Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter; JK Rowling does. But I do own any characters I made and the story plot.

Chapter 3: The Destruction of Hope

Drip. Drop. Drip. Drop.

Lily focused on the water droplets, thinking about the large puddle they must be forming on the other side of the room. She shivered as she let out a shaky breath; she could see her breath floating in the air like a white mist. The cold, stale air pulled and scratched at Lily's nose as she inhaled once more. Lily hugged her knees tighter to her body, but her worn jeans did little to fight off the cold that seeped through the thin, old mattress she sat on.

She stared in to the oblivion for it was still too dark to see the other side of the room. She could barely see her knees as she rested her chin a top of them. The only source of light was from the candles that shone through the caged door at the top of the stairs. Her quiet misery was cut short.

"Where are they hiding?"

The scream was harsh and violent. The voice echoed through the walls and surrounded Lily. She grew tense at hearing her voice. It was the voice that had haunted her dreams in this cold, stone walls.

"I don't k-know. I was…was alone-ne…" Another voice cried. It was quieter and filled with sorrow.

"You lie… I want to know where they are hiding!"

"Please, I don't know. I was alone…" the voice broke into sobs. "I was alone."

"Crusio."

Lily pulled her damped and thin cloak tighter around her as she listened to the prisoner scream. Laughter filled the air next. It was a horrible symphony as the sobs and fanatical laughter mix together. It had been like this every day for the past five days. They always came in groups of three. And she was always with them. Lily could usually see their outline through the caged door but the light was so poor down here she could never make out their faces from each other. The symphony upstairs crescendo in to silence; Lily held her breath, waiting for what was next. The door moaned in protest as they pushed it open.

This time their faces were illuminated completely with the light coming from their wands as they walked in. She had seen the blonde who stood to the right before; he had brought Lily her daily meals which had consisted of stale water, bread crust, and dried meat. The young, dark haired man was new. His face was darker compared to the blonde man. He glanced around the room taking in the living conditions but never once looking at Lily. And then there was her; she stood in between the two of them. Her long black hair fell around her face. Her pale skin looked even whiter in her black, skimpy robes. She smiled down at Lily, revealing her yellow and crooked teeth.

"Why if it isn't my new pet?" She giggled. The dark woman pushed passed the blonde man making him stumble back as he finished opening the cell door. She walked farther into the room and towards the young prisoner, stopping when her black heeled-shoes were standing on the edge of Lily's cloak. She bent down towards Lily; her hand reaching out towards her.

"Are you ready to play today, pet?" She asked; the smile on her face grew bigger. The smile made her face grow strained with wrinkles giving a hint to the insanity that lay in her eyes. Her fingers gently brushed Lily's scarlet locks back. Lily jerked her head away from her. The smile dropped.

"Maybe someone didn't learn their lesson last time." She growled; standing up, she pulled her wand up and pointed it at Lily. The latter closed her eyes and silently waited for the pain.

"Malfoy would be greatly upset with you Parkinson," a voice spoke breaking the silence. Lily peeked out between her eyelashes at the two people above her. The dark haired man had stepped closer to the woman. His face was calm and relaxed, but his fingers were wrapped tightly around Parkinson's wrist.

"If you damaged his…" He glanced down at Lily. His eyes roamed over her feet and up her body, "his present." Parkinson glanced down at Lily as well. Her eyes were burning with hatred.

"Very well," Parkinson snapped at the dark haired man and turned to the other one in the room "Goyle," Parkinson motioned the blonde man to move towards Lily. "And be careful, we wouldn't want Malfoy's precious present destroyed now would we?" She leered down at Lily, spitting out her words before she walked out of the room.

"Get up," Goyle grunted; he pulled his wand up and pointed it at the wall. A rusted chain was bolted to the wall. He flicked at it absentmindedly, watching Lily. However, she was watching the chain. Link by link, it faded until it disappeared completely. The chain slowly began to disappear, snaking closer and closer to Lily until it was under her cloak; she could feel the heavy chain around her ankle disappear.

"I said get up, you sniveling worm." He walked over to her and grabbed her by her hair and pulled her up. She gave out a startled cry as she pulled her up onto her knees.

"Goyle, I suggest you let go of her."

"Or what Nott?" Goyle sneered but released her hair. He glared at the man he called Nott. A slow and small smile grew over his ugly, dirty face. "Going to go tell Daddy?"

