Deal
“You,” a woman said from nearby. Trappe opened his eyes, his body stiff from being curled up in a ball in the corner. He recognized the woman as the same one who took Audra away a few hours ago. “You’re next; get up,” she ordered. Trappe glared but he was in no position to argue – his wand and weapons were confiscated upon his arrest and he had no desire for the Dementors to carry him out. Slowly he stood, cracking his stiff joints and shaking out his limbs. “Hands against the wall,” the auror instructed and Trappe complied. He heard the cell door open, felt her slender but strong hands handcuff his behind his back. Taking him by the upper arm, she said, “No funny business,” and steered him from the cell, down the hall and to the elevator.
Once the doors closed though, Gina took out the keys and undid the cuffs. Surprised, Trappe rubbed his wrists. “Audra would kill me if I had kept those on you,” Gina explained. “Even so, they,” she pointed at the Dementors, “have the order to kiss you should you try anything.”
Trappe remained silent, keeping his head down and his hands within sight. The doors opened revealing the misty corridor and they progressed down it. She opened a door with the flick of her wand.
Trappe, who expected to be lead to a courtroom, was surprised to see that he was instead inside of a small interrogation room. In it were the Minister of Magic, Bartemius Crouch, Albus Dumbledore, Mad-Eye Moody, the Mendez sisters, and…
“M’ Lady,” Trappe said, instantly sinking to his knee in a formal bow. She had now assumed the Dark Lord’s command and while he spoke easy with her yesterday, he wasn’t sure if that was proper.
“Kato,” Audra sighed, “please stand. There’s no reason to be formal.”
“Huh,” growled Moody, his wand pointed at the two Death Eaters, “loyal scum.”
“Trappe is loyal,” Audra growled in return, “which is why I trust him to do as I ask.”
Trappe was thoroughly confused by the entire situation. Moody was the only one with his wand out, but all eyes were on Audra as if waiting for her to do something.
“I’ve cut a deal,” Audra said to Trappe. “But I’m going to need your help.”
“O’ course, M’ Lady,” he replied, bowing his head.
Crouch cleared his throat and everyone (but Moody) turned toward him. “In exchange for your compliance,” he began, “you will not be charged with the multiple counts against you.”
“I can gae free?” Trappe asked uncertainly.
Crouch nodded. “So long as you can perform the task we have for you.”
“Wha’ about Audra?” Trappe asked, his voice becoming dangerously close to a growl. “Is she going free fer helping ye all out?”
“No.”
Trappe immediately put himself between Audra and the danger, as he was trained to do: protect his master. “Nae deal unless she goes free,” he snarled.
“Josh, it’ll be ok,” she said softly, placing a hand on his shoulder. “It was decided that I should go to Azkaban to keep my cover.” Her voice was frosty and she glared at Dumbledore as she said this. Trappe had the impression she had little say in the matter.
“M’ Lady, permission tae speak freely,” he asked.
“Permission granted.”
“M’ Lady, tha’ kind o’ torture will kill ye,” he stated frankly.
“Then I deserve it,” replied Audra. “Regardless of my fate, I still need your help.”
Trappe looked into his new master’s eyes and saw that she was resigned to what she had to do. Sighing, he said, “As ye wish, m’ Lady.”