Chapter 4: The Second Encounter

Last night may have been the first time in weeks that Draco had slept for more than two hours. He woke up with the sun just coming through the curtains, long before anyone else. There was no point in just lying in bed and it would become uncomfortable soon enough. He showered and dressed then made his way down to the kitchens.
The house elves had gotten used to him turning up early in the morning. One of them handed him some toast with strawberry jam. Another one offered him a glass of orange juice, which he gladly accepted. He thanked them and left them to their work.

He took his breakfast to the courtyard and sat on the wall between two pillars. A couple of owls flew in and out with letters and there was a gentle breeze.
As peaceful as it was Draco couldn't shake the feeling that he was being watched. No matter where he looked, he couldn't see anyone. It seemed that he was becoming paranoid after all. He placed his empty plate and glass down and watched as they disappeared.
What should he do today? Since the weather was nice and there weren't really any lessons going on after what happened, everyone would probably be outside... right then inside it is.

Taking a slow walk, he made his way back to his room. He had borrowed a couple of books from the library he could get through today. He had no intentions of letting his education slip, who knows school might be relatively normal next year. Spending the next couple of hours studying and practising the spells, Draco discovered he quite liked this way of learning. It was much easier to focus when there was no one else around and no teacher looking over his shoulder. Although that did mean if he became stuck there would be no one to ask for help. He supposed he could always go to Professor McGonagall. Just as he was re-reading about the Patronus Charm when an owl tapped at his window.
Once let in the owl settled on his bed frame and held its leg out for Draco. He took the letter then summoned a mouse for the owl, earning a happy chirp.

"Expect a delivery by 20:00
~ Professor McGonagall"

It was only ten o'clock in the morning, so he had all day before this delivery came. He didn't fancy going outside not after yesterday's conversations. Turning back to his books and picking up his wand he went back to practising. After failing several times at producing a Patronus Charm he moved on to some DADA books. At some point food appeared in his room and the plate promptly disappeared after Draco had eaten.
Just as he was getting to some healing spells there was a little pop and smoke. Looking over to where the smoke was, he could see a house elf barely looking up at him, as well as his school trunk.

"Hello Dobby..." The elf glanced quickly and shuffled a little.

"Dobby... h-has brought... l-little master's things..." Draco smiled a little at the stammering elf. When he was very little, he thought Dobby was someone he could be friends with, but his parents had corrected that thought as soon as they realised.

"Thank you, Dobby..." Draco thought for a moment before asking, "Are you ok? Not hurt or anything?"

Dobby looked up in shock. Not many people cared about house elves. Harry Potter was the first person to be worried about Dobby's well-being. Although Dobby thought that if his Master had left the little master alone then perhaps Harry would've been the second person.

"Ye-yes Dobby is unharmed." He stood a little taller still looking at Draco. "Dobby even got little master extra things!" Draco raised an eyebrow and walked over to his trunk that Dobby had borrowed. A small gasp escaped him as he opened the trunk. The inside has been enlarged or more like it had been remodeled. There was a hallway with many doors lining its walls. He turned to look at the house elf whose pride was practically bursting from his chest.

"Did you do this?" He questioned looking in awe at Dobby. He knew that house elves were more powerful than wizards, but this was like nothing he had seen before.

"Yes, little ma-master. Dobby got everything for you."

"Everything?" Dobby nodded so hard his ears flapped about a little.

"The professor a-also wanted to give the little master things."

"Really?" Dobby nodded again.

"She gave them to Dobby to give to little master."

"Thank you, Dobby," Draco repeated smiling at the small elf. Dobby looked down embarrassed before saying goodbye and disappearing. Looking around his room Draco started to collect up his possessions. Not that Draco wanted to move into his trunk or spend his whole summer in there... where he would be left alone... no not at all. Gently stepping down into his school trunk he started transferring all his things into the various rooms Dobby had added. He looked through some of the rooms that had been added. There was a library, study, a living room and a... kitchen. Dobby had clearly thought of everything and those were just the first four rooms of the trunk. When he re-emerged, it was dinner time and food had appeared in his room once more.

Draco wandered out to his spot under the tree by the lake with his dinner. He was enjoying his food and the quiet when suddenly the air changed. He looked around him as his hairs stood up, someone was watching him. Not like the new normal staring that he was getting used to. It felt like he was being observed. The evening was still silent, and it was still light out but he couldn't see anyone.

