Title: The Fate that Binds us
Author: DemonicCharity
Email: FaerieWings46@aol.com
Rating: R for language purposes and future events.
Warning: This is Slash. BoyxBoy. Homosexual relationships. If you don't like, go away, I'm not making you read this.
Disclaimer: Harry Potter isn't mine. Neither is Draco Malfoy. If they were mine I'd be making lots of money, so if people sued me I could afford to go to court. But unfortunately they aren't mine and I don't have the money. Don't sue. Please?
Summary: Harry and Draco are sick of the petty games they have played in the past, but sins aren't so easily forgotten. Harry must prove that he isn't afraid of what Fate has to offer him, while Draco must prove that he is willing to stand up to his Father. This is their last chance at love and salvation....will they find it?
Notes: I'll try to get a chapter out every two weeks or so, but I won't promise anything. I don't want to rush it and disappoint anyone. But if my creativeness keeps on working overtime, so will my fingers! Oh, and drop a review if you have the time. I like to see what people think of my stuff!
Prologue
Great muggle teachers have often suggested that every man, race, and color were equal. That God made everyone in his image, so therefor should be respected for who they are. But for those who have studied muggle history realize that not only were these mentors shamed and killed, but ignored as well. Man went on killing and destroying anyone who didn't resemble his own reflection and own thoughts of hatred and prejudice.
Would you ever believe Wizards had the same problem at one time in ancient history? That their solution was so ghastly and horrifying their regreat and shame blotted it out in every history text so the atrocious deeds could be forgotten. MOst even refused to speak of the Great War aloud.
What sin they commited is only found in the oldest and darkest of Pureblood libraries. Genocide. Of an entire Magical species of human- beings. Their only wrong doing being different and retaining a power so great that none could master or use to protect themselves.
Now I'm sure that some believe in the God above and all he does, he does for a reason, but who wants to believe in a God who purposly wiped out an entire race of his own creations?
Believe what you want to, I suppose. But I will tell you what I believe in...
Humans aren't even given the courtesy of choosing their own bitter end. From the moment one is born Fate weaves a web that maps out every decision, every word, and every thought that should be ours. She plays the role of God and in the end draws everything for us until Death finally comes to clean up her mess.
But, ironic as it is, Fate doesn't have control over every web she weaves. There are just to many variables in this world for her to see every one of them. One such varible is The Sight. One could change their fate if they see her plan before it comes to pass.
Tom Marvolo Riddle saw Fates plan and destroyed it, taking with that plan, thousands of others, creating a chain reaction around the world. Chaos was once again allowed to rule on earth as millions died because of broken webs.
But Fate has her own weapons of protecton. Weapons that were meant to destroy this evil and raise their own lost race of the ancient world. Two weapons that started out as helpless children, and would endure much before their destiny grabbed hold and pulled them into a whirlpool of even they would have to learn to accept and control.
A boy whi was destined to live and a boy who was destined to die would now, and forever more, be bound to each other, sharing hate, love, pain, and pure bliss.
This is a story of the great struggle of good and evil, and it's dependence on eternal balance. This is a story of two innosent children thrown into a battle that should not have been thiers. This is the story of The-Boy-That-Lived, and The-Boy-Who-Was-Destined-To-Die... Chapter 1 The Thoughts That Bind Us
Harry James Potter, the Boy-Who-Lived, savior of the Wizarding World, stepped onto the red Hogwarts Express, trying not to let his melancholy mood follow him. His luggage had already been placed in the baggage car, and Hedwig was safely tucked away in her cage, sleeping.
Harry let his first smile in months pass over his lips as he looked at her. 'I know Hedwig,' he thought, 'I'm glad we're going back to school too.' He took a seat and glanced out the window, waiting for this two best friends to make an appearance.
His reflection in the window caught him off guard, making him furrow his eyebrows. His hand instinctively went to his hair, trying to brush the mop down, but as always, failed miserably. Harry sighed and pushed his glasses back up his nose.
'This is the year,' Harry thought miserably, 'I won't make it though this one, I just know I wont..." Death was an issue he pondered almost everyday now. 'Would it be that bad? Of course I want to live, but why keep hanging on when everyone expects me to just keel over when they turn their backs?'
Soft noises were heard outside Harry's compartment, and he turned his attention to the doorway. If he had been expecting his two best friends, he was let down dolefully. Standing in the corridor was none other than his worst school adversary. Draco Malfoy, Head Boy, and Slytherin Quidditch Captain was tormenting a second year Hufflepuff.
'He must be everything his father ever wanted him to be,' Harry thought glumly. 'Atleast he has a father to be proud of him. I wonder if he received the Dark Mark yet?' The little Hufflepuff girl ran off in tears, earning a smirk from Malfoy. 'Oh no. Please don't come in here...I can't deal with this now.' As if Harry's thoughts were a jinx in themselves, Malfoy's gaze turned towards him.
The door slid open and Malfoy sauntered in. 'He sure grew over the summer,' Harry noted, his eyebrows furrowed. Draco Malfoy was now as tall as Harry was, but not as thin and gangly. 'Never.' Harry resisted the urge to roll his eyes, and bit on his cheek instead, 'The great God Draco must always be in in top condition, and look as polished as ever.'
His trademark smirk in place, Malfoy reclined on the seat opposite Harry, as if he was a some great King that needed to be waited on. "Hello, Potter. Have a nice summer with the muggles? Did they lock you in any closets again? Starve you?"
Harry remained cool, and returned Malfoy's gaze easily. "Sorry, Malfoy. I'm still alive and kicking," 'Barely...' Harry added inwardly. "I guess you'll still have to lose to Griffindor at Quidditch."
Draco's normally silver eyes darkened to a stormy grey, as they always did when Harry argued with him. "Don't count on it, Potter. Unlike you, I have summers to practice and improve." He stuck his nose in the air. 'Such a spoiled brat...' Harry glared.
"A whole lot of good that's done you," It was Harry's turn to smirk. "As you still haven't beaten me once."
"That'll all change this year, Potter. As will many other things." Draco smirked as a frown flitted across Harry's features. 'Let him think I've got the Dark Mark. He'll be easier to fool then that lot of lousy Slytherin spies...'
"Why do you do it, Malfoy?" Harry looked away suddenly, as if he hadn't meant to say anything aloud at all.
"Do what, Potter?" Draco asked lazily. 'Maybe this will be the first conversation without yelling, threats, or hexes.' Draco seemed open to the idea. 'What...' He asked himself. 'Want to be friends with Potter? How cute. Just remember what your 'friends' did to you this summer. And besides, Potter is going to die this year anyways. Why bother with an annoying four eyed prat?' Draco had to agree with himself. Potter had made his life hell over the past six years, why did he think this year would be any different?
"Be a pawn. For your Father. For Voldemort. Why do you let them make all your decisions for you?" After a moment of silence Harry snuck a glance at Malfoy, who looked almost livid with anger.
"Do I look like a pawn to you, Potter? Contrary to popular belief, I'm not the loving son of a Death Eater. I hate Voldemort and everything he represents." Draco narrowed his eyes. "And as for my father," He turned his lip up in disgust, "all he does is kiss the hem of Voldemort's robes for power. I'd rather get power the real way, not from being someone else's puppet! And how dare you assume that I am what my father is!" Draco's voice was slowly rising. 'So much for no yelling. God, he pisses me off!'
But Draco didn't stay mad for long, because the look in Harry's eyes made him regret being harsh towards him. 'Regret?! Draco! What the hell do you think you're doing?! You're a Malfoy and Malfoy's do not regret! Besides, he's Harry Potter! Since when the fuck have you ever regretted bitching him out?'
"I'm sorry. You're right. I shouldn't assume anything about you." Harry once again looked out the window. "I hate it when people assume so many things about me, so it's being really hypocritical for me to do the same to you."
Once again Draco was taken aback. 'He just....Potter just...' He looked over Potter's features, trying to find any falsehood in his words. In the end it was Potter's eyes that made him believe the words he had just spoken. 'Potter just apologized to me. Draco Malfoy. His school nemesis. Well damn...'
