January came quickly, and even though Draco and I were working on solving everything to have a healthy relationship and I spent a lot of my time with him, I still felt lonely most of the time. My friends were starting to talk to me a little more, I guess they finally understood that whether I'm Voldemort's daughter or not I must have my reasons for not wanting to tell them, and they're right. What upsets me though, is how quickly they turned against me when everything happened, and I can't deny I still held that against them.
Most students were still afraid of me, and some had started calling me the Slytherin heir or the Slytherin princess, since Voldemort's a descendant of Salazar Slytherin and it's funny because then so am I, just not because of him. Oh, and also because most teachers either were afraid of me, or favoured me in class.
I wonder if they now think it was also me who opened the chamber of secrets in second year, and you know what? I think I'd like to visit it one day.
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February arrived quickly, and the snow started melting, the cold of the winter fading away each day. I was now on better terms with my friends, and we hang out more often.
I hadn't had any news or letters from Voldemort, which to be honest kind of scares me more than if I had, what's going on?
It's the last week of February, and I was in my room examining the family ring Voldemort had sent me in Christmas, it can be really hypnotizing when you look at it, and even though from some angles it looks kind of broken I kind of feel a connection to it. I had found a pretty chain, and since the ring doesn't fit me I decided to put it on a chain so I could wear it as a necklace.
I had been thinking about my decisions a lot lately, about the deal I had made with Dumbledore, and even though we had agreed if I did my part he'd leave enough proof so both Draco and I would be forgiven, I couldn't help but think he deserves to know. The thought had been eating at me, specially since we were talking out about everything and trying to work on being honest for the sake of our relationship.
I was just sitting on my bed as I examined the ring, thinking about everything when I decide to tell him, he deserves to know. I look at my watch and realize it's time for dinner so I decide to go out and find Draco so we can go have dinner together. I walk in to the common room and see my group of friends sitting on the couch talking, so I decide to ask them.
"Hey guys, has any of you seen Draco?" They turn to look at me, all except from Daphne who instead looks to her hands. It was Blaise who spoke first.
"I haven't seen him since we came back from the lake, but I think he may be in the astronomy tower, you know how he likes to go up there to read." He said still smiling from whatever they had been talking about before I interrupted them.
"Yeah, and now that I remember I think he mentioned he wanted to talk to you about something." Theo said, seeming lost in thought as if remembering their conversation.
"Okay then, I'll go find him." I smiled at them, and was about to leave when I decided to ask about Daphne, who still hadn't even looked up to say hello to me. "Daphne? Is everything alright?" She looked up to meet my eyes, her cheeks turning red like she normally does whenever she lies about something. She looked really nervous, and her eyes looked like she wanted to say something so bad.
"No, everything's fine." Her answer came quickly, her voice shaking a bit. But I decided to let it slide, after all she'd tell me when she felt ready to do so.
"Well then, I'm off to find him. See you guys at dinner." They said their byes and see you laters then turned around to keep on talking about whatever it was that seemed to have them so interested.
I walked quickly, making my way up the stairs thinking about how I should say it to him.
'Hey so remember I told you we should ask someone for help and decided not to? Well I did anyway and now I'm in deep shit.'
'So you know how I hated Dumbledore? Yeah well I actually made a deal with him to get us out of trouble and now I don't know what to do.'
'You know how you got mad at me and are probably scared because you think I'm becoming real evil since I killed Dumbledore and was doing everything I could so Voldemort would be proud of me? Yeah well, that's actually for a good reason and not because I'm the bad guy.'
Well, everything I can think of sounds like a shitty and lame excuse, and well it kind of is in a way I suppose, although it's true. I felt so guilty, if I had been honest with him since the beginning I wouldn't feel so bad, our relationship wouldn't have been so damaged. That's why I have to tell him, why I'm going to.
As I was walking down one of the halls I heard a weird noise at the end of it, it was a conversation that whoever they were they definitely didn't want anyone else to hear. I slowed down my pace, making sure they wouldn't hear my footsteps.
The end of the hall was dark, but I could tell from the voices it was a woman and a men talking, now I could tell they weren't exactly at the end of the hallway but turning the corner, at least I'd be able to eavesdrop without them seeing me.
I got as close as I got, and I hid behind the wall, listening intently trying to make out what they were talking about. It was then I recognized the two voices, it was Draco and Astoria.
"I told you Draco, I just can't hide it anymore." She sounded like she was pleading for something. That's weird, but I don't want to think anything bad.
"Well, I told you Astoria, you have to because I definitely don't want Irya finding out. We've been through a lot and we don't need any more drama in our relationship." His voice was firm, determined, but I couldn't help but wonder what was he so desperate to hide from me? It couldn't possibly be something good.
"Well, I don't care. I'm not hiding anymore Draco, I love you." Okay what the actual fuck? Who does this bitch thinks she is? I was livid, I'm going to show her how to shut up. Did Draco not want me to know she fancies him so I don't get mad? That's stupid, everyone knows she's had something for him since like two years ago, the only think I care about is how Draco feels, but right now I want to make sure she knows she should keep her mouth shut.
