Weasley Twins - A Fate You Can't Escape

Chapter 93 - Imprisonment

TW: Magical Torture and descriptions of pain.

The next day I am given a half eaten piece of toast, and about two swallows of water for breakfast. I lay on the floor, eyes closed, waiting for Lestrange to come back for me. If I can just hold on a few days, it would seem like a reasonable amount of time for me to cave. If I caved too early, it would be suspicious, but if I waited too long, I'd outlive my usefulness.

When I hear the door open, I stand, ready to head back up for whatever the Dark Lord and his insane side kicks had in store for me. Draco gestures for me to climb the steps, and I do as I'm told. At the top, I'm taken straight to Bellatrix's "office." I pass by Snape on my way, my eyes meeting his. His face is impassive, revealing nothing as I am escorted away.

Draco lightly prods me into the office, closing the door behind me. I hear him scamper away, most likely to try and escape the screams the haunt his dreams.

"You've come back to play!" She sings, happily jumping down off of the desk.

"Yes." I whisper, my voice sore from screaming the day before.

"I'm going to miss your screams when you're gone." She sounds almost sad for a moment. But then the terrifying twinkle returns to her eyes. "Let's get started, little half-blood."

***

I wake up in the basement. My hands tingle, and I realize that I can't feel any of my fingers. A quick check reveals that my toes have gone numb too. It must be an effect of prolonged exposure to the cruciatus curse. I roll to my side, feeling a lump in my throat. I cough, spitting out a glob of clotted blood. I nearly vomit from the metallic taste that fills my mouth. I wonder if I just bit my tongue, or if there's some bleeding somewhere inside.

I pull myself into a seated position, slumped against the wall. I am panting from just that small amount of exertion. I close my eyes, knowing that the time for an answer is approaching. What kind of information could I give them? I don't want to tell them something that would get the people I cared for killed. But it also had to be important enough to get them to keep me.

"Come on, come on!" I mutter, eyes flickering beneath my eyes lids.

A familiar sensation of certainty washes over me as my gift pushes through me.

Harry is on the run. He's looking for Horcruxes.

Umbridge is arresting muggleborns, printing propaganda with the slur in bold on the front, as if that defined a whole set of people.

Remus is going to be a father soon.

Mundungus Fletcher would be selling stolen items from Grimmuald place.

A particular item of his grabs my attention. I focus on it, and catch glimpses of Ron, Harry, and Hermione casting jinxes and curses at it.

I focus back on Fletcher and try to see what he does with it.

He stands outside the ministry, shifting from foot to foot nervously. The skies are pouring down upon him, drenching him through his coat. He keeps asking random passers by if they want to buy something, most scuttling away from the shifty looking man. After a moment, none other than the pink clad toad walks by, umbrella poised perfectly over her head.

"Hey, a beautiful locket for a beautiful lady?" He calls to her, holding it up for her to see. At first she sneers at him, but then her eyes narrow as she gazes at the locket.

"Very well. How much?" She asks in her menacingly high pitched voice.

"Um... twenty galleons. But for you, I'll sell if for ten." He winks at her and she sighs.

"Very well then." She deposits the money into Fletcher's grubby hands, snatching the jewelry from him. She drapes the locket around her neck, smiling to herself as she prances away.

I gasp, being pulled back to the present as someone yanks me to my feet.

"You come when you're called, girl." Snape spits, yanking me by my collar.

"I'm sorry, sir." I plead, scrambling along as he drags me up the stairs. He tosses me onto the floor of the hallway at the top.

"It is time for you to make your decision." He glances over to the dining room, where no doubt Bellatrix sits, eagerly awaiting playtime.

"Please, no! Please don't make me." I beg, crying as I curl up on the floor.

"Does that mean you're ready to talk, hm?" He shoves me with his shoe.

"Y-yes, sir." I close my eyes, waiting for what's to come. But nothing does. I crack open my eyes and see Snape pressing his wand into his arm. At first, I don't understand, but then I realize that this is how they summon Voldemort.

"Come with me." Snape demands, and I quickly scramble to my feet, going easily where he directs me. He takes me to a sitting room, pushing me down into a kneeling position in front of a large chair. I keep my eyes on the carpet as we wait for the Dark Lord.

After a moment, I see the hem of a robe as someone sits in the seat in front of me. He had been silent, as if his feet didn't even touch the ground.

"Speak, child." The smooth voice demands, and I feel the tip of a wand gently lift my chin. My eyes meet his and I let out a shaky breath.

"The locket." I whisper, watching his eyes narrow as he recognizes of which I speak. "Dolores Umbridge, on the day it rains. On the sidewalk outside of the ministry, Mundungus Fletcher will be selling stolen items. The locket among them. You can get the locket back in your possession then."

The creature in front of me sucks in a breath, greed filling his eyes.

"Yes, yes. That would be most preferable." He muses. "Send her back to Bellatrix."

Snape steps forward to grab me, but I look at him with pleading eyes.

"Please Professor. Please don't send me back! I kept your secret!" I beg, frantic to not have to go back in that woman's office.

"She kept your secret?" Voldemort muses, looking down at me once again. "What secret could that be, Severus?"

"She saw that I would kill Dumbledore weeks in advance." The black haired man peers down his nose at me. "She did not try to interfere."

"And why not, child?" The Dark Lord ran a finger down my face.

"I- I couldn't betray my Professor." I whisper, my voice quivering.

"Your professor?" He questions, his fingernail digging into my skin slightly.

"I- I didn't... yes." I swallow, feeling my face flush at what he is implying.

"Ah, I see." He purrs, releasing my face. "I am a generous man. I shall give you to Severus as a gift. She does have a striking resemblance to Lily, doesn't she? Except the eyes of course."

"Yes, My Lord." Snape mutters, admirably keeping it together in such a crazy situation.

"Would you like to have her? As a pet perhaps?"

"Yes, My Lord." The potion master looked like he'd rather kill me. I don't blame him, to be honest.

"Very well. Enjoy her, Severus." Voldemort chuckles as Snape leads me from the room.

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