Warning on this chapter. Extreme violence towards our little Azadeh

Chapter 22

Voldemort held a private dinner for his Death Eaters every so often, no women were really allowed, but for some reason, Azadeh was. In fact, she was the ONLY woman invited, which made Harry question as to why.

Harry spotted Lucius and it bothered him. He had heard from Draco that he suspected his father as to being the one that harmed Azadeh, but there was no proof. Lucius made his way to them, greeting Harry with a smile, and kissed Azadeh's hand, which she let him but after, backed into Harry a little tighter. Lucius narrowed his eyes a tad, stating his dislike for her behavior, but quickly put on his usual cool and nuetral demeanor.

Draco greeted them, "why was Azadeh invited?"

"I don't know," Harry said suspiciously.

"Is this bad?" Azadeh looked at both of them.

"We don't know, my pet," Draco caressed her arm. Harry arched one eyebrow at him and slightly moved her away. Draco only smirked.

Finally, they were all invited to sit down and were given their salads and appetizers. Azadeh sat between Draco and Harry, slightly looking around...no other women besides her. Others were looking at her as well, some, clearly looking her up and down as if she were a piece of meat...Lucius didn't really look at her like that, but he did have desire behind his eyes. He was always like that, his face nuetral and his mind closed to what he was thinking, not that she could read minds anyway, but she could read most people, but never him...or Harry. If Harry didn't want her to read him, he made it so.

Lucius watched her carefully, she seemed to be strategically placed between Harry and his son, as if they were bodyguards. Not that it would help her with whatever the Dark Lord had planned. Though he couldn't say that he wasn't worried about what his master did have in mind for the girl.

After dinner, Voldemort stood up, "I hope my Death Eaters have enjoyed their meal?" Everyone nodded. "Good. As you know, you all have recieved the new batch of potions and no doubt, have felt the awesome effect from it?" Again, everyone nodded. "With this new batch, you will be near unstoppable, and you have one young lady to thank for it. Harry, will you bring me your wife?"

Azadeh looked fearful at Harry, but Harry stood his ground as she knew he would, and took her to his master with no hesitation. Voldemort took hold of her arm, but Harry still stood by her side, he wasn't going anywhere.

"This is the one you must thank," everyone looked at each other. "Through her blood, you are more powerful than ever...her father is a Shaman. Their blood extends life, she has natural immunity to many things...including poisons, perhaps I should show you an example?" Before Harry could protest, he heard, "Nagini, STRIKE!"

Voldmort's snake struck Azadeh on the wrist, Draco tensed and so did Lucius, as Azadeh squealed in pain.

She felt the poison corse through her blood, her body turning cold as she felt her heart slow...was she dying? Azadeh fell to her knees, but Voldemort still held her arm. Harry was screaming in his head for all this to stop, he watched his beloved angel fall to her knees...her face turn pale, her lips turn blue... Yet, Voldemort still held on to her, even though she was on her hands, barely able to push herself up.

Lucius watched this in absolute anger, this was uncalled for. Draco's breath quickened, she couldn't be dying?

Azadeh laid on the ground for a second, she realized she wasn't dying after all. It took her a few minutes and she pushed herself up. Everyone started whispering, Lucius closed his eyes in relief, and Harry's knees nearly buckled. Voldemort then grabbed her by her upper arms, pulling her up, Azadeh's eyes half open, her head bobbing around.

"THAT'S my girl, strong, aren't you? Worth your weight in galleons for all the little things you can do..." He turned her around, but she didn't look well, "THIS is your future...everytime you see her, be respectful, and know...SHE is your livelyhood now, YOUR reason you cannot be harmed easily."

All the Death Eaters nodded in amazement. She should have been dead. Nagini's poison was potent and usually killed someone within 30 seconds, but she was alive. Voldemort picked her up and handed her back to Harry, "here you are my dear boy, take care of her, she will need to recover. There is a room down the hall.."

Harry nodded curtly, he showed no emotion, his mind closed, but inside he was outraged, angry, infuriated that Voldemort did this to her.

After just a little while, Azadeh ran to the bathroom...she was throwing up, expelling the poison from her body. Harry sat in concern has he heard her, and when she finally came out, she had her color back, her teeth cleaned and hair brushed, but still weak. He came up to her and held her, "are you alright?"

She nodded, "why did he do that?"

