Author's Notes: Yes, I am still alive. Yes, I am still writing this. Hello again, folks! Sorry about the wait. I've had, um, a crazy RL over the last few months. But I am back with an update, finally. Hope you like it! With regards to HBP, this story obviously does not follow canon, so consider it AU after Order of the Phoenix finishes. Will hopefully have the next chapter up a bit sooner next time. Readers of HP Lovecraft's "Shadow Over Innsmouth" may recognise the name I've given Luna's mother, and are free to speculate as to what really happened to her, or who or what Luna's maternal grandfather was. ;)

In this chapter: Dealing with the aftermath of the attack isn't easy, but it does have the effect of bringing the five children together. Meanwhile, back in England, Voldemort is taking an interest in the situation and dispatches Bellatrix and Severus to fetch the Red Book for him. But an unpleasant shock is awaiting them...

And In The Darkness Bind Them

by J. L. Matthews

Chapter Five

“Is he going to be alright?” Harry asked, staring at the fallen form of his one time nemesis. Draco, while still alive, was very pale and his skin felt cold to the touch.

“I don't know,” said Hermione, tucking the last of the blankets around the unconscious boy. “But Aragorn said to keep him warm and boil water for him. He wouldn't have said that if there was no hope, would he?”

Harry said nothing. He knew better than anyone that a leader had to stay positive, could never be seen to give up hope, lest his followers pick up on it and lose faith. It was strange – at the start of the journey, he'd been praying for something to happen to Draco, to not have to put up with the blond's snarkiness and general unpleasantness any more. Now it had happened though, Harry didn't feel jubilant at all. Harry felt sick. And he wasn't the only one.

Luna hadn't said a word since it happened. She was still kneeling next to Draco, clutching his hand and stroking his hair, looking almost as pale as he did, except without the sickly pallor.

“Are you alright, Luna?” he asked her. She shook her head, tears in her eyes as she traced Draco's wound.

“This wasn't meant to happen,” Luna whispered. “It wasn't meant to be like this!”

“Luna, don't, it's not your fault,” Harry began, but Luna wasn't listening.

“We were trying to keep him safe!” she cried. “That's the whole reason Calenlass wanted to send him here, so he wouldn't start working for Voldemort and get killed by Aurors! And now this happens...” She covered her mouth with one hand, crying. “He's going to die!”

“He's not going to die,” said Harry. Quite how he was going to guarantee this, he had no idea, but something in Luna's eyes had fired up reserves of strength he hadn't known he'd had. “We won't let him die, Luna. I promise.”

Luna did smile a little at that. “Thank you, Harry,” she whispered. “It won't help save him, but thank you any way. It's a nice thought.”

Ginny reappeared, a bunch of herbs clutched in her hand. “Here, Hermione, I found the herbs you asked for. Oh, and I found some of this as well. I don't know what it is, but it smelt really nice and it might be useful.”

Hermione examined the plant Ginny had pointed out, gasping as she realised what it was.

“Ginny, this is kingsweed!” she gasped. “It's really rare, practically extinct! Wherever did you find this?”

“There was a clump of it growing at the top of the hill,” said Ginny smugly. “Practically fell over it.” She looked curiously at it. “Is it useful then?”

Hermione nodded, still stunned that she was actually holding kingsweed in her hand. “It's one of the most potent healing herbs ever.” She looked up, brisk once more. “Right, give me those herbs. I have a potion to brew.”

She set to work, brewing up a healing potion. The smell alone seemed to drive away the darkness, and all four of them felt the tension and fear of before start to fade away. Even Draco stirred, looking a little less gaunt. Finally, it was ready, and Hermione dropped a little of it into Draco's mouth. The boy swallowed reflexively, before starting to cough. Eyes fluttering open, he pressed his good hand to his chest, trying to stem the coughing. Hermione and Luna were immediately at his side, helping him to sit up.

“Easy now, Malfoy,” said Hermione softly. “You're still very weak. Here, drink the rest of this, but slowly, mind. Don't overdo it.” She offered the rest of the cup to him. Draco took it off her, and sipped it, wincing at the pain in his shoulder.

“What happened?” he whispered, sounding hoarse and ragged and not at all like the Draco they thought they knew. “There was darkness... and wraiths... a pale king?”

“They've gone now,” said Harry. “We chased them off. I don't think they'll come back any time soon.”

“How's your shoulder?” said Hermione.

“Sore,” Draco whispered. “And cold. I think... did someone hex me or something?”

