So, I realized something... events in this story may be out of order from the original Harry Potter storyline. For example, I mentioned it's fall in the very beginning of the story, when, in the actual story, Draco accidentally hexed Katie Bell when it was already winter. Oops! It's been a while since I've seen the movies and read the books, so my apologies if other things are out of order. But this is a fanfic, so it's okay if things are a little out of order, right?!

Also... gotta love Draco's sweet tooth! =)

And ladies, don't go too crazy during one certain scene in this chapter... you'll see ;)

Chapter 19

No more needing to mend the transportation wardrobe, no more needing to find ways to kill Dumbledore. Yes, he was commanded to kill Hermione and send off Annabelle into everlasting misery, but according to her vision, he doesn't do any of that. And Dumbledore doesn't even die in her vision! My, what a huge load off of his shoulders! But there is one thing that is still on his conscience, something that makes that load one his shoulders still a little weighed down, and it's something he should have talked with Dumbledore about the night before. Hermione would say to talk to him about it, if she was there, but she would say that he has nothing to worry about since he had no other choice. That may be true, but he certainly had a choice the past few years, but chose to do the wrong thing anyway.

Draco finished up his chicken stew during the lunch hour and stood up when the bowl was empty. It is getting near to 12:30, and that's when he requested to meet with Dumbledore for a short time do discuss his concerns. Draco had sent off a request via owl this morning before classes and Dumbledore sent one back right after Draco's first class, stating to come in mid-lunch hour at 12:30.

People eyed him as he walked in between the tables, and he heard a random boy from his class, who was a sixth year like him, say, "Do you think Draco knows why none of them were in classes this morning? One of them is his mudblood girlfriend, anyway."

There will be no end to people using that name that made his skin crawl now, as well as people still talking about his and Hermione's relationship. People are so interested, that they are even noticing that her and her friends are absent. Draco himself has been asked by a couple Gryffindors where their classmates are. Dumbledore had said that he would take care of people wondering about Hermione and her friends' absence. Draco just had to tell people that they were off on an errand for Dumbledore that may take a few days, and that he wasn't sure what it was since it was Hogwarts business. Thankfully, they bought that.

Draco walked through the corridors, passing a few people since most of the school was in the Great Hall eating lunch. As always, Draco walked with his hands in his uniform slacks pockets, since that is what he does. He came up to the revolving staircase and said the spell and stepped in. Once into the headmaster's office, all eyes of the men in the portraits of previous headmasters flicked to him. Once right above Draco spoke up, a man who had 19th century clothing on.

"My, isn't it young Mr. Malfoy!" he greeted Draco cheerfully. "Good day to you, m'boy!"

"Good day to you, too, Sir." He looked over Dumbledore's desk and found it empty. His gaze went back up to the portrait. "Is Professor Dumbledore in? I have a meeting with him at 12:30."

"Yes, yes, he is. He just stepped away for a moment and should be back shortly. He told us to tell you to come on in and have a seat in one of the chairs at his desk."

"Alright. Thank you."

Draco walked more into the office and heard that same man say as he did so, "What a pleasant young man."

Draco couldn't help but smile, flattered, at that. He liked that people noticed how much he has changed. Well, given that headmaster probably didn't know about how Draco was in the past, it still made Draco feel good that people think he's a good person now. He has Annabelle and Hermione to thank for that. And ironically, he can thank his past self for that as well since now he knows the person he never wants to be again.

Draco sat in the same chair that Hermione sat in the day before as the five of them were talking with Dumbledore. His new girlfriend has only been gone twelve hours, and he intensely misses her and worries for her. He did when she was gone but a minute. Draco supposes that's another aspect of being in love—you never ever want to part with that person, and you miss them tremendously when they are gone. It was an empty feeling. That's the best he could describe it.

"She'll be back eventually," he muttered, and eyed that same glass bowl of wrapped chocolate on Dumbledore's desk. He had eaten those two pieces he swiped the night before, and had loved them. They were a milky chocolate concoction, and there was a raspberry jelly in the center of them. Delicious. Draco couldn't help but snag another one, unwrap the shiny deep pink wrapper and pop the confection in his mouth. Again, the melted chocolate with a raspberry center was delicious. Once it was gone, he snagged another one, but right as Dumbledore appeared from the back spaces of his office and came up to his desk. Draco hid the candy.

