Hey, reader, have you ever upset a teacher, only for her to target you in every... single... class? Because that’s my life. Apparently, I’m an idiot who didn’t listen to Professor Plum, and now Defence Against the Dark Arts has become a series of public torture sessions.
Every class brings a brand-new spell aimed at—you guessed it—me! Of course, do I show that she’s getting to me? Nope. Do I show that it annoys me? No way. Do I let it slip that I’m terrified of Defence Against the Dark Arts now?
HELL NO!
Also, reader, if you tell anyone, I will put an endless spell on you so that the only word you can say for the rest of your life is pineapple. Don’t think I won’t.
Now, I’m getting ahead of myself.
All right, girl, raise your chin. Stiff upper lip. Smile, and don’t let the wench see she’s getting to you.
I’m trembling. Nope! Definitely not trembling. Just ignore it.
“Maybe you should see the nurse?” Georgia asked.
We walked towards Defence Against the Dark Arts. I gripped my trembling hand. I mean, my totally NOT trembling hand.
“I’m fine.” I raised my nose.
“I know you are, but... maybe you could skip class.” Georgia squeezed my hand.
“Ha!” I looked away.
It’s all right, girl. You’ve got this!
We entered the classroom in silence, and I froze.
Father emerged from Plum’s office. He actually paused mid-step when he saw me. He gave me the slightest nod before walking past us and exiting the classroom.
“Wasn’t that your...” Victetta trailed off.
“Nope,” I said.
My friends exchanged a look.
I sat at my desk, and class began. Plum emerged from the back office, cleared her throat, and straightened her dress. Somehow, she looked paler than usual.
“Today, we’re learning about magical beasts. Namely, the ones practitioners of the Dark Arts use for various nefarious purposes.” Plum tapped the board with her wand.
Lines swirled across the board, forming diagrams of animals.
“These are Elemfints. Tricky little beasts that snatch sleep and siphon nightmares from Muggles. They can be used to make sleeping potions, but it’s also possible to use their essence in various rituals...” Plum continued.
I braced myself for the usual guinea-pig Draconia portion of the lesson.
Except it never happened.
After we filed out of the classroom...
“Miss Malfoid,” Plum called.
I froze at the door.
Stay calm. STAY CALM! Daddy probably told her to stop bullying me. Though, how did he know? I certainly never told him. I’m not going to run to Daddy every time I have a problem at school.
“C... coming.” I nodded.
Georgia gripped my hand. We exchanged a look, and she nodded.
I headed inside and closed the door. Then I straightened and gave her my best I’m a pure-blood look. You know the one. Chin raised, hands clasped behind my back, and an expression that says I’m mildly annoyed to be here.
“Yes?” I said, regarding her.
“There’s a trip to Hogsmeade this weekend,” she said.
My heart hammered.
Would she take away my outing privileges, too?
“Yes,” I said.
“I hear there’s an interesting shack there. Perhaps a good place to explore when you’re free.”
I nodded.
“You’re dismissed.” She waved me away.
“Hmph!” I turned my head and walked out.
The weekend arrived, and a light dusting of snow covered the path as we walked to Hogsmeade. I wore leather gloves, and my green scarf fluttered in the wind. Today, I’d applied lipstick, a faint lip blush, and eyeliner. Not to look attractive, obviously. I figured the least I could do was look my best when summoned to a creepy shack... all by myself.
“So... is this a date?” Georgia skipped ahead of me.
“What!” I gasped.
I covered my lips with my scarf.
She walked backwards and grinned at me, her arms folded behind her.
“You look soooo cute today. Are you going out to see a boy?” Georgia bit her tongue.
“Definitely not!” I puffed out my cheeks.
“Heeey! She’s denying it, which means it’s true.” She grinned and poked my cheeks.
“Get off me.” I slapped her hand away.
We slapped at each other’s hands until our fingers hurt, then pulled away to massage them.
“You look good,” Victetta said with a nod.
“Thanks.” I blushed and looked away.
“All right, enough with the pretence. You should do it more often.” Georgia wrapped an arm around my shoulders.
“Agreed.” Victetta wrapped an arm around me on the other side.
“I get it! Now get off me!” I laughed and pushed them away.
They looked at me, then at each other, and burst into laughter.
“Are you sure you’ll be fine?” Georgia took my hand and swung it.
“I have my wand. Besides, I’m a Malfoi—” I stopped.
“Yeah, yeah! You’re always reminding us. I’m a Malfoid! I’m a Malfoid!” Georgia imitated my voice.
Victetta snorted and covered her mouth.
“Oi!” I pointed at her.
My façade cracked, and I chuckled.
I approached the Shrieking Shack and froze.
Why was it so cold lately? It never snowed this early in October, and yet here we were, with a dusting of white covering everything, while I was freezing despite wearing a sweater, blazer, and cloak! I trembled at the sight of the old building. I’d heard rumours it had some serious ghost issues. I think I’d heard something about a werewolf.
