Chapter Nine
She rounded on me, her eyes darkening even more so than I though possible.
"It's, well..you see." I flounder for a moment before finally comping up with an explanation worthy of this situation. It's a long shot that she would take it, but I have literally nothing else.
"I have been trying to implement a new type of torture," her eyes widen with a sick sort of pleasure as I continue,"I have been letting her free every few nights, then torturing her and returning her back to the dungeon to do it all over again. I feel it will give her a false sense of hope, and eventually it will beat her down enough so that she will eventually give up. I am hoping it will break her enough to release to me where Potter really is."
She stares at me for a moment, and I try to suppress the heat that is steadily rising to my face. Then, she smiles.
Her teeth are gritty as if they haven't been brushed in days, and her eyes are soul less.
"I never knew you had it in you, Draco..."Her scowl twists up and she looks me up and down. "I'm a proud Auntie." I try and bite back the bile as I smile back at her. I hope my face has contorted into something that looks similar to appreciation.
"Elf!" Her scream is startling, and one of my favorite house elves appears in a loud crack, Bellatrix wastes no time in giving him orders as if she was the one that lives here.
"Next time come faster!" She berated. "Take the dumb girl back to the basement and make sure she is shackled tightly before the next..run of hope." She raises an eyebrow and smirks as though indicating that if the witch's bonds aren't making her bleed, they aren't done right.
The elf nods and runs over to the crumpled heap of hair and bloodied cloth. The driveway is dimly lit by ground lights, but it gives enough clarity to see some more prevalent things; like my Aunt's black clouded form when she descended from the sky and Granger sprinting earlier, kicking up gravel in her wake. And now, it reveals to me how thin the young witch has become. I shame myself just a small bit more for not realizing this earlier when we embraced.
"Draco," the dark purr of Bellatrix's voice shrinks my thoughts instantly, "let's go inside, and you can get me some fire whiskey and you can tell me about the progress you've been making with this strategy of yours." Her hand brushes my bare shoulder before she passes me and strides through the open door. Before I follow, I look back at the elf struggling to comfortably hold the limp girl in his arms.
"Just, apparate to the basement. And, could you get me a shirt when you're done?" The elf nods, thankfully, and a large pop sounds before I am able to correct my Aunt's orders and make sure he does not tighten the shackles so that they bruise and tear her skin.
I will just have to fix it later...
I turn on my heel and head towards the dining hall.
After what seemed like a century of making up answers for my Aunt's interrogation, she finally left. I am still unsure of how I convinced her to go without "checking on" Hermione, but I managed.
I take my time in making my way down to see Granger; I try to put on a facade, as if I don't care. As if seeing her unconscious at the end of my driveway didn't bother me. But, I can't, and the shirt the elf brought me earlier sticks to me as I finally begin the descent down the dungeon staircase.
My feet hit the stone floor and I light the room with my wand. There are three house elves attempting to comfort a now awake and crying Hermione. She doesn't sob, and she's not loud, but the river of tears coming from her eyes express a pain I can't comprehend. I don't know if that is what makes my heart ache, or if it was already sore and I am just now noticing.
"Meet me in my room." The house elves look up at me and only hesitate a moment before three little pops sound and they are gone.
I silently walk to the bushy haired girl and kneel down beside her. She does her best not to look at me, and even tries to move back, but I grab her shackles. She grimaces and lets out a small gasp of pain.
"What you did tonight was reckless for you and I both." My voice is strong, though the sweat soaked t-shirt I am wearing screams otherwise. "I do not do this lightly." I take my wand back out, and I feel a tug on the shackles. "Hold still." I mutter before using a spell on the part of her bonds that are bolted to the floor. The bolts release and I now have the chains in my hands.
I have to force her to her feet, and I walk two steps before having to tug on the bonds. Her small yelp of pain makes me angry.
"Stop being stubborn, and come." I sneer.
"I am not a dog!" Her voice is loud yet I can hear how weak her body has become through it. I take a deep breath to calm myself before speaking.
"I am aware of this, but you need to have some faith in me."
"I will have faith in you when I am no longer a prisoner in your dungeon, Malfoy!" This last comment makes me roll my eyes.
"Then come with me, you incredulous witch." I give a small tug on her chains again, but this time after the sound of pain, she follows.
Hey Friends!
I know this took FOREVER to get out but,
I got married!
And, went on my honeymoon so I've been super busy.
Still, I'm sorry about the wait and will try to get the next installment out faster this time!
I hope you enjoyed this!
Review, Rate, Favorite, What Have You!
See you all in the next chapter!
