Disclaimer: Much as I'd like to, I don't own Draco Malfoy, or any part of the magical world that J.K. Rowling has all the copyrights to ... please don't sue me. There are some parts of this story that are quotes from the book - it can't be helped - events are the same as in the book, but Draco's opinion of these events may vary from Harry's.
Author's Notes: I needed to do some re-writing, after reading OotP. I have made some minor changes to this chapter, mostly spelling and grammar. Also, Theo sees something he didn't see before I read OotP.
dragonsprincess: I've seen thee list on that site you sent me to, once before ... it's funny, yes. Hmmm ... I might not get rid of Cat, but I'm still debating it. Yeah, well, Cat was supposed to be born after Sirius went to Azkaban ... Sirius doesn't know about her, but she knows about him. OMG that image you got from chapter 1 is hilarious! I love it! And I'm working on this as fast as I can, honestly.
dstrbd child: Hate Harry, eh? I can understand that. Draco is also my favourite character, and as such, I agree with his opinion of Harry. I'm glad someone recognised Kendra, though.
lil_sngelgirl000: Thank you. I'm still working on this fic, and I'm not likely to stop any time soon.
The Muggle Studies teacher is based on someone I really know. He really is a Professor, and that really is his name.
Chapter 3 - Everything You Never Cared About, About Muggles, And Then Some
We got off the train and onto the horseless-carriages, Cat, Blaise, Theo and some random Ravenclaw all took one, leaving me alone - Pansy and Milli seemed to decide that Ravenclaws were better company than me, as well. I ended up joining Daft and Dafter in a carriage. And to add to the 'fun', Longbottom jumped in as we were pulling off, "Sorry." he muttered, "No room anywhere else."
I glared at him, but said nothing. The carriage trundled up towards the school, passing through the gates. As I looked out the window, I saw two Dementors guarding the gates - again, I felt that cold, worthless feeling, but I quite deliberately put on a fake smirk and turned to Longbottom, "Lovely creatures, aren't they?" I asked him.
He gave me a you're-crazy look, "Not all of us are deranged evil gits, Malfoy." he said.
"Why? Scared, Longbottom?" I asked jeeringly, "I thought Gryffindors were supposed to be brave?"
"Brave means standing up to something even if you're scared of it - not being scared of something like them isn't brave, it's just plain stupid." Longbottom replied.
You've got to admit, he's got a point, but I wasn't about to tell him this, "So that's a yes, then." I said simply.
"I'm not the only one, either!" Longbottom said defensively, "Ginny was freaking out, too, and Harry fainted!" as soon as he said this, he clapped his hand over his mouth, realising who he had just said it to.
"He did?" I asked, truly grinning, now. Longbottom shook his head in the way that says he had really told the truth but ought not to have and was trying to take it back. "This is priceless!" I said, "Thank you, Longbottom - you have been most helpful, for a change."
Still smirking, I leaned out the window again, and looked back towards the gates - it was then that I spotted Hermione leaning out of the window of the carriage behind us, and waved to her, discreetly - she saw me and smiled. At least she didn't still hate me - last time I had spoken to her at all had been before she was Petrified, last year ... and I think my last words to her, that she heard, were insulting.
As soon as the carriages stopped, I jumped out and made a point of intercepting Potter, "You fainted, Potter?" I asked, with sadistic amusement, "Is Longbottom telling the truth? You actually fainted?" I heard Longbottom whimper and scarper, behind me, as I pushed past Hermione.
"Shove off, Malfoy." Weasley-the-sidekick growled angrily.
"Did you faint as well, Weasley?" I asked, just trying to bait him, "Did the scary old Dementor frighten you, too, Weasley?"
"Is there a problem?" Lupin's voice asked, from behind Weasley.
I glared at him - there was something about him that just did not seem right, and I couldn't place it - he just gave me an odd feeling, like the hairs on the back of my neck stood on end. It didn't help him much that Cat held little-to-no respect for his authority as a teacher, either. The final straw in my decision to be an insolent prat to this particular teacher was the terrible, shabby state of his robes and the briefcase he carried. "Oh, no - ah - Professor." I said sarcastically, smirking as his eyes showed annoyance - he appeared to have the ability to keep his emotions only in his eyes and not in his face - a very good skill to have, but it didn't affect my decision not to like him. I indicated to the Pea-brained Pair to follow me, and walked up to the castle.
