Cold Beboots was cold

[beboots]

The final evening at Christmas Reflections at Fort Edmonton! It ended up being like -27C in the river valley... The poor draft horses had frost all over their coats, and were brought into the stables (switched out for tractors AKA "mechanical horses" ;) ) halfway through the evening. I took a shower right before I left for work, and I put my hair in braids while wet. So after I lit the bonfires, and I realized about an hour into my shift that my braids had frozen. SOLID. Like, icicle cores. D: 

CHECK IT OUT



PIPI LONGSTOCKING COSPLAYS = NOW RIDICULOUSLY EASY. 

And for comparison purposes, here is what it looks like defrosted. SO FLOPPY



Here is a shot of the glorious bonfire I made yesterday, to warm you up wherever you are. :)

Comments

[beboots.livejournal.com]

I agree: it's a very important scene (I've fiddled around with it SO MUCH since I sent that document to you). Hermione gets a hint of Draco's mindset... but it also shows that he is willing to change. A bit. At least superficially. He comes to mean what he said later. (The apology, I mean.) I think that Hermione only relates that conversation to her fellow Gryffindors at a later date, and Ron uses it as a "see, that's what he thinks, deep down, about you!" and Hermione is uneasy about the whole thing, but defends Draco anyway. He had just better live up to her expectations... and he does, at the end of their first year, at least, when they go after the philosopher's stone.

I'm sure that as Draco's heading down and going through all of the tasks with them he has several moments of "Wait, so HOW did I get here again??" and then he's understandably distracted by like giant chess pieces attacking him or whatever. He's also got to be of some use in those tasks... I should probably fiddle around with the symbolism of the chess game too... what piece should he be, I wonder? Another bishop, perhaps, going diagonally, never facing opponents directly?

I also need to have a few scenes in which Draco seems unnecessarily jumpy/hiding his trauma badly. I need to have the idea of domestic abuse at the Malfoy home implanted in Hermione's mind, too, not just her parents... Perhaps right after Christmas, so there's more of a correlation between Draco's home life and his mannerisms? Malfoy Manor does hold a lot of bad memories of the war and his role in it for him, after all...

[feral-shrew.livejournal.com]

"I agree: it's a very important scene (I've fiddled around with it SO MUCH since I sent that document to you). Hermione gets a hint of Draco's mindset... but it also shows that he is willing to change. A bit. At least superficially. He comes to mean what he said later. (The apology, I mean.)" I think it's a huge moment for both of them. He gets the sense that there are things he can do to permanently lose her (as an ally, of course), and she knows for sure that he hasn't let go of his upbringing just yet. He knows he cannot afford to slip up around her.

"I think that Hermione only relates that conversation to her fellow Gryffindors at a later date, and Ron uses it as a "see, that's what he thinks, deep down, about you!" and Hermione is uneasy about the whole thing, but defends Draco anyway. He had just better live up to her expectations... and he does, at the end of their first year, at least, when they go after the philosopher's stone." That fits all of them so well. Draco's not eleven anymore, perhaps, but he still has a lot of insecurities, and I think he might have been angry with himself years later for ending up completely antagonistic to Potter. It might take going through first year a second time to realize what he did, or hearing some of Harry's personal history. Hagrid was the kid's first friend. Harry didn't have a friend until he was ELEVEN, and it doesn't really matter that it was this gigantic freaky half-giant. Once you do something like that for a Gryffindor, they're going to be on your side until you manage to completely offend them. That's not actually easy to do.

"I'm sure that as Draco's heading down and going through all of the tasks with them he has several moments of "Wait, so HOW did I get here again??" and then he's understandably distracted by like giant chess pieces attacking him or whatever. He's also got to be of some use in those tasks... I should probably fiddle around with the symbolism of the chess game too... what piece should he be, I wonder? Another bishop, perhaps, going diagonally, never facing opponents directly?" Oooooh, symbolism! Bishops also have the underling-to-a-higher-authority thing going for them (and I am Catholic, but I cannot stop looking at the Pope and seeing Emperor Palpatine, so that's the real symbolism I'm getting). If it works out again that Ron needs to sacrifice himself so everybody else can go forward, they have three other people. I'm not sure if Draco has the logic--most wizards don't, quoth the book, and he is not the most reasoned thinker in a crisis. He throws things like crucio without even thinking that he's in a school bathroom, and if anybody but Snape knew about that he'd be expelled and maybe in Azkaban.

"I also need to have a few scenes in which Draco seems unnecessarily jumpy/hiding his trauma badly. I need to have the idea of domestic abuse at the Malfoy home implanted in Hermione's mind, too, not just her parents... Perhaps right after Christmas, so there's more of a correlation between Draco's home life and his mannerisms? Malfoy Manor does hold a lot of bad memories of the war and his role in it for him, after all..." Maybe Hermione hugs him when he's back? Gryffindors are much more touchy people, she's excited, he might have sent her a Christmas present... part of the reason he flinches is "ew mudblood contamination," and he's not remotely used to people grabbing him, but Hermione can start wondering. She might see the same things in Harry from a very early stage, too, as long as she found them in someone else.

