Ellen's pov –

Tonight meant a great deal. I must act calm. Voldemort must not know.

Kyle's family and I arrived at the Malfoy Manor after the sunset. It was... weird coming back to his house, the place where Draco and I left traces of memories together. We walked into the manor, greeted by Mr. Malfoy.

"You're late, Nott, but don't worry. He hasn't arrived yet."

He then led us through the large, dimly lit hallway with the eyes of the pale-faced portraits on the walls following us as we strode past.

Soon, we arrived at the dining hall; it was once empty and dark but now sumptuously decorated with a magnificent carpet covering most of the stone floor, though still very dark. All death eaters were already present, seated around the long table. They rose from their chairs as I entered, nodding politely.

My eyes searched the room and then... they caught him. Draco was standing there at the end of the table. I thought he was supposed to be in Hogwarts.

I stared at him but he didn't give me a single glance. My mind was so convoluted at that moment. I was happy to see him but at the same time I was angry that I felt that way; I was still angry at him.

Kyle escorted me to the opposite centre of the table and we sat down next to each other. Perfect, I have a perfect view of Draco. I sighed.

"You okay?" Kyle leaned over and whispered in my ear.

"Don't worry, you got this." He then put out his hand and I grabbed it, nodding slightly. When I turned to look forward, I saw Draco glaring at me. I gave him a glare too before shifting my eyes towards the others.

Suddenly, a cool shudder trickled down my spine. Glancing around nervously, I saw a blinding light from the far end of the table. I winced and the light soon disappeared. Then there he stood. Voldemort...

He was standing in front of my eyes.

"My Lord!" There were gasps and excited praises from the death eaters. I was standing up just like the rest of the crowd and Kyle held my hand tighter. I looked down at my hand locked in his and... it kind of felt weird. I slowly pulled my hand away from his grip, smiling faintly at him.

"Shhh..." As Voldemort hissed, the room got quiet. His terrifying red eyes scanned the room and... they landed on me, seemingly penetrating my very being. I gulped.

"Come here..." He waved at me and I obediently followed his command. Every instinct in my body was refusing to take steps towards him and I tried so hard not to bring the fears up on the surface.

"My Lord," I stood right next to him, bowing. Voldemort then lifted my chin up with his wand and as it touched my skin, I almost flinched. But then he began staring straight into my eyes. My heart started racing and my breathing got heavier. Ellen, don't be scared.

He continued to stare in complete silence, and for a long time... Every second, I could feel my heart about to explode. Did he notice..? And then suddenly, his lips curled into a grin.

"...Good girl." He then turned around to face the crowd.

I sighed in relief and inhaled deeply. I didn't know that I stopped breathing at one point. Then Voldemort began his speech...

"Death eaters! I was ripped from my body, I was less than spirit, less than the meanest ghost... But now, I am alive and powerful... I can make things move without touching them. I can make animals do what I want them to do without training them. I can make bad things happen to people who annoy me. I can make them hurt if I want to. But, tomorrow, I will be even more powerful..."

Tomorrow..? Voldemort's high, clear, and cold voice continued speaking. He began circling around me slowly, with his eyes fixed on me.

"Tomorrow, we will finally be able to complete what should already have been done..." He then stopped and traced my neckline with his wand. My body stiffened and I gasped secretly. From across the table, I could see Kyle gulping, showing me a worried look. Draco was looking down...

"Draco," Voldemort called his name and Draco slowly lifted his head up. He seemed horror-stricken.

"You have been very valuable to me. Very valuable... You made this possible. Good job..." Voldemort hissed.

He made it possible?

...The task..! Then I remembered Mr. Nott talking about Draco receiving a task and Mr. Malfoy saying... "Killing that bothersome Dumbledore."

I gasped. No, he did not. He didn't kill him... Draco isn't a murderer.

"In fact, this is what I was planning to say and what I should be saying..." Voldemort continued talking.

Huh..? I looked at Draco. Biting his lips, it seemed like he was about to cry.

"You should be thanking Severus since I would have been awfully disappointed if it hadn't happened..."

That means... Draco didn't kill him.

"I'm... I'm sorry, my Lord." Draco's weak voice cracked. I realised I'd been stupid and selfish; stupid that I was unable to realise his pain, his sufferings; selfish that I was too focused on myself. I didn't care to consider how he must have felt and what he must have gone through during the past couple of months while I was complaining about my rather peaceful stay at Kyle's.

I felt immense guilt and regrets. The sight of him broke my heart.

I must end this. I must end Voldemort... and I think I know how.

"Dumbledore is down at last! Hogwarts is vulnerable and is now under my control, which makes it a perfect place for the Merging... Join me. Join us in the rite. Feel the power..." After making another long speech and announcing the time at which to assemble at Hogwarts, Voldemort Disapparated.

I went back to my seat, back next to Kyle. I couldn't swallow anything down my throat afterwards. I felt nauseated and headed outside. I wandered around the black rose garden that Draco and I spent a lot of our time together before, back when we were together and back when we didn't hurt each other. I stopped and stood still, staring down at the black roses.

Then I heard something in the bush, which made me wince.

"Who's there..?" I asked nervously, vaguely hoping that it was... a particular someone. But instead, Kyle showed himself.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you. I was just worried so I followed you out."

"Oh..." I sighed.

"You were good back in there." He stood next to me, also staring down at the black roses.

"Really? I don't think so... I thought he noticed that the curse wore off when he stared at me for a freaking long time." Then I began strolling around the garden.

"Don't worry, he didn't. Anyways, this garden looks so... bleak." Kyle commented on the garden.

"Bleak? I think it's lovely." And I didn't really agree with him.

"Lovely, how come? Roses are supposed to be -"

"I love black roses." I cut him off. My voice raised a bit and I sounded upset.

"Ellen... you okay?" Kyle noticed the tone, of course. I sighed.

"I'm sorry, Kyle. You've been really supportive this evening. Thank you. It's just that..." I placed my hand on his shoulder.

"Kyle, I have a plan and I want you to be supportive of me so I can... finish it." I spoke firmly and Kyle stared at me worriedly.

"That, I will decide after you tell me what the plan is."

Kyle's pov –

"...I'm going to kill him," Ellen hesitantly opened her mouth.

"Yea Ellen, saying it is easy but -"

Then she cut me off.

"after the Merging." She sounded so sturdy and it began making me anxious about what she was going to say further.

"But it's more difficult to kill him after the Merging. I mean, it becomes impossible to kill him unless you... wait," Then I realised what she was implying. Ellen slowly nodded.

"No. No, you can't." I knew perfectly well about the Merging. I knew perfectly well that killing one sorcerer would lead to another's death.

"...It's the only way." Ellen muttered.

"Are you mental? You're gonna... You're not killing yourself." My voice heightened and so did hers.

"Well, if you have any other idea then tell me, Kyle!"

"We will figure it out but we will never, ever! discuss your plan." I frowned.

"There are innocent people suffering! Look at this mess, look at..." She yelled painfully and my head filled up with rage and worry.

"Kyle, you have to understand me. It's for the be -"

And I did something that I regret. I lost self control and... I kissed her.