Part 12:
"Arise, Ruler of Dragons. The new dawn beckons thee," a melodious voice sung-it did not speak-from the foot of her bed. In fact, that particular voice never spoke, everything had its own song. "it is time to put off this unneedful slumber. Fate will only stand aside for so long." Now there was a gentle amusement in the voice.
"The dragon has humor, which is a wondrous gift-in its own time. But now is not that time," soft. "Awaken, dragon, and put the usurper in its place." Unyielding.
Green eyes, unnaturally bright with leashed power, opened to study the figure in the room with her.
It was a man, tall and muscular, of sober face and fair countenance. The harp slung over one shoulder denoted him bard's status. Much as the staff revealed druidic training. He was dressed in a tunic and tights of rough wool, dyed in shades of gray. Around his tanned neck was a torc-a hint of an aristocratic heritage perhaps?
His youthful face was surrounded by long, wavy brown hair. But it was his eyes that captured her attention. A deep, earthy brown, they were full of sorrow and joys. They smiled at her, sharing some kind of joke between them.
"As I once summoned thee, so I do now, Pendragon," he smiled, curiously sharp teeth gleaming in the pale morning light. "Do not become so focused, you lose sight of your true path, child."
Lily cleared her throat, "Merlyn?"
A rich, full-bodied laugh filled the room, "certainly not. I taught the necromancer but I existed long before that time. And my parentage is well known-Taliesin, I am called and so remain."
"The son of Kerridwen," she murmured.
"She would not thank ye for saying so, lady. Great Lady Kerridwen is still displeased with me for robbing her beloved son of his birthright," he sighed, despondent. "I cannot say that I blame her. Nor can I say that I regret doing so. Slightly higher beings we may be, but still human."
Lily smiled, "will you go with me to see the twins? I would love to see their reactions to you."
A wistful look crossed his face, briefly. "It would not be what you expect."
"You...you're the one who?" She trailed off, unable to speak past her shock.
His head bowed in acknowledgement.
"Why?"
"They would've died." It was simple and did nothing to disguise the brutal truth.
"Why do you care? They are Sauron's children."
"They are mine in all but blood." It was cold.
"But..."
"Nothing." His voice never changed tenor but it seemed to rise in authority and terror. "They are mine."
She shivered, frightened. Who was this being of leashed menace before her? The terrible image disappeared as completely as it had appeared. In the back of her mind, an old questions reasserted itself upon her mind. Just what were the twins that compelled people to desire to own them?
"Fare thee well, dragon. They shall be yours for a time longer. Do not abuse them." Taliesin made his way out the door, leaving as mysteriously as he had entered.
Throwing back the covers once she was sure he had left, she rose and dressed. To Poppy's inquiring glance, "I have lingered here long enough. Thank you for keeping my secret."
"You are not ready."
"On the contrary, I am more than ready," she stopped and stared at Poppy. "Did I say contrary?"
"Indeed you did," Poppy was cautious of her mercurial patient.
"Peachy." Lily shrugged it off, moving out the door. "I must be up and doing, Poppy."
***
Taliesin did not leave as Lily had thought. He went down into the dungeons, peering through the walls, he found the two he'd claimed as his own. Shadows were their element and would love them all their days for midst twilight and dawn light, they came into the world.
Eyes narrowing, he watched in concern as Septina jerked. A new figure, one he'd never seen before, left his place by the fire. He was surrounded by a glow of strong sunlight.
To bright for his children.
Yet, she was turning towards this man, even welcoming the punishing glare. Something was wrong with this situation. Instead of burning, she was warming. He would keep an eye on them as he had always done and hope that this situation was as innocent as it appeared.
***
"We must stop him before the New Year begins," she murmured in response to the unasked question.
"My thoughts exactly. Sirius, I want you to deliver a message," Lily spoke as she entered the room. Sitting on the arm of Severus' chair, she leaned back, ignoring his stiff posture.
