REVIEW PLEASE! Much love M.x

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I had changed. There was no doubt about it. My eyes seemed to glow with wilderness and my curls fell all over my face in a tied up mess. I had no time to grieve for my old life. I had changed and I had to change in order to save Harry.

I faced the mirror and scraped back the few strands covering my neck. Two red holes were starting to scab, soon to become odd looking scars from an old snake bite. They added to my new mad look and you could clearly see them at the base of my throat.

That night, The Dark Lord's pet snake, Nagini, struck me with her fangs while I was begging to exchange Harry's life with mine. And either I was going insane, being cooped up in the Malfoy Manor, or the venom that they hadn't even bothered saving me from was actually changing me. I could feel it, feel him, messing with my mind. And I couldn't stop it if I wanted my friends and Harry to stay safe.

A knock at the door caused me to spin round and glare at the approaching figure.

"Wow, aren't you defensive?" Draco Malfoy smirked, walking into my room.

"Wow, aren't you a prick!" I muttered, storming towards him and shoving at his chest to try and get him out of my room.

"Whoa, hey, hey!" He put his hands out in surrender, squeezing round me to get further inside my room. "What's with the attitude? Let's not forget that this is my house."

I groaned aloud in frustration, "And let's not forget what I get like when I'm angry. Now get out!"

"Alright, I'm only here to tell you that you have to be downstairs in five. So get ready." Draco said, stalking back towards the door.

Frowning, I answered, "I am ready?"

Draco looked down at my outfit. My bare legs ran down, meeting my black boots with golden buckles. My black dress had an odd pattern going all the way down; it was tight fitted with frills on the lower half. My hair was so messy that tying it up didn't even help control it. I'd never seen my skin so pale.

"Fine, whatever; come on."

Shutting my door, it echoed in the large house. I stayed in my room for all of the week, apart from when I was called upon. I jumped every two steps and my heels made even more noise, causing Draco to throw me glares.

I hadn't asked why Draco got wrapped up in all this, or how.

"So do you have to come too?"

"Yes actually," he answered, setting the pace. "A lot of people have been summoned; mother and father are down there already, the Reeds too and Aunt Bellatrix."

"Oh joy, Bellatrix." I rolled my eyes. "How I've missed her since last week."

Draco quickly looked at me when I said the last two words. I didn't see it coming, but he pushed past the strands of my stray hair so he could take a look at the two bite holes at the base of my neck. He gently touched it, frowning. Feeling someone touch me there, it sent back the memory of when Harry liked to rest his head at that spot.

"They shouldn't have done that to you." I raised my eyebrows at Draco's whispered remark.

I shrugged, "It taught me a lesson."

Draco raised an eyebrow but refused to delve further into my now twisted mind by asking any more questions. Bellatrix hadn't been back to the manor for a few days; I'd guessed she was causing havoc with my sister. But Oliver Reed, a nineteen year old death eater, was here almost every night with his older brother Marco. Reed was perhaps the only ally I had now, excluding Malfoy because I was unsure if he was just being decent to wait for the opportune moment. Oliver was still a death eater, but at least he was kind. The Reed brothers were both a little loose in the head, but weren't we all? Marco Wood was like Bellatrix; he liked to pick on me and despised me for not wanting this but being made to do it, with no other choice.

Draco, now he I was confused about. Since the night I'd been kidnapped and woken up in a room full of death eaters, Draco had been decent and I dare say, kind, to me. He hated that I'd been bitten and that Bellatrix had beaten me to get me here. I was now left with two holes in my chest, a healing lip, a bruised stomach and a brain that was becoming more unhinged at every hour to remind me of that fateful night.

We stood outside the sitting room's double doors and I could hear raised voices from inside. I not only felt some comfort at hearing Oliver's confident voice but Draco's too as he whispered beside me, "Don't worry, Lana. It'll all be ok." I felt Draco's hand brush mine in an instant but I wasn't completely sure it'd happened as it was soon gone because the double doors were opening.

I smirked, no longer having anything to loose but Harry. And I'd do whatever they wanted to keep him safe.

"Lana, my sweet, join us."

The Dark Lord smiled icily at me from his thrown like chair beside the grand black fireplace. I smiled back and slowly edged closer to him. Bellatrix stood beside her sister and Mr Malfoy stood near too, the conversation between him and Marco stopping once I'd entered. Oliver stood beside the Dark Lord's chair, one hand clutching its side. His eyes met mine and we threw me a welcoming, genuine smile. I hoped my eyes showed that I appreciated his efforts. Lucky for Oliver, Voldermort favourite him amongst most of his followers, possibly as high as he did with Bellatrix. He, unlike his brother, used initiative and thought before he'd act, and was skilled which is what the Dark Lord upholds most.

"Come," Voldermort held out his hand and I bent, taking his hand before I curtsied. "Lana, I've come to worry about your solitude so I brought you down here to reason with you. Not yet am I prepared to let you go on your way and cause havoc without a chaperone, however Oliver here has assured me of your renewed loyalty."

Oliver smiled again, "My lord, I fully trust that Lana plans to stick with your agreement."

"That I do trust, Oliver, but I am worried still." Voldermort answered, frowning at me with what I could only describe as fatherly concern. "Lana, have you practiced you magic at all?"

I shook my head. "My lord, with all due respect, the extent of my powers is still unknown-"

"All the more reason to practice, would you not think, Avery?" Marco's voice sneered from behind me but I chose to ignore him. Voldermort silenced him with one icy look.

"Though I do not appreciate Marco's lack of manners, Lana, I do agree that if you perhaps tried then your abilities would be more known to us."

"My lord," I started slowly, unsure of what to say, "What do you suggest?"

