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Anima Draconis - The Soul Of A Dragon


Harry stumbled over the foot that had been placed in his way and fell face first onto the ground, dropping all his books and parchments. The ink bottle he had carried shattered into pieces and caused large black stains to spread over all his notes. Goyle snickered.

You're so stupid, Potter, you're too stupid to walk, better stay down there so you don't have to worry about falling anymore. The big Slytherin boy said and laughed. Harry was still on the floor and tried to gather his belongings when he saw Draco Malfoy pushing his friends Crabbe and Goyle aside in order to get into the classroom. Harry was surprised that he obviously didn't want to stay, watch him and throw some insults at him while he was crawling around on the ground.

Maybe he can find your brain somewhere down there while picking up his books. Draco instead hissed at his fellow Slytherin and walked into the classroom, leaving everyone stunned with surprise, Gryffindors and Slytherins alike. They heard fast footsteps in the hallway and the Slytherins quickly followed Malfoy into the classroom while Ron dropped to his knees to help Harry gather his things.

Did I get that right? He asked. Malfoy insulting one of his friends instead of you, his favourite victim?

He must be sick or something, probably a high fever... Harry muttered and they both grinned.

They saw a shadow creeping over them and without looking up they knew Snape had arrived for their potions lesson. I am convinced you have a perfectly reasonable explanation ready for crawling around on the floor, but spare me with that please. The professor said in a low voice. Five points from Gryffindor, each of you, for being late. He added, stepped over the two boys and entered the classroom.


Draco didn't pay a lot of attention to his teacher, his friends or the Gryffindors sitting at the next table. Instead he kept staring down onto the wooden tabletop in front of him. After about twenty minutes of staring he pulled the piece of parchment from his pocket, unfolded it and read it for what must have been the hundredth time since the letter had arrived that morning. Every time he looked at it he felt more anxiety building up inside of him. Tomorrow would be the day. The first day of the rest of his life, as his father called it. Draco looked up to check if Crabbe was still working on their potion and then let his gaze travel to his teacher who was sitting at his desk in the front of the classroom, reading an essay. Snape had always been a close friend of his father so Draco had known him ever since he could remember. Still he was quite sure that regarding this issue he could not confide in him He knew that some people had started to doubt Snape's loyalties towards the Dark Lord but even if that was true, he probably still wouldn't betray his old friend Lucius. Snape looked up and their eyes met. Draco couldn't quite read his expression but he was sure that he did not show the pride and anticipation he had expected. But still, he couldn't tell him. If there was one thing he had learned from his father it was that you mustn't trust anyone. Snape lowered his eyes back onto the essay he had been reading and Draco went back to staring onto his table. He didn't even notice the suspicious looks Harry and his friends gave him.

What is it, Malfoy, think you don't even have to look at that potion in order to get a perfect grade from Snape? Ron whispered and sneered at him

Malfoy didn't react but Snape did. Rather concentrate on your work, Mr. Weasley. He said without looking up and Ron turned back to his potion.


Mr. Malfoy? Snape called after the students when they were leaving the classroom at the end of the lesson and the young man he had addressed stopped and slowly walked back towards his professor. I had the impression that you were not really following the lesson today. Is there a reason for that? He asked, put down the parchment and looked at his student. Draco looked straight into those black eyes but they still didn't tell him anything.

No Sir, I think I'm just a little tired today... He replied and lowered his head to evade his inquisitive gaze.

Snape nodded. Please note that I will not accept behaviour like this in the future. Go to your class now.


Draco didn't. He walked out of the classroom, through the dungeons and up to the ground floor but he didn't climb the stairs leading to the first floor where he was ought to be for his history lesson. Instead he strode through the empty corridors, to the entrance hall and through the large wooden doors leading out of the castle.

