Aurelia's Story

“If hate is black and love is white, then doubt’s a shade of grey
When everything that made it right is every why it’s wrong to stay
It hurts you to believe your mind, and time is ages, you’re back in here again”
Church of the Broken Hearted, Silver Ginger 5

Fenrir Greyback’s hold on her neck was becoming uncomfortable. “If you believe that our master will be unhappy with what I am doing, let me assure you that I have no aversion to telling him now,” Aurelia said imperiously. “I am certain though that my husband will be most angered when he hears of your treatment of me, Greyback.”

He released his hold and laughed, a deep barking laugh. “Just testing, my dear Mrs Malfoy.” He drooled, and she shuddered. “I was just on my way to visit your husband, actually, on our master’s orders, as he is making his way there himself. You can share the information you have garnered with him then. Shall we?”

“If our master so desires, it shall be,” replied Aurelia coldly and Apparated home without waiting for him, stalking through the front door. Lucius greeted her with a kiss. “I do not think much of your associates, Lucius,” said Aurelia angrily.

Lucius seized her arm, and comprehension dawned on his face as Greyback walked through the door after her. “If he hurt you in any way…” he said threateningly.

Aurelia shook her head and began to relax. “No, darling, let it be. I was doing some work for our master and he happened across me and was a little suspicious. I did not care for the manner in which he was treating me and we had a little disagreement. I made myself perfectly clear to him though. Is the Dark Lord here yet?”

Lucius nodded, but the anger did not die from his eyes. “He is, Aurelia.” He offered her his arm and they walked through into the study, both bowing as they caught sight of their master.

Voldemort walked over to them, pausing in front of Aurelia. “Fenrir tells me you have been busy today, Aurelia.”

Aurelia rolled her eyes. “As I told Greyback, I intended to tell you of my actions. Afterwards, though, I would be interested to hear of his reasons for hanging around Little Whinging.”

Voldemort raised his eyebrows at that comment, and Greyback growled. “Indeed, Aurelia, so would I. Perhaps first you could share with us what you have been doing today?”

“Certainly, master. I used my position as a member of the Order this morning to gain access to Potter’s house, and I used a certain charm to freeze time for myself and Harry whilst we spoke,” she replied coolly, aware of the effect her statement would have.

Voldemort was visibly shocked. “But there are few charms that could do that, and even fewer wizards who could master them.”

“Indeed. However, if you look into my mind you will see that I am not deceiving you, master. I used Arresto Tempus, though I suspect I was only capable of it because of the pregnancy.” Lucius’ eyes widened in delight, and he kissed her.

“I am pleased with you, Aurelia,” Voldemort said softly. As he spoke, Severus Snape came through the door. He bowed quickly.

“Master,” said Severus. “Lucius and Aurelia, a pleasure as always. And Fenrir – I am surprised to see you here.”

Voldemort chuckled. “Fenrir is an important part of my plans, which is what I have called you here to discuss. Firstly though, Aurelia has some intriguing information to discuss with us.”

Aurelia nodded. “You will doubtless be as surprised as I was, master, to learn that Dumbledore has still not informed Potter of the contents of the prophecy. He is extraordinarily frustrated, and I believe that will only build throughout the summer.”

Voldemort looked thoughtful. “That is good news, I believe. Without the knowledge I have, he is at a distinct disadvantage. Would you recommend attacking him now?”

Aurelia and Severus both shook their heads, and Aurelia motioned to Severus to speak. “I do not believe that would be wise, master. Potter is well protected at his aunt’s house; indeed, I am surprised that even Aurelia got in there for that long undetected.”

Voldemort smiled. “Arresto Tempus, Severus, which I believe she used after an invitation inside from his aunt?” Aurelia nodded, and Severus looked startled. “Yes, I see where you are coming from. If his frustration is building, it may well be possible to lure him out of the castle.”

Aurelia stroked her abdomen absently as she thought. If Voldemort was planning to lure Harry out, she needed to ensure that his thoughts went back towards her uncle, who was much more capable of defending himself. “Perhaps that is so, master, but I believe that first we should continue with your plan of attacking Dumbledore.”

