Happy New Year, everyone! :D
I'm sorry this took so long. I know I promise I would update before New Year if I got more reviews and I've fallen down on the job a little bit. At least it's still technically New Year's Day? Still counts, right? :P
Before anyone asks, yes I am aware that this chapter is very Theo-centric. This is intentional and will help the story progress to the part that I know you're all waiting for :P
Huge, HUGE thanks to everyone who's reviewed so far: buttercup88 (extra thanks for reviewing twice!), gus'hazelgrace, , Ramyfan, SeawardSun90, annaea3077, Wordwryhta, Honoria Granger and WailFin.
Also a big thank you to all those of you who are following this story and have favourited it - you've no idea how encouraging it is to see that people are looking forward to reading more.
Here's another chapter. Enjoy!
TRIGGER WARNING: brief references to sensitive issues
"Ah, the prodigal son returns!" The Dark Lord rose from his throne and threw his arms wide as Theo entered the hall and walked down the middle of the floor towards him. Murmurs and hisses followed him as he walked between the rows of Death Eaters, but he ignored them, keeping his eyes forwards. In his arms, something inside the heavy wooden box clunked sickeningly against the side.
"I have brought you a gift, my Lord."
"A gift? Pray, don't keep us in such suspense. What have you brought me?" The snake-like slits that passed for nostrils on his inhuman face widened in anticipation as Theo stopped before his throne and unclasped the lid of the box.
He thought about saying something, but decided actions would speak louder and simply opened the box, tipping it upside down. The heavy object fell to the floor with a wet 'thump' and rolled to a stop at the Dark Lord's feet. Blonde hair splayed across the floor above a pale, blue-eyed face, frozen forever in a grimace of pain.
The murmurs grew louder, a susurration that filled the ballroom until the Dark Lord raised a white hand. Silence fell so suddenly that Theo wondered for a moment if they were all under a Silencing charm.
"You have done well, young Nott. I wondered whether you would be able to raise your wand to your old classmate, but you have pleasantly surprised me. I may decide to send you on more errands for me in the future, but for now you may simply enjoy your success." The Dark Lord gave Theo a chilling smile and placed one of his spidery hands on his shoulder. Theo steeled himself not to shudder at the contact and simply waited for the Dark Lord's next words.
"Now, I believe you were promised a reward. Bring it in," he commanded and someone - Theo didn't turn to see who - left the hall, returning shortly with another person. He glanced around to see Crabbe Sr dragging a dark-haired girl into the ballroom, gripping her tightly by her upper arm.
"I apologise for not giving you the chance to choose your own reward," the Dark Lord said without a hint of apology, "but I trust this one will suffice."
Theo turned to the girl, who had been deposited in front of him. When Crabbe released her arm, she dropped to her knees at Theo's feet, shaking and staring at the floor. She looked about thirteen and absolutely terrified. Her hair hung in lank brown locks around her pale face, her face shadowed. Theo decided he preferred that. He couldn't look her in the face, knowing that she was being given to him like an object. He didn't want her. He didn't want to be given a person, as if they were a new broomstick or a pet. Could he refuse?
Then he thought about what would happen to her if he refused his 'gift'. She would be returned to the so-called 'care' of the other Death Eaters, who would be far less gentle with her than he would. And that was putting it lightly.
He made up his mind. "I thank you, my Lord. May I go?"
The Dark Lord inclined his head in assent, still smiling. Nott bowed in return, then reached down and grasped the girl's arms, careful not to squeeze too hard where Crabbe had held her. She cried out and tried to struggle as he raised her to her feet, so he did the only thing he could to shut her up while avoiding revealing his true feelings.
He slapped her.
The shock of the blow stunned the girl and she went limp in his arms. Grabbing her around the middle, he slung her over his shoulder and stalked out of the hall, ignoring the jeers and wolf-whistles that followed him up the stairs.
He knew what was expected of him, but there was no way he would be doing that. Not tonight; not ever. This girl had done nothing wrong, as far as he was aware. Other than living with the wrong blood in the wrong country; that wasn't a crime as far as he was concerned.
Theo set the girl on his bed and stepped back as she slowly sat up, rubbing the side of her face hesitantly. She stared at him with wide, terrified eyes as he wordlessly locked the door and shut the curtains. He turned to face her and she cringed, curling into a protective ball on the bed, all the while staring with those huge scared eyes. He saw that her eyes were brown, like her hair, and her fair-skinned face was marred with bruises.
"I won't hurt you," he said quietly.
She didn't move, but confusion darted across her face as he watched.
