Title: Throw It All Away

Author: Sacharissa Donerail

Rating: M

Content: adult language, m/m, implied abuse/incest, death, torture

Pairing: DM/HP, implied LM/SS, implied LM/DM

Disclaimer: None of these characters, places, etc. belong to me. I claim no ownership to the characters. No profit is being made off this story.

Summary: AU // Harry, a member of an ancient society charged with protecting humans from vampires. To avenge the murder of his parents and to punish the one responsible, Harry must join forces with the only son of his enemy. Will he lose himself in the process?

Author's Notes: This story was started almost six years ago. I have extensive files on the creation of every character, as well as explanations of the various vampire "clans" found in my story, available upon request. I drew inspiration from every possible source of vampire fiction, most specifically "Vampire: The Masquerade" and "Blade, but NOT "Twilight". "Twilight" didn't even exist when I started this story. Please remember that. :D

Chapter 4

"Don't be surprised to see

That I have nothing left for you to bleed"

"Faceless"--Godsmack

Draco let himself into the house through one of the back doors, noticing that the estate was eerily silent. He walked without a sound through the unused kitchen and started up the main corridor, heading for his bedrooms.

"Draco…Draco…where are you?"

The soft voice froze him in his tracks. His vampire senses kicked in suddenly, and he turned, almost running for the main sitting room.

"Draco, where are you hiding? Now isn't the time for childish games. You have to act like an adult. No time for games…"

He slid to a halt outside in the sitting room. Standing just inside the door, he saw her--pale, thin, beautiful--looking around in apparent confusion. She turned and a smile spilled across her delicate face, the skin stretched so tight across her bones that it almost appeared translucent. "There you are, Draco. Where have you been?"

Draco approached her slowly, putting his hand on her arm. "What are you doing? You know you aren't supposed to be up here."

"I had to find you, Draco," she whispered softly, her hand reaching Split Infinitive (consider revising) Draco's face. "I had to tell you not to fall in love. Never fall in love, Draco. It's too much pain for you."

Draco's eyes fluttered slightly, and he brushed her tangled blonde tresses off her face. "I won't. I promise. Now, we have to get you back downstairs before he finds you up here. You know what he'll do if he sees you out of your room."

A look of complete horror crossed her hollow and sunken features, and she put a hand to her mouth, her eyes going wide. "It's too late, isn't it? I'm too late!"

"No, you're not," he answered quickly, trying to pull her into the hall. "You're not too late. But you have to go back downstairs…"

Her bottom lip quivered as though she might suddenly burst into tears. The tears did not come, of course, and she finally gave in, dragging her bare feet and whimpering softly. They took the first set of stairs slowly, going past Draco's room, then took another set down further. The iron door to the small room was wide open, but Draco would worry about how it had been opened later. Gently, he led her into the room and eased her onto the bed. She looked up at him, her eyes tired and old, and Draco could see the misery behind them. He kissed her forehead, smoothing back her hair, and she smiled again. "You're going to save us, Draco. I know you're going to save us."

"We'll see," he replied flatly, pulling back the blankets. "Now, you lie down and get some sleep."

"I love you, Draco," she whispered, her lip trembling.

He smiled. "I love you, too, Mother."

That seemed to satisfy her. She stretched out on the bed and closed her eyes as Draco pulled the blankets over her. He took one last look at the sparsely decorated room, the walls lined with his mother's mad artwork, then stalked into the hall, shutting the door behind him. He withdrew a necklace from beneath his shirt and used the key attached to it to lock the door securely, then ran for the stairs.

He reached the ground floor in record speed and nearly collapsed against the wall. He slid down to the floor, his head in his hands. If his father had found them in the sitting room…he shuddered to think what would have happened. He had no idea how his mother had gotten out of her subterranean cell, and he did not want to know. At least I caught her before she got outside. At least no one saw her.

No one had seen Narcissa Malfoy for mother than twenty years. She hadn't been outside the manor for more than three times that. Most thought she had been killed or had starved herself, but she had been living with her son and husband for over 200 years, locked away from more than half that time. She had been pronounced insane years before, but only recently had she started her cryptic mumblings and prophecies of doom. Strangely enough, she was usually right.

"Never fall in love, Draco. It's too much pain for you."

If anyone knew the true pain of love, it was Narcissa Malfoy. She had been a devoted wife and loving mother, all to please her husband, and in return, he transformed her from a beautiful, elegant young woman into a mindless, raving monster.

"You'll save us, Draco."

Not surprisingly, his mother knew of his traitorous plans, though no one would believe her if she starting screaming and wailing about it. For the moment, he was safe.

"Is something wrong, Mr. Malfoy?"

The icy voice came from the darkness at the end of the hall. Draco snapped his head up and narrowed his eyes, recognizing the voice immediately, but not sensing the presence of the other vampire.

"How long have you been standing there?" Draco demanded, immediately getting to his feet.

Severus Snape stepped silently out of the shadows, his long, thin arms clasped behind him as he came forward, his back ramrod straight and his shoulders set. "Long enough. I heard voices. Do you have a guest?"

