Disclaimer- I own nothing. But I wish I did and I plan to someday but I
don't know what.
Gazy-this chap is for you. Thanks so much, you make me want to update. I hope it's as error-free, and descriptive, and genuine as ever. On with the show! Enjoy!
Chapter 8
Free Spirit
"Good evening, son," Lucius Malfoy spoke as he opened the old, decomposing door to welcome his only son into the dark flat. Draco looked inside and saw a narrow hallway lit by two candelabras decorating the walls and casting ominous shadows upon the low, wooden ceiling. He stepped in.
"Follow me," the man said. He turned and stalked to the door located to the right of the threshold. It opened into another dimly lit room which Draco now entered. The room was sparsely furnished with only a table in the center and a dusty recliner in front of the ash-covered fireplace. Upon the table was a book so ancient the front title could no longer be perused. Lucius looked at his wristwatch and muttered something incomprehensible to himself.
"Alright son, now touch the book," Draco reached forward expecting the unexpected, Lucius did the same, "we should be leaving in five...four...three...two..." but Draco never heard him count "one". He was jerked forward by his navel and was surrounded by swarms of colors and objects. The swirling stopped, and Draco found himself in a graveyard with his father standing next to him who dropped the ragged book.
There were other people there lingering amongst the tombstones and stone statues of cherubs and other mystical figures. Most of them were boys around Draco's age with their fathers of whom Draco recognized from Lucius' 'secret' get-togethers. Death Eaters, they were. A small crowd of childless followers gathered around someone resting in a leather chair which seemed highly out of place in the dreary setting.
"Now," a raspy voice spoke, "everyone is here. We may begin."
The group encircling the inhabitant of the chair dispersed as the person spoke. Black cloaks no longer blocked Draco's vision of the man, and he could gaze without interference. The figure was small and slight. It's hood and large black robes hid the face and body, but soon long, pale fingers escaped the dark folds and rose, pulling away the mask which revealed it's bald and wrinkled head. The creature had no lips and only a stub of a nose, but what really stuck out were the slits in the head which seemed to glow with crimson light. Malfoy, nemesis and villain of Hogwarts, had finally come face to face with the greatest enemy of all time, Lord Voldermort.
He stood up shakily with receding posture; everyone, kids and all, bowed, holding out their right arms, wrist up. Draco had no idea what was going on, so he followed suit until the small crowd rose with heads still bowed.
Voldermort spoke, "I don't know if it is clear why I have gathered you and your offspring to this place, but I will explain myself," he cleared his throat as everyone except the Malfoy boy listened carefully and spoke slowly, "The spell which restored my life did so with a price. It gave me not eternal life or immortality. It only gave me a temporary body with limited and waning strength and ability. An alternate spell to grant my real life back was to be discovered with time, but nothing has been found and I fear nothing will be. After thinking very thoroughly, I have come to one conclusion."
He paused to look upon every face. People were caught in his gaze, eagerly awaiting his next words.
"I will choose an heir, a successor, from the group of children you have brought to me. He, or she, shall be taught all of my secrets, and will take up the name "Voldermort" when I have passed. Then the Chosen will continue my plans for a pure world, and shall become ruler for eternity. A big job I know, that is why I chose the contestants with extreme caution and thoughtfulness. You, my children, are among the best and I know none of you will let me down, but there can only be one Voldermort. I will choose today, in this very spot, so individually come forward and present yourselves to me," he reached out one pale finger and pointed to a tall, muscular lad to Draco's right, "you first."
The boy proceeded forward and came within three feet of the Dark Lord. Immediately an acid green dome of energy surrounded the two. No one could clearly see what was going on much less hear anything. After a few short minutes which seemed like a lifetime, the boy emerged rather pale and rubbing his head painfully. Another candidate went forward and the same dome appeared. This person also left looking ill.
Draco was the last out of thirteen to be tested. He secretly clutched his wand inside his robes and walked to Voldermort emanating pride and confidence. When he reached the place of examination the barrier was formed, crackling and hissing with exuberance and energy. It created a swirling wind which blew Draco's hair out of place and disarranged his clothing. Voldermort was sitting in his "throne" before him and staring at him, reading his eyes. The man stood and before Draco could react, his wand was drawn,
"Legilimens!"
