Disclaimer: Potterdom has never been mine.. c; although owning Draco Malfoy can suffice grins
A/N: i am really sorry you guys! gosh.. i feel so bad.. ok, i want to apologize for the long wait.. well, the thing is, we just recently had (as in just finished today) our 2nd quarterly examinations.. exams suck big time... next explanation, i have been rather busy sorting out issues.. with friends.. and i am so depressed, i couldn't update.. also, my net connections were out for a week & i was doubting whether i should post the chap as there is an Original Character who i have not decided to play an important role or just a minor one in the flow of the story.. apologies.. but as a FRIDAY the 13th treat (i love this day!) a ten-page chap.. full of love & sincere regret for making you wait.. here it is.. enjoy
Dedicated to:
all the Friday-the-thirteenth-lovers!
like moi! c;
Chapter 11
"Draco…" His father drawled
"Father…" Draco said, although he didn't mean it… Lucius would never be his father… Never have and never will…
"Are things progressing?" Lucius asked…
"Yes… But I'm afraid, progress would go slower…" Draco replied
"Why is that?" Lucius asked with interest
"I was replaced by some fucking person… As her nurse" Draco said irately
"My, my, Draco… Is that jealousy I am sensing? You're not even certain if your replacement is a male or a female… Don't tell me you're falling for the dirty bint…" Lucius said snidely
"No father," He smirked then continued, "I just look after my playthings…"
----
He went back to the common room at around midnight after a chat with his father and their plans…
He went up to his room, but saw her door a little ajar…
He looked at her face… She was very peaceful… He pitied her… Granger thinks she knows what the real world is… But she only sees the good, not the truth… She is innocent, untainted… Unlike him… He was aware of the evils of this world… He was aware of the sick truth… All of Dumbledore's assurances were just clouding the truth, the reality that the light is becoming weaker… And it would be a shame if her spirits were crushed…
Hermione Granger would never compare to Pansy… Pansy was a cheap lay… She was something who was always ready... She was half-witted and very blunt… Sure, she had looks. Period. And he would never have his first with her…
Yes, Draco Malfoy, was a virgin… He had not had contact with another… Believe it or not, the bad boy was not yet touched… Yes, there were lots of rumors but he was 'PURE' by choice… He wanted to have his first with the girl he loves… He was too proud to give it to anyone who doesn't deserve it… He snogged, made-out, but never shagged… Because believe it or not, he was waiting for the right person…
He was saddened by the fact that if ever he meets the ONE, she'd leave him if she knew his history and his outlined future, but at least, even for just a few moments, he had the One…
Draco also knew he was capable of love… No one, not even the dark lord does not know how to love… Malfoys, even Lucius, was capable of love. He had loved once, because, once, he had that same twinkle in his eye whenever he saw Draco's mother… Their marriage was arranged but Draco knew Lucius loved his mother… But evil made him think that he can push love out of his heart… Voldemort, as Draco believes, can also love… He loves himself too much, he would do anything to rise up in power… He loves power… He was obsessed with power…
Draco was saddened by the thought that Malfoys don't love… because Malfoys can…
He turned to leave but was stopped when a hand grabbed his wrist…
"Malfoy?" Granger asked
"Granger…"
"Where have you been all night… I was…" But she trailed off…
"You were?" Draco asked
"Nothing…"
"Don't tell me, you're developing this huge crush on me Granger…" He chuckled
"AM NOT!" Hermione said indignantly
"Granger… You're so hot… headed" And then he laughed again
"Malfoy…" She said, her tone becoming serious…
"Hmm?" He asked
"Thank you…" And then she kissed his cheek
He felt shivers in his spine but just shrugged them off… "You're certainly most welcome…" he said with a smile…
She also smiled… A genuine smile… "Good night…"
"Good night, Granger…"
----
The next day…
"Granger, dress up… McGonagall and Dumbledore are coming over… And so is Pomfrey…" He informed her
"Alright…" She said politely
----
"Miss Granger! Mister Malfoy! A pleasant morning…" Dumbledore greeted with a cheerful voice…
They nodded…
"Minerva, please escort Erik inside…" He requested
"Alright, Albus…" She said politely
"Mr. Malfoy, you have done very well in taking care of Ms. Granger and Madame Pomfrey checked and told me that she was recovering fast…" Dumbledore told them… "Very good Mr. Malfoy, and because of this, we have seen that you deserve a little break from stressful duties, so we will be enlightening your burden by giving the nurse-tutor load to Mr. Erik Pristine…
Mr. Malfoy, Ms. Granger, meet Mr. Erik Pristine, an exchange student from Durmstrang…"
"A pleasure meeting you…" He said with a smile that showed his pearly whites off. He gave Draco a handshake and Hermione a kiss on the hand… Hermione instantly blushed… Draco inwardly sneered at the blonde-suck-up hand-kissing-outlaw…
Wow… was that even a word?
