OLD MAGIC

Chapter 66: Capture of the Inner Circle

As the days passed, the inner circle were getting on each others nerves which came to a head that Friday when a message finally arrived from Yaxley and from Greyback.

The group was once more sitting in a circle, each eating something as it was breakfast time. During the interminable time of waiting, many arguments and fights broke out but none dared to leave the prison.

A loud banging sound came from the other room startling everyone for a moment. Frowning, Bellatrix jumped from her seat and went to check coming back with two messages in her hand. "Messages from Yaxley and Greyback," she said almost wanting to read them herself but realizing that would create another row so she handed them off to Malfoy who snatched them eagerly

Now hopefully they would finally find out if their army was still in one piece and if continue their war was even viable.

Malfoy held the first message and began reading it. "Where are you? I was never supposed to be some kind of interim general here! I have done my best to keep the army from wandering off or fighting among themselves but I'm not always heeded as they barely respect me enough to obey any orders I might give. Anyway, there be five hundred here though those fool giants keep wandering off causing problems and destruction and giving us away to the locals who could report our location to the Aurors. Thankfully, there be no sign of them blighters. But I'm warning ye now, the mood of the army is getting ugly. We need to move and soon if we are to keep their interest in this war. I have tried to inflame their hatred for the enemy with regular inciting rally's but that is waning fast. Only this past week have I noted some deserting going on but it has been only about twenty, so far. Greyback's appearance helped a bit by rallying his werewolves into a frenzy that got the rest of the army excited and ready to fight. But again that wont last long. When are we leaving for battle? Need to know soonest! Yaxley."

"Well that didn't sound too bad ..." Avery muttered.

"So what does Greyback say?" Mulciber grunted, ignoring Avery's comment.

Malfoy let Yaxley's message snapped into a roll again then turned to the rather short one from Greyback. "We need to move this army now! Yaxley's next to useless as no one cares enough to listen to him. My werewolves are all that keeps this moving carpet of idiots from departing which some hot heads have been advocating for rather loudly. If you don't want this army to completely disband as they threaten to do more each day you better decide what you are going to do. Greyback."

"Definitely not good news. So what next?" Crouch grunted.

Mulciber looked over at Bellatrix. "Apparently we need to give your idea a try after all, Bellatrix."

"Finally," she snorted then focused her will as she sent the call outward to the house elf."

While everyone was fixed on Bellatrix, Malfoy laid the messages beside his chair and rose to his feet pretending to stretch. Slowly, he walked about as did a couple of others. Waiting had been making everyone antsy so no one remarked when Malfoy slipped from the room.

As he walked toward the bathroom, he went over his options. For the past few days he had a growing fear that none of what they were trying to do was going to be enough to best their enemies. Staying or going had kept him from sleep several nights now. But with the arrival of the messages, he realized that no matter what result Bellatrix's attempt garnered it would not be one they were hoping for, somehow he was certain of that.

He didn't know why he felt a strong sensation to flee but he never questioned his instincts. Slipping into the rather grand bathroom, he apparated away to join Narcissa. For him the war was over.

Kreacher should have been enjoying the extra time he had been given to rest but the waiting had only made his choice harder to believe in. It made him ill at ease but he would not renege on his promise to Dobby.

As yet another day was slowly passing, he tried to keep busy by keeping the sleeping quarters of his fellow elves free of dust, insects, and rats while the others were off on their daily tasks. He was checking for rats in an empty store room when he felt the call.

He froze and waited. The call came again. "Dobby!" He called urgently.

"What be wrong Kreacher?" Dobby asked the moment he appeared. Seeing the other elf's expression though, he instantly knew what was up. "She calls." Kreacher nodded, eyes anxious with fear. "Remember. See who is there then gather and send to the dark tower. I will warn Hogwarts. Be wary and careful. Go!" Dobby ordered.

Swallowing hard, Kreacher disappeared.

"Hogwarts!" Dobby called.

"Yes, Dobby?"

"Be ready, friend. Kreacher called. If all goes well enemy will be in cells in moments."

"Ready I will be... they are here! Kreacher is alright!" Then it was gone.

