Disclaimer: Harry Potter is not mine, but I wouldn't mind having it!

Sorry it's been such a long time since I updated, I've been too busy holidaying and thanks for all the reviews. As for fillers, I'm thinking that my story might be a bit too fast-paced too, as I read back over it, it doesn't sound smooth at all, but I had already typed this chapter and I'm too lazy to rewrite it!

Chapter 10 – Snatched

Winter came and Christmas rolled by as if Dean had nothing to do with it. No Christmas tree, no presents, no big dinners with his family, but only snow which turned out to be quite a nuisance when you're on the run. Firstly, everywhere is wet, secondly, you don't want to leave footsteps in the snow, and thirdly, it was very, extremely cold. The wet muck made it almost impossible to camp outside and the group had moved frequently across the country, hoping to find a warmer place. Having fussy goblins following around also did not help to lighten up the mood.

It was sometime near Easter, or perhaps it was Easter, as Dean had lost any sense of date when they had rented two rooms at an inn in a remote village, with warmer temperatures, that they happened to stumble by. Ted had performed some tricky transfiguration work to turn Dean's remaining wizard money into muggle money.

"So we are actually paying for this deplorable accommodation?" grunted Gornuk in disbelief. Most of his comments of late had circled around similar issues and Dean was now thoroughly annoyed by it.

I want to strangle him.

That night Ted had volunteered to go and buy some food from the inn restaurant downstairs. Dean was propped on his bed, the first real bed he had felt in ages and his stomach grumbled in response to Ted's offer.

"I think that's a 'yes please'," said Dirk, smiling from his bed.

The two goblins had a room to themselves next door as they had practically threatened murder if they didn't get one.

Hoot who had disappeared for a few days, was now sitting on the windowsill and as Dean turned his gaze towards the owl he had suddenly remembered something which had been nagging him for a long time.

From his satchel, Dean fished out the photo and the newspaper which Hoot had given him. He placed the photo with the smiling couple aside and read the torn part of the newspaper. From the faded date printed at the bottom, Dean could tell that it was a local muggle newspaper which had been published some 37 years ago. Dean read the article, or rather part of the article, as the other bit had been torn away from it.

"…a woman by the name of Fiona Carrophs was found dead…" – Here the text had faded too much to be able to decipher – "…husband Dean Smith and son Theodore Smith, who was a year old…denied any deductions from medical personnel that his wife had died of ill health…maintained that she was murdered by a wizard…and has to this end, been strongly advised to see a psychologist…"

Dean could just imagine the headline, "Estranged husband claims magical murder".

"Do you mind if I had a read of that?"

Dean jumped, during the course of his deep thinking, Dirk Cresswell had crept up silently and was now reading over his shoulder. Dean handed the paper to him.

Dirk took the piece of shabby, yellow paper and sat down to read it.

"Well, what a coincidence, it's Theo Smith…always told me he was a muggle-born…" mumbled Dirk.

"What?" cried Dean, hurrying to where Dirk sat, "you know the guy?"

At that moment, Ted opened the door and two trays of food drifted in, both carrying dishes of pasta, one of the trays set itself on the table in front of Dean and Dirk, the other floated nearby Ted's head.

"I don't think Griphook and Gornuk would like this pasta," said Dirk.

"Well what do they like?" asked Ted with a hint of impatience.

"Dunno, probably some gourmet food with red wine," smirked Dirk.

"Oh good, I think this country inn would have some of that," said Ted sarcastically as he closed the door behind him.

They took a few bites of the rather bland pasta before Dirk explained, "Theodore Smith or Theo Smith as he liked to be called, was in my year at Hogwarts. We were both in Ravenclaw and he was the smartest kid in our year. He said he was a muggle-born," said Dirk, frowning at the article, "but this thing here doesn't seem to say so, unless of course it's another Theodore."

At this point, Ted returned, sat opposite them, and began eating his pasta.

"What's that you got there, Dirk?"

The bit of newspaper was handed around.

