52

52. The third task

Everybody's excitement mounted as June the twenty-fourth drew closer. Harry seemed more relaxed than before the first two tasks. Hermione, Ron and I had spent as much time with him as possible to exercise spells. The task was the same day of our History of Magic exam. So, while we took our last exam of the year, Harry met up with the other champions and their families. To our surprise, Mrs. Weasley and her eldest son Bill had come to support him.

Ludo Bagman and Cornelius Fudge joined the stuff table for dinner. The evening feast had more courses than usual, giving everyone more time to get more excited – except for myself. I hadn't slept during the night; my forearm hadn't stopped hurting these last few days. In fact, the pain had gotten worse every day. Appropriate were my mood and patience. But today had been the worst day of the whole year so far. No matter what I did to distract myself, the nightmares were always on my mind. Somehow, I couldn't control my anger and hatred towards Professor Moody anymore. Whenever I saw him, it took all my willpower to leave him alone as I had promised Severus.

"Arya dear, are you alright?" Asked a worried Mrs. Weasley from across the table. She and Bill had joined us at the Gryffindor table. Reluctantly, I tore my dark gaze away from Moody and stared at her. If only you knew… Irritated, I threw my fork on the still filled plate. I run a trembling hand through my hair and shook my head.

"No." I snapped shortly making her furrow her eyebrows. Hermione cast me a warning look while Bill watched me with a slightly confused expression. Exhaling a deep breath, I buried my face in my hands and scowled myself for my rudeness. Great Arya. Get yourself together for Merlin's sake! She's trying to help you.

"When have you slept the last time?" Hermione asked quietly but Mrs. Weasley heard it anyway.

"What's troubling you?" She asked concerned and I sensed how the good mood faltered slowly around us.

I snapped my head up again but couldn't prevent myself from scowling in annoyance. Frustrated about my lacking self-control, I hissed and bit the inside of my cheek.

"Yesterday, I think. Merely two or three hours though…" A sharp stitch in my left forearm made me flinch and yelp in pain. My friends and the closest sitting Weasleys looked more than confused and worried now.

"Should we take you to the hospital wing or do you wish to talk? We could go-"

"I'm fine!" I coldly interrupted Mrs. Weasley and felt instantly my eyes prickling with anger at myself. Her eyes held nothing but warmth and worry when I looked at her.

Cursing myself, I threw the napkin roughly on the table and gripped my throbbing forearm tightly with my right hand. Absentminded, my head turned towards the stuff table again. I clenched my jaw painfully when I spotted the main cause for my troubles. I observed Moody with great disdain and shivered as I felt the reeking aura of dark magic around him once again.

"Arya." Harry ripped me out of my hateful thoughts.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have snapped." I said in a low voice and turned to Mrs. Weasley again. Exhaling loudly, I rubbed my face and pinched the bridge of my nose. "It's just…"

I bit the inside of my cheek again and averted my gaze. How the bloody hell am I supposed to explain everything to her? It sounds more than mad actually. Desperate, I threw my hands up and pressed my lips in a thin line.

"You know what… I can't stay here any longer, I'm sorry. I feel so incredibly angry and exhausted all the time now. I have a very bad feeling about the task tonight and Moody's not making things better. If you'll please excuse me... I see you at the Quidditch pitch."

Abruptly, I stood up and cast my friends a defeated look, hoping they would understand me but of course they didn't. Pain stung in my heart at their expressions. They were looking at me with worry and – in Hermione's, Ron's and Harry's case, disappointment.

Confused, I shook my head and tried finding the right words. "I'm sorry… I don't know what's wrong but I can't sit here and eat while everything's breaking apart. I… I cannot explain it."

Helpless, I looked around and noticed a few glances in our direction. Understandable, after all I was the only one standing. When my glance rested on the stuff table, I locked eyes with Severus who stared at me with a subtle questioning expression. I bore my fingers deeply in my left forearm as another wave of pain intensified the throbbing to an almost unbearable pressure. I felt so confused and anxious but couldn't exactly explain why. With stinging eyes, I shook my head at Severus and looked at Moody who was watching me with his usual grim expression. Another cold shiver ran down my spine.

