Chapter 3: The Dark Arts
"Focus Draco, Focus. Do you think the Dark Lord would have been satisfied with that pitiful performance?" His voice was a quiet but deadly whisper, uttered from underneath the Death Eater robes that enveloped him. A bead of sweat trickled down my face, landing onto the cold gray stone floor with a splash that echoed loudly, breaking the silence.
Every part of me ached. My arms were sore from exertion, and cuts ran jagged lines across my chest and thighs. Looking at him I pleaded in the most dignified manner I could muster, "Father, this is a bit ridiculous. We've been at this for five hours al –"
Even under the dark robes I saw his eyes flash in displeasure. "Draco, you foolish child. You foolish, foolish child. Can you hear yourself Draco?" he threw off his hood; I involuntarily shrunk backwards as I saw the pure rage that contorted his face, "Can you hear your pitiful pleas? Did you think the Dark Lord would commiserate with you? Did you think that he would feel sorry for you- feel sorry that you cannot handle the tasks he has beset upon you?" His eyes glazed over into a dreamy state as his behavior turned into an erratic pacing; he had obviously forgotten I was there.
The only noise coming from him was slight tidbits of mutterings, "The Dark Lord…never forgives…idiot…stupid child…how could he have…family…entrusted with the…failed us…to die…shaming…an embarrassment…will never forget –," and as soon as it began, the muttering stopped to a halt. Slowly, he spun around on his heels and glared at me with such ferocity that I averted my eyes, not wanting to stare at those oh-so-familiar silver orbs. I had not realized what had happened until a felt the sharp prodding at my neck, a smooth rounded yet sharp point that could only mean the tip of a wand. My eyes shot upwards, meeting his cold and calculating gaze again.
His words distracted me by the pure loathing that coated the words. "You are not my child! You are a shame, a shame to the great Malfoy line! A shame!" The wand was jabbed yet again into the side of my neck. I momentarily forgot to breathe when I saw an unknown gleam flash across his face, a murderous glimmer in his eyes. Before I knew what he was doing, he stepped backward, pointed at my face, and screamed in an inhuman voice, "CRUCIO!!"
A flash of light exploded before me. I fell to the ground as a searing pain enveloped my body. Emotions and thoughts fled from my mind as my nerves were prodded and pried by invisible forces. I twisted and turned as red-hot spikes pierced my skin. Writhing on the ground, the feelings coursing through my body were worse than death. I was being burned alive, my fingers were slowly being cut off, my airways began constricting, my ribs were one by one cracked in half, and then…it stopped. Relief washed over me like a cool cloth. Sweat coated my body and my robes were drenched, but everything thankfully felt in tact.
I tried to sit up, but I couldn't. My muscles would not operate; I was as limp as a rag doll. Slowly I tuned into the white noise that had been filling my ears. Mother's voice, she was screaming… "What is…problem? What… doing… racket…OH MY… DRACO! WHAT THE…YOU DO TO…" Smooth, gentle arms enveloped me into a protective embrace. Although my eyes were closed, I knew it was her. "Mother," I moaned feebly, why did I sound so weak?
The last thing I saw before the darkness enveloped me was him. He was looking down at me, the anger and deadly gleam gone from his face, replaced with a look of remorse and disappointment. Then my mind went blank and his face warped into a fuzzy blur. Soon I was floating into darkness.
Twirling, I was spinning so fast, it was the uncomfortable sensation of side-along apparition times twenty. I was stuck in a torpedo and my stomach seemed to drop right out of my body. The scene was changing. My memory of the summer's events was gone; the clear recollection of the soreness and limpness was gone. I had total control of my body; I felt fine.
This wasn't a place like the familiar Malfoy Manor; the smells were too fresh, too salty. A gentle wind rustled my robes and I could hear the constant splashing of ocean waves hitting rock. Father was before me and I saw Mother lagging behind, this definitely wasn't a regular family outing.
Suddenly we were gone again, far from the fresh smells of the sea. Father was before me, bent over, his face obscured by his robes. A musky, dank smell reached my nostrils; this was far from the lavish luxury of the Manor. My eyes shot open as I saw Father fall, a horrid high-pitched noise emitting from beneath the black cloth that enveloped him. I rushed forward, hand stretched outward toward him, but the last thing I saw before the blackness overtook me was two red glowing slits, a murderous gleam glinting off the pupils.
"Draco Malfoy! Get your bloody hand away from --"
"He's awake Blaise."
I awoke, wide-eyed and sweat drenched. Blaise stood before me, his hand casually looped around Pansy's waist, an expression of amusement and triumph on his face. Pushing the thoughts of my recent dream to the back of my head, I glared at Blaise. By the look of things, something had happened between the two of them during the time when I was stuck with Granger and company. I'd be lying to myself if I said I wasn't a bit surprised at the sight before me. Pansy usually went for the physically
talented rather than the cunning bastards like Blaise. Although I suppose the size of his Gringott's vault did help him. But Blaise, well he's like his mother, doesn't really last well in long term relationships.
