Harry found out about the engagement ring, he tore his room apart. The old Harry would not have done this, the old Harry would have tried to stay calm and figure a way around the situation...but this was no longer the old Harry. The new Harry wanted what he wanted and he wanted it now, he wanted revenge, he wanted to kill Lucius and eliminate him permanently as competition. For the first time he felt alive again, no longer dead, no longer living day to day and wasting his time with cheap women and booze. For the first time he wanted a life with a family, and he wanted it with Azadeh.
It was quiet on the ride home, Draco spent a great deal of the time glaring at Lucius once he saw the engagement ring. But Lucius paid no attention, he kept Azadeh close to him, talking to her in french, trying to teach her phrases, and correcting her accent. She suddenly felt like a pet. Lucius was happy all the way home, why, Azadeh had no idea...Finally, she just asked him, "why are you so happy?"
"Happy? Because we are getting married, you will like your wedding dress...it is beautiful, picked it out while you were resting in the hospital, the hair piece is very intricate, but you will look like a princess." Azadeh looked over at Draco and gave him a sarcastic happy face. Draco grinned, he knew she wouldn't like being a such an extravagant gown, but he couldn't say he wouldn't do the same thing.
When they got home, Azadeh went upstairs to take a nap...she was actually trying to avoid any wedding talk, she was sick of it. Sitting on the side of the bed and shook her head, curling her knees upto her chest, Azadeh wanted to disappear.
Lucius went to his desk to look at some mail and found an official letter written by The Dark Lord, he quickly opened it:
Dear Lucius,
I am aware you have a lovely young lady that you wish to marry. However, I am wanting to see her for myself, for I hear she is part Shaman. I am eager to learn of her abilities and will be testing her on what she knows. Other Death Eaters will be there as well and you my bring your Draco, perhaps I can try and convince him once more to join us, he does take after you.
Please, arrive at my home around 5 o'clock tomorrow evening, I know you just got back from Paris and need some time to rest. I will see you then.
Sincerely,
The Dark Lord
Lucius wasn't happy about this, he sensed there was something about all of it that seemed off, still, he couldn't deny the request. He unbuttoned his shirt and kept looking at the letter and wondered, the headed upstairs to Azadeh.
She heard him come up the stairs and decided to 'be asleep', laying down quickly and remaining still. The door opened and Azadeh heard his heavy footsteps enter the room and the she felt movement on the bed. "I know you're not asleep, Azadeh." She sighed heavily, opened her eyes, then rolled over. "The Dark Lord wishes to see you tomorrow."
Azadeh's eyes widened in fear and she tried to get up, but Lucius held her down, "understand, I will not let him harm you, but he will test you and I don't know what that will entail. You must be on your best behavior and be respectful to him, he will not tolerate your temper or sass as I do." She looked at him as if to say, 'no you really don't.' But Lucius continued. "Meaning he will perform Crucio on you, and that is very painful and I couldn't stand to watch you go through that, so please, do as he asks."
She looked at him confused now, he couldn't stand to watch her be tortured? Taking her hand reluctantly, Azadeh petted his face and Lucius nearly purred, it was the first time she volentarily touched him in a while since she found him with that woman. "Lucius, I want to ask you some things...and I would like the truth." He nodded. "Did you see anymore of that woman when I was in the hospital?"
"No," he said flatly.
"Will you ever...be with another woman while we are...married?" Azadeh looked away, afraid of the answer, if anything she just wanted respect from him...if he was going to keep her for the rest of her life, she just wanted to know that she wasn't just a baby machine or toy.
"No."
"Why did you want to marry me?" He stopped and hesitated, he didn't want to answer it. "You don't have to candy coat anything for me, just tell me the truth." She was at least being realistic. Still no answer, he was just looking at her. "Are you trying to...telepathicly tell me, because I gotta tell ya...it's not working well?"
