Draco Malfoy, Broken

Chapter 42 – Pain and Humiliation

Published: 3/2/2019

Professor Minerva McGonagall was dosing at her desk. Young William hadn't returned, yet, though he had warned her that he would be fairly late. She already knew that Neville had entered Slytherin with Blaise Zabini. With what was going around the school, she assumed Blaise was taking out some manner of revenge. Tradition said it was best to let the Slytherins sort out their matters themselves, but Neville was a professor. He didn't just give up a password, he went there to watch. She also had to consider that her Head Boy had openly attacked his fellow housemate, as well. She closed her eyes and thought about her response.

Her eyes opened when she heard her inner office door creak. "There you are."

"I apologize, Headmistress."

"Enough, William, call me Minerva."

"As you wish, but I will just go out to the gates or Hagrid's hut, now. I shouldn't be keeping you up so late. You aren't getting enough sleep."

"Getting old is hard, but really William... I rather hear how it went with Mr. Malfoy."

"Very well, actually. He's very advanced already when it comes to these spells. He must have worked at it a lot last year to get so proficient at it. He requires eye contact to complete the spell, too. I'll try different ways to break that. He's willing to try just about any task I give him... regardless of danger or pain. He's driven, that's for sure. He nearly passed out tonight before he would stop."

"He'll leave us all behind, then?"

"Probably, but it's sapping his physical strength more than it ought to. I would have preferred if he tried the spells with his wand first, but he won't even try. If he had a wand that was compatible with him... he would be so much more well-equipped. If it were possible, I'd take him to Ollivander's myself to buy him one."

"Well, don't. I've got an official notice from the Ministry saying that his probation officer wants him restricted to the grounds for security reasons... also there is this dementor that seems to be following him."

"Dementor?"

"Yes. Harry felt it on the train coming in. Draco saw it last week and thinks it attacked him twice while he was with his mother in muggle London. He believes it is the same one from Azkaban, but there is no way to prove it. The Ministry dismisses the idea and though it seems preposterous but I believe him. How could I not? He's not one to lie... anymore... and I don't believe he was hallucinating."

"I agree. Does he know how to protect himself?"

"He knows... but I can't imagine that he could produce a Patronus. Magical skill isn't enough."

"I can try to work with him," Bill offered.

"Thank you... how is his mental state? He had quite a day, today."

Bill frowned. "He was very happy, as compared to last week. He insists on calling me, Professor."

"As well he should, Bill."

He nodded with a smile. "Perhaps... but he seems to really enjoy Curse Breaking, too, as well as Core Magic. Almost like he forgot about the other things on his mind. He wasn't as scared of me... at least by the end. He could meet my eyes without me prompting him."

"That's progress. You gave him the note?"

"Yes. He nearly teared up. I nearly teared up. I can't imagine how his life has been if such a small act of kindness touches him so much."

"No, you can't, but the dementors took most of his defenses. I'd say he hasn't been able to protect his emotions since then."

"Dementors... evil things."

"Yes," she said, looking at a pile of letters in her desk.

"Ministry bugging you?"

"No... well yes, but most of these are from students pleading about starting Quidditch up. I've been putting them off, with how bad they've been behaving. I can't imagine that it will get better once competition is involved."

"It'll give them another arena to vent their feelings."

"Exactly. The matches against Slytherin will be overly aggressive, even if Mr. Malfoy doesn't play. There's also the issue that our eighth-year students are eighteen and nineteen years old. I can hardly let them play with second and third years. And there's nearly a whole another year of eligible players... I'll be limiting the number of students that are capable of joining, but can't play with the stronger and more experienced eighth years in contention."

"So? Take them out of contention. They're too old to play in the House cup."

"And for those students that wish to pursue careers in Quidditch? Deny them a whole year to practice? Get seen by scouts?"

William bowed his head. He had never been a Quidditch player in his years, but understood the allure. He brought his hand up to his cheek and rubbed the short red stumble of a beard on his face. "Well... how about just form extra teams? Junior and senior teams?"

"There won't be enough students for eight teams."

"Two from the eighth year, then? Or mixed seventh and eighth years?" he offered.

"Hmm... I'll consider it. But I still can't have them competing in for the cup."

"Strictly intramural for the senior teams. Maybe even have some exhibition games with the house teams."

"It's an idea. Thank you, William."

"Do you think Draco would compete?"

"I doubt it. He was an exceptional seeker. He caught the snitch every game except the three times when he went up against Harry. But I doubt any team would have him even if he wanted to play."

William nodded understandingly. "And Harry?"

"The best seeker I've seen in years. He's better than your brother. I did make him captain, but I'm not sure his heart is in it anymore. He hasn't voiced his opinion on the matter."

"He's worried about Draco."

"Perhaps... it also was a point of contention between the two. Their last match ended in violence and Draco had nearly beat him. Harry's broom is what won that game, more than his skill."

Bill looked somewhat intrigued by this information. "I'll ask Harry about it."

"Good. I need to ask... Mr. Harper was in your class tonight, wasn't he?"

"Yeah, he was."

Minerva sighed and said, "Apparently, Harper and the other Slytherins hexed Draco enough to land him in the hospital wing just after lunch. Was there anything amiss?"

"No... nothing. Draco didn't seem to worry about him at all. He eyed Dean a few times, though. Dean did look uncomfortable, too."

"I'll bet. He was hexed last week by one of Draco's friends. Poppy wanted to know if she should try to remove it and I told her no."

"Really?" William smiled.

"I can't do much. Draco won't accuse them directly, at the least they get some punishment. But if the Slytherins are getting involved, now...."

"They won't," said a painting to her right.

McGonagall frowned. Mostly the portraits stayed silent when she was with someone. "Severus, we have been over this... I can't just ignore...."

"Yes, you can. They will sort it out themselves," the painting of Snape assured her.

"That game? Pain or humiliation?" William muttered, wondering if that was what his old Potions Master was getting at.

"It's ridiculous. Why you let it happen when you were Head of House, I have no idea, but I...."

"I allowed it to happen, too, Minerva. Slytherins do police themselves," Albus defended him.

"Letting students hex and humiliate each other seems barbaric to me. I don't want them to hurt each other. This is supposed to be a school. A safe haven. They saw enough depravity last year."

"Draco almost stopped it. It's not going to come back as it once had. I think this once... you should let it go," Severus suggested.

"And how often will it happen after this? Why did you even let it happen before now?"

"It's not a question of let. They won't outright say what happened, accuse anyone. We can't lord over the common room every night, every hour. How often did you go to your dorm?" Snape snapped. "We have to let them handle betrayal themselves. Slytherins are not Gryffindors. They have power struggles for command and the whole school hates us."

"Us?"

"Yes... no one likes Slytherins. We only have each other and know that we can't fight the whole school and each other. The rules must be followed."

"And the game. It's more about proving your worth more than anything else. Only a few used it to be punitive," Dumbledore explained.

"We should stop it," she said, hesitant to get into arguments with paintings of dead headmasters and headmistresses. "You know how it started."

"I have tried, Minerva. But it keeps resurfacing and they only do it in secret," Dumbledore advised.

"We can't stop it. Only the students can," Snape interjected. "It's them you have to convince... Harper, Malfoy and Zabini."

"Severus is right," Albus agreed.

She tutted and was about to argue with them more when old Professor Dippet came into his frame. "From Poppy, Mr. Harper is in the hospital wing, and... oh, sorry, Headmistress. I didn't realize that you had company."

"It's fine, Armando. How is he?" she asked, giving into the ludicrously of having multiple conversations. No wonder Albus seemed so distracted in his office.

"Poppy had to remove all the bones in his arm... shattered beyond repair. There was more damage that she couldn't fix, as well," he reported.

Minerva shook her head. "Still think we should let them do what they will?"

"Go and ask the boy, first," Severus sneered. "He'll not speak an ill word against them."

"That doesn't make it okay! This isn't humiliation. It's torture."

"Pain," Bill offered and she gave him a look. He held up his hands, declaring that he was out of her squabble with the headmasters of old.

"I don't care what it is. I don't want it here anymore. This is getting out of hand."

"You can't make people like Draco. They're going to hurt him. Blaise is going to protect him and everyone will slowly be drawn into the fight," Snape argued.

"And wait around and do nothing is so much better?" she snapped.

"You'll only drive the attacks further into secret. The more hidden it is, the more brutal it will be."

"Slytherins," she said as though cursing. "Was there anything else, William?"

