Whisper

Chapter 5: Taking Over Me-Evanescence

Draco woke late that morning because Weasley and Granger wanted him to retell Potter's first flying experience in five years. Finally Draco just extracted the memory and let them watch it. Weasley and Granger were ecstatic that Potter was happy and that he had a good time and they thanked Draco over a million times.

Draco groaned as his back popped in five places and his arm spasm. It was a long time since he'd played Quidditch and his arm was unused to the experience. A Rejuvenation Potion and a Muscle Relaxant Salve was placed on his night stand. Either Sissy or Nobby knew he would be awake later and that his muscles would be sore.

'Those house-elves,' he thought and drank the potion and rubbed the salve on his sore muscles. Instantly he was awake and his muscles weren't sore anymore.

After getting a shower and dressing he went downstairs to find his mother in the parlor drinking tea and eating cheese cake. He groaned. It must be really late in the day if Narcissa was eating cheesecake.

"Hello, mother," he said. "I'm sorry for staying in bed for so long."

"You're new patient must really be challenging," she said. "Have you figured out his diagnosis yet?"

"He has an almost autistic behavior with mild response to phrase and sounds," he said sitting down and accepting the tea Nobby gave him. "But at intervals he's screaming as if someone is torturing him."

Narcissa set down her cup and thought for a moment. "The first part doesn't make a lot of sense. He can't be autistic if he was a healthy wizard with the magic. That just wouldn't be possible. And the terrified expression sounds like a Torture Curse."

"I already thought of that," he said. "But it still doesn't explain the first symptom."

"You think it's a new curse? Made just for him?"

"Or a complicated one."

Narcissa got a thoughtful expression. Draco knew that look. She was close to who Draco was working with or had a suspension. "Who would be that much hated to send an unknown curse that hard to break? And a secret."

"It's no one of importance," said Draco. "His guardians just doesn't want to put him in anymore danger."

"Understandable," said Narcissa. "You better go. You missed half a day of work."

Draco smiled. "Yes, mother," he said and stood up and kissed her on the cheek. "Enjoy your tea, mother. I'll join you for dinner."

"Of course," said Narcissa.

Draco smiled and went to his office. There was a desk, a few chairs, and a wall of books on magic psychology. In a cabinet in the far corner was a Pensieve that Draco used to review sessions or watch events.

Draco walked over to the cabinet and took the two crystal jars and opened one. One was all he really needed to view but the Weasleys probably wanted him to see every detail. Pouring one strand in, he took a deep breathe.

"I'm going to need therapy," he said and plunged in. he experienced the feeling of being drawn in and landed on a dais by the entrance of Hogwarts standing next to Ronald Bilius Weasley.

"Now I really need therapy," he said and looked around. He was standing next to and a little behind Weasley who was next to Granger. Potter was a little away talking to Ginevra Weasley, both smiling and laughing. Draco moved closer to hear the conversation.

"…and when he gave Dennis Creevey the Jumping Jelly Bean," said Potter laughing.

"He was jumpy for an hour before the charm on it wore off," said Ginny, also laughing. His smile turned to a sad frown. "I miss him. Colin was a good friend."

Potter looked at Ginny sadly and hugged her. A strange feeling came to Draco at the sight but he suppressed it.

"I miss him too," said Potter.

"Harry, it's time," said Granger.

Nodding Potter released Ginny and walked over to the cleared table. Draco followed him. He was correct when he assumed Potter didn't use a paper. Looking around Draco noticed himself near the side of the courtyard with his parents. Lucius was looking at Potter so oddly that Draco hadn't noticed it before.

"Thank you, everyone, for coming," he said. "One year ago today Voldemort attacked this school and both Magical and Muggle worlds.

"I know a lot of you have lost someone important during the war. Many people have been lost, on both sides. I, also, have lost many of my friends. Not just my parents. Children have lost parents; parents have lost children, brother, sisters, aunts and uncles. There wasn't a person lost who isn’t missed.

"But now, one year after the war, we have an opportunity to rebuild our community and our way of thinking. Voldemort tried to use the people fear and opinions and his own hatred of his heritage to manipulate his actions, and to manipulate his followers. But now with him gone we are able to learn from the past to build our future.

