Darkest Light

Snape checked the door to make sure it was closed before rounding on Draco. "What do you think you were doing? You cannot afford mistakes, Draco, because if you are expelled-" Snape cut off. Draco was leaning over the sink, looking down. He turned on the water, and splashed it in his face.

Draco's skin was nearly as sallow as Snape's. He couldn't remember the last time he had gone outside when it was day. So unlike all of his previous years at Hogwarts, Draco spent most of his sixth year alone.

"I can't do this anymore, Snape," whispered Draco. Memories of countless muggles being tortured, women being raped for the fun of it, and his own father's encouragement weighed heavily on his mind. In his short sixteen years, Draco Malfoy had seen enough death and destruction to destroy him.

Slipping into Draco's unsuspecting mind, Snape watched as the young wizard's thoughts spiraled down and down. One regret kept circling around, the cause of all his misery. As he thought of it again, Snape saw the image of Draco's left arm and the Mark upon it. So Draco is not just a carbon-copy of his father, he does feel. thought Snape, Dumbledore will be pleased.

Snape glanced at the door, sensing someone. Probably Potter, he thought. With a small flick of his wand, the room was silent to all outside. He approached the row of sinks carefully, setting a comforting hand on his godson's shoulder. Quietly, he said, "You know, Draco, there is another option."

Draco shook Snape's hand off, his grey eyes flashing up at the dark-haired wizard. "There is no option," he sneered. "You've seen what happened to all who betrays him. Name any that are still breathing." Draco turned away from the mirrors, unable to look at himself anymore. He started to pace.

"Me."

Draco looked at him over his shoulder, his eyes wide and unbelieving. Snape sensed his doubt.

"I'm still breathing Draco. I'm still alive to spy for that meddling old codger, Dumbledore and live to tell the tale. I have been for over 15 years," Snape said. Dumbledore had indeed saved him, and could save Draco. But still after that, Snape only held a mild respect for him, nothing more, and nothing less.

Draco's eyes went from trust to skepticism. He shook his head. "You're lying. All you want is for me to switch sides and report me to him. All you want is to-"

Snape rolled his eyes. "I have no reason to want you dead. Indeed, I have several reasons to want you alive."

"What do you have in mind?" Draco quirked an eyebrow.

"Let me take you to Dumbledore."

"And what'll he do? Put me in hiding?"

Snape kept his face unreadable. He severely doubted that Albus Dumbledore would simply send Draco abroad and in hiding, not when there was a glaring opportunity to recruit him to the Light. Not willing to answer, he evaded the question. "He'll do what's best."

Draco thought for a moment, before making a rash decision. "I'll do it."

☼

A dark-haired bespectacled boy scrambled back from the door as he heard footsteps approach. He watched curiously as Snape and Draco swept away down the corridor. He made his way back to the Christmas party. He'd left Luna Lovegood down there to fend for herself. It would be rude to abandon her, and he wanted to tell Hermione what he'd heard.

Harry pondered on what he had heard. From what he had heard, all he could know for sure was the fact that Draco was up to something and Snape wanted to help him. Someone in the room, most likely Snape, had put a silencing charm over the room.

After successfully avoiding Cormac McLaggan for over half and hour, he discovered Hermione's ingenious hiding spot.

"There you are, you little fox. Playing hard to get, now are we?" Cormac seemed to leer at her.

"Uh," was her brilliant response.

He stalked close. With his every step forward, she took one back until her back was pressed against a wall. "I've been looking all over for you, Hermione," he said seductively. He took another step closer.

"Oh, well, I guess we just kept missing each other in the crowd. Professor Slughorn has been introducing me to several people." She closed her mouth, aware of her babbling. Cormac was looking at her hungrily. She mentally slapped herself for even considering bringing him.

Cormac took another step forward, and placed on arm against the wall by her head. "Well then, I guess I'll just have to-" But Hermione never found out what Cormac needed to do. Just like a knight in shining armor, Harry bounded in and ran straight into Cormac. Hermione breathed a sigh of relief.

Harry's eyes were alight with excitement. "Hermione, I need to tell you something."

Hermione glanced at a very disgruntled Cormac. "I'm tired, Cormac. I think I'll just head back with Harry." Without waiting for Cormac's reply, she grabbed Harry by the arm and plowed through the crowd to the door.

Once they were in the corridor, she slowed down. Harry proceeded to tell her what he had heard. "I couldn't hear everything they said, but it sure sounded like Malfoy's up to something."

Hermione sighed. "Harry, you can't still believe that Malfoy is a Death Eater, can you?"

"Of course I can!" They stepped into a hidden corridor behind a tapestry.

They were silent for a bit. After the Fat Lady's portrait closed behind them, Hermione said, "Harry, I'm not going to have this argument with you again." Hermione turned on her heel and headed to her dormitory.

☼

Meanwhile, on the other side of the castle, Dumbledore gazed at the young Malfoy. The familiar twinkling in his eyes had gone out. He cast a shrewd gaze.

"Why should I believe you, Mr. Malfoy?" Dumbledore asked, after several moments of quiet tension.

When Draco didn't reply, Snape stepped in.

"Headmaster, you already know of the plot the Dark Lord has forced upon Draco. And you know of all the failed attempts, as well as the futility of the situation. Several times, I have heard the Dark Lord threaten Draco. If he does not succeed, his mother will be tortured and killed. Again, you already know this."

Dumbledore's mouth twitched. "When you put it like that, Severus, there is no reason for me to doubt Mr. Malfoy." Glancing back at Draco, Dumbledore made up his mind. "I believe you, Draco. But there is not much I can do to help you. Unless..."

Snape's eyes flashed at Dumbledore. "Do not even consider it, Albus," he spit out.

Draco stood there, looking back and forth between the two professors. They were staring each other down, Snape seemed incensed.

Dumbledore ignored Snape's admonition. "Draco, I have an idea, a proposition, if you will..."