Her designer shoes caused echoes on the floor that bounced off of the walls causing sound to inflate the empty and dreary halls. The school term was a good month and a half away so the students were safe at their houses, or playing in their yards while the teachers were busy wrapping up last minute affairs before they were to report to the school to start planning their student lessons. 'It's scary to imagine that 17 years ago I walked these halls myself. I swore then that I would never return to these halls where so many memories haunt me and plague me. She turned a corner. I cannot believe that no one was waiting for me at the entrance. For all they know I could've been a stranger and possibly could've been foreign to this country. Unfortunately for me, I know these halls too well. She observed a staircase switching it's place out of the corner of her eye. Though, at the moment, I am extremely happy to know where I am going, for a folly at Hogwarts would doom you to endless years of wandering..
After a minute amount of moments, she was approaching the door in the wall that she had been searching for. On either side of the door she saw the Gargoyles' eyes glaring at her, just daring her to try and enter the doors without permission from their master. However, she knew just how to gain access to the room. She always had. In truth, she'd spent a considerable amount of time in the office on the other side of the door.
"I am Adalia Devlin. I have an appointment with the headmaster, Professor Dumbledore."
As if she had spoken some magical password, the Gargoyles' eyes gleamed and the door slid open allowing Adalia to enter. She followed the path of the winding stairs and soon heard the distinct sound of a quill dragging across a piece or parchment. Adalia's foot stepped into the light of Dumbledore's office and stopped waiting for the invitation to further enter into the great wizard's presence.
The ancient wizard, however, continued to write, successfully ignoring Adalia's efforts to gain his attention. But instead of invading his office to get a reply, Adalia simply stood where she was with her hands at her sides. She took this time to study the man whom she had not seen in many years. His hair was still white and as long as you could honestly imagine. Only the length of his white beard rivaled the length of his hair. His eyes penetrated from underneath immensely thick and attenuated eyebrows. Finally, Dumbledore set down his quill and focused his attention on Adalia.
"Ms. Devlin." He nodded in her direction. "I see that, despite you prior wishes, you have returned to Hogwarts. You have a résumé' for me, I assume."
Adalia flicked her wand that she'd pulled from the loose sleeves of her outfit and a piece of parchment appeared within Dumbledore's arm length. He snatched the paper out of the air with the amazing speed that Adalia wouldn't have believed it if he'd not just done it in front of her face.
"What say we just throw this résumé' out the window and do the old fashioned interview, shall we? Have a seat, please, Ms. Devlin."
Adalia sat down and Dumbledore scrutinized her. She'd changed from when he'd last seen her. Back then she'd had a perfect tan; skin that most of the girl at Hogwarts had envied. She had certainly changed her personality a bit. She seemed to be a bit self-conscious. When she had been a student, she has been extremely self-assured. All the guys wanted to date her, and all the girls wanted to be her. She had been a legendary beauty. Dumbledore noticed that, even though her skin looked weak because of the pale pallor, she still looked powerful and resolute; self-willed like the old days. He continued to study her as she fidgeted in the chair, obviously nervous. Her hair was longer now, but it was still the same ashen blonde color. She looked so fragile and helpless. Yet, Dumbledore could see the green eyes darting around the room memorizing every detail. Her eyes had not changed. They were alert and deep - assuring you that, even though she looked as if she might fall apart at any moment, she was stronger than most, and even more determined.
"Now, Ms. Devlin, you can start by telling me what position you would like and why."
"I would like to apply for the Defense against the Dark Arts teacher. I am aware that for the past six years you have had problems keeping the defense teachers. I want to try. On top of that, my main reason of applying for this position is that I want these kids to be prepared for the real world. In the real world, you won't be around to save them."
Dumbledore nodded. He made a few marks on a clear piece of parchment and then resumed his interrogation.
"Why do you think that you qualify for this type of high position."
"You know that I completed all of my Hogwarts years with the top marks in every subject. I've taken every class, and taken two or three classes several times to make sure I fully understand the concepts."
"Yes, Ms. Devlin, I am aware that you are very bright. But, according to my resources you have been inactive for the last 17 years. That would lead me to believe that you have perhaps lost some of your ability. What exactly have you been doing for the last 17 years that would convince me to give you the teaching position."
"Dumbledore, I have been through too much in these last 15 years than I think you can handle. If you think I've deteriorated in skill, you are wrong. The last 15 years I have been in close contact with Voldemort. I believe that you are very aware of whom he is. In fact, I was his best and most treasured Death Eater because my skills of wizardry were nearly equal to him. My powers have been active…THAT I can assure you."
The confidence and calmness Adalia spoke with were intense.
"With all due respect, Ms., how do I know that you are telling the truth?"
Adalia sighed and ran a manicured hand through he pale blonde hair.
