A Thousand Years [Harry Potter]

Chapter 17 - A Change in Assignment from the Dark Lord

Going home used to be a joy for him, like when he would come home for holidays or for a weekend trip up until his fifth year, but all of that changed. Now, he dreaded going home, since those visits usually included him and other Death Eaters meeting with the Dark Lord. After Hogwarts, or just after Draco would come of age in half-a-year, he would rent out a flat in the wizarding district in London, somewhere he could go to during the holidays or when he wanted to get away from the school for a day or three. And Hermione could come with him. Oh, how he loved having someone he cared about in that way, and who cared about him in that way too! The Dark Lord could command him to kill her, and his family wouldn't agree with him being with her, but that wouldn't take away his feelings for her or take away the goodness that was born in him since he started protecting her.

Draco almost lost his footing as he zipped from the rocky shore of the Black Lake to the dismal dining room of Malfoy Manor, lighted by torches on the walls since the deep purple curtains were closed. The moment he appeared, someone touched his shoulder. He whirled around in alarm, thinking the person to be the Dark Lord, but his pulsed decreased when he saw his mother standing there. He couldn't help it—he wrapped his arms around her, and he instantly smelled the perfume that she had been wearing since he was small. It, as well as her warmth, had given him comfort whenever he returned home and she was there waiting for him. It didn't smell like flowers like Hermione's perfume, but it smelled... motherly. That was the only way he could describe it.

"Mother," he said into her white and black hair, and he had to bend to hug her since she was shorter, "I'm glad that you're the person who I see first and not the Dark Lord."

"Yes," she agreed. "That is one of the reasons why I'm here. I know the reason why he wants to talk to you. It has to do with that girl."

"Yes, I know that's the reason, too." He looked back at his mother's face, at her blue eyes. Should he reveal his secret to his mother, the only other person, besides Hermione and Annabelle, that he really cared about? "Mother, I know why he wants to talk with me. I know exactly why."

Her aging brows pushed together in confusion. "How do you know exactly?"

Right at that moment, a ploom of dark gray smoke encumbered the area near the large unlit fireplace in the room, at the head of the large table that could seat about thirty people. Draco's pulse rose to its height, making his hands go numb in fear. Yes, he knew why he was summoned, it was just very unsettling and scary to be face-to-face with the most evil wizard in history. And the fact that he was coming solely because of him... well, Draco was just glad that he never ate lunch since his stomach was bubbling, making him feel ill. He hadn't been able to eat all day, actually.

A tall being, not that much taller than Draco, appeared in dark green robes when the smoke dissipated. He had his arms outstretched, and he said in a slow, slithering voice, with a wide, evil grin on his face, "Draco, one of my favorite followers, good to see you."

Draco knew the Dark Lord was buttering him up. He made a little bow, as did his mother. "My Lord, you wanted to see me?"

"Yes, I did." Draco rose and saw him walking up to him, and those grey eyes made Draco's blood chill. "I would like to speak with you about a very important matter. Narcissa, my dear, will you be so kind as to leave so I can speak with your son?"

Draco's heart dropped. No, he wanted his mother next to him for support! He turned his head and gave his mother a desperate, pleading look as she backed up to the door and left the room. She didn't look like she wanted to go, leaving her only child with a being who killed so many people mindlessly, without remorse. Draco gulped hard, icy blood running through his veins.

"Draco," he heard and he turned his head to face the man with gray skin and slits for a nose. "I surmise that you know why you were called. No doubt that ghost friend has told you all that she knows."