Harry noticed Malfoy's confused look and sighed as the boy said nothing back. 'You did it again, Harry,' He sighed. 'You put your feelings on the line and it fucking snaps. How many times did we go over this?' It was Malfoy's voice that brought him out his silent scolding.
"Well....Erm...Thanks, Potter. I...uh... appreciate it." Draco couldn't believe he just said that. 'Not only was I stuttering but I accepted his apology. Dear Gods...' As Draco once again looked over Potter, worry spread across his features. 'He looks like Hell. Damn muggles. And people wonder why I hate them so much. Holy Shit! Are you sympathizing with Potter? Are your worried about him?!' Draco chose to ignore the voice in the back of his mind that gave him a quiet 'Yes. Is there something so wrong with that?'
Harry let his mouth visibly drop open. 'Malfoy just accepted my apology...He just said 'Thanks'. To me. Harry Potter. I'll be damned...Maybe there is something human inside that cold heart of his.' "Well...uh...You better be going. I guess I'll uh...see you around."
"That easily dismissed, am I, Potter?" Draco smirked as Potter frowned again. "I should stay just to be rude."
'Human? In his heart?' Harry scowled. 'What the hell was I thinking?' "You know something, Malfoy, you are the most stuck-up, self- serving, son-of-a-bitch, I have ever met! Even back when I met you at Madam Malkins I hated you!"
"Ah, but Potter, you forget that I'm the 'stuck-up, self-serving, son of a bitch', that gets under your skin everytime." He smirked and winked playfully. "You wouldn't have it any other way, would you? Who could challenge you then, Potter? Or more importantly, who would?" Draco sat up, then leaned forwards to brush Potter's thick hair away, revealing his scar. Draco ignored the part of his brain that was screaming for him to stop, to pull away from Potter, anything but what he was doing. "Maybe I should give you a scar so you could spend as much time thinking and dreaming about me as you do Voldemort."
Harry began shaking, but didn't pull away from Draco's touch. 'What the hell is he playing at? Is he...No....Absolutely not. There is nothing suggestive behind that remark. He's just being Malfoy, trying to play with my head...' "D-Draco...What...What are you doing?" Harry's mind whirled. 'So it's Draco now, is it? Don't be a fool, Harry. He's just what you said he was. Spoiled, stuck-up....Oh Gods....what is he...doing...?' Draco had now crossed the distance between them and was sitting on the seat next to Harry, tracing his scar with his pointer finger, completely absorbed in studying Harry's face. "M-Malfoy..."
"Shh, Potter. You're going to get me thinking again." Draco began leaning forward, and as he did so a stray blonde hair fell into his face. But it wasn't there for long, because Harry quickly tucked the strand back behind his ear for him. Their lips were mere inches apart, and Draco was quickly closing the distance when-
"What the fuck is going on?!?!" Harry and Draco shot apart, and their eyes traveled to the door way where Ronald Weasley was standing with his fists clenched, his jaw set and his ears pink. "Get out, Malfoy!" He hissed.
"God, Weasel. You sure know how to spoil a moment. Potter and I were having a heart-to-heart." Draco glared and stood, brushing his robes off. 'I think I'm going to get it easy compared to what Potter's going to go through. Not that I care, of course...But there is one thing I do care about...' "We'll continue this conversation at a later time, Potter." Draco sent Ron a death glare and stalked out of the compartment.
"Harry-"
"Ron, don't. Just don't." Harry sighed and hugged his knees. This was not how his reunion with his best friend was supposed to turn out...But that...thing...with Malfoy, that was defiantly not how he would have thought about their start of the term argument either. 'But it was nothing. Nothing. He was just stepping on my nerves...He plays dirty, remember? He'll do anything he can to get to me.'
"What are you playing at, Harry? I mean...If you like boys...well...great, sure. But you can't like Malfoy! You just can't!" Ron stared at his friend like he was crazy. "I mean...he's....he's Malfoy!"
Harry looked up and glared. "And where do you get off telling me what to do, Ron? And for your information I don't like other boys...not that way anyways! I had no idea what Malfoy was doing-"
"I certainly did!" Ron exclaimed, blushing. "He was moving in on you, Harry! Like you were his fucking prey! Harry-"
Harry held his hand up. "It wasn't what it looked like, Ron. It couldn't have been. Not Malfoy, never him. Don't you understand what his father would do to him if he found out that he was gay...or hell...even bi?" Ron opened his mouth to reply, but Harry continued. "His father would kill him, Ron. Kill him. He's not about to make that kind of a decision! And it would never be me. I'm his worst fucking enemy, why would he want me?" Harry tried to keep disappointment out of his voice but he didn't know how well he succeeded. "He's just fucking with my head, Ron. He probably had no idea what the hell he was doing."
Ron sighed and sat down. "You're probably right, Harry. Sorry. It's just that when I saw you two...I freaked. I don't mind if you're gay, Harry. I really don't! Hell, Charlie's gay and I don't care! I support him!"
"Ron...You're missing the picture here...I'm not gay! I don't know why Draco was doing what he was doing..." 'But you sure as hell liked it, you bastard!' His mind screamed. 'Do I have to do that whole 'flashback' thing so you can remember what images were floating through your head?'
Harry sighed and shook his head. 'I'm not gay! I don't like other guys and I sure as hell don't like Draco!' He repeated to himself over and over again. 'Sure, Harry. Great mantra. Call me when you're done with the whole denial gig and you're ready to deal with being happy for once.'
'Boys will not make me happy I tell you!' Harry argued with himself. 'I liked Cho!'
'And look at where that got you...no where. Oh and please forget the way you felt as Draco was tracing your scar. Did you know he was the first one you ever let touch it? Of course you don't like boys. Of course Draco doesn't turn you on... Forget how soft those lips looked, and how tight that shirt was. Oh, and Harry?'
'What?' He thought irritably.
'That hard on wasn't caused by Draco Malfoy was it?' Harry's eyes widened.
Fuck.
* * * * * * * *
Draco waited in the hall a bit after storming out of Harry's compartment. 'Harry? When did he become Harry? His name is Potter. Not Harry...but Potter. Yes. There we go.'
"Harry-" The Weasel began but Ha-no, Potter, cut him off.
"Ron, don't. Just don't." Draco heard the boy sigh and wondered what thoughts were speeding through his brain at the moment. 'Probably thinking it was all some kind of mistake...That I was playing him....Well I was wasn't I?' Silence. 'Wasn't I?!?' Nothing once again. 'Fuck.'
"What are you playing at, Harry? I mean...If you like boys...well...great, sure. But you can't like Malfoy! You just can't! I mean...he's....he's Malfoy!" 'Weasel sure has a way with words... Damn him! Harry can like who ever he damn well pleases! It's your fucking job to decide for him! And what the hell is wrong with me?! Why can't Potter like me?!' Draco seethed.
'Because,' his brain reminded him, 'You've been a complete ass the past six years. You've made fun of them all so many times they all hate you. Hate you, Draco dear.'
. "And where do you get off telling me what to do, Ron?" 'Go Potter! You tell him!!' "And for your information I don't like other boys...not that way anyways! I had no idea what Malfoy was doing-" 'Damn him.'
"I certainly did!" The Weasel yelled. "He was moving in on you, Harry! Like you were his fucking prey! Harry-" 'Hmm...Good instincts, Weasel. I applaud you. I am very predatory, aren't I? A sexy predatory at that.' A smirk passed over Draco's lips.
Harry interrupted Weasel again. "It wasn't what it looked like, Ron. It couldn't have been. Not Malfoy, never him." 'Well who the hell was it, Ha-no.. not going there. It's Potter...And why can't I like you? Is there some law that says 'Draco Malfoy and Harry Potter must always be enemies, not friends, and forget lovers.' Draco paused for a moment, thinking. 'Lovers. That doesn't sound so bad...'
