Chapter Nine
"Celeste come down! You haven't eaten in days. The voice of her muggle mother shouted down downstairs. Celeste was too absorbed into finishing her homework. Summer holidays were coming to end and she was determined to get everything done. There was banging on the door as a male's voice shouted.
"Get your ass downstairs now!" He yelled. Celeste rolled her eyes and sighed lightly as her door banged opened.
"Hey! Get out!" She shouted as he grabbed her arm and dragged her. "You're hurting me!" She shouted again while trying to yank away from him.
"Just because you think you're so fucking special with that wooden wand doesn't mean you break the rules under my roof!" He boomed.
"This isn't your house and you're not my father!" The blonde snapped and yanked free. The snap earned her a back hand across the face. She rubbed her cheek and glared at him.
"Now now, my love. We mustn't be so harsh, shall we?" The woman spoke. Celeste looked away. Ever since she came back, this man took over the household and her muggle mother was blinded by him. Not her. Celeste couldn't wait to leave for the school year. In fact, she was craving to get her wand and start casting magic again. Her age had forbidden it.
"See. Girlie ain't allowed to use magic!" He laughed at her.
"You told him?!" Celeste hissed at her mother. Well, at the female muggle.
"I can't keep secrets from him." The older woman spoke.
"You signed a contract!" Celeste snapped back. This earned her another hit against her eye this time.
"Room. Now." The man spoke.
"Funny, you just dragged me from it." Celeste sneered before quickly leaving the room. Once inside, she saw a small owl.
"Star! Brought me something have you?" She asked and looked at the letter. It was from Draco.
Dearest sister,
Potter tipped the Ministry and they raided our home. I wish you were here. Mother has ben crying for days. Aunt Bella has been trying to calm her. Father is in Azkaban now. The DL is very angry right now. Be sure to be packed right now. Be ready to leave at a moment's notice. He sent the Carrows after you. I'm not sure who is more angry. Carrow woman or the DL. Either way, no one is happy right now. I swear I will take my revenge out on Potter. Just you see! I'd rather you be on my side this year Celeste. I can use your help. Anyways, be ready no matter what happens. And always, always have your wand on you. Never leave without it. The Daily Prophet had just sent out some news that I don't think you want to see. Before father was taken, he heard news on how the muggles were treating you. I'd say I would go with them to get you, though, mother forbid it. She said it would be too dangerous. Like taking on two worthless muggles is dangerous? Please! Can't wait to see you dear sister. I miss you and you need to be back home where you belong. Once the owl leaves, it will signal the Carrows that you are ready.
-Draco.
Celeste frowned from the letter when she was done reading it. She closed the window to prevent to owl from leaving until she was ready. Peering outside as she saw two hooded figures pacing slowly across the street by the woods. She knew it was them, for one of them would look to the window. Before she knew, she began packing quickly as possible. Wanting to be ready when ever the moment was. It took her a couple hours to finish packing as the night fell. She heard banging on her door again. Her heart fell as she quickly opened the window and let the owl fly outside. Watching the two hooded figures quickly make their way towards the house. The door flew opened.
"Packed huh? Going somewhere are we?" The man spoke.
"Leave me alone!" Celeste had her wand in her pocket, not wanting to get into trouble, she kept it hidden.
"What yer gonna do?" He laughed before he launched at her. Celeste jumped to the side in time. Dashing out of the door in time to see the front door blasted off it's hinges to the side.
"What's going on?!" The woman shouted. The young blonde ran towards the explosion. She stopped as the two masked Death Eaters took their silver masks off. Amycus and Alecto Carrow were standing in the door.
"Ow!" Celeste cried out in pain as her hair was yanked back, she feet gave up under her as she fell back and dragged away. "Let me go!" She hissed and thrashed. She the screamed. Out of no where. A loud ear piercing scream that began to shake the walls and the ground under them.
"Let her go this instance or I will kill you on the spot!" Amycus voice spoke as he rose his wand. Celeste felt her hair released as she ran over and hid behind Alecto.
"Get her things Amycus. I'll stand here and watch." Alecto spoke as Amycus left upstairs and summoned her things.
"She is mine! You leave now and never come back!" The muggle man spoke as he pulled out a black wand. Though it was a different kind. Celeste gasped as she heard the click.
"I think you're mistaken, you filthy muggle. She belongs to me and no one else." Alecto's voice spoke. Amycus came back and stopped.
"What happen to 'er face?" He growled. Alecto whipped around and grabbed Celeste's chin.
"Ow!" The young blonde stepped away from them.