Lucius spoke up. “I agree, master. With the old fool out of the way, we will have a clear shot at the boy. By the time that happens, he will be in no state to stand against you. He has already shown a shocking lack of mental control.”

Voldemort nodded decisively. “Very well. We shall continue along that path after the summer. Meanwhile, I want everyone to know I am back.”

Greyback grinned excitedly. “How, master?”

“A resurrection of the tactics of the first time around, as they seemed to be going so successfully back then. Fenrir, you are to lead the attacks, but Lucius is to be planning them.” Aurelia grasped her husband’s hand, panic building inside. “No, Aurelia, I promised that Lucius would be with you throughout the pregnancy. However, he initiated the majority of our most successful attacks before – it seems foolish not to use his talent and experience.”

Lucius smirked. “As always, master, it is an honour to serve.”

“You and Fenrir will stay with me in a moment to discuss the plans then. Severus, I need you to assist Draco in his task at Hogwarts. I shall have him speak to you once the term begins. Before then, I simply need you to continue with the potions I asked you for.” Severus inclined his head. “Aurelia, I shall need to think for a little longer on your role. After what I have heard today, I believe that there is much you can do for me before the twins are delivered. I shall let you know shortly.”

Severus and Aurelia realised that that was their dismissal and left the room. Once they were a safe distance from the study, Aurelia took hold of Severus’ arm. “Severus, I need to know. What did my husband do in the first war?” she begged, desperation in her eyes.

Severus shook his head. “You do not need to know, Aurelia. He would never harm you or your children, and I see no point in distressing you with the details,” he replied uneasily.

“Severus, I must know. I never really thought about it before, but for him to rise so in the Dark Lord’s estimations his actions must have been significant. How can I sleep next to him at night not knowing what he has done?”

He sighed. “It is not my place to tell you, Aurelia.”

“Perhaps not, but you are the only one I can trust to tell me the whole truth,” she said imploringly.

“Do not blame me then for the effects this will have on you,” he stated harshly before turning away from her and staring out of the window. “Lucius was one of those who specialised in the Muggle torture that our master finds so appealing. I doubt even he himself knows how many Muggles he has killed.”

Aurelia bit her lip. “Is that all?” she asked apprehensively.

Severs spun around, disbelief on his face. “I have only just begun, Aurelia. In one attack, he caused the death of over one hundred Muggles. However, that was not how he preferred to operate. Lucius enjoyed it much more when the Dark Lord asked him to target the Mudbloods.”

Aurelia sunk into a chair. “And what did he did to them, Severus?” she asked, her voice trembling.

“Numerous things, Aurelia,” he replied softly, then paused. “Are you positive you need to know this?” She nodded, and he continued. “As well as prolonged use of the Cruciatus curse, Lucius particularly enjoyed using the Imperius curse on a woman and forcing her husband to watch her perform… intimate acts… on him. After that, he would force her to murder her own children, then he would generally use a spell that maximised their pain, and then sit there and watch them die.”

Aurelia paled as her mind flashed back to her sixth year at Hogwarts by the lake, when Lucius used the very same controlling curse on her. Severus cursed as he remembered too. “I apologise, Aurelia. I should not have told you.”

She shook her head. “I insisted, Severus, and I still believe I need to know what my husband is capable of.” Aurelia looked at him shrewdly. “There is more, is there not?”

Severus sighed. “He reserved the worst for those pureblood families who refused to join the Dark Lord. Fortunately this only started shortly before our master’s downfall, and as far as I know Lucius’ guilt is not known outside of the Inner Circle.” He stopped, and stared into Aurelia’s eyes. “You must swear, Aurelia, that however shocking you find this, you must not reveal it to anyone. If you do, both our lives will be forfeit, and you know what that will mean.” She subconsciously held her hands to her abdomen and nodded fearfully. “I only know of the one family he did this to. The father refused on numerous occasions to take the mark, and Lucius lost patience. I do not believe he particularly liked them anyway, but that is no excuse for his actions.” He sighed heavily.

“Go on, Severus,” Aurelia murmured uneasily.

