Slowly Luna started to come awake. She was disoriented and her vision kept spinning and blurring. Every muscle felt sore on a cold and damp stone floor. The left side of her head throbbed. Blinking, she tried to clear her vision, trying to make sense of all the dark walls.

"Ah, welcome back to the world of the living my dear." A voice, old and fragile, and somehow familiar filled the space in a whisper.

She blinked away before trying to lift herself off the icy ground, which turned to be rather difficult with her hands bound. She felt a hand on her shoulder, which held the same quality as the owners voice, and yet she could also feel its strength.

"Slowly my dear. You've been out for a while. They weren't kind to you when bringing you here."

She definitely recognised that voice and despite his advice, she spun around to confirm herself. Her head didn't like the movement, and yet she still managed to gasp as she saw the blurred figure of Garrick Ollivander, the most wandmaker is Great Britain.

"Mr…. Mr Ollivander?" Her throat was horribly dry and rough and it barely rose above Ollivander's own whispers. But she was understandable nonetheless and she thought she saw a spark in his pale grey eyes at her recognition.

"Yes… I am still here. Don't ask me how." He said softly, with just a sliver of humour lining his voice. He gasped her upper arm to help her sit up. "Come, there's a wall here you can lean on."

They shuffled together until Luna felt her back hit another cold wall. It wasn't nice to lean against, but at least helped her sit up and assess her surroundings. The dark vaulted ceilings came into view. They were in a cellar made dungeon. Ollivander's cold thin fingers started to run along her bond wrists.

"I found a nail, it might take awhile but gets the job done." He whispered hoarsely and got to work, plunging a rusted nail through the rope, back and forth.

Luna wasn't sure how long it took, but eventually she started to feel the rope slacken before falling away completely. Experimentally she wiggled around her fingers, realising that the numb feeling hadn't just be due to the cold. She breathed through the stinging feeling. Ollivander mean while brushed away perspiration away from his brow with a filthy shirt sleeve. It was obvious he was in very bad shape.

"Have you been kept here since last summer?" She asked him and he gave a sorrowful look.

"For the most part yes… I hardly realised it has been so long. Days start to blur you see."

"Why did they take you? What did you do wrong in their eyes?"

"It's nothing I did my dear. I prefer to keep to myself and my family as much as possible. No, it's about what I know."

"What do you know?"

"I would rather not tell you. It's best you don't know. They won't be able to use it against you or torture it out of you."

"I understand. Though I am quite good at handling the cruciatus curse."

Ollivander looked at her in shock.

"Why would a young person such as yourself have dealt with that horrible magic?"

"Harry Potter is one of my best friends." She stated simply, not able to resist the proud grin creeping up her face. But immediately tried to dampen it when Ollivander's face paled even further, resembling ghost far more than man.

"Please… don't mention him… you don't know what they'll do… what he will do…"

"It's why they took me sir. Because I am friends with Harry and because my dad and I support him. But I would like to know who they are? Where are we?"

Ollivander still looked shaken and obviously haunted by what they had done to him. Luna reached over and took a fragile hand in her own.

"Please sit next to me and tell me anything you are comfortable with."

He gave her a weary look but did scoot over next to her, against the wall.

"Sharing information is dangerous these days…" he mumbled softly.

"Yes, but these are dangerous times regardless. I'd rather know what I can to prepare and predict than know nothing at all."

"They have tortured out everything I know I am ashamed to admit."

"No one would hold you in any lesser regard sir. In fact I think you are very strong. You have persevered for more than a year. Not many will be able to claim the same."

"That is very kind of you to say, although I have trouble believing it myself."

"That will come in time."

"Time… I don't know how much time I have left. I hope fate will not be as cruel to you. Such young life, full of dreams and aspirations."

"Surely you have those still?"

"No… nothing…"

"Then I will help you get some dreams back. We have to stay hopeful Mr Ollivander. There's a lot to be hopeful for. Would you like me to tell you some news."

"No! Please! I can't know! The less I know, the better."

"Alright. Then would you like to share some news with me?"

"I am afraid to. It could be deadly."

"Please, I am not afraid. And I think they, whoever they are, will care about us sharing information for now."

He stared at her and she could see the thoughts churning in his mind, like old wheels in a clock. She was quite sure he would decline, which would be alright. She had a feeling they would spend quite some time together. She would try again tomorrow. But then, in a hoarse whisper, Mr Ollivander spoke.

"We are at Malfoy Manor, one of the Death Eaters headquarters."

Now that piqued her interest.

