Author's Note: Draco meets Voldemort, who no longer has those stereotypical red eyes (thank god!). Thanksthanksthanks to all who reviewed (not that there's that many). If you read, please review! It's important! Reviews keep Peeler motivated! Reviews keep Peeler from slipping into thrid person while describing himself! (Music for this part: Beethoven/Rage Against the Machine/Lowrider/Queen/Pantera).
Disclaimer: I own Morris. I don't care. JKR owns all else, of course.
Born Under A Bad Sun
By Peeler
Chapter 4: Birthright
"You have to realize that one day you will die. Until you know that, you are useless! Stop trying to hold on to your life, and just let go! It's only after you've lost everything that you're free to do anything."
- Tyler Durden, Fight Club
I recalled the times people had described Voldemort's appearance to me. But the Dark Lord seemed to have changed. He had an odd, gothic elegance about him. His long robe was embroidered with silver runes (I knew from my ancient runes classes that those around the hem stated 'This robe kicks ass'). His hair was black, and hung past his shoulders in a silver snake-skull clasp. His eyes were frightening, black irises with deep green where normal eyes would be white. He spoke to me again. "Draco, out of respect for your father's memory, you have a unique opportunity. If you wish to back out now, you may. We will give you a memory charm, and leave you in peace." I fant a swift pang of rage shoot through me. I'd come this far. "My Lord, if I intended to back down, I would not have gone to the significant trouble of getting here in the first place. "Ah, yes, the Rita Skeeter ploy. That was a stroke of brilliance that could only be expected from one of the Malfoy line. Did you know, young Draco, that our ranks have increased by nearly 300 since those articles began?" "I am glad to know that my actions served the purposes of my Lord" I said, inclining my head. "Very well, Draco. If you will follow. We have to begin your Testing."
Voldemort explained that the Testing was given to every new Death Eater. "The Test is a manifested vision. You will go into a trance after drinking a certain potion. Remember, what you see can hurt you. The test is unique to each person. After 15 minutes, you will come out of the Testing trance with the Dark Mark on your arm." The Dark Lord turned to Morris, who gave me a small vial of shining silver liquid, swirling as if with great currents. I drank.
My vision was obscured by darkness. Then I saw stars, and a full moon. I was standing on one of the parapets of Malfoy Mansion. Echoing blasts and the brilliant lights and colours of various curses flew in the courtyard below. I saw the brightly-colored robes of many Ministry departments, mixed in with the silver-gray of Aurors and the ebony black of the Death Eaters. A massive Dark Mark towered above the mansion as wizards on both sides fell. I found I couldn't move, and watched the raging battle for some time until I heard a noise behind me. I sun, and lost my footing. With an exclamation of surprise I fell, rolling down the roof towards a drop of over a hundred feet. My arm shot out of its own accord and seized an ornamental gargoyle. Then I saw what had startled me. A raven of great and unnatural size was perched with its talons inches from my hand, seemingly oblivious to the battle below. "Raven" I said, as it was clearly a magical creature, "Help me! If I fall, I will perish!" To my great surprise, the raven responded. "I cannot intercede, young human. I am merely a messanger. If it is your fate to fall, fall now and save yourself the trouble. Should you live, you will be greater for what you hear from me." The raven turned, its great yellow-and-black eye gazing into mine. "My name is Noctivagus. I will be your guide through your soul. All of this is you." He waved his wing to indicate the battleground below, on which no living wizard now remained. "Do not trouble yourself, young one. They were merely the tapestry." With this cryptic remark, the raven waved his wings, and was gone. The stone head of the gargoyle snapped, and I fell to the stones. Suddenly, I found myself swimming in water. The stone gargoyle which I had clung to with my life moments ago was now drowning me. I let it go, and swam to the surface. The raven was there. "What seems one moment to give you life, can give you death the next." I found myself thrown to my feet. When I got up, I was in front of the Ministry of Magic building. Magical sparks and smoke poured from the windows. In moments, I saw flashes of many things. Muggles screaming as a great shadow fell over them. Myself, holding a wand to the head of Ronald Weasley. The Dark Lord, his eyes glowing white, shouting something unintelligible. My father, reading to me as a child. Harry Potter, bowing curtly to me, eyes cold, a sadistic smirk on his face. Death Eaters swarming across the countryside. Myself, facing standing in a cratered field of mud, surrounded by crows. Myself, now old, silver hair faded to parched white, face wrinkled like a prune, surrounded by young children. One had the Malfoy's silver eyes, and he was crying.
The visions ceased. The raven still stood next to me, and now, I stood on the parapet again. The battle raged now again, though I could see no Aurors and no Death Eaters. On one side stood figures clad in white, on the other side they were robed with black. I looked down and saw the parapet crumbling. I fell to the ground, my body shattering. But I could still see the scene clearly. A brilliant light sprang up. When I looked around, all the figures were clad in dull gray. They still fought, but now they fought anyone they wished to. I turned and saw the raven, wings spread, in the air next to me. He turned to me with a piercing gaze. "Draco Erynn Malfoy, your Test is now over. I know your soul, and it is only fitting that you should know mine, in time. For we will meet again. My name," he turned away, "Is Noctivagus."
My neck snapped back, and I felt pain, as I'd never felt before. Strong arms helped me up. I heard Morris' voice enquiring as to my health. "Other than feeling like I'd gone eleven rounds with a mountain troll, you mean?" I shot back. "You left arm is broken, Draco. Can you hold it out perfectly straight?" I did, and felt a white-hot pain spread up my arm. Morris pointed his wand at my arm, shook it oddly, and the pain subsided. My arm went limp. "You shouldn't use that arm today. And sleep on your other side, too." "Where are we going?" I asked. "Voldemort has called a conclave of the Death Eaters. You are to be presented. As for me, this is my last day before returning to the field. Voldemort will presumably be willing to increase the amount of action we see. He is returning to health more swiftly than even he expected. Soon, we will be unleashed on the world…"
I don't think that's technically a cliffhanger…ah, well, maybe we'll see more action and less crytic remarks from ravens next chapter. I think I got one review for chapter three. That's just not very motivating! In the next part, Draco will meet the real Noctivagus. (Bonus points if you figure out what his name means!)