Disclaimer : I do not own Harry Potter or the chpater's title for that matter, everything belongs respectively to J.K Rowling and the writers of the TV show Life UneXpected. Cheers =)
A/N : This is a rather long chapter with action ( it was about time will say my Best friend who doesn't really like fluff as I do ! ) and that's not where I'm the best so please don't be to severe =) That's also my last pre-written chapter so you'll probably have to wait a bit longer for the next ! Sorry for that ! As usual every grammatical/spelling mistake had been chased carefully but humans are... Failable ? Fallible ? Fa... well they have flaws x) So I'm sorry if you find some ! Let's stop my babbling and get to the reading ;)
Frabrizio Franese wasn't impressive. And that was speaking nicely. The man Emilia was facing was small and fat. He had black hair that started to streaked with grey and to fall. His tiny black eyes were never fixed on something but constantly moving, scrutinizing, analyzing. More than once, Tony found she was glad to not share blood with that man. Even though she knew this was her father greatest force : the tendency of people to underestimate him.
"So you have no idea how this paper came to the press Emilia ?"
"How would I ?" Tony answered dryly, "I didn't even now such a paper existed ! Maybe if you had told me the truth years ago or destroy that thing nothing would've happened !"
"Emilia Antonella Maria Farnese, don't dare using that tone with me ! I won't tolerate this behaviour from my daughter !" Fabrizio cried, his face becoming bright red.
Tony tried to keep her face unreadable, fighting a growing contemptuous smile. As she could ever be afraid of him again.
"Yes Father." She finally said impatiently, "So what are we doing now ?"
"You, are heading to Rome this instant." The man said, "Your godfather will hide you the time I talk to the Dark Lord. With some luck I'll be able to trade your life if I can get the Chosen-One."
Tony froze. Yes. That was logical. Logical for the twisted and selfish mind of her father. Selling Harry - her brother - for placing himself and his heir in the good graces of Voldemort. That was stupid. Very worthy of Frabrizio. She was one life and Harry... Harry was the one to defeat Voldemort, wasn't he ? Without him there would be no hope. But her father didn't care for hope. He just wanted to save his little empire, protect his family - even though her father's concept of what a family should be was very questionable - and save his life. So very little of him. Forcing herself to breath, Tony tried to speak but her father cut her short.
"You are not to discuss these orders. We are your family. Neither the Potter or the Malfoys will protect you like we do. You shall do what you are told, am I making myself clear young lady ?"
Crystal clear.
"What if I refuse ?" she asked fiercely crossing her arms in front of her.
The girl could feel the comforting weight of her wand in the pocket of her dress. She winced. Dresses. Why the hell was she always choosing to wear dresses. That was the most impractical thing ever ! Mateo always laugh at her, saying she and Vittoria would be lost because of how girly they were. He was right and she wasn't laughing at all now.
"You won't refuse." Fabrizio retorted with disdain.
"What can make you so sure, if I may ask ?"
"Because you wouldn't want to force me to hurt your mother Emilia, would you ? Or the Deluca twins who are waiting for you in the Summer Garden for that matter."
Tony thought she was gonna be sick again right before she felt tears rushing to her eyes. She tried her best to hold them back, asking with a weakling voice : "You ... you wouldn't do that..."
Of course he would she thought darkly, furious against herself for letting her feelings taking over her body.
"There's nothing I wouldn't do." He answered calmly, a triumphant look passing through his eyes. "You are heading to Rome this instant."
"Oh no no no. I don't think so. I've never really liked Rome. I think we're all gonna stay here before I take you back to my place." a voice speaking in English interrupted.
Fabrizio Franese's face got paler than death. Tony slowly turned around to face the Dark Lord's red eyes, taking her wand out of her pocket. That was pointless she reckoned but she wasn't going anywhere without fighting. There was other people with the Dark wizard, she noticed. Two men and a woman with hoods to cover their heads. Death Eaters. She sure wasn't going anywhere. She
was furious against herself to see her hand shaking. But since she was unable - and had never been able for that matter - to lie to anyone, especially herself, she was forced to acknowledge that she was indeed scared as hell. Who wouldn't be ? Her eyes suddenly met another gaze behind Voldemort. Silver eyes were looking at her with a mixed of apprehension and surprise.
"Tsss tsss Emilia is that so ? Our new family member, even more beautiful than on the pictures don't you think Draco ? Pity she's your sister..." said Voldemort seeming to take great pleasure in the scene who was played in the richly decorated living room. He moved slightly to let the two teenagers face each other.
Draco wished he could've look anywhere except at her. But that wasn't an option. Her emerald green eyes were shining with fear and even though she looked ready to defend bravely her life, he didn't think she could ever hurt a fly. She wasn't that kind of person, he thought, wondering how he could knew that by just looking at her.
"I asked you a question Draco..." the Dark Lord reminded him in a perfectly audible whisper.
"What was it my Lord ?" the boy said in a measured voice.
"And there is my answer, pity she's your sister if she can make your mind blank just with her eyes. Not that she would've a lot to erase that is." Voldemort added with a joyless laugh. "Now you disarm her."
