An Auror's Work is Never Done

Chapter 9 Decision Time

"Dancer, you okay? You seem distracted today," Draco commented over breakfast the next morning.

"Hmm? Just thinking about some stuff." I was debating whether or not to tell Draco what had happened with Nicholae. Telling Sirius and Tonks were out of the question. They'd never be able to understand the enticement he represented to me.

"Does it concern the case?" Sirius asked while simultaneously stuffing a bagel in his open mouth.

"No...Sirius, that is gross. Hasn't anyone ever bothered to teach you manners?"

"I tried once. He bit me," Tonks said glaring at him.

"Served you right. You touched my food."

'Aurora.'

'Yes, Dragon?'

'I know something's bothering you. DOES it have to do with Father?'

'No. It's a personal matter.'

'Want to talk?'

'I'm not sure. I'll let you know if I do.'

"There they go again, Nymph. Do you think they're talking about us?" He shoved a croissant in.

"We're talking about your appalling table manners. You're making me lose my appetite," I chastised.

"Okay, okay. I'll behave."

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Three days had gone by and I had yet to confide in my partner. I felt as if it was a decision I needed to make on my own. A part of me insisted it was MY secret and greedily coveted it. Each of my friends repeatedly asked what was wrong. In exasperation Sirius gave me four days off 'to get over whatever was interfering with my concentration'.

On Tuesday I visited Bran Castle, the reputed stronghold of Vlad the Impaler, or Dracula as Muggles know him. Memories of my visitor occupied my thoughts at every waking moment. Wednesday I toured the countryside, images of Gypsy trains that were no longer there flickering through my mind. 'Was Nicholae telling me the truth? Is he really what he says he is?' In the light of day it was easy to forget the sincerity of his voice and the, dare I even think it, passion in his eyes. 'Those eyes.' They had captivated me, holding me prisoner to feelings I was unsure of. The Storm Tamer and woman in me were drawn to his powerful presence but my heart was divided. A new yearning battled emotions for Harry I'd tried unsuccessfully to kill.

At sunset Wednesday, the 6^th day of Nicholae's imposed week, Tonks found me sitting in the hotel's garden. "Aurora! Thank Merlin I found you! I've been searching for you for thirty minutes!"

"What's up?"

"Draco's disappeared."

"What?! When?"

"A few hours ago. We think he went after Lucius. We had a tip he might be in the area."

"What do we do?"

"Sirius is already at the sight. We're supposed to meet him there. Here's the address."

'Don't do anything stupid, Draco! I'm on my way.' I read the note and apparated. I popped in front of a deserted looking castle's heavy oak door. It was open.

*Crack*

"Feeling a little off, Tonks?" I asked at her unusual noisy entrance.

"Sorry. Nerves."

She took the lead and crept steadily into the decrepit structure. I noticed her hair was slowly morphing to a silvery blonde. 'She must really be worried about Draco.'

"Just a little further."

We entered one of the tower's top rooms. It had without a doubt been used to hold prisoners at one time. Chains and manacles hung menacingly from one wall. A large wooden post in the center also sported them. The table beside it was covered in various instruments of torture. An iron maiden had been placed on the northwest side of the circular area. The lone window was far overhead.

"I don't think they're in here."

"No but you should really come see this."

There was something odd about her voice.

"Tonks?"

She turned around and I gasped. She wasn't Tonks at all! It was Lucius! Moody's warning of 'Constant vigilance' and Nicholae's premonition ran through my head. 'It must have been Polyjuice Potion.' I raised my wand but was hit by a stunner before I could even blink.

************

"Where am I?" I struggled to open my eyes.

"Glad you could rejoin the festivities. It's so much more fun when the victim is awake for the torture." He handcuffed me to the wooden post.

'Lucius. Draco! Draco!'

"Oh, and don't bother trying to contact that worthless son of mine. The wards around this castle prevent it."

"They'll find me."

"I have no doubt. But by then it will be too late for you, Miss Weasley. Not even Dumbledore could find us here."

"Why?"

"Why? Because of you and your little band of do-gooders Lord Voldemort was defeated. Do not dare deny your part in it! You will be the first of the seven to suffer. Draco I will save for last. Let him see what happens when you cross Lucius Malfoy. I may even kill his Mudblood girlfriend." He picked up a fireplace poker, uttered an incantation, and the end glowed red.

I attempted in vain to summon the wind. 'Why isn't it working?' My arms yanked at their steel cuffs bloodying the tender flesh. The poker grew closer and closer to my face. 'Wind! A little help here!'

Lucius let loose a maniacal laugh at my useless attempts. "A Storm Tamer needs fresh air to conjure the wind. Perhaps you haven't noticed I've cast an Unbreakable charm on the window? Thanks to your mother I know your tricks."

'That bitch again.'

He came slowly towards me with the iron instrument, twirling it between his fingers. He seemed to be enjoying every moment of my fear. "It's a shame really to mar such a pretty face." He grabbed my chin with a cruel hand, bruising the flesh underneath his grasping fingers. "Maybe if you're nice..." He trailed the hand down my throat and across my chest. He sneered at my narrowed eyes and laughed.

I spit in his face and was backhanded for my impudence. "I will never be your whore, Malfoy. I'll see you burn in Hell first." My voice was low but deadly serious. I saw him take a step back before he caught himself.

"Someone needs to learn her manners. By the time I'm through with you, you will beg me to finish the job."

"Don't count on it. Gryffindors don't beg."

"We shall see."

