I sincerely apologize for making you wait a long time, believe me I've tried everything to get back to finishing this chapter plus the others I have saved but things have been hectic in reality. I've hit a dry spell with most of my other fics too, but NONE are cancelled or abandoned I just have trouble getting my muse on the rise.

Truthfully I've gone through a harsh case of writer's block, which is why I haven't updated in a while here. I'm trying though guys, and I appreciate your patience with me here. A lot of you know what the block does to us, it's not easy to overcome without some encouragement, least of all a stubborn muse on vacation.

Anyway we pick up here where Angelique and Voldemort discuss a possible future, if there's one at all. After that we'll check up on Abbey, and I will warn you, there is a cliffy. I hate them too don't get me wrong, but sometimes they are necessary.

I don't own Harry Potter.

Enjoy!

As Angelique stared the man across from her down, her stomach churned at the gleam in his blood red eyes. No, this wasn't a man, not anymore; instead he's a raving maniac hell bent on destruction of the magical world; a wicked being that bathed in the spilt blood of innocents, disgusting. Nagini was curled up around his chair, her eyes gazing at Angelique like she was prey, but also with a flicker of fear when Angelique glared back.

"Angelique, you know why you are here." Voldemort looked at her from across the table, they were seated in the master dining room. Bellatrix was on his side and Severus was on hers, wouldn't want things to get out of hand Merlin forbid.

"You forced a bond on me, because you're 'desperate' to have me as your bride." the snake-faced bastard smirked.

"There are plenty of other options besides you dear girl, but out of all you are the youngest and possibly the most…fertile." that made her eyes narrow.

"Aren't you a charmer?" her sarcasm wasn't missed by anyone.

"Show the Dark Lord some respect little girl!" Bellatrix looked ready to explode, the woman was mentally unstable.

"Bellatrix, that's enough." just a few words from her master and Bellatrix shut up immediately. Like a trained dog, or a mindless puppet. "Angelique is our guest, and I'm sure she'll see things our way."

"My Lord." Severus intervened. "Might I make a suggestion?"

"And what is it Severus? We haven't discussed much yet."

"I propose Bella and I leave the room, let you and Ms. Potter speak privately." the looks he got were enough to let him continue. "It might be more to your pleasures to speak plainly, than to be polite with us around." polite? As if.

"Sounds interesting, what do you think Angelique?"

"It's fine, let's just finish this." Bellatrix begrudgingly left with Severus into the next room, and so Angelique let all her senses heighten to full strength. Bellatrix of course was still frightened of Angelique, but she wouldn't dare admit it aloud.

"I do hope you liked my gift in the cellar Angelique."

"If you mean James, I could care less about him at the moment. You abducted my little sister, to lure me out, and you want me here to 'convince' me to be your wife. Tell me Tom, what do you get out of all this? Why are you so bent on marrying me?" the man chuckled.

"You are a rare variety of women Angelique, you are strong, beautiful, intelligent, loyal, but most of all…you're a survivor. Just like me."

"Like you?" Voldemort stood up.

"Yes, you see Angelique you and I are much alike, we both have been raised in homes where people didn't understand us; we were ignored, unloved, and yet here we are both successes as magical beings, and yet we're both missing something in our lives." he started walking towards her as he spoke.

"And what's that?"

"You must admit I am not as young as I once was, and there shall come a time when I will pass my own legacy down to my heir. Unfortunately to have an heir, I need a good woman to become my wife, and that is you."

"You claim to be immortal, why have an heir when you can rule on your own?"

"We all must have a legacy to pass down, and I will give it to my son. With our combined blood, any child we produce shall be great. A mixture of the Peverell and Slytherin lines, not to mention a mother who's Merlin's heir, they will be great."

"I can assume this wouldn't be for us to be one big happy family, am I right?"

"It's all about power dear Angelique, power." his stark white teeth almost blinded Angelique, it was sickening. "You cannot deny that you still crave greatness."

"Perhaps not, but unlike you I don't relish in the torment and pain of others. I only fight for those I love, and occasionally what's right."

"I know, and in time you will come to accept your place. I know I may not be as young as that Diggory boy, but I can give you everything you desire."

"Oh really?"

"Everything and more, all you have to do is ask and it's yours."

