Cho snuck around the back of the restricted section of the library, the
evil book tucked under her cloak. She moved quickly and quietly to the
arranged meeting place with her contact.
"You have it? Good," the woman said in a low tone, taking the book. She did not remove her hood, nor did she raise her voice. "Now…"
She pointed the wand between Cho's eyes and, before Cho could react, hissed, "Obliviate…"
~*~
"MASTER!"
The screaming continued on, loud and pleading. "HAVE MERCY, PLEASE… OH, GOD…"
Voldemort turned from the substitute victim, no pity in his heart. The only feeling in his heart was rage. Someone had slipped up, and the Book of Hatred was no longer in his possession… he tended to forget it was never his to possess. The girl Cho had to remain untouched: Her memories of all Voldemort had to offer were wiped clean by someone very proficient in Charms, and that person had "his" book.
"Someone's soul will writhe for this," he muttered.
~*~
Mariah fingered the chain around her neck idly, oddly comforted by the weight of the Amulet against her collarbone. The metal never warmed, but remained perfectly cool to the touch against her skin. She smiled over at Harry happily as they were dismissed from class. As she made her way over to him, a manicured hand reached out and pushed Mari against the wall. It was Sahie, one of Loretta DeVine's cronies.
"What a pretty necklace, Frenchie." The girl's voice was dripping with scorn.
"What a pretty nose job, Sahie. Back off," Mari spat back. After only a month at Hogwarts, she knew that to be pushed around was suicide here.
One of the girl's long tangerine fingernails ran down and hooked the chain.
"Mind if I… take a look?" Sahie sneered. She tried to snap the chain, and couldn't.
"Yes, and apparently so does my necklace. I'm warning you for the last time, back OFF."
Sahie looked puzzled and closed her hand over the chain, pulling a little harder. The Amulet fell out of the front of Mariah's robes and emitted a soft red glow. When Sahie tried to touch it, it sent her sprawling across the room.
"No fighting in the corridors! What is the meaning of this?" Professor Snape stood over Sahie, arms crossed. Sahie was relieved. This was the Head of Slytherin house… he wouldn't take points from his own house.
"Sahie tried to take my A- necklace," Mari explained, flustered.
Snape thought for a moment, and then turned a stern eye upon the smirking Sahie.
"25 points from Slytherin."
A collective gasp arose from the amassed students as Snape put his hand under Sahie's elbow and hauled her to her feet. "Slytherins are not petty thieves, Sahie McDellon. You'd do well to remember that. To impress the lesson upon you, you have detention with me Friday night."
"B-but, Professor-!"
"No protests unless you feel your week would be better spent with me."
Sahie shut her mouth and gave Mariah a murderous glance as Snape firmly escorted her up the stairs.
Harry pushed his way through the crowd to her side. "Mari! You ok?" he asked worriedly.
"I'm fine," she managed. "Come on, let's go to lunch."
~*~
Lunch was far from peaceful, however. Sephie and Hermione were summoned from lunch to the Staff table. A moment later the entire school body saw Sephie pass out, her sister laughing hysterically.
Ginny, Lexi, and Mari made their way over to the unconscious Sephie.
"Is she ok!?"
Ally looked to them with a smile. "I guess the idea of a baby sister was too much for her."
Before the excitement of this was over, the five girls were summoned by McGonagall to undergo Animagus training. Since three of them could already go it, it was assumed that, by and by, the other two would transform at need. So, they all went to learn as if applying for the chance to become Animagi, which they were. What the Ministry didn't know was that three had already done so naturally.
The boys were suspicious about this, naturally, and Ron just COULDN'T keep his mouth shut.
"Where do you girls go every week?"
"Huh?"
"Don't act stupid, Hermione. That's like a clock saying it can't tell time. What's going on?"
"Nothing."
"And don't lie to me."
"I'm not allowed to tell you, Ron. Jut let it go."
Ron looked about ready to protest, but closed his mouth with a look. "I'll let it go for now, but this will be discussed later."
"Yes, sir," she answered sarcastically. She had NO intention of telling him until she was given permission to do so.
~*~
Draco rounded the corner and passed Dumbledore's office on the way to see Lexi. Ginny and Jeremy had told Draco that his father had been in the castle late three nights ago, so he was carefully walking the long route past the teachers' rooms. Suddenly Dumbledore's head popped out of his office. "Draco!"
"Sir?"
"I need to see you for a moment. Do you have the time?"
