Chapter 3: The Girl On The Stairs

    Ivy awoke, her body stiff and aching. She slowly opened her eyes and waited for her vision to focus. As it did, she could see the room around her more clearly.

    She was in a large, round room. The walls were covered many desks and shelves. All of which were littered with vials and containers filled with different types of disgusting looking potions, herbs (probably poisonous), and organs. There were many large aquariums with snakes of every size, species, and color. Other than that, there were all sorts of books and other odd-looking objects.

    In front of her was a mahogany desk with silver snake trimmings. Behind that was a matching, tall-backed chair with dark-green velvet cushioning. And behind the chair were metal filing cabinets that went halfway up to the ceiling. To the far left was a shiny, wooden door with a gold, snake-shaped handle. Above her, an immense chandelier hung from the ceiling and illuminated the room. Ivy noticed gargoyles were perched on certain parts of the rounded walls.

    By the time Ivy had fully observed her surroundings, she was back to consciousness and was ready to go. After looking around to make sure no one was there, Ivy began to get up out of her seat, but was soon stopped by tight, black ropes. "Shit!" Frustrated, Ivy tugged at the ropes, but that only made them tighten more. Rage consumed Ivy as she struggled against the bonds binding her to the chair. With a final scream of aggravation, Ivy gave up the battle and rested her head back.

    "By all means, keep going. I was rather enjoying myself." Ivy's head snapped back up. That voice! She turned her head around as far as she could and, out of the corner of her eyes, saw Voldemort standing behind her, looking pleased with him self. Ivy rolled her eyes and turned back around, so she wouldn't have to look at him. "What's wrong, Miss Locke," he asked with mock concern, "No smart comment or insult…have you decided to play nice?" Ivy gritted her teeth and ignored the sadistic laughter in his words.

    Voldemort walked around the chair, as to face Ivy, and leaned back on the edge of his desk. For one long moment they just glared at each other, until the Dark Lord was the first to break the silence.

"Do you know why you're here Miss Locke?" Ivy rolled her eyes as she replied, "No, but why don't you tell me so I can hurry up and leave." Voldemort growled slightly. She was there because she was familiar to him. From the time he saw her in the Great Hall, he felt he had seen her before. Her attitude, the way she spoke, the way she looked…everything about her reminded him of someone. He just couldn't figure out who. Voldemort continued to study her face.

    "Why do I feel like I know you," he asked. "I don't know," Ivy said nonchalantly, "Maybe I just have one of those faces." "Do not get smart with me, Ivannah!" he snapped. Ivy rolled her eyes. "So, were on a first name basis?" Ivy muttered sarcastically. Voldemort's temper was raging. He seized Ivy's jaw tightly in his hand and forced her to look him in the eye. "I will not tolerate your impertinence, Miss Locke," he growled. "I advise you to keep your tongue in check." Voldemort released Ivy's jaw, which was now slightly sore from him gripping it hard.

    The room fell silent once again. They had gone back to glaring at each other. Finally, Voldemort excused her. "You may go now, Miss Locke," he said sourly. The ropes suddenly released their hold on Ivy. She stood up and began rubbing her wrists where the ropes had been. "It's about time," Ivy retorted. "Now, if you don't mind, I have to go and forget you exist." Ivy then turned on her heel and strode out of the room,

    That last statement jogged his memory…He had heard it somewhere before…He remembered her now! Voldemort thought back to the night he had left the chamber.

*~Flashback~*

    …After a few moments of searching for the right words (and not finding them), she looked back up at Tom and simply stated, "I should, but I don't care very much right now. So, if you don't mind, I'll be getting back to work and forgetting you exist." With that, she turned back around and ignored Tom's presence…

    Ivannah was the girl on the stairs!