"I don't know. To prove a point? But it was an unnecessary one," he caressed her hair and kissed her forehead. Inside, Harry knew that his angel was in possible danger, that she and him were being tested for their loyalty...and he worried that they would not survive it. Perhaps that is why she did not want to have a child, instinctively she knew.

"Azadeh?" She looked up. "Is the reason why you don't want to have a child now is because...of this, of Voldemort?"

Azadeh started to tear and nodded her head, "I'm sorry for lying to you...I'm just so scared that something is going to happen, I can feel it...and I'm so afraid he'll kill our child too. I couldn't bare losing you or our child. Please...please forgive me." She buried her head in his chest and sobbed, grabbing onto his robes.

Harry held her tighter and started kissing her passionately on the lips, leading her to the bed that was in the room. He took off her dress and his robes, ready to make love to her. They held each other tightly...but then they were interrupted and Harry almost cursed the person standing there, Draco.

"What the hell," Harry yelled.

"Oh, sorry...sorry," Draco turned around, but had a huge smirk on his face, he got a nice eyeful of Azadeh and it made his night.

Harry covered her with the sheets and himself, "MAY I ASK WHY YOU JUST WALKED IN?"

"The Dark Lord was wondering if she was alright and asked me to check, but I'll tell him that she is just fine," he left. Draco then walked past his father, "I wouldn't bother, they're, shall we say, occupied?"

Lucius watched his son leave, while he had a look of fury. He wanted to bust into the bedroom and rip Harry off Azadeh, especially when he heard her laughing. Lucius gripped his walking stick tightly, but quickly left the corridor for fear he would do it and only causing him additional trouble.

Harry had locked the door with his wand, but felt Azadeh chuckling and then laughing. "What's so funny? Draco just SAW YOU!"

"I'm...I'm sorry, I know you don't like that, but it's just funny...not him seeing me, just the situation...," she tried to quelch her laughter but then she would start giggling again.

Appearently it was contagious because Harry smirked and nuzzled her, "you're a very silly girl." Then, they were back where they started.

After they were finished and entered the main hall, everyone seemed to just be enjoying themselves and only acknowledged them slightly, some gave a knowing look but Harry ignored it. Lucius tripped Harry with his cane, causing Harry to almost stumble and fall.

Lucius only smirked, "sorry."

Harry shot him a deadly look, "WATCH you blasted walking stick!" Azadeh looked at them both, but then put her hand on Harry's arm, he turned and his face softened and put his arm around her, knowing Lucius would get upset.

Then Voldemort called for a meeting and everyone was to attend, except Lucius and Azadeh. Draco said something but only whispered it in his ear, "but dear sire, would that be wise? My father has issues in that department."

Voldemort turned to Draco, "he knows better now, besides, this will be a test for him...of his self-control."

Draco nodded, Harry's jaw clenched. He looked at Azadeh, who only nodded. They all left, leaving Azadeh and Lucius alone.

She looked out the large window by the fireplace, not looking at Lucius, but she could feel him looking at her. He noticed her taking off her shoes again, "I never understood why you don't like to wear shoes indoors."

"I just never did, maybe I was Japanese in a former life or something," her voice was soft. "To them, to wear your shoes indoors and track in dirt to their home, is an insult."

"Indeed?"

"I'm suprised you didn't know that, you know a lot of things."

"Are you trying to flatter me?"

"No."

"Then what are you suggesting?" he drawled.

"That you know who hurt me a little while ago. It was you, I know it was."

Lucius said nothing.

"Why can't you let me go? There are plenty of beautiful girls out there for you to buy, half-breeds, muggleborns, and even pure-bloods that I'm sure would want you. I'm just a half-breed myself, used as a power source for your potions," Azadeh looked down. She hadn't realized that Lucius had come up behind her, he put his hands on her arms and suprisingly, she didn't flinch.

"You're much more than that...," it gave him pleasure to touch her soft skin again. He pulled her close to him, her back against his chest. "You talk of just being a half-breed, but you have abilities that are rarely possessed. You talk of being a 'power source', but you give us life through your blood, and you talk of other beautiful women, but you are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen, and many agree with me. And I can't let you go because I feel you are mine, that is all there is to say."

Azadeh said nothing.

"But you must forgive me now, because I have to do something you may not like," Lucius pulled out a wet cloth from his pocket, and without giving her time to react, put it over her face, holding her tightly while she struggled. Azadeh's small hands pulled on his arms, but they were unmovable, thanks to the potion she helped create. She passed out.

