Draco played the poor soul act off marvellously. The filth had oohed and ahhed in all the right places. If he didn't know any better, from the sounds of her distinctive sniffs he'd also gotten her to cry. What a sucker she was. Still he relied on that fact.
"But what I don't understand is why you're on your own. Where are your family?" she asked sniffing again.
Draco paused and inhaled deeply, all for show of course.
"Well they're dead. I was an only child, and my parents passed on when I was still quite young. I never knew the rest of my family. I grew up in a boarding school for, uh, special cases." he was lying almost fluently now.
"Oh you poor dear! So you've been along all your life?"
"Well no, not quite." he'd come this far. Now it was time to really lay it on thick. "There was a girl. We were in love, engaged too."
"But what happened to her?"
"She…she dies. In an accident, with a horse and carriage."
"A horse and carriage?"
"Yes. It…it over-turned. She was crushed. And I lost my sight. I swore I'd never love anyone again."
He couldn't believe he'd just said that, and that she believed it all.
"Oh but that's terrible. I bet you were having a romantic evening together weren't you?"
"Uh yeah." he had hesitated to answer. But she took it to be painful memories, rather than revulsion for a sentimental muggle.
Did she really need him here to tell her this? She seemed to be getting on quite well without his help.
"Oh you poor, poor thing! So that's why you've hidden yourself away here."
"Yes."
"But if people only knew…"
"No! I don't want them to know. I don't want their pity. I just want to be alone."
That was all he needed, the entire village visiting the poor love-sick blind man in the woods. But he'd been too abrupt, she had stopped talking.
"I'm sorry," he started. "It's just I'm well, I guess I'm afraid to let people in. Everyone I care about dies. I can't stand to lose anyone else."
Surely he'd gone too far this time? She couldn't honestly believe this rubbish.
"Oh you dear sweet thing."
Dear Merlin this muggle was unbelievable! He could almost feel sorry for her, if it wasn't so perfect for him.
"Look, there's a party in the town hall tonight. To welcome the new people who moved in the other day. You could, you should come. I'd help you get there and everything."
Draco knew he had hit the jackpot with this one. His plan couldn't have gone better if he's used the Imperius curse on her.
"No. No, I couldn't. I'm just not ready yet. There'd be too many people. Too many questions."
"I'd make sure no one hassled you. And you'd be quite safe." she offered again.
"No, really I couldn't. It's nice of you to offer. Especially after the way I've treated you. I'm just not ready. But will, oh this is going to sound stupid."
He hoped he was blushing right now. Or at the very least looked awkward and uncomfortable.
"No go on. What is it?"
"Would you come back tomorrow? And tell me all about it? I know I say I want to be on my own. But I really do get quite lonely during the day. Will you come back? Just you."
He was close. He could sense her will bending to him. She'd soon do anything he wanted. She might even live to regret this moment. That is, if he felt generous enough to let her live once this was all over.
"Oh of course! I'd love to. I'll make sure to remember as much as possible."
He could tell she was beaming at him from her tone. She was like a puppy, so eager to please.
"Thank you. You have no idea what that means to me. I want to join the world again. I think I must just be able to as well. With your help of course."
He allowed himself a smile in what he hoped was her direction. The darkness had been closing in lately, only to ebb away again like the tide. He doubted his sight would ever fully return now.
"Don't you worry about a thing. We'll have you out and about in the great wide world before you know it."
Such a simple girl really. She really did think that they were going to be friends. Well she was in for a shock, wasn't she?
"You're so kind. Will you do me one last thing? Will you send my regards to the new people? And apologise for my not being there? Tell them I'll see them soon enough. Help them understand?"
"Of course, of course. Look I really must get going. There's so much to do. Are you sure you'll be ok?"
She was putty in his hands. Stupid girl.
"Oh yes, I'm quite sure."
He moved to get up, under the pretence of showing her out. It was merely a gesture, he knew she wouldn't really let him.
"No, sit down. Rest your foot. I'll show myself out."
"Ok, promise you'll come back?"
It wasn't a request. He was becoming tired of toying with her now. It was far too easy.
"Yes I promise Mr Marsden."
"Please, call me Daniel."
"Ok, goodbye Daniel."
"Goodbye."
He waited for five minutes after he heard the door shut to heal his foot. It had all gone so perfectly. In no time at all he would be killing Harry Potter. And the quiet little muggle village wouldn't know what had hit it. Oh yes revenge was just the thing.
New title, new chapters. The World Cup has driven me to my computer, so this will get finished in no time. Still not sure if I like this.