The Outcast Part III: The Dance
[ A/N: This is where "The Outcast" merges with "Snape's Secret". I'm not going to tell you HOW, or WHY but I will say that for readers of either series that this story is a MUST read!!! ** That's why Kat's posting it ** Enjoy!! ]
The great hall glistened with twelve beautiful christmas trees and tiny flecks of gold and silver. Green and red streamers feel from above and tiny christmas faeries were dancing around the trees marrily. To an awe-struck Morgana Devoir, all of this seemed nearly to much to handle.
" Wow... " she choked, letting out a slow breath as she scanned the room for her date, Draco, " This is beautiful... "
" Yeah, it is. " Draco said, coming up behind her and taking her hand. " Come on, lets go and get a drink and then hit the dance floor. "
" Okay! " Morgana said grinning and getting a slightly reluctant thumbs up from Hermione, who was sitting with Ron on the other side of the room.
" Professor Dumbledore was saying you met my mother in Hogsmeade last week, " Draco said, taking a sip of punch.
" Yeah, I did. What a charming lady! " Issabelle said, setting her drink down and watching Harry dance with Cho.
" She sent me an owl the other day telling me how charming and sweet you seemed and how much dad is looking forward to meeting you. They don't even care about your background! Its absolutely astounding, ya know! I thought we'd have a lot of trouble... "
" Well I'm glad we don't. " Morgana said, grinning and biting into a peice of fudge, " Its funny... Like my life has changed almost over night. "
" What do you mean? "
" Well... two months ago I was roaming the streets of London looking for a place to stay at night and now here I am studying to be a witch and attending dances. Its just so ironic, what with everything you're saying here! "
" Yeah, I guess it is. " Draco said, setting his drink down and taking Morgana's hand, " Shall we? "
" Let's! " Morgana said, laughing as they began to dance.
The hours seemed to waltz by in steady rhythem to the music and Morgana and Draco were having a lovely time. Even the Gryffindors and Slytherins which the two normally kept company with had set their differences aside so that the couple could enjoy their special evening in peice.
All to soon it was midnight and the band started playing the last song of the night. The dance floor was flooded by couples swaying in tune to the dreamy music. Just when the song was about to end, Morgana felt a shiver go up her back and a tingling sensation started pracing around in her stomach.
" Morgana, is something the matter? You look worried... " Draco asked, carefully pulling her aside.
Before Morgana could answer, screams began to peirce the cool night air. A mad panic seemed to grab ahold of everyone on the dance floor and they were all rushing for cover as fast as they could.
" What's goin' on?! " Morgana shouted, as one of the girls from her dorm suddenly dropped to the ground, " Who are those guys? "
" Death Eaters. " Draco said calmly, " They'll leave once they get what they want. Gee, I wonder what it is? "
" Whatever it is, they're sure pounding on these wizards in training! They need help!! " Morgana said, pointing her ring totwards the Gryffindor commonroom,
" Accio wand! "
" Are you insane? You're gonna get hurt, Morgana! " Draco said, grabbing her by her shoulders, " Leave this up to Professor Dumbledore and the other teachers!! They have experience! "
" Let go, Draco! Someone's gotta help the injured, and it looks like there are a lot of 'em! " Issabelle said, raising her wand, " Helio! "
A bright light surrounded Morgana and she closed her eyes and started humming a semi-hypnotic melody under her breath. As she continued, the light spread out and engolfed the fleeing students, healing anyone who had been hurt. When she was certain there were no more wounded, Morgana batted her eyes once and the light disappeared. Unfortunately, she could now see why the attack had suddenly stopped.
" There she is! " one of the death eaters shouted, pointing at Morgana, " This is going to be all too easy. "
" Remember not to hurt her, Jack. He wants her all in one peice. " Another said, coming closer from the opposite direction.
