𝗙𝗔𝗩𝗢𝗥𝗜𝗧𝗘 𝗖𝗥𝗜𝗠𝗘

ACT TWO, CHAPTER THREE
finally reunited . . . under literally
the worst circumstances.

eight months later.

IF EVERYTHING WAS so dark, then why hadn't the world ended yet?

Hogwarts had pretty much gone to shit. With Snape as headmaster, Death Eaters were now teachers and free roaming around the castle. Muggle-borns were being attacked with the Cruciatus Curse left and right — Charlotte Thomas was particularly susceptible, due to the fact of her talking back and being a Muggle-born Slytherin. She was strong, but even Penelope could tell that she was deteriorating fast. Daphne Greengrass had also lost the sparkle in her eyes, and Tracey Davis hadn't returned to Hogwarts.

Penelope had been keeping her promise. She had been playing into the Pureblood supremacy ideal, keeping her mother's attention on her, and oh boy, was Bellatrix playing along. Bellatrix constantly sent her letters while she was at school and seemed to be proud of Penelope, which honestly made her sick to her stomach. But what everyone didn't know was that Penelope was still secretly helping the members of Dumbledore's Army — all of them were staying together in the Room of Requirement, and Penelope was often there late at night and early in the morning to help tend to the injuries that the Death Eaters had caused to everyone.

However, anyone that knew Penelope well enough could see that her heart was breaking each day that went on. There had been so much instability in her life. Even though she was good at suppressing her emotions, there was a melancholy in her eyes

Number one, Bellatrix. Penelope hated that her mother was so interested in her now and also despised the fact that Bellatrix was basically one of the most powerful Death Eaters in the Wizarding World. As Voldemort's right-hand, Bellatrix kept trying to get Penelope to join the ranks. Penelope would rather die than have that stupid tattoo inked into her skin. She kept refusing, but Penelope feared that her mother would force her into getting the Dark Mark. Penelope knew that everyone had a choice, but Bellatrix was trying to rip that privilege away from her.

Number two, her family. Nymphadora, while pregnant (yes, she's pregnant), was still assisting in the Order of the Phoenix since the Ministry had been taken over. Andromeda had gone into slight hiding — she was still a Pureblood, but as a blood traitor, she was obviously still a target. But their little family that Penelope had grown up in and learned love in was now in shambles. By the hands of Death Eaters, Ted Tonks had been murdered.

The same man that taught Penelope about Muggle things, healing spells, and how to cook, was just dead. Out of all the places she could've found out, she heard it from the Daily Prophet while sitting in the Room of Requirement. It wasn't a pretty sight — for the first time in months, Penelope had let out a scream, one that came straight from the pain in her heart. She was honestly surprised that she didn't go insane. Nobody in the Room had ever seen her like this — screaming, crying, sobbing, tugging on her hair, basically breaking apart by the seams. It had been the embrace of none other than Elijah Rogers that forced her to sit on the ground. He allowed her to sob and scream into his chest for Merlin knows how long until she was exhausted and on the verge of passing out.

Number three, Ron. She had thought about him every single day, always worried. Penelope had to tell herself multiple times that he would be all right, she shouldn't be scared, and that he was helping to defeat Voldemort, but Merlin, she was his girlfriend. He was the person she loved with all of her heart and she couldn't help but stress over the situation. Ever since Ted died, she was craving for his touch, but since that couldn't happen, Penelope succumbed into herself.

It was finally Easter break. Penelope would've preferred to stay at Hogwarts, but the demands of Bellatrix and the pleading of Draco to come back to Malfoy Manor for it was becoming all too much, so she begrudgingly agreed. She had promised Charlotte, whose body was getting thinner from the lack of food the Death Eaters were giving her, that she would be back.

Penelope didn't know that was going to be a lie.

She sat in one of the rooms of Malfoy Manor, her eyes glued to her book. Penelope could feel Bellatrix's gaze on her from across the room (she was literally just watching her, what a creep), but she ignored it and continued to read. Penelope was just about to finish the chapter she was on when she heard commotion coming from the drawing room. She turned in the direction, raising an eyebrow and shutting her book. Penelope stood up and placed the book down on the table. She walked in the direction of the drawing room, her eyebrows knit in thought. Bellatrix was literally right behind her. When she fully entered the drawing room, she fully stopped in her tracks, her heart stopping and her veins feeling like they turned to ice.