Excited, Dobby sent himself to the tower and beheld the filled cages of extremely angry Death Eaters. Kreacher was crouched against the wall exhausted, the number transported was a bit more than an elf could normally manage but Kreacher had managed it … barely.

Snapping his fingers, Dobby swiftly snatched all the wands as Hogwarts kept the wizard's magic contained. None of those being held had wandless magical abilities much to Dobby's relief. Ignoring all the yelling, cursing, and shouts from the imprisoned wizards, Dobby took Kreacher and apparated them away.

Appearing in Snape's quarters, Dobby made Kreacher sit in one of the thick chairs and made a mug filled with a restorative herb for him to drink.

"Kreacher, where find the enemy hiding?" He asked as he thought Snape might want to know this.

"Nuremgard!"

Dobby blinked at that but nodded. "You wait here, Dobby be back quickly." Then he went to the door that let to the classroom and listened carefully. To his relief the children were just leaving. Within minutes it was quiet. He opened the door and hurried in.

Snape looked up in surprise. "Dobby?"

"Dobby has good news, sir. Kreacher was called and now Death Eater wizards are in the tower. Dobby has taken their wands and it appears none can use wandless magic," he reported excitedly, pulling the wands from the air and handing them to Snape.

A huge smile graced Snape's face as a feeling of relief washed over him. Taking the wands carefully from Dobby, he turned and locked them in a nearby cabinet, securing it with a quick spell so no one could accidentally open it.

"At last the inner circle is out of the way. Now there's nothing to stop Jason from moving forward with the rest of the operation to take out the last of the Death Eaters. Where were they hiding out at?" He asked turning back around.

"Nuremgard, sir!" Dobby said, glad he had asked.

Snape stared at him in confusion for a moment before he remembered where that was and why the name was familiar. He shook his head. "Never would have guessed they would have chosen a prison to hole up in especially since Grindelwald is still there too. They truly were desperate." Snape shook his head and thought a moment. "Hmm, perhaps it would be wise if I go there and check for any incriminating evidence they might have left behind."

"That be a good idea and wise precaution, Professor Snape. Dobby take you now if you wish?"

"Yes, I'm free for the next few hours, fortunately," Snape agreed.

Dobby reached to touch Snape's cloak then snapped them away. He made sure they didn't arrive in the room Kreacher had lifted the prisoners from but in the hall outside where warmth still poured out from the lit fireplace.

The two of them stood for a moment. "No one be about except for one and he be that way," Dobby said pointing to the north."

"Ah that would be Grindelwald. Good thing we are some distance from him and his visiting house elf," Snape said absently. Then he walked into the room the enemy had obviously been using just minutes before. He quickly searched the room while Dobby kept watch for anyone else showing up. His eyes spotted the pair of messages laying on a small table beside a thick stuffed chair, one obviously conjured as this looked like an office space they had converted for their use. After thoroughly searching the space, he went through a pass through door to a mostly unused space of another office, one that had a half door leading to the outside.

"Must be where they sent owl messengers," he murmured. The room held nothing much so he went out into the corridor and checked out the closed doors lining the hall. Peeking in each for only a moment, he learned these former offices had been converted into living quarters. None held but the most basic things for comfort and personal care. One had more feminine items telling him it had to have been the one Bellatrix had stayed in. It took him some twenty minutes to complete his search through the quarters, then he returned to the "meeting" room and gave it another quick look around. Just for safety's sake, he snapped the fire out putting them instantly in the dark.

Satisfied he hadn't missed anything that might be useful to their cause, he called Dobby to his side so he wouldn't have to strike a light. "There's nothing more here except for the messages so let's return to Hogwarts," he said, choosing to go by house elf express as Dobby was able to go directly inside Hogwarts instead of the gates like wizards were required to due to the anti-apparition jinx. Dobby touched the wizard and snapped them away.

Once returned to his classroom, Snape smiled at Dobby. "Kreacher and you did very well, Dobby. Where is he by the way?"

"In your parlor sir. He be very exhausted. Dobby needed to see you first before I take him to his sleeping alcove."

"Then go ahead and take him away and I'll call if and when I need you which might be soon."

