''𝙊𝙣𝙡𝙮 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙮𝙤𝙪, 𝙙𝙖𝙧𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜.''
𝗔𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻, 𝘄𝗲'𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗲𝘄𝗲𝗱. The Snatchers had captured us and now we are being escorted further from where we needed to go. Wherever that may be. It seemed that they were planning on taking us to the Ministry, but plans changed when the man got a good look at Harry.
I grew more nervous the more I thought about where we were going. Were they taking us to Voldemort? I would highly suggest going to the Ministry, instead. That way we could still escape, possibly even knock out Umbridge again. But then again, Marcus wouldn't be there to help us escape again.
Even when the others had tried convincing me that it wasn't my fault, I still thought it was. I had let him stay. If I had brought him with us, we would've been traveling together and he would be. . . well, not where he is now.
I tried fighting against Greyback, who had came to hold my hands behind my back. He growled close to my ear, before jerking me backwards and kicking my ankle. I didn't like how close he was with me, so, I tried moving as far as I could. Which wasn't very far with only being able to take baby steps.
The Snatchers had Apparated with us, making it a quicker trip then it were to walk there. Still, they didn't give us any hints on where we were going. But when we got there, I mentally panicked. But since Ron had given me a look, I guess it was pretty obvious that I was panicking. Greyback held me tighter, since I had tried to run off.
''Not here, please.'' I murmured. Greyback chuckled darkly behind me, but didn't say anything in response.
Harry was being grabbed by the shoulder ahead of us, the man from earlier holding him in place. I kept my head tilted towards the ground, especially when we had reached the fence of the mansion. Bellatrix was standing there, like she knew we were coming. Hermione might've needed to do a better job injuring Harry.
The man held Harry forward, his face almost touching the gate. Bellatrix also leaned forward, trying to get a good look at who was on the other side. Voldemort was here. I knew that much. From what I could see - which was behind Ron and Hermione - Bellatrix has seemed intrigued. Hermione seemed stiff.
''Get Draco.'' She lowly whispered.
I fought against Greyback again, kicking his knee and escaping his arms. As soon as his grip loosened on my wrists, I pulled away from him and ran down the pathway. I was going to escape, go anywhere, then, somehow, break the trio out of here.
That plan backfired when I was hit in the back with a spell. I hit the stone pathway, groaning as I fell face-first. Greyback's heavy steps sounded towards me, before I was hauled to my feet. I didn't want to walk anymore, not because I was weak, but because I felt like I couldn't feel them.
''Maybe,'' The man called from the front, the one holding Harry. ''You shouldn't be so sympathetic next time.'' He tilted his head from side-to-side, teasing Greyback with his words.
''Ooh,'' I laughed in a mocking tone. ''Big words for such an old man.'' My laugh didn't falter at the look he gave me.
The man walked towards me, his hand gripping my jaw and moving my head so that I had faced his direction. ''Now,'' He started, Bellatrix seemingly amused from behind him. ''I don't want to ruin that pretty face of yours. So, here's a thought, keep your mouth shut and move forward.''
I scowled at him, which earned me a sarcastic smile and a shove forward from Greyback. Bellatrix gave me a sickening smile, before she led our group of Snatchers and Gryffindors towards the mansion. The very mansion that only houses Pure-bloods and Slytherins. Funnily enough, Voldemort isn't Pure-blood.
Guess he's just the exception.
When inside, we were all lined up. Harry was brought forward to sit on his knees and shown to Draco. I mentally thanked Merlin that Voldemort hadn't came from whatever room he was held in. Or maybe he just wasn't here. Hermione, Ron and I were standing next to each other, the Snatchers standing behind us.
The next people that entered the room just so happened to be Draco and his Mum. I wanted to break down at the sight of him. He looked pale, bags under his red brimmed eyes. Like he had been crying for weeks and was crying before he came down. It looked like he hadn't been eating as he should've been, alas the barely seeable shaking of his hands.
His father stood next to the group of Snatchers that held us, the Mother by his side. When Draco stepped forward to look at Harry, I fluttered my eyes closed and prayed to whatever God had the decency to listen to me.
Bellatrix grabbed a fistful of Harry's hair, jerking his head backwards as he grunted. She looked proud of herself, her wand at Harry's neck as Draco stood a fair few feet away from them.
''Well?'' She asked in barely a whisper. I could hear her, almost like she was standing right next to me. Now I started to feel bad for Harry.
