Author's Note: I'm alive! I haven't fallen off the face of the Earth, to
those of you who were beginning to worry : ) Anyway, here is the long
awaited chapter 13 (which, by the way, I am SO sorry for making all of you
wait for so long). I don't have much to say except I hope you enjoy.
Please leave me a review or two. Oh, and thanks to all of my reviewers --
What would I do without your inspiration?
Luv, Anjel
P.S. To those of you who are waiting *patiently* for the 3rd part of Let Me Love You: I have a VERY good excuse, which is too long to write here. So, if you want an explanation please e*mail me and I'll be happy to convince you guys that I have not forgotten about that fic.
Chapter Thirteen * Deliverance *
Dr. Hermione Granger loved what she did for a living. She loved children and enjoyed going to work every day, never impatient for the day to be done so she could go home; except for today. Today was the day she would be going to Azkaban to see Marie -- and solve another piece of the puzzle that was Voldemort's plan -- and she was a bundle of nerves.
She could barely concentrate on the tasks at hand, making her grateful that she didn't have as many patients as usual today.
"Hermione," Lavender called, standing in her office door. "Someone's here to see you."
Hermione looked up from going through some files to see Lavender's face split in a grin. At first she though it was Harry, who would come and get her from the hospital when it was time for them to go to Azkaban, then she realized that was impossible because she had another couple of hours until then.
"Bring them in," she replied absently. She looked back down only to raise her head a second time when a loud squeal of delight permeated through the room.
"Clara!" It was Hermione's turn to squeal and she jumped out of her chair to hug the young girl tightly. "How are you?"
Clara looked up at her happily, her blue eyes bright with excitement. Though she still looked the same, she seemed older in a way and Hermione had a feeling that was due to events with her mother. Despite her age, Clara was very intelligent and alert.
"I've missed you! I thought you would never come back from that trip with Harry! Then I thought you forgot about me! Well, that's what Cathy said anyway," she babbled on, plopping into the chair Hermione had just vacated and spun around in circles.
"Forget about you?" Hermione repeated, shocked. "Never! How could I ever forget about you?" Clara was the little sister Hermione had always wanted but never had.
"I know, " she answered confidently. "I told her she was just jealous that I have more friends than she does and mine are all famous!"
Hermione had to laugh at this. "That's right," she agreed, sitting across from her. "So what brings you here today?" she asked, not unkindly.
"Well, I missed you so much..." With the way Clara was looking down and not at her, Hermione knew that wasn't the only reason. "But I wanted to ask you something," she almost spit out then continued quickly, "I mean, I know you'll tell me the truth and..."
"About your mum?" Hermione prodded gently.
Clara bit her bottom lip and nodded.
"You know you can tell me anything. Go ahead and ask whatever you want."
"Does my mummy love me?" She lifted her head and looked at Hermione with so much sadness, that Hermione's eyes almost filled with tears.
She kneeled down in front of Clara and took her small hands in her own. "Yes, baby, she does. She loves you very much you remember that, okay? No matter what happens and no matter what anyone says, she will always love you. You are her whole world."
Clara's eyes filled with tears and they began to slip down her cheeks. "Then why is she friends with Voldemort?"
The shock of hearing the little girl say his name came and went. Right now, she had more important things to be thinking about than a silly name that adults half Clara's age couldn't even stutter. Hermione shook her head vehemently. "Your mum isn't friends with Voldemort, do you hear me? I don't believe it, Harry doesn't believe it, and you shouldn't either. I believe she had no choice and whatever people say, you don't listen to them." "You don't think mummy's guilty?" The young witch asked, hope beginning to show through her tears. "Then she isn't," she stated boldly. You know more than everybody else I know, you and Harry, and if you think my mummy isn't guilty then she isn't."
She gave a firm nod as if making herself believe it and Hermione couldn't help but think how much trust Clara placed on her. Hermione's heart melted at the thought.
"Is she in Akabac?"
Hermione smiled at her. "Azkaban, you mean. Yes, she is, but don't you worry because Harry and I are going to do all we can to get her out."