"Dobby will be ready, Professor Snape, sir." As Snape immediately left to see Dumbledore, Dobby slipped back into the man's quarters to gently take the tired house elf to his sleeping place. "You did good!" He whispered as he left Kreacher to rest. The old elf smiled then went to sleep.

Snape's heart was jumping for joy with the capture of the inner circle. He couldn't wait until he told Dumbledore, Jason, Hagrid, and Madame Bones. But first the headmaster and himself needed to check the prisoners and see who exactly they had caught and who might be missing. And, more importantly, the messages he held clenched in his hand would add more information to what was already collected, especially about the state of the Death Eater army.

Glad he didn't have any more classes as he would be too busy to teach, he reached the main hall, gave the password, and was running up the staircase to Dumbledore's door in seconds. He paused only to knock but didn't wait for an answer before rushing inside.

Dumbledore blinked in surprise at his potion's master's precipitous entry. The man was nearly breathless which told Albus that Snape had run to his office.

"Goodness, Severus, what's wrong?"

"Good news, sir! Kreacher was called and the enemy is now ensconced in cells within the dark tower," Snape said in a rush. "And I went to their hiding place at Nuremgard and found these messages." He tossed them onto the headmaster's desk.

Nearly trembling with excitement at this news, Dumbledore quickly perused the messages one by one then sat back and sighed, a broad smile on his face. "This is the best news I've had since Voldemort's death. Did you have time to read these?" He asked, waving at the messages.

"Only briefly, enough to know how valuable the information in them will be to Jason," Snape said.

"Oh yes, I am certain of that especially with his own army waiting to drop down on the enemy. This is good, this is very good. So you came straight to me?" Albus asked rising to his feet then handing the messages to Snape. "Take those since you will be seeing Jason."

"Yes, I did come straight here," Snape said taking the messages. "As for these, well it looks like I need to go today and not wait until morning."

"I quite agree. You go on and I will tell Hagrid the news."

"Not quite yet sir. I need to identify who is in the tower and thought to do that with you and Hagrid. Madame Bones will need to know too," Snape reminded him. "Fawkes, will you fetch Hagrid please?"

Fawkes gave a pleased chirp then vanished. Only moments later, the Phoenix returned with Hagrid in tow. The half-giant looked expectantly at the pair, feeling their excitement from where he stood.

"Excellent, thank you Fawkes. What about Madame Bones?" Dumbledore asked Severus.

"I would again wait until we see the prisoners before speaking with her. She will need to add their names to the warrants for arrest too," Snape responded.

"I disagree, Severus. She should be here for this especially since it is her job to interrogate prisoners. Why not send Fawkes for her as well, gentlemen," Hagrid said suddenly as their conversation had clued him in on what was going on.

"Excellent idea, Hagrid, and you are correct it would be faster if she saw them for herself," Dumbledore agreed. "Fawkes if you would be so kind as to fetch her as well or do you require a written message?" He turned to ask his familiar.

The Phoenix shook its head, chirped in delight before flashing away.

Dumbledore smiled and rubbed his hands together in excitement. Events were gathering speed. He saw them ending this whole affair within days now.

Some ten minutes later there was a flash. Standing frozen for a moment until she felt stable, a rather pop-eyed and disheveled looking Madame Bones appeared.

Fawkes sang a sweet note of joy before settling on to his perch to preen and rest. Carrying that many people was a bit exhausting.

"What an interesting way to travel," Bones finally managed to say, straightening her clothes and hair then smiling at the three waiting for her. "And an amazing conversation with a Phoenix I have never had the pleasure of enduring before as well. I hear we have good news, Headmaster Dumbledore?"

Dumbledore smiled wolfishly, blue eyes twinkling madly. "Most indubitably, Madame Bones. We thought you might like to take part in interrogating the inner circle as well as identifying who exactly we have caught. Shall we make for the tower now?"

"Oh definitely, thank you for including me. Unfortunately, as of late I apparently am the last to be notified so I am very thankful you decided to include me first this time. Ready when you are, gentlemen," she smiled with equal excitement, anxious to see the ones her office had been chasing for many years. It was a red letter day!

The four hurriedly left the headmaster's office and out to the main hall. Students passing through to other classes both in and outside, eyed the strange group heading with some speed up the main staircase, in curiosity.