" What's so special 'bout you I wonder? " Draco said, looking at Morgana in confusion, " I mean you're pretty and all but its gotta be more then that if Lord Voldemort wants you... "
" What do you mean 'Lord' Voldemort? Who IS that guy, Draco? " Morgana asked, twirling her wand nervously.
" You'll be seeing for yourself soon enough! " Jack snapped, reaching forward to grab her by the collar of her cloak.
" Ascenda Carpet! " Morgana shouted, pulling the carpet out from under his feet and sending him flying backwards. " I don't know who you think you are, buddy, but you're not gonna just waltz in here and drag me away! "
" Voldemort is expecting you, Morgana. You should go. " Draco said, squeezing her hand and whispering, " It's best not to get on his bad side. "
" If these guys had just approached me and gave a logical explaination I wouldn't be such a pain! I'd go easy on 'em! " she shrugged.
" Well, he does have Issabelle, ya know... " Draco suggested, looking at the second Death Eater, whom he recignized as his own father, " Morgana, trust me on this one, please! As your friend, I'm gonna make sure you go! "
Draco shoved Morgana into Lucius' arms and looked at her, watching her expression turn from fury into terror. Lucius slid Morgana ahead of him on his broom and kicked off before any more delays could occur.
The coldness of the night stung Morgana's face like a cruel blow as they flew farther and farther away from Hogwarts, a tiny black dot silluetted against the crescent moon looming from above.
Morgana had never been on a broom before and her stomach lurched as they traveled along the skyway path, but she did not fall. Lucius wouldn't have dared to let that happen as little as he liked Issabelle. He knew Voldemort would have killed him for sure.
Finally Voldemort's castle came into view, its high walls casting shadows darker then night to dance hauntingly against the grassy courtyard. The sea, as it could be seen from their high perch, sparkled silver under the influence of the fickle moonlight. Landing the broom carefully, Lucius lifted Morgana off of it and they entered the castle together.
Lucius spoke not a word as he guided Morgana down the long marble floored hall towards the library. Morgana forgot some of her nervousness and started letting her curiosity get the best of her, glancing around at the tastefully decorated hallway. Upon reaching the library door, Lucius finally broke the silence.
" You're on your own now, kid. "
The tall doors of the library slowly opened, revealing a rather cheerful room to a delighted Morgana. Its floor was covered in a thick scarelet red carpet and the walls were painted a soft cream white. Two tall backed chairs made of solid gold and covered with black velvet apolstry stood side by side facing a blazing fire, which crackled and popped spreading a calming warmth throughout the room.
" Hello? " Morgana said softly, deciding at that moment that she truly liked the room and hoped she would be able to spend more time in it in the coming weeks.
A soft rustling of robes was the only sound and then from out of one of the chairs facing the fire came Voldemort, dressed in long robes of glistening silver. Morgana looked at him in awe, unable to move as she stared intently into the glowing red swirls of his eyes.
" Welvome... " he said, extending his hand to take hers and calmly guiding her to one of the megnificant chairs, " Tell me, Morgana, are you afraid? "
" No, " Morgana said, turning to face him, " Why would I be afraid? I've done nothing to you, and therefore you have no reason to do anything to me. "
" You don't really know who I am, do you? "
" You're Voldemort. Professsor Dumbledore said not to be scared of you. "
" How interesting. What else did he tell you about me, Morgana. "
" That my aunt is here assisting you as your head advisor. "
" Very true, " Voldemort said, smiling to himself, " Naturally, I'd wake her up and tell her you are here, but she has had an awfully long day... "
" Its alright, we can tell her in the morning. May I ask you a question, Voldemort? "
" Yes you may. You may also call me Tom. Voldemort is only my public Wizard name. "
" Why did you have me brought here? "
" You'll find out in the morning. Now, come with me and I'll show you to your room. It is very late. " Voldemort said, standing up and watching her as she walked behind him. Had she only known what the following morning would bring.........
{ End Note: Thanks for reading!! I hope you enjoyed it. Just wait til you see what happens the next morning.... :) I think your all going to be quite surprised... )