Chapter 47: Meeting the Dark Lord

"I really want to yell freedom but it may just ruin what good luck we've had so far." Octavia spoke as her and Sirius sat down on the hill of the Meadow behind her families' summer home.

"Yes the six weeks that consisted of that bloody ball is over and now we have two weeks to ourselves before we go back to Hogwarts." Sirius spoke as he laid down and stretched out, enjoying the sun that was beating down on them.

"I don't even know how we made it through those six weeks but yet we did, even Paisley wasn't game enough to say anything to me at the ball with Regulus by my side."

"But that's a good thing, because you aren't the same spineless girl, you wouldn't have sat there let her talk to you, you would have bitten back."

"Most likely, I can't believe our parents let us out here on our own."

"I think you spending the summer with Regulus, me spending the summer with Makenna and add all that to the fact that I spent a couple of months dating Marlene, they might not be as suspicious of us at the moment."

Octavia laid back beside Sirius and turned her head to look at him, seeing he was deep thought. "What are you thinking about Pads?" she questioned softly, confused when he placed an arm over his face.

"I'm just thinking that this is the longest you've gone without getting abused by your parents since we started at Hogwarts, yes I know we had the ball and regular functions that couldn't have you in pain or show any weakness but that ball was a few days ago. I'm not saying you deserve to be punished but there were a few actions that would normally deem such action by your parents."

"I was thinking the same thing Pads," she responded and Sirius finally looked at her.

"It's two weeks Snow, what could happen in two weeks?"

"A lot actually," they both sat up at the sound of Amycus' voice confused as to why he was here.

They were both told that Amycus and Alecto wouldn't be joining them this summer, that they had plans with their own partners and their families.

"What are you talking about Am?" she questioned, eyes widening with worry.

"There's a party this weekend."

"Like that's unusual, there's a party every summer." Sirius retorted and Amycus shook his head.

"No, these are the parties you two are normally kept from for obvious reasons."

Realisation set in for Octavia as Amycus spoke, he was talking about the parties where Voldemort was in attendance.

"No way Am, I do not want to attend that one, not after last time."

"I'm sorry O but you have no choice, you acted like you should have all summer with the ball and its functions. You spoke with everyone that made it seem like you were doing the rounds and not show that you have had your escort handed to you since birth." Amycus explained.

"What happens if I refuse?" she questioned.

"Do you really want me to answer that one?" Amycus responded but Octavia didn't say anything, she leaned back on the grass.

Octavia spent the days leading up to the party hiding in her room working on the summer homework they had been given from their Professors at Hogwarts.

Sirius was worried about how she was feeling about the party that was coming up and who was in attendance, but he didn't even get the chance to ask her since she wouldn't open her door for him and when he wrote to her on the parchments they had linked she never responded.

Octavia looked in the mirror, she could see the fear in her eyes and she would be lying if she wasn't terrified.

The last time she came face to face with Voldemort he requested something of her and she refused, so in return he graced her with the presence of the scar that is still sitting on the inside of her forearm, the same spot where the Dark Mark is meant to sit and it wasn't something that slipped her mind.

She just hoped the mask she had grown up perfecting was enough to get through tonight because she knew Sirius wouldn't question anything until they were in private.

She took one last deep breath before turning and leaving her room, heading downstairs where she was expected to wait for her parents and Sirius' family.

They didn't say anything as they entered the room, they all just headed to the fire place and Octavia finally found out where these parties were being held, at the Malfoy residence.

When she emerged on the other side, she was shocked at the amount of people in attendance, it was smaller than the normal group of people. She decided that maybe these people were Voldemort's inner circle, or the people who helped donate to his cause. It was why both hers and Sirius' parents were in attendance, they were flush with cash and willing to donate to his cause. It helped to bribe Ministry officials when something went wrong.

"So which one is he?" Sirius questioned as he stepped in beside her and she looked over at him.

"Do I really have to answer that? He's the one that houses all of their attention."

"Ah, so the prat standing in the middle of the room. If you excuse me." Sirius then turned and left, leaving Octavia alone.

