Chapter 15

Lucius Malfoy stood in Remus' living room dressed in all white, causing him, if possible, to look even more evil. His pale face and hair lent him a sinister look.

Remus heard Lika making her way down the hall and a new horror filled him. He glanced around in a frenzy for his wand until he saw it on the floor next to Lika's where they had been sitting.

"Lika! Stay where you are. Don't come in here." Remus shouted frantically, but it was too late, she'd already come around the corner. She was looking at the objects in her hand and did see the scene before her.

"Why?" She asked before she looked up and spotted the reason. "Lucius. What the hell do you want?"

It took her a moment to realize that he had his wand pointed at Remus. Terror filled her as she came closer to Malfoy.

"Hello my dear." Lucius said as he tugged her the remaining distance with his free hand.

Lika felt repulsed by his touch and tried to yank her arm away but his grip was too strong.

"Get your hands off of me." She demanded.

"You're an unregistered Animagus?" Remus said as the truth sank in. "That's how you got into the castle to make the Portkey? You've been spying on us?"

"Very good." Lucius said dryly.

"Don't you touch her Malfoy." Remus commanded with rage as he watched Lika flinch.

"Oh do be quiet Lupin." Lucius said in a bored tone as he gripped Lika's arm so tight red finger marks were appearing on her ivory skin.

"You're hurting me. Let go." She said in a small voice.

"You are going to come with me Gypsy." Malfoy stated.

"Oh no I'm not. I'm not going anywhere with you. Like I've told you before, I refuse to help you." She retorted.

"I think you will. Life could get very unpleasant for some....if you deny me." He said as he glanced meaningfully at Remus and pointed his wand a little more threateningly at him.

"You're bluffing." She said, even though she was sure he was most definitely not.

"You know I am not. Do not test me. I have no need to kill him but I will if you force me." He said and pressed the sharp end of the wand into Remus' chest. She watched him wince and a small blood spot began to show through on his white shirt.

"No!" She screamed out. "I'll come. Just don't hurt Remus. Please. I'll come."

"Good girl." Malfoy said with smug satisfaction.

"Lika no. Don't give in." Remus said.

"If I don't, he'll hurt you or worse kill you. I can't allow that." Lika said as her eyes filled with tears of anguish. She knew what she had to do. She turned to Lucius and asked, "Do I have your word that you will not hurt Remus?"

"On the honor of my families name." He answered.

"Lika no. I'm not worth it." Remus said quietly.

She looked at Lucius as she pried his fingers from her arms. "Give me a minute." She said.

"You are worth it Remus. I couldn't bear it if something happened to you. This is about me, not you. I must spare you from this. I love you with all my soul Remus." She said softly as the tears fell. She leaned forward and gave him a kiss filled with pure love.

"I lov..." Remus started but was interrupted as Malfoy sent a curse flying at him.

"Crucio!" Cried Malfoy and he watched with delight as Lupin fell to the ground. "Obliviate!" He shouted again.

"You promised you wouldn't hurt him." Lika shrieked at Lucius.

"I did not hurt him. He will be fine. I couldn't very well have him following us now could I? And his memory had to be modified so he would not go blabbing." he said silkily. "If anything, you should be thanking me for sparing him at all."

"I hate you." She said bitterly. Remus had been trying to tell her he loved her, she was sure of it. Now she was going to die never hearing the words she desperately wanted to.

"Well, that is tough isn't it. Truth be told, I do not like you either. You have been a pain in my ass from day one." He replied. "Now shut up. You are making my head hurt."

Lika turned away from him as he Apparted them away from Remus' slumped form. When they reappeared in front of the Malfoy estate Lika felt the pit in her stomach grow. She would die before telling Lucius information that would help the Dark Lord rise again.

Lucius pointed his wand at her back and pushed her to the door. Once inside he led her up the stairs to a surprisingly posh suite. Lika turned around and looked at him in confusion.

"What's this?" She demanded. What's he playing at, she asked herself.

"Your accommodations obviously." He said.

"Why aren't you....making me a prisoner?" She asked.

"Oh, I assure you are. My home is very much proofed Gypsy. You won't escape this time. You cannot Apparate in my home, you have no wand and I cannot control you with the Imperius Curse since you are a Seer, so really we are at an impasse. You are confined to these quarters. You will find whatever you need in here to make you comfortable. My house elf will be checking on you periodically during the day to make sure you are behaving yourself. I am giving you five days to tell me what I want to know. At that time it you have not told me what I want to know, I will make you tell me. Do you understand?" Lucius said.

Lika looked at him with her eyes full of contempt and nodded.

"Good. Sweet dreams then." He said maliciously as he turned and left.

The click of the lock seemed deafening in the silent room. Lika sank to the bed as the tears coursed down her cheeks and sobs tore through her. Remus, she thought as sorrow consumed her.