Chapter 4 - Truth
A/N Wow, that took some time, didn't it? I am really sorry folks, but I had just sooo many exams at school, there was no time for my little baby here.However, I managed to finish chapter 4 and I am not really happy with it. Somehow I think, this is not the best chapter so far. But still, I am, where I wanted to be. Just tell me what you think and happy reading.
Great. Her cover was blown now. She never, ever, during the rest of her life, wanted anyone to find out who she really was. Especially she did not want one of those evil gits to know. After all it was their fault she had no family left.
Gathering all her strength, she looked up into Lucius eyes. His face was still a calm mask, but this time, it revealed a hint of surprise. Then, he turned his mouth into one of this sneering, evil smiles he usually smiled and opened his mouth to speak: "Really? What a pleasant surprise Miss Fortescue. I just remember a merry get-together with your family a few months ago." Florence jumped up and had to clench her fists, nails digging in her palms, in order not to lunge at Lucius. "Yeah, and it was you who killed them, you miserable bastard!" she yelled. Immediately there were at least a dozen of wands pointed at her. Lucius chuckled. "My, my, you certainly should learn how to keep your temper, my dear. Your family's death was the consequence of an unfortunate series of events. I can not put in words how deeply sorry I am for your loss. I presume, it is not easy for you living without your beloved bunch of blood-traitors." Some of the Death Eaters laughed. "Enough" Voldemort bellowed. The laughter died immediately. The Dark Lord looked at her intensely. Then he chuckled. "I should have known before. You bear a striking resemblance to our friend Florean. The same brown hair and the same coarse behaviour." Some of his followers laughed again. They must have the time of their lives tonight, Florence thought. "Obviously he did not teach you that it is inappropriate to lie." He put his wand under her chin and made her look up. "Expelliarmus" he muttered and Florence wanted to kick herself. How could she have forgotten she was still armed? Well, now she had had a wand. She wanted to glare at Voldemort , but did not dare. He gazed at her with his red eyes and she tried to look away but he held her head in place using his wand. It hurt under her chin. "You do miss daddy, don't you?" he sneered. Don't cry, Florence thought... whatever happens, don't let him make you cry. That is the satisfaction he wants. "Don't worry. Their death was not too painful. Your father gave us a great laugh when he tried to protect your filthy mudblood-mother and her brats. In fact, he kept on begging for the life of his family, but unfortunately we could not grant him this bounteousness."
The stinging tear in the corner of her left eye threatened to fall now. How can someone be so cruel? She always refused to believe there was evilness and ferocity in the human kind, but in this very second she was proven wrong. But wait, this ... figure was not human. He was not human at all. There was no life in his eyes, no emotion except coldness and anger from time to time.
Florence looked at the people around her. The young man who had betrayed her still stood in front of the others. She saw Lucius, his face revealed utter amusement. Next to him stood a woman with long blonde hair. Florence recognised her. She was the one who had handed her the wand. The woman did not look at her. It almost seemed as if she was burrowing her head in Lucius's shoulder.
Next to them were Snape and her attacker, the black-haired woman. Snape looked bored, his dark eyes small, his lips still in that thin line Florence had seen when she met him the first time. The woman stared at Voldemort with big, admiring eyes. She almost did not dare to breath in order not to miss any of his words.
There were several others but not one of them said something. No one stood up and supported her. Some grinned maliciously, gloating over her fear, pain and humiliation. Others could not await what would happen next, whilst others were totally unaffected by her situation.
She searched for a tiny hint of pity or mercy in their faces, but there was none. Only hate, cruelty and loathing. What about those men around her? Weren't they loving husbands and fathers in their usual life? What was the matter with her that they rather resembled beasts than humans right now?
And then it dawned on her: This was what war was about. You are forced to hate people, although you do not know them. You have to be ready to kill them. Always. Without emotion. And you know what? She felt the same. She hated the people in front of her. Every fibre of her heart detested each and everyone in this room, although she did not know one thing about them. Everything was senseless but so horribly real. And Florence knew where she was. This was war and she was as close to a battlefield as she had never been before. She stood on the other side. She was the enemy.
