Dark: 12th part. Plz review.
Summary/Disclaimer: check the prologue.
Italics – thoughts
"..." – speaking
Chap 12... Betrayal?
Christmas came and went, slowly passing by.
In the morning after the ball, a certain someone was sleeping in, completely unaware of the sun shining brightly outside. Her dress had been taken off, now resting over the back of a chair nearby.
Under the thick covers and warm blankets, her lover had conjured a loose t shirt for her to wear, before he himself retired to his own bedroom.
Iris slept peacefully through the night, no nightmares haunting her this time. Not until now.
The prone body moved, twisting and tangling the bed sheets as her eyebrows furrowed. A drop of cold sweat slid down her temple, disappearing in between the strands of her hair. Her eyes closed more tightly.
«««««««««««««««««««««««««««««««««««««
««Vision»»
Iris couldn't really say where exactly was she. Just that she was in the middle of a war.
The long cloaks and masks belonged to Death Eaters, of that she was sure. And the others were... students... teachers?
"What's going on..." the black haired girl asked to no one in particular, knowing she would have no answer. Her arms hugged her small self tightly, as she kept walking. She knew most of the students, whether by sight or by her own classes. And the more she walked, the more the uneasy feeling in the pit of her stomach tightened. Something was off.
As she finally reached to the stairs which would lead her to the dungeons, she smacked right into some kind of magical wall. In her surprise, she fell to the ground on her back. Getting up, a faint blush covered her cheeks at her stupidity. Just as she was about to think of something to do about the invisible shield, hurried footsteps were heard.
The young witch leaned against the nearest wall, looking back at who was coming. Her heart skipped a beat.
Draco was heading her way, Snape right behind him. They both rolled up their sleeves, both the Dark Marks in each of their arms shined green as they passed through the invisible barrier with no resistance from its part.
Not one minute passed before the Death Eaters duelling gave up on their opponents, turning away and heading for the stairs also. Doing the same as Snape and Draco had done, each and every one of them passed through the barrier.
Realization slowly dawned on her. If the Death Eaters could pass... And Snape and Draco... And she could not... That meant that, to pass the barrier, you had to have the Dark Mark... But it seemed more like a retreat instead of a chasing.
And that concluded...
Her eyes widened.
Draco helped them all along. Just like Snape.
««End Vision»»
The black haired witch sat up straight on her bed, gasping for air, her wide eyes slowly taking in her surroundings, her familiar belongings, the usual lines and colours of her room.
The ache between her legs brought back vivid memories of what exactly had she done last night. Something that made this dream of hers sound completely ridiculous. He was so gentle. Took his time when he could have just force himself on me and continue on his way. I don't believe that he would do such a thing.
With that in mind, she nodded to herself. Absent-mindedly, her eyes looked over to the clock on her wall, only to look back at it in disbelief, "Eleven o'clock! I never-! And I lost breakfast!" her arms crossed over her chest as an unpleasant growl escaped her. "Damn him..." as she got to her feet, her face set in a grimace, "Definitely, I'm gonna kill him..."
«««««««««««««««««««««««««««««««««««««
Pulling her still wet hair away from her eyes, Ten readjusted her back pack on her way to the library. Quidditch practise had just ended and she couldn't help but feel that something had happened between her captain and a certain best friend of hers.
The blonde seemed happy, and happy was not an adjective she would use on him after the talk he had with Lucius. Or something had gone well on the 'mission' or something else had happened.
As the heiress entered the library, Madam Pince glared at her as if she had a bomb that was about to explode. She smirked to herself; it wasn't the first time she had entered after curfew to search for something on the Restricted Area, or worse, it wasn't the first or the second time that she had used the library to prank someone.
She finally sat down on the table her friend was at, finishing an essay on Potions, "You know, that's a bit off the limit. Since you pointed the limit of that here." She placed a finger half a page higher than where her friend was writing, where a black arrow was pointing, with a hastily scribbled 'enough' near it.
"Oh." Iris blinked, "Didn't notice that... Better erase this, or Snape will get annoyed at me again for doing 'an inch longer' or 'writing one more word'." She rolled her eyes, taping the whole half a page she had written and then, the small arrow, running her fingers over the rest of the essay. "There. Not longer, just what he asked, not smudged, not wrinkled. I think he has no reasons to pick on me this time."
Ten chuckled, "We'll see. After all, he does pick on you for almost every little thing you do. In every essay we did ever since the beginning of the year, he always found something."
"My point exactly."
Not twenty minutes later, all homework for the Christmas holidays was done. They still had six days to enjoy the calmness of it all and snowball fights before the pressure of school restarted again.
"Is that Evanescence you're humming?"
The black haired witch lifted her head, stopping the light sound, "Umm, yeah. The song is called 'Anywhere'. From their first album, Origin, if I recall correctly. I like it."
"Thought so." The blue eyed girl smiled, "Why are you so happy today, anyway? Every time we do homework, you always comment something nasty about the teachers or the authors of our books. This time, you just did everything, humming a song."
"I just feel... happy." An absent smile curved her lips.
Ten chuckled, "Oh no, you don't... C'mon, tell me!"
Her silver eyes looked right, then left, before she leaned in close, eyes set on the table, "Draco and I... We... He made love to me last night." A deep blush covered her cheeks.
The other grinned, "You're embarrassed about that now?" she chuckled, "Congrats! How was it? Err, no counting the details, if you don't mind."
