A Closer Look In The Snake Nest

Chapter 5

--

Severus Snape lay awake on his bed.

Lucius brought me back to his house. It isn't the first time it happens, and surely it won't be the last.

Lucius usually dragged him to the Manor after Death Eater meetings; at least he did so whenever one of them was injured. Which happened very often. They'd sit in the library and taste a wine from the renamed Malfoy wine cellar while simply talking. Small-talking.

Friend-talking.

Severus stared at ceiling. Images of Lucius' body covered in nothing but the silvery moonlight kept popping up in front of him. Severus closed his eyes and tried to sleep. Eventually deciding that he'd be unable to do so, he got up.

It was morning already, and Lucius hadn't been there when he woke up.

I didn't really expect him to.

Still, something inside Severus hurt. It was the fear that the previous night had been just release of Lucius' tension. He'd have to wait until he met the Golden Boy again to clear that up. There was a small note on the side-stand, written on Lucius' elegant and aristocratic handwriting. A note that, like its owner, gave nothing away.

Severus

Take Draco back to Hogwarts today. Ask Winnie for new robes for both of you, and if she doesn't obey tell Draco to deal with her. He knows what to do.

Lucius

Severus had wrinkled his forehead in worry after reading. No explanation given for leaving so early, mere instructions to be carried out.

I better carry them out soon, I can curl up in my bed and muse about how my lust beat my pride and reduced me to Lucius' whore later.

He rang a bell and in a few seconds a House Elf was standing in front of the door.

"Winnie?"

"Yes Master Visit Snape."

Visit Snape helps Master Lucius get Young Master Draco covered in blood. Evil Visit Snape.

Snape tried his best to ignore the House Elf's scowl.

"I believe Lucius has set out robes for me."

"Yes sir. They in closet sir."

"Is Draco up yet?"

"Young Master Draco very hurt, sir, must sleep, sir."

"Wake him up."

"Must sleep, sir!"

"He must go to school."

"Young Master Draco too young covered in blood, must not go school! He not Mighty Master Lucius!"

Severus could have laughed. There was a small house elf that looked after Draco and probably worshiped Lucius on her spare time, if she ever had any.

She has seen Lucius get here covered in blood and then go to work next morning as if nothing had happened far too many times.

"Wake him up, Winnie. Lucius has told me it should be so."

Upon the mention of Lucius' name, Winnie turned on her heels and left the room. Snape rolled his eyes and took his time to put on the robes the Golden Boy had destined for him. They were plain black travelling robes, probably some of Lucius'.

He always said that black was my colour. Turtle neck. Damn you Lucius Malfoy.

Severus couldn't help but wonder if Lucius had set the robes before Draco's initiation or in that same morning. Couldn't help thinking that there was a small, small chance that Lucius had planned their night. He put the robes on anyway, and he was ready to swear he could smell Lucius' scent on them.

Few seconds later, an elf carrying a breakfast trey entered the room. Snape ate calmly, then exited the room in search of Draco.

He met Narcissa on the point the two marble stoned staircases that came from the front foyer became one, the place where hung the portraits of her and Lucius Malfoy.

It was not a happy meeting. Snape had never liked her, that went back to schooldays. She was too insignificant, just something that Lucius casually brought along.

Snape firmly believed Lucius to think of her more as a prize because she had been Zabini's than as the pale, slim pretty woman that everybody saw on her.

Narcissa had never liked Severus either, and she had a special reason to hate him that morning. He had slept in. He had spent the night with Lucius, terrorising heaven knew how many muggles, while she had been left all by herself, the candlelit dinner forgotten.

Again.

Her sky blue eyes darted at Snape angrily, then took their time examining him.

"Severus. I wasn't aware that you had... slept here."

"Likewise, Narcissa."

She narrowed her eyes in anger.

"Ever so bitter."

"You inspire me."

"What are you doing in my house, and wearing my husband's robes?"

"Mine were torn apart yesterday night."

Severus gave her some time to conceive the image he knew that would come to her mind, an image of him and Lucius having passionate sex, and tried his best to memorise the look of pure hatred on her pretty face. He wished someone was there to take a picture, even if it were that vomit-inducing Gryffindor Colin Creevey. Having savoured her anger, he decided to spur her a bit further.

"I came to take Draco back to Hogwarts. I'd ask you for your husband's whereabouts, if you actually got to see any of him."

"Quit showing off just because I'm not in the Happy Muggle Killing Alliance. Grow up, Severus."

