Destinia: First Year at Hogwarts

Chapter 13: The Adventure Continues

Draco was walking through the corridor, on his way back from Charms, preparing himself for a calm weekend, before someone violently grasped his arm, pulling him out of his thoughts and into a dark alcove. He was about to call for help, his left hand already moving towards his pocket for his wand, as a soft, female voice spoke in his ear.

     "Don't worry, it's me," it said.

     Hermione.

     Draco relaxed slightly, turning around to face the Gryffindor girl.

     "Yes?" he wondered.

     "Have you heard the news?" she returned, rolling her wand nervously between her index and thumb.

     "What news? There are a lot of rumours," Draco said, eying the wand warily.

     Hermione rolled her eyes and lowered her voice. "About Snape refereeing the match between Gryffindor and Hufflepuff," she whispered.

     "Yeah, I have," he answered, one eyebrow raised. "Your point, Granger?"

     The girl, if possible, became even more nervous. "I'm worried about Harry, Malfoy... Snape hates him and I don't want him to get hurt," she whispered, her voice begging. Draco still had one eyebrow raised as he eyed the girl apprehensively.

     She took a deep breath. "I know you used the Leg-Locker Curse on Neville—" Draco's breath hitched. "—and I know I could learn it myself, but I was wondering if you could teach me instead..." Draco's eyes widened in surprise. He knew him and the girl weren't necessarily enemies anymore, but he had never expected she'd come to him for something like that.

     "I just want to make sure Harry's okay," she went on, looking unsurely at the ground. "It's fine if you don't—"

     "I'll do it," Draco interrupted her. This was his time to be the good guy for once. The Gryffindor looked overjoyed, grinning widely up at Draco.

     "Thank you, Draco," she whispered gratefully. Draco returned her smile.

It was the day of the match, Gryffindor versus Hufflepuff, and Draco was already mentally preparing himself. The few weeks leading up to the match were absolutely nerve-wracking. Potter was getting more nervous, Severus was getting more apprehensive of Quirrell and took to following Potter around, him and Hermione were practicing nonstop on perfecting their Leg-Locker Curse, and then the book's last entry came as the last straw.

     Draco's nerves were killing him.

     He took a deep breath before following Hermione and Weasley up the stands. He waited patiently before the line fell from the redhead's mouth.

     "I've never seen Snape look so mean," he was saying. Draco walked up right behind him. "Look — they're off." And Draco made sure to 'poke' the back of Weasley's head with his elbow. "Ouch!"

     "Oh, sorry, Weasley, didn't see you there," he drawled, as Weasley turned around in his seat. Draco grinned broadly at Crabbe and Goyle next to him. "Wonder how long Potter's going to stay on his broom this time?" he wondered out loud, turning to look at a few half-interested Gryffindors and Ravenclaws. "Anyone want a bet?" he continued, turning back to Weasley. "What about you, Weasley?"

     Weasley ignored him, looking at the pitch. Draco silently followed his gaze, mentally shaking his head at his godfather's childish behaviour, and looking up to see Potter circling high above the pitch. He waited a few minutes and took a seat right behind Weasley.

     "You know how I think they choose people for the Gryffindor team?" Draco said when he thought he had waited long enough, catching two of the people's attention in front of him, determined to make it three. "It's people they feel sorry for," he continued in a drawl. "See, there's Potter, who's got no parents,—" That one hurt him emotionally. "—then there's the Weasleys, who've got no money—" He did not feel sorry for that one at all, while turning to focus his attention more on his next target. "—you should be on the team, Longbottom, you've got no brains."