A/N: I am still working on this (I have three chapters done and two chapters mapped and just waiting to be filled out).
But before something else happens, I wanted to start posting! So here you are, my Loves! Thank you ever so much for your patience!
The sequel to A Turn of Events; A Twist of Fate! We pick up right at the start of Deathly Hallows.
Some material taken from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, chapter 1. I own nothing you recognize; that is the property of J.K. Rowling.
A Twist of Fate
Chapter 1: Dark Days (Draco)
Draco sat in his chair at the long table in silent horror as the inert, upside-down body of Professor Burbage hung before him, slowly rotating. He could see her eyes flickering as she became conscious after the last round of torture she had endured at the hands of Voldemort. He had never taken any of her classes, of course, but he had seen her for the last six years sitting at the staff table with the rest of the teachers. He had never paid her the slightest attention before, but now he couldn't take his eyes off of her.
His eyes flicked to the door when the two men they had been waiting for finally entered. Snape, followed by Yaxley came in and took their seats as the Dark Lord directed and the meeting began. Draco's gaze was again drawn to the woman magically bound before him as she turned once again to face him. He felt sick at the pleading in her eyes knowing there was nothing he could do. The others were talking about the big Harry Potter ambush they had planned, but Draco paid little attention because he was not to be going on this mission—that is, until he heard his father's name.
It seemed that Voldemort had asked to use his father's wand to kill Harry with and in reaction, his father had made the involuntary movement to receive Voldemort's own wand in exchange. Draco swallowed as all attention was now on their small family.
"Give you my wand, Lucius? My wand?" Voldemort's red eyes widened maliciously as the others around the table sniggered.
"I have given you your liberty, Lucius, is that not enough for you? But I have noticed that you and your family seem less than happy of late…. What is it about my presence in your home that displeases you, Lucius?"
"Nothing – nothing, my Lord!" replied his father barely above a whisper.
"Such lies, Lucius…" hissed Voldemort's cold voice, echoing around the room. Then Draco felt goosebumps rise up his arms as he realized Nagini had just made her way into the room and under the table. She nudged the toe of his shoe and he had to suppress a shudder.
Draco's eyes shifted from Professor Burbage's to his father's profile nervously. It seemed their façade was crumbling. He noticed his mother staring straight ahead and turned to follow suit, his eyes drawn like magnets to the woman who continued to stare at him, tears now flowing in desperation up her forehead and into her tangled and dirty hair.
Voldemort continued to taunt them, now with the menacing snake draped across his shoulders while he absently stroked it, its eyes unblinking. "Why do the Malfoys look so unhappy with their lot? Is my return not the very thing they professed to desire for so many years?"
"Of course, my Lord," said his father, wiping sweat from his upper lip with a shaking hand. "We did desire it—we do."
Draco glanced quickly at the head of the table where Voldemort sat and away again; it terrified him to make eye contact, but he wanted to see the reaction his father's words received. He felt repulsed when his Aunt nearly simpered in their defense, but it fell on deaf ears anyway.
"What say you, Draco?" asked the Dark Lord. "Will you babysit the cubs?" The fact that blood family had married a werewolf (and the fact that Draco had been taught under said werewolf) had made them subject to further disgrace in Voldemort's and all others' eyes. Draco knew not to answer. He had learned quickly when it was and was not safe to respond to an inquiry from Voldemort. One round of the Cruciatus for not completing his task was all it took). Instead, he merely shot his father a glance, but got nothing from him.
"You must prune your family tree to keep it healthy. Cut away those parts that threaten the health of the rest," continued Voldemort.
"Yes, my Lord. At the first chance!" whispered his Aunt with tears in her eyes. Draco felt sickened.
"Do you recognize our guest, Severus?" asked Voldemort.
And as she slowly turned to face him, she managed to say in a cracked voice, "Severus! Help me!" before turning past him.
"Ah, yes," said Snape, his eyes flickering past her shoulder to meet Draco's in the briefest of moments.
"And you, Draco?" asked Voldemort, still stroking Nagini's snout.
Draco shook his head jerkily and stared at his hands in his lap; he couldn't take the pain and fear in Burbage's eyes anymore because he knew her time was up.
Voldemort continued speaking but Draco tried to block out his words. He closed his eyes when he heard her beg Snape to help her one more time.
" Avada Kedavra," said Voldemort with contempt.
Draco jumped so horribly at the sound of her now lifeless body crashing into the table that he found himself on the floor. He had to swallow back bile so as to not make a complete fool of himself in front of everyone when he heard Voldemort speak for the last time that night.
"Dinner, Nagini."