Chapter Seven ; 'Bad News'

Remus Lupin's chest heaved from exhaustion as he ran through Hogwarts torch lit grounds. He swore silently to himself as he stumbled once more on the slippery wet cobbles. With every passing year it seemed his condition exerted a greater toil on his body, it was at times like this that he felt considerably older than his actual years.

Leaning heavily on the ancient wood, he pushed the large entrance hall doors wide open. Their enormous hinges groaned in protest as they swung apart. Once the mournful sound ceased reverberating throughout the vast empty hallway, Remus could clearly hear Mrs. Norris's disapproving hiss. Looking down to his right, it seemed as though her sharp eyes were scolding him for dripping on the stone floor.

Much to his surprise, a low growl escaped him, it seemed the wolf within had no time for the pesky feline tonight. He pulled back his sodden hood, spraying both cat and floor with fresh droplets and looked on in amusement as she hissed defiantly once more before scurrying off to find Filch. No doubt he would get an earful from the snarly old caretaker later.

Focusing once more on the task at hand, Remus ran as quietly as he could up the main staircase and through the corridors leading to the Head Master's office.

As he made his way to the large gargoyle silently guarding the entrance, he could clearly make out in the distance, a tartan clad Minerva McGonagall escorting Harry and his two friends away from the spiral stairs. Increasing his pace, he quickly caught up with them only to be confronted by four pairs of worried eyes looking to him expectantly, hoping he would be the barer of good tidings.

But his own grim expression and furrowed brow soon dashed their fragile hopes. The question didn't need to be asked for the answer was already painfully clear.

"Go on up dear," Minerva instructed softly, "he's waiting for you, I'm going to take the children to see Poppy, some calming draught may be in order I think."

Remus nodded and flashed a small reassuring smile to his students as she protectively lead them away. He took a deep calming breath then stood in front of the stone sentinel and spoke.

"Bon-bon."

Upon 'hearing' the correct password the ancient stone staircase began to revolve, Lupin stepped up onto the first step and allowed himself to be carried up to Albus' office. He soon found himself facing a familiar oak door which was slightly ajar, out of respect, he knocked on the highly polished dark wood before he pushed gently against the brass griffin handle. It swung open freely and he crossed the threshold into one of his most favourite rooms in Hogwarts.

Candles and floating oil lamps bathe the chamber in a warm golden glow while mysterious silver devices randomly puffed out tiny whisps of coloured smoke, others moved about slightly or made faint whirring noises for no apparent reason.

He was surprised to find a distracted Dumbledore pacing back and forth beside a tall bookcase filled with ancient tomes and dusty scrolls and he couldn't help but notice the agitated state of the many portraits as they too paced about from painting to painting. Suddenly Fawkes the phoenix sounded the alert from his golden perch and the old wizard quickly turned around.

Once again Lupin was subjected to intense scrutiny as Albus' blue eyes seemed to bore into him, not to mention the dozens of portraits now watching his every move, but the gaze quickly softened as his discomfort became evident.

"Ah Remus, come in my boy, please sit down and tell me what you have found," Albus gestured to a comfortable, yet straight-backed chair across from his enormous desk, as he himself made to sit down. He had already learned as much as he could from young Potter about the disturbing event and he was hoping his Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor would be able to supply him with fresh details.

Hearing that a student in his care and his Potions Professor had possibly been taken by force had shaken him to the core. He was desperate for any word.

"I'm afraid it's not good news Head Master," Lupin replied sadly.

Albus nodded silently in understanding then sighed resignedly. He looked intently at Remus once again, brow creasing as if noticing his current state for the first time.

"My dear boy, you are soaking wet," he exclaimed, "take that robe off before you catch your…….."

Dumbledore's lips fell silent, unwilling to complete phrase, it was not a subject matter he was prepared to dwell on for any length of time at the moment. Sensing the awkward pause Remus stood up.

"Yes of course Sir, you are right…………………silly of me really."

He hung the soaked garment on a cloak stand and uttered a simple drying spell on both the robe and his remaining clothes. The fire place in the room sprung to life and the man felt instantly grateful for the comforting heat. Upon returning to his seat, he found a steaming hot cup of tea waiting for him.

