Anything in italics is a thought.
Any scenes in bold is occurring at a different time (Flashback).
AN: Doing something I rarely do, I'm placing a note here in the beginning just to THANK all those who reviewed my story until now! (Because you guys really motivate me into writing the next chapters). So… THANK YOU VERY MUCH! For those who didn't review… try and do so in the future, please? It is really sad to see how much the hits on this story increase, as well as the number of favourites, while there are no new reviews…
Enjoy!
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Harsh Truths
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"Expelliarmus."
As the wands fell into her hands Bellatrix couldn't help the glee that spread through her, much less the malevolent smile that grew on her aristocratic face, at the thought of the rewards she would receive by bringing Harry Potter to her Lord.
"Didn't your parents ever teach you naughty little kids not to enter a house uninvited?" She taunted, delighting in her prey's angry expression. "Oh, I forgot, little baby Harry doesn't have any parents does he?"
"Shut up! You –"
She laughed, delighting herself in her prey's anger and anguish and before the two teenagers could retaliate she stunned them. Of course, torture would have been her preferable choice but in this circumstance she knew her Lord would want them intact.
A pity the brat didn't finish his insult; I'd have loved to have a reason to curse him, all the more reason to punish that mudblood trash that came with him. But I'm sure the Dark Lord will have no qualms about giving me the scum for some fun!
Levitating the two corpses behind her, she quickly made her way down the corridor and up a small flight of stairs and through a small side door that led into the ground floor of their hideout. It opened up into a large lounge, bare except for a few well placed tables, chairs and a carpet. A grand stair case stood to one side of the room, the magestic front doors could easily be seen from the back of the hall. A grand chandelier stood in the centre, illuminating and casting shadows about.
Quickly she made her way across the vast room and to a side door where faint voices could be heard. Knocking, she entered without waiting for an answer, knowing that her Lord would not punish her for interrupting giving the two corpses floating behind her.
"Excuse the interruption, my Lord." She said, bowing respectfully before entering the room.
It was a bare room, the only furniture present being the high chair where Lord Voldemort now sat, gazing intently at her with his red eyes.
"What issss it Bellatrix?"
It took her some amount of self control not to shiver at the sound of his voice, causing her to take a quick look around the room before answering. They were not alone, for Wormtail and another robed individual stood to the side watching her.
"Your expected… guests have arrived, my Lord. I brought them to you." Stepping further inside, with a wave of her wand both bodies floated in front of her in display to the three men in the room. One look at the bodies and the pleasure of seeing her Master smile filled her.
"Harry Potter… how utterly foolisssh of you to have come… directly into my perfectly laid out trap." His gleeful laugh caused shivers to run down all their spines. She watched as her Master gracefully stood up and made his way towards his prisoner, looking intently into his eyes and touching his famous cursed scar.
"Yessss, this link between us hasss been mossst useful" He continued with his morbid smile, "your stupidity shall cost you your life and the life of all that you hold dear, but I sssshan't kill you now, there is much for you to ssee and sssufer for defying me again and again…" With a snap he recoiled his hand and turned towards her, "Release him from hisss bindssss."
Obeying without questions, the boy fell to the ground in a heavy lump and was withering under her Master's curse before he could as much as move a muscle. Anticipation welled up inside her at the prospect of some torture and she looked towards him in earnest. A few minutes under torture before the brat was released and lay panting at their feet. Still she stood watching, waiting for her master's command and smiling in amusement at his angry and defiant expression.
An expression he will soon lose
"You...you sick bastard!" His rasped out, his voice worn from screaming, "W-what did you do to Ron?"
Voldemort let out another amused laugh, "Your friend isss perfectly well Harry Potter, in fact I would like to pressssent to you my newest follower…" With a motion of his hand the robed figure standing next to Wormtail stepped forward and kneeled at Voldemort's feet, kissing his robes before standing up again.
"Ssssuch a faithful follower he isss… learns ever sssooo quickly asss well, don't you Ronald?"
Bellatrix couldn't help but laugh at the expression on the boys face as Ronald Weasley emerged from underneath his death eater's robes, a sinister smile upon his face.
"So, Potter, how stupid can you get, really? Coming directly to the Dark Lord! You sure are pathetic!" Ron said, glaring and spitting in their direction. "And to think you've just thrown your life away for me… flattering really."
"Ron? Ron! Snap out of it! This isn't you!"
"No Potter! This is me, the real me! The me that doesn't have to pretend to like being your shadow! The me that doesn't have to stand all of your glorious and attentions seeking ways! The me that doesn't have to keep shackled to the title of being simply your side-kick! The me that decided to make something of himself!"
"No…y-you're…you're under a spell! A curse!" Harry muttered in denial.
The laugh that came out of the boy's mouth was sinister and dark.
I can do it better though, stupid child.
"Spell? There is not spell! No curse! They didn't need one, you see, all they had to do was promise me that chance to see you, the great Harry Potter fall and I was theirs!"
"But you're my friend!"
"Friend? I was never your friend! I thought that I could get what I wanted by hanging with you but I got nothing! So…I switched sides, neat right?"