[beboots.livejournal.com]

Definitely. Also, this honesty is a good point for him, because when Ron's all like "'MIONE HE'S THE SON OF A DEATH EATER HE CAN'T BE TRUSTED HE'S BEEN LYING TO YOU" she can be all like "Yes, Ron, I know. Calm down, he told me about that already."

"Draco's not eleven anymore, perhaps, but he still has a lot of insecurities" Oh yes, he's definitely got insecurities, I think. Especially since now he's going against everything he was every taught, you know? Where does that leave him? Also, what's a Malfoy without any money who hangs out with mudbloods and Gryffindors? Who is he, really, anymore?

"and I am Catholic, but I cannot stop looking at the Pope and seeing Emperor Palpatine, so that's the real symbolism I'm getting" XDD

" I'm not sure if Draco has the logic--most wizards don't, quoth the book, and he is not the most reasoned thinker in a crisis. He throws things like crucio without even thinking that he's in a school bathroom." Yeah, on second thought, Hermione will remain the logical one. ;) But at the very least Draco could help catch the key (in some sneaky way?) and, of course, make it to Quirrellmort with Harry. I figure that it's Draco that incapacitates Quirrell, temporarily, and gets Harry out of there (with the stone). I want Quirrell to be alive to villain again another day... :3

"Maybe Hermione hugs him when he's back? Gryffindors are much more touchy people, she's excited, he might have sent her a Christmas present... part of the reason he flinches is "ew mudblood contamination," and he's not remotely used to people grabbing him..." I really, really like this idea. HUGS TIEM. Also, the parallels with his mannerisms and Harry's... good idea. :3

[feral-shrew.livejournal.com]

Draco gets LOTS of points for being upfront about things, absolutely. It gets Hermione even more on his side, and he does get a bit of leeway on thinking that she really, really wouldn't like. (Just wait until she finds out about house elves, Draco. It will not be pretty.)

Draco's quite little again, and suddenly his opinion isn't all that respected. He's going out completely against his parents and the Malfoy philosophy, he doesn't have money to throw around, and it's a very valid point that he's losing most of his identity by doing this. (If it can come out somewhere, he might actually be happy to learn that Potter was nearly a Slytherin, just to get a bit of common ground--plus, he can finally teach Potter how to act appropriately. Using oneself as a meat shield is NOT STRATEGY, POTTER.)

"Yeah, on second thought, Hermione will remain the logical one. ;) But at the very least Draco could help catch the key (in some sneaky way?) and, of course, make it to Quirrellmort with Harry." Draco knows "accio." It's a damn useful spell, he sees the right key, names it-- "Accio key with (this color and characteristic with the slightly bent wings)." Boom. Doesn't even need a broom. Later, they have two people, and Hermione would want to go check on Ron. In her opinion, knowing some very advanced spells (accio's fourth-year, as she would know) is all to the good. She doesn't have confidence in herself as a fighter, so Draco and Harry can do it (and talk about a bonding experience-- they face down Voldemort together).

Plus, Draco in a room with Potter, Quirrelmort, and the Mirror of Erised. "What Draco sees" could go a long way toward increasing or decreasing his insecurities--maybe his family, alive, the world looking normal, Potter and Granger (and WTF why is Weasley even there) waving and smiling at him? Harry wants a family. I think Draco wants his family intact and proud of him, and Gryffindorks are a very different breed of friend.

"I figure that it's Draco that incapacitates Quirrell, temporarily, and gets Harry out of there (with the stone). I want Quirrell to be alive to villain again another day... :3" Yes please! Plus, Quirrel knows EXACTLY who that little beach-blond kidlet is, and then there can be Consequences very fast. They don't know about the blood protection yet (please, like they need to let Voldie touch Harry that early), and then it definitely makes sense for Draco to hide with the Grangers. She wasn't anywhere near Voldemort, she'll let him stay there again...

"I really, really like this idea. HUGS TIEM. Also, the parallels with his mannerisms and Harry's... good idea. :3" Hermione's the logical one, and I think she'll be furious with herself for not catching it before. (Never mind that she's eleven, and adults are supposed to be good. Most children cannot comprehend the idea that adults lie until they're seven.)

[beboots.livejournal.com]

"(Just wait until she finds out about house elves, Draco. It will not be pretty.)" Oh yeah, Draco wouldn't even think of telling her about them ("Doesn't everybody know about house elves?") and just doesn't understand her objections ("Don't they like working? What else would they do?"/"You could at least PAY THEM for the work they do!").

"Draco's quite little again, and suddenly his opinion isn't all that respected" Oh yeah, because he's too young to know any better, right? A few stern lectures and a month of restricted pocket money will set him right, y/y? :P

"(If it can come out somewhere, he might actually be happy to learn that Potter was nearly a Slytherin, just to get a bit of common ground--plus, he can finally teach Potter how to act appropriately. Using oneself as a meat shield is NOT STRATEGY, POTTER.)" Trufax. There will also be snide comments about telling Harry to let his Slytherin side shine through more often if only out of a sense of self-preservation. ;)

"Draco knows "accio." It's a damn useful spell, he sees the right key, names it-- "Accio key with (this color and characteristic with the slightly bent wings)." Boom. Doesn't even need a broom." Oh yeah, Draco isn't limited by first-year spell knowledge! ;) Also, that Devil's Snare: Draco could totally be like "incindio" or even something like "lumos maximus" or something and get that handled before anybody is really even strangled. ;)

