I am terribly sorry this chapter has taken forever. It's not much of a chapter either. I have so many ideas for this story but I just can't find time to write. This chapter has NOT been beta'd so sorry for any mistakes. Please feel free to let me know if you see any and I promise the next chapter is soon to follow.
Chapter 7: Sharing Secrets
Draco sat in the window seat of his borrowed bedroom gazing across the countryside or what he could see of it in the pale moonlight. He hated this; the situation, the state of things…everything. Here he was, stuck with Potter for the rest of the summer and probably a few months beyond that. Draco knew he would have to tolerate Potter's company now that he had chosen his path. His "path." Yes, that is what Severus had called it.
"You must decide, Draco, what path you will take through life. No one, certainly not I, can choose that path for you," Severus had said.
"But what if I choose the wrong path?"
"Draco, there is no turning back from your choice. You must decide; Voldemort and your father, which will cause you great pain, both physically and mentally and eventually death or your own way. Turning against your father and his master may well lead to misery, as well, but it will have been your choice, your path."
"Then what's the point? If I am miserable with whatever choice I make, then what's the fucking point?" Draco had become very upset, coming to the decision that perhaps it would be best to at least stay on his father's side and not have to see the disappoint and shame that would surely fall upon him if he turned on his own flesh and blood.
Severus had become exasperated with Draco. He had known that Draco's main road block in making this kind of life altering decision was still based in the idea that Draco would only do what would benefit Draco the most. Although Severus could respect that, he was hoping the Draco could see the bigger picture.
Draco could still vividly remember the lecture that came next.
"Listen to me, Draco," Severus had said as he knelt in front of the boy sitting in a chair in front of the fire. "I cannot make this decision for you, but let me tell you something that may help."
Draco remembered staring up at Severus and seeing the sincerity and concern shining in those black orbs.
"I'll listen," Draco had whispered. Draco sat back and folder his hands in his lap. Severus seated himself in his chair once again and began to speak. It was a voice that lulled Draco into a calm state of being. He listened to every word that Severus spoke. He picked up on every emotion that came through. Every heart ache, every painful remembrance, every loss, every opportunity that got away and every regret. Then he made his decision. Still, it had been a hard decision to make, even after listening to Severus be the most open he had ever been with Draco.
Draco had, in essence, decided to go against his father, mother, heritage, and most importantly, the Dark Lord. What was done was done. He couldn't go back. Knowing that there was no returning made his decision more resolved.
So, here he sat brooding, while Potter sulked around and Severus got himself worked into a drunken snit. Just when Draco was about to contemplate whether he should shower and go to bed, go to bed and then shower in the morning, or shower tonight and in the morning, there was a knock on his door.
"Draco?" Severus opened the bedroom door and peaked in. "Are you in here?"
"Where else would I be? Hanging out with Potter?" Draco stood from the window seat and faced Severus.
Ignoring Draco's current mood, Severus stepped all the way in and looked around the room.
"Have you unpacked?"
"No, I didn't see an immediate need to do so. Why?" Draco made his way over to his trunk and flung open the lid making it hit the wall. He bent over and started removing his only remaining possessions.
"Do not unpack; you would be wasting your time. We are leaving. Have all of your things ready to go and in the foyer in 5 minutes." Severus turned to leave the room.
"Wait! What? We're leaving. I mean, I knew we were, eventually, but tonight?" Draco dropped what he was holding in his hand back into his trunk. The lid slammed closed and there was the sound of a lock clicking.
"Draco," Severus said, slightly inpatient, "I'm only saying this once. It is of utmost importance that we leave this house, this town, immediately. I will not take the time to explain my reasons to you at this moment. Now, be downstairs with your trunk and anything else you wish to take with you in 5 minutes." Severus spun on his heel, robes billowing around his ankles, and left the room.
Draco knew the house was heavily warded, fidelius charm and all, so he didn't understand the immediate need. However, Draco usually did what his superiors told him, so he did a quick once over of his borrowed bedroom, shrunk his school trunk, grabbed his robe, made sure he had his wand and headed to the foyer. All of that in 45 seconds, Draco thought proudly.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
"Potter!" Severus yelled on his way down the stairs. "Potter, did you hear me?" He found Harry sitting in the same spot he was in when he went upstairs, on the floor in the foyer.
"Every word," Harry said without opening his eyes to give Snape his full attention.
"Do not be impertinent with me, Potter. If we were at school I would be taking points and assigning detention," Severus said as he walked back into the library.
"Well, were not at school, so there," Harry mumbled, more to himself then anyone else.
"I heard that!" Snape emerged from the library clutching a few books in his hands. He stood and stared at Harry for a few seconds and then turned and headed back upstairs. He was halfway up when he turned around.
"Potter, be ready to depart in five minutes. I will be leaving with or without you."
Draco came down the steps at that moment.
"Actually, Severus, four minutes. You see, one minutes ago you told me we would leave in…"
"Draco," Severus interrupted, "I know what I said. Make sure Potter is ready to go when I get back." With that, Severus continued up the stairs.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
Severus quickly made his way to the closet in his bedroom. Kneeling down, he reached all the way to the back and pulled towards him a small wooden box. He grabbed the contents and stuffed them into the one and only luggage bag he would be taking with him, something medium sized that could easily be slung over his shoulder. The item he removed from the box could be vital later and he refused to leave it behind.
Severus went through the dresser one last time looking for anything he might have missed. He was on his way to the bathroom to give it a once over, when he stopped dead in his tracks. His breath caught, his heart beat was pounding in his ears and he couldn't move for all the galleons in the world. He felt it, knew it to the core of his soul, his wards had been breeched.
There were a few Death Eaters that had been to his home in an attempt to keep up appearances as a true follower. Those fellow minions had always been allowed access by floo, when Severus allowed it and had the connection open. This breech in his wards was not the floo coming to life, this was an invasion.
Severus started to breath again and quickly left his bedroom. They had to leave now! The fidelius charm had failed. His secret keeper had either given up the secret or was dead. Severus wasn't sure which reason hurt the most.
