Chapter 7
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The next morning after hearing the small metal cot creak and groan as Hermione got up and slowly approached him. But he quickly opened his eyes fully and stood up so Hermione didn't have to bend down.
"I'm sorry…I fell asleep" said Harry as he cupped her face in his hands and she just reached up and placed her small hand over his hand.
"That is perfectly alright Harry. You were tired…" said Hermione and Harry just smiled slightly before he kissed her once on the lips. But when they were separated they just looked at each other for a moment before Harry turned his attention to the small window.
The sun was just beginning to rise over the horizon leaving large red strips of light over the ground, and Harry just let his hand drop before moving over to stand by the window. Harry just stared out at the sunlight a pained look over his face. So, slowly Hermione approached Harry and placed a hand on her husbands shoulder.
"What's really wrong Harry?" asked Hermione and Harry just turned to look at Hermione the pained expression gone.
"Nothing…it's just I don't want to see you or Crystal getting hurt…" said Harry quietly and Hermione just nodded.
"That's understandable Harry. But don't worry we will get through this just like last time…" Hermione said again and Harry just sighed before walking the short distance to the cot and sitting down.
And soon after Hermione followed and sat beside him and slowly with the tips of her fingers, traced gently over the raised scar marks and talking quietly. Later, however they were interrupted when a door slammed shut and a death eater appeared outside the cells and quickly slid in their breakfast.
Harry's was his 'usual', bloody raw meat and for Hermione it was a piece of bread and some cheese. But what angered Harry was that inside Crystal and Brittany's cell they had also slid in the exact same combination. Raw meat and Bread and cheese.
But as Harry turned to tell something to the death eater he realized the man was gone and just turned back to the cell where his daughter was being kept. And as he looked over he saw that Brittany and Crystal were beginning to wake up.
"Mummy? Daddy?" Crystal asked as she ran slightly over to the bars and Hermione and Harry rushed over to be close to her.
The first person Crystal embraced through the bars though, was her father and Harry began running his hands up and down her back hugging her slightly. Then the young girl looked over at Hermione before she tried to give her mother a hug.
"Mummy, I'm hungry…" Crystal said to Hermione and the older woman just took the bread and cheese she was given and handed it over to Crystal who took it eagerly. But when the girl quickly devoured the small portion she looked back at her parents.
"Is there any more?" She asked and Hermione sadly shook her head.
"No, darling there is no more. I'm sorry sweetie" responded Hermione and Crystal pouted slightly.
Because of the full moon only 1 night away Crystal's appetite had increased and as much as she hated it Hermione couldn't fill her daughters' stomach.
But as they talked Brittany slowly looked around and spotted her breakfast lying on the floor by the door. And soon she had eaten everything she had been given and looked down at the bowl of raw meat and gagged slightly. Harry noticed this and looked up at Brittany.
"You can give that to me if you would like Brittany" said Harry and at the sound of his voice Brittany looked up at Harry and Hermione, scared.
"I won't hurt you Brittany. I swear it...j-just hand me the bowl" said Harry and Brittany just nodded silently before picking up the bowl and giving it to Harry through the bars. But as soon as Harry took a hold of the bowl Brittany quickly let go, as if she had been shocked and sat against the wall looking that the couple.
"W-w-what happened to you Harry, and h-how did you turn into that animal?" Brittany asked and Harry looked over at Hermione then back at Brittany.
"Hermione turned into a wolf because in that form was the only was she was somewhat safe from me. She turned into the wolf because she is a witch and she is my wife. And as for what happened to me? Well I'm saddened that you had to see that Brittany. But remember when I explained to you about the magical world and told you about the witches and wizards, along with giants, merpeople, and werewolves?" Harry said and Brittany just nodded.
"Well about 12 or 13 years ago on my 17th birthday I was and official adult and could leave my Aunt and Uncle's house for good. But as I was leaving the house my Uncle was attacked by one of my friends, Remus Lupin. And without thinking I jumped in front of my Uncle to protect him, so Remus landed on me and bit into my shoulder. But that would have been not as bad, only Remus was a werewolf and was transformed at the time. So in turn I…am a werewolf." Said Harry and he looked up to see Brittany staring at him in shock.
