Thank you to those who have read my other story…this is the second one in that series, so you probably want to read that one first :D also please review once you've finished this chapter.
I could feel myself slowly coming round, my head ached terribly and I felt very groggy, I forced my eyes open and wasn't too surprised to see the black hangings over my bed. I soon realised after waking that it had been the Dark Lord who had taken me here, here being Malfoy Manor. I could remember it from years ago, nothing much had changed as I gingerly looked around the room.
Black, heavy curtains hung from each window, the wallpaper was dark green with grand silver patterns engraved. Apart from the bed which was adorned with a black duvet, I could see a bedside table, chest of drawers and large wardrobe, a small writing desk and an en suit. Each one followed the black, green or silver colour scheme making the room look stylish, but also quite dead and unlived in.
I brought my hand to my head where a dull ache had continued to irritate me, I found a soft fabric wrapped around my skull showing signs that someone had bandaged my head. I recalled being hurled across a room at the Ministry gaining me a gash across my head. I could only vaguely remember what had occurred afterwards, coming to the conclusion that I must have blacked out and been finally taken back by The Dark Lord.
I rolled onto my right side seeing the tray of food placed on the bedside table. I picked up the tray and sat it on my lap, it wasn't much, just a leg of chicken and two slices of bread but I was internally relieved to find them feeding me at all. I knew that I wasn't going to be treated at hospitably as I had been the last time I was here, because I now was probably being treated as a prisoner. As I ate I reached back across to the bedside table, picking up the Daily Prophet which had also been left.
Today was the 27th of August, others would be returning to Hogwarts over the next week and I knew deep down that I would never be allowed to go back. The rest of the newspaper also interested me. Muggle attacks had been increasing dramatically over the past month. According to the Daily Prophet, I had been presumed dead by the authorities and searches for me had been called off. I hoped that Harry didn't believe this as I was sure that Dumbledore would not believe I was dead.
I stopped reading as a key entered the lock in my door, it was pushed open and Lucius Malfoy walked into the room smirking slightly as he noticed that I was finally awake. He clicked his fingers and two house elves appeared both slightly hunched and averting their master's eyes.
"Clean up in here. I want her dressed and prepared in half an hour." He glared at the house elves and as quickly as he had entered, he left, his long black cloak swirling at he slammed the door.
As soon as he'd left both house elves set to work as quickly as possible, the first took the dirty tray of food and disappeared for a moment. The second hopped onto the bed alarming me slightly, I frowned, confused before the elf took his hands and started unwrapping the bandage around my head, then he disappeared. Within a few seconds both house elves were back in my room silently getting me up and finding me clothes from the wardrobe which I could see had been filled with everything from the trunk at Hogwarts.
"I hope you don't mind me asking, but how did they get in there?" I asked quietly, both house elves looked at me confused, before turning to one another wondering if they should answer me. I tried to smile reassuringly at them, which seemed to work.
"Your trunk was brought here by Mr Malfoy and Mr LeStrange when they arrived home from Hogwarts Miss Potter." The smaller one squeaked, I nodded in thanks and continued to dress as they had been ordered. When I was ready one of the elves disappeared which left me with the small house elf.
"Do you know if Bellatrix LeStrange is here." I whispered carefully to the small elf. He frowned and looked around as if someone was watching.
"I'm not supposed to tell you anything…" He answered. I nodded again and the awkward silence continued.
"But both Mrs LeStrange and her son have been staying at Malfoy Manor as long as you Miss Potter." I sighed.
"Thanks…" The key was put back into the lock on my door, and Lucius Malfoy reappeared, not giving any second looked to the house elf still left in my room he took a firm grasp on my right arm and lead me swiftly from the room. I was dragged down the huge staircase which lead into the large entrance hallway of Malfoy Manor, we exited from the stairs down the left hand side and I was pushed into what appeared to be the living room.
I vaguely remembered this being the second and slightly smaller living room in the Manor. The walls again were plastered in green and silver, the furniture either dark green or black was arrange so that two black leather sofa's sat facing one other with the dark fireplace behind. When I entered the room I found that Mrs Malfoy, Draco, Dorian and Bellatrix were sat or stood about the room, when they did not move as I arrived I guessed that we were also waiting for someone else.
Mr Malfoy was still stood closely at my shoulder when The Dark Lord arrived, he apparated into the foyer and was brought into the living room by Mrs Malfoy who then came and stood over by her husband.
The Dark Lord looked about the room quickly before addressing me, "So honourable of you to finally awaken Sophia. Now that you are we can finally get down to business." He then turned to address all of us.
"Draco, Dorian. I want you to keep an eye on Miss Potter, under your watch she will not leave this house." Draco and Dorian nodded both looking slightly nervous.
"Bella…You shall regain your earlier responsibilities of the child, she is yours to teach and to teach as you will. As long as the overall goal is met I am allowing you to partake in anything you see fit to hold Miss Potter to our cause and to finally fight on our side as is prophesised." Bellatrix's eyes lit up at this, and she turned her triumphant smirk over to me as a shiver past down my spine.
"Mr and Mrs Malfoy, your task is simple enough." The Dark Lord hissed, "Keep Miss Potter in good health and be as hospitable, as you possibly can…" He raised his eyebrows, eyes lingering on Lucius and I couldn't help but smirk a little at this.
"Is that understood?" The Dark Lord at last turned back to me an evil, daring glint in his eye.
"It might be…" I answered innocently, The Dark Lord laughed evilly before retorting.
"Oh, it will be." With that he turned to Bellatrix, "Lessons are to begin, now. Do what you will, I can trust you Bella not to fail me." Bellatrix smiled back before walking purposely over to me. She whipped out her wand and signalled for me to leave the room. I did so slightly reluctantly as she lead me to a room at the far end of the corridor.
We entered and she locked the door behind us, I cast a quick look over the room. It was long and bare, the stone walls were only about 2metres high leaving the ceiling low. The room was lit by lanterns along each wall flickering as Bellatrix shut the door.
I turned back towards her to see her smirking dangerously at me, she brought out a wand from her cloak, this time it was mine. She handed it to me, walking past me so that she was about halfway down the room from me. I realised that we were going to duel and so readied myself slightly.
"The rules are simple, don't let me kill you…"