After reading it, Ted looked a bit suspicious, "Your owl has a taste for news."

Dean smiled meekly.

"Know something of the Carrophs, Ted?" asked Dirk.

"Not much, other than they're brilliant wizards. Had no idea Fiona Carrophs had a son."

"Didn't know Theo had a mother either," said Dirk, "well, a mother that knew magic."

"The Carrophs I think," said Ted, "aren't one of those big, old wizarding families, haven't been around that long, but there are some quite famous witches and wizards who carry that name." Dirk nodded after Ted's comment.

"Tell me more about Theodore Smith," urged Dean to Dirk.

"Well," began Dirk, swallowing his pasta, "he had a thirst for magical knowledge and I think it was because of his muggle background. He was interested in the very essence of magic, you know, how people actually end up with it and how it originated. He liked ancient magic," said Dirk, as if coming to a conclusion. "I don't think Hogwarts ever satisfied his interests, he was excellent in his studies nonetheless, of course. After he graduated he became an unspeakable."

"A what?" asked Dean.

"An unspeakable. Person who works at the Department of Mysteries. They're not meant to tell people what they do at work, but I guess it's something aligned with Theo's interests."

"Were you good friends with him?" Dean wondered aloud as he finished the last of his pasta.

"He wasn't a really open sort of person, I was his roommate and was in most of his classes, so he probably had to talk to me," chuckled Dirk, "He was very modest, kinda likeable if you have the chance to know him better. I think he used to hang around his friend, Otus Birman, they were often together, very close friends…he was a peculiar fellow…"

"Who? Otus?" asked Dean who could hear the peculiarity from his name.

"Yeah. Huge eyes, messy hair - always at least two tufts sticking up - You know what?" said Dirk looking thoughtful, "He kinda reminded me of –"

The conversation was broken by a soft whistling noise issued by Dean's sneakoscope which had been tipped out of his bag when he had been rummaging for the newspaper.

Ted had stopped eating and Dirk had stood up, "Quick! We have to get out of here!" Dirk raced to the other room to alert the goblins as Dean packed his belongings, while the sneakoscope suddenly turned into a siren.

Dirk came back, carrying two goblins in his arms, who looked as if they have been robbed of all pride and set them down on the ground. Though he had only ran a few metres he looked breathless and informed Dean and Ted in pants that, "They've placed an Anti-Dissapparition jinx on the place."

With this the Sneakoscope began screaming its head off and underneath the whirring and the sirens were heavy footsteps climbing up the stairs.

"Is there anything we can do?" asked Ted, just before the door was flung open.

"No," said the wizard who had just burst through the door, flanked by two others on either side.

"Dawlish?" said Dirk, who sounded genuinely surprised.

"Didn't think you'd see me soon, did you Cresswell?"

"No, I didn't think they'd still hire you after Azkaban."

Dawlish's eyes darkened, "I see you've brought some friends," he said as he approached Griphook and looked as if he was about to knock him unconscious.

"Stupefy!" yelled Ted, but one of the Aurors had foreseen his spell and cried, "Finite!" The jet of red light faded and at once the two began duelling, their wands waved and flickered in swift movements as jets of light streaked across the room.

Dawlish was now duelling with Dirk which left one Auror, who was making his way towards Dean. Dean had his wand ready, but as he prepared to cast a Leg-Locker Curse, a burst of green light flooded the room from one of the Aurors and hit Gornuk square on the chest. Griphook cried out and Dirk yelled, "NO!" At this momentary distraction, Dawlish performed the Cruciatus Curse on Dirk who fell and writhed in agony on the floor.

Dean automatically pointed his wand at Dawlish, whose ears immediately began swelling to the size of bats with wings that began attacking his face.

So I have learnt something from my relationship with Ginny after all.

"Goodness, what is that?" exclaimed the Auror who had been approaching Dean.

Exploiting the distraction, Dean pointed his wand at the Auror and said the first thing that came to mind, "Tarantallegra!"

