Draco's physical bruises had healed well, but the bruises on his ego were still black and blue. The tears he had cried on his pillow had long since dried, but they were still pouring down on the inside. He was as arrogant as ever on the outside, but somewhere deep inside he wished he could stop caring. His father had been sent to Azkaban upon the word of Harry Potter, and that had torn Draco deep inside.
Narcissa and Draco were walking down Diagon Alley. Rather, Narcissa strode proudly while Draco trudged along behind her, avoiding the glances of people on the street. His father was now in prison, and couldn't hurt them anymore, but that seemed to be the only good it had done. His father still loathed him, and now there was nothing left, short of breaking into Azkaban, that Draco could do to impress Lucius.
Narcissa swept into Madam Malkin's Robes For All Occasions, hoping to get her shopping done quickly. It hurt her to see Draco in such pain, but there wasn't much she could do. Draco just pushed her away.
"I'm not a child, in case you haven't noticed, Mother. I am perfectly capable of doing my shopping alone." As Draco whined to Narcissa, a familiar trio entered the store, unnoticed by those already in the shop.
"Now, dear, your mother's quite right, none of us is supposed to wandering around on our own anymore, it's nothing to do with you being a child -"
"Watch where you're sticking that pin, will you!" Madam Malkin glared at her customer as he rudely interrupted her. The dark green robes hanging from Draco's thin frame glittered with pins. Draco strode to the mirror to examine himself; it was a few moments before he noticed Harry Potter, Ronald Weasley, and Hermione Granger reflected over his shoulder.
"If you're wondering what that smell is, Mother, a Mudblood just walked in." Draco's voice cut sharply into the ears of the other two boys, who immediately drew their wands.
"I don't think there's any need for language like that! And I don't want wands drawn in my shop either!" Madam Malkin scurried in between the opposing teens, hoping to end the conflict quietly.
"No, don't, honestly, it's not worth it…" Granger stood slightly behind the two boys, looking worried. Her eye was black and blue, as if someone had hit her with a good uppercut.
"Yeah, like you'd dare do magic out of school. Who blacked your eye, Granger? I want to send them flowers." Weasley took a menacing step towards Draco as Madam Malkin broke into a sweat.
"That's quite enough!" Frazzled and frightened, Madam Malkin turned in circles, pleading with each person to stop. Narcissa Malfoy strolled out from behind the clothes rack.
"Put those away," she said coldly to Potter and Weasley. "If you attack my son again, I shall ensure that it is the last thing you ever do." Her face wore a sneer that could kill a cow.
"Really?" said Potter, taking a step forward and gazing into the smoothly conceited face that, for all the evil twisted into it, still resembled her sister's. "Going to get a few Death Eater palls to do us in, are you?"
Draco uttered a hiss as Madam Malkin squealed in shock. 'How dare he insult my family in public? If it was legal, Potter, I… I… I would kill you so fast you wouldn't know what hit you. You deserve death, God knows, for all the pain you've caused my family…'
"Really, you shouldn't accuse – dangerous thing to say – wands away, please!" Madam Malkin spoke harshly now. It was obvious that she wished for the lot of them to disappear. Narcissa merely smiled unpleasantly as Potter stared her down.
"I see that being Dumbledore's favorite has given you a false sense of security, Harry Potter. But Dumbledore won't always be there to protect you." Draco allowed himself a small smile of pride at his mother's words, but at the same time they made him wonder. Did his mother know of his assignment? Meanwhile, Potter was looking mockingly around the store.
"Wow…look at that… he's not here now! So why not have a go? They might be able to find you a double cell in Azkaban with your loser of a husband!" Draco made an angry movement towards Harry but stumbled over his overlong robe. Weasley laughed loudly, and Draco's cheeks flushed lightly.
"Don't you dare talk to my mother like that, Potter!" Malfoy snarled.
"It's all right, Draco," said Narcissa, restraining him with her thin white fingers upon his shoulder. "I expect Potter will be united with dear Sirius long before I am reunited with Lucius." Potter raised his wand higher, ready to strike.
"Harry, no!" moaned Granger, grabbing his arm and attempting to hold it down by his side. "Think…you mustn't…You'll be in such trouble…" Madam Malkin dithered for a moment, then seemed to decide to act as if nothing was happening in the hope that it wouldn't. She bent toward Malfoy, who was still glaring at Potter.
"I think this left sleeve could come up a little bit more, dear, let me just –"
Draco's mind was racing. She couldn't see the mark…She couldn't! What was he supposed to do?
"OUCH!" bellowed Draco, slapping her hand away. "Watch where you're putting your pins, woman! Mother – I don't think I want these anymore –" He pulled the robes over his head and threw them onto the floor at Madam Malkin's feet.
"You're right, Draco," said Narcissa, who was glaring contemptuously at Granger, "now I know the kind of scum that shops here…We'll do better at Twilfitt and Tatting's."
And with that, the pair of them strode out of the shop, Draco taking care to bang as hard as he could into Weasley on the way out. They walked on in silence for awhile.
"That was smart of you, Draco, to avoid letting Madam Malkin see your mark. I expect such constant vigilance from you." Narcissa spoke warmly. It was not often she was allowed alone time with her son.
Draco rolled his eyes at her comments, remembering a certain Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher who always yelled "CONSTANT VIGILANCE!" He turned out to be a Death Eater in disguise, but that's just how things work. Maybe 'Constant Vigilance' was a Death Eater saying?
Narcissa's heart sank as she watched her son pull away. She wanted nothing more than to be a real mom, one who could just sit and love her child. But the pain and the death and the evil in this world had made it hard to be that kind of mom. Marrying Lucius hadn't helped the cause much, either.
