Thank you soo much for reviewing, everyone! :D you guys made my day yesterday! I've actually had my first real brush with people from England, and I must say that I feel really stupid.
They came to my neighborhood's Jacuzzi and I forgot my shoes when I left so I ran back to the pool and they asked why I was so forgetful and of course me, with bad hearing and a short attention span, had no idea what they were saying. Then one of them mutters something about being thirteen and I was like what? And kinda gave them a weird look (their accents were so thick, and im 18, so wtf) so I feel like they said something that I either didn't understand or they thought I was thirteen. :0
So yeah, I hope my next experience is better T_T because they were cute and my age *sigh*
Thanks for reading my rant, please enjoy.
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Ariadne woke up early and turned over to watch Draco sleep. The boy tossed fitfully, muttering about cliffs and bulls and other random nonsense. Her soft hands reached out to touch Draco's pale cheek. It looked very warm.
With her suspicions confirmed, she sucked up Draco's heat by cuddling close to his body. To accommodate the foreign presence he subconsciously threw his arm around her so he could get comfortable once more. Thoughts of Snape and his warnings flashed across Ariadne's mind. She knew she wouldn't be able to kill Dumbledore. Dumbledore was always her advocate—anyone's advocate—and one of the greatest wizards of all time. If their Lord Voldemort feared him, with all of his power and strength and extraordinary skills in magic, how were two children supposed to murder him?
A House-elf came in with a silver platter, stacked neatly with a teapot, two cups, and two cans of ginger ale. The little elf bowed deeply when he noticed Ariadne was awake and asked how she liked her tea.
"Scorching hot, if you please. With honey and sugar as well."
"Right away, Miss Nocturne!" the elf poured the cup with shaking hands and gave it to the blonde, who sipped it gingerly. The elf stared at her with glassy, tennis-ball eyes.
"Uh, pardon me, Miss Ariadne? Forgive me for being so imprudent, but I beg you to hear me before making a decision. Free me, please. You saw what they did to Rosie, Miss Ariadne. They were talking about doing the same sort of torture to me, Miss Nocturne. They have so many elves here, they wouldn't even notice I'm gone if you free me. I work so hard and I just want to finish the rest of my life peacefully." The elf grabbed her wrist gently with skinny fingers. Ariadne walked over to Draco's bureau and pulled open a wooden drawer. Inside were socks and underwear.
"Mr. Draco's intimates!" Ariadne giggled to the elf. She picked out a sock that had no pair and threw it on the ground.
"Now, erm—" she paused for the elf to offer his name. "Trebble, is it? Pick up that sock and hand it to me." Ariadne said firmly. Once the elf obliged she pretended as if she "dropped" the sock into Trebble's hands. Trebble nearly cried with glee and disapparated out of sight as soon as he thanked Ariadne profusely.
"That was strange." Ariadne tugged a pair of black yoga pants onto her legs and a dark green sweatshirt over Hiro's tee. Her hair, still wavy from the night before, was left alone apart from the headband she slipped on. The Slytherin girl roused Draco and left quickly, without giving him the chance to ask questions or slow her down. Ariadne decided to get her Christmas with the Malfoys started and finished in a timely manner.
The Manor seemed so large and empty without the constant presence of Death Eaters. It seemed as if overnight the Manor grew back to its old size and candor. Her footsteps actually echoed as she walked to the ballroom. Inside, Narcissa and Lucius were seated by the tree with cups of coffee and a light breakfast set before them. Draco's family served two breakfast-type meals on Christmas, a continental consisting of finger food, and a large brunch that would be served after presents were opened. Ariadne took a seat across from the Malfoys and poured herself a small cappuccino.
"Happy Christmas, dear." Narcissa smiled, reaching across the table to pat Ariadne's arm. The blonde girl smiled and wished the same.
"There was quite a stir in the kitchen this morning, you know." Lucius gestured to the tree. "A whole flock of owls were waiting with gifts for you." Ariadne was surprised and didn't try to hide it. The shock on her face must have been evident, because her expression made Lucius and Narcissa chuckle. They were suddenly interrupted by a small scuffle of footsteps.
"Mr. Malfoy! There's a telegram for you at the door!" a House-elf squeaked.
"On Christmas morning?" Lucius rose and walked out of the ballroom, passing a sleepy Draco as he left. The aforementioned Slytherin rubbed something from his eyes and sat next to Ariadne. His half-asleep stupor prevented him from realizing that the girl he was supposed to be touchy around was sitting beside him.
