A/N: Okay…so those of you who have read this when it was posted the first time are going to be like :O because my twisted mind is now rethinking my original plan. Let me know what you think should happen in a review because I could go either way.
For those of you who are new to this story and have no idea what I'm talking about continue on as you were. : P
Chapter 7:
The cocky confidence and knowing smirk still graced Draco as he made his way to breakfast alone. He was an Elite now, one of Britain's most wanted even if the pathetic, sniveling fools did not know it yet. Draco was now beside his father and not behind; he highly doubted his father had been promoted so quickly. In fact, the only people he knew of getting promoted so quickly were his aunt Bellatrix and Augustus Rookwood, and both were people to be run from if on their bad side.
Just look at Longbottom's parents, they had committed the ultimate sin and now they paid for it every day for the rest of their lives, just as their cowardly son did. Bellatrix could have easily tortured them and then granted them mercy and killed them, but her revenge was a dish served steaming. They were locked within the deepest part of their minds, tortured until every last figment was snapped within them.
Rookwood on the other hand was an enigma, no one besides the Dark Lord knew exactly what he did and Draco had never seen it happen directly, but he had seen the before and after effects. The differences were frightening. Lillian Casteele had betrayed the Dark Lord in some way and was to be subjected to Rookwood. He remembered her face; he had been there to watch as her fearful expression morphed into pure unadulterated terror. She shook so bad that her suicide attempt missed twice before her own Killing Curse hit her square in the face.
The person who Draco had witnessed before and after was a man in his late thirties, he had, had chocolate brown hair that reached his shoulder's. Draco could recall his haughty superior expression as he walked forth. Not ten minutes after he had been led out by Rookwood he came stumbling out, his hair held large patches of white and his face was gaunt and sunken. The man had twitched violently as the crowd of Death Eaters parted; he had looked as though he had just faced a hoard of Nundu's.
Now it was his turn to carve out a feared reputation. To show why he should be just as dreaded, to show why people should fear his very name.
The small door that led from the dungeons to the Great Hall creaked loudly as he pushed it open. It was still early, barely seven in the morning, so the Great Hall only held few students and professors. He took his usual seat in the dead center of Slytherin table. It was surreal to think, that in the course of twenty four hours or so that everything had changed. And yet very few were any the wiser. No one here knew anything; to his professor's he was still just a student with a bad attitude and suspicious family. To the students he was still just the Slytherin Prince, the one you do not cross for fear of your reputation at Hogwarts. Draco was still just Draco to his friends, the one who they assume is a Death Eater but had no real concrete evidence and still looked to him as leader; the young man who loved to charm any and all playfully and enjoyed chess with Blaize.
Yet now, Draco was within the inner circle. He was his lord's unbiased eyes and ears within Hogwarts. He was the soon to be murderer of Dumbledore. Dumbledore. Draco's eyes flicked up to the headmaster's seat as he scooped a spoonful of sugar into his morning coffee. It was empty, signifying that the man had not returned. Anticipation budded within his stomach; he could not wait for the man to return. It would take no more than a few weeks for Death to grip one of the most renowned wizards of all time and Draco would enjoy watching the man wither before his eyes. Maybe-
Loud, jovial voices interrupted Draco's thoughts and he turned his head towards the main entrance to the Hall. Of course, it was a large group of Gryffindors. But his Gryffindor was in the middle. Harry was, as usual, in the center of said noisy group but was not participating in the ruckus. He was quiet, lost in his own thoughts with a brooding expression. Draco wanted to go over and tell him there was nothing to worry about, that he had taken care of everything, but he couldn't, not here. Their rivalry was known to all and had often been publicized in years past. Both boys were known to be at each other's throats with a viciousness that would have led to expulsion had they been anyone else. To have them suddenly on amicable terms would likely cause most to believe an apocalypse was coming.
On top of that, Potter had no idea what he was entangled in. Absolutely clueless to whom Draco really was, to exactly how cruel Draco could be to enemies. What he saw was a kid version, a legal version of Draco Malfoy. Would he still be okay with being his mate the first time he saw Draco shoot a curse intended to maim? Would Potter run for the hills when he realized Draco would kill muggles for entertainment and that he had created his own unforgivables?
