Chapter 26: The Piece He Stole

TW: Language, Mild Sexual Content, DrinkingDemians eyes still stung on the way back to his dorm. Flashes of Dracos arm, covered in raw bleeding scratches over his dark mark haunted Demian endlessly. He didn't understand what was happening, the entire encounter with Draco seemed out of character for him. He recognized the signs of being scared, matched with the hasty and desperate attempt to remove the accursed tattoo Demian started to piece everything together. He knew very little of the Dark Lord, only what had been passed around school, half of which he wasn't sure was even real. But whatever he was doing to Draco was very real. And it obviously had him in a chokehold. Demian walked up to the Ravenclaw tower, he pushed the door open and saw Penny in bed with Peter, his arm around her. She was obviously shirtless, she panicked and pulled the covers up over herself, entirely. Demian just sighed, "Alright fuckers, I'll sleep somewhere else." He turned to leave, and Peter yelled at him on the way out, "You're the best man."Demian scoffed. He wrapped him arms around himself for a moment, his eyes were so heavy from all the crying. He didn't really have anywhere else to go. He thought about going back to Professor Valor which excited him more than he liked to admit. He loved Draco, there was no doubt in that. But the way his professor consoled him, protected him, taught him, it provided a new sense of security he didn't know he could have. The only love he ever knew was messy, rough. He shook those thoughts from his head, Stop it. He thought to himself. He knew these fantasies were childish, but some part of himself truly believed that his professor cared for him as more than just a student. He felt a pang of uncertainty in his gut. He refused to let Draco go without a fight. He marched back to the Slytherin common room with nowhere else to go, determined to talk to Malfoy again. *.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*As he walked up to his door he felt a wave of sickness overcome him, his hand shook as he knocked."Draco...Please open the door." He heard him walk up to the door. "Demian please, just go.." He pleaded, a desperate sound in his voice. "No, I can't go. I won't let you go this easily." He spoke through the door, "I love you..." He said, quietly. Draco just sighed, the door remained shut. "I told you, it's just....too dangerous right now." "Why won't you stop talking in riddles with me." Demian said, a tinge of anger in his voice. "I know this has to do with Voldemort." "Keep your fucking voice down." Draco spat, "I won't" Demian replied, "I'm not leaving until you tell me what's going on. I'll sit here all night if I have to." Draco scoffed, "So be it." Demian sat directly in front of Dracos door, he leaned his head against its solid frame. For a few moments it went silent, and Demian couldn't believe he still wouldn't let him in. He felt the tears welling up again and he inhaled sharply, shaking them away, "Draco please, I don't have anywhere else to sleep tonight..." He pleaded, "So find somewhere else." He said harshly, and then the hallway turned silent again. Demian couldn't fight the tears any longer, he cried softly, leaning his head back against Dracos door. But he still didn't open it. Eventually, Demian couldn't fight the tiredness any longer, he wrapped his arms around his knees and leaned his head in his lap, falling asleep directly in front of Dracos door. *.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*In the morning, he was woken up to the sound of life returning to the Slytherin common room. His neck hurt and he felt as if he had hardly slept a few minutes. "Pathetic." Pansy said under her breath as she passed him, still sitting in front of Dracos door. "Fuck you." Demian said, "Rapist bitch." She turned around, daggers in her eyes, "You fucking loved it, faggot." Demian glared at her as she walked away. He found his footing and wiped his eyes with the back of his hand, he gave Dracos doorway one last glance before turning to walk away, back to his own dorm. When he entered his room, it was surprisingly empty, it was the day before the O.W.L.s though and he knew everyone was likely enjoying their freedom before the 2 weeks of torture ensued. Demian felt sick, he'd hardly slept and felt like an emotional wreck. His eyes would barely stay open, tired from not only lack of sleep, but all the crying he did the day before. He looked for solace, scanning his room until his eyes met with a familiar comfort. His key of memories. He picked it up, peeking through the opening. He saw Draco, pulling him aside after class after his most recent excursion, kissing him. He sighed deeply, the sting of tears tugging at him once more. He turned