Disclaimer: I own nothing...but my sick and twisted imagination
KivaidensGirl: Sorry, no IM here. Thanks for the encouragement. OMG! My hero! I just read your other post! Too kind.... (sniff, sniff)
DHL: I am sorry, I don't have the greatest spelling skills and sometimes my spell check doesn't pick those things up. I appreciate it.
Beth: I am starting to feel better thanks, I will have some new additions for you to read when you return. Have fun.
Mesmer: Yes, Hate Lucius with a passion. Right!
Musikchik: A new reader is always welcome.
Anastasia: Whole-hearted thanks.
Lizzie: Sorry to hear about your unfortunate 'lock-down'. Take care.
Lily: 2 New Readers! Thank you, thank you.
TimeBomb: And brainstorm I did... ha ha
Lessien: Ok, but only cuz you said so.. ;}
Chapter 14: Tormenting Draco
Draco woke to find his father looming over him. The sheer contempt on his face made Draco believe that for a moment this was only a bad dream. He would never be so lucky. "Wake up Draco." The stern voice demanded nothing but total obedience. "Get up!"
Draco's eyes flew open and he winced at the pain that was going to come. He was surprised to find that he had no scars, not even a scratch on his body. There was a slight burning deep in the muscles of his back but, all things considered, he was in good shape. He wondered if last night had all been a hallucination.
In answer to his son's puzzlement Lucius drawled, "By now you have noticed the flawless condition that your beloved mother has kept you in." His voice could curdle milk. "Damn interfering woman, applying salves and healing spells, and other nonsense. Bloody waste of time. She knew that when I work I am not to be disturbed. Don't worry, she will not get involved again." At this comment Lucius smiled.
Draco didn't know if he was supposed to sigh relief or run screaming. His mother had bothered to try to heal him. Why? He had no way of finding out, while trapped in his father's so called 'study'. What a gruesome place indeed. Draco had only been down here once, a very long time ago. That had been the day that he found out the extent of his father's relationship with Voldemort. He had always assumed that his father was just another follower, but on that day Lucius had received a summons while in his 'study'.
The general rules were simple. #1. That you don't go against the Dark Lord. #2. You don't ask questions. #3 You respect your pureblood superiority. #4. And you don't bother him in his study. That day was an exception. Draco was told to bring the summons immediately to Lucius. So he slowly descended the stairs to the lowest and darkest room in the manor. Draco quickly knocked before he could lose his nerve. The door flew open on its rusted hinges as a furious and blood covered Lucius took in Draco's pale face and shaking hands holding out a black envelope. His features softened briefly, then he shouted. "Get out, and do not return." He slammed the door but it swung back open.
Draco was a statue of fear. His eyes took in the contents of the room. A filthy bed, no sheets. Chains suspended from the ceiling. All sorts of hooks, knives, daggers, needles and suck were on a table at the end of the room. Large drains made up the floor. And the room was covered from ceiling to walls to floor with blood. Old and new. A decrepit man was suspended in the middle of the room by leather collars around his neck and wrists. His feet dangled lifelessly four inches from the floor.
Lucius had returned his attentions to the man. He held lovingly in his hand a weighty chain, one that was welded to a contraption in the ceiling. This chain had a fierce hook on the free end. Lucius thrust the hook deep into the ribs of the hanging man. The body violently jerked in response. Draco realized to his horror that this man was not dead, as he had assumed.
Lucius snickered and walked to a wall of levers and switches. He stared at the impaled victim and flipped a switch. There was nothing in Lucius's face as he watched the man's ribs be torn out in a gory mess. The dying man's screams chased Draco up the flight of steps as he ran.
Draco knew from that moment that his father was the Dark Lord's hit man. The only one cruel enough to dish out punishment. An Assassin. Voldemort's followers were mainly spineless, sniveling worshipers, but his father was different. Always a man of action and severe brutality, he was the ideal candidate for a loyal executioner.
Draco stumbled back into the present. He frowned, knowing that his mother's assistance had cost her deeply. You do not disobey the rules. He was strong enough to withstand Lucius's powerful fists but his mother was not. "I believe that you know the rules, boy." Lucius stated. Draco nodded once. "And you do know that to go against your Lord is punishable by death." Again there was another blonde nod.
Draco held his breath. This is it, he thought. Finally I shall have sweet release from this life. It is a pity I shall be murdered by my own father. Please, let it be quick. Don't let me break. I won't give him that satisfaction. Draco prepared for what was inescapable.
Lucius laughed. He respected the stubborn glint in his son's eyes. The same eyes that he had. His son was a picture perfect image of a younger Lucius, face tilted with a look that defied the heavens themselves. "Yes, be prepared. I enjoy the challenge. It is your fortune that our Lord gave me permission to deal with you personally. Your girlfriend shall not be so lucky. Your miserable life has been spared on my behalf, because you are my heir. Pitiful really. It is time you learned your place. You stand to inherit all that I possess. You shall be ready to take my place in the circle when I can no longer fulfill my duties. And you will step into the position eagerly. There will be no more cavorting with the three little pigs. Your new bosom buddies shall be taken care of by Lord Voldemort himself. It is his wishes and they shall not go disobeyed."
