Life Has Just Begun But Now I've Gone And Thrown It All Away

Lyall sighed. It was about time for Voldemort's monthly visit to the school. He'd done it every month during the school year since he'd won the war or something like that. She wasn't even completely sure. Hearing the announcement, she got up from the chair she was sitting in and headed up the stairs to the Great Hall, where soon all the students would be gathered. Most of them were just annoyed by the visits, preferring that Voldemort didn't come, but there were others that -although they didn't want to serve him- looked forward to his trips. Probably brainwashed by their parents or something to think he was totally awesome.

She walked in the hall and took a seat at the table in her usually spot with the rest of her yearmates. They were always arranged by year, older students closer to the staff table and younger ones by the door to the entrance hallway. Ly looked up and down all the tables, frowning slightly to herself. As students converted over to Voldemort's side the numbers lessened, those students going off to get their education elsewhere. Slytherin, unfortunately, was taking the largest decrease. If the house had been talked about before it certainly wasn't any better now.

Ly rested her elbows on the table in front of her, chin falling into her hands as she did so. She was one of the students that would rather not be there. Quite frankly, she didn't care about Voldemort at all, or what he had to say. So long as she or her family weren't bothered by him, she couldn't bring herself to care about the snake.

Sigh escaping her lips, she felt someone fill the seat next to her. Without even looking, Lyall said, "Hey, Luce."

Lucy didn't know what to think about Voldemort's monthly visits. On one hand, she detested him. For his predijuice, for how he acted and for what he did. Even if those with magic were better, which Luce was really on the fence about, it didn't give you the right to go around slaughtering people. But, on the other side, she was resentful towards the Order. They were the reason she'd lost her uncle, who while he wasn't the most sentimental of people (He's no Gryffindor that's for sure), she had been quite fond of him, probably more so than she had been of her parents.

So, she wasnt quite sure which side to take. Because while it seemed that the war had ended with Harry's death. Most probably, it had not. Not with the order going about and stirring up trouble left right and centre. Lucy's expression hardened as she walked down the stairs into the hall thinking about the Order. She ignored McGonagall as most as she could, which before, while she was fairly strict, McGonagall had been one of her favourite teachers. Now, Lucy couldn't stand her.

She sat down next to Lyall, her thoughts still swirling about her mind. Trying to think of what to do. "Hey," She said in responce to the girl.

"You as excited as I am?" Lyall asked sarcastically, looking over at her friend. "Or what?"

Then her head, along with every other head in the hall turned as the large doors opened and admitted the person most of them detested with all their being. A dark hush fell over the hall as Voldemort walked in the room, trailed by no less than four of his most loyal Death Eaters. He walked to the front and stood behind the new podium there, a tall structure with a base and neck entwined with silver serpents, each with a set of glittering emerald eyes.

Lyall scowled directly at him as he walked along side the Slytherin table, as was usual. She knew he saw her, but pretended not to notice the scowl. Apparently, he had it in his head that all the Slytherins at least would one day be his. Their numbers were dwindling to him as it was.

Lucy nodded slightly to Lyall, her eyes watching Voldemort as he walked past their table and towards the front of the room as he had for the last five or so times. They were in december now weren't they? Missing a few visits while in their summer break. Nearly christmas break, Lucy couldn't wait for the break. She'd starting having some trouble with concerntrating on her school work and while she was managing to keep her grades up she was exhausted.

Lyall gave a half attempt at looking attentive, and overall failed. Voldemort had gone through the same speak enough times that she already had it memorized. He was in control, blah blah blah, expected the younger generation to follow him, blah blah blah, was there anyone ready to handle the responsibility, blah blah blah. It was old and it was crap. If he was going to keep convincing people, he really ought to change it up a little bit at least.

Lucy actually listened for the first time since Voldemort had first given the speech. Even then she had been too busy greiving to actually listen to what had been said. Since than, she had just pretended she'd been listening but not heard a word. Her eyes flickered sideways, and from Lyall's expression Lucy could tell that the girl was bored and irritated.

Voldemort wrapped up the speech after what felt like forever to Lyall, and she was actually fighting sleep this time, which wouldn't end too well. At the end, like always, he asked if there was anyone who felt they were up to the task of being his Death Eater, and that if so, come same time the next day, they would join his ranks. Lyall simply yawned at this, laying her head down on the table.

Lucy had to hide a slight snicker as Lyall put her head down onto the table. While Voldemort had finished his speech, he was still in the room. And she doubted he would like her sleeping on him very much. She rubbed her nose, hiding her smile.

Lyall closed her eyes, actually going into that state between awake and asleep where you were resting, but still aware. She knew it was a while yet before they were dismissed, because even though Voldemort wasn't talking, he liked to make them sit around while he observed them, looking for potentials. He probably wouldn't take to kindly to her sleeping, but she didn't really care.

Just as she was about to fall completely asleep, Lyall felt a bony finger lifting her chin up. As her eyes opened again, they met the red of Voldemort's. Jumping slightly from the shock of it, Ly nearly toppled backward.

Lucy watched as Voldemort walked over towards her and Lyall, she probably should have woken Lyall up before he got there but for some reason she didn't. Opting to just sit and watch what would happen, maybe she thought she'd somehow get brought into it if she tried to help Lyall. She wasn't sure. Her mind like turned off for a moment. She started herself, when Lyall opened her eyes to find herself staring into his. It would not be something you would like to wake up and see.

Lyall leaned back as far as she could without falling off the seat. Voldemort was quite a bit too close for her comfort even though he was standing on the other side of the table. By now, all of the hall had turned to see what would happen. Voldemort held her gaze for a moment. "Am I boring you, or are you so sure you will be joining me tomorrow that you don't need to pay attention?"

Ly opened her mouth slightly to reply, although neither of her options were satisfactory to her at all. "I...I," she muttered.

Lucy's eyes widened for a moment, thinking that this wouldn't end well for Lyall. As you didn't just go up to Voldemort and tell him he was boring. But there was no way Lyall wanted to join him. She chewed softly on her lip watching Lyall.

"I...um..." Ly continued to stutter. "Neither?"

Lucy watched.

Voldemort's eyes narrowed. "Are you sure of your answer?" he asked, voice nearly a hiss. Lyall shrunk back even more, shaking her head. Seemingly satisfied by this Voldemort said, "I expect you tomorrow," before walking back up to the front of the room.

"Eep," Lucy murmered under her breath, watching as he walked back up to the front of the room. Most of the hall looked away from Lyall now, their eyes following him.

A little while later, Voldemort dismissed all of the students back to their houses.

Lucy got out of the seat, and stood up.

Lyall stood up and shoved her way through the rest of the students, getting several comments. She just wanted out of the hall as soon as possible.

Lucy followed Lyall, weaving around students and hardly hitting any of them. She hit a few though.

Lyall finally got out of the hall and stopped by the staircase, waiting for Lucy to catch up to her.

Luce got through the crowd and to where Lyall was by the stairs.

Lyall ran her hand through her hair as Lucy caught up with her. "Luce," she said, "what am I going to do?"

"I don't know," Luce sais with a frown.

Ly ran her hand through her hair a second time. "I don't want to help him," she said. "But, I guess I don't get a choice now. Why didn't you just wake me up again?"