"HA, so that woman is your wife and this is your daughter. Well actually that could make sense…she looks like a good mixture of the both of you. But the 'magical world' just can't exist i-it's just not logical! I mean how have you been keeping it a secret?! I mean…you actually believe you can 'turn into animals' a-a-and you're a 'werewolf'?! I mean come on that's impossible and werewolves, and merpeople don't even exist!! You know what?? I finally understand now…you Harry are insane! That is the only explanation for this whole thing…" said Brittany with a slightly amused expression on her face before she sat down on her bed.
Harry opened his mouth to argue but he knew there was no way he was going to convince her and the only way of getting her to believe the truth is by seeing it the next night. So Harry just swallowed once before looking over at Crystal who was looking at him with the smallest expression of fear.
"Are you really a wolf Daddy? 'Cause your too nice to be one…my friend Erin…she met one once and she said they were nasty, evil creatures that should be killed. But your all nice…you can't be a wolf….wolf's kill people" said Crystal and Harry just smiled down at her and ran his hand through her soft, dirty hair.
"I know Crystal. But not all wolves are evil okay? Remember Uncle Remus, he was a wolf too." Said Harry and Crystal nodded her head and Harry could tell she was thinking about Remus.
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But 'Uncle Remus' had been getting old and Harry knew from the last time he had seen him the older werewolf was really struggling with the monthly transformations. The 40+ man looked well past his 50's. And the night he had stayed with Harry a couple months before he had been with Harry for another full moon.
But Harry, who had now fully grown immediately got up and stretched his transformed limbs, Remus stayed on the floor longer than normal and then struggled to his feet only with Harry's help. So when Remus went back to Tonks, he only contacted Harry through a few owls but nothing like he had when he was younger.
Harry knew that soon Remus wouldn't be able to handle too many more transformations and it wasn't only taking a toll on him but also on Tonks his wife. He wouldn't allow him and Tonks to have children being afraid of passing on his curse.
He had always been afraid of biting people and forcing them to live the life he had. The life of being feared and hated by all; so when he bit Harry he felt horrible for years and it still nagged at him; but he couldn't bear to put that weight on a child, especially if too much of the curse transferred.
So when Harry told him Hermione was pregnant he could tell Remus was slightly worried, but when Crystal was born and during her first full moon Hermione stayed up all night and watched her. All she noticed was that she was slightly more aggressive but nothing else. So the next morning when she had told Harry and Remus about this she could practically read the relief on their faces.
But when Harry and Hermione had appointed him and Tonks as his godparents they were ecstatic. Only because of the fact Remus wouldn't be willing to help bare a child; only the only way they would get Crystal is if something had happened to Harry and Hermione. So instead they arranged occasional visits also so Harry and Hermione could have alone time.
But recently neither Harry nor Hermione had heard from the elder wolf.
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So Harry just reached through the bars and placed his hand on hers and when she didn't respond or look up Harry just withdrew his hand and sat back against the wall.
"I think I scared her" said Harry as he looked over at his wife.
"No…it's not fright…Harry she is only a little girl, this is hard to handle for someone that young. This is why I wanted to wait and tell her…" Said Hermione and Harry nodded as though he understood.
But finally Crystal fell asleep leaning against the stone wall nearest the bars separating her from her parents; and Hermione crawled back to sit in his lap with her head in the crook of Harry's neck. And finally after several minutes both Harry and Hermione fell into a tense sleep due to their 'predicament'; the only person not asleep was Brittany. The young muggle was at the opposite corner of her and Crystal's cell, her eyes darting from the older couple to the girl then back again with 1 thought going through her head.
'Is it possible werewolves and magic could exist?'
And after several hours she too fell asleep, but only lightly incase the girl decided to attack or Harry, or the Snake-faced Man came back.
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Later Brittany awoke to hear sounds of cries, and struggling; so she cautiously opened her eyes and saw that Crystal was in the opposite corner of their cell whimpering quietly. Brittany just stood up and approached the girl before sitting down beside her and then followed her gaze to her parents' cell.
