WARNINGS&DISCLAIMER - same as the 4th chap

AUTHOR'S NOTES - Since the last chap was crap (hey!! It ryhmed!!) I'm posting this already. Contrary to the popular belief, there indeed is a plot hopping around in my room. I simply fail to catch it. Ah, well. Let's hope some of my muses catches it. Oh, and the only reason you still haven't met them is that I simply don't allow them to get anywhere near these a/n- s. They'd mess up big time. Probably. But here is more of Spike 'n' Pook art. Enjoy. Untill Mia and J. come back. They you'll maybe finally read something good ;) Btw, sorry for so much dialogue!! It was boring even to myself, so SORRY!! I have a feeling I am constantly repeating myself in this fic, so THANK YOU for all the wonderful reactions. Thanx also to Moonlight Phoenix (I'm one of her biggest fans!!) and Nox and Red and everyone else who're reading this. Thank you! The support means so much!! Btw, Red. *stares in confusion* I'm probably sounding more dumb than ever, but I don't think I said I'm gonna do the fics before Ron's death. I do have Rebellion and Death, but they aren't connected to this one in any way. Hope you still like all of them ;)

5. Landing

What the hell was all this?!

It never ever felt like that. Whatever's ever been, he always landed. ALWAYS!! What the hell was happening? Was it all another bad dream? Could've easily been. He had quite a few already that night. But it felt so weird. As if he was conscious all the time, and aware, but not able to control what was happening. So what was it? A dream? A nightmare? He could swear it was another trip, just like always, but usually he had some. Knowledge. Yeah, knowledge about what was happening. If it was another nightmare, then it was a scary realistic one.

This all together felt just too weird. And he was panicking like mad by now, coz' it became obvious it wasn't a trip. If it was, it would've ended a dozen times by now.

He was in some kind of a. Dungeon? Or a hall? Well, whatever it was, it was cherry red. And kind of blurred, vision unclear. Felt like. Like walking on water. Exactly like that. In front of him were a door. A door without a door knob. He wanted to go the other way 'round, back where he came from, but his hand automatically reached out and pushed the door. They didn't open. Instead, they slammed right back at him with such a force he was hit across the wide hall easily as a feather. Instead of slamming into a wall, he fell in some hole. No, wait. It wasn't a hole. It was pure emptyness, emptyness so big you could float in it forever. The reflection of all of his emotions sumed in one.

Instead of floating, he crashed heavily (and painfuly) in something.

* * *

Draco snapped out of the restless sleepfor the millionth time that night. Again in sweat, again with a cup forced into his hands and bitter liquid streaming down his throat. Then he collapsed back on the sofa. And a dark image sighed heavily.

* * *

The next morning he finally felt as a human being again. And finally he once again had organised and controled thoughts. Well, as controled as they could be. He was still empty, and sad and deprived as never ever in his life. And he just knew that was the worst thing that could've ever happened to him.

But at least he was aware again. Eyes red and lips puffy from crying, but still sane. Or half-sane. Or whatever. And the realisation didn't make it any easier to cope with life, but it did make it easier for acting.

Professor McGonagall put the cup of tea back on the table.

«We hope you are right, Mr.Malfoy. But I repeat, if you feel you aren't ready, say it now.»

«I'm fine.»

Snape just shook his head. It was weird seeing him in this state. He was still very much his old self, the same class as the Malfoys. Arrogant and above others. And Merlin knows his irony and sarcasm were the same as before. But it seemed in a way he actually cared about what happened. And Draco never saw Snape «care» for anything except himself.

«Well then. We might start.»

Dumbledore nodded. «First of all. Is there any reason why we should involve the Ministry in this?»

Draco paused for a moment. This game had to be played right. And very, very calculated. Therefor, no rushing into answers was allowed.

«I doubt Fudge and his croonies would be interested into teenage problems and depressions.»

McGonagall was obviously about to yell at him because of his expressions, but Dumbledore stopped her with one dismissive wave of his hand. «So you believe it was only that?»

Draco felt boiling in his venes. «Of what matter is my opinion to you? Go ask the sorrowing Boy Wonder and the Geek. They'd be more than happy to accuse me and my family for all the bad things in the world.»

