Chapter 4
The Strangler
Being a Malfoy always meant that he was a man of means. After Draco left his friend, a great heaviness burned inside him, fueling a rage that he had never felt before. He returned to his home, and found himself restless. He went to this room and pulled out the book that he and Harry brought. He paced the length of his room a few times, debating internally, before grabbing the book and slamming it on a nearby desk, pulling out a parchment and quill.
He copied down the ingredients, his handwriting neat and precise, despite the feeling of restlessness. It was starting to get dark, and Draco knew that right now the Dark Lord would be ordering his father and mother to eat with him. He would probably be gloating about Theo's father, Draco thought sadly to himself. He found that he wasn't hungry. With the list in hand, Draco left his room. As he walked down a hallway towards a side staircase, a house-elf stopped him. "Master Draco! Please stop. Topsy been ordered to bring you to dinner!"
"Move," Draco ordered, pushing the house-elf out of the way.
"But Master Draco, sir!" the house-elf insisted. "Topsy has been ordered by him!" Draco stopped. He turned on his heels and stared at the house-elf. Topsy trembled, his large eyes already looking around for something to punish himself with.
"This is his order?" Draco repeated. He thought for a moment then looked down at the house-elf. "Tell him and my parents that I am currently busy, and so, I will not be joining him. And as a married man, I will not allow nor accept any demands from my in-law."
The house-elf looked as though his life has left him. Turning a sickly pale, Topsy just gave a scared nod and backed away slowly, looking like a man walking to the gallows. But Draco didn't care. He was too far interested in saving himself, his love, and those he cared about. He made his way to a small reception room that the Malfoys only used to travel by Floo for. In the room was a massive and elegant fireplace which can fit four people at once. The floo powder was kept in an ornate silver holder, and Draco took a fistful of it, and threw it into the fire. "Gringotts!" He yelled out clearly. Green flames erupted, and Draco walked through. Immediately, the spinning began, and fireplaces rushed past his eyes, which he did not focus on. He waited, closing is eyes, until he felt the movement stop, and smooth floor pressed against his feet.
Draco opened his eyes to the sleek marble and high ceiling of Gringotts. He stepped out of the fireplace, which was against a wall along with many others, and walked down the long room, his footsteps muffled by the hushed chatter of wizards, along with the goblins' quills scratching in thick, old ledgers. Since it was late at night, there was not many people there, and the goblins were obviously closing up the bank. Draco moved to a goblin who was free and said, "I'm here to withdraw from the Malfoy Vault."
The goblin placed his quill down and stared at Draco down his long crooked nose. "Key?" he simply asked.
Draco pulled out his copy of the key to the family vault. The goblin inspected it, gave a grumble of approval, and gave it back to Draco. "Griphook will escort you," he said.
The goblin named Griphook walked towards the two after a couple moments, and Draco followed him away from the main hall of the bank, towards one of the many side doors. Through that door, they stepped into a stone tunnel with a small platform. A minecart was waiting at the platform, and Draco sat in it without even waiting for the goblin whose name he had already forgotten. As soon as the goblin got in, the minecart blasted off from the station, going along the twisting railway through the various underground tunnels. Draco did his best to keep himself from getting dizzy from the ride. Deeper and deeper the cart went, the tunnel opening up to a large cavern. The goblin bent down and picked up a number of small metal instruments that when shaken made a loud ringing noise like a miniature hammers or anvils. Draco winced at the noise, wishing that the goblin would stop it as the twisting track started to even out. Draco saw before them a waterfall crashing over the tracks. He glanced at the goblin, annoyed. "We're avoiding that," he said.
The goblin just chuckled, and the minecart continued on the track, gaining speed as it closed in on the waterfall. "I am not in the mood to get wet, goblin!" Draco yelled, but was ignored as they soon swept through the waterfall, and Draco sputtered as the cold water hit him. Now wet and angry, Draco sneered at the goblin, crossing his arms. The cart stopped a little after that. In front of them was a large black metal door. Draco stepped out and watched the goblin walk up to the door, placing his hand on it. The sound of a large lock turning rang through the caves, and the black metal doors slowly swung open, revealing mountains upon mountains of gold Galleons, priceless jewels and artifacts, and paintings hanging on the walls. Draco pulled a small leather sack from the pocket of his robe and filled it to the brim with Galleons, not exactly counting how much, for he knew that he had more than enough. With his sack full of money, Draco turned to the goblin. "We are not going through that waterfall again," he said.
