Chapter 13: Test and Torture

Tonks choked as she tried to breathe.

She'd come to infiltrate Voldemort's inner circle, having suffered months Snape's training, went through all that mental preparation and now when she was rotting in his dungeon, she is blind!

"Oh for Merlin's sake!" Tonks cried, blinking forcefully. She heard Snape muttered a spell, probably an imperturbable charm that prevented her cries from travelling up to uninvited ears.

I can't see! I can't see to save me life! I can't fend off enemies like this, I can't still be that loyal and capable servant Voldemort wanted, I can't see my parents, I can't see Sirius, I can't see Remus-

"Calm down," Snape said curtly.

"Calm down…calm down? How can you even ask that?" Tonks cried, hating herself as she felt herself tearing.

"Panicking isn't going to help you either," His cold voice definitely hit the truth.

Tonks took a deep breath, sinking against the wall, "Kill me," She said, to no one in particular.

There was silence as Snape probably started contemplating the idea.

"What's wrong with me?" She demanded, choking on the tears welling up.

She heard Snape whipped up his wand, stirring the wind, muttering some spells under his breath. Tonks felt her eyes warm behind their lids as she closed them. It wasn't necessarily uncomfortable but it was when she knew Snape was pointing his wand at her.

"Well?" She asked impatiently as the warmth faded.

"This is temporary," Snape stated.

"Great," Tonks gritted her teeth.

"The Dark Lord would not kill you," Snape said, "Probably Goodwill…"

Tonks reckoned it was him who put her out.

"What happened to me?" Tonks asked, closing her eyes when she still saw nothing.

"Goodwill put you out to bring you here," Snape replied.

"So why did I lose my sight?"

"A concussion,"

"Fix it,"

"It can't be fixed."

"Liar,"

Tonks cursed, set on thinking Snape had purposely wanted her to suffer, reluctant to restore her sight as a revenge for tormenting him during training.

But if Snape didn't want to, there's little she can do about it. She felt her bounding snap and without another word, Tonks heard Snape leave the cell, slamming the gate shut behind him.

She needed to think but it was difficult with the thought of her lose of sight in her mind. She got more and more agitated as she thought. Not only could she not inform the Order members about this, her life was also literally in Snape's hands!

Her hands reached out, feeling the cool surface of the plate Snape had placed on the wooden ledge she'd felt. Gritting her teeth, she threw the plate against the wall, sending its contents to the floor and all over the wall.

Tonks fell into an uneasy and restless sleep.

~:~:~:~:~

She stirred and woke. For a moment, the darkness confused her but then it struck her. She's blind now…

Tonks could hear footsteps. So it was probably the gate opening which woke her up…

"Who's there?" Tonks snapped, her hands roaming around blindly for her wand but as it was when she fell asleep, it wasn't there.

Then she heard a loud cackling. It sent chills down her back.

"Dear Nymphie," Bellatrix mocked, her voice shrill and loud in her cell, "What would Andie say if she knew you were here?"

Tonks gritted her teeth against the urge to rebuke her; there were more important things than defending her mother against her own sister.

"What is it? Are you as dumb as you are blind?" Bellatrix asked, laughing before it stopped abruptly, "Answer me!"

Her body burnt as it had been more often these days. Tonks felt her bones seem to twist in agony, her flesh burning from inside out. By the time it stopped, Tonks was on the floor, her cheek against the cold and damp concrete floor. She didn't know when she'd fell or if she screamed.

"I don't answer to you," Tonks seethed, her body shaking. The darkness of her world was unnerving.

"Now that's not the way to speak to your elders now is it Nymphadora?"

Tonks struggled to get off the floor. She heard rushed footsteps then felt a slap across her cheek. Her head jerked to the side, leaving the skin stinging in pain.

"Where's-" Tonks caught herself in time. Say that name and you're dead…"the dark lord? I-"

She didn't finish her sentence and her body burnt again, sending her writhing on the ground. This was worst than death. Her mission seemed so bleak and faraway now…

"Don't you dare to even mention the Dark Lord with that filthy blood traitor mouth of yours," Tonks heard her say just as the pain dimmed, leaving her bones throbbing.

"What would he say-" Tonks braced herself, sitting up. Her sentence was again halted as she felt a soft stir in the wind.

She felt Bellatrix grab a handful of her hair, yanking so her head snapped back. Tonks barely winced, Mad-eye would be proud…

"And what would an abomination want with the Dark Lord? What makes you worthy of his presence?" Bellatrix breathed threateningly into her face.

