A/n: Just keep moving, just keep moving.

Warning: this story will deal with violence, sexual mentions and rated for over adults. TAGS: Corruption, violence, mentions of rape, murder, child abuse and illnesses. Warnings will be in place from the star of each story.

CHAPTER Warning: violence, mentions of kidnap, drug abuse. Underage sex hinted at. Prostitution.

Disclaimer: I do not own any characters and no money has been made from this.

Enjoy...

Part Ten

Suffering

"The paradox of vengefulness is that it makes men dependent upon those who have harmed them, believing that their release from pain will come only when their tormentors suffer."

― Laura Hillenbrand, Unbroken

"Yeah right." Granger snorts although the words are lost in a scared mumble.

"I'm not, I didn't mean to bring you here."

"What do you want from me?" Granger demands to push herself further into the corner reaching for her wand. "I won't tell you shit."

Sighing, Bella stands back up. What should she do? Wipe the witches mind send her home, let her forget about this meeting? She's sure Granger will only go back to Hogwarts get herself arrested. What did it matter though? Granger was none of her concern if anything they were enemies, yet the witch looks so pathetic. Why did I bring her here?

The thought runs through her mind as Granger slowly pushes to her feet, handshaking pointing her wand at Bella. Eyes searching for an exit, desperate for a way out of the situation. The tremors running through the witches body, not the strong lioness Bella once interrogated way back. No, a scared cub, destroyed by Azkaban.

It's only now Bella notices the significant difference to Granger, the severe weight loss. Not the witch was overweight, now if anything she was severely underweight. Can see the protruding collar bone beneath the baggy jacket, the hollow eyes and deep circles underneath them. The prominent cheekbones, the wrist holding the wand so skinny. Bella could imagine snapping it with a twist of her hand.

Scared to even cuff the witch who now looks nothing like Granger but a reanimated corpse of the mudblood. The scars on her wrists from the chains and the black number displayed on a weak neck. The sight is daunting, it revolts Bella, to see such a proud witch reduced to a mere memory of herself.

Even now as the witch stands defiant, her body shaking from tremors, perhaps not from fear but mere exertion. Can almost feel the energy draining from Granger, the pale skinny almost illuminate in the candlelight. The urge to feed Granger is almost overwhelming, a strange feeling she never thought she was a motherly type.

The urge to call her elves to feed the witch feed her until she pukes. To pump her with potions until the witch is back to her usual self. It's almost disappointing, perhaps she was wrong. Maybe Granger is not the big evil genius she's been searching for, perhaps Granger is just a pawn. How could someone so ill, so very fragile unable to defeat a gust of wind is behind the rebellion. Could be the genius of the Order?

It's the honey-brown eyes though that speak differently, the body may be aged by her time, damaged by her visit to Azkaban. It is just a mere shell holding the soul of a vibrate witch. She can still see it, the yearn hidden in Granger's depths. The knowledge bound and the secrets kept that no one would ever take from the young witch.

Despite the tremors of her body, Granger is defiant remains strong-willed. Her body may be pitiful, it will not stop Granger reaching for a greater cause. To move towards a greater good.

It's striking, a shock to Bella to see such vindication in the witch that even when everything has been stripped away, Granger remains strong. The mind, her soul her actions speak louder than words. Is this what they're against a belief that even death cannot tremble a belief in something bigger than them all? Could they win against such blatant belief? Granger has nothing, no home, she knows this because they try to keep tabs on the witch since she left prison.

No home, no family because Granger's family moved abroad the same time Granger went to Azkaban. No one. Beaten to an inch of her life and left to die in a fire only to survive to be sent to hell. She supposes death would seem an escape. Relief now from the suffering at the hands of the world.

She spots the spell forming, the words leaving the Granger's lips, she reacts on instinct. A quick swipe of her wand sends Granger's wand clattering across the ground. Landing at Bella's feet, the stumble from Granger as she struggles for footing. Swallowing, Bella summons the witch's wand into her free hand analysing the young witch.

"Rome," Bella calls watching Granger flinch.

Her elf appears, a snarl on her features as she spots Granger leaning heavily against the wall. Even to her elf it's obvious Granger is a mudblood, perhaps it's the mark on the young witches neck. Maybe Rome was watching them disapproving of Granger trying to harm her mistress.

"Tea." Bella orders, watching the startled look from Granger and a perplexed look from her elf. "Now."

