CHAPTER SIXTEEN: Isabel
Isabel pelted off after Hermione hoping she had made the right decision, and knowing she could never have left Hermione on her own. She hardly noticed where they were going until Hermione skidded to a stop just short of the whipping, punching branches of the Whomping Willow. Hermione looked around quickly and pounced on a long stick. She began prodding the trunk with the stick until she hit a knot and the tree became as still as a statue.
Isabel looked at it in surprise.
"Hurry, it won't stay that way long!" Hermione urged, moving to the base of the tree and launching herself into an opening between the massive roots. Isabel followed, hopping down after Hermione into a dark tunnel that smelled of damp earth.
"Where are we?" Isabel asked.
"It's a tunnel to the Shrieking Shack in Hogsmeade. Ron thinks Harry and Neville are there and he's gone on ahead to try and help them." Hermione said pulling Isabel along as she spoke.
"Hermione, what if they're not there? We'll have wasted a great deal of time."
"I know, but Ron is going in alone. Besides, we left a note with Ginny and she'll be taking it to a teacher any time now."
Further conversation was difficult as they had to crouch and try to run at the same time. Isabel couldn't tell how long they were in the tunnel or how far they had gone when she noticed a faint gray light ahead. As they drew closer she could make out a figure standing against the wall of the tunnel several yards shy of an opening. As her eyes adjusted she was relieved to recognize Ron, who had a finger to his lips.
Thank God! Isabel thought, Maybe I can get them both to turn around and get out of here so we can get some real help.
Ron was pointing toward the opening and cupping his ear. Isabel realized he wanted them to listen and when she did, her heart sank. She could hear a high, cold voice speaking, muffled, on a floor above. Although she couldn't make out the words, she could tell it was clearly an adult voice, not Harry or Neville's. They couldn't turn back without seeing if Harry and Neville were here and if they were in trouble. She said a short prayer then looked to Ron.
Ron was looking at her intently and she nodded, as did Hermione. Ron and Hermione took out their wands and they all crept silently forward. It was slow going for the three of them to move into the house, along the creaky floors and around the scattered debris, without making noise. When they were finally close to the stairs Isabel motioned to Ron and Hermione. She pointed at herself trying to indicate that she wanted them to wait while she went first. Both shook their heads vigorously. Finally, through much gesturing Isabel managed to communicate that someone should stay downstairs so they could run for help if there was trouble. Somehow they managed to agree without speaking that Hermione would stay at the bottom of the stairs.
The stairs took even longer as both Isabel and Ron put their weight down as gradually as possible on each tread to avoid creaking. Every moment Isabel was braced for someone to come out of one of the doors at the top of the stairs and see them. Finally she was just shy of the top of the stairs and put out a hand to stop Ron. The door was open, they'd need to stay here and listen.
For what seemed an eternity Isabel crouched there and heard no noise. She was just considering trying to peer around the corner of the doorframe when there was low moan.
"Ah, Mr. Longbottom awakens," said the cold voice, "Dear, go see if you can encourage him a bit." There were footsteps and the thump of something hard, like a shoe, meeting something soft. A moaning gasp was heard almost immediately. Isabel felt her nails digging into her palms as she clenched her fists. Then, before reason or sense could take hold, she was on her feet and storming into the room. Neville lay curled on the floor and Harry was bound and gagged a short distance from him. There were also a man and woman wearing startled expressions. They didn't wear them long. They were reaching into the front of their robes. When they came out with their wands Isabel was ready.
As they "fired" Isabel ducked and rolled toward Harry. She crouched beside him her eyes on the enraged couple while her hand shot behind his back and fumbled to find the ropes tying his arms and try to loosen them. She had barely made contact with the ropes and yanked when the couple pointed and "fired" again. Isabel dove to avoid the incantations but she felt the force of them catch her below her rib cage and throw her backward into the hallway knocking the breath out of her. She tried to move and felt pain shoot through her ribs and arm even as she turned her head and mouthed at the stunned Ron and Hermione "Run!"
