The disclaimers are the same as in the previous chapters!
Happy reading!
Chapter 6
In the dungeons of Malfoy Manor, a thin, emaciated man dressed in rags lay on the stone floor. The man let out a scream, a long, drawn-out cry, the cry of unbearable pain...
– No! No! Please, please...
– You lied to Lord Voldemort, Ollivander!
– No, I didn't lie… I swear I didn't lie…
– You were trying to help Potter, to help him escape me!
– I swear I didn't… I truly thought another wand would be more effective…
– Then explain to me what happened. Lucius' wand was destroyed!
– I can't understand it… the connection… exists only… between your two wands…
– Lies.
– Please… I beg of you...
The surviving Death Eaters had gathered under their master's command at Malfoy Manor after the attack. Several had been killed in the operation. This failure had enraged the Dark Lord.
– Why is Harry Potter still alive? Everything was in place for ME to kill him! Lucius, why wasn't your wand up to the task?
– I don't know, Master... Lucius answered, his head lowered, his gaze avoiding Voldemort's.
– You don't know? Maybe this will give you the answer! Crucio!
Lucius Malfoy received the unforgivable curse full in the chest. He collapsed to the floor, screaming in pain. The other Death Eaters around seemed to hesitate. No one knew why Malfoy's wand had been destroyed. No one knew how to calm the Dark Lord's fury. Lucius Malfoy, still moaning, had gotten back up, his legs not seeming to support him well.
At that moment, Severus Snape entered the dark, grand hall. All eyes turned to him. A hooded figure followed behind him.
– Severus! Voldemort exclaimed. Are you bringing me an explanation for tonight's disaster?
– Yes, Master! announced the man in a neutral tone.
– I'm listening, Severus!
– Tell him! Severus said sharply, addressing the figure behind him.
The shadow stepped forward, pushed the hood back from her head, and removed the silver Death Eater mask from her face, revealing her pale skin and blonde hair with reddish highlights.
– I saw… she began hesitantly. Severus fixed his dark gaze on her even more. The young woman swallowed hard and continued. I saw Harry Potter's wand… at the moment when you cast… cast the spell.
– Well? asked Yaxley, not far from her. He seemed impatient.
– Well, it cast the spell without him saying anything! He seemed surprised. It seemed to act on its own.
– Her wand? Act on its own? Yaxley exclaimed. You're talking nonsense! Did you get hit?
– Enough! Voldemort announced in a loud but calm voice. Enough, all of you, leave! Except you, Severus, stay. I need to speak to you!
The Death Eaters all left, some holding a wounded arm, others limping, most showing no attempt to hide their relief at leaving the room and going to rest. Snape cast a glance at the young woman who had pulled her hood back up without the mask. He approached her discreetly as the Death Eaters passed through the room to exit. He leaned toward her and whispered:
– You're going back to the castle without talking to anyone!
His tone was clear. Mio crossed the room, her head down, following a Death Eater leaving alongside Lucius Malfoy, who was dragging his legs. She passed through the heavy dark wooden doors when a high-pitched and unpleasant voice called out to her:
– Isn't that the blood traitor?
Bellatrix skipped toward her. Mio looked around, searching for a way to escape. Professor Snape had been clear: she shouldn't talk to anyone. Mio could feel her heart racing. If there was one person to avoid right now, it was her. Bellatrix was furious. She had made it clear upon returning to the manor: she hadn't been able to kill her niece, Nymphadora Tonks, and that, she could not accept! Mio could feel that anger turning toward her, something Bellatrix could hardly tolerate. The woman with wild dark hair continued:
– Why did you come here? Are you trying to win the master's favor? With your false information, you'll get nowhere! I'm sure you came here just to run off and report to those blood traitors! Someone like you is only useful to snoop around and stop us from killing them all, those bastards, no better than mudbloods!
Smack! Trembling with rage, Mio couldn't hold herself back and slapped Bellatrix hard and fast.
– Ha ha ha ha! So, she refuses to hear the truth about her family?
– My family is the Malfoys, you fool! Mio screamed!
The noise attracted Severus, who had been sent to see what was going on by Voldemort.
– Stop! That's enough. You're leaving, you don't belong here! he stated coldly to Mio.
The young woman, offended, turned without another word and walked toward the hall of the Manor. As she left, she heard Snape begin to speak to the female Death Eater.
Mio Weasley was pacing! She had climbed the white marble steps of the staircase several times, crossed the hall in front of the library several times. And she had knocked on the door of the potions room several times as well. To no avail! She would have liked a professor or a student to need her to occupy her mind. But in this month of July, most of the professors had gone away on vacation. As for the students, none had stayed during these two months, obviously. All that remained in this hallway was Mio Weasley, now consumed with anxiety. The anxiety of facing Professor Snape, the stress of knowing she had "messed up." Not only had she spoken to someone at Malfoy Manor, after he had warned her, but she had also slapped that madwoman Bellatrix. She knew she would face the anger and reproaches of the Potions Master. All she could do now was wait, especially in front of the ornate wooden door of the potions room.
– Fidgeting like that won't help you get rid of your stupidity, Miss Weasley! a deep voice called from behind her.
Mio turned to face the man, dressed all in black. Not only did he not look happy, but he seemed even angrier than usual.
– When will you obey? When you're dead?
– Pff… Mio rolled her eyes toward the sky.
Severus had gotten closer to her.
– If you keep this up, you'll be dead soon, very soon. Probably sooner than you think! he whispered almost inaudibly.
– Is that a threat, Professor? You think you'll scare me with your empty words?
– But you should be afraid, Miss Weasley! You should! Because if I hadn't been there, dear Bellatrix wouldn't have hesitated to kill you!
– Ah! Mio scoffed. And you think I would have let that happen? Don't underestimate me, Snape!
At this provocation, Severus Snape stepped even closer to her. His darkest gaze locked onto the young woman's silver eyes, and he replied:
– But do you think you can stand up to one of the most dangerous, most unstable Death Eaters? And all you can do is give in to her provocations and slap her?
The Potions Master was now shouting.
– You're nothing but bait caught in a war where you can't change anything! Whether you're alive or dead won't make a difference! No one will mourn you. So, feel free to go slap whoever you want now. But I won't always be here to save your ass!
At that moment, Mio raised her hand quickly toward the man's face. But he stopped her with a firm motion, grabbing her wrist. Mio was on the verge of tears. Her bright, wet eyes, however, showed all the hatred and rage she felt toward the man in front of her. She would have liked to let that rage out.
– Don't even think about it! You'd be dead long ago without me. I don't care for your thanks, but at least try not to make this task more painful than it already is...
– Then WHY?! Mio shouted, cutting him off. Why are you still here, saving me if it pisses you off so much?
– Your language!
– NO! I'll speak how I want! You're always shouting at me, repeating that I'm useless! That I'd be nothing without your help, and yet you're always helping me! Why? Why? But let me die if it pleases you!
Mio was now in tears, pounding small fists on Snape's chest. He looked at her coldly, almost impassive to the young woman's distress.
– Enough, both of you! a commanding voice echoed down the hall.