"I'd be happy to elevate the level of my conversation, but then you wouldn't be able to follow my strain of thought and the pleasure you take in bickering with me would come to an end."

"Why can't you talk like a civilised, normal, non-sarcastic person?"

"It would spoil all the fun."

"Excuse me, I forgot how much you enjoy terrorising people."

Oh, I've awakened Sarcastic Narcissa. Tremble in fear, mere mortals. Why oh why Lucifer had to marry Faye of all stupid bouncing girls?

"I'm beginning to understand why Lucius finds it so boring to speak to you."

"And I am beginning to understand why so many people hate you."

"Narcissa. As much as I'd love to stay here and give you a good reason to join the group, I must attend my duties."

With that Severus quickly strode up the stairs to take the arm of a faltering Draco. He helped the boy down the stairs and to the drawing room, from where they used the floo powder to go back to Hogwarts.

-*-

Draco had a dreamless night of heavy sleep after his initiation. He woke up with Winnie tugging on his sleeve.

"Young Master Draco must wake up! Visit Snape wants back school."

Draco groaned and tried to seat. He found that he was incredibly dizzy, and that even putting his Hogwarts robes had turned out to be a rather difficult task. He got himself ready and dismissed Winnie with an angry growl when she tried to fix his tie.

Goddamn House Elf acts like she's my mother or something.

Winnie was the source of the interminable candies and goodies Draco received at school. She followed him as he stumbled downstairs, not able to face all the Malfoy family portraits that stared at him. He found Severus Snape enjoying one of his favourite hobbies: torture Narcissa. Draco didn't bother to talk to his mother, instead took the arm the head of his House was offering him and together they went back to Hogwarts.

-*-

"Young Master Draco too hurt. Must sleep, not go school!"

Winnie whined loudly, and accidentally Narcissa was just passing by the poor House Elf as she did it.

"Oh shut up!"

"Mistress Narcissa let Evil Visit Snape take Young Master Draco where Master Lucius gets covered in blood! Winnie thinks Mistress Narcissa evil mother."

Narcissa pretended she didn't hear the accusation as she hurried upstairs. She could never let the damned House Elf see the tears that were welling up in her eyes. She threw herself on her bed.

That cunning Snape got what he wanted.

She had spent years and years watching resentfully as Lucius invited Severus for tea and parties, as her husband seemed to take genuine pleasure on the dark-haired Potions Master company. It tore her heart.

The thought of her Lucius smiling and purring, of his back arching as the pale hands touched him. Pale hands with slender, precise fingers useful to the prepare of Potions.

Blasted be, Severus Snape! Oh how I hate you I hate you I HATE YOU!

Severus taking Draco by the hand, asking him if he was ok.

Sharing with him a bond that should be mine, a bond that would make me closer to Lucius.

Her bond with Lucius was non-existent. She was a pretty thing to be taken to parties and World Cups and events, something to show off with, as those uncomfortable party attires people get rid of as soon as they set foot home.

And when he discards his clothes it's Severus he calls for, not me. Not me...

-*-

Lucius tried to look over the piles and piles of paper on his Ministry Office desk. Even being every bit of a rational, obsessed with money, methodical Capricorn, he so hated paperwork.

People had complimented him, saying that his cheeks looked slightly less pale that morning. These comments had led to utter annoyance on Lucius' part. He actually *liked* having fair skin. What was bothering him the most, though, were not the comments on his new, healthy look, but the reason it had even happened.

He had exited the room as soon as he was sure Severus was asleep.

I couldn't be there when he was to wake up.

The reason for it was very simple: Lucius didn't know what to do, say or how to act around his new-found bed companion. If Severus were a girl, he wouldn't bother.

If he were anyone else I wouldn't bother. But it *had* to be Sev, of all people that lust on me.

Severus was the one Lucius was afraid to face after he had screwed things up; it had been that way since schooldays. Severus Snape had been the one to tell Lucius off whenever the blond did something wrong, and at the same time to stick for him. To vouch for him when Voldemort would punish him.

I've just fucked the one person I could trust. Literally. Now he'll come drooling after me for more.

Lucius was used to dealing with people drooling after him, to maintain them at a distance where they felt neither needed nor discarded, where they felt that they were just inches away from getting what they wanted from him. It was that way with so many people. Narcissa, the Minister of Magic.

Whenever I'm at the Ministry it seems that all Barty can think about is my crotch.

