Chapter 20 - Of Captivity
The purpose of torture is not getting information. It's spreading fear.
Eduardo Galeano
Harry tried to shake himself into consciousness as quick as he could. He'd been drifting in and out since he'd been hit by the unknown spell. Harry had felt the effects of the spell straight away as it knocked him out. He had been unable to fight it off. His mind was completed clouded. Painstakingly he opened his eyes. The cell he was in wasn't very well lit. He heard sniffling off to his right and tried to turn his head. He heard the chinking of chains and quickly realised he had limited mobility.
His whole body was aching. His arms were chained above his head; he was tied up such a way his toes only just scraped the ground.
"Harry?" he heard.
"Ron," he croaked.
"Oh, Merlin, Harry," he heard an almost hysterical voice.
Harry's eyes adjusted in the dark room.
They looked like they were in the dungeons. Somewhere quite deep. The cold damp walls were reminiscent of the school's dungeons, except these dungeons weren't as well kept. It was a huge space and Harry noticed he was kept in a cell by himself. As was Neville, in the next cell over, tied up in the same manner as Harry.
"Who else is here?" he asked.
"They got a lot of us," Ron was saying. "Hermione, Luna, Lavender, some fourth years and-"
"Is Luna badly hurt? Where is she?"
"She's okay, just a few scrapes. She still knocked out; they hit her with three stunners when they took her."
"How long have I been out?"
"We don't know. A few hours, maybe more. We were knocked out as well."
"How badly is everyone hurt?"
"I don't know."
"They took all our wands," Neville spoke up, his voice hoarse.
"Does anyone know what happened?"
"We were doing okay defending ourselves until the giants came," Ron said grimly. "They literally started knocking houses over, pulling up trees by the roots. I was with Luna defending some thirds years when we got hit from behind. They grabbed me and Luna and portkeyed us somewhere really fast. They were ready with stunners before we could even get our bearings."
Now that he was awake, Harry found his breathing even more difficult. His ribs were on fire, his head throbbed and he felt every ache in his body. All their preparations, everything they'd accomplished in the Chamber of Secrets test, all their practicing and they had never taken into account the giants attacking, even though they had read several articles in the Daily Prophet were Voldemort had used them. Even Harry didn't think Voldemort would utilise such force against Hogwarts.
"Did you recognise anyone?" Harry asked.
"No, they were all wearing masks," Hermione said in a small voice.
Harry tried to think clearly, but it was difficult when all he wanted to do was close his eyes again.
"The coins," Harry said, "can we use our coins? Will they work?"
"They emptied our pockets, Harry," Lavender spoke in sob. "They took everything from us."
"It's okay," Harry tried to assure her. "Dumbledore, Moody, the Ministry, they'll all be looking for us. You know your parents will be frantic, they'll be doing everything they can to get us out of here."
Lavender sniffled.
Harry's eyes had adjusted to the dark, and he could start to make out everyone's locations. Luna was in the same cell as Ron, still unconscious. Ron stood holding the bars, pulling on them to try and shift them with his strength.
Experimentally, Harry tried to yank on the chains, the manacles digging painfully into his wrists. All he ended up doing was flailing like a fish on a hook as his feet couldn't find purchase on the ground. He gave up with a grunt, still swaying as the chains clinked each other.
Hermione was in the cell next to Neville. The fourth years were huddled in together in a cell a little further down. Harry recognised a couple of them from the DA. He scanned the dungeon to see there were way more than he'd thought. He'd been unable to see them because there was very little light. He counted roughly thirty students who'd been abducted.
He didn't know what to do. He didn't have a plan. He didn't know how many Death Eaters they were up against, or where they were, or whether Voldemort was around. His scar wasn't hurting. Ever since Voldemort had tried to possess him and failed he'd felt no pain. He suspected that wouldn't be the same if Voldemort was in close proximity.
The lamps suddenly lit and Harry blinked at the sudden light. They heard the clanging of the dungeon doors being opened. Harry watched shocked as more captured students were shoved into random cells, the Death Eaters leading them laughing and jeering, rattled the bars like wild apes.
The number of captives had tripled. There were close to ninety of them stuffed into the cells. The formerly huge dungeons now seemed small and cramped as all but Harry and Neville's cells were filled.
Hermione tried to comfort the younger boys and girls who'd been added to her cell. Harry and the others yelled to get the Death Eater's attention but apart from more rattling of cages they were ignored.
Harry looked around helplessly at the students who were prisoners together.
How were they going to get out?
No one spoke, too terrified. He recognised a fair few of them from the DA. He shook his head in despair at the sight when he'd spotted them; Malfoy, Crabbe and Parkinson, and a few others of who he'd considered non-friendly Slytherins.
They looked as uncertain and anxious as the rest of them. Apart from the occasional sob and a lot of sniffles there was quiet in the dungeons.
"Did anyone count how many Death Eater there are?" Harry asked eventually.
"I only saw fourteen come in with - with - you know, just now," Hermione spoke up.
"I spotted 2 or 3 outside," Ron said.
"There were lots more upstairs. Close to twenty," one of the newer captives Harry recognised as a fourth year Ravenclaw.
Harry tried to think through. Close to 40 Death Eaters. Just under one hundred prisoners. Harry and Neville were tied up. No one had their wands.
Harry asked the question anyway, just to make sure.
"They took everything, even the fake Weasley wands," a seventh year said.
Harry tried to stretch a little to relieve the ache in his arms.
"H-how, how are we getting out of here?" he heard someone speak up from a cage in the far corner.
"We need a plan," Harry said firmly after a minute. "But we don't know what we're up against. We need to find out more information. There could be more Death Eaters."
"Did everyone get portkeyed to the same place?" Hermione asked.