"She doesn't have confidence in herself as a fighter, so Draco and Harry can do it (and talk about a bonding experience-- they face down Voldemort together)." Yeah, and Draco would probably not have it any other way. It's not like he really cares about Weasley much anyway. ;) Well, now he may have a bit more respect for him because while getting yourself killed in a chess game is one of the stupidest, most Gryffindor things you can do, it still takes balls. ;)

Yes, yes, and yes re: the Mirror or Erised. WTF why is Weasley there indeed. ;) The main figure could be older!Draco, too, but actually happy. Not drawn and tired and skinny from losing a dozen pounds due to stress, but... happy. With his parents but also mudbloods and blood traitors and half-breeds. CRAZY STUFF. Of course, he only really learns what he was seeing later when he asks Harry about it, because I'm not sure that Harry may have filled Draco in on this "mirror of desire" thing. So Draco's just really confused about it until he gets the backstory from Harry the next day in the hospital wing? ;)

(ALSO, DRACO IS TOTALLY HUMILIATED AT THE END OF YEAR FEAST WHEN HE'S GIVEN POINTS FOR BRAVERY TOO ALONG WITH THE GRYFFINDORKS GODDAMNIT.)

" Quirrel knows EXACTLY who that little beach-blond kidlet is, and then there can be Consequences very fast. They don't know about the blood protection yet (please, like they need to let Voldie touch Harry that early), and then it definitely makes sense for Draco to hide with the Grangers. She wasn't anywhere near Voldemort, she'll let him stay there again..." Ooh... good point! Of course, they wouldn't know this, really... maybe the Malfoy Manor's wards were tested a few times during the summer, and that is all Lucius knows about it? Also mysterious ache in the Dark Mark making Lucius uneasy? (I want Lucius to come over to Draco's side later on upon finding out about everything, but not before a discussion that ends up in a yelling match and possibly tears (manly tears) and broken explanations on Draco's part.)

"(Never mind that she's eleven, and adults are supposed to be good. Most children cannot comprehend the idea that adults lie until they're seven.)" Well, she already knows that adults can be assholes (see: Snape), so then it's just another hop skip and a jump... ;)

[feral-shrew.livejournal.com]

Maybe he could get her to actually speak with a few house-elves before starting out on ill-named campaigns? I've always been on her side, personally, but that was because the house elf dialect reminded me WAY too much of the dialect used by black people in historic fiction. It also edges too close to justifications used. "They like working." "They don't want to be paid." "There's this one weird little passage in the Book of Genesis that totally means they're meant to be slaves."

"Restricted pocket money" would probably disgust him as a punishment. Was that honestly the best they could do?

"There will also be snide comments about telling Harry to let his Slytherin side shine through more often if only out of a sense of self-preservation." Dual purpose. Harry gets more cunning, and you also have lots and lots of reinforcement about the odd concept of "you have worth. I don't want you to be hurt. I want you to feel safe and know your life isn't worth any of that."

"Oh yeah, Draco isn't limited by first-year spell knowledge! ;) Also, that Devil's Snare: Draco could totally be like "incindio" or even something like "lumos maximus" or something and get that handled before anybody is really even strangled. ;)" Incendio's a very good choice, since Fiendfyre is just dumb and Hermione can have her moment later with the logic-puzzle.

"Yeah, and Draco would probably not have it any other way. It's not like he really cares about Weasley much anyway. ;) Well, now he may have a bit more respect for him because while getting yourself killed in a chess game is one of the stupidest, most Gryffindor things you can do, it still takes balls." -laughs- Yes, that is how it'd work-- plus, Draco would respect that Ron took the hit himself. Weasley could have made Draco take the sacrifice, but instead Weasley manages to win the game without putting anybody else in danger.

"Yes, yes, and yes re: the Mirror or Erised. WTF why is Weasley there indeed. ;) The main figure could be older!Draco, too, but actually happy. Not drawn and tired and skinny from losing a dozen pounds due to stress, but... happy. With his parents but also mudbloods and blood traitors and half-breeds. CRAZY STUFF. Of course, he only really learns what he was seeing later when he asks Harry about it, because I'm not sure that Harry may have filled Draco in on this "mirror of desire" thing. So Draco's just really confused about it until he gets the backstory from Harry the next day in the hospital wing? ;)" SO MUCH YES-- himself, happy, with people all around him.

"(ALSO, DRACO IS TOTALLY HUMILIATED AT THE END OF YEAR FEAST WHEN HE'S GIVEN POINTS FOR BRAVERY TOO ALONG WITH THE GRYFFINDORKS GODDAMNIT.)" Yes please!!! DAMMIT DUMBLES GIVE HIM POINTS FOR CUNNING OR SOMETHING, SNAPE IS LOOKING AT HIM FUNNY.

