The First Year

Chapter Five

About Servants and Their Masters

"You definitely have to come with us! I'm sure your Master will let you come," Pansy said, excited about the coming Hogsmeade weekend.

First-year Servants weren't normally allowed to go to Hogsmeade but they could go if they had at least two Masters with them. Draco hadn't thought about going since he had gone there already with Michael not so long ago, with an exclusive permission from Dumbledore, of course. He didn't really care for public places; he had hated visiting Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade was not that much different, especially now when there were more people around than just few passers-by and he and his Master.

"I don't know, Pansy. I'm still feeling a bit nauseous," he replied, scowling.

"Don't be such a wimp!"

"I'm not a wimp!" he glared at Pansy. He already knew that Michael would be ecstatic about going to the little town.

Pansy was unaffected and smiled brightly. "Pretty please?" she whined.

"Okay, okay. I'll ask my Master," he said, sighing deeply.

***

If Draco had known what the day had in store for him, he wouldn't have gone to Hogsmeade but obviously fate had had other plans in store for him.

They, Draco, Pansy, and Blaise, and the two Masters, Michael Yorkin and Anthony Perkins, all walked towards the town together in a clump.

"So, where do you want to go?" Michael asked Draco and the other Servants.

"Pansy and I would like to go to Honeydukes, Master," Draco said, walking next to Pansy.

Michael nodded. "Okay, I'll come with you. Anthony, would you go with Blaise, please?"

Pansy's Master nodded, leaving with Blaise for the Three Broomsticks.

***

"Well what do we have here?" somebody sneered behind him. "Malfoy, how's your day been?"

Draco, still in Honeydukes, turned to face the voice. "What do you want, Mr. Weasley?" he asked, reluctant to show any respect.

"Ron, let it be," Draco heard a soft voice saying.

Harry.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Potter." Draco bowed a little.

"Thanks. Ron, let's go."

"No, I want to know what this little wanker did to Seamus," Ron raved.

"Excuse me? I don't know what you are talking about, Mr. Weasley."

"Of course our little slave doesn't know! You were seen, Malfoy! Many witnesses saw you hexing Seamus yesterday."

"Mr. Weasley, I don't honestly know--"

"Shut up!" Ron shouted and Draco soon felt his fist making contact with his jaw.

Draco stumbled back. "You’ll pay for that!" Draco yelled as he pulled his wand from his pocket.

Ron laughed. "And what, pray tell, will you do with that?"

"Ron!" Harry shouted.

"Mr. Weasley, that is enough!" Michael stepped between Draco and Ron. "You will leave my Servant alone if you don't wish to be expelled," he growled.

"Yes, sir," Ron said, leaving the shop quickly.

"I'm sorry about that," Harry said before following Ron.

"You!" Michael turned on Draco.

"Master, I--"

Slap.

"You will not disgrace me ever again! Is that clear?" Michael asked a threat clear in his voice.

"Yes, Master," Draco answered humbly, his cheek red.

***

"Draco! What happened?" Pansy asked as soon as they were alone in the Slytherin common room.

The whole journey back to school had been silent and Pansy had been sending worried glances towards Draco who walked behind Michael, seeming to be withdrawn.

Draco was reluctant to tell her anything. "It's none of your business. It is only between me and my Master," he said firmly, hoping that Pansy would leave him alone.

Pansy had no idea what Michael was like. She was sure to draw the wrong conclusions, deciding that his Master was a monster, but Michael wasn't like that.

From the very beginning, Michael had told Draco that if he didn't obey his Master's orders, he would suffer the consequences.

And that was what happened in Hogsmeade. He had insulted Mr. Weasley against his Master's orders and Michael had punished him. Michael could have done something much worse, if the rules of the Duty would not be binding him; only minor punishments, however.

"But, Draco--"

"No, Pansy! I'm not going to speak ill of my Master! He is good to me and that's final!" he kept his voice low and cold.

Pansy finally took the hint and stayed quiet.