She looked at the red liquid swirling around at the wooden table.
She gulped seeing a dark haired man licking a blade of his knife that was piercing her with his chocolate brown eyes.
"At least it's just wine" - She thought as another drop of red substance left a mark on her long skirt.
- Why are you looking at me like that? - He rose from his seat to pet her wild hair. She would normally put them in the tight bun, but now he did not leave any trace of her modest decency. - I assure you you're safe with me.
Tied to the chair with ripped material from her coat and gagged she sure didn't feel safe.
Detective Potter was looking grimly at the first page of the morning issue of Daily Prophet.
"Lord Voldemort strikes again!"
Yet another young muggle born witch was kidnapped last night, after coming back home from work. But this time it was personal. Hermione was not only a long time friend of his but a future bride of his co-worker and best friend Ron Weasley. On top of that, he remember what Voldemort did to his mother Lily, before he was arrested for a first time.
Said best friend, red headed young constable, was now pacing around the floor in his office in panic.
- It's all my fault, Harry! - He almost cried. - I should know better than to let her go on the streets all alone with a killer on the loose!
- You know Hermione. - Harry tried to comfort his friend. - She is a proud witch, she probably thought she could protect herself…
At the same time, he knew he wouldn't be able to stay calm if his darling Ginny was kidnapped.
They didn't have much information, they only knew that after leaving Lestrange mansion, her lady, madame Bellatrix heard a strange sound outside. She didn't see much though.
- Oh it was so scary! - The lady in black, laced dress cried out loud tugging at her husband's chest. - I was truly in shock hearing my maid went missing! But I told you to just get elves, Rodolphus! That girl couldn't tie a corset properly to save her life…
Constable Weasley paled and Potter was forced to cast a silent muting spell preventing him from insulting their only witness.
- Right… - He cleared his throat. - Can you tell us more about what you saw?
- Oh, Pardon… - Lady Bellatrix tugged a curl of her black hair behind her ear in nervous fashion. - That was a rather unfortunate choice of words on my part, is it not?
The one look at Ron's face told her it was understatement of the millenium, but she continue non the less.
- I saw a flash of green light… I think it was imperious… - She stated. - You see, every unforgivable has its own unique shade of green… so pretty… And then I saw Dark mark on the air… it was glorious to look at…
Potter raised his brow at that.
- What my wife meant to say, being the artistic soul she is, it was the light of the night sky that was glorious. - Rodolphus quickly corrected her.
- I wouldn't accuse her of admiring any unforgivable curse, sir. - Potter smirked with fake politeness. - We all know lady Lestrange and you are members of the most respected pure blood families. the lady is just an innocent witness… We are lucky she never came across that snake as well…
- Indeed. - Rodolphus put a hand on her pregnant belly, sipping every word by the teeth. - If you excuse us, my wife is tired after such an eventful night. She need to rest.
- But I didn't fin… - She tried to protest.
- Now.
She quickly rose from her chair and reluctantly took the arm of lord Lestrange. as they left the office he turned to Ron.
- How could you just let them leave?! - He yelled. - If she didn't help that sico, it's clear she didn't try to stop him!
- Constable, I think this case is too personal for you. - Harry only said. He took a piece of parchment and a quill out of his desk. His owl curiously pecked his hand, seeing a familiar sight. She was getting ready to send a letter for her master.
- So now, I'm just "constable" to you? - He squinted his eyes.
- Ron… - Harry tried to hide a hint of annoyance. - I just don't want you to get into trouble as well…
He petted the top of the head of his snow owl, Hedwig, and the animal received it with glee.
- Good girl. - He said. - Send it to young Lord Draco Malfoy.
A large snake swirled around her feets and she felt her cold, slippery skin.
- You may be wondering, why didn't I kill you yet? - Her captor caressed her cheek with a tip of his wand. - Do you have any theories about that? You were the brightest witch of her age after all, and now look at yourself! Pathetic maid engaged to some constable from a poor family! In the name of what? Love? To that nobady?
She sent him a glare.
- Oh, but of course. Silly me! - He took a gag out of her mouth.
- Was that truly necessary? - She asked. - You could use a silencing spell on me.
- True. - He only said. - But I like to mix things. Why waste time when a simple gag works as well? And truly, you looked so hopeless with it… I absolutely love it!
She was terrified as his lips were now so close to hers.
- So? Do you dare to guess why you're still alive, little mudblood?
- Because you hate me and my friends and want to torture me first? - She gulped.
He only laughs, and then he press his mouth forcibly to hers.
- Wrong. - He licked his lips, delicately wiping away the tears that rolled down on her face. - I wanted to congratulate you on your upcoming wedding. I'm afraid there was a slight change of grooms, however.
—-
Hedwig returned fast with an answer, it only took her half of the day.
"Mister Potter.
I am aware I joined the Death Eaters cult in my youth, but I think we long established I turned a new leaf since those days? What makes you think I know names or whereabouts of members who didn't lose their faith after the arrest of Lord Voldemort? I can only send you my honest disapproval of how police handled his case allowing that mad man to run away.
Please, don't bother me or my family again.
Yours sincerely, Lord Draco Malfoy."
Ron frowned at it.
- Well, isn't that just like this ferret to send you a letter like this! Why did you even bother?
- Are you sure? - Harry pointed his wand at the text and whispered a spell. The letters swirled around and formed new words.
"Harry,
I can't say much. She is somewhere inside the castle. I'm not sure where, but they are holding her hostage. The others too. Bellatrix is as crazy and loyal to him as always. I'm not sure what they are planning to do to her, but we don't have much time. I will send Dobby to you to help you get inside. I can't help you more. My father thinks I'm still in a cult, so I may convince him to let me go with him to the meeting. I will try to send you another owl as soon as I can."
- See? He has been working with us for years.
