I woke up early in the morning along with everyone else. Today was the day that I either live or die when the truth comes out. And everyone will be watching. My nerves were getting the best of me, but I learned to just let them go. I could not let anything get in my way. Not today. Not while this is going on.

After I ate breakfast, I started to pack and get things ready, practiced my magic a couple times, and made sure that I had the bracelet with me at all times. It seemed to calm me down when I looked at it. But I knew that whatever happens today, looking at it won't calm me down when I'm at the Carrows.

Soon enough it was time to say good-bye to everyone. My mother was crying of course. She was so emotional. Daphne was pretty close to tears, but she also looked kind of mad. Probably because I didn't listen to her. And I wanted to do this by myself.

I hugged everyone a good-bye. My mum didn't let go for a couple of minutes. Daphne was the last one I hugged, and when I came near her she started crying.

"G-good l-luck Astoria." She blubbered.

"Thanks, Daphne." I came out of the hug and looked at her. "I'm going to be okay. Just remember to show enough love for both of us to mother and father, alright."

She just started to cry even harder and nodded.

I waved to everyone as I stepped into the fireplace. I had to use the Floo Network to get to the Carrows. I smiled slightly at everyone then dropped the Floo powder and said, "The Carrows."

That was the last time I saw all their faces. For now at least. The ones that I loved would get to see me, but I wouldn't be able to see them again for a while. Maybe not ever again, if this goes badly.

I arrived in the Carrow's home. They were sitting on a couch in front of the fireplace. They seemed surprised that I showed up to them. Instead of them hunting me down. Alecto and Amycus took out their wands and pointed them at me.

"Wait." I said as I climbed out of the fireplace. I actually didn't fall this time. "I'm here to give you the information that you want."

"Really? And how can we trust you."

"I came here didn't I? I don't have my wand pointed at you. I'm just standing here

before you. Ready to tell you what you want."

They dropped their arms to there side. Alecto spoke first.

"Alright, who is it?"

"Amycus. You are the one that was chosen to be the next Dark Lord."

He grinned slightly. "Me? Well that's a surprise. I am honored."

"My own brother has been chosen. That is such an honor. We must celebrate."

"Since I was only here to inform you, I think I should go now."

"Oh, no. You are not leaving. You're staying right here."

"What the need of me to stay here? I am of no use."

"Then we'll make you useful."

He pointed his wand at me again and I was tied up.

"Where's the bracelet?" He asked. "It should be worth some Galleons if we sell it."

"Good idea Amycus."

They turned to me.

"Give us the bracelet."

I said nothing.

"Not going to tell us. Then we'll find it. Alecto, check her wrists."

She came over and lifted up both of my sleeves. I felt tugging on my right rist and

the bracelet was off.

"Here we go."

He took it from her hands. "And now, you're punishment for not listening to me. Crucio!"

A pain shot through me like never before. But as fast as it came, it went away.

"You will be our servants. That'll make you useful."

"Like I'd serve you people. I just came here to give you what you want, and you repay me by telling me I have to be your servant. Well I won't have it. Serve yourselves."

"You insolent little brat! Crucio!" Another wave of pain struck me. They tortured me for minutes, but it seemed like they had done it to me for hours. Finally I gave in and they stopped.

"Alright! Alright! I'll serve you!" I screamed. Tears were streaming down my face uncontrollably. I tried to hold them because I knew that everyone was watching. And I couldn't show any sign of weakness. But the pain was so excruciating, I couldn't hold them after a while.

"Good. Now you will be staying upstairs. The last door of the hall. When we need you, we'll call you."

I just nodded as I stood up and wiped the tears from my eyes. I headed up the stairs to the room. When I got inside I lied on the bed and cried.

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Meanwhile at the Estate…

"She can't be serious. Astoria can't serve them. She shouldn't have to serve them. It's barbaric." Tracy Davis said.

Daphne supported what Tracy said. "Why don't they just let her go? She gave them what they wanted."

"It's the Carrows, not the Ministry." Blaise said. "They aren't so easy."

"Astoria is going to get hurt very badly unless we help her. We can't just sit around and watch."