At that moment, Oliver stepped forward. He and his brother couldn't look less alike if they tried. Oliver had brown hair with matching eyes whereas Marco had blonde hair with green eyes. Oliver smiled at me reassuringly and spoke in that soft voice of his.

"You can use me, Lana. Practice on me."

I was shocked at his suggestion. I would have thought they'd get innocent people in to test my magic on. I don't know which I'd prefer. Oliver must have seen my uncertainty because he laughed at my expression and came to stand beside me.

"Don't panic, Lana." He said, sending goose bumps up my arms when he touched me. "I did suggest you practice on Marco but he seemed some what less enthusiastic about the idea."

"You want enthusiasm, brother?" Marco said with an evil grin. "I can enthusiastically kill her right now if you wish?"

Oliver shuddered with anger. "Just you try it Marco, you'll be dead before the thought even crossed your puny mind."

"Ooo, touchy!"

"Enough!" The dark lord didn't seem angry as much as he seemed bored. "Oliver has decided, so you will do as I say Lana."

I bowed my head, not even bothering to argue.

"Oliver, take her upstairs. I wish to hear good news when you return this evening."

Oliver bowed his head and placed his cold hand in mine, leading me back to my room. I avoided Bellatrix's gaze but instead landed on Draco's, who was watching our joined hands wearily.

Once back in my room, Oliver shut the door behind him and withdrew his wand, only to throw it on the empty table. He stood there, his palms facing me on either side of his hips and grinned.

"Whenever you're ready newbie,"

I raised an eyebrow, hands on my hips. "Newbie?"

He shrugged, "Well, what would you prefer? Beautiful? Babe?" He looked me up and down with a smirk. "How about Doll Face?"

"How about 'Lana'?"

He pouted and his shoulders sagged. "Oh, you're no fun, love!"

I huffed. "Can we just get on with this?"

The next hour reminded me of my planned sessions with Demius in the Room of Requirement. Oliver got me practicing all sorts of music. I ended up setting fire to the desk and putting it out with a water charm, with no wand. It was easy. All I had to do was concentrate and it came automatically. Then came the three unforgivable curses. Already I'd used the Cruciatas curse on him for almost three seconds. He ordered me to try again but I refused. I knew I could do it, I just didn't want to do it on someone who was being so kind to me. When he told me to try the Imperius curse, I made him spray perfume on his neck that was idly sitting next to his wand on the oak table. I giggled when I let go, the rainbow colour disappearing from his head, Oliver sneezed dramatically but didn't hold it against me. After this, Oliver opened my window and as if Oliver called it, a beautiful white dove flew onto the window ledge. It made no fuss when Oliver picked it up and laid it on my bed.

I stood frozen. He wanted me to perform the killing curse; for the first time.

Oliver sighed for the millionth time. "Come on love, I'm dying here. No pun intended."

"I can't do it." I whispered, eyes stuck on the gorgeous bird cooing on my bed.

Slowly, Oliver came to stand beside me, sliding his arm round my waist and put his mouth to my ear.

"Can't or won't?" he murmured.

I gulped.

"I know you can do this." Mason was trying to build up my confidence but when he saw I had tears in my eyes, he groaned and leaned his head against mine, as if my upset caused him physical pain. I'd know this boy for a week and I already relied on him far too much. "Oh, lovely Lana," he murmured into my ear, shutting his eyes. "I remember it; I do, I remember how this felt in the beginning. All that power, right there in your hands. I know it feels dangerous. I know it feels scary but I also remember the want, the desire."

I felt it too. It was as if my mental state was in a game of tug of war. One side was desperately clinging on to who I used to be. Trying to remember nobody should have the power to choose whether someone gets to live or die. The other side relished in that power to decide; and I wanted to take it. I wanted to feel that power, to let it spread into my hands as the magic left me and shot into my victim. This side was winning.

Oliver whispered, "Just take it."

"Avada Kedavra!" I breathed, shooting my hand towards the startled looking bird.

It collapsed on its side, its frightened little eyes still open.

I took in a deep breath, choking and fumbling with my hands. "Oh god! Oh god, oh god, oh god, I feel sick," I couldn't breathe, and I could feel my body trembling. I felt weak but exhilarated. I felt disgusted but wanted to scream with joy. I felt like fainting.

"Whoa, you're alright, love." Panic rose in Oliver's voice as he had to steady me, holding me firmly yet gently by the waist. When I calmed down a little, he rested his forehead against the side of my head. "That was...well, pretty impressive!"

"Oliver, I feel weird." I mumbled, leaning into his body. My breathing was coming faster and I was feeling so dizzy.

"Sit down, Lana," Oliver ordered softly. I only needed to bend my legs to collapse onto the double bed. Oliver sat with me, his arm still fixed on my waist. I took deep breaths and soon the sickening dizzy feeling passed and all that was left was the exhaustion. "Feeling better?"

"Much. Thank you."

"You know, Lana, it gets easier. So long as you don't hold yourself back."

"If I let myself go, I don't think I'll be able to stop."

Oliver shrugged, "Is there anything wrong with that?"

"Yes!" I exclaimed. "I can't just go around killing everyone, can I?"

"Can't you?" Oliver asked. "Listen, love, I know you're new to this but I can see something in you just waiting to get out." He looked at my chest, more precisely my heart. "You need to learn to let go."

"I can't, Oliver-"

Oliver took my hand in a heartbeat and drew himself closer. "Yes you can, love. Yes you can." He leaned in to kiss my cheek and reluctantly got up from the bed. "I think that's enough practice for now. Rest and I'll see you later tonight."

"Thank you." I lied back on the bed and closed my eyes. I didn't need Oliver to survive here but he sure helped a lot. I couldn't deny it to myself any longer. I loved holding the power of peoples' lives in my hands, and it was all the more exciting if I took it away.

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