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"Hi, people!" said Cadance brightly as she looked around at everyone in the Order the next week at the meeting.
"What do we have on the agenda for today?" asked McGonagall. "Duck, Duck, Goose?"
"No," said Cadance. "But I'll think about it for our next meeting. First I would like to congratulate our nine dead friends for being able to fly under the radar all week. There's an empty house in Godric's Hollow that I am having prepared for you guys to spend the day in. There aren't enough room for all of you to spend nights there, but you won't have to worry about being detected there."
"Score!" said Jen. "We are totally on for movies, Godric!"
"Oh my," said McGonagall.
"Next order of business," said Cadance. "By taking what I already know of Voldemort's nature, I have formulated a plan."
"By yourself?" asked Cati.
"Yes," said Cadance.
"Wow," said Cati. "What is it?"
"Well, Halloween is coming up," said Cadance. "Think back to a few years ago… well, several years. We had a costume party…"
"We were attacked," said Dumbledore. "We were caught off-guard. The Death Eaters had a perfect disguise. With all of those people, we didn't notice the extra ones. Especially with everyone in costume."
"So let's have another," said Cadance. "Lure Voldemort back to our turf and catch him off-guard this time."
"He'll know we're expecting him," said Harry.
"So we'll have the papers print that we have a lot of security," said Cadance. "That way he'll know that we know that he knows we're expecting him."
"Did anyone follow that?" asked Snape.
"She said that Voldemort will realize that we know that he knows that we're expecting him," said Cati.
"How does that help us?" asked Arabella.
"Well, he'll come anyway," said Cadance. "But he doesn't know the Order is formed again and he doesn't know that we brought people back from the dead. We'll surprise him."
"How do we surprise him? Maybe when he discovers we're there, he won't come," said Albus.
"We won't let him know you're there until after he's already in," said Cadance.
"How?" asked McGonagall.
"A Masquerade," said Cadance. "Nobody knows who anyone is."
"She's right. You can fool any friend who ever knew you," said Cati.
"I don't know how I feel about the students' involvement in this plan," said Dumbledore. "They'd be in the line of fire. But if we restrict it to 4th Years and above, I believe there are enough of us to protect them and I could be convinced to participate."
"4th Years and above?" asked Molly. "That's fine with me. None of my grandchildren are old enough to attend that way. They'll all be safe and sound and out of the line of fire."
"You've spoke too soon, Molly," said Cati grinning evilly. "I've got a wonderful idea to go along with Cadance's ingenious plan. But first, we have to get permission from Minerva to have our little shin-dig since she is the Headmistress." The entire Order turned to look at Minerva.
She sighed. "Oh alright," said Minerva. "You can have a Masquerade. But the minute I hear a certain Andrew Lloyd Webber song, we are finished. Is that clear?"
"As clear as Christine Daae's high E," said Cadance.
"You're treading a very fine line," said McGonagall.
"Sorry," said Cadance. "So Cati, what's your plan?"
"Well, who is the first person Voldemort will go after if he sees him?" asked Cati.
"Harry," said everyone at once.
"Exactly!" said Cati. "And who is he going to keep his eyes on, to make sure that they don't spoil his plans… again?"
"Probably you and Cadance," said Arabella. "You embarrass him."
"Exactly," said Cati. "So here's what we do…"
The night of the Masquerade approached quickly. Harry manned a team of Aurors who stood along the walls. All of the Order Members were present, wearing masks. Also, a few important Ministry employees were present, including Head Auror General Mills.
General Mills approached Harry, who was standing close to the door. "Ah, Potter," said Mills.
"Evening, General," said Harry.
"How do things look from where you stand?" asked Mills.
"It seems safe so far, sir," Harry replied.
"That's good," said Mills. "Keep a sharp eye out, Potter. It seems that there are more people here than there should…"
He was cut off as smoke filled the room. "We spoke too soon," said Harry whipping out his wand.
