Inspired by Piano Lessons by Mackenzie Phifer. (Look in my faveourites!)

I'm trying.

I'm trying.

Please, Papa,

I'm trying!

"Draco, I will not tell you again, sit up properly!"

"Yes Papa." Draco murmured obediently, straightening his back even more, holding his head up higher and trying desperately to ignore the hardness of the wooden stool beneath him.

"Now, lets try again, from bar seven, begin." Taking a deep breath, Draco placed his long fingers on the pristine keys of the Malfoy piano and began to play Fur Elise, a tedious piece that Father insisted most adamantly that he lean for the upcoming Spring Banquet.

He could just about do it, but there was this bit that he couldn't quite get…

"Draco!" The boy jumped as Lucius slammed his hand down on the lid of the piano, "You are no paying attention! This is not a hard piece, boy, an infant could learn it quicker than you! I don't know why I even bother to try and teach you, when you never concentrate or practice!" Draco lowered his head, eyes burning with shame and humiliation.

I'm stupid.

I'm stupid.

You tell me Papa,

I'm stupid.

"Do it again." Lucius ordered, adjusting the music set before his son, "From the beginning. No mistakes this time, Draco…" He left the end of the sentence hanging, a slight threat evident in his tone.

Draco gulped,

"But-but Papa, it's so…difficult." He protested, "M-maybe if I- if I rested a bit-." But his insolence earned him a sharp slap,

"If you rested, you would forget everything I have taught you, then I'd have to waste even more of my time with you." Lucius snarled, pulling Draco's head roughly up to face him, "You ought to be grateful that I am trying to do this for you. I do have better things to do than teach my pathetic excuse for a son music!" Lucius released him contemptuously. Placing a hand on the boy's shoulder, and the other at the base of Draco's back, He pushed him to sit up,

"Straight back, Draco. Now, do it again!"

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

Please Papa,

Forgive me!

Again and again and again Draco tried his best to do it perfectly, but each time he kept slipping up on the same bit and each time he slipped, he received a hard smack from his father's hand.

His fingers ached with exhaustion, his cheek sting and his head was spinning with the pain and pressure placed on him.

Draco knew he couldn't do this anymore.

But he also knew that he had to, he couldn't give up. He couldn't fail his father's task because to fail means to disobey and to be disobedient means you have to be punished.

Draco trembled slightly, his stomach curling just thinking about it.

'Maybe…maybe Papa will tired of this…' Draco wondered bemusedly as he stared at the music in front of him, 'Maybe he'll be called away on something important…'

Maybe.

Maybe not.

In his heart, Draco knew this would never end. If it wasn't the piano, it would be his grades and if it wasn't his grades it would be because he had disturbed Mother and if it wasn't that, well…he was sure his father would think of something.

You hate me.

You hate me.

I see it Papa.

You hate me.