I grabbed Theo by the collar of his robes, in passing. "What are you gawping at?" I asked.
"You can't see them?" he asked, stunned.
"No clue what you're prattling about." I said coldly.
Theo shot a look over his shoulder, at a Ravenclaw girl, who gave him an 'I told you so' look, as I dragged Theo into the castle.
* * *
We caught up with the girls (all four of them) at the Slytherin table in the Great hall.
"What kept you, Draco?" Pansy asked, pouting slightly.
"Potter." I said, as if that explained it ... in a way, it did, "Did you guys know he actually fainted, when the Dementor showed up?"
"You're kidding." Theo cheered gleefully.
"Nope." I said, grinning and shaking my head.
"How'd he manage that?" Blaise asked.
"I expect it looked something like this." I said, before pulling an effective impersonation of a fainting fit. I had no idea if that's what it looked like, but it looked good, either way. Everyone started laughing, as I picked myself up and bowed to my audience. Snape and Dumbledore had been the only teachers present at the time, and both turned a blind eye - Snape actually smiled at my little display, probably because it was at Potter's expense.
The Sorting was so boring I won't even bother with it. Potter and Hermione reappeared after that, and most of the Slytherins (along with several students from other houses) started sniggering, whispering, and pointing at him. I grinned viciously. Hermione spotted me, and glared at me - I'd bet she guessed that I'd told everyone about Potter fainting - she is smart enough to figure that out.
After everyone had settled down, Dumbledore stood to address the Hall, "Welcome!" he said, in a warm voice that totally dispelled the tension the Dementors had instilled in most of the students, "Welcome to another year at Hogwarts! I have a few things to say to you all, and as one of them is very serious, I think it best to get it out of the way before you become befuddled by out excellent feast."
I could hear Cat, who was sitting next to me, muttering under her breath, "I hate that pun, I hate that pun, I hate that pun." I assumed she was referring to the word 'serious'.
Dumbledore cleared his throat, seeming to look straight at Cat, who stopped muttered and blushed. Dumbledore then continued his announcements, "As you will all be aware after their search of the Hogwarts Express, our school is presently playing host to some of the Dementors of Azkaban, who are here on Ministry of Magic business." he really didn't look too pleased about this - if I didn't know better, that he was a very open-minded man, I'd think he had a real grudge against the Dementors, "They are stationed at every entrance to the grounds, and while they are with us, I must make it plain that nobody is to leave school without permission. Dementors are not to be fooled by tricks or disguises - or even Invisibility Cloaks. It is not in the nature of a Dementor to understand pleading or excuses. I therefore warn each and every one of you to give them no reason to harm you. I look to the Prefects, and our new Head Boy and Girl, to make sure that no student runs foul of the Dementors." he paused to look at us - the whole Hall was silent as he seemed to systematically look each and every one of us in the eyes. Then, "On a happier note, I am pleased to welcome two new teachers to our ranks this year. Firstly, Professor Lupin, who has kindly consented to fill the post of Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher." Cat sniggered, while very few of the students even bothered to acknowledge Lupin (who looked pathetic, in those old worn robes, next to all the other teachers - I've seen Weasleys wearing more expensive clothes) - the only real applause came from a small group of Gryffindors, which happened to include Potter. I also noticed that Snape didn't seem too pleased that Lupin was breathing the same oxygen as he was ... or that he was breathing at all, for that matter. "As to our second new appointment, well, I am sorry to tell you that Professor Kettleburn, our Care of Magical Creatures teacher, retired at the end of last year in order to enjoy more time with his remaining limbs. However, I am delighted to say that his place will be filled by none other than Rubeus Hagrid, who has agreed to take on this teaching job in addition to his gamekeeping duties."
"That big oaf ... a teacher?" I asked sceptically, as very few Slytherins were cheering, I was able to hear myself think, though I doubt the Gryffindors could, even if they did think at all.
"Well it explains why we had to get that book." Blaise said, with a self-satisfied smirk - she still hadn't told us how to get said book to behave.
"Smug bitch." Theo muttered. Blaise replied to this by broadening her smirk.
"Well I think that's everything of importance. Let the feast begin!" Dumbledore said, and the feast picked that moment to appear on the tables.
* * *
That night, as I lay in bed, listening to the drone of Crabbe and Goyle's snoring, Theo whispered, "Draco. You still awake?"
