Heeeey Sexieeees, how's you people? Haahahhahaha :D I hope you're fine and everything :) I'm feeling FANTASTIC because, well, you know. Exams are FINALLY OVER and I'm feeling extremely hyper lately haha :D But between these moments of "hyper-ness" (I know, it's called hyperactivity, but seriously. Haha), I've had two brilliant moments of inspiration, that have led my way to keep on writing! So, yeah! There you go! :D

THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR LOVELY REVIEWS, FAVS AND FOLLOWS ON LAST CHAPTER! – I know you had been waiting for it, and again, I'm deeply sorry for having updated SO FUCKING LATE. So, another kind of "reward" is this chapter here :) – KEEP THEM GOING, THEY TRULY MAKE MY DAY!

Enjoy your reading! :)

The Blood Letter

Chapter XXIV: Betrayal and the Elder Wand

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With all dignity he had, Draco stepped into the living room, filled with Death Eaters, and Voldemort himself. Many of them were shooting deadly glares at him, somehow telling him they had suffered the Dark Lord's wrath for something they didn't do, but he really couldn't care any less. In fact, he didn't even hesitate to glare back, giving them to understand he didn't fear them in any way. The young Malfoy pushed some of his Dark Fellows aside, so he could face the Dark Lord himself. As soon as he stood in front of Riddle, Draco's eyes focused on the floor: In the middle of the room lay a corpse: His father's corpse.

Even if Lucius had died from natural causes, Draco wouldn't make a scene. – Not that he hated his very own father. But truth to be told, he didn't love him either. Lucius hadn't been a paternal figure, to say the least. He had just been at home, more concretely, in his study room; always occupied with his business. The most Draco would get from him would be a cordial handshake once he came back home from Hogwarts, not a hug. The elder Malfoy didn't treat Draco like a son; like his son. Much more like a boy he knew, a kid that would come to his house every now and again. – But Lucius had been far away from being Draco's father.

Luckily, the Dark Lord didn't know. He had thought the boy would be as traumatized as he had been once his mother had been reduced into greyish ashes. He thought it would've provoked his wrath and his deepest fear at the same time. That was the reason Voldemort was so surprised that Draco just shrugged at the sight of his father's dead body. What the Dark Lord had thought would be a punishment for his tardiness, had been absolutely nothing. – But well, maybe he could push the subject a little bit.

"Your pureblooded father's dead, my young heir." Voldemort wryly pointed out. "But I wouldn't like to dirt your living room with a corpse. Care to do the honors, and reduce him into ashes?"

The Dark Lord's followers whispered. Some gasped, and some lightly whistled, but once again, Draco didn't show any kind of interest. The blonde just stood there, frowning, and looking at Voldemort skeptically.

"I beg your pardon?"

"You heard me, my boy."

An evil smirk crossed Voldemort's face as he saw Draco was hesitating. Probably his blood was boiling, and his fury was about to explode. – He was just about to laugh like the monster he was, but his evil smirk vanished instead: Draco had taken his wand in his hand, and easily pointed at his father. Careless, he casted a dry Incendio, and so Lucius' body started to burn, slowly transforming into ashes.

Voldemort frowned. Why didn't the boy show any kind of emotion? Not even the least hurt or pain or anger, he just stood there, giving him a look that clearly said: 'Right. Now what?' And that infuriated him. Not Draco, but him. That was supposed to be a punishment, and the blonde truly looked like he couldn't be caring less!

His teasing didn't cease. He wanted to make him suffer, only for a bit. Because Draco deserved it, as he had been asking for it. The noseless bastard kept his intends on infuriating him with his mother, with him being a worthless and pathetic excuse of a pureblooded wizard. – But Draco had learned it a long time ago: Whenever he was around the Dark Lord, he would wear a neutral mask to cover his feelings.

When he came to mentioning his mother he had to admit it had hurt. It had hurt like a bitch, being reminded of her. And yes, the impulse of throwing himself at him and hex him into oblivion was there. But his conscience screaming at him was there, too. – It wasn't about him having no chance against the Dark Lord, because, in fact, he had. He had the Feather to Herpo the Foul's Blood Letter, and he knew where it was to be found. Everything he had to do was get over with his mission, and go find the Blood Letter thus killing Tom Marvolo Riddle and becoming the Dark Lord himself. But right now, he wouldn't even dare risk– He would wait for the proper moment.

'Patience is a virtue, Draco.' He thought repeatedly. 'Don't do the wrong move just yet.'