"The fact that he's willing to grant me a quick death," Tonks panted. There was a moment of silence, "I'd bet no one gets that," She allowed a small smirk through her silent prayer that she'd hit a nerve.

"Wretched girl!" Bellatrix shrieked before flinging her to the floor, sending Tonks sprawling. With her training kicking in, Tonks scrambled to her feet quickly. She stood warily towards where she'd thought Bellatrix was at, "Crucio!"

Tonks ducked down. She heard something explode behind her and a stray splinter hit her cheek, leaving a stinging cut. Instantly, Tonks started moving. She recalled the many hours she'd spent avoiding Mad-Eye's attack, trying to put them into good use now. But that was before she couldn't see-

"Crucio!"

Tonks let loose a blood curling scream, the pain intensified from the one before. By the time Bellatrix was done, her body was practically twitching from the pain. It took her a moment to stop twitching and another to collect her thoughts past the dull burning in her body. Bellatrix had left, she'd heard her departure. Tonks felt her body relax. She didn't even realize she'd tensed up.

Tonks inched her way to the wall for support to sit up. This was definitely not going according to plan; whatever it was. Which part of it tells her she was going to get tortured by her deranged aunt?

Bellatrix obviously had a score to settle with her, perhaps pruning the family tree but Tonks knew she had a mission.

She lolled her head back to rest on the concrete, feeling a wave of fatigue wash over her.

Stick to the plan and constant vigilance and you'll be fine…I hope…

~:~:~:~:~

The days just got better and better. Peter Pettigrew had apparently been put on duty to bring her meals to her; not Snape, Tonks noted.

If they were lucky, it was because Snape was too 'high ranking' to be taking care of this, if they weren't, Bellatrix, who was apparently in charge, didn't trust Snape to be anywhere near an Order Member.

Her days had not been short of torture. Once or twice, Snape would find his way to get down to her cell to inform her on the update; the Dark Lord probably suddenly felt she wasn't a priority and decide to delay his arrival by a few days. In the meantime, Bellatrix was asked to 'entertain' Tonks.

Tonks could be certain she wasn't entertained. She was impressed and disgusted with Dark Arts which Bellatrix had demonstrated during their torture session; during which her dear aunt had definitely left her mark on Tonks.

Her sight hadn't return but on the last visit, Snape had brought her some potions in the excuse that it was attempts to treat her eyes but to no avail. Tonks hadn't been eating and for a good reason. The food from wherever she is held at, taste worst than leftovers from the house elves dinner.

The creaking of her gate alerted her of another presence.

"Peter?" Tonks called out, already recognizing him by his flustered shuffling footsteps.

"M-move," She felt Peter prod something, probably his wand, in the small of her back as he made her stand.

Tonks gritted her teeth but know resistance was futile. She carefully made her way out of her cell, which she learnt was a dungeon.

Tonks was guided out of her cell. She memorized the route. Take a left, then a right, then about 20 paces ahead, a left-

"Pettigrew!" Tonks heard the rough bark of someone she recognized; Roldolphos Lestrange.

She heard a mild squeak from Peter then she heard no more, probably her dear uncle had already put up some dark magic to prevent her eavesdropping on their conversation. Then she heard Peter shuffle off.

"Where are we going?" she demanded as she felt his larger hand wrap around her upper arm, wrenching her in another direction.

"Move it!" He growled, practically dragging her along. Tonks struggled to keep the pace.

"Hey! Answer me!" Tonks snapped, yanking her arm away and stood her ground, "I'm not going anywhere till you do!"

"Yes, you will,"

Tonks's enhanced hearing from her lost of her sight allowed her to register Rodolphos whipping out his wand and before she know it, she was lifted off the ground by magic and floating along.

She began shouted obscenities, making a scene. That tended to bring attention to herself among the death eaters and sometimes, it works in her favor.

Tonks heard the sound of doors opening and before she know it, she was dropped unceremoniously to the ground.

"Nymphadora Andromeda Tonks,"

Her blood froze. She heard his robes stirring the wind around her and she realized he's probably circling her.

"Ah, Bellatrix, you have not been a good host," His sickly smooth voice said.

"My Lord," Bellatrix's shrill voice said sweetly.

"Dear Bella, I need no explanation for your actions," Voldemort continued, "It is a shame, what happened to your sister,"

"I assure you My Lord, she's not been a Black since she married that Mudblood," Bellatrix replied.

Tonks was practically shaking in anger.

