Second Author's note: I have re-loaded this chapter after a glitch appeared on the original story. Sorry for any confusion.
A/N: Greetings to all of you loyal readers! So you know what kind of activities are happening at the Ministry, now on to Hogwarts. We are getting close to "the meeting"! Thanks to all of you for reviewing, it means so much to me, and it is what keeps me going!
Hmm…I wonder if there is an expiry date on the ownership of these characters if you do not write about them after a certain period of time…
Until then, still not mine.
Chapter 52
The Taking of Hogwarts
Bellatrix Lestrange was beside herself with rage. Her plans of handing over a room full of hostages to the Dark Lord had just disappeared. She couldn't disappoint him, not after the things he promised her…
She shuddered inwardly; the only outward sign of her fear was the slight twitch of her eye. She remembered the last time she had failed him. He didn't forgive easily, and she was not willing to give up her position because of someone's stupidity. Someone was going to pay for this, and it wasn't going to be her.
"I want control of those wards! Find the Headmistress! Look for any stragglers! Cage them all!" Bellatrix shrieked at the scurrying Death Eaters. "Except these three. I have something special for them," she laughed.
She wasn't allowed to kill them, but the Dark Lord had suggested something to her that she was more than willing to try. The thought gave her delicious shivers down her spine, and her maniacal smile was unsettling to those watching.
Hermione felt her stomach churn, and for the second time that night, she was glad she hadn't eaten anything.
"Your wands," Snape said as he approached the three and held his hand out.
When they didn't respond right away, one of the Death Eaters came forward and grabbed Ginny's shoulder, expertly applying pressure to the nerves there.
"Now," he growled, "or I squeeze harder."
Ginny gasped as she frantically searched for her wand and handed it over. Her eyes were brimming with tears of shame and pain. Ron and Hermione reluctantly followed suit.
"Chain them," Bellatrix said as she pointed her wand at the wall.
Three sets of chains appeared, and Ron, Hermione, and Ginny were dragged none too gently to the wall. Rough hands secured the manacles to their wrists, holding them so that their toes barely touched the floor. It was not long before they began to groan from the pain in their shoulders and feet.
"Now this I like," Bellatrix said as she came closer. "Where's itty bitty baby Potter?" she asked as she came face to face with Ron.
"Go to Hell," Ron said.
Bellatrix backhanded him across the face. "Wrong answer," she said. "Now I'll ask you again. Where is he?"
Ron glared at her, but said nothing.
"Hmm," Bellatrix said as she tapped her chin. "Obviously I'm not convincing you enough. Rabastan, my dear brother in-law, would you like to do the honors?"
The three watched as one of the Death Eaters shuffled over to where they were chained. He walked with a bit of a limp, and he had a crazed look about him, like one who didn't necessarily have a sane thought left in his head.
"Rabastan takes great pleasure in other people's pain," Bellatrix said. " It's why we get along so well."
Rabastan leered at them as he took his wand out, and Ron took a deep breath, fearful of what was to come.
"Crucio!" Rabastan shouted with glee, and cackled in delight as Ron screamed and arched off of the wall, the cuffs biting into his wrists. Bellatrix shrieked in laughter and clapped her hands in delight.
Hermione closed her eyes and looked away, sobbing as she heard Ron cry in pain. She speculated briefly if Harry had reacted the same way when Voldemort had tortured him, which led her to wonder what happened to him. Was he still alive? She shut that thought down quickly. She didn't want to think about it.
"Stop!" Ginny sobbed, "Please stop!"
Bellatrix waved off her brother in-law and moved to stand in front of Ginny. Ron collapsed against the chains, head hanging, eyes closed, and breathing hard. Hermione stole a glance at him, and could see the pain etched across his face.
"Are you willing to trade one for the other?" Bellatrix purred. "Where's your boyfriend?"
Hermione looked at Ginny who looked back apologetically. Hermione shook her head.
"No…" she whispered.
Ginny turned back to Bellatrix. "Promise me you and your henchmen will leave Ron alone," she said through her tears. "And that you won't hurt Harry," she added as an afterthought.
"Of course," Bellatrix said with a wave of her hand and a roll of her eyes. "Where is he?"
"Ginny…" Hermione warned.
Ginny took a deep breath and closed her eyes. She didn't want to see anyone else when she betrayed her friend.
"He's at the Ministry," she said quietly.
Bellatrix looked at her for a moment, and then burst out laughing.
"How delicious! I do hope he has a chance to chat with Fenrir," she said as she started to walk away.
She stopped in front of Ron and grabbed him by the hair, forcing his head up.
