Looking for Immortality

I let a hiss of pain escape my teeth as I felt the Dark Mark burn on my forearm. I gently rubbed my arm, sighing as the pain slowly ebbed away.

"You better go to him now. Do not keep him waiting." Bellatrix Lestrange advised, the afternoon sun illuminating her silky raven hair as she stood arm in arm with her husband, Rodolphus.

I nodded curtly and apparated into the tiny cottage that Voldemort was using during our stay here. I found him standing before the fireplace staring fixedly into the crackling flames.

"Are you alright, my Lord?" I enquired as I took a seat.

He remained silent, his gaze still transfixed by the fire, I began to wonder whether he had heard me

"Blair, do you remember Professor Slughorn?" he turned around to look at me.

I tapped my index finger thoughtfully on my chin as I recalled our days at Hogwarts.

"Oh yes! Yes I do, nice man, nice tea parties" Voldemort laughed softly,

'Yes, my Blair." he sat down in the armchair and looked intently at me "Do you remember what I had told you about the Horcruxes?"

I nodded slowly as the memory of that day washed over me,

"Blair! Wait! I have something to tell you!" Tom hollered as he sprinted up the hallway.

I turned to face him, smiling,

"Yes? Coming to explain why you cancelled our study group to go speak to Slughorn?" I crossed my arms indignantly.

Tom reached out and uncrossed my arms, he held onto my hands as he whispered, "Blair, my friend, you are right, like always." He smiled as I frowned.

"And? What did you ask him?

"I asked him about Horcruxes. He told me the basics about them, but I want-"

"-to learn how to create them?" I finished for him, "I'll begin researching right away." My eyes lit up at the prospect of research, it meant reading dusty old tomes that haven't been opened for centuries. Unlocking curses on older books just to read its contents. I loved the Dark Arts. Tom pulled me into a fierce hug,

"My Blair, I knew I could count on you!"

"Anytime, Tom, anytime."

I knew that my search that year and for many after had been fruitless. My mind flickered to the book I had been reading earlier that week. I had found the first substantial amount of information on the Horcruxes in eleven years in that one book.

"I read something the other day in that new Judson book on Transference of Power. An ancient sorceress from the Dark ages was said to have created the horcruxes. The theory is that she split her soul into seven pieces, the maximum amount it can be broken up into. With this ability, one would become invincible and would never fear losing their power" I shook my head in awe.

Voldemort abruptly stood. The fire behind him seemed cold and damp compared to the one burning within his eyes. I knew that look, for I had seen it so often on his face through the years we had known each other. His desire for this knowledge emanated from him. I knew he would not rest until he learned the art to creating Horcruxes

"Blair, my oldest and most trusted friend, shall I never obtain my goal? Since the sixth year, it has been my greatest ambition to become immortal!" he spat bitterly.

"Perhaps my friend, you should look for this vampiric sorceress." I had his attention, "It is rumoured she is hiding in an abandoned castle in a forest, somewhere in the middle of Europe. But then, no-one really knows where she is. You could find the great Lysha Drevei, my Lord, and she can teach you how to create these Horcruxes." I rose and slowly walked to the door. Looking back to Voldemort, I continued, "I would help you my master, my friend, but this is something you must do yourself. I wish you luck" I disapparated, leaving Voldemort to his thoughts.

I apparated back into the clearing and continued my conversation with Bella and the other Death Eaters.

"Oh yes!' I exclaimed "that would work but, I have a better idea-" I broke off, noticing out of the corner of my eye, Malfoy stepping into his tent.

"Blair darling, what is it?" Bellatrix enquired, looking quizzical at my vacant expression.

"Oh, sorry Bella, I've got to go. We will talk later," I replied without looking back. But as I made my way towards Malfoy's tent, I found my path obstructed.

"Blair, where have you been? I waited for you last night…" a thick voice spoke. I recognized it immediately. Jeremy Crabbe.

My face twisted with a look of revulsion,

"What the hell gave you that idea, you mangy beast." I spat in his face. Rage clouded his obsidian eyes.

"Look, Gaunt!" he shouted. "No-one and I mean no-one says no to Jeremy Crabbe! NO-ONE!"

I whipped my wand out and jabbed it at Crabbe's throat,

"Now, that's no way to talk to the Heir of Slytherin, is it?" I taunted him "You will never lay a hand on me, or The Dark Lord will be here to finish you so quickly, you would be dead before you could say 'I'm a fat hairy slob!' " I smiled coldly.

He lunged forward knocking my wand to the ground and seized the robes around my neck, bringing his face an inch from mine. I could smell his rank breath as he hissed,

"Not even the Dark Lord could stop me." His fist contacted with the side of my face and I fell to the ground, the scene before me swimming in and out of focus. I heard the familiar cold voice of Voldemort,

"Oh couldn't I Crabbe?" and the muttered words of the killing curse followed by a flash of green light before darkness completely enveloped me.