Emerald Eyes: Chapter Five

A/N: The chapters will be getting longer from now on. And I would also like to clear up as to why Harry hasn't come into the story for a few chapters. Don't worry, he will come back in as soon as school begins, unless I can come up with a better way to get him there earlier. Xx.

Chapter Five: Not a Word

Being in school without any other students there was more than overly creepy. Waking up in his dorm, Draco felt quite relaxed at the fact that he was the only person in the entire house. He showered slower that morning, knowing there wouldn't be thre other guys outside the door waiting. Dressed slowly, knowing that no-one would be watching him; at least he thought until he turned around to find the Potions Master standing behind him.

"Professor?" Draco asked, dropping his shoe in shock.

"The headmaster wishes you to join the staff at breakfast, we've been waiting," Snape muttered, leaning against the doorframe.

Nodding, Draco quickly slipped on his shoes and followed his Head of House out of the room.

Arriving in the Great Hall, Dumbledore beakoned for him to take the seat next to his own. Draco obliged, as Snape took the seat across from him.

"Godd morning, Draco. I take it you slept well?" Dumbledore asked, loading a few eggs onto his plate.

Draco nodded, taking a piece of toast. It was now that he realised he hadn't seen Blinkin that morning. "Um... Professor," Draco looked at his headmaster, "I seem to have lost my house-elf."

Dumbledore grinned, "Well, I believe that would be my fault, and she isn't exactly lost." Draco looked confused, Dumbledore's grin grew. "I've had a talk with your elf, she has decided to take on a position at the school with the other elves."

Draco looked a little astonished. Blinkin? Working for anyone but him? That was a little odd. Dumbledore seemed to be able to read his thoughts.

"She was rather hesitant at first, but as soon as she found out she would be able to take care of your lodgings, then she willingly agreed. I hope this is alright with you?"

Draco nodded again, his most used action all morning. "Well, I don't really see what else she would have to do around here."

"There's a good chap," Dumbledore smiled, patting him on the back.

Draco had never really seen this side of his Headmaster. Sure, Dumbledore had always been rather nice to him, but now he was being... really friendly. It came as a bit of a shock, though none of the staff seemed to take notice of the older man's cheeriness - it was possible that he was like this rather often.

"You should eat a little more than just toast, Draco," Professor McGonagall told him, she was seated beside Snape. "Here, try some of this," she passed him a bowl of oatmeal.

Draco took it, knowing better than to argue as he owed these people his life at this moment. He could just imagine, if he had been taken by the Death Eaters, what would he would be going through now. If the Dark Lord had found out he hadn't wanted to be his heir whilst Draco was there, with him, then he would be more than simply dead. The Dark Lord would have found the worst possible punishment to subject Draco to; and that's why he was scared.

He had never admitted that he was scared before, but now, he would admit anything, just so he wouldn't have to face the Dark Lord. Though he knew the day would come one day, sooner or later; hopefully, later. He knew the Dark Lord wouldn't rest until he had gotten revenge on Draco. Draco knew he would have to prepare himself, his life from now on would be more than difficult from this point on. Starting with a day of shopping with Snape.

Snape didn't seem that pleased by the idea, by the look on his face when Dumbledore suggested they get an early start. Draco could only imagine how horrible this day could come to be. Sure, he had used to be Snape's 'favourite', but even Draco knew that was just a show. It was when Lucius had been taken into Azkaban that Snape had stopped, and Draco had just thought Snape was nice to him to get to his father, now he knew it was just a cover to Lucius wouldn't rat him out as a spy.

Draco hadn't even noticed that he had been so lost in his thought, but when a hand rested on his shoulder, he nearly jumped out of his skin. Turning, he found himself looking into the cold eyes of his Head of House.

"Let's go, Draco."

Draco got to his feet, was wished a good day by the Headmaster, and was forced to follow Snape from the Great Hall.

Draco had never thought it would be possible for a person whom spent their time waiting for cauldrons to boil to be so impatient, but Snape was. Especially as Draco was fitted for robes. He had to be re-fitted for all his robes as he had to leave them all behind at the Manor.

"Could we speed this up?" Snape snapped at the fitter.

The woman scowled up at the professor. "I'm sorry, Professor Snape, but this is quite a long process, he is quite a tall boy, they need to fit right."

Snape rolled his eyes, crossed his arms over his chest, and sat, brooding.

Draco still couldn't believe how impatient the man was. He seriously needed to chill out. If he got this worked up this early, how was he going to be the rest of the day.

"You know, Professor," Draco caught his professor's attention, looking at him through the mirror, as he couldn't turn. "You could go ahead and collect something else I need. I mean, you don't have to be here all the time..."

"On the contray, Draco. The Headmaster doesn't wish for you to be alone for any moment, just in case."

Draco scowled slightly at that, surely he could be alright for a few minutes, he wasn't a baby.

"Don't scowl, Draco, you came to us for help."

"I wasn't," Draco lied, trying to change his expression.

Snape heightened an eyebrow, "You weren't?"

"Okay, fine, I was. But geez, I'm not a baby."

Snape laughed at this, though his laugh wasn't of humourous, it held a more satiric sound. "Really, Draco. Do you think this is some test to see how strong you really are?"

"I never said that," Draco snapped, turning now to look directly at Snape. Though just as he did, he knew he shouldn't have. The sound of fabric ripping was hear as he sprawled to the floor. As he opened his eyes, he looking up into the face of Snape, who was now bending over him. "Not a word," he muttered, trying to get to his feet.

The fitter was now the one to scowl. "Now, stay perfectly still Mr. Malfoy, or I'll lock in place myself."

Biting his lip, Draco took his place again, knowing better than to talk to Snape now whilst he was being fitted.

The fitting took even longer after Draco's episode, but finally, it was over. Draco and Snape left the store, carrying Draco's robes.

"What nest?" Draco asked, looking down the street.

"Books," Snape muttered, leading the way.

The day dragged on like a never ending, vicious cycle. It seemed no matter which shop they were in, they seemed to find something new to argue about. Draco was being to feel himself come close to murder as the professor made a stop at Potions Supplies, to pick up a few new things for himself and Draco, and had ending up staying an hour just to chose the correct shading on the 'root of barkmellow' he needed.

They stopped quickly for a short lunch, and the shopping continued. Draco hadn't remembered shopping taking this long in his first year, when he had needed to collected everything. But going into a NEWT level year was probably required quite a few more things.

It was when they were making their way back to Hogwarts grounds, as they passed the Owl Post Office that they were stopped. Draco hadn't laughed so hard in the last few weeks as he had the moment he saw a small, plump woman come running towards Snape with a glittered, pink envelope in her hand.

"Severus, oh, Severus. Another letter has arrived for you, by special courier. There's a package as well, would you care to claim it now?"

Snape's eyes snapped to the laughing Draco and then back to the pink envelope. "I'll... I'll come back tomorrow and collect them, Enid," he muttered before continuing on.

Draco followed, still chuckling. As he opened his mouth to say something, Snape snapped his finger out at him.

"Not a word."

Well, that wasn't as funny as I had intended it to be, but I guess there isn't exactly as much potential in shopping fun as I had thought. Sorry guys, I fell like I sort of let you all down.

Anyway, click that little button and review, and I'll try and get the next chapter up as soon as I can.

Until then...

Ps: Special thanks goes out to escptheshdw835, Beachan18, SerenityMeowth, Lightsword, Ariel, AloraBraken, and Slash-Lover. You guys are the ones who keep the chapters coming, and also to the reviewers of the chapters before. If I name you all this will be ridiculously long.