Usually I wouldn't post chapters so close together unless i just couldn't stop the writing flow but I feel like I should post chapter one and two to really get a feel for the seeting in the story if that makes sense haha or if I'm ovethinking then heres an early update. I own nothing but my plot and OCs. Sorry for any typos/grammatical errors I know I'm missing a lot of commas i just don't really have time to go back and edit. If you like this story even a little bit try some of my others xoxo amber
The Dark Lord's Shadow
Chapter Two
"The only good thing about this summer is the cancelled homework." Draco sighed. After last years traumatizing experience, the teachers decided it unnecessary for foot long essays. I didn't complain.
"I wonder who the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher will be this year?" I muttered. It had only been a month and a half since the school year ended but it felt to me like years. I loved that castle and every I learned more and more of it's secrets. I found myself already wanting to go back at least I could do magic there and practice with my wand. I was also excited to see Hogsmeade and I was much better at predicting little future events during the school year in the Divination tower. I was zoning out and thinking of the green and silver cave like Slytherin common room. I pretended I was in one of the soft chairs by the fire watching the light from the flames flicker like across the green walls.
"You miss it, don't you?" Draco asked from his chair. "School?"
"How could you tell?"
"It's how you look almost every winter night in the common room. Your cup of cocoa and that small smile. Less than two months left and we'll be on the train."
"I can't wait."
Dinner was fun considering I ate alone in the huge dining room. I think Daisy made my favorite foods and dessert on purpose. Lasagne and cheese bread with blueberry cheesecake for dessert. After I was done, Remy flew in and helped himself to what was left of my plate. After dinner, I went upstairs and ticked off another day on my calendar until school.
I spent the rest of July visiting Malfoy, tending to my garden adn trying hard to listen in to meetings. They took place at least three times a week. Daisy would always scol me off saying 'Master wants you nowhere near he who must not be named.' Sometimes they all came in their black robes and silver masks, somethimes I would see Snape and Lucius discussing things privately in a corner and I wished I could from my hiding spot on the top staircase.
That's why tonight on the night of August the first I found myself at the top stair again in my usual pjs and bare feet. I heard mumbling and muttering downstairs but I couldn't make out a thing. Draco reckoned I should just leave it alone but how could you find out the Dark Lord himself was asking about you and not want to find out why? I wanted to know. I wondered why a group like this wouldn't care that I knew what I knew. I saw faces and witnessed Death Eaters in my home. No one had told me to keep quiet. Did the same go for Draco? Would we be punished if they knew we were discussing them? My mind flickered to the Cruciatus curse. Everyone knew the stories of how he kept his subjects in line..ensured they would do what they're told. Tonight I got a little bolder and left the top of the stairs. I didn't see Daisy anywhere so I slipped down to the door where I could hear everything clearly.
"Have the dementors been briefed, Rosier? On the night of August the second I have someone who will get rid of that idiot Fletcher for a short time."
I suddenly heard Daisy hummin around the corner and I jumped into the nearest coat closet to hide. I listened to her singing fade completely and I stayed for a moment. I couldn't hear what they were saying while I was in here. Daisy's footsteps came back around and disappeared once more. I had heard enough if I stayed longer I would be caught. Dementors? My dad sent dementors somewhere for him? I opened the closet door and stepped out into the empty foyer. I crept back up the stairs and keeping a lookout for Daisy I snuck back into my room. After closing and locking the door behind me I crawled into bed. I was just going to lay down when I noticed I wasn't alone. Snape was standing in front of the bay window looking outside into the night.
"Professor?" He glanced over his shoulder as though just realizing I was there. Turning, he faced with a grim expression. "What are you doing here?"
"I'm conflicted, Miss Rosier. I know I have my orders but I'm not sure I want to follow through with them." He walked slightly closer and sat on the edge of my bed. "The Dark Lord has plans involving us all eventually."
I wasn't sure what I was supposed to say other than ask why he was here.
"What are you orders?"
"I mentioned to him, of course, that you knew he invaded your mind last month. His response if you wish to know?" Was I not just listening for answers tonight and now they were just about to fall in my lap.
"I wish to know."