He had been instructed by the Dark Lord that he take Azadeh to obtain information while they were in the meeting. Voldemort knew Harry would not want to do this, no man would, so he wanted to spare his 'right hand' the dirty work, but he knew Lucius would do it, and Lucius did it for one, to gain favor back from the Dark Lord, and two, to have access to Azadeh once again. She was not to be tortured, but given the truth syrum to find those tunnels and either kill the rest of the Shamans or use them for the potions as well, and if they were female, be sold to the highest bidders...usually his Death Eaters.

Lucius picked her up and apparated to the place he had to question her. He placed her in a chair, then put smelling salt under her nose and she awoke instantly. Azadeh's head hurt, "where...what did you do, where am I?"

Before she knew it, Lucius forced her to open her mouth and gave her a few drops of something. She was suddenly scared.

"Now, my pretty girl, where are the tunnels that your little rebellion is hiding in?"

"I don't know," Azadeh said bluntly.

"How could NOT KNOW!"

"I'm not the secret keeper," she grinned. "Your Voldemort didn't think of that, did he?"

Lucius hissed when she said his name, "you don't ask ME, I ask YOU!"

"Okay."

"What is your father's true name?"

"I don't know."

"WHAT THE HELL! Of course you know!"

"I'm afraid I don't. There was a spell cast, that if anyone were to get caught by a Death Eater, we would have our memories altered. I'd know him if I saw him, I'd call him 'father', but if you were to ask me his name...," she shrugged her shoulders.

"How many are there in your rebellion?"

"Hundreds, maybe more now...Voldemort is losing his grip..."

Lucius tilted her head up to look at him, "you should not be so disrespectful."

"Why? I've always been," she didn't mean for it to sound funny, but it did.

He smirked, "THAT you have. Who warns you that we're coming?"

"The spirits of our ancestors...the spirits of nature, there are signs all around you that warn you of things, but you're culture doesn't listen as much. Kind of pointless to be a wizard if you aren't able to pay attention to those signs."

"Are you planning to take down the Dark Lord?"

"Isn't everyone?" Lucius cocked one eyebrow. "This is boring, can we move on to something else? I can't really tell you much..."

"Why?"

"I've been programmed ever since I was a little girl, they are much smarter than you, you know? They've watched you and you don't even know they're there." Lucius looked up in alarm. "I've watched you, you especially myself, yet, you didn't even notice...we have a way of hiding ourselves...hiding in plain site. There were times I was so close to you, I could have slit your throat and you wouldn't have known..."

"That's quite enough, my pretty girl," he hissed. "Now, why were you looking up Hermione Granger's name?"

"I wasn't."

Lucius looked at her shocked, "Yes, you WERE."

"Um, I'm under some type of truth syrum, right?" Azadeh was lying. The actual truth was...all of the Shamans, all those in the rebellion, were immune to truth syrum, they took it daily so that it would lose it's effect, yet, she could mimic the behavior of being under it so no one would be the wiser.

Lucius, however knew better, he came up close to her face, his hands tight on the sides of her shoulders, "YOU'RE LYING. YOU'RE immune to the syrum, aren't you?"

"Bingo." He was shocked at her honesty. "But I was telling the truth as far as the spells went, I can't remember my father's name and I still can't tell you where the tunnels are, because we really do have a secret keeper...so sorry," she grinned.

She was mocking him and he couldn't stand it, Lucius flew into a rage. He couldn't deal with it anymore, she was with Harry, the one who stole her away, and NOW she was mocking him... no, taunted him, everything about her taunted him...something he couldn't have and he finally snapped. He back handed her so hard, she fell of the chair.

Azadeh felt like her eye was going to explode, she tried to get herself up but then Lucius grabbed her hair and started to drag her, she squealed and then her body felt this sharp pain, he had thrown her against a wall. Azadeh couldn't breathe because the wind had been knocked out of her. Lucius picked her up by her neck, "you're precious Harry wants you to have his child, I WONDER how he would feel if you couldn't HAVE ANY!"

Her eyes grew wide as she felt another sharp pain, he had punched her hard in the stomach, blood came out of her mouth slightly. Lucius let her fall to her knees, she doubled over in pain, grunting and sobbing at the same time. Azadeh squealed again as he kicked her this time, she heard something crack and was sure it was her ribs. He looked coldly down at her as she tried to slink away, though barely able to move...he was beating her to a pulp.