I pressed a hand to my mouth, trying to understand the confusing and overwhelming emotions in my heart. Then I whirled around and left the great hall briskly. I clenched and unclenched my fist, trying to ignore the pain in my forearm. Frustrated, I stormed outside and leaned against an archway. I closed my eyes and took deep breaths, enjoying the soothing fresh air filling my lungs.

"Moody, I swear if you're in Hogwarts next year, I'll leave." I muttered hatefully under my breath. "I'd rather drop school than spending another year around your bloody, reeking, torturing aura… Damn bastard! And damn nightmares! Damn you father for being who you are!"

Screaming, I hit the wall with the palm of my hand with full force. Then I buried a hand in my hair and gripped it tightly. I cried out in frustration as a few tears rolled down my cheeks. Why did my life have to be so complicated? Groaning, I leaned against the cold stone and let myself slide down until I was sitting on the floor.

"What the bloody hell's wrong with you, Arya?! You're pushing everyone away with your crappy behaviour…" I mumbled defeated and sighed.

Absentminded, I lifted my head and stared in the darkening sky. The clouds were almost not visible anymore. I watched as birds flew through the air, nothing more than black shadows. A light breeze distracted my troubled thoughts and soon I lost myself completely in the beauty of twilight…

"Jackson!" A growling ripped me out of my thoughts and I flinched.

My eyes widened when I sensed magical darkness. Clenching my jaw painfully, I turned my head and found myself looking at Moody's contorted face. In a heartbeat, I jumped on my feet and backed away. I stared sceptical at him, wondering what he wanted from me. Moody watched me with an annoyed expression and limped closer.

"Everyone's down by the Quidditch pitch already. The third task has just started. Come, you wouldn't want to miss your friend's performance." He cast me a gloomy look and I squinted my eyes. My gut told me to run as fast as possible. Every nerve was on high alert now and I felt my heart pound rapidly in my chest.

Without another word, Moody passed me, limping heavily. Breathing deeply, I shook my head and clenched my jaw. Come on, Arya. You dealt with him one bloody year. You're a fairy, for Merlin's sake. You're faster and stronger than that limping, reeking bastard… Slowly, I followed Moody. He didn't look back once to see if I was following him. Careful to keep some distance between us and watching every one of his moves closely. I felt more and more nervous all the sudden. Inwardly, I cursed myself for leaving my friends earlier. I should've walked down with them instead of being alone with the one person I mistrust the most in Hogwarts.

I stopped dead in my tracks as Moody moved slower, obviously struggling to walk down the steps. Slowly, he made his way down and I started taking deep breaths to calm myself. What can he possibly do to me now? Bloody hell! Get yourself together, Arya! We're on school grounds… My gaze flickered between the steps and Moody. I simply couldn't relax and ignore him somehow – not today. I finally let out a sigh of relief when we left the path in the forest, I spotted the Quidditch pitch down the hill.

Suddenly, Moody whirled around faster than I had expected for a limping man. I had barely time to open my eyes in horror before a spell hit me straight in my chest. I yelped and fell on my knees as I felt a freezing coldness rushing through my whole body. Shocked, I saw that Moody limped closer incredibly fast and I closed my eyes to concentrate on my magic. With my mind I reached out for the familiar warm, pulsating energy source – it wasn't there…

Another cold wave of great fear paralyzed my whole body. I ripped my eyes open and snapped my head back up. Moody stood right in front of me so I tried to back away. My heart pounded hard against my ribcage when I noticed the very triumphant grin on his lips. Frightened and paralyzed, I raised my hand and focused my mind again. Moody laughed cruelly.

"Don't bother trying girl. Your magic's gone." He growled evilly. My hands shook badly when I tried to pull my wand out of my pocket. Where the bloody hell is it?

I groaned when the painful burning of a stunning spell hit me unprepared. My vision blurred as soon as my head collided with the ground hard. Suddenly, I felt hands on my upper body and started screaming. Disgusted, I tried to push them away but a sharp sting on my cheek made me see black for a moment.

"Ah, got it." I heard a deep voice distantly and opened my eyes again. Blurred, I realized that Moody was holding my wand in his hand. Rigid and unable to move, I watched when he put it in one of his many pockets. I whimpered helpless and started crawling backwards as he crouched down.

