Taking Over Me

Chapter nine - Death or darkness?

Melly's continual visits were frequent. In fact, they were so frequent, that Hermione and Affinity didn't have any time to be with the prisoners. As a matter of fact, they were almost caught, as Melly just thought it would be great fun to stay the night and swap stories.

While Melly was talking about her most recent conversation with Draco, whom she thought to be slightly turning crazy, Affinity turned to Hermione and asked, "What kind of evil torturer is she?"

Hermione shrugged. "It's Melly," she said. "She can't bring herself to torture Ron in any way without killing herself."

"She'll actually kill herself if she tortured Ron?"

"I don't really think she'll go as far as to kill herself, maybe go into a temporary depressed state, when she won't talk or make any sort of contact with any living thing for fifteen days, while she wallows in her room, eating chocolate ice cream all day and watching old black and white cry-fest movies..."

"What?"

"Movies...muggle thing."

"Oh."

And, much to Affinity and Hermione's dismay, Melly stayed with the prisoners all day the next day, and also spent the night at that time.

It was during that time, Harry and Mala were beginning to take Melly a schizophrenic, while Ron just sat with his hands in his palms and enjoyed Melly's story telling. He even told a few stories himself, one of which he talked about how much it annoyed him that Affinity kept asking him to dinner, and kept bugging him about going out with girls, and stop moping around for whoever he was moping around for.

In hearing this, Melly's spirits rose, and she hated Affinity more and more every time Ron would talk about her. One of the stories, however, didn't raise her spirits, but got her into a thinking reverie.

"One day, I was bored, reading through the daily prophet, as I always am..." And which this always seems to be the start of every one of Ron's stories about Affinity. "...And Affinity walks up to me."

"Wow!" Melly exclaimed sarcastically. "Never would've seen that coming!" The only difference between this story and all the others, is that Ron's face wasn't amused as it usually was, causing Melly to go into a serious state, which got Harry and Mala interested.

"She walked up to me and put her hand on the paper, shoving it down to my desk..."

As she does all the other times...Melly thought.

Hush! I want to hear this! Faith scolded.

"'Ron,' she says to me, 'go out to dinner with me, please?' And, as I do all the time, I say no. She asks why, and I tell her that I'm not in the mood for dinner. 'Why?' she asks me, like always. I tell her, because I just didn't feel like it."

"When is the story going to take a turn around?" Melly asked. The other three looked at her, all six eyebrows raised. "What? Everyone's thinking it; I'm just saying it. You have a different air about you this time, Ron. We're all waiting for this story to take a turn around."

"I'm getting there, be patient," Ron assured. "And, it's coming right now. After I told her that I didn't feel like it, she grabbed my bracelet that I have hanging on my cubicle wall, and shoved it in my face. 'Who's this from?' she demanded. I didn't want to tell her..."

"Which bracelet was it?" Melly asked, although she was sure she already knew the answer. "Mine?"

Ron nodded. "I grabbed it from her and put it in my pocket."

"I remember this day," Harry put in, without thinking. He usually didn't say anything when Melly was around, especially during story time. "Your face was almost as red as your hair. She really got you mad that day."

"And yet she still thinks you like her," Melly responded.

Everyone looked at her. Her face became flushed as she remembered her first encounter with Affinity.

Melly laughed. "Why should I tell you?"

"You don't have to," Affinity growled. "I know you're a Death Eater, and I know you're hiding them somewhere."

"Affinity, stop," Hermione said. "There is no one else. She's just playing with you."

Melly gave Hermione a sideways glance, and then back at Affinity. "She's right. I believe you're the only one for him," she said wanting to sound teasingly but it came out venomously.

Affinity smiled. "I know."

"How close are you to her?" Melly asked suddenly.

Ron blinked. "I - "

"They're not close at all," Harry said, not knowing why, but, he got himself into listening to what they have to say, and he became a part of it, so, there was no turning back. "I bet, if Ron had three wishes, the first one to be to get Affinity to stop crawling all over him, and to stop being in love with him."

