A Different Beginning

Chapter LX - Playing Games Part II

Draco sat in Dumbledore's office casually twiddling his thumbs. He was trying to be calm and collected and to act like he really didn't care what was going to happen to him, but he was nervous. He had spent one sleepless week in a dorm with Crabbe and Goyle hoping that nothing would happen. Nothing had of course but he didn't know whether to be relieved or even more worried. Then he had been summoned out of Potions class for a meeting with Dumbledore. He looked up when the office door opened.

"Good afternoon, Draco," Dumbledore said as he took a seat behind his desk. "How are you doing today?"

Draco shrugged. "Fine. You wanted to see me, Professor?"

Dumbledore nodded. "I did. I have a few things to discuss with you. First of all, I have some bad news."

Draco glanced up in alarm. "What kind of bad news?"

"Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle have officially joined Voldemort's ranks. It is now known for certain."

He nodded. "Yeah, I figured that they would."

"There's something else. Miss Parkinson also seems to be officially involved. I do not know if she has become a Death Eater as well but she is involved somehow. This leaves you in quite a predicament."

"I suppose."

Dumbledore's eyes twinkled. "No, you don't suppose, you know. Now as Headmaster of this school even knowing what I do about the students' activities, I cannot expel them or force them to leave as in school they have not done anything wrong. However, I do know to be cautious of them; which is why I will be splitting up the sixth year boys' dormitory in Slytherin house."

"How?" Draco asked.

Dumbledore smiled. "This castle is very large Mr. Malfoy and the Slytherin's home has many unused rooms. There are charms over the doors to keep them hidden when we do not need them. You, Mr. Zabini, and Mr. Nott will be moved into another room while Mr. Crabbe and Mr. Goyle will stay in the dorm you have now. I have house elves as we speak moving out your belongings. I have already spoken to Mr. Nott and to Mr. Zabini who agree that they too, do not want to share a room with them."

Draco nodded. "Thanks."

"You're welcome. Second, Mr. Potter informs me that you are to join the DA this year?"

"Yes I am."

Dumbledore smiled. "I think that it's an extraordinary club and I'm pleased that Harry is interested in making it official. Professor Black plans to help conduct it as the club will most likely be split into two levels. I want to see you do your best in the club. You're a very talented young wizard, Draco, and I think that your power is stronger because you know right from wrong."

Draco nodded. "Yes sir."

"Thirdly, James Potter has informed me that you are looking for a way out of your betrothment to Miss Parkinson?"

"I was well ... I was hoping."

"I do not know what the stakes were when it was done for you. But I can tell you that James, will do everything in his power to find a way for you to get out of it. He understands the pureblood line well. His parents were in love with Lily and she was muggleborn but it didn't stop them from commenting on the lack of bloodline. Andrew and Gwen Potter however, never cared about such a thing, unlike some pureblood families. You have a good friend in James and Harry and as long as you keep that, you'll be safe." Dumbledore explained.

"Thank you, sir, and I do appreciate what Mr. Pot - James, is doing for me." Draco replied.

Dumbledore smiled. "Good. Now why don't you head down to the Slytherin common room and a house elf named Hazy should be waiting for you to show you the way to your new room."

Draco nodded and stood up. "Thank you, sir."

Dumbledore simply nodded, his eyes twinkling. "You're welcome."

Draco headed downstairs and he was half-way to the Slytherin common room when he walked head long into somebody and almost fell over. He caught himself, but the person he hit wasn't nearly as lucky. Piles of books had been flown across the floor and he saw a head of long curly shining black hair. He fell to his knees and began to gather the books.

"I'm terribly sorry. I wasn't watching where I was going." He replied.

"So I noticed," she responded as she gathered her things and carefully put them back into her knapsack. She didn't look up at him as she spoke. "You should be more careful, the school doesn't revolve around you."

"Excuse me?" Draco asked, his voice dripping in insult. "What's that supposed to mean?"

The girl carefully tied her bag up, still not looking at him. "Oh, please, you think that I don't know who you are? You're Draco Malfoy, heir to god knows what, but you strut around thinking that you're all that! Well, you're not all that!" She stood up, flinging her hair over her shoulder and Draco gasped.

She was incredibly beautiful. Her long black curly hair hung down past her shoulders and she had dark grey eyes, a cute little nose and dimples in her cheeks. She was so small; maybe 5'3 and she had a small spray of freckles across her nose. He wondered why he had never seen her before. He simply swallowed and then remembered that she had just been insulting him.

"You don't even know me!" He demanded.

She rolled her eyes. "I know your type. Besides, if even half of what Pansy says is true, I don't want to know you. Now excuse me, I have to go down to the library." She went to hurry past him and he grabbed her arm. "Let go of me!"

Draco released her. "Listen, anything Pansy says is a lie. She's a cow and ... hell it's not important. Who are you anyway?"

"A mere half-blood, so apparently beneath you." She sneered.

"Why are you being so cold?" He asked.

She laughed. "Me cold? As if you don't know!"

He looked puzzled. "I don't. Who are you?"

"Delilah Knight. Ring any bells?" He continued to look puzzled and she gave a cold laugh. "Doesn't it just figure? Miriam Knight? Does that ring a bell? You know the woman who lived in your home? Who died in your home?"

Draco paled then and took a step back. "I had nothing to do with that."

Delilah sneered. "It doesn't matter. What matters is that she's dead. And I'm sure you're just the same as your father so you might as well have killed her!" She turned and stormed off, leaving him standing there lost in thought.

He continued on his way to the Slytherin common room, lost in memories. He did indeed know who Miriam Knight was. He stopped and leaned back against the stone wall, closing his eyes and he remembered.

"Mother, why can't I go down and play in the dungeons? I like to pretend I'm a prisoner or a knight." A young Draco asked at eight years old.