Hey, everybody! Chapter 22! You guys are catching up to me quick. I'm working on chapter 30. Once you guys catch up, updates will slow down. It's almost done, though! Yay!
This chapter is super short, but it leads to...things... There are plenty longer ones in the future. I promise. Hope you guys like it!
Disclaimer: I own nothing!
Chapter Twenty-two
I didn't get what I wanted for my birthday. My birthday was a day like any other. The house was filled with Death Eaters that hated me, and I was continually forced to bring Ollivander food. The old shopkeeper was looking worse by the day, and I hated looking at him. He looked as helpless as I felt.
My father continually tried to apologize to me, and I didn't see him drink the entire day. That was my one birthday present. My father was sober. He didn't hurt me or anyone else, but there was still a constant, gnawing dread in the pit of my stomach that told me that he was going to hurt me again. I didn't want to be afraid of my father, but ever since last night, I couldn't stop myself from jumping when he moved too quickly or got too close.
So when I settled into bed and Lucius opened the door, I instantly stood back up. I grabbed my wand and held it behind my back as he entered, trying to calm myself down. He was sober, though he looked terrible. He wouldn't hurt me now, but I still had a Dementor-like fear of him that made my stomach churn.
"I hate to tell you this on your birthday, Draco, but I don't think that I'll have another opportunity to do so," my father voiced, letting the door fall closed behind him.
I jumped slightly when the door clicked shut, but I forced my voice to remain steady. "Tell me what?"
Lucius took a deep breath, as if he was hesitating. "You're not going to school for your Seventh Year."
I narrowed my eyes at him in confusion. "Why wouldn't I go?"
"The Dark Lord will need everyone," my father elaborated. "We're going to make big steps in this war, and he needs every one of us to help him, and that includes you."
"Okay," I responded, unsure of what to say.
We fell into an uncomfortable silence for a while until Lucius jumped as if startled and exclaimed, "Oh! I just remembered. We have a meeting tomorrow."
"A meeting?"
"Yes. All of the Death Eaters will be there as well as the Dark Lord," he answered.
"Do you know why?" I asked.
"No. We never know why." His voice trailed off as if he was trying to figure something out.
Neither of us spoke for even longer than the first time, but my father broke the silence again with an abrupt, "Goodnight, Draco. And happy birthday." He quickly left my room and closed the door behind him.
Once he was gone, I was finally able to relax. I placed my wand back on my nightstand with a sigh. Now there was a meeting. Every single Death Eater would be there. Several of them were staying at the house already, but more would come.
I quickly shook my head, desperately trying to banish the unsettling thoughts. I should head to bed. I had to get some rest.
I crawled into bed and wrapped myself in my covers, hoping to sleep, but I couldn't get comfortable. I turned every way I could think of but never fell asleep. I couldn't take my mind off of the meeting tomorrow.
My father said that they were going to take big steps in the war, but what big steps? It most likely meant that You-Know-Who had figured out some way to capture and/or kill Harry Potter.
Harry was the only hope anyone had in winning this war. If he's killed, Voldemort would take over the world. I had to help Potter, but how could I? My hands are tied. If I help him, I'll be killed, but if I don't, Harry would be killed instead.
Who would lead the resistance then? If I remembered correctly, they were called the Order of the Phoenix, and I thought that Dumbledore was a part of it, too. Both of their leaders would be dead if Voldemort's plan succeeded, and Harry's two friends would most likely lay their lives on the line to protect him and die doing so. No one would be left.
Except for me.
See you next week when we'll officially start Deathly Hallows Part One!