''I can't be sure.'' Draco responded. I opened my eyes, instantly landing my gaze on Draco. He shifted his weight, one foot to the other.
Lucius had swiftly moved toward Draco, harshly gripping his shoulder with a goblet in his other hand. His whole look was disheveled, a stubble across his usually clear face and his hair all over the place. Seems Azkaban didn't do so well for him, huh? Now he knows how Sirius felt.
''Look closely, son.'' He whispered to Draco. Lucius then glanced back at our group, his eyes landing on me for a little longer. ''If we were the ones to hand Potter over to the Dark Lord, everything will be forgiven.'' He moved to stand in front of Draco. ''It would all be as it was, understood?''
Draco stiffly nodded. I fought against Greyback again, but he didn't let up this time. I really hoped that Draco made the right decision.
''Now we won't be forgetting who actually caught him, I hope, Mr. Malfoy.'' The Snatcher walked forward, addressing Lucius.
His voice was quiet at first, but grew louder with each word. ''You dare talk to me like that in my own house!''
''Lucius.'' The wife walked forward, trying to calm down her husband. I could see Draco flinch at the sound of his fathers voice when he shouted. What happened when I was gone?
The wife pulled the husband away, who left a lingering touch on Draco's shoulder.
''Don't be shy, sweetie. Come over.'' Bellatrix sweet talked Draco, grabbing his hand to slowly bring him closer to Harry. ''Now,'' Draco crouched down in front of Harry. ''If this isn't who we think it is, Draco, and we call him. . . he will kill us all. We need to be absolutely sure.''
Bellatrix still had her grip on Harry's hair, ouch.
''What's wrong with his face?'' Draco asked. Honestly, I had to bite back a laugh at that.
''Yes, what is wrong with his face?''
As they were talking about Harry's currently deformed face, I watched the interaction between Draco and Harry. They stared at one another, as if Harry was begging Draco to lie to them. Draco's body was stiff, from where I could see.
Harry glanced over to the side, where I was currently standing. When he looked back at Draco, I seen a small nod coming from the raven-haired boy. Draco hadn't noticed that I was in the room yet, since he was instantly taken to Harry. Hopefully, we would all get out of here alive.
''Was it you, dearie?'' Bellatrix suddenly turned, pointing her wand at Hermione. ''Maybe you?'' She then directed towards me. I scoffed under my breath, turning to scowl at Greyback when he shoved my shoulder. ''Give me their wands. Let's see what their last spell was.''
''You won't find much.'' I responded with a shrug. Hermione and Ron gave me pointed looks, basically telling me to shut up without the verbal words. ''The last spell I used was to try and make the food seem better then it looked. Let me tell you, it didn't work.''
Bellatrix laughed as Draco's Mum went over and tapped his shoulder, beckoning him to stand.
''Got you.'' She pointed to Hermione, continuing to laugh.
When she turned back around to face forward, she gasped. She suddenly stopped walking and looked at the object in the Snatcher's hand. I wasn't paying attention, because Draco had found me in the room. HIs tense figured had relaxed, luckily nobody had noticed. Did they know about Draco and I? Well, I highly doubt it.
I gave him a pained smile. The best I could do with an open wound on my arm and Greyback holding me from behind. I could practically feel his breath running down my neck. Lemme just say, it's not comfortable. He gave me one back, his eyebrows scrunching up to make him seem more innocent then his current placement is.
''It was in her bag when we searched her.'' The Snatcher raised his hand to lazily gesture over to myself. I knew I shouldn't have saved that damned bag. ''Reckon it's mine now.'' He smiled. Well, maybe I won't be the one to die today.
Suddenly, Bellatrix threw a spell at the man, causing him to fly over the barrier and drop the sword. She started attacking the rest of the Snatchers, including Greyback. I fell to the ground, holding my hands above my head. Ron helped me up before placing me between him and Hermione.
''Go!'' Bellatrix shouted. ''Go!'' Both the Snatchers had left, with whatever they had left of their lives. She then moved over to us, taking the front of Ron's shirt and shoving him forward, along with Hermione. ''Put the boys and girl in the cellar. I want to have a little conversation with this one,'' Bellatrix then got up in my face. ''Girl to girl.''
''No!'' Hermione shouted, taking a step forward from Pettigrew. I didn't know he was here till now, the rat. ''It was my bag, not hers!''
