Insomnia

Everything Is Good For You.

See a man with a flag and he leads the procession

And a woman shedding tears for a man locked in prison

When the two locked eyes and for a moment I was taken

And all paths lead to a single conclusion

Everything is good for you

If it doesn't kill you

Everything is good for you

One man's ending is another one's beginning

Everything is good for you

It's a nightmare jump into the restless ocean

With a reckless calm to state their position

And if you come undone it might just set you free

Everything is good for you

If it doesn't kill you

Everything is good for you

One man's ending is another one's beginning

Bring back your head

We'll come struggling to turn the angry words

Cover you up

Everything is good for you

if it doesn't kill you

Everything is good for you

If it doesn't kill you

Everything is good for you

Is good for you

Draco walked the early morning London streets with what could almost be termed a spring in his step. It was one of those unusually crisp, sunny spring mornings, with a blue cloudless sky, but with enough bite in the air to make you reach for a few extra layers of clothing. He felt like walking to work today. Apparating would have been quicker, but a quick walk and fresh air would combat the effects of last night's drinking, as well as his lack of sleep.

The evidence of last night's rain was still around him. Water ran in the gutters, not in the floods of last night, but only a thin trickle. The saturated pavement was slowly drying in the sun, but dark damp patches remained sulking in the shadows.

Water covered the white steps of the Ministry of Magic building, and Draco slowed his pace to avoid slipping. Inside, he walked up the steps to the Aurors'

Department, and purposefully made his way to the bathrooms.

He stared at himself in the mirror. Four years ago the man who looked back had a smooth, unlined face, with eyes that danced with hope and principle.

There had been pain, of course, but it was only at the edges. And that man had always been cleanly shaven. The man who looked back at Draco today had a deep crease between his brows, and eyes that seemed barely alive, with deep circles under them the colour of week-old bruises. The reflection spoke to Draco, startling him.

"You're not looking your best today. Out on the town again?"

Draco smiled ruefully. "You could say that."

"Well, you should clean yourself up a bit. God knows that you come in to teach every morning, looking like a corpse. People judge you on your appearance, you know."

Draco nodded, and aimed his wand at his face. "Tondeo!"

In an instant, the shadow that had been lingering on his jaw vanished. Draco fingered the newly smooth skin and winked at his reflection.

"There. What do you think now?"

The reflection smiled. "Well, it's an improvement. Pity you can't do anything about those bags under your eyes." He sighed regretfully. "We used to be so pretty."

Draco snorted, and, giving a wave to his reflection, left to prepare for his first class.

Psychology and History of Modern-Era British Dark Wizards was a compulsory course for Aurors-in-training during their first year. Nevertheless, it was considered to be the most interesting course for all the training, and experienced Aurors from all over the world came to sit in on the lectures. It had only been instituted two years ago, after the end of the war, when Dumbledore had decided that new Aurors needed to know the kinds of people they'd be up against one day. Prolonged debate over who should teach the controversial new class hadn't been able to separate two wizards - Draco Malfoy and Severus Snape. Both had great insight into the mind of a dark wizard, Snape had been a member of Voldemort's inner circle for about six years, and Draco had not only grown up as the son of one of the most powerful Death Eaters ever, but had also been groomed from birth to be the most powerful and cruel Dark Wizard to ever serve Voldemort.

So now the former student and teacher worked together to show the intricate workings of the mind of a Dark Wizard to the eager young Aurors- to-be, fresh out of school, with no idea of what it was really like to be up against the face of pure evil. It was said that the two wizards were the reason that so many witches had applied to join the program in the last two years. And of course, Sirius had received more than his fair share of offers from the students. It was rare to see the two old rivals without a bevy of admirers surrounding them.

Snape and Sirius were precisely the men Draco was looking for, and to his great fortune, both were in the lecturer's common room. Snape was sitting in his favourite green leather armchair, hunched over some ancient text, while Sirius was flirting with Alaria Jevin, one of the Charms instructors, and making her giggle and blush.

Draco stood near Sirius, and loudly cleared his throat. Sirius looked at him, sighed and turned to grin apologetically at Alaria, who watched him regretfully as he followed Draco over to where Snape was sitting.

"So, what's all this about, Draco?" Sirius asked curiously, all thoughts of Alaria temporarily driven from his mind.

"I've been thinking about the curriculum change you suggest last month. I was very hasty in turning it down, and I think we should do it."

Snape and Sirius glanced at each other apprehensively, Draco's sudden change of heart taking them by surprise. After a brief silence, Snape cleared his throat and stared at Draco with concern.

"Are you sure about this? You don't have to feel pressured -" Draco cut him off, shaking his head.

