Wednesday 19 August 2015... like quarter to 2am, UK time
AN: Well shoot, isn't this awkward? Almost a month later... I have excuses, seriously! I was going to update just before I went away, BUT I didn't realise someone was coming (we were going together) at midday, I thought it was like evening! And yeah. While away, I wrote a bit (:D) but forgot my password so I couldn't log into my account on my phone :(
ANYWAY, I swear I won't leave it this long. In fact, I swear upon the River Styx I will update again really, really soon, tomorrow/later even. Thanks to everyone who reads this, especially my reviewers petethehotdog, AsgardGuardian, SuperMegaFoxyAwesomeHot2001, Iris Stardust and Jily71102 :D
My dear Father,
I know I have already written to both you and Mother informing you of my first few days, but I have something I would specifically like to bring to your attention. I did seriously consider letting Mother know as well, but I believe this will come out in its own time. I wouldn't want to worry Mother, especially at present. I believe she's still furious about last year. And it took you so long to recover from her rage, I know you hate to see her upset. Which is why I think it better if you ease the news out to her gently.
I know she was thrilled when she found out about who my new teacher would be for Defence Against the Dark Arts. You told me you both went to school with him, and Mother was delighted at the prospect of me turning out like Professor Lockhart- a not so special someone at school, so quickly developing into a dashing young lad. However, this is not to be.
Excited, I walked into the classroom, waiting for a lesson full of mystery, but was instead greeted by a cheerful smile. Shrugging it off, I sat down- and can you believe it?! He gave us a quiz. A quiz! We had half an hour to answer the questions (I have enclosed a copy of my one). Seeing as Mother made me read the books, I was ready to answer the questions- I could easily have answered 'in which year was Gilderoy Lockhart's first adventure', or 'What was Gilderoy Lockhart's most famous adventure'- but I really had no clue about what his favourite colour was! Please don't judge me Father, I'm sure you understand! His test was- if I may- a load of utter junk. I know you and Mother would prefer me to learn the actual Dark Arts rather than Defence against them- but even the Defence would be better than his lessons.
I gave him some time- after all, as you say, a Malfoy always gives a chance- but his lessons were of no improvement. I have my lessons with the Ravenclaws, while Hufflepuff and Gryffindor share a lesson. I spoke to Wayne Hopkins (a Hufflepuff boy- I am exceedingly sorry, but I couldn't ask a Gryffindor, could I?) – and he informed me that they also received the quiz. They had their first lesson before us, and Professor Lockhart apparently released a cage of pixies that caused so much havoc! Imagine if that had been me!
But all the same, I also believe that if he's trained, Gilderoy Lockhart would be a good... ally for you. I believe he doesn't work well in classrooms as he is used to the real world, which could be very good for you- it would be better for you than me, at the moment, I am learning nothing! Another reason why you must ease it out to Mother. The best I can say for him is that he is well written. And he does have that charm, I guess. But we paid money for those schoolbooks, and I would like to use them to the best purpose I can! Of course, we could've bought hundreds of those school books and still been able to buy more, but think about those poor families like the Weasley family! Oh no, that sounds awful! I only meant, Father, that there are people who can't afford them! I mean, I know that if they can't afford them or have not enough money, then they deserve nothing, but... well, my point was, his books aren't being used to their full purpose.
I know Mother doesn't obsess over Professor Lockhart, but it may have helped me if she did. Of course, I don't want her to, that's absurd, but... anyway. I was mortified when I received my test paper back. My mark, as you will have realised, was 11 out of 54. I was mortified- especially as I found out about everyone else! Granger got 100% as expected, which made me almost sink to my knees crying. Potter got 15, so he beat me by 4. However, Daphne cheered me up quite a bit with her logic- she reminded me that I got a good mark because- yes, it makes sense!- you don't want to get 100% because it means you're a nerd who pays that much attention and is obsessed with Professor Lockhart. And of course, I beat Weasley- Ronald, that is, though I probably also beat the rest too!
Anyway Father, I just felt it my duty to inform you as no one else is going to. I was also wondering about moving schools, perhaps, because the education here is a complete and utter abomination. Please don't be too harsh Father, and do tell me what the result is once you tell Mother.
Your loving son,
Draco
xxx
Dear Draco,
I thank you for writing to me to give me the details on that. I wrote to Dumbledore the moment I read your letter, but my reply was short and brief, saying unless I was willing to come in and teach Defence Against the Dark Arts and I gave him a formal complaint, no change would be made, apart from them having a talk with Professor Lockhart. And of course, I have plenty of better things to do than teach snivelling children... well, let's say, teaching them as opposed to what I've been doing for some of my life.
And I do have good news- while I did get the news out as sweetly as I could, it was nowhere near as bad as when she found out about your teacher last year. She didn't even start hexing the dummies again, it was just a resigned sigh. You see, those who went to school with Gilderoy Lockhart (like your mother and myself) never did seem to be as attracted to him. In our day, he was normal, I guess a bit above average, but really his fan club consisted of a few sad girls who were attracted by his looks. Even when he became famous, though his fame with others grew, those people in his year and older (who remembered him as an obnoxious brat) and even a few younger- they never fell for him. So I don't think your Mother was surprised. I think she'd been expecting it.
Now, now Draco- a Hufflepuff? I guess that will do, I have nothing against Hufflepuff really, just ... there are more... let's say, impressionable people. What is his blood status? Also, while I'm on the subject about blood status, don't ramble- that book paragraph was complete shambles. The cost doesn't matter, Merlin, we could buy books for everyone at Hogwarts and still have enough! So don't ramble, it's unbecoming of a pure blood.
Your mark? 11, it is extremely disappointing, but given the subject and manner of the test, I will make exceptions. I am very glad you put Weasley in his place. Still, by the time Hogwarts closes... for the Summer, I'll say... I don't think it will have been necessary, they'll be humble enough! I won't say anymore... in fact, just ignore me Draco. However, fear not Draco, I'm sure the Mudblood won't beat you in tests for much longer... you'll see what I mean soon, Draco.
I must go now Draco, please continue to inform me on everything- everything, not just Lockhart, that is. Tell me about everyone's attitudes, and if anything strange or abnormal happens.
Love, Father
xxx
AN: You know, I originally had this double update planned for earlier. I had literally almost finished Crabbe's test (I know it took ages, but you try being in the head of someone like Crabbe!) when I went to finish watching Goblet of Fire (did I mention how much I hate Wormtail again?). Anyway, when I came back, the computer was updating something, and I had to wait ages for it to restart and finish updating. And me, being the clever genius I am, didn't save it in the middle! So luckily I had finished this, but now have to do Crabbe's test again from question 9- I didn't want to make you wait any longer. But it'll be quicker cause I remember some of the answers. Lesson learned? Save your work!
Also, I've been back for two days now, but I'm completely exhausted. Literally, whenever I get out the computer, I fall asleep. So yeah, I'm replying to any PMs, don't worry! I swear on the River Styx I will reply and update so, soon! I hope to by English evening :D
And Happy Birthday Percy, (Percy Jackson, that is)!
And I swear, next few updates will be actual quizzes! On that point, which do you prefer? Quizzes or other stuff? Now, I'm gonna shut up now, and if you're reading this and I'm reading on of your stories and you updated, I read them while I was away, but need to go and review them, so hang in there :D Okay, I'm really gonna shut up now. Remember to review, follow and favourite!