Chapter 8
Disclaimer: Harry Potter and all that it entails belong to JK Rowling, except for Miss Leila Mae Potter.
… … … … …
Leila awoke in a poorly lit room. She was surprised by even this small amount of light that she hadn't had the last time she awoke. Her eyes easily adjusted this time as she frantically searched the room for the source of light. A gentle fire roared in the fireplace. She searched this odd room some more only to find that she was on a four-poster bed with emerald hangings, similar to, yet larger than, her bed in the Slytherin dormitory. Leila sat up slowly holding her wrists which were no longer shackled in chains. She absently rubbed where the shackles had been as she took in her new surroundings.
"Where am I?" Leila whispered to herself.
"I think you know where you are." drawled an all-too-familiar voice from the shadows.
"Who's there? Show yourself." Leila said hoarsely.
Leila heard a slight groan followed by footsteps. The shadowy figure stepped into the light given off by the fireplace. Leila gasped in horror, covering her mouth with her hands. The figure standing before her was none other than Draco Malfoy. Leila instinctively reached for her wand but it wasn't on her person.
"Where's my wand?" Leila whispered slightly panicked.
"Your wand was confiscated upon your arrival," Draco drawled.
"My arrival? And where exactly am I, Death Eater?" Leila hissed.
Draco slowly walked toward her. His eyes told her that the answer should be obvious. She was at Malfoy Manor, Draco's home. Leila's eyes widened as she backed up into the headboard. She tried to crawl back farther as Draco inched closer to her, but she had no where left to go.
"Stay the hell away from me, ferret!" Leila shouted.
"I'm not going to hurt you, Leila." Draco sighed.
"You honestly think I'm going to trust you again? Never, Malfoy!" Leila hissed.
"Leila, you need to save your strength. You became violently ill when you arrived…." Draco began.
"I said to stay away from me!" Leila sneered.
"I'm warning you, you must settle down." Draco said sternly.
Leila jumped from the bed to run from him. She couldn't even muster one step before collapsing onto the floor and fading once more into darkness. Draco pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration and sighed before walking to Leila's aide. He roughly picked her up and placed her back on the bed. He gazed at her intently; she was still dressed in her blue dress robes from the Weasley wedding. Her hair was matted and her wrists were bruised from her time in the cellar with Ollivander. Leila had fought so hard that she had made herself ill. Draco reckoned that if she were left to her own devices and stubbornness in the cellar Leila wouldn't have survived more than a few days. But a living Leila Potter was essential to the Dark Lord's plans. With Leila Potter in the hands of the Dark Lord, Harry Potter was almost certain to fall into the hands of the Dark Lord, too, trying to play hero for his little sister. Yet, the Dark Lord knew of Draco's weakness and handing Leila Potter over to him was yet another way to toy with him.
Draco eased himself back onto a straight-backed chair beside Leila's bed. He looked over to the bedside table where he had placed Leila's bag and decided that he should check its contents. He had to admit that he was curious but when Leila found out she'd be furious, so he reached for the bag. He gave the bag a slight shake causing a thudding sound from what sounded like a pile of books. Draco smirked; of course Leila was smart enough to place an Undetectable Extension Charm on her bag. Now his curiosity really had the better of him as he quickly opened the bag. Inside, he found Leila's clothes, many books, and a few objects that caught his surprise. His hand instantly plunged into the bag as he reached for his Quidditch jersey. He pulled it out, examined it, and looked back at an unconscious Leila. How had she gotten this? He dug in the bag once more to find his photograph album. He took the album out and paged through the pictures of him and Leila. Draco realized that she had to have gone back to the Slytherin dungeon and into his dorm after the night on the Astronomy Tower. Suddenly, Leila began to stir. Draco hastily threw his belongings back into her bag and watched her. Her beautiful emerald eyes opened, taking a minute to adjust, before a scowl overtook her beautiful features.
"I told you so," Draco said lightly.
"What the hell did you do to me?" Leila hissed.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Draco drawled.
