Using the prompt 'stress'

Chapter Twenty

I can't believe she left. She's so selfish. She promised she would stick by me. She promised she'd be there for me.

Hugo paced his bedroom. He never paced. He couldn't even remember ever feeling as stressed as he did right now. Three days, it had been. Three days and Rose still hadn't come home. He'd barely heard anything about her. All he knew was that Harry had organised for a post to be set up around their house where a bunch of trainee Aurors were watching it for anything out of the ordinary.

No one had even bothered to go and see her. Harry had Apparated there two days ago, but had returned moments later, shaking his head.

"She won't come," he said, appearing defeated.

Hugo wasn't sure how he could determine that by only being there for a few moments, but he didn't say anything. If Harry couldn't convince her to come home, what chance did anyone else have? Hugo certainly couldn't grab her and Apparate her back to Grimmauld Place.

He paced back and forth, back and forth, thinking of ways to bring his sister back. He remembered the anguish on her face, the pain in her eyes. Just as he had been coming to terms – coming to accept the fact his parents weren't going to come back – she had landed herself in a very dark place.

"Mum and Dad always hated it when she did this," he said to the empty room. "They hated it. It would upset them."

But Rose had always done what she wanted to do. When they were still alive, she had been a whole lot worse. At least she had waited a few months before she completely lost it.

"It's a record for her."

His bedroom door opened and Hugo stopped mid-step, almost running into a concerned Ginny.

"Hugo, are you okay?" she asked.

He nodded. "Just trying to find a way to bring Rose back," he said.

Ginny's face softened. "I know you miss her," she said conversationally, "But I think leaving her there until she's ready to come home will be best for her; for everyone."

"Not for me!" Hugo cried. "I need her."

"We're here, Hugo. Uncle Harry and I are here for you."

Tears threatened to fall down his cheeks. "But I need my sister." His breath was shallow and his eyes stung with unshed tears. He'd never felt like this before. Not even when Professor Gimp had told him the news all that time ago.

"I know," was all Ginny said. She looked at him with tear-filled eyes. "I have some news for you, Hugo. Uncle Harry just came home... he said they've found her."

"Begonia Webb..." Hugo said more to himself.

"Come downstairs, Hu. He wants to talk to you." A moment of irritation flashed across his aunt's face as she said that, and it made Hugo curious as to what Harry had to say.

Sucking in a deep, calming breath, he followed Ginny from the room and down the stairs to where Harry waited in the living room with another man. Hugo vaguely recognised him and assumed he was another Auror. Both men were dressed in the official Ministry robes.

"Hugo," Harry said the moment he saw him. "This is Cormac McLaggen. He's another Auror and was leading the group who brought Ms Webb in."

Hugo nodded. He didn't care about names. He just wanted to know what had happened.

"And?" he asked.

"She's currently at the Ministry; they're questioning her as we speak."

"Good," Hugo responded. "So, she'll be going to Azkaban, right?"

Harry hesitated. "Hugo, it's not that simple. You know how Mr Malfoy has offered to help you and Rose? Well, there are also those who wish to help Begonia Webb –"

"What? Why?"

Harry didn't answer his question. "Hugo, I think it would be a good idea if you came to the Ministry with me to see her."

Hugo's eyes widened, and from beside him, Ginny shook her head. She obviously didn't agree with Harry's idea.

"Why?"

"So you know, Hugo. So you know what she did and you know to look out for her in the future."

"I can see pictures of her," Hugo argued. "And I know what she did."

"That's what I said," Ginny mumbled. Only Hugo appeared to have heard her.

"I think it will be good if you see her face to face, Hugo. It will eliminate any fear you have of her."

"I'm not scared of her!" Hugo lied. "I just don't want to see the person who killed Mum and Dad."

Harry nodded. "It's up to you, Hugo. But she'll only be in custody for a few more days. We must prove she did it before then, or we'll have to let her go."

"I should get back," McLaggen said, appearing suddenly uncomfortable to be standing in Harry's living room. "Just send an owl if anybody changes their mind."

Harry nodded again, defeated. "Use the Floo," he said, pointing to the fireplace. "It's the easiest."

McLaggen walked to the fireplace, throwing a glance behind his shoulder at Hugo. "I'm sorry to hear about what happened," he said. "Your parents were highly regarded at the Ministry. It was a big loss."

That was when Hugo remembered where he recognised the man from. He had been at the funeral.

"Er, thanks," he said.

When the Auror had disappeared, Hugo turned back to his uncle. "Was he the Auror who led that attack when that boy died?" he asked.

