A/n: I have not written Harry Potter fics in a long time omg. But the only idea I had for this prompt was Draco Malfoy in sixth year, because anyone would be terrified of disobeying/ disappointing the Dark Lord, let alone a 16 year old.
Also, I don't exactly remember the timeline too well of the sixth book/movie but it shouldn't matter too much…
It was supposed to be an honour. To be given a task by the Dark Lord himself at such a young age.
It'd been an honour in the beginning, but then he'd seen his mother's terrified face, his father's restrained one, and he'd realised that maybe it wasn't exactly what it had been made out to be. Then of course, he'd seen the Dark Lord in person and, well, that changed things. But he was in too deep already; the only way out now was through.
He'd gone to Hogwarts as usual, almost gotten caught by Potter on the train and that terrified him because was he failing already? How… how was he supposed to do this, let alone at the same time as juggling schoolwork and pretending everything was normal? He knew what disappointment meant.
The first few weeks back, he managed to push it from his mind. Focused on school since he didn't really have any orders yet. Then the first letter arrived in the morning mail, instructions among his mother's letter.
He'd done what had needed to be done, what had been expected of him, and it'd been an easy enough task but he also knew this was only the beginning.
The tasks became more risky. He almost got caught so many times and each time, the pressure got worse. He kept questioning himself, regretting everything but he couldn't stop. Stopping meant his life being stopped permanently.
He was forced to go home over the Christmas break, but it was anything but a relaxing time. At least at Hogwarts, he didn't have the Dark Lord actively watching his every move, breathing down his neck, but at the Manor he was a frequent visitor. Technically being the host, not only did Draco have to answer questions about his actions at Hogwarts but he also had to comply with any and all requests made by the Dark Lord.
There was even a brief time where he missed his house elf Dobby, even just to have someone else tend to the 'guest's' needs, though when he'd been younger, Dobby had occasionally taken the role of Draco's secret companion. He didn't even have Dobby anymore though, thanks to Potter, the indirect root of all his problems.
He went back to Hogwarts and it only got worse from there. Time was running out, the Dark Lord was getting impatient, the stupid cabinet stubbornly remained broken, his attempts to ki- his attempts complete his other task without a direct confrontation with Dumbledore kept being thwarted, and stupid meddling Potter wouldn't stay off his back.
He couldn't fail.
He couldn't fail.
He had to succeed, no matter what that meant he was allowing to happen, but he didn't have a choice and the one he did have was kill or be killed.
It was supposed to have been an honour.
Instead, now he was paying the price of obedience, a fate almost worse than death.
A/n: I would say it didn't quite turn out the way I wanted it to but seeing as I didn't have a plan to start with, I don't think that statement is valid. But anyway, Draco Malfoy is an interesting character and I have so many fic ideas surrounding him especially sixth year and onwards because he's painted as the (secondary) antagonist, but that's changes vastly if you see it from his perspective (one of the fics I plan to write sometime but keep putting off because it's a big endeavour but lmk if that's something you'd be interested in and maybe i can find the motivation). I also could have gone deeper for this fic but when writing one a day, I try to keep it short.
Anyway, hope you enjoyed regardless, stay safe and see ya soon.
- CrowofArcadiaOaks