Aftermath
Draco, Summer Break before his 4th Year, 1994-
After the Quidditch World Cup is when chaos reigns down. His father, smiling as the Dark Mark shoots into the air, is a sight he'll never forget. He hears a symphony of screams and feet running through trees, hands catching bodies as people trip on tree roots. Muggles scream as they're flipped up in the air. The world slows as his head whips around. His father's laugh. His mother's silent sobs.
He grabs his wand and races into the woods at his mother's whispered words. Her fear and loyalty to her husband keeps her stuck in place, but it's not safe for him.
Draco's feet carry him, his heart racing. He knew this was coming, of course he did. He just wished it wasn't real.
He slows down, leaning up against a tree in the shadows, watching the mayhem when the Golden Trio races past him. Until Ron trips, yelping in pain. He bites down on his tongue not to laugh at the splat on the forest floor.
Hermione is anxious, quickly whipping out her wand to cast a Lumos. "Tripped over a tree root," Ron's voice gruffs out.
He can't stop himself, a drawl in his voice as he steps into the light, "Well, with feet that size, hard not to."
Draco's eyes widen as Ron tells him to do something that would never come out of his mouth in front of his mother. They narrow, glittering in the moonlight as he tips his head back, “Language, Weasel.” His eyes flick over to Granger with a soft frown. “Hadn't you better hurry along, now? Wouldn't want her spotted, would you?”
A magical blast sounds like a bomb near the campsite, and a flash of green light lit the trees to the left of them.
“What's that supposed to mean?” Granger squawks defiantly.
Malfoy sighs, continuing, “Granger, they're after Muggles. D’you want to be showing your knickers midair? Because if you do, stay here, they're moving this way… be a hell of a laugh.”
“Hermione is a witch,” Harry practically spits at him.
“Have it your own way, Potter,” Draco's lips twitch into a practiced grin. “If you think they can't spot a Mudblood, stay where you are.”
Draco frowns as they run off.