Antonin Dolohov didn't have any idea where he was currently. He had been in one of the Auror interrogation rooms being questioned by Kingsley and Robards when Harry fucking Potter had walked in, and the next thing he knew...he was sitting here strapped to a fucking metal chair with his hands bound by some kind of grayish, shiny, sticky material and his ankles shackled to the bottom of the chair. He was sitting in a shallow pool of water and he was completely naked, which normally wouldn't of bothered him, but the room was borderline freezing...and he could see his breath coming out of his nose...as his mouth was taped shut...and his eyes taped open...
Looking around the room, it was dank, dark and there were several tables set up that were covered with cloth. Dolohov felt a bit uneasy...but he wasn't the kind of wizard that was easily spooked. There was a mirror on the far wall, which he thought odd...he could see himself reflected in it and he had to admit, he looked pretty beat up.
Suddenly, a door opened on the far wall to the right, and a tall blonde man with blue eyes walked into the room. He was smartly dressed in a very expensive and well tailored Muggle suit. Dolohov eyes pulled together in confusion. Why the fuck was he here with a fucking Muggle?
Harry, Theo, Draco and Kingsley were all outside the room watching from the other side of the two-way mirror. When Sark walked into the room, they all saw Dolohov look at the Muggle man with confusion before his faced contorted into an ugly sneer. Sark however, just smirked in that infuriating way of his and sat down across from the man.
"Good day Mr. Dolohov." Julian smirked as he walked over to the other man and ripped the tape off his mouth.
Dolohov sneered and spoke with venom. "Otvali tebe kusok gryazi." (Fuck off filthy Muggle)
Julian's face didn't change but his body coiled in anticipation.
"Mr. Dolohov, I'm here to extract information from you. We can do it the easy way or not...I am dearly hoping you refuse to cooperate...at least initially...I do so want to introduce you to all the wonderful implements I have at my disposal for our time together." Julian stood up and took off his suit jacket and hung it meticulously by the door, rolling his sleeves up in anticipation. "You see, there was a magical curse you utilized on a one...Hermione Granger Nott recently...and I find myself in need of the countercurse, if you'd please."
Dolohov chuckled and spit in the blonde man's direction. "Ye tebe nichego ne dayu." (I'm not telling you anything)
"Lovely." Julian went over to the wizard and stuffed a piece of cloth into the man's mouth...before retaping it shut.
Julian then proceeded to talk to the man calmly, almost as if he discussing the weather. "It is my understanding that you are quite able to resist most forms of magical interrogation. We won't be utilizing those methods during our time together Mr. Dolohov. I prefer a more direct approach."
Dolohov's eyes widened as he saw a ball hanging from some kind of chain. The blonde man smirked and moved to step around behind him. It was quiet for a moment until Dolohov heard the faint whoosh of something whizzing through the air until the ball hit him directly in his genitals, causing him to scream in pain. This went on for several minutes and at one point Dolohov felt himself urinate all over his legs and down to the floor. He tried to control his breathing through his nose, but he couldn't. He couldn't access his wandless magic for some reason either...
Draco gave Theo a look that could only be described as horrified. All four wizards watched as Dolohov screamed for nearly an hour. Every time Sark would flick the ball, it would land directly on the man's private parts, causing him to writhe in his chair, and at one point, Draco was sure he could see tears leaking from the Russian wizards eyes.
After the first hour Julian sat down across from the man and gave him a condescending look. "You are probably wondering right about now, why you are unable to access your magic...you see, I had one of your Aurors slip you a little something...it contained a potent neural inhibitor, which among other things, slows down the critical thinking part of our brain. Simply put, you lack the ability to cognitively cast a working magical spell. So therefore, you have no way to defend yourself from physical or psychological trauma."
Dolohov's eyes widened as he looked at the blonde man, who now had a small smile on his face. He tried to speak, but the gag in his mouth prevented him from doing so.
Julian stood up and brought over a tray from the other side of the room. When he uncovered it there were a few implements on it...a syringe with some liquid inside it, some pointed metal devices that looked like thin knives and a small jar that was completely occluded form the outside.
Picking up the syringe, Julian shot the injection into the wizards neck, causing him to flinch in shock and then his body started to shake violently. Sark just remained impassive as he watched the man writhe in pain. He then brought another tray over and set it next to him, then picked up the small thin devices and showed one to Dolohov.
"These are called the "Needles of Fire" and are a curious little torture tool. The contain a rather rare poison that makes the victim feel as if his body is on fire from the inside out. Much different than your torture curse...I'm sure you'll appreciate the subtle differences, Mr. Dolohov."
