Draco's Heart - 2. The Forgotten Meeting

Nobody really understood him. How could they? He, all his life, hid behind a mask. A cold, bitter, sad boy – Draco Malfoy, Slytherine and son of the Lucius Malfoy, had but one single moment of pure unadulterated bliss.

Before he even entered Hogwarts, before he became who he is today, he met a boy with black scruffy hair and brilliant green eyes in an old playground.

He found him interesting. He knew he wasn't supposed to talk to Muggles. His dad, who carelessly left him to wait on a bench at the playground while he ran an errand, had given him all he needed to know about how Muggles are inferior and how befriending one is tantamount to being a Mudblood.

Yet, Draco did find that scruffy haired boy interesting. For one, the boy was wearing a too-big-a-shirt for his scrawny build and his glasses were scotch-taped. Yet, that scruffy haired boy was smiling. Draco thought to himself, “How could this kid be smiling? He’s obviously poor and he obviously doesn’t have friends.”. “How?” he kept asking himself while stealing glances at the boy.

The boy was roughly his age. He was playing with a stick, alone. But he seemed content. It was apparently his birthday and yet he had neither cakes nor presents. But still he was content. The boy was drawing something which seemed to be a birthday cake on the ground. He drew in candles and confetti, all the required party favors. He was imagining in his head his mom and dad singing him a birthday song. He imagined blowing the candles just after he made his wish – to somehow be with his family. That's what had given this kid his smile. Petty.

Draco was so confused as to what this kid was doing that he was unable to hold back his curiosity. He, fighting off his disgust for the species, approached the boy in the sandbox.

“Oi, what are you doing there?” he said cockily.

“Hullo, ummm… Nothing really.” The boy replied with a shy smile.

“Draco.” Draco extended his arm and offered his hand.

“Harry, I’m Harry.” The boy replied accepting his hand.

Draco’s heart pounded. He felt his stomach squirm. He never felt like this before. He hated the feeling but to be honest, he didn’t fight it. He let it take hold of him. Every inch of his pale body drowned in an alien sensation. The warmth of Harry’s hand electrified his senses.

“Draco – you insolent child!” A huge voice came bellowing from behind. It all happened too fast. A hand grabbed Draco’s collar and dragged him away from Harry.

“See you Draco!” Harry called after him.

His father gave him a good lecturing on obedience and stupidity. But all through the lecture, he kept on picturing Harry and himself holding hands. He knew he’d never forget him. Maybe he’ll forget the name, and the face, but he will never forget how he felt when their hands touched.