After the End
Blonde Dragon

Summary: After certain events in HBP, Draco has not had a very good time dealing with his actions. When he stumbles into Harry once again and seeks help, how will the other react? (A bit AU after 1st chapter, HPDM Slash eventually, SPOILER WARNINGS! Draco P.O.V.)
Disclaimers: I do not own the characters used, nor the recap plot used in this first chapter. All are © of J.K.Rowling. It is by her grace fanfictions writers are allowed to write about her world and characters.
Author Notes: This chapter is where things pick up. WARNINGS: Some semblance of a Plot near the beginning … and shameless Draco torture. I can't help it if I'm twisted.
Reviews:
Lone Wolf55 – YAY! I was a little worried about it. ;; Thank you for the offer and review! .. I might take you up on that offer, if you don't mind. ;) I hope this update is soon enough:D I'll try to pump a chapter out a week at least. (crosses fingers) Let's see if I can do it! I hope the length of this chapter helps the lack of update time?
Spork Princess – (Sheepish smile) Well … um … I'm evil? I hope this next chapter appeases you:D Like said, I'll work on the updates. I actually have a plot lined up somewhere! (collective gasp from the characters, only to be stopped by the All-Mighty-Author-Glare)
Dieu Anonyme—Wow! Such a detailed review. :D. I didn't know English it wasn't your first language! You seem so fluent.:) Harry will be making an appearance in the next chapter. I planned for him to be in the first one, but then I ended up typing too much. ;; So this or the next definitely! Also, I wasn't aware of the anonymous posting. I fixed it now:D Thanks for pointing it out to me!
Rissa the Jedi – Thank you for your review! Oo! I like that reaction! Not to worry! Here is the next chapter!
"Now, Draco …." The snake-like voice of the Dark Lord hissed out to me. "There is much we need to discuss…"

I stiffened at his words, but I wouldn't let him see it. I merely stayed with my head bowed down on the ground. I was trained very well through my blood and tears that in the presence of the Dark Lord, you did exactly what he said. He hadn't told me to stand yet, so I stayed in my spot.

"Stand, young Malfoy." Voldemort commanded of me, as if reading my thoughts. I didn't want to upset him, so I obeyed him. I stood slowly, managing to stand up straight rather than sway from the slight dizziness that assaulted me. I kept my face down, remembering my training from my father. Do not look into the Dark Lord's face until he told me to. "Look at me, Draco." Ahh, perfect timing.

I looked up into his face, hating the way those glowing red eyes felt like they were burning into the back of my skull. With the skin pulled taut over his bones, he looked almost like a living dead body. He smiled at me, his lips pulling tighter over the overstretched skin. "Draco…" His snake-like voice hissed out at me. "What do you see when you look at me?"

I blinked. What kind of question was that? I looked at him confused. "I'm sorry, my Lord. I do not understand the question."

A dry laugh came from his lips, chilling me to the bone. "I asked you, young Malfoy, what you see when you look at me."

I was silent for a moment, my Slytherin mind quickly finding something suitable to say. "I see the most powerful wizard in the world, my Lord."

Voldemort smirked, before he nodded. "Ahh .. yes." His voice hissed. "That would be a good answer. However, do you think this is a suitable look for the most powerful wizard in the world?" He sneered down at me, nodding to Lucius at his left-hand side. I watched my father approach with tense anticipation. I didn't know what he was going to do, but I wasn't going to flinch. Not in the presence of the Dark Lord who would do worse to me than anything my father thought up.

I stared into the cold eyes of my father as he raised his hand and back-handed me swiftly. The force of the blow caused me to stagger a bit, but I held my head up high. I wouldn't show weakness, even with the pain of the blow still fresh on my already abused cheek and metallic taste of blood in my mouth. When he was done, he retreated to the Dark Lord's side.

