Devil's Snare

Title: Devil's Snare

Rating: R

Word Count: 1046

023: Orange

Paring: Harry/Draco

Summary: Harry is told to bring Draco to the light side of the war at any cost. Post-HBP, D/s, dubious consent, Post-Hogwarts, war!fic.

Disclaimer: Unoriginal characters and situations belong to JKRowling. No copyright infringement is intended.

Table of Contents found at http://www.livejournal.com/users/mahoganyhandle/9713.html

~

"I am neither a thief nor murderer, Harry," Malfoy said, when Harry explained the situation to him. "If you think that you can be one, then, by all means, do what you must to me."

"Don't lie to me now, after all that I've put on the line for you."

"Did I ask for your devotion? Does it seem as though I want it?" Malfoy paused outside his daughter's nursery and leaned against the doorjamb. "Do you think such a ritual is entirely one-sided?"

"You will have to accept me."

"There's more to it than that, Potter," Malfoy snapped. "There is always more to something than you are willing to see." Harry did not respond. "What colors have you chosen?"

"Orange, purple, and white," he answered. Clenching his jaw, Malfoy looked away, staring over Harry's shoulder as if the portraits, snoring in their sleep, would give him an answer.

"I wear your torque."

"So?"

Malfoy gestured vaguely. Harry's hand darted forward to trace the band through the thin fabric of Malfoy's shirt. It felt hot to the touch.

"So," Malfoy said, "it is black. Did you take that into account when you chose your colors?" Harry hadn't, of course, but Malfoy already knew that. He shifted impatiently. "You want to own me, one way or another, don't you?"

"That's not – I just… I wasn't thinking, that's all," Harry replied. "I can change them."

"You don't always get a second chance to fix your mistakes. Haven't you learned that already?"

"Don't back me into a corner, Malfoy. If it's not this, then it is the other way, and you don't want that, do you? It would kill you, kill your daughter."

Malfoy flushed and lowered his gaze. Harry hadn't seen him this vulnerable since the day Blaise was murdered. He'd almost forgotten how young and hurt Malfoy could look, when twisted round by convoluted ideals and unyielding demands on either side. He'd forgotten how painful it was to see Malfoy in pain. Malfoy's life was a disaster, as much as Harry's, and Harry found it impossible to look away and not empathize.

"Is there anything that would make you change your mind?" Malfoy asked, after some time.

"I can't imagine anything that would," Harry said. "Is there something you want to tell me?" For a moment it looked as if Malfoy did have something to say, but the moment swiftly passed and Malfoy merely shook his head. Harry caressed his jaw, and while Malfoy did not turn away from it, nor did he turn into it. Harry's heart ached. "I'm sorry. I ought to have been more careful. I always rush in where angels fear to tread."

"Because you are a fool," Malfoy replied.

"I didn't think you'd know that one. It's Muggle."

"Well, at least I can still surprise you," Malfoy drawled. Harry inched closer, pressing flush against him, and wound his arms around Malfoy's waist. The bones of Malfoy's hips jutted sharply into Harry's abdomen. It was a familiar, but worrying feeling. Malfoy had always been slender, as Harry had known him, but he'd lost a lot of weight in the three months that they had been together. Harry wondered if it was due to stress.

"You always manage to surprise me," Harry murmured, pressing a kiss to the junction of Malfoy's clavicles. "It's part of your charm."

Malfoy chuckled and threw his arms around Harry's neck. "You think I'm charming?" he asked, voice syrupy and humored.

"It is an abrasive sort of charm."

Malfoy grinned. "But a charm, nonetheless. Could I ensnare you with it, Harry, and leave you addled? Scatter your wits to the four corners and bask in the Gryffindor-glow of your stupidity as it reflects back, one to the other…?"

"Is that your goal in life?"

"I could tell you what I have planned, but you'd hardly believe me."

"You've made me curious. Now you have to tell me."

"It is a simple goal, really," Malfoy explained, "which is not to say that it shall be easy to accomplish. But it is an ancient principle which has too long been neglected." Harry leaned back so that he could see Malfoy's expression. He was intrigued, now, watching as Malfoy's eyes frosted as he stared intently over Harry's shoulder. His voice grew dreamy as he continued, "When you first started to blackmail me, I thought you were my bane, but now I have come to see you as a blessing in disguise. You will help me do it."

"Do what?"

"Cleanse the wizarding world… sunder this vile connection between what is magical and what is Muggle…: that is my goal in life."

Harry laughed. "Quite the lofty aim, Malfoy," he said, giving Malfoy a semi-sloppy kiss on the corner of his smirking mouth. "And you think I'll help you do that?"

The glacial look in Malfoy's eyes warmed and darkened. He snapped his attention away from whatever he'd been staring at sharply, and gave Harry a cheeky grin. "I told you that you wouldn't believe me."

"I had no idea that you were delusional, that's why."

Malfoy's hands curled in the hair at Harry's nape and tugged. His expression was no longer playful. Harry's smile melted into a guarded frown and he watched Malfoy through narrowed eyes. "Do you know what you're asking of me, truly? And are you prepared to accept it?"

"Yes, and yes." Malfoy glared over Harry's shoulder, and reluctantly nodded.

"I will accept no stipulations, Harry. You must take me as I am. You must be content with my oath. You alone will never find that which you seek. Whatever I give to you will turn to ash. I will leave you bereft of hope; and when the dawn comes, you must turn from it. This is solely your burden to bear."

"I already know this."

Malfoy nodded. "Then – fine. That’s fine. I suppose that matter is settled. Keep the colors, then, orange and all. It will not matter the least in the end. Until then, Potter…." Malfoy slipped from Harry's grasp and pushed open the door to his daughter's nursery. "If you'll excuse me, I haven't seen my daughter all morning and she must be starved for my attention by now."

He slammed the door in Harry's face.