"You still haven't answered my question, what's in all of this if you marry me? You want an heir yes, but that can't be all." or was it?

"I want you because you are like me Angelique; you are everything I was at your age. Yet you have…obstacles holding you back from what you deserve." she glared.

"You mean Abbey?" a nerve snapped, but Angelique kept herself still.

"One of them, yes. Yet you care for your sister, and I know you would do anything to protect her as you always have."

"You will not hurt her." a long, skeletal white hand rested on Angelique's shoulder. It took everything she had not to slap it away, or hex him.

"Of course not, she will be freed and protected by my men…if you agree. Your brother too, I see with your help he has grown, but he is still weak compared to you."

"Don't call him weak." he held up his hands.

"My apologies." he said the words, but his tone said otherwise.

"This is low of you Tom, very low." Angelique stood up and removed his hand. "Are you so unnerved by me that you would stoop to this? Forced bonding? Blackmail? Hostages? Honestly I thought you had more class than that."

"And I do, but for now…let's go over what we can offer each other in this marriage."

"IF I agree, and I ask again why not marry Bellatrix? She's purebred and from an old family, why not her?"

"Yes you are right, but sadly Bellatrix is past the age of bearing children. That and…those years in Azkaban haven't done much for her looks." that was harsh. Maybe it was a good idea the old witch wasn't around to hear this. Watching a man get angry only to knock him down was one of her best hobbies.

"You haven't considered potions?"

"Even those would be too much of a risk and a waste of time." Angelique scoffed at him.

"She's one of your most loyal followers; one would think you'd be a little more grateful to her. Or is it because…you have performance issues?"

SMACK!

Angelique's face stung as Voldemort struck her, painful like a burn and so hard she about fell over. For a skinny being he had a powerful hit, almost didn't seem possible. She only cracked her neck and smirked at the monster. A mere hit wasn't enough for her.

"No need to get hostile Tom, it's already a known fact you and Bellatrix had a relationship before she was imprisoned. Too bad her womb is dried up, but I'm quite certain you'd keep her as a mistress."

"Even so, you would watch your tongue around me." his blood red eyes narrowed dangerously at her.

"You don't scare me Tom. I already killed two of your people and damn near killed Bellatrix, none of your minions are powerful enough to take me down."

"You seem quite confident dear Angelique." she shrugged.

"It's a great help in moments like this. Alright we've already gone in circles with your reasons, so why don't we try and talk about…the terms of this marriage."

"You will accept this?"

"Depends on what you're offering." truthfully the bond would force her to comply, but if this was going the way she figured she might as well set the rules. "What do you expect from me as your wife?" she saw the pride blazing in his eyes; yeah she'd asked the right question.

"You will belong to me, and only me. You will not be alone with any man, nor will you be allowed to speak with any without myself present."

"You wouldn't trust me not to hold my own?"

"I would trust you not to be alone with any older man or boy your age. When you give me an heir, I will see if you are trustworthy to be on your own, with or without an escort."

"Escort?"

"I will choose two men to be your main guards; your life will be in their hands when I'm not around."

"If you're thinking of ones like Yaxley or Dolohov then you'd best pick more trusting ones."

"Those two will not be a problem, but they aren't the ones I would choose. That will come at a later time, for now you will stay in a room here at the manor."

"And let me guess, it will be guarded?"

"No, it shall be warded and no one is allowed entry other than myself or the house elves. They of course will do as you ask."

"So you're just going to shut me away until the wedding? Will I not get to pick out my gown or anything? Or will you do it for me?"

"Narcissa will take care of that, she has good taste. You will be married to me, and we will leave to our own wing for the night. After that we will discuss your freedom in this house."

"Freedom, you want to restrict areas to me?" it was blatantly obvious.

"For a while, you will earn more if you behave like a good wife." now she was getting angry, but she kept the mask on. No need for herself to get too overworked, not now.

"You expect me to follow orders, be a puppet wife, and bear children; what else is there?" as if she couldn't already guess.

"For the time being, that's all."

"What?"

"We will discuss the rest of the terms after the ceremony, oh…and you are going to dress like a proper witch from now on. I will have Narcissa get clothing for you, after all tomorrow night you're going to be introduced to my followers and the rest of the magical world here as my bride."