Erik stood 6". But Draco was taller with his 6"2 height… He also had blonde hair but Draco's were classier than his dirty blonde hair. He was also fair complexioned while Draco's was pale… And then he had these cerulean blue eyes, but Draco's gray ones were more hypnotizing…
Ugh… He sounded so insecure… Was he actually jealous? Jealousy, another forbidden thought…
"Pristine? Perfect, immaculate, pure and untouched..." Draco added
"That's my surname, but please, don't think I'm Mr. Perfect, I hate my surname, it makes me look like the proud and conceited guy…" He said in a friendly way
He was surprised that the guy did not have the 'krum-accent'…
It would seem as if Granger read his mind when she asked "Prissy" why he did not sound Bulgarian-like
"That's because I'm not from Bulgaria… I am also British but my father wanted me to study in Durmstrang… (He's just like me… Draco thought… His father also wanted him to study in Durmstrang but Narcissa insisted he study at Hogwarts…)"
"Very well, we shall be off… Oh and by the way, Heads… Mr. Pristine will be staying here in your common room…" McGonagall said
"He already has a bedroom…" Dumbledore said, stopping them in their tracks
----
"I best be off too…" Draco said coolly…
"Okay, Malfoy…" erik called him
"What? Why are you calling me Malfoy?"
"Oh, I just heard Hermione here, call you that…"
"Call me Draco…" He said then left
----
"Zabini!" He shook the sleeping guy
"Malfoy! What the hell is wrong with you…"
"I have a crisis…" He said
"Well what can I do?" Blaise asked
"Let's drown our sorrows…" Draco smirked…
Blaise knew that Draco also wanted him intoxicated so that he won't remember what Draco opened up to him, because Draco was a loose-tongue when he was drunk… So he decided to pretend to get intoxicated too… If he gets lucky, he might learn of Draco's problem which Draco loved keeping to himself…
"So what's the problem mate?" Blaise asked
"The prissy boy from Durmstrang…"
"What happened?"
"Blaise—The boy is a pain in the arse…"
"How did you know? How much time have you spent with him?"
"ten minutes max…"
"Then how can you say tha---- Oh I get it… You have competition now, for the babe's attention…" Blaise said with a smirk
"I do not like the Mudblood!" Draco said defensively
"Oh c'mon Drake… I did not say you like her… what I meant about the attention were the taunts and teases… O-Oh… Looks like tonight I'll finally get you to confess…" Blaise said tauntingly
"Do not try me Zabini… I am drunk, not stupid"
"Draco, are you afraid of competition? Haha… Never thought I'd live to see the day Malfoy gets insecure because of a girl…" He said chuckling
TWAD
"I maybe drunk Zabini, but like I said… Not stupid" Draco smirked…
Zabini's eye was black and swollen… SHEESH… He really hated Draco getting drunk, he doesn't slur, he doesn't even do ridiculous things… He really is used to alcohol… tsk tsk… No blackmails on this one… But he keeps on blabbing about what feelings he kept inside… A possible blackmail but not worth one blackened eye…
----
Draco was weary and tired and most of all, angered… He went inside the common room the next day, which, fortunately for him, was a Saturday.