"You cursed me," Leila sneered.
"Only a simple Body-Bind Curse from which you've obviously been released," Draco said.
Leila scoffed in disbelief. She stood up again and gingerly maneuvered herself toward the door using the furniture as her crutch. Draco watched her curiously as she maneuvered about the bed. She refused to look at him otherwise it may slow her down.
"And where exactly do you think that you're going?" Draco asked.
"What does it look like I'm doing? I'm escaping. I'm not staying here, especially if you're here," Leila said.
"You haven't got a choice in the matter. You're staying here and that's final," Draco said sternly.
"No, I'm not. There's got to be a way out," Leila shot back.
"Do you honestly think that the Dark Lord wouldn't have already thought of every way you could possibly foil his plan?" Draco questioned.
"Voldemort planned this?" Leila asked.
"Don't say his name, its taboo!" Draco hissed.
"What?" Leila gasped.
"The name is taboo. Do I need to explain what the word means to you?" Draco answered.
"But Harry!" Leila whispered.
Leila collapsed once more to the floor, but not for lack of strength. Voldemort's plan was beginning to formulate in her head. Draco moved to help her up but she mustered up any strength she could to push him away. She didn't want any help from him. She wanted nothing more than to be far away from him. Just when things seemed to be going so well everything came crashing down. Leila wanted to cry, but she refused to look any weaker in front of her captor.
"I want my wand," Leila growled.
"I already told you that it was confiscated," Draco said.
"I know that you have it. So give it to me," Leila hissed.
"I don't have it, but I did happen to grab this before the others could," Draco said.
Draco held up Leila's small handbag before her. Leila narrowed her eyes and attempted to snatch back her bag; but Draco's reflexes were spot on. He quickly pulled Leila's bag out of her reach. Leila reached to hit him, but he quickly stepped away from her.
"I didn't say that you could have it," Draco quipped.
"Give it to me, Malfoy," Leila spat.
"Well you see I haven't finished examining it yet. Brilliant charm by the way. Probably would have fooled most everyone else but I know you too well," Draco said.
"You have no right to look in there!" Leila hissed.
"But you have some things in here that belong to me," Draco smirked.
"Just give it back," Leila groaned.
"I don't think that I will. I think I'm going to hold onto it for a bit longer," Draco said.
Draco clutched the handbag closer to his chest and exited the room. Leila narrowed her eyes as she watched him walk into the adjoining room. Arse, she thought. She peeked into the other room and saw that Draco had his back to her. A surge of confidence overtook her as she got up and tip-toed out of the room. She smiled when she wasn't blocked by some spell when she exited the room. The adjoining room was a sitting room, with a roaring fireplace and walls covered from floor to ceiling with books. Leila looked around the room and found that the room had two other doors beside the one she had exited. She looked to Draco who still had his back to her and then to the nearest door which she tip-toed to. Leila jiggled the handle but the door wouldn't budge. Draco chuckled softly.
"I told you that we've made certain protections for your stay; besides, it's far safer in here for you," Draco said casually.
"In here with you?" Leila groaned.
"Better than downstairs with the Dark Lord," Draco shrugged.
"Does-does he know that I'm here?" Leila asked.
"Of course," Draco said.
"Why am I here?" Leila demanded.
"You know that I can't divulge the Dark Lord's plans to you," Draco said.
Leila narrowed her eyes and intensely stared at Draco. Draco tossed her handbag in the air and caught it with ease before heading for to another door that belonged to his room. He was nearly to his door when he stopped suddenly inhaling sharply. Draco clutched his left forearm and exhaled slowly.
"I'll be back," Draco said through gritted teeth.
Draco opened the door to his room, leaving Leila's handbag there. When he closed the door he pulled out his wand and magically locked the door. He headed for the door that led to the hallway. He was about to open the door when he turned around back to Leila.
"There's no point in trying to escape. Even if you somehow managed to they'd know if you did," Draco said.
