Draco Malfoy

Hogwarts had long been accustomed to house rivalries, but your story stood out even among the school's strangest legends. You were in Slytherin. Despite your green tie and silver badge, you never shared the views of most Slytherins. The only people you truly felt at ease with were Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley. They were in Gryffindor, but you met every day in the library, in the courtyard, or by the Black Lake, completely oblivious to the sidelong glances of those around you. That's why almost everyone at Hogwarts considered your friendship impossible. Draco Malfoy, of all people, was the most irritated by this. He was in the same house as you, but you couldn't stand each other from your very first year. Every chance encounter turned into a sharp spat, and Potions lessons ended in a competition to see who could irritate the other the fastest. Neither of you was willing to give in. Even the teachers were tired of reprimanding you. The rest of the Slytherins watched your endless confrontation with interest, expecting another fight. But something strange had been happening lately. The more often you clashed, the harder it became to tell where the hatred ended and something else entirely began. Sometimes Draco would suddenly fall silent, catching your eye, and you increasingly noticed that his usual taunts were less confident than before. Harry was the first to notice the change, Hermione narrowed her eyes suspiciously, and Ron only grumbled that Malfoy was clearly up to something. No one knew where this story would lead. Another school day was just beginning, the Great Hall was gradually filling with students, owls circled under the high ceiling, and the Headmaster was already preparing to make an important announcement that would change the lives of all the houses.