Harry Potter Characters X Reader

40: Address

TW: SO's shitty family Rating: Not bad

I looked over at the familiar voice. Draco Malfoy was yelling at Harry Potter and the Weasleys. Asshole. But then...his dad hit him with his cane. Is he...is he okay? Is that why he's so mean? Is that the cycle of violence in action? Does making others miserable make him feel equal? Does making them below him make him feel worth something?

I watched the match as I would have, but the moment it ended, I started looking for Draco Malfoy.

"Draco!" I called as soon as I saw him. "Draco, can I talk to you?" I asked as I got closer. He looked to his mother, who nodded. I led him away a bit, out of earshot. "Are you alright?"

"What are you on about?"

"Your father's cane. It looked like it hurt," I explained, looking to the ground for a quick second before meeting his eyes.

"What? Oh no, it wasn't like that. He didn't hit me, just touched me lightly. My father wouldn't-"

"Show me," I demanded.

"I'm not-"

"Show me, and I'll leave it be. Draco, last year you let everyone see your shoulder after the hippogriff scratch to it and your arm; what's the difference?"

He started to turn pink.

"I won't leave you alone until you show me."

"Fine." He unbuttoned his jacket and shirt. I saw a bruise forming.

"He hit you," I affirmed.

"Just don't tell anyone," he muttered, rebuttoning everything.

"But-"

"Don't," he threatened and turned away.

"Draco." He turned, and I hugged him. "I won't. Just mind yourself, okay? If you want to be open and honest about it just to vent, send me an owl."

"Alright, alright," he sighed with a chuckle as I pulled back. "You mind yourself."

"I'm a Hufflepuff; it's my job."

"Yeah, yeah. Don't you have someone else to fix?"

"I don't 'fix' people; I-"

I was cut off by screams. We looked around then up. The...the...

"The Dark Mark," Draco whispered, his voice shaking. I wrapped my arms around him and refused to let go.

"Draco, you know I'm a half-blood, right? You-"

"You're fine. Nothing's going to hurt you," he promised.

"Hermione," I realized.

"What?"

"Hermione's here!"

"She's with Potter and the Weasleys. She'll be fine," he assured, slightly annoyed. "If Potter accuses me, be my alibi."

"What?"