away, shaking the trinket a few times before bringing it back into his field of view. This time, he saw Professor Valor, his hand lifting his chin to console him only the night before. He dropped it, confusion staining his heart. Draco will come around...I know it. He picked up his trinket, setting it back onto the dresser before collapsing in his bed to catch up on some much-needed sleep. He tossed for only a few minutes before his exhausted mind and body gave in. Several hours later the door swung open, and Mordred stepped inside, he had arms full of books. "Oh, hey dude." He said, and Demian groaned incoherently. "Why the fuck are you sleeping at 4 PM?" Demian shot up, "4 PM?!" He exclaimed, sitting up quickly. "Yeah dude, you must have been exhausted, because you just slept most of the day away. Are you that prepared for your exams?" He said, tossing him his notebook back, "Here by the way, we all had a chance to go over it." Demian nodded, "Yeah, it's no problem. I don't really give a fuck about the exams; Draco broke up with me." Mordred looked over, somewhat shocked. "Why the fuck would he do that?" Demian just shrugged, "I don't know, whatever the reason is it's because he's terrified of some sort of repercussion.""What could be worse than what Lucius already did to him?" Demian shrugged again, the thought of the dark mark decorating his skin haunting him. He wanted to confide in his friends, to tell them the truth, but he was so scared of what they would think. Of whom they would tell. "I don't know, but I'm going to find out." He said, confidently. Mordred sighed for a moment, contemplating what to say, "Don't take this the wrong way..." He paused briefly, "But don't you think this is a chance to find someone who treats you a little bit better." Demian shot him an annoyed look, "Why does everyone act like they know Draco like I do." Mordred rolled his eyes, "Alright, I'll admit I don't know Draco like you do. But I do know you. And you changed since being with him, you became....soft." "What the fuck does that mean?" Demain said sharply. "I mean, just look at how you were at the beginning of this year. You punched Higgs, almost knocked him out just for disrespecting you. You stood up to Crabbe and Goyle alone. You always held your ground with Pansy and Astoria, and then..." "And then what?" Demian responded "And then Draco stole a part of you. The part of you that made you strong and independent." Demians face softened, he turned away from his friend, unable to look at him. "I'm still strong..." He insisted, "But the piece of me he stole, I don't know how to get it back...." Mordred sat on the edge of his own bed, looking over to Demian, "So don't let him know he stole anything from you." Mordred said, confidently. Demian looked over curiously, "What do you mean?" "The heart wants what it can't have, right? So, don't let him have you." "He doesn't WANT me." Demian said, raising his voice a bit. "No, he wants you to think he doesn't want you, use your fucking head." Demian scoffed, he didn't want to believe he was right, "How do you know it will work?" "I don't, but do you really have a better idea?" Demian just sighed, "The guy who's had a singular relationship is giving me advice?" Mordred just laughed, "Fuck you, I protect my peace. You should try it sometime." Demian finally smiled a bit for the first time in a while. Mordred flopped down on his own bed, cracking open one of the many books he had. "Now are you gonna help me study so I can be in at least a few of your classes next year, of are you gonna mope all day wondering when you'll get your pure blood prince back?" "Fuck you" Demian said, stifling his laugh. He helped his friend study until the sun started to go down. *.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*The night at dinner, he sat with his friends even though Malfoy attended. He felt life returning to him somewhat, after days of emotional torture. He thought a lot about what Mordred said, and what his professor advised him. His thoughts went back to everything he's done this year. To Higgs. To his trip back home over break. The laughs, the tears, the heartbreak, and the realization that he is worth so much more than he ever gave himself credit for when he was devoted to Malfoy. But he still found himself looking up from his plate, searching for his gaze upon him. He wanted to believe that one day, Malfoy would return to him. But he never looked up, he ate his food quietly, occasionally speaking to some of the other Slytherins, but never meeting eyes with him. This infuriated Demian. He wanted to believe that Mordred was right and seeing Demian happy, moving on would spark some sort of fuel in him. But it hadn't. Demian heard fingers snapping, he turned to his friends. "Fuck