The Snake in the Grass {Draco Malfoy}

1| T H E H A T S T A L L

~ Y E A R 3 ~

The September Sun seeps into the Hufflepuff common room as students eagerly get ready for their first day. While I overlook various kinds of plants among the common room walls I try to choose which one I'll care for. Unable to decide I shut my eyes, pointing blindly at the array of plants.

"Babbitty Rabbitty and her Cackling-"

"-Stump." I recognize his voice within seconds, and I can sense that wide smile through his tone.

As I open my eyes I find I'm pointed at a slender plant, the lengthy leaves are upright with pointed edges. Dismissing the fact that I don't know what it's called, I slide a piece of parchment with my name sprawled across it underneath the copper pot.

"Shouldn't you be helping the first years? Prefect." I tease, turning to face Cedric who's slumped in a nearby chair. He watches me with sparkling eyes, his amusement is evident.

He lets out a low chuckle as he stands, creasing the parchment more with each step. "But I'm talking with my favourite third year." Cedric replies, laughing again.

He towers over me, briefly locking eyes before he turns his attention the the wall. I look up to him as he examines the available potted plants, his grey eyes bouncing from plant to plant. His eyes then drop to the one I chose, slipping his parchment underneath its neighbour.

"I'll see you around Fawley." I feel my cheeks warm up as I wave goodbye.

My eyes continue to follow him as he approaches the crowd of first years. A bright smile breaks upon his face as he greets them. A pair of girls stand on the outskirts of the crowd, whispering amongst one another as they admire him.

I remember my first year, how relieved I was to be sorted into Hufflepuff. Some people think of Hufflepuff as the weakest house, however I'm quite proud of my house. I've always kept an open mind, been kind to others, and remained loyal, even when the situations were proving difficult to act that way. I've grown up valuing the people around me, and I understand that everyone makes mistakes and that's how they learn.

My father works as an Obliviator, while my mother is an editor of The Daily Prophet. She was a Stay-at-Home mom until my brother joined Hogwarts this year. He was sorted into Gryffindor last night, breaking the line of Hufflepuffs. The both of us sent an owl about it, and we're expecting an answer during breakfast.

The owls soared above the students seated within The Great Hall, letters falling from their clutches as they reach the recipient. The sight amazes me each time I witness it, it's fascinating. The blur of colours as they pass-

"Oh look, Diana's caught up in the owls again." Ernest Macmillan chuckles, nudging into me with a smile. He breaks me out of my daze, the vague, muffled chatter between students becomes coherent.

As I look down at the table I unintentionally meet Hannah Abbots eyes, she smiles shyly as she waves. A slight laugh escapes her lips as her eyes crinkle up due to her growing smile.

I look to Justin, watching him admire Hannah. The corners of his mouth tugs upwards as his eyes are set on her. He's never looked at her that way before.

"Have you guys chosen your plants this morning?" Hannah sighs, tucking her hair behind her ear as she stops laughing. "Ernie chose a small, normal one so it wasn't as annoying for him this year. I quite enjoyed the challenge last year so I went for a bigger one, it sings this beautiful so-"

"I went for a small one too." Justin cuts Hannah off, any remains of that look in his eyes have gone. Hannah rolls her eyes, beginning to fiddle with the letter she received in her lap.

Just then I feel a tap on my shoulder, I turn to see my brother. "It's mum and dad, can I read it with you?" He asks, suggestively looking down to the empty seat.

"Oh- of course Elijah." I murmur, sliding away from the space and towards Ernie. I take the letter from him, attempting to still my shaking hands as I unfold it.

"Stop shaking your hand, why don't you?" He groans, leaning his cheek against my shoulder as he reads.

-We're proud of you son, you're starting your own family line and it looks amazing so far.

Elijah looks to me with a smile, his eyes full of relief. "I'm starting my own line." He quotes the letter. "Dad totally added that in." He nods surely, Elijah shoves the letter into his pocket. "I'll see you at dinner." He gives his farewells, then approaching a dark haired, little Slytherin girl who seemed to be waiting.

That same Slytherin girl was with him at dinner time, however this time she came up to introduce herself. "Hi, my name's Astoria Greengrass." She beams, her eyes full of innocence despite her green coloured robes.

"Diana Fawley, I've had a few classes with your sister." I grin, as I introduce myself. I attempt to come off kind, yet my eyes drifting to the Slytherin badge clearly displays my skepticism.

Her sister Daphne isn't the worst of all the Slytherins, she's actually quite tolerable. I can only hope that Astoria turns out be the same. The worst Slytherin is Draco Malfoy. I struggle to believe he possesses a heart, as he truly is awful.

"Who are you talking abo- Oh, Diana Fawley? The only attractive thing about her is her blood status." Draco snickers, his eyes shutting calmly as he laughs.

The Slytherins have once again managed to lay claim to all of the benches within the Courtyard. A few Gryffindors refused at first, but then gave in to Draco's incessant insults. Now his head is laid comfortably in Pansy's lap, she lets out a soft laugh as she moves a strand of hair out of his face.

As Draco catches sight of me he bursts upright. "You hear that Fawley?" He shouts after me, and I can sense the smirk that I just know he has plastered across his face. The Slytherins surrounding him laugh loudly, and carelessly.

I didn't see much of Draco from that moment on considering he refused to attend Care of Magical Creatures until Buckbeak was taken care of.

However on my way to the Greenhouses one day I passed by a lone Draco Malfoy in the corridor. I didn't try to avoid eye contact with him, which may have been my mistake.

"A snake plant?" Draco gasps dramatically, he slows his jog as he begins to walk alongside me. "Could that be- a sign?" He looks from the plant, to me with widened eyes.

"A sign of what?" I grumble, focusing my stare on the column behind him. I would rather zone out than hear his answer.

Unfortunately that didn't work. "Your hat stall between Slytherin and Hufflepuff. That you were actually meant to be one of us." He grins cheekily, shoving my shoulder gently as a means to gain my eye contact.

"That's actually insulting." I snap, my eyes flickering to his Slytherin robes and back up to meet his glare.

"Oh, it was meant to be. Don't act like we all didn't hear the hat. He warned us that there was Slytherin in your future, and I'm just speeding up the realization process." Draco sneers, his eyebrows furrowed together.

"Draco, I don't care what the sorting hat has to say anymore. He sorted me into Hufflepuff, and that's that." I shake my head as I attempt to bypass him, instead he steps in my way again.

He raises his hand to the plant I'm carrying, slowly, painfully, ripping the end off of the tallest leaf. He produces a tight lipped smile as a stunned silence hangs over the both of us.

"Thanks Fawley, it's beautiful." Draco scoffs, shutting the leaf within the pages of his Herbology book. He subtly leans in, the smell of his minty breath burns my nose as he speaks. "Has that word ever been used to describe you?" I momentarily shut my eyes, attempting to shut his insults out.

"Yes. Often, in fact." I reply pointedly, shoving my way past him. "Merry Christmas Draco." I conclude, shutting the frosted, glass door to the greenhouse behind me.

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A/N: This book is primarily based in Goblet of Fire (Fourth Year) So that's why the first few chapters regarding their third year may seem rushed.