Mudblood slave trade

Part Five
For two long weeks, Wulf and Hermione planned an escape from Malfoy Manor. They went over many ideas, but most of them seemed doomed to failure. Hermione tracked everything Lucius did when he came to her and one evening after Lucius’ visit to the cell Wulf came to see her with a bunch of parchment in his small arms.
“Here are the blueprints for the Manor, Miss,” said Wulf. He placed the plan in front of Hermione. “I want you to learn the route out of here so you're prepared,” he said when Hermione looked confused.
“Oh…yes,” said Hermione, pulling the document towards herself and going over it intently…she had missed studying and enjoyed keeping her mind busy.
Wulf asked Hermione what the master did with his wand when he came to her; Hermione presumed he put it with his clothes when he removed them but could not be too sure as she normally looked at the ceiling.
“We need to do it soon, Wulf…I can't take this much longer!” cried Hermione after one evening where Lucius had been rough with her. Her bruises were now dark green as they healed and the cuts on legs had scarred over, but new purple bruises shone on her throat all the way down to the collar bone, and Wulf guessed to her breasts, too.
“I suppose tomorrow is as good a day as any,” sighed Wulf, mulling over the plan in his mind.
“Are you afraid?” asked Hermione kindly. It had not dawned on her until the next day that if she had succeeded in killing herself, she would have placed the elf in danger as Lucius would have wanted to know how she had gotten the knife in the first place. For that, she had felt guilty for her selfishness.
“Yes, Miss, I am afraid,” he admitted, looking grim, “but I promised you I would get you out so that’s what I’m going to do.” They went over the plan ten more times before Wulf went to fix Lucius’s supper.
As she tried sleeping that night, she dreaded and also longed for the next evening. Repeating the plan in her head, she fell to sleep.
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When morning came, Hermione awoke early and Wulf popped down with a serving of breakfast, which was unusual but part of the plan to help give her more strength.
Hermione ate slowly. Nerves were making her lose her appetite but, knowing she must eat, she swallowed every mouthful and gave the plate back to Wulf, who looked shaken as he passed her a small parcel which she stuck under the mattress.
As the day drew on, Hermione paced her cell, waiting for the evening, the plan repeating in her head.
Wulf came and gave her dinner at what she presumed to be two in the afternoon. He had thrown away the meal his master had prepared for her and created his own, but still added the contraceptive potion he had seen his master lace her food with to avoid pregnancy and even brought her a steaming cup of coffee.
The coffee tasted bitter on her tongue, but she drank every drop and passed the plate and cup back to Wulf, who met her eye. Understanding crossed between them as they knew the next time they would see each other would be during the plan.
“I’ll see you soon, Miss,” he said quietly. Bowing his head, he popped out of the room. Hermione resumed her pacing.
Four o'clock came sooner than Hermione had hoped and Lucius stood before her within the cell before she knew it.
“Come here to me,” he drawled, pointing to his feet; Hermione did as she was told and walked over to him and bowed as usual.
“Good girl,” he purred, twirling her hair around his slender fingers and running his free hand over her body.
“Go lay down,” he ordered, flicking his wand towards the mattress and turning it into the bed. Hermione slid onto the bed and watched Lucius undress and toss his clothes, along with his wand, into the corner of the room.
Sitting on the bed, Lucius did his new favorite trick to tease her, which was to make her enjoy herself and then take her with force. He climbed on top of her and teased her mouth with gentle kisses, unaware that Hermione's right hand was under the mattress, searching.
Hermione almost breathed a sigh of relief. For one heart-stopping moment, she thought the plan had already fallen though when she could not find the parcel. Wulf had assured her that Lucius transforming the mattress would not remove it from under the mattress, but merely replace it under this one. Pulling the object out of its casing, she gripped it tightly in her hand.
