There were so many things Draco had just learnt. But one thing he was sure of: there was no room for mistakes.
"You can go now; I will speak with Daphne," said Voldemort.
Draco bid his farewell and took his exit. Just when he reached the door, he heard Voldemort's voice.
"Close the door as you go."
Draco complied and left the room.
As he walked outside, Draco found his mother still inside the drawing room. Narcissa was pacing restlessly, going back and forth. As soon as Draco took his first step into the room, the sound caused Narcissa to turn toward him.
"Draco, what did he want?" Her question was almost a shout.
Draco hesitated, glancing in the direction he had just come from. Since Lord Voldemort did not forbid him and would even tell his father about the vanishing cabinet, Draco did not find it any problem to speak about it with his mother.
As Draco explained exactly what Voldemort wanted, Narcissa felt relieved. She was afraid that Lord Voldemort had assigned a dangerous mission to his son. Repairing a cabinet was so much safer compared to what sort of dangerous mission Narcissa had imagined.
Then Narcissa realized that his son had returned alone. "Where is Daphne?"
"She's... still inside," Draco managed, averting his gaze slightly.
"With the Dark Lord, alone?" Narcissa did not know why her heart beat louder when she noticed this.
"Yes," Draco confirmed. "The Lord, uh, had some separate tasks for both of us. He explained mine, and now I believe he is going to talk to Daphne."
Narcissa found this situation completely wrong. Was this related to the way Voldemort looked at Daphne?
"Draco," she said, "go to your room. Relax. I will send your father to your room to discuss the task."
With a quick bow, Draco said goodbye to her mother and retreated. The moment he was out of sight, Narcissa began walking in the direction of Voldemort's room.
She couldn't stay put.
The need to know what was going on behind that closed door was an itch she couldn't ignore.
What if she were in danger? What if Voldemort was going to do something with her?
While stepping cautiously forward, Narcissa reached the designated room. She pressed her ear against the door. Straining to catch even the faintest whisper of conversation from within.
But all she heard was silence. Not a murmur, not a whisper escaped the room.
Inside the room, Daphne stood perfectly still. During the whole time, she remained quiet as she listened to Voldemort explaining to Draco what his task was going to be. Unlike Draco, who seemed to have earned the Dark Lord's favor and trust, Daphne was unsure of her place in Voldemort's grand scheme. She lacked the influence and status within the Slytherin House that Draco possessed. Then, after telling Draco about the vanishing cabinet, Daphne watched as Voldemort sent Draco away.
And here she was, alone with the Dark Lord.
A few seconds passed, and Voldemort remained still, neither speaking nor doing anything. Daphne just saw Voldemort staring at her when she would occasionally lift her gaze to see the Dark Lord.
It was a troubling sensation for Daphne. Thankfully, the Dark Lord acted, and he began approaching her slowly.
But then, as Voldemort approached, Daphne noticed his gaze. He took in every inch of her form, scanning her body from top to bottom with hunger. Instead of halting when he reached near her, Voldemort continued his slow, deliberate circle around Daphne, his eyes never leaving her. As he moved, he observed her back, her neck, her curves.
Voldemort completed his circle and returned to stand before her once more. Daphne felt completely overwhelmed by Voldemort's presence and could only avoid meeting Voldemort's eyes by looking at the floor.
Suddenly, Daphne flinched when she saw Voldemort's hand move.
Voldemort raised his hand until it reached Daphne's face. Then Voldemort took hold of her chin and lifted her head, forcing her to meet his gaze directly.
But that was not it. Voldemort's fingers, which were resting on her cheek, started caressing her. The result, Daphne found a shiver traversing her entire body.
But the next moment was going to change the whole course of her life.
"Daphne," he said, "there's no point in pretense. I'll be direct. I took a fancy to you and wish to make you my woman."
What? Did she hear right?
No. This must be a mistake. The Dark Lord, fancying her?
This was so... Daphne could not find a way to describe what she was feeling.
She felt stuck in time, Voldemort's hand on her chin and cheek, their gaze meeting each other. Daphne felt as if, given all the time to think about what Voldemort wanted with her, there was not a single time she would have had the idea that Voldemort wanted her.
Finally, time seemed to flow again as Voldemort talked again.
"You once said you would do anything for your sister," he reminded her. Voldemort did not seem to mind her discomfort.
"And now," Voldemort continued, "I propose a deal. If you become mine, I will find a permanent solution for your sister's curse after dealing with the pureblood issue. No longer will you need to rely on the elixir of life to sustain her."
She remembered those words clearly.
Her promise to go to any lengths to save her sister from the curse that plagued her. But she never imagined that her vow would lead her to this moment.
To such a deal. To become Voldemort's woman.
Daphne immediately knew what it meant. She was not stupid enough to think that Voldemort loved her. She understood that what Voldemort desired was her body and her possessions to keep her parents in control.
This was her life. She had grown up with her parents with only this in mind.
Go to Hogwarts. Study, so you can one day save your sister. This was her responsibility, her one and only goal in life.
Due to this focus, her classmates consider her a cold person. She did not mingle with them, did not accept any of their invitations. There were several boys who confessed to her, but all were rejected.
All so she could study and concentrate on becoming better, so that one day she could help her sister.
And now, the help has presented itself. But at what cost?
Her father had sought help from the good side: Nicolas Flamel, Dumbledore, and many more.
None. None provided a solution.
Maybe it was her turn to seek aid from the demon himself.
If anyone could save her sister, then indeed Voldemort was the one.
With a steady breath, Daphne made her decision. "I accept," she said, her voice resolute as she met Voldemort's gaze head-on. "I will be yours, if it means saving my sister."
A satisfied smirk tugged at the corners of Voldemort's lips as he reached out to grasp Daphne's waist and pull her into him.