Rome doesn't need telling twice she's disappearing with the order even as Bella turns to the wooden door. Her hand accepted, it might be blood magic but she's always been fond of the subtleness. Always use it in her charms, especially when guarding sensitive material.

She leaves the wooden door open, knowing Granger would not be able to resist the urge to follow her, it's in her nature. Tea sitting ready on her desk, with biscuits, Bella wonders if Granger has eaten recently. Wonders again why she should care.

Throwing Granger's wand on to the desk, she puts Snape's confession on to the table reading for another time. Folding her arms, Bella leans against the table watching Granger tentatively enter the room. Almost skittish like the squirrels in her garden, the thought amuses Bella, she could imagine Granger being a squirrel.

The shock on Granger's face is worth the reveal, perhaps she just wants to show off. Perhaps she needs some verification that maybe she can crack this case when no other can. More importantly, she needs Granger to place some trust in her because she needs to know. Why in Merlin's name was Granger so willing to be sent back to Azkaban for the likes of Snape?

A lovers tiff? The thought makes her wince in disgust. Ugh, she hates the idea, but each to their own. If Granger was Snape's lover, heaven knows the wizard likes mudbloods, perhaps she could give her information on Clearwater.

Did they break up, was that why Granger was there? Demanding to speak to Snape demanding to know why he wasn't answering his owls. Did he neglect to mention he was abroad, is he abroad as Dumbledore suggested?

"What is this?" Granger demands as the elf reappears at Bella's side.

"Sandwiches," Bella doesn't miss the lick of Granger's lips, even if the witch refuses to look towards them. "And Rome, please don't poison my guest's tea."

"Apologies Mistress."

Her elf bows on her exit, the tea set for Granger disappearing in a blink. A comical look of horror on Granger's face as she watches a fresh mug of tea reappear followed by sandwiches. Smiling to herself, Bella grabs a sandwich and her tea moving to sit at the base of her board. Feet resting on the table she indicated Granger to help herself.

"Not likely," Granger comments eyeing the tea in distrust.

Sighing, Bella slides her mug across the table before summoning Granger's to drink. "Rome is distrustful of new people."

Speaking of Rome, the elf appears once more grabbing the mug from Bella's hand. Muttering apologies as removes another mug of tea from the room. Groaning, Bella rubs her eyes as her mug also disappears.

"Rome," Bella grumbles as the elf appears flushed in front of her. "What did I say."

"Apologies Mistress, I was just insuring you were not under attack." Rome counters glaring once more at Granger.

"Granger is a guest, tea if you please."

"She's…"

"Rome. Tea no poison or so help me…"

With a squeak, Rome replaces the tea with a teapot and two fresh cups, setting it on the table between the witches. The promise to punish herself as she rushes from the room muttering to herself.

"She's a bit touchy." Bella offers chewing on her sandwich. "Help yourself."

Granger remains prone, eyeing both the food and drink in suspicion. Annoyed, Bella tries not to let it show, trust her elf to poison her source to Order and potentially the killer. She's going to give Rome a good smack when this is over. Granger ready to vanish in a blink, inches from her wand.

"Look," Bella sighs dusting the crumbs from her robes. "I'm not going to hurt you, take your wand if you want but I advise if you try to curse me again. I will hurt you. I don't want any information on your precious Order."

"I don't…"

"I don't care." Bella interrupts the witch. "Honestly couldn't care." Liar. "I want them."

She points to the hooded figure, a sketch from a witness who caught a glimpse of the killer fleeing. It was useless only giving them an indication that yes, the killer was a man and of average build. Still, the hood prompted her every day to put a face to the picture.

"I want him. So, keep your secrets every fucker else is. But help me put this bastard away before he kills any more kids."

Hesitant, Granger fumbles for her wand eye dodging between the sketch and Bella. Please don't run. Just answer my questions. She thinks she's lost winning Granger when the witch shrugs her jacket into place, expects her to run from the room.

Instead, the Gryffindor pride wins out, the courage coming through as Granger pulls a seat. Sitting on it backwards her legs circling the back of the wooden chair. A simple act of defiance, subtle as she picks a cheese sandwich from the dish.

"Why? Why should I help you?" Granger demands, anger it vibrates below the surface.

Shrugging, Bella plucks a biscuit from the tray dipping it into her tea. She allows the liquid to soak in, wondering why granger should trust her. Why should she trust Granger? They both hated each other, but right now Bella could do with some answers. Any answers tired of hitting walls, of locked doors and secrets.

