Poisoned

Chapter Four

Where Dumbledore acts mysteriously and everything gets settled

It took a great deal of self-control to not give up the plan to change his life and tutor the little Weasley. Draco could not have imagined it would be so hard to convince Professor Snape it was a good idea - his disgusted and incredulous exclamation, "You want to study with a Gryffindor?" had echoed through the chamber, causing Ginny to shudder and Draco to suppress a laughter -, and he definitely hadn't expected to be sent to talk to Dumbledore. And the redhead wasn't helping at all. When Snape asked her what she thought of that idea, she stuttered so much that one could think she was there under death threat.

Although she did help when they talked to Professor Flitwick. The teacher seemed delighted to talk to her, and even ignored Draco during most of the conversation. But he was not used to being treated like that, so he made sure to be noted.

Now he knew he shouldn't have, because that was when Flitwick remembered that Dumbledore wanted to talk to Draco to settle their arrangement. He doubted it was actually necessary, but he couldn't deny doing so at risk of causing Flitwick to dislike him even more than he already did. Draco knew he hadn't been an excellent student, and he didn't blame any teacher for wishing to get rid of him.

There was too much to change, and he wasn't sure he would make it, especially when the headmaster looked at him with a look much worse than that of Professor Flitwick. He couldn't feel more uncomfortable sitting in that chair, trying not to show his discontentment while the young Weasley seemed to be having the time of her life. Just as he was barely hiding his anger, she was barely hiding her amusement, sitting beside him and not being the subject of Professor Dumbledore's scrutiny.

Draco sustained his look, conscious the headmaster was attempting legilimency, but not afraid, since he had nothing to hide. He knew exactly what Dumbledore was seeing that instant; Draco being demeaned by his father because of his grades not being as good as the Muggle-born's; Draco hiding his work so no one could see he had got an "Acceptable" in Potions; Lucius shouting at the top of his lungs his discontent at Draco's six OWLs; Draco sitting in the Manor's large study, feeling completely out of place, wondering what he could do to his life and wishing his father had never left Azkaban.

He could feel the tears he had almost shed that night in the summer, but controlled himself. Yet quickly, the memory of being turned into a ferret came to mind - another moment he had almost cried, that time out of humiliation.

"I'm certain your father will be delighted to hear you're putting in so much effort this year," Dumbledore said, breaking the long silence and causing Draco to blink and Ginny to jump in her chair out of surprise.

"I don't think my father would need to know such a thing." He didn't want anyone to know, especially his parents.

The memories of that summer rushed through his mind and he could barely keep track of them. He could feel now the uncertainty and unhappiness he had felt then, knowing Dumbledore could see it all and almost wishing he wouldn't for he couldn't help but feel ashamed of them. It seemed absurd, unbelievable actually, that his father had always been there to be his role model, but the moment he had faltered the idea of becoming like him crumbled and Draco couldn't accept it any longer.

"He'll know eventually," the headmaster insisted.

"Yes." Draco looked at Ginny, who seemed so confused by that conversation that it caused him to smile. "Eventually."

That seemed to be enough for Dumbledore, who exclaimed, "Well, as a headmaster it would be most inappropriate of me to forbid students to study, especially when they seem so keen about it. Just make the necessary arrangements with Professor Snape and Professor Flitwick, and feel free to seek my help for anything."

That last statement seemed to be directed towards Draco, who imagined for one brief second what it would be like to tell the headmaster everything he was thinking and feeling and ask what he should do.

He desperately needed someone to tell him what to do, but he wasn't surrendering to that ridiculous thought just then. He just stood up and left, followed by Ginny who took her time to shake hands with Dumbledore.

Draco rolled his eyes and smirked when she joined him exiting the headmaster's office, but she ignored him. "We still need to choose three nights of the week."

"I know, and we will. Just owl me your schedule mentioning the evenings of Quidditch practice and I'll see."

His voice was certainly of command. Suddenly she understood why so many Slytherins went after him like puppies after their owners - it wasn't because he was richer or had a more powerful father, it was because he was a natural-born leader. Ginny didn't even think of ignoring his order, although she had to taunt him. "Why don't you owl me your schedule, Malfoy?"

Draco smirked again at her question. "Because I'll schedule the Slytherin Quidditch practice according to our schedule." She looked puzzled so he explained, "I'm the new captain."

"Oh." She seemed perturbed. "Congratulations... I guess."

He didn't bother to thank her and just nodded, but she said, "So we'll be playing against each other this year. I never had the chance to win over you last year."

She sure had nerve, Draco admitted. "Just make sure to use one of the school's owls."

"What do you take me for?" She looked insulted. "Of course I wouldn't use Pig to send you anything!"

"Pig?" He was amused by what clearly was the name of Ron Weasley's owl. "So you call that tiny annoying thing 'Pig'?"

She ignored him again while they were reaching the end of the corridor. "So, what's your class now?"

"Transfiguration. You?"

"Charms."

They would have to go different ways, but both seemed reluctant to leave. It was Ginny who broke the silence, "It's exciting, isn't it?"

"What's exciting?"

"This feeling." She smiled warmly now. "It's almost like we're breaking the rules, although the teachers know about it."

Yes, Draco understood the feeling. They were doing something they were not supposed to be doing, something no one else should know. It was almost like breaking rules, but in this case, rules they had settled for themselves.

"No one would expect this," she continued.

He smirked. "That's the fun of it."

She agreed in a murmur, watching him leave while she felt the most irresistible wish to stay there a little longer.

Just long enough to be sure her legs would sustain her if she took a step further.