It was true. She would rather die first. Was her death the solution to saving both choices? Of course she'd have to destroy the Elder Wand–or hide it for the Golden Trio to find. But that was too risky. How would she ensure the safety of Draco and her uncle? Surely, the Dark Lord would punish them by ending their lives, defeating the purpose of killing herself. Was there another way to save everyone with no deaths at all?
Voldemort would know a duplicate wand, so that option was immediately ruled out. If only–if only she could talk to her uncle. But she didn't. And if she didn't decide quickly, she might never see him or feel Draco's arms around her ever again. What was she going to do? Looking at the clock, she saw only half an hour remained until one hour was up. What if she stalled after two hours? What would he do?
Getting off her bed, Silwen paced rapidly around and around her room quicker and quicker with each round. Bump! A loose floorboard snatched her skirt and she fell down, hitting the ground hard. She didn't even notice the fall. There had to be a way out. There just had to.
"You're such a Hufflepuff, Sil. Potter deserves your uncle's torture." Draco often said this when they talked about Potions lessons, always adding that she was too kind for her own good. Now that kindness didn't know where to stand. Uncle Snape would tell her to break the wand, and let him and Draco die. Draco would tell her to run for it. What if...But time had run out, not letting her put the thought in concrete words.
With a whimpering creak, the door opened. Voldemort step through it and stood before her, shoes inches in front of her face. "So, little Slytherin, have you decided?"
"Yes." She lay on the floor, curling up into a ball. Prodding her delicately with his stiff, angular boots, the Dark Lord quietly, "So what is it?" "I will take the wand for you–under three conditions." "Excellent," he hissed, eyes gleaming. "I will give you an hour with Severus and Draco. Then you will leave. When you arrive at Dumbledore's tomb and have the wand in your possession, I will order my Death Eaters to allow Draco to return to his parents. When I have the wand in my fingers, I will grant Severus his freedom."Voldemort paused before he continued in a softer voice, kneeling down beside her, "What are your conditions?"
Eyes closed, fingers clenching one another, Silwen whispered, "One, the exact moment I tell you that I have the Elder Wand you set Draco free, and that you make that order irrevocable, meaning that you and any of your followers will not contact or harm him after that very moment. Two, neither of them will be harmed in any way until our...bargain is completed. Three, you will swear to these terms by an Unbreakable Vow."
"How...dare you suggest an Unbreakable Vow with me," he hissed, kicking Silwen sharply with the harsh boot's pointed edge. "Ouch," moaned Silwen softly, eyes scrunching together like they were magnets from opposite poles. "You dare to order me to release one of my prisoners?" Silence erupted. "Crucio." No agony on earth compared to the searing, buring, scorching pain that raked inside her body. Curling into a ball more compact than two atoms, she rolled around, screaming louder than Bloody Mary. Then, in moments, relief dropped.
Not even daring to breathe, Silwen slumped, trembling. The Dark Lord exhaled, his cold breath sending shivers down her spine as it touched her face. "It does not look like I will be able to convince you otherwise. And Draco wouldn't do the job half as well as you could. ... Very well. I accept your three conditions." Voldemort rose to his feet. "On your feet, little Slytherin." Turning to the hallway, he commanded, "Bellatrix! Bring in Draco and Severus!"
Voices and footsteps melded together as the three approached. When the arrived, Severus' eyebrows rose ever so slightly as he appraised his pallid niece. "Sil, what's going on?" Both of them had cracks on their faces, necks, hands, and any skin that showed. At least, once she left, they wouldn't be harmed again, Silwen thought.
"Bellatrix, the girl won't go without making an Unbreakable Vow with me. And I have sworn to do so." Bellatrix was shocked. Draco coughed, and Snape merely put his mouth into a line thinner than the horizon, eyes calculating. "My lord, are you sure you don't want to send me instead? An Unbreakable Vow–" "That is enough, Bellatrix. You are to bind us," Voldemort snapped. Facing the two bloodied prisoners, he said, "Draco and Severus, you are the witnesses." Now turning to Silwen, he reached forward, and forced her to clasp his arm as he clasped hers. Glaring at Silwen, Bellatrix preformed the beginning part of the spell and said, "Tell the Dark Lord your terms, girl." Shuddering at Voldemort's frigid touch, she stated her terms.
"Do you, Lord Voldemort, swear to let Draco free for the rest of his life and to ignore him for the rest of his life the exact moment I notify you that the Elder Wand is in my possession?" "I swear." "Do you swear that neither Draco Malfoy nor Severus Snape will be harmed and kept alive until our bargain is finished–including giving them meals at least once a day? Do you swear to release Severus Snape when you have the Elder wand in your possession?" A sneer slid onto the Dark Lord's lips as he heard Silwen's modifications, "I swear." "Then let it be finished," said Bellatrix. "Perhaps there is some Slytherin in you after all," murmured Voldemort as he strode out. "Bellatrix, let them have the rest of the hour to themselves. Remember, Silwen, at the hour's end, you will begin your mission." Silwen, massaged her arm, and nodded.
Slam! Bellatrix and Voldemort left the three alone.