This was a direct order. He had no choice, the boy repeated to himself trying to overcome the guilt he felt rising slowly from his stomach. He made a step toward Emilia who immediately raised her wand in front of her, with a firmer grip than she must feel.
"Expelliar/"
"PROTEGO !"
Draco turned around quickly : it wasn't Emilia who'd just blocked his spell. It was a boy. Probably his age. He was tall and thin, with graceful muscles Draco wouldn't want to fight against. With elegant curly black hair and beautiful electrifying blue eyes above a straight nose and very red lips. He was truly handsome, Draco thought stunned by his own reflexion. And then he noticed. There was a girl with him. Probably their age too. She had the same graceful face, blue eyes and large curls in her long black hair. Same elegant shape and rich clothes... Most likely brother and sister. Even twins probably.
"Tony !" the boy smile with assurance, "Why do you never wait for us before getting in trouble Beauty Queen ?"
"Mateo."
Emilia's whisper sounded like a scream through the room.
"Oh thanks for noticed me !" reacted the other girl with a mocking grin on her face.
"Vittoria..."
"Friends of yours ?" Voldemort asked softly without a smile.
"They've got nothing to do with this let them go." stand Emilia bravely, trying more than hard to not cross Mateo's looks.
"I'm not going anywhere !" the handsome Italian protested in a roar. "And you are not taking her anywhere either."
"You seem very confident, young man, to challenge Lord Voldemort... Tell me your name that I can count later the story of the boy who was foolish enough to think he'd success where everybody else had failed."
"Let me kill him my lord ! Let me crush this insect ! I beg you my lord let me/" Voldemort raised a hand and Bellatrix's voice faded. But she remained near her master and Draco had the clear impression that if looks could kill, Emilia's friend would be more dead than the Bloody Baron himself.
"My name's Mateo Deluca and I don't want to fight you but you are not laying a finger on my fiancée !" the boy answered trying to catch Tony's eyes.
"Oh I see, young love... how refreshing !" mocked the Dark Lord with a hissed laugh. "Bellatrix. You may get rid of these intruders, bravery is annoying and vain and I'm tired of this."
Everything happened in a blur. Bellatrix hexed an Avada Kedavra toward his sister's fiancé but he was too quick and the green light missed him. In the same time, Emilia, screaming Mateo's name produced a blue ray from her wand and Dolohov fell on his knees yelling in pain when he came to be hit by it. Nott acted fast, and tried to hex her in return but once again, Mateo thrown a "Protego" to shield his love. The minute after he was touched by one of Bellatrix's curse. He fell down the floor, screaming the hell out. Fighting against Nott with more violence he would have thought her able, Emilia's eyes had darkened with fear and determination and she was constantly checking on her lover, trying to hold Bellatrix's hexes. Dolohov was laying on the floor unconscious. Voldemort was just standing aside, keeping Frabrizio Farnese who had just tried to flew under the stunned eyes of Draco. Draco who was now facing an enraged Vittoria. Cautiously, he raised his wand in front of
him in a defensive position. He had no intention of jinxing her the first. The girl didn't seem to have that much scruples. He didn't know what spell she'd used but when he sidestepped, the flash of golden light burned his right arm to the flesh making a flash of pain raising. Reacting only to the pain, he clenched his teeth and responded without thinking a loud "Sectumsempra !". He got Vittoria in the leg and the girl fell on the floor. He heard two voices calling her name. He turned his head quick enough to see Mateo being hit by the last of his aunt spell and tears running down on Emilia's cheeks, mixing with blood. She was still holding back Nott impressively. Another golden spell flashed near his head and he turned back to his opponent. The pain had putting Vittoria in more fury, if it was somehow possible. She looked like she was spitting fire from her eyes. Her spells were quicker and powerful but her injured leg prevented her from moving. Draco succeeded to shot at her shoulder, missing the deadly spot, praying anywho that she would just stop attacking him that he wouldn't have to kill her. But they both stopped casting spells at each other when a scream made them froze :
"MATEO !"
Draco turned his head right in time to see the green light stop shining and the body of the boy falling backwards. A last smile was still visible on his gorgeous face. Emilia shot at Nott the blue spell she'd used on Dolohov and the man as well fall on the ground unconscious. But not dead. Nobody intercepted Emilia when she ran across the room to kneel next to her fiancé. Near to his dead body, corrected Draco horrified.
Tony couldn't breath anymore. Her heart just stopped. It wasn't tears rolling down her face, it was burning acid. She couldn't feel anything, there was no world anymore. Pain was everywhere. Mateo was smiling. Like he was still laughing at her to be a whiny baby with that affectionate look in his eyes. So full of love. Gently, she put a hand on his cheek, swiping away the sweat from the battle. His skin was still warm but his eyes... his eyes were blank. Empty and cold. He was gone. Caressing tenderly her lover's face, Tony whispered his name and - to everyone's surprises - a quick prayer. Then, softly, she closed his eyelid with her palm and leaned forward to kiss him.