She couldn't believe that he openly said that in a place like this, it could get them both in trouble and her arm was proof that Voldemort didn't give mercy, well he did to her because of what she was.

Octavia ended up spending the night by Regulus' side knowing that, despite the two of them getting along, he will offer some form of protection. Their parents will see them spending time together and think that they are doing something outside of their usual scope of requirements.

Regulus noticing the uneasiness that surrounded Octavia took the hint that was something off, it was the same uneasiness that used to surround her before she started at Hogwarts. He admired her for learning to stand up for herself but now, something was wrong and he was worried.

"I need you to come with me Octavia," both Regulus and Octavia turned their heads and looked at Amycus standing there.

Octavia nodded before turning and softly kissing Regulus' cheek, "thank you," she whispered in his ear. She wasn't an idiot, she knew that he had realised something was up but yet he didn't question it like he normally did, just continued to make small talk to help ease her worries.

She followed her brother upstairs, knew it was pointless to ask any questions since she had a feeling as to where she was being taken too.

She had spotted Voldemort watching her with curiosity throughout the night and it was partly why she was so unnerved, she had no idea what he planned to do with her because she still refused to do what he asked of her, even after giving her the information she needed as to what was different about her and her magic.

She entered the room ahead of Amycus and not at all surprised who was in attendance, it was all the people she already suspected or already knew of that were in Voldemort's inner circle. Alecto, Amycus, Bellatrix, Lucius, Rodolphus, Rebastan and so many more.

"Miss Octavia Carrow, don't you look as lovely as ever, I must say you have grown up to be a beautiful young women." Voldemort spoke as Amycus urged her forward.

She didn't say anything in response, just a nod of thanks and a small smile on her face, knowing it was better to smile then show fear.

"I was wondering if you have given anymore thought to the task I had given you three summers ago?"

"No," she responded, knowing he wouldn't like the answer.

"I see and why not?"

"Because I won't do that to my friends, I'm not going to pressure my friends into changing their beliefs."

"I see, Amycus come here." Octavia stood there and watched as Amycus walked and stood beside Voldemort, unsure as to what was going to happen, she didn't know if she could deal with Voldemort hurting or killing her brother because she wouldn't do something.

"Torture her,"

"I'm sorry my lord, you what?" Amycus questioned and even Octavia knew that wasn't a good sign, she looked over at where Alecto was standing but she didn't like the look on her face.

"I said torture her, more specifically the Cruciatus Curse."

Terror instantly filled her, she didn't want to be filled with that type of pain again but she had a feeling what would happen if Amycus denied the request but she just hoped it didn't.

"Am please don't do this…" Octavia pleaded with her brother, hoping he wouldn't do what Voldemort was requesting of him.

She wanted so badly for her brother to reject Voldemort and follow her, protect her and leave Alecto to look after herself but she has had this conversation with him many times, Amycus' future involved him looking after Alecto since he trusted Sirius to look after her.

"I'm sorry O," Amycus whispered before he pointed his wand at her. "Crucio."

Octavia closed her eyes and let out a scream, waiting for the pain but it never came. She opened her eyes and noticed the ring of fire surrounding her.

The flames disappeared as she realised that her brother wasn't trying to hurt her anymore, she looked at Voldemort not at all surprised to see a calm expression on his face, its all she ever saw on him.

"Again," Voldemort ordered and this time Amycus didn't second guess himself, knowing what would happen if he did.

"Stop," Voldemort finally spoke again and Amycus was relieved, he didn't know how much longer he could stand there and listen to Octavia scream, Alecto had already left the room not being able to handle it.

Voldemort didn't say anything, he just left the room and all the Death Eaters followed him except Amycus. Amycus continued to stand there and look at Octavia, he hated he caused her that much pain but he had no choice, he knew if he didn't do it Voldemort would kill him and he knew that would hurt her more in the long run.

He walked over to where she was still laying on the floor and stopped when she slowly moved away from him, "I'm going to take you home so you can rest, I had no choice O." Octavia nodded and he knelt beside her, "I'm sorry but this is going to hurt."

