We Didn't Have a Choice

31 - A Disatrous Dinner

Draco had gone to speak with his mother while I got ready for the dinner.

I wore a long, black dress with a slit at the leg, and matching black heels. My hair was curled, and the front pieces of my hair were pulled back into a clip.

Draco walked into the room carrying Cordi, and smiled when he saw me.

"You look nice."

I kissed him gently and took Cordi into my arms. "So do you."

As usual, he wore a black suit, but it never failed to make me weak in the knees.

A house elf entered the room to let us know dinner would be served in five minutes, and that the Dark Lord was expecting us.

I turned back to Draco who took me in his arms. "It'll be okay," he said reassuringly.

I kissed Cordi's forehead and she seemed to snuggle deeper into my embrace.

Draco then took my hand and guided me downstairs to the meeting room. A house elf opened the door for us revealing the same long table I've sat at dozens of times with the other Death Eaters, except this time all the seats were empty but Voldemort still remained at the head of the table.

"Well if it isn't my goddaughter!" he exclaimed as Draco and I took our seats at the middle of the table.

"Cordelia, right?" Draco and I nodded and he smiled, but an evil smile. "Such a gorgeous little girl! Let me see her!"

Subconsciously, my grip tightened around Cordi who already seemed fussy by the dark and eerie mood in the room.

"Don't look so unsure, Blair, bring her over to me. Now."

Panic rushed through me. Cordi and him being in the same room frightened me, but him holding Cordi was even worse and not what I envisioned to happen tonight.

"I will kill you," he said blandly.

And he would. That was no secret that he kills for the dumbest things.

I pushed my chair out slowly. Draco squeezed my hand gently as I walked past him and up to Voldemort.

"Very good. You see, she needs to get to know me because there's good chances I'll be looking after her very soon," he said, running a long, distrusting, milk white finger across Cordi's face, drawing a small whimper from her.

Not even if he was the last person on Earth.

"Oh come on now. Let me hold her! She's clearly upset because you're holding her wrong!" Voldemort said eagerly.

Another wave of panic washed through me. "Well you see, my lord, she's very fussy right now, so I think I should bring her to my mother."

Voldemort's snake-like eyes stared coldly at me, but his smile remained. "I didn't plan this evening out just for her to sleep. I want to hold her!"

I glanced back at Draco, and he gave me a grim nod.

"Of course my lord," I mumbled defeatedly. I lowered Cordi into Voldemort's outstretched arms. Cordi immediately launched into a screaming fit which made my heart drop.

"Oh shush little one!" he jeered, "See what you did, Blair! Now she's crying."

I had to stop myself from pulling my wand out right then and there, but Draco coming up behind me calmed me a bit.

"She's probably hungry. We should feed her," Draco said, trying to make an excuse to leave.

Voldemort waved him off as Cordi started to wail louder. Voldemort handled her awkwardly which made me cringe because all I wanted to do was step in, but that would definitely end up in death.

"Little brat," he uttered.

Tears streamed down Cordi's face, and at this point, all I could do was pray that Voldemort didn't hurt her.

Draco placed a comforting hand on my back as the wails ceased to quiet down; Voldemort only grew angry as Cordi's cries grew louder.

Finally, after what felt like forever of watching Voldemort try to handle Cordi, he gave in.

"She's horrid," he jeered. "Teach her to behave better or else next time, I won't hesitate to kill you all," he said simply.

"Yes, my lord," I mumbled as I scooped up my wailing daughter from his arms.

Draco led me out of the room while I rubbed Cordi's back in hopes of calming her down, but she continued to cry.

We reached the nursery, and she still hadn't stopped crying.

"Here, you try," I said desperately, holding her out to Draco.

"Blair, I can't."

"Just hold her. You'll be fine."

Draco sighed, and took her into his arms. He cradled her gently while he whispered to her.

"Don't worry baby. As soon as the war is over, you, me, and Mummy will run away and live far from here. We'll live far from Voldemort, so you'll never have to see him again," I heard him whisper.

A small smile spread across my face as Cordi's tears slowly subsided, and her eyes slowly shut.

"Told you."

I rested my head on Draco's shoulder as we watched Cordi lull into a sleep. When her eyes were finally shut, we slowly lowered her into her crib and snuck out the nursery to our room.

"You're an amazing father," I said dreamily while we got ready for bed.

"You're just saying that," he responded as he undid his tie.

"I'm not. I can just tell how much she adores you. She's definitely going to be a daddy's girl," I said as I entered the bathroom.

Draco came in shortly after. His arms slipped around my waist while I removed my makeup.

"I just hope she can grow up free and able to make her own decisions," he mumbled.

"She will. We'll be free soon," I reassured, spinning around to kiss him.