“No, you got stabbed,” said Ginny. “One of the Ringwraiths got you with his sword.”

“Feels more like a curse,” Draco said. His eyes were staring into the distance, unfocused. “Cold, so cold, all down my left side. And... I can't move my arm...”

Hermione reached for his hand, and let it go. Sure enough, his left hand just flopped lifelessly, and it felt stone cold. Hermione bit her lip, exchanging an anxious look with Harry.

“This isn't good, is it?” said Draco, half-smiling.

“It might not be permanent,” said Hermione hopefully.

“But it might be,” said Draco. Closing his eyes, he lay down again. “It's alright, Granger. You don't have to spare my feelings.”

Hermione, for the briefest of moments, looked despairing, before fixing her mouth into a very firm line.

“Luna,” she said in a voice that Harry knew from long experience meant that Hermione had her mind set on something, “get his robes open. I need to bathe his wound in this stuff. It'll help the healing process. Harry, Ginny, start bottling that potion – we'll need to take it with us or Draco's not going to make it to Rivendell. Luna...” She paused, watching Luna roll Draco over and tenderly expose the wound to the air, all the while whispering words of comfort to the stricken boy. “Just keep doing what you are doing,” Hermione said, her voice surprisingly gentle.

When Aragorn came back, it was to find Luna bathing Draco's wound, several bottles of potion lined up next to him, and the others looking on, appearing uncharacteristically concerned.

“Well, and how is the patient?” he asked, trying to see if the boy was awake yet. A slight movement of Draco's head indicated that the boy was awake, but was wishing he wasn't.

“Conscious,” Hermione replied. “But other than that, not good. He can't move his arm, Aragorn!” She was unable to stop a note of panic from entering her voice.

“I was afraid of that,”Aragorn sighed. He reached into his pocket and produced some herbs. “Here, I brought these. It is athelas, a powerful healing agent. I am no healer, but if you boil these in water, you'll find it has a restorative effect.”

Hermione took them from him with a smile. “Oh, more kingsweed! Ginny already found some. But more will be useful.”

“Did you now?” Aragorn asked. He nodded at the potion bottles. “Is that what's in the bottles?”

“Among other things,” Hermione nodded. “I sent Ginny out with a list of things to find. I've brewed up some healing potion for him. It's not perfect, but it's the best I can manage.”

“Don't pay any attention to her,” Harry interrupted. “It's probably worthy of a fully trained healer. She's always running her achievements down.”

“Yeah, she's the smartest witch any of us know,” Ginny added.

“I don't doubt it,” said Aragorn, examining one of the potions. He turned to Draco. “So, young Draco, how are you feeling now? You do look much improved from when last I saw you.”

“Yes, that's because I looked near dead,” Draco muttered. “Now I only look half dead.”

Aragorn laughed. “Well, if your wit is recovered, the rest of you can be in no immediate danger. It seems Hermione's herbcraft agrees with you.”

“Great,” Draco muttered. “In debt to a Mu- Muggleborn,” he hastily stopped himself from using the word he'd employed since childhood. “How will I live this down?”

“Draco, stop fussing,” Luna scolded, pressing the compress to his wound. “You'll make it bleed again.”

Draco growled but did as she asked, choosing to remain still.

“So what did you find out?” Harry asked Aragorn, leaving Hermione and Luna to watch over Draco. Next to him, Ginny settled down, also interested in hearing what Aragorn had to say. “Are the Nazgul still nearby?”

“They have drawn off for now,” Aragorn replied sombrely. “For some reason, there were only five, not the full Nine. I'm not certain if they knew we had the Ring, although I'm sure they do now. And I don't think they expected such fierce resistance either. But I do not think they have gone far. They are biding their time, waiting.”

“Waiting for what?” Ginny asked.

Aragorn nodded in Draco's direction. “They have wounded him, perhaps fatally if he does not get help soon. If it is allowed to progress, he will surely die. And that is when the trouble will really begin.”

“What trouble?” Harry asked, not sure he wanted to know the answer to this.

“If he succumbs to that wound, he will not just die. He will become like the Nazgul, except under their control.” Aragorn's grey-blue eyes were heavy with fear. “It will be as if we invited one into our camp and handed the Ring over ourselves.”

“Then we have to kill him first,” said Ginny. She noticed the two males looking at her, Harry worried, Aragorn merely appraising her. “Better to die quickly, right? And not be a wraith.”

“I see,” said Aragorn. “And who do you suggest strike the killing blow? For I do not make a habit out of striking down defenceless invalids, I assure you.”

