Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.
To Eos-fiordineve: Thank you so much!
Chapter 4
The healing potion stopped the bleeding and mended Sirius pretty well. He still didn't have a whole tongue nor did the potion perfectly fix every laceration. It only turned the light cuts on his body into scars and the deeper gashes into tiny wounds that would slightly reopen when he moved. His muscles and bones still hurt, but not quite as much and he even found that his stomach didn't feel so awful from the lack of food. However, he expected all of this to be too good to be true.
Voldemort flicked his wand and released Sirius from the straps on the table. One Death Eater quickly managed to grab his arm and force him to the floor with one pull. Sirius tried to stand, but he was kicked down again and someone's foot pressed on his back until he was laying flat on his stomach.
"Put your arms out," the Dark Lord commanded him and when he refused, another Death Eater gave him a sharp kick to the side. "Put your arms out."
Sirius slowly stretched them out on the floor, wondering why he wanted him to do this. It didn't take him long to realize. On one hand, someone slammed their heel swiftly over his fingers. The sudden pain was tremendous. Before Sirius could move his other hand, someone else put their heel over it and did the same, only much slower. He could feel each bone slowly being crushed.
He cried out and tried to beg, but his words were garbled and mangled without a tongue. Laughter filled his ears until Voldemort finally silenced everyone.
"Sirius, I'm going to give you two choices," he began. "One, you can get up and kneel before me. I will fix your tongue and you can pledge loyalty to me. I will personally ensure that all charges against you at the Ministry are dropped and you will be a free man. Anything you need I can provide as long as you agree to follow my rules. You let me place a Dark Mark on your arm and once that is done, I will heal you entirely. You will also tell me everything you know involving Dumbledore, Harry Potter, and the Order of Phoenix. And if that option isn't suitable enough, your second option is leaving."
Sirius lifted his head and looked up with confusion. Had he heard right?
"Yes, Sirius," Voldemort grinned with a certain hidden motive. "If you wish, you may get up now and walk out of hear. I won't heal you, but I won't stop you. However, you are barefoot, unclothed, and a wanted criminal. Recently, I've made sure the Dementors wouldn't give you the Kiss but that ends as soon as you stand. You'll be running from them and if anyone outside sees you, the Ministry will be alerted. You don't even have your tongue to explain why you're running. But if you think you can get back to Dumbledore, you may leave."
There was something wrong. Voldemort would never let him escape, but if he only had two options, this was the one he wanted. Sirius would take the risk.
He tried to push himself up but with the pain in his hands and his weak muscles it was almost impossible. Sirius brought himself towards the table and after a few minutes, managed to place his arms on top and pull up so he stood. Before he could take his first step or run for the door, the Dark Lord moved in front of him. This must be the trick.
"You have two hands with shattered bones. Could you even open a door? If you had a wand, you wouldn't be able to wield it. It took so much effort for you to stand. Can you run?" He laughed. "But go. You have thirty minutes until I send someone after you. You'll be lucky if you even make it out of the building."
That was the trick.
"You can still kneel," Voldemort said, but moved out of his way.
He could make it, Sirius told himself. He had to at least try. He dashed at the door, but hardly made two steps before one Death Eater put their leg in his path and tripped him.
"Take him to the other room," the Dark Lord hissed. "And tie him to the chair. Did you actually think I'd even give you the chance to leave, Sirius?"
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The chair two Death Eaters dragged him to was an uncomfortable, old wooden seat with metal chains connected to it to lock him in place. They shackled Sirius in, his arms behind the back of the chair and legs aligned with chair's legs. He pulled against the chains, but they were too strong.
"You're going to wish you surrendered," one Death Eater whispered softly just before Voldemort entered the room.
"Leave us," the Dark Lord commanded. "I will let you know when you're needed again."
Each of his followers gave immediate bows and scurried out of the room, shutting the door behind them.
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AN: Sorry for the long wait. This chapter is a bit short, but I hope you like it. Tell me what you think! Thanks for reading!