"What kind of message?" he was wary of this Lily. She wasn't quite as he remembered, there was a kind of cold, hard certainty about her. And he wasn't sure he wanted to leave Septina to face Voldedort alone as he knew she must.
Lily smiled at him, forcing down the harsher part of her nature for the moment. "Nothing terrible. You need to find Septina's other self in her father's world."
"How will I know her?"
"She will be known by this," a sphere formed in her hands, reveling a dragon necklace. It was much like the one he'd glanced once around Severus' neck before it had been hidden from view. "The charms that hid it here are not necessary there. The message is, 'prophecy once born is this day set in motion. Fulfill your part'. Do you think you can remember that?"
Instead of answering that, he asked another question. "Why do you think she'll trust me? Will she even know me?"
She smirked, "do you think I could forget you, Sirius Black? I will know you."
He shot her a doubtful look, "but will you trust me?"
"No. My knowledge of you is centered on what I knew of you sixteen years ago."
Dark head shaking, he softly spoke, "and therein lies the problem. Once you see me, I'm sure to be dead in the next moment."
"Sirius, I have little magic there. My position is much more restrictive, you have little to fear on that front."
Lily reached out, her hand closed tightly around something in her palm. "With this, she will believe all you have to say." Uncurling her fingers one by one, she revealed a matching dragon. "Unite them and I will appear. Seeing me will prove you are from me."
Hesitantly he accepted it, feeling fire trail up his arm. "But what about?"
"You will return before he needs us," Severus spoke coolly. "Cease this worrying and get going."
Sirius glared, opened his mouth, but was gone before anything was said.
"I'm off to La Malfoy's for tea," Septina spoke after a few minutes of silence.
"So early?" It was barely noon.
"I have a few things to accomplish first," she explained. "Watch me?"
"Without a doubt," he replied, clasping hands briefly. Severus watched her go, fear pulsing through every fiber of his being. He was not happy with this little gathering but could think of no plausible reason to intercede.
Lily's arms surrounded him, "she'll be fine."
"Are you sure of that, Lily? She's going back to the place where she was robbed of sight and life. Guarantee her safety, Lily, as the Pendragon. Give me a guarantee that she will walk through that door that same person she was going out," it was demanding. He faced her, fear naked on his face. "I want to hear the words. I want to hear in your own voice that I will not lose her again."
It was not often that he was desperate-and fully vulnerable. His concern for himself was nonexistent. It had always been thus. This concern for his sister was almost obsessive.
And it was the same with Septina for him. All their Slytherin survival instincts went into protecting the other's welfare with the result that they always came through. They were, in essence, each other's life's blood.
Most of the time, they were nearly dead with exhaustion and pain. But they always came back.
"She will make it, Severus," it was the dragon speaking, not Lily. "There is nothing at that house for her to fear."
He said nothing, only clutched her hands in his. There was nothing to be done now but wait. Drawing him down onto the couch, Lily did nothing but hold him.
***
"Where's the mutt?" Bellatrix was suspicious when she saw only Septina at the door.
"The letter specified that I was not to bring him. Would you rather he was here? I could rectify my mistake if it would make you feel better." She oozed faux sincerity.
She was rewarded by a cruel smile, she could literally feel it. "Quite all right, Septina, darling. Where did you find him anyway?"
"Grim found me-in the forbidden forest-and took a liking to me," she removed her cloak.
"Septina! Cousin, so good of you to come." Narcissa embraced her in the hall, but it was just for show.
"Narcissa, dear, from the tone of you letter, I wasn't sure I could refuse." It was gently sarcastic as she returned the embrace.
The blonde laughed, but it sounded forced. "Oh, its good to know that you haven't lost your sense of humor along with your sight."
"Yes, isn't it?" she answered drolly.
The trio made their way into the back parlor, away from the reach of even elven ears. "Why did you ask me to come, Narcissa?"
La Malfoy didn't answer, just poured them tea. "Why so suspicious? Can't we just have a desire to reacquaint ourselves with you? You have been gone for a long while."