Draco's chest was clenching tighter and tighter as these thoughts whirled around in his mind so he grabbed his sketch book and stood. He could feel the Gryffindorks eyes on him as he made his way to the giant double doors and out into the hallways, but he could feel Potter's gaze scalding him, pleading with him not to leave.
An ache in his chest appeared but Draco trudged forward, disturbed by his recent thoughts. He hadn't even considered these before now. He needed to relax, to try and focus on how well his life going. The bloody Dark Lord had said he was proud! Proud of him! That was just not done and for it to be directed at him was an honor that made him incredibly happy and he needed to focus on that, as well as finalize stage two of his plans.
Draco ended up skipping the day's classes, unable to gather the will to sit through repetitive lectures or watch Severus bash on his mate without shattering his mask. Instead he put his full concentration into his sketch of lake with a giant tentacle peeking through the water. The reflection of the moon on the water's surface was beautiful and he tried his best to capture the haunting beauty and the mysteriousness of the Forbidden Forest.
"You weren't in class." Draco didn't look up from his sketch as he detailed the Thestral that was sniffing the ground on the edge of the forest. "Didn't feel like going." He heard Harry snort as he sat down beside him. As usual he grabbed a cigarette from the silver case in between them and Draco noticed he was also studying his sketch.
"I didn't know you draw." The brief light from the flame used to light the cigarette illuminated Draco's sketch and he smiled lightly, it was beautiful. "I usually paint but I couldn't bring my supplies this year."
"What else don't I know about you?" Draco's hand stilled and he inhaled deeply. "You don't want to know Potter."
A whimper came from beside him and his heart clenched when he realized Potter, the boy who was always so strong and fiery had actually whimpered. Draco dared a glance only to find Potter looking at him with his lip trembling.
"You talked to him already?" The mixture of emotion laced in Harry's voice tore at Draco's resolve. "He didn't care? Didn't you tell him I'd-"
Draco quickly shoved his sketch book to the side and moved towards the raven haired boy, "Harry! Harry, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to give you that impression." Harry shifted closer resting his head on Draco's shoulder and however reluctantly a small smile played on the blonde's lips.
"Tell me about you Draco." Of course he had to ruin Draco's moment of happiness. Draco roughly pulled his shoulder away and twisted himself so he could stand. Anger bubbled in the pit of his stomach as he crossed his arms and leaned against the wooden railing a few feet away. How could fate give him this beautiful raven haired wizard only to rip him away? Because he'd bet his trust vault Potter would hit the ground running if and when he ever met the true Draco Malfoy.
"Draco," Harry's voice came from behind him and the hesitating curiosity in his voice only added to the burn in his gut. He was angry that fate would fuck with him like this but he also felt guilty, Potter probably had no idea why he was acting this way.
"Why? Why should I try? Give me one reason why I should trust you and let you in? How do I know you won't end up running back to your precious Dumbledore when you discover just how evil I am?" Draco turned sharply and pierced Harry with a glare that froze most. "You have no idea who I am or the things I've done." The last part was practically hissed, his anger prominent in his tone but underneath it was layered with fear...and that only served to piss him off even more.
He was normally so in control of his mask, his cool, superior pureblood mask...but Potter had always been able to make him crack. Granted he did so very rarely as it was mostly the Weasel who was more confrontational, but when the raven haired wizard did rise and challenge him he had the uncanny ability to crack Draco ever so slightly. It was enough to infuriate him.
"You really don't, with our track record trust is something we'd be insane to have for each other. So," Harry paused but Draco didn't turn around to face him again, he wouldn't until he was perfectly in control of himself. "I Harry James Potter, do swear upon my magic -"
Draco whipped around halfway through Potter's oath, stunned at his recklessness. Within half a second his wand was trained on the boy opposite of him and he had been thoroughly silenced. Angrily, he stomped forward backing Potter into a wooden beam.
"Do you have any idea how stupid you are? Wizard oaths are not to be taking lightly nor worded so carelessly! Do you feel that?" He waved his hand to the side, pointing out the swirling magic that had started to die off from the unfinished oath. "That is the very magic that could take yours from you in a heartbeat!" In exasperation he rested his forehead atop the shorter males head and took a frustrated breath.
