How to break Malfoy’s heart
Harry walked into the Great Hall, greeted by applause and cheers of adoration. Even the Slytherin table participated, though more reserved. That’s more like it, Harry thought.
He walked along the Gryffindor table until he found the perfect seat: near the exit and allowing Harry to observe the Slytherin table, or more specifically enabling him to peep on Malfoy. The students currently occupying the perfect seat immediately scooted over, making room. Harry winked at the students in thanks – one of the younger boys nearly fainted – and plopped down.
Ron, grinning like a loon, sat down beside him. “I love our fame.” He waved at a group of girls who giggled.
Hermione grumbled as she gracefully took a seat. “It’s already going to both your heads.”
Before she could lecture them, McGonagall began her welcoming speech as new headmistress.
Harry's gaze and attention wandered until it caught on a blonde mop of hair. Malfoy was squeezed between Goyle and Parkinson. Goyle stared intensely at his empty plate as if willing it to fill itself. Parkinson pressed her bosom to Malfoy’s arm, batting her eyelashes up at him while murmuring something into his ear.
Something icy shot through Harry’s chest, making him suck in a sharp breath. Were both of them still a couple? They attended the yule ball in fourth year together and Harry had seen them intimately close several times. Though in sixth year when Harry paid very close attention to the prick – something he was not proud of and was thoroughly scolded for by Hermione and teased for by Ron; though he was right – they weren’t that tightly attached.
Maybe they were a couple again. The thought made him somehow furious, and Harry was surprised by his reaction. Why was he angry about Malfoy and Parkinson having a relationship? Was it because Malfoy apparently had someone who liked him enough to be with him, and Harry had not? That had to be it. Malfoy did not deserve such happiness. Especially not if Harry didn't have a relationship.
He wistfully thought about Ginny. After the war, their relationship was strained. They had tried in the summer. But it just didn’t feel right. Harry couldn’t see Ginny as anything else than a sister. And Ginny confessed to struggling with her sexuality. During her sixth year in Hogwarts, she got to know Luna Lovegood rather intimately. And when kissing Harry, her thoughts always strayed to Luna. Harry had told her that it was okay, that she should go for it. The heart wants what the heart wants after all. So they split amicably.
Harry couldn't help but long for the concept of a relationship. He wanted a person who accepted him for who he was. Someone who wanted him for him, and not for the fame, the money, or the power. That Malfoy had something like that, and Harry did not just wasn’t fair. Didn’t the hero get the girl at the end? Why did the villain get a girl?
Malfoy blushed when Zabini said something to him, and he looked up, meeting Harry’s stare. He blushed even more, quickly averting his eyes. Harry’s chest constricted. Godric, how he hated Malfoy. His hatred even got physical!
With one last glare, Harry turned to listen to the last bit of McGonagall’s speech.
“…remind you that the Forbidden Forest is – as the name implies – forbidden. Anyone disregarding those rules will be punished severely regardless of age and experience.” She stared sternly down at the students. Harry shifted in his seat, feeling McGonagall’s gaze lingering on him accusingly.
“As for class and rooming arrangements: this year is a little bit different. We have two graduating classes this year; the seventh-years and the eighth-years. For reasons of space, the eighth-years have to stay in a separate castle wing. Don't worry, the rooms are arranged by house and gender. However, there is a common room for the whole eighth grade. Now, as for classes the eighth-years will be combined with the seventh-years. We have not enough staff to offer separate classes. The classrooms will be expanded accordingly.” The headmistress declared all that in her no-nonsense voice.
Then, her expression and voice gentled and she smiled mischievously at the students. “Now, I have a message from my esteemed predecessor: Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak!”
The students cheered and the tables filled themselves with plates of food. Ron was tucking in enthusiastically while Hermione watched him with a wrinkled nose. Harry filled his plate and ate contemplatively, sneaking glances at a certain blonde every now and then, and definitely not admiring the way the Slytherin managed to look elegant while eating.
Nobody had protested the new sleeping arrangements too badly because all that really changed was the eighth-year common room. Harry found it quite useful actually, because it simplified spying on Malfoy.
In the safe environment of the Gryffindor boys’ dorm Harry gathered everyone to convey his thoughts about Malfoy.