Lucius really didn't mind, he even liked having all those people adoring him. He was, after all, a Malfoy. The problem was the little voice inside his head screaming that he also wanted one more night with Severus, even if it were just one more night.

He shook his head as if to get rid of the unpleasant, irrational thoughts that were taking over. He could not allow himself to think of that.

It was one night alone. Damn it. I was very clearly in need of someone, but I'll be damned if Narcissa ever gets to touch me again. That's why I ran to him. It was because of Draco, of all the nervousness.

The small voice that sounded a lot like Severus Snape and that usually said all the things-Lucius-hated-to-hear-but-knew-that-were-right snorted.

Sev would call it denial. He'll try everything to convince me that he's not the only one craving for another night together.

Lucius felt a cold shiver running down his spine as he thought about how would he be able to resist Severus, or if he would even want to do so.

It'd be dangerous. And everything I do isn't?

-*-

Snape had been so worried when Lucius had announced that he was to duel Draco. When the Dark Lord had showed such liking to the idea, his jealousy over Lucius had reached the limit. The Potions Master had dared to stand up to Voldemort to try to stop it.

I won't be any other way now that I've finally had my taste of Lucifer.

Severus knew then that he wouldn't ever be able to lay down with other being again, and understood why did Narcissa bear the indifference. She too had experienced being loved by Lucius.

Her weak self has become addicted to it. Ah, Lucius. What is it that you have that leaves all of us drooling and panting like dogs? You laugh and dismiss it as your share of Malfoy magnetism, but you don't know that there's more to it.

-*-

Lucius didn't contact Snape for two days. He knew it'd be awkward, and wanted to delay it for the longest time possible. But he was worried about Draco.

Draco is more important than what I do with my sex life. I'll just talk to Sev without even touching the subject, that's what I'll do. Sev knows me so well, he wouldn't have expected otherwise. And I must know about my son.

He used his fireplace to talk to Severus, treating him with absolute neutrality. He inquired about Draco's state.

"Similar to yours. Sweating, fever, nightmares. But he's holding up just fine."

"Has he attended classes?"

"No. Miss Parkinson says she's taking notes of everything for him, though."

A pause. Lucius looked firmly into Severus' eyes.

"I want to talk to him."

"I'm sorry, but he's asleep now. It's taken me ages to convince him to drink some sleep potion so don't you dare suggesting I wake him up."

This was said in a warning, ordering tone. Of course Lucius took it as an offence. No one ordered a Malfoy.

"I want to see my son, Severus. And if I am correct, and I usually am where it concerns Draco, he also wants to see me."

"He hasn't had a good night's sleep in three days, and now that he managed to do so I'll not be the one to wake him. He's holding the stone you gave him. He's fine, Lucius."

Severus' defiant stare was slowly driving Lucius angry. But he could see that also the dark-haired wizard was angry.

He is mad for sure. Has never been able to conceive his anger from me.

"I'll write Draco a letter, and he'll come to know my words even if you have to read it aloud to him. Do I make myself clear?"

"Perfectly, Lucius. But I'm afraid I have more to do in my life than to attend the Malfoys, so I must be going."

He's furious.

Lucius knew how to increase Snape's anger. He smiled an amused smile.

"If anything seems wrong to you, don't hesitate in telling me."

Severus wished Lucius' neck was on his fireplace as well as his blond head, just so he could strangle him.

Wrong? How wrong? Like you shagging me and walking away in the morning and NOT SAYING A WORD ABOUT IT EVER?

"I won't. Draco's safe in my hands."

Oooh, a threat. A bluff. I know you'd never do any harm to my son, Sev.

Lucius tried hard to shut off a small voice in his head, one that was screaming that Severus looked so sexy when he was angry.

Must end this conversation. NOW

"I too have a busy life. Goodbye, Severus."

-*-

The first day went off rather normally for Draco. He felt pretty well, although somewhat dizzy, until the night came. Then, and on the days that followed, he thanked his father for having given him the Uylessea stone. Draco would have been lost without it.

On the third night after his initiation, Draco was having trouble sleeping. He woke up out of breath and covered in cold sweat and the sound of a breath was enough for him to search for his wand. He scanned the dark room for his attacker.

Severus Snape rested on the armchair next to Draco's bed. The boy leaned against the head of his bed, closing his eyes.

Fuck.

His hand went instinctively to the silver dragon hanging close to his chest, and Draco wished his father were there for him. Lucius' touch, his mere presence would be enough to hold all dangers at bay. No one would dare touch him with his father nearby.

