So sorry this has taken awhile to get posted. I recently moved and am now acting as nanny to my 2yr old and 7month old nieces. So I haven't been getting as much time to write as I had in the past. Also, the last few chapters have been amazingly been created with the help of my wonderful friend Corrie!
~J.
Little Holly Whitwood stood in front of the large paned train windows that was across from her family's private compartment. She was ever so glad that at the Holidays, parents were permitted to travel with their student-children home from Hogwarts. It was lovely to see Hogwarts covered in crisp, white snow. Her breath tickled the glass and she smiled, drew a pleasant face in the warm fog on the window, and turned to go back into the compartment.
"It's amazing the likes of some of the families they let into Hogwarts. Window-lickers most of them." The Malfoys came striding down the narrow passage with Draco's polished voice too close for the raised volume he used. "At least some have the money to buy respect." Draco bit the last syllable and spit it towards Holly's closed face. "The little Whitwood girl. With all her daddy's nice money. Would make a fine piece to my collection."
Holly pressed inside the small room as Draco hissed quietly at her.
"Happy Christmas to the Whitwood family." sung Lucius Malfoy. "We look forward to your quaint little sweets this year, Duke." And gesturing toward Holly's tightlipped father with his snake-head cane, Mr. Malfoy walked on towards their own Slytherin green-and-silver train compartment.
Duke Whitwood reached past his youngest daughter and slid the cabin door closed, guiding Holly to sit next to him and her older sister Olga.
"You're so lucky you've already graduated." Holly grimaced to her sibling.
Olga scoffed. "I still have to deliver two-dozen chocolate frogs and acid pops to the Malfoy Manor every other week. I don't think creepy quite describes the way I feel about that particular errand."
The girls' mother, Mrs. Honey Whitwood, was seated pleasantly at the far corner of the cabin repining her large poinsettia hat. "Our shoppe elves have all the orders handled until the end of school break. So from now until then, we are going to your Grandmother's Chateau in France and enjoying some peace and quiet. Duke, you work too hard. Come, sit and finish your book."
Holly's eyes suddenly spotted a familiar figure heading their way. She jumped up from her seat amidst startled gasps from her mother and sister. She yanked down the window and started shouting. "Allyna! Allyna, over here! Come sit with us!"
Allyna's head jerked up, her heart still heavy from leaving Severus, the pendant he'd given her feeling weighty against her chest. She saw the figure of Holly waving at her from the window and smiled. She boarded the train and made her way to the compartment holding the Whitwood family. She knocked politely on the door and it was thrown open and Holly sprang at Allyna, wrapping her in a warm embrace.
"Please sit with us?" Holly begged.
"Only if it is okay with your parents, I wouldn't wish to intrude," Allyna spoke softly to the younger girl.
"Please, come in. The more, the merrier!" called out Duke Whitwood. He stood and motioned for her to take the seat he'd had next to Holly.
Allyna sat down and spread her cloak over her knees. She had barely felt the biting cold as she'd trudged along the platform, her mind too intent on the dark-haired, black-eyed man she'd left only moments before. As the train progressed, and the hours passed by, Allyna found herself falling more and more in love with the Whitwood family, who she learned owned the Hogsmeade favorite, HoneyDuke's. Honey was kind enough to pass a few samples of their newest creation, a sampler box containing their milk, dark and white chocolate bars made with honey that Honey's parents collected from their very own hives. Allyna heartily approved of each of them. They were creamy, the dark slightly bitter, and each held just a hint of the honey used to sweeten them.
As night fell, and the Hogwarts Express drew closer and closer to King's Cross, Allyna's heart felt heavier and heavier. She tried to keep her spirits up by entertaining Holly, speaking of Charms with Olga, and learning about the magical community of Wizarding England with the older Whitwoods. "Oh, Allyna, you're such a dear. I cannot believe that you're the young lady that Holly wrote to us of! Now that we know, I insist on a weekly delivery of our samplers to you, free of charge. It's only the very least we can do for the young woman who saved our little girl!" Honey said, tears sliding from the corners of her eyes.
