To Those Who Will Listen - Draco Malfoy

• eight •

DRACO

The awkward silence lingered in the air in the Three Broomsticks after my outburst. I didn't know whether to follow her or continue burning holes into Lucas' skull with my glare. I could hear older witches and wizards whispering about me from the bar, but I didn't care at that moment.

I was about to leave when Lucas growled in a low voice, "And what are you going to do about it, Malfoy?"

Taking my bottom lip between my teeth to refrain from hexing him there and then, I hissed, "Wait until my father hears about this."

Before I knew it, my long legs were carrying me out of the pub and in the direction of a girl that probably didn't want to talk to me at all right now. But was that going to stop me? Of course not.

"Jednay! Jednay! Will you stop being a cry baby and wait-"

"What do you want, Malfoy? To torment me some more? Embarrass me in front of some more people?" She spat before she dramatically turned on her heel and started hurrying up the pathway again.

"Are you stupid? I tried to fucking warn you, you idiot! It's your own fault you didn't listen to me!" Anger burned hot at the bottom of my belly. Godric, could she be anymore infuriating?

She didn't turn around this time and just kept walking, her shoulders visibly shaking as she sobbed. The sight of it made my heart sting slightly, but as quickly as the feeling came it disappeared as I heard Pansy's whining voice from behind me.

"Draco! You left me in there, silly! I'm sure you didn't mean to, sweetie," she attached herself to my arm again. I tried to politely shake her off, mumbling for her to go back as I squinted to look for Jednay amidst the snow that was falling. But I couldn't see her anymore.

DAKOTA

As soon as he was distracted by Pansy Parkinson's droning voice, I ran as fast as my legs would carry me in the deep snow all the way back to the castle.

Mumbling the password to the Slytherin common room, I sulked up the stairs to my dormitory to find Laura and Morgana still waiting for me as they played a game of Wizards Chess.

"Oh my!" Laura gasped. "What happened? Are you okay?" Morgana whipped her head around, her expression immediately shifting to one of pity.

"Can we talk about it another time?" I muttered. "I just want to sleep for the next 20 years please." I noticed the two girls share a look before Morgana embraced me in a tight hug before retreating back to her Hufflepuff common room, leaving me and Laura.

As soon as Morgana's footsteps were out of earshot, Laura clasped her hands together and said lightheartedly, "Come on then! Let's get that makeup off and you in your jammies!" I smiled sadly at her before nodding and following her to the bathroom.

As she carefully wiped my mascara off, I told her what had happened. She nodded along, gasping occasionally to let me know she was listening. We spent the rest of the night talking about anything but boys. I found out that Laura's parents were quite high up within the Ministry of Magic and that she'd spent quite a few occasions at the Malfoy home due to this. She then asked about my parents, which reminded me of my quest to owl them.

Excusing myself, I checked the time, 8:34. I was told that third year students had a curfew of 9pm. I had enough time to make it up to the Owlery and back. I think, anyway.

I slipped on my slippers and wrapped my robe tightly around me due to the cold winter air and made my way out of the castle. I soon found Dr Whoo looking rather snug and sat with my parchment and quill in hand.

My dearest parents,

I hope you both are doing well! It's been so nice to receive letters from you weekly.

As you're well aware by now, I have been placed into Slytherin house...just like the both of you! However, it is nothing like you described. Most of the students are cruel and look down on other students. Forgive me for writing this, but I've even heard the word 'mud-blood' been thrown around more often than I would like.

What I'm getting at is... Are you sure it was Slytherin you were in? I just can't fathom that this was once a house of kindness and acceptance like you said.

I love you both. See you next week for Christmas break!

Love, Kody x

I folded the parchment up and gave it to Dr a Whoo as I whispered, "Take this to mum and dad, please." I chuckled to myself for using manners with an owl, but it was just the way I had been raised.

"Isn't this a little late for you to be out?" A low voice made me jump slightly. As I turned I sighed with annoyance upon realising it was Draco.

I slipped the pocket watch out of my pocket and read that the time was now 8:53.

"No, I've still got 7 minutes, thank you." I went to push past him to leave, but he grabbed onto my shoulder firmly.

"Look, we may not like each other," No kidding, "but I'm sorry for earlier. I should've told you outright what Lucas was like. But you should've listened to me. You forget I've been here for two years, Dakota."

There it was again, my first name. What I assumed was the cold air caused goosebumps to rise on my skin.

I swallowed the lump in my throat before retorting, "You forget that I don't care, Malfoy. I'm fine. Thanks for the apology though." I shot him a brief, half smile before moving to leave. However, as I reached the door, I found myself turning to say, "I'd get back soon, if I were you. Don't want you getting into trouble for being out past curfew."

"That's okay, they've never caught me before. You'd think they'd check the astronomy tower after hours with all the hookups that go on there with the fifth years, but they never do. See you around, Jednay."

I shot him the same half smile before shrugging and hurrying back to my dormitory.

9:03. Just about.

As I slid under my covers, I couldn't help but wonder what Malfoy was doing in the owlery. From what Laura had told me, he wasn't at all close with his parents really. Maybe he was sending something to a friend, I thought. But then again, Laura had also told me that he didn't have many friends either. From what I could gather, Crabbe and Goyle were only friends with him out of fear and every girl that was friends with him was just in love with him. I almost felt bad for him, until I remembered what an obnoxious twat he was. Pushing all thoughts of Draco Malfoy out of my head, I dozed off.