The Dark Side (A Harry Potter Fanfiction)

Chapter 13: Pain

          Shouts of outrage echoed through the foggy hills, and no one would dare interrupt them. He paced about the graveyard, speaking to himself rapidly, raising his tone occasionally.
          "Tom," mother spoke softly.
          "Do not call me by that retched name!" he shouted, but mother seemed unfazed, putting a hand on his shoulder, and for a moment, I thought those would be her last words. He only set his jaw, seething. She spoke to him, but I couldn't hear what she said. Even if I had been able to make out what she said, I don't think I would have been able to listen. I was in my mind, seeing Cedric's body, Harry's body convulsing under the Cruciatus Curse, and my father's wicked face. I was torn from my thoughts as someone was calling my name. "Alex?" my mother spoke in a commanding tone. I walked over and stood beside her, looking at my father.
         "Hello, Alexandra," a great smile covered his face, but it didn't reach his snake-like eyes. "I've been waiting fourteen long years to see you again," he wrapped his arms around me in a hug, but I had to suppress a shiver. He was so cold, it felt as if he was leeching all the warmth from my body. He let go, placing his bony hands on my shoulders. The smile on his face instantly transformed into a scowl when he let go and faced the others. "And all of you!" he hollered and many shrunk back. "Every single one of you let Potter escape from my grasp!" he glared at his followers as if waiting for one of them to step up.
          "My Lord, you asked us to leave the boy—"
          "Crucio!" he screeched, Crabbe's screams filling the air. I winced, closing my eyes again.
          "I think it's about time you return to Hogwarts," I would have gone anywhere else in the entire world to escape the shrieks coming from Crabbe's convulsing body.
         "Crucio!" Father shouted once more, but Mother had already grabbed my hand. The twisting sensation had returned, but just as quickly as it had begun, it ended.
          "Goodbye, Alexandra. I will see you in a few weeks. We both send our love," I went to open my mouth and say something, but she cut me off. "Go now, Severus is waiting for you," I nodded, giving her a final hug. She Disapparated with a loud crack, and I was left alone. I turned and made my way to the entrance, my mind flooding with thoughts. Snape waited on the other side of the gates, his hands behind his back. He looked far more tired than he usually did.
           "Hello, Professor Snape," my voice seemed distant as if it wasn't my own. He brought out his wand and opened the grand gates, letting me inside.
          "Good evening, Miss Marlie," he drawled. I waited for him and walked with him in silence towards the castle. "How is your mother?"
          "Fine," I answered too quickly. He paused for a moment.
          "What about your father?" I stopped in my tracks. Snape only looked at me, expressionless.
          "He's back," I said, my voice small.
          "And Potter? Is he—"
          "He escaped," I saw a hint of relief cross his face. "But Diggory was there, and he..." I couldn't continue, all I could see was his corpse lying in the graveyard.
          "I see," he spoke curtly, obviously wanting to end the conversation as well. The silence continued.
          "Professor?" he made a noise of acknowledgement. "You were there last time, right? Before he fell?"
          "Yes. I was not much older than you."
          "Do you think he'll kill them all? Everyone at Hogwarts?" Snape was quiet for a moment, our footsteps the only noise that filled the night air.
          "Yes," he spoke softly, his voice rich with emotion. I didn't speak another word the entire walk back. He led me to the castle doors, and we went our separate ways. The common room was empty, but the fire still roared in the hearth. I mindlessly made my way to my dormitory and laid down in my four-poster, not bothering to change my clothes. As expected, my sleep was filled with nightmares of Cedric's body, Harry's screams and my father's shrill laughter.

*

           The entire school felt melancholy that morning. I already knew why. Everyone knew Cedric Diggory, and there was no need for him to die. I felt tremendous guilt as if it had been my wand that had killed him. I tried to shake off the thought, but it only came back, haunting me. The Dark Lord Voldemort really had returned.
         It was Friday, and I was late checking my mail. Because of Cedric's death, a lot of people were grieving, we didn't have to do any school work today. It was even colder than last week but still warmer than that hug from my father. The house-elves must have just finished cleaning here as the usual loose straw covering the steps was absent. I just got up the stairs when I noticed someone there. I immediately recognized Harry's hair. I almost went back down the stairs, but he turned around and saw me. I froze in place, not sure what to do.
         "Harry, I just want you to know I'm so—" he cut me off.
         "No words can apologize for what happened. I know it wasn't your fault, but," he looked away and grumbled.
          "I...I had no idea what was happening. I know I could've have saved you or him, or someone, but it would have cost my own life."
          "I should've watched out for you. When you told me you could speak Parseltongue in Second-Year, I didn't think anything of it. But you just watched. Watched as I was tortured by your  father."
         "And that's precisely why I couldn't do anything! If he didn't kill me, I'd be tortured—or worse! I wanted to help, Harry, I did. I promise I'm not horrible like everyone else!"
          "Cedric was noble enough to die for something," he walked away and it left a bitter taste in my mouth. He was just so stubborn! He acted like I wasn't guilty already! I looked in my cubby and I had come here for nothing. It was empty. I waited and made sure Harry was gone, I didn't want to meet with him again. I walked down the tower, not sure whether to go and punch him or cry. He thought all that was done was my fault. It had nothing to do with me. It was between him and my father, yet I still felt tremendous guilt.
          As I walked back, something cold hit my nose. I looked up. Delicate little snowflakes danced from the sky, slowly, like each one was politely waiting for the other. I smiled. The first snow. Winter was finally here. I walked back to Hogwarts faster.