The cold stone floor pressed against your cheek, rough and unyielding. Pain shot through your ribs with every shallow breath. B3llatrix’s triumphant laughter echoed through the cavernous hall, mingling with V0ldemort’s cold, detached silence.

Mattheo’s cries were a distant sound in your ears. His arms were restrained by magical bonds, his face pale and streaked with tears.

“Enough for now,” V0ldemort’s serpentine voice cut through the air.

“Enough is never enough,” B3llatrix hissed. “I want to see him suffer!”

“Just let her go!” Mattheo’s voice cracked. “Please!”

B3llatrix turned sharply, her lips curling into a mocking smile. “Begging now, are we?”

Suddenly, a sharp, metallic groan echoed from above. The great crystal chandelier trembled, its chains straining as a small, shadowy figure darted unnoticed across the rafters.

In an instant, the chandelier plummeted.

“No!” B3llatrix screeched as she was forced to leap backward, her grip on you broken.

Chaos erupted.

Harry burst into the room, his wand raised. “Exp3lliarmus!” The spell shot toward B3llatrix, disarming her momentarily. V0ldemort turned his gaze to Harry, his lip curling in a snarl.

You scrambled to your feet, pain screaming through your limbs, and stumbled toward Mattheo. He lunged forward, catching you in his arms despite his own restraints.

“Are you okay?” he whispered frantically, tears still streaming down his face.

Before you could answer, a high-pitched, defiant voice rang out from the shadows.

“How dare you defy your masters?!” B3llatrix screeched, her wand now back in her hand, aimed at the small figure that stood before her.

“I have no master,” the house elf said boldly. His voice was steady, unwavering. “I am a free elf. And I am here to save Harry and his friends.”

“Hold on tight!” the elf shouted, grabbing Harry and then extending his hand toward you.

"Mattheo! We can't leave him here-" you shouted.

The world blurred and twisted as the elf’s magic engulfed you two, pulling you away from Mattheo.