Shadows of Redemption

Chapter 18: A Shattered Facade

Harriet's POV

Draco's fear clung to the room like a thick fog, and I watched him, my heart breaking at the sight. He was on the floor, pale and trembling, his eyes wide and haunted. The image of Voldemort's twisted smile and Bellatrix's laughter echoed in my mind, and I knew how deeply those moments had carved into Draco's already fragile strength.

I approached him slowly, keeping my movements soft and careful, and pressed my small body against his side. He reached out, his hand shaking as he gently stroked my fur. His touch was desperate, searching for some semblance of comfort, and I stayed close, hoping I could give him that.

"We have to move faster," he whispered, his voice raw. "I thought we had more time, but now... I don't know how long we can keep this up."

I let out a low, determined trill. We couldn't afford to crumble now. Draco needed to stay strong, and I needed to find a way to break this curse so I could truly help him. Our alliance had to hold, even as the weight of everything bore down on us.

He seemed to sense my resolve, and he took a shuddering breath, his shoulders straightening just a fraction. "You're right," he said, as if I'd spoken aloud. "We can't let them win. We have to keep fighting."

Draco pulled himself up from the floor and crossed the room, his hands steadying as he grabbed the map of the Manor's secret passageways. His movements were more controlled now, driven by purpose rather than fear.

"We need to be prepared for the worst," he said, spreading the map out on the table. "If Voldemort realizes what we're doing, or if he suspects we're not following his orders, we'll have to run. These passages might be our only way out."

I jumped up onto the table, studying the map with him. The passages were intricate, weaving beneath the Manor and out into the surrounding forest. Some led to nearby safe houses, others to abandoned tunnels that would be difficult to track. It wasn't a perfect plan, but it was better than nothing.

Draco's eyes flickered with determination as he traced a route with his finger. "This one," he murmured, pointing to a tunnel that led deep into the woods. "If we need to escape, this is our best bet. It's hidden well enough, and there's an old network of wards we can use to mask our presence."

He looked at me, and for the first time in days, there was a hint of hope in his eyes. "We'll get out of this, Potter," he said. "We have to."

Draco's POV

The pressure felt like it was going to crush me, but having a plan, even a flimsy one, gave me a sense of control I desperately needed. Harriet's silent support kept me steady, her unyielding presence a reminder that I wasn't facing this alone.

But just as we were beginning to piece together our next steps, the door to the guest room burst open. I spun around, my heart leaping into my throat, only to see my mother standing there, her eyes wide with panic.

"Draco," she said urgently, her voice shaking. "They're searching the house. Bellatrix is convinced someone is hiding something, and they're going room by room."

Fear clenched my stomach, and I immediately turned to Harriet. Her eyes mirrored my own terror, but she didn't move. There was no time to hide her; no time to run. We had to act fast.

My mother stepped into the room, closing the door behind her. Her hands were shaking, and for the first time, I saw the cracks in her usually composed demeanor. "Listen to me," she whispered, her voice trembling. "I'll do what I can to delay them, but you need to be prepared."

I swallowed hard, my mind racing. There was no way we could hide Harriet from Bellatrix's scrutiny. She would tear the room apart if she even suspected something was amiss. My mother's eyes softened as she looked at Harriet, as if she understood everything in that one, silent moment.

"Your Kneazle," she said, her voice carefully controlled. "Does it understand you? Can it obey commands?"

I knew what she was asking, and I nodded, my throat tight. "Yes," I said, my voice hoarse. "She's... special."

My mother knelt down, her gaze locking with Harriet's. "Then listen carefully," she whispered, as if she was speaking to an old friend. "You must stay calm and act like any other Kneazle would. If they find you, let them believe you're nothing more than a pet. Draco and I will handle the rest."

Harriet's ears twitched, and I saw the understanding in her eyes. My mother stood and placed a hand on my shoulder, her grip strong despite the fear in her expression. "Stay strong," she said softly. "Both of you."

And then she was gone, the door closing quietly behind her, leaving us in a suffocating silence. Harriet and I exchanged a look, both of us knowing how thin the thread we were balancing on had become.

Footsteps echoed down the hallway, coming closer, and I clenched my fists, my heart racing. Harriet moved to the center of the room, curling up in a deceptively relaxed posture. But her green eyes stayed focused, ready to react at the first sign of danger.

The door slammed open, and Bellatrix Lestrange strode in, her eyes wild with a gleeful kind of madness. Her wand was drawn, and she swept the room with a predatory smile.

"Draco, dear nephew," she drawled, her voice dripping with mockery. "What are you hiding in here?"

I forced a neutral expression, though my hands were trembling. "Nothing, Aunt Bellatrix," I said, keeping my voice steady. "I've just been studying, like Father asked."

Her eyes narrowed, and she moved forward, inspecting the room with a dangerous, predatory grace. Harriet stayed perfectly still, looking every bit the docile Kneazle she needed to be. Bellatrix's gaze lingered on her for a moment, her lips curling into a sneer.

"A Kneazle?" she said, her voice dripping with disdain. "How... dull."

I held my breath, praying that she wouldn't see through the facade. But after a moment, Bellatrix turned away, her interest already waning. "If I find out you're lying to me," she whispered, her voice low and dangerous, "you'll regret it."

With one last, lingering look, she left, slamming the door behind her.

I collapsed onto the floor, my body trembling with relief and fear. Harriet leapt into my lap, pressing against me, and I wrapped my arms around her, holding on like she was the only thing keeping me anchored.

"We're running out of time," I whispered, my voice breaking. "But we have to keep going. We have to."

Harriet let out a soft, determined purr, and somehow, despite the darkness surrounding us, I felt the faintest spark of hope.