Short Change Hero

Chapter 1: Bleeing Out

Chapter One

Bleeding Out

"When the hour is nigh,

And hopelessness is sinking in..."

Bleeding Out by Imagine Dragons

Saturday August 24th, 1996

The hollow snap of expensive men's dress shoes echoed loudly against the black and white marbled flooring, as he, Draco Malfoy, quickly made his way down the long narrow corridor. The distinct sound of silence caused him to pause just outside a set of large double doors, one of which sat ajar. Hesitant at first, not wanting to actually continue with what was about to happen, he exhaled rather loudly.

An unexpected hiss fallowed by the cold scaly brush against his ankle made him freeze; he then proceeded to eye the offending serpent. Watching as it slid across the smooth floor into the room before him, relaxing lightly as it disappeared. He let a shaky breath escape his almost thin lips, when loud flickering hisses rung out causing him to push the door open slowly.

Draco watched the snake, leaving through the cracked door once more, and then he turned his attention back towards Voldemort whom looked up at him for the first time this evening. The Dark Lord motioned for Draco to have a seat beside the fireplace across from him.

"My apologies my Lord, it seems I am a bit early." Draco mumbled as he made his way to the seat. Another abrupt hiss rang out again as the Dark Lord nodded.

"Nagini wishes for me to inform you Draco that your mother is lingering just outside the door." Timidly the door opened the rest of the way, yet again, as his eyes landed upon his mother. Draco watched her eyes landing upon Him, Voldemort, his naturally cold antagonistic features twitched upon eye contact, forcing Narcissa to look down bowing her head towards him.

"I meant no intrusion my Lord; I was curious about tonight and honestly just wanted to be present during my son, Draco's initiation." She spoke with evident fear woven into her docile words. Draco watched his mother turn towards him; making sure, she met a baleful look flashing across his face. However, his facial appearance almost immediately faltered losing its spiteful edge; he then attempted to remain stoic.

Though Draco was mildly irritated at his mother's presence, he mentally rolled his eyes, knowing why she was here. Attempting to relieve her worries, to make sure that he was not in immediate danger. He was angry, yes, but merely because she was here, putting herself in a position to be in the crosshairs of Voldemort's erratic and usually wrathful ways. Hypocritical, maybe, but he was not about to change his mind, her being here may have helped her, but it was not in any way helping to settle his own worries.

"Draco, do you wish for her to remain here throughout your initiation?" the Dark Lord's spoke delicately, his voice slithering in a familiar manor almost like his snake. While the serpent was currently curling up beside the Dark Lord, hissing quietly, with a flickering of its forked tongue. The platinum blonde hair upon the nape of Draco's neck rose, feeling the Lord's eyes burning into him. His jaw clenched while he glanced softly at his mother, her pale sharp features knotted with worry, he then gave a terse nod, turning back towards Voldemort.

For a slight second he considered her safety above her uncertainties of Draco's current position, but decided he was not about to fight her on the matter. It was also a selfish comfort to have her here really. To have someone who genuinely cares about his wellbeing during his introduction of dark magic, the dark ways. Though he would never admit it to anyone or even himself for another second, he was nervous, and rightfully so.

"Yes my Lord, allowing her to stay would put her mind at some sort of ease." Draco's lip convulsed lightly, as he lowered his gaze the floor, sensing the Dark Lord was weary of his decision, but he agreed nonetheless.