Chapter 20

                                    

                                          
I wanted nothing to do with anyone for the next week after Snape accused me of practicing the dark arts. I poured myself into my studies and my research for destroying the horcruxes. I couldn't find anything specifically about how to destroy them, but I had some ideas from various books that described other ancient artifacts that had been destroyed. Most normal means wouldn't work, but I did see one that was destroyed by a special kind of fire that wasn't described. 
                          
I wanted to get rid of the diadem, but there was never a time I could practice the fire spells without anyone else watching. Not to mention I needed the slytherin pocket watch back from Snape who I was currently ignoring. 
                          
As if he was the one to accuse someone else of becoming dark. The irony was not lost on me. Not to mention the invasion of privacy of going through my mind. He could have just asked me what happened. 
                          
I skipped his classes without any regret. 
                          
"You know dearie, you should really get a social life." The library caretaker said coming over and seeing me still there on lockup time. I had just found a book outlining the destruction of an early version of the philosopher's stone which was the most promising thing I had read in a while. They had used fiendfyre. 
                          
"I don't really have time for that." I said evenly used to her prying. She was a kind old lady, but rather nosey. 
                          
"Hmmm...well of course not with your nose always in a book. If you marry rich you won't need all this studying and with your good looks you could easily catch a nice rich wizard." She told me wisely, nodding to herself at the idea. My mouth literally dropped open at her backwards comment realizing she was dead serious. 
                          
"Or I could get a good job and earn my own money." I said resenting how unequal Wizarding society was. She hummed disapprovingly tapping her wand on her hand. 
                          
"The stress would make you get wrinkles. You couldn't keep a rich wizard with wrinkles you know." I was saved from blowing up at her by the library doors slamming open. 
                          
"Granger. I need your presence." Snape said, interrupting seeming urgent. I humphed, folding my arms glaring at him and ignoring the library's pointed glances. Snape just seemed confused why she was staring at him so creepily. 
                          
"I'm sorry. I'm busy." I said brushing him off going back to my reading refusing to acknowledge him. He slammed his hands on the table and leaned in angrily, his mood sour. 
                          
"The Dark Lord will not accept the excuse 'I am busy Granger'." He whispered quietly, his black eyes lighting up with a fire I had become well accustomed to. 
                          
"You accuse me of being dark, yet then drag me off to him every chance you get. Don't you see the issue?" I snapped a bit more loudly since the librarian had wandered off leaving us alone. His eyes narrowed. 
                          
"It's called acting." He sneered annoyed at my insolence. 
                          
"Is that what you're doing?" I asked innocently. He growled annoyed and grabbed me by my arm dragging me out. 
                          
"Finally someone has gotten her out of here." The librarian said shaking her head amused, misreading the situation entirely. I bit my tongue wanting to tell her I most certainly did NOT want to go with him, but I held back. 
                          
I was quiet while he drug me across the grounds to the apparition point and took me to the familiar Malfoy manor. 
                          
I was hoping for another dinner, but the second he donned his death eater mask, I knew I wouldn't be so lucky. He didn't seem worried about what would happen so I tried to relax, but I also knew he was just annoyed I had walked out on him last time we talked and skipped classes.