"Forever May Not Be Long Enough"
Everything belongs to J. K. Rowling. I've just played a bit with the characters she created, placing them in situations I had been playing inside my mind for some time now. No harm done and no profit made with this, okay? So don't sue me!
Fiction Rated: MA
(Content is only suitable for mature adults. May contain explicit language and adult themes.)
Opposites attract. What happens when Draco and Luna realize they might have (too many) things in common? But wait, appearances might deceive us (or not). The story is full of twists: unresolved personal issues might carry along too many confrontations and frustrations, angst and of course love and…hate.
This is set on Draco's 6th Year at Hogwarts (Luna's 5th Year).
CHAPTER I:
"I'm
picking sides
And pulling the strings
I'm living lies
And
shedding the skin
I'm open wide
And letting you in
I'm
wronging rights"
BREAKING BENJAMIN - "Believe")
The school year had started only a month ago and he was already been called to the headmaster's office for a private chat. But for the first time this meeting was remotely related to any of his mischievous manners, for he swore all that was buried in the past. Now he felt confident with himself, he did not loose eye contact with the old man and listen carefully to each and every word and even managed to give a faint of a smile as he reply.
He was comfortably sited on the large arm chair facing front Dumbledore's desk, dressed with his school uniform; the Slytherin's crest proudly resting over the place where his heart was rhythmically pounding in his chest. His perfect white skin and silk blond hair made quite a shocking contrast with the dark velvet cloth of the furniture. At first sight Draco Malfoy looked fragile, his athletic body had grow slighter thinner for his height and bone structure but when looking into those amazing vivid grey eyes, you can tell for sure it was a false first impression because they were full of energy and fire.
"He raised me in a cradle of luxury that was nothing but a venomous nest that leaded me to a path I don't intend to follow ever again. I was taught not to ever question him, but that has changed. I have forged a mind of my own. I'm no longer a follower." Draco's words sound determined.
"I've witnessed your father's trial when he was sentenced to Azkaban and then I became aware of his true loyalties…" Dumbledore looked down trying keep his breath steady, somehow he couldn't avoid his voice to sound dry and hollow, he continued "I thought what he did in the past was because the thought there was no other way to protect his family but I was wrong... he put you and your mother in great danger and was aware of it. I wish he would come to me instead, I would have done everything in my power to help."
The teenager loose for a split second the picture perfect of cool temper he managed to endure through all the conversation.
"I was born a Malfoy, yes, but that man is no longer father of mine". The blond abruptly stood up from the chair visible clutching his fists.
'Sir, it was thanks to my mother that he was caught by the Order, she was his secret keeper and she turned him in! She was afraid of the things he would do if she didn't act soon; time was running out for both of us and she paid it with her life! When that happened…I wasn't there for her…I haven't been able to recover her body and give her proper burial. My father erased all traces of her before he got caught and I got free from where he kept me imprisoned…" He chocked, feeling slightly sick.
Dumbledore coughed quietly, feeling his voice improved, he spoke again.
"We're not judging here your fath…Lucius' fatal decision; he's already paying for his mistakes as we speak…" Lifting his spectacles now, facing directly to those grey eyes in front of him that seem more like a pair of flaming torches, he handled a long black leather case to Draco. "I've got something to show you, something that belongs to you now."
Inside the box lied a beautiful and very unique wand, Draco took it from the case and recognized it immediately, it was an elm wood wand with dragon heartstring core: Lucius Malfoy's wand.
"I thought the Order had destroyed it …" His voice faltered.
"No, it's up to you to decide its faith. You'll see … all Lucius' possessions are yours now. If I'm correct, you've already received your inheritance, right?"
Draco nodded. "Yes sir, I'm the sole heir of my parent's combined fortunes".
Fixing the eyes first at the round full moon's silhouette coming from the office main window corner and then resting the sight at the stylized teenager figure, the headmaster continued.
"Draco, the ones we love never leave us, I bet your mother is proud of the man you're becoming. I had my doubts when you were appointed prefect, maybe it was too much for you to handle at the moment but in a matter of weeks you've achieved a remarkable job. I've even heard you've become a role model for those head boys and prefects to be and you're ripping plenty sights from the ladies".
The perfect sculpted face of the teenager managed to disguise the unpleasant sensation of a cold shiver coming down the spine, that remark sounded so tragically ironic. It was funny how a "spoiled rich greedy brat" turned into an "example to follow" in just a few couple of weeks.
How wrong was the old man, the other male students only respected him out of fear, he was the son of a well known Death Eater. Now regarding the girls, well, he was indeed a handsome teenager…who had also inherited a vast fortune, who wouldn't resist throwing the claws into half of Malfoy's gold? How quickly people labelled him, nobody was awarded yet with the pleasure of knowing the real Draco, so it was easy this way. It was true that he didn't grant the slightest chance. Was it a self-defence strategy? Or the invisible shield powered by his lonesome soul? Was it the burden of being a Malfoy? Did he actually considered himself better than the rest and didn't need to explain his actions? Too many unanswered questions. Draco Malfoy was definitely a mystery within himself.
"I've realized this situation placed you on a hazardous position. Let me assure you that, you're safe here at Hogwarts. You've got my word on that". Dumbledore then returned to his place behind the desk and noticed that Flawkes was soundly asleep.
"I'm sorry to contradict you, professor, but Hogwarts is not a safe place…not anymore. My only wish is to finish my studies and then I'll see what the future departs me. I know the ones that are still at loose will eventually come to get me. I'm determined to bring down every single Death Eater that comes my way".
The pale blond lifted his head high to show his determination and that he meant every word he said, he had nothing to hide. As reply the headmaster's facial gestures frowned with concern and worry. He proceeded then to number a vast list of warnings about the consequences drastic and idealistic heroic actions might arise.
