Chapter 57

I resisted the intense mental probing, my head splitting with pain, desperately clinging to my mental defenses. Then, suddenly, all the pressure vanished. Gasping for breath, I warily watched the Dark Lord, careful to avoid his eyes. Only now did I notice the bloodshot red eyes set in a pale, waxy face twisted in a grotesque expression—utterly terrifying.

How did his followers worship him so blindly? Judging by the Dark Lord's attitude toward his followers, it was clear that his organization was one of absolute tyranny. Seeing Crabbe's reaction, perhaps they followed out of fear rather than loyalty.

"You are surprisingly resistant. Perhaps I forgot to use the proper curses," the Dark Lord mused with a hint of irritation. "Have you ever experienced the Cruciatus Curse? It's designed to cause excruciating pain, making one scream in agony. I quite enjoy using it." He twirled his wand casually, as if discussing the weather.

I shuddered, sweat trickling down my temples. My body remembered the pain from Katherine's recent Cruciatus Curse. My current state couldn't withstand another, let alone one from the Dark Lord himself.

"Wait! I give up…" I trembled, bowing my head. My bound body wavered, shivering with fear. "Please don't torture me. I'll tell you everything I know… Just promise not to harm me or Severus!"

"Master! Don't trust her. She's saying this to avoid the Cruciatus!" Bellatrix passionately argued, her wand aimed at me, "Crucio—"

I braced myself for the impending loss of my child but found the spell blocked.

"Since when do you make decisions for me, Bellatrix?" The Dark Lord's tone was dangerously low.

I let my tears flow freely, releasing the pent-up fear. I trembled, naturally portraying someone scared into submission.

"Y-Yes, Master…" Bellatrix stammered, her explanation cut short. I risked a glance, seeing the Dark Lord's eyes narrowed, his aura menacing. I prayed Bellatrix would continue to anger him, while cautiously struggling with my bound hands. The mirror had vibrated for the second time; I didn't have much time left…

The ring heated up, signaling the Portkey activation! It was too late… I nervously scanned the space around me.

Seconds later, a black figure materialized a few steps away, the air twisting around him.

Everyone was startled. I gasped, using the distraction to stumble back a few steps. Severus, now the center of attention, appeared, and I could only move away to avoid distracting him.

I moved behind Katherine's left, struggling against the ropes, gaining a small degree of freedom.

Severus landed in a defensive stance, his expression turning icy upon seeing me. He quickly engaged in defense, evading and countering curses with precision. The room filled with a cacophony of flashing spells.

Bellatrix, her husband, and Crabbe teamed up against Severus. Katherine watched me, but her attention kept shifting to the fight, underestimating me.

The Dark Lord, from his throne, seemed to enjoy watching the three-on-one battle, showing no intention of intervening.

"Snape!" Crabbe recognized Severus. "Your wife is in our hands. Behave, or else!"

Everyone turned to me. In the chaos, I had retrieved a small knife hidden in my left sleeve and cut the remaining ropes, ready to act. I slashed at Katherine's wand hand, blood splattering.

Her scream pierced the air as her wand fell. She tried to retrieve it, but I grabbed her hair, kicking the wand away. She clawed at my hand, screaming in pain.

"Petrificus Totalus!" Bellatrix's furious shout sent a red beam toward me.

I used Katherine as a shield. Her scream abruptly stopped, her body stiff and lifeless. Taller than me, she served as an effective barrier. I quickly searched her for my wand.

"Thanks for the shield!" I taunted, drawing Bellatrix's attention away from Severus. He fought valiantly but was clearly struggling against the three. He had been hit a few times, his condition worsening.

"Out of the way, Katherine! Finite Incantatem!" Bellatrix lifted the spell, trying to remove Katherine between us.

I found my wand just as Katherine's body softened. Before I could react, I cast another Petrificus Totalus. Glancing at Severus, I saw him slow, his face pale, breathing heavily.

Crabbe was already down, unmoving. Rodolphus's right hand hung limp and bloody, his left still wielding a wand.

