slytherin princess [2]

there's a first time for everything

The Department of Mysteries was as Catherine remembered. It was dark and cold; the hall was lined with hundreds of doors. Harry and the rest of them dragged their feet as they looked in awe of the corridor.

"Which room is he in?"

"I dunno the exact room, but it's filled with glowing balls."

"Well, that's helpful," muttered Catherine.

Ginny stepped up valiantly and yanked open a door, only to nearly be blown to bits with fire.

Catherine rolled her eyes.

"Be careful, even the Ministry doesn't know what lurks behind some of these doors."

"That's a thick idea," Ron quipped. "Who would run a department with a bunch of scary unknown things?"

"Lucius Malfoy."

"Nevermind, that makes complete sense."

They try several other doors to Catherine's amusement, including a locked one that melts Harry's knife.

"Right, we're leaving that one," said Hermione.

Finally, they reach a door that opens to a corridor filled with glowing objects. Catherine grinned at Harry, who only nodded.

He nearly sprinted ahead of everyone into the corridor and down the aisles of glowing baubles.

"Which row is he in, Harry?" Hermione called.

"Ninety-seven!"

However, when they reached the row, there was no one there. Harry glanced around anxiously, and Catherine sighed.

"Harry, I don't think he's here."

"I saw it! I know he is; he has to be," he anxiously exclaimed.

Catherine grasped his hand and ran her thumb over it. However, it didn't stop Harry.

"Harry, what's this?" Ginny asked. Her illuminated wand pointed to a glowing bauble that was labelled with "S.P.T to A.B.W.B.D. the Dark Lord and (?) Harry Potter."

"Don't touch it," insisted Catherine, desperation clear in her voice. However, her dumb friend grasped the sphere.

"Very good, Potter. Now, turn around nice and slow, and give that to me," a soft voice spoke.

A shiver ran through Catherine's spine; she knew that voice all too well. It was Lucius Malfoy.

The group of teenagers faced the white haired man, who had a group of other Death Eaters with masks covering their faces. All except one, Bellatrix Lestrange.

Her dark curls fell around her head in a messy array, and they made Hermione's hair look tame. She smirked with her wand pressed against her lips, a maniacal laugh began its way out.

"Did you really think my dear cousin was here, whittle Harry? Oh, you are as dumb as your father was," she cackled.

Catherine's breath hitched in her throat. She stepped in front of Harry with a deadly look in her eyes.

"Now, hand me the prophecy, Potter," commanded Lucius.

All signs of the man that Catherine knew were gone. He wasn't the man that welcomed her into his home for the holidays, or the loving husband that she caught a glimpse of at the Zabini's ball. He was cruel and predatory as he took a step closer.

"What? Are you going to threaten to kill me?" Harry snapped.

Lucius' lips curved into a grim smile.