Hey all,

This is my first attempt at fan fiction and my first creative writing exercise in over 25 years. This first chapter has been reworked to give a bit more detail of young Draco's home life.

Be kind, but critical.

Thanks!

All characters with exception of Professor Phinnias Howell belong to J.K. Rowling.


Things That Go Bump in the Night

CHAPTER 1

Though it was only eight in the evening, Draco Malfoy excused himself from his companions in the Slytherin common room. This was becoming a frequent practice, as he was really growing weary of their company. Vincent Crabbe, Gregory Goyle, Blaise Zabini, and Pansy Parkinson were doubling over in laughter with their crude jokes, and Draco was privately quite sick of it. Always keeping his composure, no one suspected anything was amiss. Though his companions thought among themselves that his recent behavior was odd, they treaded lightly with their questions. Draco could have a quick and often violent temper if he were probed too deeply.

"Gits," he mumbled to himself as he walked towards the dormitory. "If brains were grains of sand, the hourglass would be empty among that lot," referring to his housemates.

Once in the Slytherin dormitory, Draco removed his school robes, neatly stowed them in his trunk, and dressed for bed. He was relieved to be the only one in the dormitory, which was often the case this early in the evening. The others were still involved in their silliness in the common room. He found his bed to be among the better places to gather his thoughts, and he had been doing a lot of thinking lately.

Though the dormitory was currently empty, he kept his wand at hand, ready to hex anyone who dare throw his bed curtains open, interrupting his sleep or private thoughts. Both Crabbe and Goyle learned their lesson several nights ago, requiring a late night visit to Madame Pomfry as porcupine quills sprouted all over their bodies. They had made the dangerous mistake of roughly throwing his curtains wide open with a torrent of their guffawing laughter. Most of the Slytherins fully understood that Draco was not to be disturbed abruptly when his bed curtains were drawn. If he were needed, one spoke gently to awaken him, and awaited an answer.

As he lay in his bed, many thoughts entered his mind that led to his current state of unhappiness.

Draco had not been overly tolerant of the other houses at Hogworts. In fact, he was usually the first one to antagonize others. He would especially torment the inseparable Gryffindor trio of Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger. He held a special loathing, or so he thought towards Potter - the boy who lived, the hero of the wizarding world who defeated Lord Voldemort, and the person responsible for his father's imprisonment in Azkaban. Though not Potter's fault, Draco's father had often chastised him anytime Potter bested him – be it marks or quidditch. Second best was not good enough for Lucius Malfoy.

Now though, as he lay thinking, he was not especially upset that his father was in Azkaban. Potter may have actually granted him a reprieve from his father's continuous taunts. For this he was actually thankful. Though Draco loved his father dearly, Lucius was not exactly the ideal father figure. Lucius was a Death Eater, and an ardent supporter of Lord Voldemort. Never one to praise or hug his only child, he expected absolute perfection and absolute compliance of his every wish. To disobey was unthinkable, and when he couldn't meet his father's expectations, the reprimand was harsh. It was in fact demanded of Draco that he take the mark of a Death Eater when he came of age. He was to give his life and full devotion to Voldemort. He had news for his father, though. He would give up his life fighting before ever accepting the mark, and he'd fight against everything that Voldemort stood for.

Lucius also abhorred Muggles, Mudbloods, half-bloods, and any wizard family that was not pureblood. He looked forward to working alongside Lord Voldemort and the other Death Eaters to eliminate such nonsense from Britain and beyond. With Voldemort's recent return, the Ministry of Magic was working overtime capturing suspected or rumored Death Eaters. Potter was able to identify several of the Death Eaters, having observed the actual return of Voldemort during the Tri-Wizard tournament. Among those identified were Draco's father, along with the fathers of Crabbe and Goyle. These wizards are now serving time in Azkaban, awaiting sentencing.

"Thankful father is in Azkaban?" Draco mused. "Now that's a deadly thought!"

While Draco would always publicly agree with his father, privately his father's ideas sickened him. These thoughts of elimination of Muggles and such were especially troublesome, as his disagreement certainly couldn't be shared with his fellow Slytherins. Their parents shared the same thoughts as Lucius, and were ardent supporters of Voldemort. His father could make his life bloody hell, even while imprisoned, and voicing disagreement with his father could certainly endanger the young boy's life.

