Chapter 5

A sudden bump in the road caused Ron's body to pop from the wooden floor, only to come crashing down. His head smacked hard against the floor, roughly waking him up. He fluttered his eyes open only to groan from the soreness that crept up his sides and through his ribs. He shuttered from the dampness around him. He could smell the fresh cold dew that covered the morning grass. From the small window he could see the fog haziness from outside. He shut his eyes, trying to shut out the world.

Ron then felt someone nudge him. His eyes shot wide open.

"Hermione!" he called out as he sat up to look around. Who he saw shocked him. He didn't expect it.

"Malfoy?"

"Weasley." Draco Malfoy sneered back. He went to the opposite side of the compartment and slammed his back against the wall. He looked defeated just as much as Ron was. Draco sat down with his knees curled up to his chest and his arms locked around them. He was shielding himself from the new world just like Ron.

Where was Draco's mother, father? Ron didn't know. Why were they there? They sat in silence. Draco's hands were balled up into fists. He clenched tighter, letting the nail dig further into his palms. Ron could see that Draco was shaking. He knew what Draco was going through. He suspected that Draco's father and mother were killed, and as a punishment, the Dark Lord allowed Graham Brebner take Draco for his program.

"So, how did you end up here?" asked Ron, breaking the deadly silence between the two boys. Draco looked up as Ron cold see that all the color from the boy's face was drained. Draco was always pale, but now he looked paper thin and sickly ashen. There were bright red circles around his eyes as if he were crying for a long a time.

"I could ask the same thing to you." snarled Draco. Ron had been through enough. He didn't have time to play around with this Slytherin.

"Malfoy, I don't have the strength nor do I have the patience to quarrel with you. I just want to see if you know where we're going."

"We're going to Graham's program, I don't know the exact location we're going to, but I know we're going to die."

"Great, so I'm guessing it's a slow and painful death."

"It's worse than-"

"Hey you two back there, no talking, stay quiet, and away from each other. Don't make me send Roy back there!" warned Graham. Ron and Malfoy were silenced. The last thing they needed was Roy.

It seemed like hours had passed, and not a word were shared by the two. As night snuck up on them, the air started to get cooler. Ron hadn't noticed until he started to feel the cool breeze sweep in through the gaps of the wood, causing the whole compartment to creak. Ron looked over at Draco. Draco hadn't moved at all since they last talked.

"Hey, Malfoy," Ron called over to Draco, but he didn't respond. "You said you knew about Graham's program."

"Yeah, I do."

"Then what is it?" Ron asked only for Draco to shake his head. He still remained silent. Ron then heard Draco for once to start sobbing. Ron was apprehensive. Was Draco crying because of his future, or because of the past events?

"Draco, what happened?"

"Why would you care?" cried Draco.

"Because he took my family too." Ron replied. This got Draco's attention as he looked up at Ron. His eyes are red from crying as he had two trails from shedding tears on either side of his face.

"What?" questioned Draco.

"You say that as if he'd never do it. You knew that He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named wanted my family dead."

"I'm sorry." Draco replied. It was the first time Ron had ever heard Draco say he was sorry about anything.

"Yeah me too, so is this our punishment? I mean going to this program"

"Yeah."

"So what do we do in this program?"

"We fight to our death."

Ron and Draco had reached a mutual understanding of each other. They stayed in silence until sleep captured both.

The loud sound the opening of the compartment caused both Ron and Draco to wake up. The light of the sun blasted through their eyes.

"Get up, yeh filthy lot!" shouted Graham. "The sooner we get yeh started, the better chances of your survival."

Graham then started to laugh maliciously. Then Roy came by with a toothy grin. He was so large; he blocked most of the sunlight. He grabbed Draco by the ankle despite the young man's retaliation. He then threw Draco over his shoulder as Ron was next.

The two young men were draped over Roy's shoulder lack a sack of flour. Ron noticed the ground beneath them was grassless as all you saw was dried up caked sand. They passed a metal fence that had barb wire on the top.

There was no way Ron was escaping the place. There were other people like Roy guarding the grounds. They all looked smug as they sneered at both Ron and Draco as they passed. Roy carried them in to a large structure. Inside there were halls of cement cells. Ron could see that some were already filled with someone. They were all young men or young boys. Some scurried towards the bars of their cells reaching out for Ron and Draco. They were emaciated, filthy, and over all unkempt.

"Get back you filthy lot! Your time will come." yelled Graham. He then peered through some of the cells with a wicked sneer.