"Oh, stop it princess. I've got your wand and you can't do magic anymore. In fact, there's nothing you can do. Nothing at all." Moody grinned ugly.

Then he straightened and came closer again. I screamed - feeling extremely helpless – when Moody grabbed my collar and lifted me off the ground with ease. Shaking, I stood on my feet but before I could try to run away he flicked his wand. A rope erupted from the tip of his wand and forcefully bound my hands on my back.

"Don't even think about running or screaming princess. Now move, we're walking down to the gates." With that, a hand on my shoulder pushed me forward, making me stumble. Horrified, I started moving, not really caring about anything anymore. My breath quickened when my brain seemed to start working again. I was desperately trying to feel my magic. I wanted to find it but it wasn't anywhere in my body anymore.

"What did you do to me…? Who are you…?" I asked with a shaking voice. A low hum behind me and another hard push made me stumble again. But other than that, he remained silent.

"Shut up and walk faster." Moody growled near my ear, making me flinch.

With a rapidly pounding heart, I felt him clutching the back of my jacket and pushing me down the path. I took shallow breaths when I desperately tried to find any magical spark in my mind, my body or my blood... But I felt… nothing... empty… vulnerable! I had lost my magic… Whatever spell he had performed, Moody had taken my magic…

I gasped when a sudden strike in the hollow of my knee made me fall painfully on my already stinging knees. A firm grip on my collar saved me from falling on my face though. Biting my lip, I looked up at Moody who had raised his wand at the towering locked gates in front of us. Panic rose in my chest when I realized that this was really happening. Nobody would know where I was, where Moody would take me.

Mortal fear made its way into my brain and made me wriggle my hands in the painfully tight ropes. The throbbing in my forearm was quickly forgotten over the burning pain in my wrists. With every second, my fear grew as it dawned me that I was completely at Moody's mercy now. I could feel sweat drench my skin, the stinging in my eyes, blood vibrating in my ears and the rapid thumping of my heart. Moody had my wand… my magic… I couldn't use magic anymore. I couldn't defend myself…

I yelped when Moody yanked me up roughly and pushed me through the now open gates. My body started shaking when I remembered that the apparating area started right outside of the school gates. Before I could make another attempt to flee though, a merciless grip on my upper arm made me wince in pain. I groaned and bit my bottom lip until I tasted blood in my mouth.

The next thing I knew everything went black. I was pressed very hard from all directions; I couldn't breathe, there were iron bands tightening around my chest. We had apparated…

When I could breathe again, I blinked a few times in confusion. My eyes needed some time to adjust to the dim light. I felt my hands fall to my sides as if they weren't a part of my body anymore. Mad-Eye Moody dragged my lifeless feeling body towards the only light cutting through the darkness of the night. I wasn't able to move anymore. I felt so lost and defeated that I couldn't think straight anymore. Then suddenly, he pushed me forwards and I fell hard on the stony ground. A sharp pain rushed through my abused knees as I tried to keep my balance with my hands. Distantly, I registered the cracking noise of apparition. My mind felt numb and cold... Desperate and helpless I was kneeling on wet ground… I had lost my magic…!

"Look who decided to join us tonight!" A high, cold voice slowly made its way into my brain. Almost instantly, my insides turned ice cold.

As I slowly raised my head, I realized that I was on a graveyard. The moonlight made the gravestone shadows grow bigger and bigger. Between them stood Death Eaters. They were all staring at me, their faces freed of the hideous masks they had worn at the World Cup. My gaze rested on a black cloaked… thing. A tall man, skeletally thin, moved smoothly in my direction. He was barefoot, the skin sickly pale against the dim light of the night. With an icy surge of terror, I was staring at the one man who had haunted my nightmares for as long as I had lived.

Lord Voldemort, the darkest wizard of all times had risen again – my father had returned…

"Arya…!" My head snapped towards my best friend's shouting. My heart almost jumped out of my chest when I spotted Harry being held firmly by a stone statue. I gasped horrified and stared at him with wide eyes. "Arya! You've to leave… RUN!"

"Harry..." I whispered at a loss of words. What the bloody hell are you doing here?

