I wrapped my arms around her, the beauty I held in my arms made the violent world around me disappear into nothing but a blur where only her face still existed. I sighed contentedly so I could take a deep breath in through the nose so I could take in that wondrous scent that came from her hair.
She smelt like a beautiful Japanese garden in the eves of May. Her warmth was wonderfully soothing like the slow southern breeze in the rural spaces of France on a hot summer's day.
At the time I thought she would be mine forever. I wasn't to know the horror that fate had in store for that innocent sweet young woman.
"So what were your first orders?" Saraya asked quietly, she too sounded as if she was taking in every part of me as I was her. "Nothing too grotesque I hope."
Saraya always did worry about me. It was so sweet that someone as sweet and perfect as this girl I held in my arms could ever care someone as vile as I. "He told me to keep an eye on you, see what you're getting up to. Whether you are on the right team. Of course you'll know what I'll say. You're faithful..." I planted a kiss on her left cheek. "...Wonderful..." And other on the right. "...Beautiful..." Another on her forehead. "And perfect." A giggle escaped her rosy lips.
"Thank you Barty. I just hope he won't ask the same of me, to take that mark...to...oh Barty he made Cassy kill that Winthrop boy, just because he's muggle born!" Saraya sobbed lightly, I took her into my arms again. I held my tongue, I didn't want to scare her with my own disgusting thoughts. "I mean, it's obvious I'm a half blood. Do you know of any pure bloods that are metimorphimagi? He's going to have someone kill me Barty...and I'm so so scared."
"Shush, it's okay Saraya. I won't let anything happen to you, I promise. You're my entire world. The whole reason for my being. You're what I fight for. I won't let anyone harm you." I soothed. There was nothing more I could do for her. I had nothing else to offer. I had to tell her the rest. "He's requested your presence at the next meeting."
Saraya gasped, those emerald eyes flooded with tears and widened in fear. "No...No Barty you have to stop this! I can't go! My Mother won't protect me any more. She fears I'm too soft, too kind."
"It's not my decision to make, but how I wish it was my love. After the meeting will be the last time I will be seen in Hogwarts. Just after the final assembly. My Father thinks I'm going to a friends house to celebrate the end of my time here...but only we will know the truth."
I could see the fear spreading through her veins. How her skin suddenly went cold. Her eyes seemed distant. In that moment I feel like it was the time I saw the Saraya I loved and cared for die before my very eyes. From the next time I saw Saraya she wasn't the caring woman I fell for any more, but that is a different time and story than this.
The days that came and went seemed in a blur. Saraya wouldn't speak to me. Cassopiea was off doing her own thing and I could barely concentrate on the text in front of my eyes in potions. I needed to think of some way out of this mess, some way to save that poor innocent girl. Didn't the Dark Lord have enough loyal subjects? Didn't he already have a wide spread name that people feared? What would killing one girl accomplish?
I realised then I shouldn't have thought like that. But I was young and in love. I sent news by owl that Saraya was loyal to the cause. Told them she had confided in me that all she ever wanted was to please the Dark Lord. I hoped that would be enough to assuage his blood lust. Then I learned it wasn't blood my Master lusted for with the sweet young Saraya.
The meeting was to be held in the Black Family Mansion. It was customary these days, and I remember thinking that it would be too cruel a fate to kill someone in their own home.
I held myself well, waiting and being as patient as I could be. Soon I would see Saraya for the first time in what seemed like months. As she transcended the staircase, the façade of innocence she had drifted away. Her head was high, her shoulders back. Her hair cascaded down to her rear and the dress she wore would launch more than a thousand ships to their doom.
The dress hung off her shoulders like something from a Greek monument to a Goddess. And she herself carried the dress on her hips so well. Jewels hung from her ears and neck. It flowed down to her ample chest. The dress was a stunning dark blue, with jewels beneath the cups of her breasts as if to enhance her already stunning figure. I couldn't wrap my mind around this, how something of innocence as I once thought had turned into this elegant and sexual human being. It begged belief.
A cough pulled me from my stupor. A cackle next. I heard her before I saw her which was always the case. Lestrange always made the hairs on my neck stand on end.
"Had enough ogling there Barty-boy?" Bellatrix sneered at me, moving closer to her daughter. Next came that all powerful feeling that always burned when he was near. My Lord, the darkness itself.
"Now now Bella, play nicely, this is a joyous occasion." He spoke, Bellatrix dropped into a curtsy and I bowed myself also. Saraya curtsied but nothing too low and she kept her eyes on him the entire time. That was a no-go area. I tried to warn her with my eyes but she seemed to ignore me. "Your daughter seems to have...changed of late. Perhaps getting her mark finally made her realise the error of her ways?"
"Error my Lord?" I said before I realised what I was doing. I froze in panic. I had spoken out of turn, but he didn't seem to notice...he was captivated. He, the Lord Voldemort himself, was entranced as much as I was with Saraya.
"You have been most gracious to me Lord. Not only bestowing me with my Mark, but allowing me to be in your presence. You humble me." Saraya sounded like some automated robot. Built purely to woo and charm our Dark Lord. I could hardly believe it myself, seeing the Mark, seeing her dote on him. My jealousy swelled within me and my twitch came back. I felt my tongue rub against my top lip and tried to contain it.
"Saraya would you come with me? We have much to discuss..." My Lord said to her and offered his hand. Everyone else kept their heads low but I kept my eyes on their hands as they walked away. The anger inside me built up. I couldn't take it, I needed out of there. I needed to destroy something. Before I knew what I was doing I picked up my wand and made off for the dark serenity of night.