Draco turned around and opened the door. He raised his left arm and left the room, leaving Leila all alone. Leila ran after him attempting to open the door; but it was still locked. She kicked at the door in frustration and mindlessly walked to the room where she had started. The only way she could get out was with a Dark Mark on her arm or on the arm of someone who had one. She slammed the door shut before breaking down into tears. She slid down the door and onto the floor, curling herself into a ball as she cried. Her tears completely overtook her. Leila tried to focus her thoughts on Harry, Ron, and Hermione in an attempt to control her tears. She wondered if they had made it safely away from the wedding. She hoped that they were safe and that no matter how badly she didn't want to be here that they wouldn't come looking for her. Leila hoped that Hermione and Ron could keep Harry's hero-complex in check. Draco didn't reveal any specifics to Voldemort's plan but she assumed that he expected Harry to come looking for her.
Leila forced herself to stand and staggered to the window. She passed the fireplace noting that the picture hanging above was that of a former Slytherin Hogwarts' headmaster, but he didn't distract her. Instead she sat on the window seat and looked out onto the landscape. The moon wasn't quite full but it gave off enough light to see some of her surroundings. The countryside looked so calm and serene, the exact opposite of Leila's heart. She looked upon the extensive grounds that belonged to the Malfoys which had white peacocks strutting about and wished that she were with Harry. Harry had always been there for her and for the first time in her life she didn't have her brother to protect her. She didn't have her brother there to give her advice or to share and understand the sorrow over their parents. Instead she was stuck. A few more tears stained her cheek which Leila made no attempt to brush away. She was miserable here and there was no use in hiding it.
Leila looked once more to the night sky and began to hum. She began to hum the soothing melody from the music box Fred had given her. The song instantly brought comfort to her soul even with the dire circumstances. Leila closed her eyes and continued to hum the tune. She focused her thoughts on those she loved and didn't even notice Draco reappear in the room. He stopped at the threshold and watched her. Leila's thoughts were consumed by her parents. She mentally focused on their pictures, their faces, anything that could bring her some relief. She thought of Harry, Hermione, and the Weasleys. She thought of Cedric, Sirius, and Remus. When Leila finished humming, she gently opened her eyes looking out once more upon the landscape.
"The Dark Lord wishes to see you," Draco said.
Leila instantly turned around, narrowing her eyes.
"Well, I don't wish to see him," Leila scoffed.
"You need to quit acting so immature. Downstairs you'll find the Dark Lord and a room full of Death Eaters who won't be as merciful to you. I can't protect you down there, don't you understand that?" Draco hissed.
"I don't want your protection," Leila spat.
Draco scowled before walking over to her and roughly grabbing her arm. Leila screamed for him to release her but he made no motion to do so. Instead he dragged her from the window seat into the sitting room and, by raising his Dark Mark, out of Draco's suite entirely. She tried to fight him but his grasp on her arm was firm. It reminded her of that night on the Astronomy Tower. She hadn't been able to fight him off then and she certainly wasn't doing so now. Without even a single word to Leila, Draco led Leila down the long corridor and down several flights of stairs. While still on the stairs, Leila could see an eerie glow and hear voices talking lowly. Draco forced her to face him, looking her directly in the eyes.
"It would be to your benefit if you heed my warning," Draco whispered.
"I don't take orders from Death Eaters," Leila hissed.
"Leila, please?" Draco asked.
Leila sneered and turned from him, refusing to look at him any longer. With his arm so tight around her own, turning caused her great pain but she refused to show it. Whatever daydreams she had had about Draco over the summer were gone. Here he was about to betray her yet again, only this time to Voldemort. Draco was a bloody coward, not the person she had once imagined him to be. He sighed and led her down the last staircase to meet her fate with the Dark Lord. Leila kept her gaze at the floor but she could feel the eyes of the Death Eaters examining her every moment. Whispers ran rampant through the dark room as Draco dragged Leila to the Dark Lord. Draco unexpectedly released her arm when he pushed her forward causing her to fall in a heap to the floor. Laughter filled the room and Bellatrix's cackle could be heard above the rest. Leila gritted her teeth as she attempted to pick herself up when suddenly a curse hurtled toward her. A Cruciatus Curse caused Leila to writhe on the floor in pain. A scream escaped from her lips causing more laughter from the Death Eaters. The curse finally released causing Leila to pant for breath. With her gaze still concentrated on the floor, she could hear footsteps coming closer.
