Disclaimer: As I said earlier, in my first chapter... I do not own any of the characters or settings thought up in the imagination of J.k. Rowling. I have said this before, you know? But, I continue... Because I do not wish to be sued by the scary lawyer people-men. Now... On with the story.
Chapter Two
Sai stood from Dawn's lap, allowing the older girl to stand as well. As she did, Sai's hand found her's and her small fingers latched onto Dawn's hand. Dawn looked down at her young cousin and pulled her to her side, gripping her hand reassuringly, "It's okay, Sai..." She murmured, trying to convince the younger girl, though at the same time, trying to convince herself.
She stepped forward, the others in the room following her to stand before Nicholae. Without a word, the man turned on his heel, his long robe snapping behind him, and led them into the next room. This was Nicholae's study, though little could be seen in the dimly lit room. The only thing permitting any light was the cracks in the curtains and the lit ends of the wands belonging to the occupants of the room.
Nicholae looked down at his daughter and Sai, still clutching to her cousin. He caught Dawn's eye and shook his head, "She has to go with Marcus for now. You're to come with me. Children... Get with your parents and stay quiet." He demanded, his tone harsh and leaving no room for arguement.
Dawn reluctantly released Sai's hand and watched as the young girl followed Kyanna and Kente to stand with their father and Nicholae's older brother, Marcus Chandler. Dawn's gaze scanned the room as she followed Nicholae, her arms folded over her chest. Her father and her Uncle Marcus, as well as Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy were the first she saw that she recognized. When her gaze landed on Bellatrix Lestrange, an almost inaudible growl formed in her throat, earning her a displeased glare from her father. She quieted instantly and looked around once more, seeing Lyriara and Heydon's fathers standing together. Crabbe and Goyle now stood with their own fathers.
The only one Dawn did not recognize was an older man with dark hair, lined with grey streaks. His eyes were a piecing blue-violet. He could only be that Aubrey boy's father. This made the girl smirk lightly, before she stood quietly before her father, her eyes finally landing on the man that stood in the center of the room. It was none other than Lord Voldemort, himself. His eerie crimson slits looked about the room at the children that had entered, a sneer forming on his lips.
"Well... Now that we are finally all here..." He murmured, his voice sounding much like a seprant's hiss, "I suppose you will all want to know why I summoned you here today. Normally I would simply speak with your parents and leave well enough alone. But, today, I needed a special mission taken care of, and I think one of you would be best suited for the job..." He paused, his eyes landing on Draco Malfoy, a burning hatred appearing in the Dark Lord's eyes.
The boy seemed to shrink back a bit before straightening his shoulders and lifting his chin, his proud arrogance evident once more. After a moment, Lord Voldemort began to speak once more, his gaze never moving from the younger Malfoy, "You, Draco Malfoy... You shall carry out this mission for me..." Before he continued, his gaze flicked to Lucius Malfoy, then back to the boy, "You will find a way for my Death Eaters to enter Hogwarts. Not only will you do this... But, it will be you who will finish off Albus Dumbledore... He's become quite a bother lately and I need him out of the way..."
Draco's eyes widened, as did those of the other teenagers around the room. Narcissa Malfoy gave a small, strangled gasp, her hand flying to Draco's shoulder, but the boy shrugged her off, looking over at the Dark Lord, "I accept this mission for my Lord..." He murmured, giving a small boy.
Dawn shook her head and looked up at her father, frowning slightly. His eyes caught hers and within them shone a warning not to speak. She looked down at the floor and narrowed her eyes. How could Voldemort expect a child to succeed where he could not? Was this simply revenge on the elder Malfoy? Dawn clamped her lips together, though her eyes shone with hatred for the Dark Lord standing before her, despite her dislike for the one chosen to take the mission.
Voldemort nodded, seeminly satisfied and looked around the room once more, "Now... As for the rest of you. You will assist young Draco in any way he sees fit. You will also report to me through your parents should anything go wrong. And, if I hear of anyone speaking of this matter to anyone not involved... I will find out, and you will be punished. Now, you are dismissed. All of you, but Draco." He said, a twisted amusement shining in his eyes.
Dawn shivered slightly, a bit disturbed by what she had just heard, but hurried from the room, not having to be told more than once. Before the door closed behind her and the others, she saw Draco step into the center of the room in front of Voldemort and bare his left forearm.
"Dawn...?" A small voice came from beside her, belonging to Sai, who was followed closely by Lyriara and Heydon, "Why does Dumbledore have to be gotten rid of? You told me he was nice..." Confusion was evident in the child's face, so naive even for the age of twelve. Her hand soon found Dawn's once more, and the older girl could feel the small hand shaking from fear within her own.
Dawn shook her head, squeezing Sai's hand in her own, "He is, Sai. He's very kind... The best Headmaster Hogwarts could have. But, Voldemort doesn't really care about that... Dumbledore's getting in the way of his plans, therefore, Dumbledore must be eliminated. It's kind of a barmy idea, but it's the way that bloke thinks." She explained, Lyriaran and Heydon remaining silent, neither of the two looking too thrilled at the prospect of losing their Headmaster.