"Yes. What is it?" I replied, also in a whispered voice.
"What did the Dementor make you feel like?" he asked.
I turned onto my side, to look across to his bed - he was staring at the ceiling. "You tell me, first."
He glanced at me, then back to the ceiling, "It felt like I'd lost everything I'd ever held dear to me - like I had no reason to live anymore ... must be what depression feels like, but I wouldn't know from previous experience." he said, shrugging.
"Lucky." I muttered. "I never told you why I was upset after the Quidditch game against Gryffindor, last year."
"I guessed it was cause we lost." Theo replied.
"Not really. The real problem was that I was punished for losing." I said quietly, "Father seems to think it does me good to be exposed to weak doses of the Cruciatus curse when I make mistakes, or fail at anything."
"Yeouch - that's gotta hurt." Theo muttered.
"How observant of you." I said snidely, then I turned perfectly serious, "But the reason I told you that - the Dementor reminded me of how I felt after every time I was punished that way - total worthlessness, misery and resentment - a cold, dark feeling that I always associate with failure." I said, my eyes closed, frowning.
When I opened my eyes again, Theo was staring straight at me, "That's just ... wow ... and I thought you had it all, Draco."
"What are you talking about?" I asked, confused.
"I thought you had everything - you're rich, powerful, a Pureblood ... me, my family's just getting by, both in money and power, and my mom's a half-blood." Theo replied, "I thought you were the lucky one, but I'd never guessed your dad was such a rotten git."
I suddenly felt a rush of anger, and I'm sure it must have shown in my eyes, "Don't insult my father." I growled.
"What?" Theo asked, shocked, "You just said he uses the Cruciatus curse on you, and you're defending him?"
"That's right." I said, glaring daggers at him.
He shook his head, and looked away, "Whatever you say, Draco." he muttered.
* * *
"Muggle studies this morning." Theo announced, as I sat down next to him at breakfast, and he handed me a timetable. I looked at it, noticing that both new subjects were that day.
"Cool." I replied distractedly.
"Hey, Draco - do that thing again, will you?" Pansy asked hopefully.
"What? My impersonation? I'm that good an actor?" I asked, smirking.
"Yes, definitely." Pansy enthused.
I rolled my eyes, smirking, "If you really want, Pansy." and I proceeded to draw the attention of as many of the surrounding Slytherins as possible, before doing another impersonation of how I pictured Potter passing out. I picked myself up, lapping up the attention - Potter was walking right past me, and almost everyone in the immediate vicinity was paying attention to me, instead.
Potter did his best to ignore me, but looked awfully put out, all the same. It was perfect, until Pansy decided Potter warranted her attention more than I did, and started calling to him, "Hey, Potter! Potter! The Dementors are coming, Potter! Woooooooo!"
Suddenly, the attention wasn't so sweet anymore - it was only because I was playing off Potter - I was impersonating him, for gods' sakes - admittedly impersonating him making a bloody idiot of himself, but the attention I was getting for it was reflected glory from him, "Pansy." I sighed, "Sit down."
"What's wrong, Draco?" she asked, sitting opposite me and starting eating her breakfast.
I shook my head, "Forget it." then cheering up, I asked, "What subject have you got first?"
"Latin." Pansy replied.
"Who takes Latin in secondary school?" Theo asked, surprised, "'Cept Muggle-borns?" he added as an afterthought.
"Yeah, any self-respecting Pureblood knows Latin by this stage, Pansy - why do you need it?" Blaise asked.
"I was sick, if you remember, Draco - I never attended our Latin lessons in primary school, and I need to catch up, now." Pansy huffed.
Theo made a noise that sounded like, "Pffft."
* * *
Muggle Studies class was on the fifth floor, not far from where the rumours said the Hufflepuff house common room's secret entrance was. Crabbe and Goyle took that class, purely because I did - they almost never do anything on there own. Theo was there, as well. What surprised me was that as well as five Ravenclaws and two Hufflepuffs, Hermione was also there.
She gave me a surprised look, but didn't get a chance to say anything, because the teacher arrived at that moment. The teacher was a middle-aged wizard with short greying hair and friendly face. Admittedly, he was wearing Muggle clothes, but I took an instant liking to him, as a teacher - he was a lot better than McGonagall, already.
