Chapter 9: Retribution

Lessien felt the coldness of the dungeon floor against her skin-it was like ice, frozen and numb, she longed for her heart to have the strength and quality of stone.  She heard the metallic sound of her cage door shut.  She listened to Malfoys footsteps echo through the stone prison; she listened, as it grew fainter and fainter.  Then silence.  Lessien scrambled to her feet, in a moments time Pettigew would give her away.  She found the iron maiden sitting in the corner of the dungeon.  She put her shoulder to its side pushing as hard as she could.  The maiden moved slowly.  Her dead eyes staring at nothingness, she seemed to almost be gliding as if she where a ballerina in ghostly ballet.  The passageways entrance began to reveal itself, a gapping mouth-dark like an abyss, foreboding and empty.  Lessien rushed through.  She ran through the pitch dark, her hands running madly along the passages walls. 

**splash** 

She was getting closer to the tunnels end.  She felt the coolness of the water around her legs as she began to slow her pace.  The water slowed her down immensely; it provided resistance to her quick feet, like a liquid ball and chain.  The walls suddenly ended.  She was out!  She swam quietly, careful to make neither a sound nor a ripple.  Suddenly, a blood-curdling scream tore through the nights silence-Wormtail had met his fate.  Her time was up!  The Dark Lord had learned of her escape but rather then run into the wilderness that surrounded the castle, she swam towards an open window.  She could see Malfoys silhouette. 

This is your chance!  He is alone…do it…do it now, before it is too late. 

The shadow began to move; soon it was out of sight.  Quietly, ever so quietly, Lessien hoisted herself out of the cold water.  She perched herself on the narrow windowsill, and like a hawk she scanned the room for her prey.  Malfoy lay on a magnificent bed-its four posts rising into the ceiling like the spires of a cathedral against the early morning sky.  He looked exhausted, as though the very life that sustained him had been drained. 

Well, it is done.  She must be long dead by now.  And I could care less-all that matters now is the power that will be mine.  I never loved her-I merely lusted for her.  And there are plenty of women that will fulfill my desires…then why can't I stop thinking of her? 

"Whatever is the matter, Malfoy?" Lessiens voice was heavy with distain and mock-concern as she walked towards him.  She walked in such a manner that suggested seduction and power-like a tiger stalking its unsuspecting prey. 

Malfoy sat up like a bolt, wrinkling the silk damask that covered his extravagant bed. 

"Lessien?  What are you doing here?"

"I know what you did, Malfoy…" Her words hung in the air like the reverberations of a bell.  "Why?  Why did you do it?"  Her voice was filled with hurt and sadness. 

"I don't know…" Malfoys said, more to himself then to Lessien. 

Don't let her get inside your head again.  The deal has been made-the Dark Lord does not tolerate any sort of treason.  Let her go…tell her that she was nothing to you…let her move on…let yourself move on…

Malfoy looked away from Lessiens questioning face.  "Because I love power!  I love it more then I could have ever loved you!  You are nothing to me…except an obstacle that I had to overcome before I could achieve my full potential…"

Lessiens eyes welled with angry tears.  "I see… then there is only matter that requires my attention…" You know what you must do…what needs to be done… 

"Draco…" Lessien said softly.  The sound of his name on her lips made his heart miss a beat.  He turned to face her.

Lessien leaned forward, and looked deeply into his eyes as she tilted his head gently she whispered into his ear, "You are the only one I have ever loved…that I will ever love…" Slowly she drew her dagger from her vambrace and plunged its silvery blade into his heart.  He had escaped her dagger once but never again.  As she withdrew the daggers sting from him she kissed his lips softly.  "Good night, my love…" Draco slipped from her grip and fell onto the silken covers.  His blood flowed from his wound, staining the beautiful silver linens.   He slipped into a trance, his body falling father and farther into a state of numbed bliss.  Lessien turned away from her fallen prince-her destiny fulfilled, her family avenged and her heart broken. 

I remember when I first saw him…on the battlefield…I had been searching for him…and he for me…we found each other and so much more…perhaps in another lifetime…perhaps, dear Draco…perhaps our love will be redeemed…

She slipped out of the way she had entered-it had begun to rain.  The raindrops washed over her, her skin beaded with water as she slipped into the inky blackness of the moat. Like a shadow she vanished into the night, never to be seen again, never to love another and never to forget.

Fin