What We’ve Built | D.M. · Y/n story by @charlotte61357

The Great Hall was unusually quiet for a Saturday morning. Sunlight streamed through the high windows, catching on floating dust motes and gleaming off the long, polished tables. The usual post-breakfast chatter had died down to a low, expectant hum.

Headmistress McGonagall

If I could have your attention, please.

The last murmurs faded. All eyes turned to the front.

Headmistress McGonagall

Thank you. As you are aware, Hogwarts is introducing a new, cross-curricular initiative this term. It is a practical project, offered for substantial extra credit across all your classes.

She paused, her gaze sweeping the hall. A few students exchanged curious glances.

Headmistress McGonagall

It is a project of significant scale and gravity. One this school has never before attempted. It will require volunteers. True volunteers.

She let the word hang in the air.

Headmistress McGonagall

The war left many scars. Some of the deepest are those left on the youngest among us. Children, some mere infants, left without family, without home.

A heavy silence fell. The air seemed to thicken.

Headmistress McGonagall

This project will pair student volunteers to act as temporary guardians for these children. You will be responsible for their complete care—feeding, clothing, comforting, nurturing—for a period of three months, while maintaining your full academic schedule.

A shocked whisper rippled through the Slytherin table. At the Ravenclaw table, a fifth-year dropped their goblet with a clatter.

Headmistress McGonagall

Pairs will be assigned shared living quarters, adapted for a child. There will be monitoring charms for the child’s wellbeing, but the day-to-day responsibility… that will be entirely yours.

She leaned forward slightly, her voice dropping, yet carrying to every corner.

Headmistress McGonagall

I will be perfectly clear. This is not a game. It is not a light commitment. It will be the most difficult extra credit any of you have ever attempted. If you have any doubt in your ability to see this through, to provide a stable, loving environment for a child who has known little of either… now is the time to leave.

No one moved. The tension was a live wire. Y/n sat frozen, a half-eaten piece of toast forgotten in their hand.

Headmistress McGonagall

Very well. The pairings.

She unrolled a long parchment. The sound was deafening in the quiet.

Headmistress McGonagall

Abbott, Hannah and Boot, Terry.

A Hufflepuff girl squeaked. A Ravenclaw boy went pale.

Headmistress McGonagall

Brown, Lavender and… Corner, Michael.

The list went on. Name after name. Gasps, nervous giggles, the occasional groan of despair.

Headmistress McGonagall

L/N, Y/n…

Y/n’s head snapped up.

Headmistress McGonagall

…and Malfoy, Draco.

The static turned to a high-pitched ring. All the air left the hall. Every head, it seemed, swiveled—first to Y/n, then to the Slytherin table, where Draco Malfoy sat rigid, his knuckles white where they gripped the edge of the wood. His grey eyes were wide, stunned, locked on the Headmistress. He hadn't moved a muscle.