First Impressions
Draco
I wrung my wrists. Looking around. I guided my children to the dining hall. Everything is so familiar. The gardens, the halls. It takes me back. I wish she was here. I wish my little girl was here.
"Papa, will you be alright?" Little Scorpius looked up to me. I sighed. I'll keep it together.
Fortunately, the headmistress opted for a private sorting hat ceremony. Scorpius was sorted into Slytherin and Octavia was sorted into Ravenclaw. Both twins walked hand in hand. Only parting to sit at their house tables.
I took a seat at the grand table. Hermoine and Harry sat next to me.
After I lost my little girl, Hermoine and Harry stepped up in keeping me together. Because they helped me, we grew very close. Hermoine and Harry have children of their own, so they were able to empathize with the loss of my daughter.
"Professor Malfoy, such a good ring to it," Hermione said. Hermoine was a Professor that teaches Arithmancy. Harry took up the position of teaching Defense against the dark arts. I was glad that I have two friends for me to confide in. The grief and emotions are kicking in, now that I'm back at Hogwarts.
--
I walked into the Slytherin commons. The room was warmer and the villainous tone was replaced with warm lights and green accents. It looked more like a snake's den than a death eater spawner. The students gathered in the room, excited to see the new head of the Slytherin house.
I cleared my throat. Everyone quieted down. I took a breath. You can do this, she would want you to do this. I spotted a girl sitting in the middle of the couch. She had long blonde hair, braided in two twin tails, held together by white ribbons. She sat there, crossing her legs and her arms. Looking at me with an expectant look on her face. She gave me a look that says, "you can do it."
"Hello everyone. My name is Professor Malfoy. I will be taking over as the Potions Professor. And I will be your new acting head of the Slytherin household. Let me lay down some house rules." Everyone groaned but understood the expectations that came with uplifting the Slytherin name.
"One, do not under any circumstances bully, exclude, or harass any student at this school. Even each other. Do not follow my example when I was younger. I was a twat back then." Everyone giggled, and the blonde girl laughed.
"Two, the Slytherin House Secrets stay in the Slytherin house. If you want to open up to a trusted adult, then open up to me." Everyone agreed and nodded.
"Three, do not resort to violence in any situation. Even when you know you're in the right. Do not. It is not worth forsaking your honor. If something is happening, you report straight to me. Understand?" Everyone murmured but eventually came around to agreeing.
"Four. Keep the commons clean, clean up after yourself, act like civil dorm mates, and no unapproved parties." I said. The blonde girl raised her hand.
"Yes?"
"So we can have parties, we just have to ask you?" She smiled.
"Yes. But it will be tame." I warned
"No, no of course it will." She gave me a knowing smirk. Such a cheeky girl.
"What is your name, I have a feeling that I'll be hearing about you," I asked. She rolled her eyes, clearly not amused.
"My name is Laurelie Rae." She casually told me. Not taking me seriously.
"Well, Laurelie, keep out of trouble." She sighed. "Well, it takes one to know one." She sat up and walked toward the dorm. Everyone dispersed.
A boy walked up and started talking to me. "Don't mind her. She doesn't take well to new adults trying to run the place. You'll soon earn her trust. She's kind of hard to handle sometimes." He shrugged. I thank him for the warning.
Things are getting quite interesting.
---
I found myself in a morning classroom. Everyone came pouring in. I spotted Laurelie sitting in the corner with her friends. She was reading her notes. I cleared my throat and got to teach.
"Today class, we will be learning how to brew Alihotsy Draught. A potion that when taken, will make the user laugh uncontrollably. I figured we would have a little fun today. How does that sound?" Everyone agreed. They started setting up their potions and poured them into the pantry to retrieve their ingredients. I passed around the written instructions to the students.
"The Potions textbook is out of date, and archaic. Until we have new ones, you'll be using my guide." I notice Laurelie squinting at my packet. She looks confused. Or critical. I can't tell the difference.
A few minutes into class and already, Laurelie was already done with brewing. I went to her table and saw my packet torn in half. I looked at her, the absolute gall.
