Strike a Match
by Nyx
Lyrics from the song "Sunny Came Home," but I don't remember the band. Malfoy, etc. are © JKR. Storyline is © Nyx.
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Through the years you always knew it
Strike a match, go on and do it
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I knew this day would come. Sometime in the past, I had known that I would be called upon to serve. A strange feeling comes over me, and I glance upward. No. Just a mouse, poking its timid face from a hole in the wall.
The cotton rope laying across my hand feels heavy, and I wonder why I must resort to such a dirty Muggle trick. Bomb! And not even a refined bomb, not even one which could be made foolproof. Dynamite! Of all the things, I must use dynamite. The fuse could fizzle out - I half wish it will - or it could get wet, or - a million things. But failure is 'not an option,' and thus it will work.
I fumble in my pocket for a packet of Muggle matches. Such a simple contraction of sulfur and wood. Nobody will guess that Slytherin would stoop to such measures, yet we are. As I consider its red head, I wonder: why am I doing this? Is there a purpose to the loss of life that will ensue? Do I really want to die, as the world goes up in flames?
Of course I don't want to die. Not really. But I'm a coward for even thinking of not lighting it, of stamping it out, of carefully ruining all the Dark Lord's plans. Go on! Just strike it on the floor, or on the bottom of your shoe - it doesn't matter where, just strike the match -
Slowly, mechanically, I strike it on the grout between the stones that make up the walls. It's yellowed and ancient, and I stare at it long enough to let the match burn my fingers. I choke down a yelp and drop it, wringing my hand and swearing quietly. Then I saw. The match fell on the rope. The rope is alight.
And now the final question. Should I stamp the fire away, killing it like I might kill an ant? Or should I let it go, sit and watch my death grow nearer? I wonder if it will hurt to die.
Somebody once said that when all your questions are answered, that's when your life will end. I'm not sure how it applies, but my questions are sure as Hell not answered. It just takes one foot to put out the flames.
*fini
Disclaimer : Slytherin and the Dark Lord are owned by J.K.R.
Sequels : Nyx does not do sequels.
Feedback : Feedback is dearly loved at nyxfics@hotmail.com.
Note : This story was meant to inspire people's imaginations, not to tell you what happened. It's either Snape or Malfoy who's speaking. I'm not sure. You tell me.
~Nyx~
the gaudy, blabbing, and remorseful day
is crept into the bosom of the sea
-shakespeare, henry VI
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