In spite of all the danger
In spite of all that may be
I'll do anything for you
Anything you want me to
"Everything okay dear?" Narcissa asked, eying Chloe as she and Draco came in.
"For the time being" She replied, exchanging a brief look with Draco "We need to talk, the three of us. Will you join me, please?"
Narcissa and Draco sat down next to her, as she sat by the trunk and proceeded to hide the cloaks at the very bottom again.
"We are going to escape" Draco began, his voice barely audible "We need to agree on a plan, and soon"
"Perhaps we could wait hidden under the cloak, for the next time someone comes to see us. Once they find the cell empty, they will come in to investigate and we can run out…." Chloe offered.
"Wouldn't they cast a spell and find that we are still here?" Narcissa asked.
"The cloak will protect us from that… from what I understand it can protect us from spells but interestingly not the eyes of animals. Harry was always convinced Mrs. Norris could see right through it"
"I highly doubt we have to worry about animals" Narcissa said.
"The problem is, how will we know anyone is coming?"
"That, I don't really know" Chloe said "Maybe we can…."
"Chloe, come with me. Now" Someone said.
They turned around, all trying to look above suspicion, and saw Jasper looking at them from the outside. With his wand, he opened the door and motioned for her to come out.
"I'll see in a few" She whispered, getting up and heading towards Jasper "Where are we going?" She asked, as they headed out of the dungeons.
"You haven't eaten the whole day. I'm bringing you up to make sure you do. I thought we had taken care of this already" He answered, sounding frustrated.
"I've had a rough day"
"And why is that?"
"Oh, I don't know Jasper" She said, suddenly losing her patience. She had stopped walking and was now facing him angrily, with both hands on her hips "I have been kidnapped along with Draco and Narcissa, and I've been heled here for weeks now. I miss my family and Harry terribly and all my loved ones are out there worried about me. I've been tortured, I've watched my best friend be killed by YOU, Draco and I are still hurting from last nights events and I was almost assaulted by Edward, just a few hours ago. And then there is the fact the Malfoy's and I might not make it out of here alive. That's why"
"Bloody hell, Chloe" He said, blinking rapidly at her "Next time you might want to try breathing between some of those words"
"Just take me to wherever the food is so we can be done with it"
She followed him to the same room he brought her to before, where a tray of food was already waiting. They sat down and she immediately began to eat, even without her appetite; she was more than ready to be far away from him.
"Would you be interested in knowing that your boyfriend finally knows I'm not who they thought I was? The Ministry has been to my apartment and now they are trying to find me"
"Fantastic" She replied, sarcastically.
"You really are in an awful mood today, aren't you?"
"Isn't it late? Shouldn't you be asleep or something?"
"It is past midnight, and yes I should but the Master wanted you to eat first"
A knock on the door saved her from having to say anything. A wizard she didn't recognize stuck his head in and, acting as if she wasn't there at all, addressed Jasper.
"You are needed, come out for a minute"
They left the room, closing the door loudly. She had expected to be left in silence, but she could actually hear voices coming from the hallway. Very carefully, she tiptoed to the door and pressed her ear against it. To her surprise, she could clearly hear what Jasper and some others were saying.
"No, the Master will no longer wait" One of them said "He wants the Malfoy kid to prove himself or die"
"He will not harm Chloe" Jasper said, matter of factly "He already made that very clear"
"Then he will die" Another man said, sounding far too happy.
"When?" Jasper asked.
"Edward and Henry will come for him first thing in the morning. The Master will want you to comfort her. And I'm sure you will find the best of ways, if you know what I mean"
The two men laughed. There was a brief moment of silence, followed by a body being slammed against the door. Chloe took several steps back.
"Mind your own bloody business, Anthony" Jasper said heatedly "And shut your bloody mouth"
Anthony growled in response and the other man cursed at Jasper.
"I'll take her back down when she is done eating and I'll join everyone for preparations afterwards" Jasper said, still sounding upset "Stay out of my way"
By the time he walked back in, half of her food was gone. She hadn't eaten, she had no stomach for it, but she had managed to throw the food under the bed right before he came in.
"Did you hear any of it?"
"I heard something or someone pushed against the door. What was that about?"
"That is all?" He asked, sounding suspicious.
"Yes Jasper, what is going on?"
He looked into her eyes for several seconds before apparently deciding she was telling the truth.
"Nothing, just finish eating and don't skip any more meals" He commanded.
After she was done, he walked her back down in an uncomfortable silence and she gladly went in after he unlocked the door. As soon as Chloe was satisfied he was gone, she approached Draco and Narcissa.
"We are getting out of here tomorrow morning" She began "They are coming for you Draco"
"What?"
She told them what she had heard and Narcissa instantly became pale. Draco helped her sit down, all the while focused on Chloe.
"We don't know exactly what time they are coming. We should get under the cloak soon and stay like that"
"And then what?" Narcissa asked.