There were murmurs of affirmation all around.
"The bars are magically strengthened," Hermione said after examining her cage. "I can see the runes they're used to make them stronger."
"Can we scrape them off?" Ron asked. "The runes, I mean. If we scraped them off could we get out of here?"
"It could work," Hermione said, after thinking about it. "If we scraped off the runes, it would get rid of the magic strengthening it, but we would still need to find a way to break through the bars, because they're strong enough by themselves."
"Also, what you haven't thought of is what you're going to use to scrape off the runes with," Malfoy sneered. "Your plan is awful."
"One, no one asked you. Two, I don't see you coming up anything better. Three, what are you doing here anyway? Mummy and Daddy send you down here to spy on us?" Ron snarled.
"Shut your mouth Weasel. You're not getting out of here with half-arsed plans like that," Malfoy taunted.
"At least we're trying," Ron argued back. "We don't need advice from a Death Eater in training like you anyway."
"If you can't say anything intelligent Weasley, then you shouldn't open that trap of yours at all."
"Shut up. Both of you," Hermione snapped.
"We're all stuck here; trapped. We need to think of ways to get out of here," Lavender added, her voice stronger.
"Malfoy is right though," Hermione reluctantly admitted. "We don't have anything to rub the runes off with."
Harry only listened half heartedly. He was more worried about Luna, who still hadn't woken up.
"Ron, check Luna. Please. Why hasn't she woken up yet?" Harry prompted.
Ron nodded and knelt beside her, the others sharing their cell shifting out of his way. Ron had already arranged Luna so she was lying comfortably as possible on her back. He cautiously placed his hand on her shoulder.
"Luna, wake up. Luna?"
They were rewarded with a light groan.
Harry heaved a sigh of relief. She was awake at last.
"Ron," she said groggily as he helped her sit up. "Where are we? Where's Harry?"
"I'm here, Luna. I'm right here," Harry called.
Luna stood up with the support of Ron and limped towards the front of the cell so she could see him better. She winced as she placed her weight on her right leg with every step, but she kept moving.
Hermione quickly explained what had happened and what they were trying to do. She squinted as she looked for the runes that Hermione had spotted.
"We don't have anything to scrape them with though," Hermione said, disappointed.
"They emptied out our pockets," Lavender said.
Luna leaned against the bars and used them to help her sit down. She then proceeded to take off her left show and sock and Harry winced at the amount of blood.
"I think this fell into my shoe when the buildings came down. It cut my foot quite badly, so it is a little sharp, but I don't know how effective it would be for what you need," Luna said, holding out a jagged piece of piece of glass covered in her blood.
Ron took the glass from Luna and examined it.
"Mental," he said, passing it to Hermione through the bars. He came back to Luna and helped bandage up her bad foot, with her own sock and a scarf donated by Lavender.
"Thank you," Luna said simply as she tested her foot.
"It's going to take a while. But we still don't know what's up there or where to go if we get out of the dungeons," Hermione said despairingly.
"Are you hurt anywhere else Luna?" Harry asked.
"Just my foot, Harry. You look like they beat you pretty badly," Luna pointed out as she was commenting on the weather.
Harry had to smile at that. That was his Luna, never fazed by anything.
"Only before they portkeyed me here," Harry said.
"Is that it?" A seventh year Hufflepuff spoke up. "That's the plan? Hack away at the bars with a crappy piece of glass."
"That's not a plan," his friend piped in.
"What are you going to do to get us out of here Potter?" Another voice demanded.
"What are you going to do get yourself out of here Jones?" Harry demanded right back. "I'm injured and tied up. Without a wand, just like any of you. You have more of a chance to get out of here than I do. I'm not anything special. I'm just unfortunate enough to be targeted. You want to be saved? You come up with a plan that sounds better than the one we have right now. We need to stick together right now. Not squabble like five year olds."
The seventh years reluctantly back down under the combined glares of others.
Before anyone could say anything further they interrupted with another loud clang of the dungeon doors opening and Harry desperately hoped they weren't going to pack dungeons with more prisoners. Hermione hastily slipped the glass shard in her pocket.
Harry recognised the cackle straight away. It was worse, he realised as the door swung open to reveal Bellatrix LeStrange.
"What precious little goodies do we have here?" she said as she strode in, a dark glint in her eyes, flocked by men Harry recognised as werewolves. They were nothing like the gentle Remus Lupin. They were dirty and feral and looked happy to be more animal than human.
"It's itty bitty baby Potter," she sang in delight as she came to stand in front of his cage. Then walked passed him and stopped in front of Neville's cage.
Neville locked his jaws and glared at Bellatrix but didn't say anything. She laughed as if charmed and used her wand to rattle against the cages as she continued to walk around the dungeon.
She stopped again as she saw Draco Malfoy. He stepped back as she stepped closer.
"Draco," she said delightedly, "my sweet little nephew. You look just like your father. Are you as cowardly as he is as well?"
Malfoy silently glared.
"Answer me," she screeched again, in anger this time.
"My father is not a coward," Malfoy said eventually, as everyone watched.
"Then where is he, you stupid boy. He ran away as soon as he heard we were going to attack. Took your mother and went into hiding. Left you behind. Tell me, nephew. Where are your parents? Couldn't they have taken you as well? Left you here to rot with the mudbloods and blood traitors."
Malfoy swallowed, but didn't say anything.
"Crucio," Bellatrix cast lazily, and clapped as her nephew fell to his knees, twitching and screaming.
"Stop it! Stop it!" Pansy Parkinson cried, kneeling helplessly besides Malfoy.
Bellatrix held the spell a few seconds longer. Her companions guffawed as if they'd seen a hilarious prank. Ron's face had turned pale.
