Disclaimer: Don't own, please don't sue. This is slash, so if you're against M/M relationships, then you shouldn't be here reading this.

Scarlet Pain

Chapter Four

Draco shifted nervously and looked everywhere but at his godfather as they walked towards the Dumbledore's office. He would never have admitted it, but he was beginning to feel the first real threads of fear. That and the events of the past hour had left his mind reeling from confusion. Was Snape going to tell the Dark Lord, or almost worse, his father, about what he had been doing? Why was he being brought to the Headmaster – was it true that Snape was a spy and that's why he wasn't punishing him privately? And what the hell had been up with Potter?

He was so lost in thought that he barely registered when they had finally reached the gargoyle. His head snapped up and he fought to keep his arrogant façade in place.

"Come in boys," the Headmaster's disgustingly cheery voice called to them. They entered, Draco somewhat hesitantly. Snape had yet to say a word to him since the incident in the bathroom.

Dumbledore gestured for them to take a seat. "Sherbert lemon?"

"No thank you," Snape bit out tersely. Draco just shook his head.

"Tea then?" The Headmaster's eyes twinkled like little stars. Little, obnoxious, all-knowing stars that were hyped up on way too much sugar.

"No." Again Draco just shook his head mutely. "Mr. Malfoy, if you would be so kind as to inform the Headmaster what happened?" The blonde just looked up at him confused. Why didn't Snape just tell him? But the Potions Master just raised an eyebrow at him, his expression almost…thoughtful.

"Please don't call me that, professor. It makes me feel like my father." Draco muttered. Instead of the usual snarky comment, Snape just nodded slowly. There was a pause before Draco finally heaved an exaggerated sigh, and put on his most uncaring mask.

"Professor Snape caught me…" he struggled with his words before finally pulling his father's knife out of his pocket and placing it gingerly onto the desk in front of the Headmaster. "He caught me using this on myself." The twinkle dimmed slightly. "I wasn't trying to kill myself," Draco sounded exasperated. "I was just...relieving some tension."

"What kind of tension, Draco?" Dumbledore's voice was soft and so understanding that Malfoy Jr. wanted to burst into tears and beg the Headmaster to save him. Instead he shrugged.

"I've been under a lot of pressure," his voice sounded strained. Merlin he wanted to talk to the Headmaster about this. He was probably the only wizard that could save him now. But there was no way he was talking in front of Snape, possible spy or not Draco was unwilling to run that risk. As if reading his thought, Dumbledore looked suddenly at Snape.

"Severus, could you possibly give us a few minutes?" Snape's eyes narrowed in suspicion before he gave a quick nod and stalked out of the office. "Now Draco, what is it that is bothering you?"

"Honestly? I don't want to end up like my father; groveling and kissing the robes of a snake faced manipulating bastard that has no qualms about making even his most trusted servants beg for mercy at the slightest whim. I want to be on the winning side in this. And I," he paused. "I don't want to let Him or any other of his disgusting followers," Draco stopped again, not sure how to continue. "I don't want them to use me. I've seen how they treat the newbies after they've outlived their recruiting days. I see how they still treat anyone with an ounce of youth or beauty," he gave a small shudder. "And I don't want that to be me." He halted, and refused to look at the Headmaster. There was a long silence, and for a moment the blonde feared that Dumbledore wouldn't believe him. He looked up in despair. "Please." Oh dear Merlin he, a Malfoy, had been reduced to begging.

The Headmaster nodded. "Severus, you can come back in now." When the Potions Master walked back in, Draco's eyes widened in realization. Snape had heard the entire thing, and by extension the Dark Lord would know of his treachery.

"But, I," he was on his feet. He felt himself backing up in fear and he looked at Dumbledore feeling betrayed.

"Calm down dear boy. Are you sure you don't want tea?" That damned twinkle was back and Draco wondered idly if the Headmaster kept a little store of fireflies somewhere that kept his eyes continuously glowing; and wondered if he would ever get the chance to find and destroy all of them.