Draco froze for a moment but quickly recovered. "Hearing voices, Severus? You must be going senile in your old age. Be careful you aren't locked in a room downstairs as well."

A smirked curled the corner of Severus' mouth. "You ought to be more careful, boy. Letting your friends wander about the house…" He clicked his tongue. "What would your father say?"

"Where is my father?" Draco dodged the question by asking another.

Severus shook his head. "You should be more observant as well. It's a full moon tonight."

Draco's stomach dropped, but he kept his surprised a secret. "Then you'd best be on your way to fetch him. The sun's almost up, and you know he can't go anywhere without his faithful manservant."

Severus' black eyes narrowed, and he took a step closer to Draco. "Mind your attitude, boy, or else my tongue might become loose when I do see your father."

Draco's sneer curled his lip. "I thought it was your loose tongue that endears your to my father."

Severus visibly flinched, but shook his head and brushed past Draco without another word. Draco watched him go and waited until he was out of sight before heading back down the steps toward his rooms.

He cursed himself for his carelessness. Snape knew his mother had been free, and if anyone would run to tell Lucius, it would be him. They had been side by side, bound by blood, for nearly 100 years, and Snape was loyal to the death. In the park, it was his presence Draco had felt, but Snape was always so cautious about keeping himself guarded, invisible to everyone, including other vampires. He had been taking Lucius to his favorite haunt for the full moon, an exclusive club that catered to Lucius' violent tastes. The full moon was when his father's instincts and pension for sport killing were at their highest. It was safer for everyone if he was away from the manor on the night of the full moon.

If Snape had seen him with Harry, he didn't let on to it. Of course, Severus Snape never let on about anything. He was a dangerous and cunning foe to anyone foolish enough to make an enemy out of him, and a devoted and faithful friend to the few he held close. Draco, however, considered himself lucky to be among the former rather than the latter. For whatever the protection of friendship held, he knew that there was no one truly friend enough to Snape to be safe. Draco preferred to know his enemies, rather than be surprised by one masquerading as a friend. His last name protected him should Snape decided to act on his dislike, but sometimes, Draco had to wonder if his father would even bat an eye if something unfortunate were to happen to his son at Snape's hand.

Draco locked the door behind him when he went into his bedroom. Two hundred years had taught him that one could never be too careful on the night of the full moon when one was living in the same house as Lucius Malfoy.

~*~*~*~*~*

Albus listened as Harry concluded his story and pursed his lips. "This could all be a very elaborate trick. Do you believe the things Draco has told you?"

Harry sat slouched in the armchair in Albus' sitting room, his eyelids drooping with exhaustion. "I don't know why, but I do. Something about the way he talks about him…as if he's just an acquaintance, not the man's son. He sounds extremely…angry at him."

"If the things he's alluded to are true, I would imagine he has reason to be," Albus replied. He thought for a moment. "And you said he became very agitated when you questioned him about his mother?"

Harry nodded. "He looked like he could have put a fist through a wall."

Albus sighed, his entire frame shaking with it. "We do have records that show that at the same time he was Embraced, Lucius Malfoy did have a wife. Her name was Narcissa, but all intelligence leads us to believe she either died or was killed some years later."

Harry snorted harshly. "I seriously doubt Lucius Malfoy was able to care for a child on his own."

"Agreed," Albus replied. "I'll see what I can come up with on her." He watched Harry struggle to keep his eyes open then sighed again. "Now, you should go home, and get some sleep. This nightlife does not suit you."

Harry yawned, almost to prove the point, as he stood from the chair. "I think you're right, but I guess I'll have to get used to it eventually."

Albus stood and saw Harry to the door, clapping him gently on the shoulder. "You're doing very well, Harry. Your parents would have been proud."

Harry frowned a bit, opening the front door. "I wish I could be making them proud some other way, rather than catching the man that helped to murder them."

"Wishing accomplishes nothing, my boy," Albus responded. "We can only accept what life hands us, and use it to the fullest extent."

The advice didn't comfort Harry as he walked up the empty sidewalk back toward his flat. A hundred thoughts whirred through his head, but he couldn't focus on any one of them. There were still a few hours before sunrise, but the street was clear of any vampire presence, so he wasn't worried. Few of them would risk being out so close to sunrise. There were always exceptions, of course.

He imagined a London without vampires, a London where the citizens didn't have to be so cautious. The Arcanamala had, at one time, all but stopped the killings. It was how the controlled the vampires. The two were intended to live in harmony--one existed so the other could survive. There were rules, simple rules, for the vampires to follow. The Arcanamala and a council of the most prominent and influential vampires in the country agreed on the terms, the most important of which was the Pax Morte. It was a promise that the vampires could drink al they wished so long as they did not kill anyone. In return, the Arcanamala promised to stay out of inter-clan business and to provide the vampires safe haven within the city. Things ran smoothly for decades. There were stumbles in the road, of course, but the Arcanamala handled problems swiftly and justly.