His cry of pain and denial sent bursts of thrill coursing through her, but when the boy stood up and tried to launch himself at her Lord the amusement soon faded into rage. Cursing him before he could so much as move any closer, she was interrupted before she could do any lasting harm.
"Enough Bellatrix. Take our prisonersss away. Do not harm Potter but you can have your way with the mudblood."
"Yes my Lord, thank you." She replied, imagining all the things she would do to her other prisoner, she was nearly to the door when his voice spoke again, "And Bella, I want no killingsss yet."
She nodded; disappointed but knowing she would get her chance at a latter date, with a respectful, "My Lord" she was out the door again.
OOOooo§oooOOO
Various soft 'pops' could be heard around the field, but luckily no one was around to hear them. Their efficiency was obvious to anyone observing them, easily coving each other's backs and having their wands out and ready, ever attentive to their surroundings. When it became clear that no attack was going to take place, they lowered their guard a bit.
Moody was the first one to talk, "Did everyone make it?"
"Of course we did, Moody, we are all capable of short distance apparition." Tonks answered as she dusted herself off.
"Snape, which way do we go?" Sirius asked, looking around in suspicion, "shouldn't there be guards or something around this place?"
"Your vocabulary is astounding as always Black." Snape commented, but he, too, was looking around in suspicion. "To the best of my knowledge there are always Death Eaters on guard, we should be quick."
"Moony can you sense anything?"
Everyone was silent for a couple of seconds before Remus answered, "No, nothing except a few birds and us."
Snape sneered, but before he could so much as open his mouth Moody was again barking orders, "Stick close everyone; if any of us is killed the others must continue on to accomplish the mission. Constant vigilance!"
"We know Mad Eye!" Tonks complained, and began to move towards the entrance to the mansion in front of them. However, just as she was approaching the first steps leading to the door, a stunner soared through the air and hit her. Everyone immediately had their wands pointed at the source of the spell and fell back into their group formations, only to come face to face with Severus Snape lowering his wand.
"What do you think you are doing Snape?" Remus hissed, advancing towards Severus.
"Put me down wolf before I cut your filthy hand off!" Severus snarled
"Thinking of handing us over to your Master?" By now Remus was practically lifting Severus off the floor in anger, and it was only Sirius' calming hand on his shoulders that prevented him from causing the other man any harm. Slowly Remus lowered Severus down, but didn't move his wand arm one inch.
"There are wards around the entrance you dim-witted fool! They would announce our presence to all those inside in an instant!" Snape explained in anger and turning towards Remus he added, "Touch me again Werewolf and I'll kill you myself!"
"How are we to enter then, Snape? We don't have time to bring those wards down." Emmeline answered before another fight could break out.
"There is another entrance, through the back with fewer wards."
"How far?" Moody asked, his magical eye spinning crazily at their surroundings.
"We'll have to go around the house, which should take 5 minutes at most."
Moody fixed both of his eyes on him, gazing at him intently, "Snape, if you lead us into a trap –"
"Enough." Sirius said, surprising everyone, "We don't have time for this. Snape, lead the way. We should go in pairs, that way everyone will have backup should anything happen."
The group nodded in acquiescence, noticing the determined look upon Sirius' face and proceeded to follow Snape around the mansion. Moody made sure to be up front with Snape, followed by Sirius and Emmeline with Remus and Tonks bringing up the rear end. They stuck to the shadows and hidden areas in order not to risk exposure and before long they made the last turn and saw the back entrance Severus was referring to.
"Where does that door lead to Snape?"
"The kitchens, we won't have to worry about encountering any Death Eaters there, only house elves."
"House elves are loyal creatures; we can't let them go warn their masters. Everyone, be prepared to stun and immobilise them as soon as we get inside!" Moody ordered.
Positioning themselves around the door, Emmeline quickly took down the few wards around the door and they entered. The few house elves inside the kitchen paused in a few seconds of startled shock as their team entered the kitchen and before they could so much as pop away to warn anyone, most of them were stunned and immobilised. One, however, was faster than the rest and dodged the stunning curses, it's lack of intelligence was the only reason why Mad Eye was able to blast the tiny being into pieces before it remembered it could pop away.
"Damn it Mad Eye! Couldn't you have used another spell?" Emmeline muttered as mangled parts of the house elf flew around the kitchen.
They did their best to pay it no mind, but as Tonks dived to avoid being hit she tripped and, trying to prevent herself from falling, flailed her arms knocking the few pots and pans on the table. The noise they made as they hit the floor caused most of them to turn swiftly with curses at a ready before glaring once they realised what had happened.
The voices and shuffling feet from the next room could be heard, and they were approaching the kitchen door.
"Fuck" Sirius muttered, before he, Severus and Moody moved stealthily to the door on the other side of the room, positioning themselves so that they would be able to hit the person as soon as they opened the door. Remus, Emmeline and Tonks crouched low a bit father back, hidden from view with their wands at a ready.