"Leila Potter, we meet again," Voldemort said.
Leila looked up to find Voldemort standing before her with Nagini slithering at his feet. The snake terrified her, which was ironic because she belonged to Slytherin, the house of the snakes. She shifted her gaze back to the snake who was hissing at her. Leila backed away but the snake kept watching her. Voldemort whispered something to the snake in Parseltongue and the snake wrapped around his ankles.
"She won't harm you unless I command her to," Voldemort said.
"That's a relief," Leila muttered sarcastically.
"I'm not without mercy; you're still alive aren't you?" Voldemort questioned.
Leila didn't answer. She kept her gaze at the floor, too terrified to look up and find her certain death. A silence overcame the room until another Cruciatus Curse enveloped Leila. She gritted her in pain attempting to silence any screams that threatened to escape but they eventually did and they filled the air. When the curse stopped Leila was flat on her back panting. Her eyes opened to find Bellatrix's wand aimed at her and a scowl plastered across the older woman's face.
"The Dark Lord asked you a question, you filthy half-blood," Bellatrix spat.
Suddenly, Bellatrix went flying backward and her face contorted into one of shock. None of the other Death Eaters made any motion to help her up. Bellatrix stood back up with her wand aimed in attempts to find the culprit, but no other Death Eater had his or her wand drawn. Frustration could easily be read on Bellatrix's face.
"The girl is mine, Bella," Voldemort said coldly.
"Yes my Lord," Bellatrix said, bowing slightly.
Bellatrix's cheeks instantly flushed as the Death Eaters began to whisper. She narrowed her eyes at Leila, huffed, and rejoined her place at Voldemort's right side. Leila looked up to Voldemort in confusion. Bellatrix could have been rid of her, but Voldemort stepped into stop. Why?
"I suppose you're wondering why I brought you here, Leila. I believe you to be an intricate part of my plans whether willingly or by force. The choice is yours," Voldemort drawled.
Leila's sat there silently, refusing to answer Voldemort's question. He walked in circles around her attempting to draw something out of her, but she still refused. He demanded that she tell him what she knew about Harry's whereabouts. Leila was glad that she really didn't know where exactly Harry was; but she did know his secret. She knew what his mission was, what he was trying to accomplish. Leila remained silent prompting the Voldemort to come to a decision for her.
"By force it is. Severus, you are the most practiced. Come."
Leila hadn't noticed Professor Snape, her former Head of House, standing in Voldemort's ranks. He took one step forward into the moonlight. Leila looked straight to him, but he refused to make eye contact with her. Coward, she thought. The man whom Dumbledore had trusted more than anything had betrayed him that night on the Astronomy Tower. That night had been the night of betrayal. Draco had betrayed her, Snape betrayed Dumbledore, and here she was being betrayed by both of them directly to Lord Voldemort.
"My Lord, may I remind you that on Dumbledore's orders I was forced to train the girl in Occlumency. She was able to master it unlike her brother," Snape spoke.
"All the more reason for you to be the one to break her, Severus," Voldemort answered.
Snape simply nodded walking closer to Leila with his wand drawn. Leila attempted to clear her mind, just the way Snape had taught her. She tried to bury her thoughts about Horcruxes just in case Snape happened to break through her barrier. She was frightened at the prospect of Snape relaying the Horcrux hunt to Voldemort. Snape looked at her and Leila swore she could read pain in his eyes, but without any hesitation Snape performed Legilimency on her. She successfully fought him off the first time. When he released her from the spell she panted for breath, but prepared herself for another blow to her mind. Leila put up a good fight, but after many draining attempts Snape finally broke through her barrier. Mental images flashed through her mind: Dumbledore telling her to protect Harry…kissing Cedric in the graveyard… Sirius going through the Veil…kissing Draco in a secluded corridor…Dumbledore falling of the Astronomy Tower…kissing Fred for the first time…the locket, the fake Horcrux…the note from R.A.B…running toward Harry and suddenly vanishing….
