Draco kept his eyes clenched shut, braced for pain, even after they had apparated successfully. Snape let go of his arm and started to move away, so Draco slowly pried his eyes open. He was in front of an unfamiliar house. He glanced around nervously, and it appeared like he was in a muggle neighbourhood. Regulus oriented himself after being winked out of existence briefly. Neither of them knew where the hell they were.

"Draco, come," Snape snapped and Draco forced his feet forward.

"Where are we?" He asked, eying the foreign street.

"My house, obviously."

That didn't seem obvious to Draco. "Why?"

Snape gave him a look, as he unlocked the door and opened it for him. "You just killed one of the most powerful wizards in existence. People will be looking for you. You need to stay somewhere people don't know about."

Draco swallowed. He hadn't considered the fact that he might be a wanted criminal for the act. He'd been too focused on staying alive. "But the Dark Lord will protect me, right?"

"In," Snape said holding the door open.

Draco found himself in a small sitting room. Bookshelves lined the walls, and it was rather normal looking. Unlike Malfoy Manor, there was nothing extravagant or valuable. It didn't even match Snape's dark demeanour. Draco wasn't sure what he was supposed to do, but thankfully, Snape guessed his indecision.

"Sit," he commanded, and Draco plopped down into an armchair.

Snape disappeared for a moment. Draco figured he shouldn't move, but Regulus was already walking the perimeter of the room, exploring. As Snape reappeared with a handful of vials, Regulus started reading titles on the bookshelf.

"Are you hurt anywhere?" Snape asked as he pulled a footstool closer.

"No."

Snape judged his sincerity. "Take this." He handed over a vial with a bright blue liquid. "It's to help with the shock."

"I'm not in shock."

"Take it," Snape repeated and Draco was too tired to fight. After swallowing it down, Snape asked, "What was that with Potter?"

"Nothing," Draco said immediately.

"Don't lie to me. I need to report to the Dark Lord and I need to know what to tell him."

Draco panicked as he insisted, "You can't tell him!"

"Then tell me why."

He couldn't help but glance at Regulus. "Just tell him you and Harry became friends. Spin it to look like you were doing it for the Dark Lord," he suggested.

Draco inhaled, steadying himself. "I've been befriending Potter. I figured the Dark Lord would appreciate someone close."

"Really? Then why wouldn't you want the Dark Lord to know?" Snape asked.

"We both know what happens when you disappoint him. I needed to make sure Potter would listen to me."

"And would he?"

"Probably not after tonight," Draco said honestly.

Snape watched him carefully and Draco refused to react under his gaze.

"You need to be careful Draco. Don't go anywhere. Don't say anything." Draco almost scoffed, there was no one to talk to other than Regulus.

"What's going to happen?" He asked instead. Whatever potion Snape had given him had settled his nerves, but he still knew that he'd brought a storm upon himself.

Snape refused to answer. "Take both of these. You need to sleep," he said as he passed the remaining two vials to Draco.

"There are wards. You can't leave even if you want to. Upstairs, the guest room is on the left." Snape stood, gestured to the stairs, and waited for Draco.

Draco slowly made his way upstairs. Snape's eyes bore into him, making sure he went where he was told. He didn't have the energy to do different. The guest room, like the rest of the house, was unremarkable. He settled on the edge of the bed, staring down at the two potions in his hands. Regulus walked up, facing him.

"Will you tell me what happened?"

"I'm exhausted," Draco said, unmoving.

"I want to know."

So Draco tried his best to explain. The shock-reducing potion made it far easier than it should have been. He told Regulus how he made his way to the tower, got Gibbon killed, and returned to find Dumbledore. He explained how Dumbledore had seemed to care for Harry but how he didn't think Dumbledore would change his mind about Harry needing to be sacrificed, so when Snape arrived, he knew he had to do it. And he did it with almost no hesitation.

Regulus listened silently. Face an annoyingly neutral as always.

"Have I destroyed my soul?" Draco asked as he laid back on the mattress. Something in him felt changed, even if he couldn't quite puzzle out what.

