Chapter 2

"We're here for her."

Her…who…? Oh, dear Merlin…they're talking about me!

She gasped, and stiffened against what she assumed now to be her captor, preparing to break out of his grasp and make a run for it. Apparently he was having none of that though, as his grip on her tightened, and his wand pressed against her throat with more force.

More force than necessary, she thought, disgruntled. You are an idiot. Where were you planning on running to anyway? There isn't even a speck of light in here – how were you going to see where you were going, eh? Speaking of which, how can they see where I-

"Don't move a muscle, little girl," a voice snarled in her ear. "Else you'll regret it," he continued, chuckling evilly at the frightened squeak she emitted.

She heard the tapping of something against the floor. "Come along," the first voice commanded impatiently, "we haven't got all day."

Not as gently as she would have liked, she was turned around to face what she assumed to be the direction of the door and pushed forward, the wand of her captor pressing lightly into her back. "No funny business, do you hear?" he growled, as she nodded quickly in mute acceptance. Though she couldn't see, she assumed he could – how else would this whole situation be able to happen?

"Aren't you…forgetting something, Nott?" came the first voice. She heard the man behind her – Nott, she thought – fumbling with some…material? What is he doing? Her question was soon answered when a blindfold was placed over her eyes.

"That's better," came the voice again, now with a satisfied tone to it.

What is the point of this? It's already pitch black, how do they expect me to see a thing? What's more, how am I supposed to see where I'm going? Where am I going anyway? Maybe I-

Nott's voice interrupted her thoughts. "Can't have you figuring the way out of here, can we, girlie? Come on, then – move along," he said, prodding her in the back with his wand.

She lifted her foot to start moving – how stiff her legs were! Well, you have been stuck in this place, in the same position for what must be months…of course your circulation is going to be off.

No sooner had she walked three steps, then she heard a voice say, "And what are you doing out of bed after curfew, Mr. Nott? Do you think Hogwarts rules are meant to be broken and tampered with? Well? Do you?"

Oh, no. Not now. The whole situation was obviously taking its toll on poor Professor McGonagall – lately she had been going through phases where she believed herself to be back at Hogwarts. Her personality was nothing like it used to be…she varied between that, and the behaviour of a frightened, doddering old lady. Can't blame her though – who knows what she has been through…them taking her away for days at a time…

She shuddered. Well, I'll soon find out, if this is any indication to go by. They're taking me away too, she thought sadly, suddenly feeling an immense surge of self pity.

Her attention was soon drawn back to the present. "Watch who you're talking to, old bat. Wouldn't want any…accidents to occur, would we?" Nott said in an innocent tone, which of course, deceived nobody.

"I say, boy, that is no way to speak to your superiors!" the former professor reprimanded him harshly.

She felt Nott's muscles tense – Please, Professor…shut up!

Apparently she wasn't the only one thinking along those lines. Whispers of "Shhh!" and "Calm down, Professor," could be heard quite clearly. And it seemed to be working, until

"No! No! You can't take her! You mustn't! They mustn't!" she screamed hysterically.

A new wave of fear enveloped her as she recalled her own present situation.

"Well, that's tough, isn't it. Because I am," came Nott's voice, as he started pushing her along firmly.

"No!" she heard the professor howl. "You can't! You-"

"I can!" he thundered back, "and, I AM! Now let me give the rest of you some advice – you may want to subdue that crazy old woman…insanity is not exactly popular among…us."

As she marched further away, she could still hear murmurs of, "They can't…they'll kill her…they'll…"

And with that ringing in her ears, she continued on.