A Marauders Riddle

The Deal

A/N: From now on Poppy will be called Persephone. Just clearing that up!

With Charlie

Charlie winced as Bellatrix purposely walked into her. Pop- Persephone strutted past. A first-year Slytherin scurried along behind her, holding two school bags, Bellatrix's and Persephone's. Charlie scowled, rubbing her injured shoulder. Tris and the Marauders came up to her.
"She's acting more and more like my family every day," Sirius grumbled, looking after Persephone.
Tris let out a sob. Remus put an arm round Charlie's shoulder. Peter Pettigrew looked after Persephone with a frankly fanatical look. James shook his head sorrowfully.

Half ten that night

With Charlie

"I'm here," Charlie whispered.
The Whomping Willow, which she was standing by, froze. A tall, pale figure walked slowly out of the shadows.
"So, the terms for your surrender," Voldemort hissed, stroking his yew wood wand.
Charlie gulped nervously, but lifted her head and looked the man straight in his red snake-like eyes.
"You release Persephone from her Death Eater duties and leave Hogwarts alone," Charlie said boldly, "Then I'm yours. I won't fight. I'll surrender."
Voldemort looked like he was thinking over the pros and cons of this.
"So you propose a deal?" he said finally.
Charlie nodded, trying to seem fearless.
"I accept." Voldemort said.
Charlie sighed in relief. She held out her hand to the snake-like man before her. Voldemort took her hand and they shook on it.

The next day

With Persephone

"Scarlett is going to come in two weeks," Bellatrix told Persephone. "She can't wait to finally talk to you."
Persephone nodded, shredding a piece of grass. She and Bellatrix were sitting under an oak tree in the courtyard. It was the first decent day they'd had all year, so everyone was outside. Persephone and Bellatrix were waiting for the Snape siblings. Persephone's Dark Mark throbbed suddenly.
I'm at the front gates, daughter, a voice spoke in her head. Let me in.
Persephone picked herself up off the grass. Bellatrix turned to look at her. Persephone jerked her head, telling Bellatrix to follow her. The two Slytherins hurried through the courtyard, past the cowering younger students and older students trying to look tough. The girls picked to their speed and soon they were practically running. They arrived at the gates, and sure enough, Voldemort was standing outside with a posse of Death Eaters. Persephone quickly undid the enchantments on the gates and Voldemort breezed through with his posse.
"Persephone, meet my most loyal followers, Abraxas Malfoy, Dimitri Lestrange, Alphard Black, Bastian Rosier, Arthur Nott, Camden Avery, Walden Macnair and Jonathan Mulciber." Voldemort introduced.
The Death Eaters bowed and Persephone inclined her head regally.
"Why have you come, Father?" Persephone asked.
The Death Eaters (Persephone decided she was just going to call them the posse) laughed quietly. Voldemort shot them a quelling look and they fell silent. His face split into a hideous smile.
"We've come for Charlie Fawkes," Voldemort hissed, "She has surrendered, but she has come up with a deal. I have no intention of keeping my end of the bargain, as we did not make an Unbreakable Vow."
Persephone laughed coldly. That was an amateur mistake.
"She's this way!" Bellatrix yipped excitedly.
She set off deeper into the Hogwarts grounds. Persephone glided along menacingly next to her, Voldemort and the posse behind them.

As they came into the main courtyard, silence fell. Terrified students cowered away from the intimidating group. Persephone saw Charlie sitting with Tris and the Marauders. They hadn't noticed the Death Eaters yet. As they drew closer, though, Charlie looked up and her jaw dropped. She nudged the others she was sitting with and they all looked up too. Terror flashed over their faces, but it was quickly concealed.
"I believe we made a deal, Fawkes," Voldemort spoke. His voice seemed abnormally loud in the silent courtyard. Charlie got to her feet.
"We did," she replied. Her voice was surprisingly steady.
Voldemort lifted his head. The posse came forward. They wrapped chains round Charlie's wrists and turned to Voldemort, awaiting their next instruction.
Stay, Voldemort told Persephone in her head.
He waved his hand and started walking. The posse dragged Charlie along with them, to face a fate unknown.