Ron hesitated for a moment then he shoved his wand behind Isabel and ran down the stairs to Hermione. Isabel reached behind her with her good hand and quickly found the wand, tucking it into her waistband and pulling her shirt down to cover it. The male wizard advanced slowly upon her the whole time and Isabel held his eye hoping to conceal her actions. As he reached the threshold Isabel pushed herself up with her good arm, still holding his gaze and willing Ron and Hermione to hurry.
Something of her thoughts must have been betrayed on her face, for the wizard suddenly flicked his eyes to the bottom of the stairs. Catching sight of Ron and Hermione heading for the tunnel entrance he uttered a cry of rage and pointed his wand beyond them. The whole house shuddered with the force of the spell he used to close the passage. Isabel could hear dull thuds and the sound of glass breaking from all around the house. Good, she thought, that ought to attract someone's attention. But then she remembered Hagrid talking about this house: "Most haunted house in Britain" "Violent spirits" "Even ghosts won't go near." With a sinking heart Isabel realized the explosion wouldn't bring help.
The witch had rushed out into the hallway at the sound of the explosion. At the sight of Ron and Hermione she laughed and Isabel felt a chill to her bones. Isabel was gratified to note that Hermione had seen her hiding Ron's wand and had the presence of mind to hide her own. She appeared unarmed as she and Ron stumbled to their feet and faced the couple at the top of the stairs. Almost lazily the witch pointed her wand at the duo at the bottom of the stairs.
"Do come and join us, won't you?" she said icily. Ron and Hermione looked at one another, then slowly mounted the stairs. Isabel watched their faces the whole time trying to will extra courage into them. When Hermione and Ron reached the landing the Witch kept her wand trained on them as the Wizard grabbed them roughly and threw them toward Harry on the floor.
They both tried to keep their feet only to trip over Harry and slam into the wall behind him. As they struggled to sit up the Wizard pointed his wand at them and they found their hands and feet bound. With a smile of evil satisfaction, the Wizard reached down and slowly tore the tape away from Harry's mouth. It hurt, but Harry did not cry out.
"Tell me, Mr. Potter, would these people be friends of yours?"
Harry said nothing until the Wizard pointed his wand at Neville with an evil grin.
"Fine," Harry spat, "I know them... the younger ones, anyway."
The wizard was clucking his tongue. "How very unfortunate for them. Still, it does provide my wife and myself with something to pass the time."
"Who ARE you?" Ron suddenly spat.
The wizard whirled but, to Isabel's relief, did not point his wand at Ron. He looked thoughtful then said, "Can you not guess, young friend of Potter?" Ron said nothing. "Very well, then, I shall tell you. I am Mordred LeStrange and this is my lovely wife Pravia." Ron's eyes widened and Hermione looked grim. For her part Isabel was puzzled. That name obviously meant something to Ron, Hermione, and Harry, but she didn't know who these people were supposed to be.
LeStrange glanced in her direction, apparently noting the look of confusion on her face.
"Have you not heard of us? Well, I confess myself disappointed. I thought sure every witch and wizard in Britain knew the names of Lord Voldemort's most faithful servants!" Even this did not help Isabel, for she had only heard Voldemort referred to as "You-Know-Who" or "The Dark Lord." Her expression remained confused. As LeStrange looked at her more intently a look of bafflement began to spread across his face.
"Can it be that you've never heard of our Lord Voldemort? How can this be? Unless..." Isabel saw comprehension dawn on his face as he moved closer. She felt her stomach contract but kept her head up, meeting his eye.
"Darling, I think we've overestimated this woman. She is clever enough to try and avoid the end of our wands, but that is her only defense... She is a muggle. The best Dumbledore can do for his precious Potter is to send two children and a muggle!" He leaned down and grabbed Isabel by her broken arm pulling her into the room and flinging her alongside Ron and Harry with surprising force. Isabel struggled to remain conscious but felt herself succumbing to the white haze of pain.
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