To Those Who Will Listen - Draco Malfoy

• nine •

DAKOTA

The next weekend, although the week seemed to drag at the time, came knocking about quickly. Everyone had now heard about what had occurred at Hogsmeade between Orion, Draco and I. My cheeks flushed with embarrassment every time I'd enter a classroom and people would snicker. It never made sense to me why I was the one getting laughed at when it was Orion that was the disgusting little toad. My suspicions about the rest of the Slytherin house, and even some of the nastier Gryffindors, had been proven as I noticed some of them high-fiving Orion at dinnertimes. It was repulsive.

However, this only happened when Malfoy wasn't around to see it. If he was, nobody in the Slytherin house would even look in Orion's direction. The power that Draco held over everyone in our year, and even the students below us, shocked me.

I'd just finished packing up the clothing that I was planning on taking back home with me for the 2 week Christmas break that we had. I was beyond excited to see my parents again after a long almost 4 month period. However, they had never responded to my letter. I assumed that maybe Dr Whoo had just dropped it, with him being a rather young inexperienced owl, but it also nagged at a small part of me after hearing other students' opinions about Slytherin and learning more about the founder of the house.

I noticed the time and realised that the train home would be arriving soon and so quickly slipped on a pair of navy blue jeans and a white-knitted jumper and dragged my trunk out of the girls dormitory with a spring in my step.

My happy mood was soon deflated like a balloon when I heard another third year Slytherin snicker from the leather sofa in the common room, "Godric, I'm surprised Orion even went for her. I get wanting protection but I'd rather get eaten by a dog than be seen with one." I didn't dare look up, but from the corner of my eye I saw Malfoy's head whip up in his direction, anger apparent on his expression. He was probably angry that someone was going against his opinion of Orion.

Trying to hold back the tears that were stinging my eyes, I shrugged it off and rolled my shoulders back, my head held high as I strutted out of the common room and down to the station.

"Kody!" I heard Morgana and Laura shout in sync as they both beckoned me over to them. "Wanna share a compartment?" I nodded, forgetting all about what had just happened in the common room. "We've still got about 15 minutes to wait though," Laura huffed as she wrapped her coat tighter around her.

Trying to distract ourselves from the cold nipping at our fingers and noses, the three of us began nattering about our plans for Christmas and promising each other that we'd write at least three times a week to each other.

Our conversation was interrupted when Pansy hurried up to us. "Have you seen Draco? He's never late for the train!" Her eyes were frantic as she searched amongst the crowds for him.

"Sorry, Pansy. Haven't seen him," Morgana said, smiling warmly at her.

"I wasn't talking to you, mudblood," she spat before rushing off to continue her search.

"You know, she really is a disgrace to feminism always basing her life around that idiotic white boy," Morgana laughed loudly, clearly used to being called that name.

"Weren't you exactly the same, Morg?" I raised an eyebrow, biting back a laugh.

"Well yes, but I'm allowed," she winked, causing us all to burst out laughing.

Laura stopped laughing abruptly as a gasp left her lips as she nudged us both and nodded her head in the direction of the castle. Stumbling down the pathway was the same boy from earlier that had insinuated that I looked like a dog, only this time he was nursing a clearly broken nose. Ouch.

The sound of the Hogwarts Express pulling up made me turn my attention back to the girls, but not before I noticed Draco stalking down the pathway with his hands stuffed into the pockets of his long black trench coat. I heard Pansy squeal with delight as she rushed up to him, telling him about how worried she was. Nausea washing over me at how cringeworthy that scene was, I loaded my trunk onto the train and stumbled on to find a carriage to sit with Morgana and Laura in for the long journey ahead.

***

After what seemed like years, I was stumbling back off the train and into my parents loving arms.

"I missed you!" I exclaimed. They both smiled warmly at me before escorting me out of the station, my trunk in my fathers capable hands. As we were nearing the exit, I couldn't help but glance over to the family that all seemed to share a striking shade of white-blonde in their hair. Draco looked solemn as his father wagged his long finger at him sternly. His mother looked at him with sympathy in her eyes. The pang of sympathy hit my chest for a second time but my brain reminded me that he'd probably done something bad as usual.

My trunk was soon loaded into the boot of the car and we made our way back to my home, sweet home. I hadn't given the muggle world much thought, only when comparing it to Hogwarts during the first month really, but it felt familiar and safe.

"So, how are things? You never replied to my letter," I questioned, my gaze still stuck on the passing world outside my window.

"Letter? I don't think we received a letter...did we, dear?" My mother looked at my father- who gripped the steering wheel of the car firmly.

"Nope. No letter, but we're perfect as always. We missed you dearly! It's steak pie for tea, you're favourite!" He looked at me from the centre mirror in the car before returning his gaze back to the road.

"Ooo, yum. Well, anyways, my letter just said-"

"Oh!" My mother interrupted loudly. "You'll never guess what happened to me yesterday, Kody!" She exclaimed before proceeding to tell me a seemingly unfunny and completely random story about what she did at the supermarket. I faked a laugh as we pulled into the drive of my home. Finally.

"Alohamora," my father muttered, ensuring that there were no muggles around to witness it, before pushing open the front door and lugging my trunk in behind him. "Well, get upstairs and freshen yourself up and then its dinnertime!"

I did as I was told, changing into more comfortable clothing and returning back downstairs for my favourite meal as we talked about nothing for a few hours.