Smiling graciously, he took the simple offering and savoured the aroma of the camomile before sipping down the amber liquid.

Despite his urgent need for information, Albus waited until Remus was ready, he knew the man was also badly effected by the recent events.

After a moment, Lupin had gathered himself enough to begin recounting the facts, he placed the delicate cup and saucer on the Head Master's desk and spoke softly.

"I found the clearing where Severus paused to gather his potion ingredients with Harry and Neville, there were some signs of a struggle…………..I found blood Albus………….it belonged to Severus," he added hesitantly.

Clearly disapproving of this latest revelation, the portraits in the room began muttering amongst themselves while Dumbledore's mouth hardened almost imperceptibly and for a moment, a flicker of annoyance burned brightly in his eyes.

Someone had dared to hurt people he cared about. If Lucius Malfoy did have anything to do with this, he would be made to regret it. Sensing the old wizards distress, Fawkes released a sorrowful cry, then ruffled his vibrant feathers in solidarity.

Deliberately calming himself, Dumbledore encouraged Remus to continue with a nod.

"I also found a spot where I believe Neville may have fallen, he might have been hit with a 'stupefy' then carried away. Harry said there were only two men, Malfoy and some other unidentified male, that seems to fit in with the tracks I found, there were only two sets of foot prints visible approaching the clearing from the other side," Lupin swallowed worriedly before continuing, "there were no tracks leading away Head Master, I believe they 'apparated' …………..we have no way of knowing where they went," he finished grimly.

oOo

Severus awoke into a dark world of confusion and pain, muscles cried out in protest over the most minuscule of movements and his vision blurred while the room appeared to spin cruelly around him once again. He fought against the waves of nausea and violent tremors wracking his slender frame. Some where deep in the logical part of his brain he knew these were all symptoms of repeated exposure to the 'cruciatus', knowing this however did little to ease his mind.

Breathing shallow in order not to aggravate his battered chest and fractured rib, he tried to relax his tense muscles and thus reduce the painful spasms.

Slowly, ever so slowly, he eased himself up off the cold floor, pausing every few inches to bite down on his lower lip, determined not to cry out. It seemed to take forever but eventually he was sitting up reasonably straight with his back against the wall for support.

The windowless room was shrouded in darkness but the warm glow from a flickering oil lamp in the hallway had snuck in beneath the door and cast its comforting light half way across the floor. It was enough to enable him to make out the slumbering form of young Neville Longbottom several feet away. Every now and then the child would flinch in his fitful sleep and a small whimper escaped him. Severus considered waking the child from his nightmares but quickly decided against it, sadly their current reality was much more frightening than what ever the sleeping child's unconscious mind could dream up.

Neville's mewling and his own laboured breaths were the only sounds to be heard but this did not surprise him, he knew the room was warded against invading sounds from the rest of the house. Always better to keep ones captives ignorant and in the dark, both figuratively and literally. Fear of the unknown was a powerful weapon in the hands of someone who knew how to wield it and Lucius Malfoy was a master.

Gently rubbing his swollen and tender wrists, Severus absently wondered how long they had been held captive, it couldn't have been more than a few hours, despite feeling a hell of a lot longer. He supposed that if Potter had in fact escaped then Lupin would most likely know by now. It rankled him a little knowing that the wolf knew he had been taken so easily and that he had been unable to protect his charges.

Severus despised weakness, most of all in himself and it annoyed him that Lupin might perceive him in this way.

As his mind wandered, he also believed it was possible that maybe even the Head Master had been informed by now. He only hoped that Albus wouldn't be too annoyed at his failure.

His thoughts were suddenly interrupted as the only entrance into the room opened abruptly, his eyes were assaulted by an accompanying bright light and he tried to shelter them with his arm while they adjusted. Several of the wall sconces around the room that held candles, also sprung to life as Malfoy and Perkins entered the room.

Malfoy looked particularly happy as he approached his vulnerable captive.

"I've just had a most enlightening meeting with our mutual friend, Wormtail, I think it's safe to say that the future is looking bright," he paused and sneered, "though not so bright for you my old friend."

Severus remained silent while his mind processed the information Malfoy had so casually let slip. If he was interpreting it correctly, the Dark Lord's return was looking more and more immanent and less and less of a mad man's fantasy.

