Finding Help

Hermione and Ron were feeling completely helpless under the cloak, invisible. They'd watched in horror as Bellatrix had come in and stunned Tonks, and suppressed the urge to defend Remus as Voldemort pinned him against the wall.

Common sense prevailed and they'd thought better of it. As Voldemort had delved deep into Remus' thoughts and memories they knew they had to do something.

Starting slowly they inched their way towards the door. They had to find Harry…wherever he was…it seemed impossible but both were determined, Hermione more so. With a great wave of relief they reached the door and hurried out, half way down the corridor they heard Voldemort's voice echo through the air,
"…somebody finally got through,"

Hermione felt her blood turn to ice and pulled the cloak off them both roughly. They could find Harry quicker without it…they needed him quickly if Voldemort had found out about Remus and Tonks' relationship. They set off at a run, in the opposite direction of the entrance.

Harry leant against the wall panting heavily. He wiped the sheen of sweat that had formed on his brow. How big was this place? He was desperate to find his way back to his cell but all hope was dwindling fast.

After repeated attacks from the cruciatus curse the consequences were taking an effect on him. Only very slightly at the moment but still enough to debilitate him enough…he was constantly breathless no matter how many breaks he took and he kept breaking out in cold sweats every few minutes.

He sighed in frustration before pushing himself off the wall and continuing his way along. He turned the corner of the long passageway and groaned as he saw yet another long expanse of grey…this was taking forever.

Taking the first step down he stopped…had he heard right just then or was his mind now cruelly playing tricks on him? He strained his ears…nothing. He sighed and lifted his foot up to take another step. He froze before it hit the floor…there it was again, he was sure. Should he call out? Take the risk?

Long seconds ticked by as he stood stock still thinking and listening. A very familiar voice echoed through the atmosphere, bringing him back to his senses.
"I'm telling you Ronald we have to find him…Remus and Tonks need him…unless you want to go and take Voldemort and Bellatrix on?"

Harry almost fainted and held on to the wall, he completely lost his inhibitions.

"Hermione?" he croaked, surprised he even had a voice after the screaming he had done earlier. It had to be her, and Ron by the sounds of things. Fate wouldn't be so cruel to him as to play a trick on him like this…would it? To pretend? The voices had stopped, he held his breath.

A head of thick bushy hair peered round the corner. Harry visibly sagged with joy. She was here, and she was running towards him. Ron as well, he could vaguely see Ron's bright red hair behind Hermione coming up at an equally amazing speed.

Harry," exclaimed Hermione seizing him in a bone crushing hug.

"Hermione," he mumbled into her hair. She pushed him away from her and stared at him before swooping in a planting a kiss firmly on his lips. Harry had thought he'd never see her again and returned the kiss fully before being interrupted.

"Ahem," mumbled Ron. Harry broke away smiling at Ron who was blushing furiously.

"Glad you could make it," grinned Harry. Ron returned the smile and gave Harry a reassuring brotherly hug.

Hermione instantly changed her demeanour, suddenly remembering the situation they were currently in.

"Harry," Harry turned abruptly at her serious tone. Her eyes were reflection complete fear.

"Voldemort has Remus and Tonks,"

Harry needed to know nothing else and tightened his grip on his wand.

"Show me," he uttered lowly. Hermione and Ron quickly led the way back to Harry's cell. Once they had reached the corridor his cell was on Hermione pulled out the invisibility cloak. Harry nodded curtly as Hermione swung it round all of them.

They crept to the entrance of the cell and peered inside, they could only see Voldemort. Harry looked round quickly outside, was there anything to help him out here? His eyes flitted up to the shelf above them. What was in that box? He cautiously reached up to retrieve it, and stopped suddenly as a blood curdling scream emanated from the room. He looked over at Ron and Hermione…their eyes wide with fear. He reached up quickly and snatched the box from the shelf.

Opening it he couldn't believe his eyes. One…two…three…four wands, he counted. They wouldn't leave them out here would they? So close? He could hear Voldemort's voice now, very quiet and menacing. He couldn't wait and see. He leant against the door frame to listen.

Voldemort's words hung in the air. Remus had no way to hide how afraid he was. Not for himself, but Tonks. He glanced down at her unconscious form, and gulped. Voldemort had a truly evil smile on his face and Remus had never felt so scared in his life, and Voldemort knew.