Leila screamed and expelled Snape from her mind. She panted hard for breath attempting to look cold and calloused. She was upset that she had allowed her mind to reveal that much information to Snape. Tears fell down her face in frustration.
"Well Severus?" Voldemort questioned.
"Beyond some romantic fantasies which even I care not to relive, the girl does not know Potter's whereabouts. However, Dumbledore did order her to protect him and there is something we should discuss in private," Snape drawled.
Leila's stomach fell. Snape was going to tell Voldemort that they were on to the Horcruxes. Harry would be in even more danger once Voldemort found out about their mission. Leila wanted to protect her brother, but she was in no position to do so.
"Very well, Potter will still come to me," Voldemort said.
"You will never get Harry!" Leila screamed.
Voldemort and his Death Eaters laughed. Leila scowled at this reaction to her attempt at courage and bravery, which she had no clue where it came from. She wasn't a Gryffindor, but she was the daughter of James and Lily Potter; two of the bravest people to grace the Wizarding World.
"It's not a matter of if, Leila. It's a matter of when," Voldemort drawled.
"Harry's not stupid," Leila hissed.
"No, but he is a fool. Your brother has a hero-complex and no doubt will attempt your rescue. I'm sure this behavior is something Dumbledore has nurtured in him since he arrived at Hogwarts," Voldemort replied.
"Whatever Dumbledore's purposes were, you can rest assured that it was for Harry's own good," Leila quipped.
"His own good? Dumbledore isn't the saint you make him out to be. You blindly followed and trusted the man, a man who was never fully honest with you. He manipulated the truth for his own purpose not for your good," Voldemort spat.
"Dumbledore wouldn't do that," Leila innocently said.
"No? Then, shall I reveal to you the secret the old fool has hidden from you all these years?" Voldemort asked.
"What could you possibly know?" Leila questioned.
"The prophecy…" Voldemort began.
"The prophecy only concerns my brother and was destroyed that night in the Department of Mysteries," Leila retorted.
"The fool never mentioned the second prophecy, did he?" Voldemort asked.
"A second prophecy?" Leila questioned.
"Yes, a second prophecy. A prophecy concerning you," Voldemort spoke slowly.
"All the prophecies were smashed that night it isn't possible that you could have one concerning me," Leila responded.
"And that is where you are wrong, Leila. Severus," Voldemort said.
Snape looked to Voldemort and slightly bowed.
"Yes, my Lord?" Snape drawled.
"Severus, it seems to me that the girl doesn't even know her own prophecy. I believe the situation needs to be rectified," Voldemort responded.
"Of course, my Lord," Snape replied.
"You see Leila, Severus was the one whom the second prophecy was relayed to. I had no need for that orb because I already had the prophecy. It is such a pity that Dumbledore never shared it with you or maybe even your own brother. They both seemed rather distant from you, did they not?" Voldemort continued.
"Are you going to tell me the damn prophecy or not?" Leila demanded.
Voldemort chuckled as an evil grin spread across his face. He had been taunting her, expecting her to give into him. Leila instantly regretted snapping at Voldemort, because he had found a weak point or a flaw in her character. He had found the nerve that could make her snap and this wouldn't be the only time he would exploit her weakness. Voldemort then looked to Snape and nodded. Snape nodded in return clearing his throat before reciting the words once bestowed upon him:
"A girl born as the seventh month waned
A sister, closest with the Chosen One through all his pain
With her the Dark Lord will seek to gain
To win the fight, no matter whose blood be stained
The girl will fight but it will be in vain
For she will deliver the Chosen One unrestrained
Right into the hands of he whose existence is his bane."
