Mitigate [S. Black]

fifteen | battle at malfoy manor

THERE WAS A KNOT IN HER THROAT THAT FELT a lot like devastating panic, stronger than she had ever felt before. A sense of déjà vu swept over her as she, Sirius and Remus were brought into the parlor of Malfoy Manor, and it seemed that somehow in this situation, perhaps a bit of history was repeating itself backwards— or was it the future playing out a bit early? She didn't quite know, but then again, there were more important things to worry about.

Like the snake-like man sneering at them with malice and contempt.

Voldemort was truly a sight to behold— a sight that made her want to throw up in her mouth a bit, yes, but still a sight nevertheless. While he hadn't split his soul enough yet to disfigure his body completely, his skin was still an ashen gray and his eyes a crimson red that sent shivers of fear down her spine. However, somewhere beneath the dark brown hair and lithe stature she could almost see the remnants of a once-handsome young boy that girls used to fawn over.

She wondered if those same girls realized just how much of a fool they had been now. Imagine— going through your entire school years daydreaming about a boy you thought to be so charming, only to have a rude awakening when he turned out to be a murdering blood-supremist who ruled with torture and hatred.

"Narcissa." Alessia wanted to wince at how his voice drew out the 's' sound, as if he were truly the snake he was beginning to resemble. "Who is your dear friend?"

The blonde woman did a good job at not allowing herself to shake with fear from where she stood between Lucius and Severus. "I—I don't know her, my lord," she answered.

"We believe her memories were messed with," Avery spoke up. He shoved Alessia forward so harshly, she lost her footing and her knees slammed against the cold floor roughly. Before she could even react, he'd taken a fistful of her hair and yanked down, so that she would have no choice but to look at Voldemort as he approached her. "By her, my lord. She had her wand out and had cast something before we could reach them to see what was really going on."

"I see," he hissed. "And Black and Lupin, they were found lingering about?"

"Yes, my lord."

Voldemort stared straight into Alessia's eyes, and she was suddenly so grateful for all those hours she had spent studying Occlumency and the multiple times Albus had insisted she Floo over to practice. She could feel his attempt at using Legilimens to read her mind, but although it took every ounce of her mental strength, she was able to keep up her shields and thus prevent him from reading her mind. "Hmm..." He scowled and turned his head. "Notte. Find Greyback and let him know Lupin is here— perhaps he'll want to continue his unfinished business. And fetch the Lestranges while you're at it. I imagine Bellatrix would like to... visit... with her cousin, and the girl who managed to escape her clutches."

"No," Alessia breathed before she could stop herself. Everyone in the room froze, even Notte, who'd allowed one of the other Death Eaters to take his spot in helping to restrain Sirius so that he could leave. "No!" Alessia struggled against Avery's hold. "Don't— don't you dare hurt them!"

Voldemort's eyes were wild with malicious humor as he clasped his hands together and chuckled darkly, as if she had said something funny. "You care for them, do you?" He gestured to Sirius and Remus, who were pleading to Alessia with their eyes not to say anything, and then waved Notte back on his way again. Voldemort sneered at her once more. "As it is... I do not need Legilimens to know who you are, Alessia Ashwood." Her heart thudded in her chest, but she could not look away from him. "However... let's strike a deal, shall we? Tell me everything you know... and perhaps I'll spare your filthy friends."

She was torn. Of course Sirius and Remus to be safe no matter what, but... this was a war. And more than just their lives were at stake here. The fact that the three of them had made a pact with each other one night, while training in Sirius's backyard, never to give up any information even if one of their lives were at stake... it eased her guilt a little as she spoke her next words, but not by much. "I'm not telling you anything."