"Those are rather scrumptious, are they not?" Dumbledore asked, then sat down in his desk chair and straightened out his royal-purple robes. He pointed to Draco's right hand that hid the candy. "No need to hide it. Having a sweet tooth is not a crime. If it was, I would have been in Azkaban my very first year here, and would still be in a life sentence."

Speaking of crimes... "Headmaster, about what I wanted to speak with you about..."

Dumbledore straightened a few parchment papers on his desk and set them in a pile off to his right. "You wanted to inquire as to how Miss Granger and her friends are fairing, correct?"

"Well, no, but that would be good to know, yes."

Dumbledore's gray brows rose on his wrinkled forehead, showing his surprise that Draco wasn't wondering how Hermione was doing. Of course he was, but he had a feeling that she was safe. "Well, I can assure you that Miss Granger, as well as Mr. Potter and Weasley, are quite liking their new abodes, and they are as safe as can be at the moment. And that includes Miss Ravenclaw."

Draco nodded, relieved by that. "That's great to hear. I'm glad that they all are doing well." And he hopes it stays that way, regardless of the fact that he has ill feelings towards Harry and Ron. They may be past nemesises—even current ones—but they deserve to be safe like anyone else, and to be happy. He wonders where they were sent. If Hermione likes her accommodations, then the place must have a huge library.

No, he shouldn't guess and give the Dark Lord ideas of where they all are.

"Now what is it that you really came to me for, Mr. Malfoy?"

Draco's pulse started to heighten, and his hands started to go numb in nervousness. He fiddled with the wrapped chocolate in his hand as he met his headmaster's gray-blue eyes. "I... have to clear my conscience of a few things."

"Clear your conscience of what?"

Draco saw the clear confusion in the old man's features and eyes. He honestly cannot think of anything that Draco is guilty of? His heart banged against his ribs at really not wanting to bring this up again, but he has to. "You know of what I was commanded to do before my task was changed."

"Yes, that is correct."

The chocolate started to melt inside of its wrapper as Draco continuously fiddled with it. His throat tightened a bit, and he gulped hard before revealing, "I was commanded to kill you, and I attempted to two previous times, but failed. Instead, I nearly killed two other innocent people, and I'm sure you know about both instances."

Dumbledore nodded, and Draco's gut twisted at seeing him do so. He knew everything. Given, he's the headmaster of Hogwarts and is a powerful wizard, but still... it made Draco feel ill, wishing he never ate lunch. He felt that chicken stew ride up a bit. "Yes, I do, by why mention them?"

"Because they almost died because of me!" He said tersely, but Dumbledore didn't flinch. Tears burned Draco's eyes as the guilt weighed down on him heavily, like boulders on his shoulders. "I deserved to be punished for what I have done to them, and what I could have done to you. It's attempted murder, no matter how you look at it. I don't think I will ever feel comfortable with myself unless I pay for it."

Despite Draco's emotional state, Dumbledore remained perfectly calm, his gaze thoughtful, but serious. "Draco, you literally had no other choice in the matter. You are not to blame."

"But I am!" he argued, tears welling in his eyes. "Katie Bell and Ron Weasley would be dead because of me if circumstances were slightly different, and if I succeeded in my efforts, you would be dead as well."

Draco wiped the tears from his bloodshot eyes with his thumb and pointer finger and took a deep breath to try and calm himself. He didn't want to become an emotional wreck in this meeting, but it just couldn't be helped.

"Draco, even if that is true, you did not have a choice. The Dark Lord made you vow to kill me, or else you yourself would lose your life. Anyone else would have done the same thing, so matter how much they didn't want to do it. And you didn't, correct?"

Draco sniffed and kept his gaze on the mushed wrapped chocolate in his hand. Dumbledore is right. "Yes, I didn't want to, but... I still hurt other people. I hurt other people when I did have the choice to not do it, but I did it anyway. I was a horrible human being who took pleasure in other people's misery. I deserve to be punished for what I have done. All of it. I should be in Azkaban with my father."

More tears welled and and ran down his cheek, and his chest constricted so tight, it was hard to breathe. He looked down at his lap and fiddled more with the chocolate that was completely melted in its wrapper. Dumbledore said as Draco stared at it, his jaw clenched painfully hard, "Draco, it says a lot about you that you want to pay recompense for wrongful deeds. You have come such a long way, and I, and I'm sure those closest to you, are very proud of you for the young man that you are now."