The Auror began to do a dance on the spot as he furiously tried to cast spells with terrible aim while his legs twirled about.

"Crucio!" yelled Dawlish again, who was managing good, despite the bat-bogey hex. Dirk yelled in pain and his wand fell out of his hand and rolled onto the floor. Ted, whose opponent was now lying unconscious on the floor, moved towards Dirk. However, as Ted edged closer, one of the flying spells cast from the dancing Auror, a jet of green light, was hurling towards Ted.

"NOOOOOO!!! PROTEGO!" yelled Dean across the room. His shield charm was able to envelope Ted just in time, but wavered and disappeared after the curse hit it.

Ted stunned Dawlish and began duelling with the Auror whose dancing legs had stopped. Dirk also got up from the ground and picked up his wand, barely able to stay standing, he began duelling with Ted. They were forcing the Auror out and down the stairs. Dean was about to follow them, when he noticed Griphook who had been stunned and was lying unconscious on the floor. Dean gingerly picked the goblin up and was about to head down when two new Aurors appeared at the door.

Dean's eyes widened in terror as his grip on his wand tightened.

One of them laughed.

"Your friends have just been joined by a party of Aurors downstairs."

Dean could hear a yell from Ted downstairs, "DEAN TAKE GRIPHOOK AND GO!"

Both the men, upon hearing this, lunged at Dean and as their robes flew back, Dean caught site of a skull tattoo, which both men carried on one of their arms; the Dark Mark, which the Quibbler had taught Dean to recognise.

'So Death Eaters are now Aurors?' thought Dean, who had previously considered a career as an Auror.

Immediately Dean dug in his satchel for the Instant Darkness Powder, dropping Griphook in the process, who landed with a thud on the floor.

Ouch, sorry Griphook.

With the bottle in his hand now, he threw it in the air. The Death Eaters backed away, slightly wary, and Dean with his wand, pointed at the bottle and yelled, "Confringo!" The bottle exploded in the air and the room instantly succumbed to a thick blackness.

Dean groped on the floor for Griphook, and when he caught the goblin's arm, he hoisted him up, carrying him over his shoulder. He pointed his wand in any direction and said, "Deprimo!"

The whole inn shook and bricks tumbled away, soon Dean felt the cool breeze of the night meet his face.

"Quick! He's getting away!" cried one of the Death Eaters, trapped in the darkness.

"Accio Broom!"

Enthusiastic as ever, the broom flew straight between Dean's legs so that he was effectively already on it. As he bent down to prop Griphook in front of him, his feet brushed against Ted's wireless on the floor. Dean hastily picked it up and slipped it in his satchel. He then motioned his broom to fly towards the welcoming breeze and out into the night.

-

It was hard to stop Griphook from slipping off the broom as they flew at high speed away from the inn.

"Griphook?" cried Dean as the air roared past him, "Griphook, are you alright?"

The blast of cool air seemed to have awakened Griphook, Dean felt his head nod slightly and could hear a grunt.

Good.

After a while Dean felt the goblin's body grow rigid against his own.

"Stop," wheezed Griphook.

Dean obliged and they landed at the edge of a thick forest. He proceeded to carry Griphook, but Griphook placed a hand on Dean's arm, "No, I would like to walk please."

Dean nodded, picking up his broom and headed into the forest, Griphook slightly staggering behind.

-

Both were extremely tired as they entered the forest to find a comfortable, safe place to sleep. No conversations were exchanged and it seemed that the second after Dean closed his eyes, sunlight, which had pierced through the canopy of the trees, forced Dean's eyes to open. Only his body, which ached from sleeping on the hard dirt surface, showed any signs that he had actually slept all night.

Griphook who was sleeping a metre away from him had the comfort of the layer of soft fungi which grew on that spot beneath the goblin, that Dean had advised him to sleep on, in his weak state.

Dean took his wand out from his satchel and waved it around him to reinforce the protective charms he had placed about the tree which they were sleeping at. He then got up from his spot, legs aching, and swung the satchel over him, walking away to find them some breakfast.