Voldemort ended up sighing, as he had seen all of his efforts were practically in vain: Draco Malfoy wasn't showing any kind of emotions; in fact, he seemed to be perfectly calm. So finally deciding it would be best to ignore that and think of another punishment for the boy once War was over, the darkest Wizard of all times spoke to his loyal servants:

"Tonight's the night, my companions." He said, as he went to vanishing cabinet and uncovered it, "Tonight is the night in which Albus Dumbledore will fall from his reign. Tonight is the night in which the sweetest taste of glory will be given to all of us. Tonight is the night!"

Almost all Death Eaters started to shout around the room, expressing their full excitement. However, from the corner of his eye, Draco Malfoy saw a certain professor hidden between the multitude, which was not cheering: professor Severus Snape. And even if the blonde was rather surprised to see him there and not back at Hogwarts, Draco sent him a smirk.

However, his Godfather responded by slightly shaking his head, his dark eyes never leaving Draco's grey irises.

They had to talk.

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"What was that look about?" The blonde demanded to know.

After many tries, Snape finally got to talk to his godson before they left to Hogwarts. His facial expression was severe, somewhat filled with worry.

"Draco, listen to me, and do it carefully because I'm only saying this once." Snape warned.

"Ooh, bossy, aren't we?"

"Draco-"

"-Yeah, yeah. Go on." The blonde rolled his eyes at his Godfather, "Don't waste my time, I have to be back before that bastard notices I'm gone again."

Was that hurt hidden behind his icy tone of voice? Was it bitterness? Did Draco regret killing Lucius at all? – Severus didn't have a clue, and honestly, he didn't really want to know either; he knew how Draco could get whenever he felt sad or angered. He behaved like a little child, blaming anyone getting on his way.

Snape cleared his throat before speaking.

"Firstly, you have to know that Professor Slughorn is at your dungeon. Greyback caught him in the forest and stupified him. He was unconscious when he arrived."

'Good to know… Good to know.' Draco thought.

"And Draco," Snape called him, "In a few minutes we're going to get into the castle. You know what you have to do."

Draco huffed. Was he kidding? Like, did he send him that worried look in order to state the fucking obvious?

"Dear Lord, Severus, are you looking like this because you don't think I can manage to go to the Astronomy Tower and kill that old man?" He almost mocked, "Honestly, you know I've killed before and you know for certain I'd do it again. It's not going to be for fun this time, though-"

But right then, Snape cracked up.

"Will you just shut up and let me finish?!"

"What got your knickers in a twist? Calm down Severus. Sheesh!"

Severus sighed out in frustration. That boy could rather be a royal brat when he wanted to.

"Draco, look, you are not killing professor Dumbledore tonight."

"Wait a second, what?" He asked, frowning, suddenly realizing what Snape was on about, "Severus, do you actually realize what you're saying? This isn't a game, you know. This is about earning his fucking trust–

"Precisely, Draco." Severus interrupted him, "It's about trust. But not just any kind of trust… It's about his entire trust. Therefore, I, one of his best Death Eaters, shall kill Albus Dumbledore."

Draco's frown hardened.

"I don't understand. Why should you do it, I mean, what would that change? It's about killing that old wizard, not about who kills him."

Once again, Severus Snape sighed.

"Actually, it is about who kills him." He whispered to himself, "There's a thing, Draco. A thing the Dark Lord desperately wants to claim as his."

There was an intense silence; the blonde paid special attention to each and every word his protector spoke.

"I presume that you, Draco, you, as a pureblooded wizard, know about the Elder Wand?"

"The most powerful wand in the entire world, yes. Also known as the 'Wand of Destiny'."

Draco internally smirked, as he had heard himself speaking. He had sounded awfully close to Granger whenever she raised her hand in class to give the correct answer. – He had sounded like an insufferable Know-It-All. Just like her.

Snape's voice interrupted his thoughts about his Princess.

"Exactly. Do you know, by any chance, where the Elder Wand's true loyalty lies?"

Draco had heard about it, he knew he had heard about it. And he tried to remember; he tried hard. But unfortunately for him, his mind didn't seem to recall the memory. Giving him a look to keep talking, professor Snape started to speak again.

"The Elder Wand belongs to the wizard who killed his last owner, Draco. Now, let me ask you another question. Do you know who Gellert Grindewald was?"

The younger Slytherin shook his head.

"Gellert Grindewald was considered one of the darkest and most powerful wizards of all time. He and Dumbledore fostered a friendship while living in Godric's Hollow, and made plans to find the Deathly Hallows. They wielded their newfound power as Masters of Death, leading a Wizarding Revolution and creating a benevolent global order led by other wise witches and wizards." Snape explained, "However, their friendship broke as soon as the two of them were involved in a three-way duel with Aberforth Dumbledore."

