A Sense of Love or Duty
A/N: A huge thank you to all of you that took the time to review the last chapter. Thank you to Miss Ang., who beta reads all my stories.
Chapter Seven: The Darkness in the Dungeons.
It was past midnight as Daniel walked along the dark, damp corridors of the lower unused dungeons. He had been angered to see Albus and Minerva walking back towards the castle after obviously having a romantic night out on the town. He had vowed to deal with the old man soon but first he had something else to do.
He had raided Severus Snape's personal dark magic book collection and had found the one that he needed. He would make Minerva his and no one else's. He knew that Minerva would try to get out of marrying him and try to protect her father. But he needed her to see that it was pointless to fight him because she wouldn't win and she would lose all her loved ones.
The light from the full moon cast shadows on the walls and there was an eerie silence as Daniel continued to walk through the corridor. He looked around before walking into an unused classroom and sealing the door shut behind him.
"You came?" hissed a voice from the darkness.
"Aye my Lord, that I have," Daniel answered as he placed the book down on the table before bowing to his Lord.
The cloaked figure came out of the darkness and nodded his head in the direction of Daniel before opening the book. He found the page that he was looking for and rubbed his hands together with glee. This was the spell to make even the strongest wizard fall to his feet in defeat. He had spent many years searching for this very spell. His spies had told him that the only existing book resided at the Hogwarts and was in the potion master's private collection. This very spell had brought down Thesus Grindelwald and now it was to be used in the downfall of Albus Dumbledore. How fitting would it be for him to be killed by the very spell that had made him a hero in the wizarding world? He tore the page out with calloused and scarred hands and rumpled it into a ball before placing it in his pocket.
"How is the woman?" he questioned.
"With Dumbledore and happy," Daniel spat. Even saying his name left a bitter taste in his mouth.
"Her happiness with be short lived," spoke the man. "You will get the woman you want and I will see Albus Dumbledore dead."
"You're actually going to kill him?" asked Daniel. Fear was clear in his voice.
"Of course, that's why you have your freedom," answered the cloaked figure. "We would have killed you if we hadn't known about your connection to the woman and her connection with the man who brought about my grandfather's downfall."
"You will not harm Minerva," asked Daniel?
"You have my word that no harm will come to her as long as she does not get in my way," explained the hooded figure. "You are sure she will marry you?"
"She will once she finds out that her father's life is at risk," Daniel answered with a twisted smile.
"Good! You have done well Daniel," the dark figure congratulated.
"My Lord, what is the spell for?" Daniel asked.
"Silence," hissed the masked man angrily. "It is none of you business. Do you not question me again otherwise you won't see her pretty face anymore as I will scar her for life."
"My Lord, no!" Daniel gasped.
The cloaked figure laughed as he pulled out his wand from his pocket and pointed it at Daniels chest. He prodded Daniel backwards until he had cornered him into a dark portion of the room.
"You have been a useful plaything but I will not hesitate in killing you outright," he hissed in Daniel's face.
Daniel stared into the darkness, his grey-blue eyes full of fear and his mouth hanging open as if he wanted to say something but didn't have the courage. There was a deathly silence around him and if a pin had been dropped, he would have been able to hear it.
"I will not ask you such question's again my Lord," Daniel answered shakily.
"Maybe you should be taught a lesson and then I can be sure you won't be tempted to disobey me," answered the cold, unfeeling voice from under the hood.
"No Master, you have my word," Daniel begged.
"SILENCE!" bellowed the same cold voice.
The cloaked figure withdrew slightly from Daniel and pulled a golden dagger with jewel- encrusted handle from his pocket. He brought the dagger up to Daniels face and ran the blunt side against his cheek as his eyes bored into the frighten man's eyes and soul.
Daniel made small whimpering sounds as the man dropped the dagger to his chest. He gasped as he felt his robes being ripped and he felt the blade against his chest. His world went black for a while as he collapsed to the floor while the cloak figure kicked him with his boot.
"You are outgrowing your purpose Daniel," hissed the man as he turned to leave. "But I will let you live for a while at least."
Daniel woke up several hours later feeling faint from his blood loss but managed to get to his feet and make his way unnoticed to his rooms. Soon this would be finished and he could disappear with Minerva and not be troubled again. That was his last thought as he fell into his bed and allowed sleep to overtake him.
To be continued……….