From Wiltshire, With Love

Chapter 65

Draco fell to his knees on the Quidditch pitch with a grunt, clutching his arm where his Dark Mark burned him. Apparently combat training was at an end for today. Merlin it fucking hurt, more so than usual. The Dark Lord must be angry.

When the burning sensation finally ceased, he wrung his arm out with a grimace and summoned his mask and robes. After donning his Death Eater garb, Draco Occluded and Apparated to the Manor ballroom to see a good portion of the Dark Lord's army already present, sprawled on the ground and clutching themselves. His father was on the floor, holding his midsection, teeth still chattering, and Draco's stomach lurched at the sight of him in pain.

A growing unease crept through his bones as Nagini slithered in between the trembling bodies. There hadn't been any failures. Certainly nothing to merit this level of punishment. Aunt Bella hadn't said anything about the prisoners...

With growing terror, Draco realized the Dark Lord was searching for the spy. Thank Merlin he Obliviated Pansy. He scanned the floor, she hadn't been summoned yet. Vince was moaning over by the piano.

"Draco," the Dark Lord said slowly. He shifted his sinister red gaze from the Death Eaters groaning on the ground up towards Draco. "Take off your mask."

He removed his mask and scanned the writhing bodies on the floor with mounting trepidation. Only Severus and Bellatrix were standing, unaffected. Perhaps killing Dumbledore had placed Snape beyond suspicion of spying for the Order.

Ironic.

Everyone else had been tortured. Some were struggling to stand. Alecto was on the ground as well and he couldn't help smile inwardly even though he'd be joining her soon enough.

"Do you know why you are here?"

"No, my lord," Draco answered with a bow, his voice trembling in dread. Fear was natural, and he didn't bother disguising his. If anything, the Dark Lord wanted his followers to be afraid.

Another audible groan sounded from somewhere to his left and Nagini swerved to approach him. As she neared closer, the hair stood on the back of his neck.

He knew in information leaks would eventually be noticed and the Dark Lord would route the spy out, it couldn't be helped. Today was that day. His heart thumped wildly in his chest.

"We have a traitor in our midst," the Dark Lord hissed. "Do you know who it is?"

Out of the corner of his eye Nagini encroached. Goosebumps spread up and down his spine in terror as he remembered Professor Burbage screaming on the dining room table.

"No, my lord," he repeated, his voice rose slightly. He struggled to swallow, and cleared his throat. "I'm not privy to the inner workings of our cause."

"No, you're not, Young Malfoy." The Dark Lord tapped his wand on his palm, gazing at Draco in thought. "Perhaps it's time you were."

For a brief moment Draco thought he'd receive mercy but then the Dark Lord extended his wand.

"Crucio!"

He dropped to the ground, smacking his head on the stone. Arching his back, he screamed towards the ceiling, feeling like he was being torn apart. The sound of his agony echoed in the room and bounced off the walls.

The pain stopped almost immediately, and he gasped for breath, allowing his limbs to relax, and wondered why the Dark Lord didn't curse him longer. Something moved against his calf and he realized with horror that it was Nagini.

Alarmed, he raised himself on his elbows to see the gigantic snake slither up his knee and over his thigh. Draco heaved in a breath and scrambled backwards, but Nagini opened its mouth, hissing at him until he stopped moving. Frozen in terror, he stared at the white gleaming fangs framing the abnormally large, pink mouth. Terrified, he peered down it's gullet, the pink changing to black once encased by the darkness within. She would swallow him whole.