The Dancer
Chapter 2
Cait had been to Malfoy Manor many times before, but never had it felt so sinister. The air seemed cooler somehow, and Cait couldn't seem to rid herself of the shiver that had entered her spine.
She was seated at a long table; Death Eaters flanked either side of her while Voldemort himself graced the head of the table. Cait was seated between her father and Draco.
"Welcome, my loyal Death Eaters, to another meeting in the so graciously offered Malfoy Manor." Voldemort began. He continued to drone on about plans and recently completed missions.
Another chill ran through Cait, causing her to shiver. Discreetly, Draco placed his hand on her leg and rubbed it gently. As he made to pull his hand away, Cait stopped him with a touch of hers. Once he stopped pulling away, she laced her fingers with his. He could feel a slight tremble in her hand and gave it a squeeze to let her know that he was there for her.
"Miss Nott." Voldemort called, bringing Cait back to reality, "I have a mission for you. I want you to befriend Potter and his gang. I want you to create turmoil within their group and break them up."
"And if I refuse?" Cait asked defiantly. Draco gave her a squeeze of warning as the entire room grew more silent than was possible.
"It would not be wise to refuse, Miss Nott. If you refuse I may be forced to take drastic measures. Those measures may include your precious brother."
Cait swallowed, but said nothing.
"Wise choice, Miss Nott. I want you to work on this when you return to Hogwarts."
Cait weakly nodded her head. She was trying her hardest not to let her anger show. This was not the place to do it. Any number of the people seated around the table would pick up their wands and gladly curse her. She kept her eyes downcast, so as not to alert any of the others of her anger. She knew that Draco had picked up on her anger because his thumb was tracing small circles on the back of her hand in an attempt to soothe her.
Not long after Cait received her mission, Voldemort dismissed his loyal brood. She and Draco apparated back to the front gates of the Nott Manor, but Cait was reluctant to walk to short distance to the front door. Instead she made her way towards a porch swing that was set up under a gazebo in the garden, Draco following her.
He sat down beside her on the swing and allowed her to rock them back and forth. He wasn't sure exactly how she was reacting to the news.
"Cait?" he asked quietly.
She stopped rocking the swing and looked up at him. He had never seen that look in her eyes before; he wasn't even sure exactly what it was.
"Are you alright?"
"I guess it could be worse," she finally answered.
Draco more than understood her dilemma. It had only been last year when he had been forced to complete his own mission, which had been issued by Voldemort. That had been when Cait had stopped talking to him.
Before last year, Draco and the Nott twins had been really great friends. They had spent every school holiday in each other's company. Merlin, they had grown up together from the time they were all three years old. Although he considered Theo to be one of his closest friends and confidants, he had always held a special place for Cait.
She had always taken the place of protector for her brother growing up, as he had been a rather sickly child. But Draco had always felt the need to be her protector, even when it was obvious that she didn't need one.
He often wanted to take her in his arms and just hold her. Especially when she was having a bad day, not that he was able to always do it. He had never let her know about his feelings towards her.
The night that he had confided in Theo about his mission, Cait had been there. He had been so scared and rattled, that he hadn't been thinking properly, he hadn't stopped to think about the fact that Cait despised anything to do with the Dark Lord or anyone who associated themselves with him. He had just need to talk to someone and share his fears.
When he admitted to his acceptance of the mission, Cait had stood from her spot, given Draco one last unreadable look, and walked from the room, leaving nothing but a chill in the room. She hadn't even stayed long enough to know that the Dark Lord was holding his parents lives over his head.
After that night, Cait had avoided him whenever possible. If she couldn't avoid him, she would ignore him. When he had pushed her about the subject she had finally told him that she did not willingly associate with Death Eaters, whether they be junior or otherwise. And so, Draco had let her be. He had stopped trying to remain her friend and had completely withdrawn from her, only interacting when necessary.
"It could be worse," Draco finally agreed as he gently reached out his arm and rested it across her shoulders in a sort of half hug.
Cait slid closer to Draco and rested her head on his shoulder.
"Thank you for being here for me," she said in a small voice.
Draco squeezed her a little closer and kissed the top of her head softly in answer.