I once again followed Whimsy through the halls of Malfoy Manor while multiple death eaters stared at my back. I was grateful when we finally reached the kitchen. I knew that most of the death eaters wouldn't 'lower themselves' to be in the same room with so many house elves. I actually quite enjoyed the elves company and spent many hours among them throughout my stay at the manor. This was one thing Voldemort would never understand.
Whimsy had me sit and even after my protests that I could get my own food, proceeded to prepare me something. I was starving and would have eaten anything. I had skipped lunch the day before after my argument with Dumbledore. I hadn't eaten dinner either and slept through breakfast this morning. Whimsy placed a plate full of food in front of me and I was torn between scarfing it down as fast as I could out of hunger or eating it slowly to put off the 'duel'. I ended up eating it at a moderate pace and then talked with some of the elves for a few minutes until Whimsy informed me that it was time to go.
We walked back up toward the main floor and proceeded down the hall to the door I had been hauled into last night. Whimsy immediately disaperated, again. Did she really enjoy seeing me suffer by myself? Not that I blamed the poor elf since I knew first hand how terrifying the death eaters could be. I decided to knock since last time I had been caught outside a door I had been given a very serious warning. Once again I heard Voldemort's hiss like "come in".
I slowly opened the door and peered inside. I looked around and noted that not only was Voldemort there, but Bellatrix Lestrange, Severus Snape, and Lucius Malfoy were present as well. This threw me for a minute and I seriously considered turning and running back to my room. I still did not know how to find my room, though. I had to remind myself that I was now their ally. If their lord said I was with them then they could not argue it.
"Are you just going to stand there all day, Potter?" I practically jumped at Voldemort's words when they brought me out of my day dream.
"Um..oh, sorry." I quickly walked the rest of the way into the room and shut the door behind me, practically falling over the entire time. I must have looked so stupid, tripping over my own feet as I tried to move.
"Calm down girl! You won't even be able to hold a want in that state. Your shaking like a leaf. No one here is going to permanently harm you." I noted his use of the word permanent. So he was going to cast harmful spells at me! However, the mention of wand calmed me some. My wand had been taken the night before and I hadn't seen it since. I desperately wanted it back.
"She never had much emotional control. Potters mental control is quite pathetic since she is as lazy as her father was my lord. I suppose she really can't be blamed, although she could try a little harder not to look like a clumsy little child." Sneered Snape. I should have expected some sort of snide comment from him.
"At least my nick name was never Snivilus." I replied. I wasn't really in a position to taunt him. He did have a wand while I did not, but I could let him insult my family like that. Apparently he knew better then to curse me and simply glared back in reply.
"Now, now. Severus is right, though, Aunalay. You need to learn better control of your emotions. Onto the point of you being in here, though. You have always been fairly decent with a wand. I need to know where you are at now to make sure you are protected. The order may have loved you, but that will not stop them from doing what needs to be done in battle." I knew he was right, but it still hurt to think about fighting the ones who had treated me like family, even if they were wrong.
"Before you can do anything, you will need your wand. I believe you have it Bella?" Bellatrix pulled out my wand and walked towards me. I forced myself to stay where I was and not retreat. I had already embarrassed myself enough today. She handed me my wand and walked back to where Malfoy and Snape were standing.
"I want you to try your best Potter. You won't be able to harm me so don't worry about that." If he thought I was worried about him being hurt he was dead wrong. I was more highly concerned for my well-being.
"In the past Aunalay, you and I have been enemies and therefore I have fought you as such. That is obviously not the case today. I will not, however, be gentle. I need to know what you are capable of. Is that understood." I simply nodded my head in reply.
"Good, then I believe you know how to duel." I grimaced, remembering the last time I had 'dueled' Voldemort. We had been in the graveyard. I had refused to bow and he had forced me for his amusement. When I looked up I thought I could see the memory in his eyes as well, for a split second anyway.
"we will both bow and then walk ten steps. Then we duel." I noted the emphasis on both. This time was different from the last. I had one concern that had to be voiced, though.
"What if I don't trust you to turn my back?" I asked, trying to sound innocent. Voldemort chuckled. "Well, I guess you will just have to hope for the best." He said with a smile. "Shall we begin?"