𝐀𝐅𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐇 | 𝐓𝐇𝐒 𝐁𝐎𝐎𝐊 1

Chapter 8

Chapter Eight-Wizard's Chess

Draco made the long walk to Dumbledore's office. When he came to the gargoyle statue he was surprised to see it already moved aside, but he supposed it was a good thing since he didn't know the password.

He tried to keep his face neutral, didn't want to give too much away to the old man. And Draco was still pretty good at Occlumency, though he hadn't practiced it in some years. He didn't really want Dumbledore to know how desperate he was. Harry had offered his flat, but he didn't really think he could take it in good conscience (yeah, he had one of those now.) Harry was just being nice-as usual-but Draco couldn't keep taking advantage of him and his feelings. It wasn't fair. If Dumbledore had nothing for him, then Draco made up his mind to try to get into some sort of Muggle law school. How hard could it be? He'd go watch some trials and see how they did it. Probably much the same as Wizard courts. Though...maybe not.

He stepped up onto the griffin stair and let it carry him upward to the old wizard's door. He knocked, partly hoping he wouldn't be in, but he heard the friendly, "Come!" from the other side, and he pulled the door ring and walked through.

Dumbledore's office was a confusion of knick-knacks, small floating objects, high book shelves filled with books and other what-nots. The man himself was tending to his phoenix Fawkes, feeding him something which the bird took in his beak, flipped up with a jerk of his head, and swallowed in one gulp. Then the bird turned its bright yellow eyes on Draco and examined him from head to foot. Draco wasn't certain if Fawkes liked what he saw.

Dumbledore said without looking, "Ah, Mr. Malfoy. Do sit down."

Draco sat stiffly in the one wooden chair and waited for the headmaster to say something. The wizard seemed intent on preening his phoenix and didn't look at Draco for some time. Draco couldn't quite get comfortable.

At last, Dumbledore turned. "I suppose you have come to tell me that you have finished all the potions."

Draco slid to the edge of his seat. "Yes, sir."

"Excellent. And they are all potent, I expect."

"Absolutely, sir. I tested them all myself."

"Splendid. Well! It seems that all is in order. I thank you, Mr. Malfoy, for all your hard work."

Draco couldn't stand it and jumped to his feet. "I want to thank you, sir, for allowing me to come. It's...it's...You don't know what it's meant to me." Draco took a shuddering breath and slowly reached into his pocket. He took out the school wand and reverently laid it on Dumbledore's desk. "Thanks for the use of the wand."

Dumbledore followed each of his movements with his eyes, but said nothing.

Draco stood quietly for a moment, merely looking at the wand lying on his cluttered desk. He licked his lips. "Sir, I wonder if I could ask...I know that there is probably nothing you can do...but I was just wondering anyway...and if you could think of anything...that is, if it isn't too much trouble...."

"My, that is a circuitous route you are taking, Mr. Malfoy. There is a point in there somewhere, isn't there?"

He cleared his throat. "Yes, sir. Actually, I was wondering if you might have a job for me. Here. At Hogwarts. I mean, I would do anything. I...I...may not be good for much, but maybe....I don't know...maybe Filch could use some help...."