"We need wands Draco; we need to attack Henry and Edward when they come in and steal theirs"
"Are you insane? How are we supposed to attack them?"
"They will likely come in when they realize the cell is empty, we can hit them from behind"
"Hit them with what, Chloe?"
"These" Narcissa said, coming back from the area by the loo with three of the water goblets left to them at all times "These are made of solid gold, should suffice"
"Brilliant" Chloe said, as Draco stared at his mother in astonishment "You two should sleep for a bit, we will need our strength for this"
"No" Draco said "You and mother sleep"
"There is no possible way I will sleep Draco"
"Neither will I" Narcissa added.
"So, we just wait?" Draco asked.
"We get under the cloak, and then yes, we wait" Chloe replied.
Harry couldn't sleep, no matter how hard he tried. He even considered taking a potion, but changed his mind almost immediately. He was meeting with Ron and Hermione, at her office, first thing in the morning before the work day at the Ministry began. It was the perfect cover, a safe place to talk, and they would have lots of time to brainstorm before Ron and Harry had to leave for the Auror's Department.
They were finally going to do something substantial, something that could really lead them to Chloe. He was eager to get started, but the hours dragged by. It was going to be a very long night.
They couldn't really tell the time, and after a while decided the safest thing to do would be to hide under the cloak. They sat together by the wall, uncomfortably close to each other, facing the door in agonizing anticipation. The hours dragged, and Narcissa eventually gave in to sleep. Chloe and Draco talked on and off, whispering quietly so not to disturb her but even so, time still hauled.
Narcissa woke up when the goblet she was holding fell from her hand with a loud crash. From then on, she sat holding it tightly, watching the door with careful eyes. Eventually their limbs grew sore, so they stood up. When they could wait no longer, they took turns running to the loo. Chloe was the last one, making her way back just in time. Steps echoed down the hallway as Draco handed her back the goblet. As the steps drew closer, they all tensed, exchanging quick looks of assurance.
"Waaaake up everyone! Today is a very special day" Henry said cheerfully.
"Come on now" Edward said "Get out from under those blankets"
They waited a few seconds, but Edward grew impatient and used his wand to pull the blankets back.
"What? Where are they?"
"Loo?" Henry offered.
"Let's check"
Edward casted a nonverbal spell, and then his expression grew somber.
"That is not possible" He said, opening the door and stepping in. Henry followed right behind.
"Why are they not here? Where in the bloody hell are they?" Edward asked.
They passed them on their way to the loo, looking extremely worried.
"NOW" Draco said.
Narcissa held on to the cloak as Chloe and Draco rushed towards the two men. Before they could see them, Draco and Chloe hit them on the head with the goblets. Chloe and Henry fell to the floor and immediately began a struggle for his wand. Edward fell down and didn't move again, so Draco grabbed his wand and stupefied him. Henry was on top of Chloe by now, so he grabbed him by the collar, threw him aside and stupefied him. Chloe grabbed his wand and stood up.
"Quickly now, let's cast a disillusionment charm and hide them in the loo" She said.
Mother kept watch, under the cloak, as they worked. Then they joined her, locked the door behind them and headed out. Draco took the lead, knowing the place better than the two women. They made it all the way up to the second floor, slowly, trying to avoid making noises or running into someone. Even though they had practice some around the cell, moving around under the cloak proved to be harder than they had anticipated. Luckily, they made it undetected and headed towards the room Draco suspected was Alastair's office.
Chloe and Draco had had time to discuss this while his mother slept, and agreed that the best way to scape would be from Alastair's fireplace, the only one in the property they could be sure was connected to the floo network. They were a few short steps away when someone came rushing by. They flattened against the wall, missing being hit by the man by inches. The man entered the same place they were heading towards, and seconds later Isla came out, followed by Alastair and the man.
"How can they not be there?" Isla was saying "My sons and our prisoners are missing?"
"Alert everyone" Alastair ordered "I want this place searched from top to bottom, and I want the fireplace on the main floor guarded. No one uses the floo network without my permission"
They waited several minutes after the noise died out before finding an empty room and getting in.
"Only the main floor fireplace is connected to the floo network?" Narcissa said, arching an eyebrow.
"Seems like it. We need to get out of here and alert the Ministry" Chloe said.
"You heard him" Narcissa said "They will guard the fireplace; we will never get out"
"I have a plan" Chloe said "Let's move"
"Care to tell us what it is?" Draco asked.
"We don't have the time, just follow me. When I give the signal, get to the fireplace and don't stop"
"Can we travel by floo under the cloak?" Draco asked.
"I don't know… let's not risk it. Take it off when we get to the fireplace"
They left, walking a little faster than before but still being careful. The stairs proved to be a challenge, yet again, and by the time they made it to the main floor, five masked people were guarding the fireplace in the massive front room. They hid behind the sofa, taking what it felt like forever to lower themselves behind it without the cloak slipping off.
"Run for the fireplace and go straight to the Ministry" Chloe whispered in his ear.