"It may be a risk I'll have to take," he thought.

He was thinking back to his eighth birthday...

He recalled his father was away on an extended business trip. Father worked for the Ministry, and was often away for months at a time. Draco complained to his mother how father never seemed to have time for him.

Narcissa, his mother sighed, "Draco, please. Let's not go over this again. You know your father loves you and would be here if it were possible."

Lucius had not only missed many of his son's birthdays, but was rarely home for Christmas and other holidays.

"Your father did send you his regards along with a gift." She smiled, handing Draco a small elegantly wrapped parcel.

Draco excitedly tore open the paper and his excitement was replaced with disappointment as he saw a Slytherin dress robe, expertly tailored for his small frame.

"You'll have to try that on later, Draco," his mother smiling at him. "You know of his plans for you."

He stared wonderingly at the green and black satin robe. "How does father know that I will be sorted into Slytherin when I begin school? What if I should be sorted into one of the other houses?"

"All Malfoys for generations have been sorted into Slytherin, Draco," she gently answered. "Besides, we won't need to concern ourselves with that for a few years yet, yes?"

Draco smiled weakly.

Lightening the mood, "I have a special surprise for you as well, son," his mother smiling at him. "I must ask you, however to promise to keep this gift between you and I. Your father mustn't ever know of it."

Draco looked at her in amazement. What sort of gift could he possibly receive that had to remain a secret from his father? A Muggle toy, perhaps? Maybe the handheld video game he saw and admired recently in a storefront window in Muggle London? His father had always forbidden him to play with Muggle artifacts, or to ever have Muggle friends. Life in the Malfoy Manor was often lonely for the young boy, and his mind was reeling thinking of the surprise in store.

The Manor was enormous, many areas still unexplored by the young boy. His mother led him down an unused corridor to a room he had never seen. Inside the tastefully decorated room was a baby grand piano.

"Happy Birthday, Draco."

He gaped in amazement. He loved music, though music was generally forbidden in the Manor. The wizarding world had few composers, and those that existed played Muggle instruments. Draco now understood his mother's admonition.

"Mother! Oh, thank you, thank you!" He jumped into his mother's arms and gave her an uncustomary hug. Draco could scarcely contain his excitement. "Will there be somebody to teach me to play?"

His mother, a bit apprehensive in her reply, "Yes, Professor Phinnias Howell from the University in Bath will be your tutor. He's a Muggle, Draco, so you will be on your best behavior. Absolutely no magic is to be performed in the Manor while he is present. I don't wish to perform an obliviate charm on the poor man each time he leaves. Merlin knows it was difficult enough to explain to him how to get here the first time."

Draco nodded his understanding.

"Also, I need not remind you about your father. As he's not due to return for several months, you will have lessons with Professor Howell three times a week till your father returns. We will schedule additional lessons around your father's future absences."

Lessons went very well. Professor Howell was an exemplary instructor. Draco never failed to amaze his tutor with his progress. He had easily advanced past scales and basic chord progressions after just a couple weeks. He was a truly gifted pianist. Draco couldn't think of a time when he'd been happier. He blushed at the praise from his tutor, as this was one of the few tasks he ever truly excelled in as a child. He privately craved the attention from his tutor that his father never gave him. His mother was equally proud. Draco practiced relentlessly whenever his father was away, and no mention of the piano was made whatsoever while he was home.

Professor Howell did find it odd that Narcissa had instructed him that he was never, under any circumstance to come to the Manor, nor contact the family uninvited. If his services were required, he would receive a call each day. Narcissa faithfully went to Wiltshire each day that Draco would have a lesson, telephoning the Professor to come. Despite the inconvenience of last minute notification, Professor Howell did not object, as he was paid very handsomely for his services. Lack of a call immediately terminated their contract. The stealth lessons, all hidden from Lucius, continued for the next two years whenever he was out of town for more than a few weeks at a time.

