Chapter 1
Year Two, May
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry was in the midst of a crisis, although the esteemed headmaster of said school kept the truth of it quiet. No one on the outside of the hallowed halls knew of the terrifying situation inside. The students were scared and blamed one boy for all the trouble, Harry Potter. Albus Dumbledore, headmaster of Hogwarts, knew that the second year couldn't be responsible - as the feared "Chamber of Secrets" had been opened fifty years prior. Although he knew this, the headmaster had plans for young Harry, so he kept quiet. He didn't know that his plans would have more dangerous obstacles than the young witch that had been brought in to the hospital wing mere moments ago.
News of Hermione Granger's petrification spread quickly. Students had no idea what to believe anymore. They had all been rushed back to their common rooms from the Quidditch Pitch for the game between Gryffindor and Hufflepuff. The Hufflepuff common room, in particular was rife with arguments. The main argument was that Harry Potter couldn't be the famed "Heir of Slytherin" because he'd never harm Hermione, but many still wanted to blame him because he was the only known parslemouth in the school.
Gryffindor's common room was oddly quiet. It was silent, but the conversations were kept to a low whispering. Another one of their own had been petrified and still there was no answer as to who was responsible. Many wanted to talk and theorize -gossip- about the circumstances behind the recent petrification (Why wasn't she at the game?) but they had the decency to keep it mostly quiet.
Harry was having a hard time believing what had happened. Hermione was petrified.
"How? How could this happen to her? She promised she'd be quick. This wasn't supposed to happen."
"Harry, you okay?" Harry looked up to see the twins, Forge and Gred (Fred and George), looking down at him.
"How did this happen? She was supposed to be quick. She shouldn't be there. She shouldn't be laying in that bed. She should be here - telling Ron and I to get our homework done."
Harry dipped his head down, trying to cover his face. His emotions were too high, too strong. He didn't want to cry, not here where there were so many people. The couches cushion dipped down as Fred - or was it George? - sat on his left side. The other twin stepped up against the side of the couch and put a hand on Harry's shoulder. The twins tried to cheer him up.
"She'll be okay." "Yeah, Hermione won't let anything keep her from her schoolwork."
The twins looked at each other and shared a grin. "Exactly, less handsome twin of mine! Come on Harrikins, let's go plan a nice and "friendly" prank for whenever Malfoy opens his mouth."
"What are we doing to Malfoy?" Ron rushed over, eager to get in on anything that would annoy Malfoy.
Next day, outside the Hospital Wing
It had been a full day since Hermione Granger had been petrified. Rumors and disagreements over whether Harry Potter could be the Heir of Slytherin or not were running rampant. Draco Malfoy should have been feeling quite smug in the moment. Should have been being the key.
Currently, Draco was pacing in the hallway outside the Hospital Wing. He didn't understand why he was there. There was no one of importance in there, but he felt a strange pull and he followed it. Why he ended up outside the hospital wing, he had no clue. It was frustrating. He debated whether he should go in or not.
"Mr. Malfoy, do you have business in the Hospital Wing?"
Draco stopped dead and turned to face his transformation professor.
"I don't, Professor McGonagall. I was just talking a walk before dinner."
Minerva McGonnagall drew her lips into a straight line. "If that's all you are doing, perhaps you could go and get your homework done instead. It's not wise to be wandering around the castle right now, especially not alone. Now, go on and get going. It wouldn't do if you got petrified as well." With that she continued on and entered the hospital wing.
Draco turned and headed back towards the Great Hall. He was annoyed that the professor had interrupted him, but she did have a point. He could finally get ahead of Granger (since she wouldn't be able to do her work) and then maybe his father would be proud of him.
He made it to around the corner and stopped. He rubbed a hand against his chest as it pained. Why? What is wrong with me?The strange pull had caused a pain to bloom in his chest. Perhaps he'd have to write his mother later. She knew more about magic than he did, and she was more likely to answer his letter with some actual answers.
His father would scold him for something (whether it was something to actually be scolded for was another question) and then would tell him to figure it out himself (and probably scold him for not doing it himself to begin with. He knew that his father loved him, but the way it was showed? Expensive gifts, lavish opportunities, social events, etc. His father was a rough man that loved his family but didn't quite show it properly.
It's not like he abuses me. He just... doesn't know how to show his affection.
Lucius Malfoy was a man who became a miniature version of his father and Draco was expected to become the same. That's just how Malfoys were.
Draco continued on his path to the Great Hall, not expecting or realizing how the letter he would send that night would change his life.