Sirius had left the party he was forced to attend, he had no idea where Octavia had gone and he couldn't find her, when he mentioned to his parents that he was leaving they didn't say anything or request that he stay so he went home and showered before climbing into his bed hoping just one of his friends was able to respond on the parchment.

10 minutes was all he waited before he gave up expecting no response.

He heard the crack indicating an elf had arrived in his room, he didn't even open his eyes figuring it was Kretcher and knew that regardless of him telling the elf to leave, he wouldn't.

"Mister Sirius?" he quickly sat up at the sound of Dinky's voice, he knew straight away something bad had happened.

He got off the bed and walked over to where Dinky was standing and grabbed her out stretched hand knowing it was useless in asking Dinky the full story because sometimes, the elf didn't know, only heard the screams before she went and got Sirius.

When they arrived Sirius found Amycus standing there leaning against the bar with a glass of Fire Whiskey in his hand.

"What happened?" Sirius questioned but Amycus didn't budge.

"The Cruciatus Curse happened," Sirius turned and left, heading straight for Octavia's room.

"Sirius stop…" Amycus called out after him.

"Who did it?" Sirius demanded but it was the look on Amycus' face that gave it away. "You're bloody kidding me!"

Sirius was pissed off, there was no other way to describe it, he couldn't believe Amycus did what he did.

"There had to be another way, why the hell did you have use the bloody Cruciatus Curse on her!" Sirius yelled out, knowing there was no one else at home.

"There wasn't, the spell isn't able to be done non-verbally the Dark Lord would know if I didn't do as he requested."

"What would happen if you didn't do what he asked of you?"

"He'd kill me then and there," Amycus stated and Sirius shook his head before heading back towards Octavia's bedroom. "You need to take her to St Mungo's Sirius, she needs to be checked out and make sure she is fine. Just claim it was Death Eaters, everyone by now knows they wear masks and won't ask for a physical description."

"But I know who did this," Sirius growled.

"She needs to be checked out, surely you know the risks of being put under the Cruciatus curse. She could have permanent damage as a result of it, please take her to St Mungo's."

"Why can't you?"

"Because I'm already under suspicion…" Sirius didn't say anything, just shook his head before going into Octavia's room.

He walked over to her bed and frowned at the sight of her, she may be asleep or she passed out, he wasn't sure which one but he was worried about her. He knew this wasn't the first time she had been under the Cruciatus Curse but he didn't know how much someone could take before they broke and he didn't want to see Octavia in that sort of way.

"Come on Snow, we need to get you to St Mungo's." Sirius spoke as he lifted her up off the bed, glad to see that she was just asleep and not unconscious.

She made a noise of protest but didn't exactly make an effort against him, she allowed him to carry her downstairs towards the floo while trying to hold her cries of pain in.

It was with every soft whimper that came from her, Sirius became more and more worried, unsure as to how much damage was actually done to her. He knew he needed to get her to St Mungo's, everyone knew who their families were and what side of the war everyone thought they were on, he just hoped that they would look after her and ask questions later.

Sirius was grateful that a Healer spotted him as he stepped out of the floo, having to hold Octavia up and they instantly led them towards a bed so she could lay down while they waited for another Healer to come check her out. Sirius instantly asked why they couldn't check her out but they claimed they were only an intern, still on their first month at St Mungo's.

So instead he sat there on the armchair bouncing his knee up and down waiting for another Healer to arrive, he didn't know how long it was taking since he didn't have a way to check the time but he knew it took forever for someone to arrive and he was worried that the longer they waited the worse Octavia got.

"Sorry to keep you waiting," Sirius looked up at the sound of the voice, instantly recognising him as Lilith's father.

He was worried as to what would happen the moment he introduced himself despite being friends with both of his children. He didn't see their father at any of the functions for the ball in the last few weeks and put it down to him being busy with his job at St Mungo's.

"Mr Longbottom," he spoke in greeting.

"I'm sorry but have we met?"

"Sirius Black," Sirius stood up and held out his hand, his own etiquette training kicking in. "I'm friends with both Frank and Lilith."