They did.
Luckily, however, the high speeds of the minecart had mostly dried Draco when he and Griphook returned to the main lobby of the bank. Unfortunately, Draco had to go to the bathroom and spend twenty minutes cursing goblins as he tried to fix his hair.
His hair fixed, Draco left Gringotts and into the night sky of Diagon Alley. It was starless, dark and haunting. Only the moon shone, and even then it was a struggle as clouds covered it constantly. Draco walked, his head held high, towards Knockturn Alley. He went down the short steps that led to the tight, crowded street when a voice stopped him.
"Mr. Malfoy, a bit late to be wandering dark streets, is it not? I did not know that you have even returned ever since that… incident." It was an old voice. Draco turned around to see Yaxley, dressed always like a gentlemen, walking down the stairs. "Why are you not with Potter?" he asked.
"I'm shopping," Draco said. "I'm allowed to shop here, am I not, Yaxley?"
"Mayhaps, young Draco," Yaxley said, "however the shops here hold none of the frivolous things your kind enjoy."
"Is that a jab against my sexuality, old man?" Draco asked, "At least I am married, and one day will have heirs, unlike yourself. You should hear how my mother speaks of you, poor Yaxley always a suitor…" Draco smirked when he saw a flash of anger appear on the old man's face. He turned around and shrugged, "Besides, what I am buying matters not to you, it's for the complete and utter pleasure of my husband. A feeling you might understand once you marry… if you live long enough to do that."
"Such a vulgar, disrespectful child," Yaxley said. Draco ignored him and continued his way. He heard footsteps following him and did not even need to look back to know that Yaxley was following him. He continued to ignore Yaxley as he went into the first shop, Mr. Mulpepper's Apothecary.
"I must say, does the Dark Lord know that you are here?" Yaxley asked openly, "after that disrespectful show of last night, I am honestly surprise to see you out of your manor."
"The Dark Lord does not own me," Draco said. "I don't have his mark."
"But you do have his son," Yaxley replied. "How surprising, I must admit that even I couldn't believe it when he was introduced as our Lord's son… but now he is also your spouse."
"You really do love to talk about relationships that aren't yours," Draco said. He went to the shopkeeper and pulled out his leather sack. "I need belladonna, helleborne, hemlock, blood lilies, and for you to point me to your snake venoms."
"Of course," said the shopkeeper, bowing his head. "My venoms are all over there," he pointed to a far corner full of vials and jars. He disappeared behind the counter for a moment, coming back holding three large jars. "How much of each?"
"Thirty grams each," Draco said. The man nodded and started to measure out the ingredients as Draco went to the venoms, Yaxley following him. "And how exactly does belladonna, helleborne, hemlock, blood lilies and snake venom supposed to bring Potter pleasure, exactly?" he asked.
"Makes his hole more sensitive," Draco lied easily, "Make it act more like a pussy, tighter and wetter too." He glanced back to see the severe disapproval on Yaxley's face.
"How disgustingly vulgar," Yaxley muttered. "To think you'll talk about our Lord's son—"
"I'll talk about my husband in any way I want," Draco interrupted, not even looking at Yaxley, and everything I say serves to elevate and praise my boy." He started pulling out the snake venom, smiling to himself. "If you wish to continue following me, I'll be also buying a very large dildo that will give Harry a proper pussy, although I'm sure that you will think that sort of actions is highly… unacceptable." With the most potent snake venoms in hand, Draco went back to the counter and placed them neatly in a row.
"Is this all?" the shopkeeper asked.
"Do you also have flesh and muscles?" Draco asked.
"Why not him?" the shopkeeper joked, pointing to Yaxley. Draco glanced at him and without waiting a beat said, "He's too weak, I need something fresher, stronger."