Harry continued. "Don't you understand what his father would do to him if he found out that he was gay...or hell...even bi?" There was a small pause. "His father would kill him, Ron. Kill him. He's not about to make that kind of a decision!" 'Oh. Har- Potter, Oh fuck this! Fine! Harry did have a point. His father would be absolutely livid, not to mention Voldemort. Well then again...sick bastard would try to get his hands on me. No fucking way.'
Draco stopped his thoughts and continued listening to what Harry was saying. "And it would never be me. I'm his worst fucking enemy, why would he want me?" 'Is that disappointment I hear?' Draco inwardly gasped. 'Did he enjoy me touching him? Does he want me to choose him?' "He's just fucking with my head, Ron. He probably had no idea what the hell he was doing." 'I was not fucking with your head, you great prat! And just because I didn't know what I was doing before doesn't mean future meetings will be the same!' Draco paused. 'Did I just think...no...I didn't just promise that there would be future meetings, did I? Dear gods... I've lost my fucking mind....'
Weasel took a deep breath and responded. "You're probably right, Harry. Sorry. It's just that when I saw you two...I freaked. I don't mind if you're gay, Harry. I really don't! Hell, Charlie's gay and I don't care! I support him!" 'Figures.' Draco thought with a roll of his eyes. 'A Weasel would be gay. Not that I can talk... Gah! Do you know how many hours of sorting this will take?! Days! Weeks even! And then there's the planning and the seduction-' Draco's eyes widened at his own thoughts. 'Did I just...No. No I didn't. I didn't think that. I know I didn't think that. I don't want to seduce Harry Potter......Do I?'
"Ron...You're missing the picture here...I'm not gay! I don't know why Draco was doing what he was doing..." Draco growled. 'We'll see about that one, Potter! We'll see how long you can last....But I can guarantee it won't be forever.' He smirked. 'Just because I can't have you, Potter, I want you even more. And I always get what I want. Always.....'
* * * * * *
Draco walked into the compartment that held his things and sighed, sitting by Vincent. 'Damn Potter. Damn him all to hell! I can't believe I want him this bad. It doesn't even fucking make sense! I hate him one moment, the next I'm fucking swooning over him. Shit. I'm swooning! Malfoy's never swoon!
"Something wrong, Draco?" Greg asked him, shoving a chocolate frog into his mouth. He chew loudly, letting everyone see the mess he was chewing.
"Dear god, Goyle! Close your mouth! How many times do I have to tell you it's absolutely disgusting to watch you chomp like a fucking animal." Draco looked away in disgust.
"Sorry," was the mumbled reply. Draco had no doubt the boy had spit chocolate everywhere trying to talk.
"You seem pissed. Something wrong?" Vincent tried. The compartment door opened and the person standing squealed and quickly attached herself to Draco.
"There is now!" Draco said between clenched teeth as he tried to pry Pansy Parkinson off his arm. "Parkinson! Get the fuck off! What do I have to do to get you to stay away from me? Pansy-repellant?" 'It's too fucking early for this bitch. I don't know what Lucius ever saw in her...She's the most repellant creature alive!'
"Oh, Drackie, don't be like that!" She snuggled closer, making Draco gurgle in disgust. 'It's is way to fucking early for this....'
"Parkinson!" He shouted. "Get off! And don't fucking call me that! My name is Draco, D-R-A-C-O. I don't want any fucking nicknames!" 'Mother Night!' Draco thought. 'Maybe I should tell everyone I'm gay, atleast Pansy might get a fucking clue that she will never get into my pants.'
Pansy pouted slightly but released his arm, and scooted about an inch away from him. Draco rolled his eyes and looked back out the window. 'Sometimes...I really hate being me...I really do.'
"How was your summer, Draco?" Pansy asked sweetly. She didn't even let him respond before she continued. "I had the most lovely time in Spain!" She sighed dreamily. "And you'll never guess why we went there in the first place!"
Vince and Greg were hanging on her every word like love sick puppies. Draco curled his lip up in disgust, but he turned his thoughts back to the annoying bitch who was waiting for his reply. "Why?"
Pansy rolled her sleeve up to reveal the Dark Mark, and giggled happily showing it to everyone. "My father thought it was time. I'm an actual spy now!" Again she giggled and Draco had to repress a shudder. 'Well it was rumored that Voldemort was in Spain a good part of the summer. Pansy probably had a private audience with him...'
Greg and Vince nodded, also pulling up their sleeves to show Draco the Dark Mark. "We got ours at the same time. Two weeks ago." Goyle grinned stupidly, while Draco looked at the Marks. 'I take my earlier statement back...I always hate being me! Now my two fucking best friends (forced best friends, that is) are going to be fucking spying on me all fucking year!'
"Isn't it great, Drackie?" Pansy cooed, attaching herself to his arm again. "Show us yours! Father told me your Dark Mark was special! That your Voldemort's chosen! You're so lucky, Drackie!"
"It will be special when I receive it." Draco pulled Pansy off again. 'If that bastard ever tries to fucking Mark me, I'll fucking kill him. I'll be damned if I'm Voldemort's chosen bitch!' Draco barely suppressed a hiss.
"What don't you have your Mark yet, Draco?" Vince asked him, looking at him with confusion.
"Because of Father." Draco left it at that and turned to look out the window. 'Let them think that my Father won't let me get the Mark. Let them! Anything is better than the truth...isn't it?' Draco watched as the scenery changed from city to country and sighed heavily. 'That's it then, I suppose. I've pretty much lost my family, now my friends. My teacher and mentor is a Death Eater and they're all out to destroy me. And what does someone do when they're all alone?'
Draco shuddered. 'They do all they can. Remember.'
* * * * * *
"You will receive the Mark this summer, Draco, so help me!" Lucius paced his elaborate study, wearing down the beautiful imported Chinese rug Lucius had so recently bought. Draco stood quietly by the fireplace, watching his 'father' with indifference.
"I already told you no." Draco narrowed his eyes and brushed that one fine lock of pale hair, that always seemed to get into his eyes at the first sign of tension, back into place. Today he chose to wear his casual muggle clothes, which infuriated Lucius even more. 'I'll probably be in the fucking dungeons for the rest of my summer. That's just fucking great!' Draco thought acidly, but let no emotion sweep across his pale features.
"This is not up for discussion, Draco!" Lucius turned to him and hissed, narrowing his eyes back at his son. Draco did have courage, Lucius had admitted to himself long ago. 'That is the only child who will ever stand up to me....Besides Harry Potter, of course.' His temper flared at the thought of that miserable, half-starved, meddling boy he had seen at the Quidditch World Cup only three years ago. This was the boy who kept out witting his Master and making his life Hell. "You will not defy me!" Lucius now whispered, turning to face his son.
Draco held back a gulp. He knew he had gone a step to far this time. Lucius' anger could be dealt with when it was hot, and exploding, but when Lucius went cold like this, his anger was not something to push at. Knowing what was coming, Draco poured himself a glass of Lucius' best brandy, then downed it immediately. The sting in his throat and head made him hiss, but it would make what was coming next much easier. 'Pain is only physical,' he chanted to himself. "You are beyond the physical, pain has no power over you. You are in control of everything you say and do, not the pain.' This mantra had long since steeled itself in his brain, making beatings and trips to the dungeon that much more bearable.
"You will take one trunk and move what is necessary to your room in the dungeons. Your wand will remain with me, and I will decide when...or if...it shall be returned to you." Lucius strode over to his son and held out his hand to take Draco's prized wand.
Lucius had done this many times before, for reasons well known to Draco. For one, he couldn't heal his wounds, so scars would most likely be left to "remind" Draco of his misdeeds. He couldn't conjure food, drink, or help, and could never defend himself against the beatings. Of course that had been before Draco had taken his muggle defense class, but one could only fight for so many days...and with scarce nourishment, that was not an option.
Draco nodded and pulled a wand out of his pocket. In expecting his father's actions, he had purchased one of the Weasley's fake wands at Zonkos before the end of the year, then modified the wand to match his own dark needs. It now looked like his original and wouldn't change into a rubber chicken if used.
