Bound in Darkness

The battle for Hogwarts had ended in a crushing defeat for the forces of darkness. Lilith Rosier's mission, which involved leading dozens of Death Eaters and dark creatures against the school, had culminated in her capture. Bound in magical restraints that cut off her access to mana, she was now a prisoner, her formidable powers rendered useless.

Lilith sat in a dimly lit cell deep within the castle, her body aching from the constant pressure of the magic-suppressing artifacts. The restraints bound her wrists and ankles, glowing with an eerie light that pulsed in time with her heartbeat. The air around her felt heavy and oppressive, her senses dulled as she struggled to breathe without the mana she had come to depend on.

Each breath was a struggle, her lungs burning as they labored to draw in air without the support of her mana breath. She felt as if she were drowning in the very air she breathed, her body fighting against the unnatural constraints. The world around her was a muted haze, the once vibrant connection to the magical currents severed, leaving her feeling blind and disoriented.

The door to her cell creaked open, and Lilith looked up, her eyes filled with defiance despite her weakened state. Severus Snape stepped inside, his expression unreadable as he approached her. He had been tasked with ensuring her confinement, a role that weighed heavily on him.

"Lilith," he said softly, his voice tinged with a mix of regret and sorrow. "You brought this upon yourself."

Lilith glared at him, her breath coming in ragged gasps. "Take... these off... let me... breathe," she managed to say, her voice hoarse and strained.

"I cannot," Snape replied, his tone firm. "You are too dangerous, even now. These restraints are the only thing keeping you contained."

She clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms as she fought against the helplessness that threatened to overwhelm her. "I'm not... a danger... to you."

Snape sighed, kneeling beside her. "You are a danger to everyone, Lilith. Until we can find a way to help you, you must remain like this."

The words stung, but Lilith refused to show any sign of weakness. She turned her head away, refusing to meet his gaze. "Leave me... alone."

Snape stood, his expression softening for a moment. "I wish things could have been different," he said quietly. "But for now, this is the only way."

He turned and left the cell, the door closing with a heavy thud behind him. Lilith was left alone once more, the silence pressing down on her like a physical weight. She closed her eyes, focusing on the rhythmic pulse of the restraints, trying to find some semblance of calm amidst the chaos that raged within her.

Days turned into nights, the passage of time a blur as she struggled to adapt to her new reality. The lack of mana left her feeling hollow, her once vibrant connection to the magical world reduced to a distant memory. Yet even in her weakened state, the fire within her burned brightly, fueled by a deep-seated determination to reclaim her power and break free from her bonds.

In the quiet moments of her confinement, Lilith's mind turned to thoughts of Bellatrix, her mentor and the twisted source of her strength. The memories of their time together, the battles they had fought side by side, and the bond they had forged gave her a glimmer of hope. She knew that Bellatrix would come for her, that she would not be left to rot in this cell.

For now, Lilith would endure. She would bide her time, drawing on the reserves of strength and resilience that had carried her through the darkest of days. The restraints might have dulled her senses and cut off her access to mana, but they could not extinguish the fierce spirit that burned within her.

As the days passed, Lilith remained resolute, her mind fixed on one goal: escape. She would find a way to break free from her bonds, to reclaim her power, and to unleash the full fury of her wrath upon those who had dared to imprison her. The world would come to know the true extent of her strength, and she would not rest until she had achieved her revenge.

-----

Bellatrix Lestrange's reaction to the news of Lilith's capture was a volatile mix of fury and desperation. When the Death Eater messenger delivered the message, he barely escaped with his life. Bellatrix's eyes blazed with a dangerous light as she listened, her mind racing.

"No!" she screamed, her voice echoing through the cold, stone halls of Malfoy Manor. "This cannot be! My Lilith, captured again by those insufferable fools!"

She paced back and forth, her hands clenched into fists, her nails digging into her palms. The thought of Lilith, her beloved protégé, trapped and bound by Dumbledore's magic-suppressing artifacts was almost too much to bear.

Bellatrix's thoughts were a maelstrom of anger and sorrow. She had nurtured Lilith's dark potential, shaped her into the formidable weapon she had become. The bond between them was twisted and fierce, a blend of maternal affection and shared madness.

"I will not let them keep her," Bellatrix vowed, her voice trembling with rage. "I will tear Hogwarts apart brick by brick if I have to. I will make them pay for this."

She stormed through the manor, her fury palpable, seeking an audience with the Dark Lord. Her thoughts were consumed with plans for Lilith's rescue, each one more violent and reckless than the last. She knew that Voldemort would not be pleased with the news, but she was determined to take action.

-----

Voldemort's response to the news of Lilith's capture was one of cold calculation and simmering anger. He listened impassively as Bellatrix, barely containing her rage, relayed the information. His crimson eyes flickered with a dangerous light.

"So, Dumbledore has managed to capture Lilith once more," Voldemort said, his voice a sibilant whisper. "This is... disappointing."

Bellatrix's anger was barely contained. "My Lord, we must act. We cannot leave her in their hands. She is too valuable, too powerful to be wasted in a cell."

Voldemort's expression remained unreadable, but his mind was working quickly. He knew the extent of Lilith's power, the raw, untamed force that made even him wary. Her capture by Dumbledore was a significant blow, but it also presented an opportunity.

"Lilith is indeed a valuable asset," Voldemort said slowly, his eyes narrowing. "And she has proven herself resilient. But we must not act rashly, Bellatrix. A direct assault on Hogwarts would be... unwise at this moment."

Bellatrix bristled at the caution in his words, but she knew better than to challenge him directly. "Then what will we do, my Lord? We cannot simply leave her there."

Voldemort's gaze turned inward, considering his options. "We will bide our time. Dumbledore cannot hold her indefinitely. Her power is too great, her will too strong. She will find a way to escape, and when she does, she will be more formidable than ever."

Bellatrix's eyes blazed with a mix of hope and frustration. "But what if she doesn't, my Lord? What if they manage to break her?"

Voldemort's lips curved into a cold, cruel smile. "Lilith is not so easily broken, Bellatrix. And if they do manage to subdue her... then we will have to make sure they pay dearly for their arrogance."

The Dark Lord's words were both a reassurance and a warning. Bellatrix nodded, her mind already racing with thoughts of how to aid Lilith, to ensure her swift return to their side. The bond between them was too strong to be severed by mere captivity.

As Bellatrix left Voldemort's presence, her resolve was hardened. She would find a way to reach Lilith, to free her from Dumbledore's grasp. No matter the cost, she would not abandon the young woman who had become both her weapon and her ward.

Back in her cell, Lilith remained unaware of the turmoil her capture had caused. But even in her weakened state, she could feel the faint, persistent pull of the bond she shared with Bellatrix. It was a reminder of the twisted love and loyalty that had shaped her path, and a spark of hope that she clung to in the darkness.