The Loather
Draco Malfoy
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Draco Malfoy drinks to feel a warmth in his throat that he wishes to feel in his whole body. But if asked, he would say that he drinks because it's fun.
Because it is. Especially when his sister isn't around. When intoxicated, he can forget about his troubles. He can forget about the letters from his father that he hasn't answered, the classes that he's dangerously close to failing, and Theodore's constant breakdowns.
The breakdowns are really starting to get on his nerves. The first one happened six months ago. Since then, he's been having them quite frequently. Draco would've thought that, after being together for almost two years, Theodore and Ophelia would tell each other things. "Communication" is the word, he thinks.
Theodore has a habit of going crazy on Draco and Blaise whenever he feels like Ophelia is about to break up with him. "She hasn't spoken to me in two days," he says. "She barely even looks at me anymore."
"Maybe ask her what's wrong instead of bitching about it to us all the time," Draco said once. This caused Theodore to throw a book at him and call him a bitter virgin. He had a bruise on his eye for a week after that.
He supposes he is a bitter virgin. He's had crushes before, but he also has a real talent for driving people away. It's actually impressive. Not just girls, but also friends. Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle stopped speaking to him after their fourth year. Theodore and Blaise probably only talk to him because they literally live with him. Pansy and Daphne only talk to him because of his sister.
He knows that people hate him, but it's a twisted comfort knowing that he hates himself more than anyone else does.
"Draco."
He looks up. Pansy is sitting next to him with a smile. He's always noticed her pretty eyelashes and sharp cheekbones. He catches himself thinking about her from time to time.
"Hey, Pansy."
"What are you thinking about?"
He shrugs. "You," he jokes.
She laughs. "Really?" He smiles awkwardly. Oh, how he wishes he could crawl under his blanket and never come out. Why is everyone in the room watching them?
He scoffs.
"No, why would I be thinking about you?" he says. "I'm just thinking about... how badly I need a drink."
Pansy rolls her eyes. She gets up and sits next to Daphne.
"Hey Draco, isn't that your owl?" Blaise asks. Draco turns around to see his brown eagle-owl tapping its beak against the window.
Draco groans. He opens the window and lets the owl in. It's holding a letter - the Malfoy crest is marked on the envelope. His blood runs cold.
"Merlin, it's my father," he says. "Why does he always write to me?"
"At least he writes you at all," Pansy says. "Ophelia hasn't received a single letter all year."
"She's lucky," he says.
"I'm sure she'd like to get something."
"You don't know anything, Pansy, so shut up."
"You know what?" she says. She stands up. "You're nothing but a shriveled up dick. Daphne and I are going back to our room."
She pulls Daphne up and the two girls leave.
There is a heavy silence that follows.
"Well, open up the letter, why don't you," Blaise says.
"Fuck no." Draco tosses the letter onto his desk.
"Do you think Ophelia is sneaking around with another boy?" Theodore asks.
"Throw one of your fits again and I'm pulling an Unforgivable Curse on you," Draco snaps. "Just fucking talk to her and stop expecting us to know what your girlfriend is doing."
"She's your sister, you know," Theodore says. "Why can't you ask her?"
"Will it make you shut the fuck up?"
"Yes."