The Forbidden Fruit

𝕿𝖍𝖎𝖗𝖙𝖞-𝕺𝖓𝖊

Early the next morning, after skipping Breakfast in the Great Hall, Draco makes his way to Severus's office. "Maybe this time I won't get caught since I'm prepared.." he mutters to himself as he approaches the door. Kneeling, he rummages through his book bag before pulling out a hat pin "Thanks Mum.." he says with a cheeky smirk, knowing he snatched it from her chamber without her noticing. Looking up and down each end of the hallway, he makes sure no one is around before fiddling with the locked door. "Common.. I've done this before and it works every- there we go" Draco says with a soft snicker before he pushes the door open, slipping inside. Shutting the door behind him, he looks around the empty classroom as he heads down the center between the desks, making a B-line for Severus's office. Stepping inside, he sets his bag down by the door he takes in the space before his gaze lands on the desk. "Surely he's not stupid enough to hide something in such an obvious place, right?" he asks out loud in a rhetorical way before approaching the desk.

Rummaging through papers piled on the desktop and some unlocked drawers, Draco stops with hesitation as he eyes a lock on one of the drawers. "What's this.." he murmurs as he crouches down, looking at the lock, he fidgets with it for a few minutes before he hears another set of foot steps. Thinking quickly, he crawls under the desk, hoping to hide from whoever is coming, feeling his heart pounding as he covers his mouth to be as quiet as possible. Creaking open the unlocked door, Severus looks around with a suspicious glare, sensing something is off he notices the book bag tossed on the floor. "Hm.." he lets out, his lips pressing into a thin line as he notices the faint shadow cast under the thin crack of the desk, knowing exactly who is beneath it. Deciding to retreat and reprimand him later, Severus shuts the door behind him. 

Letting out a loud breath, Draco hesitantly crawls out from under the desk, peaking over it to see he is completely alone. Calming down a bit, he resumes his snooping, looking around at some of the book shelves, he heads over to his bag. Grabbing the hat pin, he makes his way back to the desk, starting to fidget with the locked drawer he found just before he had to hide. "Common, this worked on the door, it's just a stupid lock" he grunts as he struggles to pry the lock apart. After struggling for a few minutes, he sits on the floor, thinking of a way to get it open "This is stupid, I shouldn't even be here.. I'm just being paranoid.." he mutters with a sigh, resting his chin on his arms as he pulls his knees closer to him. Staring at it, he gasps "I'm a bloody idiot" he says as he gets up, retrieving his wand before returning to the desk, looking down at the lock.

Taking a hard swallow, he points his wand to the lock "Alohomora" Draco says with weak confidence, watching as the lock falls to the floor. Grinding, he kneels once again before opening the drawer but to his disappointment, he pulls out a single item. "A cravat? What.." he says out loud in a whisper, looking around briefly before he looks down at the garment in his hands, his thumb grazes over the silky material. As he continues to hold the piece of cloth in his hands, a familiar feeling starts to creep in, feeling unsettled he looks around again to make sure no one is nearby before bringing the cloth up to take in the scent. Feeling a familiar warmth spread throughout him, he sighs "Oh Father.." Draco mutters in disappointment as he gazes down at the fabric in his hands. Holding it for a few moments, feeling a knot forming in his gut, Draco puts the fabric in his pocket, before putting the lock back on the drawer, ensuring it looks the same as when he found it. 

After checking a few more places, Draco decides he's had enough playing detective as he grabs his things, heading out the door. Looking around the empty classroom, he endures no one is around to see him as he heads for the door. Thinking he got away with his snooping, he shuts the door behind him, turning around his eyes widen as he bumps right into Severus's chest. "I presume I need not ask what you were doing in my classroom, in my office, without my presence.. do I, Mr. Malfoy.." Severus says in a low tone, his gaze is dull yet intimidating. Taking a hard swallow, Draco decides to act confident "I was looking for something I left in your classroom yesterday, Sir. And I assumed it would be in your office in a lost and found bin" he says, adjusting his robes as they practically stand toe-to-toe.

Taking a step back, Severus eyes him closely before speaking "Perhaps a weeks detention with Professor Umbridge will teach you a lesson about sticking your snobby, entitled nose within my private dwellings, hm?" he says, his usually well manured tone cracking a bit showing his irritation and withering patience. Feeling intimidated, Draco's gaze darts down elsewhere, finding Severus's dark eyes boring into his own "I won't do it again Sir.." he mutters in a conceding tone. Not satisfied with such a sorry apology, Severus grabs him by the arm, hauling him back inside the classroom before tossing him from the door, before shutting and locking it. "I have had quite enough of your actions lately and I will not let you off so easily this time. Whatever it is you're so desperate to find within my quarters, I advise you to stop, it'll be for your own good" Severus says ominously as he approaches Draco standing by one of the desks. 

"Now tell me why you have been acting out of place, this is not like you and while I express some concern, I am in no doubt angered by your recent actions" looking off to the side as he avoids eye contact, Draco keeps quiet. Sneering, Severus steps closer "Look at me when I am speaking to you, Draco.." he murmurs in a serious tone. Speaking in a low tone as he fidgets with the edge of one of the desks, Draco keeps his gaze down at his hand. Becoming frustrated, Severus reaches for his wrist, gripping it as he gains his attention "Speak boy or you will be serving six months detention sorting out every item in the Room of Requirement, do I make myself clear" snapping at him, Draco looks up "I know what's going on, you can't hide it from me" startled by his sudden tone, Severus takes a step back. Adjusting hs robes, he lets out a sigh "Now Draco, you're a very bright young man.. there is no need for you to act so childish-" suddenly, he gets cut off.

"No! I am sick and tired of people treating me like some naive child. I can see what's going on, you can't keep denying that I do. I see everything.." Draco says through labored breathing. Letting out yet another sigh, Severus's hands fall to rest in front of him, observing his reactions before speaking. "I urge you to calm yourself before you act any more erratically than you are, Mr. Malfoy.." he mutters in a gruffled tone, finding his tone rather improper. Finding some sebalance, Severus takes a step closer, his gaze boring into his own "While I am aware of your keen eye, I suggest that you keep such observations to yourself.. otherwise, you will suffer the consequences of your curiosity" he speaks ominously, his intimidating gaze unwavering. "Do I make myself clear, Draco.." he says in a tone that cannot be misinterpreted. 

Feeling intimidated, Draco nods, knowing he has no other choice but to oblige "Yes Sir.." he murmurs, knowing he already has a plan in mind. Allowing him to leave, Severus sneers "If I find your meddling within my things again, I'll be sure to conjure up a proper punishment of my own making.. you're excused" letting out a huff, Draco leaves the classroom, the door shutting shortly after he steps out into the hallway. Muttering out of annoyance, he looks around before rummaging in his book bag and taking out the cravat. Looking down at it in his hand, he lets out a sigh before wringing a fist around it as the bell rings for class. 

To Be Continued...