Sleep did not come easy nor did a decision. The entire situation was beyond risky and way outside any comfort zone I had. My logic and conscience argued repetitively into the early hours of the morning.
As soon as the sun crested over the tree tops, Amycus unlocked the door. He offered a tray covered in an assortments of semi-raw meats, eggs, and toast. I looked up at him wearily. What was the catch here?
"Are you hungry or not?" he questioned rather rudely. I looked at the undercooked bacon.
"I don't usually eat my bacon so... alive." Amycus chuckled and grinned at me.
"You will now, at least for a little while." He glanced over to my arm, grabbing a strong hold of it. My instinct kicked in and I pulled against his restraint. Slowly he peeled the bandage off, the tape sticking to every tiny hair that rested on my arm. The bite had produced two patches covered by a thin layer of new skin, although the area around it was still tender and black.
"Your body is rejecting the strain. That's good." He grabbed my other hand and turned me to face him, staring intently into my eyes. "But there are still light traces."
"Last night was a full moon wasn't it?" I asked. Amycus stopped, a slight look of concern in his face. "I could feel it."
"Nothing that a few more treatments can't solve." Treatments? The transfusions.
"No. Don't you touch me." Amycus laughed.
"Don't worry love. You'll soon see that you have to rely on me." My blood started to boil. "What have you decided? Will this be your last meal or a first of many?"
The air was cold and silent for a few moments. My heart raced within my chest. I couldn't believe it had come down to this.
"Take me back to Hogwarts." I demanded. My captor's face lit with delight. "BUT, I will not betray my friends or loved ones. I am doing this for them, not you."
"Whatever you say princess. Hurry and eat. I'll be in the foyer when you're through." He quickly got up and shut the door behind him. I looked down at the full breakfast in front of me again. Last time I had eaten anything, I churned it up in a pile of blood. But my body said otherwise. My mouth watered at the smell of the meat and I could taste it on my tongue already. Unwilling to control my hands, I dug into the plate.
It only took minutes for me to devour most of the breakfast. I felt full and oddly satisfied afterwards. "I'm going home," I kept telling myself as I sat on the bed and gauged my well being. I had never really considered Hogwarts home until it was all I had. My friends, my comfort, my books, my studies. God, I could wait to get immersed in my textbooks. Even Arithmancy sounded pretty pleasant. Going back with this burden on my shoulders would turn into a quick mess if I let it. Luna would be asking questions about my whereabouts. Do I tell her? Do I blow my cover and face death? The things He did to Lucius were highly unreasonable. I didn't want to think of the possibilities of a traitor.
This could be the end to it all. Maybe I could get information to Harry, finally stopping this horrible war. Maybe. This was not exactly my idea when it came down to helping but if anyone had the slight advantage, it would be me. With death eaters as family and a boyfriend in the Slytherin house, I was surprised this rumor hadn't started long ago. It was just a matter of time. They didn't have to know everything. Draco courting me would actually answer a lot of questions. To death eaters, it was an inner circle. With school, it would be a crude relationship.
Damn, this was not me. My journey this year had been intense, but I had learned a lot about myself that I wouldn't give up for the world. Certain events can change your life. This thought sunk in deeper by the moment. People had already turned their back on me this year but I could only hope I could get some of them back on my side.
I got off the bed and wrapped Narcissa's cloak around me. I looked down at the shirt Draco had given me the other day, his scent still radiating off of it. Excitement ran over me at the thought of seeing him again. I thought surely it would've been weeks until I saw anyone, all because of false information and naivety. This plan had to work. So much rested upon it.
I walked out of the room quietly, holding my wand close. Shouting was heard in the other room. Amycus?
"She is in my care and this is the best option Alecto. Get your head out of your arse."
"She will ruin everything Amycus. She is just a stupid girl."
"You were a stupid little girl one time! And she has twice the brain as you. This will work in our favor. You will see."
"She will be safest there," a new voice sounded. "I wouldn't send my child back if I didn't think otherwise." Narcissa.
"For now," scoffed Alecto.
"Which is why this is more crucial than ever," rebutted Amycus.
