NORAH Wydman felt her heart racing, lodged in her throat, as she encountered both tension and relief.
The kind-hearted wizard outside the hall had saved her from a grave mistake, as she had nearly opened the door to venture into Lucius Malfoy's private study. The rumors about Lucius' temper had made her grateful for the intervention.
However, the relief was short-lived as she was ushered into Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy's dining room by Ollie Black.
Tension gripped her again when her skittish eyes landed on the Dark Lord himself, seated at the head of a long rectangular table that occupied the room's center.
The sight of him caused her palms to grow clammy and her hands to shake, catching her off guard with unexpected fear.
In the dimly lit chamber, the figure of Lord Voldemort loomed, shrouded in an aura of malevolence.
His once-handsome features were now marred by the ravages of dark magic and evil choices.
His skin appeared translucent and unnaturally pale, stretched tightly over his skeletal frame, revealing the eerie glow of blue veins and arteries pulsating beneath the surface.
Where once she suspected there had been sharp, captivating features, now there remained only the hollow contours of a twisted visage. His nose was gone, leaving behind two small slits that seemed to blend seamlessly with the rest of his skeletal face. The absence of a nose only added to the air of malevolence, making him look more like a malevolent wraith than a human being.
But it was his eyes that sent shivers down the spine of anyone who dared to meet his gaze. Blood-red and slitted like those of a serpent, they held an unnerving intensity that seemed to pierce into the very soul of anyone who crossed his path. They were windows into a dark abyss, devoid of any warmth or compassion, reflecting only a hunger for power and a thirst for dominance.
The once-lustrous dark hair that framed his face when the Dark Lord had once been human, or so Norah had heard, had long since vanished, leaving his bald head gleaming with a spectral sheen.
It was as if life itself had been drained from him, and all that remained was a mere semblance of a living being. His black robes hung loosely on his emaciated frame, emphasizing the skeletal hands that protruded from the billowing sleeves. Those hands, once elegant and commanding, had transformed into bony claws, further emphasizing his inhuman appearance.
Suppressing the lump that had formed in her throat, she swallowed hard, feeling as though swallowing knives.
The Dark Lord seemed to sense her and Ollie Black's presence in the room even before they fully entered.
Both of them kept their gazes fixed on the chairs, already pulled out and waiting for them to sit.
With a mere wave of his hand, the Dark Lord bid them to take their seats, leaving them with no choice but to comply.
"Oliver. Norah. The two of you are very nearly late. I was beginning to think that perhaps, the two of you had...lost your way," Lord Voldemort spoke in a soft yet shrill voice, sending chills down Norah's throat.
Ollie hurriedly guided her to the nearest empty chair and assisted her in sitting down, a gentlemanly gesture that touched the blonde witch.
She managed to force out a hoarse, "Thank you," to Ollie before her attention was drawn back to the Dark Lord, seated directly across from her.
Before Norah could utter a word to apologize and beg for forgiveness, Ollie Black intervened, his tone curt.
"My apologies, my Lord. It will not happen again. Miss, uh, Wydman got lost," he explained, surprising Norah with his soft and timid voice, which didn't match his rugged appearance and caught her off guard.
With curiosity, Norah stole a sidelong glance at the dark-haired wizard seated to her left, avoiding direct eye contact with the Dark Lord until instructed otherwise.
The wizard's posture was rigid, and his expression appeared stoic and unreadable.
Frowning slightly, the fair-skinned and fair-haired witch wondered about the reason behind his demeanor.
However, before she could dwell on it further, the Dark Lord's smooth and velvety voice captured her attention.
"No doubt, Norah, and you, Oliver, are wondering why I have asked to speak with the both of you," he began, his pale face almost contemplative as he gently stroked the massive snake, Nagini, coiled around his shoulders and peacefully asleep, occasionally flicking out its tongue lazily.
A surge of bile rose in her throat, and Norah quickly averted her gaze from the snake, shifting her focus to her trembling hands.
She hurriedly stuffed them into the pockets of her skirt, trying to conceal her nervousness, not wanting the Dark Lord or her new acquaintance to witness her growing unease in his presence.
"Yes, Lord," Norah stammered, her tongue feeling as heavy as clay in her mouth.
