Emerald Eyes: Chapter Four

A/N: Sorry this one is so short also.

Chapter Four: Explaining

Draco shifted unevenly, looking across at the Headmaster. Blinkin stood at his side, having taken off her invisiblity charm at Draco's request. Dumbledore surveyed the young man in front of him.

Dumbledore took a few minutes before he actually spoke. "So the Dark Lord has already chosen an heir?"

Draco nodded, "Yes, me. But I don't want to be the heir."

Dumbledore nodded. "And you thought I could help you, because?" the old man asked softly.

Draco was a little stunned. "Well, you're... Dumbledore," Draco said, not really understanding his Headmaster.

Dumbledore smiled. "Yes, but is that the only reason?"

Draco shrugged, "I guess I've only ever truly known safety at Hogwarts."
Dumbledore continued to smile, making Draco relax slightly. "What of your mother?"

"She left."

"Left? How do you mean left?"

Draco shrugged again, "She just left. She left me a letter, saying she'd left the country. She said she needed sunlight after the years of darkness with my father."

"What of your house?"

Draco sat up straighter now. "I couldn't really care less what happened to it. As far as I'm concerned it's my father's house."

"But he's in Azkaban."

"Well, I guess I could sell it. I just... I can't go back there. They'll find me."

"Who?"

"The Death Eaters. That's why I left, they have come to get me."

"I see," Dumbledore seemed to be thinking this over. "Well, it seems clear to me that you can't go home, or at least you won't. It would probably be best for you to stay at the school, but..."

There was a knock at the door.

"Yes?" Dumbledore called.

"You asked to see me, Headmaster," a voice drawled through the door.

"Yes, yes. Come in, Severus."

The door swung open, Professor Snape entered the room, closing the door behind himself.

Draco half-leapt, half-fell from his chair to get away from the man. "Headmaster, he's... he's one of them."
Snape rolled his eyes, whilst Dumbledore chuckled. "Draco, sit down, relax. He's not a Death Eater, techniqually. He works for me, he's a spy."
Draco stared at Snape wide-eyed. "No way, he's..."

"Seriously, Draco, did you really believe me to be a Death Eater?" Snape drawled, taking the seat next to the one Draco had been previously sitting in.

Draco simply stared, mouth open, still not taking his seat. "Are... Are you sure, Headmaster?"

Dumbledore continued to chuckle. "I would trust Professor Snape with my life," Dumbledore confirmed. Nodding to Draco's seat. Draco sat, though he kept a close eye on Snape. "Now, Severus. You've already told me of Draco's future, now Draco tells me they have attempted to claim him."

Snape nodded, "I had left a message for you at the Headquarters, I had thought you would have had it already. Yes, they had been planning to."

Draco couldn't believe how calm Snape was being when he said these things. What he could believe even less was the fact that Snape had been a spy for the light side. How had he, or his father, not known of this?

"Draco says, he doesn't intend on becoming the next Dark Lord," Dumbledore told Snape.

Snape seemed to have formulated this for himself. "Yes, I had figured that, Headmaster. What are we to do with him now?"

Dumbledore looked a little pensive at this moment. By the look on Snape's face, Dumbledore did this often. After a while, Dumbledore looked up at the two men in front of him. "He should be one of the Order."

This shocked Snape out of his calm state. "Are you sure, Albus?"

Dumbledore nodded. "It would be the logical thing to do."

Draco sat there, listening to everything they said, not exactly catching on. He hated it when people talked about him when he was sitting in front of them, his father had done it often. Draco decided to put his two cents in.

"Okay, slow down. What is this Order?"

Dumbledore directed his attention back to the younger man. A few minutes later, Draco had had the workings of the Order explained to him. Draco simply nodded, taking it all in.

"Wow," was all he said once the two older men were finished.

"Wow, indeed," Dumbledore nodded. I maybe that should be enough for tonight. I would like to see you again tomorrow afternoon, Draco. Severus, you should be here also. Draco, Professor Snape will show you to your dorm."

Draco nodded, getting to his feet, knowing he was dismissed. Snape followed.

Draco had made it to the door when Dumbledore caught his attention once more. "Oh, and Draco." Draco turned. "I don't believe you would have had much time to grab any of your school things. Professor Snape will take you shopping tomorrow for anything you need. Book, quills, robes, and so on."

By the look on Snape's face, Draco knew he wasn't exactly happy about playing escort.

Exiting the office, Draco came to the conclusion that this had to be the strangest day in the history of his life.

Sorry to end it there, I know these last few chapters have been short, but next chapter you'll get to have fun with Draco and Snape shopping, and maybe a few more kicks. ;p

Until then...