Before The Past

Ch. 65

It had been two weeks since Matteo and I had had more than a five minute conversation. We were each so busy with our own things that we weren't able to do anything together. We would share longing glances in the hall, but knew that interacting more than a few seconds was costly. Everything we did had an agenda, we had certain times to meet and the more we did, the more urgent things became. 

I was stuck training more often than not, constantly being nagged by Bellatrix and Dolohov. Over the past week I've tortured and killed more than most would their entire lives. It was beginning to get easier, it felt better. I no longer felt remorse or any sense of hesitation, it was like an addiction I had to constantly feed. The more power I held, the more I needed to nurture its desire. I began to understand why The Dark Lord was so adamant on being on top, although I feared that there may never be enough. 

I never felt satisfied and wanted more, I wanted more tasks, ones that challenged me. I'd become quite familiar with my senses, being able to feel someone casting a spell at me before it even left their wands. I heard everything, saw everything. I began to notice the little things. 

The nervous twitches that people developed as The Dark Lord walked by them. 

The changes in personality as one spoke to different people. 

The whispers about other people, about me, about The Dark Lord. 

This morning I had training and then I was to be sent on a task to the Weasley house. They were hosting a wedding, where several members of the order and other important figures that were against us would be. It was the perfect time to finally finish one of our most ambitious goals so far, taking over the ministry. 

Within just a few hours we were going to take take the minister for magic and end his rein, putting in someone under our control, Pius Thicknesse.  Ambushing the wedding was simply another poke at the order, once again making them weaker than before. Everything was set into place, now all we needed was to take the final few actions. 

I walked over to a room that had been emptied of all furniture and decor. It was now simply a room with four walls and two sparring dummies in one of the corners. Dolohov was waiting for me, practicing his steps as I stepped in. I cleared my throat, announcing my presence and he turned around, stiffening up. Without another word he stood on one end of the room, waiting for me to stand at the other. There were a few moments of silence before Dolohov threw the first hex. It was a gentle hex, but still one harsh enough to knock you back. I blocked it just in time and immediately made my move. 

We threw hexes and curses towards each other, blocking each and every one. Eventually we had circled the room several times and were beginning to grow tired, but neither of us willing to give in. I saw a small glint in Dolohov's eyes before he disappeared and I heard something behind me. His wand pressed into my neck, but he took no other actions to detain me. 

"Never forget that this isn't just about who can cast the fastest and strongest." Dolohov whispered, his stale breath abruptly hitting my nose. 

"And don't forget that it's not always about magic." I smirked, pressing the blade I had in just enough to make it noticeable. 

He fell back and let out a breathy laugh. I placed the blade back into its sheath. He had made that move before a week ago. I knew from the moment that he slowed down that he was going to attempt it again. The first time he truly had gotten me, leaving me surprised and practically dead in a real situation. This time I was prepared. While I always carried a blade with me, this was the first time I had used it in any of our duals. Bellatrix was the one who favored blades more than the wand, which is where I got most of my technique from.