The Distraction

I finished shrinking down the last of my belongings in preparation to Apparate to Malfoy Manor. Yesterday had been my Death Eater initiation ceremony. Check back with me in a few years, and I might be up to talking about it, but for now... well, some things you're just better off trying to forget.

I had been staying in a room above a pub in Knockturn Alley called The Tomb. As evidenced by the name, it was a rather drab place that, oddly enough, was pervaded by the smell of fresh cheese. The Dark Lord, understandably, said it was not a proper dwelling for a Death Eater, and insisted that I go live with Narcissa Malfoy for the time being.

There was a sharp knock on the bedroom door, and Severus marched in without waiting for a reply. He locked the door behind him, cast a Revealing spell to check for invisible spies, and cast a silencing charm on the walls of the room.

"Here, drink this. Hurry up!" he barked, thrusting a small vial into my hand.

"What's this?" I asked, eyeing the murky brown liquid with distaste.

"It's a contraceptive," he snapped.

I stared into his glare blankly for a moment. Of course, I knew what he meant, but it just took a while for my mind to catch up with the dawning reality of my situation. "For... why... wait -- WHAT?"

"It seems that your plan has succeeded."

"Already?" I squeaked, my voice breaking. "I thought I'd have to, you know, work my way up."

Severus smirked at me and said, "Hardly. You're the only female Death Eater of a safe child-bearing age."

"What about Bellatrix?" I asked stupidly.

"She's married, you twit!" I guess I deserved that.

"Oh, yeah.... But why am I staying at Malfoy Manor, then. Why not at Riddle House?"

"Apparently," Severus started, sneering at me, "the Dark Lord is concerned about your safety. Since the Ministry has been alerted to his presence, he knows that a raid on Riddle House is a possibility. He doesn't wish to jeopardize your life, until after the child is born," he finished cruelly.

I sank down onto the bed, staring at the vial still clutched in my hand. "You talk about it like I'm already pregnant."

"Well, you're not!" he snapped. "And I suggest you drink that soon if you don't want to become a mother tonight."

"TONIGHT?" I screamed, jumping up and staring at Severus, horrified.

"Indeed," Severus drawled, smiling coldly. "It's quite an amusing story, actually."

"Amuse me then," I snarled, glaring at him.

"Last night, the Dark Lord had Bellatrix cast a charm to see when you would be... fertile, and your cycle just happened to start today. He was, to say the least, ecstatic."

"What? How could I not notice something like that?"

"It isn't as if sirens go off when the charm is cast. A light merely shows at the wand tip, your current level of fertility indicated by the color of the light. She did it while your back was turned."

I stared at Severus in abject terror. "But if he knows I'm... um... that, won't he become suspicious if I don't immediately conceive?"

"Hardly. Even the Dark Lord must accept that it doesn't happen right away."

"Right. Well..." I sat back down, trying to pull myself together. Voldemort was coming to me that very night, probably in just a few hours, maybe less. I'd thought I'd have more time to prepare, but realized that was wishful thinking to begin with. No matter how many months or weeks I might have had, is there any way to not become nauseous at the thought of imminent copulation with the enemy? Especially if you have to make it look like your ready and willing?

"Cheers, then," I murmured, uncorking the vial and downing the contents.

"You'd better get going. I'll be in touch," Severus said, walking towards the door. "Oh... yes, I almost forgot. Mr. Potter wanted me to give this to you." He tossed a package onto the bed, undid the locking a silencing spells and was gone before I could say anything.

I started to unwrap the package when a note fell out. I recognized Harry's handwriting and read:

Tam,

No one will really tell me what you're about to do, but I've got an idea. Please be careful and keep an 'ear' out for me.

Good luck!

Harry

I smiled and finished unwrapping my gift to find a box of Weasley Wizarding Wheezes' Extendable Ears. I shrunk the box and put it in my pocket, laughing to myself. How many times had I caught Harry and Ron using those damn things at Grimmauld Place?

I finished stowing my shrunken belongings in my pockets, slipped my wand inside my cloak and went out into the street. If I never saw Knockturn Alley again, I wouldn't be sorry. I was amazed at how close it was to Diagon Alley, yet so different. I slid into a shadow beside a potions supply shop and Apparated to the courtyard of Malfoy Manor.