Nemesis

Lying on the bed Benedict looked at the ceiling of the bed, the dark green curtains folding neatly around the mahogany frame. She felt paralysed, her arms wouldn’t move and breathing was a struggle. Eyes fixed on a small fold of fabric she ignored the stinging feeling as her eyes dried from being open too long. Who cared anywho?

She had noticed food had appeared by her side several times now but she just didn’t bother eating, her stomach was hurting and so was her head but there were other things more important. She just couldn’t get her head around the things that Lucius Malfoy had said. Could it really be true? And then what had happened to Marcus, if that was her causing that, if she had that kind of powers she wasn’t sure she even wanted to…



-



Marcus was leaning over the desk in the office, both hands on the dark wood as he almost yelled at the wizard in front of him.



“I refuse… in case you didn’t see what she did to me but she nearly KILLED ME!”



Lucius glared at him coldly



“Your own fault boy, I told you not to interfere!”



“But you…”



Marcus’ voice trailed off as he raised himself up right, clenching his fists.



“She’s not eating and if she gives up on life there’s little we can do to save her, not to say nothing!”



Getting up Lucius walked around the desk



“You knew this would be a problematic stage, we knew the risk when taking this assignment!”



“But… being killed off by a little girl? She’s dangerous!”



Lucius smirked



“She’s a young woman and from what Ninsy told me happened in the Entrance Hall that evening, she didn’t use any curse when kicking you in the head!”



Marcus looked at him, dumbstruck.



“You know about..”



“Yes I know about that – I know anything that goes on in this house. Now forget your pride and go talk to her, it’s important for her to see that you’re ok!”



“OK?!? I felt … like a hand, reaching into my chest, trying to squish my heart!”



Lucius nodded.



“I know…. How do you think her father died?”



-



As the door opened Benedict wanted to see who it was but her body refused her command to sit up so she stayed still. Heading the gentle pads of feet walking across the room before he came into view, standing by the side of her bed and looking both uncomfortable and nervous. Marcus cleared his throat lightly, causing her to turn her head slightly, to look at him.

Seeing the tears well up in her eyes he sat down quickly, grabbing her cold hand, nervousness and the uncomfortable feeling long gone.



“No, please… it’s ok!”



He had been chocked to see her lying there, she hadn’t moved much since he saw her last time and that was several days ago, the house elves had changed her into a robe to make her more comfortable but dressed like that and being as pale as she was at the moment, she looked like a living dead.

As he helped her to sit up, he wrapped his arms around her, holding her tightly as the first gentle sobs were heard. Petting her hair he sighed.



“It wasn’t your fault… not even we knew it could be that powerful!”



Marcus pulled her out of the embrace and looked at her, her tear streaked cheeks, pale lips and dark bags under her puffy red eyes. Moving his hand to her face he sighed.



“You look like Hell!”



She couldn’t help but laugh and as she started, he followed. Moments later she had to stop to catch her breath, she felt now just how weak she had gotten. Marcus had stopped laughing as soon as she had, concern almost radiating from his face as he conjured a glass of milk out of thin air and pushed it into her hand as he said sternly;



“Drink!”



Looking at him she moved the glass to her lips, drinking the fluid slowly. Having not had anything but small sips of water she couldn’t remember anything tasting so wonderful and as soon as the glass was empty she handed it back to him with a weak;



“Thanks!”



As the glass disappeared again he gave her an intense glare while holding her chin with his hand.



“Don’t think about it – ok?”



Her smile faded as she nodded



“But I-“



“NO!”



She jumped, looking at his smiling face as he leaned forwards, placing a gentle kiss on her forehead. Returning the smile she sighed lightly as a plate of crackers and grapes appeared between them. Taking one of the lightly crunchy crackers she started nibbling on it slowly, laughing between bites as Marcus held his own competition in shoving as many crackers or grapes in his mouth at once as possible.

Sitting like that for what seemed like an eternity he finally spoke;



“Why the ring?”



She looked at him quickly with a puzzled look before looking down at her pale slender hands, focusing on the thin gold band around her ring finger.



“I …I dunno….”



Using her thumb to turn the ring around her finger she shrugged.



“It was my grandmother’s wedding ring … I guess wearing it reminds me of her…”



She looked at him, his face a bit pale but his eyes as deep and dark as always. A small smile spread as he took her hands in his.

Sighing she locked eyes with him



“I’m never going home am I?”



Looking down at their hands he slowly shook his head.



“No, I’m afraid not…”



Sighing deeply she felt her shoulders drop, like a heavy load had been placed there and as the silence lingered between them for the longest time she finally spoke again.



“Will I have to stay in this house my entire life?”