“Bloody Malfoy. He’s such a prick. Insulting us before the term even starts. He hasn’t changed one bit. He’s still the bigoted prick he was before the war.” Harry rambled.
Ron nodded vigorously in agreement. “Yeah. Why is the ugly ferret even here?”
“Now, Ron. That’s a bit harsh.” Neville mumbled.
“What? Are you okay with him being here, flouncing around like nothing happened? He made our lives hell, Neville. He made your life hell. And mark my words, he will do it again!” Ron exclaimed heatedly.
Neville held up his hands in defense. “I can’t say I’m particularly happy Malfoy’s back. But I think he deserves a second chance. And Hogwarts as an educational institution has a certain responsibility to form its students views on magic and wizarding kind.”
“I agree that Malfoy deserves another chance.” Dean piped up. “When I was imprisoned in his cellar, he was the nicest one to bring us food. And he seemed like a very scared kid, like all of us were.”
“But he said the m-word! We can’t let him get away with everything as he pleases. He needs to be put in place and soon.” Ron protested.
“I’m with Harry and Ron on this. I want to pay him back for all the unpleasantness of the last few years.” Seamus agreed. “Come on, Dean, Neville. He will be as nasty as ever to all of us.”
Dean and Neville shared a look. “What do you plan on doing, then?” Dean inquired.
“Well, that’s the thing” Harry said, “It can’t be anything too extreme like sending him to Azkaban or worse, getting him expelled. Hermione will kill us if we do that. And a little hexing or pranking won’t cut it. We have done that already all those past years and it hasn’t fazed the wanker one bit.”
“We need something really humiliating to knock him off his high horse” Ron pondered. “Something that will hurt his pride.”
“So we're going the emotional way”, Seamus said consideringly. “I heard something very interesting when I had to use the loo on the train earlier. I had to walk past the Slytherins’ compartment, and they were loudly discussing how Malfoy has the hots for our Harry, here.”
“Wh–What?” Harry exclaimed in shock. “I thought Malfoy is with Parkinson?”
“Hah, the ferret is bent! That’s too precious!” Ron crowed.
“Actually, I identify as bisexual“, Neville announced indignantly. “I don’t think anyone should hold their sexuality against someone.”
Ron looked slightly abashed, mumbling “Sorry, Neville.”
“Right”, Seamus continued into the awkward silence. “Back to the matter at hand. I’m pretty sure of what I heard. He can’t be with Parkinson. Even if he is, it’s surely just for show.”
Somehow, Harry felt relief flushing trough him. Probably because he had nothing to be envious about, now.
“So, what is your plan? Do you want to write to the Prophet and out him to the world? Coming out should never be forced like that.” Neville said, still looking rather outraged.
“What about writing to his mother?” Ron suggested. “As a pureblood he is supposed to produce offspring and he will disappoint family expectations if he’s gay.”
“That’s still forcing him to come out, Ron” Dean said annoyed. “Neville is right. It’s none of our business when and how Malfoy wants to come clean. And if you’re writing his mum you would not only hurt Malfoy but his mum, too.”
“Yeah, we can’t do that” Harry chimed in. “His mother saved my life, I owe her. We should focus on just Malfoy and leave everyone else out of it.”
“Okay, what do we know about Malfoy?” Seamus asked, frowning in concentration.
“That he’s the greatest git alive” Ron supplied readily.
Harry nodded. “And a bigoted asshole.”
“He’s rich and a pureblood” Dean added.
“He’s a coldhearted prick. He doesn’t show any emotion unless he’s ridiculing others. Though I saw him blushing at dinner today, that is new… Oh! He is good at potions. And he is left-handed. And he only drinks tea with at least two teaspoons of sugar. If he’s in an especially bad mood he uses even more sugar.” Harry listed everything that came to mind when he thought about Malfoy, not noticing the disturbed looks his roommates gave him.
“He’s a fit bloke” Neville said solemnly. At the outraged cries from Ron and Harry he said defensively, “What? I have eyes!”
“Right”, Seamus rolled his eyes. “All well and good, but you have all forgotten the most important thing. Malfoy is gay and he fancies Harry. So, our plan should be for Harry to break his heart.”