Then there were two hissing noises, and Lucius was jerked back hard. Azadeh couldn't make out what was happening...she heard yelling.

"WHAT THE HELL HAVE YOU DONE!" Harry roared.

Draco's eyes widened when he saw Azadeh, "OH MY GOD, FATHER!" His eyes widened further when he saw her spit up blood. "Look at what you've done! This is what you do to a woman you supposedly CARE ABOUT!" He made his father face her.

"I was asked to question her."

"YOU WERE ASKED TO USE THE TRUTH SYRUM!"

"She was immune to it..."

"SO YOU BEAT THE HELL OUT OF MY WIFE!" Harry hissed. "I'M GOING TO KILL YOU!" He lunged at Lucius, Lucius lunged back...

"THAT'S FINE, I'VE BEEN WANTING TO TEAR YOU APART SINCE YOU TOOK HER AWAY!"

Draco stepped out of the way and went to Azadeh's side, "come on little girl." As he picked her up, she shrieked in pain. He felt around her side, one of her ribs was clearly broken, he wasn't sure about the others. "Harry. HARRY!"

But Harry wasn't listening, Lucius and him were too busy trying to kill each other.

"Fine," Draco sighed. He pressed the little button that called for a few of the Death Eaters on his cloak and waited for a few moments. When they arrived, they realized they were in the middle of a brawl and moved out of the way. Draco called them over, "I need for you two to pull those idiots apart, then once you get her husband's attention, I need help getting her to St. Mungo's. The two Death Eater's nodded and looked at the poor girl laying there bleeding.

They tore the two apart, but Harry and Lucius were still trying to get to each other. "HARRY!"

Harry turned his head and was instantly snapped back to reality, Azadeh was lying there in pain and crying, what was he thinking, he had to get her to the hospital! He tore away from them, saying he was fine and went to her side. Lucius finally calmed down as well, it hit him what he had just done...he had blacked out when he'd done this, he didn't have any control...and nearly killed her. Before when he 'discaplined' her, he had control, control over everything he did, but this time he had snapped completely. Lucius shut his eyes tight in disbelief over what he had done. She would never forgive him for this...not for this.

Harry and Draco took Azadeh to the hospital, while Lucius was taken into custody once again to face a rather ruthless punishment.

Harry paced back and forth, the Healers had determined that one rib had pierced one of her organs and they had to take care of her right away. "Sit down, please, you're making ME nervous," Draco drawled.

He sat down, but then his knee started to bobb up and down, Draco put his hand on it to keep it from moving. Finally the Healer came out, "she's much better now, you can see her...we'll have to keep her overnight, but she should be ready to go home tomorrow evening." Harry nodded and nearly ran to her room.

There she was, looking much better, cleaned up and pretty as ever. Harry sighed, he seemed to sit down in slow motion, afraid that if he made the wrong move, she'd end up with another broken rib. Draco soon joined him and sighed, "my father is being severly punished now."

"That's not enough, I want him dead," Harry hissed.

"He deserves it, but you know as well as I do, that's not going to happen. He's been under Voldemort for too long and since she's immune to the truth syrum, he may make the excuse that he didn't know what else to do. My father has no patience, when he wants information, he gets it...but unfortunately, anyone who tests him will get a taste of his berserker temper, which is exactly what happened, then again, you and I know there was much more behind it." Harry nodded his head. "He blacked out when he did this to her, not that I'm making an excuse for him, there is none for this...but, you could see the look of regret...Azadeh does have a way with making men a little nuts, some women are just like that."

"You're telling me," Harry stated, then sat up, she opened her eyes and smiled at him.

"Hi," she said meakly.

"Hello," he came up slowly and held her hand. "How are you feeling?"

"Sore," Azadeh's voice was soft as she teared.

"He won't touch you again, I promise you."

Their moment was interrupted when the Healer asked Harry to come so he could talk about what was done to his wife, and whether or not she would have complications in having children, considering the damage...

Draco came up and sat next to her, "hello, my pet."

"Hello," Azadeh looked at him for a moment and then grabbed his hand, Draco had a look of suprise. "I know...I know you were the one that kept a cool head, I remember...you always seem to swoop in at the last minute and save me."

"I told you, did I not...that I planned to be there?" he purred.