TW: Language
Dracos POV
The next morning Draco wasted no time getting up and dressed, a newfound fire lit under him with his potential plan. He quickly grabbed a quill and began writing a letter to his mother,
"Mother,
I've found a potential way of solving my problem, I need to see you as soon as possible. Tell no one.
Your son,
Draco."
He tried his best to be vague, a tinge of worry and fear staining his every action now that he felt he could see the finish line. All he needed to do was get this Latin translated so he knew exactly what he was getting himself into, locate this cave, and somehow figure out what sort of sacrifice would be needed. Amongst convincing a wiling party to receive his curse.
Demian was still in bed. He studied his petite frame for a moment, sighing.
This is almost over. He thought to himself.
He slid his letter hastily into an envelope and closed it with his house seal, eager to send it off. He exited his room and went to the commons to use one of the available owls and sent his letter off before returning back to his room, where Demian was just getting up and around. He was wiping his eyes with the back of his hand tiredly, Dracos t shirt hung off him loosely,
"Where are you going?"
"Not where am I going, where did I go." He said. "And I've just sent a letter to my mother, I need to see her and tell her everything I've found. Maybe she would have some more answers, especially regarding the uh-" He paused momentarily, "Sacrifice portion." He sighed, thinking about it. There weren't many people who made the cut for both caring about Draco, and wanting to acquire the dark mark and the list got shorter every day. His mind wandered to Pansy, perhaps she would seek the power the comes along with being a death eater. But did she care enough about him? He wondered to himself. The room was silent while Malfoy stood in front of the mirror, lost in thought.
"Are you alright?" Demian said curiously.
"I'm fine, just...thinking." He admitted, "There's not many people on this list of potential transferees." He said with an expectant sigh.
"Yeah..." Demian said, finally rising from bed and getting dressed. He stood behind Malfoy in mirrors view and shed his t shirt, standing there nude for a moment. Draco smirked.
"You really are a tease." He said. Demian smiled to himself and crept up behind him, leaning his face into his back. "I've been told that." Draco smirked again, watching him rustle through the drawers his mind struggled to make coherent thoughts.
"And very distracting." He reminded him.
Demian just pouted playfully, getting dressed extra slow for the morning. When he was finally clothed the thoughts began returning to his head, he pictured asking Astoria and his stomach sank. Condemning her at her young age felt wrong, even if she did want it. The truth was it all came down to his worst nightmare, asking his mother. He had a special place in his heart for Narcissa, she always stood between him and destruction, no matter where he fell. Always in his corner. Always rooting for him. He thought about condemning her and felt even sicker than when he considered Astoria. He groaned in frustration,
"There's only one option, asking my mother but-" He wavered, "I just...I feel so bad. I don't want anything to happen to her." He confided in Demian who hugged him from behind comfortingly.
"Nothing will happen, you must believe in her."
"What is she wavers, what if she's afraid." His mind trailed back to the failed experiments, he worried he would be another data table in the restricted section and his stomach sank once more.
He shook his head free of those questionable thoughts,
"Let's just get through this day. One step at a time." He said, inhaling and exhaling sharply. Demian slid his fingers into Dracos, he slipped the fragment of paper into his pocket, hoping for answers.
***
Demians POV
That morning after charms class Demian went to stand up but a force kept him in his seat, Dracos hand held tightly onto his robes. He followed his lead and waited for the class to funnel out. When they were the last two Professor Valor looked up from his desk, he sighed audibly,
"I can't wait to hear what you two could possibly want." Demian bit his lip nervously at his words.
Draco didn't say much he simply slipped the paper out of his pocket and handed it to the Professor who studied it briefly for a moment.
"Latin? What could you possibly be doing with something like this. And it looks to be an incantation of sorts." He read it quietly under his breath a few times, "I'm a little rusty but...I really must know, what is this for? It's borderline demonic, ancient even."
Draco scoffed, "It's a potential means of getting rid of the mark." He admitted to him, "Accompanied by some sort of sacrifice."
"You found a way then?" He exclaimed; his eyes lit up.
"Well, it's never actually been performed correctly. Assumably from being shaken from fear or possibly having doubts about wanting the mark."
"And how would you know that?" He said.
"My information's good just trust me on that." He said, avoiding implicating Potter in anything.
"I see..." Professor Valor paused for a moment, "It basically says Release me from your service, allow another who loves me to absorb the darkness. Well, more or less."
"So he was true to his word." Draco said quietly under his breath, Demian watched him with curiosity.
"I'll pretend I didn't hear that." The professor said. "Did you need help with anything else?"
"What about the sacrifice, what do you think that could mean." Draco interjected.
"I haven't the slightest idea, I'm sorry."
Draco sighed in an annoyed fashion, he turned to leave but stopped near the door. "Oh uh, thanks." He said before filing out, Demian took the slip of paper from Professor Valor, Draco had forgotten it in his hurry.
"Yes, thank you.." Demian said softly. He turned to follow his lover,
"Are you taking care of yourself?" Christian said, Demian felt his stomach lurch.