Lucius kissed down her throat and was about to bite into the soft flesh of her breast when he felt something sharp being pressed against his throat. Looking up into Hermione’s eyes, he saw nothing but hatred and determination as she held the knife to his throat.
“Get off me slowly,” said Hermione, her voice shaky with nerves. Lucius slowly swung his leg over her and got to his feet, his eyes never leaving hers.
Hermione got up with him, the knife pressed firmly to his neck. “Wulf!” she cried and Wulf popped into the room instantly. Lucius glared daggers at the elf.
“Get into the corner,” Hermione barked, pushing the knife harder into his flesh and making him gulp. Lucius reluctantly did as she said and stood in the corner. “Face the wall,” Hermione ordered as she reached down and sifted through his clothes as Wulf opened the cell door and peeked outside.
“All clear, Miss,” he said, nodding.
She straightened, holding the knife in one hand and Lucius’s wand in the other.
The wand in her hand scared her. She had not used magic in eight years and feared she had forgotten how to use one. She dressed quickly in the clothes Wulf had brought her, never taking her eyes off Lucius’s back.
Hermione’s hand gripped the wand as she knew what she had to do next but found she was afraid to take the next step.
“Stun him, Miss!” cried Wulf, wondering why she had hesitated.
“Stupefy!” she cried, swirling the wand in the way she remembered, but nothing happened. She shook the wand vigorously, but still nothing happened. Hermione backed slowly out of the room, hoping Lucius would not realize that she could not perform magic with his wand.
The wand still pointed at Lucius and the knife by her side, she reached for the door handle; the door wobbled slightly, and then banged shut. Lucius was out of the corner and had her arms clenched in his hands before she could register what had happened.
“Never underestimate the power of a pureblood, you little bitch!” he snarled, gripping her arms so tightly that she dropped the wand and knife. Lucius scooped them up and pulled Hermione to his still-naked body by her hair and held his wand to her throat.
Wulf popped into the room, and was dismayed at the situation they were now in.
“Try anything and she dies,” Lucius said, poking his wand into her neck. Wulf held up his hands in defeat and tried to tell Hermione he was sorry with his eyes.
“You really thought you would escape me that easily?” he asked in a mocking tone, tugging Hermione's hair tighter.
Hermione whimpered and sagged against him in defeat. Her heart was still pounding with adrenaline and her mind raced with possible ways to escape.
“It seems you and the house-elf don’t know your place,” sneered Lucius, biting hard onto her ear. Hermione suddenly acted on instinct and, pulling a hand free, she reached up and scratched Lucius's face, leaving four bloody gashes down his cheek to his neck. Lucius cried out in surprise and put his hands to his face; in doing so, he released Hermione, who stumbled forward out of his arms.
“Come on, Miss!” cried Wulf. Taking her hand, he pulled her to the door and wrenched it open. Lucius's magic gone from within it. Hermione stepped out of her cell and fear struck her as she looked up the long, candle-lit hallway towards doors she knew weren’t locked, doors that would lead her outside. Her breathing seized as she thought of stepping from the cell. What’s wrong with me? she thought as she felt her legs turn to jelly.
“Hurry, Miss, he’s coming!” Wulf cried. Hermione looked over her shoulder. Lucius was getting to his feet. The blood from his cheek stained his throat and the front of his shirt.
Taking a deep breath, Hermione forced herself to leave the cell. Throwing herself forward, she began to jog slowly after Wulf as he hobbled down the hallway.
Hearing the cell door crash open, Hermione looked back.
“You bitch!” he screamed, starting to advance on her with speed. Hermione gaped in fear and tried to push her legs to run. Her joints cried out in protest of the sudden running motion and Hermione found herself going down to her knees.
Lucius pulled her onto her back and backhanded her across the face, making her lip spit down the middle. Without warning, Lucius found himself thrown back from Hermione by Wulf with his elf magic. Helping Hermione to her feet, they set of a light run down the remaining hallway.
Hermione limped forward, the door almost in her reach when she heard Lucius cry….