He then realised that the Potions Master was awake, and staring piercingly at him.

"Draco. You must rest."

Snape's stoic expression was visible in the dim light that entered the window. Draco thanked the professor for his calm.

McGonagall would be all over me if I had woken up gasping next to HER.

He tried to keep his voice steady.

"I know."

"Nightmares again?"

The question, fired simply. No concern. Draco answered in a whisper.

"They get worse each time."

"It'll pass. Your father went through the same thing."

The soothing voice, then silence. Draco could feel anger and frustration emanating from his teacher at the mention of Lucius. But he knew better than to ask.

He's being all nice to me because I'm ill.

Curiosity took over. He opened his mouth to ask the question but Snape was quicker.

"Rest, Draco."

With that the Potions Master got up to leave the room.

"Professor."

"Yes Mr. Malfoy?"

The look on Snape's face made Draco change questions to another one that had been bugging him for some time.

"Did you know that Pansy Parkinson was a Death Eater?"

"Of course."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

It was only after Draco spoke that he realised how childish he sounded. He silently cursed himself for that.

"What difference it would have made?"

Snape has a point.

"You need to beware of everyone, Draco. Even of the people you think you know and control."

"You sound like my father."

"Hopefully this will cause you to listen to me. Now follow my other advice and rest."

-*-

Draco held onto the Uylessea stone during the ever-lasting nights when the nightmares would come. He held onto it and silently pleaded that the one person who could end his pain would be there - and he squeezed the silver dragon so tight that blood would spill from the fresh, small cuts. He held onto it like a lifeline - for his father was now all that kept him breathing.

Snape is a comfort.

The Potions Master would sit with Draco, pretend that he didn't notice the boy's wide eyes and the black circles under them. He'd make small talk and smile and tuck Draco into his bed. And Draco knew that Snape lied to his father whenever he got the chance to speak to Lucius, he'd tell the older Malfoy that his son was doing excellent, not showing anything Lucius wouldn't have.

Half of Draco felt grateful for it, and the other half... well the other half was ashamed of how bad was his self control. Of how he just couldn't help jumping in fear whenever someone called his name or touched his shoulder. Of how he was nothing but a pale reflex of the silver dragon he had once been. Of how disappointed his father would be if he just knew...

Why doesn't Father ever talks to me?

Draco wondered. He wanted it so much, to be able to talk to his father. To look at Lucius, the person that could see inside his very soul, to use his empath abilities to do the same to his father and feel the warmth of his love. For all that there was now was cold - Draco felt cold all the time, although he knew his body temperature was actually high. Fever. And he was afraid to sleep, afraid the nightmares would come. But besides having him reduced to crap for lack of sleep, the feared images were starting to show during the time he was awake. It was most terrifying. He had nightmares about what Voldemort had showed him and many other things, things that he strongly suspected that had something to do with what the Dark Lord had been through, for they were all flashes and glimpses of death and pain and cries and blood.

Draco didn't talk to or see his father during two whole weeks. He'd receive letters, lots of them, asking how he was. Letters where Lucius wrote things he'd talk over dinner, like how were things at his work. The younger Malfoy could tell by these letters that his father was worried.

Draco was also worried. He didn't believe that he would be back to his confidant, silver dragon self ever again.

-*-

Severus Snape rubbed the sides of his head in worry. Having to act as the intermediary between Lucius and Draco was a rather tiring task. Still, he believed it better than to let them see each other.

Draco is so... exhausted. It shows on his face. If Lucifer knew...

Severus knew how much Lucius Malfoy demanded from his son, and how much Draco demanded from himself. The best he could do was to keep them from seeing each other, and tell both that Draco was doing excellent. Draco was also a Malfoy, and as such he had a name to live up to. An unshakeable facade to put before the world.

So much like Lucius.

Every time Severus saw Draco, the boy remembered him of his father, and during the previous years he had found himself desiring his pet student, longing for a look or a touch from him. He realised how different Draco was from Lucius when he too got sick after receiving the Dark Mark.

Severus did not feel any less worried that it was Draco on that bed, sweating and having a temperature; he loved the boy. But he did not desire him, and he realised it on that time. He wanted Draco to be all right, to be back to classes, to be back at talking with him, asking for advice on foolish things, winning chess matches. He loved Draco for the boy himself, and not because he was an extension of Lucius. He watched over his pupil and heir on his troubled nights.

My heir... of course it'd be Lucifer's son. I never wanted any children of my own.

