Thank you guys so much for reviewing. I wasn't planning to update until the weekend (I hate school!), but your reviews have changed my mind. I know that there're only 6 of them, but I am sooo happy (a little sad, maybe), but this is, after all, my first attempt at a fic, so... Anyway, I'm so happy that you guys got the "point" that I was trying to make: Harry did wrong Draco in the past; I won't say more about that though hehe. Thanks again, and, please, feel free to write about ANYTHING regarding the story. I want to make my audience happy, so if you have suggestions...
Oh, another thing that I forgot... Disclaimer: I do not own these characters – just the plot (although even that is not too original ))
Draco was casually leaning back in his chair and observing the students and the teachers; these were the people he will be working with. He was too preoccupied to eat – he was procrastinating. Memories of his school years were flooding back; things he's worked hard to suppress threatened to reawaken again. He sighed.
"Something on your mind, Draco?" he heard Snape's polite inquiry.
"You could say that Sev", he replied with a chuckle, "just reliving a few unpleasant incidents. You know, Potter..."
"Ah, I was actually quite surprised that you decided to come here to work. Someone so talented could have easily found a job..." Snape frowned, thinking of the best way to describe Draco's predicament "less aggravating".
Draco was a little intrigued. "Aggravating? Why on earth would working at Hogwarts be aggravating?" Snape was spared from having to respond, because the doors of the Great Hall creaked; someone was entering the dining area. In the few seconds that Draco had before finally seeing the late arriver, he briefly wondered about the teacher who was absent from the staff's table. There was, after all, an empty seat right next to him...
The doors swung open, and Draco felt the short hairs at the back of his neck stand on end. Severus watched with amusement as Draco blinked, shook his head, and blinked again. "What the fuck..." he heard Draco's soft whisper.
Cold, silver eyes (that were clearly expressing their owner's murderous intents) turned on Dumbledore. Draco was beyond angry; he was livid. Emotions he never knew he was capable of feeling swirled in his mind. Rancor (obviously), hurt, and fear (that one was a little harder to explain; after all, Potter was the one who should have felt fear...) were momentarily displayed on his face. He steeled his expression, and turned his icy stare onto the newcomer.
Harry knew that he was being watched; he felt the powerful emotions behind Draco's chilly glare. He cleared his mind and concentrated full-force on the task at hand: the incredible feat he needed to accomplish tonight was to get through dinner without betraying any of his feelings. Merlin, that was going to be nearly impossible. He let his mouth widen in a grin (please, please, please let that appear realistic – Harry's façade was slowly slipping). He nodded at the staff (they were all quite oblivious to what was going on) and made his excuses to Dumbledore.
"That's quite alright Harry. We all know how hard you work". Here, Snape felt the need to, once again, eloquently express himself: he snorted. "Severus", Dumbledore directed a warning at Snape before continuing to address Harry "Harry, please ignore Severus and sit down".
Harry took an eager step forward; he wanted to hide his face in his plate and never have to look at Draco ever again. Unfortunately, the fates were, once again, acting against him. Harry took a step forward and froze as he realized that the only available seat was the one right next to Draco. Even worse, Draco would have to get up to allow Harry access to the seat. "Um..." (Harry wondered at his expressiveness).
Draco stood; his famous Malfoy sneer was plastered on his face. "I've had quite enough of this", he looked Harry up and down. "Headmaster, I shall leave tomorrow morning to find another sanctuary". Draco moved smoothly around Harry, holding his robes close to his body; he seemed afraid to soil the silky fabric by letting it come in contact, however briefly, with his enemy.
Snape silently applauded him.
Draco was furious. How could that old, moronic, clearly clueless, deaf, and blind bat allow this to happen?!! He rushed madly about his room, waving his wand furiously at his belongings. He needed to get out of here; he couldn't handle seeing Harry after finally learning how to forget him.
He needed to calm down (a few more minutes and I shall have a coronary!). Draco noticed that he was wildly rushing about his room without any clear plan, goal, not even a little idea... Where was he going to go now? All the sources agreed: Voldemort was after him. If he didn't remain at Hogwarts, Draco would be a dead man. It'd be better to die then to have to see Harry bloody Potter every fucking day... Draco groaned.
His head was throbbing. He sat down on an armchair and noticed that his hands were shaking. He needed a drink – badly. He uncorked the crystal scotch decanter, which stood elegantly alone on a little table by the armchair, and sloshed some in one of the crystal glasses. He grimaced as he downed the alcohol and poured another glass; this one he sipped a little more slowly.
"Of all the foolish things you have ever done, Albus, and Merlin knows you've done more than anyone can count, how could you not have told Draco that Potter works here?! If I had only been notified about this arrangement, I would have pointed this out to you earlier. Hell, I would have informed Draco myself!" grumbled Snape as he followed the Headmaster to his study.
"I never realized the grave seriousness of the situation. But, please, Severus, let's continue this discussion in my office". A few students opened their eyes in surprise at having witnessed their horrible potions master raise his voice at Dumbledore. That was a mistake, however, because it caused Snape's glare to be redirected... at them. The girls yelped and rushed off toward their dormitories.
"Ah, you do have a way with students, Severus", chuckled Dumbledore. "Candy corn" and the gargoyle guarding the stairwell to the Headmaster's office jumped aside.
"Please, Severus, sit down and tell me what I have unknowingly done this time. Oh, and would you like some lemon drops?" Snape scowled at the offered candy until Dumbledore put the bowl aside. "Hasn't Potter told you what happened between him and Draco in their seventh year?"
"I was aware that they had a sort of falling out, but I was sure they could overlook that in order to maintain Draco's safety." Snape frowned, "I can't believe Potter didn't tell you. But then, he was the guilty party. Evil, cheating bastard!"
It was Dumbledore's turn to frown, "Severus, please tell me what happened between them" Snape closed his eyes, sighed and began his story.
I'm sorry to leave off on a cliffhanger. No, I really am. But, I still have a lot of work (for school, did I mention how much I hate it?!). Anyway, I also never realized that it took such a long time to write this little. Oh, and another thing guys, I don't know how to do this so it appears in the story that is published, but I hope you realize that there are supposed to be stars (to signify a break or change) between sections. So assume that they're there when the scenes and characters suddenly change. By the way, if anyone know how to do that, please...