"He said your father was a disappointment and if he could pull of tonights little plan and keep the offer of his home open to meetings nd Death Eater parties he wouldn't move forward with his plans for you.
"What plans?"
"Perhaps it is too early for me to say..by a few years." Snape stared off into space.
"Why tell me inside secrets at all then?" I huffed. His eyes turned cold and his tone hardened.
"Because my orders were to come upstairs while you were asleep and perform a memory charm. You would have forgotten anything that had to do with the Dark Lord, Death Eaters, or meetings."
"My father..,"
"Can do nothing without being killed or have you and your mother threatened to be killed. I've known you for four years, Amaya. You aren't the type of child to run spilling all her learned secrets. It is why I'm conflicted."
After a few seconds on silence he turned to me and suddenly his wand tip touched my forehead. He was going to erase my memories.
"I would like for you to continue lessons at Hogwarts until you are of age. So I will assist your father and hopefully you won't be thrown to the hands of a Death Eater who would do to what they will. Violence, torture..," He looked me up and down briefly. "Prostitution. You're beautiful and filled out enough by now. Age would mean nothing." HIs black eyes lingered on me for a moment. He was trying to rouse my fear but not of himself..he was protecting me by erasing my memories so I would let him. Did I even have a choice?
"I would like to say one or two things before you take my memory away."
"i can..give you that."
"I understand you're looking out for me and for that I thank you. I'd also like to say if keeping us safe doesnt work and my father is at his mercy..if I had to belong to someone I would want it to be you." He slightly dropped his wand in surprise.
"Since your memory will be taken away, I'd lke to say that it would not be wise to choose me. Age would not mean a thing to me either, Amaya Rosier. I wouldn't share you with others like my fellow Death Eaters but I promise I would have a touch..and taste."
This conversation went had suddenly gone from playful to not so innocent. My potions Professor just admited he would..
"Obliviate."
I woke the next morning to more brilliant sunshine and the smell of breakfast in the air. I showered and dressed into a white sundress that contrasted deeply to my pale features, dark hair and eyes. If I wore red lipstick and curled my hair I'd look like one of the glass dolls. But I felt that would make me look childish so I straightened my locks and put on dark, sophisticated makeup. I went down to the dining room for breakfast wishing I was in the Great Hall. My father came down and sat across form me, he looked ill.
"Are you and Mum feeling under the weather?" I asked as I noticed she wasn't present.
"Yes. We are." Before he even got breakfast he suddenly rose and drifted out of the room. My parents were acting strange. Usually they were all about business meetings and lavish parties. I didn't mind the lack of parties. I guess I was going to Draco's today and we could figure out what to do from there.
Grabbing a pinch of floo powder I said 'Malfoy Manor' and dropped the powder. The roaring green flames transported me and I remembered to tuck my arms in. A few moments later I landed on my feet and stepped out of the fireplace. The room was empty and the house was quiet. Suddenly, Blue walked into the room carrying stacks of folded laundry.
"Hello, Blue. Is Draco awake?"
"Not yet, Miss." She said and continued with her work. I walked up the staircase taking my time to observe the huge family portraits on the walls of Draco growing up. I walked into his spacious room not bothering to knock. He was sprawled out on his back in his in his underwear one arm over his eyes and he was snoring. I walked to the curtain covered windows and threw them both back. The dark room suddenly flooded with light.
Draco groaned and put the covers over his legs. "I'm up!"
"Get dressed and eat breakfast so we can find out what to do today."
"Diagon Alley? I need to get all my new books still. We can stop for lunch after."
"Perfect."
After Draco dressed and ate we were off by floo powder to Gringotts. I needed to get some gold as well I wanted to look around the shops for new dress robes. The goblins greeted us at the doors and we were whisked away in to time a cart and on the tracks. No way a goblin would make a Malfoy and a Rosier wait. We filled our bags with coins and left back from in record time. We were walking out of the doors when Draco and a red haired boy collided in the doorway. Groaning and rubbing their foreheads, they scowled at each other.
"Weasley! I didn't know you had enough money to even be at a bank." I watched them silently, letting Malfoy fight his own battle this time. Hermione Granger stood beside him and huffed at Malfoy. She pulled Ron aside and proceeded to exchange muggle money with the goblins. So much of a fight..
