Chapter 40

Theo groaned in pain as he lay on the cold stone floor. He was currently residing in the dungeons until the next time the Death Eaters, or Voldemort, decided they wish to torture him. Even his own father had taken his turn to have his share of cursing Theo. Voldemort basically made him a toy to them, with only one rule. The Death Eaters could do whatever damage they wanted to him, as long as it didn't kill him.

He had never hated anyone so much than he did right now. He was supposed to be an example to those who defied Voldemort, but Theo wished he could have just killed him on the spot. Of course he would be dead, but there was the consolation that he wouldn't have to experience all the pain he currently felt. He couldn't move any of his limbs; the pain was far too great. So he was stuck, lying on the ground, unable to move.

He let out a soft moan as he clutched his arm. He had had a severe burning hex cast upon his right forearm, and he felt like his entire arm was on fire."

"I'm sorry, Mate," Dean said raspily. "I wish I could help, or do something to ease the pain. You helped us so much over the last few months, and there were several of times where you have saved my life. If only I still had my wand!"

Theo didn't reply. He hadn't really saved the Gryffindor's life. Sure, there were a few times where the boy's decisions may have led to serious consequences, but it wasn't anything like Dean was making it out to be. But it was him who had been cursed, not Thomas. He wasn't feeling spiteful, just that he was happy that no one else was being hurt. They didn't all need to be used as magical punching bags, simply because Voldemort was feeling wrathful.

"Pain can be felt in many ways. One does not necessary need to have been harmed to be hurt," the Lovegood girl said in a dreamy voice.

She had always confused him at Hogwarts, with her different ways. She always seemed a bit, off; like she wasn't completely ever there. However, he had to admit that she was far too insightful when it came down to it. He didn't really know why she was here, but he hoped that the dreary dungeons wouldn't break her soft spirit. There was something about her that made him want to protect her. It wasn't in a way like she was some sort of damsel in distress and he wanted to save her for the kiss, but more because he felt protective of her. In the several days that she had been in the dungeons with him, he had already begun to think of her as a sister figure. They weren't in any means even close, but it was more of the vibe she gave off.

They heard sudden footsteps, and Theo immediately stilled. It was probably another Death Eater here to have their way with him. He cringed as he knew he would probably experience more pain than he would be able to handle.

"Lumos," he heard a familiar voice say; Blaise. Was his friend going to torture him now as well? Was it what the other Death Eaters wanted for him? Or like Draco, did Blaise find that he enjoyed being a Death Eater and wanted to torture his old friend for a laugh?

"Theo," he heard his old friend say softly. His eyes looked pained as he approached the cell. "Oh shit, Theo, what have they done to you?"

"Used him as a bloody knife sharpener, that's what," Dean growled. "And some friend you are. Couldn't even stop them, could you?"

Blaise's eyes looked red. "Don't you think I would have, if I could? They're trailing my mother, so if I even slip up in the least, they won't hesitate to kill her! I have to watch every single move I make, just in case one of them piss the Dark Lord off."

Theo felt his stomach clench. Of course his friend was only doing this because of his mother. He felt sick thinking that he could ever think so lowly of his friend to the point where he would think Blaise could betray him.

Dean paled. "I'm sorry. I didn't know," he said quietly. "So why are you down here, if it's so dangerous? Wouldn't it be bad for them to catch you?"

Blaise shook his head. "I would just say I was torturing Theo. It would work like a charm. The Dark Lord may be slightly suspicious, but he seems to think I'm coming around, so it should be fine. I'm here to get you all out," Blaise said, after a moment.

Theo very nearly sat right up in his seat. "There is no way I am going to let you do that, Blaise! If you think for a second that I will let you risk your life for mine, then you're really messed in the head. I refuse to jeopardise your life for mine."

Blaise shook his head. "I've seen what they've done to you, Mate, and there is no way I can let you stay here. There are so many worse things they can do to you than kill you and I cannot stand by and let them do that to you."

"It's too dangerous! Think logically, Blaise. Your mother will be killed once they find out that it was you who had helped us, and trust me when I say that they will find out who let out their prisoners. Your mother's life isn't worth mine. I'll live, but once someone dies, they're gone, you idiot! Think it through."

"Do you even remember that you're not the only one in there, Theo?" Blaise asked him softly.

Theo spluttered. "Of course I do! What kind of Bleeding question is that?"

"What if they decide to kill Thomas here? Or even Lovegood, just to show you they can. If you do not come with me, then their lives will be in the hands of the Death Eaters, and if they so choose, they will give them the most painful death possible."

Blaise's eyes flickered quickly to Lovegood's, and Theo very nearly missed it. If he hadn't known any better, he would say that Blaise was worried for the girl's safety and wanted to get her out as well. He wondered about how Blaise even knew Lovegood, however now was not the time to be asking such questions.