Gathered in drawing room was Narcissa, Lucius, Draco, Greyback, and some Snatchers. However, that wasn't why she was shocked. Dean Thomas, a Goblin, Harry Potter (he was still recognizable even with his face all messed up, most likely from a jinx), Hermione Granger, Venus Black, and Ron Weasley stood in the drawing room of Malfoy Manor, all roped together. Oh God, oh dear fucking God it was him. Everything sounded underwater to Penelope as Ron's blue eyes met hers, and it felt electrifying. His red hair was a lot longer due to them being on the run for so long, his clothes were ragged, and his face was streaked with dirt, but Penelope believed that he had never looked more handsome.

"What is this?" Bellatrix's high voice demanded, snapping Penelope out of her thoughts. "What's happened, Cissy?" Bellatrix walked slowly around the prisoners and stopped on Harry's right, staring at Hermione through her heavily lidded eyes. "But surely this is the Mudblood girl? This is Granger?"

Penelope kept her eyes on Ron. She placed a questioning expression on her face, wondering how they got caught. Ron slightly shook his head. Later.

"Yes, yes, it's Granger!" Lucius cried. "And beside her, we think, Potter! Potter and his friends, caught at last!"

"Potter?" Bellatrix repeated, and she backed away to get a better look at Harry. "Are you sure? Well then, the Dark Lord must be informed at once!"

She dragged back her left sleeve. Penelope felt sick to her stomach once her eyes set on the Dark Mark burned into her mother's arms. Just as she was about to touch it, Lucius interrupted.

"I was about to call him!" Lucius insisted, his hand closing upon Bellatrix's wrist to prevent her from touching the Mark. "I shall summon him, Bella, Potter has been brought to my house, and it is therefore upon my authority—"

"Your authority!" Bellatrix sneered, attempting to wrench her hand from his grasp. "You lost your authority when you lost your wand, Lucius! How dare you! Take your hands off me!"

"This is nothing to do with you, you did not capture the boy—"

"Begging your pardon, Mr. Malfoy, but it's us that caught Potter, and it's us that'll be claiming the gold—" Greyback interjected.

Bellatrix laughed, still attempting to be free from Lucius' grasp and her free hand reaching in her pocket for her wand. "Gold! Take your gold, filthy scavenger, what do I want with gold? I seek only the honor of his — of—"

She suddenly stropped struggling. Her dark eyes fixed upon something silver a Snatcher was holding. Lucius happily threw her hand from him and ripped up his own sleeve.

"STOP!" Bellatrix shrieked. "Do not touch it, we shall all perish if the Dark Lord comes now!"

Lucius froze, his index finger hovering over his own Mark. Bellatrix strode over to the Snatcher.

"What is that?" Bellatrix demanded.

"Sword," the Snatcher answered.

"Give it to me."

"It's not yorn, missus, it's mine, I reckon I found it."

There was a bang and a flash of red light. Penelope's eyes widened and she slightly flinched at the Snatcher being Stunned. There was a roar of anger from his friends, some even drawing their wands.

"What d'you think you're playing at, woman?" one Snatcher asked in shock.

"Stupefy!" Bellatrix screamed. "Stupefy!"

They were no match for her, even though it was four against one. No matter how much she hated her, Penelope had to admit that her mother had a lot of skill when it came to spells. The Snatchers all fell where they stood, all except Greyback, who had been forced into a kneeling position with his arms outstretched. Bellatrix walked over to the Werewolf, the silver sword gripped tightly in her hand, and restrained him herself.

"Where did you get this sword?" Bellatrix whispered as she pulled his wand out of his unresisting grip.

"How dare you?" Greyback snarled. He bared his pointed teeth, making Penelope feel complete and utter disgust. "Release me, woman!"

"Where did you find this sword? Snape sent it to my vault in Gringotts!"

"It was in their tent. Release me, I say!"

She waved her wand. The Werewolf sprang to his feet, but didn't dare approach her. He walked behind an armchair, his filthy curved nails clutching its back.

Bellatrix gestured to the unconscious men. "Draco, move this scum outside. If you haven't got the guts to finish them, then leave them in the courtyard for me."

"Don't you dare speak to Draco like—" Narcissa began furiously.

"Be quiet!" Bellatrix screamed. "The situation is graver than you can possibly imagine, Cissy! We have a very serious problem!" She stood while panting slightly, examining the sword in her hand. Then she turned to look at the silent prisoners. "If it is indeed Potter, he must not be harmed." She seemed to be talking to herself, and Penelope's eyes followed her mother as she paced. "The Dark Lord wishes to dispose of Potter himself . . . but if he finds out . . . I must . . . I must know . . ." She turned back to her sister. "The prisoners must be placed in the cellar, while I think what to do!"

"This is my house, Bella, you don't give orders in my—" Narcissa argued.

"Do it! You have no idea of the danger we are in!"

