Summary: When people refer to Slytherin they bring up their sly, manipulative ways. And they're right. But they ignore their strength and the deep seated loyalty that comes with it, because those emotions aren't ones that Slytherin's are particularly proud of.
A/N Because I need something distracting and inspiring. Warning: Probably completely OOC, who knows. Also, I don't remember the books very well so I may have some stuff wrong but the fic itself doesn't rely on that so I don't think it matters.
Draco knows he's bad news. He knows he'll never be like Potter, or Granger or even Weasel. Merlin, not that he'd ever want that. Muggle lovers, the lot of them. He knows how people look at him. He's slimy, he's weak and a ferret. Not just him, of course, the entire house. Pansy and Goyle and Crabbe. Blaise too. No one cares that if any of them stood against their families they'd be disowned.
No one cares that they'd have nothing left. No one cares that Pansy likes Horses, or that Goyle and Crabbe make the most delicious fudge, and send half of it to their grandparents. That Blaine can actually sing so well it brings tears to even Draco's eyes sometimes. No one cares that Draco loves his family.
And he knows they love him, but they love He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named too. And they're scared of him. Draco doesn't blame them for obeying and listening, for killing and torturing. If they didn't, they'd be dead. And while Potter may preach about how death would be better then being a Death eater, Draco knows the other boy really has no idea. Sure he's an orphan, with a ginger and a mud blood for friends, Draco knows this must have seriously stunted his social skills and intelligence. But Merlin, if Potter understood things would be a lot simpler. Potter doesn't understand though.
That Draco can't say no to his father. Draco can't leave his mother. They're both half wits, loyal to the Dark Lord. And however much Potter may say Draco has a choice, that he can become one of the "good guys" that Dumbledore would protect him, Draco knows. He knows Dumbledore can't protect him from the knowledge that his family would suffer, maybe even die, for his betrayal, Dumbledork can't protect Draco against the fact that he'd lose everything, gain nothing.
He might hate Voldemort. He might hate the fact that he's going to get the dark mark. But it's worth it if he can protect his family. Draco won't leave them, he has to be strong for them. Besides, Malfoy's don't run away. Apart from that time in first year.