SHADOW
SUMMERSHINE
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
"You are to understand, Draco."
Draco staggered, hitting the bookshelf and dropping to the floor like a stone. His eyes were two hellish blue blotches of anger and regret, his straw-colored hair thin and sweaty.
He remembered that stupid muggle-loving fool, his white hair gleaming in the moonlight and his terrified eyes; eyes that had sought out Severus Snape and had begged for mercy.
"The Dark Lord is not pleased."
He had been unable to succeed. He had had the power – he had! And – the power had left him. It had left his arm limp and clouded with uncertainty; it had placed leaden weights upon his mind and slowed his speech.
"He entrusted you with a task, Draco. A task that you – the noble heir of the Malfoy family – failed."
He remembered the impact that the cold, merciless, unforgiving ground had given him when he had been slammed into it. He remembered that at that moment – he knew he would die.
His entire body had burned. He would be sick, he had been sure of it – hell was no match for the acute agony he had been placed in. He had heard Snape's harsh and unrelenting voice crow with the same wonderful and haunting power that had deceived and deserted him only seconds before – damn the bastard.
"And now, Draco, you will face your punishment."
He knew he would die then. He knew that he would die in a flash of refulgent green, and he would never see the blue, luminous sky again…
"Avada Kedavra."
Draco Malfoy hit the ground with a thump, and a soft sigh expelled from him due to the impact. His father checked himself; walked smartly out the door.
The door shut on its own accord.