'I have a secret, can you keep it?

It involves spilling blood, and your waste,

don't mistake my intention.

It's not sin, or a murder for carnal disgrace,

that would be unlawful, and sloth filled.

There's a purpose right now, why you're facing the ground. Who wants to See this?

First hand what I'm talking about while your family screams.'

"The things that make you scream." - Memory of a Melody

Wednesday 7th June, 2000

'What?' Rose looked at Narcissa Malfoy incredulously. She could not comprehend what she was hearing. 'No...no! You're not being serious! This is a wind-up!' Narcissa walked over and gripped Rose tightly by the arm, her elegantly manicured nails digging into her flesh.

'Listen to me you stupid girl, I won't say it again! Our master has given me charge of assisting you to make preparations for your marriage. Here are some samples of material for your dress. Now choose one!'

Rose realised that Narcissa was being deadly serious and shook her head in disbelief. She didn't know whether to laugh, cry or scream. The sick, twisted freak! She was being ordered to choose material for a wedding dress. She was being told she was going to marry Voldemort!

She could feel the anger building within her and became incredulous with fury, her reason and common sense drowned out by it. 'No.' Rose said in a deadly calm tone, causing Narcissa to look up in shock. She looked at the girl's face, and her amber eyes were on fire. This confirmed to her that the tone she had heard in the girl's voice meant business.

Narcissa let out an exasperated breath. Stupid girl, she thought. 'No?' she said coldly, 'What exactly are you saying no to?' Rose continued to stare at Narcissa, her eyes glittering. 'I'm saying no to all of it!' Still the same deadly-calm tone. 'Take this lot with you and tell your master what I've said. I'm not marrying him and he can go to hell!'

It was Narcissa's turn to look incredulous. The girl was mad! Had she not learned yet, that you don't say no to Voldemort! 'You're a fool girl! He's going to make you pay for this insult.' And I'm the one who's going to have to tell him, Narcissa thought. 'I don't care!'Rose shouted 'Tell him exactly what I've said! I've had enough!'

Rose's anger exploded and she began to pick up ornaments and hurl them at the walls. Frustratingly, they began to repair themselves seconds later, but it still helped to release some of the fury within her. How dare he! she screamed in her head. Not even the memory of the night of her arrival here could temper her anger.

Narcissa apparated from the room and gave herself a few moments respite, steeling herself for the furore she was about to meet, before making her way to tell Voldemort of his bride-to-be's reaction.

Rose turned in anticipation on hearing the rush of air into her room. When Narcissa left, she had continued destroying the rest of the room. Her reason had tried to warn her of the danger she had placed herself in, but her fury was in full flow.

He rushed at her in a blaze of smoke and rage. His hand gripped her by the throat and he propelled her against the wall. Her feet were off the floor and she could barely breathe. His eyes burned with his own rage and bored into her. 'How dare you girl! I cannot go to hell, for I am hell!'

His grip tightened on her throat and she began to panic. I can't breathe! He's going to kill me! Her brain, now being starved of oxygen tried to focus and she felt her seconds of life ticking away.

She clutched at his hands, trying to loosen his grip on her. She was staring at the table opposite her. Somebody help me, somebody, something stop him! Her vision began to blur. Focus! Focus on the vase! A voice called out to her, before everything went black.

xox

No! Voldemort rubbed his head and stared down at the still unconscious form on the bed. How on earth did that happen? He looked over at the vase, now repaired and standing back in its original place.

He had raged at Narcissa when she told him of the girl's insolence and disobedience, apparating to the room to find her flinging a small table at the wall, the room in disarray. How dare she disobey and insult him! He had flown at her, lifting her by her neck and had throwing her against the wall.

He had felt aroused and enraged by the fire and anger in her delicious eyes. He had begun to squeeze her elegant neck, expecting her to start pleading. Instead she had begun to fight him, trying to loosen his hold. He had squeezed more tightly on her throat, expecting her to stop fighting and resisting him. But still she continued to struggle and his rage increased.

Then he had felt the smash of the vase on the back of his head and he descended into darkness. He had awoken a short while later and found himself lay on the floor of her room. His head was throbbing, so he had applied a healing spell and raised himself from the floor. The girl lay slumped on the floor, motionless. He placed fingers on her neck, found her pulse, and it was steady and strong.

He had levitated her to the bed and had obliviated her memory of what had occurred between them. He cast a healing spell to remove the marks from her neck and any damage to her larynx and windpipe. How? Could she have made the vase hit him? But that would be wandless magic! He of course was proficient in this skill. Severus had told him she had skills. But wandless magic requires years of practice and talent, and the girl was only just twenty-one.

