Nemesis

Out in the hallway Marcus kept walking, ignoring the girl fighting to get down but as he started walking down the stairs she stopped fighting and relaxed a bit. In the Entrance Hall he slid her off his shoulder, placing her back on her feet before looking at her flushed face. Her eyes were cold and hard, her red hair all fallen out of her hair band and as she moved a hand to brush the hair out of her eyes he crossed his arms over his chest, smiling. Looking her over he couldn’t believe that this was the girl that was so important that they had worked long nights and overtime, so much planning to …



“What’s your problem?”



She hissed, making him snap out of his little world of thoughts. Before he could reply she had spotted the main doors behind him and when meeting her eyes for a split-second he saw her intentions. Reaching out to grab her before she did something stupid she dodged under his outstretched arms. Having played Quidditch for so many years his reflexes were fast as lightning and he caught her between his side and his arm. As she fell to the floor after tripping over his leg, he quickly kneeled down, trying to grab her arms as a kick hit the side of his head followed by a pair of feet straight in the chest.



-Merlin she’s fast-



Benedict blessed her sensei with all her heart as she rolled onto her feet. Bolting towards the doors she felt a rush of safety as she placed a hand on the door handle but twisting it didn’t open the door and there was no keyhole.



Turning she saw the man getting to his feet. If he had known the door had been locked then why had he tried to stop her? He was now on his feet and was walking towards her, a stick in his hand. Eyeing the piece of wood she frowned.



“What are you people?”



Marcus smiled



“I’m a wizard!”



He said like it was the most normal thing in the world. She didn’t look surprised nor scared and chewing her lip it was obvious that she was thinking hard, trying to get used to the thought.



“A wand eh?”



She nodded towards his hand holding it. He nodded



“Yes!”



As he was now standing only a few feet away she leaned against the large oak door. Crossing her arms over her chest she spoke again.



“It was you wasn’t it?”



Questioning he looked at her



“You were the one…”



She stopped for a moment, searching for the right word, then continued



“.. the one who abducted me from the hallway outside my work?”



He nodded, noticing that she now had narrowed her eyes, measuring him.



“I’ve seen you somewhere before!”



He gave a short laugh



“Yes, I must confess…”



She snapped her fingers, pointing at him with an enlightened look



“You were in the arcade a few times!”



He laughed again, nodding.



“Guilty!”



Watching her face as a flash of hurt crossed it she sighed



“Why am I here? What do you people want from me?”



Hesitating he looked at her, taking a few breaths before placing his wand back in his pocket.



“Lucius was going to explain that but I guess things… went a bit out of control”



It was now her time to laugh



“And ‘Lucius’ would be the bad-tempered tosser with the white hair?”



Marcus looked serious all of a sudden



“Mister Malfoy is a highly respected wizard and he is very powerful”



Rolling her eyes she groaned as she rubbed her forehead



“This is all too much, I need a smoke and a drink!”



Giving half a smile Marcus motioned for her to follow and as they walked down the corridor by the stairs he asked



“A smoke?”



She cocked an eyebrow at him



“A cigarette!”



He thought for a second before



“Oh yes, the small white things you light with fire before breathing through them!”



She nodded with a laugh



“Yes and speaking of those, I had mine in my bag but where is it?”



“In your room”



“Oh man…”



She groaned by the disappearing hope of getting one. Marcus smiled before pushing a door open, revealing another room decorated in an old but classical style. She looked at him as he motioned for her to enter.



The room was large, but not an office like the last one she’d been in. By the far end wall there was a huge four poster bed with deep forest green curtains, the window to the left of the bed was showing a black sky, no moon and no stars. To the right of the bed there was a door leading God knew where.



Standing in the doorway she noticed her bag on the bed and crossing over she picked it up, turning to face the dark-haired with a puzzled look.





“But you said…”



He nodded



“Yes!”



Shaking her head she grabbed her cellphone out of the bag



“No signal… DAMMIT!”



Throwing it back into her bag she turned and looked at him.



“I’m not staying here, you’ve got to be barking mad!”



Pulling her bag over her shoulder she strode towards the door, almost bumping into him as he stepped in her way.



“Move!”



She sneered but he merely looked at her



“And where would you go?”



“Home!”



Shaking his head he closed the door behind him.



“You have no place in that world anymore. To them you’re dead!”



His eyes were cold as she starred into them, she didn’t doubt that this was real.



“But I want my family, my friends and my my life… you cannot just take them away from me like this..”



At this point she started crying, banging her fists on his broad chest a few times. Not exactly sure what to do he merely wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into an embrace.

Sobbing against his chest, she hiccupped before pushing him away, turning and walking back to the bed, slumping onto it, her arms over her head.



