RIDDLE ME THIS

60

movement came from behind me as each and every Death Eater sank onto their knees, then lower—pressing their foreheads to the ground.

the Hogwarts crowd hesitated.

with a look of pure angst on her face, Minerva McGonogal lowered herself onto one knee.

those behind her slowly did the same.

"things will be different from now on." i addressed them. "there is no Dumbledore to protect you, no Harry Potter, no Snape."

nobody dared to move.

"i will allow you to rebuild your castle, repair your defences, bury your dead. perhaps i will return and we will meet again."

McGonogal looked up. "you don't have to do this, Lolita."

"you're right," i nodded. "but i want to—and nobody has the power to stop me."

"look at the destruction your Father was caused! the pain and heartbreak!"

"i see nothing but the sloppy work of a fool." i snarled. "until we meet again, Hogwarts."

i apperated into a cloud of black smoke, leaving the destruction behind.

*

i found myself in a grassy meadow beside a lake, where flowers were beginning to bud.

it was so peaceful-

"so serene."

i turned at the sound of Draco's voice.

"is it true?" he made no attempt to come closer. "you killed him."

"it's true." i took a step towards him but his fist clenched. "please don't be afraid of me."

"you don't scare me, Lols." he smiled gently. "except when you're in one of your moods."

"so what is it?"

he shrugged and opened his arms.

i stepped into his embrace, resting my cheek on his chest.

"what's the plan then, Dark Lady?"

"i have no idea," i whispered.

he tilted my chin up and kissed me softly.

"whatever it is, i will be beside you."

seven poofs sounded behind me.

i turned to see Tom, Matteo, Pansy, Blaise, Regulus, Enzo and Theo standing in the tall grass.

"so, Dark Lady, huh?" Tom grinned.

i nodded.

"it's got a ring to it," Matteo winked.

i rolled my eyes. "i know."

"what now then, My Lady?" Pansy bowed comically.

"we'll to the Manor. i want to do it up, strip it bare and make it anew."

"and then?" Reggie pressed.

"and then i will find Bellatrix and Lucius and Narcissa, i have questions for them. then i will find all of the trusted Death Eaters—they can do my dirty work."

"lazy," Tom muttered.

"careful i don't curse you, Riddle." i narrowed my eyes.

"careful i don't curse you," he mimicked.

i waved my hand and sent him flying into the lake.

he surfaced, spitting water out of his mouth and laughing. "you've got magic at the tips of your fingers!"