"Um...excuse me..um...Sir," the girl stammered nervously, not knowing how
to address the dark lord.
"Spit it out girl!" Lord Voldemort barked, his voice sounding angry and irritated.
"Well you see..my mother was killed.." she began, but stopped seeing the bored look on the Dark Lord's face.
"Why would I care if your mother died?" he said lazily.
"Well, I kind of thought you would, considering the minor detail that you happen to be my father!" she yelled. Voldemort sat up with a start, shock written all over his face.
"Who was your mother?" he asked once he regained composure.
"Victoria Whiting, she was killed a week ago in an attack of our village, I obviously escaped," she replied, brushing her dark blond hair out the light blue of her eyes.
"Victoria...dead, that's unfortunate...what's your name?" he asked, his voice sounding slightly sad, though that was quickly replaced with his usual irritated tone.
"Alanna Naomi Riddle," she answered simply.
"Yes, she always did like that name...and how old are you?" he said, Alanna noticed he always asked her these questions abruptly, and always at the times when he was showing emotion that Death Eaters would most likely consider as weakness.
"Eighteen," she answered. He smirked evilly at hearing this.
"Ah, how convenient, eighteen, exactly the age where you become able to join the Death Eaters..." he said, his voice dripping with evil.
"Um...yes..of course," Alanna said in reply, trying not to sound as nervous as she was, unfortunately Voldemort caught on.
"Are you saying you don't want to be a Death Eater?!" he practically yelled, jumping up from his throne-like chair.
"No of course not!" she said defensively. It was a lie, but she was scared and would rather agree to do what he wished than to face his wrath, after all, she had gone to him; it was her own fault she had gotten into this mess.
"Very good, because no daughter of mine would fight for the side of Harry Potter," he said. "Malfoy! Get this girl a uniform," he barked. A few short minutes later a blond haired boy of about her age walked in.
"Yes milord. You follow me," he told Alanna. His cool gray eyes showed no emotion, Alanna wondered what she had gotten herself into.
The boy her father had called Malfoy led her down a long winding tunnel, the only light was that which came from their wands. He finally stopped at a door labeled "uniforms."
"I will be back in an hour, go in here and they will fit you for your clothes," he said, then turned on his heal and left her.
"Ah you must be the new recruit! Alanna is it? Yes well I am Narcissa Malfoy; you may have met my son Draco. Yes well, come over here so I can take your measurements," said the women in the uniforms room. Alanna wondered how she could be so chipper in such depressing surroundings. She did as the woman asked without question or reply, her eyes held a dazed look in them.
Narcissa took Alanna's measurements and in no time had new robes for her. Alanna put them on and exited the room.
"Hello Draco," she said when she saw him leaning against the wall.
"Wait, how'd you know my name? Oh mum told you?" he said questioningly. Alanna nodded.
"Alright then, follow me," he said and led her down another twisting corridor.
"What's this?" she asked once they reached their destination, a large open field.
"Training field..see?" he explained, pointing towards the left of the field where Alanna saw Death Eaters in Training exercising and being tested by their instructors.
"Ok so where do I go? I mean, who's my instructor?" she asked.
"I don't know, I'm just giving you the tour, how should I know who's group Lord Voldemort is going to place you in?" he said sounding annoyed.
"Oh," she said, lacking a better response. All she got in return was a sneer from Draco as he led her to their next destination.
"Your room," he told her, as he opened the door. The room was decorated in silver and green.
"Slytherin's colors, I mean my family's colors," she whispered to herself.
"What was that," Draco asked. She shook her head.
"It was nothing," she said quickly. Draco just shrugged.
"I don't see why you get your own room," he said sounding almost jealous.
"I have connections," she said, grinning as she stepped into her room and shut the door in his face, leaving Draco wondering exactly who this girl was.
"Ah Draco, you have returned," said Voldemort when he walked in. Draco noticed his father was also in the room and nodded in acknowledgement, his father showed no signs of noticing his presence, though Draco couldn't have cared less. He was used to being ignored by his father. He took a seat near his father and bowed his head out of respect for Voldemort, if he didn't he was likely to be instantly killed, a death he didn't particularly fancy.
"Your father and I were just discussing something that involves you," he continued, Draco looked up with interest.
