Draco Malfoy & the Unicorn's Creek (Draco x Fred & George)

5: Dream-gall

The effects of the Dream-gall were kicking in as Draco was skipping dowstairs to class, his satchel bag with Magnus peering at the top slung around his shoulder. He had cast a muting spell on himself out of caution, Merlin knew what would come out of his mouth otherwise. He strolled to the dungeons where was held a special DDA class for 8th & 7th years. The headmaster had decided to call in extra classes for everyone, after realising the crucial lack of student self-defense skills, especially after the constant switching of teachers and Umbridge's rule. DDA was after all the reason why some people survived the war, while others perished... And McGonagall would never forgive herself over another death. Losing a few of her students, and several loyal parents & friends, was already enough to plunge her in a regretful sorrow. That year, there had been considerably less 1st year entries, many parents deciding to wait more time before sending their children off to school. But McGonagall was resolute to continue Dumbledore's legacy and keep his promise: "Hogwarts will not be cancelled after the war". It was after all safer for Hogwarts to still be in use. As one of the most powerful magical institutions of the country, and one of the safest places in the Wizarding World, it was a key asset of the Ministry. If they wanted to capture & shun all remaining Death Eaters, it was essential for it to stay open.

However, many did not approve of mere children treading such morbid and unsafe place. A lot of 2nd and 3rd year students had interrupted their studies in favor of being homeschooled or being sent off to other magical schools. To McGonagall however, something was clear: this was simply the best school of magic in the country, if not one of the best in the world. Young witches and wizards needed to be trained to become capable, talented & skilled. But even she doubted the word of Dumbledore. Despite his faithfulness to the school, she had to admit that he was a bit of a nutter.

Several teachers had been appointed for DDA, and worked in rotation. Severus, Remus & Tonks were the most present, albeit Severus was still ongoing trials for his past allegiance to Voldemort. Tonks had just birthed a baby boy, Teddy. Today, Remus was on the clock.

8th year students were mostly free to make up their own schedules, apart from the mandatory DDA and potions class. Harry was almost always out of school, he was very busy with the ministry, & his new role as an Auror. After all, the war was won due to him, famous Harry Potter. Ron often helped his father and Harry at the Ministry, while Hermione was very busy preparing for highly competitive exams to a famous wizard university in Norway: Wisdonia. Almost every other student had something going on. Neville was preparing to become a teacher of Herbology, Luna often helped Hagrid with magical creatures and was sometimes out the country with her father Xenophelius for creature-watching.

Meanwhile, Draco's friends hadn't returned for supplementary schooling. Crabbe and Goyle had gone into hiding Merlin knows where, both their fathers in Azkaban. Blaise was had moved to Russia in order to learn more dark magic at the Durmstrang Academy, and Pansy was staying with her rich parents in Northern England. Draco was the only student to redo the full curriculum as a past and probably the youngest Death Eater. His dark mark was still visible on his milky white forearm. Draco had never worn short sleeves again, and even sometimes wrapped it in a bandage when he wished to not see it or to shower. The mark was unfortunately impossible to remove, but Draco had long been forgiven by the Wizarding World even though he was advised to avoid showing the mark to those around him. Luckily, Draco's godfather Severus had been keeping an eye on him, as best as Severus can do, especially since Lucius' disappearance. Severus had grown a somewhat fatherly air, but was still cold, and sparse in his words, often calling out more reproaches to Draco instead of encouragements. Snape often took him out on his own in his study for private conversations. He sometimes enquired over the state of the boy, knowing he was depressed (there are no secrets to Snape), and discouraging him from any tentative self-harm. He often informed him about the becoming state of the manor, as well as the affairs surounding his father, snapping at Draco whenever this one lost focus, which was frequent. Snape often muttered under his breath at how weak Draco was. Supposedly, this was meant to be encouragement for when, inevitably, Draco will become the Malfoy family heir. Draco vividly remembers Snape crying at Narcissa's funeral, probably one of the only times he had witnessed him doing so. Even though Snape was cold and ruthless, Draco knew it was probably for his best.