You stare at Ron, completely dumbfounded at his accusation. His face is red in anger and his chest heavily moving up and down. The weight of his words hangs in the air, waiting for a response. Draco for once, has nothing to say to the redhead either while Harry and Hermione shift awkwardly behind Ron.
Draco asked you to help him with his Transfiguring essay, telling you how he was struggling to understand the subject you guys were studying. It was a surprise, Draco’s pride never let him go to anyone for help, so you were glad to do so. Your nights have been occupied with tutoring Draco the last couple of days, sometimes even missing dinner since your schedules conflicted.
However, you didn’t think it would lead to this. You spotted the trio when the two of you walked in the library. You happily gave them a smile and a wave while Draco sneered. Hermione and Harry greeted you back while Ron didn’t. It made your heart pang a bit but you didn’t let it get to you. The cat and mouse game you and Ron have been playing has always left Ron unpredictable.
Unpredictable in the sense that things between you and Ron were, well, complicated. The two of you have been flirting since the start of this year, you’ve always had a little crush on him but something changed this year. This year was full of more... intense interactions between the two of you. You being the more obvious one, of course, but Ron had his moments. His shining one being replaying in your head.
The Gryffindors had an amazing win in Quidditch a day or so ago, causing a party in the common room. Fire whiskey and butterbeer passed around like wildfire. The liquid courage giving confidence to many. Like Ron Weasley. Harry and Hermione didn’t even realize the two of you disappeared until Hermione caught both of you trying to sneak through the passage well after the party.
Your loudmouth didn’t stay quiet once you were in the dorms with Hermione. Telling her almost every detail even if she didn’t want to hear it. Ron doing the same with Harry. But, ever since that night Ron has been acting particularly odd… which is what has caused his outburst.
“Draco? Really?” Ron’s scoff interrupted you and Draco’s study session. The two of your heads snapped up from his essay to the redhead. “I should’ve known you fancied him! You doodle his last name on every notebook you have,” He accused, “I’m sure he put you up to the sick game you’ve been playing with me. I actually thought we had something.”
You continue to stare at Ron, mouth wide open. His anger is obvious, and yours is starting to build as well. The fact he would dare to think you would be playing an awful game with him is an insult in itself. Especially with Draco Malfoy out of everyone, too.
“Are you that dimwitted?” You stand up, the chair you were sitting flies back. “You think I would actually play with your heart like that, Ronald Weasley?” Ron’s angered expression starts to soften a bit now that he’s the one being yelled at, especially since you used his full name.
“Well,” His stubbornness takes over, him regaining his confidence. “(Y/N) Malfoy has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it?”
You have no words for him. How stupid can he be? You run your hands through your hair out of frustration. How has he not realized this sooner?
“Ron,” You say, scarily calm, “My last name is Malfoy.”
“You two already got married—”
“No, you knobhead,” You cut him off.
“Well, what is it then, huh?” He presses on, trying to hear what he’s already been thinking. How can he be this stubborn yet so stupid.
“Are you that mental, Weasley?” Draco finally cuts in, standing up as well. Ron’s fists immediately clench, ready for a fight. “I’ve always thought you had a bag of rocks up there but this just further proves my theory.” He mumbled, a small smirk on his face. He’s satisfied with his insult as he closes his essay and quill in his book. He then starts to walk away.
“Oh, you little—“ He jumps forward at the tall blonde but Harry grabs his arm.
“Ron,” Hermione immediately scolds as well.
“Can’t you guys see what’s going on?” He turns to his friends, completely hurt that they would hold him back. Out of years of friendship and the late nights where he would gush about you to them, they decided to hold him back.
“You really think I would go off and flirt with Draco after we--” You cut yourself off, Draco making a disgusted face at you. “You’re insane if you think that night meant nothing to me, Ronald.”
“Absolute nutter,” Are Draco’s last words before he completely walks away. This leaves the four of you. Ron shakes Harry off of him with a scowl on his face. He’s completely heart broken. No one is supporting him.
“You’re an idiot, Ronald.” Hermione tells him and drags Harry out of the library with her.
Ron watches his friends walk away, leaving you two alone in a row of the library. He feels as if the bookcases are closing in on him the more the two of you stand there. He’s not sure what he wants you to say anymore.