"Hello again." A deep voice sounded from behind him. The young boy jumped so much he nearly left the ground. Draco put a hand on his chest and gathered himself for a moment.

"Can you not?" Draco turned and looked up at the cloaked figure. The black void in the hood turned to look down towards him.

"It was not my intention to startle you."

"Could've fooled me" He muttered to himself. "So… uh... what can I do for you this time?" Death considered him for a moment. To have something with no face looking directly at you was an odd thing.

"Are you prepared?"

"Prepared?" Draco felt the colour drain from his face. Hands going slightly clammy and breath hitched. He wasn't ready to die. He didn't want to die now; he had thought about it a few times. He thought he would be ready and come to terms with it but now he was actually facing it, literally, he changed his mind.

"Yes I have a job for you." The deep voice chuckled a little.

"A... a job?"

"Mmhmm yes and you will be gone for a while." Draco just stared at Death. He didn't know what to do or what was going to happen. Where would he be going? What could he possibly do for... whatever Death was? The hood of the cloak tilted to one side a little.
"Are you prepared?" Death asked again.

"Oh… uh I'll just go get my things..." Draco stood up and slowly walked towards the castle. Death, meanwhile, walked to the edge of the lake and watched the giant squid swim around.

Making his way to his room Draco found himself lost in thought. He should've asked what exactly this job was. Could he even refuse to do it if he wanted to? It didn't seem very likely. Passing other students, barely noticing their whispers and stares now, he picked up his pace. Would this be the end of him? Why else would Death themself come to him? He would complete whatever this job was and then his life would be claimed.
Once in his room he approached his school trunk once again. All his possessions were already in there he just needed to take it with him.
A shrinking charm was unlikely to have an adverse effect on the spells already cast on it. He pulled his wand out and easily cast the spell. He watched the trunk shrink until it was pocket sized. Placing it in his pocket he turned to leave but stopped when he got to the door.
Turning back into the room he searched his drawers and finally found a scrap of paper shoved in the back of one. He used his wand to quickly burn a message into the paper.

Dear Professor McGonagall,

I'll be gone for a little bit. Well, I'm not actually sure how long but everything's alright, just got a job to do. Nothing to with Death Eaters though don't worry.

See you around,

Draco

With that done he turned and left his room. He honestly didn't know why he was going along with this. He had no information on this job or on Death themself. Why they wanted him in particular or if they could even be trusted. Somehow the walk back outside felt incredibly short but also painfully long. A sinking dread settled in his stomach. A dread that told him even if he tried, he wouldn't be able to avoid this.

When he got outside Death was still crouched by the lake watching the giant squid. If he wasn't so nervous, he would've found the sight funny, but he felt his throat seize up and his breathing became a little strained. He tried to mentally prepare himself as he approached the entity.

"What does the squid eat?" The deep voice of Death floated up to Draco.

"I uh... don't really know. Just whatever else lives in the lake I guess?"

"There must be many creatures in this lake to sustain a creature of this size."

"Yeah probably" Death stood, turning towards Draco, tilting their head to the side a little.

"Did you collect your possessions?" Draco nodded and gripped his wand tighter. "Then let us get going."

Death held out a hand to Draco, the sleeve of the cloak covering most of it so Draco could only see the tips of their fingers. He placed his hand into Death's and even with the cloak covering it, the coldness sent a shock through his entire body. Drowning. Draco felt like he was drowning, in cold thick water. He couldn't see anything. Dark blues, pinks and purples swirled and danced all around him.
His whole body felt like it was being torn apart, each part of him being pulled in different directions. There was no sound but he could taste a slight metallic taste.

Then it stopped.

He could breathe again and his body felt whole once more, albeit a little sore. A cold breeze glided past him, hugging his shoulders. The sound of muggle cars and someone shouting in the distance found its way to his ears. He could still taste the metallic taste of his blood.
Wherever he was it was nighttime and tall buildings surrounded him. Death stood just to the side of him.

"I apologise that may have been uncomfortable."

"Yeah, no kidding." Draco swallowed the small amount of blood that collected in his mouth.

"Yes, crossing over to a different universe will have that affect." Death chuckled slightly; voice as soft as ever. "Good luck Draco."

"Wait what?!" But Death had already disappeared. Well great.