Of course the fake would never be as good as the real, but it would surve Draco's purposes this summer. His original wand was carefully taped to the inside of his left thigh, and was concealed easily by his loose pants. He would survive what ever his father had instore for him, and Draco had a queasy feeling that this summer would be no match for his past experiences in the dungeons.
But Draco had an act to play, a special role to fulfill. He wouldn't give in to his father and Voldemort ever, so to play the dutiful son was out of the question. "I hope you'll atleast send me gruel every so often..." He purred softly, pouring another glass of Lucius' brandy. Draco downed it, ignored the heat, and waited for Lucius' response.
"You don't deserve dead rats for meals, boy!" He hissed. "How dare you go against my word!" And before Draco knew or understood, Lucius had struck out at him with his steal, snake-headed cane, hitting Draco near his temple and almost causing him to black out. He made no noise, nor did he flinch on contact. The world spun around him, but he made no show of it, even as the blood started pouring near his right, brilliant blue eye.
"Gerald will make sure you suffer then times more than I will suffer for your disobedience! Make no mistake, my son, you will receive the Dark Lord's Mark, and you will do as instructed." Lucius turned his lip up in disgust and waved his bloodied cane. "Get out of my sight, and make sure you don't stain the carpet!"
Draco gritted his teeth and turned, hearing the shattering of Lucius' own brandy glass shattering against the far wall. "Of course... 'Father'." Draco smirked. He rarely called the man his father, as it upset them both too much. But now seemed the perfect opportunity to use the endearment term.
"GET OUT!" Draco closed the two elegant wooden doors to Lucius' study and took a step backwards, avoiding the snake head that broke through the thick wood, threatening to "bite" him with it's sharp steal fangs.
'That went rather well,' Draco silently sighed, relieved. He would never admit to being afraid of Lucius, but tonight only proved that whether he was afraid or not, the man was a force to be reckoned with. He let his hand drift to his temple and winced, watching as the world once again began swimming around him. 'Not quite as bad as last time,' he noted. 'But I'm sure he'll make up for it.'
And indeed he did...
* * * * * *
'Didn't he?' Draco silently sighed as he climbed into the horseless carriage that led the students up to Hogwarts Castle. 'Home away from home...' He mused. 'Not that I belong here anymore more than I belong at Malfoy Manor...' Sometimes he pondered if he would ever fit in, if he would ever feel welcomed and loved at the end of the day when his defenses had completely crumbled. He wondered if anyone would help him rebuild them for the next day, or hell, if he would even need them anymore. But these contemplation's led to tears more often than not, and Malfoy's didn't cry.
"There's not many first years, is there?" Pansy noted as the carriage slowly ascended the hill that would lead them to the ancient castle. "Come to think of it...There are alot of drop-outs and transfers as well." She pulled her robes tighter around her as if someone had let the unwelcome cold in. "I wonder why that is?" She asked more to herself than anyone.
"Are you fucking stupid," Draco looked at her like she was some durty muggle convict. "Do you think families want to send their kids where the Dark Lord will attack them? Where there are spies, like us, trying to recruit and turn them?"
"I'm sorry, Draco, I didn't think of it like that-"
"Do you even think at all?" Draco rolled his eyes, then looked out the window, ignoring her pained expression. "I'm surrounded by a bunch of fucking idiots." Vince and Greg shifted in their seats uncomfortably, while Pansy bit her bottom lip and looked at the floor.
The rest of the trip up to the castle was (thankfully) silent. Draco wrapped his robes around his body, trying to conserve all the body heat he could before he stepped out into the cold night rain. Ignoring the lusty look he was getting from Pansy, he climbed out the of black carriage and hurried up the front steps back into warmth again.
It felt good to be back at school again, away from Lucius and Voldemort's constant watch. Not that he could do whatever he wished now, as spies slept in his own dorm room, but it was a greater sense of freedom he hadn't felt since last year.
Sitting at his House Table, Draco did notice how right Pansy was. Many of his fellow House mates were gone, and the Hufflepuff table was almost completely empty. Ravenclaw and Griffindor were still relatively full, but that was mostly because of bravery (Draco had called it stupidity, not bravery). He couldn't deny that if he was given the chance, he would have been long gone by now. 'Fuck the education, I'd rather live as a muggle than live in someone else's shadow, doing whatever they wished.'
And in the midst of the sorting and his dark thoughts, he felt a strange gaze on him, one that strangely felt almost comforting. But when he found the source of this gaze, his eyes widened and his cheeks reddened. Harry Potter was staring at him with those beautiful emerald eyes. 'B- Beautiful? What's going on? Why is he looking at me that way?' Draco quickly looked away, back to the front of the hall where Andrews, Peter, was being sorted. But this didn't help the red drift from his cheeks, or the strange feeling of comfort dissipate.
Luckily, Dumbledore caught his attention, giving slightly darker announcements than normal, but with Voldemort, what was normal anymore? For gods sake, Diagon Alley had a curfew now. A fucking curfew.
"I am sure you are well aware that many students haven't returned this year, for reasons that belong to them and them alone. Because of this more classes will be combined with other houses. Infact, every class will be combined with one house in particular. Slytherins will have all classes with Griffindors, as Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws shall attend the same classes as well." Many moans and shouts went up, but Dumbledore silenced them all with a wave of his hand. "This is not done just to upset you, I assure you all of that. This will greatly lighten the work load on the teachers, so they will have time to dedicate to...other and more serious things.
"I must also inform you of new rules, and consequences, being added to further keep the peace. There is to be absolutely no fighting. If I get word of house rivalry getting in the way of classes, the offenders will be delt with accordingly. I strongly suggest this be avoided, as you all would like to avoid being expelled." Gasps went up.
"I must set a new curfew as well. This is for your protection, as we have had many a strange creature lurking the halls at night. Everyone will report to their common rooms at 6:30 P.M. nightly. Head of Houses will be checking, and serious points will be deducted if you are late, or in certain circumstances, fail to check in." 'Smart,' Draco mused. 'Trying to keep Death Eater meetings at a minimum.'
"As you all know, the Forbidden Forest is strictly off limits, and magic is not to be used in the halls." Dumbledore took a deep breath, as if gaining his strength. "And I regret to inform you all that Care of Magical Creatures has been disbanded." More gasps and shouts went up. "I am truly sorry, but Hagrid, the classes Professor in the past, is away on important business. All those who took the class in the past will have to make another choice in the morning.
"But enough bad news for one night!" The twinkle in his eyes immediately gain strength, and Draco could have sworn he saw amusement twinkle in them as well. "I would like to present our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Michael Carter." There was applause, but most of it was coming from the Griffindors table. Draco rolled his eyes, 'Suck ups.' "He will also be teaching a new class, Spellbinding. I encourage you all to take advantage of this wonderful chance at new knowledge! Poppy Pomfrey will also be teaching this year. Magical Healing will be available to fifth years and up." Draco raised an eyebrow, 'That class might come in handy...'
"Also," Dumbledore smiled. "There has been a slight change in school hierarchy. Each house will now have two student supervisors, as well as the Prefects to help insure rule-breaking is at a minimum. For Hufflepuff, Brain Ward and Susan Bones. For Ravenclaw Terry Boot and Anita White. For Griffindor, Harry Potter and Hermione Granger." 'Surprise, surprise.' Draco thought sarcastically, but all the same cheered inwardly for Potter and his mudblood girlfriend. 'Girlfriend?' Something unknown tightened inside his chest. 'Jealousy? That is not fucking jealousy...That can't be...' "And for Slytherin," Dumbledore caught Draco's attention once again. "Draco Malfoy and Pansy Parkinson." She squealed with delight and grabbed Draco's arm, not noticing him wince. 'This is the worst fucking day of my life.' He thought miserably. "There will be meetings once every two weeks to discuss further rules, consequences and improvements that are needed. 'There goes more fucking free time. Do these bastards think I have nothing better to do?'
"And without further ado, eat, drink, and be merry!" 'For tomorrow you die,' Draco added mentally, remembering the old Latin saying Lucius had taught him when he was young. 'Whatever....Just do what he says, forget all this shit. After all...Tomorrow is another day!' Draco rolled his eyes at his sarcastic thinking.