Clara nodded and stood up. "I know." She smiled and leaned in to hug Hermione tightly.
"Am I interrupting?" a voice cut into their embrace.
"Harry!" Clara let go of Hermione and ran to him, where he picked her up with ease and threw her into the air, catching her in his arms.
As Hermione watched, she could see a hint of pity in Harry's eyes for the little girl who was so close to each of their hearts. "Hey love," she said, going over to them and giving him a quick kiss.
They shared a look, because both knew what time it was, and Harry turned to Clara, who was playing with his hair. "I missed you," he told her, nuzzling her nose.
"I missed you too," she replied, frowning slightly. "Are you going to get my mummy out today?"
Harry nodded. "I am certainly going to try. Don't you worry though, because we are going to do all we can to get her out, okay?"
"That's what Hermione said."
"Then you know it's true," Harry told her with a smile, tugging gently on a lock of blonde hair.
This drew a smile out of the young girl and she wrapped her arms around Harry's neck and hugged him tightly, wishing with all of her heart that he were her dad. She had always wished for parents like Hermione and Harry, but she couldn't say that, not now.
"Clara, it's time to go," Cathy announced from the door, sending a glare Hermione's way and freezing when she caught site of Harry. "Harry Potter?" she asked incredulously. "Is that you?"
Hermione sent Harry an amused look but he smiled at the older witch politely. "That would be me," he replied, setting Clara back on her feet in order to shake Cathy's hand.
She squealed (Hermione tried to hold in her laughter, causing her to snort) like a little girl and just stood there, not letting go of his hand.
Harry looked at Hermione for help, but she only covered her mouth with her hand. In the end, it was Clara who saved him.
"You know Harry and Hermione are going to get married so don't even bother trying to suck up to Harry," she told her, rolling her eyes at her guardian.
Cathy blushed a deep red and let go of Harry's hand, sending a scowl Clara's way. She cleared her throat. "Let's go, Clara, now. It was so nice meeting Harry, you're even more handsome in person," she purred and winked at him before walking out the door without even a glance at Hermione.
Clara shook her head then turned towards Hermione, giving her a kiss and a hug. "Come see me, okay?" Hermione nodded, holding the girl close.
"My turn," Harry interrupted, picking her up again. He hugged her tightly. "We'll come pick you up sometime and go have some fun, okay? And you can owl us whenever you want to."
Clara nodded. "Get her out fast, okay?" she told him, kissing his cheek and jumping down from his arms. Waving good-bye she also walked out the door.
Harry turned to Hermione, whose eyes had filled with tears. Holding open his arms, she went to him and buried her face in his chest, allowing the security he gave comfort her. "It's going to be okay, love."
She nodded. "I know." Pushing away from him, she wiped her eyes and looked up at him. "Ready?"
Harry nodded, let out a long breath and took Hermione's offered hand. "Let's go see Marie."
***
Hermione felt as if she were falling deeper and deeper inside herself with each step she took. All her doubts, insecurities, and losses surfaced and she had to stop herself from bursting into sobs.
"Hermione..." Harry whispered in her ear, giving her hand a hard squeeze to rid her of these feelings that were distorting her face in sorrow. "I love you."
She turned to him and gave a small nod. He continued to repeat that and Hermione felt better, the hazy, horrible cloud dissipating from her mind.
Dark dungeons lined them on either side and all she could see from the blackness were knarled hands reaching for them in between the bars. The guards would whack at them and they would retreat back into the darkness. Groans and murmurings filled the air, making Hermione feel as if she were going to lose her mind.
Harry was faring better than her but not by much. He pulled Hermione closer, rubbing his hand up and down her arm as she shivered, the dampness creeping up both their spines.
"Here we are," one of the guards announced in a gruff voice that sounded as if it hadn't been used in a while. He pulled out a set of keys, unlocked the door, and pulled it open, waiting for Harry and Hermione to venture inside.
"Thank you. I will send for you as soon as we are done," Harry told him, stepping inside and pulling Hermione behind him.
