I am sweating. I have no idea how the twins or the McKinnons are. Bella fires curse after curse. "I hope you are not eager to die, little nephew," she whispers gloatingly. "How silent you are. Is little Reggie scared? Did poor Reggie chicken out of serving our Lord?" I swallow.

I am breathing harshly. "I betrayed him."

"You dared betraying the dark lord." As an afterthought she adds: "Your family." Her eyes darken. She breaks a nearby tree that is now heading down right towards me. I cannot jump aside as there are nasty-looking curses flying around. "You dare besmirch the noble name of Black."

Then as a last resort I scream: WIngardium leviosa. It is floating just above my head. New curses are already coming my way. I throw the tree before me as a shield. Pieces of wood fly in all directions as if someone has used a confetti cannon and I realise she must have fired a bombarda. I throw in some curses as well now. "I do," I gloat.

I realise my mistake immediately. Pain is taking over my body. I am convulsing from pain. I manage a weak expelliarmus that she easily deflects. "Crucio," she screams elated. My wand falls out of my hand as the muscles are contracting painfully and I no longer can hold it tightly. I can think of nothing more than the pain.

It suddenly stops. I stop screaming and feel my lungs burn painfully with each breath in and out. I try to look for my wand but I see black floating in and out of my vision. It still burns. Bella is looking surprised at the deep cut in her neck and chest and is than dragged along with another death eater. They apparate away.

I recognize red hair as a man kneels down next to me and helps me stand up. He apparates me to the headquarters of the order. I groan. I hate side-apparition.