Disclaimer: Harry Potter does not belong to me, otherwise this story will not be posted here… it belongs to JK Rowling alone. I'm just another fan with an overactive imagination…
Title: Into the Shadows
Author:shadowsalterity
Rating: T for now… might go up to M later
Genre: Slash, romance, angst, fantasy, act/ad, a jambalaya of sorts…
Pairings: HPDM, SSOC, SBRL, HrR, others
Warnings: AU post Hogwarts, if SLASH doesn't work for you, then that's fine… but this fic is slash (a.ka. contains malexmale pairing), read at your own risk, you've been warned, don't complain… some language and situations
Rough Summary: Draco was tasked to be his father's messenger to warn the wizarding world of a new threat that was rising, bringing back all his past pains to the surface. How will he deal with those who had betrayed him… how will he deal with the one who mercilessly broke his heart and his spirit? Will he be able to forgive and let go after three years?
A/N: My first HP fic ever... enjoy… or so I hope…
INTO THE SHADOWS by black alterity
Chapter 1
Draco's POV
The sky is void of any light. For a moment, I wondered if the heavens had cursed the earth with eternal darkness. That will certainly be most beneficial to me. The pale moon and the bright stars have hidden in the dark mists and denied their glory to the bleak and impermanent world.
Ah, but that is me being poetic again, trying to distract myself from the business at hand. I tried to reason and argue and whine and sulk my way from this task. But to no avail. To make things worse, my present companion kept poking at me as to whether we were there yet. As if he didn't know. He is indirectly accusing me of deliberately taking the long way as to delay the inevitable. Which of course I am. Not that I would admit that to his face.
But of course he also knows that already. He is just deliberately annoying me so that I will not ponder too much about some things.
Our destination is in plain sight. It's not like any one can ever miss it. Second thoughts plagued my head for some moments until Raven touched me reassuringly. I composed myself. I was slightly grateful to have him with me.
He pulled one of my braids.
I take that back.
Why did it have to be me, again?
Damn it! Why couldn't it be Nyx here with Raven?
No! It had to be Draco!
My father was mocking me… he knew that I would have done everything I possibly could to avoid this.
He was right.
"Draco, love, you have to face your demons sooner or later, yadda ,yadda, yadda"
I personally preferred to face them later. But again, no! The old man was much more manipulative than another old coot I know.
Sigh. But then, when do I truly get the things that I really want?
Hmmm… never, of course.
I always have to follow someone else's whim. Unconsciously, most of the time.
I'm supposed to be a spoiled, self-centered brat who threw magnificent tantrums when I don't get what I want. In many ways I am. But perhaps not enough.
Never enough, because I never seem to have what I truly desired.
Reminder to self: kill papa when I get home.
No, not Lucius Malfoy, as the bastard is rotting presently in hell.
My other father. The one who turned me.
No, not a vampire. Do not associate me with such mediocrity. They make my flawless skin crawl. They're very messy. No finesse at all. When they kill, they leave a bloody trail. When I kill, I don't leave any physical evidence of my handiwork. Unless requested otherwise. Oh, and I always get the job done.
Avada Kedavra? Don't make me laugh. It only works with the perfectly evil, the perfectly vengeful or otherwise very powerful wizards. I am all three but… The strength of the killing curse comes from deep seated hatred. And it is really quite noisy, having to utter two words. Not my style. I don't make a sound when I kill. Besides, it's quite taxing to say it over and over again when you're assigned to kill a hoard of creatures or wizards or muggles… or when you're surrounded by an army of vampires or a swarm of ugly trolls… what do I use then? Like I would tell you…
But I'm getting ahead of myself.
Why am I here again, standing atop a tall tree in the company of an annoying brat that can give me a good run for my money, in the midst of a forest, looking at an ever familiar imposing edifice that is known as Hogwarts?
Oh, yes. An important message from my father to be delivered to the Headmaster Albus Dumbledore. The old man's still alive. At this rate, it'll probably take several more decades before Severus' assumes that position. Not that it matters, since my godfather is an immortal. Literally.
It's been three and half years since I last stepped into the halls of that castle. Three years since good old Voldemort took his field trip to hell. Three years since…
I don't like dwelling on old memories. Reminiscing is quite useless. There's nothing anyone can do to change the past... unless you use a time turner, which is highly illegal without permission and has about a hundred cons to a single pro…
I am so tempted to use a glamour spell right now. But I know some people inside the school are bound to notice that. Not to mention thatRaven will be highly amused. I don't like him amused.
