Chapter 7: Time

The day had finally come.  Malfoy left Lessien in the early hours of the morning; he had not slept the night before, preferring instead to look upon her face as she slept.  He felt a lump form in his throat.  It bore into him, stinging, burning.  He had to leave her.  He tore through the woods with a speed and fury that had never before possessed him.  His mind was resolute and it could not be changed.  All that was left was to follow through.  He arrived at the cave, his journey a blur in his mind.

"Master Malfoy, is that you?" Wormtail stepped out of the damp cave.

"Of course it is you twit!  Who else would it be?!"  He loathed Wormtail.  He was a buffoon, so desperate to prove his worth that it sickened Malfoy.

"Crabbe and Goyle are here, Master.  They are ready to do your bidding," Two forms rose out of the cave.  They towered over Wormtail-thoroughly frightening him. 

"Good.  We must act quickly before the assassin should wake.  She is lithe and moves quickly-not unlike a cat.  Your wands are useless against her in a frontal assault, for she will dodge your spells and render them useless.  I will draw her out.  She will come unarmed to aid me.  When her back is turned you," Malfoy gestured to Goyle; who simply nodded, "must use a stunning spell on her-do not hesitate, for she will soon sense your presence.  Remember you are not to harm her!  Should any harm come to her, be it a scratch or a stubbed toe, you will pay dearly with your lives!  Is that understood?  The Dark Lord wants her, whole and unsullied."  Malfoy satisfied that his charges had understood his plan, left them in silence.

Running at a feverish speed Malfoy made short work of the journey.  He peered through the heavy undergrowth of the forest into their camp.  Lessien was fast asleep.  Crabbe and Goyle had moved into place-it was time.  Malfoy backed away quietly; he had to find a spot that would guarantee a clear view of Lessien.  He lay on the soft dewy grass, signaled to his minions and preceded to cry out, "Lessien!  Lessien!  Help me!  Please!  Help!"  Lessien hearing his cries sprung to her feet.  She bolted in the direction of his cries with such speed and stealth that she appeared as a blur-her heart urging her to run faster.  She crouched next to him.  "Draco!  Are you alright…" Then suddenly her body went rigid and she collapsed onto Malfoy.  Her breath grew shallow and strained; she had been hit with three stunning spells at point blank.

 "You idiots!  Why did all three of you stun her?!  You could have killed her!"

Draco lifted Lessiens body gingerly; it provided no resistance it just lay in a heap-like the empty shell of so sea creature, abandoned on the sands of time.

"I will deal with your punishments later.  Did you bring the carriage?"

"Yes, Master Malfoy.  With Thestrals like you wanted, sir.  Just beyond the bushes over there."

"Good.  I will take the assassin by carriage to the Dark Lord.  Crabbe, Goyle, Wormtail, you will send word to the Dark Lord of my arrival and meet me there."

"Yes, sir," murmured Crabbe and Goyle in unison.

"Master, I cannot travel on foot any longer, would it possible for me to travel with you?  Please Master, take pity on me."  Wormtail tried as best he could to suppress a snicker.  The little man disgusted Malfoy. 

"Fine, but you shall not ride inside the carriage, you will sit at the drivers seat, for you stink of sewer rats.  Now prepare yourselves:  it is time."

Yes time in deed, dear Master Malfoy…it is time in deed….