A Reason To Be

The first weeks of school went by as they usually did. Nothing special happened. Only those who had been pre-disposed to Draco’s usual behavior had noticed the change. He was quiet, didn’t speak unless he had to and steered clear of his one-time cronies just as much as everyone else did. When he was not in class he was in his room. It was one of those times he went to his room that a first year Slytherin walked down the hall at the exact time he stepped through Antoinette’s portrait. So that is when he proposed the exchange of the student’s silence for Draco’s help with the boy’s Potions homework. Draco wanted no one, not even a first year of his own house, to know where his room was. Because if one kid knew, eventually someone else would find out too. And then another and another and soon it would reach the ears of someone he really didn’t want to know where he was; Pansy.

In his absence, it seemed that Pansy had taken over. Crabbe and Goyle now followed her and Millicent around like lost puppies. Whatever she asked of them they did without question, just as they had done with him.

‘Get me a drink, Goyle! Where is my nail polish, Crabbe?’ Draco thought mockingly to himself as he watched them at dinner time. He was thankful for one thing; they had been bothering him less and less. Perhaps they had finally gotten it into their thick skulls that he wanted their company like he wanted a hole in the head. Draco ate his dinner quietly, ignoring the chatter of the first year students around him. Once they figured out he didn’t like talking, they pretty much left him alone.

“I have a few announcements before you all depart for the evening.” Dumbledore said loudly, standing up at the head table. The student’s quieted down and gave most of their attention to him.

“Two things, which I am sure you all will be most pleased with. Firstly, as a pleasant change from the past Halloween celebrations, we shall be holding a Halloween ball. There will the usual feast which will be followed by a dance. All years are welcome to attend, though it is not mandatory. It shall be semi-formal, so dress nicely. The second announcement concerns only the sixth and seventh year students. Our Muggle Studies teacher, Professor Hallimer, has requested a field trip to the Muggle area of London. I am happy to say that his proposal has been accepted by all the teachers. Permission slips will be required of course. Further information will announced as it is made available. That is all for now, I bide you all good evening.” Dumbledore gave a dismissive gesture after his speech. The Great Hall was immediately immersed into excitement. As the students filed out, they were all talking about the dance and the field trip to London. They were all thrilled. All except maybe one.



“Must I go, Albus?” Draco groaned as he tossed a galleon into the pot. It was Tuesday and yet again, Rosmerta was on a winning streak. Their Tuesday night games of poker wore on well into the night, and Draco was running low on funds. They did not play regular poker of course; being wizards they played wizard poker. It was not so different than the Muggle version of the game except that the cards spoke. It was quite the task of keeping one’s cards from revealing what was in a player’s hand. And when someone did win, the winner’s cards tossed insults and teases at the other players and their cards.

“Yes, I think so. I believe it would be a good learning experience for you. Besides, I have already signed your permission slip.” Dumbledore answered casually as he raised the bet and pressed his cards face down on the table to quiet them.

“Ya might ‘ave fun there, Draco.” Hagrid chimed in. He thought it was a marvelous idea, in fact he wished that he had had the chance to go on such a field trip.

“Ehh…I don’t know anything about Muggles. I very much doubt it would be much fun.” Draco grumbled. In previous years he had disliked Hagrid extremely, but over the summer he had learned to tolerate him. Draco had discovered that the giant was not as stupid as he once thought and that he just took some getting used to.

“Well, perhaps now is the time to learn about Muggles, Mr. Malfoy.” Snape countered coolly. No matter how much Snape and Draco were around one another, the professor’s cold indifference never faltered. It didn’t bother Draco though, and no one else seemed to mind either. It was just how Snape was.

“And what of the Halloween ball?” Draco dared to question. He really had no desire to attend that either. He was almost afraid to hear the answer to that query. He leaned back into his chair and took a large swig of his butterbeer. Rosmerta had won again, she crowed triumphantly as she gathered her winnings. Hagrid and Snape both claimed she cheated but could never figure out how she did it. Albus picked up the deck and began dealing before he answered Draco.

“Well I am afraid I lied about the Halloween ball. I said that it was optional for all the students. I am afraid it is not exactly optional for you, my lad. I would very much like for you to go and re-enter society. The students are beginning to whisper that you are a leper. So yes, you are going to the ball.” Dumbledore explained with a hint of mischief in his eyes. Draco grumbled.

“I socialize, what do you call this now?” Draco asked defiantly.

“I hardly call banter with a bunch of old card players healthy social skills.” Albus said amused. Rosmerta raised an eyebrow at his comment.

“Excuse me Albus, you may call yourself whatever you wish but I am not old.” Rosmerta said with a less-than-thrilled tone. Snape snorted at her statement which earned him an evil glare. Draco said nothing; he thought it was better to stay out of that one.

“Forgive me, my dear. You are as radiant as you were twenty years ago.” Albus said suavely. Rosmerta wasn’t exactly convinced. She still narrowed her eyes at him as Dumbledore finished dealing the next hand. Draco threw in his ante as he reached for his hand.

“Ahh come on! Don’t be such a big baby!” The Jack of Clubs exclaimed as Draco picked up his cards.

“Oh shut up!” Draco barked. The other occupants of the table laughed quietly.

“It seems the cards have spoken, Mr. Malfoy.” Snape said. Draco looked up and gave his Potion’s professor an evil glare. Severus only sniffed and looked back at his cards.

“You aren’t helping, Severus.” Draco growled.

“Forgive me.” Snape replied without ever looking up from his hand, his words dripping with sarcasm. The rest of night Draco tried his best to talk his way out of it, but to no avail; Albus wasn’t budging on this one. At the end of the night, when the players had collected each of their winnings and were making ready to go back into the castle, Draco gave a heavy sigh. It was a sigh of defeat.

“So when is this bloody field trip?” He asked painfully.

“The third week of November I am told.” Dumbledore replied as he, Draco and Snape walked back to the castle.

“How long is it?” Draco asked.

“It is just a day trip. You will leave early in the morning and return after dinner.” Albus explained.

‘Well, I suppose just one day is not so bad. At least we aren’t staying the night.’ Draco thought to himself. He figured he could probably handle a few hours amongst Muggles, without making a complete ass of himself.

“Before the students leave they will provided Muggle clothing, if they are without. And they will be changing wizard money to Muggle money so that you may go shopping if you like. Is that correct, Severus?” Dumbledore said, and then turned to Snape to confirm.

“That is what I have gathered from Professor Hallimer.” Snape replied. They had reached the door to the castle and Severus heaved the large wooden door open and held it for Albus and Draco. When they all were inside, before they parted ways to their respective chambers, Albus said good night to the both of them and gave one last mischievous poke at Draco.

“I do hope you have something nice for the ball, Draco. We must look our best, mustn’t we?” Albus said teasingly and the made his way up the stairwell before Draco could reply.