"'You move me to pity- you are so weak on this Earth made of granite,' the snake said. 'I can help you, some day...'"
From The Little Prince by Antoine De Saint-Exupery
Chapter 5: The Spinney
Madeline was prowling around a spinney stalking a chamois simply because she had never seen one of these charming goat-like animals in person before. Besides, she was bound to get along better with it than with Camelia. Anyway, she was less likely to inadvertently offend it. Anyway, there she was creeping around the trees with all her focus on the animal. So intent was she on her game, even if he wasn't concealed with a disillusionment charm, Madeline would have utterly failed to notice the sinister wizard in the fedora watching her. She had trouble remembering the advice of her brother to always remain vigilant.
Martin was thinking how Charlie's description of Madeline didn't do her justice as he secretly observed her. She was wearing a light gauzy lavender dress that fluttered in the breeze and violet-blue bellflowers in her shining black hair. The smug wizard thought he finally understood Charlie's so-called love for her, but it wasn't some deep spiritual connection. She was attractive, slender, and lithe, nothing more, and yet he wouldn't mind a girl like that himself. This wasn't only going to be easy, owing to the fact that she was just a squib, it would be enjoyable as well. With a flick of his wand he conjured it near her.
Madeline saw the air shimmer in one spot and went to investigate. She found a silver rod about a half a foot long with jewels all along its length. She lifted it carefully to examine it. Then she looked around suspiciously. She held up the rod to let it catch more light. One end was open and peering inside she saw a tiny scroll of paper. Madeline tried to shake it out but it was stuck fast. Tapping it and blowing into it were equally futile. So, against her better judgement, she put her little finger in to try and fish it out and immediately felt the sting.
Of course Martin could have simply cast a spell on her and have done with it, but that would ruin the sport. The wizard watched and waited.
"Madeline, you idiot!" she scolded herself. "Didn't you learn anything from working for Mr. Borgin?" She tried to remain calm and fumbled with her free hand for a manual release mechanism, but no luck. She prayed that the needles weren't poisoned, but soon felt the ground shifting under her feet and the sky seemed to sway slightly. "I've got to get to somebody before I pass out," was her thought. She tried to take a step, but sunk to her knees as a wave of nausea overwhelmed her. She tried to yell, but wasn't sure if any sound came out, as her ears were ringing something dreadful, like a small cymbal factory being blown up. She suddenly felt something hard hit her nose and smelled earth and blood in her nostrils and realized she must have fallen onto her face. Madeline thought pitifully to herself, "This must be Thursday." Then everything went black.
Martin slunk out of his hiding place, crouched down, and turned Madeline's small, crumpled form over to check that she still breathed. Finding her sufficiently alive, he put his mouth near her ear and whispered, "Madeline," to see if she was fully asleep. Then, because he couldn't help himself, he brushed his lips across her smooth cheek and thought hungrily, "If Charlie wasn't me mate..." Then with one fluid movement, he lifted her in his arms, stood up, turned on the spot, and disapparated with her.