"Me Sir?" he asked, cursing himself mentally for such a mindless response. Voldemort took no notice of this and just smirked evilly.
"Yes, your father and I think its time you settled down, we are in need of new installments to the Death Eaters. We are perfectly willing to wait for your children to grow up," he told Draco. Draco leapt from his seat, knocking over his chair in the process.
"MY WHAT?!" he shouted, sounding quite alarmed, which was understandable considering what the Dark Lord had just said.
"Your children, Draco. We think its time you were married, being nineteen and all. Now here are your choices: Pansy Rose Parkinson, Alanna Naomi Riddle, or Blaise Jennifer Zabini. The other women in your age group have been killed or are already married. Now who do you choose? If you can't decide in an hour then we will decide for you. No sense in wasting time," his father explained. Draco was furious, he couldn't believe he was being forced to get married!
"Alanna Riddle," he said, at least she wasn't Pansy or Blaise. He didn't know her but he didn't want a damsel in distress for a wife and Alanna hadn't seemed the type.
"My daughter, a wise decision," Voldemort said, smirking once more. Draco's eyes widened in surprise, his father sneered in amusement.
"Yes she is my daughter. While you are here I should tell you that you are to be her instructor. Conveniently gives you the chance to get to know her, and I want you to come to me with her progress weekly. We want to make sure she isn't going to turn out like Snape and switch sides during the middle of this war," he said, bitterness wreaked in his every word.
"Yes sir."
"Good, you are dismissed," Voldemort told Draco, who left and went to see his mother in the Uniforms room at once.
"Mother! Mum you didn't know about this did you?!" he demanded as he stomped into the room.
"Know about what darling?" she asked lightly. The Imperious curse had been used on her so many times that Narcissa Malfoy had become flighty and annoying, though very well mannered and behaved. He wondered how his father could put up with this woman.
"Father and Lord Voldemort suddenly playing matchmaker!" he said, fuming. Narcissa laughed and smiled at her son.
"Well of course I did love, I mean it was my idea after all wasn't it?" Hearing this Draco nearly collapsed, beside himself with anger and annoyance. His whole family seemed to be against him today. He couldn't take it any more and stormed out of the room and made his way towards his room, which he realized was right across from Alanna's.
"Great, looks like they've got this all figured out, I should go resign and join Potter right now," he muttered angrily, searching for the keys to open his door.
"Bloody keys! Alohomora!" he shouted when they weren't in either of his pockets. The door opened and he entered his room, plopping right onto his bed, not even bothering to turn off the light, and fell right to sleep.
In the room across the hall, contrary to Draco, Alanna was having problems falling asleep. Finally she got up to see about getting a potion, unfortunately Draco had neglected to show her where the hospital wing was located. She noticed a light on in the room across the hall and decided to knock on their door, the worst they could do was Avada her, she thought with a grin.
She was quite surprised to see the one who opened the door was Draco Malfoy, the only Death Eater besides her father that she knew. She wasn't sure whether this was a good thing or a bad one considering Draco didn't seem to be all that nice. Then again, he was a Death Eater; they weren't the friendliest folk out there.
"What do you want?" he asked, his voice tired and sleepy sounding.
"Well I couldn't get to sleep and I wanted a sleeping potion and didn't know where the hospital wing was, and your light was on so I thought you were awake and decided to ask," she explained. Draco nodded tiredly at Alanna and invited her in, telling her he was sure he had a potion somewhere in his room.
"There's the couch if you want to sit down," he told her as he searched through all of potion bottles. Alanna mumbled her thanks and took a seat.
Finally he had unearthed a bottle marked sleeping potion. He handed it to Alanna, along with a measuring spoon to make sure she took the right amount. She measured it out and took a sip, unfortunately the potion had been stronger than most and she fell asleep the moment the blue liquid touched her lips.
Draco looked down at her, unsure of what to do. He paced around the room thinking of what he should do, finally deciding to go ask his mother, and to yell at her for giving him such a strong potion.
"What ever are you talking about Draco? Oh that potion. Yes your father requested I give you a strong one in case Alanna ended up in your room. Yes dear I did give her a potion to keep her from sleeping," she told him. He glared at his idiotic mother in contempt.
