27 Come Across

(Draco POV)

"How are you doing Mr. Malfoy?" Dumbeldore asked as we stroll across the castle to his office.

"Good sir" I replied monotonously. Still can't forget the man I almost murdered in another life. The world didn't allow me to forget either.

"Why did you help me there, headmaster?" I just can't control myself. Why? Because Dumbeldore was never interested in me. In five years of my school life with him, this man has only one motive: to make Potter a hero.

Then why now?

"You are one peculiar kid, Mr. Malfoy. People of your caliber are usually... prideful and do not like to remain low-key"

"You are somewhat mature for your age" the amusement in his voice is obvious.

"It's just called smartness Headmaster. I have enough attention on me already, anymore and I will choke on it" Although I am panicking inside, I don't show it on my face.

"Then I can say Slytherin is lucky this year" he said with a chuckle.

"How can Slytherin be lucky then Gryffindor, especially having you and Wonder boy in it?" I said in a almost neutral voice.

"I can feel you harbor some misunderstanding regarding me and Harry, my boy" he said in his usual cheerful voice. The look of a kind old grandfather often make people forget about his  strength. But the more frightening thing about this man is not his magical prowess but his ability  to manipulate people and their emotions. Voldemort may look menacing but was played like a fiddle in the palm of this man. Even after death all of his actions are accurately predicted and countered by Dumbeldore.

I would have been fooled by him if not for dear Aunt Bella and my Uncle boring the lessons of Occlumency and Legilimency in my head with the most 'gentle' methods.

"If you feel some anguish, you can share it with me. I am all ears, my boy. You don't need to be wary of me, you are one of my student that I am responsible for"

His concerned tone does not match with his actions. The slight hypnosis with these sweet words to lower my defences with the familiar twinkle in his eyes.

I can feel a slight probing in my mind. Well what else can I expect from this old foggie.

(Dumbeldore POV)

"What a strange kid"

These words came out of my lips unconsciously as I watch him going away. I just can't get rid of this strange feeling around this boy. No one including 'him' can give me this feeling.

Those grey eyes look at me as if they can look through me, my thoughts, my plans all of it. It feels like I am naked in front of him.

I don't like this feeling.

The memories which I see in his head are different from what I imagined regarding his family.

["I said give it back, Malfoy." Harry said under the support of other Gryffindor's completely disregarding Blaise.]

[The first year Slytherins are going to their dormitory. As usual, Pansy, Theo, Blaise and Draco are together chatting about the events of the day.

"Hey look at that group of snakes, acting all high and mighty. Think they are better then everyone"

"Well the fact is they are indeed better. In dark arts and killing people"

A group of third- year Gryffindors said looking at them. They hated Slytherins, not only because of their house history but many of them have lost their close ones in the previous war with Death eaters.

Especially now that they saw the son of Lucius Malfoy and Nott Sr. the members of the inner circle of Dark Lord. Multiplying the fact is that these first year Slytherins are talented and Gryffindor saw them as a great threat.

Their saving grace is their Headmaster and the boy-who-lived but that didn't stop them from throwing snarky remarks at the little snakes.

Blaise who lose his cool after hearing them want to teach them a lesson.

"They are not worth it" Theo said placing a hand on his shoulders.

"We don't need anyone's judgment of how they see us. We have a clear conscience and each of us know about that" Pansy said soothing his nerves.

"Blaisey they don't deserve your anger" Draco said softly.

He nodded and they stroll away ignoring the provocative gazes thrown at them.]

Looking at the dazed expression of Draco, he let him go to his dorms. He felt a slight regret and doubt whether he is doing the right thing. Maybe he is wrong in favoring Gryffindor. But remembering his old student and the prophecy made his resolve harden.

No, I am not wrong. In a war, sacrifices are inevitable including myself. All of this is for the greater good.

(Draco POV)

'Who would have thought that I would meet Dumbeldore this early'

'I have to be more careful next time. Good thing I satisfied this old coot's curiosity. Just showing the general animosity towards the society's prejudices for the wrongs I haven't committed'

'Yes I have to lay low and play safe as long as possible by playing victim, a favorite role of Dumbeldore' I contemplate looking at the ground.

Feeling a gaze on me, I look towards a pair of dark eyes deep as abyss. There stood my head of the house, Severus Snape in front of me.

He turned around and started moving to his lab. As if in tactic understanding, I started moving around him.

(Third POV)

"What's this time?" Severus asked. Although this time there was an edge in his tone.

"Actually I was just there to find Pansy... I mean Ms. Parkinson to alert her of the troll".

"Of course how can I forget Mr. Malfoy's little childhood sweetheart" Severus said in a sarcastic tone with a stoic face which gives him a unique demeanour making Draco embarrassed. But his address to him as Mr. Malfoy gave away his anger to them.

"Are you angry uncle Sev?"

"It's Professor Snape and yes I am irritated by your brash behavior. Don't think for a second that I believed in Headmaster's fairy tale. I am more inclined towards believing facts and what I see with my own eyes"

"I'm disappointed Draco. I didn't expect such a rash behavior from you"

"Please try to understand Professor. I am just trying to help my friend. I had no idea that the troll will come at that exact time and place" He said earnestly.

After staring him in the eye for a good minute, the raven coloured man sighed and rubbed his temples.

"Look Draco I know you are capable but you are still an eleven year old. You have an undeveloped magic core and have no experience."

"Have you ever thought what would happen to your parents if something happened to you? What about your little group? Huh?" Severus was almost shouting at this point.

As if he was spilling the most difficult words out of his throat-

"What would happen to your Godfather?" but his only answer is silence from his godson.

After a moment he said,

"One week detention with Filch would set your head straight". When Draco thought he finished and thought about leaving.

"Leave some matters to adults. You are still too young to which you gave yourself credit for. Leave, your friends are waiting for you in the infirmary. God knows how I made them stay there. I don't why there are so many emotional fools in Slytherin this year" he said as if he is complaining to himself.

With that Draco left.