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Chapter Nine

Fire Talk

One week later, a young blonde Slytherin boy was on his way to the Potions classroom. As he walked down the corridor he faintly noticed that there were hardly any others stirring in the hallway. Then he remembered that he was going to class an hour earlier than anyone else. The Potions Master, Professor Severus Snape had asked him to come down to his office an hour early.

He began to question why his teacher had asked him to show up early, but he didn't question Snape's intentions. He trusted Snape more than he trusted anyone, even Harry. He loved Severus, he was always there for him when he needed him, he was the closest thing that he to a father, he was his best friend, Severus meant everything to Draco.

Draco approached the classroom and pushed the door open. He didn't bother knocking; there was no need to. Draco strolled around the classroom looking here and there for his Professor and didn't see him. It occurred to the young Slytherin that his faithful teacher might still be in his private dorms. Well, since he already knew where Severus' private chambers were, he might as well just go there and meet him.

The young Slytherin made his way deeper into the dungeons. After a few more twist and turns he stood in front of a large portrait with an odd looking wizard on the front of it. Draco looked up at the portrait for a few minutes; he was studying it. Finally with one last look, the word "aconite" escaped through his lips.

The portrait swung open and reviled a large door. Draco opened the door and reviled a rather elegant living room. The walls were a dark green colour and a few pieces of black leather furniture were place around the room. There were three doors in the room. One leading to the very nice sized bedroom, another was leading to a very large bathroom, and the last one leading to a small yet private study.

In the centre of one wall of the living room was a very large fireplace which happened to be blazing with a fire casing the room to glow. Draco walked over towards it and let the heat rush through his veins. He skin seemed to melt away from the heat, he loved Severus' fireplace. It was the warmest one he had ever stood next to.

There was a cough coming from behind him. Draco snapped his head around to see his Professor standing behind him.

"Hello Mr. Malfoy. Glad to see that you finally made it on time for once." Snape started to tease.

"Hello, Sev. Why did you want me to come down here? Surely, I'm not failing Potions." Draco said while starting to relax.

"No, you're not failing. Just so you know, your grades have been slipping. But that's not why I asked you to come down here. Take a seat, Draco."

Draco sat down in the black chair beside the fireplace. He didn't want to be too far away from its warmth. He looked up at his teacher who had sat himself down on the couch. If he wasn't failing, and it wasn't about his grades, then what was it that Sev needed to talk to him about?

"Well?" Draco said wanting his teacher to go on and tell him why he was there.

"Well, I actually didn't want you to come down here. As it is, you had to."

"Why?"

"Your father." Draco could feel his throat tighten and his mouth go dry. Even though he was sitting right beside the fireplace he felt a cold chill go through his spine.

"What about my father?" He asked wearily.

"He wanted to talk to you. I insisted that you were busy with your studies, but he wouldn't hear of it."

Draco sat in his chair trying to think of something to say, but nothing seemed appropriate. He was sitting there lost in thought when a new voice entered the room, Lucius Malfoy's voice. There he was, well his head anyway in the fireplace.

"Hello Draco, Severus. If you'll excuse us, Severus. I need a word with Draco." Lucius said flatly.

Severus stood up and nodded to both of the Malfoy's before he left his private chambers. Draco suddenly felt trapped. Even though his father wasn't really there, he was there. He felt frighten. Every time his father needed a word with him, it ended up in an argument or worse.

"Come here, Draco. I want a better look at you. Come sit on the couch." Draco slowly rose from his chair and walked uncertainly towards the couch. His legs felt weak beneath him. He felt like he was about to pass out. Once Draco had sat down on the couch his father started to talk once again. "As I have said before, I need a word with you."

"About what?" Draco tensely said.

"As a matter of fact, there are two items I need to discuss with you."

"Which are?" Draco said snappishly. He wanted his father to get on with it.

"Hold your tongue young Malfoy. First off, I would like you to come home for Christmas this year. I don't want you staying at that school. Secondly, Voldemort wants you to keep a closer eye on Potter. He wants to know all of his weaknesses, all of his strengths, what he likes, what he hates, what makes him tick, he just wants all of the facts on Potter."

"He wants to know more about Potter or do you want to know more about Potter." Draco said angrily. He knew that he wouldn't give them any real information on Harry. He knew that he would hurt Harry. But they didn't, and what they don't know can't hurt them.

"As I said, Voldemort wants you to keep a closer eye on Potter."

"Well, then I'll just have to stay at this school for Christmas."

"No you will not!"

"I must 'keep a closer eye on Potter.' After all, he does stay at school every single Christmas."

"DRACO MALFOY!!! YOU WILL NOT BE STAYING THERE!!! YOU WILL BE COMING HOME!!!"

"No I won't." Draco replied at the screaming fire.

"I swear boy. If you don't come home I'm going to-"

"YOU'RE GOING TO WHAT!?!?! BEAT ME??? RAPE ME??" Draco shouted back at his father. When he father didn't answer he went on. "Huh, what are you going to do? Whatever you do, you've probably done it to me over 1000 times anyway. So it wouldn't be anything new. By the way, I'm not coming home. There is nothing you can do to make me come back."

"Ohh my dear boy. I am afraid you are mistaken. You will come home. If you don't, well as you've implied I'll just beat you the same old way. With the same old cane. With the same old hurtful punishments. So you can just have more of the same old scars. It doesn't matter what you do, you'll still have to come home this summer. And there will be no one to protect you then."

