Chapter Text
Home was supposed to be your safe place. A place where you let your guard down. But that wasn't the case for Alexandra Tasso and it hadn't been since her third year at Hogwarts. All Alex wanted to do was enjoy her life but as the years went by the more and more she had to suppress herself. She knew everyone at Hogwarts saw her as a rich little pure blood witch, but she wanted to be more than that.
She wanted to bring light back to pure blood families. Her family along with the Malfoy's were known as the only pure families left. That itself went straight to her father's head.
"Oi!" Alex jumped at the pounding of her door and looked away from her window that overlooked their personal Quidditch pitch. "Mum said you better be packing!"
Nicholas pounded on the door again. Alex sighed, "I'm on it!"
Underneath her three windows was a long bench that Alex used to always read and take naps on. She got up and reached underneath her bed pulling out her trunk. She picked it up placing it on the bench before walking over to her closet. She opened the door and stepped in. She quickly gathered up her school uniforms when her bedroom door busted open.
"Merlin! Nick, is knocking too hard for you?" Alex muttered sticking her head out. Her brother quickly closed her door behind him. He plopped down on her bed and Alex froze when she saw the look on his face. "Go on spill."
"Guess who is coming for dinner?" Nick muttered. Alex shrugged as she placed her uniforms in her trunk. "The Malfoys"
Alex froze and slowly turning to face her brother.
"With the Dark Lord."
Alex felt the air leave her lungs as she stared at her brother. She took a deep breath and controlled herself before walking back into her closet. She grabbed a few dresses studying each one wondering which ones she wanted to take.
"Rumor has it Draco was given a task."
"Bloody hell." Alex muttered, "A punishment for his father getting caught." She held up two dresses and her brother pointed to the one on the left. She nodded placing that one up before gathering the others placing them in her trunk.
"I'm surprised Draco didn't tell you." Nicholas muttered.
Alex snorted, "you're joking, right? Draco hasn't spoken to me since the Yule Ball."
They both used to be so close and then the Yule Ball happened. She went with Theodore Nott and the moment Draco found that out, he completely ignored her.
"Was it the Yule Ball or the fact you snuck information to Potter the whole year." Nicholas muttered as Alex headed over to her dresser. She sighed but kept quiet, the beginning of her fourth year, she ended up cursing Pansy Parkinson into a pug. The punishment was being Dumbledore's assistant the entire year. She didn't just help Potter about information in regards to their tasks but also told Diggory.
Of course, Snape found her out and ratted her out to her father.
"I just wanted a Hogwarts victor." She muttered mostly to herself.
"Oh really? Didn't you also warn Potter about Umbridge last year and also helped them escape to the ministry?" Alex tensed up and slammed shut her dresser drawer turning around glaring at her brother. "Don't give me that look. You did it to yourself."
Her father found out about that and nearly beat her to death when she got home for summer. She was on complete lockdown every since. She was ready to be out of his grasp and get back to school but Alex just knew he would bribe someone to watch her.
She dropped some more clothes into her trunk before grabbing her school books. She paused and slowly looked at Nicholas, "You don't think?"
"Oh absolutely. The Dark Lord is going to give you a task as well... as punishment." Alex dropped her books onto her bed and stormed out of her bedroom. She quickly headed downstairs making her way towards her parents' offices. She walked through the library and sighed in relief when the door to her father's study was closed meaning he was gone. Her mother's study door was crack slightly.
She quickly walked over to it knocking on it.
"Come in." Alex stepped in shutting the door behind her. Her mother was a tall and thin woman with brown curly hair that always made Alex jealous of. She had bright green eyes and overall just a gorgeous woman in general. She was sitting on her couch reading. "Hello Alex."
"Is it true?" Alex said quickly sitting across from her in an armchair. Her mother sighed and slowly closed her book placing it on the coffee table.
"I told him I wanted to tell you." She whispered.
"Since when does Nick listen." Alex hissed, "Is this a punishment?"
