Nicole Stevens: Roses and Mistrust

Nicole Stevens: Roses and Mistrust

Chapter Fifteen: Good Times Gone

When we last left our heroine...

Just as I was about to push open the door, it swung open. In the doorway was the formidable Mr. Malfoy.

Lucius had a cold grin on his face as he stood facing me. I was stunned for a second before I turned and ran back down the path.

"Stupefy!" I heard him shout. A blast of red light; I fell to the ground, unconscious.

==========

Harry sat bound in a chair. He was struggling to get out, but could not. His face was tearstained, and I wondered why. He looked up as I walked to him.

His brilliant green eyes showed joy as soon as he saw me. I knelt by his chair and began to fumble with the tight knots in the rope that bound his hands.

"What are you doing here? You can't be here. It's not possible," he muttered, though it sounded like he was GLAD that the impossible had happened.

"I don't know why I'm here. And of course I can be here. I am here, right?"

He laughed and nodded, all signs of tears forgotten. I smiled, as his laughter rang through the dungeon. It was good that he was able to laugh in such an awful situation.

"There! Your hands are free," I declared loudly after a few moments of silence. He brushed some strands of hair out of my face.

"So you're really here. I thought..."

"What did you think?"

"It's just after what I saw him do to you, I thought he'd...done something horrible," he said quietly.

"Who did what?" I asked confusedly.

"I thought Voldenmort had...killed you."

"Well, I suppose it's lucky he didn't, then. Don't you agree?"

"Yeah."

I began to untie the cords binding his ankles. They were very tight, and it took a lot of effort to get them undone. My cold fingers protested as I unknotted the stretched rope. Why were my fingers cold?

"All right, I've gotten your ankles untied. You can probably stand up now," I stated proudly. "It's no fun having to untie your boyfriend, didn't you know? I'd much rather be playing a good old game of American Soccer. And you?"

"I sure think so. Let's see if I can stand now, I'm not sure, but I think I've been here for about two days if my calculations are right, which they probably aren't, mind you."

Harry tossed off the old strips of rope and made to stand. He stumbled back, holding onto the stone chair for support. I grasped his upper arm to steady him. It seemed that he was very weak but from what?

"Do you think you can make it out?" I asked, worriedly.

"No," was his pained answer. "You can just go without me, it's okay. I don't care, just save yourself. I'm not the important one, not anymore, at any rate. I don't mind it in the least. Tell Dumbledore about all that happened, and he'll know what to do. He always knows what to do in these situations. He'll show you how to use your gifts, and you'll save the world." Harry made an effort to grin, but only managed a grimace of pain.

"No, Harry. You know I'm worthless as a hero."

"That's why you're not a hero. You're a heroine."

"Oh, great," I laughed, "I'm an illegal, addictive drug."

"That's not what I meant and you know it. Now go save the world like a good girl."

"But I'm not a good girl. And I can't save the world, that's your job." He shook his head with a weak laugh, and I continued, "It's true. You ARE the wizarding world's hero."

"It's a horrible burden."

"Which would be why you're giving the job? Wonderful, Harry. Now, seriously, we're getting out of here."

"No, you're going alone, like I said before."

"I will not."

"You will wake! Now! Giel must go fetch master, must tell him she won't wake. Master will not be pleased with miss. Not pleased at all. Must wake now, yes."

"Eh? What's happening so early? N-not fair. G-g-go away I'm tryin' to sleep you crazy p-p-person," I yawned incoherently.

"Might Giel suggest, miss, that you awake as master commands?" I sat up and looked down into the enormous, plate-sized, blue eyes of a house elf. I supposed that this must be Giel. Giel had long ears that flapped as he bobbed around, ordering me to get dressed. The small elf had a squeaky voice that rose to such a pitch that it was difficult to listen to.

"Giel, you say? Okay, Giel. Inform your master that until he tells me where I am and what I'm doing here, I'll stay in bed as long as I feel like, thanks."

