Under My Skin

Chapter Thirty

Third Persons POV ~
"Just hold me."

Kieran was left by the black lake. Mattheo had run off and Athalia followed their father. He was left with tears streaming down from his dark eyes. With all the strength he had he stood from the ground.

His mark still burning and sending waves of pain through his weak body. So he hurriedly walked through Hogwarts. The only thing on his mind was Ember. She had made her choice to leave Kieran and it killed him. He had messed it all up and he knew that. But he still just needed her.

It was past school hours so although he was writhing with pain he stayed as quiet as possible. Kieran walked up the steps of the Slytherin common room. His knocks on her door soft and weak.

It took a minute but finally the door swung open. Revealing Ember in a sports bra and shorts. "Kieran?" She had a quizzical look on her face. Dark brows scrunched together. Plump lips pursed. Green eyes filled with confusion and concern.

"Can I just get a hug?" Kieran looked up at her. All his weight being held up by the wall. In seconds no matter how much he hurt her she pulled him into her embrace. The tears spilling out onto her soft skin.

His arms wearily wrapped around her as he fell to his knees. She lowered herself so she was on the ground with him. Hands curled in his hair. Arms holding him close by his neck. Her legs spread as Kieran's body laid in between them. His sobs coming out loudly as the emotional and physical pain grew.

"It's okay." She smiled through her own tears. "He knows Ember!" He got out eventually. "Who knows what?" She wondered in a comforting voice. "My dad saw the mark and my grandfather knows!" Kieran's breaths got shorter as the panic had just now hit him.

"It hurts!" Kieran admitted through gritted teeth. Embers eyes immediately went to the boys left arm. His arm strained, his veins popping out as the searing pain increased.

"Where were you first initiated Kieran?" Kieran was in too much pain to question her intentions. "The forest - ah!" In this moment Ember Ivy Zabini knew what she had to do. "I'm gonna fix this." She swore as she gently helped Kieran stand.

As soon as he was up and leaning against her dormroom wall she practically ran into her closet. Throwing on a tight white sweater and some gym shoes. "Let's go." Ember ordered Kieran as she threw her hair up in a ponytail.

Embers wand placed delicately in her hand. "What?" Kieran winced. "Your mark only hurts when he's summoning you Kieran. Connect the dots, we're going into the forbidden forest." With that she swung open her door.

"Ember it's not safe for you!" He spat out through a clenched jaw. "If we don't get this fixed you'll die Kieran!" She snapped, tears pricking in her eyes at the thought of losing him. "I'm not taking no for an answer so you either join me or stay." She finally decided before turning away from Kieran and walking out of her dormroom.

Kieran stumbled as he rushed to follow her. They stayed as quiet as possible as they walked through the halls and then ran through the forest. Embers wand I'm hand, her grip tightening everytime Kieran let her know the pain dimmed.

And finally Embers emerald eyes lit up as they reflected off the fire. "Grab them." The dark lords monotone voice demanded to his loyal followers. In seconds Kieran was being held back by four deatheaters and Ember was trying to be contained as well.

"He told me! He told me and me only!" Ember cried out as she hit and kicked at the men grabbing hold of her. Voldemort froze, turning halfway to glance at the girl. "Ember no!" Kieran called out to her desperately as they dropped the man to his knees.

"It wasn't his fault! He was...he was asleep and I grabbed his arm just to hold his hand. I saw it." She pleaded her case the deatheaters looking towards their lord for orders.

"Let the girl go." Voldemort then turned fully to face the girl. "Kill me if you have to. But don't hurt Kieran, I beg of you." And for the first time in Embers entire life, she knelt to the ground and pleaded.

Kieran was muffled and held back by many while Ember kneeled in front of The Dark Lord. "Your grandmother joined me when I first recruited Hogwarts students." Voldemort explained to the desperate girl. "Your father was so close to joining me before my children coerced him to leave." Ember stared directly into the soulless eyes of Voldemort.

Every part of her gave up, and if needed, she was ready to die for Kieran Riddle. "Why are you so persistent on saving my grandson?" The dark lord wondered, brushing one of his finger across Embers pointed chin. Her stomach filled with jitters, she didn't want to admit it. How could she after what he's done?

"Fuck you..." She muttered instead of the truth. Her eyes narrowing as they flared into his. "Crucio!" Voldemort hollered. The pain hitting the girl all at once. Her skin on fire, bones felt as if they were breaking, brain melting.

"Ember! You bastard stop it!" Kieran fought against the people restraining him. His anger radiating off his skin now.

His eyes turned a raven black. The smoke coming out of his nostrils as he breathed out. His fingertips leaking the dangerous mist.

Voldemort stopped his torture, staring at his grandson as the fog entered the senses of the men who were holding them. After a mere second the men screamed out in pain and fell back, taking their last breath.

"Ember I have an offer to make you..." Voldemort decided. She was too weak to respond. "Pledge yourself to me. Join me." The Dark Lord kept one eye on Kieran and the other on Ember.

"If you refuse, my grandson dies." Voldemort decided before yelling out the cruciatrix curse at Kieran. Who fell to his knees and yelled out in a flurry of pain and anger. The restraint he was showing was remarkable.

Jaw clenched, teeth gritted shit, fists tightened. He was fighting back. "One word and he dies..." The Dark Lord reminded Ember who's eyes went wide. "I'll do it." She decided with a tear of defeat running down her cheek.

"No!" Kieran cut in still trying to fight off the curse. "Ember! Don't do it!" Mattheo Riddle yelled as he ran into the scene. The rest of the group that was behind him were told to leave. The Original and The Dynasty's hiding in the woods to help if needed.

"I can't let Kieran die...I love him!" She looked back at the group and then to Voldemort. "CRUCIO!" Mattheo Riddle yelled out, pointing his wand at his father.

"Mattheo no!" He froze in his tracks.

He knew that voice.

He raised the boy who contained that voice.

He was betrayed by that voice.

It was the moment Mattheo Riddle discovered that Tom had a part in killing the love of his life, Dabria Weasley. And he would make him pay.