In the land of Gods and Monsters

He fingered the handle of the glass bottle, less than half full with the fire whiskey he was so partial too. 

‘P-please, I’m sorry.  I swear, I won’t do it again.’

He cocked his head to the side, more than aware of the half dozen eyes on him in the dungeons.  Most of them were, like himself, the children of death eaters.  Well, ex death eaters if one was going to be truly accurate.

The person in question was Valerence Thorn, a rather handsome young man with black hair and bright blue eyes.  It seemed that in Draco’s absence—during the war—this Valerence had become something of an upstart, usurping traditional power roles reserved for Draco.

It seemed there was this expectation from other slytherins that Draco would put him in his place, and in turn reward them for their loyalty.

He did not give a fuck.

It really didn’t matter.  He could care less.

But there was something so satisfying in watching another person cower and beg, and know that they were being humiliated for no reason at all.   It was heady.   Intoxicating, and so damn awful that it felt right.

Draco picked up the bottle and threw it at Thorn’s feet, watching it shatter into a million pieces.

The room was quiet.

He felt the corner of his lips quirk.

‘You know, you remind me of my father.’

And fuck if Thorn did not look hopeful.

‘Lord Malfoy is someone that I admire very deeply—‘

‘I fucking hate my father.’ Draco smiled widely, ‘Since I can’t kill him, at least not yet, I want to thank you, Thorn, for giving me the opportunity to use you as a substitute.’

He held up a finger, and a single flame emerged.

Thorn’s eyes were wide, and he looked down, at the legs coated in alcohol---

Draco blew him a kiss—and watched dreamily as the other boy’s legs erupted in fire.

Thorn immediately began to scream, howling in pain. 

Draco stood and turned to everyone watching, ‘Well, it is late, and I do need to get to bed.  Granger gets awfully worried when I’m late.’

Everyone snickered, because they all assumed that he was fucking her. 

He liked that.

He hoped Granger found out.  Maybe he might even embellish those rumors.

He left the dungeons and was thoughtful as he headed for his room.

He had so much fun the other night, in fact he couldn’t remember the last time he felt anything so terribly wickedly good—it was better than fucking with Thorn.  Or his father.  Or anyone for that matter.

At least for the moment.  Nothing ever seemed to retain his interest.

He wondered how long Granger could keep his interest before he set her on fire too.

Draco smiled.  Literally or figuratively?  Or maybe a little of both.

He stumbled into the wall and grabbed hold of a tapestry.

The room spun a little.  Was he drunk?

Most likely.

Did he care?

Fuck no.

Students scurried by, not wanting to look him in the eye.

He burst out laughing.

Why would they?

His hair fell in his face, and he barely managed to right himself, looking the picture of elegance as a professor hurried by.

Once they passed, he turned towards the stairs and took them two at a time.

Giggling like a child.

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Thank you everyone, and please, I really appreciate reviews!

Sì! e grazie mille per seguire me Ho apprezzato il vostro sostegno! :D :D [Thank goodness for google translate!]