"Off to Flourish and Blotts then?"
The bookstore smelled of leather and cleanliness and I breathed it in deep. Draco went up to the counter to read off of his list and I walked slowly up and down a few aisles reading titles for school criteria, brooomstick, guides, potion books and divination texts. I stepped into the next section and rammed into someone solid.
"Watch it!"The girl exclaimed and hurried to pick up her fallen books. I looked down to see Pansy snatching up a book that was titled Love Potions for the Beginning Brewer'.
"Sorry, Pansy." I handed her the last volume from the floor. She stood and took it back.
"It's alright, Rosier." Pansy Parkinson and I were far from friends but considering we were both pureblood Slytherin females there was a strange acceptance between the two of us. Her face suddenly broke into a flirtatious smile as she looked behind me.
"Hey, Pansy." Draco came around the corner with his own new stack of volumes.
"Guess what, Draco? I made prefect this year!" I took a step back letting Pansy try to flirt with Draco without me in the middle.
"Yeah? Me too." He smiled politely and I raised an eyebrow. He had failed to mention that he was now a Slytherin prefect to me yet.
"I hear we get our own compartment on the train. Where we get our intructions for the year." She continued and I zoned out looking around the walls at the books. Some were mending themselves others flapping like birds to spots on higher shelves . I stepped away for a moment to the other side of the store and looked at the books on omens and healing dark curses. A sudden stab of pain in my temple made me blindly grab for the shelf and I gasped, breathing through it until it became a dull throb. Maybe I'd had too much fun for one day. I grabbed the book on breaking dark curses but it fell my from my grip. I knew exactly where I wanted to go next..the bookstore in Knockturn Alley. They would have detailed texts on Occlumency and Legilimency. I wanted to close my mind..but why? I was still bent over and gripping the shelf when a deep voice said my name.
"Amaya? Are you alright?" Snape muttered only for the two of us to hear.
"Yeah, Professor. Just a slight headache." I smiled politely and he picked up the text reading the title on Dark Curses before handing it back to me, his face full of suspicion. He looked at me once more and then simply left the shop causing the bell to ring.
"Ready to go?"Draco was suddenly, beside me. "I still need potions ingredients, more parchment, ink and quills."
"Yes. You go get those. I need to do one other thing and I'll meet you back here to use the fireplace."
"We could go together."
"No, really. It's alright. It'll only take me a minute." I didn't want Draco to know I was thinking of practicing. So I bought the book and we parted ways, him going left to the supplies store and I, going right and then down to a side street that would lead to Knockturn Alley. The less trustworthy witches and wizards did business here. I walked with confidence to the old bookstore with peeling wallpaper and cracked flooring.
The books were in no specific order so I set to looking at titles. I wasn't ever afraid to shop in Knockturn Alley but I was always on my guard until I left. There was a small mismatched section of mind magic and I found one on both Occlumency and Legilimency. I walked up to the counter to pay the creepy owner with a lazy eye for the books. After I left I hurried back up the street where I met Draco and we used the hearth to go back to his Manor. Once we got there he offered me to stay for dinner but I made some excuse and flooed home.
I stepped out of the fireplace to find I wasn't alone. It wasn't hard to recognize that gray skin even when his back was turned. What should I do now? Announce my presence or just tiptoe out of the room? My mouth didn't seem to want to work so I took a few silent steps towards the stairs.
"No greeting?" His voice stopped me suddenly and I couldn't help feeling nervous.
"Hello." My voice shook a little and he smiled wide. As he came closer it seemed like he was gliding rather than walking, it was unnatural and it made me even more alert.
"Hello." He repeated, still smiling. "What do you have there?" He gestured to my bag. I wasn't even too sure what interested me to buy them but guarding ones mind didn't seem like it would hurt.
"Just books for school."
"You are..in your fifth year?" He paced around in front of me.
"Yes, My Lord."
"O.W.L.s this year. Are you prepared?" I swallowed nervously before answering.