He muttered the spell and the poker glowed an angry red once more. The pain, when it came, was searing but I refused to give him the satisfaction of hearing me scream or call for mercy. I couldn't see exactly what he was doing but he seemed to be burning a symbol on my face. I closed my eyes against the agony. Tears leaked out and he cackled viciously. When he was done he transfigured the fireplace tool into a mirror and ordered me to look. On one cheek were the initials 'LM' and on the other 'LV'.

'Lucius Malfoy and Lord Voldemort. I'm going to die with that on my face.' Stupid thought really but there it was.

"To remind you of your betters." He charmed the mirror to hover in my eyesight.

He walked to the table and selected a wicked looking dagger. He knelt beside me and started to carve designs used in the Dark Arts on my arms. Every time I wiggled or jumped from the blade he'd slice a little deeper. I learned quickly to stay still. Flames from the lacerations surged throughout my body. I bit the inside of my cheek. I wove in and out of consciousness. Each time he noticed and brought me back to the pain with the Ennervate spell.

I turned to mediation but he saw I wasn't as aware of the inflicted pain and he began attacking my mind. I stopped. It was easier to deal with just the agony than having to fight him in my thoughts also.

He cut open my shirt, leaving me a little dignity by not removing my bra. He continued his drawings on my chest and stomach. Blood pooled at my feet, ribbons of it streaming down my arms and torso. When he was done he stood back to admire his work. Not a drop of crimson stained his clothes or hands.

"Still holding onto my scream. Tut tut." He picked me up and pulled me tighter to the post, facing it. My foot slipped in the wetness and I banged my head. Stars exploded behind my eyes. He slammed me to my knees, my hands over my head. I heard, and felt, a kneecap crack. I sat on my feet. 'Nor will I ever kneel before you.'

"Do you recognize this? It is a cat o' nine tails." He held it in front of me to see. "This one is special. It's been dipped in a very rare poison. It will take roughly four hours to die from its effect." A swish of wind and then new fires raced across my back. I bit my lip almost through in a desperate bid not to scream. Lash after lash stripped slices of flesh from my bared back. He stopped and stood before me. 'The better to taunt you, my dear,' I thought irrationally.

Sweat beaded on his brow and a fiendish gleam was evident in his glare. His teeth were bared in a feral grin. I looked down and saw evidence of his arousal. Seeing the disgust written on my face he snarled, "I will break you, girl, and that little bastard who I once claimed as son will find your body broken and beaten to death. He will regret his actions."

When he poured salt on the open wounds a Banshee wail released itself from my throat. I felt my voice box tear. I slumped further to the floor.

I heard Lucius raise a length of chain. I didn't think I could take any more. My body surely couldn't. I was ready to give up.

Moments after the second hit broke a few of my ribs the door was ripped from its hinges with a blast. 'Draco!'

"No, Dear One. It is I." He emerged from the settling dust to stand before me, a vengeful god who made to place a gentle hand to my face. A red tear made its way down his cheek upon seeing the damage.

"Who are you?" Lucius demanded.

"I am Nicholae. I am your death."

"Really?" he sneered. He raised his wand.

Nicholae laughed enigmatically. "Your pathetic attempts cannot harm such as I." He waved his hand and Lucius's wand flew to him. "Your legacy of evil is at its end." Nicholae flung the wand at the Wizard, embedding it in his black heart.

Lucius staggered and crumpled as if in slow motion, graceful even in death. My savior broke the handcuffs and laid me down, my head in his lap.

"Aurora, Dear One, you are dying."

I tried to speak and couldn't. I could feel the coldness of the floor delving into my bones.

"What is your decision? Think but the words and I can heal you."

'But there wasn't enough time!'

"You must decide. Either die here and now, or come with me. I can heal you using but a sip of my blood but the price is high. You must become my bride. I can wait until you are fully healed to welcome you into the Darkness with me."

I cried out in my mind, 'I can't!'

"Then this is your end." His jade eyes glistened with a pink sheen.

'I don't want to die.' My spine was growing icy. It crept into my fingers and down to my toes. The pain was leaving. 'Please don't let me die, Nicholae.'

"I can save you but I will not change the Blood Price. Will you consent to be mine?"

'Yes,' I thought sadly. I wasn't ready to die yet.

"I will make you happy. We have an eternity ahead of us." He lowered his head and kissed my numb lips, a benediction. I watched as he bit his tongue and moved to kiss me again. His mouth covered mine and I tasted the sweet blood. I drank it greedily, sucking at the source. When he pulled away a whimper escaped me. "There will be a time for more later. For now, close your eyes and sleep. When you awaken your injuries will be gone. You are safe with me. Sleep."

My eyes closed at his command and the healing slumber claimed me.

When I woke I was nestled in Nicholae's arms. I moved slowly, testing the extent of Lucius's inflicted damage. Not even a tell tale twinge of discomfort. 'Can I speak?' "Nicholae?" The word sounded raspy but it was speech.

"Yes?"

"How long..."

"Two hours."

"Draco."

"Will be here shortly I believe."

"Can't be here. He'll never let me go without a fight."

"As you wish."

"I have to tell him. Parchment?"

"I will find some."

I wrote a letter to Draco explaining everything that had transpired in the last week. I told him of my initial meeting with Nicholae ending with the death of his father.

He saved my life, Dragon. In exchange I have agreed to become his bride. Know that I will always love you, Brother of my heart. But this is where our joined path separates. I don't know if we will ever see each other again. Please forgive me.

Love always, your sister,

Aurora

"I'm ready now."

"It will not be as bad as you think. I will do everything in my power to make you as happy as you are making me."

'He's not a bad guy. He's just not The One.'

"I could be, if you but let me try." With a jet of wind he transformed into a black raven and the phoenix followed into the dying sunlight.