"Wasn't that Madame Bones, the Head Auror?" Ron asked in surprise. He saw her only once in passing and was told who she was by his mother when he accompanied her to see his father at his office, The Misuse of Muggle Artifacts within the Ministry of Magics Headquarters.

"I believe it is," Hermione said in surprise. "I wonder where they are all going in such a hurry and they are heading upward rather than toward Dumbledore's office," she observed, confusion pushing her thick eyebrows down.

"I'm sure I don't know," Harry lied. In actuality he had a very good idea where the group was heading and he was thrilled and relieved. He stared after the four until they disappeared from view. The ringing of the bell warned they had only minutes to report to their next class which sent them scurrying off.

As he headed toward his Charms class, his heart was singing with relief. His idea had worked, the inner circle of the Death Eaters were captured and in the dark tower. He knew it for certain since Madame Bones had been included with Headmaster Dumbledore, Snape, and Hagrid.

"Yes! Finally the first step is completed." Fierce joy singing through him as he and his friends just made it to their seats and began pulling out their paper and quills. "I can't wait to tell Draco about this."

Nearly breathless by the run up to the tower, the four paused a moment to gather themselves for what lay ahead, then Hagrid graciously opened the heavy oak door and waved the others through before following them and shutting the door firmly behind him before turning to face the enemy.

~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~

Earlier ... the inner circle had been fretting the delay by the house elf, Kreacher, who should have responded almost instantly after Bellatrix sent the call. But the minutes ticked by and no elf appeared.

However, before anyone could make a complaint or begin more arguing on what to do next, the house elf appeared. Kreacher stood there looking a bit terrified as he studied each face then before Bellatrix could speak to him, the house elf suddenly snapped his fingers.

It took all of them some seconds to register their change in surroundings. They had no idea where they were, at least not yet, but they certainly did know who was responsible for their involuntary relocation.

"Traitor!" Bellatrix screeched.

Kreacher cowered but he was immediately joined by yet another house elf. If Malfoy had been there, he would have recognized Dobby instantly but since he wasn't, his former partners could only stare in shock.

"What the hell is going on?" Mulciber shouted.

Goyle and Crabbe were cursing a blue streak. The rest were scowling and attempting to magic their way from their cells but realized within seconds that they couldn't. And before they could attempt anything else their wands were suddenly snatched away. They howled even louder when they saw the other house elf holding their weapons then the pair were gone.

"What the bloody hell!" Nott shouted. "Where are we? I don't recognize this place."

"I do!" Karkaroff growled both angry and afraid. "It's the dark tower at Hogwarts."

The others stopped and stared at him in stunned disbelief. Bellatrix stared around her and realized he was right. She used to come up here to hide from everyone else during her time as a student here. Shock rocked through her as she slid down into a seated heap on the floor. They had lost! She blinked in blind fury at the others then realized something …

"Where is Lucius?"

The rest of the inner circle stared around the room. Each of them were locked inside an individual cell. There were four more empty cells left and Malfoy was not in one of them.

"That coward!" Crouch roared, grabbing the bars impotently. "He left us. That moment when we were waiting for a response by that traitorous house elf he must have decided to run off."

"Probably the smartest of us all," Mulciber growled in disgust. He should have listened to his own instincts to leave but he still thought they had a chance.

A small voice from a cell down from Mulciber moaned. "I knew it! I knew it! A trap and we waited for it to be sprung!" Avery was huddled in a ball of his cell, his face pointed toward one of the cold stone walls, refusing to look at the others. All he felt was sick and lost.

"Probably went to wherever his wife be at! It'd be just like 'em," Amycus snarled.

Bellatrix snarled to herself. She felt utterly betrayed. Amycus was right … Narcissa would be where Lucius would go but it would avail him nothing this time. He may have managed to schmooze his way most of the time out of trouble or make others think he had nothing to do with what he got himself into, but she didn't think that was going to work this time. Even if he claimed he was under an imperious spell.

"No, Lucius Malfoy was going to pay just as they were going to pay. I will make sure of that," she thought, maliciously.

It had been about thirty minutes since they had been incarcerated here and it seemed they were getting company as the door suddenly opened and in stepped Dumbledore, Snape, Madame Bones, and Hagrid (?). What was the oaf of a half-giant doing here?