"Two death eaters; large, bulky and armed." Moody growled out, his magical eye fixed on the wall dividing both rooms, he then turned towards Severus and in a low voice said: "Snape! Might as well use your affinities, go meet them and tell them that the house elves startled themselves when you showed up. Distract them; we'll stun them from behind."
Glaring at the ex-auror, Snape sheathed his wand and opened the door, stepping into the next room. He soon saw the two Death Eaters there, big dumb brutes called Crabbe and Goyle Senior.
"Snape?" The two oafs said as they noticed him, frowning at him in confusion as they processed his presence.
"What the hell are you doing here?" Goyle finally said, looking him over in what Severus supposed was to be suspicion.
"I was summoned you twit."
"But why did you come from the kitchen?" Crabbe asked in bewilderment.
Using his best death glare he answered, "If either of you had a brain you would remember that the front doors are warded with an alarm to warn the whole house of each and every entrance. Apparently, the Dark Lord does not want to be bothered with this constant nuisance and instructed his followers to use the back door."
Really what did the Dark Lord ever see in these buffoons to recruit them?
Comprehension dawned on their faces, and apparently dissatisfied with the contemptuous look he was sending them they spoke again, volunteering interesting information.
"Well, of course the Dark Lord doesn't want to be bothered! He just captured the Potter boy and his freaky mudblood friend!" Goyle stated, puffing out his chest at knowing such important information.
"Did he know? Why are you not guarding the prisoners then?" He sneered in response
"We were instructed to remain here and our Lord already has his other followers guarding them," Crabbe answered before he chuckled, "I heard Bellatrix was overjoyed to be allowed to play with the bint!"
"Yea, she is a lucky one! Hey, do you think we will be allowed to go to the tower and play with here as well?"
"I hope so!" They identical smiles of anticipatory pleasure nearly made Severus sick, but he chose to simply say, "Our Master is generous he may allow us to play with the trash before he disposes of it. Perhaps I shall even be allowed some revenge on the Potter brat…" he trailed off, looking at both of them for any kind of answer to his unasked question.
"No, no. The Potter boy is off limits, not even Bellatrix was allowed to harm him." Goyle explained, "A pity though, we were all wishing for a go at him."
"Yea, why didn't the Dark Lord simply kill him then, do you think?"
"One does not question the Dark Lord's motives!" Severus barked at them and apparently the other had decided they had information enough for blackness soon overtook him.
When he awoke again Crabbe and Goyle lay unconscious and tied on the floor and all the Order members were milling about.
"Snape, glad to see you're finally awake." Remus said as he offered his hand to help him up. He ignored it and stood up without any aid, especially that from a werewolf!
"What happened?"
"We attacked you from behind, then these two. They were also obliviated, so they won't remember talking to you, just being attacked." Tonks explained, "Sorry about that, by the way, when you fell you hit your heat rather hard which knocked you out for longer than expected."
His scathing comment one her lack of skills was cut off by Moody demanding that they move on.
"Snape, what call you tell us about the layout of this house?" Sirius asked, "They said something about a tower?"
Glaring at his nemsis, he took on a resigned expression before talking, "The house had two floors and a cellar. The general meeting room is on the ground floor while the rooms are upstairs together with the stairway to the tower, although I have never been there. There are no wards within the house, except for those individually done to protect private rooms. Death Eaters usually mingle and walk about."
"He has not killed the brat yet, any idea why?" Moody growled out
"No, but He may be wait to do it in front of all his follower in order to establish even more his superior power over Dumbledore and the Order."
"Thank Merlin Voldemort is a vain bastard then!" Sirius muttered.
OOOooo§oooOOO
Opening the door they found themselves in a huge entrance hall, a looming staircase to their left and the entrance door some distance in front of them. Torches hung on the walls barely illuminated the dark chamber, casting shadows on the few pieces of furniture sparsely placed. Their footsteps echoed on the marble floor as they slowly made their way forward, eyes scanning around looking for possible traps and enemies.
"We should split up and search around for Hermione, Harry and Ronald" Sirius whispered, turning to the rest of the group and looking everyone over, "Pairs should do it; we have an even number after all."
"Great, that way each pair can look for a kid. How are we going to do this then?" Tonks asked, looking at Moody for her answer.
"Hm… you pair off with Lupin, Tonks and Black you go with Vance. I'll stay with Snape here in case he tires something unwanted." Moody growled out, glaring at Snape who only sneered in response. "Once our target is rescued their rescue team should leave. Do not wait around for the others, understood?" Looking each other member directly into their eyes he was satisfied when everyone nodded in agreement, knowing that in their situation it was the best action to be taken, and began shuffling around to be next to their designated partner.
Sirius then, to the surprise of many, unhooked his glowing necklace and handed it to none other than Severus Snape.
"Here, this will lead you to Harry." His expression was serious and sombre, "Security around him is going to be much tighter than around Hermione so you'll probably need to be exposed in order to get through and Moody is the best back up we have." The stunned expression on Severus' face as he accepted the necklace was noticed by everyone.
"Are you sure about that Padfoot?" Remus asked, shocked and slightly suspicious at his friend's behaviour.
