Sugar : Fred Weasley

65: Shattered Monster

[victoria's pov]

The walls of the Malfoy Manor were cold and unwelcoming, their stark grey stone creating a prison of silence. I paced the small cell where I was confined, the only sounds being the shuffle of my footsteps and the distant murmur of voices from the corridors.

They had taken my wand... and my belongings. The dim light that filtered through a narrow window cast long shadows on the walls, adding to the oppressive atmosphere.

In one corner of the cell sat Luna Lovegood, her ethereal presence contrasting sharply with the grim surroundings. She was crouched on a makeshift bed made of straw and a thin blanket, her silver-blonde hair falling around her like a halo. Beside her, Griphook, the Gringotts dwarf, was sitting with his back against the wall, his eyes watchful but weary.

I glanced at my watch, a gift from Dumbledore months ago, which now felt like a lifeline in this dark place. The time was approaching midnight. The ticking of the watch was a comforting reminder that time was still moving forward, even if I felt like I was stuck in a nightmare.

Luna looked up from where she was sitting, her large, round eyes filled with a curious light. "Do you think they'll come for us? Harry, Hermione, and Ron?" she asked, her voice soft but filled with a certain stubborn hope.

I tried to offer a reassuring smile, though it felt hollow. "I hope so. We've got to stay strong. If they're coming, they'll come soon."

Though we'd been saying that Merlin knows how long now...

Griphook, who had been quietly observing us, finally spoke. "You're wrong to hope. Hope alone won't get us out of here."

His words were pragmatic, and I appreciated the honesty. "We'll find a way," I said firmly. "We have to."

The hours passed slowly, each tick of the watch amplifying the silence and the waiting. Luna and I had exchanged stories and small talk to pass the time, building a fragile camaraderie in our shared predicament. Despite the fear and uncertainty, her presence was oddly soothing, a reminder that even in the direst situations, there was still room for connection.

Our brief moments of comfort were abruptly interrupted when the heavy iron door to our cell creaked open. Mattheo Malfoy, his pale face illuminated by the torchlight from the corridor, stood framed in the doorway. His eyes were cold and calculating, and I felt a shiver run down my spine.

"Victoria," he said, his tone carrying a mix of authority and something darker beneath the surface. "I need to speak with you."

I stiffened, the memory of our previous encounters flashing in my mind. "What do you want?"

He gestured for me to follow him. "Come with me."

As I stood up, Luna's eyes met mine with concern. "Be careful," she whispered. "He's dangerous."

The last time I refused to go with him, he used the cruciatus curse on Olivander without a warning, another prisoner, and Luna would have been next had I not listened.

I nodded, swallowing hard as I stepped out of the cell and followed Mattheo down the dimly lit corridor. The air was heavy with the scent of damp stone and something faintly acrid. Each step felt like a descent into an even deeper pit of dread.

Mattheo led me to a richly decorated chamber, the opulence starkly contrasting with the squalor of our cell. The room was filled with luxurious furnishings, dark wood, and viridian drapes, with an ornate fireplace crackling softly. The walls were adorned with dark portraits, their subjects watching us with inscrutable expressions.

He motioned for me to sit on a plush chair, but I remained standing, my posture defiant. "What's this about?" I asked, trying to mask my nervousness.

Mattheo's gaze was unsettling, his eyes lingering on me with an intensity that made my skin crawl. "I wanted to see how you're faring," he said, his voice smooth but carrying an undercurrent of something darker. "And to discuss the future."