Chapter Twenty-One

The lovely large snake felt the weighted stares. Without moving, she glanced up to see the Malfoy's looking her way. Unlike what the humans and her old Master thought, snakes could understand almost any spoken language. Living in a magical world, snakes, themselves, had evolved into magical beings. Although, like Nagini, most snakes refused to show off their full capabilities unless with a Master they know will not abuse such power.

Now Nagini listened in wonder as the large group of freed followers cheered. Yes, she loved her Master. Yes, he cared for her, giving into her every whim. But something had changed within them both. His obsession to the Potter child had angered her at first, well that was until she had started her own obsession.

Hunting alone at nights with that rat of a person, Peter Pettigrew, Nagini heard the snatches of conversations from various animals, especially freed snakes. In some fashion or another they had come in contact with the Potter boy. He had only killed the Basilisk in Hogwarts to save a friend, as well as his own life. That he never believed in imprisoning a creature, even his own familiar was rarely ever locked in her cage.

Since those nights, she began to realize her Master was a captor and the Riddle home was a prison. She desired to be by Potter's side, maybe as his familiar instead. And now she hoped to never see her old Master. She hoped he remained in eternal damnation. She wanted her freedom, not locked away being treated like a dumb creature as her new captors were doing now. She survived her Master's death and she'd be damned if they thought she would succumb to them or to the rising of her old Master, she'd go straight to Potter and tell him everything first.

And now she understood the weighted stares. The Malfoy's loved their only son, their lovely heir. They would rather rot in prison and play their parts then harm their son in any way. When her Master had demanded the young blonde, his parents had been sure the boy would overhear and make his decisions of following the Dark Lord. She had been their confidante at times, never telling her Master. She also been Severus Snape's as well, all those long nights bent over a steaming cauldron, though at first he had been cautious. He had been the traitor, though given up by a faithful Death Eater jealous of his and Malfoy's favour, but she had liked him very much and refused to name him. Instead, she would always feign disinterest and going after the rat Pettigrew.

Curious as to why she was being stared at, Nagini watched the two aristocratic blondes carefully inch close. Knowing they didn't want to be suspicious, she slithered towards them. No one found it strange that the Malfoy's were being greeted by Nagini instead of celebrating, it was something they always did when their Lord had been still alive. She curled about them with her tail to lead them further away from prying ears.

The Malfoy's spoke in low tones, cooing. She preened and softly hissed in return. All pretending and acting to preserve their lives. "Sweet Nagini."

Narcissa stroked Nagini's cool scales, knowing the snake had grown cold with their Lord since his obsession. "Our Draco's needed. We're free to play a part to be."

Nagini understood that they were still pretending to be loyal in wanting to bring their son home. Lucius continued the cooing in haughty tones, "My little boy, my heir. He'll make the Malfoy line proud."

Nagini's red eyes watched as the head Malfoy stalked away, leaving his proud wife to continue cooing and sweet talking the snake. With Narcissa alone and seated in a lone chair, Nagini wrapped her body around the young Mistress, blocking the woman's face from the other Death Eaters.

Narcissa smiled gratefully but still whispered, "Stop them, please. My baby will not be defiled by that thing. Nor being harmed by those of the Light willing to see his downfall."

Nagini softly hissed, knowing the woman didn't understand but was grateful. He'll be safe, Mistress. I'll see to it.

"Keep him safe. My boy must not be at his side. No matter how it happens, don't let this plan succeed."

Nagini was on a mission but she had to wait as she found the prisoners. She needed to know where she was, her food had always been brought to her. No one was too willing to let her overhear the location, but maybe, just maybe, the prisoners might know something. Then she could try slipping out of the place, using the magic she had been gifted at birth.

"No one knows where we are? Not even ghosts?"

"Uh, Susan, they'll know."

"Not without a spy. Snape was a Death Eater until he was ousted."

Draco frowned. Someone as watching them, he could feel it but it didn't feel threatening nor dangerous. It felt like it wanted to help. That caused him to glance about, wondering why his mind was begging to remember. He knew he seen a room like this before or heard of one, but where?

"Where what, ferret?"

Grey eyes blinked. Draco hadn't realized he had spoken aloud. "This room. I've either seen one before or heard of it."

Millicent suddenly frowned. She felt the same thing when a past image came to mind. /"Millie! Guess what?"

Fourth year Hogwarts student Millicent Bulstrode glanced up at her best friend, Pansy Parkinson. "What?" She hated guessing games.

"Father finally caved. Well, under 'Crucio.' By our Lord, of course. He said that a future Malfoy bride deserves the best."

"Malfoy!" Millicent thought Pansy hated him. She could have sworn Pansy wanted someone else.

"Not yet. But I do know something interesting."

A brow raised but Pansy had refused to continue. Instead she pulled her friend from the bedroom in the Parkinson Manor. Down some stairs, through various halls, and out some doors, Millicent was faced with a large plain stone room. "Father's gift. Lovely, isn't it?"

Confused, "It's a stone room."

"Exactly. No way out." Millicent had been shocked. Pansy had gotten a room for either some type of torture room or a holding cell. Just about every Death Eater was creating one. Mainly for Muggles but the idea was for Harry Potter./

"We're at one of the Death Eater's. They've been making these rooms for several loyal followers to hold Muggles but in hopes of capturing Potter."

Ron fumed at that thought. "And which one would that be?"

"I don't know, Weasel." Draco snickered at the redhead's glare, "I do know we're not at the Malfoy Mansion." Seeing the redhead's mouth open, "No, Weasel, I do know. We have plenty rooms in the dungeons to torture or hold people. Father never wanted a cell like this, liked the racks and chains better." Both Slytherins laughed at Ron's white face as he thought of racks and chains.

Luna squeaked loudly, catching her hand on something as she tried to shift into a more comfortable position. "Ouch!"

"Luna?"

Said girl pulled a piece of cement, silver rock with black splotches, from beneath her body. The two laughing Slytherins quieted quickly, now knowing exactly where they were. Only one family among the Slytherin House at Hogwarts had a thing for silver with black splotches, "Zambini! But they were neutral!"

Satisfied with what she heard, Nagini softly slithered away. She knew that in a few days the spell the blonde girl wanted would be started. But the ceremony wouldn't really start until someone of a higher power had front row seats. And only guessing, she believed the Minister would be arriving.

Nagini had to find the Mages. It was they who the Death Eaters feared the most. And the Mages made the perfect target to tell all because if she could find them, then the children would have a chance and just maybe Harry Potter would hear of her heroics and let her be his friend, just so she could be truly free of a prison from birth.