She tried to ignore the burning intensity of the Dark Lord's gaze, as well as the narrowed, slit-like crimson eyes of the wizard beside her, reminiscent of a pit viper's snakelike pupils. Undoubtedly, both men had sensed her nervousness and picked up on it.
With regret, she tightly shut her eyes for a moment, attempting to regain composure, and then slowly opened them, taking a deep breath to calm her nerves before attempting to speak again.
"What... what can I - we - do for you, Lord?" she managed to inquire hurriedly, her voice still quivering slightly.
Lord Voldemort remained contemplative and quiet for a moment, his gaze lifting slightly to fixate on a spot on the wall at the far end of the hall.
He seemed distant and detached, not looking at either Norah or Ollie as he spoke, his voice dull and lifeless.
"I have summoned the two of you here for a specific purpose," he finally said, his tone devoid of any emotion. "You see, there are matters of great importance that require trusted individuals to handle. And I believe that both of you possess qualities that could be of use."
Norah's heart pounded in her chest, feeling a mix of dread and curiosity about what the Dark Lord might ask of them. She exchanged a glance with Ollie, who she could not help but notice, was looking just as apprehensive.
"Lord?" Norah asked, her voice quiet and tinged with confusion. Her eyebrows raised so far up onto her forehead that they almost disappeared into her hairline.
"How fares your father, Willas, Miss Wydman? The wandmaker," Lord Voldemort inquired coldly.
It quickly occurred to Norah that she was not in the mood for company that night, especially not in the presence of her father's master. She pondered his question, wondering where he was going with it, and decided to respond honestly.
"He is... well, My Lord, thanks to you. He is nearly mended," she murmured, her tone guarded, stealing a glance at her new companion, Ollie Black, who looked at her quizzically, clearly unsure of the context of their conversation.
As Norah responded to the Dark Lord, she noticed a momentary flicker in the wizard's cold expression, and for a brief instant, she thought she detected a hint of amusement in his crimson eyes.
However, the fleeting glimpse vanished as quickly as it appeared, leaving her with no opportunity to dwell on its significance.
The Dark Lord nodded in acknowledgment.
"Good. I would expect nothing less than a wizard of the man's caliber. I am... pleased to hear that he is recovering and well," he said, his soft voice carrying a faint note of satisfaction. "Your father is a talented wandmaker, Miss Wydman, his skills on par with Garrick Ollivander's, and his services thus far have proven invaluable to me."
Feeling a mixture of unease and trepidation, Norah cast another glance at Ollie, unsure of how much she should reveal in the presence of a man she had only just met.
Though she found herself already liking the wizard, she knew better than to trust appearances, especially given the nature of her father's connections both as a wandmaker and as a former Death Eater for the Dark Lord.
As Lord Voldemort continued to speak, Norah couldn't help but sense an unexpected vulnerability in his words, even though his tone lacked any remorse.
The bitter thought crossed her mind that he was likely incapable of true remorse.
"It did pain me to have Antonin bring you here in such an unorthodox fashion, and I apologize for any discomfort, Miss Wydman, but certain precautions had to be taken. I hope you understand the cost of it to me," he uttered, his voice low and weary.
Mentioning the Russian wizard's name sent an unexpected chill down Norah's spine.
The memory of what had transpired in her home less than an hour ago resurfaced—the day when the menacing figure had appeared unannounced at their cottage doorstep.
Antonin Dolohov had forced his way inside just as Norah was about to prepare supper for the two of them, giving them no chance to refuse or resist.
The unwelcome intruder had demanded her immediate presence, leaving them with no choice but to comply. Norah's heart pounded as she recalled the fear and helplessness she had felt at that moment.
The memory of Antonin Dolohov's unsettling gaze still haunted Norah.
She couldn't forget the way he had looked at her before, holding her at wandpoint and demanding her compliance.
Even now, as she noticed him standing at full attention near the room's exit, his hot, dark eyes were fixed on her, making her feel exposed and vulnerable as if she were stripped bare.
It dawned on her that he had been imagining her that way when she briefly met his gaze, judging by the way his mouth pinched and turned downward, and how his eyes did a quick scan of her in her simple skirt and sweater. Norah's discomfort grew, and she shifted uncomfortably under his gaze. It was unsettling to be the object of such unwanted attention, especially from someone as dangerous and ruthless as Antonin Dolohov.
