"Here's lunch," Mr. Lovegood placed a large silver platter on the center table.

"Thanks, Dad," Luna smiled, eating a finger sandwich.

"You're welcome, honey."

"These are great, Mr. Lovegood," Hermione said.

"Thank you," Mr. Lovegood inclined his head.

"Mr. Lovegood, my parents are big on collecting things. They've just begun to collect bejewelled goblets. They're having some trouble finding some though. Do you have advice on where they can go?" Hermione asked. Harry looked at her.

"There's this great little shop in Dufftown. It could really help them," Mr. Lovegood replied.

"They're looking for one in particular. They can't find it in any store. It's gold. It has rubies around the base. Diamonds and emeralds are around the open part. It just doesn't seem to be anywhere. Have you seen it?" Hermione said, glancing at Harry who was staring at Mr. Lovegood.

"It sounds quite familiar, yes," Mr. Lovegood said thoughtfully. "I believe I have seen it," he nodded.

"Where?" Harry and Hermione asked together.

"I saw it being put in a vault with hundreds of other goblets. I'm having a hard time remembering."

"Vault?" Hermione repeated. She and Harry looked at each other.

"Where was the vault, Mr. Lovegood?" Harry asked.

"I cannot remember. I'm sorry," Mr. Lovegood shook his head sadly. Harry and Hermione sighed, keeping their eyes on Mr. Lovegood.

"We'll leave you to your thoughts, Dad. Come upstairs, guys," Luna told them. Harry and Hermione reluctantly followed. Luna lead them up two flights of stairs. "Enter the room third on the right. I must water the gardens. I'll be right back." She went back down the stairs and disappeared, leaving Harry and Hermione.

"Let's go," Harry said and they did as Luna had instructed. The room was a bedroom. They sat on the bed and talked.

"What's going on, Harry? You seem distracted more than usual," Hermione wondered.

"I know Mr. Lovegood but I've never met him before in my life," Harry answered.

"That makes no sense."

"It's his voice. I know his voice. I've heard it before," Harry sighed.

"You probably heard it at a funeral. He would have been at all of them with Luna," Hermione shrugged.

"Maybe. I don't know," Harry sighed again. "What time is it?"

"Almost three in the afternoon."

"I'm exhausted."

"Sleep. I'll stay with you. I'll talk with Luna when she comes back," Hermione told him.

"I don't know, Hermione," Harry began shaking his head.

"You need to rest. I'll wake you in a few hours. I promise," she said.

He looked at her. "Fine. Only a few hours," he finally agreed.

"Promise. Lie down," Hermione smiled and watched Harry lie down. As Harry closed his eyes, Hermione took a book out of her bag and sat in a wooden rocking chair nearby. She began reading.

Harry wandered down the dark corridor lit only by a small torch here and there. He didn't have a clue where he was. He knew one thing for certain. He wanted to find his friends and go home. He wanted to go back to Remus and Sirius. Harry turned a corner and saw a wooden door. He pushed it open and walked through. He looked around.

There were people filling the room. Most had masks and black cloaks. Others didn't have any disguises. Harry gasped. Those without masks were Bellatrix Lestrange, Lucius Malfoy, Summer Watts, and Severus Snape. Bellatrix and Snape had their wands out and were pointing them at the floor. Harry tore his gaze away from the Death Eaters and looked to the floor. What he saw made hi m turn away in horror. After a few moments, he looked back.

On the floor, soaking in his own blood, was one of the people Harry loved. He watched as Ron raised his head which was covered in blood.

"You know the prophecy, Weasley. Tell me!" Bellatrix cried.

"I don't know!" Ron shouted back.

"NO!" Harry yelled as Ron was hit with the Cruciatus Curse, but no one heard him. He couldn't believe it. Ron was being tortured to tell something he didn't even know. Harry, Dumbledore, Remus, and Sirius were the only ones who knew the prophecy.

"Let's make a deal," Bellatrix sneered.

"Forget it," Ron spat.

"So sorry. No choice," she smirked. "You tell us the prophecy or he dies." She looked at Summer who went into another room then came out, her wand pointing at Harry's throat. His hands were bound.

"Harry!" a girl shrieked. It was Hermione! The scream came from the room Summer had retrieved Harry.

"He can't say. He doesn't know. Only four people know, me included. One is dead. So now it's me and two others," Harry said.