Malfoy gasped a huge gulp of air as Bellatrix released the spell. He collapsed completely, Pansy was in tears beside him as she and Crabbe helped turn him over. Malfoy's face was beaded in sweat as Pansy cradled him against her.
"Like music to my ears," Bellatrix sighed. "I'm going to be listening to a lot of music."
She giggled as she walked back.
"Make yourselves comfortable," she said loftily. "You're going to be here an awful long time. Especially you baby Potty. All lovely and wrapped up. All ready for my Master. Your screams will make the best music."
She twirled her wand carelessly as she walked out again.
"Tomorrow you will all sing such beautiful songs for me," Bellatrix laughed, striding out of the dungeons with her pack of mutts.
Harry was exhausted from having his arms above his head. His arms ached fiercely, his ribs were on fire and he hadn't slept all night. No one had. Many students had drifted in and out, but with Bellatrix LeStranges threat of torture hanging over their heads, peaceful sleep was the last thing on anyone's mind.
Draco Malfoy had recovered from his bout of crucio but he was paler than normal, and hadn't looked anyone in the eye since.
No one had come in to given them any food since they'd been captured, and there was no way to get any water either.
"What do you think they're going to do to us?" a third year Ravenclaw asked timidly.
"They're going to torture us, you dolt. What do you think they're going to do?!" an upper year answered.
Harry didn't say anything. There was no way to sugar coat anything. Bellatrix was clearly not right in the head. Harry didn't know if she was this fanatic before her incarceration to Azkaban or if spending over a decade in the wizard prison had unhinged her completely, but pain was her best friend and if she wanted music in form of screams then they were helpless to do anything.
He didn't know if he was the target when they'd raided Hogmeade, but he was here and at their mercy so he knew that he was a bonus; not to mention Hermione, Ron, Neville and Luna who were also present at the Battle of the Ministry. They were the reasons Voldemort had failed get his hands on the prophecy and Voldemort being ousted to the general public. It was a small mercy that Ginny hadn't been captured as well.
The Death Eaters had stripped everyone of everything, including their watches, so they couldn't even tell how much time had passed.
Neville was hanging limply from his chains; the blood on his forehead had dried. They were all helpless, with no plan and no real prospect of one at the moment. Hermione had diligently scraped away at the runes, but Harry could tell it was slow going and it was a long shot by far that it would even work. But Harry couldn't take away their hope.
As the dungeon doors clanged open, the moment they'd been dreading finally arrived. It had already felt like days since he'd been hanging. Harry felt certain that the Death Eaters had left them for as long as possible to their own imaginations to heighten their fears.
One look at the expression of anticipation of on Bellatrix's face confirmed this.
"Ready to sing for me my darlings?" Bellatrix crooned. She walked in alone, twirling her wand between her fingers. They all watched her progress.
"Let's start with my darling little nephew. Tell me, Draco. Where is my lovely sister?"
"I - I don't know," he said, hesitantly.
"Little liar," she laughed, almost affectionately. "Crucio!"
She swayed dreamily as Malfoy fell to his knees immediately twitching and screaming. She ended the spell.
"Where is Lucius?"
Malfoy took a huge gasp of air as he tried to still his twitching muscles.
"I don't know," he said, his voice hoarse.
"Crucio!"
Malfoy screamed again.
His cell mates stepped back, looking helplessly on.
"Stop it! Stop it! Stop cursing him!" Neville yelled eyes wide.
Bellatrix ended the curse. Malfoy stopped screaming immediately and tried to crawl away as best as his twitching muscles would allow.
"Longbottom," Bellatrix said, wonderingly. "Didn't like that, did we? Remind you of mummy and daddy?"
Neville thrashed in his chains.
"You are going to die, you bitch!"
Bellatrix laughed madly.
"Little baby Longbottom feeling mad? What about you Longbottom? How long do you think you'll last under the curse? Hmm? How long before the baby is sharing a ward with mummy and daddy?"
"Is this what you're reduced to?" Harry taunted, drawing Bellatrix's attention to himself. "Is this the price of failure?"
"What do you mean Potty?" Bellatrix said, eyes narrowed, making her way towards him.
"I thought you were Voldemort's best lieutenant. But you've been reduced to nothing more than a glorified baby sitter."
"I am the most loyal, the most dedicated, the most devoted of all Death Eaters to my Master," Bellatrix screeched. "He trusts me more than anyone else."
"Of course he does," Harry patronised. "That's why you're here child-minding. All by yourself. And your pack of dogs. That's just an escape waiting to happen. Do you really think you can keep us, all of us, behind bars for long?"
Bellatrix laughed again.
"You're in a fortress, Potter. You'll never step out of these cells, let alone the castle. Do you think I have just those mangy werewolves guarding your doors? This is your home for as long as you still have breath in your body. And you will not be breathing for too long."
"I am the Boy Who Lived. Your Master has tried to kill me, several times. You think you can do better than he can? You can't touch me. I bet you're not allowed to."
"Is that what you think Potter?"
"Voldemort won't be happy. He cares about me very much, you know. "
"Is that so, Potter?" Bellatrix cackled.
"His timing is little off this time though," Harry said, as though concerned. "He usually waits until exams are over at least."
"How hard did you hit your head, Potter?" Bellatrix said, her eyes narrowed.
"Voldemort cares very much about my education you know," said Harry.
"You dare mock my Master?" Bellatrix said, quickly losing any amusement.
"He cares more about me than he does about you," Harry said, with a smile on his face. "If you went missing tomorrow, would he look for you? If I went missing, he'd moved mountains to find out where I am."
"You keep telling yourself that Potter."
"No, Bella-bitch. You keep telling yourself that," Harry said with a smirk.
"Crucio," Bellatrix hissed angrily.