"Dumbledore, I would never lie to you. Besides, if you do not hire me, the Council is still allowed to insert a suitable replacment. And I'm sure you remember well how that whole thing worked out. But, I assume you do need some proof, don't you?"
Dumbledore nodded and Adalia stood. Her deft and small fingers work the buttons of her blouse out of their holes and soon had unbuttoned half of her blouse. Firmly grasping both edges of the fabric, she pulled them apart, baring her chest at the old man. Dumbledore had definitely been confused until he saw the mark on her pale skin. Just to the left of her heart was a terrible sign. The mark on her skin was the mark that was feared by near everyone except for the Dark Lord himself and others that bared the mark. The mark of the Death Eaters was on her skin. It has been burned into her skin; it almost looked as though someone had used a cigarette to scorch her skin.
Odd as the mark was on its own, there was another bizarre mark combined with the Death Eater's. It looked as if it was…a ring. Adalia sat back down, buttoning her blouse.
"I do believe you now, Adalia, but may I ask you a question?"
"That's what you usually do in an interview."
Dumbledore smiled at her sarcasm that had only improved with her age.
"What might that ring be for?" Adalia fidgeted in her chair and wrang her hands. She answered, though averting her eyes.
"The ring is symbolic of a wedding ring."
Dumbledore's eyebrows rose.
"Wedding ring? But, Voldemort is incapable of love. How could you be getting married?"
"Love?" Adalia scoffed. "Voldemort could not love if his life depended on it. He was more concerned with the fact that I would serve him," she blushed, "in any way that he wished." She cleared her throat.
By the way she had started squirming, Dumbledore could tell that she and Voldemort had been close, if not intimate.
"I'm sorry to say, Adalia, that if you indeed were in close contact with Voldemort, I cannot allow you to be in contact with the students."
"With all due respect, sir, but you allowed Professor Snape to teach here. If I remember correctly he was also a Death Eater." Adalia stared at him intently.
"Yes, he did, but Severus had proof that he was no longer in ANY contact with the Dark Lord." Adalia spoke no more for a moment. It seemed to Dumbledore that she was fighting a battle inside of herself.
"Well, I have proof also, Professor. Would you allow me to show you?"
"Of course, Ms. Devlin. I would be more than happy to be assured that you are no longer with the Dark Lord."
She nodded and stood once again. Her apt fingers went to work on the buttons again, and she continued to unbutton her blouse until it hung open completely. The first thing that Dumbledore noticed were the bandages that covered her stomach and breasts. Tentatively, Adalia slid the material off of her shoulders and the cloth landed in a heap on the floor. Cautiously, Adalia turned around and showed Professor Dumbledore the bandages that covered her back. They were slowly starting to turn a crimson hue. As Adalia slowly unwrapped the bandages with painful expressions on occasions, even Dumbledore had to gasp. The pallid skin of her back was surfaced with cuts and scraps that were bleeding immeasurably. Dumbledore was horrified enough. He did not need to see any more. Unfortunately, something caught his eyes before Adalia turned around. Hidden amidst the numerous scars and bleeding injuries was a message. Chiseled into her skin were the words "You are mine…whether you like it or not."
Adalia was still blushing even after she re-bandaged herself and had dressed again. She could feel Dumbledore's gaze still on her even after she had sat down.
'I hope I shall never have to do that again.'
Dumbledore cleared his throat and Adalia looked up, never breaking her gaze from his eyes.
"I believe that those," he coughed, "marks are proof enough. You will receive my answer in a few days. Until then, rest well and tend to those wounds vigilantly until they heal."
Adalia's cheeks turned a rose color and for an instant she looked healthy. Dumbledore instantly knew that something he had said bothered her deeply. He reflected back on his last statement and prudently asked her another question. "Adalia," he started slowly, "those wounds WILL heal, won't they."
Adalia frowned.
"No, they will not. I mean, they will come close to it, but as soon as they reach the healing peak, the burst open again. That is Voldemort's curse on me for betraying him. I will eternally bleed. See, the wounds are over three months old, yet they bleed as if you just struck them upon me."
"That is a very......." His voice trailed off as if he could not find the words to use.
"Blood replacement potions are what keep my alive. That and the chance I have of teaching these kids to fight back."
Dumbledore nodded and dismissed Adalia. She stood and bid her farewell to Fawkes, Dumbledore's pet Phoenix whom had always been her favorite companion. She passed the gargoyles and exited the school, leaving the memories behind.
'I'm leaving the memories behind…for now. I can never leave them behind forever. Not even with Voldemort's help was I able to leave them.
Adalia shivered despite that warm temperature as she climbed aboard the train as a muggle. No one can help me escape him…no one. She found her seat and watched the mountains and forest pass by her window.