CHAPTER 24

Old Friends, New Enemies

Harry tried to reach his feet down and touch the floor. He was sure that if he did, he could get some grip on some log or upturned root and would manage to pull himself down. Of course, this didn't happen. He could barely move, yet alone even begin to touch the ground. Trickster was walking determinedly along in front of them, his walk was cheerful though, almost mocking – he knew they couldn't escape, and that knowledge was enough to bring a spring to his step. Harry turned to Dylan; he had been keeping his eye on him as they approached the castle. It appeared he was the only one who had a knife within reaching distance, and he was therefore their only hope.

Dylan was grappling with the small knife, with a stiffly clenched jaw and sweat beading making it evident that this wasn't an easy task. The ropes were thick and strong and were tied so hard around his wrists that it cut off circulation. Yet Dylan still sawed, the blade pressed firmly between his index finger and thumb. Ginny was staring at Tricksters back, frowning. Harry hated to admit that he felt some kind of thrill at the fact Jack wasn't who he said he was. Whilst the situation they were in was dire and terrifying, Harry enjoyed the one fact that Jack would no longer be in their lives when and if they left Vereor Nex.

The building loomed large in front of them now. Its levels cascaded down either side. Harry craned his neck painfully to look at the higher levels – hoping to get a glimpse of where Hermione and Ron were kept, but the windows were all identical, it was impossible to distinguish between them. As they continued, the light around them got darker, as if they were walking down a hallway – and yet, they were still outside, caught in a slight breeze. The Aurors were fighting against their restraints, hands turning various shades of crimson as the ropes constricted their wrists.

Suddenly, Death Eaters were all around them in black capes and the Aurors came to a halt mid-air.

"You got my message?" Trickster asked. One of the Death Eaters stalked between each individual, admiring their helplessness. It stopped in front of Harry, and clasped his chin with two fingers either side of his jaw – turning his face left and right as if admiring him.

"You scrub up quite well, don't you Potter?" It was a female voice. "Can barely see any of your scars. We will of course fix that. We've got a wonderful cell, just for you. But this time you'll be by yourself. The only contact with another human you have will be with us as we rip apart your flesh and play with your insides," Harry saw a small smile under the cloak, the teeth flashed white before turning to Trickster.

"You've done well," she said simply.

"Well?" Trickster spluttered, "I've done well? That's all you can say? I've done brilliantly! I stayed undercover for years, and I've captured all of them. I have them tied up, defenseless –and all you can say is that I've done well?"

"You've become a needy one since you've been away, I see. Desperate for attention and praise!" Spat the woman.

"You give praise when it is due," stated Trickster.

"You will be rewarded for your loyalty when The Dark Lord returns. Until then, keep your mouth shut." She replied.

"You are not my superior, Lee, stop treating me as if you are."

"I am (technically speaking) your wife, and thus your superior," she said. Harry heard Ginny make a small noise, one that did not go unnoticed by Trickster or his wife, Lee. They both turned to her then laughed simultaneously for a few moments.

"So this is her," Lee said, walking over to Ginny and clasping her face hard between her hands, just as she had done to Harry a moment before. "She's a pretty one, I'll give you that…" she frowned and whipped out her wand. "Crucio!" Ginny started shaking in her bindings, letting out a pained groan through her clenched teeth as her body twisted and turned.

It was at that moment that Dylan dropped to the floor with a thud, his legs giving way. In an instant he whipped out his wand and pointed it at the bindings still around his legs, they broke free. He then turned to Harry and did the same. Trickster, who had been watching Lee torture Ginny with a look of satisfaction on his face, looked up to find the source of the noise. The Death Eaters removed their wands and begun firing at Dylan as he moved amongst the Aurors, who were asking him in worried voices to hurry up and get them down – and with good reason – two tied Death Eaters had already been hit in the cross-fire, unable to defend themselves.

