Riptides (Fred Weasley Fan Fiction)

Chapter 23

On the first Saturday of December, Malfoy informed Lyssie that this night, they have to go to their meeting with You-Know-Who. She was aware that this day will come, but when it did, she refused to believe that it was happening to her. What did she do to deserve it all? First, her father was murdered and now, she had to go to a meeting which will probably result in her death?

Lyssie has never been so anxious. She spent most of the day in her room, thinking of ways to get herself out of this situation. She told her friends that she had to do the difficult Potions homework and, because of that, she needed a calm, silent environment. The truth was, however, that she managed to finish this assignment days ago and now, she just walked from one side of the dormitory to another.

There was nothing she could do. She knew that, but it didn't stop her from thinking of any other options. She practiced the defense spell that week but had a feeling that it wouldn't work as she intended. If her dad couldn't save himself, why would she be able to do it with a simple spell? There was no point learning it, really, but at least she had a feeling that she did something that potentially could help her when the time comes.

Lyssie thought that she should at least say goodbye to Fred if she was going to die. However, she didn't want him to stop her, so decided to write him a note just before they were about to leave.

The evening came and Lyssie came back to the common room. Malfoy was sitting there with everybody and reading something.

"Done?" Nott asked as she sat down next to him.

"Done with what?" she asked stupidly.

"The Potion's homework you've been talking about it."

"Oh, right," she nodded. "Done. Sorry, I'm really tired."

Nott smiled.

"So am I," he said. "I don't know about you all, but I will be heading to bed."

Draco said that he wanted to stay a little longer to finish his book, but the rest of the group agreed with Nott and left the common room. Malfoy waited for the doors to close before he started talking.

"I found a secret passage to Hogsmeade." He looked around to make sure no one was close enough to hear them. In fact, the room was becoming emptier every minute, as all Slytherins were slowly going to sleep. "From there, my father will take us to him."

"Mhm," Lyssie agreed faintly.

"Are you okay?" Malfoy asked. He put his book on the table. It turned out he was reading (or pretending to read) their Charms coursebook.

Lyssie shrugged. Really, she wasn't sure how she felt. At first, she was nervous, but now, that the time has almost come, she felt nothing. Maybe she started to accept the fact that she was going to die this night. She realized how ridiculous this situation was. She was about to die to save people she has never met, and their son, who she met a couple months ago. But was there really a point of living in the world without her dad?

On the other hand, something was telling her that she will be able to survive the meeting. Her protection spell will work just fine, or maybe someone will save her, like in the books she liked to read. She had this feeling deep down and it was the only thing that gave her some hope in this hopeless situation.

"We'll be leaving soon," Draco continued, since Lyssie decided not to answer his question. "In half an hour or so. I want to wait till everyone goes to sleep."

"Can I borrow some paper and a quill?" she asked pointing at the table.

"I believe it's Zabini's," he replied. "So, go on."