A disbelieving snort met these words, "fine. I'll play your game-for now." They spoke of inanities for a while, covering subjects from Quidditch to the Minister's new education plan.
Bellatrix, who'd been mostly silent, broke in. "I don't trust you."
"Anymore than I trust you," Septina replied.
"But I do believe that you best understand what is going inside Lord Voldemort's head," she finished. "Narcaissa and I are of divided opinion, though no less faithful to him. It seems to us that he is not himself and will never be again. He's lost that spark of creativity, that fire, that used to drive him."
"And?" she prodded, sensing the tea carefully for any hidden 'treats' before sipping and savoring it.
"We want to know what you think. Is it wise to continue as we have?"
"Lord Voldemort is no more nor less than he should be."
"That tells us nothing we don't already know, Snape," Bellatrix snapped. "I did not escape Azkaban to serve anything less than the Dark Lord I committed myself to in the first place, not that you would know of it."
"Ah, you want me to tell you what to do," Septina mused, "I cannot do that. It is not my place, nor do I want to be blamed for your follies. But, since you want my opinion, I think you should die. Barring that possibility, you should just focus on survival."
"How are we to do that? Turn ourselves in? I have no intention of going back. Ever!" she hissed.
"Calm yourself, Bellatrix," Narcissa soothed. "We did ask for your help because you have a gift, I'm sure you know of what I speak? What does it reveal of our future?"
Direct questions always receive a direct answer, there was no way around that law. With a sigh, she spoke, "things will come to a head around New Year's. Whether we stand or fall, I cannot say for I did not see. The dragon has risen and taken fleshly form once again."
"Harry Potter has come into his own," Bellatrix mused.
"No. Lily's back," Narcissa ground out through gritted teeth.
Bellatrix felt a combination of horror and satisfaction. Here was proof of Septina and Severus' duplicity, "how long have you known?"
"Since this morning when she arrived," Septina shrugged, hiding her smirk behind the cup. "You are the first to know, I have yet to speak with the Dark Lord."
"He's going to be livid, unless..." Bellatrix trailed off, deep in thought. An evil smile crossed her face as an idea tickled her fancy.
"Unless?" Narcissa prompted, feeling chilled by that look.
Her gaze shifted between the two, restlessly. "We don't tell him."
"Betray the Dark Lord? Are you mad?" Septina exclaimed, leaping up. "I think that's a good idea."
"Listen to me, you fool!" Bellatrix's hands harshly grabbed her arm, shaking her roughly. "If we take her out and give him her blood, he'll be restored to life and sanity. That's what he wanted in the first place, isn't it?"
Septina shook her head, "not with dead blood."
"Then we bring her to him alive...and relatively unharmed." Her smile went from evil to vicious, "and, with any luck, that brat they call son will be thrown into the deal. Imagine it, Narcissa, we'll be able to leave the lower ranks and stand at his side."
Narcissa's eyes gleamed with lust and greed, "yes. It will be marvelous."
"It will be suicidal!" Septina shouted, struggling against the tight grip.
The two witches laughed at her, "oh, come now. Where's your lust for blood and vengeance?"
"Unhand my seer!" A voice commanded from the doorway. Voldemort stood, wreathed in angry, vindictive power.
Septina fell to the ground, never so glad to feel the presence of the Dark Lord as she was at the moment. Her head thudded with the implications of what had almost happened and she winced. What had started as a simple diversion, had quickly become so much more.
Neville felt a hand push him forward. He went to her side and lifted her to her feet. Together, they moved to the safety of Voldemort's dark cloak.
"In perfect place, eh?" he drawled, staring at them. "For what, I wonder? To take my place? Is that it, girls? You think I've gone soft?"
"Of course not. We wanted to please you," Narcissa spoke with quiet confidence.
"By undermining my authority? By going behind my back and making plane to steal my thunder? If I must lose my best and brightest followers, I should get something out of it, don't you think?" he paused, "Septina?"