The guard gave a brief nod, placed a lantern on the ground, and in the next moment, the door slammed shut behind them, his heavy footfalls echoing off the walls.
"W-who's there?" a voice sounded out of the corner of the room, weak and terrified.
Harry picked up the lantern and lifted it over his head. "It's Harry, Marie. Hermione's here too. Don't be afraid."
They took a step closer and the light spilled over Marie's hunched form in a corner. She was shivering and when she looked up, it took all of Hermione's will power not to gasp. She had lost weight and seemed too small for her own skin. Black, deep bags hung under her eyes, which seemed dull, not the vibrant blue of her daughter's.
"Oh my God..." Hermione ran over to her, wrapping her arms around Marie's thin frame. "Oh Marie..."
"Hermione," Marie rasped out, trying to smile but failing terribly. "I didn't think I'd ever see you guys again."
Harry stepped up also and kneeled down next to the two women. He hugged her briefly, still not quite sure how he viewed her. "We're here to see if we can get you out. That is if you're innocent."
The slight accusation in his voice was not lost on Hermione or Marie and Hermione turned to him. "Harry, please ... Don't." She gave him a pleading look, hoping he would drop it.
"No, it's okay, Hermione," Marie interjected, looking at Harry with a blank expression. "You believe I deserve to be in here?" she questioned.
Harry didn't blink an eyelash. "I don't know what to believe anymore, Marie. Are you the person who Hermione thinks you are? Someone being used against her will, trying to survive for her daughter? Or is this all an act?"
"What do you think?"
"Why don't you tell me, Marie? I'm tired of games. I'm tired of lies and disbeliefs. Are you truly who you say you are or you messing with everyone's head?"
Marie looked away, shame taking over her face. "I ... This, this is not an act, per say..."
"What does that mean!" Harry cried, frustrated. He stood up and began to pace, waiting for an explanation.
Marie sighed. "I suppose I should start from the very beginning, huh?" And she did just that, making sure not to forget or change anything. These two wonderful people deserved the truth and she would finally give it to them. It didn't matter the consequences (because there were surely going to be consequences), she couldn't think about Voldemort or what telling them everything would mean. To her, it didn't matter anymore.
Harry and Hermione listened attentively as Marie poured out everything she had been burdened with for so long. Her words came out quietly but in a rush, as if she was afraid to give them room to speak, for fear they'd stop her from continuing.
Amazingly enough, her tears did not show themselves this time as they always did when she thought of her past life. The only reason she could think of for her lack of emotion was that she had buried her past and it was now so deep inside that it didn't affect her anymore. For some reason, she felt sadness at this revelation.
As she finished telling them everything, Hermione took her hand in hers and squeezed it reassuringly. "Wow, Marie, I had no idea..."
Marie shook her head. "How could you? I feel like such a weight as been lifted," she confessed, smiling the first time in days.
Hermione didn't say anything, only wrapped an arm around Marie's shoulders. The comfort this little gesture gave her was enormous. Marie looked up at Harry, who seemed to be contemplating everything she had just said. Finally, he kneeled down in front of her and took her hands in his. "Listen Marie, I'm sorry I doubted your innocence before --"
"That was completely understandable."
" -- But not anymore. I am going to try and do whatever I can to get you out of here. That means I have to try to convince the Ministry to give you a trial and then we have to prove your innocence. It's going to be hard but we'll make it, okay? After all, Clara needs her mother." As Harry finished, he smiled at her.
Marie felt tears prick her eyes. "Thank you so much, both of you. Without you I would probably die in here and Clara ... Clara would be alone..."
Harry shook his head a bit too hard. "Not alone. Hermione and I would never allow that to happen. And you know what?" he said suddenly. "She can stay with us during all this. She's told us about the orphanage and she hates it there. That's not a place for someone like here." He looked hopefully to Hermione for agreement.
A smile broke out on her face. "Of course she can! She's already like family to us. She would love that. Besides, Harry, you promised her a flying lesson."
