A Simple Decision
Title: A Simple Decision
Author name and email: naki_chan@yahoo.com
Summary: Draco has to make a decision that will change his life and affect everything that he is and everyone around him. You're never too young to decide your future. Start planning now. H/D pairing may arise.
Rating: First parts are PG-14 and may well remain that way or go to an R.
Disclaimer: I have no commercial aspirations for this story. The characters are not mine. The situation is obviously fictional and no animals were harmed in its creation.
Warning: This story will deal with issues such as suicide, sexuality, and good versus evil. It is to be read with an open mind and no flames only constructive criticism is to be sent to the above mentioned e-mail address.
~
Harry sighed, staring down at his food. It was the first day back to classes after their spring break. This meant that the obscene amount of homework that the teachers liked to assign them was due. He had been up all night trying to get the last of his Divination papers done. He remembered vaguely that it had something to do with the history of position location involving a pendant and a map. Ron had been absolutely no help either. He kept insisting that they could probably just copy the passage on it straight from the text and the old bat would never even notice. Hermione had ended that train of thought by stating that if either of them plagiarized their work they could be expelled from Hogwarts and even if they were not she would never associate with cheaters.
As he reached for another slice of toast, the room was suddenly filled with fluttering wings as hundreds of messenger owls descended upon the students at their breakfast tables. A copy of the Daily Prophet landed in front of Hermione. She reached over and untied the string that kept it rolled and started reading. Ron received a letter from his mother. He opened it in between bites of his danish.
Harry let his eyes wander the room, silently wondering what everyone else had gotten. Harry sometimes felt lonely when everyone got owl posts, but him. It wasn't like he wanted the Dursely's to send him things. Who really would want old-mismatched socks…except for a certain house elf that is. He shrugged himself out of this latest bout of self-pity, but his eyes still looked at the different house tables.
At the far end of the room he watched the Slytherin table. Harry noted that even Draco Malfoy had received something. This was not a surprise as his parents were constantly worrying about him, and fussing over him, and sending him anything he asked for. Harry caught himself. He wasn't jealous of Draco. He would never want parents like that. He just sometimes wished he had parents who were alive to be proud of his successes, and to worry over him. He did have friends though. Harry turned back to his two housemates and smiled at them. They were both too absorbed into perusing their mail to notice.
"Maybe I am lucky in the fact that I get to choose who I call my family. Malfoy is stuck with his parents. Then again I guess I am sort of stuck with the Durselys too, but do I really consider them family?" Harry mused.
His attention returned to Draco just in time to see the blond boy pale even more than his natural colour. Draco briskly rose from his seat and strode out of the dinning hall. Harry followed Draco with his eyes as the other boy made his leave.
"Now what got into him? Must have been some letter to phase Malfoy." Harry decided that if his enemy was acting uncharacteristically it was probably best if he kept a watch over him. Maybe Hermione would even help.
'Harry,' Ron's voice called him back. 'Where have you been? I was calling your name for the last minute and you didn't even acknowledge me.'
'Ron, you were not trying to get Harry's attention for a whole minute. I'd say it was more like twenty seconds. Still Harry, what were you looking at?' Hermione piped in.
Harry smiled sheepishly at having been caught letting his mind wander. He wasn't going to admit to feeling lonely, not with his two best friends there right beside him. They would try to stop getting their owl-posts, so he wouldn't feel bad. There was no need for that really. It wasn't as if he was sad, just a little lonely sometimes.
'Oh. Malfoy got a letter just now and from the look on his face I don't think it was good news.' Harry muttered.
'Serves him right!' Ron replied as he gestured towards the Slytherin table. 'He loves seeing our misfortunes. I wished you had nudged me, or something, so I could have seen the look on his face. I wish he had gotten a howler and it went off right here in front of everyone. Was he upset? Did he appear ruffled? Did his sneer falter on his face? Harry! How could you have let me miss that?!'
Hermione rolled her eyes at Ron. 'I know that Malfoy is not your favourite person in the world, but really! You shouldn't go around wishing misfortunes on people. It just isn't healthy.'
