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Chapter Text

As the hour grew late, Draco found himself sitting by the lake longer than intended. It felt as though there was a lot he needed to think about, yet he kept getting distracted by trivial thoughts, unable to focus on the main issue. The good news was that Harry had agreed to help him. This should have been his main focus, yet he kept looking down at his hand, still remembering how Harry had left it hanging. Was leaving him hanging like that some kind of strange hobby of Harry’s?

After sitting there for a while with a sulky expression and furrowed brows, he finally convinced himself to get up. It was nearly midnight, and if he delayed any longer, he knew Blaise would start looking for him. Draco might not have a Hufflepuff pining for him, but he had friends, didn’t he?

He wrapped his cloak tightly around himself against the night chill and hurried back to the dormitory. When he entered the eighth-year common room, he only saw two Ravenclaws, and he quickly made his way down the narrow corridor to his room. As he turned the corner, he suddenly bumped into someone and stepped back.

“Where’ve you been? I was just about to come looking for you.”

“I’m here?”

Blaise rolled his eyes. “Oh, really?” he replied. “Pansy’s been waiting in the room for you. I can’t stand being alone with her for another minute, so move it.”

Without responding, Draco brushed past Blaise and headed to his room. He opened the door to find Pansy sitting on his bed.

“That was quick,” Pansy commented.

“We ran into each other at the door.”

“For a second, I thought you’d actually made yourself useful,” she muttered. “Where have you been? I came over to talk, and he hasn’t stopped whining since.”

“This is my room, so if you’re bothered, you’re free to leave.”

Draco removed his cloak and hung it up neatly. Then he turned his chair to face both of his friends and sat down.

“What’s up?”

“Where were you so late?” Pansy asked.

“I was getting some air,” Draco replied, his tone more mocking. “Worried something might happen to me?”

“We’re more concerned about you getting irritated,” Blaise replied.

“Ever since Potter floored you—what? What’s with the grin?”

“Ever since what?”

Blaise glanced at Pansy. “You’re supposed to be the only mad one here.”

“Shut up,” Pansy snapped. “Ever since Potter knocked you down, rumours have been spreading like wildfire.”

Draco’s expression turned serious, and he sighed. “What are they saying this time?”

“Apparently, switching sides to be rewarded is true... only Potter was the one who rewarded you, which is why his spell worked on you...”

Draco couldn’t help laughing. “Not bad. Anything else?”

“Those who think Voldemort rewarded you are now saying it might be because it was Potter who killed him.”

This time, Draco laughed louder. “They’re getting more creative,” he said, and then after a brief pause, he grew serious again. “Could that actually be possible?”

“Oh, come on,” Blaise scoffed. “Are you saying Voldemort rewarded you?”

“Huh…” Draco shook his head. “I don’t know; they’re going to have me believing it soon.”

“If you ask me—”

“Nobody asked you.”

Pansy picked up a pillow and tossed it at Blaise. “Nobody’s asking you!”

“Alright, alright! Go ahead, don’t hold back.”

Ignoring Blaise, Pansy turned back to Draco. “I think you’re overthinking this,” she said. “Look on the bright side; no one can hurt you—”

“Well, almost no one,” Blaise corrected.

Pansy shot him a glare and returned her attention to Draco. “I think it’s great that you’re safe, so you don’t have to worry.”

“We’ve already talked about this,” Draco said. “I don’t want this. If things keep going this way, the rumours will never end, and they’ll only get more absurd. I don’t want my life to be defined by these rumours. I want to move on from my past mistakes and just be an ordinary person. But with everyone talking about how Voldemort rewarded me or how I sold my soul, that’s never going to happen.”

“We’re sure your family had nothing to do with it, right?”

“They say they don’t know, but I’m not sure,” Draco replied. “I think my mother would have told me. She knows how much this bothers me.”

Pansy nodded in understanding. “So, what are we going to do?”

“You’re not going to do anything,” Draco replied. “My only lead is Potter, and he said he’d help.”

Pansy raised her eyebrows. “Potter is going to help you?”

“Yes.”

“Great. You should stay out of it then, Pans.”

“Why?”

“Well, considering the last time you wanted to turn Potter in, you might ruin the arrangement.”