She longed for the moment to pass and tried her best to ignore his disturbing stare, focusing instead on the upcoming task she had been summoned for. Her cheeks burned bright red with humiliation as she briefly met his gaze and quickly looked away, not wanting to give him the satisfaction of seeing just how uneasy he'd made her. With a frustrated sigh, she pushed aside the haunting wizard's stare and focused instead on her present situation.
The conflicting emotions within Norah intensified as she wrestled with the knowledge that the Dark Lord had saved her father's life, albeit likely for his interests. She couldn't help but feel both a sense of indebtedness and resentment for the situation she found herself in.
"I saved Willas's life. Your father owes me a debt, and now, I call upon you as his kin to repay it, since he is in no condition to do what I need him for," Voldemort stated matter-of-factly as if it were merely a transaction.
Norah's heart sank further as the weight of the Dark Lord's request settled on her shoulders.
The thought of her father's life hanging in the balance compelled her to comply with the daunting task ahead.
Keeping her composure, she turned her attention back to the Dark Lord, reminding herself that she needed to remain strong and focused, no matter the circumstances.
She couldn't let Dolohov's unsettling presence distract her from the challenges that lay ahead.
With a deep breath, she mentally prepared herself to face whatever awaited her, determined to prove her worth and fulfill her father's debt, regardless of the sinister atmosphere surrounding her.
With a deep breath, she steadied herself and responded, "I understand, My Lord. I will fulfill my father's debt and do what is asked of me."
Voldemort regarded her silently for a moment, his eyes revealing nothing.
"See that you do," he said finally, his voice returning to its usual coldness.
Norah was taken aback to learn that the Dark Lord had been certain she would accept his request.
Her attention turned to Ollie, the man she had just met outside in the corridor, as the Dark Lord addressed him.
"I would ask for you and Miss Wydman's service in the Forbidden Forest, Oliver," the Dark Lord spoke coldly in a flat voice.
Norah's heart sank at the thought of venturing deep into the heart of the Forbidden Forest, a place she had only heard about from her father since she hadn't been allowed to attend Hogwarts and had been home-schooled due to her nature.
She couldn't suppress a gasp of surprise, and Ollie noticed her reaction, curiously flicking his gaze toward her.
After a moment, he finally spoke, his voice quiet with uncertainty.
"The Forest, Lord? For what purpose?" he inquired.
"I confess myself... disappointed that there are not more creatures allied with my cause," the Dark Lord explained. "I would have the two of you venture into the Forest to recruit a pack of werewolves that have not yet allied themselves with the wolf Fenrir Greyback. They shall soon learn this is a grave mistake on their part if they do not come to their senses and ally themselves with me. I would have the two of you go in my stead, as I am called to more important matters elsewhere."
Norah's mind raced with the weight of the task that lay before them.
The thought of dealing with werewolves, creatures known for their fierce nature, filled her with dread. She knew the consequences of refusing the Dark Lord's command could be dire, especially for her father.
"What I propose to you and Oliver by going may involve more than just a dissatisfied Pack living in the Forest malcontent with their lives, Miss Wydman," the Dark Lord continued, his voice now taking on a dangerous purr. "You are, of course, welcome to say no and go against me, though for the sake of Willas, I hope that you do not. We need not spill blood over this matter, Miss Wydman, do we?"
Norah's heart pounded in her chest as she wrestled with her emotions and the implications of the wizard's words. She knew she had little choice but to accept the Dark Lord's request, for her father's life hung in the balance.
With a deep breath, she met the Dark Lord's gaze and nodded slowly, steeling herself for the dangerous task that lay ahead.
"No, Lord," Norah whispered, mustering the courage to voice her decision. She looked away, stealing a furtive glance towards Ollie, who remained expressionless under the dim light, almost menacing.
The sight sent a chill down her spine, but before she could dwell on it, Ollie spoke up, addressing his master.
"My Lord, let me go alone. The Forest is no place for a witch. The forest alone would overwhelm her," Ollie pleaded, his voice carrying a hint of desperation, and Norah thought she detected a faint warble in his tone as he made the request.
