A/N: Contains sexual content. Please do not read if this makes you uncomfortable.
It had been over a week since his previous visit, and I found myself anxiously searching the shadowed alleyway hoping for a glimpse of his strange features. My puzzling patron had become almost an obsession for me. For the first time in many years, I found myself drawn back in to a world I had cast away in disdain.
It started with an issue of the Daily Prophet and progressed to an impulsive trip to Diagon Alley. I had prayed every second that no one would recognize my face. If my father were to learn of my return… I cringed. Let's not think about that.
I am not exactly sure what I was expecting to learn from my ventures, but I returned home empty-handed. So I reluctantly resigned myself to the waiting game. He was playing it well, and I hated him for it.
Then finally, after two more long weeks of servicing less worthy men, he came for me again. I found myself inhaling deeply as he approached; the scent of his power was intoxicating. I caught a slight smile on his face as his eyes scanned my body. Then he did something completely unexpected; he handed me a single white rose.
"How lovely," I smiled in appreciation as I placed the bud to my nose and tried not to contemplate the possible meaning of his thoughtful gesture. I took my usual position at his side as we walked. "I was hoping to see you tonight," I said as I leaned in close to him.
I felt more than heard a low laugh come from my dark partner. "You have been thinking of me then." It was a statement of fact, not a question.
"Yes. Have you thought of me too, Friend?"
He paused and I felt him cringe slightly beside me. "Yes."
"Then why wait so long?" I probed.
"Because I can," his tenor voice was stiff, and I sensed a deeper meaning behind his words. He resumed his pace towards the hotel.
"Of course…" I bit my lip contemplating my next move. Finally we reached the hotel and slipped quickly upstairs to our usual room.
"Tell me there isn't another?" I asked innocently once the door had been locked behind us, and I began ridding him of his shirt.
"Don't be ridiculous, Persephone," he laughed a dark laugh. "Would you be jealous?"
"Hardly!" I retorted as his trousers fell to the floor.
He responded by pulling my dress over my head and tossing it aside. He then backed me onto the mattress and climbed over me. I felt my arms stretched tall over my head.
"I must admit to being curious, however," I whispered as I felt him enter me.
"You are better off not knowing," he groaned as his face twisted in what appeared to be a strange combination of pleasure and disgust, and his hands held mine firmly in place.
I moaned in response, breaking yet another rule by allowing myself pleasure from such an encounter. "Please, Sir, give me something to feed my growing curiosity…" I implored. "You do after all, know all there is to know about me."
His thrusts became more forceful and his breathing increased. "Do not make me resent our meetings with your incessant questions." He paused as if contemplating his words. "I chose you because you are so naïve to me. Let's keep it that way." His gray eyes flashed brightly, almost red.
"As you wish," I quickly stated, but his words did not quiet the questions in my head. I tried to tune them out, but to do so meant focusing on what was happening between our bodies. I was unsure which option was the lesser of the two evils. "May I at least have something to call you, if we are going to continue these encounters…?" I probed.
He laughed then, and I felt our bodies flip positions. He looked up at me as I moved against him. "Hades would be appropriate…" He grinned.
"Appropriate you say?" I smiled as we continued our strange dance. "We shall see about that."
Suddenly, his body tensed and he stood, pushing me from him. I fell hard to the ground with a loud thump. I cursed as I rubbed my tender elbow and stared up at him.
"I must go." He pulled on his trousers with haste, and I stared as he pulled his wand from his pocket. With a flick of the wrist his form disappeared in a cloud of smoke. I was alone and naked on the hotel room floor when I heard footsteps outside the door.
"Reducto!" The door was blasted in and four men charged into the room, wands drawn.
I reached for the bed sheet to cover myself as I cursed at the intruders.
"Oh bloody hell…Persephone…it can't be?! Why in Merlin's name are you here?" A familiar voice cried out, and I felt myself blush instantaneously.
