Draco sat in the Room of Requirement in a dejected corner, where several books of Dark magic sat in an unwanted heap. He had been trying for so long to get this Vanishing Cabinet to work, and for what? To endanger the students that he had been living among for so long?

Of course.

What had they ever done for him? No one made any sort of effort to help him, so why should he do anything for them? His loyalty rested with the Dark Lord.

Or, at least, that's what Draco was telling himself.

He glanced down at his forearm where his sleeve rode up a bit, revealing the tip of the ever present mark of the Death Eaters on his pale skin. Now, Draco isn't one to cry, and that was not going to change today, but he did allow himself a rather loud scream of frustration. He knew nobody could hear him; he had asked for a soundproof room, after all. He couldn't have anyone finding him in there, which was now an ever present threat with Potter's obvious suspicions.

That brought Draco's mind to the subject of Harry Potter, the famous boy who lived, the upstart who refused Draco's offer of friendship in their first year. Somehow, he could no longer figure out a reason as to why he had been wrong.

Every day, Draco watched Harry and his friends have a good time, saving the wizarding world and all that, and every day, Draco longed to join them more and more. Of course, he would never say that out loud, but the trio seemed almost happy, defending the good side, whatever side that may be. That side never seemed to be the one Draco was on.

A loud crash emitted from the distance, jerking Draco from his brooding thoughts. He jumped up with no more defense than his fists and a mouthful of abusive language, having left his wand on the ground in front of the insufferable cabinet that he spent the majority of his hours sitting in front of.

After taking a minute to locate his bearings and make his way towards the entrance, grabbing his wand on the way, Draco decided to actually do this intelligently, instead of mindlessly attacking the possible intruder. But what he wasn't expecting was an unconscious little girl and a very awake teenaged boy with green eyes behind wire-rimmed glasses.

Draco was filled with immediate rage, and all caution was completely dismissed when he launched himself at his nemesis, hands out and ready to deprive Potter of oxygen. However, the boy was too fast, and managed to dodge the oncoming attacker, and Draco's momentum sent him crashing into a pile of rubbish with the clang of metal on metal. He sat up as quickly as he could, ignoring the ringing in his ears, only to be confronted with a very angry Harry Potter, his wand out and pointed towards where the blond sat.

"Don't move," Potter warned, wand hand not wavering. "If you wanted security, you should have told your friends to ask for it to be impossible to follow them. Otherwise, you may be having unexpected visitors."

Draco simply sneered, clutching the end of his robe sleeve to make sure it didn't slip up and reveal his secret.

"Well, Potter, maybe you should stick your annoying nose in somebody else's business for a change."

The boy with now askew glasses ignored this, advancing on Draco's sitting form with slight caution. "Why have you been coming here? What's so important?" he asked, eyes narrowing with suspicion.

"Like I would tell you," Draco spat, now looking at the collapsed little girl who was still on the floor. "What did you do to Crabbe?"

Harry shrugged tightly, refusing to let his guard down. "I just stunned him, he'll be alright."

As if he had heard his name, the child's form began to deform hideously, every limb enlarging, hair darkening and shortening, body getting taller. Within seconds, the sleeping form of Draco's largest friend was laying before the two boys.

Harry mumbled something involving the word "repulsive" before training his eyes on Draco once again, who was now standing up with his wand out.

"So, Malfoy, if you're so innocent, what's that on your arm?" Harry accused, hand motioning to Draco's sleeve. The pale boy looked down and winced at the sight of the all too familiar tattoo that peeked out of his robes.

"If it was any of your business, I would have told you," he said, trying and failing to appear calm. Harry took notice of the effort.

"I know that you're in league with him," he spat out venomously, taking a few steps closer to Draco.

Draco decided to feign innocent, making a confused face. "I can't say that I know what you're talking about, Potter."

Harry sneered at him, disgusted. He had no idea how the Slytherin could be so... nonchalant about working with a killer. "You know exactly what I'm talking about. Do you enjoy terrorizing people, Malfoy? I know that you're an arrogant git, but I never thought you were a murderer."

Draco flinched, the words driving into his heart like a knife. Deep down, he knew that Potter was right. He wasn't a killer, nor did he want to be.

But there was no right way out. He either found a way to transport the Death Eaters into Hogwarts and kill Dumbledore, or let the Dark Lord kill his family. Everything inevitably ended with death.

A flash of emotion appeared in Harry's tired eyes. Was it... sympathy? "Listen, I know that he's probably threatened to kill you and everyone you care about. But we can help you, Malfoy. Just, please, reconsider whatever you're attempting to do," he said, almost pleadingly. "Don't become a pawn in Voldemort's sick game."

Draco winced at the vocalization of the wizard's name. He couldn't pretend that Potter's words weren't appealing. Let the boy who lived and his trusty sidekicks keep him safe? Brilliant. Admit weakness and put his own family at risk?

Never.

"Stay away from me Potter, if you know what's good for you," he said darkly, advancing on the scarred boy. He paused when he was close enough to hit Harry, but instead, simply pushed past him without a word.

Draco heard Harry call out behind him, "No! I can't let you--"

He whipped his head around at Harry, expression disbelieving. "Do you really not get it? There's nothing you can do to stop me!" he shouted incredulously. "If you think you have any authority over me just because you're famous Harry Potter, then think again."

Typical. Potter thought he could do whatever he wants, just because he has an ugly little scar on his forehead. Well, not in this situation. He doesn't hold any hero status in Malfoy's eyes.

Harry's hateful expression softened suddenly, his expression something akin to pity. "I know, Draco. Only you can stop this." The Slytherin's eyes widened at his nemesis's use of his first name. That never happened.

Why was Potter giving him the benefit of the doubt? As if he wasn't doing this by his own free will. It was as if Scarface actually believed he could be "good."

Draco shook his head, clearing his thoughts, his expression hardening. He extended his wand arm once again and yelled, "Expelliarmus," but Harry was ready and blocked the spell with ease.

"Get out if you know what's good for you," Malfoy warned, arm still outstretched. He was trying to be threatening, but his wand was visibly wavering in the air. He was so close to being caught in his acts of evil by Potter, and he couldn't let him know what he was actually doing.

Bringing Death Eaters into the heart of Hogwarts with the broken vanishing cabinet.

"If I know what's 'good for me,' and other people, I can't let you go through with this! People will die, Draco. Families will be torn apart if you do whatever you're doing, and I know that solely because it's Voldemort's plan. I don't want you to be the cause of all of that," Harry said, his voice quieting at the last part.

Potter said it as if he didn't know that. That what he was doing would only lead to death and carnage. But, of course, what he didn't know, was opting out would only do the same thing.

For him and his family.

Draco's eyes narrowed maliciously and he scoffed. "Well, It's a shame that you can't do anything about it. Now get out."

"What's to stop me from going to Dumbledore as soon as I leave?"

"With what evidence? Why the hell would he believe that a student under his roof would work with the Dark Lord?" Draco rolled his eyes. "The old man has too much faith."

Harry's eyes narrowed at his nemesis. "Obviously."

Draco let out a mock sigh of annoyance. "Now that we've agreed on something, could you please be on your merry way? I've got work to do."

With that, the Slytherin turned on his heel and walked back to the broken cabinet with authority. He listened closely for the sound of footsteps following, but there was nothing.

Once Draco was concealed behind a precarious stack of books that were very obviously stolen from the Restricted Section of the library, he turned around to peek at where he had left Potter standing.

He was gone, the unconscious form of his idiot sidekick remaining as the only proof that the encounter had happened at all.

Draco ran a hand through his hair and slid to the ground, a few books toppling down around him from the movement.

That was close.

Too close.