Marie watched them with joy. She could tell how much they cared for her daughter and the knowledge that Clara had people to run was such a relief.
"What do you think Marie? Would that be okay?"
She nodded. "Of course! She would love that and I know she'll be safe."
"Good," Harry pronounced, clearly excited.
As this was said, the same guard who had escorted them returned. "Visit's over," he growled, unlocking the door.
Hermione hugged her, promising hope. Harry also hugged her. "We'll get you out of here. I'll keep in touch," he whispered before both of them were gone, leaving Marie alone with the darkness and hope of a new life.
***
Voldemort turned away from the vision of Marie with Potter and the Mudblood, his face distorted into a cruel smile. Marie had the dark mark, meaning Voldemort would know instantly if she spoke against him to anyone. He couldn't wait to torture her. But something that was bothering him was the fact that she had been against him all along. Sure, he had an idea, he was Voldemort after all, but he should have known for sure.
"Master?"
Voldemort scowled at the Death Eater who so dared to interrupt his thoughts. "What is it!" he growled turning around to see Parzatti standing there regretting his entrance. Even this fool was afraid of him.
"Um, Master, about Johnson ..."
"I know about her already. What do you want?"
Anthony cleared his throat. "Are you -- "
Voldemort glared into the young man's face, menacing red eyes facing daring brown ones. "It is not your place to question my actions! I should teach you a lesson for this!" Without even a moment's hesitation, his wand was out and the words "Crucio" left his lips.
Amidst the strangled screams, Voldemort smirked. No one got away with insolence; especially those loyal to him. He turned away from the wreathing form of Anthony and placed a long, crooked finger against his chin. As for Marie, she would get hers.
"Let her get out of Azkaban using Potter. She might be able to run but there is nowhere to hide."
***
A.N 2: Finally! Okay, about that trial ... I'm probably digging myself into a ditch right about now but that's okay. If anyone has any information about trials and sentences for Death Eaters, let me know, please!
Anyway, hope you enjoyed the chapter! I can't promise a quick update because at this point I have several other fics I have to complete and I can feel a writer's block coming on. I'll try and post some one-shots to keep you guys busy while I rack my brain for ideas.
Anjel
Luv, Anjel
P.S. To those of you who are waiting *patiently* for the 3rd part of Let Me Love You: I have a VERY good excuse, which is too long to write here. So, if you want an explanation please e*mail me and I'll be happy to convince you guys that I have not forgotten about that fic.
Chapter Thirteen * Deliverance *
Dr. Hermione Granger loved what she did for a living. She loved children and enjoyed going to work every day, never impatient for the day to be done so she could go home; except for today. Today was the day she would be going to Azkaban to see Marie -- and solve another piece of the puzzle that was Voldemort's plan -- and she was a bundle of nerves.
She could barely concentrate on the tasks at hand, making her grateful that she didn't have as many patients as usual today.
"Hermione," Lavender called, standing in her office door. "Someone's here to see you."
Hermione looked up from going through some files to see Lavender's face split in a grin. At first she though it was Harry, who would come and get her from the hospital when it was time for them to go to Azkaban, then she realized that was impossible because she had another couple of hours until then.
"Bring them in," she replied absently. She looked back down only to raise her head a second time when a loud squeal of delight permeated through the room.
"Clara!" It was Hermione's turn to squeal and she jumped out of her chair to hug the young girl tightly. "How are you?"
Clara looked up at her happily, her blue eyes bright with excitement. Though she still looked the same, she seemed older in a way and Hermione had a feeling that was due to events with her mother. Despite her age, Clara was very intelligent and alert.
"I've missed you! I thought you would never come back from that trip with Harry! Then I thought you forgot about me! Well, that's what Cathy said anyway," she babbled on, plopping into the chair Hermione had just vacated and spun around in circles.
"Forget about you?" Hermione repeated, shocked. "Never! How could I ever forget about you?" Clara was the little sister Hermione had always wanted but never had.
