Here is Chapter 15.
I really like the end of this chapter, even though a large part of it is a copy-paste from the book where I simply included Mio.
The disclaimers are the same as in the first 14 chapters!
Happy reading!
Chapter 15
After Mio's attack by the Carrows and the argument(s) between her and Snape, life had resumed its course. Despite Snape's threats, the Carrows didn't avoid her, but they were nonetheless less "insistent" with her. As for Snape, he hadn't returned to his previous cold self. He was still far from friendly or cheerful—after all, he was still Snape—but on rare occasions, when they found themselves alone, he would in a way talk with her about their plan against Nagini, the Dark Lord, the recent actions of the Order of the Phoenix, or Dumbledore's Army. Still, their interactions remained distant and professional. Both of them had pushed aside thoughts of their past embraces and didn't want to dwell on them. They both knew it wasn't the right time, and it would only create more problems. So, Mio continued living her life at Hogwarts.
Easter holidays arrived, and Mio received a letter from Malfoy Manor: she was coldly requested—or rather, ordered—to return to the manor along with Draco. She had no desire to go back, but she knew she had to. And so, she found herself in that manor filled with Death Eaters, and occasionally with the Dark Lord himself, returned from his ventures abroad. The dungeons were far from empty, and the comings and goings of Death Eaters had resumed at full force, everyone desperate to be the one who would capture Harry Potter or a member of the Order.
One afternoon, while Mio was sitting in the grand drawing room—the one with the large crystal chandelier and violet walls—alongside her uncle Lucius and Draco, the door opened. Lucius Malfoy turned around:
— What is it? he asked.
— They claim to have captured Potter, said Narcissa in her icy voice. Draco, come here.
Draco stiffened at the mention of Harry's name. Mio turned around in her chair and saw Greyback, the werewolf, and Scabior, a Snatcher, firmly holding a young man whose face was distorted but who clearly wore Harry's clothes. Beside him, Hermione and Ron were scanning the room, as if looking for an escape. Ron's gaze met Mio's—it was full of hatred and anger. It saddened her, but she had expected it. It wasn't a surprise. So she chose not to hold his gaze.
Harry didn't dare look directly at Draco, but he saw him out of the corner of his eye: a figure slightly taller than himself, rising from a chair, with a pale, blurred face under nearly white-blond hair. Greyback forced the prisoners to turn again so that the light from the chandelier fell directly on Harry.
— Well, boy? said the werewolf in his rasping voice.
Harry was facing the mirror above the fireplace, its golden frame carved with ornate designs. Through his narrowed eyelids, he saw his reflection for the first time since leaving Grimmauld Place.
His face was swollen, pink, and shiny, each of his features distorted by the hex Hermione had cast just before they were caught by the Snatchers. His black hair hung down to his shoulders, and a shadow darkened his jaw. Had he not known it was himself, he would've wondered who was wearing his glasses. He decided to remain silent, since his voice would betray him, and continued avoiding Draco's eyes as the other boy approached. He longed to throw his arms around him after all these months apart.
— Well, Draco? asked Lucius Malfoy.
He seemed desperate to know.
— Is it him? Is it Harry Potter?
— I… I'm not sure, said Draco.
He was keeping a safe distance from Greyback and looked as frightened to meet Harry's eyes as Harry was to meet his.
— Look at him closely! Get closer!
Harry had never heard Lucius Malfoy speak with such desperation.
— Draco, if we deliver Potter to the Dark Lord, all will be forgiv—
— Now now, let's not forget who really caught him, Mr. Malfoy, shall we? Greyback interrupted menacingly.
— Of course not, of course not! Lucius exclaimed, annoyed. What did you do to him? he asked Greyback. Why does he look like that?
— Wasn't us.
— Looks like he's been hit with a Stinging Jinx, Lucius said.
His grey eyes locked onto Harry's forehead.
— There's something there, he murmured. Could be the scar, stretched out… Draco, come here, look closely! What do you think?
Harry could now see Draco's face up close, just next to his father's. They looked remarkably alike, but while Lucius was clearly excited, Draco seemed hesitant—even afraid. Draco had definitely recognized Harry despite the curse. How could he not recognize the man he loved? But being a true Slytherin and a skilled liar, Draco replied:
— I don't know, and walked back toward the fireplace, where his mother was standing and watching him.
— We must be sure, Lucius, said Narcissa clearly and coldly. Absolutely certain that it's Potter before calling the Dark Lord…
– And you, Mio, do you recognize him?
– Umm, not really, she hesitated.
– Come closer!
