"Evanora Yaxley," the Dark Lord's voice rang cold and high in the Malfoy's dining area. "Come forward."
Draco stilled, the name drawing his attention. He knew her. She was in his social circle, same year and same house. He had seen her laughing with Theodore Nott more times than he could count; they were best friends. Although he knew her father was a Death Eater, he hadn't expected to see her here. Especially not walking towards the Dark Lord per his request.
She was handling herself well, he supposed. Her head was held high, and her walk was straight, her face impassive. The only thing that gave her away was the quick rise and fall of her chest.
"Your father has been a loyal servant in these trying times," the Dark Lord praised, rising from his seat with his wand in his hand. "He has told me you would be the same."
Draco watched as Evanora swallowed hard, nodding. He felt sick to his stomach. She was about to endure what he had just gone through. A small, sick part of him felt relieved at the fact. He wouldn't be the only one. He hated himself for being happy at the thought.
"Yes, my lord."
Draco had always thought her voice was rather nice. It wasn't as high as Pansy's, and there was some grit to it. He compared it to a honeycomb, sweet and textured. He had never heard it sound like this, defeated and scared. She concealed it well, but throughout their school years Draco had gotten familiar with her tone of voice.
"Do you pride yourself in being part of a great change- to rid the Wizarding World of the filth and muck it lives in?" the Dark Lord continued, striding closer to the girl.
"I do, my Lord."
He had to admire her, standing straight and tall as he had. It was rather brave of her, to have her dark hair pulled away from her face in a braid. When he was standing up there, in front of everyone, he had been wishing his hair was longer to cover his face. She could have easily done that, but instead she chose to leave her face clear to all of them. Brave or foolish, he wasn't sure.
"Do you swear to follow my every order until the day you die?" the Dark Lord tilted his head, awaiting her response.
"Yes, my lord."
"Pull up your sleeve."
Draco watched as the girl pulled up the sleeve of her robe, her hand shaking as she did. He shut his eyes, knowing exactly how she was feeling. He had just done the same thing before her.
"Morsmorde!" the Dark Lord uttered, drawing a figure eight on her pale forearm.
Evanora let out a cry as the Dark Mark appeared on her skin in its inky black form, and Draco instinctively grabbed his as he remembered how it felt.
He wished he hadn't done so. Lucius gripped his elbow, digging his fingers into the skin. Narcissa squeezed his hand tighter, her posture rigid. No one else appeared to notice, and that was a good thing.
"Welcome Evanora," the Dark Lord paused, a smile on his snake-like face. "To the winning side."
"Thank you, my lord." Evanora's voice was shaky, but she bowed to the Dark Lord before sitting at the table next to her father.
"Foolish girl," Yaxley muttered, slapping the back of her head harshly.
Draco watched as Evanora's eyes filled with tears, her lip wobbling. She had a hand over her arm, which was now covered by the sleeve of the robe, and he suddenly felt strong pity for her. As long as she saved her tears for later, she would get through this meeting unharmed.
She seemed to have thought the same thing, because after a moment of staring at the table, her eyes were dry. She then stared stoically ahead, her eyes holding the same dead look Draco was sure he wore.
"To properly welcome our newest members," the Dark Lord smiled, an evil grin, showcasing his yellow teeth. "I will be giving them their… task."
Draco glazed over at Evanora once more, who once again had her chest moving at an alarming rate. He watched as she swallowed hard, and for a moment, their eyes locked together. Her eyes were beautiful, he had always thought, one brown and one blue, but the fear in them made her look wild. She quickly averted her gaze, her breathing still fast.
"Draco Malfoy and Evanora Yaxley," began the Dark Lord, raising his wand to them both. "Your task is to find a way for the Death Eaters to infiltrate Hogwarts by the end of the coming school year. You both will work together on this. By that time, one of you will have killed Dumbledore."
Draco's mouth went dry, and his mother gripped his hand tighter. Lucius laid a hand his shoulder, his fingers digging into his skin painfully once more.
"My Lord," Yaxley nodded his head. "Thank you for giving Evanora such a prestigious opportunity."
Lucius echoed Yaxley's sentiments, bowing his head to the Dark Lord. Narcissa's hand never left Draco.
"How am I supposed to do it?" Draco couldn't help the question falling from his lips, a sort of helplessness behind it. "He's more powerful than either of us."
The Dark Lord turned his gaze onto Draco, who suddenly wished he hadn't spoke.
"I'm sure between the two of you, you can find a way," the Dark Lord replied, his red eyes staring into Draco's grey ones. "Whoever manages to kill Dumbledore first will be heavily rewarded. If you both shall fail… there will be.. Consequences."
"Like what?" Evanora spoke out, her voice strained and full of fear. Yaxley slapped her again, this time across her face. She bent her head down, cradling her cheek.
"Eyes on me when you ask a question, child," the Dark Lord said distastefully, his eyes narrowed. Evanora raised her head, her eyes damp once again. Still, no tears were shed. "Should you and Draco fail, you will be taken care of, along with your families. Disposed of."
"Draco will not disappoint you, my lord." Lucius assured the Dark Lord, who nodded to him.
Draco felt sick. Truly, deep to his bones sick. This isn't what he had expected, when his father had spoken of the Dark Lord. His father had described being a Death Eater as a once in a lifetime opportunity, working to rid the world of mudbloods and muggles. The raids were thrilling, the rewards amazing beyond compare.
He had failed to mention the guilt and burden of carrying this godforsaken mark on his arm. It meant the Dark Lord owned him until either Draco or he died. Perhaps it could have been different, had his father not failed the Dark Lord at the ministry. His whole world had begun to collapse that night, and now, he had the Dark Lord living in his home. His home. It had never felt more foreign to him than it did right then.
Everyone rose up, signaling that the Dark Lord was dismissing them. Narcissa let go of Draco's hand, as it would no longer be concealed under the table. His stomach twisted, and he wished his mother would have kept hold of him.
"To Evanora and Draco," the Dark Lord announced, raising his hands. "May they complete their tasks, and bring honor to their families."
"To Evanora and Draco," everyone echoed, Bellatrix being particularly loud.
Draco met Evanora's eyes once more. She looked absolutely terrified, and he supposed he may have looked the same. They stared at each other for a good long moment, before Yaxley brought his hand down on Evanora's shoulder harshly. She looked away from him then, her eyes staring back down on the table.
Draco watched as Yaxley bent down next to Evanora's ear, saying something harshly to her. Evanora nodded softly, shutting her eyes. He wondered what he had said to her.
"Narcissa, take Draco upstairs," Lucius ordered. "I'm going to go speak with Yaxley."
Narcissa nodded, and Draco let himself be guided upstairs. They entered his room together, and Narcissa paused in the doorway.
She reached out and cupped Draco's cheek, looking at him sadly. "You can do this, Draco. I believe in you."
Draco nodded, shutting his eyes as the warmth of his mothers hand left his cheek. When he opened his eyes again, she was gone, and his door was shut.
He was alone.
hello! reuploading this as it posted all weird. hopefully it goes smoothly this time! let me know if its any good.
-TheFlyingGraysons