"Master Malfoy will not be pleased with that, miss. Master Malfoy requires your audience now. Please arise and greet Master cordially; Master does not like to be kept waiting. He has been overly kind to you miss, in that he has supplied you with new clothes and a place to warm up. Were it not for him you would be--"

"Malfoy?" It clicked. Lucius Malfoy owned this benevolent, creature of service. Okay, benevolent was going a bit off the edge, but still, the elf hadn't been too unkind to me. "All right then, tell Master Malfoy that if he really needs my 'audience' then he can just come in here and discuss whatever it is with me in person."

"No need, Giel. I'm already here." I looked to the direction from which the voice came, and found myself staring directly into the cold grey eyes that belonged to none other than Draco. "Ah, it seems he has done his job well. You're awake now."

I during. The bed was low to the ground, and the walls were made of stone. No paintings or colorful tapestries hung from the walls, which made it redundant in the room. The floor was slate grey stone as well. Draco stood leaning against the doorframe. Oh no, it wasn't a doorframe. It was actually the open barred door of a cell. My mistake. This place was a dungeon. Ha, ha, it's a joke. Do you get it? It was a cell, and I...oh never mind.

"So where am I Master?" I asked, smirking. He walked over to me and commanded severely,

"Out, Giel!" The frightened house elf scurried away. "I do like the way that sounds, especially from you." His tone sent shivers up my spine. I shuddered and replied,

"Draco, where am I? You never answered my question."

"You happen to be in the same place as before, only in a different part of the castle. These are the--"

"Dungeons," I finished for him. "You know, Draco, I really couldn't have figured that one out on my own. What I really want to know is-"

"'Why am I here?' 'Why are you acting like this?' 'Why are you here?'" Draco supplied for me. "None of it is important. The real problem is how to--" I interrupted him.

"Get me to commit some terrible crime? Get me to confess to some terrible crime that I had nothing to do with? What?"

"No. What we, I, need to find out is how to convince you to commit to the Dark Lord's service."

"Ah, I see now. So where'd you take Harry? I suppose you just turned him in to Voldie the cross dresser. It would figure. You can't have me, so neither can Harry. You're lousy. You know that, right? It's really selfish of you, I must say. And, if you were to ask me, which I see you're not, then I'd say you're going about getting me to join forces with him the wrong way. Why don't you just cast an Imperius curse on me? It would be quicker, you know. Oh, but I don't suppose you're smart enough to use one of the illegal spells on me."

"Do not insult my intelligence, for I am smarter than you will ever be."

"Is that so? Well, I don't know, but to me it doesn't sound like you're yourself, if you understand." It was the truth, Draco had sounded different.

"Oh, well I do most sincerely apologize. It is not my problem. Miss Stevens, it is--"

"Miss Stevens?" I asked, hopping up from the bed and backing against the wall.

Draco came forward and placed one hand on each of my hips. I slammed my head back against the wall, my fright showing clearly. As Draco looked down into my eyes, I saw that the usual mischievous glint was absent. The only thing that could cause that effect would be one of the three unforgivable curses. This time, I figured it was the Imperius curse.

"You see how weak you are in comparison to me? It's pitiful. You can't fight me, because you're so weak. What are you going to do now? Try to push past me? It would be very stupid, as well as pointless. So you might then move to bribing. Still, it would be of no use. The only thing I want from you is your allegiance with the Dark Lord, nothing else. Now what are you going to do?" he hissed.

"How about if you let me go, I'll negotiate the terms with Voldemort? Will that do?" I offered sardonically.

"Yes, that will be fine. Follow me." He turned on his heel and strode quickly out of the cell. I shook my head distastefully, and determinedly went after him.

We walked for what seemed like ages. It might have been for five minutes, or five hours, but it seemed like forever to me. Draco set a quick pace, and I could barely keep up with his long strides. He paused for a couple of seconds to allow me to catch up before beginning again with an even faster stride. By the time we reached the door that Draco pointed to, I was sufficiently out of breath.

"What do we do now?" I wheezed in a hoarse voice.

"Wait." He knocked on the door three times wit his knuckles. It sounded painful to me, but Draco showed no signs that it was hurting him.

The door swung noiselessly open and Draco bowed me in. Voldemort was sitting with his feet propped up on the large mahogany desk that was situated in the middle of the large office. Lucius was standing off to one side, with a goblet in his hand, probably containing some type of strong wine.

