---don't own don't sue!

The Squib

Malfoy walked drearily back toward the common room. Madame Pince had taken pity on him and written numerous sick notes for his teachers, suggesting that he spend the rest of the day in bed, avoid stressful situations and to return to her the following day for assessment.

He reached the entrance hall as the quidditch team returned from practice. Crabbe and Goyle waved to him and motioned for the commonroom. Malfoy nodded and made to follow when out of the corner of his eye he saw Mrs. Norris patrolling nearby. Curiosity got the better of him and he followed her to find Filch mopping floors in the next corridor.

"What d'you want?" He said gruffly, spreading the liquid over Malfoy's shoes without a care.

"I wanted your advice." Draco said honestly.

"And what would Master Malfoy require?" He sneered.

"You're a squib right?" Malfoy asked, forgetting his manners. Filch never seemed to have any anyway.

"Don't talk to me like that!" Filch snapped. "I'm still human and pureblood! Not that you care!"

"I do care!" Draco blurted. "Mr. Filch I just discovered that my magic has vanished…and I mean gone!" He laughed, his unease and worry etched in his smiling face. "Do you understand my situation? Have you even met my parents? I need to talk to someo-"

Filch held up his hand and sucked his teeth in thought. "Alright…but not here...my office." He pointed to the nearby door, and Draco went in obediently, sitting himself down in front of Filch's desk. Filch finished mopping the floor and joined him not long after.

"I must say I'm surprised that it's happened to you of all people!" Filch smiled with a victorious grin as he sat down.

"What happened sir?" Draco sighed. "I need to know."

Filch pressed his fingers together and leant back in his chair. "Its not widely known, but I first came to Hogwarts as a student…spent four years learning magic…my parents were pureblood too! Then one day in my fourth year my magic suddenly stopped. It was months gone before I realized it wasn't just magical dysfunction…it was never going to come back. My parents were embarrassed and ashamed. It turns out I wasn't born a wizard like they thought. I was born a squib, but showed wizard abilities as I developed, only to lose them when I reached manhood."

"I lost mine today." Draco confessed.

"I'm sorry about that." Filch shrugged. "When the time comes to tell your Dad…well…lets hope he's more forgiving than mine!"

"What did he do?" Draco asked.

"He threw me out. Dumbledore took me in, couldn't teach me magic anymore but he let me stay at Hogwarts and earn my keep. Better than an orphanage…better than muggles." Filch went quiet, and Draco shifted uncomfortably.

"Naaah I wouldn't worry just yet boy!" Filch patted him on the shoulder encouragingly. "Might just be Magical Dysfunction…your dad need never know!" He winked. Draco smiled weakly and stood up to leave. "Thanks sir!" He nodded respectfully and left. Filch sat back in his chair, a proud smile stretched across his face. He had earned the respect of a student…he was an important member of staff after all.

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