For the next several weeks, Draco endured murderous stares from the other students. Everyone seemed to think that he had somehow tricked McGonagall into making him Head Boy. Unkind whispers followed him everywhere, even several fellow Slytherins were harassing him, though he tried to appear unaffected by this, he soon felt even more like an outcast.
It didn’t take long for the harassment to escalate. After three weeks of cruel treatment and being the victim of potentially harmful pranks, one of which involved someone jinxing his bed covers to pin him to the mattress, Draco swallowed what little pride he had and appealed to Professor McGonagall.
Though he would never admit it, Draco was nervous to ask the Headmistress for help. He’d never had to request such a thing before and it felt odd to do so now. Making up his mind last minute, Draco asked McGonagall for new sleeping arrangements and a change in his course schedule.
The curiosity and shock showed on the Headmistress’s face briefly before she spoke. –Might I ask why you wish to participate in Muggle Studies after all these years?â€
Draco had been prepared for such a question. He’d been thinking about taking Muggle Studies for weeks now and didn’t hesitate to answer McGonagall. –I want answers,†he said, determined to make himself perfectly clear. –I want to know exactly why people despise Muggles. I want to understand what’s so terrible about them. Why do people hate them so much? Most Muggles don’t even know we exist. We think we’re better because we have magic, but they don’t even realize that our world is possible,†Draco paused. His answer showed his frustration but his tone conveyed anger. He took a deep, calming breath and continued. –I was raised to hate Muggles and Muggle-borns. I was taught to think myself superior just because I’m a Pureblood. I just want all the facts so I can form my own opinion.â€
Silence followed his little speech. Draco held his breath slightly. Professor McGonagall then smiled in a knowing way and said, –I see. Am I to understand, Mr. Malfoy, that your parents are unaware of this?â€
Draco winced. –Yes, Professor. My parents don’t know, and I’d prefer to keep it that way for now if you don’t mind. This is my choice.†If he knew, Lucius would be furious with Draco. Narcissa might be more accepting of his decision, but Draco did not want to risk it.
McGonagall considered Draco for a moment then said, –All right, Mr. Malfoy, I don’t see any problem with you sitting in on lessons, as long as it doesn’t affect your other schoolwork, mind. I’m sure Professor Gideon will be pleased to have you.†Draco thanked her and was about to leave the Headmistress’ office when she spoke to him again. –There is something I would like you to do, Mr. Malfoy,†said McGonagall as she scribbled away at a letter in front of her. –At the end of term I want you to report to me. You are to tell me of your experience, what you’ve learned, and what your new opinion is. That is my requirement for you joining Muggle Studies.â€
Surprised by this, Draco nodded and said, –Yes, Professor.â€
–Good." She placed her quill to the side and looked up from her newly finished letter. –I will have your new dormitory arranged for you by this evening.â€
–Thank you, Professor.â€
At dinner that night Draco received a note from the Headmistress.
'Mr. Malfoy, your new dormitory is located on the fifth floor behind the portrait of 'The Wizard and the Stars.' The password is Horklump. Also, your first Muggle Studies lesson is this Thursday during your morning free period. Good luck. - Headmistress McGonagall'
Relieved that his dormitory was ready, Draco left dinner early to familiarize himself with it. Once to the fifth floor, Draco had no trouble locating the portrait described in the note. It was the largest and, in Draco’s opinion, the grandest portrait in the entire hall. It was absolutely beautiful; a midnight sky, shining with a million stars, looked over a grassy hilltop upon which a middle aged wizard had set up his telescope. Awed by the beauty of a painting he had previously ignored in his years at Hogwarts, Draco nearly forgot to offer the password to the wizard, who was now staring back at him silently.
After entering the dormitory, a sense of safety washed of Draco. Being the complete opposite of the Slytherin dungeons, but being somewhat similar to his room at Malfoy Manor, Draco could feel his tension easing and his nerves relaxing in his new common room. Finally, he could be left alone in peace.
Thursday morning Draco woke up from a night of tossing and turning, and felt a mixture of nerves and determination. Today, he would begin his Muggle Studies lessons. After grabbing a quick bite of breakfast in an attempt to calm his nerves, Draco made his way to the Muggle Studies classroom. He arrived twenty minutes early for the lesson on purpose and was not disappointed to find the room empty. Draco took the opportunity to look around and get to know the place.
All sorts of peculiar things lay around the room on display. On the shelf to the right there stood a strange looking device with a long cord attached to it. A yellowing label before it read, 'Telephone- A Muggle device used for communication over long distances.'
