Chapter Twenty Eight
A/N: Thank you to Alice1985 and puppyluv09 for reviewing the last chapter.
From the way Draco Malfoy had carried himself through the corridors of Hogwarts all those years, exuding the arrogance and self-confidence more commonly found in a strutting peacock, it was not difficult to have known that his house would be as grand as this.
Malfoy Manor was nothing if not grand. The towers at the top of the vast building stretched high enough to pierce the clouds, it seemed, and the grounds stretched as far as the eye could see. Perhaps Hermione's dizziness was distorting her perceptions just a little, but she would not be far from the truth if she made these statements while clear-headed.
The wrought iron gates, around a hundred feet ahead of the house itself, were just as imposing as the mansion they guarded. Hermione almost convinced herself that she could see dried blood coating the spikes at the top of it, but perhaps the darkness was allowing her imagination to run away with her. She hoped so, at least, and shivered slightly.
The moment they reached the gates, the Head Snatcher, Scabior, addressed the metal, as if he expected it to answer. If she had not been so fearful, Hermione would have scoffed at his stupidity. However, before she would have had a chance to, the gate began to twist and turn, forming the shape of a face glowering down on those who wished to pass it.
"Who wishes to pass these gates?" the gate asked in a loud booming voice. Hermione flinched a little and Harry reached out to clasp her hand in his own to comfort her.
"Scabior." the Head Snatcher answered, tossing his hair a little. "I've brought Potter and his two friends, for the Dark Lord. I captured them myself."
It seemed that Scabior merely wished to boast of his accomplishments, for it was clear that the gate had no interest in the extraneous details. After a moment's pause, the lock gave way with a mighty creak and the gates screamed as they swung open.
As they came ever closer to the house, Hermione found herself gaping at the size of it. It seemed her perceptions were hardly distorted at all, for the manor seemed larger by half than it had done from a distance and a great deal more imposing. Hermione managed a brief glance to her side, hoping to find some reassurance in Harry's expression. Although he tried his best to fake a smile, she was dismayed to find only fear and worry in his eyes. The young woman felt a shiver run down her spine- if Harry was scared, then they were surely doomed.
In comparison to the grandeur of the house he lived in, when he opened the door, Lucius Malfoy seemed, for once, out of place. His eyes were rimmed with red, his complexion was greying and his hair hung limply over the shoulders of his elaborate robes, the only thing that seemed unchanged.
"What is this?" the man asked. He was trying his best to sound strong and imposing, but there was a dry crackle in his voice that cut through any superiority. In any other circumstance, Hermione would have laughed at the image of Lucius Malfoy, so high and mighty, brought so low. But there was no amusement in her face now; only pity.
"I've brought Potter." Scabior repeated, sounding all the more pleased with himself. It seemed that he, at least, was enjoying the image of the Malfoy patriarch fallen from grace. "I found a couple of his friends with him, so I brought them too, for good measure. Imagine that; 'The Golden Trio'. Think how the Dark Lord will be pleased."
"Lucius, what's this?" came a simpering voice from behind the man. But there was an edge of steel behind that voice, one that the trio knew all too well.
Out of the shadows emerged Bellatrix Lestrange, stepping slowly from side to side as she walked, like a child playing a game. That was what Hermione had always found so terrifying about the woman; the way she behaved like a child, but had the mind of a murderess.
Once she reached the doorway, Bellatrix finally caught sight of the trio. For a moment, she seemed almost regretful, as if she were sorry for the harm that would surely be done to them now they were captive. But her expression changed soon enough, as she let out a high, shrieking laugh.
"We've caught Potter!" she exclaimed, gleeful as a child on Christmas morning. "We've finally caught him!"
"Actually, Madame Lestrange, I think you'll find I caught him." Scabior pointed out, revelling in the fact that he could claim responsibility for such a triumph. However, a furious glare from the dark-haired woman soon quietened him down.
"The Dark Lord must be informed at once. Bring Potter somewhere safe and keep him under watch." Bellatrix instructed sharply. Lucius seemed less than pleased about taking orders from his sister-in-law, but he obeyed all the same, as did Scabior, who still looked at Bellatrix out of the corner of his eye, as if afraid she would suddenly curse him.
The trio were just being bundled into the manor when Bellatrix stopped them again. This time, her gaze was not directed at Harry, but at his companions. Hermione swallowed the lump in her throat and tried her best to look brave. If she tried hard enough, perhaps she could even fool herself.
"Well, well, well," Bellatrix whispered menacingly. "What have we here then?"
"Those are his friends, the blood traitor and the Mudblood." Lucius answered, his voice crackling as he spoke.
Bellatrix let out another laugh. "Mudblood? We've allowed a Mudblood to enter beneath our Lord's roof."
"I thought he might like to have her too." Scabior explained pitifully, staring at his feet. "After all, she is his friend."
"No, I don't think our Lord would like anything to do with scum like her." the woman spat, smirking when Scabior flinched at the harshness of her tone.
For a moment, just a moment, Hermione thought she was safe. Then her world came crashing down around her.
"That doesn't mean I can't have a bit of fun."
A/N: Please review!