"You're not making me dress up like Lestrange." she didn't give her consent in words, but as of now she was stuck.

"No, you will have some say in the clothes but you will wear robes and dresses. Now, do you require anything?" now was the time.

"My sister, send her back to Hogwarts but only after I see her again." Voldemort nodded.

"Very well, you'll have ten minutes and then I will send Severus with her."

"Fine." she stood up. "I agree to be your wife, but I will add in stipulations of my own after the wedding. Understood?" she could tell from the way she spoke he liked her forcefulness.

"Very well." they shook hands, and Angelique felt a spark of magic go through her. Voldemort noticed it too, but acted as if he didn't. He led her to the other room, and sent Bellatrix to fetch Abbey. Abbey came running up the cellar stairs and into her sister's arms, and Angelique whispered something to her before she looked to Voldemort.

"Leave us, now." Bellatrix wanted to scream at her, that was clear, but one look from her master and she was silenced. Severus stayed behind, and after the two left with Nagini in tow, Angelique pulled away to look directly at Abbey's face. "You alright?"

"Yeah, so what's the plan?" Angelique looked at Severus for a moment.

"Severus is gonna take you back to the school, just outside the gates and Phantom will meet you there. I need you to get your mirror, keep it on you, and wait for me ok?"

"Wait? But Angie…"

"I'll be fine sis, all will be explained soon enough."

"You said that before, c'mon Angie you couldn't have…" Abbey's eyes widened suddenly. "You didn't…" yep she caught on. Abbey suspected things before, she knew about the bond.

"I did."

"Angie you can't! He'll hurt you!" Angelique put her arms back around her sister and held her until she felt the girl relax.

"It's gonna be fine, this will all work out in the end ok? You said you trust me, don't you?" Abbey nodded. "Then please do as I say, this was the only way to keep you safe."

"But what about…?"

"Don't worry about James, he'll be freed soon enough." though she was tempted to lock him up for life. "Look…stay close to Charlie ok? He's gonna need you with him for the time being."

"But…"

"Just please do this Abbey, I can't let you get hurt not again." Abbey groaned, she knew there wasn't any point in arguing, but she was still skeptical. "I'll be alright, I promise you."

"I want to believe you Angie, I really do." the younger witch hugged her again. "But I'll go with your word for now."

"Good, Severus?" Angelique turned to the wizard standing up against the wall.

"I'll see to it she's there safely, but I do fear the backlash that will come if the others know."

"Then you'll have to tell them, you're escorting Abbey back to Hogwarts and they're going to want answers. Come up with whatever you can, but tell the truth if you must."

"Indeed, stay safe until I return." neither noticed Abbey's look when she saw the flame when their eyes met. "Abigail." Abbey was about to speak when they heard someone approaching the room.

"Time's up, take the little wretch and leave." Bellatrix snarled but flinched when Angelique's eyes darkened in a hateful blaze.

"Come Potter." Severus grabbed Abbey by the arm and led her to the floo on the other end of the room. In a flash of green light they were gone, and so the two witches were all who were left in the room.

"So then…" Angelique turned around to Bellatrix. "Where shall I be staying?"

Hogwarts main gates:

"Wow." Abbey felt a little unsteady after Snape disapparated them from the floo in Borgin and Burkes' in Knockturn Alley. They ended up just outside the gates, and Abbey could feel the power of the wards all around.

"Come on, we don't have much time." Snape opened the wards, but right before they reached the doors they were swarmed by several witches and wizards with their wands out. Several lowered soon after seeing who it was, but few stayed directed at Snape.

"Snape?!" the famous voice of Alastor Moody was heard, and the one-eyed wizard rushed forward towards Abbey. "Ms. Potter?"

"Moody, we have to talk." Severus stared the man down.

"Abbey? Where's Angelique?" and there came Black, the man hot on his heels as he pointed his wand at Snape.

"Leave him alone!" Abbey jumped in the way.

"Abbey get out of the way!"

"No! Back off!" Abbey stood in front of him, if she had her wand she'd hex Black unconscious.

"It's fine Abigail." Snape kept his eyes on Black.

"Why do you have her? Where's Angelique?"

"All will be explained soon, but we have to get inside." they needed to speak with Dumbledore. If these damned aurors or staff members would move they could get going.

"Not until you talk!"

