Being called into Dumbledore's office is something that surprises Draco greatly, as he's unsure about what exactly he's being called for. Not only has he done so much, but his list of victims is one that spans many houses and many years, only…he can't see any of them having the nerve, having the courage to say anything. Not when they knew the consequences. So, when he enters the office and finds his parents already sitting there, a murderous expression on both of their faces, that only serves as more of a shock.
"Lemon drop?" The old senile headmaster offers, and Draco doesn't bother to respond, instead taking his seat next to his parents, next to his mother to be exact, as the headmaster's expression turns more serious.
"Mr. Malfoy, do you know why I've called you to my office today?" Draco frowns as he still can't think of the exact crime and shakes his head.
"I don't, no." The headmaster then catches his eye, exchanging a long stare with the fourth-year Slytherin.
"I see…" Professor Dumbledore turns to the two other adults in the room. "Lucius, Narcissa, would either of you have an idea?" He questions once more. Lucius sniffs and sneers in derision, as Narcissa glares heavily at the headmaster.
"If it's not to congratulate Draco on his exemplary work as both a student and as a person, then I haven't the slightest idea, Albus." Lucius responds coldly. "And neither does my dear wife. Care to enlighten us, headmaster." Professor Dumbledore sighs in disappointment as he gathers his inner strength.
"There are accusations, Lucius." He stops and turns to the younger Malfoy. "Draco, that you have been…tampering with the minds and thoughts of other students, something explicitly listed as illegal in the Hogwarts rulebook." Narcissa appears to be taken aback by the accusations, while Lucius maintains his cold and derisive expression, and Draco…appears unbothered by it all. "It has also come to my attention that Draco has threatened and tortured other students, and forced them to remain silent under threat of more torture. Naturally, as headmaster, I cannot allow this, and thus, this meeting."
The room is silent for a few moments, perhaps a few minutes, as Draco sits there uncaring, while his parents appear to have some sort of silent communication.
"I see…" Lucius responds, chin up. "It appears your incompetence from just two years ago, has reared its ugly head once more, as you not only dare to accuse my son of such heinous acts, but you do so with a complete lack of evidence, in what can only be seen as a show of blatant discrimination." Lucius steels his expression further. "I will have your job for this." He threatens, but the headmaster seems to be unbothered by his words.
At the same time, Draco stares the much older man in the eyes, almost daring him to engage, as he contemplates the situation in front of him. Can he kill Dumbledore? The man thought to be the most powerful wizard of the past millennia or so? Maybe. But is he more powerful than the old coot? Magically? No, he's not. Is he more versatile? Perhaps. But still the lack of power is the issue. And that bothers him, even if it is something for another time.
"I do have evidence Lucius. Even if it is somewhat circumstantial, and I am sure I can get plenty of students to come forward with the truth." The Malfoy heir snorts at the insanity of his words.
"I bet you can't." He speaks in a challenging tone, bringing the headmaster's attention back onto him.
"In all of Slytherin?" The ancient man questions. Draco cannot help but to grin wide.
"I dare you to try." The old Gryffindor furrows his brow at the confidence and the brazen attitude of the young man.
"You realize that for what you have done, for what you are accused of, you would likely be expelled." Draco smirks at that.
"Maybe normally, assuming you could fabricate such evidence, but not now, not this year." He informs confidently.
"Oh?" Dumbledore questions, almost amused by the student's misplaced arrogance. "And what makes you so sure of that, young Draco?" He questions, switching up his approach slightly.
"Because, I'm Hogwarts' champion." He answers simply and smugly. "And as long as this tournament's going on, you can't touch me. And lucky me, that happens to be the entire year." The headmaster settles back in his chair, serious and sober, glancing to the young boy's parents, who seem content to let their son defend himself.
"You may be correct, young Draco, for now. But regardless of such, I will not tolerate such malfeasance in my school. Consider yourself warned." Draco closes his eyes, not liking what's been said.
"And consider yourself warned headmaster." Draco counters, once again catching the headmaster off-guard. "My parents have certain…ties that you know very intimately, and you now claim that I have these…dark tendencies." He grins wide, even if it doesn't quite reach his eyes. "Imagine what I will do, headmaster, and who I will turn to, if Hogwarts decides to expel me." He pauses to lick his lips. "Think to yourself, Albus. Can you afford that?"
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Draco finds himself wandering the hallways with a handful of problems on his mind. First, he needs to figure out who exactly went to Dumbledore. He knows no Slytherin would, and Potter would die before admitting he needs help, so who else could it be? His mind flashes to his latest encounter with his…with Ginny, her discomfort, her haste to leave, and it all starts to click. Is that why she's been avoiding him? But how? How did she find out? That's something he's going to have to look into. Another problem is…what just happened. Dumbledore. Or rather, his own lack of power in comparison to the ancient wizard. He'd been working on his power lately, increasing his speed, his strength, his skill, to the point that he can now match Ghost in speed and Khan in strength, and while they'd serve him great against the likes of Villain, as Ghost himself has already proved, Super had played them all like a fiddle, knocked over his Dead Man Army like a box of toys, and was still leagues out of his reach. He'd need magic against him, should they rematch, but if he isn't even as strong as Dumbledore…
He's brought out of his thoughts by the leer of 'fourth' champion, Harry Potter. Potter appears to be staring at him, unsure of something, and Draco can't help himself.
"What exactly are you looking at Potter? Besides your better and future champion?" He questions with a grin, his aura freezing the boy in his tracks and forcing him to break out in a cold sweat. A quick trip through the spectacled boy's mind tells him that the Boy-Who-Lived is wondering if he should tell Draco about the first test, which apparently has something to do with dragons. That…is surprisingly helpful to know, good job Potter. "I do get that I'm drop dead gorgeous, but I only like girls Potter, and as much as a pussycat as you are, you still don't quite count." A scowl on the boy's face, along with his hasty retreat tells Draco that he's decided against telling him. It doesn't exactly matter, since he already took the information, but still…it's the principal. Some Gryffindor he is.