Dark Lady

Chapter 3: The New Mission

Deceitful caresses and false pretenses

Why am I cursed this way?

My poisonous presence convinces

I'm like night amidst the day

My existence arises from lies

Only evil persists in my ways

Even as my heart defies

My mind obeys

No more hope in tomorrow

As a slave to my master's ambition

Death and sorrow

That's my only mission

- Yelene-ryudream

I love the cold. The cold helps me to forget all the death and darkness that I've seen. It numbs the pain. To me, the most beautiful sight is the first snowfall on the forest. I guess that is why I am so happy that the Dark Lord's domain is so far north. It's almost always cold, even now in mid-July. I am standing in a field just outside the fortress walls. And I am glad to be outside that dark citadel, but there are Death Eater guards nearby. My master never allows me to go very far outside the fortress without guards. However, I am unsure if it is for my protection or to make certain that I don't try to run away. As if I would run. Where would I go? This black castle is the only home I've ever known. I have no reason to run.

The memory of the Dark Lord's discovery of my defiance at my tender age of eight still haunts my memory. It was the worst torture he had ever given me. Once he had finished with me, I was very near death. But unfortunately for me, I survived. But it was not as if I had much choice, my master had his best healers and potion masters tending to me the entire ten months that I was in recovery. I was later informed that I had slept for six weeks after I had passed out. I had lost three-fourths of my blood content and had been bleeding internally; it was a miracle that I survived. Almost every nerve in my body had been severely damaged. My muscles had been strained almost to the point of disrepair. And several bones in my body had been broken, including five ribs, two on my right and three on my left. One rib had punctured my right lung. My femur bone had been almost completely severed. Needless to say, I had a very long road of recovery to endure. I had to relearn natural functions, including how to walk and move my arms and breathe.

Nevertheless, that was three years ago, and my life has finally returned to some semblance of normalcy. My body did suffer some major scarring though, some of which I will have for the rest of my life. The Dark Lord had never punished me so severely before, and I have never given him a reason to do so since. The Dark Lord doesn't apologize. It's just not something that a dark lord does. However, he became a bit gentler to me after that. I have a small suspicion that my state in the aftermath of his rage worried him a little. I cannot assume that such an insignificance could actually scare the almighty Dark Lord. Nonetheless, life as his servant became a teeny bit more bearable.

As I stand outside wrapped in my rabbit-fur-lined black cloak, my curly black hair floating and bouncing in the chilly wind and my ice blue eyes gazing over the evergreen trees and the glorious mountains to the northeast, I spot my faithful raven flying through the clear morning sky toward me, a letter tied to its talons. Wizards and witches normally use owls to carry mail, but I found the raven to be a cleverer messenger and far less conspicuous to muggles and wizarding-folk alike.

"Hello, Delos, what have you for me?" I ask gently as Delos lands on my shoulder. He caws and tenderly nuzzles his head near my ear. I smile and lovingly stroke his feathers. Sometimes I think Delos is my only friend. He sticks out his leg, and I untie the letter. Holding it in my hands, I read:

Miss Kirra Wynsong

North Valley

Scottland

Turning the letter over, I find the seal of Hogwarts with its four signature animals. So my Hogwarts letter has finally arrived. My master had warned me that it was only a matter of time.

HOGWARTS SCHOOL

of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY

Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore

(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. Of Wizards)

Dear Miss Wynsong,

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.

Term begins on September 1. We await your owl by no later than July 31.