“And I seem to remember Potter leaving gaping holes in Draco’s chest the last time. So what?”

“Those two—”

“Alright,” Draco cut in. “Forget the past. Potter seems surprisingly civil and warm. He doesn’t even treat me badly.”

“Warm?” Pansy echoed. “He’s been walking around like an ice cube since the start of term.”

“What he went through wasn’t easy,” Draco said. “He may look distant from afar, but when you talk to him, he’s actually normal—at least that’s the impression I got. Though, I suppose it’s stranger that he’s normal but, anyway…”

“Well, if you say so,” Pansy replied.

“By the way, there’s something else,” Blaise said.

“What is it?”

Blaise hesitated. “Well…”

“What?”

“Apparently, Burke’s been talking trash about you.”

Draco rolled his eyes. “He’s been giving me dirty looks since the beginning of term. I’m not surprised.”

“Still, be careful,” Pansy warned.

“Why? Is he going to hurt me?”

“Alright, we get it. Spells don’t work. But couldn’t you at least defend yourself sometimes? The fact that you don’t react only makes them angrier.”

Draco shrugged. “They’re idiots. It clearly doesn’t work, so why do they keep trying?”

Laughing, Blaise added, “Good thing Potter’s on the case. There’s nothing he can’t solve, right?”

“Let’s see Potter do his thing.”

“We’ll see soon enough,” Draco replied. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, may I go to sleep?”

“Message received,” Pansy said, standing up from the bed. As she headed for the door, she said, “Goodnight, darling.” Then she turned to Blaise. “Hope you have a nightmare-filled night.”

“Guess you’ll be in it, then,” Blaise shot back.

Without a word, Pansy left the room. Blaise picked up Draco’s pillow and threw it back at him.

“I remember when you two actually got along…”

“With that witch? Not a chance.”

Draco tried not to laugh. “Honestly, how long has this been going on?”

“I don’t know,” Blaise replied thoughtfully. “She’s been acting weird since last summer.”

“Since last summer,” Draco repeated. “Since you started seeing Daphne, you mean?”

“Yeah,” Blaise said. “She’s annoying, alright. I’ve gotten used to it.”

“Merlin,” Draco muttered, shaking his head. “I’m surrounded by the blind…”

“What?”

“Nothing,” Draco said, taking off his sweater as he got ready for bed. He was already looking forward to the morning.

-

The next morning, as he left his room to head down for breakfast, he spotted Harry and his friends about to leave the common room.

“Potter!”

Harry, at the back of the group, stopped and looked at Draco. “Malfoy.”

“Can we talk?”

Harry glanced at Ron and Hermione. “You two go on; I’ll catch up.”

After a brief hesitation and a few disapproving glances, Ron and Hermione left the common room. Harry stepped aside to let them pass, then took two steps toward Draco.

“I’m listening?”

“I’ll be at the usual spot after dinner,” Draco said. “I’m bringing a few books to research. You said you’d help—”

“Did I promise?”

Draco frowned. “Potter.”

Sighing, Harry said, “Fine. I’ll come by.”

“Good. Let your friends know this time, so they don’t get worried.”

Harry chuckled. “Got it. Can I leave now?”

Draco nodded. “See you there.”

“We’ll see.”

“Potter!”

Laughing, Harry left the common room. As he walked through the door, he saw his friends waiting on the other side and sobered up with a sigh.

“What did he want?” Ron asked as they started walking.

“Just help with some research.”

“Are you going to?”

Before Harry could respond, he noticed someone approaching and smiled. “Morning, Nate.”

“Morning,” Nathaniel replied, holding out a well-worn but cared-for book to Hermione. “I believe this is the book you were looking for.”

Hermione took the book with delight. “You’re amazing! How did you find it?”

“When you mentioned it, I wrote to my grandfather. He has a rather unusual library, and he sent it over.”

“Please thank him for me,” Hermione said happily, already starting to leaf through it.

Nathaniel smiled and turned to Harry. “Our plans for tonight are still on, right?”

“Yep,” Harry replied. “I’ll be there, don’t worry.”

“Guess I’ve been cast aside,” Ron grumbled playfully.

