Rose made a marvellous discovery the next day. The crooked step she had noticed was in fact a hidden room. And it contained Potion ingredients! Most of them were useless by now, but at least two things were still usable and would come in handy. Dried Wiggentree bark and sleeping powder. She was lucky that the owner of this had not just gone for the standard sleeping Draught, as that would have dried out, as the other Potions had. The powder should still be viable. Now, if she could only be sure that there was a way out! But the Potion stash confirmed that this had been a wizard hideout. So, you probably needed a wand to find the secret exit, which she wasn't supposed to have. But she had swiped Scorpius' wand and made a look-alike to keep in his pocket. If he tried to use it, it would not work, but that could probably be explained by his mind-issues. Searching with magic would be noticeable though. She needed a distraction, something to keep Lestrange occupied for a few hours.
"We're getting low on food again," she told Lestrange after dinner. "You're going to need to do another supply run. I'll make a list."
Lestrange just looked at her. She tried to look innocent, but she wasn't sure how well she succeeded.
"Of course," he said eventually. "Make a list, and I'll go through it again."
When she took the dishes downstairs, she went through the cupboards and made a list. After a short deliberation with herself, she added a few extra ingredients, just to see what Lestrange would allow. Lavender was an ingredient used in cooking, but also present in some Potions. Mainly, she hoped the list and subsequent shopping would keep him occupied and give her some time to search for a secret exit without him hovering over her.
Her plan failed. It hadn't even been 10 minutes from when she gave him the list until Lestrange was down in the kitchen, with Goyle and two others. They all looked excited.
"I thought I had told you what would happen if you tried to fool me." Lestrange said in a cold tone. "I told you that I would not buy anything that could be used in any Potion."
"I didn't ask for anything for a Potion," Rose replied, trying to sound confused, but respectful. "I have no way of making Potions anyway. But if there is anything there you don't want me to have, I'll try to manage without."
"No." Lestrange said. "You know very well what you did. Lavender? Asphodel? Those are not cooking ingredients."
"My grandmother has a wonderful recipe for a stew involving…" Rose began, but Lestrange stopped her.
"I don't care what excuse you give. I told you what would happen, and I am a man of my word. Take her." That last was said to Goyle behind her. He quickly grabbed her by the neck and dragged her into the corridor where Albus was held. She tried to protest, and tried to get back on her feet, but it was useless. Goyle threw her into one of the cells adjacent to Albus'. Lestrange was already inside Albus' cell, dragging him to his feet. His chain rattled as a horrible reminder of his situation.
"Now, we wouldn't want to hurt that pretty face of yours just yet." Lestrange said. "Your husband might be upset, and he has just started to see the world correctly. So, I think we will have to do this the other way." He kicked Albus in the stomach. One of the others kicked him from the back. Albus fell on the floor. Blood started seeping from wounds that had not properly healed from the last time he was beaten. He didn't shout, merely grunted as he hit the floor. Rose however, screamed at Lestrange. "No! Stop, please! I'll do anything just please, stop!" Lestrange did not stop, of course. Goyle and the others joined in the beating. Rose wanted to look away but forced herself to watch. This was her fault, and she needed to bear it with him. "Please. I'll behave. I'll do whatever you say, but please, don't hurt him anymore."
She knew how her mother must have felt now, watching her being tortured. This was almost worse than being tortured herself. She stopped screaming, mainly looking in horror. She went down on her knees, leaning against the barred door. Tears streamed down her face. Anger rose in her too, but she tried not to show that.
Eventually, Lestrange and the others stopped. Albus didn't move. They lifted him up none-too-gently and placed him back in his cell.
"I think the lesson is learnt." Lestrange said. "I'll go and check out the rest of your list now, Mrs Malfoy." And without a backwards glance, he walked out of the corridor. The others followed, leaving her in the cell. She didn't even dare to ask them to let her out. She tried to reach for Albus, but of course, it was useless.
"Albus? Please, tell me you are alive? I am so sorry Albus! I am so sorry." she cried.
Albus moved slightly but grimaced in pain. "Not so bad." he panted. "I've had worse than this. They wanted to get to you more than me this time. Good thinking, to stop protesting early. Thank you."
Don't thank me!" Rose shouted. "This is all my fault. I thought I had a plan, and now it all failed." She sat down in her cell. This had been stupid. She shouldn't have pushed her luck with the list. But she hadn't really thought Lestrange would punish her so severely on her first attempt. She had to remember who she was dealing with. Some of them had probably been waiting eagerly for an excuse to torture her this way.
Had she blown all her chances at escape now? Would they even let her out of this cell again? Would Scorpius even notice it if she were not there when night came? As painful as it was to admit, she wasn't sure if he would.
"Be strong Rose. They are trying to break you down. Don't let them get to you." Albus said as he dragged himself over to his stained mattress. "You need to be strong. For me. For Scorpius. You are the only chance we have."
"I may have blown that chance now. It was so stupid of me. I didn't even need the ingredients I put on the list. I tried to make a distraction. Now I may be watched more than ever. I was planning on using this time when Lestrange was gone to search for an exit."
"That may be why they placed you in here, to prevent you from being able to do that. Don't worry. I am sure you will think of something."
They sat in silence for a while. Rose tried not to cry again. Albus needed her to be strong. She could do this. Assuming they let her out of this cell again. They hadn't found her Potion stash. Or taken away Scorpius' wand. She would just have to try again tomorrow.
Lestrange came back in the evening, to let her out of her cell. She couldn't give up. Scorpius needed her. Albus needed her. She looked down, reverting to her role of a cowed prisoner. The prisoner that was no threat to anyone. She went back up to her room, where Scorpius waited for her. He gave her a big smile and she tried to smile back. She didn't dare to try to convince him of their actual situation, as further conflict in his mind could cause him to fall into the abyss. She played along with his fantasy world. But she hoped the next day would be better.