A/N: Here we go my lovelies, one of the four chapters I am posting tonight! Do you have your popcorn ready? :P Don't forget to leave me a review, they are lacking :(
Chapter Eight
A night of nightmares and paranoia followed the first snog session of the young couple. Draco had horrid dreams, one after another, each time he would wake with his heart pounding and his eyes searching for any threats. Poisoned tea, onyx eyes, a laughing Harry next to a smug Dumbledore. Even now as he woke again for the fourth time the dreams seemed to slip from his grasp as if they were smoke. The snippets he did have were vivid and assaulted him rapidly; even Draco's Occlumency skills could not stop the onslaught of images.
"Harry wouldn't do that," Draco murmured to himself as he drew his knees up, the soft sheets spilt around him. The cool air raised bumps on his arms but it helped clear his mind from the sleepy haze. "Harry's mine…" He took a deep breath and tried to concentrate on the expression Harry had after their snogging session. "Severus would nev-" The whispered words died before he could even finish.
Draco had known Severus Snape since the day he had been born. His godfather had taken him around the world, showing him various communities whilst Draco helped the potions master harvest ingredients. The man had taught him to play chess and had even given him a muggle…what was it? Some sort of food that muggles popped. And when he was seven and had contracted Spattergroit from the primary school he had begged his mother to let him attend, Severus had been the one to nurse him back to health when his parents had been away at his grandfather Abraxas Malfoy's funeral.
How could all of the trust Draco had had for Severus be snapped so easily? How could the thought of his godfather being the traitor amongst the ranks seduce him so? Something wasn't right…he could feel it in his gut. But the thought of-
There was a knock on his door and Draco snapped out of his thoughts, casting a freshening charm before slipping on the silk pajama bottoms that were on the floor next to his bed. It couldn't be even five yet, Draco internally grumbled, whoever was daring to disturb him at such an indecent hour. The cold stone floor only added to his frustration at whoever was on the other side of the door.
However all the frustration Draco had been feeling melted away when he saw Harry's floating head. Silver eyes widened, "I couldn't sleep good." Draco snapped out of his shock and opened the door further, watching in stunned fascination as Harry's head floated in. Of all the things… "Harry where on Earth did you get an invisibility cloak?"
Harry slipped the cloak off and Draco couldn't help but follow it as Harry laid it on the chair. Invisibility cloaks were extremely rare, he wasn't even sure if his father owned one. "It was my dad's." The cloak was soft as silk between the blonde's fingertips and light as air. One hand dipped underneath and Draco was mesmerized by how it vanished without a trace. If this had truly been Harry's father's cloak it was years old, by now it should be tearing at the seams, have a hole, or lose its invisibility. Once they got to a certain age the cloaks would start to show mirage like outlines or only fade the person wearing it, but this cloak worked as if brand new.
"Um…Draco?" Draco's head snapped to Harry, for a moment he had forgotten Harry was even there. But now his thoughts were befuddled once more…How was Harry here?
"Harry how did you get in here?" Only Slytherins knew where the entrance was and the password changed so frequently it was impossible to keep track unless you were a snake. Unless a Slytherin had told…but that was absurd, no Slytherin would ever tell Harry freaking Potter the location and the password.
Harry's lips turned upwards into a cheeky grin, "I knocked on the door." Draco refused to even respond and pierced Harry with a glare, though while the brunette lost his smile he seemed unaffected. "I have my ways Draco."
Draco suppressed a sigh and let it die for now, resolving to find out later. "You said you couldn't sleep?" Harry nodded and sat on Draco's bed before falling backwards. Draco raised an eyebrow but said nothing.
"It's one of those nights where I saw into his head. He was really happy tonight, some guy named Van Buren swore fealty. What does that even mean?" Draco's stomach gave a flip and couldn't suppress the small smile. His father had done it! The Malfoy name was bound to be back in good graces with the Dark Lord now, with himself as an Elite and now his father had secured one of the wealthiest and most influential families in the Netherlands. The Van Buren's were to the Netherlands what the Malfoy's were to England.
Draco collapsed on the bed next to Harry. "The Van Buren's are the most influential family in the Netherlands Harry. With them on our side many more will sure to follow. Most of Europe will be called to one side or another, the more countries on our side the easier it will be when the nuisance of these Light wizards is squashed."
Harry rolled over, pulling the heavy comforter with him, and rested his head on Draco's chest. Draco took a moment to squash the shock and lace an arm Harry underneath the cover that was now spread out over both of them. His fingers absentmindedly played with the raven hair while all thoughts vanished from his mind. It just felt so right. Harry up against him, resting on his chest, playing with his hair, their bodies melded together so perfectly…it just felt so natural. Just a few days ago Draco would have scoffed and would have Crucio'd anyone who told him this would happen. Yet now…it was so blissfully right.