Draco was amazed to see how she could act like this, unaware of the Dark Lord looking at the scene like it was a real good TV show. Or paying attention to Bellatrix, who was now fighting a Vittoria standing on her feet thanks to anger and despair, yearning for revenge. With Nott and Dolohov on the ground and Bellatrix dealing with Vittoria, he knew Voldemort expected him to act. Upon his sister. He. Had. No. Choice. He wouldn't be anymore useful to her as another dead body. He walked quickly in her direction.
Slowly, Emilia stood up and, after a last look on Mateo, turned around to face him. Cold fury and deep sadness mixed into her stunning eyes. Where was Potter and his friends when we really needed them hun ? thought Draco with a hint of irritation, decided to feel everything but terrified. Ah denying. Old friend.
"Now what ?" Emilia's voice was as sharp as a knife. But before the boy could answer, a half-dozen of people entered the room by the main door. Speaking of the devil, these was members of the Order obviously. There was his old stupid DADA teacher, the werewolf, Lupin. He recognized Kingsley, one of the best auror of the ministry, along with Weasel senior and two of his sons, a woman he recalled as being Fleur Delacour and this pink haired weirdo who was suppose to be something like her great-grand-cousin.
"I want the girl alive !" were the Dark Lord's orders before he threw Fabrizio Farnese against the wall and started to cast spells to every single person in the room.
Bellatrix and Vittoria were still fighting to kill. The three Weasley were dealing with Nott and Dolohov who were back on their feet. Kingsley was facing Voldemort. Spells were flying but Draco doubt that the Auror, even if he was probably the best one, would be able to kill the Dark Lord. Lupin came to help him. Tonks and Fleur made their way towards him and Emilia, watching their respected men fighting. Tonks pointed her wand at him : "Out of the way Draco Malfoy. she said, I have no intention to harm you."
"Then you better kill me because if I leave without fighting, me, my mother and my father, we're as good as dead. I am not going anywhere Nymphadora Tonks."
"Lupin."
"What ?"
"It's Nymphadora LUPIN !" the woman cried, her hair turning blood-red.
Her spell almost got him but his reflexes was something Draco was proud of. Immediatly, he responded with the same answer he'd done to Vittoria. But his Sectumsempra didn't get the woman and the fight went on. The boy couldn't repress a scream when one of kingsley's flash hit him in the shoulder almost making him drop his wand. He just had the time to cast the shiled charm for preventing Tonks to disarmed him. Next to them, he noticed Fleur and Emilia talking. And what the part-Veela womand said didn't seem to be to the young Italian taste.
"I am not leaving without Vittoria and my mother !"
"I know, I know zat eez difficult but/"
"But nothing ! I am not following you anywhere if we can't bring them. You protect everyone or you protect nobody but certainly not just me !"
"Zis eez too dangerous ! If Voldemort gets you what do you think Arry's going to do ?"
"Like he did during sixteen years, go on without a sister. I am not surrendering myself to Voldemort, even if I have to die to prevent it. With me dead, Harry Potter will have no more problem to think about but killing Voldemort !"
Emilia was talking quickly, watching from the corner of her eyes, the duel between Bellatrix and Vittoria. Her friend was weakening. She needed help. And that stupid Veela woman wanted her to go elsewhere ? The hell she was! There was no way !
Her talk made sense, thought Fleur darkly, she couldn't bring herself to abandon the girl. She was sixteen. She was just a child. "Where is your mother ?" Fleur asked quickly, checking if Bill was still ok, dealing with Dolohov. The fight was violent but neither seemed to take the advantage. She forced herself to breath calmly.
"I don't know", answered Emilia understanding with relief that the woman silently agreed to her conditions, "but there's someone who will know."
Making a move to tell Fleur to follow her, the girl ran across the room to her unconscious father. In the same time, Dolohov fell on the ground. Dead. With three men against him, Nott was barely able to stay alive.
Fleur watched Emilia slapping her father's face with force. The man open his eyes with difficulties. Grabbing him by his collar, the girl approach her head from his and ask with a threatening voice : "Where is my mum ? I won't ask again : WHERE'S MY MUM ?"
"At the Delucas." His whisper had been barely audible but she'd heard it. Emilia let go from her father with disgust. He fell back on the ground with a moan. "I'll be faster alone. stay there."
But before Fleur could say anything to prevent her from going, a loud scream made them both froze. Along with everyone in the room.
"AVADA KEDAVRA !"
Bellatrix Lestrange's body slipped on the ground. Vittoria fell on her knees, pressing her stomach from where blood was dropping too much. Her breath was uneasy and painful but she had a joyless smile of victory. Fleur had just the time to pull her away, saving her life from Voldemort's spell by inches. A scream of rage coming from the dark wizard throat echoes on the room.
Hey back !
Sorry to leave you like this, it was either that or another death, I figure you'd prefer that !
Am I right ? Just let me know with a nice review ;) I'll try to write the next chapter tomorrow or wednesday =)
See ya,
xx
- Al