Rhapsody of a Veela

Part 67 - The Ring

The days of august were passing by slowly, and you remained imprisoned within the walls of Malfoy manor, not knowing what was going on in the outside world. Not knowing if your fiancé, Fred Weasley and the rest of his family had gotten away safely after the attack during Bill & Fleur's wedding. Your days were mostly spent inside your sleeping chamber, as the moment you would step outside it's doors you would be closely monitored by all the death-eaters in the mansion. They all spoke to the Dark Lord, even if he had deemed them to be nothing but your mere servants and thus you could trust no one – not even Narcissa Malfoy who had personally begged you for help, in making sure Draco remained safe.

You had no knowledge of the dark lord's plan, what possible use he could have of you – not even once had he asked you if you knew anything about the whereabouts of his enemy no.1 Harry Potter.

Instead the only clue you had of his scheme, was the way he strived to convince you of the greatness of his vision, through all the probable tampered memories he had shared with you through the pensieve. You quickly come to understand, that if you were going to survive and keep those you loved safe, you needed to somewhat play along.

So whenever you moved outside your chamber, you kept your head up and tried to not reveal any fear or weaknesses to the prying eyes around you. You were a threat to them, especially to those who were in the Dark Lords favour, and most inner circle.

During strategical meetings, you sat by your fathers side silently as you listened in on their plans. On all the horrid ways in which they planned to control the muggle population, and of their search of Harry and other important enemies. You tried to not flinch as his pet snake slithered on the floor around you, it's whispers to his master which you could also decipher with ease.

During these meetings, no one seemed to be safe. If anyone, whomst had unfortunately fallen out of favour dared to speak up at the wrong time or if he simply disagreed with something trivial at all, he would not hesitate to fire his killing curse at them across the table. People would flinch, hold their breath as the person next to them smashed headfirst onto the table, praying that they too would not get on his wrong side. It seemed to be happening more and more frequently as of late showing that the dark lord was clearly on edge about his little wand problem.

As Nagini struggled swallowing a man whole just across from you, you sat and cradled your engagement ring while praying that you'd soon get out of there, distracting yourself from the horrible situation by picturing Fred holding it's sister opal stone to his heart, thinking of you just at that very same moment. You kept your eyes low, avoiding Draco's at all costs afraid that it with cause you to cry.

"What is that ghastly ring, in your hand, daughter?" Voldemort suddenly asked, and it took a moment until you realised he had addressed you seeing as you were so far away from the scene in your mind.

"It looks like an engagement ring, my lord" Bellatrix spat from across the table, nervous as soon as she had spoken without being asked. That hag, you knew she knew. Her dog, Greyback had hunted you for so long now that it was simply impossible that they had not figured out the significance of your relationship with Fred. But of course she would not dare reveal it outright, after all she would risk being the target of another of her lord's murderous outbursts.

"But how could that be Bella? When it has not yet come to my knowledge? - give it here child" Voldemort demanded, and you instantly panicked.

That ring was all you had, it was the only thing you had left that somehow connected you to Fred and thus helped keeping you sane during your current situation. You simply could not take it from your finger, but Voldemort was not one to repeat himself either. If he studied it, and somehow revealed it's enchantment it would put Fred at risk.

"I gave it to her" Draco suddenly spoke up, his voice shivering. The lethal silence of the room grew even heavier as all eyes turned to him, his parents looking the most surprised of all. He eyed you nervously from across the long table, he was after all the sole person in the entire mansion other than Bellatrix and her dog, that seemed to be knowledgeable about you and Fred's engagement, you had accidentally told him yourself long ago – and you had somewhat expected he would abandon your friendship right then and there. But now, after you had thought all was lost, and concluded that he was nothing but a traitorous coward – he had saved you, and somehow Fred as well.

"I-in secret as an engagement ring" Draco hastily added, and you felt Greyback's animalistic eyes linger on you for a little too long. Both him and Bellatrix must have known it was a lie, but for now they both held their tongues. Likely because if you spoke up, about the fact that Greyback had tried to murder you on her orders, several times – the Dark Lord would not even hesitate to murder them, for even attempting to harm his sole heiress.

Bellatrix wore her pout well, it seemed ever since you had arrived in the mansion she had somehow fallen out of the Dark Lords favour. Along with her, the rest of the Malfoys had seemed to be in a critical position, they weren't really deemed as useful as before after all of Lucius's failures – despite the fact that it was their own home which Voldemort had chosen as a hideout. But now, now that the lie had been formally made about you and Draco having been secretly engaged for all this time, the tables were turning alas.

Voldemort turned to you after a moment, "Is this true? – and here I thought i'd made it clear there shall be no lies or secrets between us"

You opened, then closed your mouth. Truly, you did not know what to say in order to sound convincing.

"But no matter, I expect you find these news quite relieving don't you Lucius?" he grinned maliciously, and Lucius quivered in his corner. At the same time you could physically feel the aura of relief radiating from Narcissa, in her heart she was thanking you, thanking you for saving her son.

"Y-yes, of course my lord" Lucius stuttered pathetically, it was clear his spirit still remained beaten down.

"I think it is wonderful news, as long as we how our lords blessing" Narcissa added, likely to add some dignity to her husband's reaction.

"Certainly... it is only expected that my heiress would find a spouse from a decent pureblooded family, but tell me Lucius do you really believe your son is good enough?" Voldemort continued, well aware of how he was turning the conversation into a mockery of his follower.

Lucius would not dare look him in the eye, and Nagini was already slithering dangerously close by. Draco looked paler than ever, perhaps regretting his spontaneous act of courageousness.

"Naturally, I h-hope he is suitable m-my lord"

A mocking laughter spread across the table, seemingly at the dark lord's command. You shivered, for a moment you had felt quite hopeful that he would let this go and move on to whatever terrible scheme they had to discuss next, but Voldemort seemed to be enjoying himself.

"And might I ask, what you think Severus? You have been guardian to my daughter for many years, while I was away" Voldemort inquired.

Now you looked up, Snape did not, unlike the rest seem to find the situation amusing. He looked quite serious as he took a moment to think, before answering his opinion.

"As a matter of fact my lord, I do believe that Draco could be a suitable spouse"

As Voldemort seemed pleased with his assessment, your head started racing. While you could now keep your ring, there was no way you could predict the outcome of the war. You might never escape this place, and there was an increasing chance you would never get to see Fred again as the war would progress. What if this really was your future?

"Very well, I suppose you have my blessing" Voldemort concluded, first eyeing you, then Draco who looked paler than ever.

So what now? Were you supposed to just forgive Draco for turning to your enemies side, for supporting the very man who had murdered Cedric? It seemed impossible even now. Nevertheless, the Hogwarts School year was about to begin – and Voldemort himself had made attendance mandatory for all witches and wizards, as long as they were not muggleborn of course. It was obvious that you would be moved out of Gryffindor and straight into Slytherin, as per his wishes and that you were now deemed to be somewhat royalty at Hogwarts, unwillingly of course as now everyone would know the truth – the fact that you were his daughter, and his sole heir. It was your worst nightmare come true.