"You are expendable," she purred, "But not by me, thanks to your sister. She really knows how a traitor should act. You should take lessons from her," she laughed as she moved off.
Hermione refused to look at Ginny. She was afraid of what she would say to her younger friend. Instead, she focused on Ron.
"Are you okay?" she asked, not too sure what she could do if he wasn't.
Ron grimaced as he nodded. "I'll live," he said. "But it doesn't sound like for very long, though."
"We'll get out of this," Hermione said firmly, although she wasn't too sure she believed it.
"That really hurt," Ron said as he tried to get comfortable. "No wonder people go insane. How's Gin?" he asked after a moment.
Hermione glanced over at Ginny, who was watching Hermione, the remorse plain on her face.
"She's fine," Hermione said brusquely.
"Don't be too hard on her," Ron said.
Hermione didn't answer.
They watched as the Death Eaters set about reorganizing the hall. They saw Bellatrix and Rudolphus drag a very dazed looking McGonagall out of the room. A large ornate chair was set up where the teacher's table used to be, and with a sinking feeling, Hermione realized what Voldemort was doing.
"He's getting ready for a showdown," she whispered, "and its right out of Harry's nightmare."
The main doors opened, and the last person Hermione wanted to see, walked in. Voldemort moved into the room, like a king returning home after a long crusade. He nodded to various Death Eaters as he swept into the room, leading a very pale Narcissa. He had several people in his little entourage, including:
"Malfoy," Ron growled.
"And Pettigrew," Hermione said.
She scanned the little party and frowned,
"Where's Draco's father I wonder?"
"Gone," Ginny replied dully, her eyes never leaving the group. "Voldemort sucked the soul out of his body right in front of Draco."
"Serves him right," Ron muttered.
Hermione turned to look at Ginny, and saw her staring, unwavering, at Draco Malfoy. Hermione watched as a look of pain and despair seemed to cross Draco's face, as he looked their way, before he put his mask back on, and the haughty Malfoy returned. Hermione looked back at Ginny and saw her crying silently, and suddenly it clicked into place.
"Is that where you've been getting your information?" Hermione whispered.
Ginny looked at her sadly before giving a silent nod.
"Don't say anything," she whispered back. "Please."
Hermione leaned back and looked up at the stormy ceiling of the hall. She watched the swirling clouds as she realized that was how she felt inside. She couldn't believe the audacity that Ginny had to ask her to keep this information to herself, when just moments earlier she herself was willing to give up Harry to Bellatrix. And why would Ginny care about Malfoy's well being? He was just a spy, giving information…unless… She turned to look back at Ginny in shock.
"Please tell me you don't," she whispered.
"Don't what?" Ron asked from the other side.
"Don't…" Hermione looked from Ron to Ginny, who was now silently pleading with her eyes. "Um…don't have to…um…go to the bathroom," Hermione finished lamely. "I don't think they will let us go."
Ginny leaned back in relief, and Ron snorted. "Maybe if you threatened to go right here," he said.
Hermione sighed. As much as she was angry with the younger Weasley, she could at least understand where she was coming from.
Voldemort sat in his chair as his followers watched. He closed his eyes for a moment, running his hands up and down the arm of the chair, caressing it like a fine treasure. He opened his eyes again and smiled.
"Everything is as it should be. Draco, find your mother a chair, that's a good lad," he said.
Bellatrix and Rudolphus returned with an ashen-faced McGonagall. Bellatrix took one look at Narcissa sitting off to the side with Draco hovering nearby, and stormed up to where the Dark Lord was sitting.
"What's she doing here?" Bellatrix hissed.
Voldemort smiled at her, like a parent placating a child.
"Bella, my dear, jealousy is not very becoming on you. Your dear sister is here because she is a part of my plan. I thought I made that clear to you."
Bellatrix crossed her arms and pouted. "I thought I was going to do it."
Voldemort shrugged. "You're married. Ah, ah," he shook his finger, as he saw her look contemptuously at her husband. "I will not have you killing my Death Eaters for your personal gains. You can't always have what you want."
Bellatrix gave Narcissa a nasty look before stalking back to where her husband was standing.
"Oh, and Bella?" Voldemort called. "If any harm comes to Narcissa or Rudolphus, I will hold you personally responsible."
Bellatrix paled at his threat, but nodded.
Hermione watched this exchange with interest. What was he planning now?
****** ****** ****** ******
"Hold on to my arm," Harry sighed as he gave the badge a twist. "Hogwarts," he said.
Harry stood there for a full five seconds before he realized that they hadn't left. Now he knew something was wrong, and he could feel the panic building in him even further.