The man in question tried to squirm but Sark took one of the needles and gently inserted it under the Russian man's fingernails...one by one...by the tenth...Dolohov was screaming in pain and straining against his bindings...
Harry had turned away at this point, while the other three wizards looked on in horror and fascination. Draco didn't think anyone could've ever been as terrifying as the Dark Lord...but something told him that Julian Sark could give Voldemort a run for his galleons.
Once the needles were all in...Julian sat across from the man in question and effortlessly opened a bottle of fine red wine. Pouring himself a glass and taking a small sip. "Would you be willing to give me the countercurse now, Mr. Dolohov. Trust me when I tell you it will only get worse from here."
Dolohov screamed behind the tape of his mouth and shook his head violently.
"Very well."
Julian moved the chair with Dolohov over to a large tub filled with ice water and proceeded to use water boarding techniques along with sensory deprivation over the next twenty-four hours. Dolohov couldn't close his eyes, and Julian would alternate utilizing flashing lasers and harsh lights over periods of time. He didn't allow the man to sleep...and over the following day, Julian Sark utilized various interrogation practices that had the Russian man screaming in pain.
Finally on the latter part of the third day...Julian asked Dolohov again what the countercurse was...and the man just grunted his unwillingness to comply. So Julian smiled and moved him back over to the part of the floor where the water had pooled a bit. Grabbing another tray, it had two long metal rods and a set of jumper cables. At this point, all the wizards were left in absolute shock at how methodical and ruthless the assassin appeared to be. Sark never lost his cool, his countenance never changed. It was truly, horrifically impressive.
"I understand your reluctance Mr. Dolohov...I really do...but you see, you have information I require. So let's move on to something a bit more educational...shall we?"
Dolohov shook his head, but Julian just lifted an eyebrow in response. Grabbing the two metal poles in his hands Julian moved over to the Russian wizard and sat down right across from him...staring at him directly in the eye before he lifted the rods and slammed them down into the man's thighs, causing the wizard to scream in terror.
Julian just tilted his head, watching the wizard like one would watch a pesky fly. "Electricity is such an interesting invention and one I've come to understand that wizards don't utilize with frequency. Current is a funny thing...so I thought perhaps we might have a little demonstration about how current works." Julian then clipped on the jumper cables to the rods that were sticking out of the man's things and moved over to a light switch on the wall.
Sark threw on the light switch and watched as the Russian Wizard contorted in pain, screaming behind his taped mouth, trying to get breath in through his nose. After 30 seconds, Julian turned the switch off and watched with satisfaction as the man's body twitched violently. Moving over to the wizard, Julian sat down again across from him and gave Dolohov a considering look.
"Electricity is an interesting torture tool. I can turn on that switch and the current will run through you body for hours...Mr. Dolohov. It is unlike your cruciatis curse in that there is no reprieve. Eventually your heart will give out...but that is not a problem as I have a device that can restart it and we can start this process over...and over...and over again. I can keep you in that state for weeks...even months...possibly indefinitely. I can make sure that you never have a reprieve from this torture...how long do you think it will be before you beg me to kill you?" Standing up and moving another tray over, Sark took off the cover and took out a set of surgical pliers. "Perhaps you wouldn't mind if I ripped one of your teeth out of your jaw...one by one...hmmmmm...shall we try it?"
Dolohov now looked at the blonde man with fear behind his eyes...Julian inwardly smiled at the man's expression while Harry, Theo, Draco and Kingsley were watching aghast at how utterly ruthless Julian Sark was.
Sark removed the tape and watched the wizard flex his jaw...he noticed there was some blood on the rag as he took it out. "The countercurse Mr. Dolohov..."
"Yebat' tebya." (Fuck you)
Julian cocked his head as he considered his next move.
"Vy mozhete peresmotret' svoyu pozitsiyu." (You may want to rethink your position) "Yest' opredelennyye rossiyskiye metody doprosa, kotoryye ya by sudovol'stviyem ispol'zoval." (There are certain Russian interrogation practices I'd be happy to use)
Dolohov looked at the Muggle man with wide eyes...surprised that he spoke Russian.
"Ty Russkiy?" (You're Russian?)
"Da. Moy praded byl Maykl Aleksandrovich." (Yes, my great grandfather was Michael Alexandrovich)
Dolohov's eyes widened. "Vse Romanovy byli ubity." (The Romanov's were all killed)
"Nyet. YA posledniy iz linii Romanovykh." (No, I am the last of the Romanov's). Julian went into his coat pocket and took out the family ring his mother had saved for him all those years ago. Placing it on his finger, he went over to Dolohov and showed him the ring with the crest of the House of Oldenburg.
