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emf005 · 2 years

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Picture Perfect Chapter 1

Hey guys! Sorry I haven't posted in a while, I've been working on a few different fics and also finals are coming up, so that' kicking my butt! Anyhow, I hope you guys enjoy this one, its a two-part series!

Warnings: Bullying, a bit of swearing, Draco being adorable. James being a ass hat. Mentions of death. Pretty much it I think. Let me know if I missed anything!

James Sirius Potter x Malfoy!reader

Summary: James Potter isn't one to be a bully, unless its to a certian Malfoy. But, what happens when his little sister starts dance classes and her teacher is the one and only Y/N Malfoy?

“Mommy! Come on!” A six year old Lily Luna Potter called, waiting for her mom, dad, and brothers at the doors of the dance studio. James ran up to his little sister and picked her up. “Jamie!” She giggled.

“What? Too old to be spun around? Is that what happens when you turn six?” he teased. She giggled.

“No.” James sat her down and looked up at the building, shoving his hands in his pockets.

“This it?” He asked Harry and Ginny. Albus came up and stood besides his brother, looking at the large dance studio. Lily had been begging to go to dance classes since she was three. Lily and Harry had assumed it was a phase and never acted on it. But every year since that's all Lily asked for her birthday.

“Yep,” Harry said looking up at the studio. It was a magical incorporated studio, said one of his coworkers who had sent his daughter there. Apparently a lot of magical students went for the summer. But it also had muggle students attending, so both magical and muggle money was accepted. “Ready to see what its like inside?” Harry asked, leaning down to his daughter’s level. She nodded and ran to the door throwing it open and running inside. James and Albus on her heels. James had his muggle camera strapped over his body in case his sister did anything or wanted a picture of anything.

He had taken an interest in muggle photos back in his first year of Hogwarts when he found some stuck underneath his mattress that were old and faded. And, ironically, it was of his name sake. James Sirius, Remus, and Lily. There were a few with Peter in them, but he just ignored the man who got his grandparents killed.

It had obviously been his grandmother’s camera that had taken them, since she was the only muggle born, but ever since then he had begged his parents for a vintage camera. Albus had taken up poetry, strangely. And James used to tease him about it until he actually read it. Now, apparently, it was Lily’s turn to get an art to pursue.

“Hello,” a woman smiled from behind the desk. “What can I help you with?”

“We would like to sign our daughter up for classes,” Ginny answered, pulling her daughter off the desk. The woman smiled and looked down at Lily.

“Of course. A whole year or half?”

“Whole until she’s eleven,” Harry answered. The woman nodded.

“Very good.” She leaned down towards Lily. “Would you like to look around? I’m sure one of our teachers would be pleased to show you around.” LIly nodded.

“Yes please!”

“See you, Margret!” You called, sliding your dance back higher up your shoulder and making sure your shirt was covering your whole body.

“See you, Y/N!” She called back and you walked out of the back room. You had just finished four hours of vigorous dance training. You didn;t mind though. You loved to dance. You were headed to the back which was the fastest way home without apperating, which you weren’t legally supposed to do yet. But what's the harm in getting ahead of the game?

“Y/N!” You turned to see Miss Rosen calling you to the front. You smiled and walked up to her, braiding your Y/H/C hair as you went. It had been up in a bun for hours, but you didn;t want it to get in the way.

“Hi, Miss. Rosen! Whats up?”

“We have a new student and I would like you to show her around.” You smiled. New students were your facvorite, although you did like working with the older ones as well.

“Of course!” ou stepped into the lobby to see a little red haired girl looking up at you with bright green eyes, freckles decorating her face. You smiled. “Hi,” you bent down to her level. “I’m-”

“Malfoy?”

Oh no.

You looked up to see James Potter. The one person in the entire school who despised you.

“James? What are you doing here?”

“I could ask you the same thing,” he spat. You sighed. Sadly, James Potter hated your guts, but you loved his. Everything about him. You couldn’t help it! But how could he ever love a Malfoy. Or even give you a chance.

“Well, I dance here. And teach.” You glanced down to LIly and back at him and his parents. Harry and Ginny Potter. “I’m assuming this is your sister.”

“Y/N?” You looked over to see Albus walking in the door. You smiled and waved. Albus was a natural at potions, but not so much at transfigurations. You had been tutoring since his first year. He had slowly grown to like you, which you were grateful for. It also helped that he was friends with your half brother, Scorpius.

"Hey, Albus!" You looked up at Harry and Ginny quickly tabdung and sticking out your hand. "Hello, sir, ma'am. I'm Y/N Malfoy. I mean, you probally already got that from your son's calling me by both," you laughed awkwardly. "Is it alright if I took your daughter round and showed her the studio? You can come as well if you'd like." You said polightly. You knew there was still tension between your families, still a lot of hate on the Malfoy name. You and scorpius had been trying to figure that out it, slowly, over the years. You were now in your fith year and Scorpius in his third.

"Of course," they shook your hand and you could tell they were hesitant. Still, didn't blame them. "You two can go ahead on your own."

"Great! Wanna come back wit-"

"Can I come?" You looked up from Lily to see James standing there with his arms crossed. You noticed he had his camera across the side of his body, which wasn't unusual to see. "Can I go back with her to check it out. I want to make sure my sister has the best school she can," he narrowed his eyes at you, making you swallow. Why did he have to hate you?

"Thats alright with me, just take off your shoes, the both of you." They nodded and took off their shoes, then the three of you headed back. You showed her the diffrent dance rooms introduced her to some teachers and some of your friends at the studio.

"Hi! I'm Margret!" Your red haired friend introduced. She was one of the best in your studio. Also one of the kindest. If she was a which she would be a Hufflepuff you had decided long ago. "I see your going to be taught byY/N. She's one of the best in the studio. Don't worry, you'll see," she said excitedly to the little girl. You rolled your eyes at your friend.

"Ok, yeah. Thanks for the encouragement, Margret." She bumped your shoulder and laughed before eyeing James.

"Are you going to be joining too?" She asked, batting her eyelashes. Oh, did you mention she was a complete flirt? But, sadly, so was James.

"No, but if you dance here I might just consider it," he winked, causing her to giggle and you and Lilly to gag.

"Alright, Margret, she's already signed up, no need to flirt with her brother." She smiled sweetly at James.

"Y/N/N, that wasn't the reason I was flirting," you nearly gaged again.

"Disgusting. Alright. Theres one more studio I want you to see. It's the largest one in here," Lily grabbed your hand and you lead the two into the large. It was a studio as big as a stage with the wooden floors and folding mirrors that would some out or appear to be an audience. There was a balcony up top for parents and younger ones to whatch, which they always did often, pressing themselves up against the railing to watch the older girls dance.

"Wow," she gasped when you lead her in. You flipped a switch and the mirrors folded to appear as if there were any audience and the lights hanged to resemble ones of a stage, even the heat was the same, she gasped again. You smiled at her reaction. It would never get old watching younger girls get excited over the first time they walked in. That's one of the reasons you had a camera in the corners. You would often go back and watch your first tape when you felt distraught. It reminded you why you got j to dancing in the first place.

"I'm still not convinced. You haven't shown us if this studio teaches well enough for my sister to join," James scoffed. Lily's mouth fell open, halting at her. Brother and warning him to shut up and not ruin this for her. You just smiled.

"Well, what would convince you?" You asked, no malece in your voice. I mean, you were talking to James Sirius Potter, could you even have malece in your voice?

He looked you up and downs nd smirked.

"You dance." You raisrd your eyebrows.

"Pardon?" You squealed out.it was a known fact you didn't dance in front of audiences. Ever. Your father and half brother had tried to convince you, but you wouldn't budge. Your stage fright was to sever. And now you had your crush, yelling you to dance for him and his little sister to see if your good enough. Lily looked up at you with wide eyes.

"Would you?" You swallowed and bit down on your lip. You sighed.

"Fine. Fine. Here," you pulled your phone out of your back pocket, they were issued to all the girls for music and communication with muggle friends. Lily looked at the device curiously and James jus raised his eyebrows.

"You have one of those?"

"How else am I supposed to have the music, record my various dances to study, and play the music out side of the studio and the ballroom in my home?"

"You have a ballroom in your house?" You shrugged.