Iris smacked her arm playfully, still blushing, "Yeah, yeah, yeah..." her eyes glazed over, "I don't really know how to describe it. I never thought it would happen. Not with him and certainly not where it happened." At that, he heiress lifted one eyebrow, "But it felt so... right."
Suspicions confirmed. It's better than my first one, though. She nodded, "I understand. Feeling alright?"
The satisfied far away look disappeared, replaced by a frown, "Just do me a favour. When you do it with Harry, in the morning after, don't sit up all of a sudden."
Her friend laughed quietly, "Sure thing. Though who are you to say it'll be with him?" the faintest blush tainted her own cheeks.
"Oh, you know..." Iris smirked, "I have ways."
"With you, being a Slytherin, your ways should be... cunning, let's say." She gave her a look.
"Perhaps." the smirk grew.
"Iris..."
"Well, you know how much I enjoy mind reading and since I'm pretty good at it, you didn't notice-"
"You've been reading my mind?" even if her voice held a tang of anger, Ten was grinning as she got up.
The other did the same, both of them ignoring the warning glare Madam Pince shot at them, "Yeah."
"You're dead, Koltchak!" almost at the same time, both she and Iris broke into a run, their half opened backpacks dangling hastily over their shoulders.
In their hurry, they both knocked into a ladder. Stopping briefly to look up, on said ladder, happened to be Argus Filch. At losing his balance, the asthmatic man held on a bookshelf, which naturally didn't last much.
Wood and books sprawled everywhere, the only ones standing in the middle of all the dust and splinters were Ten and Iris. Both of them were doing their best to keep from laughing.
"DUMBLEDORE! KOLTCHAK!" both girls turned to look at a very red faced and furious looking Pince walking towards them in fast and heavy strides, "YOU'LL BOTH PAY FOR THAT!"
With that sight in mind, the witches broke into whole hearted laughter, quickly dashing towards the exit, shouting over their shoulders, "Sorry, Madam Pince!"
«««««««««««««««««««««««««««««««««««««
Three days passed with little next to no accidents, people receiving last Christmas gifts, hanging out with their friends and just simply enjoying the last moments with no school. It was New Years Eve. The celebrations for the New Year enlarged the curfew, 0.30am for third years down and 1.30am for forth years up. That also meant that the patrols would start at 2.00am, half an hour later.
The heiress of Dumbledore stifled a yawn as both she and Draco walked along the halls, shooing the couples back to their common rooms or scolding the wanna-be marauders.
"I know this needs to be done, but why should we care if kids are out of their beds? It's their problem after all."
Her blue eyes looked over at his sulking frame, amusement written in them, "That's what Prefects like us do. If not, the whole school would be a mess with no rules."
"I wouldn't care much." The boy shrugged casually.
"What do you care about anyway?" chuckling, she unlocked a nearby door. The kids inside, who seemed to be from third year, looked up at her in surprise, startled.
"C'mon, go to bed you three, before I take points from Gryffindor." Looking over at her and then at each other, surprised again that she, a Slytherin, wouldn't take any house points whatsoever, they got up hurriedly, leaving. Once she got out, she locked the door again by letting her hand pass over the handle, "Ok, I think this floor is cleared. Only one more to go- Malfoy?" Ten looked around, blinking. The blonde was no where to be seen. She frowned.
Just as she was about to cast a spell to know his whereabouts, heavy footsteps were heard. Her head tilted to the side; by the rapid rhythm of them, someone was running. And since they were getting louder, that someone was getting closer. As she took a couple of steps towards the end of the hall, a blur of black and blonde came past, grasping her wrist tightly, almost painfully, pulling her along. She could almost swear her arm would come off as he suddenly pulled her into a dark corridor.
Her lips parted, ready to ask him what was wrong, but his hand left her wrist, covering her mouth tightly instead. She did try to get away from him, but to no avail. The arm wrapped around her ribs kept her own arms in place.
"Go that way. Leads to the Astronomy Tower. You know what to do. If there's anyone there, use Avada. No witnesses."
"I though the Dark Lord said-"
"That's your problem, Goyle, you don't think. Just do as I say and go. Leave the dungeons unharmed, that's already being taken care of by Nott. I'll be on my way. We still need to call Snape."
The owners of the voices started walking away, footsteps getting farther and farther away to be heard. Only then, did Ten allow herself to breathe again. The hand over her mouth was slowly pulled back.
"Was that-"
The hand returned almost at once, but the arm around her pulled back, freeing both her arms. The boy stopped right in front of her, his eyes locking into hers.
She gasped inwardly. The usually stormy grey hues were dull, defeated. Regret shined above all the other emotions written clearly in them.
"Death Eaters? Yes, they were. Go warn everybody. Dumbledore, McGonagall, Potter, whatever. Wake up the whole castle, it's an ambush." Draco whispered urgently, pulling her along into the dark hall, towards its end.
"Why are you telling me this?" again, she tried to make him loosen his grip on her arm to no avail, "And why don't you come along with me? If you know so much about this ambush of yours, why don't you tell my Grandfather first hand?" Why was he being so difficult? It wasn't like him. Besides, if he was the one speaking, he's know much more than that and he would be the center of all the attention. Wasn't that what he liked?
"I'm telling you what you need to know to stop this war, Ten. And..." he paused, taking out his wand and a small hand mirror. Seeing no one in the other corridor, he advanced, letting go of her, "I can't go."
"Why not?" taking two steps forwards, Ten stood in front of him. His lips were set in a thin line, obviously he didn't want to speak about it. "Draco, what's going on?" The regret in his eyes grew visibly. A sudden crash startled them both, seeming to be what he needed to start talking once again.
