Darkness closed in around Harry, thick and suffocating. Time had become meaningless pain, exhaustion, and the constant press of cold stone against his back were the only things anchoring him to reality.

He wasn't sure how long Bellatrix had been at it, but his body ached with the aftermath of her curses, each one leaving behind lingering pain that refused to fade. His wrists throbbed where the chains had dug into them, and his head pounded from dehydration.

He couldn't let her break him.

But his body was betraying him. His limbs were trembling, his breath shallow, his vision swimming. Every fiber of his being screamed for rest, but there was none to be found here.

A sudden sharp pain in his side made him jolt Bellatrix's boot connecting with his ribs.

"Still with me, Potter?" she drawled, tilting her head. "You've been so quiet. I was starting to think I'd already broken you."

Harry lifted his head, forcing himself to glare at her. "Not even close."

Bellatrix clapped her hands together in delight. "Oh, good! I do love a challenge."

She raised her wand, and Harry braced for another round of agony but before she could cast the curse, a voice interrupted.

"That's enough, Bellatrix."

The new voice was cold, commanding. Harry's sluggish mind barely registered it before Bellatrix let out an irritated sigh, lowering her wand.

"Honestly, Severus," she muttered, "you always ruin my fun."

Snape.

Harry's breath hitched.

Through the haze of pain, he forced his gaze upward, just in time to see Snape step into the dim torchlight. His face was unreadable, dark eyes flicking over Harry's slumped form before settling on Bellatrix with an air of cool impatience.

"Is he even capable of speech?" Snape asked, his voice devoid of emotion.

"Oh, he still has plenty of fight left in him," Bellatrix said with a wicked grin. "But the Dark Lord doesn't want him dead—yet. I was just making sure he was properly... softened."

Snape's gaze lingered on her for a moment before he turned back to Harry. "The Dark Lord will summon him soon. I doubt he wants his prize damaged beyond use."

Bellatrix scowled. "He's still breathing, isn't he?"

Snape didn't answer. Instead, he stepped closer to Harry, lowering his voice. "Can you stand?"

Harry's throat was dry, but he forced out a weak, "What do you think?"

Snape exhaled sharply, something unreadable flickering across his face. Then, with a smooth motion, he withdrew his wand.

Harry tensed.

But instead of another curse, Snape flicked his wrist, and the chains around Harry's wrists unclasped, sending him collapsing forward.

For a brief moment, Snape's grip caught him, steadying him just enough to prevent him from hitting the ground. Then, as quickly as it had happened, Snape let go.

Harry barely managed to stay upright.

Bellatrix smirked. "Careful, Severus. If I didn't know better, I'd think you actually cared."

Snape's expression didn't change. "The Dark Lord will be displeased if he arrives in a state unfit for questioning."

Bellatrix's laughter rang through the chamber as she stepped back. "Then let's make sure he's well enough, shall we?"

Harry's stomach twisted as realization sank in. This wasn't over. Not even close.

And the worst was yet to come.