Unless...Voldemort began to pace the room; his mind roaming over troubling thoughts. Could this be a sign of the power and talent she may have inherited? This began to cause him concern. He suspected the girl was still not aware of her potential magical skills, and that any inherited skills still lay dormant within her. But when her life was almost taken from her, had her subconscious tapped into her latent abilities and saved her?

Still, the girl will now be unaware of the events. She will soon regret her disobedience today, he thought. She will learn to obey me the hard way. He flicked his wand and a parchment and quill appeared. It began to scribble a message for her. Once done, the parchment placed itself on the bed next to her.

He cursed himself for reacting as he did. He could have killed her and he did not want that, for she was his now. But she had inflamed his anger with her insolence, it was her own fault for his reaction.

He sat down next to her again and could not resist touching her. He brushed his fingers over her throat and down to her chest. His hand slipped into her robe and he cupped her breast, his thumb circling her nipple until it stiffened. His hand retreated and he trailed a finger down her cheek and then kissed her. Even unconscious, she enticed him.

Voldemort got up from the bed and stood, looking down at her. You are a foolish girl, he thought to himself. He smiled though, admitting to himself that he could not help but be attracted to the fire in her eyes and admire her stubborn resistance. She could not be allowed to disobey him and countermand his will, and he would punish her for it.

xox

Rose awoke, her head was throbbing, and her whole body felt drained. What had happened? She tried to focus her thoughts and looked around at the room. Everything was just as it was.

She sat up, swinging her legs off the bed. The action made her feel dizzy, so she sat for a few moments. Her throat felt parched and she saw there was a jug of water on the table. She poured some into the goblet and drank it.

Rose continued staring around the room. No! The memories began to hit her. Oh God no! She got off the bed and began to pace, but she felt shaky and put a hand against the wall to steady herself. What had she done? She recalled Narcissa telling her to choose material for her wedding dress and the realisation that he was marrying her. She remembered her reaction and what she'd said to Narcissa.

Rose, you fool! She chastised herself, beginning to feel scared. He's not going to let this insult go...he's going to make me pay for this. Her heart constricted. He'll hurt someone else, that's what he did last time. She remembered Sirius bleeding on the floor. She let out a sob of panic and cursed herself.

You stupid girl! When are you going to learn to think before you let that temper of yours erupt! Someone could be suffering now because of it! Rose let out another sob and moved back to the bed. It was strange though, she felt as if she was missing something. Why had he not punished her immediately? Why had he left her unharmed?

A piece of parchment at the side of the bed caught her eye. She picked it up with shaking fingers and unfurled it.

'You seem not to have learnt to obey me sufficiently yet. Your fresh insolence and disobedience makes that clear.

I shall have to instruct you again it seems. I am a thorough teacher and you will learn your lesson the hard way.

Make yourself ready for 8pm this evening and we will begin your lesson.'

Rose curled up on the bed and sobbed. What fresh hell had she heaped on herself? Who was going to pay for her mistake? She screwed up the parchment, wishing it was Voldemort. I hate you, you bastard!

xox

'Ah, you are here girl. Your lesson can now begin.' Voldemort sat in the high-backed chair and observed Rose with his cold, cruel smile. Lucius Malfoy had apparated her here and pushed her to the stone floor, making her kneel before Voldemort. She could see the other Death Eaters stood around the outskirts of the room.

Voldemort rose from the chair and made his way in her direction. She kept her eyes focused on the floor. His long elegant fingers clutched her chin, as they had done that first night, forcing her to meet his eyes. 'There was really no need for any of this girl, but you chose to insult and disobey me. And any good master must chastise and punish his disobedient chattel.'

Voldemort's tone was calm and considered, causing Rose to feel even more terrified. Her stomach knotted with fear and her heart felt as if tight with the apprehension. She knew what was to come would be imprinted on her heart and soul for life. She cursed herself yet again for her stupidity and thoughtlessness.

'Bring them in, Dolohov.' Voldemort ordered. Rose turned and saw a group of figures huddled together being ushered into the centre of the hall and her heart stopped. A man and woman clutched at each other, clearly terrified. Huddled in their arms were a boy and girl, crying and sobbing.

'So kind of you to join us this evening. I trust my servants have made you comfortable.' Voldemort said to the terrified muggle family. As he approached them, the children's sobs of terror became louder and they huddled even closer to their parents. 'W-why are we here? What do you want from us?' The father found his voice and demanded an answer from him

Voldemort smiled, moving closer to the man, who visibly shrank back from his closeness. 'Ah, forgive me, I forget my manners. Please let me make the introductions. The girl you see kneeling over there is Rose Greenwood. Rose, please meet the Stafford's. This is Jack, his charming wife, Helen and their delightful children Ethan and Isobel.'

