my inheritance (g.w x o.c)

chapter twenty-three: escaping the gray

I set the pen back down and held the sheet to my chest. "After everything that happened with the Chamber, I did some digging. I found an old diary that he had disguised as a herbology book. I knew better than to believe the Malfoys kept a herbology book around." He seemed impressed. "In it, I found a lot of things, but I also found this list." I paused for a moment before setting it in front of him. He picked it up to examine. "He never finished it, but after what I just heard, I believe we can." I straightened up. "I have my guesses as to what each one is as well as where they are, which I'm sure you have too. I can't help you further than that. I just, it ends here." I turned to leave.

"I understand your frustration."

"My frustration?" I asked, spinning back to look at him. "I'm sorry, but until you've been his personal errand girl, you will never understand anything about me." I walked to the door.

"I'm sure you feel pulled, Ms. Prince. Your heritage and your heart pull you in two different directions. As do your past and your present. You are much like your mother in that way." My hand tightened around the handle. How does he know my mother? I don't even know my mother. "You are capable of reforming your ways. You'd be a great asset, and I know a certain Weasley boy would love to have you." I looked back at him, my throat burning as I held in my tears.

"Is that all this is?" I snapped. "A recruiting ceremony?" I shook my head. "I will not be your next slaughtered pig, Dumbledore. If I ever decided to join your forces, it would have nothing to do with anything we've talked about."

"I'm sure of that." I furrowed my brow. "I haven't been the most welcoming or nurturing person in your life."

"I'm not sure I've ever had a nurturing person in my life," I scoffed.

"I know, and for that I am sorry. I wish things could have been different, but I am not naive to believe that you would turn your back on your loyalties simply because we've had two conversations."

"Well, good. Because for the information you've given me, I traded much more valuable information. We're even."

"Of course," he nodded. "If you, on your own accord, chose a different path, that would be a gift greater than I could ever give you. That would be the gift you deserve."

"If I stay the path I'm going, I have a life of power awaiting me."

"Words straight from the mouth of Lord Voldemort." My breath caught in my throat. "I can guess what you want. Mr. Weasley could try to convince you of what you want. But only you know what you truly want, what you need." The doorknob was now digging into my skin, but I kept my eye contact with him. "Have a good evening, Ms. Prince."

I took a deep breath before hurrying down the stairs. I moved quickly through the halls. People moved out of my way, afraid of being in the path of my anger, but I wasn't angry. Or maybe I was. I couldn't decide what feeling was most prominent. Hurt. Anger. Confusion. Frustration. It all jumbled together. I looked down as tears burned my eyes. Mere seconds after I looked down, I ran into someone.

"Move," I demanded, trying to push them away. The second his hands rested on my arms, I knew who it was. "Let me go. I can't do this right now." He didn't let go so I looked up at him. When he saw the tears stinging my eyes, his smile faltered. "I can't do this here," I whispered, scared my voice would give out. He glanced around. The hallway I made it to was pretty deserted but not completely empty. Most people were still in the Great Hall or had gone off to their common rooms. I was hoping to make it to the Astronomy Tower. He nodded.

"Right, not here." I couldn't even protest for fear of losing it when he pulled me after him. He took me a back way and didn't stop to ask me anything until we were at the Astronomy Tower. I leaned against the railing, staring down at the rock as I traced it. His hands rested on the railing beside me. We didn't speak for a few minutes.