Harry undid the ropes tying Ginny, firing over his shoulder as he did so – before moving to Charlie and George. The Death Eaters kept shooting spells at them; Harry jumped on George and pushed him to the ground, missing a curse by inches. Dylan, whilst undoing another Auror came to Harry's side,

"We'll hold them off – find your friends! Only you know where they are," he said quickly. Harry opened his mouth to protest but Dylan vigorously shook his head, "don't argue Potter, go. They'll be stuck here forever if you don't." Harry fired a spell at a Death Eater who was just about to attack Dylan, sending him flying through the air.

"Don't get killed," Harry said.

"I'll do my best," Dylan replied, clapping Harry on the shoulder before racing off to help two Aurors who were still tied. Harry ran backwards towards the entrance to Vereor Nex, firing off spells as he did so. Ginny, George and Charlie came to his side – they ran beside him.

"What are you doing?" Harry asked, "go help!"

"You need more help than they do," Ginny said, "you're going into the belly of the beast, you need backup." Harry saw another Auror get hit; it fell to the ground with a thud. Trickster, noticing the four of them retreating inside, started running towards them, firing spells as he went. Ginny and Harry send a stunning spell off at the same time, it hit him in the chest and he collapsed. Harry ran towards him, to the protests of the group.

"What are you doing!?" They shouted. Harry ran over to Tricksters body and grabbed his sword from Trickster's belt – then bolted back towards Ginny, George and Charlie.

"Run!" Harry yelled to the three of them, "we need to make it so they can't find us."

"They'll know where we're going," George pointed out as they sprinted down the passageway, the sound of the battle getting fainter and fainter. Harry could feel his heart beating hard in his throat whilst his eyes adjusted to the little light.

Finally, the passage opened up into a wide hallway. Long spindly staircases stretched randomly throughout the room, the floor was covered in a dark stone, and the lights were dim and unnerving.

"They should fire the decorator," Charlie muttered, his voice echoed. Harry placed a finger to his lips, signaling for them not to talk. He then proceeded to run towards one of the staircases, all he knew was that his room was up. Up to the top level and on the right side. They climbed the stairs with hurried feet. They stairs led into a long hallway, which twisted in random directions. It was so dark that they could barely see down them. Harry continued to run, refusing to break stride. He ascended more stairs, which led to more hallways, and more stairs. They kept as quiet as possible, meeting only one Death Eater on the stairwell, whom they soon took care of – leaving the discarded body lying sprawled awkwardly against the banister.

Eventually, they could not find any more stairwells. They could not see the roof, so it was impossible to tell how much further they could ascend – and they didn't dare light their wands. Harry led them down a long corridor – one that looked identical to the other hundred they had seen. They kept to the left, walking very slowly and surely and listening carefully for any Death Eaters. Harry felt along the walls with his fingers, glancing at each number as he passed. Suddenly, Harry stopped. There was the distinct sound of clicking heels coming down the hallway behind them. Multiple people, he was sure of it. Harry picked up his pace to a run, hoping whoever it was hadn't seen them. The end of the corridor was near; they rounded the corner and kept running. Harry pointed at a random door and they opened it, finding temporary safety inside.

They moved inside and Harry shut the door, his heart racing in his chest; he leant against it, breathing deeply. Ginny, George and Charlie started looking around the room with equal expressions of curiosity and disgust. The dark stone walls were covered in grime and dust, some coated in something that suspiciously looked like blood. A table was in the centre of the room made of iron. Chains and straps hung limply to the side, curling on the filthy floor. Cells that appeared to be more boxes than rooms were on either side, most empty… but some occupied by people he couldn't tell whether they were dead or alive. A large window gaped at one side, covered in thick wire.