"Why didn't you use my guide?" I asked her. She narrowed her eyes.
"There's always a different and more effective way to make the potions. Using some parts of the ingredients makes it potent and effective. Brewing it at a slightly different temperature will speed up the process and make the consistency more accurate to the description. No offense, but your method of brewing does not suit my needs." She cut down my instructions and nit-picked my packet. I felt embarrassed and enranged. I kept it together and decided to test the potion myself.
One drop on my tongue and I burst out laughing. Everyone looked at me in bewilderment. I was laughing uncontrollably. Trying to gasp for breath. Laurelie only leaned back.
"It could've been better. You were only supposed to smell it." She looked at me, unamused. Everyone murmured and giggled. Laughing at the fact that a 13-year-old girl showed up as a Professor. And I felt belittled.
You win this round, Laurelie.
---
In the dining hall, I complained about the girl. "She's always so smug! Why did she have to blatantly disrespect me like that? I was only trying to help the class, and she dismissed my very precise instructions like it was nothing!" I ranted. This girl has absolutely no respect for me and I wasn't having it.
"This Laurelie girl, she seems a lot like you." Hermoine mused.
"What do you mean?" I asked her. Not even processing the fact.
"What do you mean? I would never-" Harry cut me off
"You acted like a smartass all the time, Malfoy. And you did disrespect some Professors too." Harry recalled the moment in the woods. I flushed in embarrassment.
"Laurelie is the most driven and clever in my class. Often uses loopholes or different ways of thinking to achieve what she wants. Sometimes it does annoy me, but it's pretty creative. To break out of the mold, to try to find another way no matter what. She's one of a kind. Eerily so much like you." She turned to me. I guess that's a good trait.
"Laurelie likes to challenge almost everyone. I only secured her respect when I started to cut down on the house superiority. She's really critical of new professors and adults. She holds them to a high standard. I wonder, who hurt her?" Harry remarked.
"She's from a crowded foster home. The poor girl was cast out by her original family." I stilled. It was like Ice pouring over my body. Hermione looked at me.
"Sorry. I should've been careful." I sighed. It never gets easier.
"In every student, especially in Laurelie, I see her. I see my Libra. And it doesn't get easier." I shakily said. Harry patted my back, sad at my grief.
"Of course, it wouldn't maybe forever. But, you have Scorp and Octavia. Keep them close." Hermoine told me. I nodded. I'll never let them go. Never.
---
I walked into the room and saw children crowding over a post-it note. They were talking to each other, trying to figure out what it means.
I took the note and read it out loud to the Slytherins coming into the room.
"Slytherin House Secret #1: A Slytherin is in love with a popular Gryffindor student. So, I have a challenge. If you find out who the Gryffindor student is, you'll be receiving 20 gold galleons. If you find out two of them, I'll throw a Silver Arrow Broomstick along with 30 galleons." Everyone gasped. Oh no. This isn't going to go over well.
"Students, listen up. I'll let the investigation go, but do not disturb the students, disturb the classrooms and disturb the peace. The investigations will be quiet and discreet. If you find the person who posted the post, then report it to me. Are we clear?" Everyone agreed. Good, let the games begin.
Maybe I should play. Scorpius has been eyeing that broomstick for the longest time.
I do have a rough clue on who it could be. But I might be wrong.
---
I walked into the commons at 4 am and saw Laurelie, sitting on the black couch, staring into the fire.
"What are you doing up?" I asked her, sitting next to her as she stared into the roaring fire. She shrugged. "Can't sleep nightmares." She murmured. I frowned. I bumped into her subtly.
"Mind telling me what it was?" I asked her. She started talking. "These men shoved me in a white shed, closed it shut, and set it on fire. This time, in the dream, I wasn't able to escape. I died. Burning alive. Wishing my family was there to save me." I stilled. Sighing I pulled her In a half hug. Her head was buried in my chest. She probably doesn't understand what she's feeling. But she returned my hug.
"You don't have to go through this alone." She nodded. "People tell me that but I can't help wanting to hide." I quirked my head. "Hide?" She nodded again.
