Riders on the Storm
Chapter 11
We arrived at the Astronomy Tower with fifteen minutes to spare, we stood in silence, and our only comfort was our fingers entwined looking out in the clear night sky. The bite of winter wind slowly making the autumn nights colder.
I heard the crack behind us the telltale sign of persons portkeying. I swiftly turned drawing my wand and stepping between three figures and Draco instinctively. The three were all dressed the same black velvet roes, leather gloves and silver masks over their hooded faces.
They were all larger than me and by distinctive scent Lucius was in the center Snape to my right and either Crabbe or Goyle senior to my left.
I could never tell the difference between their younger counterparts either. Lucius lowered his mask and held it out for Draco and I to grasp. The other two masked men placed a hand on theirs and Portkey activated.
Before I opened my eyes I knew we were close to the ocean. The salty sea air engulfed my senses. I could hear the sea crashing against the bluff somewhere in the distance. The power of mother earth fascinated as well as frightened me. I opened my eyes to see a large crowd of Death Eaters assembling in a circle. I watched as Snape and Lucius took their places as well on a small dais in the center of the circle
Draco looked at me uneasily; Snape took his place in the circle, as Lucius entered the center I lost sight of him.
A low voice spoke, "Come forward children." The circle parted to allow us entrance, as we past, they took their previous positions.
Inside the gathering was warm and quiet as if the winds dared not enter. Lucius, I noticed stood off to the side. The man in the center tall, the air around him vibrated with power. I heard rumors that he was once hideous to look at, but as he regains his powers, he lost the wraith figure and the reptilian face.
He looked no older than Lucius, but I knew he was far older. He must have figured out his own secrets to immortality.
His face was angular and definitely human in appearance. Draco already knelt before him his movement reminded me to do likewise. Draco's head bent in subservience but as much as I tried I could not look away from this entity before me. I was entranced by his ethereal movements. I was lost, completely under his spell without him uttering a word.
"Lucius, you train your son well." At that Lucius nodded
"But this one," as he stepped in front of me, I still gazed up at him, not in fear, but wonder. "Do you not fear me, child?" I shook my head he looked intrigued "You may be the only one"
Lucius stepped forward, whether to force my subservience or not I didn't know. Voldemort elegantly raised his hand halting his actions.
"Do you know what happens to those who don't know their place?" he said sotto voce. I nodded again, event the threat behind those words, I only blinked.
He pointed his wand at me uttering one word, "Crucio"
I doubled over in pain, finally dislodging my eyes from him. Draco shuddered beside me but was careful not to move again.
My vision blurred, as pain coursed through my body, I felt like my head and heart would explode. My eyeteeth extended cutting into my bottom lip. Then the pain was gone, still shudders of the aftereffects gripped me. I calmed my breathing and looked up again, only this time in defiance.
"Well, well, well, what do we have here?" he stepped forward lifting his hand to my mouth placing a finger to my cut lip, then probed further, finding my eyeteeth he pulled my upper lip up to inspect further. He released my mouth only to wipe the blood tears away from my cheeks, I hadn't realized were there.
"We could have many used for you, little one." In a burst of force, I felt him invade my mind searching through as much as he could as fast. The few memories and events to protect Severus and Draco as well as the Order I held away form his prying mind. He would not notice as there was plenty he could see without them.
"Lucius, come forward," as Lucius moved to his side "What do you see?"
"A child, a defiant child"
"Is that all?" He lifted his hand once more to my mouth; I went to snap, "Ahh, ahh," he reprimanded, revealing my teeth for Lucius.
Lucius stood there; he went pale as he remembered, that night in Malfoy Manor, him licking the blood tears off my cheek, my eyes darkening as I bit into him, as well as the mystery illness he suffered as a result from blood loss.
Murmuring came from the crowd of Death Eaters surrounding us, unknowing of the drama that played within our circle.
"You didn't know? " He threw his head back and laughed.
Lucius stalked over to me pulling me off the ground by my cloak, "How dare you?" he seethed. He wrapped his hand around my throat, looking into my eyes. I smiled when I entered his mind and brought my knee to his groin yet again, as Voldemort stood and watched in amusement.
