A/N: Interestingly enough, I've actually finished the story! I'm just uploading it now. That's why I've been updating it so often. However, I'm still debating on how it will end. Any thoughts? I already know how it's going to end, but I'm not sure if it's...how should I put it?
Idk...I'm fixing a few things here and there before I upload the new chapters. Maybe the ending will get changed too...we'll just have to wait and see. FYI this chapter gets pretty dark, nothing too horrible, but it's pretty dark. Just a small warning.
I woke up with my whole body aching. Every move sparked pain in a new part of my body. Ignoring the pain, I slowly stood up and looked around the room I was in. It was dark and appeared to be a dungeon of some sort.
Walking around, I noticed the room stretched for several feet, and discovered I was in some sort of basement.
"Who's there?" a voice croaked.
I turned, holding my breath. "Hello?"
I couldn't see who was talking amidst the darkness.
"It can't be." the voice said. "Arabella Strauss."
My eyes widened. "Mr. Olivander?"
He shifted where he was sitting and came into the light. His eyes were filled with grief and horror. It seemed like he hadn't slept in days.
"Where are we?" I asked.
"Malfoy Manor." he replied.
"Malfoy-"
Suddenly, someone grabbed my left arm and dragged me away from Mr. Olivander. They turned me around, and I expected to see Snape. But, it was Lucius Malfoy.
"What are you doing here?" he sneered.
"Lucius Malfoy…" I gasped.
"Who are you?" he demanded.
He gripped my arm tightly, causing me to groan aloud.
"Draco. You know who she is?" he asked.
He turned and Draco came out from the darkness. Draco's eyes filled with shock when he saw me. I pleaded to him with my eyes. He looked just as frightened.
"No…" he said, shaking his head.
Lucius looked back at me. "Then, how the bloody hell did she get in here?"
I tried to pull away. "Let go."
"How did you get in here?" he asked, leaning into my face. "I would've remembered bringing someone like you here."
He stroked my cheek, but I struggled against his grip again. This only fueled his anger. He gripped my arm even tighter. I screamed from the pain.
"Well, seeing as you refuse to answer-"
"Enough."
We all turned and saw Snape walking through a barred door and down a flight of stairs. Lucius kept his grip on my arm, as Snape approached us.
"I brought her here." Snape said. "She's...a family friend of Potter's."
I grimaced at that, but he continued. "She was snooping around and discovered a book...on horcruxes."
Snape's hand lunged at me and dragged me away from Lucius' grip. He held me close to him, as if to protect me.
"Couldn't have her telling Potter what she knew, could we?"
I was thrown into a cell and Snape locked the door. He stepped towards me, scanning me from head-to-toe.
"Are you alright?" he asked.
I clenched my fists. "You bloody coward!"
I stormed towards him and raised my hand to slap him. Before I could hit him, he grabbed my wrist.
"Has it not yet crossed your mind?" he asked, angrily.
"Let go of me." I groaned.
"You're much safer in here than you are out there." he sneered.
"Keeping me in here won't stop Harry. He knows about the horcruxes, and it's only a matter of time before he finds them."
Snape released my wrist and turned his back towards me.
"I'm not keeping you here. Not for long, at least."
"Why do you even have me here? Harry already knows-"
"I didn't bring you here because of anything you know."
I wasn't following what he was saying. Once again, he was concealing himself.
"Then, why?" I asked.
He hesitated. "I brought you here...to protect you. Many things are about to happen, and I...couldn't bear the thought of you being caught in the middle of it. I want to keep you safe."
My heartbeat increased. "You…"
His head lowered and he sighed. "Yes…"
My eyes began to sting. "So you're saying you care about me? And, I'm supposed to do, what? How could you say such a thing?"
"You doubt what I say? And feel?" he asked, turning to face me.
I stormed up to him, feeling anger boiling inside of me.
Smack!
"Every. Word." I said, as tears streamed down my cheeks.
He frowned and touched the cheek where I had struck him. Then, he turned and opened the door.
"No matter." he said. "Soon...you'll come to your senses."
The door slammed, leaving me in my solitude.
I fell asleep and awoke to some noises from outside my cell. Through the keyhole, I saw some Snatchers throw Luna Lovegood into the basement. Her blonde curly hair was a bit messy and she had a bruise on her face.
"Luna…" I gasped.
Suddenly, my cell door opened. I stepped outside, thinking someone had opened it. No one was around. Luna came out of her own, and she smiled when she saw me.
"Professor Strauss."
"Oh, Luna, are you alright?" I asked, examining her bruise.
She nodded. "I'm fine. Just a bit worried for my father, though. They took me during the night, you see. I'll wager he's up and found out I'm gone."
"I'm so sorry, Luna. But, I promise that I'll get you out of here. The first chance I get." I promised.
My cell door opened again the next day. And again, no one was around when it did. I stepped out to see if I could speak with Ollivander again. He was gone, Luna told me.
"A couple of Snatchers took him last night. I think Voldemort wanted to speak with him." she explained.
"Voldemort...was here?" I asked.
She nodded. "I thought I heard his voice from my cell."
"Who let you out of your cells?!" a voice cried.
We turned and saw Bellatrix Lestrange entering the cell with Lucius and Snape. Luna stepped away as they approached.
"Do you think I'm playing a game?" Bellatrix hissed.
Luna and I didn't answer.
She smirked and aimed her wand at her. "This should loosen your tongue! Crucio!"
A red light shot towards Luna, but I jumped in between them. A sharp spark of pain filled my body and I screamed. I stumbled to the ground in agony.
"They are not to be harmed." Snape scolded. "Do you understand?"
He bent down and took my hand. Gently, he helped me to my feet. He held my hand tightly, as Bellatrix watched us.
She cackled. "Rather protective of that one, aren't we?"
Snape threw her a look.
"But, what do I know?" she laughed. "You'll be punishing her, then?"
I looked up at Snape as he let go of my hand. He turned towards me, holding his wand. I couldn't read his face. It looked scared but it also looked angry.
"The Cruciatus Curse will do." she giggled.
He slowly lifted his wand, but I didn't cower.
"Luna," I said, quietly, "look away."
I don't know if she did. Snape muttered the curse and the red light appeared again. Excruciating pain filled my body and I screamed aloud. Bellatrix laughed and clapped her hands.
Snape did it again, and I was welcomed with more pain. I shut my eyes and screamed again. He casted the curse again, but my body couldn't take the pain. I fell to the ground and the last thing I remember seeing was nothing but pure enjoyment on Snape's face.
A/N: Really glad I managed to fit Luna into this chapter! Poor Luna...anyway, the next chapter might have Remus in it, so we'll have to see how that goes! Really wish I could've fit him more into the story, but *shrugs* I wrote a fanfic on him and the Marauders, check it out if you can!