"When your Dad gets back, why don't we open presents, Draco?" it surprised Ariadne that Narcissa still got worked up about Christmas—given the state of the wizarding world. Draco gulped down a glass of pulpy orange juice and shuffled over to the tree.
"Oh my, he's still asleep, isn't he?" Narcissa laughed. Lucius re-entered with a grim look on his sharp features. Narcissa's laugh went from jovial to slightly skittish.
"It was Snape's patronus. The Dark Lord is angry." he announced. A pale sweat had broken over Lucius' brow. He took the armchair next to Narcissa by the tree and fidgeted with his fingers.
"What does that mean?" Ariadne asked. Lucius swallowed hard before responding.
"He wants me to go and steal a prophecy from the Department of Ministries. Two prophecies, to be exact. It's a complicated matter, left best undiscussed on a morning like this. Who's going to be first? Narcissa, my love? Grab the one with the poinsettia paper." His abrupt change of subject fooled no one. He was as scared and worried as he had been five minutes ago.
"Please, darling. Do settle down and enjoy the holiday." Narcissa whispered to him. Lucius took a cup of hot tea from her and sipped it, relaxing considerably. Lucius' wife unwrapped the gift delicately and pulled out a beautiful lace chemise.
"Gorgeous! Lucius, I love it." She rubbed the fine fabric against her cheek. Lucius assured her it was no problem and kissed her on the cheek. Draco took a present labeled for him and tore it open. Inside the box was Ariadne's gift to him—with a letter she had written. The letter disappeared into Draco's breast pocket.
The blond boy was speechless. He honestly didn't think Ariadne would get him anything, seeing the way he had been treating her as of late. But in his lap was a brand new broom cleaning set and seeker's gloves. The gifts alone were expensive and was far too much for Draco. He felt guilty accepting them. He leaned across from his spot on the floor and gave Ariadne an awkward, one-armed hug, muttering a "thank you" under his breath. Ariadne smiled and said it was no trouble.
Lucius was ecstatic to receive a traveling cloak as nice as the one Narcissa bought—so excited that he tried it on and ran outside on the deck. He looked comical—holding up the billows of the robe so they wouldn't get wet in the snow that fell on the ground. Both of Draco's parents liked the perfumes Ariadne selected, and Ariadne likewise appreciated the boots and knitted hat they gave her.
Draco received a fair amount of clothes from "Santa" with tags explaining how much Draco needed new clothes. Ariadne got a few outfits as well.
"Narcissa, you didn't have to do all this for me." Ariadne said, stomach twisting in guilt.
"I know I didn't have to, but I did anyway." She smiled and waved her wallet at her.
"If the money's there and it's something I'm sure you'd enjoy, then I cannot find a good reason to say no." Ariadne beamed and picked up a small box in blue wrapping. The sticker on it had a familiar, sharp scrawl on it. She opened it to find a letter from Hiro. Underneath the small folded parchment was a stunning necklace. The chain was thin and silver, and dangling at the bottom was a stone shaped in a perfect heart. The small jewel shone with a cloudy blue hue—the exact shade of Hiro's blind eye. She tried to form words but found they wouldn't come. Hastily she threw her hair to the side and fastened it. Instead of reading what she knew would be another proclamation of love, she placed the letter under her leg for safekeeping. It was wedged between her thigh and her spot on the marble floor.
"Oh, this is weird. Snape got us both presents." Draco said uneasily. He delicately handled the two boxes—as if they were going to explode—and handed Ariadne the one addressed to her. She pulled off the ribbon and peered inside the shallow box to find two items—a small, leather-bound journal and a clear glass pendant in the shape of a circle. Ariadne looped the glass circle onto Hiro's necklace, where it rested behind the blue heart. Inside Draco's box was a book that he quickly hid, and a new set of quills that apparently checked spelling, re-inked themselves, and could write on their own.
"What a lovely thought of Professor Snape!" Narcissa cooed, rubbing the perfume Ariadne gave her on her thin wrist. Draco rolled his eyes. Ariadne got an unmarked box and opened it to find a beautiful gardenia. This flower was not any normal bloom, however, because when she touched the plant it seemed to be breathing. Alive. A small note in the box claimed it was to go in her hair, and it would last indefinitely.
"Hm, interesting." She clipped the flower behind her ear and it adjusted to her scalp, twitching slightly. A present from Harry included a small metal ring that was made of brass and carved to look like a snake. It rested on her finger tightly, and every now and then would slither and writhe into a new shape. Draco handed Ariadne his gift and asked her not to open it until later. She obliged and set the box down with her pile of presents.
The House-elves cleared the wrappings and began to set up for the Christmas brunch. On the guest list was Snape, Bellatrix, a few cousins belonging to the Black/Malfoy families, and maybe Draco's Grandmother, Winifred. Within the hour everyone had arrived, and were just sitting down to platters of fruit, eggs, and other breakfast items.
"Miss Nocturne, is it?" Winifred Malfoy, mother to Lucius and grandmother to Draco, squinted her icy eyes at the young blonde. Ariadne smiled and took her frail hand in her soft grasp.
"It's an honor to meet you, Mrs. Malfoy." She said sincerely. Winifred grinned in return and turned to Draco.
"What a lovely fiancée, Draco! Pureblood and pretty! Well done, boy. See, Lucius? And you said he'd never find someone suitable!" Winifred clapped Draco on the back and he nearly choked on the muffin he had bitten into. Fiancée!
"Grandma, Ariadne's not my fiancée." Draco mumbled awkwardly. The old woman's mouth fell open in confusion.
"Well isn't that a shame. Get working on it, then!" she insisted. Draco and Ariadne both flushed a hot scarlet.
XXX
After the presents had been opened, brunch served and cleared, and guests gone, Ariadne retreated to the library to leave Draco and his family alone. With her she brought her small pile of gifts.
The letter that accompanied Hiro's heart pendant was heartbreakingly sweet.
My Dearest Ariadne,
Happy Christmas! I shouldn't have to explain what the necklace means. You've already got my heart, love, and this just makes that a bit more official, I suppose. It's blue like my eye, obviously, but I just wanted you to have it in case something bad happens and you need something to hold on to. I secretly wish that something would be me, but for right now I'll settle with you having that necklace. Just think, a few more months and we're done with schooling. I can finally move back to where I used to live, and we could see each other much more often.
I miss you, and love you.
-Hiro
More tears pooled in Ariadne's slate eyes. What Hiro was doing wasn't fair. Inside of the seventeen-year old was a tumult of emotion, and his frequent acts of love only made her confusion skyrocket. She wasn't sure if she loved Hiro back. She knew that love was present, that was for sure, but was it romantic?
Ariadne slipped off the couch and onto the floor, laying on the marble with her cheek squished against her eye. She didn't feel like moving anywhere else. A loud creak of the door informed the sulking girl that someone else was in the room with her. Terrifying chills ran down her spine and in her nostrils was the stench of death. The Dark Lord had returned. Instead of standing in a half-bow, like she should have, she continued her crying silently
"What do we have here, Nagini?" the thought of the snake being on the same level as her (the floor) made her jump up immediately. Something reminiscent of a smile was plastered onto Voldemort's white skin.
"Happy Christmas, my lord." Ariadne sniffed. The greeting sounded utterly stupid in her mouth. Why would the Dark Lord care about Christmas?
"Thank you, young Ariadne. But it seems as if your Christmas is not as...joyful. I've come to discuss the mission I've assigned you and Draco. I can't help but wonder whether or not you're suited for the task." Ariadne felt her heart stop. This day was just getting from bad to worse. Ariadne tried to wipe the look of horror and dread from her face and replied steadily, "What would make you think that I cannot fulfill your wishes, my lord?"
Voldemort took a quiet step towards her, eliminating the distance between them. The Dark Lord rested a cold hand on her cold cheek and stared into her slate eyes.
"You are brave enough to stare me in the eyes. Such audacity wouldn't even be dreamed about by some of my most seasoned followers." Ariadne didn't dare blink. "I am unsure of how to feel about such boldness." Voldemort dropped his hand from her face.
"Please, milord, don't take it as outright disrespect. I only wanted to show you that I can be evil, as your other followers." She inclined her head slightly in submission. Voldemort chuckled and said, "There is no good or evil, there is only power…and those too weak to seek it."
"I have the strength. I'm not weak." Declared Ariadne. Voldemort dissolved into black smoke and flew around the room, reappearing with a terrible face mere centimeters from hers. It took all of her concentration not to shriek and flinch.
"Your heart is too pure. I thought murdering your pathetic parents would harden you. My efforts have gone unrewarded, Miss Ariadne. How can you prove your loyalty to my cause?" Voldemort's breath was rotten on her neck.
"Milord, is my word not enough for you? A weak, pitiful person would have run from your legion once they found out their family had been killed by it. I obviously do not fear this task or what it asks of me. I have been strong and unyielding throughout the death of my parents and the weight it has rested on my shoulders." Ariadne knew it was risky challenging his clan, or its bravery, but in her heart she knew she had said the right thing.
"Ariadne, I recognize your extraordinary finesse in the art of lying. I myself am considered a master. But you cannot fool me." Nagini slithered around Ariadne's legs, weaving her way up and around the girl's calves.
"But you also know that Draco will not do this alone." Ariadne whispered. If she was on thin ice before, she was skating on it now. Voldemort considered this for a moment.
"I was originally going to give this assignment to Draco and Draco alone…" Nagini began tightening her coils and Ariadne felt a heartbeat in her thighs. A single bead of sweat ran down her brow. She prayed it would go unnoticed, but to her dismay, Voldemort wiped it away with a long-nailed finger.
"You have remained most calm in my presence, Ariadne." He disposed of the sweat on her shirt. "Many would have succumbed to begging by now. Your bravery is either true desire or defiance. To find out which of them it is, I will conduct a quick test." Voldemort snaked his arm around her shoulder and Nagini released her instantly.
"Touch my Dark Mark, Ariadne." He pulled back his sleeve to reveal the original brand, the interlocking skull and snake that imprisoned them all. Ariadne extended a thin finger to graze the tattoo. "Today would be lovely, Miss Nocturne." Ariadne swallowed the knot in her throat and pressed her finger to the black mark. Her entire being was ignited instantly. Pain, a searing, white-hot agony, stabbed Ariadne in every cell, every synapse of her existence. She slumped to the ground and vomited brunch all over the floor.
"I have never seen vomit, but it will have to do. One person died once…" he smiled as if enjoying a fond memory. "Come, Ariadne. I have summoned the Death Eaters for a meeting. Or should I say, you have summoned them. Do not make me wait while you cough up your breakfast."
Ariadne swallowed the remainder of the bile that threatened to come up and followed her master down to the drawing room, where Wormtail served the newly-arrived Death Eaters tea and coffee. Draco was seated at the end of the long table with an empty seat beside him, no doubt reserved for the blonde girl. Voldemort took his place at the head of the table on the opposite end.
"Happy Christmas." He said grimly. A few of the Death Eaters offered a reply but most stayed silent. Voldemort folded his hands on the table and said, "I have sensed some…hesitancy…as of late. I should not ever have to question the allegiance of my followers."
"My lord! You know that I would never betray you! Never, my lord!" Bellatrix cried. Voldemort smiled at Bellatrix and her relief was palpable. Ariadne rolled her eyes.
"So I will be conducting an…exam, of sorts, to test whether or not you shall live to see the new year." Ariadne's heart was pounding in her throat—what sort of sick thing will the Dark Lord force her into?
"Ariadne, darling, come to me." Bellatrix's face twisted into an envious grimace, as she wanted to prove her undying devotion first. Ariadne stood from her seat, ignored the screeching sound the chair made on the wood, and walked with shaking legs to the Dark Lord.
"Stand up on this table, and attack Draco with the Cruciatus Curse." Voldemort himself stood to free his chair, so she might have an easier time getting up onto the mahogany surface. Ariadne looked at him with wide eyes.
"D-draco, Milord?"
"Did he stutter?" Bellatrix sneered. "Attack him!"
Ariadne looked at Draco, whose expression was a mix of shock and understanding. Her slate eyes flit to Narcissa, who looked as if she were about to vomit. Once the two women locked eyes Narcissa inclined her head slightly, urging her to obey. Travers shoved Draco onto the opposite end of the table. Ariadne raised her wand with a trembling hand and saw the pleading look in Draco's eyes.
"Do it, Ariadne, or you will die on this table, just like Charity Burbage." A look of pain flashed across Snape's face when the Dark Lord mentioned this. Ariadne steadied her arm and inhaled sharply.
"Crucio!" Draco dropped to the table as if he had been electrocuted. He howled and shrieked, clawing at any available surface in hopes of escaping the torture.
"Ariadne, please! Stop it! Please!" he moaned. Drool and spittle sprayed as he gasped for air.
"Do it again." Voldemort ordered. Ariadne looked to Lucius and he nodded as well, although it was clear he didn't like what was happening. Ariadne tried to look merciless as she slashed her wand at the blond boy.
"Crucio!" the result was instantaneous. Tears flooded from Draco's face as it reddened. His hilarity increased, he was no longer in control of his bodily movements. He kicked out wildly, screaming bloody murder.
"Ariadne, stop it! PLEASE, I'M BEGGING YOU! JUST STOP!" His body jerked and knocked over a hot cup of tea, scalding Draco's left forearm. Ariadne looked back over her shoulder to the Dark Lord and he nodded with a smile, giving her permission to stop. Ariadne broke the curse and Draco was still.
XXX