"Part time. Half the summer we live at Malfoy manor and the other half we stay at the cottage, which me and dad prefer but…"you shrugged as if saying it is what it is. You scanned your music until you reached the song you were looking for. "Could you hit play when I say so, please?" Lily nodded and grabbed the phone. You dropped you that and started to take off your shit.

"What in the hell do you think your doing!" He yelled and covered your eyes. You crinkled your brow at him before it clicked. A coy grin spread on your face.

"Something bothering you, Potter?" You teased and you slid off your pants as well, leaving you in your leotard and a pair of pink tights. His eyes were still covered and Lilly was stifling giggles. You tied a black ballet skirt around your waist and leaned on the bar. "For Merlin's sake, Potter! Do you really think I'd strip nude in front of you?" You laughed. He brought his hands away from his face and recomposed himself seeing as you were still covered,. It matter how scandalous the outfit was.

"N-no," he stuttered, still not looking. At you. He knew as soon as he did he would start to blush and he would not give you that satisfaction. You set yourself up and took a breath removing them from the world like you had to do in class.

"Lily? Can you play it please?" Your voice came out shaky. The music began to play and you settled yourself before starting the routine you knew by heart. You had to make sure not to focus on the other two persons in the room. Yas soon as you took notice of them you knew your stage fright would over all of your senses and you would become a stuttering limp noodle incapable of doing anything. You were very careful with who you danced around. Your father watched you on a regular basis because 'he paid for lessons and for ficks sake he was goin to watch it'. You always laughed at him and then let him see. But your half brother and step mother never saw a lick of anything. Well, that's a lie, Scorpius' had walked in on you ounce, but you had caught him and broke your ankle. He had felt so terrible that he couldn't meet your eyes for weeks.

You finished the dance with grace and let the last of the music settle in your bones before coming out of your finishing position and, shyly, face the two of them. You wrapped your hands around your body and ran back to your jeans and t-shirt. You quickly changed.

"So, worthy of your sister?" James closed his mouth, still in shock something so beautiful could come out of a Malfoy. How a Malfoy could actually look beautiful. He snapped himself out of it quickly enough though and nodded.

"I suppose it'll do. But if I hear one complaint I will march down here and demand a new teacher," he sneered. You smiled and slung your bag on your shoulder again, taking a drink of your water and ready to pass out.

"Well, I'm glad you approve. How about you, Lily? Do you want to dance here?" She nodded vigorously and smiled. You couldn't help but reciprocate her smile. She was too cute.

You walked the two back out of the maze of studios and offices and back to the lobby where her parents were waiting. Ginny was looking at leotards and tights with a pained expression, like she didn't know what she was doing.

"We're back!" You said. Lily ran from your grip and latched onto her mother's leg.

"Is miss.Malfoy going to be my teacher? Please say yes! Please please pleeeeeease!" You chuckled and leaned against the doorway.

"I'm sure if you ask nicely," Ginny responded looking at her daughter lovingly and making you jealous. You had never had a loving mother look at you like that. You had a father who looked at you like that, but it was just different.

"Miss. Malfoy, will you please teach me?" She begged. You smiled.

"I think that can be arranged, Lily. And please, call me Y/N. I'm no one special enough to earn that much of a title," you laughed. She beamed and launched herself at you, hugging you tightly. You hugged her back and sent her to her mother and father again. Ginny walked over to you.

"You wouldn't happen to know anything about… Apparel or anything would you?" You smiled at her.

"I know a bit. What are you having trouble with? " Well, I'm not sure on what to buy or how much or hair or… any of it really," she shrugged guilty. "Quidditch I can do. Ballet?" She shook her head. You smiled.

"You'll get the hang of it. You should have seen my dad when I started," you laughed.

"Telling stories about me, sweet heart?" You looked up and saw you father step in. You ran over and hugged him.

" No." You grinned cheekily.

"Uhu." He poked your nose. “What did I tell you about lying when you can;t do it.” You laughed and pushed him out the door.

“I’ll be out in a second. I just have somethings to finish.” He smiled and patted your head before walking out. “Sorry about that.” you walked back over to Ginny “As I was saying, you’ll get the hang of it eventually. But anything you need I’m here.” She smiled gratefully while Harry was eyeing you strangely. He had never seen Draco act like that. Not at school, not at work, not the few occasions he had seen him out of work. It was strange.

“Harry!” Harry snapped out of his mind as Ginny yelled at him. “Stop staring at the poor girl! Unless you want to do this,” she offered and handed him a leotard. He backed up with his hands up.

“No, definitely not.” You chuckled. “Sorry, I didn’t realize I was staring at you,” you brushed him off quickly.

“It's no problem, sir. I get the death glare from parents a lot. Any how, what days work best for you? I am here everyday.”

“Wednesdays?” Harry just shrugged.

“Why did I even bring you?” She sighed.

“It's no problem, just send an owl here or just come down personally whenever you figure out the best day or times. Like I said, I’m here everyday from opening till closing.”

“And sometimes longer,” Miss Rosen scoffed. You sent her a smile.

“You’d miss me if I weren’t here so much.” She grumbled something and collected her papers, heading to the back.

“Lock up when you're done. You still have your key?”

“Yup, have a good night, Miss Rosen!”

“Uhu,” she called over her shoulder. You walked to the desk and started collecting some papers to start a file for Lily and for the Potters to fill out.

“Are we here after hours?” Ginny asked. You looked up at her.

“Not really. I mean, technically, yes. But I’m here after hours so much that I have a key and often lock up.”

“They gave you a key?” James scoffed. You faltered for a moment before putting the smile back on your face.

“It beats having someone stay with me here till ten.” You handed Ginny a few papers. “If you could fill these out and just give them back whenever you decide on a day and time. Its just a few questions and health information. Also, her first day, if she would just come in leggings in a t-shirt or a tank top that would be lovely. We’ll get her measured for a leotard and tights then, we’ll also get her shoe sizes in order.” Ginny took the papers.

“Thank you, Y/N. We’ll be back when we get these filled out.” You smiled and started to sort things in order on the desk which had turned into a complete mess. They started to file out.

“Oh! Mrs.Potter!”

“Yes?” She turned back around and you bit your lip.

“I know your family and my dad don’t exactly get along but… if you see my dad out there, could you tell him to just go along without me? It's a mess in here and it’ll bother me all night unless I clean it up.” She smiled.

“Of course, dear.” She smiled and they disappeared. You let your smile drop slightly and you quickly cleaned up the desk before triple checking all the rooms to make sure they were clean enough for the night.

The Potters stepped out of the dance studio to see Draco leaning against the building. He stood up when he heard the door, expecting his daughter, but only saw the Potter’s. He leaned back against the building.

“Malfoy?” He looked at Ginny. He hadn't expected to be addressed. “Your daughter said to go on without her. She’d be a few minutes.” Draco just chuckled and continued to lean against the building.

“Wasn’t expecting her to walk out with you. She’s always late. I swear she’s here more than her actual house. Thank you for the heads up, though.” Harry eyed Draco suspiciously.

“Did you just thank us?”

“I did, Potter. I wouldn;t get used to it though,” James scoffed and Ginny shot him a scolding look. Draco eyed James and raised his eyebrows. “I suspect your James?”

“I suspect your Draco,” James drawled. Draco rolled his eyes.

“Looks like he has just as good of comebacks as his father was,” Harry went to say something but Ginny squeezed his arm telling him to keep his mouth shut for the sake of not proving the man right. Draco nodded to Albus who waved awkwardly. “I’ll be going to see if my daughter needs any help inside. Thank you for telling me my daughter's message.” he turned and walked into the building. Ginny watched the door for a moment.

“How did he end up with a daughter as nice as she was?” She mumbled.

“He didn’t,” James muttered. They all started to walk away.

“What do you mean?” Albus asked. “She and Scorpius are two fo the nicest people in both our years. Just because you don’t like who her father is doesn’t mean she’s rude.”

“And how do you know how nice she is?” James shot back.

“She tutors me in transfigurations. She had some of the highest grades in your year, ya know.”

“She told you that?”

“No, professor Mcgonagall did when she suggested I ask her for help.” Albus shrugged.

You walked out to the front again with your arms full to see your dad leaning on the door. You frowned.

“Why are you still here? I’m going to be here for a while.” He smiled.

“Think I’d leave you to suffer this work all by yourself?” You smiled gratefully.

“Isn’t Astoria waiting at home?” You asked, putting some of the flies away.

“She’s not the most important girl in my life,” he kissed your head and put a file on the top shelf. You smiled at hearing that.

