Usually at the start of the year Hogwarts had to replace the DADA teacher because they died, left, lost their memory or where running away from something. Draco had been asked to teach in the position three years ago and this was to be his forth year. He wasn't looking forward to it. He made his way to the great hall and took his place at the teacher's table. There was going to be three new teachers this year. A care for magical creatures (Hagrids on a anniversary trip with Madame Maxime/Madame Hagrid), a librarian and a transfiguration teacher.
The sixth years were the first to enter the hall followed closely by the third years. Draco sat in his seat and glared at all of them (think exactly like Snape).
Once everyone was seated the sorting began. Dumbledore introduced the hat, it sang its song and then people were called up to the stool.
"Joseph Longbottom."
Joseph slowly walked to the hat and tentatively placed it on his head. He squirmed for a minute and held his breath before-
"Slytherin!"
He let his breath out.
Pansy's son is following tradition. Poor Neville.
"Layla Wood." (Cho and Oliver's girl)
"Hufflepuff!"
"Tina Foster."
"Griffindor!"
"Steven McNairy."
"Slytherin!"
"David Weasley." (Ron and Hermionie's boy)
"Ravenclaw!"
"Emilia Sernona."
"..."
"..."
"..."
Draco (Professor Malfoy) tuned out the rest of the sound until Dumbledore's speech and even then he was only half listening.
"Welcome...Third floor...Forrest...House points...New teachers..."
New teachers?
Draco tuned in.
"...May I present, Professor Aredon as your new Transfiguration teacher!"
Polite clapping.
"And the temporary care for magical creatures teacher – Proffessor Ley!"
More polite clapping as a middle-aged lady stood up to take a bow.
"Then new librarian will be arriving tomorrow so everybody will meet her then. Now, lets not waste anymore time, EAT!"
Draco ate his meal slowly and was one of the last people to leave the Great Hall. He passed the Slytherin table on his way out and waved to Joseph Longbottom (He had met him through Pansy).
Joseph waved back and continued to whisper with his friends.
This is going to be a loooong year.
X..x..X..x..X..x..X
Draco woke up slightly late. Okay so breakfast was mostly over....
But his head hurt!
He jumped into the shower and turned the water on full blast.
Twenty minutes later he ran into the Great Hall dressed and ready for the day.
"Ah, Draco," Called Dumbledore as he motioned for him to sit down, "We were waiting for your company."
"Hello Dumbledo..." Draco stopped as he noticed who was sitting in the Librarian's seat.
"Hello Draco." Came the sweet voice of Ginevra Weasley.
Draco stopped, turned around and left.
X..x..X..x..X..x..X
Back in his room Draco was shoving his clothes and possessions in a bag.
He turned the light off and walked out the door. The bag was heavy. He felt old.
Draco looked quite young but felt quite old for a twenty nine year old. He hadn't had much sleep lately and was tired. Next year he would be thirty, and he had achieved next to nothing, he was alone and bitter. He walked into the great hall and said only one word,
"Goodbye." And walked out again.
The majority of the school followed after him to the door. Draco stopped.
"Professor Dumbledore, may I ask why there is now a moat around Hogwarts?" Dumbledore dodged the question.
"You can't leave."
"I can apparate."
"On Hogwarts grounds?'
"Could I fly?"
"No."
"Well then," he looked at the students before saying (rather sarcastically) "I will just have to swim." And with that he jumped into the moat and swam across, dragging his luggage behind him.
When he reached the other side he turned and waved.
"Cheerio!"
"Draco?"
"Yes Albus?"
"If you leave I will personally hire Harry Potter as the new DADA teacher."
"Oh." Draco paused, "In that case." Draco jumped back into the moat, swam across and walked calmly back into the school. He then yelled over his shoulder
"Sixth year Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs, follow me I believe we have a class."
X..x..X..x..X..x..X
"...Now you all know about Tybalts and their poisons so now I do believe we are scheduled to do some work on Demons."
The classroom door opened and Ginny walked in.
"Hello Draco."(evil stares from the girls)
Draco crossed his arms over his chest and pouted like a five year old.
"This classroom is busy," he snapped.
"Draco..."
"What?"
"Don't be so childish, we need to talk."
"I don't wanna talk to you, you...you Potter-shagger!"
"Uh, Draco?"
"WHOT?"
"Sit down, we need to talk."
"FINE, I'll sit down! Happy? Huh? Huh?"
"Look, we need to talk but can you at least act your age?"
"Oh, you mean you wouldn't be happier talking to a baby? I know I would!"
"Draco..."
"Why are you bothering me? Find Potter! Or don't you like him any more?"
"I do but there is someone I like more."
"Ginny?"
"Yes?"
"Who?"
"Guess."
Ginny then leaned in for a kiss but was interrupted by Draco's voice.
"Does Pot-head know you're here?"
"Well..."
"DOES HE?"
"Well, no but..."
Draco walked straight out of the room and slammed the door behind him.
Ginny nervously turned to the stunned class
"Okay, so I hear you are learning about Demons. Am I right..."
X..x..X..x..X..x..X
Draco didn't know why he cared what Harry thought. Actually he did. Draco sighed. When he was a child he had nothing. Well he had everything money could buy but he didn't want any of it. He was abused. Not physically but mentally almost 24/7 and so grew up cheated of a childhood. He was made responsible at a very young age and the first thing he learned was that if you didn't hunt you would be hunted. Being cheated of a childhood, of love, he didn't wish that one anyone not even Potter.
Ginny's love was (at a time) his world, all he had. When she left him he broke. There was no point in making another man suffer that. The only thing he had now was his job at Hogwarts. His father had disowned him for bringing the downfall of Voldemort upon the world and he had spent many months in bars and clubs before Dumbledore rescued him off the street and offered him the job.
Draco stood up off his bed and went towards his mirror. He stared.
His reflection stared back. His tear stained face was even paler than usual and his hands were shaking. He touched his left hand to his face to his face where many years ago Ginny had first kissed his forehead.
Draco dropped his hand and sighed.
"Are you going to be standing there all night?" Came the not unkind voice of Severus. "Because, I could leave..."
"No. I want company."
"I heard about the class."
"Oh."
"Do you want to talk?"
Draco pondered this for a second before briefly nodding and sitting down on his four-poster bed. He paused.
"Did you love her?"
"Yes, with all my heart."
"But..." Severus prompted.
"But nothing. She chose him."
"Oh. He's married you know."
"What?"
"Yeah. Last year. Big wedding. Almost 1000 guests."
"To who?"
"Blaise."
"Blaise?"
"Blaise."
"Blaise?"
"That's what I said."
"Blaise?"
Severus sighed. Knowing he wouldn't get anything more out of Draco tonight. He stood up and left.
"Blaise?" Whispered Draco.
But where does that leave me?
X..x..X..x..X..x..X
...Till the roof comes off,
Till the lights go out...
Knock, Knock.
...Till my legs give out... Knock, Knock....Cant shut my mouth,
Till the smoke clears out,
And my high wears out...
KNOCK, KNOCK!
...Ima rip this shit till my bones collapse...KNOCK, KNOCK!!!
...Music is like magic,
There's a certain feeling you get...
KNOCK, KNOCK!!!
Ginny turned the Discman off and hurriedly ran to the door (which was shaking on its hinges).
She opened the door to see a very angry Snape in the entrance.
"Oh." She was quite surprised to see the evil-potions-dude at her door.
"Professor Snape. What a...pleasant surprise!"