"I will not come back to that hell hole! You cannot make me. I would rather live on the streets in rags then live with you. Especially after you killed the only one who ever stood up for me. The only one who ever stood up to you. The only one who had the nerve to call you what you really are, A SICK BASTARD!! You killed her, and I swear one day you'll get yours."

"Well, now. It seems like there are two people who have had the nerve to stand up to me. She was the first, and now, now you are making the same poor choice. I doubt that I will ever get mine."

"Yes you will, even if I have to kill you myself. You'll get yours. You'll see in the end." Draco said as he made his way towards the exit.

"Yes, we will see!" Lucius' cold voice chased after him as he slammed the door and left.

Draco walked through the dungeons going nowhere in particular. He soon found himself near the Potions Classroom. Since he didn't want to eat, and he wasn't in the mood to talk with the other Slytherins, and he was pretty sure Severus wanted to know what their 'little chat' was about, he decided to go ahead and just go to the Potions Classroom.

Just as before, Draco shoved the door open without even knocking. The Potions Master who was sitting behind a very large desk looked up at him. He had a worried expression on his face. Draco made his way down towards Severus' desk.

"So?" Snape asked him.

"So, he wants me to go home for Christmas and keep a closer eye on Harry. And I will do neither." Draco said flatly.

Severus could tell that Draco was series. He could also tell that him and his father must have also had a row. For Draco's face was flushed and he looked hot and bothered. "I can't blame you. Since when have you not wanted to get Mr. Potter into more trouble than he seems to get into by himself? And since when as Mr. Potter been Harry?" Severus started to question with a raised eyebrow.

Draco blushed slightly; he hadn't realized that he had called him Harry. "I, well, he seems to be getting himself into trouble enough now days. And the name thing, it must have slipped. I have no intention of ever calling him Harry again." Severus couldn't help but sigh and give a quick chuckle.

"What? What is so funny?" Draco demanded.

"Oh, nothing. Just youth." Severus fibbed. Well, it was partly true. Draco eyed him suspiciously but let the matter drop. They both sat there for a few minutes in quiet. They didn't mind either, it was a long time for both of them just to sit and not hear any noises. Just to sit and relax for a few small minutes.

Draco finally broke the silence between the two by asking, "Can I have a favour, Sev?"

"And what pray tell would that be?"

"Could you give Har- Potter detention tonight?"

"Why would I do that?"

"Because I asked you to?" Draco said with a smile.

"That still doesn't really answer my question. Why do you want me to give him detention?"

"Honestly?"

"Well I would prefer the truth." Severus said rolling his eyes at the boy.

"I need to talk to him."

"Since when have you two been on talking grounds?"

"Never mind that. Just can you give him detention?" Draco said, well actually he more along begged.

"I suppose. I'll find some reason to give it to the poor boy."

"Thank you, Sev."

At that moment some of the early morning students started to make their way into the classroom. A few of which happened to be the Golden Trio, Hermione, Ron and Harry Potter. Draco quickly and quietly made his way back over towards his seat. As the minutes ticked by more students began to fill the classroom. Shortly, the door had shut, Professor Severus Snape stood up, and the class had begun.

Snape started drown on and Draco just tuned him out since he already knew everything that his teacher was already saying. He did however catch a few words like The Draught of the Living Death, wolfsbane, and few others. He was only partially listening to what he said because he was trying to catch when he would give Harry the detention.

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Harry was bored out of his mind. He hated the days when Snape just talked on and on. He what he was saying was important, but he just didn't feel like listening to the man. He would much rather pass notes back and forth with Ron. Or playing Hangman.

He felt someone tap him on the shoulder; it was Seamus. Keeping his hands under the desk, Seamus passed the note over to Harry. Harry opened the letter and looked down at what the contents were.

Harry,

Hey mate. God Snape is an arse. This isn't funny learning. This is some kind of sick punishment. Anyway, mate, what are you doing tonight? If your not doing anything, I was thinking that maybe you could help me out. See as you are the Quidditch Captain now, I could really use your help with some of the plays. Besides, we all know that I could use the help.

Talk Later Mate,

Ron

"MISTER POTTER!!! DETENTION TONIGHT AT 7!!! Now maybe you pay attention for one day in your life!! And put that little love note from Mr. Weasley away! Bet yet, just throw it away." Snape shouted across the room.

Harry could feel his cheeks turn a dark colour of red. He hated when Snape embarrassed him like that. And it was not a love note!!!! Harry figured that Ron now knew what he would be doing this lovely evening. He would be spending it with the teacher that hated him the most.

After sitting there sourly for a few very long minutes the class was over. On his way out his red headed friend walked up to him, "Sorry mate, I mean, I didn't know that he was going to."

"It doesn't matter Ron. It's not your fault." Harry said, even though his mind was cursing Ron.

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"Are you happy now Mr. Malfoy?" Snape asked his student.

"Yes, very."

"I still don't understand your motives, Draco."

"That's because I'm a good actor."

"As am I. Did you not see my little performance?" Severus teased.

They both let out a little laugh that was long needed before Draco turned on his heal and started to walk out of the Potions Classroom. When Draco was beside the door he turned to look at his godfather, his potions teacher, his friend, Severus Snape. With a little smile the young blonde Slytherin known as Draco Malfoy said, "I'll see you tonight Severus."

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Author's Note: Reminder for those who have forgotten. I will be updating this story every Thursday from now on. And if you have the time go check out my other story 'Anger and Confusion.' By the way, could you all pretty please with sugar on top review : )!!!