"Ooh... good point! Of course, they wouldn't know this, really... maybe the Malfoy Manor's wards were tested a few times during the summer, and that is all Lucius knows about it? Also mysterious ache in the Dark Mark making Lucius uneasy? (I want Lucius to come over to Draco's side later on upon finding out about everything, but not before a discussion that ends up in a yelling match and possibly tears (manly tears) and broken explanations on Draco's part.)" oooh, yes please-- Lucius cares about family more than anything. Draco >> Voldie, end of story. If Voldie is threatening his son, that's it, we're out of the club. Lucius might even think about maybe feeling Snape out... nah, Snape's way too devoted to go against Voldemort.

"Well, she already knows that adults can be assholes (see: Snape), so then it's just another hop skip and a jump... ;)" He was horrible to her, but she defends him all along. Gryffindor to the bone.

[beboots.livejournal.com]

Yep, I could definitely play with Hermione, Draco and the house elf situation somehow... Possibly in third year? Or perhaps early on in second year with the Dobby thing... which could also serve to drive a further wedge between the two of them?

"Restricted pocket money" would probably disgust him as a punishment. Was that honestly the best they could do?" That's why it doesn't work with him anymore! Nothing short of the cruciatus or killing off people he loves will do the trick anymore. >_>

"Harry gets more cunning, and you also have lots and lots of reinforcement about the odd concept of "you have worth. I don't want you to be hurt. I want you to feel safe and know your life isn't worth any of that."" Aww, yeah, that's so true! You don't have to be self-sacrificing: there are people who care about you!

"Yes, that is how it'd work-- plus, Draco would respect that Ron took the hit himself. Weasley could have made Draco take the sacrifice, but instead Weasley manages to win the game without putting anybody else in danger." Oh yeah, that would work really well! Like, there was an opportunity where it could have been either Ron or Draco, and Ron picked himself... even though for the entire year he'd been bitching about filthy Junior Death Eaters. ;)

"SO MUCH YES-- himself, happy, with people all around him." I've already written bits of it. >_> I've got to be careful because he spots it in the middle of a fight scene, right? He's probably going to be almost fatally distracted. Isn't the Mirror of Erised famously enthralling?

"Yes please!!! DAMMIT DUMBLES GIVE HIM POINTS FOR CUNNING OR SOMETHING, SNAPE IS LOOKING AT HIM FUNNY." YES, THIS, EXACTLY!

"Lucius cares about family more than anything. Draco >> Voldie, end of story." In my original mental plan, it was actually Lucius who figures it all out first, but I'm really attached to the idea that Snape then Dumbledore find out in quick succession... I want to drag it out a bit longer with Lucius. I, again, also want to play with the idea that Lucius kind of sort of knows what it's like to go back in time, too, having done it himself to save his family. Note that while he went back in time to sort everything out for the Malfoys, he didn't go and warn Voldemort not to, y'know, go and kill a young married couple and baby despite the fact that he probably would have gotten brownie points for forever by doing it. ;) So there's a bit of precedence?

(Oh yeah, Snape's loyalty to the Dark Lord is unquestionable to the Slytherins. ;) )

[feral-shrew.livejournal.com]

Harry has weird stories about Dobby at the start of second year, if he talks to Hermione, and if she asks Draco... that could definitely lead to a fight. It's not the one thing that makes Draco back off, but it's something in a long list. He stayed with her over the summer, maybe, because Voldie's back (and if Draco stays with the Grangers to avoid Voldemort, Lucius might blame the Grangers for all changes in his son), but she's suddenly thinking she has some influence on the way he acts.

He's friends with Harry, thanks to the mutual adventure at the end of first year. Hermione is being unreasonable and doesn't know anything about wizarding culture, at all, and he really might not like the idea that he owes her/her family anything for their hospitality. He might have spent that summer being unhappy with all of the outings they kept trying to plan.

"That's why it doesn't work with him anymore! Nothing short of the cruciatus or killing off people he loves will do the trick anymore. >_>" And Lucius isn't exactly going to start on that.

"Aww, yeah, that's so true! You don't have to be self-sacrificing: there are people who care about you!" Draco might not be happy to reinforce all that at first, and needs to do it because the world needs Potter to live. Later... his friend deserves to know that, because he doesn't.

"Oh yeah, that would work really well! Like, there was an opportunity where it could have been either Ron or Draco, and Ron picked himself... even though for the entire year he'd been bitching about filthy Junior Death Eaters. ;)" That is SO RON. He'll whine and bitch and moan and have giant prolonged temper tantrums (thank you, canon), but when it comes down to it he's going to do the right thing. Eventually.

"I've already written bits of it. >_> I've got to be careful because he spots it in the middle of a fight scene, right? He's probably going to be almost fatally distracted. Isn't the Mirror of Erised famously enthralling?" Harry got to stand around with nothing more dangerous than Albus looking on, Draco has Voldemort throwing spells.

"In my original mental plan, it was actually Lucius who figures it all out first, but I'm really attached to the idea that Snape then Dumbledore find out in quick succession... I want to drag it out a bit longer with Lucius. I, again, also want to play with the idea that Lucius kind of sort of knows what it's like to go back in time, too, having done it himself to save his family. Note that while he went back in time to sort everything out for the Malfoys, he didn't go and warn Voldemort not to, y'know, go and kill a young married couple and baby despite the fact that he probably would have gotten brownie points for forever by doing it. ;) So there's a bit of precedence?"