“Accio elf!” As he said it, Hermione felt Wulf's small hand tugged out of hers. Lucius knew he could have just stunned her on the spot but had decided on something more sadistic.
“Turn around,” she head Lucius hiss. Hermione's back went rigid at the rage in his voice. Turning slowly, her eyes fell upon Lucius, who was still on the floor but in a kneeling position, with Wulf held by the back of his throat.
“Come back here,” Lucius growled, getting up to his feet, Wulf now with his feet dangling off the ground. Hermione moved towards him slowly, her palms held upwards to show surrender.
“Get into the cell,” he said, jerking his head over his shoulder towards the cell door. Hermione shuffled into her cell, fear making her cold as Lucius’s shadow filled the doorway. She scuttled to her mattress and cowered on it.
Lucius stood in the doorway, his four wounds still seeping blood that dripped off his chin. “I’ll deal with you later,” he promised with a snarl. “Until then, I’ll teach you never to fuck with me.” An unexpected grin crossed his face. He picked up the knife that was at his feet and placed it to the elf's throat. Hermione drew a sharp intake of breath in protest before Lucius slid the knife over the elf’s skin.
Wulf’s eyes bulged for a moment, then rested on Hermione and looked at her one last time with pity on his face before his eyes turned glassy as death claimed him.
Hermione started to sob uncontrollably. Lucius threw his former elf’s body into the cell before he turned and bolted it shut.
Hermione, even in the dark, could see Wulf’s shining, dead eyes and screamed out her sobs of sadness.

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Harry walked down the busy streets of London, dodging in and out between the sea of people. He was already late to meet Ginny in the Leaky Cauldron. Ginny had yet again sent Harry an invitation to join her, but this time she was going shopping and asked him to keep her company, if not to carry her shopping should she buy too much.
Pushing open the door to the Leaky Cauldron, Harry spotted Ginny instantly. She was seated on a far table, sipping coffee. When she noticed Harry walk in, she pushed the coffee to one side and came to greet him. “You're late,” she said teasingly.
“Yeah, well you have a knack for giving me short notice, so no lip,” Harry joked. Taking the crook of her elbow, he led her out the back of the pub to the wall leading to Diagon Alley.
Harry removed his wand from his cloak and tapped the wall in the correct places. The wall bubbled and started to move away until an archway appeared, permitting them entrance to the busy street behind it.
Harry and Ginny chatted about their lives and how good or bad things were and laughed at some old memories from school, including when Ron threw up slugs and when he asked Fleur to the ball.
When Ginny could not think of anything else to buy, Harry helped her with her many bags and went to get ice cream.
Placing the bags under the table, they placed their order and sat back in their chairs, the sun warming their faces.
“So how was the funeral?” asked Harry as they started to eat their ice creams.
Ginny had been wondering when that would come up. “I suppose Ron told you that I went,” she said, making a mental note to kill Ron when she went to pick up the children.
“Yes, he told me. I just don’t understand why you didn’t tell me,” said Harry, his voice soft.
“I just didn’t want you giving one of your lectures on how I shouldn’t give up on her and making me feel guilty,” admitted Ginny.
“I didn’t know I was that bad,” said Harry, sounding hurt.
“It’s not just that either, it’s that…I felt guilty enough as it was. I didn’t need to feel worse by telling you,” said Ginny, placing a hand on Harry’s shoulder.
“Don’t feel bad, Ginny,” said Harry, smiling at her warmly. “I know you cared for Hermione you named your first daughter after despite what Draco said and as long as you never lose hope, that’s all that matters.”
Ginny smiled weakly and decided it was time to change the subject to something less depressing. She was in the middle of retelling the story of the Valentine's Day card she sent to Harry in her first year when Harry looked over her shoulders and his eyes widened. “What is it?” asked Ginny, frowning. Harry hushed her and pulled her head down. “For goodness' sake, Harry, what is it?” she cried, keeping her head low.