Ignoring Remus' question, Sirius then turned said, "You and Tonks should go after Hermione, if she is indeed in the tower you guys might probably have to jump around a lot, Moony and you could do that without much damage."
"And you'll be going after Weasley, Black?" Severus inquired, glaring at the man having got over his surprise, "Trying to avoid your responsibilities again by going after the easiest child? I see that not even for your famous Godson are you willing to risk your cowardly hide."
Sirius tensed and his gaze told Severus exactly what he whished to do to him for the comment, but he restrained himself. "Why, of course that is it! It has nothing to do with sending the best fitted team to rescue each individual child. Of course that I would think 'why risk my hide when I can risk yours', right, Snivilus?"
"That's enough! We don't have time for useless bickering!" Emmeline hissed at both of them, "Let's get going before some Death Eater stumbles upon us!"
With one last glare at each other, they turned and made their way further into the grand hall. Remus and Tonks quickly took to the stairs, seeing no other way up, to look for the entrance to the tower where Hermione was being held. Severus and Moody, following the red light, continued forward and turned into a small hall that ended at a door, leaving Sirius and Emmeline alone in the entrance hall.
"Which way, Weasley is the only person whom we have no idea where he is being held."
Pausing in thought, he grabbed Emmeline and dragged her towards a shadowed place, away from any direct exposure. "Safer here. As for the boy we may be able to try a point me spell, giving that we are inside the wards surrounding the place it may well point us in the right direction."
Emmeline paused in thought and nodded, "It is worth a try" and taking out her wand she waved it in a semi circle with a flick at the end before saying "Point me Ronald Weasley."
To their delight the wand trembled a bit before abruptly turning to point back at where they had come from. Walking slowly, they followed the direction that the wand was pointing to and found themselves facing a door, quiet talking could be heard inside, but before they could even make up an infiltration plan the entrance door behind them burst open.
There was no time to hide nor move as the Death Eater ran into the house and lighting the whole entrance hall up with a wave of his wand. Both parties stood still as they noticed each other and time took a deep breath before letting it all loose in the form a chaos. The surprise on the Death Eaters face vanished into realisation and before they could stun him he was screaming and cursing them.
Spurred into action, both of them ran in different directions knowing he could not target both of them and when he attempted to curse one the other used that as an opportunity to bind him. The noise and commotion, however, was enough that the door they had been about to enter burst open and two other Death Eaters appeared, but this time they were ready.
As soon as movement registered in their brain they were firing off every curse and hex that they knew in their direction, receiving the same from their enemies. Despite it all the adrenaline of the whole ballet coursed through him and a small amused expression grew on his face.
Throughout their battle dance the foremost thought that kept popping into Sirius mind was that he hoped the others had already found their targets, for the noise they were causing was enough to alert the whole household.
More Death Eaters had arrived through the main doorway and they were now vastly outnumbered, as one rather strong cutting curse sliced through his cheek Sirius cursed loudly before launching a rather nasty and boarder line dark hex. Knowing his aim was true he didn't even bother see his target fall before turning to the next one. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Emmeline and noticed that she too was holding a few cuts and bruises from their fight.
Suddenly the Death Eaters slowed down in their attack and eventually stopped, not one to look a gifted horse in the mouth Sirius continued on with his offensive until he discovered the reason they had stopped. A dark figure stood on the doorway, his evil aura polluting the very air they were breathing and sending chills down his spine, Lord Voldemort had decided to show himself.
OOOooo§oooOOO
Remus and Tonks ran up the flight of stairs, trying to be as silent and quick as possible. Arriving on the second floor they found themselves in a long corridor, with suits of armour lined up on both sides, spaced out between portraits, torch holders, and the odd table here and there. Doors to various rooms could be seen on the opposite side of the corridor, leading to two set of doors at opposite ends. The floor was covered with a thick carpet, which helped muffle their footsteps as they walked about, trying to decided in which direction to go to.
"Now what? We can't try every door! They might be sleeping or lurking behind them or something!" Tonks whispered, frowning at all the doors in front of them.
"We won't need to, we know that she is being kept in a tower so the odds of the door there being at the end of the corridor are greater than it being the ones in front of us." He supplied with a small smile, which she returned.
"Now, which of the two door to take it the question" he murmured in thought, looking at both ends of the corridor as if they would tell them the answer to his question.
"Wait, wait! I think I know…when we made our way around the house, we came by the right side, right?" Tonks whispered in excitement.
"Yes, I think so…yes we did."
"So we should take the left door! I don't remember seeing a tower on our way here and I would have remembered seeing it if it was on the right side!"
"Hm…I also don't remember seeing a tower but I'm afraid I wasn't paying to much attention to our surroundings"
"Don't worry Remus, this was part of my Auror training, I'm sure that there was no tower on the right hand side."
Remus smiled at her enthusiasm and nodded, "Left side it is then."
Silently they opened the door, wand at a ready to stun, but it wasn't needed for there was no one waiting for the on the other side except for some stone steps. Up and up they went, they feet echoing slightly on the stone floor, and the air becoming cold in their lungs the higher they went.