A cold but still soft laugh tore my attention away from him though. My father walked slowly in my direction, a look of cruel satisfaction wandering between Harry and me. He lifted a pale hand with long, bony fingers and motioned in my direction.

"She can't leave, Harry Potter." He turned towards his followers who surrounded us in an almost perfect circle. "Welcome Aryanna Jackson… my daughter." The members of the circle stirred suddenly, some muttered under their breaths. My glare wandered from one to the other, refusing to avert my gaze. Burning anger started unfreezing my body again, pushing my fear aside. A grin contorted my father's lipless mouth.

"Yes, my friends... She's currently attending her fourth year at Hogwarts along with some of your children. A Gryffindor like her mother, befriended with the famous Harry Potter, blood traitors… and mudbloods." Tom Riddle hissed repulsive and I gritted my teeth as hatred rushed through my whole body, leaving a trail of goose bumps. I lowered my head and scowled at the grass. My fingers were curled into tight fists, nails digging deeply into my palm. "But I'll make her see reason, no doubt. Very soon my daughter will join my side and put her abilities at our disposal. She possesses great magical strength… How couldn't she if her father is the heir of Slytherin and her mother the Queen of the Elvish folk?"

I heard his voice coming closer and the rustling of robes. Taking shallow breaths, I clenched my jaw. Suddenly, a cold finger forced my head up to look at a face whiter than a skull. I stared in two widened, livid scarlet eyes. "You won't get away this time." My father whispered.

Disgusted, I pulled my head out of his grip and spat:" I'll never help you!"

He laughed coldly and pushed me on the ground. "You will." With that my father raised his wand. "Crucio!"

The pain was beyond anything I had ever experienced. My bones were on fire, my head was bursting, my eyes were rolling madly in my head. I wanted it to end… to black out… to die. An agonizing pain rushed through my whole body repeatedly but I forced myself to keep my mouth closed. I wouldn't scream out... The pain felt unbearable... I couldn't give in… And then suddenly it was gone… Paralyzed, I took a few deep breaths, my body shaking violently.

"You see, my daughter's at my mercy now. My most faithful servant at Hogwarts has prepared her on my order." Red, piercing eyes bore merciless in mine. I forced my trembling body to straighten up. With a cruel smile, my father watched my insecure attempts to stand up. It took me a while but I managed to stand safely on my feet. I returned his stare and snarled repulsive.

"What did you do to me?" I spat, anger overwhelming me once again. "What did you do with my magic?" I shouted louder now, earning a few laughter from around us. My father moved closer until he was merely standing a few feet away from me. His soft, high voice sounded too loud in the silence of the night.

"How do you believe I succeeded to render your treacherous mother obedient…? I invented a spell which bound her magic. She was pathetic with her wand. Therefore, it was easy to keep her under control."

I curled my lips in a sarcastic smirk. "Yet she saved me from you and brought me to Albus Dumbledore. You failed… father!"

"I must admit, at first I was angered." The hideous looking creature started pacing as he explained himself. To whom exactly, I couldn't say – I didn't care anyway. "But when Wormtail told me this summer what he had seen you achieve in Hogwarts these past years, I knew it had been beneficial. I realized Dumbledore would do everything in his power to help you develop your strength. None of my followers could've helped you the way he did."

With a terrifying smile, my father turned back to me. Confused, I squinted my eyes at his expression. I couldn't hear my rapid beating heart anymore but felt the oxygen flooding in and out of my lungs. "Your mother was strong… but I've always been stronger. Dark magic is more powerful than any pure magic of a fairy! … Now, let me share a secret with you…" With that his mouth stretched in an arrogant grin. "Your mother didn't fall in love with me, Aryanna. I made her believe she had…"

My whole body froze when his words sunk in. Coldness erupted in my chest. Fear tortured my guts, churned my stomach in tense cramps. With shock widened eyes, I stared at his ugly red ones. He laughed coldly at my reaction.

"I heard about what you call fairy-love." My father laughed softly, his eyes whipped of every emotion however. "Love… makes you weak. It bound your mother to me and I intend to do the same with you." With a lazy gesture towards his Death Eaters he smiled cruelly. A cold shiver ran down my spine. "I will bind you to one of my loyal followers... You won't get away this time."