"I brought them here. It's all my doing. I'm the responsible for all the deaths that will happen. That's why I can't go with you. But I'm trying to do my best to help you avoid that. Stop losing more time with questions, Dumbledore, just go." the boy snapped the last sentence giving her a push towards the opposite direction, not as harsh as he seemed to want to do it. He sighed heavily, the motion alone showing how aged beyond his years he felt and was, forced into seeing and doing things no one should ever see or do, "Please, you have to trust me. You heard them. Just tell Iris I'm sorry."
"Trust is based on a very simple thing. I trust you, you trust me. And I do trust you, Draco. Even if you did betray that trust once." She sighed quietly, "But sorry? Sorry about what? Betraying that trust again?"
A single tear fell, rolling down his cheek to his chin, dripping down to the floor, "I'm sorry for that and much more. Please, just go." he looked away, bringing up an emotionless mask over his features, the tear streak the only sign he indeed was able to feel before one finger brushed said evidence away. He turned his back on her, his head down, "I... Thanks for taking part of your time to actually trust me, even if you don't anymore." He started walking away.
"Wait!" he stopped, but didn't turn around, "Draco, if you're telling me what to do, the Dark Side won't stand a chance! If you go there, you'll only get yourself killed! I know you, but the teachers and Aurors and even some students won't hesitate to kill you! Please, come to our side, we'll help you." Her arm lifted, offering him her hand, the Light's protection. "Please. It's suicide."
"I know. It's meant to be. I'm too lost into my own sins to be saved. I'm sorry. I appreciate the help, but.." his head shook in helplessness, "It's completely useless now." Taking a couple of steps further, the shadows engulfed him.
"It didn't have to be this way, Draco." Ten sighed heavily, "I just hope you'll be ok."
«««««««««««««««««««««««««««««««««««««
"Iris!"
The black haired girl sat up instantly, looking around for the source of the owner of the voice's distress. "What? What happened? What is it?" her drawled words mingled together, almost sounding as if she was drunk. Her hand reached up, rubbing her eyes tiredly, "Damn, Ten, it's not even four in the morning, what could possibly-" she was interrupted when she was brutally yanked off her bed, flopping down to the floor at the sudden movement her still half slumbering body had to make. She angrily got up, "What the hell, Ten!"
"We're under attack! Wake up once and for all, dress up and come! I've already warned my Grandfather and the teachers. I still need to go get Harry." As her friend started to head towards the door again, Iris grabbed her wrist, snapping her fingers, changing clothes instantly.
"How did you found out that? Has anyone died or-"
"There are Death Eaters all over the place by now, but Draco warned me beforehand. I don't know if anyone's dead right now, but the most probable thing is yes. Though we're doing our best to avoid that."
"Draco? He's battling now or something?" unconsciously, her mind made her think back on the odd dream she had had three days ago.
Indecision flashed through troubled sapphire eyes, "I suppose. We had to separate. I don't know where he is right now, but I'm sure he's ok." I hope.
The other nodded, "Ok. Where's the main attack?" they both exited the room, falling into a light jog and leaving Slytherin.
"We caught them by surprise as well, sort of, since they weren't expecting a counter attack this quick. But mostly, they're heading towards the common rooms, all except Slytherin."
"Obviously. Anywhere else? The Dark Lord?"
"There are more coming, yeah. There's this alcove, I think it's connected to somewhere, much like Floo Network with no Floo. Anyway, it's on the fourth floor and from the main entrance as well. I'm afraid the system against Apparition broke. And Voldemort's no where to be seen." The heiress ignored the uncomfortable shudder coming from her friend at hearing the name, "Somehow, I think this is just the first attack."
"You mean-"
"More will come. More and stronger, possibly."
Her friend lowered her head, taking out her wand. Not that she needed it, but still. Shouts, curses and screams were getting louder, therefore closer, "Yeah. Go get Harry. And be quick about it."
"And what exactly will you do?" Ten quirked an eyebrow, stopping at the stairs. If they went straight ahead, they would go to the war.
She just smiled, "If this is the last time we see each other, it was an honour to have you as a friend. See you soon, Ten."
Blue eyes sparkled with unshed tears, "See you, Iris." With a last look, they nodded in unison, separating to their respective sides.
We hope.
«««««««««««««««««««««««««««««««««««««
"What the hell's all that noise?" Ron muttered, shoving the covers off his frame, eyes half open as he glanced over at the other four male Gryffindor's. "Think it's Peeves at it again?"
"Nah." Seamus got up, stretching his arms over his head, "He wouldn't risk it. The noise is kind of faint. Should come from the dungeons or at least from the entrance. The Bloody Baron usually is around there. Not to mention Filch."
A hand reached over the nightstand, picking up the glasses resting there. Harry placed them, "Exactly. Something's not right. Can't you hear the screaming once in a while?"
"Screaming?" Dean, who was closest to the door, also got up, tip toeing towards it, "You guys think someone is being tortured or something?"
"Don't be stupid. Hogwarts' punishment chambers aren't used for centuries, you know that." Ron rolled his eyes. "But if it was a Death Eater, I wouldn't mind the screaming much." He added as an after thought.
"Prank from Peeves or anybody else or not, I'm going." Harry also got up, already with a shirt on, half way dressing his trousers. When he was done, he kicked his trunk, making it open, "But just in case it's nothing and if Filch finds me, I'll take the-"
The door opened with a loud bang, startling the five occupants of the room.