Plus, Draco can be very sure that Snape actually ISN'T Voldemort's man first, and that is going to take a lot of convincing before Lucius will believe that. Snape is one of the absolute favorites. I always had the feeling that Lucius was behind Bella and Severus, and Malfoy only stayed that high for his money and bribery skills. Bella's the batshit enthusiastic enforcer, Severus is Tom's favorite-- smart, misanthropic, very good at what he does, Slytherin to the core. (Self-preservation wins over all, Tom. You forgot that part.)

[beboots.livejournal.com]

"but she's suddenly thinking she has some influence on the way he acts." Yeah, he's not going to let a child boss him around, especially a mudblood who thinks she knows something about wizarding tradition or something. :P

"because Voldie's back (and if Draco stays with the Grangers to avoid Voldemort, Lucius might blame the Grangers for all changes in his son)" Ooh, that good be a good secondary reason for leaving Malfoy Manor and staying away: he doesn't quite trust his father not to have something to do with Voldemort.

""That's why it doesn't work with him anymore! Nothing short of the cruciatus or killing off people he loves will do the trick anymore. >_>" And Lucius isn't exactly going to start on that." Therefore, Lucius has no power over Draco. Or, at least, nothing beyond "*disappointed fatherly look*"

"That is SO RON. He'll whine and bitch and moan and have giant prolonged temper tantrums (thank you, canon), but when it comes down to it he's going to do the right thing. Eventually." He'll still bitch about it afterwards, too! \o/

"I always had the feeling that Lucius was behind Bella and Severus, and Malfoy only stayed that high for his money and bribery skills. Bella's the batshit enthusiastic enforcer, Severus is Tom's favorite-- smart, misanthropic, very good at what he does, Slytherin to the core. (Self-preservation wins over all, Tom. You forgot that part.)" I like this headcanon. :3

[feral-shrew.livejournal.com]

"Yeah, he's not going to let a child boss him around, especially a mudblood who thinks she knows something about wizarding tradition or something. :P" It's a bad, bad setup, especially if he's precocious and getting a few of the teenage "NOBODY tells me what to do" instincts. She might start thinking that they're really close friends, when he's thinking more "she's useful," and... it's not at all a good setup.

"Ooh, that good be a good secondary reason for leaving Malfoy Manor and staying away: he doesn't quite trust his father not to have something to do with Voldemort." Right. Draco doesn't want to get involved in all of that, and might not have any idea what Lucius would do. Draco might think he'd lose out to Voldemort.

"Therefore, Lucius has no power over Draco. Or, at least, nothing beyond "*disappointed fatherly look*"" But who knows, that just might work if timed correctly.

"He'll still bitch about it afterwards, too! \o/" Ron will bitch, but Hermione will be very proud of him for protecting Draco. Happy-Hermione might make Ron feel a little better, and the same with the house points.

"I like this headcanon. :3" I really think Snape was on the very, very short list of Trusted Death Eaters. There's no other way he could get back into the inner circle like that, and post-fourth year Snape was more trusted than Lucius. Book-canon, Snape is the only person besides Voldie that can do the crazy flying thing. Besides, Snape is pulling... um... triple-agent status? Voldie knows that he's in with Albus, but Voldemort is convinced that the Albus-spying is for Voldie's behalf, and Albus is the one that's tricked. Then Albus is dead and Snape is STILL not really on Voldie's side.

Lucius is going to be very, very surprised.

[beboots.livejournal.com]

"She might start thinking that they're really close friends, when he's thinking more "she's useful," and... it's not at all a good setup." No, it's not a good setup, but the thing about hanging around with Granger is that she's actually starting to grow on him. Like mold, or something. He starts to notice when she's not clinging to him anymore... and he kind of misses it. It takes him a while to admit it, of course, but then again because he's been chillin' with Gryffindors he's had less chance to cultivate friendships amongst his fellow Slytherins, so he finds himself a little bit lonely too... he's being kept busy, of course, by Snape and Dumbledore, but...

""Therefore, Lucius has no power over Draco. Or, at least, nothing beyond "*disappointed fatherly look*"" But who knows, that just might work if timed correctly." Yes, because deep down Draco still wants his father's approval.

"I really think Snape was on the very, very short list of Trusted Death Eaters. There's no other way he could get back into the inner circle like that." Plus he is an ideally-placed superawesome spy. I can see Snape talking with the other Death Eaters and saying the equivalent of "lol, and Dumbledore fell for it... AGAIN! I mean, I dress in black and have the tattoo and everything! So gullible."

But won't that surprise be a glorious thing to read? :D

[feral-shrew.livejournal.com]

"No, it's not a good setup, but the thing about hanging around with Granger is that she's actually starting to grow on him. Like mold, or something." He would put it that way. She's infecting him or just... she wasn't supposed to change him.

"He starts to notice when she's not clinging to him anymore... and he kind of misses it. It takes him a while to admit it, of course, but then again because he's been chillin' with Gryffindors he's had less chance to cultivate friendships amongst his fellow Slytherins, so he finds himself a little bit lonely too... he's being kept busy, of course, by Snape and Dumbledore, but..." But she fusses over him, a little, and he would overhear her defending him at some point. Not that he NEEDS to be defended to Gryffindors, especially not to a Weasley, but she doesn't know he's listening. She doesn't think he'll hear about it. She still will defend him because that's what she thinks friends do.