The autumn sun coloured the woods and meadows in a warm gold and a cold breeze was tearing the dying leafs off the branches of the trees in front of the school. He walked over the green grass towards the lake, gazing up at the sun and feeling its warmth on his pale skin. Having reached the sea Draco stopped and looked down at the surface which showed a rippled reflection of the sun. He took out the piece of parchment to read it one last time.

'My son, with this I announce to you that your initiation will take place tomorrow night. We are expecting great things from you, you will make your mother and myself very proud.'

He hadn't signed it. And he hadn't addressed him by his name, he never did. Draco had made his decision. He wasn't going to follow his father's footsteps. He looked around himself to make sure nobody was watching him, pulled out his wand, whispered 'Incendio!' and watched the letter being destroyed by the bright flames. Just before the fire reached his hand he dropped what was left of the parchment into the deep water.

You won't have reason to be proud of me this time, father... He muttered.

It was clear to him that he had to leave. If he stayed in the school his father would come and get him. There was no way he could start arguing with him - joining the Dark Lord had never been intended to be Draco's decision, his father had made that decision for him already before he had even been born. He looked back up to the old castle. There wasn't anyone who could help him. He couldn't trust any of his fellow students, none of the Slytherins at least. Many of their parents were Death Eaters themselves and he didn't really know any students from the other houses. He didn't know if he could trust Snape and he couldn't imagine to confide in any other teacher. So he didn't have a choice. He turned around and started walking into the sun without looking back.


He had been walking for hours. It had to be late afternoon already because it was getting colder and the sun was slowly setting and preparing to leave the world to the approaching night. Draco began to doubt this had been one of his best ideas. He was cold, he was tired and he was exhausted.

I'm a wizard after all, what am I doing here, walking... I could be flying... He muttered under his breath while stumbling over a vast harvest field. His cloak got caught in the stubble again and again and Draco became impatient when trying to free it, tearing it apart at the lower end. Right now some magic would have come in very handy he thought, but he couldn't risk it - it would give his whereabouts away to the Ministry. It seemed an eternity before he finally left the field behind and reached a large meadow. He stopped walking and let his body drop down onto the soft grass. Lying on his back with his arms spread wide he stared up into the darkening sky. This time I'm not going to do as you tell me... He muttered. Do you hear that? He shouted out into the empty sky above him. I won't do as you tell me! And you can't make me!

***

Do you think we would be allowed to go to Hogsmeade tomorrow on our own? Ron asked during dinner.

We've been to Hogsmeade last weekend, what would you need to go there for again? Harry replied.

Ron shrugged. Just an idea... What do you think, 'Mione?

I'll be going home this weekend, remember? She replied.

Ron asked.

Hermione rolled her eyes. Because it's my great-grandmother's one-hundredth birthday, I'll be going to London with my parents, I told you last week, do you ever listen?

Not if there's something to eat around. Harry replied, looking at his friend who was just wolfing down some baked potato. Food distracts him too much.

No it doesn't... Ron muttered. It's not like you'd never forget something...

Hermione looked up to the teacher's table and saw Snape rising from his chair. It wasn't unusual for him to leave the hall as one of the first but this time she was surprised to see that he didn't walk towards the doors but in the opposite direction, to where the headmaster was seated.

May I have a word with you? Snape whispered to Dumbledore. The old wizard noticed a worried undertone in his colleague's voice.

Of course. He replied and followed him a few steps away from the others towards the corner of the hall. What is it?

Draco Malfoy. He hasn't been seen ever since my potions lesson this morning. Snape explained in a low voice.

Do you think he left the castle? Would he have a reason to do something like that? Dumbledore asked. Or do you think something could have happened to him?

Well... Lucius told me that Draco was going to be initiated to the Dark Lord's circle tomorrow. Snape replied. You know I always hoped the boy wouldn't follow his father to the dark side. Maybe I was right.

The headmaster looked at him for a long time without saying anything. Thank you for informing me. He then said, turned away and strode out of the Great Hall, leaving behind a puzzled potions master.