Through the Eyes of a Dragon

The Agony Of Remembrance

Carmen Pendragon lay on her her restless gaze watching the light of her candles flicker against the ceiling. Her mind was swarming with thoughts of the previous years and all that had happened. She started off by plucking the first of a very large succession of thoughts. Oh yes... that memory that she tried to keep locked up so tight in the bowls of her mind that not even the Head Goblin at Gringotts could retrieve it. This was the memory of her father first telling her she was betrothed to Draco Malfoy. She had backed away from her father as if he had just used one of the Unforgivable Curses on her. She had shut her eyes to get away from the realization that her freedom to love had been handed away to the most treacherous, thieving and darkened souled family in the wizarding world. She thought on that for so long that she didn't even know the hot tears had streamed down her face in an endless precession. Never before that moment had Carmen thought her father's love for her faltered even a millimeter, but her dreams of falling in love with her wizarding prince had been shattered. Her mother held her close that night until she had fallen into the deepest sleep possible, yet not even sleep could stop the steady flow of tears down her crimson-tinted cheeks. Cepheus had assured his wife that this was for the best and in a joking manner said:

"If in doubt she can always transfigure Draco into a bird or snail then get remarried!"

Cassiopeia had found that far from funny and verbally lashed at him until well into early morning.

Carmen was now thirteen and in a month would be starting her third year at Hogwarts.

"Ah me..." she sighed forcefully, though a slight hint of happiness could be found within it.

The next thought that she yanked out was of when she riding on the Hogwarts Express. Carmen sat on the cushioned bench next to a girl named Hermione Granger, who Carmen didn't know at the time would be a fellow Gryffindor. Not only would Hermione be a valued friend, but a fierce adversary in the field of academics. Carmen didn't mind though, she rarely passed up a good challenge whether it be in academics, finding an object or riding through a dressage test. She also shared the compartment with a boy named Neville Longbottom, whom had a strange tendency to forget things. Carmen relished their company, for she didn't know if they would be in the same house. Those fears however were set-aside at the Sorting Ceremony once they arrived at Hogwarts. She watched as Hermione was sorted into Gryffindor, but her heart stopped and her blood that had been lukewarm ran as an icy stream through her veins. Draco Malfoy had been called to be sorted and the only terrifying thought that ran around her mind was that... this is the boy that I'm destined to marry.

"Won't take the Sorting Hat long to place THAT snake where he belongs..." Carmen had heard a bright, redheaded boy say.

He indeed been right, about the second the hat had been placed upon his neatly slicked back blonde hair it shouted the name of the most loathed and feared house.

"Slytherin!"

More children went, including the boy who had made the comment, which she found to be Ronald Weasley. He had been sorted into Gryffindor along with the rest of the litter of Weasleys.

"Harry Potter!"

What? She had thought. Her ears were burning, longing to hear that name again.

"Is it possible?! Did I hear right?" she'd whispered to herself.

Her eyes glued to the skinny boy with unkempt hair and dazzling green eyes that looked over the crowd as he took his seat on the stool. The whole student body and faculty stayed unbearably silent as the hat and Harry conversed secretly together on which house Harry would be placed in...

"Gryffindor!"

The screams and applause that commenced after that one word seemed to die as The-Boy-Who-Lived started toward his house table. At least it did to Carmen as he passed by her; she caught another glimpse of those brilliant eyes and they looked as if they were smiling at her. Then he said swiftly but as gently as a feather falling to the ground.

"Good Luck!"

Carmen had nodded to him courteously then turned her dazed attention back to the rest of sorting. It seemed like eternity until her name was called, but as she thinks about it now she went through sheer agony when it was finally shouted. A respectable new witch had been place in Ravenclaw and the hands where still clapping when it happened.

"Carmen Pendragon!"

Such an instant hush and stillness hadn't overthrown everyone since Harry Potter had been called. Carmen gulped back a wad of saliva that took its graceful time sliding down her throat as she began her slow, seemingly endless, trudge to the Sorting Hat. If Carmen hated the silence before then she hated it ten...no one hundred times worse now! Not only was everyone silent as stone, but also they were frozen just like ice!! And all their eyes... thousands of pairs of eyes settled on every square inch of her as she sat. She inhaled deeply and the air entered as sharp thorns that pierced the tender skin of her throat and caused the knot in her stomach to twist this way and that and grow larger. The hat fit snuggly onto her golden crown and began to whisper quietly into her mind.