~
Draco scolded himself mentally, retaking control over his emotions and returning his face and movements to that of haughty boredom. His heart though, was still pounding in his chest and he could hear the blood rush in his ears. He unclenched his fist from the now crumpled letter he was holding and nonchalantly tucked it into his pocket. Walking back to the Slytherin common room in the dungeon, Draco tried to keep his mind neutral.
"Don't think about the letter. Not yet. Not until you are enclosed behind your bed curtains where no one can see you react to it."
After what seemed like a small eternity, Draco found himself is the quite of the boys' dormitory. He was glad that no one seemed to be playing hooky today, but still checked the room to make sure that there was truly no one there to intrude upon him.
Such secrecy was necessary in Slytherin, as there was no better way to respect, here in the dungeon, than blackmail. Unless you were a Malfoy; then you came with a name to fear. Although Draco still liked to have one over his housemates. You never knew when a little secret might come in handy.
He pulled his curtains closed and allowed his face to unmask now that his only company was the magicked light. His hands shook slightly as he removed the letter from his pocket. Gently he smoothed it out on the bed in front of him still hoping that he could deny its existence. Clearing his thoughts, Draco forced himself into a rational state of mind and hoped that he could maintain it while he read.
'My dear little Dragon,
Your Father does not know of this letter and let us keep it that way. I would not normally write you, but I think that you may need to hear this.
Lucius is trying to have the preparations for your initiation ceremony ready for your sixteenth birthday. I know we had planned for them to be after your graduation from Hogwarts, but Your Father is afraid that you will miss out on the true beginnings of the second battle if you are not brought into the fold quickly.
I tried to convince him, for your sake, that eighteen was a much better age for you to join. It was a pivotal point in your life and you should be a proper master when you received the honour.
At sixteen you will still be his ward. Be not reckless. I will not speak to you of this matter again. You are old enough to make your own choices. I will not stand by you. Decide well and do not drag me into your fate. I have my own.
Your Mother.'
Draco read the letter again, slowly thinking over how that day would change his life forever. He had always been raised knowing that his purpose in life, as far as his Father was concerned, was to be the best Death Eater he could be. And now that moment was almost here and Draco found himself wishing he could be destined to be anything but. Even life as a Muggle might have been better.
Now that he had acknowledged his gut reaction, Draco felt slightly calmer. He ran his hands through his soft blond hair and set about to figure out the best strategy to keep him alive without having to join the ranks of the Death Eaters and if possible maybe even stay in his Father's good books.
He decided that the simplest plan might well prove to be the best in this case. If he wasn't home he couldn't be branded with the dark mark. With that in mind, Draco left his bed, with the letter carefully tucked into his pocket, and headed to Snape's quarters in hopes that the head of his house would help him get an audience with the Head Master.
Outside of Snape's room, Draco paused, his conviction wavering. Slowly he raised his hand, gritted his teeth, and committed himself to his course of action.
'What?' Snape bellowed from his quarters. He very much disliked being disturbed when he was preparing for a class. Being well prepared was the only way to be when teaching a class, especially since his next class was a double with Slytherin and Gryffindor.
Snape opened his door briskly and found himself facing his favourite student, Draco Malfoy. It was easy to see why Severus Snape would take such a liking to Draco Malfoy. The boy was a quick learner, who had a morbid fascination with the dark arts and a love of potions. In those ways he reminded Snape a lot of himself.
Snape quickly adjusted his menacing frown into a more welcoming sneer that bordered on being a smile.
'And what can I do for you Mr. Malfoy?' Snape queried.
'Sorry for bothering you Professor, but I was hoping that you could arrange for me a meeting with the Head Master.'
'Interesting. And why aren't you in class Mr. Malfoy? Dumbledore is a busy man and his time should not be taken up by trivial matters. If it is about young Mr. Potter, then I assure you that he will have more than enough Potions' homework tonight to keep him out of trouble.' Snape waited, curiously, for Draco's reply.