"I'm sure we can all guess who those two are," Bellatrix smiled evilly. "I think it's time to visit my dear cousins at work."

"Leave them alone!" Harry yelled. A small yelp left his lips as the wand was pushed in his neck harder.

"Thanks for the help. I'll be sure to tell Remus and Sirius you said goodbye," Bellatrix raised her wand.

"NO!" Harry screamed as green light hit Ron and he fell to the floor, dead. "RON!"

"Ron!" Harry cried and sat up in bed. It took him a couple seconds to remember where he was and also to register he had not been the only one screaming. He looked to his left and saw Hermione. She looked terrified. "Hermione, what's wrong?"

"Harry, you're-you're bleeding. Your scar," she choked.

Harry wiped a sleeve across his forehead then looked at his arm. There was a line of blood. "Hell," he muttered.

"Also, there're Death Eaters outside. Were, anyways. They took Luna," Hermione added.

"Get out your wand," Harry said, standing up.

"I can't do magic for a couple more weeks," she replied.

"You're gonna have to start. I can't do this alone and we don't know when Ron will be back. Who cares about the Ministry. We'll deal with them later on. At the moment, we have to deal with right now," Harry told her.

She hesitated then pulled out her wand. "Let's go."

Harry smiled. Quietly, he lead the way down the stairs. "What's the time?" he whispered, noticing the house was dark.

"Eight-fifteen p.m.," she whispered back. He nodded. Finally at the foot of the stairs, Harry lead the way towards the kitchen. He stopped and peered around the corner when he heard a woman talking.

"Are they still there, Xenophilius?" the woman was asking.

"That's Bellatrix," Harry muttered to Hermione.

"Yes, Bellatrix. Please, give me back my daughter," Mr. Lovegood replied.

"Patience. Your daughter will be returned to you soon."

"Very well. Potter and Granger know about the goblet."

"Do they know where it is?" Bellatrix asked.

"No," Mr. Lovegood answered.

"Good. They will never find it. Even if they figure out it's here, they won't find it. This place is too big," Bellatrix said.

"He knows where it is," Harry muttered.

"Somewhere big," Hermione said.

"There're a lot of big places though," Harry replied. Hermione shrugged.

"Should I deal with them like I did with the Jordan kid?" Mr. Lovegood wondered.

"Jordan?" Harry looked at Hermione with wide eyes.

"It can't be," Hermione breathed.

"Yes. I'll see you soon," Bellatrix said.

Harry jumped into the kitchen. "It was you. You're the one who phoned me a few months ago. You killed Lee Jordan," he said.

"Harry," Hermione hissed and went to his side.

"We needed information. You wouldn't give it. He paid the price," Mr. Lovegood took a couple steps towards them. They backed up.

"I didn't know and I still don't," Harry said.

"But you do," Mr. Lovegood nodded.

"Harry, look," Hermione pointed at Mr. Lovegood's eyes. They were sort of glazed over. Harry recognized it immediately.

"Imperius," he muttered. Hermione nodded.

"Goodbye," Mr. Lovegood said.

"Stupefy!" Harry and Hermione cried. He used a shield charm. He snapped his fingers and Harry felt a tingling sensation throughout his body.

"Spell makes it impossible to do magic until the spell is lifted," Mr. Lovegood told them. Harry and Hermione pocketed their wands then ran from the kitchen. Hermione headed upstairs and Harry went to the living room. He ran around the sofa and kept it between him and Mr. Lovegood.

This is mental, Harry thought. He ran as fast as he could from the sofa and headed for the kitchen again. He was almost there when he felt hands on his shoulders and he was thrown to the side. His head connected with something and everything went black.

"Is he going to the hearing?" Tonks asked as she walked with Sirius outside. They were heading out to Apparate to a scene. A wizard and Auror had been killed ten minutes earlier. Kingsley had already left.

"Yes," Sirius nodded.

"Was he upset?"

"No."

"Did you even tell him?"

"Yes."

"Did he freak out?"

"No."

"Are you listening to me?"

"Yes."

"Stop saying 'yes' and 'no'. It's annoying," Tonks glared.

"Fine. Yes, I did tell him. Yes, he is going to the hearing and the day the Kiss happens. No, he didn't seem upset. No, I don't know why. Happy?" Sirius raised an eyebrow.