Then the vampire Voldemort and his huge band of followers laid siege to the Arcanamala, with help from a council member named Lucius Malfoy, and nearly managed to destroy it. After nursing its wounds, the Arcanamala returned, stronger than ever, with a new alliance with the Lupines, the vampires' most dangerous enemy. The guilty were found and punished, and the rebels scattered. The authority of the Arcanamala had been tarnished forever, and there were even more instances of death than ever, but the Arcanes were encouraged by those like Lucius Malfoy, those who felt they were above the law. Those individuals would be found and punished, and London would be safe again.

At least Harry hoped it would be.

Harry walked slowly up the sidewalk to his flat, slowing his steps when he saw a figure sitting on the steps in front of it, a hood pulled over its head. He considered walking right past and continuing around the corner, but as he drew closer, the person lifted his head and pulled back the hood, revealing a shock of white-blond hair.

Draco.

Harry rushed forward to him. "Draco, what are you doing here? It's almost dawn!"

Draco smiled, but it wasn't his usual one. "I know, but I didn't know where else to go. All the safe houses are closed, and I had to get away from the manor…"

Harry frowned but nodded. "Well, come inside, quickly." He found his key and unlocked the door, holding it open as he went through.

Draco stood and looked at him for a moment. "You have to invite me in, remember?"

Harry laughed, his cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "Right. Sorry. Please come in, Draco."

Draco smiled more brightly this time and stepped through the door. Harry shut the door behind him and looked around the flat. It was a horrible mess, the clutter of books and papers everywhere, and he felt slightly uncomfortable in his own home. Next to the opulence and splendor of Draco's mansion, it looked like a shack.

"You'll have to excuse the mess," he chuckled. "My house-keeper is on vacation."

Draco smiled, barely seeming to notice his surroundings. "It's brilliant. Very bohemian."

Harry laughed then gestured to the den. "Have a seat."

As Draco took off his coat and sat on the small, worn sofa, Harry rushed around the flat to pull down all the shades. Draco watched him with an amusement in his eyes. "No one thinks it strange that you have black drapes?"

Harry laughed, shaking his head. "Sometimes, I have to entertain guests of the Arcanamala, so they are a necessity." He pointed to the lamp on the end table. "Will it be all right if I turn it on?"

"I don't like it, but it won't kill me," Draco answered, pulling one foot up beneath him.

Harry nodded and turned on the lamp, making a mental note to invest in bulbs with a lower wattage, and then sat down on the end of the sofa. "So…"

Draco laughed. "I know this is extremely odd, Harry. I had to leave my home, and you were the first person I thought of when I did."

"What happened? Why did you have to leave?"

Draco looked away, tensing slightly. "You know enough about my kind, Harry. You know that the Embrace comes with certain…disadvantages, aside from the obvious. Once a month, on the night of the full moon, his…instincts become a bit…overpowering."

"Lunacy of the Moon," Harry replied, leaning forward slightly. "It's one of the more volatile of the derangements out there."

"Indeed," Draco responded. "He goes out and satisfied his thirst, but when he returns, the Lunacy hasn't quite run its course. More than once, he's come into my rooms uninvited and taken…liberties a father should not take with his son."

Harry's stomach churned. "Oh, my God…"

Draco nodded slowly. "When I left you in the park, it was because I sensed the presence of my father's closest associate."

"You mean Severus Snape?" Harry chirped.

Draco looked at him for a moment then laughed. "You do know your facts, don't you?"

Harry hitched one shoulder. "I had a lot of free time on my hands when I was younger."

Draco smiled slightly. "It's admirable." He shifted slightly. "If Severus saw us, he didn't let on to it when he cornered me at the house, but my mother…my mother was somewhere she shouldn't have been, and Severus found out about it. Before he had a chance to tell my father and return with him, I ran and came here. I don't even want to imagine what he would have done if I had been there when he returned home."

Harry chewed his lip slightly. "The Arcanamala thinks…they believe your mother is dead, that's she's been dead for a long time."

Draco paused. "She's been dead for years, only she doesn't know it. My mother has the power to leave her body temporarily--non-corporeal projections--and my father waited until the right time and blocked her from returned to her body for almost a year. When he allowed her to rejoin her body, she had been separated for too long. She was mad, out of her mind. She's been that way for nearly 90 years."

"Draco…" Harry whispered. "I'm so sorry."

Draco waved a hand. "The very mention of her name enrages him. If he knew she was out of her room…" He shifted again. "So I ran. Better to endure his anger tomorrow evening."

"Well, you can stay here as long as you need," Harry replied.

"I'll go home tomorrow evening," Draco answered immediately. "But if you'll give me sanctuary tonight, it will be appreciated."

Harry nodded. "Of course."

Draco tiled his head with a crooked smile. "You're very strange, Harry Potter. I would think you would hate me above all creatures. Instead, you welcome me into your home."

"I don't hate all vampires, only those responsible for my parents' deaths," he answered.

"As it is your right," Draco added. "In any case, thank you."

Harry winked. "Don't mention it."