bottom_draco

Chapter 3: Resolution
I don’t know what to believe
Sew up the sore, make it fake
When you’re the boy that I want
I’ll be the girl that you hate
-Jack Off Jill “Star No Star”

When Draco came to, it was two days later in the hospital wing at Hogwarts.

The huge room was empty and the only sound was Draco’s own breath heaving out of his lungs.

He lay back on the bed, sighing up at the ceiling as he tried to remember what had transpired in the dungeons.

“How are you feeling, Mr. Malfoy?” Draco jerked and attempted to sit up at the sound of Professor Snape’s voice.

“Like I’ve been gutted and re-filled with sand and razor blades.” The man at the end of the bed nodded.

“Some pain is to be expected when one is put under Cruciatus for over an hour. I wouldn’t be surprised if you had permanent nerve damage.”

“What day is it?”

“Tuesday. We found you on Saturday night. Luckily, that was the extent of your torture.” Draco smiled grimly.

“Lucky, he says.”

“You’re father was taken to Azkaban.” Snape paused. “Again.” But with certifiable witnesses, it’s doubtful he’ll be able to worm his way out of this one. I assume you’ll be willing to testify?” Draco shrugged, wincing at the sting the motion caused.

“Might as well. My cover’s pretty blown now.” Snape looked at him for a long moment.

“You might have some explaining to do, Mr. Malfoy.” Draco blinked.

“About what?” Snape took his wrist and pulled his
arm out, showing the fresh insignia of the Death Eaters.

“I believe you’ll have to account for that. I suggest you start thinking on it now, Draco.” He said, before slipping away and out of the room.
*******************************

The next time Draco woke up, it was too an uncomfortable grip on his arm. He forced his eyes opened, pushing aside layers of sleepy confusion, and was relieved to see Harry at the side of the bed.

“Harry,” He sighed. “It took you long enough. Let go of my arm, you’re hurting me.” He murmured, closing his eyes.

“You cunt.” Harry said, his voice flat and lifeless. Draco’s eyes snapped open.

“What the fuck did you just call me?”

“Look at yourself!” Harry moaned, holding Draco’s arm up and digging his fingernails into his skin next to the pink, burned flesh of his Dark Mark. “Look at who you are!” He let out a slightly hysterical sounding laugh. “I don’t know what I was fucking thinking.”

“Harry,” Draco said, forcing calm, though his voice still trembled. “What are you saying?”

“I’m saying I’m through with you.” Draco’s hand shot to Harry’s wrist.

“Oh, Harry, you don‘t mean that. You‘re jumping to conclu--”” Harry shoved Draco’s arm away from him and started to pull his own out of Draco’s grip.

“Oh, be*lieve* me, I *do*, and it’s what I should have done a long time ago.”

“Harry, you don’t know the whole story!”

“I don’t need to.” Harry hissed. He grabbed Draco’s arm again and pressed his thumb viciously into the Dark Mark, flinching slightly at Draco’s yelp of pain. “*This* says everything.” He stepped back from the bed, giving Draco a look that was mixture of hatred, sorrow, and disappointment.

“You’re a liar and a whore, Draco, and you deserve everything you get.” He spat, his voice shaking. He turned and left the hospital wing.
**************************************

“They’re going to break your wand.” Snape stated matter-of-factly.

“But I thought the Order meant anonymity!”

“Well, the Order isn’t really recognized by the Ministry, and despite all you’ve done *for* us, the fact still remains that you have the Mark and that’s they’re seeing. I’m sorry, Draco. We tried.”

“My wand…I…but I…”

“I know. If it cheers you up any, Potter seemed particularly gloomy today.” Draco’s throat worked, but no words came.
*****************************************

Draco left the school the next day. Harry had never come back and he didn’t see him on his way out.
*****************************************

When he reached the Malfoy carriage at the school gates, their was a letter on the seat. It read:

Draco,
You are no longer my son. I can’t believe you would do something to betray your father and all that he’s worked for like this.

I’m sure you will understand that for the sake of preserving the little dignity our family has left, I will not be able to see you off to wherever it is you plan on going. The driver has been instructed to drop you off at any place you please (except the manor, obviously).

I hope you are pleased with yourself.
Best regards,
Narcissa Malfoy

Draco sighed and tossed the letter aside.

“Where to, then, eh?” The driver called back from the front of the carriage.

“London.” Draco called back after a moment. Seemed as good a place as any.
*************************************

Draco found a relatively cheap hotel to stay at his first night in London. He only had the little bit of allowance he had saved up. On his first day in London, he went out to look for a job, but quickly found that there wasn’t much call for people who had no idea what a calculator or telephone was.

He returned to the hotel on the second night dejected. He crawled into his hard bed with the rough sheets, hungry and depressed, and stared up at the wall for an hour before finally crying himself to sleep, Harry’s last words echoing through his mind.

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AN: And so the angst begins. Next chapter: Prostitution. And if anyone can come up with a new title for this fic, that'd be great.