Author: DemonicCharity
Email: FaerieWings46@aol.com
Rating: R for language purposes and future events.
Warning: This is Slash. BoyxBoy. Homosexual relationships. If you don't like, go away, I'm not making you read this.
Disclaimer: Harry Potter isn't mine. Neither is Draco Malfoy. If they were mine I'd be making lots of money, so if people sued me I could afford to go to court. But unfortunately they aren't mine and I don't have the money. Don't sue. Please?
Summary: Harry and Draco are sick of the petty games they have played in the past, but sins aren't so easily forgotten. Harry must prove that he isn't afraid of what Fate has to offer him, while Draco must prove that he is willing to stand up to his Father. This is their last chance at love and salvation....will they find it?
Notes: I'll try to get a chapter out every two weeks or so, but I won't promise anything. I don't want to rush it and disappoint anyone. But if my creativeness keeps on working overtime, so will my fingers! Oh, and drop a review if you have the time. I like to see what people think of my stuff!
Prologue
Great muggle teachers have often suggested that every man, race, and color were equal. That God made everyone in his image, so therefor should be respected for who they are. But for those who have studied muggle history realize that not only were these mentors shamed and killed, but ignored as well. Man went on killing and destroying anyone who didn't resemble his own reflection and own thoughts of hatred and prejudice.
Would you ever believe Wizards had the same problem at one time in ancient history? That their solution was so ghastly and horrifying their regreat and shame blotted it out in every history text so the atrocious deeds could be forgotten. MOst even refused to speak of the Great War aloud.
What sin they commited is only found in the oldest and darkest of Pureblood libraries. Genocide. Of an entire Magical species of human- beings. Their only wrong doing being different and retaining a power so great that none could master or use to protect themselves.
Now I'm sure that some believe in the God above and all he does, he does for a reason, but who wants to believe in a God who purposly wiped out an entire race of his own creations?
Believe what you want to, I suppose. But I will tell you what I believe in...
Humans aren't even given the courtesy of choosing their own bitter end. From the moment one is born Fate weaves a web that maps out every decision, every word, and every thought that should be ours. She plays the role of God and in the end draws everything for us until Death finally comes to clean up her mess.
But, ironic as it is, Fate doesn't have control over every web she weaves. There are just to many variables in this world for her to see every one of them. One such varible is The Sight. One could change their fate if they see her plan before it comes to pass.
Tom Marvolo Riddle saw Fates plan and destroyed it, taking with that plan, thousands of others, creating a chain reaction around the world. Chaos was once again allowed to rule on earth as millions died because of broken webs.
But Fate has her own weapons of protecton. Weapons that were meant to destroy this evil and raise their own lost race of the ancient world. Two weapons that started out as helpless children, and would endure much before their destiny grabbed hold and pulled them into a whirlpool of even they would have to learn to accept and control.
A boy whi was destined to live and a boy who was destined to die would now, and forever more, be bound to each other, sharing hate, love, pain, and pure bliss.
This is a story of the great struggle of good and evil, and it's dependence on eternal balance. This is a story of two innosent children thrown into a battle that should not have been thiers. This is the story of The-Boy-That-Lived, and The-Boy-Who-Was-Destined-To-Die... Chapter 1 The Thoughts That Bind Us
Harry James Potter, the Boy-Who-Lived, savior of the Wizarding World, stepped onto the red Hogwarts Express, trying not to let his melancholy mood follow him. His luggage had already been placed in the baggage car, and Hedwig was safely tucked away in her cage, sleeping.
Harry let his first smile in months pass over his lips as he looked at her. 'I know Hedwig,' he thought, 'I'm glad we're going back to school too.' He took a seat and glanced out the window, waiting for this two best friends to make an appearance.
His reflection in the window caught him off guard, making him furrow his eyebrows. His hand instinctively went to his hair, trying to brush the mop down, but as always, failed miserably. Harry sighed and pushed his glasses back up his nose.
'This is the year,' Harry thought miserably, 'I won't make it though this one, I just know I wont..." Death was an issue he pondered almost everyday now. 'Would it be that bad? Of course I want to live, but why keep hanging on when everyone expects me to just keel over when they turn their backs?'
Soft noises were heard outside Harry's compartment, and he turned his attention to the doorway. If he had been expecting his two best friends, he was let down dolefully. Standing in the corridor was none other than his worst school adversary. Draco Malfoy, Head Boy, and Slytherin Quidditch Captain was tormenting a second year Hufflepuff.
'He must be everything his father ever wanted him to be,' Harry thought glumly. 'Atleast he has a father to be proud of him. I wonder if he received the Dark Mark yet?' The little Hufflepuff girl ran off in tears, earning a smirk from Malfoy. 'Oh no. Please don't come in here...I can't deal with this now.' As if Harry's thoughts were a jinx in themselves, Malfoy's gaze turned towards him.
The door slid open and Malfoy sauntered in. 'He sure grew over the summer,' Harry noted, his eyebrows furrowed. Draco Malfoy was now as tall as Harry was, but not as thin and gangly. 'Never.' Harry resisted the urge to roll his eyes, and bit on his cheek instead, 'The great God Draco must always be in in top condition, and look as polished as ever.'
His trademark smirk in place, Malfoy reclined on the seat opposite Harry, as if he was a some great King that needed to be waited on. "Hello, Potter. Have a nice summer with the muggles? Did they lock you in any closets again? Starve you?"
Harry remained cool, and returned Malfoy's gaze easily. "Sorry, Malfoy. I'm still alive and kicking," 'Barely...' Harry added inwardly. "I guess you'll still have to lose to Griffindor at Quidditch."
Draco's normally silver eyes darkened to a stormy grey, as they always did when Harry argued with him. "Don't count on it, Potter. Unlike you, I have summers to practice and improve." He stuck his nose in the air. 'Such a spoiled brat...' Harry glared.
"A whole lot of good that's done you," It was Harry's turn to smirk. "As you still haven't beaten me once."
"That'll all change this year, Potter. As will many other things." Draco smirked as a frown flitted across Harry's features. 'Let him think I've got the Dark Mark. He'll be easier to fool then that lot of lousy Slytherin spies...'
"Why do you do it, Malfoy?" Harry looked away suddenly, as if he hadn't meant to say anything aloud at all.
"Do what, Potter?" Draco asked lazily. 'Maybe this will be the first conversation without yelling, threats, or hexes.' Draco seemed open to the idea. 'What...' He asked himself. 'Want to be friends with Potter? How cute. Just remember what your 'friends' did to you this summer. And besides, Potter is going to die this year anyways. Why bother with an annoying four eyed prat?' Draco had to agree with himself. Potter had made his life hell over the past six years, why did he think this year would be any different?
"Be a pawn. For your Father. For Voldemort. Why do you let them make all your decisions for you?" After a moment of silence Harry snuck a glance at Malfoy, who looked almost livid with anger.
"Do I look like a pawn to you, Potter? Contrary to popular belief, I'm not the loving son of a Death Eater. I hate Voldemort and everything he represents." Draco narrowed his eyes. "And as for my father," He turned his lip up in disgust, "all he does is kiss the hem of Voldemort's robes for power. I'd rather get power the real way, not from being someone else's puppet! And how dare you assume that I am what my father is!" Draco's voice was slowly rising. 'So much for no yelling. God, he pisses me off!'
But Draco didn't stay mad for long, because the look in Harry's eyes made him regret being harsh towards him. 'Regret?! Draco! What the hell do you think you're doing?! You're a Malfoy and Malfoy's do not regret! Besides, he's Harry Potter! Since when the fuck have you ever regretted bitching him out?'
"I'm sorry. You're right. I shouldn't assume anything about you." Harry once again looked out the window. "I hate it when people assume so many things about me, so it's being really hypocritical for me to do the same to you."
Once again Draco was taken aback. 'He just....Potter just...' He looked over Potter's features, trying to find any falsehood in his words. In the end it was Potter's eyes that made him believe the words he had just spoken. 'Potter just apologized to me. Draco Malfoy. His school nemesis. Well damn...'