On the other hand, you’re completely fuming. How dare he accuse you of something so evil. Especially after the long years of chasing after each other. This year was the year you thought the two of you could finally get together. But, Ron has to be so overdramatic and temperamental sometimes.
“He’s my cousin, Ron.”
“What?”
“My last name is Malfoy, you nitwit.”
“I thought it was (Y/L/N).” He furrows his eyebrows, obviously not understanding.
“It’s hyphenated.” You explain. “(Y/N) (Y/L/N)- Malfoy… his dad’s my uncle. I use the first one more often because of the reputation that side of the family has.” You carefully take a few steps closer to him, testing the waters. “I never told you because I like you, Ron. I didn’t want the bad blood to ruin what we have.”
Ron stands there, processing everything… then his cheeks light up again due to embarrassment. His embarrassment turns into happiness once he realizes what you said. You’re not in love with Draco Malfoy, your cousin, you liked him.
A large smile then appears onto his face, he brings you into a bone crushing hug. You let out a breath you didn’t realize you were holding, glad he finally used his brain. You melt into the hug as he whispers into your ear:
Prompt:
The school year has finally begun and things already seem to be going wrong.
Word Count: 2555
Reader: Female
Warning:
Let me know what I could work on and what you would like to see in this series. I expect this to be a longer one and I have a lot of ideas for the future but I’m stuck on some filler chapters. So, please let me know.
Masterlist
Series Masterlist
======
The carriage ride up to the castle was very uncomfortable, to say the least. Cedric tried to get you to talk but once his friends started talking, they made you feel out of place. His friends talked about all the wild adventures they had this summer and reminisced about years past together. All stuff that didn’t include or relate to you.
The only time Cedric’s friends seemed to have an interest in you when they spoke about Quidditch merely because you were a chaser on the team. And when you did talk, they just ignored you or rolled their eyes. You just wished you could do first year all over again and reintroduce yourself to everyone.
Nonetheless, you did appreciate Cedric for trying to help you make new friends but you’d rather keep to yourself. Making friends is hard when all people see is your last name.
Walking into the Great Hall with the group, you gaze up at the tall ceiling. It’s bewitched to emulate the sky outside. Every year you are welcomed by it. You believe it helps with the new year jitters and the claustrophobia of hundreds of children in one room.
You start to trail behind Cedric and his friends, taking it all in. This is your home. The floating candles, the professors sitting at the front of the room, the natural warmth of the castle just screams belonging. A large smile appears on your face once again, something that only this place can bring.
This year you are determined to focus on your studies… specifically Care of Magical Creatures. You’ve been reading all summer to get ahead in that class. Being a Malfoy, people don’t see your family as the caring or gentle type. They’ve proven that. Which, unfortunately, Care of Magical Creatures is all about. But, unlike the rest of the Malfoys, Hagrid has said you have a special talent when it comes to caring for creatures. You are gentle and caring. Hence the reason why you were put into Hufflepuff. So, you want to prove to everyone else, and your family, that a Malfoy can have a heart.
“Daydreaming yet again, Yeti?” Cedric’s chuckle interrupts your thoughts. He noticed you straying away from the group and saw you just standing there, staring up at the sky. This didn’t surprise him, you’ve always seemed to be in your own world or gathered up in thoughts.
You shake your head fondly at the nickname. It originated one day when he was trying to cheer you up after he found you crying in the hallway. You had failed your team at the last Quidditch match, falling off your broom and knocking Cedric off along the way. Ultimately costing the winning catch that secured the team a tremendous lead in the rankings.
The team collectively decided that they didn’t need you anymore so they never told when practices were. The backlash from your house was horrid too. People who taunted you in the hallways or blamed the fact that “Malfoy needed to have all the attention”. Hufflepuff has always been known as the kinder house but oh were they brutal.
It all led up to your break down in Charms when someone told you that maybe jinxing yourself to the broom might be helpful. Cedric, as big-hearted as he is, followed you out and comforted you. At first, you thought it was a sick joke, going off on him. In return he just called you a Yeti, comparing the fact that no one could ever get close enough to see the real way you live. Plus the fact that you were madly aggressive on the pitch. You knew that you made a friend after that.
