666

Chapter 16

666

I was too amped up by the acid and raiding a prison to go to sleep so soon. I walked out onto my balcony and watched the northern lights shimmer across the sky. I got bored very quickly.

I shut the door to the bedroom where Hermione slept. “Nippy.” I called quietly.

She appeared with a pop. “Yes young master?”

“Steal me some compost and manure from a local farm.”

“Steal?” The elves eyes widened. “Nippy can't steal.”

I sighed and shook my head. I really missed Dobby.

“Crucio.” I held the spell on the little elf for several minutes until her eyes rolled back into her head. I continued holding it until her unconscious body stopped twitching. If Voldemort could do it to Dobby, I could do it to an elf assigned by Voldemort.

I felt no pity for the slaves of Voldemort, as I now was.

I could feel the pulses of foreign energy in my arm when I 'channeled my energy through my arm. He had made a mark on my body, with the energy. I was in a steaming rage.

“Imperio.” I cast. The blank eyed automaton of an elf rose from the floor and vanished with a pop. Dobby would have already been back with the compost and manure.

I began conjuring shelves and ceramic pots to fill the shelves in. I made three rows of twenty pots on the balcony. Going over to my trunk, I removed the bags of pot seeds I had been saving over the last year. I hadn't had good hydro, since before I was in Draco Malfoy's body.

I intended to change that fact.

After Nippy returned, I had he begin filling the bottom of the pots with manure and the middle layer with fertilizer. I sent her out again for a load of topsoil from a field of green grass. She returned an instant later, and I began to plant a row of indica seeds, a row of sativa seeds and a row of hybrid seeds. I cast the charm from my Hogwarts herbology class textbook to promote fast growth and germination.

I had no way to get more weed without Dobby. That wonderful elf who was my friend. That wonderful elf who was murdered for my lie to the Dark Lord.

I went to my private bathroom and stripped for a quick bath. The new mark on my arm was swollen and had an outline in red, like a new tattoo. I glared at it. I could feel the energy of it in my arm when I concentrated. I tried to put the mark out of my mind, and scrubbed down quickly.

I laid down in bed with Hermione. I slowly fell asleep. I was haunted, even in my dreams

The ringing of bells through the school bulled it's way through my nightmares. I was having dreams Dobby begging me to save him as that snake devoured his body. I dreamed of leaving those office workers to the Dementor's version of mercy.

I woke covered in sweat and wanting to vomit, so I picked up my bong filled with calming draught from my bedside table and emptied the bowl. Soon I felt the calm settle over me. I smoked another bowl and brought myself to a good buzz. I still felt the simmering rage and self-pity. I wanted to kill something. I wanted to breathe smoke.

It was a Saturday and Hermione and I prepared for our first free day at Durmstrang. “Remember to challenge a student under rank one hundred at breakfast today.” I reminded her. “Then we can go explore Kern together.”

Hermione smiled. “I think I can handle that. I'm better than you at wandless magic. I've been practicing while you taught Voldemort.”

“SHHH!” I hushed her. “There is a taboo on the name now. Anytime someone speaks it...” I paused. “He knows who and where.”

Hermione looked confused. “A taboo?” She questioned.

I nodded. “It takes a long ritual and the sacrifice of several virgins, but it is a powerful spell.” I walked into the study for a moment to retrieve 'Magik Moste Foule'. I handed it to Hermione. “Its all in here.”

We left the bedroom to go and eat breakfast.

I had the munchies, so I began demolishing breakfast. Weed made the food taste so much better. I was eating happily while Hermione was walking around the dining room to find a challenger.

“It's time, Malformed.” A voice whispered in my ear from behind. I pushed away my beef stuffed cabbage leaves in silence and rose from the table. The boy would have to kill me to win our duel. There was no way that I was going to give up my balcony's grow garden. I had a simmering rage to settle as well.

“Hermione.” I got her attention from the stuffed cabbage leaves. “Challenge this fool to a duel after I wipe the floor with him.” I want to go to Kern with as her soon as breakfast is over. “I will weaken him for you.”

I rose and slowly walked towards the dueling platform. A pair of girls were flinging stunning spells back and forth like playing a game of catch. They did not duck, dodge to the size or shield. One of the strangest duels I had ever seen.

Soon one girl was knocked out, and Instructor Bole enervated her and sent her off the stage. “Both of you need to dodge spells and try to flank your opponents,” she called out. “You two are next I presume?” She asked through her cloaked hood.

I nodded with a charming smile though inside I was boiling with rage. I wanted to release my hatred and anger on this boy. We took our positions in the ring as students ate around us. They were forbidden to yell out encouragements of comments. It made it toot easy to cheat by yelling out counter charms.