Still, Snape liked the idea of having someone to teach. Draco fit in as the perfect pupil, and the child Severus would never have. He was Lucius' son.

Narcissa Faye had no participation whatsoever in the making of Draco.

For some reason, Severus had never been able to bring himself to think of Narcissa as a Malfoy. Draco was one, though.

Undoubtedly a Malfoy. And yet he's mine. Stubborn and strong-willed of course, but he listens to me nonetheless. My pupil. Lucius' son. Lucifer shares his most precious possession with me.

Snape smiled at that thought. Yes. Draco was also his. There was a bond between them that could not be denied. And so he worried no less that it was Draco sick on that bed.

-*-

Lucius sealed the letter with the Malfoy coat of arms. It was ready to be owl-sent to Draco. He had been writing many letters to Draco lately.

If only Sev would let me see my son.

He couldn't quite get why was Severus keeping him from Draco. Actually he couldn't think straight anything that involved Severus Snape.

Not being allowed to talk to Draco, Lucius had resorted to writing the boy instead. He found that it was tension-releasing. He found that he missed being with his son. He found that, besides worrying about the boy's state, he also wished he could see Draco for his own sake. And that, even though his Malfoy pride would keep him from admitting it even to himself, he missed having someone to talk to.

That person has been Sev, since schooldays.

But how could he talk to Severus about... Severus? Lucius shook his head. He had written a huge amount of irrelevant things on that letter, like on all the previous ones. But he needn't to worry about that. To Draco, he could say anything. To his son, he would trust his life.

Because Draco is sure to not let me down. As I will never let him down.

To Draco Lucius could babble about anything he wanted. His son would spend long hours listening, making his points here and there, absorbing Lucius' opinions on the world. Proposing well-set questions, challenges. They'd discuss all kinds of things, brainstorm over everyday problems that would occasionally trouble Lucius.

Lucius would put up his Malfoy facade before his son, but mostly for habit and the mere sake of a good example. Because with Draco he felt that he didn't need it. That Draco loved him unconditionally, even if a few flaws jumped to his eyes. Draco was the one that would not care.

Even with Sev it has to be different. I can't allow him to see my weaknesses.

And that was due to Severus being a true Slytherin and, as such, utterly despising the weak. Lucius himself did so. Although he searched power and control, it was much more rewarding to gain power over a strong-willed being than over a Peter Pettigrew sort of person.

I had power over Sev, and I just threw it out of the window for the sake of... what was it that I did?

He once more looked at the sealed letter on his hands. Draco was capable of being fine on his own, Lucius knew that much. He had raised his son to be strong. He admitted that Draco might have been a little spoilt, but the youth could very well stand for himself. In many ways, Draco was mature. And he was at school, under Snape's care. He had the Uylessea stone. He had Lucius with him.

I am alone. I have always been alone.

What a lie. Lucius knew that it wasn't true even as the thought popped up in his mind.

Sev would call it denial. He'd say that I don't want to admit how much people like him and Draco have been there for me, because it means that I'm not alone as I always thought myself to be. Malfoys are loners. Sole-standing, capable of making their way up life on their very own.

Lucius had never been taught to deal with physical emotions, the need to touch. His natural response had always been to shut them away, and watch with pleasure as other people were consumed by theirs. Now he was frightened, because his long shut down and repressed feelings had come to the surface.

My longing for Draco.

He had wanted to kiss his son. He had felt like licking him.

I could never simply hold him. Malfoys do not hug.

Because Lucius had never allowed himself to simply hug his son, his longing for physical contact with his most beloved being had reached a critical point. And on a moment of relief after a night of great tension, Lucius had found himself pressing his lips against his Draco's. Terrified at the sudden burst of emotion but with his desire still throbbing he had ran to Severus' bed.

Truth be told, Lucius had enjoyed Severus' company for the night. But that sole night together had been enough to mess a companionship that went back a long time. Had been enough to make Lucius lose one of the two people he had ever been capable of bringing himself to really talk to. It had all happened because of Draco, or so Lucius liked to believe.

Sev would laugh at me. He'd say he had never thought me to be so naive, that he thought I knew better than to attribute my desire to my ill son. Sev would attribute it to my long-felt-and-ignored love for him. He wishes it is so, with all his heart. Ah, Sev. You were always the more human Slytherin. Too bloody predictable for your own good, whenever it concerned me. You're so sure to make a fuss about our night as to look after Draco.