Draco decided that NOW wasn't the time to tell Dumbledore where he was going, so he nodded. "Of course, Professor Dumbledore."
As Draco entered the office, Lucius rose from his chair inside. Draco backpedaled so fast he backed into Dumbledore. "Shit!"
"Hello, son." Upon further inspection, Lucius looked like hell. He was hardly his normally well-groomed self. His face was drawn with pain and his arm was wrapped tightly.
"What's HE doing here?!" Draco's voice had reached a dangerous pitch, and Lucius looked pained. Dumbledore sighed.
"Draco, your father has suffered much these past few days. I would not put you in danger, I hope you know that."
Draco's shoulders relaxed. "Yes, sir, I know that. My question still stands, though." The boy's voice was calmer now, and he took a seat to hear a few explanations.
~*~
Fred Weasley sat in his new store, looking around happily. He and George had decided to go through with their original plan of Weasley's Wizardly Wheezes after the incident with Sephie and Angelina's enthusiasm about the whole thing. They had opened last month, and they had already paid back the loan they had taken out to get started. All in all, the business was a huge success so far.
That was good, because he and Angelina didn't want to wait much longer to get married.
His thoughts were interrupted when their main occupant came out of the storage room.
"Hi, hon," Angelina cried as she dusted herself off.
"Hi yourself, Angel," he nodded, kissing her upturned face. "How goes inventory?"
She made a face. "Slowly. I can't trust you to do it, though, so I will."
He adopted an indignant face, and she laughed at him. "Don't pout."
His pout deepened as George came in. He laughed lightly at the sight and said to Angelina, "After dealing with this big baby, real children will be a snap, Ang."
"Tell that to your mother, George," she retorted. "She had problems all across the board."
"Thank you, God, she recognizes Percy for the git he is!" Fred cried. "Usually they peg him as the 'good' one!"
They all laughed for a moment, and Angelina caught a glimpse of George's face: he looked pained.
"I'm gonna go tell Mum we'll be over for dinner, ok?"
Before they could answer, George was gone.
Fred looked to Angelina with a worried eye. "What's the matter with him?"
"His heart is broken, Fred. Leave him be. I talked to Hermione about Sephie; it's for the best of the both of them at the moment."
"Ah, yes; how is my little bro's girl?"
"At her wit's end, like any girl dating a Weasley boy."
Angelina's grin and kiss on the cheek dispelled the illusion of harshness she was trying to create.
~*~
Draco and his father sat across from each other silently.
"So…" they both said at the same time.
"How's your wife?" Lucius asked almost awkwardly.
"Lexi? She's fine. I was on my way to see her, actually," Draco answered coolly.
"Ah. I do hope, Draco, that you've been careful. Voldemort's wishes are not to be fulfilled at any cost. I realize that now."
"I know, Father. There is no need to be careful, though. We decided that for the interests of all concerned, shagging is out of the question for now."
Lucius let the corners of his mouth curl. "Thank God you do not take after your mother, Draco."
Draco let out a laugh; true, it was a little forced, but a laugh nonetheless.
"Narcessa is a cold hearted bitch, Father."
Such a statement was not unexpected by Lucius, not even from the woman's own son.
"From the mouth of her son."
"From the mouths of everyone."
"I'm aware of that, Draco. I'm very aware of it. My mouth has uttered those words before, and it will again, I assure you."
"I would expect no less. Why stay with her, Father, if all she does is cause pain?"
"I stayed with her for you, son. Half of the Malfoy estate is hers until you are 18. Then, according to our marriage agreement, the entirety of it belongs to you. She has been trying to divorce me since you were 2. I refuse every time. Voldemort thought it was in deference to his declaration that we remain together, but the day you turn 18, she is gone."
"Good." At Lucius's look, Draco continued, "Father, Lexi has encountered Narcessa before, too. Although she saved Lexi's life at that time, her first orders to Rob Carrington were to kill her. I can never forgive her for that."
"I don't expect you to, Draco."
For the first time, the two felt a rapport between them. They both wanted to thank each other, but had no words; their being in the same room together was enough.
~*~
"My Lord," chorused 5 girls, knee bent to their master.
"Good evening, girls. As you well know, Cho Chang is no longer one of us. I have you girls, though… my young Death Eaters Elite, trained from your birth to serve me. Leona has your instructions, my girls… serve me well, and your reward shall be great."
"As you command, my Lord," they all replied with one voice.
