enchanted • draco malfoy

Year 7: Promise

Felicity's POV

I knew it was coming, but when Bellatrix spoke, I was chilled to the bone.

"You."

I held my chin up defiantly, refusing to back down, even as tears of pure fear pricked my eyes. "You must think you're so clever," she spat, pacing in front of me and Mione, "Stealing from me." I tried to steady my voice before saying, "We didn't steal-"

Quick as lighting, her hand shot out, slapping across my face with a sound that echoed throughout the hall. I gasped at the initial pain, before glowering with such intensity that even Severus Snape would have been impressed. "You-"

I took a step forward so that her and I were nearly nose to nose again, but Hermione pulled me back.

Bellatrix was grinning wildly. "What, you think you could beat me? You think you could have a go at me? I could obliterate you with one word, you filthy blood traitor!" Her voice was high again, loud and grating. I chose not to answer.

My stomach dropped to my feet when her eyes suddenly lit up. Whatever she'd just thought of wouldn't end well for me.

"But maybe I shouldn't seize that privilege. Maybe... maybe I should give it to Draco."

She turned to him, her eyes wide and imploring as she beckoned him closer.

He looked terrified.

Behind him, his father pushed him forward. Draco stumbled, looking paler than usual and absolutely nauseous.

I probably looked the same.

Bellatrix wrapped an arm around his shoulders, pulling him close. "One little word," she rasped, bringing a hand to his cheek and turning his head to face me.

He met my eyes, his expression carefully controlled. But I could see through the cracks in his armor, and I could tell he was horrified. I prayed I didn't look as fearful as I felt.

Again, I raised my chin, praying I looked every bit the Gryffindor my parents had been when Bellatrix had tortured them to the brink of death.

Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted Narcissa, returned from the cellar. I prayed that Harry and Ron wouldn't hear my screams.

Bellatrix backed away from Draco, smirking wickedly as he slowly withdrew his wand. Hermione was still holding my hand tightly, and I squeezed it now, trying to ready my body for the unimaginable pain to come.

Draco raised his wand slowly. I don't think I was the only one who noticed the slight tremor that went through it as Draco's hand shook.

There was complete silence, until-

"Well? Do it, Draco!" Bellatrix shrieked. Draco took a deep breath.

"Crucio."

I braced myself, but nothing happened.

Suddenly, I remembered what Harry told me about the Unforgivable Curses.

"They don't work unless you really mean it," he explained, "You have to want it to work, you have to want to hurt that person."

And Draco couldn't.

And now Bellatrix knew. Draco's eyes were wide, a mix of terror and relief in them.

"Draco," Lucius hissed from where he still stood at the front of the room. Bellatrix looked equal parts shocked and pleased and disgusted, an expression I didn't know was possible to manage until I looked at her. "Disgusting," she spat.