Bellatrix looked frightening, her eyes alight with madness. A thin stream of fire issued from her wand and burned a hole in the carpet right next to Penelope. Penelope slightly jumped to the side.

Narcissa hesitated for a moment before looking straight at Penelope. "Take these prisoners down to the cellar, Penelope."

Penelope blinked in shock. Her, take everyone down to the cellar? She truly didn't understand. It was public knowledge that she was the one who had dated Ron Weasley and was friends with Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Venus Black. However, she wasn't going to complain — just a second alone with Ron was all she wanted.

"Wait," Bellatrix interrupted sharply. "All except . . . except for the Mudblood."

Penelope hesitated as Greyback let out a grunt of pleasure. She definitely did not want to leave Hermione alone with Bellatrix. It definitely would not end well.

"No!" Ron shouted. "You can have me, keep me!"

Bellatrix instantly smacked him across the face, the loud sound echoing around the room. Penelope's fists clenched and her eyes blazed with anger. Oh, absolutely not.

"If she dies under questioning, I'll take you next," Bellatrix continued, Penelope starting to only see red. "Blood traitor is next to Mudblood in my book. Take them downstairs, little Penelope, and make sure they are secure, but do nothing more to them — yet."

Penelope was even more shocked that her mother was truly believing that she was on their side now, considering she knew about Penelope and their relationships. However, she didn't question it. Penelope gritted her teeth to control her anger and nodded.

Bellatrix cut Hermione free with a short silver knife that she had gotten from under robes. She dragged her by the hair into the middle of the room. Penelope sent a quick glance to Hermione, telling her that she would be back. Penelope then ushered Harry, Venus, Ron, Dean, and the Goblin forwards, walking behind them with her wand pointed at their backs as she led them down to the cellar. Once they descended down the steps, she cast a quick Muffliato charm to make sure that nobody upstairs could her them. Penelope then turned to the three, her heart pounding against her chest.

"Oh my God, Penelope," Ron let out, instantly pulling the girl into her arms despite the ropes and holding her close. She nearly cried at the sound of him saying her name — it had been months of worrying and waiting, and now he was here. "I didn't — Merlin, I love you, I love you."

Penelope placed her hand on the back of his head, bringing him in closer as she shut her eyes, willing herself not to cry. "Oh my God, it's you." She pulled away, placing her hands on either side of her face and looking into his eyes, both of them close to tears. "It's really you." Penelope reluctantly let him go and looked over at Harry, Venus, Dean, and the Goblin. "What happened? Why are you here? It's dangerous."

"Harry said You-Know-Who's name," Ron answered, his hands sticking to her waist.

Penelope looked at him. "Harry, you dumbass, it's taboo."

He blinked. "Well, yeah, I realize that now."

Penelope looked between all three of them. "I want you tell me everything later, whenever later is. It pains me to do it, but I have to leave you guys in the cellar. I'll find a way to get you, Luna, and Mr. Ollivander out, I promise. Bellatrix will torture me more if I stay down here any longer." Venus then repeated the names of the two others, making Penelope shake her her head. "They've been here for months. I haven't figured out a way to get them out yet, but now we have strength in numbers."

"Wait," Ron interjected, his jaw clenched. "Did you say Bellatrix is torturing you?"

"Don't worry about it, I'm fine," Penelope reassured him. "Please, just get in the cellar. They'll cut you out of the rope while you're in there."

Harry, Venus, Hermione, Dean, and the Goblin all walked into the cellar. The only one who didn't was Ron, who was resisting against the rope. Penelope sent him a small nod, telling him that it was going to be fine. He finally got in the cellar, and Penelope shut the door, locking them in. She had only just shut the door when a terrible, ear-splitting scream came from above. Penelope's eyes widened and she cast the quick counter-charm for Muffliato, sprinting upstairs as fast as she could.

She stopped in her tracks in the drawing room. Bellatrix was standing over Hermione, a wicked smile on her face as red jets of light flew from her wand and onto Hermione, making the girl scream and writher in pain.

"I'm going to ask you again!" Bellatrix yelled. "Where did you get this sword?Where?"

"We found it — we found it — PLEASE!" Hermione begged before letting out another scream.

Bellatrix went to cast another curse, but Penelope sent a non-verbal Protego in front of Hermione. The Cruciatus Curse rebounded towards Bellatrix and she ducked, stumbling back away from Hermione. All the members of the Malfoy family plus Greyback stared at her in shock, but Penelope kept her face as hard as steel.

"If you want answers from her, torturing to the point of insanity is not the way to do it because you're not going to get anywhere," Penelope announced coldly, her eyes on her mother. She raised an eyebrow. "Haven't you learned that lesson?"

