Pubescent Villains

By Pluvia

Hanged Man, the only pub in all of Little Hangleton, was known for the roaring trades that habitually went on between the villagers. But even the recent steaming row over the new inhabitants of the Riddle House was nothing compared to the hullabaloo that went on down the street.

When the final school-bell of the year rang that afternoon, the future doctors, florists, and construction workers spilled out into the streets, their lungs filling with the sweet summer air. Without homework looming over their heads for two glorious months, a sense of freedom and excitement filled their hearts as they eagerly anticipated a summer full of fun and adventure.

"Come on, Tommy," pleaded one of the village boys to his friend as they stampeded out of the school. "The house is abandoned! My brother said that nobody has been at that Riddle place since Frank Bryce died."

"You mean was murdered," Tommy Fletcher cut in while wiping his sweaty palms on his muddy jeans.

"Who cares?" Bobby Hurst exclaimed, throwing his hands up in exasperation. "We have to do it or else we'll be bullied by that block Mills and his gang of idiots for the entire summer!" Cold sweat dripped down his face in the scorching sun. Abruptly he exclaimed, " Oh! I get it! You're chicken!" a mischievous glint appeared in his eyes as he uttered the last word.

Tommy swallowed the invisible fist that was suddenly jammed in his throat, "Who are you calling chicken?" he retorted. "Let's get the damn dare over with!" His voice showed more confidence than he actually felt.

"Sure," Bobby replied faint-heartedly, remembering the faces of perpetual terror on the Riddles and Bryce's faces he saw in the paper. It had just dawned on him that along with his and Tommy's, the murderer's heart was still beating.

Anxious silence clung to them like their sweat drenched T-shirts and with every precarious step the boys came closer to the house upon the hill. They saw it's outline against the underbellies of white clouds, its face was covered with zealous ivy. Its eyes were boarded up with rotted wood and the grounds around it were like the deep verdant jungle.

With their courage ebbing away in a steady flow, the boys made a forced entrance into the abandoned estate through its front door. They stood in the hall uncertain of what to do next a light hit their pallid faces through the large mullioned windows either side of the front door making them seem like guilt-ridden angels. They proceeded to skulk towards the living room, "Let's just take something and go!" Tommy whispered through chattering teeth. "This place gives me the creeps!" he continued as he saw a spider make its deadly web.

"Shut your bloody trap!" Bobby hissed. "We have to find something that proves that we've been here! A photograph, a family album, anything like that," he urged his friend.

"Aha! Look at this watercolor painting. The deceased Riddle boy painted it and addressed it, 'To Mother and Father on your Anniversary.'" Fletcher eyed the work of art with wide-open eyes, " Bloody hell, nothing says 'Happy Anniversary' like a python suffocating some bearded guy in a dainty cloak. Seek professional help, would've been my advice if..."Tommy was unexpectedly interrupted by his chum.

"I think I hear something upstairs," Bobby said furtively, his chubby finger pointing towards the staircase.

The boys crept buoyantly up the dusty stone steps that muffled their footsteps. Their movements were as gentle and precise as a ballerina's.

They stood on the landing. Their eyes searching for the bodies to which the hushed voices belonged.

On the right, a door stood unrestricted and a snippet of light cut across the caliginous floor. Bobby and Tommy inched closer until only several footsteps separated them from the door. From this spot they could see a slice of the room. They saw the light blue sky with the sun positioned in the center through the opened window. The boys listened intently to the jaded tone.

"Nagini, why do I have to be the Muggle woman?" the voice was at an intense pitch.

"Ah," the woman's voice was excessively syrupy, " so by questioning the Dark Lord's orders then you are obviously asking to feel the his wrath, Avery." Her words were even and apathetic.

The man started to shake violently, "No, of course not. I will carry out his wishes abidingly," Avery abjured with an inaudible sigh.

"That's better," the superior nodded approvingly. "Now drink the Polyjuice Potion and be quick about it! We have to be ready by the time he comes," she hissed.

Avery stared at the rather young woman with abhorrence as she handed him the magenta coloured liquid. He dried the chalice with one gulp and his face twisted into a vile expression.

Instantaneously, Tommy and Bobby saw Avery clutching at his stomach as though he had swallowed vital snakes. He heaved like he was going to vomit and his sharp teeth sunk into his quivering lip. They watched in awed silence as the blood adorned his face making varied patterns as it dripped down his chin. Large droplets of sweat were becoming more frequent on his triangular face and his skin seemed to be melting at an alarming speed underneath them. The boys eyes grew to the size of dinner plates as the man’s hands began to shrink into bony sculptures and his shoulders constricted. In fact his entire burly body had begun to recoil from his large robes.

