A Veela's Mate || Draco Malfoy

Wʜʏ Mᴇ?!

Iris felt rather grateful for the arm slung round her shoulders, and she leaned slightly into Draco's side, unconsciously seeking the blond boy's support. She had not been exaggerating when she'd told Draco that she did not want to face everyone this morning.

The situation between her and Ron and Hermione was not good. Knowing the pull the two of them held in Gryffindor, she was rather certain that they had been badmouthing her at every opportunity.

The question was, how many had bought the tripe they'd been sprouting?

Both Dean and Seamus had been members of the DA the previous year. But Seamus had bought the crap the Daily Prophet and printed and had glowered at her darkly when she wasn't avoiding him. The youth had apologized, but Iris wasn't holding her breath, expecting him to stand by her if both Ron and Hermione turned their backs on her.

As for Dean, she had no idea where the boy stood in all this.

Neville had grown to become a very good friend the previous year, and from the few times she'd really talked to the boy this year, it looked like Neville was on her side.

Ginny... She was an unknown. They had become friends, but she was Ron's sister. Considering Mrs. Weasley's opinion of her, and after yesterday's Howler, would she still side with her? Was she strong enough to go against her family?

Iris didn't know, and she wasn't sure if she wanted to force that choice on the redhead. You shouldn't have to choose between your family and your friends. Besides, considering how close the Weasley family was, Iris feared that she would come out the loser if Ginny was forced to pick sides.

As for the rest of the Gryffindors... she really didn't know them that well. She had never tried to become friends with them. She had been content with Ron and Hermione, and hadn't believed she would ever need anyone else but them. How naive she had been.

Shaking her head at her own folly, Iris walked over to the edge of the Gryffindor table and sat down. She really didn't want to be here. But she wasn't about to give her house members the impression that she was scared by sitting at the Slytherin table. She had done nothing she needed to feel ashamed of. If they had a problem, it was just that, their problem. Firming her resolve, Iris grabbed a bowl and spooned some porridge into it, adding a drollop of honey.

"Don't worry so much, love. Things will turn out just fine, you'll see," Draco murmured watching his downhearted mate, filling his own plate with a large stack of waffles. He could understand why Iris was nervous, but he was also certain that things would blow over and settle down soon. They always did. No, Draco was more concerned about the teachers who would demand an explanation as to where the two of them had been all day yesterday. What was he to say to that? 'Sorry I missed class, but my mate was having a nervous breakdown'? That would not go down well.

"Morning, Iris, Draco," Ginny said, sitting down opposite the two mates.

"Morning," Neville echoed, sitting down next to the redheaded girl.

Iris looked up in shocked surprise before breaking into a grin. "Morning, you two. I'm guessing things didn't go too catastrophically wrong once Draco and I left?"

"Nah," Ginny said with a dismissive wave of her hand. "Ron sprouted off a lot of nonsense about you and the Slytherins. I disagreed and spent the next fifteen minutes chewing him out, while Neville and Hermione tried to restore some order. It was great fun!" Ginny sniggered.

Neville rolled his eyes, not agreeing in the least. "Most of the others left shortly after you did," he told the two other teens. "With the Weasleys going after each other's throats it was a bit too loud to do any constructive thinking. I think many of the old members agree with what you said, although they will delay supporting you until they see for themselves what the Slytherins will do. Then there are those dead set against the snakes joining, and they will do everything in their power to make trouble."