Chapter 31

Having recently dedicated all his free time to becoming a more proficient fighter, Draco was now reading through several volumes on nonverbal spells. Feeling the onset of a headache, he set one of the books down on his lap. He looked out the window of the Manor library, gazing at the snow-covered grass. He couldn't stop thinking about the last time he spoke with Granger and the things she said about him being more pro-active about helping the Order.

She was right.

She was right, but he didn't know what the fuck he could do about it. He was torn. He didn't want the Dark Lord to win. But to defeat him, he had to help the Order. Helping the Order meant that his role as spy had to be more than eliminating the cunts threatening his friends and family. He had to help the Order defeat the Dark Lord's army. But he and his father were the Dark Lord's army. He'd be fucking over himself and his family.

Granger said that the operation he and his father planned in the states would cripple the Order. He knew that it would. Cut off the funding supply, cut off the resistance. It was a no brainer, that's why he and his father had done it.

But what would have happened had Draco told her?

Draco didn't know, but it would most likely involve death and torture.

Not only that, but Granger explained that he wouldn't be able to secure an Unbreakable Vow until the Order trusted him and he demonstrated his utility. Now she knew that he had been instrumental in cutting off their funding and hadn't said a damn thing. He probably blew his chances. What if the very actions he could take to secure a pardon for his family would at the same time, cause their deaths?

Frustrated with the helplessness of not knowing what to do, he bent over, holding his head in his hands, and let the book of nonverbal spells slip from his lap to the floor. Ultimately, if the Malfoys couldn't demonstrate their usefulness to the Dark Lord, he would make an example of them to inspire fear and loyalty in everyone else. Through months and months of hard work, Draco and his father had slowly regained their standing in the Dark Lord's army since the debacle of the Department of Mysteries and Draco's subsequent failure to kill Dumbledore atop the Astronomy tower. While they were busy in the working for the Dark Lord, his mother had rebuilt their reputation in society. It was so easy to fall out of favor, and clamoring back to the top took all their skill and cunning.

And the Malfoys had done so.

Now what?

He heard footsteps enter the library, interrupting his thoughts. Draco glanced up to see Severus Snape standing in the Manor library, clothed in a dark winter cloak. His expression was unreadable, like always.

"Draco."

Draco hadn't spoken to Severus in quite some time. Not since they witnessed Burbage get eaten alive on his dining room table. No doubt the Headmaster had something important to say, he wasn't here by chance. His presence was comforting in a way, seeing as his ex-Head of House had always done his best to help him. Draco never understood his motivations because Severus was even more tight lipped than Draco's father, but ultimately, he knew his godfather was on his side.

If only he could discuss his current dilemma with him.

Draco had no one. He didn't know who to ask, he didn't know who to confide in, and he had no idea what to do after he gave Granger the Carrow plans. And he couldn't expect Granger to understand. If anything, their fight at Trafalgar Square showed that she wouldn't.

"Severus," Draco replied, sitting up straight and running a hand through his hair. "I trust Hogwarts is doing well under your leadership?"

Severus nodded, taking in Draco's posture and the fallen book. "It is," he replied, and glanced out the window before shifting his dark gaze back to him. "Come walk with me outside. I haven't seen the swans in a long time."

Draco picked the nonverbal spells book up off the floor, snapped it shut and tossed it to the side. "Truth be told, I haven't either."

He summoned a long black wool winter coat, gloves and a scarf, and led his ex-Professor through the hallway of the Manor to the South entrance. The heels of their shoes echoed on the tiled floor as they approached the double doors. Draco chanced a glance at Severus to see if he could determine the nature of his visit, but it was impossible. His godfather revealed nothing.

The two Slytherins exited the Manor and were hit by a blast of icy air. Severus' brow was lined more than Draco remembered and his black hair fell loosely around his sharp, angular face. He squinted his eyes against the cold air and continued onto the patio, down towards the path which led around to the lake.

The Manor grounds were beautiful, and the snow gave the bare trees the appearance of being frosted with icing. The two walked in silence together, feet crunching residual snow on the gravel path as they approached the lake. When they reached the water's edge Snape stopped and turned to him.

"Has Nagini eaten any of the swans?"

Draco eyed him curiously. The Dark Lord wasn't here today, which Severus must have known, but Nagini still was. The reptile was nearly always inside the Manor during the winter. Severus was discreetly telling him to keep an eye out for it.

"She stays inside during the cold weather. The swans are safe in the winter."

"Mmm…" His godfather glanced surreptitiously to the sides of the lake, and back up the path towards the Manor. When he was satisfied they were alone, he turned to face Draco directly. Draco nearly stumbled at the intensity in Severus' black eyes.

"You need to be more careful, Draco." His voice was low in warning.

He furrowed his brow in honest confusion, but he Occluded immediately. He trusted Severus more than anyone else in Voldemort's Army, aside from his parents, but wasn't sure where this conversation was leading to.

Draco kicked a stone into the lake and stared at a swan swimming by. "I'm not sure what you mean."

Severus continued in the same quiet tone. "Certain Inner Circle members have a nasty habit of disappearing."

Fuck.

His heart beat rapidly and adrenaline shot down his spine.

He knew. Snape fucking knew what he had been doing with the Order.

How? How was that possible?

And why bring Draco out here to discuss it in seclusion? Why warn him to be careful? Maybe he was guessing? Did he want to trick Draco into confessing before bringing him before the Dark Lord? Draco turned to him, schooling his face into an expression of affront and anger but the blood was pounding loudly in his head.