Harry finally moved away from the door, the room sent shivers down his spine. As soon as he took a step, he heard a small voice coming from one of the cells,

"Harry?" He turned to his right, as did everyone else to see the source of the noise. They heard scratching, from a cell almost furthest from them, a figure was pulling itself along the ground, as if its legs had given up, its hands had fingers missing, and one appeared to still be bleeding. Harry frowned slightly and walked up to the cell before leaning down. "Harry," the person said again, "I knew… I knew you would come back." Harry extended a hand through the iron bars between them and pushed away the thick long hair that hung in the figures face, so full of knots and dirt that it was impossible to tell the original colour. Dark eyes looked up at him, a small smile attempted on the woman's lips,

"Hermione?" Harry asked, hand running down her cheek. She took a deep shuddering breath and nodded. Harry felt tears come to his eyes at what had happened to her, scars and wounds scratched across her face, making her almost unrecognisable. "Who are those people behind you?" She asked, looking up at them, "I can't…" she took a deep breath as if every word was painful.

"That's Ginny, George and Charlie… they are here to save you okay? Can you just sit back in your cell; I'm going to get you out of here." Hermione shook her head violently, "No! No, please!" She started crying, dark muddy tears streaking her face "don't leave me again Harry!" She reached out and grabbed his wrist,

"I'm not! I promise, please, Hermione, I'm just going to open the gate." She searched his face for a lie, her hand still holding firm to his wrist. Slowly, her grip slackened before she slid back to the corner of her cell, muttering incoherent sobs, over and over, her head cradled in her hands. Harry removed his wand from his pocket with a shaky hand,

"Alohomora!" He yelled, his voice sounding choked. Nothing happened. He turned around to his friends for an explanation, "Alohamora!" Harry yelled again, tears came down his face. He felt a hand on his shoulder and turned around to see George's, eyes looking over Hermione's crying form,

"I'll do it," George said, clenching his jaw. Harry nodded vaugely, hands still shaking so hard he clasped them together.

"Bombarda!" George yelled, his voice steady, echoing throughout the room. The door shuddered and fell slightly off its hinges. Charlie, George and Harry helped move the door away with a strained effort. Harry gave George, Charlie and Ginny a look that told them to stay back, before he went over to Hermione. He crouched down on the filthy floor and touched her tenderly on the arm. She jumped slightly, as if she didn't see him there, then looked through her hair at him. Hermione's bottom lip trembled,

"Harry," she whispered, her voice hitching. Her hand reached out and touched his cheek. Harry held it,

"I'm not going to leave you again," Harry said. "Never again." He moved to Hermione's side, and lifted her in his arms. She was as light as a child, he could feel her bones against his forearm.

"Wait," Hermione said.

"What?" Harry asked, moving to the entrance of the cell. Hermione's eyes darted between the three red-headed individuals who stood at the cell door before turning back to Harry.

"They took Ron!" She muttered, her voice quiet. "They took him… and… I heard screaming," her body shook as sobs escaped her mouth, "and then there… then there wasn't anymore screaming. I heard them put him into your cell, the one near the window, and I tried to talk to him" She rubbed her eyes with her palms, "But, he wouldn't answer." She took a deep shuddering breathe, Harry passed Hermione to George whose face had gone dead white, Ginny had already ran over to the cell next to the window before Harry got there. A man was lying in the back corner, his face turned away; hair ran down his shoulders and into the dust, an arm lying back in and awkward position.

"Bombarda!" Ginny yelled, the door shook and fell slightly. Harry then pointed his wand at the door and said the same, it richoched off its hinges and fell to the floor with a loud crash.

Ginny ran into the cell and collapsed to her knees, she looked over the man, whose eyes were partially shut and mouth agape.

"Ron," said Ginny, she shook his shoulder, he hung limp in her hand like a rag doll. "Ron!" She said her voice filling to the brim with choked sadness, "RON!" She shook him harder, his whole body rocking. A pool of blood soaked his shirt and created a rim around his body. Ginny looked down and touched the blood, then looked up at Harry – tears streamed down her cheeks. She was a pale white, as if she were about to pass out. Harry shook his head,

"No," he muttered, shaking his head, eyes wide. Ginny was still looking at Harry, she had started shaking with sobs, "no," Harry repeated – tears coming to his eyes. "No, Ron... Oh god, Ron." It felt as if the world had come crushing down around him. He felt almost claustrophobic, smothered, he couldn't breath. Ginny was taking deep shuddering breathes as she wrapped her arms around the body, drenching her own sleeves in blood. Harry sat down next to Ginny, and looked over Ron in shock. He was deathly white, his skin almost having a blueish tinge to it.