Smiling Marcus shook his head



“No, Mister Malfoy has actually planned a social event in London with some friends!”



She eyed him



“And I’m to come too?”



He nodded as a reply



“Meeting friends of his?”



He nodded again, leaving her open to think.



“What will I wear?”



Marcus laughed as he released her hands before placing a hand on the back of her head, pressing his forehead against hers.



“You think too much Ben!”



Rolling her eyes she released herself from his grip before pushing herself off the bed. Turning towards him she was nervously chewing her lip.



“And they will know about the curse as well am I right?”



Sighing Marcus slipped off the bed as well.



“Benedict, you’re here because of the curse in the first place and yes, they will know about it but they will try and help you wielding it so you can live normally!”



She gave a short laugh



“Ha! Normally? You’ve got to be kidding me!”



Crossing her arms over her chest she glared at him.



“I have to live in a world where I am an even bigger freak than I was in the previous one”



Marcus shook his head as he started to walk over to her.



“No sweetie, there are many even stranger people in this world!”



She cocked an eyebrow at him as he continued



“Vampires, werewolves, hags, centaurs and everything in between!”



She had started chewing her lip again as he placed his hands on her shoulders.



“To people you look perfectly normal but to those who know about the real you will fear you!”



Biting her lip harder she looked at him



“Who says I want to be feared?”



Marcus smirked at her



“Had you been a witch and had gone to Hogwarts, you would have been sorted into Slytherin!”



Slytherin? Trying to recall what Ninsy had told her, those long nights along in her room, about the wizard world, its community and schools etc. It was indeed a whole world, the magic playing an important role in the ruling and daily order along with the fact that it had to be kept completely secret to the muggles – people like her and still… not. Closing her eyes she could almost hear the high-pitched voice, the monolog filling out the long hours of the night when she had kept starring at the ceiling. She knew Lucius had been the one to tell the House Elf to do some tutoring but then again, it was nice to know a bit about the world she was venturing into. Slytherin – cunning and proud, only positive words were told about this house of Hogwarts, it was obvious that the Master of the House Elf made sure that his house was spoken about in a proud tone and only words who would compliment the students of this house. The other houses were pictured as a kindergarten of weakness.



She sent him half a smile.



“So when’s the gathering?”



As struck by lightning he turned deadly pale and his hand shot out to grab his left forearm, eye round and looking wild. Sending him a strange look she continued



“The meeting Mister Malfoy’s friends?”



She urged him to get what she was talking about. He could honestly not be so frightened by the thought of a social gathering. Watching him as he relaxed and the colour returned to his cheeks she eyed him as he spoke.



“Oh yes, well when Mister Malfoy returns we will know!”



“Ok”



She couldn’t help be a bit suspect about the way he reacted but he probably had his reasons and as he bid her a good night, he quickly left the room, closing and locking the door behind him. Outside in the hallway he rested against the door for a few moments, bringing a hand to his clammy face before walking off towards the library to wait for Lucius to return.



-





“My Lord!”



The white haired wizard kneeled, bowing his head and kissing the ring on the pale hand in front of him.



“I take it your plan had been set into work?”



“Yes Milord!”



“Excellent!”



The pale faced man returned to the throne in the middle of the room, running his black and red eyes over the hooded figures surrounding him before fastening them on Lucius’ face.



“Bring her to me when she’s ready!”



Lucius bowed deeply



“Yes Master!”



-



Reappearing in the study Lucius almost kneeled over as Marcus helped him off his robe. Clutching a hand to his side he dropped the broken pieces of what used to be his mask.

Placing a shaking hand on the mantelpiece he coughed, the taste of blood flavouring his mouth.

Conjuring a chair for the older wizard Marcus helped him to sit down, placing a goblet of healing potion in the hand free, the other one still clutching the side.



“Why?”



Lucius gave a sarcastic laugh



“When has He ever needed a reason?”



Marcus sighed



“I just thought-“



“Apparently not hard enough!”



He drank the goblet empty before leaning back into the chair with closed eyes.



“He wants the girl when she’s ready!”



Marcus hesitated but spoke anyway



“So the plan still sticks?”



Lucius opened his cold grey eyes, fastening them on the young man in front of him.



“Of course or she wouldn’t be alive!”



Clenching his jaws he merely nodded



“So is she eating again?”



Marcus nodded again, still staying quiet.



“Good, the party is on Saturday, make sure she’s ready for that!”



Sending him an angry glare he continued.



“You know of what I’m referring to!”



He nodded again with a:



“Yes Sir!”



Turning he left the room, not looking back a single time as Lucius waved his wand lazily and the mask flew into his hand, whole again.