"Well, well" Voldemort snarled. "The question is, what are we going to do with you now. We wanted you to take care of Rodolphus's wounds, but unfortunately you were not competent to do so. I doubt that you will be of any further help." He bowed his head to the side and looked at her, actually considering whether to let her live or kill her. "What would you say, Miss Fortescue? Do you want to die?" he snarled. Florence looked down. She wanted to respond. She wanted to scream "Yes", scream, cry and beg him to end her torture, before anyone of them could get up to something. She had had enough humiliation and pain tonight. Her whole body seemed to be sore, her head was buzzing and she felt the horrid urge to vomit.
"My Lord" a rasp voice bellowed. Florence turned her head and froze. The person who had spoken bore a frightening resemblance to a werewolf. A pair of yellow eyes leered at her, there were whiskers around his nose and a mane of wild, felted brown hair framed his massive head. He raised his hand a little and Florence saw long claws at the end of his hairy fingers. The sight sickened her even more. "My Lord", he said again, "I knew a way of disposing her". His voice trembled of anxiety and arousal and he licked his dry lips.
Florence's mind went blank. She had thought it could not have become any worse, but how wrong she had been. Wide-eyed she looked from the werewolf up to Voldemort. She opened her mouth to say something, but again her voice forsook her. She had to hold on to the bedpost, because her knees had become dangerously wobbly.
He'll do it, Florence thought, he will let this animal have me. Her heart threatened to jump out of her body. It felt like ages before Voldemort finally reacted. He grinned maliciously at her. "Hmmm..." he said, enjoying her fear. "What a very good idea, Greyback." Some Death Eaters laughed. "Although" he continued, "You know I detest this barbaric rites you are wont to do". Greyback howled a little, sensing his request would be rejected.
Florence almost wanted to relax and release the breath she had been holding, but her stomach turned when she heard his next words. "However, I do not have a better idea how to get rid of her. And why not grant my friends a little excitement from time to time?"
He laughed.
The words rang in Florence's ears and her heart almost stopped. She plumped down onto the bed, not caring that she had just sat down in a puddle of blood left by a deceased. Before she could react, the Dark Lord continued to speak. "But I am going to retire now. I do not care what happens to her. Do whatever you want, but do not bother me with it." He walked towards Lucius and talked to him in a hushed voice "Just make sure no one notices. I am not particularly fond of having to meet some miserable Aurors who could interfere in our plans again!" "Of course, my Lord" Lucius answered. With that, Voldemort turned to walk towards the door. Bellatrix again made an attempt to run after him but Snape hold her back again. "Stop it, you foolish woman. He said he wanted to retire and there is certainly no need for you to run after him like a 4-year-old." He hissed. Bellatrix angrily winded out of his grasp and shrieked in her strange, high voice: "Get away from me, traitor. I know exactly what you are up to." She pointed at him with one of her long fingers and continued maliciously: "I know you will be the one who betrays us. You have never been as loyal as I am to him, you are a miserable example of..." "Bella!" a soft voice interrupted her. Narcissa came and put an arm around her shoulder. "Come on... I'll get you to your room. You must be awfully tired. This has been such a horrible night for you". Bellatrix again struggled herself free. "Stop patronizing me, sister. I know very well how to get to my bedroom myself!" she had turned her head and glared at Narcissa with her mad eyes. She then started to stagger towards the door, quietly talking to herself, laughing quiet, but maniacally in between.
After the Dark Lord vanished, the Death Eaters started to talk immediately, discussing what had just happened. How strange the difference was: A few seconds ago, you could have heard a pin drop and now the room almost burst with the medley of dozens of voices, loud and clear or hushed and muffled. Draco still stood in the doorframe and had observed the scene.
Bellatrix left and his mother glared her way, shook her head slightly, then turned around. She looked at him, he rolled his eyes exaggeratedly and received a smile in return. He crossed his arms in front of his chest and leant casually against the dark, wooden frame. His father talked to Dolohov in a quiet voice, who nodded his head vividly. Then the two men shook hands and Dolohov disapparated. He then walked towards his mother, put an arm around her, kissed her temple and said something to her quietly. She smiled at him, nodded as well and walked towards the door. Before she left, she turned around and looked at him, mouthing "Good night". He smiled briefly and adumbrated a tiny wave with his left hand.
