One

The girl walked down the deserted street, her heavy winter cloak flapping around her legs. The only sound on the still night air was that of her footsteps. She lifted her head up from the view of the ground and looked around. Her face was covered by the black hood of the cloak. She passed one house after another, always looking at the addresses on the sidewalks of this part of London. She turned a corner and started down this street as well. Looking ahead of her, she could see that it ended in thick forest. This was the right street.

She had stopped to stare at the forest without realizing it. When she came to, she continued her pace down the long and narrow road. She came to an old cabin on the end of the left side of the street. Reading the address, she realized that it was the house she wanted.

She walked up the stairs to the porch of the tiny house. She took out a wand from her sleeve under her cloak and ran it across the edges of the door. When she was done, they gleamed with an eerie green light. She pushed the door and it swung open gently, squeaking on its hinges. She stuck her head inside and peered around. The house seemed deserted, as everything was coated in a thick layer of dust.

She stepped inside as quietly as she could and closed the door behind her. Looking around, she noticed a staircase slightly hidden behind a large stove. She walked towards it and began climbing up the tall flight of stairs.

She reached a landing and saw that there was a door ajar halfway down an adjoining hallway with a stream of light pouring through. She walked to the door. Each step she took made her left arm sting that much more. She finally slid into the room. There was a plush red armchair facing a roaring fire, which was giving off the light in the room. The chair turned to face her. She bowed deeply and looked up.

"Hello, my Dark Lord," she said. She looked down again.

"Stand up," he rasped. "And remove that vile hood." She stood and lifted her hands to remove the hood. She did so, revealing pale skin, long black hair, and vicious green eyes.

"Pardon my ignorance, my Lord, but why have you called upon my services?" she said, bowing her head once more.

"I need you to assist a fellow servant of mine in a…most important deed. Can you do that?" The girl looked up and nodded.

"Who must I help, my Lord?"

"Draco Malfoy." The words hit the silent air like a knife. "You have already been enrolled at Hogwarts School. Now, come closer and I will tell you what you must do." She stepped forwards and leaned towards him, Lord Voldemort. He whispered in her ear as she waited for him to finish.