To Meet History

Chapter 14- The Dark Lord Cometh

Le-Annette walked with her head hung low, seeming to be intent on looking only at the little dirt road she walked on. Her head was filled with disturbing thoughts. How could Zion had kept this from her? All of that...how? It was all going to be her fault.

A little ray of light caught her eyesight. Le-Annette looked up to see a little cottage standing alone on a hill. This was her grim destination. Using her vampire hearing, she listened for an answer to a question that burned within her. She heard a small infant's cry. The question was answered. This was not good. She walked to the door of the cottage and knocked. An old woman answered. She knew on sight who the vampire was.

"Lady Madeline has been awaiting your arrival," the old woman croaked, stepping aside to let Le-Annette enter.

She did so, drawing the long, black cloak she wore around her as she did so.

"Thank you, ma'am. Where may I find your lady?" Le-Annette inquired.

Decades ago, Le-Annette had dropped her youthful tone of voice in favor of a more commanding, regal one. It was always to her advantage.

"In the bedroom up the hall, Miss Le-Annette."

"Thank you."

Le-Annette found the room quickly. A woman with long, blonde hair and green eyes lay on a bed against far wall from the door. She was glistening with sweat but had a sweet smile on her face.

"Le-Annette, I must say, I was shocked when I received your owl saying that you wanted to see my son." the woman said.

Le-Annette looked down at a bundle of blankets the woman had in her arms. She took her eyes off the babe within and turned to the new mother.

"Madeline, why would you be shocked to hear from me?" Le-Annette inquired pleasantly.

"Well, the great Le-Annette only attends the births of those of her family line who are to be great. I didn't think my son would merit so," Madeline replied.

A young maid entered the room. She took the babe from Madeline's arms and placed it in a basinet nearby. She left the room, giving the mother the instructions of getting some rest. Once the maid had left, Le-Annette resumed conversation.

"I heard your husband left you. Found out you were a witch. I'm quite sorry."

Madeline made a dismissive gesture with her hand. The vampire knew it wasn't to say that she wasn't hurt but to show that she didn't want to speak of it now.

"What will you name him?" Le-Annette pressed on, taking a small step toward the infant, who slept soundly.

"Tom, after his father, Marvolo, after mine," Madeline said, smiling with great pleasure in her eyes. Le-Annette nodded solemnly. "Is he to be great, Aunt Le-Annette?" she continued.

Le-Annette sighed and walked over to the basinet. She peered down into it. The baby gave a small yawn. She now felt her anger at Zion re-emerge. How could he have let her do this?

"Madeline, I do not bring happy news," the vampire began. "I bring a prophecy and instructions. Your son will be a monster. Powerful, but corrupted by that power. He will hate all those who are not pure-blooded witches or wizards."

"How can that be, Aunt Le-Annette?" Madeline laughed. "He himself is a half-blood."

Le-Annette shook her head. "Do not call me that. Not aunt. Not this night."

Madeline grew grave. "Why?"

"Your son will be the cause of many deaths. I must instruct you..." Le-Annette turned to her descendant and walked over to the bed. She took the woman's hand. "You must kill your son."

Madeline jerked her hand away. "What? You're insane! Go away, Lady, for you are not wanted here!" she shouted.

"Madeline, I know it's hard, but..."

Madeline threw her blankets off and stood. She walked swiftly to stand near the baby. She held her arms out.

"Get out!!!!" she shrieked.

"Madeline, if you do not kill him, then I must," Le-Annette said in a voice of forced calm.

"You'll not touch him!"

"I'm sorry."

Le-Annette lunged at Madeline as the mother pulled her wand. But before Madeline could shout a curse or hex, Le-Annette had her. Madeline shrieked, screaming her baby's name and cursing the vampire's. Le-Annette made one quick motion and cracked her neck. Madeline was dead before she hit the floor.

"What have I done?" Le-Annette whispered, looking down upon her descendant's body.

The door to the room opened and the maid entered the room, followed closely by the old midwife. They had undoubtedly been called by Madeline's cry. The young maid gasped. It was the old midwife who took action. She held up a small, wooden cross.

"Get out."

"The baby..." Le-Annette began.

"Get out!"

The old midwife advanced on Le-Annette. She avoided them and bolted out the door. When the light from the cottage no longer touched her, Le-Annette stopped. She collapsed on the ground, her cloak and dress fanning out around her. She put her face in her hands and cried. Suddenly, a voice she recognized spoke to her.

"What have you done?" it hissed.

She looked up. Zion stood before her.

"What do you mean?"

"What the hell have you done? You've doomed them all!"

"Who?" Le-Annette cried.

"The people that Lord Voldemort is going to kill. That is the starting point of his descent into evil, the death of his mother..."

Now she was pissed. Le-Annette stood and pinned Zion to a nearby tree.

"You did not tell me that, you filthy bastard! How could you keep such a thing from me?"

"It was not for you to meddle in."

"You knew everything from the beginning. You knew that this dark lord was going to be my descendant from the moment I first lay with Salazar. And you knew that I was the one responsible for his evil...Good bye, Zion."

Le-Annette dropped him and turned away.

"What do you mean, 'good bye'?" Zion replied.

"You're leaving. I don't want to see you."

"Ever again?"

Le-Annette turned to him with a smile on her face. "No, not ever again. Just not for a decade or two."

With that, Zion gave a bow and left.