The Dark Lord watched from his throne, his fingers caressing his wand, eyes glinting with battle lust. He seemed ready to join the fray, which would leave us no chance to escape.

"Accio Katherine!" Bellatrix screamed. I pushed Katherine toward Bellatrix, blocking her view. Bellatrix impatiently flung Katherine aside with her wand.

I had been waiting for this moment.

"Aguamenti!" A high-pressure jet of water hit Bellatrix's face, catching her off guard. The force pushed her back, disrupting her vision and breathing. She flailed, choking.

I turned the jet toward Rodolphus, targeting his face. His Shield Charm deflected it.

"Severus! Go!!" I knew he wouldn't leave without me. Increasing the water pressure, I swept it toward Rodolphus and the Dark Lord, spinning on the spot to Disapparate.

In the final moment, I heard a furious voice, "Crucio!"

Dizzy, I stood in my foyer, feeling no pain. Maybe the curse missed? Disoriented, I struggled to gather my thoughts.

With a 'pop,' Severus appeared beside me, pale and tense. He grabbed my arm, inspecting me. He saw the blood on my wrists from the ropes.

"Are you hurt? Where else are you injured?"

"I'm fine…" I started, but Severus cut me off.

"But you cried." His eyes focused on my tear-streaked cheeks.

I paused, forcing a smile, "That was just an act. You don't look well, where are you hurt? Let me see!"

Severus relaxed slightly, resting a hand on my shoulder, the other against the wall, sinking with exhaustion.

"Help me inside first."

I looked down and saw a dark stain spreading on the deep red carpet from Severus's feet. He was bleeding!

Using my wand, I levitated him to avoid aggravating his wounds. The short distance from the foyer to the living room was marked by dripping blood.

In the living room, I conjured a bed, placing Severus on it. He had lost too much blood and was unconscious.

Removing his clothes, I saw a grievous wound on his left thigh, as if a chunk of flesh had been gouged out, blood oozing steadily.

It looked like a minor Splinching from a failed Apparition. Severus never failed at Apparition. The Cruciatus Curse must have hit him, causing him to lose focus.

The thought terrified me. A worse Splinching could have been disastrous!

I quickly cast a spell to stop the bleeding, then rushed to the potions cabinet.

A rough inspection revealed two major injuries: the thigh wound and a large bruise on his right chest and abdomen, likely a broken rib. Hopefully, no internal injuries.

I brought all potentially useful potions, rushing back to Severus.

After administering a Blood-Replenishing Potion, his color improved. He should wake soon.

Confirming the rib fracture, I used a spell to mend it, then gave him additional potions, completing the initial treatment.

I took a Stabilizing Potion for myself, still feeling a dull ache in my abdomen. Pushing through the pain, I used the Floo Network to connect to the Hogwarts Hospital Wing.

"Poppy! Are you there?" Sticking my head into the spinning flames was uncomfortable.

"Oh, Sawyer! What happened?" Madam Pomfrey appeared within view.

"Can you come over? Severus and I are hurt. He needs Dittany. Do you have any prenatal potions? I'm pregnant, and the baby's at risk. We only have Stabilizing Potions." My calm surprised even me.

"Merlin's beard! I'll prepare the potions and come immediately!" Madam Pomfrey exclaimed.

I withdrew from the Floo, adjusting the house's defenses to allow her entry. Lying on the sofa, I gently touched my still-flat stomach. Inside was a fragile life, already enduring a Portkey journey, a Cruciatus Curse, and an Apparition…

"Hang in there, little one!"

Madam Pomfrey arrived quickly, shocked by the blood. Confirming we were not in immediate danger, she handed me a small bottle of amber liquid.

"Drink this! Lie down, I'll examine you."

Her diagnostic spells cast a warm, purple glow over me.

"Take this Dreamless Sleep Potion. You need rest! Don't worry about Severus. With me here, neither of you will be harmed. If you want to keep the baby, drink the potion and sleep!"

Drinking the potion, the sofa transformed into a comfortable bed. Madam Pomfrey busied herself, muttering about 'troublesome children.'

We were safe now. With that thought, exhaustion took over, and I fell into a deep sleep.