Hello again and once more, thank you for the reviews!
Well, I better get on with the story then, since I left our unlikely little couple in a very big mess...
But I really must thank you, Sabrina-Rosalie, for the nice crown you sent me and for the...essay...about my fic! You just don't know what it means to me, after over a hundred pages of this kinky lovestory, to come home late at night from the cold and find such a nice comfirmation! A thousand and billion hugs to you! At least!
Draco Malfoy's love: When you look up the word 'smart' in a wordbook, there's a picture of a girl. And If t wasn'tfor my female friends, my computer wouldn't obey me,I couldn't have used mytechnical stuff and nobody would have explained to me about the inner meaning of Pythagora's mathematics. Be proud, girl! And I'm so happy you reviewed!;-)

And now...the story. Love to you all!

Redfern

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN: THROUGH THE FIRE

It's a waking world of innocence
So grave those first born cries
When life begins with needles and pins
It ends with swords and knifes
-Tears for fears-

Draco found himself arriving at the huge cemetery almost exactly in time with Snape and Narcissa. He was very grateful for it, since he could spot his father among the already gathered death eaters. Everybody wore masks, but the characteristic posture of Lucius was unmistakable.
As soon as he had landed and put his death eater cloak on, Draco headed directly towards his mother and fortunately she did the same, making sure that Draco was next to her as they took their positions around the dark lord.
It seemed that Lucius was to stand next to him on the other side, however.
Draco felt utterly relieved about wearing a mask, not needing to keep a face like stone as his father's gaze turned to him. Draco just held his eyes fixed at the dark lord, trying to shut the rising awkwardness out.
I'm Snape, I'll think like Snape, I'm cold, my thoughts are concealed, I can do this…
As the dark lord's first words were spoken, all eyes were directed towards the speaker and not even a breath was heard. It was a speech about a magnificent trap laid for Potter and several death eaters were chosen to attend to the glorious task of wiping the-boy-who-lived out forever.
It was really hard to feel sorry for Potter at this moment.
You think about this the next time you dare to touch Neville's lips, you…
Then he heard his own name mentioned and everybody stared at him.
"Young Malfoy, approach me." The dark lord made a slight gesture with his hand, as to urge Draco on.
Draco did as he had learnt immediately. He walked forward with his head held high and stopped only a step away from the dark lord, where he fell to his knees and bowed his head until his brow touched the ground. Then he simply remained crouching on one knee with eyes lowered, waiting for instructions.
"This is a most important meeting for you, Draco Malfoy, as the instructions you are about to recieve will prove if your loyalty to me is strong enough."
Draco shuddered involuntarily as the Dark lord laid his cold, reptile hand upon Draco's head.
"There is an enemy to the cause that I have marked out, a procecutor whom has caused much grieve for our brothers and sisters. His name is Howard Cuddleblade and you will kill him for me, bringing back his wand as a trophy. You may rise."
Draco rose very slowly, playing the part of Snape so much, he seemed to be in perfect control. He took two steps back and bowed very deeply.
"I hear and obey, my lord."
Even his voice was a stunning imitation of Snape's as he spoke, before heading back to his designated place.
Draco could feel Lucius proud gaze upon him, but he quickly cut off all emotional reactions to it, as he had done before the Dark lord.
Snape, who was placed beside the Dark lord, also recieved instructions. They were whispered to him and Snape only nodded and bowed in response.
A few more orders were handed out before it was time to disolve the meeting.
Draco's father was among the death eaters chosen for the Potter extinction. Draco tried to keep as far away as possible from him, but before he could reach his broomstick, Lucius had closed in and gripped his shoulder from behind. Draco turned around very slowly, cursing himself for taking the mask off too early.
Lucius smiled at him, perfectly official in his approach. Only his eyes glinted of something maliciously sadistic and the hand wouldn't leave Draco's shoulder.
It was a huge effort to stand still and keep the look of indifference when the coldsweat already trickled along his spine.
"Behave now, Draco." Lucius whispered. "I shall not need to remind you to again, shall I?"
The hand left his shoulder and took hold of his chin instead, the cold eyes seizing him up. Draco feared he would lose it any moment and try to kill his father or simply take off running, but to his relief, Narcissa suddenly appeared beside Lucius.
She ignored her husband completely and moved in front of him, so that the contact between Lucius and Draco was forced to break. Then she laid her cool hands on Draco's cheeks and kissed him on the forehead, as was her costume.
"The best of luck to you, my son." She whispered softly, before turning to Lucius and demanding his attention on a private discussion.
Draco took a deep breath and turned to his broomstick. He jumped in fright as Snape unexpectantly stood beside it.
"I will be with you to confirm you have carried out the orders." Snape simply said, mounting his own broomstick.
Not until he had kicked off from the ground, following Snape's lead, Draco started to realise what he had just been asked to do.

