Taking The Chance

Draco Malfoy stood alone outside the statue to Dumbledore's office and waited. Despite his best intentions he couldn't help but feel nervous as he went over what his likely punishment was going to be. He closed his eyes and thought: it had been a really bad day. He was usually pretty good at being discreet and other than the unfortunate ferret incident he usually got away with stuff. But not today, today he was going to get the book thrown at him. But what would his punishment be? He shook his head and sighed. Expulsion, suspension or in the off chance that Dumbledore seen the funny side: detention until he graduated.

Won't that go down well with Daddy? He thought as he heard sniggering coming from the corridor. As Draco looked around he saw that Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley, Neville Longbottom, Dean Thomas, Seamus Finnigan and Ron's sister Ginny were all walking towards him, most with satisfied grins on their face.

"Maybe we're finally get rid of you now, Malfoy, Dumbledore won't put up with your racist shit. He'll pack your bags so quickly that even Daddy won't be able to buy you back in." Ron said with a smile.

Draco shook his head and gave a smug smile. "Do you honestly think that I would have to be bought in anywhere? Unlike some people," He tossed his head to indicate to them as he continued, "I have pure, wizarding blood. I will be picked up by another school if it's necessary, though I doubt you would be able to boast the same. Weasley just doesn't hold the same respect as Malfoy."

Ron looked ready to pounce but both Hermione and Harry grabbed his arms and shook their heads as Seamus looked at Malfoy. "Ignore him, Ron, let Dumbledore deal with him. With any luck this will be the last time we have to look at him."

Draco was just about to reply when the statue opened and a serious looking McGonagal looked at him. "Mr Malfoy, we're ready for you." As she turned from Draco she noticed the group of Gryffindors standing looking at them. She raised her voice as she addressed them. "You all, get going to where your going and if I come out and see any of you still around I will be taking points from you and putting you on detention with Mr Filch."

With that McGonagal walked back inside the hole in the statue as Draco watched the Gryffindors walk away. Ron, Harry, Dean and Seamus all waved sarcastically at him as they walked away laughing and he shook his head. He looked after them as they laughed and saw Ginny looking at him with mixture of curiosity and pity.

"Malfoy!" McGonagal called loudly and he took a deep breath and disappeared inside the statue.

* * * * *

As Draco arrived in Dumbledore's office he was struck with how large a space could be, but how small it could feel. He looked around, as well as himself he was confronted by a very stern, and grave looking Dumbledore, as well as the 4 heads of houses, including Draco's own head of house Professor Snape. This would normally have brought a sense of relief to Draco but before he had a chance to open his mouth Snape looked at him with a look that made Draco feel about 3' tall.

"Sit down, Malfoy." Although his voice was quiet, the tone told Draco not to dare argue with the request as Snape ushered him to a seat and sat him down.

Draco sat and looked around the faces as Dumbledore began to speak in a low voice. "It has been brought to our attention that a serious breakdown in the school rules has occurred. Would you like to explain?"

Draco looked at Dumbledore and opened his mouth to reply but couldn't think of anything to say that wouldn't get him in more trouble, so for the first time in his school career he was quiet, hoping to avoid getting involved anymore.

"Malfoy! I believe Professor Dumbledore asked you a question. You certainly weren't shy about using your tongue earlier!"

Snape's cold voice cut through the silence as he towered above Draco and cast his dark eyes over him.

"Severus." Dumbledore's voice said quietly, "Leave him. I think that despite this being a school matter, we should lessen the numbers in here. If I can ask everyone other than Professor McGonagal and Professor Snape to leave we will meet later to discuss this matter more fully."

Draco looked up as the room cleared and despite there being more space, if anything the place felt even more claustrophobic. He decided he better try and speak. "Professor, I know I shouldn't have said what I did, but I was pro...."

"Don't say you were provoked Malfoy, I thought you had more character than that. Clearly, in the past 5 years I have been very much mistaken."

Draco looked at Snape who was almost daring him to say something back and decided against it. You idiot, Draco. You have nothing to apologise for...really...it was nothing.

