they were just kids [draco malfoy]

Year 5 - 101

Valentine's day had forever been an interesting day in Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardy. From funny pranks to awkward confessions, in a mixed-gendered boarding school full of teens going through puberty, the day had always had much entertainment to offer. 

One of the most exciting things the day had always had to offer had forever been gifts. Different chocolates, sweets, small notes, long letters and, most excitingly in the two Slytherin best friends' eyes, jewellery.

Though where last year Astrid would've looked at every new shiny piece anyone got with great enthusiasm, now she couldn't help but watch over people with curious despair, wishing anyone could get as similarly odd of a gift as hers had been so she'd quit feeling so sheltered. She was hoping maybe somebody would finally come up and tell her why they had given it to her and how to get it off.

After spending the majority of the end of last year researching the shiny ring on her left ring finger, she had managed to push her intrusive thoughts away and convince herself that if it was truly harmful she would've felt something already. But after seeing how Malfoy had acquired the ring once he had turned into her through polyjuice and now having one-year anniversary since she first got it, Astrid couldn't help but begin thinking about it again.

Waking up on Valentine's day 1996, Astrid knew she would not have an especially good day.

Walking about that day, her suspicions only came true.

The whole day she felt especially irritable. She'd see Malfoy discreetly smile at her and then almost smile back, before remembering how she now knew the ring truly was a part of her. She'd have Theo joke about asking when she'd finally reveal her secret admirer and the lad she'll be wed to, and she'd laugh along before returning to her food only to mindlessly push it around her plate. She'd have Daphne gush about all that they would be able to pawn after Valentine's day, and she'd nod along, complaining in her mind how the one thing she actually would like to rid herself of by pawning, she couldn't throw away even for free. She'd simply look down at her hands and her thoughts would spiral down to why on earth anybody would do such a thing to her.

But then she'd remember it's stupid to be sad about something she can't change. Astrid would tell herself she's being stupid and irrational and then she'd rather turn her negative thoughts into irritation at everyone and everything around her.

It had been long since the last time Astrid had been so grumpy throughout the whole day.

They didn't talk, Daphne and Astrid, as they walked down the first-floor corridor, heading to their common room. Personally, Astrid was sick of how cheery everyone was that day and couldn't wait the second she could lay down on her bed, put on a good track and just regain her energy. 

Astrid Ninomae was possibly the most energetic and can't-sit-in-one-place person in the entirety of the Slytherin house, but even she had her off days, just like any other person.

That's why when Daphne stopped in her tracks with a small gasp, Astrid could only scoff at the inconvenience holding her back from returning to her dorm faster.

There at the bottom of the stairs, just another corner away from the Slytherin dungeon laid a small first-year, her wrist twisted back to an unnatural angle. She was crying, sat on the ground her one hand holding the other, her eyes widened in a small panic.

Astrid rolled her eyes at such stupidity of falling down the stairs with such dramatic effect. She had fallen around 12 feet from the sky and onto the ground and merely rolled her ankle. She hadn't even cried...

Daphne instantly made a move to rush up to the little girl when Astrid grabbed her arm.

"Come on, we don't have time for this."