Druella rolled her eyes in response, her patience wearing thin. "Oh please. At least I don't run to my father every time I face a little trouble. My mother is just as wealthy and far more intimidating than that manchild you call a father. But you don't see me whining to her every time I need a little sympathy, do you?"
Draco scoffed again, shaking his head. "You probably should, especially considering Pansy's constant bullying." Druella fell silent, refusing to engage.
"Don't ignore me, Druella. I know what Pansy says to you behind your back. You need to talk to someone about this—it's getting serious. Blaise told me you've been sleeping on the couch in the common room or huddled up in a corner when you think no one is looking. You can't hide forever; you will have to tell her," Draco pressed on, his tone shifting to a more concerned pitch. "You know she will help you."
Druella continued to ignore him, focusing on a distant point rather than acknowledging his words. "Druella, you can't keep this bottled up forever. Aunt Bella is going to find out eventually. You need to stop pretending that you're unbreakable and allow the family to support you," Draco urged, his brow furrowing with concern.
Before Druella could muster a response, Hermione moved closer, grabbing Druella's arm gently but firmly to turn her around. "Leave her alone," she said in a low voice, an unmistakable authority in her tone that made it clear she would not stand for Draco's relentless inquiries.
Druella shifted uncomfortably, her eyes flicking nervously to her aunt, who, though not present yet, still loomed large in her mind. She leaned in closer to the trio, her voice a whisper of caution. "Alright, just so you three know, when she comes, you must stand up. She told me in her office. My aunt will want that as respect—for as we know, she's someone you do not want to mess with," Druella said, her body language tense. She had seen the consequences of crossing Narcissa too many times not to know the weight behind her words.
Ron rolled his eyes from the other side. "Oh, please, your aunt wants 'respect'? How foolish."
Druella pressed her lips tightly together, warning him with a sharp, almost pleading look. "No, don't say that. You know how she is."
Ron chuckled in response. "Yes, and you being her Pureblood Princess," he said, nudging her with his elbow.
Druella's cheeks flushed, embarrassed, but also clearly uncomfortable at the thought of being singled out because of her relation to Narcissa. She looked quickly over at Hermione, hoping for a bit of understanding.
Hermione, sensing the tension, immediately intervened, her tone soft but firm. "Ron, stop. She's right. Narcissa will want respect. It's not something to joke about."
Ron opened his mouth to say something more but then noticed Druella's flushed face and quickly added with a teasing grin, "What, are you going to get scolded like a little child by Auntie Narcissa? Maybe she'll give you a treat if you're good. Oh and may she'll tuck you in bed again."
Druella shot him an icy glare, though it only seemed to egg him on. She pressed her lips tightly together, clearly irritated by his teasing, but refrained from responding. She wasn't about to give him the satisfaction.
Harry, meanwhile, watched the exchange silently, his expression neutral. He wasn't particularly invested in the conversation but understood the seriousness of the situation. He knew well enough that Narcissa wasn't someone to provoke, even if he wasn't as familiar with the intricacies of her rules and expectations as Druella was.
Before anything more could be said, the door opened with a soft creak, and a familiar voice cut through the air, halting all further discussion. "Now, now, children. There's no need for arguing."