His mind instantly went to what his mother told him in Borgen and Burks, about her feelings when she found out that he saved Hermione's life. She was proud of him for looking out for other people, especially someone who he loathed before. That very person he saved has even said how much she likes this version of him, not the one she knew in their beginning years.

"I still... did what I did," Draco said quietly, and weakly.

"Yes, and I believe there should be no punishment for them."

Draco looked up at him, his eyes wide in bewilderment. "What? Not be punished? I have to be! Please, Headmaster! I will never feel better about myself unless I do!"

Dumbledore let out a heavy sigh. "Well, if you insist on being punished, I can give you detention, but I don't believe that a lad who has been hurting and misunderstood his whole life should be punished for things out of his control."

Draco was about to retort that, but he kept silent. Hurting and misunderstood? Out of his control? He thought on that. From infancy, the only real affection he received was from his mother. He has lived his whole life without a father's love, but instead lived with the pressures of always needing to please him. That horrible childhood... that was the cause of all the bullying. He had to find happiness somewhere and relieve his pain. It shocked him when he finally realized it.

"I suppose... detention will have to do," Draco muttered, feeling worn out from the anger he was feeling toward himself, as well as the other emotions. Dumbledore nodded.

"Very well, if it will help set your mind at ease. But what form of detention did you have in mind?"

"What do you think would be acceptable, Sir, for my past deeds?" Dumbledore remained silent for a moment, thinking. Draco added, "I was serious when I said that I deserve to be imprisoned for attempted murder, even if I had no other choice but to do it. I could have been a murder, in fact, if I was successful in my task."

Dumbledore nodded, but he still seemed to not like the idea of one of his students being imprisoned. "I can contact the Ministry Board and have them find a place for you for a few days. But do you really want the reputation you will have after such a detention?"

"I already have a horrible reputation as it is... I'm a Death Eater who was commanded to kill a man, now the girl I love, and I'm a pureblood Slytherin who is dating that girl, a girl people would call a mudblood. And even if I don't do it anymore, I bullied people to no end in my past years. I don't think I could have a worse reputation for myself at this point."

Dumbledore remained silent on that, and it hurt his heart to know that that silence meant that his headmaster agreed with him... that he indeed has a horrible reputation, and did horrible things in the past. Honestly, Draco doesn't want detention of any form, especially not at the worst prison on the planet, but he deserves it. Certain people now, after seeing how he is, and how he's a generally nicer person and saved someone's life, would say otherwise. But it has to be done. He will feel so much better about himself if he is punished.

"Very well," Dumbledore said in finality. "Is that all that you wished to speak to me about, Draco?"

"Yes, Sir."

"Alright, then. Now off you go. The lunch hour is nearing its end. We don't want you missing any classes."

"But will I for my detention?"

"We will see. If you could come and see me again after your classes today, I will tell you the exact nature of your detention."

"Certainly, Headmaster." He stood. "Thank you for meeting with me and allowing me to speak my mind."

"You are very welcome, Draco. Remember, if there is anything that concerns you, and you do not wish to speak with your parents about it, my office door is always open."

Draco let of a small gracious smile. "Thank you."

"And one more thing." Draco turned and faced his headmaster. The man pointed to Draco's hand. "I am sure that chocolate you're holding is uneatable. Please take a few more."

Not disliking the idea, Draco did so and threw the melted one away in a waste basket near the large wooden desk. He nodded as a thank you and then turned to go. He stepped into the revolving staircase, said the password, and it started moving downward.

He feels at least a smaller burden lifted from his shoulders. He's going to get what he deserves, and when people find out about this, that is exactly what they will say. Dumbledore doesn't think he deserves it, though. How it hurts Draco that he tried to kill that wise old man twice, and how it will hurt Hermione when she finds out about all this. He never mentioned to her his desire to pay recompense for his past deeds because she would say similar things to what Dumbledore said, that he had no choice, that he was misunderstood, and shouldn't be punished...

Well, what's done is done. Dumbledore will contact the Ministry and Draco will serve his detention, or more accurately, his sentence, in Azkaban.