Penelope Tasso sighed and that's all Alex needed to hear. She stood up and let out a shaky breath pacing around her mother's study, "Haven't I learned my lesson?"
Penelope stood up and crossed her arms over her chest studying her daughter, "it has been hell for you, hasn't it?" Alex wouldn't look at her mother but stared at her desk that had a few family pictures on it. "Potter is our-"
"He's 16 just like me. Just like Draco. He's not-"
"Do not!" Penelope yelled cutting off her daughter. Alex didn't even flinch. Penelope cleared her throat and sat back down picking up her book again. "Dinner is at 6. Don't be late and wear something nice."
Alex nodded and turned to leave.
"And please get your brother to heal that cut on your face. It's distracting." Penelope said opening her book again.
"Maybe tell your husband to take his rings off next time he decides to beat me, eh?" Alex snapped slamming the door behind her.
000
She stared at herself in the mirror, her brother was able to heal the cut but it left a faint scar right near the corner of her lip. She had dark brown hair that looked black, she had braided a few pieces back to get them out of her face. She had her mother's eyes. She wore a simple black dress with dark green heels. While her mother was tall and thin, Alex was short and curvy. Throughout her childhood, she was always told how beautiful she was. How she had the perfect body, but all Alex could see in the mirror was a useless pathetic girl.
She gripped the edge of the sink and sighed closing her eyes. Her hands were constantly shaking since her talk with her mother. Her brother didn't exactly ease her mind. She wanted to take off and leave but they would find her. There was no escaping her family or their lifestyle. She was stuck.
"Alexandra." Her brother said walking into her room. She opened her bathroom door and he gave her a grin. "You ready?" Alex slowly nodded and glanced over at her fully packed trunk. "Al." She looked up to see Nicholas's face had soften. He walked over to her and lightly grabbed her by her shoulders, "I have your back, sis."
Nicholas and Alex walked downstairs to see their mother waiting by the front door. Her mother was wearing her nicest dress she own and was wearing all of her expensive jewelry. Seeing that didn't exactly make Alex feel better. She stood next to her mother and a few moments ticked by before she felt a rough squeeze on her shoulder causing her wince.
She looked up to see her father, Alexander Tasso in his best robes. His hair tied back and his face freshly shaven.
"Best behavior, Alexandra." He squeezed her shoulder again.
"Perhaps don't bruise her, father." Nicholas hissed pulling his father hand off of her. Nicholas and her father locked eyes, the tension in the room thickening by the second. Nicholas was a protective brother, as much as he got on her nerves and made fun of her... she always knew he was in her corner. He was the one that was able to pull her father off of her. He was the one that talked her parents into taking her to the hospital.
She would be dead if it wasn't for him.
Both looked away from one another at the sound of a knock at the front door. Alex took a deep breath as she watched their house elf, Ellie, open the door. The moment the door opened, it was as if all the warmth was sucked out of the Tasso Manor.
The dark lord himself stepping into the house with Narcissa Malfoy and Bellatrix right behind them. Draco stepped in last closing the door behind him. The Dark Lord chuckled coldly and stepped closer to the family, his robe billowing behind him as he walked.
"My lord, what a pleasure!" Her father bowed and stepped in front of Alex as if to hide her from him. "We have the most exquisite dinner planned for your arrival."
"Your children." Voldemort looked directly at Nicholas. This was the first time, Alex or Nicholas had seen the dark lord. Alex will admit one thing, her parents did a very good job at sheltering them. She knew her father was a death eater, but her mother made it clear she wanted her children safe from that lifestyle. Alex wasn't exactly sure what changed.
"Nicholas, my eldest. He is head boy this year. Top of all his classes and-"
"Move." Voldemort said. Alexander moved to the side to show his daughter. Alex made sure to keep her face as blank as possible. She wasn't about to allow him to scare her. He didn't deserve it. Voldemort glanced over at Alexander again.
