forest and set down your tabby cat. "Off you go, Meredith." The small cat meowed and took off into the night, ready to hunt down small prey. You yourself did your usual stroll through the dark forest that excreted an aura of secrecy and mysterious power. The crunches of the leaves beneath you soothed you, and you reached a small pool of water. You sat down on a log near it and ran your fingers through your hair, staring at the still water and relaxing from the stress of the OWL exams.

     You drew your wand and conjured up your patronus with ease, a skill that no teacher but Lupin knew you had, as he taught you himself when you demanded to know and would not take no as an answer. A silvery panther formed from the wisps. It looked at you with great intensity, and you nodded at it. The panther prowled around the trees, seemingly having fun darting through them as if they were training obstacles.

     You laughed at its antics and giggled when it startled a few birds from their perch. The fun was cut short, however, when the panther suddenly looked out into the darkness, growled, and disappeared in a snap. The sudden loss of light startled you, and you whimpered. Where the hell is my wand? you asked yourself. You decided that you were better off with something that would protect you from behind, so you backed up in hope of finding a tree. You did bump into something, but it felt... alive.

     You let out a hushed yelp and scattered back, reaching wildly for your wand. The figure seemed startled too, and you heard a thump and a swear. "Lumos!" You whispered, and pointed it to the source of the sound. "Draco?"

     An annoyed and surprised expression met you. "(L/N), I should've know." He stood up and brushed off his school robes. You hissed, "What the bloody hell are you doing in the Forbidden Forest, and this late at night too?" He raised an eyebrow. "I could ask you the same question." You crossed your arms and tried not to smile at him. A slight crackle sounded nearby, and you felt a fluffy tail coil around your bare ankles. "And with Meredith too!" You snorted and picked up the cat, cuddling into your chest and sitting down on the log you'd been at before.

     Draco sat down with you. "If you insist, I was clearing my head up from schoolwork, darling." Even if he had said it sarcastically, the word had still sent shivers down your spine... "Well, why are you out here?" Suddenly, the lighthearted mood had turned solemn, and unexpected emotions welled up inside of you. Meredith leapt out of your arms when you started to tear up.

     Draco widened his eyes and put his hands up. "Woah, (Y/N), I didn't mean to make you cry! You don't have to answer." He awkwardly consoled, and you hollowly laughed at how obvious it was that he doesn't do consolation a lot. "It's just the pressure, Draco. You've met my parents, they only speak to me when it's about how my educations going. 'Go to school, get top marks, be the best, and bring pride to our family name'. That's all they say! They don't understand how it feels to have all that pressure thrown down onto your shoulders, especially from when you first began to even walk! But..." you sniffled, "its stupid, I'm just being whiney and you wouldn't understand."

     He sighed and put his hand on your shoulder. "(Y/N), I understand. I really do. My father is only focused on having me follow his footsteps, be the greatest Death Eater of all and to join Voldemort's inner circle, if he even has that much trust to have one. My mother will blindly follow him through all of it." You looked at him with sympathy, and slight shock that he'd say that much. "I just want you to know that I understand, I understand and I care." He finished, and you wiped away your fresh tears and snuggled into his chest without thinking.

     "I think a lot of people would like you if you showed this side of you." Draco snorted and smoothed out your hair, holding onto you tight. "We'll get through this together, I promise you." He said, kissing the side of your head.