Alternate Universe - brothers Draco & Harry

Chapter 13 - the Hard pill to Swallow

The Winter break was here, all students said their goodbyes, ready to go home. Hercules was already packed, he had said his goodbyes and was waiting on Draco to join before everyone had to make their way to the train station. Hercules sat outside in the courtyard together with Blaise, Crabble, and Goyle, the four boys talked, joked, and discussed their upcoming Christmas plans.

"So, is your family going anywhere?" Blaise asked, watching as the other students franticly ran around, hugging, saying goodbye or even exchanging gifts.

"Us? I don't think so," Hercules answered. "Our extended family are coming over though, our uncle too."

"Does that mean Luney Lovegood will be there too?" Blaise joked, earning an eye roll from the boy.

"She's not looney," he answered. "And yes, Luna will be there. This is the first Christmas ever that we'll get to spend together with her."

"I see."

Meanwhile, Aurelia and Saskia had all their belongings, ready to head to the rain. "Ugh," Aurelia sighed. "I think I left my case upstairs." She began to look around, trying to see if she had taken it or not.

"I can go and get it with you," Daphne stated. So the two girls walked upstairs, leaving Saskia and Pansy back in the common room.

"Saskia," Pansy spoke up. "Stay here and watch our stuff. I have to quickly go to professor McGonagall's office, okay? I'll be back in 10." Saskia nodded, "Alright."

And so the girl sat around and waited, watching the other students filter in and out of the common room. Her eyes wandered over the space, before someone approached her from behind, startling the girl. "Oh," she jumped slightly. "It's you."

"Nice to see me too," Draco smiled wickedly. "Be glad I'm blessing you with my presence." Saskia always felt like he had something under his skin when they talked. The only time he was nice to her was when they were studying alone in the evenings, and that was only because he thought she was her sister.

"Go away, Draco, I'm in no mood," Saskia huffed. 

But the boy was not eager to leave. "Why so glum? Did you not get much sleep last night or something?" his grey eyes were narrow, never leaving her features. He seemed to be studying her reactions.

Saskia gulped and averted her gaze almost immediately. She actually hadn't gotten much sleep the night before, since her and Draco had been up talking very late, almost until 2 am. 'I can't say that,' Saskia thought to herself. 'Draco was under the impression that yesterday he spent the whole evening with Aurelia. Ugh... Why am I even doing all this? I must be losing my mind.'

"No, uhh," she again met his gaze head on. "I slept well. Yeah, was in bed by 10." 

"Were you now?" his smirk more defined.

"Yes, I just act like this each time I see you, Draco. It's this rare power you have, when you suck all the happiness and energy out of the room."

Draco's expression fell upon hearing her words, she could see annoyance flare up in his eyes before the boy turned and walked away, unsatisfied with the conversation. 'That's what he gets,' she thought. 'He's such a snake.'

............................

The boys were finally home. Draco and Hercules both ran to hug their mother, as she kneeled down and enveloped the two in a tight squeeze. Lucius saw the infectious smile on his wifes face, almost to the point it made him smile. But the man quickly gathered his composure.

Once everyone was settled, Lucius asked Hercules to meet him in his private library. This was rare, usually the two boys were never allowed inside. Draco looked on, nervous for his brother, as Hercules, following their father behind, entered the library. The room was cosy and dark but had a tall ceiling, shelves of books lining the walls, and in the middle was a large window with a massive oak desk. There was only one photo on the mans desk, it was a picture with the four Malfoys when the boys were younger, around 4 years old.