He released me, as he fell to the ground; I lifted my boot to his shoulder, kicking him off balance.
"Pathetic," I said down to him.
As he recovered himself he stood readjusting his robes.
I lifted my hand pointing to the ground before me; I was still in command of his mind. He was shaking with the struggle to gain control of his body, his nerves and tendons forcing him to his knees as his mind resisted my presence until he was finally on his knees in subservience to me. I lifted the front hem of my gown, presenting my shiny black boot to him.
I gestured to him once again as he leaned forward to kiss my instep.
Voldemort continued to watch in fascination as his most loyal, most powerful henchmen was brought down by me. I finally released him and stepped back awaiting Lucius' retaliation. Just as Lucius pulled his wand out Voldemort shouted, "Enough." As he stepped forward once more.
"You were right to say she is quite a handful, Lucius."
Lucius bowed to the Dark Lord and went to resume his usual position.
"No, Lucius, join the others." He looked back down into my eyes, "Replace Lucius by my side. Join me."
"You've seen enough to know what happened to the last one who tried to rule me."
"Ahh, but he was not worthy of you. I'm sure even he knew that. You knew it, which is why you disposed of him." He leaned in, "All you have to do is kill Lucius, and I'll watch. You know you want to."
Lucius knew better than to speak, he knew he was in for a round or two of Cruciatus for his oversight of what I was.
I knew that he was simply baiting me with the urge to kill Lucius, for if any real harm came to Lucius he would not be so blasé about it. Lucius was valuable, for his influence as well as his vault.
"No" I responded.
"Why not? You have done worst, much worst, you forget, I've seen you memories."
"Oh, I'll kill him alright, but not for your amusement." I smirked
The Dark Lord laughed. "What's wrong? Already full? I can tell you've fed, quite recently. But that was freely given. You thirst resistance, just like Lucius. You came here, hoping I'd find out. Just know when you do kill my highest ranked Death Eater. I'll be there watching, you like that too, for your master to watch."
"You are not my master and neither was he."
"No, not yet. So where does your loyalty lie?"
"With myself, I will not align myself to either side of your war. Like I said before, no one is my master." I knew I was gambling on the fact that he wants me too much to kill me outright. I also knew that it actually worked in my favor to decline his offer, at least at first so I would not seem desperate to join him. That would make my final decision to join more believable, my loyalty would not be questioned so much.
"I can offer you power, glory,... blood."
Unimpressed I answered, "I have heard this all before, so why is this different?"
He seemed to smile briefly before he hid his amusement, he has recruited many with that line, as well I knew. He remained silent before asking, "What can I offer in exchange?"
"I'm not really sure you have anything of value to offer me, may I have some time to consider it?"
"Absolutely, but I can refuse your request." He paused, addressing the gathered Death Eaters, dismissing them quickly.
After it was just him, Snape, Lucius and Draco left in the clearing surrounding me. He advanced on me swiftly, his hand threaded through my hair with his wand pointing to my throat. He pulled my hair so I was slightly off balance, looking up at him, he kissed my lips harshly, forcing my mouth to open, I tasted a few drops of blood drip on my tongue, that was not my own. He pulled away and looking into my dilated eyes he whispered for my ears only, "Let's see what that does for you." Then he was gone with a faint hiss.
Lucius quickly disapparated, the threat of his death without the Dark Lord there to watch was fresh on his mind.
I couldn't help it I started to laugh.
"I don't see what is so funny, Miss Xavier." Snape hissed.
"No, I guess you couldn't," I said continuing to laugh.
//////
"Oh, dear," said Dumbledore after Snape told him of the nights events.
"Sir, I don't know anyone who is so smart and so stupid at the exact same time."
Dumbledore laughed softly, "It seems Mr. Malfoy wasn't a good tutor on Death Eater politics. But no matter, Tom seemed to handle her well. As well as her reasons for her behavior, she is acquainted with power-hungry madmen. I'm sure she is capable of handling Tom as well."
"You can't be serious, Albus, her mission is to get information, not to take chances such as this. I was surprised that the Dark Lord did not dispose of her then and there."