"Black enough!" Moody stepped in the way. "We don't have time for your petty squabbles; we've got a war hanging over us now so save your energy for the real battle!" the older wizard shoved Black aside before turning his gaze on Snape again. "You've got news for us?"

"Yes, and I suggest we not waste any more time."

"Agreed, let's get you two inside." Snape put his hand on Abbey's shoulder and they followed the group into the castle, directly towards the Great Hall. There was heavy tension in the air, and so far Abbey saw no signs of students being out, all likely hidden in their common rooms or the Hospital Wing from the fight.

"Abbey!" Abbey's head turned when she heard the voice of Charlie. He came running towards her, got past the adults, and picked her up in a hug which she returned. "Are you ok? What happened? Where's Angelique?"

"Charlus! Simmer down we'll answer questions soon enough."

"That you will, Severus." Dumbledore emerged from the hall with Lily and McGonagall in tow. "Everyone, get back to your posts and check on the students in the wing. Alastor, Sirius you two come with me, and you Mr. and Ms. Potter." The group followed the old man into the Great Hall, closing the doors behind them and going towards the front.

"Oh Abbey!" the moment Abbey was close to her Lily wrapped her arms around the smaller girl, only to be shoved away.

"Not now!" Abbey snarled at her. "Where are Remus and Tonks?"

"Lupin's out on patrol in the village, and Tonks is at St. Mungo's with some of the kids." Moody answered her.

"What?"

"Some got cursed or injured worse than others, we had to transport them to St. Mungo's after Poppy stabilized them. Tonks is keeping watch as is Shacklebolt."

"Oh…good."

"We'll send word to Remus soon dear, don't worry." McGonagall gave her a reassuring smile.

"Thanks." Abbey sat down on a bench next to Charlie. He gave her a one-armed hug, and she could see now that his face was a bit scarred, one long one under his left eye down to his cheek, and another small one just above his right eyebrow.

"You ok?" he whispered to her.

"Yeah, is Ron ok?"

"He's in the wing, got a nasty hex to his leg but he'll be fine."

"Good." the adults chatted for a few minutes, and then Dumbledore turned to Abbey.

"Alright, Abigail what happened to you? Where did they take you?" Abbey didn't correct him to call her Ms. Potter.

"When I came to I was in a cellar, and I don't know where."

"Malfoy Manor." Snape jumped in. "She was locked underground, and she wasn't alone."

"What do you mean?" Lily had the look; she could guess who else was there.

"They have dad, but he's a mess. Angie beat him, when he tried to mouth off to her."

"Angelique?"

"Lily." Dumbledore gave her a look, and she quieted. "What happened next Abigail?"

"When I woke up and told off James, Voldemort came to see me." few flinched at the name. "Oh stop it already! It's just a name, let it go!" she cooled down. "Voldemort…" she paused, and no one flinched that time. "He told me about the bond he forced on Angie, and that sooner or later she was going to have to give in. He wasn't willing to wait too long, and so…he took me as bait."

"Did he hurt you?"

"No, well he slapped me because I tried to hit him. He ordered his men to leave me alone until Angie arrived." all eyes in the room widened.

"Abbey, is Angelique…?" Abbey nodded to Charlie.

"She's there with him now." everyone paled.

"What?! Well we have to go get her!" Sirius was about to start screaming orders but Snape used a 'silencio' charm on him.

"It's not that simple." Snape looked at Abigail. "The Dark Lord and Angelique have come to an agreement."

"WHAT?!"

"How could you let this happen?"

"You were supposed to protect her Severus!"

"She's with him now? Then she's a traitor to us all!"

"SHUT IT!" Charlie surprised everyone with a shout. He stood up tall, angrily glaring which would make Angie proud since it matched hers. "Ok, before we all lose our heads I'm sure there's more to this than we know."

"How do you think Charlie?" Lily glared. "Your sister is in a home full of death eaters with You-Know-Who! There's no telling what's happened to her! And James…Merlin knows what's going to befall him in that place."

"Oh you suddenly care about your ex-husband Lily?" Snape growled.

"He may be my ex Severus but he's still…"

"An arrogant bastard that just got his arse handed to him by everyone he pisses off."

"Severus! Lily that's enough, Severus what can you tell us about Angelique? Is she alright?"