"Yes, I'm fine. Don't worry."
"You're not in any danger, are you?" He said, a hint of worry coated his words.
"Not that I know of, yet." He said, sadly.
"Well be careful. Please." He pleaded. "We don't need any more tragedies this year."
Demian swallowed nervously. "I'll do my best."
"If something happens, please find me." He begged. Demian turned to face him, he couldn't hide the worry on his face.
"Stay strong." Christian said, he tried to hide his own worry. Demian just nodded, he attempted to smile but could feel the tears welling up as he realized they were still a ways off from completing whatever Draco had been plotting.
"Thank you...I will. And I appreciate you still being there for me."
"I always will be." He said in a reassuring tone. "Just don't do anything stupid."
Demian gave him one final nod, he turned to leave. Draco was waiting in the hall still.
"You took a while, what gives?" He said, a slight tone of jealousy arose in his voice.
"He just wants us to be careful. He's worried." He said, only giving him half the truth.
"And we will be. It's almost over." Draco said. "I need to speak to Potter again, tonight."
"About what?"
"The location of the cave. If all we have to worry about is the-" He paused again, speaking in almost a whisper, "The sacrifice portion, we could be figuring this out next week. Maybe even earlier." His words excited Demian, but also riddled him with anxiety.
"Right before summer...." He reminded him.
"Yes...right on time." Draco said.
"Now let's finish these classes, I want to get this over with."
Demian just nodded, following in suit as they finished the rest of their classes for the day.
***
As they exited their final class of the day, Draco eagerly headed towards the Gryffindor commons but was stopped in his tracks when he saw his mother standing in the hallway. She was laughing with the headmaster, smiling at him. He walked up behind them and cleared his throat,
"Oh darling there you are I was just catching up with the headmaster. I haven't been to visit you all year I just had to come and help you take some of your things back home for the summer."
She lied so effortlessly, so smoothly. Draco just smiled, trying to follow in suit. "Yes that's right, so many things that need packing to make the trip home less bothersome. We should really get going." He said, tapping his wrist as if he wore a watch.
"Yes it was lovely to see you Albus, another time then." She nodded to him politely, taking her leave and walking next to Draco. Demian trailed behind them awkwardly, a few feet back. He felt their presence, the two of them and could feel himself diminishing in it. He had never met her, after all, and she radiated wealth, power, class. It was hard not to feel intimidated.
"Oh mother, right. This is Demian." She stopped in her tracks, he expected some sort of judgement and braced himself.
"Ah well, it's lovely to meet you I'm sorry dear I hadn't noticed you with everything going on." She admitted, "I can see you definitely have a type son."
Not the type of judgement I anticipated. Demian thought to himself.
"Come then, walk next to us. Don't trail behind it shows weakness." She reminded him.
Demian felt a pang of embarrassment from her words, but he did as she commanded, standing on the other side of Draco as they walked. The wandered the halls in silence until they came to Dracos room, they all shuffled inside and he locked the door behind them.
"So, what is it you've found son."
"Well, bits and pieces of a plan." He began, "It can't very well be removed entirely, but it can be transferred."
"Oh well, lovely news, but to whom?" She questioned, "What about one of those other young girls that used to follow you around." She snapped her fingers a few times, "Pansy?" She said, second guessing herself.
Draco sighed, "I thought about that already." Demian shot him a look of confusion when he said that, he just shrugged his shoulders and continued his conversation. "But there's a catch."
"Always. What is it?" Narcissa said.
"The person who agrees to the transfer can't show fear, can't waver, and must want to receive the mark. Otherwise, it won't be successful. And to top it all off their must be some sort of sacrifice, but the previous studies weren't clear on what type. Could be blood-" He paused, "Or could be a life."
"A bigger catch than I anticipated." Narcissa said, she tapped her finger against her lips a few times, "There's very few people in the world who wouldn't be afraid to receive the mark, even a little bit. I'll admit that's a tricky situation. Certainly, no kid would be amongst those strong enough."
Draco sucked his teeth, "Exactly....so...." He cleared his throat, "What about you?" He suggested suddenly.
"M-me?" She stammered, "Son I..." She swallowed nervously and her seemingly confident aura melted. For a moment, Demian saw a normal mother, who was afraid of what might happen.
"I suppose you're right..." She said quietly, "I said it myself, there's very few who fit the bill. But I already never believed I was cut out to be a death eater. I'm not my sister."
"You're better than her." Draco said, Demian smiled at this. "You're stronger, and smarter, and more capable. By not getting the mark to begin with you've proved that."
"Yes, well...are you not worried I would be afraid?" She questioned. Draco just shook his head.
"Mother, it's my only hope. You told me you would do anything for my happiness did you not?"
She sighed, fiddling with a ring on her finger nervously, "That's correct, and I would. If this is our only choice, our best choice, I'll do it for you." Her eyes studied Demian for a moment, "What is it about you that makes you so special. I must know."
Draco stammered, "I-I mean, let's not put him on the spot mother." He pleaded, but Demian started to speak anyways.