Draco's mind swarmed with memories, some of which were dark and frightening, but he knew of this trick. Lucius had taught him well enough in theory to resist the attack. He closed his eyes and blanked his mind; the memories faded. He envisioned a solid brick wall around his thought that even Voldermort could not breach. Slowly, the world came back into focus, and the Dark Lord again stood before him looking proud.
"You are good my apprentice, I was beginning to think my fate was doomed with the others' extreme failures. Have you been taught well in Occlumency?"
"Not formally," Draco replied fearlessly. Inside he was shaking, but his eyes remained hard and cold.
"Ahh, and now for one last test. I am going to ask you a question, and I want an honest answer. You will be killed if you lie."
Draco didn't answer.
"Alright. Do you want to be my heir?"
"No."
"No?"
"I want nothing to do with your insidious plot much less create it. True, a world without Mudbloods and Muggles would be paradise, but I need not kill millions to achieve happiness. I don't wish to be anyone's slave, bow to anyone, or refer to them as 'Lord'. I look out for myself and no one else. Nothing will tie me down; I am a free spirit and will do whatever I like."
The old man started at him silently. After a while he spoke with true honesty,
"I admire your pride. It is a quality needed to continue my path as is your assurance of yourself. Some call it arrogance, but it is definitely something much more. You are the exactly material I have been searching for," he placed his hands ceremonially on Draco's shoulders," you will be the next Lord Voldermort!"
Only when the Death Eaters cheered loudly did Draco realized the green dome had evaporated allowing the outside world to see present occurrences. He looked into Voldermort's eyes and saw bitter anger and vengeance. Like shattered glass, a voice spoke in his head.
You will succeed me whether you want to or not. Care not for your pride now, for from this point to my death you are my servant, my slave, my student. After this you will return to the disgraced Hogwarts and speak not a word to anyone. During holiday vacation, your training shall begin; no ifs or buts. My word is now law.
The words halted and Draco broke eye contact and returned his focus to the normal world. His father approached and embraced him, overcome with confidence for his son. When he let him go, the son turned to face the Lord, but he had disappeared without a trace. He had no doubt that Voldermort would try to contact him again before there training, and he would be ready. He may be forced to train, but he would never take the name. To kill in cold blood and be in control of everything was not his style. He was a free spirit.
Gazy-this chap is for you. Thanks so much, you make me want to update. I hope it's as error-free, and descriptive, and genuine as ever. On with the show! Enjoy!
Chapter 8
Free Spirit
"Good evening, son," Lucius Malfoy spoke as he opened the old, decomposing door to welcome his only son into the dark flat. Draco looked inside and saw a narrow hallway lit by two candelabras decorating the walls and casting ominous shadows upon the low, wooden ceiling. He stepped in.
"Follow me," the man said. He turned and stalked to the door located to the right of the threshold. It opened into another dimly lit room which Draco now entered. The room was sparsely furnished with only a table in the center and a dusty recliner in front of the ash-covered fireplace. Upon the table was a book so ancient the front title could no longer be perused. Lucius looked at his wristwatch and muttered something incomprehensible to himself.
"Alright son, now touch the book," Draco reached forward expecting the unexpected, Lucius did the same, "we should be leaving in five...four...three...two..." but Draco never heard him count "one". He was jerked forward by his navel and was surrounded by swarms of colors and objects. The swirling stopped, and Draco found himself in a graveyard with his father standing next to him who dropped the ragged book.
There were other people there lingering amongst the tombstones and stone statues of cherubs and other mystical figures. Most of them were boys around Draco's age with their fathers of whom Draco recognized from Lucius' 'secret' get-togethers. Death Eaters, they were. A small crowd of childless followers gathered around someone resting in a leather chair which seemed highly out of place in the dreary setting.
"Now," a raspy voice spoke, "everyone is here. We may begin."
The group encircling the inhabitant of the chair dispersed as the person spoke. Black cloaks no longer blocked Draco's vision of the man, and he could gaze without interference. The figure was small and slight. It's hood and large black robes hid the face and body, but soon long, pale fingers escaped the dark folds and rose, pulling away the mask which revealed it's bald and wrinkled head. The creature had no lips and only a stub of a nose, but what really stuck out were the slits in the head which seemed to glow with crimson light. Malfoy, nemesis and villain of Hogwarts, had finally come face to face with the greatest enemy of all time, Lord Voldermort.