They laughed as they continued down the corridor, Hermione absorbed in the book, walking with her nose buried in it. After a while, Ron took her arm to guide her safely, ensuring she didn’t trip.

-

Though they’d agreed to meet after dinner, Draco’s impatience got the better of him, and he went to the library for the necessary books as soon as his classes were over. He placed three books in his bag and headed toward the castle exit. He wanted to get some reading done before Harry arrived, convinced that Harry wouldn’t be much help at this stage.

He stepped out into the courtyard and made his way toward the lake, walking slowly. But then he heard a voice calling out.

“Hey, Malfoy!”

Draco turned to see Jackson Burke, flanked by two other Slytherins a few steps behind him. Their stance reminded Draco of the kind of trouble he used to cause, and he was glad he no longer took part in such nonsense.

“What do you want, Burke?”

“How does it feel to walk around freely after everything you did?”

Draco sighed. “I don’t have time for this. Get lost.”

Draco turned to leave, but Jackson stepped in his way. “So, you’re not untouchable anymore,” he sneered. “Seems your protection only lasted so long, didn’t it?”

“What’s your problem?” Draco asked, his gaze steady.

“You and your family are my problem,” Jackson snapped. “You traitors to purebloods... My family’s in Azkaban because of you, and you’re walking around freely.”

“Guess that means we earned our freedom, and your family chose the wrong side. Don’t try to pin their bad choices on me.”

Jackson Burke was currently a sixth-year student, and his family had served Voldemort. Because he was younger, he’d been kept out of it and, since he hadn’t participated in the war, was allowed to return to Hogwarts. Now he lived with his grandmother.

“You’re awfully bold for someone who’s no longer untouchable.”

“If you think I’m scared of you, you’re an idiot,” Draco said. “I have things to do and don’t have time to waste on you.”

He turned to walk away, but after only a few steps, he heard Jackson shout in anger.

“This time, you won’t get away!” he yelled. Then, “Stupefy!”

Draco chuckled as he turned to face Jackson and his two friends. “Ooh, very stunning…”

“You’ll pay for this!” Jackson snarled, casting another silent spell with a sharp flick of his wand. Still, nothing happened. As he prepared to cast another spell—

“NO!”

The shout made all of them turn. Ron and Hermione were sprinting towards them.

“Expelliarmus!”

Jackson’s wand flew from his hand, and one of the Slytherins raised his own wand at Ron and Hermione. The other, looking unsure, pointed his wand at Draco.

“Don’t even think about it!” Ron warned, stepping in front of Draco. Draco was taken aback, stunned by Ron’s protective stance.

“What were you doing?” Hermione demanded, anger blazing in her voice.

“This has nothing to do with you!” Jackson shouted back. “It’s between me and Malfoy!”

“What the hell are you doing, Weasley?” Draco asked in shock.

“Enough!” Ron shouted, then turned to the Slytherin who had his wand raised at them. “Stupefy!”

The last Slytherin was about to make a move, but Hermione quickly stunned him too.

“What did you cast?!” Hermione demanded angrily, glaring at Jackson.

“I cast whatever I wanted! It’s not like it works! Look at him, he’s perfectly fine! Mind your own business!”

“Damn it,” Ron muttered, moving away from Draco. In a few strides, he reached Jackson, grabbed him by the collar, and yanked him close. “What did you do?”

“You know it well,” Jackson replied, smirking as he looked over Ron’s shoulder at Hermione. “Remember it from Dolohov.”

Furious, Ron shoved Jackson back. “You’re going to regret this.”

“Harry,” Hermione said, her voice filled with worry. “We need to find him.”

“What are you talking about?” Draco asked, trying to understand, confusion evident on his face. “Don’t overreact, nothing’s happened.”

“Neville! Have you seen Harry?!” Hermione shouted as she spotted a group leaving the castle and ran towards them.

Ron approached Draco and grabbed him by the arm. “You’re coming with us.”

Draco tried to pull his arm free, snapping, “Let go of me. You know I don’t get hurt, so this whole reaction is—”

“But Harry does!” Ron glared at Draco, speaking quietly and furiously. “Every spell cast on you— he feels it!”