'I assure you Professor that this has nothing to do with Potter. The nature of the discussion is both private and urgent. I would very much appreciate it if you could just tell me where his office is, so I can obtain my appointment on my own.' Draco said, raising his chin ever so slightly as if asking Snape to deny him.
Snape, for his part, had raised one eyebrow and was considering what was so private and urgent in Darco's life that had made him skip class and come to Snape asking for help. He decided that if it was that important to Draco then Albus would probably want to talk to him about it.
'Alright Mr. Malfoy, if you think it is that important, I will go now with you to Dumbledore's office and see if he is available to talk with you.' Snape stepped forward, bringing his door closed behind him, and forcing Draco to step back. He strode over to the stairs and muttered, 'Now not only will I not be fully prepared for class, but I shall be late as well.'
Draco followed Snape up the stairs and down a hall into what seemed to be a dead end, although Draco knew better then to assume that there was actually a dead end in Hogwarts. Snape walked up to an old suit of armour and said, 'Ticklish Licorice.'
Immediately the statue moved out of the way, revealing a hidden staircase. Draco waited to follow Snape up the stairs, but when the Professor didn't move, Draco looked at him questioningly.
'If the statue moved then Professor Dumbledore is ready to greet visitors.' With that said, Snape turned on his heels and walked back the way they had just come.
Draco strode up the stairs, not a single drop of anxiety was apparent in his movement. When making demands one must always appear confident and in control.
He knocked on the wooden door at the top of the stairs and did not wait long before the door opened on its own. Finding himself in Dumbledore's private office, Draco allowed himself a moment to look around, musing at what the eccentric Headmaster had decided to place in his room. The room was filled with shelves of books, and most of the books on those shelves were not put away carefully. It looked as if they had battled to see who had the right to even remain on the self. The losers were scattered about the floor. Across from the door was a large desk, cluttered with paper, and behind it was yet another door. Draco figured that it must lead to where Professor Dumbledore slept. Off to the right of the desk, was an ornate golden perch with a phoenix preening itself on it. The phoenix seemed disinterested in Draco, so he decided to treat it in kind. On the left side of the desk was a cabinet with an intricate locking glass front. Inside of it colours flowed and Draco could almost feel the hum of magical energy. He stared at the fluid colours for a few more seconds before chiding himself and returning to his evaluation of the room. He noted the chairs appeared comfortable. Unless he intended to throw his adversaries off guard by making them feel at home, he would not have comfy chairs in his office. Draco sighed. There was very little one would call imposing about this office. It wasn't shabby, or dirty, but it didn't quite strike one as the office of someone as powerful as Dumbledore, who not only controlled Hogwarts, but also had much clout in the Ministry of Magic.
'Do sit down, my boy, and make yourself at home.' A voice pronounced from behind Draco.
Draco started slightly at the intrusion into his reveries, and shamefully even let out the very faintest of a startled squawk. He recovered quickly and advanced forward to a chair. Pausing slightly, he turned towards Dumbledore. 'I believe I shall Professor.' He stated and without further ado, sat himself down in a fluid movement and gestured for Dumbledore to do the same.
Dumbledore had a small smile on his face and Draco took this as encouraging. He figured that if this were a bad time then Dumbledore wouldn't appear so pleasant, especially not to a student. Even if that student was a Malfoy.
Settling himself down in his chair, Dumbledore proceeded to offer Draco Malfoy tea and tarts, both of which were refused, politely, by the visitor.
'I take it you would like to get strait to the point of this visit then, Mr. Malfoy?' he queried.
'Yes I would, Professor.' Draco nodded slightly. 'I have a favour to ask of you.'
Dumbledore leaned perceptively forward in his chair as a sign of his attentiveness to Draco's case.
Draco continued, 'I wish to stay here for next year's Christmas break.'
'Mr Malfoy, I would think that after having been here for five years you would have noticed that students are allowed to stay here at Christmas. They have always been given that choice.'
Draco's only reply was a leveling gaze at the old wizard before him. He silently hoped that Dumbledore was quicker than he looked so that he would not have to spell his request out for the wizard.
