Chapter 2 – At the Mercy of Malfoy

Heather stood frozen in the doorway, fully expecting another alarm to go off. There was nothing. The wind blew gently outside, barely disturbing the dust. Some of the Researchers started towards Heather and the open door. Charlie and Constantin were at her back.

"Let's make a run for it," whispered Constantin.

"Don't be daft, we'll never make it to the broom shed -" Charlie broke off. As they peered across the compound towards the dormitory housing the Death Eaters a sense of impending doom struck them. The other dormitory door had swung open and several Death Eaters, headed up by Severus Snape, came storming across the grounds, wands at the ready. Heather was gripped with panic as Charlie and Constantin hurriedly stood between her and the Death Eaters.

"Let me do the talking," Charlie whispered, as Snape swept up the steps to the door. The rest of the Death Eaters stood a little way back, their wands trained on those visible inside.

"I see we have an escape committee already, or did you just call for room service?" Snape sneered, a little breathless.

"There's obviously something wrong with your lots' warding, Snape," Charlie said calmly, "We're just going to back away…"

"Silence, Weasley!" Snape thundered and pushed past the three at the door, closely followed by several Death Eaters. He strode up to Cosmina, Constantin's pregnant wife, and pointed his wand directly at her face.

"You will all tell me, this instant, who opened the door," his eyes narrowed, "or this one is the first!" Snape spun and faced the room, his wand still trained on the terrified Cosmina.

Heather could see Constantin stiffen out of the corner of her eye. He was about to move.

"It was me," Heather stepped forward, "Alone," her eyes were unable to meet Snape's furious gaze. She lightly touched Constantin's arm; he then turned to face her. She looked up at his anguished face.

"Oh, Heather," he spoke softly. Heather was about to reassure him, when Snape signalled to the Death Eaters. They moved quickly; Heather was dragged to one side while Charlie and Constantin were pushed up against the wall. All three of them were thoroughly searched; some of the Death Eaters stood aside performing various spells of revealment. After a while, one of them spoke,

"They're clean, Severus."

"Let's go." Snape led the way as the two Death Eaters nearest Heather grabbed her by the arms and frogmarched her outside. She just had time to glimpse Charlie's shocked face before the door slammed shut. Heather's heart banged loudly in her ears and she started to tremble. Snape was ignoring her as he faced the door and began to incant. He was brisk and businesslike as he lightly tapped his wand on each side of the doorframe, finishing at the threshold. After that, he went off on a circuit of the building – no doubt checking the window wards. In the time it took, Heather stood with the Death Eaters in silence, a hundred thoughts rushing through her mind about what would happen next. None of them gave her any comfort, but a feeling of resignation washed over her. Finally, Snape returned and came to a stop before Heather with a swish of his robes. Heather, still being restrained by Death Eaters, suddenly became very interested in the scuffed toes of her boots. She had but a moment to consider the bite mark inflicted by Rascal the Ridgeback in his younger years, when long, slender fingers forced her head up. Heather steadfastly avoided Snape's gaze, which was quite difficult as his sallow, gaunt face filled her vision.

"Look at me," said Snape. Heather reluctantly met his eyes; they were utterly black. His voice was soft and dangerous as he continued, "How did you open the door, witch?"

"I-I don't know," Heather stammered, "I was just standing near it wishing it would open." Snape studied Heather's face closely and she could feel herself reddening.

"Take her to Lucius," Snape addressed the Death Eaters, releasing her face viciously.

It seemed a long walk across the dusty compound to the other dorm. Heather was desperately hoping that if the Death Eaters had wanted to kill her they would've done so by now. Maybe they were just curious as to how she'd opened the door. She had to admit she was quite curious about it, too.

Severus Snape approached the dorm, not once looking back until he reached the door. He pulled it open, standing to one side with a slight bow.

"After you," he smirked unpleasantly, looking down his long nose at Heather.

"Why thank you," she replied coolly. What was the worst they could do? Might as well brazen it out, Heather thought to herself, I don't have anything to lose. Apart from my life.