Cold wind whipped Draco's hair after it blew off the hood to his deep green rain jacket, and cold water misted his face from the sea and rain as he sat in a small wooden rowing boat in the North Sea, where Azkaban Prison is located. The angry sea moved the small boat to and frow, and Draco feared that it would tip over at any moment. His stomach rolled around all over inside of him due to the motion, and he feared that he would retch all over the bottom of the boat. He couldn't charm himself with a healing spell since Dumbledore took his wand from him before left that morning, the day after he met with him.

Through the wet bangs plastered to his face, he saw the tall, triangular stone building that is Azkaban appear. It jutted out of the sea, and dark clouds surrounded it, making it seem even more eerie and dismal than it already is. It loomed over him and his guide from the Ministry, a forty-five year old larger man whose job it is to transport prisoners to prison. Draco gulped down something disgusting as his stomach bubbled and he felt a bit light-headed. He asked for this, and even requested that he be treated as a normal prisoner, with ankle and wrist braces, but Dumbledore would have non of that. He would be more of a visitor, but one staying in a cell.

This is the worst prison anyone could be at. Thank goodness this detention will be closely monitored by Dumbledore, so no harm is to come to Draco, not like other prisoners, and... he's going to be put in the cell next to his father. That should be interesting. As far as people wondering where he went, Dumbledore said that he would say that he sent Draco off to help Hermione, Harry and Ron with this "assignment" that was given to them. Funny—they all thought that Draco wouldn't be going anywhere, but it turns out that he is. To Azkaban. My, Hermione is going to give him an earful after she finds out about it.

Draco shivered and hugged himself tightly as a cold wind gusted, bringing more cool mist from the sea and pelting rain. He's going to be at the prison for only three days, but Dumbledore and the Ministry Board agreed that that would be more than enough time for Draco to "learn his lesson" as they put it. Of course, in the beginning, the Ministry Board was shocked to find out that a student at Hogwarts—a Malfoy, no less—requested to be sent to Azkaban for detention. Two Malfoys in Azkaban... what a reputation Draco is branding for his family. His mother was in the meeting with him and Dumbledore the day before, after Draco's classes, and she tried to talk Draco out of it, but he remained firm in his decision.

He wondered what the Dark Lord thinks about this. One of the reasons why Dumbledore is monitoring Draco's stay, much like he's monitoring Hermione, Harry and Ron's stay at wherever they are, is so he is prepared for facing the Dark Lord. Again, Draco isn't looking forward to that happening. He had shivered when Annabelle told them all about it.

"Well, we're here, Mr. Malfoy!" shouted his guide over the wind and rain in his deep voice, and shook his head under the hood of his black rain jacket. "I still am flabbergasted that you chose this to be your detention just because you pushed some kids around. That is not worth a stay in Azkaban. If you performed one of the three Unforgivable Curses on them, then maybe. Actually, you would just be tried in front of the Wizard's Council. What were you thinking, boy?!"

This guide didn't know the real reason why Draco's doing this, but the Board does. They are under strict discretion. "I thought it to be the best punishment for me."

The man stood up in the boat to tie a rope around a metal pole at the stone dock in front of the prison, one that jutted out into the sea. "I've heard about you saving some mudblood girl's life, and even received an award for it. I just don't see how a person who does such a thing would deserve to be here."

"I'm punishing myself, that's all there is to it." He stood up and followed the man out of the boat. He looked up at the tall stone structure and felt his pulse rise in fear of what goes on in there and the kinds of people that are in it. He knew his father isn't one of the really bad ones, since all he did was destroy one of the Ministry's most important possessions. All the others, though... they have killed people in cold blood, and have done other unthinkable things.

"Well, in we go out of the cold," said the man. The walked on down the stone dock that was being washed over by waves. One wave got Draco's feet and legs wet up to his knees. He grumbled a "Dammit," and followed his large guide that was a good head taller than him. He must be part giant or something. Hermione would be the size of a child compared to him.

Hermione. Yes, she would be irate if she found out that this is where he is, and not safe at Hogwarts. He tried not to think about where she might be because that could result in the Dark Lord finding out where she is.