Lucius wasn't really sure about how he felt towards Severus. All he knew was that the feeling was big enough to creep in the middle of his musings about Draco, and that was saying something. This thought brought him back to reality, and he went off to the owlery.

I hope Draco gets as much pleasure in reading these letters as I get from writing them. I trust him to deduct that I'm there for him, no matter what.

-*-

Narcissa walked past the office and spotted her husband inside. She stopped by the doorframe and stood watching him fiddle with the papers on his desk.

It wasn't really an office. It was just a well-illuminated room at ground level of the Malfoy Manor, a room that gave direct access to the winter garden. It had French windows through which the sunlight entered to cast Lucius' hair different shades of golden and silver, and provided of a brown leather sofa where Lucius would stretch lazily in the afternoon sun. There was also a furry carpet, a desk that meant painful punishment to the House Elf stupid enough to fumble with the papers on it and a big mahogany clock that would strike the hours slowly.

Narcissa realised that Lucius wasn't fiddling with the papers. He was writing a letter.

A letter to his Darling Draco.

The thought came darkly to her mind. There had been a time when she'd be the one receive charming letters in Lucius elegant handwriting, letters that, like their maker, smelled of cinnamon.

The sun was paler each day with the eminent arrival of the winter. It was the beginning of December, and in few time Draco was due to return home.

He did so every year. Lucius would set out extra studying work for his son, and although Draco thought his father didn't spent enough time with him Narcissa knew better. She knew very well of all the time off Lucius took to be with his son. She knew the significance of every meal together.

Because Lucius never finds time to have meals with me. He'll take time off to dinner with Severus and stop immediately anything he's doing if he hears of his Silver Dragon being endangered or if the Dark Lord summons him.

Narcissa had watched carefully everything that had happened concerning Draco's initiation. Ureck had told her about the duel. She had seen Lucius give the Uylessea stone to Draco. Her blood had boiled at that. Jealousy had stung her heart then.

I should be the owner of something that contains Lucius' presence. I am the one who needs it the most, after all.

Her meeting with Severus on the morning that had followed had been the final strap. Narcissa didn't think she could take anymore. She'd have Lucius notice her, in one way or another. She closed her sky blue eyes and when her eyelids fluttered open a determinant fire burned inside her eyes. She'd have her Lucius back. She was willing to meet up with Voldemort in person if needed be, but she'd snap her Lucius away from both Snape and Draco.

-*-

Draco spent the first week after his initiation in bed, but on the other he was already able to attend classes, although somewhat faintly. He would find himself nearly shaking during Binn's interminable History of Magic classes, and it would take all of him not to collapse. He had the Uylessea stone, to which he clung like a lifeline, and even reduced to shreds his Malfoy self-control was still huge when compared to other people's.

Pansy Parkinson had noticed, though. She asked Draco if he was all right about a dozen times a day, and she never seemed to believe him. Lately he had started to flash her dazzling Veela smiles so that she'd think he was back to his old self.

Draco's relationship with Pansy was a rather strange one. She was his toy, then the one who'd stick around and listen to the stupid things he'd say while having a cigarette after having sex. She'd laugh at them. She'd turn adoring eyes towards Draco whenever he entered the Common Hall, and she'd cling to his arm and make all the other boys at Hogwarts jealous and angry because even after he shoved her out of his room she'd always come back. She'd always be there.

Even in the one place I thought I was going to be alone. How foolish I was. What could I expect from entering Voldemort's service but to join a never-ending Slytherin House?

Draco had never thought Pansy would be a Death Eater. Truth be told, he hadn't paid much attention to the leather gloves she now used when every other piece of clothing had been removed from her body, neither had he been able to relate her sudden blood thirst to Voldemort. It made sense now, blood turning her on.

Blood is what turns him on. The blood that runs entangled with mine.

Draco's hand wend automatically to the Uylessea stone whenever he thought of that night. But effort had to be made for people not to notice.

The Halloween Ball presented itself as the perfect opportunity to show the school that Draco Lucifer Malfoy was alright. So the youth dressed himself up for the night.

Black had always been Draco's favourite colour when it came to clothes. He loved the contrast of it against his pale complexion. Green and silver were other omnipresent colours on his wardrobe, for they were the colours of Slytherin. That, added to Draco's knowledge that he looked just so good on them, assured he'd have a little more than enough green and silver pieces of clothing. In a smaller scale white, grey and navy blue would find their way inside his wardrobe as well. And there was this deemed black transparent silk shirt with silver buttons. Actually it was very much like fisherman's net, but so very thin. Draco knew that, combined with his black leather pants, it provided him a come-shag-me look but restrained from wearing it for some unknown reason.