Bellatrix rose to her feet and eyed the group belligerently. Her fellow inmates all turned bitter glares at their visitors or more accurately, their interrogators.

Both sides eyed each other for some minutes.

"Severus?" Dumbledore asked, he didn't need to be specific as to what he wanted. Snape was more familiar with who constituted the inner circle than anyone else here.

"Malfoy is missing as is Greyback but I already know the werewolf is with their army. McNair, Pettigrew, and Dolohov – incarcerated, Rookwood – unknown, and Malfoy most likely is with his wife, " Snape quickly summed up. "These are the core members left and the rest out there are but minor players and will most likely be swept in the Elder Council net. "If you would like Madame Bones I could have Malfoy brought here and I believe we may be able to find Rookwood as well," Snape added, already preparing to have his special agent do this.

Amelia Bones eyed Snape in surprise and pleasure. "If it isn't too much trouble Professor Snape I would like that very much."

Smiling, Snape nodded and went back outside the tower room. He felt it prudent not to give his special helper away to Bones or the enemy right away though those notables had already seen Dobby but didn't know anymore about the house elf than that.

"Dobby?"

Dobby appeared instantly, his head tilted in question.

"I need a couple of favors. Both will be dangerous but as fast as you are able to think and act, I think you will manage to keep yourself safe," Snape said wryly.

The house elf swelled with pride. "Dobby can do whatever it is, Professor Snape, sir. What is the tasks?"

"Lucius Malfoy escaped before Kreacher snatched the group. And Rookwood has been missing since just before Voldemort died … no one knows where. Malfoy will be with Narcissa I am fairly certain. I don't know how you would track Rookwood though," He said with uncertainty.

"Have picture of Rookwood, sir?" Dobby asked.

Snape thought a moment then produced an image in the air between them. Dobby studied the image then nodded.

Dobby find," he said firmly.

"But how? How do you fellows find people or things so easily especially if there are no clues as to the missing persons or things whereabouts?" Snape asked, this had always puzzled him.

Dobby shook his head and smiled gently. "Forbidden to say, sir. Just know this something we can do."

Snape frowned and asked, "But why couldn't you find the inner circle then if you have a way to locate people and things?"

Dobby hesitated a moment then answered reluctantly, "Sometimes there be a barrier we cannot see through when searching. It happens rarely but it did this time when hunting this group. With ratty wizard, it was due to his not being in human form."

Snape blinked at that then shook his head. "Interesting to know. I hope such a barrier wont inhibit you finding these last two?"

"No, Malfoy will be easy but wizard Rookwood may take a little longer to locate but should find by this evening," Dobby assured him

"That will be good enough, thank you. Good hunting," Snape said. Dobby smiled then snapped away on his mission. Snape shook his head.
"Another unknown ability which makes me wonder just how many other things they are capable of, but honestly, the elves have a right to their secrets and, besides, I have plenty of secrets of my own."

~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~

On the other side of the world, in Thundelarra, Australia to be exact, Malfoy found Narcissa. She was enjoying a small walk-a-bout in a local marketplace when he unceremoniously appeared beside her.

She nearly screamed but managed to control herself. One of her arms held a small canvas bag in which a few things stuck out, the product of her shopping no doubt. She looked fit and tanned and he missed her terribly. He made to touch her but she immediately put more distance between them, a look of unhappiness in her eyes.

"What are you doing here, Lucius?" She demanded without preamble.

"Couldn't I just want to see you?" He asked, smiling carefully, gauging her emotional state.

"If that were true you could have done that many times over the past year, but no, you were too busy kissing Voldemort's feet and attempting to destroy our world with this interminable war," Narcissa said, acidly.

Malfoy winced inwardly but kept his face a picture of hopefulness that she would give in to him. But her initial reaction to his first overture, didn't bode well. And, admittedly, he was a bit shocked at her lack of loyalty. Maybe he should try for sympathy and their son's welfare if he was sent to prison. After all, they had been married for many years and he had no doubts that she did love him. However, before he could think of something that would melt her heart towards him, Dobby appeared beside him.