Draco and his guide came up to a wooden door twice the height of himself. His guide opened it, went in and Draco went in after. Draco took a breath as he dropped his hood and walk on down the windless long passageway, his hair dripping from the rain. They came into a large triangular corridor, and the wind whipped his hair again. He looked up and found no roof, but gray clouds. Apparently, the prison is a tall, ceiling-less, triangular box. Fascinating.

"Angus, you have a new prisoner for us?" asked a man and Draco looked to see a rather muscular man with a pointed nose sitting at a desk in the northern point of the corridor. He came up to the desk and the man's gray eyes widened.

"My, why isn't it Draco Malfoy!" he barked in a booming voice that filled the corridor. He pointed a thick finger at him. "I was told about your arrival by Professor Dumbledore, and I have to say, I was rather shocked to find out that one of his students actually wanted to serve detention in an actual prison. And the worst one in the world, no less. What was going through you head, huh?"

Draco felt irritation prick his chest. He's tired of people asking him that. "What does it matter. I'm here, now, am I? Just throw me into a cell, why don't you?"

The man's graying eyebrows shot up and he smirked. "Wow, quite the tongue you have there, boy. Very well." He put up a hand and motioned two large men, taller than Angus, and maybe part werewolf due to their furrier heads, to come up to the desk. "Do as the boy asks. Take him away. And remember, he is to be next to his father." He grinned evilly. "Oh, how this is lovely, having two Malfoys in Azkaban... I knew the family was messed up."

Draco wanted to punch the man, but doing so wouldn't do any good. "Come, boy," one of the werewolf men growled and grabbed Draco by the am. "The boy should be in shackles."

"Dumbledore's instructions were quite clear," said the man at the desk, and folded his arms over his black robes. "Mr. Malfoy here is to be put into a prison gown, but will not be in shackles like everyone else. And there is to be no rough business, you hear?"

The other werewolf man growled in disappointment as the other pulled Draco along. Draco surmised that a lot of the prisoners were beaten up by these two giant half-dogs in shirts and trousers.

Draco was pulled through another long, dismal hallway, but was stopped at a counter that had a scrawny man standing there, one with scraggly brown hair and a large forehead. "Another one, huh? Looks a bit young for a place like this." He grinned, showing browning teeth, and leaned over the counter, folding his arms. "Whadya do, lad? Use the death spell to kill another classmate that was botherin' ya?"

Draco remained silent, teeth clenched tightly, and he tried not to breath so he wouldn't inhale the skinny man's rotten breath, or the werewolf men's wet-dog smell. He surmised that he wouldn't eat here for his three-day term because he would be feeling sick to his stomach the whole time because of the musty stench of the place, as well his rattling nerves.

"Nevermind, Grindol," said one of the werewolf men in a gravely voice. "Just get 'im a gown."

The man huffed and left, but then came back with the gown. He tossed it to Draco. "Have fun, lad. And, we'll be taking all your normal clothes. And that includes your shoes and underthings."

Draco knew this would happen—Dumbledore warned him of it. But, not complaining, he stripped himself down to his dark green Slytherin undergarments, right in front of the three men, and ignoring the cold of the air. Then off went his undergarments. He wasn't a fan of this part, but, it's what he signed up for. His pale chest, legs and everything else completely bare, he pulled the gray and black stripped gown over his tall form, and he did his best to hide the Dark Mark—he didn't want to hear comments about it. The gown smelled of the prison—musty and old. His nose twerked. This grown probably has never been washed. He kicked off his shoes and pulled off his socks. It felt as he stood on ice since the stone floor was so cold.

"Very good," said the thin man, and Draco handed him his casual clothes and black shoes since Dumbledore advised him not to wear his Hogwarts uniform there. "Now, we will be burning these."

And Dumbledore said that they would replace his clothes. Draco and the werewolf men left the counter and entered a dark, dank stairwell. Draco simply followed the two dog-men, and for a good ten minutes. They must be climbing all the way to the top of the prison. They stopped and opened a door into another dark, thin hallway, but the left wall had doors etched into them, along with little barred windows at the top of them. As he walked by them, he noticed people looking through them at him.

"Hey, fresh meat!" one man shouted. "And he's a youngin'!"

"Ooo, how about you say in here with me, handsome?" said another man as they walked passed a cell, and Draco literally felt something from his stomach rise in his throat at how uncomfortable that made him feel.

After passing a few more cells, they stopped in front of one. "Well, here we are," said one of the werewolf men. "The cell next to Lucius Malfoy."

