Chapter 22

                                    

                                          


                          
"I can't just stay here!" I shrieked at McGonagall. The image of Fred's worried sick face as he dashed into Dumbledore's office is making me unable to follow orders. "Right now your only option is go back to your dorm." McGonagall said stiffly, "You can't leave until the term officially ends." I breathe in, trying to calm myself down, "I'm sorry...I...I just..." "I understand," Professor replied, "But with Umbridge here, I can't get you out of the school. Best thing to do right now is to get some sleep." With that, she left.
                          
I lied on my bed, looking up to the ceiling. I've never seen fear in Fred's eyes ever before until tonight. He's scared to lose his dad, just like how I'm scared to lose him and the ones I love. My thoughts drifted to Severus, who risks his life every day for me. What can I do to help? They can't just expect me to lay here while everyone is out there, fighting for their own lives and mine. An idea popped into my head, I've never tried this before but it's worth a shot. I reached for my wand and closed my eyes. My mind wander aimlessly inside my body, in search any connection with Voldemort. I feel a force tugging me, instead of resisting it like I always do; this time, I let it be.
                          
The moment my back came in contact with an iced cold floor, I knew it worked. I swiftly get up on my feet and pulled out my wand. "Lumos" I whispered, the golden light instantly brighten up my surroundings. I looked around and a lavish chandelier came into sight as those shining crystals droop above a long, marbly table with poise. I figured I'm in a dining hall and tip toed my way out if it. The manor is a maze, each turn I make seem to just complicate things more. "Where do you think you're going?" A stranger's voice called out. I gripped my wand tightly and turned frantically. "Damn it." I cursed when I found the door of a room is locked. "Alohomora!" the spell worked its wonder as I pushed the door open and landed in a room for hiding. "To the Dark Lord, I have a report for him." A slightly squeakier voice echoed the hallway, who I presume is a woman. I let out a relieving sigh knowing that I haven't been caught. "Don't do it now. The Dark Lord is enraged. Nagini was unable to retrieve the weapon and he's not having it." I sucked in my breath. The weapon? Is it the same thing the Order mentioned? "Apparently, Nagini attacked Arthur Weasley. He's in a pretty bad shape now." The stranger let out a dark chuckle. "Well, I'd probably do the same if I see him. Filthy blood traitor..." The voices along with the footsteps faded. I looked around and realized I'm alone once again. "Lumos." I squinted my eyes as I tried to adjust to this dimly lighted room. The silence didn't last long when I heard the door being pushed open. "Stupefy!" my instinct immediately told me to attack. "Ow!" the person yelped and dropped down to the floor. I advanced towards him, my eyes widened when I realized who I stunned, "Malfoy? What are you doing here?" I questioned. He shakily got up, "I could ask you the same question. This is my damn room!" He scowled at me. "Wha-What?" confusion hit me like a truck. Malfoy rolled his eyes, "For Salazar's sake, this is my place. Malfoy Manor." I gulped, so this is where Voldemort have been staying. "Are you going to answer my question? Or do I have to stun you back ten times harder." He reached for his wand. "I'm here to see my father," I replied calmly. The blonde boy lazily leaned against the wall, "Really? Because here's how I see it, you're just foolishly running around the Death Eater headquarter, trying to get some useful information for the Order." It feels like my heart dropped all the way down to the floor. Did he read my mind? But I was clearly shielding it from him. "I don't need to legilimency to know. You're too good of a person to join us, Castillo. Like I said before, you don't belong here." He finished with a triumphant smirk on his face, knowing he is absolutely right. "Are you going to turn me in?" I asked, trying to hide the fear in my voice. "Turn you in? No, you silly." He chuckled, "You know some of my most deadly secrets. Why would I turn you in? See, this is why Slytherins live longer, we're brave but we're also smart about it. Unlike you Gryffindors, straight up courageous but nothing more." He closed up the space between us, his gray eyes looked into mine, for the first time, I see compassion sparkling within him. "I know you're confused right now, about everything. I can't exactly tell you what to do but I can tell you this. You keep desperately running to the dark side as a way of punishing yourself. Yet you seem to fail to see what I see." "What do you see?" I asked. "I see a good person trying to navigate herself out of the dark."