Bellatrix said nothing and merely looked at her. Penelope strode across the room, ignoring all the eyes on her. She kneeled down besides Hermione, her eyes still holding kindness.

"Granger," Penelope began in the same cold tone, hoping Hermione could tell that she was just acting. "Where did you get that sword? Last I heard, it was transferred to my mother's vault because Ginny Weasley, Neville Longbottom, and Luna Lovegood were caught trying to steal it out of the headmaster's office."

Hermione shook her head, a tear dripping down her cheek as her barely-opened eyes threatened to close, letting out another sob. "We've never been inside the vault . . . it isn't the real sword! It's a copy, just a copy!"

"A copy?" Bellatrix screeched. "Oh, a likely story!"

"But we can find out easily!" Lucius exclaimed. "Draco, fetch the Goblin, he can tell us whether the sword is real or not!"

Draco, his eyes meeting Penelope's for a quick moment, then descended down into the cellar. After about a minute, he came back up with the Goblin. There was suddenly a crack from the cellar, and Penelope resisted the urge to smirk. They had somehow found a way.

"What was that? Did you hear that? What was that noise in the cellar? Draco — no, call Wormtail! Make him go and check!"

Wormtail (Penelope hated him) then went to go check, but he never came back. Bellatrix stood in front of the Goblin as he held the sword. Hermione was lying at Bellatrix's feet, barely stirring. Penelope then heard quiet footsteps. She looked over to see Ron, Harry, and Venus standing hidden. Penelope shook her head a minimal amount, praying that they got her message.

"Well?" Bellatrix questioned. "Is it the true sword?"

"No," Griphook answered. "It is a fake."

"Are you sure? Quite sure?"

"Yes."

Bellatrix immediately looked relieved. "Good." With a casual flick of her wand, she slashed a deep cut into the Goblin's face, and he dropped with a yell at her feet. She kicked him aside. "And now, we call the Dark Lord!"

Penelope froze up. She hadn't seen Voldemort in person since the Department of Mysteries, and she wasn't exactly eager to see him again. Especially not with Harry here. Whenever Voldemort was in the house, she always managed to lock herself in a room and didn't come out until he was gone.

Bellatrix pushed back her sleeve and touched her finger to the Dark Mark. "And I think we can dispose of the Mudblood. Greyback, take her if you want her."

"NOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Ron shouted.

He had burst into the drawing room, determined to save his best friend. Bellatrix looked around in shock. She turned her wand to face Ron, but Penelope was quicker.

"Expelliarmus!" Penelope yelled, and her mother's wand flew into her hand.

She threw the wand to Venus, who caught it effortlessly. Penelope placed her own in her back pocket so both of her hands could be free as she ran towards Hermione. She grabbed Hermione up off the floor and pushed her towards Ron, who caught her in his arms and pulled her behind the sofa. Penelope went to follow her, but she felt arms wrap around her and pull her back. She gasped and tensed up when Bellatrix pressed her small, silver knife at her throat. Penelope breathed heavily as she tried to thrash her way out. Bellatrix merely dug the knife in deeper.

"STOP OR SHE DIES!" Bellatrix ordered.

Penelope let out a strangled breath. "Killing your own daughter, huh? You really are a psycho bitch."

"Drop your wands," Bellatrix whispered. "Drop them, or we'll see exactly how traitorous her blood is!"

"Don't listen to her!" Penelope pleaded. "Go, leave! I'm not worth it!"

Ron, Harry, and Venus didn't move. Stubborn, noble Gryffindors, Penelope grumbled to herself in her head.

"I said, drop them!" Bellatrix ordered, pressing the blade harder into Penelope's throat, and she felt blood begin to drip down her chest.

"All right!" Harry yelled.

Venus dropped Bellatrix's wand while Ron dropped Wormtail's. All three of them raised their hands in surrender.

"Good!" Bellatrix praised. "Draco, pick them up! The Dark Lord is coming, Harry Potter! Your death approaches!" Draco removed his eyes from Penelope as he went to go retrieve the wands. "Now, Cissy, I think we ought to tie these little heroes up again, while Greyback takes care of Miss Mudblood and I take care of little Penelope. I am sure the Dark Lord will not begrudge you the girl, Greyback, after what you have done tonight."

At the last word there was a peculiar grinding noise from above them. Penelope glanced up to see the crystal chandelier tremble. Then, with a creak and an ominous jingling, it began to fall. Bellatrix was directly beneath it — she dropped Penelope and threw herself aside with a scream. Penelope jumped forwards into Ron's arms who instantly pulled her away, who had run forwards to catch her despite the falling chandelier. She looked up and their eyes met. Even in an explosion of crystal and chains that went everywhere, Penelope still managed to feel safe.

