Harry Potter - Series Fan Fiction ❯ Heart and Soul ❯ Chapter Sixteen ( Chapter 16 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Heart and Soul
By: Tassana Burrfoot



Chapter Sixteen


To the Malfoys' relief, the Dark Lord did not stay at the manor. They didn't know where he traveled and they didn't care. As long as he was away from them.

Unfortunately, for Draco, Bellatrix had decided to take it upon herself to get Draco prepared for the coming school year. "You'll be learning some of the Dark Arts this year, Draco. We, of course, expect nothing less than top marks," she had told him.

Draco lounged in an armchair in the drawing room one night after a brutal session with his aunt. "I don't even know why I'm going back," he complained to his parents. His aunt was currently not home, thankfully.

"You can't not go, Draco," his mother told him. "Besides, with Snape as headmaster this year, I highly doubt you have much to worry about. And, you're Head Boy. Got to ensure you do everything right."

Draco rolled his eyes. "Head Boy?" he spat. "As if I care. I don't even know how I got such a title. Honestly, Mother..."

"Honestly nothing. You received the position because you make top grades in school, save for... well, her," she said, emphasizing the last word so he would know who she meant.

"You know she won't be there," he pointed out.

His mother nodded. "I wouldn't expect her to. It's too dangerous for her. Even if she weren't helping Potter, she's a Mudblood. From what I know, they aren't allowing any Mudbloods into the school this year."

"And it's about time, too," Lucius said suddenly. "I'm surprised such mockery has lasted this long."

Draco had forgotten his father was in the room. His father had been pouring over the Daily Prophet for the past few days. Draco's eyes narrowed. "You're forgetting something, Father," he growled. "My wife is Muggle-born."

"I haven't forgotten," the older man said, non-chalant. "I just prefer not to speak of it. I stand by what I say. Mudbloods have no place going to that school."

Draco moved to stand and practically doubled over in pain. "Merlin! I hate that bloody woman!" he snarled, clutching his side.

His parents looked at him with concern. His mother rushed to him and placed a delicate hand on his side. "What's wrong?" she asked.

He gritted his teeth. "She's been adamant about teaching me the Dark Arts. It's driving me mad. I don't know if I can take much more. That bitch is a bloody demon."

"You will watch your tongue," Lucius said, calmly. He simply stared at his son.

Course, that was all Draco needed. The boy learned long ago to never cross his father when given that look.

"That 'bitch', as you so lightly put it, is your aunt," his mother scolded. "You would do well to show her some respect."

"She fawns over him, Mother," Draco protested. "It's almost as if they were lovers in a one-sided affair. It's sickening. And, if I don't get a spell right, she punishes me."

Now his parents were concerned. "Punishes you how?" his father questioned.

Draco shrugged as he slowly stood up. "Depends on her mood. Mostly she just tortures me, but she's withheld food and sleep until I get it right."

Neither of his parents responded and Draco didn't expect them to. They all had to play a part. If his parents were to speak out against Bellatrix's treatment of Draco, suspicion would grow high. The room fell into an uncomfortable silence.

After a while, his mother asked, "Have you heard from her? Has she tried to contact you?"

He knew who she meant. It was the same girl who plagued his mind every waking and sleeping moment. Unconsciously, he reached in his pocket and pulled out the ring and chain. "It still burns, though not as badly," he told her. "I haven't heard from her. Haven't heard anything at all."

His mother looked worried, but it was his father who spoke, "I don't think she would attempt to contact you. It's too dangerous. Not only is she a Mudblood, but she's also an Undesirable. Everyone is looking for her and Potter. She would be a fool to seek you out."

Draco agreed, "And she's no fool. My best guess is she and Potter are in hiding together. They won't be found until they are ready."

"I'm surprised the Weasley kid isn't with them," Narcissa commented. "Can you imagine being sick all this time?"

Draco snorted, "Somehow, I doubt he's sick. I know my wife. Something tells me Weasley's with her and that his 'sickness' is a disguise of some sort."

Lucius raised an eyebrow. "How can you be sure?"

"She wouldn't leave him," the boy explained. "And neither will Potter. Those three work together or not at all. Course, I don't know what good he's doing. Weasley's never done much to impress. At least Potter's fought the Dark Lord and my wife is smart. Weasley has only managed to play a good game of chess and a bit of Quidditch."

"If I didn't know better, I'd say you were jealous, Draco," his mother chided. "Can't imagine why you would be jealous of Weasley."

Lucius rolled his eyes. "Weasley fancies the Mudblood," he informed her. "Always has. At least from what I've heard and seen. And now, she's in his constant presence if what Draco says is true. He has a lot of time to attempt to win her."

Draco snorted, "Even worse, I think she knows what I've done. Or at least, some pathetic rendition of it. No doubt Potter's told her. Which will leave her vulnerable. Weasley's had his eye on her for as long as I've known them. No doubt he's using her anger at me to his advantage."