“I was just thinking.” You confess, falling into step beside him as you make your way to the Hufflepuff table.
“That’s never good.”
“Oh, shut it, Diggory.” You laugh, giving his arm a slight slap. “I’m just excited about this year… Hagrid told me about all the new creatures Professor Kettleburn has in store for us.”
“Well, that is good then.” He corrects himself, taking a seat next to one of the beaters on the team. “I’m glad you’re excited about something. I know you talked about how nervous you were about Draco coming this year in your letters.”
You sigh, in the few letters you and Cedric shared during the summer, you’d confide in him about what’s been going at home; The newfound hope in Draco to carry on the Malfoy name with pride and loyalty. How they'd just left you in your room all summer to survive on your own while they made sure Draco had everything he needed to do so. It made you feel like shit. At first, when summer began, you thought things were getting better at home when you were welcomed with kind arms. Unfortunately, it was cut short when the realization of Draco’s first year was in a few months.
“Hey,” Cedric, once again, cuts your thoughts off. By this point he knows when you’re spiraling in your own head. “maybe it won’t be so bad after all.”
Right on cue, the first years all file in. Either looking lost or excited, it brings back memories of your first year. Remembering being so terrified of all the older kids staring as you walked past them. Wondering how Draco would fall in, you try looking for him. He wasn’t hard to find since in the front of the crowd, a devious smirk on his face as always. He knows what house he’s going to be in and he’s probably been boasting about it all the way here. It’s been drilled into his brain that he belongs in Slytherin, the house of the most powerful and legendary wizards. Which, according to your parents, Hufflepuff doesn’t have the means to accomplish.
Draco then takes a glance at said table. Seeing you looking out of place as ever and he rolls his eyes at it. Turning back to his friends and whispering something to them while pointing. They erupt into laughter and you frown slightly.
“Well, I don’t think your brother could be as bad as you were.” Malcolm Preece, another chaser on the team, decides to open his big mouth. He’s a fifth-year and he always has something to say. You grab the nearest thing and throw it at him, he dodges it. “Aye, I said were.” He defends himself and then casually goes back to his own conversation.
You bite your tongue and shoot daggers into the side of his head.
“Oh, I’ve missed you, (Y/N).” Cedric wraps an arm around your shoulders and gives you a small hug.
=====
“...this has to be a joke, Ced.” You whisper to him while Professor Quirrell goes on about the spell you’ll be learning this week. “How will this be useful in the eye of a duel?” You rhetorically ask him. “There’s no way this git is qualified to work here.”
“Oh, don’t be so harsh, (Y/N).” Cedric scolds as Quirrell commands the students to review their notes, “I’m sure he’s more than proven himself to Dumbledore to be here.”
“It’s a bloody tickling curse!” You stress, utterly dumbfounded on why you would be learning this. “In the midst of a battle, I don’t think my murderer would think of making me laugh to death.”
He just shakes his head at you, a small laugh escaping his lips at the image of it.
“It would be a good way to go.” Fred Weasley, the brute of all jokes himself, cuts in. Obviously, you weren’t whispering quiet enough. “Wouldn’t it be, Georgie?” He turns to his twin sitting beside him.
“I think so, Freddie.” He immediately agrees, you roll your eyes at the two. You know where this is going.
“Here we go,” You mumble.
“Imagine it,” George puts his hands in front of himself, widely gesturing with his quill. “Going toe to toe in battle, shouting wild curses at each other, wands waving, spells casting, and then, out of nowhere—” He suddenly stops, pointing his quill at you.
“Rictusempra!” The other one continues, “And, boom! You’re on the ground within seconds, laughing like a complete mad man. Utterly painless.” Some of your classmates laugh at them, you shake your head at the show. “A bliss way to die.” They both stare dreamingly into nothing, a small smile on both of their faces.
“You both are morons.” You deadpan, George just smirks while Fred has an exasperated look on his face.
“Morons?” He gasps, “Then, how would you like to die then, Malfoy?” He probes, his eyebrow hitched up. “A slow, painful death at the hands of a Dementor?” A few laugh.