"That stopped being your business the day you kicked me out, now bugger off!" I stood and began to gather my things as the man I once called Father stared at me, mouth gaped wide.
"Take her in to custody. She will need a full interrogation." He eventually stated. "And get some clothes on the whore…"
With two quick spells, I found myself clothed, bound, and dragged helplessly from the hotel room. I demanded an explanation but none was offered. The next thing I remember was a disorienting pressurized feeling before my world went black.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"'bout time you awoke," I heard a strange voice state as I blinked into consciousness once again. My head throbbed.
I glanced around. I appeared to be in some sort of holding cell, and the voice belonged to the wizard watching me from the other side of some sort of magical field. I recognized him from the hotel room.
"You would think you had never apparated before…"
I rubbed my temples. "I haven't…"
"Oh…" His eyes narrowed as if he did not believe me. "You must be one great shag then…"
"What the hell is that suppose to mean?" I approached the field.
"It means, how else would a worthless squib like you end up with the most powerful wizard of our time?" he laughed as his eyes revealed the look all men get while mentally undressing a woman.
"Disgusting pig!" I spat, but the magical barrier protected my tormenter. It didn't matter though, my mind was elsewhere; the most powerful wizard of our time burned in my thoughts.
"That will be enough of that," I heard my father's voice call out as he approached my cell.
The wizard guard nodded, "Of course, Investigator Thicknesse."
"A prostitute? Really Persephone, that is the best you can do?" My father shook his head slowly as he lowered the barrier and entered the tiny cell.
"You have no right to judge me. I did what I had to in order to survive." I glared with all the intensity I could manage. I hoped my hatred was apparent.
"No need to be so dramatic. You know it was for your own good. You would have been miserable in this world."
"More miserable than a sixteen year old girl with no money and no education trying to find a place among Muggles? I highly doubt that! This was never about my wellbeing. You just didn't want my stain on your perfect bloodline."
"Enough. We have much more pressing issues to discuss. Where is he?" My father cornered me. I could feel his attempts to invade my thoughts, but I had learned long ago to resist his assaults on my mind. "Stop resisting and reveal your secrets to me."
"I have nothing of value for you, Investigator."
"Suit yourself. Yaxley! Get in here." Another wizard quickly entered the small cell. "Interrogate her. She has information about You-Know-Who. We must learn what she is hiding."
"Yes, of course, Sir."
With that, Investigator Thicknesse left without so much as another glance in my direction. Bastard!
"This is all rubbish. I know nothing about this man. He is only a client, nothing more." I shook my head. This entire situation was completely absurd. I did not even know the name of the man, much less his whereabouts.
"Actually, I believe you are telling the truth. The Dark Lord would not reveal such things to the likes of you," Yaxley laughed.
His words stung. I felt like I was 11 years old again, being tormented by the neighbor boys for not receiving a Hogwarts invitation. I was sick of being judged unworthy.
"Let's put on a good show at least. Open your mind to me so I don't have to torture you." He smiled wickedly. He drew his wand and pointed it threateningly at my chest. His message was clear; he was not bluffing.
I swallowed hard and nodded slowly as I stared at the wizard. I did not enjoy the idea that he would be sharing in my moments with my favorite client, but it beat the alternative option.
His smiled widened as he plundered my thoughts. "My, my, you are quite the dirty slut, and lucky to be alive, I might add. Few would be capable of approaching the Dark Lord in such a manner." He paused. "Thank you for your cooperation, Persephone. Perhaps I too may partake in your services if you ever get out of here." He winked as he left my cell. "Sweet dreams."
I could only glare after him as words were not enough to articulate my disgust.
That night I dreamt The Dark Lord Hades rescued me from my imprisonment and ushered me away to his Dark Castle; like ever girl's fantasy. Through a passionate kiss, he offered me powers I had only dreamed of, and I covetously accepted. I soon became as feared as he. Together we ruled the Underworld. Together, we were unstoppable.