Narcissa sighed, "When are you men going to learn that women are not prizes to be won? Look at your chain, Draco. If she is still angry with you, she's doing a piss poor job of showing it. Besides," she added, with a confident smirk, "there is no contest. You've already claimed her heart and soul. The rings are proof of that."

Draco sighed, "But is it enough? It's not like we've made it completely official. She could already be deciding to return the ring to me."

Lucius sneered, "What do you expect when you put your family's future in the hands of a Mudblood? Ever since that bloody ball, I've been warning you about her. You claimed you had no interest in her. At least... what did you say? Ah, yes... 'Nothing but the normal hormonal charge of a teenage boy.' Amazing how quickly that changed."

"I doubt there was a boy in that room who did not notice her," Draco spat. "You couldn't blame me for looking. She was beautiful, like the swans we have in our garden or the peacocks in our yard. Even other Slytherins had taken notice."

"And yet, they remembered she was a Mudblood, thereby unworthy of further recognition," Lucius shot back. "Only you remained smitten by her. Your words for her may have been filled with a venomous sneer, but your mother and I had seen right through your facade. You're lucky the Dark Lord hasn't taken notice yet."

"I don't speak of her to the Dark Lord," Draco commented. "At least, not in a light where he would question my loyalty to him. Play the part. Remember? Since I left her home last year, that's what I've been doing. As has she. We've played our parts, pretending to despise one another so we may complete the tasks set before us."

Narcissa waved her wand to see the time. She yawned slightly and whispered, "Bella should be home soon. Draco, I don't know what your young wife and her friends are going. Whatever it is, I hope they do it quickly and out of sight... for all our sakes."

Draco found he couldn't agree more.


*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*


Draco slammed his book bag on the table. "I swear! If I see one more person staring at me behind my back, I'm liable to hex them!" he growled.

He had been at school for almost a month. The whispers, the stares... Draco had always liked attention. But, not that kind. "I wonder if this is how Potter felt," he mused, then quickly dismissed the idea. He sneered, "Oh, not Saintly Potter. Everybody always liked Potter. He never had to deal with this."

"Actually, if you remember our second year, when everyone thought he was Slytherin's heir, he had quite the horrible..."

The girl stopped when she saw Draco staring at her incredulously. He knew her from somewhere... Oh, right. She was the Head Girl, therefore, she shared the Head quarters with him. A Ravenclaw, if he remembered correctly. Course, he couldn't remember her name. She was small, with an obvious exotic heritage. She had long black hair and dark eyes.

"What is your name?" he asked her.

She seemed to hesitate. He didn't blame her. After all, it wasn't exactly common for Draco to ask people their names. "Padma," she answered, finally. "Padma Patil."

"And what do you know of Potter?" he questioned, trying to keep the malice from his voice.

Thankfully, it seemed to work. Though she was still much guarded, she spoke with more confidence. "My sister is in his House. Or rather... was. In fact, she shared a room with Hermione Granger, who is, as you probably know, Harry's..."

"Friend," he finished. He was careful to keep his face unreadable. "Yes, I know her. But, that's not what I meant. You said something about our second year."

She nodded. "Yes. In our second year, many people believed Harry was the heir of Slytherin. I'm sure you heard the rumours. I don't think anyone really treated him with kindness, save perhaps Ron and Hermione. And then, in fifth year, no one believed him. Everybody thought he was lying about You-Know-Who."

"I'm not so sure about that. In case you've forgotten, he developed quite a band of followers. Dumbledore's Army," he commented.

She smiled brightly. "I was one of them," she giggled. "He was teaching us Defense Against the Dark..." She stopped again and stared at him with wide eyes.

So, Patil was scared of Draco as well? Somehow, this didn't surprise him. Was this how everyone would be treating him from now on? Annoyed, he snatched his backpack from the table and turned to go up to his room.

Before he stared up the stairwell, he turned back to the girl. "I hope Potter was a good teacher, Patil," he told her. "You and your friends will need every bit that he taught you and then some."

He left her to her thoughts.


*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*


The days slowly crept into months. Life at Hogwarts did not favour Draco in the least bit. He spent his days avoiding people. Crabbe and Goyle remained his "bodyguards," but that was about it. Most of the time, they kept to themselves or went off with Pansy.

Draco did not speak with Patil much after that night in their common room. And it wasn't from her lack of trying. Just about every night, she would await for him to come into the common room. Every time she greeted him and asked him how his day was. Every night he gave her a short reply before heading up to his room.

He just didn't wish for company. At least, nothing that she, or anyone in the school, could give him. He wanted his home, his parents. More importantly, he wanted her.

He was lying on his bed, turning the burning ring in his fingers, when he heard a knock at his door. "What do you want?" he growled, sticking the ring in a pocket in his robes.

Patil's voice floated from behind the door. "The headmaster wishes to see you. I was told to have you go to him immediately."

He grunted in annoyance. What on Earth could Snape want at this hour? It was really late.

Sitting up, he slipped on his shoes and headed for the door. He did not pause to thank Patil for the message. He simply walked passed her as though she wasn't there. He continued on down the corridors until he got to the large gargoyle that hid the headmaster's office.

"Elixir," he said to the gargoyle.