Theo let out a resigned sigh. Even though he wanted to be free, he knew better than to rely on his friend so heavily when so many things could go wrong. But at the same time, he knew that it wasn't just him anymore. He wasn't sure how it had happened. If this situation had occurred a few months earlier, then Theo wouldn't care for his companions' lives and simply do what it took for him, and Blaise, to stay alive. However after so many months with ex-Gryffindors, Theo had to admit that he was developing a serious conscious, and he didn't quite know what to make of that.

So with that said, he knew he had to do what would allow the maximum amount of people to survive; the greater good, if you will. He hated it so much.

"Fine," Theo said sullenly. He saw Dean and Lovegood's eyes light up at the thought of leaving. The wandmaker, Ollivander, nearly let out an ecstatic cry, and even Griphook nearly smiled.

"Do you have a plan?" Dean asked eagerly as he scrambled to his feet.

Blaise nodded. "I'm going to take you all to a room. I'll disillusion all of you, but Theo, and when they ask, I'll say that I want my share of showing Theo what 'he's missed by opting not to take the wonderful opportunity he was given to be a Death Eater.' I can grab you a few extra wands, as the Manor has a few lying around in one of the defense rooms. The apparating wards allow for us to only leave from a few rooms. See the Manor is set to allow everyone who is on the approved list to floo in, and the only people allowed into those few rooms are those higher up. If we get caught, I can always saw that I got lost. The hardest part will be getting to that room, but after that, it should be easier."

"And what if one of them is able to detect the charm?" Theo asked his friend, as he mentally calculated all the things that could go wrong with the plan.

"They won't. If there is one thing I am able to do, its Disillusion charms. I can't tell you why or how, but that I can," Blaise said, and Theo knew that a lot had happened to his friends in the months since they had seen each other last.

"Okay," Theo said at last. "Let's do this."

Blaise raised his wand and wordlessly made each one of Theo's fellow prisoners invisible. Once that was done, he held his wand to Theo and wrapped weightless iron shackles to his wrists. He unlocked the dungeon doors and while everyone followed closely behind Blaise, Theo was held at wandpoint in the front.

"Sorry about this, Mate," Blaise said softly, and Theo gave a nod of understanding. Blaise led him down the halls which Draco, Blaise, and he, had often roamed around as a little kid. They passed by other Death Eaters who jeered at him as they walk passed. If Theo didn't know any better, he would have hexed them, or at least growl at them.

It seemed to well, until they turned the corner.

"Well, well. Has our newbie decided to have some fun with our newest prisoner?" Theo heard a voice crackle. He looked up to see Bellatrix standing directly in front of them. Theo very nearly took in a sharp breath, before catching himself.

Blaise simply smirked at her. "Why would I give up the chance to do so? Nott here was foolish enough to not join up when he had the chance, and I just want to show him the perks, if you will, of the job."

She gave him her crooked tooth smile. "Of course you wouldn't. Be sure to give him a few hexes for me Dearie."

Theo watched as his dead friend's crazy aunt walked out of his sight, before letting out a breath of relief as he let his friend continue to lead him to the room.

The rest of the walk was uneventful, and it wasn't until Blaise had shut the door of the destination room, that Theo began to relax. The hardest part was over, and all that was left was for them to leave.

"The floo network is reserved for the Death Eaters and you can't apparate directly to any base, as they may be suspicious. I want you all to apparated to a forest, any forest, and then to Hogwarts. Tell McGonagall that I sent you, and she will get you help," Blaise said urgently, as he turned to face the far wall. He opened an unlocked cabinet and was about to pull out a range of wands when they heard a slow clapping sound.

Theo turned to see Voldemort standing across room with Bellatrix standing beside him. She wore a wicked grin as she smirked at him. Voldemort waved his wand and all the disillusion charms came undone.

"How?" Blaise croaked.

Bellatrix crooked her lips, "I got a bit suspicious when I heard that you personally wanted to torture one of your friends. You see, you were always so hesitant to attack others, and there is no way that you would want to hurt one of your dear friends. You're far too compassionate for that," she said, spitting out the words. "So I went down to the dungeons to see the rest of the prisoners were doing. And you can only imagine my surprise when I found the cells completely empty!

"I must say, Mr. Zabini, when you joined my side, I had my suspicions about you. I never entrusted any big mission to you, or shared any incriminating secret with you. And for a while, I even suspected that you may have been plotting against me with your silent rebellion. But then you grew more compliant, more obeying, and I had very nearly thought that you were coming around, and beginning to see the light. But obviously I was wrong," Voldemort said coolly.

"I was never yours to begin with," Blaise hissed angrily.