I stepped into the room and immediately felt the temperature drop. I heard Draco's footsteps on the soft green carpet as he walked in and shut the door behind me. My feet sank nearly ankle deep into the plush carpet.

"Sit," Voldemort said. I mistakenly thought he was talking to me, and sat in one of the green, high-backed chairs in front of his desk. "I happened to be talking to Mister Malfoy," he told me, not removing his feet from the desktop, "but as you seem so keen to sit, you may stay where you are."

Draco took the chair next to me and Lucius came forward, waving his wand lazily at Draco. The boy blinked confusedly for a moment, before realizing the situation. He sat ramrod straight, and asked,

"What happened?"

"I had your father put you under the Imperius curse. It is not important. Now, I believe that you have come to negotiate. Am I correct Miss Stevens?"

"Not real--Actually," I caught myself and revised my answer to fit, "actually, I am here to negotiate. But, before we confer, I must have all of the information regarding my captivity, my boyfriend, and so on. So, if you might please explain?"

"Ah, most certainly. You wish to know how long you have been here, why you were brought here in the first place, and of course, your darling Harry's condition," he said in a falsely kind tone. "You have been here for nearly three days. On the first night, you fenced with Young Draco, and gazed into the orb. Early that morning, you managed to escape into the forest on the grounds. There we understand you met our Mister Potter. Draco brought him back here, and you were caught by Lucius. He stunned you, and you were unconscious for the rest of the time. I supposed that it would be better not to wake you, so as not to have you trying to escape again.

"As for your boyfriend, when he arrived, we dueled, as you predicted. I won and tied him, putting him in one of the most protected cells. We have...decided that it would be best for him to see you one last time. His cell, for the time being, is one of the Circulus de Lumière. It is a complex charm that encages the subject in bars of light. Later, I might move him to a separate room, but for now, the safest place for him is in the Circulus de Lumière.Â

''Well, if that is all you need to know--''

"It isn't. I also need to hear what the plans are for the future. What are you going to do with Harry? What am I to do here?"

"Of course. You will join forces with me, and look into the crystal ball when I need you to. It will not require self sacrifice, but--"

"In the end, Harry is going to be killed. Correct?"

"Yes. At the end, he will die. Are we agreed on the terms?" he asked.

"I haven't had enough time to think about it. But, first--"

"If I may interrupt?" Draco inquired. The Dark Lord nodded curtly and Draco continued, "I was wondering if I might be excused? There is some business that I must attain to."

"Yes."

"Thank you, milord," and with that last farewell, he exited out of the room swiftly.

Had it not been for a strange suspicion that Draco was going to go comfort Harry, I would have told Voldemort to move Harry into a different room, out of the Circulus de Lumière.

"This is the complete truth?" I asked suspiciously.

"I would swear on my father's grave."

"All ri--Wait, let me ask you something. Is there anything that would stop you from killing Harry?"

"No."

"So long as I am given my wand back, I agree to the terms," I accepted.

"Very good. Lucius, please go and tell the other Death Eaters of this. Miss Stevens shall have free access to the entire castle once she has been initiated. Inform them that the Initiation ceremony will be in half an hour; we shall meet in the second hall. Go fetch Jade and Annalise, and bring them to me."

"Yes, of course, milord." Lucius swiftly went out the door.

"Now, you must have a change of clothes. Once the others arrive, they shall take you to get a fresh wardrobe. Does this satisfy you?"

"Yes," I lied. I took no pleasure in the thought of spending five minutes--much less half an hour--with the Malfoy girls. But there was nothing to be done about it.

A knock on the door signaled Lucius's return with his nieces. The door swung forward, revealing the girls and their uncle. The term 'uncle' used for Lucius Malfoy gave me shivers.

"Follow them," Voldemort told me. I nodded and did as he said.

Lucius left the girls, presumably to go tell the Death Eaters about my supposed agreement. I hurried out the door with Draco's cousins. Jade looked curiously at me before deciding to speak.