I stayed where I was, only slowly bringing my face forward and looking down at the ground in what I felt disgrace – but the Dark Lord felt it was obedience. "Draco, look up." His hissing voice was full of amusement now, forcing me to suppress a shiver. I obeyed easily, looking up at his frightening features. As I watched, Voldemort stood in all his glory – robes flaring around him menacingly as if a breeze had magically made its way into the room. I managed to keep my shoulders straight and taunt as he walked closer to me. The reek of death was on him, as well as the sickeningly sweet scent of decay. I forced myself not to wrinkle my nose in disgust as he leaned closer to me.

I forced myself not to shiver as his skeleton-like fingers brushed my gelled-back hair as he pushed my hood back. His glowing red eyes ablaze as he looked over my face approvingly, running a cold as death finger over my jaw line. I was proud of myself as I suppressed all but a small flinch. His skin stretched a bit more as he smiled once again. "Now Draco," His hissing voice was now more like a purr. I was standing straight at this point, struggling to hold back my terror at the noise. "What do you see when you look in the mirror?"

I blinked up at him once more at the odd question, but I managed to put together an answer with a proud voice. "I see Draco Lucius(1) Malfoy. Proud Heir of the Malfoy Lineage and Death Eater. Faithful follower of the most powerful wizard in the world." I thought it sounded rather good. He, however, did not.

His smile pulled down again and Voldemort's hand was soon replacing the same spot my father's hand had slapped. My head whipped to the side by the force of the blow, moving my gaze right into Voldemort's glowing eyes. "That isn't what I was talking about." He hissed out in anger.

"I'm afraid I misunderstood the question then, my Lord. I am sorry." I managed to utter with as much disgrace as I could gather. Which was, unfortunately, a lot. After years of being beaten and raped by my father and Death Eaters alike, being nothing but a trophy whose school marks were never good enough, I knew quite a bit about shamed.

He smirked, a grotesque display. "What do you look like when you look in the mirror?"

I was still trying to understand what the man was talking about. Slowly, I understood. "I see a young man with blonde hair, often mistaken for a male veela." I mentioned that with a faint snarl. "I am strong and the seeker of the Slytherin house." I mentioned the last part with pride.

He laughed at me, a dry, hollow sound that sent shivers to the core of my being. "Yes. You're young, strong, and beautiful. And powerful. I can feel the power in your veins, even if you cannot. A beautiful strong, young, powerful body -- perfect for a powerful wizard, don't you agree?"

'Where the hell is he going with this?' I thought a bit desperately. I took a deep breath and nodded. "Yes, my Lord. I do agree."

He grinned wider, causing skin to clench even tighter, almost completely showing his bones beneath. "Wonderful." He gave my injuried cheek a delicate caress before turning on his heels and heading for his throne, his hem of his robes flaring behind him as he did so. "Your body will be the one I will be using before I attack in public again."

"WHAT!" I merely thought that, but apparently the thought was too violate to keep in my mind. I managed to cover as he turned to glare at me. "What do you mean, my Lord?"

"I cannot use this body anymore, Draco. It is old and decayed. It will take too long for me to recover from spells when I finish my purification of the wizarding world. But your body, young Malfoy, is perfect. You are young, and will recover quickly. Strong, to aid me in my mission. Beautiful, to bedazzle the enemies. And powerful. Oh yes, my young Malfoy, you are powerful. I can make great use of that power when it is my own." His sneer turned into a smile as he spoke to me, as if speaking to a child.

I cast a quick glance towards my father, who seemed to have a mixed look of pride and annoyance. I looked over to Snape, and found a very well concealed look of pure horror in his eyes. I shook my head slowly. "But, my Lord…"

"Are you daring to contradict me, child?" He turned his gaze quickly towards me and glared down at me in a manner I knew too well from my first arrival to the Malfoy Manor that fateful day.

I shook my head swiftly. "No, my Lord…"

Once again, I was cut off by the first punishment he cast. "CRUCIO!" The pain was a tangible thing as it burned its way through my veins. I couldn't keep up the Malfoy mask any longer as I fell to my knees and began to writhe in pain. I couldn't hear anything except my own heartbeat in my head – my body felt like it was splitting apart at the same beat. It felt like forever, before the curse was called off, leaving me panting on the floor like common trash. As I drew breath, I felt the air tearing at my now raw throat. I didn't know I had been screaming. I looked up at Voldemort through the fluffy white sbangs that hung in front of my eyes.

