Disclaimer: JKR owns everything and I don't.
Chapter 20: Disappearing Act
Lucretia watched the pale snowflakes drift past the window of the Head Boy's common room. Alexander and she had retired earlier to the bedroom, but Lucretia found she was unable to sleep do to his incessant tossing and turning. Leaving the bed, she found a comfortable position on the sofa and proceeded to gaze into the dying embers of the fire. Fatigue overtook her and slowly her eyelids drifted to a close.
The room was dim and the large windows reflected the last pink rays of the fading sun. Lucretia sat before a beautiful, antique vanity having her hair brushed by a tall, dark-haired stranger. The woman's appearance was regal, with a slightly upturned nose, large almond-shaped eyes, and high cheekbones. She looked exceedingly confident, as if she knew all the secrets life had to offer.
"You must draw him to you. Make him crave your presence," the woman said authoritatively as she drew the brush through Lucretia's long silky locks.
"You don't understand! I don't want to be around him. He drives me crazy!" Lucretia interrupted.
The woman sneered and smacked Lucretia hard upside the face with the hairbrush. Lucretia cried out and clutched her hands to the area around her right eye. "Don't be stupid girl! From what I understand you don't have any other choice. Besides, he's rich, pureblooded, handsome, and powerful to boot! He is an excellent partner for you."
"He treats me like a child!"
"And he will as long as you continue to act like a selfish, spoiled little brat," the older brunette seethed. "If you do as I say, you will hold him and any other man in the palm of your hand." She gazed into Lucretia's eyes via the mirror's reflection and whispered lovingly, "It is all here, hidden inside you. You hold a deep power within you my little one. It is time to cast off your childhood and become the woman you are meant to be."
The scene dimmed and the room changed to reflect that of the main receiving hall of Lord Voldemort's castle. Several Death Eaters and Alexander stood to one side as Lucretia bowed low before the Dark Lord. His scarlet eyes gleamed with sinister pleasure and he hissed, "Ah, my little dark child, but you are not so young anymore. How much you have changed in your time here. Bella tells me great things of your progress. You will continue your lessons this summer, but for now you must return to Hogwarts."
"Yes, my Lord."
"You are dismissed then."
Lucretia bowed again and hurried from the room. She listened closely, knowing that he would follow her. As she passed through the first floor, she could hear the distinct clatter of his Italian shoes against the marble floors. Smirking, Lucretia made her way to her second floor bedroom. She wanted to make sure her things were prepared. No doubt, Alexander would want to leave right away.
It was only a few minutes until he let himself into her room without even a knock. "Why didn't you wait for me downstairs?" he asked darkly. Alexander painted a sinister picture against the backdrop of the torch lit hallway. His time in St. Mungo's had made him thinner and paler. It was his eyes though that took her breathe away. They were darker, glowing as if they were made of volcanic rock.
Smiling, she crossed the room and placed a passionate kiss on his lips. "So good to see you up and about, darling," she purred as she wrapped her arms around his neck.
Alexander gazed down at her curiously. Her curves were more pronounced and quickly awakened the desire within him. Lucretia's eyes danced with mischief and she seemed to radiate raw sexuality. Alexander found her positively entrancing. Without further words, he kissed her savagely, claiming her as his own.
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"Are you almost ready? I need to discuss the Quidditch training schedule with the team during breakfast," Alexander called out, as he straightened his tie and slung his leather bag over his shoulder. "What's taking you so long anyway?"
"Sorry, I couldn't seem to find my jumper as someone tossed it carelessly around in their haste to remove it last night," Lucretia answered pointedly, stalking into the room and checking her reflection in the mirror over the fireplace.
Alexander smirked smugly at Lucretia as he handed over her bag. The two headed down to breakfast and met up with Cassius and Aurelia outside the Great Hall. "Why don't you two head in, I want Cassius to look over the training schedule before I present it to the team," Alexander ordered. The girls shrugged and made their way towards the Slytherin table. Noticing the louder than normal buzz in the Great Hall, the girls asked Draco what all the ruckus was as they joined him for breakfast.
"See for yourselves," he answered as he thrust a copy of the morning Daily Prophet at them. The bold faced headline announced the escape of ten high-security prisoners from Azkaban.
"So Aunty Bella is on the loose again, Drake?" Blaise inquired with raised eyebrows, as he poured himself another cup of tea.
"Aunty Bella?" Zara piped up. Theodore and she tucked in next to Blaise and Pansy and immediately began piling their plates.
"Bellatrix Black Lestrange, Mother's dear sister," he answered casually, pointing towards the middle picture of a sneering female.
Lucretia read the blurb underneath and studied Bella's picture. She had high cheek bones and long, dark hair. It was obvious she had been a beauty during her youth, but Azkaban seemed to have taken a heavy toll on her. However, Lucretia was more struck by the similarity between Draco's Aunt Bellatrix and the woman from her dream last night. Even the name Bella sounded vaguely familiar. How could that be though, she thought to herself. It's not like they had ever met.
