Two Sides of the Serpent // Draco Malfoy

Chapter Twelve: Voldemort's Gift

The next morning as the sun had shone in through the window, my eyes started to flutter open. I saw Draco looking outside with his hands stuffed in his pockets, the blankets had been neatly folded and stacked at the end of the divan. It looked like he was lost in his thought, seeming troubled. He had barely noticed the rustling of the sheets as I sat up in the bed.

"Good morning," I said stiffly with a yawn.

Turing to face me, he grinned. "Morning. How'd you sleep?"

I snickered as his light attempt for casualness. "Fairly well.. and you?" I questioned curiously, wondering how long he had been awake already. I turned and placed my feet to the floor as I awaited his answer.

Though, to both of our surprise, before he could answer we were disrupted by the sound of Narcissa clearing her throat, capturing our immediate attention. "Good, you're already here," she said with an air of formality that sent shivers down our spines. "Come downstairs."

Her words were filled with the implications of something sinister. Sharing an uneasy glance, Draco and I began to follow her. An ominous cloud formed around us, my hands growing more slick by the second. We walked down the stairs behind Mrs. Malfoy but with every step the air was increasingly more stiff. I could almost taste the dread that permeated around us.

We had neared the main hall of the manor, the sight before me was intimidating as could be. The room had been filled with Death Eaters, their faces obscured by their masks bearing intricate designs. They move like wraiths with their dark robes swaying at each movement made, their eyes cold and unrelenting. My hands trembling as I turned to find my parents standing among them next to Mr. Malfoy.

The room was eerily silent as we entered. Narcissa taking her place with Lucius and my parents as we stood before them all. Soon, they all bowed in submission as the Dark Lord himself had entered the room. The menacing silence that followed left no doubt that the unfolding events carried grave, irrevocable consequences. As the Dark Lord's merciless gaze fell upon Draco and me, we felt the chill of his scrutiny down to our very souls.His crimson eyes cut into us, his malevolent aura caused the hairs on my neck to stand up.

I had stared directly into the eyes of the most feared wizard of both my parents and my era. He approached us, almost as if he had been gliding across the floor with such ease. His tone forced a shiver down my spine, the malevolence and impending doom was clear in every word.

"You have both demonstrated unwavering loyalty to your families and dedication to our mission. Your value has not escaped my notice."

Draco and I exchanged tormented glances, our hands trembling warily. Our hearts pounded as the Dark Lord's attention bore down upon us, the oppressive scrutiny that had felt inescapable, it was like a nightmare come to life.

The Dark Lord's gaze remained unrelenting, "You are the living embodiment of strength and commitment inherent in the Malfoy and Ashthorn bloodlines. It is only fitting that you shall be united in marriage, sealing the bond between your families." He continued, "As a token of my appreciation.. I wish to offer you.. a gift. A symbol of your unwavering loyalty and the unity of our cause."

The room trembled with a thick tension as we held our breath, the promise of the Dark Lord's "gift" hanging over us like a shadow. We were already aware that our lives had taken a malevolent turn, and the future that awaited us was shrouded in darkness.

He took a step forward and approached us, his cold eyes locking onto ours with an unsettling intensity. With a cruel, twisted smile curling at the corners of his lips, he raised his wand, and without warning, he initiated the dark and agonizing ritual that would etch his mark upon us.