"You dare touch her?!" The dark witch hissed as she raised her wand back at the muggle man.
"This girl is nothing but a trouble maker!" He yelled.
"Good. Avada Kedavra!" Alecto hissed as a bright green light exploded from the tip of her wand. Thud. The man fell to the ground motionless. Some how, it did not phase Celeste. Amycus shouted as another green light flashed. It felt as if time itself had stopped. Noises turning into static as the colors around her were blurs in her eyes. Celeste watched as the woman who had taken care of her for several years had fallen to the ground. Her eyes still opened but as glass now. No life from them. Just colored glass inside. Celeste felt a gentle touch in her hand as Alecto was speaking to her. The young blonde could only hear deep gibberish sounds around her. She was now being guided out of the house. She looked up to Amycus whose mouth was moving. She could not hear what he said but the wand showed her. Seeing a green curse shot from him wand to the sky. Celeste looked up and saw it. The Dark Mark now lingering over the house she once called home. Feeling another touch upon her arm and then air sucked out from her lungs.
Feeling her fingers intertwined with stubby ones, the creature began to roar again. Celeste felt her face flush as she looked down to her feet as the hand guided her. The small pebble stones crunching together under her feet as she walked down the long pathway that lead to the manor. Hearing hushed whispers between the two as she sighed.
"You must be tired." Amycus spoke. "Though, the Dark Lord wished to speak to you with the others." He added as Celeste only nodded her head. A gentle squeeze from her hand as she let go and walked inside as the door was opened by an elf.
"Celeste!" A voice spoke and then a hug came after. It was Draco. She couldn't help but hug him back. Tightly as well. Sighing as she let go and smiled weakly at him.
"Everything go alright?" He asked as she nodded her head lightly.
"Come, the Dark Lord is waiting." A husk voice spoke that sent chills up her spine. She turned to look at her aunt who came out of the dark shadows. Celeste smiled at her and gave her aunt a gentle hug.
"That is new. Everything alright?" The witch asked as she nodded.
"Oh yes. They took care of something." She nodded towards the Carrows. Who bowed and left downstairs. She heard soft footsteps and then a tall thin blonde witch came into the room.
"Mother!" Celeste beamed and quickly hugged the woman who hugged her back tightly.
"Oh my dear Celeste. It's good that you're home." Narcissa spoke and gently took the younger blonde's chin into her hand and then gasped. "What happened?" She asked as she took out her wand. A simple wave as Celeste felt a heat sensation as the cuts and bruises were healed. She smiled and gave her mother a gentle kiss upon her cheek.
"Come. The Dark Lord is waiting." Narcissa spoke as they all nodded their heads and followed Bellatrix who seemed to almost be skipping. Celeste had a feeling that her aunt loved the Dark Lord more than anyone here. Once entering the meeting room, Celeste took a seat neat to her mother as Alecto took Celeste's right side. Everyone was whispering among each other and then they stood. Confused, Celeste followed as she stood up. Bowing along with the others as the Dark Lord entered the room. As he sat down, so did they. She felt her lungs hold the breath inside as she now can see the Dark Lord up close for the first time. Her hands upon her laps tightened into fists out of fear. She felt a gentle hand upon her right thigh as she felt caressing from Alecto on her right. Celeste blushed like crazy and hung her head to keep her face from showing. She could hear nothing but silence in the room.
"Welcome my dear friends." The Dark Lord's voice spoke. Feeling the blood inside on her body turn to ice. His voice was something she did not expect. She immediately took Alecto's hand into hers and squeezed it. Not out of her feelings, but out of fear. "Let us welcome home Celeste. Who has been gone from us for so many years. Welcome home dear." The Dark Lord's voice spoke as others began to welcome her back as well.
"T..thank you m..my lord." Celeste stuttered lightly as she nodded to the others.
"Now, we need to get to business. Draco. You understand what your task is now?" He asked as Draco nodded his head lightly. Celeste looked at her twin and raised a brow.
'I'll tell you later.' Draco's voice spoke inside her mind.
'You better.' She added. Hearing the Dark Lord's voice speaking of a weakened Ministry.
"I'd assume you want to take revenge Celeste. After all, they kidnapped you. Dumbledore was behind it." He spoke. Celeste's eyes widened as she looked at him.
"To keep you hidden from us. You are more powerful than you think and I believe once you fully discover yourself, you can help us win this war coming." He spoke as Celeste quickly nodded her head. "Good. Dismissed." He spoke as he stood up. All followed as he left. The others quickly leaving the room. Celeste followed her brother out of the room. Telling him she would meet him inside his room to talk. He nodded and left. Celeste sighed and leaned against a wall. Letting the silence take her in as the manor began to fill with silence as the other Death Eaters left. Looking outside the window as the sky was covered with dark clouds.