"Alexandra, my youngest." Alex could see her father's hand begin to shake. "She's a prefect. A chaser on the Quidditch team along with being the top of her class."
"She is the trouble maker." Voldemort moved suddenly grasping Alex roughly by her chin. Nicholas and her father jumped at the sudden movement, Alex even saw Narcissa place a hand on her mother's arm as she tried to move towards them. Alex however didn't flinch even though every ounce of her was screaming at her to run or push him away... Alex didn't move nor did she look at the man in front of her.
"The Harry Potter fan." He dug his nails into her skin, again she didn't move. Alex's eyes had been locked on the ceiling as he spoke, but as he spoke to her, she couldn't help but catch his eyes as he spoke of Potter.
"Not a fan." She hissed, her eyes narrowing. She expected a punch or a curse, but nothing came. He simply roughly shoved her backwards as he chuckled loudly.
"So much fire behind those eyes."
"My lord-" her father stepped forward. Voldemort waved him off. Her father took a deep breath, "Shall we have dinner now?"
Her father led them down the hallway to their dining room. Voldemort sat at one end of the table as her father took the other side. Alex sat between Nicholas and Draco with Bellatrix across from her. The house elves brought out the first course which was some kind of soup, honestly Alex suddenly didn't feel the need to eat.
She forced it down though. They ate in complete silence until they got to their main course. Before Alex even lifted up her fork, Voldemort broke the silence.
"Draco, would you say Alexandra is popular among the males?" Alex nearly dropped her fork but quickly composed herself, Draco however choked on his drink at the question. Draco composed himself before glancing over at Alex slightly like he was expecting her to tell him what to say.
Alex nudged him and he finally looked back at Voldemort, "I'm not sure how to answer that, sir."
"Alexandra, I suppose you have heard that I have given Draco a task." Voldemort stood up. All Alex could muster was a nod.
"My lord, may I suggest we go to the sitting room?" Alexander quickly stood up as Voldemort stepped towards Alex. Her father led Voldemort out of the dining room with the others falling behind them. Nicholas grabbed Alex's arm slowing her down.
"Just keep quiet unless asked a question." He whispered, she nodded. They all sat down with Draco, Nicholas, and Alex remained standing. Alex's heart was beating so loudly she was sure that everyone could hear it.
"Draco has so graciously agreed to take on quite a difficult task." Voldemort stood walking towards her. "I have heard you have been quite the difficult child to handle, therefore I believe I have just the right task to keep you busy this year."
Alex gripped the sides of her dress nervously. She honestly wanted to throw up right then and there but she held her ground.
"Draco will need assistance this year and I have assured him, you will be more than willing to help." Voldemort grabbed her by the neck. He squeezed and she slowly nodded as she let out a weak cough. "You will be at his call at all times. You will obey him." He brought her closer to him, "if I even get a whisper about you disobeying him in the slightest, you will wish you were dead." He squeezed even tighter. "Am I clear?"
"Yes" she choked out barely.
"And since you have already caught the attention of Harry Potter, this task is for you and you only." Alex began coughing even more as her eyes began to water. "You will rather information for me. Seduce him, if you must."
Alex felt her knees start to give out as she tried her hardest to remain calm, but as the oxygen left her lungs... she had no choice but to struggle against his hand.
"If you do not complete your own task, the punishment will be most dreadful for you." Her vision began to blur at this point. "You will belong to me. You will become one of my followers."
"My lord!" Penelope yelled standing up. Alexander quickly stood up pulling his wife back down in her seat. Voldemort released his hold on Alex and she gasped out loud. He slammed her onto the ground, her head slamming hard into the marble floor.
"Leave us." Nicholas quickly bent over and with the help of Draco, picked up Alex carrying her out of the sitting room. The room spun as Nicholas directed Draco to take her to the library. Nicholas kicked open the door calling out for Ellie. They placed her on the couch and Nicholas lightly grabbed her face looking over her.