Yours sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall

Minerva McGonagall,

Deputy Headmistress

HOGWARTS SCHOOL

of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY

UNIFORM

First-year students will require:

1. Three sets of plain work robes (black)

2. One plain pointed hat (black) for day wear

3. One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)

4. One winter cloak (black, silver fastenings)

Please note that all pupils' clothes should carry nametags

COURSE BOOKS

All students should have a copy of each of the following:

The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1) by Miranda Goshawk

A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot

Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling

A Beginners' Guide to Transfiguration by Emeric Switch

One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi by Phyllida Spore

Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger

Fantastical Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander

The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection by Quentin Trimble

OTHER EQUIPMENT

1 wand

1 cauldron (pewter, standard size 2)

1 set glass or crystal phials

1 telescope

1 set brass scales

Students may also bring an owl OR a cat OR a toad

PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICKS

What a wonderful opportunity it would be to see Diagon Alley! Unfortunately, my master will never allow me to go. All the books I need are in the Dark Lord's library and I have plenty of robes and cloaks. He will send a Death Eater to pick up the rest of my supplies, probably that Malfoy man, since his son will be starting this year as well.

I have been learning magic from the Dark Lord and special tutors since I was four. He had given me my first wand when I was three and that was one of my earliest memories. According to everything I've read, the wand chooses the wizard or witch, so it is dumbfounding how my master found the perfect wand for me. Even so, such studies mean that I have already read the year's books and several others. How boring it will be to learn what I already know. But Hogwarts sounds thrilling, according to Hogwarts, A History, so maybe just being at the famous castle around all those children my own age will be adventure enough. Maybe, I'll even make some friends.

"My Lady," calls a guard.

"Yes, Orestes?" I ask turning to look at the man. He is one of the few of my master's followers that I actually like.

"The Master calls for you," he answered. His face is expressionless, but his eyes speak gently as they fall upon me. I grant him a small smile.

"Very well." I follow him back into the darkness of the castle, sad to leave the freshness of the outside world behind me. I feel like a prisoner in my only home. "Go on, Delos," I whisper to my raven. He flies off. He'll get back to my room through my window.

Following Orestes, I come to the same giant onyx doors that have become so very familiar to me over the years. As Orestes leaves me before the doors, he bows and gently kisses my hand. He is such a crazy man, but I suppose if he were family, he would be my favorite uncle. The guards outside the throne-room open the doors and bow to me without a word. It is all for the best: I might have burned their tongues out again like the last time they smart-mouthed me.

Walking into the practically pitch-black room, which I'd still be able to circumvent even if it was pitch-black, I soon came to stop before the throne. My master smiles wickedly as I kneel before him, easily spotting the letter held in my hand.

"I sssee the time hasss come," he hisses. "My dearessst Dark Lady, I have a new mission for you."

"I will do asss you wisssh, my massster," I answer without emotion.

"Your tasssk, child, will be to ssspy on that foolisssh Dumbledore and hisss Order. Gain hisss trussst, gain all of their trusssts and then DESSSTROY THEM!" he commands, his evil high-pitched laughter freezing the room and sending unpleasant chills up my spine.

"It will be done, my lord." I feel I am past the point of fighting. What he set out to do three years ago, I believe he has achieved. There is nothing to be gained by resisting his will any longer. I feel his cold hand on my cheek. When did he get up? He raises my head, so that he may stare into my unfeeling ice-blue eyes.

I see his vermillion serpentine eyes; they are dancing in glee. He knows he has won. I can feel his pleasure, and it makes me sick. Will my stomach ever stop rolling? He has infected me with a virus and now gives me the duty of spreading it.

All I wanted was to go to Hogwarts, to get away from this nightmare that I live in every day. I should have known: the nightmare will follow me no matter where I go. I am his; he will never let me forget it. All I wanted was to make new friends, and maybe forget about all the evil I have seen...and done.

I am a fool. I will never be free. I will never forget.

I am the Dark Lady.

I am the poison of the world. The usher-in of the Dark Lord's reign. I am the beginning of the end. I am darkness, itself. Just as he. It matters not that I long to leave this darkness behind, to be in the light. It is a part of me. And it will remain so until the end of time.

My heart, has it finally stopped? Has it finally frozen over like the rest of me?

The fight is over. I have lost.

I feel his cold lips on mine. I want to feel disgusted. I want to feel abhorred. But I feel nothing.

My God, what will I do?