Curse You

““I should never have placed such a difficult task on such a feeble mind!” Voldemort said with a hiss. Draco Malfoy writhed in pain on the hard floor, the Death Eaters mask slipping off his head for a moment. It felt like fire was shooting through every vein. He clenched his teeth together as he tried to suppress the screams of agony that threatened to erupt. His slate gray eyes looked for just a moment at Severus Snape, who stood, still as a statue, beside the spot where Draco squirmed. Suddenly the pain stopped. Draco kept his wits about him and quickly jumped to his feet, standing at attention . “Perhaps I should just kill you now.” Voldemort muttered, twisting his wand around his slim fingers. “Or maybe your mother will go first.” Draco knew better than to plead. It would only incriminate him further.

“With your permission, My Lord.” Snape said slowly. “I suggest giving the boy another chance. He is, of course, still a child. He will learn to kill soon enough.” Draco watched with anticipation as Voldemort lifted a brow in contemplation. “If I remember correctly, Snape, it was you who provided the fatal blow. How is he to learn if his tasks are completed for him?” Draco saw Snape tense for a moment before he spoke again, selecting his words carefully. “I only intervened when it became evident that he was going to fail. Dumbledore had already poisoned his mind when I arrived. I only did what had to be done.”
“Snape, you have always been loyal to me.” Voldemort said. “And I trust your judgment.” He sighed at turned his attention again to the quivering Draco. “I was holding onto this for a student who was more adept, but I suppose I shall place it on you as yet another enduring test.

Snape has informed me that there are two children who are considered close friends of… Harry Potter.” Voldemort spat out the name with quite a bit of malice on his tongue. “You are instructed to kill…” Draco hardly heard the rest of the sentence. He was already formulating a plan in his mind, a smirk forming on his thin lips. It would bring him great pleasure to watch Weasley twitch with the final spasms of death. No short, quick spell for him. No, Draco could… But his thoughts were interrupted as Voldemort finished. “Not the boy. No, it would have much more of an impact if a female were to perish.” Voldemort sneered at the obvious shock visible where Draco’s face could be seen. “She’s a Mudblood, if I remember correctly. I know that you will be only too pleased to dispose of such a lowly creature.” Voldemort waved absently from his high backed chair and Draco bowed. “Of course, My Lord.” Draco was already calculating a plot, but somewhere, behind all the hatred he held for Hermione Granger, Draco felt a bit of dread. But he thought he hid it well as he Disapparated from the antique study of Voldemort’s ancient house.

Snape bowed in turn, and moved to leave. “Wait.” Voldemort snapped. Snape watched as a massive snake slithered across the dusty floors. She wound her way up the upholstered chair and settled behind Voldemort’s own snake- like head. “If he shows any signs of weakness, Snape.” Voldemort muttered as he ran his fingers delicately over Nagini’s nose. “Kill him.” Snape nodded, and with a pop, promptly vanished.