Back to Questions
Chapter 21
The next day all the students saw the drastic change in house points. As Draco and the others walked around the school, they got all sorts of looks from the other students. The Gryffindors hated them and stared them down in the corridors and in class. They avoided sitting by them during meals and when Potter asked for the mashed potatoes at dinner, all he got were dirty looks.
Draco got the worst of it when they found out it was a Slytherin who snitched on them. "He probably tipped them off," they would whisper in the corridors. "The little trader," others would say. He went from being Gryffindor's loved chaser to the reason they'd lose the house cup.
Neville and Draco sitting in the dorm before classes. "I'm sure it'll die down in a few days, Draco," Neville tried to reassure.
"I know, but it just sucks right now. They're all acting like gits, as if they have never lost points before," Draco sighed and fell back onto the bed. "The Slytherin's aren't making it any better," Draco pointed out, "Every time they see one of us in the hallways they cheer and clap. Praising us for giving them the house cup. And Blaise feels terrible. He could barely look me in the eye yesterday."
"Well, we'll get to see him and the others in potions, which is where we should be headed right now," Neville reminded. Draco groaned. Lately he has been dreading going to potions. He hadn't spoken to his godfather anymore than he had to since he fought with him in his study.
They went from having tea everyday to maybe saying one word to each other during class. It wasn't like Severus wasn't trying to talk to him. It was just Draco would do anything to get out of a conversation with him.
"What's with you? Potions used to be your favorite class and now it's all you complain about," Neville asked.
Draco sighed, if there was anyone he trusted at this school it would be Neville, "Professor Snape is my godfather if you didn't already know. He's the one who introduced me to potions, and we would always work on them together. He was the person I looked up to the most, but I recently found out he’s been lying to me about some things."
Neville gave his friend a comforting smile, "I'm sure he had his reasons or maybe it is just a big misunderstanding." "Maybe," Draco said and casted a Tempus charm, "I guess we should head down. Don't want to get into more trouble."
They walked quickly through the halls making small conversation. Draco knew Neville was trying to distract him from the glares and he was thankful for it.
Right when they sat down in their seats, Professor Snape strutted into the classroom. "Open your books to page 185. Today we will be going over the 12 uses of dragon's blood," Snape said in a monotone voice, "Over the weekend you were to write a paper on one of the uses. Have those papers on my desk before the end of class."
The rest of class dragged on as Snape read through the lesson. This was the part of potions that Draco dreaded the most. He loved to be able to combine ingredients to create a whole new substance. He didn't enjoy learning the history or logistics of them, especially when had memorized them a long time ago.
That is one thing he realized in this new life. He didn't need to waste his time with the boring stuff. He could focus on improving his skills and finding ways to be better than before.
When Snape was done with the lesson, there was still time left. All the students turned in their papers and spent the rest of class chatting amongst each other. Draco and Neville turned around to face Blaise, Pansy, and Theo.
"The rest of the Slytherins have been unbearable," Pansy complained and gave Draco a soft smile, "How is it on your end?" "Oh you know just the occasional hateful stare and whispers behind my back. Nothing I can't handle," Draco replied.
Blaise gave him a guilty look, "Draco I really am sorry. If I-" Draco was quick to interrupt him, "Blaise stop. I've already told you I'm not mad at you and know you would never throw me under the bus like that. Plus it's not like you didn't get full off the hook either. Now stop feeling guilty, it's not a good look on you."
The group continued to talk for the rest of the class. As they all got up and started to head to the door, Severus called out to the group, "Mr. Malfoy please stay behind." Draco looked at his friends and rolled his eyes.
"Guess he's getting desperate now," Theo whispered. "Probably thinks it's his job to check up on you and yell at you for getting in trouble," Pansy added. "Like he has any room to say anything to you," Blaise murmured.
"Good luck. I'll see you in the next class," Neville told him. The rest of the students left the classroom and Draco was left standing in front of his godfather's desk. Merlin, did he envy all those students leaving.