Draco's heart jumped and he looked at the cell next to this one. He saw someone appear through the bars. He stepped over and saw his father, his very blonde hair greasy and in tangles, and deep dark circles shone under his eyes. Draco's throat tightened and his eyes stung at seeing his father in such a state.

"Draco?! Draco! Is that you?!"

Draco took in and let out a shaky breath at seeing his father's face through the bars of the little square window in the door. "Yes, Father, it's me."

"What the name of Salazar Slytherin are you doing here?!"

"I am paying for my crimes. You know very well what I have done."

"Come on, boy!" said one of the werewolf men, and took Draco's shoulder and pushed him into his cell. They closed the door, and Draco heard a spell being said, most likely a charm to keep the door locked. He stood there in the dank cell, and saw only a single mat in it for a bed, and a toilet. No sink, no nothing else, and it was all made of dark gray stone. He walked up to the window about the size of the one in the door, and had bars as well. He saw the sea thrashing angrily in the storm, and he heard his father yelling his name.

What has he gotten himself into?

Draco had his back against the cold stone wall that was apart of his father's cell as well. He knew his father was shocked beyond belief to see his son in the worst prison on the planet. He stood and went to the window. He shouted through it as he gripped the iron bars, "Father!"

"Draco! My Lord, it's about time you answer! I've been calling your name for five minutes! Now tell me exactly why you're here!"

"I told you, I'm paying for what I have done!"

"And what the devil could that be? You've done nothing wrong!"

"You know what I did, Father!" He has to be candid so none of the other inmates along the line fine out what he is and what he has to do. "You know what I am! You know what I was told to do and failed to do it! Mother told me she has written you!"

"Yes, she has, and Draco, doing what you were commanded to do wouldn't bring you here. His Lordship wouldn't allow it!"

"I'm here because I asked to be sent here, Father!"

That silenced Lucius, and Draco could hear the other inmates muttering about what mental person would ask to go to Azkaban. "I... don't understand, Draco. You asked to be brought here?"

He should explain everything, and he knew where to start. "Mother has written you. Has she told you what has happened to me in the past couple of months?"

"Yes, she has. She told me that your task has changed and you have been commanded to get rid of a mudblood girl that you ironically saved the life of. Honestly, I couldn't believe the words when I read them. How did this happen, Draco? Why was your assignment changed?"

Is he really ready to confess his love for Hermione to his father and how his feelings came about in the first place? That would mean telling him about the vision. It seem that, thankfully, his mother didn't add that to her letter. "He found out about what I did and commanded me to end the life of the girl I saved."

"There must be more to it than that, Draco. His Lordship doesn't just change assignments on a whim."

Maybe he really doesn't have a choice in revealing his relationship with Hermione. He grasped the bars to the window tightly, enough to make his knuckles turn white. His father isn't going to like this. Plus, he needs to tell him of this at some point if Annabelle's vision is to come to pass. "He does, Father. And it's because... I became rather close to this muggle-born girl."

Draco's heart pounded like a hammer inside of him as he waited for a response. Finally, "By close, you mean..."

"Yes." Better to just be blunt about it. "I fell in love with her. And he found out about it. That's why I am to get rid of her."

The silence that ensued between father and son felt thick and uncomfortable, and he could only imagine the shock that jolted through his father's system... as well as the others in the line. No use keeping his secret a secret now in a place like this where other Death Eaters reside.

"Hold on, you're a Death Eater, boy, like your dear old dad?! " a man shouted, most likely the one on the other side of Lucius's cell since he sounded closer.

"Sure sounds like he is, with being commanded to kill people!" shouted another. "Who else would command someone to do that, huh?! It's the Dark Lord!"

"Disgusting, a Death Eater and a mudblood?!" shouted the man who made a pass at Draco. "You must have been been given a love potion!"

Draco hated that everyone down the line was hearing the conversation between him and his father. It wasn't helping the situation at all. Lucius bit out, and Draco hardly heard it, "You fell in love with a mudblood? Are you mad, Draco?!"