Slowly, the room emptied. Some Death Eaters bid their farewell by nodding curtly in his direction, others just left. Not that he cared.
To his left, the nurse still sat one the bed, looking pale and haunted, as if she had seen a ghost. He bluntly ignored her and started to walk towards his father, who was busy with seeing off the Carrow siblings.
They disapparated and Lucius sighed irritated. Draco chuckled. "Their presence is just too pleasuring." "Horrifying examples of purebloods", he answered, "not more intelligence than a tin bucket." Draco changed the topic. "What are we going to do with her?" he eyed Fenrir Greyback, who lingered in the dark corner. Saliva ran of his mouth, dropping on the floor, and he stared at the girl greedily.
Lucius thought for a moment. "I could not care less. Besides, I have much more important things to handle here, than the fate of a subject as unimportant as she is. Leave her to Greyback, at least he'll be busy for sometime then and won't get on our nerves." Draco remained silent and looked at Florence again. Without averting his eyes he continued: "Is that really necessary?" Lucius was stunned. "What do you mean?" he asked. "I mean, is it really necessary to kill her that way. I am aware that we will have to get rid of her anyhow, but why him? He does not deserve it." Lucius stared at him and almost wanted to laugh. "What is the matter with you, Draco? Are you getting sentimental? What do you mean by 'He does not deserve it'?" "He will consider it a privilege, won't he? Usually the Dark Lord feeds victims to Nagini or bluntly kills them with a spell. Now he assigns this job to Greyback, ergo he'll think the Dark Lord is content with his work. But you know he always looks for number one, you know he does not care about honour, promises, let alone loyalty." Lucius frowned. "Don't you think relinquishing the girl to him would have a unpleasant self-glorifying effect on our dear friend Fenrir?" Draco said. Lucius looked at Greyback and Draco could literally see the wheels turning in his father's head. He nudged him with his elbow. "Come on, I know you can not stand him." That hit a nerve. "Show him who really is the Dark Lord's right hand." He said, laughing quietly.
"Alright." Lucius gave in, "but now tell me your fabulous plan. Do you want to keep her in the dungeon? You know what happens, when the ministry finds out we hold someone captive, not to mention some innocent little nurse from St. Mungos." "Don't worry" Draco answered. "I'll take care of that. Maybe I will lock her into the basement again." He paused. "But maybe I'll just keep her as my pet" he said thoughtfully, not without a hint of irony. Lucius grinned slyly. "There is the Malfoy-spirit inside you, son, do whatever you want to. Just make sure, no one notices." He repeated the words he had heard earlier.
Draco walked towards the bed and pulled Florence up, gripping her elbow harshly. Fenrir jumped up ,baring his teeth. "Fenrir, old friend" Lucius said nonchalantly, blocking his way. "Why in a hurry? You do not possibly consider having a firewhiskey or two in the library, do you? To the good old times?" he laughed half-heartedly. "I am sorry, Lucius, I have business to finish" Greyback responded, looking over Lucius shoulder where his prey was heading. "Ah, I am sorry but we just changed the plan. Draco expressed his interest in the girl, you know, and she is quite pretty, isn't she?" he said in a sing-sang voice. "You know how the youth are, they still need to sow their wild oats, don't they?" Greyback started to make an attempt passing Lucius, but the latter quickly pulled out the wand of his cane. "Now, if you please..." Lucius tone darkened. Greyback howled, but did not dare to attack Lucius. He knew their places in the hierarchy, and he also knew that he still was beneath Malfoy senior. Unfortunately.
He just disapparated.
Hey! Do you see that? She does it again, another A/N: Okay, that was it. Man, you are good, sticking with my horrible grammar and funny mistakes (which number I could decimate, thanks to KISx, who really helped me a lot, big hug) for 4 chapters now.
Alright, as I said, this is my starting point and from now on we will have, what you all think we have, and especially, what I want to have: Right, a little romance . A deep, never-ending love between me and this story. ...
Any questions? Feel free to write me and thank your for reading. As always, please correct me, if you spot mistakes of any kind.
Hugs and kisses to everyone who needs some, Nina
PS: Silly me. I'd almost forgot: All mistakes were done on purpose to increase the reader's entertainment.