"Oh, no ma'am, please. It was nothing, anyone would have done it if they could," Allyna tried to explain, but Duke and Honey were having none of it.
"No, no, no. We insist. The samplers and I think a goodly selection of our other treats," Duke reiterated. Allyna, realizing she wouldn't win this argument, simply sighed and nodded her agreement.
Suddenly little Holly was standing and bouncing on her heels. "We're here! We're here!"
The train began to slow and pulled to a halt. Everyone stood and stepped onto the platform. Duke and Honey shook Allyna's hand. Olga and Holly hugged her. "If you were to get the chance to do so, we'd love to have you visit us in France. My mother would be delighted to meet a young woman such as yourself." Duke said. He handed her a slip of paper with an address written out on it. "If you do manage to be able to come, simply call out that address, the floo will be open for you." The older man smiled and bowed to her before taking Holly's hand and with a twist of their heels, they were gone, apparating away.
Sighing, Allyna smiled and wrapped her cloak around herself. She spotted a familiar man heading towards her. There were three other adults and a very familiar blonde haired boy striding along with him. Allyna stood where she was and waited for them to approach. "Hello, Father," she said softly, a hint of a smile at her lips.
"Happy Christmas Eve, Allyna. Allyna, I would like for you to meet Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy. You know their son, Draco. You're in the same House, I believe."
Allyna nodded. "Yes, Father. We are." She turned to Lucius and Narcissa, inclining her head towards them. "How do you do, Lord and Lady Malfoy?"
"Oh aren't you a pretty little thing," Narcissa said, smiling.
"Pleased, yes, quite pleased to meet you, young lady. Draco has told us much about you." Lucius said, smirking.
Allyna faced Draco and smiled politely. "Draco."
The younger boy's face twisted into a smirk quite similar to his father's. "Miss Wilson."
Allyna truly had to restrain herself from rolling her eyes at him. She turned to the other man with the group, her father had not introduced him. "Good evening, sir."
The man quirked an eyebrow and smiled at her. It made Allyna want to shiver, there was nothing but pure malice in that smile. Oh, she could see well enough that he was imitating politeness, but the emotion behind it, she could feel it. Stronger than any she'd ever felt before, besides Severus' emotion. There was malice, arrogance, and the wish to covet power. She felt her father's hand on her shoulder and it knocked her from her reverie.
Lucius Malfoy spoke, "If you'll excuse us, we have to go now. I'll see you both soon enough, tomorrow evening. I believe you all received your invitations to our Christmas ball. We'd be delighted to see you both there. Have a good evening."
Allyna's father nodded and took Allyna's shoulder in his hand and they walked away. The man who'd remained silent smirked as he watched them. So this was the girl who'd Draco had told them of. Pretending great affection, Tom Riddle, also known widely as You-Know-Who or Lord Voldemort, turned to the young blonde man standing beside him. "So Draco, tell me. What does my favorite young devotee want for Christmas?"
Draco smirked and followed Allyna with his eyes. "Her."
Severus arrived at Malfoy Manor that night as sleet began to blanket the cold British landscape. He removed his cloak and tossed it at a little house elf. He greeted Narcissa with a press of his cold cheek on each of her warm ones.
"Good evening Severus."
"Nacissa," Snape nodded. There was never any reason to small talk with Narcissa. She kept herself pleasant, but always the Pureblood wife, cold and unyeilding. Sweeping a graceful, pale hand toward the adjoining corridor, Lady Malfoy directed him toward Lucius' study.
He moved quickly to a kneeling posistion as he entered. Severus waited for the Dark Lord to acknowledge him from the deep conversation that transpired with Lucius Malfoy.
"Severus, welcome," came the sibilant hiss of Voldemort's speech. There was no need for the Dark Lord to turn around and greet the Hogwart's Professor; no one could take him unawares.
"Thank you, my Lord." Severus rose from the cold dark floor, taking a moment to nod toward the head of the Malfoy family.
"Firewhiskey, Severus?" Lucius brandished a glass in the dark man's direction. "Help yourself."
