Chapter 11

Luna had been captured. And it was my fault. I don't care what anybody else said. It was my fault. I made a promise that I couldn't keep. My fault. I said that we would stick together, no matter what. My fault. I said that I would get her myself. My fault. My fault. My fucking fault! She was gone and being tortured at this moment because of me!

I screamed into the night. We were outside, just sitting. It was cold and dark, but I didn't care. I had blacked out earlier after hearing the news and when I came to, I just cried and cried for my friend. Arthur and Molly both tried to calm and reassure me, but I just blocked it all out. I eventually made it outside despite the protests from Molly. She didn't understand…she wasn't the one responsible.

The cabin was stuffy and I needed the air…not that I deserved it at that moment. Neville couldn't even look at me. But if he did, I don't know what I'd do. He probably hates me for lying to Luna, for not letting him go to her. He probably blames himself, but he really shouldn't.

Arms circled me after my little fit. Ginny insisted on staying with me…she didn't want me to be alone, afraid I'd do something reckless. She's correct though. I was planning on how to get Luna back…that was a plan I fully intended on keeping and following through with.

"I know you probably will just brush this off, but I'm just gonna come out with it. You need not to blame yourself and if you keep stressing yourself out, it could harm you and the baby too. Do you want that innocent baby to die?" Ginny nearly shouted.

I sighed, rubbing my bulging belly, "I don't want any innocents to die…" I sniffled. "Which is why-"

"No," she interrupted. I opened my mouth again and she shushed me again. "You don't even know where she is! And what if the place is crawling with Deatheaters, ya think you can take 'em all on?"

"I will kill them all if I have to…" I stated darkly. "They all deserve to die, to rot in the earth for all of eternity." I mumbled.

"Okaaaaaaaay, time to go inside," she replied. I didn't protest as she wrapped her arms around me and picked me up from the ground. She rubbed my arms as we entered the cottage. "They'll find her and whomever else those bastards have taken."

"Hopefully not in pieces," I grumbled in response.

The rest of the holiday passed by with nothing else interesting to note. Molly gave each of us the usual gifts: enough homemade fudge to last us the journey home, a variety of candies, and a knitted sweater with our initials stitched on the front. Ginny's was a deep scarlet with a golden 'G', Neville's was a navy blue with a light green 'N', and mine was deep burgundy with a silver 'L'; however, when I tried mine on, the material magically stretched around my tummy and the 'L' morphed into an 'E'. I glanced up to her and she smiled then winked at me.

We listened to the Potterwatch every evening (or whenever there was a broadcast) for any sort of news. I would mope from time to time and Ginny would comfort me. She went back and forth between me and Neville, who barely showed his face to the rest of us. He was hurting. Each of us could feel it through the walls the pain he was feeling. It wasn't till the last day in that cottage that he finally faced me and talked it out.

"I'm not gonna lie to you but at first, I did blame you," he began sadly. "I knew it wasn't you directly, but I was so angry. We all talked about staying together and being safe. Then you went and made that promise," he paused, taking in deep breaths, "then I redirected my anger. I don't think I've ever hated so much in my life…well, except for Bellatrix but that's a whole different thing…

I just…I don't know." He raked his hands through his hair. Seeing an opportunity, I grabbed his arm to stop him then I pulled him into a half hug.

"I understand. You feel like your world is upside down and you've been turned inside out too right?" I asked and he nodded. "I'm in the same boat and I can't tell you how much the guilt is eating me alive. But we need to push past it; we have a war to win. And by the time the smoke clears, we'll all be together. Hold on to that Neville? Believe in it. Believe in me, you…all of us, ok?" I asked, looking into his eyes.

He nodded, "okay."

I smiled back at him, "okay."

Before we knew it, our time with the head Weasleys in the cottage was over. Molly had stuffed us that morning and made sure we had enough goodies for the rest of the month. She teared up as she gave each of us a hug, squeezing me longer than normal.

"Take care sweetie, the both of you. I'll have sweaters and onesies ready for the little angel when you return," she said before kissing my forehead. "Keep each other safe, ya here?" We each nodded.

"And do not send any owls; the portkeys will let us know that you made your destinations safely." Arthur stated then looked at me. "We will do what we can to get her back, alright? Try not to do anything rash."

"Yes Uncle," I winked as I gave him a hug. I felt him smile against my hair before pulling away.

"Off ya go, you have only a minute." Grabbing our belongings, we quickly moved out back to grab the first portkey which was an old rag doll. The last thing I saw was Molly and Arthur waving us off as I felt the familiar tug behind my navel.

And three portkeys later, we ended up a block away from King's Cross station. Hunched over with my hands on my knees, I took deep breathes.

"Oh Gods how I'd give anything to apparate right now…" I breathed out.

"You would still feel the same afterwards," Ginny replied.

"But I have more control over my apparating to not feel like this," I huffed. Ginny shrugged as we each shuffled forward. The block between us and the train station was more crowded than normal, which made staying together a slight issue.

"Mom said to make sure to board at different times so not to raise any suspicion, but stay together once we are on the train," Ginny stated as we entered the station.

"I'll bring up the rear since I'm slowing down anyways," I suggested.

"You sure?" Neville asked worriedly. I nodded in response. "I hope there are more of us returning," he stated. We grunted a reply as we moved closer to the barrier.

"See ya'll on the train!" Ginny called behind. I slowed down, lingering against a wall to catch my breath. Neville waited a beat then did the same. I took a bit longer to move again, feeling especially tired, which seemed to be another 'pregnancy' thing.

I was maybe a foot from the barrier when I paused. I felt the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end as it seemed like time stopped. The air around me felt stiff and constricting. Something is not right and I had only a minute to figure it out. But sadly, it was all for not.

