Harry Potter One Shots

Occluded Dreams (Draco Malfoy)

A/N: Hi everyone. I'm feeling a bit down about my writing, I keep hitting a snag with my longer piece. The idea is there, the words just don't seem to want to come out. I would also like to finish it first, rather than leave you all waiting months in between updates. So for now, there's this!

Note: This isn't edited, and it's written in a different style than usual. Also, I've noticed my past one shots have been incredibly (and likely overly) long. I apologize for that.

• • •

It is cold, so cold.

My breath comes in puffs of white, hanging in the air like clouds. I huddle closer to Luna for warmth and tug my cloak over the both of us. She stirs slightly and raises herself up on her elbows.

"I think it might be Christmas," she says, blinking up at the ceiling. "It's too bad we're in here. I would have liked to see the moon."

I don't know what to say to this, so I just nod. Luna traces the tip of her finger across the floor, painting the dust into a strange little creature I've never seen before. She looks at it a bit sadly and says, "We could have been looking for Moon Frogs."

I purse my lips. If I weren't trapped in the Malfoys' cellar, I doubt that's how I'd be spending my time. But I humor her anyway. "That'd be nice." My voice is hoarse, and barely above a whisper.

There's a sudden clanking sound as the metal gate barring our access to the stairs is flung open. Peter Pettigrew stands there, an oil lamp clutched in one hand, his wand in the other.

"Your presence is required," he wheezes. "Just one of you. Choose."

I stand quickly and push the younger girl behind me. "I'll go."

Luna struggles to get around me, but I've boxed her into the corner. "You went last time," she whispers fiercely. "And all the times before that!" There's no longer any airiness to her tone. It's hard as steel. She's gripping the back of my jumper so tightly I hear it rip as I start forward, shaking her off. She lunges, trying to get me to stay, but the movement is so sudden, so unlike her, that Wormtail stuns her out of surprise. Luna slumps to the floor, and I'm glad.

I gain the steps slowly, ever aware of Pettigrew's wand at my back. The Manor is dimly lit, but it's still much brighter than I'm used to. I squint and allow my eyes to adjust, taking in the familiar corridor. There's no sign of my blood on the carpet. The Malfoys were always sticklers for cleanliness, and it's clear their standards haven't slipped—even when their home's been turned into a madhouse.

We turn off the main hall and into the drawing room. I see the moon through the windows and think of Luna. It's incredibly bright tonight. She'd like it very much.

I hear the doors slam shut behind me. They lock with an echoing finality that makes me twitch. I look back and see that Wormtail has gone, retreating back to whatever hole he's crawled out of. Good riddance, I think and turn back around.

Two figures stand before me, dressed in robes of velvet black. Their faces are obscured by shadow, but I know who they are. A single chair is bolted to the ground between them and metal straps line its arms and legs.

"Good evening." I greet them brightly, with as much saccharine sweetness I can muster. My words drip from my lips like honeyed venom. "Another round of Cruciatus? It's on me."

Draco Malfoy pales, his eyes darting to his aunt. I feel a sharp sting as she flicks her wand, cutting my cheek open. Blood leaks into the corner of my mouth.

"Another time, dearie." Bellatrix Lestrange's voice is high and slightly unhinged. "I'm teaching Draco something new today. Come."

My stomach turns to lead but I force myself forward and into the chair. Last time I disobeyed, Luna ended up with a broken arm. It could have been worse, much worse, and the reminder is enough that I don't make a sound as I'm strapped in.