When Darkness Calls

Chapter 8- the Dark Lord

I had no way of knowing where we were going in this labyrinth of corridors. We had descended at least three sets of stairs when we finally came to a large dome shaped door. When we entered all talk stopped I was aware of many dark figures sat on each side of what was almost like a small arena. I allowed myself a glance to the left and saw a row of figures sat at a long oak table facing the space in the middle, a look to the right and I saw the same there too. It was like a small version of the Great Hall only people didn't sit facing each other but just occupied one side of the table leaving a large open floor area which all could view. The Dark Lord sat on a throne at the end of the room with two menacing looing men flanked either side neither of whom I recognized. I followed Scabior as he led me to the top table where the Dark Lord sat. Our eyes met and my stomach flipped but his face remained impassive and unreadable as before. I stopped a few feet away as Scabior approached the Dark Lord and whispered something in his ear, The Dark Lord's eyes stayed on mine and I resolved to keep my eyes on his. Scabior moved to stand behind the Dark Lord and now all eyes were on me.

'Ava Black,' his voice was just as it had been in my dreams soft and enticing but looking at him now he seemed anything but. 'I hear you're a powerful though quite the unrefined witch.'

I didn't think he was waiting for me to answer so I merely stood still to the spot and refused to take my eyes from his. Besides I knew only my parents had ever witnessed the true extent of my magic and it was something I had only learnt to conceal not to control.

'I have brought you here to be tutored in the way of the dark arts and in return you shall serve me and do my bidding,' the Dark Lord made to continue his requirements but I couldn't stifle the short laugh that came out.

'I'm sorry but these powers you speak of don't exist I'm a novice witch at best, I'm not sure who your source is but I can assure you it is unreliable. As for serving you Sir, 'I knew he wouldn't like being referred to in such a way, 'I have never nor will ever be made to serve someone.' I stopped my speech abruptly as I registered the rage descend his face

'My source, I can assure you is extremely reliable,' the Dark Lords face turned into a sneer, 'what reason would your mother have to lie?'

I felt like someone had punched me and took the air from my lungs. My mother? Surely he was lying I took my eyes from his and looked at the floor as I searched my mind for reason. The Dark Lord seeing I was wounded continued.

'Your dear mother Cora was one of my most loyal followers I think she had a bit of an infatuation with me,' this led to mocking laughter around the room. 'She came to me after a rather bad argument with your dullard muggle father. She was a good witch but terribly naïve she thought me a confidant, she thought wrong.'

'You're a liar,' I looked back into his eyes anger rising in me now, 'you're nothing but a sick bastard and I will never serve you.'

'What a pity, it could have been so easy but very well we'll have it your way.'

The Dark Lord flicked his wand and I was instantly knocked to my knees in agony. It felt like every bone in my spine was popping out of place in time. The pain started at the base and worked its way up my back when it got to my ribs I suddenly couldn't breathe. I was aware of laughter around me but could only focus on the pain. My mum had told me about spells that could make the person think they were experiencing pain but it was all an illusion. This didn't feel like an illusion the pain was unbearable and I could hear bones creaking. The Dark Lord finally let up.

'So Ava what will it be, the fun has only just begun I will have you begging for the swift wings of death to take within the hour.' The Dark Lord's voice was calm and even which made his words all the more menacing.

'I would rather be dead,' I braced my body for the next curse that swiftly came.

With the next wordless spell came the sensation of being bound by ropes of fire. The Dark Lord eyes flashed in concentration. I was aware of the silent audience wondering what kind of disgusting people could sit and watch a girl be tortured and do nothing. I refused to believe my own mum was a part of this. He was lying, he had to be. It took all my strength not to let me magic bubble to the surface. I always viewed it as a living, pulsing purple light that I kept swirling in my chest. When emotion overtook and I was unable to control it I could see the light flowing into my body, down my veins. Once it was out I had no control over it I had never been taught how.

The Dark Lord let up and the relief was instant. I was crouched on the floor like a dog on all fours trying to catch my breath. As my head grew dizzy I gave it a quick shake to bring me back to my senses and that's when I saw his eyes black as night, professor Snape. I stared at him now aware of no one else in the room but him. His expression was unreadable but his eyes were intense his brows knit in a frown. His eyes widened as they fell on mine.

'Ah I believe you have already met professor Snape during your brief time at Hogwarts.' It was more of a statement and I knew then the Dark Lord wasn't aware of our kiss.

I took my eyes off Snape and stared at the floor as I felt the rage start to bubble. Betrayed by my own mother, betrayed by the school that had promised me the power of knowledge and worse betrayed by my own dreams of the monster who now stood before me.

'You see Dumbledore knew I was seeking you thanks to Professor Snape here planting the seed,' the Dark Lord was pacing now the mocking sneer still on his face,' While you were in the muggle world you were unattainable to me. The centre is run by powerful witches and wizards who although have turned their backs on the magic world still possess great power. I knew Dumbledore would insist on bringing you to Hogwarts to provide you with protection but there are too many dark creatures in the forest surrounding the school and I was able to get close enough for you to come to me.'

I was still crouched on the floor taking in everything he was saying but trying to steady my breathing and keep a lid on my rising anger. But it was no use I closed my eyes and saw flames flowing into my veins, there was nothing I could do to stop myself now.

'You,' I got to my feet and was pointing at the Dark Lord,' you think you're unique you think you're special?' I started to walk towards him and he stopped pacing and was frozen to the spot his ice eyes on mine.

'There's ten of you on every street where I'm from, mummy didn't love me enough and daddy never wanted me.' I was going on a whim but something struck a chord because I saw him suddenly stiffen and his fist clenched around his wand.

'You're pathetic,' I spat the words at him and as I didn't lights on the wall started to dim and brighten the chandelier in the centre of the room started to shake. The people who watched the scene had started to stand and point their wands at me and one by one they were disarmed by invisible forces wands landing at my feet that I felt underfoot as I advanced towards the Dark Lord. He was looking about the room in confusion until his eyes settled on me in realisation.

'You're so predictable it's funny.' I heard unknown words leave his mouth and the curse hit me. I didn't feel a thing although the room now stilled. I felt like I was underwater and felt calm but I could clearly hear the sounds of a lone witch laughing and I tried to picture who it was when I realised that the haunting laughter was coming from my own mouth. Another curse hit me and this time I felt it a million bolts hitting my body. Through the pain still I laughed and the last thing I saw before my body mercifully shut down was the Dark Lord's face contorted in the effort to silent me then everything went black.