"I know, " she answered confidently. "I told her she was just jealous that I have more friends than she does and mine are all famous!"
Hermione had to laugh at this. "That's right," she agreed, sitting across from her. "So what brings you here today?" she asked, not unkindly.
"Well, I missed you so much..." With the way Clara was looking down and not at her, Hermione knew that wasn't the only reason. "But I wanted to ask you something," she almost spit out then continued quickly, "I mean, I know you'll tell me the truth and..."
"About your mum?" Hermione prodded gently.
Clara bit her bottom lip and nodded.
"You know you can tell me anything. Go ahead and ask whatever you want."
"Does my mummy love me?" She lifted her head and looked at Hermione with so much sadness, that Hermione's eyes almost filled with tears.
She kneeled down in front of Clara and took her small hands in her own. "Yes, baby, she does. She loves you very much you remember that, okay? No matter what happens and no matter what anyone says, she will always love you. You are her whole world."
Clara's eyes filled with tears and they began to slip down her cheeks. "Then why is she friends with Voldemort?"
The shock of hearing the little girl say his name came and went. Right now, she had more important things to be thinking about than a silly name that adults half Clara's age couldn't even stutter. Hermione shook her head vehemently. "Your mum isn't friends with Voldemort, do you hear me? I don't believe it, Harry doesn't believe it, and you shouldn't either. I believe she had no choice and whatever people say, you don't listen to them." "You don't think mummy's guilty?" The young witch asked, hope beginning to show through her tears. "Then she isn't," she stated boldly. You know more than everybody else I know, you and Harry, and if you think my mummy isn't guilty then she isn't."
She gave a firm nod as if making herself believe it and Hermione couldn't help but think how much trust Clara placed on her. Hermione's heart melted at the thought.
"Is she in Akabac?"
Hermione smiled at her. "Azkaban, you mean. Yes, she is, but don't you worry because Harry and I are going to do all we can to get her out."
Clara nodded and stood up. "I know." She smiled and leaned in to hug Hermione tightly.
"Am I interrupting?" a voice cut into their embrace.
"Harry!" Clara let go of Hermione and ran to him, where he picked her up with ease and threw her into the air, catching her in his arms.
As Hermione watched, she could see a hint of pity in Harry's eyes for the little girl who was so close to each of their hearts. "Hey love," she said, going over to them and giving him a quick kiss.
They shared a look, because both knew what time it was, and Harry turned to Clara, who was playing with his hair. "I missed you," he told her, nuzzling her nose.
"I missed you too," she replied, frowning slightly. "Are you going to get my mummy out today?"
Harry nodded. "I am certainly going to try. Don't you worry though, because we are going to do all we can to get her out, okay?"
"That's what Hermione said."
"Then you know it's true," Harry told her with a smile, tugging gently on a lock of blonde hair.
This drew a smile out of the young girl and she wrapped her arms around Harry's neck and hugged him tightly, wishing with all of her heart that he were her dad. She had always wished for parents like Hermione and Harry, but she couldn't say that, not now.
"Clara, it's time to go," Cathy announced from the door, sending a glare Hermione's way and freezing when she caught site of Harry. "Harry Potter?" she asked incredulously. "Is that you?"
Hermione sent Harry an amused look but he smiled at the older witch politely. "That would be me," he replied, setting Clara back on her feet in order to shake Cathy's hand.
She squealed (Hermione tried to hold in her laughter, causing her to snort) like a little girl and just stood there, not letting go of his hand.
Harry looked at Hermione for help, but she only covered her mouth with her hand. In the end, it was Clara who saved him.
"You know Harry and Hermione are going to get married so don't even bother trying to suck up to Harry," she told her, rolling her eyes at her guardian.
Cathy blushed a deep red and let go of Harry's hand, sending a scowl Clara's way. She cleared her throat. "Let's go, Clara, now. It was so nice meeting Harry, you're even more handsome in person," she purred and winked at him before walking out the door without even a glance at Hermione.
Clara shook her head then turned towards Hermione, giving her a kiss and a hug. "Come see me, okay?" Hermione nodded, holding the girl close.