Harry thrashed in his chains, refusing to scream. If the bitch wanted him to sing she would need to work for it. His already aching body felt like it was on fire. It had been over a year since Voldemort had last performed the curse on him and the memories must have dulled over time because this was worse than he remembered.
His friends cried for Bellatrix to stop.
"You didn't sing for me Potty," Bellatrix pouted, releasing him from the spell.
Harry struggled for breath.
"I don't have the best voice," Harry managed to croak.
"You let me be the judge of that, Potter. Crucio!"
Harry bit down on his lip, suppressing his screams. His body twitched and convulsed.
"You're very stubborn, Potter," Bellatrix snarled.
"I'm a Gryffindor," Harry said, ruefully.
"You'll be begging soon," she announced.
She raised her wand and cast the cruciatus on him again.
All Harry wanted was for the pain to stop.
Just give her what she wants. Let it out! A part of his mind urged. But he refused to give in.
"Please stop. Stop it," Hermione sobbed, over the yells of the others.
Bellatrix ended the spell, clearly annoyed.
"You shut your mouth, mudblood. Perhaps you're just eager to sing for me," Bellatrix whirled around, waving her wand threateningly at Hermione.
Hermione, who had pressed herself against the bars in desperation, stepped back in fear as Bellatrix advanced. Harry used the respite to gulp down some much needed air.
"Stay away from her," Ron yelled.
"Do you want to be next blood traitor?"
"Do your worst," Ron said bravely.
Bellatrix took a step toward Ron. Before she could lift her wand the doors clanged open and one of the werewolves guards rushed in.
"You're needed upstairs, LeStrange," the werewolf said in resentful tones.
Bellatrix sneered and without a word stalked out of the dungeons.
"You shouldn't keep provoking her, Harry," Hermione pleaded the minute the doors shut. "Yeah, and what was all that about Harry? About Voldemort caring about you?" Ron demanded.
"If he didn't, then why would he usually wait until after exams are over before he attacks me?" Harry said hoarsely, convulsing muscles causing him to swing on his chains. He was drenched his sweat, his t-shirt sticking to him. He knew realistically that he was probably not even held under the Cruciatus curse for long than 10 minutes if that, but it felt like hours.
"You're mental, Potter." Scoffed one of the students from the back.
"Think about it," Harry said, closing his eyes.
Ron had look of intense concentration on his face as he remembered back to their former years.
"You're right," he said, wonderingly.
Harry didn't say anything.
"He is one twisted psychopath," Ron griped.
"We already knew that, Ron," Neville said, a little bit confused.
"Yeah but - exams you know. They're not easy. If he was going to attack at least time it right," Ron complained.
Harry couldn't help it. He let out a small laugh.
"Are you going mad, Harry?" Neville asked fearfully.
"According to the Daily Prophet last year; I already am," Harry stated.
He opened his eyes slowly and found himself staring straight into Luna's solemn ones. Luna had remained calm and quiet throughout it all, but even Harry could see the tears glistening in her eyes.
"The nargles are strong with Bellatrix LeStrange. They might decide to take over you, Harry." Harry didn't know what to say to that, except; "Better me than you, Luna."
"How are you doing with the runes?" Neville asked Hermione, to distract them.
"Slowly," Hermione said, getting to work, clearly not happy.
"We need another plan," Neville said plaintively.
"I know," Hermione sighed, pausing in her rune scraping.
"She said we're in fortress," Luna reminded them.
"That really doesn't tell us anything," Ron pointed out.
"She said we'll never be able to get past these cells," Neville said.
"Does that mean we're warded in?" Lavender asked.
"It's a possibility," Hermione said, thoughtfully.
"We're not getting out, are we?" Pansy piped in.
"We are," Harry said resolutely. "People will come and rescue us, but we are not helpless. We are not going to make this easy. We need to stick together ad stay strong."
Harry knew that the Order would do everything they could to rescue them, but he hoped they could remain strong until then. Even Harry knew he would break at some point. He needed to last as long as possible for Luna, he thought to himself as looked into her eyes.
Some words were so easy to say but the actions themselves weren't as easy to follow. Close to three weeks had passed since they'd been held captive. Despite the fact there was over a hundred students captured, helpless and scared, not a single one was spared from a crucio.
They'd quickly learned to keep quiet; defiance was not appreciated by the Death Eaters. Most of them, according to Bellatrix, sung beautifully for her. Apart from the odd crucio, most of them were spared from the attentions of Bellatrix and her ilk.
For the most part, Bellatrix concentrated on breaking Harry and Neville. The two Gryffindors were the ones who got the most attention from the Death Eaters who came down to the dungeons to 'play'. They hadn't seen real light for weeks. The torches were kept dim, until the tortures began and the whole dungeons were lit up like a Peter Pan play.
They were fed stale scraps of bread and meat that smelled. They were hungry and thirsty. Water was the most precious thing they'd tried to ration but it didn't last long. The students couldn't help but take swigs instead of sipping. No one had any energy, and sleep was taken in drips and drabs because the Death Eaters took turns to come down to inflict them with more curses.
Harry's t-shirt had been ripped to shreds days ago. His whole upper body was covered with his own blood, dried, congealed and fresh. His slacks were soaked with blood dripping down his back.
None of his wounds were healed. They'd just scabbed over and were torn afresh every night courtesy of Bellatrix and her wand.
Neville was in similar condition. Apart from Harry and Neville, Draco Malfoy was the only other one Bellatrix bestowed her attention on. The only difference was Malfoy wasn't shackled by his wrist.
Malfoy was being tortured for information for his parent's whereabouts. So far he hadn't broken; if he even knew where they were.
"Why haven't we been rescued yet?" Jones asked.
