Traitor: A Draco Malfoy Story

sixty-two

"Are you sure you're going to stay here for Christmas? You still have time to decide, but Christmas Eve is tomorrow." Hermione asked as we walked to Herbology together. "I'm sure Molly would be happy to have you."

As much as I loved Molly Weasley and her many children, I couldn't bring myself to sit at their table and share a meal with them now that the identity of my father had gotten out. The whispers hadn't stopped, and eyes still followed me everywhere I went. "There's Voldemort's daughter," "Do you think she helps him?" "She's got to be a spy." And my personal favorite:

"Like father, like daughter."

It always took my back to that night in the Ministry, tears staining my face from having just witnessed Sirius' death. Just learning who I really was. I couldn't be the only person that brought up horrible memories for. I was still amazed that Harry even bothered talking to me. But facing Molly, knowing my father had killed so many of her dearest friends...I couldn't do it. There was definitely a reason I hadn't been put in Gryffindor. I was the biggest coward out of anyone.

"No, really, it's fine. You guys will have a ton of fun."

The brunette frowned, but she didn't push. I was glad of that, because I really didn't want to stay here, but I didn't want to go to any of the places offered to me either. At least I had home, or as close to it could be in its Room of Requirement replica. I'd probably spend Christmas eve decorating the apartment.

"Oh, shit," I breathed, pulling Hermione around a corner.

"What?" she exclaimed, but I shushed her. Theo, Marcus Flint, and a few other boys from the Quidditch team walked by the darkened corridor we were hiding in, laughing about something. "Oh," she breathed. "I see."

When they'd passed, we continued our walk to class. "Still avoiding Flint, huh?"

"He did come within inches of killing me, so yeah, I'd say so," I laughed stiffly.

She frowned. "You haven't even been to any games since then, have you?"

"Of course not. I don't need the satisfaction of them seeing me in the stands and not on the field."

"They have one more game tonight; I think you should go," she said, a small smile on her face. "They play Gryffindor, and they don't even acknowledge our presence. We can deck you out in red and yellow, and hide you with me. It's the last game of the semester, you've gotta join!"

I laughed. "Fine, Hermione. I'll go." I moved towards Jenna to sit as Professor Sprout walked to the front of the room.

Jenna slid a piece of folded parchment towards me. "This was slipped in my bag," she whispered. "It's addressed to you. I think my bag was mistaken for yours. Are you going to open it?"

I flipped it over, my name penned in the middle in the curving, jagged script.

"Well, what are you waiting for?" she hissed. "I've been waiting all morning for you to open it, so do it, dammit!"

I smirked. "Maybe I should just open it later. Wouldn't want to give you an aneurysm."

She shoved me. "I swear to Merlin if you don't open it right now--"

Laughing, I slid my finger under the black wax seal and unfolded the letter.

Astronomy Tower at 1pm.
M.F.

"M.F.?" I muttered.

"Marcus Flint?" Jenna offered. Her eyes narrowed as I shuddered. "I really don't think you should meet him anywhere secluded alone."

"Yeah, you think?" I scoffed.

"I'll go with you," she said sharply. "And that's not a suggestion. Merlin knows you aren't the best with your wand, and you'll need back up."