Astoria Greengrass. Your step-mother. You were happy she made your dad happy. You wouldn't have asked for anything better for him. But, she hated you. She preferred her own child and would make that perfectly clear when you were anywhere near her.

Knowing that your father still cared about you made you smile and feel welcomed in your home. Well, the manor wasn't your home. You had never felt at home there. It was too large for you, though the ballroom was extraordinary. You preferred the smaller house, which was still particularly a large place. But it wasn’t as large as the mansion, it also never felt dreary like the mansion. Both you and your father preferred the “smaller” place, while Astoria preferred the mansion. Scorpius was indifferent to the whole ordeal. He could make himself comfortable on a bed of spikes, you often joked with him. Normally earning a dry sarcastic laugh from him.

“How was class today?” Draco asked, breaking the comfortable silence as you handed him a few more files to put on the shelves that you couldn’t reach.

“It was good. I got my grand jete a bit higher today,” you said excitedly, though you knew this was all forgien to him.

“That's great!” You smiled.

“Still have no idea what I’m talking about do you?”

“Not a clue, but you seem excited about it.” You smiled wider. “That Potter kid wasn't giving you crap was he?”

“Lily?”

“The other one.”

“Albus?”

“No the other other one.”

“James?”

“That's the one. Seems like a piece of work, that one.” You chuckled and blushed lightly. Yeah, a piece of work indeed.

“No, he’s just protective. Wants the best for his siblings and such,” you shrugged. Draco scoffed. “What?”

“I was a prick like that. That's not the only thing going through his mind.”

“Dad,” you warned.

“What? I’m just saying. The other two seemed fine. He was an egotistical control freak who, let me guess, has a new girl on his arm every other week. Wait, and let me guess, it gets better, right? He also bullies the less fortunate.”

“You almost described what you were like as a kid.”

“That's because I know what they look like. And that kid was me, just different.” You rolled your eyes, your mind wandering back to the school year and the various jabs he made at you… the less fortunate…

It had been a few weeks since you had taken Lily on as a student. Since she was new to dance you had suggested twice a week and found that Lily was a very capable dancer. She caught on quickly and was very confident in her movements, though you could tell she got stressed when she wasn't able to get something right.

“That was excellent, Lily!” You praised. She smiled brightly at your praise. How about we move to the large room if you’d like, maybe even get your mother and father to watch,” you suggested. Her face lit up. “I’ll go get them. If there's someone dancing just stand on the side like usual, alright?” She nodded and practically pranced off to the large room.

You smiled at her and quickly walked to the waiting area. Her lesson was nearly over and Harry and or Ginny were normally there already. Your smile dropped when you noticed James leaning on the wall looking down at his camera.

“Hey, Potter,” You smiled. He looked up and his gaze made your heart go mad. “Your parents here?”

“No. They sent me to pick up Lily. Is she done?”

“We were going to run her routine in the large studio. Would you like to watch? She’s very proud of it.”

“Sure.”

“Follow me.” you walked him back to a door. “Just go up these steps and you’ll be on the balcony. I’ll send her up to you when she’s finished.” You left him to go up the stairs and to the balcony.

The large room was emptying out from the previous class when you entered. You had class right after you taught Lily so there was a few minutes break in between.

“Ready?” She nodded and ran out to the middle of the room. “I’ll jump in if you get stuck, ok? Just keep going if you forget a step.” She nodded and set herself up. You pressed play on the music and her music started. You watched her from the sidelines, making mental notes on what to work on with her next lesson. You jumped in on the new part and helped her through it, which she seemed grateful for.

The music ended and you smiled.

“That was great, Lily! Keep practising and I’ll see you next week. Your brother is up on the balcony if you want to go meet him. You remember how to get up there?” She nodded.

“Yep! Thank you, Y/N!” She hugged you and ran up to meet her brother as your friends started to walk in. You joined them in center to begin to stretch for class.

James was waiting for Lily when she came running up the stairs. He put his camera away and picked her up.

“That was beautiful! I got a few pictures of you doing it as well,” She smiled brightly.

“Can we watch, Y/N dance?” She asked. “She has class right now and I wanna see what the older girls do.” James forced a smile, hating the idea of being in the same room as you longer than he had to, but agreed for his sister’s sake. He carried her to the edge as they watched you and a group of girls warm up. You were talking to Margaret as you stretched. You had taken your shirt off so you were in a backless red leotard; he was slightly surprised that the leotard wasn’t green.

“Hey isn’t that the girl you're teaching and her adorable brother?” You looked away from your curly hair friend to see James and Lily watching the class. You waved and Lily waved back as James just glared at you. You slowly brought your hand back down and turned back to Margaret. “What was that about?”

“He hates me,” you shrugged.

“Why?”

“We go to the same school.” Her eyes widened.

“Wait, that's the kid who bullies you?”

“I wouldn’t say bully.”

“I would. Want me to beat him up?” You laughed.

“Maggy!”

“What? I will.” You rolled your eyes and slipped into your split.

“No. I don’t want to lose his sister as a student. She is very talented, and a joy to teach.” Margaret frowned.

“Well, whenever you want me to beat him up I’ll be all over it.” You laughed and your teacher began class.

You notice James pull Lily out half way through, which you didn’t blame him for. Class was about three hours, and that wasn’t even the end of your day. Lily looked upset, but let him carry her out without a fuss. Margaret nudged you and nodded up towards the balcony.

“What?” You whispered, pirouetting a few times.

“They left.”

“She’s probably exhausted. She danced for a vigorous hour with me.”

“Or maybe he likes you and couldn’t stop his heart from beating at the sight of you,” She hummed. You glared at her.

She and Scropius were the only two who knew of your crush on James. And now you were regretting telling her.

“Or maybe he couldn;t stand the sight of me anymore because he hates my guts.” You whispered back. She rolled her eyes.

“Probably hard,” she muttered. You smacked her shoulder and stifled laughs.

“Margaret!” She smiled at seeing you laugh. You had looked so off when you noticed them. Your stage fright getting the better of you. Now that they were gone you seemed more at ease.

“Y/N!” You looked at the teacher.

“Yes ma’am?”

“Class has ended.” You smiled.

“Sorry ma’am. Would it be a problem if I stayed here for a bit longer?”

“By a bit longer do you mean ten tonight?” You chuckled.

“Is that your hint that my day is over and to get out?” you asked with a grin. She rolled her eyes.

“Well, my day is over. Good evening, Miss. Malfoy.”

“Good evening.” You went to the player and set up your music. You had some routines you wanted to run, as well as throw some tricks.

James was tearing his already messy room apart, mumbling how he could not believe he lost something or other.

“Jamie?” Lily asked coming in. “What’s wrong?”

“I think I left the cap to my camera at the studio,” He sighed and flopped down on the bed with a huff.

“Y/N might not have left yet. She normally stays after closing.” James scoffed.

“Like I want to be in there alone with her.”

“Wouldn;t surprise me,” Albus smirked from the doorway.

“Go away, Albus.”

“You like her, admit it.”

“Why would I like a stuck up Malfoy?”

“Maybe because she isn’t stuck up?” Albus offered. “Come on, James. You know that better than anyone.” James scoffed and stood.

“I need my lid, so I suppose it's worth a shot. Tell mum and Dad I’ll be back later.” He slung his camera over his body and grabbed his jacket heading out of the room, grumbling angrily.

He walked slowly down to his sister’s studio, semi praying that it was closed and he wouldn’t have to see you. He even stopped and took pictures of random things on his way. But, alas, it was not to be.

When he got to the studio he pulled on the door which opened with ease.

Maybe he wouldn’t see you?

Wrong.

He walked up to the balcony and immediately heard someone on the floor. Being the curious person he was he peaked over to see you in front of a mat, pressed up against the wall on your toes. You ran and flipped in the air, landing on your behind. He cringed, but you got out of it with another trick. Had you meant to do that?

“Are you going to just watch me all day or are you going to at least say something?” You called up to him, prepping for another trick. He scowled and leaned over the railing. You glanced at him, sending him a small smile before running again and doing a front aerial, landing it perfectly. Though, you went over everything you could've done better in your head.

“I was just looking for my camera lid,” he grumbled down at you.

“Is that why you were studying me do a suicide?” You asked. His eyes widened.

“A wh-what?” You chuckled.

