Yay, third book. Actually, it's really J K Rowling's wonderful books rewritten from a Slytherin point of view, and that means I don't actually own much of the plot. Just some bits at home, and of course Ryua.
I've changed the rating to PG-13 now, mostly because of Lucius. I just wanted to warn you all he's getting crueler, so violence is the main reason.
The Ride Home
Home.
For most people, home is a good thing, a place of refuge, relaxation... love. Not Ryua. The Hogwarts Express was nearly at Platform 9 3/4 now, her second year over, and she was dreading it. Just a few days earlier, she was terrified she would have to stay at home forever, thanks to the heir of Slytherin. Harry Potter, however, had managed to open the Chamber, kill the baslisk (she'd finally figured it out, too late to try and do anything herself), rescue the little Weasley girl, and defeat the Dark Lord.
That sent a shiver up her spine. Ryua knew that as the daughter of a prestigious family of Death Eaters, she should welcome the Dark Lord, and hate anyone who managed to defeat him. Unfortunately, it didn't work that way. He always instilled fear in his followers, but also a kind of greed, or worship, or something. Ryua never felt that part of it. In fact, (and here she muted her thoughts) she didn't actually want him to return, partially from fear, of course, and partially because she just didn't want anyone like that to rule anything, let alone the world. And he'd do it, too. He'd made a mistake before, and would never let it rest. When (for there was no if in her mind), he came back, the world was in for a terrifying ride filled with darkness, despair, and pain.
Pain.
That's why Ryua didn't want to go home. She saw the trees flashing past, becoming more regular and groomed as they neared London. No, slow down, don't get there yet, I don't want to go home... Ryua and Draco didn't have a very good home life. Their Father was definitely cut out for life as a Death Eater. Torturing muggles was his favourite occupation, and now that it was illegal, he more often than not turned to his family for entertainment. Oh, he never did anything permanent, and certainly not so that anyone might notice, but he had a terrible temper, an insane arsenal of curses, jinxes, and the like, and very little in the conscience department. Over Christmas, Ryua had finally figured out he'd been cursing mother for years. She'd suddenly realized why Narcissa had a first aid kit perfectly stocked to doctor curse marks, hidden from Father, but not the twins. And they'd used it, never quite realizing why it was there, just glad they had something to soothe the burns and welts they had no defense against.
...this year, that would be different.
Lockhart's dueling club hadn't taught her much, but she'd picked up a fair few curses in her life, and if she could just get rid of his wand...
She'd have to be able to, too. Father was starting off angry, having been humiliated in the Hogwarts courtyard, (by Harry Potter, no less) and had lost a house elf in the process. Her marks were good, but that wasn't likely to be enough. Ryua had gone against one of Father's important (although unfair, stupid, and sexist) rules. She'd joined the quidditch team. Oh, yes he'd be mad, even though she'd done well, smashing Bletchley's record, and most of the previous Slytherins' too. Actually, that was likely to make it worse, especially because Draco hadn't been nearly so stellar and lost them a match.
(Draco, Hogwarts Express, End of Term)
Draco was worried sick about going home too, not that he'd ever admit it to Ryua. Thanks to frantic studying (and a little bribery of his fellow classmates), Draco had been able to wrench his marks up to a much more acceptable standard this year. That wasn't what he was worrying about, though. Lucius had gotten wind somehow of the new status of the Slytherin quidditch team, namely Ryua subbing in as keeper. Draco was praying to whatever powers were listening that Father hadn't heard of his help in getting his sister in. If he had... Draco shuddered. No use continuing that thought. He might have felt a little, tiny bit bad very deep down for letting Ryua take the rap, but there was no way he'd face his father about it. No way. She could take a few curses...
Author's note: Athena Diagon Cat, you deserve a medal for reviewing every time I update. And yes, it is far too much fun to take Lucius down a notch, as I hate him more the more I write this story.
And I'm trying my sister out as a beta, but unfortunately, she has one main flaw. She can't be bothered to read the stories. She's got one more day, and then I go back to doing it myself.
