Dark Wizard Collector: A Hogwarts Fanfiction

Chapter 18

The scowling pale face watched Laughalot skitter down the hall in fear and then turned to me. Lucius' face softened as he set his eyes on me, "Miss Zeria, come, why don't I make you a cup of tea?"

Gently, he led me up the stairs to my office, started a fire, and set a kettle to boil. I was still in shock as I sat in my wing-backed chair. Replaying all that had happened over and over in my head, I felt trapped again in the impossibility of being Maera. I wanted my fresh start, but this was not how I imagined it. The blue of my eyes brightened with the tears that began filling them. Astonishment was rampant in my mind, which blocked out the whistling of the kettle and tinks of china as Lucius prepared my tea.

"Are you alright?" He repeated as he knelt near me with a cup and saucer.

For the first time in minutes, I noticed him and blinked away my trance. "Yes," I said mistily and gratefully took the tea from him.

"I hope you don't mind, but I mixed a tonic into your tea; it's only a little something I know to help calm the nerves." Lucius urged as I blankly stared past him, falling again into oblivion. "Miss Zeria? Please, drink." He pushed a lock of my upset hair behind my ear and held his hand around mine that grasped the china cup.

Absentmindedly, I lifted the cup to my lips and drank the invigorating concoction. With a deep sigh, my senses were temporarily cleansed and I trained my eyes on his. I wiped away remaining tears that crowded my puffy eyes.

"Mr. Malfoy," I breathed and wrapping my free hand over his that nestled with my shaking hand around the warm china. "Y-you saved me?"

The blond head nodded as the brows creased in distressed empathy.

For a solid minute, I could not find any words as I searched his eyes for answers. "Thank you," I said then asked, "What are you going to do now?"

He exhaled, "I'm going to remain here with you, until you get your bearings."

Now, both his hands held mine and there was a plea in his usually cold eyes. I blinked slowly and replied, "I think I will retire for the night. Could you notify Headmaster Dumbledore that I am not feeling well?"

"Of course, but are you absolutely positive you will be alright?"

"I am sure of it." I faintly smiled and patted his hand. "Please, I shall be fine and thank you ever so much. I am indebted to you, Mr. Malfoy."

The young man collected himself, stood, and smiled politely. "Very well, Miss Zeria; I do hope you recover. However, do not trouble yourself; it was merely a trifle." Like a returning winter, Lucius's cold complexion resumed as he walked to the door of the office.

"Mr. Malfoy," I hushed before he opened the door and I noticed his grip tighten around the handle. "Be careful."

A slight smile appeared at the corner of his thin mouth as he slightly bowed his head then exited my office. Minutes passed, during which I finished my tea and remained a constant bewilderment enthroned in my chaise. Thoughts whirled around my head like model planets and stars in an astronomy set as I waited in silence, thinking, just thinking. Was I really as strong as I thought I was? Why could I not defend myself? A throbbing sensation overcame my temples and I placed my cup and saucer on my cedar desk. Inhaling and exhaling slowly, I arose and went into my room where I undressed, washed, and curled up beneath the sheets of the bed in a black silk nightgown.

On the soft mattress, I sleeplessly looked to the heavy cloth canopy of my four-poster. My eyes refused to close while my mind repeated being attacked and helpless over and over again. The feeling of being pulled and pushed had been left on me like a horrible imprint that would not be washed away. I shuddered knowing that I was not strong enough to protect myself. For some odd reason, my powers failed me and for the first time in my life, I froze. If it was not for the pure-blood prefect, I would have been.... I trembled to even think about what Laughalot would have done to me. The grip I held around the harsh wand I had since I was a student at Durmstrang Institute tightened as I gulped back memories. Like a vengeful spirit, a fire burned within me and I knew I needed to change drastically if I ever wanted to protect myself. So, I vowed to never allow myself to be dominated again.