“Don’t think I didn’t see you cringe. I have excellent eyesight. The trick when I-oof-” you pushed off the ground into a roundoff back handspring. You landed it and rolled your shoulders, turning to him. “Landed on my butt. Its called a suicide. And the trick afterwards is a valdez,” you informed him. He just glared at you. You nodded awkwardly. “Nice talk. Oh, and your camera lid is on the desk out front.”

“How’d you-”

“I make sure no one left anything around the studio. If they do I leave it on the deck. You just happened to label it. J.S.P. Kind of hard not to know who that is.”

“Oh.”

You stood backwards against the mat and did four back handsprings, grimacing when you came up from the last one. You really needed a rest day. But a rest day would mean not coming into the studio. And you weren’t going to stay home with Astoria.

Walking back to the other end of the mat nearly every bone in your body cracked or creaked in some way, making james cringe. You smiled up at him.

“Not a fan of cracking bone?” You chuckled.

“There was just so much. Is that normal?” You smiled to yourself.

“Yeah. For me at least. I’m not naturally flexible so I crack a lot and I have to stretch every day in order not to get back to point A.” You stood against the wall and ran into your Front Handspring, immediately going into your back handspring.

“Will Lily be able to,” he waved his hand at you. “Do this?” You chuckled and sat down on the mat, needing to stretch for a moment.

“She’s very flexible. Her split is already down and her straddle is close. I could work with her during her lessons with acrobats. It's best to get them started young when they're growing. It gets harder when you're a teenager. So, if she works hard, yes. She could do this.” It was quiet for a few minutes as you stretched. “Your sister is very talented like her brother’s. You should be proud.” You smiled at him, standing and doing a backbend, sitting in it for a moment before coming back up, groaning as you did.

“I am. She works very hard at it.”

“Well, like you saw today, she’s moving quickly. By the time we go back to Hogwarts she should be ready to join a group class.”

“Is that good?” You smiled.

“Yes. Group classes are fun and though they don;t cover as much as a private lesson does they’re just as challenging.”

“Really?” You chuckled at his confusion. This family knew nothing about ballet or dance at all.

“Yeah I should know. I take at least four a week.”

“Four a week, really?”

“Yep. I teach on all of those days, plus one where I don’t have a lesson. And I have two days off. But, I’m still here working on technique.” You shrugged.

“So you practically live here,” he joked.

“Yeah. This is more of a home than Malfoy Manor ever has been.”

“Why, don’t love your parents?” he scoffed.

“My dad I adore. We’re surprisingly close. Me and uh, Astoria, have a… forced relationship.” He raised his eyebrows in shock at you using her first name.

“Must be honest, from the stories I've heard about the Malfoys, I wouldn't expect him to be a good parent,” James scoffed. You smiled sadly.

“Yeah, a lot of people wouldn’t. But I wouldn’t ask for a different one, as cheesy as that sounds.” You backed up against the wall and sprang off into a roundoff back tuck landing on your head. “Ah!” You sat up and rubbed your neck and head. That was going to be sore tomorrow. “Dammit!” You swore, smacking the mat. You stood up and walked back over to the end of the mat, getting ready to do it again.

“Are you alright?” You glanced at James, yoru vision swimming for a moment before focusing on him. You blinked a few times to clear the spots from vision.

“Yeah. Not the first time I’ve landed on my face,” you chuckled. You felt a tear slip down your face and wiped it away quickly.

“You're crying.”

“Thank you captain obvious,” you joked, laughing. “It just hurts a bit,” you snifled and willed the rest of the tears away, rubbing your face and neck. It was definitely going to bruise. “Yet again, not the first time. Gotta fall a couple times before you stick the landing." You got ready on the wall to push off again, but your vision fell to the side and you knew you weren't going to be able to tumble any more.

Dad’s gonna be pissed that he has to fix my head again.

You quickly rolled up the mats and looked at James who was studying. You smiled.

“Did you eat yet? I’m positively starved and I know a good pizza joint down the road.”

“Why would I want to join you?” he sneered.

Moment of being civil over.

You shrugged.

“Just thought I’d offer. My treat if you decide to join.” You looked around the room making sure everything was in place and clean.

You nodded and left the room, shutting off the lights. You checked the other rooms and grabbed your bag, changing into jeans and a black crop top with your jean jacket. You walked out and grabbed your key from your bag. You saw James bouncing awkwardly on his feet. You smiled at him.

“Change your mind?”

“You did say you were paying,” he defended. “And I am not one to pass up free food.” You laughed and double checked everything. You grabbed your notebooks from the counter and shoved them in your bag.

“Well, let's go then. The pizza place is about a block away.”

“Don’t you need to get home?” He asked.

“Worried about me, Potter?” You asked teasingly as you locked up the studio. He scoffed.

“Just asking.”

“My dad’s used to me coming home late. Though he might have to fix my head tonight,” you laughed and touched your forehead.

“It hurts?” You shrugged.

“I mean, I did land on it with full force. I didn’t jump high enough or use nearly as much power,” you chastised yourself. “It was doomed from the beginning.”

“Yet you're walking straight?”

“You were walking straight after you took that bludger to the head last year,” you chuckled. He rolled his eyes.

“That's because you Slytherin’s play dirty.” You laughed.

“I can’t control the bludgers! I’m not even a beater!” You defended yourself.

You opened the door to the pizza place and a fresh whiff of oregano cheese and dough filled your senses. You sighed.

“Donte!” You yelled. A teenager walked from the back with crossed arms.

“Y/N! What do you think I am? Your personal pizza maker?” You laughed and batted your eyes at your muggle friend.

“Maybe.”

“Your usual?” You nodded.

“Yeah, but my friend here has never been.” Donte looked at James.

“Well, take a look at the menu. I’ll tell Dominique to start making your order.”

“It's appreciated!”

“Uhu,” he called back, already headed to the back.

“Come here often, then?” James asked. You smiled.

“Is it that obvious?” You walked with him to the counter where they had a menu above the counter for ordering.

“What's good here?”

“What isn’t,” you laughed. “What kind of food do you like? They have pizza fries, garlic knots, pizza, pizza bread. Everything, realy.”

“What is it you get?”

“Garlic knots and a half of a calzone normally. I think that's what they’re cooking up back there. To be honest though I never know. They surprise me some days.”

“Who knew a Malfoy would be friends with muggles,” he sounded surprised. You hummed, holding back a snarky response.

“Did you decide? I’m Sure the little dancer over here wasn’t much help.” You rolled your eyes at his nickname.

“She really wasn’t. What do you suggest?”

“Well, if you like pizzas we sell smalls that are about six pieces. Great for taking home. Our garlic knots are pretty well known, but she’s already getting those, so I assume you’d just share with her.”

“Why would you assume that?” You asked, offended.

“Aren;t you two, ya know, a couple?” You laughed and so did James. The only difference was you cheeks flushed, wishing you were.

“No,” You answered. “He hates my guts. I just happen to teach his sister. And then he came back to the studio because he forgot something.” Dante’s confused look dropped into one of murder.

“Oh. So you're the one who’s picking on her,” he crossed his arms.

“Donte!”

“Want me to beat him up?”

“How are you and Margaret not an item yet? She offered the same thing, and no. Just-Just order him the same as me but with pizza fries.” you huffed and turned to a both near the corner. James followed you, glancing over his shoulder at Donte who was still glaring at the two of you.

“What was that about?” He scowled at you. You kept your eyes on Donte’s back, ignoring James.

“I’d be careful when he brings the food over. He’s not opposed to spitting in people’s food,” you warned before fiddling with your napkin and waited for your food. You weren’t joking. You were starving. You hadn’t had time for an actual breakfast or to pack a lunch that day. You only had an apple before you left the house and a granola bar for lunch and you couldn’t wait to get some actual food in your body.

“So are you ever going to answer me?” James asked after a moment. You looked up.

“What?”

“About your… friend?... Threatening to beat me up. Like he could touch me.” You laughed.

“Donte is the most bad ass kid in this town. I bet he could beat you in a fight.”

“That was cold, Malfoy. Saying a muggle could beat me up.”

“Oh? Would you cast a few spells on him so you’d get the upper hand?”

“Possibly.” You rolled your eyes.

“Because that sounds fair.”

“Since when do Slytherins care about being fair?” You mouth parted, but you had no words. Yet again, civil and then your back to reality. You slumped in your seat. Donte came over and glared at James as he gave you your food. “Thanks, Donny. I haven’t eaten all day,” you sighed, smelling the spices and ingredients better now that they were even closer to your nose.