«««««««««««««««««««««««««««««««««««««
Her footsteps were fast, each foot not even placed completely on the ground to give her better leverage and more speed.
Two more flights of stairs...
Her breathing came in short hard pants, shoved in and out of her lungs forcefully, her mind ignoring the itch at her side from running so much, the burning of her throat from the cold air.
One more and I'm there...
As her eyes spotted the portrait of the Fat Lady, Ten allowed herself to feel a certain amount of victory. With him on our side, it'll be easier; we'll have better chances.
Saying the password almost instinctively a couple of feet before she arrived, she paused, looking over at the Fat Lady, "Err, excuse me?"
The portrait woman glanced down at her, "Yes, dear?" she took a second glance, "Aren't you a Slytherin, by any chance?"
"Did you see anyone hooded passing by?" she decided to ignore the last question. The Fat Lady didn't need to know that.
"Well, no, passing here on the seventh floor, no. But I heard that on the fourth-"
"Yes, I know that." The heiress entered the scarlet and golden common room, interrupting the portrait in her hurry. She let a small smile play on her lips; of course, they were Slytherin's. They didn't know where to look for Gryffindor.
Climbing up the stairs to the boys' part of the room, she entered Harry's private one, stopping in her tracks at seeing a couple of elves there and the sheets ripped. Her eyebrow rose.
One of the elves looked over at her, "Is something wrong with miss?"
"Ah, no... Umm, the boy... that lives or lived here?"
"Harry Potter, miss? Sleeping on his old room, miss." The small creature suddenly gulped, pointing a shaky hand to the desk, its free one twisting one of its long pointy ears, "That, miss, ripped the sheets, miss. And did this mess, miss. We is here to fix." On the wooden desk, growling once in a while now that she started paying attention to it, was one of the... adorable books Hagrid had chosen for his class.
A small sigh of relief escaped her, "Thank you." Turning back around and closing the door behind her, she walked along the corridor in a light jog, stopping at the door that said 'Sixth Years'.
The heiress quickly opened it, ignoring the loud bang it made when crashing against the wall. Five pairs of startled eyes turned to her sharply. Dean Thomas, who was quite close to the door at the time, seemed to lose his balance as he fell backwards.
"Ten?" a fully dressed Harry looked over at her, blinking, "What-"
"No time, I'll explain on the way. Let's go, all of you!" the girl said hurriedly, interrupting her lover.
"What's with all the rush? What's going on?" the Boy-Who-Lived looked over at the tense looking teen running beside him, his tone now lightly annoyed, much like the one he used when he had spoken to Ron and Hermione on the beginning of last year for leaving him in the dark, not letting him know of anything.
"We have problems." She gave him a sideways look that clearly said it was serious.
The noise that had wakened them all up was getting closer. And unfortunately, he had been right. Screaming was heard, as well as shouting and curses being casted. The six teens finally reached the hall of the main entrance. Their eyes widened, before some turned away from the sight.
Black clashed with white, green with red, Dark against Light. Between war cries and dead bodies, Aurors, teachers and students joined forces against the Death Eaters coming in, most of the crowd now in several duels.
Bright green eyes, so alike the Killing Curses seen here and there, widened. "How... Why?" shaking his head at the carnage, he turned to look at a sad looking heiress of Dumbledore.
"Please, explanations later. Let's just help as we can." She sighed quietly. Her sky blue eyes lost the usual careless sparkle, now clouded with worry. The Gryffindor's nodded, entering the battle field. Even Neville, after looking away because of the sight of blood, walked after them.
A strong hand caught her wrist. Harry's concerned look made her stop, "Promise me you'll be careful."
Her eyes lowered, "We're at war. I... I can't say I'll keep to that promise, but I can promise you I'll try at least."
The boy nodded. They both looked up startled as one of the numerous chandeliers fell, shattering everywhere.
"There's no time." standing on her tip toes, Ten kissed him on the lips hastily. As she pulled back, she offered him a small smile, "For good luck. Now go."
"I'm not leaving you out of my sight!" his eyes reflected his determination, his eyebrows furrowed.
"Harry, we have no time for this, please." Her own features were set in a frown. Didn't he have faith in her? That she would be able to take care of herself? He was the one who would be in true danger, having to fight Voldemort. They couldn't be wasting time discussing such a thing. So if he didn't go first... "Kill him for all of us, Harry. Please. And..." she took a step back, "Sorry." Looking away from him and turning around before he could reply, she ran through duelling wizards, getting out of sight in the sheer seconds the first couple of steps took to make.
As she went, she would turn her wand to each Death Eater that got on her way, being careful not to look in their eyes. It wasn't the first time she was using the Killing Curse, not really. After all, she was the granddaughter of Albus Dumbledore. That alone made her a possible target for Voldemort's followers, just to get to the Hogwarts' Headmaster.
And yet, she couldn't bear the look in someone's eyes as they died. See the sparkle of life turn dull, the fire in them disappear. That alone gave her nightmares through her whole life. She made sure the same mistake wasn't committed again.
One or two of her opponents managed to dodge her usually precise aim, which always made her fear she might have hit someone she shouldn't.
Iris.
Draco. Grandfather...
Harry...
She shook her head to clear it, putting those thoughts (refusing to call them fears, lest they return and not leave) away from her mind for the moment, finally killing whoever had been duelling with her and proceeding on her way.
More fell by her hand, whether in self protection or to protect fellow students and members of the Order she was able to recognize. Not an emotion was written in her eyes, unreadable as they were, her lips set in a thin line, only parting to whisper the correct incantation to the curse she chose.