“I will defeat you without even using my wand.” I made a show of holstering my wand back into my pocket. “You, cretin, Will be squashed with the power of the Akunamatata Form of magical arts!”

The boy just grinned in a feral manner, exposing a great deal of teeth, I was still pissed over my predicament, that I wanted to wipe the smug grin off his face. I wanted to kill him.

“Bow.” Instructor bole wasted no time. She was always very quick to start a duel.

“Begin!”

I snapped my fingers and his mouth vanished. There was nothing there but smooth lips. I laughed. The high of acid, weed, and power was to much for me to contain my laughter. The nameless #12 boy brought his hands up to his mouth in shock for a moment, before his eyes narrowed in anger.

The boy sent a sickly yellow curse arcing like electricity from his wand before I could fire another spell off. I gathered energy into my right hand and thought of shielding from his power. The yellow energy collided with my palm and began to give off sparks like a welder's torch. I channeled energy into my right hand as I held the yellow lightning off with my left.

I gathered all my hatred from being under Voldemort's thumb. I gathered all my anger at my own actions. At the suffering I was putting Hermione through. I gathered the emotions I felt from Dobby's horrible death.

I raised my right hand in the air in a chocking motion. I imagined ghostly finger wrapping around #12's neck. I closed my fist. The boy stopped his spell as I closed the grip around his neck into a fist.

He dropped his wand to the floor as he began clawing at his neck. I lifted my hand higher and his feet lifted up off the ground. “Feel the power of the Dark Side!” I yelled. The arrogant boy's face was turning blue as he scrabbled to release the invisible hand around his throat.

“Thats enough Mr. Malfoy!” Instructor Bole called. “He has dropped his wand.”

I tossed the arrogant boy to the side as I released my telekinetic grip on his throat. I strangely felt better after my little display. Instructor Bole flicked her wand at The boy on the floor. His mouth reappeared on his face.

“I would suggest that you don't challenge Mr. Malfoy until you find out more about his Akunamatata Arts.” Instructor Bole stated.”They seem quite formidable, Mr. Spinner”

“Professor Bole.” I noticed Hermione standing behind us. “I would like to challenge Mr. Spinner myself.”

Spinner was still gagging on the floor as he recovered from his strangling. “You can only be challenged once a day.” He gasped. “I can't duel right now.” He coughed.

Hermione interjected. “The rules say you may only be challenged to a duel once a day. You challenged Draco. No one has challenged you.”

Spinner shook his head. “No-”

Instructor Bole interrupted. “She is right Mr. Spinner.” The Instructor waved Hermione to the dueling platform. “you must duel, no matter your condition. Not every fight in the real world will have you fighting in top form. You must learn to duel while you are tired and or injured. I stress this in class often enough.”

Spinner wore a scowl on his new mouth as he picked his wand up off the floor. Hermione stood across from him. She began to speak. “I, too, am experienced in the magical art of Akunamatata.” Hermione looked at me and winked. “I will not need a wand to defeat you.”

Spinner seemed a little nervous now. “I don't care what you know, I am one of the most powerful wizards in this school.” He bragged. “I won't hold back on you like I did with your imbecile boyfriend.”

Hermione scowled. “Don't you dare talk about Draco like that!” She hissed. “I will make you regret your words.”

“Bow!” Called Instructor Bole. Hermione glared daggers at the other boy.

“Begin!” She Instructor Bole called out again.

Hermione twitched her nose a little as Mr. Spinner pointed his wand.

“Crack.” The sound of breaking bone echoed as Hermione snapped his wand arm's bone. The boy cried out, cradling his arm to his chest.

“That was for Draco.” She called out. She held out her hand and made a flicking motion with her forefinger. “This is for your badge.” The boy's head jerked backwards and collided with the floor in a wet thudding sound.”

“You win, Miss Granger.” Instructor Bole summoned the badge off Spinner's chest and handed it to Hermione. “I think you two may greatly enjoy my senior dueling classes.”

“Yes, Instructor. I'm sure I will.”

The white robed healer bustled over and began to wave his wand over Mr. Spinner. He tutted and cast a few spells in quick succession. “You'll be fine Mr. Spinner. Quit your whining.”

666

The fireplace in Hermione and I's room was connected to the Russian floo network, and we were quick to make use of it. “Kern!” I said clearly before Hermione and I stepped through the green flames. Kern must be farther away than I thought, as the trip through the floo lasted quite a few seconds of spinning.

Hermione spelled the soot of of us as we stepped out into the magical city. For the first time, I stepped out of the floo without falling on my face. I considered it a great accomplishment.

I took a little nip from my flask to warm me up in the chilly summer breeze. “We need to find Gringott's first, Hermione. My mother gave me the key to a family vault there.”

She nodded. “But which way is it?” She glanced around the crowded and colorful marketplace. “This place is so large.”