There will be no question as to who I am the second I stand before the audience inside my former school. I haven't exactly changed much physically. I'm still the same irresistibly sexy, drop-dead gorgeous and fashionably perfect piece of ass this side of the planet. My beautiful, shiny, silver-white strands are much longer now though, falling half-way down my back, while some graciously framed my face in flawless waves just under my chin.
My family often tease me about looking like a girl. A very pretty girl, they say. Well, that always seemed to get some parts of their anatomy dislocated… accidentally of course.
My eyes are now bright silver instead of gray. My skin is still as pale and smooth as ever. Unblemished but for two marks. One on my face, between my eyebrows, and one on my left chest. My left ear was pierced where I wear the symbol of my father's house as well as my station in his clan. The Shadow Dragons.
Yes.
Dragons. But not the type of dragons that one encounters in the wizarding world. Those are the Earthians. They are the dragon stereotypes. They are heavy, earthbound dragons who, fly, breathe fire, and eat innocent little wizards for dinner. They are the squibs of our species. That's why they are very nearly extinct. Then there are the hydros. The dragons of the waters. They are long and slim and have fins instead of claws. They can speak and they can fly. But very little is known about them in the wizarding word. And even to us. They like to keep mostly to themselves. That's why they settled in the waters in the first place, to avoid contact with those who claim to be much more intelligent life forms. They are somber, serious beings who make the best oracles. Much better the centaurs, but almost just as vague. Never go to them for advice. Finally, there are the aerials. Dragons of the air. Aerials are special dragons, in their opinion, that is. They are dragons that can assume human forms. They often mate with other creatures and produced various lines. The aerials have a different world of their own found above the clouds.
My father's clan is considered to be aerial but we are something much more. Much, much more. And I will say it outright, after all no one can ever accuse me of modesty. I am my father's strongest child. Everyone within our sphere acknowledges this. Even our rivals respect this little detail. But I get ahead of myself.
Being the strongest of his children, he thought it was imperative to send me to this accursed place. Since he cannot be relieved from his responsibilities, he was sending his strongest child as an emissary. A symbol of… respect, if you will, to the Wizarding world. Much to my obvious chagrin.
But why to Hogwarts and not to the Ministry of Magic? Simple. Hogwarts is the de facto seat of power in the Wizarding world. It is where the great Harry James Potter, Dark Lord Slayer extraordinaire resides as a professor of the Defense against the Dark Arts class. How fitting for him.
Flashback
"Draes, be a love and take a message to the Wizarding world for me."
"Not to the sodding Ministry of Magic?"
"Of course not, I'm thinking of a direct approach to Albus Dumbledore at Hogwarts."
"Oh. It a 'No' then."
"Come now, Draco, I'm quite sure you remember the way to your old school."
"Your point is what exactly, my lord?"
"Well since the headmaster already knows you, we can dispense with the time consuming and tedious introductions."
"Just send a bloody messenger."
"But I am not sending an ordinary message."
"You have to other minions, pick one of them."
"Dragon…"
"I do not do servant's work."
"Such a spoiled child you are."
"Blame my parents."
"I am you father."
"Then blame yourself."
Chuckles. "Well, I guess, I do spoil you needlessly… maybe I should assert my authority in this household more often."
"Why break a perfectly good routine?"
"Draco Raelius Slytherin. I am officially sending you to Hogwarts as my emissary."
"I'm quite happy being your spoiled rotten son right here, thank you very much."
"This is none negotiable."
"Oh come on father. You know I do not want to go back there. I would do anything. Send me to eliminate half the monstrous trolls in the Black Mountains, throw me into a pit of hungry, annoying pixies or raging minotaurs! But please, please do not send me back there."
"It's time Draco."
"It's only been three years, papa."
"Time will not wait for you my son."
"Why shouldn't it? Even so, I have all the time in the world."
"Yes, but they may not."
"Who cares about them?"
"You do."
"I do not."
"Do… of do not bait me with such antics, dear child I am well over seven thousand years old."
"But you mostly act like you're seven."
"Slytherins do not whine or pout."
"You do it often enough."
Sigh. "Why are you being so difficult? This is the first time you've ever complained about a mission before."
"This is the first time you asked this of me."
"Then treat it like you would any mission."
"You know I can't."
"Haven't I taught you enough?"
"Are you sure I've learned enough from what you have taught me?"
"We will see when you are done with this task, won't we?"
"Did I mention that I hate you right now?"
"No."
"Well, I hate you right now."