"My turn," Harry interrupted, picking her up again. He hugged her tightly. "We'll come pick you up sometime and go have some fun, okay? And you can owl us whenever you want to."
Clara nodded. "Get her out fast, okay?" she told him, kissing his cheek and jumping down from his arms. Waving good-bye she also walked out the door.
Harry turned to Hermione, whose eyes had filled with tears. Holding open his arms, she went to him and buried her face in his chest, allowing the security he gave comfort her. "It's going to be okay, love."
She nodded. "I know." Pushing away from him, she wiped her eyes and looked up at him. "Ready?"
Harry nodded, let out a long breath and took Hermione's offered hand. "Let's go see Marie."
***
Hermione felt as if she were falling deeper and deeper inside herself with each step she took. All her doubts, insecurities, and losses surfaced and she had to stop herself from bursting into sobs.
"Hermione..." Harry whispered in her ear, giving her hand a hard squeeze to rid her of these feelings that were distorting her face in sorrow. "I love you."
She turned to him and gave a small nod. He continued to repeat that and Hermione felt better, the hazy, horrible cloud dissipating from her mind.
Dark dungeons lined them on either side and all she could see from the blackness were knarled hands reaching for them in between the bars. The guards would whack at them and they would retreat back into the darkness. Groans and murmurings filled the air, making Hermione feel as if she were going to lose her mind.
Harry was faring better than her but not by much. He pulled Hermione closer, rubbing his hand up and down her arm as she shivered, the dampness creeping up both their spines.
"Here we are," one of the guards announced in a gruff voice that sounded as if it hadn't been used in a while. He pulled out a set of keys, unlocked the door, and pulled it open, waiting for Harry and Hermione to venture inside.
"Thank you. I will send for you as soon as we are done," Harry told him, stepping inside and pulling Hermione behind him.
The guard gave a brief nod, placed a lantern on the ground, and in the next moment, the door slammed shut behind them, his heavy footfalls echoing off the walls.
"W-who's there?" a voice sounded out of the corner of the room, weak and terrified.
Harry picked up the lantern and lifted it over his head. "It's Harry, Marie. Hermione's here too. Don't be afraid."
They took a step closer and the light spilled over Marie's hunched form in a corner. She was shivering and when she looked up, it took all of Hermione's will power not to gasp. She had lost weight and seemed too small for her own skin. Black, deep bags hung under her eyes, which seemed dull, not the vibrant blue of her daughter's.
"Oh my God..." Hermione ran over to her, wrapping her arms around Marie's thin frame. "Oh Marie..."
"Hermione," Marie rasped out, trying to smile but failing terribly. "I didn't think I'd ever see you guys again."
Harry stepped up also and kneeled down next to the two women. He hugged her briefly, still not quite sure how he viewed her. "We're here to see if we can get you out. That is if you're innocent."
The slight accusation in his voice was not lost on Hermione or Marie and Hermione turned to him. "Harry, please ... Don't." She gave him a pleading look, hoping he would drop it.
"No, it's okay, Hermione," Marie interjected, looking at Harry with a blank expression. "You believe I deserve to be in here?" she questioned.
Harry didn't blink an eyelash. "I don't know what to believe anymore, Marie. Are you the person who Hermione thinks you are? Someone being used against her will, trying to survive for her daughter? Or is this all an act?"
"What do you think?"
"Why don't you tell me, Marie? I'm tired of games. I'm tired of lies and disbeliefs. Are you truly who you say you are or you messing with everyone's head?"
Marie looked away, shame taking over her face. "I ... This, this is not an act, per say..."
"What does that mean!" Harry cried, frustrated. He stood up and began to pace, waiting for an explanation.
Marie sighed. "I suppose I should start from the very beginning, huh?" And she did just that, making sure not to forget or change anything. These two wonderful people deserved the truth and she would finally give it to them. It didn't matter the consequences (because there were surely going to be consequences), she couldn't think about Voldemort or what telling them everything would mean. To her, it didn't matter anymore.
