Shaking in Armor

Shaking in Armor

Chapter 1
Bottle it up- Sarah Bareilles

Draco Malfoy was upset. No, more than upset he was furious. How could his parents expect him to go through with his mission? Yes, he bragged about himself and, of course, he had played up his apathy towards death; but had they actually expected him to take the life a weak old man? He certainly hadn't.
He had figured by the time Dumbledore and Potter would get back from the horcrux trap; (Yes he knew about the horcruxes. He been a child when cousin Regulus had given him a strange golden locket. Through out his life he had experimented on it and worn it every day. It was only when he saw the enchanted ring on Dumbledore's black hand had he realized that his locket was a piece of Voldemort. As the same black spots had appeared around the neck of his cousin at the funeral and only then did he connect them to the locket.) Regulus had set years prior he would simply have to stall a few minutes until someone else would take over, wanting to claim the fame for themselves. But it seemed the adults of the group were just as afraid of the consequences of taking the headmasters life as he was. Of course Severus had eventually taken it upon himself to say the unforgivable but Draco was sure that his mother had made some sort of pact with Severus to ensure the deed was done.

So I suppose that answers the first part that question, Draco mused. His mother certainly hadn't, but his father? Had he truly believed his son capable of such a task? Of course he had, Draco thought. His father would expect no less than perfection and it had been perfect until the actually deed needed doing by his own hand. As much as Draco hated dwelling on the events of that night, his thoughts continually swirled around it.

Just as Draco was about to slip into a vat of self pity, he heard a noise outside his door. Muffled voices floated in and Draco recognized his mothers cool dialect and Severus' sharp vowels. Draco stood and brushed off imaginary dirt. The door creaked open and Narcissa Malfoy ran in and hugged her son in a very uncharacteristic way. Regardless Draco accepted the hug with excitement of a small child.

“Arhum.” Narcissa pulled away and Draco took the chance to look over both his mother and his god father. Narcissa had her hair in her trademark bun and her face and style were impeccable as always but she looked tired. Small and poorly glamored bags hung under her young eyes. Yet she smiled at Draco all the same. His godfather on the other hand was stone faced and looked as though he had not showered in 2 weeks.

“ So how fucked am I?” Draco said his voice taking on its usual non nonchalant tone. No reason to alarm his mother to his fragile mental state.

“Draco! Do not use that sort of language. Honestly I don't know where you got that from.” Her voice was raspier than usual and she seemed to not be able to reach her normal shrill volume. Further proof he was fucked.

“ Quite fucked.” Severus stated. Draco nodded slowly. He had chosen this path the minute he had listened to Dumbledore's promises of safety.

“Severus!”

“ Dandy. So what shall we do now?” Though the question was directed at Severus, Narcissa answered.

“ You take the mark.”

“No.” It was a firm unmovable, no. His vanity as well as his pride would not let him tarnish his arm in name of another. He might serve Voldemort he would be damned if he'd become just another follower. Not to mention it would ruin any relation ship possible between him and-

“ You must!” Narcissa said loudly. Snape rubbed his forehead and then his chin.

“No, mother.”

“ Darling, I know that you have this illusion that if you don't take the mark, you might have a chance with him when the wars over.” Draco held his face cool. He hadn't told Severus about his reasons for not taking the mark but his mother seemed to know them almost as well as he did.

“But Draco, the fact of the matter is if you don't take it you wont live to see the end of the war.” Draco grimaced at the truth. He knew he was putting himself in danger by refusing the mark but a part him knew that to take the mark, meant he would lose any chance at being with the boy he loved. He sat on his bed and his mother followed wrapping her arms around his shoulders.

“ But mother...” She cut him off.

“I know that you think he's your soul but could you bottle it up.”

“ He's my heart mother. How can I bottle that up? With the mark I'm shit out of luck with him. I am aiming to be somebody this somebody trusts with his delicate soul. I don’t claim to know much about him but I know that the dark mark will only be yet another thing to get him over before we could be together. Your just thinking about now, your just talking sense not love. You don't understand. ” He avoided saying the somebody's name in presence of his god father, who was giving Draco and his mother very confused looks.