Heather stumbled her way into the dorm, spoiling the nonchalant effect somewhat. This was the men's dorm, and Heather was led past the bunks where Death Eaters were now relaxing after their evening of mayhem and murder. There were not many here – some seemed to have left the camp after the initial raid was over. They laughed obnoxiously has she walked past.

Heather was brought to the end of the dorm, to what had been Jeremy's private room. Anger carried her over the threshold when a surly Death Eater opened the door, but she had a powerful hit of fear when she saw Lucius Malfoy sitting at Jeremy's bureau. He seemed to be engrossed in some parchment as she went in; he then carefully laid it down upon the desk and slowly turned to regard her. His eyes were cold and appraising as they flickered down her body.

"Thank you, Goyle. That will be all for now," his voice was mechanical, "Well?" Malfoy's eyes were looking past Heather, and she knew that someone remained behind her.

"This is the one who broke the wards on the door. Wandless and unaccompanied, apparently." Heather turned to see Severus Snape looking at her blankly. He stood very straight with his hands clasped behind his back.

"Interesting."

Heather faced Malfoy again, watching him as he sat in Jeremy's old chair. Fine boned and well turned out in exquisitely tailored robes, he would have looked every inch the Pureblood gentleman if it wasn't for the traces of green-grey shadow under his eyes. Eyes that were also frigid and dead; even though he was now looking directly at her, his expression was distant as though he wasn't seeing her. There was something barely human about Malfoy and here he was, leaning back in Jeremy's chair as though he had a perfect right. Then as though a light had been switched on, a vague spark of recognition came back into Malfoy's eyes.

"Heather Reed, is it not?" Heather nodded dumbly, "I'm sure, my dear, that you'll excuse us if we don't take you at your word regarding your sudden liberation," Heather heard a movement behind her, but resisted the urge to turn, "Severus would just like to make sure that we are not missing out on the finer details."

Heather was drawn into the black gaze of Severus Snape as he stood before her, his wand arm out.

"Legilimens," Snape intoned as Heather stared up at him like a rabbit between headlights. She reeled momentarily as images from her past filled up her vision: peaceful days with her mother caring for their menagerie of curious creatures, her brief but disastrous expedition to Mongolia to find the death worm. Snape's eyes peered blackly at her through the visions, but then the wall started to go up. It was her third week as the R.C.C.D. and she had been alone when she found the mortally wounded hatchling and had to put it out of its misery. A cold place.

"She's fighting it," Snape sounded surprised and she stoically began to analyse that particular note in his voice.

"Stop!" Malfoy interrupted. Heather was back in the room. Her knees had started to buckle with the effort of resisting the spell when Malfoy leapt to his feet, his hands reaching out to grab her by the neck. He pushed her backwards, up against the wall; she was on the tips of her toes, choking.

"Listen to me, you stupid witch! We don't have all night. This is not the time to be practicing your feeble Occlumency skills," Malfoy said, his eyes were white hot metal and there were flecks of spit on his pale lips. "You will submit, or you will die!"

Heather's lungs burned, starved of air. Suddenly, Malfoy was gone and Heather dropped heavily to the floor on her knees; her vision had darkened and there was a high pitched whine in her ears.

"OK," Heather had barely choked out the word when she felt a firm hand tilting up her face.

"Legilimens," said Snape, sounding rather more determined.

This time Heather let the memories wash over her, feeling increasingly queasy until she felt the bile rising in her throat. The spell then broke and the fug subsided dramatically.

"She doesn't lie," said Snape, flatly.

"Good… good."

Although she couldn't see him from her position on the floor, Heather could tell Malfoy was weighing up his options. Heather also used the brief respite to gather her strength. The room was silent other than the soft riffling of parchment as Malfoy continued to search through Jeremy's papers. When she finally spoke, her voice sounded raw and alien,

"The Intruder Charm that sounded also alerted the other outposts. When nobody contacted them to cancel it, they would have scrambled. There will be hundreds of wizards here shortly…"

Malfoy suddenly laughed with a wild, almost hysterical edge, making Heather jump,

"Silly girl! What makes you think they aren't in the same situation as you?" Heather looked up at Malfoy furiously as he regarded her with a pitying expression.