She paled, realizing what he intended to do. "While I would never presume to contradict you, lord, I feel that..."
"Then don't," he cut her off abruptly. "Imperio!"
Bellatrix and Narcissa snapped to attention, staring at him apprehensively. They were suddenly made aware of their situation, the danger they were in.
"Wands at the ready," he calmly ordered.
Two wands whipped out from the hiding spaces, fear darkening their faces. It was all too obvious what was about to happen to them. They didn't even bother to resist.
:Face," he was bored. "Duel. And make it good."
Compelled like puppet, the two began a fierce fight. It was a fair battle, the kind not seen out of the professional arena. Bellatrix had lost none of her snap fire decisions. Nor had time dulled her cruelty and aim. But Narcissa had good physical health on her side. Plus, she had studied under Lucius in the years since Voldemort's fall. Her husband had always felt that it was best to be trained constantly.
Neville sat with Septina, unsure of what he was supposed to do. Though greatly saddened by there events, she moved to comfort the boy. "Only look faintly amused, he expects nothing but that," she whispered, squeezing his hand. "They aren't fighting for our entertainment."
"How far will he let this go?" he whispered back.
"To the death," she shrugged, "or until he's lost interest. It's hard to say with him." Her gaze was calculating, "they'll do this for sometime. If I know those tow-and I do-they will fight until he stops them."
"Will he?" Neville asked.
"Who knows? It all depends on how much of the conversation he heard."
He responded to the unspoken question automatically, "we came in when La Malfoy asked about what you saw."
Absently nodding to cover the rush of relief, she made no other comment.
"Seer. Longbottom. Return to Hogwarts. I have no further need of you." Lord Voldemort ordered, moving further into the room and sitting down.
They bowed," it is as our lord wishes." They kept their walk smooth so as not to betray their nervousness and relief at the dismissal. Once they cleared the house, they sped up, putting as much distance between them as they could.
"Arise, Ruler of Dragons. The new dawn beckons thee," a melodious voice sung-it did not speak-from the foot of her bed. In fact, that particular voice never spoke, everything had its own song. "it is time to put off this unneedful slumber. Fate will only stand aside for so long." Now there was a gentle amusement in the voice.
"The dragon has humor, which is a wondrous gift-in its own time. But now is not that time," soft. "Awaken, dragon, and put the usurper in its place." Unyielding.
Green eyes, unnaturally bright with leashed power, opened to study the figure in the room with her.
It was a man, tall and muscular, of sober face and fair countenance. The harp slung over one shoulder denoted him bard's status. Much as the staff revealed druidic training. He was dressed in a tunic and tights of rough wool, dyed in shades of gray. Around his tanned neck was a torc-a hint of an aristocratic heritage perhaps?
His youthful face was surrounded by long, wavy brown hair. But it was his eyes that captured her attention. A deep, earthy brown, they were full of sorrow and joys. They smiled at her, sharing some kind of joke between them.
"As I once summoned thee, so I do now, Pendragon," he smiled, curiously sharp teeth gleaming in the pale morning light. "Do not become so focused, you lose sight of your true path, child."
Lily cleared her throat, "Merlyn?"
A rich, full-bodied laugh filled the room, "certainly not. I taught the necromancer but I existed long before that time. And my parentage is well known-Taliesin, I am called and so remain."
"The son of Kerridwen," she murmured.
"She would not thank ye for saying so, lady. Great Lady Kerridwen is still displeased with me for robbing her beloved son of his birthright," he sighed, despondent. "I cannot say that I blame her. Nor can I say that I regret doing so. Slightly higher beings we may be, but still human."
Lily smiled, "will you go with me to see the twins? I would love to see their reactions to you."
A wistful look crossed his face, briefly. "It would not be what you expect."
"You...you're the one who?" She trailed off, unable to speak past her shock.
His head bowed in acknowledgement.
