No Belonging | Draco Malfoy

The Letter

There was a letter...

Draco, had just returned from potions class, in which they were practicing stirring techniques. Although, Potions was his favorite class and his grade was good, he was starting to find the lessons rather boring. Many of the other students were struggling with the basics which meant they were weeks behind schedule. He didn't know how he was going to pass the exam's at this rate, however Snape had mentioned offering him private tutoring sessions a few weeks back so maybe he would speak to him next lesson.

Right in the center of his bed was a letter...

Draco cautiously tip-toed towards it, why hadn't it come in the post this morning? Maybe it was trick from Crabbe or Goyle?

Unfortunately, Draco noticed the seal: forest green wax, with a capital M stamped. It was from his father.

He jumped on his bed and lowered the curtains so he was enclosed. It was funny how such a small object could create such worry in his young mind. Draco didn't want to open it. He knew he should have written to his father weeks ago. But he didn't want to disappoint him. He hoped he wouldn't write before winter break. But he was wrong.

Draco sat for at least an hour staring at the folded parchment and the overpowering stamped M. It was only when he heard the others leave for dinner, Draco picked up the letter. He sat crossed legged on the bed, his skinny legs neatly folded within one another. His pale hands carefully tore the seal like he was handling some ancient artifact.

To Draco's surprise the letter was short. It consisted of three simple words. But three daunting words.

'Write to me'

It was the moment Draco had been dreading, he had no choice but to write. He scrambled up from the cross-legged position and leant over to his bed side table. He collected a quill and parchment before returning to the cross-legged position.

Dear Father,

I'm sorry I have not had a chance to write, I have been very busy studying for the exams. The task has proven very difficult, however today I managed to do even better than my promise. I have caused him to get expelled! I hope you and mother are well. I will see you soon.

Draco

Shakingly, Draco dropped the quill. He could imagine the disappointed glare on his father's face, but surely getting Potter expelled was better than becoming his friend.

He climbed off his bed and dragged his feet towards the shower, he had to admit he missed having his own room in the Manor but this little bedroom felt more like home than the manor ever had. Draco washed his body and tried to clear his mind but it just kept on returning to his father. He crouched down and sat on the shower floor, the boiling water almost burning his skin as it ran from his sandy hair down his fragile gaunt back. He watched as the water ran down his frail arms: a water droplet formed on his scarred shoulder and traced the outline of the scar perfectly before dropping off his half-starved body, it was like time had stopped. And in that very moment, for once Draco couldn't hold back the tears. The flood of tears combined with the water droplets, endlessly forming and disappearing down the drain.

Why couldn't he just be normal?

Why couldn't he be like Harry?

Why couldn't he have a father who was proud of him?

*Next morning*

Draco yawned as he freed himself from the warmth of his bed sheets and placed his stone cold feet into a pair of black fluffy slippers. The others were still asleep as Draco made his way to the bathroom. When he saw the shower, he remembered the events of the night before, lethargically he walked over to the sink and washed his face. He sighed as he noticed his silver bloodshot eyes and dabbed his face dry with a towel. He changed into his Slytherin robes in the security of the locked bathroom and then wandered back to his bed. By then, the others were slowly awakening, and Draco gathered the school books he would need for the day.

The group, joined by Pansy and her friend Daphne who had long curly brown hair, chatted as they entered the great hall for breakfast. The four long tables were filled with the usual endless amount of fruit and stuffed pastries. The group took their place at the Slytherin table and tucked into the delights - Draco had an apple.

As Draco's teeth crunched into the succulent apple, his bloodshot eyes glanced in the direction of the Gryffindor table. Sitting there, peacefully eating with his friends was none other than Harry Potter. Why hadn't he been expelled? Madame Hootch had made her rules very clear and Harry had been caught in the act of breaking them.

"Why is Potter acting so annoyingly normal, surely he was expelled?" Draco questioned the group as he retracted his teeth from the apple's core.

"Maybe he doesn't have to leave straight away?" Blaise assumed.

"Maybe" Draco murmured. He needed Harry to be expelled, he had already told his father that he was.

"I'm going to go check it out" Draco exclaimed as he stood up from the group.

"We'll come too, they have some chocolate pastries left, all of ours have gone" Goyle replied and he and Crabbe stood up and followed Draco towards the Gryffindor table.

"Having a last meal Potter, when are you getting the train back to the muggles?" Draco snickered although he was generally interested as to when Harry was leaving.

"You're a lot braver now your back on the ground and you've got your little friends with you!" Harry joked in return.

What was it with Harry thinking Draco needed Crabbe and Goyle to protect him? Draco was a strong pureblood wizard and could beat Harry any day.

"I'll take you on anytime on my own, tonight if you want. Wizards duel. Wand's only - no contact. what's the matter? Never heard of a Wizards duel before, I suppose?" Draco mocked.

"Of course he has, I'm his second who's yours?" Weasley butted in.

Draco pondered for a minute, the smartest out of his group apart from him would have to be Blaise but Draco still wasn't sure how much Blaise liked him. Instead he played it safe and volunteered "Crabbe, Midnight all right? We'll meet you in the trophy room, that's always unlocked."

Draco pulled back Crabbe and Goyle who were fighting over the last chocolate pastry and guided them back to the Slytherin table.

"I'm dueling him tonight" Draco proudly stated to the rest of the group.

"Dueling him? Are you mad you'll get caught!" Pansy moaned.

"No I wont!" Draco replied sternly.

"Yes, you will. Many teachers search the corridors at night and even the ghosts will rat you out" Blaise expressed.

"Well, I cant turn back now" Draco groaned, frustrated by the lack of the support from his friends.

"Why don't you just not turn up" Pansy clearly stated.

"Yeah, then Harry will get caught and you'll be safe. He has to be expelled after two rule breaks in 24 hours!" Blaise smartly declared.

Although Draco really wanted to prove himself better than Potter, he couldn't help but agree that Blaise's idea was good. It even worked in his favor of getting Harry expelled.

"Oh, all right then" Draco gave in.