Chapter 8: Draco

Chapter 8:

Draco:

It was turning out to be a wonderful day. Watching Granger's fall from grace had been eminently enjoyable. The hope of possibility rose high in Draco's throat, making him swallow more frequently than normal. It had been a great day, and it was going to be a great night. All that Draco needed to do was show up at the dungeons on time... Or perhaps five minutes late. But the waiting! It was unbearable. Frankly, Draco had been so aroused since leaving Severus’s classroom that it was difficult to focus on anything. The temptation of relief came constantly, but he wanted to be prepared for Severus. And any relief he could give himself would pale compared to what Severus could give him.

By quarter to 10, Draco could wait no longer. He sauntered down to the dungeons in effusive jubilation. After all this time—all this rejection, agony, and loneliness—Draco was going to get his Professor back! An odd noise—was that Severus tapping his fingers?—made Draco pause just before bursting the door open. Intrigued, Draco slowly opened the door just an inch and peeked inside.

Hermione Granger was sitting at a table, staring at the wall. Has she finally lost it? Or perhaps Severus has made her stare at the wall for punishment? Whatever the reason, Granger staring at a wall was strange enough to warrant further investigation. As Draco watched, her fingers occasionally tapped on the table, betraying what could only be impatience. But where was Severus? Surely he should be supervising whatever it is Granger is supposed to be doing. From what Draco could see of the dungeon, Severus Snape was nowhere to be found.

The impatience was really beginning to be cumbersome. To come all the way down here and have to wait was torturous. But Draco, for all his impatience, had an instinct for recognizing when something unusual and worth knowing was about to occur. And anything that could cause Granger to stare at a wall and Severus to leave her unattended was worth knowing, even if it required further patience on Draco's part.

Granger's gaze on the wall became more intense, catching Draco's attention. A slight shimmer was happening in the wall. The shimmer increased until a small section of the wall looked fluid. Before Draco could think of any theories to explain this strange phenomenon, Severus Snape himself walked out of the wall. Blinking, Draco tried to absorb what had just happened and was just starting to accept that perhaps he was seeing things when something else happened.

As soon as Severus walked out of the wall—Slytherin’s snake, I must be mad—Granger bounded up to him. Severus's face was beaming with pride and happiness such that Draco had never seen before, not even at the height of their romance last spring. A sick feeling rose in Draco's stomach as the distance between Granger and Severus closed. This can't be happening, not my Severus, not with a dirty Mudblood—not with a girl! The mute protestations screamed in Draco's head as he watched his beloved Professor kiss Hermione Granger full on the lips.

The need for patience, silence, and discretion fled Draco's mind as the first bout of vomit ran into his mouth and out onto the floor. Pushing the door open in rage, Draco shouted at Severus, “Just wait until the Dark Lord finds out what you've been doing!" He wanted to shout more, to rage out against the treacherous Professor Snape, but another bout of vomit was rising and his pride would not allow him to humiliate himself any further. He fled to the nearest bathroom, where he waited until the vomit stopped to fulfill his threat.

Leaving Hogwarts was an easy task for Draco, one of the favored Slytherins. All he had to do was walk off the grounds and Apparate wherever he chose. And tonight, he chose to Apparate to the Dark Lord's side. Seconds later, Draco realized how unwise it had been to appear before the Dark Lord unannounced. That was a privilege only given to the most trusted Death Eaters, which did not include Draco Malfoy. With half a dozen wands pointed at him, including the wand of the Dark Lord, there was nothing for Draco to do but speak quickly.

"Severus Snape has betrayed you! I just saw him kissing that Mudblood Granger!" At that, the vomit began to rise again, and Draco had no choice but to swallow it down.

"Silly boy. That sounds like all is going according to plan! Still, let's see if you know more than you think you do." Voldemort's eyes locked on to Draco's and Draco felt his mind open. The events of that evening danced before him: the terrible kiss, the offensive look in Severus's eyes, the shock Draco had felt as Severus walked out of the wall. Released from Voldemort's mind, rage swam across Voldemort's face.

"The boy is right. Severus Snape has betrayed me. Lucius, gather your friends and prepare to punish Severus for what he has done. You may go now, Draco."

The teeniest sliver of regret made its way deep into Draco's stomach as he realized exactly what he had done.