Harry snorted. “And how am I supposed to do that?”
“Well, first off, you need to properly woo the shit out of the git. And then, when he thinks himself safe in your relationship and he has fallen deeply in love with you, you break up with him and reveal everything was fake from the beginning.” Seamus proudly spread his hands in a ‘tada’-gesture.
“I have to pretend to be his boyfriend? That means, I have to kiss him and stuff” Harry’s heart fluttered at the thought, obviously in disgust.
“Ew” Ron made a face. “But I like the plan. Do you think, you can fake liking the ferret, Harry? I’m sorry you have to be sacrificed like this. You’re not even gay.”
“I’m not sure, Ron. I just don’t believe Malfoy really fancies me. I mean, he is so high maintenance. And I’m just me, Harry, the idiot Gryffindor with baggy clothes and a bird’s nest for hair. We’re the complete opposite of each other.” Harry was oddly disheartened.
“Yeah, but opposites attract, mate!” Seamus said. “You already have fame and power; Malfoy’s a sucker for that. And you’re not too bad looking. We just have to polish your wardrobe a little. And then, boom! Malfoy’s gonna fall hard for ya!” He cheered.
“Don’t you fear, Malfoy’s going to be suspicious if Harry suddenly shows interest in him?” Neville asked, clearly doubting the whole plan.
“Nah”, Seamus waved him away. “Harry just has to woo him step by step. He’s gonna begin with secret glances and smiles. Then a little verbal interaction like saying ‘hello’ and ‘how are you’. And then he’s gonna get to the heavy stuff and compliment Malfoy. And then Malfoy will be begging Harry to be his boyfriend!”
Dean looked very skeptical. “Do what you want but leave me out of it.”
Neville agreed, “Yes, it’s stupid and mean. What would Hermione say about all this?”
“Oi, Neville! You can’t tell ‘Mione anything! Please!” Ron pleaded, a scared glint in his eyes.
Neville just raised an eyebrow. Harry could not help but compare the gesture with Malfoy. The Slytherin’s eyebrow-raise looked always on point, Neville’s wasn’t very impressive.
“Come on, Neville. You don’t have to participate, but you can’t tell on us, either.” Harry said. Seamus and Ron nodded, staring at him imploringly.
Neville sighed heavily. “Alright. I’ll keep my mouth shut. But only because I don’t think your childish plot will work on Malfoy. It will blow up in your faces before you know it.” He stood up and went to bed, drawing the curtains shut.
“So, for phase one we need a little make over. I think Parvati and Lavender would be excited to dress Harry up” Seamus grinned and continued planning Malfoy’s emotional downfall with Harry and Ron.
When Hermione entered her dorm, she immediately set on unpacking her luggage, swishing her wand. When everything was organized satisfyingly, she grabbed a book to read on her bed in peace. Parvati and Lavender already were on Lavender’s bed, gossiping excitedly.
Hermione rolled her eyes at the giggling girls and cast a silencing charm. Sitting on the bed something caught her eyes. There sat a paper crane on the pillow. Suspicious, Hermione cast several diagnostics on the paper. The crane seemed to be harmless, so Hermione opened the folded paper cautiously.
Granger,
my sincerest apologies for insulting you today in the train. I was out of line.
I also have to apologize for by behaviour towards you in the last seven years. I really am sorry.
I can’t say my prejudices against muggleborn have vanished completely. But I believe myself capable of redemption. Well, I digress. I don’t look for forgiveness. Just know that such misconduct against you won’t happen again.
Regards,
Draco Malfoy
Stunned, Hermione read the letter several times. She was overwhelmed with various emotions. Relief, that Malfoy apparently was capable of change. Astonishment, for Malfoy to act on his remorse. Sadness and anger, for the treatment she received before; for the lost chances to talk about the matter previously and maybe come clean earlier.
Hermione did not know if she could ever forgive Malfoy everything. But she wanted to give him a chance at least to show her his personal growth. It occurred to her that Malfoy was heavily influenced by his family and simply didn't know any better. But now he dared to question things and no longer parroted everything his father told him. Alone the admission of his mistakes urged her to assist Malfoy in breaking away from his prejudices.
Smiling to herself, she resolved to contact Malfoy tomorrow.