"No, I'm sure. They need to know. I was just being selfish." He paused. "Besides, I think it would be really interesting. My father was one of the most influential Death Eaters in England, even the whole world. And it's a topic I know really well. I want to supervise the group." He grinned wryly at Sirius and Snape, somewhat abating their fears that he had, in fact, gone off the deep end.

Sirius exhaled. "Well, it's up to you. I'm fine as long as Severus is..." He cast a questioning look at Snape, who nodded.

Draco smiled at them. "Good. It's all settled. Now I'd best be off - I've got a class to teach."

Draco once more surveyed the forty or so eager young faces seated around the room in armchairs, sofas or beanbags, all watching him intently and scribbling down his every word. He took a deep breath.

"As I told you at the beginning of this class, I have a surprise for you. Next week you will be split into small groups to work on the final project for the year. With the help of a supervisor, you will all spend six weeks of the remaining two months of term compiling an in-depth psychological and historical profile on one of the following famous modern-era British Dark Wizards. "

Excited whispers broke out across the room, and Draco looked over to where Snape was standing. Snape nodded for him to continue.

"Professor Snape and I have go to considerable lengths in organising supervisors for this project, and I hope you will remember this and make the most of it. Here they are." Draco waved his wand and uttered "Presentus Assignmenti!" Curling golden letters shot out from his wand and formed words in the air.

"Tom Riddle to Voldemort, the history of the Dark Lord - Albus Dumbledore.

Peter Pettigrew, the ultimate servant - Remus Lupin.

Pansy Parkinson, Spy and Consort - Severus Snape

Barty Crouch, Rebel or Devotee? - Alastor Moody

Jocetta Morgana, Evil Genius and Tactical Mastermind - Sirius Black

Lucius Malfoy, Second in Command and Heir to Voldemort's Throne - Draco Malfoy"

As the golden scrolling letters formed the last sentence, a surprised gasp erupted from the room. Draco ignored it and continued to speak.

"You have until the end of the week to pick a topic. If you have any questions, feel free to speak to Professor Snape or myself. As I won't see most of you again, I'd like to thank you for being a most perceptive class." The students began to clap, and he waited patiently for it to subside. "And now I believe Professor Snape would like to say a few words."

Snape emerged from the dark corner he'd been sitting in, and cleared his throat to address the room.

"Earlier this year several students commented to me that they thought the scope of this course was somewhat limited. Professor Malfoy and I have taken this into consideration, and as of next year two new second year courses will be offered. Professor Malfoy will be teaching a course on the history, tradition and rituals of Dark Wizards. I shall teach a course on the History and Psychology of International Dark Wizards. Both courses will be offered as options for the non-practical element of your training." Snape paused. "That being said, we have decided that one of the tasks for this course will be a written exam, to be held in the last week of term." A groan went up, and Snape continued. " You are all extremely competent, and you should all pass."

As Snape carried on torturing his students, Draco slipped out unnoticed and returned to his office. He closed the door, threw his robe over a chair, absentmindedly lit a fire in the grate, and sat down with a sigh. Just as the air was leaving his lips, the familiar face of Albus Dumbledore appeared in the fire, causing Draco to give a small yelp of surprise.

"Hope I didn't startle you, Draco." Dumbledore's eyes twinkled mischievously. Draco composed his dignity and calmly greeted his old Headmaster and friend.

"Don't worry about it." Draco smiled. "What can I do for you?"

"Sirius sent me an owl about five minutes ago telling me you've decided to supervise the group studying your father." Dumbledore stared at Draco questioningly. Draco nodded silently. "Ah. What, may I ask, caused this sudden change of heart?"

Draco sighed. "I realised I was just being stubborn. I mean, it's been two and a half years. I need to get on with my life."

Dumbledore nodded his head thoughtfully. "Ah, yes. And would this surprising decision have anything to do with your encounter with Hermione Granger last night?"

Draco snorted. "Word travels fast."

"It's just my job to know everything that's going on."

"Of course it is."

The old man and the young man stared at each other in silent contemplation for a while. Finally, Draco spoke.

"She's such a mess. I couldn't believe it. She's so lost and lonely."

Dumbledore nodded. "Yes, she is. One of the finest witches to come out of Hogwarts, and definitely one of the best Aurors the world has ever seen, and she's destroying herself." His eyes gleamed slyly. "It would do her the world of good to have a friend right now."

"I know. And I'm having dinner with her on Friday."

"Then all's well. I really must be off now. Young Percy Weasley's at me to sign a mountain of papers that arrived this morning."

"Goodbye, Minister." Draco smiled as Dumbledore's head disappeared from the fireplace.