Saturday, January 18: The Common Room

Okay, Pansy has officially lost it. You will not believe where I've been for the past several hours! Well, written here, as an eternal testament to the fact that Pansy rivals my Great-Aunt Adeline in the nutcase department, is my account of the events of last night.

I was walking along, simply minding my own business, when I thought I heard something behind me. This was odd, because I was the only one in this particular passageway. But, before I could turn around, something very hard hit me in the side of the head and I was knocked unconscious.

I awoke to find myself in a broom cupboard, tied fast with unbreakable magic rope. My first thought was that it was Potter and friends, or perhaps someone who wanted to ransom me. Again. But… that's another story.

Possibly as a side effect to paranoia, I am always prepared for a potential kidnapping. I find this perfectly rational, you know, especially now. However, I was not prepared for what happened next.

A voice whispered, "Lumos". And, to my shock, in front of me was none other than Pansy. She was sitting in an armchair, partially obscured by shadows, and wearing a slightly maniacal smile. It was quite frightening, I assure you.

"Hello Draco." She said in this really scary voice. "Comfy?"

I was not in fact "comfy", being tightly bound and dumped rather unceremoniously onto the dirty floor. I was about to point out my discomfort, when she answered her own question.

"Good." Her smile widened, causing her to look more than a little mad. "Now Draaaaco, do you know why you're here?"

I shook my head.

"Umm. No."

"Oh, reeeelly? You don't remember a certain ring you asked me to research? The same research you did not want to hear afterwards?"

"Uh, Pansy," I said. "I didn't actually ask you to research…"

"SILENCE!"

At this point, I feared for my life.

"You will listen. I'll make you listen."

Obviously, Pansy has issues with being ignored. It makes her do all sorts of crazy things. And I, naturally, wanted to know what else she was capable of. More specifically, would her head explode if I continued to annoy her?

"In the book Magical Creatures of Ancient Egypt…"

I began to serenade her with a song that Forrest taught me.

"This is the song that never ends, yes it goes on and on my friend. Some people started singing it, not knowing what it was, and they'll continue singing it forever just because...This is the song that never ends, yes it goes on and on my friend. Some people started singing it, not knowing what it was, and they'll continue singing it forever just because...This is the song that…"

"AAAAAAAARRRRRGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!"

Unfortunately, she was not amused.

"LISTEN TO ME, DRACO!!!"

"… never ends, yes it goes on and on my friend."

"DRACO MALFOY, YOU STOP! STOP SINGING THAT RIGHT NOW! STOP IT, I SAY!"

"Some people started singing it, not knowing what it was, and they'll continue singing it forever…."

"Fine!" Screamed Pansy. "You can just stay in here until you're ready to listen!"

And then she turned around and stormed out. Having no alternative, I screamed after her.

"JUST BECAUSE… THIS IS THE SONG THAT NEVER ENDS!!!!!"

After a minute, I stopped singing and waited for her to come back and untie me. And waited. And waited.

Pansy did not come back. It was a Friday and, therefore, my teachers did not miss me, so I was in there all night. Finally, about three o'clock Saturday morning, the door opened.

It was Forrest, with Nott in tow, come to save me. I have never been so grateful in all of my life! I think I shall write my memoirs: Eight Hours As a Houself.

Later Saturday: Great Hall

When I saw Pansy at breakfast this morning, her eyes got really wide and her mouth fell open.

"Oh, Merlin! Draco! I am SO sorry! I totally forgot! I'm so sorry! I completely forgot about you!"

Wow. I feel loved. I may never know whether she actually forgot or if this was part of my punishment. I'll forgive her, I guess. After all, I've locked her in plenty of cupboards over the years.

However, I do have one thing to say. THIS is why I have Crabbe and Goyle. And they call me paranoid.

Sunday, January 19: Common Room

Slytherin won, Ravenclaw lost! This is my first victory celebration and, I must say, it's quite amusing. Professor Snape doesn't seem to mind that the entire common room is decked in green and silver streamers. He also doesn't seem to care that someone's Wizard Wireless has been amplified to such volumes that one cannot hear one's own thoughts.

Marcus Flint said that there is a much better party afterwards, for the team. He says I can't come. I shall, of course, try to find a way to sneak in. Next year, I'll be old enough to play. Then I won't have to sneak.

But for now… They think they can keep me out? Ha!

Wednesday, January 22: Great Hall

I was thinking today about something my father told me once. It was in the middle of this long-winded speech about blood traitors and muggles and the eventual undermining of our society. Which does get pretty old by the way. Don't parents have anything better to do than talk about mudbloods?