"Alright, students, go on in." he said cheerily. When we had all taken our seats (I sat next to Theo, across the aisle from Hermione, and in front of Crabbe and Goyle), he then began. "My name is Professor Maurice Savage. I am Muggle-Born, and have dedicated myself to educating the magical world about Muggle life. We will be starting, today, with some basic principles of Muggle physics. There are certain laws of physics that we all know, quite easily, how to break using magic. Muggles cannot break these laws. The most obvious one would be gravity. Can anyone here tell me how Muggles manage to fly without magic?"
Hermione's hand shot into the air. Professor Savage scanned the rest of the room, and was about to ask Hermione when, purely to spite Hermione's know-it-all attitude, I raised my hand. Theo buried his face in his hands, guessing what answer I would give.
"Yes, Mr Malfoy?" the Professor said.
"Helicopters." I answered. Theo audibly groaned - he'd seen that one coming a mile away. Hermione rolled her eyes at me.
"Indeed. But can you tell me how a helicopter manages to stay in the air?" I gave him a blank look for that, and he turned to Hermione, whose hand was still raised. "Miss Granger."
"Aerofoils." she answered, grinning.
"Exactly." Professor Savage said triumphantly, "Most Muggle aircraft work using aerofoils. These are specially shaped blades that, when moving at the correct speed and angle, produce sufficient lift to counteract the force of gravity." he continued on this tangent for some time, and we ended up writing down the ratios of lift, weight, thrust and drag in airplanes, the angles of attack for wings, the mechanics of exactly why an aerofoil works, and why helicopters need tail-rotors. That took the whole lesson, and we still had a load more to read up on, for homework.
As we left the class, I told Crabbe and Goyle to go on ahead, and I fell into step with Hermione, "Hey, Granger." I said, as I did so.
She glanced at Theo, nervously, before answering, "What do you want, Malfoy?"
"Theo - Hermione ... Hermione - Theo." I said, introducing the two.
"Hi." Theo said, with a grin.
"Hello." Hermione said sceptically.
"I told you I wasn't the only Slytherin who didn't like Him." I said, making it obvious that I was referring to the Dark Lord by the way I said the word 'Him'.
"You're introducing me to one of your friends?" Hermione asked.
"Yeah." I said, smirking at her confusion, "Watch what you say to this freak, though. He's got a twisted idea of humour, and likes to share it."
"Thanks, Draco." Theo said sarcastically. He then turned his attention on Hermione, "So why's a Muggle-born taking Muggle Studies, then?"
Hermione gave him an evaluating look, but eventually decided he was in the benign category of evil, "Because I wanted to get a better idea of how wizards view the Muggle world. You'd be surprised what you can learn by looking at things from a different angle." she answered.
Theo nodded in what was supposed to look like a knowing way, but really made it look like every word of that had gone over his head, "Right." he said in a tone to match his action.
"So why are YOU taking Muggle Studies, Malfoy?" Hermione asked.
"Because I thought it'd be interesting, but if it keeps going like this, it'll soon rival History of Magic." I replied.
"I hope it gets better, too." Hermione said quietly, "There's more to Muggles that Principles of Non-Magical Flight, believe me."
"I believe you." I replied.
Theo was watching me carefully, now, as Hermione said, "I wanted to say thank you. You really did help, last year."
"Just don't tell Potter. Like I said, I'm still his enemy, even if I'm not yours." I noted.
As we reached a junction in the corridor, Hermione smiled and said, "I'd better get to my next class, now. I'll see you later. Nice to meet you, Theo."
Theo nodded, "The feeling's mutual, Hermione." he replied before bowing in a Gryffindorish way.
"Don't mind him - he's a drama-queen." I said, smirking.
Theo also smirked, "Don't put ideas in my head, Draco." he said, and we turned left towards Defence Against the Dark Arts class, as she took the right turn in the general direction of not-where-we-were-going.
"You like her." Theo said as soon as we were out of her hearing range.
I missed a step, almost tripped up, when he said that, "What do you mean?" I asked, shocked.
"You like her in the way that your father would murder you for." Theo said grinning.
I glared at him, "What makes you think that?" I growled.
"Well the way you reacted just confirmed it." Theo said, grinning, "But it's the way you look at her ... who'd have thought it - a Malfoy fancies a Mudblood."
