Chapter five

Word of Snape’s intervention in getting the detention cancelled had obviously gotten around. Gryffindor’s whispered amongst themselves that morning, glancing nervously at Draco and Snape. Zabini and the others still ignored him. Crabbe, Goyle and Nott asked Draco about it and grinned as he told them some of what had happened. He could feel eyes staring at him from the teacher’s table. McGonagall and Flitwick whispered, wildly gesturing.


For the rest of the week Draco kept a low profile as Snape had suggested. Not that he needed to. The other students kept out of the Slytherin’s way or just ran at the sight of them. Crabbe and Goyle complained loudly about the lack of opportunities to bully first years but Draco smiled, enjoying the feeling of power the terror his presence instilled in others. They strutted through the corridors and onto the Paved Courtyard they laughed and talked about the new teachers and their lessons so far.

Further into the Paved Courtyard a small crowd had gathered, they called and jeered. Someone was yelling, begging to be let go. Crabbe and Goyle stopped and smiled. A group of Slytherin third years had cornered some Ravenclaw first years. Draco folded his arms and lent against a nearby wall. They watched in silence as the third years pushed and pulled the first years and laughed.

Crabbe and Goyle continued to laugh too at the faces of scared first years. Draco remained silent, planning his next move. The teachers seemed to be trailing them – every time they looked around either Flitwick or McGonagall were watching them intently, Draco had held his companions back on occasion, knowing that their actions would reflect badly on him.

Draco looked around the courtyard and up into windows and balconies, he couldn’t see any teachers about, he smiled. He turned to Crabbe and Goyle, “Go on.” He told them. “There’s no-one around.”

The two boys understood straight away and smiled. They walked over side by side to where the third years stood. The third years stopped and looked around fearfully at the two boys. The first years lay on the floor cowering. Crabbe and Goyle drew their wands and pointed them at the first years. The third year Slytherin’s watched hungrily as Crabbe and Goyle cast their curses.

“Crucio!” they both shouted.

Draco swore and pushed himself from the wall he lent against. And began to stride over towards them…he didn’t get far.

“CRABBE, GOYLE!!” came a harsh, but high-pitched voice.

Draco paused and turned towards the voice – Alecto Carrow. She came running over to where the small group stood her face pink with rage.

Crabbe and Goyle let go of the first years and turned to face her. “Come with me!” she smiled and turned. They obediently followed her, concerned expressions on their faces. She led them past where Draco stood and off into the castle.

Alone, Draco stalked out of the Paved Courtyard and off to Arithmancy.

He caught up with Crabbe and Goyle at supper. They sat and talked excitedly about the afternoon they had spent with Alecto Carrow. She had them, cursing Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff and Gryffindor students if they got an answer wrong in her Muggle Studies class. Her class was mandatory and she taught them about the stupidity of muggles and how they should be ruled.

Draco had already heard this from his father and in the Muggle studies classes he had attended so far he had gained much praise from Carrow.

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Several weeks went by, it was now approaching winter and a thick carpet of snow lay on the grounds. Today was the Hogsmeade visit. Anxious students clutched their wands to their chests as they walked down the narrow path into the village. Crabbe and Goyle walked on ahead, firing curses at other students as they went. Draco followed behind talking to Nott. He and Nott had known each other for many years; their fathers had been friends and had attended Hogwarts together along with Crabbe and Goyle’s fathers.

Draco had found Nott good company over the last few weeks, now Zabini and his cohorts had stopped talking to him, and Crabbe and Goyle were spending more time alone together practicing curses and casting them on the poor unfortunate souls who had earned detention.

After weeks of keeping his head down, Draco had not given certain teachers reason to either send him for detention or dock more points. In fact, he was now top in his Arithmancy, Transfiguration, Ancient Runes, and Charms classes – much to Flitwick’s dismay.

He had received an owl only that morning from his mother and father pleased with his progress and praising him. His fellow Slytherin’s had ribbed him mercilessly. At one point they snatched his mother’s letter and began to read it out loud to the others. Draco yelled and drew his wand.

“Mr Malfoy!” came the shout. McGonagall appeared by his side and glared at him. She turned to Zabini and held out her hand. “The letter Mr Zabini.” Zabini grinned at Draco and handed the letter to her. She in turn handed the letter back to Draco, and then she turned and walked on down the rows of tables.

Draco flushed pink and pocketed the letter, Zabini and his cohorts laughed, as did Crabbe and Goyle. “What’s up Malfoy?” Zabini sneered at him, “missing your mummy?”

Draco shot him a hot look.

“Shut up Zabini.” Parkinson said. “Leave him alone.”

Draco felt his pale face go pink. He had ended his relationship with her last school year. He couldn’t risk giving the Dark Lord any ammunition against him. Yes, she had been angry and didn’t understand why he had broken it off. He had needed to give his full attention to the task the Dark Lord had given him…..

“OOhhh…getting girls to fight your battles now? Bit of a come down from Snape isn’t it.” Zabini sneered. The Slytherin’s laughed, all except Nott and Parkinson. She gave him an apologetic look.

It took all his resolve not to retaliate, his ever-present anger rising like a snake in his gut. Instead he stood and stalked out of the Great Hall to echoes of laugher. All face’s turned to him as he walked.

Nott had followed him as had Crabbe and Goyle although reluctantly.


Draco kept his head lowered against the driving snow as they walked on. Nott talked on about Muggle studies and they laughed as they had recounted the previous week’s lesson, of the slides Alecto had shown them of muggles in hideous positions, their faces contorted into gormless grins. Pathetic creatures.

Draco gasped, his Dark Mark burned suddenly, the Dark Lord was angry again. His thoughts turned to his family – he hoped they were still safe. His mother had said nothing in her letter to suggest otherwise – but then again all their mail coming into Hogwarts was being intercepted before it was delivered. It was only a few weeks to go before the Christmas holidays – he hoped for the first time that he wouldn’t be going home. He knew what he would be expected to do and it scared him. Yes, he had put a brave face on it.

If only he could turn back time. What he wouldn’t give for a time turner, he would go back and convince the Draco of a year ago not to become a death eater, to run, leave the country and hide. Perhaps Dumbledore would still be alive and his life wouldn’t have become the nightmare he was living now. The ministry’s supply had been destroyed during the battle when his father was captured.

His father? How alike were they really? Yes, they looked alike. Draco had always tried to be like him – following his lead. Did he want out too? Had he been fearful of the Dark Lord returning? Had he reluctantly returned out of fear? Was he even more like his father than he ever realised?

“Draco?” Nott was saying. He had stopped. Draco stopped too and looked at Nott nervously. “Did you even hear me?”

“Sorry Theodore.” Draco said recovering quickly - putting his ‘Draco Malfoy – death eater’ mask back on. “I got distracted.”

“You okay?” Nott asked. He looked down at Draco’s left arm. Draco had clutched it as it had begun to burn. “The Dark Lord?”

Draco has relieved that he didn’t have to explain. Nott knew all about the Dark Mark, he was there when his own father had been called back to the Dark Lord’s side. He understood – the only one who did.

“Yes, he’s angry.” Draco explained, rubbing his arm, careful not to touch the mark.

Nott nodded. “Father told me that Potter’s still eluding him.”

Potter, Draco thought with a scowl. He nodded to Nott and carried on walking.
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