Dumbledore continued to speak when he realized that Draco was content to stare at him with a gaze that could freeze his beard.
'But if a student wanted to remain here, but also did not want to make his parents feel neglected by his choice, then arrangements could be made. On one condition of course.'
'Yes.' Replied Draco curtly.
'If I am to consider what you ask then I would also have you consider doing a favour for me.' Dumbledore smiled, trying to reassure the suspicious student before him that it would be nothing too horrible, at least in Dumbledore's opinion.
Coldly Draco countered, 'This favour would be?'
Dumbledore sighed and looked at the blond boy before him. Never had he encountered a student so cold to him. He was used to students either fearing him or befriending him. Never had one sat here so stubborn and proud, demanding a favour with no explanation as to why he needed it. He could guess, but sometimes you needed to hear the reasons strait from the source and there was of course the fact that Dumbledore was curious. Of his students, there were very few that caught his attention enough for him to worry about them individually. He hated that fact and blamed his constant responsibilities at the Ministry of Magic. During calmer years he had reveled in the fact that very little went on under this roof without him knowing about it. Out of necessity and almost fatherly-love, Dumbledore had kept a close watch on Harry, but Draco worried him too. He did not quite know what to expect from this boy and that unnerved Albus.
'Find someone you can confide in. It has occurred to me that you may need a friend, Mr Malfoy. Professor Snape would be a place to start, if you ever need someone to talk to. You could also come to me. But if you need a friend, may I suggest Mr Potter. He has been through much himself and may prove to be a good listener.'
'And if I feel that I do not need a friend?'
'I think you should consider my words and I will consider yours.'
'Is that an ultimatum? Are you telling me, Professor, to get a friend or go home?'
'I merely suggest that you may want one especially if you mean to remain at Hogwarts to see the Great Hall decked out for the Yule Tide season next year. Unless you already have a confidant and wish to tell me the exact reason behind your request to stay here next year without your parents believing that the stay was by your choice.'
'You insult me with the suggestion that I would lie to my parents.' Draco stated evenly as he rose from his chair.
'But not with the suggestion that you are lonely and have no one to talk to?' Parried Dumbledore.
'I am a Malfoy, sir. And with that comes certain expectations and responsibilities. Friendship has never been a prominent goal in my life.' Draco stated as he marched towards the door. As he reached the doorknob, he paused and turned back to Dumbledore, who had also risen from his seat during the confrontation. 'I will consider.' He said softly before disappearing through the door.
Dumbledore was mildly upset with how he had handled that situation. He had acted almost out of character, provoking Draco like that. He hoped that he had not over-stepped his bounds or he would loose any chance of connecting with the boy.
"Oh you could be capable of so much, young Malfoy. Choose carefully. I would hate to see one such as you wasted in the coming war." Dumbledore thought as he listened to the fading footsteps in the stairwell.
~
Draco decided to go straight to Potions, although he had none of his books with him. He would think over his conversation with Dumbledore later and he didn't want Snape to wonder over him too much. He was sure that if he skipped class that Snape would pester him to find out what was going on.
Boldly entering the class, Draco sauntered regally to his seat and sat himself down with an air that announced he had every right to be late and no one should question him on it. Snape raised an eyebrow at the late arrival, but continued with his lecture.
At the end of the class he told them to review the notes they had taken very closely and read the chapter about confusion potions, as for the next four classes the entire class would work in groups of two making the potion he would assign.
'It will be a different potion for each of the groups. I hope that will ensure that the cheating, which is normally rampant in my class, will be ceased so that I may judge each of your skills.' Snape focused in on the Gryffindors as he made that statement. 'I already paired up most of you at the beginning of the class, but since Mr Potter was, as usual, the odd man out, he can pair up with Draco. You should be grateful, Mr Potter. With Mr Malfoy as your partner you may be able to pass this part of my class.' Snape sneered at the dark-haired boy sitting off to the side of the class with the rest of the Gryffindor house. Before dismissing the class, Snape asked that Malfoy remain behind to speak to him briefly.