Leona stepped into view and pierced them all with her gaze.
"There are five girls that we must obliterate…"
"You have it? Good," the woman said in a low tone, taking the book. She did not remove her hood, nor did she raise her voice. "Now…"
She pointed the wand between Cho's eyes and, before Cho could react, hissed, "Obliviate…"
~*~
"MASTER!"
The screaming continued on, loud and pleading. "HAVE MERCY, PLEASE… OH, GOD…"
Voldemort turned from the substitute victim, no pity in his heart. The only feeling in his heart was rage. Someone had slipped up, and the Book of Hatred was no longer in his possession… he tended to forget it was never his to possess. The girl Cho had to remain untouched: Her memories of all Voldemort had to offer were wiped clean by someone very proficient in Charms, and that person had "his" book.
"Someone's soul will writhe for this," he muttered.
~*~
Mariah fingered the chain around her neck idly, oddly comforted by the weight of the Amulet against her collarbone. The metal never warmed, but remained perfectly cool to the touch against her skin. She smiled over at Harry happily as they were dismissed from class. As she made her way over to him, a manicured hand reached out and pushed Mari against the wall. It was Sahie, one of Loretta DeVine's cronies.
"What a pretty necklace, Frenchie." The girl's voice was dripping with scorn.
"What a pretty nose job, Sahie. Back off," Mari spat back. After only a month at Hogwarts, she knew that to be pushed around was suicide here.
One of the girl's long tangerine fingernails ran down and hooked the chain.
"Mind if I… take a look?" Sahie sneered. She tried to snap the chain, and couldn't.
"Yes, and apparently so does my necklace. I'm warning you for the last time, back OFF."
Sahie looked puzzled and closed her hand over the chain, pulling a little harder. The Amulet fell out of the front of Mariah's robes and emitted a soft red glow. When Sahie tried to touch it, it sent her sprawling across the room.
"No fighting in the corridors! What is the meaning of this?" Professor Snape stood over Sahie, arms crossed. Sahie was relieved. This was the Head of Slytherin house… he wouldn't take points from his own house.
"Sahie tried to take my A- necklace," Mari explained, flustered.
Snape thought for a moment, and then turned a stern eye upon the smirking Sahie.
"25 points from Slytherin."
A collective gasp arose from the amassed students as Snape put his hand under Sahie's elbow and hauled her to her feet. "Slytherins are not petty thieves, Sahie McDellon. You'd do well to remember that. To impress the lesson upon you, you have detention with me Friday night."
"B-but, Professor-!"
"No protests unless you feel your week would be better spent with me."
Sahie shut her mouth and gave Mariah a murderous glance as Snape firmly escorted her up the stairs.
Harry pushed his way through the crowd to her side. "Mari! You ok?" he asked worriedly.
"I'm fine," she managed. "Come on, let's go to lunch."
~*~
Lunch was far from peaceful, however. Sephie and Hermione were summoned from lunch to the Staff table. A moment later the entire school body saw Sephie pass out, her sister laughing hysterically.
Ginny, Lexi, and Mari made their way over to the unconscious Sephie.
"Is she ok!?"
Ally looked to them with a smile. "I guess the idea of a baby sister was too much for her."
Before the excitement of this was over, the five girls were summoned by McGonagall to undergo Animagus training. Since three of them could already go it, it was assumed that, by and by, the other two would transform at need. So, they all went to learn as if applying for the chance to become Animagi, which they were. What the Ministry didn't know was that three had already done so naturally.
The boys were suspicious about this, naturally, and Ron just COULDN'T keep his mouth shut.
"Where do you girls go every week?"
"Huh?"
"Don't act stupid, Hermione. That's like a clock saying it can't tell time. What's going on?"
"Nothing."
"And don't lie to me."
"I'm not allowed to tell you, Ron. Jut let it go."
Ron looked about ready to protest, but closed his mouth with a look. "I'll let it go for now, but this will be discussed later."
"Yes, sir," she answered sarcastically. She had NO intention of telling him until she was given permission to do so.
~*~
Draco rounded the corner and passed Dumbledore's office on the way to see Lexi. Ginny and Jeremy had told Draco that his father had been in the castle late three nights ago, so he was carefully walking the long route past the teachers' rooms. Suddenly Dumbledore's head popped out of his office. "Draco!"
"Sir?"
"I need to see you for a moment. Do you have the time?"
Draco decided that NOW wasn't the time to tell Dumbledore where he was going, so he nodded. "Of course, Professor Dumbledore."