Dolohov's eyes widened considerably as he looked at the ring on the Muggle's hand. Michael Alexandrovich was the youngest brother of Tsar Nicholas II. The Patrilineal line of the Romanov's were all killed in the revolution by the Bolshevik's...what wasn't common knowledge was that Rasputin was a wizard. He had cursed the Romanov Family, taken their power and had them murdered...yet if this man was to be believed, and by the ring on his finger he might very well be telling the truth, he was the Romanov Heir.
The Romanov Family had practiced magic throughout the centuries. The ones that didn't were still accepting of the magical enclaves that existed within Russia. When the Statue Of Secrecy was implemented in the seventeen century, the Russian Tsars were still supportive of the old magical families. The Dolohov Family had been staunch supporters of the Romanov Family...until the coup that ended the line...or so Antonin thought.
"Otkuda ya znayu, chto ty govorish' pravdu?" (How do I know you're telling the truth?)
Julian just shrugged indifferently. "You don't Mr. Dolohov. But why would I lie, and how could I have this ring in my possession if I wasn't whom I claimed to be? So let me spell this out succinctly...you have something that I need...and since I am on a time constraint, I'm unlikely to leave you intact to get what I want. I can inflict pain and torture that your Dark Lord Voldemort only dreamed about. The trick with a proper interrogation is the pain. Simply put, it's an art form...and I am a master at what I do...so...this is your last chance. If you don't give me what I want, I'll make sure you suffer so completely that it will be years...before I allow you to die."
Dolohov looked at the man sitting across from him. Even depleted and battered, Antonin could feel the powerful aura of the man sitting there...
"What is the Mudblood to you?"
Julian's gaze narrowed infinitesimally. "I'm sure you understand that the woman in question is not exactly...what is it? A Mudblood?" Julian bit out while Dolohov tried to look perplexed. "Her brother is a man named Theodore Nott...I'm sure you're already aware of this fact. But more to the point...she is mine...and you have cursed her. I can make your death quick and painless...or I can make you suffer endlessly...begging for death and never allowing it. Would you appreciate having your genitals cut off? Or perhaps having your skin flayed off your body...one layer at a time. Perhaps I might stop and restart your heart...over and over...and over again. These are just a few tools at my disposal. The choice is yours Mr. Dolohov..."
"Who are you?"
Julian bowed his head formally as his gaze took on a predatory quality. "Julian Sark...I'm sure we don't run in the same circles Mr. Dolohov, but I do have quite a colorful reputation within my current chosen profession. Shall I regale you with how many men I've killed in cold blood? How many I've tortured into madness to meet my objectives?"
Dolohov had heard of this man. His eyes widened in recognition of the name and Sark's predatory look only deepened. "You have heard of me? Shall I hazard a guess that perhaps Milo Rambaldi was the person who sent you after Hermione?" Seeing the shock on the other man's face, Julian knew he'd guessed correctly. Standing up and moving over to a table on the far end of the room, Julian grabbed a blue folder that had been sitting there, and when he returned, sat back down across from Dolohov. Opening the folder Julian took out a picture and held it aloft so the Russian Wizard could see it clearly. The look of shock, changed to horror as Dolohov's breath hitched.
"Where did you get that?"
Sitting back calmly, Julian eyed the man across from him. "When Hermione shared with me about how you cursed her during your duel while she was still in school, I made it my business to find out everything I could about you, and all your remaining family. It wasn't terribly difficult as there are still many within Russia...who are still loyal to the Romanov's. This is your sister, I believe? A...what do you call it...a squib? She lives outside of Kiev, near a magical enclave within the city." Looking at the picture, Julian then set it down on Dolohov's knee, which was shaking badly. "The countercurse Mr. Dolohov...or trust me when I tell you that if my Mia dies...so will your sister...most brutally..."
Dolohov looked at the man, and there was no hesitation in his icy blue gaze. He knew that his sister's life would be forfeit if he didn't do exactly what this man wanted. Looking over at the mirror, Dolohov knew that somehow, Nott and Potter and possibly Malfoy were likely on the other side...which meant he had no options left to him.
Sighing in defeat, Dolohov knew that he'd rather die a quick death than the prolonged death that most assuredly awaited him if he refused this man. He also couldn't allow his sister to suffer...and he was positive this Julian Sark was a man of his word.
"The curse I utilized was 'svet pust' and the countercurse is 'svet vosstanovleniya'..."
Julian turned in his chair and looked over at the mirror, wishing he could see the faces of the four wizards watching them.
"Excellent, Mr. Dolohov...is there any particular wand movement that is required to be performed with the incantation?"
