A/N: Hope you aren't squeamish. There will be blood.
Soundtrack- "In the Distance" by Tony Anderson, "Arctic" by Sleeping at Last and "Where is my love – piano solo" By SYML which I think honestly is like the theme song (any version of it) to both Sweat the Battle and Light Years if there ever was one.
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Ted nearly slipped on the wet stones as he whipped himself around the corner into the alleyway. He had heard the cracks of apparition over the storm and just hoped he was not too late. His earthy eyes searched the dark for her for her, for him, for… anyone. They fell on a dark shape on the ground and Ted ran forward.
As he got close he recognized Howard. His head was slumped forward on his chest and his body was twisted around strangely.
"Howard!" Ted fell to his knees next to his best friend and shook his shoulder. Howard did not stir. In fact, his body seemed oddly still. Ted stared down at him for a moment as the rain fell swiftly around them. It was then that he realized what was missing; the gentle rise and fall of his chest. Howard wasn't breathing.
"HOWARD!" Ted bellowed and shook him again, rougher this time, begging for it not to be true. He heard something clatter to the ground next to him but ignored it. His throat felt tight and he wanted to shout Howard's name again and again, but nothing would come out. This couldn't be happening. Howard had to wake up, he just had to.
Ted's tears mixed with the rain as they fell down his face and he bent over, his forehead resting on Howard's shoulder as he let his sorrow pass through him.
He and Howard had been friends almost since their first day at Hogwarts together. Ted had been nervous and anxious, suddenly thrust into this magical world and Howard had been kind enough to show him the ropes. They had studied together, worked on projects together, and Howard had always been willing to listen to him talk about his problems even if he did it with a scowl and a snarky reply.
Ted's grief turned sour in his chest as it curdled into hatred. Lucius had done this. He had no way of knowing if Lucius had been the one to cast the curse, but it didn't matter. It would never have happened without him. Lightning cracked overhead, lighting up the dark alley and Ted got a good look at Howard's peaceful face. At least he hadn't been in pain.
Thunder followed quickly and Ted set Howard back up against the wall where he had found him, making sure that his body was no longer twisted, but comfortable. It was the least he could do. As he lifted Howard's arm to place over his chest he saw what had fallen earlier. It was Andromeda's wand and Lucius' watch.
Ted picked them up in each hand and looked at them. They had been left here, just like Howard had, as a message to him. Lucius wanted him to know that he had been responsible for this; that he had taken Andromeda and what the consequence of following them would be.
Ted gripped her wand tight in his hand and swore he could have felt it hum under his fingers. It still answered to her and after fighting against its recent bearers, finally had found an ally to return it back to her. And he would. He made a silent promise to the storm tossed sky that he would find a way to get her back and to make Lucius pay for what he had caused.
Ted clicked open the watch apprehensively. He knew that Lucius had left it here for him to do exactly this and part of him hated the fact that he was playing right into the other man's hands, but what choice did he have? He looked down to see it empty and black. Nothing.
Lucius had Andromeda and the ring so he knew it would not remain empty and calm for long. He had no idea what Lucius was going to show him and he snapped the watch shut, afraid of what he would see. But the sight of Howard's lifeless face in front of him was not that much better. His chest hurt with loss and it took everything in him to pull himself up to his feet.
His shoulders shook with pain and rage. His earthy eyes turned dark as he lifted them from Howard. He let his fury rain down in him. It filled every bit of him that the loss of Andromeda and Howard had left. In a strange way, it was almost calming. His hands stopped shaking and his breathing evened out.
Howard was gone and there was no getting him back. He would mourn his best friend but not just yet. Andromeda was still out there; he had heard her screaming out his name the second he had landed in Knockturn Alley. She was still alive and now she was in Lucius' clutches. Lightning cracked over him again and rain dripped quickly off of his dirty blonde hair. He tucked Andromeda's wand and Lucius' watch into his pocket and let the thunder roll through him, giving him strength to do what needed to be done.
One. Last. Time.
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It smelled sweet, like oats and hay. Andromeda blearily opened her eyes as she felt her muscles spasm against the soreness and strain they were under. Her joints felt stiff and burned in discomfort. She wanted to move, but couldn't force her body to obey. Her head was pounding and the ache in it built with each beat of her heart.
As her surroundings came into focus, her heart beat faster. She had thought Lucius would have chained her up in his dungeon, like she had seen Ted in her dream, but it seemed he had other plans for her.
She was in chains, he had kept that promise, but she was sitting on a straw covered floor and heard the shuffling of a large animal nearby. She was in the stables. She knew the stables were far enough on the grounds that no one would be able to hear her if she screamed, but more than that, if someone tried to come for her, they would have to make it past the gate and the Manor. Andromeda swallowed wondering where Ted was right now. Had she really heard him in Knockturn Alley? Everything was still muddled.
"You're awake." Lucius commented from a stool across the stall from her.
Andromeda tried to recoil, but her body protested. Her arms seemed like dead weight, hanging up above her head from chains that were fastened high above her. She could feel the blood on her face starting to dry, which meant she must have been out for a little while. Obviously long enough for Lucius to get her chained up and comfortable on his groom's stool.
