A Reason To Be

Draco Malfoy thrashed in his bed, his covers tying themselves in knots. Sweat poured off of him as he moved violently around his bed. His eyes were squeezed shut, nightmarish images racing in and out of his head.

“No! Stop it! Father…no!” Draco shouted in his sleep.

A moment later his eyes flew open and he shot up from his tangled sheets. Draco’s breathing was heavy as he regained his composure and wiped his brow. He pushed himself up from his bed, grabbed the nearest shirt and put it on. Then he made his way to the bedroom door and was off to breakfast.

Draco pushed open the doors to the Great Hall. He yawned and rubbed the sleep out of his eyes as he slowly made his way to the table for Sunday morning breakfast. A while ago Draco had abandoned getting dressed before breakfast, now he trudged in wearing a white long-sleeved shirt, black boxers and black slippers. Dumbledore sat a small, round table in the center of the massive room. He himself was dressed and sipping tea while reading the morning edition of the Daily Prophet.

“Good morning, Draco. Sleep well?” Albus said warming, looking up from the paper. Draco merely yawned and nodded his greeting. He plopped down in his usual chair, opposite Dumbledore, and reached for a cup and the steaming teapot. He breathed a sigh of relieve after his first sip of tea and then leaned back into his chair, holding his cup in both hands.

“No, I did not sleep well, yet again.” The young man replied miserably. He never slept well. Terrible nightmares jerked him awake in cold sweats in the godless hours of the morning. He had never, nor would ever tell anyone about those horrible dreams. He could hardly understand them, he did expect anyone else to.

“Where is Severus?” Draco questioned. Normally Professor Snape was there as well for breakfast but that morning he was absent.

“He left very early this morning on an errand. There were a few things he needed to get before tomorrow.” Albus said casually. Tomorrow was the start of the new school term. It was Draco’s sixth year. At the mention of school resuming, Draco groaned and set his cup back down on the table in front of him.

“I see you are pleased about school beginning again.” Dumbledore said with a chuckle, his eyes twinkling with mischief. Draco shot Albus a glare which served to say; ‘Very funny, old man.’

“Oh yes, I’m thrilled. So many morons scuttling about like bugs, the heaps of homework. There is Herbology, which might I add I’m terrible at. And oh goody, the return of the Golden child and his equally as annoying cohorts. Yes Albus, I’m all a quiver with excitement.” Draco spoke and his words dripped with the sarcasm Dumbledore had come to expect from him. Albus laughed at the comment Malfoy made about Harry.

“I must say I have never heard Mr. Potter being referred to as ‘The Golden Child.’ That’s quite witty. Surely there is something you can find that is remotely pleasant about the coming school year.” Dumbledore added as he turned the page of his paper. Draco thought a moment as he refilled his teacup and took a drink. After a few moments of silence he spoke up.

“Quidditch…And of course instilling fear into the new crop of first years. I must admit I do enjoy scaring the little kiddies.” Draco added with a smirk that was all his own.

“And I will admit that as a sixth year student it is your right and privilege.” Dumbledore piped up, setting his newspaper down and refilled his own teacup. Draco laughed softly at the older man’s comment. He had just recently picked up the habit of laughing. He had laughed maliciously at others for as long as he had been alive but to laugh good-naturedly simply because something was funny; that was almost unheard of.

“What are we having?” Draco inquired about his breakfast after he saw a house elf run across the room. Dumbledore’s eyes lit up with excitement at the boy’s question.

“Cinnamon pumpkin pancakes.” Albus said licking his lips. Draco’s eyebrows shot up as well. That was both his and Dumbledore’s favorite breakfast. Almost immediately a few house elves came in bearing a few platters of food. Pancakes, bacon, muffins and a pitcher of pumpkin juice as well. The moment the food hit the table Albus and Draco took generous helpings of everything and ate hungrily. They did not speak for a while; their mouths were too busy with chewing for conversation.

“Did you choose Divination as your main subject this year, Draco?” Dumbledore asked, breaking the silence. Draco looked up from his plate and look at him for a moment.

“Yes, why?” Draco replied. He stopped shoveling food in his mouth long enough to pour a glass of fresh pumpkin juice and take a gulp.

“Both Professor Trelawney and Firenze have mentioned in passing that you seem to have a gift for the subject.” Dumbledore said, never looking up from his plate. Draco stopped eating when he heard this and a frown formed on his face.
“A gift? Hardly. I don’t even try; I just say whatever pops into my head first. It’s mostly just a bunch of rubbish.” Draco explained to Dumbledore. It was true; he never tried in that class, though he did find it mildly interesting.

“Well for most people it does amount to nothing but rubbish. However there are a select few that truly do possess the skills for Divination.” Dumbledore countered. Draco was silent for a moment as he mulled over the comment. Then he spoke again.

“My father wanted me to do Potions. I don’t know if that was because Professor Snape taught it or what. I did not want to though. I’m not bad in potions, but it’s not something I could concentrate all my efforts on.” The minute the words left his mouth he had wondered why he had confided that information to the man sitting across from him. Whenever he and Albus did talk, it was always light conversation. He had never confided in him, he told him no secrets or inner thoughts. Dumbledore merely smiled a small smile.

“In any case, I myself am pleased that you chose Divination. I think you will find it interesting.” Dumbledore said as he dabbed his mouth with his napkin and leaned back in his chair. Draco remained quiet and finished his breakfast. As Dumbledore rose from the table and began to walk away, he turned back around and spoke.

“Oh! Forgive my boldness. I took the liberty of having your school supplies and new school robes delivered. They are in your room.” Draco blinked and sighed. He rarely spoke words of gratitude; they felt strange in his mouth. He forced them anyway though.

“Thank you, Albus.” Draco said quietly. Dumbledore smiled and wagged a finger at the young man.

“Ah ah ah. We must return to ‘Professor Dumbledore’ now. School is starting. Of course you may address me as ‘Exalted ruler’ if you prefer.” Dumbledore teased. Draco gave a snort and replied quickly.

“I think not.”