THE BOY I ONCE REMEMBERED ▸ [ D. M A L F O Y ]

five

"Oye, Weasley. Hey, Weasley!"

I diverted my attention from Neville as the voice called. We had been discussing our schedules in the courtyard, hoping for a moment of quiet while everyone else buzzed about the tournament, but apparently Draco Malfoy had other plans.

He was yelling towards the group at the center of the yard, the Golden Trio spinning around to meet his words. (Luckily enough, he hadn't noticed Neville or I.) Crabbe, Goyle, and Zabini stood behind him, each looking thoroughly pleased about something.

"What?" Ron said shortly.

"Your dad's in the paper, Weasley," Malfoy called, waving around a copy of the Daily Prophet, "Got himself into trouble covering up for the weirdo defense teacher."

Ron walked up to him, quickly scanning the paper that was held out. "Sod off." He said, before stepping back in an attempt to leave.

"And there's a picture, Weasley!" said Malfoy, flipping the paper over and holding it up once more, "A picture of your parents outside their house- if you can call it a house! Your mother could do with losing some weight, couldn't she?"

The ginger was fuming by now, but hadn't answered him as Hermione grabbed his arm, "He's not worth it, Ron."

"Oh, and you are? You filthy little mudblo-"

"Enough, Malfoy." I called out before my brain could stop myself, gathering the attention of everyone else in the courtyard. Maybe I'd get started on erasing that target on my back sooner than later.

Malfoy cocked his brow, eyeing me in disgust as he spoke, "Oh, and what have you got to say, Nott? Didn't think you could dig yourself any deeper. Your father was just telling me how much he'd rather have me as a -"

"Oh, are we talking about fathers now? Because I'd love to start on yours." I spat, putting all my energy in my tone.

At the mention of his father, an angry glare fired in Malfoy's eyes that I'd recognized, the same one that always appeared when the subject was brought up. He took one more moment before returning to the same cold, expressionless Draco I had learned of, looking me up and down once more. "Crabbe, Goyle. Go get me an apple, will you? I'm done with this."

I rolled my eyes at his ice-tipped words, before turning back to conversation with Neville. He had a look of shock about him as well, and I shook my head in an attempt to change the subject.

Neville wasn't having any of it, "You're mental, you know. Draco will have your head for that."

I shrugged, "I don't know why you're still so scared of him."

"And I don't know why you're not!" He said, speaking in a tone of both awe and confusion, "Last year you'd swear him to bits whenever the Slytherins came around, but at least that was always under your breath- or in private! Now suddenly you're saying it directly to him, like at the world cup-"

If I had to admit, I had surprised even myself. Maybe seeing Malfoy with my mother's arm around him had made him all the less tolerable, but I didn't regret it. I was done with his ridiculous power play, even if that meant having to bring up the one subject he told me to never speak of when we were kids. It was his fault, really, all decencies had been left far behind after first year's sorting. Why he was covering up for his abuser of a father anyways, I didn't know.

"I've got to go ask McGonagall for a schedule change. I cannot deal with double arithmancy this year," I said to Neville to drop the topic, waving a faint hand goodbye as I exited into one of the open hallways.

Another one of my favorite parts of Hogwarts; the warmth and comfort that seeped into you from something as simple as walking the familiar halls. I decided to take the long way, knowing very well McGonagall would have her hands full with other student's issues before she could even begin to handle mine.

I looked up, scanning the numerous colorful banners that hung over my head. The House Heads were painted brightly across them, all holding hands as a symbol of unity, or friendship, or whatever else the teachers wanted us to think. I admired their efforts, but knew they were pointless in combating the heavy rivalry between two particular houses. That's just how it had always been, and I wasn't sure if there could be much done to change that.

Suddenly a cold hand snapped around my wrist, pulling me out of my thoughts as I was whisked towards the left. The door of the broomstick closet shut behind me as I was finally able to snatch my hand away.

"Think it's funny, do you? Bringing up business like that."

Of course. The boy in front of me, that towered over my shoulders, illuminated by the faint light cast of the yellowing light bulb, was Draco Malfoy. I should've expected he wouldn't drop the conversation just like that.

I kept my gaze locked in his, challenging him, "I did the exact same thing you were doing to everyone else. Now, I think we're done here-"

Malfoy's hands wrapped around both of my wrists this time as he pushed me back, stopping me from leaving. My back hit against the dusty wall of the closet, and I winced at the contact. He hadn't hurt me, in fact it seemed like he'd particularly made sure not to, but I was surprised nonetheless.

"I say when we're done. I don't know what suddenly happened over the summer to make you act like such a smartarse, but it's pissing me the fuck off."

I struggled against his hold, but he was irritatingly stronger, "Poor Draco, shut down by the blood traitor! Honestly, you sound like a whiny five year old"

His grip on my wrists tightened, "So what, the Gryffindor colors have finally worn off on you and you've found your tongue? So much for being the bigger wizard, I suppose, I was sick of that morality 'I'm better than you' bullshit anyways-"

"Witch. The bigger witch" I corrected simply, "And you are certainly not one to speak of anything pertaining to morality. How is dear Lucius, by the way? You should tell him I said hello."

He snarled, "If you wish to keep these hands in good shape, Nott, I'd suggest you shut the fuck up."

"I'd like to see you try anything," I said confidently, stilling the arms that were still in his grasp, "We'll see who the teachers will believe. How many marks did you get last year again? My name, on the other hand, is clean."

"Is it now?" He smirked, "Or will this be another year of hidden whispers and quickly changed conversations all at the expense of poor little Adelaine Nott?"

I creased my brow, "What are you on about?"

"Don't tell me you haven't noticed the way your pathetic little Gryffi-friends act around you. The way everyone will go hushed when you arrive at the dinner table. As much as you hate the fact, you are still your parent's daughter."

"Well, you seem to know an awful lot of the topic. Tell me Malfoy, have you been stalking me? Got a little crush, don't you? I'll-"

My eyes widened as he abruptly stepped closer, now pinning me back with both his hands and his body. He leaned the tip of his nose to my neck, sending a stream of chills down my back as he whispered, "Don't you ever flatter yourself like that. I'd rather see my mother dead than ever care for you again."

"Again?" I said softly, swallowing hard as I felt his breath on the crook of my neck.

Malfoy looked back at me, sneering, "You'll regret this, Nott. I'll put an end to this lousy little hero game you've got going on."

And with those words, my wrists were released and I was left alone in the darkness of the little broom cupboard.