Greengrass Manor, Daphne's 7th Birthday

“Did you have to invite her?”

“Yes. Mother said we should make friends.”

“Yea! She's super weird! She won't stop talking about Draco.”

“*sigh* Tracy, it's unbecoming to call others names.”

Tracy visibly drooped at Daphne's reprimand.

“But I agree. Draco, tell your adoring fan that we would like to discuss something other than your magnificent hair.”

Oi! How is this suddenly my fault? Didn't you invite her? You think I want one of the most annoying girls in the series to be this obsessed with me?

“Dearest Daphne, I couldn't bear to be so rude to one of your esteemed guests. I suppose we all must make sacrifices. At least her conversation topics are more handsome than dear Tracy's.”

“Hey! Don't make fun of Tubbles! He's way~ cuter than you!”

Daphne and I shared a look. “Tracy, toads are in no way ‘cute’’’.

“Fine. I'll have a talk with my guest.”

Tracy took advantage of Daphne's absence to mutter a few more insults at Pansy.

“Oh! When are you gonna ask her out, by the way?”

What?

“What?”

“Hellooo~! Daphne? There's no way you haven't noticed... you're smart enough to notice that... right~??”

Really?

“We’re too young to be thinking of these sorts of things Tracy, maybe when we’re older?”

Please leave it be, this can of worms isn't something I want to open right now.

“What do you mean too young~? If you love each other it shouldn't matter, right?”

Yes. Maybe? Assuming neither is way older than the other. But...

“Besides, didn't your mom say something about a betrothal agreement last time?”

Yes but-

“And you like her too, right?”

“Please excuse me, I believe I'm being summoned.”

Nope nope nope. Not ready for this.

I wonder if the original Draco was already betrothed by now? Mother keeps pushing more and more recently too... Will I really have to-

“Draco! Hi!”

Great.

“Hello Pansy, I believe Daphne was looking for you.”

The girl just nodded and fluttered her eyes at me. *sigh* Do kids this age even have these sorts of feelings? First this girl and her antics, now apparently Daphne too?

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“So?”

“Huh?”

“Did Daphne find you? She said she wanted to talk about something.”

Her face scrunched in annoyance. “Yes. We had a conversation.”

“Great, how's the party been?”

“Great! I wish mother would have allowed me to join sooner. These parties have all been wonderful.”

Right, I'm sure your father managing to get in the good graces of mine has nothing to do with your mother ‘allowing you to join.’

“There you are!”

“Heir Draco.”

‘Why?’

“Daphne, Tracy, I was actually just on my way to the restroom. If you ladies will excuse me.”

Finally making my escape, I actually did go to the bathroom. Well, the sinks at least. To wash my face and cool down. Large crowds and being the center of attention, two of the worst things ever and something I have to suffer often as ‘Heir Malfoy’.

I exited the bathroom to see three girls angrily hissing insults at each other, it looked like Daphne and Tracy were about to start throwing punches at Pansy.

Before I could get there to smooth things over, Tracy had enough.

“Get OUT!” She grabbed Pansy by the hair, and proceeded to pull her out the door.

Tracy, you absolute moron.

The rest of the partygoers watched as the half-blood grabbed the Parkinson heiress by her hair and started to drag her to the exit, all while hurling insults at her.

Even Daphne didn't know what to do anymore. Her friend just painted a big neon sign on her back. ‘Mudblood traitor here.’

-

Oh dear Tracy, what have you done? You haven't even realized it, have you?

Daphne could only watch at this point. If she stepped in now, they'd only punish her along with her friend.

Is that Lord Parkinson? Could things get much worse?

“WHAT ARE YOU DOING? UNHAND HER, YOU FILTHY MUDBLOOD!”

Tracy froze, remembering where she was... and what she was doing. Daphne could see the moment she realized exactly how screwed she was.

Tracy quickly let go of Pansy.

“What is the meaning of this?”

“Actually, I can explain.”

Draco? I thought he was in the bathroom?

Then her mind froze, as Draco linked arms with Tracy.

“Darling, are you alright?”

Tracy didn't really know how to respond, and nodded dumbly.

Darling?

Even Lord Parkinson was caught on the backfoot.

“You see Mister Parkinson, Tracy was just discussing with Miss Greengrass and Miss Parkinson about our talks of a potential betrothal agreement.”

What?

Daphne could feel her heart sink at the news, even if she knew that that's not what caused the fight and Draco was probably lying to save her friend. She couldn't help it.

“Tracy dear, I thought we agreed to keep this between us? Now you've gone and announced it to everyone.” He 'chided' in a very un-Draco manner, was he trying to show the crowd how ‘close’ they were?

“Is that so?”

Lord Parkinson glared at Tracy, before turning his eye to his daughter.

“And why did that mudb-”

“Surely, you aren't about to talk Ill of my soon to be betrothed, Parkinson?

Again caught on the backfoot, lord Parkinson didn't have time to compose himself and reacted on impulse. Draco is doing this on purpose.

“Watch it boy!”

It happened so quickly that she barely caught it. Draco waved his hand. One moment Lord Parkinson was standing over Draco. The next, he was on his knees, almost as if asking for forgiveness from the 7-year-old boy.

“I'm sorry?”

The room was silent. Nobody believed the sight in front of them. Not even Daphne, and she was the one who probably knew Draco and his capabilities the best.

“Would you kindly repeat that?” Draco said in his usual ‘cheery child’ act.

Is he really going to keep using that after what he just did? Nobody's gonna buy it. She couldn't believe he'd give up on his ‘peaceful life’ just for his friends like this.

Though, a small traitorous part of her wished it were her that he was doing this for instead of Tracy.

“Now if you'll excuse me, I need to have a word with your daughter.”

She watched as he led Tracy to where Pansy was, grabbed her by the hand, and started to walk to the hallway. ‘Where he could find somewhere more private.’ she thought, once again feeling her heart sink.

Then they locked eyes, and he gestured for her to follow.

She didn't notice the smile that bloomed on her face and made her way to join her friends.