Isolated Incidents

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any other characters. That right belongs to the wonderful J.K Rowling.

Incident one: The bathroom conundrum

Sixth year- Moaning Myrtle's bathroom- Draco's P.O.V

I stood there head hung low, hands gripping the porcelain sink as I silently cried. The stress of what he wanted me to do had finally gotten the better of me it had been a fortnight, or more since I had slept for more th en an hour a night. I grimaced at the basin, how could anyone expect me to be able to kill... be able to kill Dumbledore? This task is more than impossible. As I think about it more anger and frustration bubble and stew inside my stomach and I feel as though I may vomit. Its not fair. Not fair! This assignment is unfair, entirely impossible, and if I fail he will murder my family. My family, who have been nothing but loyal to him. I could feel the resentment trying to breakthrough.

I stopped my train of thought immediately, Bellatrix may have been tutoring me in Occlumency, but I could never be sure that he wasn't listening to my thoughts chipping away at the wall that I had placed there, waiting for me to fail, wanting me to fail. There was no way anyone could expect me to accomplish this. Why? I looked at my arm where the sleeve was rolled up and stared at the dark mark. I scowled at the thing, I was forced to get, at the thing I was forced to become. This is nothing like what I was lead to believe it was.

I was too busy miring around in self-loathing to notice anything but this abomination on my forearm, I stared at it willing it away, wishing that I could go back to being the small child I felt like at the moment. That's when it happened I felt something on my shoulder. Total and under dread filled my body as I looked to my right and saw one of the four people at this school that I would rather die before I let them see me like this.

Willow Madison Lupin stood with her hand on my shoulder, a small sympathetic smile on her face. My eyes widened in disbelief, then almost instantaneously narrowed into a glare, "Get out of here Lupin!" The venom in my voice sounded forced even to my ears.

"Are you okay?" Her hand was now rubbing small soothing circles on my shoulder in an attempt to... comfort me? "What's wrong Malfoy?"

It was obvious she could tell my eyes were red and swollen with tears. I tried giving her the most disgusted look I could muster. "Why so you can run back to Potter, Weasley, and Granger and tell them? Bugger off Lupin. This doesn't concern you." My words didn't faze her. They never did. "Stop touching me you filthy mongrel."

Willow just rolled her eyes at me and moved even closer. "Really Malfoy?" She placed her other hand on top of my own. "But you actually seem human right now." She moved my hand from the sink. " I can't just leave you here. Like this. Alone." I wanted to push her away, I wanted to pull out my wand and hex the life out of this filthy mixed species creature. I couldn't, I didn't have the energy. She removed her hand from my shoulder and pulled me away from the sink.

"What are you doing?" I questioned glaring at her as best I could. Lupin just shook her head at me in a knowing way and used her free hand to wipe the tears from my eyes. For lack of a better word I was shocked. We hate each other. Hate each other. Why was she doing this?

"Its okay to cry. Its just not fair that you have to do it all alone." She grabbed my left arm and I swear her expression changed to bewildered, if only for a moment, when she saw the tattoo. She let go of my right hand and began stroking the mark absentmindedly. "Its not like you thought it would be is it?" Her deep blue eyes looked into my grey ones and I could physically feel the sorrow in them. "What does Voldemort want you to do?"

Cringing at his name I snapped. "That is none of your business." I tried pulling away but she kept her grip firm. Defeated I let out a sigh. "You wouldn't understand. No one does." My eyes began welling up with tears once more. I tried holding them back but the anger and frustration wouldn't allow it. I broke down for a second time and without thinking wrapped my arms around her. I sobbed into her shoulder as she embraced me as well.

"There, there, everything will be okay." There was conviction in her voice. I didn't understand how she could be so sure about something she knew nothing about. We fell to the floor and she rocked me back and forth as if I were a small child all the while whispering softly in my ear. Everything I knew told me this was wrong my body rejected it, but I needed this. I'm not sure how long we sat there it could have been seconds or hours. My eyes burned they were so dry. I had no more tears to cry. I moved my head from her shoulders and looked her in the eyes once more. I didn't understand the look she was giving me. It wasn't pity, it wasn't hatred, the closest I could come to describing it would be understanding. My breath seemed to be caught in my throat and my heart began beating out of control. I closed my eyes and inched my lips closer to hers.

"Let's not do something you'll regret later Malfoy." She said placing her fingers on my lips. I pulled away and shook my head. What was I doing? What was I thinking? I was mad she rejected me and angrier at myself for wanting to... Ugh I don't even want to think of it. I released my grip on Lupin and backed away. Taking a deep breath I got to my feet and dusted off my robes. I cleared my throat and held out a hand to help her up. "Thanks." She dusted herself off as well.

"If you ever breath a word-"

"Why would I tell anybody? I'm not like that... besides." She reached out and ruffled my hair. "Who would believe me?" She let out a small airy laugh and began walking away. "And by the way Malfoy... don't think Voldemort won't dispose of you when your usefulness runs out... so you better make sure you keep yourself useful..." She opened the door and walked out.

I stayed in the second floor girls lavatory for a few minutes longer contemplating what just happened and taking a few very deep breaths to compose myself. I run my hand through my hair and narrow my eyes at the door. "Filthy Mixed-blood mongrel..." I sneered out loud. "Filthy..."