Redamancy (d.m)

Chapter seventy eight-death threats

It was always the same meeting room, the one with a weightless girth that settled uncomfortably on the shoulders of anyone who entered. The windows were spotless, kept vigorously clean by the Malfoy's house staff, yet no light permitted itself to stream in. That's the kind of despair the Dark Lord elicited.

"I have spent time in careful deep deliberation" he began, the hiss of his voice ringing in my ears as he glided hauntingly around where Draco and I sat, "and you will be delighted, I am sure, to know that I perceive one of you to be the final member to carry out my task"

Draco was looking at me, he had a tendency to cause goosebumps to arise on the surface of my skin, I refused to return his stare

"Now, that is not to say should get too comfortable" Lord Voldemort continued to wheeze out with flourish, "there is still a final challenge I must send you upon, and while you will be required to work together, you will be judged on your separate performances in order for me to determine which of the two is the worthiest"

I didn't speak, my adrenaline overriding everything else

"The challenge in question requires expertise in deception from the both of you" I was already working out my message to Dumbledore in my mind as he explained, "you will attend a benefit ball showcasing the famed Ravenclaw diadem before it is transported to its new home at Hogwarts. I must get my hands on that tiara before that happens. The two of you will ensure I am delivered it, as well as making sure it arrives to Hogwarts once I have completed my...adjustments"

He was careful not to divulge too much information, unaware that I knew precisely why he required the diadem that he had foolishly conjured into a horcrux. No doubt, in his panic, he was hoping to cast additional protection before it is returned, believing it would be hidden in plain sight at the school. I knew as well of the ball in question, highly protected and supremely exclusive, though I supposed nothing was too exclusive for the Dark Lord.

"It will be displayed somewhere noticeable, it is, after all, the cause of the event. How you remove it without being detected, however, is all up to you"
"When do we begin, my Lord?" Draco uttered with hooded eyes, causing a yellowed smile to stretch onto the dark wizard's ghastly face
"Right now" he reached a wrinkled hand into a compartment in robes, pulling out a gold encrusted invitation with the names "Mr. Percote and Miss. Amblay" embroidered in grand cursive, "You've been given false surnames for identity concealment, I have generously procured your clothing, I believe they are currently sitting in your bedrooms. Kake yourself look convincingly presentable, a carriage is waiting outside"

The rosy powder bled seamlessly into my skin, creamy and rid of any blemishes as I prepared myself in my bedroom, painting my face with light cosmetics before slipping on the multiple layers of gown attire. My chest tightened as I heard a sharp rap on my door, and it wasn't from the corset I was currently struggling with. I didn't bother to answer the door, I knew he would let himself in regardless

"Why bother knocking if you're just gonna barge in anyways?" I muttered flatly, momentarily catching his in the reflection of the mirror I stood in from of, dressed head to toe in a matching raven black suit, blonde hair left untouched and slightly ruffled, a rather large bundle of leather in his hands
"I made the mistake of thinking you were deserving of such a formality" he spat tediously, throwing the bundle onto my bed behind me, unrolling it to reveal a row of various weaponry, hunting knives and daggers alike
"Mh, you just can't resist from making mistakes, can you?" I responded with a bitter laugh, taking my gaze away from the tools and back onto the stubborn knot in the lacing of my corset
"Quite harsh, Lestrange" he crooned with a sharp acidity in his words
"Yeah, no shit, why do you think I said it?" I said sarcastically
"Considering you're so moronic you can't tie a set of laces together, I'd be mindful of your criticisms"