(1) 𝐍𝐄𝐏𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐇𝐄 | d. m

Chapter nineteen

Draco

July seemed to never end. The month had given us nothing but raising temperatures and a high rising sun. It seemed the summer would go on forever, casting light over the darkened world.

I had left Lane alone, not giving in to the feeling of wanting to press my lips upon hers, because that was what she wanted. It was what she needed, and I told myself it was what I wanted as well. However, underneath this charade – it wasn't.

Despite feeling my heart heavy in my chest, I had other things happening in my life. The meetings with the Dark Lord and the other Death Eaters seemed to grow even more dark and sinister, and the edge of evil seemed to draw near. After the death of Professor Dumbledore, the Dark Lord had proceeded to liberate my father from Azkaban, and he was quickly joining us by the table again. However, one thing I was feeling during my fathers absence – was relief. His stronghold over me was no more, but at the same time, I was feeling guilty for it. There was no one around to forcably get me to do things, at least not constantly. Of course, there was still the Dark Lord himself, but at least I could escape from that every now and then. So when he returned, I was back to feeling constantly pressed.

If only that was the worst of it.

***

As July slowly drew to a close, the Dark Lord's demands seemed to grow more inpatient. I had seen awfully things in my life, but nothing could ever prepare me for what I was about to witness.

It was another one of the Dark Lord's proceedings. We were all seated around the table in the manor, the mood was somber and the anticipation unrestful. It was another one of the gatherings were I tried my very best to act unbothered and brave, but on the inside, fear was brewing. Everyone was there. Rowle, the Carrows, Dolohov, Yaxley, Pettigrew, Bellatrix - everyone, except for Snape. My father and mother were seated beside me, equally terrified, but somehow my mother was keeping up a brave face. I could, however, see through my fathers act, and I doubted he was fooling everyone else. The very worst thing about it however, was the fact that Charity Burbage, the professor of Muggle Studies as Hogwarts, was suspended over the table, bleeding incessantly. She was crying too, quietly, but noticeably.

"You bring news I trust?", said the Dark Lord as Snape entered the room. He was dressed exactly as he usually was, keeping a straight face.

"It will happen Saturday next, at nightfall–", Snape's voice was dark and mysterious, but he was quickly interrupted by someone else.

"I have heard differently my Lord". The voice belonged to Corban Yaxley. "Dawlish, the Auror, has let slip that the Potter boy will not be moved til the thirtieth of this month. The day before he turns seventeen–". His voice, too, was dark, but he was speaking with a Scottish accent. However, he was soon interrupted by Snape, yet again.

"—This is a false trail. The Auror office no longer plays any part in the protection of Harry Potter. Those closest to him, believe we have infiltrated the Ministry".

"Well, they got that right, haven't they?", the sound of yet another Death Eater's voice filled the room, but was quickly hushed by the soft sound of the Dark Lord himself. "What say you, Pius?". His voice seemed as cloaked and dark as his appearance. Dressed in all black and with skin much like that of his pet snake, Nagini, who was now slithering close to the person of interest.

Pius was sitting at the opposite end of the table, facing the Dark Lord. He seemed reluctant to speak, obviously scared for his own sake. He tried to sound as intrepid as possible when he spoke. "One hears many things, my Lord. Whether the truth is among them, is not clear". He straightened his back carefully.

"Ha! Spoken like a true politician. You will–I think–prove most useful Pius". The Dark Lord seemed to be smiling, or more like grinning, showing off his remaining, rotten teeth. There was a moment of complete silence, then he continued: "Where will he be taken, the boy?", he looked over at professor Snape, who was now seated among the rest.

"To a safe house. Most likely the home of someone in the Order. I'm told its been given every manner of protection possible, once there, it will be impractical to attack him". Bellatrix cleared her throat intentionally. I was trying my best to focus, keep from falling apart in the midst of the discussion. The tears were there, but not yet visible. "My Lord, I'd like to volunteer myself for this task. I want to kill the boy".

That's when the person hinged over the table gave out a scream I never thought I'd have to hear ever in my life. It seemed to be inwrapped in pain and despair, and I wondered what it would be like if I dared to defy the Dark Lord myself. Of course, I knew full well that that wouldn't be possible, and if I did, I would undoubtedly find myself in the same position as Professor Burbage.

"Wormtail! Have I not spoken to you about keeping our guest quiet?!"

"Yes my Lord. Right away, my Lord". Wormtail could be seen, steeping out from beneath the shadows. His right hand, that one which had been cut off and replaced by a silver, metal one, was made visible as he pointed it to the Dark Lord while speaking. Voldemort turned his attention back to Bellatrix. "As inspiring as I find your bloodlust, Bellatrix... I must be the one to kill Harry Potter". I gulped, forcing the fear back down my throat. "BUT–I face an unfortunate complication". He stood up from his seat, and started pacing about the room. "That my wand and Potter's, share the same core. They are–in some ways– twins. We can wound, but not fatally harm one another". He put down his wand on the table. "If I am to kill him, I must do it with another's wand".

"Come on – surely one of you would like the honour". He stopped behind Dolohov, only to back up, moving slowly towards were I was seated, and I could hear his voice behind my back. This is it, I thought, this is the moment. But The Dark Lord didn't stop by my seat, instead he reached out his hand towards my father, expecting him to give in and hand his wand to him. "What about you, Lucius?", he waited for a reply, turning his head in an inquisitive manner. My fathers voice was weak and thin, as he spoke.

"My Lord". It was clear that he was scared, if not for us, then for his own life.

"My Lord", the Dark Lord mocked Lucius feeble cry. "I require your wand". He reached out his hand again, his long and thin fingers looking more like snakes than anything else. Lucius took out his wand that was concealed within his snake-headed walking stick. The Dark Lord took it from his shaking hands- "Do I detect elm?". "Yes, my Lord". Voldemort felt the wand with his hand, as if he could see inside of it, then broke the end of it. "And the core?". "Dragon heartstring". Lucius voice was so quiet now, that it was barely possible to make out what he was saying. "Dragon heartstring", repeated the Dark Lord and threw the broken part of the wand onto the table. Everyone was staring, possibly glad to not be the one under the Dark Lord's statoscope.

He then used the remaining part of the wand to bring the floating body of professor Burbage closer towards where we were seated. She was now in the very centre. "To those of you who do not know, we are joined today by miss Charity Burbage, who until recently taught at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Her speciality was Muggle Studies. It is Miss Burbage's belief that muggles are not so different from us. She would–given her way–have us mate with them". The silence of the room was broken and everyone started laughing hysterically, mainly Bellatrix. I, however, remained quiet. "To her, the mixture of magical and muggle blood, is not an abomination, but something to be encouraged". The Dark Lord sat back in in his seat as Professor Burbage began pleading for her life.

"Severus...Severus, please–", she wimped. "We're friends...". Snape stared at her, his face remaining serious.

"AVADA KEDAVRA!", shouted the Dark Lord and with a loud dunst, the body of professor Burbage hit the table, no movement detected. Her body was so close to mine now and the sudden silence made shivers run up and down my spine. I was petrified, terrified. Wanting nothing more than to escape this terrible world in which I had been put. A single tear fell down her eyes, but there was no life left in her. Her soul had completely left her body, and all that was left – was darkness.

"Nagini...". The Dark Lord continued, caressing the skin of his large pet snake as she slithered onto the table.

"Dinner".

The snake seemed to engulf the body whole, as if it was nothing. As if it was an animal, a dead pray waiting to be eaten.