The Malfoy Diaries (A Draco Malfoy Fanfiction)

f i v e 💛

After the trip had determined who was and who wasn't still at Hogwarts, Harry and Hermione had told Aria that they were going to make their way back to the Gryffindor common room.

In the meantime, Aria had every intention of going to the Hufflepuff common room, just so she could see who was there. However, things weren't quite so simple. Of course, why should they be? Malfoy was back on Hogwarts grounds and incidentally, he was the person that Aria bumped right into when she was walking around the school building.

"Ahem. Move," Aria said, as she made every attempt to keep her voice steady. Aria had always believed that confidence didn't come as easily to her as it did to hermione. She had always wanted to change because of it.

"No," was all Malfoy said, as he gave a slow shake of his head. "You should look where you're going, Hufflepuff."

"Maybe you shouldn't make it a habit to be in the way," Aria retorted.

Annoying, she thought. Perhaps it took thinking a little too positively to believe that she would be able to get through a full year of Hogwarts without Malfoy coming along to shake things up again, both in the metaphorical and literal sense.

Malfoy shifted his weight between his feet, as though he seemed uncomfortable with something.

Aria decided that something was probably her presence but she felt tempted to release a dry laugh at that consideration. The feeling was certainly mutual.

"Why should I do anything that you say? You're just a silly little Hufflepuff half-blood," Malfoy said, with judgement evident in his gaze. "You have as much bravery as that pathetic brother of yours. Where is he now?" he asked.

Aria bit back a series of curses. She hated it when people brought her family into things.

"I am brave. Why do you think I'm here?" Aria asked, as her expression hardened in her discontentment.

Malfoy shrugged at that, as his eyes moved over her body slowly like a snake.

"That Hufflepuff stupidity. You're so selfless that it's probably honestly going to turn out to be a great weakness in the end. So, good luck, Hufflepuff. Not that I can say the luck I'm wishing upon you is very genuine," Malfoy said.

Aria would have let him walk on past her but she wasn't about to settle for this.

"I wouldn't expect it to be, Malfoy. I am sure that it is as fake as the rest of you," Aria said.

Malfoy paused in his walk but Aria never saw anything other than the back of his platinum blond head before he decided to walk on again.

Aria sighed and began to walk back to the Hufflepuff common room. Sooner than she could walk up to the entrance, though. Someone spoke and caused her to pause.

"Aria," came that familiar voice and Aria turned on her heel to find her red-haired friend stood there.

"Ron!" Aria said with excitement, as she rushed over to him.

She was about to hug him but Ron looked a little awkward about it, so she settled for a smile.

"How have you been? How's school been?" Ron asked, even though he knew that question was probably a stupid one. "You look nice," he said boldly. Ron looked different, too. He looked older, yes, but he also looked more sure of himself. Aria supposed that his destroying the Horcrux had instilled some more confidence in him.

"School's been school,"Aria said.

Ron gave an understanding nod at that.

"I've heard Malfoy is back. Just you wait until I go and speak with him! Someone has to put that guy in his place. He tried to kill Dumbledore last year! I know that McGonagall has ordered him back here for... What? His protection? I don't know. The whole thing just feels off to me," Ron spoke at what Aria believed to be close to one hundred miles per hour but she nodded her head in response the whole time to show that she was listening. Ron had never minded stepping outside of his comfort zone, apart from when he had to wear his old fashioned robes to the Yule Ball a few years back. Aria smirked at the memory of it.

"Either way, we shouldn't let Malfoy get into our heads. We need to find these Horcruxes," Aria said simply.

Ron murmured in agreement.

Sooner than he could reply to Aria's statement coherently, someone else began to walk towards them.

"Ron!" Harry's voice said, coloured by excitement.

Ron turned to Harry and grinned with all the happiness of their seven years of friendship.

"Harry! It's so good to see you, mate," he said, with a warm smile, as the two of them bro-hugged.

Aria turned her face away to hide her smile. It was good to observe her friends seeming so happy, even if it was only momentarily.

"Likewise, likewise," Harry said. "Hermione has gone after the cup," he whispered, as his eyes darted around them to ensure that nobody else was there. Fortunately, Malfoy seemed to be long gone, at least for now.

Aria found herself wondering where he had got to, even if it was only for a little while. She believed that he was probably in the Slytherin common room with his best friends Blaise Zabini and Pansy Parkinson.

Ron's eyes widened at that.

"Alone? I should go and help her," he said.

Aria had always believed that Ron would walk through fire just to keep Hermione Granger safe.

Harry didn't protest and so Ron bid the two of them a quick farewell before he made his way on down the hallway.

Harry turned to Aria with a thoughtful expression. It soon became a charming smile.

"Hey, we can do this. And if Malfoy gives you any trouble, don't hesitate to tell me. I really do believe that McGonagall has him under strict watch. She has his wand," Harry explained.

Aria nodded with understanding but a series of questions still danced around inside of her head. What was McGonagall going to do about the whole Malfoy situation next?