Disclaimer: I do not, in any way shape or form, own Harry Potter. I am merely using them as toys while I wait for my delightful English class to come up in my schedule.

(A/N: Thoughts from characters (I'll try not to make it difficult to identify who is thinking what) are in italics. This chapter was inspired completely by "Excuse Me" by me...yes, I wrote this song. A fabulous song, if you get the chance, please review the music as well. Until then, here's another chapter...)

"Excuse me,

if it burns a little bit,

and excuse me,

if my soul stings,

from this pain,

deep within me."

Written by: TheSerpentsKiss (do NOT steal)

Chapter Two: All Alone

When Draco woke up, his first thought was I need to get out of here. While searching for his clothes, which were sprawled across the small room, he heard Pansy mumble something in her sleep. She rolled over and laid an arm across where Draco was laying, before he got up. She never opened her eyes as she fell back on her side, a frown forming on her lips.

Yet, she kept her eyes close.

She won't watch me leave.

Slipping on his t-shirt, he grabbed his wand from the bedside table, which was laying next to her unfinished book, and opened the door. Glancing at her once more, he saw that she had changed her position again, and was sitting up, her eyes turned down towards the hard, wooden floor. The sheet had fallen from where she had held it at the top of her breasts, and there she was, her beautiful body exposed to him once more. He almost walked to her, his eyes flashing across her body as a lost look took over in her eyes, one that he had never seen before from her.

"You do understand that I have to leave?" His words were clear and precise as he thrust them through the thick tension that was rising in the room. She nodded her head, but didn't break the stare that they held together, neither wanting to leave the other.

Realizing that if he didn't leave, he would never do it, he tightened his grip on the metal doorknob, and stepped out the door, shutting it quietly behind him. His breathing hitched as it locked automatically behind him, and he shut himself out of Pansy's life for good.

He left...he really left...

Pansy closed her eyes, and let the tears wash over her as this new feeling of loneliness and a sense of lost took over. She knew that Draco could hear her, because he was most likely standing just outside the door, feeling the same.

She didn't know how right she was. Draco stood, his back pressed against the hard wood door, and tried to calm the overwelming emotions that were rushing through his head all at once. It was almost unbearable as he stepped away from the door, and walked towards the stairs, his head held high, but his heart shattering to pieces on the inside.

And yet...

A new sense of freedom was taking over. He felt free from all hidden barriers. Everything that hid him from the world, from other people. He knew that the hole he had left in Pansy, and in himself would not heal overnight, yet right now all he could do was bask in this new feeling.

Merlin...who knew that "breaking up" with somebody that you never really dated would be so hard?

As Draco stepped outside of the Leaky Cauldron, he breathed deeply and did not dare to look up. He knew that he would see the eyes of Pansy as she watched him walk away. Pushing the heavy weight that was trying to settle on his stomach, he made his way through the heavy crowds of muggles, his eyes focused on the exit of the small alley.

He knew where the next stop would be, and it would take him months to reach it, but in the end, it would be worth it.

"My Lord, I have escaped from Azkaban." Lucius said softy, bending to kiss the hems of his master's robes gently. A small smirk appeared on his lips as he heard the pale man hiss quietly through his teeth. He had half-expected this response from his master.

"Yes, Lucius, I can see this. What do you expect for this tedious act?" His voice was filled with a whole new ice that Lucius had never heard before. A hind of sarcasm stung the words viciously, and it was blantly obvious that the Dark Lord was angry with Lucius for his lateness.

"Not a thing, my Lord. But are you not pleased with my actions? I did come back to serve you." He knew that as soon as the words had slipped past his lips, something was obviously wrong, and almost sighed needlessly as he watched this argument unfold between him and his master.

The Dark Lord stood to his full height, his boots making soft dull sounds as he approached Lucius swiftly, his scarlet eyes full of maleviolent rage that had not been there before. He stopped a few inches short of the blond, but reached up to clasp his long, pale fingers around his throat, wanting to cut off his air supply. However, he kept his fingers just tight enough to cause him to squirm pleasantly under him.

"Black could escape from Azkaban. This is nothing new to me, Lucius. I expected you to return much sooner than you did. I do not want to hear your excuses. You are dismissed from my ranks." He stated coldly, his eyes resting on the blond for merely a second, before he glanced at his inner circle, who was slowly surrounding Lucius in a circle, their faces full of disgust and spite.

Lucius understood as soon as he said the word 'dismissed' that this would not be the end of the conversation. You were not dismissed from ranks of Lord Voldemort. It was either a life service (and die in your work) or to be tortured to death.

He released Lucius roughly, causing him to step back a few feet, his hands going up to touch his throat tenderly. However, he stopped his motions as he realized that the Dark Lord was watching him, a silent, yet brooding mood setting over his skull-like features.

"Surely you are not serious? I am here, Lord. Here to serve you. I will do anything to prove my worthiness to you." His voice was hoarse, and full of an unspoken apology.

Voldemort studied him for a moment, before asking Lucius a simple question. His eyes flashed with amusement as he realized that he had his servant in the middle of his palm right now, writhing with pain as he realized the task that was to be ahead of him soon.

"You will do anything for me?" The Dark Lord asked softly, his voice full of curosity and amusement.

Lucius nodded his head dismally, a small grimace flashing across his features, before voicing a small, "Yes, my Lord." He clasped his hands around his back, standing straight to look into his eyes.

"You will prove your strength to me, by handing your only child over to me as soon as possible. No if's. Bring him to me, or you will take your punishment you would have recieved today, if not for your willingness to please." It wasn't a question of the duty, but an immediate command to Lucius. He flinched, and felt an immense bout of guilt and wariness rise to his stomach. He had no idea where his son was, and no notion if he was even alive.

What if he is dead?

"And the punishment is, if I do not bring him to you, my Lord?" He asked hesitantly, not sure if he wanted to hear the other option. But Lucius always wanted to know what he was up against, if he could help it.

"Death." The Dark Lord stated flatly.

(A/N: Ah, did you enjoy this chapter? I really do hope so. I know that very few people are reading this...but could you leave me a review? You have no idea how good it feels to read a review about a story your work you butt off on! It's an intense joy. Thank you!)