"Theo. If you ever say anything like that again, I will have to kill you." I said cheerfully.
"But you're not denying it, are you?"
"I plead the fifth." I replied.
* * *
End of chapter 3
Author's Notes: I needed to do some re-writing, after reading OotP. I have made some minor changes to this chapter, mostly spelling and grammar. Also, Theo sees something he didn't see before I read OotP.
dragonsprincess: I've seen thee list on that site you sent me to, once before ... it's funny, yes. Hmmm ... I might not get rid of Cat, but I'm still debating it. Yeah, well, Cat was supposed to be born after Sirius went to Azkaban ... Sirius doesn't know about her, but she knows about him. OMG that image you got from chapter 1 is hilarious! I love it! And I'm working on this as fast as I can, honestly.
dstrbd child: Hate Harry, eh? I can understand that. Draco is also my favourite character, and as such, I agree with his opinion of Harry. I'm glad someone recognised Kendra, though.
lil_sngelgirl000: Thank you. I'm still working on this fic, and I'm not likely to stop any time soon.
The Muggle Studies teacher is based on someone I really know. He really is a Professor, and that really is his name.
Chapter 3 - Everything You Never Cared About, About Muggles, And Then Some
We got off the train and onto the horseless-carriages, Cat, Blaise, Theo and some random Ravenclaw all took one, leaving me alone - Pansy and Milli seemed to decide that Ravenclaws were better company than me, as well. I ended up joining Daft and Dafter in a carriage. And to add to the 'fun', Longbottom jumped in as we were pulling off, "Sorry." he muttered, "No room anywhere else."
I glared at him, but said nothing. The carriage trundled up towards the school, passing through the gates. As I looked out the window, I saw two Dementors guarding the gates - again, I felt that cold, worthless feeling, but I quite deliberately put on a fake smirk and turned to Longbottom, "Lovely creatures, aren't they?" I asked him.
He gave me a you're-crazy look, "Not all of us are deranged evil gits, Malfoy." he said.
"Why? Scared, Longbottom?" I asked jeeringly, "I thought Gryffindors were supposed to be brave?"
"Brave means standing up to something even if you're scared of it - not being scared of something like them isn't brave, it's just plain stupid." Longbottom replied.
You've got to admit, he's got a point, but I wasn't about to tell him this, "So that's a yes, then." I said simply.
"I'm not the only one, either!" Longbottom said defensively, "Ginny was freaking out, too, and Harry fainted!" as soon as he said this, he clapped his hand over his mouth, realising who he had just said it to.
"He did?" I asked, truly grinning, now. Longbottom shook his head in the way that says he had really told the truth but ought not to have and was trying to take it back. "This is priceless!" I said, "Thank you, Longbottom - you have been most helpful, for a change."
Still smirking, I leaned out the window again, and looked back towards the gates - it was then that I spotted Hermione leaning out of the window of the carriage behind us, and waved to her, discreetly - she saw me and smiled. At least she didn't still hate me - last time I had spoken to her at all had been before she was Petrified, last year ... and I think my last words to her, that she heard, were insulting.
As soon as the carriages stopped, I jumped out and made a point of intercepting Potter, "You fainted, Potter?" I asked, with sadistic amusement, "Is Longbottom telling the truth? You actually fainted?" I heard Longbottom whimper and scarper, behind me, as I pushed past Hermione.
"Shove off, Malfoy." Weasley-the-sidekick growled angrily.
"Did you faint as well, Weasley?" I asked, just trying to bait him, "Did the scary old Dementor frighten you, too, Weasley?"
"Is there a problem?" Lupin's voice asked, from behind Weasley.
I glared at him - there was something about him that just did not seem right, and I couldn't place it - he just gave me an odd feeling, like the hairs on the back of my neck stood on end. It didn't help him much that Cat held little-to-no respect for his authority as a teacher, either. The final straw in my decision to be an insolent prat to this particular teacher was the terrible, shabby state of his robes and the briefcase he carried. "Oh, no - ah - Professor." I said sarcastically, smirking as his eyes showed annoyance - he appeared to have the ability to keep his emotions only in his eyes and not in his face - a very good skill to have, but it didn't affect my decision not to like him. I indicated to the Pea-brained Pair to follow me, and walked up to the castle.
I grabbed Theo by the collar of his robes, in passing. "What are you gawping at?" I asked.