“ I can understand the sentiment you’re saying to us, but sensible doesn't get you killed, in this case foolish crushes do. So could you kindly shut up.” His mother's voice was haughty and strained with frustration. She had stood up from the bed and was now assuming the position of dutiful servant instead of caring mother.

“ Draco I realize what you went through but you need to get started at keeping your part of your bargains or you wont find yourself or any of us alive at the end of this. You will take the mark. End of discussion.” With that Narcissa swirled her cloak and exited the room.

Draco hung his head and almost began to cry before someone cleared their throat. He lifted his head to find that Severus had not left with his mother. The Potions master straightened himself and looked quite awkward in all of his drapery.

“Can I help you?” Draco asked curiously. Severus walked to the window on the far side of the room and sighed heavily.

“ The question should be can I help you.” Draco cocked his head and moved so he was facing the professor.

“ What do you mean by that?”

“ Seems to have an obvious meaning. Though if you wish to have it explained I suppose it is you volition to have it done so. I was simply rephrasing your own question, which you employed rather rudely by the way.”

Before he could say more Draco cut him off.

“ Cut the crap you know full well what I meant by that.”

“By the original question or the latter-”

“Severus!” The older man sighed again and walked towards the young boy. He was so young, Severus thought he was so young to be mixed up in all of this.

“I assume this 'he' is on the other side.” It was a statement but it called for answer.

“Yes, you could say he's an essential player.” Draco hung his head like a school boy asking for girl advice from his father. Not that Draco knew what talking to father about girls was like considering his orientation and well, his Father.

“Should I bother trying to find out who he is?” This was a question but they both knew the answer and therefore the answer was not said.

“Well as it happens, their might be a way to get you out of this.” Draco's ears perked up. While he had no real desire to leave the dark side and his family in kind, he knew that it was a hopeless cause. He knew his love would win. He had to.

“Don't get so excited. In order pull this off you must take-”

“For the last time I won't take it . God Severus were you not listening to my mother and my conversation it's out of the question. No way, no how. I do this for love and if need be I will die for love. I wont make room for any part that isn't me. It will just make this harder.” Severus let his god son yell and then eventually collapse back on the bed. Silently he wondered who could have captured Draco's heart so fully., but as much as he didn't want to admit it he had a pretty good idea of just who had that kind of power over Draco.

“Yes well thats all well and good but you have to at least attempt to take it.” Severus said calmly.

“What do you mean?”

“Again with the what do you means. If I must explain wha-”

“Severus stop. You cant just dangle food in front of starving man.” Another sigh.

“I mean, that you my son, for you might as well be, will be conveniently kidnapped during a raid of your inauguration.” A shocked and mildly confused looked made its way to surface of Draco's face.

“Wha-”

“If you say 'What do you mean?' one more time I swear I'll kill you myself.”

Draco chuckled and sat straighter and his cocked eyebrow did the asking for him.

“Intrigued then are you?” A silent nod. “ Well then. I will arrange for a raid of these premises by the light. On the eve of July 31st.” Severus said proudly and with that he stood up and made to exit before he heard a snorting sound. He turned around slowly and took in his laughing god son.

“ Forgive my laughter Sev, but to think you could do such a thing. To think you hold that much sway after what you did. You must see that, that is even more disillusioned than my giving up my name for a chance at love with a Gryffindor.” He trailed off slowly wondering if he should tell who exactly his heart lusted for.

“Believe me, Draco. I have much more sway in the Order of Phoenix than I could ever hope to have as a death eater.” He turned again. But stopped at his godsons small voice.

“ It's Harry. I'm in love with Harry bloody Potter.”

Severus looked back over his shoulder and smiled.

“I know, Draco. I know.”





I would like to formally apologize for not updating the original Shaking in Armor. I will be much better as I have most of the story written or at least planned by now and on a stable computer. Hope you stick in for the long haul.
Love,
Ally