Shadows of Redemption

Chapter 20: The Dark Lord's Command

Draco's POV

The drawing room of Malfoy Manor was colder than usual, and the presence of the Dark Lord made the air feel suffocating. The room was full of Death Eaters, their eyes glittering with anticipation and fear as they watched Voldemort. He stood at the center, tall and thin, his pale, snake-like face void of emotion.

My heart pounded as I stepped into the room. My father stood to the side, his expression stoic but tense, and Bellatrix was beside him, her eyes alight with twisted excitement. I forced myself to walk forward, keeping my head bowed, every step feeling heavier than the last.

"Draco," Voldemort drawled, his voice as smooth and cold as silk. "Join us."

I obeyed, my mouth dry as I came to a stop in front of him. His red eyes bored into me, and I felt like he was peeling back every layer of my mind, searching for weakness. I kept my face blank, clinging to every lesson my parents had drilled into me about maintaining composure.

Voldemort tilted his head, a sinister smile playing at his lips. "You know why I have called you here," he said, his voice echoing in the silence.

I swallowed, trying to keep my voice from shaking. "No, my Lord," I replied, though the words tasted like ash.

He studied me for a long moment, drawing out the tension until I felt like I might snap. "The school year is approaching," he said. "Hogwarts will be a crucial battleground. And you, Draco, have an important role to play."

I forced myself to nod, my heart thundering. "Yes, my Lord."

He stepped closer, and I had to fight not to flinch. "You will ensure that our plans are executed flawlessly," he continued, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Failure is not an option."

"I understand, my Lord," I managed to say, though fear coiled in my stomach.

Voldemort's eyes narrowed, and his smile widened, as if he could sense every bit of terror I was trying to hide. "Good," he murmured. "But I believe you need... motivation."

My breath caught, and I felt the world tilt as his wand flicked toward me. I braced myself for pain, for the Cruciatus Curse, but instead, he pointed the wand at my father. Lucius's eyes widened in shock and horror, but he didn't move, didn't speak.

"No!" I blurted, panic flooding through me. "Please-"

Voldemort's smile only grew. "Ah," he said, drawing out the word. "So you do care."

Before I could react, Voldemort spoke the incantation, and the Cruciatus Curse slammed into my father. Lucius crumpled to the ground, his body writhing in agony, his mouth open in a silent scream. The sight of it was more horrifying than any curse I could have endured myself.

"Stop!" I choked out, my voice cracking. "Please, stop!"

Voldemort let the curse linger for a moment longer before lifting it. Lucius lay on the ground, gasping for breath, his face contorted in pain. I felt sick, my legs trembling, but I forced myself to stay upright.

"This," Voldemort said, his voice soft and deadly, "is what happens when you disappoint me. Do you understand, Draco?"

Tears burned at the corners of my eyes, but I blinked them away, nodding frantically. "Yes, my Lord," I whispered, my voice barely audible.

He leaned in, his breath cold against my skin. "Make sure you don't," he hissed.

Harriet's POV

The minutes ticked by like hours, each one stretching out painfully as I waited for Draco to return. My body was coiled tight with anxiety, every instinct screaming that something terrible was happening. I had tried to calm myself, tried to focus on the hope that Draco would come back to me safe, but it was nearly impossible.

The door creaked open, and I jumped, my heart leaping into my throat. Draco stumbled into the room, his face pale and his eyes wide with shock. His hands were trembling, and he looked like he had seen a ghost.

I rushed to his side, pressing against his leg, and he sank to the floor, his breath coming in shallow, ragged gasps. "He cursed him," he whispered, his voice shattered. "Voldemort... he cursed my father. Because of me."

My heart twisted at the raw pain in his voice. He looked utterly broken, his shoulders shaking as he buried his face in his hands. I wished I could do more than just be there, wished I could find the words to take away his pain. But all I could do was stay close, my presence the only comfort I could offer.

Draco lifted his head, his eyes red and glassy. "I can't fail," he said, his voice cracking. "If I do, he'll kill us. All of us."

The weight of his fear pressed down on me, and I felt the frustration of being powerless boil in my veins. We had to find a way to stop this, to fight back. But how could we, when the enemy was so much stronger than we were?

Draco took a deep, shuddering breath, his hands clenching into fists. "We can't let him win," he said, his voice filled with a new kind of determination. "We have to keep going. We have to find a way to fight back."

I met his gaze, and for a moment, I saw the boy who had been hardened by fear and pain transform into someone brave and unyielding. We would find a way to survive. We had to. Together.