"A Pendragon... such a long time since I've felt this powerful blood. Not even Cepheus seemed this difficult! Now then, let us begin... sdom, a great quantity of that, courage, you could use a bit more but not bad..."

He went on and when he asked questions she answered appropriately. Just when she thought those thousands of eyes were going to burn right through her the hat had made his decision. She argued with herself before he announced it.

(He's putting me in Ravenclaw. No! Hufflepuff, I specifically remember him saying compassion and kindness were overloading! Wait...oh no! Merlin please no! Slytherin! I know it; he's going to put me in that house that greasy haired, Muggle-hating, king of snobs fiancé of mine!)

She felt like crying all until she heard her house, how ironic that it was the only house she didn't think of!

"Gryffindor!"

This time around she let the hollering and clapping sink in as she gracefully made her way to the Gryffindor house table, where she large amounts of hugs and hand shakes. The best part was, out of the corner of her eye she spotted Slytherin table grinding their teeth with total fury and Draco Malfoy was being pulled back down onto the bench by his two sluggish henchmen. The stare in his eyes had been a venomous malice that just as she took her seat next to the famous Harry Potter.

Carmen heaved herself up from the bed and stretched her sleeping muscles. She let her mind rest for a while for she has grown a t headache from all the events that ellipses over her consciousness. She slid off the satin cover and onto the floor with a light thud. She lifted herself onto her toes and crept ever so quietly and slowly to her door. She slipped out of her room and practically crawled past her parent's room.

(How late is it? How long was I out for?) Carmen thought wearily.

Her eyes scanned over an ancient Great Grandfather clock. This was the only piece of Muggle furniture that her family possessed. It wasn't the most attractive piece of wood, but it was most useful for telling time, Midnight...perfect, just the right time for a little step outside. She walked downstairs and slipped a hand easily over the cool, metal doorknob and turned it with gentle grace; pulling the door toward her. A cool wind caressed itself against her cheek and sifted its invisible hands through her hair. The air spiked up another lovely memory of hers...

p>

It was the first say of classes and Carmen was standing on the courtyard ground with her fellow Gryffindors and the Slytherins, her broom laying on the left side of her at her feet like some loyal dog. She stood across from a pug-faced Slytherin named Pansy Parkinson. Her eyes were glazed over with an icy film of hidden jealousy and hatred and Carmen watched Pansy clench and unclench her fists with agitation. Carmen could have sworn that Pansy mouthed some death threat or form of: "I hate you." Once Madame Hooch stepped onto the green and gave her instruction the challenge was upon them. Their task was to call their brooms to them. The first to accomplish this was no surprise, Harry Potter, but following close behind was Draco and astonishingly, Carmen. She could easily see that hidden jealousy coax itself out of Pansy and erupt into bitter disdain. The look from Draco was somewhat uplifting in a sickening way but his lips were twisted into a coy smile and his steel blue-gray eyes approved of what they saw. It was as if he was grading her on what type witch she was; now he'd get a calculation to was type of witch she would be when he married her. She felt stomach churn with restless nervousness that gave her mouth a sour taste that lingered on some moment after she forced her gaze away. On her right was Hermione, smiling softly at Carmen as her own broom flew into hand. Next to Hermione and beyond the friendly smile stood those orbs of endless green and a mass of dishevel black hair.

Harry Potter was staring at Carmen with an inquisitive nature that desired answers that welled in her soul. Her eyes were torn away with the sound someone I utter distress. The pudgy figure of Neville Longbottom was hovering over the ground, his face a perfect picture of fear. Just as everyone was about to give his or her assistance, in saving him to Madame Hooch, he took off into the air as a screaming lump clinging to his broom. The broom seemed to have a mind of its own and went around crashing the poor boy into the mossy walls of the school. When Carmen figured Neville would never come down, he fell off his broom. His robes were caught on the outside spikes of the courtyard torch holders. Gravity unfortunately took affect and the dumpy boy fell to the ground; he injured his wrist so Madame Hooch rushed him to Madame Pomfrey. More chaos was to come for after the demonic snicker of the Slytherins subsided, Draco had found an object of Neville's and flown up into the air with it. Daring as he is, Harry had flown up to get it back and when he did and landed he become the new seeker for the Gryffindor Quidditch team.