He knew that he would get this reaction from his father, but he didn't know that he would be receiving it in a bloomin' prison! But then again, how else would his father find out, unless Draco wrote him? He didn't want to do that since this is a conversation that needs to be had in person. Well, through cells is close enough. "I couldn't help it. I noticed that she was being bullied by Crab and Goyle, and I stopped it. I supposed I became a protector of sorts for her, and from that, I started to feel something for her. I only realized my true feelings after she was almost killed by those two, but survived because I brought her to the hospital wing just in time."

Lucius was silent for a moment, and Draco's heart continued to pound. Lucius said, "Your mother told me about that, and about what punishment those boys received because of it. I am just confused as to how this came about. You loathed this girl before, if I remember correctly. It's the Granger girl, isn't it?"

"Yes, Father. I regret all that I did to her, her friends, and everyone else I bullied in the past. And I hate that I was commanded to kill another person... I hurt two other people by doing so. I was hurt because of it." His throat tightened. "I never want to be that horrid person again. I never want to be like the being who killed a person right in front of me."

Lucius let out a long breath. "Draco, yes, you pushed some kids around, but that doesn't make you as evil as his Lordship, who kills without a thought."

"But I was commanded to do just that!" he spat. "I was told to kill a person, a wise and understanding old man, and I hurt two others in my attempts to do it. That's why I'm here, Father. I asked Dumbledore to punish me and I begged him to send me to prison since I attempted murder twice. It's only right that I be punished for my deeds."

"Oh, how noble of you, my boy," said the man on the other side of Lucius's cell. "But don't you think that this kind of detention is a little extreme?"

"Detention, Draco?" Lucius demanded. "Dumbledore allowed you to be sent to Azkaban for detention?! That old man is out of his mind!"

"I begged him to send me, like I said, Father. I wanted to clear my conscience of all the hurt that I caused. I will leave here after three days. That's the longest he is going to allow me to be here, and he's monitoring my whole stay, making sure that no harm comes to me."

Silence again, and Draco really wondered what his father's facial expression was. "Draco..." he heard. "Listen to me. This is not the kind of punishment you deserve. Yes, you had an attitude when you were younger, and you were commanded to fulfill a difficult request that resulted in innocent people getting hut, but you are not a monster who should be sent to Azkaban."

Draco never knew his father to be sentimental, so it came as a shock to hear such words from him. Tears stung his eyes, and he said in a shaky voice as his fingers still clutched those cold bars, "I just want to make right what I have done wrong... And now I did something else wrong, at least in your eyes. Hermione is the best thing that has even happened to me... She's the main reason why I don't want to cause any more harm. I think I've become a better person because of her."

The other inmates were making all sorts of remarks about feeling ill because of what Draco said, thinking it to be lovey-dovey rubbish, and wishing that they could put a silencing charm on him, but Draco was mainly focused on his father's silence again, and what the man could be thinking.

A good few minutes passed. "Father?"

"You know... when your mother said that you have changed, I never thought that it would be like this. I'm disappointed in you, Draco."

It felt as if someone reached into his chest and squeezed his heart, suffocating it. Hot tears stung and fell from his eyes. Again, he knew his father would react like this, and he knew it would hurt. Badly. And not only because his father doesn't agree with Draco being involved with a muggle-born, but because he disappointed him. Again. He always seems to fail his father in one way or another, whether it be in school, what the Dark Lord has asked of him, and in personal affairs, like love.

"I'm sorry, Father, for disappointing you... but I'm not sorry for being in love with Hermione. And... she's not sorry for being in love with me, either."

He knew that adding that last bit would be the last straw for his father. Lucius said, "I don't want to hear anymore. What's done is done now. The days will pass and you will leave this place." He paused. "Then you have to kill that mudblood as the Dark Lord wants. Who is to kill Dumbledore, then? You mother never mentioned that."

"Professor Snape."

"I see."

Draco heard footsteps and guessed that his father walked away from the window. That was the last of their conversation. Draco himself left the little window and sat down on the mat, his knees up and his arms resting on them. At least his father doesn't know that Draco doesn't have to kill Hermione, and that Dumbledore doesn't even have to die. But the question is... when will the Dark Lord show his face? Surely he knows where Draco is right now. But does he care? Maybe not. Draco should just get through this detention and hope that the Dark Lord doesn't find Hermione or any of the others. Especially Hermione. Draco hopes that she's safe. If Dumbledore is looking out for her, then she is. All of them are and will be because of that man, and Draco is incredibly thankful for that.