(And if she's not hanging out with Weasley and Potter so much, it's not like he's going to notice. She's paired up with Longbottom in most classes, of course her obvious spellwork is suffering. She's probably wasting her classtime tutoring the dolt and then catching up herself later, or maybe she finally learned the merits of blending in-- she finally stopped trying to answer all of the questions in Potions. Gryffindors are like Slytherins, right? They do all of their friend-making in the Common Room like civilized people, and if she's alone at some meals it's because the books take up all her space-- sometimes she even takes notes at meals, how odd.)

"Yes, because deep down Draco still wants his father's approval." So it'll be very cool if he has Lucius acting against Voldemort, just on his time-traveling son's word. Family first.

"Plus he is an ideally-placed superawesome spy. I can see Snape talking with the other Death Eaters and saying the equivalent of "lol, and Dumbledore fell for it... AGAIN! I mean, I dress in black and have the tattoo and everything! So gullible."" OMG yes! Snape is so totally evil. He's a complete bastard, Dumbledore thinks he has a pet Death Eater isn't that cute, Snape rips his colleagues and students apart for the group's amusement... pity no graduating Slytherin much impresses Snape recently, kids are weak now, not even worth recruiting.

"But won't that surprise be a glorious thing to read? :D" OMG SNAPE IS TEH GOOD GUY. It might even come out through Hermione, if Snape causes that brief period where her grades shoot up and she's actually talking to her classmates, but I'd imagine it's a pretty short relapse. She might even try getting rid of the diary, like Ginny did, but... well. Draco has an entirely different reason to want to stay with the Grangers the next summer.

[beboots.livejournal.com]

Yeah, "mold" isn't a perfect metaphor... but maybe even he could acknowledge that. ;)

"But she fusses over him, a little, and he would overhear her defending him at some point. Not that he NEEDS to be defended to Gryffindors, especially not to a Weasley, but she doesn't know he's listening. She doesn't think he'll hear about it. She still will defend him because that's what she thinks friends do." Yeah, I like that idea. :) Perhaps he overhears Weasley ranting about him, and he hangs back thinking "damn, I have to do something extra-awesome to make sure Weasley looks like he's lying again..." and then he doesn't have to because Hermione steps in! (So she's also being useful. But also a good friend. ;) )

"She's paired up with Longbottom in most classes, of course her obvious spellwork is suffering." Lol he would think that. XD

"Gryffindors are like Slytherins, right? They do all of their friend-making in the Common Room like civilized people, and if she's alone at some meals it's because the books take up all her space-- sometimes she even takes notes at meals, how odd." Nice. I will use this. :3

"So it'll be very cool if he has Lucius acting against Voldemort, just on his time-traveling son's word. Family first." Aww yeah. >:3

"OMG yes! Snape is so totally evil. He's a complete bastard, Dumbledore thinks he has a pet Death Eater isn't that cute, Snape rips his colleagues and students apart for the group's amusement... pity no graduating Slytherin much impresses Snape recently, kids are weak now, not even worth recruiting." TRUFAX.

"Draco has an entirely different reason to want to stay with the Grangers the next summer." Yes, definitely. I think that while the first summer was a lot of happy (confusing) funtimes, the second summer will be much more serious, and Draco and Hermione will be much more honest with each other... to a certain extent. They both need to work through their problems.

[feral-shrew.livejournal.com]

"Yeah, I like that idea. :) Perhaps he overhears Weasley ranting about him, and he hangs back thinking "damn, I have to do something extra-awesome to make sure Weasley looks like he's lying again..." and then he doesn't have to because Hermione steps in! (So she's also being useful. But also a good friend. ;) )" She's saving his reputation with Potter, but it's also kind of nice--to know his reputation doesn't need so much reputation with her there to do all the heavy lifting, that's all. Not that he cares. Even if it is a complete novelty to have somebody trusting you against convincing arguments.

Draco has entirely the wrong understanding to approach this like anybody else. He and Hermione will have some epic cases of missed assumptions, but when they finally get it right, she's the witch you want when you need something fixed.

"Yes, definitely. I think that while the first summer was a lot of happy (confusing) funtimes, the second summer will be much more serious, and Draco and Hermione will be much more honest with each other... to a certain extent. They both need to work through their problems. " I think Draco can be much more understanding than she expects, too, and that might be a hint for her later. Draco actually does understand that Voldemort is ridiculously charismatic, and that it's very, very hard to deny him something that he wants.

I've had this song stuck in my head for the last twenty-four hours, and in the last few minutes it's made me think of Draco. "Heaven forbid you end up alone, and don't know why/ Hold on tight and wait for tomorrow / you'll be alright"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3SZtkIKSAk

[beboots.livejournal.com]

"Even if it is a complete novelty to have somebody trusting you against convincing arguments." Trufax. :) This is a pretty foreign concept for a Slytherin. It's easy to mistake for gullibility, but it's somehow different.

"I think Draco can be much more understanding than she expects, too, and that might be a hint for her later. Draco actually does understand that Voldemort is ridiculously charismatic, and that it's very, very hard to deny him something that he wants." He also has experience with dealing with TRAUMA. I'm sure he has some coping techniques he could pass along.