Draco lifted his head up and looked across the desk at Professor Dumbledore. "I made a mistake, I'll apologise. It was stupid of me...and...and wrong."

Dumbledore didn't speak, instead McGonagal came and stood by Malfoy. "You deliberately teased Neville Longbottom about what happened to his parents, God only knows how you found out about that in the first place...you have also, on more than one occasion caused fights among the Gryffindors, and now...you resort to calling a fellow pupil a...you are using the phrase..." She turned away and shook her head. "I can't even say it."

"Mud blood." Snape said simply. "You called Granger and Thomas Mudbloods and implied that they would be sought by the Death Eaters as they sought to "purge" the wizarding world of their imperfections, as Voldemort had started by culling Diggory. That's correct isn't it Malfoy?"

Snape looked down at Draco before asking again in a much louder tone. "I said that's right, isn't it Malfoy? Answer me when I am talking to you."

Draco looked up and nodded his head, partly in humiliation and partly in shame. Hearing it back, it sounded...bad?

"Yes, that's right. I...I did that." His voice was weak, and despite his best intentions he knew he didn't sound like someone who didn't have anything to apologise for. He looked up at Dumbledore who was looking at him as though he was penetrating into his thoughts.

"Just explain one thing to me Mr Malfoy, why? Why would you deliberately inflict the pain and humiliation on Neville? Why would you push the boundaries that all decent wizards have set for hundreds of years by resorting to common...prejudice against the human race. You are much smarter than that, or so we all thought. When in fact you are nothing more than a common bully, who I doubt feels even the slightest remorse. Did you even consider the feelings of the students that you so viciously attacked?"

As Dumbledore spoke calmly, Draco was overwhelmed with shame like he had never felt before. They thought he was a common bully? He sighed as he shook his head: who the hell cared what they thought? They didn't know anything about him. "I...I didn't think of how they would feel..."

McGonagal scoffed loudly as she muttered. "Like father like son."

"And you see that as a suitable excuse for your actions? Because you didn't consider how they would feel?" Snape said quietly, but with clear anger in his voice. "Maybe if we considered certain things about Mr Longbottom it would provoke a response: He was 3 when his parents were attacked, unlike Potter, he was quite old enough to know what was happening. He watched, but was desperately trying not to attract attention to himself."

Draco looked down at his hands as Snape continued. "Look at me when I'm speaking to you boy!"

"Severus...this really isn't our place to fill Mr Malfoy in on the details..." McGonagal began delicately before Snape continued.

"None the less, as his parents were undergoing the most excruciating torture, the boy couldn't help but let out a cry which attracted Crouch's attention. What do you think happened then?"

Snape's cold gaze pierced through Draco as he shook his head. "I...I don't know..."

"Are you sure you wouldn't like to hazard a guess? Voldemort had no qualms about attacking innocents, and neither did his followers. Professor Dumbledore, Moody and his grandmother found the boy in the house, wracked with pain and desperately trying to get his mother and father to talk to him. And you find it amusing to remind him of it?" Snape looked at Draco with his eyes burning. "I'm surprised your father didn't fill you in more on the details. The cruciatus curse was a speciality with him at one point, I believe."

Draco looked down at his hands and closed his eyes, going over what Snape had said. He hadn't known that Neville was as old when it had happened, he hadn't considered he had been part of it. Cruciatus. His father was an expert on it: he often heard him use it on the house-elves and his mother. It was always worse for her when he tried to help her so now it was better to avoid getting involved...so he would just hear her screams from the stairway. He took a deep breath as he opened his eyes slowly. If he could take it, so could Neville, at least Neville knew that there was nothing he could do.

The room was silent for a moment as they allowed Snapes revelations to sink in. Dumbledore was the first to speak.

"We have two ways we could go with this, Mr Malfoy. We can call your father immediately, and you will be put on suspension, pending a full meeting by the heads of house and then very probably expelled,"

Draco looked up desperately. "No! Please..." He lowered his voice slightly, "Please Professor..."