She completely understood just how powerless she was right now. She was weak, wounded, and unarmed. Not to mention in chains, hidden away from anyone who would think about helping her. No one even knew where she was. He could do anything he wanted and there was no one to stop him.
She could see the sun just starting to set through dark clouds and Andromeda closed her eyes for a moment. She should have been getting ready for her wedding right now; instead she was here, with Lucius again. Andromeda glanced up at the small diamond ring still resting on her finger but could barely stomach to think of Ted at the moment.
What had he thought when he returned back to the house to find it empty? And it wasn't like Howard was coming back to tell him what happened either. She fought against the hot tears that pooled in her eyes at the thought of his limp body left discarded in the darkness of Knockturn Alley. He was going to be Ted's best man…
Lucius stood up and walked halfway over to her, carefully considering her with a frown.
"Do you know how pathetic you look right now?" He sneered at her.
Andromeda took a few heavy breaths, trying not to scream in anger. She didn't trust herself to even open her mouth to reply to him.
Lucius scoffed and pressed his black boot into her sliced knee. Andromeda pulled it up quickly, away from him, wincing as she did so. The cut opened up again and fresh red blood ran down her leg.
"I wonder…" Lucius said, watching a drop run down her calf. "How much you would have to bleed to get all the mud he shot in you out of your blood."
Andromeda glared up at him, her amber eyes as hard as gemstones. There was nothing she could say that would stop him now and she refused to beg him this time. She wasn't going to cry. She wasn't going to scream. But terror was coiling deep inside her at the foreign expression on Lucius' face. She had known him for years, but had never seen him look like that before.
He had changed so much that she barely felt like she knew the man standing in front of her anymore. She met his grey eyes for a moment and wondered if he felt the same way about her. She knew she had changed as well; falling in love with Ted had done something to her, released something she had hidden away long ago. They were not the same children who had been friends.
Lucius leaned down next to her, his blonde hair falling forward slightly. He was playing with his wand, twirling it in his fingers menacingly. "Let's see, shall we?" and he pressed the tip into her flesh.
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"Mistress?" The squeaky voice of a house elf tore Narcissa from her solemn staring out of the large window. She had discarded the sheet for Lucius' robe, finding it didn't slip as much as the sheet did. It still swallowed her small frame, but at least she could move around the room a little easier.
"Yes?" She was accustomed to house elves, but did not know Lucius' servants' names yet. Another new change in her life.
"Your belongings have arrived," The small elf said as her large green eyes watched Narcissa carefully. She was learning a new Mistress as well. "Would Mistress like anything brought to her?"
"Yes!" Narcissa said quickly. "Some clothes, please. I would also like a bath drawn for me before I change."
"Yes, Mistress." The house elf bowed. "Will Mistress be needing anything else?"
"Do…" She paused and bit her lip. "Do you know when Master Lucius will be back?"
The house elf's big eyes widened nervously. Obviously she did not know whether she should report Lucius' coming and goings to his new wife. They were all in new territory now.
Narcissa sighed. "What is your name?" She snapped.
"Dotty, Mistress." The house elf squeaked.
"Dotty, I am the new Mrs. Malfoy and you will answer questions when they are asked of you." Her Mother had always told her you needed to be firm with your inferiors or they would walk all over you.
"Yes, Mistress, of course!" Dotty pulled on one of her long ears nervously.
"Well?" Narcissa asked, annoyed that she still hadn't been answered.
"M-m-master Lucius has returned." Dotty was pulling on her ear hard enough to tilt her head to the side now.
"Well where is he?" Narcissa snapped.
"He is…" She twisted her ear painfully, wincing as she did so. "In the stables."
Narcissa breathed out and rolled her eyes. She knew he loved his horses and prized them greatly, but she had hoped that he would have returned to her once he got back. She was desperate for news of Andromeda.
She wanted to ask how long he normally spent in the stables, but judging by the way Dotty was about to pull her ear from her head she didn't know if the elf would be able to answer her.
"Very well," She huffed. "Let me know when the bath is ready."
Dotty released her ear, which was a startling red color now. "Yes, Mistress! Right away!" She piped and quickly fled from the room.
Narcissa sighed and sat back down on the bed. This is not at all what she thought her first day as Lucius' wife was going to be like.
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Lucius sighed as Andromeda's head fell to the side. Small shallow cuts covered her creamy skin. He had done more than he intended to, trying to get her to cry, to plead with him for mercy. He wanted her to finally admit she was in his power and he controlled every aspect of her; whether she lived or died, it was his decision. His choice.
But with the exception of a few gasps and whimpers of pain she had kept her silence, letting unbidden tears slip down her cheeks. She had not once acknowledged him while he drew blood from her, trailing the tip of his wand over her skin and opening it. He was considering carving his name into her when her eyes had slowly shut and she had left him here to hide away in her unconscious mind.
Lucius looked closely at the crimson smears on her pale skin. He thought it might have looked different now that she had turned Blood Traitor, now that the Mudblood had sullied her. But it looked just as red and rich as his. Lucius frowned. It should have been dirty.
He gently drew his wand over the wounds he had created, healing them. Her skin closed back perfectly, not even leaving a pink mark where he had sliced it open. He cast a quick scourgify to clean the blood and dirt from her, leaving her skin fresh and clean. He sat back and examined his work. She looked almost like she usually did, but there were purple circles under her eyes and her lips were barely a different shade from the skin around them.
