Passed Around Dark Lords

46

Potions, to put it plainly, was an absolute nightmare. Draco had no idea what in the world the school was thinking keeping Slughorn employed. On the upside, at least that was less ambiguous in terms of teaching positions as opposed to Dumbledore. The man hired a half giant that had no idea what appropriate classes were. Draco still could not get over the fact that the idiot had decided to introduce Hypogryffs, classified as highly dangerous and only to be handled by professionals, on the first day of class in third year. Then the rest of the class was an aboslute fuck show. Flobberworms? Draco could barely grasp how horrible the class was now, though it had been two years since then, and he had definitely regretted taking Care of Magical Creatures. He continued to regret it further, but his father wanted a show of power. Draco supposed forcing the half giant to face the teacher that because of their ill fated lesson with thirteen year olds almost got mauled and carted to St. Mungos every day was just the sort of petty his father would aspire to. He had agreed to continue forth year, and practically begged off fifth year, not that it had mattered much anyways after the whole fiasco. Draco had been surprised that the Dark Lord had allowed him to return to school again, though he supposed it was entirely because he needed someone in the school to spy...more or less. SImilar to what Grindelwald was doing to him now...

As for his potions class...he definitely missed Severus. His godfather was simply better. Still, Draco could at least take what he learned and apply it here. With Tom by his side, Draco took the lead on the potion, ignoring the questioning look Tom gave him when he changed ingredients and instructions. Luckily, he did not ask any questions, and allowed Draco to do what he would without much interference. As long as the potion turned out fine, Tom did not really care how it got there.

"You have a strange way of making this potion, Draco," The words themselves were innocent, but Draco knew that the unddercurrent of danger was present. He was not entirely sure how he should respond. Instead he took a slightly deep breath and nodded slowly.

"It was a bit different how I was taught, but it works perfectly nonetheless."

"You had a teacher? Teaching you this potion?" Draco felt his nerves slowly creep back up. Tom was dangerous, his magic was cloying, and in general took little regard to others and their pain. Tom could easily turn on him within a moment, and Draco was not entirely certain, but he was ure that included magic. Either way, it did not matter. He had to figure out how to appease the boy without him getting too angry.

"I understand it isn't how the book is teaching us to do things, please believe that, but I know this potion, and I know how to do it well...just..." Draco sighed, closing his eyes and trying to recenter himself. He was not entirely sure why it was that he felt so off with Tom lately, but for whatever reason he felt so jittery with him around.

"As long as it is good, but beware, Draco, dear, if it is not...I do not wish to have to punish you for failing a potion, of all things really."

"I understand, Tom, truly, do not worry. This will be good, for the both of us, I..." Draco stopped himself before he did something stupid. Like swear, or promise. He had realized the folly of promising something that he could not truly give. It was dangerous, particularly since Tom was one that was quick to temper when he was not delivered the results he was told would come about. "I am certain of it."

"Very well, continue your way, then. And let us hope that you are as correct as your confidence would suggest." Tom waved his hand idly, letting Draco do what he would, but not before making sure to grip his wrist tightly, nails cutting deep. Draco bit the inside of his cheek, and slowly controled his trembling. His hands would need to be steady in order to dice the next ingredient. Slowly, methodically, as Severus taught him, Draco calmly finished the potion, bottled it, and presented it with his and Tom's names neatly written on the jar.

"We are finished, Professor," Draco stated primly, leaving Slughorn to smile and clap at him.

"Well done, well done, just as I would have suspected from my best student and a young malfoy, brilliant." Slughorn took the jar and eyed it. "The color is perfect! I don't think I have seen a more exact shade of blue! Slughorn just continued to lament praises, and Draco merely stood, allowing it to wash over him needlessly. It did not matter, really, and Draco was used to people fauning over him in an attempt to curry favor. While he thought that Slughorn could at the very least be a bit less obvious about what he was doing, it was no question that Draco understood his plan.

"If you do not mind, Professor, I would like to get back to my seat." Draco gently cut the man off, giving a slight bow in response, and Slughorn chuckled, clearly embaressed.

"Of course, of course, no problems. Go on, and enjoy the rest of the period. Perhaps you and tom could make great friends." Draco's smiled fixed itself a bit tighter at that. Friends? I doubt it. He thought to himself, turning to return to his seat. Friends do not insist on sleeping in the same bed, friends do not bite you for no good reason and lick your blood while they laugh. Friends? No, I do not know what he is, or what I am to him, but I highly doubt it is something as equal as a friendship.

Tom was simply too possessive for something as meager as friends. Draco knew this. Abraxas and Orion were less Tom's friends, and more his lackeys. At least, in the way that Tom treated them. He was surprised that anyone could see them as anything close to friends. Though perhaps Draco did have a bit of a more...inside look to the relationship. After all, Tom had introduced-more or less-him to the Malfoy and the Black heir. Furhtermore, he was living with Abraxas now. He saw things that normal individuals did not. He also had the privilege, if one could call it that, of understanding both Tom and Abraxas furhter than the norm was.

"What did Slughorn want with you?" Tom hissed, his eyes narrowing down on the teacher. Draco furrowed his own brows, unable to subtly yank his hand free and simply resigned it to Tom's grip.

"Dousing us with praises, is all. The standard suck up." Tom hummed, not willing to let Draco go quite yet.

Which left the rest of the potions class awkward. Draco was simply sitting there in silence, Tom gripping his wrist tightly, and neither one of them saying a single word. Definitely not friends. Draco thought to himself as he looked down a the harsh grip Tom had.