When the smoke cleared, several people in black masks had their wands pointed into the crowd. In the middle of the room stood Voldemort. He was holding hostage a person in a blue mask with strawberry blonde hair.
"Shit," spat Harry, stepping forward. "He was supposed to come for me."
"Potter," spat Voldemort, his cold eyes bearing into Harry's green ones.
"Voldemort," said Harry. The crowd fell silent. Harry began circling Voldemort as Voldemort turned to keep his front to him.
"Potter, surrender yourself or else I'll kill Cadance," said Voldemort smirking.
Voldemort's hostage began laughing. Voldemort looked at her. Her laugh was childish. "You, Voldemort, are a fool," said Minerva stepping forward and pulling off her mask and drawing her wand.
Voldemort ripped the mask off of his hostage to reveal none other than a smirking Melinda. With the mask and shoes that made her a few inches taller, she could easily be mistaken for Cadance, and that was exactly what Cati had planned. Voldemort looked over to where three of his Death Eaters had their wands pointed at who they thought was Cati. One took her mask off to reveal Jen with her hair pinned under to make it appear shorter.
Suddenly, Voldemort felt excruciating pain in his back. He wheeled around taking Melinda with him. He found himself looking straight into the bright blue eyes of Albus Dumbledore. Cadance was standing next to him with a brown wig lying at her feet. "YOU!" exclaimed Voldemort.
"Good evening Tom," said Dumbledore.
"Dear old Albus," said Voldemort. "Back from the dead."
"It seems to be the year of returns," said Dumbledore casually.
"Your side isn't the only side to raise a dead relative," said Voldemort.
"You raised just one?" asked Dumbledore. "How very curious! You are slacking, Tom."
"Enough," said Voldemort. "Oh, Salazar! Salazar! Why don't you come in here?"
In through the door walked Slytherin in black cape and a white mask. Cati, who was disguised in a blonde wig, looked upward and saw that she was standing under the chandelier. She took several steps to the left. "The phaaaaaaantom of the opera is there… inside my mind," she muttered as she shed her wig and her mask.
"Salazar!" called a voice from the back of the Great Hall. Godric, Rowena, and Helga were removing their masks as they hurriedly made their way to Cadance and Dumbledore.
Salazar moved forward towards them, but Voldemort stopped him by saying, "Remember the plan, Salazar." Salazar turned back to Voldemort.
"Voldemort, we have another surprise for you. There are actually five more people who we raised room the dead," said Harry stepping up next to Cadance.
"Salazar, take her and return to our lair," said Voldemort roughly pushing Melinda to Slytherin.
"NO!" exclaimed Cadance and Charlie both.
"Nobody move or Salazar will kill her," said Voldemort.
"Great plan, Cati!" exclaimed Cadance sarcastically as Slytherin led Melinda out.
"Now, my fight is with Potter," said Voldemort. "I have no intention of killing off potential, although probably reluctant, followers. So all students please return to your dormitories. NOW!" The students were out of there faster than fat kids in baseball.
"Now… Potter…" began Voldemort.
"If you want Potter you're going to have to go through me, pumpkin," said a voice as an old man in a blue mask hobbled forward.
"And us," said Faith as she David, Scott, and Abigail all threw off their masks and stepped forward.
Voldemort laughed. "This is the best you have! These are the five other people that you brought back from the dead! I already killed four of them! And who the hell is this old guy?"
"Grandpa Merlin," said Cadance. Voldemort cocked an eyebrow at Merlin.
Merlin gave a casual flick of his wrist and several of the Death Eaters rose several feet in the air and came crashing back down. This started a lot of commotion. Wands were drawn and spells were cast.
"Cadance, Charlie," said Merlin. "Melinda is still in the castle. I can sense it."
"Go after her," said Harry firing a spell.
Cadance and Charlie ran towards the door. Voldemort tried to stop them with a spell, but Merlin deflected it and redirected it towards a Death Eater.