"Yes of course I have heard so much about you, it is a pleasure to have finally met you. Now what has happened to Octavia?" Sirius raised an eyebrow at him. "I met Octavia many years ago, I believe it was your first year. Her parents had sent her away for Christmas and she spent the day at my house with the family and friends we had over for the day."

"Yes of course, I completely forgot about that." Sirius stepped aside and allowed him to check out Octavia.

"Now are you going to tell me what happened Sirius?"

Sirius fell silent, he knew what Amycus said but how could he explain what had happened without explaining how he got away injury free since it would look to suspicious on his part. He knew Amycus didn't come up with the idea to put Sirius in trouble, he wouldn't have told him the full story if that was the case, it was more Amycus made it up on the spot, more worried about Octavia then coming up with a convincing story.

"I don't know, I found her unconscious in her room. My first thought was to bring her here to make sure nothing seriously bad had happened."

He looked over at the bed where Octavia had stirred, frowning at noticing that she was in pain.

"Death Eaters," she mumbled.

"Octavia can you hear me?"

"Mr Longbottom is that you?"

"Yes it is, can you tell me what happened?"

"Cruciatus Curse," Octavia managed to get out before she slipped back unconscious.

"I have to check her in and because she is under age her parents have to be informed." Mr Longbottom turned around and faced Sirius, Sirius nodded in return, this wasn't the first time he has checked Octavia into St Mungo's behind her parents' backs, mind you most of the time it was because she had been injured while playing Quidditch. It was only a small number of times that he took her to St Mungo's when Dinky wasn't able to heal her.

"That's understandable but my only request is that you don't Lilith about what happened."

"And may I ask as to why you don't wish me to tell my daughter why her best friend is currently lying unconscious on a bed under my care?"

Sirius looked away from Mr Longbottom and back at Octavia, they had their reasons for keeping secrets from their friends and by now they had accepted it.

"We hide certain aspects of our home lives from our friends, if Lilith finds out what happened she will begin pestering us about what happened during our summer. They've long given up asking us and that is the way we prefer it." Sirius explained and Mr Longbottom nodded before turning and leaving.

Sirius shifted from his position on the armchair as Octavia stirred in the bed, Mr Longbottom had told him that Octavia should wake soon enough, they were unsure as to how badly affected she was until she woke up.

"Snow?" he questioned softly as he stood up and moved closer to the bed.

She didn't respond straight away, her eyes just fluttered opened attempting to adjust the bright lights in the room.

"Sh, it's alright. You're safe here Snow." He softly brushed the hair out of her face and gave her a smile when she finally opened her eyes and looked at him.

"Pads?" she questioned.

"Yeah, I'm here, I'm right here and I'm not going anywhere." He could see the alarm in her eyes and he hated that she was scared but just hoped it was because she remembered what happened and not because she had no idea as to what happened.

Her calling him Pads was a good thing right?

"How long have I been here?" he let out a sigh of relief, she knew exactly where she was and happened.

"Just a couple of hours, the diagnostic tests that the Healer ran came back clear but we had to wait until you woke up properly to know if there was any lasting damage. Do you remember what happened?" Sirius questioned, she didn't respond at first, she just sat up in the bed.

Her eyes welled up and she nodded, "Am had no choice, he requested that Am did what he did but there's something else."

"What else happened Snow?" he questioned, not liking the look on her face.

"The first time he ordered the attack, I panicked and my shield went up but it wasn't my normal shield, it was a ring of fire. I don't even know if it prevent the attack but it sure as hell startled everyone."

"It'll be alright, if news spreads about what you did we will take care of it, if your parents find out we will leave, I sure as hell won't let you deal with whatever they have planned for it, because we know he still wants you." He sat down on the bed beside her and wrapped his arms around her, her shaking meant she was scared of what could happen.

"What if my parents find out and they make sure I don't return to Hogwarts," she spoke softly.

"I won't let it happen, we'll take off before that happens. You and I are both graduating from Hogwarts."

"I'm guessing I wasn't meant to hear any of that?" Sirius and Octavia pulled apart at the sound of Amycus' voice, both worried about how he will react to what he just heard. "Don't worry, I always had a feeling that you both planned on taking off at some point in the future."