Horrified, I watched him and stumbled backwards. Laughter erupted around me. Suddenly, my foot hit something, causing me to lose my balance. Gasping, I fell on something that felt hard and soft at the same time. I rolled on my side and lifted my head…

I screamed appalled when I stared into the lifeless eyes of the older Hogwarts champion – Cedric Diggory. I couldn't tear my eyes away from the dead corpse before me, the first person my father had killed after thirteen years. Sorrow and anger overwhelmed me as I frantically moved away from the corpse. I jumped up on my feet but couldn't avert my eyes from the sickly twisted body.

"You killed him?!" I whispered frozen in my spot. Then I turned my head towards my father and for the first time today I didn't feel my fear anymore. "You killed him…" Slowly, I walked closer to the unhuman looking man and watched him with great disdain. For the first time, my heart and brain had registered the true and whole meaning of the events this evening.

"You…" I clenched my fists at my side, nails digging in my palms and literally felt all my hatred pouring out of every single pore in my skin. "You worthless bastard. You're nothing but a monster Tom Riddle. A heartless, cruel, weak bastard! I hate you… you and your Death Eaters! I'd rather die the most painful death than helpi-"

I groaned when the agonizing pain of the Cruciatus Curse washed through my whole body. The paralyzing hurt spread through my body like icy, liquid metal. I twisted and twitched uncontrolled, trying desperately to keep myself from screaming loudly. As long as I could fight, I wouldn't give him the satisfaction…

I inhaled sharply when the pain suddenly subsided, leaving me shaking on the grass. I closed my eyes and tried to focus my mind to calm my body. Forcefully, I tried to stop reacting to the effect of the overwhelming pain. The throbbing in my forearm remained however – stronger than ever.

"You will obey me, Aryanna. Whether you wish to or not…" My father whispered crouching next to me. "I know you'll do everything to protect the man you love." The shaking eased now and I could lift my head again. With some difficulties, I sat up and stared him dead in the eyes. A spark of triumphant scorn light up in my heart. My lips contorted in a repulsive smirk and I chuckled mocking. My father squinted his eyes irritated.

"You're too late…! And you're right. I'll do everything I can to protect him." I said through clenched teeth. My father curled his lip in anger as I showed myself so unimpressed. "For I've already found my fairy-love."

There was a long silence during which we glared at each other. He bared yellow teeth in obvious rage. In one swift move he was on his feet and his face contorted in fury. Pacing, he hissed lowly to himself – I watched him, a triumphant smirk on my lips. Suddenly, something cool touched my leg and I flinched. When I looked down, I inhaled sharply. Nagini, my father's snake, was winding over the wet grass, hissing threatening. Sparkling black eyes looked at me calculating and I froze right in my spot. I knew she wouldn't do anything to me… or at least I hoped so. Nagini's poison was lethal and I honestly didn't want to find out how fairies reacted to it. But to my relief, she started moving swiftly again, back towards my father. Sceptically, I watched her when she curled next to his feet, her slim tongue darting out now and then.

"Who is he?" My father snarled, making me look up at him again. He had raised his wand with bony fingers, its tip pointing straight at me.

I curled my lips disdainful. An image of Severus came into my mind and I felt determination sharpening my mind. Casting my father a dark scowl, I laughed provocative. "Do you honestly believe I'd tell you…? I'd rather die than betraying him."

"Crucio!" My father shouted out and I fell back on the wet ground, doubling over in great pain. My body twitching and twisting once again. My forearm stitched stronger and stronger until it felt as if it was burning. I forbade myself to scream out, I didn't want to give him the satisfaction. I wouldn't!

"You'll tell me who he is Aryanna." Soundless, he walked around me and smiled horribly. "Nobody has ever resisted the Cruciatus Curse."

I laughed coldly but when I looked at him again, my voice was nothing more than a hoarse growl. "I'll be the first one then."

When my father crouched right in front of me, I forced myself to stay where I was. Inwardly, I shook with disgust when I saw his face so close. Red eyes were piercing me merciless as his mouth formed a cruel smile.

"Why do you still believe you could beat me? We both know how helpless you are right now. Given the fact you are at my mercy, I will be patient with you however. I have plenty of time to make you see reason. If not tonight then tomorrow perhaps, or in a week."

