A Twisted Fate

Chapter Three

Harry walked up to the Malfoys. They were sitting in a large fancy parlor room, talking quietly to each other. Lucius Malfoy looked up when he saw his son...or he thought it was his son.

"Hello, Draco," said Lucius. Harry thought Lucius sounded rather cold.

"Hello, Father," Harry replied, trying to act the way Draco would.

Lucius cleared his throat. "I heard you were on Privet Drive today...that Muggle neighborhood..."

Harry shrugged. "So? So...I was out walking..."

"Without my permission in a Muggle neighborhood!" Lucius's voice started to rise. Harry could tell Lucius was getting angry, but what was so wrong with being on Privet Drive? He lived there...it couldn't be all that bad.

"Dad, I don't see what your big deal - " Harry started, but Lucius cut him off.

Lucius stood up, fury in his eyes. "I've told you this a thousand times, Draco! You're not allowed to go on Muggle grounds! It's bad for our reputation if we get involved with those Muggles!"

"Sorry, Dad...I guess I forgot," Harry muttered.

"Well, don't forget again - go to your room and finish your summer homework from Hogwarts. I expect you to get better grades this year. I want you to be a prefect, Draco. Our family is the perfect example of pure-blood wizards and I don't want you to screw it up by not getting good enough grades to become a prefect."

Harry was a little shocked by this. Why did every wizard parent get so hung up on their children becoming prefects? He didn't think being a prefect was such a big deal or would be any fun. Sure, it would mean big responsibilities but why would you want that anyway?

Suddenly, as Harry walked up the stairs to Draco's room, he started to realize why Draco was always so concerned about making himself look good.

* * * * *

Meanwhile, at the Dursleys, Draco was having a tough time coping with them. Aunt Petunia had already made Draco scrub the floors, vacuum the floors, mow the lawn, and scrub the windows clean. He was starving and Aunt Petunia wouldn't let him eat any food.

"But I'm hungry!" Draco whined, glancing over at Dudley, who was eating a bowl of ice cream and watching television.

"No dinner until you're done with your chores, boy!" Aunt Petunia snapped. "You know the rules!"

Draco pointed at Dudley. "But how come he gets to eat ice cream and not do any chores? It's not fair!"

"Ha,ha," Draco heard Dudley taunt from the living room. "Harry has to do his chores!" Draco glared at him, wishing he could put a hoax on Dudley, but Harry had warned Draco not to do magic in the Dursley household because they would probably kick him out.

So this is what Potter's life is like outside of Hogwarts...what a rotten way of living! Draco thought as he went back to washing the windows. And I thought I had it bad at home!

Draco had to duck as Aunt Petunia tried to whip him with her apron. I hope I this summer gets over soon so I can go back to Hogwarts! Draco realized that if he did go back to Hogwarts, he couldn't be in the Slytherin House...he would be stuck in Gryffindor and he'd have to be nice to Weasel Weasley and Mudblood Granger.

A little while later, Uncle Vernon had come home from work, and dinner was nearly ready. Of course, Draco wasn't allowed to touch the delicious-looking chicken that Aunt Petunia had made. Instead, she had quickly given him two slices of whole wheat bread and a slice of cheese.

This has definitely got to be the worst summer ever! Thought Draco as he slept that night. I can't wait to be me again!