Harry shook his head. "Mr McLaggen is only new to the post as a Head Auror."

"Then what happened to the one who did it?" Hugo asked.

"He was stood down from his position as a Head Auror, as well as an Auror."

"What happened to him after that?"

Harry shook his head. "I don't know. He never returned to the Ministry. I believe he's living a quiet life. He's lucky his wand wasn't snapped."

"Is she scary?"

"She's dangerous," Harry answered. "But I can assure you, you will be perfectly safe at the Ministry," he added hurriedly, misreading Hugo's expression.

"Do you think it will help?" Hugo asked. "To see her?"

"It did for me," Harry replied and Hugo wasn't sure if he was talking about the man who had killed his own parents, or Begonia Webb. Maybe he was talking about both of them.

"Do you think it will help Rose?"

No one responded for a very long time, until Harry said, "How about you and I just go to begin with?"

Hugo nodded reluctantly. "Okay," he said.

"Hugo, you know you don't have to," Ginny said.

Hugo shook his head. "No, I think I do."

"I'll inform McLaggen," Harry said, looking rather satisfied that Hugo had gone with his plan and not Ginny's. "Give me a few moments."

OOO

"Now, remember, Hugo, if you want to leave, just give me the word and you're out of there, okay?"

"Okay." Hugo had to almost run to keep up with Harry's long strides. It had been a very long time since he had set foot in the Ministry and it looked completely different to how he remembered it. He hadn't even been at Hogwarts the time his mum had been sent a last minute owl to come in. She had felt bad about asking someone to look after him at such late notice, so she had been forced to take Hugo in with her.

Hugo didn't remember every detail, but he did remember the disapproving looks everybody gave him. The Ministry of Magic wasn't a place for children. The only reason no one told his mum to take him home was because she was pretty much the boss of her department. And Kingsley – the Minister for Magic – knew both of them fairly well.

It had actually been Kingsley who had taken him away to entertain him.

"Hugo, are you good at folding letters?" the Minister asked Hugo, sitting behind his desk. His expression was stern, but Hugo beamed, happy to be doing something.

"Yes!" he exclaimed.

Kingsley took out his wand and summoned a rather large pile of parchment, each addressed to somebody different. "Then you, Hugo, are just the man I'm looking for. You would be making my job a lot easier if you could take a few hours out of your day to fold these for me."

Hugo realised now that it had just been a mechanism to distract him for utter boredom, but at the time it had made him feel rather important. Kingsley had even paid him two Galleons for his time. He remembered writing to Rose that evening, informing her that he already had a job before he had even started at Hogwarts.

Harry led him along one corridor and then turned into another that looked exactly the same. Portraits of famous witches and wizards hung on the wall, each watching him with curious eyes. Some even commented about a child being there, but both Hugo and Harry ignored them.

It wasn't until they passed a portrait of his dad that he faltered. It looked exactly like Hugo remembered him. Thinning red hair and a wide, mischievous smile that was a Weasley trait. The portrait beamed at Hugo.

"Just relax, mate," it told him. "You'll be fine."

Hugo couldn't help but smile back at it. "Thanks, Dad," he said.

His dad smiled back at him.

"Come on, Hu," Harry said, giving him a gentle push forward. Hugo noticed he didn't even look up at the portrait. "We don't have much time."

Hugo trudged along, ignoring the stares Harry had warned him about. Just ignore them, he said. They don't exist.

Harry led him into an office; Harry's office.

"Just wait here for a moment," his uncle told him, indicating to an empty chair. "I'll be with you in a moment."

Hugo sat awkwardly in the seat as Harry vanished. Harry's office was quite small, but at least he didn't have to share it with anyone. His desk was a total mess, which reminded Hugo of his one in Grimmauld Place. There was parchment in every corner, some blank, others looking more important.

Hugo was tempted to pick one up and read, but he decided against it. It was none of his business what was on them. He probably wouldn't understand it anyway.

But one did catch his eye. He had given that letter to his uncle not so long ago. It was almost the only thing that was neat on Harry's desk.

Against his better judgement, Hugo picked it up. He would never forget his mum's handwriting. After all the letters she had sent him? But he'd never appreciated it until now. If he could just get one more letter from her...

"Hugo, you can come in now."

Hugo jumped, throwing the letter back on the desk. He glanced up at Harry, but his uncle gave no indication he had seen what Hugo was doing. He kept looking over his shoulder, nervous about something.

"Does she know I'm coming?" Hugo asked as Harry led him through yet another door. This one was dark. It was lit by candles.