Well, tonight is the night.

The Hogwarts Halloween Ball wasn't that big an event, but Draco had always been one to show off. And that was a special year. He wanted to celebrate not just Halloween, but his own being there, his triumph over death and danger.

Draco had his own way of doing it. He dressed all in black, contrary to the plain white attires on which he had suffered some of the worst moments of his life. Tight black trousers of a material somewhere between leather and linen, a black cloak with stylised silver clasps in the shape of snakes, his few times worn translucent shirt that allowed sight of his black satin underwear.

Casting his mirrored image one last look before leaving the Slytherin domains, Draco decided that there was something missing. Something that would draw every eye on the Great Hall to him.

His gaze was driven to the Uylessea stone on his chest. He caught hold of his wand and executed an invisibility charm. As much pride as he took on having the stone, it was his and his alone. It represented Lucius, and his father was not a matter he liked to discuss.

He was deep in thought when the door of his dormitory slammed open.

Pansy Parkinson had spent the afternoon in London, shopping for the ball. For some reason, it had never been difficult for Slytherins to exit the school domains. Everyone expected them to look after themselves, so no-one would notice if a Slytherin was missing.

She was wearing an ankle-long silver dress and her hair was pulled back in a French twist with some loose strings framing her face. She was wearing nearly no make-up, just some eye-liner that accentuated her normally huge sky blue eyes.

And the ever present black gloves.

"Draco. You look gorgeous." She pointed out softly.

"Always have."

Smiling, he held out an arm to her. He realised that he didn't need any more clothing.

They strode in silence until they reached the Great Hall door, Draco feeling the waves of adoration oozing from her. There Pansy lifted her chin to face him when he stopped in front of her. Draco looked at her, his greyish eyes giving nothing away.

"Are you feeling all right? Sure you can take the party?"

Draco made a face at her, lifting an eyebrow. But suddenly decided against snapping at her and smirked.

"I may have a hard time looking at some of the Gryffs and restraining from puking but yes, I'd say so."

Pansy smiled and pulled his face down delicately but directed her lips to his ear, nipping at it and then working her way down his neck with the lips.

Draco didn't think much of it; he was used to Pansy clinging to him. He was all around her by now, his arms wrapped around her small frame making both warm and cosy despite the piercing coldness of the weather. He didn't feel like playing games, and searched for her lips, wanting to take them on his own ones. It felt good to be back in the game, to feel the familiar warmth and the tingles of arousal. She bit softly at his bottom lip but pulled away with a murmur.

"No."

"Why not?"

"Because I don't want all of it to start again."

"All what?"

"You dumping me for... boys."

She looked to the side as if in extreme pain at the simple thought, and he rolled his eyes. He knew far better than that, he could feel the that she was rather inclined to make a scene instead of being truly sad.

"Like YOU didn't play both sides of the Quidditch pitch."

"Oh Draco I'm serious! Why can't you tell meaningless sex from what we have?"

"And what exactly would that be?"

Draco used his best innocent tone. Pansy sighed in exasperation, but Draco knew that her insides were actually melting due to of his face and tone. She spoke, keeping her voice neutral.

"Never mind." She brought a hand to brush away a strand of hair that had fallen in front of his eyes. "Look, this way we're still friend-kissing; it doesn't have to mean anything."

He snorted. Everyone thought Pansy Parkinson to be so seducing and manipulative. Draco knew she *could* eventually be so, but that compared to him she was about as naive as a 5-year-old.

About as bouncing as the disgusting Weasley girlie over Potty. Spare my sexy and witty self, Pansy.

"Yeah... *friend* kissing. Silly me, I thought it was called French kissing."

He smiled playfully at her. She leaned in his chest and smelled his scent.

"Why can't I just walk away from you, Malfoy?"

"Why would you want to walk away from someone as irresistible as me?"

She didn't respond, so he caressed her cheek with his right hand.

"Look... you think I want anything? I don't. Just kissing, nothing to it." He caressed her cheek before repeating, "nothing to it."

She lifted her chin and they kissed softly.

Bless the Malfoy silver-tongue. I'm still in fine shape.

"You know... you can be *really* appealing," she paused and added, "you bastard."

He laughed weakly.

