McKay (scribbulus_ink) wrote in time_of_storms, @ 2006-09-12 15:00:00 |
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Original poster: black_cauldron
Music: Kashmir, by Led Zeppelin
Severus looked up from his brewing as Draco appeared, right on time for his appointed check-in with Severus. It had been fortuitous that Draco hadn't come by during Severus' depression after the incident in the werewolf camp, and even more so that he hadn't shown up during the two days Severus and Remus had been together after their reconciliation. It was, in fact, the date of the full moon, and so Remus was off with the werewolves, running through the woods and hopefully staying out of danger.
At least I had sent the Wolfsbane for the month before... that, Severus thought with a bit of relief. He did not like the thought of Remus running around without his wits about him.
Draco looked pale and wan as he had ever since coming to Severus for help, and there were dark circles under his eyes that spoke of sleepless nights. And yet he approached Severus' worktable with a slow but steady stride, his mouth firm as though he had made up his mind about something. There were determination in his grey eyes, Severus read that clearly, yet there was fear as well. Severus watched him warily, wondering what was on Draco's mind now.
"Yes?" he asked, placing the ladle down beside his cauldron and rising to his full height. "You obviously look a mess, Draco, and have not been sleeping."
Draco reached the table, standing on the side opposite from Severus and laying his hands on the top. At the closer range it was even easier to see the fear he was so obviously trying to hide, and yet Draco didn't back down. He swallowed once, then drew in a deep breath.
"I know," he said, and at first Severus thought Draco was referring to his comment about his looks. But then Draco continued, and Severus' blood froze in his veins.
"I know about you and Lupin. You're lovers. And that isn't all, is it?"
Severus felt as though he had been punched low in the gut, but he held himself stiffly erect, his wand appearing in his hand between one breath and the next.
"Just what is it that you think you know?" Severus asked, his voice as cold as arctic ice. "You're taking a terrible risk you realize."
Draco's eyes had widened at the sight of the wand, and he swallowed again, his Adam's Apple bobbing up and down. But he looked Severus in the eye, and Severus realized the boy must have rehearsed this speech a thousand times. "You're spying against The Dark Lord. You have ties with the Order of the Phoenix still, don't you? Well, I want out. I want to go to them and tell them everything I know, in exchange for them getting me out of this war and away from my father and aunt."
This plan was very close to what Severus had been contemplating ever since Draco had arrived, but he had not mentioned it to the boy, not when he knew how much Draco hated Potter and everything to do with Potter. And yet self-preservation would make a person do a great deal, even "consorting with the enemy" if necessary.
Of course Severus could deny it, hex the boy, or even kill him. In some ways that would be the safest option; Draco was now a danger not only to Severus, but to Remus as well, and Severus was determined to protect his lover at all costs. Draco's life meant little in the grand scheme of things, really; he was a pawn, not a player, and Severus could get away with it cold.
Dark eyes bored into Draco, as Severus considered his options. The boy must have known that Severus might react badly and either hex or kill him out of hand, yet Draco had stood firm. That was an admirable quality, even if it was more Gryffindor than Slytherin. Yet Draco was also fighting for his own survival here, and that sometimes brought out qualities in people which they otherwise might never show.
"How can I be what you claim?" Severus asked slowly, fixing Draco with a raised brow look that had reduced first-years to tears. "I killed Albus Dumbledore. What makes you think that I am spying for the Order, rather than having lured Lupin to spy for Our Lord?"
Obviously that hadn't occurred to Draco, if his sudden flinch was any indication. Severus didn't know whether to be vexed or flattered that the young git had immediately assumed Severus was on the "good" side when he had seen Severus and Remus together. After all, wouldn't it have made far more sense for Severus to have lured a Dark Creature to his side as a pet?
"You're not, though," Draco replied, then nodded, his manner becoming more assured. "If you were, you wouldn't have protected me from Lucius and Bellatrix. You'd have used me to solidify your position. You have nothing to gain from helping me, and everything to lose... that's why I know you aren't working for the Dark Lord."
Scowling, Severus raised his wand, once again contemplating the benefits of hexing the boy out of his misery. It would be so easy, it would solve all his problems, and yet... he couldn't. Not in cold blood, and not a boy whose only real crime had been, like Severus at that age, being born into circumstances he couldn't change. Not to mention that Severus did owe Narcissa a debt for her help, and repaying it by killing her only child was hardly fair.
Lupin was not going to like this, Severus was certain, but there was no help for it. His hands were tied, now, and Draco had made his own, rather surprising decision.
"All right," Severus said, lowering his wand, then using it to gesture toward the sofa. "I'll help you. But you are staying right here until I contact Lupin. I want your wand and the portkeys, and don't you even think about trying to leave, do you understand? Rest assured, Draco, that I will kill you if you present a threat to me or to Lupin. Am I understood?"
Rather than looking upset at the conditions, Draco seemed to almost sag with relief. He pulled his wand and the portkeys out of his pocket, handing them over willingly before moving toward the sofa. "Yes, sir," he said, sinking down on the sofa with a sigh of relief. "Thank you. I'll find a way to pay you back for this, I swear it. I just want out."
Severus didn't turn his back, but placed the items in his own pockets, even as he gave a bare grunt in acknowledgment of Draco's thanks. His thoughts were already whirling, moving through the possibilities and the risks. He would have to put up some more wards, and notify Lupin of what had occurred. It would be at least two days, he was certain, before Lupin would have the energy to come to him, and Severus resigned himself to having to guard Draco for that time. There was always the chance that Draco was bluffing, that this was a trick, but a dose of Veritaserum would take care of that question. In fact, it was probably best to get that over with now, so that he could at least rest a tiny bit easier in his mind, knowing that Draco wasn't a threat to Lupin.
Severus summoned the bottle of Veritaserum from his shelf, catching it neatly. Then he started toward the sofa, stopping before it and blinking in surprise. Draco had used Severus' brief moment of distraction with the bottle to lie down, and now he was fast asleep, head pillowed on one of the sofa arms, his face slack and relaxed. It was as though now that he had confessed and left all his problems at Severus' feet, he was in some way freed of them.
Shaking his head, Severus pulled his wand, summoning a comforter from the bed and draping it over Draco's body. "Trusting idiot," he muttered, before turning back toward his worktable. The Veritaserum would just have to wait.