Chapter 685: Who Said I Came Alone
In a room resembling a grand conference hall, the Death Eaters caught up with Harry and the others, who were desperately trying to escape.
"Stop!" Bellatrix cried, flinging a spell that hit Ron, who was lagging behind. He collapsed to the ground, and she swiftly grabbed him, locking his neck in a chokehold.
"Gotcha, you running rats," Bellatrix said gleefully, her eyes darting toward Harry. "Guess how long he'll last under Cruciatus? I remember the Longbottoms holding out for three hours. Such sweet screaming..." She glanced down at Ron, still struggling in her grasp. "Can you outlast them? I hope so," she muttered, her grin widening.
"Leave me alone," Ron said shakily, his legs trembling in terror, but his voice remained steady. "Leave me alone, Harry. The prophecy must not fall into You-Know-Who's hands."
Bellatrix raised her wand, aiming directly at Ron's head. "Crucio!" she yelled.
Ron let out a gut-wrenching scream and curled into a ball under the assault of the curse.
"Ron!" Mr. Weasley shouted in anguish, struggling to free himself from the grip of two Death Eaters holding him back.
Seeing Ron in agony and hearing Mr. Weasley's frantic cries, Harry hesitated before reluctantly raising his hand, offering the prophecy globe.
"No, Harry! The Death Eaters won't keep their word!" Mr. Weasley roared. "They'll kill Ron the moment they get it!"
"No, no, no, we'll let him go," said a masked Death Eater, stepping forward to snatch the globe from Harry's hand. A sinister sneer twisted his lips. "Let go, then kill..."
"Stupefy!"