– I didn't spend much time with Potter at Hogwarts, he's not in my year, I don't know, she replied as she stepped back toward the armchair, averting her gaze.
– These people claim that this wand is his, Narcissa went on, examining the blackthorn wand, but it doesn't match Ollivander's description… If we're wrong, if we call the Dark Lord for nothing… Do you remember what he did to Rowle and Dolohov?
– And what about the Mudblood? growled Greyback.
Harry almost stumbled as the Snatchers roughly turned the prisoners again, making the chandelier light fall on Hermione this time.
– Wait, said Narcissa sharply. Yes… Yes, she was in Madam Malkin's shop with Potter! I saw her photo in the Prophet! Look, Draco, isn't that the girl called Granger?
– I… maybe… yes.
– In that case, this one is the young Weasley! exclaimed Lucius, circling the prisoners to get a better look at Ron. It's them, they're Potter's friends… Mio, look at him, that's Arthur Weasley's son, isn't it? Mio, what's his name again?
Mio, who had been trying to stay calm, began to panic. She couldn't say anything about her cousin, about Ron. She didn't want to. Suddenly, the door of the drawing room opened behind Harry. A woman spoke, and at the sound of her voice, Harry's fear surged again.
– What is it? What's going on, Cissy?
Bellatrix Lestrange slowly circled the prisoners and stopped to Harry's right, staring at Hermione from under her heavy eyelids.
– Well, well, she murmured, it's the Mudblood? It's Granger?
– Yes, yes, it's Granger! shouted Lucius. And next to her, we believe it's Potter! Potter and his friends, finally captured!
– Potter? screeched Bellatrix.
She stepped back to get a better look at Harry.
– Are you sure? Then the Dark Lord must be informed at once!
She rolled up her left sleeve: Harry saw the Dark Mark branded into the flesh of her arm, and he knew she was about to touch it, to summon her beloved master…
– I was just about to call him! exclaimed Lucius.
His hand seized Bellatrix's wrist, stopping her from touching the Mark.
– I'll handle it myself, Bella, Potter was brought into my house, so he's under my authority…
– Your authority! she sneered, trying to free her arm. You lost all authority when you lost your wand, Lucius! How dare you? Let go of me!
– This has nothing to do with you, you weren't the one who captured him…
– I beg your pardon, Mr. Malfoy, Greyback interrupted, but we're the ones who caught Potter, and we're the ones claiming the gold…
– The gold! scoffed Bellatrix, still struggling to free her wrist, her free hand fumbling in her pocket for her wand. Take your gold, you filthy scavenger, what do I care about a bit of gold? I seek only the honor of his… of…
She suddenly stopped struggling, her dark eyes fixed on something Harry couldn't see. Delighted to see her back down, Lucius released her wrist and briskly rolled up his own sleeve…
– STOP! screamed Bellatrix. Don't touch it, we'll all perish if the Dark Lord comes now!
Lucius froze, his index finger hovering above his own Mark. Bellatrix stepped out of Harry's limited field of vision.
– What is that? she said.
– A sword, growled a Snatcher Harry couldn't see.
– Give it to me.
– It's not yours, ma'am, it's mine, I found it.
A bang echoed, followed by a flash of red light. Harry realized the Snatcher had just been stunned. His companions roared with anger. Scabior drew his wand.
– What do you think you're doing, missy?
– Stupefy! she screamed. Stupefy!
They were no match for her, not even four against one: Mio knew very well she was a witch of extraordinary power and completely devoid of conscience. The Snatchers all fell, except for Greyback, who was forced to his knees, arms outstretched. Out of the corner of her eye, Mio saw Bellatrix stepping threateningly toward the werewolf. Her pale face was tight as she clutched the Sword of Gryffindor in her hand.
– Where did you get this sword? she murmured to Greyback, ripping his wand from him with no resistance. Snape had it placed in my vault at Gringotts!
– It was in their tent, Greyback rasped. I told you to let me go!
She flicked her wand and the werewolf sprang to his feet, but he seemed too wary to come near her. He retreated behind an armchair, his filthy, curved nails digging into the upholstery.
– Draco, Mio, get this scum out of here, Bellatrix barked, pointing at Greyback's unconscious companions. If you don't have the guts to finish them, leave them in the garden.
– Don't speak to them like that… protested Narcissa, furious. But Bellatrix cut her off:
– Shut up! she shouted. This is more serious than you can imagine, Cissy! We have a very serious problem!
Slightly out of breath, she stood there staring at the sword, examining its hilt. Then she turned to the silent prisoners.