Leila's eyes widened in horror as Voldemort once again began to chuckle. She tried to back away from Voldemort, but found a wall of Death Eaters surrounding her. Her breathing became erratic and her heart began to pound. Her hand clasped her chest and tears trickled down her face. It couldn't be true. She would never do something like that to her brother. He was always there for her and she was always there for him. All they had left was each other and even that seemed doomed.
"No, it's a lie," Leila whispered.
"I too was once a fool to not believe in prophecies," Voldemort said.
"It can't be true. I don't believe it," Leila muttered.
"I've never believed you to be a fool, Leila, but believe me when I tell you that this prophecy is as credible as the one concerning your brother," Voldemort said slowly.
"No, I would never betray Harry," Leila cried.
"But did he betray you by not telling you?" Voldemort taunted.
"Harry couldn't have known about this," Leila retorted.
"But it is your destiny to fulfill that prophecy. It is your destiny to hand your brother over to me," Voldemort countered.
"I won't do it. You can't make me!" Leila screamed.
The Death Eaters began to mock Leila. They repeated her last words as she attempted to stand and make her escape. Draco easily blocked her path by grabbing hold of her. Leila tried to fight him but he held onto her. She screamed for him to let her go, prompting the Death Eaters to mock her even further. Leila pounded Draco's chest and kicked his shin in frustration. The kick surprised him so that he pushed her away, causing her to crumple awkwardly in a heap back on the floor before Voldemort. Bellatrix lunged forward at Leila with her wand drawn.
"My Lord, let me take care of the girl," Bellatrix begged.
"I do admire your loyalty, Bellatrix, but I know how you'd like to take care of her and the girl is needed to bring Harry Potter to me,"
"My Lord, surely there must be another way," Bellatrix said.
"Are you questioning my authority?" Voldemort asked.
"No, of course not my Lord," Bellatrix shuddered.
"Draco, take the girl back upstairs and play nice," Voldemort said.
Another round of laughter followed Voldemort's last statement causing a pink tinge to creep onto Draco's cheeks. Leila looked up to him with a scowl and saw that his mother was attempting to hold him back while he mulled his thoughts over and Lucius looked to be biting something back. Draco took a step forward and without meeting her eyes roughly grabbed her arm forcing her to stand. He dragged her through the crowd of taunting Death Eaters back up the stairs to his room. Leila grudgingly followed him back without saying a single word to him or attempting to fight him. Draco raised his left arm when they came to his door and they entered the room. Draco released her arm and headed for his room. Leila headed for her room but a knot in her stomach forced her to turn around.
"Why do I have to stay in here with you?" Leila questioned.
"The Dark Lord knows everyone's weaknesses, especially those most loyal to him," Draco responded.
"And what does that have to do with me staying here?" Leila asked.
"You've always prided yourself on being smarter than me; so figure it out," Draco said coldly.
Draco turned back around and opened his door.
"What about my bag?" Leila called to him.
Draco looked back to her once more but shut his door after a moment, leaving Leila alone in his sitting room. She narrowed her eyes at his door and stomped back to the room where she was expected to stay. She slammed the door once more hoping that Draco understood the meaning: she was pissed. Leila flung herself onto bed and cried, her thoughts focusing on her meeting with the Voldemort. She couldn't shake her feelings toward this second prophecy off. Was she really meant to be the one to hand Harry over to Voldemort? But Voldemort's taunting that Dumbledore had hidden this from her made her upset. Why hadn't the old man trusted her with this? If he would have told her, she could have made sure to avoid that fate. She could have been even more cautious of Harry. And Harry…did Harry know of the prophecy? Had he too hidden this prophecy from her? Is that why he had responded so violently to her relationship with Draco last year? Had he thought that she was going to use Draco to hand him over to Voldemort? Leila's mind hurt in confusion. She wasn't sure what she was sure of anymore. The only thing she was certain of was that she was a prisoner of Lord Voldemort and that Harry wasn't there to help her.