"Now, I would like to have a moment of silence for the one's who have fallen. Lily Evans, James Potter. Cedric Diggory, Sirius Black, Albus Dumbledore, Alastor Moody, Theodore Tonks, Remus Lupin, Nymphadora Tonks-Lupin, Dobby the house-elf, Colin Creevey, Fredrick Weasley, Severus Snape…" and the list went on with all the victims from both sides, "….Vincent Crabbe, Bellatrix Lestrange, and Thomas Riddle."

Draco didn't remember the last name but watched carefully since he knew what came next. A curse shot out and hit Potter straight in the chest. With a groan he fell sharply to the ground as everyone ran in panic.

"Harry," yelled his three friends and ran to Potter's side.

"Reversus," he said and the memory rewound. When it came to the came to the part he wanted he stopped the memory. "Tempus Glacius."

He had placed the Time Freezing Charm right when the curse had been cast. The blackish purple blast was aimed directly at Potter. Draco racked the trajectory of the curse and saw a very familiar haunting face in the back, wand out and pointed at Potter.

Murtagh McGregor had been a minor Death Eater during the reign of the Dark Lord. He was noted to be as deranged as Bellatrix Lestrange and even more insane. The only reason the Dark Lord didn't lock him away was because of McGregor's research on long forgotten Dark Arts techniques. He was also known to be a wand collector, taking the wands of all his wizard victims. Rumor had it he had over a hundred. During the Final Battle he ran off as soon as the Dark Lord died. He was never heard from again.

Draco pulled out of the Pensieve and replaced the memory in its jar. Going to the Library he cross-referenced McGregor's name with the curse he had seen. The only book that had the reference was his father's journal hidden in the old family files. Not wanting to waste time reading the whole journal he did the same spell and the book flipped open to the date the entry was made.

Dec. 15 1997

We were called to the Dark Lord's chamber to witness Murtagh McGregor's findings. I have never really liked the man, even before he went to Azkaban I found him to be a little eccentric. But the Dark Lord favors his work which makes him untouchable.

This time he found a long forgotten curse and used it in the demonstration. He used a Muggle who had committed many crimes to test the curse on. He called it the Nightmare Curse. He said it would make the victim experience their worst memory and fear. The Dark Lord seemed very interested.

When McGregor used the spell the criminal screamed in terrified pain. The Dark Lord was very pleased and allowed McGregor to continue his work. The criminal was placed in the dudgeons and was told to be taken care of to see how long he would survive.

Dec.22 1997

The victim has died. Apparently the images in his mind were so terrible he couldn't go on and he hadn't eaten a single meal. His screaming had became harsh long ago till became a choking noise. The guards attempted to force water in him, but he sputtered them back out. According to them he gave one last terrified scream and then was silent.

The Dark Lord has asked McGregor to modify the curse so it would attack spasmodically, giving the victims time to recover before it attacks again. He means to use it as a torture curse, probably to replace the Crusciatus.

Draco closed the book in thought. He didn't remember the presentation of the curse because he was in school. But he did remember his father mentioning it. It was only mentioned briefly, in a letter Lucius sent him before Christmas Holidays. Draco stayed at Hogwarts that year. Now he had to find a counter for the curse.

"Nobby," he called and the elf appeared. "Put this is in my study, on the bookshelf. Third row down, fifty-seventh book over."

Bowing the elf took Lucius' journal and disappeared again. Draco sat back on his chair and thought. To break the curse he needed to know more about it. The only person who knew was Murtagh McGregor and he died a year after the attack on Potter.

Sighing he stood and walked out of the Library and down the stairs.

"Sissy," he called and the elf appeared. "Tell Mother I'm going out and that I'll be back for supper."

"Yes, Master Malfoy," said Sissy holding the door open for him. Draco walked out past the mansion barriers and Apparated into the Ministry of Magic. He found it tedious to have to go through the Law Enforcement Office just for visitation rights. He walked into the elevator and waited till it announced the department and walked out. The first person he encountered was Weasley with and armload of paper.

"You became an Auror to be their paper boy," asked Draco with a smirk.

"Why are you here, Malfoy," asked Weasley.

"Research, unless you want Potter to remain a walking vegetable." Weasley's eyes narrowed and he hissed at Draco. "I need to see your Head of Department."

Weasley still glared at Draco as he led the blonde to Madam Bones' office. The Auror looked up as Draco walked in.

"Mr. Malfoy, this is a surprise," she said. "You may wait outside, Weasley."

"Ma'am," said Weasley and reluctantly closed the door. Bones turned to look at Draco.