Nott stood there staring at Goyle; his face remained an unreadable conundrum. Walking past Goyle, he reached down and grabbed Lily by her arms. He was gentle as he pulled her up and on to her feet. Lily moaned softly when his hands began to grip her too tight. He pulled his hands away from her arms and wrapped her cloak more tightly around her; he never once looked at Lily in the face as he helped her.

Turning to Goyle, he motioned towards the door. Goyle let out a cold bark.

"No wonder she always went looking for other men. You were too soft on her." Goyle made a rude gesture with his hand. "I bet she liked it rough, didn't she."

Lily watched as Nott's fingers and knuckles grew white as they gripped his wand. The only color in his wand was from the blue veins. She listened to his ragged breathing, as if he was trying to control himself.

"I believe Mister Malfoy wanted his present ready before the ceremony tonight." Nott muttered through gritted teeth. "I don't believe he will be pleased to find out that you are the reason his grandson's present was not properly prepared. Do you?"

"All right, all right," Goyle chuckled as he walked out of the room. Lily could feel his eyes watching her. She looked up at him. He stared down at her; it was the first time he actually was looking at Lily's face. His face was still just as calm as when he had first walked in, but his eyes were dancing with remorse and grief. He motioned towards the door. Lily walked out the door, blinking quickly as she tried to readjust her eyes to the light. Goyle was only feet in front of her. She could see a staircase at the end of the hallway. They walked past five more cells in the hallway. Lily stopped in front of the last cell by the staircase. A limp body laid inside; the still form let out a deep and long moan. She watched; she could feel the tears gathering in her eyes as she stared down at the helpless creature. She was startled when a hand gripped around her wrist and pulled her forward. Goyle leered down at her.

"Do as your master says or that will be you." Goyle chuckled; he pulled Lily closer to him and inhaled deeply. "But then again, you might be great fun for us humble ones if you don't please your new master."

Lily closed her eyes and felt the tears roll down her cheeks. She could only guess what they could want with her. She knew they would have killed her right away if they had no need of her. They didn't deal with hostages. She had learned that lesson at age nine: the day they sent back only a locket of Susan Bones' hair as proof. Death Eaters destroyed what they saw as waste, such as the mudbloods and blood-traitors. She knew after the first two days of imprisonment, they didn't just want her for questioning, but for her to finally come to terms with what she was going to be forced to do sent her off the edge. The tears poured down her face as she let the impact of her future surround her.

Lily stared at the dancing flames in front of her. She was in what she guessed was the kitchen. House Elves were running around. Some were carrying trays of food, some had articles of clothing, and some carried dirty dishes. It reminded Lily of home. The chaos that filled their house every day. The way her family lived.

Please let them be safe.

She glanced at a little House Elf, barely big enough to carry around Lily's shoes. She was dressed in a torn and stained pillow case. She was the only House Elf that had paid any attention to Lily since Nott and Goyle had brought her in. The House Elf peeked out at Lily over a pile of dirty sheets. The innocent act reminded Lily of Dobby. The stories her father had told her growing up of the House Elf that had saved his life had always been her favorite. She had named one of her kittens after the Elf.

James had hated the kitten. He said that the cat was always too curious, and that curiosity could kill you in times like this.

Please James, please, be all right.

She could still vividly recall watching him disappear behind the bush. Lily had come to terms with the fact that that memory might be that last one she would ever have of her brother. Or of anyone in her family.

"Miss…" a soft voice whispered. Lily looked in front of her, the direction of the voice. The small House Elf was standing in front of Lily. Her fingers were grasped together as she looked up at Lily, no longer holding the dirty sheets. She gave Lily a small, timid smile. Lily waited patiently for her to continue.

"Pippa sent to help Miss to get ready for the ceremony."

"You have an hour before she is needed." And just like that Nott and Goyle left without another sound. Pippa, the House Elf, turned around and began walking towards a door. Lily standing up on shaky legs followed her. The House Elves would sneak glances at her and Pippa as they walked by. Pippa stood up on her tip-toes and opened the door knob with both hands. She put both of her hands against the door and pushed it open. It opened up to a dark hallway with doors along the length of the hall and a staircase immediately to Lily's right.

"This way Miss."