"Draco's doing as well as can be expected. He left with Harry, though."

Minerva gave a quaint smile. "Well... let's hope that moves along." Snape rolled his eyes.

"I'll poke Harry about it tomorrow, too. Is it alright if Harry comes over to my house on Sunday?"

"Provided I don't throw him into detention before then."

"Of course. But as far as advancing Draco's abilities... is there a way to get permission to practice dueling spells?"

"I'd have to get approval from both his probation officer and Madam Hopkirk, but it seems unlikely."

"I'll think about some directed magic spells that aren't offensive."

"Be careful, Bill. We are his only allies. He can't mess anything up."

"I will be."

"I'll see you tomorrow, then."

"Are you sure you don't want me to find another way home?"

"No, William. Please, I want to hear how they are doing. That is more important to me than sleep. I can see that Harry is having just as rough of a time as Draco."

William nodded, took a handful of Floo powder, and disappeared into the fire. Minerva didn't waste words with Severus or Albus and walked out the door to the hospital wing. She exchanged some unpleasantries with Peeves, who hadn't seemed worried that she would expel him from the castle. She responded by conjuring a large apple between his ghost teeth.

Poppy had already shut the door to her office and presumably was intent upon sleeping. Harper was in a hospital bed, his friends gone already. She could already hear the groans that comes with growing pains. She walked over to his bed and saw tears were coming out of the boy's closed eyes. He was on his side. His right arm was lying on the bed, looking red and deflated. His left was near it, jerking back and forth as he didn't want to touch it, but couldn't stop himself from doing so.

"Mr. Harper," she said, softly.

He opened his eyes and attempted to get up, but she put her hands up. "Headmistress," he said, roughly.

"Who attacked you? Was it Mr. Zabini?"

Harper swallowed. "No... it was an accident. I fell."

"You fell? And somehow managed to shatter all the bones in your arm beyond the point of repair?"

Harper grimaced and looked away. She pressed, "I know Mr. Zabini went into Slytherin. Do I need to interrogate every member of Slytherin House about what happened?"

"They won't say anything... if they know what's good for them."

"Mr. Harper... this is not a minor injury. She can't fully heal it. It equates to torture and I can't allow that to happen."

"It was an accident," he repeated.

"The same that happened to Draco Malfoy earlier today?"

Harper flushed. "I'm sorry, Headmistress."

"You are supposed to set an example... you are Head Boy. Are you going to deny what happened?"

"No," Harper said, lowering his head.

"And what should I do, Mr. Harper? To you and Mr. Zabini?"

"Nothing... at least to him... he didn't do anything."

"I don't believe you."

"I choose this. I knew the price. I have to protect my friends. This will keep the others off our backs. I'd gladly do it, again. Draco agreed. He told me to do it. He was willing to leave our house to keep us out of the fight."

McGonagall was speechless for a second. "Still this was excessive."

"Betrayal comes with a price. No one can deny it was painful. We can use our cowardly reputation to abstain from the fight. We want no part in the feud."

"The way Slytherin has always been," Minerva grunted. "And what does Professor Slughorn say to all this?"

"I imagine he's eating sweets and hobnobbing with his famous friends. I only see him in class. I haven't been invited to his social events."

Minerva's eyes dimmed. Snape, at least, could count to rally his house behind him.

"I want you, your friends, Ms. Reines and who is the other one?"

"Alex," Harper said, not bothering to cover for him.

"Mr. Borgin and any other sixth years who have any authority in Slytherin in my office at seven tomorrow. Sling or not, Mr. Harper," she ordered.

"Yes, ma'am," he said and sunk his head back into the pillow.

She told Poppy her instructions and walked slowly back to her office. As she sat in her stiff, wooden desk chair, she rubbed her eyes with exhaustion.

"Well?" Severus's dry voice asked.

"I'll concede that you were right about him denying it. But if you say that only they can stop it...."

"I'm not wrong. Draco almost did."

"Then I will... prod them to get to that goal."

"Good luck," Headmaster Dippet offered dryly. "Slytherins are as hard-headed as centaurs."

"I resent that," muttered one than one portrait.

"I can handle the Slytherins," she huffed. She'd only been teaching them for over four decades.

"Can you? They aren't gooey-eyed Gryffindors. You can't treat them the same. You have to be careful."

"I handled you just fine," she snapped, irritated by the late hour. The Ministry had called her several times throughout the day for seemingly no reason. She was getting annoyed by it.

Snape seemed to resent her implication and muttered, "You did not 'handle' me."

She smiled, winning any victory over her rival Head of House was still amusing. "Enough. To bed."

She rose, bidding her predecessors goodnight. Even after all her years visiting Albus and Armando in their office, the filled walls of old headmasters and headmistresses still unnerved her. Most remained silent, lapsing into a semi-permanent state of immobilization. The oldest had become almost fixed, nearly muggle and eventually had been pushed to the upper rows. The most invested, interested professors still spoke amongst themselves and to the current head, acting on their undying duty to support the school. But the ancient portraits, nailed to the walls eons ago when the castle was first founded over a thousand years ago, had withdrawn from any sort of obligation.

Albus had once explained it as a depression that can never be cured. They couldn't grow, expand or learn, and as the years passed by, they became listened to, heeded to less, until the point that they understood that their advice was worthless. Their mark on the world over. Newer, better things had replaced the old ways.
Minerva shivered as she realized that in years to come, part of her own soul would be imprinted into the paint to remain forever fixed in the school. It wasn't fear of death that had her worried, but fear that she would be so easily discarded after enough years had passed, when all had forgotten her. She would fade from memory with Albus and Severus, her closest confidants for the last years of her life.

She glanced to the old ones. Nearly frozen in frame and only moving if something great or unexpected happened. Indeed the only times all the occupants had ventured out in the last hundred years was when the Triwizard Tournament and Battle was happening. The oldest, she knew, was merely called the first Headmaster of Hogwarts. No one hadn't even remembered his name. The engraving plate had long rusted away, not properly kept in repair. She knew that no one in the last five hundred years had gotten a response from him. Indeed the oldest portrait that would actively respond to questions and concerns was Headmistress Spore from the 14th century.

She met Albus's crystal, kind eyes and bid him goodnight directly like always. He usually refrained from overstepping her, now even more so. It was her duty as headmistress to move past the previous head, step out of their shoes and shadows, not rely on them to decide and fixed each problem. Snape may argue with her when it comes to Slytherins, but to say he was being insubordinate wasn't true. Defensive and argumentative, surely. She gave him a glare that was their evening farewell and she ascended her office steps to her bedchambers, devoid of any paintings. She doused the light and tucked in for a short night's sleep.

***

Blaise let go of Neville's hand as they walked into their common room. Daphne, Hermione, Weasley and Luna were the only ones in the common room.

"Did Draco come back?" he asked and she shook her head.

Blaise grimaced, but Neville whispered in his ear, "Harry's with him."

"You're right," he muttered and made eye contact with Daphne. Leave, he communicated with his eyes.

She nodded and started to pack up her things. "Let's go up to our room, Luna."

Luna tilted her head and then said, "Only if Hermione comes."

Daphne flushed and looked to her other roommate. It wasn't even that late and Hermione was talking to Ron.

"Yeah... I'll come. There's been too much excitement for one day," Hermione said, easily. She was waiting for Harry, too.

Blaise breathed easier, knowing that there were fewer witnesses to Harry coming back late with Draco. He gave Ron a long stare as Hermione and the others left. Neville walked him up to his room and they stopped.

"Again, thank you. Make sure that douche doesn't confront Potter."

"Showing concern for Harry, now?" Neville said with some playfully jealously.

"Hardly... problems for Harry mean problems for Draco."

"Of course," Neville said and brought Blaise's hand upward to shoulder height. He spread his fingers open, their palms flush against each other, and he intertwined their fingers.

Blaise stared into the confident eyes of the boy that no one ever saw... no longer the source of amusement and humiliation... but of inspiration and strength. Blaise felt like he wasn't by himself anymore. He glanced to their joined hands, black and white, opposites, now together as one. He wanted more. His free hand moved across his chin to Neville's nape. The Gryffindor blushed like a shy schoolgirl, confirming that he was a novice to any type of romantic affairs.

Blaise had been with first-timers before though... as well as with experienced partners, switching genders and roles had always been easy for him. He knew how to talk almost anyone out of their pants, but he had no idea what to say to Neville. He didn't want to play games with him or manipulate his feelings to get another notch on his belt. He wanted Neville to want to do it... want him. He trembled and lowered his eyes, unsure of what to say or do.