She was weak.
She was nothing.
She was his.
Lucius leaned forward and pulled her face back towards his with two long fingers. Her wavy hair moved slightly as her head did and he was reminded of last year at this time when he had found her asleep in his study. Only then her cheeks had been flushed with color and instead of the torn black dress she had been in a fine gown. Lucius scowled. He had almost had her then, but it still would have been too late. By that point the Mudblood had already taken her.
But Tonks didn't have her now. No, now she was all his. Finally. He leaned in and brushed his thin lips against her pale ones. She remained motionless and he pressed forward, feeling their pillowy softness give way under him as he tightened his hold on her chin, forcing her head in position for him.
He didn't want her like this, unresponsive and stagnant. He wanted her to know it was him. Know that he had gotten the better of her and the better of her Mudblood. Lucius pulled back and stood up. He walked over to a small window with bars on it and placed the black pearl ring in position so that it had a clear view of where Andromeda was chained.
No one was getting on his property without a Malfoy's express permission. He had left the watch with the Halfblood's body for Tonks to find. He didn't want there to be any question in his mind about where Andromeda was. Lucius wanted him to know that he had taken her. And take her he would. He turned back around and crouched down beside Andromeda's still form.
He slapped her. The crack of his palm against her cheek spooked the horse in the stall next to them and it whinnied out a frightened cry. Andromeda's honey eyes opened and rolled slightly as she regained herself. It took only a moment for her stunned expression to turn cold as she remembered where she was and who was there with her.
"You're not getting off that easy, love," Lucius said smoothly.
Andromeda's eyes narrowed and shot cold loathing up at Lucius. It was dark outside by now and even though she couldn't see the sky, she knew the stars were rising. Ted had wanted to get married under the stars…
She had thought so much about her wedding night with Lucius, dreading it and wondering how she would make it through the night. She had spent months sick over it and she had only had two weeks to consider what her wedding night with Ted would have been like. He would have been tender, touching her softly, telling her how much he loved her and she would have fallen deep into his chocolate eyes, giving him every inch of her and taking him in return.
But instead she was here. The cold truth blew in on a chill breeze left over from the storm that had raged all day. But this wasn't just her wedding night, it was Lucius' as well. She glanced in the direction that she knew the Manor was in, thinking about Narcissa, waiting patiently for her husband to return to her and blissfully unaware that her sister was alive and held captive on her new estate.
"Is this how you're going to spend your wedding night?" She spat. Finally breaking her silence. "In a barn with a Blood Traitor?"
"Would you rather I return to the house?" Lucius raised an eyebrow. "I am sure your sister is ready to resume her duties."
Andromeda struggled against the chains unable to rein in her rage this time. Lucius laughed at her and she burned in frustration. Her chest rose and fell heavily as she tried to catch her breath from even this seemingly simple exertion. If Lucius chose this moment she would not be able to stop him.
He seemed to be thinking the same thing as his cold grey eyes moved over her, hovering in key locations. Her dress had ridden up halfway on her thighs and she noticed his eyes growing dark as they reached that part of her.
"I have to say," Lucius scratched his chin. "Having both of you is an exciting thought." The corner of his mouth twisted up. "One to breed and one to…" He trailed off with a dark chuckle.
Andromeda spat in his face. She glared at him, watching it slip down his cheek as he closed his eyes, swallowing hard, and pulled out a handkerchief from his pocket and dabbed at his face lightly before returning it back to his pocket. When he opened his storming eyes there was a look of pure hostility in them.
Andromeda raised her chin defiantly. What more could he do to her than what he already planned to? What did she have to lose?
"You're going to pay for that." He said in a calm, dark voice. Lucius reached up to her hand, chained high above her head and Andromeda tried to ball it into a fist, but he was stronger, peeling back her fingers until he pulled the small diamond ring off of her hand and held it appraisingly between them.
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Ted had no idea where Malfoy Manor was. He had lucked out that Andromeda had ordered the broom the summer before so he knew where the Black Mansion was when he had travelled there in December because Pureblood homes were deeply hidden. Andromeda had mentioned going to Lucius' house a few times, but had never said where it was located. Even after he found it there would be other obstacles. Lucius was sure to have protective wards up and spells to hide it from Muggles. Ted only hoped that Lucius' arrogance had prevented him from updating them to specifically keep him out.
He had to move fast.
Not only because it would give Lucius more time to build up a defense around his Manor, but also for Andromeda's sake more than anything. He hurried out of Knockturn Alley, almost at a run, not really knowing where to go but not able to stay still either.
Diagon Alley was bright, even in the darkening sky, compared to Knockturn and it was place that he was much more familiar with. He was soaked to the bone from the rain, but it was abating slightly as the sky began to grow dark with night. The streets were deserted, witches and wizards not having emerged while the rain slowly turned back into a drizzle. Carts had awnings pulled over them and a few shops had left things like cauldrons and empty owl cages outside, not having a chance to drag them back in before the rain started.