By the time it took to reach Knockturn alley, it had become dark outside. Not a word had passed between them on the journey and it suited Draco just fine. He was in no mood to speak, feeling only rising anguish concerning the mission.
Once on the ground, things proceeded way too quickly.
Snape hid their broomsticks inside Borgin & Burkes, the dark arts wizard store that Draco had visited with his father so many times. The owner was more than happy to oblige, not asking even one tiny question.
"Mr Cuddleblade lives on the top floor of this tavern across the street." Snape whispered, as they went into a private room behind the counter, shutting the door behind them. Snape turned to face Draco as he continued to give the information, watching every change of expression in Draco's face very carefully.
Draco swallowed and clenched his teeth together to keep his face like stone.
"He has grown quite paranoid over the years and has chosen to live close to crowds, as to prevent his enemies from attempting assassinations. His small apartment his heavily warded, but I shall deal with that and we will apparate to it and wait for him there. Once he enters through the door, you will have to act very quickly. Do you understand?"
Draco's face remained fixed, but he had turned dead white as Snape spoke.
He chose to only nod for an answer.
Snape looked at him even more intensely.
"I trust you have learned the unforgivable curses?"
Again, Draco nodded. But some anxious words poured out, revealing his true emotional state.
"Sir, I've only practised the…the avada kedavra upon incects and very, very small animals before. I'm not sure it will do…"
"It will." Snape cut him off. "The size of the life is of little matter, once you've gained knowledge about the spell. That is the vicious simplicity of it."
"I see." Draco's voice was but a whisper and he had to gain all his strength to keep himself together.
It was all like some kind of wicked nightmare and he wished he would wake any moment in a secluded room at Hogwarts, feeling Neville's warm, dazed body pressed to his, in a perfect world where none of their tragedies had ever taken place.
But he had to wipe it out now. He had to remain stone cold inside, shutting everything out, just like that night in the basement. He had to be like Snape, indifferent and unmoved no matter what.
Snape had them apparating into the dark room above the tavern in an instant, making sure they were well hidden from view for anybody stepping in through the front door. Draco was dodging behind the bed, his heart beating too fast and his fingers cold as icicles, as they gripped the wand.
The small room was too personally designed to make the situation endureable. Moving photographs of waving family and friends stood on the mantelpiece, aging tickets to wizard concerts were enclosed in frames and colourful, homemade socks with strange and funny figures knitted on them lay thrown about the room.
And Neville asked me if I would kill anyone if they told me to and I said, only if it was Lucius and now I'm about to let him down again, now there will be no way back, oh Neville…
The dreaded steps outside the door were heard and a key struggled in the lock, as a soft whistling tune reached through the door.
Draco could hear his victim enter and murmur a spell to light the fireplace. Then a clattering sound was heard, meaning that Mr Cuddleblade had put his wand down on the bedtable.
The joyful whistling continued as Snape gestured to Draco from behind the gigantic wardrobe and without thinking, Draco threw himself up and flicked his wand.
A loud bang was heard and within seconds Cuddleblade was ensnared by tightfitting ropes from head to toe, his surprised cry muffled by a magical gag as well. He fell to the floor with an omnious thud and Draco could see Snape nod in approval.
Now was the time.
His victim was unable to escape and Draco automatically took the position he had done so many times before casting a spell.
He was supposed to throw his wand forth now and flick it, but a strange paralysation held him fixed. He could see Cuddleblade gazing up at him, his horrorstruck eyes pleading silently, desperatly, as he struggled against his ropes.
The moment I do it, I've lost Neville.
But was that really all preventing him? The surge of thriumph and power that he had imagined years ago he would feel, when preparing for this, just wouldn't come. It was sickening, seeing tears emerge in Cuddleblades eyes, hearing the whimpers of fear and knowing that the one stuck in the worst trap was himself.
But if I don't, father will know and he might go for Neville and I'll be in such a mess…And the dark lord might find out about Neville.
Draco gripped his wand so hard his hand was shaking, and then the wand was thrown forth.
"Avada Kedavra!"
A flash of green light repainted the room and as it vanished in the blink of an eye, Cuddleblade lay unmoving, the fearful expression frozen on his face.
Dead.
Draco felt cold all over. But the wand had shot out of his hand before he could wave it and he hadn't said a word.
Instead, Snape stood holding two wands, Draco's still giving off tiny emerald sparks. Without hesitation, Snape walked up to the bedside table and took Cuddleblade's wand. Then he walked straight up to Draco, who was too shocked to get a word out.
Draco thought Snape looked paler than ever and had a strange, resolute expression on his face. He didn't dare to meet his teacher's gaze.
"Here!" Snape hissed very harshly and handed Draco his own wand along with Cuddleblade's. Then he simply grabbed hold of Draco and apparated them both back to Borgin & Burkes.