“He kidnapped one of their sons, and kept the child alive for three weeks in the dungeons of the manor. Each day, he sent another invitation along with a part of the child. I suppose he eventually got bored, for on the twenty-second day the family woke to the mutilated corpse of their son on their doorstep. I believe they cast memory charms on the rest of the family to save them the pain of remembering, but both of the parents are still living with that horror, not knowing who put them through it, but knowing they could have saved their child by joining with the Dark Lord. A terrible choice to have had to make,” he said sadly.

Aurelia stared up at him in horror. “And who was that family?” she asked, not wanting to hear the answer but knowing she had to.

Severus closed his eyes. “The Weasleys,” he said reluctantly.

Aurelia gasped, and ran to the nearest bathroom to vomit. Of all the things that had run through her mind, this had never even occurred in her wildest nightmares. A hand rubbed the small of her back, and she had to force herself not to flinch at her husband’s touch. “Darling,” he asked concernedly. “Is something wrong with you or the children?”

She shook her head and stood, clearing her mind as Severus had taught her so long ago. “I am certain it is nothing, my Lord, just a little morning sickness returning with all the excitement. Perhaps I should rest for the remainder of the day to be on the safe side though.”

Lucius chuckled fondly, and tenderly stroked her stomach. “Very wise, my love.” As he escorted her upstairs, Aurelia caught a glimpse of Severus staring at her sorrowfully.

Had it not been for her Occlumency training and the strength of her love for Lucius, Aurelia knew she would not have been able to make it through the next twenty-four hours. Nevertheless, when Voldemort returned to speak with her the next day, she was calm and composed, and greeted him with no sign of the distress she felt inside. Once they were settled inside the study, Voldemort looked at her quizzically. “Aurelia, how simple did you find it to cast the time freezing charm yesterday?”

“Very, master,” she replied truthfully. “I was not certain beforehand that it would work, but it took no particular effort to cast it, and it worked perfectly.”

“Good. Do you think you would find it difficult to cast a charm over the entire Inner Circle?” he asked, excitement evident in his eyes.

She thought. “If I were to cast Arresto Tempus again, I could do each individually. I do not think that would be beyond my limits. May I ask what charm it is, master?”

Voldemort smiled triumphantly. “Confido Fidelitas.”

Aurelia frowned. “I believe I have read of that, master. Is that the one used by lords on the serfs in ancient Britain to ensure the loyalty of those who served them?”

He nodded approvingly. “Exactly, Aurelia. It is a very difficult charm to cast, and knowledge of it has faded somewhat, as it the need for it disappeared. However, I believe it would be perfect. Unfortunately, charms was never my greatest talent, otherwise I would have cast it myself. Parvulus Vox though has brought your power onto a level with mine, and I believe you capable.”

Aurelia looked down. “I thank you for the compliment, master, and I shall do my best not to let you down.”

“I am confident that you will not fail me, Aurelia. If all goes to plan, those of my followers currently incarcerated in Azkaban should be released tomorrow, and then we will be able to cast the charm in the evening.” He sat back, satisfaction evident on his face.

“That will not pose a problem,” Aurelia replied. “Master, may I ask you a question?”

“Certainly, Aurelia. I believe you have earned that right.”

She hesitated. “What do you plan to do with those who betray you?”

Voldemort hissed. “They will have a fate worse than death, Aurelia. Each of you knows the penalty for failure, and betrayal is even worse. I can of course rely upon you not to forewarn anyone?” he asked, the thinly veiled threat evident.

“I am shocked you even had to ask, master,” Aurelia replied with a confident smile. As soon as Voldemort departed though, she Flooed to Hogwarts. Dumbledore looked up startled from his desk as she stumbled out of the fireplace.

“Aurelia, my dear, are you alright?” he asked worriedly.

“Oh, fine, Uncle. I do need to speak to Severus before Lucius comes home and misses me though.”

Albus nodded. “He is in the dungeons preparing some Potions.”

Aurelia went as quickly as she could to see Severus. He whipped his wand out as she burst through the door, then sighed with relief as he saw who it was. “Aurelia, is something wrong?” he asked with a frown on his face.