There was her quirky sense of humor. What could he tell her...that everytime she touched him, it sent a chill down his spine, or that he would watch her while she slept, or even that when she was up in the tree...he'd watch her read, in hopes for a glimpse of her underwear when she climbed down, that one was slightly perverted but he didn't care. One time, before he took her virginity, Lucius was watching her read, more out of curiousity, but he started fantasizing and all of a sudden, while he was watching her, a gust of wind blew her dress a certain way and he caught sight of white cotton bikini panties...he instantly had an orgasm, nearly breaking one of the arms of his chair from his grip, and made a mess in his pants.
"Do you at least care for me?" she asked, shaking Lucius from his thoughts.
"What?"
"I asked if you at least care for me?"
He finally answered, "yes." Lucius wasn't going to break out into a sonnet, but he would at least tell her that he cared about her.
"Okay," Azadeh said softly, reached up and kissed his lips gently. One of the most innocent kisses he'd ever experieced, but innocent wasn't what Lucius had in mind.
Harry was getting ready, he was going to see her this evening, and was smiling like an idiot, especially when he heard the Dark Lord's plan. If Azadeh proved herself powerful enough, which Harry had no doubt she would, he would be allowed to take her. If, however, she was not...she would stay with Lucius.
It would be 5 o'clock soon and now he was headed to his master's home.
Azadeh was terrified. She had seen this man once before, his aura reaking of death and dismay, hate and greed. Why did she have to go? What test did he need? Chances are Voldemort knew about her being half Shaman and needed to see what she could do for his own purposes. Azadeh wasn't blind to the plans of men like him, they never grew satisfied and only wanted more and more until the whole of the Universe was devoured.
Once they entered the manor, Azadeh noticed that this house was the most elaborate she had ever seen. More so than Lucius's, but when the first walked into the doorway, they seemed to be in a thrown room for a king or queen...definately for vanity's sake. Harry greeted them and Lucius automatically tensed, "I need to to take Azadeh to a room to get ready for her test."
"I'm sure I CAN do that," Lucius snipped.
"No, the Dark Lord insists that I do it while you wait here, the others will be here soon," Harry quickly took Azadeh from him and left, leaving Lucius to scowl.
Harry was happy, Azadeh was on his arm again and he guided her to the room where she would change. He wished he could snap his fingers now and make her remember everything, but it wasn't the best time, for fear it would interfere with her test. She was to fight Nezba, one of Voldemort's concubines. She was strong in magic and a good physical fighter as well, she had been instructed to test Azadeh, but not kill her...to push her and get her to reveal her true power. For this, Harry waved his wand over the bracelet so that it would allow her to use her abilities more. Afterwards, he took his hand and touched her face, Azadeh's breath wavered...she liked his touch, he could tell and came closer to her. Harry slowly leaned in and kissed the corner of her eye, then her cheek, and then the corner of her mouth, they were gentle and slow kisses.
'Oh, please be powerful enough, I know you are...if only I could make you remember,' Harry came even closer and hugged her. "Azadeh," he breathed in her ear, it sent chills down her spine. "Please do well today," then he left her...leaving her breathless. He had to, Voldemort gave strict instruction that when he was along with her not to 'do anything that may compromise her judgment', of course, he didn't say not to give her ENCOURAGEMENT.
'GOD, that is so wrong to do,' Azadeh thought to herself.
It was 6 o'clock now and Azadeh was sent out in front of the 'thrown room'. She was dressed in a white tank top and and white flowing pants, with her hair braided, she felt like a lamb to the slaughter. His top Death Eaters were lined up in their uniforms, along with Lucius, Draco was sitting down and looking slightly worried for her.
When Voldemort entered, the Deather Eaters immediately bowed on one knee, Azadeh remained standing, not knowing what she was supposed to be doing...Harry entered after him and took a superior stance, his shoulders squared, his hands behind his back and his feet a shoulder width apart and looking straight ahead. Naturally he was on Voldemort's right hand side and was not required to kneel, his black shaggy hair looking beautiful, matching his uniform. The Death Eater's uniforms were black leather, with buckles down the front of the shirt and black leather pants with buckled boots, and a green cloak...they made the men look very handsome, but also, very intimidating.
