Dragon\'s Instinct

I

“Funny how hell decides to freeze over in exact the most inopportune and hot days….” Draco said mather-of-factly while inhaling the toxic smoke from a long, black cigarette.


He was standing behind his huge mahogany desk, crossed-legged and contemplating his unfortunate situation. Funny how things could change in such a short amount of time; he wondered why he was feeling so relaxed even though he just found out his bachelor status was going to be changed permanently and he didn’t have a say in it. Maybe she was in a spa or somebody was rubbing her feet….her boyfriend maybe.


The thought alone sent shivers down his spine and he began chewing his inner cheek, an action reserved solely to those who can’t control their emotions, in his opinion and he was not that kind of a man. He exhaled nervously and looked outside his huge window, only to see several employees leaving the building. Damn it all. He was beginning to feel the pressure of it all…really all of it.


“Well, were exactly do I come in?”


Blaise. Simple but clever Blaise. He was not one for words or philosophies, but he was a friend. Especially in situations like these. Seeing how he never entered Voldemort’s loyal assembly, he now worked in the Ministry, having a well-respected job. He never even was a Death Eater, choosing wisely while still in school. The main reason behind his sudden change of mind was sweet old Luna Lovegood. How anybody could love that nut-case was beyond Draco;s understanding, but then again so were much more important things such as his current predicament. How could his father be so stupid as to not warn him about this…this…family heritage. Stupid genes. He was one of the most wanted people in the world and he couldn’t exploit this, not one bit.


Now that bloody war was over, he thought he could enjoy himself, but faith kicked him in the ass again. Well, he had been enjoying life for the past 2 years, maybe too much so. He didn’t graduate from Hogwarts…none of them did. The war had caught up with them and unfortunately for him, he was on the losing side. At least that’s what everybody knows. His former house colleagues never quite understood that everything was over, that Voldemort was as dead as his name and that the world had moved on. Most of them were locked up, of course, but he could never be too sure that one of the little 5 year-old blondes that call those murderers ‘fathers’ wouldn’t hex the life out of him. Magic was highly restricted due to the fact that several deaths occurred after the war was over; the Death eater’s families were targeted.


He of course was off the hook. Those bloody bastards killed his mother without second thoughts. And after that of course, he went straight to McGonagall which was in on the whole scheme right from the start. Needless to say, he was a valuable attribute to Potter’s side. He even saved some lives on the battlefield. He couldn’t save his father though.


Even if Lucius deserved much worse than what he got, he was his father and he cared for him, although the rest of the world thought he was abused at home and his family was ran by a tyrant. Draco actually smirked at that particular amusing memory.


Even funnier than that was how the rest of the Order had warmed up to him. He still smelled Hermione’s perfume. Yes, the perfect little Muggleborn was being shagged to death every night by him. He was even friends with Potter…well, sort of. He helped him out with Ginny once. He was even invited at the Burrow…’poor little orphan who hasn’t got a real family and needs our support. Ronald, don’t look at him like that!!’.


Ron still couldn’t stand him. Maybe because Hermione was in love with him. Maybe. But it was the fool’s fault. He shouldn’t have cheated on her once he got the first opportunity. Now he was paying the price for a few seconds in physiological heaven.


But he was tired of her. He told her that yesterday. He couldn’t understand the reason behind their behaviour. He was the same son of a bitch that made their life living hell in Hogwarts. He didn’t care about pathetic…feelings, as Hermione had put it the other day. Even if he hadn’t broken up with her yesterday, he would have done it today, after this particular conversation.


“Well, I have to find out who she is, correct? As I understand, I must find her as quickly as I can, or I’ll…what was it? Oh yes, lose my mind and start carving her initials all around my body until I bleed to death. That’s a heck of a waste when I look this good.” Draco grinned and put his cigarette in the ashtray.


“If you think about it, your looks are what got you into this mess.” Blaise never had a sense of humor.


After a few moments of awkward silence, Draco finally spoke.


“How much time do I have left?”


“Well, until the first symptoms, those consisting of weird mood changes and not being able to sleep, about 2 months. Plus, no woman, beside your mate could ever…”


“Satisfy me, I understood that part very well. But I’m beginning to feel stuff Blaise. One moment I’m angry and the next I feel exhilarated and relaxed and even, I don’t know, happy, good, like I’ve given my entire fortune to an orphan or something like that.” He shuddered quietly and closed his eyes for a second. The relaxing feeling had gone away. Strangely, when he got these mood swings, he felt…warm. Like somebody was cuddling him non-stop. He actually enjoyed those moments.


“Well, I hate to inform you, but then the process has already started. And those aren’t mood swings, you’re in touch with your mate’s feelings and expectations. I don’t know if she feels the same way though. It’s difficult to tell how these things work.”


“Great, not only am I going to marry somebody…” Draco almost spit out “she’s bloody Saint Theresa and even a virgin.”


“I don’t think you’ll be so lucky, though.” Blaise rested his elbows on Draco’s desk “Never knew how you got all the girls. Should have known it was veela blood. You even shagged Granger.”


“Yeah, whatever…” Draco waved his hand dismissingly. “Listen Blaise, I want this thing sorted out, I’m already…feeling the pressure.”he said crossing his legs “So please, as soon as possible.”


“Well…there’s one tiny problem with that particular request.”


“What’s that?” Draco eyed his friend sharply. What could possibly be worse than what he had just heard.


“I won’t be able to do that because I won’t be able to go to the Ministry so often as I would like.” Blaise said and started examining his fingernails. Luna hated his hands…she thought he has some sort of disease caused by some stupid creatures called Verguansias and that’s why his hands were so big. You’d think a girl would appreciate big, strong hands. Still, she was his girl.


“And why is that? The Misses missing your presence at home?”


“Hmm, no…” Blaise sighed and reached for a pocket inside his jacket which contained a red envelope with a silver mark on it. “I would wait for you to open and read it, but it’s much simpler if I explain it. We’re going back to school.” He finished triumphantly and leaned back on the leather chair.


“Excuse me?” Draco asked automatically, his eyes widening just a little bit, the Malfoy composure slipping a tad.


“Well, the Ministry has decided that our generation needs to go back and finish school, due to the fact that not all are as lucky as you and have a substantial heritage. Some people actually had difficulties in finding decent jobs abroad, since Britain is still recovering itself financially. Besides, Hogwarts is almost empty. Seems people haven’t been reproducing as well as they should have been. And our year is required to go and finish our studies. Charming, isn’t it?” Blaise smiled, revealing most of his teeth and a few distinct wrinkles.


“And how am I going to find her then Blaise?” Draco yelled immediately slamming his fist on the desk.


“Don’t look at me, I’m not responsible.” He put his hands up in the air, signaling defeat, but still grinning wildly at his friend’s reaction. “But I promise you this, my dear veela comrade, if I do find out who she is, and I hope she’s easy on the eye, I’ll make sure she gets a letter just like yours, for our beloved school.”


“What if she’s younger than me? Or even older.” Draco grimaced imagining a 60 year-old witch –literally- on top of him. He shook his head to send that image away.


“Sorry to disappoint you, but she has to be the same age.”


“What if I have already met her and broke her heart and now she doesn’t even want to see me breathing? Or what if I do something stupid and she will hate me right away?” He had his fair-share of girls, so that would be highly probable.


“That’s impossible, because you would have known, trust me. When you see her, you won’t be able to move, let alone say anything to make her want to hit you in your most valuable spot. Don’t worry, I’ll do my best. Your job, until then is to stop worrying. And I believe you have some people to call. Mostly feminine. From now on, you’re a one-woman man. Congratulations.”