That Lucius had told him of this so openly also suggested that the pure-blood had no intention of allowing him to leave the 'Knock' alive. Strangely enough this news did not affect him as he thought it would, he had more or less resigned to the fact that he would die here but he couldn't suppress the knot of fear for Longbottom's safety from growing and twisting in his gut.

Automatically his black eyes stole a glimpse at the boy, some how he had managed to remain asleep so far. Malfoy tracked his gaze and smiled.

"Take him !" he ordered Perkins.

The Death Eater moved over to the boy and roughly shook him until he stirred. In a flurry of rough movements, Perkins released both the spells and rough manacles binding the child's hands. It took a moment for his disorientation to clear but as soon as he saw the battered form of his Potions Professor and the cold stare of Lucius Malfoy, everything came flooding back with biting clarity and fearful tears filled Neville's wide eyes once more.

He was half dragged, half carried across the uneven floor towards the door.

He looked pleadingly into the suddenly worried eyes of his teacher.

"P..professor !" he cried out while he was pulled out into the hallway.

Severus steeled his gaze and looked directly at Malfoy.

"Where are you taking him ?" he demanded with as much force as he could muster.

"Is that actual genuine concern I hear in your voice Severus ?" he tutted in a disappointed manner, "my, my, how the mighty have fallen."

Severus gritted his teeth against the pain resulting from such unwise exertions.

"Where Malfoy ?" he shouted.

"Calm down old chum, we wouldn't want you to hurt yourself………….leave that to me," the blond laughed, "Perkins is just seeing to the boy's comforts, we're not monsters you know," he teased.

"I know exactly what you're capable of Lucius and it would put most monsters to shame," he retorted.

The Death Eater turned slowly, closed the door then turned purposely towards his captive. With a flourishing gesture, he removed his rich dark velvet robe and carefully placed it on a crude wooden sideboard. Then with equal care, he removed his wand.

He then hunched down beside Snape and whispered almost conspiratorially into his ear.

"Let's have a little demonstration of my capabilities, shall we."

With lightning speed, he lashed out and grabbed one of Severus' manacled hands, pulling it down and slamming it against the floor.

Pain exploded in his side as his body was yanked forwards, beads of sweat covered his brow and his breathing became increasingly ragged.

Malfoy leaned heavily on the weakened wrist and pointed his wand at the long elegant fingers.

"Just exactly how many times have you betrayed the Dark Lord Severus ?" he asked casually, as if discussing the weather.

His victim annoyingly failed to answer.

"Hmmmmmmm forcing me to guess are we? Fine have it your way, I'll play along," he growled.

"Was it once ? 'fractius'."

Malfoy's eyes lit up with delight as he watched his former friend try to stifle his screams as he felt a bone in his thumb snap.

"No surely more than once, twice maybe ? 'fractius'."

Once again another bone in his thumb snapped without mercy and Severus felt tears well up in his eyes as a small traitorous whimper escaped. Malfoy moved his wand further up along the mangled digit and continued his torture.

"I wonder exactly how many bones there are in a human hand Severus, I hope we don't run out before I find out the truth," he sneered, "or you could save yourself a whole lot of unnecessary pain and just tell me."

Severus clamped down more tightly on his jaw, shook his head defiantly, refusing to give in, he knew he was in a no win situation, revealing any information to Malfoy was out of the question and even if he did, the pure-blood would just continue torturing him anyway.

It was just something he would have to endure and he found himself feeling strangely thankful that Longbottom wasn't here to witness it.

Malfoy sighed dramatically.

"Your choice my friend, 'fractius'."

This time Severus couldn't withhold his cries of pain.

oOo

Author's note; Well there you have it folks, the latest instalment of this little saga...isn't Lucius Malfoy as nasty so and so ! Sorry it's taken a while to get this update out, but hopefully better late than never. As always many, many thanks for all your support so far, I really do enjoy hearing from you so don't be shy ! LOL ! and thanks to those of you who have added it to your favs or just put it on alert, every little helps you know. As for 'fractius'...well that's just one I made up, a bone breaking curse, wasn't sure if one existed already, sorry !Until next time, take care,

Lai.