Rose looked at the terrified and still confused faces of the family and she wanted to be sick, except her stomach was empty. Oh God, please help us. 'I see you are still confused, Mr Stafford.' Voldemort moved over to Rose, gripping by the hair and causing her to cry out in pain. 'You see, Rose here has been a disobedient girl and needs to be taught a lesson. You must have to chastise your children, so I'm sure you understand.'

The terrified man looked at Voldemort, then at Rose. 'She's your daughter?" the man asked, his face showing his confusion. Voldemort laughed, 'No, she is to be my wife and mother to my child. But I cannot have her showing disobedience to me, she needs to remember her place. You have a wife yourself. Wives need to know their husband is their master do they not?'

The man looked at Voldemort incredulously and Rose could see he was processing Voldemort's words. He looked for a moment as if he was going to say something, but stopped. Rose could see the man had realised that Voldemort was cruel, dangerous and evil. 'Yes I understand you.' She could see the man's arms tighten around his wife and children even more.

'Excellent. Now I hope you will indulge me and aid me in teaching Rose to be obedient. You and your family will be most helpful.' The emotions of fear, excitement and apprehension were palpable in the large room. She could hear the whispers and sniggers of the Voldemort's followers and crying of the children. She could hear her heart pounding in her head.

'McNair, bring in our other honoured guest.' McNair smirked, 'Yes, my lord.' He apparated from the room. Voldemort moved back to his chair and sat again, surveying the scene with his cold smile. Rose's heart continued thudding violently. Who's McNair going to bring to this room? The dread in the pit of her stomach began to grow. No, please not him. I nearly got him killed last time.

She heard the rush of air behind her. She tried force her head to turn, but it was frozen with reluctance. Turn around Rose, it might not be him! 'McNair?' Voldemort's question cut through her torment. 'M-my lord…I – I…' Rose turned and saw pure fear on McNair's face. He was alone!

'Where is Black? Where is the blood traitor?' Rose heard the dangerously calm tone in Voldemort's voice, as did McNair. "My…h-he's gone my –my lord…the cell was e-empty." The Stafford family watched the scene before them. 'Gone? How can he be gone?' Voldemort roared, leaving his chair and moving towards him. McNair quailed and fell to his knees.

'I-I don't k-know my lord. H-he was there an hour ago. The cell door was locked and the charms placed upon it. T-the wards are still in place on t-the house.' Voldemort paced around the floor, his eyes flashing dangerously. Everyone in the room was frozen, watching his every move. Rose saw him clenching his fists in fury. Someone is going to die, she thought.

She expected him to turn at any moment, aim his wand and watch as the killing curse took lives. But he didn't and continued to pace the room a few more times. He's trying to calm himself, get control of his anger, thought Rose. She realised he didn't want to seen to be losing control of the situation in front of his followers.

He eventually sat down again in his chair, surveying the room and the situation. Nagini slithered up to him and into his lap. He stroked her head and they whispered together. Eventually Voldemort raised his head and looked at McNair. 'You have failed in your duty to me and let Black escape. You must be punished.' McNair began to shake, 'My lord p-please! F-forgive me! It was not my fault…I…'

'Silence!' McNair stopped pleading but was still trembling. "Nothing you can say will change my mind. I need to make an example of you to show to the rest of my followers that failure will not be tolerated. However, McNair you will not have the honour of being punished by me. Come here girl.'

Rose looked up and Voldemort beckoned her to him. She rose from the floor, her whole body was trembling. Nagini slithered from his lap and he pulled Rose down onto it. The whole room watched as he whispered into her ear and then smiled.

They saw the look of horror on her face and the slight shake of her head. Watched as Voldemort gripped her face and whispered to her again. They saw her reluctantly nod her head, her face expressing terror. Voldemort smiled, handing something to her.

Rose got up from his lap and walked away from Voldemort. She looked as a condemned prisoner would walking to their death. The Stafford's watched her, huddling together in terror. She thought of her own family and gave them a small smile.

She looked at McNair's cowering form on the floor. The eyes that had looked at her desirously on the night of her capture now looked at her with fear and apprehension. She wanted to stand in front of him feeling nothing. Yet he was a man, flesh and blood, despite all the evil acts he had committed.

'Choose girl, and quickly. You know the consequences if you hesitate. This is your lesson.' Voldemort's voice cut through her thoughts.

Rose felt the tears begin to form in her eyes. Her heart pounding in her head. She took a sharp intake of breath.

'Avada Kedavra!'