"I've been hiding ever since." She shook her head. I sat next to her, striking up a conversation as she leaned against my arm. She sighs.
"I'm sorry for being so rude in class yesterday. I just- wasn't used to your teaching style. I should've been nicer." I shrugged.
"You were just distrustful. I understand. So, truce? No hazing?" She nodded. "You're all right Mr. Malfoy." I smiled. Her hair was in disarray.
"Can I braid your hair?" She nodded. I started brushing her hair with my fingers. I sectioned the hair off. Braiding the left part.
"Mr. Malfoy?"
"Hm?"
"Do you ever find yourself wondering how it would pan out if you did something differently?"
"All the time. Every time." I instantly told her. Not holding back. She responds better to genuine intentions and honesty. So I'll give her honesty.
"I do too. I always do." She said. I nodded. "It never stops. The feelings of being abandoned. It doesn't but. I have to go on. To spite the people who abandoned me." She tightened her grip on her pajama bottoms. I frowned. Who in their right mind would ever abandon her like that. She leans closer to my shoulder and I let her. It's so natural between us. Like we've done this a hundred times before.
--
At 7:30 am me and Laurelie walked to the dining hall. She sat at her usual spot and I went to the great table. "You've gotten closer to her." Hermoine pointed out as she ate an apple.
"Is it obvious?" Harry scoffed.
"You walked her to the dining hall." Makes sense. Scorpius walks to me and starts asking me a myriad of questions.
"Father, are you now friends with Laurelie Rae?" He asked me. I smiled slightly.
"You could say that." Scorpius grinned. "Can you introduce me? I want to become her friend."
"You should introduce yourself." I encourage him until he went over to talk to her. She looked up at him, clearly confused. He opens his mouth. He looked nervous. She smiled. and nodded. She made space for Scorpius and he sat next to her. Scorpius motioned for Albus to join her. They made a trio. And I was pretty proud of him. My Scorpius was growing up. I just with Libra grew up with him. I went back to eating my oatmeal.
--
I got through my class when I heard some commotion outside of the door.
"Get out of the way James, I told you, I didn't steal whatever you think I stole." Laurelie was trying to get past but the taller kid blocked her. She was getting annoyed and frustrated.
"Rae, I know you. You've stolen from me before." He crossed his arms. She sighed breathing out a shaky breath.
"And I gave it back, I haven't stolen anything since. Now get out of the way. Just because you're a Potter, doesn't mean you can get whatever you want." James Potter is the oldest of the Potter clan. Can this girl hold her own or do I have to step in?
"I know for sure-"
"Ok dipshit! How, how do you know for sure. I was at the Dining hall most of the time, at 2 pm I went to the gardens and I can have Rachel and Jackson vouch for me, I was helping plant turnips. Then at 3 pm I went down and studied in the library for an hour. The librarian was watching me the whole time, go talk to her. Now I went to a DADA class and now you, Mr.dipshit decided to harass me and accuse me based on bias and unfounded evidence. So unless you have a clear chain of evidence, fuck off." She was fed up. Everyone was jeering and murmuring. A small crowd formed around the two people. Probably because of Jame's popularity.
He was seething. I guess he hates being corrected.
"Fine. But if I hear that you did do it, I'm coming for you." She walked past after saying, "As if you can make my life a living hell. You have no idea how much I have on you." She marched away. Frustrated. She made her way down the dining hall.
"I can see you following." I caught up to her, walking next to her, in step.
"That was impressive back there." She sighed. "I hate being accused of something I did not take part in. James just has it for me because I did one stupid thing. The stupid kid thinks he can act like his father. Dumbass." She sighed. Standing still for a while. Looking down.
"I don't want a rivalry but this kid does. And I don't know what to do and how to take it. I'm following the no-violence rule. Don't worry. But don't be surprised if he comes in with a broken nose." I laughed. This kid is too good.
---
James bumped into Laurelie, making her drop her books, he sneered. Suddenly something in Laurelie snapped. Maybe it was stressed but she pushes him back.
"The fuck is your problem Potter!"
"My problem is that you act so pretentious all the time!"