"No you don't. Underneath all that 'woe-is-to-me' self-pity and that 'i-have-such-a-wondeful-family' sarcasm is the hidden desire to go back and see the life that you eft behind. You will never embrace your true heritage if you cannot let your demons go. You are my strongest child, yes. But you are also my most vulnerable. You can be much more than what you are now."
"I'm quite content, father."
"I don't believe you'll ever be satisfied until you reached your full potential. We are uncannily alike in that aspect."
"I need more time."
"I cannot give you that. The sooner you face this the least likely it will come to haunt you one day?"
"Speaking from experience, papa?"
"Oh, shut up and do not try my patience."
"Fine, I will take your damn message and be your perfect little envoy. But be ready when I return."
"Ah, will we be treated to the infamous sulk fest?"
"That and more, I promise."
"Such a brat."
"I take after you."
End flashback
You heard right. I am a literally a Slytherin. Apparently, Slytherin is a Dragon clan more than an extinct wizarding family line. And yes, before t is asked. Salazar Slytherin is related to our clan. Very closely related, in fact. That should explain the snakes.
Draco Raelius Slytherin is my name. Draes to my family. Draco to papa when he is annoyed or displeased with me. I was formerly known as the great Draco Malfoy, prince of the Slytherin house at Hogwarts, sole heir to the Malfoy coffers, son of the Dark lord's right hand man. But that was another life. It turned out that my family had secrets deeply rooted in ancient history that they had been forgotten with time. The tale of how I became who I am can wait later.
I can only tell you one thing, I am quite content where I stand, in the halls of my father, in the arms of this family that I had embraced three years ago. The Wizarding world bring nothing but painful memories and half-healed wounds. I didn't know what papa is thinking sending me here when I know that I am not ready. There is something that he isn't telling me. I can feel it. I'll pester him when I come home.
After our meeting my closest confidants tried to come to my rescue as soon as they heard.
Flashback
"We hear about the mission, my lady."
"I'm not in the mood Raven."
"You're never in the mood."
"Don't start with me, Nyx. Instead of the usual rearrangement, some precious parts of yours might not be salvageable."
"Feisty. Calm down Draes. We're not here to tease…
"…much."
Glare.
"Seriously Draes, we're here to tell you that we volunteered to take your place."
"Didn't work of course. We were given the 'lecture'."
"Papa is right. If I don't face this now, I might not be able to. Go in for the kill while it's still fresh. That's what Lyd taught me."
"Lyd was a ruthless windigo psychopath, Draes."
"Point. But she prepared me well for combat."
"Yes she did. She was always partial towards you."
"I can do this."
"Of course you can Draes. You are a Slytherin after all."
"Cease with this sappy talk. We are calm, cool and utterly collected."
"Speak for yourself Nyx. I saw you last night with…"
"Zip it!"
"Nevertheless, it was agreed that I come with you Draes."
"Thanks Raven."
"Anything for a lady. I can be quite a gentleman you know."
"Raven…"
"AArrghhh!"
End flashback
So now we're here in front of this great castle. Frankly, I do not want to take the long way in and be gawked at by bothersome paintings or some simpering first year. So I believe we'll just make a dramatic appearance at the great hall. Papa always reminded me that Slytherins always do things in silence and in style.
And lo and behold. I'm here in front of the head table, rendering everyone speechless. Most of the old crowd is still here I see. Dumbledore, McGonagall, Severus, Zabini, pug face, the werewolf, the mutt, the weasel, the mudblood, Longbottom, loony bin, lady weaselette, oh and yes, of course, the almighty scarhead.
I felt my blood boil as I forced myself look at the faces of the people who, save for Severus, betrayed me three years ago and left me broken. I didn't realize the full extent of my leftover rage, until I got here. I feel Ha-Potter's eyes on me and it escalated the turbulent emotions inside me. Fortunately for them, Raven sensed my instability and subtly laid a hand on my arm reminding me of who I am. I kept my face void of any emotion and my anger in check. I've been in worst situations. I know how to conduct myself. I am a Slytherin first and foremost.
Raven spoke for us both looking straight at Dumbledore.
"Greetings Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry! We are emissaries sent by Lord Saleus Slytherin of the Shadowlands."
Stepping closer to the head table until he was directly in front of the headmaster he spoke in a low voice.
"We are here to request an audience with you and a Mister Harry Potter. We are to relay a highly important message from our Lord."
End chapter
A/N: So what do you think? Should I continue…do tell.I hope you do read and review…
This fic will be updated every five to seven days if anyone's interested for some more chapters.
shadowsalterity