Harry noticed Malfoy's confused look and sighed as the boy said nothing back. 'You did it again, Harry,' He sighed. 'You put your feelings on the line and it fucking snaps. How many times did we go over this?' It was Malfoy's voice that brought him out his silent scolding.
"Well....Erm...Thanks, Potter. I...uh... appreciate it." Draco couldn't believe he just said that. 'Not only was I stuttering but I accepted his apology. Dear Gods...' As Draco once again looked over Potter, worry spread across his features. 'He looks like Hell. Damn muggles. And people wonder why I hate them so much. Holy Shit! Are you sympathizing with Potter? Are your worried about him?!' Draco chose to ignore the voice in the back of his mind that gave him a quiet 'Yes. Is there something so wrong with that?'
Harry let his mouth visibly drop open. 'Malfoy just accepted my apology...He just said 'Thanks'. To me. Harry Potter. I'll be damned...Maybe there is something human inside that cold heart of his.' "Well...uh...You better be going. I guess I'll uh...see you around."
"That easily dismissed, am I, Potter?" Draco smirked as Potter frowned again. "I should stay just to be rude."
'Human? In his heart?' Harry scowled. 'What the hell was I thinking?' "You know something, Malfoy, you are the most stuck-up, self- serving, son-of-a-bitch, I have ever met! Even back when I met you at Madam Malkins I hated you!"
"Ah, but Potter, you forget that I'm the 'stuck-up, self-serving, son of a bitch', that gets under your skin everytime." He smirked and winked playfully. "You wouldn't have it any other way, would you? Who could challenge you then, Potter? Or more importantly, who would?" Draco sat up, then leaned forwards to brush Potter's thick hair away, revealing his scar. Draco ignored the part of his brain that was screaming for him to stop, to pull away from Potter, anything but what he was doing. "Maybe I should give you a scar so you could spend as much time thinking and dreaming about me as you do Voldemort."
Harry began shaking, but didn't pull away from Draco's touch. 'What the hell is he playing at? Is he...No....Absolutely not. There is nothing suggestive behind that remark. He's just being Malfoy, trying to play with my head...' "D-Draco...What...What are you doing?" Harry's mind whirled. 'So it's Draco now, is it? Don't be a fool, Harry. He's just what you said he was. Spoiled, stuck-up....Oh Gods....what is he...doing...?' Draco had now crossed the distance between them and was sitting on the seat next to Harry, tracing his scar with his pointer finger, completely absorbed in studying Harry's face. "M-Malfoy..."
"Shh, Potter. You're going to get me thinking again." Draco began leaning forward, and as he did so a stray blonde hair fell into his face. But it wasn't there for long, because Harry quickly tucked the strand back behind his ear for him. Their lips were mere inches apart, and Draco was quickly closing the distance when-
"What the fuck is going on?!?!" Harry and Draco shot apart, and their eyes traveled to the door way where Ronald Weasley was standing with his fists clenched, his jaw set and his ears pink. "Get out, Malfoy!" He hissed.
"God, Weasel. You sure know how to spoil a moment. Potter and I were having a heart-to-heart." Draco glared and stood, brushing his robes off. 'I think I'm going to get it easy compared to what Potter's going to go through. Not that I care, of course...But there is one thing I do care about...' "We'll continue this conversation at a later time, Potter." Draco sent Ron a death glare and stalked out of the compartment.
"Harry-"
"Ron, don't. Just don't." Harry sighed and hugged his knees. This was not how his reunion with his best friend was supposed to turn out...But that...thing...with Malfoy, that was defiantly not how he would have thought about their start of the term argument either. 'But it was nothing. Nothing. He was just stepping on my nerves...He plays dirty, remember? He'll do anything he can to get to me.'
"What are you playing at, Harry? I mean...If you like boys...well...great, sure. But you can't like Malfoy! You just can't!" Ron stared at his friend like he was crazy. "I mean...he's....he's Malfoy!"
Harry looked up and glared. "And where do you get off telling me what to do, Ron? And for your information I don't like other boys...not that way anyways! I had no idea what Malfoy was doing-"
"I certainly did!" Ron exclaimed, blushing. "He was moving in on you, Harry! Like you were his fucking prey! Harry-"
Harry held his hand up. "It wasn't what it looked like, Ron. It couldn't have been. Not Malfoy, never him. Don't you understand what his father would do to him if he found out that he was gay...or hell...even bi?" Ron opened his mouth to reply, but Harry continued. "His father would kill him, Ron. Kill him. He's not about to make that kind of a decision! And it would never be me. I'm his worst fucking enemy, why would he want me?" Harry tried to keep disappointment out of his voice but he didn't know how well he succeeded. "He's just fucking with my head, Ron. He probably had no idea what the hell he was doing."
Ron sighed and sat down. "You're probably right, Harry. Sorry. It's just that when I saw you two...I freaked. I don't mind if you're gay, Harry. I really don't! Hell, Charlie's gay and I don't care! I support him!"
"Ron...You're missing the picture here...I'm not gay! I don't know why Draco was doing what he was doing..." 'But you sure as hell liked it, you bastard!' His mind screamed. 'Do I have to do that whole 'flashback' thing so you can remember what images were floating through your head?'
Harry sighed and shook his head. 'I'm not gay! I don't like other guys and I sure as hell don't like Draco!' He repeated to himself over and over again. 'Sure, Harry. Great mantra. Call me when you're done with the whole denial gig and you're ready to deal with being happy for once.'
'Boys will not make me happy I tell you!' Harry argued with himself. 'I liked Cho!'
'And look at where that got you...no where. Oh and please forget the way you felt as Draco was tracing your scar. Did you know he was the first one you ever let touch it? Of course you don't like boys. Of course Draco doesn't turn you on... Forget how soft those lips looked, and how tight that shirt was. Oh, and Harry?'
'What?' He thought irritably.
'That hard on wasn't caused by Draco Malfoy was it?' Harry's eyes widened.
Fuck.
* * * * * * * *
Draco waited in the hall a bit after storming out of Harry's compartment. 'Harry? When did he become Harry? His name is Potter. Not Harry...but Potter. Yes. There we go.'
"Harry-" The Weasel began but Ha-no, Potter, cut him off.
"Ron, don't. Just don't." Draco heard the boy sigh and wondered what thoughts were speeding through his brain at the moment. 'Probably thinking it was all some kind of mistake...That I was playing him....Well I was wasn't I?' Silence. 'Wasn't I?!?' Nothing once again. 'Fuck.'
"What are you playing at, Harry? I mean...If you like boys...well...great, sure. But you can't like Malfoy! You just can't! I mean...he's....he's Malfoy!" 'Weasel sure has a way with words... Damn him! Harry can like who ever he damn well pleases! It's your fucking job to decide for him! And what the hell is wrong with me?! Why can't Potter like me?!' Draco seethed.
'Because,' his brain reminded him, 'You've been a complete ass the past six years. You've made fun of them all so many times they all hate you. Hate you, Draco dear.'
. "And where do you get off telling me what to do, Ron?" 'Go Potter! You tell him!!' "And for your information I don't like other boys...not that way anyways! I had no idea what Malfoy was doing-" 'Damn him.'
"I certainly did!" The Weasel yelled. "He was moving in on you, Harry! Like you were his fucking prey! Harry-" 'Hmm...Good instincts, Weasel. I applaud you. I am very predatory, aren't I? A sexy predatory at that.' A smirk passed over Draco's lips.
Harry interrupted Weasel again. "It wasn't what it looked like, Ron. It couldn't have been. Not Malfoy, never him." 'Well who the hell was it, Ha-no.. not going there. It's Potter...And why can't I like you? Is there some law that says 'Draco Malfoy and Harry Potter must always be enemies, not friends, and forget lovers.' Draco paused for a moment, thinking. 'Lovers. That doesn't sound so bad...'