"Ecstatic," she said sarcastically. "It doesn't make any sense. Seth's one of his best friends. He has to witness Seth's soul being sucked out."

"I know. I don't get it either. Is anyone going to tell me which Auror was killed or do I get a special surprise?" he asked when they arrived at the apparation point.

"Which would you prefer?" Tonks asked.

"You know which prefer but it's obviously not going to happen," Sirius replied then disappeared with Tonks.

"Sirius, Tonks. Over here," Kingsley called.

"Can I know which of my Aurors is dead now?" Sirius asked.

"Taylor. Zack Taylor," Tonks said.

"Hell. Was that so hard?" Sirius smirked at Tonks who glared as they walked in the house. "What was he doing in Connecticut and at this house?"

"It's his brother. Sam Taylor," Kingsley answered. "Death Eaters attack and they were killed."

"Great," Sirius sighed. "You sure they're brothers?"

"Since they're identical twins, yes, I'm sure," Kingsley nodded. He and Tonks watched as Sirius knelt to examine the bodies. "So is Remus going to the hearing next week?"

"Yes."

"Oh, God," Tonks groaned.

"Are you two going the day the Kiss is administered?" Sirius asked.

"We kind of have to, don't we?" Kingsley answered.

"Not necessarily. You only have to go to the hearing. Remus is really the only one who has to go. I'm going because he's my best friend and it's Seth," Sirius replied, standing up.

"I'm coming. What about the Dementors, Sirius?" Tonks asked.

"I'll deal with it. I'll bring a load of chocolate," Sirius shrugged.

"You know chocolate doesn't totally help you. The Dementors affect you horribly," Tonks crossed her arms.

"It helps more now than it did before," Sirius said. "So you going, Kingsley?"

"Tonks is going so I pretty much have to. I was going anyways though," Kingsley nodded.

"Should be interesting," Sirius said.

Kingsley and Tonks frowned. "I don't think you and Remus are fully comprehending the situation," Tonks said.

"I'm comprehending it fine. Remus is the one who's out of it," Sirius stated.

"Sirius-" Tonks replied.

"I'm heading back to the Ministry. I need to look through some applications," Sirius answered.

"I thought you wouldn't hire until after the war and only if at least one of the applicants was from the trio?" Kingsley stated.

"That was before the fifth spot opened. I'm slowly losing my team here. I need replacements," Sirius walked from the house. "See you two later." He disappeared.

"Why aren't they freaking out about Seth?" Tonks asked.

"Not a clue. Maybe it'll click in later," Kingsley shrugged.

"It better. They're starting to scare me," Tonks sighed.

"Is he all right?" a girl asked. The voice was familiar.

"Yeah. Just a cut," another familiar voiced girl said.

Harry opened his eyes slowly. His vision was blurred but quickly cleared. His head was pounding. He noticed he was lying on a cold, stone floor. "What the-?" he muttered.

"Harry, you're awake," one of the familiar girls said.

"Hermione?" Harry said as he looked at her sitting in front of him. He was suddenly awake she was touching the side of his head with some material.

"How're you feeling?" she asked.

"Okay, I guess. What about you? What the hell happened?" he gasped as he took in Hermione's appearance. She had a cut on her cheek and on her forehead. They were both bleeding. She also had blood on the corner of her mouth and her right temple.

"Tried to fight. Didn't work as well as I'd hoped," she smiled.

"Where are we, Hermione?" Harry looked at the wall opposite him. It was all steel bars, a steel bar door in the middle.

"Don't know," Hermione shrugged. "None of us know."

"What do you mean 'none of us'?" Harry frowned. Hermione looked to the left. He followed her eyes. His breath caught. Sitting on the floor, leaning against the walls were Lavender Brown, Luna Lovegood, Ginny Weasley, and, sitting in a corner, his knees pulled to his chest, was Ron. He was deathly pale and thin. He seemed to be covered in bruises and cuts. He was shaking violently.

"Oh. My. God," Harry gasped. "How long have they been here?"

"Well, Luna just got here. That's when the Death Eaters attacked and took her," Hermione said. "Lavender's been here for almost a week."

"What about Ron?" Harry asked. He couldn't take his eyes from his best friend. Ron wouldn't look anywhere but at the floor in front of him.

"Since he left. An hour after he left, he was captured," she sighed sadly.

"Has he talked or moved or anything?"

"No. He didn't even move when we were brought in," Hermione shook her head.

