[It takes every ounce of self-control for Severus to remain expressionless at Draco's terrified, almost sobbed words. It takes even more self-control to keep the anger that wants to rise in him at the Dark Lord, at Lucius, for what they're putting Draco through.
Draco looks like a cornered animal. Defenceless. Weak. Frozen in terror. Petrified. And all Severus can do is blankly, impassively, coldly look on. There is absolutely nothing he can do except fulfil what Dumbledore made him promise to do when the time came.]
And you'll have it if you learn how to control your emotions, Draco. If you learn how to block your mind.
[Otherwise the Dark Lord will think you're useless and will destroy you.
He decides to pose it as a quiet, coaxing, almost gentle question this time, and he raises his hand to very lightly touch Draco's arm:]
no subject
Draco looks like a cornered animal. Defenceless. Weak. Frozen in terror. Petrified. And all Severus can do is blankly, impassively, coldly look on. There is absolutely nothing he can do except fulfil what Dumbledore made him promise to do when the time came.]
And you'll have it if you learn how to control your emotions, Draco. If you learn how to block your mind.
[Otherwise the Dark Lord will think you're useless and will destroy you.
He decides to pose it as a quiet, coaxing, almost gentle question this time, and he raises his hand to very lightly touch Draco's arm:]
Will you let me help you, Draco?