Phases (editing)

thirty five

AN- Chapter songs: Favorite Crime by Olivia Rodrigo, Anachronism by Crywolf, Love me again by John Newman

7th June 1996

New Moon

Draco POV

The dining table that once hosted holiday dinners, now held occupancy for branded self and media-proclaimed dark wizards. Rather than my father at the head, it was the Dark Lord himself ruling over the table, with my father sitting idly on the sidelines. My stomach bubbles at the thought. I'd completely abandoned the notion of my birthday this month, I had nothing to celebrate for my existence. It burdened me and those close to me.

"Draco, how are your preparations for your task?" The snake-like being spoke. He was testing me.

"According to plan, my lord. I have a meeting with Mr. Borgan at the end of summer to confirm final aspects. I shall have Albus Dumbledore executed by the end of first term." Each word was carefully selected and delivered thoughtfully.

"Right, and Lucius," he diverted his attention to my father, "any updates on the girl?"

Girl?

My blood went cold as if ice were injected directly into my veins, feeling the current pulsate through each of my limbs. Sweat accumulated at the back of my neck. I dug my nails into my palms, certain, blood was beginning to seep from my flesh.

"She continues to refuse food, and barely speaks when spoken to. She's expected only a few more days if she continues." Lucius spoke without acknowledging my presence. My temples began to throb under my skin.

"And her cellmate?"

"More defiant than her, but physical encouragement has shown a route of compliance," my father admits.

"As long as they both are kept alive for the time being," the Dark Lord states as if he were reading off a cookie recipe, "any forms of... inspiration are more than welcome."

Could it be her? The edge of my vision began turning a bright red. I bit my tongue in defiance, feeling my teeth threaten to puncture the muscle. Concentrating on occlumency and the pattern of my breaths, expanding my wall brick by brick. Green bricks with black mortar.

The Dark Lord dismissed the group after listing a handful to stay behind, my father included. Mother grabbed my hand and led me to the wing of the manor that only members of our family can enter.

I mumbled a quick silencing charm and yanked my hand from her, "WHAT DOES HE MEAN BY GIRL, MOTHER?" I demanded.

"Darling, you do not raise your voice in this house-"

"This house? This house. There are much worse things going on in this house than my volume! Besides the fact that one of my teachers was eaten by a bloody python on our dining table yesterday. I am now to believe Aspen has been here the whole time and my fucking parents knew about it?" I feel myself panting with rage and betrayal.

"Aspen- my girlfriend. God-," the green bricks threatened to crumble under my weakening composure, "the girl I've loved for most of my life. I have never... never loved anything as much as I do her. To the point that my heart beats for her."

My mother stood frozen by her mistakes, and my outward protests of her betrayal have cemented her.

"The girl, that if she ever chose to leave me, I would simply expire, and since her absence, it's felt as such. That every thought I've had of her has brought me to vomit, for the past 6 months, whenever I think about what's happening to her." I feel my eyes dampen. The heels of my hands push to the shells of my eyes, avoiding my mother's face. Avoiding the count down to the truth. "Please tell me I'm wrong, Mother. Tell me it's not her and that she's somewhere else, not involved with these people." My hands drop from my eyes, my vision blurring as my cheeks become wet with emotion.