A Life to be Loved

~ Chapter 47 ~

- Lilith -

"It has come to my attention that these children were caught attempting to eavesdrop on this manor," Voldemort's face fill with a feral delight. "They must be punished accordingly."

I watched the fear fill each of the four kids' faces. They seemed to be no younger than ten, with wide, pleading eyes that were trying to beg the Death-Eaters for help.

"Torture them!" Voices filled the room, everyone scrambling to show how ruthless they were.

"Send them to the dungeons!"

"Kill them!"

"Make them Death-Eaters!"

"Silence." Voldemort's eyes flashed with warning. Though his voice was calm, everyone understood the warning, and quieted instantly. The room filled with tense silence for a few moments. The Death-Eaters looked straight ahead, and I followed suit, locking eyes with Draco. He looked worried.

"A simple Killing Curse should do the trick," The Dark Lord muttered, lifting his wand again. "Avada Kedavra."

Green light erupted from his wand, making me squint. The first boy fell to the table with a strangled scream. The other three suffered the same fate, each of their lives ending with a shriek.

They would never take another breath. They would never play in their gardens. They would never hug their mothers. They would never graduate high school. They would never get a job.They would never get married. They would never raise a family. They would never live.

I let a tear fall as the room erupted in cackles.

"Meeting dismissed." Voldemort announced, watching as the Death-Eaters rose and made their way out of the room.

- - -

I woke up to my alarm clock blaring. I lifted my hand lazily to shut it off, but frose when I heard the words I had charmed it to say.

"Get up, bitch. Tonight's the Yule Ball."

The Yule Ball was tonight. I would be with Cedric, only because McGonagall had pressured him into securing a date.

I groaned, pulling myself out of bed and getting into the shower. The water burned my skin, but screams filled my head. Small, high-pitched shrieks. I had stood by last night, and watched as four boys lost their lives. I hadn't even said anything. I was no better than the monster who killed them. Am I a monster?

I lifted a bar of soap, and began to scrub my skin hard enough for dead skin to peel off. The water slid the bubbles away, and I watched as they disappeared into the drain. Just one ball. Just one night of dancing. That was all I had to get through.

- - -

My hair dripped water onto the hardwood floor, while I stared mindlessly at the door. I kept thinking about the dead children. I could've done something. I could've stopped the Dark Lord. I sighed. He would've just killed me as well, if I had dared to do anything.

"Lilith? Lilith, open the door!" I was started out of my thoughts by Pansy's voice, accompanied by knocks on my door.

I swung it open, attempting to smile at her. "Hey, Pansy."

"Hi! The Yule is tonight!" She grinned, practically jumping with excitement. "And it's Christmas! I got you a gift, look!" She handed me a small box.

"Thanks, Pansy." My smile widened, and I handed her a necklace that I had bought her. "Merry Christmas."

"It's beautiful!" She stared at the gems. Her arms wrapped around me, and I hugged her back.

- - -