"Where has Bellatrix been lately?"
"She has been at meetings, although she is ranked high, she is not trusted because of her mental stability. She has proved that she is uncontrollably impulsive."
"I believe that Tom wishes a consort, and Miss Xavier will fill that role. You know him, Severus, he wants a witch with power, enough to stand up to him as well as next to him, Miss Xavier just has to find the acceptable balance between that and stepping over the line where he is concerned. She will become valuable to the Order in that case, as she will know information before he reveals it to the Inner Circle."
"Albus, she could die, and I am not willing to risk that."
"Severus, you cannot control it, she has decided and I agree with her. Besides, this will end things far sooner than we could have done on our own."
"So, I have been replaced?"
"No you have not, the more eyes and ears we have the better."
"You should have seen what I did tonight; she was completely enthralled with him. She is to dangerous to trust with this type of mission. We could loose her completely to him. I've seen it before, Albus, and I know the signs."
"Do you think you are letting your personal opinions for her effect your outlook?"
"What are you suggesting?"
The Headmaster just twinkled over his half moon spectacles.
"Something doesn't make sense, Albus, the Dark Lord said that he could tell she has recently fed from a willing victim, but I've make the potion for her, I've seen her drink it."
"You are underestimating Mr. Malfoy's feelings for her, as well as her feelings for him, Lucius did that. Is there anything else, Severus?" he asked knowingly.
"He also said some things that would lead one to wonder if she is dangerous, to have around Hogwarts, I mean."
"If it weren't that she wanted to repent for her actions, yes, she would be. No one understands that better than you, I presume."
"Yes sir, goodnight."
"Goodnight, Severus."
//////
Severus sat the rest of the night in his study, brooding. He didn't know how or why a child like Draco had her attention or affection. Surely she needed a man to satisfy all her cravings and he doubted a boy like Draco could succeed in that endeavor. He cringed at the thought that the Dark Lord wanted her, in that respect anyway. What made him slightly ill is the thought of her enjoying it.
Mercedes was arrogant, sarcastic, bold, and brave to a fault. She was unnaturally smart, but not arrogant in her intelligence, like that Granger girl.
She was cunning, dark and he could see her self loathing. Sometimes when she smiled he could see the sadness behind those sky blue eyes.
She had a wicked streak as well; she would smile that smile that made one wonder if she was trying to seduce you. But she smiled like that at a number of men. She smiled at me like that, licking her lips unconsciously. She looked at Lucius that way as well, which sent a cold shiver down his spine, considering her promise to kill Lucius when she had the chance.
She smiled a version of that at the younger Malfoy as well. Just thinking about that look made him hard. Not many women looked at him that way, even if they didn't know his past, but she did. In fact, by the Dark Lord's account, her past was darker and obviously bloodier than his.
Opening his pants, releasing his stiff member, ""What have you done to me Mercedes?" he groaned rubbing himself to release.
//////
"Draco, I think we should stop seeing each other exclusively."
Looking hurt he replied, "What? Why?" Is it because of the meeting last night?"
"Partly, it is because I've already put you in far too much danger as it is. And I'm going to have to do things that I would rather not, which might not be fair to you as far as staying exclusive. You have the right to date others and get to know girls your own age."
"Mercy," he pleaded. "You never seemed to care about age before; besides, you have never answered my question, how old are you?"
"I just reached my eighteenth birthday when I was embraced, and I have lived this way for about twenty years.
"Draco, don't," I said upon seeing him getting ready to speak once more. "I can't give you what you want. We have been over this before, I can't embrace you, even If I could, which I can't, I'm not strong enough, and I wouldn't. I want you to be free to make your decisions before you make such a large decision that could be an eternal mistake."
"I'll never be free."
"Once Lucius and Voldemort are out of the way you will be. I repeat I'm not rejecting you, love; I'm protecting you from many things because I do love you. I swore to myself that I would protect you."
"Does this mean we won't be together at all?"
"Not unless you want it that way. I will leave that up to you, but I would like to share your bed once in awhile."
