The next thing Harry saw was a large set of metal gates. He could feel Draco shaking behind him.

A figure appeared behind the gate, walking down the long path from an ornate manor. As the figure drew closer Harry recognised it as Bellatrix Lestrange.

"Why are you here?" The witch's voice echoed across the expanse.

"We caught some kids we think you'll be interested in," Greyback snarled. He turned Harry away from the gate so that Draco was facing it. "Potter and his… friends."

Bellatrix inhaled sharply. "Bring them in."

Harry was thrust forward and marched sideways toward the manor. He could see Hermione and Ron, bound together, being forced along beside him.

The large doors swung open and they were pushed through. The group followed Bellatrix through an entrance hall and into a large drawing room. A figure moved towards them from the shadows.

"Draco?" Narcissa Malfoy's voice asked hesitantly. A second figure rose from a chair in front of the large fireplace.

Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy advanced on Harry and Draco. A wide grin spread across Bellatrix's face.

"Potter and his friends," Greyback announced as he shoved them forwards. "And their wands." He held his fist out, four wands clutched tightly in it. Narcissa stepped forward to take them.

"The Dark Lord will be so pleased." Bellatrix dragged up her sleeve with a smile, exposing the Mark beneath.

"No!" Narcissa leapt forward and grabbed her sister's arm, dropping the wands to the floor. "He can't find Draco!"

Bellatrix sneered as she dragged her sleeve back down. "Then what do you propose, Cissy?"

Lucius stepped forward, anger blazing in his eyes. "To the courtyard, all of you," he said to the men holding them prisoner. "Wait for me there."

"Now, we'll not be forgetting who caught this lot," Greyback snarled. "The reward is ours."

"You will have your reward," Lucius muttered. "So long as you get out, now."

The Snatchers walked away. Bellatrix pulled a short silver knife from her robes and twirled it idly in her hand. Lucius turned to whisper something in her ear, and she followed the Snatchers out.

"Draco," Narcissa walked towards her son. "I'm so sorry for everything. We'll keep you safe, I promise." Harry saw her open her arms before she disappeared behind his back.

"Don't touch me!" Draco exclaimed. He backed away from his mother, nearly pushing Harry to the floor. "I won't be your pawn in this!"

"Our pawn? Draco we love you!" Narcissa exclaimed. "Please, come with me, I'll hide you."

"The Dark Lord need never know you were here," Lucius whispered as he walked around to Draco. Bellatrix sauntered back into the room.

"They're taken care of," the witch hissed, a malevolent smile crossing her lips. "What are we going to do with these ones?"

"Put Potter and his friends in the cellar," Lucius drawled coldly. "We'll deal with Draco, and then we can call the Dark Lord."

Bellatrix surveyed the group with half-hooded eyes. "The boys, yes," she chuckled malevolently. "The mudblood I'll keep."

"No! Don't touch her! Keep me instead!" Ron strained at his ropes as Bellatrix moved towards him and Hermione, brandishing her knife. "I'll do anything you want. Don't touch her!"

With a wicked grin Bellatrix cut the ropes binding Ron and Hermione. "Hold the girl, Cissy," she hissed as she grabbed Ron's hair. "Believe me, blood traitor, you're next." She dragged him towards Harry. With a flick she cut him free of Draco, and dragged both boys, still bound tightly, from the room and down a set of stone stairs. She opened a door and tossed them inside.

The door swung shut, plunging them into complete darkness. Ron began to wriggle against his restraints.

"Ron? Harry?" a voice called out. "Is that you?" Harry turned towards the voice but couldn't see anything in the darkness.

"Luna?" Ron asked hesitantly.

"Yes, its me! Mr. Ollivander, the wandmaker, is here too," Luna called out of the darkness. "Are you tied up?"

Harry could feel an arm brushing against him as he answered. "Yes. Can you get us out?"

"I think so," Luna answered. "Mr. Ollivander, can you pass me that nail? I think it's by the water jug."

Harry heard a scrambling and then something cold was pressed against his wrist.

"Stay very still," Luna warned. "I don't want to cut you."

Ron grunted. "In my pocket, there's a Deluminator. If you flick it it'll give you light."

At that moment a scream echoed through the manor, followed by a shout of anger. Ron swore as he recognized Hermione's voice.

"Please, stop! Please," they heard Hermione cry. "Stop! Aghhhhh!" She screamed again.

"Don't touch her!" Draco's voice echoed down to them. "Leave her alone!"

There was a rustle and a flicking sound, and two balls of light flew into the cellar. In the new light Luna quickly cut both boys free of their bonds.

As soon as he was free Ron jumped to his feet and pounded on the door. "Stop!" he shouted. "Don't hurt her!"

"You filthy mudblood!" Bellatrix's voice echoed down the stairs. Hermione screamed again.