Straightening my back, I walked over toward my trunks and called back, "So Pansy, I'm guessing you have a logical reason for neglecting your duties, not telling me why I'm Head Boy, and for not wearing your badge."
Pansy's voice still had its usual air of confidence; however there was a hint of apprehension running through her tone that meant she was lying, "Well Draco after being prefect once already you should know that those meetings are always a bore. I mean did you honestly want to be stuck in a room with a bunch of bumbling prats? Anyways we all knew Snape would give you Head Boy. I was surprised you didn't know."
I shrugged on my Slytherin robes, the smooth material cascading down my back. Pansy was smirking slightly as I turned around, pointedly ignoring her response. I would find out what she had been doing with Blaise later on. Walking past the couple, I plopped back down on the couch.
"So, how'd you two get into the Head Compartment?" I raised my eyebrow inquisitorially at the two of them and continued, "Snape, me, and the Mudblood Granger are the only ones that can get in, door's charmed."
Blaise grinned devilishly and started, "Well it wasn't really that hard. Granger was walking out of the room when Pansy distracted her by calling her a –"
Pansy squealed in a high pitched laugh and interrupted a taken aback Blaise, "I called her a filthy little Blood Traitor loving, good for nothing Mudblood, who chased after Krum because she was so pitifully ugly and unpopular." Another high pitched giggle escaped Pansy's mouth as she continued, "She just stared at open mouthed, but by then Blaise had already slipped into the room, so I just walked away, but I probably would have hexed her if some pimply Ravenclaw didn't walk right between us. Idiotic second year was obviously blind and stupid."
"Pansy! I know you're in there! You've been making out with Zabini the whole time haven't you? I'm serious Pansy, get out here! I have no idea what to do – I know Millicent! Calm down – No, quit it! That's disgusting!" A thud resonated from outside as the voice went up another octave. "EW! Millicent will you stop that for Merlin's – PANSY GET OUT HERE RIGHT NOW! DAPHNE'S –"
Pansy had quickly left Blaise's side and soon had flung open the door, bringing the girl outside to a sudden halt. The girl's robes were slightly disheveled and I saw a hulking frame behind her that could have only been Millicent Bulstrode. I couldn't help but smirk when I saw the girl's expression change from hysterical distress to a look of relief as Pansy began speaking, "Oh for Merlin's sake. Don't tell me she's snogging that Hufflepuff to make him jealous? That's disgusting. Well OBVIOUSLY we're not going to talk to her anymore. I have no idea why you thought we still WOULD –" The rest of Pansy's words were cut off as the door slammed behind her.
I stared at the door admiring the fine wood paneling as a comfortable silence enveloped the room. Blaise and I weren't like the Slytherin girls. We didn't need conversation in order to survive daily. My thoughts smudged together as thoughts of my recent dream inched their way into my conscience. The first part of the dream I recognized. After all, it was exactly what I had been subjected to over the summer; the remnants of Father's unknown burst of anger still could be found on my body.
"Draco – are you –?"
"What?" I snapped at Blaise. He rolled his eyes at me and flounced down onto the couch beside me. Nowadays it was quite frequent when I would daze off, enraptured in my own thoughts. I stared hard at Blaise; I never did get the chance to ask him who his Mother's new fling was. However, I knew the time for that was not now. Blaise always adopted a somewhat far away look when he talked about his Mother's marriages. Would Blaise ever manage to break his own constant stream of flings?
A vision of Pansy, Blaise, and wedding bells crossed my mind, but I wouldn't get ahead of myself. First step, see if they last a week. I grinned again and it must have looked quite devilish as Blaise cast me an inquiring look.
If possible, I grinned even wider, and said, "So Blaise, you and Pansy? I told you she was a good snog. Don't tell me I'm wrong. I know I'm not."
Blaise returned my grin with one that could have charmed the heart of even the cruelest hag. His tone was playful as he retorted, "I concede Draco. You were right. She wasn't half bad. But you should get a chunk of that brunette Ravenclaw I dated for a while." A tiny sigh escaped his lips as he continued. "Almost got a shag out of her, but… then I got bored."
I smirked back at Blaise. His sexual escapades were of no surprise to me. Blaise tended to pull the 'I'm not a Death Eater just a charming, handsome, witty Slytherin who would love to snog you behind that one fairly large suit of armor.' Although Blaise was quite popular with girls, even he, the self acclaimed human manifestation of sex, couldn't deny that I was just as successful with the ladies as
he was. There was a lapse in the conversation as I casually glanced out the window. We were here. The beginning of our seventh and final year approached as the magical mystery of Hogwarts splayed itself before us.
A quick glance at Blaise showed me that he, too, was watching the familiar castle through the compartment's window. His head slowly tilted my direction as he spoke, "Draco, where are your minions?"