In killing, robbing someone of their life, it had to be that way. At least, if it was her, she wouldn't want to see pity in her assassin's eyes. Regret, maybe, but not pity. Therefore, she put away her own feelings when doing so. It was easier, simpler, that way.
Her feet didn't rest on the hard ground any longer. Her eyes hardened at that realization. It was wet, wet with blood, sweat and tears, the outcome of any war. Blood from wounds, sweat from exertion, tears from pain.
A couple of more bright flashes of light erupted from the tip of wand, connecting with their target. That was all she thought of them, nothing more, nothing less. Once it was all over, she would deal with everything. Carry the weight of more dead people by her hand. At least, she was helping others; it was for a good cause. It was what was making her go on. That, and keep the safety of the ones she loved. The ones the Dead Eaters had yet to take away from her. They will never get the chance.
«««««««««««««««««««««««««««««««««««««
Harry only had time to blink as he watched her disappear from his sight between the masses of bodies moving, shouting and dodging fists or curses.
Great, now what? He would never find her like this. And now, now he wished he had paid more attention to Charms; that way, he might have known some way to help him find her. Or have the ability of telepathy like both the heiress and Iris seemed to share.
The boy sighed, But she's right. She chose her path. I need to keep going.
"Kill him for all of us, Harry. Please."
Her last few words echoed in his head, making his eyes harden. He took a step forwards. This will end tonight. Here and now. The boy took a last deep breath before a couple of more steps. The feeble light from a few torches that resisted in their perches and the other two remaining chandeliers lightened up his pale features, giving a spare shine to his eyes that had gone away when he had lost Ten from sight.
At seeing him, some of the people stopped duelling, Death Eaters glaring at him and teachers, Aurors and students looking up at him with hope.
His fingers curled around his wand tightly as his eyes looked around the whole area. No sign of her. Nor of Voldemort or Dumbledore for that matter.
Taking a last deep breath and surveying the chaos that had that had established in the usually calm entrance hall, he took a step forwards.
A trickle of sweat dripped down his temple, falling to the ground. Dreaming of a scenery such as this one was one thing. Taking part of it for real, knowing it was indeed real, was a completely different one.
He wouldn't lie to himself and say he never dreamt of uttering the Killing Curse, its green light, the very same one he saw every time a Dementor was around just before he'd black out, hitting Voldemort, as he watched the red snake-like eyes lose their sparkle. He thirsted for the revenge on his parents' deaths, for the life he had to live through with them dead. But actually doing it... Killing. Did that made him any better than Riddle? Than his followers? They all killed, they lived for that, they enjoyed it. Torturing, raping and killing were what they were good at, all to please their Lord and master. The single difference was that the Light Side fought for freedom over an invisible but real oppression that had lasted well over sixteen years.
Harry shook his head. Concentrate. Let's just do it. His eyes looked around, stopping once he spotted a particularly unfair fight; A Death Eater duelling poor Neville.
He lifted his wand. Even if he wore glasses, his vision was flawless, hence his position as a Seeker and taking his team to victory for almost five years in a row by now.
Avada Kedavra. Two words, which held the power to rob someone of their own life, just like that. If he was back at the muggle world now, on number four of Private Drive, and someone told him that, he'd crack up laughing and call the first ambulance he'd find. But this, here and now, was real. And a beautiful jet of bright emerald light might mean death instead of pretty fireworks.
Said beam of light suddenly erupted from the tip of his phoenix feather core wand, hitting the Death Eater between his shoulder blades. The wizard froze, before finally collapsing down on the cold hard floor, just one more lifeless body to join the quickly growing pile.
His hues glanced down at himself, then at his own wand, not even noticing the grateful look his friend had sent him. He had just simply thought the curse. He didn't say the incantation out loud, he was sure of that. Well, that did count to give him a slight advantage, he supposed.
As the boy took a couple of steps towards all the fuss, he glanced over at the dead body of the now dead wizard.
Should he feel detached? Satisfied? Or none? Was this how it felt to kill someone? All he did feel was that a piece of his own humanity had just died as well. Was all this even right?
««Flashback»»
Ten kissed him on the lips hastily. As she pulled back, she offered him a small smile, "For good luck. Now go."
««End Flashback»»
His eyes hardened. She was counting on him. Dumbledore was counting on him. Everyone else was counting on him.
It really wasn't the time to start thinking twice about all this. His wand lifted again, hitting another Death Eater. More fell by his hand, soundlessly over the noise of the rest of the people battling.
With each death, his eyes would harden visibly, the sparkle of innocence slowly dying out, as the harsh truth showed. Life was never fair. It was this way. The innocent can never last. The true nature of death... Once it takes a hold of someone, you're powerless to stop it. Merlin, he didn't know where he was sending those people into.
Teenagers one day had to wake up and finally see the world as it truly was, not as they pictured it.
Waking up is knowing who you really are, knowing the purpose you have in life. And if he had to die to save the one thing he still had left, that wasn't taken away from him, he welcomed Death with open arms. If this was meant to be, he was no one to stop it.
«««««««««««««««««««««««««««««««««««««
One, two, three...
After those, she lost count, really. She wasn't acting on self protection anymore. She was acting on revenge. There was just one Death Eater she wanted to kill tonight. And to hell with it if she didn't. Anyone who kept stepping in her way got killed. Her mind barely made her stop from killing students and fellow Aurors.
Iris wanted Lucius dead at her feet and nothing seemed to stop her from reaching her goal.