Title: A Simple Decision
Author name and email: naki_chan@yahoo.com
Summary: Draco has to make a decision that will change his life and affect everything that he is and everyone around him. You're never too young to decide your future. Start planning now. H/D pairing may arise.
Rating: First parts are PG-14 and may well remain that way or go to an R.
Disclaimer: I have no commercial aspirations for this story. The characters are not mine. The situation is obviously fictional and no animals were harmed in its creation.
Warning: This story will deal with issues such as suicide, sexuality, and good versus evil. It is to be read with an open mind and no flames only constructive criticism is to be sent to the above mentioned e-mail address.
~
Harry sighed, staring down at his food. It was the first day back to classes after their spring break. This meant that the obscene amount of homework that the teachers liked to assign them was due. He had been up all night trying to get the last of his Divination papers done. He remembered vaguely that it had something to do with the history of position location involving a pendant and a map. Ron had been absolutely no help either. He kept insisting that they could probably just copy the passage on it straight from the text and the old bat would never even notice. Hermione had ended that train of thought by stating that if either of them plagiarized their work they could be expelled from Hogwarts and even if they were not she would never associate with cheaters.
As he reached for another slice of toast, the room was suddenly filled with fluttering wings as hundreds of messenger owls descended upon the students at their breakfast tables. A copy of the Daily Prophet landed in front of Hermione. She reached over and untied the string that kept it rolled and started reading. Ron received a letter from his mother. He opened it in between bites of his danish.
Harry let his eyes wander the room, silently wondering what everyone else had gotten. Harry sometimes felt lonely when everyone got owl posts, but him. It wasn't like he wanted the Dursely's to send him things. Who really would want old-mismatched socks…except for a certain house elf that is. He shrugged himself out of this latest bout of self-pity, but his eyes still looked at the different house tables.
At the far end of the room he watched the Slytherin table. Harry noted that even Draco Malfoy had received something. This was not a surprise as his parents were constantly worrying about him, and fussing over him, and sending him anything he asked for. Harry caught himself. He wasn't jealous of Draco. He would never want parents like that. He just sometimes wished he had parents who were alive to be proud of his successes, and to worry over him. He did have friends though. Harry turned back to his two housemates and smiled at them. They were both too absorbed into perusing their mail to notice.
"Maybe I am lucky in the fact that I get to choose who I call my family. Malfoy is stuck with his parents. Then again I guess I am sort of stuck with the Durselys too, but do I really consider them family?" Harry mused.
His attention returned to Draco just in time to see the blond boy pale even more than his natural colour. Draco briskly rose from his seat and strode out of the dinning hall. Harry followed Draco with his eyes as the other boy made his leave.
"Now what got into him? Must have been some letter to phase Malfoy." Harry decided that if his enemy was acting uncharacteristically it was probably best if he kept a watch over him. Maybe Hermione would even help.
'Harry,' Ron's voice called him back. 'Where have you been? I was calling your name for the last minute and you didn't even acknowledge me.'
'Ron, you were not trying to get Harry's attention for a whole minute. I'd say it was more like twenty seconds. Still Harry, what were you looking at?' Hermione piped in.
Harry smiled sheepishly at having been caught letting his mind wander. He wasn't going to admit to feeling lonely, not with his two best friends there right beside him. They would try to stop getting their owl-posts, so he wouldn't feel bad. There was no need for that really. It wasn't as if he was sad, just a little lonely sometimes.
'Oh. Malfoy got a letter just now and from the look on his face I don't think it was good news.' Harry muttered.
'Serves him right!' Ron replied as he gestured towards the Slytherin table. 'He loves seeing our misfortunes. I wished you had nudged me, or something, so I could have seen the look on his face. I wish he had gotten a howler and it went off right here in front of everyone. Was he upset? Did he appear ruffled? Did his sneer falter on his face? Harry! How could you have let me miss that?!'
Hermione rolled her eyes at Ron. 'I know that Malfoy is not your favourite person in the world, but really! You shouldn't go around wishing misfortunes on people. It just isn't healthy.'
