Chapter Text
A house elf Apparated with a loud crack next to Harry, interrupting his idling in the false safety of his own bedroom, his opened book has been lying in his lap forgotten for quite some time.
"Mister Potter, the Dark Lord asks that Mister Potter be in the drawing room." The elf said with a deep bow, which Harry thought to be quite ironic as he slowly focus his attention on the elf. What could possibly be happening this late in the evening, he wondered. Seeing that Harry has not made any movement or acknowledgement, the elf bowed and spoke again, "Master Harry, please you must be to drawing room immediately."
"I heard you the first time, Ditty." Harry lackadaisically gathered his robe around him and stood, and instead of Disapparating away like usual, Ditty was regarding him with large eyes, while keeping her posture in a half bow. It was almost pitiful, but Harry wasn't sure who was really pitiful among the two of them. As Ditty continued to escort him into the hall way and down the stairs to the drawing room, Harry knew for certain that something was up.
Or rather, the muffled screams and murmur that grew louder as he approached the drawing room told him as much. Harry frowned and sped up his steps, half curious who was being tortured inside and half hoping that he does not know the victim. He found himself also hoping that the victim gets to die soon, and was not at all disturbed by the thought. It had been once and long ago that he would have felt pity and cared, and believed that living is always better than death. In death, there was nothing.
Somehow lost in his own thoughts again, Harry's footsteps faltered into a drag but eventually the hallway has brought him to the drawing room. He still couldn't discern the voice or what the person was trying to say between screams.
As he put his hand on the door handle to push it open, the room went quiet except for soft whimpering and sobs. He stepped into the room and willed himself to glance at the Dark Lord, next to him was Nagini but she moved towards Harry as soon as he was inside the room. Harry carefully turned his gaze to the shivering mess of a man curled up on his sides facing him. He was aware the Dark Lord was scrutinizing his every minute movement, after all, why else would Harry be called here.
Despite his resolution, Harry gasped softly as he took in the wizard's shiny auburn oxford shoes and dark velvet robes, plain but still hinted at the wealth and status of the wizard. It was one set of robes that Harry has set eyes on plenty of times, he remembered, as his eyes traveled up the wizard's body along lean but shivering legs that were clad in dark dress pants. Harry had prepared himself for a twist in his heart as he took in the sheen of sweats and tears on Draco Malfoy's face. Malfoy obviously couldn't control the twitching of his body-which was quite normal after prolonged time under the Cruciatus Curse-but the proud man still tried to school his expressions despite the pain. He looked at Harry when he was not squeezing his eyes shut, between rapid breaths and whimpers he was trying to form words. Which was one admirable feat.
"My-my L-L-Lord-d...," despite the address, the Dark Lord kept his eyes on Harry as he raised his wand. Malfoy was still looking at Harry. "As-as-s-storia... N-n-never Potter!" He managed to choke out. Harry's heart sank as he starts to understand what was happening. He heard rather than saw the smirk and sneer as the Dark Lord spoke again.
"Hush, Draco. It's not your fault, I know," The Dark Lord went on as Draco choked out pleads of 'no more's and 'please's. "But that does not matter, as I have been trying to tell you all evening. CRUCIO!" Harry flinched violently at the sudden shout and scream. He could not shut out Draco's screams or stop looking at Draco's violently shaking and twisting form. He swallowed hard and stood silent. There was nothing he could say or do, watching solemnly was the only respect he could at least pay another person struggling against the crashing pain from a Cruciatus Curse. But it seemed today, being impassive was going to make things worst.
Over the screams of agony, the Dark Lord raised his voice, and spoke in his usual breathy voice. "Well? Harry? What do you feel seeing your love like this?"
Harry tilted his head as he regarded the Dark Lord, contemplating.
Sorrow?
Pain?
Sadness?
Love?
My love?
Harry's train of thoughts were disrupted as Nagini moved closer and nudged him. Harry blinked as he felt... confused. He realized he was just feeling... numb.
Speaking to no one in particular, "Do I love him?" Harry whispered over Draco's murmurs and coughs during a short respite.
Seeing the unconcerned reactions from Harry, the Dark Lord shrieked in frustration, "Do not play me, pet. He's the one you see, isn't he! He's the one you see in the mirror! CRUCIO!" And the high pitched scream started anew.
Harry watched as Draco weakly writhe and thrash his long legs and slender form on the marble white floor. Soft moonlight shone into the room through patio windows and graced Draco's body, weakly reflecting from his messy silvery blond hair, his sweat droplets on his forehead, his silver line of saliva trailing from the corner of his gaping mouth, to his jaw, to the floor. When the scream died down, soft hums and moans escaped his lips involuntarily as he gasped and choked. Most captivating of all was Draco's eyes, grey panicky eyes, blinking crying eyes, desperately powerlessly meeting Harry's. The visual was almost erotic. Harry wondered if this was what the Dark Lord saw in him when he did this to Harry. Harry shuddered at his momentary unconcerned cruelness and chuckled. Then he realized the room has gone almost eerily quiet save for Draco's hiccups.
"Wha... talk-k..." Draco was trying to speak again, it was starting to get annoying really.
Feeling drained, Harry huffed and looked at the Dark Lord steadily then spoke softly, "Compared to what I feel for you, even my feelings for a speck of dust would be considered love."
Nagini hissed, and that was the only respond Harry received for this uncharacteristic outburst. He glanced again at Draco then turned and left the room with Nagini following. "Do consider casting a Silencio. I was trying to read."