"Why?"
"They would've died." It was simple and did nothing to disguise the brutal truth.
"Why do you care? They are Sauron's children."
"They are mine in all but blood." It was cold.
"But..."
"Nothing." His voice never changed tenor but it seemed to rise in authority and terror. "They are mine."
She shivered, frightened. Who was this being of leashed menace before her? The terrible image disappeared as completely as it had appeared. In the back of her mind, an old questions reasserted itself upon her mind. Just what were the twins that compelled people to desire to own them?
"Fare thee well, dragon. They shall be yours for a time longer. Do not abuse them." Taliesin made his way out the door, leaving as mysteriously as he had entered.
Throwing back the covers once she was sure he had left, she rose and dressed. To Poppy's inquiring glance, "I have lingered here long enough. Thank you for keeping my secret."
"You are not ready."
"On the contrary, I am more than ready," she stopped and stared at Poppy. "Did I say contrary?"
"Indeed you did," Poppy was cautious of her mercurial patient.
"Peachy." Lily shrugged it off, moving out the door. "I must be up and doing, Poppy."
***
Taliesin did not leave as Lily had thought. He went down into the dungeons, peering through the walls, he found the two he'd claimed as his own. Shadows were their element and would love them all their days for midst twilight and dawn light, they came into the world.
Eyes narrowing, he watched in concern as Septina jerked. A new figure, one he'd never seen before, left his place by the fire. He was surrounded by a glow of strong sunlight.
To bright for his children.
Yet, she was turning towards this man, even welcoming the punishing glare. Something was wrong with this situation. Instead of burning, she was warming. He would keep an eye on them as he had always done and hope that this situation was as innocent as it appeared.
***
"We must stop him before the New Year begins," she murmured in response to the unasked question.
"My thoughts exactly. Sirius, I want you to deliver a message," Lily spoke as she entered the room. Sitting on the arm of Severus' chair, she leaned back, ignoring his stiff posture.
"What kind of message?" he was wary of this Lily. She wasn't quite as he remembered, there was a kind of cold, hard certainty about her. And he wasn't sure he wanted to leave Septina to face Voldedort alone as he knew she must.
Lily smiled at him, forcing down the harsher part of her nature for the moment. "Nothing terrible. You need to find Septina's other self in her father's world."
"How will I know her?"
"She will be known by this," a sphere formed in her hands, reveling a dragon necklace. It was much like the one he'd glanced once around Severus' neck before it had been hidden from view. "The charms that hid it here are not necessary there. The message is, 'prophecy once born is this day set in motion. Fulfill your part'. Do you think you can remember that?"
Instead of answering that, he asked another question. "Why do you think she'll trust me? Will she even know me?"
She smirked, "do you think I could forget you, Sirius Black? I will know you."
He shot her a doubtful look, "but will you trust me?"
"No. My knowledge of you is centered on what I knew of you sixteen years ago."
Dark head shaking, he softly spoke, "and therein lies the problem. Once you see me, I'm sure to be dead in the next moment."
"Sirius, I have little magic there. My position is much more restrictive, you have little to fear on that front."
Lily reached out, her hand closed tightly around something in her palm. "With this, she will believe all you have to say." Uncurling her fingers one by one, she revealed a matching dragon. "Unite them and I will appear. Seeing me will prove you are from me."
Hesitantly he accepted it, feeling fire trail up his arm. "But what about?"
"You will return before he needs us," Severus spoke coolly. "Cease this worrying and get going."
Sirius glared, opened his mouth, but was gone before anything was said.
"I'm off to La Malfoy's for tea," Septina spoke after a few minutes of silence.
"So early?" It was barely noon.
"I have a few things to accomplish first," she explained. "Watch me?"
"Without a doubt," he replied, clasping hands briefly. Severus watched her go, fear pulsing through every fiber of his being. He was not happy with this little gathering but could think of no plausible reason to intercede.
Lily's arms surrounded him, "she'll be fine."