~
Draco scolded himself mentally, retaking control over his emotions and returning his face and movements to that of haughty boredom. His heart though, was still pounding in his chest and he could hear the blood rush in his ears. He unclenched his fist from the now crumpled letter he was holding and nonchalantly tucked it into his pocket. Walking back to the Slytherin common room in the dungeon, Draco tried to keep his mind neutral.
"Don't think about the letter. Not yet. Not until you are enclosed behind your bed curtains where no one can see you react to it."
After what seemed like a small eternity, Draco found himself is the quite of the boys' dormitory. He was glad that no one seemed to be playing hooky today, but still checked the room to make sure that there was truly no one there to intrude upon him.
Such secrecy was necessary in Slytherin, as there was no better way to respect, here in the dungeon, than blackmail. Unless you were a Malfoy; then you came with a name to fear. Although Draco still liked to have one over his housemates. You never knew when a little secret might come in handy.
He pulled his curtains closed and allowed his face to unmask now that his only company was the magicked light. His hands shook slightly as he removed the letter from his pocket. Gently he smoothed it out on the bed in front of him still hoping that he could deny its existence. Clearing his thoughts, Draco forced himself into a rational state of mind and hoped that he could maintain it while he read.
'My dear little Dragon,
Your Father does not know of this letter and let us keep it that way. I would not normally write you, but I think that you may need to hear this.
Lucius is trying to have the preparations for your initiation ceremony ready for your sixteenth birthday. I know we had planned for them to be after your graduation from Hogwarts, but Your Father is afraid that you will miss out on the true beginnings of the second battle if you are not brought into the fold quickly.
I tried to convince him, for your sake, that eighteen was a much better age for you to join. It was a pivotal point in your life and you should be a proper master when you received the honour.
At sixteen you will still be his ward. Be not reckless. I will not speak to you of this matter again. You are old enough to make your own choices. I will not stand by you. Decide well and do not drag me into your fate. I have my own.
Your Mother.'
Draco read the letter again, slowly thinking over how that day would change his life forever. He had always been raised knowing that his purpose in life, as far as his Father was concerned, was to be the best Death Eater he could be. And now that moment was almost here and Draco found himself wishing he could be destined to be anything but. Even life as a Muggle might have been better.
Now that he had acknowledged his gut reaction, Draco felt slightly calmer. He ran his hands through his soft blond hair and set about to figure out the best strategy to keep him alive without having to join the ranks of the Death Eaters and if possible maybe even stay in his Father's good books.
He decided that the simplest plan might well prove to be the best in this case. If he wasn't home he couldn't be branded with the dark mark. With that in mind, Draco left his bed, with the letter carefully tucked into his pocket, and headed to Snape's quarters in hopes that the head of his house would help him get an audience with the Head Master.
Outside of Snape's room, Draco paused, his conviction wavering. Slowly he raised his hand, gritted his teeth, and committed himself to his course of action.
'What?' Snape bellowed from his quarters. He very much disliked being disturbed when he was preparing for a class. Being well prepared was the only way to be when teaching a class, especially since his next class was a double with Slytherin and Gryffindor.
Snape opened his door briskly and found himself facing his favourite student, Draco Malfoy. It was easy to see why Severus Snape would take such a liking to Draco Malfoy. The boy was a quick learner, who had a morbid fascination with the dark arts and a love of potions. In those ways he reminded Snape a lot of himself.
Snape quickly adjusted his menacing frown into a more welcoming sneer that bordered on being a smile.
'And what can I do for you Mr. Malfoy?' Snape queried.
'Sorry for bothering you Professor, but I was hoping that you could arrange for me a meeting with the Head Master.'
'Interesting. And why aren't you in class Mr. Malfoy? Dumbledore is a busy man and his time should not be taken up by trivial matters. If it is about young Mr. Potter, then I assure you that he will have more than enough Potions' homework tonight to keep him out of trouble.' Snape waited, curiously, for Draco's reply.