- Oh…
Ron was still unconvinced but he was ready to grasp any last beacon of hope at this point…
They were hiding behind the bush waiting for a small elf to appear. They knew from Draco that this night, on the full moon the Death Eaters were holding some ritual. Unfortunately it was all he knew for sure. But it was as good a guess as any. With witches all over London disappearing it was a safe bet something bad was going to be done to them.
- Ron, this is Dobby. - Potter introduced as the creature showed up in a pop of smoke. - He and Draco are one of the best spies I had pleasure to work with.
The blush colored pale cheeks of the elf.
- Master Potter is too good to Dobby. - He said. Ron notices the mismatched socks on his legs. He then took them off and hid them under his dirty pillow case. - Dobby is sorry, he forgot to change.
- Dobby is a free elf. - He explained. - But for the sake of the mission he pretends to be still bound to the Malfoy family, so Lord Lucius didn't suspect him.
Harry took his Cloak of Invisibility and hid under it with Ron.
- Come after Dobby. - He whispered and opened a backdoor discreetly looking if anybody was coming. But cult members were already inside waiting for their master to show up.
- You look stunning my lady. - Narcissa was finishing a make up on Hermione's face, completely ignoring the fact the bride's hands were tied with a green rope behind her back. A touch of red lipstick was so cold…
- Why doesn't he just use imperio on me again?
The matrone of the Malfoy family showed her a stern look.
- Then the marriage wouldn't be valid. - She answered, as if she was about to say, "stupid mudbloods don't even know that much?"
- As if to say now I'm doing it willingly? - There was a chain on her feet, and one of the elves helped her with heels.
- Yes you are. - Suddenly they heard male voice. - Unless of course, you want them dead.
Her eyes opened wide as she saw her parents.
- I thought that it would be inappropriate if my bride stroll down the chapel alone, without her father giving her to me. - He smirked. - Oh but don't worry, they are under imperious curse. They don't have to die, my dear.
- You are such a merciful master, my Lord. - Narcissa bowed, moving away from the bride. - Do you like my work?
A long white dress of the bride, a veil with flowers stuck in her hair… this pleased him to see.
- I have another surprise for you, Hermione. - He smiled. By now she knew that wasn't a good sign.
Two witches were tied down to the pillars in the blue gowns.
- Luna! Ginny! - Hermione screamed.
- I know they were about to be your bridesmaids at that other ceremony… - His voice dripped with poison. - So I respected your wish…
- Truly, a husband to dream off. - Narcissa nodded.
- Ginny… - Potter whispered looking at his beloved under the Cloak of Invisibility. If he was worried about keeping his friend's emotions in check, now his little sister was there too…
- What is this sick play? - Ron whispered back. Looking at the decorations and a cake in a corner. Death Eaters sitting in pews and muggle borns and muggles locked in cages.
- I think it's a wedding… - Harry paled, holding an urge to vomit.
They watched in horror as Hermione stepped outside a small cell she was holded with her brainwashed father. A row of elves were holding the tail of her gown. Her hands, in rope, feet in chains. She had nowhere to run away.
Lord Voldemort teleported himself and her mother to the altar.
Narcissa meanwhile joined her husband and son on the bench.
Hermione gulped as he took the knife and released one of her hands ready to give her a ring with a black stone inside.
- I Tom Marvolo Riddle, take you, Hermione Jean Granger as my Dark Lady and promise to love till death do us apart…
Suddenly she saw it. A small translucent dog, a familiar Jack Russell Terrier, stood in front of her barking and growling at the Dark Lord.
- Who dares to interrupt the wedding?! - She heard Death Eaters. That one voice must belong to lady Bellatrix for sure. Even with the mask Hermione was able to recognize her former boss.
- Preposterous!
- Ron! - Harry screamed at his friend who managed to blow their cover in seconds.
Death Eaters surrounded them.
- Fools, it's you two against us. - Lucius drew his wand.
- No, father, it's five of us now. - Draco using the chaos released Ginny and Luna. Two women and the young Lord Malfoy were poing their wands at them.
But as the battle unfolded, and spellcasters were fighting no one noticed two missing figures that left the altar…
Soon, the cult members were taken by the police and this time, no amount of money could help those pure blood lunatics. But it was a bitter victory.
- We will find her… - Harry put a hand on Ron's shoulder trying to comfort him. Ginny joined them and hugged her brother.
- It's all my fault…
Hermione shivered as he pulled her arm and throw her to the carriage. The rain was heavy and the full moon shone through the clouds.
She was watching in terror as he put a ring on her finger inforcing a wov of loyality and obidiance on her in the process, and started to kiss every inch of her neck.
- This was not the wedding I envisioned for us. Forgive me.
They arrived at the place she didn't know, but even if she did it wouldn't make that much of a difference.
- Welcome to Riddle manor, it's your home now.
She gasped as he took her arm again. He muted her, he didn't say that, but she knew, as her cords were unable to make any loud sound now. Her body moved on it's own accord, but she was conscious. Dragging her upstairs, he took his wand to chain her to the bed. The candles burned up all at once and he leaned down to her wth a knife.
- Beautiful. - He whispered, planting kisses on her skin. - You're all mine.
The next day, a farmer from Little Hangleton called the London police. He found a truly terrifying sight, a young woman in a bride's dress was tied in ropes and chains. Her hair messy, gown was cut with a knife. Her wild hair stuck together with drain blood.
In her hands there was a single pale rose. There was no trace of the ring, from the night before, as her finger was cut down.
There was an unnatural blissful smile on her face, as if someone used magic to make sure her expression will never change.
Lord Voldemort strikes again…
Notes:
I had this idea in mind for a week, but I just now sat down to write this down. This is quite dark, I know. I'm sorry for no happy ending, but not all stories can have one.