"And that is where you're mistaken," Voldemort said without any emotion. "What you don't understand is that we made a deal, Zabini. And I hate it when people go back on the deals I make with them. But you know what? It's a good think that I also happen to have insurance on you, now isn't it?"

Blaise paled considerably. "No. No, you wouldn't touch her."

Voldemort merely chuckled. "Of course I would. You see, I've wanted to get rid of your pesky Mother for quite some time. And you see I also need a branch of soldiers. Ones who are unquestioning to any order I give them, and ones who cannot think for themselves. And you will be the first of these soldiers."

"Imperio," Voldemort said simply, as he flicked his wand.

"No!" Blaise yelled, but it was useless. Blaise suddenly straightened and looked to Voldemort as if waiting an order.

"Take them back to their cells," he commanded.

Theo felt his gut tighten. They had been so close to escaping from the house, but now it was too late. Nothing could save them now.

Hermione sat against a tree with Draco beside her. It had been almost an hour since Harry had taken off on his own into the woods. While the trip was not uncommon, the duration of his outing was longer than any of the previous ventures. She was worried that something had happened to him, and she really had no way of knowing.

Draco squeezed her hand, and she turned her head to look at him. He always knew whenever something was bothering her.

"He'll be fine, Hermione," Draco said softly. "He probably wants some time to himself."

She nodded. She was probably being irrational, but she still worried anyways. Harry was like her brother, and she couldn't afford to lose him.

They heard footsteps, and they both instantly turned in the direction of the sound. She saw two figures approaching them, one ahead of the other. Draco drew his wand, while Hermione stood closely by him, as Harry currently had hers in his possession. The closer they came, the more recognizable they were.

"Harry!" Hermione said loudly, and her friend smiled at him. He was carrying something in his hand, and she gasped when she could make out what it was. "Where did you get that?" she demanded, as she gestured to the sword in his hand. It was the Sword of Gryffindor, and Harry most certainly did not have it before he left the camp.

"Hermione, there's a lot to explain," Harry started softly.

"Where did you get that sword, Harry?" she repeated. Her eyes flickered to the person beside him, and she knew instantly who it was.

"It was at the bottom of a lake. I went down to get it, and I was stuck down there. I would have died, but he rescued me," Harry said softly. "We destroyed the Horcrux."

She didn't care. She didn't care that they now had a weapon to destroy the Horcruxes, or that they were on step closer to bringing down Voldemort. All she seemed to care about was the fact that he was here.

"Give me my wand, Harry," she said, her voice trembling softly.

"Hermione," Harry started.

"Give me my wand, Harry!" She shouted, as she yanked it out of his hand.

She stuck her wand out and pointed it directly at Ron. "How dare you come back? After everything you did; after everything you said! Did you think I would welcome you back with open arms? Leave, Ron. Go back to wherever you were. I don't want you here!"

"Hermione," Ron started, but she cut him off.

"No, you don't get to talk. You don't get to say anything to me. Just go. We were doing fine without you."

His face looked pained, but she didn't care. He had hurt her so much, and she couldn't feel any sympathy for him.

"Hermione, Love," Draco started softly.

"Not you too!" she said, as she turned to face him. "Don't tell me you're siding with them!"

"You should give him the chance to apologise," Draco said gently.

Angry tears formed in her eyes. Why couldn't anyone see it from her point of view? She turned from them all, and ran into the woods.

"Hermione!" she heard Draco shout.

"No, let me," another voice said.

She sat on a log by the river, tears flooding her face. She used the back of her hand to wipe them away from her face.

"I'm sorry," a voice called out from behind her. She turned around to see Ron standing there, with an apologetic look on his face. "I was wrong to say everything I did to you, and I had no right to say any of those horrible things."

"Do you even begin to understand how those words made me feel, Ronald?" she said quietly. "I felt so worthless; like I was some meaningless object you could break and tear into a hundred pieces. I didn't deserve that."

"No, you didn't," Ron agreed.

"So what would possess you to say something so awful to me?"

"I was angry at Harry, and I lashed out. But I had no right to say those things to you, and for that, I'm sorry," Ron said, pausing. "I was jealous and the fact that you chose Harry reminded me how once again you weren't choosing me. I know I have no right to be, especially seeing that I didn't take my chance when I had it, but dammit Hermione, I'm so in love with you, and I can't get over my feelings for you."

She stared at him, stunned. "I'm with Draco," she said finally.

"I know," he said in a defeated voice.

"I love him," she said again.

"I know."

"I'm not going to leave him," she said firmly.

"I know. But I'm not going to give up. If he happens to mess this up somehow, then I will be waiting. And if I ever get a chance again, I won't hesitate to take it."

She swallowed before replying. "We should go back now," she said.

Ron seemed to accept this. While he knew that she didn't fully accept his apology, he was also one step closer to being in her good books, and that counted for something.