"You're a quidditch player? Wow!..." Hermione said amazed
"Yes…" He said with a slight smile
"Oh, hey malfoy…" Hermione said with a nod
"Oh, Mal-Draco… It's you.. Pleasant morning…" Erik said with a smile
He just looked at them, did not say a word, and continued to walk to his room…
"Oh! How rude!" Hermione said annoyed… She threw a pillow which was targeted at him…
He faced them and caught the pillow…
He stared them both down and continued to walk to his room…
"Quidditch reflexes…" Erik muttered…
Hermione just sat there, surprised that he could still perform such feat when he was so dead tired.
"Are you ok Hermione?" Erik asked peculiarly
She got out of her trance… "Oh? Yes… Yes…" Hermione said dazedly
"So how is your condition now?" Erik asked
"Shouldn't you be the one checking on that?" Hermione snapped
"Oh… Sorry…" Erik said in shame
"I—I'm sorry… I didn't mean to snap at you like that…" Hermione said apologetically
"I guess you're really used to that Draco guy…"
"I guess…" Hermione said without meeting her eyes with his…
Hermione did not know why she suddenly did that to Erik… It was a spur-of-the-moment action but she instantly knew that it was Malfoy who drove her to do that… Looks like he's finally rubbing off on me…
----
Draco was inside his room, looking at the ceiling… Stupid muggle witch and Prissy boy… But he remembered that he should be doing his task right now… And no prissy boy should get in the way…
He was already branded by evil… The Dark Mark… He remembered when he had gotten the mark…
"Narcissa, your son shall be branded tomorrow." Lucius said nonchalantly
"What? Lucius… Do you want your son to be a death eater? To kill the lives of the innocent?" Narcissa said irritated
He slapped her face… "What innocence are you talking about, Narcissa? Those "innocent" ones are filth and filth-lovers!" Lucius said exasperatedly…
"What kind of father are you? If you have evil things to do, do your own bidding, do not include my son in this…" Narcissa said firmly
Lucius was very enraged… "How dare you defy me? Speak of me so ill! Wench! Avada—"
Draco just entered the scene with no one noticing.
"Sir… Please do not waste your time on such foolishness… Do not worry… I shall take the mark as you wish…" Draco said confidently and looked at Narcissa with disdain… "Not heeding this pathetic woman's pleas which are of no effect to me…" He said venomously
Narcissa looked at him with tearful eyes… her son was turning into a monster…
"Very well Draco… Go to your room now…" His father said, authority dripping into every word…
"Let me talk to this pathetic woman first father… I wish for her to prepare my clothes which will be used for the branding…" Draco suggested
"Alright… But do not let her brainwash you, son…"
"Yes, sir…" He said
----
Narcissa was crying when Draco brought him to his room…
"I'm sorry mother… I did not mean any of that… Please do not cry…" Draco said sadly but not too emotionally
"Draco, I am not crying because of what you told me… I am crying because you allowed yourself to be used… Draco death eate—"
"Mother, I do not like to be a death eater… I can kill but I do not want to kill to do another's bidding… I work not for anyone… But mother, I am lowering my pride so that Lucius will not touch you…" Draco said without making eye contact
"Son, this is the time that you should be proud do not let Lucius and Voldemort use you… You will get killed son… Your life will be a living hell…"
"I'm sorry mother, but if dying and ruining my life means sparing yours, then so be it…" And he walked out of his room
"Draco… My son… Please…" Narcissa said sorrowfully…
These were the cries of a mother… Not of a pure-blood mistress but that of a mother…
----
Draco was already up as dawn broke…
"We shall leave now Narcissa…" Lucius said coolly
But she acted as if she did not hear…
Draco was dressed in a suit and a cape…
"Draco, take care son…" She said sorrowfully and tried to hug him… His gaze shifted to Lucius' direction and saw that he was getting annoyed by the display of emotions…
"Do not touch me, wench…" He said cruelly
Narcissa, though she knew he was acting, backed out, probably hurt…
Draco was twice hurt by what he did… but he knew he should…
They entered the lair…
