Apathetic Reactions
It was at age seven when Draco learned that his life was planned out for him. Christmas in the Manor meant Draco being ushered around the rooms with polite introductions to every important person he was supposed to develop connections with. It did not matter if he did not like said persons but rather if their interest in Draco would further boost the Malfoy name. Draco longed to bask in the shadows, observe the obscenely rich but also drunk wizards make complete fools of themselves.Yet when his father demanded his presence to introduce him to the Zanbinis– he followed because his family name would go to ruin if he did not.
Hogwarts was no exception from his father’s obsessive planning over Draco’s life. From his class schedule to his position on the Quidditch team, it was all his father’s doing. Draco was living the life of his father and that is… okay, Draco is completely fine. Of course it made things like Christmas more agonizing than fun and yes, Draco would rather be at Hogwarts than the company of his father but it was okay.
Draco is fine.
Draco put on his carefully constructed sneer that was expected– needed of him as he entered his fifth year at Hogwarts. He was not quite sure what would happen if he lost the Malfoy front, lost control of emotions he’d rather pretend don’t exist, but Draco could assume his father would reign hell on him for the rest of his life. Disowning would be easy, his father would not stop until Draco is on his knees begging his father for mercy. A Malfoy has to be emotionless but cruel, unforgiving but loyal, and massively rich (and make sure everyone is aware of this fact).
However, his father managed to find him some good friends at Hogwarts. Draco loved Pansy and Blaise, Crabbe and Goyle are complete idiots but bearable. He has known each one of them since he was an infant, perfectly manicured relationships curated by his father for future success among pureblood families. Pansy was annoying but somewhat caring, there was no doubt in Draco’s mind that she would go down fighting for Draco in every lifetime they have together. Blaise was quiet but strangely fun; however rare, their secret talks late at night have saved Draco from the weights and pressures that came with his last name. Yet for every Slytherin, there is unfortunately a Gryffindor that shares oxygen. For Draco, there was one Gryffindor that makes him want to plunge his eyes out and scream–
Harry Potter.
Harry Potter is the embodiment of everything Draco hates. Absolutely no class whatsoever, a rats nest of hair, robes that swallowed his body whole, and a damn savior complex in absolutely everything he does. Draco is convinced that this complex has only gotten worse since the Triwizard Tournament, a completely ridiculous “poor me” act that Potter has been walking around with since the start of this year. Potter views himself as better than a Malfoy and if Draco did not go down trying to destroy the life of Harry Potter, one should make sure Draco is in his right state of mind. Although whenever he attempts to scheme with his friends, he just receives groans in response. It is not like he talks about Potter that much, it just angers him when Potter dares to look at him with his bright green eyes or mock him with his clearly chapped lips. There was just something so… Potter that brings everything not-Malfoy to the surface.
Although the second most tortuous development this year at Hogwarts seems to be Pansy’s new infatuation with Blaise. Every moment she has she is draping her body over Blaise’s lap, one day hoping to catch Blaise staring at her chest. It was humiliating and Draco could not stand to watch after a whole Potions class with the two of them. So here he was, walking alone and as far as he can from his agonizing companions with no entertainment and complete and in a state of utter bored–
Well, wasn’t that just unexpected.
There he was, the source of all of his suffering, peacefully laying on the grass, and waiting for the taking; Draco would never refuse an opportunity such as this. All of his previous brooding vanished in an instant and an almost giddy smile took up his face before it was quickly formed into a Malfoy smirk.
This is going to be good, “Potter, I'm looking for Cedric, would you like to tell me where he is?” Draco frowned for only a few seconds noting Potter’s reaction, well lack thereof. He crossed his arms as he stood over Potter as his vibrant green eyes squinted up at him. A warm heat of fury consumed Draco’s body as the eyes he longed to have focused on him fixated on Draco’s figure. Yet there was still no response so Draco had to dig deeper, “What? Scared you might have seen Voldemort again?”
Again with the boring responses, Potter’s reply was meaningless to Draco with the lack of rage surrounding it. He wanted to see something so if that had to be fear, so be it. With his wand at Potter’s scar, a smile pulled at his lips with excitement about the possibility of bringing up fear deep within the boy sitting below him. “Even the ministry cannot believe your ludicrous stories, so why don’t you stop with this depressing act?” and there it was, Draco admired Potter as he watched the rage meet his eyes. There was something almost beautiful about riling Potter up. Draco stood silent as he watched Potter glare up at him with his wand still pointed to the “Boy Who Lived”’s forehead. Yet even Draco knew this silence between them would not last for long.
“You know as well as I do that I wasn’t lying, Malfoy. You probably already see daddy dearest preparing for the occasion.”
Draco could only remain in his facade of callousness for so long around Potter and for a moment there was a crack in the appearance he desperately clung onto. An animal sound ripped out of him as he shoved his wand harder into Potter’s scar before he adjusted his wand so it was under Potter’s chin. He had hoped to keep this secret quiet for longer, waiting until the perfect moment to surprise Potter with it but for now, this would have to do. If he was going to let Potter know about his new role, he would enjoy the sight of Potter’s reaction during it.
“You better watch that mouth of yours Potter. With Umbridge here, I’ve become a prefect,” Draco recognized as the power dynamic between the two of them gradually shifted towards him as he relaxed, “This year is just going to get much harder for you.”
Potter’s emerald eyes showed in vague surprise until a little smirk graced his lips as Potter responded, “One would like to think you’re a little obsessed with me Malfoy.”
Oh, how Draco Malfoy hated Potter. He hated how Potter bumped his shoulder as he walked away, leaving heat in the place of where his mortal enemy touched him. He despised that Potter was able to ignore his shouts as Draco watched the back of Potter’s robes flow lightly in the breeze. Most of all, he loathed the way Potter seemed to ignite something unexplainable in Draco but had no conceivable reaction in return. Where was the boy that would tackle him at the mere sound of his voice? Where was the rage at perceived injustices of the world that Draco saw in Potter? Where was the Harry Potter that Draco knew?
With this question Draco suddenly felt thin hands slip around his shoulders and connect on his chest. He flung his head back and groaned at the deep green that adorned these nails. “Pansy, why are you here?”
She laughed as she unhooked her hands to move in front of him, “I was busy watching you beg for Potter’s attention.” Draco felt his cheeks warm at the comment and annoyance replace the anger left from his conversation with Potter. “I just hate to see how superior he thinks he is to everyone, I want to see him fall from his high horse.” Draco slowly smiled as his hands uncurled from fists when he imagined Potter pathetically on his knees, pleading and begging with Draco to forgive him for all that he had done.
“Darling, you will get the chance, being a prefect and all.”
He looked up to Pansy watching her crossed arms and small smirk on her red stained lips as his expression mirrored that of hers. “I will and I promise to have Potter groveling at my feet by the time winter break rolls around.”
“Sure you will Draco, sure you will.” With that, both Pansy and Draco made their way to the castle for the next source of entertainment; Defense Against the Dark Arts with Professor Umbridge.