The Chosen One (MattheoRiddle x Ophelia)

Chapter 34

I found myself standing alongside the feared Dark Lord, as he were often referred to. The man's appearance was far from that of a human; he stood atop his regal chair, emanating an aura of power and darkness. Only a select few Death Eaters remained in his presence, including my father, Narcissa, Lucius, Draco, that witch who I nearly sent to hell, and a handful of other individuals who clearly held importance in the eyes of the Dark Lord. And of course, there was the one and only Matthew Riddle.

The summoning had been abrupt, leaving an eerie silence in its wake. Finally, breaking the stillness, the Dark Lord's cold tone pierced the air. "Well, I have brought you all here for an important announcement," he began, his gaze then shifting towards me, as if relishing in some hidden satisfaction. I glared back, fully aware of the dangers that lay before me, but unable to stifle my own defiant ego.

"Ophelia, my dear," he called, even though I stood mere inches from him. The rest of the room fell into silence, their heads bowed in deference, fixated on the empty table before them. "Tonight marks a pivotal moment for you," he continued, his words laced with venomous intent. Confusion furrowed my brow as I tried to make sense of his cryptic message.

"You shall be entrusted with a task of immense significance," the Dark Lord sneered, now glancing towards my father. "It is an opportunity for you to prove your unwavering loyalty to me, your Dark Lord." His laughter echoed throughout the room, a chilling sound filled with malice and malevolence. I dared not look at my father, as his countenance remained cold and emotionless, his gaze fixed ahead without even acknowledging my presence.

"Extend your hand to me, my dear," the Dark Lord commanded, and I averted my gaze, my face turning as pale as his own. My heart raced with fear and desperation. No! This was not what I wanted, not what I had bargained for.

His firm grip on my hand felt as if it were engulfed in searing flames. Utter horror coursed through my vein as I witnessed this wand. Transfixed in dread, my heart raced with dread. "Calm down," there was no mercy to be found in his sinister intentions. As the tip of his wand plunged into my flesh, a searing agony enveloped me, leaving me gasping for breath. A shrill screech escaped my lips, an involuntary testament to the excruciating pain that now seared within me.

With a surge of desperate strength, I wrenched my hand away from his. The sensation of burning intensified, engulfing me in a suffocating haze. Oxygen eluded me, my chest tightening with each breath. My vision blurred as the clutches of darkness tightened their grip.

To compound my misery, a curse was hurled in my direction, piercing the air with malicious intent. "Crucio!" The Dark Lord arrogantly rose, his malevolent wand zeroing in on my defenseless form. "Never, ever dare to disrespect my followers, you wretched little witch," he spat, his voice dripping with venom. A menacing laugh erupted from his lips that sent shivers down my broken spine.

I collapsed to the cold stone floor, the impact jarring my senses. The world around me spun out of focus, blurred by a haze of pain, my agonised screams filled the air, unbearable pain ravaged my body. And in that moment, I took a vow to rid this immortal creature of existence. Not just to kill him, but to inflict upon him unspeakable torment, to make him suffer before his ultimate death.

After regaining my consciousness, I found myself lying in bed, covered with this cozy duvet. Though the pain I had experienced earlier seemed to have lessened slightly, the ache still lingered. It must have been midnight, as the darkness enveloped the room.

I rose from the bed and made my way towards the window. As I opened it, a chill breeze swept into the room, causing goosebumps to tingle upon my skin. It seemed that it had rained while I was unconscious, for the damp scent of the earth mingled with the cool night air. To my surprise, however, the night sky was devoid of stars, even though the sky appeared clear.

Turning on my heels, I treaded down the stairs, but to my amusement, the castle seemed empty. "Where could they be?" I whispered to myself, my voice echoing through the empty halls. Realizing that I had left my wand in my room, I found myself surrounded by an eerie darkness, with only the moonlight casting. faint shadows upon the corridors.

As I noticed my forearm, I couldn't help but feel a wave of disgust wash over me at the sight of the serpent mark etched onto my skin. Tracing my finger along the mark, I realized how much I despised this way of life -the notion of taking pleasure in killing others.

My thoughts drifted to the words I had heard murmured in hushed tones-"A series of mysterious killings." The mystery surrounding these deaths intrigued me, and I found myself drawn towards the place where I had once tried to search for my father.

Before I could even grasp the doorknob, a sudden, chilling sting pierced my skin. I turned to find the old Malfoy, his ugly cane in hand, standing there with a cold and expressionless face. "What are you doing here?" he grumbled through gritted teeth. But his harsh voice didn't send shivers down my spine. Instead I knew how to fight him back.

"Planning ideas, perhaps. So that you might cast me out of this place. It would be a blessing," I retorted, glaring defiantly at him. The old Malfoy took a step toward me, attempting to assert his dominance. But I refused to back down. Instead, I stepped forward to meet him face to face. Sure, he was tall, but my ego loomed larger than his stature.

"See how much power I have over you," I smirked mischievously. "Even if you desired it greatly, you wouldn't be able to expel me. Quite shameful, isn't it?" My raised eyebrows conveyed both provocation and amusement, knowing all too well that those words would wound his delicate ego.

He glared back at me, seething with anger. "The Cruciatus Curse was not be enough for you," he spat disdainfully beside me. Undeterred, I maintained my cool demeanor. "Well, it seems I am far stronger than you, Malfoy. There's no doubt about it."

I could sense his body tensing up, and it thrilled me to see my words strike a nerve deep within him. "Get out of my sight," he growled, his voice dripping with anger. "Delighted to oblige," I replied nonchalantly. "I wouldn't want my magnificent presence to be tainted by your wretched presence." With that, I gave him a gentle but firm push, leaving him dumbfounded and at a loss for words.