Chapter 13: Malfoy Manor
The white-haired captain watched impassively behind a glass window, studying the behavior of the Altered Dementors as Kurotsuchi read reports on a clipboard with an excited grin. Subordinates of the Twelfth Division walked by comfortably in the presence of the superior officers, having gotten used to the ice captain's accompaniment with their own. It was rather entertaining.
As if to note that an eventful argument had not flared up, the white-and black painted face of the mad scientist looked up from his papers with a sneered leer, yelling at his subordinates to get to their work loudly as Hitsugaya narrowed his eyes at their text subjects.
"Well, Kurotsuchi, the potion I gave you to tamper with them appears to be effective enough." Toushirou noted as the cloaked beings drifted almost drunkenly. "But was it really necessary for you to have them intoxicated with it?"
"That vile yellow concoction of a potion was a pity party of it's name sake!" Kurotsuchi sneered as he held up the half-full flask with a bright golden yellow liquid, dancing happily in glimmers of rainbows. "Those damned Dementors swarmed and nearly sent each other into the next life for this putrid essence."
Considering it's the Essence of Euphoria, any shinigami that doesn't want to get drunk would have the same opinion. Sighing, the ice captain turned the conversation to another topic.
"And what of their uses? Yama-jii wants us our report back to have some kind of altercation with the experimented Dementors, other than being soul storages."
"I am well aware of the old man's orders, you pipsqueak." The scientist retorted with a sneer as his colleague sent him a withering glare at the insult. "And I'll have you know that the Dementor's experimentation is going as planned. The Head Captain shall have his results in a couple of days."
The white-haired captain held back the urge to argue with his colleague, eyes lidded for a moment before they were present once more. "Just do it before Yama-jii demands anymore from these things. I have other business to attend to than to look over you and your experiments, Kurotsuchi."
Before the other captain could retort, the ice captain shunpoed off, truly not wanting to hear or be with the other captain any longer. Appearing in the outskirts of the divisions, Hitsugaya decided against shunpoing to his division, taking to walk instead as thoughts swirled in his mind, having returned from Hogwarts for two weeks now.
Six subordinates in my Detention Center since my absence. Toshiro stated, clearly displeased with his Inner World. For disruption, insubordination, and assault of fellow colleagues; they have been charged with salary reductions and containment as a part of their compensation until their superior deems that their sentence is served.
And it has been several months until the event and their service of punishment. Hyorinmaru informed the captain as he entered his division, nodding at the guards. I believe we should leave bygones as bygones, Master. With the consideration of the scolding you gave them when you returned.
Two weeks ago, the ice captain, still in his gigai and freshly out of the London train station, stood in his Detention Center. Despite his blank expression, the six men who saluted their superior behind bars, guards, and strawberry blonde lieutenant held tense forms, waiting for someone to speak. A reprimand for their actions. Their inevitable scolding for not following orders or proper decorum. But for several moments, none dared to break the silence that the most powerful soul in room had lapsed them in.
One minute passed, then two. Four. Ten. Seventeen. Twenty. It was not until twenty-one minutes and fifty-four seconds had bypassed that the silence was broken, by the foremost shinigami to the left.
"T-Taicho…?" The grunt barely had the chance to finish calling his superior.
"Twenty-one minutes and fifty-four seconds." Hitsugaya's voice cut in with ice. "That is how long it took for one of you to muster up the courage to speak to me. At that assessment, there is no wonder then, that you all clearly do not have the endurance nor the maturity to ignore the challenges of the Eleventh Division. Not to add that it was when I was absent as this took place on the grounds along with insubordination against my explicit orders upon departure."
Grim lines grew at the edges of their frowns as the six men dipped their heads forward in shame at every word as Hitsugaya continued.
"Financial paperwork of your own cuts in salary will be filled out by the six of you, along with menial work for the next month. Matsumoto, release them." Hitsugaya ordered, as the men and lieutenant saluted as the captain turned away to leave.
