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Chapter 10 Rescue

Harry and Ron were roughly shoved into the cold, dank dungeon of Malfoy Manor.

After shaking the barred door and yelling after Hermione, the boys realized that they weren't alone.

Harry had felt his scar prickling and being soothed. A feeling he recognized.

He turned around and tapped Ron on the shoulder, making him turn around.

Weasley clicked the diluminator and a bulb of soft yellow light appeared in the centre of the small, low ceiling room.

They looked around and noticed all the familiar faces.

A goblin, Mr. Ollivander, Luna, and a figure curled into a ball on the ground, draped in white and shivering.

Harry approached the person and jumped back.

It was his teacher!

The marks on her face had returned to their once gory state, bleeding from everywhere, exposing flesh that should have never seen the light of day in ordinary circumstances.

Her skin was pale from malnourishment and being hidden away for so long in a dark dungeon.

She wore only a thin, white robe over her undergarments. Harry was compelled to look away, but knew that he had to help her.

She was bruised around the neck and wrists. A large welt on her shoulder, where someone must have grabbed her roughly.

It made him sick to his stomach.

"Ron, get over here!" Harry called out, carefully shifting the hair from the professor's face.

Dark circles under her eyes, made her face look gaunt and skeletal.

The youngest Weasley boy ran over and crouched beside his friend, to see what was worrying him.

He gasped at the sight of the woman's state and looked toward Ollivander for an explanation.

It wasn't the man who spoke, but a lofty feminine voice behind him.

"She was a slave. They took her from the dungeons, used her, then put her back when she couldn't stand the physical and emotional exhaustion." Luna's eyes drifted to the unconscious woman and sighed.

Harry ran a hand through his messy hair. "That's awful. I knew Deatheaters were terrible beings, but this is beyond vile. I can't imagine how angry Professor Snape will be."

Ollivander's eyes widened. "I'd rather not think of that." He whispered.

Footsteps were heard in the staircase and Ron clicked the diluminator, sending them into complete darkness.

"Quiet down, in there!" Said a familiar voice.

Pettigrew's mousy face appeared through the bars, the only light coming from the wand in his metallic hand.

Harry rattled the bars. "Professor Barron needs a doctor! How dare you leave her here in this state?"

"I said quiet down!" The small man shot a spell at Harry, sending him flying towards the wall, when they heard a scream from the upper floor.

Ron stood. "Hermione!" He called, rattling the bars himself.

Pettigrew waved his wand and sent him flying towards the cell wall, as well.