"Barmy? It's brilliant. Having a student do it. No one would ever think of it." This time it was Aubrey who had spoken, a smirk on his face, "Though, it is rather cruel. But, if Dumbledore would have justed minded his own business and left the Dark Lord to his work, it wouldn't have to be done." He arched a brow at Sai and then looked back to Dawn, "Surely you see the brilliance in his plan? Dumbledore would never harm any student of his. No matter what their intentions."
Dawn said nothing for a moment, only glared at him, pulling Sai closer to her side, "No one here asked you, Masters, and I didn't care to know your opinion on the matter. What makes it worse, is the fact that I seriously disagree with you. His plan is not brilliant. It is anything but brilliant. It is sadistic, cruel, and wrong." She hissed, leading Sai and her two friends back into the Sitting room, where Kyanna and Kente already sat, speaking in low voices.
Aubrey simply shrugged and walked away from her, sitting down with Kente and Kyanna, a frown on his features, "Your uncle was right... She's even more beautiful than he mentioned, though. She has the attitude he spoke of, of course..." He smirked lightly, watching Dawn as she sat down beside Lyriara and Heydon, pulling Sai back onto her lap, "And so caring of that sister of your's... She'll probably make a wonderful mother..."
Kente rolled his eyes, smirking lightly, "Well, it's a good thing you like her, then, Aubrey. Uncle Nicholae told me of his plan to speak with your father about an arranged marriage contract between you and my dear cousin, Dawn. Of course, I told Kyanna. Sai is the only one who knows nothing of it. She'd only tell Dawn, and Dawn would throw a fit."
It was Kyanna's turn to smirk as she shook her head, "Throw a fit? That's an understatement. But, yes, it's a good thing you like her, Aubrey. It only makes things that much easier. I'm sure, in time, Dawn will grow to like you, as well. She has no other romantic interest right now, as far as Uncle Nicholae can see... I'd be careful, though. She doesn't have the same opinions of the Dark Lord as we do. She's been around those Gryffindors far too long."
Aubrey nodded at this, looking over at Lyriara and Heydon, then back at the brother and sister before him, "Ah, yes. The goody-goody Gryffindors. Well, you will be attending Hogwarts this year, Kyanna. Surely you and I can find some way to cut off her connections to the Gryffindors, eh?" A wicked glint entered his eyes as he looked to Dawn, a smirk curling at his lips.
Kyanna grinned, a pleased look in her gaze, "Oh, yes. I'm quite certain we'll come up with something..." As she said this, the group were joined by Draco Malfoy once more, a look of pride on his face, masking his earlier pain.
On his left forearm stood the mark of the Dark Lord, himself, a brand which showed that Malfoy had accepted the mission given to him. Though, Voldemort had made sure Draco's mark had been especially painful because of the trouble Lucius Malfoy had caused him in the past. Now, Draco stood in the doorway, a smug smirk on his face, looking at the others.
Crabbe and Goyle instantly stood to their feet, making room for Draco on the couch between them, questioning looks in their eyes, something that looked like concern for their leader shining in their dark gazes, as well. Draco made his way over and sat between them, leaning back against the cushions of the couch, propping his feet on the table before him and folding his arms over his chest.
Dawn looked up when he entered and arched a brow, shaking her head at the sight of the Dark Mark, biting down on her lower lip, "Way to go, Malfoy. Pledge your alliegance to a force bound to fall in the end..." She quipped, standing and smirking lightly, Sai standing at her side, clutching the sleeve of her shirt, pulling it off her shoulder a bit.
Draco shook his head, silver eyes clashing with Dawn's obsidian gaze, "Don't be foolish, Chandler. The only ones standing in his way are Dumbledore, who as you heard, won't be around for much longer, and then the precious Potter. But, what challenge is he to the Dark Lord when anyone in this room could quite possibly out duel him, including your young shadow there?" He smirked, nodding toward Sai.
When the child heard this, she straightened and pursed her lips in a frown, "Shove off, Malfoy..." She grumbled, dropping her eyes to the ground and letting go of Dawn's sleeve, "I'm not her shadow..." Her protests were feeble and unconvincing, however.
Dawn glared down at the boy, before looking back at her friends, "Come on... Let these gits fend for themselves. We'll go to my room and the two of you can meet Emiko... Mum gave him to me when I got home from school..." She told them, forcing a half-smile, then looking back at Draco and his cronies, "Remember this, Malfoy... You are going up against the one Wizard that even Voldemort, himself, fears. And, you are only a boy. Do you honestly think you will succeed? Dumbledore will not kill you, but your precious Dark Lord will not hesitate to do away with one who is of no use to him."
Without another word, the girl led her two friends and her youngest cousin from the room, leaving a very uneasy Malfoy behind to mask his worry behind a cold glare. He brushed off Crabbe and Goyle's half-witted comments, not even listening to them, before standing and looking at the three speaking in hushed tones. Kente looked up at him and smirked, "Don't listen to my cousin, Malfoy. She knows not of what she speaks. You will have plenty of help in your mission..."
Though his words were meant to be reassuring, his eyes shone with a malicious amusement at Dawn's earlier outburst, knowing that what she said was more than true.
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Author's Note: Well, there you have it, folks. The end of another part of the thrilling adventures of Dawn Nyria Chandler. Okay. Maybe not so thrilling, but oh well. I can say they are, even if it is not true. Well, anyway... Please review. That would be nice. I want to know what you think. Constructive criticism would be great. Until next time, adieu.