"How did ten Death Eaters escape?" The question hung in the air as the other Slytherins, Aurelia, and Lucretia turned to look at Zara with expressions of disbelief. "Oh," she said softly. "Right, I get it." Theo patted her hand reassuringly and she smiled at him timidly.
"At least now we know why Jeran and Lucius were so tightly wound over the holidays," Blaise added. The others nodded their heads and continued with their breakfasts.
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Lucretia settled back into school easily and the weeks seemed to pass quickly. She spent most of her time with Aurelia and Zara, as Alexander had implemented a grueling training schedule for the Slytherin Quidditch team and spent the rest of his free hours studying for NEWTS. The time apart agreed with Lucretia and was noticeable in her behavior.
As January and February blended together, the girls spent a fair amount of time planning Cassius and Aurelia's upcoming wedding. They had decided on lavender for the bridesmaids' dresses and a combination of Lilies and White Roses for the flowers. Wrapped up in the planning, Lucretia sometimes even found herself daydreaming about her nuptials. After she would shake her head and internally berate herself. Alexander may be handsome and rich, but for the most part he was still a brute. She refused to be anyone's possession.
Valentine's Day came and passed without much celebration. Much to the chagrin of the Slytherin females (and a few other outsiders), Alexander had booked the pitch for a double session of practice. Lucretia had tried hard not to laugh as Aurelia described her romantic evening of rubbing bruise healing paste and Mrs. Mactavit's Ache Remover on Cassius' arms and back. For his part, Alexander had simply arrived exhausted from practice, handed Lucretia a large wrapped parcel, and passed out in bed. The package had contained a beautiful royal blue and silver spring cloak. It looked positively wonderful on her and brought out the color of her eyes.
Cold spring rains ushered in March and April. The ice melted over the lake and many a day the giant squid could be seen propelling itself across the smooth waters. Potter had given an interview to some strange village paper and the students of Hogwarts talked in hushed tones about his tale of the rebirth of Lord Voldemort. Students from other houses glanced wearily now at the Slytherins and Lucretia found herself the subject of some snide remarks by her fellow Ravenclaws. On the few occasions she whined about it to Alexander, it only goaded him into yelling at her for sniveling.
"So notice anything different?"
Aurelia glanced up angrily at Blaise, clearly unhappy at the interruption. She had been in the middle of discussing Dumbledore's sacking with Pansy and Lucretia. Aurelia had heard that Dumbledore had successfully taken down three Aurors and Umbridge all by himself and that somehow Potter was involved. "What? Your head grew another size?"
"Tut, tut." Blaise chided as he plopped down next to Pansy. The small group sat under the Beech tree by the shores of the lake. They had been relaxing in the sunshine, talking about everything from Dumbledore's escape to the wedding. With Easter holidays approaching this weekend, the girls had to make arrangements for dress fittings and alterations. "I've just been made a member of the Inquisitorial Squad," Blaise said proudly, pointing to small, silver I pin on his lapel.
"And what exactly is the Inquisitorial Squad?" Pansy asked, touching the new badge on Blaise's cloak lovingly.
"I bet it's a group for big dunderheads," Aurelia giggled.
"Ha, ha. I'll have you know it is a select group of students with Professor Umbridge's authority to punish rule breakers. We can even take House Points," Blaise answered proudly, puffing his chest out like a peacock.
The girls looked slightly interested. "Who else is a member?" Pansy asked curiously.
"Montague, Warrington, Higgs, Vaisey, Pucey, Crabbe, Goyle, Bulstrode, and Draco."
"Why is Millicent the only female?"
"I think Umbridge thought she was a bloke," Blaise laughed.
"Alexander has even more authority! You better watch out Lucretia! He'll be taking House Points from you when you sass him," Aurelia giggled.
"Oh gods, there will be no living with him now!" Blaise and the girls roared with laughter at Lucretia's exaggerated tone.
The afternoon sunshine gleamed off the waters as the group sat around gossiping. Draco joined them a bit later, exceedingly proud of himself for already taking points from the Golden Trio. As the day faded away, the students headed towards dinner. Seating herself next to Aurelia, Lucretia immediately noticed Alexander's missing presence. The rest of the seventh year Slytherins were at dinner, but he was nowhere in sight.
"Cassius, have you seen Alex?" she inquired.
"Not since Umbridge's office this morning. He said he had a bit of studying to do, but I didn't see him in the library after lunch."
"That's strange. It's not like him to miss a meal."
"Maybe he fell asleep. He has been working himself quite hard," Aurelia commented.
"Hmm, you might be right. I'll check his rooms after dinner."
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"Excuse me, Professor Snape?"
The greasy-haired Professor looked down his hooked nose with distaste. He was in the middle of grading papers and was clearly peeved at the interruption. "Yes, Ms. Davenport, to what do I owe this unplanned visit?"
"Well, you see sir, I was wondering if you had seen Alexander?" Seeing his quizzical expression, she gushed, "It's just he didn't come to dinner, and he's not in his rooms or the library."
