Rodolphus Lestrange watched his nephew from the opposite end of the table and wiped his sweating palms on his robes. The Dark Lord rambled on about Harry Potter and who needed to kill him, but Rodolphus only half-listened. The only consolation he found was that Draco—head up, eyes averted—seemed just as nervous as he was. Briefly he considered giving the boy a reassuring smile, but he had none to give.
"This has to happen," Severus had told him days before.
"Must it happen this way?"
"Draco won't participate any other way." Severus turned those dark eyes on him. "You care about your nephew, don't you?"
Of all the questions in the world, he had to ask that one. They both knew the answer.
Now, Rodolphus watched the boy in question, letting the plan run through his mind once more. The Dark Lord will make a mistake, Severus had said. He'll say something too obvious to be anything but a cue.
The only question was, would he do it?
A sharp gasp brought Rodolphus out of his reverie. Bellatrix had her head in her hands and stared at the Dark Lord with a look of shock.
"Will you babysit the cubs, Draco?"
Rodolphus jolted. An insult too juicy to pass up. That was Draco's cue.
Draco was silent for a long moment, head bowed, blond hair spilling over his eyes. The fire crackled, and Charity Burbage made another sickening turn.
Then, when Rodolphus thought his nephew would cave, he raised his head. "At first, I was afraid."
The Dark Lord blinked. "Afraid of what, Draco?"
"I was petrified."
A series of nervous laughs flitted around the table at the sudden confession, but quickly died as Draco got to his feet. Rodolphus' pride soared as his nephew stepped from the floor to his chair to the table—and began to sing. Music poured into the room from an undisclosed source.
Kept thinkin' I could never live with you here by my side
But then I spent so many nights thinkin' how you did me wrong
And I grew strong
And I learned how to get along
The Dark Lord drew back as Draco strode across the table, crimson eyes wide. He seemed to relax a bit when the boy turned on his heel halfway down and marched in the other direction.
Because you're back
From outer space
I just walked in and found you here with that sad look upon your face
I should've changed that stupid lock
I should've made you leave your key
If I'd've known for just one second you'd be back to bother me
Now he turned again, making his way back toward the Dark Lord, gesturing angrily at the door as he came.
Go on, now, go
Walk out the door
Just turn around now
'Cause you're not welcome anymore
Weren't you the one who tried to hurt me with goodbye?
You think I'd crumble?
You think I'd lay down and die?
Draco drew himself up proudly, almost hitting his head on Charity Burbage.
Oh, no, not I!
I will survive!
Oh, as long as I know how to love I know I'll stay alive
I've got all my life to live
I've got all my love to give
And I'll survive!
I will survive!
Hey, hey
The Dark Lord blinked. This was a challenge, a direct refusal of his authority—and all he seemed able to do was stare as his youngest charge turned the mahogany table into a one-man dance floor. Perhaps it was the style that unnerved him. Severus said disco unnerved a lot of people.
Bolstered by his nephew's performance, Rodolphus leapt onto the table as the musical interlude drew to an end. He put a fist to his heart and addressed the Dark Lord.
It took all the strength I had not to fall apart
Kept tryin' hard to mend the pieces of my broken heart
And I spent oh so many nights just feelin' sorry for myself
I used to cry
But now I hold my head up high
The words had been written by a Muggle and sung by a Muggle, but they seemed penned especially for him. His indignation swelled with the music; he marched to the other end of the table and sang to his wife.
And you see me
Somebody new
I'm not that chained-up little person still in love with you
And so you felt like droppin' in and just expect me to be free
But now I'm savin' all my lovin' for someone who's lovin' me!
Rodolphus savored her look of shock. He drank in her dismay and let her buried fear carry him to the other end of the table, where he once again addressed his master.
Go on, now, go
Walk out the door
Just turn around now
'Cause you're not welcome anymore
Weren't you the one who tried to break me with goodbye?
You think I'd crumble?
You think I'd lay down and die?
Draco's eyes shone, and he was smiling now. Rodolphus winked, banished Charity Burbage to the floor with a flick of his wand, and met his nephew in the middle of the table.
Oh, no, not I!
I will survive!
Oh, as long as I know how to love I know I'll stay alive
I've got all my life to live
I've got all my love to give
And I'll survive!
I will survive!
The music had increased in volume, so much so that the Dark Lord's command was nearly inaudible. Rodolphus still made out two words: "Kill them!"
Draco's look of fear lasted only a moment—the amount of time it took for Rodolphus to disarm everyone in the room. His spell travelled in a wave, wands flying from hands with shouts of surprise, conveniently skipping Severus. The Dark Lord was the last to lose his wand, and he searched frantically for it as the boy and his uncle came toward him, wands at the ready, singing together.
Oh
Go on, now, go!
Walk out the door!
Just turn around now
'Cause you're not welcome anymore!
Weren't you the one who tried to break me with goodbye?
You think I'd crumble?
You think I'd lay down and die?
The Dark Lord could no longer mask his fear. Two traitors, both armed, one of them the husband of Bellatrix Lestrange; the faithful disarmed, the music swelling to a crescendo—he backed against the wall, knocking over his chair in the process.
Oh, no, not I!
I will survive!
Oh, as long as I know how to love I know I'll stay alive
I've got all my life to live
I've got all my love to give
And I'll survive!
I will survive!
I will survive!
Rodolphus held out the last note as the music faded into the darkness.
"Avada Kedavra."
Severus said the words matter-of-factly, the green light hitting the Dark Lord square in the chest. Silence fell over the drawing room, unbroken but for an occasional cough from Charity Burbage. Draco grinned, pointing his wand at the unseen front door.
"And...cue the Order."
The Order poured through the door, wands held high, shouting fierce war cries. Severus climbed onto the table, joining Draco and Rodolphus on their little island. Together they watched the sea of chaos rage around them.
"Rodolphus?"
Rodolphus looked at his nephew. The boy's smile hadn't faded; he had the feeling it wouldn't for quite some time. "Yes, Draco?"
"You're the coolest uncle ever."