Chapter 1:
The Malfoy Manor looked abandoned at first sight.
The gates stood high and locked while the iron rusted to the cold December night. The vast garden was empty with the trees and vine grapes slowly wilting. The cool and whispering wind was enough to make anyone shiver. The silhouette of the mansion almost looked like a haunted house. The windows were ajar and the dark clouds surrounding the place told bystanders not to pass by.
The only sign that the house had inhabitants was the faintest glow of the candlelight in the study room where Severus Snape stood across Narcissa Malfoy.
Severus was peering closely at Narcissa, his greasy hair hanging loosely along his thin and sallow face. His dark eyes, cold and blank as ever, had the candlelight illuminated in them. He wore his usual black cloak, seemingly not caring if it was nearly two a.m.
Narcissa stared passively back. Her long blonde hair was tied in a bun, her eyes full of dread and sorrow as if she had suffered so much. Her face was thin, not full of haughtiness anymore and her hands shook slightly. If you look closely at her, you could see the faintest trace of tear tracks on her sallow cheeks. She wore a nightdress that hung loosely on her thin frame.
"Severus, I am thankful that you came here when it's so late," Narcissa was saying.
Severus nodded politely.
"Pleasure's all mine, Narcissa," he said softly, "Now, what is that you want?"
Narcissa glanced nervously around. Severus noticed this.
"Ah, where is charming Bellatrix?" he asked with a slight sneer.
"She's wrecking havoc with the Death Eaters," Narcissa's voice broke on the last two words. Severus's upper lip curled. He started to pace the room, coming to a stop in front of the book shelves. He traced his fingers on the spines, his expression blank.
"How is Lucius?" he asked, barely audible but Narcissa caught every word.
"He's trying," she said shakily and Severus closed his eyes, "He's asleep right now. He has nightmares about the Dark Lord coming to kill him—"
"Based on the status of the Wizarding World, Lucius isn't the only one with nightmares," Severus cut off gently, opening his eyes and pulling out a small book, "Spare me the pity, Narcissa and get to the point."
Narcissa took a shaky breath and as she did, the cool wind entered the study room, making the candlelight flicker slightly. Tears fell from her eyes as Severus scanned the pages of the small book, the sound of parchment being caressed by his fingers echoing around the room.
"It's about my son," she finally said. Severus closed the book quietly before putting it back on its placed in the shelves.
"Ah, young Draco," whispered Severus, "How is he? I'm sure that being tasked to kill Dumbledore would've made him the happiest man in the world, right?"
"Stop with the sarcasm, Severus!" cried Narcissa, her voice ringing around the room. Severus quickly casted a Muffliato charm on the door. "He's just a boy! And he's being faced with the horrors of this war!"
"May I remind you, Narcissa, that there are other little boys out there as well? They have to live in fear of the Dark Lord hunting them down or killing their parents. This isn't just about Draco and you know that."
Narcissa's lower lip curled. She stared at the back of the man she trusted and she thought of her son sleeping through nightmares in the bedroom upstairs.
"But he's my boy," she protested. Severus raised his brow and the corners of his lips twitched slightly. He turned around, tapping his wand against his knee.
"Very well, what do you wish to have me do?" he asked.
Narcissa feebly smiled.
"Keep him safe, protect him or place him in Hogwarts. I don't want him living his life in this place," she said. Severus nodded stiffly.
"I shall do as you imply," he said, "We should leave now then."
"That was the plan," agreed Narcissa as a few more tears escaped her eyes, "I shall wake him."
Severus said nothing but continued to gaze blankly at her as she walked through the door, choking back a sob. He turned back to the window, watching the stars illuminating the dark sky. He thought of Dumbledore and cursed the man under his breath.
It was several minutes later before Severus heard the faintest footsteps of two people walking downstairs. He didn't flinch when the door behind him swung open, nearly coming off from its hinges.
"What do you mean I have to go with him?" snarled the unmistakable voice of Draco Malfoy.
Severus turned around calmly and before him stood a young man who looked as if he had suffered so much already. Draco's blonde hair was disheveled and shaggy. His gray eyes were wild, as if he expected danger to blast through the window. His mouth was formed in a scowl and his skin was grayish white. His pajamas hung loosely on his thin frame and there was no longer that air of pride or haughtiness around him.