No one had an answer.
Harry spoke through dry cracked lips, "We will get out. I don't where we are. But the Death Eaters have thought this through. They've been planning this for a while, months maybe. Breaking us out won't be easy, but we can't give up."
"Harry is right," Hermione said the right side of her face bruised and swollen from when she'd tried to fight back. She held her left wrist gingerly.
Ron was in little better shape, refusing to back down when Luna was threatened. Which was one of the reason Luna escaped mostly unscathed, not that she didn't try to defend the other's in the cell as well.
The dungeon door clanged open. Everyone stilled; each hoping they would not be tortured.
They held their breaths as the footsteps came closer. Harry tried to swallow his dry throat and prepared himself. Half his body was on fire and the other half was numb.
Harry listened carefully and realised that there was more than one set of footsteps echoing. Bellatrix was not alone. He wondered who was with her this time. The werewolves? New recruits? The more experienced Death Eaters who knew older more painful curses?
Bellatrix's cackles preceded her. They all visibly tensed.
"How are my little babies?" she asked the room.
But Harry wasn't paying attention to Bellatrix. Harry's green eyes caught the obsidian black eyes of Severus Snape.
"I've brought you a special guest," Bellatrix announced, as if she'd brought them Merlin.
Snape's cold eyes swept over the cells, taking in every single former student of his. There was no expression in his gaze. If he felt anything akin to pity for them he certainly didn't let it show. Harry took in the hope in the students eyes as they recognised their former Potions Professor. Harry didn't share that hope.
"Professor Snape," Harry said in the most cheerful voice he could muster given his condition. "I'm so happy to see you."
Harry almost enjoyed the looks of confusion on everyone's face at his enthusiasm.
"You didn't tell me you'd driven him mad already Bellatrix," Snape drawled.
"Baby Potty still has to sing for me," Bellatrix pouted.
"How's life treating you after Hogwarts?" Harry said conversationally, ignoring Bellatrix.
"How many blows to the head have you taken Potter?" Snape asked.
"Why do you ask?"
"This is almost civil of you," Snape remarked, crossing his arms.
"I missed you at Hogwarts," Harry said simply.
"Uh, Harry? You do know it's Snape in front of you, right? Snape? You know old Potions teacher Snape? Threw you off the balcony. Snape?" Ron asked confused.
"I know, Ron. Didn't you miss him too?"
"Hell no."
"Well, I missed you Professor. Potions class wasn't the same without you," Harry told him.
"Indeed," Snape answered carefully, tapping his fingers against his forearms.
"I never realised how much work was involved in Potions until you left."
Snape didn't say anything.
"All those years I never tried very hard in Potions because I thought you were never going to mark me fair anyway. You were actually doing me a favour," Harry said earnestly.
"Harry, have you gone mad? What are you saying?" Neville asked from the next cell, straining against the manacles.
"Is that so, Potter?"
"Now, with Slughorn, I actually have to put in some effort with my work," Harry carried on.
Snape watched him carefully.
"Do you have a point, Potter?" Bellatrix asked, impatiently.
Harry ignored her.
"I always knew you were nothing but a lazy, arrogant-" Snape started.
"I knew you missed me, too," Harry said pleased.
"I did not miss you, Potter," Snape denied.
Harry kept silent.
"It's time to have some fun, Severus," Bellatrix said.
"My pleasure," Snape said, pulling out his wand from his sleeve.
Harry watched Snape carefully, expectantly.
"We'll get to Potter in a while, but first we have another matter to attend to," Bellatrix lead him towards to Draco Malfoy.
Harry saw Snape's grip tighten around his wand, the only thing that gave away that he was uncomfortable with being confronted with his former Slytherin student.
"He has not given you the information you seek?" Snape asked, as he took in Malfoy's pale form.
"My dearest nephew won't tell me where mummy and daddy are hiding," Bellatrix said, sending random stinging hexes towards the Slytherin students.
Pansy cried out as one hit her in the face.
Snape did nothing to stop Bellatrix, but Harry saw his knuckles turning white.
Harry gritted his teeth as he watched.
"When you're done with the writhing worms over there, why don't you come back here and face the lion?" Harry called.
Bellatrix ceased in her spells, and flounced back to Harry's cell. Snape took one last glance at Draco and followed slowly.
"Are you so eager to-" Bellatrix started to say.
"I don't like when no one is paying attention to me," Harry interrupted abruptly.
Bellatrix flicked her wand sharply and Harry was back to hanging from the ceiling by his wrists.
"Conceited to the end, Potter," Snape drawled, idly waving his wand. He gave his wand a sudden flick and the cell doors swung open. Harry held himself still and Snape paced circles around him, examining him as if he were a particularly interesting Potions experiment.
"I don't like being neglected, Professor Snape," Harry said, trying not to let his nerves show. Snape stood behind him, so Harry was unable to see what expression the Potions Master was wearing. No one had stepped inside his cell since he'd been strung up. Not even Bellatrix. He hadn't realised how much he'd depended on the fact he could see the curse coming.
There was an odd sense of anticipation in the air. Bellatrix LeStrange was a known Death Eater. Curses and hexes were expected from her as she radiated cruelty. Snape was someone the students knew, someone they'd reluctantly trusted in his capacity as Potions teacher at Hogwarts. Even if he was one of the meanest teachers the school offered.
Snape stood directly in front of him, staring directly into Harry's eyes. He traced in his wand idly along the edge of one of the many lacerations on his chest. Harry suppressed a wince, determined not to show any weakness.
"One of your favourite spells, isn't it Bellatrix?" Snape said as his wand traced the laceration from the top of his shoulder to his abdomen.
"Adapted from yours," Bellatrix informed him. "Bleeds the victim slowly, rather than instantly like your sectumsempra."