Yay for music recommendations! :)

[feral-shrew.livejournal.com]

"This is a pretty foreign concept for a Slytherin. It's easy to mistake for gullibility, but it's somehow different." He knows that Hermione isn't all that easy to fool (especially if he's tried that himself). It's some weird Gryffindor thing where they seem to think that you always need to defend an ally of yours, no matter what.

" He also has experience with dealing with TRAUMA. I'm sure he has some coping techniques he could pass along." I think he would be much more sympathetic than either of them expect. He could try to pass it off as "I did it, you can do it," but it might be a little different seeing it in a very young girl (and potentially feeling like some of this is his fault). It might be one of the first times that he actually sets out to comfort somebody, too. Slytherins and Death Eaters stand alone, Gryffindors aren't above getting help when they need it.

[beboots.livejournal.com]

"but it might be a little different seeing it in a very young girl (and potentially feeling like some of this is his fault)." Yeah, at least the majority of his trauma happened after he hit puberty.

(I've totally been writing more of the scene where Snape, and now Dumbledore, read Draco's mind. :3 It's so much fun to write! I'm not sure if I should have Snape leave the room to get Dumbledore, or just use the floo to talk to Dumbles in his office. I mean, how would Snape explain what he just found out?)

[feral-shrew.livejournal.com]

"Yeah, at least the majority of his trauma happened after he hit puberty." She's very young, she stood up for him, and all of her new friends kind of ditched her while all of her problems were going on. He just might end up with a lasting protective instinct from all this.

(I've totally been writing more of the scene where Snape, and now Dumbledore, read Draco's mind. :3 It's so much fun to write! I'm not sure if I should have Snape leave the room to get Dumbledore, or just use the floo to talk to Dumbles in his office. I mean, how would Snape explain what he just found out?)

It depends on whether Snape wants to leave Draco alone while he's dealing with Albus. Snape definitely has a good enough relationship that he can lean into the floo, bark out that he needs Albus, and wait for Dumbledore to step through and visit. If Snape is at all spooked (it happens, not that it's likely to show), he doesn't want to give Draco the chance to run, maybe?

[beboots.livejournal.com]

"He just might end up with a lasting protective instinct from all this." Trufax. Besides, the Malfoys are all about instincts like protectiveness, greed, etc. ;)

"It depends on whether Snape wants to leave Draco alone while he's dealing with Albus. Snape definitely has a good enough relationship that he can lean into the floo, bark out that he needs Albus, and wait for Dumbledore to step through and visit." At the moment I have him leaving the room to go get Albus for two reasons: a) so he can prep Albus on what the hell is going on (which is why Albus immediately goes for the legitimens to verify what Snape has told him) and b) he wants to give Draco time to collect himself (he's kind of hyperventilating and there may possibly be tears because Snape essentially just ripped through all of his bad memories of the future at once)... and possibly c) to show that Draco is not a prisoner and that he wants Draco to be able to trust him. Or something. (I also think that Snape is just a little bit spooked, though.)

[feral-shrew.livejournal.com]

"Trufax. Besides, the Malfoys are all about instincts like protectiveness, greed, etc. ;)" I bet Draco could make it all work without compromising any of his principles (at least in the strict definition). After second year, he can talk to her parents, let them tell him about their family tree, and decide she's obviously got witch blood somewhere. Halfbloods are okay, especially if they've got talent, and obviously (random relative) is from (random family).

(If Tom Riddle can pass himself off as a pureblood, Draco can easily convince himself someone as smart as Hermione is a halfblood. The strange part will be when he realizes just how many halfbloods/mudbloods rank exactly with (or even above) the purebloods.)

"At the moment I have him leaving the room to go get Albus for two reasons: a) so he can prep Albus on what the hell is going on (which is why Albus immediately goes for the legitimens to verify what Snape has told him) and b) he wants to give Draco time to collect himself (he's kind of hyperventilating and there may possibly be tears because Snape essentially just ripped through all of his bad memories of the future at once)..." Both very excellent reasons, especially since in that case Snape's not much worried about Draco scampering off. Even if Draco tried-- Snape's his head of house, Slytherin won't protect him from Snape.

"and possibly c) to show that Draco is not a prisoner and that he wants Draco to be able to trust him. Or something. (I also think that Snape is just a little bit spooked, though.)" Albus can think of the third reason, perhaps? Snape's probably very surprised, and not at all used to being surprised. It wouldn't help that Draco probably had his mind on all of the reasons he made his choice, and there are some very dark thoughts in there that make Snape go "yeah, that's pretty unhappy."

[beboots.livejournal.com]

"(If Tom Riddle can pass himself off as a pureblood, Draco can easily convince himself someone as smart as Hermione is a halfblood. The strange part will be when he realizes just how many halfbloods/mudbloods rank exactly with (or even above) the purebloods.)" They'll be an eventual breakdown of the system in his mind, I think, when he just has to throw his hands up into the hair and go "FUCK IT I CAN'T FIGURE OUT JUSTIFICATIONS ANYMORE!" but it will not happen very easily or quickly. :P

"Both very excellent reasons, especially since in that case Snape's not much worried about Draco scampering off. Even if Draco tried-- Snape's his head of house, Slytherin won't protect him from Snape." Yeah, and like, where is he going to go? Plus, the portraits will tell Snape where he went, I think, or he could send a house elf after him if completely necessary... The wizarding world has WAYS of finding other people, especially within the walls of Hogwarts.

