In Severus Snape's room.
Draco Malfoy had followed Severus Snape here, looking subdued.
The Malfoy family's ties to the Death Eaters were a tangled knot that could neither be cut nor unraveled.
Truly breaking free of the Death Eaters was no easy task.
Especially while Voldemort was still alive.
His father had told him about Voldemort, as well as what Voldemort wanted him to do.
Draco had considered how to refuse the task, or whether to hide away at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
He had even considered seeking Katelyle's help.
At least, as far as Draco was concerned, Voldemort was absolutely no match for Professor Katelyle.
But he had never expected to find himself inexplicably brought to the Shrieking Shack while asleep, then bound by the Unbreakable Vow Charm alongside Professor Snape in Voldemort's presence.
So if he did not want to die, he had to keep this secret.
Otherwise, the moment he dared to reveal it, he would die.
Moreover, if they failed to kill Professor Dumbledore within a month, they would also die.
This forced him and Professor Snape to kill Dumbledore.
"Professor Snape, what does he want?" Draco asked, looking at Severus Snape after a long silence.
"I can tell that he must have some unspeakable secret behind wanting to kill Professor Dumbledore, and that it has a great deal to do with Professor Dumbledore himself."
After returning to his room, Severus Snape had rummaged through his cupboards and drawers until he finally took out a small box and placed it on the table.
It was the first Christmas gift Katelyle had given him three years ago.
At Draco's question, Severus Snape looked at him and fell silent for a moment before saying, "A wand."
"A wand?" Draco Malfoy was puzzled.
"The Elder Wand, one