They know better, in the aftermath of these events. Toshiro merely commented as he kept walking, mumbling under his breath as he glanced at his office doors. But now that it has been resolved along with Kurotsuchi, I have other things to address.
A blur of strawberry blonde zipped out of the office, as Hitsugaya felt his blood pressure increase at her expression, unaware of the teal orbs that watched her escape as she slyly giggled. Namely, an irresponsible lieutenant.
"Matsumoto."
With a squeak, the strawberry haired lieutenant straightened her back, caught. Unaffected by the narrow of teal orbs, she laughed nervously under her superior's glare. "What are you up to now?"
"Taicho!" The lieutenant pouted. "Why do you always think I'm up to something? I could be going out to get some fresh air or going to help Shunhei and Renji with their paperwork so that we can do it together! Or meet Nanao to go to the latest SWA meeting!"
"That's because the last meeting was yesterday and since when do the three of you do paperwork together that would lead me to believe you of doing that?" Hitsugaya replied with a risen eyebrow, glare icier. "Get inside and do your paperwork, Matsumoto."
With a pout and small mumbled whine, the lieutenant turn-tailed into the office. But within half an hour, she had disappeared with the echo of her captain's scolding behind her.
"Welcome, Mr. Hitsugaya." A butler bowed lowly to the ice captain as he appeared via Portkey, the emerald grasped in a firm grip. "The young master bids you welcome to the manor and grounds. He will greet you promptly in the Drawing Room. Please, follow me."
The manor itself was dark and brooding, yet stood with proud prestige of it's bloodline as menacing gargoyles intimidated the weak over the handsome walls, strengthened and towering over elaborate gardens of belladonna and moonseed glinted in the soft rays of the waxy moon. A fountain twinkled softly as water sounded on the eerily beautiful grounds, as the captain noted the poisonous plants that made up the manor. Sprigs of nightshade smiled innocently as albino peacocks greeted the white-haired transfer, ebony eyes twinkling as they pecked at bushes of mistletoe, all unperturbed by the quiet snowfall.
White gravel crunched softly under the captain's boots as he followed the aged butler, eyes noting a yew hedge maze off further in the grounds as black iron gates barred any intruder entry from the grounds.
Isolated, lined with security, and precaution within as one enters. The ice captain approved as he entered deeper into the grounds, noting a number of things along the way. And most importantly, it's cold.
Of course that is your main concern, Master. Sephiroth sighed as Hyorinmaru nodded, both agreeing wholeheartedly as their master merely shrugged, turning back to the manor itself.
Swinging inward, the grand doors imbedded with the Malfoy family crest greeted the captain as they swung open without help, the butler allowing the guest entry first. Used to the culture of wearing his shoes within a household, Toshiro entered, welcomed by a dimly lit entrance hall, the candlelight courtesy of a crystal chandelier. Black marble veined with white covered the floor as pale-faced portraits of previous generations of Malfoys decorated the walls, two grand staircases parallel to one other the grandest feature, leading to the upper wings of the manor. And at the dead center, led down a hallway, as dim as the rest of manor, a magnificent carpet leading down the steps and hall.
Passing the captain's luggage to another servant, the butler gestured for him to follow, holding a lit candleholder. Down the hallway and the through bronze-handled doors, finally; was the heir to the household.
Nursing a cup of tea, Draco Malfoy smirked behind a mess of paperwork before him as he caught sight of his guest, seated beside tall windows covered with ebony curtains as the two chandeliers lit the room dimly, added by a dying fire at the marble fireplace opposite to the ornate table. The fireplace was flanked by two fancy armchairs along with side-tables for mundane things in the midst of conversation as twin candle holders gave the heir light for his work. Walls a deep purple, the heir bid his welcome.
"Hitsugaya."
"Malfoy." Toshiro exchanged as the butler bowed to the young master, who ordered refreshments to be brought. "Please, Hitsugaya, take a seat."