She wouldn't lie to anyone. It was the first time she used her powers to kill. Never had she felt the need to kill someone, never. As the time passed on Malfoy Manor, wanting Lucius' death was perfectly natural and a quite pleasant thought, true. But until now, never the thought had been so willing to be performed.
But no, she would not use a simple 'Avada Kedavra' and be done with it. That didn't even bring out any blood. The man would suffer; she would make sure of that. For too long, he had abused her. For too long, he had had the upper hand. Threatening her he would rape her... How dare he say that... Even dare to utter that word... It took quite a while for her to gain enough courage in herself to perform magic again after the strong bindings and curses against her magical aura he had made her go through. If it wasn't for Dumbledore's knowledge over such things, she could very well be a muggle by now.
A flash of platinum blonde hair caught her immediate attention. Long white blonde hair. Not her dragon, her tormentor. A snarl curved her lips. You're mine now... All of her hatred for his acts towards her, her loathe towards him, all the bottled up feelings she had to endure while suffering under his vicious stare, anger, humiliation, revenge, they shined in her light eyes, making her blood boil and at the same time, run cold at the sight of the powerful wizard.
Her wand was lifted, the murderous look still in her normally impassive features, "Crucio." The curse she had been hit with so many times before escaped her lips like a prayer, dripping from them in a very pleasant way.
The bright scarlet jet of light escaped the tip of her wand, holding all the emotions she had inside of her for that single man. It hit its target, yet, all Lucius did was stop any movement and stay still until she finally lifted her wand, more out of curiosity than anything else.
The grey eyes she loved so much turned to look at her, even though they belonged to someone else. The sudden fury in them dissipated partially as his eyes rested on her petite frame.
Compared to Malfoy Senior, she was fairly short. Iris barely reached Draco's chin, but if she looked ahead of her, all she saw would be his father's upper chest. Not liking, but not having any other choice, she tilted her head up to look at him.
"Well, well, well, if it isn't little Miss Koltchak. The orphan."
"Just because my damn parents left me to die doesn't mean I'm an orphan." The silver eyed beauty wasn't about to admit she did feel like one to him if it meant contradicting him.
"Oh, yes, I think you are." A knowing glint was in his eyes, one that made her hesitate before she cursed him once again, "Since I was the one summoned to go to your little mansion and kill them myself."
Her eyes widened. She took a step back hesitantly, almost tripping over a dead body in the process. She narrowed her eyes again, "No. You're lying. You're just trying to get to me."
Lucius took a step towards her in return, "That may be true. Or it might not. How can you tell?" One of his hands reached out to her, brushing over her ribcage, just below her breast. The anger from before overtook her wish for answers. She took another step back while her palm opened wide, "Expelliarmus!"
"Protego." The Shielding Charm neutralized her Disarming one. A strong hand suddenly was at her throat before she was able to do anything else.
Between trying to gasp the short life-giving puffs of air through the tight hold, she glared at him intensely. "The deepest pit of hell is reserved for you and your Lord. Even if you kill me, I'll have that satisfaction."
"And I'll have the satisfaction I'll take your virgin little self with me." He narrowed his eyes at her, his wand digging painfully into the soft flesh of her stomach. From the corner of her eyes, she saw a couple of Death Eaters looking their way, smirking. They knew what was coming and dared not to step in Lucius' way.
A small smirk curved her own lips, "Virgin? I don't think so. Your son did that for you. Quite gently really, took his time. He even took me back to my own room. How sweet of him."
Lucius narrowed his eyes at her, "So he dared to touch you? How interesting news. Shame you'll have to pass away in such a case." If looks could kill, she would have been dead by now, "You will not put yourself in my son's way."
"Stop doing his decisions for him. You can't choose his way of life; he does what the bloody hell he wants to do!" she struggled from his grip, trying to make him free her, "He chose to fight alongside of us. If you kill me, you'll only give him bigger reasons to kill you all!"
A sudden laugh escaped the wizard, "Is that so? Do you even know how exactly did we end up here? Did Draco tell you that?"
Her lips thinned as she found no answer to that. What did he mean anyway?
"Draco allowed us to come here." Her eyes widened at his words, as did his smirk, "That was his first mission for the Dark Lord. If he failed, he would die. As he did not, here we are. You see, he had little choice on the matter. Even though I'll have to ask Severus to read the boy's mind; something doesn't seem right, I'm afraid." The last sentence was muttered to himself, but she heard him anyway.
She felt anger. But then, sadness. I can't blame him. If he died, he would never had helped us and this and many other crimes would have been committed. At least, he's ok for now. Her own eyes narrowed, "Bastard. How could you even do this to your own son! You have no right-"
"I have every right, Miss Koltchak. Draco is sixteen. He needs someone to guide him in his decisions. I'm here to help him. I may not seem a caring father to you, nor do I say I am." His eyes hardened, "But I do concern myself with his well being. As the heir of the Malfoy family, he is expected to follow certain paths. And joining the Dark Lord's is the best path for now."
"The best path for me to die." A cold voice sounded, just before a flash of bright emerald light blinded her momentarily. She opened her hues slowly, smiling softly as Draco lowered his wand, raising his eyes from his father's dead body to meet hers. The smile soon faded.
His eyes were cold, detached, dull, and even as he looked at her, his features remained blank. "I'm sorry. He was telling the truth, all of it." His voice was quiet, seeming almost a whisper in all the racket of the heated war.
She nodded, "I know. And I understand." The smile returned to her nevertheless, "We'll talk about it after the battle. Thanks for saving me." Her wand lifted in his direction, much to his surprise. Only for the jet of green light pass just above his shoulder, killing a nearby Death Eater.