Ron gave her the smallest of smiles before running over to help the Goblin out of the wreckage, who was still holding the silver sword. Penelope, Ron, Harry, Venus, Hermione (who was being held up by Venus), the Goblin, and Dobby (when did he get here?) all grouped together. Penelope reached down and took Ron's hand in hers. This was her chance — escaping.

"Dobby!" Narcissa screamed, pointing her wand at the Elf, and even Bellatrix froze. "You! You dropped the chandelier—?"

The Elf pointed a trembling finger at his old mistress. "You must not hurt Harry Potter."

"Kill him, Cissy!" Bellatrix shrieked. There was then another loud crack, and Narcissa's wand flew into the air and landed on the other side of the room. "You dirty little monkey! How dare you take a witch's wand, how dare you defy your masters?"

"Dobby has no master! Dobby is a free Elf, and Dobby has come to save Harry Potter and his friends!"

Penelope knew it was time to go. She looked over at Draco, who was watching her with pride even through the blood on his face.

"Ron, catch — and GO!" Harry ordered.

He caught a wand. Instantly, Penelope closed her eyes and felt herself start to Disapparate. All the uncomfortable feelings came and passed, and the next thing she knew, Penelope was laying on a sandy shore covered in sea water. She blinked, clearly disoriented, and looked up to see a cottage a short way away under the wide starry sky.

"Hermione," Penelope breathed out, looking at the unconscious girl next to her. "Oh God." Tears involuntarily filled her eyes. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry—"

"P," Ron cut in quietly. "Come on, we have to go inside."

Ron picked up Hermione in his arms and started to move towards the cottage. Penelope followed him, leaving behind the sounds of Harry's yells. She looked back, and her heart immediately shattered at the sight of Dobby's dead body, impaled by a familiar silver knife. Yet another thing that Bellatrix had destroyed. God, she fucking hated this.

Once they got inside, they were greeted by Bill and Fleur. Fleur immediately rushed up to deal with Hermione while Penelope blankly sat down on one of the couches. Ron held her hand as Bill inspected the cut on her throat, which has thankfully stopped bleeding. Bill healed it with a wave of his wand. Once he was finished, Penelope and Ron just sat on the ground together.

"I love you," Penelope voiced quietly after a while. "And I really fucking missed you."

"It's been hell without you," Ron replied. "We've got so much to talk about."

"Later," Penelope promised. "It's all a little too much right now."

Ron kissed the top of her head gently, Penelope closing her eyes in content. "I'm going to go check up on Harry."

"I'll be out there in a few," Penelope responded.

Ron nodded and left the cottage. Penelope let out a deep breath. She couldn't believe she was here, with her boyfriend and friends again, away from her mother. But that was a really close call. She wished that things weren't so shitty like they were right now.

Finally, it was time for the small funeral for Dobby. Penelope left the cottage. Bill and Fleur followed after her, wearing a traveling cloak and a large white apron that had Skele-Grow in it respectively. Hermione was there as well, pale and unsteady on her feet while wearing a borrowed dressing gown. Penelope held onto her as they approached the group. Venus instantly took ahold of Hermione while Ron put his arm around Penelope, the girl resting comfortably in her side. Luna and Dean were there as well. It seemed that Harry and Ron had dug a grave, and Dobby was wearing a woolen hat and socks, just like always.

Luna leaned down and placed her fingers on Dobby's eyelids, closing them. "There. Now he could be sleeping."

Harry placed the Elf into the grave. Penelope watched Harry in concern — it was another thing he had lost in such a short amount of time, and this time it had been done by her mother. She felt like she should apologize, but he seemed a little unstable at the moment.

"I think we ought to say something," Luna suggested. "I'll go first, shall I? Thank you so much, Dobby, for rescuing me from that cellar. It's so unfair that you had to die, when you were so good and brave. I'll always remember what you did for us. I hope you're happy now."

She turned and looked expectantly at Ron.

Ron cleared his throat. "Yeah . . . thanks, Dobby."

"Thanks," Dean muttered.

Harry swallowed thickly. "Goodbye, Dobby."

Bill raised his wand. The pile of Earth beside the grave and rose up into the air. It fell neatly upon the grave, creating a small, reddish mound.

Harry kept his eyes on the grave. "D'you mind if I stay here a moment?"

Penelope nodded. She headed back towards the cottage, ready to spend as much time in her boyfriend's embrace as she could. They all needed a little love right now.

☆ 彡

was this chapter even good I can't tell