Dislaimer: Not mine... something I bemoan every waking moment sigh
Warning: SLASH!! As in MxM Pairings!! Not even going to bother warning you again.
Chapter 1: Flight
He kept reading the same page over and over again without taking in a word of it. He was pretty sure it was about the properties of the effects of anemone in various potions, but he just couldn't concentrate. He vaguely noticed that Pansy was still chatting away about the latest Gucci wizarding dress, but once again his attention waned.
Draco Malfoy took a deep breath and closed the heavy tome in his lap. The grating voice of Pansy immediately stopped and as he raised his aristocratic nose, he noticed that his 'friends' had their attention focused solely on him. He suddenly realized that the sigh he had just uttered had drawn their attention. Draco looked around at the people surrounding him. Pansy was still sitting on his left on the couch. Her dirty blond hair up in a high ponytail and the top three buttons were opened in a poor attempt to capture his attention. Blaise Zabini was sitting opposite him was gazing at him closely probably in an attempt to read Draco's traitorous thoughts and pass them along the Death Eater hierarchy. Draco quickly turned his gaze away before he really did reveal himself too much and just briefly focused on his two 'childhood bodyguards'. Both Crabbe and Goyle were too busy gazing at Quidditch magazines to notice the rising tension in the room.
Draco knew that his acting this semester hadn't been up to par this but he honestly couldn't care less. Not only was his interest in the politics of the Wizarding World fading but also so was his interest in appearing the perfect pure-blooded heir to the Malfoy family. If he kept taking life this seriously then he knew he wouldn't be getting out alive. He already felt it in the way Pansy rubbed her pea-sized tits on his arm. He could vividly see his perfect blond haired son and saw himself in the position of father imparting the Malfoy code of conduct on his heir and repeating the lessons of coldness and aloofness. No, he was going to break free and he felt that day drawing blessedly near. He only needed to keep up appearances till tomorrow then he was gone!
Clearing his voice Draco quickly straightened his posture before addressing the leach beside him.
"Pansy, dear, you know how I abhor the smell of slut on my clothes, please button up and start acting in a way becoming of a Slytherin". The voice was the cold arrogant tilt of Draco Malfoy, pure-blooded heir. Draco added further to his persona when he turned towards the ever-watchful Blaise and smirked coldly, "One could almost think we had been visited by a Gryffindor harlot".
YES! And the Oscar goes too...! Draco knew he'd fooled them yet again when Blaise smirked in return and Pansy wailed like a banshee and stormed up towards the girl's dormitories in wounded pride. Draco just shook his head. She really was acting like a Gryff with the blatant display of emotions. Just because they were on their own turf did not mean they still weren't snakes. Draco proceeded to politely cover up a discreet yawn before informing Blaise and the two cavemen that he was retiring for the night and that he'd see them bright and early tomorrow.
Waking through the common room Draco nodded politely at the many familiar faces all the while pitying them for their narrow mindedness and sheep-like tendencies. Why was he the only one that could see the madness in the Dark Lord's plans? There was no glory and fame in mindless killing. Shaking his head in genuine despair he continued towards his own private room. Yes, the Malfoy money had paid his way in this world so far and though he was somewhat grateful he was not prepared to pay the price for those privileges.
Checking the innocent looking leather backpack by the bed he proceed to brush his teeth before packing the rest of his toiletries up and dumping it with everything else in the backpack. Had any Muggle looked into it, assuming he could even spot the brown leather pack, he would probably have fainted. The expansion charms that Draco had spent almost a year perfecting were now sturdy and safe enough that he had managed to get a sizeable wardrobe, food, water, camping equipment and most importantly enough money from his personal Gringotts account that he'd manage to live comfortably in complete isolation for months if he so desired. Yes, Draco had worked hard and long on his escape and it would happen tomorrow on Halloween. It was perfect! Most of the teachers would indulge themselves and dress in frivolous and stupid costumes along with the kiddies. The other half of the faculty would be drafted to watch the students in the Great Hall, while only one or two would bother patrolling the halls. And Draco would bet his entire collection of hair products that it would be his Godfather Severus who'd stalk the hallways hoping to catch unsuspecting Gryffindors. He was counting on it. Yes, Draco knew his plan would work as long as he could keep the act up in front of his classmates these final hours.