"Malfoy Manor. Draco's home?"

"The son? Yes. He's been here all year. Poor boy. Doesn't look to good either, neither do his parents."

"What do you mean?"

"Well… I never expected to be here of course… but being at a Death Eater Headquarters with… him… I expected them to be proud. They have always been a proud folk."

"Haughty even!" Luna chipped in and the faintest of grins graced Ollivander's face.

"Yes haughty. But instead there is fear, you can feel and smell it. I expected I would be the only one feeling those emotions. Instead this house is full of it."

"That is very interesting. Do they not like having You-Know-Who as a guest?"

Ollivander gave a shiver at the name, the haunted look back in his grey eyes.

"I don't think so. In fact, I don't think they like having any guests at all."

"Honestly fascinating. I thought they would see it as a highest honour."

"Perhaps they did once… but not anymore."

"That might work in our advantage."

"For what my dear?"

"For staying alive!" He gave her a small smile.

"I am glad for your optimism. I am afraid I haven't felt that since I arrived here."

"I understand. But I promise you, there is enough to be hopeful for and I trust we will get through this."

His gnarled hand reached for her and gave it a soft squeeze.

"Thank you. You remind me of my granddaughter. She is also so full of life."

He was going to say something else when there came a loud bang, followed by hurried steps and rattling at the iron gate.

Immediately Ollivander started to shake, a panicked look of fear crossing his gaunt face. Luna looked past him only to recognise the small sniffling man fumbling the key in a silver hand. Peter Pettigrew, the man who betrayed Harry's parents and framed Sirius Black. How interesting that he was here.

"You're finally up. There's a welcoming committee waiting for you miss Lovegood. You're lucky tonight Ollivander, we won't require you." Pettigrew said, disdain clear on his face as he drew closer, his wand clasped tightly in his sleek hand. He obviously felt superior in their presence, a weak Ollivander and teenage girl. If only she had her wand with her. At least she still had her mind. Before he could give an order, Luna braced herself up right, pushing past the blackness surrounding her vision at the sudden exertion. She caught Ollivander's eye and gave him a small smile. He returned it and among the fear, she was proud to see admiration in his gaze.

Pushing her tangled mane out of her face she gave Pettigrew a challenging look.

"Shall we go then?"

It was obvious he hadn't expected that. She wasn't crying nor showed her weakness. This was a mental game and she was always rather good at those.

With a flick of his wand, her hands were shackled together with an end for him to pull. He gave a tug.

"Come on." And walked her out of the cellar though his walk was far less confident than it had been coming in. Good.

They ascended steps until they reached a large foyer. Black and white marble slabs covered the floor with more tiles adding decoration. The ceiling were tall with magnificent chandeliers and dark panelling framed the space. And yet for all the splendour it felt cold, empty and grey. Nothing like the luxury she had expected from the Malfoy Estate.

She was dragged to another room, surprised to enter a fancy dining room with long dark wooden table and large fireplace. Several people dressed in black robes sat at the table along with the Malfoy family. As Ollivander had said, neither Lucius nor Narcissa Malfoy held their usual proud or haughty exterior. Luna hardly recognised Draco Malfoy, who stared at her in shock with large silver eyes. He looked both too old and too young all at once.

"Hello Draco. Good to see you again!" She quipped into the space. Everyone stared at her in stoney silence before turning to Draco who gaped.

"Draco? Why is this blood traitor addressing you?" A high voice said and Luna saw Bellatrix Lestrange entering the dining room from another door. She was the only one who seemed genuinely content, a happiness radiating off her as she sauntered over to her nephew, her wand twirling in her mass of black curls. Yet her deep set dark eyes fixed on Luna. She supposed to ought to feel fear. This woman was a maniac. You-Know-Who's right hand and a killer. She had tortured Neville's parents into insanity. Knowing that, Luna only felt a deep seated hatred towards the witch, and that was an emotion she didn't feel often.

"I… I don't know…" Draco gave a stammer, he too still staring at her in shock. And there was something else Luna thought she saw. Was it a plea? Was he afraid… for her?

"The… ah.. prisoner is awake…" Pettigrew mumbled stupidly behind her.

"Yes, we can see that. Take her to the tea room. We are going to have a lovely chat about your father and you are going to tell me all about where Potter is."

"Oh I don't know where Harry is. Glad to hear you don't either." Luna retorted breezily, even managing to give Bellatrix a smile.