"Hey... it's okay. Don't be nervous."

Nervous? Blaise thought. I don't get nervous... do I? But there was no other explanation. "Sorry... I don't know what to say. I don't want to say the wrong thing."

"You won't say the wrong thing. I'm not going anywhere."

"You might... you have no idea the things I've done... that I allowed other people to do to me. You have no idea how dark sex and relationships can be... even if it's consensual."

"Oh... Blaise. I'm sorry," he said, taken aback.

"Sorry? I put myself in those situations... I did things to others, who may not have been ready for it. I wasn't ready for it."

Neville looked at him, on his lips was the question that no one dared to ask was ... no one besides Draco, anyway. Why? He didn't answer him either. Blaise looked away, embarrassed. Thankfully, Neville didn't ask. It was awkward enough already.

"I'm sorry that happened to you. It's not your fault... you know?"

"It's not a question of fault. I sought out that kind of lifestyle, Neville."

"I heard you stopped."

"Yeah... well, Draco's a good friend," Blaise said, trying to sound nonchalant.

"And that happened in our fifth year?"

"How did you know that?"

"It's when the rumors stopped and you said everyone two years above you... not three."

"Touché... but there was some three and four years older, too. But they were more... one way."

Neville's mouth opened. "Oh, Blaise. Do you realize how young you were? Thirteen and fourteen? Fifteen in our fifth year. That's too young...."

"Sixteen actually. My birthday's in September."

"It's wrong."

"It was... they knew though... that I was... different... open," he whispered, the words difficult to come out.

"Oh Merlin, Blaise."

"Don't... I'm okay. I fixed it by sleeping around and doing what they did to me to others. I'm fine."

"Are you Blaise? Look at me," Neville ordered.

Blaise looked at him, defiantly almost but the tears came almost immediately. He put his head into Neville's chest and Neville's arms wrapped around him.

"I'm here for you, Blaise," Neville said and after a few minutes, he kissed the top of his head.

"Thank you," he murmured. He hoped Neville was done. That was enough emotion to last him the rest of his life. "I should go in before someone comes back down... or Weasley notices."

"I don't care about Ron. That's Harry's problem. I don't care if anyone knows about me... us...."

"You will. But goodnight... Slayer," Blaise said with a smile and Neville gave him a light smack.

"Goodnight... Honey," the Gryffindor said with a malicious smile.

Blaise coughed slightly on that. "Honey?"

"Honey Bear?"

"No."

"Sexy Beast?"

Blaise laughed despite himself. "No."

"Stud Muffin?"

"No... no nicknames..." he pleaded.

"We'll see, Boo," Neville said and Blaise gave a small smile at that one.

"Snake Slayer..." Blaise said, looked into gooey, lovesick eyes of his all-but-declared boyfriend. His stomach fluttered warmly... he felt the feeling of hope and the promise of a loving relationship. He had never felt that before. He wanted to lean in and kiss him, but some movement from down the stairs made them both look. Ron had entered his room.

"I'll wait up for Harry," Neville offered, a faint red twinge on his cheek.

"Salazar's hairy balls, I hope we don't have to look for them. If they aren't back soon, I'm hunting them down. I'm not waiting up forever."

"Agreed. See you at breakfast, then?" Neville said.

"Sure," Blaise said and Neville gave him one last smile before heading down to the common room.

Blaise watched him descend the steps and then lifted the locks on the door. Theo looked up from his desk, relieved. Blaise gave a nod, indicating that everything went fine. Theo dropped his head, regardless. It wasn't pleasant, no matter what happened. Theo didn't need to see that and Draco wouldn't have allowed it... hopefully. Blaise considered that Draco woke up from his broken state the most when someone was hurting his friends.

Blaise gave a scornful look at his own books and parchment but ignored them. He needed Draco back safe before he could think of homework. It wasn't like he needed to study.

Blaise paced the room, agitated and frustrated. Draco was missing. Neville was courting him. Things he couldn't fix or make right. He didn't... couldn't doubt Potter's ability to defend Draco. But even Harry could get caught and taken out. He wasn't invincible. And Neville... how could he want him? Want him for more than conquest... more than date and shag. Who would want to be with the school tramp? The kindest, sweetest boy in the whole school had decided to pursue him, the darkest, meanest one. He supposed that there were crueler people, but he was wrath incarnate.

Blaise jumped out his thoughts when he heard the wards lift and Draco entered the room. He looked fine, hair was straighter than before. He gave a small smile, but was looking at both him and Theo cautiously.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to stay so late, but I had fun. I learned some cool stuff," he said, casually.

Blaise walked over to him and Draco backed into the door. He was shaking, but it didn't seem like fear. That cloud of misery that Blaise had so often seen in his eyes, wasn't there. Draco was fighting the urge to smile. He didn't care what William "Bill" Weasley taught him tonight. There was only one person that could get Draco to smile like that.

Blaise threw up the wards and said, "Draco...."

"Y-Yes?" he said, the smile was coming out. Theo was watching them, intently.

"Draco?" Blaise said, again, and finally, Draco stopped holding it in and burst into a full grin, ear to ear. "Holy fucking Salazar's balls... Dray! You snogged Potter, didn't you?"

Draco's responding smile was breathtaking. Blaise grabbed and hugged him, almost jumping with excitement.

"Ow!" Draco said as he squeezed him tightly. Theo came over and wrapped his arms around him, too.

"Oh, Dray!" Blaise shouted in an unmanly screech that he wasn't embarrassed about. He grabbed both sides of Draco's face. "I'm so proud of you!"

"You really snogged?" Theo asked, equally vibrant and holding his arm in a death grip, needing verbal confirmation.

"I... yeah..." Draco admitted and they both squealed and hugged him, again. "Geez, guys... stop it. You're acting like fourteen-year-old girls."

"I don't care!" Blaise shrieked. Humiliation be damned. "Hecate be praised, I fucking love you, Draco."

"Um...."

"You're my brother... and I'm so happy for you!" he finished.

"Me, too, Draco," Theo said, tears in his eyes as he hugged him, again. "I thought I'd never see you happy."

"The world hasn't been righted, Theo. We only kissed."

Theo shook his head. "But it has Draco... it's the first step! Soon you'll be dating, eating each other's food, maybe some touching and then...."

"Alright! That's enough of a visual!"

"Sure... whatever you say," Theo laughed, showing a rare bit of emotion.

Draco nodded. "I love him so much."

Blaise smiled at his words. "You do, Dray. I'm glad you were able to work it out."

"I've always wanted him... but I'm still worried."

Blaise took him firmly by both shoulders and said, "Everything's going to be fine, Dray. I promise. Potter is great for you... you are great for him."

Draco's lip trembled. "Thanks, Blaise."

Blaise was still too excited and pulled him in for another long hug.

"Okay, okay... we only snogged... calm down."

"Only! I've been waiting for this day forever!" Blaise said and let go of him. "Wait... how was it?"

"I'm not going to te-"

"Yes, you are," Theo said, flicking his arm.

"Yes... does he kiss good?" Blaise asked.

Draco blushed and nodded. "It was amazing... I didn't want to stop. He didn't want to stop."

"Oh, Draco... that's awesome...."

"So you guys are together though, right?" Theo asked.

"Yeah... secretly... well secret from the rest of the school anyway. Harry said that you'd figure it out in five seconds."

"Damn straight I did. You were trying too hard not to smile... and you're so happy now...."

"I'm fucking euphoric right now. He wants me, Blaise... he really does," Draco said, exuberantly. "I can't imagine life without him, now. I only can see him in my future. I never saw anything before."

"And you thought he didn't? Idiot. What did Potter say?" Blaise asked.

"I can't tell you...."

"Drrraayy..." Blaise said, a sing-song voice. "...we are not going to sleep until you give us something."

"We are very persistent," Theo joked.

"Gah, you guys annoying," Draco muttered, but still smiling. "Fine... he said that we can take it slow... he just wants to be with... me. He wasn't upset that it took me so long, he was just happy. He said that he'd always been drawn to me."

"Correction... you've always been drawn to him. You couldn't shut up about him since first year," Theo huffed.

"Shut up. He said he wanted to kiss me since... Azkaban."

"I bet he did. Probably longer than that. I ain't never wrong... you should have seen him deny that he was into you at the reunion."