At the door, Cadance stopped and turned around. She snapped her fingers and an Indiana Jones hat appeared on her head. She swept it off and bowed. "Good Day, Voldemort!" she shouted. Voldemort shot a spell at her, but Charlie pulled her out of the way and down the hallway.
"Which way are they going?" asked Charlie.
"They must be going out one of the back ways," answered Cadance as they sped down the hallway. Once they reached the end, Charlie asked "Left or right?"
"Left!" they heard a voice exclaim.
"That was Melinda," said Charlie as they went left.
After turning a corner, they caught sight of Slytherin and Melinda. Melinda was putting up a struggle making it hard for Slytherin to get her to move. "Slytherin!" exclaimed Cadance.
"Mom! Dad!" exclaimed Melinda.
Slytherin whirled around and tossed a glass vial at them. It broke on the floor at their feet. Smoke filled the air for about two seconds before it cleared and Slytherin and Melinda were gone. Cadance let out a scream of frustration and sunk to her knees.
"He can't of apparated!" exclaimed Charlie.
"He blinked," said Cadance.
"What?" asked Charlie.
"It's a Sorcerer Power," said Cadance. "I never mastered it."
Charlie knelt next to Cadance and pulled her close to him. "We'll get her back," said Charlie.
"It's all my fault," said Cadance as tears began to fill her eyes. "How are we going to get her back?"
"We will," said Charlie as he helped her to her feet.
Suddenly there was a swirl of black orbs. Charlie pulled Cadance back a few steps. A man dressed completely in black appeared in front of them.
"Dark Lighter," said Cadance.
"Lord Slytherin commands the company of Miss Dumbledore," the Dark Lighter responded.
"Mrs. Weasley," corrected Cadance.
"My lord is not a patient man," said the Dark Lighter.
"Charlie, I have to go with him," said Cadance.
"Cadance, no…"
"Charlie, it's the only way to get to Melinda," said Cadance.
"I'm coming too," said Charlie.
"No," said the Dark Lighter. "My orders are for the girl."
Charlie pulled Cadance close and kissed her. "Come back to me," said Charlie.
"I love you," responded Cadance. Charlie kissed her forehead and she stepped towards the Dark Lighter.
Suddenly, General Mills burst around the corner, wand drawn. He fired a spell at the Dark Lighter. "No!" exclaimed Cadance deflecting the spelling and grabbing the Dark Lighter's outstretched hand. In a split second, they were gone.
Two more Aurors came around the corner. "Get word back to the Ministry," said Mills to them. "File a report. Name… Commander Cadance Weasley. Crime… High Treason."
"What!" exclaimed Charlie. "No, you don't understand!"
"I understand that I just watched your wife take off with a demon," said Mills.
"She went to save our daughter," said Charlie.
"And I'm supposed to take you on your word?" asked Mills.
"Just you wait until she comes back with Melinda. You'll see," said Charlie.
"Let's just get back up to the Great Hall," said Mills.
"You'll see," repeated Charlie.
They walked up to the Great Hall. Charlie was surprised to see that the Death Eaters were gone. The Ministry officials were on their way out. The Order alone remained.
"Where are they?" asked Scott hurrying forward.
"Cadance abandoned us, I'm afraid," said Mills.
"What?" asked Cati angrily.
"She went with a Dark Lighter," said Charlie. "Slytherin escaped with Melinda."
"I'm putting a warrant out for her capture," said Mills. "And I want her alive."
"Dad, can't you do something?" asked Charlie.
"There's nothing he can do," said Mills. "I'm in charge of my Aurors. And their punishment."
"But she went to save Melinda!" argued Charlie.
"And there's the little matter of her past life being the WIFE of Slytherin…"
"How did you…?" began Cati.
"It doesn't matter how I know," said Mills.
"When Cadance and Melinda get back, you'll see," said Charlie.