Regulus sighed and sat next to him.

"Damaged? Possibly. Destroyed? No. I doubt it."

"I can't go back to how it was," Draco said quietly.

"No, you can't." Regulus took a deep breath and continued, "But I think hurting others to protect someone else is far less damaging than killing for yourself. I was devastated after my first kill, probably because they were innocent. You and I both know that Dumbledore was not innocent."

"But -" Draco tried to interrupt but Regulus spoke louder.

"Well-meaning, but not innocent. I assume your knowledge of horcruxes brought this on?"

"It's the first step right?"

"You have to be willing to rip your soul, do something so utterly foul and inhumane that your soul would be fine losing a part of itself. You are a long way from that," Regulus said with certainty. Draco wanted to believe it. Regulus was usually right, but this felt different.

"I need to sleep."

Regulus stood, as Draco downed the potions. He was beyond thankful for the familiar taste of Dreamless Sleep.

"Put me on when you wake," Regulus said in parting.

Draco nodded, slipping off the ring. He laid back into the strange bed, in a strange house, feeling rather like a stranger to himself, and fell asleep.

Draco woke slowly. By the angle of light in the room, it was already late. His sleep had been more restful than it should have been, but Snape's potions were now wearing off, and he felt both restless and uneasy in his skin. Flashes from the night before kept appearing in his brain unbidden. He wished back the semi-dissociative state he'd been in. This was horrible, to know he had done something terrible even if he couldn't bring himself to regret it. And maybe that is what made him feel so bad. He was mostly sorry for leaving Harry, not the act itself.

Figuring Regulus might keep him grounded, he slipped back on the ring and made his way downstairs. Snape was already there, looking ragged and even more exhausted than the night before. Draco hadn't realised he planned to stay up the whole night and felt a pang of guilt over it. He was seated at the table reading the Daily Prophet. Draco tensed as he saw the headline.

Hogwarts Headmaster Found Dead Last Night

"Can I read it?"

Snape glanced up and passed the paper over silently.

He scanned it quickly looking for his name. When he didn't spot it, he read it more thoroughly making sure to angle it properly for Regulus to read beside him. They mentioned a Death Eater attack, but all names were left out. It even went as far as to say that Dumbledore fell from the Astronomy Tower and that is what caused his death.

It is currently unclear if foul play was involved.

"How?" Draco asked unable to form a proper question.

"Yaxley, mostly. It's partly why he went along. He has connections with the Prophet, so he knew what would make a realistic enough cover. That in addition to the Dark Lords othersupportersat the ministry almost ensured that what he wanted published would be."

"So no one knows it's me?"

"I expect a great number of people suspect it, but you have not been accused and you will likely not be."

Draco nodded. It was better than he could have hoped for.

"Where were you all night?" He asked Snape.

"How do you think the Dark Lord decided what should be published."

Draco looked up sharply. "You spoke with him?"

"Yes."

"Did you tell him about Harry?"

If Snape was surprised by the question, he didn't show it. "He questioned why we didn't capture the boy. I said it was because we never saw him." Draco let out a sigh but held back his smile.

Snape stood and addressed him, "You can expect him to call upon you soon. Be ready."

Regulus had taken a liking to Snape's small library. He had some rare books that Regulus said they should try to nick from him. He pointed out one in particular for Draco to familiarise himself with -Inferi and other Dead, so Draco happily took up the distraction.

He was still reading, when the bang of a door opening surprised him. Snape, having returned from whatever errand he was on, stood agitated in the doorway.

"What are you doing?" He demanded. Draco looked at him confused. It should be pretty obvious what he was doing - reading.

"The Dark Lord is calling," Snape clarified and Draco looked down to where he was griping his left forearm. Draco realised that his own arm did feel a little warm, but it was hardly there. Harry really had been close to saving him.

"Right." He pulled himself out of the chair, Regulus following behind.

"Don't take off the rings," Regulus said and Draco subtly nodded. Between almost forgetting it last winter and last night, he wasn't ever going to take off the memory ring again if he could avoid it.