Ted's foot slipped on something and he looked down to see a copy of the Daily Prophet with none other than Lucius' smug face looking back up at him. He bent down and picked up the wet paper, careful not to rip it in its fragile state. The photo showed Lucius and Narcissa standing on an altar, both looking pleased with themselves. Lucius was wearing fine black dress robes and Narcissa a beaded white dress and held a bouquet of a variety of white flowers and pure white peacock feathers.
He quickly scanned the printed ink that had not run off with the rain. Lucius had married Narcissa just this morning. His heart skipped a beat as he read on, unable to tear his eyes away. It went on covering what a merger between such powerful families could mean and listed Lucius' many assets associated with Malfoy Enterprises.
There. Finally. At the very end of the article, where the ink had been slightly better preserved was what he had been searching for.
"The newly wed couple will live at the ancestral home of the Malfoy family in Wiltshire where Mr. Malfoy inherited Malfoy Manor from his late Father. The Manor and surrounding estate sit on nearly two hundred acres of land near the ancient site of Stonehenge…"
Ted threw the paper down and as the sound of the rain dissipated in the normally crowded alley, the pop of disapparition echoed for just a moment. The ink of the paper continued to run, creating a black blotch over the pristine picture of Lucius.
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"Don't!" Andromeda shouted.
"Do you think this means anything to me?" Lucius snarled. "That this… trinket would stop me?" He threw Ted's ring across the stall and the ring landed somewhere amongst the hay covering the floor. Andromeda pulled against the chains, knowing it was useless but unable to stop herself from trying.
"My ring didn't mean anything to you." He said darkly. "Tell me, how did you figure it out? That I could see you through it?"
Andromeda didn't want to talk to Lucius. She didn't want to look at Lucius. She didn't want to play this game of cat and mouse he seemed so fond of. She leaned back against the wall, letting it prop her up. But as long as he was talking he wasn't touching her, so she relented this much.
"I didn't." Andromeda answered simply. "Not until almost the end of school. In fact, it wasn't even me who figured it out. It was-" She stopped short. Saying his name would surely anger Lucius.
"Then why did you keep taking it off?" He asked, genuinely curious.
Andromeda gave a small sigh. What was the point in lying now? "I just didn't want to wear your ring when I was touching him."
It was strange to be able to talk to Lucius this way, almost freeing. She had been lying to him for so long that she was surprised how easy it was to finally be honest with him.
"At least you had enough shame to do that." He spat.
"It wasn't for you," Now that the truth was out she couldn't stop it. Why drag this out and put off the inevitable? "I didn't want him to see that on me, not if I could help it."
Lucius' eyes stormed as he stared at her. Andromeda stayed looking straight ahead, her head tilted slightly and a blank expression on her face. She had fought as hard as she could and it still hadn't been enough. She had let herself hope for a different life, one with Ted, but she should have known better.
He had really been in Knockturn Alley with them? She had heard his voice, but maybe it had been her mind playing tricks on her. Nothing about this seemed real right now. If he had somehow made his way there, would he have been able to find Howard's body? She hadn't been able to look away from Howard's body as Lucius' watch and her wand fell onto his chest. Ted would know exactly what those items were.
Would he come? She wasn't sure if she wanted him to or not. How could she stand seeing Lucius torture him in front of her if he was captured trying to rescue her? Andromeda shuddered as another cold wind blew through the stables, bringing with it the cleansing scent of rain just for a moment.
"Oh, he will see more than that, love," Lucius sneered nastily, gesturing to where the black pearl ring sat on the windowsill.
Andromeda stared at it for a moment, wondering if Ted could see her right now. More than likely a thief would happen upon it first and snatch up her wand along with the watch to bargain away. She closed her eyes thinking maybe that was a small mercy.
"You always knew it would come to this," Lucius' voice was soft, but she knew better than to expect kindness from him. "Deep down, you always knew you were mine."
"That's the thing," Andromeda swung her head towards him. "Deep down," She paused and his grey eyes lit up. "I never was."
Those same eyes turned cold and hard like granite. He pressed his thin lips together until they were as white as his hair. His hand landed on her leg, gripping it tight enough to bruise.
"You're not his anymore either," Lucius growled. "You're nothing now, Andromeda."
"Ted will come for me, you'll see, and when he does you're going to-"
Lucius struck her. Andromeda's chest rose and fell heavily and her cheek burned from his hand. His ring had torn the fair skin on her cheek and the cut burned as a salty tear slipped into it. Slowly she turned her face back towards him, meeting his rage filled eyes.
"If I ever hear that name come out of your mouth again-"
"You'll do what, Lucius?" Andromeda snapped. He seethed in anger as they squared off. "Beat me? Rape me? Kill me?" She pulled against the chains holding her arms up a little and the clanking of them was the only sound in between them.
Lucius' grey eyes turned blank for a moment and Andromeda wondered if she had pushed him too far. His lips barely moved as he uttered, "Crucio."
The pain was infinite. It vibrated in her bones, pulsing through her veins like hot acid. She could feel his malice in every inch of her body as it shook and writhed in agony. She pulled against the chains and felt them dig into her skin, tearing it, but that pain was nothing compared to the corrosive curse working itself over her.