Draco contemplated the object for a moment, then moved on with a shake of his head. Pictures were hanging all over the walls. There were pictures of Muggles doing all sorts of odd things, using strange devices, wearing weird clothing, playing bizarre looking sports. None of the photographs were moving and this intrigued Draco so much, that he jumped a mile out of his skin when a voice spoke from behind him.
–Can I help you, young man?†asked a tall, kind looking wizard.
–Yes,†said Draco, as he handed the professor his note from McGonagall. –I’m supposed to be sitting in on lessons during my free period.â€
The professor glanced at the parchment he had been handed and smiled. –Ah, yes, Mr. Malfoy!†he exclaimed with great enthusiasm. –The headmistress mentioned that you would be joining us. Great to have you, son, I’m Professor Gideon.â€
–Nice to meet you, Sir,†said Draco as they shook hands.
There was a pause in their conversation when Professor Gideon smiled down at Draco kindly. –I know this is going to be a bit of an adjustment for you, Mr. Malfoy,†he said. –It won’t be easy catching up and I can’t slow down to wait for you. If I did that, we’d never cover everything that’s on the final exam but, if you ever need anything, just let me know. You aren’t on the official class roster, so, you aren’t required to take the exam.â€
Draco nodded and said, –I understand and I’ll do my best to keep up. I just need to be here.†Distant voices mingled with approaching footsteps and Draco hesitated in his next words. –Professor?â€
–Yes?†said Professor Gideon as he turned to face Draco once again.
–I… I don’t want to make a big fuss about me being here, Sir,†he said. –I know what others are going to say and think, but I don’t want to cause any trouble. I’ll work hard, I swear I will, but I don’t want a lot of attention, if that’s all right with you, Sir.†Draco felt rather embarrassed for asking the professor to let him be the invisible student but, he knew it was best. When one considered what others thought of him, it was best he kept a low profile.
–I understand, Mr. Malfoy,†Professor Gideon said. Draco sighed. –You’ve been through a lot and have quite enough on your plate. I promise, I will never call on you for an answer and I don’t expect you to hand in any work. I’m just glad you wished to be a part of this, it’s a fascinating subject.â€
A half hour later Draco found himself struggling to take as many notes as possible. Professor Gideon spoke fast and about things Draco didn’t understand. Gideon had been right; it wasn’t going to be easy for Draco to catch up.
The cold stares from the other students made it difficult for Draco to concentrate and it didn’t take long for Professor Gideon to realize that his class was no longer listening to his lecture on the average Muggle childhood. The professor stopped speaking and the class, save Draco, took little notice. Gideon took off the thin spectacles he wore for reading and said rather loudly, –I’m sorry to interrupt everyone, but when I teach a lesson I happen to expect my students to pay attention.â€
As if a trance had been broken, the class turned away from Draco in unison and he sighed with relief. Professor Gideon was about to resume his lecture when a hand shot into the air.
–Yes?â€
–Professor,†said Ernie MacMillan. –What is he doing here?â€
Silence hung in the air at his words. It was clear that the entire class wanted to know the exact same thing. Draco shifted uncomfortably in his seat.
–By ‘he,' I assume you are referring to Mr. Malfoy, am I correct in that assumption?†said Professor Gideon rather coolly.
–Yes, sir, why is Malfoy here?†Ernie asked with a clear tone of distaste.
–Mr. MacMillan, I expect you to show respect to Mr. Malfoy. He is here because he requested to be. He wishes to learn, same as you.â€
–I’m sorry, Professor, but I can’t show him respect after everything he’s done,†Ernie said simply with a shake of his head.
–You will show Mr. Malfoy respect in my classroom.â€
–It’s all right, Professor,†said Draco, quietly. –I understand where he’s coming from.â€
The entire class looked at him in shock. Could Draco Malfoy really have just allowed someone to blatantly disrespect him and been okay with it?
Professor Gideon held up a hand to disagree with Draco. –No, Mr. Malfoy, it is not all right,†he said before continuing to address Ernie. –He was made Head Boy for a reason, Mr. MacMillan. He asked to be here. That alone should merit some respect. It was very brave of Mr. Malfoy to return to school, and even braver to ask the headmistress to take part in this class. In fact, I believe he may have been placed in the wrong house. Gryffindor seems more worthy of this young man.â€
An angry murmur broke out amongst the other students and Draco kept his head bowed so no one could see the shock in his eyes. That was the second time someone had suggested that he did not belong in Slytherin. Draco was in awe of this new teacher; this man, who did not know him, stood up for him. When the chatter and whispers died down again, Professor Gideon spoke once more to Ernie.