"I'm sorry I hit you. I needed to get you out of there."
The girl raised her head slightly up from her folded arms. "Are you going to rape me, too?" she asked in a small voice.
Theo flinched at the bluntness of her question. "No, I'm not. I'm not going to touch you."
"Then...why did you take me up here?"
She genuinely didn't understand, Theo realised with shock. What exactly had happened to this girl to make her like this? Then something she'd said made him freeze.
"What do you mean, 'too'? Has someone else..." He didn't need to finish the sentence. He stared at her, realising her hands were curled around her stomach in a way that could only be called 'protective'.
Oh my god, she's not... "You're pregnant?"
She nodded mutely, waiting for his reaction. He didn't know what to do. All he could do was pace the floor and shake his head to try and get rid of the voice screaming I have a pregnant mudblood in my bedroom over and over again.
Eventually he managed, "I assume you don't know who the father is?"
The girl shook her head, opening her mouth to speak, but Theo raised a hand.
"Actually, it's probably best if I know as little as possible about this. If they knew you were pregnant they'd kill you, you know that right?"
Her eyes widened and he realised with shock that she hadn't known. She'd thought she'd be able to keep her baby. Her lip quivered and, to Theo's horror, tears started to spill down her cheeks.
"Please, don't cry," he said desperately, thinking hard. "Look, what's your name?"
She sniffled and said softly, "Lucy."
"Lucy. I'm going to send for some food, alright? I'm hungry and you look half starved." He raised his voice. "Mokey!"
The elf appeared within seconds. "What do you require of Mokey, master Nott?"
"Food. Something hot, whatever's left over from dinner," Theo said firmly, not missing the fact that the elf stared at Lucy the entire time he was speaking.
"Of course, sir!" the elf squeaked, before disappearing into thin air.
Lucy was still staring at Theo, who sighed and shook his head, waving his hand in the direction of a door across the room. "There's a bathroom through there. Go and clean yourself up. Take as long as you want."
She hesitated, then darted towards the door and slammed it shut behind her. He thought he could hear sobbing through the wood-panelling and resolved to ignore it. She wouldn't want his comfort, even if he wanted to give it. He was just another Death Eater to her; comrade to the men who'd raped her, to the monster whose child was growing inside her.
Only when he heard running water from inside the bathroom was he able to relax slightly. At least she was willing and able to look after herself when given the opportunity. He'd seen some girls after the Death Eaters were through with them; broken shells of the girls they'd once been, having given up long ago and resigned themselves to servitude. Even when given the chance to bathe themselves or eat, they couldn't do it without the say-so of their 'masters'. He was thankful that this girl hadn't yet reached that point, resolving that she would never reach it while she was in his power. He refused to use the word 'possession', as if she was a shiny new toy.
If you're not going to have her, where's she going to sleep?
Looking around the room, his eyes fell on the couch by the opposite wall. A flick of his wand transformed the small couch into a generously proportioned single bed; another flick and the cushions that had been on the couch were now full-size pillows. Finally he grabbed a blanket from the shelf in his wardrobe and transfigured it into a duvet.
There. Now they could both be comfortable, without it becoming too awkward.
A loud 'crack' resounded and he looked round to see Mokey setting a tray down on his coffee table. The tray held a large dish of what looked like beef stew, a plate piled high with thickly sliced bread, a dish of soft butter and a jug of pumpkin juice with two glasses.
"It is enchanted, sir, so it will stay warm until eaten!" Mokey squeaked. "Enjoy your food, sir!"
Theo nodded to the elf, suppressing the urge to say 'thank you' before Mokey disappeared. There was no way he'd be able to look anyone in the eye ever again if they heard he'd thanked a house-elf. Pulling a chair up to the table, he poured himself a drink and started to butter a slice of bread.
After at least an hour had passed, Theo was on the verge of knocking on the bathroom door to check if she'd drowned herself when the handle turned slowly. The door opened, letting in a waft of scented steam. The side of Lucy's face poked around the door and she looked uncertain.
"Um...should I put my clothes back on, or-"
Theo froze, his mind whirring. "Oh. Yes! No. I mean, hang on..."
She can't put those filthy rags back on, he thought, rummaging through a drawer and pulling out a t-shirt. He tossed it at her and kept rummaging until he found a pair of shorts, throwing them to her too. She disappeared back into the bathroom and reappeared moments later, carrying her old clothes in a bundle.
"Put them by the door. The elf will deal with them." He gestured for her to come and sit at the table with him. "You must be starving."
