Dumbledore apparated the three of us back to the castle in the astronomy tower. Harry and I stabilized Dumbledore, he was still weak. "We need to get you up to the hospital, sir, to Madam Pomfrey -"
Dumbledore cut Harry off. "No. Severus... Severus is who I need... Go and wake him... Tell him what has happened..." He sounded weak and tired. "Speak to no one else... I... I shall wait here..."
"All right. Okay." Harry and I gently put Dumbledore down. "Harry, go get Snape. I'll stay with him."
Harry nodded and walked towards the staircase. He stopped and looked over at us, he saw Dumbledore muttering to himself. I couldn't understand what he was saying. "Sir, are you... praying?" Harry asked. Really Harry? This isn't the time to ask stupid questions.
Dumbledore smiled slightly. "No, Harry. I do not pray. I was merely closing a window -- the one that had allowed us to Apparate."
Harry nodded and was about to leave when the sound of footsteps echoed through the tower. Dumbledore drew his wand and stood up. "Hide yourself below. And do not speak or show yourself without my permission. No matter what." Harry and I exchanged glances, neither of us wanted to leave Dumbledore alone. "Do as I say. Trust me."
Harry nudged me and I followed him down to the level below. We watched as Draco appeared and pointed his wand at Dumbledore. Oh no. He wouldn't go through with this. Would he? No. He wouldn't. I know Draco. As idiotic and mean he is, despite the things he has done, he would never kill a person. "Good evening, Draco." Dumbledore greeted him. "What brings you out on such a fine Spring evening? Or is it Summer?"
"Who else is here?" Draco asked. "I heard you talking."
"I often talk aloud to myself." Dumbledore replied. "I find it extraordinarily useful. That which sounds sane at a whisper can seem utterly mad when said for all the world to hear. Haven't been whispering to yourself, have you, Draco?" Dumbledore turned to face Draco and saw Draco pointing his wand at him. "You are not an assassin, Draco."
"How do you know what I am?" Draco questioned. His voice was unsteady. I knew he was scared. "I've done things that would shock you."
"Like cursing Katie Bell and hoping she would, in turn, bear a cursed necklace to me? Like replacing a bottle of mead with one laced with poison." Dumbledore spoke calmly. "Forgive me, Draco, but these are attempts so feeble I cannot help but question if your heart has been really in them. I'm curious. When Voldemort gave you this task, when he asked you to kill me, was it in a whisper?"
"He trusts me! I was chosen!" Draco thrust out his arm, pulled back his sleeve and reveals the Dark Mark. Harry looked at me, then at my arm. I frowned and rolled my sleeves down.
Dumbledore looked at Draco carefully. "I shall make it easy for you." Slowly and without intent, Dumbledore drew his wand.
Instantly, Draco raised his wand, "Expelliarumus!" Dumbledore's wand flew out of his hand. Harry drew his wand and held it in ready position. I drew mine and was ready to stop anyone from doing something stupid, aka Harry. Draco seemed a little shocked by his action.
"Well done, Draco. But I warn you." Dumbledore said. "Killing is not nearly as easy." Draco looked out into the gray and cloudy sky. Dumbledore followed his stare, "You're not alone. Are you. There are others. How?"
A small smile appeared on Draco's face. "The Vanishing Cabinet in the Room of Requirement."
"That cabinet has been broken for years." Dumbledore said.
"I've been mending it." Draco said, "with the help of Ember." Harry looked at me with betrayal.
"I had no choice." I whispered so only Harry could hear,
"Ingenious. Let me guess. It has a sister. A twin." Dumbledore said calmly. He knew Voldemort made me do things I didn't want to do. He didn't seem to be upset.
"In Borgin & Burkes. They form -"
"A passage, yes." Dumbledore finished. "Very good. I once knew a boy years ago who made all the wrong choices. Let me help you, Draco."
Draco shook his head, he still had his wand pointing at Dumbledore. "I don't want your help! Don't you see! I have to do it! I have to!" It looked like he was going to cry. Something in me wanted to go up there and hug him. "I've got to kill you or he'll kill me."
There were more footsteps, Bellatrix appeared with Greyback and May. I clenched my fists and watched them carefully. Greyback is the werewolf that turned both Remus and Bill. Bellatrix is the reason why Neville's parents are in Saint Mungos', she's the reason why Sirius is dead. Why is May with them? Was she a part of this? I haven't spoken to her in awhile.
"Well now, look what we have here. Dumbledore." Bellatrix laughed coldly. "Wandless and alone. Cornered in his own castle. Well done, Draco." Harry tightened his grip on his wand and glared at Bellatrix.