There were no longer only 2 people in it but now 5; Harry was standing back towards the door but being held by 2 large burly men in black cloaks, and as she watched she noticed the anger and panic in Harry's eyes. But also Harry was struggling to be released but was losing strength due to a thin silver chain draped around his neck and torso; and as he moved she could see the chain move and leave angry red marks on his pale skin.
And on the other side he could see a man in a black cloak and platinum blonde hair holding onto a fighting Hermione.
"You filled out nicely Granger…" said the blonde man as he looked up and down Hermione's dirty form, his eyes resting on her chest his hand also tracing over her face and down towards her breasts.
"Let me go Malfoy" said Hermione to the man as she struggled once more only causing the man, Malfoy, to strengthen his grip.
"Let…let her…go….M-malfoy…." Gasped Harry and the 2 men on each side gripped his arms tighter, holding him still.
"Shut it Potter….you know Granger, if you would like I could have it arranged for a memory wipe and you could get out of the dungeon and live with me in the main castle…" Said the blonde and Harry struggled again only to fail and Hermione stopped struggling and stared at him as if he sick.
"Never. I would never leave my family…And if I did it wouldn't be for a rat like you!" said Hermione and Malfoy just looked at her in disgust.
"I guess was wrong about coming down here…you aren't a Mud-blood anymore…your just as bad as a werewolf" he said and he slapped the woman across the face catching her off guard and throwing her to the ground.
Then Malfoy turned to face Harry who was panting heavily but a rage filled his eyes and he glared at Draco. But the man just walked out of the room and stood in the hallway as the 2 burly men released his arms and pushed him forward causing Harry to lose balance and fall forward.
When Harry landed on the floor he tried to prop himself up with his arms but they quickly collapsed from under him due to the sliver wrapped around him. So Harry turned and sat up against the bars and attempted to pull the chains off him, but they were wrapped too tightly and Harry didn't have the strength.
Harry just then looked up to see Hermione just staring at nothing a shocked look on her face as well as a large hand shaped bruise. So Harry angled his body to look towards Brittany.
"B-Brittany…I know you don't trust m-me but please help me…I need to get this chain off…" said Harry and Brittany just looked over at him wearily before nodding slowly and shakily and moving slowly towards Harry.
And as Brittany moved forward so did Crystal and Harry's eyes widened.
"NO…C-Crystal y-you stay there for right now…l-let Brittany get this…" said Harry and Crystal just looked shocked but stopped moving. And Brittany just looked back at Crystal who was staring at her father in worry and confusion. But Brittany continued to move forward.
And when she reached the bars Harry was panting heavily from the pain and she just took a deep breath before sticking her hand through the bars moving it towards Harry, who shuddered again.
"Y-your not gonna hurt me…right?" Brittany asked holding her hand above Harry's chest where the chain was laying.
"N-no Brittany…just…please hurry" said Harry and Brittany lowered her hand an gasped at the warmth of his body but said nothing and grabbed a hold of the silver chain and began pulling. But as she pulled she noticed that there was slight resistance and as she pulled the thin chain away there were traces of blood left on it as well as shallow cuts that the chain had burned into Harry's skin.
Brittany just gasped slightly too, cause as she watched the cut had started to scab over. But as she had been watching the healing skin she had lowered her hand slightly and the chain had once again made contact with Harry's skin causing him to hiss in pain. So Brittany just jumped slightly as the hiss before resuming the task of removing the chain.
And once it was finally completely off Harry just rested his head on the bars of the separated cells and sighed.
"Thank you Brittany…thank you so much" said Harry, his breathing slowing down to normal but Brittany didn't verbally respond and instead she just nodded her head and walked back to her corner in her cell with the chain still in her hand.
As Harry lay with his head on the bars he suddenly remembered the real emergency he had to get the chain off, Hermione.
"Oh my God...Hermione!" said Harry and he quickly sat up and repressed another hiss of pain and moved as quickly as possible over to Hermione who was staring at the door in shock.
"Hermione? Hermione?! Oh come on, PLEASE say something!!" said Harry desperately and Hermione slowly turned to look at Harry, her face blank.
But Hermione's eyes just filled with tears and she moved forward to lean against Harry's now almost completely healed chest and sobbed quietly into his chest. Harry just shushed her quietly as he ran his hand over her thick brown hair.