Voldemort spoke, "Azadeh...my dear Azadeh. You are here to be tested on your abilities, making sure you are worthy of a certain Death eater..." She was sure he was talking about Lucius, but he really wasn't. "Nezba, please enter."
A lovely woman with long red hair entered, she was pretty and muscular, dressed like a concubine, because she was one. But she had a weapon, a staff with two steel pointed ends, and Azadeh could tell that they were enchanted, while SHE had nothing to defend herself with. "Nezba is going to test you, she will not kill you, but I would suggest defending yourself to the best of your ability," he chuckled.
Azadeh didn't have much time to think about her strategy before Voledmort gave the word to begin, and before she knew it, she was dodging Nezba's attacks as best she could.
Lucius was suprised when Azadeh did back flips to get away from Nezba, he had no idea she could to half of the things she was doing right now, and was rather livid at the fact that she had not TOLD him. Harry's own eyes widened a bit. Nezba was quick to catch on and caught Azadeh, tripping her and trying to jab one of the tips into her face, but she caught the blade inbetween her hands, a mere reflex reaction, but one that Voldemort was impressed with...he was like a child, clapping his hands, absolutely amused by her. "JESUS LADY, what are you, crazy!"
Some of the Death Eaters laughed, but Lucius didn't...Nezba wasn't exactly stable and sometimes didn't listen to Voldemort, he was afraid she would actually try and kill Azadeh.
She tripped Nezba, getting away from the woman, but she came after Azadeh with great fierceness. Nezba suddenly had Azadeh against the wall, tying to choke her, and now Harry was panicking...would she lose? 'Please don't lose!' he thought desperately.
"HE'S MINE, BITCH!" Nezba screamed. Azadeh only looked confused, 'HOW MANY ADMIRERS DOES LUCIUS HAVE!" But she had no idea that Lucius wasn't the one she was screaming about.
Nezba then took her knee and jabbed it into Azadeh's ribs, causing her to buckle. Lucius started to tense and so did Harry...but Voldemort patted Harry on the hand and shook his head, it was as if he was waiting for something. Nezba was choking her and then...Azadeh got really, really pissed off. This woman was told to test her, not kill her, and the fact that everyone was just standing there watching...made her feel absolutely angry. Her spirit animal kicked in by itself, out of self-preservation. Azadeh's eyes changed to a cat form and thrusted Nezba halfway across the room, causing her to slide. She even roared in a warning for Nezba to stay away.
Suddenly there was a cackle, again Voldemort was clapping his hands like a child at Christmas. Everyone else awed at Azadeh's look, cat eyes, slight fangs, claws that grew..it was incredibly sexy to watch this.
Nezba was stunned but she got back up, "here kitty, kitty!" She went after Azadeh again, and again Azadeh dodged her strikes and did one hard slice against Nezba's abdomen, which caused her to screetch out in pain and stepped away slightly, holding her mid-section and pointing her weapon at Azadeh. But Azadeh wouldn't attack...she was only defending herself, Lucius figured that out, and was quite sure his master was expecting a full brawl full of hate and spite...but he wouldn't get it, not out of her. Nezba was bleeding fairly badly, another reason why Azadeh didn't attack, and looked fairly sympathetic towards her. "DON'T YOU LOOK AT ME IN PITY!"
Azadeh put her guard down, which was not wise because Nezba took the opportunity to charge her, and out of a gut reaction to defend herself once more, Azadeh threw up her hands and caused a magical wall, causing her to fly across. Everyone was shocked, she cast a protective circle around herself. Nezba hit the brickwall, breaking her wrist and leg from the sheer force of the blow, she screamed out in pain, unable to move.
