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Chapter Eight

The night wind was cold. I stood facing the lake, watching the moon peek out from the dark clouds. In my hand I held nothing. Nothing.

Soon, I heard his footsteps behind me—I heard them halt. I felt his gaze on my back and I turned around.

His eyes told me that it was the logical thing to do. They didn't tell me whether or not it was right.

" Follow me." I complied. I walked in his shadow, following him to where his broomstick stood.

He mounted it, and looking back at me, he motioned for me to get on behind him.

I was still unsure, and I'm sure he knew that. His eyes were staring intently at me, begging me, pleading me to just follow him.

Snow fell on me as I stood as still as stone, contemplating whether or not I could really do this. He sighed, and in the darkness, I saw his silhouette move toward me. He stood close to me and took my hands in his.

" Come with me, Virginia. Come with me and live happily forever." He whispered, and for once, his eyes didn't seem to be full of contempt, but sincerity and honesty like I had never seen before. Maybe deep inside, I knew that he could never be sincere or honest, but I wanted to believe it. I wanted to believe it very much. So I made myself believe it, smiling softly and feeling suddenly warm despite the cold. I climbed on the sleek wood behind him, arms wrapped around his waist, head buried in his neck. It felt nice, hugging him.

I don't know whether or not he was smiling, for I could not see his face, but I also imagined that he was smiling warmly. I imagined that we weren't going into darkness, but somewhere we would be completely alone and happy.

Somewhere I could love him without being wrong.

I felt a rush of tingles as we left the ground and zoomed through the night air, the ground growing further away with each passing second. It was almost exhilarating, in a childish way. I pretended it was a midnight broom ride with my beau, Draco. And although he would twirl and spin and do fancy tricks, I would be quite safe because he was here to protect me.

I fantasized even as Hogwarts grew distant. Hogwarts. It meant home to me. It had been my home, at least. Looking back at the majestic castle, I felt a twinge of sorrow tugging at my heart, wishing desperately that I could still feel safe there. Wishing that none of this had happened.

I admired the tall, pointy turrets of the great stone building, and I admired the warm glow of the candles one last time.

I let out a shaky breath, and wiped away a few tears that had escaped.

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It had been an endless, uneventful flight. We hadn't talked at all, and I supposed that was the way he liked it.

But when we did finally stop, it was abruptly, and most certainly at a strange place. A place that jolted me awake, a place that gave me incessant shivers of horror.

And I had seen this place before…somewhere, I had seen it.

It was much like Hogwarts, yet different. It was a castle; tall turrets and millions of windows. But no light shined from within, nor did any light shine down on it. It was engulfed in black, and being in the castle's very presence made you feel frightened beyond words. It was secluded—beyond it was a vast field of barren wasteland. I could not see anything but the outline of the tall house, and I wanted to run away as fast as I could. It was quiet here, yet in my head I heard nasty whispers and shrieks and screams.

Darkness.

But looking at Draco, he seemed unfazed. Straightening out his impeccably clean robes, he looked at me and gave me a small smirk.

" Welcome to Malfoy Manor."

Then he turned and walked towards the door.

The door. I don't know how he found it through the darkness, but then again, he must have been used to it. I couldn't imagine anyone living in such a place. It only reminded me of just what kind of person Draco was.

Inside, it wasn't much better. In fact, it was colder inside, and no matter how tightly I wore my cloak, I shivered uncontrollably, teeth chattering. And inside, it was just as dark, with corridors that literally seemed to stretch on forever.

" Be careful." Draco warned quietly. " One could easily get lost around here." Though his words meant well, there was something in his voice that insinuated something horrible would happen if one got lost. I did not say anything, though millions of questions ran through my head. I decided they could wait at least until there was some light, until I got rid of the feeling that there was danger lurking behind every corner.

On the blank stone walls, there were paintings. Thousands of them, lined up perfectly, each of a person.

They did not move, but stood perfectly in place, glaring down at whomever crossed the halls with the same silver eyes all the Malfoy's had. With the same ferocity, with the same hatred and anger. I cowered under their gaze. Cold sweat rolled down my temples as I proceeded down the hall. My breath quickened with each step, and with each step, I wished even more that I was still at Hogwarts.

I could not even see Draco, but followed him as I heard the swish of his robes.

One could go crazy, wandering these halls.

And I nearly cried in relief when I came to a door. I looked upon it with wide eyes.

" Where are we, Draco?" I asked, voice shaking. He turned at me sharply.

" Silence!" He snarled. He relaxed after a moment. Facing the door, he swung them open with gusto.

In the center of the dimly lit room stood Lucius Malfoy. His pale face curled up into a sneer as he saw his son and I. In one swift stride, he was in front of me, eyes glittering maliciously.

" Miss Weasley…" He murmured softly, taking a finger to lift my face towards him. I tried not to blink. His face hovered a few inches above mine, scrutinizing every facial feature of me.

Finally, he let go and took a step back, still wearing a nasty sneer.

" How nice of you to join us." His voice was silent, but there was something dangerous about his tone. Suddenly, he turned a sharp eye on Draco.

" Get my cloak." He snapped, irritation crossing his face. Draco moved quickly away from the doorway to fetch his father's cloak, and after handing it to him, Lucius Malfoy turned to me again.

" Let us go meet the dark lord." He smiled dangerously, flashing one of his gold teeth. He walked out the door, his comrades following him, and finally, Draco after them, not even sparing me a glance in sympathy.

I followed them slowly, feeling as if I was lost in a sea of black. I was stricken with terror at the prospect of…him. I knew I was being a silly child, and I knew it was too late. But nevertheless, I cried a few tears.

I followed them up the endless flight of narrow, stone stairs. I followed them through dark hall after dark hall, and I followed them until my legs could carry me no longer.

And I stood in front of another door—this one large and magnificent and threatening. In it's wooden surface there were many words and pictures inscribed, most I could not understand.

The door was thrust open, yet still, I could not see anything but an eerie green glow from the depths of the chamber.

" She is here, master." Lucius Malfoy's deep voice sounded. There was a moment of silence, the moment of anticipation, where I expected His voice answering.

" Bring her in." A hoarse, raspy voice echoed through the room. I stood frozen, as the tall figures in front of me swiftly moved away, to reveal to me the gleaming, glowing crimson eyes of the dark lord. My legs shook beneath me, threatening to give away at the sight I saw.

" Welcome, Virginia Weasley."

To Be Continued…

A/N: Review, and I'll post the next chapter quickly.