"Are you all in some sort of plot to destroy my life?" he demanded. Narcissa laughed.
"Of course not dear, now run along," she said, shooing him out.
"Bloody women!" he muttered as he entered his room once again. He glanced at the girl on his couch, she was quite pretty he realized. Her dark blond hair framed her face; her complexion seemed flawless, though he saw no trace of make up on her face. He stared at her for a long time before finally going to his bed to finally get some rest.
When Alanna awoke the next morning she was quite alarmed to discover herself asleep on Draco Malfoy's couch.
"Finally woke up I see," Draco said dryly, handing Alanna a steaming mug of coffee.
"Um, yeah, thanks. Err..what am I doing here?" she asked. He laughed and handed her the cream and sugar for her coffee.
"Long story," he said simply, not caring to elaborate further. Alanna had nothing else to say and Draco wasn't volunteering anymore information so the two just sat drinking their coffee in silence. Finally Alanna asked again how she ended up on his couch. Draco told her the entire story, throwing in some comments about his annoying scheming parents. Alanna spilled coffee down her front when she heard about their arranged marriage. Draco laughed wickedly.
"Oh you hadn't heard?" he said innocently. She glared, and grabbed a napkin, using it to wipe the coffee from her shirt.
"Well I see no one bothered consulting me about this!" she said nastily. Draco looked at his wife-to-be and was glad he had chosen her. Pansy and Blaise would never have been this entertaining.
"What is so funny?" she demanded.
"You," he informed her. This earned him a nice hard punch in the nose; apparently Alanna had inherited Lord Voldemort's foul temper. Draco rubbed his nose and went to get a tissue, as it was now bleeding. He returned, thinking what an interesting marriage this would turn out to be.
"Well, I need to go speak to my father about this....uh I don't exactly know where to find him," she told Draco when he took the seat across from her. He sighed in annoyance and got up, motioning for her to follow. She did and was led through many secret passage ways until finally they stopped in an unobtrusive looking broom closet.
"Here hold out your wand and say "serpens." Draco said to her. Alanna did as he said and soon found herself standing in front of her father's throne.
Alanna cleared her throat and voiced her complaints about not being consulted about this matter. Voldemort laughed and waved his hand dismissively. Alanna scowled at him, causing him to laugh even more.
"Well you didn't expect us to give you a choice did you? Obviously you would not have cooperated," he told her.
"That's the point! You were supposed to ask me first!" she screamed. Draco wondered how many people would have to courage to yell at the Dark Lord that way. Voldemort looked at his daughter murderously.
"You are not to question me Alanna. The only reason I didn't kill you just now is that you are my daughter, but don't think that will save you next time," he said through clenched teeth. Alanna simply shrugged and walked off. Draco stared in amazement, wondering how she had been able to do that, even if she was Voldemort's heir.
"That girl is going to need to learn her place quickly if she wants to live to see her birthday," Draco heard the Dark Lord mutter. He took this as a good time to leave, so went in pursuit of Alanna. He found her in the Uniforms room, getting her robes cleaned he assumed. This turned out not to be the case, apparently she had gotten into a fight with Pansy Parkinson and her uniform had been ripped.
"Oh hello Draco dear, look what that Pansy girl did to poor Alanna," his mother chirped when she saw him. Draco groaned, just what he needed, his mother being a complete idiot as usual.
"Yeah, its horrible," he said carelessly.
"Yes dear. I just can't see why anybody would want to harm Alanna, she's such a doll," Narcissa continued. Draco laughed when he saw Alanna roll her eyes.
"Yeah Mum, exactly," he agreed.
"She said something about "stealing her man" that chick's out of her mind," Alanna said dryly. Draco couldn't agree more.
"Her man, what is she talking about Draco? Is there something you would like to tell me?" His mother inquired.
"No mum," he said. Narcissa didn't look like she believed him but decided not to push it.
"There you go Alanna, you can change in there," said Narcissa, handing Alanna her robes and pointing to a dressing room in the corner. Alanna nodded and took the robes from Narcissa, disappearing behind the curtain.
When she emerged in her new robes Narcissa rushed over and fussed over every little hanging string before she allowed Alanna to leave. Finally she could find no fault with the robes and let her go, Draco quickly followed.