In the blink of an eye, I felt a pinch in my neck followed by a cold numbness spreading through my body. I quickly raised my arms to summon the winds, but nothing happened. I could hear dark laughter surrounding me as everything went blurry.

"Oh no…" I moaned, swaying slightly as the numbness took over. I was powerless and about to be taken.

"We have you now Pendragon." A voice spat out before the darkness took over.

My body ached. My mind was fried. And it was very dark. I was freezing, but no longer numb. Something else didn't feel right either. I tried to move but couldn't. Was I restrained? Probably. I tried to flex my fingers and felt them crack; that was a plus…I could use my power. I stretched my fingers out and nothing happened. What? How can that be?! I tried again, and again, and again! I felt panicky. My breathing kicked up a notch and I was on the verge of hyperventilating.

"Ah, our guest has awakened," A cold voice hissed. My breathing hitched and I felt my blood turn to ice. I knew that voice anywhere. It haunted my dreams and plagued my very existence.

"Voldemort." I whispered. There was a cry of outrage by my response.

"How dare you speak his name?!" A voice belonging to woman shrieked. "You are lucky that I don't curse you!"

I scoffed which came out more as a cough, "I doubt he would let you," I spat. I heard her shriek again.

"Silence!" Voldermort hissed. "Bellatrix dear, leave us." He said simply.

"Yes my Lord," she growled and I could hear her stomping loudly up a set of stairs then slam a large door; I counted fourteen steps.

"How about some light…" Voldemort began as I heard him shuffle closer to where I was restrained. I felt fabric being pulled from my face and then light pierce my gaze. I clenched my eyes shut for a moment then opened them to take in my surroundings.

The room I was in looked like a basement with walls made of stone. There were some restraints on the walls and a bright hanging light swinging above me. Aside from where I was, the room was encased in shadows; Voldemort was lurking in those shadows.

I shivered as another thought came to mind: I had been in this room before. I had nightmares that took place in this room and if what transpired in my nightmares were true, I was to be tortured…I may even die here. I fought the urge to cry. No, he didn't deserve my tears. I had to stay strong…there was too much at stake…oh Gods, please let my baby be ok.

I turned my head slightly at the sound of swishing and a tall dark silhouette came into view. "Pendragon," he hissed.

"Riddle," I spat. His eyes glowered at me as he raised his wand and flicked it in my direction. Pain surged throughout my body and I bit my lip to prevent from screaming. He flicked it again and the pain ceased. I could already feel the blood trickling from my lip.

"That was foolish girl!" He yelled, moving closer towards me, but not enough where I could fully see him.

"Well, I consider myself quite a foolish person. I heard that I inherited it from my father, what did your muggle father pass along to you Tom?" I asked as I braced myself. Voldemort growled and flicked his wand again. I groaned and bit my lip harder till he released the curse. Ok, I could end up losing a chunk of blood from my lip alone if I don't bite my tongue instead.

"My lord, if you continue to play into her hand, she may pass out before you can question her," a voice drawled out. I turned my head to the stairs, shocked to see Severus Snape standing just a few feet from me. The shock quickly turned to anger as I mustered every ounce of hate in my body in the form of a glare in his direction. As if sensing my gaze, he glanced at me then faced Voldemort once more.

"Thank you Severus, how wise of you." He replied as Snape bowed slightly. "But I do not recall summoning you here," Voldemort stated, watching him closely.

"I have to check vitals on the girl so I can administer a proper dose of the binding potion or else she may be passed out longer than the previous three days," Snape drawled out, moving to stand next to me.

"I've been knocked out for three fucking days?!" I shouted without realizing. I could feel the malice from Voldemort as I stared at Snape who continued as if I wasn't there.

"With this dose, she will remain powerless and able to comply with your questioning." Snape finished, raising his wand. Voldemort continued to stare him down and eventually nodded.

"Very well Severus, I trust your judgment, but be quick! I grow impatient and I want to dispose of her,"

"Yes my Lord," Severus bowed. Voldemort slinked back into the shadows as Snape stepped into the light fully. He looked a lot paler then I remembered and his hair was still greasy, but longer. Dark circles stood out on his face and his eyes gave nothing away.

Muttering a spell, Snape's wand glowed red for a moment then he guided it, starting with my head. A soft warmth tickled my skin as his wand went south along my body. Once he reached my stomach, his wand grew brighter, and Snape paused for a beat then continued as if nothing happened.

When finished, I heard him whisper a summoning spell causing a syringe filled with a light blue liquid to appear. He grasped it and said a few words which made the liquid glow bright then turn clear.

"This should do it…" he stated to Voldemort who nodded in response. Feeling a mix of dread and panic rising inside of me, I made a last ditch effort to appeal to Snape's humanity.

"Professor Snape, please don't do it," I pleaded softly. I heard Voldemort chuckle nearby as I began to beg, "you can fight this! Albus believed in you! He always believed in you! Stop this madness, please!" I pleaded, feeling the tears bead at the corner of my eyes. Voldemort continued to laugh his evil laugh and I closed my eyes, allowing the tears to escape.

"You really are a foolish girl! What do you gain from begging?! Severus has been my loyal adversary since the beginning! He was with me when I killed your parents and burned your house to the ground! Oh how dreadful!" He mocked.

I opened my eyes to see Severus leaning over me, syringe in hand aimed for the inside of my arm. I winced when I felt the familiar pinch of the needle breaking skin and fluid entering my bloodstream. Instead of normal coldness, I felt warm and fuzzy. This wasn't the same potion as before; this was different.

My eyes grew heavy as Severus pulled away only to stare at me. Unsure of what I was seeing, it seemed like Severus nodded before mouthing some sort of message.

'You will be saved'