Your friend pointed to you threateningly.

“You better start eating.” You laughed.

“I missed my alarm!” You laughed.

“And you had to get to the studio before your first lesson because?”

“Because I needed out of the house.”

“Mansion,” he coughed. You threw a fry at him.

“Get back to work, Ankenson!” You laughed at him.

“Of course, Miss. Malfoy,” he sarcastically bowed and left to continue working. You rolled your eyes and pulled apart one of your garlic knots. James watched the scene before grabbing a fry and eating it.

“What?” You asked when you caught him studying you. He shook his head.

“Does he know about the wizarding world?”

“Yeah. I honestly should've obliviated him but I couldn’t bring myself to do it. He found out my first year after I got home from school." You frowned and shoved the bread in your mouth remembering your first year. All the kids up to no good wanted to make nice and be your friend. Thinking you were the stereotypical Malfoy. You had no friends that year and got picked on by James like there was no tomorrow.

“Ya know, you still never answered my question. Why did he want to beat me up?” You shoved a garlic knot in your mouth.

“Becuas woo wick end e,” you mumbled.

“Come again.”

“He found out I was getting.. Uh… picked on.. I guess,” you shook your head and shoved another piece of the knot in your mouth.

“You can handle yourself though.” You looked away.

“Yeah. He’s just over protective.”

And for a good reason. You liked to think yourself strong, but you knew you weren’t. You could hold it together in the moment, but would completely collapse when you were alone. That's actually how you two met.

You had gotten into another fight with Astoria when you were eight and had been packed and leaving the mansion. Scorpius was crying in the parlor because you were leaving and your father was still at work, so there was no one to talk the situation down.

You had made it to the back of the pizza shop before completely collapsing and succumbing to sobs when a nine year old in jeans and t-shirt was walking by and saw you crying. He had taken you home after calming you down. He may have been a punk, but he was still kind. He had taken you back home and father was beyond furious at both you and Astoria. Mostly Astoria, though. You had just scared the crap out of him because he actually thought you would have gone through with it, and losing his kid was his worst fear. You and Donte had been friends ever since.

The two of you finished in near silence. The only time one of you spoke was to see if the other could have fries or a Garlic knot. You had ended up paying, like you said you would.

“I’ll pay you back in wizard money,” James said, his hands in his pockets as you two stepped out.

“Nonsense! I told you I would pay. Besides, I'm pretty sure he gave me a discount.”

“How do you even have muggle money?”

“I work at the studio, so I get paid in both since I teach magical and non-magical kids.” You explained, hopping onto the curb and balancing like you always did.

“Huh, weird. You’d think you didn;t even need to get paid.” You looked at him.

“WHats that supposed to mean?”

“Well your family’s rich.”

“So is yours,” you countered.

“Well, we don’t act like it,” he snapped back.

“Oh? So just because I don’t dress down all the time and we throw a few parties with stuffy know it all pure blooded Slytherins that makes us act like it?”

“Yeah, actually. It does!”

“Fascinating, Potter. Your way of thinking is quite dizzying. A poor, simple minded Slytherin like myself is having a hard time keeping up. Should I bow down to the Gryffindor prince now?”

“Like you don't expect everyone to do the same,” He scoffed.

“I don’t! You do understand that I hate the way people view me, right? I hate that my last name and all the little things that come with it! Having people look at me like I’m some monster! That I’m supposed to act like Slytherin’s princess!”

“Well aren’t you? You're from a family full of murders and monsters. Doesn't that automatically make you one to? A monster? A murderer?” You froze at the word murderer. Tears welled in your eyes and you turned away from the boy.

“Before you go around picking on people, James,” your voice cracked as you tried to keep your emotions in check, but obviously failing. “Try and get to know them first, they might just surprise you.” You bolted down the sidewalk and did not stop until you got home. Or, rather, to the manor.

Tears were running down your face at this point and you were sobbing, the words murderer and monster ringing in your head. You slammed the door shut and pressed your body up against it, putting your hand over your mouth to quiet the sobs. But your father had heard you arrive and stepped out of the parlor, expecting a happy daughter who had just got back from dancing. This was not what he got.

His smile fell when he saw you and quickly ushered you into the parlor where he had come from. You completely broke down and he just held you, worried about what happened. He rubbed your back until your sobs had quieted. He then sat you down on the couch.

“What happened? What's wrong?” You shook your head, looking down at your hands. “Hey, sweet heart, what happened?” You sniffled and wiped the tears from your eyes.

“Dad, am-am I a monster? Because-because of mom?” he stared at you for a moment and shook his head.

“Of course not, that wasn’t your fault. There were multiple compil-”

“But it was because of me,” you said sadly. “Because she had me. I killed mom,” you couldn’t look at him. James was right. Wherever your last name was, death happened. You had caused it last time. It was your fault that your mother died. Your real mother.

“Look at me, Y/N,” he pulled your face up to meet his. “You did not kill your mother. Whatever put this thought in your head, get it out right now. Do you understand me?” You nodded and sniffled. “Where did this come from?”

“It's-its just a thought, I've been entertaining for a while,” you mumbled. It wasn;t a complete lie.

“Possibly, but who brought this up?”

“He didn’t mean to, I don’t think.”

“Who?” He knew it couldn't have been Donte. He’d met him a few times and, though he was a rebel and got into fights every other day, he seemed to take care of his daughter and he was grateful for that.

“James,” you mumbled. He almost didn’t catch it, but he wanted to be sure before he went around throwing accusations.

“Could you say that one more time?”

“J-James. But please don’t do anything!I don't want there to be more problems!”

“More?” He raised an eyebrow and you flinched back.

Oops.

Your father may or may not have known that you had been getting picked on at school. You didn’t want him to do anything rash, like you knew he was going to do now.

“I-I mean any. Because there would have to be problems to begin with for there to be more. But-but there aren’t any problems. Ever. Nope. None.” you faked a yawn and looked up at the mantel’s clock. “Would you look at the time? I’m beat! I-I’ll see you tomorrow, Dad. And please don't say anything. To any one. Ever.” You rushed out of the room, hoping he wouldn’t say anything.

But as Draco watched you scurry out of the room, he knew he had to. He didn't even know you were getting picked on. And by a Potter! How many times had a Potter made you cry and he was unaware there was even a problem? No way was this going to slide by him. Not happening.

“Potter!” Draco called and jogged over to Harry who turned and looked at him suspiciously.

“Yes, Malfoy? Can I help you with something?” Draco hesitated.

“Can I talk to you in private?” Harry gave him a look but complied. They walked into an empty office.

“What do you want?”

“I want to talk about your son and my daughter.” Harry furrowed his eyebrows.

“I don’t understand.”

“Your son said a few… choice words that made my daughter upset the other night and apparently it has been going on for a while.”

“Like what?”

“I’m not sure exactly, but she came home in tears last night asking if she were a monster because of a…” He cleared his throat. “An accident that happened when she was born.” Harry understood immediately. He had known about Draco’s first marriage and how that ended. “I then asked why she was thinking this and she asked me not to say anything, but I care for her… a lot.” Harry nodded.

“I’ll talk to James. I’m sorry she had to go through that. You as well.” Draco nodded and cleared his throat again.

“Yes, um, thank you.” Draco walked past Harry and out of the conference room. Harry thought about how the tables had turned. But it still wasn’t right. No matter what happened in their childhood.

“James! Can I talk to you for a second?” Harry called to his son who was playing with Lily in the yard as if nothing had happened yesterday. He had spent the night convincing himself that she had deserved it. That Malfoys and Slytherin’s like that didn’t have emotions. It cleared his conscience and took away his guilt.

“Yeah, dad!” He dropped Lily and ran into the house. Harry took him to the empty dining room, not wanting to rope Ginny into this. “Whats up.”

“Did you say anything that might’ve upset Y/N Malfoy yesterday?” James’ mouth dropped.

“The snitch!”

“So you did?”

“She deserved it,” he grumbled. “I can’t believe she snitched to her father,” he scoffed.

“She didn’t.” James looked up, confused. “Apparently she came home in tears the other night because of whatever you told her. What did you say exactly.”

“Uh-” James rubbed the back of his head. “Just that all Slytherin’s like her never had good intentions and uh- that her family was full of murderous monsters?” Harry stared at his son. He couldn't believe what he had just heard.