"Fine then," said Mills. "Prove me wrong."
"Well," said McGonagall, breaking up what had the potential to be a fight. "We waited around so Cadance could call a meeting, but I guess there's no point now."
"How did the fight break up here?" asked Charlie.
"They disappeared in a puff of smoke," said Cati.
"But not before Voldemort got a good shot off at Harry," said Bill.
Charlie looked at Harry. "You okay, man?" he asked.
"I'll be fine," said Harry.
"You flew across the room!" exclaimed Ginny. "I think you broke a rib."
"He did," said Merlin.
"Oh, that's great," said Ginny. "Do you hear that? You did."
"Everyone take a seat," said Dumbledore. "I'm taking over in Cadance's absence. Yes, General, you too."
"Aye aye, Captain!" exclaimed Cati bouncing to the Head table. Dumbledore snapped his fingers and more chairs appeared along both sides of the table.
"Charlie, explain everything from the beginning…."
"Where is Melinda?" asked Cadance as soon as the Dark Lighter orbed them into a very large room. There were oriental rugs on the floor and tapestries on the wall.
"Over here," said a voice.
Cadance turned to see Slytherin sitting in a high-backed arm chair. Melinda stood next to it. Slytherin had her grasped firmly by the wrist. "Welcome, my dear, to my castle."
"Slytherin," spat Cadance. "Release her."
"As you wish," said Slytherin. He let go of her wrist and Melinda ran to her mother.
"Now let her go back to Hogwarts," said Cadance.
"Evan, why don't you escort Miss Melinda to a chamber where she can be more comfortable for the remainder of her stay here," said Slytherin.
Cadance pushed Melinda behind her. "If either of you reach for her, you'll be pulling back nothing but a bloody stump where your hand once was."
Evan the Dark Lighter was not the brightest crayon in the box, however. He stepped forward. Cadance threw her arm out in front of her and Evan flew backwards.
Slytherin stepped forward. Melinda grabbed her mom's hand and Cadance ran out of the room dragging Melinda with her. They ran down the hallway and into another room. Cadance magically slammed and locked the door behind them.
"Mom, what are we going to do?" asked Melinda panicking.
Suddenly they heard a pounding on the door. Cadance reached into her pocket and pulled out a vial of black liquid. "Melinda this will send you home," said Cadance.
"Aren't you coming with me?" asked Melinda. Suddenly the door swung open and Slytherin stepped in.
"I can't," said Cadance stepping backwards and throwing the potion at Melinda's feet. She was gone in the blink of an eye.
"Well, I can't say I'm not surprised," said Slytherin. "It's exactly what Katherine would have one… if she knew where to find a potion like that. You'll have to show me how you did it some day."
"Go to hell," said Cadance.
"And then Cadance just grabbed onto the Dark Lighter and they were gone," said Charlie as he finished recounting the story of what happened after he and Cadance left the Great Hall. It was the second time he had retold the story to the same group of people.
"That doesn't sound like Cadance," said McGonagall.
"What Cadance are you talking about?" asked Cati.
"I only know one Cadance and that actually sounds exactly like something she would do," said Dumbledore.
"I still think that Cadance would never trust a Dark Lighter," said McGonagall.
"And that's exactly what makes it something Cadance would do," said Cati.
"Dear God, Albus, how did you raise my daughter?" asked Abigail.
"You better watch yourself, Gram," said a voice from the doorway. "Mom wouldn't be happy if she heard you talking about Uncle Albus like that."
They stared in disbelief for a second as Melinda walked towards them. Charlie stood up and ran over to her and engulfed her in a big hug. "Where is Cadance?" asked Cati.
Melinda pulled back from Charlie and looked at her aunt. Then she met her father's eyes again and after a moment Charlie realized that Cadance was not there. The Order of the Phoenix (plus Head Auror Pete Mills) watched as Charlie steered Melinda to the Head Table. Melinda sat down in the seat that Charlie had sat in. Charlie knelt by Melinda's seat.
