¿Brave?
She couldn’t stop thinking about how badly things had turned out when the only Black to stray from Slytherin was completely disowned, erased from the family, imprisoned without support. She tried to calm herself, telling herself she was overreacting and praying that the Malfoy blood would prove stronger than the potential Black blood she and her children shared with a blood traitor like Sirius Black.
What was she even saying? Surely, she was imagining things. Perhaps her sweet daughter just had a hint of courage rather than ambition. Lucius had been furious upon finding out and argued that he would do everything in his power to have her transferred to another house, even though they both knew it was impossible. And if he succeeded, what then? Nothing would change the fact that the Sorting Hat had chosen a house completely opposed to the family’s traditions and ideals.
She prayed silently that Draco would keep his sister grounded. She had never opposed her husband’s harsh upbringing of their children, fearing that anything less might lead them astray from the path they were supposed to follow. Their ideals couldn’t change, not even slightly. She wouldn’t allow it. They were the children of Narcissa—formerly Black, now Malfoy—and Lucius Malfoy.
Their path had been laid out long before they were born. And though a part of her knew it might not be right, Narcissa was determined to uphold the family honor and ensure her children stayed on that path, even at the cost of her life.
Meanwhile, classes at Hogwarts with Ginny had brought a rare happiness to the young Malfoy girl. Her father was livid, and while her brother loved her, he didn’t seem to know how to handle the situation. She overheard his friends’ jeers in the Great Hall, mocking the fact that his little sister had ended up in Gryffindor, just like all those filthy Mudbloods and blood traitors. She felt crushed when Draco merely got angry but didn’t defend her.
From Ginny and her brothers—who were still somewhat wary of her, especially Ron, with the exception of the twins—she learned that Draco wasn’t exactly the kindest person. She listened as they talked about his habit of tormenting others, and her stomach turned at the thought of her brother being so cruel.
Fred and George, however, seemed to delight in the fact that there was now a Malfoy in Gryffindor. Their teasing was always lighthearted, almost as though they were trying to make her laugh—and it worked, somehow.
She spent most of her time with Ginny. Ron, Hermione, and Harry mostly watched her with suspicion, as if waiting for her to exhibit some haughty or mean-spirited behavior. But Y/N Malfoy wasn’t like that. She was too shy and inwardly focused to even think of bothering others. If anything, she was terrified that someone might approach her.
At least she always had Ginny on her side. She even heard the redhead arguing with Ron in her defense. Though Ginny was shy too, she seemed to have a courage Y/N wished she could emulate.
"Has your brother spoken to you?" Ginny asked in a low voice, making sure her brothers couldn’t overhear. Y/N hesitated, thinking about how to answer.
"Well… yes. But he doesn’t say much. It’s like he doesn’t want to or doesn’t know how to act around me."
Later, as the students left the Great Hall, Y/N seized her chance to run after Draco. She lightly tugged on his robes, and he turned, ready to mutter some insult, only to stop when he saw her.
"Oh," he murmured. "Is something wrong?"
"I-I…" She faltered. "Have you spoken to Father?"
"Not since he came to see if a house transfer was possible," Draco replied, sounding unsure.
"Are you angry with me?"
"I could never be," he said softly. And in that moment, Y/N saw a glimmer in his eyes that only she could recognize. If there was one thing she was good at, it was reading Draco Malfoy, her older brother. She saw the same look he’d get when she’d asked if Father had punished him too harshly—when he’d smile and deny it.
Her heart ached at the thought that the brother she adored might be disappointed or unsure of how to feel about her being in a house so different from their family’s tradition. Malfoys didn’t end up in Gryffindor…
After a while, Draco left, and Y/N retreated to her dormitory with a heavy heart. They had a free period before their next class, so she sought the privacy of her room. Sitting on her bed, she glanced at the diary she and Ginny had agreed to use together. Perhaps now was the perfect time to write.
"Words written down can sometimes echo the soul in ways we can’t express otherwise," she remembered Draco reciting to her once from one of the books they used to read together.
She picked up the diary, found a quill on her desk, and let out a small sigh before beginning.
"Hello. This is my first year at Hogwarts. I’m Y/N Malfoy. I wasn’t sorted into Slytherin, and my family is a bit disappointed. Are pure-blood wizards only meant to be in that house? I think my brother is upset that his sister is a Gryffindor…"
She paused, considering what else to write. But before she could add more, she noticed the words she had just written vanish from the page. Puzzled, she stared at her quill, wondering if it was enchanted. Then, new words began to appear in the diary.
"Hello, Y/N Malfoy. I’m Tom Riddle. I was sorted into Slytherin, and to answer your question—perhaps. But it’s remarkable that you, a pure-blood, are also brave. Interesting. Your family might be confused, but I believe they’ll value that soon enough."
She heard the door open and turned to see Ginny. Y/N rushed toward her.
"Ginny! By Merlin—the diary!"
"I know… I tried it a few days ago. It’s strange, but… it’s comforting," Ginny admitted.
Y/N looked at the diary with curiosity.
Brave…
Maybe she was. Maybe her family was just shocked now but would come to value it. Right?