Omnia Mors Perimit

He was slowly getting desperate. So far, the Dark Lord hadn't done anything, but it could only be a matter of time - if time was money, it'd be no problem, Draco got more than enough of the one, and nothing of the other, so he could simply buy himself some time, but as things were, all his parents' wealth couldn't help him, couldn't help them -

He decided that he won't go home for Christmas this year, although he'd really like to. He was grieved recollecting his last words to his mum - he should have liked to apologise for his insolence, and also, he didn't want to leave her all on her own over the holidays, she'd be sitting in the vast emptiness of the Manor... Draco had spent Christmas in Hogwarts before, but then, his dad had been there with her... Just - what good would it do Narcissa to have her son home in the holidays with a heart-felt 'sorry', if she was killed the next day?!

His life didn't become any easier with the new curfew rules. As a Prefect, he was allowed around the castle at any time of day and night, but not at any place, and Filch, the blithering idiot, was sneaking around, just dying to catch a stray student. And that cursed cat of his - Draco had always been fond of cats, his mum had a beautiful Siamese called Emma, Millicent got a moody tomcat, he even liked Aoki, it was like Zabini's most sympathetic feature - but he'd make an exception for Mrs Norris at once. That was one mean beast, perfectly befitting her foul-tempered owner!

On his way up to the Secret Room, he stumbled over exactly that cat now, cursing under his breath and hurrying up, but he had no luck, like so often these days. In the next second, an arm snatched out of a curtain, and a triumphant wheeze echoed through the hallway.

"AHA!"

He'd have to hand it to Filch, he was crafty with his covers, and also, he knew an ear-screw that was worthy of a troll-wrestler. "Leave me alone, I'm a Prefect, I -"

"Prefect or not, you have no business in this part of the school!"

They argued all the way to Slughorn's office, where the big party that Zabini had mentioned was taking place. This gave Draco the idea to claim that he had been invited, too, but Filch merely grinned, "Well, then I'll just take you there personally, laddie, shan't I?"

This pathetic idiot, a Squib if there ever was one, who did he think he was?! And what was more, Draco really hadn't got the time for any of this, Dumbledore wasn't there, who knew, perhaps he'd return tomorrow... Filch explained his purpose to Slughorn, not letting go of Draco, but now he finally had enough.

He broke free, hissing, "All right! I wasn't invited! I was trying to gate-crash, happy?!"

Naturally, Filch wasn't happy, that maggot hadn't had a single happy day in all his life. Slughorn was high-spirited enough, inviting Draco to stay - as if he was keen on that - and as for Professor Snape... Draco decidedly tried to avoid his Head of House's angry glare, deciding that this was an opportunity in disguise. He'd stay for five minutes, he'd play up to Slughorn, and sneak off at the first possible moment.

"Thank you so much, Sir," he said and shot the Potions master a broad smile. "It is so very generous of you to extend your invitation, I am honoured, honoured and proud -"

"It's nothing, nothing! I did know your grandfather, after all..."

'Yeah, and you know my father even better, bloody hypocrite,' Draco thought, but didn't waver in his smile and tone. "He always spoke very highly of you, Sir. Said you were the best potion-maker he'd ever known."

"I'd like a word with you, Draco," Professor Snape said coolly, a glint in his black eyes, and marched him out, only the tiniest bit more sensitive than Filch had been. Not this again. Lately, Snape took every chance he got to 'have a word', and Draco was firmly convinced by now that his aunt had erred. Snape might be a traitor, but not in the sense that aunt Bella thought. He wanted to steal Draco's idea, to be sure, that's why he would suck up to Draco's mum, too. He just wanted to get back to the Dark Lord's good graces, wanted to take the place that was rightfully Lucius Malfoy's!

They went through the same ludicrous argument, Snape persisting, Draco refusing, competing who of them could show the better sneer. Oh yeah, Snape did suck up way too much to Draco's mum, repeating word for word what she would tell him if she had the chance. "You are speaking like a child. I quite understand that your father's capture and imprisonment has upset you, but -"

Draco gave a little hiss and just walked out on him.