A chill mist was drifting through Little Hangleton under a velvety midnight sky. The sleepy village was quiet and a large mansion that stood over looking it was eerie under the pale moonlight. There was a soft glow coming from one of the many windows on the top most floor of the old house, casting ominous shadows across the panes of glass.
A loud crack that sounded as if a car had back fired shattered the languid silence and eight people stumbled into existence before the main entrance of the mansion. The figures dashed inside, making foot prints in the layers of centuries old dust on the floor. They hesitated a moment in the darkness, their eyes adjusting slowly. A lumpy-looking man known as Amycus mounted the stairs, his stocky sister Alecto and a brutal-faced Death Eater followed. Holding a hand to a stitch in her side, Narcissa Malfoy leaned against a side table breathing heavily. Her eyes were set on her son's stark white face that was expressing fear. She pulled Draco out of her sister's clutches and held him in a tight embrace. Bellatrix clucked her tongue disapprovingly.
"Sissy, this isn't the time for this!" She cried grabbing Draco and pulled him up the stairs.
Narcissa glared at her sister but did not object. She shivered slightly and looked over to the door where Snape stood watching her. His dark eyes burned as they bore deep into hers. She opened her mouth to speak but quickly closed it and followed her sister up stairs, her cheeks slightly flushed. Snape followed her, his eyes locked on her back, ignoring the laughter that erupted from Fenir who trailed behind him.
Excited voices where coming from an open doorway to a room on the third landing of the old house. Amycus, Alecto and the brutal-faced Death Eater were all ready inside the slightly crowded room when Bellatrix, Draco, Narcissa, Snape and Fenir entered. Sitting in a large throne like chair, wearing long trailing black robes was Lord Voldemort, a small smirk spread across his white, snake like features. He rose slowly with his red eyes locked on Draco. Bellatrix pushed Draco forward where he stumbled a few steps before backing up into his mother. Fenir ran his tongue across his teeth watching the scene before him as he moved with Bellatrix toward the fire place.
"I am very elated to hear that the mission as been completed, but I confess that I am disappointed with your performance, Draco." Voldemort spoke silkily, stopping inches in front of Draco. "I had intended for you to make the kill."
Voldemort turned his eyes to Snape as he spoke the last few words. Snape's face showed no expression as he met his Master's gaze. Voldemort grinned and turned his gaze back to Draco.
"I can understand however that you may have felt pressured and unsure, so I will forgive you this once." Voldemort continued, reaching inside his robes.
He withdrew his wand, grabbed Draco by the collar roughly and pulled him away from Narcissa.
"But do not think you will go unpunished!" He hissed coldly as he turned his wand on the quacking boy. "Crucio!"
Narcissa's horrified screams meet the pain filled ones of her son. She made to lunge forward as she watched Draco fall to the floor but was restrained by Snape. She struggled against him in an attempt to break free of his grip. He took her hand and held it firmly. Draco writhed on the floor emitting shrill cries. Fenir chuckled raucously and was quickly jabbed in the ribs by Bellatrix. She glared at him as he growled at her. Voldemort flicked his wand away from Draco's twitching body and turned his amused face to Narcissa. She looked up from Draco who had curled on his side gasping and sobbing and stared helpless at Voldemort as he advanced her. She was gripping Snape's hand so hard her knuckles were white.
"I am also disappointed in you, my dear Narcissa." He said barely above a whisper. "Did I not tell you not to indulge anyone the nature of your son's mission?"
Narcissa let go of Snape's hand as she felt him pull away. She nodded stiffly.
"And," Voldemort's red eyes glittered maliciously. "Did you not indulge Severus in our little secret?"
Narcissa nodded again.
"You're very lucky that I had informed Severus of Draco's mission." Voldemort laughed softly. "But that portion of disobedience does not irk me as much of what happened soon after."
His voice had steadily turned colder as he spoke as he stared deep into Narcissa's blue eyes.
"You begged Severus to make an Unbreakable Vow." Voldemort continued emotionlessly. "I can understand why you would do this, of course. Being a temporarily single mother with the life of your only son in grave danger, it seems all most natural you would want to protect him."
The room seemed to grow cold and tension filled it. Voldemort raised his hand unexpectedly, causing Narcissa to flinch. He stroked her face first with the back of his hand. His skin was cold and caused the hairs on the back of Narcissa's neck to stand. He idly turned his hand so his finger tips graced her cheek bone and mouth. She stared at him with wide watery eyes. Snape scowled as he watched Voldemort stroke Narcissa's face. Voldemort ran his fingers slowly back through her blonde locks. He gripped a handful of her hair tightly and pulled her toward him. She let out a cry as their bodies collided. Disgust was etched into every line of his face as he forced her to her knees roughly by her hair. Narcissa closed her eyes tightly against the pain and the tears that spilled over her cheeks as she cowered at Voldemort's feet. Draco, who by now had pressed himself against the nearest wall whimpered. Snape twitched, trying his hardest to keep his face expressionless.
"Only this once will I allow you to defy me." He whispered cruelly to her.
"I-I'm sorry my Lord!" Narcissa replied breathlessly.
With his expression still harsh Voldemort snapped his attention on Snape.
"Never again!" He hissed, raising his wand and sending a stream of red light into Snape's chest.
Snape yelled and slammed against the wall. Voldemort lowered his wand looking bemused as Snape raised a hand to his chest. He let go of Narcissa's hair and leisurely walked back to his chair. Stowing his wand back into his robes he sat and grinned around at his company.
"It is finally finished. The only barrier that has stood in our way has finally been torn down!" Voldemort exclaimed elatedly.
The room was full of the jubilant responses of the Death Eaters, save for those who were just reprimanded. After a few moments Voldemort raised his hand for silence. Immediately the Death Eaters ceased their celebrating.
"The next subject I must press upon is the Death Eaters that got them selves locked up in Azkaban." Voldemort spat. "Does anyone have any ideas on how we might go about getting them out?"
An uncomfortable silence fell over the room. Narcissa rose slowly, her eyes set on her son.
"I – Well, Draco had a thought… A while back…" Narcissa said softly.
"Oh, really?" Voldemort smirked looking over at Draco who was looking at his mother as if she had just slapped him across the face.
"He… He wondered whether or not we could use Inferius to… perhaps break them out." Narcissa explained carefully, turning her eyes to Voldemort. "Since, they feel no pain and are completely devoted to a task they are set to… and perhaps… we could bewitch them to carry on even if they are faced with fire or warmth or light."
Voldemort tapped a long pale nail to his lip, gazing at Narcissa thoughtfully. Snape's lips parted partially as he watched Narcissa. Bellatrix stared at her nephew suspiciously. Draco looked up at her and nodded quickly, not meeting her gaze. Voldemort looked over at Draco and smirked.
"Very good, Draco." He said softly.
Draco didn't look at Voldemort but nodded. Narcissa exhaled slowly and looked over her shoulder at Snape. Their eyes met and they held each others gaze for a moment before they both turned their attention back to the Dark Lord.
"Everything is falling into place perfectly." Voldemort stood. "Amycus, Fenir, you will accompany me on short trip. The rest of you are to remain here."