Dolohov's eyes widened at just how intelligent this Muggle was. "Yes, I'm sure behind the glass Draco Malfoy is observing...you can tell him it's a reverse of my exsanguination curse..."
Julian nodded and stood up to move out of the room. Before he left, he turned around and leveled the Russian Wizard with a hard look. "You know where Milo Rambaldi is...I would like the location if you would."
Holding up his right hand, Julian notice the swirling pattern around the wrist. "Unbreakable vow...the wizards in the other room can explain what it means."
Julian nodded. "I will return shortly Mr. Dolohov. If what you've shared with me is helpful, I will vow to spare your sister's life and make your death quick and painless...if not..." Leaving the threat hanging as he made his way into the observation room, where his audience would surely be waiting.
When Julian made his way back into the observation room, it was to the stunned silence of the four wizards who were watching him with looks that ranged from disgust, horror, awe and appreciation.
"I take it you heard the countercurse, Mr. Malfoy?" Draco sneered, but nodded stiffly. "Excellent, perhaps you might return to your magical hospital with the information now."
Draco's sneer deepened, but silently agreed with the blonde assassin. Looking at Sark speculatively, Draco couldn't help but ask..."What did you two discuss in Russian?"
Julian smirked and lifted up his right hand where his family ring was located. "Mr. Dolohov is aware of exactly who I am and that my threats against his family are not empty ones. Now perhaps we could table the questioning until Mia is safely out of danger."
Kingsley nodded and came over, shaking the assassins hand. "I don't agree with your methods, Mr. Sark...but I can't blame you for it either. I don't think I'd of had the wherewithal to take such drastic measures, and there isn't anything I wouldn't do for Hermione. I thank you for doing what I could not."
Julian bowed his head in humble recognition of the compliment. Theo walked over and placed his hand out as well...which caused Sark's eyebrows to shoot up in surprise. Taking Mia's brothers hand, both men shook on their mutual love for Hermione. "I wasn't thrilled when I'd heard about you Sark, and your relationship with my sister. But I'm grateful to you for what you did in there and I'm impressed with your devotion to my sister. If you hurt her...betray her...just know, that the Nott family is as dark as they come. I'll end you and you'll never see me coming."
Julian chuckled at the threat. "I am sure that's as close to a blessing as I am likely to get."
Theo nodded and grabbed his friend by the arm and together they left to return to St. Mungo's.
Harry stood there for a long moment and stared at Julian Sark. He nodded to Kingsley, who took the hint and left the two men to talk. Harry walked over to the two-way mirror and stared at the Russian Wizard who had nearly killed his best friend back in fifth year. Who had attacked them in a coffee shop in London a little over a year later...a wizard whom Hermione had nightmares about for years...and sighed, pushing up his glasses as he observed the battered man inside the other room.
"I suppose I should feel bad for Dolohov...but I don't." Harry said softly, and Julian looked intrigued, walking over and standing next to the Chosen One. "He nearly killed Hermione end of our fifth year, which you know...she was bedridden for weeks...taking ten potions a day...it was a miracle she survived at all. A little over a year later, we were on the run in London and we had set off a taboo...unknowingly. Dolohov and another Death Eater Rowle, nearly got the drop on us in a coffee shop. We dueled and Hermione took Dolohov down...stunned him and obliviated him." At this confession, Julian's eyes widened in appreciation. "She had nightmares while we were on the run...always the same thing...Dolohov cursing her...and then when Bellatrix tortured her...the nightmares changed. I never wanted to be the one destined to kill Riddle...and I don't see myself as a killer...but I'd always known deep down I'd be capable of it...with Dolohov and Bellatrix, because of what they did to Mione."
Turning and facing the blonde assassin, Harry held out his hand and the two men shook hands in solidarity. "Mione loves you, and it is up to you to protect her now. I've had my doubts that you'd be strong enough, capable enough..."
Sark nodded. "But not anymore?"
"No...not anymore." Harry offered with a small tentative smile. "You will kill Dolohov...and when this Rambaldi mess is over...I fully expect you to do right by my best friend. If you ever don't put her first, you won't have to worry about Theo...because I will be the one to end you." Green eyes blazed hard into blue ones and Julian nodded in understanding.
"Mia is lucky to have those who care for her as you and her brother do. I love Mia with everything that I am and after this mission is done, I fully intend to build a life with her in whatever way she desires."
"Good..." Harry said firmly. "I'll be back once the good news comes in. I want to know Dolohov can't hurt her again...and then I'll take you to see her."
"Thank you Harry." Julian nodded.
"You're welcome Sark."