"I'm not really sure, actually. Maybe Draco could better answer that question than I could." He looked at him with pleading eyes, Draco could see the fear he harbored, the intimidation he felt standing amongst the woman who gave birth to him.
Draco inhaled sharply, sucking his teeth a bit. "It's a complex situation."
"I'll say, you truly want away from this life, from your fathers legacy? You have no interest in changing your mind?" She questioned him.
"Not at all, mother. I've doubted everything in my life for one reason or another, but never my feelings for Demian. I really am in love, and I would trade what legacy I'm promised to be with him."
"He could chase you." She warned him. "Especially if you flee before killing Potter."
"I'm not killing Potter mother, and Voldemort will be defeated. Maybe not by me. But by someone." His thoughts trailed to Harry, he had a newfound confidence in him after he kept his word and helped him.
"I believe you, darling. And I'll help you."
Draco sighed with relief; he instantly hugged her. "Oh mother, thank you, thank you."
She pat his back reassuringly. "And let me figure out the sacrifice bit, I'll prod my sister for more information at our next gathering. You just worry about getting everything else you need."
"I have most of what I need already. I just need a location, which I was hoping to get tonight."
"Then I fear I should leave, quickly grab some things you won't miss so we can avoid suspicion when I go."
He gathered some small belongings decorating his room and quickly shoved them into her arms. She cradled them cautiously, her eyes studying Demian. "Please, let nothing happen to my son in the meantime." She pleaded. He could see a familiar fear in her eyes, he felt it too.
"I-I'll do my best." Demian said.
Draco hugged his mother, she turned to leave.
"I love you, mother." Draco said suddenly, "Thank you."
"Thank me when this is over son, we've still a ways to go."
He opened the door for her, she stopped briefly, "Don't let your guard down now Draco, please be careful." She said, "I love you."
He watched her walk down the hallway, carrying his mementos.
Draco shut the door and sighed in relief, "I can't believe we're this close." He said, turning to Demian.
"So close, yet so far." Demian responded, "Are you nervous that she will be afraid?"
"Maybe just a little...but I know how strong she is. She married my father after all."
"I guess you're right about that." Demian said. "Now, are we still going to speak to Harry?"
"Yes, I want to get this over with so I can relax this weekend, and just wait for my mother to send word with some good news about this sacrifice." He sighed. "I'm certainly a little worried about that." His mind trailed back to the poor girl he'd murdered in his home, he shook her terrified face from his memories, eager to dismiss any thought of an innocent life taking the fall for them again.
"Quickly, let's go." Draco said, they both entered the hallway and headed towards the Gryffindor commons.
***
They stood outside the commons, Draco tapping his foot anxiously. Harry rounded the stairs and saw them both standing there. He sighed and motioned for them to follow, entering the common room. They trailed behind him a few feet, some questionable stares following their every move as they walked to Harrys dorm. When the door was shut behind them Draco went to speak until he noticed Ron was sitting on the edge of his own bed. He cleared his throat,
"Oh, don't worry about him. He knows everything." Harry admitted, Draco shot him a look of daggers.
"Way to be cautious." He scoffed.
"He's got no one to tell."
"Hey? What the hell!" Ron exclaimed, throwing his hands up, "He's kind of right though." He said, shaking his head.
"What do you need now, it's dangerous for you to come back here." Harry said. "And this early in the day? You were seen by dozens. You're being sloppy."
Draco scoffed, "Whatever, the only thing I need from you is the location of the cave where this can be performed. Nearly everything else has fallen into place."
"Impressive, more than I expected from you in just a few days." Harry admitted.
"I need to be rid of this, before summer hits."
"Why so time sensitive?"
Draco looked at him and spoke in a whisper, "Because that's when he expects me to kill you, that's when he'll be back. And if he finds out I'm up to something before that, before I have time to rid myself of this curse I am royally fucked."
"Then you might want to do it this weekend." Harry said, "We're only 2 weeks away from summer vacation, you'll be crunching time if you wait til the last moments."
"Then just give me the fucking location to the cave and I'll be on my way." He said, somewhat demandingly.
Harry just nodded, he pulled out a map and spread it across his desk, his finger trailing along the coast of England. "Here." He pointed.
"It's just the coast. No name?" Draco said, somewhat confused.
"It's truly in the middle of nowhere. There's been speculation Voldemort tortured a few people here back in the day. It holds a special place in his heart, but it doesn't mean its a landmark." Harry scoffed, "You'll have to go to the approximate location and find it yourself."
"Where the fuck am I going to get a boat?"
Harry just shrugged his shoulders, "That's beyond my expertise, Malfoy." He said. "You're rich though, I'm sure you'll figure it out."
"Joy." Draco said. "Can I keep this? Please?"
Harry just nodded, Draco circled the approximate location with a quill and rolled up the map.
"Thanks, again." Malfoy said.
"Yeah, yeah. Don't disappoint me by failing or we've all wasted our time."
Draco laughed and so did Harry. They both turned to leave, a sense of fulfillment and fear overcoming them both as they inched closer to their destination.