"You can't see them?" he asked, stunned.
"No clue what you're prattling about." I said coldly.
Theo shot a look over his shoulder, at a Ravenclaw girl, who gave him an 'I told you so' look, as I dragged Theo into the castle.
* * *
We caught up with the girls (all four of them) at the Slytherin table in the Great hall.
"What kept you, Draco?" Pansy asked, pouting slightly.
"Potter." I said, as if that explained it ... in a way, it did, "Did you guys know he actually fainted, when the Dementor showed up?"
"You're kidding." Theo cheered gleefully.
"Nope." I said, grinning and shaking my head.
"How'd he manage that?" Blaise asked.
"I expect it looked something like this." I said, before pulling an effective impersonation of a fainting fit. I had no idea if that's what it looked like, but it looked good, either way. Everyone started laughing, as I picked myself up and bowed to my audience. Snape and Dumbledore had been the only teachers present at the time, and both turned a blind eye - Snape actually smiled at my little display, probably because it was at Potter's expense.
The Sorting was so boring I won't even bother with it. Potter and Hermione reappeared after that, and most of the Slytherins (along with several students from other houses) started sniggering, whispering, and pointing at him. I grinned viciously. Hermione spotted me, and glared at me - I'd bet she guessed that I'd told everyone about Potter fainting - she is smart enough to figure that out.
After everyone had settled down, Dumbledore stood to address the Hall, "Welcome!" he said, in a warm voice that totally dispelled the tension the Dementors had instilled in most of the students, "Welcome to another year at Hogwarts! I have a few things to say to you all, and as one of them is very serious, I think it best to get it out of the way before you become befuddled by out excellent feast."
I could hear Cat, who was sitting next to me, muttering under her breath, "I hate that pun, I hate that pun, I hate that pun." I assumed she was referring to the word 'serious'.
Dumbledore cleared his throat, seeming to look straight at Cat, who stopped muttered and blushed. Dumbledore then continued his announcements, "As you will all be aware after their search of the Hogwarts Express, our school is presently playing host to some of the Dementors of Azkaban, who are here on Ministry of Magic business." he really didn't look too pleased about this - if I didn't know better, that he was a very open-minded man, I'd think he had a real grudge against the Dementors, "They are stationed at every entrance to the grounds, and while they are with us, I must make it plain that nobody is to leave school without permission. Dementors are not to be fooled by tricks or disguises - or even Invisibility Cloaks. It is not in the nature of a Dementor to understand pleading or excuses. I therefore warn each and every one of you to give them no reason to harm you. I look to the Prefects, and our new Head Boy and Girl, to make sure that no student runs foul of the Dementors." he paused to look at us - the whole Hall was silent as he seemed to systematically look each and every one of us in the eyes. Then, "On a happier note, I am pleased to welcome two new teachers to our ranks this year. Firstly, Professor Lupin, who has kindly consented to fill the post of Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher." Cat sniggered, while very few of the students even bothered to acknowledge Lupin (who looked pathetic, in those old worn robes, next to all the other teachers - I've seen Weasleys wearing more expensive clothes) - the only real applause came from a small group of Gryffindors, which happened to include Potter. I also noticed that Snape didn't seem too pleased that Lupin was breathing the same oxygen as he was ... or that he was breathing at all, for that matter. "As to our second new appointment, well, I am sorry to tell you that Professor Kettleburn, our Care of Magical Creatures teacher, retired at the end of last year in order to enjoy more time with his remaining limbs. However, I am delighted to say that his place will be filled by none other than Rubeus Hagrid, who has agreed to take on this teaching job in addition to his gamekeeping duties."
"That big oaf ... a teacher?" I asked sceptically, as very few Slytherins were cheering, I was able to hear myself think, though I doubt the Gryffindors could, even if they did think at all.
"Well it explains why we had to get that book." Blaise said, with a self-satisfied smirk - she still hadn't told us how to get said book to behave.
"Smug bitch." Theo muttered. Blaise replied to this by broadening her smirk.
"Well I think that's everything of importance. Let the feast begin!" Dumbledore said, and the feast picked that moment to appear on the tables.
* * *
That night, as I lay in bed, listening to the drone of Crabbe and Goyle's snoring, Theo whispered, "Draco. You still awake?"
"Yes. What is it?" I replied, also in a whispered voice.