– If this is really Potter, he must not be harmed, she muttered, more to herself than to the others. The Dark Lord wants to dispose of him personally… But if he finds out… I must… I must be sure…
She looked at her sister again.
– The prisoners must be locked in the cellar while I think about how to proceed!
– This is my house, Bella, you have no authority to give orders in my—
– Do as I say! You have no idea of the danger we're in! Bellatrix screamed.
She was terrifying, completely unhinged. A thin jet of fire shot from her wand and burned a hole into the carpet. Narcissa hesitated a moment, then addressed the werewolf:
– Take the prisoners to the cellar, Greyback.
– Wait, snapped Bellatrix sharply. All except… except the Mudblood.
Greyback gave a low growl of pleasure.
– No! shouted Ron. Take me instead, keep me if you want!
Bellatrix struck him full in the face. The slap echoed in the room.
– If she dies during questioning, I'll deal with you next, she said. Then, glancing from Mio to Ron, she added: On my list, blood traitors come right after Mudbloods. Take them to the cellar, Greyback, and lock them up tight, but don't do anything else to them… not yet.
She tossed her wand to Greyback and pulled from beneath her robes a small silver dagger. She untied Hermione from the other prisoners and dragged her by the hair to the center of the room, while Greyback forced the others through a second door that led into a dark corridor.
– Think she'll let me have a bit of the girl when she's done with her? Greyback whispered. I wouldn't mind a bite or two. Would you, ginger?
Harry and Ron were dragged off to the dungeons. Mio was about to follow Greyback out of that hell, but Bellatrix held her back:
– You stay here! A blood traitor should be able to understand a filthy little Mudblood!
Then she turned toward Hermione and cast the Cruciatus Curse.
Hermione screamed and collapsed, writhing in pain.
– Good. Now I'll ask again! Where did you get this sword? Where?!
– We found it… we found it… PLEASE! Hermione screamed.
– You're lying, you filthy little Mudblood, and I know it. You broke into my vault at Gringotts! Tell me the truth, tell me the truth! Crucio!
Hermione screamed again.
– What else did you take? What did you steal? Tell me the truth or I swear I'll drive this dagger into you!
She held the dagger right against Hermione. Mio was holding her breath, frozen at the sight. She knew that the moment she inhaled, she would break down.
– What else did you take? What else?! ANSWER ME! CRUCIO!
Hermione's screams echoed through the entire manor.
– How did you get into my vault?! Bellatrix shrieked. Was it that filthy little goblin locked in the cellar who helped you?
– We saw him for the first time tonight! Hermione sobbed. We've never been to your vault… It's not the real sword! It's a copy, just a copy!
– A copy?! Bellatrix shrieked in a high-pitched voice. How likely is that?!
– It would be easy to know, said Lucius Malfoy's voice. Draco, go get the goblin. He can tell us whether the sword is real or not!
Harry, in the cellar, had heard everything from above. He rushed over to where Griphook the goblin had collapsed on the floor.
– Griphook, he whispered into the goblin's pointed ear, you have to tell them the sword is a fake. They mustn't know it's real, please, Griphook…
He heard someone descending the stairs quickly. A moment later, Draco's trembling voice called out from behind the door:
– Step back. Line up against the back wall. Try anything and I'll kill you!
They obeyed. As the key turned in the lock, Ron activated the Deluminator, and the lights were sucked into his pocket, plunging the cellar back into darkness. The door burst open, and Malfoy stepped in, pale and determined, his wand pointed ahead. Draco grabbed the little goblin by the arm and backed out, dragging Griphook with him.
While Draco was gone, Hermione continued to endure the torture. Draco entered the drawing room and released Griphook, practically throwing him.
– What was that?! Lucius Malfoy shouted from above. Did you hear that? What was that noise in the cellar? Draco… No, Mio, go check what's going on!
She went down to the cellar, still barely breathing, her stomach in knots. Reaching the door, she called out in a tone she hoped wouldn't betray her fear:
– Step back, get away, I'm coming in!
The door swung open suddenly. For a split second, Mio saw the empty cellar lit by three floating miniature suns. Then Harry and Ron lunged at her. Ron grabbed her wand arm and twisted it violently while Harry clamped a hand over her mouth to stifle any sound. They struggled silently, Mio's wand emitting sparks.
– What's going on, Mio? Lucius Malfoy called from above.
All three froze. Harry and Ron held their breath, waiting for Mio's response. Still staring into Ron's eyes, she replied:
– Nothing, everything's fine! I'm coming back up.