As Draco entered the office, Lucius rose from his chair inside. Draco backpedaled so fast he backed into Dumbledore. "Shit!"
"Hello, son." Upon further inspection, Lucius looked like hell. He was hardly his normally well-groomed self. His face was drawn with pain and his arm was wrapped tightly.
"What's HE doing here?!" Draco's voice had reached a dangerous pitch, and Lucius looked pained. Dumbledore sighed.
"Draco, your father has suffered much these past few days. I would not put you in danger, I hope you know that."
Draco's shoulders relaxed. "Yes, sir, I know that. My question still stands, though." The boy's voice was calmer now, and he took a seat to hear a few explanations.
~*~
Fred Weasley sat in his new store, looking around happily. He and George had decided to go through with their original plan of Weasley's Wizardly Wheezes after the incident with Sephie and Angelina's enthusiasm about the whole thing. They had opened last month, and they had already paid back the loan they had taken out to get started. All in all, the business was a huge success so far.
That was good, because he and Angelina didn't want to wait much longer to get married.
His thoughts were interrupted when their main occupant came out of the storage room.
"Hi, hon," Angelina cried as she dusted herself off.
"Hi yourself, Angel," he nodded, kissing her upturned face. "How goes inventory?"
She made a face. "Slowly. I can't trust you to do it, though, so I will."
He adopted an indignant face, and she laughed at him. "Don't pout."
His pout deepened as George came in. He laughed lightly at the sight and said to Angelina, "After dealing with this big baby, real children will be a snap, Ang."
"Tell that to your mother, George," she retorted. "She had problems all across the board."
"Thank you, God, she recognizes Percy for the git he is!" Fred cried. "Usually they peg him as the 'good' one!"
They all laughed for a moment, and Angelina caught a glimpse of George's face: he looked pained.
"I'm gonna go tell Mum we'll be over for dinner, ok?"
Before they could answer, George was gone.
Fred looked to Angelina with a worried eye. "What's the matter with him?"
"His heart is broken, Fred. Leave him be. I talked to Hermione about Sephie; it's for the best of the both of them at the moment."
"Ah, yes; how is my little bro's girl?"
"At her wit's end, like any girl dating a Weasley boy."
Angelina's grin and kiss on the cheek dispelled the illusion of harshness she was trying to create.
~*~
Draco and his father sat across from each other silently.
"So…" they both said at the same time.
"How's your wife?" Lucius asked almost awkwardly.
"Lexi? She's fine. I was on my way to see her, actually," Draco answered coolly.
"Ah. I do hope, Draco, that you've been careful. Voldemort's wishes are not to be fulfilled at any cost. I realize that now."
"I know, Father. There is no need to be careful, though. We decided that for the interests of all concerned, shagging is out of the question for now."
Lucius let the corners of his mouth curl. "Thank God you do not take after your mother, Draco."
Draco let out a laugh; true, it was a little forced, but a laugh nonetheless.
"Narcessa is a cold hearted bitch, Father."
Such a statement was not unexpected by Lucius, not even from the woman's own son.
"From the mouth of her son."
"From the mouths of everyone."
"I'm aware of that, Draco. I'm very aware of it. My mouth has uttered those words before, and it will again, I assure you."
"I would expect no less. Why stay with her, Father, if all she does is cause pain?"
"I stayed with her for you, son. Half of the Malfoy estate is hers until you are 18. Then, according to our marriage agreement, the entirety of it belongs to you. She has been trying to divorce me since you were 2. I refuse every time. Voldemort thought it was in deference to his declaration that we remain together, but the day you turn 18, she is gone."
"Good." At Lucius's look, Draco continued, "Father, Lexi has encountered Narcessa before, too. Although she saved Lexi's life at that time, her first orders to Rob Carrington were to kill her. I can never forgive her for that."
"I don't expect you to, Draco."
For the first time, the two felt a rapport between them. They both wanted to thank each other, but had no words; their being in the same room together was enough.
~*~
"My Lord," chorused 5 girls, knee bent to their master.
"Good evening, girls. As you well know, Cho Chang is no longer one of us. I have you girls, though… my young Death Eaters Elite, trained from your birth to serve me. Leona has your instructions, my girls… serve me well, and your reward shall be great."
"As you command, my Lord," they all replied with one voice.
Leona stepped into view and pierced them all with her gaze.
"There are five girls that we must obliterate…"