Of Secrets and Deceptions
Chapter Twenty Six: What Happened Draco?
Draco looked at his parents whom had looks of confusion on their head. Severus however was concerned over his godson's mental health. He had never spoken like that before, so unsure of himself and he had never before requested for his parents to leave him alone with him when there had been something wrong as Draco was quite reliant on his parents. Furthermore there was something about Draco's reaction to legilimency that troubled him. Severus gave a nod towards the elder Malfoy's trying to convey that it would be alright and he would deal with whatever the situation was. Narcissa and Lucius looked at Severus and Draco before leaving the room together, giving them both the space that they wanted despite their fear at Draco's reaction.
When Narcissa and Lucius left the room, Severus turned to Draco.
"So Draco, care to tell me what is going on?" Severus asked Draco with an eyebrow raised.
"I don't know Sev…" Draco started, his voice trembling with fear at what was to come. He knew that the truth would come out and he didn't want to think of the repercussions of his actions from today. He didn't even know why he did it; there was just this overpowering urge to do it.
"Why don't I just take a look first and then you can explain it properly?" Severus asked calmly.
"Oh… ok." Draco replied, "But you need to let me explain properly, please. I know what you will see and I… I don't…"
"Sh, Draco. I promise I will hear you out." Severus promised, attempting to keep Draco as calm as he can, knowing that entering an erratic mind could cause damage and he would most likely not gain the whole story from the events of today unless Draco's mind was partially calm.
Draco began to take calming breaths, knowing that when Severus promised something, he would stick to the promise and would not betray him. Finally feeling his breathing regulating to its normal pattern, Draco nodded to Severus to give him permission to perform the spell.
"Legilimens" Severus whispered and he was pulled in to Draco's mind with a forceful tug.
Draco's mind was completely erratic. Fear and confusion filled his forefront thoughts and anger raged through his mind at various pictures which were whizzing past Severus. But there seemed to be some kind of mental block to one side of Draco's mind, as though someone had cast a blocking spell… similar to the Imperius. Severus began to walk towards the block but an overwhelming sense of hatred and jealousy that was protruding from the block was so forceful that it knocked Severus back and he fell in to the memory of the night's events.
He witnessed his two Godson's playing Quidditch, one happily while the other begrudgingly due to his attitude towards the other boy. He felt Draco become angrier at Harry for no reason other than catching the Snitch and being happy while on the broom stick. He watched as Draco watched Harry fly after the Snitch, his back towards his brother. He watched as Draco smirked before finally casting the Bombarda spell at his brother and watching him fall to the floor with a sickening crunch. He then watched as Draco flew down to where his brother lay, checking his breathing before cursing with a scowl. And he watched as Draco schooled his features to ones of worry before racing off towards the castle. However he did not notice the prone figure who was watching from his office with a smirk that rivalled Draco's own as he watched the events take place.
Severus was angry, no not angry but furious. He could not believe that Draco would do such a thing to his own brother, regardless of how angry he was at him. He could not understand the hatred and jealousy that was swirling about the boys mind while the event took place. It was irrational. Severus was determined to find out why Draco was acting like this and began to work through Draco's memories backwards in an attempt to understand.
He watched as Draco talked to Harry, inviting him to play Quidditch on the pitch that night but he could sense the hatred Draco had for Harry and the annoyance of Harry's placement over Draco in his parent's eyes. How he suggested they meet on the Quidditch pitch after dinner, without the mention of someone to chaperone them. Had Draco even asked?
However the emotions of Draco and the reasons behind them did not make sense to Severus whom had watched Draco grow from a baby to his teenage self. There was something that must have influenced Draco's behaviour over the day. Something that had changed him from the happiness he was this morning to the anger and hatred he felt at the current time.
Severus's thoughts turned to the mental block on the boy's mind. It was worrying. The only was something like that could have happened would be due to a skilled Legilimens. What also worried Severus was the only people he could think of whom would be able to do that were limited to himself, Tom Riddle, Lucius Malfoy and Albus Dumbledore. Of course, Severus would never do that to his own Godson and Lucius to his own son. Tom would never do anything like this to put Harry in danger which left Albus Dumbledore. But when did Albus last have contact to Draco? The evening feast? Draco was having these feelings before this so it must have been before then… Severus needed to find out.
Darting through Draco's mind again, Severus stumbled on something unexpected. Draco was walking through the corridor to his mother's office and it suddenly went dark, then brightened and he finished the walk. It was a sign of a memory charm but it was subtle. You needed to look for the darkness to understand it and due to the lack of mind magic Draco was used to; he would not recognise a memory charm or block. Which was why he was confused on his feelings… But he needed to unblock it. Severus could not do it himself, only Draco could.
Severus began to slowly withdraw from Draco's mind, leaving feelings of comfort and understanding behind which would ease the boy in order to break the memory charm and block which had been placed upon him. However he had no idea how he was going to explain this to Narcissa, Lucius or Tom.