"I shouldn't, you could single handedly bring the down fall of everything I cherish, yet I care for you. On some level I always have."
He let his hold on the silencer go, allowing Potter to speak freely now that the sentient magic had settled. Potter wasted no time in putting his restored voice to use. "I told you I don't want to fight this war and I was serious, Draco. I want nothing more than to be loved. I came to you because I know you bear his mark; everything screamed at me that you could help me. That was before I knew anything at all of you. Now I learn that I'm your mate," Draco was watching in fascination as emerald eyes started to blaze in anger and passion.
How long had it been since he had seen this? Far too long he decided quickly. "Draco I am not a dunderhead as Snape believes, I know what the bloody hell a soul mate is and I would be dumber than a troll to throw that away! I have finally found the possibility of unconditional love and you think that I will shun that because you're not a saint?" The blaze was now an inferno that smoldered hotter and fiercer than even Dragon's fire...it was beautiful.
Lust shot through his body as Harry's cheeks flushed deeper and his hair seemed even wilder after he grabbed it in frustration. "I don't care! I stopped caring before I even approached you!" He almost yelled it and it broke Draco out of his haze and snapped him back to reality. Lust would have to wait, right now was not the time.
"I don't care if you kill off every muggle in the world or Dumbledore himself Draco. When you kissed me it was like everything wrong in the world righted itself! My body caught fire and my toes curled, my head spun and my heart beat as fast as my Firebolt. Not only that, but with your strong arms around me I finally felt safe! I felt like you would protect me from anything! I've never felt that before, I was either being abused or shoved onto a pedestal expected to save everyone else!"
Burning. His lungs were burning. Draco realized he had stopped breathing, enthralled by an angry and passionate Harry. He was glorious with his winded breaths and flushed face paired with his searing gaze. But now the fire was dying, rapidly dwindling to nothing but a mere spark and he realized he wanted nothing more than to rekindle that fire. "Please just give me a chance; I know I may not be 'worthy' but-"
The edges of Draco's vision tinted red in his rage and his Veela raged inside him; trying desperately to release itself from the confines of its cage. How could he think himself not worthy? The very thought made Draco murderous; there was no doubt in his mind that Potter was more than worthy. Before the smaller boy could blink, Draco had him pinned against the beam again and growls were rumbling deep in his chest.
"You want this Harry?" Draco's lips ghosted across Harry's as he whispered huskily and they curled into a smirk when Harry let loose a sound that reminded him of a mewl. "You want me to love you like no one else on earth is capable of?" This time his nose trailed Harry's jaw, eliciting a light moan much to Draco's delight. "You want me to protect you from the filth that sees you as their weapon?"
At the spot where Harry's neck and shoulder met Draco nipped and felt Harry tremble. "You want to spend your life by my side, carry my heirs?" Oh the wanton boy below him made him want to shed both of their clothes as he let out a strangled cry in confirmation, but he had to keep his wits. Draco would never tolerate hearing such words from his mate again. He almost sighed in frustration when he realized what this meant. He would...trust...Harry, he would tell him everything; something that had his self-preservation instincts screaming in panic. Draco pulled away sharply, though not too far, and the cool air between them brought Harry back to his senses after several mewls of protest.
When he had Harry's eye contact he spoke. "You will never utter those words again Harry, am I clear? I don't care what the swine have told you, you are worth anything and everything. I will not have a mate who thinks him inferior to others, Malfoy's are superior to all and they know it." He tried to convey to Harry that he wasn't joking.
Harry may think he had that status but within the pureblood social circles they saw him as trash, an enemy who was trying to bring down everything that the past three generations had strived for. That would change, any who were unwilling to follow suit would be held under his wand until they learned. He would cut down opposition, show Harry the beauty of the history and tradition that was so revered in his world, and kill those swine who thought they could harm what's his. He had a lot to do.
"I am an Elite, Harry," Green eyes widened at the whispered confession and the raven haired wizard gasped; Draco continued unperturbed. "I am one of the few who have direct contact with the Dark Lord on a regular basis. It is true I bear his mark and have killed in his name. I have developed my own set of curses and I do not hesitate to maim one who wishes to hurt me or threatens our cause." Draco took a breath but did not look away from Harry's large green orbs. "You still want to know me?" Harry's head nodded and Draco felt his soul sing.
