Snap

The Snap

"Draco, you know that you don't have the time for such frivolous matters." Snape's drawl was, as usual, infuriating.
Draco rolled his eyes. "It's not a big deal. I want to do it. I need a break."
"You don't have time for breaks. You need to-"
"I know what's required of me," Draco snapped.
Snape's eyes glinted. "Then you know that you cannot do this... charade. You need to stay focused, boy."
"I am focused. I will be focused."
"Let me make myself perfectly clear," Snape said, enunciating every word. "You are not to participate in these shenanigans."
Draco stared at Snape, letting the silence drag out. When he finally spoke, his voice was a lot shakier than he intended it to be. "Or what?"
Snape merely raised an eyebrow, glancing at Draco's arm. Every part of him bristled - his back straightened, his jaw clenched, and he could have sworn his hair stood up. The silence lengthened, threatening to swallow him whole.
And he didn't even care. He was just so, so tired.
He knew what they could do to him. He knew they could make turn his life into a hellish nightmare. He knew that they would make even his death a never-ending torment, leaving him on the brink of death for as long as he could suffer. He knew that his parents might meet a similar fate.
Fvck it.
He turned on his heel to leave, somehow feeling lighter. He didn't care what they did to him; they couldn't control him anymore. So what if they hurt him? They couldn't hurt him any more than they already had, could they?
"Have I made myself clear?" Snape asked.
Draco looked back, a mischievous smirk spreading across his lips without permission. "Crystal."
Snape's eyes narrowed, but he said nothing as the rebellious Malfoy left the room, slamming the door behind him.