“James, do you know about her at home life?”

“She lives in a grand old manor with a huge ballroom, and her parents.”

“Parent. Astoria isn’t Y/N’s real mother.”

“Ok? That sucks but-”

“Her mother died from complications of childbirth.” Harry clarified. James stopped. He hadn’t known you had an actual mother. Albus walked in and read the uncomfortable air.

“What did I just walk in on?”

“Just talking about the way James treats a few of his classmates.”

“You told him you bully Y/N? Thank Merlin!” Harry’s eyebrows shot up and he glanced at his son who was glaring at his other son. “Oh. That wasn’t the conversation, was it? I’m just going to leave now.” He ran out of the room before James could grab him. Harry crossed his arms.

“So you're also a bully?”

“She’s a bi-jerk. Thinks she’s better than the rest of us.” Lily came prancing in the room with Ginny, who was holding a bag.

“Hi, Harry. Hi James.” She kissed the two on the cheeks and Lily jumped on the counter.

“Daddy! You should come next time! Y/N taught me a new turn and asked if I had an interest in par-su-ing acrobatics!”

“Pursuing,"he corrected her with a smile "I thought you didn't have a lesson today sweetie.”

“I had to run to a few places and Lily didn't want to go. We stopped at the studio to pick up a few things and Y/N asked if she would rather take an extra lesson. So while I ran boring errands, she got a free dance lesson.”

Harry eyed James.

“Jerk? Really? She sounds horrid. Have you even ever had a conversation with her?” James grumbled a no. Ginny looked between the two.

“What happened?”

“James made her cry the other day.” Ginny raised her eyebrows and crossed her arms at her son.

“Did he now?” Lily frowned at her brother.

“Thats rude. Especially since she took you to a pizza place yesterday.”

“How’d you know about that.” Lily handed him his camera lid.

“You forgot this again. She also told me to ask you to forgive her for whatever she said wrong. She seemed upset today,” Lily frowned.

“See! She’s using my family against me. Manipulative! She told her dad in, obviously fake, tears and told him to complain to you about a miniscule fight!”

“A minuscule fight where you called her entire family murderous monsters. And she told Draco not to say anything.”

“You called the Malfoys murderous monsters?” Ginny asked, looking at her son, half proud half disappointed.

“I-I didn’t think she’d cry about it! She never does!” Albus walked in, deciding it was a good time to stop eavesdropping.

“Actually she does. Every time. Same spot by the lake. She’s fine until she’s alone. Scorpius and I saw her sobbing one day.” James’ mouth went dry. He had made you sob everytime he picked on you? How did you still have tears? “What did she even do to you?" Albus asked, actually curious. He remembered James complaining about you since the first summer after Hogwarts, though he had never given a reason why.

Ginny and Harry gave him a disappointed look.

“Yeah, I know. I’m sorry! I didn’t know!” James yelled in defense.

“And that makes it better?” Ginny asked, disappointed in her son.

“No,” he mumbled. “I’ll apologize.”

“You better bet your-”

“Ginny.” Ginny took a breath.

“Yes you will. Tomorrow. Go to bed.” James rolled his eyes and walked up to his room without complaint.

James woke up late that day, dreading his task. Not only did he have to apologize to a Malfoy, but he had the strange feeling of guilt. Were you as terrible as he thought? He had only talked to you once before he found out you were a Malfoy. On the train. He had been utterly lost and you had wandered into his compartment asking if he wanted to share your bag of sweets, which was quite large. It was literally a duffle bag filled to the brim with all sorts of candies.

“Mind if I join you?” An eleven year old you asked. He looked up from his wand to see you standing awkwardly at the door. Butterflies beat in his stomach.

“Uh-yeah, sure!” he smiled. You smiled and slid into his compartment. You settled in front of him and sat the bag on your lap. You looked out the doors and back at him, motioning for him to come towards you. He leaned forward in his seat. And you smirked, making him nervous.

“Wanna see my stash?” He eyed you suspiciously. Before he could say no, you opened your bag to reveal it filled top to bottom and everywhere in between with chocolate. His mouth dropped open at the sight of it all. There was so much.

“Wow. Where did you get all this?” You laughed and dug in it, pulling out a chocolate frog.

“I have my ways. Want some?”

“Can I?”

“Wouldn’t have offered if you couldn’t!” You slid the bag from your shoulder and sat it on the floor in between you so you could both eat it at your pleasure. You two talked the entire train ride. The butterflies in both of your stomachs were going insane.

You were careful not to reveal your last name to him. Maybe if he got to know you first he wouldn’t hate you, like you assumed most people would when they heard your last name. But then you heard him say his last name.

“By the way, I’m James Potter,” he smiled. Your heart sank. The stories of your family history goes back centuries of Potters and Malfoys hating each other. Your father and his. Lucius and James. It went back even further than that. You smiled through the panic.

“Y/N. So you like quidditch?” You had quickly changed the subject, not wanting him to ask more. Luckily, he didn;t seem to notice and he adored quidditch, just like you. But then it all just went wrong at the sorting Ceremony.

He stared at his ceiling for a minute. Those same damn feelings rising in his chest when he thought about you. Not about how you were a stuck up Malfoy, but how you were an eleven year old girl on the Hogwarts express asking to share some candy with him and talk about his family and anything quidditch.

“I’m just a jerk,” he mumbled to himself.”

“A big dumb jerk, yes,” Albus said from the doorway. He sat up and stared daggers at his brother.

“What did I say about coming into my room?”

“And what did I say about you liking her?” He sneered at his younger brother.

“I don’t like her.”

“Lies.” Albus walked into his room. “You better get down to the studio soon. They close in about three hours. And don’t screw up. Just because her dad was a jerk to ours doesn;t mean she’s rude.”

“Yeah, thanks for the second lecture. Now get out of my room.” Albus held up his hands and walked out leaving James to get ready. He threw on a pair of jeans and a shirt, still half asleep and the other half of his thoughts were on you. “Merlin, I’m a mess,” he muttered as he slid his camera over his shoulder and headed downstairs. Harry was sitting at the dining room table with Ginny. “Morning.” He grumbled out and went into the kitchen to grab a drink before heading out.

“It's afternoon!” Harry called into him.

“So I see!” He chugged a water and looked towards the cupboard that had the chocolate stash. Without a second though he grabbed a small fabric drawstring bag from the shelf and filled it with chocolate. “I’m going down to apologize,” he muttered. Harry nodded in approval and James left the house, quickly making his way down the sidewalk and to the dance studio before closing hours.

He stepped into the building and walked past a bunch of girls who he knew were staring at him. He walked to the front desk and smiled at the woman working.

“Hello, can I help you?”

“Yes, I’m looking for Y/N Malfoy. I have some business I would like to discuss with her.”

“She is currently teaching the new ones, but you can wait up in the balcony for her. I’ll send someone back to tell her you want to speak to her before she goes back to work on her other dances. She didn't look well today, probably landed on her head again and didn’t get it checked out,” she sighed. James swallowed. Had he made you so upset yesterday that you hadn’t gotten your dad to look at your head?

Why did he care this much? Maybe it was because since he found out that you had cried about it, he realized you weren't heartless like he had tried to convince himself. That you were actually kind and that he had wasted five years picking on you instead of talking to you.

He sighed and walked up the stairs to the nearly empty sitting section. He went to his spot by the railing and looked over. You were helping itty bitty ones, looked around three and four. You cheered for them, teased them, and held them. He noticed how gentle you were with them. He frowned deeper.

Merlin, I’m an ignorant jerk.

You were helping Abby with her plie when Margaret walked in. You looked up at her and waved with a smile, but she didn't have the same expression on her face.

“What's wrong? Why are you still here?”

“I was heading out when Miss. Rosier stopped me. Apparently someone,” she glanced up in the balcony, “is here to see you." You followed her gaze to James. “Claims to have some business.” Your entire body tensed. Your heartbeat picked up and you looked down. “I can stay. This is the last class today so it would just be us thr-”

“It's fine, Maggy. Go home. Your mum must be ready to kill you for not being there already. She has four little ones to juggle,” you chuckled and went back to helping the little girl.

“Are you sure?”

“I’ll be fine. Thank you, though.” Your friend eyed James before nodding and leaving. You swallowed. You weren’t emotionally prepared for this.

Class finished up too quickly and the girls left the studio to go home and to their families. You stayed in the large studio and James stayed where he was up top.