"Chocolate or vanilla?" Harry asked randomly, breaking the silence they had shared.
"Neither, I prefer dragonberry."
"Cashews or almonds?" Draco let loose a small laugh. "Once again neither, I loathe nuts."
"Really?" Harry peeked up and Draco nodded.
"Have you ever had an onion ring?" Harry pulled himself away from Draco's chest and rested his head on his hand, so he could Draco, who at the moment looked confused. "Why on earth would I want to eat a ring of onion?"
Harry laughed and shook his head, "blood pops or fireballs?" Draco grinned wickedly, "fireballs, they're my favorite."
"B-but their-" Draco laughed and rolled over on to Harry, silencing any more questions Harry could come up with. Their last precious half hour was spent snogging and mapping out foreign terrain.
xXx
Ancient Runes was the last class of the day, thankfully. Draco was impatiently waiting for the bell, the last five minutes was always the longest. After this he had a free evening, an evening he hoped he could spend with Harry. That morning had been an amazing way to start the day and he wanted to finish up an amazing ending.
But as Draco packed away his supplies his Dark Mark flared. It wasn't painful or burning, or searing, just a dull warming sensation that alerted him to the fact that he was being summoned. These types of calls meant take your time, that there was no emergency. Crabbe and Goyle either didn't notice or didn't care, more likely the former and stood waiting for him to collect himself so that they may walk to dinner.
"Why don't you two buffoons go ahead, I am not hungry and I have Arithmancy work to do." Both of the lumps just stood there looking at Draco before looking at each other. Draco grit his teeth, "Go and find Blaise for a while, tell him I am needed elsewhere and you are his to look after."
When they were finally gone Draco made his way down the halls and passed through the courtyard. Brown was sitting far too close to Weasley to ever be considered proper in public. She moved on from Thomas quickly. Wonder how the- oh look there she is now with my mate. It grated on his nerves how she could lean into Harry, how she was leaning into him. Harry shouldn't be around such filth. Green eyes met silver and Draco subtly shook his head as he continued on, forcing himself not to back. He failed of course, before Draco rounded the corner he met Harry's eye again, this time green orbs were filled with recognition.
About fifteen minutes, three quick dodges from teachers, and two harsh bugger offs found Draco behind the Three Broom Sticks, his school bag shrunken in his pocket. With an almost silent crack he disappeared. Draco reappeared in the foyer, not a person in sight. He waited for a few minutes, but still there was no clacking sounds of heels on the marble floor nor were there and taps from his father's cane.
'Odd,' He thought as he made the familiar trek to the Dark Lord's office. The entire way there, there was not a soul in sight.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
This time there was no answering come in and something immediately felt off. With a quick wave of his wand his clothes were back to pristine condition, his tie tightened, and his hair was perfectly styled; just in time to as the door swung open of its own accord. Draco stepped inside and immediately felt the change in the smothering magic. This magic was cold, repulsive, and distinct. Vampires. Draco's silver eyes never left the Dark Lord as he walked by maybe four or five of the living dead and kneeled in front the desk.
"My Lord."
"How long do you have Draco?" The Dark Lord asked, his tone as cold as ice and his eyes narrowed in angry slits.
"I will not be noticed for some time my lord." The Dark Lord merely nodded, almost imperceptibly, "I have someone down in the cells who knows something the Order wants guarded; however at the present I am busy." The Dark Lord wanted him to torture someone for information? He could do that. But why was he called from school? Why wasn't his father or his aunt or any of the other Death Eaters doing such a menial task? However at the present Draco knew better than to ask.
"Of course my lord, I will not fail you." The Dark Lord nodded, "The first cell on the right." Draco knew a dismissal when he saw it so he stood and bowed. Just as he reached the door the snake hissed something and the Dark Lord called out. "Draco?" Draco turned, "Yes, my lord?"
"Take Nagini with you, when your done she would like dinner." Draco nodded and waited for Nagini to unwind herself before he opened the door.
"My, what a delicious looking…" Draco closed the door, not wanting to hear the rest of that statement. Vampires were definitely not on his favorite creature list. They made the hair on the back of his neck prickle and the Veela instincts, buried they may be, scream.
Nagini followed him, hissing things he couldn't understand as he walked, shivering from the sheer power that the Dark Lord's familiar possessed. She was a terrifying animal, almost three times his length and as wide as his thigh. Maybe he was just as insane as the other Elite, for he did not fear her. He knew she was under direct orders not to harm any unless told to do so. The walk to the cells beneath the manor was a long one from the Dark Lord's office but it passed by with unintelligible hisses and Draco lost in his thoughts, planning a strategy in which to break the witch or wizard downstairs. Draco could not help but smirk as he glanced at the large snake to his right, Nagini acted excited to get there and frustrated by his slowness.
