Chapter Fifteen

"And such potions always worked. The Dark Lord enjoyed scenes like this." Once again, just a day or two before winter break, a strange figure was hidden by shadows.

In a newly created cell, four figures were forced to room together, "You won't get away with this!" They had been listening to horrid stories of what their Potions Professor had willingly, at first, then forced to do as a loyal follower to Voldemort. And not one liked what had happened to the innocents.

They could hear the smile in the magically distorted voice, "I already have. The traitor has prepared my way. With the altering potions and spells, not one of your so-called friends know you're missing."

"That's a lie!"

Their captor chuckled, "No one will believe that a fellow friend would ever truly hurt someone, not even to further her hopeful vision."

Suddenly footsteps startled the four captives. They cringed at another magically distorted voice, "Here's another. Our scapegoat. Everyone will immediately blame this one."

Magical hinges squeaked as the magically made doors opened. A fifth figure, unconscious, was tossed inside, "Enjoy your company. We'll be back again. Winter break comes and our fun begins."

Waiting in the silence, the captives remain quiet until their captors were gone. Then they crawled over to the newly arrived person. "Oh!" In the only two torches for light, they could make out the pale features and even paler hair. "If he's missing."

"He's not. They probably created a clone, like they did us. But should something happen, it'll be blamed on him."

Blinking in surprise, "I thought you hated him."

"I do, did. I thought he was the one that had did this at first but he wasn't. I still think he's a pompous prat. But that didn't matter when I saw the glimpse of our first captor a few days ago."

"Who did this?"

Before an answer could be said, a painful moan echoed through the air, "Where?"

"Hey. You ought to be calm."

Grey eyes peered through the dim torchlight to their companions, "Who?"

Crawling closer, they began to introduce themselves, "Seventh year Hufflepuff, Susan Bones."

"Sixth year Ravenclaw, Luna Lovegood."

"You know me." A soft smile eased the next female's face, "Seventh year Slytherin, Millicent Bulstrode."

"Oh, Millie." Said Slytherin shrugged. Face downcast, she allowed the fourth captive to speak.

"You know me as well, ferret." Grey eyes widened at the horrid nickname from his fourth year. "Seventh year Gryffindor, Ron Weasley. Your favourite Weasel."

"Guess this couldn't be too bad. It's just the Weasel. Where's the…"

"Shut the mouth, ferret, or I'll shut it for you. Mione's still at school, dating someone who looks like me but isn't me. And we know knew who you are but for those with a need to be refreshed, Seventh year Prince of Slytherin, Draco Malfoy, our famous bouncing ferret."