48 | ﴾ Lucas ﴿

                                    

                                          
I decided I would begin searching for answers immediately. I knew that one of the four Hogwarts houses had been Ravenclaw, and that was my first and only clue. Unfortunately it didn't take long for me to come to the conclusion that I would need to return to the base and get more information from the other Order members who were actually learned and experienced with Hogwarts. 
                          
I was about to disapparate when I paused with my wand raised somewhere on the second floor. I listened with my eyebrows knitting together, staring at a painting before me who stared right back in terror. It was of a stout man darning a white curly wig who had been badly vandalized with smears of black ink.
                          
There was a loud clambering downstairs that sounded nothing short of concerning from how much cheering was going on. The commotion consisted of banging noises and raucous chanting. With a sinking dread in my heart I picked up my dress and bolted down the stairs. 
                          
Outside of the great hall Death Eaters were packed together, whispering to each other and shouting ahead. Ear splitting cracks of lightning were erupting as more and more of them arrived in random intervals. I shoved through the dense gathering with my heart in throat, not caring how some of them shot me threatening glares for my intrusion. 
                          
At the head of the crowd I froze and a chilling terror crawled across my nervous system. Draco stood before the dark lord in his black robes with his Death Eater mask in place. His sleek wand was pressed into the jawline of Lucas, who avidly peered around at the display of vicious criminals with wide green eyes. He was absolutely panicked with blood running aggressively from his nose, whimpering and struggling against Draco's firm grasp. 
                          
My heart stung ferociously with panic. "Silence!" The dark lord commanded and the mass rapidly quieted, yet low snickering still boldly ensued. A large snake drifted out from below Voldemort's robes and coiled at his feet as if preparing to strike, watching with beady black eyes.

                          
The menacing grin etched across the dark lord's face once more as he directed his rosy glare onto Lucas, "Ssssso farrrr from home, are we?" Grunts of amusement echoed around the room in hushed tones.
                          
Lucas tried to sink down in Draco's hold, but his long fingers were entangled in his curls in what looked to be a very painful hold. I took small, gentle steps through the crowd, inching speechless Death Eaters to the side until I was at the front, my eyes transfixed on both boys. It took everything that I had to maintain a straight face but my breathing was betraying me, coming out short and concentrated.
                          
Draco stood still as a statue, only wavering microscopically as he stiffly entrapped the French boy before the dark lord. Lucas managed to twist his head enough to spot me in the circle and his mouth dropped open in horror. I clenched my jaw to prevent my face from showing any emotion as he digested my new appearance and my presence amongst the Death Eater's. "Madeleine...please..." he choked out, his trembling fingers outstretched to me. He had come looking for me, holding true on his word to find out why I had been missing for so long. And now it would be his demise.
                          
 Draco had tried to silence him by pushing his wand harshly into his throat but he'd been too late. My heart shuddered in my chest despite the dark magic in my veins. Voldemort craned his abnormally long neck around so that he was facing me accusatorially, and his red eyes met mine with determination. His voice left his face in a slither, "Do itttt, Draco."
                          
I had no time to register what was happening. I saw Draco blink several times behind the mask in regret as he cast the killing curse. Lucas crumpled to the ground at his feet and Draco simply stared straight forward with wide eyes, as if by not looking down he wouldn't have to admit that he had just murdered the boy.
                          
The dark lord never took his eyes from mine, waiting, desiring a reaction. When I retained my composure I felt my eyes begin to burn. It was nothing like when Draco had invaded my mind, the sheer force and pedigree of control was unprecedented. He went straight for any memories of Lucas in my mind, sifting through them like he was swiping on an iPad. I felt the sides of my vision blur and the room around me disappeared. All I could see were the menacing red orbs of the dark lord, becoming beadier and beadier in the white's of his eyes as he narrowed his search in my mind.