Know That I Can't

Know That I Can't

By Michelle Malfoy

Chapter Six

Angel's POV

I stormed out of the dormitory and, without knowing precisely where I was heading, followed my instincts and left the Common Room as well. "Angel?" a soft voice asked, but in my rage I completely ignored whomever it was that called after me. I huffed off into the hall, not even bothering to take my Invisibility Cloak. No teachers would suspect that students might sneak out of bed on the first night of term, and so I walked... and walked... and walked.

Before I knew it, I was faced with the oak front doors of the castle. Sucking in my breath as though afraid to meet up with that wretched poltergeist my father had told me about, I pried the door open and hurried through it. It was as though an invisible force was drawing me forward; I somehow knew, deep down, that Samantha's actions had not merited this sudden rage, yet I refused to give in. Malfoys, as my father had shown - not told, but shown - me, are very obstinate.

Although unsure as to how I knew the exact route from my dormitory all the way to the castle grounds, I continued to walk. I had always loved walking through nature as a child - the cool breeze that ruffled my hair, the leaves in heaps on the ground that I could jump through and squeal with delight as I did so, and the occasional snowflakes all excited me greatly. So perhaps my childish urge to continue through nature convinced me to enter the Forest, despite my Headmaster's warning.

There I sat myself down on a large boulder, intending to be alone, but of course with my luck that was never possible. "Angel?" asked a quiet voice. I turned around and saw a shadow of a person, blond and dressed in black. His sleek blond hair was tied up in a silver ribbon and his silver eyes, identical to my own, stood out in the darkness, reflecting the moonlight.

I knew who he was a second before his hand was slapped over my mouth and his wand placed threateningly at my throat. "Don't speak," came the hissing voice of my grandfather a moment before shoving what was obviously a Portkey into my arms.

* * *

No POV, takes place inside the castle

The Head of Gryffindor House raced into the first-year girls' dormitories, having just noticed that Angel Malfoy's dot was missing from the Marauders' Map. "Sam? SAM?" she hissed, shaking her daughter awake.

"Mum?" came Samantha's groggy voice as she rolled over in her sleep.

"Get up, Sam, I need to talk to you," Hermione wailed. Samantha rolled onto her back and opened her eyes. "Did you see the Malfoy girl leave the dorm?"

"Yeah," Sam said, surprised. "Only into the Common Room, though... I think."

"She isn't there," Hermione insisted. "She's... gone."

"Gone?" yawned Jennifer, sitting up and stretching.

"Yes, gone," Hermione snapped. "Why on earth would she have left?"

Jennifer and Samantha exchanged Looks. "She was... kinda pissed," Samantha finally croaked out.

"Yup," Jennifer agreed. "If you want to compete for the title of Understatement of the Century."

"Tell me what happened," Hermione hissed, losing her patience.

"Okay..." Samantha sighed, and launched into the tale.

* * *

Angel's POV

Finally we reached our destination and I was thrown unceremoniously forward onto a cold stone floor. My grandfather yanked me up by my hair and grinned as he saw me wince. "Well, well, well," he said softly. "Angel Malfoy. We meet again."

"Don't touch me," I spat, struggling to escape his grip.

"Oh, no, no, no, no, no," he said. "I have no intention of not touching you, my charming little granddaughter." For a moment, horrifying mental pictures formed themselves into my mind, but Lucius's smile only broadened as he saw my disgust. "Not that, girl, do use your common sense," he snapped. To himself he muttered, "I didn't expect Draco to give her 'the talk' until she was in her late teens, he was so overcome with grief." Then he flicked his wand and I was thrown backward against the wall and slumped to the floor. Chains worked their way up my arms and legs, binding me in place.

Lucius approached me with a look of sick delight in his eyes. He placed his foot on my chest, forcing me to lie on my back. I could feel spiders crawling up my neck and into my hair, but my current troubles with this murderous long-lost grandfather of mine were slightly more demanding.

"What do you want?" I croaked out, although I knew what he was probably after. He was probably aiming for the prophecy's information.

"That is for me to know," he said smoothly, "and you to find out. Or not. I'm not sure, honestly. You might not live through the encounter if you don't behave." And with that, dear old granddad kicked me, forcing me to roll over on my stomach in pain, and stalked out.

* * *

Still Angel's POV

Two guards had taken me from that room and brought me to a different one. Here there was a luxurious queen-size bed, a wardrobe filled with clothing, and a side bathroom complete with shower and jacuzzi. I couldn't understand why Lucius was treating me so extravagantly but decided sensibly not to argue.

I knew, however, that it was too good to last. I was, after all, in the arms of the one who had murdered my mother and was the cause of many wasted galleons on cover-up. [A/N: For the scar, of course.] As I was examining the gorgeous clothes provided for me in the wardrobe, the door swung open and in came the devil himself - my grandfather.

"Ah, Angel," he greeted me. "Feeling better?"

"No thanks to you," I spat. "Why did you bring me here?" I seriously doubted that I would get an answer, but hey, it was worth a shot.

"You will find out in good time, dear Angel," he said smoothly. "However, right now I am prepared to offer you a deal."

"A deal?" I asked in disgust. "You think that kidnap and probable torture is the way to get me to agree with you? No, I don't think so!"

"I do," he said, laughter twinkling behind his eyes. "Crucio."

* * *

No POV, takes place in Gryffindor Tower

Strange thoughts raced through Hermione's head. I promised Malfoy I'd... but it wasn't my fault, she convinced herself. Or was it? I should've been standing guard, but if she's missing, I have to look for her... there's only one person who would dare take Draco's daughter, but why...? The prophecy! Of course! And he thinks that... that he can convince the girl to join him, and transfer her power into You-Know-Who, and then... what? Bring him back to life? Lucius can Necromance, I know that for a fact. All he would have to say would be to say the two words, Revivus Necromance...

"Professor Granger?" Cassandra asked. "PROFESSOR?"

"Yes, I'm sorry Cassandra. What is it?"

"I said, Angel wanted Slytherin. She didn't want to be in Gryffindor."

"Didn't she?" Hermione asked, completely bewildered. "But... why not? Her mother..."

"Her mother is dead," Samantha said coldly. She closed the curtains around her bed, rolled over, and tried to fall asleep.

Angel's POV

It was pain beyond anything I had ever experienced. I clawed at the air, trying desperately to escape this torture, and found that I could not. I squirmed around, shrieking louder than I thought possible, until Lucius lowered his wand. I felt the color begin to return to my cheeks and began to feel that although burning with pain several minutes ago, my arms and legs were now too numb for me to move even the slightest bit.

"Well, little granddaughter, have you made your decision?" he asked, placing his hand palm-up on my forehead so that it took much effort not to scream with pain.

"Do what you want," I croaked out. "I... don't... care... anymore."

"Excellent," came a soft voice from the doorway. I looked up and was met with chilling blood-red eyes.

Lord Voldemort had risen again.