Ginny turned to Harry, who shook his head.

“No, Ginny, I won't do it. Not when he can't fight back. It's not fair. And I'll tell you now, nor will Hermione. And Luna never will.”

“Well then Ginevra, it seems you will have to do it, if it is to be done,” said Aragorn, folding his arms. He watched Ginny, who had gone awfully pale.

“I, well, maybe we could just leave him here then?” Ginny stammered.

“For the Nazgul to find and interrogate?” Aragorn raised an eyebrow. “That would be a crueller fate than killing him outright.”

Ginny hung her head. “Yeah. You're right.” She sighed. “So what do we do?”

“Try and keep him alive,” said Aragorn. “And press on with all haste to Rivendell. We certainly cannot stay here – this place is being watched, and has been for some days, I think. We will not find greater danger now no matter where we go.”

“Well now,” Lord Voldemort murmured, one hand idly petting Nagini as he surveyed the Death Eater in front of him. “This is most interesting, Severus. Bella had already informed me that Draco had disappeared, but she neglected to mention that the Boy Who Refuses To Die had also vanished from this plane.” He shot a glance at Bellatrix, who bridled at the censure in those eyes.

“My Lord, I was not there myself, I have only Narcissa's information!” she cried. “Do not blame me for that!”

“Quiet, Bella,” Voldemort growled. Bellatrix subsided, but she continued to glare at Snape. Voldemort turned back to his spy. “So the Potter brat is gone. That must have pleased you.”

“Immensely, my Lord,” Severus replied, for once not needing Occlumency to shield his feelings. Getting rid of Harry Potter had not been his main reason for aiding Calenlass, but it had certainly been an unlooked-for bonus. “Teaching has never been so enjoyable without him to disrupt the lessons.”

“Indeed,” Voldemort murmured. “And who else disappeared? Potter, Draco, and you said there were others?”

“Potter's Mudblood friend, Hermione Granger, Ginevra Weasley, and Luna Lovegood.”

Bellatrix looked up sharply at that name. Severus did wonder at that – he hadn't known Luna Lovegood had even been known to her. Apparently so.

“Luna Lovegood?” said Bellatrix, sounding, if Severus hadn't known better, almost concerned. “What, Elizabeth Marsh's daughter?”

“I believe her mother was called Elizabeth, yes,” said Severus, making a mental note to investigate Luna's ancestry as soon as he got back to Hogwarts. “Why do you ask?”

“Oh,” said Bellatrix dismissively. “It doesn't matter. It's just Elizabeth Marsh was a cousin of mine – her mother was my aunt, Elladora Black.”

Well. That would explain a lot. Elladora Black's “eccentricities”, which in anyone who wasn't a wealthy pureblood scion would have earned a one-way trip to St. Mungo's psychiatric ward, were legendary. If Luna Lovegood was her granddaughter, Luna's frankly bizarre attitude was instantly explicable.

“Experiencing some family feeling, Bella?” Voldemort chuckled. Bellatrix glared.

“Hardly,” she sniffed. “Cousin Beth stopped being any kin of mine when she married that awful Mudblood muckraker.” Bellatrix giggled at that, disturbingly reminiscent of Luna if she had but known it. “Ooh, that goes together rather nicely. Mudblood muckraker. I like that!”

“Quite,” Voldemort said, turning away from her, his eyes betraying his irritation. Severus had the feeling that anyone other than Bellatrix would even now be writhing under the Cruciatus curse. “So the five students have disappeared. Does anyone know how? And more importantly, where they might have gone?”

“The exact cause is not known,” said Severus, fixing his eyes on Voldemort's forehead as he summoned his Occlumency skills to cover the lie. “However, it is believed they were in the Restricted Section out of hours. Draco had gone there to carry out some research for the cause, that I do know. The others were probably doing likewise for their cause, but unlike Draco, they had not cared to let any of the staff know of their little excursion. It is uncertain exactly what happened, but according to eyewitness accounts from Pansy Parkinson and Ronald Weasley, Harry Potter and his friends were investigating a certain book when it, er, came to life.”

“Came to life?” Voldemort said, incredulous. “Severus, books do not simply come to life. Which book was it?”

Severus took a deep breath. There was no help but to tell him – Albus had told him to be as truthful as possible and besides, it was likely to get out at some point. “The Red Book of Arda, my lord. The new Defence professor had brought a copy with him and lodged it in the library, then been foolish enough to tell the sixth years it was there and that it could help them achieve their destiny.”

