Chapter 10: The Beginning of the End
By my seventh year I couldn't bear to be at Hogwarts. I caved in to Voldemort and joined him, helping recruit and gathering information to present at meetings. It was difficult for me to do these things since Draco was officially a Deatheater. He was at every meeting, keeping his eyes on the polished wood table. I had to ignore him and inform the Deatheaters of raids, murders, more boring meetings, and dates, anything Voldemort passed to me to tell them when he was absent.
I haven't talked to Draco much throughout the whole ordeal. Though, one time I had to accompany him to the Netherlands to check on how things were shaping up with some foreign dementors.
When we apparated, we landed in a marsh next to old windmills. "Shit!" I scowled and climbed onto dry land.
Draco sniggered, "Nice one Nolton."
"Shut up." I rolled my eyes and started towards the mist I could see in the distance. Draco was still chuckling as we walked, side by side. I cursed to myself as I dried my clothes. Draco's sniggers grew louder so I elbowed him.
"Jeez you're violent." He teased, drying his clothes.
"Nothing's changed then." I rolled my eyes again. We stopped at the edge of the mist, shivering slightly.
"Whew it's getting warm." Draco slipped off his traveling cloak.
"You're crazy, it's freezing."
"Wimp." Draco smirked as he draped his cloak around my shoulders.
"Follow me." I cast my patronus, a lion, and we set off through the mist.
"Why is your patronus a lion? You're a bloody Slytherin after all. You can't be giving in to the weakness of Gryffindor."
"Why Draco I'm offended. I would never. You know me better than that. Besides, my lion is so much fiercer than a stupid Gryffindor." To prove my point, my patronus turned its head to us and roared.
"I believe you. Nice kitty…" Draco tried to pet it.
"Oh stop." A cold feeling stopped us. The clouds overhead seemed to cover the shining sun. Draco subconsciously edged closer to me as we stood there.
"They're coming." Draco whispered, his hot breath tickling my neck.
"Don't worry." As I said this, a tall hooded figure with black wings glided forward. Its rattling breath shook my heart as a scabbed hand reached out. My patronus stood between us.
"Victoria… are you sure this is a good idea?"
"Shhhh, hello Azrael." I bowed to the dementor, who bowed deeply back. I extinguished my patronus and ignited my wand.
"It has a name?" Draco hissed in my ear.
"Yes and he is not an 'it'. Azrael is a very kind and generous dementor; much better than all the rest." Azrael held up his scabbed hands in protest.
"Don't pretend you're not." I smiled.
"Why does he have wings?"
"Well he is the leader of all dementors, and the name 'Azrael means angel of death. It is an angel who severs the soul from a body at death.'"
"Makes sense."
"Yes but we must get on with business. Azrael, Voldemort is planning on the takeover of Hogwarts on April 25th." Azrael nodded. "Today is…"
"Only October 30th." Draco sighed and shivered.
"Yes what he said. I am not sure how much longer after the 25th until Voldemort will succeed in the murder of Harry Potter, but he suggests it would be wise to migrate our way." Azrael nodded once more.
"It's getting cold Victoria."
"You want your cloak back?"
"No no keep it. I'll survive."
"Prat." I muttered. Azrael gestured to us with his skeleton hands.
"Victoria he's asking you something."
"What? Oh no no no. We're not together. We used to be but not anymore." Azrael shrugged and pointed behind him.
"I really can't understand all his gestures." Draco sighed.
"It takes a while to get used to. But Azrael is a good friend and good listener." I laughed lightly. "Do you have to go Azrael?"
Azrael nodded and clasped his hands, lowering his head. A single word was whispered all around us, "αντίο." [Farewell]
I clasped my hands and bowed by head back. The dementor glided forward and placed a hand on my shoulder, then turned and glided away. The spot where Azrael's hand touched burned with an icy coldness. I turned and walked, Draco tagging along.
"What the bloody hell did he say? Αντίο?"
"It means farewell." I said briskly, walking as quick as I could manage.
"In what language?"
"Greek. The dementors prefer ancient Greek for speaking; reasons unknown to all of us."
"You really know him?"
"Yes, very well. Come on we need to apparate home." Draco placed a hand on my arm and turned on the spot. We landed on the steps of Snape's house.
"Well…" Draco said awkwardly, "Good night."
"Goodnight."
Draco leaned forward to kiss me.
I stepped back, shocked, "What are you doing?"
"I-err-I'm sorry I wasn't thinking."
"Draco, don't think I'm not still mad at you."
"It's been almost a year! Forgive and forget!" Draco pleaded.
"I can't forgive. And I wish I could forget." I said coldly before opening the door and stepping inside, slamming the door behind me. I heard a cracking sound and knew Draco had apparated away.