Dumbledore looked at him and continued as though he hadn't been interrupted. "Or...you can accept the following conditions: 1) You will offer a full, and heartfelt apology to Mr Longbottom. You will give a public apology at breakfast tomorrow to the school regarding your behaviour. 2) You will be required to attend the Muggle Studies classes for the rest of the year, and make arrangements with Professor Johanson about making up the classes you have missed. 3) All remaining Hogsmeade visitation privileges will be withdrawn until further notice, you will also serve a months detention. 4) You will be required to pair up with Gryffindor students in all of your joint classes if it can be arranged with the relevant professors..."

Snape looked at Dumbledore and nodded his head, "I have just the Gryffindor in mind."

Dumbledore nodded as he turned back to Draco. "And lastly, if you are involved in any incidents involving Slytherin, even if you aren't the protagonist, your father will be notified and you will be immediately removed from the school. Is that clear? And do you accept?"

Draco looked at him and nodded his head. "Yes, sir. Thanks..."

Dumbledore looked at Snape and McGonagal. "Severus and Minerva, if you will please excuse me for a few minutes, I want a word with Draco in private."

They both nodded as they walked out of the office. Draco looked around as Dumbledore sat on the desk in front of him. "Since I have spoken in an official capacity, I would now like to talk to you from a personal point of view." Draco sat further back in his chair as Dumbledore's face softened slightly. "You are a smart boy Draco, you are head of the year in potions, you are in the top 5 students in transfiguration, you find defence of the dark arts incredibly easy and you are a talented quidditch player, yet you are willing to throw it all away? That waste saddens me...you could go on to do great things for good. Yet you seem determined to follow your father down another path."

Draco shook his head. "I...I'm not..."

Dumbledore nodded gravely. "I know you do not have it as easy as you would have people believe, and that is why I am giving you a chance to redeem yourself. Do not squander it: I will not permit you to ruin yourself, or anyone else."

Draco nodded as he looked at him. "Professor? Will my father be notified?"

Dumbledore looked at Draco intently for a moment. "No, despite the seriousness of this matter, I don't think your fathers punishment would be...constructive at the moment."

Draco nodded his head as he looked at his hands as Dumbledore continued. "You may think that we don't appreciate what you have to live with at home, but we do, which is why you are getting the lenience. It's not easy for us to work out a good balance...but, we are aware..."

Draco had to look down to stop himself from smiling bitterly. If they knew what he lived with why the hell did they let it happen? That's easy, Draco. Daddy's too important to them and you aren't...and you didn't destroy Voldemort.

"If there is anything you would like to say Draco? Is there anything you would like to tell me? Anything at all?" Dumbledore looked at him with a small smile.

Draco looked at him and thought. Well, my father is a hopeless bully, my mother is the definitive in abused wife, I'm a lying coward, my two "best friends" are nothing more than intellect deficient apes, I hate this school...I hate you...I wish I could disappear...I wish I had Potter's life... "Nothing, sir..." Draco said in a small voice as he stood up.

Dumbledore nodded and stood up and ushered Draco to the door. "I suggest that you go directly to your common room tonight, I will get someone to bring some food up for you. Take this chance well, Draco..."

Draco nodded his head as he walked to the door and out it as Snape and McGonagal walked back inside.

As Draco walked slowly to the Slytherin common room he went over everything that had happened. Idiot for getting caught...idiot for feeling bad...idiot, idiot, idiot...

As he walked slowly in the deserted corridors he thought until he suddenly felt himself bump into something. "What the...Weasley..."

Ginny Weasley was sitting in a heap on the floor as Draco looked on at her as she tried to pick up her books. He rolled his eyes and bent down to help pick them up.

"I don't need your help, Malfoy." Ginny said harshly as she picked up her books.

Draco held his hands up as he gave her a smug smile. "I don't recall saying you needed anything from me, I just assumed you would appreciate the help, but clearly you, like so many people of...moderate means, take any sign of help as an offer of charity..." He handed her the books he had in his hand. "Muggle Studies? You enjoy that?"

Ginny took the book and nodded her head. "I do as a matter of fact, but I doubt that it would appeal to you due to the subject matter..."