As suddenly as it started it had stopped. Andromeda took in a shaky breath, not daring to push herself because she was sure that her chest had caved in. Slowly the horse stall came back into focus and finally Lucius himself. She had expected a nasty smirk on his face, but only saw a displeased frown.
"You know I would have treated you like a queen. All you had to do was love me back."
"Love?" Andromeda barked out a laugh. "Is this how you treat someone you claim to love?"
"You claimed to love me and look how you treated me!" He snarled nastily. "You…" He stopped for a moment, looking down at her and pushing a bit of his long blonde hair out of his face. "You told me you loved me."
"I had to!" Andromeda shouted back at him. "It was the only way to get you to-"
"Not then," Lucius answered, his voice lower now. "In the Labyrinth. You said that-"
"Lucius, we were children!" Andromeda argued.
"And then you kissed me." He said as something passed through his grey eyes for a moment.
"That…" Andromeda face pulled tight. "That was a long time ago."
"It was." Lucius answered frostily. "I don't love you anymore, Andromeda," He reached out and swiped his thumb over the blood on her cheek. Andromeda pulled her face away, knowing it was useless, but unable to allow him to touch her. "Because that morning when I saw you sleeping beside him…" His voice began to shake.
Andromeda watched his warily as Lucius' expression began to change back to that unfamiliar one. The cold creep of fear began to travel through her veins, still burning from the curse.
Lucius brought his pale grey eyes back up to hers. "I think I hate you more than I ever loved you."
Andromeda's chest tightened and she took larger breaths, but it still didn't seem enough. Lucius pulled her legs apart and she twisted, trying to keep him out, but there wasn't much she could do at this point. Lucius pulled them around himself and her resolve broke. A heavy sob was forced out of her chest and Lucius covered her mouth with his hand, smothering her cries.
"It doesn't feel all that different," He said, thinking deeply as he stared down at her. "The love, the hate…"
He was so heavy on her and she was already so weak…
Suddenly he pulled back, hissing in pain. Lucius pulled his left arm up against him as if he had been stung or burned. He gritted his teeth as he pulled his sleeve up and Andromeda saw the black mark of a snake coming out of a skull twisting painfully on his forearm, turning the skin around it an angry shade of red.
"Bloody Salazar, not now," He growled. Lucius' grey eyes cut back to hers and he saw the gleam of hope in them, just for a moment. It wrecked him inside. Even after all of this, after everything he had done to her, she would just not give up. She would never give in to him. "Fuck it," He growled and threw himself back down on her.
Andromeda screamed with the little breath she had left in her chest. No! He had been about to leave! She would have had a little while more to try to escape or hope someone found her and was willing to help her… Something… Anything… Anything but this.
Lucius pulled at her dress, tearing the neck of it slightly and his mouth descended on her, biting her skin mercilessly. She writhed under him, but to no avail.
"AH!" Lucius recoiled again and Andromeda saw the mark begin to burn red as if a brand had been held to it. Lucius looked down at it, loathingly and then back to Andromeda. She was breathing quickly, watching him to see what he was going to do. His Lord was angry with him and he would not be able to ignore the mark much longer.
"Don't look so pleased with yourself," Lucius spat. "This doesn't change anything, cunt," He snarled.
Andromeda couldn't help herself. She smirked nastily at him. "Better run along, Lucius, Master's calling."
His lip curled and he bared his teeth at her. She returned it with poison. She saw the gleaming silver of his ornately carved wedding band right before Lucius threw his fist into her face and she sunk back into the darkness once more.
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Ted shook the wrought iron bars viciously as he roared in frustration. He had found Malfoy Manor, tearing down the long gravel drive to be stopped by a tall, black gate that withstood every spell, curse, and enchantment he had thrown at it. He shook them with all his strength; the muscles in his arms bulging like ropes as he threw his weight back and forth.
He shouted her name until his voice was raw. He shouted for Lucius to come out and fight him. He called him every name he had ever heard, hoping to anger him enough to spur him into action. Still the Manor stayed shut and quiet.
"LET HER GO!" Ted shouted, chest heaving as he panted heavily. His hands were raw from gripping the iron gates. Fog rolled in from over the large hedge. He had tried that too; blasting his way through, climbing it, even just trying to claw through the tangled mess, but it was enchanted. Just like everything else here.
Ted leaned his head against the gate. He couldn't have come this far, just to be stopped when he was so close. He pulled Lucius' watch from his pocket and opened it. Andromeda was propped up against the wall in what looked like a large horse stall with her arms chained above her head. Her hair covered her face and her head was leaning against one of her arms, clearly unconscious.
Lucius was no longer there. He had checked the watch earlier and saw him crouched down beside her, wand pressed to her chest and blood spilling from her. He had snapped it shut and apparated again and again until he had found Malfoy's property line then followed it to the long drive that led to the wrought iron gate.
He felt a small bit of relief at the fact that she at least looked better than she had before. No blood, no cuts. But his heart felt like it had a freezing charm on it as he realized why Lucius had healed her, just so he could hurt her further.
His head and his heart ached. Lucius didn't have to come out. He had everything he wanted in there. He was probably standing in front of a window, watching Ted rage against his wards. Ted beat his fist against the gate, roaring in frustration as it built inside him; unable to release it on the man he wanted to.