Obliging, the captain took one at the opposing head of the table, his teal orbs colored blankly but hinted with interest as the blonde sighed, his grey orbs fatigued. "My apologies for the mess. But in my father's absence, the Malfoy stocks and shares of the financial realm befall to my responsibility."
"It is of no consequence." The captain waved aside as a servant entered with a trolley containing their shared meal. "Paperwork of any sort is something that is a constant that demands attention whether we wish to address it or not."
"Yes." Malfoy snorted wholly as he folded one particularly thick, manila folder. "How sympathetic of you, Hitsugaya. Though I believe that you go through a greater number of this tortuous labor than I. Korihana has ensured me, more than once of your share of it."
"Not all of us have a responsible subordinate, Malfoy." Toshiro retorted as he sipped the tea. Ceylon. "And speaking of subordinates, I believe, your House-Elf has been freed?"
"Potter's doing." Malfoy spat distastefully as he explained the events of how his father was tricked by the boy into giving the elf an article of clothing, effectively freeing the young elf from his servitude to the House of Malfoy. "And now that filthy Mudblood is campaigning for the freedom of all House-Elves. How foolish."
The captain regarded the topic for a moment before replying. "Perhaps, Malfoy; that Granger's methods are rather ill in tactics for her goals seeing how House-Elves enjoy to be enslaved with the exception of yours. As the species appears to punish themselves whenever their master is displeased; however, that does not allow the fact that they should be mistreated."
"Dobby was an annoyance more than a mistreated rodent." Malfoy nodded as the captain's words sunk in. "Father was not too displeased at Dobby's escape, but rather Potter's interference in the House affairs."
"Potter does tend to stick his nose into ventures that are none of his concern with Granger and Weasley in the tow. That is not too surprising."
"I suppose not. However, that Mudblood's idiotic organization apparently has the elves within Hogwarts in an uproar, that rumors of the Gryffindor Common Room has not been cleaned in a number of weeks, I hear."
The captain nodded. "Unfortunately. However, your former House-Elf does enough by himself for it to be considered clean to most of the House."
"How courteous of him." The blonde commented snidely as he signed a final signature before setting aside the rest of the papers, finished. "It appears you know a number of things within Malfoy Manor more than the average wizard, Hitsugaya."
"It is information that allows preparation, Malfoy." The captain smirked, a thin knife twirled in his fingers. "You are no different in that aspect."
The blonde mirrored the expression, only colored with arrogance. "Yes, but you are the one subject that seems to bypass my network. You hold no alliance to anyone, give no one more information than the bare minimal and even then, it is as vague as blank parchment, that my Legilimens cannot read you."
"Seek and thine shall find." Toshiro challenged, as the blonde smirked back in reply before turning to the clock that displayed the hour above the fireplace.
"As a host, it would be rude of me to not show you my home." Standing, the blonde gestured toward the doors that the captain had entered through. "Follow me to your tour of the House of Malfoy, Hitsugaya."
This manor is strange. The ice captain spoke with narrowed eyes, resting in his given room, exquisitely furnished as it was colored with cooled hues of navy and purpled theme of the manor. I have not seen a single soul, whether it be a Plus or Hollow, there is no sign of the afterlife in this mansion or grounds otherwise. However, it is not like the home is the most welcoming of retreats for chained souls of wizards. Previous heirs of the bloodline, too; are even absent.
The House of Black held Sirius Black's mother along with other aged souls of the bloodline, yet within the portraits of the House of Malfoy, the portraits are not as prestige. Sephiroth agreed as the captain donned a thin ebony nightshirt over comfortable pants, his feet bare as he rested against a canopied bed, silk sheets cool to the touch. And I doubt that the portraits' condition is due to financial complications.