'I assure you Professor that this has nothing to do with Potter. The nature of the discussion is both private and urgent. I would very much appreciate it if you could just tell me where his office is, so I can obtain my appointment on my own.' Draco said, raising his chin ever so slightly as if asking Snape to deny him.
Snape, for his part, had raised one eyebrow and was considering what was so private and urgent in Darco's life that had made him skip class and come to Snape asking for help. He decided that if it was that important to Draco then Albus would probably want to talk to him about it.
'Alright Mr. Malfoy, if you think it is that important, I will go now with you to Dumbledore's office and see if he is available to talk with you.' Snape stepped forward, bringing his door closed behind him, and forcing Draco to step back. He strode over to the stairs and muttered, 'Now not only will I not be fully prepared for class, but I shall be late as well.'
Draco followed Snape up the stairs and down a hall into what seemed to be a dead end, although Draco knew better then to assume that there was actually a dead end in Hogwarts. Snape walked up to an old suit of armour and said, 'Ticklish Licorice.'
Immediately the statue moved out of the way, revealing a hidden staircase. Draco waited to follow Snape up the stairs, but when the Professor didn't move, Draco looked at him questioningly.
'If the statue moved then Professor Dumbledore is ready to greet visitors.' With that said, Snape turned on his heels and walked back the way they had just come.
Draco strode up the stairs, not a single drop of anxiety was apparent in his movement. When making demands one must always appear confident and in control.
He knocked on the wooden door at the top of the stairs and did not wait long before the door opened on its own. Finding himself in Dumbledore's private office, Draco allowed himself a moment to look around, musing at what the eccentric Headmaster had decided to place in his room. The room was filled with shelves of books, and most of the books on those shelves were not put away carefully. It looked as if they had battled to see who had the right to even remain on the self. The losers were scattered about the floor. Across from the door was a large desk, cluttered with paper, and behind it was yet another door. Draco figured that it must lead to where Professor Dumbledore slept. Off to the right of the desk, was an ornate golden perch with a phoenix preening itself on it. The phoenix seemed disinterested in Draco, so he decided to treat it in kind. On the left side of the desk was a cabinet with an intricate locking glass front. Inside of it colours flowed and Draco could almost feel the hum of magical energy. He stared at the fluid colours for a few more seconds before chiding himself and returning to his evaluation of the room. He noted the chairs appeared comfortable. Unless he intended to throw his adversaries off guard by making them feel at home, he would not have comfy chairs in his office. Draco sighed. There was very little one would call imposing about this office. It wasn't shabby, or dirty, but it didn't quite strike one as the office of someone as powerful as Dumbledore, who not only controlled Hogwarts, but also had much clout in the Ministry of Magic.
'Do sit down, my boy, and make yourself at home.' A voice pronounced from behind Draco.
Draco started slightly at the intrusion into his reveries, and shamefully even let out the very faintest of a startled squawk. He recovered quickly and advanced forward to a chair. Pausing slightly, he turned towards Dumbledore. 'I believe I shall Professor.' He stated and without further ado, sat himself down in a fluid movement and gestured for Dumbledore to do the same.
Dumbledore had a small smile on his face and Draco took this as encouraging. He figured that if this were a bad time then Dumbledore wouldn't appear so pleasant, especially not to a student. Even if that student was a Malfoy.
Settling himself down in his chair, Dumbledore proceeded to offer Draco Malfoy tea and tarts, both of which were refused, politely, by the visitor.
'I take it you would like to get strait to the point of this visit then, Mr. Malfoy?' he queried.
'Yes I would, Professor.' Draco nodded slightly. 'I have a favour to ask of you.'
Dumbledore leaned perceptively forward in his chair as a sign of his attentiveness to Draco's case.
Draco continued, 'I wish to stay here for next year's Christmas break.'
'Mr Malfoy, I would think that after having been here for five years you would have noticed that students are allowed to stay here at Christmas. They have always been given that choice.'
Draco's only reply was a leveling gaze at the old wizard before him. He silently hoped that Dumbledore was quicker than he looked so that he would not have to spell his request out for the wizard.