“Preferably, yes.”
=====
You try to keep up with the fast steps of the Deputy Headmistress. Almost tripping over your robe as she speeds down the corridors, her own robes whizzing behind her. The fact that McGonagall is even accompanying you in a class switch makes your mind boggle since your head of house is Sprout.
“But, Professor, I don’t want to change subjects.” You beg, “It must be a mistake, I chose to take Muggle Studies this year, what happened?”
“Your father, Miss Malfoy.” She suddenly stops, you almost bump into her. “He demands you transfer into a different subject that doesn’t ‘deteriorate the brain’.” She quotes, “And I have to deal with it because Professor Sprout refuses to read his letters after the terrible scriptures he sent her over the last two years. I’ve got enough on my plate with my own students to be worried about hers.”
Your mouth drops, of course, he would’ve. You knew your father was mad about your house placement but you never thought he would go as far as to berated your head of house. At Hogwarts, your house is supposed to be your family no matter what and your father disrespecting your head was utterly disgusting.
“You shouldn’t be surprised, Miss Malfoy.” She continues to speak, obviously furious. “You knew this would happen when you signed up for the elective last year.”
You knew this would happen when you involuntarily signed up to be a Malfoy.
You frown, knowing she’s right about the whole thing. You thought your parents were too focused on Draco to even think about you and your classes this year. Hell, they’ve been too focused on him to even acknowledge your existence during the summer so why did they care about your classes.
“I truly do apologize, Professor McGonagall.” You look down at your shoes, too nervous to look her in her eyes. “I didn’t realize my father was doing that… nor would he interfere with my schooling. I just…” You let out a long sigh. “I just thought the class would be interesting and a bit different, is all, compared to what I’ve learned about muggles at home.”
The woman’s face immediately softens. She knew that getting sorted into Hufflepuff was going to be an issue from the moment the hat shouted it. You were clearly unhappy and confused, mumbling curse words at the hat as you made your way to the Hufflepuff table. The Malfoys have been Slytherins since she was in her own school days so when she heard the hat say something otherwise, she knew something would come out of it.
Your father had insisted it was a mistake in every letter he sent to Dumbledore talking about how the hat was a fake and it must've been a ploy against the Malfoy name. But Dumbledore was just as persistent with backing the hat and it’s house assigning criteria.
“It is out of my control, Miss Malfoy.” McGonagall puts a comforting hand on your shoulder. “As an underage wizard, you do not have a say in the matter. We must listen to your guardians.”
“I understand, Professor.”
=====
The scent of musty floral perfume hits you like bricks as you walk into the room. Following McGonagall between the risers, you hold your books tighter to your chest. You look around once you get into the “stage” area of the classroom. The curtains are drawn, giving the room a somber vibe. The different levels hold a bit too many tables for the number of students actually attending the class. Taking a glance at the students, some are either sleeping or staring at you, glad for the interruption.
“Professor Trelawney,” McGonagall interrupts the short woman gazing into a crystal ball. Her large eyes immediately snap to the two of you. “I have a transfer from Muggle Studies.”
The eccentric witch gets up and looks over to you, the whole classes’ eyes follow her. “Ahhh,” She sighs, pointing a finger. “I knew you would end up here, (Y/N) Malfoy.” She gives a knowing smile, Professor McGonagall just rolls her eyes while she continues to go on about what she saw in the ball about a visitor here to stay.
“Well, I have other things to attend to regarding my Quidditch team if you would kindly show Miss Malfoy to her seat,” McGonagall commands with a firm nod.
“Of course, of course!” She excitedly affirms, putting a hand to your back and guiding you towards the front of the strange classroom. You give the Charms Professor pleading eyes as she leaves the room but she just ignores you and continues on her way.
“Now,” She turns you both to the whole class. “Who would like to do the honor of having Miss Malfoy as a partner? I sense she will be a great help in this class,” She asks, everyone sits in silence. There are a few students without partners but they’d rather be alone than be with you.
“Well, a little unpopular we are, I see,” Trelawney mumbles to no one in particular, you immediately look down at your feet. “How ‘bout you find your own seat, love?”
You go straight to the back and take the first seat in the row, not daring to look at anyone on the way up.
