Harry's world was fire and ice.

Pain still lingered in his nerves, echoes of Bellatrix's curse sending sharp jolts through his limbs. He tried to move, but something cold and unyielding pressed against his wrists—chains.

He forced his eyes open.

A dim, flickering light cast eerie shadows against the damp stone walls. The air was thick with the scent of mold and something metallic—blood. His own, most likely. His head throbbed as he tried to focus, but the room swayed as if it were spinning around him.

Panic clawed at his chest.

The last thing he remembered was the Burrow—Molly, Ginny, the look of horror on their faces as Bellatrix's laughter echoed in the night. And then—nothing.

"Awake already, Potter?"

Harry's breath came in short, uneven gasps. The cold bite of iron pressed into his wrists, the weight of the chains keeping him bound to the damp stone wall. Every movement sent a fresh wave of pain through his limbs, remnants of the Cruciatus Curse still burning beneath his skin.

He clenched his fists, willing the tremors in his hands to stop.

A sharp, cruel laugh echoed through the cell.

Bellatrix.

Her silhouette loomed just beyond the torchlight, the fire casting jagged shadows over her twisted grin. She stepped forward, her wand twirling lazily between her fingers. "Poor little Potter," she cooed mockingly. "You didn't think I'd just let you rest, did you?"

Harry lifted his head, forcing himself to meet her gaze. "Go to hell." His voice was hoarse, his throat raw.

Bellatrix's eyes gleamed with delight. "Oh, but we're already so very close, aren't we?" She crouched in front of him, tilting her head. "You should feel honored. The Dark Lord himself will be so pleased to have you back where you belong."

A chill ran down Harry's spine.

Voldemort.

Was she taking him to him? Had he already arrived? His mind raced through possible escapes, but his body refused to cooperate. He was weak, barely able to keep himself upright, and his wand was gone.

Bellatrix stood abruptly, raising her wand. "You Gryffindors always think you're so brave." Her expression darkened. "Let's see how long that lasts."

Pain exploded through him as she cast another curse. His scream echoed through the stone chamber, swallowed by the darkness.

And Bellatrix only laughed.

Harry gasped as the curse subsided, his body slumping against the chains. Every nerve in his body still burned, muscles twitching involuntarily. He could hear his own ragged breathing, the only sound in the suffocating silence of the cell until Bellatrix's voice sliced through it like a dagger.

"Oh, Harry," she purred, crouching in front of him again. "You do make the most delightful sounds when you're in pain."

Harry forced himself to lift his head, meeting her gaze with as much defiance as he could muster. "Still not getting tired of torturing people, then?" he rasped, his throat dry.

Bellatrix grinned. "Oh, never." She reached out, running a finger along his cheek, her touch almost gentle—before her nails dug sharply into his skin. "And with you, it's such a privilege."

Harry flinched but refused to look away. He wouldn't give her the satisfaction.

Bellatrix sighed theatrically and stood, pacing the length of the cell. "Now, tell me, Potter," she mused, tapping her wand against her palm. "How long do you think you'll last before you break?"

Harry remained silent.

Her lips curled. "Do you know how easy it would be to crush you?" She twirled her wand, and the chains tightened around his wrists, cutting into the skin. "To make you beg?"

Harry clenched his jaw, refusing to cry out.

Bellatrix tilted her head, watching him with sick fascination. "You Gryffindors are so predictable," she said, her voice almost disappointed. "You think holding out makes you strong. That enduring pain proves something."

She leaned in, her breath hot against his ear. "But in the end, everyone breaks."

Harry squeezed his eyes shut as her wand pressed against his chest. He braced himself.

Pain erupted through him once more, searing and relentless, dragging a scream from his throat despite his best efforts.

Bellatrix only laughed.