Since they did not know how high the tower was, it came as a surprise that upon turning another corner a get of yellow shot towards them. Were it not for Remus' faster than human reflexes he would have been hit.
"I don't know how you got here you filth! But you won't get out of here alive!" The death eater snarled, even though he was outnumber and probably out witted against the two of them.
Talk about pure-blood superiority…
However, it wasn't easy to dodge and battle while still on a narrow stairway, and both of them were hit with a few curses before they were able to dispose of the tower guard.
Making sure that the death eater was completely immobilised, he then turned to Tonks who was still struggling with a counter curse to her inverted arm, which had been turned inside out, was bleeding and looking rather painful.
"Here, let me help" and concentrating on his magic and wand movement he pointed it to her arm. A gasp from her as her arm started to blur before returning to its original form. "How is it?"
"Well…better than before, just a little stiff and painful." She answered with a frown at her arm
"Yes, I'm afraid that is the best I can do, when we get back you should let Poppy have a look at that."
"It's okay, thanks!" And before he could even move she gave him a little peck on the cheek and turned to the wooden door a few paces in front of them, leaving his shocked being behind.
He smiled at nothing before following her inside. His smile soon died at the sight that greeted him once he was inside, there was Hermione, shackled to the stone wall, her robes torn and dirty, her hair in disarray, various cuts and bruises were visible through the holes in her robes and on her face. She was barely conscious.
Tonks was already at Hermione's side, trying to unshackle her from the wall.
Taking a deep breath, he rushed to her side, taking the few potion vials he had with him and gently giving them to her.
At least this is something we have to be grateful to Severus for…Merlin! What have they done to her? She is barely conscious…
At first she merely swallowed out of reflex, but as the potion made her more aware of her surroundings and cured some of the more serious injuries she came about. It was around that time that Tonks was able to release the metal shackles which where holding her up, and Hermione fell to the floor in a dizzy heap.
"Professor Lupin?" Her voice was weak and still slightly confused as she looked at them.
"Yes Hermione, here drink this. I'm afraid that is all we have until we reach Headquarters again." He answered in a soft voice, handing her his last flask of potion. Tonks, meanwhile, was doing her best to repair Hermione's robes and some of the more shallow cuts and bruises while the potion took effect. A few minutes later, she was looking much better than when they found her.
"Do you think you can stand up Hermione?" Tonks inquired, and seeing her nod, helped her to her feet. She stood disorientated for a while before giving them a slight smile,
"How did you two find us?"
"Long story, we'll tell you on our way out of here. There is no knowing when another Death Easter scum may appear," Tonks answered with a wink in her direction.
They were making their way down the tower steps when Hermione suddenly stopped and blanched.
"Harry! They've got Harry! We have to go help him!" She would have dashed down the stairs and to Merlin knows where, had he not restrained her instantly.
"Hermione! Do you really think we would have let Harry alone in this infested household?" Remus said in a slightly berating tone of voice, "There is another group in charge of rescuing him; our priority was to get you out of here, and no. We shall not be deviating from that and going after Harry."
Looking as if she was going to protest, she quickly changed her mind when she noticed the sever expression on both her rescuers.
"All right, but who is going after him then?"
"Snape and Moody."
"Snape?!"
"Professor Snape, Hermione. And yes, he and Moody are to rescue Harry. They are the best suited for the job, after all." Remus explained.
"But, but where is Sirius?" Hermione asked as soon as they exist the stairway leading to the tower and found themselves back on the second floor of the house.
Before either of them could answer they spotted two black forms ahead, walking towards their direction.
They haven't seen us yet, but if we don't move—
But they saw them, and soon the three were under attack once more. Technically it was supposed to be an even battle, even more to their side since they were three against two, but it wasn't. Not only did Hermione not have her wand with her, but the Death Eaters were using far more dangerous curses than they were. Were this a normal battle they would be giving as good as they got, but it was a rescue mission and their main focus was not to eliminate death eaters but to get out of there are soon and silently as possible.
Which eliminates any loud or blasting curses from our arsenal…damn it!
Remus pushed Hermione out of the way of a curse, allowing it to hit him instead. He felt something inside him crack, followed by immense pain and he knew that he'd broken a few ribs with that spell. Breathing suddenly became difficult and he was not able to move fast enough to avoid the next curse. However a boot, out of all things, came to his rescue, taking the intended curse for him and consequently being blasted into pieces.
This is the second time I'm saved by a boot.
Hermione smiled at him before launching her other boot at the death eater, distracting him enough for him to send a mild confundus charm in his direction. It was through the haze of falling boot parts and dust that he saw it, one of the bedroom doors opened right behind Tonks, who was busy defending herself against the other death eater. Through the door appeared yet another enemy.
His yell of warning chocked on his throat and his muscles seemed to freeze as the newcomer lifted his wand and pointed it towards the duelling couple. A dark blue light shoot out of his wand and hit one of them.
For one second nothing seemed to move, and then the Death Eater was falling to the ground, immobile, and Tonks was quickly disposing of the still confounded Death Eater standing over him. In less than a minute both of them were bound and unconscious and she had her wand pointed at the newest addition to their duel, but she did not shoot.