Draco had no intentions of following in his father's footsteps but didn't think that this moment was the opportune one to mention that. Hermione's fate ... that was not a welcome thought. He shuddered in his clammy skin. "Draco, do pay attention. I know how difficult it is for you." Lucius snootily replied.
"Even as we speak the plan is set in motion. It is only a matter of bidding our time. The ransom note has been passed on, per his instructions. And if the foolish girl cares for you an ounce, she will perform the required tasks. The prophecy is on its way." Lucius informed his son. He was enjoying the torment in Draco's face at the thought of his helplessness.
Hours more of torture and gruesome experiences shall have his son fully turned. He relished the opportunity to teach Draco that his insolence will not be tolerated. He teased him with describing what ghastly suffering shall befall Hermione. Then he deliberately left the room, knowing that Draco's imagination shall unearth more torments of his girlfriend.
Lucius was right, and the visions polluted Draco's weary psyche. Some were so malicious that he wished he could blind his mind's eye. Curse him for having an overactive imagination. Draco was forced to bite his already bruised tongue to keep from crying out. Tears were weak. He was a man, and men do not cry. Especially not in the face of one such as Lucius. Tears can be a motivation to someone of his masochistic taste. For that, any emotion would only provoke his father further.
Draco lowered his eyes and composed himself. He had to remain oblivious. He gathered his remaining strength and wrapped himself in a blanket of cold. The tortures resumed shortly after. Draco's pain was phenomenal, his face contorted in his effort to be as silent as death.
Lucius' voice thundered with his uncontrolled fury. "You can not go on like this forever, Draco. Sooner or later the pain will be too much, and you will succumb. I have been administering my justice since before you were born, and no one has withstood me. I am the epitome of patience. You will fail, boy."
Draco lips quivered. He knew that his father was right. In time Draco would crack. His father would see to that. "Please don't bring Hermione here. Let her be safe. Let her be protected." Like a chant, Draco thought the words repeatedly. If only wishing could make true. He could gladly perish under the pain if she was spared. He did not know that she had already passed the point of no return. Hermione had barely touched the yellow button before the portkey pulled her into darkness.
KivaidensGirl: Sorry, no IM here. Thanks for the encouragement. OMG! My hero! I just read your other post! Too kind.... (sniff, sniff)
DHL: I am sorry, I don't have the greatest spelling skills and sometimes my spell check doesn't pick those things up. I appreciate it.
Beth: I am starting to feel better thanks, I will have some new additions for you to read when you return. Have fun.
Mesmer: Yes, Hate Lucius with a passion. Right!
Musikchik: A new reader is always welcome.
Anastasia: Whole-hearted thanks.
Lizzie: Sorry to hear about your unfortunate 'lock-down'. Take care.
Lily: 2 New Readers! Thank you, thank you.
TimeBomb: And brainstorm I did... ha ha
Lessien: Ok, but only cuz you said so.. ;}
Chapter 14: Tormenting Draco
Draco woke to find his father looming over him. The sheer contempt on his face made Draco believe that for a moment this was only a bad dream. He would never be so lucky. "Wake up Draco." The stern voice demanded nothing but total obedience. "Get up!"
Draco's eyes flew open and he winced at the pain that was going to come. He was surprised to find that he had no scars, not even a scratch on his body. There was a slight burning deep in the muscles of his back but, all things considered, he was in good shape. He wondered if last night had all been a hallucination.
In answer to his son's puzzlement Lucius drawled, "By now you have noticed the flawless condition that your beloved mother has kept you in." His voice could curdle milk. "Damn interfering woman, applying salves and healing spells, and other nonsense. Bloody waste of time. She knew that when I work I am not to be disturbed. Don't worry, she will not get involved again." At this comment Lucius smiled.
Draco didn't know if he was supposed to sigh relief or run screaming. His mother had bothered to try to heal him. Why? He had no way of finding out, while trapped in his father's so called 'study'. What a gruesome place indeed. Draco had only been down here once, a very long time ago. That had been the day that he found out the extent of his father's relationship with Voldemort. He had always assumed that his father was just another follower, but on that day Lucius had received a summons while in his 'study'.
The general rules were simple. #1. That you don't go against the Dark Lord. #2. You don't ask questions. #3 You respect your pureblood superiority. #4. And you don't bother him in his study. That day was an exception. Draco was told to bring the summons immediately to Lucius. So he slowly descended the stairs to the lowest and darkest room in the manor. Draco quickly knocked before he could lose his nerve. The door flew open on its rusted hinges as a furious and blood covered Lucius took in Draco's pale face and shaking hands holding out a black envelope. His features softened briefly, then he shouted. "Get out, and do not return." He slammed the door but it swung back open.