"Going to have a nasty bruise. It already swelling. Ellie-" Nicholas called, "Ice and bring us some tea as well. Quickly."
Nicholas lightly tapped her on the cheek, "Speak to me."
"That fucking bastard." Alex choked out pushing Nicholas away from her.
She stood up and swayed ever so slightly pushing her brother away again.
"Has it been like this all summer?" Draco asked, Alex looked over at Draco finally. She took noticed that he had lost weight. He had dark circles under his eyes and his once perfectly tamed hair seemed to be out of sorts as if he had been running his hands through it in frustration.
Draco Malfoy clearly hadn't had the great summer he was used to.
"Nick was the one that took me to St. Mungo's the first time. Paid off the healers." Alex snatched up the bag of ice Ellie brought in. She placed it to her head and propped herself up against the wall taking a deep breath. "Fire whisky."
"Absolutely not." Nicholas snapped.
"Mix it with my tea then, Ellie." Alex said patting the house elf on the head as she ran past her.
"Oh real smart, drink with the dark lord here."
"Oh shut it." Alex hissed, she turned her attention back to Draco, "So, do you know why I was chosen to help you?"
Draco began to nervously twist his hands together staring down at them, "You were the first person I thought of. I don't know why but when he asked what I needed- said I got one" he looked up, his eyes wide with fear. He took a deep breath, "I said your name without even thinking! I had no idea your father was there! Also didn't know HE had overheard your father ranting about you! It was like word vomit, I swear!"
Alex remained calmed because looking at Draco panic in front of her made her quickly realize he was telling the truth. Alex looked over at her brother, who had slowly stood up from his place staring at Draco. Not angrily like Alex suspected, but he looked terrified.
"What's the mission, Draco?" Alex asked, already preparing for the worse. Draco hesitated and gulped.
"To kill someone by the end of the year." He barely said. Alex slowly lowered the ice pack from her face taking a slight step towards him watching him closely as she did so.
"Who?"
Draco looked up finally, "Albus Dumbledore."
Alex felt the ice pack fall from her grasp scattering ice on the carpet. She felt her heart stop beating for a moment.
"You. Useless. Ass!" Alex screamed sprinting towards Draco, Nicholas quickly grabbed her, yanking her away from Draco as Alex yelled even more insults at him as she struggled against her brother. She finally shoved him off of her and choked out a sob placing her hands on her head. This could not be happening.
"One of the most powerful wizard of all time and you are supposed to kill him!" She shook her head as more tears flowed down her face. "And what is the punishment if we don't succeed?"
"Death." Draco whimpered.
Alex shook her head and dropped down in a chair. Nicholas plopped back down, his face had gone white. Draco was also crying alongside Alex, almost as if it finally occurred to him what he was supposed to do.
Alex chuckled shaking her head, "You signed my death warrant, you know."
"Alexandra." Nicholas hissed.
"No, he fucking did! How in Merlin's beard am I supposed to help him with that along with completing my task!!" Alex felt sick as she stood up again to pace, "being at his every call, so much so everyone is going to think we are a couple therefore Harry Potter will completely distrust me."
Alex stood there staring at the bookcase in front of her. She suddenly realized her fate.
"I can only complete one task. Complete yours and I live but I become a death eater. Ignore yours, I die. So I suppose I just have to figure out which sounds more interesting." Alex whispered mostly to herself. Draco stood up and lifted up his sleeve, there on his forearm was the dark mark in all its glory.
"It's not too bad."
Alex slowly watched him lower his sleeve back down, "I don't want to die."
Alex walked over to him studying him closely, "Trust me it's not too bad."
Alex left the library leaving a stunned Draco. Nicholas sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose standing up.
"I always knew she was a strong one, but now I wonder if she has finally given up." Nicholas began cleaning up the ice Alex had dropped onto the ground. Draco finally controlled himself and realized that no matter how much he didn't want to put her through this... he had to force her in order to survive because without Alex's help...
This would be Draco's last year alive.