Chapter 15

"Some things in life are bad
They can really make you mad
Other things just make you swear and curse.
When you're chewing on life's gristle
Don't grumble, give a whistle
And this'll help things turn out for the best...

And...always look on the bright side of life...
Always look on the light side of life...

If life seems jolly rotten
There's something you've forgotten
And that's to laugh and smile and dance and sing.
When you're feeling in the dumps
Don't be silly chumps
Just purse your lips and whistle - that's the thing.

And...always look on the bright side of life...
Always look on the light side of life...

For life is quite absurd
And death's the final word
You must always face the curtain with a bow.
Forget about your sin - give the audience a grin
Enjoy it - it's your last chance anyhow.

So always look on the bright side of death
Just before you draw your terminal breath

Life's a piece of shit
When you look at it
Life's a laugh and death's a joke, it's true.
You'll see it's all a show
Keep 'em laughing as you go
Just remember that the last laugh is on you.

And always look on the bright side of life...
Always look on the right side of life...
(Come on guys, cheer up!)
Always look on the bright side of life...
Always look on the bright side of life...
(Worse things happen at sea, you know.)
Always look on the bright side of life...
(I mean - what have you got to lose?)
(You know, you come from nothing - you're going back to nothing.
What have you lost? Nothing!)
Always look on the right side of life..."

- Monty Python, Life of Brian

I've somehow managed to find myself bracing the cold of oncoming winter once again.

But this time I do have a plan.

This time I'm not going to allow myself to fall into the cracks of society simply because of discrimination and poverty.

I've decided to go to place known on the streets for helping kids out. Only they control everything you do… with curfews and dinnertimes and such… which no kid wants to follow.

But I figure that I've lived ten months in boarding school for the rules not to at all bother me.

I'm not sure what it's called but I know enough to try my chances there…

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"Your name?"

"Derek Malachy."

"Age?"

"15."

"OK. Your reason's for joining the program?"

"To get a job and education."

The woman nods. She's a crisp woman who eerily reminds me of McGonagall. I would ask her if they're related if I thought it was at all a possibility.

"I'll need to take a drug test and you will need to undergo some examinations." I have no idea what the hell she's talking about.

But I nod anyways.

She hands me a cup and points to the door.

I take the cup and just look at it.

"A drug test requires urine."

I'm still not getting it. She rolls her eyes.

"Mr. Malachy. You will need to urinate into the cup." I look down at the cup again.

"Isn't it a bit small?"

She laughs…

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The examinations that they take are of reading and math comprehensions. They are needed to evaluate the sort of treatment they will need for the child.

Though now that I look down at these tests I think that even Vincent and Gregory could've got an Outstanding.

I've done five tests and now they've marked them and are giving me an answer.

The man with the barbell moustache talks to me

"Well, considering your age and the marks on the exams we have decided to have you go into the foster family program with the possibility of seeking an Independent Living in about a years time. Meanwhile you will have to go to high school as a regular student possibly getting into the Honour classes. Since you had no substances in your system we are trusting that this will not be a complete waste on you Derek."

I nod.

Though, I'm sort of wishing I hadn't lied about my age. But then that was running the risk of having them not pay attention to me.

I smile to the family that is to mine for the next twelve or so months.

I can do this.

Or at least I think I can.

Fin.

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A/N: OK. I'm not at all satisfied with this end but I wanted to get the ball running for people to write stuff about Draco Malfoy as a Muggle. Mainly because Malfoy seems to be a sort of character who would be out saving his own ass rather than fighting.