"You shouldn't," Bella summarises taking a bite of her biscuit. "Why should I trust you?"

"I wouldn't," Granger replies wand resting on the table pointing at Bella. "But I'm not one to pass up free food."

Snorting, Bella allows a breathless laugh cradling her tea she nods. Choosing to remain quiet as Granger tries to eat her food slow but her hands shake with excitement. The unladylike behaviour as she stuffs her face. It makes Bella wonder when the witch ate properly last, when did Granger have a real meal? Why does Bella care?

"Tell me," Bella states as Granger devours the last sandwich, eyeing up the biscuits next, watches the witch grow tense at Bella's voice. "Why were you trying to speak to Snape?"

"Why were you at Hogwarts?" Granger fires back in defence.

Sighing, Bella reclines they won't get anywhere if both witches remain hostile. Biting her tongue, she decides to allow the urge to demand an answer past. They have a history of violence of mistrust why should Granger answer her questions. Heaven knows Granger might leave now she's had something to eat.

"Because the killers latest victim was a Hogwart's student."

"Clearwater," Granger whispers.

"Yes, how'd you know?"

"Spend five minutes in the market shopping you'll know everything." Granger shrugs resting her head on her arms staring at the board. "She was just a kid."

"She was." Bella agrees.

"Was she…"

Raped? Butchered? Which one would she like to know?

"She was," Bella answers the unspoken question.

Wincing, Granger looks from the board at the faces of the victims, disgust. It's the tear in Granger's eye that sparks Bella's attention. Did Granger know Clearwater? Why did this upset the witch, or was she one of the types that cried over everything?

"What did you want with Snape? A lovers tiff?"

Flinching, the sorrow turns repulsion as Granger visibly flinches at the accusation. If anything, Granger seems to loath the wizard's name. It almost sparks a fire in those honey eyes, a holy fire something sparking out of control.

"Ew, no." Granger spits dropping a biscuit on to the table in disgust. "Snape seriously? Guys a creep."

"So?" Bella prompts.

Rubbing her eyes, Granger studies the exit it's this moment Bella knows it's over. She won't have any answers Granger is fed and wanting to leave as quickly as she came. Perhaps it's through mere exhaustion or something else the witch stays. Hesitant in her answer, she stays fingering a scribbled note something Bella wrote the other night.

"Lily's missing." The words take any fight from Granger, the witch visibly deflating at the mention. "She… she ugh, went missing a few days ago."

"Where does Snape fit into this?" Bella probes gently, aware Granger is easily startled into running.

"They're friends, he." Rubbing her eyes, Granger blinks the tears away. "I don't know. He wasn't answering my owls, I just thought he was hiding or something."

"His away with Professor Sprout, since last week a course or something." Bella supplies.

"Are you sure?" Granger questions the demand irritates Bella but she holds back the retort.

"I have still yet to verify it, however, it did come from Dumbledore. As far as I know, he has no reason to lie."

"Where abroad?"

"Belgium."

"Ah, the study of Nitegale in potions and herbs."

"You know it?"

"Andie wanted to go, but the hospital sent Pomfrey instead."

Bella bristles at the mention of her sister, choosing to keep her mouth shut instead. "Perhaps Evans is just away? On a break."

"I'd know."

"People take off all the time, just wanting time alone."

"I'd know," Granger states firmly. "She wouldn't. I thought the one you lot might have her."

"We don't I'd know."

"I know you don't." Granger states a matter of fact as it confirms Bella's belief that they have a mole. "she wouldn't take off, she has a job. We don't have the option to come and go, it's the only job she has. She wouldn't risk losing it, not now, not with the way things are. She hadn't arranged for anyone to feed her owl. She had food going off."

"Food goes off all the time, doesn't mean anything," Bella reassures she has more important things to worry about than Evans.

"For the likes of you yes," Granger scoffs with a shake of the head. "We don't have that luxury. We buy the bare essentials because our wage won't cover anything more. I'm wasting my time."

"Why not report her missing?" Bella demands Granger as the young witch rises to her feet.

"I just did, I just told you she was missing." Granger rebuffs. "You think she's off galivanting around with what? Does she have no money? She has a job she desperately needs if she's caught by the Aurors there a chance they'll beat for something or another. We don't have anything inspector, and what little we do have we don't leave behind."

"Maybe with a friend?" Bella replies rising from her seat. "People don't disappear."

