Chapter Ten- House Turnaround
"Come on, Draco. Let's walk around the grounds," Pansy said the Sunday after Draco successfully Apparated. "You can finish your homework tonight."
"Sorry, Pansy. I've got the momentum going now. If I stop now, I'll probably lose it."
Pansy huffed. "Fine." Her eyes raked the Common Room and landed on Daphne Greengrass. "Come on, Daphne." The two girls left the Common Room, went up the stairs, and out the double front doors.
"Draco's been acting differently this year," Pansy said as they set off along the lake. "He would have dropped his homework in a heartbeat to walk with me and speaking of homework, he spends an awful lot of time studying and working hard. That's not like him."
"That's a good point. Why is he acting differently?" Daphne asked.
"I don't know, but I intend to find out."
Draco scribbled another answer on his Herbology homework before pausing. He knew his refusal upset Pansy, but he couldn't leave his homework for tonight; it was full moon time again.
The Common Room's wall opened and Pansy and Daphne walked in. Draco avoided Pansy's gaze by burying his face in his homework, thus he missed Pansy sidling toward the sixth-year boy's dormitory.
She paused at the doorway before heading toward Draco's bed. She identified it by the photograph on the nightstand: A man and a woman with an eleven-year-old boy standing in front of them. All three had blond hair and looks of, what some would call, supreme arrogance. It was clear that this picture was taken shortly after their first year judging from the fact that Draco was wearing school robes with the Slytherin crest.
All three Malfoys watched her as she rifled through the nightstand; she wasn't sure what she was looking for, but she hoped to find something unusual. She opened the top drawer to find a book bearing the title: Lycanthrope: A Guide to Life.
A book on werewolf life? Pansy wondered. Why would Draco have a book like this? Could it be…Draco's a werewolf?
She put the book back and headed back to the Common Room. She saw Draco still where she left him but now he was switching homework assignments. If he is a werewolf, then that's why he refused the walk: It's the full moon tonight. I can't confront him about it; he would be angry that I snooped through his things, but I have to tell somebody about that book. Wait! I'll tell Blaise. He would be able to confirm my claim without having to sneak into the dorm.
She found him on the other side of the room, just winning a game of Wizard Chess. His opponent left his seat with an indifferent shrug and Pansy took the opportunity to occupy that seat.
Blaise smiled at her. "Care to play?" he asked.
"No. I want to tell you something. It's about Draco."
Blaise looked over at the blonde. "What about him? He's doing his homework like he's been doing all year. Odd that he cares so much about his studies now."
"Well, I…looked through his nightstand just now and found a book in the top drawer: A book on werewolf life."
"Why would he have a book like that?"
"Exactly what I was wondering. I can think of two conclusions: Either he's interested in werewolves or he is a werewolf."
"Oh, come on Pansy! Draco, a werewolf? That's silly."
"No, it's not. It's possible."
"You would need solid evidence to prove he's a werewolf."
"What about his behavior over the last several months? You said it yourself: He studies all the time and pretty much keeps to himself, which he never did before. He disappears at least once a month and have you noticed how pale and ill he looks sometimes?"
"I have noticed how he looks and that's why he goes to the Hospital Wing."
"At the same time every month?"
"That's not proof."
Pansy sniffed as she left. She needed proof and she was going to get it. She watched Draco the rest of the day and when he stood up, grabbed his bag, and headed for the entrance, Pansy called, "Draco, where are you going?"
"Hospital Wing," was the answer. "I'm not feeling too good."
Pansy waited until Draco had a head start and quickly left after him. She kept pace with him as they climbed the staircases and went right past the floor the Hospital Wing was located on. She stopped however when she saw him round the corner on the seventh floor which she knew led to the Room of Requirement.
She peered around the edge and saw Draco open a door and enter the room beyond it. Here was her chance to find out why he went here and if he was a werewolf. She strode up to the door, grasped the doorknob, and tried to turn it. It would not turn.
It must be locked. But I didn't hear the sound of the door locking. As she stood there, contemplating the door, a cold voice behind her said, "Miss Parkinson, what are you doing up here?" She turned to see Professor Snape's cold disapproving stare.
"I saw Draco go into this room here, sir," she replied. "I wanted to ask him something."
"Mr. Malfoy has special permission from the headmaster to wander the corridors at night from time to time. You do not. I'm afraid this is a detention for you tomorrow night in my office at eight. Now, go back to the Common Room."
