Dark One

Chapter 3: The Ministry

So Adriana woke up a few hours after her conversation with the DCI to the sound of people talking downstairs. She slipped out of bed and pulled a flimsy jacket on over her nightdress.

Adriana opened her door and walked over to the stairs, she could now hear what the people were saying,

“Do you think she did this sir?” A woman asked.

“It’s possible, but if she did she must be one of us. But still she hasn’t been trained, how could she have such power?” A man’s voice asked, he sounded a little confused.

Adriana tiptoed down the staircase only to find that these two people were standing at the bottom.

“Hello, you must be Adriana.” The woman said with a forced smile, there was a look of confusion on her face as she admired Adriana’s thick black curls. The man however didn’t say anything. He was staring at her intently, shock plastered on his pale face, he didn’t look confused though, he looked like he had realized exactly what was going on.

“Can we talk to you for a moment please Adriana?” The woman said.

“There’s no need Granger, she’s one of us alright.” The man said, looking Adriana up and down.

“It’s Weasley Draco, and how can you know that?” She asked, looking a little angry.

“I’ll explain later, lets just get her back to the ministry before she hurts anyone else.” He hissed.

“I didn’t hurt them!” Adriana insisted, looking frightened.

“Don’t worry Adriana, we’ll take care of you.” The woman said, she reluctantly held out her hand and Adriana took it.

“Excuse me, where are you taking her?” Mrs. Chambers asked when she saw that they were heading towards the door.

“We need to talk to Adriana alone, it is very important that we talk to her.” The man called Draco said hurriedly.

“But you can’t just take her, she is under my care.” She insisted.

“Mrs. Chambers, 32 children have died tonight, I think it is best you leave us to do our jobs.” The woman said. Mrs. Chambers seemed to accept the lady’s reasoning because she didn’t protest as the two strange people led Adriana out the door and into the night.

“Where are you taking me?” Adriana asked, tears starting to run down her face.

“It’s ok Adriana, we are taking you somewhere safe, and somewhere we can explain what is going on.” The woman said. They brought her to a large black car; the windows were tinted so that no one could see in. Adriana got into the back seat and Draco and the woman slipped into the front. The woman snatched the car keys from Draco’s hands and got into the driver’s seat.

They drove for about half an hour, even though it was 3am the streets were still quite full, but that was only to be expected in London. The car pulled up on an empty street beside a red phone box. Draco opened the door for Adriana and brought her over to the old phone box, all three of them stepped inside.

“What are we doing in here?” Adriana asked, confused. Neither of them answered her. Draco just typed 62442 into the dialing pad and suddenly the floor of the phone box started quivering. Adriana involuntarily clutched onto the woman’s sleeve as they began moving downwards, it was like they were in some sort of elevator as they hurtled into the ground.

When they finally stopped things got weirder for Adriana. They stepped out into a huge hall, there was a massive waterfall in the middle of the room, and it was made of pure gold. Adriana stared in awe of the wonders she saw as the three of them walked through the hall, it was so beautiful that for a moment she forgot how frightened she was.

She followed Draco and the woman into another elevator; it was large but completely empty, not surprising considering the time. Draco pressed a button and they hurtled upwards, Adriana was starting to feel a little queasy and was very glad when it came to a stop.

When they stepped out of the elevator Adriana saw that this part of the building was actually very busy. There were people rushing around, looking flustered. Sheets of folded up paper were flying around their heads and Adriana was even more shocked to see that people were waving sticks about and bursts of light came from them.

“Come in here Adriana.” Draco said, holding open a door to their left. Adriana walked inside, the woman and Draco followed her.

“Do sit down.” The woman said, taking a seat herself. Adriana sat opposite the woman and Draco remained standing.

“Adriana we need to ask you some questions, but we also need to tell you a few things.” The woman said, her false confident smile still intact. “I need you to tell us, has there been anything strange happening around you at all? Ever?”

“No.” Adriana said quickly.

“She’s lying.” Draco said instantly.

“Draco stop it, she might not be!” The woman said, glaring at Draco.

“Hermione she is definitely lying, I know she is.” Draco insisted.

“How can you possibly know that?” The woman called Hermione asked, looking frustrated at him. Draco didn’t reply, instead he turned to Adriana.

“What is your full name Adriana?” Draco asked.

“What?” She asked, a little thrown by his casual question.

“What did your father tell the orphanage your second name was the day he dropped you there?” He asked, sounding impatient.

“How do you know my father left me there?” She asked, shocked by the extent of his knowledge on her.”

“Just tell us!” He practically shouted.

“Adriana Slytherin.” She said in a scared voice. Hermione let out an audible gasp when she heard the name.

“Slytherin!” She exclaimed, her eyes were wide with shock.

“Slytherin isn’t her real name, it is Riddle. Well actually considering the two of them weren’t married then I guess her second name is really Lestrange.” Draco said. He looked so calm where as Hermione looked horrified. Adriana however was getting excited.

“You know my parents? Can I see them?” She asked, Adriana’s gaunt face had lit up.

“I’m afraid not Adriana, you parents were killed five months after you were born.” Draco said, there was no remorse on his face as he told her this.

“How do you know all this?” Adriana asked.

“Because I am your mother’s nephew, we are cousins.” Draco said with a sigh.