Finally the two reached the cool damp cells, the Dark Lord always kept muggles on the right side for fun and prisoners on the left. Inside the designated cell was a petite woman with mousey brown hair and dull green eyes. There was no comparison between hers and his mates, Harry's were bright and shone like an emerald. Said witch squeaked in fear as he opened the cell door but let out a sigh of relief when she saw him. Clearly she was not afraid of him, but that was okay, it would be rectified soon enough. Nagini slid in beside him and the witch curled into herself, crying at the sight of the snake. However Nagini simply coiled up by the door, ready to watch whatever Draco was going to do.
"What's your name witch?" She looked at him, sizing him up. He knew she knew of him, most did, but he did not know her and it was only fair for them to be on a first name basis, after all he would be the one making her scream tonight. Apparently she decided he wasn't that big of threat because she turned up her nose and ignored him, still sending frightened glances at Nagini. Draco sighed and pulled his wand, conjuring up a long wooden table.
"You can either get on the table or I'll force you up." He drawled, crossing his arms and plastering a bored look on his face. Still she did not answer so he merely sent a quick stunner her way and watched as she tried to dodge but was a little too slow, probably from lack of food or water. The witch slumped and Draco levitated her onto the table.
When her body was in a spread eagle position he magically bound her wrists and ankles so that she would not be able to escape before he re-enervated her. It was amusing, he thought, how she opened her eyes and squeaked in terror when she found herself bound to the table. "What do you want? Just let me go." Draco rolled his eyes as he untied his cloak and set it aside on a conjured chair. As he began to roll up his sleeves he spoke, "What's your name?" Again she did not answer only gave an indignant huff. Well, he thought, this will be fun.
"Divesto," Her shriek and struggling were music to his ears and he chuckled at her attempts to retain her modesty and cover herself.
"CLAUDIA FREYDALE, PLEASE! PLEASE DONT RAPE ME!" Ah, Claudia Freydale, the current head of magical children affairs. Now what could she hold that the old coot wanted secret?
"I wouldn't dirty my dick on a filthy half-blood, silly woman." It was a lie; he would gladly dirty his dick on a half-blood, just not this half blood. His beloved that was awaiting him back at school, soon enough he would take Harry.
"Now, dear Claudia, you hold information the Dark Lord wants and that Dumbledore wants protected. Are you going to give it up easily so your death will be painless or shall we do this the hard way? Because have no doubt that I will get it one way or another." Her eyes widened comically and she shook her head, eliciting a hollow chuckle from Draco.
"No, I will tell you nothing. No matter what you do to me I will never tell you." Good, this will be a challenge. Draco had already started planning out how to break her and if that didn't work then he would think of something else.
"Crucio," the crimson spell hit her ribcage and she bucked against the table wildly. He held the torture curse until he was sure all her nerves would be twitching and extra sensitive then released it.
"I- I wi-will n-never tell y-you." Her body trembled and Draco could see the muscles twitching. Good, he thought as he raised one brow at her, that will make this more painful.
"Frango," The spell hit her thigh and a sickening crack pierced the room. Claudia screamed, her already sensitive body flinching violently as her Femur bone snapped in half. "Oh god, oooooh gods...please...please stop..." Draco only smirked and said, "Did you know the femur is the strongest bone in the body? It is almost as strong as steel."
"Pl-please...please...STOP!" Draco pointed his wand at her other thigh and another crack rang through the room. Another scream echoed and bounced off the walls, deep and primal, she was in agony...but this was just the beginning. "All you have to do, my dear, is tell me what I want to know." Her tear stained face turned to him, her eyes pleading.
"I can't, please just stop...I won't tell anyone." A survivor tactic, try to make your attacker feel bad and then promise safety for safety, it wouldn't work. Draco pointed his wand to her Tibia, breaking it with a mere flick. He continued on, silently breaking the other Tibia before moving on to her Fibulas. Her screams got so loud Draco thought they might hear it above ground.
"Now my dear are you ready to talk? There are two hundred and six bones in the human body and we have only broken six, can you handle more?" She was sobbing, large fat drops running down her cheeks.
"I can't, I won't..." Not too much more, maybe a few more bones and then stage three, her tongue would be loose by then.
