The sun rose and the sun set.
The celestial body didn't care about any one person; it didn't care whether wishes were murdered, and hopes had been shattered. There was only the forever continuing march through the skies, the everlasting present that didn't matter and easily became the past.
Somehow, it was never the same for humans.
For humans, people mattered; things mattered.
And then suddenly they didn't.
The understanding had struck Draco suddenly, thunderously, and he laughed at the reality of it – ignoring the strange and weary looks he received as a result. They were already wary around him and judged his every action.
Draco took a moment to wonder how it took him this long to realise that was the same for everyone. Was there a single person that didn't watch his every action and judge it? There wasn't a single person Draco could think of – not his parents, not his friends – who didn't have an expectation of his actions and what he aspired to be. The weight of the expectation on his shoulders didn't matter as long as it met whatever end they had dreamed up.
Action was not as easy as the realization.
Because humans were creatures of fear and comfort, and Draco wasn't sure of losing what little he had managed to keep since the war. He was certain he would have nothing left if he lost the few Slytherin friends that had managed to stay out of Azkaban.
But they were just as afraid. They lived in as much fear as he did. The Ministry could come knocking at any moment with another accusation to take everything they had, not because it was right or the Ministry had found proof, but purely for vindictiveness. It was the upper hand the other houses had always had at Hogwarts, but without the protection of Hogwarts.
It was never going to get better.
There was going to be no hero that would fight for their justice, because no one saw the need for one. No one needed a hero for someone else, only themselves.
And Draco was tired of waiting for one.
Because Draco was going to live however he wanted.
He was going to be judged either way, and he risked losing his friends – but they were a shadow of their former selves, and it probably wasn't much of a loss either. If anything, they might try take a similar step off the fear train and into a future that was closer to what they originally wanted.
Draco was going to start with his fascination of muggle transportation and vehicles. The Ministry used them occasionally to blend in, and it hadn't taken Draco long to realise that they didn't need magic to move. The steering looked more complicated, but also interesting and Draco knew that he'd wanted to try it – to learn how – some day.
And why couldn't that day be today?
If there were so many muggles that could operate them, surely it wouldn't be too difficult to find someone to teach him?
Draco would master them all.
Written for Badass Lyrics Inspire Badass Fics [To hell with waiting for tomorrow; Draco Malfoy]