"How did you escape?" asked Charlie.
"Mom threw a potion at me, then suddenly I was in Hogsmeade," said Melinda.
"Why didn't she go with you?" asked Dumbledore.
"She said she couldn't," said Melinda.
"Why?" asked Charlie.
"She didn't say," answered Melinda.
"You see," jumped in Mills. "I told you that she had turned against us. She couldn't go with Melinda because she's staying with Slytherin."
"She wouldn't!" exclaimed Melinda.
"I'm sorry, my dear, but you're too young to understand" said Mills. "And from what I've seen, I've no reason to believe that Cadance isn't evil."
"Dad, what's going…" began Melinda, but Charlie put his hand on her shoulder to quiet her.
"Mr. Mills…" began McGonagall.
"It's General Mills, Professor McGonagall," corrected Mills.
"Headmistress McGonagall," said McGonagall equaling Mills' tone. "And while I am Headmistress, there will be no bad-mouthing any of my professors in front of my students. Especially when the teacher and student have a mother-daughter relationship and when that teacher happens to be my Deputy Headmistress."
"Perhaps you won't be Headmistress for long," said Mills.
"That's enough," spat Arthur, rising quickly from his seat. "General, you may have jurisdiction over our Aurors, but I will not allow you to threaten Headmistress McGonagall."
"I'll take my leave then, to make sure my Aurors filed the arrest papers I told them to," said Mills bowing out.
"Arrest papers!" exclaimed Melinda jumping up and shooting death glares at Mills' retreating back.
"I'm sure this will all straighten out," said Harry.
"And if it doesn't?" asked Melinda.
"Anarchy?" suggested Sirius.
"Excuse me?" asked Arthur.
"Nothing," said Sirius.
"What do you suppose Cadance's plan is?" asked Jen.
"What do you mean?" asked George.
"I've never known Cadance to be on the enemy's turf without a plan," said Jen. "She stayed for a reason."
"So what do we do now?" asked Bill.
Everyone looked at Charlie, waiting for answer. "It's late," he said. "We go to bed. In the morning, we'll get a fresh start and try to find Cadance."
"What do you want with me, Slytherin?" asked Cadance. Slytherin held her tightly by the arm and was walking her down the hallway.
"I want Katherine," said Slytherin.
"I'm not Katherine," said Cadance.
"Perhaps not," said Slytherin. He opened a door and roughly shoved Cadance in before following.
Voldemort sat on a throne. This room was decorated similarly to the first room Cadance had seen. "Where is the girl?" asked Voldemort.
"Cadance here broke her out," said Slytherin.
"Well, at lease we've still got this one prisoner," said Voldemort. He walked over to a little potion-making station in the corner. He looked inside a cauldron at a potion. "And she's precisely the one we need."
"What do you want with me?" repeated Cadance.
"My ancestor here wants his wife back. And as you are her reincarnation, we need you in order to do that," said Voldemort.
"She never loved you," said Cadance to Slytherin.
"She loved me," said Slytherin. "She was brainwashed by that miserable man who she developed a little crush on."
"She loved him," said Cadance. "And I learned from Katherine's mistakes. I married his reincarnation."
"I noticed," said Slytherin icily.
"Now, Cadance," said Voldemort. "Drink this." He held out a glass that contained a liquid that Voldemort had scooped out of the cauldron.
"Do you think I'm stupid or something?" asked Cadance.
"Either you drink this potion or it's back to Hogwarts I go," said Voldemort.
Cadance paused. "What will it do?" asked Cadance.
"It will allow Katherine to come back and take over your body… her body… your spirit… her spirit," said Voldemort.
"If you don't do it, there will be consequences," said Slytherin.
"You're crazy," said Cadance.
"Voldemort, go back to Hogwarts and kill all you come in contact with. And make sure you come in contact with dear Melinda," said Slytherin.
