Inferno | Draco Malfoy

097 | II | Consequences

As soon as my gaze falls upon the Dark Lord, shrouded in a dark cloak that sways and billows around him, effortlessly gliding through the forest mere inches away from the Snatchers, the final flicker of hope fires within me. This sense of hopelessness only intensifies as I witness the Snatchers, previously ruthless in their pursuit, now cowering before him in fear, lowering their heads in reverence (or perhaps to shield themselves from the sight of his hellish visage), solidifying the reality of the situation; as the air crackles with malevolent energy around him, even nature itself seems to tremble at his presence, with the rain pouring down harder and the trees thrashing against each other. Even Periculus, by my side, appears unnerved as he retreats.

The Dark Lord's inhumane eyes, red and sinister, seem to bore into my very soul. In contrast to yesterday when I feared him less due to my drunken mind, I currently find myself much more afraid. How could I not be when I watched him torture Terry with my own two eyes, and how could I not be when he successfully managed to (get his Death Eaters to) abduct me?

But, at the very same time, I am filled with rage towards him, stemming from the same reasons that evoke my fear. I do not attempt to conceal my emotions behind a façade, knowing all too well that I don't stand against a chance of running away right now. After all, how can I possibly flee when I am devoid of a wand and bound tightly by suffocating ropes that dig into my skin and are sure to leave painful and friction marks?

"M— My Lord." Periculus lowers his head, paralysed with fear.

"I see you have caught her." The Dark Lord approaches Periculus, who practically kneels down to show his devotion. "You, let us go." He orders, his face scrunching up in anger as he aims his wand at my ankles, then my torso and arms, instantly severing the ropes with his magic.

Just as I am about to express my gratitude for his decency in freeing me from the Snatchers, his icy, webbed fingers clutch around my arm and yank me towards him, causing me to stagger back in surprise, which only provokes him to press his nails into my flesh. Upon regaining my footing, he places his fingers flat against my skin, alleviating the pressure caused by his nails digging into my flesh. This course of action brings me a sense of relief, as I realise he will not leave a mark on me, unlike the ropes that are already creating welts on my skin.

"My Lord, d-do we get a reward for capturing her?" Periculus asks, causing everyone to hold their breath.

The Dark Lord's hold around my arm grows firmer, seemingly to express irritation as he directs his frustration at me, and this time, I try to oppose his grasp by pushing him away. It works to some extent, as his hand on my arm slightly slips. Yet, everything falls apart when he raises his wand, swiftly turns, and without even  meeting eyes with Periculus, he shouts, "Crucio!"

My breathing becomes laboured as I watch the horror of the torture curse unfold in front of my eyes. Periculus collapses onto the wet ground. His limbs thrash about wildly like they are about to fall off at any given second, as his muscles continue to spasm uncontrollably. His face contorts, ugly, all while screams break from his vocal cords, releasing guttural cries that demonstrate the ineffable searing pain in his body as though he is a mere test subject.

And again, I do not move, only remaining motionless, not out of shock like last time, but out of a deliberate choice not to intervene.

The Dark Lord clenches his jaw in aggravation, and he holds my arm tighter while the surroundings around us begin to fade into a blur. It dawns on me that I am Disapparating with him, in a side-along fashion, as a feeling of pressure grows in my head, causing discomfort in my ears, as there's a ringing sound, and causing my vision to become unclear.

Regardless of the uncomfortable feeling, the journey seems to have lasted for only a second, as I touch down on the ground and regain my vision.

No. Fuck.