A/N: Gomen nasai! I'm ever so sorry for taking so long to update, there's really no excuse. But I know you'll all forgive me anyway, because I'm just so kind and lovable like that. Besides, I think this chapter more than makes up for the wait.

Albus waited a few moments more to see if either Severus or Draco would reveal anything. When they didn't he took his leave, leaving the other two alone in the chilly room.

Neither Draco nor Severus spoke for many minutes. When one did, it was Draco.

"Why...?" His voice shook more than Draco would have liked, and he only intoned one word on account of it. He wasn't sure if he could have managed more, anyway, as his throat was tight and mouth was dry with worry.

Severus shifted his dark gaze from the stone floor to the youth.

"Why do you think?" The words were spat with venom, meant to hurt the way he had been hurt so many times before. Draco looked taken aback by the ferocity in which the sentence had been uttered and required a moment to compose himself. When he did, he resorted to his usual tactics - blunt and cold.

"Why do I think? Are you really asking my why I believe you to be so much of an idiot to do something like this to yourself?"

Twin glares were sent across the room.

Severus sat up straighter on his bed and shot back,

"You think I am the idiot! I am not the one who decided to follow his ignorant father's lead and join the ranks of a monster who will never, ever harbor anything for you other than a feeling that you are something he can use to achieve his means."

Draco stiffened.

"Such words make me wonder if you are referring to the Dark Lord or my father. We both know you hold him in distaste and wish that I never aligned myself with him." Before Severus could retort, Draco continued. "Well, that is not your decision to make. I decided to follow my father, I determined it was in my best interests to join the Death Eaters, I-"

"You are a fool. You are a stupid, arrogant, naive, ignorant fool, Draco Malfoy, and it is entirely your father's fault. If he had not fed you those false stories of the dark side, you would not have been so eager to join Voldemort. If he had not raised you the way all Malfoys have been raised since the beginning of time, you would never have bought into his lies and-" He was cut off as Draco lunged at him.

"What my father - and I - believe is none of your bloody business, do you understand! Nobody forced me to think the way I do, no one instructed that I do anything that I do. No one, that is, except you. You are the only one who condemns my actions, my choices. I don't know why I continue to put up with your insolent prattling."

With that, Draco turned on his heel and strutted back out the door, leaving Severus alone with his thoughts.