"So, you're the new recruit, are you?" Without waiting for me to answer, she began talking again. "Did you know that you really don't look like the type to agree to become a Death Eater? It surprised me that you didn't try to resist. Not that I think you made the wrong choice, or anything," she continued after a reproving glance from her sister, Annalise.

"Well, maybe you shouldn't judge people before you get to know them. I surprise many people. And I have my reasons for not trying to argue."

Annalise shot a curious glance at me, saying, "I know Jade should not judge people like she does. She knows it too, but chooses to ignore the fact. Our lord has had problems with her in the...past. It is no matter, however. Jade has learned to be quiet when the need be. I have not had problems with our lord, despite my sister's ramblings. In fact, I shall soon be promoted in rank," she said with an air of importance.

"She believes that by associating with you, our lord will take notice and promote her. It shall not happen, no matter how much she wishes it were otherwise," Jade whispered.

"Liar! Uncle says that he will show our lord my usefulness in the field," Annalise returned, tossing her silvery hair over her shoulder.

"The field?" I inquired carefully, being sure not to sound too conspicuous.

"The field of the Dark Arts; when we are called upon to show our faithfulness to our lord, of course. Though, you most likely would not know of that. It is one thing you will learn at the ceremony," Jade answered.

"Oh, yeah--I mean yes," I quickly chastised myself for letting my real self out.

"You might want to improve your speaking skills. Our lord, though very forgiving, is also extremely proper. He refuses to have coarse dialogue used by any of his servants." I nodded and looked around me at the hall we were currently walking down. I had not noticed where my feet were taking me as I chatted with the girls.

"How old are you two?"

"I am fourteen, turning fifteen on the thirteenth of September. And Annalise is--"

"Seventeen going on eighteen, I will be eighteen on the thirteenth of December."

"You're both born on thirteenths? How odd." I mused at what it would be like.

"Yes, our parents, Rheanna DeNuit and Leander Malfoy," she informed me, "thought so too. Ah, here we are! You look to be about my sister's size," Annalise said. "We have plenty of clothes. We practically moved here for break; we go to Beauxbatons, and they let out early," She explained, as the door we were standing at swung open. Annalise showed me inside, before they both came after me.

The furnishings were lavish in this roon. The plush carpet was much like that of the office, and I sank ankle-deep into it yet again. The carpet was deep purple, and it was all I could do not to bend down to feel the softness under my fingers. I looked at the walls, which were of a deep, royal blue. A bed was placed in the center of the room, and its bedcovers matched the beautiful decorations in the room.

Annalise waved her hand at the large wooden wardrobe against the wall, and called loudly, "Size seven, height: five feet, three inches, shoe size: six and a half." Its doors swung forward, revealing an extensive wardrobe. I started to scan its contents, looking for the perfect dress.

"Aha! Perfect." The one I had chosen was a majestic amethyst color. It was styled much like Annalise's; low cut, stiff bodice, silver brocade, and a large flowing skirt.

"Right, that one will be gorgeous for the ceremony. We'll leave you now. There's a small sandwich on the dresser for you. I shall be back in five minutes. There are some cosmetics on the table over there," she pointed to the dresser, "and be sure to use them. It does not do to look plain. Especially not for your initiation." I nodded as they left me.

I tossed my clothes carelessly onto the bed, and slipped on the large dress. Its skirt swooshed as I walked over to grab a matching pair of shoes. Gently removing the now tattered high heels, I slid my small feet into the new heels. They fit nicely and I grinned, choosing to put off what I would have to do later.

I began to apply a bit of light pink blush, with lavender and white eye-shadow. For my lips, I used dark red lipstick that dried and looked very nice. I remembered Annalise's somber words; It does not do to look plain. Little did I know how long I would bear in mind her advice.

Quickly wolfing down the miniscule sandwich, I brushed my hair. Once I was positive that I was ready, I tried my best to be confident, and stalked proudly over to the door, and threw it open. Annalise was waiting outside, with an air of smug importance. I raised an eyebrow and demanded,

"Why are you in such a good mood?" It came out more harshly than I had intended, but Annalise was obviously too proud of herself to care.