"This may be what Severus refers to as a 'side project', but this little undertaking has been planned for months. Right now, all of your other outposts are also under our control." Malfoy's laughter grew louder as Heather visibly deflated. She tried to counteract the effect of his words by rising to her feet. She had barely stood when the curse hit her,

"Crucio!"

Heather felt her spine contort as the pain lanced her body. Her blood seemed to turn to molten metal as the fiery pain spread from a point somewhere below her ribcage, quickly burning white-hot as it drove upwards into her brain. Her screams echoed throughout the room.

Then as soon as it began, the spell ended. Heather felt a cool hand on her brow and heard dry, coarse sobs. She belatedly realised they were her own and made an effort to suppress them. Her throat was ragged and she raised her head frantically to see Malfoy now standing near the window, his back to her. The cool hand firmly pressed her head back to the floor and she closed her eyes, trying to breathe deeply. Malfoy's voice came from far away,

"I'm sorry that we have found it necessary to inconvenience you," he feigned sincerity, "but we need to ensure that you are wholly receptive to our plans." As he spoke, Heather heard footsteps drawing near and sensed a presence above her. She opened her eyes to see Lucius Malfoy looking down at her. Despite his dispassionate words, his eyes burned with determination… and something else. He gracefully dropped to his knees and traced a long, pale finger down Heather's cheek. She fought to remain calm.

"Ah, she is almost beautiful now don't you think, Severus?" Malfoy's eyes held a strange light.

"If you say so." Snape replied. He sounded utterly bored. Heather felt sleepy, she mused that she missed the touch of the cool hand. Her eyelids drooped and she was only slightly concerned when Malfoy raised his wand slowly and with relish.

"Imperio." A light flick of his wand, and Heather felt warmth and comfort seep through her, riding in on the endorphins and chasing away the last spasms of hot pain from the Cruciatus Curse.

"You will be a good girl now." Malfoy's hands were moving on Heather's body, insistent and rough. She felt warm fingers push her blouse up above her breasts, then trailing down her belly to her belt buckle. She sighed softly; what was the point of fighting anymore? Nobody was coming to save them. She choked back a miserable sob.

"There, there," Malfoy consoled, his soft, warm hands lightly brushed stray hairs away from Heather's eyes before moving downwards again. He began to ease down her brown dragon hide trousers.

"Lucius," Snape interrupted the reverie, "are you sure that's a good idea?"

"Of course it is," Malfoy snapped, before considering Snape's words. His hands had stopped moving. "What are you getting at?"

"Well," began Snape, "I'm all for taking advantage of the local hospitality, but it might spur her into reasserting her pathetic defiance. Especially considering the fact that she managed to break the door wards without a wand."

"That was a blip. Look at her," Malfoy casually flicked his fingers in Heather's direction, "she's quite useless now."

"Likely so," Snape said slowly, "but wouldn't it be more beneficial to send her back to the others as she is now? If we go too far, it will only serve to make them more rebellious."

"OK, Severus," Malfoy spat, dragging Heather to her feet as he stood suddenly. He then spun her around to face him, still half-supporting her. Her head lolled wildly as she sought his stormy grey eyes. High points of colour slashed his cheekbones and he angrily cast the Imperius Curse again.

"You will do whatever Severus tells you," he growled before pushing her towards Snape. She stumbled and felt hands solidly grip her upper arms.

"Take her away," Malfoy mumbled.

Heather dully wondered why Lucius sounded so angry when she had been trying to be accommodating. Snape then dragged her out of the door, down through the dorm past the leering Death Eaters and out into the cold night air. He didn't stop once as he propelled her past the Researcher's dorm, around the back to the broom shed. Heather was happy to follow, if only her legs would work properly.

Snape flung open the shed door and pulled Heather inside. He let her go and she fell limply to the floor. She watched him with an idiotic look on her face as he frantically searched his robes, pulling out a vial of dark red potion.

