Conflicted - Drarry

Introduction

The one with the heart of pure gold,

Who couldn't erase pain if he tried,

And the one with the heart of smoky silver,

Who lives with the flames of hell inside.

The young man moved fast, and determinedly towards the alley. He was shrouded in a dark suit fitted perfectly to the slim frame. The figure kept his head bent down, making it near to impossible to see him as he walked into the shadowed depths of his destination. He lifted his head only when he deemed it safe to, when he was out of sight of his previous location.

The tiny alley was dimly lit by a swinging yellow lamp, which flickered as he walked past. He paused to watch as the light contorted his shadow against the cobble wall. He shook his head slightly, as if in a daze, then continued through the miniature alleyway.

The walls turned slightly then began to open out until the young man stepped out into a wider area. He regarded the place with an upturned nose, but moved through with a grace that came with familiarity. He looked up suddenly to come face to face with a woman. The young man recoiled slightly, taken aback by the woman's appearance and stench.

Her tattered hair fell in tangled curtains down to her shoulders and her clothes seemed to be mismatched, but bearing the same marks of being ripped, stained and poorly cared for. Her face had traces of blood smeared across it, the place of the blood's origin being the cut from her temple to her jaw. Her face transformed into a menacing grimace as she stood in front of the young man.

The man stepped back impatiently, but his face remained level, not a sliver of fear making its way to his eyes. He watched the woman almost curiously, however traces of boredom betrayed his emotionless features.

"I know of the plan" cackled the woman mysteriously, raising her eyebrows and widening her bloodshot eyes.

For the first time, a flicker of surprise flashed across the young mans face, wiped off almost immediately. He shook his head at her, grey eyes widening and fists clenching. Then he stepped back, and regained his composure.

"You lie, you would never be told." spat the young man with a controlled ferocity.

The woman watched him as he spoke, a certain wave of maniacal glee forming on her face as the words left his mouth.

"But I was, by your mother herself," said the woman, eyebrows raised and mouth twisted into a terrifying smirk, "You see, she made a deal with me. I am to help you, child."

"Why would my mother make a deal with you, you are nothing but scum from the gutters of the alley" said the man, suddenly seeming to gain height as he turned his nose up at the woman.

She cackled loudly, causing the people around her to notice, each showing signs of amusement, until they saw her companion, the young man, at which they turned their heads away and began to walk faster.

The young man saw this display, and moved to sit on a lone, creaky, old chair. His face fell, emotion seeping through his deep grey eyes. He looked despairingly at the woman.

"You know how to help?" he questioned, in a softer tone, lifting his head towards the woman.

"Yes, child," she whispered, and for the first time, her features softened as she watched the boy, a look of pity seeping through them.

She knelt down, pulling a folded piece of parchment from her pocket. She slipped it into his hand, then turned on the spot and vanished into thin air. The young man looked up, his blond hair flicking across his face, and his eyes on the verge of tears.

He wiped his eyes and opened the parchment carefully. His eyes whizzed down the page, widening as he read further. He stood in one swift motion, and began to walk as deliberately as before. Whatever else had been in his mind before was pointless, he finally had the answer.

He folded the parchment until only the first line was visible. He read it over again before putting it safely into his pocket. The line whirred inside his head as he walked.

This job is special, only you can achieve what will happen, Draco.