“It's Lucius,” said Harry, and Ginny turned her head slowly and peeked over to where Harry was looking. Sure enough, there was Lucius walking down the street. “He’s headed into Knockturn Alley,” Harry whispered, raising his head further from the table. He grinned. “Let’s follow him!”
“Whatever for?” asked Ginny in confusion.
“Come on, how many times did you used to want to go down Knockturn Alley, but Molly wouldn't let you? Now’s your chance…come on, it's just like the adventures we used to have in school,” whispered Harry, a smile on his face.
“I think we're a little too old for adventures now, Harry,” protested Ginny, but Harry was tugging her out of her seat.
Picking up the bags, they headed off in the same direction as Lucius Malfoy.
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Lucius stormed down Diagon Alley. His cheek and neck throbbed where Hermione had gouged him the night before.
Entering Knockturn Alley. He swept down the main street. Then enter a small darker alley and entered a shop. “Where are you, old man?” he roared, slamming the door behind him. He heard a bang, then shuffling as the Death Eater that had sold Hermione to Lucius came running from the back.
“Lucius, sir, what angers you?” he asked timidly, keeping his distance from Lucius.
“This,” shouted Lucius, pointing to his face, “is what that girl you sold to me did!”
“Sir, I assure you she never showed signs of violence when she was with me!” cried the man.
“Are you saying you could control her more than I…?” asked Lucius, his eyes flaring.
“No, sir, of course not,” said the man, cringing away from his look.
“She tried to escape! Are you going to tell me that she never tried this while under your boot?” Lucius challenged, glaring at the older man.
“I swear to you, sir, she never tried anything! I would not have sold her unless I thought she was fit to do so,” cried the man, trying to make Lucius see reason.
“If you weren’t a pureblood I would kill you where you stand,” spat Lucius, looking at the man with pure loathing.
“You'd just better hope you have some thing to clear this up,” said Lucius, pointing to his face.
“I do, sir,” he said, then ran off into the back room and returned shortly with a small bottle of tonic that he handed to Lucius.
“This had better work…or I might just overlook the fact that you’re a pureblood,” said Lucius, who headed for the door. The old man followed him.
“What are you doing about the girl, sir?” he asked and Lucius, who had opened the door, stood in its archway.
“Why does that concern you?” he asked, his eyebrows raised.
“I was just thinking that maybe you wanted a refund,” muttered the old man, averting his eyes from Lucius.
“You miss…it, that much eh?” Lucius laughed. “In that case, I think I will keep it,” he teased.
“Whatever you wish, sir,” said the man.
A loud crash from beside the shop made the old man jump.
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Harry and Ginny had followed Lucius into Knockturn Alley, Harry’s face lit up with excitement and Ginny’s filled with worry.
“Harry, please, can we go back?” whinged Ginny, tugging Harry’s sleeve.
“I want to know what he’s doing down here,” said Harry, peeking around the corner and spotting Lucius enter a small side alley.
“Come on, Gin,” said Harry as he tiptoed over to the small alley’s entrance. Ginny reluctantly followed him.
Pushing his body against the wall, Harry looked around the corner just in time to see Lucius’s blond hair entering a shop on the end of the alley.
Harry moved quietly towards the shop and looked through the window; Ginny was soon at his side.
“Harry, are you crazy? If he comes out and catches you out here, who knows what he will do?” whispered Ginny, her eyes filled with worry.
Harry placed a finger to his lips, hushed her gently, and tilted his head towards the window to listen. Hearing nothing, he decided to cast a spell at the window so he could hear what was being said from inside. As he pointed his wand to the window, Ginny tugged his arm down.
“They might have the alley triggered with an alarm,” she said warningly though gritted teeth. She couldn’t believe how careless Harry could be.
Harry pulled a face of frustration and had to be content to just look though the window. Lucius seemed angry at the shop owner and seemed to be complaining about something.