The flight back to the Dark Lord was marked by a heavy silence brought on by both of them. Draco was mentally tip-toing around Snape, who seemed to be on the verge of explosion any second. No words were needed though, to explain how vital the act that was to take place in front of the Dark lord would be.
Draco had a very exhausting conflict in his head. One part of him experienced blessed relief, the other was in dread over the huge risk they both had been taking. But not the least, he would never look upon Snape the same way again. As far as Draco was concerned, Snape had practically saved his life.
The meeting with the Dark lord was so brilliantly staged, that Draco thought they both deserved an award for it. The trophy was handed over with a triumphant smile and the test on Draco's wand proved that he had commited the murder, which Snape confirmed. Draco recieved his praises, strained to the limit mentally, since he held the occlumency highly active.
As they left for Hogwarts again, the shock started to go out through the system and Snape led Draco in to the dungeons as soon as they had landed.
It seemed as if they sat in Snape's couch for the longest time, both of them simply staring into the fire without saying a word. Then headmaster Umbridge's head suddenly appeared in the flames, a malicoious smile playing across her toadish face.
"Ah, Severus, such a relief to find you in!" she chirped, her girlish voice almost striking false cords. "I have to ask you up to my office at once. I hope you're not too busy?"
"Not at all. Young Malfoy are about to finish his detention." Snape muttered and rose from the couch.
"Excellent!" she replied and the face vanished mercifully.
For the first time since they had been in Cuddleblade's room, Snape turned and spoke to Draco.
"Stay here until I come back. No sneaking out to cause greater damage than you already have." Snape's voice was more weary than accusing, but Draco cowered under it.
"Yes, professor."
Snape headed for the door, but before he reached it, Draco finished his sentence in a very small voice.
"Thank you."
Snape turned around with a contemptous sneer, his eyes flashing.
"Don't decieve yourself! I bought you time and that's all. Use it well or it will all be ending up twice as bad the next time."
Without further explanations Snape left the room and Draco stared after him in wonder.
Use it well? What was he supposed to do? Surely Snape couldn't mean he should turn against the Dark lord?
One thing Draco knew for sure, though. He was dead exhausted and within minutes, he had curled up against the armchair cushion and drifted off to a comfortable slumber.

He woke with a start, as a hand was laid on his shoulder. He rubbed his eyes sleepily and looked up at Snape's pale, tired face.
"Dumbledore wants to see you in his office. Now."
"Okay." Draco murmured, working himself up to a sitting position. A moment later it struck him.
"Dumbledore?" Draco echoed.
Snape made a rare little smirk.
"Off you go."

Draco arrived to Dumbledore's office with the breath stuck in his throat. He had been running most of the way, feeling as if he was still dreaming. It was daylight outside, so he must have slept for quite a while.
Once he had climbed the stairs and stepped into the familiar headmaster's office, a strange but welcome sight met him.
Dumbledore was by his desk as usual, giving him a small smile in welcome. He looked a bit concerned, though.
On the left was McGonagall and in one of the chairs in front of the desk sat Neville, his nose swollen and shining in purple colours.
Neville's and Draco's eyes met for a second. Neville looked completely bewildered, his lively eyes suspended between longing, concern and fear all at the same time.
"Please, take a seat." Dumbledore said, gesturing to the chair beside Neville.
Draco approached the desk slowly, not knowing what to make of anything.
As soon as he had sunken into the chair, Dumbledore addressed him again.
"I am once more the Headmaster of Hogwarts." He explained, his eyes twinkling. "We have a lot of matters to deal with, putting the school into order again. Now, there is unfortunately some bad news I am obliged to deliver."
Draco kept looking at him, his face fixing itself like stone to brace against an overactive imagination.
"Your father has been convicted for crimes against the wizard laws and is now imprisoned at Azkaban. If you would like to visit him, I would of course give you leave…"
Draco's eyes were wide open and he registered a guilty-looking Neville in the corner of his eye. Finally, Draco chose to nod slowly.
"I see." He forced himself to say. "No visiting permissions will be necessary."
Dumbledore watched him carefully behind the half moon spectacles, before letting an understanding show in a warm smile, illustrating Draco's inner total relief.
"Well then." Dumbledore continued, "Perhaps we could turn to the next subject. I trust Mr Longbottom has something to tell you. If you would please follow Professor McGonagall into this room…"
Dumbledore gestured towards a door behind his desk and Draco followed with Neville, as if he was in a strange daydream.

