Chapter 19
Bella's POV
Crap.
I had leapt to my feet when I saw him.
The man who had terrorized me since infantry, the man who my mother—if you could even call her that—murdered for, he who had tried—and failed—to kill me for years: Voldemort.
Crap. Again.
This was not a good year for me. But the good news was that Dumbledore was not visible to Voldemort, so…he's safe. But me…I'm screwed.
"You!" he snarled, his wand already held aloft. "Why am I not surprised?"
"Because," I replied calmly, smirking slightly. "It's me."
His pale, snakelike face contorted into a snarl and he leapt forward, and our duel began.
I didn't know how long it lasted…but it felt like hours.
Neither of us managed to hit the other with a spell, but I felt certain he would kill me, if he got the chance. I had expected it when I came here.
Eventually, I heard Voldemort yell, "Crucio!"
It felt like every bone in my body was on fire. Like I was dying. But…not as bad as James's venom burning me while I was in Forks. I collapsed, my limps twitching in pain. Voldemort was laughing at me.
Gritting my teeth while I heard Voldemort laughter stop, I shakily stood, forced to endure the pain, and cried, "Expulso!" The pain halted, just as the spell took effect.
There was an explosion at my feet, where I pointed my wand. Dust erupted around me as the cave's walls cracked and one crumpled to dust. I was thrown off my feet, at the wall. I felt the Horcrux fall from my pocket as I hurtled through mid air before slamming into the stone wall.
I hit my head, and my head was spinning.
I thought I heard a sharp, unnatural crack! It was familiar…but I couldn't place it…
Until I heard an all-too-familiar bullfrog-like, croaking voice.
"Mistress Lestrange!"
Third Person
Back at Hogwarts…
When the group of Seventh Years realized Bella was gone, they panicked. Harry had rushed and gotten the Marauders' Map, but Bella was gone.
That was when they concluded that she must have gone after Dumbledore. They hadn't a clue where that was, and they wouldn't be able to get past the gate with the plethora of Aurors guarding it.
Then Harry had thought of something. Quickly, he called out, "Kreacher!"
The elderly house-elf obediently appeared.
"Master called for Kreacher?" he said, surveying the group.
"Kreacher, we need you to find Bella. She went looking for Dumbledore in a cave somewhere…" When he said cave the house-elf had paled. "…We need you to find them and bring them back, can you do that?"
"Cave?" he croaked, looking fearful. "The cave where Master Regulus died…?"
He launching into his tale about his past master's sacrifice when trying to retrieve the Horcrux. And that he'd been there when Voldemort had originally placed the locket in the basin.
As soon as his tale was done, Kreacher Disapparated with a loud crack, leaving the apprehensive studentss, who took off for McGonagall's office.
Bella's POV
I opened my eyes and saw the dust was yet to settle. I could hardly see anything…except the old, familiar house-elf in front of me.
"How many times have I asked to call me Bella, not 'Mistress Lestrange'?" I asked quietly, trying to stand.
"Forgive me, Mistress Bella." The house-elf bowed. Harry had inherited the house-elf from Sirius, his Godfather, when my mother killed him.
"Wait…" I said, standing. "You can Apparate and Disapparate from here…?"
I felt like a light bulb went off above my head.
"What are you doing here?" I asked, still weak from the explosion.
"Master Harry ordered Kreacher to find Mistress Bella. Kreacher realized, when Master said cave, where Mistress had come. Kreacher is to bring Mistress back to school. Now."
I couldn't leave yet. Not until I had the Horcrux.
I shook my head. "Kreacher, Professor Dumbledore is unconscious in that boat over there. I need you to take him back to Hogwarts. He needs to get to the Hospital Wing. Be sure he gets there, and be sure to keep him safe until I get back. Okay?"
Kreacher hesitated, but nodded. "Kreacher will do as Mistress orders. But Kreacher does not think Mistress staying is good idea. Not good idea at all…"
But he disappeared into the dust as he went to Dumbledore.
It was then the dust cleared.
Voldemort turned just in time to see Kreacher Disapparate with Dumbledore. He roared in fury.
"I should have let Bellatrix kill you in the Department of Mysteries! He shouted. "She requested the honor of ending her own daughter's life…"
"She couldn't have killed me if she tried!" I yelled back, taunting him.
Then my eyes found the Horcrux. I dove for it.
I heard Voldemort yell, "Sectumsempra!"
Right as my fingers closed around the cold metal Horcrux, I felt the spell hit. It was like I was slashed at by a sword.
Blood spurted from my chest and torso. Nearly unbearable pain blossomed in my chest.
I knew the spell well…and its creator.
I knew it could kill me, if I did not get out of there soon.
Expulso! I thought urgently. There was another explosion and I managed to scramble out of the cave. I slipped the locket into my pocket.
As I left, I heard Voldemort yell, "You may escape today, Isabella, but Dumbledore is dying or dead! You had best prepare quickly! I will get you, Potter, and Hogwarts tonight! You will lose everything!"
I was weak from blood loss, but as soon as I was out of the cave, I Apparated right outside of the Anti-Apparition barrier.
Blood still oozed from the huge, gaping, gory wound on my torso, but I somehow had the strength to run to the Hospital Wing on the Third Floor, leaving a conspicuous trail of crimson blood in my wake.
My head was spinning from blood loss and I barely had any strength when I reached the Third Floor, but I made it to the Hospital Wing.
I slammed the door to it open with all the strength I had, took a step forward, but collapsed onto the floor with a cry of pain.
I heard an angel call my name, and then I knew no more.