As he started his trek, a familiar hoot echoed through the forest.

"Hoot?"

The long-eared owl swooped and dropped a soft bundle into Dean's hands.

"What's this?" asked Dean, as he held the clumsily-wrapped package and Hoot stood on Dean's shoulder. When the bundle was unwrapped, a woolen hat unfurled and a piece of paper rolled out:

"With love, from mum."

"You went back to my house?" asked Dean, surprised.

Hoot nodded as if to say, "Aye, and they were all safe."

Dean pulled the woolen hat over his head, it was soft and warm and he could picture his mum knitting it by the fire.

Thanks mum.

-

That night the light of the dancing fire flickered across their faces as they ate their dinner, the same berries which Dean had picked that morning. Griphook had slept through most of the day and the two had hardly shared a word.

"I'm sorry that I didn't bring Gornuk's body back."

"A goblin corpse would have hardly been useful," said Griphook matter-of-factly, "and many goblins have died in the past because of wizard wars, we are used to it," he finished, again with the inhumane indifference, but nonetheless with a sting that made Dean feel guilty.

After they finished dinner, Dean took Ted's wireless out of his bag, turning the dials and saying "Albus" until he finally reached the station.

" - But before we hear from Royal and Romulus, let's take a moment to report those deaths that the Wizarding Wireless Network News and the Daily Prophet don't think important enough to mention," said the voice of River, which Dean had recognized as Lee Jordan's. He set the wireless on the grass beside him and Griphook.

"It is with great regret that we inform our listeners of the murders of Ted Tonks and Dirk Cresswell."

Dean's breathing stopped for a moment, a chilling silence settled and the atmosphere suddenly became very oppressive, like a weight on his shoulders.

No, this could not have happened. THIS COULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED.

"A goblin by the name of Gornuk was also killed. It is believed that muggle-born Dean Thomas and a second goblin, both believed to have been traveling with Tonks, Cresswell and Gornuk, may have escaped. If Dean is listening, or if anyone has any knowledge of his whereabouts, his parents and sisters are desperate for news."

Dean tore a piece of parchment, from the roll in his bag and with his quill, wrote rather shakily,

"Do not worry, I am safe – your son."

"Hoot!" he cried rather menacingly.

The owl flew down from the branch it was perched on. Dean thrust the piece of parchment towards Hoot, without looking at him. "Take it to my mum's" he ordered. The owl clutched the parchment with the claws of his feet and flew off into the dark night.

"…join us in a minute's silence in memory of Ted Tonks, Dirk Cresswell, Bathilda Bagshot, Gornuk and the unnamed, but no less regretted, Muggles murdered by the Death Eaters."

Dean flicked off the wireless rather furiously. Up till now he had not thought about Dirk and Ted, but he would never have imagined the possibility that they would be dead. It sounded odd, dreamlike. Dean had never known anyone close who had died in his lifetime, he had never encountered death himself, he had never cried over someone else's death, in a way it was like death didn't exist. There was no such thing. You could be on the run from ministry officials, Death Eaters, and Dementors, but death? No, he refused to believe it. How could anyone die, just like that?

No. Can't. Won't. Never.

The words repeated themselves in Dean's head, the only acceptable, respectable, pathetic outlet he had was a deep sigh, as he buried his head in his hands, but this did not lessen the anger in him.

I've taken life for granted, haven't I? Been lulled in a false sense of security…

"Dean Thomas!" came the stained voice of Griphook, closely followed by the whirring of his Sneakoscope.

Dean looked up from his misery, in the darkness of the night, and no doubt, a silencing charm, he had not noticed the group of Snatchers who had the two surrounded.

"What did I tell ya, Scabior? Said I'd heard someone talking," said a raspy voice, belonging to a man with sharp teeth, matted grey hair and long, yellow fingernails.

Dean groaned inwardly, of all the things, he had forgotten to place a silencing charm over them and the stupid wireless had given them away.