Chapter 11

Neither of them speak. Draco can hear the heavy thud of his heartbeat, of the blood throbbing in his ears. The room is close and humid, nearly black, save for the thin shaft of light the curtains permit. Draco imagines the silence between them swelling, swallowing him, filling his eyes, his mouth, his lungs, creeping down his throat like fumes and turning to venom in his veins. For a moment, he wonders that he can breathe.

Severus sighs, runs his tongue over his lips. "Put your wand on the desk. And I'm warning you, love, don't try anything."

After a few seconds, Draco starts to move. He's careful not to hurry, partly to retain his dignity, but mostly because he needs time to think. He's scared; Snape knows that he's trying to keep his hands from shaking. He's angry too. In the split second before he reaches the desk, it's the anger that takes over, and he turns quickly, yelling "petrificus totalus". There's a brief flash of light as the spell is deflected.

Draco doesn't see Severus move.

He lets out a short cry of shock as he is crushed to the wall, the sharp point of his wand digging into his stomach and his right arm trapped between his chest and the cool stone. He gasps as Snape twists his left arm behind his back. His shoulder screams in protest. He screws his eyes shut when Severus presses a hand against his mouth. He tastes blood on his fingers.

Severus leans forward until his lips lightly brush Draco's ear. Draco sobs at the familiar weight of the man against his back. "Did you really think you could overpower me, boy?" Severus hisses, letting out a bitter, humourless laugh. His breathing is even.

When he speaks again his voice is gentle, almost regretful. "I don't want to hurt you Draco." Draco doesn't miss the threat. "If I take my hand away from your mouth, do you promise me you won't scream?"

Draco nods, and then breathes deeply as the hand is removed. It snakes around his stomach and grips his wand.

"Let go."

Draco reluctantly surrenders his wand. Severus slips it into his pocket.

"I'm going to let go of you. If you try to fight me, you will lose. Understand?"

There is a weightless feeling in his arm as his wrist is released and Severus takes a step back. Draco turns quickly and slaps Severus, who barely flinches. His jaw twitches as he attempts to keep hold of his temper.

"I'll let you get away with that this once, love, because I probably deserve it-"

"'Probably'?" Draco's voice has a slightly hysterical note. "You used me! You used me to get back at my father. All these months you've been lying to me-"

"I never lied to you." Severus runs a hand through his hair.

"Fine, then. Deceived me, whatever."

"And yes, I used you. But not to hurt Lucius." He pauses. For a moment to only sounds in the room are Draco's occasional sobs. "Do you know anything about the wards on this house? I knew a man in prison-" Draco snorts. Severus ignores him. "He used to be a ministry official who specialised in setting up household wards. He created a type of ward which would let anyone through as long as their signature was already there. He set that type of ward around this house, secretly of course. He intended to break in, but got caught trying to rob Gringotts before he got the chance."

Draco has stopped crying. The look on his face is a mixture of confusion and curiosity.

"The point is, I needed someone to get me into the house initially, then I'd be able to come and go as I pleased." He has the good grace to look slightly sheepish. "Then I saw your picture in the Prophet, and everything fell into place."

Draco laughs hollowly. "Sounds like the perfect plan."

"It was, until I fucked it up." He takes a cautious step towards Draco, then raises his hand to touch Draco's cheek lightly. He flinches away. "I should have left you as soon as you brought me here. But I couldn't." He takes a shaky breath. "Because I fell in love with you, Draco."

"Liar." Draco spits, taking a step back.

"I'm not lying. If I was still just using you, why would I have come to get you? The Ministry are after me, love. I need to leave London, now. Please come with me."

Severus' eyes have softened. There's something different in the lines of his face, the worried slant of his eyebrows. Something desperate, something pleading. Draco bites his lip, wanting to believe Severus, wanting to close his eyes and make it all go away, let it be someone else's problem.

Suddenly the door springs open, crashing loudly against the wall. Draco hears his father's voice, a frantic curse; sparks flash; the clock is blasted from the wall. The room is still. Draco swallows with difficulty and realises that he's been screaming. His throat is raw.

Severus and Lucius stand three feet apart, their wands pointed at one another's chests, their eyes locked.

"Draco, go to your room. Snape and I have things to sort out."

"No." Draco's voice is a whisper.

"Draco, for Merlin's sake do as you're told!"

"I know about the things you've done."

Lucius sighs. "We can talk about that later. Please Draco, I'm just thinking about what's best for you now."

Severus sneers. "Makes a change."

"Don't you dare try to poison my son any more than you already have."

"I don't need to, Lucius."

Draco spots his wand poking out of Severus' pocket. Severus and Lucius keep their eyes trained on one another, neither daring to break their gaze. It's close, probably within arms reach. He looks back and forth between the two men, their faces contorted with hate.

"You think you know him, Draco, but you don't."

Severus laughs cruelly. "Oh he knows me, Lucius. The things he knows about me." He lowers his voice, smirking. "The things I know about him."

Lucius' nostrils flare. "You sick pervert. I will kill you for touching my son."

"STUPEFY!"

Draco's hands shake. He keeps his arm extended, his wand held so tightly his knuckles are white. Lucius lies crumpled in the corner, blood bright and accusing against his white-blond hair. Severus lowers his wand and turns to Draco.

"Come with me."

"I need time to think, Severus." Draco runs a hand through his hair, brushing harshly at the fresh tears on his cheek. Severus grips his arm lightly, gently turning his jaw, forcing the younger man to look at him.

"I don't have time, love."

Draco's bites his lip.

"There's a train leaving in forty-five minutes for Florence. I have to be on that train. I'll wait for you there, but I can't wait any longer." He lowers his head and catches Draco's lower lip between his. He strokes Draco's cheek lightly, kisses away a tear, then reluctantly lets go of his arm and heads for the door, stepping over Lucius' legs. He turns back once, the light from the hallway illuminating his features.

"Please be there."