Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter- J.K. Rowling does.
A/N: Here's chaptahhhh 12! Sorry for the delayed update- I had written the original chapter 12, but it didn't please me… so I wrote it again with a different plot and yadayadayada. Also, my wifi wasn't working D: It really pissed me off cuz I finished it and I couldn't upload it for like a week and lskdjlkjlsjdlkflskdj!
"Oh shit. Not now. Not now." I whispered to myself in horror as searing pain burned on my left forearm. I put down my quill and bit my lip, trying not to yelp out. Seated at his desk, Professor Snape hissed quietly and gripped his arm. I quickly walked up to Snape placed my left forearm on his messy desk. "It shouldn't be burning now." I hissed.
Snape unfolded his body and beckoned for Draco, who also clenched his jaw and was waiting for the signal. His mark was obviously burning as well, told from his facial expression. "There has been a change of plans. " He announced to the class. "The essay will be due at the end of class." The class groaned- a three page essay done in an half an hour? "And the homework will be to write a four page essay on the cures to Inosell bites. Due next class." The Gryffindors and Slytherins erupted in moans and groans. No one was going to have a good nights sleep for these two days. Snape flung open the class room door and made his way down the cold stone hallway. Draco kept up easily as I bounded after them, still clutching my mark.
X
Nagini hissed and sent a shiver up my spine. "Now, Charlotte Johnson- our new addition. I have come to know that… you have been seeing odd things in your dreams. Tell me, Johnson." Voldemort commanded.
How on earth did he find out? "I… Um, I have indeed been seeing things. Though, I'm not sure that the silly dreams are, per se, important." Draco, seated next to me, nudged my leg with his foot as he kept an empty face. I understood quickly- the Lord doesn't enjoy being defied, so I quickly added, "I've been dreaming of green light. Flashes of it. Then some white fabric or grass or hair." I rambled. "And a plead."
"Very well." Voldemort hissed. The meager information didn't satisfy his hunger for knowledge. His snake untangled itself and slithered down the long, wooden table. My hands- folded on the wood, were brushed against the smooth skin of Nagini as it passed. I gulped and froze as the snakes scales rubbed against my knuckles. "Draco," He addressed the blonde boy sitting besides me. "How is the mission I assigned you? I have already heard of your failures, and they displeasure me much." The heads of the gathered Death Eaters turned to face the young Malfoy.
"I-It is almost complete, master. I assure you, you shall not be disappointed." Draco replied submissively and stared into the eyes of the Dark Lord fearfully.
"You have wasted valuable time, little Draco." Voldemort mused. "I will be sure to see to that… as I will also see to you- Timothy Knotts. It was expected of you to lend your house for the meetings." Timothy- who sat down at the unwanted end of the table, nodded quickly. "However, your previous failures have not been forgiven. Bellatrix will deal with that however she likes during the next meeting." You-Know-Who declared. Bellatrix cackled gleefully as an insane glint of evil lit up in her deranged brown eyes. He then gave each and every Death Eater a long look, making everyone nervous (except Bellatrix, of course, who took in every moment that was spent in the presence of her master). "You are all dismissed. Draco Malfoy, Charlotte Johnson- stay." The Death Eaters all pushed their chair back, making terrible screeching sounds of wood against wood. Quickly, they made their way out. Lucius and Narcissa gave their son a worried glance before they looked back at Voldemort fearfully and left without another sound.
"My Lord, I am afraid I must remain, for they are students and cannot apparate-" Snape began.
"Very well, Severus. If you must stay…" Voldemort rasped. "Johnson. If you ever happen to see…" He tried to find the write words. "…more things. It is your duty to tell me at the meetings. And I do expect for you to see new things. It will happen." I nodded stiffly. "And Draco… yes. You tell me that it is nearly done. And somehow… I do not believe of that. How come? Pray tell me."
"The school and the cabinet, it has some sort of enchantment that I-I need to get around. I do believe that I have found a counter spell that may work to some extent, but I'm… I'm not so sure." Draco stumbled on his words, trying to find the best words to comfort his master. "I will not let you down like my father did."
"Very well, Draco. You must accept your father's failure and use it to learn from." Voldemort stroked Nagini's head as she slithered onto the back of his chair and onto his shoulder. "You must accept the fact that you have caused the death to be late by a week as well. You must learn that I do not like these things. You, Draco Malfoy, will accept the punishment as well. Bellatrix." He hissed loudly.
Bellatrix crept into the room, with an almost-guilty expression on her face for being caught listening in from the door. "Yes, master?" As if she didn't know already.
"As much as it hurts me, Draco must learn a lesson about delaying things that are vital for my return." Voldemort said with no tone of sorrow in his voice. Bellatrix grinned as she took out her wand. "And, Severus, my boy- we must talk outside, so that any noises Draco should make will not interrupt the conversation." Voldemort stood up and made his way out the room as Snape followed. Like a shadow.
"Oh, poor little Draco. Following daddies footsteps, now are we?" Bellatrix cackled as I tried to make myself invisible in the darkness by the doorway. "Stand up, you idiot." Bellatrix commanded. Draco obediently stood up, fear written all across his face. She whipped her wand out in front of her violently. "Crucio."
The quick twitch of light was blinding. Draco fell writhing and screaming while Bellatrix jumped up and down in glee. Again, it happened. Over and over. Draco's moans had no break. Goosebumps rose on my skin as I hugged myself and looked away, trying to avoid seeing the torture. Suddenly, Bellatix flicked her wand upwards, a tiny gesture causing the spell to stop abruptly. "Why, Johnson." The mad woman turned quickly on her heels to face me. Slowly, she took a few steady steps towards me- like a cat stalking a cornered mouse. "Why don't youtry?"
