A/N: Before I begin, let me first say that this story was partially inspired by tinylexie's story 'Unbearable Pain'. However, there will be some notable differences. Enjoy and this is my first ever Harry Potter fanfic. Enjoy and any and all flames will be ignored.
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of the characters, J.K. Rowling does.
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Voldemort sat in a chair at the head of the table, stroking Nagini's head as his scarlet eyes fixed themselves on the pair in front of them.
The pale grey eyes of the once proud Lucius Malfoy. But Voldemort placed a great emphasis on the word 'once'. Lucius had proven to be nothing more than a bitter disappointment as of late. First, the Dark Lord had been agered to know that the man who had once been one of his most trusted servants, had discarded a part of his soul without a second thought, purely for his own gain. Then of course the fiasco at the Ministry.
Lucius, along with the others who had been captured and imprisoned, had now been liberated, but Voldemort was not one to forgive easily, especially with the stunts Malfoy had pulled.
"Lucius," Voldemort hissed.
"My Lord," the man responded meekly.
"Lucius, you realize that while I am merciful to those who follow me, I also must remind you that failure is unacceptable."
"I understand that-"
"Silence."
The command was soft and cordial, but a command nonetheless and Lucius fell silent.
"Now then," Voldemort continued as Nagini slithered to the floor. "You and your wife understand that those who fail must face the consequences of their actions."
Narcissa closed her thin fingers around her husband's wrist. No...he couldn't...he wouldn't...
She knew she was fooling herself. He certainly would...
"Draco," the heir of Slytherin crooned, the narrow slits he possessed as eyes shifting their gaze to the Malfoys' son.
Draco stiffened but he said nothing.
"Stand up for me, will you?" Voldemort went on.
Draco remained silent, but slowly stood from his seat, attempting to still his trembling.
"Come here."
Still fighting against his fear, the boy approached his master.
The lipless mouth curled into a smile and the Dark Lord raised his wand.
Draco's eyes, the same cold grey as his father's widened in terror.
"No!" Narcissa cried.
But it was too late.
Draco let out a bloodcurdling scream as he fell to the floor, twisting and writhing in pain.
Voldemort had not spoken the incantation, but both Narcissa and Lucius knew it was the Cruciatus Curse.
Draco's cries echoed off the walls.
"Stop! Stop, please!" Narcissa wailed, her pleas mixing with those of her son. "My Lord, please! He's only a child!"
But her cries, as well as her son's, fell on deaf ears as Voldemort gave Draco another taste of his displeasure.
Draco's pale hands scrabbled at his chest as he continued to convulse on the floor.
Narcissa screamed like a banshee and clutched at her long, blonde hair as tears poured from her cerulean eyes.
Lucius did not utter a word. He merely restrained Narcissa, knowing that any interference would only bring more trouble. He refused to look in the direction where his son lay twisting and writhing on the floor as their master continued his torture.
Voldemort smirked and sent another wave of pain at Draco.
Draco's cries were becoming weaker, his struggling becoming less violent.
His master rose to his feet and stared down at him, scoffing at the dilated pupils of the boy lying at his feet.
"This," he turned to Draco's parents. "Is what happens when you have the audacity to disappoint me."
...
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There you have it. I may write another Harry Potter fic or two in the near future. Until then, enjoy this one.