Over the next few weeks, Helena was formidably inconsistent with her work. Although, not all of it was her doing, of course. Voldemort constantly had her on hiatus. Some days, she was just so sleep deprived, so hungry, so dehydrated - so could not think for a second. How was she supposed to take possibly her most important tests like this? And Katie... She hadn't seen Katie in weeks. She missed her dearly. Here, she only got fed about once a week, which was often dried bread. It wasn't particularly pleasant, as her mouth was terribly dry. The dried bread made it even worse. She got given only water about once every two days, though she suspected it might have Veritaserum in it, yet the Dark Lord had not interrogated about anything. She suspected it might be because she had no information that may interest him. Although she got bored so being so vulnerable.
x
The Ordinary Wizarding Levels were possibly Katie's worst nightmare. She had not seen Helena for weeks, although all she knew was that she could not leave the castle. She was under strict observation, and she dared not to wander about the castle. Yet, Katie was worrying about the OWLs. She wanted studying tips from Helena, though Helena was no where to be found. This made matters worse, as her partner made her so calm, so much less anxious. But she was probably being 'punished' for her voluntary actions. This angered Katie so much it burned up inside of her. It was horrifying. She deeply wanted to leave this place and not do her exams - though she knew the consequences, and those consequences were ones that Katie did not want to face. They were, perhaps, Helena's consequences what she's facing right now: only much, much less brutal... She was still a student after all. She had to still become of age. But with the Dark Lord influencing her every single moment of the day, for Katie had not remembered the last time she saw him at the dinner table, she stood no chance in succeeding her OWLs. Perhaps it was his plan to make sure she did not pass, perhaps she had a fear of failure she had long forgotten. Perhaps he resurfaced that fear, for all but her to see. Perhaps she was long gone...
No. She thought to herself. The Dark Lord wants her to follow him, he would never, ever drive her insane. Or would he? Katie after all did not know how far he was willingly to go. Especially since he's as unpredictable as anyone could imagine. And he wanted everyone to follow him, as he was a supposedly a merciful Lord, who showed that there is pain before death and death stops it from overtaking our minds. Merciful in the manner that he stopped them all from going insane and death would be preferable to torture.
He is not as merciful as he makes himself look like. Helena taught her one thing: and that was that the Dark Lord was malicious, and he would torture everyone if he had the chance. Yet, he had a way with words, a way with people. Ways that frightened them to the very core. So frightened in fact, that they served him so willingly, all for his own benefit. Some might call this manipulation - for Helena certainly did. Many called it greatness, for those who were too blind to see the real him on the throne crowned... And everyone slaves to him. But no, Katie, she called it over-running a project he started and finished many, many years ago. This of course was involving Harry Potter.
All Katie knew, was that the Dark Lord had no business being crowned on that throne. He made himself at the top, taking over every single organisation - every single government - until he was the most powerful wizard in the world. She knew, of course, that there was a particular process of elimination involved: kill all Muggle-borns. Let the Pure-Blood remain. Although if they're Blood Traitors, then you may treat them as though they were Muggle-borns. Katie strongly disagreed with this form of 'ruling'. Though, she had to admit it was mainly of because of what she truly was. Or perhaps it was the fact that Helena had the insight to show her all the corruptness of the world, every single aspect of it. And it was also she that taught her that no where is safe, no where is free.
x
One week before the OWLs start
Helena stirred awake. She looked at the clock on the wall, which she was thankful for being there. It told her it was 7:45. Judging by the light coming through the window, she guessed it was morning. It was more yellow than orange, which gave a huge give away.
"Good morning, Helena," said Voldemort rather brightly. Helena felt very confused.
"Good morning, my Lord?" she replied uncertainly.
He brought her a tray of breakfast. She was relived it was officially 'that time of week'. She sat up, meeting the Dark Lord's eye. She looked calmly into his scarlet red eyes.
"Your examinations begin next week, Helena. Best get prepared," he stated.
Helena groaned.
"Next week? I've truly lost time... Thank you, my Lord."
He smiled at her.
