A/N- So, extremely long time and no see. Well, this story is my pet project now. I'm on my way to finishing it. I originally thought I had six chapters left and was pleasantly surprised to look at my notes and see that I only had five. So, here's one down, four to go.
Chapter 6- The Dark Mark
Le-Annette groaned and heard bedsprings squeak as she rolled from her side to her back. Her eyes flew open, and she found herself staring at a dust-stained bed canopy. As the fog of being unconscious for an untold amount of time cleared, her thoughts drifted to her baby. She put her right hand to her bulging belly and sighed in relief when everything felt normal.
"So it is true that Minor Class spells like stunning will naturally wear off of a vampire. So it seems that my old Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher knew something after all," said a high, cold voice from the vicinity of Le-Annette's feet.
"Voldemort!" she hissed, sitting up as fast as her stomach would allow.
The snake-like Dark Lord chuckled.
"Yes, it seems that Lucius's observations were correct. Your vampire abilities are becoming dormant due to your unnatural pregnancy. Aren't they? You should have known that I was in the room immediately. But you didn't, did you? Interesting."
Le-Annette said nothing. Voldemort laughed again.
"No matter, my dear. I have what I needed."
"Where am I?" she snapped at him.
The room around the two was dimly lit and sparsely furnished. A dresser and two nightstands were the only other pieces in the room with the bed, although the room itself was easily large enough to house several more items. Voldemort moved from his place at the bedroom door to stand at the foot of the bed, resting his hands on the footboard of it. Le-Annette drew herself closer to the headboard. He chuckled.
"You are in my home, Le-Annette. The very one you burst in upon months ago."
"And precisely how and why am I here? How did you get me from inside Hogwarts?"
Voldemort snapped his fingers, and the door opened. Pansy Parkinson walked meekly inside, her head bowed. Her short-cut black hair obscured her face.
"Yes, m-master?" she asked, not looking up.
Every bone in the child quaked with fear. Le-Annette's eyes widened. It all had become very clear. It had been Pansy she had heard calling, and Pansy that had stunned her.
And it was Pansy now that would not meet her eye, no matter how much she stared. Le-Annette turned her attention back to Voldemort.
"You have still not told me why you have kidnapped me. What use is a pregnant vampire to you?" she asked.
"To me? A pregnant vampire if of no use, it's true. However, if that pregnant vampire was the former mate of Salazar Slytherin, and if the child in her womb was that of another descendant of Slytherin, well…then that pregnant vampire would be of great use to me."
Le-Annette's hand flew protectively to her stomach. She was at a great disadvantage. She was in the clutches of a Dark Lord with a most fiendish—and currently unknown—plan. She was more than likely surrounded by all of his followers. And she was pregnant, which in itself meant two things. She had another life to care for, and her vampire abilities were lax to nonexistent. A most unfortunate side effect to her unnatural pregnancy. She was helpless, and there was nothing she could do about it.
"Pansy," Voldemort said, causing the girl to snap to attention.
"Yes, lord?"
"Bring Lucius and another up to me. Quickly."
Pansy bowed and dashed from the room. As the door shut behind her, Voldemort withdrew his wand from the folds of his robe.
"What are you doing?" Le-Annette asked, her back now pressed hard against the headboard.
"Staking my claim. A half-blood vampire child with the blood of Slytherin running through his genes…he will be my key to finally eradicating all the mudbloods and muggles!"
The door opened, and two fully cloaked and masked Death Eaters and Parkinson entered the room.
"Hold her," Voldemort said, motioning to Le-Annette.
The two Death Eaters pulled out their wands and muttered the same spell. Le-Annette felt her limbs pulled taunt as she was suddenly spread-eagle across the bed. She struggled, but to no avail.
"Stop!" she snarled, fangs bared. She heard Pansy gasp.
Voldemort stepped forward and lifted her shirt only enough to reveal her stomach. He grinned at her.
"A new Dark Mark I've been working on. It ensures the utmost loyalty by its wearer to me. The problem is, I have to brand the wearer before they're born. A nasty bug I have been unable to work out of the spell. So this is the only chance I've had to use it."
He pressed the tip of his wand to Le-Annette's stomach, just a little askew of her naval. She snarled again.
"This will hurt," the Dark Lord warned, not without a hint of sick joy at the prospect.
He muttered an incantation, and she felt pain sweep her body. Unable to writhe, a single, long scream burst out of her mouth, mixing with Voldemort's triumphant laughter.
End Notes: Okay, so that's chapter 6. I know, it isn't that great. I actually like the chapter that comes next better. So, please review! I'll try to get chapter 7 up as soon as possible. My computer recently crashed. I mean, dead and gone crashed. I'm working on borrowed time on a friend's computer. I'm going to order a laptop—my first ever!—as soon as my loan comes in. You know, as well as my school books. Well, please review! And again, sorry for the long wait.