Remus glanced round the room, James and Sirius were in the corner by the door, Bellatrix was holding Lily just in front of them but was watching Voldemort avidly as if enjoying every moment. Not far from Tonks he saw his past self, very pale, eyes closed, breathing heavily.

It was a lost cause, but suddenly it hit him. Hermione and Ron. Where were they? Had they gone to get help? To fetch Arthur, Bill and Charlie? There was hope still if they had. He fixed his eyes back on Voldemort.

Voldemort smirked at him and his eyes fell back down towards Tonks.

"Now if I remember correctly…" Voldemort purred bending down next to Tonks, his wand still pointing directly at Remus.

"You and Miss Tonks…" he grimaced at the muggle surname.

"Shared a special night together not long ago,"

Remus' eyes widened he didn't even know he'd seen that. Voldemort laughed slightly.

"Oh yes I saw that…I can whiz through your mind quicker than you can see it…I definitely saw every little detail," Voldemort placed his fingers lightly on Tonks' thigh. Remus took a long shuddering breath…suppressing the urge to tell Voldemort exactly what he could go and do.

"Now…" said Voldemort brightly moving in front of Tonks now.

"…just want to check something," he whipped his wand from Remus to Tonks.

Remus dropped to the floor, still pinned against the wall but not up in the air anymore. He stiffened as Voldemort waved his wand quickly in a long winding shape, muttering under his breath. He finally stopped with his wand pointed at Tonks' stomach.

"Gravidusum acclaro," muttered Voldemort almost inaudibly. A bright purple light fizzled towards Tonks', and she stirred slightly as it hit her. Remus felt his stomach drop, he knew that spell. Lily and James had looked over at him quickly, clearly they did too.

Tonks glowed with a light purple light for a matter of seconds and the energy around her crackled slightly. Slowly but surely the glow turned from purple to pink and Remus felt his stomach flip flop…a bittersweet result.

"Ah," smiled Voldemort happily. He looked up at Remus who had turned very pale.

"You're going to be a father,"

Remus said nothing. What could he say? He was definitely happy but the situation that him and Tonks were in at the moment was not exactly ideal.

Voldemort spoke again but his tone was much more menacing now.

"Of course…" he said slowly looking around him at James and Lily intently.

"A offspring from two half bloods, not to mention one of them being a werewolf, would be a terrible waste of human life and cannot be allowed to live," He turned back to face Tonks standing up gradually.

Remus instantly knew what he meant and tried to move to stop him as Voldemort raised his wand. When that failed and he'd heard Bellatrix's shriek of glee he called out desperately.

"If you touch her I'll…"

"You'll what exactly," hissed Voldemort turning his attention to Remus. Remus opened his mouth but no sound came out…Voldemort was right…he couldn't do anything.

"You are in no position to make threats Mr Lupin…I have the upper hand here." As if Voldemort felt Remus needed further persuasion he pointed his wand abruptly at Moony on the floor.

"Accio,"

Moony's eyes flew open as he moved across the room towards Voldemort. He was barely aware of what was happening in the room never mind why he was now hurtling towards Voldemort. He stopped in front of Voldemort and looked up at him, uncertainty glittered in his eyes.

Remus saw Sirius move slightly as if to try to stop what was going on, but Bellatrix stopped him with a warning glare and tightened her grip on Lily.

Voldemort grimaced at Moony, before sweeping down on him. He grabbed Moony's left arm and swung him around, effectively disabling him as if he wasn't already disabled enough. Moony bit down on his lip hard as pain ripped through his body at the unwanted sudden movement, and quiet whimper escaped his lips.

Voldemort grinned up at Remus, this was going to be fun. Double the fun.

He smacked his hand into the back of Moony's shoulder blade harshly. A nasty crack was heard and Moony couldn't help but scream out. Remus gasped at the pain now emanating from his shoulder and looking over at it, he saw the distinct shape of a dislocated shoulder blade. He controlled his breathing with difficulty and glared at Voldemort.

"As I said…" Voldemort muttered throwing Moony from him.

"You are in no position to make threats," he turned back to Tonks and pointed his wand at her again.

Time seemed to stand still as Voldemort licked his lips in anticipation.

"Stupefy!"