Hiraeth // draco malfoy

TWO.2

draco malfoy is a prat

Pansy waited for Ophelia at the Slytherin table in the Great Hall. When she noticed her friends facial expression as she entered the room, Pansy knew something was wrong almost right away. "You alright?" She asked her.

"I'm fine." Ophelia grumbled, slouching back in her chair as she watched outward at the students piling in with excitement. She couldn't help but notice Harry, as he walked in with bloodied up clothes and Luna walking beside him.

"Wonder what happened there." Pansy chuckled to herself.

"I think I have a pretty good idea." Ophelia looked to Draco following in as well, and it didn't take long for Pansy to connect the dots.

"Look, I despise Potter as much as the next, but Draco's really got to stop throwing himself in the crossfire." Pansy said while looking at Ophelia.

"What? You expect him not to try and be the center of attention 24/7?" Ophelia commented back, looking to Blaise, who smirked callously. It didn't take long for Draco to seat himself beside Theo at the end, as he rested his chin in the palm of his hand, and directed his attention elsewhere. This was the first time in all of their years at Hogwarts that Draco didn't sit beside Ophelia for the first dinner, and she took notice he did it intentionally. Shortly after eating their supper, Dumbledore emerged at the podium and began his usual speech for the year.

"I never understood why he does this every year. Half the time it's just random quotes that sound as though they're inspirational, but really just the most basic thing you could say." Theo rolled his eyes, whispering and leaning forward onto his elbows.

"Very best of evenings to you all," Dumbledore began, "I'd like to start of by introducing you all to the newest member of our staff,"

"Oh, lovely. Let's see what type of professor we get this year." Ophelia scoffed. It was pretty obvious Hogwarts had a reputation of not choosing the greatest of professors. And each year, they were always coming and going. So nobody held any high hopes for this years.

"Horace Slughorn." An older man stood from his seat and gave a quick wave while everyone clapped. Well, everyone except half the Slytherin table, because frankly most of them couldn't care less. "Horace will be resuming his previous position as Potions master, while the post of Defense Against The Dark Arts will be taken over by professor Snape."

"It's about time. He's been pining for that job for forever." Pansy snickered.

"At least we know we won't have to worry about losing any house points." Theo gave a quick sly smile before they all turned back to Dumbledore. Ophelia couldn't help but notice Draco, still staring off into space with his hand holding his chin. Something was different about him this year, and she couldn't quite place her finger on it. Granted, his father had been sent to Azkaban, that they all knew. And she had even written to Draco toward the end of summer to check in on him, but received no response. This wasn't the cause of his demeanor though. She knew there was more to it. But figuring that out was going to be of great difficulty.

"As you know, you all had been searched prior to arriving here. And you have the right to know why. Once there was a young man who sat in this very hall and walked through this very castle. His name— Tom Riddle." Murmuring escaped the lips of the students around as Dumbledore had said the name of the monster who wanted power over the wizarding world. "Today, of course, he's known by another name. Which is why, as I stand looking out upon all of you, I'm reminded of a sobering fact. Every day, every hour, dark forces attempt to penetrate this castle's walls. But in the end, their greatest weapon is you." His eyes drifted from the crowd, to Ophelia's and then back to everyone else. "Just something to ponder. Now off to bed."

"See what I mean, just another cheesy line coming from a well-spoken man. Had I said that, people would have laughed." Theo said as they all stood from their spots and began to walk from the table, Draco slowly following behind.

"Theo, let's be honest here, I don't think you've ever said an inspirational type quote in your life." Ophelia told him, before Pansy interrupted with a loud grunt.

"Watch it, Greengrass!" She sneered as they all looked to see Astoria taking a step back. "I mean, Gods, do you always walk with two left feet?" Astoria cowered back slightly before looking to Ophelia with a sharp glare. Ophelia didn't have anything to say to her. It wasn't her fault Draco had chosen her for revenge, but Astoria and Daphne had never been nice girls. People always thought Pansy was the mean girl of Slytherin, but that's only because Pansy said her comments to your face. The sisters always said them behind your back. And that's far sneakier.

"Hi, Draco." Astoria said, solemnly, with a kind and sort of angelic voice as she passed him. Ophelia stared at the interaction, noting Draco's unresponsive behavior. He could have easily taken the chance to try and hurt her more by flirting with Astoria or making some witty comment, and he didn't. Odd. With Astoria shuffling away, the five of them made their way to the Slytherin dungeons.

"She's a cunt." Pansy snapped.

"Jesus, Pans, what the hell did she ever do to you?" Theo asked.

"She was born. That's what she did to me." Pansy rolled her eyes at him as they entered into the common room after Blaise had given the password.

"Pans, let's be honest here, you only don't like her because you're obsessed with Ophelia." Theo commented back with a smirk. Pansy's body tensed as she shoved him back a step.

"Piss off! She's my best friend. Sorry all you have is our group and no one who actually wants to hangout with you one on one."

"Oooh! Someone's angry. Say, wanna head to my dorm and let some of that anger out?" Theo reached forward, pulling her by her waist into him.

"Ugh, as if! You're repulsive." Pansy lifted her finger at him with an obscene gesture.

"That's not what you said last year when your tongue was down my throat." Theo licked her cheek seductively as Pansy now pushed him off her.

"That was one time and I was drunk. Get over yourself." Pansy wrapped her arm around Ophelia, who was watching Draco slowly ascend up the staircase to his room. He hadn't said a word. "What?" Pansy whispered to her, before following her line of sight and sighing. "Let it go. I'm sure he'll go back to being the usual prat he always is in no time."