Okay, y'all are going to have to bear in mind that this is not true to Harry Potter due to the fact that I have forgotten lots of technicalities, and it is my OWN story so some of it might not fall in line with the actual books. Be open minded dears (:

It never occurred to me that life could be so... so... so painful when you had a conscience. I sincerely wish I had been born without one. If I didn't have one, I wouldn't be in my current predicament. But as it is, I am, and ... oh excuse me.

"Draco. Malfoy," the boy across from me snarled. I didn't know him any better than I knew the other students standing at his shoulders, you know, for 'support'. Like he needed any extra help. He looked like he worked out... a lot. There is nothing else distinguishable about him, I'm really not being stingy on the details I swear. He's got plain brown hair and a plain face and a very common snarl. I see it too often on the faces of my peers. Oh, and he wore the uniform of Ravenclaw, my least favourite house.

'Yes?' What else was I supposed to say? But of course I said it with my usual veneer. Couldn't have anyone guessing I was experiencing... Never mind.

"I heard your grand old Dad had a hand in the latest Death Eater's rampage," the boy said, his eyes glinting vehemently. "Killed my sister. She was four."

I must admit, I was a bit stricken. I knew my father had to do what the Lord told him to, but to kill an innocent four year old girl? I had thought that was beyond even his capabilities.

"What do you want me to say, twat?" I spat at him. Yes, 'twat' was a bit weak, but I didn't know his name.

He smiled. It was as though he was waiting for a cue, and he'd just received it. He took a step forward, his pals stepping in unison. One big 'let's beat up Malfoy' unit.

"Stop!" A shrill voice shrieked. I didn't even need to turn around to see who it belonged to. I'd know that shrill, hysterical sounding voice anywhere.

Hermione Granger stepped up beside me. "Hi Draco," she said, tight lipped, without looking at me.

"Heya Granger, come to help me out?" I said with a sneer. She just made a 'hmph' sound.

"Granger stay out of this," the leader of the bunch growled.

"I'm giving you one chance to leave now and I won't tell an authority," Granger said in her most ostentatious voice. She held her head high, nose in the air, stomach sucked in, chest puffed out. She is a real piece of work, that Granger. I almost admire her for it.

The boys just laughed, as I would have if I were them.

"Will you now?" they said, advancing forward again. "Fat lot of good that'll do you, it'll take you longer to call McGonagall than it will for us to be through with you." He laughed again.

Now it was my turn to laugh. Behind them, with a raised eyebrow and arms firmly crossed, stood the Professor.

"Oi, what're you-" the boy started but the Professor cut him off.

"Oh yes indeed, Hermione and Malfoy here would scarcely have had a snow pea of a chance against big, strong bullies" they winced at this "like you boys had Hermione not already sent for me the instant she heard you picking on Malfoy." McGonagall certainly did have a way with words. She had this perfect way of making anyone turn cold with sweat at the severity of her voice. I had to applaud her.

"Stop that Malfoy," her words whipped across at me. I hung my head. Hermione smiled a little.

"I saw that," I muttered to her with a sly grin. She just stuck her nose up in the air again.

McGonagall sent the boys away with slips for detention, while Granger and I walked out into the grounds.

I should explain. When I had met the Ravenclaw idiots in the corridor, I had been on my way back to the Slytherin common room after a late tutorial with Professor Snape. He was giving me after hours lessons in Potions... and, well, other things too, of a darker nature. I can't really discuss it. Anyway, I had been walking along the dark corridor, my wand lit to ensure I could see, when these boys out of nowhere barricaded the hallway so I couldn't get past. Thugs.

"Malfoy?" Granger all but yelled my name.

"Oh sorry... I was... thinking," I muttered. I should really stop going off in my head sometimes.

"Well!" She said.

"Well?" I replied.

"Don't you have something to say to me?" she demanded. This girl, I'll tell you what. It never ends! I don't understand where she finds the energy to be so goddamned martyr-like.

"Oh whatever Granger, you just jump at the chance to catch someone in the wrong."

Her cheeks flushed slightly red. I love making her mad. It's just so damned fun and just too easy.

"You're such an utter PRAT Malfoy!" she yelled at me and turned to go back inside.

You know how I mentioned that conscience at the beginning? Well it just kicks in at the most inconvenient of times.

I groaned. "Granger, wait!" I called after her. She didn't stop so I had to jog to catch up with her. I grabbed her arm and she whirled around with an accusatory finger ready to stab at my chest.

"You. Are. So. Frustrating!" she gave me a jab with each word for emphasis.

"You. Just. SUC-"

"I'm sorry," I said.

She seemed a bit flabbergasted so I gave her a few seconds to recover. It's a rare day that a Malfoy apologises.

"And thank you," I added when I thought she was breathing again. "You really helped me out back there and you didn't have to, so thank you," I said in one big rush. It's painful, this conscience business. I really don't like it. I think I'll ask Snape to find a potion to get rid of it for me... Only... if he knew I even had one he really wouldn't be pleased. And an unpleased Snape is a vicious Snape.

"Well... Erm... You're welcome," the girl said with a small (very small) smile.

"Anyway, I'll see you tomorrow Mudblood," I called over my shoulder as I started to walk away. I could hear her get out her wand so I turned around while walking and blew her a kiss.
She somehow got the idea I was only joking.

Well... half-joking.