"I want you to do well, Helena. After all, this is when you can show your true ability..."
She smiled back.
"You don't really want to see my true ability, do you, my Lord?" she asked, with a slight tone of teasing in her voice.
"I do," he replied, barely a whisper.
"I'll try my best to, then."
x
One more day.
"Helena?"
"Yes, my Lord?" she asked, rubbing her eyes. She had not slept for at least 48 hours. She was too busy studying.
"I have your exam time table."
"Oh. Thank you," she said, taking it from him. He sat down opposite her at the desk.
The year group shall be split into four separate groups, so as the timetables not to clash.
Groups:
One: Robert Avery, Katie Fielding, Taylor Harwood, Helena Prince, Jackson Rhodes, Francis Stark, William Varley.
Two: Jacob Burke, Casey Hall, Layla Macnair, Lacerta Lestrange, Jessica Rowle, Melissa Tully, Greggory Trusselle.
Three: Rosaline Corner, Christina Jones, Elizabeth McDonald, Rigel Lestrange, Catherine Rhyall.
Four: Antoine Dolohov, Sarah Jugson, Jordan Mason, Poppy Rosewood, Meghan Salyke, Ava Trusselle.
Week one.
Monday
Charms, theory. Group one: 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM, Group two: 11:05 AM - 13:05 PM. Group three: 14:00 PM - 16:00 PM. Group four: 16:30 PM - 18:30 PM.
Charms, practical. Group one: 12:30 PM - 13:00 PM. Group two: 14:30 PM - 15:00 PM. Group three: 9:00 AM - 9:30 AM. Group four: 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM.
Tuesday
Transfiguration, theory. Group one: 16:30 PM - 18:30 PM. Group two: 14:00 PM - 16:00 PM. Group three: 11:05 AM - 13:05 PM. Group four: 9 AM - 11 AM.
Transfiguration, practical. Group one: 10 AM - 10:30 AM. Group two: 9 AM - 9:30 AM. Group three: 14:30 PM - 15:00 PM. Group four: 12:30 PM - 13:00 PM.
Wednesday
Herbology, practical. Group one: 12:00 PM - 13:00 PM. Group two: 14:00 PM - 15:00 PM. Group three: 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM. Group four: 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM.
Thursday
Dark Arts, theory. Group one: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM. Group two: 12:00 PM - 15:00 PM. Group three: 15:00 PM - 18:00 PM. Group four: 18:00 PM - 21:00 PM.
Dark Arts, practical. (For approximately two hours.) Group one: 13:00 PM - 15:00 PM. Group two: 16:00 PM - 18:00 PM. Group three: 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM. Group four: 11:00 AM - 13:00 PM.
Friday
Ancient runes, theory. Option takers only. 13:00 AM - 15:00 PM.
Care of Magical Creatures, practical. Option takers only. 16:00 PM - 18:00 PM.
Care of Magical Creatures, theory. Option takers only. 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM.
Week two.
Monday
Potions, theory. Group one: 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM. Group two: 11:30 AM - 13:30 PM. Group three: 14:00 PM - 16:00 PM. Group four: 16:30 PM - 18:30 PM.
Potions practical. Group one: 11:30 AM - 14:30 PM. Group two: 15:00 PM - 18:00 PM. Group three: 18:30 PM - 21:30 PM. Group four: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM.
Tuesday
Arithmancy, theory. Option takers only. 12:00 PM - 14:00 PM.
Divination, theory. Option takers only. 15:00 PM - 16:30 PM.
Astronomy, practical. Groups together. Midnight.
Wednesday
Astronomy, theory. Group one: 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM. Group two: 11:30 AM - 13:30 PM. Group three: 14:00 PM - 16:00 PM. Group four: 16:30 PM - 18:30 PM.
Muggle Studies, theory. Group one: 12:00 PM - 13:00 PM. Group two: 14:00 PM - 15:00 PM. Group four: 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM. Group four: 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM.
Thursday
Divination, practical. Option takers only. 12:00 PM - 12:45 PM.
"It's not exactly organised is it?" she stated.
