Darkness Within||Draco Malfoy Fanfiction

Chapter 16

Chapter 16: True heritage

Draco and I stepped off the train as it pulled into Kings Cross Station.

"I'll see you all next year," I smiled, hugging my friends.

"Hey, don't we get a hug too?" Blaise complained. I rolled my eyes, but nevertheless gave him and Theo a hug as well.

"Yeah, see you all soon," Draco nodded. Narcissa Malfoy was waiting for us. She was standing a little way away from the others, as if trying to not be seen. I felt sorry for her, and so gave her a bright smile.

"Hello again, Narcissa," I said. She mustered a smile.

"It's good to see you again, Roxy. Come with me. We'd better get going," she answered gently. She seemed weary, and, like Draco, had lost some of her attitude.

We arrived at Malfoy Manor, and I couldn't help but frown. It seemed so much more dreary and darker than the last time I had visited. It was like a cloud of doom had settled over the entire estate, engulfing it in desolation and lifelessness. There was something else lingering over the estate. Traces of Dark Magic. All in all, it had a rather ominous appearance. The gates opened upon Narcissa's arrival. I decided to remain silent instead of asking the questions building on my mind.

"And just a reminder," said Narcissa as we reached the front doors, "My sister Bellatrix is currently also residing here." I blanched slightly. Bellatrix, one of of the scariest Death Eaters there was, and Voldemort's most faithful and deadliest lieutenant, and his second-in-command. I shuddered at the thought of encountering her. People also said she was wrong in the head. Draco caught my eye, and gave me a small nod of reassurance. I guess he did have it worse. Bellatrix was his aunt, after all.

I stepped into the Manor, feeling its familiarity wash over me. It had barely changed. House elves took our luggage away, and Narcissa silently led us into another room. Standing there were my parents.

"Hello, Father, Mother," I greeted, wondering where this was all going.

"Good to see you well, Roxy," Mother smiled briefly.

"We'll explain everything in due course," Father added. Then my eyes settled on the other woman in the room.

She was clad in black, and her long, curly black hair hung wildly about her face, which was pale and gaunt. Her eyes held a maniac look in them. She must've been pretty once but something, perhaps Azkaban, had taken most of her beauty. There was no doubt as to who she was.

Bellatrix.

"Hello, Roxy, I do believe introductions are in order. Bellatrix Lestrange." Her thin lips stretched into a smile.

"Pleasure to meet you. Roxanna Sylmore."

She turned to Draco.

"Ah, Draco, my dear nephew! I haven't seen you since you were little! My, you've grown into a fine, aristocratic young man!"

"Thank you, Aunt Bellatrix. It's good to see you too." Draco's voice was strained politeness.

"Ah, now, there's no need for that! Aunt Bella will do." I stared at her. She was impossible to figure out. Suddenly, Bellatrix and my parents' hands flew to their left forearms. Bellatrix's eyes widened in excitement.

"The Dark Lord is arriving," she smiled. Draco and I both froze simultaneously. What?! Nobody ever told me that I was going to meet the Dark Lord himself! My eyes flew to my parents', but they simply grimaced. I could feel my heart thundering in my chest. Beads of perspiration broke out across my forehead. No, no...I wasn't ready for this...What could Voldemort possibly want from me? I was just your typical, average, 17-year-old witch. Beside me, Draco was quivering.