Snape apparated them again, much to Draco's displeasure, but this time it was somewhere familiar. He was back at Malfoy Manor.

"What are we doing here?" He asked, bewildered.

"What do you think?" Snape snarked and started forward.

It felt odd to have Snape guiding him into his own home, but since his mark wasn't reacting he had no way of knowing where the Dark Lord was. Although he might've guessed, other cloaked figures glided into the large dining room. His mother had always loved the room for hosting when he was younger. He never thought it would be used like this.

Unlike the last meeting Draco attended, people were talking as he walked in. The energy was buzzing. Snape guided him forward until Bella saw him.

"Draco!" She bounded over beaming at him. She grabbed around his shoulder and tugged him to the head of the table. "My Lord, can you believe what he has done."

Draco had avoided looking directly at the head of the table, terrified of the man seated there. He bowed his head as the red eyes appraised him.

"I am impressed," The Dark Lord hissed at him. "Come sit." He gestured to his left, where Bella had been sitting. She took her seat with a curtsy, and he finally got a glance at who was seated next to her. It was his mother. He paused, stunned by her appearance. She said nothing but gestured to the seat beside her, and Draco took it swiftly. His mother wasn't supposed to be involved with this.

Draco had been one of the last to arrive, no wonder Snape had been confused by his lack of reaction. His mark should have been crippling him. The Dark Lord rose slowly looking at every person gathered.

"We are gathered here to celebrate a momentous occasion. The Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Albus. Percival. Wulfric. Brian. Dumbledore," he sneered each of his names worse than the last, "is dead."

The Death eaters whooped and cheered. Several threw sparks into the air. The Dark Lord smiled down on them and continued, "And do you know who we have to thank for the deed?"

Silence fell and the Dark Lord beamed.

"Draco, rise."

Draco sat frozen. The last time he had been called out by the Dark Lord he felt the worst pain in his was he going to do this time?He shouldn't be praised for this, but he couldn't risk making the Dark Lord unhappy again. He was paralysed. His mother tensed beside him.

"Stand up," Regulus said urgently. Draco stiffly rose, jolted by Regulus speaking.

"Our very own Draco Malfoy accomplished the feat. That means you should get a reward, wouldn't you all agree," The Dark Lord said as several people voiced their approval, including Bella. "Let it be known that I reward those who serve me well."

He gestured as two cloaked figures guided two other men forward. On the left was Heir Nott, looking ragged and like he had aged too many years. The other man was his father.

"Lucius," his mother gasped from beside him and ran forward.

"Don't," Regulus warned as Draco started to move. He held himself back.

"What nothing to say to your father?" The Dark Lord teased.

Draco's panicked mind was spinning, realising the test Regulus had spotted. He tried to speak steadily, "This is a celebration. I don't have kind words for someone who disappointed you, my Lord." Regulus let out a relieved breath beside him.

The Dark Lord chuckled. "Just when I think you can't impress me more." He turned to where his parents were standing. "Do you hear that Lucius? Your son is disappointed in you."

His father stood straighter. "I will make him proud again." Then he promptly sank into a bow.

"You know, the last time Draco was before me he suffered because of you. I think it is time to give the punishment where it is truly deserved. What do you say Draco?"

His mind whirled. "As you please, my Lord."

The Dark Lord cackled. "Right, you ."

His father dropped and his mother jerked away, avoiding his flailing limbs. Draco had never seen his father in such pain. In such a low position. It was the opposite of how his father should be treated, but he held his tongue and swallowed down the sick feeling at knowing he was allowing the pain to be inflicted.

The Dark Lord kept him under for only a fraction of the time he had used on Draco. When he finished, he raised his arm almost casually.

"While this is a momentous occasion, I implore you all to remember that our final goal will not be complete until Harry Potter lies at my feet, dead. That is our goal. We must not let him slip through our fingers. With Draco's new role among you and the blessing of the Malfoys, this will be where I will plan our success. Potter will be mine before long."