The portraits and the absence of spiritual appearances are due to something that has been here recently. The captain stated, countering the ice dragon. Those portraits maybe of the former heirs and heads of the Malfoy bloodline, but they were not painted in the era of them. They are replicas, and very good ones. Paper, frames, and even the reiatsu of them are the appropriate timeline; however, the layering of dust and the dryness of the paint is not. Paint of the eighteenth century or the sixteenth century is not that wet, and clean. The canvas should have been yellowed and caked with a thicker layer of dust than oil paint. Something must have occurred for the Malfoy portraits to have been removed and reconditioned, along with have the manor practically free of souls of any form. And recently.
Enough. Hyorinmaru cut in, his words firm. The concern of the House of Malfoy along with the Department of Mysteries can be addressed later, Master. The hour is late. Not to mention the change of time zones.
Conceding, the captain allowed himself to enter the realm of darkness, awakening several hours later by a nearing reiatsu, sitting up as a knock sounded in the quarters, opposite to Draco's. With an answer for entry from the guest, the butler from the previous night entered, bowing before he spoke.
"Good morning, Mr. Hitsugaya. Breakfast shall be served shortly in the Drawing Room, would you like an escort when you are ready?"
Declining the kind offer, the captain quickly dressed in a black shirt, under a white vest that contrasted with ebony pants and boots, forgoing his jacket and scarf for a teal ribbon at his collar, tied into a drooping bow. Malfoy was dressed just as smartly as he exited his chambers, only in all black and without the vest and ribbon, choosing to leave the collar open and his feet covered with comfortable loafers. After a greeting of good morning, an ambiance of awkward tension colored the air between the two, none aware of really how to break it when the living one couldn't stand it no longer.
"This is ridiculous." Malfoy stated with a frustrated sigh as he clinked in the china cup to it's plate in a deliberate motion as the captain rose an eyebrow at the sound. "We have conversed for a year and a half now and yet at the moment, we cannot carry a conversation without awkward air."
"Then what do you suppose we do about it?" Toshiro did not understand the problem. That much was clear to the blonde. Sighing, Malfoy cursed mentally. He was by no means better at this thing!
"Well." Malfoy sighed as he felt his cheeks warm, embarrassed as he thanked Hitsugaya had the tact to not comment. "What are we exactly?"
The blatant confusion, shock, and then barely concealed horror on Hitsugaya's face said it all. "N-No! Not like that! I meant like, are we friends? Or acquaintances? Like that…" Shit. Now, he was sure his face was a bright red.
Toshiro, in the other hand, mustered all the willpower to not allow his blush show, as it failed miserably; trying to muster a response as he ordered both Hyorinmaru and Sephiroth to be silent from their amused laughter. "I-I… suppose we are friends…"
"G-Good to know…" The two boys turned back to their respective breakfasts, both too embarrassed to look at the other in the eye, as the awkward air returned almost twofold, their actions backfired.
Now what? Toshiro hissed, annoyed at the fact that his dragons were still amused greatly while he was in this bind. What the hell sprung this question out of Malfoy?
Master. Hyorinmaru addressed patiently. The boy genuinely wishes to be your friend. You heard him while in train from Hogwarts, it appears that he sees a potential ally and comrade within you for him to confide in since the two of you share and withhold secrets from one another. But just like you, he is insecure of whether you feel the same for him as a friend, that is why he had invited you to his manor, is it not?
Yes. But why does he need to ask?
I suppose it is due to him not having any. The dragon replied. He is an only child of a high ranking nobility, probably not having many who treat him for who he is rather than what he is, yet respecting what is. Him asking, is his way of reassuring himself that you are his friend. Potter, Weasley, and Granger hold the prejudice of Slytherin along with being unable to see through his facade of arrogance, but you instead, treated him no different from any other; intriguing him.
Then what do I do? Toshiro asked.
Be his friend. Sephiroth answered simply as the captain took a breath, shaking his head with a soft groan of irritation.
"Look, Malfoy." Toshiro began, forcing himself to look at the other, who shot his head up in surprise. "I too, do not like the awkward air in-between us, and would like to amend that. But you must understand, one thing about me. I do not trust others with ease similarly to you, but I am willing to try to be your friend."
