Chapter 4
"What do we have here?" intoned a harsh voice in a quiet tone.
Malfoy was seated on one side of the long dining table at the recreational room in the Lestrange estate. He could see his father to his right. The Dark Lord stood next to the empty chair at the head of the table, the wand in his hand pointing slightly towards the ceiling. His psychotic aunt Bellatrix sat in the chair next to the Dark Lord's chair, laughing at a joke no one had cracked. Her voice echoing maniacally in the large acoustic room. Her husband, Rodolphus who sat opposite her, on the other side of the Dark Lord was out of Malfoy's sight but he could imagine him quivering uncontrollably as he muttered "My Looorrd, I am so sorry, I had no idea that he was not to be trusted."
A voice spoke up at the other side of the table. "We all knew, my Lord. I warned him. Malfoy was the fool who vouched for this traitor" Crabbe Senior tattled, pointing his long crooked index finger at Lucius Malfoy. Draco, became very aware that every head at the dining table turned to look at his father. Parkinson, Avery, Goyle, Mulciber, Greyback, Yaxley, Dolohov and Snape - every single one of them stared at his father, some of their faces in open disdain, others inscrutable. Before Lucius could open his mouth to offer an explanation, there was a loud sound.
Thud.
The body of a magically bound and gagged wizard fell on the table. Malfoy realised with horror that he had forgotten all about the wizard who had been hanging suspended above them during this meeting. To his complete disgust, he realised that he recognised the tortured wizard in front of him.
Everyone turned back to gape at the Dark Lord. He definitely had a flare for dramatics and this was his way of taking back control of the room.
"I'm sure you have a perfectly valid explanation for this Lucius. In fact I have already heard it" he announced dryly to the room. "But it was still a mistake and it is time for your punishment."
He paused, rolling his wand in his palms. Turning to Rodolphus, he added "But I am afraid, you, Rudulphus should have been more wary, checked his loyalties." he drawled, emphasising on the word loyalties. "Since when did you start listening to Lucius anyway" he guffawed crookedly. Bellatrix's resumed her loud maniacal laugh and Draco felt sick to his stomach. The bound wizard in front of him twisted and flailed and his eyes fell on Draco, begging and pleading for help.
"What do you think?" the Dark Lord asked Bellatrix, the only death eater who was nearly as twisted as him. "Do you want to administer the cruciatus curse on your dear husband while Draco can kindly do the same for his father?" he continued without sparing either of the Malfoys a glance.
Bellatrix's laughter amplified and she began making gleeful noises. Draco felt a deep sense of sorrow and helplessness in anticipation of her verbal affirmative response when a clear voice cut the wild atmosphere in the room like a sharp knife cuts butter.
"My Lord, the issue remains that the traitor lies bound in front of us. Isn't it more relevant that we find out what he has done."
Draco had never felt more relieved that his Potion's professor and Godfather was at the table that night. While he did find Snape bothersome, he was aware that Snape during several occasions had inadvertently helped Draco out of many a tough spot. He was even more grateful that Snape was back in the Dark Lord's good books because despite Bellatrix's protests, Voldermort lifted his wand, pointed straight at the pureblood traitor bound in the middle of the table and shouted "CRUCIO".
"Show your loyalties and join me" growled Voldermort, addressing the room before resuming the torturing of the prisoner.
Knowing there was no other choice, Draco raised his wand willing his hand to stop shaking and pointed it straight at Macmillan Selwyn before whispering "Crucio".
Bang
Bang
Bang
Malfoy was confused. The Cruciatus spell didn't make that noise.
Malfoy twisted helplessly.
Bang
Bang
Bang
"May the court come to order!"
Malfoy opened his eyes to a flood of light. He was at the Wizengamot. The room was full of journalists, the general public, witnesses, the Wizengamot members. As his eyes got used to the light, he looked around the room more carefully, trying to see past the metal bars. He was surprised when he realised that he actually recognised several people - some Ministry officials, his aurors - Henriett and Rubbards, the awful Head Councillor Farringer, his family lawyer Fawley, and best of all -his mother sitting in the witness stands. But sitting next to her was also another familiar face - Harry Potter? And Granger?
He almost snorted at the thought of the Golden Trio swearing in on the stands, speaking up for him. He could almost hear Potter saying "I am better at him in quidditch so we can forgive him" and Granger going "I am a genius and a swot and Malfoy's terrible but not bad enough to give him the kiss". That - was - ridiculous. There was nothing nice they could say about him. So maybe they were witnesses against him, the thought came to him suddenly, turning his dark mood more sour. Control.
Putting them out of his mind, he turned back to the front and observed the court members, all looking ridiculous in their bright plum robes. His stomach grumbled in protest when he saw one witch eating a croissant and drinking coffee. When his stomach refused to cooperate, he shut his eyes and began to recite one of his favorite nursery rhymes.
Control. He reminded himself taking slow, deep breaths.
He was reciting the rhyme over and over again when unexpectedly he felt like he was being watched, He could feel a pair of eyes burning straight through him. He opened his eyes sharply, to stare back at the unashamed lecher only to find himself looking at the man in the seat next to the Chief Warlock, a man in plum robes, a man who had once stared up at him in fear and despair. He was staring back into the eyes of Macmillan Selwyn.
Author's note: This is by far the shortest chapter but I hope you like it. I know i said I will start the trial but I really wanted to work a bit more on the dynamics of the different characters.
Please review: What did Selwyn do that characterised him as a traitor to Voldermort? What is he going to do to Malfoy now? What deal did Head Councillor Farringer offer Malfoy in the previous chapter?
The next chapter will explore some interaction between Narcissa and Hermione and the trial definitely starts.
This is definitely a very slowburn Dramione. All the fluff will come in later! Also how many of you thought that the pair of eyes staring at Malfoy was Hermione? :)