Thicker Than Blood | Drarry

Six.

Thank you guys SO much for 100 reads! It really means so much to me <3

I have a really big soft spot for this chapter, so I hope you enjoy!

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The first weekend of the term was always the greatest.

It was still warm outside. Although it was September, it still was not yet fall, and the sun was still shining bright and warm. Classes hadn't really started yet, so there was still plenty of free time to mill around.

Draco decided to spend the day outside, like the majority of his classmates. He, however, was still pouring over his notes and books. He knew he wasn't the only one who was planning on doing so.

"Hey, mind if I sit with you?"

He glanced up to see Granger standing above him, arms full of books.

He smiled and moved to the corner of the blanket he laid out. "Of course."

She smiled back shyly, sitting down next to him. "How's your nose?"

"Oh, it's as good as new. See?" He shoved a finger up his nose.

She chuckled as she opened up one of her books. "That is absolutely disgusting."

"What, you expected a Malfoy to have some manners? How dare you." He scoffed sarcastically. She seemed uncomfortable, as if she didn't know it was a joke or not. He let out a reassuring chuckle. "Thank you, though. For making sure I was okay last night."

Not only had she walked him to the infirmary, but she stayed with him until his nose was fixed, walked back to the common room, and stayed up with him to talk. He pretended he wasn't at all hurt about Potter's outburst, but it did sting somewhere inside. And she knew that.

"Well, that's what friends are for, aren't they?" His mouth dropped.

"F-frie-" He cut himself off, not wanting to embarrass himself, but it was too late.

"I mean, I know it's only four days into the term. But we have spent every night together, have we not?" He nodded in response. "I know you're not used to that, but I hope we can be friends. If not now, then eventually. It's okay if you're not up to it yet."

He blinked, not knowing what to say. "I- you want to be friends with me?" She nodded. "You- are you not afraid that I will blow up at you? Call you a you-know-what, curse you, hex you, sabotage your grades? Ruin your life?"

She shrugged. "It's a risk I'm willing to take. Besides, I don't think you would actually do any of that stuff."

He was absolutely shocked. She was just so, so calm. Most people would make fun of him, yell at him, sure. But they would always tuck their tail between their legs and run away the second he shot them a nasty glare, as if he would unleash a full army of Death Eaters upon them. Nobody dared to get close to Draco Malfoy.

"Why?"

She shut her book, leaning back so that the sun shone on her face. She looked like she was in deep thought. "I can see that you're different. Different from who you were before, different from who others think you are."

She looked at him, expecting a response, but got nothing but shocked silence in return. "I don't think you're as cold as everyone thinks you are. I think you're just lonely. And sad. And that you torture yourself over that. I'm scared you have no one to talk to, no one to turn to. I think that you could use a friend in your life. Even if we're nothing more than study partners, I hope that the presence of someone else in your life will make you feel a little less lonely."