"What is your plan?" He asked again.
"Just trust me" She replied.
With one final look at them, Chloe got out from under the cloak and stood up.
"OI" She said "I'm right here, come and get me"
Using Henry's wand, she stupefied one of the wizards before turning around and running. The sounds of steps, yells and spells soon filled the air as Chloe ran out followed by everyone present. Draco was too stunned at what she had done and for a minute he didn't move. Then he became infuriated as well, why did Gryffindor's always need to show off their bravery?! He thought, thinking back at a conversation he had with Chloe once, when she told him the Sorting Hat had briefly considered Gryffindor for her, and how she didn't quite understand why. Yet, now was not the time. He knew he needed to help her, but he also had to make sure help would come. Making a choice, he turned to his mother.
"Can you make it from here?" He asked, urgency in his voice.
"Yes Draco, but you are coming as well"
"No, I'm going back for Chloe"
"You can't, you will both die"
"Mother, can you make it?"
"Yes, but…"
"Then GO" He said, getting out from under the invisibility cloak as well "Put the cloak back on when you get to the Ministry, we don't know who to trust in there. Go directly to Potter or one of his best friends and tell them everything. And here, take this"
He trusted her silver sickle into her hands, before turning and running out in search of Chloe. He followed the sounds to the bottom of the stairs that lead to the dungeons and continued to walk down the hallways. The noises had stopped, and he walked without a clear path until he heard voices again, so he stopped and listened.
"Where are they?" I voice he recognized as Alastair's asked, and then silence.
Alastair asked the question two more times and still no answer. Carefully, Draco turned the corner and took in the scene. Alastair had his back to him and across from Alastair was Chloe, her eyes moving up and down as she looked between Alastair's wand and his face.
"Where are Narcissa and Draco?" He asked again.
Chloe didn't answer, but the expression on her face conveyed a clear message: Narcissa and Draco were gone, she would never betray us and there was nothing Alastair could do about it. He groaned in frustration and Chloe sneered at him.
"Crucio" He said and Chloe fell to the floor convulsing, her screams echoing in the enclosed space.
Draco, forgetting he was holding a wand, ran towards them and was a step away from Alastair when he heard him. He turned around but before he could even register who it was, Draco punched him in the face. He fell, his head hitting the stone floors with a loud thud that echoed in a dreadful way in the now silent corridor. Draco reached for his wand and quickly stepped away as a pool of blood was easing its way from underneath Alastair's head, and headed for Chloe. She was conscious, her eyes attentively watching him, but she hadn't moved.
"Are you ok?" He asked, stunned by the panic in his voice.
"What are you doing here Draco?" She asked weakly "You and your mother should have escaped!"
"Mother is gone, I came back for you"
"You should have gone with her" She said stubbornly, though she was faintly smiling.
"I couldn't leave you behind" He said, offering his arm so she could stand up.
"Thank you for coming back" She said, taking it.
Harry and Ron made their way to the auror's department and found Liam escorting Mr. Ollivanders to the meeting room. Ron offered to go find out what was going on and when he came to meet Harry at his desk, Harry had already poured them tea. Ron thanked him and sat down.
"Mr. Ollivanders has been threatened for a couple of weeks now, but earlier this morning his shop was attacked" Ron began "He barely managed to escape. Liam said the Minister has personally promised to place Ollivanders under Ministry protection for the time being"
"I wonder how much more he can take. Two wars, and now this" Harry observed, staring past Ron at the closed meeting room door.
"He looked frail mate; I don't know that he will…."
Ron was suddenly interrupted by Narcissa Malfoy materializing in front of them.
"Bloody hell" He said.
"Potter, you need to listen to me. Draco and Chloe helped me escape; we need to go back for them, immediately"
"You were with Chloe?" Harry asked once he found his voice, heart beating fast.
"Yes, we were all being held at the Malfoy's Winter State. We need to go back for them"
"We need to alert the Department" Harry began, and Ron left them with a nod "We need to put an operation together. How many were there?"
"I don't know, several. Bring as many as the Ministry can spare"
"Why the Malfoy State?"
"My husband… he is involved" She said, bitterly. Harry nodded, not surprised.
"Why are Draco and Chloe not here with you? And is that my cloak?" Harry asked, realizing for the very first time he hadn't even thought about it in weeks.
"Yes" She said, handing the cloak to him "They stayed behind, Chloe made herself a distraction so Draco and I could leave, but my son went back for her"
"Where would they go from there Mrs. Malfoy? They might be gone before we can get to them" He said, a knot forming in his throat.
From the corner of his eyes, he could see several people making their way towards them, led by Ron.
"Draco gave me this" She answered, showing him a sickle "He said Chloe has one as well and they can communicate through it"
Harry took the coin from her with shaky hands just as the group caught up with them. He knew where Chloe was, and that she was alive. Using the sickle, he wrote her a simple sentence:
I'm coming for you Chloe - H.