Harry and Hermione listened attentively as Marie poured out everything she had been burdened with for so long. Her words came out quietly but in a rush, as if she was afraid to give them room to speak, for fear they'd stop her from continuing.
Amazingly enough, her tears did not show themselves this time as they always did when she thought of her past life. The only reason she could think of for her lack of emotion was that she had buried her past and it was now so deep inside that it didn't affect her anymore. For some reason, she felt sadness at this revelation.
As she finished telling them everything, Hermione took her hand in hers and squeezed it reassuringly. "Wow, Marie, I had no idea..."
Marie shook her head. "How could you? I feel like such a weight as been lifted," she confessed, smiling the first time in days.
Hermione didn't say anything, only wrapped an arm around Marie's shoulders. The comfort this little gesture gave her was enormous. Marie looked up at Harry, who seemed to be contemplating everything she had just said. Finally, he kneeled down in front of her and took her hands in his. "Listen Marie, I'm sorry I doubted your innocence before --"
"That was completely understandable."
" -- But not anymore. I am going to try and do whatever I can to get you out of here. That means I have to try to convince the Ministry to give you a trial and then we have to prove your innocence. It's going to be hard but we'll make it, okay? After all, Clara needs her mother." As Harry finished, he smiled at her.
Marie felt tears prick her eyes. "Thank you so much, both of you. Without you I would probably die in here and Clara ... Clara would be alone..."
Harry shook his head a bit too hard. "Not alone. Hermione and I would never allow that to happen. And you know what?" he said suddenly. "She can stay with us during all this. She's told us about the orphanage and she hates it there. That's not a place for someone like here." He looked hopefully to Hermione for agreement.
A smile broke out on her face. "Of course she can! She's already like family to us. She would love that. Besides, Harry, you promised her a flying lesson."
Marie watched them with joy. She could tell how much they cared for her daughter and the knowledge that Clara had people to run was such a relief.
"What do you think Marie? Would that be okay?"
She nodded. "Of course! She would love that and I know she'll be safe."
"Good," Harry pronounced, clearly excited.
As this was said, the same guard who had escorted them returned. "Visit's over," he growled, unlocking the door.
Hermione hugged her, promising hope. Harry also hugged her. "We'll get you out of here. I'll keep in touch," he whispered before both of them were gone, leaving Marie alone with the darkness and hope of a new life.
***
Voldemort turned away from the vision of Marie with Potter and the Mudblood, his face distorted into a cruel smile. Marie had the dark mark, meaning Voldemort would know instantly if she spoke against him to anyone. He couldn't wait to torture her. But something that was bothering him was the fact that she had been against him all along. Sure, he had an idea, he was Voldemort after all, but he should have known for sure.
"Master?"
Voldemort scowled at the Death Eater who so dared to interrupt his thoughts. "What is it!" he growled turning around to see Parzatti standing there regretting his entrance. Even this fool was afraid of him.
"Um, Master, about Johnson ..."
"I know about her already. What do you want?"
Anthony cleared his throat. "Are you -- "
Voldemort glared into the young man's face, menacing red eyes facing daring brown ones. "It is not your place to question my actions! I should teach you a lesson for this!" Without even a moment's hesitation, his wand was out and the words "Crucio" left his lips.
Amidst the strangled screams, Voldemort smirked. No one got away with insolence; especially those loyal to him. He turned away from the wreathing form of Anthony and placed a long, crooked finger against his chin. As for Marie, she would get hers.
"Let her get out of Azkaban using Potter. She might be able to run but there is nowhere to hide."
***
A.N 2: Finally! Okay, about that trial ... I'm probably digging myself into a ditch right about now but that's okay. If anyone has any information about trials and sentences for Death Eaters, let me know, please!
Anyway, hope you enjoyed the chapter! I can't promise a quick update because at this point I have several other fics I have to complete and I can feel a writer's block coming on. I'll try and post some one-shots to keep you guys busy while I rack my brain for ideas.
Anjel