Harry, who continued to watch Snape carefully, saw a flash of rage in his eyes. Snape placed the tip of his wand at the top of the gash and Harry adjusted his hands so he was gripping the chains tightly. Before Snape could do anything Harry used any remaining strength to pull himself up and kicked as hard as he could with a strained grunt. His feet connected directly against Snape chest, hard enough to propel a few steps backwards but not hard enough to any damage. A spell hit him almost instantly and Harry stiffened, immediately recognising he'd been put in a full body bind. His friends yelled at Snape, as he continued to swing like dead weight.
Snape slowly straightened up, looking at Harry through the curtains of his hair. Bellatrix stepped inside the open cell, amused.
"Boy still has some fight," she noted. "I will enjoy leeching it all out of you Potter."
He couldn't retort due to the full body bind, but he gave his best 'I dare you' glare.
"No need to be hasty," Snape said slowly, stopping the witch as she raised her wand. "Let him fight until he is spent. The boy needs to last until the Dark Lord arrives."
"What do you suggest, Severus?" Bellatrix snarled, angry at having to lower her wand.
Snape pushed Bellatrix away and assumed his original position in front Harry, stopping his aimless swinging with his wand. He placed his wand back at the first laceration. Harry felt the tip of the wand heat and felt like he'd been jabbed with a hot poker. His skin sizzled as the wand was dragged down the wound in the most painful healing Harry had ever endured. He was glad he was under the body bind; it muffled his voice from the scream that would no doubt have broken free from Harry.
Snape's healing had almost done what none of the Death Eater's curses had done; that was to almost create the music from him that Bellatrix was so eager to hear. Snape had his pick of wounds to 'heal' and he placed his wand to each of them, before moving to his back.
The shouts from his friends faded into the background. The last thing he saw as Snape healed the last laceration on his back was the tears in Luna's eyes. Then he gladly gave into the darkness.
When Harry grudgingly opened his eyes the first sight he saw was Snape's black eyes leaning over him. He realised he was lying down.
"That's it, Potter. Keep your eyes open now," Snape ordered.
Harry fought to keep his eyes open, wanting nothing more than to slip back to oblivion. Snape helped him sit up and raised a goblet to his lips. He managed to choke it down. His body still ached and he felt stiff all over.
He shoved Snape away and pushed himself up from the cot he was lying on.
"What- Where-?" he tried to formulate a question but his mind was still hazy.
"We don't have much time, Potter. There is a small window of chance that we must seize right now. I don't have time to explain," Snape was telling him urgently.
Harry tried to listen.
"I can get you out of here. However, we must move fast."
"How are we all going to get out?" Harry managed to speak.
"There is a small gap in the wards that we can exploit. It is located on the west of the fortress. There are patrols every 20 minutes, and the next one will be in 10. The minute the last patrol finishes we are out of here. We will need to move swiftly."
Harry felt something odd in those statements. Snape carried on, seemingly restless.
"Once we reach the designated spot, you will portkey out of here."
"Just me?" Harry clarified.
Snape paused.
"Just you, Potter. This gap is very small; both the time needed to get there and also the sliver wards you need to slip through. The portkey will take you somewhere safe."
"What if we get separated? How would I get to the gap?"
Snape thought this was a reasonable question and gave him clear concise directions, including markings to help guide him. Harry listened carefully.
"Once you get there, do not move, and do not leave until you are fetched. Is that clear?"
"I won't leave," Harry promised, standing up.
"Good," Snape said, relaxing a little.
"No, I mean it. I'm not leaving. Here. I'm not leaving here. By myself."
"Potter-"
"Did Dumbledore order this?" Harry interrupted.
"Potter-"
"Did Dumbledore tell you that only I need to be rescued?" Harry demanded to know.
"Potter, you need to listen-"
"Tell me," Harry ordered.
"No, Potter," Snape told him. "I have been here for the past five days, trying to find a way to get you out if here, boy. You would do well to be grateful."
"Screw - you," Harry snarled, straightening up as much as his body would allow. "We've been tortured for weeks. We've been beaten and starved. We ALL need to get out of here."
"I cannot get all of you of here, Potter," Snape hissed.
"Those are your students down there," Harry snapped. "They saw you and they felt hope. I saw their HOPE because they thought you were here to help THEM. But I knew Professor Snape that you would only let them down the minute I saw you."
"How dare you?!"
"All you do is let people down; it's a part of who you are," Harry carried on.
"Potter you are forgetting your place," Snape said angrily.
"No, you're forgetting where YOUR loyalties lie, Professor Snape. Then again that shouldn't be a surprise. You couldn't stay loyal to my mother; you couldn't stay loyal to Voldemort and it's no great revelation there's no loyalty to those students it's your duty to protect."
Snape looked as if Potter had physically struck him.
"Do not speak of something you know nothing about," Snape warned.
"Take me back to my cell," Harry said quietly. "I'm not leaving."
"Think Potter. Do not be -"
"Stupid? I'm not leaving. Those are my friends still down there. I won't abandon them." He wouldn't abandon Luna, he thought to himself.
"Bellatrix will continue to torture you. How long will you last against her wand?" Snape tried to reason.
"As long as I need to," Harry told him.
"I could take you by force," Snape threatened.
"I'd fight you every step of the way. They haven't killed anyone yet. If they discover I'm not here, they could start. If they kill a single person here because you've taken me away, I will walk away from this war the first chance I get."
With that promise Harry sat back down, exhausted. He took the opportunity to look around the room. It was cold and damp. It looked like it hadn't been used for years. A broken chair and desk were shoved in the corner. The cot Harry was sitting was battered worse than his mattress at the Dursley's. Otherwise the room was bare.
