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A missing scene somewhere between books 6 and 7. One-shot. Written and Betaed with Kaillinne Arami.

The Consequences of a Failure

At that moment he could no longer feel the tears coming from his eyes, even though he knew they were there. He tried to make his body react, just to be able to clench and unclench his fist would be enough for him... but his body lay still, completely numbed by the pain. Fear washed over him as a choked sob escaped his lips.

"How does it feel, Draco? To be a failure" A man hissed hidden by the shadows of the dungeon. Draco had grown accustomed long ago to the dim lights and was not surprised when, by the flick of the mans' wand, his body rose a few feet from the ground and was flung unceremoniously head-first against the opposite side of the room. His upper body collided with the chains attached to the wall before falling hard on the stone ground.

"Answer me boy!" Voldemort demanded. Draco didn't have the strength to speak, already fighting a losing battle to obtain the air that had been knocked out of his lungs. Before he knew it the wand was pointing at his chest again and pain began to spread like a wildfire. First to his heart, then, agonizingly, to the rest of his body. His muscles seemed to be tearing apart and every single articulation in his body felt like it was being twisted in impossible ways.

Draco didn't care what happened to him anymore. He would have done anything to stop the pain. His hopes were answered when the pain died down turning into a dull ache. Using all the strength he could muster he looked up and was surprised to see his mother, pale and ashen faced, standing in the middle of the dungeon, the door behind her wide open. Seconds later Bellatrix ran inside and, grabbing Narcissa's arm, attempted to pull her sister back out.

Voldemort observed the scene mildly interested. "My lord. I beg you. Mercy! He's just a child!" Narcissa pleaded freeing herself from Bellatrix's grasp.

The dark lord simply laughed. A cold, cruel laugh that echoed around the dungeon. " Do you really think that I forgive that easily, Narcissa? Severus has lost his job as a spy both in Hogwarts and in the Order because your son was too weak to end Dumbledore's life. Yet your son still lives, does he not? Is that not merciful enough? Although, if he continues to be such a disappointment, I con assure you that my patience will not last for much longer." Slowly, deliberately, his blood-red eyes never leaving Narcissas's gray ones, Voldemort pointed his wand at Draco again. "Crucio" He whispered tauntingly.

The boy's screams filled the dungeon once more. "No, please stop!" Narcissas's voice was barely a whisper as tears began pouring down her face. Voldemort removed the curse, leaving Draco whimpering and shaking on the ground.

It took a while before Draco found his voice. "Let me die" He begged. "Please, just let me die" His words where completely void of emotion as were his eyes.. It seemed that he had given up both the will to fight and the will to live.

"Draco!" The blond woman screamed running towards her son. But he sister was much faster than her and mere steps away from the boy she had been immobilized. "Draco please! You have to hold on!" She was able to choke through tears.

"Take your sister from my presence Bellatrix." The dark lord commanded. "Immediately!"

Narcissa was dragged away, her sobs still echoing around the dungeon.

Draco didn't have time to prepare himself before the next curse hit him square in the chest. The pain exploded in his body once more, this time simply too much to bear. But the pain began to gradually subside. First just the tips of his fingers, then his hands and arms. The blissed numbness stretched onto his shoulders and down his spine, soon claiming both legs. His breathing became even more shallow as black spots blurred his vision, Seconds later, the darkness claimed him.

Lucius Malfoy was standing in front of the dungeons, waiting to find out what had become of his son, when Voldermort walked out.

"My Lord, I-"

"Ah, Lucius." The cold voice interrupted him. " Make yourself useful, won't you? Remove what is left of your son from the dungeons." He ordered before turning a corner and dissapering from view.

Fearing the worst Lucius pushed open the door. When he saw the lifeless body on the floor he thought, for a moment, that his greatest fear had come true. He rushed to his son's side, a trembling hand searching for a pulse. Relief washed over him when he found it, along with raspy breathing. As gently as he could he picked Draco's body up in his arm. Guilt filled him with every step he took. 'If only I had not lost favor, this would have never happened.' He thought to himself.

Draco's eyes opened slowly, blurry images of silver and black were all he could make out. He felt like he was floating, but he really couldn't tell. "Dad?" He managed to whisper in a croaked voice. The movement abruptly stopped. " I'm sorry I failed." He mumbled barely loud enough for anyone to hear before drifting back to unconsciousness.

END

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