Lord Voldemort's gaze flicked towards the Death Eater, picking up on the sentiment in his voice.
The Dark Lord's pale lips twitched as he looked away momentarily as if contemplating Ollie's request. It was a tense moment before he finally spoke.
"Your loyalty to the cause is commendable, Oliver, and your concern for this witch is nearly touching," Voldemort stated, his voice void of any emotion. "But this mission requires both of you. Some complexities and dangers demand more than a single agent can handle. The Forbidden Forest is treacherous, and having you both increase the chances of success."
Norah felt a mixture of relief and anxiety at the Dark Lord's response. She understood the logic behind his decision, but the thought of facing the perils of the Forbidden Forest still filled her with fear.
"As you wish, My Lord," Ollie replied, his shoulders tense with resignation. "I will accompany Miss Wydman into the Forest."
"Good," Lord Voldemort murmured, his crimson eyes coldly assessing them both. "And when do you expect to leave?" he inquired, keeping a steady gaze on Ollie.
"Tomorrow," Ollie replied without hesitation, displaying a sense of determination. "If... if Norah will be ready." He turned to Norah, giving her a thoughtful glance.
"I-I will," Norah stammered, taken aback by Ollie's consideration.
She had initially feared the worst when the wizard confronted her outside in the halls. Having experienced the cruelty of some of those aligned with the Dark Lord's armies, she had expected Ollie Black to be no different.
However, Ollie had surprised her with his quiet and mild-mannered demeanor, which she found somewhat endearing.
"Very well," Lord Voldemort assented, his shrill voice pulling the blonde out of her thoughts. "Prepare yourselves then. I would need the both of you to be well-rested before leaving."
As the seconds passed, Norah couldn't shake the sense of trepidation that settled in her heart.
The Forbidden Forest was notorious for its dangers, and she knew that their mission would be no easy feat.
As Lord Voldemort concluded his business, he rose from his chair and turned away, disappearing from the room with a familiar, loud resounding crack!
The sudden sound never failed to startle Norah, and this time was no exception. A startled cry escaped her lips, and her hand shot to her wildly thumping heart.
Her fingers nervously tangled in the soft fabric of her slightly oversized sweater. Throughout most of her life, Norah had been easily startled, but ever since her mother's death and the life-altering accident that followed, her jumpiness had intensified. Her heart gradually slowed down as she managed to take a full breath again.
Just as she started to regain her composure, Ollie Black's tenor-like voice brought her back to the present.
"Are you... alright?" he asked, raising his eyebrows with concern. The edges of his lips twitched as if he were fighting back a smile.
Norah nodded, her cheeks flushing slightly with embarrassment.
"Yes, I-I'm fine," she replied, forcing a small smile. "I've always been a bit jumpy, I suppose. But anytime someone Apparates or Disapparates, I-it frightens me and always catches me off guard. I guess...there's a reason the Dark Lord is sending me with you, I would only be a burden to Father at home."
Her voice held a slight stutter, due to her growing nerves.
"It's just one of my many flaws, I suppose," she murmured, wincing as she turned away, expecting the Death Eater of Lord Voldemort to ridicule her or launch a scathing attack at being paired with a seemingly weak witch who couldn't even handle the sounds of Apparition, let alone what awaited them in the thick of the Forbidden Forest.
However, to her surprise, that moment never came. Gathering her courage, Norah slowly turned back to face Ollie Black, bracing herself for whatever reaction he might have.
To her bewilderment, she found Ollie gazing at her with an unfamiliar expression, leaving her unable to decipher its meaning, which only added to her unease.
There was a glint of anger flickering in his striking blue eyes as he sternly questioned her, "Do you truly hold such a low opinion of yourself?" Before she could reply, he continued, not giving her a chance to speak, "You shouldn't talk about yourself like that. You won't be a burden to me, and I highly doubt your father sees you that way either. I'm sure he loves you and only wants to see you safe and protected." His words surprised her, and it was evident that he believed in her capabilities. "The Dark Lord sent you with me because you're the most capable," he added, emphasizing that she was strong and fit, not a burden.
Norah felt a mix of emotions, but his support and belief in her abilities gave her a newfound determination.