"Are you sure of that, Lily? She's going back to the place where she was robbed of sight and life. Guarantee her safety, Lily, as the Pendragon. Give me a guarantee that she will walk through that door that same person she was going out," it was demanding. He faced her, fear naked on his face. "I want to hear the words. I want to hear in your own voice that I will not lose her again."
It was not often that he was desperate-and fully vulnerable. His concern for himself was nonexistent. It had always been thus. This concern for his sister was almost obsessive.
And it was the same with Septina for him. All their Slytherin survival instincts went into protecting the other's welfare with the result that they always came through. They were, in essence, each other's life's blood.
Most of the time, they were nearly dead with exhaustion and pain. But they always came back.
"She will make it, Severus," it was the dragon speaking, not Lily. "There is nothing at that house for her to fear."
He said nothing, only clutched her hands in his. There was nothing to be done now but wait. Drawing him down onto the couch, Lily did nothing but hold him.
***
"Where's the mutt?" Bellatrix was suspicious when she saw only Septina at the door.
"The letter specified that I was not to bring him. Would you rather he was here? I could rectify my mistake if it would make you feel better." She oozed faux sincerity.
She was rewarded by a cruel smile, she could literally feel it. "Quite all right, Septina, darling. Where did you find him anyway?"
"Grim found me-in the forbidden forest-and took a liking to me," she removed her cloak.
"Septina! Cousin, so good of you to come." Narcissa embraced her in the hall, but it was just for show.
"Narcissa, dear, from the tone of you letter, I wasn't sure I could refuse." It was gently sarcastic as she returned the embrace.
The blonde laughed, but it sounded forced. "Oh, its good to know that you haven't lost your sense of humor along with your sight."
"Yes, isn't it?" she answered drolly.
The trio made their way into the back parlor, away from the reach of even elven ears. "Why did you ask me to come, Narcissa?"
La Malfoy didn't answer, just poured them tea. "Why so suspicious? Can't we just have a desire to reacquaint ourselves with you? You have been gone for a long while."
A disbelieving snort met these words, "fine. I'll play your game-for now." They spoke of inanities for a while, covering subjects from Quidditch to the Minister's new education plan.
Bellatrix, who'd been mostly silent, broke in. "I don't trust you."
"Anymore than I trust you," Septina replied.
"But I do believe that you best understand what is going inside Lord Voldemort's head," she finished. "Narcaissa and I are of divided opinion, though no less faithful to him. It seems to us that he is not himself and will never be again. He's lost that spark of creativity, that fire, that used to drive him."
"And?" she prodded, sensing the tea carefully for any hidden 'treats' before sipping and savoring it.
"We want to know what you think. Is it wise to continue as we have?"
"Lord Voldemort is no more nor less than he should be."
"That tells us nothing we don't already know, Snape," Bellatrix snapped. "I did not escape Azkaban to serve anything less than the Dark Lord I committed myself to in the first place, not that you would know of it."
"Ah, you want me to tell you what to do," Septina mused, "I cannot do that. It is not my place, nor do I want to be blamed for your follies. But, since you want my opinion, I think you should die. Barring that possibility, you should just focus on survival."
"How are we to do that? Turn ourselves in? I have no intention of going back. Ever!" she hissed.
"Calm yourself, Bellatrix," Narcissa soothed. "We did ask for your help because you have a gift, I'm sure you know of what I speak? What does it reveal of our future?"
Direct questions always receive a direct answer, there was no way around that law. With a sigh, she spoke, "things will come to a head around New Year's. Whether we stand or fall, I cannot say for I did not see. The dragon has risen and taken fleshly form once again."
"Harry Potter has come into his own," Bellatrix mused.
"No. Lily's back," Narcissa ground out through gritted teeth.
Bellatrix felt a combination of horror and satisfaction. Here was proof of Septina and Severus' duplicity, "how long have you known?"