Draco was a statue of fear. His eyes took in the contents of the room. A filthy bed, no sheets. Chains suspended from the ceiling. All sorts of hooks, knives, daggers, needles and suck were on a table at the end of the room. Large drains made up the floor. And the room was covered from ceiling to walls to floor with blood. Old and new. A decrepit man was suspended in the middle of the room by leather collars around his neck and wrists. His feet dangled lifelessly four inches from the floor.
Lucius had returned his attentions to the man. He held lovingly in his hand a weighty chain, one that was welded to a contraption in the ceiling. This chain had a fierce hook on the free end. Lucius thrust the hook deep into the ribs of the hanging man. The body violently jerked in response. Draco realized to his horror that this man was not dead, as he had assumed.
Lucius snickered and walked to a wall of levers and switches. He stared at the impaled victim and flipped a switch. There was nothing in Lucius's face as he watched the man's ribs be torn out in a gory mess. The dying man's screams chased Draco up the flight of steps as he ran.
Draco knew from that moment that his father was the Dark Lord's hit man. The only one cruel enough to dish out punishment. An Assassin. Voldemort's followers were mainly spineless, sniveling worshipers, but his father was different. Always a man of action and severe brutality, he was the ideal candidate for a loyal executioner.
Draco stumbled back into the present. He frowned, knowing that his mother's assistance had cost her deeply. You do not disobey the rules. He was strong enough to withstand Lucius's powerful fists but his mother was not. "I believe that you know the rules, boy." Lucius stated. Draco nodded once. "And you do know that to go against your Lord is punishable by death." Again there was another blonde nod.
Draco held his breath. This is it, he thought. Finally I shall have sweet release from this life. It is a pity I shall be murdered by my own father. Please, let it be quick. Don't let me break. I won't give him that satisfaction. Draco prepared for what was inescapable.
Lucius laughed. He respected the stubborn glint in his son's eyes. The same eyes that he had. His son was a picture perfect image of a younger Lucius, face tilted with a look that defied the heavens themselves. "Yes, be prepared. I enjoy the challenge. It is your fortune that our Lord gave me permission to deal with you personally. Your girlfriend shall not be so lucky. Your miserable life has been spared on my behalf, because you are my heir. Pitiful really. It is time you learned your place. You stand to inherit all that I possess. You shall be ready to take my place in the circle when I can no longer fulfill my duties. And you will step into the position eagerly. There will be no more cavorting with the three little pigs. Your new bosom buddies shall be taken care of by Lord Voldemort himself. It is his wishes and they shall not go disobeyed."
Draco had no intentions of following in his father's footsteps but didn't think that this moment was the opportune one to mention that. Hermione's fate ... that was not a welcome thought. He shuddered in his clammy skin. "Draco, do pay attention. I know how difficult it is for you." Lucius snootily replied.
"Even as we speak the plan is set in motion. It is only a matter of bidding our time. The ransom note has been passed on, per his instructions. And if the foolish girl cares for you an ounce, she will perform the required tasks. The prophecy is on its way." Lucius informed his son. He was enjoying the torment in Draco's face at the thought of his helplessness.
Hours more of torture and gruesome experiences shall have his son fully turned. He relished the opportunity to teach Draco that his insolence will not be tolerated. He teased him with describing what ghastly suffering shall befall Hermione. Then he deliberately left the room, knowing that Draco's imagination shall unearth more torments of his girlfriend.
Lucius was right, and the visions polluted Draco's weary psyche. Some were so malicious that he wished he could blind his mind's eye. Curse him for having an overactive imagination. Draco was forced to bite his already bruised tongue to keep from crying out. Tears were weak. He was a man, and men do not cry. Especially not in the face of one such as Lucius. Tears can be a motivation to someone of his masochistic taste. For that, any emotion would only provoke his father further.
Draco lowered his eyes and composed himself. He had to remain oblivious. He gathered his remaining strength and wrapped himself in a blanket of cold. The tortures resumed shortly after. Draco's pain was phenomenal, his face contorted in his effort to be as silent as death.
Lucius' voice thundered with his uncontrolled fury. "You can not go on like this forever, Draco. Sooner or later the pain will be too much, and you will succumb. I have been administering my justice since before you were born, and no one has withstood me. I am the epitome of patience. You will fail, boy."
Draco lips quivered. He knew that his father was right. In time Draco would crack. His father would see to that. "Please don't bring Hermione here. Let her be safe. Let her be protected." Like a chant, Draco thought the words repeatedly. If only wishing could make true. He could gladly perish under the pain if she was spared. He did not know that she had already passed the point of no return. Hermione had barely touched the yellow button before the portkey pulled her into darkness.