It could’ve been worse. As much as she hated to admit it, the Slytherins had an impeccable eye for beauty.
“Isn’t this a bit too much?” Anna asked, fingers grazing the thick eyeliner smudged onto her eyelids.
“That’s the point, isn’t it?” Tracey grinned, applying a dark crimson to her lips. “If we’re going to be seen parading around with a Gryffindor, the least you could do is be more presentable.”
Anna rolled her eyes as she played with the lace collar of her new dress - the charcoal one voted to be the lesser evil to the maroon. “I’m plenty presentable. It’s just not the image you all want me to project.”
Pansy placed a hand on her hip. “Are you really saying you don’t like what we did? At least now your hair isn’t weighing you down.”
Anna scowled at the reminder, feeling the fresh ends of her shorn locks - now reaching just below her clavicles. “You could have warned me.”
“Don’t be prissy.” Millicent brushed off her complaints. “You look fine. We wouldn’t let you come with us now if you didn’t look presentable.”
She and the rest of the girls shared a smile.
“After all, the Dark Lord doesn’t appreciate shoddiness.”
- - -
“Have you all gone bloody mad?” Anna hissed, where the girls stood outside the Malfoy manor. She turned on Pansy. “How could you bring me to him? You said-”
“And I meant every word.” Pansy reassured her. “Relax. Lord Voldemort is the one who asked you here. He wouldn’t hurt you tonight. Plus, most of our resources belong to Narcissa. You’d need to come here for them anyway.”
Anna couldn’t hide her scoff as she crossed her arms, a slight chill settling over them from the winter air. “You tricked me.”
Daphne’s eyes were sympathetic. “We’re sorry, Anna. Truly. But if it makes you feel any better, we didn’t lie about anything else. You’re free to access anything and everything we have to offer. Just this one supper.”
Though Daphne’s apology did little to lessen the anger in her chest, it did bring forth some sense, and Anna inhaled sharply.
It’s one dinner. What could go wrong?
“Fine.” She bit out, stalking forward. “Let’s just go.”
“Happily.” Tracey sighed, knocking three times.
Right on time, A house elf answered the door, trembling slightly as they gestured further into the home. “Lord Voldemort awaits you in the sitting room.”
Though Anna knew she would be safe, she couldn’t contain the tremor that ran down her spine as she continued forward, her fists clenched in anticipation.
What did he want with her?
He sat ominously across the room on a tall chair, Nagini hissing quietly at his side.
She gritted her teeth.
“Ah, finally. Our special guest has arrived.” Voldemort’s slittled eyes glinted dangerously in the light of the fireplace as he gestured to the couch next to her. “Why don’t you have a seat?”
“Lord Voldemort,” Pansy greeted, curtsying slightly. “I believe you’ve summoned us.”
“Yes, yes. Sit.” He said again, waving her off.
“My Lord,” Lucius Malfoy’s eyes were wide, his expression appalled. “Your esteemed guest…surely it isn’t-”
“So you know of her as well? That does make introductions less troublesome.”
“My Lord,” Bellatrix insisted. “That’s the Potter girl. She tried to kill me.”
“Indeed she did.” Voldemort smiled. “A mere girl. Able to conjure up something as deadly as the Cruciatus curse. Not to mention the ability to wield it effectively. You show your brother’s promise…yet you don’t seem to share his values.”
Anna cocked her brow, clenching her jaw. “I don’t believe I understand what you’re trying to say.”
“Me? I’m simply stating that you’re finally realizing just how much you’re capable of.”
Voldemort stirred his tea. “Everyone has cast you off, thinking you are good for nothing. That you are merely the sidekick of The Boy Who Lived, and deserve nothing more but a glance.”
She frowned. “I’m not him - I'm not The Boy Who Lived. I'm just as normal as any other witch of my year.”
“Are you?” He eyed her carefully. “Witches your age have families. They focus on grades, appearances, and relationships. Constantly smiling as they frolic about.”
“What does that have to do with anything? Because they’re actually happy?” Anna asked inquisitively.
“Because none of them know death like you do.” Voldemort’s piercing gaze never left hers. “You’ve lost two sets of families. Your lover, your uncle. For all this time, you’ve never let the pain heal, but fester. Creating an untapped well of power.”
At this, she paused.
Since the beginning, all Hogwarts students were taught to source their magic from a positive source, much like how a patronus was summoned from happy memories and emotion, so was the foundation of any spell.
She had never heard of using anger.
Though, truth be told. She never thought her rage could outweigh her happiness.
Voldemort smiled, seeing her expression change. “Your rage fuels one of the most powerful sources I’ve ever seen. Which is exceptional, even with all you have been through. I’ve seen many wizards and witches in my life…yet I’ve never seen a type of raw fury so abundant in a singular person.”
Anna sniffed, crossing her arms. “I don’t get it. Why are you telling me this?”
“Isn’t it obvious?” He grinned. “I want to teach you how to harness your anger - and in order to do that, I want you to join us.”
YOU ARE READING
Lillian 'Anna' Potter || Half-Blood Prince
Fanfiction"DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW IT FEELS TO KNOW YOU'LL NEVER BE ENOUGH?" It was revealed by J.K Rowling that when Lily Potter originally died, she was with child. What if Lily had her second child before Voldemort showed up at their house in Little W...