"What exactly are you implying?" Draco hissed, his voice dangerous.

Nonplussed by Draco's threatening tone, the Headmaster continued. "Your feelings towards Dolohov and MacNair are well known. The only reason you're not dead now is because Nott and Rowle are the puzzlers."

"I don't like what you're insinuating," Draco growled back in righteous anger. Panic began to set in, but he glared at his ex-teacher as if he had told him he was terrible at Quidditch.

Snape didn't bother acknowledging his protestations. "I was your Head of House for six years. I know you hate Nott senior and Rowle even more than Dolohov and MacNair. Four disappearances of Inner Circle members that you hate is no mere coincidence."

"That's ridiculous," Draco lied through his growing horror. "And I don't hate Bixley or any of the others that have disappeared."

He was so fucked. He had been stupid. And his parents would pay for his betrayal too. He wondered if he could attack Snape successfully, before he told anyone. Draco would have to; he had no choice. He slowly reached inside his winter pocket for his wand, so Snape couldn't see, grateful he had recently become proficient in nonverbal spells.

"No one cares about Bixley or the others; they don't know anything of value," Severus said disdainfully. "I'm not going to tell anyone about what you've done so remove your hand from your wand." Fuck. Draco released his wand and flared his nostrils, trying to think through his options. "But if the next person to disappear is Alecto," Snape continued, "Someone less informed than I will connect the dots."

Draco stared down at the icy water, unable to look into his teacher's eyes. Severus found him out, there was no use in denying it. And he had unfinished plans for the Carrow Estate back in the Granger's guest room right now.

Fuck!

But Severus said he wouldn't tell. Draco exhaled slowly, trying to calm himself. He wouldn't tell. Draco was safe.

For now.

So were his parents.

Maybe Severus wanted something in exchange for his silence.

"Alecto disappearing is no loss." Severus brushed some lint off of his sleeve. "But her sudden absence will give you away. You may want to consider the Dark Lord's next move. He won't wait while members of his Inner Circle are picked off one by one and he'll eventually figure out it's you behind it all. You can't keep this up forever."

Draco clenched his fists and stared into the icy pond, his mind racing. He was found out. He couldn't continue spying for the Order like this. He'd get caught. But Severus wouldn't tell; he probably wanted something. Snape continued in a bored drawl, as if he hadn't just given Draco a psychological whiplash of absolute terror and relief in less than ten seconds.

"The Order has been in hiding since last summer and despite the recent move in the United States, its still gaining strength. Some members are suspected but haven't been brought in because there isn't any evidence to use against them. Perhaps that is what you should concern yourself with since you and your father all but control the DMLE now. I would also expect a raid. Very soon. So keep practicing your nonverbal spells, Draco."

Severus turned without waiting for Draco to reply, and walked back to the Manor, presumably to finish business with his father. He heard his feet crunching on the snow covered gravel as he stared at the pond, exhaling a long, shuddering breath.

The swans paddled gracefully back and forth across the water and Draco ambled over to a bench, sitting down after clearing the snow. He spread his legs in front of him, and his heart pounded furiously in his chest. He couldn't believe what had just happened. According to Severus, he had been obvious even though he tried to be careful.

Draco hadn't considered that his hatred of some of the Inner Circle members would be seen as a commonality between those that were captured.

But of course it would be, because that's why he chose them.

Stupid.

Maybe he should start working on Yaxley's. Or Travers'. The Malfoys had no conflict with them. It would add a randomness to the disappearances that might remove him and his family from suspicion even if he eventually gave Granger the Carrow plans. After disguising the trail, he could rethink his options for helping the Order. But Snape said that eventually someone would figure out he was behind the Inner Circle member disappearances, even if he didn't give them Alecto.

Granger wanted the Lestrange Estate. Which meant the Order did. Could he give up Aunt Bella? Could he betray his own flesh and blood? He wouldn't be suspected. Everyone hated her. In fact, if she disappeared it would remove him and his family from suspicion if the Dark Lord determined there was a spy among them.

His aunt was a sadist and borderline psychotic but… She was his aunt. She loved him in her own way. At least, Draco thought she did. She had been in Azkaban for most of his life, but he had seen pictures of her holding him as a baby. One was of her biting his chubby feet with pure happiness. And she had scared off Alecto that one time.

That meant something, didn't it?

On the other hand, his aunt would torture and kill Hermione without a second thought. So would his father for that matter. And he would never betray his father.

Severus hadn't asked for anything in exchange for his silence. But Draco was susceptible to blackmail now. He'd do anything. Maybe his teacher was giving him time to stew on the ramifications of the conversation only to threaten him later.

But that wasn't like Severus.

Draco ran his gloved hand through his hair, agonizing over what to do. He watched a puff of breath disappear into the cold air in front of him, considering what Severus had just told him. Despite the shocking content of their conversation, he didn't appear alarmed, surprised or even angry that Draco had betrayed the Dark Lord. His only concern was that Draco was in danger of getting caught.

He didn't understand his professor's reaction at all and tried to remember what he said. Draco thought back to the conversation.

"Some members are suspected, but not in hiding because there isn't any evidence to use against them. Perhaps that is what you should concern yourself with since you and your father all but control the DMLE now. I would also expect a raid. Very soon…"

Wait.

What?

Draco sat up straighter and whipped his head around to search the path leading towards the manor, but Severus had long disappeared. He had slipped that bit in towards the end of their conversation and Draco had nearly missed it.

His old professor, the very one who had murdered Dumbledore when he could not, just told him to warn the Order.

Chapter end notes:

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