"Spit it out girl!" Lord Voldemort barked, his voice sounding angry and irritated.
"Well you see..my mother was killed.." she began, but stopped seeing the bored look on the Dark Lord's face.
"Why would I care if your mother died?" he said lazily.
"Well, I kind of thought you would, considering the minor detail that you happen to be my father!" she yelled. Voldemort sat up with a start, shock written all over his face.
"Who was your mother?" he asked once he regained composure.
"Victoria Whiting, she was killed a week ago in an attack of our village, I obviously escaped," she replied, brushing her dark blond hair out the light blue of her eyes.
"Victoria...dead, that's unfortunate...what's your name?" he asked, his voice sounding slightly sad, though that was quickly replaced with his usual irritated tone.
"Alanna Naomi Riddle," she answered simply.
"Yes, she always did like that name...and how old are you?" he said, Alanna noticed he always asked her these questions abruptly, and always at the times when he was showing emotion that Death Eaters would most likely consider as weakness.
"Eighteen," she answered. He smirked evilly at hearing this.
"Ah, how convenient, eighteen, exactly the age where you become able to join the Death Eaters..." he said, his voice dripping with evil.
"Um...yes..of course," Alanna said in reply, trying not to sound as nervous as she was, unfortunately Voldemort caught on.
"Are you saying you don't want to be a Death Eater?!" he practically yelled, jumping up from his throne-like chair.
"No of course not!" she said defensively. It was a lie, but she was scared and would rather agree to do what he wished than to face his wrath, after all, she had gone to him; it was her own fault she had gotten into this mess.
"Very good, because no daughter of mine would fight for the side of Harry Potter," he said. "Malfoy! Get this girl a uniform," he barked. A few short minutes later a blond haired boy of about her age walked in.
"Yes milord. You follow me," he told Alanna. His cool gray eyes showed no emotion, Alanna wondered what she had gotten herself into.
The boy her father had called Malfoy led her down a long winding tunnel, the only light was that which came from their wands. He finally stopped at a door labeled "uniforms."
"I will be back in an hour, go in here and they will fit you for your clothes," he said, then turned on his heal and left her.
"Ah you must be the new recruit! Alanna is it? Yes well I am Narcissa Malfoy; you may have met my son Draco. Yes well, come over here so I can take your measurements," said the women in the uniforms room. Alanna wondered how she could be so chipper in such depressing surroundings. She did as the woman asked without question or reply, her eyes held a dazed look in them.
Narcissa took Alanna's measurements and in no time had new robes for her. Alanna put them on and exited the room.
"Hello Draco," she said when she saw him leaning against the wall.
"Wait, how'd you know my name? Oh mum told you?" he said questioningly. Alanna nodded.
"Alright then, follow me," he said and led her down another twisting corridor.
"What's this?" she asked once they reached their destination, a large open field.
"Training field..see?" he explained, pointing towards the left of the field where Alanna saw Death Eaters in Training exercising and being tested by their instructors.
"Ok so where do I go? I mean, who's my instructor?" she asked.
"I don't know, I'm just giving you the tour, how should I know who's group Lord Voldemort is going to place you in?" he said sounding annoyed.
"Oh," she said, lacking a better response. All she got in return was a sneer from Draco as he led her to their next destination.
"Your room," he told her, as he opened the door. The room was decorated in silver and green.
"Slytherin's colors, I mean my family's colors," she whispered to herself.
"What was that," Draco asked. She shook her head.
"It was nothing," she said quickly. Draco just shrugged.
"I don't see why you get your own room," he said sounding almost jealous.
"I have connections," she said, grinning as she stepped into her room and shut the door in his face, leaving Draco wondering exactly who this girl was.
"Ah Draco, you have returned," said Voldemort when he walked in. Draco noticed his father was also in the room and nodded in acknowledgement, his father showed no signs of noticing his presence, though Draco couldn't have cared less. He was used to being ignored by his father. He took a seat near his father and bowed his head out of respect for Voldemort, if he didn't he was likely to be instantly killed, a death he didn't particularly fancy.
"Your father and I were just discussing something that involves you," he continued, Draco looked up with interest.
