Private Message to Draco Malfoy

[alt_harry]

Hey.

I've been thinking the last few days. Alot.

I wanted to say I was sorry. For lots of things. But I wanted to say sorry first for what I said to you when I was angry. That was not on. And I'm sorry for your punishment. And that I didn't listen to you more.

Because you were right. I messed up. Okay? I made a mistake. It's my fault.

I can't promise anything, but I'm going to try to be better. I'm going to try and make a better impression for other people. Because I don't want either of you punished because of me like that any more. Not if I can do something about it. And I hope you're going to help me.

Comments

[alt_draco]

Thanks for apologising. The punishment wasn't too bad, though Father hasn't said yet if my essay passes muster.

You've said this sort of thing before. Thought usually only after I've been after you about it. So what makes this time different, if I can ask?

[alt_harry]

I don't know. Lots of things.

Being in the tournament for one.

It just seems more important now than it did. You know? And it's only going to get worse. The punishments. And I don't want that.

And yeah, I'd be lying if I didn't say that part of it was having to do it myself.

The crucio.

[alt_draco]

I can see that. If it's my father or your father doing it, it's probably easier to distance yourself from the whole thing.

I'll help you make a better impression, though. I suppose you think it will require being a massive prat to everyone, but it doesn't have to be like that, it can be subtle. Like letting people see you give orders to Granger more, both in public and in the journals.

[alt_harry]

Yeah. I can see that.

And if we practise writing it and stuff, it'll be easier for her to talk to me the right way when it really matters.

[alt_draco]

Another thing you can do, which will probably be quite a bit more difficult, is start to act like the "Harry Marvolo" people expect you to be. Think of it as a role, you know? So that when you're in public you're THE Lord Protector's son, even if the truth is well... not that. I don't mean that you need to be like your father, either. More like, being what people expect.

Like when I have to talk to people who don't really know me all that well, I'm being my father. Sometimes with a dash of Mother thrown in, too, because let's face it, she's better at putting people at ease.

[alt_harry]

Yeah. I'm not very good at that part.

And I don't know if I really know what people expect me to be.

And different people expect different things.

I guess I could sort out what I want people to expect. Because I don't want them to expect me to be a giant berk. Or someone they ought to be afraid of. Like really afraid of.

[alt_draco]

I think they expect you to be a little unknowable. You're above all of them, after all. So you can be kind of mysterious, and that's okay.

Does that sound easier?

[alt_harry]

Yeah. A bit.

And I liked sorting out things with Cedric too. So things would be fair. I wouldn't mind if people think I'm fair.

[alt_draco]

You should just check with me before you say any

Fair is alright. I don't see how people would object to that so long as if more or less falls in line with general attitudes about what fairness should be. And in Diggory's case, you would look like a berk if you ordered him out of the tournament or something. Even my Mother congratulated Diggory and said he was worthy.

[alt_harry]

Yeah.

I mean, I'm not going to just up and let him win. But I'd prefer a fair fight.

[alt_draco]

Let him win? Hmm. You've got a lot more confident since the first task, haven't you?

[alt_harry]

Hah!

Maybe.

Last I checked, I wasn't doing half bad.

[alt_draco]

I reckon first place isn't too bad, yeah.

Anyway, I'm almost done in the library. How about a few rounds of portkey in the common room before curfew?

[alt_harry]

Sure.