It was clear that Ollie saw her potential and strength, and that realization bolstered her resolve to face the challenges ahead.
"I-I'm sorry, I... didn't mean to sound so negative," Norah mumbled, her eyes still fixed on the ground.
Ollie placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder, silently encouraging her as they both observed the approaching figures.
Norah's heart sank as the sound of footsteps coming towards them reached her ears. She almost did not want to look up, yet knew it could not be avoided, suspecting who she'd find.
True to form, she was proven right when she recognized the familiar long white-blond hair of Lucius Malfoy, followed by his equally fair wife, Narcissa. Her nerves heightened as she lifted her gaze, meeting the cold stares of the Malfoys.
"Lucius, Narcissa, it is... good to see you," Norah greeted them, her voice lacking its usual warmth, and more like a monotone.
She chuckled nervously, but it came out more as a shaky sigh.
The tension in the air was palpable, and she could feel their disapproval directed at her.
Norah couldn't help but wonder if her self-deprecating tendencies were even more obvious to them.
The silence dragged on, and it was Lucius who finally broke it, his eyes flicking coldly towards Ollie Black before returning to Norah, his contempt evident in his expression.
Norah held her breath, unsure of what to expect next.
"The Dark Lord must truly wish you dead, Oliver, to send you gallivanting into the Forbidden Forest with this…strange specimen indeed, I take it then by the look on your face, our Lord has not told you? You should not be speaking to the witch as you would anyone else, Mr. Black, you will find yourself...disappointed. Were I you, I would not be speaking to her like this," Lucius sneered with a bark to his voice causing Norah to look up in surprise, her heart aching from his words while also filled with dread.
Her heart pounded in her throat, and she struggled to conceal the shock that threatened to surface on her face.
Anxious and nervous, she flicked her gaze back and forth between the Malfoys, trying to make sense of the situation.
It took her nearly a minute to comprehend the unsettling truth—somehow, they knew.
Unspoken secrets seemed to hang in the air, and she silently pleaded in her mind for them not to reveal what they knew. Her eyes widened as she noticed a knowing glint in Narcissa's eyes as well.
It was as if they were aware of her deepest secret, a truth she had kept hidden for so long.
Ollie, too, seemed to sense the tension, and there was an edge in his voice as he asked, "Like what, Lucius?"
Narcissa paused for a moment, a smirk playing on her lips, savoring the opportunity to taunt Ollie with the unspoken knowledge.
"Like she's...normal, Oliver," she finally replied, her words carefully chosen to tease and provoke. "A puzzle you'll never fully comprehend."
Ollie's eyes narrowed, sensing that they knew more than they let on, and he felt a need to protect Norah from their insinuations.
"She is a normal human being,Mrs. Malfoy. She's a capable witch, and I trust her," he retorted, his voice tinged with defiance.
Lucius chuckled darkly, enjoying Ollie's discomfort.
"Oh, I'm sure you do," he remarked cryptically, leaving Ollie to wonder just how much they truly knew.
Desperate to keep her secret hidden, Norah felt a surge of fear mixed with relief when Ollie quickly cut off the conversation.
"The Dark Lord has assigned me as her protector, and that includes defending her honor. I will listen to this nonsense no more," Ollie growled through clenched teeth. "Now, if you would kindly excuse us, Miss Wydman and I will be on our way. There's no need to show us the door or have your new house-elf do it, we know the way," he commanded, his voice tinged with anger, sending chills down Norah's spine and serving as a stark reminder that her new partner was, above all else, a Death Eater.
Narcissa smirked and exchanged a knowing glance with her husband, enjoying the power they held in keeping Norah's secret veiled.
"Very well," she said, finally relenting, though the mischievous glint in her eyes suggested they were far from finished toying with Ollie's curiosity.
Norah kept her composure, but inside, she silently begged them not to reveal her hidden truth, knowing that it could put everything at risk.
As they left, she tried to push away the nagging fear of what might come next, realizing that her journey with Ollie was not only fraught with dangers from the outside but also from the dark secrets that others seemed to hold over, Ollie and Norah both let out a relieved breath as they found themselves alone.
Norah shot him an inquisitive look when he motioned for her to follow him down the hall, through the stairwell, and out the front door with a curt wave of his arm.