"Hardly. Anyway, you ought to be going over Charms, yes?"
"Yes I suppose I should... Thank you, again, my Lord."
He smiled at her.
x
The exams, in Helena's opinion, were actually quite difficult. Especially when Helena knew she had forgotten something important and it annoyed her mentally. Thought, she usually remembered it literally the last second and hoped with all her heart she had gotten an Outstanding at least. Though the Dark Arts theory was her most confident one so far. And the times, as it turned out, had to be all of them within the hour for the practical. Though, they called them out alphabetically. Helena suspected that it would've taken the whole day with everyone doing it. But this was different for Herbology - as they had worked in groups of at least two.
Anyway, she was about to do the Dark Arts practical and she had spent the last hour helping Katie think of all the spells they would need. But, this was not a very good tactic for Helena to do as she was not very good at remembering things whilst revising. What's even worse is this that she might forget it all at any point of the actual practical - which was, unfortunately, an absolute secret. Once you went in, no one came back out. Just a voice calling each of their names. This worried Helena, because what would happen when it gets to her turn.
What if she failed? Even with the Dark Lord probably watching over her, he would make a mockery out of her. After all, she was the best student, the best at spells. If she failed, then no one else could pass.
The waiting made it even more unbearable.
"Taylor Harwood," the voice said. It did not sound like The Dark Lord's voice, as it was soft, and somewhat warm. Then, Helena started to worry. Katie had still not returned. But, perhaps, they weren't allowed to return.
It was barely two minutes before Helena's name was called. The others stared at her and she clutched her wand tightly. She ignored them, as she was so used to it.
She entered through the door, confronting what was in front of her. It was dark, empty. Voldemort stood in the middle of the dank chamber.
"Helena," he said softly. "Welcome."
"I wasn't expecting this, my Lord," she replied calmly.
"Nor was anyone else," he admitted. "Although you don't have to do anything if you don't want to. Others have opted out already - including Kate. Although, I don't blame her. I expect if she gets a good score in her theory, then she could get at least an 'Acceptable' - but Helena this is about you. Will you accept? Or will you run away? And never meet your match... For I am your match, aren't I Helena? However, the choice is yours."
Pause.
"I'll do it," she said, not giving it much thought.
Voldemort's lipless mouth curled.
"First Helena - I trust you already know this - we bow."
He bowed to her and she reluctantly gave one short one to him.
"So. You first, Helena. Try your best. I dare say you will."
She raised her wand confidently, forgetting that she was not at her best, forgetting that Voldemort had practically been torturing her for weeks.
She sent a silent, simple - yet effective - stunning spell. He blocked it with ease. He jeered at her for starting with such an easy spell. He then sent a red spell at her, which looked suspiciously like the Cruciatus Curse, so she quickly moved out of the way of the on-coming spell. It hit the wall and partially shattered it. Helena then quickly sent the Blasting curse at him, which he threw back at her. She instinctively blocked it with a swipe of her wand. She felt an intense desire to rip him into pieces - so she fired the Reducto curse at him. He blocked it, although it almost threw him. He was getting much more serious by each second.
He gripped his wand firmly in his hand, and conjured a great, big, fiery snake from thin air. Helena was taken aback from this brutality, but none the less summoned a 'stupid amount' of water. The water extinguished the snake - though ice froze the water in place. Smoke suddenly filled the-already-dark chamber. Voldemort's view became obscured by the sudden mist. He broke the smoke, though darkness was still flooding the room. He was relieved, albeit uncertain. Light drenched the chamber - possibly lighter than it had been in years. He saw the outline of Helena and practically threw the Stunning spell at her. Although, he wasn't expecting her to throw it back at him...
Darkness once more.
Helena's chest was heaving heavily. She collapsed onto the floor, so she was sitting upwards. She then merely flicked her wand and the Dark Lord rose from unconsciousness. He was as surprised as she was. Here eyes were beginning to get used to the darkness of the chamber, and she could vaguely see the outline of Lord Voldemort.
"Very well, Helena. You may leave."
She left before he could change his mind.