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"Mistress,"
Narcissa rolled her eyes. These house elves were needy. She knew they were eager to please her and make a good impression but she had seen more of them than she had of Lucius today. The fact that he still hadn't returned irked her.
She had bathed, dressed, and fixed herself back to her normal standard of perfection hoping that her husband would return to the house soon. Honestly, how long could he stay in the stables?! She had half a mind to march down there and ask him herself… but she stayed her hand. Lucius liked her because she didn't do things like that. And she wasn't about to disappoint him the first day of being his wife.
"What is it now, Dotty?" She asked, rolling her eyes. The elf was tugging on her ear again. "Stop that." Narcisssa snapped and Dotty released her ear instantly. She smiled, pleased with her power over her new servant.
"Mistress," Dotty started again. "There is a man at the gate," Her high voice was nervous. "He is calling for the Master, but the Master is not here-"
"Not here?" Narcissa spun around quickly. "I thought you said he was in the stables."
"He was, Mistress," Dotty nodded, but her large green eyes stayed in place. "But Dotty's son said the Master was called away on business."
Narcissa huffed. She knew there would be times like these where Lucius would be busy with his work or other things and she would have to stand aside. But the reality of it was still grating at her. Her life had changed in a day, a single day, and she was still learning to accept all the new things that had been thrust upon her.
"Who is this man?" She asked tiredly. She was the Lady of the House now and when her husband was not available, the responsibilities fell to her shoulders.
"Dotty does not know him," She shook her head, ears flapping. "But he called the Master many, many bad names!" Her ears flapped harder as if she was trying to shake the words from them. "He also called for another," Dotty said carefully, bright green eyes watching Narcissa for any sign of anger or cruelty.
"Who?" She asked.
"I believe her to be the Mistress' sister?" Dotty said warily. "Master does not allow Dotty to say her name anymore."
Andromeda.
Narcissa froze in place. Too many thoughts swirled in her head and she quickly boiled them back down to the facts that she knew. Andromeda was alive. Lucius had left to find her. Lucius had come back and gone to the stables. Lucius had left again on 'business'. Ted Tonks was at the gate.
Chances were his business was hunting Andromeda. She would not have put it past her sister to slip away from him again and he might have returned to take out one of his horses on the hunt. She couldn't know for sure and Narcissa was desperate for news of her Husband and her Sister. Both Lucius and Andromeda were currently missing, but Ted was right here.
"Take me to him." She ordered.
.
.
.
The fog rolled down the path and cut in between the iron posts of the gate, slipping through like it was the easiest thing in the world. Ted felt its coolness slide over him, the moisture of it mixing with the sweat of his exertion. He opened the watch again to see Andromeda just as still as she was before. At least there was still no sign of Lucius.
Something moved in the mist and caught his eye. It was plenty dark now and hard to see, but the light blonde hair shone out brightly in the inky night. His blood rose up and Ted gripped the iron bars with surprising strength. But as the figure moved closer he saw that it was too short and much too small to be Lucius.
"Narcissa!" Ted shouted out, pushing himself against the gate. "Narcissa, he has her. Lucius has her." The jig was up. He was putting it all on the line right now. "Andromeda- she's alive!"
"I know." Narcissa said coolly as she stepped out from the fog to stand in front of him. She hated Ted. Hated him because Andromeda chose a life with this Mudblood over one with her and Bella.
"You… You know?" Ted asked in disbelief. Had she given up her wand for nothing? Had Bellatrix turned on them after all? It didn't matter now. "Narcissa, you've got to help me-"
"I'm not doing anything for you, Mudblood," She spat.
"You don't know him!" Ted roared and pulled at the gate again. Narcissa took a hurried step back. "He's torturing her!"
"Lucius isn't even here," Narcissa sneered.
"Help me," Ted pleaded. "Help me save her. Please!" He opened the watch and held it out to Narcissa, hoping the image of her sister would jar her into action.
Narcissa turned her nose up. "Get off of my property." She said nastily. "Before I make you."
"Narcissa, please," Ted shoved the watch further towards her. "He's going to…" Ted couldn't even say the words. Narcissa glared at him with icy blue eyes and began to turn away. "He's got her in the stables!" Ted shouted.
Narcissa paused.
"If you won't let me in, at least let her out," Ted's voice was full of emotion. "Please, I'll do anything you want. Just… help us…"
Narcissa closed her eyes and swallowed. She wrapped her arms around herself. She knew it wasn't true, but the hate she had cultivated when she thought Ted had been responsible for Andromeda's death had not left her. He might not have gotten her killed, but he had taken her away and intended to keep her all for himself. Most of all, he had said 'us'.
"Why should I?" She rounded on him. "You're the reason she's in this mess in the first place! If you would have just stayed away then she would still be my sister!" Narcissa shouted.
"She is!" Ted countered. "Loving me doesn't stop her from loving you-"
"YES IT DOES!" Narcissa shouted. "She can't be my sister and your wife!"
Ted pressed his lips together. Her hate for him had grown strong and he wondered if it had surpassed her love for her sister. There was no reasoning with her, she would never see their side of it. "You're right," Ted snarled. "She can't be both."
Narcissa blinked her clear blue eyes in surprise.