"No, but that's okay. You're perfectly safe."

"You keep saying that," Hugo said. "Does that mean she's dangerous?"

"It's not easy losing a child, Hugo. She's still grieving."

Harry pushed another door open and inside there were two Aurors – a man and a woman – dressed in the official robes, and another woman magically bound to a chair. Despite her cruel expression as her eyes laid on Hugo, she looked quite normal. She didn't seem that scary.

Still, the Aurors prepared their wands, which sent Hugo's heart racing.

"Who's this?" the woman demanded, her eyes burning into Hugo.

"I think you know who it is, Ms Webb," Harry answered dryly. He stayed very close to Hugo, his wand also in his hand. Hugo was tempted to take out his own wand, but that probably wouldn't have been the best idea at the Ministry of Magic. His decision whether or not to go back to Hogwarts would be made for him.

Begonia Webb's eyes narrowed. Hugo just watched her.

"What are you doing, bringing me the child of the man who murdered my son?" she screeched. Hugo retreated slightly.

"I'm bringing you the child of the two people you murdered in cold blood," Harry said coldly. "One of the children you left parentless."

Hugo now realised why Harry didn't want to bring Rose with him. She wouldn't have been able to keep her mouth shut. Hugo was too afraid to speak. He was looking into the eyes of the person who had been the last to see his parents alive.

He was looking at their murderer.

"How dare you bring him here!" the woman cried. "It is my right to insist you take him away."

Harry grabbed Hugo's arm. "I'll take him away, but I just thought it would be good for him to see the coward who murdered his parents."

"I didn't touch them!" she argued. "But, they deserved what they got!"

Harry pulled Hugo back even further and opened the door. "Good day, Ms Webb," he said, exiting the dark room.

Once they were back in Harry's office, Hugo turned to his uncle. "She did it," he said certainly. "She killed them."

Harry nodded. "All we have to do is prove it."

Hugo thought of something he hadn't thought of before. "Isn't there a way to tell what the last spell someone used was?"

Harry nodded again. "There is, mate, but that's the problem. It took us such a long time to find her that it makes it near impossible to know that way. Even if we could look at her wand and discover she used a Killing Curse, there is no proof that she used it on your parents. The Minister even thought of the Muggle way of fingerprinting, but it didn't work either. She –" He stopped abruptly, staring at Hugo. "I shouldn't be talking to you about this," he said. "But you handled yourself well in there, considering."

"I'm fine," Hugo promised. "I was only there for a minute."

"You're still young."

"I can handle it."

Harry shook his head. "No, I've been treating you like an adult, Hu, not a thirteen-year-old boy."

"Good."

"It's not right. I wanted you to see her, though. So you knew."

"Thanks, Uncle Harry. She's evil."

"She's not evil, just grieving. Grief can make you do bad things."

"She'll be punished, though, right?" Hugo asked.

Harry nodded, but he didn't look completely convinced. "I'll make sure of it, mate. Draco Malfoy will make sure of it."

"How come Dad was never sent to Azkaban, though?" Hugo asked.

Harry paused a few steps from his office door. "That was an accident, Hugo. A complete accident."

They both began to make their way along the corridor again, Hugo making sure to fully stop in front of his dad's portrait this time.

"How did it go?" he asked. "And where's Rosie?"

Harry shifted uncomfortably beside Hugo, not saying anything.

"I wasn't there for very long," Hugo said. "And Rose... didn't want to come." He couldn't give him the real reason. He was sure even the portrait would be heartbroken if he knew how Rose was taking their deaths.

"Thank God," his dad said. "I wasn't too keen on the idea, you know."

Hugo stared up at the portrait. "Does Mum have one here too?" he asked.

The portrait nodded. "Yeah, but in her own department."

"I want to see her."

"She'd love to see you. But maybe some other time?"

Hugo gave a small smile. "It's good to see you again, Dad," he said.

The portrait grinned back. "Anytime, Hu." He paused, his expression softening. "I love you," he said. "You and Rosie..."

Hugo's smile widened. "Yeah, I love you too, Dad. And I'll tell Rose that." Because Merlin knows she needs to hear that right now.

As he left the Ministry, it was the happiest Hugo had felt in a long time. The woman who had killed his parents was now being held and he had been able to speak to his dad again.

Now, all he needed to do was bring Rose home.

Thanks Jo again for beta-ing. I really like this chapter, and I hope you do, too :) Reviews are much appreciated, and thank you so much to everyone who has reviewed so far. It makes me really happy!