"Get us out of here!" Ron exclaimed, grabbing onto Harry's shoulders and shaking him. His eyes were wide with terror. "Get us out!"

Luna stepped up to Harry and Ron. "I'm sorry," she said hesitantly, her eyes cast down at the floor. "There's no way out. I tried everything, and Mr. Ollivander has been here a lot longer than me. Neither of us could find a way out."

Ron sank to the ground, his head in his hands. "We can't leave Hermione with her," he sobbed.

Harry paced away across the cellar. He spotted Mr. Ollivander, hunched over against a wall. The old wandmaker was frail and sick.

"It's true," Ollivander whispered. "This room has been sealed against all magical exit or entry. The only way out is through the door."

"There has to be some way, something they couldn't seal it against!" Harry exclaimed in frustration. "Some kind of magic they missed!"

"I've tried everything, Harry," the old man mumbled weakly. "No witch or wizard could get out of here, even if they had a wand."

Harry paced back towards Ron, Ollivander's words ringing in his ears. No witch or wizard…

"House elves!" Harry exclaimed. "House elves can get into all sorts of places!"

Ron shot to his feet. "Do you think…?"

"Kreacher!" Harry called.

There was a crack and the ancient house elf appeared next to Harry.

"Harry Potter!" Kreacher exclaimed. "Kreacher thought that you had been killed! So many witches and wizards from the old families came to Grimmauld Place. But they were not good and kind, like you."
"I'm not dead yet, Kreacher," Harry answered. "But we need to get away from here. Can you take humans out of this room?" Kreacher nodded. "Then take Luna and Mr. Ollivander somewhere safe. Not Grimmauld Place."

"Shell Cottage," Ron interjected. "On the outskirts of Tinworth. That's where Bill and Fleur were going to move."

"I want to help you," Luna said. "You still have to get Draco and Hermione."

Harry shook his head. "Go with Ollivander, he needs you more than we do. We'll be there soon." He turned back to Kreacher. "Take them to the cottage, then come back and get us." Kreacher nodded and stretched out his hands for Ollivander and Luna. With a crack they disappeared.

"What was that?" Bellatrix's voice called out. "Cissy, go check the basement!"

Harry heard a mutter of discontent, followed by footsteps approaching the stairs. Ron quickly flicked the Deluminator, sucking the lights back up into it. They pressed themselves against the wall next to the door.

The door swung open, revealing Narcissa, her wand pointed out in front of her. Suddenly, she crumpled to the floor.

Harry peeked tentatively around the corner. At the top of the stairs stood Kreacher. He smiled up at the elf before reaching down to pick up Narcissa's wand.

"Thanks Kreacher," he whispered as he reached the top of the stairs. "Are Luna and Mr. Ollivander safe?" The house elf nodded.

Harry and Ron crept down a narrow passage, followed closely by Kreacher. They had a clear view of the drawing room.

Bellatrix was standing above Hermione, leering as she pointed her wand at the convulsing girl. Her other hand clutched the silver dagger. Blood trickled down Hermione's arm. Across the room Draco was being restrained by his father, who bore obvious signs of a fight. Lucius Malfoy's lip was dripping blood and a dark patch was blooming above his left eye.

"Let me go you bastard!" Draco screamed. "I won't go anywhere with you!"

"Please Draco," Lucius pleaded. "He'll kill you!"

Ron barrelled into the room towards Hermione. Bellatrix turned at the sound of his footsteps, releasing the curse she had been using. Hermione collapsed to the floor, sobbing and gulping.

"Expelliarmus!" Harry shouted, pointing Narcissa's wand. Before Bellatrix could react her wand flew out of her hand, arcing through the air to land in Harry's. Ron reached Hermione a moment later.

Draco took his chance and broke free of his father's hold. He lunged towards their wands, still lying on the floor where Narcissa had dropped them. As Ron dragged Hermione towards Harry and Kreacher Draco turned, levelling the four wands at his father. "Stupefy!"

Lucius Malfoy flew backwards, knocked unconscious by the force of the spell. Draco turned to run towards Harry, only to be stopped short by a cackle from the other end of the room.

All eyes turned to Bellatrix. Harry's scar threatened to split open in pain as he saw her sleeve pulled up, her right hand pressed firmly to the Dark Mark on her arm. Draco clutched at his own arm, a combination of pain and fear twisting his features.

"The Dark Lord will be here any moment," Bellatrix chortled. "He'll deal with you." A gleeful smirk spread across her face.

"Draco!" Ron shouted. "Get over here!"

Slowly Draco backed towards the others, his eyes fixed on his aunt. Harry grasped Kreacher's shoulder tightly, trying desperately to stay conscious. He could feel Voldemort approaching. It would only take a few seconds.

Ron thrust Hermione's hand into Harry's and reached out to grab onto Draco. "GO!" he shouted.

The last thing Harry saw as they disapparated was a glint of something silver.