"But, we have to." Draco said. "Last night she told me that whatever happens to her, we can't go and help. Even if she's dying. She doesn't want any of us to get hurt because of her."

"Who cares what she says!? She's my sister, and I am going to protect her." Daphne went to go grab her robe, but then my father grabbed her wrist.

"What do you plan to do, huh? Just waltz in there and fight. You haven't even thought this through fully. If you get hurt, Astoria is just going to blame herself. She'll think it'll be all her fault. And you're mother would have to suffer of thinking that she might lose both of her daughters. You know what she's like. You are not to leave this house to help her. She's not even in danger. When her life is at a critical state then we'll jump in and protect her. All of us, not just you. When she is close to death, that is when we don't listen to her, okay?"

"Fine." Daphne mumbled.

"Now let's keep watching."

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I had finally stopped crying after a couple of minutes. I just lay there on the bed thinking of what I'm going to do next. None of us would have thought that they would make me do their bidding. It was either let me go, or kill me, but not this. No matter what I cannot back down. I'll have to do what I am told, and leave this place when I get the chance.

The rest of the day went slowly as I served them. I didn't retort, and I didn't get punished. As long as I talked to them when I was spoken to, or didn't say anything at all, I was safe. When I was done I headed back to the room I was staying in.

They haven't called me in a while, so I decided to see if they have any books to read. But I had to be sneaky. If they found me out of my room they'd take me back and torture me.

They're library was small, but it had a fair amount of books in it. I walked in between the shelves to see if anything looked interesting. And sure enough something did look interesting. It was a book about Ramiel. I wondered where they got this from. It's not like they know her, just about her bracelet.

I took the book back to the room. I stayed in there for a long time. The book wasn't large or small. It was about 300 pages. And I was going to finish it. Reading was my thing. I could read a 500 page book in one whole day if I had the time. A 100 page book I could read in an hour. So this book might take me a matter or 2-3 hours, depending on whether I have to stop to "serve" the Carrows.

I wasn't bothered, and I didn't have to do any serving for the rest of the day. I wondered if they just forgot I was here. It was late when I finished the book; there was no hesitation, and no stopping at any part thinking I didn't get it. I got everything the book said, and I was quite fascinated by it. She lived a great life. If only she lived it to her old age.

As I headed back to the library to put the book away something caught my eye. It was the Carrow's family tree. I went over by it to look at it more properly. When I came across a man by the name of Apollo Carrow, I stopped and stared at it for a long time. He looked familiar. Where have I seen him before? I thought. But then pushed it aside because he was alive a very long time ago. I started to head back to the library and put the book back where I found it.

When I returned to my room, I couldn't stop thinking about the picture. He just looked so familiar. Then it came to me. I knew where I had seen him before, and everything began to make sense. I fell asleep with a smile of accomplishment. I had figured everything out. But it was too late to do anything about it. I was stuck here for who knows how long. And I might no get the chance to share it with anyone. The truth might be stuck inside me forever.

I woke up the next day with tear tracks on my cheeks. I guess I cried in my sleep, though I couldn't remember what my dreams were about. I felt a bit dazed, like this all was a dream, but it was reality. For some reason I had a bad feeling, that today was going to be horrible.

I changed my clothes and got ready to do whatever I was told. But not one of the Carrows called me down yet. After I was done serving them I got to eat my breakfast. Even though I didn't feel like eating. I actually didn't eat since yesterday.

I just sat in the room for what seemed like forever. Why haven't they called me down yet? I wondered. It was quite odd that they didn't call me down for anything. Just as I thought I wasn't going to do anything today, there was a big crash downstairs.

"ASTORIA!!!" Familiar voices called. I knew exactly who it was. Waves of emotions ran through me. Anger, happiness, relieved, and scared was all I felt as I ran out of the room and towards the stairs. When I arrived I found them there, and all I could do was stand there. I was frozen in place at the sight of their faces. My feelings were right, something bad was going to happen, and it would be all my fault.

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I know this was a short chapter, but I thought it was necessary for all of you to get what was going to happen. Two more chapters and this story will be finished. More will come soon enough. - PurebloodCreatesPureLove