Song of the Siren : Prologue.

Author's notes :

Iphany, Icarus, and the late Ilia Novara all belong to yours truly. Lucius Malfoy and the like belong to Madame Rowling, God bless her creative soul.

This is my first attempt at a serious HP fic. It will have gratuitous smut and violence scattered throughout. You have been warned. Story takes places in what would be Harry's sixth year at Hogwarts.

Enough stalling, here I go.

// Prologue //

Even with the blindfold on, Iphany could sense the bodies around her. They shifted and moved, whispered, cast warmth and glances in her direction. She did not know if there were ten or a hundred of them, but she was certain she stood in the center of their circle, for the presence came from all sides. A chill unlike fear or cold crept the length of her spine with stealthy, unwashed fingers. Her stomach churned with anticipation. The humming talk grew louder around her for a few moments and then died in an instant as a new presence entered the room. Dark, slick, she could taste his power on her tongue, a flavor of bitter wine and blood. Like Lucius.

"Bring her to me."

Iphany was seized, hands hewn rough by nerve and fire. She turned her face blindly to her captor. Was it him? She thought she would have known by touch, by smell or footsteps, but she couldn't tell. Sightlessness did not heighten other senses, only made her feel slightly frantic and itchy. Not afraid, though. Not yet. He'd told her not to be, and she believed him. Tonight was a Great Becoming for Iphany Novara. And while her victory still buzzed in the air, she knew the trueness of her task was yet to come.

"She is beautiful, Lucius. You did not lie. Perfect, I would venture to say. Wouldn't you?"

At the sound of his name, Iphany stiffened. And when she heard his voice, her skin was hot again.

"Yes, my Lord."

Instinctively, Iphany turned to Lucius' voice. Her eagerness was noted by the presence hovering just before her. Lucius Malfoy flinched beneath his mask when he saw the Dark Lord's jaw twitch.

"Remove her robes." Voldemort watched in impassive silence as Lucius stepped forward. He lifted her curtain of raven blue hair and untied the simple white sheath, and his hands felt like memories against her skin. Lucius was briefly thankful that he had remembered to wear the amulet; otherwise the touch, the sight, the smell of her so close would have belied his involvement. As it were, he was beginning to feel trapped. Something was wrong.

Iphany shrugged out of the robe, unashamed as the ivory silk puddled at her feet. Lord Voldemort gave an appreciative sigh.

"She is worthy to be mine, don't you think, Lucius? She has proven herself loyal to our cause, bringing our greatest foe to our feet with a whisper. And she is...exquisite."

Iphany heard footsteps from both sides as Lucius backed away from her and the Dark Lord came forward. His hands was cold, unpleasantly cold as he cupped her breast with one and lifted her chin with the other. She felt a pair of lips cover her own, thin and sharp. Lucius tightened next to her, sucking in a breath that only she could hear.

At least, she thought...

"Lucius." Voldemort said smoothly, pulling away from Iphany, leaving the places where he'd touched her feeling almost...bruised, even though his hands had been gentle.

"Yes, My Lord?" For the first time, his tone was uncertain. Iphany began to feel the first tickling of real fear. He was nervous, and so with a great jolting suddeness, so was she.

"You fucked her, didn't you? " Voldemort asked, though there was little question in his voice. Iphany's stomach dropped as though she'd fallen from a broom. Lucius rushed to respond, stumbling fatally over his words.

"No, your greatness. I would never...I...I knew she was saved for you." He stepped forward so that he stood between the Dark Lord and his bride to be. Iphany was trembling, hidden behind him. She felt warmer in his shadow than she had in Lord Voldemort's hands.

"You lie. How many times, Lucius?"

"I swear to you, my Lord, I did not-" Iphany heard shuffling as someone pulled Lucius back, and someone else reached for her and untied her blindfold. She barely had time to register her surroundings - stone and ceilings so high she could not fathom their end. Vulnerability seemed more prevalent without the blindfold -- fleeting shadows surrounded her, still countless shapes brought to life only by the faint glimmer of firelight on the white masks. Lucius had been stripped of his and driven to his knees, where he was held by two other pale faced Death Eaters.

"I don't believe you." Voldemort rounded on her, and for the first time she looked on him fully. Her revulsion was hidden beneath calm eyes and steady breath, but inside she was weeping. Her chin held high, she faced the most feared wizard of all time with an easy, forthcoming smirk.

"Did you sleep with this man, Iphany?" He asked, his tone light and jovial. Lucius looked up at her, transfixed even in his final hour.

"No." She responded immediately. It was a struggle not to turn and meet Lucius' gaze. Lord Voldemort clucked reprovingly, drawing his wand out of his robe. He pointed it at her, and hissed;

"Priora corpeas."

A beam of blue struck her in the throat. She fell to her knees and clutched at the ground, and her voice was strained and passionate when she spoke again.

"Lucius..oh...God..."

Lord Malfoy sagged beside her, limp in his captors' hands. Lord Voldemort chuckled, reaching down to wrench the half-Siren to her feet. Her eyes were bereft of tears, but now she trembled in earnest, her throat dry and constricting with unshed sobs.

"You lied to me. You knew she was mine, Lucius. I did not think I had to tell you not to take her." Each of the Dark Lord's words were poison, darting from his fleshless lips to light on Iphany's naked skin.

"I'm...I'm sorry my Lord. I removed the necklace once...and I touched her...and...I could not..."

"I know, Lucius. You are weak, and she is a being of undeniable beauty. You could not help it. That is why I am going to spare you. Let him up." Voldemort replied, his voice almost consoling. The Death Eaters obeyed, and Lucius rose to his feet.

"Thank you, my Lord. You are most gracious." Lucius replied, bowing again and again as he turned to make his way back to his place in the circle. Voldemort stopped him before he could rejoin the ranks.

"Wait, Lucius. You must understand that I consider this little vixen entirely at fault. She must be punished, don't you think?"

"Ye--yes. Of course."

Tears finally stung Iphany's eyes. She turned to Lucius; he could not match her gaze.

"Death is appropriate, isn't it? She seduced you, decieved me...high treason."

"My Lord, if I may be allowed to say...I think..." He trailed off, unable to finish at the sight of Voldemort's glare. A thin smile crawled across the Lord's lips, and he sheathed his own wand.

"You do it, Lucius."

"My Lord, I--"

"Do it, or I'll kill both of you. Prove your loyalty to me or die."

Iphany squeezed her eyes shut when Lucius reached for his wand. She knew he could not chose her over his own life. It was a ridiculous thought. He took his place in front of her, his back to Voldemort.

"Look at him, Iphany." The Dark Lord commanded. Iphany shuddered and opened her eyes, tears gathering at an uncontrollable rate. Lucius' face was cold and emotionless as he raised his wand.

'I'm sorry," He mouthed, his words unseen to anyone but Iphany. She squared her shoulders and met his eyes. A soft smile touched her face as she remembered.

"Now, Lucius." Voldemort commanded sharply. Lucius drew in a deep breath.

"Avada..."

TBC