I raised an eyebrow inquisitively, "Minions? You mean Crabbe and Goyle? You should know by now that they're more of thugs – feminine thugs at that." I snickered quietly to myself remembering the stunt they had played last year as girls while a look of mild confusion crossed Blaise's face. Ignoring the questioning look he directed at me I continued, "Last I saw of them they were shoving their faces with chocolate frogs, by now they may have moved on to sugar quills."
A very un-Blaise-like grunt escaped his lips as he lifted up his trunks. I didn't remember when he had brought his trunks in but Blaise, after all, was known for being a sneaky bastard. Immediately after stepping out of the compartment I felt this sense of dread overcome me. Once again I was left to ponder whether this had truly been the right decision; was coming back to Hogwarts really going to buy me a few more weeks, days, or even hours from the Dark Lord's wrath? That was one thing that I would most likely never be able to predict.
Stalking toward one of the carriages my eyes widened in horror. Thestrals, hideously ugly beasts, their large expansive black wings and freakish eyes left me disgusted and I couldn't help but look away. I recalled one lesson with the huge Potter-loving, half-breed oaf. Fitting perhaps, as now I was more attuned to death than I had ever been before, for even Mother's constant sheltering had not been able to block out the news drifting through the Manor.
As I stepped toward the carriage before me a hand on my shoulder caused me to abruptly stop and turn around. Before me stood the man that had caused so much commotion over the past few months. I couldn't help but resent the man that had once been my favorite professor. Last years stunt in the tower was far from forgotten. However, it was no good to be on rough terms with the man who was currently in favor. Anyways I knew Snape would only help me this year, especially with the addition of the Carrows. This year, the Slytherins would officially rule Hogwarts.
"Draco," his voice broke my trance as his calculating gaze pierced me, "you are meant to come with me." I opened my mouth to speak but I interrupted me, "We have matters to discuss." He stalked ahead and for the second time today our new headmaster was leading me somewhere unknown. I trudged behind him as he led me towards the castle. Dutifully I trailed behind him, neither of us speaking, as the castle loomed closer with each step. Eventually we had reached the castle; the familiar
gray stone was different from the lavishness of the Malfoy Manor, it held a certain property to it that was hard to explain. It was as if the stone itself held the secrets of Hogwarts, that each weathered piece of rock held a story that was special in it's one way.
I glanced around the place that had always seemed like a second home to me, relishing in the comforts of being back. Realizing I was lagging behind I focused on the direction where Snape was heading, slowing down as I saw him come to a halt before a stone door. He tapped the door with his wand and with a loud groan it slid open just enough for a person to squeeze by. Following him in I saw we had entered one of Hogwarts' many deserted classrooms.
"Draco," he began, "The Dark Lord asks for a favor from you. After last year's failed mission he asks to… meet with you –" My eyes widened in horror. I knew what this meant, my dream, it was right. The Dark Lord was coming after me because of my failure. A chill ran down my spine as I knew the meaning behind the words that had just escaped Snape's lips. I was a dead man.
"No…" the word escaped my lips in a moan-like wail. I didn't notice when I had fallen to my knees I just knew, Snape… "Professor," my voice was a mere whisper as I looked up at him, "You…My Mother. You promised her! You made and Unbreakable Vow! You said…I…safe!" The words gurgled out of my mouth in a jumble of the intelligible and the unintelligible. I was on the verge of hysterics. Snape was my best shot, the Dark Lord, surely he might be convinced by his most loyal servant.
He looked down upon me, his eyes like coal, and his face was as unreadable as always. With a wave of his wand I felt myself lifted upward into a standing position. Slowly, he said, "Narcissia and I did have an arrangement. Nevertheless, the Dark Lord never said he would harm you as I am sure you will be of future use to him. Currently your next service to the Dark Lord is of no importance to me. I only ask you to help with something quite simple."
I relaxed slightly. If the Dark Lord still needed me, I would surely still stay alive. However Snape's request was not lost to me and I arched an eyebrow upward. A pleased smirk tweaked the corners of his mouth as he continued, "The Granger girl, while I have authority, it is… difficult to withstand the constant pestering of the teachers and governors. I made the decision to allow Granger to become Head Girl with the understanding that it may come of some use."
He was batting around the bushes and I knew it. My patience was wearing thin as I wanted to hurry and return to the Feast. I interrupted him, "What use could she ever be? The dirty little Mudblood." To my surprise his face reddened and he slowly said, "Don't use that word around me. And she could be useful. She's the ticket straight to Potter and Weasley. I don't expect them to be sticking around for long, Dumbledore's given them some sort of…mission. The Dark Lord wants to
find out what it is. Find out what they're doing and resort to any means. This school is no longer under the care of Albus Dumbledore and as of now the fastest means is the best means Draco."
Staring hard at Snape I nodded slowly, realizing this was the moment where I was meant to leave a trudged toward the door and cast a glance back before stepping out into the hallway. New revelations pounded in my head as I realized the gravity of Snape's last few words. Hogwarts was truly a different place this year. I had no doubt that the means he spoke of were hardly legal. The Dark Arts finally had arrived at Hogwarts.
