Painted in Sin

by RassyRenee

During Draco Malfoy's sixth year he was forced to grow up quickly. With the Dark Lord's plan looming over the sixteen-year-old's head, he knew a lot was at stake. When he reconnects with someone from his past, he finds there is a lot more to life than just the Dark Lord's approval.

5. V

Emariejumped out of her seat, "killAlbusDumbledore?!" She exclaimed loudly. "And how do expect to do that when the Dark Lord himself failed?"

"I have a plan-" Draco said.

"Oh, good. A plan. Those alwaysworksexactly as everyone imagines."

"-it's just taking a little longer than I would'vehoped."

"Tell me about fool-proof plan then, Draco."

"There's a cabinet in a hidden room that creates a passage when both are working properly."

Emariesat down, "oh, God. You've gone crazy. I just made an Unbreakable Vow with a crazy person."

"Uhm, I'm not crazy!" Draco defended.

"This plan is going to work. Just wait. You'll see."

Emariewas quiet. She stared at Draco. "You know the Dark Lord is just punishing your father for his failures."

"How do you think that?"

"The Dark Lord himself failed. He couldn't kill Dumbledore, and he expects you to be able to do it?"Emarienearly shouted, "what is theultimatepunishment for parents? Killing them? No! That would end their pain way too soon. He destroys their will to live. He takes away their most prized possessions-their children. The pain and the suffering and grief would go on forever compared to killing them and ending it quickly. It is exactly what He is doing to you, Draco."

"How dare you say that about the Dark Lord,"Goylestarted.

Draco interrupted, "why does everyone think I'm going to fail?"

"Listen to me, Draco. The Dark Lord himself failed trying to complete this very task. Do you think you're better than Him? More powerful? Smarter?"

"Of course not."

"Then why do you think you won't fail?"

"Because I'll have something he never did."

"Oh? What's that?"

"I'll have the smartest witch in the entire school helping me mend the broken cabinets."

Emarieimmediately thought of Hermione Granger. "There's no way she'll help you! She's Harry Potter's best friend!"

"Not thatMudblood!" Draco said with a slight blush filling his cheeks, "I was talking about you."

"Have you lost your mind?!"Emarieshouted. She picked up her book and turned in the direction of the dormitories. She took one more look at Draco. "I'm not going to spend my life in Azkaban because of your stupidity, Draco. Don't ever try to speak to me again." She left through the staircase and Draco andGoylelooked at each other as if to ask what happened.