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The Death Eaters were finished with their dinner. There were no complaints about the food or drink; unfortunately, a Death Eater was served dinner on a chipped plate. Lily and Marlene watched as a Death Eater burst into the kitchen and demanding to see the scullery maid. The poor, dark haired muggleborn woman was tortured in the scullery cabinet, then dragged out of the kitchen, struggling and screaming. No one in the kitchen blinked.
"That wasn't even the scullery maid." Lily muttered bitterly. "She was just in the wrong place at the wrong time."
"I know." Marlene responded. They were waiting in line. It was time for the house elves to give them their instructions for the night. Lily noticed their tiny, gnarled hands gripping a long roll of parchment. Was there really that much work to do? "Are you scared?" Marlene whispered.
"Of what?"
"Tonight. We won't be assigned together." Marlene lowered her voice. "You're a new face to them. They won't be stumbling around; they'll be looking for you."
Lily felt herself go numb. Suddenly, she felt dizzy and sick. The thought of being left alone, with no wand and no Marlene paralyzed her with fear. Was this her punishment for not loving James? A mere few days ago, she was scared silly of spending her nights sleeping next to James. Lily was riddled with regret, silently wishing she was a better daughter-in-law to the Potters and a more loving partner to James. "Can nothing spare us?" She whispered.
Marlene shook her head. "I already told you, Lily. Only if you get assigned something short and stupid like shaking out the rugs. Either way, they know what you look like and some will be hunting for you. Without magic, you can't exactly hide or do anything."
"There's no hope then?"
"The best we can do is wait it out. I could try to finish my task quickly and try to find you, even then, you could be found before I find you." Marlene gripped Lily's hand tightly.
"What should I do?" Lily felt her stomach rise in her guts. She felt lightheaded and dizzy. Her surroundings were fuzzy.
"Whatever you do, don't fight back. If you do, they'll think you're insane and kill you on the spot." Marlene whispered quickly. House elves were approaching. Soon they would be given their assigned tasks. "Just try to numb your body and separate yourself mentally. Count the dots on the ceiling or study the décor of the sheets. Don't speak unless spoken to. Don't protest, or make noise. If they're rough; just expect to be hit, bitten, and choked. They're the worst to be with, but they fall asleep faster. The first-timers or gentler ones might not fuck you, but if they do, sometimes it helps to play along. If you don't do anything, they'll assume something's wrong with you and try to rough you up." Lily tightened her grip on Marlene's hand.
It was Marlene's turn. "You! Mrs. Malfoy is very displeased with the condition of her bathroom. You'll be attending to her tonight while her husband is away. Now!" The house elf shrieked. Marlene cursed under her breath. The elf squinted at Lily. "You're the new one. Heddy doesn't like the looks of you. This one will be upstairs tonight." The house elf sneered. "Dusting. Go dust the corridors and rooms." The house elf handed her a dirty feather duster. The other girls gave her mixed looks. Some with pity, others with intense distaste. Marlene was already gone. Lily swallowed, walked out of the kitchen.
The castle was eerily silent this time of night. "Are they asleep? Do any of these people sleep?" Lily wondered, considering most Death Eaters were active at night. "How tired or awake will they be?" Lily unintentionally gripped the feather duster tightly. She felt the wood crackle under her palm. She missed her wand. If Lily had her wand, she would be a fearless fighter. Not a single Death Eater could stand up to her. She wondered where her wand was. Could Mrs. Potter have hidden it in the bedside table of Lily's wedding bed? Was it broken and scattered across the estate? Did the Death Eaters snatch it? All were possible.
Lily spotted a window, draped with heavy black velvet. She brushed the curtains aside. It was pitch black outside. No sparkle of the stars or the moon or any recognizable landmarks. Nothing to give a slight clue as to where in the world she was. Lily lifted her fingers, expecting dust, but the windowsill was already spotless. She felt angry, humiliated. "Those fucking elves want me to get battered! They might as well have sent me out naked and tied up!" Cleaning was pointless. "I might as well explore and know the castle; plus, they'll have a harder time finding a moving target."
Suddenly, she heard footsteps. They were very faint and slow, but it made the hair on her neck and arms stand up. Lily felt cold. Adrenaline rushed through her along with the desperate urge to smash the window and run for her life, or charge at whatever came and use the feather duster as a weapon. The feather duster was flimsy and disgusting, but Lily wondered if the wooden handle could be used to gouge out an eye. The feathers could be shoved down a throat.
The footsteps were getting closer. There was a ghost scent of cigarettes and musk.
Whatever you do, don't fight back. If you do, they'll think you're insane and kill you on the spot. Marlene's words floated in Lily's head. She thought about how many courageous muggleborns rebelled and were slaughtered because of it. How many were skilled witches and fighters and how many were helpless with their fists?
Whomever was approaching, they were right around the corner.
Lily relaxed her grip on the feather duster. She would stay alive. She would face her enemy and take whatever hell they threw at her. "I'll give them what they want. I'll take as many as will come." Lily hardened herself, preparing for the unpredictable night. "I'll do whatever it takes to live long enough to break out of this bloody fucking castle."
But nothing could prepare for who came around the corner. Upon seeing the man, all her built up confidence dropped like a brick in a well. She was partially filled with rage, fear, and disbelief. "You!" She snarled.