“Oh, what type of wicked witch did I cross to get a curse like this?” The familiar disgust of one of the Weasley boys hits your ears. Your head snaps to him, trying to quickly identify which twin you would be spending the year with.
“Hush it, George.” You sneer, not in the mood for his shit. “Or are you Fred?” You squint, the dim candlelight not helping distinguish which. “No, Fred is much more clever with his insults.”
George just rolls his eyes at you, “He might have the brains but I’ve got the looks.” He leans back in his chair, putting his arms behind his head and his feet on the table. “Don’t you agree, Malfie?” He eggs, a smirk on his face.
You let out a scoff. “You both look like gnomes stacked on each other under a robe… Especially with that carrot top of a head of yours.” You push his feet off the table, setting your books where they were. The shove sends his balance off and he falls back onto the floor.
“Well, you were right about Fred having the brains, huh?” You stare down at him. The redhead sticks his tongue out at you like a five-year-old. “This is going to be a long year.” You mumble under your breath.
Prompt:
You’re home for Christmas and you’re terrified of what Draco has told your parents about your life at Hogwarts.
Word Count: 1429
Reader: Female
Warning: Very much a filler chapter
Masterlist
Series Masterlist
=====
You pick at your food, it’s only been a few days since you and Draco have returned home from break and it’s been very uncomfortable. You’re not sure of how much he has told your parents about your life at Hogwarts but you just know he has. How you act at home was very different from what you act at school. You hope he hasn’t mentioned any of that though. The lines are blurred now that Draco is attending Hogwarts, he sees both sides of you and you’re not sure how he’s going to react to it.
“Thank you.” You whisper to the house-elf that refilled your glass with water. Dobby gives you a small smile at your kindness. He seems to be the only house-elf that acknowledges it, the others just ignore it, not wanting to get in trouble.
“So,” Mother speaks up, “Draco has told us about your… activities at Hogwart.” You look up at her with a worried expression, then you glare at Draco. “Very interesting, it seems.”
“Ok.” You say, looking back down at your food. You try to compose yourself, everything you’ve done quickly cycling through your head. Grades aren’t bad, no detentions, Quidditch team has been doing alright, you’ve been doing great this year. The only thing that seems to stand out is you telling off Draco in November and you spending some time down at Hagrid’s.
“Yes, very interesting.” Father continues, your heart drops. He told him. “Seems you spend a lot of time with this Diggory boy... He seems like quite a character.”
Your body immediately relaxes, if he was going to mention anything, you’re glad it’s your best friend.
“Yes, he’s very nice.” You say, a small smile on your face. It’s been known that you’re grateful for this boy.
Silence fills the table again. Your mother looks at your father, giving him a look and he looks back at you.
“His father works for the ministry, yes?” He continues, “Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures.”
“Yes, he does.” You nod. “I’ve never met him though.”
“Purebloods, as well?”
It takes everything in you to hold back an eye roll. It shouldn’t matter. “Yes, I believe so.”
“Not the most affluent household, though, are they?” He adds, a brow raised slightly. “They live by the Weasley's so you know they’re not that well off.”
“I’m not too sure.” You answer, “I don’t really ask those questions, we mostly talk about school and Quidditch. Cedric has top marks in my grade and he’s a seeker on the team.” You try to divert his attention to something more positive. “An alright one, at that, as well.”
“Well, I’m glad you’re associating yourself with the right people then.” Father praises, you look at him with wide eyes. Is he actually complimenting you? “Not those trouble-making traitors, the twins, what are their names, again?”
“I don’t know…” You lie, your heart pangs a bit. With George being in Divination with you, you’ve gotten a little bit closer to the pair. They greet you in the hallways and George always partners up with you in Potions or DADA when you have to be with another house. You’ve learned they’re not as bad as your parents say. Their whole family seems to be a sweet bunch, honestly.
As silence, once again, consumes the four of you, Dobby continues to refill everyone’s cups. Switching to a bottle of wine for your parents halfway through. He stands on a stool, reaching over to pour your father a glass of wine. The stool then wobbles, sending the small elf off balance and making him knock over the red liquid as he falls off.