"Ahh," the shopkeeper smirked, "I know just what you need. Human?"
"Or ape," Draco said.
"Yes, yes…" the shopkeeper chuckled. He bent down and pulled out two jars in which slabs of flesh floated in. "They will do… for a price."
"I'm a Malfoy," Draco said, "Prices mean nothing to me."
"Of course, of course," he nodded. Yaxley watched in silence as Draco paid for all the ingredients. Properly bagged, Draco took them and turned to Yaxley.
"Still intending on following me, old man?" he asked.
"Maybe," Yaxley said. "Those ingredients are not child's play, Mr. Malfoy. And married or not, you are still a child."
"Child or no, at least I know how to use everything I've been given, and I do mean everything," Draco said, raising his eyebrows quickly. Yaxley was quiet, and Draco did not wait for his reply as he left the shop, pocketing his leather sack full of money. As he expected, Yaxley followed him.
"It seems unfit for a child so young to be roaming Knockturn Alley so late at night," the old man said, "especially since it is almost midnight."
"Really? Then you are way pass your bedtime," Draco hummed. "I only have one more stop before I get that dildo… unless you would like to help me find one that is thicker than my arm."
"Your openness of such vulgar subjects… if your father were to hear of this, and mark my words he will, you will be in trouble not only with him, but the Dark Lord as well!" Yaxley said. "You have shown no respect to our Lord, nor do you seem even remotely apologetic for your and his behavior last night!"
Draco shrugged. "'Father, mother, father-in-law, I've decided to buy a sex toy for my husband and I as well as various potions that will allow my husband to more easily accept my sexual organ inside him and allow him to become pregnant with our heirs.' Seems easy enough to explain. Now, if you excuse me, I need to buy some bones."
Draco left Yaxley where he was standing, and went into Dystyl Phaelanges, a shop that sells bones exclusively. The Strangler requires flesh, muscle, and bones to make it so hands were strangler its victim. Without Yaxley hounding him, Draco was able to get the bones, freshly crushed into fine sands, easily and swiftly. With his shopping for the potion done, Draco thought for a moment before shrugging to himself. He heard of a sex shop nearby, and just to back up his lie, he went and spent half an hour in it. He found a couple of fun toys and clothes he wants to see Harry try, including a very fun pair of leather panties.
With his purchases in hand, and because he did not want to deal with seeing people nor being seen, Draco walked further down Knockturn Alley where the lights started to fade, and long, dark shadows took over. Draco stopped in the darkest corner he could find and waited until he saw the red eyes. "Bring me to Hogwarts, seventh floor," he commanded, and walked into the embrace of the shadow creatures. Not afraid of them, Draco added, "Do not tell the Dark Lord about this. If you do, I will bring in the brightest fire I can find and burn you all." His threat echoed in the shadows, and Draco couldn't help but notice that the red eyes quivered slightly as he walked.
He appeared in the familiar corridors of Hogwarts. The moon shone brighter here, illuminating the halls and sleeping portraits. Bags in hand, Draco remembered the day Harry shown him the Room of Requirements. He looked around, getting his bearings, before walking down a corridor, turning on a corner and went down a small spiral staircase until he stood in the corridor where the Room of Requirement waited. He stared at the wall for five minutes, concentrating on a door appearing. When the wall stayed as it is, Draco gave a frustrated huff before remembering that he and Harry walked around the corridor three times.
I need to secret place to make my potion. The thought went around and around in his head as he went around and around the corridors. After he passed the wall a third time, he stopped as a small wooden ordinary door appeared. Draco looked around, making sure no one was watching him, and he walked in.
It was a small nicely lit room. On the walls were lanterns, along with shelves with potion ingredients, and empty shelves for Draco's ingredients. On the opposite side was an empty Chalkboard, which Draco stared at for a moment, wondering how he can use it. In the middle, however, was the main focus of the room, a large iron cauldron. Draco pressed his wand into the empty cauldron, "Aquamenti," he said, and water spout out of his wand, filling the cauldron quickly. He started a fire underneath and allowed it to warm up as he pulled out and organized his ingredients and the book.