"You do know that when that day comes your parents aren't going to let her leave on her own, they will do everything they can to make her stay. If you want to truly protect her, when that day comes you have to convince your parents to let her leave, that it's easier for you all with her gone."

"Done, now how are you feeling?" he questioned as he stepped further into the room and closer to them.

"Fine I think, the Healer hasn't come back since I woke up. Don't hate yourself, you had no choice Am."

"I know and I think Sirius hates me enough for the three of us," Amycus spoke and Octavia elbowed Sirius in the ribs.

"He'll get over it," she looked up at him, noticing the softer than usual look on his face as he looked at her but just waved it off as he was worried about her.

"I suppose he will, now I have some questions of my own." Amycus crossed his arms over his chest as he leaned against the wall opposite her bed.

"The ring of fire?"

"Yes that particular thing, bear in mind he told all of us who were in the room not to mention it to anyone so no one will find out from us any time soon."

Octavia looked at Sirius but he just shrugged, "it's your choice, it's your secret and you claim you can trust him. I'm going to get something to eat and see when Mr Longbottom can come back to check on you." Sirius climbed off the bed and left the room, leaving her stunned but she just hoped that with time he will get over what happened today.

"Heard of Dreamers?"

"Yeah they briefly got mentioned third year in Defence, what does that have to do with anything?"

"We believe I am, he does as well, it's why he wasn't surprised at the ring of fire, it's why he wants me."

"And why you aren't getting killed for defying his requests." Octavia nodded, "but you looked startled at that ring of fire."

"I've never done that before, yes I've produced a protective shield and fire before but not that."

"I will have to look into them more since they only got briefly mentioned and I don't know too much about them but I won't tell our parents, I actually have to head home before Celeste gets worried."

"Why are you acting like she's our parents, your worried about her concerns with everything."

"Because if I don't she will ruin everything, she hates I'm in league with him but only keeps quiet because I come home when she wants me to and I fund her shopping trips around the world."

"The next thing you know, she'll start asking for babies."

"She already has," Octavia couldn't help it, she burst out laughing, not fazed by the scowl on his face. "Maybe once she has the baby and someone else to focus on you will be able to come and go as you please."

"Please O, I know you are glad she likes to keep me at home away him."

Octavia smiled at him before laying back down in the bed, "don't know what you are on about Am, do our parents know I'm here yet?"

"They do…"

"Let me guess, they don't care since for once they don't have to worry about what people will think because Death Eaters did it."

Amycus didn't get a chance to respond since there was a knock on the door.

Octavia looked at her brother before looking at Mr Longbottom as he entered the room, wondering as to if he had heard any of their conversation.

"I have to head off, I'm sure Sirius is still around here somewhere. Get better." Octavia watched as her brother left, there was a part of her that had hoped Mr Longbottom would see that they were busy talking and come back later but he didn't, maybe he knew something she didn't.

"How are you feeling?"

"I just feel physically exhausted, I haven't moved too much so I'm unsure as to how much pain I will be in when I move."

"Sounds like you've been under the Cruciatus Curse before."

Octavia opened her mouth with hopes of fixing the big mistake she just made, but in the end closed it and didn't say anything else. She just hoped he wouldn't do or say anything about it.

"Very well, let me run some spells and make sure your vitals are still where they should be." Octavia nodded and sat up on the bed, worrying about her mistake.

.oOo.

A/N: Thank you to everyone who continues to read, set alerts and review my story it means a lot to me but reviews mean even more.

lizyeh2000 thank you for reviewing, it means a lot to me. I'm glad you love Regulus, despite him barely having a role in the series, I actually love writing him because he was obviously conflicted by everything he grew up to believe.

Raven that flies at night thank you for reviewing, it means a lot to me. I'm glad my story makes you happy, honestly that is the best thing to hear! As for Octavia and Sirius, just because they both like each other it does not mean they will get together.

Katie thank you for reviewing, it means a lot to me. Glad to hear you are all caught up and your reaction to Octavia finally admitting she likes Sirius, made my afternoon. I'm glad you are really enjoying my story, means a lot to hear that.