Ron blushed. "It isn't really love as it is an infatuation..."

Melly jumped up and stormed down the corridor. She stopped in front of the kitchen.

Melly! Stop! Faith commanded. You don't want to ruin your plans, right?

I don't care! Melly yelled back, tears forcing themselves out. She thinks she can have Ron? Well, there is no one else, no one else but me! Who does she think she is?

Melly, listen to me...Go back, continue with whatever you were doing, and forget about that girl for just tonight. Forget about that story, and forget about your confrontation with her. Please?

Melly took a deep breath, and wiped away at the tears that forced their way out. She straightened up, and headed back to where she sat, in front of Ron's cell, in the middle, so she could see all three of the prisoners.

That's my girl...

---

Melly awoke to the sound of Draco's voice, and his hand on her shoulder, waking her up.

"I can't believe you slept down here, again," Draco said, sitting next to her. Ron, Mala, and Harry were still asleep. He looked at her tear stained cheeks that Faith allowed her to let flow freely as soon as everyone was asleep. "Melly, what's wrong?"

Melly shook her head. "Don't worry on it."

Draco nodded. He put his arm around her shoulder in a brotherly hug. "Well, our master will be here in a few minutes to initiate Potter. He's bringing my father as well. He wants you to be here."

"Well," Melly sighed, standing up. "I'm here."

---

Melly, Draco, and Lucius stood outside Harry's cell, whilst Voldemort stood right in front of the boy who lived.

"Now, Harry," Voldemort said. "I have a proposition. Join me, or die. Which is it?"

"I'll die," Harry said.

Voldemort nodded and snapped his fingers.

Draco and Melly obediently went to Mala's cell, and dragged her to Harry's, throwing her in front of him, at his feet.

"Join me, or she dies." Voldemort whipped out his wand and pointed it at her.

"No!" Mala screamed. "Don't join him! Harry! Don't!"

Voldemort kicked her, willing her to be quiet. "I'll ask you again, Harry. Join me, or die, along with her."

Melly sighed. It didn't matter whichever Harry chose; the girl was most likely going to die at a young age anyways. The dark lord wanted Harry to join the dark side, so he could rule without trouble; muggles and muggle born were all most likely going to be killed, and half breeds were most likely to be slaves. However, if Harry chose death, millions of people would die anyways.

So, Melly figured, it was a win/win situation for Voldemort's sake. Harry, basically, had no choice.

"I'm going to give to the count of three to make up your decision...One..."

Melly stole a glance at Ron, who was pale, and not paying attention to her, but to Harry's choice.

"Two..."

Melly didn't like to see him hurt, no more than she liked to see Draco hurt. She shook her head, ignoring the protests of her mother. She had to do what she had to do. Besides, she promised, didn't she?

"Three...Sorry, Harry. AVAD - "

"Master!" Melly yelled, throwing herself against the door. "Don't' kill him!"

Voldemort growled. "What?" He turned to her. "Tell me, why shouldn't I kill him?"

"Because! I - I can turn him to the dark side! I'm already halfway there. I can't fully convert him if he's a dead corpse, can I?"

Voldemort rolled his eyes. "And how long, pray do tell, will this converting last?"

"That, I do not know. All I know is that I'm halfway there, and his dark side is coming out just around the corner."

Voldemort's mouth twitched. He shook his head and walked out, followed by Lucius, who gave her an odd look.

Draco and Melly put Mala back into her cell, and Draco left. Melly walked to Harry's cell.

"What was that for?" Harry asked.

"First; I made a stupid promise, that I can't break. I may be Voldemort's daughter, but I don't break promises. Second; I did for a certain persons whom I know would just literally die without you. Me not being one of them, as you may already think. Happy birthday." Without a last glance, Melly walked away, her next plan to be getting her thoughts with Severus back.

Harry shook his head. What had gotten into Melly the past few days? Perhaps she really had changed? No. He wouldn't bring himself that low to trust a death eater. But, then again, he trusted Severus Snape, did he not?