A genuine smile broke from the blonde's face as he nodded, the smile forming into a familiar smirk. "I look forward to our friendship."
"You have two sisters?" Malfoy repeated as Hitsugaya nodded.
"Both are adopted just like I am. One younger and the other older." The two had decided to spend the day productively, in the Drawing Room at opposing ends of the table each focused on their respective paperwork. Quill in hand for the blonde and a thin brush in the captain's, both did not have any problem in conversing while working.
"And as a prodigy and a male, you are the heir to the House." Malfoy concluded as Hitsugaya hummed an affirmative. "Your household appears to hold many under it's roof, Hitsugaya; how do you keep track of all of them?"
"It is not by choice that I do. Believe me." The captain deadpanned as the blonde laughed lightly at that, nodding at the statement. "And of yourself?"
"I have no siblings." Draco smiled sadly before it formed into an amused smile. "It is only Father, Mother, and myself. They… couldn't have anymore children after me. My mother is too frail for her to undergo the strain to have another after conceiving me. Which is why I am 'the eye and beacon of her life.' Her words, for the matter, Hitsugaya, not mine."
"That explains why you are so spoiled, then." Toshiro noted with a glint of amusement in his eyes as they met surprised grey ones.
"Indeed." Malfoy noted in mock forlorn, as both were well aware of the blonde's reputation at school. "What a poor choice in your part, Hitsugaya; to have chosen an arrogant prick like myself as a friend."
The captain snorted. "It is not like you are any better, having chosen an 'irresponsible' Gryffindor as a friend. How disgraceful of a pureblooded Slytherin."
"Then it appears that both of us are inapt for picking friends."
"I cannot imagine why." Toshiro retorted with sarcasm as they continued like that, exchanging banter in-between papers and cups of tea; only pausing in meals and moments of looking over papers that called for greater attention every once in a while. It was not long until the conversation had taken a change of scenery, both in gardens when it had arrived.
The blonde had flinched so harshly that the captain glanced at his friend in concern, composing himself with a soft grunt before nodding at the servant to give him the letter, which was apparently from his father. Unsealing the wax, as the sixteen-year-old read, the pallor grew. Although curious, the captain retained his questions, taking to the watching the peacocks when a sigh and a soft spell took the captain from his thoughts. Turning back to his friend, the letter was now ashes and the blonde was rubbing the bridge of his nose, stressed.
"I hate my life sometimes." Draco mumbled as Toshiro rose an eyebrow to which the other caught. "It appears that my father is going to be making an appearance to the Christmas Ball with us after word of you attending with me has reached him from an 'anonymous' friend of his."
"Am I take the impression that your father has invited himself to a company that does not wish for his presence?" Toshiro asked as Malfoy snorted at the question.
"No." Malfoy answered firstly. "If anything with my father present at the ball, holding back the Ministry dogs that want to chew on us for a morsel should be easier. But my intention was not to show you that side of me. Although I am sure you have heard the stories from Weasley and Potter already."
"Do you mean the one that always threatens with his father?"
The blonde nodded morosely. "That's the one."
"What about it?"
"…It's just it's not me." The captain sent his friend a pair of narrowed and questioning eyes as if to say, 'did you really just try that with me?' "Okay, yes. It is me, but you know what I mean. It's not me in the aspect of truly being me. Yes. It was me who did and say all of those things to Potter, Weasley, and Granger along with being an arrogant prick. But it's not the me that you know."
"Regardless of whether that was you or not you, Malfoy, it matters not to me." Toshiro shrugged as if the problem were not as bad as it appeared. "Whether it is you who tries to be the son that wants to make his father proud or the annoyance of a blonde who tries to — and fails to — put one over me, by the end of the day, we're still friends. Friends who greet one another with insults without bite and argue with ferocity."
The blonde looked at his white-haired friend in a mixture of surprise, gratitude, and awe. "R-Really?"