"NO!" exclaimed Cadance.
Voldemort held out the drink to Cadance again. She took it off of him and downed it. Voldemort and Slytherin watched Cadance for a second then Slytherin reached out and touched the back of his hand to the side of Cadance's cheek.
Cadance pushed him back. "Don't touch me, Slytherin," she spat.
"It didn't work!" exclaimed Voldemort.
"Katherine?" asked Slytherin, staring into her eyes.
"No," said Cadance.
"Why didn't it work?" exclaimed Slytherin.
"Her spirit is too strong," said Voldemort. "Katherine's spirit can't dispel hers."
"How do we fix this?" asked Slytherin.
"I've got an idea," said Cadance stepping closer to Slytherin.
"What is it?" asked Slytherin.
She plunged her hand into Slytherin's robe pockets and pulled out a knife. She quickly stepped back and pointed at her own heart.
"What are you doing?" asked Slytherin with surprise.
"If I die, you lose the only body that Katherine's spirit can potentially possess," said Cadance.
"What are your demands?" asked Voldemort.
"You stay away from Hogwarts as long as I am your prisoner," answered Cadance.
"You are not the one with the upper hand, Cadance," said Voldemort.
Cadance touched the knife to her chest. "It's a deal," said Slytherin speaking up before Voldemort could say anything. "I'll show you to your room."
He turned on his heel and walked out. Cadance raised her eyebrows and Voldemort who shrugged. Cadance followed Slytherin. "Since you will be staying with us for a long while, you can make yourself at home," said Slytherin as they walked down the hallway. "You can go anywhere you'd like, except…"
"The West Wing?" offered Cadance.
"No, the basement. We've got a dangerous boogieman down there," said Slytherin. He stopped in front of one room and opened the door. "Here is your room."
Cadance walked inside. There was a bed, a wardrobe, and a desk. "I've got just one question, said Cadance stepping inside the room.
"What is it?" asked Slytherin, standing in the doorway.
"Can I contact my family?" asked Cadance.
"Absolutely not," said Slytherin.
"Bastard," said Cadance flatly.
"I'll write to them to let them know you're alive," said Slytherin.
"It's better than nothing," muttered Cadance as Slytherin closed the door and walked away. Cadance walked over to the bed and fell backwards on it, making herself comfortable as she tried to think up a plan.
Suddenly there came a knock on the door. Cadance sighed and said, "If this is a talking teapot, I'm out of here."
"It's me," came Slytherin's voice.
"You were just here," said Cadance.
"I know. I want to talk," said Slytherin.
"You were just here," repeated Cadance.
"Can I come in?" asked Slytherin.
"It's a free castle," said Cadance. "Oh wait… no it isn't."
Slytherin opened the door and walked in. "I forgot to tell you that breakfast is at 9," he said.
"Is that all?" asked Cadance.
"Yes," answered Slytherin. He paused. "Why don't you like me?"
Cadance sat bolt upright. "Why don't I like you?" she repeated incredulously. "Are you serious! First of all, you joined my mortal enemy. Then you kidnapped my daughter. Now you're holding me hostage. And additionally, you married then killed my ancestor."
"You're going to have to see past all of that," said Slytherin. "Katherine will."
"Katherine hated you," said Cadance insistently.
"It doesn't matter," said Slytherin. "I loved her and I still do."
"If you really loved her, you would want her to be happy," said Cadance.
"Enough," said Slytherin. "Breakfast is at 9. You will be there."
"I will be there," said Cadance. "But not because you insist, but rather because I'm sure I'll be hungry."
Slytherin turned on his heel and walked out, slamming the door behind him. He stormed down the hallway and into Voldemort's throne room. "I want Katherine," said Slytherin. Voldemort sat on his throne twirling his wand through his fingers.
"Well, there's nothing I can do about that now," said Voldemort.
"What can eventually be done?" asked Slytherin.
