Second chance; Second life

Kay sighed in contentment. The long flight to Hogwarts coupled with the good food filling her, had made her drowsy. She leaned against Draco heavily, and he turned, his eyes softening.

‘Tired?’ She mumbled in response, and nodded. ‘You should go to bed.’

‘Are you offering to escort her?’ asked Blaise, his smirk showing exactly what he thought.

‘Yes, Blaise. I was,’ said Draco sarcastically, as Kay stood, yawning slightly. McGonagall approached.

‘Malfoy, I would like you to come with me and Mikayla.’ Kay smiled.

‘Call me Kay, please Minerva.’ McGonagall smiled thinly, and led the two away form the Slytherin table.

‘As requested, you have been given a private dormitory Kay. And, as also requested, you have your own private common room. As
a prefect, Mr Malfoy would have had his own room anyway, but you have been given and joining room, so Mr Malfoy has access to both the Slytherin common room and yours.’ Kay nodded.

‘Thank you.’ McGonagall returned to the teacher’s table, and Filch beckoned them.

‘I’ve been asked to lead you to your dormitory.’ Kay nodded once more, and smiled at Draco.

‘Coming?’

‘Yeah. I’m a bit tired now you mention it.’ He raised his eyebrows suggestively, and she rolled her eyes.

‘After you, Mr Filch,’ said Kay, before seeing Mrs Norris. ‘Oh! Is that your cat?’ Filch nodded cautiously, before Kay bent down and made a crooning noise, her arms outstretched. Mrs Norris turned and ran straight into them. Kay stood, fondling her. Filch’s mouth was wide open.

‘Draco!’ Draco turned as Blaise beckoned him over. ‘Tell me, what’s she like in bed?’ Draco raised his eyebrows.

‘What makes you think I’ve slept with her?’ Theodore raised his own eyebrows.

‘Draco Malfoy travelling with a girl that gorgeous? Come on, spill.’ Draco glanced over at Kay, talking animatedly with Filch as they petted Mrs Norris. Something stirred inside him, as he watched her smile at Filch, holding Mrs Norris delicately, murmuring to her. She looked so happy, and shone with it, her hair bright and sparkling, her eyes even brighter. As if she felt his eyes on her, they flicked to him. She sent him a small, private smile that was specially reserved for him, which he returned. She turned back to Filch, stroking Mrs Norris. Filch’s own eyes seemed a lot brighter, a genuine smile played with his lips as he fondled Mrs Norris’ ears.

‘Well?’ pestered Blaise. He looked back down, and smiled his smirk; one he hadn’t smiled since he left Hogwarts two months earlier.

‘That would be telling.’ He walked over to Filch and Kay, well aware of the discussion that would occur. ‘Shall we go?’ he asked calmly, his smirk still present on his face. Kay frowned slightly at him; not recognising the expression.

‘Yes, this way,’ said Filch. Kay crouched down, depositing Mrs Norris on the floor. Draco glanced at the boys at the Slytherin table, his smirk growing larger. Kay stood, and he placed a hand in the small of her back, leaning closer.

‘Come on then.’ Kay frowned at him, but he guided her out of the hall before she could say anything, leaving the mutterings and sniggers of the Slytherin’s far behind.

‘Are you feeling ok?’ he nodded.

‘Yeah. Fine. Why shouldn’t I be?’ he removed his hand, the smirk vanishing once they were out of sight of the hall. She shrugged, her eyes searching his own. ‘I’m fine, honestly. Just tired.’ She accepted this, and shrugged, grabbing his arm, and pulling him after Filch. Draco was beginning to feel as though he was being pulled in two directions; the way he wanted to act, and the way he had to act. He barely noticed where they were going.

‘Here we are. The entrance to your common room is here. You may decide on a password. Something you have in common, perhaps?’ Filch suggested. Kay and Draco shared a look.

‘Narcissa for you, and Diane for me?’ Kay suggested carefully. Draco swallowed, before nodding.

‘Ok. Good night,’ said Filch. Kay bent to stroke Mrs Norris once more, gave Filch a small smile, and stepped forwards, to stand before a portrait of a stunning woman. She was sitting in a garden of flowers, each more beautiful than the last. She smiled serenely.

‘Password, Miss Jordon?’

‘Diane,’ she said clearly. The portrait swung open, and she stepped inside. The portrait closed before Draco could move in.
‘Mr Malfoy isn’t it?’ the woman asked. ‘Yes, I’d know a Malfoy anywhere.’ Draco frowned.

‘Who are you?’

‘My name is Flora Hazelnut. I knew a Draconic Malfoy. He had a son, Lucius. Are you Lucius’ son?’ Draco nodded briefly.

‘Draco Malfoy.’ Flora smiled.

‘Ah, yes. Lucius always swore he would name his son after his Father. But who is Narcissa?’

‘My Mother.’

‘So Diane is Miss Jordon’s mother?’ he nodded. Flora nodded as well.

‘How is Lucius? Still obsessed with money?’ Draco bristled.

‘I would prefer it if you never spoke of him again.’ Flora nodded slowly.
‘You know something Draco, you look exactly like Draconic. Lucius always seemed a bit of a coward compared to Draconic. Seemed to prefer hiding behind a hard image, or Dark wizards, instead of becoming the leader himself. I hope you have inherited your Grandfather’s abilities of self-respect and self-esteem instead of Lucius’.’ She examined his eyes. ‘I hope you have, Draco. You have big choices approaching you. You must choose the right ones. But you look tired. Password?’

‘Narcissa.’ The portrait swung open, and he walked in, to be hit by a wall of warmth. Kay was lounging on a cream sofa, and smiled
up at him.

‘Sorry Draco, but I can’t keep my eyes open. I’m going to bed.’ Draco nodded, and smiled briefly at her.

‘Ok. You can have a lie-in, as you haven’t got lessons tomorrow.’ She smiled slightly, and kissed his cheek on her way past.

‘No need to be bitter. Good night.’ He watched her go.

‘Good night’. Draco sat in front of the fire. Eh knew that he should go to bed, but his mind was already full of thoughts of the next day. How would he be able to be the Draco Malfoy this school knew without being disloyal to Kay? Eventually, he fell into an uneasy doze, worry seeping through his bones like poison.


Leonora - thanks for the advice. hope you enjoy the chappie xxx