"Good evening, Bellatrix." Dumbledore said. "I think introductions are in order." How can he stay so calm?
"Love to, Albus. But I'm afraid we're on a bit of a tight schedule." She looked at Draco. "Do it." Draco was shaking a little. "Where is that girl? The Dark Lord's Daughter. Isn't she supposed to be here with you? To kill Ickle Albus Dumbledore." Harry pointed his wand at Draco and Bellatrix. I heard light footsteps, I turned and saw Snape. Harry turned and pointed his wand at Snape. Snape motioned us to stay quiet and pointed his wand towards the others.
"He doesn't have the stomach. Like his father." Greyback said bitterly. "Neither does that girl. Didn't have the guts to show up." I pointed my wand at him, I walked back up the stairs and walked next to Draco. "Look who showed up."
I glared at him, "back down wolfie."
"Don't talk to me like that." He growled. "Kill Dumbledore or let me finish him. In my own way." He flashed a smile showing his fangs.
"No!" May growled. "The Dark Lord was clear. Draco or Ember has to do it." Was she a Death Eater? I've never seen her at any of the meetings I've been to. What was she doing?
"Go on, Draco. Now!" Bellatrix yelled. Draco's hand was trembling. I looked at Dumbledore, asking him to do something. He looked back at me in a way I knew he wasn't going to do anything.
"No." Snape walked over and pointed his wand at Dumbledore. No.
Bellatrix laughed. "Well, look who's here. Hogwarts own Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Come to see the slaughter?"
"Severus... please." Dumbledore said effortlessly. No.
"I gave my word. I made a vow..." Snape raised his wand.
"No!" I screamed.
"Avada Kedavra!" A jet of green light hit Dumbledore square in the chest. He fell back and off the tower.
"No!" I screamed in anger and despair. I was about to run to the railing but Draco grabbed my arm and shook his head. I tried to pull away but he wouldn't let go.
Bellatrix laughed wickedly and pointed her wand at the dark sky. The dark mark appeared in the sky and she screamed in glee. I heard Harry yell in rage. Snape grabbed Draco and I and pushed us towards the staircase. I tried so hard not to cry. Dumbledore can't be dead. He can't be. He's the person who raised me. Draco held onto me to make sure I wouldn't run off. We all walked through the castle, making our way to the entrance. Snape blasted an auror away. The Order is here. Bellatrix ran into the Great Hall and jumped on to a table kicking all of the plates and cups. She laughed loudly and the windows burst, glass flew everywhere. I shook Draco off of me and ran down to the courtyard by the astronomy tower. There was a crowd in front of the tower.
"Ember." George walked over to me with Fred. I shook my head, I could see the pain in his eyes. I saw Remus along with Tonks, Kingsley and other Order members.
I pushed through the crowd to see Dumbledore on the ground. His body was still, lifeless. I ran over to him and fell onto my knees next to him. I let out a cry and rested my head on his chest. Everyone around me was silent. I could hear Bellatrix's wicked laugh echo through the air.
I felt arms wrap around me and pull me off of Dumbledore. It was George. He cradled me in his arms as I cried. Minutes later, I heard Harry cry out which made me feel worst. Dumbledore was the same to Harry as he was to me. He was the one person we knew we could trust. He was the one person who would stop at nothing to keep us safe and now, he's gone.
"Ember." George said quietly, "come on." I nodded slowly and let him pull me up. I saw Harry still crying and Ginny was comforting him. George brought me over to Remus, Mr and Mrs Weasley, Madeye and Kingsley.
Remus pulled me into a hug and kissed my head. "We need to talk." I nodded and followed them off to an empty corridor. Remus looked at George.
"George knows." I said. Remus looked at me and frowned, "I told him."
Remus sighed, "alright."
"You know who will be enraged that you are here and not with him." Madeye said lowly. "You need to go there."
I shook my head, "I don't want to be around them. They killed Dumbledore."
"You helped them kill him!" Harry walked over and glared at me.
"Harry-"
Harry shook his head, "I can't believe you would do this Ember."
"Harry-"
"I hate you." Those three words hit me hard. Harry is my best friend and he hates me.
"Harry, you have to understand that she had no choice." George said.
Harry looked at George, "why didn't you tell me Ember was one of them?"
"Because it wasn't my place to tell you." George said, "Dumbledore asked her to do it."
I looked at Harry. "Harry, Dumbledore wanted me to be a spy. He trusts me."
"Snape is already a spy." Harry said.
"And you saw what he did." I said, "he killed Dumbledore." It hurt me to say it.
"You were going to do it." Harry said bitterly.