The door shut behind them and they were alone, just as Draco had only dreamed would be possible a day ago.
They stood there in complete silence, both of them looking down at their shoes. Neville was the first to raise his head.
"I was at the ministry where your father was." He whispered. "We battled him…me and Harry and the others…I'm sorry."
Draco looked up at Neville in disbelief.
"What did you say?"
Neville made a nervous sigh.
"I said that I was in the ministry…"
"Not that." Draco shook his head slowly. "Did you just say that you were sorry?"
"I meant for you." Neville's words stumbled over each other. "It's your family after all and maybe I should have…talked to you…I don't know, everything happened so fast…"
His voice trailed off as Draco slowly approached him and pulled him into a warm embrace, careful not to lay any hands on the many bruises covering the Gryffindor.
Not unexpectantly, Neville's tears started to spill and he sobbed into Draco's shoulder. But Draco merely closed his eyes and realised that this small moment probably was the best he ever had in his entire life.
Neville's tears faded fast enough and he smiled apologetically at Draco while drying his eyes and nose with his sleeve.
"Sorry." Neville murmured. "I know it's stupid…"
Draco remembered that he still had his death eater hood folded in his pocket and pulled it out without unfolding it.
"Here." Draco said and handed Neville the death eater hood as if it was a handkerchief.
Neville accepted it and without knowing what it was, he blew his nose loudly into it a couple of times.
Draco couldn't help smirking at the sight. While Neville cleaned himself with the dark hood, Draco started to unbutton Neville's pants, leaning him against the back of an armchair.
"That's just like you, having a black handkerchief…what are you doing?" Neville gripped the top of the armchair and dropped the hood down to the seat behind him.
"I'm just helping you to relax." Draco said in a low and seductive voice. Neville's eyes grew wide and Draco just knew what was coming. In fact, it added fuel to his fire.
"We can't do this in here! We're…"
"…In Dumbledore's office?"
Neville gave out a small moan as Draco stroked his hand over the Gryffindor's sex. Draco noted with satisfaction that it reacted to his touch, twitching slightly under his fingers.
"Draco!" Neville whispered reproachingly. But he did not do anything to prevent the hand from continuing to stroke him.
Draco smiled and moved his mouth carefully against Neville's. When their lips touched, Neville let out a shaky sigh and Draco broke the kiss and moved his mouth close to Neville's ear.
"Don't move your hands. Keep them on the chair."
Then there was a deep kiss and Draco's hand slid past Neville's underpants, continuing to work the hardening organ. Neville went characteristically red, gasping and tossing his head back as Draco entered him with a finger.
"Draco…! Oh…Draco!" Neville's words came out as cut off breaths, revealing his recent decency to be little more than show-off.
Despite his cool composture, Draco's desire was throwing itself forward like a beast in frenzy. He was no less heated than Neville and seeing his lover squirm with pleasure from his touch had him ready to go off in his pants any second unless he visualized naked house-elfs to hold back.
Neville was very hard now, panting and whimpering and making delirious sounds as Draco's hand worked him all the more fierce. Draco had released part of his self restraint, biting and sucking at Neville's soft lip and ears as if he intended to eat him alive.
"Come on, Nevvy." Draco whispered in something being only a little more than a growl. "Come for me. Come for me now!"
And the command was heard. A long extactic moan and Neville pressed his groin desperately into Draco's hand, coming with such intensity that he seemed unable to keep standing on his own accord. The hot seed kept pulsating out in a prolounged, shivering moment and Draco pressed his sex against Neville's thigh, before almost aggressively directing Neville's head down to his open pants. The moment Neville's lips and tounge tensed over his organ, Draco couldn't have stopped himself even if he had tried. He shot into Neville with an intensity no smaller than his lover's and through the dizziness, he noted that Neville kept sucking and licking, readily swallowing the manifestation of the burning craving.
Draco thought he would pass out from the tensions relieving themselves and Neville seemed to share his condition. Together they sank down to the floor, Draco winding his arms around Neville as they leaned against the armchair. They showered each other with eager kisses before Neville finally rested his damp forehead against Draco's neck, sneaking a hand in to caress Draco's chest. As for Draco, he closed his eyes and laid a possessive hand on the back of Neville's head, making sure their bodies stayed close. They were both still breathing unevenly, but a smirk spread across Draco's face when he heard Neville's serious voice.
"Do you think Dumbledore has left? His desk looked kind of comfy."