"Uncle has convinced our lord to promote me. I am now one of the top servants. My new duties are to help you, informing you of the customs and much else. I was very fortunate."

"Might you now tell me what my rank will be?" I wondered, more because I wanted to know how much slack I would be given. Depending on how important I was it might be easier for me to escape from the castle. But what about Harry?

"Oh, you do not even know that? Well, I cannot say that it surprises me, but...I expected you to be proud of yourself. After all, you are only one place beneath our lord himself. In fact, he expects to conquer the wizarding world with you at his side. You are actually more of an accomplice and informant than a servant, it really all depends on what our lord decides."

"Eh? I'm supposed to be an informant? That wasn't in the deal! Argh, one day that evil, egotistical, maniacal, such-and-such is going to get what's coming for him, and I hope that I'm the one who delivers his punishment..."

"I suggest that you do not tell our lord of your...dislike of him. I suppose he knows of it already, but I doubt he will tolerate it. Manners matter to him and--"

"Oh, can I find that stitched on a pillow somewhere? I'm betting your local grocery shop should have it. Now let's see, which section would it be in; do YOU know?" I asked sarcastically. I expected Annalise to blow up in a rage, and then strangle me, but certainly not what she did next. She burst into tears.

"I'm s-s-sorry! I d-d-didn't--" sniffle "--mean to offend you, Milady. It w-w-won't happen ag-again. I promise!" I cringed at her pleading tone. She had called me Milady, just as Draco had called Voldemort Milord. I shivered and stopped walking abruptly.

"You will STOP crying this INSTANT! I command you to stop crying. Right now! Don't call me Milady or Miss or Mistress, because I'm not any of those. Ignore titles altogether. Just say 'Hey, you' if that's how you want to address me. I'm not offended, I was just angry. Not at you, of course, but at the whole situation. Now, if you would please just--"

"Nicole! I mean Milady, I uh, I um, look," I turned behind me to see Draco sprinting up the hall towards me. "I'm sorry. I didn't realize that they had put me under the Imperius curse. I apologize, Milady."

"Oh, not you TOO? Ugh, call me by my NAME for Christ's sake! What is WITH you people!? I'm not Milady, I'm not Miss, I'm just Nicole!!!! My name is Ni-freaking-cole!!! Ni-Cole! Get it?" Draco nodded strangely and I smoothed back my hair and caught my breath before saying in a dignified voice, "Okay, now, what were you rambling about?"

"Erm, I was apologizing. I was just down in the--"

I shook my head sharply and replied slowly, "It's not important. I KNOW already. Don't TALK about IT. People might get SUSPICIOUS, which they needn't be," I assured Annalise, who was busily wiping her eyes on the hem of her skirt.

"Ah, Milady--"

"NICOLE!!!" I shouted, spinning angrily to face the speaker. I lowered my eyes when I saw that it was Rayne. "Um, sorry. I just can't stand being called that."

"Quite alright, but your presence is needed in the second hall, if it pleases you for it to be so. Might I suggest going to meet your fellows?"

"Yeah--Yes, I was just on my way...became sidetracked. Nothing to worry about, a little squabble is nothing to start World War Three over. Now we'll just be heading downstairs." Rayne agreed and hurried back the way he had just come.

Draco looked at Annalise, with her mascara running in black smears down her face. "Go wash up. You won't be late. And I'll make your excuses if you are." She nodded quickly and ran away.

"So, you went to talk with Harry?" I queried as soon as she had rounded the corner.

"How did you...?"

"Simple, I have weird dreams and I can look in crystal balls. What more do you need?"

"Not much. Harry told me to just take you back to school, but I can't. I CAN'T. It's not possible, but I can't see how else you're going to get out of here," he said worriedly.

I took his hand in mine and our fingers interlaced. "I know, but at least I'm not alone, unless you're going to abandon me, of course. You're not, right?"

"No. I promise I won't," Draco guaranteed, squeezing my hand for comfort.

"Then let's go and see how I'm to go about running away." And with that, we went down to what I would later remember as simply Initiation.

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

"Come forward, Nicole Stevens. To join, you must pass a series of tests. The tests are simple. Whatever I say, you do. That includes everything from enduring a curse to casting a curse and more. First, you must succumb to a Cruciatus curse."