"Because there's one thing you'll never understand… father!" I retorted disgusted. I watched when my father's face contorted in a snide expression. "Love… You'll never understand the power of love because you never experienced it in your lonely life." I squinted my eyes and moved my face closer to his, ignoring my instinct to back away as fast as possible. "Your muggle father knew right from the beginning what a pathetic and weak man you'd become."

Feeling incredibly daring and not really registering what I was doing, I spit in his face. Immediately, my father backed away and swiftly waved his wand in front of his face. Then I suddenly found myself staring at menacing red eyes. I watched with inner fear when the tip of his wand moved slowly until it was pointing in my direction. I simply couldn't hold back the arrogant smirk on my lips. I wanted to make him angry, I wanted him to understand that he couldn't control me no matter how much he'd hurt me. Not now – not ever!

The next moment, my vision turned black and my body shook under another torture of the Cruciatus Curse. Once again, it felt as if somebody would skin me alive. My head was bursting; every single vein and bone in my left forearm seemed to explode at once. Desperately, I bit my tongue to keep myself from screaming as the pain increased to an unbearable agony. Blood filled my mouth and then I suddenly lost control... I screamed… and screamed louder…

Sometime, the overwhelming pain stopped. My vision was blurred, I barely saw the feature of my father in front of me. Taking shallow breaths, I felt hate flood my whole being. My body betrayed me though by shaking stronger than earlier. I wanted to fight but a glint of fear had treacherously crept in my rapid pounding heart. My heart throbbed in fear. I felt frightened about the thought of being tortured forever without a possibility to free myself…

Feeling disgusted and angry with myself, I forced my body to move. I clenched my jaw and used all the remaining strength to move myself to a kneeling position. I would have preferred standing straight, facing my father without showing any weakness. But I knew without my magic my body was as vulnerable as any human body.

"Now tell me his name!" My father hissed, kneeling in front of me. I gritted my teeth and lifted my tired head. It needed all my willpower to keep my body from trembling. Somehow, I managed a quiet chuckle which was enough to provoke him.

"As if I would EVER tell you!" I spat slowly, my voice dripping with hate and disgust. My father bared his yellow teeth and tightened the grip on his wand visibly. Then he lifted it and placed it under my chin; its tip bore deeply in my throat. Livid, scarlet eyes pierced emotionless in mine and I forced myself to keep his gaze. An icy shiver ran down my spine.

"Oh, you will… and then I'm going to kill him." He said in his soft, high voice. "You'll watch him being tortured until you accept your place by my side. And only then shall I grant your lover the release in death."

Pain erupted in my lower jaw now as the snake-like wizard pressed his wand carelessly into my skin, making me raise my head higher. Hatred and great anger gave me the strength to keep fighting. I wanted to kill him for threatening Severus. I clenched my jaw and curled my lips.

"You'll never know who he is..." My snarl was shaking with pain, anger and hatred. Nevertheless, I leaned closer to him and pierced him with burning eyes. My desperation surfaced as some tears rolled down my cheeks. I hissed in a threatening voice, hoping my father would understand the amount of my endless hate. "…until the day of your death! Because I'll be the one to destroy you, father. I'll release this earth from your miserable existence!... But before I kill you, I'll tell you his name… and I'll laugh at your face for ever believing I would choose MY life over HIS…" My lips twitched into a wicked smile. "Afterwards, I'm going to destroy you and your body since no place on this earth deserves to be contaminated with the-"

A strong slap in the face made me fall on wet grass. Surprised, I raised one hand to my cheek and turned my head slowly. Gritting my teeth, I cast my father a hateful look. I wanted to get up, I wanted to spit at him, hit him. But before I could even take my next breath, overwhelming pain filled my whole body. It was burning, bones were breaking, my skin was torn of my flesh. I crunched my teeth over my lip harder than I ever had. Salty blood filled my mouth. Screaming, I endured the pain of the Cruciatus Curse once more…

"My daughter represents the perfect example of loyalty my friends."

With closed eyes, I listened to my father's speech. My body felt cold and numb. My heartbeat had slowed down to an uncomfortable rate. I pressed my face in the soothing, cool grass. My brain screamed at my body to move, to continue fighting but I felt too exhausted to do anything.