He stood up shakily with receding posture; everyone, kids and all, bowed, holding out their right arms, wrist up. Draco had no idea what was going on, so he followed suit until the small crowd rose with heads still bowed.
Voldermort spoke, "I don't know if it is clear why I have gathered you and your offspring to this place, but I will explain myself," he cleared his throat as everyone except the Malfoy boy listened carefully and spoke slowly, "The spell which restored my life did so with a price. It gave me not eternal life or immortality. It only gave me a temporary body with limited and waning strength and ability. An alternate spell to grant my real life back was to be discovered with time, but nothing has been found and I fear nothing will be. After thinking very thoroughly, I have come to one conclusion."
He paused to look upon every face. People were caught in his gaze, eagerly awaiting his next words.
"I will choose an heir, a successor, from the group of children you have brought to me. He, or she, shall be taught all of my secrets, and will take up the name "Voldermort" when I have passed. Then the Chosen will continue my plans for a pure world, and shall become ruler for eternity. A big job I know, that is why I chose the contestants with extreme caution and thoughtfulness. You, my children, are among the best and I know none of you will let me down, but there can only be one Voldermort. I will choose today, in this very spot, so individually come forward and present yourselves to me," he reached out one pale finger and pointed to a tall, muscular lad to Draco's right, "you first."
The boy proceeded forward and came within three feet of the Dark Lord. Immediately an acid green dome of energy surrounded the two. No one could clearly see what was going on much less hear anything. After a few short minutes which seemed like a lifetime, the boy emerged rather pale and rubbing his head painfully. Another candidate went forward and the same dome appeared. This person also left looking ill.
Draco was the last out of thirteen to be tested. He secretly clutched his wand inside his robes and walked to Voldermort emanating pride and confidence. When he reached the place of examination the barrier was formed, crackling and hissing with exuberance and energy. It created a swirling wind which blew Draco's hair out of place and disarranged his clothing. Voldermort was sitting in his "throne" before him and staring at him, reading his eyes. The man stood and before Draco could react, his wand was drawn,
"Legilimens!"
Draco's mind swarmed with memories, some of which were dark and frightening, but he knew of this trick. Lucius had taught him well enough in theory to resist the attack. He closed his eyes and blanked his mind; the memories faded. He envisioned a solid brick wall around his thought that even Voldermort could not breach. Slowly, the world came back into focus, and the Dark Lord again stood before him looking proud.
"You are good my apprentice, I was beginning to think my fate was doomed with the others' extreme failures. Have you been taught well in Occlumency?"
"Not formally," Draco replied fearlessly. Inside he was shaking, but his eyes remained hard and cold.
"Ahh, and now for one last test. I am going to ask you a question, and I want an honest answer. You will be killed if you lie."
Draco didn't answer.
"Alright. Do you want to be my heir?"
"No."
"No?"
"I want nothing to do with your insidious plot much less create it. True, a world without Mudbloods and Muggles would be paradise, but I need not kill millions to achieve happiness. I don't wish to be anyone's slave, bow to anyone, or refer to them as 'Lord'. I look out for myself and no one else. Nothing will tie me down; I am a free spirit and will do whatever I like."
The old man started at him silently. After a while he spoke with true honesty,
"I admire your pride. It is a quality needed to continue my path as is your assurance of yourself. Some call it arrogance, but it is definitely something much more. You are the exactly material I have been searching for," he placed his hands ceremonially on Draco's shoulders," you will be the next Lord Voldermort!"
Only when the Death Eaters cheered loudly did Draco realized the green dome had evaporated allowing the outside world to see present occurrences. He looked into Voldermort's eyes and saw bitter anger and vengeance. Like shattered glass, a voice spoke in his head.
You will succeed me whether you want to or not. Care not for your pride now, for from this point to my death you are my servant, my slave, my student. After this you will return to the disgraced Hogwarts and speak not a word to anyone. During holiday vacation, your training shall begin; no ifs or buts. My word is now law.
The words halted and Draco broke eye contact and returned his focus to the normal world. His father approached and embraced him, overcome with confidence for his son. When he let him go, the son turned to face the Lord, but he had disappeared without a trace. He had no doubt that Voldermort would try to contact him again before there training, and he would be ready. He may be forced to train, but he would never take the name. To kill in cold blood and be in control of everything was not his style. He was a free spirit.