The Dark Lord was grinning happily at me. "I hope you find yourself more agreeable. I'd hate to do more harm to befall that beautiful body of yours."

My stomach turned at that thought. This was impossible. "My Lord … what will happen to me?" I tried to get it out without my voice trembling lightly, but I couldn't.

He grinned wider. "What greater reward for failing to kill the muggle-loving Dumbledore than sacrificing yourself to the most powerful wizard in the world?"

I choked on my own gasp at that. 'I'd cease to exist? No! I can't die! Not like this.' I slowly forced myself to stand. I narrowed my eyes and looked boldly into Voldemort's glowing red orbs. "No. I can't do that."

"You don't have a choice, young Malfoy. It has already been arranged." Voldemort's eyes narrowed as he looked at me. "Now, I'd appreciate it if you agreed with me. You did before, of course."

I snarled, bringing myself up to my full height. I think I heard the wind against my temper as it flew out the window. "Of COURSE I won't! I refuse to sacrifice my body to you!" I reached my hand instinctively for my wand, but my hand only grasped thin air. Bullocks.

Voldemort sneered down at me from his perch on the thrown pedestal. "It seems that young Malfoy is throwing a tantrum. Please escort him to the dungeons and help him wind down."

My eyes widened as I watched the very eager grins of Death Eaters as they closed in around me. "No!" I struggled against their bonds, refusing to let them take me down to show me their brand of justice.

"Stupefy!" I heard one of them shout out and was too slow to stop the spell. My aching body immediately froze and fell towards the ground, but I was caught by hands of my godfather. I couldn't believe he'd be there to help, but of course it made sense! He didn't care about me, he had only helped me to help the Dark Lord! I felt anger course through my veins, but I was useless to do anything else. Snape picked up my body and escorted me down into the dudgeons. I was so elegantly tossed onto the ground before the spell was called off.

I quickly rolled onto the side and moved to push myself up, but a boot to the center of my back shoved me back down with a whimper. I still hadn't been able to recover what happened – yesterday? The day before? – previously. The Death Eater I didn't know leaned down further, sending more weight on my back and pain through my body. "I think junior here does … need some pusuasion." He ground his heel in my back, forcing a whimper to come from my throat. "Griger!(2) Grab the irons!" He shouted to another Death Eater I didn't know. I wondered briefly if they were new followers or not, but my thought was interrupted as my thin wrists were grabbed by rough hands and forced into shackles.

My eyes went wide in surprise and I started to struggle. "Crucio." The pain ripped through my body once more and I fell writhing in agony on the ground. The wound on my side fell just right on the stone and began to bleed – I could feel the blood oozing onto my shirt and making the fabric stiff. When the curse was called off, I managed to get a breath down through my raw throat before I was attacked by another Crucio curse. After having this curse thrown at me over the years for so long, I'm half-surprised that I haven't built up an immunity to it.

Once the string of Crucio curses ended, I lay there gasping for breath and aching in agony. I couldn't think of a single part of me that didn't ache. I didn't enjoy that feeling; I don't like pain. Yet, I feel I'm a masochist. I couldn't resist dragging my head up to look at my tormentors and give them the Draco Malfoy smirk. "Is that…the best…you can…do? So … Original…" My voice was hoarse from screaming, but I managed to put as much mock into it as I could.

That set them in a right rage. The one named Griger grabbed me by the irons he cuffed my wrists into and looped them into the hook in the ceiling. I was dangling there by my arms alone, my feet barely touch the ground. I grimaced as the blood flowed down my arms. 'Idiot!' I berated myself silently.

Griger grinned over to another of the men in the robes. "It does seem, Beltia(2), that the boy prefers other methods, don't you think?"

Beltia grinned back; I could see the sadistic pleasure in his gaze from the darkness of his hood. "I do agree." He nodded to someone behind me. I was about to turn around, before the first whip lash fell on my back. I screamed in surprise, but bit my lip for the remaining session. I wouldn't let them hear me scream.