"Yes, sir." Pansy headed back the way she came, but stopped once around the corner. She peeked around the edge and saw Snape enter with a dinner tray in one hand. Pansy ran up to the door once it closed and tried to open it, but she couldn't. She gave up and started back downstairs.
Whatever Draco's up to, Snape appears to be in on it. I can't wait to tell Blaise.
"You were followed," Snape stated which was followed by the sound of locked door refusing to open.
"I heard that sound earlier after I got in," Draco said. "You said I was followed."
"Yes. I found Miss Parkinson in front of the door. Apparently, if you are seen entering, that person can see the door, but not get in." Snape put the tray down before adding, "I'll see you in the morning, Draco."
Once Snape had left, Draco silently swore. His efforts to keep his secret was getting harder to maintain. Pansy was starting to poke around and it meant one of two things: Either she would learn the truth or he would be able to fabricate a story to satisfy her curiosity.
Pansy flounced into the Common Room and made a beeline for Blaise. He stayed where he was and cocked his head slightly at the smug look on her face. "Pansy?"
"Draco's not in the Hospital Wing," she said triumphantly. "He's in the Room of Requirement."
"Did you confront him?"
"No. Draco's worded it so only he and Professor Snape can enter."
"Professor Snape? He's in on whatever Draco's doing?"
"It makes sense to my werewolf theory. He can brew the Wolfsbane Potion and Draco's learning about making it himself. Draco could be using the Room of Requirement as a place to transform."
"It would make sense," Blaise said slowly. "But, I don't know…"
"Oh, come on Blaise! Draco's obviously hiding something from us. He's never done that before."
"Pansy, unless Draco actually tells you he's a werewolf, I'm not buying your theory." Blaise turned and headed for the dorm.
Blaise looked at Draco's part of the dorm as he got dressed for bed. Was it true? About the book? He quickly crossed over to the nightstand, opened the top drawer, and there was the book, just as Pansy had said. He pushed it closed ant returned to his bed, pulling the curtains closed so he could think in private.
Pansy is in love with Draco, that's obvious. Perhaps that's why she's trying to find out what Draco's doing: Because she believes couples shouldn't keep secrets from each other. As for Draco, if he is a werewolf then he's no longer a pureblood and I, for one, do not want to associate with a werewolf.
Draco reappeared at the Slytherin table the next morning when Blaise and Pansy entered the Great Hall. Blaise greeted him with his usual nod, but Pansy looked at him with suspicion. Draco couldn't blame her; he had told her he was going to the Hospital Wing, but didn't. By the same token, he didn't appreciate her tailing him to his sanctuary. As he tucked into breakfast, he thought about his situation. I have to admit that it's not easy hiding it, especially when I disappear once a month. There have been times when I wanted to confess to someone. I know I can't because no one in Slytherin would accept a werewolf for a friend. Not only that, I might be considered an insult to Slytherin's pureblood mindset. Of course, none of that is true. At least not to me- not anymore.
Draco kept an ear open for Voldemort once he had returned home for Easter. There had been one meeting and he had attended for Voldemort had wanted a report on his murder mission. Draco had replied, "I have been making preparations and should be able to act before the end of the school year." Draco made sure to keep his mind empty and calm as he uttered this lie as Bellatrix had instructed him. It worked as Voldemort simply nodded before dismissing Draco. He left so he could prepare for his change that night. He felt lucky that he had taken the potion days before he came home as well as the nightly visits from Snape after coming home. Snape had told Draco that he would like the blonde to assist a little more with the potion than last time. Snape wouldn't say more and it left Draco waiting in anticipation for classes to resume.
Draco stepped out of Snape's fireplace, brushing ash from his robes into the now empty grate. "Evening, Professor," he said.
"Evening, Draco. I have a couple of messages for you. First, Professor Dumbledore wishes to see you tomorrow at eight for your new report. Second, your private lessons. Your assistance will be adding ingredients and doing some of the instructions yourself."
Draco's face lit up. "Really?"
"Yes. Be here Wednesday and we'll begin preparations for the brewing process."
"All right." Draco nodded and left the office to go to the Common Room. He gave the new password and as the wall opened, Pansy charged through, seized Draco's robes and dragged him down the corridor.
"Pansy," Draco gasped once she had released him. "What's the big-,"
"Shut up, werewolf," Pansy snapped.