The moon was hanging low and gleamed down on Carmen like a spotlight on a stage. Her feet felt cool against the stones so she didn't stand in spot for too long. The cool feeling surged up through her body and her eyes widened with the most painful memory that showed itself to the eyes of her mind.

She had spotted Hermione carrying Ron to the Hospital wing and rushed to her aid. When she asked what has happened, Hermione bit her lip and hesitated before answering.

"Harry, Ron and I went to fight against Snape who was trying to steal the Sorcerers Stone and..."

Those words tumbled together in a heaping mass of sounds and syllables.

"W-what happened to Harry?" Carmen stuttered.

Hermione told her, but it was only second afterward that Carmen was flying on her feet to where Harry was. She didn't stop even when she thought her leg muscles were on fire. She found Harry, lying in a dank chamber, a light trickle of blood lulling down his face. She stayed with him, calling for help until Dumbledore and other professors ran to her aid. Her throat must have a shade bluer than red when she was through screaming.

Carmen looked up at the sky and wondered what this up coming year would hold for her. Her eyes lids became heavy and sank over the endless blue oceans of her anatomy and sent her into a phantastic dream world. The wind whirled around her body like a vacuum of water, she groaned with slight agitation and opened her eyes. The slight sigh of dawn was peeking over the tumbling hills to the northern boarder of the manner. It must be near six in the morning...she remembered something about waking up like this at the near the beginning her second year. It seems to her now that she always came outside to ponder on past events. She remembered that day and hated it with a passion...

Carmen had felt a gentle tap on her shoulder. Cassiopeia watched her daughter rouse slowly from her slumber. She had found Carmen around two in the morning, sleeping in one of the porch chairs and had wrapped a blanket around her to keep the chill away.

"Sweetheart...wake up, it's nearly sever and we have to get ready to go."

Carmen rubbed her tired eyes and mumbled wearily.

"Go...go where?"

"To the Malfoy's darling."

Carmen groaned and headed back into the house. The only thing worse than waking up with a frozen nose was waking up with a frozen nose and hearing that she had to go visit the Malfoys. Draco Malfoy was bad enough and Narcissa she could stand quite easily, but Lucius Malfoy was the very ice that ran in her blood, the very person Carmen couldn't stand in the least but had no choice but to put up with. Unfortunately, an hour later Carmen found herself standing in front of the door of the Malfoy Manor. A sheepish and whimpeg house-elf opened the door with bruised and bandaged hands. Carmen could easily see the corners of her parents' lips curl down into merciful frowns.

"Meme invite Pendragons into the Malfoy Manor, p-p-pwease wait in the parlor. There, Lord and Lady Pendragon will find tea, Mistress Pendragon will find cakes."

She had to have been young, Carmen though, probably no older than Carmen herself. Carmen followed her parents into the lavishly decorated parlor. A fire was gleaming in the corner and a teakettle was self-pouring itself into six teacups decorated with silver serpents that were linked by biting the tail of the snake before it. Carmen had barely taken her floating teacup when the heir of Malfoy Manor strode into the room. His ice gray stare roamed over Carmen from head to toe. She sipped her tea, but even though steam skimmed off the top, the drink went down as cold as Irish winters. Lucius Malfoy walked into the room and Cepheus stood to shake his hand. Carmen suddenly felt like all the blood in her body was pooling at her feet.

"Why Cassiopeia, that daughter of yours is as pretty as a diamond!"

The harmonious voice of Narcissa Malfoy filled the room and seemed to bring Carmen back to reality. She smiled at Narcissa and soaked in the compliments and admirations that followed. When everyone was seated and sipping his or her tea the icy feeling came back to Carmen, though to her it never seemed to leave. She looked up and Draco was doing his usual showing off to all the other parents, except for one. Her eyes caught his in her upward glance and they couldn't seem to detach themselves from him stare. When his eyes darted to Draco to respond to a question that was asked, Carmen immediately looked down at her tea and swore not to look up until she was giving her farewells and stepping out of their door.