Draco shook his head, but his hands were trembling. "He said he'd always take care of me."

"Of course he will Draco," Theo said.

"And... I told him about..." Draco trailed off and grabbed his forearm.

"Oh, Draco... that's great. It's important to tell him everything," Blaise said, reassuringly.

"He wasn't mad."

"No... he wouldn't be. See... open communication is good, Draco. Don't be afraid of talking to him."

"I don't want to make him sad," Draco said, quietly.

"He'll be happy if you opened up more and don't forget that you have to take care of him, too. I notice that he sleeps less than you do," Blaise said and Theo nodded in agreement.

"He always opens up first. He tells me his dreams. He's afraid of them," Draco admitted.

Blaise nodded. "Do you tell him yours?"

"Sometimes. He doesn't push."

"No... for a nosy Gryffindor, he is not pushy."

"He's not...."

"He stalked you two years ago. You weren't the only one who noticed," Blaise pointed out.

Draco shrugged. "He said I looked like a rockstar... what's a rockstar?"

The three pure-bloods looked at each other for an answer but had nothing. Blaise said, "It must be a muggle term. Maybe we can ask Hermione."

"We can't do that."

"Daphne can ask her," Theo suggested, smiling.

"I... shit, they're all going to know, aren't they?"

"Please... Potter was right about me figuring it out in half a second... you don't think Granger can't read her best friend like a book? Luna thinks, or rather knows, that you two are together... you just took this long to accept it. Stop worrying."

"I'm scared still... scared of people attacking us and him. What if they find out?"

"Then I'll rip their tongues out if they dare insult you for that. Relax."

"You can't do that."

"Something just as vicious and painful, then. I won't let anyone harm you," Blaise said.

Draco laughed for a second and grimaced. "Blaise... what happened... with the Slytherins?"

"We're going to jump to that topic?" Blaise sighed.

"I'm not telling you anything else about what happened. What did you do?" Draco asked.

"What I had to. You know I did. You two banked on it."

"Is he okay?"

"I imagine he's in a lot of pain right now. Should send a strong message."

"What did you do to him?" Draco said, his voice strong and assertive for once.

Blaise resisted the urge to smile. Draco defended his friends. "Broke all the bones in his hand and wrist."

Theo froze at the tension and looked to Draco, who frowned, "That was a little cruel."

"I shouldn't think that the Slytherins would get involved now," Blaise said.

"I can handle some pain, Blaise. I've had a lot worse. He was trying to keep them out of this."

"Now, he'll have a clear-cut example of why not. It was your plan... right? What did you think I would do to him?"

"You broke his bones."

"He broke yours, too, Dray. You don't have a leg to stand on. You'd be proud of Harper, though. He took it well. He even volunteered to take Reines and Borgin's."

"You didn't!" Draco growled, fiercely.

"No... I didn't. Came close. They didn't try to get out of it either," Blaise said, letting Draco's anger control the situation. He'd give anything to have Draco back in charge.

"He asked for amnesty for them," Draco stated.

"I accepted it. I wanted to scare the shit out of them, though. Drive it home."

"I hardly think it was necessary," he snapped.

"It was. He made me mad."

Draco flinched and hung his head, his assertiveness gone. "Maybe we should get to bed."

He was asking. Blaise sighed. "Alright... no shower then?"

"No... I really need sleep... Professor Weasley wore me out. Do you have some Dittany? I burned my hand."

"From what?" Blaise asked, curiously.

"Flagrante Curse."

"A Weasley got you with a Flagrante Curse?" Blaise huffed and Theo snorted.

"It was layered under ten concealment charms, Blaise," Draco snapped and caught the Dittany Blaise tossed him.

"Sure... Dray... sure."

"Shut it." Draco applied a thin coat of the salve on his hand and the skin healed. He handed it back to Blaise.

Blaise changed into his pajamas, but Draco just kicked his shoes off and collapsed on his bed. He was clearly exhausted, but Blaise walked over and lifted him up. He mumbled a complaint, but didn't fight as Blaise pulled his robes off. Draco always wore a shirt and bottoms on underneath. Blaise eased him back down to his pillow and pulled his blankets over him.

"Thank you," Draco whispered, his heavy-lidded eyes closing.

"I suppose this means I can't sleep in your bed anymore," Blaise murmured, brushing the hair out of his eyes.

"Mmmm," Draco mumbled incoherently and was out before he could properly answer.

"Potter does seem like the jealous type," Theo said, climbing into bed, too.

"He is."

"It was nice seeing Draco there... normal..." Theo muttered and Blaise gave Draco's sleeping form a look before he nodded in agreement. "I miss him."

"I do, too. Maybe I should have hurt Harper more," Blaise joked, coming over to Theo's bed.

"That wouldn't have been enough. Is he ever going to get better?" Theo whispered.

"I don't know. Potter will help, surely. But if he can't accept what happened to him... he's never going to heal."

Theo lowered his head, but Blaise lifted it up to check his bruises, again.
Theo mumbled, "They don't even hurt."

"They're a Glamour Spell. Reines did it to Draco, too. But this isn't," Blaise said, touching Theo's lip.

"I was struggling. I smashed it into Alex's shoulder. I'm sorry. I was supposed to protect Draco."

"I'm not mad or disappointed. Don't worry about it. It was a good day... for him. But are you okay?"

Theo gave a curt nod and Blaise could see some tears were trying to come out. His words were barely audible when he asked, "Why didn't you want me to come?"

Blaise grimaced. "I didn't want you to see that. Harper on his knees... me threatening and torturing him. You didn't need to see it... it would have sent you back inside your head, again."

Theo's tears finally dripped down his face.

Blaise took his hand. "Are you still having the dreams?"

Theo nodded.

"Do you want to see Madam Pomfrey?"

"She can't help me. It's why my father taught me Occlumency. I just have to get control back. Shut down my emotions."

"I don't think that's the right way to deal with it, Theo."

"Maybe not. But I don't really have much choice in the matter. I need to sleep. I have to function. I have to move on."

Blaise bent down and hugged Theo, who gripped him tightly. Regardless of how much he tried, Theo couldn't hide how hurt he was to him. "You can come sleep in my bed whenever you need to, Theo. I'm here for you."

Theo let out a few quiet sobs, but with his repressed emotions, it was like he was howling. Blaise pulled his feet up onto the bed and with one hand pulled the covers over them. "I'm right here."

Theo cried into his chest for a long time, before sleep finally took him. Blaise didn't last much longer. He glanced at Draco, finally making some positive strides to heal, and down to Theo, who seemed to be going backward... inward. His own emotions were on the rocks... Neville had a way of getting through his defenses. The showdown in the Slytherin common room had been extremely nerve-racking. Blaise slowly closed his eyes.

He woke a few times throughout the night to Theo's night terrors. Unlike Draco, Theo didn't scream. He jerked and shook and then curled up. Sometimes he woke up and Blaise would whisper some supportive words, but mostly the nightmares kept him under, making him watch his mother and father being deliberately killed in front of him. His mother's long, painful death, traumatized him as a child. Damaged him so much that the Ministry released his father, his only family, to take care of him. Then to add insult to that gruesome memory, he saw his father executed before his eyes, too.

When the sun's light finally crept into the room, Blaise opened his eyes and looked down at Theo, who was awake. He pulled away from him, only slightly humiliated. He thanked him, but still beat him to the bathroom. Draco was still drooling on his pillow. The extra lesson must have really worn him out. When Theo came out, showered and wrapped in a towel, Blaise walked over and shook Draco.

Draco, as he expected jumped, but relaxed when he saw him. "Shower time, Dray. Now get up or I'll bring the shower to you."

Draco glowered, but knew he would. He climbed out of bed and into the bathroom grumbling. Blaise waited until the water was running before he walked down to Harry's room, excited to get the 온라인카지노게임 out of the Chosen One. He knocked on the door. The Boy Wonder answered, again, shirtless. Blaise had to admire his tenacity of answering the door half-naked.

Blaise gave him an evil smirk and Potter sighed, closing the door and setting up the wards.

"I wonder if I'll ever have conversations again without putting up privacy spells," Harry grunted.

"One day, surely. So...."

"Did you figure it in less than five minutes?" Potter interrupted.

"Less than a minute. Draco can't hide anything from me."

"I told him...."

"So... how'd it happen?" Blaise said, wagging his eyebrows.

"Don't you have Draco for this sort of talk?" he grunted.