"And what can I do for you, Mr. Malfoy. I haven't seen you since your father's trial."

"I wish to have permission to visit him," said Draco firmly.

Bones looked at Draco in surprise. "In four years you’ve never asked for a visit. Why now?"

"It's business," said Draco. Bones sighed and waved her wand. A roll of parchment appeared and she gave it to Draco. "What's this?"

"Visitation contract. You agree to be searched and have your conversation watched. Nothing incriminating, I assure you."

After reading the contract Draco agreed that it was safe. It held everything Bones said, plus cooperating with the guards. Draco hated to belittle himself but he signed the contract anyway and gave it back.

"Weasley," called Bones and the redhead Auror opened the door. "Take Mr. Malfoy to the Azkaban fireplace."

Nodding Weasley looked sharply at Draco. "Come with me," he said. Draco stood and nodded to Madam Bones.

"Ma'am," he said and followed Weasley out. He led Draco to a fireplace that had a gate around it and was set with black mortar.

"Still don't know why you have to visit your father to help Harry," said Weasley.

"I'll let you know as soon as I finish my research," said Draco.

Weasley opened the gates with a tap of his wand and the fire place blazed to life, emerald green flames danced a head higher then Draco.

"Go on," said Weasley and Draco walked in. he past through half a dozen crates and fireplaces before he landed at another fireplace with a gate around it. The guard stationed there opened it as Weasley landed next to him and a voice called out,

"Mind Healer Draco Malfoy and Auror Ronald Weasley visiting inmate Lucius Malfoy."

Weasley led Draco to an interrogating room and left him alone. Draco looked out the window to watch the water crash against the stone walls. Was he making the right decision? Seeing his father after four years? What would he say?

He didn't have time to figure out what to say when the door opened and Lucius Malfoy walked in. the man looked different then as Draco remembered him. His face was dirty, as was the rest of him, and his clothes rumbled and torn, as if slept in for weeks at a time, and his hair was longer, greasy and lank. But he still held himself as if he was head of the richest family in Britain and looked at Draco straight in the eye.

"Draco," he said courteously.

"Hello, Lucius," said Draco, none too friendly.

"You could have the decency to call me father," said Lucius sitting down.

"I stopped calling you father after you agreed that I would be the Dark Lord's companion." Draco sat across from Lucius and glared at the man.

"From what I remember you turned it down."

"I had ever right to, even if you didn't agree." Indeed, Draco vividly remembered Lucius putting him under Cruciatus for near an hour before letting Draco go, if he could stand. It took the better part of Draco's will power to leave his father's study and walk to his bedroom, where he fainted on the floor for a day and a half.

"Why are you here, Draco," asked Lucius. "Surely it's not to reminisce on old times."

"No, I need you to tell me about the Nightmare Curse."

Lucius' eyes narrowed at the name of the curse. "I was hoping you knew better then to ask me about that," said Lucius. "Watching it was bad enough but to have to actually go through with it. If you're planning on using it…."

"I don't want to use it," hissed Draco. "I want to know if McGregor finished altering it to attack sporadically."

"You read my journal?! Why?!"

"I believe one of my patients is curse by it. What's the counter?"

"Who's been cursed?"

"Never you mind. What's the counter-curse? Did he finish the experiment?"

"I don't know if he finished it or not. Even so, there's no counter for it. It's not an Unforgettable for nothing."

"An Unforgettable," asked Draco. He'd never heard of them. Where they like Unforgivable?

"Curses meant to be forgotten for a reason. We're only taught the names, but not the incantation. The Nightmare Curse is one of them."

"Why didn't you tell me?!" asked Draco shooting out of his chair and planting his hands on the table between them.

"You were only a babe when the Dark Lord disappeared the first time. I didn't think it would be a good idea to teach a child the Dark Arts when our doorstep was so closely watched."

"I haven't been a child for over ten years! Do you think me a child now?"

Lucius looked his son over once before turning away with a sigh. "No, clearly you're a Malfoy now. Malfoy's are survivors." Sighing again he looked at Draco. "It is hinted the Nightmare Curse attacks the mind. Therefore, you must delve into the mind to unlock it." And standing up he went to the door, rapped twice, and the guard opened it for him. Lucius looked at his son once more.

"Good-bye, my son," he said. "For what it's worth, I do love you." And Lucius Malfoy walked out.

To Be Continued