Chapter 13: Daphne's Birthday
Draco was discharged from St Mungo's only a week after he woke up. He was mainly left there 'for observation' and because the higher-ups feared that if anything happened to Lucius Malfoy's son, they would not only lose the generous donations, but will also be sued for neglect.
During the week of his stay at hospital, he met archaeologists, curse breakers, the event organizers and aurors, and was questioned multiple times about the artifact's reaction and what could have caused it. Naturally, he couldn't say that the scepter reacted to his reincarnation, so Draco just smiled awkwardly at the adults and tried to look confused.
Anyway, he was a child, so they couldn't use magic to find out whether he was saying the truth. And these people didn't want to deal with Draco's parents if anything went wrong, so they were very mild in their questioning.
Thus, when Draco was finally free to leave the hospital and could move around without his mother's fussing presence or constant questions of 'what happened', he was very happy.
During the hospital stay his friends often visited, as did few other acquaintances with whom he sometimes corresponded through owl post. All of them were kids his age or a little older.
Ever since he turned seven, Draco was considered to have been introduced to society and he could attend various social events. Of course, usually they consisted of other pureblood children's birthdays and he rarely ventured out into the parties where his parents were invited.
Hannah and Theo had already celebrated their eighth birthdays - Hannah's was in November, while Theo's in January - right after the New Year. Draco, of course, attended both of their parties and met more kids his age.
So it came as no surprise to receive an invitation to a birthday party from Daphne, who was only a little younger than Theo and was born in the beginning of February.
When Draco was discharged, it was only few days before his friend's important day, so he had to rush to get her a suitable gift. After long deliberations and advice from his mother, he finally decided on forest-green dance shoes, which would magically adjust to the wearer's foot size. The boy thought that they matched Daphne's green eyes very well.
Daphne was one of Draco's closest friends and his favorite (and only) dance partner. Draco also met her on more occasions than his other three friends due to the Ettiquette class and the fact, that her family was also from the Sacred Twenty-Eight, which meant that Narcissa had 'hopes' for the future.
So it was no wonder that Draco knew his female friend very well and was also aware of her circle of girlfriends. Which was why he was so surprised when he was introduced to Daphne's friend, about whom he has never heard from her mouth, on the day of her birthday. They seemed to be very close.
"Draco, meet my good friend Tracey Davis. Her parents aren't exactly in your usual circles and her seventh birthday was in August, so you haven't met her before," a small girl with short dark hair and glasses on her nose was pulled by Daphne to stand in front of Draco for introductions.
Draco was aware that Tracey was a half-blood. Her father, who was a wizard, wasn't from an old family, he also wasn't rich and didn't have (what nobility considered as) a good career. Draco's parents wouldn't have met Mr Davis in any of their parties, so it would have been unlikely for Draco and Tracey to have met before.
However, Draco, as a former muggle who also wasn't rich or from a good family, didn't hold any prejudices. He also wouldn't dare to disappoint Daphne, who was shooting warning glances his way, telling him to behave.
So the pureblooded boy smiled at the bespectacled girl, took her hand and gently kissed above it, just like he had been taught in the Etiquette class.
"It is my pleasure to meet you, Miss Davis. My name is Draco Malfoy, but you may call me Draco. As a close friend of Daphne's, may I call you Tracey? I hope we can also become friends," he said smilingly.
Draco was clear that the girl felt uncomfortable, however, she still nodded and, with a forced smile, replied, "Alright."
After the introductions Tracey quickly excused herself, leaving Draco and Daphne standing by themselves.
Draco felt a bit awkward to have scared the girl.
"I'm sorry, Daphne. I didn't mean intimidate her," he said with a frown. However, his friend just waved off his apology.
"It's alright, Draco. She's just not used to pureblood parties. I met Tracey when I was shopping in Diagon Alley with my father. We started talking, got along quite well and agreed to write to each other. My father doesn't mind me associating with muggleborns and half-bloods. Even though our family belongs to the Sacred Twenty-Eight, we put more emphasis on business and a lot of it is done in the Muggle World, so... Tracey is also a very nice person, not pretentious like most of the girls I know. Just look at Pansy and the others."
Draco and Daphne simultaneously turned to look at one of the tables, where Pansy, Lavender, Milly and few other girls were giggling and observing the room with smug, superior looks. One glance, and Draco could tell that they were gossiping about other guests.
"I see what you mean," the blond boy replied.
"I can also understand Tracey, after all, you are a bit intimidating to those who don't know you well," the black-haired girl lightly joked as she turned to look at her bespectacled new friend, who was sitting at one of the tables by herself. She then turned back to Draco and added, "You should get used to that reaction - your family is old and belongs to nobility, you have money, are well-dressed and with those manners and the indifferent look on your face... A lot of people would be scared, you know."
"My face?" Draco questioned, confused. His hand raised to touch it, however, he caught himself and refrained. His Etiquette teacher would kill him if she knew he touched himself in public, even if it was only his face...
Daphne laughed when she caught his reaction. As a fellow pureblood and nobility, she knew all the rules too well.
"Anyway, I'm going to accompany Tracey. I would feel bad for inviting and then abandoning her to the wolves. I wish you good luck in studying the mirror when you go back. Enjoy the party, Draco!"
After saying those words Daphne didn't hesitate to leave her blond friend alone.
For the first time, ever since he entered this body, Draco became truly aware of his identity. His social circle consisted either of pureblooded children or half-bloods, whose parents or families were considered as 'acceptable' to associate with. It wasn't like he could meet muggleborns or simple families' children even if he wanted to, because his own parents wouldn't stand for it.
So in the future, when he went to Hogwarts, it would be hard for him to make friends with children whose families were of lower status. And this could affect his plans, which he started to carefully construct in recent months.
However, when Draco thought about it more, he decided that this situation wasn't bad either. He knew the future and he had a few close friends, who also had their own friends outside his circle. So the boy was sure that if there was a need, he would be able influence people around him in the right direction. And it wasn't like Draco would do it out of bad intentions - he didn't want to endanger people close to him because he really considered them as his friends.
Besides, it would be bad for 'Draco Malfoy' to associate with those of lower status anyway, so he could let his friends gather the people who would be useful for the future. Draco was sure that even without him interfering too much it would happen naturally. As for now... he should just enjoy the party and make connections.
---
Despite his resolve, Draco still spent good few hours practicing expressions in front of a mirror when he got home.
The handsome boy felt that Daphne exaggerated - he could express a lot of emotions: quirking up his lips (looked like a sneer), raising an eyebrow in question (looked mocking), or furrowing his brows (looking constipated).
In the end, Draco decided that maybe his neutral, *cough* indifferent *cough*, expression wasn't that bad after all...
He would practice more just to make sure.
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