"Don't react, keep your mind and face blank," Regulus reminded him. Draco pretended like he was blocking Bella from his mind, shoving away the fear for Harry and the horror of the Dark Lord returning to the manor.

"For the rest of you. I encourage a celebration. The Order is weak without its leader. The ministry isweak. Muggles are alwaysweak. Do whatever you please. Anything to disrupt our enemies will please me."

The Dark Lord gave a final grin at Draco before disapparating from inside the manor. It was something he thought was impossible. He stared in awe, as the chatter around him rose. Most were probably off to do whatever theypleased. He did not want to know what that was. He didn't want to think about how he would be responsible for every atrocity that was committed tonight.

Draco wound his way to where his father was heaving on the floor. His mother was soothing him, rubbing circles into his back and speaking softly. As he got close, his father looked up.

"Draco," he said, then lunged for him, gripping his robes. He started to sob. Of everything in the last day, Draco found this the most unexpected. Everything he thought of his father was the opposite of the sobbing mess in front of him. Draco had started questioning his father's loyalties months ago and knew his father wasn't perfect, but his father should still command respect. His father was strong. His father was not the person before him now, clutching to his son a whimpering mess.

"I am so proud. You did what I could have never done. What the even Dark Lord has failed at before." His mother looked around sharply at that, checking for eavesdroppers. His father continued almost manic, "Do you know what this means for our family? You could be his right hand."

Draco was still at a loss for words; he was repulsed at that idea. He looked at his mother, unsure of what to do.

She took pity on them both. "Come dear, I'll find Severus to give you a nerve soother."

His father gave him one last smile and went with his mother. Draco walked in the opposite direction, deeper into the mansion to his quarters. He desperately needed a shower and some space.

Regulus matched his pace as they walked. "That was worse than before."

"How do you mean?" That meeting had been pleasant compared to the last one.

"He's changed, even less human." Regulus shivered. "The Death Eaters don't respect him. Well, expect Bella and the other mad ones do, but most fear him. They are no longer working for some ill-informed goal, like when I was one of them. They listen solely because they are terrified of him."

"So what do I do?" Draco had just proved himself as one of those terrified, doing what the Dark Lord asked of him.

"We'll figure it out." Draco had felt so much over the last two days that he couldn't even feel disappointed that Regulus didn't know. He slipped off the ring and washed up. He moved slowly. All the adrenaline from being near the Dark Lord had left and he was now left feeling hollow without the anxiety driving him. He was about to crawl into bed when his mother appeared.

"You should rest." It was the first thing his mother had said to him.

"I'll do as I please," he retorted.

"You look tired." At that, whatever hollowness he'd felt filled with rage.

"Of course I'm tired!" He snapped at her. "Do you have any idea what I have gone through?! I've done everything I can to keep you safe and for what?" He had zero control over his emotions.

"Draco -"

"I don't want to be here! I am supposed to be at Hogwarts!"

His mother stepped forward. He continued, "I didn't want to kill anyone!"

"It's okay." She leaned in to hug him.

"It's not!" Draco jerked back. "You did this to me."

She looked like he had physically slapped her. "You let him into this house last summer. You let him give me an impossible task. You practically signed off on my death sentence."

"And what was I supposed to do?! Let your father rot? I did what I could to protect this family!"

"No, you did what you could to protect your reputation!"

"I only wanted to protect you! Your father failed. You succeeded."

"You call this success?" He choked on the words, appalled that he had so little control over himself.

Something in his mother gave way. She stepped forward and this time Draco didn't jerk away. "I would move the stars for you if I could. You didn't deserve any of this." She hugged him tighter. "You did the right thing by your family. I will see you safe. I will see you return to school."

Draco started to cry.

"I'm sorry," he gasped into her. She probably assumed he was apologising to her, but he knew he wasn't. He was apologising to Harry for being so stupid for so many years. For even allowing himself to be put in this position. He should have never gotten to this point. Not for the last time, he wished he'd just listened to Regulus sooner.