"Harry, Dumbledore is the person who raised me." I told him. "He's like a father to me. I would never kill him or anyone. The only reason why I joined you know who was because Dumbledore asked me to." Harry just shook his head and walked away. I sighed and turned to George. He gave me a small reassuring smile.
"You need to go." Madeye told me. "When you're done, go to the House of Blacks."
I gave them a look, "do I have to? I don't want to be around any of them right now or ever."
Remus sighed, "Ember."
"Fine." I said. "I'll go to the Malfoy Manor where the man who wants everyone I care about dead is."
George hugged me, "please be careful. I'll be here when you get back."
We walked off of the school's ground. I'm not even seventeen yet. Kingsley apparated me to the Malfoy Manor. I looked at the Manor, it felt darker than the last time I was here. I walked up to the gate and waited. Seconds later, Bellatrix appeared. She smirked at me, "look who's here." She opened the gate and I followed her into the Manor. "Guess who's here!" Bellatrix sang and shot me a wicked smile.
We walked into a room that was filled with Death Eaters. My eyes locked with Snape's, his face was emotionless like it always was. How could he kill someone that trusted him and not be affected? "My daughter." Voldemort smiled at me. "You are just in time for the celebration."
I glared at him, "how can you do this? To your daughter. You took away another member of my family."
Voldemort laughed, "we are your family, November."
I shook my head, "no you're not. You're all murderers, cold hearted murderers."
"Don't talk to you dare talk to-"
"Calm down, Bellatrix." Voldemort said. "November is just upset."
I shook my head, "why don't you just kill me?" I took a step forward. "You can do it with a flick of a wand."
Voldemort laughed coldly, "because my dear daughter, you are a powerful witch and an excellent addition to my followers. Now, why don't you stop arguing with me and enjoy some refreshments or maybe a warm bath." He looked at Narcissa, "why don't you prepare a bath for November. But first, I'd like a word with her." He turned back to me and raised his wand. "Crucio." I fell to the ground as burning pain shot through me. I felt as if thousands of knives were stabbing every inch of my body. I tried my best not to scream, not to give him the satisfaction. He lifted the curse, "you will not disobey me." He turned and looked at May. "May."
"Make Mama proud." Bellatrix laughed loudly. Mama? What the hell?
May walked up to me and smirked, "hey Ember. Confused? Let me introduce myself properly. My name is May Lestrange. You must be November Riddle."
I looked at her darkly. "Lestrange."
She smiled, "that's me and I have something for you." She raised her wand, "crucio." The pain came back. Bloody trader. After what felt like forever, the curse was lifted. May laughed at me, "you have no idea how bad I've been wanting to do that."
"Narcissa." Voldemort said as he pet Nagini.
Narcissa quickly rushed over to me and helped me up. She led me out of the room and towards the staircase. "Are you okay?" She asked in worry. I nodded slowly, I felt weak but I wasn't going to admit it. Narcissa looked over my shoulder, "Draco. Can you carry her?"
I shook my head, "I can walk."
"You were just tortured." Draco said to me.
"It wasn't the first time." I said as I pulled away from Narcissa. "I can do it myself. Just let me use the floo network and I'll be on my way."
Narcissa shook her head, "Ember you're too weak. Let me draw you a bath and you can rest. Then you can go." I studied her face and I knew she wasn't going to let me say no. I sighed and started to walk up the stairs. My legs felt really heavy and I had a hard time walking up the stairs.
Draco grabbed my arm and put it around his shoulders. "Let me help you."
I didn't protest. "I'm still upset by you." I said quietly. I wasn't lying, I was upset by him, but I wouldn't mind forgetting what happened and start over.
"I know." Draco sighed and led me to his room. "The other rooms are occupied by Death Eaters."
Narcissa went into Draco's washroom, "I'll draw a bath for you and find some clothes."
I sighed and ran my hand through my hair. "May is Bellatrix's daughter."
"I didn't know either." Draco said and gently sat me down on his bed. "I can't believe she used that curse on you."
"Yeah well, you never know when someone will betray your trust." I said bitterly.
"Ember, I'm sorry." Draco said quietly. "Can we please start over?"
I looked at him and studied his face. "Hi, I'm Ember."
A small smile appeared on his face. "I'm Draco."
Narcissa walked in, "take how ever long you want. I better get back down there before he grows upset." Narcissa walked over to me and kissed my forehead. "Please take care of yourself and your little one." I nodded and smiled at her, how can someone so kind be surrounded by so much darkness? Narcissa smiled at me and left.
"Well, my mother loves you." Draco said.
I stood up, "she's unfairly kind. I just want a quick bath and to get out of here."