"Her spirit will break eventually," said Voldemort. "The potion will work then."
"How long will it take her spirit to break?" asked Slytherin.
"Well, we can... speed up… the process," said Voldemort giving him a sadistic half-smile.
"No," said Slytherin. "I know what you're thinking. I will not have either myself or my heir be the cause of that much pain to her. Not a finger will be lifted against either her or her husband or child."
"You're soft," said Voldemort.
"You have a letter to write," said Slytherin.
"What?" asked Voldemort.
"I promised the girl we would write a letter to her family to tell her she was alive," said Slytherin.
"You promised her," said Voldemort. "You write it."
"Well, I thought since you already had a rapport with them, you could better write a menacing letter that still fulfills my promise to the host body of my wife," said Slytherin.
"Alright, I suppose," said Voldemort. "But that statement was wrong on so many levels."
The next morning, the students ate breakfast in almost complete silence. The silence was only broken by the sound of wings as the Owl Post arrived. A large black owl stood out from all the rest. It circled the Head Table once then dropped a letter on Charlie's plate. There were murmurs that ran up through the Great Hall.
Charlie grabbed the letter and tore open the envelope. He quickly unfolded the parchment inside, and read the words that had been so carefully written on it:
My Dear Mr. Weasley,
How strange a position we find ourselves in! On one hand, I fled… yes I admit it, fled… the battle yesterday without having killed anyone… and you must believe that it would have given me great pleasure to have killed Potter… and I seem to have lost a hostage. On the other hand, I have in my possession a most valuable asset. This asset happens to be the one person you care most for in this world.
But rest easy! My darling friend Cadance is still alive and well and will remain as such as long as she is of use to us.
No, this is not a ransom note. Not even for Potter would I trade my new friend. And besides, Lord Slytherin appears quite emotionally attached to her.
I shall no doubt be seeing you soon. Voldemort.
"Charlie," said Cati. "What is it?"
"Voldemort," said Charlie. "He was just writing to inform me that he will be keeping my wife."
"No classes today," said Cati. "Do you want to go looking for her? We can pack sandwiches."
"What?" asked Charlie distractedly. "I'm sorry; I wasn't listening."
"Did you get any sleep at all last night?" asked Cati.
"Not a wink," responded Charlie.
"Well, Charlie, I think that Voldemort is waiting for a reply," said Cati.
"Why?" asked Charlie.
"Because the big black owl is still here," said Cati. Sure enough, on a rafter high above their heads was the owl.
"Then perhaps I better respond," said Charlie as he got up and started walking out of the Great Hall. About halfway to the door, he felt a presence at his left shoulder. He glanced over and saw Melinda by his side.
Once they got out of the Great Hall, she asked, "Dad, what does he want?"
Charlie sighed. "I'm afraid he wants your mother."
"A response from your husband," said Voldemort as the large black owl swooped in just as Cadance, Slytherin and he were all finishing breakfast.
Voldemort opened the letter and read aloud:
"Dear Voldemort,
I do hope this letter finds you in the worst health. And I hope my wife is driving you absolutely crazy. If that be the case, you are welcome to keep her as I am sure in your bout of craziness you will screw up royally, giving her the perfect opportunity to return to my daughter and myself. If she's not yet driving you crazy, give it time. At any rate, when she and I are reunited, there better not be a hair out of place.
Harry sends his regards.
Go to Hell."
"You know my family will come looking for me," said Cadance.
"Shut up and drink your potion," said Voldemort, crumpling the letter up.
"I am not drinking it," said Cadance.
"Yes, you are," said Voldemort. "Remember our arrangement."
Cadance rolled her eyes and rank the potion. After a pause, Slytherin said, "Well?"
"I'm still me," said Cadance. "Your potion doesn't work. You're never going to be able to bring Katherine back."
"Silence," said Voldemort. "Remember our arrangement."
"Hey, you have to be nice to me," said Cadance.