Her eyes widened as she stared at the spread of food. It had to be more food than she'd seen all at once in a very long time. Reaching out slowly, as if she thought he might change his mind at any moment, she tentatively reached out and picked up a slice of bread. Once it was in her hand, she clutched it quickly to her chest with her wide eyes fixed on him, just in case he decided to take it away from her. Her hands were bruised too, some of her fingernails torn and bleeding. He wondered if she'd tried to put up a fight.
Only when her hands stilled and started to shake slightly did he realise he was staring. "Oh. I'm sorry," he said awkwardly, looking away and serving himself a bowl of stew. He nodded encouragingly at the food and started to eat while she served herself. Eating quickly - he was hungry too - he observed her out of the corner of his eye. He was gratified to see that she was greedily eating stew in big spoonfuls, dipping her slice of bread into the gravy and stuffing it into her mouth. She clearly hadn't eaten properly in weeks, maybe even months; she needed all the nutrition she could get if she wanted to have a healthy baby.
He almost laughed out loud at the idea of a mudblood bringing up a baby in this place. As if that kid would have a chance of being 'healthy' in any sense of the word.
They made no small talk during the meal, only speaking once when he offered her a glass of juice. She took it without reply and swallowed it down in one huge gulp, holding the glass out for more.
"Where am I to sleep?" she asked eventually, putting her empty glass down on the table. Her tone was a mixture of fear and resignation, as if she had already guessed his answer - which, he supposed, was understandable given her experiences of Death Eaters before him.
"There." He pointed at the couch he'd transfigured for her. "You can sleep there."
"Then you... You don't want me...like that?" she asked, looking confused but also relieved.
"Aren't you happy that I don't?" he asked her in return, offering a small smile.
Lucy nodded, then looked afraid. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean any-"
"Don't be sorry," Theo said quickly. "I'm not like them, Lucy." His expression was serious; he needed her to believe he was different from the others who wore the Mark. "I will not harm you, or touch you in any way that you don't want. Okay?"
She looked shocked for a moment, then a smile crossed her thin face and she nodded. "Thank you," she said sincerely, then hesitated. "What should I call you?"
He thought for a moment. "When it's just the two of us, call me Nott. If we're around the others you should probably call me Master, otherwise they'll think something's up. I don't like it, but they'll get suspicious." He hated the idea of someone having to call him 'Master', but it was the only way to avoid getting both of them in serious trouble.
"It isn't the worst thing I've been told to do, Nott," Lucy replied, smiling sadly. She opened her mouth to say more but her first word turned into a huge yawn instead.
Theo indicated the bed and said, "Go on. I'll have some chores for you tomorrow so get some rest."
She nodded and got into the other bed, turning away so he couldn't see her face. He dimmed the lights to almost darkness, stripped down to his shorts and got into his own bed, trying to ignore the fact that she was sobbing quietly into her pillow.
Thirteen hours later, Theo was walking down the stairs to the dungeons and feeling very pleased with himself. He'd had the foresight to hide a couple of slices of bread from last night's dinner in a bag which he stashed in his cloak. That meant he was able to add them to Hermione's plate on his way down the stairs without anyone else seeing. He had almost taken a slice of cheese from the kitchen as well, but thought it might make her thirsty and she didn't get a lot of water. Probably a bad idea.
As he started down the long hallway, watching the walls appear as the circle of light from the lantern fell on the dark stonework, he heard two voices in conversation. He took a deep breath, then raised his wand and said clearly, "Silencio."
The male voice fell silent and Hermione's voice rang out. "Who did that?"
"Sorry, Granger. I had to." Theo walked up to her cell and unlocked the door, resisting the urge to turn around and look in the other cell. It had been easy before, when the prisoner was barely conscious and didn't speak.
Hermione moved slowly to the front of the cell and watched as he unlocked the door. Theo looked her over as he set the plate of food down in front of her, wincing internally as he saw the scratches down her arms and the raggedness of her hair. If he didn't know better, he would have said Bellatrix had been having a go at her while he was away.
She needs to get out of here. She's going to go insane, Theo thought grimly, grateful that he'd acted quickly in arranging the meeting with Potter.
"I'm fine," she said quickly, apparently noticing his gaze.
No you're not, he wanted to say, but held his tongue. "There's extra bread there for you," he said instead to change the subject. She was obviously self-conscious and he didn't want to make it worse. "No butter this time, I'm afraid. There wasn't any to hand when I stashed the bread."
"Thank you." She took a bite of the soft, fresh bread he'd brought down, almost sighing with enjoyment.