"Mother…You know my size; can't you get my robes while I buy my potions equipment from the Apothecary? It would much faster, and that way we'd have more time to visit Father." Draco was attempting to be sly. He needed to find a way to make it down to Borgin & Burkes alone.
"Draco, it's not safe." She lowered her voice so that Draco himself could barely hear her. "We must pretend to be worried of attack. The general public is in danger still, Draco. You should know this. Perhaps the Dark Lord was wrong when he said you were ready for this."
"Mother, you blaspheme. The Dark Lord is always right. And every other teenager is begging to be set free. Even Potter, whom most of the wizarding world thinks of as invincible, had a guardian that he was evading." Draco rolled his eyes once more.
"Perhaps you are right. Perhaps you are not. You are staying with me, and that is final…" Narcissa had lost the finality in her tone, though. After a quick look to make sure no one was watching, Draco's eyes grew wide, tears glistening. His lips were pouted, and his cheeks were flushed. "Draco, stop it. You know how easily I cave to your puppy dog eyes."
Draco's only response was to have the tears glisten almost menacingly as a few slid down his cheeks.
"Fine, child. Meet me by the carriage in no less than an hour. I will expect you to have all of your potions equipment, and not too much extra. And keep yourself inconspicuous!" She hissed, glaring slightly as Draco's teary face melted away into jubilance.
"Thank you, mother."Although he was cool and collected on the outside, on the inside he was quite literally jumping in joy. He rushed away, slamming into a couple first-years who were nervous enough about shopping in Diagon Alley. Without pausing to say sorry, he sped off to the Apothecary.
Once inside the Apothecary, he pushed past the families crowding the shop to the very front. Stopping to speak in low tones with the owner, he gathered his ingredients quickly and was out the door before most of the customers had found their first potions kit.
He hurried back up the street, rushing past Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes and turning quietly onto Knockturn Alley. He looked swiftly around, making sure he wasn't being watched by anyone, but they were all too intent on minding their own business to notice a small blond boy ducking into Knockturn Alley.
He rushed down the alley, straight to Borgin & Burkes. Any other day he would have strolled leisurely through, glancing at the wares and laughing at the feeble attempts to create true dark magic, but today was different. Today he had to hurry. Today he had to complete a mission. Today he had to be a man.
Luckily, the shop was empty. Draco strode quickly to the front of the shop.
"Mr. Borgin! Mr. Burkes!" He said loudly, feeling important. Mr. Borgin, oily-haired and stooped, stepped out of the shadowy back room.
"What is it, young Master Malfoy? Where are your parents?" Mr. Borgin seemed wary, as if he'd had enough trouble for the day.
"My errand is my own, Borgin, and I ask you to keep it to yourself."
"I see. Proceed." Mr. Borgin inclined his head, look mildly interested.
"You see this vanishing cabinet, here? I have found its brother, which is broken. I believe the charm has worn off slightly, and there may be some broken wood in the back of the cabinet. I was wondering, would you know how to fix it?"
"Possibly," said Borgin, in a tone that suggested he was unwilling to commit himself. "I'll need to see it, though. Why don't you bring it in to the shop?"
"I can't," said Draco. "It's got to stay put. I just need you to tell me how to do it." Borgin licked his lips nervously.
"Well, without seeing it, I must say it will be a very difficult job, perhaps impossible. I couldn't guarantee anything."
"No?" said Draco, sneering. "Perhaps this will make you more confident." He moved towards Borgin, rolling up his left sleeve just enough for the Dark Mark to be visible. Borgin jumped backward, babbling a little in his shock.
"Tell anyone," said Draco, "and there will be retribution. You know Fenrir Greyback? He's a family friend. He'll be dropping in from time to time to make sure you're giving the problem your full attention." Draco's words were harsh, and Borgin shuddered.
"There will be no need for –"
"I'll decide that," said Draco. "Well, I'd better be off. And don't forget to keep that one safe, I'll need it."
"Perhaps you'd like to take it now?"
"No, of course I wouldn't, you stupid little man, how would I look carrying that down the street? Just don't sell it!" Draco was frustrated. 'How could people be so stupid?'
"Of course not… sir." Borgin bowed deeply.
"Not a word to anyone, Borgin, and that includes my mother, understand?"
"Naturally, naturally." Borgin had decided that he did not like the more powerful version of Draco. He bowed deeply once more, and was relieved when Draco flew out the door.
Draco stormed up the street, turning angrily onto Diagon Alley. He walked briskly to the carriage, leaping in without a second thought. He quickly realized that although his mother was not yet there, his Lord was.
"Draco…Have you succeeded in your task yet?" The Dark Lord scowled down at the young blond boy.
"N-n-no, my lord. I have formulated a plan, however I have not yet had the chance to execute said plan. I did not want to act hastily and make a crucial mistake." Draco gave a weak smile.
"Wise beyond the years of your father, I see. It is well that you have taken time to think things over; indeed, I am impressed that a child of your stature would be so shrewd. I admit, I had expected the rash indecision of your father." Voldemort's voice grated in Draco's ears.
"Thank you, my lord." Draco did not think it so wise to speak long with the Dark Lord in private.
"Do not wait too long, young one. The snake can only wait so long before it devours the dragon." Voldemort stepped lightly out of the carriage, vanishing into the wind. Draco sat in stunned silence until his mother arrived in the carriage.
"Draco, darling, are you feeling well? I can send you home before I go visit your Father, if you feel the need to lie down." Narcissa worried much too much about her favorite son.
"Yes, Mother, I feel fine. I wish to see father." Draco tried to smile, hoping to reassure his Mother,
"Draco, dear, I would feel much better if I left you at home. You look awful." It was true, Draco couldn't disagree. He had broken into a cold sweat, and he was sure his normally perfect china-doll skin had turned a sick grey. 'Maybe mother is right…'