Shifting into his flannel PJs he snuggled under the covers fully aware that this would be the very last time he would be warm in his 1000 thread Egyptian cotton sheets. Egypt! Maybe I'll end up there someday. With dreams of pyramids and dig sites Draco fell asleep desperately waiting for tomorrow.
The excitement of the evenings Halloween ball prevailed the Great Hall during breakfast the next morning. Talk raged all over about costumes, makeup and dancing. Draco himself was sitting in his usual spot, looking immaculate and eating his usual breakfast foods. Everything and anything not to cause suspicion. He sneered at the Gryffindors, especially the Golden Trio with Longbottom, Granger and Weasel. The hero worship around the 'prophecy child' had died down to nothing after it was discovered that Sybill Trelawney wasn't even remotely connected to famous Seer Cassandra and that she had cheated, lied and most likely slept her way to the position of Divinations Teacher at Hogwarts. The lie had tasted too sour to the fickle wizarding public and the resulting hate campaign against Albus Dumbledore and Neville Longbottom had been gruelling in its intensity. But Draco knew that while the public hated the fact that there was no hero who would fight for his or her freedom against the Dark Lord Longbottom himself was thrilled with being off the hook. Although if Granger continued to spew off speeches of morality, empathy and protecting ones fellow wizard, she just might convince Neville to martyr himself regardless.
Draco almost sighed and slumped but the years with pure-blood lessons wouldn't allow such a plebeian display. He just had to get through double Transfigurations and then all classes were cancelled for the rest of the day. His vampire costume was ordered as expected, but he had no intention of wearing it. All Slytherins knew that Malfoys never arrived on time to such events preferring to be fashionably late. Draco was capitalizing on this and by the time his classmates and the teachers realized he hadn't shown up he planned to be far away, perhaps even outside of Britain.
McGonagall was as usual a prude. Draco almost snorted. It wouldn't kill the old witch to smile even once in a while. He just concentrated on his notes to get time to pass. As the bell rang he couldn't help but swallow nervously. Would everything work out?
"Draco, darling, are you alright? You're more quite then usual. You haven't made fun of any mudbloods at all!" Pansy's grating voice cut through his contemplations.
"Don't fret Pansy. I am merely thinking over my the Halloween preparations and planning for my grand entrance." More like my grand escape! He smirked his most charming smile towards the pug and watched as she melted and attached herself on his arm.
"What are you wearing, Drackey? My dress is a pale pink, I do so hope that you're wearing something that'll match..." Draco let her annoying voice fade to the background. No way in the seven pits of hell would he be wearing anything that'd match pink!! He rather unbecomingly rolled his eyes and glanced over at Blaise to see if he'd noticed the same as Pansy. But meeting amused dark eyes he quietly breathed easy and continued with Pansy into the Great Hall for lunch. Evening couldn't come soon enough!
"Draco, darling!! Are you almost ready? The Feast will start at nine sharp!" The pug's muffled voice came through the door, but Draco paid it no attention. He was pacing and going through the plan again in his mind. He was well aware that the Halloween feast started at nine. As a matter of fact it played an important part of his escape.
"FINE!! I won't save you any dessert if you're late!" came the parting shot. Draco breathed relieved. That was perhaps that final time he'd ever ever listen to Parkinson! "Stupid cow", he muttered.
Looking over the room once more he proceeded to double-check that he hadn't left anything behind. Most importantly that there wasn't anything Muggle left that would hint at his escape plan. Oh, yes, Draco knew more about Muggles and their ways than all his housemates combined. He knew the only way he could truly disappear was amongst the mundanes. And although he could survive a good year with his wizarding funds he also knew that the gold and silver coins were worth quite a bit more in the muggle world.
