Chapter 27 Dudley
Chapter 27 Dudley
Ten days, it had been ten days since Dudley had last seen Draco. He had said he was coming, why would he lie? Did he hate Dudley now? Was the kiss simply too much? These questions repeated on a loop in Dudley’s mind until he was almost mad with it. Dudley’s mood swung wildly from a white hot anger at Draco for ignoring him to a bone chilling panic that something terrible had happened, that Draco was hurt and Dudley couldn’t help him. Vinny was the only person Dudley had spoken to in ten whole days. He was lovely and kind and apologetic when he told Dudley he could not tell him anything, Dudley didn’t force him or try to persuade him, these people were cruel and he didn’t want to see Vinny hurt. The thought of someone harming the small wide eyed creature almost broke Dudley in two. Instead Dudley had resigned himself to living in a perpetual state of anger, anxiety and grief. He had read and reread Frankenstein Four times. The chilly gothic atmosphere matching his mood.
Dudley was reading huddled in his corner when Lucius arrived. He apparated directly into Dudley’s cell.
Dudley managed to quash his initial instinct to hide. When he caught a glimpse of the perpetual haughty smirk that painted Lucius’s face it instantly became crystal clear to Dudley that Lucius had something to do with Draco’s absence.
‘Where is he?’ Dudley asked, he was glad when his voice came out even, no hint of the fear that was coursing through his veins.
‘He’s here, up in his bedroom.’ Was all Lucius replied.
‘What did you do?’ Dudley asked dreading the answer that might follow.
‘The dark lord required him, and Draco was obedient.’
Those words landed heavily on Dudley’s shoulders. Something was badly wrong. If Draco was inside the manor why had he not come to see him? He was sure that one kiss couldn’t have frightened him that badly.
‘Is he okay? What did you make him do? Where have you been? What did the dark lord need him for?’ The questions were bubbling unchecked out of Dudley’s mouth now.
‘Shhhh’ Lucius said striding over to where Dudley was huddled. Feeling he was about to be cornered Dudley tried to stand but Lucius placed one hand on Dudley’s shoulder stopping him from rising and then rested his index finger over Dudley’s lips to shush him.
Dread coiled inside him.
‘No need to get up my boy. You can have all the answers to all of your questions… but not for free.’ Lucius smiled.
‘You must give me something in return.’ He continued.
Dudley was now on his knees at Lucius’s feet. The fly of Lucius’s fine silk trousers inches from his face. Dudley was not looking there though, he continued to stare defiantly upwards to Lucius’s face. Lucius brought his hand from Dudley’s shoulder up to the back of his head where he began to finger through Dudley’s hair in lazy, almost affectionate movements. Dudley had known this was coming. Perhaps he had been able to mentally prepare for it without realising because surprisingly his panic was only for Draco and not for what was about to happen with Lucius. To just know what happened to Draco would make whatever horrors Lucius was about to unleash on him worth it. He would pay this price and much higher for Draco.
‘You’ll tell me everything If I do this?’
Dudley asked. The act remained unspoken but they both knew the terms of their agreement.
Lucius merely nodded down at him an excited anticipation glittering in his eyes, like he almost couldn’t believe how easy this had been.
‘Undo them.’ Lucius commanded. Dudley thought of Draco and did as he was told. He reluctantly took Lucius into his mouth and allowed himself to be used.
When Lucius finished he quickly pulled his trousers back up and breathlessly ran his fingers through his long hair. He let out a long satisfied sigh. Dudley looked up at him from his knees expectantly, waiting for him to talk, to tell him where Draco had gone and what happened and if he was okay.
‘Tell me…’ Dudley implored.
‘Oh Dudley’ Lucius caressed his cheek with a soft hand.
‘You really are uncommonly stupid.’ Lucius disapparated with a cruel grin.
Dudley felt cold. A heady rush of shame and guilt swept over him like icy water. He had allowed himself to be taken advantage of so easily, he really was stupid. Dudley Grabbed his glass of water and washed out his mouth, spitting what was left of Lucius into a bucket. He then ate the rest of the cheese sandwich he had left from Vinny’s last visit to get rid of any lingering bitter taste. He retreated to his corner and attempted to sleep.
It would be two more days before Dudley finally saw Draco again.