He was the image of a man who lost everything.
"Hello, Draco," said Severus, "Are you ready?"
"I'm not bloody ready for anything!" cried Draco.
Narcissa placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. His eyes quickly shot to his mother and his expression softened.
"Why do I have to go?" he asked softly.
"You'll be safe," Narcissa whispered, "In Hogwarts. Severus will see to it that you are protected."
Severus nodded. Draco closed his eyes.
"What about you?"
"I'll be alright."
A lump formed in Draco's throat. Severus watched them closely.
"It's time, Narcissa," he told her, "Draco, all you need is a wand. We'll be traveling first to someplace I have to do an important matter then we'll Apparate straight to Hogwarts."
A vein twitched in Draco's jaw. He looked at the older wizard with distaste then at his mother before sighing dramatically. He rubbed his temple with his two fingers before walking out of the door mumbling something that sounded like, "I need to change first."
Severus was the one who spoke first, "You're doing the right thing."
Narcissa sobbed, "I hope so."
.
The uncomfortable feeling of Apparation slowly faded away and Draco found himself in a snow covered forest. There were a few stars twinkling in the night sky and as he sucked in a deep breath, the cold pierced his lungs. The cool wind prickled his skin and he pulled out his wand carefully, tapping the tip on his waist. Snape regarded him with a glance before walking straight into the path, his black cloak billowing in front of him.
"Hey!" Draco called and Snape stopped in his tracks.
"Stay here, Draco," he said coolly.
"You can't just leave!" Draco retorted angrily, "You told my mother you would keep me safe!"
"I am keeping you safe," sneered Snape, turning around, "and you better work on your attitude, Draco, because your mother is risking her life to save yours!"
"I don't want to be saved!" the young man cried, "I don't deserved to be!"
"Well, get used to it then!" snarled the older wizard.
He whirled around and quickly began walking towards the path of trees. Draco took another deep breath and his anger subsided slightly. He sat down on the snow and the cold seemed to have pierced him even more now that he was alone.
He thought about his parents and how his mother was ready to drop everything for him. He felt as if his heart was being clenched by a cold fist. His father was broken and Draco couldn't spend a night without being woken up by Lucius' screams.
He rubbed his eyes together and a beam of green light flashed in his eyes. He shuddered, thinking about Dumbledore's death. It was his fault, he should be locked up in Azkaban for it. He deserved to be alive, he was a failure.
Failure. Failure. Failure.
He hated that word and yet it was the only thing that really fit him. It was the truth and it felt like a slap in the face. He was a failure and he couldn't help but feel as if it was his fault that his family was being oppressed and he felt guilty that it was his mother who was suffering. He should be in that place; he should be the one suffering.
And he was going to be safe in Hogwarts? How could he when he was sure that the students were going to talk behind his back? He was the reason why the school was no longer a safe place for the young wizards and witches in the world. Not to mention the Astronomy Tower where the evil of his doing was tainted into the very walls of the building.
It was a few minutes later before he heard a twig snap behind him. He stood up quickly, pointing his wand at the direction where it came from. His breathing had hitched and he had half the mind to run back to Snape but the thought of him begging for help infuriated him. He wasn't a coward, he wasn't.
There were soft footsteps against the snow and a wandlight illuminated the dark silhouette of the trees. Somebody was moving quietly and he was ready to shout out the next curse that came to his head. He moved closer to the trees, trying to maintain the loud beating of his heart and the cold sweat dripping down his forehead.
Then the silhouette turned to where he stood and the wandlight flashed towards him. Draco had half a second to react,
"Expelliarmus!"
The wandlight flashed and the wand itself landed on Draco's feet. He picked it up quickly, his own still pointed directly at the silhouette.
"Stupefy!" he cried.
The silhouette jumped forward, missing the flash of red light by inches and hit Draco straight in the chest. He gasped and landed on his back, his head hitting the soft ground. He groaned as a lump formed and he stood up shakily.
The person was now wrestling the wand he had disarmed and succeeded.
Draco scrambled to his feet, so did his opponent. He sucked in another deep breath before standing up straightly and pointing his wand at the enemy.
The confusion slowly ended as he caught a sight of his—no, her face. His breathing stopped shortly and he nearly stumbled on his own two feet. He stared at her, his gray eyes widening and his thoughts racing.