Bellatrix's face instantly contorted in rage and with flick of her wand, Luna felt an invisible hand strike her core, making her fly backwards and hitting a wall. She gritted her teeth together not to groan in pain. As she opened her eyes, Bellatrix was hovering above her slumped frame.

"We will see about that!" The witch shrieked and grabbed a handful of her long hair, yanking her up. This time she couldn't stop the yelp of pain.

"Exactly, it will be a wonderful conversation." Bellatrix said as if in response, and vanished the shackles. "We won't be needing those. Unlike you, Wormtail, I can control my prisoners."

And with some more yanks, she dragged Luna away from the room, though not before Luna was able to give Draco a final smile. Maybe he could tell her if Blaise was alright.

The tea room would in ordinary circumstances been very lovely. But now here too everything seemed drab. There was broken furniture strewn around as if a fight had taken place not too long ago. There was even some blood on the carpet. Maybe that was why Narcissa Malfoy looked so unhappy. Her whole interior seemed destroyed, and Luna always got the impression Narcissa Malfoy loved beautiful things. Nothing in here was truly that anymore.

As soon as the door was shut behind them, Bellatrix started her assault, firing curse after curse while drowned her in questions. Where was Harry? Where were his friends? What was her father thinking? Did he think he could continue his writing? Where was he hiding Harry? She even asked about the whereabouts of some of her other friends that had gone into hiding. Luna tried to fix her mind as she had done during the interrogation after Bill and Fleur's wedding. It helped to distract her from some of the pain.

"Crucio!" Bellatrix cried again and she tried to push past the awful stabbing pain. She didn't want to think about how long she had cursed Neville's parents for them to loose their minds.

"Come on, speak silly girl! You thought you could address my nephew, you filthy blood traitor! You can speak to me now. Where is Potter?"

"I… don't… know…"

"Why? Did he not think you important enough?"

That somehow gave Luna pause. It had driven Ginny mad that Harry, Ron and Hermione hadn't shared their whereabouts with them. They had said nothing to anyone. Not even to Remus when he had visited them in Grimmauld Place. No, it had nothing to do with importance. But it was their mission, and in a way, this would keep the rest of them safe. From what though? It had to do with You-Know-Who's defeat. That's why there as a small group of people who knew. More people would lead to danger and exposure, even unwillingly.

Knowledge! Harry's mission was about knowledge he had. Perhaps the very reason why they had been torturing poor Mr. Ollivander for the past year. The reason why they were torturing her now. Had her father known something, perhaps even accidentally?

She barely felt the curse hitting her, so lost in thought. She had ended up on the floor, staring dazedly at a blood stain. Was she bleeding? Coming back to her surroundings, she also felt exhaustion blanket her body.

"Well shall we try again?" Bellatrix hissed and once again yanked her hair, lifting Luna's head from the ground. "Get up stupid girl."

Suddenly the door open and Draco appeared. Her vision was hazy, and Luna was sure that she was bleeding, feeling something trickle down her face. There was someone behind Draco although she couldn't make out who it was.

"Aunt Bella…" Draco started but his aunt screeched in fury.

"What did I tell you about disturbing me Draco?" He gave a small flinch before schooling his features in a near bored expression. His eyes lazily tracked over Luna before he looked back at Bellatrix.

"They have arrived. He is on his way."

Instantly Bellatrix's form changed.

"Well then, quickly, get her back downstairs. Find Wormtail and take Nott with you. We don't need gawkers."

She ripped her hand and long nails out of Luna's hair, taking several strands with her. Luna gritted her teeth against the sharp pain, before her head was pushed back to the ground.

"We will have another chat soon." Bellatrix drawled before whirling out of the room.

Luna lay on the carpet, taking the short moment of silence to gather herself and test her limps. She could still move, nothing appeared to be broken. And she was alive, which not everyone could say after an encounter with Bellatrix Lestrange.

"Stay here, I'll get Wormtail." She heard Malfoy say and his shoes rang through on the marble floor outside.

All was silent until she suddenly felt a hand on her shoulder, and nearly jumped out of her skin.

"It's okay. Can you turn around and get up Lovegood?" Nott's voice was soft yet hurried.

She gave a nod and bit back a groan as she turned herself on to her back, Nott helping her. Quickly he supported her to sit up. She blinked as her vision blurred. She heard him curse softly.

"You look like shit. Here, quickly before they get back… Episkey!"

There was a tugging sensation on her scalp. So that was where the blood must have been coming from.

"Can't clean you up, they'll see. But Merlin Lovegood… what the hell? Did they take you here?"

