A Forbidden Love

Chapter 32: An Odd Gift

When the discrimination throughout the school, begins to affect Harry, it's the last straw. I see it in his eyes, in his movements; I sense it in his words. He's the stronger of us, and he's weakening. I will not deal with this any longer. I must do something.

After class one day, I walk up to Professor Lupin's desk. "Draco?" He says, obviously confused. "Is something wrong?"

"Yes actually," I respond. "I was wondering if we could create and LGBT club."

"What for?"

"Well, I don't know if you've noticed, but there has been much discrimination against LGBTs in this school recently, and I thought this could be a good way to help. Yelling at the kids won't help, so maybe us LGBTs can meet and talk about issues, get confirmation that we're not alone."

"I think that's a great idea, Draco. I will work on Dumbledore."

"Thank you, sir."

"Oh, and Draco."

"Yes?"

"I'm glad you came to me. I could tell this has been bothering you for a while, but..."

"Wait! What?" I cut him off, suddenly furious. "You knew about this and did nothing?"

"As I was going to say, as a teacher, I am required to let you decide if this has been bothering you. I'm just surprised you didn't come sooner."

"Well, it bothered me, but I didn't care. I know I can take it or at least try to. But when Harry started getting affected, started getting upset, I knew I had to do something. His happiness and strength mean too much to me to let them falter because of some stupid discrimination!"

"Acting out of love. That's the best way to act." He seems to get lost in thought for a second. "Anyway," he says, looking back at me, "I'm glad you came to see me. I will get to work on that club."

"Thank you, sir. See you tomorrow."

A few days go by and nothing happens. I get no news on the club. Walking back to the Slytherin common room, I try to plan ways to work on Dumbledore myself. No ideas  come to me by the time I reach the door.

"Slithering Serpents," I say. The door doesn't budge. Maybe I didn't say it loud enough. "Slythering Serpents!" I repeat. Still, nothing happens.

I sit outside until another Slytherin comes by. I don't recognize him. He looks like a second year. He sees me and laughs.

"Didn't they tell you that the password was changed?" he asks with a smirk.

"No. They changed it?"

"Yeah." He turns back to the door. "Straight Pride!" he says, the smirk still present on his face. He steps aside. "After you, babe."  He adds the last word with a mocking tone.

I turn and walk back down the hallway. I hear him laughing and the door shut behind him. Raging in fury, I run all the way to Dumbledore's office.

"Walk!" McGonagall screams after me.

"Sorry. It's an emergency. I have to talk to Dumbledore asap."

"Do you know the password?"

"Oh. No, I don't."

"Then you better walk so I can catch up to you."

"Wait. You're not going to tell me I'm not allowed to?"

"It's an emergency, right?"

"Yes. Very much so."

"Well then, let's go. I'm strict, not irrational."

"Thank you, Professor."

We walk to Dumbledore's office. When we arrive at the large griffin door, McGonagall walks up and gives the password.

"Acceptance," she says.

"That's his password?" I ask.

"Of course. He would have it no other way."

"Unlike the Slytherins, obviously," I mutter.

"What?"

"Nothing. Thanks, Professor."

She walks away, eyeing me suspiciously. I turn and walk up the staircase to his office. When I get to the top, I knock on the door. Nobody answers. I lean in and see if I can hear anything. What I hear only fuels my anger.

I hear a voice, which is unmistakably Lucius's, scream, "I want to see my son! If you value your job, you will let me see my son."

"Unfortunately for you," says Dumbledore's voice calmly, "I value the safety of my students more than my job."

"Fine! Have it your way!" I hear Lucius storm to the door. I push the door open and walk in to face him.

"Hello, Lucius," I say. "I couldn't help but hear that you were looking for you son. I hate to inform you that I don't think he arrived this year because I don't know anyone who would even want to identify as your son." I spit my last words in his face.

"You are going to regret this!" he screams at me.

"Oh, I regret nothing."

He storms out the door in anger. What ever he needed me for, he forgot about in those moments of anger.

"Nicely handled," Dumbledore says once the door closes.

"Thank you."

"So what brings you to my office, Draco."

"Well, recently," I start. I explain about the discrimination, Harry, and the LGBT club. I explain everything that I explained to Lupin and more. I told him everything that happened since the beginning of this year. I finish with, "And today, my prefect changed the password to the common room to 'Straight Pride.' That was the last straw for me. I came straight here after I found out."

"That's terrible. It really is. I'm glad you brought this to my attention. I wish I would've changed the password policy after the mudblood incident, but I decided not to. From no on, I promise prefects will not choose the passwords."

"Thank you, sir. And about the LGBT club. Can we do that?"

"Did Lupin not tell you?" I shake my head. "Him and I are working on the details now. Plan for the first meeting to be over Christmas break."

"Thank you so much, sir."

"Anything for the safety of my students."

"Well that's everything, so I best be on my way." I turn to leave.

"Hold on, Draco! Before you go, I have something for you."

"Sir?"

He stands up and walks to the library behind his desk. He pulls out a rather large book and walks back over to me. He hands me the book. I read the title. It's called 100 famous LGBT wizards.

"Oh, umm..." I don't know what to say. "Thank you."

"You're Welcome. We'll if that's it, I'll see you around, Draco."

"Right. See you."

I walk out the door and head back to the common room. I examine the book closely, standing outside because I still refuse to say the password. Dumbledore is known for odd gifts, but this one is exceptionally peculiar.

I open the book and realize that one of the pages is bookmarked. The bookmark isn't just anything, though. The bookmark is a set of adoption pages. At the bottom of the page, in messy handwriting, it reads, "Just in case."