"I do... but he leaves out some stuff... so... some deep-tongue action?"

Potter blushed with humiliation, but wasn't stupid. "What did he tell you?"

"Everything... so tell me."

"I don't believe you."

"Groping, too?"

Potter jerked enough for him to take it as a confirmation. "You or Draco?"

"This isn't...."

"Hey... answer me or I'll never let up," Blaise threatened.

"Him. I didn't want to scare him," Harry folded, annoyed.

"Probably a wise choice. So... you'll always take care of him, huh?"

His face only got redder, which made Blaise so fucking happy. "Really, Blaise? Draco's your friend to torture like this... but... he really told you that?" Potter so desperately wanted to know how Draco felt about what had happened. Blaise had him right where he wanted him.

"But tormenting you is the highlight of my week. But yes... he said that. So... how about... I'll tell you something he said... if you tell me what happened last night."

Harry's mouth dropped. "You're kidding, aren't you?"

"Nope. Not in the slightest."

"Slytherins," Harry grunted.

"You first. How'd it happen?" Blaise whispered seductively.

"I gave him a present."

"You better answer a little more than that Harry... I'm not going to pull questions out of you like a muggle tooth doctor."

"I gave him some muggle pictures... of me, Teddy and his mom. I was just explaining why I got them for him, when he just kissed me and didn't stop. "

"Awww...."

"Shut up, Zabini. Your turn."

"He said that you were drawn to him. I told him it was the other way around. Draco's been talking about you since we were eleven. Potter this... Potter that... and he didn't deny it."

Blaise watched the dopey smile fill Potter's face. "I kinda been watching him for a long time...."

"Yeah, we noticed. So... where were you guys?"

"Outside of the portrait hole and then we went up to the Owlery."

"So what...."

"It's my turn."

"This isn't that twenty questions game, Potter. It's quid quo pro. You give me some tantalizing information and I give you some back. Where you did it, isn't important."

"Fine. We kissed twice there, but didn't want to be caught, so I took him to the balcony to talk. He said that we could be... boyfriends. We'd take it slow... not rush into things."

"Boyfriends, huh? That's sweet."

"If you can't tone down the sarcasm, then the game is over."

"Keep your britches on... I'm only teasing and besides... I'll call your bluff. You want to hear what I got."

"You can't have too much more if you're asking me where it happened. Draco would not have said much."

"He talked about how he felt more. He said that your kiss was amazing... that he didn't want to stop. You didn't want to stop. He said he told you... about his arm."

"He did. I'm surprised you didn't."

"I promised. He was happy that you took it well. That you took everything well. He said that you guys were going to keep it a secret."

"Some secret. You're getting a little low on ammo, Blaise."

"What's ammo?"

"Nothing... you're grasping, cause you don't have anything else."

"Maybe... one more then?"

Harry glared. "Ask away."

Blaise thought over his choice of questions and settled on the most important. "How did you feel... about the kiss?"

"I don't want to answer," Harry said, chagrin.

"Come on, Harry. It'll be worth it. Tell me." Blaise leered over at him.

Potter shook his head several times, but finally said, "It was fucking mind-blowing. I've never felt so content and peaceful... I was home. The pain was gone, it was just Draco. He finally did it... overcame that fear and he tasted like heaven. I just wanted to keep on kissing and when he agreed to stay together, I wanted to cry I was so happy. I don't ever want to be away from him. I only brought him back here, because he was falling asleep in my arms."

Blaise smiled widely. "You guys are so cute."

Harry snorted. "You don't have anything else, do you?"

"I resent that implication. I would never lie."

"Yes... you would. I need to get ready."

"He told me that he loved you," Blaise declared haughtily. "He said that he could only see you in his future."

Harry's shoulders dropped and he stared at Blaise, trembling slightly. The small, blissful smile on his face was louder than any grin or exclamation. Sure Potter had heard others tell him that they loved each other, but the direct confirmation... admission... was rarer.

"I told you it was worth it," Blaise hummed.

"Thank you," Harry breathed.

Blaise smiled, but jolted when Harry's eyes suddenly flicked behind him. He spun to see that it was just Theo and removed the spells. "Theo...."

"I thought I was going to have to break through your charms the way you two were staring at each other."

"What's wrong?" Blaise asked, ignoring his taunt.

"This came," Theo said, handing him a note.

Blaise scanned it and got the jist. McGonagall... office... now... the four of them. "Go get Daphne. I'll pull Draco out of the shower." Theo nodded and walked by them.

"Everything okay?"

"The headmistress wants to see us in her office, presumably because of what happened yesterday."

"Is it handled?" Potter asked.

"I'm a Slytherin, of course, it's handled. I got this for you, too," Blaise said, handing him a vial.

"Thanks... I'll put it to good use. Are you sure everything's okay?"

"No, but later, Potter and you're welcome." He only grunted in return.

Blaise went upstairs and into the bathroom. Draco did not like cutting his shower short, but Blaise shut off the water and dried him without waiting for permission. Draco grumbled under his breath as he exited the bathroom. Blaise cleaned and dressed with magic and Theo arrived with Daphne already ready.

"Hey, I'm not done!" Draco said, as she entered.

"You got pants on," she laughed.

Draco still went red and got dressed quicker than usual, thankfully. Blaise marched them down to the third floor as quickly as possible. He gave the password to the gargoyles at the entrance and ascended up into the Head's Office. Blaise was surprised to see that there were five Slytherins inside: Harper, Juliet, Alex, and two members of the Slytherin Quidditch team: sixth-years Jeffery Urquhart and Aklen Vaisey.

"Come in," the headmistress ordered.

Blaise led his group to the right side of the office. Harper and the others were on the left, Harper was looking green, still in pain and his arm was in a sling. Blaise knew he didn't make it easy to heal that injury.

The headmistress closed the door with a wave of her hand as she stood in front of her desk staring them down. "I suppose you all are wondering why you've been summoned."

Blaise didn't acknowledge anything. He stared at Harper, who looked a little guilty. The headmistress had spoken to him.

"Let me see if I sum up what happened, yesterday. Mr. Harper and company attacked Mr. Nott and Ms. Greengrass, restraining them, then proceeded to hex Mr. Malfoy here, at his bequest, in some sort of cunning deception to fool the rest of the school. Mr. Nott then told Mr. Zabini what had happened. Mr. Zabini then was granted access to Slytherin House by Professor Longbottom...."

"No, he didn't," Blaise declared. Both Draco and Theo gave him a look.

"Don't interrupt!" she snapped, glaring at him until he looked away.

"...then Mr. Zabini walked into the Slytherin common room, unopposed and unrestrained, and... with Mr. Harper's permission... shattered all the bones in his arm." Draco winced next to him and tried to look at Harper, but failed.

"Again... supposedly to deceive outside observers into believing you are at war with each other. Mr. Zabini and Professor Longbottom left Slytherin... no one stopped or reported them. Mr. Harper spent the night in the hospital wing, his bones beyond repair and had to be regrown. I should note that damage to the surrounding tissue and muscle is significant. Madam Pomfrey is not certain when it will heal. There may very well be permanent damage."

Draco again looked at him, but then back to the floor. He wouldn't challenge his actions in front of witnesses.

"Would anyone care to offer anything that refutes this?"

"Neville didn't...."

"Neville?" she said, harshly.

"Professor Longbottom didn't let m-anyone into Slytherin," Blaise said, quietly.

"Mr. Zabini... I have been working at this school for over forty years. I was not born yesterday as the common saying goes. Professors have different passwords and if I invited Professor Longbottom to this soiree, would he deny his involvement? Yours... perhaps... but not his own culpably. Anything else?"

"Blaise didn't hex me. It was an accident," Harper whispered.

"Really? Every bone? Ms. Reines, was it an accident?"

She nodded, like her jaw was clenched tight. "An accident, Professor."

McGonagall asked the rest of the Slytherins, who also denied it. "Mr. Zabini... did you hurt Mr. Harper?"

Blaise looked at Harper, who lowered his head. He hadn't said a word and never would. Blaise then glanced to the headmistress, who was testing him no doubt, but this was a difficult situation. An expellable offense. He looked past her to the painting that all of the Slytherins were avoiding, Snape. He wasn't as close as Draco had been to their old Head of House, but Blaise respected the man for his cunning and ability. Anyone that could match his mother in their knowledge of the dark arts, was someone to admire. Snape gave him a small nod.