"Since this morning when she arrived," Septina shrugged, hiding her smirk behind the cup. "You are the first to know, I have yet to speak with the Dark Lord."
"He's going to be livid, unless..." Bellatrix trailed off, deep in thought. An evil smile crossed her face as an idea tickled her fancy.
"Unless?" Narcissa prompted, feeling chilled by that look.
Her gaze shifted between the two, restlessly. "We don't tell him."
"Betray the Dark Lord? Are you mad?" Septina exclaimed, leaping up. "I think that's a good idea."
"Listen to me, you fool!" Bellatrix's hands harshly grabbed her arm, shaking her roughly. "If we take her out and give him her blood, he'll be restored to life and sanity. That's what he wanted in the first place, isn't it?"
Septina shook her head, "not with dead blood."
"Then we bring her to him alive...and relatively unharmed." Her smile went from evil to vicious, "and, with any luck, that brat they call son will be thrown into the deal. Imagine it, Narcissa, we'll be able to leave the lower ranks and stand at his side."
Narcissa's eyes gleamed with lust and greed, "yes. It will be marvelous."
"It will be suicidal!" Septina shouted, struggling against the tight grip.
The two witches laughed at her, "oh, come now. Where's your lust for blood and vengeance?"
"Unhand my seer!" A voice commanded from the doorway. Voldemort stood, wreathed in angry, vindictive power.
Septina fell to the ground, never so glad to feel the presence of the Dark Lord as she was at the moment. Her head thudded with the implications of what had almost happened and she winced. What had started as a simple diversion, had quickly become so much more.
Neville felt a hand push him forward. He went to her side and lifted her to her feet. Together, they moved to the safety of Voldemort's dark cloak.
"In perfect place, eh?" he drawled, staring at them. "For what, I wonder? To take my place? Is that it, girls? You think I've gone soft?"
"Of course not. We wanted to please you," Narcissa spoke with quiet confidence.
"By undermining my authority? By going behind my back and making plane to steal my thunder? If I must lose my best and brightest followers, I should get something out of it, don't you think?" he paused, "Septina?"
She paled, realizing what he intended to do. "While I would never presume to contradict you, lord, I feel that..."
"Then don't," he cut her off abruptly. "Imperio!"
Bellatrix and Narcissa snapped to attention, staring at him apprehensively. They were suddenly made aware of their situation, the danger they were in.
"Wands at the ready," he calmly ordered.
Two wands whipped out from the hiding spaces, fear darkening their faces. It was all too obvious what was about to happen to them. They didn't even bother to resist.
:Face," he was bored. "Duel. And make it good."
Compelled like puppet, the two began a fierce fight. It was a fair battle, the kind not seen out of the professional arena. Bellatrix had lost none of her snap fire decisions. Nor had time dulled her cruelty and aim. But Narcissa had good physical health on her side. Plus, she had studied under Lucius in the years since Voldemort's fall. Her husband had always felt that it was best to be trained constantly.
Neville sat with Septina, unsure of what he was supposed to do. Though greatly saddened by there events, she moved to comfort the boy. "Only look faintly amused, he expects nothing but that," she whispered, squeezing his hand. "They aren't fighting for our entertainment."
"How far will he let this go?" he whispered back.
"To the death," she shrugged, "or until he's lost interest. It's hard to say with him." Her gaze was calculating, "they'll do this for sometime. If I know those tow-and I do-they will fight until he stops them."
"Will he?" Neville asked.
"Who knows? It all depends on how much of the conversation he heard."
He responded to the unspoken question automatically, "we came in when La Malfoy asked about what you saw."
Absently nodding to cover the rush of relief, she made no other comment.
"Seer. Longbottom. Return to Hogwarts. I have no further need of you." Lord Voldemort ordered, moving further into the room and sitting down.
They bowed," it is as our lord wishes." They kept their walk smooth so as not to betray their nervousness and relief at the dismissal. Once they cleared the house, they sped up, putting as much distance between them as they could.