"Humph, I wonder why I even bother keep all of yeh alive." he grumbled. "Roy, get them to the ring, I wanna see where they belong."

"Where we belong?" repeated Ron quietly as he wondered what that meant.

Roy carried them through the cells until they were outside again in the blistering sun. Ron could feel the harsh rays trickling down his back. The sun was never this hot in Scotland was all Ron could think. He must be somewhere else. He wanted to close his eyes once again. He wanted this to be a dream.

His wish was destroyed when he was carelessly dropped to the ground. The wind was knocked out of him. Beneath his fingers he could feel the shifted baked sand. He heard another thud beside him as he guessed it was Draco.

When Ron got the strength to push himself up he saw that he was in a caged in ring with nowhere out. Graham stood on the sidelines looking in on his new admitted victims. Roy stood beside Graham looking grim with his long arms folded across his chest, waiting for the next command.

"Get up, and show how worthy you are." Graham ordered them, but Ron stayed put. He looked right at Graham. How could the man live with himself? Ron then looked down at Draco who was still on the ground looking up at Ron. He was just as bewildered and lost as Ron. He once again felt sorry for the lad. He extended his hand down for Draco to pull him up. Graham saw the gesture as he had doubts for Ron. Maybe the boy that had punched him in the office wasn't the one to recruit.

"Let me clear this up for you Cherry," he gestured towards Ron, "you can fight Blondie here, or you can both end up like those people you saw back there in those cells. Choose your fate boy."

Graham looked at Ron's fierce blue eyes as Ron looked back into that steel gray once. They were as rough and rigid as the person inside.

"I'm not fighting him, Draco I'm not-" Before Ron could finish his sentence he was suddenly struck in the cheekbone from Draco. His hand shot up to touch the newly assaulted area. He gritted his teeth in anger. He couldn't believe that he thought Draco would ever change.

Draco stood trembling in front of Ron. His knuckles were beet red from the punch, though he looked determined.

"You don't have to fight me Weasley, but I'm not dying!" yelled Draco before he charged Ron. Ron recollected himself as he swiftly moved to the side and grabbing Draco from the shoulders. He pulled Draco back down to the ground with a thud. Ron pinned Draco's body to the ground. Draco's face was shoved into the sand while his wrists were pinned behind his back.

"What's wrong with you?" questioned Ron furiously. Draco writhed underneath Ron trying to free himself. He kicked up his leg kicking Ron in the back. From the sudden blow Ron let go of Draco's wrists. Draco used this to his advantage as he pushed himself off the ground, sending Ron to the ground. Within a heartbeat Draco was on top of Ron, sending him blows to the head with his fists.

Graham watched the fight with a smirk on his face. He didn't expect Draco to be able to pack a punch. Draco stopped for a brief second as he looked down at Ron.

"Are you going to hit back or what?" he whispered to Ron. What was he talking about? Ron was more thunderstruck.

"Come on Weasley, he wants a show, we'll give him one." declared Draco with a smirk. Ron smirked as he got it. He wanted him to play, then he'd play. Draco went to deliver another blow to Ron when Ron grabbed Draco's wrist in midair to send one of his own blows to Draco's nose just like he did to Graham. The blow sent Draco on his back clutching his nose. Ron sat up from the ground. He didn't mean it to be that hard as he could see the fresh blood gushing from Draco's broken nose.

"Well done! Well done, by Merlin, well done." cheered Graham from the sideline. He was clapping wildly as his steel eyes glinted in delight. Roy's lips just curled slightly as he looked amused as well.

"Roy, put these young strapping lads to the informatory to get healed and then start training them as soon as possible. Have them ready to fight by Friday night." ordered Graham. Roy gave his master a curt nod and then left his side to go fetch Ron and Draco. Graham laughed as he was pleased by his new fighters.

"Who would've thought." He talked to himself as he left himself to Merlin's knows.

Roy entered the caged in area. He silently towered over both of the young lads. His gaze was impassive; his dark pools looked like they've seen things that were unimaginable.

"Well done lads." He spoke for the first time since Ron had met the man. The man then paced back and forth. Ron examined the wrestler. He had baggy black jeans with a black belt that kept them up. Hung on the belt was a long braided leather whip. The man stopped his pacing as his back was towards Ron and Draco.

"You are now a slave to Master Brebner. You do whatever he tells you. You kill whoever he tells you. Each breath you take is a gift from him." Roy turned around to look Ron in the eyes. "Do you understand boy."

