Title: The Dragon Pendant

Chapter: Ten, Part 1

Author: DaemonGirl or aka Phoenix

Rating: bordering between R and NC-17 for sexual relations and violence, maybe language.

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter and Co, just borrowing them for a little while then putting them back where they belong. I also do not own any songs mentioned either.

Draco shut the door quietly behind him, and then looked at the headmaster. Dumbledore looked very grave when he told Draco the reason he needed to speak with him.

"Draco," Dumbledore said solemnly, "I have some very bad news. It's about your father."

"He's dead, isn't he?" Draco asked.

"Yes, he was killed early this morning by Lord Voldemort. The Cruacius Curse."

Draco looked away. He did feel sad or shocked by the news, just full of remorse because he knew sooner or later his father would fall at the hand of the Dark Lord.

Dumbledore put his hand on Draco's shoulder, "it will be okay Draco. We now need to stick together in this darkening time."

Draco looked the older man in the eye and noticed he didn't look as grave, but more of a grandfather that Draco never had. "Is there anything I can do to help fight against him?"

"Would you be willing to do that for us Draco?"

"Yes, I would. It's not to avenge my fathers death, but to make sure the Dark Lord doesn't rise to full power again." Draco could not believe he was saying this then he remembered he was still under the affects of the truth serum.

"I know that is what you believe in your heart Draco, for I know what potion Professor Snape was making today." He smiled warmly. "Just take your time to decide on your actions, for what you do and decide now, will affect the future of the world." With that he turned and left a dumbfounded Draco in the corridor.

By the time Draco got his thoughts in order, the bells chimed for the end of class. He fought his way through his classmates coming out the door to collect his stuff from the room. As he got past them, he looked at Professor Snape to see if he knew anything.

After making sure the rest of the class had left the room, Snape spoke to Draco. "I know about your father. I should have been there last night to prevent it, but I was unable to attend the meeting." He put a comforting hand on the young man's shoulder. "If there is anything you need through this time of sorrow, just let me know Draco."

He pulled Draco to him for a tight embrace, then muttered something that Draco could hardly make out, "You are like the son I never had" Snape began to weep silently.

Draco embarrassedly put his arms around the Potions Master and cooed softly that it would be all right. This only made Snape sob harder and hold onto Draco more tightly. Then all of a sudden he let go and straightened himself up looking slightly embarrassed.

"Are you all right, Professor?" Draco asked timidly.

"Yes, Draco. I will be perfectly okay. I do not know why my emotions took control of me like that."

"Professor, if you would like to talk about it, I am here to listen. Knowing how well you and my father knew each other." Draco looked at the grown man with concern, he had never seen someone, especially a death eater, fall apart so easily as he had just seen Snape.

"Well, that is very nice of you to offer Draco. I think I shall take you up on that offer now. But lets find a place a bit more comfortable for chatting, shall we?" With that Snape put his arm around Draco's shoulders and guided him into his private quarters.

On the way to the private rooms Snape continued talking, "Given the circumstances of your father's death, I don't think that the other professors will mind you missing their classes. You full of grief and sorrow and all."

"Of course professor," Draco replied feeling a bit uneasy about the situation.

"Please sit and make yourself comfortable. Also, would you like a drink, perhaps of brandy or tea?"

Draco was not used to Snape being so kind and courteous and it kind of through him off a little bit. "I would like some tea, Earl Grey if you have it."

"Why of course, Earl Grey it is." He walked over to the fireplace and put on a pot of water to boil. "I will have a glass of brandy, if you don't mind that is."

"Of course not Professor."

"Oh Draco. Lets cut the formalities, just call me Severus or Sev for short." He handed Draco a cup of tea and sat down in the opposite chair.

"I suppose you would like to know the relationship your father and I had, and why he was such a good friend," began Snape.

Draco nodded in response not wanting to disrupt.

"It all started when we were children, eleven to be exact. It was our first year here at Hogwarts.