Ginny gasped when Lucius turned and started towards to door. Grabbing Harry by his collar, she pulled him away from the window, knowing that they wouldn't make it to the end of the alley before Lucius emerged. She pushed Harry into the small gap between two shops and listened as the door to the shop opened.
“Why does that concern you?” Harry and Ginny heard Lucius say.
“I was just thinking that maybe you wanted a refund,” muttered the old man they presumed to be the shop owner.
“You miss…it, that much eh?” Lucius laughed. “In that case, I think I will keep it,” he said with a sneer.
Ginny tried to shift her position but lost her balance and fell onto Harry. She watched in horror as he hit the ground.
“Potter!” Lucius spat, but his voice was filled with surprise. Harry looked up at Lucius and the first thing he noticed was four gashes down his face. Harry got to his feet and shot a look to Ginny that told her she was in trouble. “And Ginny” said Lucius, who had followed Harry’s look. “May I ask why you were eavesdropping?” asked Lucius, looking at Harry then back to Ginny.
“We weren’t eavesdropping,” lied Harry, staring at Lucius with hatred.
“Tut…tut, such lies,” said Lucius playfully.
“Well then, may I ask you what you are doing down Knockturn Alley with my son's wife?” asked Lucius, looking at Ginny and making her blush.
“We're friends and we were shopping,” said Harry bluntly.
“I see,” said Lucius, rolling his eyes. “You choose a poor shopping companion when they lead a pregnant woman down dangerous streets where you don’t know what, or…who, could be lurking in the dark,” said Lucius, his voice haunting.
“What are you doing down here, then?” asked Harry, ignoring Lucius’s comment.
“I came for a tonic,” said Lucius quickly, his hand gripping the bottle.
“As you see, I had a minor mishap when a cat found its way onto my lands,” Lucius lied.
Harry raised his eyebrows, not really believing his story. His eyes came to rest on the old man, who had been standing in his doorway, watching the scene. Harry had the notion that he had seen the man before, but could not place his face.
“Now if you have finished, I will be on my way,” said Lucius smoothly. Pushing past Harry, he swept up the street. The old man gave Harry one last fleeting look, then returned to his shop, locking the door.
Ginny tugged Harry all the way out into Diagon Alley. “That was the most stupid idea you ever had!” she cried at Harry. “He’s going to tell Draco that I was following him, and I’m going to have to explain why I was down Knockturn Alley!” cried Ginny, pacing back and forth, seeming on the verge of panic.
“Ginny, calm down! Just tell him it was my fault…well, it was my fault,” he added guiltily.
“Oh yeah, he hates you enough as it is without me telling him that you're tailing his father down Knockturn Alley, trying to see what he’s up to,” said Ginny, holding her head as it throbbed.
Harry put his arm around her in comfort. It took ten minutes to calm her down, and when she did, Harry led her over to a bench to sit down.
“Feeling better?” asked Harry timidly. Ginny gave him a weak smile in return.
“Yes. I’m sorry I panicked like that,” said Ginny.
Harry waved her apology aside. “Don’t worry about it,” he said, knowing that she was hormonal.
“Did you see those scratches on Lucius' face? They looked painful,” said Ginny, a little more interested about what they had seen and heard now that she had calmed down.
“Yeah, I know. Do you really believe a cat did that?” asked Harry, glad the conversation had gotten lighter.
“No way could a cat have done that…too close together, if you get my drift” said Ginny, making a claw out of her hand to indicate that she suspected it was a person who made them.
“That’s what I thought,” said Harry, who also suspected human involvement.
While they chatted about the run-in with Lucius, Harry’s mind rested once again on the old man in the shop. His mind stretched to try and see where he had seen him before, but nothing came of it.
When the sky started to darken, Harry led Ginny back to the Leaky Cauldron, where she Flooed to the Burrow to pick up the kids and made her way home to Draco.
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