Entranced (Draco Malfoy)

•twelve•

Dove Taylor sits on the dock, her feet dangling in the water. Draco is currently out with his mother, and she's happy that he is. She can tell how much he's missed his mother. They can't meet too often as Narcissa can't keep coming up with excuses to tell the Dark Lord. This is only the second time he has seen his mother since he moved in to the Taylor's house.

But as Dove sits alone, she begins to reflect on everything that's happened. She can remember many times where her boyfriend was snide, cold, and downright evil. She knows he's changed. He wouldn't be living with her if he hadn't.

She knows she can't hold that over him. She never has and never will. But she does understand how some people wonder why arguably one of the nicest people at Hogwarts is with Draco Malfoy. She's received several owls since the summer began asking if she truly was with him.

Of course, she told them she happily is, but their answers or silence gave her all she needed to know: no one believes Draco has changed.

She remembers the first time she met Harry Potter.

"Blimey, Dove, it's Harry Potter!" Draco whispers excitedly into her ear.

She looks up, craning her head to see the famous wizard. She spots him with a red-headed boy who she recognizes as Ronald Weasley. Her parents and his parents are friendly, so she's been over to the Burrow a few times and the Weasley's have been to the Taylor household as well.

"That's wicked," she agrees.

Harry Potter is the most talked about wizard of his age. Awe creeps through her as he shoves a hand down his slightly-too-long hair, shifting it so that she can see the scar. That's how he survived He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named.

"Let's go talk to him," Draco decides abruptly. "He shouldn't be hanging around that kid. He should be hanging with us. Right, Dove?"

Slightly uneasy, she murmurs, "Right."

Draco moves forwards only a few steps, making sure he's close enough for Harry to hear him but far enough away so that Harry doesn't think he's trying too hard. When his friend lags behind, he gently reaches out and pulls her closer. Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle nod at Draco, who simply looks at them.

"So, it's true then? What they're saying on the train," Draco starts. "Harry Potter has come to Hogwarts." Surprised gasps ring out, a couple of people craning their heads to see if it's true. "This is Crabbe," he nods at the boy, "Goyle," he jerks his head towards him, "And Dove." Dove shyly raises her hand in a wave, blushing a bit. Harry smiles at her, a little taken aback. "And I'm Malfoy." Draco takes another step towards Harry, making sure Dove is still close to him. "Draco Malfoy," he amends. Ron snickers, dropping his gaze. Dove cringes a little. "Think my name's funny, do you?" The blond sneers, turning his gaze to him. "No need to ask yours. Red hair and a hand-me down robe." Dove turns surprised eyes to Draco, hurt hitting her chest. "You must be a Weasley."

"Draco," Dove says faintly, trying to intervene as kindly as possible.

He ignores her, turning back to Harry, "You'll soon find out that some wizarding families are better than others, Potter. You don't want to go making friends with the wrong sort. I can help you there."

Draco extends his hand to Harry, a gloating smile on his face. Dove looks at Ron, who's eyes are still firmly on the ground. She takes a step towards him, getting his attention.

Before she can say anything, Harry makes a little spectacle of looking at Draco's hand and to his face, "I think I can tell the wrong sort for myself, thanks."

Her eyes widen, and she quickly hides her reaction by coughing, "Are you okay?" She mumbles to Ron.

He nods, "Are you?"

Before she can answer, Professor McGonagall taps Draco on the shoulder with a scroll, "We're ready for you now. Follow me."

"I'm great," Dove whispers, her excitement returning quick as lightning.

"Dove," Draco calls from a few feet away. He's since rejoined Crabbe and Goyle. "Come over."

"Sorry," she murmurs to Ron, sweeping by him and returning to her blond friend. "Why'd you make fun of Ron?"

"Look at him," Draco snorts. "How could I not?"

"That's quite rude," she utters, frowning. "You should be nice to everyone until they've given a reason for you not too."

"His bloodline is my reason not too," he laughs, Crabbe and Goyle joining in.

She furrows her eyebrows, her frown deepening, "That's incredibly rude. If you'll excuse me, I think I'll go join Ron now."

"Wait, what?" Draco asks, sounding surprised. "Dove, wait!"

She doesn't bother to wait, easily stepping up to Ron and Harry, "I apologize for his behavior. It's clear he won't apologize himself. Is it alright if I walk with you?"

"Of course," Harry is quick to say, interrupting Ron. "Dove, right?"

"Dove Taylor," she grins, shaking his outstretched hand. "Lovely to meet you. Are you excited?"

"Yeah," he says, eyes lighting up.

"Do you have a preference for House?" She asks. "I know Ron wants Gryffindor, which he's sure to get," she says enthusiastically, shaking her friend's arm a bit.

"I think I want Gryffindor as well," Harry muses. "And you?"

"Hufflepuff," she almost squeals. "Both of my parents were there, and I take after them quite a bit, so it makes sense for me to be there."

Before anyone can say anything else, a hush quiets the room, the Sorting beginning.

Dove face-palms. Harry had a crush on her since first year? It's so obvious now that she thinks about it!

"I am so oblivious!" She cries aloud, flopping back on the dock.

A laugh rings out from behind her, causing her to sit up and swing around hurriedly, "You alright there, love?"

"Draco!" She squeals, leaping to her feet quickly. She rushes to him, jumping into his arms quick as a flash. He stumbles but catches her. "How was it?" She mumbles into his neck, kissing it sweetly.

"Good!" He says happily. "What are you oblivious too, out of curiosity?"

"Everything," she shrugs. "If it's not outright stated or in a book, I'm oblivious."

"That's fair," he teases.

"Rude!" She giggles, leaning in to kiss him. "I missed you."

"I missed you, too."

As much as the past may show, the boy holding her is nothing like the one in her memories. From the moment they met, she knew he had kindness in him. Even though he showed some cracks from time to time, and they faded off severely at one point, he's a new person now.

Even if he hadn't have changed, she's almost certain they'd still be where they are right now. She's loved him for so long, and with every passing day, she loves him even more.

She knows dangerous times are coming. She's certain both of their loyalties will be called into question. But as long as she has him by her side, she believes she can get through anything.