Ron just nodded along with Ron.

"Good, you address me as Doctrine because that's what I am to you. Do what I say, and you stay alive. Make any signs of mutiny and you're dead without a trial, got that?" he looked into the young men's eyes for any sign of rebellion. When he was satisfied he dragged Draco to his feet and started walking out.

"Follow me."

Ron and Draco obediently followed Roy out of the fenced cage. They were led into a stone structure. The place was completely different from the place that they were led through when they first arrived in. On the stone walls there were tapestries that illustrated gladiators fighting in the arena. There were large wooden doors that lead into what looked like a Great Hall with four large tables that looked over a courtyard. It almost reminded Ron and Draco of Hogwarts, but much darker. Sitting around the tables were already some wizards dressed in simple tan tunics.

Roy made a sharp left, leading the two behind away from the dining area and deeper into the stone complex. After many twists, turns, stairs, and corridors they were where they were supposed to be. Roy opened the wooden double doors to lead them in what looked like an informatory. There were lined stone blocks on one side of the room while in the other side there were separate pools of ice water.

An older man, what looked to be the age of Headmaster Dippet came towards the new comers. Behind him trailed three young girls, no older than Ron or Draco. They had chains around their necks with tan tunics as well. They stood rigid beside the older man with their heads down.

"What do you need Roy?" asked the man with a raspy hoarse voice.

"These two need some fixing up before they start their training." answered Roy. "Notify me when they are well enough to start."

With those words Roy was gone as he left the two young men in the informatory. The elder man looked the lads over with his hazel wrinkled eyes.

The man raised his steady slender long fingers at Draco. "Looks like you've broken your nose." He observed as Draco flinched away from the man's touch.

"You," he gestured towards Ron, "need to rest your muscles. Oh, and it looks like you might have a fractured rib." He then turned to walk between two stone blocks.

"One on each, please hurry. I don't have all day." The man pleaded and Ron stepped forward to sit on the stone block. Draco followed him to sit on the other one. The man smiled at their compliance and brought out his short thin wand out. He mumbled incantations under his breath towards Ron. Ron could feel the pain on his side diminish. The healer motioned towards one of the girls to come to his side.

"Get him ready for the bath." He instructed her. The girl silently nodded as she indicated Ron to follow her. She was incredibly thin as pale face was sallow and gaunt. Her dirty blonde hair was tied into a neat tight bun on the back of her head.

Ron stopped in front of one of the square pools. Her hands then reached up to as they trembled. She carefully removed his robes and discarded them in a folded pile next to the pool. Ron looked into her chocolate brown eyes as he could see the fear in them. They reminded him of Hermione. Was Hermione even alive? He didn't even know.

She indicated him to go into the water. Ron looked into the dark pool apprehensively. He didn't even care at that point that he was completely bare in front of her; he didn't want to get in the water. He felt it slightly with his foot. The water was freezing cold. She seemed to see Ron's apprehension as she lightly placed her hand on his shoulder.

"You must go into the water young fighter." She told him softly. He could see the faded purple blue marks that lined her cheekbone. She had been beaten, and she would be beaten again if he didn't do as he was told. He nodded and to much of his dismay, he slowly lowered himself into the water. He felt like needles were being buried deep within his skin. His skinned burned, but then numbed. He couldn't move. His head was just above the water as he was breathing deeply.

Soon Draco was led into the pool beside Ron. They stayed in the numbing water for a while as they watched the healer move around.

"So where're you boys from?" he asked them, breaking the silence that had engulfed them.

"Sco-Scotland." Ron was stuttered from the cold.

"Hmm, I've been to Scotland. You guys must be fugitives from the battle of Hogwarts, am I mistaken?" he watched them in amusement. Ron just nodded his head as he was too cold to do anything else.

"I heard it was a bloody battle. I would have loved to see it. Though there was a rebellion I heard after the Dark Lord left. It was led by some boy with his friends. I can't remember what his name was. Anyway, he got captured along with the many other people."

Ron looked over at Draco who had the same shocked expression. They weren't there as they didn't know what happened.

"Yeah, then some professor rebelled herself, got everyone out while taking down all the death eaters there. She must be some powerful witch. Mc-McGona…I don't remember what the name was. It happened around the time you guys were on your way here. Merlin, were all the death eaters on edge. Hmm, I would've loved to see them fall under her. They say she didn't even use a wand." The old healer started chuckling to himself as Ron and Draco were bewildered.