"Lucius Malfoy bad, run away from justice. Return you must for punishment," Lucius' former house elf said flatly then raised his fingers.

"No wait ..." Malfoy shouted but it was too late as he felt a swooping sensation. His last glimpse of Narcissa was the sad look in her eyes but no surprise.

Narcissa stared a bit longer at where her husband had stood for barely a few minutes. Dobby's appearance told her the Light had taken the inner circle and Lucius had, with that instinct of his that had served him well as a warning beacon, attempted to escape his fate. Unfortunately, for him, that instinct didn't move him to respond to danger fast enough.

She blamed that lack to the fact that ever since he joined Voldemort's cause, Lucius was never out of danger. So it wasn't surprising that instinct of his was too overloaded to work properly any longer. She sighed.

Sadness and heartbreak she did feel for his more permanent loss in hers and Draco's lives from now on. Even if she could visit him in prison it was not the same as having him by her side. But even though her heart and mind felt regret, for she did still love the man he used to be, she would not go to his rescue. Lucius needed to pay for his crimes of which there were many. It would show Draco how not to live his life but she was fairly certain that would not be a problem for her son.

She decided not to go back to England for a little while longer. Wizarding London would be in near constant upheaval while the Elder Council did it's cleansing of all the Death Eaters from all parts of the wizarding world. Best to remain out of that mess until things were more settled. Besides, she was certain she would be summoned by the ministry and Aurors soon enough.

Straightening her shoulders, head held high, she continued her walk-a-bout in this lovely, peaceful town far from the war in Europe. She did remind herself to check on Draco's well-being. Narcissa was certain, her son was already aware his father was arrested or he would know soon from Dumbledore.

~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~

Satisfied that Dobby had things well in hand, Snape returned to the tower room. "You should see Malfoy anytime now," he told those waiting.

And just as Snape had stopped speaking, in the blink of an eye, Malfoy appeared in in one of the empty cells. Dobby remained out of sight. He knew Professor Snape would handle things so went off on his hunt for Rookwood.

"And there he is," Snape continued with smirk while immediately taking Malfoy's wand then tucking it within his robe.

"Excellent work, Severus," Dumbledore said, giving Snape a knowing look that said he knew who had actually retrieved Malfoy and understood why the house elf didn't reveal himself.

"You are welcome, headmaster, and with a little luck, Rookwood will be found soon as well. I believe we should leave them alone and discuss anything else we need to say outside before leaving," He warned as he stared around at all the prisoners who were glowering in fury but staying silent for the moment.

"Good idea," Dumbledore agreed turning to reach for the door and opening it. "Madame ..." he said gesturing for her to leave first. She nodded and stepped out followed by the rest of the group. Once the door closed behind them, Snape continued their conversation.

"Should we interrogate them now or let Moody have the honors?"

"Oh no, they are in my custody now," Madame Bones stepped in firmly. "However, it occurs to me there is really no time for that right now. Would you permit them to remain here, Headmaster Dumbledore? Since the Ministry of Magic is compromised and no one knows they are here but us, this is the securest place I can think of where they can't escape nor be rescued. And it would be prudent to keep their capture under a veil of secrecy until all the enemy has been taken. "

"Though I know parents might be upset to know prisoners of this caliber are at Hogwarts, I don't feel the students are in any danger so their parents don't need to know as yet. So yes, I agree keeping them here is an excellent choice," Dumbledore said after a moment's thought. "It will also keep the press and public from finding out until we are ready to inform them."

"And it's not as if they be staying here for very long either," Hagrid said helpfully.

"That's certainly true. And there really is no reason to interrogate them right now either," Bones decided. "After all, we already know where the Army is and are identifying the rest of the lot as we speak."

"And there is one other thing we have for you to see, Madame Bones," Snape interrupted and held up the messages. "I took these from their hidden lair. I think you will be pleased by what they say. I do need, however, to relay this to Jason today so he can incorporate this into his plans," he warned so she wouldn't keep them.

Bones took the rolls and quickly read each one, a smile growing on her lips by the time she was through. "This is excellent news and makes me feel even better to let the prisoners wait out their time here until being taken to Azkaban." She handed the rolls back to Snape. "We are moving forward swiftly. I recommend we depart and get the rest of own tasks done. We have a date and we can't be late," she said with a bit of humor.