"Yes, I did," Blaise said and everyone and half the portraits in the room looked at him in shock. They all expected him to deny it. With no proof, McGonagall couldn't do much, but he had just admitted it.

Draco was shaking. Harper and his friends stared at him, their mouths agape. Daphne took Theo's hand and they both looked at him, afraid. Snape gave him an impressive smirk, but McGonagall was the first to recover. She was full of righteous anger. Blaise grimaced.

"You admit to hexing Mr. Harper?" she stated. Blaise nodded.

"No, Professor, he didn't..." Harper began.

"Quiet."

"I laced the Fracture Charm with a bone targeter and cursed him. I also grabbed his arm afterward and that's what probably caused most of the damage."

Everyone was watching him, again. McGonagall straightened up to her full glory. She deserved her title of the General of Hogwarts. He didn't respect many of the professors that worked at the school... but he respected her.

"You do realize that using a pain-inducing spell purposely is grounds for expulsion."

"No... please... Professor..." Draco pleaded, desperately. Blaise knew how hard those words were for him to say aloud in front of the others.

"Silence, Mr. Malfoy," she growled and Draco flinched, closing his mouth.

"I do, Professor," Blaise answered.

"Headmistress, I'm fine. It was..." Harper rambled.

"Do not say that you are fine! You are not. None of you are. Pain is not a rite of passage. It is cruel and vile. I thought after last year, you all would have had enough of this... Carrow-like game."

All of them flinched. Draco's fidgeting hand took his. The Carrows had been vicious and demanded that they all be evil and bloodthirsty, too. They forced them to play it on Slytherins who weren't stepping up. Juliet and Alex had been on the receiving end a few times. The Carrows tortured Draco in front of them.

"Now, when I took over... I told you that you would have freedom from pain and the past. I can only do so much, but if you embracing this... game. You are choosing pain. You are choosing to inflict it onto others. I must ensure that this stops... permanently."

"Professor... please... I'm begging you," Draco pled, again. Blaise pulled him back from supplicating himself in front of McGonagall. "No... Blaise, I need you. Please don't send him away."

"It's going to be okay, Draco," Blaise said, quietly.

Professor McGonagall frowned. "I am required to expel you, Blaise."

Blaise nodded. Draco wasn't the only one objecting, now. Theo, Daphne, Reines and Borgin, even the sixth year Slytherins.

Harper stammered, "B-But Professor we were all in on it. I gave him permission!"

"Enough. Mr. Harper. You attacked Mr. Malfoy here. You're on thin ice as it is. I should expel you, too."

Harper frowned and Juliet and Alex both had tears on their eyes. Blaise just held Draco's hand, trying to get him to calm down. Blaise had put his fate into McGonagall and Snape's hands and had to wait for whatever plan they had come up with to be revealed. Or he just made another huge mistake.

"Your friends care about you, Blaise... even after what you've done," Professor McGonagall stated, impassively.

Blaise just nodded. If he was supposed to get down on his knees and beg, that wasn't going to happen.

"And what would your friends do for you to convince me to change my mind?"

Blaise looked at the others, hopeful expressions starting to appear. If there was one professor who knew how to deal with Slytherins... it was McGonagall. Cunning move, trapping him to get what she wanted. Draco's grip on his hand was starting to become painful.

"I imagine they'd do quite a bit."

The headmistress walked around her desk, but didn't sit down. It was judgment time.

"I am willing to suspend Mr. Zabini and Mr. Harper's expulsions, conditionally."

They all looked at her, waiting.

"That you will all agree not to play that vicious, horrid game, again. Ever. That you make sure the rest of Slytherin House understands it is never to be played, again. That you tell them... it was wrong to play it in the first place. Make them understand that they will be expelled, too."

Blaise nodded. He understood her point. She must really want them to stop to go this far.

"Mr. Harper?"

"I agree, Headmistress."

"Mr. Zabini?"

"I as well."

"I assure you, I am not playing around. If I even hear the words 'Pain or Humiliation', again... I will throw you both out... and whoever else is involved. It has gone on far too long and... has been ignored... mostly. But you are torturing each other. You are teaching your younger housemates how to torture each other and watch as you inflict pain and suffering on another human being. I will not allow it. Professor Snape seems to think that only you Slytherins can stop it... that you, Mr. Malfoy, almost did. And why did you, Draco?"

Draco still hadn't let go of him, but he managed to say, "I d-didn't w-want anyone to g-go th-through what I w-went through."

"Precisely. I don't care what is the reason, who did what or if they agreed to it. None of you... no one... has any right to physically hurt another and to add to it, you're creating a spectacle of it, forcing others to watch helplessly as their friends are tortured. It is absolutely disgraceful. You are practically teaching them to be cowards and not speak up. That it is acceptable to harm another.

Blaise lowered his head, shamed. He couldn't deny anything she said. It was a stupid game. The others seemed equally humbled.

"I'll have you know that it isn't some ancient game, conjured up by Salazar Slytherin. It started just over fifty years ago. Would anyone like to guess who started it?" she growled, staring over them as they all cowered. "Mr. Malfoy?"

"Voldemort," he whispered. Blaise's heart shuddered and he squeezed Draco's hand this time.

"Exactly. His lasting taint to your house. People were toys for him to play with. Things for him to control and manipulate. Testing his followers on their commitment to him was his favorite game. The rules in place, so no one speaks a word or face the consequences. How well they withstood the pain was the mark of his praise..." she said and Blaise grimaced, thinking of how he praised Harper at the end. It was how they had always done it.

"Mr. Nott... ever wonder how your father had gotten those scars on his back?"

Theo flinched and looked ready to bolt. Daphne put her other hand on his shoulder.

The headmistress frowned. "Your father, Mr. Malfoy, was very fond of the game. An excellent way to test new spells and practice torturing people. He recruited heavily amongst Slytherin house for Voldemort's cause... including your old Head of House and Headmaster."

Draco shrunk down, tears coming out. Blaise didn't let go and glanced up at Snape, who was grimacing, too.

"I'm not done. Your brother, Mr. Harper, also played the game, viciously actually, and your parents Mr. Urquhart... Ms. Greengrass. Several of your relations enjoyed it, Mr. Borgin. Yet surprisingly, Blaise, your mother did not partake in the game."

"She would have flayed anyone who tried her," he said, dauntingly.

"No doubt. Not too many students came to Hogwarts with that knowledge already in hand. But you take my point. No more. Stop this nonsense, now. Stop his influence over your house. Stop hurting each other. You are going to have disagreements. People are going to lose points. It is disgusting to think what you all have been doing to each other... willingly. But you don't have the right to control people's opinions and feelings. You don't have the right to punish them in front of everyone... humiliate or torture them. This is your last warning. You will be expelled if I hear even a whisper... is that clear?"

A chorus of "Yes, ma'am" and "Yes, Headmistress" sounded in the room.

"Mr. Urquhart and Mr. Vaisey... as representatives of your year... I expect that you will carry this burden after your housemates leave."

They both nodded, stoically.

"Very well. Mr. Harper... a week of detentions for your part. I'm sure I can find something for you to do one-handed. Any further indiscretions and you will no longer be Head Boy," the headmistress said, sitting down. Harper nodded, accepting his punishment. "Mr. Zabini... stay behind. The rest of you are dismissed."

Draco did not want to let go of Blaise's hand as he passed him to Theo, who took a hold of both his arms, trying to pull him loose.

"It's going to be okay, Dray-co. Calm down," he whispered, as Draco struggled, trying to stay with him.

Blaise looked to see Harper and the other Slytherins were horrified watching their exchange. Draco was usually better at hiding how broken he was. He was headed straight into a panic attack. He didn't care about being humiliated. Blaise's presence was more important.

"I'll be right down, okay? Just hold on for a few minutes," Blaise said, touching his shoulder and Draco reluctantly nodded and let go.

Theo half-carried him out, followed by Daphne. Blaise met Harper's eyes and the kid looked away.

"I'm sorry," Blaise said, apologetically. "I... shouldn't have used that spell."

"It's fine," Harper whispered. "I deserve it... for what I did."

"No... you don't. Go, we're testing the headmistress's patience."

"Indeed," she snapped.

Harper nodded and left, his friends following him. Blaise walked over to her desk and sat down across from her as she directed.

"What am I to do with you, Blaise? I did very nearly expel you for that. I wasn't lying about that injury... he may not regain full use of his arm. If I send him to St. Mungo's, they might investigate. My ability to protect you has limits."