You and Draco just stare, wide-eyed at the whole thing. You share a look, knowing what's about to happen.
“You stupid, house-elf!” Your father abruptly stands up, sending his chair flying to the floor. The wine has gotten onto the white table cloth and his white dress shirt. Usually, he wears all black but Mother had encouraged him to change it up a little bit recently.
“Worthless little,” He sends a kick to the creature, Draco’s head snaps down while you jump up.
“Leave him alone!” You demand, all of his attention turns to you now. You almost crumble at his intense sneer but you stand tall, “You shouldn’t treat him like that.” You dare to say, an act of newfound courage taking over you. “Imagine if the minster did that to you every time you made a mistake.”
He’s furious and all of you can tell. You’ve seen your father this mad but it’s never been direct to you. He’s always been passive-aggressive with his comments and you’ve learned to ignore it but something about his glare sends shivers down your spine.
“Lucius…” Your mother tries to step in but he doesn’t give her a second glance.
“Room. Now.” He demands, you turn around and head straight to it. You poked the bull and you don’t want to anger it even more. “I’ll treat you like I treat him if you dare to disrespect me like that again, you little brat.” He calls after you causing you footsteps to pick up.
=====
You lay on your bed, staring at the ceiling. Regret is the farthest thing from what you’re feeling right now. The house-elves have always been treated poorly in your house and it always bothered you but seeing Dobby get kicked like that for something he couldn’t even control just set you off.
Letting out a loud groan, turning on your side. You’re so frustrated. You understand the history of house-elves and how they’re used to being beat and picked on but it still makes you angry. Especially when it’s directed at Dobby, the kindness little elf you’ve met. He’s been your friend since childhood. When your parents would bring over other families to interact with, you always locked yourself in your room and played games with Dobby.
When you were sad, Dobby would appear with a small flower from your mother’s garden to cheer you up. He always would comfort you when your parents were off who knows where. He even has taken blame for things that you’ve done like breaking a vase or a glass. He’s been there for years and it upsets you to see him treated so badly. His kindness deserves so much more than this hellhole.
You decide to direct your attention to the moonlight that cascades through your window. Some of your plants that line the windowsill glisten in the light. Belladonna, your cat, is sitting just below them on the cushioned bench. You can hear her purrs as she slowly dozes off.
A knock on your door echoes throughout the obnoxiously large room, waking the feline up. She lets out a hiss which you chuckle at. She’s always been a lazy cat so when her naps are interrupted, she’s mad.
“(Y/N)...” Draco’s small voice calls. You stare at Bella, silently telling her to attack but she just turns around and tries to go back to sleep.
You sit up against your headboard as he takes a few steps into your room. “What do you want, Draco?”
He awkwardly stands there, his free hand pulling at the hem of his nightshirt. Shy Draco is something you haven’t seen since he was five. The sight makes your heart melt a bit.
“I just wanted to see…” He carefully picks his words, not wanting to tell you why he’s here. “Could you help me a bit with Potions?” He quickly changes the subject, lifting his other hand which holds his large book. “Snape has us writing an essay over break and I can’t seem to get a grasp on it.”
A small smile appears on your face. Before Hogwarts, you and Draco were homeschooled. Your mother taught you the basics of magic as well as the more essential things in life like reading and maths. It brings you back to the endless nights where you would help Draco with a writing prompt he was too embarrassed to ask his mother help for.
“Of course, Draco.” With that permission, he plops onto your bed. He settles in, crossing his legs while his other things laid out in front of you two. Once he’s satisfied with the placement of everything, he looks at you.
“Oi, wipe that smirk off your face.” He spits, there’s the Draco you know. “I’m only asking because I know my useless partner won’t do rubbish over break.”
Hi, this is Zoe from @fandoms-archive-blog and I wanted to write again. I forgot the password and the email so this is the solution :). You guys might know me from my George Weasley imagines and my cringey Youtube ones (which we don’t speak of). Hopefully, you’ll guys like this and I’ll actually write stuff.
((So... I guess we're promoting the chat because apparently we want more people? I dunno. I don't care if we get new people or not. I mean, it'd be fun to have more characters but... *shrug* If you'd like to join us, you can probably find us here:
