Author's note: Sorry for the delay guys, but yesterday was a very busy day for me. I'll try and uptade more chapter's during the weekend, but here comes a short one, just to keep you interested. ;)
Thank you again for all the support, and please keep reviewing!
Dinner and the Attack
For the next three days, Lucy was left in peace, Voldemort had been busy with the election of the Council of the Wise, and so he and his minions were very little at the castle, she only had to endure their presence at dinner, and even then there wasn't much fuss around her either, the conversation usually went about the council and the ministry.
And so, those three days were bearable, she spent most of the time at her room writing to her friends and making her homework - it would be the first year she'd have it all finished before the last week of vacation - and on occasion, when she was sure Voldemort wasn't at the castle (the elves would inform her) she'd go to the library or to the garden and spend a few hours reading or simply watching the sky.
At the third day evening though, her relative peace was ended by Narcisa, whom she hadn't seen since their trip to the diagon alley.
"Mistress Lucy, Miss, Mrs. Malfoy, wishes to see the Mistress!" - Tipsy said after appearing with a loud pop near Lucy, who was currently laying on the carpet making her potions essay.
"Uh… Okay… Tell her to come in." - She said climbing to her feet, with another pop the elf was gone and some moments after the door was open.
"Good evening Ms. Potter." - Narcisa greeted with a polite smile.
"Hi, what you want?" - Lucy answered conscious of her rudeness, but not in the least sorry. Narcisa didn't seem to notice it and continued with a bland tone.
"I have good news today, the council election is finally over, and our Lord is among the ten councilmen. We'll be having a commemorative feast tonight. "- She said nonchalantly and walked towards the wardrobe. - "The Lord asked me to help you pick up your outfit."
Lucy watched without much attention as the older woman looked through her dresses and robes and debated with herself about which color and fabric would be more appropriate, she was angry to know that the bastard had actually got a position among the council, it was expected obviously, considering his new influence over the wizergamot, but it was frustrating all the same.
"Who else?" - She asked after some time, and as Narcisa looked at her with inquisitive eyes she elaborated. - "Who else was chosen to be a member of the council?"
"Oh! Lucius, Kingsley Shaklebolt, Pythia Zabbini, Alexander Rosier, Frederic Nott, Severus Snape, Sirius Black, Allecto Carrow and Rufus Scrimgeur. It was a very good selection I believe, despite a few disappointing names." – Narcisa said with a smile. – "Oh! Here! This one should be perfect!" – The blonde exclaimed suddenly, pulling out of the wardrobe a long dress of black velvet, along with an also black cloak, that would be clasped around her shoulders by a huge emerald. – "And I believe these shoes will be good enough, some heels so you won't be too much shorter than our Lord and yet not too high so you'll look like you're falling." – She said picking up a simple pair of black shoes, that didn't seem to be too high.
Lucy wasn't really paying attention anymore, she was still musing over the people elected to the Council, Dumbledore was not among them… How badly could things be? At least Sirius and Kingsley had been chosen, the only ones who were openly from the light side, the others… Well, Snape was a rather dubious character, if at some point he had actually been totally dark or light, Lucy believed he was neither anymore, he seemed that he was actually playing for the both sides now, even if he was by no means a bad man, really… Not like Not, or Rosier, anyway.
Thankfully no Lestrange was chosen… On the other hand, Scrimgeur was as bad as one, the man had completely sold himself, he might as well be worse than any death eater, as for Malfoy, it was expected, really…
Immersed in thoughts she barely heard when Narcisa left, she was brought from her daydream though when Tipsy popped in the room, and started to drag her to the bathroom, saying her bath was already fixed. Lucy bathed calmly, and afterwards allowed Tipsy to brush her hair; the little elf was always asking her to do so, and not to disappoint her Lucy would allow her to.
When she was finally ready she looked upon the mirror, and couldn't help but feel surprised at her own reflection, she looked older, prettier even, the black clothes gave her an air of someone who was accustomed to luxury, even if she was actually feeling as alien as a child caught wearing her mother's clothes.
Voldemort was talking to Lucius Malfoy and Draco when she got to the dining room, but as he saw her he extended a hand motioning for her to come closer. She hated to admit it, but he looked nice, in an elaborate black velvet robes, and very well groomed black hair framing his very delicate and yet quite masculine features, he looked just like she had on his own memories, only silytghly older, and his posture radiated far more power than it did back then.
Feeling the tell-tale pain on her forehead as the red eyes looked upon her, Lucy's first instinct was to turn around and go away, but as she felt every other pair of eyes in the room also fixed on her, she decided it was a better idea to go to him, mostly because he would certainly be very angry if she ignored him in front of such an audience, and if he was angry her forehead would hurt more.
She even took his hand as she got close, but regretted it immediately, as the pain from her scar seemed to irradiate towards her entire arm as if she had received an electric shock. Lucy pulled her hand back quickly as Voldemort raised an eyebrow at her, before saying:
"You look marvelous my bride, it makes me very satisfied that you chose to join me to celebrate tonight." – It was Lucy's turn to raise her eyebrows.
"I didn't think I had a choice actually." – She commented simply.
"You always have a choice my bride, but of course one of them will make me satisfied and the other... Well, I don't believe you'd like to make the other choice my dear." – He said in a very bland tone, but she felt shaken by the implied threat.
"You indeed look wonderful tonight My Lady." – Lucius chose that moment to cut in.
"Thank you Mister Malfoy, and congratulations on being elected as well…" - She said drily. He bowed slightly to her and she saw him nudge Draco forward a bit.
"It's… a pleasure to see you My Lady." – Draco said with visible difficulty and Lucy almost laughed, it was rather fun to see Malfoy struggling to be gentle to her of all people.
"Believe me, right now, the pleasure is all mine." – She said still stifling a smirk, but then she looked around the hall and asked, to no one in particular. – "Are all the elected members here?"
"Yes my bride… They have been invited, are you anxious to see your Godfather? I believe he and Shakclebolt have both decided to come only to see you." – Voldemort commented, and she wasn't sure if was angry or not, his face was impassive, but her forehead ached a little more.
Just in that moment, she saw Sirius and Kingsley making their way towards her while looking out of place and ready for battle, if Kingsley hand firmly holding his wand was any indication, then again everyone in the room seemed to be glancing deceitfully towards the two men.
Smiling Lucy rushed towards them, throwing herself in Sirius arms and burying her face in his vests. He hugged her back just as fiercely.
"Hey cub… How are you doing…? Sorry I didn't meet you in Diagon Alley, but I was a bit busy." – He said with a grim smile as they let go of each other.
"It's fine, you certainly had much to prepare for today. I didn't know you were among the candidates." – She commented.
"It was a bit of a last minute decision, Sirius was the only one in the order of the Phoenix who was from an old noble house, and we needed someone with a chance to win so we put his name as well." – Kingsley explained.
"I'm glad you two came. I missed you. But, didn't you think it was a bit risky to come to his castle?" - She asked a bit worried.
"Not really, Voldemort wouldn't risk doing anything to jeopardize the treaty and we had to see you." – Sirius answered shrugging.
"And now that this touching moment is over, I believe my bride should come with me and meet the rest of the councilmen. If you would excuse us Black, Shackelbolt." – Voldemort said as he approached them and clasped a hand on Lucy's shoulder. Saying no more he steered her away from the two.
Now, Lucy was sure he was angry, her forehead was about to explode, and his hand on her shoulder, even if through the fabric, seemed to be burning deep into her skin. She felt so dizzy from the pain that she couldn't really concentrate on what was happening anymore, she only knew that for several minutes she circled around the room staring numbly at blank spots as Voldemort spoke a bit with every councilmember until it was time that they all went to the table to dine.
During dinner the pain diminished, either because Voldemort calmed down or because of the absence of physical contact between the two. But still Lucy felt tired, and a bit sick too, she just wanted to go back to her room, and curl up in bed. So as they all finished up and started to move to another room, she excused herself and to her relief Voldemort allowed her to simply go without a comment.
Feeling tired Lucy tossed her rich dress on a corner, pulled on a night gown and threw herself on the bed, she must have fallen asleep immediately.
Unfortunately, she didn't sleep much, because what seemed to be only a few hours later she woke up at the feel of something hard pressing against her neck. She opened her eyes blearily to see the snarling face of Bellatrix Lestrange hovering just above her.
"What the hell?" – Lucy exclaimed trying to scurry away from the other woman but Bellatrix pressed her wand a bit harder against her neck.
"Be quiet you little bitch! It's about time I settle my score with you… I know what you doing, how you're trying to charm him… You little slut! How dare you get in my way? Crucio." – Bellatrix said in a very low tone, and Lucy screamed as the wave of pain coursed through her.
The mad woman laughed, while Lucy contorted in bed, before lifting the spell and pressed her face to Lucy's so that the girl could smell the heavy stench of alcohol on her breath as she spoke.
"See? You're weak, you should not be his… You should be thrown into the dungeons… The way you pranced through that ballroom tonight was disgusting! You should not be walking on his arm… That place should have been mine!" – Bellatrix screeched angrily. – "Crucio."
Lucy screamed again. Not only due to the pain from the curse, but it seemed her scar had started to hurt as well. When Bellatrix stopped the curse again cackling madly, Lucy took the opportunity to speak.
"You're right… It should be you." – She said between ragged breaths as she tried to reach to her wand that was on the bedside table. – "I'm sure that if you offered yourself to him, he would cast me away very quickly." – She kept saying.
Bellatrix noticed her moving to get the wand and grasped her wrist, digging her nails deep into the skin, causing Lucy to cry out again.
"Don't play the smart with me you little slut!" – She snarled. – "You know what angers me much? He didn't even look at me tonight, I, who served him with everything I have… Instead he walked around with you, who are nothing more than a stinky halfblood."
Lucy opened her mouth to say something, but couldn't find anything, to tell the truth she didn't remember Voltemort talking to Bellatrix at all during the feast…
"But I have a solution for that…" - The mad woman continued, pressing her wand against Lucy's cheek now. – "If you're no longer pretty he won't be distracted by you, and I will have my place back on his side." – She whispered menacingly, the tip of her wand digging onto Lucy's cheek.
On that moment Lucy's scar exploded in a searing hot pain, stronger than that from the cruciatus curse, she heard the door burst open and no longer she felt Bellatrix above her. It was difficult to see, or think, or even hear anything through the pain, but she supposed she heard Voldemort's angry voice booming inside the room, and Bellatrix screams mixing, she noticed, with her own. And then she saw no more.