"I was planning on doing the practice tests around Christmas but I believe I will do just fine. Herbology will be the easiest. I always come to dinner with dirty fingernails and my fancy mother about dies." I found myself smiling and babbling about her telling me off 'Pureblood ladies never have dirty fingernails at dinner!'
The Dark Lords smile never wavered and he just stood there..smiling.
"I..need to get upstairs, My Lord. Put my books away." It took me a second to realize I unconsciously asked him for permission to leave.
"Of course, Miss Rosier. I'll see you at dinner." I hurried out and up the stairs. Dinner? Maybe I should have just stayed at the Malfoys. I placed the books under my bed and sat for amoment.. a littly shaky. Obviously, Voldemort was going to be in and out of here as long as he pleased. It made me nervous and it gave me a bad feeling. I would never say it aloud but I jsut wanted to be back at schoo safe and under Dumbledores protection.
For once in my life I didn't go snooping around or listening into conversations. I hid in my room utterly terrifed of going downstairs. I grabbed the book on Occlumency and..it wouldn't open. I tugged and tugged but it was like it was glued shut. No. Someone magicked my books shut..but why? Who would care if I learned this? I checked the other books but they were all sealed shut as well. That was unlikely I bought all trick books, but they had been with me the whole time! Never left my sight. Perhaps that's why Voldemort was smiling? Did he know what books I brought home somehow? I threw them across the room in frustration. Daisy suddenly knocked on my dorr announcing dinner soon and I should take my seat before the Dark Lord arrived. There were other ways I could rebel against him..I was furious that he sabotaged my books somehow. It made me want to block my mind that much more. I grad one of my hundred of little sketchbooks and a pencil to take down. I had sketches of Draco, Daisy, my parents and other random things like the plants, pixies and different parts of my home. Some pictures moved and others stayed still as I would will them to. What if my memory had already been erased? Maybe that stabbing pain in my head was for a reason. I entered the dining room and sat in my usual seat. My father was in my mothers seat and she wasn't here yet.
"Is mother still ill?" I asked him as I sat.
"Quite." He said quietly, looking sick himself he didn't remove his gaze from the tablecloth. I looked down the table at people I recognized from the meetings. Snape and Draco with his parents. Someone walked in shirtless, his skin was strange and he moved more like an animal. I watched him walk towards Snape and they shook hands.
"Severus."
"Fenrir. Good to have you back."
"Good to be back." He growled very much the opposite of a human and I found myself nervous. I looked around the room watching people take jabs at each other, laughing. Looking at Draco's face said he would rather be anywhere but here, too. He met my gaze and sadly shook his head..what did that mean? Everyone seemed to be waiting for the Dark Lord to arrive, I assumed he wanted to make a scene like a drama queen. All eyes on him. I had time to sit there and sketch in my book..the first thing I drew were people faces from the dinner table. I didn't think me sketching the identities of his Death Eaters would make him too happy. I suddenly realized I had one page left and I started to draw the Dark Lord himself from memory earlier today in the drawing room..smiling.
Someone suddenly swept one side of my hair behind my back and cold air touched my warm neck, jolting me to the present. I looked up to my left to see the man in question. My heart thundered into overdrive as he stared at my drawing. Would he be furious and do something? I glanced up quickly to see everyone was quiet and looking at us except my father, he seemed to see something special on the tablecloth. Voldemort leaned down next to my ear, causing his breath to fan my neck.
"It's quite lovely. You really capture the essence of my..personality." Everyone in the room seemed to hold their breath as he stood back up straight.
"You aren't angry?" I asked quietly, staring up at him.
He reached his hand out and the back of his finger brushed my cheek as though petting a beloved animal before reaching past me to grab the book from my hands.
"How could a lord such as myself be angry at such talent? I will put your talents to use make no mistake." He walked away with my book flipping through all of the pages.
"My. My. You are talented, Miss Amaya." Him saying my first name sent a jolt of anxiety through my body.
"However, I will not allow you to continue to picture my Death Eaters or myself for your pleasure. If you would like to draw me that desperately we need only set a time and place." His gaze made my cheeks burn in embarrassment at being called out in front of everyone. He then took his time to tear the new sketch pages out of the book before promptly tossing them in the fire.
This was going to be an interesting dinner.