A/N- Wow, there are only three more chapters left! Any guesses as to how exactly they get out? Thanks to my reviewers as usual. I love you guys! You are why I write!
Chapter 18- The Beginning
The cell door opened and Malfoy swept in, wearing the standard black hooded death-eater robe. He hand another draped over his arm and one of the house elves was following him. He released the bonds holding down Isis then healed her wounds and gave her a healing potion to quicken the whole process. "I put it to the house elves and Teery volunteered."
His sister shook her head and stared up at him. "I don't understand."
The little house elf ran forward and threw her little arms around Isis. "Teery would do anything to help Miss Isis."
"Teery!" Lucius barked. He tossed the other robe over to Isis. "Put that on. Teery's going to take your place."
"But she'll die!" Isis fell to her knees and put her hands on the thin shoulders of the servant. "You're going to die Teery."
Teery patted Isis's cheek and nodded. "Better Teery than Miss Isis."
Isis let out a sob as she was pulled to her feet. "Whatever we disagree about, no sister of mine will be on her knees in front of a servant." Lucius scolded her. "Put the robe on. You know enough about dark revels to blend in."
She started to put the robe on then stopped. "What about…."
"I won't leave Professor McGonagall behind. If only because she's a witness. But in order to save her, I need you in the crowd with me."
Isis glanced at the older woman. Minerva nodded so Isis slipped into the robe and pulled the hood up. Then she watched, the hood obscuring the tears slipping down her face, as Lucius transfigured the trembling little house elf into a mirror image of her self, right down to the matted hair and multicolored bruises.
Although he didn't say thank you, he was gentle as he helped Teery to sit and he tied her ropes so they wouldn't chafe anymore. Then he undid the ropes around McGonagall and helped her to stand. With a wave of his wand and a few muttered words, he had her looking better, but the grimace on her face from trying to stand upright told Isis it was all glamour. Lucius pulled a black silk gown out of his robes. "You're wedding dress, as it were." He told her. "It was the only way I could get down here." With a bit of help from Isis and Lucius, Minerva managed to get into the floor length gown.
The gown clung lightly to her curves and flared out just a bit at the hips. There was a silver belt that sat low on her waist, it was synched with an emerald cut in the shape of a serpent. The drop sleeves were so long they brushed the ground and Lucius placed the emerald necklace about her neck. Her long hair brushed her waist in soft waves and the glamour made her face look soft and smooth.
Isis drew in a breath. "You look beautiful."
Minerva let out a mournful sigh. "If only it wasn't such a rotten occasion."
There were two knocks on the door and the monstrous figures of Crabbe and Goyle, senior trudged in. Their hoods were down and they eyed Isis's covered figure with suspicion. "He's new. One of my nephews." Malfoy snapped. "He's helping me get the bride." Malfoy ran a calculating eye over his goons. "I trust you'll have no problems delivering the sacrifice?"
"Of course not." One of the two rumbled. Isis couldn't see well, didn't dare look up, and hadn't heard their voices enough to know which.
"Mordred, grab the woman and let's go." Isis clamped her hand as loosely as she dared around McGonagall's arm and together the three of them walked out of the cell.
Out in the forest the blue shield flickered brightly, then faded with a pop. Blue met black and the two would be heroes slipped through the barrier and onto Malfoy lands. Dumbledore signaled for Snape to move ahead. Slowly they crawled through the trees toward the clearing Severus remembered.
They found it quickly and hid in the first row of shrubbery. Quietly, Dumbledore cast an obscurity charm on both of them so that Voldemort would not be able to detect their presence. In the clearing stood a stone alter with shackles on it, and piled all around the square grey slab were logs. The death-eaters milled around, talking excitedly to themselves, staring between the alter and the torches lighting the grove.
The low chatter grew as Crabbe and Goyle dragged Isis out and secured her to the alter. It grew more when Malfoy and a tall young man Snape didn't recognize brought out McGonagall and led her up to the dais where the ceremony would take place. A roll of thunder indicated Voldemort's approach, and the two hidden wizards tensed for battle.
In his father's study, Draco sat back and let out a breath. "They're in." He told Davina.
She let her hand drop to his shoulder and gave it a squeeze. "Then we've done all we can."
"I should say so." A cold voice hissed from the doorway. Draco stood slowly and he and Davina turned around, slowly. There in the doorway, her pale eyes blazing, china white hands on her hips, was Narcissa Malfoy.
Draco met her eyes, defiance blazing in his own. "I will not allow Isis to be killed so callously."
"If your father wills it so shall it be."
"Not quite. I am not his lackey, nor am I yours Mother. I am heir to this house and all it entails. And that comes with certain rights. If I have to ally with my enemies to make my will known, the so be it. But I will get what I want."
She took a step towards him and began to pull her wand out from under her robe. "Insolent boy! Your father will hear about this!"
Her wand was pointed at them, and so Draco slowly moved in front of Davina. But before anything could happen, a small chorus called out "Petrificus Totalus!" And she froze. She fell to the ground revealing Hermione, Harry, Ron, and Ginny. All with the wands outstretched, standing in the doorway.
Draco strode forward and held his hand out to Ron and Harry. The three shook hands and grinned. "Shall we go see what help we can be elsewhere?" Draco asked.
"It's dangerous!" Hermione protested.
"We'll stick to the shadows." Ron promised.
"They'll never be able to beat that many wizards alone Hermione." Harry pointed out.
She sighed. The three boys took that for a yes and ran out the door, leaving the girls to catch up.
A/N2- I hate Narcissa! Hate her, b**ch. And I TRIED to make myself a mantra "Lucius is bad, evil, mean….You like him that way….he doesn't help anyone….Lucius is bad, evil, mean….." It didn't work very well, but I tried!