Grumbling, the gargoyle moved out of the way to reveal the staircase. Draco did not waste time climbing to the top and entering the office. "You wanted to see me, Headmaster?"

Snape sat at his desk, reading what appeared to be the Daily Prophet. He glanced up from the newspaper. "Have a seat, Mr. Malfoy," he ordered.

Draco raised an eyebrow, but did as he was told. He waited with very little patience for the headmaster to speak. When he thought he was going to burst into a tirade, Snape spoke up, "You'll be happy to hear she was not caught."

This confused Draco. "Who?" he found himself asking.

Snape threw the newspaper at the boy. "Mrs. Malfoy," he answered. "She and Potter had gone to the Ministry, though I'm unclear as to why. However, they managed to escape safely."

Draco's eyes widened. Did Snape just say what Draco thought he said? "My mother..." he tried.

"I'm not speaking of your mother and you know it, Draco," Snape interrupted.

The boy was flabbergastered. How did he know? As if reading the boy's thoughts, Snape threw a folder at him. It was a manila folder. It was labeled "Malfoy, Hermione Granger."

Draco blinked several times, hardly able to keep his shock down. He flipped through the folder and saw it was her school records. The most recent records were a marriage license and a notice stating that she had dropped out.

He was unable to find words. He looked up at the headmaster and just stared. What would happen now? Snape was one of the Dark Lord's closest companions. If Snape knew about her, then that would mean that the Dark Lord...

"He does not know," Snape told him. "Nor shall he. I have no intention of telling him."

"Why?" Draco asked.

Snape stood up and walked to the front of his desk. He leaned against the desk and looked at the boy. "You are not the only one who's ever fallen in love," he informed him. "What I'm about to tell you is something you must never share with another soul. I tell you this because I know you have the power to keep your mind closed. Unlike Potter, you have mastered Occulmancy.

"Years ago, I had fallen in love with a girl. We were childhood friends. She was very beautiful, very smart. In fact, she was a lot like your Hermione. Course, her hair was much straighter and quite red. But, she was a beauty nonetheless."

"I didn't know you had had a wife," Draco remarked.

"I didn't," Snape replied. "I never got the chance to make her my own. In contrast to yourself, I waited too long. I hurt her pretty badly and she was unable to forgive me. In fact, she went on to marry another and they had a child. A boy."

Draco was intrigued. Snape had been in love? And apparently, he never stopped loving her. Draco could tell by the headmaster's words that Snape was still very much in love with her. "Why don't you tell her?" he asked.

Snape seemed distant. "I do. Every moment of my life, I tell her," he responded. "I try to show her, but I think I might have fallen short a few times. No... I know I've fallen short several times. You see, I had made a promise to her to protect her son. To treat him as though he were my own. But... he looks too much like his father. It's hard..."

For a moment, Draco thought Snape was talking about him. After all, Draco fit much of that description. Then, something caught his attention. "You said she and... well, my wife, were much alike. Aside from book smarts and beauty, what else did they have in common?"

"Both were Muggle-born," Snape answered.

Draco nodded slowly. It did not bother him that Snape was not talking of his mother. Actually, Draco was quite relieved. Lucius was the jealous sort when it came to Narcissa. Besides, Narcissa loved Lucius very much. "So, who was she?"

"Her name was Lily Evans," Snape told the boy. As though he was realizing himself, Snape stood up and cleared his throat. "None of that matters anymore. Lily was murdered by the Dark Lord sixteen years ago. You wanted to know why I will not tell the Dark Lord about your marriage. It's simple. Mrs. Malfoy is helping Potter with something very important. I don't wish to interrupt that."

"You know what they're after," Draco stated. It was not a question.

Snape gave a single tilt of his head to confirm the boy's observation. "Had she returned here to Hogwarts, had she been able to, she would've been Head Girl. It was something Dumbledore had decided last summer, when you had ended up in her coffee table. Unfortunately, it was not able to come to pass. So, instead, I placed a girl with you whom I know you'll get along with. After all, Miss Patil was a friend of Mrs. Malfoy's. They weren't close friends, but friends nonetheless."

"Patil told me she had been part of Dumbledore's Army," Draco confided.

Snape nodded. "She was. During that time, she had grown to respect and admire both Potter and Mrs. Malfoy. She had even respected the Weasley clan. You could learn a lot from Miss Patil."

Draco nodded in agreement. He stood up and turned to leave. As he reached for the door, a thought occurred to him. "Lily Evans," he commented. "That wasn't always her name, was it? What was her married name?"

"Potter."




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Author's Note: In the original, the one I have written down, Draco did not return to school. Instead, he was homeschooled by his Aunt Bellatrix. However, since I'm keeping alongside the actual novels, I realized that Draco would be in school during this time. (Key note would be in the chapter titled "Malfoy Manor," Narcissa states that Draco is home for his Easter holidays.) So, I changed it a bit and put him in school. Actually, this works out much better for what I have in mind. And yes, the entire story is already written on paper. I'm just typing what I wrote, adding and taking as I see fit.