“Might as well come down here, Potter. No matter how much you think I’m not going to cast a curse on you.” James walked down and into the studio, you noticed he had his shoes in his hands and was grateful for that. It was one of your biggest pet peeves. “What was your business with me?” You asked, turning around to meet his gaze.

“I wanted to say I was sorry. For what I said the other day.” You shook your head.

“I know my father went to yours. You probably think me a snitch along with a murderous monster.” He swallowed at your words. He hadn’t exactly meant what he said.

“I don’t think you any of that.”

“Then why did you say it?” He stayed silent. He couldn’t answer that question. You sighed and sat on the floor.

“I’m also sorry for the way I’ve been treating you since first year. Since I found you were a Malfoy and all.” You smiled sadly.

“Yeah, well, there was a reason I didn’t tell you my first name on the train. Especially after you told me your last name.” He sat down in front of you.

“I-I shouldn’t have judged you based off of your last name. I know better. I knew better.”

“It's fine, really.”

“But it's really not.” He sighed. “I mean, my brother is friends with your brother and I don’t go picking on him. It's not fair and I really am sorry. I’m not just saying that. And I also didn’t know about your… your mom,” you swallowed.

“It was a long time ago.”

“But you blame yourself and I didn’t help. You're not a murderer, and neither is your entire family. I really am sorry about that. And for the loss of her.” You looked him in his eyes and only saw sincerity. You smiled.

“Thank you, James. It actually means a lot to me.” He smiled and handed you the bag of chocolate he had brought. “Whats this?”

“This is my stash. Wanna see?” He whispered. You smiled and he opened it up to reveal chocolate. You laughed and smiled brightly. Sadness was still laced throughout it, but it was happier.

“You remembered our first meeting?”

“Considering I thought you were going to ask me to do drugs with you, yes.” Your eyes widened.

“That is not what you thought! Did I really look like a drug dealer?” He smirked.

“No. I just figured that's what the bag was about when you said it the way you did.” You laughed and looked at the bag.

“Can I?”

“I brought it for you, a peace offering. Maybe to try and start again?” You smiled and took out two chocolate frogs, handing him one.

“Hi, I’m Y/N. Want to share my chocolate?” He smiled and took the frog from you.

“I’d love to.”

“Don’t you dare eat on this floor though!” He laughed and put the frog in his pocket.

“I wouldn't dream of it.”

“No, he’s just protective. Wants the best for his siblings and such,” you shrugged. Draco scoffed. “What?”

“I was a prick like that. That's not the only thing going through his mind.”

“Dad,” you warned.

“What? I’m just saying. The other two seemed fine. He was an egotistical control freak who, let me guess, has a new girl on his arm every other week. Wait, and let me guess, it gets better, right? He also bullies the less fortunate.”

“You almost described what you were like as a kid.”

“That's because I know what they look like. And that kid was me, just different.” You rolled your eyes, your mind wandering back to the school year and the various jabs he made at you… the less fortunate…

It had been a few weeks since you had taken Lily on as a student. Since she was new to dance you had suggested twice a week and found that Lily was a very capable dancer. She caught on quickly and was very confident in her movements, though you could tell she got stressed when she wasn't able to get something right.

“That was excellent, Lily!” You praised. She smiled brightly at your praise. How about we move to the large room if you’d like, maybe even get your mother and father to watch,” you suggested. Her face lit up. “I’ll go get them. If there's someone dancing just stand on the side like usual, alright?” She nodded and practically pranced off to the large room.

You smiled at her and quickly walked to the waiting area. Her lesson was nearly over and Harry and or Ginny were normally there already. Your smile dropped when you noticed James leaning on the wall looking down at his camera.

“Hey, Potter,” You smiled. He looked up and his gaze made your heart go mad. “Your parents here?”

“No. They sent me to pick up Lily. Is she done?”

“We were going to run her routine in the large studio. Would you like to watch? She’s very proud of it.”

“Sure.”

“Follow me.” you walked him back to a door. “Just go up these steps and you’ll be on the balcony. I’ll send her up to you when she’s finished.” You left him to go up the stairs and to the balcony.

The large room was emptying out from the previous class when you entered. You had class right after you taught Lily so there was a few minutes break in between.

“Ready?” She nodded and ran out to the middle of the room. “I’ll jump in if you get stuck, ok? Just keep going if you forget a step.” She nodded and set herself up. You pressed play on the music and her music started. You watched her from the sidelines, making mental notes on what to work on with her next lesson. You jumped in on the new part and helped her through it, which she seemed grateful for.

The music ended and you smiled.

“That was great, Lily! Keep practising and I’ll see you next week. Your brother is up on the balcony if you want to go meet him. You remember how to get up there?” She nodded.

“Yep! Thank you, Y/N!” She hugged you and ran up to meet her brother as your friends started to walk in. You joined them in center to begin to stretch for class.

James was waiting for Lily when she came running up the stairs. He put his camera away and picked her up.

“That was beautiful! I got a few pictures of you doing it as well,” She smiled brightly.

“Can we watch, Y/N dance?” She asked. “She has class right now and I wanna see what the older girls do.” James forced a smile, hating the idea of being in the same room as you longer than he had to, but agreed for his sister’s sake. He carried her to the edge as they watched you and a group of girls warm up. You were talking to Margaret as you stretched. You had taken your shirt off so you were in a backless red leotard; he was slightly surprised that the leotard wasn’t green.

“Hey isn’t that the girl you're teaching and her adorable brother?” You looked away from your curly hair friend to see James and Lily watching the class. You waved and Lily waved back as James just glared at you. You slowly brought your hand back down and turned back to Margaret. “What was that about?”

“He hates me,” you shrugged.

“Why?”

“We go to the same school.” Her eyes widened.

“Wait, that's the kid who bullies you?”

“I wouldn’t say bully.”

“I would. Want me to beat him up?” You laughed.

“Maggy!”

“What? I will.” You rolled your eyes and slipped into your split.

“No. I don’t want to lose his sister as a student. She is very talented, and a joy to teach.” Margaret frowned.

“Well, whenever you want me to beat him up I’ll be all over it.” You laughed and your teacher began class.

You notice James pull Lily out half way through, which you didn’t blame him for. Class was about three hours, and that wasn’t even the end of your day. Lily looked upset, but let him carry her out without a fuss. Margaret nudged you and nodded up towards the balcony.

“What?” You whispered, pirouetting a few times.

“They left.”

“She’s probably exhausted. She danced for a vigorous hour with me.”

“Or maybe he likes you and couldn’t stop his heart from beating at the sight of you,” She hummed. You glared at her.

She and Scropius were the only two who knew of your crush on James. And now you were regretting telling her.

“Or maybe he couldn;t stand the sight of me anymore because he hates my guts.” You whispered back. She rolled her eyes.

“Probably hard,” she muttered. You smacked her shoulder and stifled laughs.

“Margaret!” She smiled at seeing you laugh. You had looked so off when you noticed them. Your stage fright getting the better of you. Now that they were gone you seemed more at ease.

“Y/N!” You looked at the teacher.

“Yes ma’am?”

“Class has ended.” You smiled.

“Sorry ma’am. Would it be a problem if I stayed here for a bit longer?”

“By a bit longer do you mean ten tonight?” You chuckled.

“Is that your hint that my day is over and to get out?” you asked with a grin. She rolled her eyes.

“Well, my day is over. Good evening, Miss. Malfoy.”

“Good evening.” You went to the player and set up your music. You had some routines you wanted to run, as well as throw some tricks.

James was tearing his already messy room apart, mumbling how he could not believe he lost something or other.

“Jamie?” Lily asked coming in. “What’s wrong?”

“I think I left the cap to my camera at the studio,” He sighed and flopped down on the bed with a huff.

“Y/N might not have left yet. She normally stays after closing.” James scoffed.

“Like I want to be in there alone with her.”

“Wouldn;t surprise me,” Albus smirked from the doorway.

“Go away, Albus.”

“You like her, admit it.”

“Why would I like a stuck up Malfoy?”

“Maybe because she isn’t stuck up?” Albus offered. “Come on, James. You know that better than anyone.” James scoffed and stood.

“I need my lid, so I suppose it's worth a shot. Tell mum and Dad I’ll be back later.” He slung his camera over his body and grabbed his jacket heading out of the room, grumbling angrily.