Harry continued. "Don't you understand what his father would do to him if he found out that he was gay...or hell...even bi?" There was a small pause. "His father would kill him, Ron. Kill him. He's not about to make that kind of a decision!" 'Oh. Har- Potter, Oh fuck this! Fine! Harry did have a point. His father would be absolutely livid, not to mention Voldemort. Well then again...sick bastard would try to get his hands on me. No fucking way.'
Draco stopped his thoughts and continued listening to what Harry was saying. "And it would never be me. I'm his worst fucking enemy, why would he want me?" 'Is that disappointment I hear?' Draco inwardly gasped. 'Did he enjoy me touching him? Does he want me to choose him?' "He's just fucking with my head, Ron. He probably had no idea what the hell he was doing." 'I was not fucking with your head, you great prat! And just because I didn't know what I was doing before doesn't mean future meetings will be the same!' Draco paused. 'Did I just think...no...I didn't just promise that there would be future meetings, did I? Dear gods... I've lost my fucking mind....'
Weasel took a deep breath and responded. "You're probably right, Harry. Sorry. It's just that when I saw you two...I freaked. I don't mind if you're gay, Harry. I really don't! Hell, Charlie's gay and I don't care! I support him!" 'Figures.' Draco thought with a roll of his eyes. 'A Weasel would be gay. Not that I can talk... Gah! Do you know how many hours of sorting this will take?! Days! Weeks even! And then there's the planning and the seduction-' Draco's eyes widened at his own thoughts. 'Did I just...No. No I didn't. I didn't think that. I know I didn't think that. I don't want to seduce Harry Potter......Do I?'
"Ron...You're missing the picture here...I'm not gay! I don't know why Draco was doing what he was doing..." Draco growled. 'We'll see about that one, Potter! We'll see how long you can last....But I can guarantee it won't be forever.' He smirked. 'Just because I can't have you, Potter, I want you even more. And I always get what I want. Always.....'
* * * * * *
Draco walked into the compartment that held his things and sighed, sitting by Vincent. 'Damn Potter. Damn him all to hell! I can't believe I want him this bad. It doesn't even fucking make sense! I hate him one moment, the next I'm fucking swooning over him. Shit. I'm swooning! Malfoy's never swoon!
"Something wrong, Draco?" Greg asked him, shoving a chocolate frog into his mouth. He chew loudly, letting everyone see the mess he was chewing.
"Dear god, Goyle! Close your mouth! How many times do I have to tell you it's absolutely disgusting to watch you chomp like a fucking animal." Draco looked away in disgust.
"Sorry," was the mumbled reply. Draco had no doubt the boy had spit chocolate everywhere trying to talk.
"You seem pissed. Something wrong?" Vincent tried. The compartment door opened and the person standing squealed and quickly attached herself to Draco.
"There is now!" Draco said between clenched teeth as he tried to pry Pansy Parkinson off his arm. "Parkinson! Get the fuck off! What do I have to do to get you to stay away from me? Pansy-repellant?" 'It's too fucking early for this bitch. I don't know what Lucius ever saw in her...She's the most repellant creature alive!'
"Oh, Drackie, don't be like that!" She snuggled closer, making Draco gurgle in disgust. 'It's is way to fucking early for this....'
"Parkinson!" He shouted. "Get off! And don't fucking call me that! My name is Draco, D-R-A-C-O. I don't want any fucking nicknames!" 'Mother Night!' Draco thought. 'Maybe I should tell everyone I'm gay, atleast Pansy might get a fucking clue that she will never get into my pants.'
Pansy pouted slightly but released his arm, and scooted about an inch away from him. Draco rolled his eyes and looked back out the window. 'Sometimes...I really hate being me...I really do.'
"How was your summer, Draco?" Pansy asked sweetly. She didn't even let him respond before she continued. "I had the most lovely time in Spain!" She sighed dreamily. "And you'll never guess why we went there in the first place!"
Vince and Greg were hanging on her every word like love sick puppies. Draco curled his lip up in disgust, but he turned his thoughts back to the annoying bitch who was waiting for his reply. "Why?"
Pansy rolled her sleeve up to reveal the Dark Mark, and giggled happily showing it to everyone. "My father thought it was time. I'm an actual spy now!" Again she giggled and Draco had to repress a shudder. 'Well it was rumored that Voldemort was in Spain a good part of the summer. Pansy probably had a private audience with him...'
Greg and Vince nodded, also pulling up their sleeves to show Draco the Dark Mark. "We got ours at the same time. Two weeks ago." Goyle grinned stupidly, while Draco looked at the Marks. 'I take my earlier statement back...I always hate being me! Now my two fucking best friends (forced best friends, that is) are going to be fucking spying on me all fucking year!'
"Isn't it great, Drackie?" Pansy cooed, attaching herself to his arm again. "Show us yours! Father told me your Dark Mark was special! That your Voldemort's chosen! You're so lucky, Drackie!"
"It will be special when I receive it." Draco pulled Pansy off again. 'If that bastard ever tries to fucking Mark me, I'll fucking kill him. I'll be damned if I'm Voldemort's chosen bitch!' Draco barely suppressed a hiss.
"What don't you have your Mark yet, Draco?" Vince asked him, looking at him with confusion.
"Because of Father." Draco left it at that and turned to look out the window. 'Let them think that my Father won't let me get the Mark. Let them! Anything is better than the truth...isn't it?' Draco watched as the scenery changed from city to country and sighed heavily. 'That's it then, I suppose. I've pretty much lost my family, now my friends. My teacher and mentor is a Death Eater and they're all out to destroy me. And what does someone do when they're all alone?'
Draco shuddered. 'They do all they can. Remember.'
* * * * * *
"You will receive the Mark this summer, Draco, so help me!" Lucius paced his elaborate study, wearing down the beautiful imported Chinese rug Lucius had so recently bought. Draco stood quietly by the fireplace, watching his 'father' with indifference.
"I already told you no." Draco narrowed his eyes and brushed that one fine lock of pale hair, that always seemed to get into his eyes at the first sign of tension, back into place. Today he chose to wear his casual muggle clothes, which infuriated Lucius even more. 'I'll probably be in the fucking dungeons for the rest of my summer. That's just fucking great!' Draco thought acidly, but let no emotion sweep across his pale features.
"This is not up for discussion, Draco!" Lucius turned to him and hissed, narrowing his eyes back at his son. Draco did have courage, Lucius had admitted to himself long ago. 'That is the only child who will ever stand up to me....Besides Harry Potter, of course.' His temper flared at the thought of that miserable, half-starved, meddling boy he had seen at the Quidditch World Cup only three years ago. This was the boy who kept out witting his Master and making his life Hell. "You will not defy me!" Lucius now whispered, turning to face his son.
Draco held back a gulp. He knew he had gone a step to far this time. Lucius' anger could be dealt with when it was hot, and exploding, but when Lucius went cold like this, his anger was not something to push at. Knowing what was coming, Draco poured himself a glass of Lucius' best brandy, then downed it immediately. The sting in his throat and head made him hiss, but it would make what was coming next much easier. 'Pain is only physical,' he chanted to himself. "You are beyond the physical, pain has no power over you. You are in control of everything you say and do, not the pain.' This mantra had long since steeled itself in his brain, making beatings and trips to the dungeon that much more bearable.
"You will take one trunk and move what is necessary to your room in the dungeons. Your wand will remain with me, and I will decide when...or if...it shall be returned to you." Lucius strode over to his son and held out his hand to take Draco's prized wand.
Lucius had done this many times before, for reasons well known to Draco. For one, he couldn't heal his wounds, so scars would most likely be left to "remind" Draco of his misdeeds. He couldn't conjure food, drink, or help, and could never defend himself against the beatings. Of course that had been before Draco had taken his muggle defense class, but one could only fight for so many days...and with scarce nourishment, that was not an option.
Draco nodded and pulled a wand out of his pocket. In expecting his father's actions, he had purchased one of the Weasley's fake wands at Zonkos before the end of the year, then modified the wand to match his own dark needs. It now looked like his original and wouldn't change into a rubber chicken if used.
Of course the fake would never be as good as the real, but it would surve Draco's purposes this summer. His original wand was carefully taped to the inside of his left thigh, and was concealed easily by his loose pants. He would survive what ever his father had instore for him, and Draco had a queasy feeling that this summer would be no match for his past experiences in the dungeons.