Marcus signed before quietly leaving the room, closing and locking the door behind him he turned and headed towards the stairs.



-



A faint knock on the door before entering Marcus looked around the room before spotting Lucius standing by the fireplace, a drink in his hand.



“You’re sure she’s the right one?”



“Yes, she fits the description and by the look of her family…”



“I know!”



He snapped as he slammed his fist down hard on the mantelpiece.



“But if she’s not or she cannot learn to control the curse, I cannot wait to kill her!”



Marcus looked at him for a few seconds, the memory of getting kicked in the head followed by the one in the chest made him that it would be a waste just to kill her off.

Suddenly noticing the older wizard looking at him he cleared his throat.



“Where is she?”



“In her room, probably sleeping…”



Lucius nodded



“Go to bed, it’s going to be a long day tomorrow!”



Marcus nodded before turning and leaving the room, looking back for a short second before closing the door behind him.

Lucius swung the Brandy around the glass while starring into the fire



“This could be a problem!”



-



In his bed Marcus looked at the curtains surrounding his bed for hours before finally falling asleep.



-



Lifting her head of the bed before opening her eyes, Benedict sat up noticing that she was still fully dressed. She only had to look at the bedspread to know she wasn’t home and the memories of the night before hit her like a brick wall. Hiding her face in her hands she heard the door open and looking up she saw Marcus enter, closing the door behind him.



“Get cleaned up and changed, Mister Malfoy is expecting you in the library!”



She got to her feet, watching him wave his wand and the curtains closed themselves, turning the room dark, only lit by a few candles.

Walking over to the large wardrobe he opened the doors before turning to face her.



“The clean clothes are here, fresh towels in the bathroom through that door!”



He pointed at the door closest to the bed



“Don’t be long!”



With that he turned and headed to the door again



“Wait!”



He stopped and turned slowly



“I don’t even… I mean, what’s your name?”



“Marcus… Flint!”



He answered shortly before slipping out the door and closing it behind him. Left alone in the room Benedict walked over to the wardrobe, flipping through the selection of grey skirts, crisp white shirts, cloaks and robes. Scoffing she opened the drawers in the bottom, seeing knee long socks, underwear, sweaters and slip-overs. Groaning she turned her back on it and walked to the door behind which she now knew the bathroom would be.

Opening the door she gasped in ave. The bathroom was huge, luxurious and bright, there was a shower niche to her left, a large lowered tub under the huge window in front of her and to her right several sinks with large mirrors over and cupboards under. Closing the door behind her she went looking for the towels in the cupboards, finding them she was tempted to running a bath but he had told her to hurry…

Instead she turned on the water in the shower and waiting for it to get warm she stripped all of her clothes off, dropping them on the floor.



“What the hell?”



The clothes simply disappeared, sank through the floor or something and as she kneeled down, running a hand over the smooth warm surface she could find no sign of it being a trick.



“Wicked!”



She smiled, though a bit worried, her jeans were bran new.

Jumping in the shower she enjoyed the warm and cleaning feeling of the water as she picked up a bottle of body wash taking a deep breath through her nose as the lavender smell filled the niche. Her favourite.

Out of the shower she dried herself off, wrapping a towel around her hair and one around her body, eyeing the spot where her clothes had disappeared one last time before returning to the main room. Almost screaming out loud as she spotted a small creature in the middle of the room, it had large bat-like ears, huge eyes and was dressed in what looked like a dirty kitchen towel. When seeing her it instantly threw itself on the floor.



“What the hell are you?”



Not really expecting an answer she was surprised when hearing a high-pitched voice answering her question.



“Ninsy is a houseelf and here to say that Master is waiting for the girl!”



“What girl? … oh… me… right!”



Nodding she hurried over to the wardrobe, pulling out a skirt, a shirt, socks and some underwear. Turning to the small creature she spoke.



“Would you mind waiting outside?”



Shaking its head to hard its ears were flopping against its cheeks it squeaked.



“No, sorry, Ninsy cannot leave until girl leave with her!”



Benedict groaned



“Right then… turn around so I can get dressed!”



As the creature did what it was told she dropped the towel, putting on underwear and a bra, slipping into a skirt and shirt she cursed because of the buttons which took ages to button, putting on a slip-over. Pulling on a pair of socks she looked round, finding her converse shoes and putting them on. Walking back into the bathroom she pulled the towel of her head, shaking it to try and manage her hair. Running a hand through it she opened a few drawers before finding a hair band and a comb. Pulling her hair into a short ponytail she retrieved her mascara and eyeliner from her bag, putting it on. Sighing she looked at herself in the mirror for a few seconds.



“Better get this party started then!”



Back in the bedroom she looked at the small creature.



“I look alright?”



Watching as the being looked her over, several times starring at her shoes it sighed



“Oi!”