“Lets ask someone.” I suggested.

“Excuse me, miss.” I got the attention of a scantily clad witch dressed in a body hugging blue robe. She was leaning against the wall next to the public floo with a few other blue robed witches.

“You are too young for my services, boy.” She spoke in a sultry tone. “Give it a few years, and then look me up.”

I fought back a blush as I realized what she did for a living. “I was just wondering where to find the local branch of Gringott's.”

She smiled prettily. “That way dear.” She pointed. “Remember to come and see me in a couple of years.”

Hermione pulled me in the direction the witch had pointed with a scowl on her face. “You will not ever, visit with that woman, Or I will curse you half to death.” Hermione held onto my hand possessively as if it were all that was keeping me from drifting away.

“I wouldn't dream of it, Hermione.” I smiled at her. “You are the only woman for me.”

She slowed her walk a little and leaned into my shoulder as we walked to Gringott's. “You really mean it.?”

“Of course I mean it.” I said in a scandalized voice. “I wouldn't dream of cheating on you.”

“Even though I'm just your 'Consort'?” She put emphasis on the word consort. “I don't think your parents or the You-know-who would approve of a pureblood marrying a muggleborn.”

“I don't care what they think.” I said. “Once you are powerful enough, and have proven yourself loyal to me, I don't think that they will care either. Did you know the Dark Lord's father was a muggle?”

Hermione stopped in the middle of the street. “WHAT?”

I motioned with my hands for her to settle down and continued walking to the Gringott's building I could finally see in the distance. “His mother was a squib and his father was a muggle. Do you remember how he introduced himself to us? He called himself Mr. Riddle.”

“Before he killed Dobby.” She muttered.

I nodded. “His real name is Thomas Marvolo Riddle.” I drew my wand and stopped walking to the bank and pulled Hermione into an ally near the bank. I drew 'Tom Marvolo Riddle' out in floating letters of fire. I swished my wand and the letters rearranged themselves into 'I am Lord Voldemort.'

Hermione gasped. “So it's true.” She had tears in her eyes as she grasped my hand. “I promise that I will become powerful enough to be together with you, Draco.”

I smiled at her gently. “You are already perfect to me.” I lied. She really needed to grow some tits and ass, fix her buck teeth, and do something with her frizzy hair. Then she would be damn near perfect.

She could never be Natalie Portman, but she could come close in a few years.

We walked out of the alley and entered the massive granite building with Gringott's carved into the granite above the front door. I got into line and waited.

And waited.

And waited.

Finally, it was our turn at the teller. “I would like to make a withdrawal, please.” I spoke with a friendly smile.

The goblin frowned back. “Key, please.” He spat out the word 'please' like it was a curse.

I handed over the large golden key Narcissa had given me. He examined it from every angle. He bit it a little and then licked it. I grimace in disgust.

“Follow Ragpil, Mr. Malfoy. He will take you to your vault.” I hadn't told him my name. I was confused how he knew me.

“This way.” Another goblin, Ragpil I presumed, led me and Hermione out of the purgatory-like waiting room full of tellers and down a long hallway. At the end of the hallway waited a shining steel double door. The door was closed and had no doorknobs.

Ragpil ran a talon tipped claw down the center of the door and it parted.”Step in please.” The goblin spoke in a bored tone.

We entered and the doors slid closed. The inside looked like an elevator. Only with thousands of little buttons. “Key, please.” I handed over the key like it was covered in goblin spit(which it was).

He pressed a button on the wall and I saw a keyhole oped up on the steel door. Ragpil stuck the key into the slot on the door, and turned it. There were a series of clicks, before the goblin removed the key. The door made a grinding sound as it opened.

It didn't open to the hallway like before, nor to a cart and series of tunnels. It opened to a room piled high with gold. I nearly pissed my pants seeing all the gold in the room. I had a new appreciation for my cold hearted parents.

At least they spoiled their son in gold. Perhaps they meant to impress me with the wealth, perhaps they intended to reward me for teaching the Dark Lord a new style of magic that made him even deadlier. Whatever the reason for the treasure of gold, I filled my mole-skin pouch with tens of thousands of galleons.

I left half the gold in the vault encase my moleskin pouch was stolen. It was covered in notice-me-not and anti-theft spells already, but one can never be too careful with money. I had a specific use in mind for this gold.

Hermione just stood in the magical elevator, stunned as I filled my pouch with gold. She seemed to snap out of her shock as I stepped back into the magical elevator. The doors groaned closed as Hermione whispered. “What are you going to do with all those galleons, Draco?”

I smirked at her. “You'll see.” I promised.

The elevator door opened into the hallway without the slightest hint of movement. I was mystified as to how the goblins pulled that magic off. They may not be allowed wands in Briton, But they sure as shit had magic of some kind or another. That transporting elevator was proof of that.