On the other side of the room, Bellatrix clutched her chest, her knees buckling as she struggled to keep upright.

“Bella?” Voldemort asked, surprised at her reaction. Despite Azkaban, Bellatrix was still in very good health. “Are you well?”

“The Red Book of Arda?” Bellatrix gasped. “But that's extremely rare – there's only a few copies in existence! How did someone who isn't even a pureblood lay his hands on a copy, I'd like to know!”

“He has contacts,” Severus replied. “Calenlass may not have your exalted ancestry,” again Severus hid the lie well. Calenlass might not belong to any known pureblood wizarding families, but he was hardly a lowly Muggleborn either. Still, it suited the elf to pretend otherwise. “But he is more than capable of acquiring rare and valuable tomes, I assure you. The copy in the Black library is not the only one in existence, Bellatrix.”

“How do you know about that?” Bellatrix hissed at him. “That's meant to be a family secret!”

“I do read, you know, Bellatrix. There was very little else to do in that pile you call a family home, after all. I made use of the Grimmauld Place library many times last year, and during my studies, I happened to stumble on the Red Book. It was most entertaining, although hardly magically valuable.”

“You touched the Red Book?” Bellatrix screeched, on the verge of apoplexy. “You, a mere halfblood, read the Black family copy of the Red Book of Arda?”

“Bella, that's enough!” Voldemort's voice cut her short. “We do not insult the ancestry of our fellow Death Eaters.” Red eyes flicked back to Severus, who hastily wiped the smug grin off his face. “So, Severus, the Red Book of Arda came to life. Then what?”

“It abducted them. Miss Parkinson alleges that Miss Lovegood activated the book by stabbing Draco with a quill and spilling his blood on it. Then the book took the five missing students prisoner and disappeared. It is also alleged that Luna Lovegood participated willingly in this, reciting a rhyme as it all happened. Something about one book to rule them all.”

“One Ring to rule them all,” Bellatrix muttered darkly. Severus shook his head.

“It appears Luna had altered the words, then,” Severus replied, amused. “Whatever, she has clearly read the Red Book too.”

“She would,” Bellatrix snapped. “Her mother practically had it memorised. I wouldn't put it past her to make her own copy.”

“If you will forgive me for interrupting,” Voldemort's voice, while superficially courteous, was clearly a command rather than a request. “Would one of you care to enlighten me as to the contents of the Red Book?”

“It's the story of our founders, how the Black family came to be!” Bellatrix said, standing proud. Severus could only roll his eyes.

“It's an adventure story allegedly set in our distant past, detailing the struggle of two small creatures known as... hobbits?... to dispose of a magical relic belonging to a fallen angel Dark Lord, destroying him in the process. There's also a war, a power struggle among Men and the crowning of a new king going on as well. Gripping stuff, but hardly worthy of serious magical attention, my lord.”

Bellatrix barely managed to stop herself from screaming. Voldemort raised what passed for an eyebrow at him.

“And yet a copy has whisked five children away to who knows where, and we don't know if they will ever return.”

“My lord, I'm sure that most copies of the Red Book don't do this. Potter surely interfered with it...” Severus began. Voldemort cut him off.

“Bella, to the best of your knowledge, has anyone ever shed their blood on the Red Book?”

“No, never, we would never permit our copy to be so defiled!”

Voldemort turned back to Severus. “And the Black copy of the Red Book, it is still in the library there?”

“As far as I know,” said Severus warily. “No one's been there since Black died.”

“Excellent,” Voldemort purred, looking disturbingly pleased with himself. Severus glanced nervously at Bellatrix. Even she was looking worried. This was not a good sign. They were not wrong.

“Severus, you will take Bella and get her into 12 Grimmauld Place.” He ignored Severus's groan and Bellatrix's cry of “Him?”

“Then you will both retrieve the Black copy of the Red Book and bring it to me.” Red eyes stared at them, daring them to argue. “If you can avoid killing each other, so much the better. I would rather you two did not disappear as well.”

“No, my lord,” said Bellatrix, sounding submissive... but one glance at Severus hinted that she'd have no problems whatsoever with him disappearing. Making a mental note not to let her near any sharp objects, Severus had no choice but to agree.

In the end, getting access to 12 Grimmauld Place proved to not be nearly as tricky as Severus had anticipated. With Sirius dead, Lupin off spying amongst the werewolves, and Potter who knew where, no one was actually living there these days. All Snape had to do was show Bellatrix his own parchment revealing its location, and once Bellatrix could see the building again, a single snap of her fingers opened the doors for them.

