Where Your Loyalties Lie

Chapter Fifty-Four: The Necklace

It was summer time. Draco and I were in the parlor of Malfoy Mansion. "You failed to kill him, Draco. You're a coward and forced Severus to do the deed for you," a voice hissed. It was Voldemort.

I became angry at him. "Give him a break! It doesn't matter who killed him! Dumbledore's dead! Why can't you just be happy?" I yelled at him.

Voldemort turned to me and smiled, teeth showing. Slowly, he walked over to me, cloak trailing behind him. He stood right in front of me, looking me right in the eyes. I refused to look away. Raising his hand, he stroked my cheek. "Katie, dear Katie," his voice was soft yet ominous. The snakelike man turned and walked away. While he wasn't looking, I shuddered and let out a shaky breath I hadn't realized I was holding. "You should know not to talk back to me, foolish girl. CRUCIO!"

I sat up in bed, gasping. I was shaking. The dream felt so real. It was morning so I got up and got ready for the day. Maddie was still sleeping. When I was ready, I woke up Maddie before going down to breakfast without waiting for anyone.

Sitting at the Slytherin Table alone, I picked at my food, not really having the appetite to eat it. "Good morning," Blaise greeted as he slipped into his spot on the other side of the table, causing me to jump. Draco sat down next to me.

"Why so jumpy, Love?" Draco asked as he kissed my forehead. I shrugged and continued picking at my food.

Looking up, I saw Dad coming over to the table. "Good morning Katie. After you're done eating, could you please meet me in my office?" Pushing away my food, I nodded and got up to follow him. I felt Draco and Blaise's eyes on me as I left. When we arrived at his office, he said, "Dumbledore and I talked it over after you left yesterday and decided you should learn Occlumency so the Dark Lord can't invade your mind and find out your secrets. Are you aware of what Occlumency is?"

I nodded. "Draco told me about having to learn it over the summer."

"Then I assume you know what legilimency is?" I nodded again. "Very good. I would like to start your lessons right away if you don't mind. Now I will attempt to invade your mind and you shall try to prevent me from doing so. The key is to clear yourself of all emotion. Ready? Legilimens!"

I was back at Malfoy Mansion. Draco was telling me he was a Death Eater. We were lying in the garden under the stars again. The scene flipped again and we were on the train. You're not supposed to let him invade your mind, I thought. With all the strength I could pull together, I blocked Dad out of my mind.

"Very good for your first time. However the Dark Lord could find what he wants right away so this time try not to allow me to see anything at all. Legilimens!" This time I could still see Dad's office. I had successfully blocked him out of my mind. "Fantastic." Smiling, I was about to thank him when he raised his wand and shouted, "Legilimens," again.

I was up in the Astronomy Tower again, standing where there was no railing and looking down. Then I turned around to see Draco at the top of the steps. He raced over to me and pulled me away from the edge. Stop! I was back in Dad's office again, breathing heavily.

"What was that?" Dad asked.

I looked down at the floor as I explained, "Two nights ago, when I ran away from you during Prefect duty, I ran to the Astronomy Tower. I was so stressed over you and Draco being Death Eaters, you not telling me you were a Death Eater, and the possibility of Draco dying at the end of the year that I felt like I needed a way out. There was a section of the tower with no railing and I stood there, looking down and thinking about jumping, for a few minutes until Draco came and saved me. No I am not thinking about killing myself anymore. I wasn't even thinking clearly when I was doing that." Looking up at him, he was pale and looked scared by the prospect of me killing myself.