“Let's go shopping, Hermione.” I smiled at her. “I want to get you some jewelry.”

She laughed. “It better be expensive jewelry, or I might just have to find a better boyfriend.”

I smirked. “Lets go shopping then.” I held out my arm. We hooked elbows and walked slowly out into the street, with at least 1.5 million Dollars worth of gold burning a hole in my money pouch.

We stopped at a quidditch supply store and bought two top of the line Nimbus 2002 racing brooms. I stored them in my pouch. “It will be nice to fly over the school grounds and enjoy the view from the air.” I'd had to tell her to allow me to buy her her own broom. She caved after I gave her a hint of a frown. I bought an extra just to experiment on.

I wanted to have the broom so I could take it apart and learn it's spells. Creating flying objects were one of the first things on my to-do list.

We left the quidditch supply store and kept perusing the shopping district. We entered the local apothecary and bought some exotic potions supplies like boomslang skin, gillyweed, and phoenix tears. Hermione was delighted to have such rare ingredients to brew with. We left the store happy.

“I'm getting hungry, Draco.” Hermione complained.

“Nippy.” I called.

The soulless elf appeared with a pop. “Get us some sandwiches and a bottle of kvass from the school kitchens.”

The elf popped away wordlessly. “She is acting a little strange, Draco.” Hermione noted the elf's muteness.

“She is old and getting ready to die. She is feeling sick.” I lied.

“Maybe you shouldn't summon her so often then.” Hermione replied.

I shrugged. “I guess, though I will need a new elf. I have a lot of things that need doing, that only an elf can do.” I added.

Hermione pointed behind me. “Why don't you go over there then?” She pointed to a small pink shop with a sign that read. 'House Elf Employment Agency'.

I kissed Hermione smack on the lips. “Thank you for pointing the out to me.”

'Pop' Nippy appeared with two wrapped sandwiches and a large bottle of kvass.

“That will be all, Nippy. Return to Malfoy Manor to die, soon. I won't be calling on you again.” I gave the strangely worded order to the elf as Hermione opened up her paper wrapped sandwich and took a bite.

“Yuck.” She spat out the sandwich. “It tastes like kitty litter.” I sniffed it.

“It is kitty litter.” I grimaced in distaste and threw my paper wrapped sandwich in a nearby waste bin. “I guess thats what I get for not giving specific instructions.”

“Lets go get a new elf.” Hermione suggested. “I'm curious to see how they sell them.”

I felt a small feeling of dread as we entered the pink store's doors. An old man sat at the counter, reading the local Russian newspaper. The headline read 'Dueling Champion Flitwick loses to Newcomer Vonn'. I couldn't help but wonder if they were talking about Professor Flitwick or a relative of his.

“Welcome to Donner's House Elf Employment Agency.” The wizard said voice laden with boredom, and his face still in the newspaper. “Buy something or get out.”

“Good day, sir.” I upended my sack of galleons over the counter next to where he read. His attitude changed instantly.

“Hello, valued customer, Allow me to show you our collection.” He put down his paper and hopped up from the stool he rested on. “We have the finest elves in Russia.” Ye led us deeper into the store where motionless elves stood inside of glass cases.

“They are all programmed in transportation duties as well as household charms and language skills.” He waved at the shelves. “We guarantee their lifespans for at least two hundred years of service, or your gold back, barring accidental deaths.”

I noticed the tags attached to the ankles of all the house elves. One read 'Treason 26, BC' while another read 'Line Theft 208, AD'. “What are these tags on their ankles?” Hermione asked.

“Those are the crimes they committed to be sentenced into elf-hood.” The store clerk said airily.

Hermione gasped and turned to me. “House elves are human criminals?” She sounded accusatory.

I held up my hands. “I didn't know, I only told you what my father told me.” I passed the blame. “He must have lied to me. And it looks like these are all capital crimes. Being a house elf is better than being executed in my opinion.”

Hermione seemed mollified for the moment. “That doesn't make it right.” She added “It's slavery.”

I smiled at her and rubbed her shoulders. She melted at my touch. “Think of it as prison with a chance to actually help the people they have harmed.”

Hermione nodded. “I guess it is better than death.”

“The secrets of turning witches and wizards into house elves was lost around a thousand years ago, so we have a shortage on stock.” The clerk began speaking again. “We only have twenty elves in stock at the moment, and they are very expensive.” The clerk seemed contrite.

“How expensive?” I asked, curious.

“Five hundred galleons each.” He sounded defeated to loose another sale.

I looked around at the little reformed criminals. One's ankle read 'Piracy, Murder, Line Ending, Theft, Rape 3 BC'

I grinned at the clerk. “It's your lucky day.” I gestured at the wall of elves frozen in time. “I'll take them all.”