The Slytherin Heiress

Chapter || 19

I feels like weeks before Wormtail bangs on my door but I know is has been only a day. He frantically clicks his tongue and binds his hands as I throw the door open in my night dress. He gulps loudly.

"What is it Wormtail?" I seethe.

"It's time, mistress." He stutters. "Severus has returned with news. Harry Potter is at Hogwarts, we leave now."

"All right." I say.

I slam the door and put on the best thing I can find. I throw on black cargo pants and a black long sleeve top. I throw on my robe and braid my hair away from my face. It has grown a lot since last year, now reaching my sternum.

I quickly throw open my door and rush down the stairs there I find my father and the other death eaters waiting. I find my father, searching the ranks for Draco and his family.

"Ah, Verena." My father greets me, wrapping his arms around my shoulders. "There has been a change of plans. You will fight with us today, now we simply await Nagini."

The snake slowly slithers towards us, attaching herself to my leg. Her heavy body drapes herself over my shoulders as everyone around me turns to black smoke. I follow them, Nagini's energy showing me down.

We arrive at Hogwarts and I stumble as I return to a solid form beside my father. We stand on the edge of the forbidden forest watching as Hogwarts is enveloped in a shield.

"They never learn." My father chuckles. "Such a pitty."

"But my lord. . . Shouldn't we wait for-" my father turns to look at the minister, effectively silencing him.

"Begin." My father says.

We all obey his command, launching curses towards their shield. I watch in awe as what looks like a million shooting stars fly across the night sky. Then they hit the shield and the earth beneath my feet quakes.

I turn to search the ranks for the familiar mop of blonde hair as we continue firing. I worry he may have been placed in a separate hoard as I don't see him any where.

Then my chest burns. My father groans beside me and I know they have destroyed another. I clutch my chest before my father screams beside me. I flinch away from him as he casts a powerful spell towards the shield, lighting it up so it looks like its own planet.

I stare in awe as the shield begins tearing, burning, splitting. I watch as it burns my chest aching for a separate reason. My hand clutches my wand tightly as me father turns with wide arms back to his army.

"My friends, it is time." He says proudly.

They turn to black smoke and fly towards the castle. My father turns to me, his sharp claws running down my cheek.

"You will stay here, at my side." My father orders. "You and Nagini."

"Father," I begin lowly. "You know of my affections for Draco. Where is he?"

"He has been sent to retrieve the diadem." He says simply.

I nod and look back to see Lucius and Narcissa standing, apart of the ranks left behind. Only a few are left and we have nothing to do but wait.

I move to sit on the edge of a rock not far from the others. Nagini joins me, circling herself around my waist and laying her head in my lap. I stroke her head thoughtlessly as I stare at what becomes of the castle. Sparks fly as spells are cast in the courtyard.

My heart aches with worry not only for Draco but for my friends. Pansy and Blaise are in there as well. My gut lurches and I feel as though I'm about to vomit with worry.

After a while my chest burns. I claw at my chest and I know Harry has destroyed the diadem. Draco has failed and my father knows. My worry turns to pacing and scratching at my palms, picking my nails, pulling my hair untill my father speaks softly to himself. I cantch one word. Retreat.

I wait for him to open his eyes then I cross over to him before he kills the minister. I pause before he turns to me with anger in his eyes.

"Come, we are going to the forest." He orders through gritted teeth.

"Why are we retreating?" I ask as I reach his side.

"Change of plans." He says. "Harry Potter will come to us."

He turns to smoke and the others follow. I catch Narcissas worried eyes before she disappears as well and I follow. When we land we are surrounded by trees and left to wait once again. This time I stand deathly still, discarding my robe and holding my wand in a death grip. Harry Potter will die either way this war ends.

"No sign of him my lord." A snatcher says, entering the forest.

"I thought he would come." My father mutters

The snatcher fearfully comes to stand behind him and Bellatrix joins my father's side before he turns back to us. He moves to walk towards us before something scuffles in the wilderness behind him. Harry Potter emerges from the trees and I move to stand beside my father.

"Harry?" Hagrid who I hand by noticed yells as he is tied and held by a few death eaters. "No! What are you doing here?"

"Quiet." Someone seethes as I step forward.

"Harry Potter," my father begins. "The boy who lived come to die."

My body seems to act on its own accord as I continue stepping forward untill I am almost between my father and Harry Potter. My heart hammers in my chest as I watch my father raise his wand.

"Arvada Kedavra!" My father yells.

It happens in a moment, one step, one push, one breath, one heartbeat. I step infront of the curse. The green bolt hits me like a train. Pain envelops my body as I feel myself fly. I never feel the ground.