I sat happily outside the ice-cream parlour tasting the smooth rich ice-cream Draco had bought me. He was watching me intently as I fed Era her share of ice cream. Era had shrieked until the harried but kindly looking shop keeper had allowed her to have a seat of her own at the small table. She burped contently and watch me through her big hazel eyes.
"aww... she's so cute!" I said once again. Draco rolled his eyes and snorted. He didn't seem to see past Era razor sharp fangs and flesh shredding claws to see the adorable creature she really was. Though even without the claws and fangs I didn't think Draco Malfoy would consider it to be cute. I don't think such a word existed in his vocabulary. "Thanks for the ice-cream," I said with a smile. He took my hand and smiled.
"We should do this again," he told me. His eyes studied me curiously for a second. I nodded.
"Sure. When I can escape from my house arrest," I said. I think I fancied myself in love though I didn't want to admit it. I didn't think my father or my new friends would approve of Draco Malfoy. They didn't like Slytherins. I also wasn't all too good with the social side of things. I was a lot more confident now and a lot happier but I still felt awkward with most people though not with Draco strangely. We sat there in a comfortable silence staring at each other. "Time to go, I 'spose," I told him. He shook his head, as if to clear it.
"Are you sure?" he demanded. I shrugged, I didn't want Mrs. Weasley to worry or my father for that matter. There was also a meeting on tonight and I had every plan to eavesdrop again. In my hesitation another voice cut in.
"I think it would be best if Miss Black went home immediately," the nasally voice demanded. We both sung around. Draco hastily stood up knocking over his chair. I studied the black cloaked man carefully. I realised it was Serverus Snape, a spy for the order. I saw Malfoy straighten.
"He knows you?" he asked curiously. I shrugged. I didn't particularly like Snape. It was an inherited disliking. My father detested the man.
"No never seen him in my life," I told Draco with a glare at Snape. He looked puzzled.
"Miss Black, we've been searching for you. You know you're not allowed outside," he told me. I stared at him in bewilderment. He sounded like he was coming to collect me like I was an escape from an asylum. Which by the way I wasn't.
"Can I help you? Are you lost or something?" I asked him, clearly questioning his sanity with every word. He glared at me. I raised an eyebrow and made a small moue of mock concern.
"Come on Miss Black, the dark lord is waiting" He sneered. I stared at him blankly. He clearly had something wrong with his mind, or maybe potion vapours had addled his brains. Either way he was clearly crazy. I didn't associate with any dark lords. I saw Draco gasp and stare wordlessly at me. Thanks a lot Snape.
"I'm sorry, but I don't think I know you," I told him with a fake smile. Snape grabbed my arm in his vice like grip and began to drag me from my chair. Era hissed angrily, showing her sharp teeth. She leapt onto the table and growled. Her long talons left gorge marks in the table. I made a small gesture to Era to drop it. She retreated to her chair but glowered angrily at Snape. Snape had had the wisdom to relief me and step back.
"The dark lord is waiting," He said through gritted teeth. I smiled brightly at him.
"Of course he is," I told him in a superior tone, one used to an over emotional toddler. Draco was watching our banter with great concern in his silvery eyes.
"Draco perhaps you would help me escort Miss Black. We wouldn't want the Dark Lord to blame you for her absence," Snape said smoothly. I watched them through narrowed eyes. Draco paled visibly, his teeth clenched and I saw a flash of pure terror pass through his eyes.
"Ummm....Emily," he began. I cut him off.
"Say no more, say no more. I suppose I'll just have to go with you and this absolute stranger to meet some Dark lord person," I said sadly, shaking my head. Era cocked her head at me and I shook my head minutely. "Well I suppose there is one bright thing to this basic abduction," I said cheerily, springing from my chair. Era's shoulder muscles bunched then she sailed across the table and onto my shoulder. She had kindly retracted her claws , so I felt no searing pain in my left shoulder. Snape studied me appraisingly.
"And what might that be," he said boredly. I shrugged.
"At least you haven't offered me drugged candy yet," I said mock seriously. Needless to say my sparkling sense of humour was ignored as Snape marched Draco and me from Diagon Alley.
"Impressive," I told Draco sarcastically. There wasn't much to be impressed by frankly. It was a dark and gloomy place. We stood on the edge of a dark, omnipresent forest that frowned down upon us. I could see a creepy forgotten woodcutter's home just past the forest's border and had no doubt that was our destination. "A prime piece of real estate. I congratulate you on your find," I told my silent companion, my voice dripping with sarcasm. Snape was impassive and uncaring and Draco was pale and terrified. This did not bode well. Era had disappeared with a pop some time ago. I wasn't too concerned by her absence. No doubt she'd be back soon enough. "So not to seem rude or anything but do you mind telling me where the hell I am?" I asked continuing my one sided conversation. Typically no one answered. I was a little bit worried truth be told but I knew about this Dark Lord only too well. He was a murderer and he probably wanted to murder me. However why bother dragging me up to god knows where when he could have easily had me killed on some London alley way. Either way, I wasn't too scared of the Dark Lord. He worked on people's fears and if I wasn't scared of him then I had nothing to fear, so to speak. I also didn't feel a lot of fear after my ordeal of solitude.
"The Dark Lord is waiting," Snape intoned. He began to walk forward slowly. I didn't follow him.
"Yes, I think we might have established that by now," I said. Again my sarcasm went unheard. Typical.
"I would never let such a filthy mite of a girl talk to me like that," A voice said from behind me. I turned around and studied the man critically. He was tall and dressed in the dark robes that billowed in the wind. I could feel a fashion trend in dark wizards coming on. He was tall and not too easy on the eyes, with a sallow complexion and deep sunken eyes.
"You obviously don't talk to yourself then," I said with a smile. The death eater frowned, I think he gathered that I was somehow offending him. I gathered that perhaps his wits were a little lacking.
"Come on Serverus we are late," the death eater said turning to Snape. I however was not to be ignored and sniggered.
"I always thought your name was Snivellus," I wondered a loud. A flash of hate appeared and then went in Snape's dark eyes. So I was getting through to him.
"Come on," He said grabbing me arm yet again and dragging me towards the dark and creepy hut. This seemed to be a recurring occurrence in my day.
"You mean go into the creepy house of horrors over there? You're joking," i said as if to say they were clearly insane. Which they were.
"The dark Lord is waiting," The two death eater intoned. I rolled my eyes and snorted loudly.
"What is with you people?" I muttered and stalked toward the creepy house.