Second chance; Second life

Kay awoke, and glanced at her clock. 08.15.

‘Great,’ she thought. ‘I can still snag some breakfast.’ She stood, and stretched, showering, drying and dressing quickly. She
hurried down to grab some toast, when she heard laughter echoing form the entrance hall. She frowned. It sounded cold, cruel and mocking. She hurried down the marble staircase, and froze, her eyes wide in shock and disgust at the sight she was seeing.

‘I won’t ask you again, you filthy little Mudblood!’ hissed Draco, smirking, flicking his wand once more. The first year screamed. She was dangling in mid-air, and her books flew at her once again, battering her sore body. ‘Do you want me to continue?’ the Slytherin’s laughed. They had formed a circle around Draco, blocking of the Gryffindor’s, Ravenclaw’s and Hufflepuff’s away. Harry pushed forwards, but was pushed back by Blaise.

‘Draco Malfoy!’ Kay shouted suddenly, her anger boiling over. She outstretched her hand, and the first year was lowered to the floor, her books forming a neat pile before her. She approached, one wave of her hand sending the Slytherin’s sprawling. Harry, Ron and Hermione ran forwards to the girl, checking if she was ok. Kay walked down the stairs, slowly, her eyes burning with an intensity that no one had ever seen before. She pushed past Goyle, and faced Draco face on, her face set in stone; twisted into an expression of horror and repulsion. She pushed past, and moved to the first year.

‘Are you ok?’ she asked softly, and the girl looked up, tears trickling down her cheeks. ‘One minute, and I’ll take you to the Hospital Wing, ok?’ the girl nodded, and Kay turned slowly, back to meet Draco’s eyes. He swallowed heavily, gripping his wand tightly. Kay looked at him in revulsion. ‘Why?’ she asked quietly, loathing dripping form her words.

‘Kay…’ she interrupted, taking one step forwards.

‘Why did you do this? This isn’t the Draco Malfoy I know.’

‘What? You thought your boyfriend was sweetness and light?’ Blaise asked, laughing slightly.

‘Boyfriend? You actually thought I would touch someone who would do something like this? You don’t know me at all.’ Malfoy frowned.

‘Oh, I do Kay.’

‘Maybe. But I don’t know you. Or at least, I thought I did. But you’re just like the scum who is your father. Guess the old saying is right, huh Malfoy? Like Father, like son.’

‘How dare you compare me to him!’ Draco shouted.

‘Why not? You’re exactly like him! A cold, cruel, calculating, bastard. What happened to the person I knew? What happened to the Draco Malfoy I actually liked?’ Draco swallowed, looking at her smoothly, his face a mask of indifference. ‘You are just like Lucius. You know why he killed my Mother? Because she was a Muggle-born. A Mudblood. A filthy, little, Mudblood. So what does that make me? Am I Mudblood too? She was offering your Mother safety, but he killed her. Because of you, my mother is dead. She was offering Narcissa the escape because of you! And now, you’re doing exactly the same as him. Should I bow down to you? Me, a lowly Mudblood, you a perfect Pureblood. Shall I bow to you?’ she added spitefully. ‘Lucius?’ Draco froze; his mouth open. She bowed low, and he shook his head.

‘Don’t,’ he gasped.

‘No Lucius, tell me. What should I do?’ she asked mockingly. ‘Should I lick your boots? Forgive you for inflicting such pain on an innocent young girl? Well Lucius, what should I do?’

‘My name is not Lucius!’ he exploded. She rose from her bow, looking at him with something he didn’t recognise.

‘Isn’t it? Ok then. Draco. That’s your name, isn’t it? Chosen by Lucius, who shaped you into a miniature version of himself. You went on about how much you hated him, when really, you wanted to be him.’ She turned to the first year, offering her a hand. The first year took it.

‘Do you remember what he did to me?’ Draco asked quietly.

‘Yes Malfoy. I haven’t forgotten. But it seems you have, because if you did remember, you wouldn’t try to be him.’ She turned, leading the girl away. Draco watched her, feeling the tears.

‘I could never forget any of it.’ She turned, sad eyes fixed on him.

‘Prove it.’ She continued up the stairs, and disappeared along the corridor with the young first year. Draco turned, and met hundreds of eyes staring at him. He met Potter’s, who was frowning slightly in confusion.

‘Show’s over, folks. Get out of my way.’ He pushed past, stalking away until he reached an empty corridor. He fell against the wall, cursing himself. ‘Oh Gods, why me? Why is it always me?’ he heard footsteps, and turned to see Harry, frowning at him slightly.

‘Why is what always you?’ he turned his head away, trying to blink away the tears. ‘What was she talking about Malfoy? What did he do to you?’ Draco stood, not turning as he swiped at his tears.

‘It’s nothing to do with you, Scarhead.’ Harry moved closer.

‘Malfoy? You can tell me.’ Draco turned.

‘I can tell you? I hate you! Don’t you understand that? I wish you were dead.’ Harry’s expression was calm and worried.

‘Malfoy, I know you do. But I also know that you’re putting on an act. If you ever do want to talk to someone…’

‘What? Come and find you?’ Harry nodded.

‘I will listen.’ Harry turned, and walked away, leaving Draco to fall back against the wall. He refused to cry, however, and swept angrily at the tears that fell from his eyes. He wouldn’t cry.

‘Crying is a sign of weakness, Draco,’ his Father’s voice rang in his ears. He slid down the wall, concealed by a sign of armour.

‘Then maybe I’m weak,’ he thought, and buried his face in his arms, his sobs quiet as pearly tears slid over his pale, angular cheeks.