Disclaimer: I'm not Rowling. I don't own her characters… though I wish I did then I could save them from the travesty that was Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.
A/NI'm not going to act like book 6 happened. So technically this is going to be AU from here on out. I'm not happy with HPB, not happy in the least. I apologize for the lateness in the update. I've been on family vacation in Boston for like two weeks. As far as HPB goes the plot sucked. The dialogue was even more forced and wooden than the plot. Most of the characters lost dimension. Basically it was worthless. Now that I've ranted, on with my story.
A Proactive PrerogativeDraco's POV
Vincent and I split paths. He headed up to the Slytherin Boys' Dormitory and I went to my private room. Being a Malfoy has perks… this private room has housed every male of the Malfoy lineage… at least all that attended Hogwarts.
I feel incredibly tired… today was a stressful… too stressful...
Poor Parkinson…
Hmm… it seems Potter has left a note on my half of the charmed parchment… I thought we weren't meeting till next week…
Draco,
Can we meet tonight? I know it was only supposed to be once a week. But…. I need to talk to you.
HarryI hope this isn't about the kiss… I could say no… but… if he needs me…
Potter,
ROR -10 pm
Malfoy
I glance at my pocket watch… I half an hour before I should leave… I think I'll lie down.
Harry's POVI could barely contain my happiness when I saw Draco's response... It wouldn't do to let out a random exclamation of excitement… half of Gryffindor thinks I'm mad as it is.
I just need to know what he sees in Parkinson.
What does she have that I… I mean she is probably a Death Eater… She can't be good company for Draco… who comes from a family full of Death Eaters…
But he is above all that… he is better than that…
I mean she isn't even that pretty...
Why would he kiss me if he loves her?
Draco's POVWhen I arrive at the Room of Requirement five minutes early, I find Potter is already there.
"Draco… you came!"
Of course I came… Why wouldn't I… How dense can this boy be...
"Quite observant there, Potter."
His cheeks flush slightly… Why am I still such a jerk?
"I just… am … well… um…"
Dear Merlin. It is about the kiss… he doesn't want to talk to me anymore… Bastard… it was just on the hand…
"Spit it out, Potter."
I want this over a soon as possible.
"Why… are you… umm…. Well… dating Pansy Parkinson?
He turns bright red… odd… Is that all he really wanted to know.
"Potter you should know by now that things aren't always as they seem. Actually Pansy and I are nothing more than friends. We're only pretending to date. We are betrothed after all."
"You're betrothed?"
He seems so shocked… It is quite common…
"Yes since damn near birth. But her parents were on the verge of breaking it off. My father is upset with me right now and I well hadn't been acting very appropriately towards my betrothed. The problem was the alternative suitor was quite a bit older than Pansy and didn't want her to complete her schooling. He believes a wealthy pure-blooded witch only needs to know how to entertain and hold her tongue."
"So you're dating her so she doesn't have to marry someone else."
"You got it in one. Besides she fancies some Hufflepuff… not that Flinfletchy bloke… some other guy."
He looks somewhat relieved… I wonder why?
"But I… well… I saw you together down on the Quidditch Pitch… and…"
SHIT
"Did you hear anything?"
"No but…"
"Pansy is having family troubles… I was comforting her. She's my friend."
I suppose you could call being forced to follow a madman family troubles… of a sort. Well Har… Potter seems to buy it.
"So you don't love her?"
"No, I do."
He looks so crushed… odd…
"She has been my constant companion since we were toddlers. I love her like a sister."
Potter looks vaguely like an overexcited puppy now. His eyes lit up. Merlin his eyes are gorgeous…. Hmm… now he looks concerned…
"Draco… you look really tired."
"That is because I am. It's been a long day."
"Do you want to talk about it?"
More than you know… but I can't yet… not till I know for sure Pansy is safe… and that she wants people to know she isn't a DE.
"No… can we just sit?"
He sits in the other armchair.
"No, Potter, I meant together."
He looks shocked but he gets up and sits next to me in my chair. I lean against him. I feel so safe. He is strong and sturdy. And he smells vaguely of cinnamon and autumn leaves. I let out a contented sigh.
"Life is too damn difficult, Potter."
"I know."
He strokes my cheek, and then wraps his arm around my shoulders. He leans back… and I sigh again.
I can't help but feel slightly foolish for being so weak. But I deserve to let my guard down once in a while… right? I continue to lean on him and let the sound of his breathing soothe me.
After a time… maybe half an hour… maybe longer… I realize I should return to Slytherin.
"I should be going. Thank you… for being here. Good night Ha…. … Potter."
"No problem, Draco. I'll always be here."
He kisses my temple and brushes some hair from my face and tucks it behind my ear. I freeze and then get up quickly. I move towards the exit. Then I look back… he looks hurt… I pause…
"Thank you again, Potter. You mean a lot…I mean what you do for me means a lot to me."
Then I leave him sitting there.
The walk back to Slytherin seems longer than usual. Why did he kiss me? He couldn't feel for me… I'm not… well… not a girl. Everyone knows about the flings he had with the Ravenclaw Seeker and than that young Weasley girl. It must have been out of pity…
Damn Golden Boy… No one pities a Malfoy.
When I enter the Common Room. I'm shocked to see Crabbe ascending the stairs from the Dorms.
"Are you hungry Vincent?"
He freezes and stares at me.
"No."
What other reason could he have for being out of bed… unless… no…
"Where are you going?"
He ascends the last of the stairs… he looks so sad.
"I have a meeting."
No….
"Like hell you do!"
He looks slightly abashed. Then he draws himself up. I speak before he can.
"When did you get the letter?"
"A month ago."
So long...how could I not notice.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"For once you were happy about something. Whatever it was. I didn't want to upset you. Plus everyone has been told you failed your initiation no that you refused it."
What kind of friend have I been?
"But you don't have to get the Mark. You can't the Dark Lord will see right through you…"
"I'm not getting the Mark."
He can't mean that…
"You'll be killed. You have a little brother. They don't need you to carry on your line."
"I know."
"Then don't go."
"My parents will just withdraw me from school tomorrow. It is their right."
"Then go somewhere else… somewhere safe…"
"I'm not going to run. It isn't dignified. You've always said a true Slytherin meets great problems with a plan and grace enough to maintain their honor."
I hate having my words thrown back at me.
"Death isn't a plan… Don't be foolish… please…"
"Draco, all my life I've followed others and done only what I'm told. I never even considered making a decision on my own until I heard what you said to Pansy. Now I know what I want to, what I must do."
"Quit acting like a Gryffindor."
He simply smiles… this can't be happening…
"You know Gryffindor and Slytherin were once friends and always cousins."
I can only stare in shock.
"Draco I can show the others they have a choice. You know they won't keep my death quiet. They'll use it to frighten them. But you can show them it means they can choose. You can keep them safe. The Slytherins look up to you."
I shake my head.
"No there are other ways."
"Not really. None so striking and none so real. I've run out of time. But it's okay. I'll finally be able to do something because I decided to it. I'll die but I'll die free."
"I can't let you do this Vincent. You deserve more than death."
Now he is directly across from me. I'll curse him if I have to. I reach for my wand…
"Sorry, Draco"
I feel a fist hit my face and then all is black.
FINOkay my first cliffhanger. I hope you guys liked this chapter even if the tone is pretty dark. Please review. No flames I warned that this is slashy.