This time, he smiled back. However, she had the feeling it didn't reach his eyes. "Watch your back." He took a couple of steps forwards, heading in the direction she had just came from. His lips were suddenly at her temple, leaving a whisper of a kiss there, trailing down to her ear, his voice only loud enough for her to make out, "I love you."
And just as fast, he was gone, breaking into a run, his white blonde hair the last thing she saw of him.
"I love you too." With another determination and a new found hope, the black haired witch lifted her wand once more.
«««««««««««««««««««««««««««««««««««««
Her back connected harshly with the cold uneven wall of the Great Hall, one of the big tall oak doors keeping her in the shadows as she caught her breath. Her eyes shut tightly as another wave of pain surged through her left side.
The main concentration had been in the Great Hall, Ten should have known that. Now that the whole castle knew, now that the Dark Mark was casted above the school, everyone planning to protect what was left headed here and the Death Eaters that came here didn't really go on much farther. But there were some which had a bigger variety for torturing curses.
The gash near her ribs throbbed with pain again. Her head tilted backwards, resting gently against the cool wall, the tip of her wand grazing the wound as a long incantation was whispered breathlessly from her lips.
For now, there weren't big losses. The first and second years were being guarded and were safe in their common rooms, as she told the prefects to do. The ones who had died were probably third, fourth and fifth years, the ones less experienced.
Iris was slowly heading outside. A soft exhausted smile made its way to her lips; probably to cast a protecting spell over the whole building and killing the Death Eaters still trying to come in. The simple and invisible barrier would kill any living thing trying to go in, but allowing others to go out. Her powers, casted in the exact way were indeed able to do that.
She couldn't exactly pinpoint where Draco was, but his magical aura was alright, so at least he was still alive. She had asked a couple of Aurors to get him safe and sound, but with him moving, it wouldn't be an easy job with so many people. And Harry was duelling Bellatrix Black at the moment, not seeming in the least tired. Well, she supposed that was good. In a certain way, that is. It's good not to hesitate in the battle field. But it's bad not to feel absolutely anything about killing someone. Or was that something everyone had their own opinions for?
The heiress sighed quietly as the pain ebbed away, the injury now healed. Passing a Cooling Charm over the reddish patch of skin almost absently, she straightened herself.
Just as she was about to push the door and continue with the battle, said door was yanked to the side, crashing heavily against its own hinges, startling her momentarily. Glancing up, sapphire blue eyes met vivid red ones. Apart from her breath hitching in her throat, she refused to let him know he had even startled her.
Voldemort's inhuman features smirked, "Well, well, well, if it isn't the beloved granddaughter. Isn't it a pleasure to finally meet the heiress in person?"
Her narrowed eyes hardened even more, "I've met you before. And don't start sweet talking me, what do you want?"
One white bony hand reached out, grasping her arm almost painfully, "Did you?" the tone of his raspy voice was an interested one.
She let out a quiet growl, trying to make him free her, "You were there when my parents were murdered, only in the body of that snake of yours! Let me go!"
"Ah, so your memory is intact on that matter." The man (could he even be called that?) nodded to himself, "You'd be such an ally to our Side, Tenebrae."
Her lips curled back from her teeth, "And be like you? Never. You can barely be called a human and you don't even have your own body!"
"It wouldn't have to be this way if Harry Potter hadn't stopped me." He frowned lightly.
"No, you're right." she rolled her eyes, "If it wasn't him, your own greed for power would stop you. Maybe it would be better, it would have killed you for sure."
"Such violent thoughts for such a young soul." A quiet chuckle escaped him, but all it did was making her shudder. He pulled her closer, "Like your other little friend, you would be able to do so much."
"To kill, torture and be feared?" again, she tried pulling away from him. Just as she lifted her wand to him, he took it out of her grasp.
"Be respected, that's the term I mostly use." His voice had turned from patient to annoyed, "But continue, we shall. Besides the fact you are the heiress of one of my greatest adversaries, you are also quite a weakness to the Boy-Who-Won't-Die, isn't that right?"
"Why don't you find that for yourself?" ignoring the fact that he was barely human and almost looked fragile and completely powerless (almost, being the key word used, of course), he sure had a firm grip, which was starting to ache, "Or aren't you that smart?"
Voldemort let out a quiet growl, obviously out of frustration. His hand released her just in the moment Ten made another attempt to free herself, resulting in her falling over backwards, hitting the floor hard. Biting back the painful moan, the witch glared up at him.
"Wouldn't be a very fair fight without you having your wand now, would it?" a ghost of a smile touched his lips. He threw the wand back at her, not far from where her hand was. As she was almost reaching it, the wizard pointed his own wand at it, sending hers skidding over the floor a few feet from her.
Her hues narrowed, Who does he think I am, a fifth year? Even then, I knew how to do wandless magic. Voldemort was quiet as she kept glaring at him, looking back at her calmly. Suddenly, it hit her, eyes widening slightly. Damn it, he's a Legilimens, he's trying to read my mind!
"Sharp, aren't we? But your brief slack gave me the answer I was looking for. And another very interesting ability as well. Let's see if you can put it to good use, shall we?" That odd smile was on his lips once more. His wand was lifted, "Crucio."
The heiress held her breath as wave after wave of pain was felt in every cell of her body. It was the only way to make the pain a bit more bearable, not that it was bearable to begin with, quite the contrary. Yet, she refused to let out any sound. It would be almost as if she let him win, letting him know he was succeeding.