Tommy gasped as the transformation ended abruptly and in the place of the beefy beast stood a woman with locks of chocolate brown hair that reached up to her gently curved chin. The robes hung awkwardly on her raw-boned frame. Her murky dark brown eyes darted towards the doorway. Tommy and Bobby gripped each other's clammy hands praying to be invisible to her scrutinizing eyes. She regarded them for what seemed like ages, but in the end her eyes dropped to the carpeted floor. The boys knew that this was their chance to escape but their feet seemed to be nailed to the ground.

"Well get up you lazy block!" erupted the one Avery called Nagini, and she flung a black, pressed suit into his lap. "Put this clothing on, twit, and be quick about it."

"But..." Avery protested.

"Did I hear you demur to my orders?" she whispered venomously.

Avery shook his head; his newly acquired curls seemed to take on a life of their own.

"I didn't think so!" Nagini responded with gusto. Misinterpreting his impression she spoke, "Don't worry, I'll leave you in peace while you change," the corners of her wicked mouth twitched into a half smile and she left the room.

A shadow advanced over the cowering boys as the woman passed them. They tried to be a part of the fleeting obscurations in the hallway. No use though, she knew they were there. "Avery, some kiddies came out to play!" Nagini shouted. "What bad little children you are! Sneaking around other people's homes, listening in to their private conversations. All brats have to be punished!" she hissed like some pubescent villain.

Nagini grasped the large, black pendant that hung ominously around her neck. The black liquid in it seemed to boil and her hands began to glow maliciously. She extended her hands towards the shadows among which Tommy and Bobby hid. Filtering the words slowly through her clutched lips the immoral creature seemed to be staring past them into a world they could not see. A black cloud veiled the shaking boys in their moment of repentance.

Avery rushed out of the room in his woman's business suit. His impermanent pools of brown liquid searched for the children he had witnessed. They were no more. A pair of cockroaches slicked their way towards the hole in the floor. A heavy foot came down hard upon them, leaving only their squashed remains. "Children, filthy scum," Nagini said in an afterthought to their demise. "Remember Avery, always squash them with your power," her voice was that of a strict teacher as she cleared of the crumbs of the curious children from her flip-flops.

Avery seemed to be hypnotized by the floor as Nagini's eyes inspected him. "Surely, you didn't feel sorry for them?" she asked curiously. But, she never received the answer to her meddlesome question as a knock from the front door reached their ears. "Right on time," she exclaimed fervently.

"It's all a big game to her," Avery mused as the strange power from the pendant transformed the inside of the house to its once majestic presence.

A second, more persistent sound was emitted from the front door.

With forced glee Nagini uttered, "Shall we, my dear?" her eyes sparkled mischievously as she rushed down the stone steps, somehow still portraying control and grace.

Avery followed her down the stairs, albeit reluctantly.

As Nagini reached the front door she wordlessly asked him if he was ready. Avery gave her the affirmative answer and she tactically opened the door.

Framed in the doorway stood a boy of no more then fifteen or sixteen. His fine silver hair seemed almost white in the exuberant sun. His pointed chin was appropriately dimpled and Nagini saw her own roguish ways reflected in his limpid eyes. "Kylie!" he drawled affably. "I almost thought I got the wrong house," he grinned with relief.

Nagini managed a smile and gave him a bear hug, before she spoke, "D. this is my mother," she motioned for Avery to come closer.

"Good day to you, Mr. Malfoy," Avery managed in falsetto.

"It's nice to meet you, Mrs. Moon," the teenager greeted Avery politely.

Avery flashed a feeble smile and spoke, "Why don't you come in, while Kylie gets her bags." Nagini had already thundered upstairs for her luggage.

"It's quite all right," the boy refused civilly. " I'll just wait in the car," he gestured towards the metal junkyard on wheels.

"Well if you're sure," Avery persisted.

The young man nodded.

"Well, have a good trip!" the Death Eater waved good bye. " Keep the tramp safe," Avery added before he could stop himself.

"Excuse me?" the pale boy, asked in bewilderment.

"I said, don't get caught in the rain!" You-Know-Who's servant corrected himself quickly.

"We won't," Draco Malfoy replied dubiously as the door slammed shut. He made his way to the Muggle vehicle. "Okay," he thought with a resolute sigh, "It was one thing to enchant this hunk of junk here, but how do you pretend to drive it." He searched his brain for a spell. He remembered his fifth birthday when his mother got him a Muggle toy car, which he asked for. Narcissa knew that Lucius Malfoy would have never let Draco play with Muggle drivel so she enchanted it so Draco could make it go wherever he wanted. That was a much smaller car, but maybe it would work. He whispered the spell just in case Kylie came early. The engine spluttered to a start and Draco Malfoy gave himself a mighty pat on the back. He heard light footsteps against the dusty earth; he turned around to see Kylie carrying two heavy bags with unexpected ease. "Let me help you with that," he offered but the Herculean girl declined. Feeling rather useless, Draco rushed to open the trunk of the car. They stuffed in her two paraphernalia next to his smaller, tattered gym bag. Instinctively, he opened the passenger door for her. He himself jumped into the driver's seat and with a light tap of his wand. They were off.