mate, you're always miles away." Peter said, "Did you hear what we said?" "Not a fucking word." Demian admitted. Silence befell the table for a moment, "He'll come around man." Mordred said confidently. "Yeah...." Demian said, "Oh cheer the fuck up mate." Peter responded, Penny shoved an arm into his side, and he groaned in pain. "Be nice to him Peter, he's obviously going through a lot." "Thank you, Penny." Demian said, a hand over his chest, "At least you give a fuck." "Oh come on, I give a fuck." Peter protested, "I just think it's more important to worry about the exams tomorrow, and what we're gonna do to celebrate when they're over." "I can't even think about celebrating." Demian admitted. "Not yet you can't." Peter retorted, "But you will when you ace this shit, and you have some time to get over that dickhead you will." Penny shoved her elbow into him again, this time harder, and he bent over his table in pain. Demian smiled, "Deserved." He said, and they all laughed. After dinner Penny insisted they all go to the library for a last-minute study session, Mordred groaned "I just fucking got done studying, I'm out." He turned heel to quickly walk away, Peter started to follow him but Penny kept a tight grip on his robes. "I don't think so." Penny said, "You've barely done any studying at all." Peter pouted at her a bit, "Oh come on darling, I don't deserve this torture." She just shook her head, "To the library, now." She demanded. "Ughhhhhhhhhhhh, fine." He said and they all headed down to the library together. When they entered there was several people littered around the room, the tables were mostly full but Peter and Penny quickly found an open spot and motioned for Demian to follow. He sat down briefly, looking around the room. Pansy was in the corner, a book open in front of her but her gaze transfixed on something or someone else. He glanced in that direction and saw Professor Valor in the corner, one leg crossed over the over reading at a small nook by the window. He smirked a bit and turned to his friends who already had already began studying. Well, mostly. Peter had a book opened at least, he was balancing it on his head playfully and Penny was acting unenthused, her nose down in a herbology book. Demian motioned to Peter quickly, whispering "I'll be right back." He just nodded and continued to balance various objects on his body parts, refusing to study. He walked over to the desolate corner and sat down without warning; his professor hardly glanced up. "I knew that was you, Valentino. No other student would come over and willingly sit down with me." "Why do you think that is Professor Valor?" "Because none of them take half the risks you do, Demian." He blushed and Christian finally set his book down. He was freshly shaved and smelled of a refreshing cologne, the scent of whiskey on his breath. "Have you been drinking professor?" Christian smirked and pressed a finger to his own lips shushing him. Demian just smiled, "What are you reading?" "Oh this", he said, lifting the cover for Demian to see. He repeated the words, "The Poetry of William Collins?" Demian said, reading the cover. "What, too boring?" Professor Valor said, "Come back to the classroom, I'll show you something much more intriguing."Demians face went red, his professor went to stand up before speaking again, "Well, are you coming?" He said again. Demian looked over at Pansy who was scowling at him. Her book was placed down and she wasn't even hiding the fact that she was watching them now. He almost liked the attention, he felt it was justice for everything she'd done to him but he did feel a small pang of guilt in his chest. I'm too nice. He thought to himself, She's not worth protecting. He sat up from the table as Professor Valor put the book away and started to walk towards the exit. Peter threw his hands up in protest and mouthed, "What the fuck?"He didn't look back. *.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*On their way to the charms classroom they took a wrong turn, Demian started to question him. "Where are we going?" "To my personal chambers", he said, "The truth is I don't have what I want to show you in the classroom, but I couldn't very well say that in front of everyone there, could I?" Demian blushed and crossed his arms nervously as they walked, "I-I guess not..." He said. The rounded the corner to the top of the Charms tower and he opened the door. Demian entered, it smelled of incense in the room and rows of books decorated the walls. He had a record player in the corner, next to it sat two chairs overlooking the window. A beautiful view of the moon and stars could be seen, and he had fashioned a telescope to sit right in the windowsill. "Wow." Demian said, "It's a beautiful room." Christian