"Are you going to tell him, Albus?" Dumbledore nodded slowly, his face suddenly becoming very serious.

"Draco, I – we – are going to give you the benefit of the doubt and assume what you have said is true. You have my protection, but that is also going to cost you. Until such times as we see fit, you will be restricted to the grounds of Hogwarts. And you will only be allowed outside the castle with an escort." The blonde nodded his understanding, even though he wasn't happy about it.

"Does this mean that their suspicions are true? That Sna – Professor Snape is not loyal to the Dark Lord?" He saw his godfather stiffen slightly. If there were suspicions, he would have to start working extra hard to keep his position.

"All in good time, dear boy. Now, I think you should run along to your new quarters adjoined to Professor Snape's rooms." Both the Slytherins looked up in shock, though Snape hid his better. "You will find that all your things have already been moved."

"Yes Headmaster." Draco swallowed hard, realizing that he had absolutely no idea what was going on, making the threads of his previous fear grow into long thick ropes that threatened to strangle him. He nearly jumped out of his skin when he felt a gentle hand place itself on his shoulder and was almost shocked to look up into the nearly soft gaze of his godfather.

"No one is going to hurt you here, Draco. Do you understand?" The tone had been firm, but not biting and the blonde Slytherin could only nod dumbly before making his own way down to the dungeons in a slight daze. He never even realized that he had left his father's blade in the office.

Snape looked back at the Headmaster after the boy had left. Without a word he dropped himself into the chair that Draco had just vacated and pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to will away the headache.

"I wouldn't mind some of that tea Albus," Snape said in an uncharacteristic display of exhaustion. Dumbledore only nodded and handed him the cup. There was a long pause as Snape sipped slowly at the warm liquid before continuing. "There's more to what happened than what he said."

Dumbledore just nodded his encouragement.

"When I found him, he was in the middle of a screaming fit with Potter. I believe Potter walked in on him and attempted to stop him. I will admit that I…jumped to some unpleasant conclusions." He stopped and finished off his cup and set it down. "Have any of the other teachers talked to you about him?"

"Yes, apparently there is some concern about his recent behavior, as well as suspicions about occurrences that may have happened over the summer." Dumbledore sighed, his face gone grave. "I've been hoping he would come talk to me, but, well." The Headmaster shrugged. "I'm worried about him Severus. Something has happened and despite what all you youngsters think Snape gave a soft snort but held his tongue, I am not omniscient." Snape just nodded. For a while he just sat, lost in thought. Yes, it was true that the Potter brat had been a thorn in his side, that the little cretin had tormented him for over six years, not to mention violated his privacy (he had apologized later, not that that had changed anything) and had treated him with nothing but disrespect from day one. But, contrary to popular belief, Snape was not a heartless bastard, and he was, much to his dismay, all too familiar with the signs that Harry (when had it become Harry and not Potter?) was exhibiting.

"Albus, may I have permission to…investigate further?" His voice sounded forced and very stiff, as if he was requesting a second round with that three-headed nightmare Fluffy (though he thought that that would most likely have been much, much easier).

"Yes, I think that would be acceptable." Damn, there was that insufferable twinkle again. "And while you're at it, I would like you to start up Occlumency with him again. He and I worked on it some last year, but with the events of the winter holiday, we were interrupted and never finished the lessons. Now I'm afraid he may not be ready for me to be his teacher in this again."

"What? You can't be serious!" Snape was suddenly furious. "I will not have that insufferable brat disrespecting my privacy again."

"I am very serious Severus. Please let him know tomorrow." And damn again, there was that tone of voice that Snape knew not to even try to argue with.

"Very well," the Potions Professor clipped, rising stiffly.

"Goodnight Severus." Snape nodded in acknowledgment and swept out the office in a billowing of robes. He missed the decidedly amused comment the Dumbledore said once he was gone. "Drama queen." The Headmaster grinned and helped himself to another sherbert lemon.

TBC