Title: A Stipulation of Prospering

Disclaimer: This work of fiction is in no way connected to the author of Harry Potter, JK Rowling. Harry Potter is owned by her, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.

Pairings: Eventual HPDM, mentions of one-sided SBRL, one-side SSLP, and RWHG. Any others will be mentioned as the story progresses.

Rating: T - +13 (Language, rating subject to change)

Warnings: WIP, creature!fic, mentions of abuse, possible depictions of on-going abuse, manipulations, and repressed emotions. Oh, and no character death of the HP or DM variety. Slash!

Summary: The end of the year holds no such childish dreams for Draco, only the arrival of the inevitable: his death. Eventual HPDM slash, AU, child abuse, creature!fic.

Author's Note: Yeah, this bunny just popped into my head while I was on Skype. It was forming as I typed, and I just had to write it!

Don't worry, I haven't abandoned Mentality in the least. Updates will come at their regular days. This is just the beginning of a way to ensure I'm not bored all the time.

Please do leave a review. I want some feedback.

Formatted for easy viewing using mobile devices.

Most importantly, this story is being beta-ed by the lovely CleopatraIsMyName. Yes, she is British. No more Americanisms, guys! Maybe just in the A/N, though xD

Prologue

It wasn't like Draco had ever asked for this to be thrust upon him, this condition. He didn't wake up one day and ask to be like this.

Which was why he was getting really ticked off by the way Potter was staring at him. Either he knew what was going on, or he was just feeling especially spiteful today.

Sulking in his room was sounding better and better already. Unfortunately, that came with its own misfortunes. Crabbe would probably complain about the waves of depression and ire coming off him again, and Goyle would just sit there and be stoic.

Groaning, Draco placed his head in both hands and prayed that he wouldn't cry.

"Mister Malfoy," Professor Dumbledore called for his attention, looking vaguely unimpressed, "Are you even listening?"

Instead of replying with usual his snark, Draco raised his head, and shrugged. He just shrugged. What else did you do when one of your family secrets is brought into the spotlight? At least, he thought that this was what this unprecedented meeting was about.

After all, Potter did see something he wasn't supposed to see.

So, he sulked, and he shrugged, and he just didn't care anymore.

Potter opened his mouth and said, "Look, Malfoy. Can't you just listen to the professor? It's not like he called us up here to discuss his favorite sweets." Potter stopped a moment and looked at Dumbledore warily, "You didn't, right?"

Dumbledore chuckled and replied, "No, not at all Mister Potter."

However, when he looked at Draco, his eyes had a certain gleam in them that spoke of terrible things. It was so completely unfair that Draco nearly refused to listen. But the headmaster was still looking at him and was looking malevolent, of all things, and his self-preservation flared up.

"Okay." He muttered, looking up at the headmaster, but making sure to not make any sort of eye contact. Though his father was cold and distant, at best, he wasn't one to ever put his son in unnecessary danger. He knew of Dumbledore's common tricks well enough to be able to avoid having his mind violated.

"Now, as I was saying, this fighting needs to cease. You provide an unnecessary distraction to your year mates with your ceaseless squabbling.

"As a result, you will be given a year-long punishment; you will share the same classes, eat with each other, and do homework every day.

"Since you are of different houses, your professors have provided you with a schedule."

With a flick of his wand, the old codger handed them each their own respective lists.

"Now, head right back to your classes. I already alerted Professor Snape that I would hold you back for the beginning of class."

And with that, Dumbledore looked down at his parchments and starting writing with a quill. Feeling thoroughly unwelcome, Draco strode to the door of the office.

"Coming, Potter?" He called behind himself, turning a bit on his heel. He rolled his eyes when he met the furious gaze of the other boy.

Not even bothering to stop any longer, Draco walked out of the office, haughtily. He breathed a sigh of relief when he realized that his secret was, fortunately, safe.

It wouldn't do for the pompous arsehole to know that Draco was doomed to die before the end of the year, unless he bonded with the idiot. And Draco Malfoy refused to be tied down to him, of all people.

Not until Draco was already near the entrance of the Slytherin Dungeons, did he realize that he and Potter would be spending all year together. Things just got a whole lot harder...