"Me Sir?" he asked, cursing himself mentally for such a mindless response. Voldemort took no notice of this and just smirked evilly.
"Yes, your father and I think its time you settled down, we are in need of new installments to the Death Eaters. We are perfectly willing to wait for your children to grow up," he told Draco. Draco leapt from his seat, knocking over his chair in the process.
"MY WHAT?!" he shouted, sounding quite alarmed, which was understandable considering what the Dark Lord had just said.
"Your children, Draco. We think its time you were married, being nineteen and all. Now here are your choices: Pansy Rose Parkinson, Alanna Naomi Riddle, or Blaise Jennifer Zabini. The other women in your age group have been killed or are already married. Now who do you choose? If you can't decide in an hour then we will decide for you. No sense in wasting time," his father explained. Draco was furious, he couldn't believe he was being forced to get married!
"Alanna Riddle," he said, at least she wasn't Pansy or Blaise. He didn't know her but he didn't want a damsel in distress for a wife and Alanna hadn't seemed the type.
"My daughter, a wise decision," Voldemort said, smirking once more. Draco's eyes widened in surprise, his father sneered in amusement.
"Yes she is my daughter. While you are here I should tell you that you are to be her instructor. Conveniently gives you the chance to get to know her, and I want you to come to me with her progress weekly. We want to make sure she isn't going to turn out like Snape and switch sides during the middle of this war," he said, bitterness wreaked in his every word.
"Yes sir."
"Good, you are dismissed," Voldemort told Draco, who left and went to see his mother in the Uniforms room at once.
"Mother! Mum you didn't know about this did you?!" he demanded as he stomped into the room.
"Know about what darling?" she asked lightly. The Imperious curse had been used on her so many times that Narcissa Malfoy had become flighty and annoying, though very well mannered and behaved. He wondered how his father could put up with this woman.
"Father and Lord Voldemort suddenly playing matchmaker!" he said, fuming. Narcissa laughed and smiled at her son.
"Well of course I did love, I mean it was my idea after all wasn't it?" Hearing this Draco nearly collapsed, beside himself with anger and annoyance. His whole family seemed to be against him today. He couldn't take it any more and stormed out of the room and made his way towards his room, which he realized was right across from Alanna's.
"Great, looks like they've got this all figured out, I should go resign and join Potter right now," he muttered angrily, searching for the keys to open his door.
"Bloody keys! Alohomora!" he shouted when they weren't in either of his pockets. The door opened and he entered his room, plopping right onto his bed, not even bothering to turn off the light, and fell right to sleep.
In the room across the hall, contrary to Draco, Alanna was having problems falling asleep. Finally she got up to see about getting a potion, unfortunately Draco had neglected to show her where the hospital wing was located. She noticed a light on in the room across the hall and decided to knock on their door, the worst they could do was Avada her, she thought with a grin.
She was quite surprised to see the one who opened the door was Draco Malfoy, the only Death Eater besides her father that she knew. She wasn't sure whether this was a good thing or a bad one considering Draco didn't seem to be all that nice. Then again, he was a Death Eater; they weren't the friendliest folk out there.
"What do you want?" he asked, his voice tired and sleepy sounding.
"Well I couldn't get to sleep and I wanted a sleeping potion and didn't know where the hospital wing was, and your light was on so I thought you were awake and decided to ask," she explained. Draco nodded tiredly at Alanna and invited her in, telling her he was sure he had a potion somewhere in his room.
"There's the couch if you want to sit down," he told her as he searched through all of potion bottles. Alanna mumbled her thanks and took a seat.
Finally he had unearthed a bottle marked sleeping potion. He handed it to Alanna, along with a measuring spoon to make sure she took the right amount. She measured it out and took a sip, unfortunately the potion had been stronger than most and she fell asleep the moment the blue liquid touched her lips.
Draco looked down at her, unsure of what to do. He paced around the room thinking of what he should do, finally deciding to go ask his mother, and to yell at her for giving him such a strong potion.
"What ever are you talking about Draco? Oh that potion. Yes your father requested I give you a strong one in case Alanna ended up in your room. Yes dear I did give her a potion to keep her from sleeping," she told him. He glared at his idiotic mother in contempt.