Pippa began the trek up the staircase. The little House Elf seemed to be pushing herself hard to remain ahead of Lily on the staircase. Her tiny legs and other extremities gave hints to her young age. Just as Lily was going to suggest that they could slow down, they stopped and entered a hallway. Pippa looked back and forth quickly, nervously. It reminded of Lily of a different time.

"Lily take my hand."

The small girl took her eyes off the cars and ran the last four steps to the woman; she gripped the outstretched hand that was waiting for her.

"Where are we going?" The little head continued to turn back and forth, looking around, taking in all the noise and movement of the small muggle town they were in.

"Remember, sweetie, we have to get some supplies for the new house. This one is bigger for everyone." The older woman stopped with a small smile on her face she tucked Lily's hair behind her ear. "It is will also be safer." Lily stopped and reached up her arms towards the older woman. The latter bent down and placed the small five year old on her hip and placed a kiss on her cheek.

"Mommy, are we safe from the bad men now in our new house?"

The small smile slipped from Ginny's face; she tightened her arms around Lily, ignoring the muggles who also ignored them as they walked from shop to shop.

"You know Daddy won't let those bad men get you. He does everything he can to keep you, and Albus, James, and Teddy saf-"

"And you." Lily said, cutting her mother off. Lily's sweet innocence brought the smile back to Ginny's face.

"That's right sweetie, me too." Ginny titled her head to nuzzle her nose against Lily, making the little girl laugh. Ginny continued when the little girl had settled down, "And he tries to keep everyone much safer every day. That is why we are getting the new house. To keep more people safe."

"Mommy, can we have some ice cream?" Lily asked, pointing across the street towards the small shop. Ginny let out a small laugh at her daughter's short attention span. She let the little girl slide down until her two feet were on the ground, but kept one of her hands in her own.

"Yes, we can sweetie, but first you have to learn how to cross the street."

Pippa pulled Lily out of her stupor and towards the closest door of the only four in the hallway. Lily followed becoming slightly alarmed of where she was possible headed. This was the most she had seen of the building while she had been here. She had been under the impression that it was an old, deserted building by the state of where Lily had been the last few days. However, she was soon learning that was not the case. The staircase had been plain and ordinary, but this hallway showed great majesty and wealth in its cold and dark demeanor. Pippa snapped her fingers and the door opened wide enough to let the two in. The House Elf continued through the room headed for the next door as Lily quickly glanced around the large room that contained a well-kept fire with a sitting area.

"In here, Miss."

Lily followed Pippa's voice into the next room. A bedroom. The far wall was covered completely in floor to ceiling windows. The only light in the room came from the low embers in the fireplace, the setting sun, and the door to Lily's right. The sound of rushing water welcomed Lily as she walked through the door in to a bathroom. Pippa was running back and forth, filling the tub with soaps and perfumes.

"Miss can get undressed over here." Pippa spoke, pointing over at a screen in the corner. Lily walked over to the screen and peeked behind it. Nothing was hidden or waiting behind it. Stepping around, Lily began pulling away the icy and grimy clothes she still wore. As she took off her shirt, she felt a rush of sadness and anger over the memory of losing her necklace. It had been the second thing taken from her after her wand. Her jeans clung to her skin as she tugged them off.

"The bath is ready, Miss." Pippa announced. Lily peeked out behind the screen and scanned the room. She and Pippa were the only ones in there. Covering herself with her hands, she ran over to the tub in the middle of the room on a raised platform and climbed in; the tub made Lily feel like she was in a small pool that was built into the ground. Using her hands, Lily ran the water over her shoulders and face, trying to get warm. Pippa ran around the room, grabbing more bottles of soap or gathering clothing into a pile by the dressing screen as Lily began to relax in the warm water.

"Pippa," Lily spoke, talking to the House Elf for the first time.

"Yes, Miss," Pippa replied. She ran over to tub, grabbed a bottle, and poured it in the tub.

"May I ask you a question?"

"What would you like to know, Miss?" Pippa questioned. She levitated a pitcher over Lily's head and poured it gently over her hair.

"What is the ceremony for?" Lily inquired. Pippa's actions stilled; her eyes grew wide with fear. The empty pitcher remained over Lily's head as Pippa slowly recovered.

"The ceremony-" Pippa squeaked; she glanced down at her shaking hands. Lily lifted her hand out of the water and placed her hand on top of Pippa's, steadying them.