Draco stood up and sighed. "I have no doubt that you're probably right, but unfortunately I don't have the luxury of deciding anymore."

Ginny got to her feet and looked at Draco. "You're staying?"

Draco looked at her with a forced smile. So what if she was disappointed? Why the hell should she have to know what happened up in the office? She was a Weasley, a stupid Weasley, who's opinion didn't count. "Don't sound so disappointed, Weasley, if it makes you feel any better I am here under duress. My father just mentioned that I had an acceptance from Durmstrang and Dumbledore changed his mind: practically begged my dad to keep me here."

Ginny looked at him unimpressed. "Your father is up there? How did he get here as quickly?"

Draco looked at her and smiled. So what if it was a lie? Who would know? "Like all great wizards do, not that you or your family would know, but he apparated."

Ginny nodded her head. "Well, hopefully he will make sure that he doesn't slip anymore students dangerous dark art materials while he's here. We already have enough dark wizards here..." She began to walk away towards her common room as Draco looked at her. What was she trying to imply?

"Weasley!" Draco shouted as Ginny turned around. "I don't care for what you are implying."

Ginny walked over to him and shook her head. "Malfoy, that would matter more to me if I cared what you think...but anyone who persistently hurts and insults people who are different from them really don't deserve any consideration."

Draco looked at her and shook his head bitterly, but gave her a twisted smile. "It's a pity you can't get sentences that long out in front of Potter, he might acknowledge your existence then..."

Ginny blushed furiously as she looked at him: her red hair making her eyes more pronounced than ever. "Harry is 10 times the man you will ever be, Malfoy. You should remember that when you are acting so superior. My life has nothing to do with you! You should go to Durmstrang, because you certainly aren't wanted here!"

As she finished speaking she walked off quickly as Draco watched her go. To hell with her. To hell with them all.

"Malfoy. I thought you were told to go straight to the common room? And not to harass the Gryffindors?" McGonagal said behind him.

Draco sighed and began walking again, "I was just going...and I wasn't harassing anyone, she bumped into me and I helped her pick up her books..." Stupid old battle axe...

McGonagal looked at him and nodded her head as he walked away. "Fine. But I will be watching you."

Draco shook his head as he muttered. "No kidding...why don't you all just put me under the imperius and get it over with?"

He walked towards the common room and looked at the armour and sighed. "Napoleonic."

The door opened and he walked in and sat down on the couch. Crabbe and Goyle would be back soon, no doubt wondering why he wasn't in dinner and ready to report all to their fathers. And of course so would Pansy...Kill me, now. He got up and walked to the window; it was nice to be alone with his thoughts for once. Maybe he should try and go to Durmstrang: out the country, away from everything. Hogwarts, Potter, his father...everything would be new. A fresh start: no expectations. Nothing to lose and everything to gain.

"What's the point of wanting something you can never have? Suck it up and be a man, Draco."

A man. That's how he wanted to consider himself but for some reason he couldn't get Ginny's words out his head. "Harry is 10 times the man you'll ever be..." As much as he didn't want it to be true, it was something that he had often thought about himself. He walked towards the bedroom and lay on his bed. Harry was popular, had close friends who would die for him, he was famous, he was moral, he was the Quidditch star, and although he had no parents he had an abundance of adults who would gladly take the role: The Weasleys, desperately poor but a real family, Hagrid, an overgrown ape, but, despite Draco's best intentions difficult not to like. Dumbledore, the person who was Harry's greatest fan and who continually watched out for him both at home and at school: he never said it was difficult to get involved when it was about Harry...

"But he's Harry...you're Draco. You can look out for yourself..."

He sighed as he heard the Common Room door open and the grating voice on Pansy screech his name followed by Crabbe and Goyle's grunts. He closed the drapes on his bed and took his wand out; "Sealario" which caused the drapes to seal shut leaving him alone in the dark as he thought about his apology in front of the whole school the following morning.

"Won't that give Weasley a thrill as she watches me grovel..." He sighed as he closed his eyes, preparing for the inevitable humiliation that breakfast would bring.