Now, Toshiro was uncomfortable. "Well, yes."
"Thank you, Hitsugaya." Malfoy breathed, his voice relieved. "You have no idea what that means to me."
Nodding, the ice captain held up one finger, his voice low as a smirk colored his lips. "And by that, it is no means that I am going to roll over to your status or bloodline, Draco."
Smirking just as widely back, the blonde threw a mistletoe berry at his only friend to which he dodged with ease. "I wouldn't have you any other way, Toshiro."
Draco was nervous and quiet. Toshiro took a moment to study his friend, the night of the ball before them. Under an expensive ebony suit, Draco's appearance was sleek and one that excluded confidence, his silvery grey tie highlighting his grey orbs as a matching cloaked warmed his tall stature, the family crest over his heart. However, the blonde's face marred with anxiety, his styled locks drooping rather than mussed in arrogance.
"It has not been several moments since your father has returned to the grounds to accompany us, Draco. And we have a party to attend in less than hour. I would hope that you could contain your excitement." Toshiro alined his words, the bite and sarcasm clear as the Slytherin looked up as if just now noticing his friend. Meeting the captain's cool glare with his nervous one, the blonde found a smirk reflected to him. "You can explain later, but you cannot be acting like a terrified terrier for the entire ball. I will accompany you for the entirety of it. As promised."
Malfoy managed to relax a bit, smirking back softly. "I wouldn't think the cold heir of the Eastern Wizarding World would make such sentimental things as promises."
"I do not promise things that I cannot keep." The captain shrugged, his jeweled shoulders twinkling with the move. "I do not guarantee the impossible to anyone."
"There he is." Malfoy nodded playfully, before waving a mocking hand to his chest, features twisted to a grieving expression. "For a moment, I thought that the cold transfer student of the House of Yamamoto was lost forever in a lapse of sentiment."
Placing a hand on the bronze encrusted shoulder, the blonde smiled at his friend with glistening eyes, trying to not laugh as a pitiful expression colored his face. "Welcome back, my friend."
"I should just throw you into that pit of wolves." Toshiro snarled back with no bite before the blonde broke out into a full laugh and the captain cracking an amused smile.
"But, I must say, Toshiro, your robes are rather extravagant tonight." The blonde noted after the moment had passed, both waiting at the Entrance Hall of the manor. Grimacing, the captain had to admit that his words rang true. White locks tamed with the expert hand of Matsumoto, the normal spikes of hair brushed over half of the captain's face, blanketing lightly over his right eye. Under a white cloak that gleamed in the candlelight with bronze embellishments, a paralleled shirt peeked behind a dark teal ribbon at the collar and an ebony vest. Slim-fitted pants and shined shoes finished the ensemble, as the captain tugged the sleeves of his black blazer with slight annoyance, gloved fingers only revealed by a bronze ring.
"Just accept the explanation that my subordinate did not allow me to leave until I promised to don this for the evening." Toshiro revealed with a sullen hint in his disinterest as Malfoy recognized it as one he could relate to. His mother was no exception to the tendency to threaten his financial or in a general sense, overall well-being when dressing himself before the public eye.
And upon his father's arrival, it was clear that he believed no different.
With his ever so present cane which served as both a walking stick and a compartment for his wand, the silver snake bust at the hooked end of the cane greeted the two as the head of the manor arrived. Lucius Malfoy and his son held a striking resemblance to one another, mirroring in calculative grey orbs, sharp facial features, and pale blonde locks that neared a bleached white. However, as Malfoy senior, the father was imposing, charismatic, and proud; while the younger generation had admiration and pride in the large strides of his father as he neared them with a small smile. The wizard and Death Eater was dressed in all black in the same fashion as Draco, emphasis instead being on his pale locks which cascaded just past his shoulders, hovering his back.
"Draco." His voice was deep but held a whimsical hint of mocking as he nodded to his son with approval before turning to the captain. "And you must be Captain Hitsugaya. Welcome to Malfoy Manor. Lucius Malfoy, one of the thirteen Governors of Hogwarts."