"Agreed."
Chapter 11
We arrived at the Astronomy Tower with fifteen minutes to spare, we stood in silence, and our only comfort was our fingers entwined looking out in the clear night sky. The bite of winter wind slowly making the autumn nights colder.
I heard the crack behind us the telltale sign of persons portkeying. I swiftly turned drawing my wand and stepping between three figures and Draco instinctively. The three were all dressed the same black velvet roes, leather gloves and silver masks over their hooded faces.
They were all larger than me and by distinctive scent Lucius was in the center Snape to my right and either Crabbe or Goyle senior to my left.
I could never tell the difference between their younger counterparts either. Lucius lowered his mask and held it out for Draco and I to grasp. The other two masked men placed a hand on theirs and Portkey activated.
Before I opened my eyes I knew we were close to the ocean. The salty sea air engulfed my senses. I could hear the sea crashing against the bluff somewhere in the distance. The power of mother earth fascinated as well as frightened me. I opened my eyes to see a large crowd of Death Eaters assembling in a circle. I watched as Snape and Lucius took their places as well on a small dais in the center of the circle
Draco looked at me uneasily; Snape took his place in the circle, as Lucius entered the center I lost sight of him.
A low voice spoke, "Come forward children." The circle parted to allow us entrance, as we past, they took their previous positions.
Inside the gathering was warm and quiet as if the winds dared not enter. Lucius, I noticed stood off to the side. The man in the center tall, the air around him vibrated with power. I heard rumors that he was once hideous to look at, but as he regains his powers, he lost the wraith figure and the reptilian face.
He looked no older than Lucius, but I knew he was far older. He must have figured out his own secrets to immortality.
His face was angular and definitely human in appearance. Draco already knelt before him his movement reminded me to do likewise. Draco's head bent in subservience but as much as I tried I could not look away from this entity before me. I was entranced by his ethereal movements. I was lost, completely under his spell without him uttering a word.
"Lucius, you train your son well." At that Lucius nodded
"But this one," as he stepped in front of me, I still gazed up at him, not in fear, but wonder. "Do you not fear me, child?" I shook my head he looked intrigued "You may be the only one"
Lucius stepped forward, whether to force my subservience or not I didn't know. Voldemort elegantly raised his hand halting his actions.
"Do you know what happens to those who don't know their place?" he said sotto voce. I nodded again, event the threat behind those words, I only blinked.
He pointed his wand at me uttering one word, "Crucio"
I doubled over in pain, finally dislodging my eyes from him. Draco shuddered beside me but was careful not to move again.
My vision blurred, as pain coursed through my body, I felt like my head and heart would explode. My eyeteeth extended cutting into my bottom lip. Then the pain was gone, still shudders of the aftereffects gripped me. I calmed my breathing and looked up again, only this time in defiance.
"Well, well, well, what do we have here?" he stepped forward lifting his hand to my mouth placing a finger to my cut lip, then probed further, finding my eyeteeth he pulled my upper lip up to inspect further. He released my mouth only to wipe the blood tears away from my cheeks, I hadn't realized were there.
"We could have many used for you, little one." In a burst of force, I felt him invade my mind searching through as much as he could as fast. The few memories and events to protect Severus and Draco as well as the Order I held away form his prying mind. He would not notice as there was plenty he could see without them.
"Lucius, come forward," as Lucius moved to his side "What do you see?"
"A child, a defiant child"
"Is that all?" He lifted his hand once more to my mouth; I went to snap, "Ahh, ahh," he reprimanded, revealing my teeth for Lucius.
Lucius stood there; he went pale as he remembered, that night in Malfoy Manor, him licking the blood tears off my cheek, my eyes darkening as I bit into him, as well as the mystery illness he suffered as a result from blood loss.
Murmuring came from the crowd of Death Eaters surrounding us, unknowing of the drama that played within our circle.
"You didn't know? " He threw his head back and laughed.
Lucius stalked over to me pulling me off the ground by my cloak, "How dare you?" he seethed. He wrapped his hand around my throat, looking into my eyes. I smiled when I entered his mind and brought my knee to his groin yet again, as Voldemort stood and watched in amusement.
