Sweet\'s Little Collection

A/N: Thank you all for your requests! I will say that I have gotten requests for some pairings that I'd never considered before, and I've truly had to try to think them through. Kudos! Now, because I have received enough requests to get me through the first 2-3 weeks of this challenge already, I am going to intersperse some one shots that have been floating around my head along with the requested one shots as well. This is one of them. 

Day Seven: (Happy week number one!) 

"Severus tells me you were unable to fulfill my requirement of you, Draco," Voldemort stated quietly, his voice taking on a dangerous tone. Draco was visibly shaking, as he knelt before the Dark Lord. "Forgive me, my lord. I did try.." Draco whimpered nervously as Voldemort raised his wand, pointing it at the teen's chest. Severus put a hand on Lucius's shoulder, just as the man lifted his foot to step forward, preventing him from moving between the boy and the Dark Lord. 

"Unfortunately, my dear boy, trying just isn't good enough. Crucio!" Draco fell to his knees, his muscles contracting and his veins popping up along his skin as he struggled to keep in his screams. Voldemort broke the spell fifteen seconds after he had initiated it, but to Draco it felt like a lifetime. He drew ragged breaths between his lips, his muscles twitching as he struggled to his feet. He bowed his head in deference, keeping his wits about him enough to remain silent. When Voldemort was in this mood, silence was more safe. 

"This job was of the upmost importance to our cause, Draco. For that, I feel as though I should make an example of you." Draco winced at his words, sure that his punishment was far from over. Voldemort proved him correct at his next curse. "Crucio!" Draco was unable to keep from screaming at this onslaught, his body still reeling from the previous abuse. Thirty seconds later, he found himself flat on his back without remembering how he got there. Tears were tracking down his face, mingling with the cold sweat that was leaking from every pore. His hair was drenched with it. He struggled to his knees, unable to force himself to stand. 

Lucius shared a look with Severus. They were both worried. Draco had never been punished before, and the boy obviously wasn't tolerating it well. Severus was already mentally calculating which potions would be needed, following their meeting. He squeezed Lucius's shoulder imperceptibly, hoping to offer some comfort to the man. His eyes were tight with worry. His jaw was set, and Severus could tell he was grinding his teeth in an effort to keep silent. Draco whimpered in pain as the aftermath of the curse wound it's way through his system.

"Leave me. I'm sick of looking at you," Voldemort spat. Draco visibly relaxed at the dismissal, shakily standing and nearly falling in the process. He bowed clumsily. "Yes, my lord." He turned his back and began taking careful steps toward his father and grandfather. The last thing he remembered was seeing his father's eyes widen and hearing him scream, "No!" It was a fraction of a second before he saw a green light reflected in his father's eyes. The curse hit him right between the shoulderblades, and he was dead before his Lucius's outstretched arms could catch him.