"Carmen, I do believe my wife was correct...you look very radiant. Much like the diamond on the ring I sent you. You did get the ring, correct?"

Carmen gave a tiny nod of agreement and looked to the side, hoping her mother would see her and come to her aid. Her mother had made her wear the ring that the Malfoys had gotten her for her birthday as a gesture of kindness and appreciation. Carmen hadn't the faintest reason why the card had said from Draco, Narcissa and Lucius Malfoy because Draco didn't know beans about what type of jewelry a young girl liked, nor did he care and Narcissa wouldn't think it fit to give a young girl such a gift. The only other person who could have the power and taste to buy such an extravagant gift had to have been Lucius Malfoy...though Carmen didn't know why he would want to buy a ring like this. The ring she spoke of was very grand indeed, it's banding was made up of pure silver and the jewels encrusted within it were true diamonds and emeralds. Big surprise to Carmen that they were colors associated with Slytherin house. One thing she knew about Lucius was that he fawned over being a Slytherin and his family lines descending from Slytherin and his progeny being in Slytherin. It would be like living in a bloody snake pit for Carmen; of course that wasn't her problem... she was quite fond of snakes. To her they have a sense of elegance all their own, and of course they had their own language so they were intelligent as well. Suddenly she felt her body go rigid and her muscles refused to move even if it were having some sort of spasm. Everyone had gotten up to go to the fireplace; from what Carmen could see the flames were turning green and she knew someone was Flooing in. A gloved thumb pushed against the edge of Carmen's chin and the other gloved hand dragged along her cheek and pushed loose strands of blonde hair behind her ear. She met Lucius Malfoy's smirking stare as he caressed her chin with his thumb.

"I've got something special for you Carmen, my dear."

(Oh Merlin if he kisses me I swear to bloody hell I'll bite his lips off!)

Quite the contrary happened, his hands went to hers and he set her teacup on the table then od, helping her to rise with him. She watched as her father conversed with the man that had just appeared from the flames but she was then led through the doorway and pushed to the back door. He was touching her, but at least from the corner of her left eye she could see everybody else following behind, rather close in step actually.

"Father, shouldn't her eyes be covered? I think if she even gets a peek it'll ruin everything."

"Quite right, Draco. Accio bandana!"

The next thing she knew her eyes were covered with a bandana that had the scent of Lucius's cologne. He led her carefully outside and she could feel the breeze brush against her soft skin and new smell entered her nostrils. It was familiar to her...the smell of fresh hay and alfalfa mixed with new leather. Lucius's grip became firmer and then he stopped her and one of his gloved hands weaved its fingers in with her own, the one hand wearing the ring he had given her. She could feel the pressure of the ring being pressed against the skin of her finger as he ran a finger along the rare stones.

"Such extravagant beauty...not only in the stones but in the hand the very ring itself is being worn on..." he paused for a moment and then she felt his cold, tender less skin rubbing against her own. The very thought alone was enough to send shivers up her spine but the fact that it was actually happening just made her keep stiff and silent.

"Very soft...like fine velvet imported from mysterious lands...that ring suits you perfectly. A young woman such as yourself needs to be pampered and lavished upon..." he whispered softly into her ear.

"Alright Lucius, they're signaling us to come down now!" Carmen heard her mother say from somewhere behind them.

Once more Lucius lead her forward and once more they stopped only this time the unbearable feeling of Lucius Malfoy touching her wasn't happening, instead she heard a plethora of sounds rumble about her ears. Two of them were men conversing or trying to calm something down, the third was someone or something stomping hard against the ground, and the last sounds were those of "Ooos" and "Aaahhs" coming from the people behind her. Frustrated was a good adjective to describe the way Carmen was feeling, she was tired of having her eyes covered, tired of all the sounds bugging her and tired of being so damn close to Lucius Malfoy; in fact the last one was about to make her sick to her stomach. When she felt the bandana loosen and fall down along her neck she smiled to herself and slowly opened her eyes but nearly died of shock at what she saw.