He released me, as he fell to the ground; I lifted my boot to his shoulder, kicking him off balance.
"Pathetic," I said down to him.
As he recovered himself he stood readjusting his robes.
I lifted my hand pointing to the ground before me; I was still in command of his mind. He was shaking with the struggle to gain control of his body, his nerves and tendons forcing him to his knees as his mind resisted my presence until he was finally on his knees in subservience to me. I lifted the front hem of my gown, presenting my shiny black boot to him.
I gestured to him once again as he leaned forward to kiss my instep.
Voldemort continued to watch in fascination as his most loyal, most powerful henchmen was brought down by me. I finally released him and stepped back awaiting Lucius' retaliation. Just as Lucius pulled his wand out Voldemort shouted, "Enough." As he stepped forward once more.
"You were right to say she is quite a handful, Lucius."
Lucius bowed to the Dark Lord and went to resume his usual position.
"No, Lucius, join the others." He looked back down into my eyes, "Replace Lucius by my side. Join me."
"You've seen enough to know what happened to the last one who tried to rule me."
"Ahh, but he was not worthy of you. I'm sure even he knew that. You knew it, which is why you disposed of him." He leaned in, "All you have to do is kill Lucius, and I'll watch. You know you want to."
Lucius knew better than to speak, he knew he was in for a round or two of Cruciatus for his oversight of what I was.
I knew that he was simply baiting me with the urge to kill Lucius, for if any real harm came to Lucius he would not be so blasé about it. Lucius was valuable, for his influence as well as his vault.
"No" I responded.
"Why not? You have done worst, much worst, you forget, I've seen you memories."
"Oh, I'll kill him alright, but not for your amusement." I smirked
The Dark Lord laughed. "What's wrong? Already full? I can tell you've fed, quite recently. But that was freely given. You thirst resistance, just like Lucius. You came here, hoping I'd find out. Just know when you do kill my highest ranked Death Eater. I'll be there watching, you like that too, for your master to watch."
"You are not my master and neither was he."
"No, not yet. So where does your loyalty lie?"
"With myself, I will not align myself to either side of your war. Like I said before, no one is my master." I knew I was gambling on the fact that he wants me too much to kill me outright. I also knew that it actually worked in my favor to decline his offer, at least at first so I would not seem desperate to join him. That would make my final decision to join more believable, my loyalty would not be questioned so much.
"I can offer you power, glory,... blood."
Unimpressed I answered, "I have heard this all before, so why is this different?"
He seemed to smile briefly before he hid his amusement, he has recruited many with that line, as well I knew. He remained silent before asking, "What can I offer in exchange?"
"I'm not really sure you have anything of value to offer me, may I have some time to consider it?"
"Absolutely, but I can refuse your request." He paused, addressing the gathered Death Eaters, dismissing them quickly.
After it was just him, Snape, Lucius and Draco left in the clearing surrounding me. He advanced on me swiftly, his hand threaded through my hair with his wand pointing to my throat. He pulled my hair so I was slightly off balance, looking up at him, he kissed my lips harshly, forcing my mouth to open, I tasted a few drops of blood drip on my tongue, that was not my own. He pulled away and looking into my dilated eyes he whispered for my ears only, "Let's see what that does for you." Then he was gone with a faint hiss.
Lucius quickly disapparated, the threat of his death without the Dark Lord there to watch was fresh on his mind.
I couldn't help it I started to laugh.
"I don't see what is so funny, Miss Xavier." Snape hissed.
"No, I guess you couldn't," I said continuing to laugh.
//////
"Oh, dear," said Dumbledore after Snape told him of the nights events.
"Sir, I don't know anyone who is so smart and so stupid at the exact same time."
Dumbledore laughed softly, "It seems Mr. Malfoy wasn't a good tutor on Death Eater politics. But no matter, Tom seemed to handle her well. As well as her reasons for her behavior, she is acquainted with power-hungry madmen. I'm sure she is capable of handling Tom as well."
"You can't be serious, Albus, her mission is to get information, not to take chances such as this. I was surprised that the Dark Lord did not dispose of her then and there."