"Who are you?" she hissed, "Why did you just attack one of your comrades?"
The figure stood still, his posture still offensive, before he slowly lowered his wand. Instead of answering the question he pointed to Remus, who was unsuccessfully trying to get up.
"You better tend to him." He said and his voice caused Hermione to gasp and look closer at the figure in front of her. He noticed the hesitation in Tonks to turn her back to someone dressed in Death Eater garb and thus said, 'I won't attack any of you, if I wanted you caught I'd have called for back up by now."
With one last suspicious look at the figure, Tonks turned to Remus and began to tend to his injuries.
Meanwhile Hermione was still frowning at the figure and approaching it slowly she spoke, "Why are you helping us?"
The man simply shrugged and did not answer, barely even glancing at her.
'Malfoy."
That caught his attention and suddenly his head snapped in her direction.
"Why are you helping us?" she repeated.
"That…is none of your concern Granger."
Before Hermione was able to question him further, Tonks and Remus came back to them. Remus had some bandages around his torso and his breathing was still shallow but he still looked better.
"Come" and without a backwards glance Malfoy entered back into the room he had emerged from, expecting them to follow.
The three exchanged glances, and then turned to Remus for instructions since he was the once in charge. A moment's thought passed before he nodded, "He seems honest enough, but better to be prepared in any case."
Entering the room they barely paid attention to the lush furniture scattered around, their eyes fixed on Malfoy's form. They watched in silence as he touched the wall on the far side of the room, muttering something none of them could clearly hear and they watched as before their eyes the wall faded, showing a dark tunnel leading down.
"This passage will take you directly to the kitchens." He explained, "You'll be able to leave safely from there."
"How do we know that is not a trap?" Tonks asked
Malfoy simply shrugged, "You'll just have to take that chance, won't you?"
Silence stood between them as they each looked each other over, assessing their situation and coming to a decision.
"We'll go" Remus said and looking at Malfoy straight in the eyes he continued, "thank you."
Malfoy simply sneered at his apology but to his credit said nothing in return. Just as they were entering the tunnel his arm shot out and grabbed Hermione's, who yelled in surprise. Immediately both adults had their wands pointed at him.
"Aren't you forgetting something, Granger?" He asked, ignoring the two wands pointing at him.
Her bewildered expression clearly told him that she had no idea what he was going on about and sighing in frustration he took something from inside his robes and thrust it at her.
'Take better care of that, will you? You are nothing without your wand."
Hermione looked at the wand in her hands then back at him, a gob smacked expression substituting her confused one, before nodding. She was one step within the passageway when she head his voice again, "And Granger, if you get yourself captured again I'll curse you myself for wasting my time and efforts."
Smiling slightly at his typical Malfoy attitude she easily answered, "I won't…and Malfoy, thanks!"
OOOooo§oooOOO
While Severus would freely admit that he held nothing but loathing and contempt towards the retired Auror Mad Eye Moody, he would never admit, not even in thought, that his presence was welcome in this mission. Having his magical eye scan their surroundings, Moody was able to warn him of the looking Death Eater on the other side of the door before they even opened it.
Deciding to forgo any unnecessary socialites he disposed of the man with a simple curse from behind.
No need to have more witnesses than necessary, after all.
As trustful as always, Moody refused to descend the stairs first, which meant that he had to conform in trusting the bastard not to kill him in a fit of paranoia and anger. Cautiously he made his way forward, taking his time to observe his surroundings before lowering the other foot on the step.
It doesn't pay to be reckless after all.
Surprisingly there were no other guards stationed at the stairs that led to the cellars, which did nothing to dispel their worries for that probably meant extra security around the boy.
Reaching level ground both stopped on the side of the entrance doorway, which had no door but offered enough coverage due to the lack of illumination on the place.
His senses straining out to hear or sense any movement inside.
The slight shuffling of feet, harsh breathing, some water dripping…
"This is foolish." A voice suddenly spoke from within, giving both men it's exact position within the cellar, they waited for the answer that was to come.
"The Dark Lord ordered us to stand and guard the boy and that is what we shall do! Stop complaining!"
"But why was Stan the one who was able to stay at the entrance door? That way he can slip away and no one will notice!"
There are only two of them?
Moody signalled to him and they slowly made their way into the chamber, crouching low and remaining to the shadows and corners of the room. They were lucky that the cellar was filled with old and forgotten crates, boxes and furniture, which allowed them easier unnoticed movement.
Lucky… or either really unlucky, should we have to make a run for it this clutter of cast-offs will complicate matters…
As they approached the location where the voices were coming from, their forms became more distinguished and together with them also Potter's form.
The boy was shackled to the wall, his toes barely touching the floor and his robes were slightly torn, but other than that there seemed to be no sign of misuse or torture on him.
Waiting for the best moment to act, and unfortunately for Moody's signal, he remained still, hidden behind some old draperies and broken furniture.
Blasted old man!
But again, he had to grudgingly admit that the ex-auror knew what he was doing, for as soon as both death eater's had turned to their prisoner he made a signal to attack.