He read the instructions, first he had to mince the flowers he brought and mixed them with the venom, where it must be carefully brewed over ten days, each day adding a different venom. The flesh, muscles, and bone are to be added last with the flesh fresh, muscles tight and bones finely gained. Thankfully, the book gave detailed instructions. Following them, Draco made sure that the muscles, skin, and bones would be properly preserved before moving to add the first venom.
According to the book, the first venom to be added was to be a common venom found in the common snake, nonlethal by itself, yet it, mixed with belladonna, will serve as a base for the rest of the venoms. He added both into the potion and watched the water turn into a light green coloring as he stirred it. He added a few other ingredients that were needed for the first day, and allowed the cauldron to simmer. "This needs to simmer for eighteen hours," Draco muttered to himself, "which would be…" he checked his watch, "close to seven at night, easy to remember." He turned to the blackboard and started to write down the next small list of instructions needed for when he returned. There was room, and with his mind still on Yaxley, Draco then started to write the list of their targets, starting with Voldemort and Yaxley. Draco felt a sense of pride as he stared at his work, and after a quick check to make sure he had everything in order, he left the room, disappearing once more into darkness.
For the rest of the break, the poison has taken over Draco's life. Each day he made sure to return to the Room of Requirement, to check and work on his poison. He tried to inform Harry during the week, but the shadows informed him that something was blocking them. Draco was disappointed, yet he could wait until he saw his lovely lion in person. On the day term started once more, Draco was already at Hogwarts, working on the poison. The shadow creatures informed him the second Harry walked into Hogwarts. Smiling widely, Draco ran out of the Room of Requirements and up towards the entrance of Gryffindor Tower, where he did not have to wait long.
"Harry!" he said, running to hug and kiss his husband. They fell in their kiss, Draco easily taking control, not caring about the looks they were given. "I missed you," he cooed.
"I missed you too Draco," Harry smiled. Draco held onto him, kissing him again. "Tomorrow," he whispered, "I have something important I want to show you," he whispered in Harry's ear. "So be a good boy for me."
Harry let out a soft whine, which caused Draco to smile. "Just like that Harry," he whispered. "Tomorrow, away from everyone. The Room of Requirements after dinner. I need time to prepare." Draco allowed his words to tease in the air. Harry's eyes shimmered with a clear lust. Draco smirked at this and kissed his cheek. "See you tomorrow babe," he said loudly and glanced at Ron and Hermione for the first time. "Weasley… Granger," he said politely before walking away.
"What was that about?" Ron demanded, his voice snapping Harry out of his trance.
"Nothing… nothing," Harry said.
"Alright mate, say, when will you tell us?" Ron asked.
"About what?" Harry asked innocently.
"What you and Dumbledore talked about last night," Ron said. "You never told us!"
"Oh… that," Harry said, his heart falling. "I… I can't tell you guys, I'm sorry," he said. "It's… very difficult to explain."
"Come on!"
"No Ron, it's okay Harry, we understand," Hermione said, "Don't we, Ronald?" she added, giving Ron a sharp look.
"Yeah, I guess." Ron said, though he still looked obviously curious, however he did not bring it up again for the rest of the night.
Harry was glad to be back in Hogwarts. He felt that he was once again safe from his father. He knew that Voldemort would never come to the castle, and so the worst he could do is summon Harry, which he can ignore. As long as he doesn't use the Shadow Creatures, he is untouchable from Voldemort. He smiled and laughed with his friends throughout the feast, actually being able to ignore Umbridge for once, and when he laid down in his bed, he was happy, full, and exhausted. He closed his eyes and felt like he was sleeping for only a minute when he was abruptly awaken.
"Wake up, my son," the handsome face of Voldemort said. Harry screamed and jumped up, only to see that he was no longer in his room, but on the floor of Malfoy Manor.
"Why am I here?" Harry demanded.
"Reclaiming faith and loyalty from my followers," Voldemort said. "Tonight, my son, we are going to visit the prison of Azkaban, and you will release my most faithful of followers."