«Don't turn this into a parade, Draco.»

«Never.»

«You may try to fool us,» and at that Draco almost snickered, «but we know. About your feelings now and before. And we know what mask you're pulling on and why. Stop with the act, just like you did yesterday, and it will be much easier.»

Draco put all of his efforts to remain casual. If only they suspected how hard it was for him just to raise an eyebrow. He was astonished by the fact it was so hard not to do exactly what fucking McGonagall has just said.

She just sighed on his reaction.

«So, do you believe it was only teen problems?»

«I really don't see why every single thing in the world has to be a deed of some higher - or in this case, mightier - force.»

«What are you implying?»

«What do you think?»

Snape suddenly burst and slammed his fist on the table. «Stop this AT ONCE and answer the bloody questions!!»

«Fine. Not everything has to be done by *Voldemort*. The life goes on without him too and people still have problems. And we all know that in current situation, he *is* more powerful than this school.»

The trio almost stopped breathing, and Draco didn't know if it was because it was the first time they heard him say the Dark Lord's name or because it was evident he called him the higher one too.

«If you believe so, why do you keep involving him?»

«Because you all believe I am his faithful follower and I don't see why the tradition should be broken.» And with that he even grinned.

He almost felt sorry Snape is not allowed to hit him. He seemed so eager to do so, and Draco himself wanted it to be done. Merlin, what he was doing.

«We never judged students by their families.»

No one spoke a word untill Draco sighed again.

«Alright. What do you really want to know?» And in his mind was nothing but the thought how to lead them on thin ice. Was he blewing this out of proportion again?

«Is it true that you have been involved with Ron?» Well, was there any point in denying *now*?!

«Do the others know?»

«Others?»

«The students.»

«They haven't been said. But you'd have to be daft not to conclude there's something to it. They probably either suspect you were lovers, or you lost it, or you killed him, or they are simply and utterly confused. Pick your fave.» Snape's eyes were so cold, but the posion was dripping from each word he said.

«What happens now?»

«Now tell us.»

This was so much harder than he thought. And he couldn't stand it anymore. Re-living everything was so painful even when only in images, and he broke, and the act was over for now. For now he was only a 16 year old boy who had no strenght to lie and pretend, and who just sat there and cried. And left three professors out of words.

* * *

The armchair in which Draco was sitting was empty since he stormed off to calm himself down.

Snape turned around on a heel, nervous as rarely before, and he couldn't tell why. Minerva still seemed shocked - she obviously didn't quite believe Dumbledore's reports. And the Headmaster himself was lost in his own thoughts.

«Just when I think that boy can't surprise me anymore, he does something like this!!»

«Severus, don't you still get it?»

«Yeah, yeah, so Weasley and him were lovers. But. I've known that child for almost 6 years and I know him enough to know he's never really cared for anyone!!»

«That just shows how little you knew him.»

And Snape sat down. Of course. How come it took him so long to see it. He *did* act all the time. But not how they thought.

Minerva silently stammered. «I. His act was the mask he needed. Albus, do you believe he's quite the opposite of what we believed? That he is hiding himself behind the cruelty, and these are his *true* emotions?»

«Not only I believed so, I knew so. But we'll probably never fully understand him. The time will show his true face. But what side he will join, that I can't know. He has more potential than anyone thinks, and destiny is planning big things for him. The only thing we can do is try to lead him back to good if he really is on the bad side. But if you ask me if I knew, then yes, Minerva, I did.»

«Knew what?»

They turned around to see fragile, perfect body leaning on the door frame. The professors startled in surprise.

« My boy, the thing you also know.»

«Eh?»

«You may not tell us, but we do know how you feel. And for now you rest. No point in trying to get something out at this point, now is there? We will talk later, but I promise you there will be no inquisitions.»

Dumbledore left the room, and two professors followed him even more surprised than Draco. And he was staring in disbelief. Where the heck had he gone wrong?! He was doing it all by the book!! If we, er, exclude that little sudden burst. Was that the mistake? What the hell?!.

What the hell was all this?!