To Professor Howell and Narcissa's surprise, it was discovered that Draco also had a fabulous singing voice. He had advanced to not only playing the classics from Beethoven and Chopin, but more contemporary music such as the Beatles, Rolling Stones, and Elton John. Though the classics were lovely, Draco favored the contemporary music where he could sing while playing.

True terror and tragedy struck late one afternoon as Lucius apparated quite unexpectedly in the entryway of the Manor. Professor Howell had left not an hour earlier, and Draco was practicing his latest lessons unaware of his father's sudden appearance in the doorway. Draco's mother, also unaware of Lucius' sudden appearance was sitting, listening to him play.

"DRACO, NARCISSA," Lucius screamed. "WHAT IN BLOODY HELL IS GOING ON?"

"Father, I didn't realize you were home. I'm practicing my piano lessons," Draco replied weakly.

Narcissa, quickly putting herself between Draco and Lucius was pushed aside by her husband.

"HOW LONG HAS THIS EFFING MUGGLE INSTRUMENT BEEN IN MY HOUSE?" roared Lucius.

Narcissa, replying timidly, "It was a birthday gift to Draco from me two years ago."

"YOU GAVE HIM A BLOODY PIANO – A EFFING MUGGLE INSTRUMENT WITHOUT MY KNOWLEDGE, AND THEN CHOSE TO DECIEVE ME OF ITS PRESENCE FOR TWO YEARS?"

Narcissa had no reply.

Draco had never seen his father in such a rage. Lucius pulled his wand from his robes shouting, "INFLAMARE!"

The piano literally exploded in a ball of fire. It extinguished itself leaving a mass of burnt wood and tangled wire.

"NO!! Father, please!" Draco cried, tears streaming down his face.

Lucius then turned his wand on his son, "CRUCIO!"

Just as Narcissa uttered a scream of disbelief, he immediately turned on her, "CRUCIO! OBLIVIATE!"

Draco and his mother were thrown to the wall from the force of the unforgivable curse, both crying out in utter agony. Narcissa however would have no memory of this argument, the curse, nor would she ever remember the accomplishments Draco made at the piano or his singing. Lucius had no plans, however that Draco should ever forget. He would ensure that Draco completely understood who was in control, and that he would understand completely what was expected of him.

"You will learn to never disobey me, Draco."

Lucius then left the room as his family cried out in agony.

Thankfully his father never learned of Professor Howell. Draco was later able to visit the professor at the University in Bath. His mother was confused when he asked to visit the University, having no memory of the piano or the lessons with Professor Howell. Fortunately, she agreed to take him.

Draco entered Professor Howell's office. After shaking hands and exchanging some pleasantries, Draco listened as the professor voiced his great disappointment in not hearing from him. Draco apologized, sadly walked to the door and pulled out his wand.

"Obliviate."

Professor Howell had a sudden look of confusion.

"May I help you, son?"

Any knowledge Professor Howell held of Draco, their lessons, and the Manor was forever wiped from his memory.

Tears were streaming down his face as he left the professor's office. He so wished for the comfort that he would not receive.

Lucius had destroyed one of the few things that ever gave Draco great pleasure, and he took discipline to the extreme. However, his love for his father never waned.

Yes, Lucius was well underway to ensure Draco was a mirror image of himself.

If only he weren't sorted into Slytherin five years ago. How could it possibly have been otherwise with the thoughts of his father so ingrained? If he had been placed in one of the other three houses, his father would have been angered.

"Anger is a bit mild for father," he laughed to himself. "He would have literally exploded."

Now beginning his sixth year at Hogwarts, he had grown both physically and mentally. He was about to begin a quest that could literally be fatal to him not only as a Slytherin, but from his father as well. Draco intended to make amends from past behavior, and he intended to begin with the Gryffindor Trio. He was ready to break the outer shell that had been such a part of himself since he started school at Hogwarts, and present his true self to the three people he'd always presumed enemies. There were many things that no one knew about the real Draco Malfoy.

Glancing at his watch and seeing it was nearly midnight, Draco quickly dressed. He grabbed his parchment and quill, and left the dormitory. He ignored his housemates as he exited the common room on his way to the Owlry.