Chapter 7
Draco took his time walking through the secret passage between paintings, thinking about the plan Severus had thought to put in effect. His godfather did not help with his doubts about Potter and the upcoming war and where he should stand. He stopped along the passageway and sank to the ground, he needed to think about all of this before he got back to Potter. Two days ago, he was trying to redeem his family, and how to keep himself alive. Now he was soul bonded to Potter, found out his godfather was obviously fighting for the light, his father still expected him to complete his task, and some of the other Slytherins were breathing down his neck to lead them through the Dark Lord's wishes.
Draco's thoughts hit the breaks. Should he dare to be hopeful? Since he took the mark, his arm constantly had a dull throb that most of the time, he had been able to ignore. With the craziness of what happened in that bathroom, Potter, and the subsequent bond, he had completely forgotten about his mark. As Draco sat on the floor, he concentrated on his arm. There was no longer a dull throb, no ghost pain from his marking, and there was seeping coldness coming from the area. It was why he always wore long sleeves, not just to cover up the mark or to be dressed properly, but of the cold his arm was encased in. He wondered why he couldn't feel it anymore. It was a mark, a contract, a magical binding between himself and the Dark Lord. Those two words, magical binding, was the reason he began to think of hope. Soul bonds in their very nature dominated over any other bonds and contracts. Even previous marriage contracts were null and void.
With shaking hands, Draco unbuttoned the cuffs on his left arm. Taking a deep, shuddering breath, he rolled up the sleeve, and turned away to hide the truth from himself for as long as possible. When he finally looked, it didn't quite register to Draco what he was looking at. He was staring at perfectly pale, unblemished skin. There was nothing, no mark. He was no longer bound to the Dark Lord! It was the largest weight lifted off his shoulders. Of course he still believed in creating the ideal magical world, but not by the bowing down to the Dark Lord that was decimating the wizarding world. Now he felt like he had some chance at not only surviving, but for a chance to see the changes he wanted.
With hope rising in his chest, Draco got up from the floor and ran the rest of the way to his new quarters. He didn't know what he was going to do when he got back, but it didn't matter. He was free from the maniac that had taken over his life. When he burst through the painting to their quarters, Draco looked around. His brows furrowed, when he saw Potter was not in their common room.
Draco assumed Potter would have come out of his room to invade the common room. He wasn't sure to be relieved or anxious that Potter was not present. Even if he was, would he tell Potter about the sudden clearance of the Dark Mark from his arm? There was also the matter of the plan to pull him and Potter from the school to a safe house. Severus had said to tell Potter, but ultimately it was his decision. Making a brief decision, Draco went to his room and requested a Malfoy house-elf to bring him the painting of his grandfather again. He just hoped the man would be more willing to speak with him.
"Draco," the stoic sound of his grandfather's voice came from behind him. Draco turned to look at the man and like always could not discern what the man was thinking thanks to the blank face that was always void of an expression, shouting at him previously not withstanding.
"Hello, Grandfather," Draco said, giving a respectful nod to the man.
"What have you called me here for this time?"
"I have some good news that has come from my recent predicament." Draco paused to judge his grandfather's reaction so far. When all he received was a raised eyebrow, Draco continued. "You are aware of Father following the Dark Lord.."
"Yes, and I know that you were forced to follow in his footsteps," the man ground out. Draco mentally cringed, his grandfather could do no harm to him as a painting and knew his obvious disdain was towards his father, but the man was still frightening.
"Well, this is where the good news comes into play," Draco rolled up his sleeves once more to show to the painting. He smiled when he once again saw nothing, but pale skin. "I had forgotten, until now, that soul bonds will cancel any other bonds or contracts the person may have."
"Soul bonds are more precious than most realize, and I hope you are coming to understand this. More so then ever," Abraxas said, pride showing in his eyes, but the rest of him remained impassive. "But what is your plan for when the Dark Lord finds out about your leave of absence?"
"Severus has devised a plan to fool the Dark Lord and everyone within the school to pull Potter and I out and into a safe house."
"And what does your bond-mate think of this plan? I had the impression that he would not back away from a fight and hide."
"He doesn't know. Severus said I should tell him of the plan, but I don't think it's the right thing to do. Potter is impulsive and you are correct that he would not willingly go away to a safe house. However, even if he were to be convinced to do so, Potter cannot hide his emotions and would act like he was ready to go at any moment and raise the suspicions of those around him."
"If you believe it is best, then do not share the plan with Potter," his grandfather said. "When will this plan be executed?"
"Severus said to be ready in a week or two," replied Draco.
"Then in that time you will spend it with your bond-mate and gain what little trust you can with Potter. Am I understood?" Draco swallowed thickly at the heavy glare from his grandfather.
"Yes sir." Draco looked down and actually shuffled his feet. As much as he knew he shouldn't be doing such a plebeian action, he had not recently felt like a child being scolded like he was now. Leave it to a painting that would actually want him to find a way to at least be civil with Potter when no one else had been able to.
"Good. Now send me back to the manor and leave your room." Draco followed his orders and sent his grandfather's painting back to the manor. He sighed before gathering his textbooks and scrolls of parchment before walking out to the common space. Even though Potter still hadn't come out, Draco placed himself at his desk. At some point he knew Potter would come out of his room, either for food or to use the loo. And when he did, they would find something to talk about.