laughed, "It's simple, all the things I love, books, music, and the stars." "Why aren't you an astronomy teacher then?" Demian asked curiously before sitting in one of the chairs near the record player, his fingers traced it curiously."You never mix work and play, that's common knowledge I fear." This made Demian smile. "So, you appear to be in better spirits today" Christian said, he poured himself a small glass of whiskey and took a sip, sitting on the edge of his small personal desk. It was littered with papers and opened books, pages marked meticulously. "I am trying to be more confident in myself." He said, "Or maybe I'm just trying to fool Draco..." He admitted. Christian sighed and took another sip of his drink, "Well, I'd say you're doing a good job at pretending, if nothing else." Demian just blushed, he traced several buttons on the record player before finally questioning him, "So what did you want to show me?" He snapped his fingers, "Oh, right!", he searched his messy desk before pulling a small scrap of paper out, "This is for you." Demian got up from his seat, he took the slip of paper from his fingertips and read it aloud,"When Love with unconfined wingsHovers within my gates,And my divine Althea bringsTo whisper at the grates;Our careless heads with roses bound,Our hearts with loyal flames;When I shall voice aloud how good he is, amongst the other dames, If I have freedom in my love,And in my soul am free,Angels alone that soar above,Enjoy such liberty."He stood there for a moment in silence and Professor Valor finally spoke, "I wrote it for you", He paused briefly, "You don't know how strong you are, how confident you had to be just to be open about your love. You need to see that and remember that as you're healing." Demian blushed crimson, he looked up at him and the professor could see the tears welling up in his eyes, "Oh come now, don't cry." He reached his hand up and gently wiped the corner of one of his eyes with his thumb. Demian couldn't control himself, he didn't know if it was sheer emotion he felt, or if he wanted to get over Draco quicker, but he threw his arms around the professors neck and kissed him, deeply. The taste of whiskey stained his tongue, it was bitter and strong but he couldn't get enough. Professor Valor dropped his drink, the sound of glass shattering echoed through the room but Demian ignored it. Christians hand found his waist and he kissed him back briefly before turning away. His back to him, the room remained silent for a moment. Shattered glass littered the ground, the smell of alcohol cutting through the incense. "I'm...I'm so sorry." Demian finally said, his cheeks hot from embarrassment. His professor remained silent for a moment."I knew this was a mistake." He said quietly under his breath, "I knew I was getting too close to you, but I let it happen. The poem was supposed to help you move on, but....but not with me." He said softly. Demian felt the sting of rejection and his stomach dropped. His professor turned around and leaned in front of him, starting to clean up the larger chunks of glass decorating the floor. Demian sniffled softly, "So, you didn't write it because you had feelings for me?" Christian remained silent for a second, "You know I'm not allowed to have any feelings for you." His words cut through him like knives, and he turned to walk away, "But I do anyways." Demian stopped in his tracks, standing in front of the door. He felt his presence behind him and he turned slowly, a strong hand found his face and cupped it, kissing him again deeply. Demian felt his body relax and kissed him back, the heat of his cheeks burning ever brighter. The familiar taste of whisky entered his mouth and he let out a quiet moan before Christian broke away. "You can tell no one about this." Christian said, "I could lose my job." "I-I won't..." Demian promised, "Good boy" He responded, gently stroking his hair with one of his hands. "Now I fear I have a mess to clean up and you have exams you need to worry about. You should go get some sleep." "I...I can't stay with you?" He pleaded, looking up at him. "No, no you may not." He smiled, "I've been drinking and you're clearly in need of consolation. We should both make a wise decision not to let this go any further right now." Demian blushed again and stammered, his thoughts racing at the possibilities. "I-I understand." "Now go." He said, opening his door. He pressed his finger to his lips once more and shushed him, shutting the door as Demian made his way back to his own room to get some much-needed rest before his exams. He was finally smiling, this time for real, but he felt so sick thinking about Draco still. His stomach twisted in confusion and the feeling of new attraction; he walked slowly back to his dorm.