Chapter 11: Nox
"Harry Potter is dead. He was killed as he ran away, trying to save himself while you lay down your lives for him. Lord Voldemort brings you his body as proof that your hero is gone.
"The battle is won. You have lost half of your fighters. My Death Eaters outnumber you and the Boy Who Lived is finished. There must be no more war. Anyone who continues to resist, man, woman or child, will be slaughtered, as will every member of their family. Come out of the castle now, kneel before me, and you shall be spared. Your parents and children, your brothers and sisters will live, and be forgiven, and you will join me in the new world we shall build together."
Harry was lost, and with him, much of the hope for victory against Voldemort's dark forces. The battle continued, the light would never give up without a fight. But it was a losing fight. The dark side's forces were stronger, more numerous, had no scruples. The battle didn't last for much longer. The light, trapped in the once magnificent castle, was dying.
Some were able to flee, saw that as the smarter option, to perhaps later build up a new, a stronger resistance movement. But most fell.
Death welcomed many that night.
Leta and Bellatrix entered the room Hermione was being kept in. Bellatrix was giddy, Leta was feeling angry and vengeful. The latter was wearing her Death Eater robes, and held herself in a strict manner.
At first, Hermione didn't recognise the woman, but when she did, she was horrified: Leta looked cold, harsh, like a typical, evil Death Eater – she exuded rage.
When Bellatrix caught Hermione's horrified, unbelieving look at Leta, she laughed, "Oh, that's right! You haven't seen or met the real Leta yet!"
"Who are you?" Hermione fearfully asked Leta.
Leta smirked in dark amusement at the girl's fear.
The Dark Lord came in. He had ordered this session to find out any information Granger may hold about the remaining free members of the Order and the Light. He had invited Leta for the torturing part, as he felt he might get an amusing show from seeing Granger react to Leta when she took off the loving façade, now that further manipulation was no longer needed. Bellatrix had invited herself, but he was in a good mood, so he allowed her presence—he was aware of Leta and Bellatrix's arrangement, so he wasn't surprised she wanted to be here.
Before Leta could reply, the Dark Lord answered in her stead, having heard Hermione's question, "She is Leta Watkins, one of my most useful Death Eaters, as she is a magnificent manipulator."
It didn't take long for Hermione to understand what he was saying, "You pretended! All this time, you pretended?!"
"Well, I did enjoy it, I must admit, so that must count for something, right?"
Bellatrix cackled at Leta's words.
Leta continued in a more serious tone, then, "You betrayed me. You were with me for months, I taught you, I helped you, and what do I get in return? Betrayal. And I do not tolerate betrayal." She was furious. Any feelings of happiness Hermione's presence had once brought, had been squashed.
Seating himself on the throne before which Hermione had been thrown on the ground, the Dark Lord interrupted, "Enough pleasantries. Let us begin."
Fin