Well, anyway, what he said was, "If you find you're ignoring the filth under you, you might just be becoming one with it".

Now, that's kind of scary. Especially since, reading back through this journal, I find myself neglecting to mention muggle-borns at all. Let me tell you, there is no way I'm becoming a blood traitor. And I have to be really careful! I mean, it practically runs in my family! My mother's sister Andromeda married a muggle, you know.

So, here it is. The solution to this problem!

Draco Malfoy's Reasons To Hate Muggles and Mudbloods

1. It's their fault we have to live in secret and sneak around all the time.

2. Purebloods are the only true wizards.

3. They hate us, why shouldn't we hate them?

4. Muggles are stupid creatures.

5. Granger is a mudblood.

6. …

Well, I'll add more reasons later, I suppose. But that's enough to keep me going for a while. Father would be so proud.

Monday, January 27: The Library

I decided that, since Pansy is so insistent, I'd at least listen to a little of this "research" of hers. It was… just about what I thought it would be. But, to appease her, I will write it all in.

"I first looked up information on the phoenix," she said. "In Magical Creatures of Ancient Egypt, they say that the Phoenix symbolizes immortality, resurrection and life after death. When the Phoenix has lived out its life, it builds its own pyre and throws itself into the flames. As it dies, it is born again, rising from the ashes."

"So, what does that mean to me?" I asked.

"Well, I'm not quite sure. But, anyway, the phoenix…"

"So if the phoenix rises," I said. "I suppose that means it's starting a new life."

"Sure it would."

"But what does that mean to me?"

"Just hear me out, okay?" She glared at me for a moment. "Okay. Well, umm… I think I've found the reason why the ring is purple. Uhh… It says here that 'Purple signifies deep passion, royalty, and spirit. Purple is also the color of the mystic.' So that's why the ring is purple, I think."

"You're reaching Pansy."

And she really is. She obviously hasn't really discovered anything; it's just her imagination again. Sometimes I worry.

But she continued to drone on about the sun and symbolism. I just tuned her out. I'd much rather concentrate on my next prank for Nott. I'm not going to write it in though, just in case he somehow finds this. But it'll be genius.

Thursday, January 30: The Dorm

I think this is my best prank yet. It took a little planning, though. You know, bribing Terrance Higgs to teach me the spell and all that. It was so worth it, though.

During Transfiguration, when he wasn't looking, I charmed Nott's underwear to glow a fluorescent pink color, right through his robes. So he sauntered out of class, completely unaware that everyone was staring at his Falmouth Flacons boxers. And you know what? He didn't even notice until we got back to the dorm room and he walked by a mirror.

Unfortunately, Professor Flitwick did notice. He called me into his office later, where he attempted to show me the error of my ways.

"Now, Draco," He said. "I know you cast that charm on Mr. Nott today."

I nodded.

"And while that was brilliant and quite advanced, oh don't shake your head boy. It was very impressive. You might have a future in Charms, that you might. Brilliant, quite brilliant."

"Thank you..."

"Yes, yes, of course. I'm actually very impressed with you. Not many first years could… Well, anyway, it was wrong, you know. Yes, very wrong. And Draco let me ask you something."

"Sir?"

"Do you feel fulfilled, Draco? Or are you truly searching for something else? Does doing these things make you… happy?"

Honestly, professor? Do you want to know the truth?

"Absobloodylutely."

Monday, February 17: The Dorm

It occurs to me that I have let this journal slip a bit. Well, what did you expect? A day-by-day account of my life? How dull.

Nott has been pestering me again. He put a large rat down my shirt during Care of Magical Creatures and, since the Slytherins had snuck the rats out of their cages for similar purposes, I couldn't get it out until after class. It scurried around in my robes all period, disgusting me to no end.

I stumbled into the seemingly empty common room afterwards, ranting to myself. I to proceeded to plot my revenge out loud. Didn't realize Aino Moon, Pansy's roommate, was there until she spoke.

"You know," She said in a dull voice. "They say talking to yourself is the first sign of insanity."

I jumped, then turned to glare at her.

"I am not going insane."

She blinked her dark, scary eyes at me.

"Denial is the second."

Tuesday, February 18: Common Room

Maybe it's the paranoia again, but I could swear the Slytherins are looking at me funny. They seem to be avoiding me for some reason. I checked and Nott hasn't turned my hair a bright shade of blue or anything. I guess it's just my imagination. Again.

Merlin's beard, I'm turning into Pansy.

Thursday, February 20: The Library

Then again, maybe I'm not imagining it at all. You know all of those stares and whispers. Yeah. Maybe it has something to do with my "torrid affair" with Professor Snape.