"And she chose me," Ted argued. "She wants to be with me. She wants to marry me! But your husband has her chained up in a barn!"
Ted was fuming, his breath coming in short gasps, his muscles taunt and straining. If Narcissa walked away and left him here, he wasn't sure what he would do. She was his last hope, his only chance…
"She's here?" Narcissa asked quietly as if just hearing this for the first time.
"Yes. She's here. Your sister is here." Ted said quickly. "Help me save her!"
Narcissa bit her lip. She had sworn a Vow to obey her husband. But if he really had Andromeda in the stables… She glanced back towards the grounds.
"You know what he will do to her," Ted said darkly. "You've seen it."
Narcissa looked back at him. She had seen Lucius marks on her sister's skin before and bore a few of them herself now. She wouldn't call what Lucius had done gentle, but it hadn't been to the caliber she had seen on Andromeda. If she helped Ted, what then would he do to her?
"You have to help me," Ted pleaded. "You just have to."
Narcissa's eyes turned icy. "I don't have to do anything. I think I will wait for my husband to come back and let him deal with you," She spat before turning on her heel.
Ted pulled at the bars again, bellowing in rage. "NARCISSA!" Ted shouted. "If you walk away now, you've as good as killed her yourself!"
His words stopped her.
Her blonde hair moved like silk and she swung back around, blue eyes as cold as glaciers. "You're the one who's done this. All of this," She snarled.
"LET ME IN!" Ted boomed, shaking the gate until the metal clanged and clattered. "LET ME IN!"
Narcissa pulled back, fear evident on her small face.
Ted slowly began to pull at the bars, using every ounce of his strength and slowly one began to creak. Narcissa's eyes widened nervously and she pulled out her wand, training it on him.
"Stop!" She ordered, but Ted gritted his teeth, sweat pouring down his forehead as he continued to try and pry the bars apart. "Stop it!" Her voice raised an octave.
"Let," Ted grunted. "Me." His arms shook with the effort. "In."
A stream of light erupted from her wand and hit the metal of the gate. It bounced back and Narcissa yelped, dodging out of the way as it rebounded back towards her.
Her blonde hair fell into her face and she pushed it back as she began to gather herself up on the ground. She looked up to see Ted sprawled out on the ground on the other side of the gate, chest heaving up and down. He wrapped his hands around the bars of the gate and used it to pull himself up. She saw something deep and dark in his brown eyes as he wrapped his fists around the bars again and began to pull, gritting his teeth.
Narcissa glanced around quickly, wishing she hadn't sent Dotty back inside already. Her small mouth opened slightly as she watched sweat pour down the side of Ted's face as the bars began to move. She gripped her wand tightly wondering what on Earth she would do when he made his way through. His dark blonde hair was plastered against his forehead and a heavy grunt escaped him and the bars slowly moved apart.
Many thoughts raced through her mind. She was out here all alone with a wizard who was about to break into Malfoy Manor intent on overcoming every obstacle in his way to his goal. Something inside her sparked coldly. Andromeda so easily ensnared everyone she came across. Ted was willing to break into Malfoy Manor for her, Lucius was willing to spend his wedding night hunting her down…
She watched his hands turn red as they gripped the bars tightly. These were the hands that had held Andromeda the morning she had found them together, the hands that had slipped an engagement ring onto her Sister's hand, the hands that were going to wield a wand against her husband if Lucius returned in time.
If he returned in time…
Lucius had left her side to go find another woman who didn't even want him. She had tried to deny it, but she couldn't say that didn't hurt. She had given Lucius everything and he had spent the better part of their wedding day with Andromeda instead of her.
Her chest burned with a cold fire of jealousy. Andromeda had chosen Ted over her. She had chosen death over coming back. And still Lucius had chased after her. She thought her dreams had been realized when she married Lucius at dawn, but with Andromeda still in the picture, she would never have the life she so badly craved.
Narcissa waved her wand and the gates swung open with a loud creak. Ted's face fell in surprise. His hands fell to his sides as he panted, staring into her deep ocean blue eyes with a look of disbelief.
"You'll take her?" Narcissa asked quickly. "You'll take her away, right?"
Ted merely nodded, clearly having trouble comprehending reality right now.
"The stables are behind the Manor, on the right side of the grounds. If you stick to the tree line you might make it unseen. I'll do what I can to clear your way." She was surprised at her own calmness, but somehow she suddenly felt more herself than she had in weeks. Andromeda had chosen her life and now Narcissa was choosing hers.
Ted's dark eyes studied her carefully. "Why are you helping me? Why now?"
Narcissa raised her chin and stared back into Ted's rich brown eyes.
"I'm not helping you. I'm helping me."
.
.
.
These stables were definitely not a barn. The large structure had been built to hold almost an entire herd of horses in comfort and safety. No rusted railings or peeling red paint were to be found, instead the Malfoy stables gleamed as white as the horses within.
Ted could hear them inside, shuffling around. He heard a creaky old voice singing a soft song as it passed through checking on the horses before the owner of the voice turned the corner, walking out of the stables. Ted ducked behind a tree to see a house elf, bent over with age walk out to light up a pipe. He took a deep drag off of it and blew out purple colored smoke that drifted lazily, meeting with the passing fog and disappearing into it.