Ginny let go of Ron and pulled Harry into her embrace, she was shuddering from tears, her hands clutching at his shirt in desperate sadness. They always say that you see your own life flash before your eyes before death. But they never say how when you see death, everything you've ever done with that person comes in a wave of memories. Some almost forgotten. Looking at the body, all Harry could think of was the small eleven-year-old boy on the train with dirt on his nose. The man who almost always had his back no matter what. Harry was so out of it he hadn't noticed George and Charlie come over to Ron. George's eyes were wide and disbelieving as he protectively held Hermione to his chest. Whilst Charlie eyes remained wide and disbelieving. He looked as if he were made of stone.

Suddenly, there was the sound of shuffling feet outside the door and Harry quickly turned around. As the sound grew louder their eyes snapped to the door, it opened an inch before blowing off its hinges, the dust from the door sank down like a curtain, revealing the line of masked Death Eaters, their wands pointed towards the six figures now in a mess on the ground. Harry went to reach for his wand,

"Ah, no Harry, I don't believe reaching for any of your weapons would be particularly wise." Came a deep voice, it was laced with snide cruelty.

"Jack," Charlie growled through gritted teeth. Trickester removed his mask,

"That wasn't nice, both of you stunning me." He said, tutting and shaking his head. "Lee put me back, didn't you darling?" Lee removed her mask and nodded. She was beautiful, no doubt – with long curly locks and an angelic face. If it were not for the spark of evil in her eye, she would be the kind of person you'd trust with your child. Trickster looked over the scene in front of him with a curious interest.

"My my, it looks like Ronald Weasley has left the building… and with no help from Potter!" He laughed. Harry heard Hermione wimper against George, her head buried in his chest.

Harry felt Ginny's anger pulse off her, her hands clenched around her sword, knuckles turning white. He grabbed her wrist to stop her from pouncing on Trickster and getting herself killed. He could feel her pulse under his thumb. "Are woo gonna cwy Hawwy?" Trickster asked, his voice mocking. Harry realised he was crushing Ginny's wrist in his grip, so he loosened it – leaving disappearing red marks in it's place. Harry subconciously leant against Ron's body, protecting it from Trickster, who laughed – a smile that stretched and disformed his face.

"We might as well just kill all of your friends now, to save you the trouble of screwing up again and again… you're always the reason everyone around you dies. Your parents, Sirius Black, Dumbledore, Lupin and Tonks – oh yes, I heard about all of them from Ginny. Fred –," Harry took a quick glance at George and noticed a shadow pass his face as Fred's name was mentioned. "And now, Ron. Well done Potter, well done."

"Don't listen to them Harry," he heard Ginny whisper so softly he could only just make out the words.

"And yet!" He continued, "there is more…" he looked back at the Death Eater's behind him, "bring him out," he demanded. Within a split second the Death Eater's separated and Dylan was brought forward, arms tied behind his back – his chin tilted up – a knife pressed so hard against his throat it was drawing blood.

"It's alright Harr -," Dylan had begun, before the knife was pressed a little harder into his neck.

"Let him go." Harry demanded, raising his wand.

"No." Trickster said simply, looking at Harry without an ounce of fear. "He is the last one left of your lovely little gang of Aurors. The rest are downstairs, rather dead…" Trickster turned and nodded at the Death Eater holding onto Dylan. In a flash, the knife was removed from Dylans neck and plunged deep into his gut. Dylan screamed, then grit his teeth as the Death Eater threw him onto the ground. Blood seeped onto the floor. Dylan gasped and choked, hands over the wound, trickling crimson through his fingers.

"And then there were five," Trickster said, smiling.

-hides under a rock- okay, now I'm safe from the flames I'm sure will come! Haha.

I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Maybe 'enjoyed' isn't the right word…

Hm, anyway. I'll update soon. Let me know what you thought!


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