bleedingangel84 | Fallen: A Thwarted Love Story, 10/12 (Reply)

Chapter 10: Confrontations and Painful Truths

The silence of the night was so complete that the wind itself did not stir a single leaf in the grove of yew trees where the Death Eaters congregated to wait for their master. Draco was hidden among them, his pulse racing at the thought of what he knew must come to pass that night. It was to be the night of his first kill-the first true test of his loyalty to Voldemort. The very thought of killing made his stomach churn. He fought back bile as he wiped his clammy palms on his thick, black robes, steeling himself to undertake the most dangerous and important mission he had ever had. He only hoped that luck would remain on his side until the task was complete.

* * *

As Draco was preparing to face his own personal Hell, Gryffindor’s resident hero felt himself suddenly jolted out of his fitful sleep by a terrifying vision. Voldemort’s cold, snake-like voice hissed out the command that Harry had hoped never to here him utter: “Kill her Draconis. Kill her once and for all and prove your loyalty to me!” An icy sense of dread filled Harry’s stomach as the vision gained clarity. A familiar whimper filled his head as he saw Hermione bound to a nearby tree, struggling to speak through the gag that kept her silent.

My Lord, Granger is nothing to me. My loyalty is to you alone. It has been so in the Malfoy household for generations. From my cradle, I was taught to revere you. A harmless dalliance with a mudblood changes nothing. I assure you, this was a mere diversion for me. It was merely an attempt to gain intelligence concerning Potter on your behalf.

Malfoy’s familiar scornful sneer was in place as he spoke, filling Harry’s body with poisonous hatred that turned his thoughts to vapor with the heat of his wrath. Hermione’s eyes widened with disbelief at his callous betrayal of what they had shared. Tears fell thick and fast from her eyes as she slumped against the tree. The raw hurt he witnessed in her eyes made him feel as though a sword were piercing his own heart.

“If she is nothing to you, then you will have no trouble doing as I commanded, young Malfoy. Kill her, or suffer the consequences of my displeasure. Either way, she will die tonight. I assume you have no wish to join her.” The smile gracing Voldemort’s lipless mouth was truly horrifying to behold. Malfoy crawled forward on his knees to lay his lips against Voldemort’s heel.

“You are correct as always, Master. It is my honor to do as you command.” The flash of blinding green light came an instant later, even as Hermione fought against her bonds and cried out for some hint of compassion from the young man who had claimed to love her.

Fear swirled like nausea in the pit of Harry’s stomach, even as his mind worked its way to rational thought. Reason told him that the vision could very well be a trick of Voldemort’s. Determined not to assume the worst, thoughts of Sirius’ unnecessary death making themselves known, Harry realized then that he would have to warn Hermione. Death Eater or no, association with Malfoy was a dangerous thing indeed.

Using his Invisibility Cloak, Harry made his way up the stairs to the girls’ dormitories, where Hermione was sleeping peacefully. Shaking her gently awake, Harry spoke in a whisper, even as incredulity began to cloud Hermione’s features. “I’m telling you, Hermione, Malfoy is a Death Eater. You may not want to believe this, but you are in danger,” he said firmly. His tone was gentle as he continued. “Malfoy isn’t what you think he is.”

“I don’t know how you found out about us, Harry,” she stated, “but, let me assure you, I know Draco better than you think. He wouldn’t hurt me. Aside from which, your visions have been wrong before.” The memory of Sirius hung between them for a short eternity before Harry found his voice. “That’s exactly why I’m taking no chances this time,” he bit out gruffly, “Please go to Grimmauld Place. You’ll be safe there, no matter what.” Seeing the lingering pain in his eyes, Hermione had no choice but to agree.

* * *

Draco felt his heart start to pound as Voldemort Apparated into the clearing amid the small circle of waiting Death Eaters. He waited tensely for the moment to strike as Voldemort called him forward. “Young Malfoy, you know what it is you must do this night. You must kill the mudblood, Hermione Granger, whom you love beyond all others. Love is a weakness which I will not tolerate among my followers. Do you accept this challenge?”

The air was charged with emotion as Draco gave his answer in a firm and steady voice. “No, I do not accept the challenge. You are no one’s lord, you power- mad half-blood. Potter will not kill you, either. That pleasure will be all mine. Incindare Reptillus!” The Death Eater’s watched, stunned, as a serpent made of fire burst from the tip of Draco’s wand, striking at Voldemort’s heel before his shields were erected. In a snake-like hiss, Voldemort called the snake off him. Before Draco knew it, curses were flying everywhere, and half of the Death Eater’s had fallen as a result of stray hexes. Considerably weakened by the Fire Serpent’s paralyzing venom in spite of his gift with Parseltoungue, Voldemort’s retaliation grew steadily less effective as the battle raged on. Even in such a state, his powers were still formidable. It was with a thankful heart that Draco finally saw him fall among the ruins of the yew grove, begging for mercy, just as Draco had vowed he would. Draco spoke the Killing Curse with a final vicious snarl on his lips. With a sudden rush of wind and a burst of green light, Voldemort was no more.