"Albus can think of the third reason, perhaps? Snape's probably very surprised, and not at all used to being surprised. It wouldn't help that Draco probably had his mind on all of the reasons he made his choice, and there are some very dark thoughts in there that make Snape go "yeah, that's pretty unhappy."" Definitely, definitely. It still takes a little while for Draco to work through his freaked-out-ness to slowly realize that Dumbledore actually ISN'T the enemy in all of this. ;) He's gone on for so long thinking of Dumbledore as the enemy - and killed him, in fact - and it just takes a while for that mental change to occur from "eccentric elderly enemy" to "awesome ally".

[feral-shrew.livejournal.com]

"They'll be an eventual breakdown of the system in his mind, I think, when he just has to throw his hands up into the hair and go "FUCK IT I CAN'T FIGURE OUT JUSTIFICATIONS ANYMORE!" but it will not happen very easily or quickly. :P" I've seen that happen. A couple friends are ex-racists/ex-homophobes. I've contributed to that process myself, because they were young enough that "fine, your parents set this in your head, but get it out or I really can't justify liking you all that much." I'd listen to the rant, politely contradict points when I had the logic just perfect, and wait for the justifications to stop coming. It took three years to see a start, but my friend's on his way.

"Yeah, and like, where is he going to go? Plus, the portraits will tell Snape where he went, I think, or he could send a house elf after him if completely necessary... The wizarding world has WAYS of finding other people, especially within the walls of Hogwarts." Right. Especially when it's A) a professor B) a Head of House inside his own domain (which is "the entirety of the dungeons," for him) and C) Snape. He was a triple agent while maintaining a full Potions curriculum and probably doing research on the side.

"Definitely, definitely. It still takes a little while for Draco to work through his freaked-out-ness to slowly realize that Dumbledore actually ISN'T the enemy in all of this. ;) He's gone on for so long thinking of Dumbledore as the enemy - and killed him, in fact - and it just takes a while for that mental change to occur from "eccentric elderly enemy" to "awesome ally"."

Snape might help him that one. Albus's ways are incomprehensible to anyone who isn't a dotty old Gryffindor, maybe, but the results are generally good.

[beboots.livejournal.com]

Awesome! Undermining racism, one person at a time. :)

"Especially when it's A) a professor B) a Head of House inside his own domain (which is "the entirety of the dungeons," for him) and C) Snape. He was a triple agent while maintaining a full Potions curriculum and probably doing research on the side." Aww yeah. Also, making potions for Order members, I would imagine. Like Lupin, perhaps, at certain points. ;) SNAPE CAN HANDLE ALMOST ANYTHING.

"Snape might help him that one. Albus's ways are incomprehensible to anyone who isn't a dotty old Gryffindor, maybe, but the results are generally good." Trufax. It still takes Draco a while to digest all of these new concepts, of course. He still kicks himself for being slow off the mark in obliviating Snape, though, for a while... at least until he starts to see that it's nice to not be going at things alone anymore. ;)

[feral-shrew.livejournal.com]

"Awesome! Undermining racism, one person at a time. :)" Easiest way to do it, really. Doing it on a large scale usually gets some nasty feedback.

"Aww yeah. Also, making potions for Order members, I would imagine. Like Lupin, perhaps, at certain points. ;) SNAPE CAN HANDLE ALMOST ANYTHING." AND HE CAN HANDLE IT WITH STYLE. He can even handle partially-resurrected-Voldemort-that-dislikes-Snape. (Quirrelmort and Snape didn't get along, but that might be easily forgiven. Quirrel is an idiot, and of course Snape had plans in place. He was probably trying to get the philosopher's stone on Halloween to present to Voldie himself.)

"Trufax. It still takes Draco a while to digest all of these new concepts, of course. He still kicks himself for being slow off the mark in obliviating Snape, though, for a while... at least until he starts to see that it's nice to not be going at things alone anymore. ;)" Plus, he would have to have taken the step of obliviating Snape without being caught, being stopped, running into the best damn Occlumency shields in the world, getting caught in some backlash, or accidentally breaking something while Obliviating him. Hermione made it look like something you can manage after reading a couple articles in Book Seven and Movie Seven, but if you do it wrong, it can go very wrong, and if you make any dings in Snape's brain somebody is going to notice.

[beboots.livejournal.com]

"He was probably trying to get the philosopher's stone on Halloween to present to Voldie himself." You mean this is what Draco thinks?

"Plus, he would have to have taken the step of obliviating Snape without being caught, being stopped, running into the best damn Occlumency shields in the world, getting caught in some backlash, or accidentally breaking something while Obliviating him." Oh, Draco wasn't thinking of CONSEQUENCES. It was just an instinctive "ACK ERASE ERASE ERASE I DON'T WANT YOU TO KNOW!!1!" move on his part. I'm sure that once he calms down and thinks things through, he'll be glad it turned out the way it did. ;)