---
Chapter 738: Help, Save Us!!
"Well, it's obvious.
Next to Miss Hermione Granger… should be none other than Mr. Harry Potter, right?"
Harry listened as they spoke.
His scar suddenly burned.
Then the vision came.
He was walking toward a prison.
His eyes were filled with cold mockery.
He looked at the prisoners with complete disdain.
Then someone grabbed his hair violently.
The vision shattered.
Harry's thoughts snapped back.
He felt hands grabbing his face, turning it roughly.
"Look closely—it's not very clear, but that scar… it's there, isn't it?"
"We caught Potter!"
"We shouldn't send him to the Ministry—we should hand him straight to the Dark Lord! This is a huge contribution!"
"Should we summon the Dark Lord now?"
Harry's heart leapt.
But the man answered angrily, "I don't have the Mark yet… We'll take them to Malfoy Manor. I heard the Dark Lord stays there sometimes."
Harry breathed out slowly.
It didn't help much—but at least they weren't summoning him immediately.
Then—
The vision returned.
He was inside that prison now.
An old man sat there, frail and pale.
He looked at "Harry" and said softly, "I know why you're here… but I can't tell you. I'm sorry."
Rage surged.
Harry saw himself raise his wand—torturing the old man.
But the old man said nothing.
"Move! Don't waste time!"
The vision shattered again.
Reality snapped back.
Someone yanked Harry's hair again.
He gritted his teeth in pain.
He felt Ron and Hermione being dragged too.
Then—
Crack!
They were Apparated away.
They landed at the gates of a manor.
"State your purpose!"
A voice echoed above them.
"We've captured Harry Potter!"
"Enter."
The gates opened.
Harry was dragged inside.
Standing there—
Lucius Malfoy.
He looked excited.
"Which one is Harry Potter? I'll contact the Dark Lord immediately… this time, I won't be punished again."
"This is him!"
Lucius glanced casually at the group.
Then his gaze stopped on Harry.
He leaned closer, studying his face.
"…Looks like a stinging curse… That could be a scar…"
"I'm not certain. My son is home for Easter—I'll call him."
Harry's heart dropped.
Others might not recognize him.
But Draco would.
He couldn't imagine what would happen once Draco confirmed it.
When Draco Malfoy arrived, Harry braced himself—
But Draco didn't expose him.
Instead, he looked stunned.
His mouth opened slightly, almost foolishly.
It was completely different from Lucius's calculating expression.
"I… I'm sorry, Father. I can't be sure."
"I still have something important to do—I need to go back and monitor Darren Potter's meals. That's more urgent right now."
Harry's heart jumped.
He had recognized him.
So why didn't he say anything?
And why mention Darren?
Was he… trying to help?
Lucius looked disappointed, but still nodded.
"Go then. That is important… If he doesn't eat, no one benefits."
Then he turned back.
"But is this really Harry Potter? Should I call the Dark Lord to confirm?"
He rolled up his sleeve.
Harry felt his chest tighten.
Then—
Narcissa Malfoy stopped him.
"No. Lucius, not yet. If we're wrong…"
Her words made Lucius hesitate.
"…Lock them up first. When the swelling goes down, we'll know for sure."
He was about to give the order—
When another voice cut in.
"No need."
Bellatrix Lestrange stepped forward, laughing.
"This is Harry Potter. I've seen this Mudblood girl before. I'm certain."
Narcissa's face paled.
"Wait, Bella—"
"No need to wait."
Bellatrix raised her arm.
"I'll summon the Dark Lord myself."
But then—
Her eyes caught something.
The sword.
And the Sorting Hat.
Her expression changed instantly.
"What is that?!"
"Sissy—seal the manor! Now!"
"If we don't, we're finished! Do not call the Dark Lord yet!"
Narcissa frowned but obeyed.
The manor sealed shut.
Then Bellatrix moved.
In seconds, she stunned all the snatchers who had brought Harry.
Her power was overwhelming.
She grabbed the sword.
Then turned to Harry, eyes wild.
"Tell me—how did you get this?"
"I know Snape sent this to my vault!"
"How should I know?" Harry replied.
SMACK!
She struck him hard.
"Very good."
"Then we'll interrogate the Mudblood."
"Take these two to the dungeon!"
"You let her go!"
Harry shouted, panicked.
But he was powerless.
He and Ron were dragged away.
Thrown into the cellar.
Inside—
Luna Lovegood.
Mr. Ollivander.
And a dying goblin.
Griphook.
"Luna!" Harry gasped.
"Can you untie us? Hermione—she'll be tortured—Darren will—"
"Tell me how you got the sword!"
Bellatrix's voice echoed above.
Hermione screamed.
Harry's chest tightened.
"Don't struggle," Luna whispered calmly.
"I'm loosening the ropes with a nail… slowly…"
Hermione's screams grew louder.
Harry clenched his fists.
Then—
Footsteps above.
They were bringing Griphook up.
Harry turned to him desperately.
"Please—tell them it's fake!"
Almost immediately, Griphook was dragged away.
Harry trembled.
Moments later—
Griphook's voice came from above.
"It's fake."
"How could it be real?"
"That hat is fake too. It doesn't speak."
Bellatrix laughed in relief.
"Then we can call the Dark Lord!"
At that moment—
Harry's ropes finally loosened.
But—
He had no wand.
Even Darren's wand had been taken.
Desperate, he felt something hanging around his neck.
Hermione's beaded bag.
But without a wand, he couldn't open it.
He tried anyway.
Forcing it open.
Something fell out.
A shard.
Like a broken mirror.
Inside it—
A pair of blue eyes.
Without thinking—
Harry shouted:
"Help! Save us! We're trapped in Malfoy Manor!"