The old healer then made his way over towards Ron as he tapped the boy's head with his wand. Ron felt warm all of a sudden. His muscles had movement in them as they were limber and lose. They weren't yelling out in protest as he could fully move them.

"Come and get out, Caroline, get the poor fella a tunic."

The girl that had waited on Ron before bowed her head in respect and then left only to return with the tan cloth in her hands. The older man took it from her before thanking her and put it over Ron.

"Here are your new robes Gladiator."

"Gladiator?" repeated Ron.

"Yes, you're like a gladiator, a fighter, a slave. You see, you pissed of the Dark Lord, as all of us have, and so he's put you here for his own amusement. He's probably hoping you'll die in the arena." Ron looked at the man incredulously. "Oh yes, I've pissed off the Dark Lord. Since I am a healer, Graham asked for me before the Dark Lord could finish me off. You see I'm an ex-death eater. Exiled death eaters, or just retired ones go here for their last dying days. Nice life, I know, but it had its perks while it lasted."

"So, everyone here is basically a slave to the Dark Lord?" asked Draco as he got out.

"Basically, even Graham himself is a slave. Graham provides entertainment to the Dark Lord and in return the Dark Lord let's Graham run this place. Even Roy is a slave."

"If everyone here is a slave, then why do you all stay? There's enough here to rebel." Ron pointed out. The healer let out a cackle of laughter.

"Young lad, no talk of mutiny here. There may be a lot of us slaves in here, but that doesn't mean any of us are in any condition to rebel. You see, Roy keeps us in place. He, Graham, and I are the only ones that possess a wand. I'm too old to lead a rebellion, and as for Roy, I don't think he's leading on anytime soon either. He's been here for as long as I can remember." The man explained he then took Ron by the shoulder as the man looked into Ron's eyes. "Watch out for yourself boy. Enjoy yourself while you can. Life isn't too bad here if you're a fighter. You get fed, a place to rest, and…some exercise. You're in good hands with Roy. He's the best fighter here as he'll show you the ropes. Listen to him, and you might just be set free if you live to see the day.

"Free?"

"Yes free. If you fight well enough through everything, you could become champion. Hold the title long enough, you could be granted freedom.

"Has anyone ever been granted freedom?"

"Yes, Roy has. He held champion to the point where the battles were predictable. Everyone knew he was going to win, so they pulled him out. They granted him freedom, but he didn't take it. I don't know why, but it's not like I'm going to ask him. He was given his wand back though, and that's all I really know."

Ron thought about it. Roy was a slave and granted freedom, but didn't take it. He wondered why, but at the same time Roy was the least of his problems. He had to worry about the battles.

"Alisha, take the boys to their new rooms. Kelsey, bring them some food, and Caroline tell Roy that the boys need some night rest and they will be ready at twilight." The old healer ordered the girls. They all bowed respectively. The girl named Alisha indicated Ron and Draco to follow her.

"Good luck." was the old healer's parting words.

Ron and Draco were lead down several more corridors as they were brought up into what would be the dungeons of the structure. It was a hall lined with bars to contain the person inside. The cells were nicer than the ones they've seen before. No one was in their cells as Ron and Draco passed. She then led them to the last on at the end of the hall. She opened the cell for them to enter. There were two cots, one on either side. Other than that, the room was bare.

The girl then bowed as she left them. Kelsey showed up a few minutes later with two bowls filled with what looked like porridge. The porridge was watery, but it was food. Ron didn't want to eat it, but he really didn't have a choice. He ate the cold food. It felt like he was eating rocks as they sat in his stomach weighing him down.

Draco looked at the sloppy mess in disgust. He wasn't going to touch the food. He pushed it away from him as he laid on one of the cots. Ron was done with his food as he didn't feel like eating anything else for a while. He got into the other cot as they two young men stayed in silence. Thee cot was stiff. Ron contemplated whether the floor would be better than the cot. He then looked over at Draco who had his back towards him.

"Draco?"

"Hmm…"

"Sorry for breaking your nose."

After a long moment of silence Draco replied, "It's okay."

Ron sighed as it was a long day, and a long dreadful life ahead of him. He closed his eyes looking for peace. He could see Hermione. She was smiling as they laid under the Rowan tree on the ground of Hogwarts by the lake. Her brown frizzy hair encircled her head like a halo. He looked into her chocolate pools of eyes. He could feel the warmth, the sense of security through her as sleep finally claimed him.