"I see the way you watch me. The way you look at me." A witch's voice spoke. Before Celeste could see who it was, she was pressed against the wall.
"Alecto?" She raised a brow the dark witch. "I do not know what you're talking about." She spoke quickly.
"Oh, I believe you do my dear." Alecto's voice spoke as if it was in a whisper. The dark witch was inches from her now. Celeste could see every detail on this woman's face. The dark red hair that is kept in a tight bun behind her head. The worn eyes that held hunger in her eyes.
"When you said. Back at the other places. When you said." Celeste was lost for words now.
"That you're mine? I meant it. You are. You belong to me and only me." Alecto hissed softly. Some how it only made Celeste blush more. Alecto smirked before she leaned in quickly. Feeling the rough lips against hers. The blonde however did not pull away but pushed for more. She slid her arms around Alecto's waist and deepened the kiss. A soft moan escaped her lips as her creature inside began to purr. Celeste felt Alecto's hand slide up her stomach and rested against her bare chest. She could feel a small burning against her skin. Only, it felt good. It felt as if several sunsets and sunrises happened before the dark witch pulled back. The blonde opened her eyes and let out a breath for it was taken away from her.
"I see you have no objection. There for it is done. There is more where that came from as well." She smirked and walked away.
"Wait. What? What is done?" Celeste called after her as she turned and looked into the mirror. There was a small mark right under her collar bone and above her left breast. A mark. It as similar to the Dark Mark, only no skull but a crest. Carrows crest with a snake slithering around it. It was actually moving in circles slowly around it. Celeste blushed for she had been marked by the one she wanted.
'Are you coming or not?' Draco's voice spoke. Celeste jumped and quickly turned her heels and ran up the stairs. She entered Draco's room without knocking. He was upon his bed with scrolls.
"Homework?" She asked as he nodded. She sat down on his bed and helped him finish it.
"So, tell me. How can I help you?" She asked as Draco sighed. Putting his homework away into his bag.
"The Dark Lord gave me a mission to do. When we go back to school tomorrow." He added. Celeste gasped and started to speak rapidly.
"Whoa! Slow down. Mother already got your things and new robes. You're okay. Plus she saw your O. . You topped that mudblood Granger. You scored an Outstanding in everything. I'm really proud of you." He added as Celeste beamed about hearing her scores. "Plus, you're the new Slytherin Prefect. Pansy lost it last year." He added and handed Celeste the badge. Never in her life she had thought she would hold the badge. "Now, tell me Draco. What's going on?" She asked him.
"Can you block your thoughts?" He asked as Celeste nodded. She could block themeasily from everyone. "Good. Snape might try and pry you. To get to know what's going on. You see, the Dark Lord gave me a mission to do or he will kill us all. Father is safe in Azkaban for now." Draco spoke as he showed Celeste the Dark Mark upon his arm. She gently touched his arm but avoiding theMark from activating. "There is a wardrobe in Borgin and Burkes. It has a sister at Hogwarts. I am to fix it and lead the Death Eaters inside Hogwarts. I am also to kill Dumbledore." Draco whispered as Celeste nodded. "You're not surprised?" He asked her.
"No. After everything that's going on. No. Dumbledore is daft and dangerous. He has protected Potter all this time and kept our family apart. The Dark Lord wants him out of the way." She spoke lightly.
"So, you agree with the Dark Lord?" Draco asked as Celeste nodded again.
"Yes, I believe magic should be kept only in the pure blooded families." She spoke as Draco raised a brow just exactly how she does. "Don't do that. I do that. We're too similar!" She laughed lightly not knowing that Draco moved the neck collar of her robe to reveal the mark.
"I see you've been marked. Mother won't be too happy." He added.
"What do you mean?" Celeste asked with an almost worried tone.
"It means you belong to her. Carrow. No one else can make a claim on you and if they did, she'll kill them." He added as the young witch felt her heart pounding inside of her chest from this information. "Come. We should get to bed. Term starts tomorrow and mum will have our heads." Draco added. She nodded and hugged her brother before leaving his room. She turned and went down three doors to her own room. Her real room. Feeling the hairs stand upon her neck as she turned to see a pair of eyes watching her. They belonged to Alecto. Celeste smiled at the dark witch before retiring to her room for the night. Her things still packed so, there would be no rush in the morning.