"What did the Dementor make you feel like?" he asked.
I turned onto my side, to look across to his bed - he was staring at the ceiling. "You tell me, first."
He glanced at me, then back to the ceiling, "It felt like I'd lost everything I'd ever held dear to me - like I had no reason to live anymore ... must be what depression feels like, but I wouldn't know from previous experience." he said, shrugging.
"Lucky." I muttered. "I never told you why I was upset after the Quidditch game against Gryffindor, last year."
"I guessed it was cause we lost." Theo replied.
"Not really. The real problem was that I was punished for losing." I said quietly, "Father seems to think it does me good to be exposed to weak doses of the Cruciatus curse when I make mistakes, or fail at anything."
"Yeouch - that's gotta hurt." Theo muttered.
"How observant of you." I said snidely, then I turned perfectly serious, "But the reason I told you that - the Dementor reminded me of how I felt after every time I was punished that way - total worthlessness, misery and resentment - a cold, dark feeling that I always associate with failure." I said, my eyes closed, frowning.
When I opened my eyes again, Theo was staring straight at me, "That's just ... wow ... and I thought you had it all, Draco."
"What are you talking about?" I asked, confused.
"I thought you had everything - you're rich, powerful, a Pureblood ... me, my family's just getting by, both in money and power, and my mom's a half-blood." Theo replied, "I thought you were the lucky one, but I'd never guessed your dad was such a rotten git."
I suddenly felt a rush of anger, and I'm sure it must have shown in my eyes, "Don't insult my father." I growled.
"What?" Theo asked, shocked, "You just said he uses the Cruciatus curse on you, and you're defending him?"
"That's right." I said, glaring daggers at him.
He shook his head, and looked away, "Whatever you say, Draco." he muttered.
* * *
"Muggle studies this morning." Theo announced, as I sat down next to him at breakfast, and he handed me a timetable. I looked at it, noticing that both new subjects were that day.
"Cool." I replied distractedly.
"Hey, Draco - do that thing again, will you?" Pansy asked hopefully.
"What? My impersonation? I'm that good an actor?" I asked, smirking.
"Yes, definitely." Pansy enthused.
I rolled my eyes, smirking, "If you really want, Pansy." and I proceeded to draw the attention of as many of the surrounding Slytherins as possible, before doing another impersonation of how I pictured Potter passing out. I picked myself up, lapping up the attention - Potter was walking right past me, and almost everyone in the immediate vicinity was paying attention to me, instead.
Potter did his best to ignore me, but looked awfully put out, all the same. It was perfect, until Pansy decided Potter warranted her attention more than I did, and started calling to him, "Hey, Potter! Potter! The Dementors are coming, Potter! Woooooooo!"
Suddenly, the attention wasn't so sweet anymore - it was only because I was playing off Potter - I was impersonating him, for gods' sakes - admittedly impersonating him making a bloody idiot of himself, but the attention I was getting for it was reflected glory from him, "Pansy." I sighed, "Sit down."
"What's wrong, Draco?" she asked, sitting opposite me and starting eating her breakfast.
I shook my head, "Forget it." then cheering up, I asked, "What subject have you got first?"
"Latin." Pansy replied.
"Who takes Latin in secondary school?" Theo asked, surprised, "'Cept Muggle-borns?" he added as an afterthought.
"Yeah, any self-respecting Pureblood knows Latin by this stage, Pansy - why do you need it?" Blaise asked.
"I was sick, if you remember, Draco - I never attended our Latin lessons in primary school, and I need to catch up, now." Pansy huffed.
Theo made a noise that sounded like, "Pffft."
* * *
Muggle Studies class was on the fifth floor, not far from where the rumours said the Hufflepuff house common room's secret entrance was. Crabbe and Goyle took that class, purely because I did - they almost never do anything on there own. Theo was there, as well. What surprised me was that as well as five Ravenclaws and two Hufflepuffs, Hermione was also there.
She gave me a surprised look, but didn't get a chance to say anything, because the teacher arrived at that moment. The teacher was a middle-aged wizard with short greying hair and friendly face. Admittedly, he was wearing Muggle clothes, but I took an instant liking to him, as a teacher - he was a lot better than McGonagall, already.