Of course I know. I just love it that I feel so good that people won't let go of me even if I wipe the floor with their faces. In a regular twice-a-week basis.

"You know I'd do ANYTHING for..." he looked at her playfully.

"Me?"

"A good fuck."

"Oh I'm flattered." She said ironically.

"You should. I may be a bastard, but I'm a sexy one at that."

"You wish."

She tapped his ribs, giggling at being able to feel them even through his clothes and thick cloak. Draco looked at her intently. He had grown a lot thinner in the last week due to the illness, but still believed himself to be an irresistible stud.

"Dare you."

"To?"

"Look at me in the eye and say you don't feel like shagging me right here and right now."

A smile came to play on her lips as she pulled him close.

"Dare you to do it," she whispered on his ear.

"Be careful with what you want, Pansy." He said in a mysterious tone.

She laughed.

"I want you."

"We can arrange that for the night, young lady."

"I'd be most pleased sir."

"Shall we then?"

He offered her an arm, which she took, and they entered the Yule Ball. Draco was smiling all the way. He was back in the game.

-*-

Draco opened the door of his dormitory and shoved Pansy inside. She was giggling uncontrollably, and held a tequila bottle on her left hand.

"Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeya Drakie... What took'ya so lon'?"

Piss off drunk. Probably stoned too.

This is going to be fun.

Of course she hadn't got the tequila from the school ball. The Slytherins had their very own little party going on inside their Common Hall, a party way funnier than the one thrown by the school. An inter-houses party for the 6^th and 7^th years where alcohol, sex and loud music were not only allowed but slightly overused. Draco himself had been busy upstairs on the Great Hall, trying to get the Ravenclaw Ivee Tyre to understand that no, Draco Malfoy wasn't anywhere close of holding him again for the night, whilst the possibility of it happening on some other occasion wasn't at all discarded. Actually Draco vaguely remembered shagging the boy a few months ago.

What's is with me that leaves everybody drooling? Stupid question, Draco. Or have you forgotten your own surname?

He smiled self-righteously.

As funny as it may have been to make Snape angry I'm on good terms with him now, and tonight I want nothing more than to drink my ass off. Parkinson is much safer to have around when I am drunk because she's sure not to tell anybody about whatever it is that I might end up doing to her.

He looked over at Pansy, who was holding the bottle out to him.

"He'e, have som'."

She took a long sip from the bottle, then offered it to Draco.

He accepted, and felt the liquid burn its way down his throat. Being drunk and locked in his room with Pansy seemed an easy enough way to make that night one without nightmares featuring Voldemort and his Death Eaters.

Draco emptied the bottle easily. By the time he was finished, his senses were somewhat blurry. He made a mental note never to mix tequila with the lighter drinks he had had on the official party again as saw Pansy smile. Actually Draco saw three smiles rotating clockwise and her voice echoed distantly on his ears.

"I got sum'thin' fo'ya."

She grabbed the bottle from his hand and threw it to the floor. Stopping its dripping liquid from staining the expensive carped was a thought that crossed Draco's stumbling mind. He paid no attention to it anymore when he saw that she was taking off her clothing, standing on her navy blue underwear.

"He'e."

She turned her back to him, barely managing to keep herself steady on her feet. Inspecting the pale complexion that covered her body, Draco came across something on her right buttock. A tattooed silver something.

"Ya lik' it? Hmmm Drakie??"

"Wha's it?"

His vision was a bit off, as was his speak. He wasn't pleased when she laughed heartily at him.

"Stupid. It's a silver Draco..."

"Silver Dragon."

"Ye - uck! - A silver dragon!" She hiccuped in the middle of the sentence.

Draco couldn't care less. Silver Dragon. It made him recall one thing only, one night only. And after five glasses of punch and half a bottle of tequila, Draco was well beyond caring. He grabbed Pansy and threw her in his bed.

"Say it again."

"Silver... hic! Draco."

"Dragon!"

He strengthened the grip on her wrists.

"Dragon! My Silver Dragon."

He pressed his lips against hers, hard. To his cloudy vision, Pansy's pale skin was very similar to someone else's. And thinking of that someone Draco allowed her to kiss him roughly again and again, allowed himself to get lost in the blur.

-*-

Here you have Slutty!Draco back. Or my version of him.

Up next: Draco's new life as a DE. New likings side-by-side with old worries. Voldie's evil plan to tame Lucius! Narcissa's evil plan to make Lucius notice her! Everybody's evil plan to do something (they're Slytherin, people!).

-*-