Ted was looking around for another way to get in when a much smaller, much younger elf joined the elder.
"All horses bedded and feded!" He squeaked, green eyes shining bright.
"Good lad," The older elf grunted.
"Can Dobby go up to the house now, sir?" The smaller elf asked.
"No, you must stay here until the Master returns." He croaked and blew out another puff of purple smoke.
Dobby's ears wilted a little in disappointment. "My Mother, Sir, she worries..."
"Aye, and with good reason," The elder elf said. "That big one there," He nodded to a horse inside the stables. "He's the one that knocked in your Father's head," He said with a nod.
Lucius was a cruel master, treating his horses much better than he did his elves. He knew Andromeda was sure to suffer the same cruelty. He ducked his head back around the tree, hoping to see another way in.
"Don't worry, lad. The Master's meeting is sure to be over soon. He should return shortly and he will want us out of the way when he does."
Ted felt a cold wave pass through him. Lucius could be on his way here right now! He knew house elves had powerful magic and he couldn't run on adrenaline forever, but he didn't know if there was any other way to get past them…
"Grumio! Dobby!" Narcissa's voice cut over the grounds. Ted followed it to see her on a high stone terrace coming off of the back of the house. "Come up to the house!"
Grumio coughed and stood up. "Mistress, The Master will want to inspect-"
"The Mistress," Narcissa cut him off. "Wants you up here. Now."
Ted knew this was her way of helping him. He didn't understand exactly why she was doing this, but right now he didn't care. If it got him to Andromeda, he was on board. The house elves made their way across the grounds and up towards the house. Ted waited until he thought they would not be able to see him and moved quickly and quietly towards the stables.
He hoped that the few minutes of rest behind the tree would not cost him precious time, but had needed to catch his breath as well. Not to mention the deep ache in his arms from the gate, especially the one that Lucius had Goyle break. Had that really only been two weeks? It seemed almost like a lifetime ago.
The horses startled and spooked as his scent reached them. He had never spent much time around large animals like this and did his best to make soothing noises to calm them so they would not arouse suspicion. He didn't know if there were other elves roaming around or what else Lucius might employ as guards.
He checked stalls as he passed them, but they either were empty or held beautiful, white horses.
As he reached the end he glanced down to the watch again, just to make sure she was still there. She had moved slightly and her head was leaning the other way now and he could see a dark bruise forming on her cheek surrounding a nasty looking cut. Ted clicked the watch shut and crept forward.
Finally he saw her. He could have whooped or cried in joy at the sight of her again, but his happiness drained from him quickly. The watch had shown her to him, but seeing her in person, he saw the runes carved on the chains, her torn dress, and the bite marks on her neck.
Ted opened the half door and ducked inside, sliding to his knees at her side. His hands were shaking as he reached up to cup her face in them.
Andromeda began to stir, giving a small moan and pulled at the chains, making them clink together slightly.
Then she pulled back from him quickly, yanking her face out of his hands and pulling her legs up around her, trying to get as much of her away from him as she could.
"Hey hey hey!" Ted said quickly in the same gentle voice he had used to calm the horses. "Dromeda, it's me!"
Her honey eyes finally landed on him and she stared at him slackly, like she didn't think he was really there.
"It's me, baby," Ted reached for her again and rested his forehead against hers. "It's me."
"Teddy?" She asked tearfully.
Ted ran his fingers through her hair, taking a moment to comfort her.
"I'm here," He tried to stop his voice from cracking.
"You came…" Tears slipped down her face.
"Of course I came," Ted sniffed. "Did you think I was going to leave you?"
"I…" Andromeda swallowed a sob. "I'm so sorry! About the ring, about… About Howard…"
Ted braced himself against the wave of sorrow that passed through him at the mention of his best friend. "Let's get you out of here, okay?" Ted said, not wanting to dwell on that right now. Howard gave his life to protect her and he wasn't about to let his sacrifice go to waste. He reached up and fiddled with the chains. "How do these come off?" He said under his breath.
"They're enchanted," Andromeda explained as she struggled to sit up farther. She turned her eyes up at them.
"Is there a key?" Ted asked, turning them over and checking them.
"No," Andromeda shook her head. "They will open with a phrase, like a password."
"Fuck," Ted swore. "How are we supposed to guess that?" Andromeda winced as the chains pulled tightly against her wrists. "They are bolted into the wall…" Ted ran his hand over them, looking for any weak spots. "I don't think I would be able to break it down-"
"Ted."
"Maybe I could try blasting around it?" He patted the wood around the large metal bolts.
"Ted."
"But I don't want to hurt you," He muttered, thinking hard on how to get either Andromeda out of the chains or at least the chains from the wall.
"But where's the fun in that?" Lucius drawled from behind him.
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A/N: Okay so I didn't originally plan on ending it here, but the chapter just kept getting longer and longer and I wanted to get it up today and the rest of it still needs work so you get a chapter, but you also get another cliff hanger.
Please please please review. I know this fic is darker and more intense than StB and I know it doesn't have as much of a following either so every review really helps. I think doing a part two with bits of the rest of their lives is something I would really like to do, but if people aren't that into it then I'm not sure?
Working on the next chapter this weekend so I might be updating it sooner rather than later!