"I am top student in Slytherin, I have climbed the ladder to the top and held the title; everyone refers to me before any major decisions are made. You know that I love to sketch and that I paint, what you don't know is that I also love music. I play the cello, harp, violin and piano. My family always comes first aside from my mate," pink tinged Harry's cheeks at his words but he still continued.
"I have a love for dueling and I hate mudbloods more than the color yellow. I loathe your little sidekicks and would love to show them exactly what I am capable of. I have a close knit group of friends that consists of Blaise, Daphne, Hestia, and Flora. If you are ever in need and I am not around then you can always turn to them." Draco leaned back in, craving the warmth of his mate's body, and breathed in Harry's outdoorsy scent.
"I have waited patiently for ten years to find you; now that I have I will not let you go. I will spoil and protect you, fight and make love with you. Our bond is pulling us to each other now but soon we will grow to love one another and when we do I will love you with everything I have in me for the rest of our lives."
Silence reigned at the end of Draco's speech and neither one broke eye contact. His hand came up and wiped away a few stray tears that had leaked out of Harry's eyes. A smirk formed on his lips when Harry leaned into his touch and a soft mewling sound arose.
"I hate muggles, for the longest time I tried not to but I do. I hate how Hermione harps on me about anything and everything, I hate her superior attitude. I hate how lazy Ron is and how they both ditch me when the going gets rough. I've never been told I love you, nor have I ever been shown affection by my relatives.
"I tried to make the Weasley's my family but the Mrs. Weasley is over bearing and the Mr. Weasley is stupid. The only Weasley's I am okay with are the twins, but sometimes they are a little much." Draco listened while he slipped his left arm around Harry's waist. He was too thin, another thing to go on the list of things to fix. He would have to have his mother do a full checkup on Harry over Yule. Speaking of which he still needed to inform Harry of the Dark Lord's request.
"I'm tired of pretending to be the world's savior; I'm tired of being strong. I want to be loved, to be cared about. I want someone who will never leave me no matter how mad they get at me. I love to fly, the feeling it brings is the only sort of freedom I have ever known. I don't know if I like music as I have never been around it much. I have an unnatural fear of clowns and am horrendous at Occlumency. When Snape tried to teach me I was an epic failure -" Harry cut short from the look on Draco's face.
"Severus taught you Occlumency?"
Harry nodded, trying to ascertain what was going on in Draco's mind. "Kind of, it felt more like mind rape than lessons."
Draco didn't delude himself; he knew he didn't know everything or even half what was going on back at the manor. Draco knew his orders and information that pertained to those goals…but he had spent so much time with Severus last year that it was almost impossible to believe that Severus hadn't once complained of having to teach "the Potter brat." He had griped about everything else; Hufflepuffs, Dumbledore, attending the Malfoy's Yule ball, Hogsmeade, Weasley, Granger, and the list continued. But not once had Severus even hinted to the fact that he was spending extra time with Potter.
Was Harry the reason Wednesday evenings had been strictly off limits last year? Or the reason why Severus' office had been destroyed…destroyed right before whatever else Severus had been doing every Wednesday night stopped. Draco could have groaned, with their explosive past it was no surprise it ended the way it had. But that still didn't give Draco any indication as to why Severus had kept it secret, had lied to him about starting another research project.
Unless he thought Draco would relay the information, whether unknowingly or not didn't matter. However that idea was simply ridiculous, that would imply Severus had hid important information from the Dark Lord. The mere idea was laughable. Right?
"Draco? Draco?" Draco snapped out of his thoughts and looked back to Harry.
"Sorry Harry, was a million miles away." He played it off with a grin and a cool mask. He was just being paranoid now. Severus being a traitor was like Harry using an unforgivable…Draco couldn't hold back the chuckle that came with the absurdity of the thought.
Harry looked at him oddly for a moment before letting it go, "So we have time to kill before dinner." A roguish grin appeared on full pink lips and Draco raised his eyebrows. Harry moved closer, smiling wickedly, and pulled Draco closer. The snog session that followed melted all worries of Severus Snape away.