Taking a thin potion vile from within his robes, he casually threw it in their direction. As soon as the vile hit the floor a thin white mist began to form, enveloping the three men some distance away from them. Moving quickly, both Severus and Moody made their way around to Harry and were just reaching him when the boy noticed them.
He foolishly spoke, "Professor Moody!"
Two curses simultaneously came in their direction, or close to it, for the mist was still impairing their enemy's vision.
"Blasted boy! Have you no sense whatsoever?!" Moody barked, as he rolled away and began firing curses of his own.
For once, Severus found himself agreeing with Mad Eye Moody.
The mist was beginning to thin out and being pressed for time, Severus transfigured a nearby wooden piece into a sharp metal spike and sent it zooming towards a Death Eater.
No point in speaking for they might recognise my voice.
He knew he had hit his target by the scream of agony that was soon followed by a satisfying 'thump' as the body fell to the ground, dead.
Foolish wand waving is just a waist of time, after all.
Moody also had quickly disposed himself of his attacker, whose mangled form now lay splattered on the ground, a victim of the same spell he had previously used on the House Elf in the kitchens above.
Turning to the boy still shackled to the wall, Severus felt the immense desire to leave the boy there to suffer his fate for being so irresponsibly stupid, but knowing the price he would have to pay for such an indulgence, he had to conform himself to a few simple scathing words instead.
"Mr. Potter, next time you wish to endanger someone's life with your sheer stupidity I will not hesitate in leavening you for the Dark Lord to torture."
The boy had the gall to glare and scowl at him!
"Snape! No one told –"
"Boy! You do that again and I will personally curse you!" Moody interrupted, as he released him with a wave of his wand from his imprisoned state. He couldn't help the satisfied smirk that grew on his face at the boy's sullen expression.
"Now Mr. Potter, you are to remain quiet at all times and are to follow our orders without question. Do I make myself perfectly clear or would you like them written down for you better comprehension? Merlin knows you are think enough already." He drawled out, relishing in Harry's red face and obvious attempt to contain his temper.
"If one of us is killed you are to continue with your position and task of returning to headquarters. Here, take your wand and don't put it in your back pocket!" Moody added, his magical eye glancing around incessantly, "Let's get moving before another one of these scum decides to check up on you."
Curbing the temptation to cast a silencio spell on the boy to make sure he would not give them up, he only watched as Moody disillusioned him first, then conjuring a thin, almost invisible, thread and linking it to him so that the boy couldn't get lost on the way. Their way back to the ground floor was filled with less tension, but even more caution. Waiting for Moody to signal that everything on the other side was clear before opening the door, they slowly stepped back into the hallway and made their way across the large stairway to the front entrance.
Moody soon stopped; his magical eye frantic in its movement and holding up a hand he lifted up five fingers.
Five Why the hell would five Death Eaters be loitering about in the entrance hall?
His mind began racing with ideas and possible methods of action to help them escape, for a frontal combat was out of the question as the odds were highly against them.
Especially since we are too close for my likening to the Dark Lords audience chamber…
Going up the stairs and trying another route was a possibility but their chances of succeeding were not better off.
But perhaps if we could sneak around this dim lot and through the kitchen door…yes…there would be nothing too suspicious in three more Death Eaters making their way to the kitchen or even outside…
Turning slightly back to the door they had just pass through, he used a silent summoning spell and soon two long, black cloaks and two white masks came zooming towards him. As soon as Moody caught sight of him, Severus knew he realised what he was planning and quickly donned on one of the Death Eaters robes.
If this mission takes much longer I might find myself respecting this old paranoid fool after all…
Adjusting them to fit their bodies and placing their masks in place they positioned themselves so that it looked as if they had just come down the stair way, as none of those loitering in the hall were looking in that direction. With calm precision they made their way down slowly and into their midst, hoping all the while that they would not be discovered or stopped along the way.
OOOooo§oooOOO
"Ssssirius Black, welcome to my humble home." His sibilant voice sliced through the air and he knew, at that moment, that he had just fallen into a trap. An expertly laid out trap to lure him into this madman's clutches. By the time Voldemort had finished speaking, he felt his body bind itself and was unable to move, falling down on the floor, another slump told him that the same thing had happened to Emmeline.
Fucking bastard! Damn this wandless magic! Why couldn't he be a less powerful Dark Lord?
"Lucius, Bellatrix bring them to the room with usss." He said as he turned and returned to the side room. None of the other Death Eaters so much as moved until he was out of sight and he noticed before the door closed behind him that they also made no indication to be following them inside.
Expertly trained sheep, ah the wonders of cruciatus and death he though with disgust.
Letting his eyes roam over the bare room, he could conceive of no means of escape for the windows were small and high up and the only exit was through the door he had just entered by.
Five Death Eaters, one Dark Lord and one exit… my odds just keep getting better and better. First Azkaban, then a fugitive, then the Ministry and now this! Someone up there must really enjoy fucking up with my life!