''Hermione!'' I shouted back at the brunette. She didn't spare me a glance.
''It was my bag!''
Bellatrix glanced between the both of us.
''Hermione, shut up!'' I suggested.
When Bellatrix looked back at me, her eyes squinted. Her eyes trailed to the side, before she walked over and picked up my wand from the floor. The very wand that only belong to the Heir of Slytherin.
''Switch them.'' Bellatrix ordered, switching me with Hermione. She kept my wand in her hand.
''No!'' I tried denying, but ended up failing when Bellatrix pushed me towards Pettigrew. Before I was dragged down, I could see Draco, his gaze stuck on mine. He wanted to help, he really did, but he couldn't.
Harry, Ron and I were shoved down in the cellar, hitting the stone floor as Pettigrew closed the door.
''Pettigrew, you rat!'' I shouted, hands wrapping around the bars of the door. ''And I meant that literally!'' I added after I remembered his Animagus form. I also took note of his new metal hand, something I hadn't been able to see before. Harry told me that Pettigrew cut off his hand, now I call that loyalty.
''What are we going to do?'' Ron panicked. ''We can't leave Hermione alone with her.''
I banged my head against the bars, before taking in the peculiar scent of Dirigible Plums and orchids, with the slightest smell of pudding. Lifting my head, I turned around when a soft voice had called out for my ginger friend.
''Ron?'' Luna had stepped out from behind the pillar she was hiding behind. ''Harry? Y/n?'' Ron used his Deluminator to light the lamp in the room, one that Luna was standing beside.
''Luna?''
''Luna!'' I ran up and hugged the girl. She hugged me back with a laugh, no fazed that she was kept down in a cellar.
Pained screams that echoed across the walls, I recognized them as Hermione's. Pulling away from Luna, I looked up at the ceiling. I could've done something to keep Hermione out of the situation she's currently in. But she kept arguing against me and took it instead of myself. Luna put a reassuring hand on my shoulder, at the sight of my distressed face.
''We have to do something.'' Ron begged, sounding like he was about to break down. I walked up and hugged him, trying to comfort him enough to keep him calm.
''There's no way out of here. We've tried everything.'' Another voice cut in. A man, weak and frail. A goblin stood next to him. ''It's enchanted.''
Harry, without faltering, had crouched down and lifted up his pant leg to reveal a mirror hidden in his sock. That's odd.
''You're bleeding, Harry.'' Luna pointed out. ''That's a curious thing to keep in your sock.''
As Harry moved to the corner with the mirror in his hands, another scream from Hermione had sounded above us. Ron was heavily breathing, something I told him to do so he would calm down.
''Ron,'' I called the boy's name, diverting his attention to me. ''We will get Hermione and leave. All of us.''
''How can you promise that?''
''Magic, Ron.'' I simply responded with a curt nod. ''Magic.''
Pettigrew then walked down the stairs, Ron taking away the light. When the Death Eater had opened the door, Ron was the one to rush forward.
''Let her go.'' He seethed. Pettigrew's wand pointed in his face.
''Get back.'' Pettigrew threatened. ''You, goblin.'' He pointed his wand at the only Goblin in the room. ''Come with me.'' Pettigrew moved his wand to point between the Goblin and Ron, honestly, he should be more worried about Ron.
When Pettigrew left, walking up the stairs, Ron granted us light again. Just as he did, someone had Apparated into the cellar. A certain house elf that goes by the name of Dobby. He stumbled a bit, but caught himself before he fell over.
''Ah!''
''Dobby?'' Harry questioned the small creature.
''Looks like magic did work.'' Ron mumbled, giving me a side-glance. I shrugged my shoulders, knowing fairly well that I didn't do that.
''What are you doing here?''
''Dobby has come to rescue Harry Potter, of course.'' Since it had been the obvious. ''Dobby will always be there for Harry Potter.''
''Are you saying you can Apparate in and out of this room?'' Harry asked. ''Could you take us with you?''
Had the mirror summoned Dobby? How did Harry do that?
''Of course.'' Dobby shrugged. ''I'm an elf.''
Harry, Ron and I shared a look.
''Works for me.'' Ron said.
''Hey, let's go with it.'' I agreed.
Harry turned back to the house elf. ''Right, Dobby. I want you to take Luna and Mr. Ollivander-''
Ron had said a certain destination before Harry could, the both of us gave him a look.
