(fic) HP -- Vipers Ascendant pt.1
Vipers Ascendant
by KC

Disclaimer: I wish I owned Harry, Draco and all the rest; they'd do a lot more stuff than they do in the books and it'd all be rated R through X. Alas, however, I do not.
Other info: Post-HBP, very darkfic.
Summary: The war is over. The Death Eaters have won. At the end of the final battle, Harry Potter lies helpless at Draco Malfoy's feet.

Part 1

No longer the frightened child facing Dumbledore on a cold tower, Draco Malfoy stood as a proven soldier and accomplished Death Eater, side by side with the two wizards Voldemort esteemed as his most valuable servants, Lucius Malfoy and Severus Snape. Together they stood outside the blackened shell of Madame Malkin's store and watched their comrades in arms torment the helpless wizard at their feet. Wandless, stripped and humiliated, the once proud Harry Potter writhed in mute agony in the street.

War left its mark on everything and everyone, but in the two school rivals it had worked its most resounding changes. Draco, allowed to live after failing to kill Dumbledore both because he was not of age yet, too young to be expected to best the headmaster's influence, and because he'd found the means to sneak Death Eaters into Hogwarts when no one else had, quickly redeemed himself in the eyes of his master. As a lookout while Bellatrix and Fenrir slaughtered a Ministry official and his family, Draco had been caught up in the fight when several Aurors stumbled upon them. It was then, standing over his first kill, that he realized something no one had ever told him.

Killing was easy. And taking life in a fight was even easier.

That he volunteered for the team that would free their fellow Death Eaters from Azkaban surprised everyone except Fenrir and Bellatrix. That he proved a lethal and cunning fighter surprised everyone, especially his father. As Lucius watched Draco pant from exertion in robes torn and singed from the near misses of Auror spells, he hadn't recognized his son at first. The spoiled child became the confident killer who now stood beside him, a true dark wizard, watching Potter open his mouth in a silent scream.

Draco glanced sideways at the herd of prisoners locked in chains on the other end of the street. Most of the resistance were now rounded up, although he spotted a few stragglers being dragged from their various hiding places and thrown amongst the rest of the mudbloods and blood traitors. Granger's hair made her stand out amongst the rest, still bushy despite how tangled and matted with dirt it was, but he spotted several redheaded Weasley children among the captured as well as several more students who he doubted were of age yet. Of the adults who'd fought the dark lord, few were still alive.

He felt his master's presence and stood at attention, taking a deep breath as a hush fell over the street. Even the few prisoners still struggling against their captors paused as Lord Voldemort made his appearance, his robes leaving a bloody trail behind him. Bellatrix walked just behind his right shoulder, her mask in her left hand. They no longer had to hide their faces now that they controlled the wizarding population of England.

Seeing his lord approach, Fenrir put a hand on one of the younger Death Eaters torturing Harry, ending his crucio spell. The others noticed and also ended their spells, leaving the young wizard gasping for breath as he lay limp on the ground. Fenrir stepped in close and put his foot down on his back, holding him still, and then bowed with everyone else when Voldemort stopped.

"My loyal followers," the dark lord said, his sharp voice reaching throughout the street. "We have won a great victory today. No longer will we be forced to live in the shadows under the muggle world's notice. Today we have won the Ministry. Celebrate our victory, for soon we shall lay waste to the rest of this country, and after that, the world."

He paused to let the depths of their defeat sink into his prisoners. None of the Death Eaters cheered. They knew better than to interrupt their lord. The crowd parted before him as he approached Harry, smiling down at his broken enemy.

"So this is the prophesied savior," he said, ignoring the low laughs of his followers. "You should have joined me when I offered you the chance, boy."

"Go to hell," Harry spat out between clenched teeth, groaning as Fenrir ground his heel into his back.

"Easy, Fenrir," Voldemort said. "Don't kill him."

"Master?" Fenrir tilted his head like a curious dog.

"That scar makes him most important to me," Voldemort said, offering no further explanation.

Draco heard Lucius breathe in sharply, their suspicions confirmed. The scar had to contain a bit of the dark lord's soul. He kept his face aloof. They couldn't afford arousing their master's suspicions, not yet.

"However," Voldemort continued. "I don't have time to waste on a failed hero. I require a trustworthy warden for my most valued prisoner."

Silence. If there was one thing a Death Eater learned early on, it was to never volunteer for anything, especially important missions where a minor mistake could cost their life. With a small smile, Draco stepped forward, his boots softly tapping on the pavement as he knelt before Voldemort.

"The Malfoy family is ever at your service," he said, keeping his gaze on his master's shoes.

"Still...a rotten snake--" Harry snarled, his hands flexing uselessly. If Fenrir had stepped off, he still wouldn't have been able to do anything.

Voldemort smiled. "Draco Malfoy. You have certainly redeemed yourself many times over since your first failure. This is a great matter I trust you with. Potter is yours. Do not kill him."

"As you wish, master." Draco stood again, his gaze flicking over Voldemort's face before he lowered his eyes again. "What of the other prisoners?"

"Bella had some wonderful ideas for them," Voldemort said. "But that can wait. I assume you will take your prisoner to your new estate."

Draco nodded once. Malfoy Manor had been damaged in the fighting with one of its wings gutted by fire. He'd chosen the Diggory estate as his new home after he'd sent its previous occupants to meet their son.

Turning his attention to more important matters now, Voldemort left Draco and moved back into the crowd to issue new orders. Draco glanced once at his father and nodded. His father nodded back and joined Snape in following the master. In a moment, he was left alone with Harry.

"Ah, how the mighty have fallen," he whispered.

"You haven't won," Harry growled, slowly regaining his strength. He pushed himself up on his bloodied and scratched hands. "The fight's not over, you won't--"

Refusing to dirty himself by touching him, Draco flicked his wand and slammed Harry back into the ground. He then nudged Harry's head to one side, forcing him to watch the Death Eaters surrounding the his friends, cherry-picking slaves and dragging crying, screaming young witches out of sight.

"You failed them," he said softly. "You failed all of them. There will be no last minute rescue, Potter."

"No..."

"Really, must you be so dramatic?" Draco conjured ropes to bind Harry's wrists behind his back, then summoned the thestral that he rode, preferring to ride rather than apparate after a few close calls when aurors had ambushed him. With another flick of his wand, he levitated Harry up over the thestral's back and over the saddle, then jumped up after him and took the reins in one hand.

"Don't fidget," he warned him as he urged the thestral up into the sky. "I'd hate to drop you from this height."

He set his free hand on Harry's wrists to keep him from falling as they flew through clouds and light winter drizzles. The cool and quiet flight was welcome relief from the heat of the final battle, and he smiled when he felt his prisoner shivering. By the time they reached his new home, he doubted there would be any fight left in the Gryffindor.

All in all, it was turning out to be a very nice day.

TBC...

Part 2