Uncomfortable Truths - - (Drarry Fanfiction)

Chapter Sixty-Three - Lost in Thought

Draco paces in front of DuBois's office fuming at the audacity of that little shit. Standing up to him, against the safety of his ward. How dare he, how dare he, and to think he liked that stupid Gryffindor, that he respected him. That part of him still respects that little shit. The worst part is that he does understand. He understands perfectly what it's like having your father, your family, force you to do things you don't want. Who is he to judge anyway, Ian never tortured anyone. Not like he did, or Greg, at least he can say he didn't enjoy it. Not like Vince did, but Crabbe was lost to them. Lost in the power the dark arts afforded him. The new standing and prestige that came with being the best at something. Vince always craved recognition and the Carrow's gave it to him. Goyle was lost that year too, not in the same way as Vince but under the imperius curse; why couldn't he see what Greg's dad did to him? What he always did to him, some friend I turned out to be. He couldn't protect Greg, and he couldn't save Vince, and now Vince is dead; but he will protect Kyle and maybe, if he's clever or better yet cunning, just maybe he can save Ian, that little shit. The balls on that Gryffindor, how dare he stand against him.

"Draco?" Harry's sitting against the wall watching him pace the hallway, "Do you want to talk about it?"

Does he really think that he'll let him endanger his ward? There is no way Kyle is spending any time with that little shit over the holidays. Not winter break, not spring break, and certainly not summer. No, absolutely not, Kyle will have to send letters or something. Ian can come to him, maybe, that fucker. How dare he stand against him in front of everyone. The audacity of Gryffindors, they're reckless, that's what they are. Reckless and stupid and he's just going to let his ward spend time with someone like that... a Gryffindor no less, no absolutely not. Not on his watch, fucking Gryffindors.

"Malfoy? Are you ok?" Harry tries again.

He's no worse than Potter with his recklessness and his impulsiveness, it must be bred into Gryffindors. Stupidity and audacity. Ridiculous, the lot of them. And stubborn, why can't that little shit just accept the help he can offer? He can pay his tuition; he wouldn't even notice the money missing. He could pay for the boy's whole family. Prideful and stubborn, fucking Gryffindor bastards. But no, he doesn't want his money, so what help can he give? Wipe out an entire, I don't know, is it a family or company? Whatever organized crime is called when they're not Italian. He's watched the Godfather, that's a great movie, he knows about muggle mafia. Is Ian mixed up in that or is it different, would Potter know? Probably not, he's useless, that's not true, he's not useless but he's not part of that world either. He's never met anyone like that, unless he has and never realized it. He wouldn't have guessed Steadforth was part of it either, he looks and acts like a normal 14-year-old. Then again, did he act like a death eater's kid? Yes, he did. There was no mistaking him for anything but the son of Lucius Malfoy, fucking prick. Even now he still has to think through his responses. Not that he believes in his father's ideology, but it was what he was taught growing up. It took him putting a stinging hex on himself every time he said mudblood before he conditioned himself to stop. It's not that he even believes they're inferior, it was just ingrained, part of his vocabulary. That was a painful month, more stinging hexes than he'd ever admit to. It was easier to change his thinking than it was to change his vocabulary.

But this isn't about him, this is about that stupid Gryffindor and access to his ward. Should he talk to Kyle about this? Does he even know? Probably not, he wouldn't have told anyone about being a Death Eater, he doubts Ian's proud of what he gets up to. Maybe this is good? If Ian can stand up to him, if he can function in that type of life and still be a guy that garners respect; then maybe he can stand with Kyle against the Nordstrokes and the Yaxleys. Everyone knows this isn't over, it's never this easy. Even if the mother did truly hate her son, he was hers and a Yaxley won't give up what's hers. Maybe if no one wanted him, but he has value now. Malfoy and Potter value. No, this isn't done, and Kyle will need people strong enough to stand with him. That is something Ian can do, that stupid boy is strong enough. Brave and reckless and maybe connected. The boy did say he had connections just not in the magical world. Could they use the muggle crime syndicate? Yes, he'll go with syndicate, it's not a company and it is definitely not a family. Yes, syndicate, could they use that? And if so, how?