Draco swore to himself we would never give way to pain or confusion, not anymore. Why couldn't Dumbledore understand that he was now fully aware of the part he would have to play in this war, it was all so clear in his mind and will. "What doesn't destroy you makes you stronger" he thought putting his cloak back aiming to the exit
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As he walked back towards the dungeons, he stopped half way the entrance of Slytherin's common room. As prefect he had several privileges, the one that he made best use of so far was having a dorm all for himself, the perfect refuge. Before speaking out the secret word to access the passage, he turned round and sighed.
'Stalking me AGAIN Pansy?" He was both tired and angry, if he had to endure this kind of unpleasant encounters one more time he would not be capable of tolerate not even a single second of it.
Coming from behind a gargoyle statue, placed on the corner of the corridor, the silhouette of Pansy came to light. With calm confidence she walked straight to Draco and paused just a few inches from him.
"I saw you leaving Dumbledore's office, what happened? I'm worried about you." She said in a quiet hush voice.
"Worried, why is that?" He sneered.
"I believe Dumbledore is not convinced at all with your image of "Potter wannabe" no matter how hard you try…. At least I don't buy it, not from you." She looked annoyed but yet remained to give her best smile to him.
"How dare you compare me with that scumbag?! Your little brain can't possibly understand what I'm up to! I never gave you account of my actions, why should I start now?" The tone of his voice raised a bit too much for his appealing, he hate being questioned. It was late in the evening and he was already cursing with all his might this awkward situation.
"So…you did receive the call from the Dark Lord, right?" Pansy's eyes try harder to make eye contact with his.
"Hush, you insolent! Why on earth are you asking for information that I know for sure you will use to turn against me in a moment of weakness? I do not trust you, you'll spoil everything!" Draco's self-control was almost non-existent.
"So it's true… you bear the mark? That's why you never let anyone get close to you anymore, why did you cut off from the rest of us?" She couldn't help herself to throw question after question to him. Draco hardly talked to her, or any of the Slytherins for that matter, not even during the daily meals.
"I want to succeed and you people only delay things for me. So it's better if I just stand alone to achieve my goals." He automatically changed his tone, he was in control now.
"You know I'll do anything for you, if I can't help you with your mission at least let me show you how much I care for you. Why are you pushing me away?" Burning desire light Pansy's eyes, she leaned forward with the attempt to rest her head in his shoulder but was suddenly shaken with an automatic push from him.
"I don't think you will ever come closer to grant me what I truly desire." Draco's brush off with his hand the spot where Pansy's hardly got the chance to touch with her forehead. As result to Draco's unconscious gesture, she took a couple of steps back.
"Don't take me for granted Draco, you won't find out what I'm capable of until you let me!"
"Langlock!" And Pansy's frustrated yell was instantly hushed by an invisible gag.
Draco's wand was aiming straight at her now closed mouth. With the tip he caressed her face, then aimed at her neck pressing slightly against a vein.
"Hear that? It's called…silence!" He smirked. "So far, so good…you'll have to make up for talking all that nonsense! Now what would happen if I press here a bit more…" From the wand erupted small reddish spears.
Without releasing his control over her, he looked into her eyes waiting for the tears that started to flow covering the girl's face. He could feel her interrupted breathing. Pansy's was getting desperate and started to choke like a fish trying to breathe out of the water.
"Oh, come on, I'm just getting started here, don't tell me that you're starting to feel dizzy already? You know what happens if I put more pressure in that precious vein of yours? The brain won't receive enough oxygen to function, you'll probably lose conscious…. or even die….depends if I stop now or continue a bit more….but if you want to please me you won't tell me to stop, right?"
Watching the pathetic image of Pansy's triggered a strange adrenaline rush inside him, it was not regret, not shame; pure hate was what he felt.
Pansy tried to release herself from Draco's grip but found out that her sense's accuracy started to fail on her. Sudden flows of energy were starting to get disconnected from inside her body and only managed to let one word out.
"S…s..stop.."
He blinked a few times as if her plea made him woke up and realized what was he doing and released her from the spell. Unfortunately for Pansy's this mercy act vanished as fast as it appeared. With a firm grip, he flicked his wand pushing her back hard against the wall. He came close and placed both of his hands around her head granting the most painful support to Pansy's body.
"Liar, you are nothing but a sack of empty promises, you've just deprived me of the only pleasure I can get from you? You've ruined my game!" Draco encircled her face with his long fingers making even more pressure to it, he just wanted to crush her skull with his bare hands but he was getting even sicker with the fact that he was touching that pathetic excuse of a girl. As if his fingers were burned from the touch, he released her and she fell to the ground hard on her knees.
"You were choking me!" She cried out with her feverish and weak vocal cords.
"What can I say? Inflicting pain on others is what turns me on. Understand now why you'll never come closer to grant me satisfaction?" His voice was so cold and ethereal, like coming from a soulless shell.
"You're SICK". Pansy did not think twice and run towards the Slytherin common room's entrance, quickly getting inside without looking back.
Draco smirked. "I'm sick of YOU Pansy, I'm glad you got the message at last" he murmured to himself and performed a silent cleansing spell on himself focusing specially on his hands to remove every trace of her.
Then, for the fist time, he looked at the wand that was on his hand, it was not his but his father's. He remembered then that he placed both wands in the same pocket. What had driven him to take this wand instead of his own? Did he choose it willingly or did the wand made its way to his hand instead? He was holding the wand of a murdered and vicious Death Eater, his father; it was the very same wand that had tortured him in the past. Pain, confusion and rage encircled Draco's body making him feel dizzy; his stomach hurt once more, this time was followed by a violent shake. He could not hold it back; he would have to throw up as soon as he could reach the loo.
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