“Home,” she breathed as she stepped inside the front door. “Oh, it's been so long!”

“Home?” Severus muttered. “You never lived here.”

“Bite your tongue, Snape,” Bellatrix snapped. “This house would have been mine if my fool cousin hadn't left it to the Potter brat! It should be mine!” Her voice carried down the hallways, and it didn't take long before what occupants it did have were awake.

“Who dares?” Mrs. Black's portrait screamed. “Who dares enter the home of the Blacks?”

“Now look what you've done,” Severus hissed, closing the front door. “Does the word discretion mean anything to you, Bellatrix?”

Bellatrix ignored him, turning to the portrait as she turned the hallway lights on. “Auntie!” she cried, running over to where Mrs. Black was rubbing her eyes in the gaslight.

“Bella?” Mrs. Black gasped, before, to Severus's shock, actually smiling. It wasn't a sight he ever wanted to look at again in a hurry. “Little Bellatrix? Is it really you?”

“Yes, Auntie, it's really me!” Bellatrix cried. “Oh, it's so good to see you again!”

Mrs. Black's face had crumpled, and she was dabbing at her eyes with a lace handkerchief. “Dearest little Bellatrix,” she sighed happily. “I never thought I'd see you again! Oh my darling, when I heard you'd been sent to Azkaban too, it broke my heart. It broke my heart!” She threatened to break down in tears.

“Oh, Auntie, don't cry,” Bellatrix whispered, stroking the canvas. “I'm free now. The Dark Lord came and got me. And we're going to restore the family name and get rid of all the Mudblood filth, just you wait.”

“And will you and Rodolphus come and live here?” Mrs. Black asked hopefully.

“Yes,” Bellatrix breathed. “Oh yes. As soon as we get rid of the Potter boy. But Auntie, there's something we need to do first. Auntie, is the Red Book still here?”

Mrs. Black confirmed it was so. “Why do you ask, Bella?”

“I need to take it away, Auntie,” said Bellatrix, her voice becoming sombre. “It... it isn't safe here any more, not now the Order are using this house. I need to take it away, put it somewhere safe, where the Mudbloods and Muggle lovers and the filthy halfbreeds can't get their paws on it any more. Will you let me do that, Auntie? Will you let me take the Red Book? Please?”

Mrs. Black hesitated. “Bella, it's the sacred relic of our family. It belongs here, in our family home. Bella, please, isn't there another way?”

Bellatrix shook her head. “The Order know about it now,” she whispered. “It's only a matter of time before they come after our copy! Do you want them to take it?”

Mrs. Black closed her eyes, screwing her face up in pain. “No, not that. Never that!” she cried, wringing her hands. “Alright, alright, if there is no alternative. Take the book. I trust you, Bella. I trust you to let no harm come to it.”

“I will protect it with my life,” Bellatrix promised. “Thank you, Auntie!” Ignoring Severus's snort of disgust, she placed a kiss to the canvas before turning and beckoning him forwards. “Come on, Severus! It's this way!”

Severus followed, struggling to keep up with Bellatrix. Despite having made many trips to the house over the last year, he was no match for Bellatrix when it came to navigating through 12 Grimmauld Place in the dark, and when he finally staggered into the library, she had already retrieved the book they'd come for. She was standing by a desk, stroking the cover as she gazed adoringly at it.

“I never thought I would see this again,” she whispered.

“Yes, well, now you have,” said Severus irritably. “Now can we get a move on? I'm not expecting anybody to come by, but if they do and they find you here, we will all be in a good deal of trouble, so let's just go, shall we?”

“I just want to look inside again,” Bellatrix breathed. “It won't take long.” She laid the book on the desk, ignoring Severus entirely, and opened the book. Severus could only groan, cursing the woman's impatience and wondering why on earth she couldn't read it once they were back at Narcissa's and safe. However, irritation turned to alarm when Bellatrix leapt backwards, screaming.

“Bellatrix?” Severus was by her side, wand out, in seconds. He might not like her, they might be rivals in the Dark Lord's court, but Severus had no real desire to see her harmed. “Is everything alright?”

Bellatrix shook her head, terror etched on her face. “The Book! It's... it's empty!” She thrust the book at him, flicking through pages that all seemed to be, without exception, devoid of text. Severus took it from her, frowning. This was not good. Not for the Book... and not for them, not if they returned to the Dark Lord with an empty book.