"She believes she could protect the people she loves. But the truth is, they make her weak. These people will be her death."

I opened my eyes again when I felt the rustling of robes coming closer. Appalled, I watched my father's feet moving in my direction. With shaking arms, I pushed my heavy body off the ground. My hatred towards this one man gave me more strength. A shiver run down my spine when I found myself in the uncomfortable position of kneeling in front of my father. I gritted my teeth and clenched my hands to tight fists. I can do this! I have to! Taking a deep breath, I slowly stood up on my trembling legs. Pride and relief filled my whole body when I managed to stand straight without swaying. I lifted my gaze and locked eyes with hideous red ones. My father's lips had twitched into a cruel smile. Disgusted at the contorted, inhuman creature in front of me, I scoffed.

"Yes, I'll gladly die for them if necessary because they're kind and honest people. My friends detest what you stand for. They hate you as much as I do! Blood purity's bullshit. A witch is a witch, a wizard is a wizard and a muggle's a muggle!" I snarled disdainful and cast my father a menacing glare.

Suddenly, my father started laughing coldly, catching me completely off guard. My body froze right in the spot when he turned towards his followers. The terrible noise of several laughter cut the night's silence sharply. All the sudden, he whirled around again and watched me with a snarky expression.

"They hate me…? Tell me, my daughter, do they know who you are?" My father spoke softly. I squinted my eyes at the smugness of his voice. It sent ice cold shivers down my spine. I was at a loss of words now, confusion took over.

"Yes, of course they do." I whispered back. I couldn't concentrate on his words right now. My brain was working fast, trying to find a catch. My father's triumphant expression froze my heart and made me feel extremely insecure.

My father's lips twitched in an ugly and cruel smirk which made my heart throb stronger with fear. "Do you truly believe people will still be convinced you're on their side when they saw your mark?"

Horror washed over my body, leaving me paralyzed… Coldness clenched my heart tightly… With wide eyes, I watched the hideous creature that was my father, trying to process his words. As soon as my brain snapped back to the present, I stumbled backwards and watched him fearful.

"You won't give me your mark…!" Realization dawned me and I clenched my fists at my sides. I looked at him with all the hate I could muster and felt rage growing rapidly. "I won't let you place that ugly… thing… on my arm. I won't die because of that bloody mark of yours! I'd rather die under the Cruciatus Curse than with that awful snake on my arm!"

My father's face contorted as he laughed again. Slowly, he moved closer and dread crept in my heart. My chest vibrated over my strong heartbeat; my insides turned ice cold. Just as I was about to walk backwards, I found myself trapped in a spell. I couldn't move my legs anymore, my feet standing forcefully on their recent place. For a moment, relief lighted in my heart – I didn't have to keep myself on my legs anymore. I snarled hatefully as my father came to a halt one step in front of me. His mouth formed a cold smile, red eyes sparkling triumphantly.

"Dumbledore was a fool to believe he could keep you hidden." Laughing, he took a few steps towards the Death Eaters and raised his arms. Others joined his laugh, making his face contort even more with satisfaction. "I made sure nobody would ever oversee the daughter of Lord Voldemort…! I made sure you, Aryanna, would never forget your own blood!"

My heart almost jumped out of my chest as I listened. Horrified, I stared at my father coming closer again. A wicked expression clouded his eyes as he stopped in front of me. I wanted to get away from here now! I wanted to run away as fast and far as possible to get away from this man.

"Tell me, did you never feel your forearm burning this year…? You're already bearing my mark since you were a new-born child. It faded but tonight I will wake it again…"

I snarled menacing when my father reached out to take my left wrist. I wriggled my body, desperately trying to free myself from his spell. I wanted to pull my arm out of his firm grip but, obviously, he had no struggle holding me. Dread filled myself when I realized that my body was still weakened because of the tortures I had endured before.