"Ginny?" Harry wondered. She was staring absently at the floor, not acknowledging anyone else.

"Week and a half."

"I'll be right back." Harry stood up and walked over to Ron. He knelt to the floor in front of Ron. "Hey, mate," he smiled. Ron didn't do anything. Harry's smile faded and he sighed. "Would you look at me?"

To Harry's surprise, Ron lifted his gaze and met Harry's eyes. Harry blinked. He knew the look Ron had in his eyes well. It was the same look that had haunted his, Harry's, own eyes two years earlier. The look that still returned every now and then. It was the look of terror, pain, and torture. Caused by being just that. Tortured.

"Ah, hell. You look the way I did in fifth year except not as extreme," Harry sighed.

"Is that a compliment?" Ron spoke in a hoarse voice. Harry guessed Ron hadn't been using his voice much except when he was screaming.

"It's a compliment. I looked worse than hell. You just look like hell," Harry smiled. He was glad when he saw a smile spread on Ron's face, though it didn't fully touch his eyes. Harry knew it would be a bit but the tortured look would disappear eventually.

"I'm sorry, Harry," Ron said.

"What for?" Harry asked, sitting on the floor now.

"For leaving. For being a complete jerk."

"No big deal. It was because of everything that happened and the locket," Harry shrugged.

"What happened with the locket?"

"Destroyed it the day you left. Knocked me out cold for a while. Pain."

"Pain?"

"Yep. Destroying the locket caused Voldemort immense pain and I felt it too."

"Wow. That connection is harsh," Ron shook his head.

"Yeah. It is," Harry nodded.

"Where did you two go after you destroyed the locket?" Ron asked.

"Remus told us who owned that house. It was the Lovegoods, so we went there," Harry answered. "So, you don't have any idea where we are?"

"Not a clue. The Death Eaters are careful about what they say so we don't find out," Ron shrugged.

"Figures," Harry sighed. Ron nodded.

"Hi, Ron," Hermione said quietly, kneeling beside him.

"Hermione," Ron moved his arms for the first time and hugged her. She returned the hug, burying her face in his shoulder.

"I'm so sorry, Ron. I shouldn't have been so hard on you."

"It's all right. I was hard on you too."

"I love you, Ron," Hermione whispered.

"I love you too," Ron smiled and kissed her.

"Finally," Harry grinned at them. "Is there anyway out of here?"

"Only when the Death Eaters unlock and open the door. It's locked with magic," Ron answered.

"Try your wandless magic, Harry," Hermione said.

Harry stared at the steel bars to try blow them apart. Nothing happened. "Nothing. Mr. Lovegood never lifted the spell he put on us that stops our magic," he sighed, looking at Hermione.

"The only way you get out is if a Death Eater takes you out and, believe me, you'd rather be in here," Ron replied.

"Ron, what happens when you get brought out?" Harry asked.

"They tie your hands behind your back and bring you to the next room. It's a circular room, made of stone. You're brought to the middle of the room where you're pushed to your knees. Death Eaters wearing masks stand around d the perimeter. Summer and Snape usually stand behind you. Bellatrix and Lucius Malfoy stand in front. Bellatrix does most of the torturing," Ron explained.

"You know like every detail," Hermione frowned.

"It's happened to me a lot. They think I know about the prophecy and the other Horcruxes," Ron said.

"Now that I'm here, they'll be interrogating me instead. Surprised they haven't killed me actually," Harry said.

"Harry," Hermione hissed.

"Sorry," Harry sighed. Suddenly he turned to the barred wall. "Someone's coming," he whispered. He stood up when he saw a shadow growing on the wall. It was Summer.

"Harry, you're awake," Summer said.

"Hello, Summer," Harry said.

"Bellatrix wants to see you. She has some questions," Summer opened the door and walked in.

"I'll pass," Harry backed up.

"It won't take long," Summer stated. "Locomotor mortis!" she shouted. Harry felt his legs snap together and he fell to the stone floor.

"Harry!" Hermione and Ron yelled.

"Incarcerous!" Summer shouted again and Harry's hands were bound behind his back. His legs were released from the Leg Locker Curse. Summer pulled him up. Harry visibly winced as the memories from when he was kidnapped came back. "Let's go," Summer growled and lead him out the door, magically locking it behind them.

"Harry," Hermione whispered. Ron kissed her temple as she stared at the bars.