𝐖𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐘 𝐒𝐇𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐍𝐎𝐓 𝐏𝐈𝐍𝐄

Chapter 15

How? How had he gotten in?

"How good of you to get him alone for me, Severus," Voldemort said, sibilantly, as he backed them into the room and closed the door. "You have not forgotten your place. This pleases me."

"I thought I'd have to drag him out to you, my lord," Snape replied, shoving Harry into a chair. It rocked back violently, but settled with a thump. Harry clutched the fabric in his fists and glowered up at Snape. Harry had trusted him – Draco had trusted him, and—

Wait. Draco was a Veela and he no longer associated with certain types of people. He'd rejected Nott because of how foul a character he was, hadn't he? Wouldn't he also have rejected Snape?

While quietly watching master and servant converse, Harry surreptitiously slipped out his Foe Glass and peered down at it. Many faces of Death Eaters swirled up at him, with Voldemort most prominent, of course, but Snape was not among them. He could trust Snape, but how far would that get him, in a situation like this?

"I have found the students of Hogwarts most obliging," Voldemort said. "Clearly they know where power lies."

"Some credit is due Dumbledore assuredly," drawled Snape. "He never did figure out how Nott slipped Draco out of the castle."

"Quite a simple matter, actually – the boy is a Veela, isn't he? They have a power over barriers, wards, et cetera. Perhaps he used Imperius."

"Draco can throw off Imperius," Harry snapped. "His father made sure of it. And maybe you ought to study your opposition a little closer. Maybe then you won't be surprised when I kill you." Snape's expression went from intrigued to horrified to angry in a matter of seconds, and he turned towards his master.

"The one who dies tonight will not be me," sneered Voldemort. "I cannot be defeated – and especially not by you, who are no more than an arrogant brat with creative friends. But you are alone, now."

"Not quite as alone as you assume," retorted Harry coolly. "Just because you can't see my friends doesn't mean that they aren't with me. I don't need to give orders for them to act, you see. People love me – and that's the difference between us, isn't it? You must have power to keep you and yours on track, while even if I set my power aside I'll get the same result."

When Harry spoke so condescendingly to Voldemort, a strange, twinkling gleam came in Snape's eyes for a second. It looked like pride. But that couldn't be right, could it? Snape was not the sort to think anything of Harry besides the negative. It swiftly faded – anyway, Harry didn't have time to ponder such.

Voldemort sneered. "Only the weak and foolish give up the advantage…. Nonetheless, whether your friends act or not, you will die tonight, Potter. And I've arranged for your final surprise—" he flicked his wand at the door and it sprung open, "—come, Pet."

Harry's heart froze as Draco stepped through the threshold and closed the door behind himself. He did not meet Harry's gaze as he moved to stand at Voldemort's side. Voldemort placed his hand possessively on Draco's shoulder, and Harry's rage flared. He stood.

"Is it the surprise of a lifetime?" purred Voldemort, drawing his long knobby fingers across Draco's jaw and down along the collar of his tunic. Draco flushed and squirmed, and Voldemort took perverse pleasure from his discomfort. "I took great pains to arrange this last reunion for you, Potter, and I hope you do appreciate it. Draco," his hand wound back up through Draco's silvery shoulder-length hair, "will be well-cared for once you are gone."

"Draco—"

"My father made an Unbreakable Vow," Draco whispered. "I couldn't just let him die." He glanced at Snape who gave the slightest nod in turn. "It's funny, isn't it, how easily I could betray you?"