Swiftly, my father turned my arm so that the inner side of my forearm was visible. With a swift flick of his wand, he cut my sleeve to reveal my tinted skin. He lifted his gaze and cast me a horrible smirk. Furiously, I glared at him and tried to liberate my arm again. Tears welled up in my eyes at my overwhelming desperation, vulnerability and hatred. I had lost! My father placed the tip of his wand gently on my skin. Extremely terrified, I held my breath and watched my forearm. Each second seemed to play on forever…

Then I screamed… Agonizing anguish erupted in my arm as if the Cruciatus Curse had been focused on my forearm. My skin was burning; my veins were bursting; my nerves were set on fire; every inch of my bone was breaking – and yet the pain increased more and more. I squinted my eyes close and twitched to get away from my great agony. I wanted to faint… I wanted to die to get away from the pain…

Suddenly, I found myself kneeling on the grass, my upper body bent over. Whimpering, I clutched my throbbing forearm to my chest. My whole body was shaking badly, sweat pearled down my forehead, my cheeks tear strained. Horrified, I straightened up and moved my left arm. My hand trembled strongly when I turned my palm upwards. My gaze wandered from my wrist to my forearm.

I sobbed in disgust when my eyes landed on the black ink. The enormous engulfing terror made me so sick in my mind and body. Tears streamed down my cheeks and I sobbed uncontrollably. There it was… My mark… Appalled, I whimpered and held my arm away from my chest. It rested numbly on my knees as if it weren't a part of my own body anymore.

"No!" I whispered defeated and pressed my hand against my lips to cover another sob. "NO!" My scream cut through the silence but was quickly followed by laughter.

Furiously, I lifted my head and saw more than amused Death Eaters surrounding us. My glare rested on my father who stood merely a few feet away. And suddenly my pain was gone, my brain didn't register anymore how exhausted my body felt. Crying out with rage, I somehow got on my feet. Bearing my teeth, I stumbled towards my father on trembling legs. I wanted to kill him now. I wanted to destroy him! I opened my mouth to scream at him, to curse him. I knew exactly what I needed to say to make him angry and to provoke him. If he wanted to keep me as his prisoner than I would make his existence as horrible as possible!

A quick flick of his wand and I felt the uncomfortable feeling of the silencing spell in my throat. Immediately, I closed my mouth again and glared at my father. He watched me with a cold expression. His lips twitched when he took in my shaking body. I groaned and swayed on my feet. My body surrendered to the effect of the Cruciatus Curse and my legs gave away. Pearls of sweat rolled down my face.

"You'll not speak unless I allow you to do so…" The skinny, tall creature in front of me started circling me with slow, smooth steps. His gaze wandered from me to his followers. Furiously, I gritted my teeth and glared at every Death Eater I could see. I bore the nails of my trembling right hand painfully deep in the hideous mark that would declare me as his forever.

"You must know, my friends, even fairies fear death. My daughter may threaten and resist me now but she would never choose death over life… Death means to lose. As Aryanna so perfectly demonstrated tonight, she hates losing… Therefore, I didn't simply mark her as my own flesh and blood as a young child." My father came to a halt a few steps in front of me. His lipless mouth twisted in a cruel smile when he saw fear on my face. An icy shiver wandered through my whole body. My insides clenched almost painfully. With furrowed eyebrows and a rapidly pounding heart, I stared at my father. What had he done?

"No, I made sure she'd never want to fight me – let alone destroy me. Naturally, out of pure self-preservation even though she claims to be heroic."

"What did you do?" I whispered hateful. The surprise of hearing my voice again was quickly covered by endless dread again. My father's triumphant expression sent new shivers down my spine and provoked goose bumps all over my body. Terrified, I pierced him with fear clouded eyes.

"I made sure you'd always find back to the right path in your life. You belong by my side Aryanna. My friends and allies are your true folk…By the end of the night you'll choose us." With a wide gesture he motioned to the Death Eaters surrounding us. I merely took shallow breaths when my father pointed at my forearm. "The mark you bear is my assurance that your pathetic blood traitor and mudblood friends won't ever dare to fight me…"

Freezing coldness flooded my chest at once. My heart pounded so hard against my ribcage now that I could hear the pulse in my ears. Nevertheless, my father's soft and high voice penetrated my mind sharply. I saw nothing anymore, except for these cruel scarlet eyes in front of me.

"Your mark is the visible evidence of your curse. I bound your life to mine! … If I should die… you'll die as well!"