“This cannot be, this cannot be!” Bellatrix screamed. “This cannot be happening to our sacred book!” She sank into the nearest chair and began to sob. Severus, hoping beyond hope that this was not true, that this was some mistake, began to flick through the pages. On impulse, he turned to the front pages... which were intact.

“Bellatrix,” he said softly. “Bellatrix, look at this.”

She looked up and took the book from him, laying it on the desk and sighing with relief as she recognised the intact text at the front. “Thank the Valar,” she whispered, turning the pages one by one as she skimmed through the story. “Yes, yes, this is how I remember it.” She kept turning the pages until one of them brought her up short. “Wait, this is different. The children... they're mentioned. Draco, and Potter, and Luna, and the Weasley brat and that Mudblood. It says that the Periannath were taken by magic, leaving the One Ring behind, and five children came in their stead, sent by the Valar, and akin to the Istari, except they wore the likenesses of children, not old men. And the Ring passed to the one marked by the gods, the one they called Harry son of James.” She sat up, staring into the distance. “Elbereth save us. Potter has the One Ring.”

“It would be him,” Severus sighed. “The brat is a magnet for trouble. Well, he is just Gryffindor enough not to use it, for which we should be thankful.”

“Thankful?” asked Bellatrix sharply.

“Indeed. Potter, like it or not, has a great deal of power. Can you imagine what might happen if the One Ring bent that to its evil designs? We would truly have a Dark Lord to fear then. Even our Master could not stand against the power of the Ring.”

Bellatrix said nothing. Loyalty to Voldemort protested that surely her Master had strength enough to fight a brat like Potter, but her knowledge of Ring lore said otherwise. Nothing could stand against the One Ring's power. Still, pride prevented her from admitting that. Moving on to see what happened next, she could only shake her head as the next revelation unfolded. “Well, they've done something right at least – they've found Strider the Ranger. Aragorn, son of Arathorn. He who will be King Elessar Telcontar. The ancestor of the House of Black.” Bellatrix actually smiled faintly at this. “Well, Draco. It seems you're not completely useless after all. Who would have thought it?”

“This Aragorn is powerful then?” said Severus. He'd not realised that the Muggle King was the revered ancestor of the Blacks. How ironic, that the most isolationist of the old wizarding families claimed a Muggle Ranger as ancestor.

“Oh yes,” Bellatrix nodded. “Although I do not think he really realises it yet at this point in the story. Nevertheless, they would not have survived long without him. He's to take them to the Elves at Rivendell. We shall see what transpires then – at that point, the Periannath would have undertaken to take the Ring to Mordor to destroy it. It remains to be seen as to whether the children will do the same.”

“Potter will,” Severus sighed. “We may count on it.”

“If he makes it that far,” Bellatrix purred. She turned a few more pages before gasping. “Draco, no! You fool!”

“Draco?” Severus came to stand behind her, reading over her shoulder. “Is he alright?”

Bellatrix shook her head, her skin pale in the wandlight. “No,” she whispered. “No, he... that wasn't meant to happen!”

Severus began reading for himself, and felt his heart skip a beat as he read of how Harry son of James had fallen under the Nazgul spell and taken the Ring out to put it on, and how Draco son of Lucius had knocked it from his hand trying to prevent him from betraying them all, and taken a knife wound from the Nazgul that had been meant for the Ringbearer. While Severus very much doubted that Draco's actions had been anything like as altruistic as the Red Book made out, there was no doubting that the narrative had taken a sinister turn. He remembered the stabbing in the original story, and how it had nearly killed the halfling that had been on the receiving end. Draco Malfoy, wizard though he was, did not have a halfling's fortitude, and both he and Bellatrix knew it.

“Should we tell Narcissa of this?” he asked softly. Bellatrix shook her head.

“No. Say nothing to her as yet. Not until... not until we know one way or the other what happens to him. She will only worry. I would rather have her mourning a certain death than going mad over possibilities.” She flipped to the next page. “Well and good, they are treating him with athelas, and the Mudblood is making healing potions for him. Is she any good with potions?”

“She's excellent with them.”

“Then he may yet survive.” Bellatrix closed the book. “It ends there. Clearly it is rewriting itself as events play out there.” She looked up at Severus, her face having gone very calculating. “The Dark Lord will be most intrigued to learn of this. I daresay he will want to keep informed of what is going on in Arda.”

As will Albus, Severus thought, his mind already thinking of the Hogwarts copy. Following Bellatrix as she made her way out of the library with the book tucked underneath her arm, Severus began to wonder what the children had set in motion, and how different everything was going to be.