He walked slowly down to his sister’s studio, semi praying that it was closed and he wouldn’t have to see you. He even stopped and took pictures of random things on his way. But, alas, it was not to be.

When he got to the studio he pulled on the door which opened with ease.

Maybe he wouldn’t see you?

Wrong.

He walked up to the balcony and immediately heard someone on the floor. Being the curious person he was he peaked over to see you in front of a mat, pressed up against the wall on your toes. You ran and flipped in the air, landing on your behind. He cringed, but you got out of it with another trick. Had you meant to do that?

“Are you going to just watch me all day or are you going to at least say something?” You called up to him, prepping for another trick. He scowled and leaned over the railing. You glanced at him, sending him a small smile before running again and doing a front aerial, landing it perfectly. Though, you went over everything you could've done better in your head.

“I was just looking for my camera lid,” he grumbled down at you.

“Is that why you were studying me do a suicide?” You asked. His eyes widened.

“A wh-what?” You chuckled.

“Don’t think I didn’t see you cringe. I have excellent eyesight. The trick when I-oof-” you pushed off the ground into a roundoff back handspring. You landed it and rolled your shoulders, turning to him. “Landed on my butt. Its called a suicide. And the trick afterwards is a valdez,” you informed him. He just glared at you. You nodded awkwardly. “Nice talk. Oh, and your camera lid is on the desk out front.”

“How’d you-”

“I make sure no one left anything around the studio. If they do I leave it on the deck. You just happened to label it. J.S.P. Kind of hard not to know who that is.”

“Oh.”

You stood backwards against the mat and did four back handsprings, grimacing when you came up from the last one. You really needed a rest day. But a rest day would mean not coming into the studio. And you weren’t going to stay home with Astoria.

Walking back to the other end of the mat nearly every bone in your body cracked or creaked in some way, making james cringe. You smiled up at him.

“Not a fan of cracking bone?” You chuckled.

“There was just so much. Is that normal?” You smiled to yourself.

“Yeah. For me at least. I’m not naturally flexible so I crack a lot and I have to stretch every day in order not to get back to point A.” You stood against the wall and ran into your Front Handspring, immediately going into your back handspring.

“Will Lily be able to,” he waved his hand at you. “Do this?” You chuckled and sat down on the mat, needing to stretch for a moment.

“She’s very flexible. Her split is already down and her straddle is close. I could work with her during her lessons with acrobats. It's best to get them started young when they're growing. It gets harder when you're a teenager. So, if she works hard, yes. She could do this.” It was quiet for a few minutes as you stretched. “Your sister is very talented like her brother’s. You should be proud.” You smiled at him, standing and doing a backbend, sitting in it for a moment before coming back up, groaning as you did.

“I am. She works very hard at it.”

“Well, like you saw today, she’s moving quickly. By the time we go back to Hogwarts she should be ready to join a group class.”

“Is that good?” You smiled.

“Yes. Group classes are fun and though they don;t cover as much as a private lesson does they’re just as challenging.”

“Really?” You chuckled at his confusion. This family knew nothing about ballet or dance at all.

“Yeah I should know. I take at least four a week.”

“Four a week, really?”

“Yep. I teach on all of those days, plus one where I don’t have a lesson. And I have two days off. But, I’m still here working on technique.” You shrugged.

“So you practically live here,” he joked.

“Yeah. This is more of a home than Malfoy Manor ever has been.”

“Why, don’t love your parents?” he scoffed.

“My dad I adore. We’re surprisingly close. Me and uh, Astoria, have a… forced relationship.” He raised his eyebrows in shock at you using her first name.

“Must be honest, from the stories I've heard about the Malfoys, I wouldn't expect him to be a good parent,” James scoffed. You smiled sadly.

“Yeah, a lot of people wouldn’t. But I wouldn’t ask for a different one, as cheesy as that sounds.” You backed up against the wall and sprang off into a roundoff back tuck landing on your head. “Ah!” You sat up and rubbed your neck and head. That was going to be sore tomorrow. “Dammit!” You swore, smacking the mat. You stood up and walked back over to the end of the mat, getting ready to do it again.

“Are you alright?” You glanced at James, yoru vision swimming for a moment before focusing on him. You blinked a few times to clear the spots from vision.

“Yeah. Not the first time I’ve landed on my face,” you chuckled. You felt a tear slip down your face and wiped it away quickly.

“You're crying.”

“Thank you captain obvious,” you joked, laughing. “It just hurts a bit,” you snifled and willed the rest of the tears away, rubbing your face and neck. It was definitely going to bruise. “Yet again, not the first time. Gotta fall a couple times before you stick the landing." You got ready on the wall to push off again, but your vision fell to the side and you knew you weren't going to be able to tumble any more.

Dad’s gonna be pissed that he has to fix my head again.

You quickly rolled up the mats and looked at James who was studying. You smiled.

“Did you eat yet? I’m positively starved and I know a good pizza joint down the road.”

“Why would I want to join you?” he sneered.

Moment of being civil over.

You shrugged.

“Just thought I’d offer. My treat if you decide to join.” You looked around the room making sure everything was in place and clean.

You nodded and left the room, shutting off the lights. You checked the other rooms and grabbed your bag, changing into jeans and a black crop top with your jean jacket. You walked out and grabbed your key from your bag. You saw James bouncing awkwardly on his feet. You smiled at him.

“Change your mind?”

“You did say you were paying,” he defended. “And I am not one to pass up free food.” You laughed and double checked everything. You grabbed your notebooks from the counter and shoved them in your bag.

“Well, let's go then. The pizza place is about a block away.”

“Don’t you need to get home?” He asked.

“Worried about me, Potter?” You asked teasingly as you locked up the studio. He scoffed.

“Just asking.”

“My dad’s used to me coming home late. Though he might have to fix my head tonight,” you laughed and touched your forehead.

“It hurts?” You shrugged.

“I mean, I did land on it with full force. I didn’t jump high enough or use nearly as much power,” you chastised yourself. “It was doomed from the beginning.”

“Yet you're walking straight?”

“You were walking straight after you took that bludger to the head last year,” you chuckled. He rolled his eyes.

“That's because you Slytherin’s play dirty.” You laughed.

“I can’t control the bludgers! I’m not even a beater!” You defended yourself.

You opened the door to the pizza place and a fresh whiff of oregano cheese and dough filled your senses. You sighed.

“Donte!” You yelled. A teenager walked from the back with crossed arms.

“Y/N! What do you think I am? Your personal pizza maker?” You laughed and batted your eyes at your muggle friend.

“Maybe.”

“Your usual?” You nodded.

“Yeah, but my friend here has never been.” Donte looked at James.

“Well, take a look at the menu. I’ll tell Dominique to start making your order.”

“It's appreciated!”

“Uhu,” he called back, already headed to the back.

“Come here often, then?” James asked. You smiled.

“Is it that obvious?” You walked with him to the counter where they had a menu above the counter for ordering.

“What's good here?”

“What isn’t,” you laughed. “What kind of food do you like? They have pizza fries, garlic knots, pizza, pizza bread. Everything, realy.”

“What is it you get?”

“Garlic knots and a half of a calzone normally. I think that's what they’re cooking up back there. To be honest though I never know. They surprise me some days.”

“Who knew a Malfoy would be friends with muggles,” he sounded surprised. You hummed, holding back a snarky response.

“Did you decide? I’m Sure the little dancer over here wasn’t much help.” You rolled your eyes at his nickname.

“She really wasn’t. What do you suggest?”

“Well, if you like pizzas we sell smalls that are about six pieces. Great for taking home. Our garlic knots are pretty well known, but she’s already getting those, so I assume you’d just share with her.”

“Why would you assume that?” You asked, offended.

“Aren;t you two, ya know, a couple?” You laughed and so did James. The only difference was you cheeks flushed, wishing you were.

“No,” You answered. “He hates my guts. I just happen to teach his sister. And then he came back to the studio because he forgot something.” Dante’s confused look dropped into one of murder.

“Oh. So you're the one who’s picking on her,” he crossed his arms.

“Donte!”

“Want me to beat him up?”

“How are you and Margaret not an item yet? She offered the same thing, and no. Just-Just order him the same as me but with pizza fries.” you huffed and turned to a both near the corner. James followed you, glancing over his shoulder at Donte who was still glaring at the two of you.

“What was that about?�� He scowled at you. You kept your eyes on Donte’s back, ignoring James.