"Ah, Astrid, Draco! How wonderful to see you both! Severus tells me that you have not been feeling too well, daughter? What ails you?"

I looked up in horror at the soft, dangerous voice of the man already seated at the head of the table. My father.

Draco's parents and my uncle were already sat down waiting, all looking stiff and uncomfortable. I was relieved that there was no sign of Bellatrix. It appeared Draco and I were the last to arrive.

Draco gave my hand a gentle squeeze as we took our usual seats. Mine being on the far end to the left of Voldemort.

I tried not to throw up as I remembered what happened on this very table the last time I sat at it.

"She had a temperature. Professor Snape and I agreed that she ought to rest." Draco answered for me, as - in my attempt not to be sick - I had failed to get any words out.

Voldemort looked a bit discombobulated at being answered by someone who was not addressed.

"Oh, did the fever affect your voice, my dear child?" His red eyes pierced into mine.

I froze. Although he said this in a kind voice, I knew there was a danger behind his words.

"N-no, sorry father," I stammered in a quiet voice, barely being able to look at him.

"Well, let us pray to Salazar that you make a quick recovery. We wouldn't want you indisposed on your birthday now, would we?"

He looked around the table, grinning his creepy grin at everyone in turn; forcing us all to smile uncomfortably back.

"So, daughter," Voldemort continued, ruling the conversation as usual. "Did you enjoy my little show last night?"

Just as he asked this, house-elves came scurrying in placing plates of steaming roast pork dinners in front of us. My stomach twisted and squirmed horribly and I had to clamp my mouth shut, too terrified to even breath in the fumes of it. But then that meant that I had to inhale through my nose and the strong waft of the food hitting my senses made me suddenly feel faint. The room tipped.

"Astrid?" It was my uncle's voice, but I couldn't focus on anyone as my vision started blurring. "My Lord! She is not well-" the sound of a chair scraping, "let me take her-"

"STOP!" A cold, high voice. "I forbid you, Severus. She is my daughter!"

I felt arms go round me as I flopped to the side. "Astrid, are you okay?" Draco's voice.

"Draco," I managed to gasp, "get me out."

"Please, My Lord - she needs some air!"

"The girl stays! Imperio!"

Without warning, I had the sudden sensation of feeling immensely relaxed. Every thought and every worry left my head leaving me in a vague, empty - yet calm, state. I was only dimly aware of everyone around the table watching me.

It truly was a wonderful feeling. I sat up straight, picked up my knife and fork and ate my food. I ate it all up. I found myself nodding my head on occasion, although what for - I didn't know. Nor did I care. I was free of all anxiety and fear. I never wanted to leave this wondrous bubble I had found myself in.

I said a lot of 'yes, father's and 'no, father's, too. Again - no idea why. And then, I found myself standing up. I walked up to Voldemort and embraced him. I told him I loved him and bade him good night, before walking serenely from the room.

As soon as I stepped out into the hallway, the wonderful floaty feeling left my body, making it feel as though a tonne of bricks had landed on top of me.

I collapsed onto the stone floor, vomited then passed out.

...

Draco wanted to kill Voldemort. Actually murder him with his bare hands.

But he wasn't allowed, according to Snape - no, because that was bloody Potter's job.

It was with utter horror that he witnessed Astrid under the Imperius Curse. In a way it was worse than seeing his teacher get eaten.

No one dared speak a word, except for Voldemort; who would ask Astrid questions and then force her to answer him the way he wanted her to. ("So, will you be willing to fully support me in my cause, daughter?" "Yes, father." - "Do you find my plan to rid the world of Muggles extreme, daughter?" "No, father.")

And then, unbelievably, he made her go and hug him and tell him that she loved him! Draco had never witnessed anything like it. He was almost embarrassed for Voldemort.

As soon as Astrid had left the room, and the door had shut behind her, Draco leapt up from his chair, not bothering to wait for a dismissal.

His heart stopped as he saw her sprawled out unconscious on the floor with a pile of vomit by her head. Snape hurried out immediately behind him.

"That was an extremely risk- Astrid!" Snape sounded panicked as his eyes flew to the rag doll like figure slumped at an awkward angle on the ground.

Snape immediately cleaned up the sick with his wand as Draco desperately tried to rouse her. But she was passed out cold. He lifted her from the floor, wrapping her arm over his shoulders, Snape taking the other side.

They carried her up the stairs and lay her upon her bed. Snape reached into his pocket and produced a green vial of potion this time, placing a couple of drops in her mouth. Draco briefly wondered if Snape had a freaking store cupboard in his cloak.

"It is imperative that Friday goes without a hitch." Snape said, looking down anxiously at his unconscious niece. "Or she won't be much longer for this world if she stays here under his clutches."

Draco flinched. He didn't like Snape talking that way.

"I know it's hard to hear, Draco, but you have to realise how important it is for her that our plan works. She stays here: she dies. She is not strong enough to endure his manipulations."

"She won't want to go, I know it," Draco said quietly, "she'll hate me."

"If you love her, Draco-"

"I know! By merlin, don't I know it by now?!" Draco spat, "It doesn't make it any easier, though!"

"And you are prepared for the ramifications it may have on you?" Snape asked, eyeing Draco cautiously, "The danger you risk putting on yourself?"

"I would die for her!" Draco said without hesitation. "I'll take anything he throws at me. Just so long as she is safe. She's all that matters."

He looked down at her and thought his heart would explode in his chest. He loved her so much it physically hurt him. He would do anything for her.

Even if it meant they could no longer be together.

Even if it meant he no longer lived to see another day.