Silence is Deafening

Chapter 40

tw: depictions of pain and torture

When I became aware, my head was pounding. I felt as if I had hit it against something, but I had no recollection of it. In fact, I had no recollection of anything.

I reached my hand toward my temple and froze. I couldn't move my hands. They were bound behind my back tightly, no doubt with magic. I opened my eyes slowly and looked around, terrified.

I was on my knees, my wrists and ankles bound behind me. Something large and uncomfortable was between my teeth, effectively gagging me into silence. The room around me was dank and cold, and I immediately scanned for any signs of Luna.

No such luck. I was alone in the room, which looked very similar to a drawing room. A stale fireplace was to my left, and a massive crystal chandelier hung from above my head. The room was dark, musty and smelled like it had been shut away for decades. Cobwebs littered the corners, and dust balls scattered around the wooden floor.

Movement from outside of the room. My eyes darted toward it, and I heard voices from the other side of the wall.

"—-Bella, she's a pureblood. The Dark Lord has ordered that no pure bloods be killed unless they are fighting on behalf of the boy." the distinct voice of Narcissa Malfoy came.

"And she's not dead, Cissy. Go and see for yourself. She was stunned and bound. I assume you don't like ex-Auror children snooping about your home?" Bellatrix's voice followed, sounding even more manic than I recalled. Narcissa sighed.

"I don't, but Bella, she and Draco—-."

"Not another word, Narcissa! Your son would be tortured if the Dark Lord knew. Besides, our Lord needs this one alive. I'm not going to kill her—yet." Bellatrix vowed, and suddenly the door was flung open.

The black eyes of Bellatrix fell upon me, and she smiled at me wickedly. My blood ran cold.

"Well, well, well! Our little guest is awake! How wonderful!" she cackled, slinking her way over toward me. I stiffened automatically in fear as she neared me, and the stench of death wafted from her dark clothing.

Bellatrix knelt down in front of me, observing me as if I were a fine painting in an art gala. Then, so quickly I almost didn't see it, she grasped a fist full of my hair and yanked my head to the side. I whimpered in fear, tears threatening to slide from my eyes and roll down my face. I knew now how terrified my parents had been before she killed them. The demon staring back at me was so unhinged it made me fear for my life as well.

"Look at the pathetic, stupid little thing! Crying out for your mummy, are you? Mummy didn't get to teach you not to snoop on others' land!" Bellatrix screamed, pulling my hair harder. My scalp seared as her fist pulled away from my head.

"I think I'm going to teach this one a lesson, Cissy. What do you think?" Bellatrix asked, casting a glance over her shoulder. Narcissa regarded me with cool eyes, unblinking. She didn't reply to Bellatrix, who seemed to simply ignore her presence.

Suddenly, she let go of my hair. The momentary relief was short-lived as she backed away from me into the empty space of the room.

"Call Draco down! Immediately!" Bellatrix snapped, and there was shuffling beyond the door. I expected that someone was on their way to find Draco in the twisting corridors of the manor, and my heart gave an involuntary leap. Even bound, gagged, in pain--the thought of seeing Draco was like iced water on a hot day. I mentally cursed myself for my weakness toward the boy who cared nothing for me. Maybe Draco would come in and get the honours of killing me himself. Maybe this was his final test in his allegiance.