As the house elf turned to leave Benedict thought of something and rushed over to her bag, pulling out a cigarette and lighting it before chasing after the creature that was now waiting just outside the door.

Following it down the corridor she took a few deep inhales, her nerves were outside her clothes and what hideous clothes they were. Great quality, nothing there but Benedict was NOT a skirt-girl and the last time she wore a white shirt… she couldn’t even remember. Finishing the cigarette as they walked up the stairs she dropped the bud into a huge flowerpot. It hadn’t helped much, she was still nervous.



As the door was pushed open and the small creature bowed so low its pointy nose touched its toes Benedict stepped in, looking at the two men standing there.



Lucius turned as the door opened, seeing the girl and Ninsy enter. Glaring at the house elf one time she vanished, back to taking care of her duties. He walked closer to the girl, looking her over his eyes stopped at her shoes. Behind him he heard Marcus snigger and as he sent him a glare over his shoulder all he got in return was a smirk. That bloody boy had won the bet. Looking at her face he groaned when seeing the black make up. That had cost him another 100 Galleons. Grabbing her right hand and pulling up the sleeve he saw her variety of black and red bracelets and the rubber-band. As she pulled her hand out of his he turned and walked back to Marcus, pulling out his pouch and paying the man 300 gold coins.



“Right… you win!”



Sitting down at his desk he motioned for her to sit down in the chair from the night before, eyeing her as she moved over she gave him a dirty glare before sitting down, nervously pulling at her skirt to make it hide her knees. He smirked.



“Ok, let’s begin!”



Pulling out some papers he looked at her



“You’re going to pay attention now!”



It was not a question, it was an order and he was pleased when she didn’t say anything, then again, Marcus had a firm grip on her shoulder.



“You know what ‘nemesis’ means?”



Shrugging her shoulder in an attempt to get Marcus to let go she nodded but still didn’t say anything.



“Good because you are a nemesis or rather – a barer of the nemesis curse!”



Watching her eyes grow wide and one eyebrow being cocked



“Say what?”



Lucius glared at her but didn’t see any need to say anything about her being insolent as Marcus tightened his grip on the poor girl’s shoulder, making her wince with pain. He continued;



“Let’s look at the list…. From your old class in primary school 5 of your 9 classmates, who tormented you, are in hospital, psyc. ward, 2 are dead, 1 missing and the last one caught in a marriage which is violent that she cannot get out of. From high school there were only 2 but both of them are dead!”



Starring at him in disbelief he ignored it and continued.



“One of your ex boyfriends was injured in a carcrash, paralysed and bed bound, another one was kidnapped when serving as a volunteer in a 3rd world country and is living with daily torture, then we have one who committed suicide and one who lost his family in a fire”



Marcus could now feel the girl shaking under his hand and felt a sting of pity as Lucius continued.



“A man who insulted you one night at work, got hit by a car when going home that night, a girl from a party who spilled her drink on you, got raped on the way home and the list goes on…. “



Pausing he noticed her white knuckled fists



“Your family… father’s dead, nan is sick and will die soon too, mother in a wheelchair and sister going towards a mental breakdown!”



Hearing him talk like that about her family made her stomach turn, she seriously thought she was going to be sick and bending over she found out she was right.

Marcus took a step back but since the girl had not eaten since the day before the mess was close to nothing and it was gone with the wave of a wand. Lucius was now standing, hands placed on the desk and a cruel smirk on his lips as he conjured a glass of water which he handed to her.



Benedict took the glass, taking a few cautious sips before placing it back on the desk, pushing herself out of the chair she walked towards the fireplace, shaking she placed a hand on the mantelpiece. Marcus opened his mouth to speak but one warning glare from Lucius made him stay quiet.



Lucius continued



“So you see – we just saved your world from you!”



Gasping she dropped to the floor, hiding her face in her hands as she sat there, shaking violently Marcus turned to Lucius.



“Is it necessary to ..”



Lucius nodded



“Only way to get her to work with us!”



As the first faint sobs were heard Marcus walked over, kneeling down and placing a hand on her shoulder, Lucius too late to stop him as the dark haired spoke.



“It’s going to be ok!”



Exploding she screamed at him



“NO – IT’S NOT!”



What happened next was a surprise to both wizards as Marcus was hurled backwards, landing flat on his back and one hand clutching the left side of his chest. Benedict screamed and backed herself into the corner between the fireplace and a bookcase, sobbing and with her knees pulled to her chest. Lucius moved quickly to Marcus’ side, kneeling down and watching as the young man’s breathing became more regular and the pain disappeared from his now pale face.

As he sat up both wizards looked at the girl now dissolved in tears, Marcus coughing as Lucius smiled.



“Yes indeed – she is the one!”