The death eaters were around them… He and Nott were to be branded…
"Nott, Malfoy… Do you pledge to be loyal to your lord and only to your lord?" Pettigrew asked…
"We do…" They said simultaneously
He took a dagger with a serpent engraved on its handle…
"We shall see, when you slash your palm…" Pettigrew said leering
Draco took the dagger first… And slit his own palm… the pain was unbearable, but he tried not to flinch… He would have to make his father proud… Very proud… His blood was flowing from his hand and Peter Pettigrew took a cup and poured the seeping blood on the cup… He squeezed it even harder, to make the blood trickle more…
After minutes of agony, Pettigrew finally released Draco's hand and then turned to Nott…
He was pale… If father says that the bond is not even one-fourth of the pain of the branding how can he bear the pain? But he will survive this branding for Narcissa, his mother… If he dies in the process, Lucius will just rant about how Narcissa raised a weakling and then kill her… He needs to live for her…
Finally, Voldemort showed up…
"We meet, Malfoy…" He said in a hiss
"My lord…" He bowed down to him
"Very well…" And without notice uttered the branding spell
"MORDSMORDRE…"
The death eaters laughed at the unexpected event… SO, Voldemort was testing if he would flinch… The pain was excruciating, but losing Narcissa was very painful… A lot more painful than a thousand branding spells… His father was laughing too… The fuckwit… But he raised his gaze, making Voldemort and the death eaters get a clearer view of his face… He smirked at Voldemort, and managed to walk away from the death eaters… And out of the room… Voldemort was highly pleased…
"Silence…" He called to the rambling crowd…
And he closed his eyes…
Draco felt he was being called… He went inside the room again…
And Voldemort leered… "Malfoy… Interesting…"
He called for Lucius and said, "You have raised the child well, Lucius…"
Lucius sneered in pride…
The pain was still there but he acted as if he was unaffected…
"Now, about that first task, Draco Malfoy…"
----
He went home, very tired… Lucius said he has business to attend to and went away… When he was out of the manor, he went to his Mother's bedroom…
And found her there…
She was crying as she was looking at the window… Draco saw what she was staring at… Lucius' retreating form…
"Mother…"
"Draco…"
She hugged her… And he tried to free himself of her grip…
"Mother, are you not disgusted by me? I am going to be a killer! Is this not what you loathe? Why are you hugging me still?" He asked
"Draco… When I looked at you yesterday, and when I looked at you today, I still see the same… You are no killer… You are my son…" She smiled…
He was tense… Here he was, he defied his mother yet she still accepted him…
"Draco… Promise me one thing…" Narcissa said in a pleading tone…
"What mother?" Draco asked
"If e—ever you try to kill… Do not enjoy it, son… Do not take pleasure from doing such inhuman acts…"
----
He shrugged those thoughts away… Thinking of new thoughts that would at least lighten his mood up… One of which was a thought about a certain muggle-born who is currently with the prissy boy…
thanks to the ffg whose reviews added a burden to my conscience... ;c sigh hope you don't stop supporting me because even just a one-word-review makes me smile.. c;
LolaCherryColaGirl (thanks for loving the story.. and you'll have to wait! c;), Steelo (nice guess! you'll see..c;), the.princess29 (i love angsty Dracos.. they make me purrr.. c;), urges (oh, i won't mind.. smirking dude? lol nice way to describe the person... heehee..), tootsieXpopXdiscovery (i am so sorry for the slow update.. hope i see your name on the next chap!), CosmicGibby (your reviews are awesome as usual! c; thanks! hope i made you happy even for a second! c;) blacknblueroses (glad to see a new name! hope i see you in the next chaps!)
To all those who reviewed, loves yah!
To all who read but did not review, loves yah too, but please leave a review so that you can be heard too! c;
To all those who were waiting for the update.. SO SORRY GUYS! i feel very sad right now.. i feel so guilty for making you wait.. hope the support does not run out.. loves yah all..
sulkingly,
outkasthpfanatic