“That depends on you, Severus. I do not have much time, but I believe I owe you at least this much. Tomorrow night, I will be casting charms upon the Inner Circle to ensure loyalty to the Dark Lord. If you are loyal to our master, you will have nothing to fear. If not, I suggest you leave now, but don’t you dare implicate me.” Without giving him a chance to reply she went straight home, and was barely settled back into their bed before Lucius walked in.

“Darling, I was thinking that it is perhaps time to discuss the names for our children,” he said as he slipped into the bed beside her.

Aurelia snuggled into his chest with a contented sigh. “Yes, I suppose you are right, my Lord. I am certain they will be here before we know it.”

Lucius gently massaged her shoulders as he spoke. “Do you have any inclination as to their sex yet? Witches often get a feeling that tends to be right.”

She moaned quietly as his hands began to drift down over her shoulders, still rubbing insistently. “In my mind, I think of them as one of each, darling.”

“In that case, do you have any objection to Ariadne and Gabriel?”

Aurelia smiled. “They sound perfect, Lucius. What about the middle names?”

He groaned with pleasure as he began to slip her clothing off. “Your choice entirely, darling, as is Malfoy tradition.”

“Guinevere and Sigmund, then –“ the rest of Aurelia’s reply did not get spoken, as Lucius began to kiss her neck and conversation was forgotten. Lucius teased her swollen breasts with his tongue, and as she writhed, he pulled the both of them off the bed and bent her over it. He made love to her tenderly, supporting the weight of her abdomen with his hands, and Aurelia was gratified that he still found her attractive even with the now advanced pregnancy.

By the time they Apparated to the Dark Lord’s side the next evening, Aurelia was feeling apprehensive. She did not doubt that she would be able to fulfil the Dark Lord’s request, but she was concerned for Severus. If he was disloyal, he was condemned to a life on the run until he was either captured by Voldemort, or Voldemort was defeated. Nevertheless, a small voice in the back of her mind kept reminding her of the possibility that he was loyal. If that were the case, Aurelia did not know how she would deal with it.

They fell into place in the circle, and Voldemort began to speak. “My most loyal followers,” he greeted them. “I have an unusual request for you tonight. You are all to remove your masks.” Eyes widened around the circle as they did as he said. Normally, Voldemort was insistent upon them not knowing the identity of all the others. “Do not fear, I have not gone mad,” he said with a high-pitched laugh. “By the end of tonight, I shall know who is loyal to me and those who are not will not be able to betray myself or you.”

Voldemort stepped forward and took Aurelia’s arm, and she took a deep breath before casting the time freezing charm again. Voldemort clapped with delight as the Inner Circle froze. “Excellent, Aurelia. Shall we begin?”

Aurelia nodded, and went over to Lucius’ side. She was certain of his loyalty, and was rewarded for her confidence as a golden glow settled around him as she cast the charm. She paused. “Is there any particular order you would like me to do the rest of the Circle in, master?”

He shook his head. “Just go around as you find them, Aurelia. You shall be well rewarded for this.”

Aurelia shuddered as she passed her wand over Bellatrix, but was not surprised when the golden glow shone around her as well. Finally, she reached Severus, and closed her eyes as she cast the charm. Voldemort spoke from behind her. “That is a pleasant surprise, I must say.”

She opened her eyes slowly to see the golden glow around him, and raised her eyebrows. “I must confess, master, I too am a little shocked. My uncle is so certain of his loyalty, I was beginning to believe it myself.”

Voldemort nodded. “Indeed. Severus is doing most excellently.” They moved on, and the last Death Eater they came to was Peter Pettigrew. Aurelia’s lip curled in disgust as she cast the charm. Pettigrew turned out to be the only Death Eater whose aura was not entirely gold; instead, it was streaked with red.

Voldemort frowned. “Well, it seems the rat has more substance than I gave him credit for.”

Aurelia bit her lip. Much as she detested Pettigrew for what he had done to the Potters, she suspected that no one deserved what Voldemort had in store for those who betrayed him. “What will you do to him, master?” she asked warily.