Draco pointed his wand to her Ulna, it cracked and there were more shrieks. For about the sixth time she feinted, only to have Draco re-enervate her. She would stay awake for this. Once the other Ulna was shattered he broke both Radiuses. "This is the end of stage two, are you ready for three or will you tell me what I want to know?" The fear in her eyes sent delicious shivers down his spine, she was almost broken.
"N-no," her voice was but a whisper, hoarse from the immense amount of screaming she was doing. Draco shrugged carelessly, not caring if she saw suck a plebian gesture as she would die tonight anyway. "Well let's see how you enjoy my nifty little curse then." She flinched when he flicked his wand but sighed in relief when she felt no pain. In reality he only unbound her limbs so that when her body contorted it would be even more painful.
"Magna Tonitrus," He started the spell off low, enjoying her whimpers as it slowly but steadily gained power. It was fascinating to watch, her body wanted to contort but the broken bones made it even more painful to do so. She howled at half power, begging him to have mercy.
"PL-PLEASE! THE LOCATION MUST REMAIN SECRET" Ah, finally they were getting somewhere. Draco bent over her and peered in her face.
"What location? What does it hide?" What would the head of children's affairs hide? A child DUH! Draco scolded himself for being so stupid. Claudia appeared to be doing the same thing, angry at herself for revealing anything. It was obvious she wouldn't tell him so he asked quietly, "Did you like that curse?" Her head shook furiously and Draco smirked, "Good because that was only at half power." Her gaze now held the terror he'd seen in his aunt's victims and it made him feel powerful, euphoric. This was him carving out his reputation.
"Pl-please…I have t-two children…a hu-husband…I love p-pink…" Draco's silver orbs rolled at her pathetic attempt to familiarize herself to him in hopes of mercy. It wouldn't happen.
"Magna Tonitrus," He skipped straight to fifty percent, watching her broken body contort as her screams filled the air once again. He kicked it up to the power he used on Rowle and her howls became guttural and feral. Almost there, just a little more and she'll break.
"OKAY! I'LL TELL YOU PLEASE STOP! STOP!" Draco ended the curse abruptly and scanned around her brain for evidence of lies, even if it wasn't much yet at least this little Legillimency would serve some purpose. "I want to know who, where, and why." Claudia's body was trembling violently as she sobbed.
"I don't know who," her breathing was so erratic it was hard for her to speak but she pushed through, thinking it would save her. "I was to create a new identity for them so that the American ministry could put them in a new home under a new name. Lindsay and Adam." Draco's mind was whirling, there were two?
"Where?" He demanded angrily, making the witch flinch. "I heard- I heard th-them say something about Portland in a new England. Please that's all I know! Please just make it stop! It hurts so badly!" Draco turned abruptly, nodding to an eager Nagini before exiting the cell. Her screams echoed behind him as closed the door; the snake had access to every room via secret passages the elves made for her so she could find her own way back.
Two children, under false identities in a new England. American ministry...wasn't the American ministry located in a state called New Hampshire? So there could possibly be a state called New England? Draco detoured from his lord's office to his father's study where there was a detailed map of the world and all of its wizarding worlds as well as muggle. The office was empty but the large map on the right wall was all he needed. Sure enough, New England was a place in the North Eastern United States. Draco left the office, heading straight towards his lord. He had only been gone an hour so he wasn't sure if the Vampires would still be there. To his relief they weren't.
"Did you succeed Draco?" Draco nodded kneeling before his lord. "Sit Draco; tell me what the Order is guarding."
Draco sat in his usual chair and took a sip of the firewhiskey that had appeared. "My lord it is people. The witch said twins." Draco's curiosity was heightened as the Dark Lord leaned forward, a rather shocked expression mixed with one he knew well, denial.
"Everything." The command was steel and Draco immediately explained about New England and Lindsay and Adam. When he was done the Dark Lord sat back and gazed at the fire. Several minutes passed before he looked to Draco. "There will be a change in plans for Yule. Harry Potter will have to stay at his relatives for a few days before coming here."
If it were anybody else he would have made what happened downstairs look pleasant, his mate at the fucking swine's that long was unacceptable. But this was the Dark Lord and he would not order this unless it benefited the whole for some reason. He trusted the Dark Lord to care for the whole, so he forced himself to breathe.
"I understand that you do not like this. However, I believe that these two people are of some importance in one way or another. I have many plans for this coming Yule and a majority of my followers will be busy, the ones who have the time are temporarily outlaws, with prices on their heads. You are my only Elite that I can spare making you the one for the task. Draco you have shown me how able you are I trust that you will not screw this up." It wasn't a question but Draco still answered with a 'no, my lord.'
"Good, now get back to Hogwarts before you are missed." Draco stood, bowed respectfully and exited the room wondering how on earth he was going to handle leaving his mate for a time with the swine.
