126 Help pt.1

Daphne left Ginny alone as she turned back towards Draco and started chatting with them. Ginny stayed silent as she looked back at her brothers at the Gryffindor table wondering what she was going to do.

The feast was over and as they were about to leave, Professor McGonagall came over towards Draco, "Mr. Black, The headmaster would like to have a word with you."

Draco nodded, "Don't wait for me." He said to the others and went with McGonagall following her towards Dumbledore's office.

Dumbledore's office was just as Draco remembered. Draco walked in there with McGonagall and inside there was Snape along with Dumbledore waiting for him.

"Am I in trouble?" Draco said awkwardly looking at them, as they were staring at him a bit too intensely. He wondered if it was something to do with the car.

"Not at all, Mr. Black." Dumbledore said, "Please take a seat, first."

Draco nodded and sat in the chair, as he looked at Snape wondering what was going on but the other party just shook his head.

"This summer vacation has been a bit too complicated for you." Dumbledore said with a pleasing voice, "So first of all, I'd like to apologize for our absence."

"It's fine." Draco said shaking his head, "We already had a lot of people helping me, including the minister and besides I heard that you were looking after Potter as well, so I don't think it really matters."

Dumbledore took a deep breath, his gaze not leaving Draco at all, "Mr. Black, you know I'd always thought that things were under my control but these days, I've started realizing that this wasn't the case at all."

"So let me get this straight-- am I here because of Voldemort or am I here to listen to you losing control over things." Draco said.

"Mr. Black--" McGonagall wanted to say something but Dumbledore stopped her.

"Just suggesting, I can be a very good listener, you know?" Draco said with a smile.

"Since you've already figured it out, get straight to the point." Snape said. "We want to know about Pius."

"Haven't you read the papers?"

"We have Mr. Black." Dumbledore said, "But things aren't always what they seem to be and I would rather hear it from you than the newspaper."

Draco rolled his eyes, "Was Pius a Voldemort supporter, I don't know-- was he connected with Voldemort, that I don't know-- I know what you know, and that's all I know."

Dumbledore stared at Draco for a while and sighed, "Let's forget about that for now, I want to talk to your request about you going on a school visit to Durmstrang... May I know, why?"

"No specific reasons." Draco said, "I want to check the school my father has been asking to go for ages, let's just say I want to pick a school right for me."

"Mr. Black, you should know that most of the curriculum of both the schools are very similar," Dumbledore said. "There isn't anything that we can't teach that Durmstrang can."

"Of course I do know that but there are a few extra teachings I am interested in, that I am sure Hogwarts wouldn't teach." Draco said, "And besides, I just want to go there to feel the study environment there, so you don't have to worry about me switching schools."

Dumbledore could understand a little bit of meaning behind Draco's words but there wasn't really anything he could do right now to stop Draco, he had already figured that something weird was happening but he just couldn't point out what it was. The board, the minister and even Karkaroff was okay with Draco transferring there for a term or two.

"You will transfer to Durmstrang in November and return in May, your exams would be held like regular and your finals would be held here at Hogwarts like the previous year." Dumbledore said. "Congratulation in being the first exchange student in years."

Dumbledore handed Draco a couple of document, which he after reading nodded, "Thank you."

"No need to thank me, Mr. Black as for your circumstances I have informed every Professor here, so you don't have to worry about it as for with Mr. Lockhart--"

"Those are just rumors." Draco said with a straight face since no one really knows for sure he didn't care much about people's opinion and even if Dumbledore knew that it was a lie, there wasn't anything else can he do. 'Thinking about it, would he really care?' Draco thought to himself looking straight at Dumbledore, wondering what was wrong with him to have Lockhart as the Defence Against the Dark teacher, for sure he knew about Lockhart but why keep him here still, was he that desperate for a teacher or did he have other motives.

"Is there anything wrong Mr. Black?" Dumbledore asked.

"No, nothing."

"I hope that things are the way you say it is." Dumbledore said, "It will leave me with a peace of mind, Also congratulation on your first Order of Merlin award, I am sure you will win plenty in the future."

"Thank you, but I really hope not--it will save me quite a lot of trouble," Draco said with a smile, "Also, the thing I've mentioned to you before."

"I am working on it." Dumbledore said, "I've talked with Professors, and it really is a good idea but I want to make sure the activities don't hinder the student's school work and besides without you here, wouldn't it be difficult to do so."

"It's all extra activities and to learn something... as long as the people have a passion for it, I am sure it wouldn't be hard at all and they can learn things without even me being here." Draco said, "And if the club is approved quickly, I still have two months to figure things out and manage things accordingly."

"I'll be sure to inform you when I've dealt with certain things," Dumbledore said. "That is all for today, I apologize for wasting your time since you might be very tired."

"It's not a problem at all." Draco said, "If that is all, then I'll be taking my leave."

Draco stood up and left for the door with Snape following him from behind.

"Is it okay for you leave things like this?" McGonagall said, "With things getting so complicated once again and that child being the center of it... shouldn't we at least ask more questions?"

"I've got the answers that I wanted." Dumbledore said, "He's really a clever kid, and one of the more intelligent ones, the only difference I can see is that one of them wanted to prove that he is different while the other wants to prove that he is the same but superior, I wonder what's worse."

McGonagall didn't understand what Dumbledore meant as she stayed quiet, trying to find the meaning behind his words.

-------------------------------------

Draco sighed walking outside Dumbledore's office, talking with him was always annoying since he couldn't lie completely but had to maneuver his way around the topic, talking in metaphors without completely telling the complete answer as well.

"Are you done sighing?" Snape said walking behind him.

"Not really but do you want to ask me something as well?" Draco said looking at Snape.

"Hmph! your work is done." Snape said, "Are you sure you want to do this?"

"I am plenty sure." Draco said, "I wouldn't ask you for your help if I could do this alone."