Dumbledore and Snape couldn't help but chuckle at her play on words. Snape led the way back out of the tower. They trouped down the stairs, each in their own thoughts.

When they reached the main floor Snape offered, "I'll escort you to the gates, Madame Bones."

"Thank you, Professor Snape and I will see you on Monday morning, headmaster," she said still smiling.

Dumbledore smiled back and nodded. "Until then." Snape and Madame Bones headed to the huge oak doors while Dumbledore made for his office.

~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~

As Malfoy listened to their capturers gloat over their victory, he was still trying to get over his shock and anger at how easily he had been caught and then put in these cells with the others. He knew exactly where he was and it made his stomach churn. And his wife's lack of surprise made him think she might have been a part of how easily he was taken. Was it she who had freed their family house elf? He may never know at this point.

And he knew there would be no escaping from this tower, not without help and none of their trusted people that would be willing to aid them nor did they have any authority or political power to gain him and the rest their freedom.

He didn't give a fig for his chances if his so-called former colleagues got their claws in him for deserting. At the moment they were all staring daggers at his person. If he thought bargaining with the Head Auror would give him an edge against the others, he would do it, but he knew her reputation and negotiating for what he wanted wasn't going to happened. He would be lucky if she didn't laugh in his face.

Silence fell in the tower once their captors left. Bellatrix was muttering curses under her breath but without her wand none of them were going anywhere which only made her angrier.

"I knew it was a trap," Avery muttered bitterly.

"Oh shut your trap, Avery!" Nott snarled. Avery just turned away and sulked.

"You knew something, Malfoy!" Mulciber hissed. "That's why you ran. If you were so certain all was lost why didn't you say so to the rest of us?"

Malfoy eyed the man warily. "I only had a feeling and when I do I normally don't ignore it. That doesn't mean any of you would have believed me or went along with leaving."

Mulciber stared hard at the blond man for some minutes. "Perhaps ... I didn't like the idea of trying that house elf again though I didn't know why," He finally said, tone weary.

"But how and why did Kreacher do it? They are supposed to obey us ..." Bellatrix began furious at the betrayal.

"Oh sure, well he didn't, did he?" Crouch said acidly. "Face it, we under estimated those little buggers. If you ever watch them, they have more power in their little bodies than a wizard, but because they be so devoted to working for wizard kind no one would guess they could take us out if they wanted."

"Are they part of these forest dwellers and the Elder Council, do ye think?" Mulciber asked, curiosity getting the better of him.

Amycus shrugged. "Sounds like they be."

"That's just daft," Goyle said, shaking his head.

Alecto rolled her eyes. "Shows how much you pay attention to those around you, numbskull."

Goyle and Crabbe both bristled at her name calling.

Mulciber shook his head. He sat down and closed his eyes. No matter how outlandish the supposition was, he couldn't shake the feeling that those beings behind the Elder Council were far cannier than any of them had given them credit for and now because they had been so bigoted about those they thought beneath them, here they sat captured by them and facing their downfall and the end of any dreams of conquest they might have had when Voldemort lead. He hated the fact that he should have listened to Avery when the man voiced his fears about the new prophecy. That should have queued him in that leaving was a much better tactical decision than waiting.

He huffed out a breath. "Should da, could da, would da aint nothing now. We be the rats and are well and truly caught."

"No! I refuse to belief that. There are still those that believe in what Voldemort stood for and they will find a way to get us out of this," Bellatrix insisted, unwilling to give in completely.

"Nay!" Boomed a powerful voice in their minds making them screech in shock and fear. Hands were on their ears even though that wouldn't block the voice and heads were turning as they searched everywhere for the speaker. "You face judgement from the Elder Council and the Wizagamot now. Escape your evil deeds you will not!"

"Who … who … are you! Where are you!" Mulciber demanded though his voice shook.

"Hogwarts … it's Hogwarts," Bellatrix said shakily, her face haunted and fearful.

"Daughter of the house of Black, you had such promise, now reap the sorrow and pain you have caused so many of your own kind with your very soul," Hogwarts intoned coldly then went silent.

None of them spoke again for some time and Bellatrix wept.