Chapter 22
There were two cracks, and I fell onto the ground. My head was spinning in that particular way it did when I side-along apparated. I had no idea where I was, when I was. I was covered with bruises and scratches. My clothes were ripped. I didn't know what was going on. I scrambled forward, clawing at the ground, until darkness took over.
I was being pulled up by my wrists when I came to. When I opened my eyes, I saw a group of men before me. Some of them looked vaguely familiar, though I could not recall from where. I began shrieking, but a silencing charm fixed that right away.
"Who've we got here, then?" a voice drawled to my left. I couldn't see anything, my vision coming and going. I was fairly sure I soiled myself. There was another crack, and I promptly vomited. The voices around me cursed, and a wrought iron gate wavered into view. I could barely see a pale, pointed face before I blacked out again.
When I came to, I was wearing a simple dress, and was clean. I was also chained to a chair, the cold links winding around my forearms. I heard a snakelike voice near my ear.
"Crucio."
The most unbearable pain I had ever experienced filled my body. I threw my head back, mouth open wide as if in a scream, but only short, gasping sobs came out. After a few moments, it stopped. Tears were streaming down my face, and I was shaking. The same slithery voice spoke. "Hello, princess."
The Dark Lord stood before me, snake curling around his feet, wand in hand. The Malfoys, the Lestranges, and Severus Snape stood behind him. Draco's face was drawn, scared, hurt. Lucius was cold, Narcissa emotionless, Bellatrix triumphant. The Dark Lord held his wand out towards me. "It's truly a pleasure to see you again."
"Hhhaaaa…" I gasped, head lolling to the side. He walked towards me, using one finger under my chin to make me look at him.
"Now, you're going to tell us a few things, alright?"
"Ye-yes… my lord," I whispered, my voice harsh. He laughed softly.
"Now there's no need for that. We all know where your loyalties lie."
My mind was electrified. How did he know? That was impossible. I barely had time to think before another curse hit me. "I… I don't…"
"Of course you do." The Dark Lord's pale, flat face leaned close to mine. "You helped him escape. And that is unforgivable."
"Wh-who…?"
"You know exactly who."
"I don't remember-"
"Don't lie to me, girl-"
"My lord?" I heard the familiar sound of my headmaster's voice, and his footfalls as he stepped forward. "I have a suggestion."
The Dark Lord's face fell back from mine, to look at Snape. "And what would that be?"
From his robes, Snape procured a small vial of clear liquid. "It has come to my knowledge that her highness was not acting like herself at the time, and she does not seem to remember. Perhaps I can gain the truth… with this." He brandished the vial in front of him. "Verisaterum."
The Dark Lord's face relaxed. "And that would be effective?"
"More effective than the Cruciartis Curse, my lord." The Darl Lord nodded, and Snape moved forward. He forced my head back, pouring the liquid down my throat. I squeezed my eyes shut, tears streaming, sobs racking my body. They would make me tell them, they would know-
"Do you recall the night last week at Malfoy Manor, in which you helped Harry Potter escape?"
"N-no."
"Do you recall being in a dreamlike state, being unaware of your surroundings, or not being in control of your own movements?" I waited for the words to spill out of my mouth, but they did not. The truth was that I didn't remember anything. Snape nodded incrementally towards me.
"Yuh… yes?"
"Ah." He turned to pace around the room. "It is my suspicion that Mrs. Harcourt was under the Imperius Curse, casted wordlessly by Miss Granger."
"Miss Granger did not have her wand," said Narcissa sternly.
"And do you really believe those Snatchers were capable enough to not let her touch it, not even for a moment?" Snape's black robes whispered upon the floor. "In my term as Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, Miss Granger proved herself to be quite adept at casting wordless spells, and Mrs. Harcourt's actions were so… traitorous… it is impossible to believe they were her own."
"And I suppose you want me to let her live, Severus?" The Dark Lord's voice was pure venom. Snape nodded.
"She is a symbol of our power. She may carry an heir to the throne, to support you. No one shall know if this. No one except the people in this room."
The Dark Lord cast his eyes towards me once more, before uttering one more word. "Crucio."