Her muscles ached, and even the very smooth ground she laid on and comfortable clothes she wore seemed to only make that even worst. It wasn't long till she tasted the metallic flavour of her own blood, due to her biting her lower lip. Absently, she noticed she was sending a mental message, to whom, she wasn't really sure. Supposedly, it was to Iris, since they both were able to speak telepathically. Though what exactly was said, she didn't realize either. Trying to keep from crying out and only breathing when she really needed to was what she was concentrating on.
And like a blessing, it stopped. The unbearable pain finally stopped. A couple of breathless gasps escaped her as she tiredly opened her eyes.
"Did you even notice what you have just done, child?" Voldemort gave her a peculiar, if not curious, look.
"Managing to bear your own favourite curse?" even though she was tired, felt tired and sore all over, she knew it was only the after effect of the Cruciatus. Her eyes were focused on a point over Voldemort's shoulder, keeping them away from his prying ones as she tried to find the magic needed to invoke a curse of her own.
"Do skip the sarcasm, even if it is extremely amusing, hearing it from a Gryffindor." Her eyes glanced into his in surprise, How did he know? just to look away from them again. "Yes, I know you've been trying to spy for the Light. After all, how could a Dumbledore be in the great House of Salazar Slytherin?" he smirked lightly, "But continuing. You have no idea of your true powers. Both towards the Light or the Dark."
"No one really knows all their magical ability and limits. All of us have hidden powers which are discovered along our lives or in other cases, even beyond death, they are still a mystery. You, for example, exceeded that limit long ago."
His orbs narrowed, the dark slits clearly remembering a snake's, "Correct, on the first part of the lecture, Miss Dumbledore. Shame no one will ever know of your dear hidden powers." His wand was lifted again, a small smirk on his lips and a hungry glint in his eyes. Hungry for bloodshed.
She lifted her arm, palm open towards him, a blinding white light heading towards his chest- The tip of his wand. Bright blue eyes widened. It didn't work. All he did was absorb her own magic.
"Avada Kedavra."
«««««««««««««««««««««««««««««««««««««
: HARRY! :
Dull green eyes flashed emerald at the sound of her voice, just as a crimson jet of light hit him, making him kneel, teeth gritting as pain ran through his whole body. At the back of his mind, Harry could hear the hysteric psychopathic laughter Bellatrix was letting out, but he was almost sure he had heard-
««Vision»»
His wand was lifted, "Crucio."
The heiress held her breath as wave after wave of pain was felt in every cell of her body. It was the only way to make the pain a bit more bearable, not that it was bearable to begin with, quite the contrary. Yet, she refused to let out any sound. It would be almost as if she let him win, letting him know he was succeeding.
Her muscles ached, and even the very smooth ground she laid on and comfortable clothes she wore seemed to only make that even worst. It wasn't long till she tasted the metallic flavour of her own blood, due to her biting her lower lip.
««End Vision»»
All the remaining colour on his cheeks (not that there was much to begin with) disappeared as his sight came back to him. Why was he with her? Why didn't he come looking for him instead? The questions wouldn't answer themselves unless he moved. Slowly, he opened his eyes, glaring at the female Death Eater in front of him. If only looks could kill...
More out of curiosity than actually fear, Bellatrix lifted the curse from him, lifting one eyebrow in question. That was all he needed. Lifting his wand quickly, a motion people usually didn't do right after feeling the horrible pain of the Cruciatus Curse, he whispered quietly, "Sectumsempra."
Two large gashes suddenly appeared on the woman's pale features and chest, who backed away, screaming in anguish and pain. Seeing Snape casting that one actually helped.
The boy got up, wobbling ever so lightly before his eyes focused a few seconds after. Remembering the sudden vision and trying to pick up the location through it, he finally turned around to look at the tall double doors of the Great Hall. There.
He broke into a run as soon as he realized that, almost falling over from the sudden movement his legs had to do, the muscles still sore from the previous curse. Even if all that was at the back of his mind, his main attention on the loud voice on his head, which he was sure was Ten's.
After just a few minutes of running, he could already see a strangely open space. Which was odd, since confronts and duels were literally one on top of the other and there was barely any space for escape. Something was wrong up ahead.
From the corner of his eye, he could see more people either following him, Should be Aurors, trying to protect me or something. or heading towards where he was also going, probably seeing the source of his hurry. Hopefully.
Time was running out as he saw Voldemort standing near the entrance, slowly lifting his arm, the long wooden wand held almost graciously from his thin white fingers, as a serial killer would hold up a shot gun.
Dread started to be felt in his chest, his breathing quickening with the effort of trying to reach him before it was too late. The bright sapphire wide orbs not far from the heir of Slytherin gave him a slight relief, but also made his fear grow.
He wouldn't make it there on time.
He was taking too long.
She would die.
She would die and there was nothing he could do to stop the mad man from doing it, just like it happened to his own parents.
The blinding white light that sprung forwards almost had him sighing in relief, if said magic wouldn't be absorbed easily by Voldemort. The wand was lifted again, slowly lowering like a muggle movie in slow motion.
"Avada Kedavra."
No scream from her, no scream from him, no scream from himself.
…TBC…
Thanks 2:
Tenebrae Rosa: thnx xD ah, well, it's normal. I haven't had much inspiration myself 4 either HP or Beyblade. Meh, more into Naruto & Bleach. Guess it's a change from always writing about the same things, u kno? I think it's rather normal. At least, that's my opinion.
Dark: Bit of angst always comes in handy. Hope u enjoyed.
