Just Your Average 6th Year

Chapter 1 - so much for company

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I wake with cold sweat pouring down my face. Every night I have the same dream. And every night I wake up drenched with cold sweat. But I can never remember just what happens in the dream; all I know is that it is always the same.

I close my eyes and try to will myself back to sleep. It never works, but I still like to try. Rolling over onto my back, I open my eyes and stare at my ceiling. There is nothing on it but white paint. My thoughts begin to wander.

I return to Hogwarts tomorrow. Or today depending on what time it is right now. It will be my 6^th year of Hogwarts. I am actually rather glad that my father sent me there instead of Durmstrang. I would never tell father that, of course, or anyone else for that matter.

With Hogwarts comes all the trials and tribulations of my past 6 years. At Hogwarts, I wear a mask. In front of my father, I wear a mask. In fact, I think that the only time I don't wear a mask is when I am by myself. So I guess that means no one really knows the real me. Sometimes I wonder if even I know who I really am.

I am to be a prefect this year. Father would have killed me if I weren't. But it wasn't hard to get myself this position. In fact, I didn't have to do anything. There is really no other 6^th year Slytherin male who would fit the job description. Well, maybe Blaise, but I don't think he wants to be a prefect. I do. Although it does mean that I have to work with the other prefects from the other houses. Which means I have to work with the Gryffindor prefects, Granger and Potter.

Potter. Harry James Potter. I sometimes wonder what it is exactly that my father hates about him so much. I, myself, would much rather be Harry's friend than his enemy. But I can't do that, not even if he would forgive me for all that I have done. Not just to him, but to Granger and Weasley too. If I were to suddenly become friends with him now, my father would have my head.

I can still remember what father ordered me do. He said that I must either be Harry's best friend or his worst enemy. And Harry must be the one to choose which. I was hoping to be his friend, but he chose otherwise. And now I pretend to hate him, but also like him. Because, as my father would say, 'We must never appear to be anything less than fond of Harry Potter.' So, I hate him when he is around, and pretend that I like him when anyone of importance is around.

The night's heat begins to make its appearance, and I push the thin sheet off my body. Rolling over, I look at the clock on my bedside table. It is just past midnight, my mother and father will be fast asleep in their room by now. If there is anyone else awake at all, it would be one of the house elves. Slipping off my bed, I grab a light robe from my closet and put it on and silently leave my room. I walk down the dark hallway to the stair, and proceed down them and then into the kitchen. There is still a fire going in the fireplace, which means that at least one of the house elves is still up and about. Sure enough, one of them walks in through the door on the other side of the room. The fire's light is dim and I can't make out who it is.

"Master Draco, is that you?" they ask as they walk toward me, and I can now see their face.

"Yes Trixie, it's me."

"What is you doing out of bed at this hour Master Draco?"

"I can't sleep."

"Sit down then." I obey her wishes, and sit down on one of the stools. She hurries over to me, making sure that I'm okay.

"Is you not cold Master Draco?"

"No, Trixie, I'm fine."

"Would you like something? A hot drink perhaps?"

"Yes. That would be great thank you Trixie. A tea would be fine."

"Give me one moment then Master Draco, and I'll have it ready for you."

"Thank you Trixie."

I watch as Trixie bustles around our large kitchen, making me a cup of tea. I often come down here at night, and make myself tea, but it is nice to have company for once. Especially since it's Trixie. She is my house elf. My father decided that she was to look after me when I was a child. She became my best friend, and I loved her very much. I still do.

She has finished making me the tea, and sits the large mug down in front of me. I wrap my hands around it for a brief second, until it starts to burn and I pull them away.

"Trixie, won't you sit down and have a tea with me?"

"I would Master Draco, but I must be doing other things. You is leaving in the morning, and I must ready your things."

"I can do that myself Trixie."

"No, leave it to me to do Master Draco. Suppose you forgot something important?"

"All right then."

"I must be going now. You leave the cup there once you've finished, and I will come back and clean it up."

"Don't worry about it Trixie. I'll be fine. Good night."

"Good night Master Draco."

I give a quiet sigh as she walks out of the kitchen door. So much for company.

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