You and me

Part 18 - Darkness rising

I have been spending way too much time at home, that it drove me crazy.
So many things had changed. I could no longer write to my friends. I didnt know where Draco was or if he was alright.
Mum dad Dad didnt allow me to attend Bill and Fleur's wedding as well. I heard the trio had vanished from the wedding grounds.
Mum and dad were always in a state of panic. They rarely spoke of the Malfoys. They were whispering to eachother, and sparng apart if they saw me.
I had my nightmares as usual. And sometimes, I would wake up in the middle of the night, screaming.

"We should never have done it !" cried Mum. "We thought it would keep you safe, if you were seen to be on the right side"
I couldnt believe my ears.
"Are you kidding me, Mum ?!" I screamed. "You got me betrothed to Draco so that we would be safe in Voldemort's side ?!"
"What else should we have done ?!"
snapped Dad. "Be like that friend of yours, Harry Potter ?? Can you count all the people he saved ? His parents ? His Godfather ? Dumbledore ?!"
I stared at Dad.
"Im sorry, but I dont want to live serving a devil like that !" I said, " I love Draco. I love him. I dont care if hes a Death Eater. He isnt one by choice. "
My parents looked defeated.

                               * * *
I heard Ginny and Neville were returning to school with a few others.
Severus Snape was the new Headmaster there. The school was practically run by Voldemort and his Death Eaters now.

One day, as Mum, Dad and I sat at the living room, again having a row over Draco, we heard voices outside our home. We sat silently, Mum now wrapping her arms around me, as Dad drew his wand.
The front door burst open, and there stood men in masks.
"The Dark Lord expects you over at Malfoy Manor" one of them said.
They grabbed us forcibly, before disapparating.

                               * * *

When I opened my eyes, I was lying in a cold and dingy room. My lips tasted of blood.
I thought I was in the cellar. Then I hear a whimper echoing in the room.
"Whos there ?" I asked.
More whimpering.
I didnt have my wand, and I was scared beyond words. I strained my neck to look at the far corners of the room.

There sat someone, huddled in the extreme left corner of the room. Small, curved like a ball, and shaking. I walked slowly closer, and saw an old man, shivering madly.
He looked so familiar, but damaged. I squinted to get a better look at him.
"Mr.Ollivander !"

The old wandmaker shivered as I called out his name. He was in some semi conscious condition, whimpering every now and then as if deep pain. I sat by him, not knowing what to do. At least I wasnt totally alone.

I didnt know when I had fallen asleep. I woke with a start, hearing the cellar  door open. I looked cautiously, and heard a bit of struggling and a thud of someone falling to the ground.

I got up slowly, and moved forward. The familiar cascades of dirty blond hair made me scream ," LUNA !"
Luna Lovegood jumped in shock, and turned to towards me. Her hands were tied to her back, and she was unusually silent.
"Luna ?" I said, more cautiously this time.
She let out some muffled noises, and I saw that she was gagged. I rushed forward to free her. She took in a big breath and said, "Thank you so much, Mia ! But what are you doing in here ?!"
I told her all that happened. She stared at me silently and said , "They took me in because they think we know where Harry is...they want my father to help them"
"Does he know ?"
"Not really"

The two of us sat near Mr.Ollivander, thinking up ways to escape. But obviously, the room was escape-proofed. We just had to wait.

A couple of days passed, and we were really miserable now. I was really glad to have Luna, because she stayed freakishly positive even in this condition.

One morning, we heard voices. Lots of loud voices.
"Someones here " said Luna, listening carefully.
We heard Bellatrix's voice, she was laughing. And then more shouts.
We heard footstep coming down the stairs, and Peter Pettigrew arrived, his wand pointed at us.
"You. Come here."