"A pleasure to finally be acquainted." Toshiro replied evenly, sending a subtle shake of the head to the younger blonde's confused glance at his father's greeting at the transfer. Like I said, explanations later.
"Forgive my tardiness." Lucius smiled, his cane gripped with gloved fingers. "To the festivities, then."
At the ball, Toshiro watched with Draco by his side, their eyes glued to the scene before them. It had happened shortly after the Malfoys and the captain had arrived, giving the letter of invitation to the footmen at the doors, when a woman who wore enough jewelry to sink faster than a rock in the Pacific Ocean had dropped a glass of black wine on another lady's dress, which apparently was a priceless heirloom. The witch with the ruined dress apparently wished to file charges while the jeweled witch had begun to protest in a bejeweled rage of ringed fists. It was rather the most interesting thing that the boys had seen so far.
"I don't suppose anyone would intervene?" The captain voiced softly as the blonde shook his head, sipping his flute of aged Butterbeer.
"The witch in the ruined dress is one of father's colleagues and the other is a member of Wizengamot who is pretty high up in the ranks. Only an idiot would dare get between this mess."
"Either way, it's none of our concern." And with his comment, the captain turned away, disinterested as he brought his own flute of pomegranate juice to his lips, the bitter taste dulling his senses a bit. "I suppose you have more topics of greater interest to discuss with me anyway."
"True." Draco whispered back, the two of them appearing to be in a heated debate. "But is this really the environment to be conversing of sensitive topics?"
Toshiro shrugged. "It is as good as any. The Ministry is secure as of late and the last thing anyone would think is plots and less than jolly conversations on Christmas Eve. It is not like we have an audience we have distract, that had been practically taken care of for us."
The blonde had no counter but to agree.
"So, then. Me or you first?" Malfoy began as he maneuvered them to a table, as if to take their discussion to a private one between the two of them, as he received a nod toward him to indicate his explanation be first. "Very well."
"My father is, put bluntly, a Death Eater in hiding. And to ensure that when You-Know-Who rises, the Malfoy family will be on the winning side. But for that I would have to be… initiated…"
"Which you do not want." Toshiro concluded silently. "To be a Death Eater."
"I don't." Malfoy bit his lip, his despair leaking from his mask. "I love and respect my father but to become a Death Eater like him? My father is filled with fear with the mention of His name, which is why he is subservient. Even I can see that."
"Then I suppose that explains your behavior in Hogwarts." Toshiro noted as Malfoy nodded.
"It is the main reason to disguise my true intentions from my father, that way I am not discovered of my differing intents from him and that way my mother does not have to worry over me. Father is not loyal to the Dark Lord, but is only subservient by fear and Mother in the same situation. But with the incoming onslaught of his return and the rumors of his resurrection, I cannot help but find myself in a bind, Toshiro. What happens when I become like my parents as well?"
Indeed what a bind you are in. Toshiro thought darkly, thoughts traveling swiftly as his ice dragons stirred. If you defect now, Voldemort would surely have you all killed, but there is Draco's parents to place into account. If Draco's words are true, then in the end, the Malfoys would eventually defect. But the question is when?
Master, what about you inform him of the Horcruxes? Sephiroth suggested. You can use the same scenario that you have told the professors. Unless you believe Draco may be a security risk.
In either case, this is not the appropriate situation to be conversing this. Or at least Horcruxes, we will omit that as of now. Toshiro visibly frowned, fingering the flute in his gloved hand before glancing at the chaos they had left behind. I presume things are almost done at your end?
Nearly, Master. Sephiroth nodded. Another confirmation, and then we can be off.
Very well. Toshiro said as he turned to the blonde, ignoring the hollow feeling that echoed in his Inner World briefly, answering his question. "Nothing is absolute yet, Draco. I believe it is my turn for explanations."
And with a smirk, the ice captain obliged his friend.