"N-No... ma'am, thank you though." He want to beg the governors for a handout, just to be turned down.
                              
"Very well. There is no shame in seeking help now and again, Mr. Malfoy. But if you change your mind, I will assist you," she said, formally, then going to the next topic. "Now, Draco, what classes will you be taking for your electives?"
                              
Draco took a deep breath and said, "I wanted to take Curse-Breaking, Magical Theory and Home Economics."
                              
"I see. Well, all those classes are on separate days, so there is no conflict. An interesting selection, to say the least. I believe you should do fine. Next issue, is the dorm situation working out? I was loathe to put you into Slytherin House for more than one reason. I understand that there was an incident will a fifth year on the train?"
                              
Draco only nodded.
                              
"Mr. Baddock has complained about his treatment and Madam Pomfrey says there is nothing to be done."
                              
"I didn't hex him," Draco stated quickly.
                              
"Obviously, unless you have another wand. But do try to restrain your friends, Draco. You will not be held accountable, by me at least, for their actions, but they are only stirring the animosity. Hexes that last for days or longer create more resentment than necessary."
                              
"I understand." Draco swallowed hard. "Umm... P-Professor... I don't want to be a p-prefect anymore."
                              
"Oh... but your name will remain on the prefect scroll, Mr. Malfoy. If you choose not to wear your badge, that is on you. But you have my permission to wear it," she said, fairly generous for a student on probation for participating in the murder of one of the former occupants of her office.
                              
McGonagall let out a sigh and then said after a long pause, "I am also going to insist that you restrict yourself to the grounds and that you return to your dorm after the night classes are over. This is more for your safety, than a punishment. I don't want you out at night time alone."
                              
"I understand," he said, but then muttered. "Professor... I... umm...."
                              
"Yes?"
                              
"On the train..." he started.
                              
"Mr. Potter sent me a Patronus from the train and I did contact the Ministry. It is their opinion that it was Mr. Potter's "imagination" and that all dementors are accounted for in Azkaban."
                              
Draco was impressed by the level of contempt McGonagall put into her voice. She had no problem believing Potter.
                              
"It was... one," he said, mumbling. "I... I don't know if you'll believe me...."
                              
"I already believe Mr. Potter, there's no reason to be stressed. Now, you should...."
                              
"Sorry, professor... I meant..." he stopped, amazed he had interrupted the headmistress.
                              
"Go on, Draco," she said, waving her hand.
                              
"It was after me."
                              
"Dementors do not care about who they hurt, Draco. Their only goal is to feed. It would go after anyone. It could even be responding to the amount of distress you give off. There's no reason to think it was targeting you specifically."
                              
"It was mine," Draco stated, staring straight ahead.
                              
"Harry mentioned you said that when I saw him last night. He didn't understand what you meant, but he was troubled by it," the headmistress said, giving him the stare down.
                              
"The... one outside of my cell... it... was different... than the others. I don't know if I can explain it," Draco whispered. It was impossible to describe how it felt. How it enjoyed ripping out pieces of his soul one bit at a time. He shuttered automatically.