"They did." The hand points towards the board of victims.

"That's a completely different circumstance."

"Is it?" Granger mocks. "You don't get it, that's why you'll never catch him."

"Get what? Enlighten me."

"Lia Cromwell nineteen, from Diagon Alley, worked in the bakery. Mudblood went missing reported. No one noticed. Rowena Crimson, sweet girl, a hell of a temper. Visiting her aunt when she vanished. Reported no one noticed. Lilac Thornton wanted to be a hairdresser, was an apprentice for SIRS, went missing on Thursday nineteenth after a few drinks. Norae Knotley, drop out to support her family. Keen quidditch player bloody awful though. You'd know she was coming before you saw her. Olga Edwards, husband sent to Azkaban for her murder, pure blood. Found at the mass grave with Lia Cromwell, Norae and Serafine Marth."

"Edwards was found guilty," Bella replies shocked by Granger's knowledge of the victims, even they didn't know this much.

"Edwards was a mudblood married to a pureblood. Please. He was led to the mass grave by Longbottom, to see his wife. Shown her decaying body, he crumpled. For the record his at St Mungo's insanity."

"Doesn't prove his innocence."

"He was in Sweden visiting his daughter, he was refrained from leaving due to visa problems."

"There's no record of that."

"Muggle transport below the inspection of Aurors. His ex, muggle lives in Sweden they had a fling, he used to visit his daughter. Had to leave his wand because she didn't know of his magic. Used to leave it with his mother Mrs Edwards, in a family safe. She would drive him to the airport and collect him again. Sometimes his daughter would stay."

"What does this have to do with Evans?" Bella demands.

"God," Granger groans. "All of the ones who went missing, or turned up dead muggle-borns except Olga Edwards. Pureblood witch, that's when they started investigating, that's when the discovered her the mass grave. When the bodies on the streets were taken another look at. Why people boarded up their houses long before the curfew, because we knew but no one listened. Not until one of yours died."

"how do you know all this?" Bella wonders.

"We listened to when the Ministry didn't. We listened to we investigated what we could. We kept our safe."

"Admitting your association with the Order."

"you know I work with the Order. I'd never deny it, I stood in front of the Minister and struck a deal before the court."

Admittance is more than Bella can deal with, she always suspected but was never sure if Granger struck a deal during the trial. It could all be her word, now though, staring at the board it makes Bella wonder. How did they miss so many go missing, how did they slip under the radar for so long?

"Fourteen," Granger whispers trying to remain strong. "Lily Evans."

"You don't know that."

"Weren't you listening?" Granger snaps.

"I listened, and I understand. We fucked up, we let the community down. But if you keep thinking like that then you won't find her. He keeps them alive, if he has her she could very well be alive." Bella advises, she knows the sick fuck keeps them alive for a time.

"I need to find her," Granger whispers to herself. "I need to find her."

"I'll keep an ear out, but you have to stay away from Hogwarts."

"I'm not stopping my search," Granger replies indignation. "I'm going to find her and him before she becomes another number."

"No," Bella snaps at the witch, she will not allow Granger to interrupt her case. "You will get in the way."

"in the way of what? You've been chasing your tails for years, you found out a year after he started killing."

"Why is she so important, surely you have bigger issues to worry about with your Order?"

"She's my sister," Granger answers in shock. "I won't leave her behind. I won't just forget her and leave her to suffer. Without Lily…"

She trails off, pure grief it cascades over Granger's features as she turns away. Her body shaking from crying, looking away Bella allows the witch to grieve in silence. Studying the board as Granger hiccups behind her, loyalty is something to inspire. Granger knows all the victims, more about their lives than any of the Aurors. They were too late to the game, they know this, the killer striking without care.

She wonders if he chose muggleborns deliberately, knew the Ministry wouldn't look into it so deeply. Did he choose Edwards as a test to see if the Ministry would notice? Bury her body with the others in the hopes Edwards would go down? He nearly did go down for all the murders. Is that why the killer returned to muggleborns because the community was divided. Muggleborns would not cooperate with the Ministry, it would raise tensions.

All along have they been played from the start or was it a simple opportunist that has a fixation on muggleborns. It was personal, they know that much the strangulation he wanted them to see him, to watch him. Their last sight would be their killer did he get off on that idea?

