I stood outside the dungeon’s doors. I was a few minutes early, I think, and I sure as hell didn’t want to look pathetic, crawling into detention early. I had been leaning with my back to the stone wall to avoid going in. I had also taken the time to change out of my school uniform, instead wearing a loose black sweater and dark jeans, my blonde hair was pulled up in a messy pony tail and I applied a fresh layer of makeup, taking extra time to cover the scar on the back of my neck. My robe hung limply over my arm.
I waited a few more minutes until hopping off the wall and opening the dungeon doors. He didn’t look up from the papers on his desk, but spoke so quietly I was sure I had imagined it. I leaned against a desk in the back and waited for him to notice my presence; I was in no hurry to start serving my detention.
His eyes flickered upward and he set his quill aside, folding his hands on his desk. “Sit.” It wasn’t an offer, however I wasn’t going to give in so easily. Instead I walked up towards his desk but stopped two tables from the front and leaned against the front of one.
“I’d rather stand.” I replied, suddenly taking an interest in my nails. Annoyance crossed his features but he quickly cleared his face.
“Just because your father is an acquaintance does not give you the right to be disrespectful to me in my own classroom. I. Said. Sit.” His voice had razors in it. “It sure seems to give my brother the right.” I said haughtily, crossing my arms. If looks could kill I would already be six feet under.
I crossed the remaining distance between us and sat in the chair across from his desk. But only because my legs were tired, I tried to convince myself. He smirked at my obedience. I mentally stuck my tongue out.
“Tonight you will be cleaning cauldrons. The first years had quite a nasty time today.” From the sound of his voice it sounded like he was fond at the memory. “but first you will finish grading these papers.” He said, his tone returning to normal. My frown deepened. I couldn’t find a word strong enough to show my detest for paperwork.
I didn’t respond but angrily grabbed a paper on top of the stack.
I set my quill aside and rubbed my wrist gingerly. “Why do you specifically hate me?” I asked, finally breaking the silence.
“Don’t flatter yourself, I have no opinion of you.”
“Surely you must, the only other person you treat as badly is Potter.” I replied instantly. His eyes flickered up to me before returning to his paper.
“You still have cauldrons to clean.”
“Real mature.” I remarked under my breath, half hoping he heard it, half afraid he did.
He irritably set his quill down and folded his hands; if he unlaced his fingers he would choke me to death. “You really are an insolent child.” He said suddenly glaring down at me. I was slumped in my chair as usual while he was sitting with his back not touching his chair.
I shrugged indifferently “I’ve heard people say that.”
His eyes seemed to burn with something, I assumed anger. I continued , “I mean, you always give me detention, you always fail me on assignments-”
“Has it ever crossed your mind that it was your behavior that led to such things? You receive detention for acting out in class, you are failed because you do not submit any decent work.” I opened my mouth to speak but no words formed.
“It’s not fair.” I said despite the air on finality in his tone.
“Life isn’t fair.”
I quickly returned to my slouching position, suddenly aware of our close distance. He cleared his throat and picked up his quill, diving into another piss poor essay.
It was well past nine before I finished grading the essays, half way through I just put grades based by house. Slytherin’s received outstanding, regardless of the garbage half of them submitted. Ravenclaw’s received acceptable, because I was feeling generous and it was still below the Slytherin grades. Gryffindork’s and Hufflepuff’s both got the same failing grade, because it was my job to hate the red and gold house and let’s face it, Hufflepuff’s aren’t going anywhere.
I didn’t bother asking if I could leave, already knowing the answer and instead stood, without pushing in my chair, and walked over to the storage part of the classroom. I wasted about ten minutes just staring in the bottom of a cauldron before removing my wand from a pocket in my robes. I wasn’t the best at magic, quite frankly I sucked, but I was too tired to do it any other way. Besides, I was sure he wasn’t watching me anyway, even he wasn’t that creepy.
"Scourgify.” I said lazily flicking my wand, though the reaction I got was definitely not what I had learned it was supposed to do.
Instead of the cauldron turning spotless, it rattled and flew off the side of the table. I flinched at the loud sound that erupted when it collided with the floor.
“Without magic, Miss Malfoy. Clearly you are unable to handle spells.” His voice was clearly annoyed, though a condescending tone was laced in every word.
I turned around placing a hand on my hip, without realizing I was pointing at him with my wand. “How else do you suppose I do it then.” Black was beginning to dance across my eyes again and I was sure I would be reunited with floor.
“Without magic.” He said as though it was the most obvious thing in the world. I frowned and turned, leaning on the table in front of me for support. I needed to go lay down.
“Miss Malfoy, I suggest you get a move on, that is if you want to finish tonight.”
“Can you shut up for a minute, thanks.” My voice was slurred slightly and I wasn’t sure if anything came out at first.
The table disappeared from in front of me, as did the cauldrons, and the potion’s room. A black veil fell over my eyes. And a sound of a chair being knocked over in the distance.
I felt the sensation of swaying what seemed like seconds later. I forced my eyelids open, which took a considerable amount of energy. I looked up though I wasn’t sure I was seeing things right. if I didn’t know better I would swear it was King Bat carrying me, but it was probably a sick dream induced by skipping meals. He looked down almost instantly a frown firmly in place. Almost as if I called his name aloud. He looked straight ahead and I was forced to look at the bottom of his chin. “Where are we going?” I tried to ask, though I’m not really sure what it actually sounded like, probably like a babbling baby. “The hospital wing.” His words were clipped, similar to father’s matter of speaking with me.
The words finally settled into my brain and my fight or flight instinct kicked in. “No!” I frantically said, squirming and moving trying to escape his grasp. His stride didn’t break. “S-snape put me down. I’ll do whatever you want, okay? Put me down, let me go to bed.” He smirked; he seemed to enjoy my pleading a little too much.
He stopped abruptly and paused to look down at me, his features suddenly looked much more dark than usual. “How can I believe what you say, you could just be lying to me,” I opened my mouth to protest but he spoke over my attempted words, “Spare me your breath, we both know you lie.” I wanted to scream, tell him to piss off, kick him in the shins and run away. But I knew I didn’t have the energy. I couldn’t think of a way to convince him.
“Just believe me.” I pleaded, he rolled his eyes and continued walking, a rhythmic pace, carrying me was nothing.
“Perhaps you forget but it is in a Slytherin’s nature to be sly and cunning.” I frowned, a sudden lurch of panic bursting my abdomen. If I went there, they would tell Draco, who would tell father who would be angrypissedmad and would lock me up again.
“Sir, please. Take my word, take my anything.” The corners of his mouth twitched, as though the idea was tempting.
“One condition.” He said suddenly, once again stopping, this time too abruptly causing my ribs to smack into his stiff arms. “You tell me anything I wish to know, no back talking, no questioning for the rest of the year.” I chewed my lip. That was a long time.
“A month.” I bargained. He took a step forward. “Half a year?” my voice rising an octave. Another step.
“Three-fourths,” another step.
“Fine, Fine. A year.” my brain still felt fuzzy, I could find a way out later. He turned around on his heels and walked back down to the dungeon. A look of confidence unmasked on his face.
Stupid King Bat.