I flinched, however slightly. I knew it would hurt. Hurt. Painfully. Ow.

"Now," Voldemort pulled his wand from the folds of his robes and directed it at me, "Crucio!" I fell to the ground on my knees. I screamed, allowing some of the pain to flow out of me. My dress gave some swooshes of protest at making contact with the floor. It pooled around me and I fell sideways, so that I was not lying completely on the floor. The only sound in the entire hall was my screaming. I soon gave up hope of ever being free of this terrible pain. Suddenly, it stopped, and I was left lying silently on the floor. Voldemort's red eyes glared down at me from his position in the middle of the circle of Death Eaters.

I forced myself into a kneeling position, and then to stand. My knees shook, but the skirt of my dress concealed that fact, for which I was thankful. I wiped my eyes free of their tears of pain, and raised my gaze to the Dark Lord's. He was looking extremely pleased.

"Very good. Now," he paused for a moment before pointing a long finger at Draco, "come into the center, young Draco. This will be useful for when it comes time for your own test." Voldemort handed me a wand, which I immediately recognized as my own. "Now you will perform the same curse on the boy. If you perform it well, then I will be pleased, if you do not, or choose not to do it, then I will be forced to lock you up with that piteous boyfriend of yours."

Draco stepped into the middle of the circle with Voldemort and me. He looked as well as always, as he was not showing any signs of fear or nervousness. I, on the other hand, was very apprehensive about casting an illegal curse on one of my friends. Especially since I was unsure of my skills. If I failed this, I was not going to be alive, nor would Harry have any hope.

"Yes, milord," I choked uneasily. I cautiously waved my wand at Draco and called out, "Crucio!"

To my utmost surprise, Draco fell to the floor silently. He was in the same position as I had been, and I flinched when I heard a moan escape his lips. Voldemort kept his eyes, not on Draco, but on me. His gaze burned the back of my neck, as he circled around us like a wolf stalking his prey. I frowned sadly as Draco seemed to give up, lying on the cold stone floor on his side. Yet he did not scream. His pride would never allow him to accept defeat.

"Very well, you may cease."

I nodded gratefully, and lowered my wand to my side. Draco rotated his shoulders and stood. His grey eyes looked directly into mine, and I saw that he forgave me. It reassured me to know that he would hold no grudge against me. With him on my side, my chances of survival were much greater.

"So, you have passed the first two tests. Now we have a third, unique test that was designed especially for you. Bring the boy in!" he called to no one in particular.

Rayne came out, dragging a reluctant Harry out by the wrists. The circle parted, giving Harry a full view of me. I stood frozen in the center, unable to move for the uneasy feeling in my stomach. Harry saw me and jerked Rayne sideways in a futile attempt to get over to me. Rayne did not react in kind to his escape attempts, instead of allowing Harry to come stand by me, he returned Harry's sharp tug. My boyfriend stumbled, looking murderously at the black-haired vampire. Rayne grinned coldly and began pulling Harry into the center of the Death Eater ring.

"The third test is designed to test your endurance. Crucio!" The sudden attack was unexpected. Unlike I had thought, the curse was directed at me. I fell forward on my knees, flinging my hands out to break my fall. Not that it mattered; the pain was so intense anyway.

I cried out one syllable, help, yet I knew it was no use. I could hear Harry yelling at Voldemort to stop. Then, I heard laughing both from the crowd of Death Eaters, Draco excluded, and from Voldemort. Finally, the pain stopped, and all I heard was my own sobbing.

"Get up," the Dark Lord whispered dangerously. I trembled as I forced myself to stand. "Take the boy away."

Rayne wrenched Harry backwards, toward the door through which they had entered. I heard Harry's desperate pleas, trying to convince him to let me free. Voldemort only laughed harder, as the Death Eaters sneered rudely. I clutched my stomach, and tried not to wretch up the small snack I had had earlier.

As Harry was dragged away, I heard one phrase my mother had always told me when I had been feeling down, the good times will always come again.

Not for me, I thought bitterly. The good times are gone.