It was Granger.
"Malfoy?!" she exclaimed.
Her big bushy brown hair was frizzier than ever, her brown caramel and bloodshot eyes full of anger and suspicion. Her pale lips were formed in a scowl and it made her look intimidating but Draco never lowered his wand. She didn't as well.
His eyes trailed to what she wore which was a baggy sweater and scarves wrapped tightly around her neck. She studied him and he studied her, both trying to figure what the other was doing in this dead of night.
The silence was intense, thick with the past memories and wrong doings. Draco could almost hear a boy in the back of his head saying, "Mudblood" and as he continued to stare at Granger, he was half tempted to call her that unforgiving word again. There was no sound except for owl hooting and the deep breaths they were taking. Snowflakes fell on them but nobody moved.
"What are you doing here, Granger?" Draco finally drawled.
"Ask yourself that, Malfoy," she hissed.
Draco couldn't help but smirk.
"Still as fiery as ever," he commented cheekily. Her face hardened and her grip on her wand tightened. "Since I'm a clever guy, I know what you were doing. Based on the multiple sweaters that you have right now, I guess you were looking for firewood."
Her scowl faltered for a fraction of a second. His smirk widened.
"Building a hobo fire, are we?" he continued, "Well, it's not much of a surprise since you're running with poor Weasley and dead man walking Potter."
Her lower lip began to quiver but her eyes stayed determined. Draco knew that he had hit a nerve, especially with the way she reacted when he saw Weasley's name. He dared to step closer and she did as well. Their wands were pointing at each other's throat and he could almost see her overworked brain trying to think of a suitable spell to hit him with.
"Oh, something happened with the Weasel, Granger?" he sneered.
"Don't call him that!" she shouted and her wand tip sparked with red colors. Draco took a cautious step back.
"I have every right to call him which I please," he said thickly, "How about shitty Weasel or better yet, dumbass Weaselbee. Why not have a go at Potter? The Immortal Prick or the Undesirable thickhead? Which one do you like better, Granger?"
He began to laugh and Granger's hand quivered on her wand. Then the next thing Draco knew, he was feeling immense pain sear through his face and he covered his face, howling with pain. He stumbled on some tree roots and landed on his arse. His face began to bubble up like some soufflé. He glared at Granger but couldn't even see where she was because of his swollen eyelids. He knew at once that he had been hit with a Stinging Jinx.
"Maybe you should let me come up with some names," Granger was saying and he could feel the power of her wand radiating in front of his face. He gulped and fear suddenly overwhelmed him, "How about Malfoy the Amazing Bouncing Ferret? Or Malfoy the Mommy's boy and maybe something even better like Malfoy Who Can't Do Anything Right."
Between the lines of the words she said was the implication of Failure. He gritted his teeth and gripped his wand tightly but he couldn't do anything since Granger's wand was now poking his cheek.
"You better shut your mouth, Mudblood!" he snarled coolly.
He felt her flinch and his lips curled into his devious smirks.
"Well, at least I'm a Mudblood who was has something worth fighting for!" she yelled angrily and he felt his cheek sting and burn. "What do you have, Malfoy? That's right, you have nothing. And I feel sorry for you!"
His fury bubbled in his stomach, waiting for the right moment to explode.
"I don't need your pity, Mudblood!" he roared, "You know nothing about me!"
"Yes I do! I know a lot about you, Malfoy. You're an arrogant coward of a prick! You're selfish and a spoilt brat! You were tasked to kill Dumbledore last year and you failed! Your family's in danger because of what Vol—"
Something clicked inside him.
"Granger, the Taboo!" he hissed but she ignored him.
"—demort has done to you!" she finished with an air of finality.
The trees moved. The wind became heavy. Draco stared at Granger even though he couldn't see her. Anxiety and fear replaced his fury and he stood up quickly. He could hear the sounds of footsteps approaching and voices murmuring.
Snatchers.
"You fucking idiot!" he growled at Granger and by impulse, grabbed her by the wrist.
"What are you—?"
But he was already concentrating on where to go and he could feel the atmosphere change. He shut his eyes, hoping for the best before he felt as if he were being sucked into a long and narrow tube with Granger's fingers clawing at his skin.
Then something shifted. A sharp pain struck his shoulder and before he knew it, he was hitting the ground and blacking out.