But Draco had an act to play, a special role to fulfill. He wouldn't give in to his father and Voldemort ever, so to play the dutiful son was out of the question. "I hope you'll atleast send me gruel every so often..." He purred softly, pouring another glass of Lucius' brandy. Draco downed it, ignored the heat, and waited for Lucius' response.
"You don't deserve dead rats for meals, boy!" He hissed. "How dare you go against my word!" And before Draco knew or understood, Lucius had struck out at him with his steal, snake-headed cane, hitting Draco near his temple and almost causing him to black out. He made no noise, nor did he flinch on contact. The world spun around him, but he made no show of it, even as the blood started pouring near his right, brilliant blue eye.
"Gerald will make sure you suffer then times more than I will suffer for your disobedience! Make no mistake, my son, you will receive the Dark Lord's Mark, and you will do as instructed." Lucius turned his lip up in disgust and waved his bloodied cane. "Get out of my sight, and make sure you don't stain the carpet!"
Draco gritted his teeth and turned, hearing the shattering of Lucius' own brandy glass shattering against the far wall. "Of course... 'Father'." Draco smirked. He rarely called the man his father, as it upset them both too much. But now seemed the perfect opportunity to use the endearment term.
"GET OUT!" Draco closed the two elegant wooden doors to Lucius' study and took a step backwards, avoiding the snake head that broke through the thick wood, threatening to "bite" him with it's sharp steal fangs.
'That went rather well,' Draco silently sighed, relieved. He would never admit to being afraid of Lucius, but tonight only proved that whether he was afraid or not, the man was a force to be reckoned with. He let his hand drift to his temple and winced, watching as the world once again began swimming around him. 'Not quite as bad as last time,' he noted. 'But I'm sure he'll make up for it.'
And indeed he did...
* * * * * *
'Didn't he?' Draco silently sighed as he climbed into the horseless carriage that led the students up to Hogwarts Castle. 'Home away from home...' He mused. 'Not that I belong here anymore more than I belong at Malfoy Manor...' Sometimes he pondered if he would ever fit in, if he would ever feel welcomed and loved at the end of the day when his defenses had completely crumbled. He wondered if anyone would help him rebuild them for the next day, or hell, if he would even need them anymore. But these contemplation's led to tears more often than not, and Malfoy's didn't cry.
"There's not many first years, is there?" Pansy noted as the carriage slowly ascended the hill that would lead them to the ancient castle. "Come to think of it...There are alot of drop-outs and transfers as well." She pulled her robes tighter around her as if someone had let the unwelcome cold in. "I wonder why that is?" She asked more to herself than anyone.
"Are you fucking stupid," Draco looked at her like she was some durty muggle convict. "Do you think families want to send their kids where the Dark Lord will attack them? Where there are spies, like us, trying to recruit and turn them?"
"I'm sorry, Draco, I didn't think of it like that-"
"Do you even think at all?" Draco rolled his eyes, then looked out the window, ignoring her pained expression. "I'm surrounded by a bunch of fucking idiots." Vince and Greg shifted in their seats uncomfortably, while Pansy bit her bottom lip and looked at the floor.
The rest of the trip up to the castle was (thankfully) silent. Draco wrapped his robes around his body, trying to conserve all the body heat he could before he stepped out into the cold night rain. Ignoring the lusty look he was getting from Pansy, he climbed out the of black carriage and hurried up the front steps back into warmth again.
It felt good to be back at school again, away from Lucius and Voldemort's constant watch. Not that he could do whatever he wished now, as spies slept in his own dorm room, but it was a greater sense of freedom he hadn't felt since last year.
Sitting at his House Table, Draco did notice how right Pansy was. Many of his fellow House mates were gone, and the Hufflepuff table was almost completely empty. Ravenclaw and Griffindor were still relatively full, but that was mostly because of bravery (Draco had called it stupidity, not bravery). He couldn't deny that if he was given the chance, he would have been long gone by now. 'Fuck the education, I'd rather live as a muggle than live in someone else's shadow, doing whatever they wished.'
And in the midst of the sorting and his dark thoughts, he felt a strange gaze on him, one that strangely felt almost comforting. But when he found the source of this gaze, his eyes widened and his cheeks reddened. Harry Potter was staring at him with those beautiful emerald eyes. 'B- Beautiful? What's going on? Why is he looking at me that way?' Draco quickly looked away, back to the front of the hall where Andrews, Peter, was being sorted. But this didn't help the red drift from his cheeks, or the strange feeling of comfort dissipate.
Luckily, Dumbledore caught his attention, giving slightly darker announcements than normal, but with Voldemort, what was normal anymore? For gods sake, Diagon Alley had a curfew now. A fucking curfew.
"I am sure you are well aware that many students haven't returned this year, for reasons that belong to them and them alone. Because of this more classes will be combined with other houses. Infact, every class will be combined with one house in particular. Slytherins will have all classes with Griffindors, as Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws shall attend the same classes as well." Many moans and shouts went up, but Dumbledore silenced them all with a wave of his hand. "This is not done just to upset you, I assure you all of that. This will greatly lighten the work load on the teachers, so they will have time to dedicate to...other and more serious things.
"I must also inform you of new rules, and consequences, being added to further keep the peace. There is to be absolutely no fighting. If I get word of house rivalry getting in the way of classes, the offenders will be delt with accordingly. I strongly suggest this be avoided, as you all would like to avoid being expelled." Gasps went up.
"I must set a new curfew as well. This is for your protection, as we have had many a strange creature lurking the halls at night. Everyone will report to their common rooms at 6:30 P.M. nightly. Head of Houses will be checking, and serious points will be deducted if you are late, or in certain circumstances, fail to check in." 'Smart,' Draco mused. 'Trying to keep Death Eater meetings at a minimum.'
"As you all know, the Forbidden Forest is strictly off limits, and magic is not to be used in the halls." Dumbledore took a deep breath, as if gaining his strength. "And I regret to inform you all that Care of Magical Creatures has been disbanded." More gasps and shouts went up. "I am truly sorry, but Hagrid, the classes Professor in the past, is away on important business. All those who took the class in the past will have to make another choice in the morning.
"But enough bad news for one night!" The twinkle in his eyes immediately gain strength, and Draco could have sworn he saw amusement twinkle in them as well. "I would like to present our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Michael Carter." There was applause, but most of it was coming from the Griffindors table. Draco rolled his eyes, 'Suck ups.' "He will also be teaching a new class, Spellbinding. I encourage you all to take advantage of this wonderful chance at new knowledge! Poppy Pomfrey will also be teaching this year. Magical Healing will be available to fifth years and up." Draco raised an eyebrow, 'That class might come in handy...'
"Also," Dumbledore smiled. "There has been a slight change in school hierarchy. Each house will now have two student supervisors, as well as the Prefects to help insure rule-breaking is at a minimum. For Hufflepuff, Brain Ward and Susan Bones. For Ravenclaw Terry Boot and Anita White. For Griffindor, Harry Potter and Hermione Granger." 'Surprise, surprise.' Draco thought sarcastically, but all the same cheered inwardly for Potter and his mudblood girlfriend. 'Girlfriend?' Something unknown tightened inside his chest. 'Jealousy? That is not fucking jealousy...That can't be...' "And for Slytherin," Dumbledore caught Draco's attention once again. "Draco Malfoy and Pansy Parkinson." She squealed with delight and grabbed Draco's arm, not noticing him wince. 'This is the worst fucking day of my life.' He thought miserably. "There will be meetings once every two weeks to discuss further rules, consequences and improvements that are needed. 'There goes more fucking free time. Do these bastards think I have nothing better to do?'
"And without further ado, eat, drink, and be merry!" 'For tomorrow you die,' Draco added mentally, remembering the old Latin saying Lucius had taught him when he was young. 'Whatever....Just do what he says, forget all this shit. After all...Tomorrow is another day!' Draco rolled his eyes at his sarcastic thinking.