Freaks: Year Two

Don't Call A Girl A Bitch

It can't be him, Alabaster thought, starting to feel a horrible sense of panic, it can't be him, it can't be–

The Dark Lord entered the house.

Oh god no, Alabaster thought.

Alabaster wanted to run and hide.

He wanted to run and hide, and get out of here as fast as he could, but he found that he couldn't even move a muscle. It was like he was frozen. Frozen in fear and the Dark Lord was right there. The Dark Lord was in his house. In his house, and there was nothing he could do about it, but stand there. It wasn't like he could tell him to get out! He had this horrible, horrible vision that if he ever told the Dark Lord to get out he would just murder him like he had Alice Bell.

And that's when Alabaster had another terrible thought. He started to imagine the Dark Lord just waltzing in the house and before he or his parents could do anything, he just pulled out his wand and started to destroy the place. Destroying the couch, destroying the fireplace, destroying the flooring, destroying the walls, killing his parents, killing his sister, killing his brother, killing him–

Why are you thinking that? You're crazy! Stop thinking the absolute worst. It isn't going to happen. No one is going to die. The Dark Lord isn't here to kill you. Not yet anyway.

WHY DID YOU THINK THAT?!

Alabaster felt quite panicked and he was trying his very best to keep it down. Don't let your anxiety best you. Not now. Not here. No. He just stayed silent, and stayed still as the Dark Lord walked in.

"Alabaster, meet the Dark Lord," his Father said.

Alabaster wished he was still stuck in the Floo Network with Hoo. At the thought of Hoo, where was he? Was he still flying back? Alabaster felt thankful that he wasn't here as he would never want Hoo to meet the man right in front of him.

"We are honoured to have you stay with us this week my Lord," his Father started and Alabaster wondered why they called him that. "I would like you to meet our children. Our two younger children are upstairs. This is our oldest child Alabaster. He is attending his first year at Hogwarts in Slytherin of course."

The Dark Lord looked directly at him and Alabaster felt his nerves heighten. "Ah yes, I am sure you are looking forward to joining my ranks. You will get that opportunity in a few years. Keep excelling in Slytherin and listen to your older peers."

The Dark Lord said a bunch of other things about his cousin and dark marks and blood purity and deatheaters and he barely heard any of it because he was just so shocked. He was shocked that he was right in front of him, a murderer was in front of him.

"I see you are speechless to be in my presence, it's understandable, not everyone gets this honour." Alabaster could barely say anything to the Dark Lord as he had placed a hand on his shoulder. Why was he touching my shoulder, please stop touching my shoulder, I feel like I am going faint any second, stop touching my shoulder you murderer! Why is there a killer in the house? Why...why, STOP TOUCHING MY SHOULDER!!!

Thankfully he did and turned to his parents. "Now let's get to business, shall we..."

The Dark Lord was led to another room by his Father while his Mother told Alabaster to stay here before leaving as well. Not that he had to be told twice, no way in hell he was following them. They could talk about whatever it was they were going to talk about alone. I am sure you're looking forward to joining my ranks...no! No, he was not! He didn't want to work for him! An honour to be in my presence...what honour? You kill innocent people! Children even! How was that honourable, to Alabaster, that was far from it. He didn't want the Dark Lord in his house, not with Adelaide and Atticus! He was supposed to be telling his parents about why they needed to stop working for him and now he was in their house!?