"Albus Dumbledore's brother?"

"Yes. This confrontation ended up with Arianna Dumbledore dying. As soon as the duel ended, Grindewald left Britain and stole the Elder Wand, continuing the Wizarding Revolution on his own. But of course, it didn't turn out well. After some time, he and his followers committed several crimes; some of them were very well known murders." Severus continued, "And then, in 1945, Albus Dumbledore confronted Grindewald and defeated him-"

"–And so he became the owner of the Elder Wand."

"That's correct. However, he did not kill him. Grindewald ended up in a prison cell in Nurmengard, and many years after the Legendary Duel, the Dark Lord decided to pay him a visit. It seems to be that Grindewald firstly refused to give any pieces of information on where to find the Elder Wand, but lastly, right before the Dark Lord murdered him, he referred to a certain 'next great adventure'."

"Yes, I remember him mentioning that at one of our meetings…" Draco said, thoughtfully. "Surely he meant this Wizarding War- And professor Dumbledore himself."

Snape nodded.

"Now, Draco. Think. What would happen if you got to kill the Headmaster? Yes, I know you are the Dark Lord's heir, and the Elder Wand would be yours. But do you honestly think the Dark Lord would let you have it, let alone even use it once before he died? I think not. Besides-"

Draco looked at him skeptically.

"Besides, what?"

Severus glared back at him, as he huffed in disgust.

"Look at you. You're a murderer already. You've already killed, and you crave for more power. As you said just a couple of minutes ago, this isn't a game; this is about earning the Dark Lord's trust. And considering you want so much power, do you honestly think you would give him the wand? You, out of all people?"

"He trusts me." He almost mocked.

Snape´s eyes widened.

"But you don't trust him…" He stated, "–And you'd betray his trust."

Draco smirked evilly at his only living relative.

"You know me too well, my dearest Godfather. Yes, you are right. I would not hand him the Elder Wand. I would be… Draco Malfoy, the Darkest Lord of history."

"Exactly, and I'm not letting that happen." Snape snapped, "If you betray his trust, you betray us all. You could condemn us, Draco!"

The cold, empty look Draco gave him scared Snape to no ends.

"Do you care? Do you actually care at all?"

"One reason, Severus." He said, his voice deadly and highly dangerous, "Give me one fucking reason to care. That bastard has been torturing me ever since my early childhood. That fucking noseless wizard has killed my mother. And not even an hour ago, he's killed my father and has told me to reduce him into ashes."

And right at that point, Draco totally broke out in fury.

"How would you feel if it had been your precious mudblood Lily, huh!?" He yelled.

Snape's body completely tensed up at the mention of her name. And the way he had blurted out her name, the name he had called her caused his half-blooded blood to boil. – He grieved his teeth, but the youngest Malfoy didn't seem to notice. – He was way too furious.

"Yeah, you thought I didn't know about her, didn't you?" He snapped angrily, "Well I fucking do. Now, if it had been her instead of my stolen childhood, my mother, even instead of my father, for fuck's sake – How would you fucking feel? Would you fucking care, Severus? Would you give a fucking shit about condemning a bunch of idiots that follow a senseless fuckwit? I think not. Firstly, because everything you'd care about would be Lily. And secondly, because you're nothing, but a selfish cad."

The Half-Blood Prince said nothing.

"The reason, Severus." Draco demanded mockingly, "I'm waiting. Why should I care?"

There was only intense silence.

"I knew it." Malfoy smirked, "You should be ashamed of yourself, you pathetic excuse of a wizard."

One of the other Death Eaters called Draco's name. Yelling a 'I'll be right there, you moron!', he turned his attention back to Snape just for another brief moment.

"Now, listen closely, you miserable wizard: You stay in here while I'm off to the castle to kill Dumbledore. All Death Eaters and Voldemort himself will be gone by then. My Hermione and, as you've told me, Slughorn are down in the dungeons. This is what you'll do: You'll open up the door and let them up the stairs, as you'll lead them to my room. Once there, they'll have to search for a Phoenix's feather. When they've found it, you'll lead them back to the dungeons. Then, you'll wait for me. Am I understood?"

Snape gulped.

"Yes, Draco."

And then, Draco started to leave. He took one, two, three, four long steps, before he stopped and turned around to face him one more time.

"Oh, and Severus… Don't you dare touch my Princess or think of her inappropriately. Even though she's a mudblood as well as Lily Potter was, "the blonde snake made a brief pause, "She is mine."

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I knooooow, I knooooow, this chapter´s been kind of short, I apologize for that haha :D Still, I hope you guys liked it! :)

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