Draco Malfoy was in serious trouble. He knew it. So did the rest of the school, for that matter. But he was satisfied. For once, he had stood up against someone. A pity it wasn't his father, but Professor Snape would do. For now.
If there was anything, that Draco wanted more than anything else, it was to escape his father's coldness and evilness. He knew that his father was a Death Eater, and somehow – even though how horrible the thought seemed – he had get used to the thought of his father as a killer.
As long as he doesn't kill someone I love, he thought miserably, then I don't care. He shuddered at the very thought. I'm just as cruel as he is, he thought in dismay. I hate myself. Ginny doesn't love me either.
The thought of Ginny seemed stuck in his head. He'd tried everything – yelling, kicking, punching and actually hitting himself in the forehead – but he couldn't stop thinking of her. He'd tried to catch Harry's eyes during the next Potions lesson, but Harry had avoided his glances and had turned to Ron, who seemed to have a lot of trouble with his cauldron.
Suddenly, something snapped Draco back to reality. He realised within a few seconds what it was; Snape had closed the door behind him with a bang, and was now heading for the chair behind his desk.
"Sit down, Malfoy", he snarled. Draco shuddered once more. Snape was actually more hideous than Dolores Umbridge, and that was something.
"Malfoy." Snape's stare made Draco feel uncomfortable.
"Head master", he answered dully. It suddenly occurred to him that two weeks of detention with Snape was what he really didn't want at the moment. He wanted to say so to Snape, but something told him that this wasn't the right moment, and so, he held quiet.
"Two weeks of detention, Malfoy", Snape said coldly. "Surely you understand that I'll have to report this to your family?"
"Yes, sir." Draco's shattered family was one of the things he didn't want to think of.
"Well, I've already figured out a way of punishing you", the Potions master said with a wry smile.
"What is it, sir?" Draco replied.
" I'm going to let you…" The rest of the sentence disappeared into the silence. Draco's eyes widened.
"But… sir…"
"And of course, fifty points will be taken from Slytherin, Malfoy."
"From your own house?"
"Yes, Malfoy, from my own house. Now go."