His thoughts were interrupted by Voldemort, as he spoke an order that sent panic coursing through him: "Kill the spare." Rage and despairs soon mingled as he tried in vain to move and do something, anything to prevent them from killing her, his grey eyes watched as Lucius smiled darkly before lifting his wand and launching the green killing curse at her. He saw it hit her and saw her fall backwards, dead, to the ground.
Suddenly he wished he had come alone, suddenly he wished that he had complied with Voldemort's demands, but most of all, he wished that he was free so he could throttle the blond man in front of him and wipe his gleeful smile of his face.
"Angry Sirius, at watching another one of your… companions die?" The creature in front of him taunted, "Or is it that you are simply regretting no having joined me when I have you the chance? You see, Lord Voldemort is generous to those who obey and follow him but that option is not for you any longer... Crucio!"
He would have snorted at the comment had he not been under extreme pain. If that was generosity he didn't want to consider the other option.
"It is ironic that you were betrayed yet again by someone you once called …friend!" He said after he lifted the curse, giving him some time to catch his breath, "Apparently your Godson has more in common with you than he thinks. Such a fool, that Potter boy and now I shall have it all for there is nothing the great Albus Dumbledore can do without his precious little weapon!"
The hysterical laughing sent a cold sensation suddenly swept through to him.
"Harry?" His voice was hoarse from screaming and weak, but he still had to know, "What did you do to Harry you disfigured bastard!"
"Crucio"
One would think that the body would become numb after continuous exposure to such a painful curse, but it hurt just the same the second time round as it did the first.
"This attitude of yours, Black, is tiresome! Harry is… alive."
"Alive?" He croaked in a small whisper.
"Yes, alive. It would not do to kill the boy yet, after all, I had to wait for your special arrival. It will be much more amusing to see his face when you willingly accept my Mark and show the world that to place their expectations on such a weak boy was nothing but useless."
"You…you think I'm going to join you willingly? Have you lost your brains as well as your nose?" He asked in disbelief.
Sirius soon found himself the target of a glare from those red diabolical eyes as well as another round of Crucio
"You shall take my mark Sssssirius Black! I have many plans for you once you are mine… yesss" He said, and disgust grew in him at his pleased expression, "You shall help me in conquering the wizardry world or your godson will not be the only one you shall watch die! Perhaps… if you make yourself worthy enough I might even delay in killing him for you…"
Dread and despair hit him like a wall and he truly realised that he was at this beings mercy.
Fuck.
OOOooo§oooOOO
Grimmauld Place had never been so crowed and chaotic. People were running up and down the stairs, congregating in the kitchen and talking in hushed whispers, in the end only adding to the tension in the air. As time tickled past their worries and fears gnawed at them, leaving them more and more on edge.
Every noise, every sound caused them to jump and turn in expectation.
When Albus Dumbledore finally arrived, Molly launched herself at him, crying and talking at the same time in an attempt to update him to their circumstances. Others soon followed in her path, and talking grew all around him as everyone tried to pitch in.
"Silence!" Looking at all the adults and some non-adults around him he continued after a few moments, "Let's adjourn this until we make our way to the meeting room."
As soon as the door was closed behind them the chaotic noise began anew. While he was considered an intelligent and patient man, the snippets of phrases and conversations he was hearing made nearly no sense what so ever and were eroding any attempt at patience he could form.
"Enough!" Albus all but yelled at the room, "I have moved the talk into the meeting room in the hopes that information would be better divulged after a few minutes to calm yourselves down. I see I was mistaken in my expectations."
More than one adult looked down in embarrassment and shame at his gentile berating.
"Now, I would greatly appreciate being brought up to date by one single individual as I have only one pair of ears not five."
He saw them look among themselves before Arthur stepped forward and began explaining things to him. As he talked his expression became more and more sombre and resigned. The room was silent once Arthur had finished briefing Albus, and they all waited for his reaction and following orders.
"You're telling me that none of you have any idea where they went?" He asked again, receiving a chorus of 'no's' in response.
Ah Harry, what have you got yourself into this time…
"What do we do Albus?"
He signed, "We best have Poppy come over and prepare a room to treat any injuries upon their return. I'm going to pace some inquiries to a few friends of mine but I fear that we are all going to have to wait for them to come back."
No one said the thought that was most prominent in their minds.
But what if they don't come back?
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Feedback is always appreciated.
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FAQ!!!
Q: Hells, do you hate me because I have faved and story-alerted the story but did not review it?
A: Yes. I do!
Q: Will you kill me if I do it again…?
A: Probably.
Q: Why?
A: Because if you like the story so much the least you could do is leave a review, right? All it costs is a few seconds, really.
End FAQ.
So, an extra long chapter to compensate for the slight delay in posting it! (It is not my fault! Blame it on my darling sister who decided to disappear for a few days and couldn't help me with the final check over Friday night!)
You know, I am really regretting ever having considered placing so many action scenes in this fic! My sister and I spent some days talking over the layout of this house and where each and every Death Eater would be positioned, how and to whom it belonged so at least I hope it wasn't that hopeless.
[ Due to the incredible number of pages in this chapter, there is no parody. You cry, and I may come back next chapter.
Until next time,
Hells Angel & Heaven's Demon