"I...I wouldn't have been able to stop him even if I wanted to..." she said quietly, and Harry just continued to run his hand through her hair, not knowing what to say.
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But after about 10 minutes Hermione had finally settled down and Harry cautiously picked her up and placed her on the cot that was sticking out of the wall. And soon she fell into a dreamless sleep and Harry just sighed before walking over to stand near the door. But as he stood there he constantly looked over at Hermione then his green eyes flickered over to where Crystal was sleeping in the corner, her head against the cold stone.
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Several Hours Later
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When one of the Death Eaters had come down that evening for dinner Harry had not backed away from the door as he was instructed and instead he just stood back far enough for the door to open. But the Death Eater didn't open the door and instead just watched Harry through his mask, waiting for anything unusual.
"I want to speak with Voldemort..." said Harry then he turned and looked at the people behind him "...alone" and the Death Eater just muttered something under his breath and the food he had brought hovered in the air beside him and he opened the door to the cell.
But Harry didn't move and instead turned to look that Hermione, Crystal, and Brittany had remained asleep; which they had. And when Harry turned back around the Death Eater was placing the food down and then fixed his wand on Harry.
The Death Eater just muttered a spell and a golden cord shot out of his wand and bound themselves around Harry's wrists, securing his hands behind his back. Then the Death Eater slowly approached and Harry just continued to look straight ahead until a covering was placed over his head and he was lead out of the cell.
"Move it, Wolf. And don't attempt anything..." said the Death Eater and Harry didn't speak instead he just let himself be lead up the small flight of stairs and then through the doorway he assumed led into the main hall.
And after a few moments Harry heard another door open and he was led inside it only to walk a short distance and then he was forced to his knees and his head was bent.
But soon the covering over his head was removed and Harry chanced a look and saw that he was kneeling in front of Voldemort who was like Harry had said, alone.
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"Ah, Harry. Your new wounds seem to have healed nicely...now I have heard there is something you wish to discuss with me..." said Voldemort sounding slightly amused.
"Y-yes Master" said Harry who bowed his head again.
"Stand up...Wolf" said Voldemort and he waved his hand causing the binds to disappear and Harry stood slowly but Voldemort didn't fail to notice the slight cringe when he said 'Wolf'.
"Now what is it you wish to 'tell me', Wolf?" Voldemort asked sounding bored.
"I-I-I have come to ask something of you, Master..."said Harry and when Voldemort didn't say anything Harry continued.
"Tomorrow night is f-full moon and Hermione and I have kept my lycanthropy a secret from Crystal for 8 years only because we were afraid of her reaction. And, Master, what I was asking is-is will you removed Crystal from the dungeon...do with her what you will...just don't let her remember me or Hermione or see me transform; a-and you can have her do any thing...just…p-please Master." Said Harry.
Voldemort just looked at Harry a strange glint in his red eyes, "And what would I get in return from you if I do this." And Harry just brought his gaze up to look Voldemort in the eye before he lowered them once more.
"I...I..." Harry stuttered then the raven-haired boy in front of him took a deep breath and swallowed then continued; "Obedience, for anything you ask Master. And no fight..." finished Harry and Voldemort just chuckled under his breath.
But when Harry looked up he saw that Voldemort was staring at Harry with a twisted smile on his face.
"Is that all you wanted to ask Wolf?" and Harry nodded "Very well, I will think about your request...you may go back to your cell now..." said Voldemort and Harry just watched Voldemort as his stomach twisted into knots.
Voldemort would think about the request but Harry wouldn't put it past him to let the girl see the transformation before removing her from her parent's presence. But Harry just let himself get 'escorted' down to the dungeons without a fight.
And when they reached Harry's cell door the quickly opened it before flinging him inside and shutting and locking the small door with a loud clang; but Harry just looked around the cell to see that Hermione was sitting up, her back against the wall looking at him.
"Where did you go?" she asked quietly and Harry just walked over and sat down beside her and wrapped his arms around her middle.
"Voldemort wanted to see me...nothing to worry about" said Harry but the knot in his stomach grew larger and Harry felt horrible about making the offer to Voldemort but if the man accepted the offer Crystal might get better treatment. Or so Harry hoped.