She could only nod at him, now able to fully look at him. Everyone seemed far older for some reason. Nott always held a boyish charm with his hazel eyes and brown curls. But everything seemed dull, his eyes serious.

"How long have you been here?"

"I… I don't know…"

"Guessing this whole time then. Merlin…"

"Is he okay?"

She couldn't stop the question and Nott looked at her silently. She was sure he could see the desperation in her eyes. Then footsteps were back, coming quickly.

"Yes." He breathed before taking several steps back and stood perfectly stil as Draco and Pettigrew entered the room.

If Draco was surprised seeing her sitting up, he didn't mention it but looked on bored as Pettigrew shuffled over and started to manoeuvre her back to the dungeon. She decided not to give Nott another look, more for his sake than her own, especially if You-Know-Who was going to be here.

As she descended back down the cold damp steps, everything was running through her mind, waiting to be reflected on. She had learned a lot of useful things that could help her later on. But for now she was content knowing that Blaise was ok and from Bellatrix's interrogation, so it seemed were the rest of her friends. That gave her hope.

The gloom around Hogwarts seemed to have only increased during the Christmas break. Not that the Christmas break had been anything to look forward to. All the happiness and festivities seemed to have been sucked from the world. Which, Theodore Nott, assumed was probably true will all of the Dementors around. The feast at Malfoy Manor had been the only special event, which his father had been ridiculously excited for. Nott wished he could have skipped the whole damned thing. He now understood his classmate Draco's decline. Having spent one evening in the presences of the Dark Lord was fear inducing enough, especially after you've been helping prisoners.

That was another image Nott couldn't get out of his head. Luna Lovegood, bloodied and limp on the carpet floor. For one horrified second he has thought she was dead. He didn't know how he would have processed that. Of course he knew people died, even his fellow Hogwarts students. The papers might not mention it, but he heard enough around him to know. But knowing and actually seeing it, were two completely different things. And despite the fact he had warned Blaise about his relationship with the girl, she didn't deserve this. And so he has helped her up, healing the cut in her head. He had hoped that had his and Blaise's positions been switched, Blaise would have done the same.

Nott rounded the corner in one of the castle towers and found the man he was looking for, Blaise Zabini. He sat by the window, gloom and sadness seeping from him as he looked over the school grounds. His dark skin had gotten a grey tint, his eyes dull and like seemingly everyone, his face had turned gaunt. After they took Lovegood on the train, Zabini had slipped awa

y into the dark corners of his mind. He appeared to care about nothing at all. Nott had tried his best to keep the Carrow's from coming after him with his dismissive attitude towards them. Nott had even had brief conversations with Magdalena Zabini. The young girl eyes seemed to follow her older brother everywhere, watching him, assessing if he was okay. He was very obviously not okay.

Nott knew he had to do something. There was no way he was going to let his only friend suffer and become a target. There wasn't much Nott felt strongly about except loyalty among friends and family. Without taking care of your own, you were nothing.

Zabini didn't greet him as he sat down opposite him by the window. Merlin, it all was bloody cold here. The only way Nott knew that his friend was aware he was there was the movement of his long legs to give Nott some more room.

"Thanks mate." He mumbled, still trying ti get used to this new way of communication. He took a deep breath, still unsure how best to share his news, but figured there wasn't going to be a good way so he decided to start with the most important.

"I saw her. She's alive."

His words seemed to travel the small space between them, slowly entering his friend and Nott could practically see the gears in his mind try the grasp what he had said. And then Blaise's face snapped towards him, a look of utter desperation in his eyes that Nott in any other circumstance would have found pathetic.

"She's alive…?" Zabini's deep voice was rough and hoarse.

"Yes."

"How…? How do you know?"

"I saw her."

"Where?"

"I can't tell you that mate."

Anger flared in his friend's face.

"Where Nott?" He gritted out and Nott was surprised to see him gripping his wand threateningly. He needed to calm him.

"It's safer for her if you don't know, trust me."

Once again silence settled as Zabini processed his words and Nott was relieved to see his wand lowering. His friend ran a hand through his cropped hair, sighing as some of the cold tension felt his body. He stared out of the window again, questions obviously whirling through his mind. Finally he seemed to settle on one.

"Is she okay?"

Nott couldn't stop the smile on his face as his friend repeated her exact words. He shrugged his shoulders in response.

"Most wouldn't be but she's Lovegood, so she'll be okay."

A tiny proud smile lifted Zabini's face.

"Yeah, she will be."

Maybe it was Nott's imagination, but it seemed as if some of the depressing fog around them had lifted.