"But your sister has done some good," Voldemort said, now from behind her, "she has bore a metamorphagus, a talented witch,"

"My Lord?" Another voice that Tonks didn't recognise said, questioningly polite.

"This is a first, Alecto," Alecto Carrow…the brother and sister death eater which the ministry had been after for as long as Tonks could remember, "A metamorphagus born of Black blood, a witch so talented, Alastor Moody's apprentice nonetheless. And her loyalty… one can only imagine the things she can do,"

There were mumbles all around but Tonks assumed they nodded as Voldemort let that matter rest for now.

"No," Tonks heard herself breathe out, "you're wrong,"

For a moment, the room fell into complete silence.

Tonks didn't know what she was doing. This was not the plan but she tire of this. She wanted to go home…

Her body was then torn apart again after the umpteenth time. Cruciatus curse… It was used so often on her, Tonks idly wondered how long it would take to kill her or drive her insane, like Frank and Alice Longbottom. It was one thing she could never get use to. She screwed her eyes shut to the pain.

Then again if she was driven insane, she wouldn't remember anything, she wouldn't remember being the Auror, or being the apprentice of Mad-Eye, or being the daughter of Andromeda Black and Ted Tonks, or having a lovely cousin back in Grimmauld place, or Remus. Her life would be gone in a flash.

The curse stopped.

Tonks found herself once again on the floor, her body trembling. She opened her eyes, blinking them.

She saw black. Black tiles which she was lying on. Someone was standing in front of her, a blurred figure. She blinked again, her eyes clearing.

Voldemort was towering over her, his wand straight in her face.

"Get up," He said curtly. She barely registered his words but saw him tossing her something. She couldn't know and want it more.

Based solely on reflexes, Tonks reached up, catching and grasping her wand firmly.

On your feet lass! Mad-Eye's voice, plucked from her memory of his training with her came to her ears.

Tonks got up, intent on following her mentor's directions. They were all she followed for two years of Auror training after all, it wasn't difficult to consent now.

"Good, good," Voldemort's face twisted into a sick smile. Suddenly, his gentle and calmly sadistic expression changed to a fierce one, he lifted his wand.

Move it! Mad-Eye barked at her.

Tonks panicked, feeling the adrenaline rush to her head. She ducked. Where she last stood, the spell exploded, sending black tiles all over the room.

She could hear Voldemort laughing in sick pleasure. Tonks gritted her teeth, flinging spells towards him as she ran. They were either too weak or didn't hit its mark. Tonks ducked his spells till she couldn't. She cried out in shock, her leg striking a table that contained an ornament.

As the ornament smashed to the ground, Tonks conjured a shield just in time.

A large fire snake rose from Voldemort's wand. She watched in horror as it slithered towards her, singing the black smooth tiles. She could still hear Voldemort laughing. Tonks instantly strengthened her shield as the snake collided with it.

The heat got through the shield but protected her from most of the damage. Back in her mind, Tonks knew Voldemort was only toying with her.

She broke off the shield, knowing it would only be a matter of time before she became roasted from the heat. The snake lunged, setting the wood of the table on fire as she jumped to her side.

Avada Kedavra!

The spell left her mind before she could stop it.

A jet of green light left her wand and towards Voldemort himself. The spell looked stronger than she'd thought it would be. But it looked no more than an annoyance to Lord Voldemort; which he swatted away with his wand impatiently. His red eyes glinted.

"It's in your blood Nymphadora," He hissed, "You have a talent for Dark arts. Only Dark arts can truly let loose the power you already have," He smothered the fiery snake.

"Kill me now," Tonks stopped ducking, standing her ground.

"It'll be a shame," He crooned, "why not let you serve me? Or die resisting,"

"I'd rather die," Tonks seethed. She didn't want to go along with the plan anymore; she wanted to make her own decisions. This is her decision, "I'd rather die than betray the order!" She roared.

With a light flick of his wand, Tonks was thrown back against the wall; she sworn she heard a crack.

"That old man did nothing but brainwashed his minions," Voldemort approached her, "Dark arts make us, wizards and witches, powerful. Only resisting it makes us weak," He spread his arms and behind him, his Death Eaters nodded in agreement.

"No," Tonks muttered, "Being able to resist it makes us powerful," She glared up at him. Instantly, she felt the probe. It was so strong but her guard had been up.

Tonks screamed as the force practically crushed her mind. However, it did everything but invade her mind. Tonks concentrated, knowing a single mistake from her would result in many more consequences to come. But she knew she was fighting a losing battle. Instead of hiding everything, Tonks decide to let the ones less important be seen. It was something she'd learn in the art of fabricating information during her Occlumency lessons.