He shivered a little and realised he still wasn't wearing a shirt.
"Potter," Snape got his attention. Harry looked at Snape questioningly saw him look uncomfortable. It wasn't a look Harry had ever seen on the Potions Master's face. "When I was- healing your wounds- cleaning the ones on your back- "
Harry stilled as he understood what Snape was trying to say. He didn't say anything to help Snape make his question any easier.
"I discovered scars. Older… older than the wounds inflicted by Bellatrix."
"Ask the question, Professor." Harry prompted as Snape fell silent.
"Did your - did your relatives hurt you Potter?" Snape finally asked bluntly.
Harry stood up and looked Snape directly in the eyes.
"Every day I spent with them," Harry told him. "Take me back to my cell, now."
"Potter," Snape tried to speak.
"Now." Harry said firmly.
Harry had never felt more exposed than he did when Snape followed behind him; staring at the scars on his bare back.
Snape may have healed his first set of scars as best as he could, but Bellatrix was quick to replace them. Harry had very little untouched skin on his front and none at all on his back. Neville had been mostly silent, enduring the beatings and the curses with a quiet defiance. After returning back to his cell, Harry and Neville had been unshackled from the ceiling; only to be re-shackled to the wall.
Bellatrix trying to break him as well as Harry, and so far failing. Harry himself didn't know how he'd lasted this long when all he wanted to do was cry, scream, howl, beg. So many times he wanted to beg for death, for mercy but Luna who was standing in the cell opposite was his strength. Not because he was trying to be brave. But because once he broke he knew Bellatrix would move onto the others in earnest.
So many days had passed since Harry had refused to escape with Snape that he lost track. He hadn't been seen since. Snape had drugged the students' water in order to force them to sleep so he could take Harry undetected. He was nothing if not careful; a cautious spy. When he had delivered Harry back to his cell everyone was still unconscious. Harry didn't let anyone know about what Snape had told him. It wasn't his place to reveal Snape's true loyalties; whatever they were.
Everything he said to Snape was true. But he was exhausted and in pain. He had no doubt that the Order was doing everything they could do to find them. It was just taking so long, and they were fast losing hope. Very few students could even stand any more. Too exhausted and hungry to do anything but lounge in their cells.
They'd briefly speculated about Snape breaking them out, but as the days passed there was no further sign of Snape, the murmurs teetered off. Hope was in precious little supply at the moment.
Harry was brought out of his musings by loud voices. They sounded very far off, but the echoes of the empty corridors carried the voices down to them. Harry tried to sit up and look as alert as possible, idly speculating what fresh horror would be inflicted on them today.
The manacles clinked as he shifted in position where he could watch the doors open. The voices increased in volume as they came closer. The dungeon doors pushed open with a deafening bang.
Harry could tell straight away that the werewolves who stumbled in were extremely inebriated. And they were angry. They left the doors wide open.
He tried to straighten up some more, feeling on edge. Something had happened; something had pissed them off and they were here to take it out on the students.
"… the dumb bitch thinks she can ruin our fun," one of them was saying.
Angry mutters agreed with him.
"But we can still have some fun down here," another jeered.
The prisoners became instantly alert. This sounded worse than usual. Harry could feel their fear in the air. The werewolves were never on down here without either Bellatrix or another wizard with a wand.
They obviously had been drinking; they would barely stand up straight. They were angry and ready to inflict it on their captives.
"Look at all the pretty little girls and boys. Fresh, pure, innocent. Untouched. Such a waste."
Harry didn't think they meant untouched by curses. He swallowed, and for the first time felt a true frisson of fear. He forced himself to stand. The others seemed to understand there was something different on this occasion as they too climbed unsteadily to their feet.
Ron looked pale, his face bruised and sickly looking. Luna, too, stood and stepped back from the cells. Hermione and Lavender also stood back in fear, taking the younger students and shoving them behind.
"Look at this pretty little girl," one of them hollered drunkenly, pointing at Lavender.
"I like this blonde one here," another said, leaning against the bars of Luna's cell.
Harry forced himself to feet. He wouldn't let them touch Luna or Lavender.
Lavender looked fearfully on, but continued to protect the younger students.
"Don't you dare touch them," Neville yelled, straining against the chains. They could only stretch two feet from the wall.
The werewolf who stood at Lavender's cell grinned maliciously and stared at Neville.
"Is she yours, boy?" Without waiting for an answer he took out a key from his filthy pocket and turned it in the lock. The girls stepped back even further with the students. Two werewolves entered the cell together; one grabbed Lavender and the other slapped Hermione hard enough to make her fall back on the students she was trying to protect. The wolves dragged out Lavender as Hermione stumbled back to her feet and tried to help Lavender. Before the cell doors could close she threw herself against the werewolf holding Lavender tightly and stabbed him with the shard of glass she'd been using to scrape the runes.
The werewolf yelled angrily and threw Lavender out of the cell into the arms of another. He pulled the shard out his arm with a roar and gave her a vicious slap, knocking her back to the ground.
Lavender screamed and squirmed and fought all the while, trying to escape. One of the fourth years ran passed the werewolf and out of the cell, dodging the surprised werewolves.
It was mayhem, the loudest they'd all been since they'd captured. No one stopped the boy, allowing him to run to the door. Harry saw why they didn't even try going after him. He hadn't even been able to leave the dungeon. He bounced back and landed on his backside. The werewolves laughed at his efforts. The fourth year, Simmons scrambled to his feet, nervously backing away from an approaching werewolf.
"Show him what happens to little boys who try to escape, Barton," the werewolf holding Lavender jeered.
The werewolf, Barton, dragged Simmons to his feet by the scruff of his neck.
"Stop," Harry yelled hoarsely, his voice mingling with the others.
