The Malfoy Mystery

6 • malfoy?

"Draco. Wake up, Draco."

Draco heard fumbled voices, all mixed up. It sounded feminine, slightly authoritative yet considerate. As he started to regain his consciousness, he could hear better. There was a concentrated pain in his upper body gradually descending, yet the burning persisted.

"Draco."

Draco tried to open his eyes through the pain and was overcome with bright light. It took a few moments for his vision to adapt as he saw a woman beside him. His heart and head were throbbing as he rubbed his eyes harshly. As soon as he recognized the figure next to him, he tried to get up.

The pain started to diminish, but the burning sensation was still present. He was dreading opening his eyes but did the exact. At first, his vision was quite blurry. He could feel his head throbbing. He had to squint his eyes from a lot of light but recognized a female figure beside him. He rubbed his eyes harshly and saw his mother sitting beside him. Draco was now entirely awake and attempting to get out of bed.

"Mother. Why are you here?"

"Draco, arrive by the Headmistress' chambers in 30 minutes."

Just as she finished lecturing, she vacated the infirmary, leaving behind a confused wizard. The baffled boy figured it was noon, so everyone would be in the Great Hall. He removed the IV pipe attached to his vein and strutted towards the Great Hall. He spotted Theo and made his course toward him. Meanwhile, Hermione was passionately discussing potions with Professor Slughorn.

He took Theo by surprise as he harshly patted his back. Theo almost spilt out food from his mouth.

"Nott, why was I in the infirmary today? Did you slip me sometime?"

With each second, Draco's grip on Theo's arm became stronger, forcing the latter to yelp.

"I did nothing! I swear on Merlin!"

Hearing this, Draco's grip on his arm loosened significantly, and Theo sighed. Theo continued.

"You just suddenly fell on the floor. But well, the floor was actually me. You know, I'm pretty strong. Then I, being the gentleman everyone calls me, carried you to Hospital Wing."

"He's lying."

The duo looked ahead so fast they might have snapped their necks. Meanwhile, Hermione made herself comfortable opposite them. As she put a bunch of green vegetables on her plate, she justified her earlier statement.

"Theo began complaining like a brat and begged everyone to "save" him from you. Then he began whining like a baby when I levitated him to the hospital along with you."

Theo frowned, "She's pretty strong, Malfoy. Levitated both of us using non-verbal magic."

Draco just simply raised his eyebrows. "Non-verbal magic, you say? I'm pretty good at that."

Hermione grinned, "Well, someday we ought to have a friendly duel."

The trio had a hearty meal, and then Draco excused himself to go to the headmistress' chambers. As he was exiting, he saw how comfortable Theo and Granger were in each other's company, not that he cared.

Draco was walking through the aisle and reached the statue.

"Mint candy?" It didn't open

"Chocolate Frog?' It didn't even budge.

"Sugar Quill?"

Draco exasperated, "Sweet Merlin!"

The door opened to reveal a staircase, which he attentively climbed to reach the office where McGonagall and his mother were softly whispering.

"Mr Malfoy, take a seat. Listen carefully and don't interrupt. You remember what happened yesterday?"

Draco nodded.

"After your incident, I responsibly called your mother. She has something important to tell you. I should leave you both in private."

With this, McGonagall left her chambers, and Draco was uncomfortable with how Narcissa looked at him - Pity.

Narcissa nervously looked at Draco and started speaking.

" Have you heard about Metawizards?"

"Yes, you've told me several times when I was a child, mother."

Narcissa looked towards Draco and saw he was confused but listening to her keenly.

"The symptoms you've been experiencing are not a direct result of your participation in the war. It might be because..."

"Because I'm a Metawizard? I thought Malfoys' bloodline was too pure and inbred to be mutated."

Narcissa was hesitating to say this. Tears pooled in her eyes, "You're not our son."