We Didn't Have a Choice

56 - A Different Stance

My vision was blurry and the voices surrounding me were muffled due to the ringing in my ears. Slowly I sat up as my vision began to unblur. Around me was broken glass and other bits from the chandelier that had just fallen from the ceiling. The chandelier itself sat only inches from me, telling me I had just nearly escaped getting crushed.

"Draco, are you okay?" asked my mother as she helped me up.

I felt wobbly as I used her hands for support. She wore a look of worry. "W-where's Blair?" I asked as the ringing in my ears slowly stopped.

Valentina's voice pierced through the air, "someone help her! Please! She is probably under there!"

I turned on my heel slowly to see my father, Julius, and some other Death Eaters attempting to move the chandelier.

"One, two, three!" cried Julius as they tried to lift the chandelier, only to have no luck.

My body froze as I remembered what had only happened moments before. The chandelier in which Blair had just been standing beneath had crashed to the ground . . . but I swear I pushed her out of the way in time.

"M-maybe she ran to check on Cordelia," I said hopefully as I heard my daughter's cries come from upstairs.

I shared a glance with my mother who looked like she had lost all hope which only made my heart drop more.

She can not be gone. There's no way. I saved her from getting crushed.

I turned my attention back to the chandelier which they had just now finally managed to move. Valentina was now sobbing and Julius was on his knees, holding a piece of ripped fabric from the dress that Blair was wearing while he mumbled, "I'm sorry my lord. We failed you."

I probably would have said something to him if I was not so worried on Blair's whereabouts.

"I-I am going to check upstairs," I told my mother as I backed out of the room and rushed upstairs to the nursery, praying the whole time that she would be in there, safe, and holding Cordelia.

I pushed open the door to the nursery and felt my heart drop into my stomach when all I was greeted with was the loud screams from my daughter. I swallowed the massive lump forming in my throat and pulled Cordelia from the crib. I held her tight to my chest, trying my best to not break down for the sake of Cordi because that would not do us any good.

"I-it is okay, darling," I whispered into Cordi's ear as she wailed.

I wanted so badly to believe the words that were coming out of my mouth, but I could not because Blair was gone. She is my everything and she is what kept me going. I do not know how I will be able to function without her.

The other side has her, the exact side that wants to kill her.

I knew Potter had taken her, and for that, I was not going to rest until she was back in my arms, alive.

-

I stood outside the manor with Julius and my father on either side of me. Several Death Eaters and Snatchers stood before us.

"As you all know," said Julius, his voice broken as he spoke, "my daughter was taken from us today. So, I order each and everyone of you to search for her and bring her back to us alive for the sake of our Lord."

The crowd before us nodded. "If you fail, we will not hesitate to blame Blair's disappearance on all of you," said my father.

I swallowed sadly as I watched the Death Eaters cover their faces with their masks.