The first sip of the fiery vintage chased away the chill from the cold night, but the burn of the alcohol couldn't dim the ice that seemed to envelop his heart and stomach. He knew how very dangerous the Dark Lord was. But there were many precautions in place to keep Allyna safely out of Tom Riddle's collecting grasp. Severus Snape only hoped that it was enough; and that his love would trust this performance he must now play out. You'll be safe, Allyna, my love.
As though he'd spoken her name aloud, the Dark Lord turned to Severus.
"Severus, my faithful and trusted servant. Tell me of this girl, Allyna Wilson. Draco expresses with great determination that she is quite the asset to the prevailing House of Slytherin. I find myself most interested in what interests him. I hear that she appears to be quite powerful," Voldemort said, his curious eyes as cold as the night beyond the Manor.
Severus repressed the urge to guzzle down the rest of his firewhiskey. He thought for a moment, promising on Lily's grave that this powerful young witch would be safe.
"Draco? A mere boy, My Lord. However, from what I've seen, she has a superior aptitude for potions. And there is no doubt, her spellwork is far above those of her year. Even with wandless charms." Severus answered, only a bit vaguely.
Voldemort had his lanky arms stretched behind his lean back, hands clasped. He was looking intently towards Severus as he spoke of this Slytherin student. What an acquirement she would be. If she could truly do the intense, impressive magics that Draco spoke of, perhaps his plans wouldn't have to be acted out through the inbred, fawning pawns that he loathed having to be in need of.
"There was an incident concerning that of another of your house attacking the girl. Wasn't there Severus?"
Snape knew the unquestioning tone. There was no need to ask how the Dark One knew of the goings-on at Hogwarts. His spies helped by their own will, or painfully through his. Either way, Voldemort always received the information he required.
Severus sighed inwardly and began to tell the tale of the incident between Pansy Parkinson, the silly little twit, and Allyna.
Allyna pulled the black fur close around her face. The carriage was warm enough, but the frost on the windows did not improve the cold that still clung to her insides. The barouche belonged to a friend of her father's. This 'friend's' hospitality, carriage, and Christmas dinner invitation sounded a bit overstated. How could her father accept an invitation to Malfoy Manor? Ball or no ball, spending the evening at the ancestral home of Draco Malfoy did nothing to calm her nerves.
Perhaps she would see Severus? The thought loosened the cold coil in the pit of her stomach. It warmed her cheeks. She thought back to the crystal fire in Severus' quarters. How the fire lit his silhouette, softened his eyes, and stirred the insatiable passion between them. His taut flesh, wet mouth, firm hands—
She drew back her fur hood and loosened the silver clasp. "How far is Malfoy Manor, Father?"
The older man held kidskin gloved in his strong hand under his chin. Still gazing out the window, "Not far. The horses move quickly, don't you think."
Allyna's throat tightened; but she managed a calm voice. "Horses? These carriages are charmed to go this fast, like the ones at Hogwarts. Look,' she pointed in the direction of the carriage front. 'No horse necessary. Besides, Father, this is England. Not the Wild West." She knew that she couldn't let loose the secret that she could quite clearly see the Thestrals pulling the carriage swiftly. If her father knew the oblivate he had used so many years ago had been removed, she would be in the greatest of danger.
Her father's calculating eyes lit with keen clarity. "And I had such high hopes for an adventure. Shame that for all their magic, they still hide themselves away," he muttered.
Mr. Wilson smiled broadly at his daughter. "Enjoy tonight Allyna. You've worked so hard. And from what I hear, school has been rough. The headmaster will be receiving a personal visit from me after the holidays to ensure that your welfare is being looked after. I don't know what kind of lawless place he's running, but he seems to be losing his edge with all these student issues that continue to be gossip fodder for the house families. Most of the fathers at the Ministry agree and have more than one bone to pick with that old man. The youth are our successors, and they must be molded into the next generation of proud witches and wizards."
Allyna's eyebrows rose, "You seem to have a firm viewpoint on this. Is this the sorts of things people at the Ministry talk about?"
Mr. Wilson's gaze turned sharp. "As it should be, my dear."