Turning, Bella watches as Granger jerkily arranges her jacket ready to leave. She needs Granger, the only way to get through to the community, the only way to get answers. They would have to be smart though if the Ministry got wind of her working with Granger. Well, Riddle might just hold up on his promise and it'll be her body found in the streets. No one could know, no one. Could she risk everything, to solve this case? To stop the killings?

"I'll help you," Bella says not flinching under the scrutinising gaze. "If you help me."

"I've told you…"

"Not your Order." Bella snaps stepping closer to the witch. "Help me catch him."

"How?"

"You know your community, they won't work with me."

"Surprise." Granger rolls her eyes. "Wonder why."

"I don't expect you to trust me, but I don't want anyone else to die. If he has Lily, we have limited time."

"I don't trust you." Granger spits. "How do I know this isn't some big ploy."

"look around Granger I'm working from a basement. If the Ministry even gets a sniff we're working together, well I'm finished. You know these girls, their families, I need to get answers. To find the link."

Stepping back, Granger paces running a hand through her hair, reminding Bella once more how fragile the witch truly is. Is she even up for this mammoth task?

"I'm done if anyone finds out…" Granger mutters to herself walking in circles.

"you and me both," Bella replies.

Stopping, Granger slowly approaches Bella, eyes jumping to the board over Bella's shoulder. A reminder of what could be Evans's fate if they don't put a stop to this. Chest heaving, Granger contemplates all the pros and cons, more cons than anything.

"No one can know." Granger breathes.

"Obviously."

"I won't give you anything on the Order."

"And I won't give you anything from the Ministry."

"Just the killer."

"Just the killer." Bella nods.

"We can't be seen together."

"We're work from here."

"Here?"

"I'll allow the charms to let you cross, assuming you won't betray my trust."

"Assuming your elf won't kill me."

"It's a precaution."

They study one another on the brisk of making a deal that could spell either their ends. A deal either of them could potentially destroy by breathing the wrong word to the wrong person. It could all go up in smoke, destroy both their lives. The perfect risk to prevent either of them from spilling their secrets to others. To risk betraying the other would mean their loyalties being questioned.

"I'll help, however, if you raise a finger on me," Granger visibly shakes at the thought, angry. "We're done. This whole deal is done."

"Understood." Bella nods sharply. "if you betray my trust I'll send you right back to hell."

"Understood." She doesn't flinch at the threat.

Raising her hand, Granger spits into her palm, offering it to Bella tor shake. Disgusted, Bella stares at the hand, what on earth? There's no way she's shaking that hand that is revolting. It's the raised eyebrow, the silent challenge that makes her pause. Is this some strange trust exercise?

Rolling her eyes, she follows Granger's lead spitting into her hand before grasping the thin hand of Granger's. A look of approval from Granger, a silent challenge to trust reciprocated. Releasing Bella's hand, Granger pulls the notebook towards her reaching for a quill she starts writing details for the missing girls. Names, dates, friends, family and interests everything they were missing.

Wiping her hand against her robe, Bella removes the saliva, curious and slightly perplexed by the handshake. Was it some strange test to see if Bella would lower herself to not only shake hands with a mudblood but to mix saliva too? Did she pass some trust exercise? Maybe, right now though Granger is scribbling furiously releasing information so desperately needed.

It's a start, Bella thinks to take a seat and unrolling Snape's confession. A wobbly start to an unsteady trust based on fear alone. What could go wrong? She ignores the weird glances from Granger as both witches work in silence. How did it come to this? How did the Ministry fail so miserably she had to seek help from a mudblood?

She doesn't trust Granger, she'll have to make sure everything is secure. Make sure the witch doesn't steal anything or snoop for information. She'll make the elves watch her every move when she's here, makes sure she doesn't bring any friends. In the meantime, she needs to find something to give Riddle before he demands answers. Perhaps with a visit to the place Minerva hinted at and now she has granger to at least get them through the door.

She pauses, turning to the witch they're going to need a disguise.

"That Philter of Insight." Granger tenses at the question, obviously reminded of the past conversation. "It doesn't have a cousin, does it? Something that can change appearance much like a Polyjuice?"

Chewing the tip of her quill, Granger finally meets Bella's stare. "I might know of something. It'll take a day to get hold of it."

Smiling, Bella nods before turning back to her reading as granger returns to her writing. They might just get somewhere with this alliance. If they can ignore the fact they work for opposing sides and hate one another, they might be able to catch a killer.

A/n: Sorry for the delay guys I've gone back to work. I will be posting more regularly again. I hope you are all well and staying safe.