Part Twenty Four
It had been decided that you would be staying in Malfoy Manor until the next school year. You thought that was because Voldemort still wanted to analyze you and make sure you wouldn't "betray" him. Not that you were a follower of his. The only reason you were here was to make sure Draco was alright and to keep him as safe as possible. July came quickly, as did the arrival of more Death Eaters. One night there was a large meeting, you were told that you would be attending. The knowledge that the house would be filled with Death Eaters you didn't know made you anxious, but for the protection of your friend, you couldn't let it show. As you were called down you schooled your features. You expected to sit next to Draco but it seems Voldemort had other plans. There were only two seats free, both to the left of him at the head of the table, Draco was again placed on the opposite side but down a little further this time. Once the dark wizard acknowledged your presence he gestured to the seat right at his left. You took a breath and sat. There was murmuring amongst the other wizards about your identity and why you would be placed so close to their "Dark Lord".
"I would like to introduce our newest attendee. This is Y/N L/N. Son of Cessair L/N. He will be joining us for the foreseeable future." You heard a few gasps at the mention of your mother's name but continued to sit and stare blankly at your hands. As the time drew closer to the meeting something, or someone you should say, was levitated above the table and just hung there. You recognized her as Charity Burbage, the Muggle Studies Professor at Hogwarts. You let out controlled breaths as to not alert any of the other attendees. The group talked amongst themselves while waiting for the last member to arrive. Soon you heard the door open and swishing fabric come in the direction of the table. Everyone else seemed to turn and look at the approaching person but you. You had to concentrate on keeping your face schooled lest a reaction at something give you away.
"Ah, Severus, I was beginning to think you'd lost your way. Come, we've saved you a seat." He gestures to the empty seat beside you and Snape closes in. He only notices you when he goes to pull out the chair. You give him a sideways glance and his fingers twitch against the chair as he pulls it out. Once he is sat Voldemort speaks again.
"You bring news I trust, Severus?" Severus schools his own features and his eyes flick away from you.
"It will happen the Saturday next. At nightfall" Someone down the table scoffed.
"That's not what I've heard. The Auror Dawlish let slip that the boy will not be moved until the thirtieth of this month, the day before he turns seventeen." Severus' voice cut through the second of quiet.
"This is a false trail...the Auror office no longer plays any part in the protection of Harry Potter. Those closest to him believe we have infiltrated the Ministry." There was a laugh from the far end of the table this time.
"Well they've got that right haven't they!" A few laughs rang out before Voldemort spoke again.
"What say you, Pius?" All eyes move to the man at the end of the table. His own gaze had flicked towards Nagini then back to the head of the table.
"One hears many things, my Lord. Whether the truth is among them is not clear." Voldemort lets out a huff you assume is meant to be a laugh.
"Spoken like a true politician. You will, I think, prove most useful, Pius." His attention moves back to Severus.
"Where will he be taken, the boy?" Severus straightens himself once more at being addressed.
"To a safe house. Most likely the home of someone in the Order. I'm told it's been given every manner of protection possible. Once there, it will be impractical to attack him." Bellatrix leans forward.
"Ahem. My Lord. I'd like to volunteer myself for this task. I want to kill the boy." You flinch slightly when a yell is heard from somewhere.
"WORMTAIL!" Peter flinched in his spot at the far end of the room. Your gaze fixed on him turned into a glare. He's the reason Padfoot was sent away. He's the reason Moony was alone for so many years. And now he allows Voldemort to call him the name that once was only used by his closest friends.
"Have I not spoken to you about keeping our guest quiet?" The rat man wrung his hands together.
"Yes, my Lord." Voldemort gestured a hand, seemingly ordering him away to remedy the issue at hand.
"Right away, my Lord." He seemingly ran away with his tail between his legs. Voldemort's attention returned to Bellatrix.
"As inspiring as I find your bloodlust, Bellatrix... I must be the one to kill Harry Potter. But I face an unfortunate complication." He stood from his chair and began to walk around the table.
"That my wand and Potter's share the same core. They are, in some ways, twins. We can wound, but not fatally harm one another. If I am to kill him... I must do it with another's wand." He paused a moment as if waiting for volunteers.
"Come, surely one of you would like the honor?" Again there was silence, every member of the table refusing to make eye contact.
"Mm?" He paused behind Lucius' chair.
"What about you, Lucius?" You could see the thin layer of sweat of his brow. Lucious' normal appearance of being well kept and groomed was long gone. His skin was pale, eyes sunken, and hands shaking.
"My Lord?" Lucious glanced up at him.
"'My Lord?'" Voldemort mocked him and held out a hand.
"I require your wand." Slowly the sickly blonde pulled out his walking stick, and from it his wand, and placed it into the other mans hand.
"Do I detect elm?" Lucious held fleeting eye contact.
"Yes, my Lord." Voldemort snapped off the decorative snake handle and Lucious flinched.
"And the core?"
"Dragon-" He mumbled before clearing his throat.
"Dragon heartstring, my Lord."
"Dragon heartstring." He dropped the snake piece on the table making Lucious flinch again.
"Mm." He turned towards where Mrs. Burbage floated and held out the wand. She started to float closer, hovering over the table.
"To those of you who do not know... we are joined tonight by Miss Charity Burbage... who, until recently, taught at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Her specialty was Muggle Studies. It is Miss Burbage's belief that Muggles are not so different from us." Scoffs and the odd chuckle could be heard throughout his speech. Her body was almost directly in front of you as she seemed to grow conscious, taking in her surroundings.
"She would, given her way... have us mate with them. To her, the mixture of magical and Muggle blood is not an abomination... but something to be encouraged." Bellatrix made a fake gagging sound. The professor made eye contact with you and then to Severus at your left. Voldemort made his way back to the head of the table.
"Severus." Her voice was cracked and harsh. Probably due to screaming from previous torture.
"Severus, please...We're friends." Her eyes watered as she pleaded with the man. He sat stone still and quiet, much like you.
"Avada Kedavra!" The green flash shot across the table and her body dropped with a loud thud. She faced the direction of Draco, you could see she shock and fear in his eyes.
"Nagini." At the beck of her name she made her way across the floor and onto the table. The attendees removed their hands from her path.
"Dinner." Once she was close enough she lunged, mouth open, and consumed your dead Professor.
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