"What is it you need?" Draco questioned with a slight distaste in his voice. If Severus cared about Draco's tone he didn't show it, "Getting caught out of bed after hours to see a dragon hatch? Really Draco?," Severus said disappointed, "This isn't like you."
Anger grew in Draco from that statement, "How do you know that?" Severus sighed, "I know we haven't been on speaking terms lately, but that doesn't mean I don't care about you. What will your father think?"
Draco was now seething with anger, "No," he shook his head, "No, you don't get to bring him up. This isn't about him. It's about you. You were the one who's been lying and plotting secret plans."
"Draco, I've been trying to talk to you about this for a while, and I've let you be mad at me for far too long. I am not trying to steal the Sorcerer's Stone, and I have no idea how you have come to that conclusion," Severus tried to explain to his godson.
"Well why were you asking Professor Quirrell for information about the Stone?" Draco questioned again. "I was trying to see what he knew about the stone. I know it looks bad, but when have I ever lied to you before?" Severus said
"Well if it isn't you then who is it? Because I know someone is trying to get it?" Draco asked. "I've already told you, you need to stay out of this. This is serious. If you keep medaling in this you are going to get hurt," Severus said sternly.
"I'm being perfectly safe and what's wrong with a little medaling. It keeps my life interesting," Draco reassured. "You should be busy with your studies. Exams are coming up fast and you know your father's expectations," Severus reminded.
"I already know all the material and I will do just fine on my exams," Draco said.
Severus looked at Draco like he was in deep thought. "Something's different about you. Ever since late this summer you've been acting differently. All summer you were nervous for these exams and now you're more worried about a thief in the school. And don't think I haven't noticed you using advanced techniques during class that even I haven't taught you. Even some of the other teachers have pointed out you excelling in their classes with ease while in the summer when I tested you on this stuff you did amazing for your age, but still had some difficulties with the more advanced part of the curriculum."
Draco didn't know what to do. Was this the time to tell him about the time travel? Maybe he could help Draco? Draco sighed then looked up at his godfather, "Something happened this summer and I don't have time right now to explain," Draco casted a tempus charm and realized how long they have been talking for, "I really need to go right now. You might have a free period right now but I have a transfiguration class next, and I’m already on McGonagall's bad side. I promise I'll find the time so we can talk, but I need to go." He didn't wait for Severus's reply and walked out of the classroom.
Half of the class period would already be over by now, so Draco needed to get there fast. He looked around the hallway and opened one of the passage ways. He quickly walked through them and in no time he was entering McGonagall's classroom. Draco tried to quietly sit in his seat next to Neville without disturbing the class.
"Mr. Malfoy, Do you think you can just miss half of my class and waltz in here like it's nothing?" McGonagall asked sternly.
"No Professor, I'm sorry I'm late. Professor Snape needed to talk to me about a few things after class," Draco explained. McGonagall looked him in the eye and said, "Don't make it a habit," then went back to teaching the class.
Draco pulled out his books and quill and started to follow the lesson. When McGonagall was done teaching she assigned the class to turn the mice in front of them into snuffboxes. As the other students practiced the spell, Neville leaned closer to Draco. "What did Snape want?"
Draco turned to look at his friend and whispered back, "He just wanted to reprimand me for getting detention the other day. We talked about some other things and I think I misunderstood what I thought he was lying to me about. I told him we could talk more later."
Neville smiled, "I told you it was probably a misunderstanding," then turned back to his mouse.
Draco stared at the mouse in front of him, but had too much on his mind to perform the spell. What was he going to tell Severus? Should he tell him everything that has been going on or should he keep some of it to himself? Can he even fully trust him after everything? Why did he have to say-
"Mr. Malfoy," McGonagall interrupted his thoughts, "I know you weren't here for the first half of the lesson, but you can still at least try the spell."