Theo smiled at the look of deep contentment on her face as she chewed. A slice of bread and she looks this happy? She definitely needs to get out of here.
"I'm going away again tomorrow," he said hesitantly, watching her response. He'd decided on the way down that it would be best to tell her like it was a mission. That way, if he never came back, she wouldn't think he'd abandoned her. He tried not to think about why this mattered so much to him.
At first she didn't react, then she raised her head, swallowing a mouthful of stew. "For how long?"
"I don't know. Hopefully not too long. It's only supposed to take a day but there's no guarantee."
She nodded slowly, her expression growing anxious. "Will it be dangerous?"
Theo considered. A meeting with Harry Potter to discuss treason against the Dark Lord... "Shouldn't be too bad," he replied finally. "I'll be careful."
"As long as you are." She gave a small smile. "I don't know where I'd be if it weren't for you, Theo."
Neither do I, he thought, suppressing a grimace. Instead he said, "I'd better deal with this," and reached for the door, crossing the hallway to put the food down in the other cell. Before he unlocked the door he pointed his wand into the darkness and said, "Imobulus. Sorry."
There was a small thump, as if the person in the cell had been unbalanced when they were frozen and hence had fallen over. He set the food down and left the cell, locking it carefully. Theo hated all the secrecy; what difference did it make if he knew who the prisoner was? He knew Hermione from before, and nobody seemed to care about that! But the Dark Lord had decreed it and so he had to obey.
"You have to go," Hermione said when he stopped outside the bars of her cell.
It wasn't a question but he answered it anyway. "Yes."
"You'll come back soon, though?"
He looked at her pale, frightened face and nodded firmly. "Yes, I'll come back."
She nodded and he hated that he couldn't tell her why he was going. What could be the harm of giving her a little bit of hope?
But what if you don't come back? She'd think you and Potter were caught, or worse, that Potter killed you himself. Better to wait and let her see.
Theo shook his head slightly to try and clear it. "Look, I really ought to..."
"Yes. You'll get in trouble."
He hated the dead tone to her voice. She'd seemed almost happy at times, but lately she'd become more and more withdrawn. Not that he could blame her, but he'd hoped that she'd be at least a little happier for these few days that Bellatrix wasn't around.
She seemed happy enough talking to the other prisoner, a traitorous voice whispered in his ear.
He shrugged it off, almost scowling before he remembered Hermione was still looking up at him. "I'll be back soon. I can't tell you where I'm going, obviously, but I promise I'll be back soon."
Hermione nodded listlessly, sipping from her water jug. "Be safe," she said finally, setting the jug down with a wince.
Theo nodded in return. "You too."
As he walked back down the hall, he remembered with a jolt that he'd left the other prisoner silenced and immobilised. Raising his wand, he fought briefly with the devil on his shoulder before lifting both spells with a muttered, "Finite."
The muffled conversation resumed behind him and he ground his teeth, enduring a wave of jealousy. Of course she'd rather talk to them. They know what she's going through. They understand her.
Well, he thought he understood her pretty well, too.
Hermione watched the light disappear and heard Nott's footsteps fade away, absentmindedly picking at one of the scabs on her right forearm.
"What was that?" The boy's voice suddenly came back and she realised the Silencing charm had been lifted. He sounded annoyed and a little frightened.
"He cast a spell on you so he couldn't hear you and you couldn't move," she explained simply.
"But why? I wasn't going to do anything!"
"I guess he had to be sure." Hermione didn't really know why she was defending Nott to this stranger; maybe she had been right before and she really did view Nott as her friend? She wasn't sure.
"It was horrible." The boy broke off and gave what sounded like a yawn. "I wish there was some way of knowing the time down here. It feels like the middle of the night."
"Mmm," Hermione said noncommittally, then realised an actual sentence was probably expected of her. "It's most likely around lunchtime, if they've just given us food."
He yawned again. "I think I'm going to have a nap."
"Alright."
There was a pause, then the boy asked hesitantly, "Would you mind... would you hum again?"
Hermione smiled and nodded, then remembered that he couldn't see her. "Okay."
She hummed for what felt like hours before she started to hear gentle snores from the other cell. Fading out the humming so it wasn't a sudden silence, she sat back against the wall and fixed her eyes on an unseen point in the darkness. She was tired, too; aside from a couple of restless hours last night, she hadn't slept in two days. Pushing herself up so she was bolt upright against the stone, she started picking at the scabs again.
Can't sleep. Not here. Not safe.
As always, I hope you enjoyed this and please leave a review to tell me your thoughts on this chapter (or any other chapter, come to that!)
Thanks for reading!