"No, I don't," said Voldemort.
"Yes, you do," said Cadance.
"No, I don't," argued Voldemort.
"Yes, you do," said Slytherin.
"Ha! Told you so!" exclaimed Cadance as she got up from the table.
"Where do you think you're going?" asked Slytherin.
"I dunno," said Cadance. "Away from you."
"No," said Slytherin. "You will be spending the day with me in my chambers."
"I don't like the sound of that," said Cadance.
"Come now," said Slytherin. "Let's go." He caught her by the elbow and escorted her out of the dining room and through the mansion to a door at the end of a hallway. They went inside. It was a little sitting room with a couch and two chairs. There were two other doors in the room. Slytherin roughly pushed Cadance towards the couch, while he himself sat in one of the chairs.
"Alright, listen, Slytherin," said Cadance. "I don't know what more you want from me. I'm staying here, I'm drinking your stupid potion, and I'm even willing to sit and eat meals with you. Do we have to spend the day together?"
"Darling," said Slytherin. "I don't think you understand the concept of 'prisoner'."
"If you're going to call me 'darling', then it's clear that you're not going to treat me like a prisoner, so I don't know who you're trying to fool," said Cadance.
"Well, how do you think you should be treated?" asked Slytherin.
"Like a guest," said Cadance.
"Oh really?" asked Slytherin.
"Yes," said Cadance. "And I want candelabras and clocks and teapots singing show-stopping numbers about it; complete with a kick line of singing feather dusters, flatware and napkins."
"What?" asked Slytherin.
Cadance put on a really thick French accent and sang, "No one's gloomy or complaining while the flatware's entertaining!"
"Wow," said Slytherin. "When I kidnapped you, I really didn't know what I was getting into."
"Where are we anyway" asked Cadance.
"Well, since you found my other castle, we had to move to this slightly smaller but more secure hideout. The only way in is to know where it is. So naturally, I'm not going to tell you," said Slytherin.
"Can you at least tell me your master plan?" asked Cadance.
"I've got no Master Plan," answered Slytherin. "I was brought back so that Voldemort could be resurrected and as a reward I get you and a seat of power."
"Then what is keeping you from changing sides?" asked Cadance. "What if the good side could offer you more?"
"The one thing I want the most can only be given to me with black magic," said Slytherin. "I want Katherine."
"But I brought people back from the dead," said Cadance. "White magic could give you Katherine, too."
"Do you know why witches were burned, Cadance?" asked Slytherin. "It was believed that if a witch burned, her soul could not move on. The only way to bring her back is to put her soul in another body, and the only body that can accept the soul is the one that it belongs to. That's why you, as Katherine's current life, are the only option for us. White magic cannot do this."
"What are you going to do with me if the potion never works?" asked Cadance.
"You better pray that it doesn't happen," said Slytherin.
"I don't believe in prayer," said Cadance.
"What? A person on the good side who doesn't believe in prayer?" asked Slytherin.
"I don't believe in religion. I haven't for a long time," said Cadance.
"Why not?" asked Slytherin.
"Religion is a muggle thing. They use it to explain away magic when they can't use science," said Cadance. "There is no single being who can control everything. I mean, look at all the things muggles claim that God can do! Walk on heal people, bring people back from the dead, send plagues… I can do all of that. I don't like believing that there is one unseen being that is more powerful than me."
"But it is more than that," said Slytherin. "God is real because so many people have faith in Him. People… especially muggles… need something to believe in."
"If you believe in God, why are you on the Dark Side?" asked Cadance.
"Because I like Satan more," answered Slytherin. "How can you believe in Hell, but not in God?"
"If there truly was a God and he truly were all-powerful, Hell wouldn't exist," responded Cadance.
"There must be cosmic balance. If there truly wasn't a God, Hell couldn't exist," said Slytherin with finality.
A/N: That's the end of this chapter! Please Review