Who believes this? Who believes this?!?

When I get my hands on Theodore Nott, he is going to pay. Nobody spreads rumors about Draco Malfoy and gets away with it! I will make his life a living hell! He will wish he had never been conceived!

And why do all of the Slytherins believe him? Pansy says he had "proof". Like what? Pictures?

Oh god.

Later Thursday: The Dorm

Blew up at Longbottom outside the library. I put the Leg-Locker Curse on him and left him there. It occurred to me a few hours later that he might still be there, but I ran by later and he was gone. So I guess he's okay.

Pansy says I need to stop misplacing my anger.

Saturday, February 22

The game was marvelously short. I really had no desire to watch Potter win again, so I took Crabbe and Goyle with me into the Gryffindor section and accidentally-on-purpose jabbed Weasley in the back of the head.

Me: Oh, sorry, Weasley, didn't see you there.

Weasley: …

Me: Wonder how long Potter's going to stay on his broom this time? Anyone want a bet? What about you, Weasley?

Weasley: …

Me: You know how I think they choose people for the Gryffindor team? It's people they feel sorry for. See, there's Potter, who's got no parents, then there's the Weasleys, who've got no money- you should be on the team, Longbottom, you've got no brains.

Longbottom went bright red but somehow managed to reply this time.

Longbottom: I'm worth twelve of you, Malfoy.

Weasley: not looking You tell him, Neville.

How am I supposed to wind Weasley up if he's paying attention to the stupid game! Can't he tell when I want to fight?!?

Me: Longbottom, if brains were gold you'd be poorer than Weasley, and that's saying something.

Weasley: I'm warning you Malfoy- one more word-

Then Potter made a dive.

Me: You're in luck, Weasley, Potter's obviously spotted some money on the ground!

Then he snapped. He jumped me and wrestled me down, punches flying everywhere.

I was too busy pounding on his face to notice the game. We were actually rolling around under Granger's seat when Potter caught the Snitch, so I didn't see anything.

Somebody pried us apart eventually and I had to pay Marcus Flint to heal my black eye (as we haven't been taught how to do this yet). It's all right though. When I left, Weasley's nose was bleeding like crazy!

I have a newfound respect for Longbottom. When Weasley and I started fighting, he climbed over the back of his chair and tackled Goyle. So he took on both my goons, at the same time. I am now faced with a painfully difficult decision. Respect Longbottom or get new goons?

Monday, February 24: Library

This is starting to become unbearable. I was sitting in the Common Room this afternoon, working on my Potions paper, when Montague leaned over my shoulder. He then proceeded to tear my parchment from my hand.

"Working on Potions, are we?" He said nastily. "Oh, I forgot. You work for it outside class."

"Insolent fool! You cannot speak of the great Draco Malfoy that way," screamed Mini-Draco, jumping out of my bag and onto Montague's nose.

"Hey!" Shouted Tracey Davis. "I'll bet that's why he's top of the class!"

"Yeah," said Daphne Greengrass. "That's totally it."

Then they all turned on me.

"It's not fair!" "You should be ashamed of yourself!" "Have you no pride?" "Just because you and Professor Snape-."

"I AM NOT HAVING AN AFFAIR WITH SNAPE!!!" I shouted at the top of my lungs.

"The hell you're not."

Professor Snape was standing in the doorway, an odd look on his face. Everyone was silent for a moment.

"Of course he isn't," Montague drawled, pulling Mini-Draco out of his hair and hurling into my bag. "Of course not."

I took the opportunity to grab my things and escape to the library. All of the Slytherins cleared out the second I walked in. One of them purposely rammed into me as he went by.

Why am I so oppressed?

Thursday, February 27: Great Hall

Pansy is deliciously evil. Also handy. You see, she has this almost hypnotic ability to convince people that whatever she says is right. And while I never found this useful before, I fully appreciate it now.

She has informed the Slytherins that it was Nott who was having the torrid affair, not me.

"I found him out," She says. "And so he had to cover it up, you know. I have proof."

For some unexplainable reason, they believed it. They didn't even ask what the proof was! Which is even more proof that our society is deteriorating.

So I don't think I'll have to worry about that rumor anymore. Only I might have to worry about Nott. All through class today, he kept sending me slips of parchment with little skulls and crossbones on them and making slashing motions across his throat while pointing at me.

I fear him, I truly do.


Special thanks to the websites Lair of the Phoenix and Color Symbolism for info in this chapter. I have this evil tendency to over-think my fics. Bless you for making it easier.