Second Chances

When Potions was over, they headed upstairs chattering. After lunch was Transfiguration. They scribbled notes on transfiguring objects and were given a matchstick to turn into a needle. By the end of the lesson, only Erin had managed to get anywhere-her matchstick had turned completely into a needle. They headed back up the stairs to the tower, because now was break. Alexis's brother and his friends intercepted Erin and the other girls.

"So, how was Transfiguration?" asked the boy called Ron.

"It's hard!" cried Ashley. "Erin's the only one who can do it."

"Yeah, Hermione Granger's the only one in our class who made any changes to her matchstick the first day," said Seamus.

"Erin got hers to turn completely into a needle--an embroidery needle with thread hanging out of it," said Alexis with a touch of pride. Erin blushed.

"That's better than Hermione," said a boy called Harry, the one who had told Erin how to get onto the platform. "Oh, no..."

Everyone looked where he was looking. Draco was hurrying towards them.

"Just ignore him," muttered Ron.

They began to talk again, and Draco reached them. He tapped Erin on the shoulder. "Hey, Erin?"

"Yeah?" said Erin, turning around.

"Want to take a walk?" asked Draco.

Clearly, he had surprised the older Gryffindors. It surprised them more when Erin said, "Sure!" With a grin, he noticed the boys. "Hello, all," he said. Then he and Erin walked off.

They began to circle the lake. "So," said Draco after a moment. "Tell me about your first day."

"Well, first we had Herbology, and we were replanting cinnamon seedlings," said Erin. "Then we had Potions."

"My favourite class!" said Draco. "Was he really horrible to you? He doesn't tend to like Gryffindors."

"So I noticed," said Erin. "He was at first because of my accent, but I stood up to him, then Janey told him that we'd been in Slytherin, and he backed off."

"You stood up to him?" said Draco incredulously. "Wow."

"Then we had Transfiguration," continued Erin. "I'm the only one who was able to turn a matchstick completely into a needle, embroidery thread and all."

"Good for you," said Draco.

Erin looked up at him and hesitated. Could she ask him? Of course she could. "Draco, could you tell me something?"

"Sure, what is it?" he said, sounding surprised.

"It's-" Erin hesitated. "Why do you hate Gryffindors so much? I mean, all the boys in the fifth year have been telling me that you hate them. Why?"

Draco stared off into the distance. Then he finally said, "It's because of my father. He hates them, and he's been trying all my life to mould me into something like him-in his image. My hair isn't even naturally blonde--it's red--but Dad dyed it because his hair is blonde. I'm not strong like you, and I'm scared of him."

"Me, strong?" said Erin.

"You stood up to Snape," said Draco. "Not many people could do that."

They were silent for a minute. Then Draco said softly, "If I had my way, I'd be in Gryffindor with you, but the Sorting Hat didn't even give me a chance." He looked at Erin. "You know that You-Know-Who is back, right?"

"Yeah," said Erin, who had heard it on the train.

"Well, my dad's a Death Eater. He follows You-Know-Who, and one of his main goals is to kill Muggles, Muggle-borns, and Dumbledore-supporters. He wants me to join him. I can't do that, Erin. It would mean I had to help kill you, and all the other students at the school." He sat on a nearby rock and put his head in his hands. "I don't want to. I'm the only Slytherin who would rather be in Ravenclaw or Gryffindor, or maybe even Hufflepuff. I'm not evil, Erin."

Erin sat down next to him. "There's only one thing to do, Draco," she told him.

He looked up. "What?"

"You've got to stand up to your father," she said. "Start small, but you've got to do it now or you'll never get free from him."

Draco took a deep breath. "I know," he said. "But what should I start with?"

"Try getting your hair professionally stripped," suggested Erin. "You know, get your natural hair colour put back. That might help."

He gave her a grin. "I bet Madame Pomfrey could do that. Thanks, Erin."