Dumbledore continued to speak when he realized that Draco was content to stare at him with a gaze that could freeze his beard.
'But if a student wanted to remain here, but also did not want to make his parents feel neglected by his choice, then arrangements could be made. On one condition of course.'
'Yes.' Replied Draco curtly.
'If I am to consider what you ask then I would also have you consider doing a favour for me.' Dumbledore smiled, trying to reassure the suspicious student before him that it would be nothing too horrible, at least in Dumbledore's opinion.
Coldly Draco countered, 'This favour would be?'
Dumbledore sighed and looked at the blond boy before him. Never had he encountered a student so cold to him. He was used to students either fearing him or befriending him. Never had one sat here so stubborn and proud, demanding a favour with no explanation as to why he needed it. He could guess, but sometimes you needed to hear the reasons strait from the source and there was of course the fact that Dumbledore was curious. Of his students, there were very few that caught his attention enough for him to worry about them individually. He hated that fact and blamed his constant responsibilities at the Ministry of Magic. During calmer years he had reveled in the fact that very little went on under this roof without him knowing about it. Out of necessity and almost fatherly-love, Dumbledore had kept a close watch on Harry, but Draco worried him too. He did not quite know what to expect from this boy and that unnerved Albus.
'Find someone you can confide in. It has occurred to me that you may need a friend, Mr Malfoy. Professor Snape would be a place to start, if you ever need someone to talk to. You could also come to me. But if you need a friend, may I suggest Mr Potter. He has been through much himself and may prove to be a good listener.'
'And if I feel that I do not need a friend?'
'I think you should consider my words and I will consider yours.'
'Is that an ultimatum? Are you telling me, Professor, to get a friend or go home?'
'I merely suggest that you may want one especially if you mean to remain at Hogwarts to see the Great Hall decked out for the Yule Tide season next year. Unless you already have a confidant and wish to tell me the exact reason behind your request to stay here next year without your parents believing that the stay was by your choice.'
'You insult me with the suggestion that I would lie to my parents.' Draco stated evenly as he rose from his chair.
'But not with the suggestion that you are lonely and have no one to talk to?' Parried Dumbledore.
'I am a Malfoy, sir. And with that comes certain expectations and responsibilities. Friendship has never been a prominent goal in my life.' Draco stated as he marched towards the door. As he reached the doorknob, he paused and turned back to Dumbledore, who had also risen from his seat during the confrontation. 'I will consider.' He said softly before disappearing through the door.
Dumbledore was mildly upset with how he had handled that situation. He had acted almost out of character, provoking Draco like that. He hoped that he had not over-stepped his bounds or he would loose any chance of connecting with the boy.
"Oh you could be capable of so much, young Malfoy. Choose carefully. I would hate to see one such as you wasted in the coming war." Dumbledore thought as he listened to the fading footsteps in the stairwell.
~
Draco decided to go straight to Potions, although he had none of his books with him. He would think over his conversation with Dumbledore later and he didn't want Snape to wonder over him too much. He was sure that if he skipped class that Snape would pester him to find out what was going on.
Boldly entering the class, Draco sauntered regally to his seat and sat himself down with an air that announced he had every right to be late and no one should question him on it. Snape raised an eyebrow at the late arrival, but continued with his lecture.
At the end of the class he told them to review the notes they had taken very closely and read the chapter about confusion potions, as for the next four classes the entire class would work in groups of two making the potion he would assign.
'It will be a different potion for each of the groups. I hope that will ensure that the cheating, which is normally rampant in my class, will be ceased so that I may judge each of your skills.' Snape focused in on the Gryffindors as he made that statement. 'I already paired up most of you at the beginning of the class, but since Mr Potter was, as usual, the odd man out, he can pair up with Draco. You should be grateful, Mr Potter. With Mr Malfoy as your partner you may be able to pass this part of my class.' Snape sneered at the dark-haired boy sitting off to the side of the class with the rest of the Gryffindor house. Before dismissing the class, Snape asked that Malfoy remain behind to speak to him briefly.