Yep. A freaking WEREWOLF.
What am I doing here?
Maybe I should go. Yeah! I probably misunderstood the professor. What if she was just trying to freak me out? Or was this a punishment? Or...
I heard a snap.
I whipped around to find Harry and the Pot-heads hiding behind a fence.
“What the hell! What are you doing here?” I shouted.
Harry led his friends out. Of course. Apparently, the stupid twit couldn’t go anywhere without his loyal friends following him. What were they, his shadows? Freaking triplets joined at the hip! Here I was, freaking out, while these weirdos just watched!
“Well!” I put my hands on my hips and tapped my foot.
“You’re not allowed in there,” Hermione said.
“Oh, thank you. But if I’m not allowed here, then neither are you. So either you leave, or I report you.” I waved them off.
“Look, Draconia. That place is bad news,” Harry said.
“Yeah.” Ron folded his arms and nodded.
“Point A. Do you have to agree with everything he says?” I pointed at Ron.
Weasley opened his mouth, but I continued.
“Point B. Harry, can’t a girl get any privacy? Like, I get it. Your date dumped you after the ball last year, and now you’re totally fixated on me. I get it. I’m hot.” I fluffed my hair.
“No, it’s...” Harry stopped when I raised a finger.
“Listen, let me make this clear. I have zero... literally, ZERO interest in you.” I strode over and poked his chest.
Oh, man! Why’s my heart pounding so hard right now?
“If you want a girlfriend, ask Hermione out, or I don’t know, literally anyone else. But as for me, leave the hell... ALONE!” I poked him so hard that I shoved him backwards.
“We’re trying to help you. Bad guys hang out there,” Harry snapped.
“Point C. Stop following me, get some friends who aren’t hapless yes-men, and LEAVE... ME... ALONE!” I punctuated the last three points by poking his chest.
“Let’s go,” Ron said.
“Ah, the plebe has a mind of his own.” I waved him off.
Hermione opened her mouth, but Ron grabbed her arm and pulled her away. Harry looked away and chewed his lower lip.
“Look, I know we’ve had our disagreements in the past. But something’s going on. There’s something wrong at the school, and...” Harry stopped.
“Are you an Auror?” I folded my arms.
“No?” He shook his head.
“Then what makes you think it’s your job to investigate every little thing? Do you have any idea how weird it is to follow people around and sneak across Hogwarts at all hours of the night? So, yeah, we’ve had our disagreements. Because unlike you, I follow the rules. I try to be a good student and not some creepy weirdo who wants to explore every inch of the school at the witching hour,” I said.
He balled his fists.
Ah, cute. Is he planning on punching me? Yeah, I have more than a few spells I can use before he even gets the chance to think about it.
He unclenched his fists and shook his head.
When you get into trouble, don’t say I didn’t warn you.
He turned and walked away.
I watched to make sure the little dweeb had disappeared from sight. My teeth chattering, I turned and strode towards the shack. I tried the door and found it locked.
“Alohomora.” I rolled my eyes.
There were a few clicks, and the lock released. The door swung open.
I covered my mouth with my scarf as I entered. Cobwebs and dust filled the place. What was that cleaning spell poor people used? Ah... I stood there, racking my brain. The last thing I needed was to arrive covered in dust.
“Scour...gify?” I waved my wand in a circle.
Motes of watery magic appeared, then fizzled out.
“Scourgify!” I thrust my wand forward.
A splash of water appeared in the centre of the room. Wherever it touched the ground, it removed the dust. Within seconds, water spread across the floors, walls, and ceiling, cleaning the room. Spiders were evicted from their dissolving nests, tumbling down and scurrying into holes in the floorboards.
Clean? Yes.
Still a dump? Double yes.
I summoned a mote of light as I entered another room and, of course, had to clean that one, too. Note to self: bring the elves! I’m not a maid service, and I have standards.
The wind made the shack creak. Floorboards groaned, and I cast about with my wand raised. My light made shadows stretch and shift. My heart hammered as I waited for someone to jump out at me.
I found nothing on the ground floor.
I climbed the steps, and a rat jumped out.
“Aaaahhh!” I howled and jumped backwards.
I slammed into someone. Arms grabbed me.
Screaming, I struggled and scrambled up the steps. I turned to see my father standing at the bottom.
Meanwhile, the rat transformed into a man at the top of the stairs.
“Daddy?” I asked.
Father nodded towards the stairs.
I followed him up in silence. We entered a room with a table draped in black cloth. No, not black. The cloth showed stars, and the stars shifted as I walked around it. The fabric resembled a window into the night sky.
Father, Wormtail, and I stood around the table. Professor Plum emerged from a side room, holding a large metal ring.
Wait! What’s going on? How is she connected to my father, and who’s the shape-shifter guy?