"Are you all in some sort of plot to destroy my life?" he demanded. Narcissa laughed.
"Of course not dear, now run along," she said, shooing him out.
"Bloody women!" he muttered as he entered his room once again. He glanced at the girl on his couch, she was quite pretty he realized. Her dark blond hair framed her face; her complexion seemed flawless, though he saw no trace of make up on her face. He stared at her for a long time before finally going to his bed to finally get some rest.
When Alanna awoke the next morning she was quite alarmed to discover herself asleep on Draco Malfoy's couch.
"Finally woke up I see," Draco said dryly, handing Alanna a steaming mug of coffee.
"Um, yeah, thanks. Err..what am I doing here?" she asked. He laughed and handed her the cream and sugar for her coffee.
"Long story," he said simply, not caring to elaborate further. Alanna had nothing else to say and Draco wasn't volunteering anymore information so the two just sat drinking their coffee in silence. Finally Alanna asked again how she ended up on his couch. Draco told her the entire story, throwing in some comments about his annoying scheming parents. Alanna spilled coffee down her front when she heard about their arranged marriage. Draco laughed wickedly.
"Oh you hadn't heard?" he said innocently. She glared, and grabbed a napkin, using it to wipe the coffee from her shirt.
"Well I see no one bothered consulting me about this!" she said nastily. Draco looked at his wife-to-be and was glad he had chosen her. Pansy and Blaise would never have been this entertaining.
"What is so funny?" she demanded.
"You," he informed her. This earned him a nice hard punch in the nose; apparently Alanna had inherited Lord Voldemort's foul temper. Draco rubbed his nose and went to get a tissue, as it was now bleeding. He returned, thinking what an interesting marriage this would turn out to be.
"Well, I need to go speak to my father about this....uh I don't exactly know where to find him," she told Draco when he took the seat across from her. He sighed in annoyance and got up, motioning for her to follow. She did and was led through many secret passage ways until finally they stopped in an unobtrusive looking broom closet.
"Here hold out your wand and say "serpens." Draco said to her. Alanna did as he said and soon found herself standing in front of her father's throne.
Alanna cleared her throat and voiced her complaints about not being consulted about this matter. Voldemort laughed and waved his hand dismissively. Alanna scowled at him, causing him to laugh even more.
"Well you didn't expect us to give you a choice did you? Obviously you would not have cooperated," he told her.
"That's the point! You were supposed to ask me first!" she screamed. Draco wondered how many people would have to courage to yell at the Dark Lord that way. Voldemort looked at his daughter murderously.
"You are not to question me Alanna. The only reason I didn't kill you just now is that you are my daughter, but don't think that will save you next time," he said through clenched teeth. Alanna simply shrugged and walked off. Draco stared in amazement, wondering how she had been able to do that, even if she was Voldemort's heir.
"That girl is going to need to learn her place quickly if she wants to live to see her birthday," Draco heard the Dark Lord mutter. He took this as a good time to leave, so went in pursuit of Alanna. He found her in the Uniforms room, getting her robes cleaned he assumed. This turned out not to be the case, apparently she had gotten into a fight with Pansy Parkinson and her uniform had been ripped.
"Oh hello Draco dear, look what that Pansy girl did to poor Alanna," his mother chirped when she saw him. Draco groaned, just what he needed, his mother being a complete idiot as usual.
"Yeah, its horrible," he said carelessly.
"Yes dear. I just can't see why anybody would want to harm Alanna, she's such a doll," Narcissa continued. Draco laughed when he saw Alanna roll her eyes.
"Yeah Mum, exactly," he agreed.
"She said something about "stealing her man" that chick's out of her mind," Alanna said dryly. Draco couldn't agree more.
"Her man, what is she talking about Draco? Is there something you would like to tell me?" His mother inquired.
"No mum," he said. Narcissa didn't look like she believed him but decided not to push it.
"There you go Alanna, you can change in there," said Narcissa, handing Alanna her robes and pointing to a dressing room in the corner. Alanna nodded and took the robes from Narcissa, disappearing behind the curtain.
When she emerged in her new robes Narcissa rushed over and fussed over every little hanging string before she allowed Alanna to leave. Finally she could find no fault with the robes and let her go, Draco quickly followed.