Draco kept his face impassive as he said calmly, "What are you talking about?"
"Don't deny it. I told my father about my suspicions about you being a werewolf and he confirmed that you were bitten last summer. He knows because he was one of the ones who held you that night."
Draco paled. He didn't know the identities of those who held him for they were wearing hoods. Now, he knew one of them.
"All right," he said quietly. "I'm a werewolf. Professor Snape's been teaching me how to brew the Wolfsbane Potion so I can do it myself and I use the Room of Requirement as a safe place to transform. Pansy, you should know that this doesn't change who I am. I'm still Draco Malfoy."
Pansy shot him a disgusted look. "Think again, Draco. Your blood isn't pure anymore. I don't want to associate with someone who isn't a pureblood." She stalked back up the corridor, leaving Draco to feel awful about Pansy's reaction.
I thought she would react like this, but it still hurts. Will she tell the rest of the House? If so, will it spread to the rest of the school?
Blaise stared at Pansy, stunned. "So, he is a werewolf?" he asked softly.
"That's right. I asked Draco just no. I told him all my suspicions and he admitted it."
"Well, you know we have to tell the other six-years about this."
"Why stop there? The whole House should know. Let's tell the ones that are here and they'll tell the rest of Slytherin."
Blaise nodded. "Let's do it."
Well, she told the whole House, Draco thought as he sat down to breakfast the next morning. It wasn't obvious to the rest of the school, but Draco noticed that his housemates edged away from him slightly. There were also looks of disgust or revulsion being shot his way. Crabbe and Goyle had even turned on him.
It's not my fault I'm a werewolf, Draco thought savagely as he buttered his toast. I didn't ask for this. You'd think they'd be more understanding. Then again, none of us thought kindly of Lupin before learning the truth and we still didn't after finding out.
He looked up the table and earned a few more disgusted looks. He sighed. I wish I had someone beside Professors Snape and Dumbledore to talk to, preferably another student. But no student know except all of Slytherin and I usually just talk to my fellow year-mates. I'm now all alone and no idea what to do.
Draco entered Dumbledore's office on time as usual and found the Headmaster waiting patiently for him, his hands on the desk as before, right over left. He smiled gently at the boy. "Good evening, Draco. I trust you are well?"
"Good evening, sir. I'm well physically as much as can be expected. Emotionally, I'm not well as all. All of Slytherin knows I'm a werewolf."
"Have they? How did that come about? You did well to conceal it thus far."
"Pansy spoke to her father over Easter. She had been getting suspicious of where I go every month. He told her the truth and she confronted me about it last night."
"I am sorry to hear that, Draco. Perhaps they were not true friends. If they were, they wouldn't care that you're a werewolf.
"But, we're getting off track. Have you anything new to report?"
"No, sir. Voldemort asked how I was doing with the task he gave me. I told him I was making preparations that you would be dead by the end of the school year."
"Impressive, my boy."
"Sir, do you have a solution, yet?"
"Certainly. I will die."
Draco gaped at him for a moment before saying, "I'm sorry, sir?"
Dumbledore held up his right hand. "I am already dying, Draco. I came into contact with a nasty curse over the summer. Severus trapped it in one hand, but even now it is slowly spreading and it will eventually kill me. Severus said I'll be dead by the end of the year. Voldemort will never know that you didn't kill me."
Draco was shocked at the news. He lied about when Dumbledore would be dead and it was actually true! He wanted to offer his condolences, but the words seemed stuck in his throat.
Dumbledore studied him for a moment. "Do not worry about me, Draco. I lived a long, full life and have but a few regrets. My death will save the lives of your parents and you. A worthy cause."
Draco nodded and both bid the other good night and he descended downstairs, his mind trying to grasp the concept that the Headmaster would soon be dead.
No wonder he said McGonagall would hire me, too. He knew he was…not going to be here when I apply.
He approached the entrance to Slytherin and took a moment to compose himself. Just this morning, he had considered moving his stuff to his sanctuary, but then dismissed the idea: It struck him as cowardly and besides, he had nothing to be ashamed of; being a werewolf was not too bad.
He spoke the password and walked in with his head up. He ignored all the looks and whispers as he marched into his dorm, gathered his homework, and plopped down in a corner of the Common Room. He was going to show everyone that it wasn't your blood that determined who you were or if you were worthy of respect.