She saw what Voldemort saw.

Tonks was among the order. The Order Members flashed pass her eyes. Dumbledore, McGonagall, Hagrid, Sirius, Remus, Kingsley, Mad-eye, Molly, Arthur, Bill, Charlie, Dedalus-

Voldemort seemed to have gotten bored with that. The faces stopped abruptly and she saw Harry.

He was getting home, from the Hogwarts Express…

No!

The image stopped abruptly. Then she saw Remus. He was sitting across from her in her flat at her dining table. He was nibbling on a biscuit. They were talking.

Tonks growled, tearing her eyes from Voldemort's.

"Your loyalty you have for the Order is strong," His face twisted in a sick smile.

Tonks didn't have to pretend to be angry, she was. Despite the fact that she'd allowed him to see those things just to make things easier for herself, she couldn't help but feel naked after that episode.

"But you will not be able to resist Dark Arts," Voldemort turned, strolling back to the table of Death Eaters casually, "it's in your blood, as it is in Bellatrix's, and Narcissa…"

Tonks resisted the urge to spit at that. She glimpsed Bellatrix snarling quietly at that statement.

"Wormtail," Voldemort waved lazily. Tonks watched blearily as Pettigrew shuffled from the side. Then she felt him grab her by her arm, hoisting her roughly to her feet. As she rose, Tonks saw Snape.

He was staring at her blankly. Unlike the others, who were leering or not bothering with her altogether. She was then dragged away by Wormtail. Now that she had her sight, she could see her environment.

Apparently, she was in some mansion. The tiles were practically all black and the drapes of curtains for decoration purposes were typical Slytherin green. Expensive ornaments were on display everywhere. She passed a few corridors much like this one before it gradually came to her dungeon.

Her cell was considerably free of rats and grimy dirt. However, it looked as damp and depressing as she'd imagined and felt. She felt Pettigrew pushed her in the cell before closing it with a wave of his wand. Without another word, he went up the steps, looking too afraid to look her in the eye.

Tonks was weary from the damage her body and mind had taken but with her sight back, everything was much more interesting. Plus, Voldemort had miraculously let her keep her wand. She knew better than to try to blast her way out of here but maybe…a patronus.

She bit her lips, selecting a memory for her to use. She settled on the one with Sirius and Remus during her departure. Concentrating hard on it, Tonks whispered her message and the spell. Her ferret slipped out the tip of her wand, looking up at her.

"Go on then," She urged impatiently. Without a backward glance, the ferret disappeared into the walls.

She'd send a message to Remus, keeping it vague about her being alright and him not to worry. She had taken special care of make sure it sounded like she was captured and had not planned her own capture. Tonks slumped down into her corner which she'd taken to sit or sleep at; wringing her fingers in anticipating. Soon, Remus-

Her thoughts were interrupted as the gate creaked open again. Tonks looked up, jumping to her feet, her wand raised.

It was Snape.

He regarded her critically.

"What? The meeting over so soon?" Tonks said sarcastically.

Snape ignored her. His face was still blank as he waved his wand behind him, towards the gate before he spoke, "Sending messages by patronus is not safe here,"

Tonks hissed but didn't say anymore.

"Robes," He tossed the black folded pile of cloth in his hands to her. Tonks caught it neatly.

"If this belongs to dear Aunt Bella, or Aunt Cissy, I rather go naked," Tonks wrinkled her nose in disgust.

Snape ignored her.

"Oh and in case it escapes your notice, I'm not blind anymore," She snarled, losing her patience, and to think she'll need help from him for as long as she's here…

"Pitifully," Snape replied curtly, to her surprise.

"So why are you here?" Tonks asked, dusting the robe out, "Did you spite the Dark Lord?" She smirked.

"Tomorrow, morning in the hall," Snape said, "The Dark Lord wants to see you,"

"More like torture," Tonks muttered grudgingly.

"You are reminded to dress…" Tonks squirmed uncomfortably as his eyes skimmed up and down her body, "appropriately."

Without another word, he left, walking briskly up the steps, the gates crashing shut behind him.

Tonks sighed, looking down at herself. She looked like a mess. She was still wearing the black robes she'd wore on her capture. Underneath, was her favorite bright yellow stripped shirt that was stained with dirt and some blood. I guess Yellow wasn't really the right color you'd wear to meet the High and mighty Dark Lord…

She huffed; removing her robes she's wearing and letting them drop to the ground. Without a moment of hesitation, Tonks practically ripped her clothes off, slipping on the new robes.