–Now,†he said. –If you cannot show respect to all of your fellow classmates while in this room, then you may leave.â€
Ernie was silent and pursed his lips together as he folded his arms across his chest out of anger. He remained in his seat; he wouldn’t risk leaving class and missing an important lesson. After that, class resumed as normal.
Draco hated the stares and harsh words that now followed him everywhere he went. It wasn’t even dinner time and it already seemed as if the entire school knew about him taking Muggle Studies. It was only a matter of time before his parents found out now. Surely some nosy Slytherin would take it upon themselves to write to Draco’s parents in Wiltshire. Draco dreaded his father’s angry reaction and knew that he would most likely disown him completely but in all honesty, Draco really didn’t care anymore.
In an effort to ignore the hatred and gossip from the other students, Draco spent as much time as he could studying. He was going to prove them wrong.
*****
The rumors spread like wildfire. Could it be true? Was Draco Malfoy really taking Muggle Studies? No, it couldn’t be true, his parents would never allow it. What was going on? Hermione did not know what to think while, Ron on the other hand, seemed to have several theories. This latest development was all that people were talking about and Hermione’s friends were no exception.
–This has got to be some kind of scheme of Malfoy’s,†said Ron one night as the trio sat by the common room fire, working on homework. –What else could it be?â€
–I think you’re way off base there, mate,†said Harry as he scribbled away at his Transfiguration essay.
–What? Don’t you think he’s planning something?â€
–Ron, think about it,†said Harry, slightly irritated that Ron kept interrupting his attempted focus. –Why would Malfoy be planning something? McGonagall gave him a second chance by letting him come back. She made him Head Boy, for Merlin’s sake! Why would he risk losing her trust when he’s on thin ice as it is?â€
–I can’t believe what I’m hearing,†replied Ron with a wave of his huge arms. –You’re defending him again. Hannah Abbott was there, Harry. She said that the professor told them all the Malfoy asked to take the class. Now, why would he do that unless he was planning something? Hannah said Malfoy didn’t even get upset when Ernie refused to be civil with him. She said Malfoy just let it all happen and was okay with it. I don’t believe it for a second!â€
–Ron, when have you ever known Hannah to lie?†Harry inquired, setting down his quill.
–Well, never,– he said.
–Exactly, Ron,†said Harry.
–That’s not the point, Harry, I don’t trust him,†said Ron, frustrated. –You’re still defending him! Hermione, help me out here!â€
Until she heard her name, Hermione had only been a silent listener to the conversation. If truth be told, she hadn’t really been paying attention at all. –Hmm, what?†she said, snapping back to reality.
–Help me out,†Ron repeated. –There’s no way Malfoy actually wanted to take Muggle Studies. He’s planning something.â€
Not wanting to get between her best friend and her boyfriend, Hermione chose to remain the neutral party. –I’m not getting involved in this, Ron,†she said. –Harry, do you still have the Marauder’s Map?â€
Harry and Ron both looked at her quizzically at this. –Yes, why?†Harry replied.
–May I borrow it, please?â€
–Sure, why?†he asked again.
Hermione paused. Her reason behind wanting to borrow the map would only add fuel to the fire in Harry and Ron’s argument and she didn’t want to be a part of that. –I just need to borrow it, please,†said Hermione, avoiding the question.
Harry would have none of it and pressed her for answers. –You need it for what, Hermione?†he said forcefully.
Sighing, Hermione ran her fingers through her messy hair and said, –I want it for my Head Girl duties. I want to take it on my night patrols with me.â€
–Why?†asked Ron with a laugh. –So you can catch everyone who’s out of bed past hours? That’s just low, Hermione.â€
Hermione kept silent. Her reasoning was her own business, but Ron didn’t see it that way and continued to look at her expectantly. –Oh, all right,†she said in defeat. –I want it so I can do my night patrols in peace. So I can avoid another run-in with Malfoy.â€
As Hermione expected, Ron’s urge to argue with Harry only increased with her answer.
–See, Harry? Even Hermione wants to avoid him! Something isn’t right and you know it!â€
Before Harry could retaliate, Hermione spoke. –Harry, can I just have the map?†Harry nodded and dug through his school bag and handed the map to her. –Thank you,†she said. –I’ll see you boys in the morning, I need some sleep.†As she walked away, Hermione heard Harry and Ron continue their argument. She shook her head in exasperation and went up to bed. Sometimes, Ron was impossible to reason with.
Final Chances by IWriteToSurvive
Chapter Notes: Sorry it took me so long to get this one posted. Life has been hectic lately. =) I hope you all enjoy it and I'll get the next chapter up ASAP. A big thank you to my beta, iwannabeanauror, you've been a great help.