Disclaimer: All of these characters, and the whole Harry Potter franchise, belong to JKR.

A/N: Okay, so I am finally back… but not really. To my readers of I Never Lived, I apologize. Let me take the time to say that it is on temporary hiatus. I discovered that I do not like my original plot for the story and wonder if I should continue writing it. I could not stay away from FF too long however, and so while I decide what to do with that story I shall write others!

This fic, the first in a short collection, is about Malfoy and Snape, two characters I adore. It hit me the other night coming from nowhere, and it is short. I personally do not think either one is evil and attempt to convey that without seeming unrealistic. Malfoy is definitely misguided and a product of his environment, while Snape is more complex. He's not as cruel as Voldemort but he's not as kind as Dumbledore was. As a rule, I say he's good (for reasons I don't want to explain here), but he certainly follows his own path. Take what you will of this one-shot! I just had to put something out there. It takes place right after Snape murdered the headmaster and ran.


One Last Day in Paradise


Beneath the Surface

There was nothing but silence between them. At a certain point past the Hogwarts gates and about east of Hogsmeade, they had parted ways with the other Death Eaters. Snape had been a quiet, intimidating figure as he told them it was best if the group split up, with a look on his face that no one dared argue with.

"Go to the Dark Lord as quickly as possible," he ordered, "I will take the boy. We will arrive shortly thereafter. And do not make yourselves known!"

The old Draco Malfoy would have viciously contested to being referred to as a boy, but the new one merely stared at the dark ground, a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach.

Fifteen minuets later Severus Snape was still the imposing figure, walking ahead of Lucius & Narcissa's son and walking swiftly. Draco followed obediently, having not said a word since he was at Hogwarts what seemed like lightyears ago. Now, however, he felt like speaking, even though he knew it were likely better to remain quiet. How could he not say something after what they had just been through! Dumbledore dead! Yes, that had been the plan all year, but to see it actually carried out…

The blond wondered what was happening back at his former school of six years. And former it was, for even if by some monstrous miracle that the castle did reopen in September, Draco did not even entertain the idea of returning. A normal teenager in his position would have been saddened, but he was not normal and never had been. Had he been allowed to be?

"I couldn't do it," he exclaimed after 20 minutes of neither Slytherin speaking. Draco clearly saw his professor's shoulders tighten and hunch up—a sign he was annoyed. He knew Snape preferred him to utter nothing, yet he also knew the man expected him to.

"That was obvious, Mr. Malfoy," he answered, continuing to trudge on.

"I thought I could," Draco muttered, "I should have been able to. But then the old man started talking, saying nonsense words! 'I can help you Draco'."

Snape was grateful to be walking in front of his pupil so his face was obscured. He closed his eyes as a pained expression crossed his features that conveyed aggravation as well.

"It wasn't just my life on the line; it was my mother and father's as well. At some point I realized h-he would kill not only me if I failed, but my parents too," the blond dully said, "He never said it, but I knew…. I was right in thinking so, wasn't I professor?"

"You are beginning to blab pointlessly, Draco! And do not call me professor any longer." Snape snapped, mentally agreeing with the young wizard.

"Maybe he still will. He'll think I didn't want to do it. I didn't do what I was told…"

"No, but the deed is done! Dumbledore is dead so rid the worry from your mind!" the older wizard countered, ceasing his walk and turning rapidly to face Malfoy.

"Yes, but you did it!" Draco told him. They glowered at one another in the still.

The once Seeker broke first after a full minute of their glaring.

"Why couldn't I go through with it!" he demanded, clenching his fists and shutting his eyes. They both knew the answer to that question but did not voice it.

Snape slowly turned back around, the boy disappearing from view.

"And why did you?" Draco pondered.

"It had to be done," the teacher mumbled, "And, I… I—"

"Promised my mother."

Snape fought the urge to glance back at Malfoy. What was done was done. Feeling no need to explain himself, Snape began walking once more.

"We're going to him, aren't we?" asked Draco, a tinge of fear in his voice. The older man did not respond.

"Couldn't… couldn't I go h-home?" he continued.

"The Dark Lord will know of what happened, so it is not wise—"

"Not for long! Just a bit… to see, Mother…"

The old Potions master cleared his throat uncomfortably and then answered hurriedly:

"We will see. It all depends… perhaps."

They went through a short period of silence again before Draco spoke up once more.

"Did you enjoy killing Dumbledore? Have you killed before?" These inquiries threw Snape completely off track, rendering him speechless for a short while.

"I-I… you—what—"

"Do you think it will all be worth it? When the Dark Lord triumphs? If he does…" At this the elder Slytherin whirled around, alarming the younger. His eyes were livid and his nostrils flared.

"You are touching upon very serious subjects, Mr. Malfoy! Ones you do not know anything about and should keep out of your mouth—out of your head," he half-snarled, "You are a Death Eater now! Be aware of what you think and say, always!"

Upon seeing that Draco had stepped away from him and looked like he was ready to sink to the ground, Snape's demeanor changed. He gave a frustrated sigh.

"It does not matter what I think, Draco," he quietly noted, "I am in the Dark Lord's service. Everything we do is with him in mind, to guarantee his success."

"But do you ever… wonder?" the boy timidly finished. Snape looked at him sharply, letting him know he was treading dangerous waters again, and he dropped his gray eyed gaze.

"You are young. You are confused. You know very little. This… war, what is going on right now, is extremely complex. And dangerous. You must strategize in order to stay alive. That is what is most important when it comes down to it—staying alive." The Half-Blood Prince put his back to Draco yet again. Malfoy watched him through slanted eyes as he continued to speak, though it were as though he had forgotten Malfoy was there.

"You'll find allegiances and loyalties become complicated when your back is against the cauldron. Boundaries fade. You cannot trust anyone, but yourself. Things are not always clearly defined, Mr. Malfoy. There is always… always a…a, gray, area, as… Muggles say—always something in between. And knowing this may make all the difference in the world."

Silence once more, for a much longer span of time.

Then, comprehension dawned on Draco. Right as he opened his mouth to speak, Snape committed the act first.

"Come. We have dwindled too long." He resumed his rapid walk once more and Malfoy started, hastening to follow.

"I… I couldn't do it," the blond lamely stated. This was not what he had wanted to say.

"That is something you will have to explain to the Dark Lord."

Draco looked at the back of Snape's head. For some reason, he was not as scared as he had been mere minutes ago. Snape would be there with him, and Draco now knew that they felt the same way.

A/N: There. Like I said, take of it what you will. And it's been awhile since I read HP6, so if anything is incorrect I apologize.