''Trust me.'' And I did.
''Whenever you're ready, sir.'' Luna smiled down at Dobby. I smiled at her kindness, she didn't deserve to be stuck in here. Now I almost feel guilty for wanting to use a spell on her father. I just shouldn't mention it to her or him.
''Sir?'' Dobby chuckled. ''I like her very much.''
Dobby then moved to hold both of their hands, standing between them and ready to Apparate.
''Meet me at the top of the stairs in ten seconds.'' Dobby instructed. He then Apparated away with Luna and Ollivander. I hoped that wherever Ron had sent them was safe.
''Y/n.'' Ron whispered, grabbing my forearm and moving me against the wall. I had blocked out the sound of Pettigrew coming down the stairs, luckily, Ron had moved me beside him.
Pettigrew came down, unlocking the door and opening it. He panicked when he had seen that nobody was there. Suddenly, a spell hit him in the back and he started to fall.
''Ow.'' He simply said, before falling to the floor. I quietly laughed, it was payback for third year.
The wand then flew up the stairs, the three of us moving to see Dobby standing at the top of the stairs.
''Who gets his wand?'' Dobby asked, holding Pettigrew's wand.
I looked back down at Pettigrew, kicking him in the side. ''Rat.'' I spit out.
The three of us quietly stalked up the stone stairs, picking up a random wand on the way. Close to the top of the stairs, the golden Snitch had flown from one of the Snatcher's pocket and next to Harry. Bellatrix was shouting at the Goblin that was in front of her, back turned towards us.
Hermione, well, she was laying limp on the floor. She was still alive though, thankfully. I could see her chest rising and falling with every breath. Bellatrix swiped a knife across the Goblins face, leaving a small wound. It was barely anything to my open wound. I haven't had time to stop and take care of it.
''But the same. . .'' Bellatrix trailed off, walking up to Hermione. ''Won't be said for this one.''
And before I could hold him back, Ron rushed forward.
''Like hell. Expelliarmus!''
Bellatrix's wand flew from her hand, I followed up after Ron.
''Stupefy!'' Lucius was thrown to the side from Harry's spell.
Now it was three against two. Harry, Ron and I against Draco and his Mum. They were mostly blocking the spells, Harry and Ron throwing them. I blocked them. I didn't want to hurt either of them, all I wanted was to leave and stop this war. Give everyone their peace back.
''Stop!'' Bellatrix shouted, just as the pain in my left arm had came back. I dropped my arm, clutching it with my opposite hand. Bellatrix held a knife to Hermione's throat, everyone stopping what they were doing. ''Drop your wands. I said drop them!''
Ron was the first to drop his. Then Harry. It took me a little longer, but I did so, too.
''Pick 'em up, Draco. Now.'' Draco moved forward, quickly picking up the three wands we had dropped. His eyes caught mine for a short moment, before he had to remind himself to go back to where he was standing. ''Well, well, well. Look what we have here. It's Harry Potter. He's all bright and shiny and new. Just in time for the Dark Lord. Call him.''
I looked over to Draco. She was expecting Draco to call the Dark Lord.
''Call him!'' Draco stayed still. He looked from me, then down to the floor. His father now standing next to him. When Draco still hadn't moved, Lucius was the one to step forward.
He pulled up his sleeve, not worried about how much like a hobo he looks. I glanced back at Draco, seeing the defeated look on his face. Lucius raised his hand above his - now revealed - Dark Mark, a smirk playing on his face.
Then a squeaking had sounded from overhead. Everyone had seemed to notice the noise, stopping what they were doing to look at the ceiling. A chandelier had hung above us all. And was that Dobby up there?
The chandelier then came down, Bellatrix screaming and loosing her grip on Hermione. Hermione moved forward, towards Ron as I moved to the side. I saw Harry run to Draco, fighting him to get the wands back. Draco let up, Harry triumphant and moving back to the rest of the group.
''Stupid elf!'' Bellatrix shouted, Dobby standing on the railing behind the group. He looked like a hero from where he was stood. ''You could've killed me!''
''Dobby never meant to kill. Dobby only meant to maim or seriously injure.'' Dobby snapped, Draco's Mum's wand had moved to his hand.
''How dare you take a witch's wand? How dare you defy your masters?''