"You don't have to protect me," he said.

"But I do. Mr. Malfoy needs you."

Blaise felt cold. "I wish you hadn't summoned him here. It will take a while for him to calm down... and we have Defense Against the Dark Arts today."

"I wish I hadn't, too, but it was necessary. I gave Mr. Harper a week of detentions... how much should I give you?"

"I'm already in detention Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Might need more than a week."

"Has Professor Dawlish already put you in detention?"

"Just Fridays right now."

"Tell him you have detention already then... for a week."

Blaise nodded, but sensed the worst was yet to come.

"Now... Professor Longbottom...."

"He didn't..." Blaise tried feebly.

"Don't lie to me, Blaise," she growled. "It's bad enough that your house routinely partakes in this sort of... behavior... but Professor Longbottom is a Gryffindor... a member of my staff... and has never, as far as I know, participated in anything like what you just did to Mr. Harper."

Blaise dropped his head. "He...."

"He didn't stop you or do anything. He enabled you, gave you access to your victim and watched you torment and mangle that boy without even questioning or objecting. And don't say that he didn't know that's what you were doing. Then the two of you walked out like nothing was amiss! Mr. Filch saw you together after like nothing had happened!"

Blaise shook. It had been so stupid to bring him. What the hell was he thinking? He had wanted to scare him off, but it didn't work and now they were here. "He's a good person."

"Yes, he is, yet he still stood by and did nothing. That is completely unacceptable."

"I told him not to do anything. He didn't know I'd do that much damage. He's never seen me go that dark."

"He knew you were going to hurt him. He saw you cripple him and didn't tell you to stop."

"I wouldn't have let him. He might be a Gryffindor, but he's no match against me."

"That doesn't excuse indifference and, in his case, he was your accomplice."

"He did help. I would have done more... to Reines and Borgin. I wanted to make them pay for what they did. But I couldn't with him there. He convinced me to send the first, second, and most of the third years away."

"Most? Well, that is considerate."

"He calmed me down, though. I told him it was necessary to stop the attacks on Draco," Blaise tried desperately, his heart was racing. "And Dawlish has done way worse than anything Neville has done."

"That does not make it okay! He should know better."

"Please, Professor... it was me... just punish me," he pleaded.

"That is not the way it works. I will be having a very unpleasant conservation with Mr. Longbottom and you will not be present. I will then decide if he will remain a member of my staff," she said, sternly.

"It's my fault... I corrupted him. Please, don't take it away from him... he loves being a professor. I'll stay away from him," Blaise said, tears coming down his eyes. "I'm the Slytherin... I shouldn't have...."

McGonagall looked at him surprised as he buried his face in his hands and broke down crying. Slytherins don't cry. They don't show emotion. They don't beg. Easy anyway.

"I didn't realize how close you two have gotten," she said, sharply, "Though I should have noticed. He is a professor, Blaise. You are a student."

"He's not my professor... and I'm nine months older than him," he defended, hoarsely.

"Still... it's not proper. It might be better if Neville becomes just a student, again. Pomona can handle a few more classes.

"No... Herbology is what he loves. You can't... please don't..." Blaise begged, realizing what he had done. It hadn't even crossed his mind that what he was doing could have cost Neville his career.

"It's one or the other, Blaise. I can't have a Hogwarts professor start up an affair with a student."

Blaise lowered his head, his throat clenched just waiting for the pain. "Then I won't talk to him anymore...."

"I didn't mean to take it that far. It just has to be... platonic... chaste."

"No, it can't be anything. Chaste? Ph. Perception is reality, here. Can't be anything with knowing my reputation. And you know everything else! You have to know that, too!" Blaise said, his voice caustic, now.

"Blaise... no...."

"I shouldn't have even talked to someone as pure as him... much less considered..." he continued as the agony seared through his veins. "He's never even been with anyone... I can't do that to him."

"No! That isn't it at all. I realize that it might be a challenge, but you just can't be physical," the aged professor was starting to sound very unnerved.

Blaise popped up his head. "If-If I stay away from him, y-you'll let him remain a professor?"

"That is not what I meant!" the headmistress said, now with some anger. "It's not an ultimatum. It is a completely separate issue. I'm only concerned about what he did last night, not about you and him."

"No. I'm bad for him, I just stay away and he won't... he'll stay good. He won't make the wrong choices. I won't lead him down the wrong path anymore..." Blaise rambled, his mind and thoughts muddled. "I won't corrupt him anymore."

"Calm down, Blaise, I'm not suggesting that you...."

"Please let him stay a professor... please..." he begged, tears falling, now fighting the urge to prostrate himself in front of her.

"Of course, I'll let him remain a professor... I was just stressing how serious this situation is. I didn't mean for you...."

"No... it's fine... right. We can't be together," Blaise talked over her. Weeks, years of inner turmoil breaking through whatever walls he had. He couldn't calm down. He couldn't stop the grief from spreading. He ruined everything. Destroyed Neville's innocence.

"Blaise!" she exclaimed, but he wasn't listening.

Pain... it was his turn. He curled in, shaking. That flutter and warmth he felt last night was just a dream... a forbidden dream... poisonous and taboo. He wasn't meant to be with anybody. He had bad blood. His mother had it and her mother had it. Evil... dangerous.... It wasn't that he was just a Slytherin. He was Zabini. His mother's last name. Born out of death... his father killed before he came into the world. Zabini... a coven name. His grandmother was a powerful sorceress, who taught her child the ways of illicit, profane magic, and his mother taught him from the time he could walk.

Neville should be nowhere near him. He was barely human. He had permanently crippled Harper. He should be thrown in jail for it. He wasn't a Death Eater, but he sprouted their rhetoric. No, it was best that he end the relationship, now. Before he wrecked Neville's life as bad as his own was.

"Blaise..." Professor McGonagall said softly, now in front of him. Her hand on his shoulder. He hadn't seen her move. She sat in the chair next to him. "Are you alright? Blaise, you can still be friends with Neville."

"No... I'm bad for him. Slytherins and Gryffindors don't mix."

"That is not true. You feel that way about Harry and Draco?"

Blaise jerked up. "They're different. They've been eye-fucking each other for years. Dancing around each other in limbo. Neville is innocent. I am vile... rotten... used. I don't even know how many people I've been with. Fifty... eighty... a hundred. I'm a whore... he's... chaste... a virgin. What right do I have to be near him, talk to him? I'll end it. He won't get into trouble anymore."

"I don't want you to end it," she spluttered. "You clearly care about him. I didn't want this to happen. You are a sweet, honorable boy, too. You had some rough years and...."

"Can I go?" he interrupted. It was already decided. He was barely listening to what she said.

"Mr. Zabini..." the headmistress stammered. "You head is clearly in the wrong place. You should stay... where are you going?"

Blaise got up and went to the door. He couldn't take this conversation anymore. The walls of ancient eyes were oppressive, judging him. You don't belong here, they all said. It was bad enough he was dark, but he had to be... uninhibited, too. A wanton slut that liked everything. There was no place in a school for someone as immoral and shameful as him. Snape should have kicked him out a long time ago, when he first found out how deviant he was... more abnormally abnormal.

"Sit down!" she ordered.

"I'll be back after class. I have to check on Draco. You can yell more then," he said, staring at the wooden door to the steps, before opening it and walking out.

"I don't want to yell at you! Blaise! Come back!" she said, but didn't magically pull him back in. He appreciated that.

At the bottom step, he stopped, aware that his mental state was all sorts of fucked up. Get it together, he told himself. Draco needs you. Theo needs you. He wasn't sure if Daphne really needed him. They hadn't bonded as much as she had with Draco and Theo. He took in some slow breaths, patching the cracks in his emotions. He conjured a mirror and glamoured his red eyes away. He wasn't anywhere ready, but he knew he going to get better anytime soon. Something had broke in his mind. He was self-aware enough for that.

He pushed open the door and his friends were sitting on the opposite wall Theo had his arm over Draco's shoulder, as he leaned into him. Daphne was holding Draco's hand.

"Blaise," Draco said, sitting up. He was still upset.

"It's okay, Dray. Everything's okay," Blaise chanted as Draco rose up and hugged him. "I just got detention. I'm sorry you had to go through that."

Theo and Daphne also got up and were looking at Draco, concerned still.

"I was worried... and she said...."

"It's fine. She just wanted us to stop the game... force us to stop it. She's not kicking us out. Everything's fine."

