RAVENCLAW!

8. Welcome!

Draco didn't come to any new conclusions over the following few weeks.
End of November came and suddenly everyone was in Christmas mood. Seemed like this atmosphere had even reached the house elves; the Ravenclaw common room was littered with branches of mistletoe, lametta and fairy lights, which eagerly illuminated books and parchments for everyone reading or doing homework at night.

As Draco glanced out the window a small smile played on his lips; the grounds were covered in a thin layer of snow. The Malfoy heir had always loved snow. His mother had used to go outside with him and help him building a snow-wizard. Lucius would watch them through the window and when the two of them came back inside, robes completely soaked, they would sit with each other on the green velvet couch by the fireplace and let themselves enjoy some hot chocolate with cream.
A perfect family.
This was going to be the best day in weeks and not even the christmas carol singing armours could get him down.

And once again fate would prove him wrong.

When the blonde sat down at the Slytherin table next to Blaise for breakfast, a black barn owl was waiting for him with a letter. It was his fathers owl, Atticus.
A proud bird which's posture really reminded him of the noble Lucius Malfoy. Curious but still happy Draco took the envelope and broke the green wax seal. Slowly he unfolded the expensive parchment holding elegant words written in night black ink.

'Dear Son,
We hope you are doing fine and your grades are as outstanding as always. Unfortunately your mother and I won't be staying in England over Christmas. The Minister has an important Job for me in Italy and we can't afford to lose his faith just now. I'm sorry to tell you that you'll have to stay at Hogwarts over the holidays. But we are truly looking forward to seeing you for Easter.
Lucius Malfoy.'

A lump had built up in his throat while reading and he felt tears welling up as his excitement shattered into daggers, piercing his heart. His eyes watering, he turned around on the spot and rushed out of the hall.
Nobody was to see him cry.
He wanted to be alone.
He wanted to talk to someone.
But he couldn't. No.

Aimlessly he fled from the other pupils. Away from them.
Needed to be alone.
Needed a place to hide.
Needed quiet.
No one could see.

Suddenly he made out a movement to his right. When he turned his head he found an odd-looking door appearing on the wall. It was wooden, like many doors in this castle, but still very different. Not as old. Not as... severe. It almost seemed soft. And in purple color there was a word written across it, right on his eye level. It said:

'Welcome'

Strange. If anyone would have seen this door before, there would've clearly been rumours about it. How come he hadn't heard about it? And it also had never been mentioned in Hogwarts: A history.
But when he thought about it, it was just perfect;
nobody would be looking for him in a place that they didn't even know. With confident steps he strode towards it and tried to push it open. It didn't move a bit. With a second glance he examined the door further. No handle, no key hole. Only the inscription and a simple, circular door knocker.

A door knocker?

Hesitantly he took it and let it fall back against the door again. It didn't even cause a sound. The door just opened a crack.
Proud that he had figured that thing out on his own Draco pushed it open and entered what looked like a living room to him. It was slightly smaller than a classroom and contained a fireplace, a purple couch and a desk. Floor and walls were wooden and right across from him there was a huge window, which didn't show the snowy grounds as expected, but an amazing view of the ocean and the beach, though he knew those had to be hundreds of miles away. A purple carpet and bookshelves made the room look even cozier and completed the image.

He was so stunned that he totally forgot why he was here in the first place. Until the door fell shut in his back and he suddenly got aware again of the letter which was still clutched in his right hand, the expensive parchment crumpled. Draco gulped and slumped onto the couch facing the crackling fire.

In an instant he got hit by realization:
His parents wouldn't spend Christmas with him. He would be here. Alone.
They didn't want him home.
Maybe they wouldn't want him home ever again.
What if his father was so disgusted by him being a Ravenclaw that he would actually disown him?
He had already threatened to do so after all!
If only there was someone he could talk to. He felt a lump closing his throat again as a sob welled up inside him. His mother had been the only person he could talk to. And now she wanted to leave him here over Christmas as well!
He was all alone...
A single, hot tear dribbled down his cheek. Suddenly he wished Harry was here.

Wait what?
No, of course he didn't want Potter to see him like this. This was ridiculous.

"Stupid Scarhead!"

Using swearwords, are we?

Draco's head shot up from where he had rested it in his hands.

"Who is there?"

Who I am?

The soft and warm voice seemed to surround him.

I'm not human. Neither am I an animal or a magical creature. But I'm also not an object. I think you could call me Nobody!

"What the hell is wrong with this place?"

Draco jumped to his feet and his eyes scanned the room anxiously, trying to make out the source of the voice.

Ts, ts, ts. Enough swearing for today, Draco.

Although the voice sounded rather inviting, the use of his name - his first name in particular - made a cold shudder run down his spine.

"How do you know my name?"

This place was bloody creepy and in every other situation he'd have left but he felt like all power had been sucked away from him by this goddamned letter.

Oh I know a lot more than you could ever imagine. Besides, I would never welcome someone to this home without knowing their name. But let's get to the important things. What's on your heart my dear? Spill it to me!

This was so strange. The voice sounded neiher male nor female, nor could he locate where it came from. Draco considered questioning 'Nobody' about wherefrom he knew that he had a problem but then it seemed obvious.
When he... she... When the room knew his name, then it surely would also know why he'd entered it in the first place.
And he really needed to talk.
It was all too much just now.

Giving in, the boy sat down on the couch once again and was staring in to the orange flames, which were licking on the bricks of the fireplace.

That's right. Now share with me, what's got your heart down?

He didn't answer immediately.

Would you maybe like something to drink? Hot chocolate? Tea?

Draco nodded and as if 'Nobody' had read his mind, a steaming mug of hot chocolate appeared on the small table in front of him. He muttered a 'thanks' and took a sip of the sugary substance before he told his story.

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Harry entered the great hall and took a seat next to a reading Hermione. Automatically he glanced over to the Slytherin table to find Draco's friends sitting there as usual. But a certain Ravenclaw was not alongside them. Further, Parkinson and Zabini looked rather worried.
Concerned he waved his gaze over all the students all day long but the blonde didn't show up. Nowhere. Not once.

Late at night Harry was still lying awake, his brain not letting him sleep, no matter how exhausted he was.
At one point he couldn't keep his eyes open anymore but still wasn't able to drift off.
When he finally heard the door creak open he sighed relieved and turned over once more to immediately be welcomed by a dreamless slumber.