"How would you know?! You're not in my year dipshit! Why are you paying attention."
"Cause no matter what I do, you catch it ok! and it drives me crazy!" She looked at him, bewildered she starts leaning back.
"Cut the shit, James." He groans. "I can't promise a thing." He smirked. She groaned in frustration.
"I don't want to be your rival. I want to study."
"You never had a chance anyway. Watch your back." He bumped into her again, walking away.
---
Another post-it note was pasted on the banister of the fire. I picked it up and read it to the group.
"This just in- The Gryffindor student likes the Slytherin student back! I'll be back with more updates, losers." Everyone celebrated. People have been rooting for this unlikely couple. I smiled. The house unity is finally here. As long as nothing horrible happens, everything will be fine.
--
Last morning, I spotted James stalking up to Laurelie. I can see her groan. What's happening next? She crossed her arms, trying to look away.
They were close to me so I can hear their conversation.
"What do you need now, James?"
"Have you heard of the rumors?" He nervously said.
"What rumors?" She asked back. Interested.
"SHS. A Slytherin likes a popular Gryffindor. And the Gryffindor likes her back. Seem familiar." She narrowed her eyes.
"Huh?" She was munching on a green apple, pretty weirded out. He sighed. He leaned forward, she leaned back. But their noses were touching. She looked at him with wide eyes and he gave a warm smile.
"What the fuck are you doing James." She gritted out. She craned her neck and tightened her hands.
"I'm shooting my shot." She grimaced. "Spit it out! I don't do hints!" He sighed. Getting frustrated. He put his hands on her shoulders. And leaned a little back. He looked her in the eyes and said something that seemed so alien, and so sudden to her.
"I fancy you. I always have. Always will. I fancy you and your hair and your eyes. I fancy you. and I've been a huge idiot and twat. Making up horrible excuses to be mean to you, to get closer to you, and stuff. And I thought I had no shot until I heard about the SHS. So, tell me. Do you fancy me too?" Her cheeks reddened. She squirmed and reacted to each word he said. She played with her fingertips. Trying to think of the right choice to make. She was a little doubtful.
"you're not messing with me?" She asked. He shook his head. "absolutely not. I am smitten with you." He grins. Hopeful with his heart. His eyes were shining. Wanting to hear her reaction.
"I- like you too. But I need to warn you. I'm lying to your face all the time. and I'm secretive and sometimes a little shit." he sighs.
"I'm all right with that." She smiles.
"Well, do you want to" She got cut off quickly?
He leans in and kisses her on the lips. He gently held her by the arms and pushed into her a bit further. He was trying to be careful, taking care of her. He only cared about her comfort. The whole dining hall was cheering, the Slytherins were clapping and the Gryffindors were whooping!
"HAH! I TOLD YOU SO! IT WAS THEM!" Scorpius pointed at them Albus sighed. "dammit, I owe you 30 galleons." I sat up. He has the money. He's the son of a bitch who made chaos in my common room! I pointed at them. Shouting to get his attention
"It's you! You're the one who put the note!" He looked at m with an alarmed expression. He shot out from his seat and dashed away, clearly knowing that he was done for.
"ALBUS!" Harry ran after his son. He was shouting after him. "You are so grounded! Get back here son!" The crowd was laughing and cheering. James was protectively having his arm around her. She was leaning into his body. He shot glares at the jeerers, puffing out his chest and trying to look intimidating. Smoothing out her hair as he walked her to her potions class.
---
Narrator.
After a long day, Rae went to her dorm. Fortunately, she had the dorms to herself. Her dorm mate wanted to transfer to Paris. She looked around and noticed that the coast was clear. Suddenly her hair changed, going from blonde to brown. Her hair was curly and messy, instead of being straight. Her eyes turned blue and she got taller. She sighed. Crawling into her bed, she covered her whole body and tried to get to sleep
Being a Animagi was tiring.
and what was more tiring was hiding from her family. From her dad. But she still couldn't find it in herself to reveal herself. It seems like Libra Malfoy was dead to her.
She preferred to keep it that way. At least for now.