Draco nodded and let go of him. He looked a little humiliated, panicking in front of everyone like that. He looked up at Blaise and then straightened up immediately, all sadness and misery gone.

"Blaise... what's wrong?"

Blaise let himself smile. Draco knew him just as much as he knew Draco. He would always put them first. He again wondered if that was the way to fix him, but Blaise wasn't looking forward to more pain. He was in enough as it was.

"Calm down. I said I only got detention. She just yelled at me for a bit."

"You're staying?" he verified, no distress in his voice, now.

"Of course, I am. She had no intention of expelling me... it was just a trap. For a Gryffindor, she's quite good."

Draco stared unflinchingly at him. "Blaise, what...."

"Everything is fine," he interrupted and stared back, pleading for him to stop. He saw Draco discreetly nod. "We have to get to class."

"But we haven't...."

"No, let's go to class," Draco said. Ordered, more like. Under normal circumstances, he would be ecstatic that Draco was taking command, but he couldn't find any happy thoughts, now.

Draco walked directly next to him. His stance, his presence showed he was ready to hex anyone that tried them, probation be damned. No one could say Draco wasn't a good friend. His best friend, who, when required, would take care of him.

They took their seats in Transfiguration, no one was there, yet. It wasn't until the class started to fill twenty minutes later that he realized he didn't take them to breakfast. That was what Daphne was trying to say and Draco shut that down. Thank Hecate for that. He didn't know what would happen if he saw Neville right now.

Transfiguration passed in a blur. He didn't take notes. Draco whispered the spells into his ear from him to practice when it was necessary. He walked out of the room in a daze, aware that Draco was leading him. He was numb. He didn't remember going to Divination or lunch. He didn't know what Dawlish said in Defense Against the Dark Arts. What Harry said when he handed Draco over to him. What McGonagall had him do for detention. There was nothing. He blanked out. He was sure he said the required words, did something, but none of it registered.

When McGonagall said he could leave, he mechanically rose from the chair, not fully aware that he had been in her office the whole time. He exited out the door and as it shut he just heard a familiar sneer, "So you still think you can handle Slytherins?"

He wandered back to his dorm, an open target for anyone, but no one came. He found himself in front of his door, again not remembering how he had gotten there. He lifted the wards and saw Draco had three books spread out over his bed. Theo was at his desk. He answered their questions with simple, possibly correct answers and sat at his own desk. He stared at the same page for a long time.

Draco set a plate of food next to him and Blaise just nodded. He didn't know if they left and had come back or he had just missed dinner in McGonagall's office. He didn't think he ate lunch. He stared at it and suddenly realized how despondent he'd been all day. Theo and Daphne weren't blind, they would have noticed. He jolted. He got up grabbed a towel and his pajamas and barricaded himself in the bathroom, throwing twenty locking spells on the door. He turned the water on, but went to the end of the shower stall. He slid down the white tile wall and pulled his knees to his chest. Tears finally gushing out, held at bay so long. They weren't going to stop.

McGonagall had found something worse than any torture spell or violence. She hadn't even done it on purpose. Undiluted pain. They all choose pain, now willing or not, and the humiliation comes when you cry after. There is no pain or humiliation. Pain and humiliation is the real name. A Slytherin game. There was no choice, just the illusion of one. You pick the light option and the spell is not painful, but the laughter is. The isolation, public scrutiny. Choosing pain will get you respect, but they'll still mock you if you cry. Light or heavy pain. Light or heavy humiliation. But no one gave them the light stuff anymore. They deserved only pain. He only deserved pain.

But he had to pull it together. He had to protect Draco. He had to be strong for Theo. He had to stop seeing Neville. More tears came out. He had no one to talk to. Draco and Theo had their own demons to contend with, they didn't need his. But Neville... he was so virtuous... and he had corrupted him. Brought him down to the den of snakes and made him soil his soul. He tortured someone in front of him. He wouldn't even do that to Draco or Theo. He'd almost gotten Neville fired. He couldn't see him anymore. Neville didn't deserve the darkness of his soul. No one did.

His chest burned... his heart ached in agony. What was wrong with him? He'd ended so many relationships, why did this one matter? But he remembered Neville trying to fit him with a nickname... Boo. No one had ever done that, unless it was one of ownership. How Neville touched him, bought their hands together, not alarmed at all by the difference between them. Not concerned about his darkness... his past... his vices. He didn't balk at being humiliated by his reputation. But they couldn't be together. He wasn't meant to be happy. He was Blaise Zabini, a slag and a master of the dark arts. Neville tenderly nurtured plants and taught young children how. They couldn't get any different.

Light and dark. Good and evil. Heaven and hell. They were worlds apart. Neville deserves someone worthy. Someone that wasn't him. His eyes screwed up, fighting to stop the sobs from ripping out of him. He dropped his head in his knees, desperately seeking the relief he had denied since McGonagall's office. Pain and consequences. That was how he lived his life. Seeking pain, delivering consequences and his number was up.

He needed someone who understood him. His friends were close to him, but they weren't dark... not like him. No one needed to give him a mark to show how malignant he was to others. A pariah to normal students... he was a silver-tongue, deceiving, evil Slytherin. As soon as school was done, he'd find no welcome home. No friends outside his small group. Just like his mother, an outsider.

He lifted his head. His mother. He could talk to her, write to her. He'd never written her before and she never had wrote to him. She barely talked to him. She knew what he was and had done. He could see the disgust in her eyes when he was in her presence. He was surprised when she didn't object to Theo staying at her house over the summer. He was shocked that she didn't throw him out. But he needed something... someone to reach out and help him find stability, again. Some reassurance that he wasn't the only one afflicted with the inability to have a tangible relationship.

He conjured a quill and parchment and wrote his first letter to his mother.

Mom,

Something's happened. I messed up. I know we don't talk mom, but I need you. The pain won't stop. I'm cursed to be alone, an outcast... I'm like a rabid dog amongst the sheep. I'm tainted. I'll never have anyone. I'm doomed to be alone forever, forsaken by everyone. I didn't think I'd ever understand you. But I know, now. Why no one ever comes to the house, why no one would play with me when I was a kid. I'm a disease to others. Evil and unholy. Why did I have to be born like this? Why am I so different?

Tears rolled down his face and fell onto the parchment, adding a realistic touch to his turmoil.

Please mom... it hurts so much. I can't stop it. I'm sorry I'm not strong enough. I'm sorry you didn't want me. I'm sorry I'm not a better, worthy son. I know I'm an embarrassment to you. I humiliated you, but please write me, mom. I need some help. I can't talk to anyone. They wouldn't understand. No one does. I'm begging you.

Blaise

He walked to the window and opened it to look out into the cloudless, black night. He used a Calling Spell and his eagle owl flew to the window. He attached it to the bird, his hands shaking. He sent it off, shut the window and again slid down the wall, burying his face in the corner. He brought his arms to his chest. Tears continued to flow and he could only wonder how long until there were no more.

Eventually, he heard the water shut off. He didn't feel the wards give, but the footsteps on the floor clearly meant that the spells were down. Blaise felt arms wrap around him and he was pulled off the wall into a warm embrace. It had to be Draco. No one else could strip wards as easy as he could. He pressed his head into Draco's chest and gripped his shirt as though his life depended on it as the tears soaked the silk.

It had been two years since they had been in this position. Back then, Draco had locked him in the bathroom, their safe space, and laid out several carefully worded sentences that broke through his denial and posturing, ended his unending craving for rough, unfeeling sex. He was a great friend and a better brother. But he couldn't help him, now. They both weren't ready for those kinds of conservations, yet. Draco understood that. He just held him, all night long.

Longest yet, 13,000. Boo-ya. This chapter was a little painful for me. It went from sweet to pain really quick there. Who needs just Drarry? Got some Bleville angst, too. 

I liked writing Blaise's back 온라인카지노게임, puts a spin on things, doesn't it?

Snape gets some lines, too!

Quidditch should be starting... and I agree with JK... it's tedious writing every match and I haven't figured teams, yet. But it won't be very plot driven, unless I change my mind. 

Also... I've been listening to Binge Mode Harry Potter on the youtube during my drive. I recommend it. It's pretty funny, though they do have an intense dislike of Draco... sad face. But I have taken to randomly saying "no safer place than hogwarts" and "my good friend Tom" whenever possible.

Also also - I'll be posting my favorite HP memes at the top from now on... or maybe some Supernatural or whatever funny ones I find. I didn't make any of them.