Until the end Draco x Hermione

Chapter 09 Arrival

Lucius Malfoy was sitting in a large chair in his office. His son was standing in front of him, his eyes downcast.

- I think you can guess who's about to join us," the arrogant man began.

- Yes, I can.

- It is an honor for us that the Dark Lord has chosen our manor.

Draco said nothing. He just stared at the ground beneath his feet. His father stood up and did what Draco never thought he would do. First, he paced back and forth. Then he stood next to his son, and to top it all off, he asked him a question:

- Do you know what he's going to do to you Draco?

While this question didn't seem to be any more alarming at first glance, it wasn't the question itself that was incongruous, but the tone in which he asked it. Mr. Malfoy's tone at that moment illustrated his concern. A concern that did not leave his son indifferent.

- Father..." Draco ventured. I guess he wants to initiate me as a Death Eater. So do you. However, you seem...worried.

- Are you sure you want to be a Death Eater?

It was getting better and better! Draco wondered if his father had been poisoned to say such things.

- Son," Lucius continued, his face seeming to tighten with each passing second, "I remember what I told you when you were just eight years old: anyone who loves is weak. Now, after so many years of serving the Dark Lord, I have had time to enjoy another definition of weakness; being humiliated, crushed, used. Don't be weak.

Draco, who now understood, tried to take advantage of the situation to try to answer his father for once.

- I understand. You've been around You-Know-Who so much that you've come to fear it for your life. And it is with this fear that you are about to welcome him here, in our house. But do you care more about yourself or me? You always taught me that you have to suffer the consequences of your actions. Suffer. And unfortunately, I too will suffer, because of you. Father.

The harshness of his words towards his father showed that he was challenging him. He had dared, and it was the first time. Lucius couldn't believe it, but he didn't say anything to illustrate his astonishment. Draco made his way to the door to leave without saying anything more, leaving his father perplexed and a victim of his fears.

Two hours later, the expected appeared. It was 11 p.m. For Voldemort, there was no time like the night to make a spectacle of himself in front of his "loyal" subjects. So, dressed in his usual black robes, and surrounded by a few other insignificant Death Eaters - including Peter Pettigrew - he floated through the great doorway of Malfoy Manor. As if in harmony with the darkness outside, the interior of the huge living room was dimly lit to accentuate the coming of the Dark Lord. Lucius Malfoy, as a worthy master of the house, welcomed him, not without apprehension. What he feared most was that his son would see him being mistreated by his "Master", especially with the latter's mood swings. Voldemort, a hideous smile on his face, and in his breathy voice, as if he were struggling to breathe:

- Ah," he said with a sound that was more like a sigh than an interjection. Let us thank Lucius for his hospitality.

This monster always knew how to show his gratitude to those who did him favors or those who showed their fidelity, not without letting perceive a touch of sarcasm in his words or actions.

Narcissa, accompanied by her son, also introduced herself to her guest, but the latter did not pay attention to her, too busy trying to remember the name of the young blond man who was standing in front of him.

- Well, well, he began. What is your name?

- Draco.

- Interesting," Voldemort said, whistling his S's. I'm glad to see the number of my servants is increasing. My boy, from now on, you will have the honor of calling me Master.