"I still think you should wipe her memory and start from scratch. Avoid the question of loyalty and your neck."
"Her memories will only make her stronger sister."
I quietly walked in and cleared my throat. Everyone paused, their eyesight trailing over to me.
"Let's go then," replied Amycus, extending an arm.
"You can't expect her to go back to school like that, do you Amycus? If suspicion is what you are avoiding, this is not a subtle answer," Narcissa responded gently. "Let me take her and get her cleaned up before you go." Amycus eyed her, sensing some hesitation. I knew what she was doing. One moment away from Amycus and we could apparate to her the comforts of the Malfoy's other home.
"No," my uncle replied in a shallow tone. The futile attempt to escape had been swiped from our grasps. Turning to the corner, he eyed the house elf.
"Oi! You! Bring this girl some clothes!" Quibbly stammered over, hands quivering. She looked up at Mrs. Malfoy, who nodded in approval, before darting off in the other direction. Narcissa scowled at Amycus with the obvious glare of disapproval from her rude house guest.
Within moments, Quibbly came running back into the room dragging a pile of clothes. My cloak and skirt had been pressed (well... had been once before being drug across the floor) and cleaned neatly, baring the scent of freshly laundered garments and a new shirt was placed on top. I bundled up my belongings, thanking the house elf quietly. I changed quickly before we went to leave, stopping for a moment to thank Narcissa.
"Next time it'll be under different circumstances, I hope?" She gave me a slight smile. God, I hope so. Quickly, she leaned in to give me a small hug. "Please watch out for my Draco. Do that and you'll always find safety within these walls." Her compassionate threat lingered in my ear as Amycus pulled me away to Hogsmeade.
The fresh mountain air renewed my senses as I approached the castle. Amycus wasted no time dropping me in the little town. He avoided being seen at all costs. His wanted poster still hung in various windows and the risk was high this close to school.
"Tell anyone and you're good as dead. We will be in communication soon," he reminded as he left abruptly in a cloud of black smoke. Chills spread throughout my body as I was left alone to travel the moderate distance back to campus.
I made it all the way through the castle without being noticed, much to my surprise. But it didn't take long after I crossed through to the Ravenclaw common room before I was bombarded. Luna and Cho both sprang from their places on the couch and ran over to me.
Luna looked at me for a split second, a twinge of hatred in her eyes, before the realization struck. She swung her arms around me, squeezing tightly. It felt good to be home.
"Lyra, we've been looking for you for days. Where have you been?" questioned Cho. It looked as if Luna had converted a small army of bounty hunters insistent upon my return. My brain lagged as it sorted through all of my memories over the past few days.
Luna finally let go and smacked me on the arm, right on my wound. Pain shot through my arm and I clenched it tight.
"I've been worried sick!" she scowled. "I have near half the damn castle looking for you and you just come in here and...and...you come in here and don't say anything!" Luna bit her trembling lip as tears welled in her bright blue eyes. She was massively concerned. I didn't know whether to cry myself from love or regret. I couldn't dare tell her everything. Not yet.
"We...need to talk. In private." I grabbed Luna and looked at Cho, giving her a sheepish grin, and turned to the dorm stairwell. Closing the door quickly, I started to explain.
I gave her as much information I could. The more I told, the less guilty I felt. I explained about the mirror and the false information. She scolded me, per usual, for not consulting her about it first. I talked of Lucius and the Malfoy Manor, the torture, the bite. It was almost too much information for Luna to process.
"And...what? He just let you go?" Luna asked. I hesitated for a moment, planning my next thought.
"Veritaserum." I replied. The solution.
"Truth serum?"
"They were convinced I knew nothing. Amycus mentioned something about owing a favor to my father and let me go." I cringed at the lie. My gut started to churn from the pit of sickness I felt as soon as the words escaped my lips. I didn't want to do this. It took everything in my being not to tell Luna every detail but not now.
She looked at me, eyes wide with emotion. We sat in silence for a moment before she hugged me once more.
"I am just glad you are safe."
"Me too," I responded. If only she knew. If only she knew.
