Invitation Only ~ Fred Weasley

SEVENTYEIGHT

He had lost his patience with her, she knew that. After 2 months, he had gotten no closer to that information, he so desperately wanted.

That day, he had pulled Viola out of her room by her hair. She was screaming in pain, but he simply shushed her. He took her downstairs, down the dark and gloomy hall and into the cave.

"You're not even trying!" He shouted, when he released Viola off his grip and let her drop to the floor.

"I'm doing everything I can! But I'm so weak."

"Hitting right on the nail. You're too weak. That boy weakened you!" He shouted.

"No, that's not what I meant. I'm physically weak! I don't get enough to eat or drink and I feel sick all the time." Viola pleaded.

"Don't play with me. Don't make excuses just to get a bite. I've had enough. You will stay right here until I get what I want."

"But why do you want to know where it is?" Viola asked, desperate to postpone her efforts to break into Harry's mind again.

"Because I need it! She's dead because of you."

"I-I didn't kill her."

"I know you didn't, that filthy bloodtraitor bitch did. But you... You're the cause of her death."

"Please... I don't know if I can find it. It hurts to be in his mind."

"I don't care how much it hurts. If you don't find that memory, I will kill Fred."

"What?! No! You promised you wouldn't harm him if I did what you asked!"

"Yet, you are useless."

"I-I told you... I don't possess those powers you think I do. You only just taught me legilimency. I need time."

"That's where you're wrong, puppet. I taught you legilimency, but you're able to enter people's minds in a different way. Now, I've waited long enough! Get to work."

And then he left. Leaving Viola in tears on the ground. She was exhausted and drained. She whimpered as she tried to stand up on her weakened legs.

"Is he gone?" Someone asked behind her. Viola turned around swiftly, terrified that it was Rodolphus' companion, but it wasn't. It was the shadow of a man as he slowly crawled into the faint light.

"Lu-Lucius Malfoy?" Viola stuttered as she finally saw the man. She was certain that it was him, but he looked so different. His hair was greasy and dirty, his face was hollow and showed clear signs of being captive for a long time.

"Wait... You're Viola Black, right?" He asked.

"Y-yes, I am. How long have you been here?"

"Since summer. Rodolphus' guard dog captured me and tortured me into telling him how to break him out of Azkaban." Lucius replied and slowly managed to sit up against the wall. "Do you know anything about my wife and son?"

"I do. They're fine. They think you ran away." Viola answered and noticed Lucius' face dropping more. He let out a long sigh and looked down.

"Has anyone looked for me?"

"Well..."

"Who wants to look for a former death eater anyway?" He sighed and finally looked at Viola. "I can't believe he finally got you. I really tried, miss Black. I'm so sorry."

"What do you mean?" Viola asked and tilted her head slightly.

"He... He tortured me. He seemed to think that I knew exactly where you were, but all I knew was that you lived with the Weasley boy. I didn't tell him anything."