It was fully black and was not in the least comfortable. The material, as Tonks expected, was expensive. The clothes wrapped around her torso nicely, the neckline a little lower than her personal preference. She was not surprised when she realized this seemed a little too 'Bellatrix' for her taste. Probably some sick minded joke from Voldemort to Tonks; the mutual hate between her and her aunt isn't exactly secret.

With her wand held in her hand, Tonks fell into a fitful sleep.

Her sleep was abruptly interrupted. She jerked awoke, looking around her, glad she could see again. Someone was coming and Tonks couldn't even tell how long she had been asleep; there wasn't even a window to allow lights to flood in.

As usual, Peter was down to fetch her again.

Tonks got to her feet, tired to having the rat grab her to her feet. As expected, he prodded her cautiously with the tip of his wand, urging her to go forward. Tonks know she could probably win a duel against Pettigrew but that would mean that if she didn't kill him, Voldemort would and she was on a mission, is she?

"Where are we going?" Tonks asked lazily, not expecting an answer. And indeed, she didn't get one. They went up a huge flight of stairs and soon, Tonks was faced with a grand closed black door. It was so nicely polished Tonks could see her face in it as Pettigrew raised his hand to knock.

Before he could, the door opened smoothly on its hinges.

Inside, there was a chair at the end of the room but the middle was mainly empty. Voldemort himself was occupying the only chair in the room.

Tonks glanced to see Peter practically cowering under the presence of Lord Voldemort. Deciding that trying to get instructions from him was futile, she swallowed and walked in.

Behind her, the door shut with a small wave of Voldemort's hand, clipping Wormtail in the back as it shut. Wandless magic…Tonks noted, gulping.

"Afraid, Nymphadora?" Voldemort spoke, his voice calm, in strong contrast with his blood red eyes.

Damn…

Plucking up her courage, Tonks said, "I'm loyal, not fearless,"

"Nobody is fearless," Voldemort rose from his seat, his black robes dragging along, "Not any of my death eaters, not you,"

"Well, we all know there's a fine line between fear and a coward," Tonks replied after he looked expectantly at her.

"So what is your decision?" Voldemort walked till he was standing in front of her.

It's for the mission. It's for the mission…

"Not death," She said reluctantly, keeping her voice as neutral as it could be.

"A wise decision," His voice was now crooning again. It made her sick… "Your loyalty however, is questionable,"

This is the time I've been preparing for…

Tonks gulped, looking up and keeping eye contact. As she felt him ram all his forces into her mind, she fabricated.

In her time in training with Snape, Tonks learnt that making it up didn't seem as difficult but somehow, if she wasn't skilled enough, she could let out something she didn't want to.

Her hands clenched into fists with the effort, her temples pulsing. Opposite her, Voldemort looked so completely at ease that it was infuriating.

He saw what Snape trained her to see. And he saw beyond…

Tonks gasped with the slip.

Snape.

Tonks saw him flash into her mind and Voldemort's….

No…She groaned inwardly as she felt the retreat. She'd done the fabrication perfectly… everything was perfect but that slip!

She grinded her teeth as the Dark Lord looked contemplative of what he saw.

"Severus," Voldemort's silky voice said. Tonks cringed at the name, "Severus Snape."

She stood her ground as he circled her once.

Tonks spoke, "My lord?" She wanted to scorgify her mouth right now….

He looked at her, his eyes boring into hers but with no mind intrusion this time.

"I will train you, in Dark Arts, myself," Voldemort narrowed his eyes.

"Yes…my Lord," She nodded stiffly, wondering if she should bow.

Suddenly, she felt a searing pain in her middle and she doubled over to the floor, screaming in agony.

To be continued…

Hello out there! Hope this didn't come too late!

Thanks so much to all my readers and especially the reviewers out there!

2lazee2login: I'm glad you love the plot! I'm not really good at writing the death eater's plot there but please point out if I went overboard or anything! Thanks for reviewing!

LadyOblivious: Thanks! I'm glad you liked it! Tonks will be a huge part in here and I have many more things in line for her! I can't believe JKR didn't explore the character of Tonks who had so much potential given her family background and her skills. Thanks for the review!

justme667: Thanks! Hope this isn't too late!

NyxBorn: … I can only say, keep reading!

Hope06: Yup, this will be long ride for her and throughout the story, this plot of her ending up with the death eaters will of course continue. Hope I didn't spoil anything! Thanks for reviewing!

PLEASE REVIEW FOR THIS CHAPTER!