Riddle's Plea

The Request*

     Pain. It was coursing through me like a thousand burning hot needles. The smell of blood, sweat, and death filled my nose. If you ever wanted to know what death smells like, imagine a rotting piece of meat, left in the sun for days on end, and then add a couple drops of very cheap sweet smelling perfume, and that's what death smells like. It's not very pleasant, is it? 

    I'm still alive. The thought hit me like a ton of bricks. A mixture of relief and disappointment consumed me for a moment before the pain hit me again. Open your eyes, where are you? Easier said than done. My eyelids felt like they were glued together with cement, keeping them from opening and causing me to groan. Slowly but surely they opened, taking in the filtering moonlight through dense branches. Branches? Turning my head ever so slightly, I took in the Forbidden Forest surrounding me and the cloaked figures who were watching me. Oh no.

    "Stop Narcissa, she's been healed enough." I knew that voice, a voice that had been haunting my dreams for as long as I can remember. Fear swept through me for only a moment, while I cautiously took in the retreating figure of Narcissa Malfoy, who was giving me a look of pity and regret. "Good, it seems your waking." Oh no. Finally, he came into view, The Dark Lord himself, in all of his snake-like, monster-like, evil-like, bald-like self. I really should be more afraid. For some reason, though I couldn't bring myself to care anymore, unfortunately, this wasn't the first time I've come face to face with the monster himself. He didn't kill me all those years ago when he had the chance, why would he kill me now? Don't think about it. 

    "Vienna. So lovely to see you again child." His voice came out more of a hiss, barely above a whisper, it sent chills through my body, but I held steady and sent him what I thought was a menacing glare. Smart people wouldn't glare at the evilest and feared man alive, but apparently, I wasn't very smart.  Noticing my glare, he gave a short chuckle which made me want to be sick. "What do you want?" My voice came out strong, despite barely being able to breathe from the wounds scattered across my chest and the fluid slowly filling my lungs.

    "LEAVE." The loud and sudden sound of the Dark Lord's voice made not only me but his Death Eaters jump. Steadying themselves, I watched as his followers threw me curious glances, and slowly filter away from their master. The Dark Lord was as still as a statue, watching them leave, before he moved suddenly, causing me to jump and rip open my semi-healed wounds. Groaning, I watched him as he cast the Muffliato Charm around us in a circle, before he stooped down near me. "Vienna, I am aware that tonight, I will die." He whispered. "I am not pleased Vienna. When I say this, you must listen carefully. Do you understand? I will not repeat myself." Knowing I could no longer speak, I slowly nodded at the monster before me. 

    "When I began my quest for power, my quest to live forever, I was not aware of the consequences of my actions. I was a young man, anxious for revenge against those who doubted me, and anxious to cheat death himself. I refused to believe that I could feel anything other than hate. I trusted no one and believed nobody understood. I realize now, that I was so very wrong, and so many lives have been lost because of my actions." What the bloody hell was happening?  "I've watched you tonight, you are no longer the little girl that stood up against me when she was a toddler. You've fought valiantly, bravely, and are most powerful. I believe, in fact, I know that you are the only one who can help." An almost somber look overcame his snake-like features as he pulled out a flask of purple liquid. Panic seeped into my bones, and I struggled to move away from him. "This potion will take you back in time, where I will be ending my 5th year at Hogwarts. You must alert Albus Dumbledore of who are, and where you come from. I'm asking you to try and help me. Show me friendship, and show me what it's like to trust somebody. I know you are the only one who can stop this all from happening. I know it sounds like a lot right now, but you will come to understand someday." 

    With my head spinning, and unconsciousness clouding my eyes, The Dark Lord picked me up bridal style and took to the air. No broom was present, and it was as if he could just glide on the wind. Turning my head, I watched as the burning castle began to shrink and the sounds of the ongoing war were left behind. The smell of fresh air filled my nostrils and I hesitated when trying to take a deep breath. Seemingly satisfied, The Dark Lord came to a stop above the dark clouds, and the breath I had taken was taken back by the sheer beauty of the moon and stars. How grossly romantic. Shaking me gently, The Dark Lord regained my attention, and I watched wide-eyed as he uncorked the flask using magic with no wand and not a word spoken. 

    "You must try to save me Vienna," he began while tipping the purple liquid into my mouth, "you must try to save us all." The Dark Lord gave me one last look, and then let me go. No sound came from my mouth as I watched him fade from view, the clouds covering him from my line of sight. I was free falling through the sky, my torso being pulled towards the Earth while my limbs reached for the moon and stars. How poetic. It was almost like slow motion, as I watched a bolt of lightning reach towards me, and hit me square in the chest. I didn't feel the pain of it, nor hear the sound, but suddenly the world seemed to change around me. It changed from night to day, over and over again in quick procession, making my head spin faster and faster. Make it stop. 

     Finally, after what felt like hours, the spinning began to slow, and my eyelids began to close. The moon and stars were still visible as I fell, my tired brain was trying to comprehend what all had happened, but failing miserably. I was fighting to keep my eyes open, but the darkness was winning. Let go Vienna. "ARRESTO MOMENTUM!" The spell was like a warm embrace, along with the voice I had come to know. Impossible. He's dead...right? I could hear the lake beneath me, and it felt as if I was floating towards land. The sound of worried voices filled my ears, and then everything went black.