“I shall keep for him for now, I think. He is spineless enough to be easily manipulated, and he is useful for spying missions in his Animagus form.”

Aurelia inclined her head. “You know best, master. We shall have to keep a close eye on him, though.”

“You can have no doubt about that, Aurelia,” he replied coolly.

As Aurelia went to lift the time freezing charm, she halted and turned towards Voldemort. A thought had struck her. “Master, I cannot perform the charm upon myself. Are you going to do it?” she asked tentatively.

“No, Aurelia, I am incapable of performing it, even upon only one person,” he replied angrily, then forced himself to calm down. “I apologise. My weaknesses irritate me.”

“You have nothing to apologise for, master.”

“Thank you. No, I am certain I can trust you after all you have done for me, Aurelia. And after all, you know the penalty for disobedience, do you not? Not only would you lose Lucius and your children, I would have no hesitation in keeping you as my plaything and mother of my children. You would see no one other than me, and do nothing but please me.” He licked his lips. “In fact, I would rather enjoy that. You had best ensure you do nothing to displease me, Aurelia, for I shall have no hesitation in imposing the penalty.”

Aurelia shuddered. “You need not doubt me, master.”

When she and Lucius went to bed that night, Aurelia found that she could not sleep. The realisation that Severus was loyal to the Dark Lord had shocked her deeply, but even more troubling was the knowledge that she could not tell the Order of his true role. She was the only one not under Confido Fidelitas, so if they were to find out, Voldemort would know it had came from her. The penalty for that was too harsh to risk. All she could do was try to ensure that he did as little damage as possible. However, the twins had to be her priority.

Over the next month, it became clear to the entire wizarding world that Voldemort was back with a vengeance. Aurelia did not press Lucius for details on what he was doing, but she read the reports in the Daily Prophet and knew that Lucius was behind the majority of the attacks she read about. The Order lost two members in these attacks – Elphias Doge and Emmeline Vance – and Aurelia could not help but suspect Severus. Amelia Bones, Head of Magical Law Enforcement, was also murdered nastily. When the increasing Muggle attacks were added to the equation, it was incredible that Cornelius Fudge stayed in office for as long as he did. He had eventually been replaced in early August by a man called Rufus Scrimgeour, who had no ties to either the Order or the Death Eaters.

By the time that Lucius and Aurelia had decided to take Draco to Diagon Alley, the wizarding community was existing in a state of terror. Lucius was delighted by how well Voldemort’s plans were developing, and Aurelia was merely thankful that she and the twins were safely away from it. With little less than a month to go before the twins were to be born, this was the last time she would venture out before the birth, and already it was proving to be almost more trouble than it was worth. She was leaning heavily on Lucius as they walked down Diagon Alley, pausing every now and then as Draco darted into a shop. Lucius had wanted her to come, though, and Aurelia wanted to enjoy the wizarding as it was. She was positive that by the time the twins had been born, things would have irreparably changed.

Lucius and Aurelia stopped for a coffee whilst Draco did his personal shopping. Aurelia suspected that it was something to do with the mission he had been given by Voldemort, but there was nothing she could do about that today. Lucius helped her into a seat then sat down opposite her. She sighed with relief as she sunk into the chair, and Lucius leant across the table and gently kissed her.

“The next few months are going to be busy for us, my Lady,” he said affectionately. “How are you feeling?”

She closed her eyes and relaxed. “Tired, darling. I shall be glad when the babies are here in my arms and you are home with us.”

Lucius nodded. “Yes, I should be home for the entirety of the first month at least.” He sat back in his chair and smiled. “Who would have thought a few months ago that we would be here today, Aurelia?”

She returned his smile. Despite everything that had happened, she still loved Lucius deeply, and did not want to be anywhere but his side. When they had finished their coffee, Lucius pulled Aurelia to her feet and they went to search for Draco. Just as they located him near Knockturn Alley, Aurelia caught sight of a mass of red hair. She desperately attempted to hurry Lucius and Draco away, but was too late. Lucius put his hand on her stomach possessively, and Draco flanked her other side.