It all happened in a moment. I got out from where I was hiding, ready to tell her to go to bother someone else, but when I saw them it was definitely not what I expected to see. I had thought I'd see him angry, turning to leave or something, but instead I saw them together, kissing.
"What the actual fuck is wrong with you?!" I yelled, he pushed her away, and I saw the horror in his face as he realized I'd found them, but it was way too late, I was already running in the direction I had just come from.
"Irya! Darling wait!" He yelled as he ran after me, he was running quickly but I didn't stop.
"Don't call me that! And get away from me!" I felt anger boiling coursing through my veins, but more than angry I felt betrayed. How could he do this to me? And to think he had given me a promise ring saying he wanted me, that he loved me, and I believed him. I'm so stupid.
Tears were falling freely out of my eyes, and I couldn't really see much as I ran, desperate to get away from him, from the pain. As I was thinking about it, their kiss repeating in my head over and over I ran into someone, making me fall.
"Why don't you watch where you're fucking going, huh?" I snapped, getting up from the floor and getting ready to run again, however when I looked up I realized I shouldn't have said that.
"Excuse you?" Said Snape, surprised at how I'd just talked to him. My eyes went wide, oh for fucks sake, I don't have the patience to deal with this shit right now. "You know what? I'll just let it slide, only because it just so happens I was looking for you."
"Yeah, well, right now it's not a good time, so if you'll excuse me sir..." I got ready to leave, hearing Draco's footsteps come closer, but Snape took me by the arm, not allowing me to leave
"You're not excused, Riddle, it is a very serious matter. The Dark Lord has requested for you to meet him immediately." His voice reflected that whatever it was that he wanted me for it was not good, and I could swear I saw in his eyes something that almost looked like pity, what could have possibly happened?
"Yes, sir. Where shall I go then?" I asked, trying really hard to focus on thinking about what Voldemort could possibly want that would be so bad, instead of thinking about the fact that Draco was now standing behind me, waiting for Snape to dismiss me so he could talk to me. Snape took one look behind me, trying to tell Draco to leave with just his eyes, but when he accepted he wasn't going to make him leave he spoke again.
"Follow me." His voice still firm, he let go of my arm and started to walk. "Only Irya, Mr. Malfoy." He said when he looked over his shoulder, seeing that Draco was following too.
"We have to talk, Irya, it's not what you think it is, I swear. I'll be in the astronomy tower, I'll wait for you there. Please, just listen to me." He was pleading, and even though I didn't look at him I could tell he was crying. He stopped walking, and just stood there as I followed Snape down the corridor and to his headmaster office.
I feel so broken, I don't know what I should do. I want to listen to him, but how will I know if he's telling the truth? He could lie to me and I wouldn't know, and besides is it worth it? If he was cheating on me was it really worth forgiving him? I don't know what to think, what to feel. He's literally the only person I've ever loved, the only one I know I can fully trust, that he understands what I've been through, what it's like being me. And I thought he felt the same way, but now I just can't be sure.
When I came back to reality we had already arrived to the headmasters office, and we went up the stairs, walking in to the big room filled with what looked like an infinite amount of interesting-looking artifacts and weird ancient books.
I followed Snape to the fireplace, and I looked at him, waiting for him to tell me whatever he knew or what I was supposed to do.
"He's waiting for you at the Riddle mansion." He handed me a cup filled with floo powder. Okay then, thanks for being so helpful.
I took one last look at him, taking a handful of the floo powder and taking in a big breath as I walked to the fireplace. "Riddle mansion!" I spoke clearly, throwing the floo powder to my feet, green flames consuming me.
I opened my eyes to find myself at the mansion as I lost my balance, falling to the ground. I got up and shook myself, trying to take off the dust from my robes, then I felt a gaze fixed on me.
I look up to find Voldemort already standing in the room, right by one of the sofas.
"Finally you're here." His cold voice filled the room. "Come with me, child. I have found the perfect place for you to go to." I walk quickly, making sure not to anger him. When I was in front of him he extended his left arm, signaling for me to hold it. As soon as my left hand touched his I felt the world spin around me, the dark wood beneath my feet disappear and be replaced with dirt.
I look around me, and find we've apparated in seemingly the middle of nowhere. A light blanket of snow covered the plain soil, just a few plants growing here and there and barely any grass surviving the cold temperatures. There were mountains in the distance, and as far as I could tell we were away from any sing of human civilization, if it weren't for the big building in front of us. It looked old and used, almost abandoned, the paint starting to come off at certain points on the walls, it was such a big place, and it seemed to be about two or three stories high.
"Where are we?" I tried to keep my voice from shaking, it's so freaking cold and my school robes aren't doing much to keep me warm.
"We're in a place that'll help us. Welcome to Hydra."