"Alright, students, go on in." he said cheerily. When we had all taken our seats (I sat next to Theo, across the aisle from Hermione, and in front of Crabbe and Goyle), he then began. "My name is Professor Maurice Savage. I am Muggle-Born, and have dedicated myself to educating the magical world about Muggle life. We will be starting, today, with some basic principles of Muggle physics. There are certain laws of physics that we all know, quite easily, how to break using magic. Muggles cannot break these laws. The most obvious one would be gravity. Can anyone here tell me how Muggles manage to fly without magic?"
Hermione's hand shot into the air. Professor Savage scanned the rest of the room, and was about to ask Hermione when, purely to spite Hermione's know-it-all attitude, I raised my hand. Theo buried his face in his hands, guessing what answer I would give.
"Yes, Mr Malfoy?" the Professor said.
"Helicopters." I answered. Theo audibly groaned - he'd seen that one coming a mile away. Hermione rolled her eyes at me.
"Indeed. But can you tell me how a helicopter manages to stay in the air?" I gave him a blank look for that, and he turned to Hermione, whose hand was still raised. "Miss Granger."
"Aerofoils." she answered, grinning.
"Exactly." Professor Savage said triumphantly, "Most Muggle aircraft work using aerofoils. These are specially shaped blades that, when moving at the correct speed and angle, produce sufficient lift to counteract the force of gravity." he continued on this tangent for some time, and we ended up writing down the ratios of lift, weight, thrust and drag in airplanes, the angles of attack for wings, the mechanics of exactly why an aerofoil works, and why helicopters need tail-rotors. That took the whole lesson, and we still had a load more to read up on, for homework.
As we left the class, I told Crabbe and Goyle to go on ahead, and I fell into step with Hermione, "Hey, Granger." I said, as I did so.
She glanced at Theo, nervously, before answering, "What do you want, Malfoy?"
"Theo - Hermione ... Hermione - Theo." I said, introducing the two.
"Hi." Theo said, with a grin.
"Hello." Hermione said sceptically.
"I told you I wasn't the only Slytherin who didn't like Him." I said, making it obvious that I was referring to the Dark Lord by the way I said the word 'Him'.
"You're introducing me to one of your friends?" Hermione asked.
"Yeah." I said, smirking at her confusion, "Watch what you say to this freak, though. He's got a twisted idea of humour, and likes to share it."
"Thanks, Draco." Theo said sarcastically. He then turned his attention on Hermione, "So why's a Muggle-born taking Muggle Studies, then?"
Hermione gave him an evaluating look, but eventually decided he was in the benign category of evil, "Because I wanted to get a better idea of how wizards view the Muggle world. You'd be surprised what you can learn by looking at things from a different angle." she answered.
Theo nodded in what was supposed to look like a knowing way, but really made it look like every word of that had gone over his head, "Right." he said in a tone to match his action.
"So why are YOU taking Muggle Studies, Malfoy?" Hermione asked.
"Because I thought it'd be interesting, but if it keeps going like this, it'll soon rival History of Magic." I replied.
"I hope it gets better, too." Hermione said quietly, "There's more to Muggles that Principles of Non-Magical Flight, believe me."
"I believe you." I replied.
Theo was watching me carefully, now, as Hermione said, "I wanted to say thank you. You really did help, last year."
"Just don't tell Potter. Like I said, I'm still his enemy, even if I'm not yours." I noted.
As we reached a junction in the corridor, Hermione smiled and said, "I'd better get to my next class, now. I'll see you later. Nice to meet you, Theo."
Theo nodded, "The feeling's mutual, Hermione." he replied before bowing in a Gryffindorish way.
"Don't mind him - he's a drama-queen." I said, smirking.
Theo also smirked, "Don't put ideas in my head, Draco." he said, and we turned left towards Defence Against the Dark Arts class, as she took the right turn in the general direction of not-where-we-were-going.
"You like her." Theo said as soon as we were out of her hearing range.
I missed a step, almost tripped up, when he said that, "What do you mean?" I asked, shocked.
"You like her in the way that your father would murder you for." Theo said grinning.
I glared at him, "What makes you think that?" I growled.
"Well the way you reacted just confirmed it." Theo said, grinning, "But it's the way you look at her ... who'd have thought it - a Malfoy fancies a Mudblood."
"Theo. If you ever say anything like that again, I will have to kill you." I said cheerfully.
"But you're not denying it, are you?"
"I plead the fifth." I replied.
* * *
End of chapter 3