Disclaimer: Again, I own nothing.
One More Thing
"Now Draco," Voldemort hissed, a malicious grin sliding across his snake-like features, "One more test and then you will enter the leagues of my loyal followers."
"Yes, My Lord." Draco stood back straight, shoulders back. In every way, from his perfect posture to unwavering tone, he was a Malfoy. But after tonight, that's not all he would be. After this one final test, he would finally, after 16 long years, become a Deatheater. He had been waiting for this day all his life, and in a matter of minutes his goal would finally be achieved.
Voldemort didn't question his readiness any further and instead decreed Draco's deciding task.
"You have proved that you are willing to suffer a number of Crucio Curses. But this means nothing if you are unable or unwilling to perform it on another." Draco clenched his teeth in apprehension. "You must perform an Unforgivable Curse on..." The moment seemed to drag on for an eternity. "Your father."
A murmur went up among the hooded Deatheaters. Lucius Malfoy stepped forward out of the circle and lowered the hood of his robes. His outward demeanor appeared calm, cool, collected, rather stoic, the exact opposite of what was going on inside his head.
Thoughts swirled around and collided with one another, a never ending cacophony of inner turmoil. A storm was raging beneath the surface, but no one would know it.
Memories of Lucius's past ran through his conscious thoughts. Memories from his own initiation, back when Voldemort hadn't been quite so...malevolent. Certainly he never made them perform such a spell on a family member. A Muggle, maybe, but not blood kin. This was better, he supposed. A true test of loyalty, to torture someone you had known your entire life. That took gall. But would Draco do it?
Lucius looked at his son, but Draco had busied himself with removing his wand from his robes and would not meet his father's gaze.
Lucius's mind raced again. Would Draco go through with it? He had always taught him to know what he wanted and to achieve it by any means necessary. But did that mean he would be willing to go so far as to use the Cruciatus Curse on his own father? Lucius guessed he might.
Everything he told Draco, did to him, was for his own good, to teach him the way life worked. Sometimes his methods were rather harsh, but he always had Draco's best interests in mind. Would Draco do it?
He stared at his son until Draco was forced to meet his gaze. The moment Draco's steel gaze met his own, Lucius knew he would. He knew that look. The seemingly harmless sight masked a lifetime of pain and hate. Lucius knew what Draco was going to do.
Draco lifted his wand, intense grey eyes still locked with his father's. They stared each other down for only a moment more, both aware of that the other was thinking. For one it seemed and eternity, the other, the blink of an eye.
"CRUCIO!"
