Note: The quote "Fear is fear in itself." was said by Franklin D Roosevelt. The quote came randomly to me and I thought about Draco.

Draco splashed cold water on his face, not sure how he felt about becoming a Death Eater. He wanted to make his father proud but at the same time he was scared because he knew that the Dark Lord would have no mercy on him. If he was to fail not only would he die but so would his parents. If anything scared Draco, it would be to lose his parents and even forced to watch them die. He needed to reach out to his parents, but his father would hear nothing of it, on the other hand he knew that his mother would give him the comfort he needed. He straightened out his jacket and decided to seek out his mother. As he walked down the hall, he heard faint voices from his father's study. They were his parents fighting and he could hear the fear in his mother's voice. He walked slowly to the door to ease drop on what was being said.

"Lucius, you are being very selfish! Placing our son in harm's way because, you couldn't fulfill the Dark Lord's deeds!" Narcissa hissed "I cannot believe that you failed him more than once. You knew how I felt about you joining him years ago. Now I am facing every fear!"

Lucius started to plead with his wife, "Cissa, you know that we have to pretend we are still followers, so he doesn't kill us. This is our only chance at survival."

Draco could hear that his mother's voice started to become angrier, "Sending your son on a suicide mission is our only chance?! Do you really believe your son can become a murderer?"

Lucius's voice started to shake, "I may have been one of his followers, but I do know what love is. I do not know what I would do if I lost one of you. I would lay my life on the line to save you and Draco. The Dark Lord will use Draco as he sees fit, because of my mistakes. I know you would lay your life down for Draco as well."

Narcissa sighed deeply, "Lucius, I need to be alone. I have too much on my mind."

Draco heard footsteps heading towards the door and he hurried down the hall, so his parents would not know he was ease dropping. As the door opened, he heard his mother's voice call out for him. He turned around and gave his mother a slight smile.

As Narcissa walked over to Draco, she took his hand into hers. "Draco, sweetie come with me outside."

Draco and his mother walked out into the garden and sat along a wall. "Mum" Draco looked over into his mother's eyes. "I wouldn't be lying if I told you I was scared. I know that dad, would not be happy if he found out."

Narcissa, gazing over at her son, "Don't worry. I will find a way to protect you. Your Aunt Bella cannot find out about your fear. She will only taunt you. Just remember fear is just fear in itself."

Draco, gulped, "Mum, I don't want to be a murderer, but if I don't I will not be forgiven."

Narcissa grabbed her son's hands and held them tight. "Draco, I will protect you to the best of my ability. I couldn't stop the dark mark but I promise I will do anything I can." Tears started to roll down her cheeks.

Draco reached out and whipped the tears away, "Mum, please don't die for me. I couldn't live with that."

Narcissa smiled faintly at her son, "I cannot make promises. A mother's love is the strongest of them all. It would be a mother's first instinct to protect her child."

Draco hugged his mother tightly, keeping the tears behind his eyes. "I love you mum and we will get through this. I am sure of it."