To clear up any confusion, I just want to say thank you to my best friend Katie (imobsessedwithharrypotter) for working with me to develop this story idea! She rocks!
Voldemort's Last Secret – Prologue
It was May 12, 1998. A cool, bone-chilling breeze flew through the treetops, sending leaves plummeting to the ground. A ghostly howl echoed throughout the inky night, sending animals scurrying into their dens, shivering with fright. The moonlit forest quivered with anticipation, almost as if it were waiting for something.
Two shadowy figures emerged from the darkness. Short in stature and pale as a sheet, their graceful steps barely made a sound upon the crunchy, thick undergrowth. The young girl of the pair turned to her brother. Her glittering violet eyes were magnified by the gloomy surroundings; they sucked in light like a black hole. Her ethereal complexion shone in the eerie light as she tucked a loose stand of midnight black hair beneath the folds of her hood. When she spoke, her voice sounded like a musical lullaby – soft and simple, yet sweet and sincere.
"I hope this will be the last time Daddy freezes us in time," she remarked conversationally, stepping over a particularly large tree root with practiced ease. "How I wish I could finally be a teenager!"
Her brother, equally handsome as she, smiled softly. Unlike his talkative twin sister, he mostly kept to himself. His stunning green eyes reflected the shimmering moonlight as he replied to her hesitantly. "I'm not exactly sure he'll lift the curse – today, that is. Unless he manages to kill Harry Potter tonight, we have to stay a secret."
The girl merely rolled her eyes and strode off, her pace inhumanly fast. The boy hurried to keep up with her, his feet dancing over the obstacles in his path. Within a few minutes, they had come to the heart of the forest. Figures in cloaks swarmed around the clearing, like flies attracted to honey. The girl's eyes widened with excitement as she caught a glimpse of her father. She made a move to run to him, but her brother caught her arm in a viselike grip.
"You can't just jump out in front of all those Death Eaters! They have no idea who you are! You'd be blown to bits before you could even call for help!" he whispered ferociously.
His fierce gaze softened as he saw the frightened look in his sister's eyes. He relaxed his hold on her arm, and gathered her into a warm hug. "I just don't want to lose you, that's all," he murmured, his chin resting on the top of her head. "You're the only person who understands me."
The girl's eyes brimmed with sympathy. "And you're the only one who understands me, too." She returned the embrace, and then rubbed her hands together expectantly. "I hope this turns out to be a good show."
"Of course. Father says Harry will do anything to save his friends, that hopeless loser."
The girl smirked, revealing perfectly white teeth just underneath her blood-red lips. "Hopeless loser, indeed."
The two waited in silence for what seemed like hours. Finally, a dark shadow emerged from the fog. The twins head triumphant laughter, and a bolt of red light shot from the end of their father's wand. The girl let out a muffled squeal. "Finally!" she whispered.
She turned with rejoicing eyes to her brother. However, he looked drawn and worried, quite the opposite of what she had anticipated it to be. She nudged him gently on the shoulder.
"What's the matter?"
She followed the train of his stare, letting out a gasp when she saw what was undergoing in the clearing. Their father had crumpled to the ground, a mask of pain etched on his face. One of the Death Eaters, Bellatrix, was trying to help him back to his feet. The only good news about the whole situation was that Harry Potter lay on the ground, dead. The young girl let out a whimper and collapsed to the ground, where she lay still. Her brother knelt down next to her, stroking her hair gently. He murmured words of comfort to her, but she still remained motionless. How could her father, her father of all people, have been knocked down by an opponent? He, who was always victorious?
The girl looked up hopefully as the commotion in the clearing ceased. Her father was back on his feet, unsteady, but standing. She let out a sigh of relief, and cast an angry glare at the boy who had got him in this whole mess – Harry Potter. The stupid kid lay on the ground, his glasses askew, never to move of breathe again. Though the girl couldn't help it, she felt a surge of victory wash over her. Now, she and her brother could finally come out of hiding and join their father in the new world he was going to build. Just thinking about it sent shivers of happiness up the girl's spine.
The crowd of Death Eater's clamored forward to the castle, hoisting the limp body of Harry Potter up into the air. The twins followed the scene eagerly, though making sure to stay concealed in the shadows. When they finally reached the castle, the two siblings paused. The girl cast an anxious glance at her brother. "Should we follow….?"
He shook his head. "No. Father told us to remain hidden. Unless you want to question his authority, of course…."
She tossed her head impatiently, then sat down upon the thick undergrowth, watching and waiting for her father to emerge from the castle, victorious and mighty. Soon, her brother joined her in her silent vigil. The two lingered quietly for what seemed like hours, holding hands, and staring at the looming castle. They waited, but their father never came out.