"What is that, Professor?" Heather giggled. Her voice sounded strange to her. Snape dropped to his knees, uncorking the bottle with his teeth and pressing the neck to her lips.

"Drink it. Now." Snape was emphatic. Heather felt his hand at the back of her neck unnecessary as she downed the potion in one. It tasted extremely sour and created a feeling of tiny blades sliding down her throat. She tried to spit some of it out and tiny flecks of red marked Snape's pale face. He didn't flinch.

The effect of the potion was swift and bleak despair ambushed Heather. Her heart was pounding frighteningly and she found she wanted to go back to being dopey and comfortable.

"What - ?" Heather's question was cut short as Snape slapped her sharply across the cheek.

"Fight it!" Snape's black eyes glittered with rage. Heather felt anger rise immediately but she merely shook, staring at Snape uncomprehendingly. Snape's hands were brutal on her shoulders and he shook her violently. Through her puzzling anger, a dim spark ignited in Heather's mind.

"Fight it!" Snape himself now sounded desperate. "Oh, what's the use?" He let Heather fall back to the sandy floor before pinning her arms above her head. His body covered hers.

"What do I have to do?" Snape's voice was low and menacing. Heather met his eyes as his hands moved down her body swiftly. With a growl, he was pulling at the waistband of her trousers; breathing harshly in her ear as she felt her hips lifted roughly towards him and she felt his teeth and tongue on her neck

No! she thought suddenly. Instead of voicing her objection, Heather flung her arm at Snape's head, her forearm catching him clumsily yet solidly. He soundly swore and vanished from view as she scrambled to sit up, clutching at her clothing. Her eyes were wide as she looked at him kneeling some distance away. Her neck throbbed were his teeth had grazed her. She was about to speak, when Snape quickly raised a finger to his lips.

"Silence!" he hissed. She was silent, and all that could be heard for a while was their laboured breathing.

As Heather's breathing slowed and her heart rate dropped to a slow gallop, she felt an aching loneliness fill her and her eyes prickled with tears. She sighed and her chin dropped to her chest; tears ran to the tips of her eyelashes before falling softly. It was likely the aftereffect of the Imperius Curse, but the thought didn't console her.

"This isn't the time for feeling sorry for yourself." Severus Snape slowly got to his feet. "They'll be plenty of time for that later when you will be able to indulge to your heart's content."

In spite of her tears, Heather was beginning to feel normal again. Her anger rose quickly.

"How dare you!" she hissed, "How dare you!"

Snape was moving quickly across the floor, completely ignoring her outburst. He swept over to the broomsticks lined against the wall and selected a Cleansweep from the rack.

"Stop whining you little ingrate," he muttered as he came towards her, "and keep the bloody noise down." Hands clenched into fists, Heather rose to meet him. Snape had just stopped before her with a swish of his robes when Heather pulled back and punched him with a neat left cross. Snape's head jerked violently and blood sprang to his lip. He smirked and calmly turned back to meet her eyes.

"At last. You seem to be coming around to my plan."

Heather was nonplussed. "You have a plan?"

"Well, I didn't drag you in here just to become better acquainted with your luscious body." Snape's eyes moved over her insolently but his tone was sarcastic. Heather blushed furiously as he continued, "You will get on this broomstick and go where it takes you – No," Heather had started to splutter a protest, "it will take you to a safe house, well, more of a hovel actually. There you will wait." At this, Snape thrust the Cleansweep into Heather's hands. She closed her gaping mouth with a snap before speaking.

"You're letting me go?" she asked, incredulous.

Snape rolled his eyes and addressed her as though he were talking to a particularly dense pupil,

"Yes, I suppose you could put it like that. Take the broomstick outside. Get on it. Bugger off." He flicked his long fingers in the air. Heather hesitated, trying to ignore his patronizing tone and failing.

"But first," Snape spoke suddenly, "you will need to hit me again." Now the evil glint came into Heather's eyes.

"Oh, with the greatest of pleasure."

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