Once they were outside, a sense of liberation washed over her, and she finally felt like she could truly breathe again.
"That...could have gone better," she mumbled to herself.
"It could have gone far worse, Norah," Ollie growled lightly, casting a glance back at the closed front door of the manor, half expecting the Malfoys to appear outside.
But he quickly shook off his suspicions and turned back to her with a comforting smile.
His smile was like a serene sunset, and its warmth inexplicably reached Norah's cheeks, making her heart flutter.
If only he could know... Ever since her accident, she had been treated as an outcast, a creature of darkness to be confined and isolated from the world. But Ollie, Death Eater or not, seemed to see her differently.
He treated her with kindness and looked at her like any other person as if she were normal.
His smile both enchanted and unsettled her. She wanted to bask in his kindness and lose herself in his mesmerizing blue eyes.
However, the fear within her prevailed, urging her to retreat and hide, wishing to lock herself away in her room at The Leaky Cauldron for the night. With an effort, she brought herself back to the present moment, concealing her emotions as swiftly as they had surfaced.
"I, well, I...if we're going to start early tomorrow, I-I should get some rest, and you should too."
Her words came out in a rush as she hurried down the stone steps of the manor's entryway as if the stones themselves were ablaze.
Suddenly too timid to meet Ollie's gaze, she turned away to walk a safe distance before Apparating.
But she remembered her manners and added, "Thank you, for...for stopping me in the hallway earlier." Norah bashfully glanced at her new partner from the corner of her lowered gaze. "...and...for listening," she added, feeling grateful yet overwhelmed by her social awkwardness.
Before Ollie could respond, she vanished down the path, knowing he was probably keeping a watchful eye on her to ensure her safety as she left.
"Goodnight...Norah..." His voice trailed off as she continued on her way, resisting the urge to look back.
But as she turned on her heels to Disapparate, she mustered a small wave, watching the tall wizard until he disappeared from view.
At that moment, a flicker of hope sparked within her – perhaps it wouldn't be so lonely after all.
The memory of the man's blue eyes and his soft smile and soft-spoken voice burned into Norah's mind until she could think of little else, and it was thoughts of the man that was to be her new partner that left the witch nearly sleepless for the rest of the night when she returned to her room within The Leaky Cauldron.
With Ollie's support, Norah felt a renewed sense of strength and determination.
She knew the challenges ahead wouldn't be easy, but with him by her side, she felt more prepared to confront whatever the future held.
Cocooned in warmth and contentment, Norah lay in bed, but sleep eluded her for a long while.
However, as the night wore on, she finally drifted into a deep and peaceful slumber.
It was a rare luxury for her, a tranquil sleep she hadn't experienced in ages. In the embrace of dreams, Norah's mind found solace, and for once, her thoughts weren't haunted by memories of the accident or thoughts of her parents.
Instead, her dreams were graced by the presence of Ollie Black. In this dream world, they strolled hand in hand through a magical forest, its trees bathed in the soft glow of enchanting moonlight.
Norah felt a lightness in her heart she hadn't known before as if worries and anxieties had no place in this ethereal realm.
They laughed together, sharing stories and secrets, their laughter mingling with the night breeze.
Norah felt a genuine connection with Ollie, a profound understanding that comforted her restless soul.
They sat beneath a canopy of stars, and Ollie reached out to gently brush a lock of hair from Norah's face. She could feel the tender affection in his touch, and a blush crept across her cheeks, making her heart flutter.
In this dream, they were free from the burdens of the real world, and Norah allowed herself to be vulnerable, to share her hopes and fears without fear of judgment. Ollie listened with unwavering kindness, offering support and encouragement.
As the night in her dream passed, Norah felt a sense of peace wash over her, a feeling she wished she could hold onto forever.
But as the first light of dawn kissed the horizon, Norah slowly woke, her rested eyes opening to the real world once more.
With a soft smile on her lips, Norah found herself cherishing the memory of that dream.
It was a beautiful respite, too happy a fantasy from the real-world troubles that weighed on her heart.
And as she rose from her slumber, she carried with her a newfound sense of hope, knowing that somewhere in her heart, Ollie Black had left an indelible mark, and perhaps, just perhaps, there was a chance for something more between them.