Chapter 2
The next morning, the girl came to. She found herself in, what seemed to be, a basement. Except there were walls of bars around her. What had happened to her?
Just as she was pondering what might have happened, the sound of footsteps could be heard. A short, rotund man stood before her moments later.
"Good, you're awake." He slid open the barred door. "Come with me."
The girl stood and followed the strange man. "Excuse me," she said politely. "Could you tell me where I am? And what I am doing here?"
The man answered the first question, "You're in Riddle Manor."
"Oh," she said, unsure how to continue. "Um, again, what am I doing here? I should be at home. My parents will worry, you see. Not to be rude, it's a nice place to be sure, I'm just a little confused as to why I am here."
The man continued, "Your parents will not worry, they are dead."
A shuddering gasp of horror reached Wormtail and he continued, "And you are now a prisoner of the Dark Lord." He turned to see her reaction. Most likely, fear and sorrow. Yes, her eyes were shining with tears.
"H...how...what happened to them?" she asked, not caring for Wormtail's last remark.
The was unexpected. Didn't she understand. Obviously, the Dark Lord had killed them. She should be frightened, begging him to help her escape, as all the other previous prisoners had. "The Dark Lord killed them of course. Muggles have no use in this world. You are lucky, he has decided to keep you alive for...
awhile." Again he looked back on the girl. He wanted to see the hatred, the anger that was also commonplace when prisoners found out that their families were dead by their master's hand. But it wasn't there. The tears he had seen before, seemed to have vanished, save for two strays at trailed her cheeks.
"But don't be afraid," he tried to assure her, suddenly wanting to comfort her. After all, it took a lot of guts not to plead for one's life and she wasn't doing it.
But a smile appeared on her face. "Afraid, I'm not afraid. I am grateful to you for being honest to me about my parents and my situation. But I'm not afraid."
That declaration caught Wormtail by surprise. All prisoners were supposed to be scared to death of the Dark Lord. How would Voldemort react to this.
He led her to a stone room filled with an eerie green light given off by the many candles set up on the wall. In a large circle, stood many figures in black cloaks and skull masks.
The girl had quickly summed up her predicament according to what the man had told her. She remembered a lesson she had learned as a child. Never show anger or fear to those who hurt you. So even as she was brought before the fearsome pale, snake-like face and peered into the fiery orbs that regarded with disdain, she stood straight, with a kind, friendly expression.
One of the men shoved her down into the stone floor. But she did not shout in anger or pain, just stood and brushed the dirt and resulting wrinkles from her skirt. She looked directly into those eyes to the astonishment of all around.
None spoke a word for several moments, so she decided to begin. "I assume that you are Voldemort?"
Gasps echoed off the walls of stone, no one called the Dark Lord by name. Least of all a mere muggle.
The Dark Lord cocked an eyebrow and nodded.
The girl grinned and extended her hand, "Pleased to meet you, I'm Grace."
The Death Eaters waited with bated breath. How could this girl behave so calmly? What would their master do?
Slowly, Voldemort took the profferred hand and shook it, unsure of how else to proceed. "You are not afraid, girl? You do understand what is about to happen, do you not?"
Grace nodded, "It is my guess that, understanding that you killed my mom and dad, you are going to do the same to me, although I must admit, I am at a loss as to why. But, I am not afraid." she replied with a steady voice.
This answer clearly intrigued Voldemort, who put a hand to his chin, and another to his wand. "Let's see if we can't change that, shall we?" He raised his wand. "CRUCIO!"
Grace screamed as she felt as though she were being turned inside out. Screams filled the room, filled the halls of the manor. Slowly her screams became pants as the Dark Lord removed the spell. She fought to maintain her footing but not fear ever touched her face.
"Well," Voldemort asked, "Do you fear me now?"
Grace shook her head. "That hurt, I will say. But I'm not afraid." she refused to be
Voldemort jabbed the wand at her again, and again the halls filled with her high-pitched screams. "NOW!" he shouted in maniacal delight, sure she must fear him now. "Do you fear me now!" Her screams stopped suddenly, although the curse was still on her, and she painstakingly brought her green eyes up to his red ones, meeting them. The sight forced him to cut off the curse. A long rough cough racked his old, frail form. Those two powerful curses had taken a lot out of him.
"Are you alright?" Grace asked, with genuine concerned, not caring at all that she'd just been tortured.
Voldemort eyed her with confusion, her attitude bewildered him, as the coughing fit subsided. "You will be spared today, Lord Voldemort rewards bravery. But you are my prisoner. Don't forget that. I can kill you at any moment." he motioned for Wormtail to take her away and he dismissed the others. He needed time, lots of time, to think. Time to try and figure out this strange muggle girl.
AN: Another chapter. Hope you all liked it. I modeled Grace off of Tohru from Fruits Basket.