"Thank-k you-u, Miss…" Pippa whispered. She glanced around the room, even though they were the only two inside. "The ceremony is to honor the- the…He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named."

Lily felt her insides grow cold. Her stomach began to dance wildly in her abdomen. Butterflies flew up and down in her throat. And yet oddly, she felt the need to protect Pippa, and not herself.

"H-he will be here t-tonight?"

"No, Miss, No," Pippa replied, shaking her head. Lily felt herself breath again, but her heart continued to beat wildly. "He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named never shows up for the small ceremonies. Master Malfoy will be giving Young Master Malfoy a present tonight in honor of all the accomplishments he has performed for the…" She looked around the room once more and then back at Lily. She leaned up on her tip-toes and whispered in her ear, "the Death Eaters." Pippa began adding more soaps to the tub and busying herself with Lily's hair.

"Pippa," Lily whispered.

"Yes Miss," Pippa replied as she combed through Lily's long hair.

"Am I the present?"

Lily could tell her answer by the prolong silence, but her heart still fluttered dramatically when Pippa whispered a gentle yes. She felt herself become sicker with the confirmation of what she had been trying to deny since she had been pulled out of her cell.

Knock. Knock.

Lily glanced at the door to see another House Elf walk in. This one was taller and bigger than Pippa was. He also wore a pillow case, but he wore a sock on his left foot. It was purple and looked quite new. He carried a black material in his hands. Pippa looked shocked when the House Elf entered the room.

"Patch must leave now. Patch must not see Miss in tub. Patch must leave." Pippa cried. She ran towards the House Elf and began pushing him towards the door.

"Hush Pippa," he ordered. Pippa looked ashamed as she stepped back; her head hanging down and her hands behind her back. He walked over to the screen and placed the black material behind it. He walked back towards the door and stopped to give Pippa an order.

"Master Malfoy wants her ready in thirty minutes. I won't cover for you again." He walked out of the door, leaving a very embarrassed and sad House Elf behind. Pippa walked over to the tub and picked up a towel. She held it up for Lily.

Lily felt sad to be stepping out of the warm tub. It was the first time in five days she felt like a human, and she didn't want to let it go so soon. She stood up and wrapped the towel around herself. She walked over the screen and reached for the black material that the House Elf, Patch, had left. She pulled the black dress on. It was tight and very revealing. It was a strapless gown that clung around her chest. It flowed down to sway around her legs, ending at her ankles.

Lily walked out behind the screen and sat down in the chair in front of the mirror where Pippa stood waiting to do Lily's hair and make-up. Lily couldn't stand to look at her reflection. Her face was pale and thin. Eating nothing but bread crust had not been enough these past few days. Her collar bones stood out, and her shoulders protrude. She had been skinny before, but now she looked like a ghost.

"Is Miss ready?" Pippa asked when she was finished. Lily nodded her head, and made her way towards the door in which they entered.

"No, Miss," Pippa spoke gently, grabbing Lily's hand. She led Lily to the other side of the room. Lily had not noticed this door the entire time they had been inside the room. Pippa waved her hand in front of the door and then opened the door open for Lily. "This way is quicker, Miss."

Lily followed Pippa down the dark hallways. She could hear laughter and talking. It grew louder as they walked down the hall. Pippa stopped in front of a door and turned to Lily.

"Is Miss ready for Pippa to open door?"

"Yes," Lily answered. She watched as Pippa grasped the door handle and began to open it. "Thank you, Pippa, for your kindness." Pippa stopped and turned back to Lily; she had tears in her eyes.

"Pippa has never been thanked before Miss." Pippa sniffled as she opened the door. Lily felt herself being sucked into the room as the door opened. It was the biggest room Lily had ever seen in her life. She grew nervous when she noticed all of the people staring at her; she wanted to shrink away into a corner in hide.

"Here she is…" Lily heard a voice call. The crowd parted to reveal the man who had captured Lily. His long, platinum hair was hanging down around his face. He wore vibrant green robes that swayed as he walked towards her. His smile sent shivers down her back. He turned back to the crowd.

"I would like to present the gift to our honored prodigy…" Lucius Malfoy motioned towards the crowd. Lily followed everyone's gaze. She felt her heartbeat grow rapid when she caught his eyes.

Her predator. Her master.

Thanks for reading!