Dobby stood with his hands balled at his sides, wand still in hand. ''Dobby has no master. Dobby is a free elf. And Dobby has come to save Harry Potter and his friends.'' Dobby stated proudly.
I smiled, proud of the little guy.
It was Ron who had noticed. But I wasn't standing with them.
Actually, I ended up with Lucius Malfoy holding me against him. Hermione and Harry had noticed soon after.
I nodded at Dobby, silently telling him to leave without me. Ron looked like he was about to protest, but they Apparated before he could. At the last second, Bellatrix had thrown one of her knives at the group, which ended up traveling with them. I let out a breath I had been holding, knowing that they had escaped. I just hoped that knife hadn't hit any of them.
''Looks like your Dark Lord won't be so happy now, huh?'' I teased from where I was stood. I was barely standing, my knees bending with the way Lucius had held me down.
I was suddenly the center of attention, everyone turning to look at me. Bellatrix still had a small smirk on her face, but it only grew when she caught sight of me.
''Harry is far from here now.''
Lucius poked my neck with his wand in a threatening way, trying to make me shut up. From behind Bellatrix, I could see Draco and his Mum, his Mum moving him back up the stairs and away from whatever was about to happen.
''Harry Potter?'' Bellatrix spoke, almost teasing with the name. ''Who needs Harry Potter when we've got you?''
I furrowed my brows. Bellatrix moved closer, my hand now in her hand. Where did she get that from?
''Do you recognize this wand?'' She asked, getting close to my face. I tried to back away, but Lucius held me in place.
''Yeah. It's mine.'' I retorted, struggling against Lucius.
''Only the Heir of Slytherin has this wand.'' Right, shit. ''And I believe the Dark Lord would be rather pleased with your visit.'' Her smile grew wider and she started to laugh, dancing around the room. ''Put her in the cellar, she'll wait for him there.''
Bellatrix left the room and I was escorted back to the cellar with Lucius. He kicked Pettigrew, telling him to get up and ushered him back up the stairs. When Lucius had thrown me into the cellar, I didn't move from the floor. The door slammed and I was encased in darkness and quiet. Nobody here for company anymore.
That night, I only moved to lean myself against a stone pillar. I couldn't see the door and I didn't want too. It only reminded me that I was trapped in here, no wand, no friends. Hell, I didn't even know where the trio was with Luna, Ollivander and the Goblin. The wound on my arm had stopped bleeding, dry blood now scattered down my arm.
To be fair, I didn't have anything to heal it with. Let alone clean it. I sat in the dark, pulling the hoodie closer to myself, due to how cold it was down here. Stone was the only thing I could see. I was really starting to get tired of the reoccurring color of grey. Pettigrew never came back down, neither did Bellatrix or Lucius.
''Hey.''
From the little I could tell from the voice, I subconsciously called out the first person that came to mind.
''Draco?''
''It's me, love.'' He responded. I breathed out a chuckle, feeling him sit down next to me.
''How did you get down here?'' I asked, turning to face him. I could see his blonde hair falling over his forehead, his slumped figure and tired expression. ''I didn't hear the door open.''
''The bars are far enough for me to squeeze through.'' He simply explained, turning to peek around the pillar and at the door.
''Right.'' I nodded with a light laugh. ''Using your Animagus form to sneak into an enchanted room that keeps prisoners. Wonder how your parents will feel about that.'' Draco huffed out a laugh. ''My little ferret. Going against the rules of his own home.''
''Only for you, darling.'' Draco wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me into a loose embrace. His head rested between my neck and my shoulder. ''You can't believe how much I've missed you.''
I hugged him back, my head on his shoulder. ''I think I have a faint idea.''
Draco pulled away to place a kiss to my forehead, before moving his head back between my neck and shoulder. I couldn't help but wonder if this war will ever end. I missed being with Draco, the way we are now. Me in his arms, forgetting about the world for a moment. His earlier tense posture was now relaxed against mine.
And with the trio gone, not being held prisoner, what would Voldemort do to me? Would he use me to get to them? Does he know that I am the Heir of Slytherin? Well, he'll know soon.
I felt myself starting to drift away, Draco moving his hand up and down my back in a soothing manner. I felt relieved to be here with Draco, knowing that he wasn't dead or had ran off to try and find us. As my eyes fluttered closed, one more thought came to mind. The promise I made to Ron earlier.
I'm sorry, Ron. I broke the promise.