"Any certain kinda door we're looking for here?" Rodolphus asked in a hushed voice as he strolled along the wall slowly running his fingertips over the cold stone.
The answer really didn't matter much because he couldn't see anything in the pitch dark. But if they ever did find a door it would be useful information. He could have stood around with the others by the doorway, where there was light, but the witch was too bubbly and his brother was too sulky and well, that was reason enough to stay away.
"Preferably one leading outdoors." Draco loud whispered in reply.
"Good, good...smart ass." he grumbled.
"Shut it, both of you!" Fenrir hissed in their direction before turning back to Lilith. "I'm gonna shift into my wolf form and try to sniff the door out." his eyes shifted warningly to Rabastan promising death for any slip up in duty or tongue. He didn't really want his rival anywhere near his woman but currently he was the most trustworthy. "Stay here with Rabastan until I get back, ok?"
"When does the game start up again? Rab doesn't look like he's having any fun." if the scowl on his face was anything to judge by.
"Just as soon as I find that door little wolf." Fenrir leaned down and kissed her forehead. His body shifted effortlessly, too quickly for the eye to see the actual morphing, and then he was on four paws and disappearing into the darkness. Lilith watched him go, a little envious of his second form, before turning to her companion with a devious smile.
"Let's play a trick on everyone." she whispered, bouncing on the balls of her feet.
Rabastan sighed deeply and shook his head.
"No tricks Lilith, let's just sit here and wait...without any games." he replied, much more gruffly than he'd intended and it wiped the smile he loved so much right off her face.
"Fiiiiiiiiiine." she huffed at last, crossing her arms over her chest and uncrossing them just as swiftly. "Let's go look for the door then."
"Nope, definitely nope." he caught her elbow as she started meandering away and spun the witch back around to face him. "Fenrir asked you to wait here, remember?"
"Fenrir's not the boss of me and neither are you."
For a split second Rabastan saw the stubborn gleam return to her eyes, one thin brow lifting in defiance, and thought Lilith had finally come back to herself. But then it disappeared just as swiftly, overtaken by the hazy glint of the spell. Couldn't that fucking werewolf have thought of any dignified spells to help keep her calm?
"You're right Lilith…" he began after several uncomfortable, guilt ridden minutes.
"Over here, Fenrir found the door!" Draco was whisper-yelling, saving the wizard from having to apologize to fake Lilith.
"Shall we go look?" he offered, trying to sound more cheerful but Lilith was charmed, not stupid.
The witch shrugged, eyes downcast and looking hurt, but followed along as he walked into the pitch darkness of the cellar towards the sound of Draco's voice. Down the way Rabastan's eyes could just barely see a small crack of light and the outlines of his fellow DeathEaters.
It should have been a relief to know they'd found the escape tunnel but there was no telling what sort of shape it was in or where it led. If...once they did make it out he had to not only worry about getting Lilith away from the dark lord but Fenrir as well. One man was all powerful and had minions everywhere and the other had marked his angel which would likely make it easy for him to track her. What could go wrong?
"Dolohov's a fucking genius!" Rodolphus declared when the pair approached the group, grinning from ear to ear, and clapped Rab on the back. "We're out of here."
Despite everything though it did his heart good to see an actual smile on his brother's face.
"I hope they get back with those wands soon," Lucius said tightly, just his cold, pale eyes lit up by the faint light coming from the tunnel. "We'll need the protection and the light. Fenrir said there's a few cracks in the ceiling further ahead bringing in some light from the floor above but once we get away from the building proper there likely won't be a ray to be had."
"Do you think the tunnel's held up?" Draco asked his father, squinting into it skeptically. "I mean this place is supposed to be over a hundred years old."
"I'm sure everything's fine, nothing a few wands won't be able to fix."
He winked reassuringly at Draco but without the normal surety that lent his words an air of authority, even he didn't believe it.
"Why do you look so miserable?" Rodolphus demanded, pulling his brother out of his thoughts. "We're getting out of this hell hole." A large part of him worried he'd never get his old brother back.
"It's just Lilith." he confessed quietly, though he doubted she was listening. Her focus was on the tunnel and all the fun they would have in it.
"Yeah, where is that little firecracker?" he wondered aloud, suddenly noticing how blessedly quiet it had become. Just a moment earlier she'd been chatting Draco's ear off about all the fun they'd be having.
He watched his brother's eyes widen in panic and mutter a little curse, of course he'd lost her. Rabastan spun around, eyes combing the darkness for his angel, heart pounding in his throat. He saw the Malfoys talking quietly a short ways away but no Lilith, he spun around a few times searching the darkness - no Lilith, stuck his head into the tunnel - no Lilith. Fuck! Why hadn't he paid more attention? She wasn't in her right mind! He should have been taking extra care of her, not avoiding her.
"Fuck!" he cursed and took off at a run towards the stairwell.
A peek in the hallway revealed no one, though of course Antonin and Thorfinn were still invisible so they could have been anywhere. Still, they'll have to catch me to stop me, Lilith thought with a little smile. She dashed into the open and across the spans to her office hoping they hadn't yet found her wand. Vine could perform so many splendid tricks. There was no caterwauling charm on her door so Lilith threw it open and skipped over to the drawer where she kept her purse. She'd have to think of some really good charms to bring a smile back to Rabastan's face, she hated seeing him so down.
"Little one, what are you doing here?!" a voice suddenly hissed from behind the witch.
Lilith gasped in surprise and spun around.
"Damnit Antonin." she scolded, frowning towards where his voice had come from. "That was tricky." her voice turned sing songy and the smile returned.
Dolohov sighed as the medi-witch began digging into the bottom drawer that held her purse, he was going to murder Fenrir.
"I have your wand already Lilith."
"Ohhh gimmie!" she demanded excitedly, reaching out to try and find his hidden form.
"No, little one." he said firmly, grabbing her hand and leading her towards the door. "I'll give you your wand downstairs."
Antonin had no intention of giving the charmed woman her wand back but it seemed an easy enough way to get her to cooperate. The witch grumbled but willingly followed him to the door and out into the hall.
"Lil?" she heard Thorfinn whisper from somewhere close and then he sighed deeply. Why was everyone so stressed?
"Finite incantatem!" a female voice yelled. Across the hall an office door thudded into the wall behind and a moment later the DeathEaters were plain as day to each side of Lilith. "Guards!"
All three froze, staring at the wand wielding Hopkins and the shit eating grin that looked oh so at home on her smug face.
"Expelliarmus!" Thor called, just as the stupid bitch raised her wand.
The spell hit her right hand with a powerful zap that sent her weapon flipping into the air and she growled out in pain. Antonin reached for Lilith's hand when he felt a strong breeze sweep down the hall but she was already moving...for the wand. Hopkins began calling nonstop for the guards, her voice droning on and on like a siren.
"Guards!" Thorfinn hissed urgently, as six black clad, wand wielding men came charging into view.
Lilith made it to the wand just as the Hopkins witch dove for it, pulling it back to her chest with a triumphant "Ha!"
Hopkins hit the floor with a pained grunt. She grabbed for Lilith's ankle but the DeathEaters already had a grasp on her arms, pulling her away. Then the trio was running like hell for the narrow corridor ahead. Behind them the guards were yelling curses and they could hear and feel some near misses, bits of wall pelting them. Just as they rounded the corner a stream of roaring fire hit the wall behind them, charring it from ceiling to floor.
Lilith ripped herself free and spun around.
"Aguamenti!" she yelled, then squealed in delight as a jet of water hit a guard full on in the face, taking him down. "Now this is fu-un!" she faltered as both men re-grabbed her arms yanking her on.