Draco sighed and picked up his wand. He focused on the mouse and design he wanted on the snuffbox then effortlessly casted the spell. In one try the mouse quickly turned into a beautiful green and gold designed snuffbox.
McGonagall examined his work, "Excellent job Mr. Malfoy. 5 points to Gryffindor." She left his side and went to help the other students with the spell.
By the time class was over Draco, Granger and a few others were the only ones to fully get the mouse to change. McGonagall told the rest of the class to practice more in their spare time before releasing them to lunch.
Draco walked through the corridors with Neville, Granger, Weasley, and Potter. As they turned the corner, Weasley started to speak. "How do you two always seem to know the lesson before we get taught it?" he exclaimed. "It's because we actually put effort into our studies, Ronald. Maybe you should try it?" Granger told him.
The group entered the Great Hall and sat in their usual seats. The Gryffindors still seemed upset by the point loss from the lot, but were acting like they were getting over it.
Draco looked at the food laid out in front of him. Everyone else started to fill their plates, but he didn't feel hungry in the slightest. He decided he would just eat a finger sandwich and a few pieces of fruit.
They didn't have any more classes for the rest of the day, so the group went up to their common room for the rest of the afternoon. Granger spent the time studying while the other four played rounds of exploding snap and wizards chess.
"I'm going to head back up to the dorm for a second," Draco told the rest and walked up the stairs. When he entered the dorm there were letters sitting on his bed as well as Potter's and Weasley's.
As he got closer to his bed he realized there were two letters on his bed. He opened the first and read that he should meet Filch in front of the Entrance Hall for his detention. When he grabbed the other letter, he recognized the handwriting on the front.
He skimmed the letter from his father. It said exactly what he expected. Telling Draco how disappointed he was in him not only for getting in trouble at school, but also for embarrassing the family for being near the gamekeeper on purpose. At the end of the letter there was a subtle reminder to watch who he spent his time with.
By the time Draco was finished reading the letter, he held his head in his hands. He didn't understand how to make his father happy. Everything he did just made him more upset. You'll always be a failure, his father's voice rang in his head, How can you keep disgracing the family over and over again?
All Draco could think about was grabbing his blades and cutting. He wanted to feel the pain so bad it started to consume him. He knew he shouldn't and he had been doing so well. It had been weeks since the last time he relapsed, but he was weak and gave in.
Draco was now sitting on his bed with the curtains closed and his tin sitting in his lap. He opened the lid and carefully grabbed one of the blades inside. After he set the tin off to the side, he rolled down his sleeve.
Healed scars were starting to cover the once smooth pale skin. He brought the blade to his wrist and dragged it across over and over. He hated that his thoughts always brought him to this, but it wasn’t like he was trying to change. Part of him knew that he deserved to feel like this, broken and pathetic.
Draco knew he needed to go back downstairs or the others would come looking for him, so he quickly hid his tin back in his trunk and went inside the bathroom. He cleaned the fresh cuts and placed bandages then looked into the mirror to wipe the remaining tears from his face. He rushed back down the stairs and joined the group in front of the fireplace.
"There are letters placed on our beds. We have to meet Filch in front of the Entrance Hall soon for our detention," Draco told Weasley, Granger, and Potter. They all sighed and got up from their comfortable spots. "Wish us luck," Draco told Neville and followed the rest out of the common room.
"What do you think they are going to make us do?" Potter questioned as they walked through the corridors. "Probably have us clean classrooms for hours," Weasley groaned.
"It could be much worse than that," Draco pointed out as he thought of the experience they had last time. Him running out of the forest screaming wasn't his finest moment.
The rest of the walk was short and when they reached the Entrance Hall Blaise was already there standing with Filch. A smirk grew on the squib's face as the group of Gryffindors approached.
He pointed to Weasley, Potter, Granger, and Blaise and said, "You four will be spending your night with Hagrid in the Forbidden Forest. He then turned towards Draco, "And you will be spending your night with Professor Snape per his special request."