"She's fine." Snape jumped in again. "The Dark Lord ordered the others to leave her alone, he's quite adamant on making her his wife."

"And she's agreed."

"Unfortunately, there wasn't much choice. After you all left Angelique felt the bond increase, its magic is enraged inside her, to the point of pain. She gave in, but she's bought us some time."

"Time how?" McGonagall was the next to ask.

"The Dark Lord is working to the ceremony, he and Angelique spoke just before I left with Ms. Potter."

"Did they have terms?" Dumbledore's eyes slowed in their twinkle.

"They did, but I don't know the details because the Dark Lord asked me to leave the room while they spoke. Bellatrix too, and I'm quite certain she's terrified of Angelique. All I can say is that I was instructed to pass a message to the light."

"And that is…?"

"That the Dark Lord and Angelique are going to be married at the end of the week." all eyes widened bigger, Lily looked like she would be sick, and Black looked ready to kill. "It was Bellatrix who told me, that was the plan from the start. Why he wants to wait that long I don't know, but Angelique will be safe until the wedding." it was only two days.

"Safe how? She's in a mansion full of monsters Snape!" and the charm broke when Black removed it.

"You underestimate her Black, the girl is ten times more intelligent than anyone in this room."

"She's planning something." Moody pegged it.

"That's impossible, the only way for the bond to break is if she…" McGonagall stopped, she couldn't dare say it.

"Did she tell you what she had planned?" Severus shook his head.

"She's secretive, but…Phantom!" Severus shouted and the dog appeared in a flash of light. The Dalmatian familiar ran over to Abbey and attacked her face with licks.

"Ah! Phantom down!" the dog kept licking her but stopped when Snape whistled. "Where have you been? You were supposed to meet us earlier."

"She comes when either myself or Angelique calls. Abigail, your mirror."

"Oh right…but I need a wand." Charlie reached into his own robes, and pulled out…her wand? "How?"

"Fred and George found it, kept it safe until I was good to leave the wing." she took it and kissed Charlie's cheek.

"Be sure to pass that to them." he blushed and she giggled. "The mirror's in my trunk, but I can summon it fine." she gave her wand a wave, not bothering the 'accio' charm. In a quick flash of light, the mirror appeared into Abbey's hands.

"Y'know you could've just asked Phantom to fetch it." Charlie mumbled.

"Yeah, but I missed my wand."

"Alright, now Abigail…let us see Angelique." Abbey nodded and held the mirror up to her.

"Show me my sister." the mirror glowed, and the image of Angelique was of her sitting on a bed, holding Merlin's book to her.

"She's alright." Lily sighed in relief. They all watched as the sound of a door opening was heard, and Angelique turned to the opposite side of the room. Everyone froze at the sight of Voldemort himself walking into the room, approached Angelique, and placed a finger under her chin to make her look at him.

"I am quite relieved you agreed to this my dear Angelique."

"You didn't give me much choice." the man laughed and stroked her cheek with a long finger.

"I knew you would see reason, and soon you will be mine." Angelique snorted.

"I'm really getting tired of you saying that."

"And yet…you know it will be true the moment you say 'I do'." with that said, Voldemort leaned in and planted a kiss against Angelique's lips. "I'm going to enjoy our wedding night."

"Hm." with that done Voldemort walked to the door, but he didn't open it.

"Narcissa will bring you clothes, and food. Severus should be back shortly, he will be your guard for now."

"Fine." with that said Angelique was left alone, and the mirror image vanished.

"That…was sick." Charlie looked ready to be sick.

"Indeed, but one thing's for sure everyone..." Dumbledore got everyone's attention. "We only have two days to prepare. We know where she is, where the ceremony is going to be, and dare I say…we've got a wedding to crash."

Hope you guys enjoyed it, and I know it took me long enough to write it right? Hopefully my dry spell will diminish before the year is up, and maybe I can get caught up on all my fics or at least ones I can focus on.

If I could find my muse and ask her to return I would, but sadly she's gone on vacation and I think it's an extended one. I'm going to try updating some others, unfortunately I can't say when. Believe me I hate making you wait, but reality is a major pain at times.

Next chapter…the ceremony itself. Is it going to go as everyone believes? Or is there something else in the making?

R&R

Later!