"Harry," Neville said as he nudged him, "We've got to get out of here!"
Harry looked up in time to see several Death Eaters headed their way. He thought frantically for a moment before coming to a decision.
"Grimmauld Place," he said as he twisted his badge.
It was a sense of relief to feel the familiar tug of the Portkey. They arrived at the park entrance across the street from Harry's home.
"What are we doing here?" Neville asked.
"Here," Harry reached into his pocket for the scrap of paper he had tucked away. "Read this."
"Order of the Phoenix, Number Twelve, Grimmauld Place," Neville read.
Just as it had done years earlier for Harry, the house appeared in front of them. Neville, however, didn't seem surprised to see a building appear.
"Who's home is this?" he asked as they headed for the front door.
"It belonged to Sirius," Harry said, "but he left it to me."
Harry was surprised to find the pain associated with Sirius' name wasn't as crippling as it used to be.
"It has rather interesting décor," Neville said as they entered.
"Yeah, well, renovating hasn't been high on my list of priorities," Harry said grimly.
"So now what are we going to do?" Neville asked.
"First we need to find out how many members of the Order are available, and then we have to get back into Hogwarts," Harry said. "He's there, Neville. I can feel it."
As they were heading for the kitchen, they heard a crash from that room. Harry pulled out his wand, and Neville imitated him, even though Harry presumed it was Kreacher. They slowly made their way downstairs, and as they entered the kitchen a head of bright red spiky hair could be seen peeking over the table.
"Tonks!" Harry called in relief. Maybe he was wrong…
"Harry!" Tonks cried, dropping the plate again as she rushed to hug him. "Thank Merlin you're safe!"
"Where's Remus?" Harry asked.
"He's at the safe house with Moody," she said as she repaired the plate she had dropped.
Any of Harry's hopes were dashed as she said `safe house'.
"It's not good, Harry," she said somberly.
"What happened? Where are Ron and Hermione?" Harry asked, the fear making itself known again in the pit of his stomach.
Tonks sat down, avoiding Harry's eyes.
"Remus and I, we were late getting down for dinner. You hadn't come back yet, so I was concerned. When I couldn't get hold of anyone in the Ministry, I knew something was wrong. We rushed downstairs and were almost to the Great Hall when they got there."
"Who?" demanded Harry. "Voldemort?"
Tonks shook her head. "My Aunt was there," she said quietly, looking up at Neville, who paled slightly, and then scowled.
"Snape was there too," she said.
Harry felt a jolt of anger go through him as he clenched his fists. How could he be there if he was supposedly working for Dumbledore before he died? He really didn't like the way this was going. Tonks still wouldn't look at him. Harry was becoming frantic. He wanted to grab her shoulders and shake her, and the lights flickered slightly before he took a deep breath to control himself.
"Where are Hermione and Ron?" he asked again, trying hard to keep his anger in check.
Tonks shook her head miserably.
"I had to stop Remus from rushing in there and attacking, it would have been suicidal. He is so angry with me right now. I'm sorry, Harry, I don't know. All I could see was students on the floor, and then they disappeared. I didn't see either of them. I could hear Bellatrix screaming, and we got out of there. Remus went to the safe house as soon as we got here, and I haven't heard anything."
Harry felt a small flicker of hope that they might be safe.
"What happened at the Ministry? Were you attacked?" Tonks asked after a moment.
Neville quickly told Tonks their story, but Harry wasn't listening. He was lost in thought, busy planning their next move for when Remus returned with Ron and Hermione. It was the short bark of sarcastic laughter that brought him back to the conversation at hand. He looked over to see Tonks shaking her head at him.
"I would love to be in your position, Harry," she said.
"What?" Harry said confused.
"You saved Scrimgeour's life. He owes you a wizard's debt."
Harry shrugged; his thoughts focused more on Ron and Hermione. Maybe they were hurt, or…
They heard footsteps on the stairs and turned to see a haggard-looking Lupin returning. He stopped as he saw Harry and Neville sitting with Tonks, and the slight hesitation that crossed his face told Harry all he needed to know.
"Harry, Neville. Thank Merlin you're safe," he said as he came the rest of the way into the room.
"They aren't there, are they?" Harry said.
Somehow deep down he knew they would stay if there were anyone left. It was what he would do.
Lupin shook his head. "I'm sorry, Harry."
Harry stood up and headed for the door, Neville scrambling after him.
"Harry, where are you going?" he asked.
Harry turned and looked grimly at Neville.
"To fulfill a prophecy," he said.
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