His interest had started when he was only a boy of seven. He'd been allowed to follow his father to Diagon Alley. A rare treat and a treasured chance to spend the day with his father. Oh, how he'd worshipped that man. He had followed Lord Lucius Malfoy into Jansen's Jewellery Shoppe, but the waiting for his father to view the collection had been too much for his adolescent mind and he'd disobeyed Lucius' order and wandered down the alley towards to pub. Now, Draco had never been inside the Leaky Cauldron as they always arrived via Apparition to the Alley. His father had warned him that only lesser wizards came through that entrance and that Muggle world was just in the other side. Draco had up till then never seen anything remotely Muggle and the temptation proved too much. Just a slight peak. What harm could it do? So Draco had snuck through the run-down pub, wrinkling his delicate nose at the dirt and opened the door to London. It was only a brief second. But in those few timeless moments Draco had seen the crazy styles of Muggles, he'd seen bicycles, mopeds, punkers, Goths and automobiles in all colours and sizes. But the amazingly magical sight vanished as his raging father pulled him back. Poor Draco was then dragged back to the manor by his neck and given the Malfoy-lecture Of-proper-conduct-when-in-public speech. But Draco had never forgotten the excitement glimpsing that forbidden view even years later.
Drawing his wand he quickly cast Tempus and saw that it was finally time! The pixies were dancing around in his stomach but he was ready. Grabbing his backpack he cast the Disillusion charm and felt the trickling sensation crawl over his head. Opening the door he quietly walked down the stairs towards the Common Room, which was empty just as he'd planned. He quickly crossed it and escaped to the seemingly empty damp hall.
With his heart beating in his chest Draco quietly walked up towards the Great Hall. He could hear the chattering of happy carefree students and for a second Draco questioned his actions. But the flash of regret was quickly squashed thinking back. No way would he be able to live like this again. He'd tasted true freedom at seven, and he'd be damned if he'd regret it now. Nodding to himself he quickly slid past the doors and moved towards the Entrance Hall.
Stopping in the shadow of a stone statue he held his breath. Had he heard something? Yes! Steps were coming towards him. Draco double-checked that he was still camouflaged and waited in the shadows. Mere seconds later the imposing figure of Professor Snape could be seen stalking down the hall towards Draco's position.
Dear Godfather. Draco could feel a growing pain in his chest and felt that swallowing suddenly had become a difficult task. Uncle Sev would be the only person Draco would miss. He'd been there for Draco more times than both his parents combined and had early encouraged him in the uses of Magic and potions. Blinking rapidly Draco tried to control his breathing. Severus glided towards the Great Hall bypassing Draco completely before sneering at the doors and continuing down towards the dungeons.
Bye uncle Sev. Draco almost whispered it into the hallway. Shaking himself mentally he resumed his flight and silently walked towards the Great Doors. Usually the doors were closed in the evening, especially so when there was a feast. But Draco hadn't planned this for years without knowing the override charm for the door. Without it, the wards on the door would keep anyone out or in depending. The castle would also warn the Headmaster about the attempted breach. But all teachers were taught an override charm that was personalized for each teacher. Draco knew his godfather's password and that the man often had off-campus errands and was seen coming and going at all hours. This was the most precarious part of the plan. Had Severus not been patrolling then the Headmaster would have realized instantly that someone was sneaking out using Snape's override. But Draco thought he knew his godfather quite well and was fairly certain about the man's routines and his aversion to the obnoxious noise of teenagers. He'd bet right and was this very moment busy muttering the counter charm. He also knew that the teachers, but especially Severus, would recognize his wand signature later but that wouldn't matter when he was long gone anyways.
With a low hum the wards fell and the heavy door creaked open just enough for Draco to slide himself outside into the crisp cold air. Not bothering closing the Entrance door again Draco quickly pulled off his rucksack and opened it. Sliding his arm into it all the way to his shoulder he grasped the hard wooden handle of his trusted Nimbus 2001 and pulled it out. Slinging the backpack on he threw his leg over the broom and flew up into the night. Glancing over his shoulder he took his last glance at the dazzling sight that was Hogwarts castle for years to come. Then turning his broom South towards London Draco Malfoy escaped the Wizarding World.
Any interest? Will as mentioned be slash, and most likely with Harry, but we'll see!
Cookie for the person(s) who recognized the movie-quote!