The day of the first task of the tournament was approaching and while everyone was excited and chatty, fooling around with the stupid badges and picking on Harry, my stomach was doing somersaults. I wasn't exactly worried about the plans. I knew that everything would work out. I had given Barty enough information to the dragons and tipping him off to Harrys flying talent, should have helped enough, if it even was needed. No, my mind was stuck on what came after. I had received a letter from my mother mere hours ago with an exact schedule what was expected from me during the holidays. A horrible 'family' dinner, report on school and an extravagant Christmas party on boxing day at the Malfoys'. I hated all those people the only ray of hope was the chance to maybe see my dad before entering this hell.

As I walked around the greenery in the yard during recess, I couldn't help but notice Harry. I pitied him for always being in the spotlight. His name was such a big deal that everyone always forgot he was just a kid and fellow peers could be very cruel. These buttons were proof of that. Shaking my head I wanted to leave this place as fast as possible, but the commotion on the other side drew me in. A group of people had gathered around... Urgh Potter and Malfoy. I didn't get why he acted like this in school. It was the one place where his parents couldn't control his life and still he was such a stuck up asshole. But on the other hand, he was in much deeper than I was. His home situation was horrible and his 'friends' weren't much better.
It all happened so fast. One Moment they were arguing and the next he drew his wand. However, before he could cast Professor Moody hurried over and transformed him into a white ferret.
What the hell! He continued to shake the poor thing. Angry I tried making my way through the crowd to get him to stop.
McGonagall was faster. As a fellow teacher she reprimanded him and got him to turn Draco back, who run straight away into the castle. Catching Moodys eyes I threw him a disapproving glare with headshake before following the boy. I didn't really like him, but I couldn't blame him knowing the way he was raised. This incident surely had been embarrassing and disturbing to him.

I finally found him in a secluded alcove in the dungeons. Rubbing my arm nervously I walked up to him. "Hey Draco. I understand that you probably don't want anyone to see you right now, but I'm here if you want to talk. I won't tell a soul. Promise."

Like predicted he snapped at me. "You're bloody right! Go away!"

Putting my arms up in surrender I slowly turned to walk away, yet I counted silently in my head. It took 11seconds and 2 steps until he called again.

"Wait!" His voice sounded weak, insecure. "You will tell no one?"

Smiling softly, I turned back to the younger boy. "Not a peep."

Without a word, he slid further to the side to allow me space. I took it without looking at him. I wanted to give him time to put himself together a bit before I faced him. Muffled sniffing ebbed down and I heard his robes shuffling, probably trying to cover up his tears.

Without expecting an answer I started to talk. "What Professor Moody did was not alright. He should have never done that. It was cruel. However, I hope you see that every action has a reaction and not everything is under your control. You shouldn't have drawn your wand on Harry Potter." I heard him taking a sharp breath as to retort something, but I was quicker. "Nohu! I don't wat to hear it. Firing at someone's back is cowardly. If you want to fight him, do it properly in a duel. I know that you are skilled, so don't let yourself be swept away by your emotions."

Grumbling, he looked up to me. "Weren't you supposed to make me feel better? Not lecture me?"

Shrugging I grinned. "I'm good at multitasking! But why did you do it?"

At that Draco crossed his arms defensively, before mumbling something nearly incomprehensive. "He called me pathetic. I couldn't let this stand like that, not in front of the others."

Sighing I shook my head. Peer pressure sure was a bitch. Mulling over my next move, I threw all doubts to the wind and gently placed my hands on his shoulders. He flinched at the touch, before facing me with an cracking mask of arrogance.

Yet again I hindered him to speak. Not before I had given my own two cents.

"I know that your family is all about pride. I know what it's like to be pressured to be better, to be perfect, to represent a name not yourself. But that isn't what is important. Only you can decide who you want to be. If everything you're doing is really the right way. At the end pride will let you fall, but honour will raise you up. "

By the end of my speech he stared wordless at his shoes. I could swear I could hear the minutes ticking by while I waited patiently for his reaction.

"But what if they don't like me anymore? What if I disappoint and disgrace my whole family?", he asked in a small voice.

"Who? Your friends? Then they were never real and you should let them leave. Friendship is worth nothing if it is for the wrong reasons. And your family? I don't know them very well, but I'm sure your mother will love you no matter what. As for your father... I know you put him on a high pedestal but that doesn't mean he is always right. You have to start making your own life decisions, step out of his shadow and stand up for yourself."

Scowling he shook his head. Defences raised once again. "Why should I listen to you? The only reason you are where you are is because of your mother."

At the mentioning of my mother my blood boiled up hot, but I didn't let it show.

"Yes, I am where I am because of her and I frankly don't care for it. I only want to finish school and then I will do as I please. I won't let her play me like a puppet. I want my own life away from all that lunacy she so worships."

Maybe it was foolish to tell him so much about myself, but it felt right. Maybe it could show him that there where different opinions, different ways. I never had paid much attention to him, but now I could see how much he buckled under the pressure. How it oppressed this young soul to fit the mold of a heartless, elitist. Not for the first time I felt hate for all these people, parents, who forced their kids into beliefs that couldn't be further from reality.

I finally released his shoulders where my hands were still resting so as not to put him under any more pressure than he already was. Instead, I leant against the wall behind us. Giving him time to sort out his thoughts.

"But wouldn't that mean you renounce her and forsaking all your inheritance? Why would you leave that privilege behind and become one of them..."

He gestures vaguely around and it didn't take much to know that he meant common folks, peasants. It surely must look foolish from the pedestal to throw away all this. Did he even know I was a half-blood? Did I want to disclose that to him? Within a second, I decided not to, not yet at least.

"There is nothing wrong with being one of them. There is no difference. We all are witches and wizards. Your money can't buy you happiness. Next time take a closer look around your peers. Even those who don't have a lot of money do their best, they live their lives to the fullest. Maybe someone of non magical birth is better in a subject that one of a 'pure' bloodline. The ones without money still have a lot of friends. There is nothing here that can not be accomplished even if you don't have your social standing. It's true that money and the status of your father can take care of a lot of things, but is it worth it? What is the worth in something you haven't accomplished yourself? If you take away all of that, what do you have left? Ask yourself who you would be without all your status, money and your parents."

Now he looked at me like I was crazy. Shrugging I crossed my arms comfortably. I didn't intent to change his mind in one conversation, but I surely had given him a lot to think about. Aaanndd I had diverted his mind off the recent events. Shaking his head he abruptly stood up.

"You're wrong! Maybe that's how you want to live, how to throw your life away, but that's ridiculous. I have everything I need! I like it the way it is! I don't want to waste more time listening to you, I'm leaving." With that he turned around and stumped away to the Slytherin quarters.

Grinning I called after him: "See you at the Christmas party!"