Severus knelt before both the Dark Lord and his queen. They both looked at Severus with amusement.

"Have you nothing to say?" questioned the Dark Lord. Harry could sense his husband's anger and knew better than to interfere. He remained silent, but supportive by his husband's side.

"I have come back to my master after hunting down the blood traitor."

"Hmm, and who is this blood traitor you speak of?" asked the Dark Lord now sitting on the edge of his seat, anticipating for his death eater's answer.

"Minerva McGonagall, she escaped that night from me my Lord and I'm sorry."

"So, Severus, you want me to believe that you hunted down the most powerful witch there is, the one you vouched for?"

"Yes I do my Lord." Severus answered, never looking up. The Dark Lord abruptly got up from his thrown with his wand withdrawn. He circled Severus trying to find any hint of a guilty man, when he found none he smirked.

"Legilimens." The Dark Lord probed into Severus's mind. Severus let down his Occlumency shields, and allowed the Dark Lord to see his memories.

Scenes of Minerva flashed before the Dark Lord's mind. He saw the dark streets of London as Severus was swiftly moving to his direct target. The Dark Lord saw that Minerva was indeed several feet ahead of him, but they were in the muggle parts of London, and therefore could not expose magic. Minerva swiftly moved into a narrow ally way as Severus continued to pursue her. As soon as he stepped foot into the ally way Minerva had lashed out her wand towards Severus who quickly shielded himself. They dueled right then and there.

The Dark Lord smiled to see the young death eater hold his ground with her. She was powerful with every aggressive flick of her wand as he would skillfully deflect them. He carefully made his way towards her while she backed away until she came in contact with the wall. She fought even harder to get Severus away from her. He was almost arm length from her when he caught her wrist in midair.

His dark eyes looked into her dark green. Both had fire in them as they looked loathingly at each other.

"I saved you and this is how you repay me!" Severus spat in her face.

"You know I had to Severus!"

"Did you really? You could have stayed put like you were supposed to!"

"And what, become your slave! I would die before I served you." She growled at him. Severus's glare was one that would send sixth years crying, but she did not flinch. She didn't even waver. Severus moved his wand pointed at her gut, and she still didn't cringe. She didn't beg, nor did she even let out any signs of discomfort.

"Do it Severus." she ordered him, her voice even and controlled. "Please the bastard and do it!"

The blazing emerald light suddenly engulfed them both. The Dark Lord watched the scene in mirth. When the light diminished Severus stood above her lithe lifeless body. The scene ended and the Dark Lord withdrew from Severus's mind.

The memory seemed real enough. There scene was clear with no fog or smoke. It was a continuous scene with no cuts or breaks. It was near impossible to create a memory of your own, and impossible with your shields down. The Dark Lord had no other choice but to believe Severus.

"Very well done Severus, you've managed to send the witch to where she belongs. Even though you've cleaned up your mess, you've displeased your new queen. He didn't get to spill her blood in the first place nor did he get to spill the blood of those prisoners." The Dark Lord returned to his thrown beside his queen.

"Severus, I have some potions that need to be brewed. Now leave my sight." The Dark Lord dismissed Severus. Severus bowed respectfully before he left the room. The Dark Lord looked over at his husband who didn't look pleased.

"What's wrong my love, do you not like Severus?"

"I trust you my dear, but I do not trust Severus. Ever since I've known him, I've never trusted him."

The Dark Lord nodded in acknowledgement. He then leaned over to Harry to brush his lips against his husband's cheek.

"You need no fear dear. I'll send Gideon to keep a close watch on our potion master."

"Whatever you do my love, I shall support you, but for now I suggest that we get back to our plans."

The Dark Lord smiled amused by Harry. The young man was right. They needed to concentrate for their plans to work.

"Come, we need our rest if we plan to unleash the attack tomorrow." The Dark Lord held his hand out for Harry to take. Harry took his husband's dry hands and followed him back to their private chambers. As they returned to their bed he felt the Dark Lords spoon up from behind him His arms wrapped around Harry possessively.

"Sleep well my dear. All of Europe awaits us tomorrow."

TBC….

Author's note: Thank you for all those that have reviewed and add this to their favorites or alert lists. I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I have demolished that awful writer's block, now I have to work on the one for One Regret. Oh well, I'll work on it. Reviews please, I'd like to know what the readers think. Best wishes to you all.