Barton, however, didn't stop. He held Simmons and in front of him so everyone could see him. With a cruel smile, he ignored everyone's pleading and the snivelling student he was holding and twisted the boy's neck, killing him instantly.
Harry stood in shock, horrified. Barton threw the boy carelessly away from him, where his lifeless body hit against the wall with a thud before landing on the floor.
The other werewolves just laughed. After closing the cell behind him, the werewolf holding Lavender dragged her further.
"We'll take her right here," he said, holding her tightly and groping her with the other. Lavender was in tears, fighting frantically to get away.
"Stop! Don't touch her," came several yells.
Harry fought even harder against his chains.
"Let's take that blonde you like so much as well," Barton cackled.
Three of them opened Luna and Ron's cell. Ron was instantly in front of Luna; and Luna fought bravely. Ron was beaten badly but he still didn't give up until he was knocked out cold. Luna was dragged out like a doll. Luna and Lavender both squirmed and fought, but the animals only enjoyed this even more.
Lavender screamed as she kicked out. The werewolves grabbed the girls' legs and laid them down the floor. Luna screamed as well as she kept squirming. The werewolves all descended on her, chortling and sniggering.
"Pipe down. The rest of you will get your turns soon enough," Barton hooted. "Hold the bitch tight, Forney."
Barton proceeded to strip, starting with his tattered jacket.
Harry renewed his efforts. He yelled and screamed and pleaded for them to stop.
"DON'T! NO! STOP IT! DON'T TOUCH THEM!"
Ron stirred and woozily sat up. Dazed, he stumbled to the cells, rattling them, his voice joining the cacophony.
"Looks like they're all eager to see the show, Hunter," Barton tittered to the werewolf next to him.
"Cowards! Don't you dare! Deal with me! Come at me!" Harry roared furiously at them.
Hunter stood and came towards Harry's cell, opening it up. He left it carelessly open, knowing Harry couldn't escape the shackles securing him against the wall. His upper body was completely littered with lacerations, so when he was punched by the werewolf, several cuts that had clotted in the process of healing, opened at once. Harry doubled over, falling weakly his knees. Hunter gripped Harry's hair tightly, but Harry kicked out. Hunter gave him a swift kick in the ribs, cracking a few of him. Harry found it to breathe but he still continued to fight, desperate to save Luna and Lavender.
Hunter left Harry struggling to breathe on the floor. Harry still tried to move. Lavender managed to struggle free against the two Death Eaters holding her. She screamed loudly into the ear of the other and helped Luna.
But there was no escape. The main dungeon doors were obviously warded so they couldn't run anywhere. The werewolves, despite their small number, were currently more powerful. Everyone else was trapped inside the cells.
Their begging and pleading wasn't making a difference at all. Luna bit one of the attackers and grabbed Lavender; together they managed to get free and clung to each other, clothes torn in a few places, their bras visible, but otherwise in tact.
"Run," Harry choked out, trying to lift himself up again. He knew it was no use though. There was nowhere to run to.
Luna shoved Lavender into Harry's open cell. Together, they tried to shove the cell door to close, but they the two girls were no match against the seven werewolves. The cell door was knocked backwards and Lavender was thrown against the bar by the force, knocking her unconcious.
"Luna, no," Harry whispered desperately, reaching out to her.
Luna backed away, the Death Eaters playing with her. They ignored the unconscious Lavender, knowing she wasn't going anywhere. She stumbled and fell backwards and Harry managed to grab her outstretched hand. He pulled her with all his strength, which wasn't much and she dragged herself to get closer to him.
There was an ugly look on their faces. Harry managed to cover her body with his own, the blood from his chest wounds soaking her front instantly. He lay on top of her, trying to protect her as best he could with his own body; they started kicking him all at once. The wounds on his back opened up even further, the blood flowing freely around them. He heard the yells of those around them, knowing they weren't going to make a speck of difference. He knew he was only delaying the inevitable, but he wouldn't let them hurt Luna as long as he was still alive. He suspected that wouldn't be for long the way the werewolves were attacking him.
"I'm sorry, Luna," he whispered brokenly to her.
"I'm sorry, Harry," she said back to him.
His body was hurting so badly that he didn't know when the kicks stop raining down on him. He cautiously looked up and saw there was an eighth Death Eater who had come in. Instead of helping them he'd grabbed one of them and shoved his head against the bars. Barton yelled as in pain as he grabbed his head bloody.
Snape! Harry thought with relief. He must be wearing the mask so he wouldn't be recognised. He shifted so he wasn't on top of Luna, smothering her with his weight. He struggled to keep conscious, but Luna looked dazed. He saw a larger bruise on her temple from a kick he hadn't been able to protect her from.
The Death Eaters straightened from beating the young lovers and turned on their comrade.
"What do you want? Come down to spoil our fun?" Forney sneered.
The Death Eater didn't say anything. He pulled out a wand with one hand and a long knife in the other.
The werewolves surrounded the new mark. Harry started to drift off, and tried to stay awake. He only saw bits of the action as Luna clung to him. He saw flashes of red and blue spells flying about and yells of pain and rage.
Stay awake! He told himself. He couldn't afford to fall unconscious. He had to protect Luna.
Finally, silence descended on them. Harry could feel himself losing the battle to stay awake. Footsteps came closer to him. It was the masked Death Eater who stood over them, breathing hard.
The wizard took off his outer robe and drape it on top of them, the robe chafing against his broken skin. But he grateful for the cover it gave Luna. He heard Lavender stir and tried to call for her, but his throat was too damaged.
The Death Eater reached to remove his mask and Harry expected the black eyes of Severus Snape staring down at them. Instead, he was looking into the cold grey eyes of Lucius Malfoy.