I looked around, confused. Like, I knew Father had connections to the Death Eaters. He’d been one long ago. He was also connected to some of the more powerful and shady families, but... like... what was going on? Who was the rat-guy, and how was the professor involved?
“The Dark Lord has returned,” Father said.
“Daddy?” I gasped, my words barely a whisper.
“We have been promised riches, power, and a place at His right hand.” Father regarded me.
My eyes filled with tears.
Why am I crying?
“Understand?” Father asked.
“Yes.” I nodded.
Father took my hand. His was sooo cold. He trembled, and for the first time, I saw fear in his eyes.
I’d always been Daddy’s good girl. I tried to make him proud. I studied real hard and even put that stupid Pot-head and his crew in their place when needed. Yet, in this moment, none of that seemed to matter.
Not when my daddy was scared.
“Sacrifices must be made for the greater good.” He gave me a warm smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes.
“Shortly before the start of term, an attempt was made to pierce the Veiled Forest. We were repelled. The Dark Lord needs what’s in that forest. This means freeing the Hollow King,” Plum said.
“The Hollow King?” I asked.
“Now isn’t the time.” Father shook his head.
I nodded.
“The Dark Lord wishes to speak to you.” Plum placed the ring on the table.
“ME!” I squeaked, pointing at my chest.
She placed it on the table. Then she waved her wand and uttered an incantation.
The ring projected a pillar of green fire.
A shadowy figure loomed over me. The others fell to one knee. I remained standing, looking around in confusion.
Voldemort looked right at me. Like, LIKE RIGHT AT ME!
I fell to one knee.
“Draconia Malfoid, I hear good things about you.” Voldemort’s voice sounded halfway between a wasp and a hiss.
Father nudged me.
“Y... y... yes... thank you.” I nodded.
The Dark Lord cocked his head.
“Are you loyal like your father?” Voldemort asked.
“YES!” I nodded.
My heart hammered so hard.
I might DIE!
“Rise.” Voldemort waved a hand.
Trembling, I stood, except my freaking knees gave out halfway, and Father had to catch me. I gripped the table while the Dark Lord simply watched.
“Say that you swear fealty to me,” Voldemort said.
“I sw... swear fealty t... to you, Vol...” I paused when the others gasped sharply.
“LORD! I meant Lord Vol... Dark Lord.” I squealed.
Freaking HELL! Voldemort just watched me. Is he angry? Did I screw up?
“What do you know of the Phantom Ball?” Voldemort asked.
“Ahhh...” I stared at the table.
Is this some kind of test? Like, I’ve totally never heard of...
“During Halloween, whilst the students of Hogwarts celebrate, the ghosts have their own celebration. Of course, no one knows about it because it’s for ghosts only. We need you to find and infiltrate the Hollow Vault on Halloween night and find your way to the Hollow King. Once there, activate the ring, and we will come. That’s all,” Voldemort said.
Ahhh... should I be writing this down?
“Y... yes.” I nodded.
“Plum. The ring.” Voldemort’s voice grew distorted as gusts of wind made his flames flicker.
Father gripped my shoulder. Plum snatched my hand and gave me a vicious grin, shaped like a crescent moon.
With one hand, she popped the latch on a small ring box. The lid opened.
A black-and-purple spider crawled out. It jumped onto my hand.
Father dug his thumb into my collar.
I get the hint, Daddy. I won’t move!
The spider jumped onto my ring finger and wrapped itself around it. Sharp spider legs pierced my skin.
“Ahhhh!” I screamed.
The spider transformed into a ring with a purple jewel at the top. It burned so badly. My finger pulsed. It felt as though the spider had pierced me to the bone, and then...
The pain stopped.
“Do not fail me.” Voldemort’s form flickered, and then the flames died out.
Afterwards, the others Disapparated, but Father remained. Once they’d left, he embraced me and stroked my head.
I stood there, stunned.
So, readers, guess what? I’m a Death Eater now.
Yep! ME! A freaking DEATH EATER!!!
“Take this key. The clues you need are in the Restricted Section of the library. Look for the mark of Slytherin,” he said.
“Yeah.” I nodded.
He lifted my chin with his thumb and forefinger. Then he kissed my forehead and let out a sigh.
In that moment, I realised he understood the gravity of everything he’d done, and I wondered if he regretted it.
Afterwards, he stepped away, straightened, and became the outwardly composed man everyone saw, even Mother.
No longer Daddy, but Father.
All remorse left his eyes, and I watched him become the Death Eater of the old days. He drew his wand and disappeared in a swirl of smoke and shadow.
I stood there, watching the place where he’d been.
A mournful howl escaped me.
My legs gave out. I collapsed and clutched my face. I began to howl. Tears came unbidden, and no matter how much I wiped them away, they wouldn’t stop.
I remained there for several minutes until I heard a creak. Hastily, I wiped my tears and cast about. The floorboards creaked, and I saw a puff of mist. Ghost! A freaking ghost! I squealed and ran.