Riddle

Chapter Fifteen

Someone was on the polished marble floor. Their eyes bulging out their head. Lord Voldemort did not show any emotion. Draco stood there staring at his mother on the floor. He did not have the confidence to say that Narcissa Malfoy would have done that for him. He looked at Ivy, a spear of ice in his chest, cold fury in his eyes. Why was she so special? His mother convulsed and Draco left the room. Nobody cared what he did, they never had.

Ivy stared at the woman lying on the floor. Her hand flew over her mouth,

"Stop it! Stop it! What are you doing to her!"

"This is what happens when you misbehave Ivy." Her father smiled meeting her horrified gaze. Tears flooded Ivy's eyes. She was vaguely aware of Draco leaving the room. Ivy collapsed next to the woman wanting to comfort her to save her from the pain. She didn't know how to make it stop.

"STOP IT!" She screamed. "Stop it, please!"

Lord Voldemort smiled. He dramatically flourished his wand and the woman took a deep breath. Ivy threw her arms around the woman.

"I am so sorry. So so sorry!"

The woman patted her back gently. her movements were small. Her eyes never leaving Lord Voldemort.

"Narcissa take Ivy to her room."

"Of course, my lord." Narcissa bowed deeply and led Ivy up the stairs. Ivy glared at Voldemort but stopped herself. She didn't want to see anyone else hurt.

How could this cruel empty thing be her father. She could feel his cold dead eyes on her back. Her eyes were filled with tears, she would not cry again, she didn't want to be the scolded daughter sent to her room. She forced her clenched hands to stay by her side. Ivy lifted her chin and walked stiffly up the stairs. Eyes up staring ahead. She didn't see the snake until it was right in front of her.

Ivy froze in terror. Staring into the massive snakes eyes her heart stopped beating, she was barely breathing. The snake met her gaze. Ivy forced herself to breath through her fear. There was something familiar in the snake's gaze. She could feel the Death Eaters gaze on her, waiting. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Lord Voldemort growing impatient. He did not move.

"Nagini." He ordered the snake. It was obvious that he expected the snake to do exactly what he said. A idea sparked Ivy's mind. She did not break her gaze with the snake.

Stay

The snake began moving. Ivy refused to give up.

Please

The snake paused slightly. It began moving again. Ivy felt a surge of triumph as the snake slithered over to her. She bent down and offered the snake her arm. Nagini came to rest on Ivy's shoulders. Ivy felt comforted by the weight of Nagini draped around her like a living boa. She was sure she was drowning in snake but it was worth it.

She met her Fathers eyes. His eyes were cold while his mouth stretched into what resembled a smile.

"I can see that you are truly my daughter."

The other Death Eaters tittered among themselves. Unsure of what to say. Ivy tried to nod her head in a regal way and marched ahead of Narcissa, gown flowing behind her.

Ivy had no idea where she was going but she kept going. Narcissa trailed after her cautiously. Draco emerged from a room on her right. He stopped in shock at the sight of Ivy and Nagini. Ivy kept moving not giving him a second glance. She found a staircase and went up. The more floors she climbed the less polished the house was. She finally came to a rickety staircase that led to what she assumed was the attic.

"There is nothing up there." Narcissa insisted.

Ivy ignored her and made her way up the staircase, careful to avoid the banister, it was clear that nobody had been up here.

"The floor below what is it used for?"

"It is the house elves room and kitchen."

"I will sleep in here." Ivy heard her voice wobble slightly. She took a breath. "I will send you a list of the decorations I want."

Narcissa nodded and began to make her way downstairs.

"Could you send Draco up with a computer and a credit card? Preferably muggle money and my dad's account." She asked.

"Of course." Narcissa smiled. Ivy grinned back at her.

"I'm sorry!" She added quickly. Narcissa continued making her way downstairs.

"Whatever for." Narcissa replied quietly not even looking back. Ivy nodded. Trying to keep her tears in check. She grasped the faded bronze handle of the small door and entered the attic.