Through my daze of pain, I heard Snape's smooth voice snap something out to the fellow Death Eaters. I think he asked them to drop me, because the next thing I knew I was a bleeding pile on the floor. I didn't even have the strength to stand. I felt someone kneel behind me and place their hand on my bleeding wounds. I cried out in pain at the burning sensation – they put something on it! Dammit, it hurt! I squeezed my eyes in pain, before I heard Snape's voice whisper for only me to hear in my ear. "This stings, yes. It will fade. Apparate to Kings Cross Station. You will be safe there."

I blinked, turning to ask him a question, but I met only his glare. I scowled as I debated his words. He was helping me? But ... that didn't make any sense. As I thought about this,he gestured towards my chains. "Someone release him. What fun is binding up a pathetic boy?"

The manacles around my wrist were released, causing a hiss of pain to escape me from the fresh air on the bleeding wrists. 'What a Malfoy I make,' I thought. 'All bloody and bruised no one would be able to recognize me.'

My thoughts were halted as Snape leaned over me, his face contorted in an expression I know of contained amusement. When he dragged me to my feet by my wounded wrists, he slipped something familiar in my hand. I widened my eyes and looked at him in shock. He barely shook his head, not even allowing a lock of his greasy hair to move. He was telling me not to show it. I turned my look of shock into fear – I was a good actor after all. He moved away from me and pulled out his wand, pointing it at me with a practiced glare, before nodding a barely perceivable nod to me as he glared.

I got the signal in his eyes. 'Use it, Malfoy. I didn't give it to you without reason. Get out of here.' He had to be saying that. With a grin, I pointed the wand at Snape and called out a harmless spell. "Stupefy!" I swear I saw him smirk before his face went blank and he fell backwards.

The Death Eaters were in an uproar. I dodged many of the spells aimed at me, amused beyond belief one of them tried to use the killing curse on me. I managed to hit them with harmless spells, but they were getting closer to me. I saw the corner of the dungeon growing closer and closer to me. I hissed in pain as my back hit the wall, the moist noise meaning I was leaving blood on the wall. Good riddens. I wouldn't dare use the Cruciatus Curse at a time like this. I'd get about a million curses of the same thrown back at me. I wanted to scare them. I wanted to make them scream and bleed. A malicious grin pulled back my split lip as I recalled safely the only spell that could cause such destruction without being an Unforgivable. "SECTUMSEMPRA!"

The blood spurted out of the Death Eater's chest as he staggered backwards into their midst. The other Death Eater's backed away from him in surprise and fear. 'Thanks Potter.' I pointed my wand at Snape and softly ordered the Stupefy Curse to lift. When he stood, he arched a brow down at the Death Eater I just cursed. Again, I swore I saw him smirk, but I couldn't be sure. I wasn't staying long enough to find out. I closed my eyes, remembering the dungeon would allow me to do what I wanted to. I concentrated on where I wanted to go – a safe place where no one would be able to find me, as Snape suggested.Though in my battered state, I should seek help. I wouldn't even allow the words to murmur through my lips as I spoke my destination. 'Kings Cross Station.' With a resounding CRACK, I disapparated to my destination of choice – leaving the Malfoy Manor, my father, and Lord Voldemort behind me for the time being.

A/N: I've noticed something. The more chapters I post, the more each chapter grows. This one was by far the longest. Yeesh. Oh well! I can't guarantee the trend will continue, but oh well! I hoped you enjoy it! I hope I didn't go to fast in it, and this isn't all for Draco Torture. It isn't Angst/Drama for nothing. Heehee. Feel free to Review, yes? Reviews are what authors live on. :D

NEWS! The next chapter will be posted by tomorrow or Saturday. I make that my deadline. No later than Saturday will you have Chapter 4 and it will also involve Harry.

(1) I don't know Draco's real middle name, but given the pride of his family, I thought it'd be his father's first name.

(2) These are names of Death Eaters I just made up. I needed tormentors. You can pay attention to their names now if you'd like, or you can forget them. Up to your mind. :)