After Azadeh calmed down, she went back to normal and waited...but no on was helping Nezba. She looked around, they were all just standing there. "It looks like you won, you have truly proven yourself," Voldemort said.
"Isn't anyone going to help her?" Azadeh said softly. No one moved while Voldemort shrugged as if he'd get her later. She was mad at this and went Nezba herself, slowly approaching her.
"WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO, FINISH THE JOB?" Nezba shouted.
"No," Azadeh said and sat by her. THIS was what Voldemort was waiting for, her compassion...to see if she had the true healing abilities of a Shaman, which he could use to his advantage, using them to heal his Death Eaters when potions didn't work, and using her blood to help keep them young. He had some of the most powerful wizards in the world as his Death Eaters, not many were born that could do what they did, so he needed them to live longer than the usual one hundred-fifty years...not to mention, INCREASE their magical ability. By giving her to Harry, he could keep a close eye on her.
Azadeh touched the woman's face and held her wrist as she whimpered in pain. She focused and Azadhe's aura glowed, Nezba feeling a warm energy around her, coursing through her, the same went for her leg and abdomen...and after a little bit, Nezba was back to normal and could walk fine. "Wha..WHY did you DO THAT! I attacked you!" Azadeh shook her head, while Nezba went back to her room, "FOOL!"
Azadeh sat there on her knees, looking down at the floor...perhaps she was THAT, after all, she just revealed her abilities. What few she had, but they were powerful ones...not learning as much as she should have, her father hadn't been able to finish her training now. Azadeh got it ALL from him, he was a poweful Shaman, well respected, and one she would most likely never see again.
Voldemort waved his hand to Lucius to retreave her, and that he did with great pride. Harry was annoyed, but he KNEW. Everyone else clapped at her performance but she didn't find it amusing at all, she had been very, very foolish in revealing her abilities...Azadeh should have let Nezba kill her, but she gave into her anger and now, she feared, she was doomed. Lucius picked her up and took her to her room where she was to get ready for dinner.
Lucius watched her brush her hair and get ready, Azadeh started to become paranoid, "what?"
He leaned back in his chair, "HOW COME you never TOLD ME you could do all of those things...FIGHT like that, HEAL, I knew about the spirit animal...but everything else I DID NOT."
"It was never brought up and I can't defend myself against you, you know that."
"YOU could have told me!" Lucius snapped.
"Well, let's see. If you were in my position and you were 'property' of a Death Eater...someone you tried to AVOID all your life, would YOU be so willing to tell him your gifts and go 'LOOK WHAT I CAN DO!' I mean Lucius, you're a Death Eater...technically the enemy, and you're not going to reveal information to the enemy...okay?"
"So, I AM the ENEMY?" he almost seemed...annoyed.
"Well...not exactly NOW, but...Lucius, do you know how MANY times I walked by you? I've seen you on the streets at least a hundred times, you've walked passed me and not even noticed..I even bumped into you once and you called me 'an insolent boy who didn't know where he was going!' But then, yes, you were." Lucius sat up, he remembered that day, it was her? "I didn't want to be auctioned off, I didn't want my father to be found, I wanted to protect my family, my identity...I wasn't about to go UP TO YOU and go, 'hi, my father's a Shaman, care to meet him and drag him off and kill him?' PLEASE!" Azadeh threw the brush down.
"We haven't found him," he said simply.
"And you won't...we have ways of finding out, so...you'll never find him. I OBVIOUSLY didn't inherit THAT quality from him!"
Lucius chuckled, "and why not?"
"I was really starting to get into my training, Shamanism takes a lot of practice. I was just starting to learn to talk with the spirits of our ancestors...but he always said I was too much like my mother, cheeky and tempted fate a lot...YEP, I sure did that, didn't I?"
Coming up behind her, Lucius played with her hair, "I'm glad you did..." He then put his arms around her, but they were startled when there was a loud bang, the door had been slammed open by Harry and he was glaring at Lucius.
"DINNER'S READY," he hissed.