"Where has Bellatrix been lately?"
"She has been at meetings, although she is ranked high, she is not trusted because of her mental stability. She has proved that she is uncontrollably impulsive."
"I believe that Tom wishes a consort, and Miss Xavier will fill that role. You know him, Severus, he wants a witch with power, enough to stand up to him as well as next to him, Miss Xavier just has to find the acceptable balance between that and stepping over the line where he is concerned. She will become valuable to the Order in that case, as she will know information before he reveals it to the Inner Circle."
"Albus, she could die, and I am not willing to risk that."
"Severus, you cannot control it, she has decided and I agree with her. Besides, this will end things far sooner than we could have done on our own."
"So, I have been replaced?"
"No you have not, the more eyes and ears we have the better."
"You should have seen what I did tonight; she was completely enthralled with him. She is to dangerous to trust with this type of mission. We could loose her completely to him. I've seen it before, Albus, and I know the signs."
"Do you think you are letting your personal opinions for her effect your outlook?"
"What are you suggesting?"
The Headmaster just twinkled over his half moon spectacles.
"Something doesn't make sense, Albus, the Dark Lord said that he could tell she has recently fed from a willing victim, but I've make the potion for her, I've seen her drink it."
"You are underestimating Mr. Malfoy's feelings for her, as well as her feelings for him, Lucius did that. Is there anything else, Severus?" he asked knowingly.
"He also said some things that would lead one to wonder if she is dangerous, to have around Hogwarts, I mean."
"If it weren't that she wanted to repent for her actions, yes, she would be. No one understands that better than you, I presume."
"Yes sir, goodnight."
"Goodnight, Severus."
//////
Severus sat the rest of the night in his study, brooding. He didn't know how or why a child like Draco had her attention or affection. Surely she needed a man to satisfy all her cravings and he doubted a boy like Draco could succeed in that endeavor. He cringed at the thought that the Dark Lord wanted her, in that respect anyway. What made him slightly ill is the thought of her enjoying it.
Mercedes was arrogant, sarcastic, bold, and brave to a fault. She was unnaturally smart, but not arrogant in her intelligence, like that Granger girl.
She was cunning, dark and he could see her self loathing. Sometimes when she smiled he could see the sadness behind those sky blue eyes.
She had a wicked streak as well; she would smile that smile that made one wonder if she was trying to seduce you. But she smiled like that at a number of men. She smiled at me like that, licking her lips unconsciously. She looked at Lucius that way as well, which sent a cold shiver down his spine, considering her promise to kill Lucius when she had the chance.
She smiled a version of that at the younger Malfoy as well. Just thinking about that look made him hard. Not many women looked at him that way, even if they didn't know his past, but she did. In fact, by the Dark Lord's account, her past was darker and obviously bloodier than his.
Opening his pants, releasing his stiff member, ""What have you done to me Mercedes?" he groaned rubbing himself to release.
//////
"Draco, I think we should stop seeing each other exclusively."
Looking hurt he replied, "What? Why?" Is it because of the meeting last night?"
"Partly, it is because I've already put you in far too much danger as it is. And I'm going to have to do things that I would rather not, which might not be fair to you as far as staying exclusive. You have the right to date others and get to know girls your own age."
"Mercy," he pleaded. "You never seemed to care about age before; besides, you have never answered my question, how old are you?"
"I just reached my eighteenth birthday when I was embraced, and I have lived this way for about twenty years.
"Draco, don't," I said upon seeing him getting ready to speak once more. "I can't give you what you want. We have been over this before, I can't embrace you, even If I could, which I can't, I'm not strong enough, and I wouldn't. I want you to be free to make your decisions before you make such a large decision that could be an eternal mistake."
"I'll never be free."
"Once Lucius and Voldemort are out of the way you will be. I repeat I'm not rejecting you, love; I'm protecting you from many things because I do love you. I swore to myself that I would protect you."
"Does this mean we won't be together at all?"
"Not unless you want it that way. I will leave that up to you, but I would like to share your bed once in awhile."
"Agreed."