"Ms. Davenport if your boyfriend wishes to be void of your presence it is really not my problem. I don't presume to involve myself in petty lover's quarrels," he sneered.
"No sir, you misunderstand…"
Professor Snape slammed his fist down onto the table causing parchment and quills to fly through the air. It had been a trying week and he did not need some upstart female student interrupting his quiet time. "No Ms. Davenport, you misunderstand me! I do not have time to listen to the sniveling of children! If you have angered Mr. Montague that is your own problem and not mine! Now be gone from my sight before I give you a week's worth of detention!"
Bitter tears sprang to Lucretia's eyes as the Potions Professor berated her like an insolent child. She quickly turned and fled the room. Unsure of what to do, Lucretia returned to Alexander's rooms to see if he would show up. Several times during the night, she emptied her mind and tried to reach out to him with their connection. However, no matter how she concentrated, Lucretia was unable to feel his presence. Gradually, she slipped into a restless sleep.
With the first rays of sunshine, Lucretia eagerly rolled over, but found the spot next to her empty and cold. After checking his private common room, she determined that Alexander had not been back to his rooms at all during the evening. She quickly showered and dressed, anxious to see if he was in the Great Hall.
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By lunchtime, Professor Snape had to admit that Ms. Davenport may have been correct in assuming that Mr. Montague had disappeared. The Head Boy had failed to attend breakfast and all of his morning lessons. The ghosts were summoned and asked to check the castle, but they arrived with no idea of his whereabouts. The Potions Professor had the unfortunate chore of alerting the new Headmistress, who scolded him profusely for loosing one of his own students while she owled Antares and Lavinia Montague.
An agitated Antares arrived at Hogwarts shortly after the day's last classes let out, demanding to know everything about his heir's disappearance. In private, Professor Snape asked if it was possible that the young Mr. Montague had been called by a third party, to which Antares furiously replied that he had already checked and by no means had anyone summoned his son from school. He then barked at Snape to leave the room and insisted on speaking with Lucretia alone. Professor Snape skulked out of the room, in fear of being hexed if he didn't comply.
As soon as the Professor had exited the room, Antares cast a quick locking and silencing charm. Turning to his son's girlfriend, he eyed her sinisterly, "Well, where is he?"
Lucretia stared up at him openmouthed. "I don't know," she stuttered.
"Codswallop! Don't be daft. I know all about the binding, Ms. Davenport. Now tell me where my son is!"
Lucretia shivered seeing the malice in Mr. Montague's eyes. "I've already tried a dozen times. I can't feel him at all! That's why I went to Professor Snape in the first place," she cried.
Antares took a step back, pondering Lucretia's words. He couldn't be sure she was telling the truth, but her word was the only thing he had to go on. "Perhaps you didn't try hard enough," he hissed.
Tears poured down Lucretia's pale cheeks. "I swear I did! I really can't feel him," she hiccupped.
"Well, you best come home with me then."
"What? Why?"
"Because you're the only link to him! If he has been compromised then you are in danger as well. As long as Alexander is missing, you will not leave my sight!" Antares roared. Calming himself, he hissed, "Besides, I do believe someone else will want to question you…someone who can tell if you are speaking the truth with absolute certainty. Now go pack your things."
With that order, Lucretia jumped off the hard wooden chair and left the room. A curious Professor Umbridge and Snape watched her run past them, tears still falling from her blue eyes.
"Mr. Montague, let me assure you, we are doing everything in our power to locate your son," Professor Umbridge simpered.
"I will be informing the Ministry of Alexander's disappearance. Also, for her own safety, I will be taking Ms. Davenport home with me tonight."
"I'm afraid I cannot allow that Mr. Montague, as you are not the girl's legal guardian."
Antares ripped a piece of parchment from his cloak pocket and tossed it at the Headmistress. "I owled Orion Davenport before I arrived at the school. You will see by his signature at the bottom he agrees that I should take Lucretia into my protection. If you have any other questions, present them to my solicitor. I do not wish to hear a word from you unless it is that you have found my son!"
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"You cannot sense him at all?" the Dark Lord hissed, his eyes blazing with anger.
Lucretia cowered in front of him. She had been trying to connect to Alexander for the better part of an hour, but couldn't seem to find his energy whatsoever. "No, my Lord, I do not feel his presence," she whispered. Her knees ached from kneeling on the hard marble floor of the receiving hall. Antares had brought her back to Fortis House from Hogwarts. After he put a hysterical Lavinia to bed, he had apparated Lucretia and himself to the Dark Lord's castle for questioning.
"Look at me, Ms. Davenport," Lord Voldemort ordered. She lifted her blue eyes to his gleaming scarlet ones and immediately felt his invasion. He sifted around her mind and pulled out a few minutes later. "She isn't lying, Antares."
"How could he just disappear?" asked a very anxious Antares.
The Dark Lord sat quietly thinking. "I am not sure. The binding he used is an ancient and powerful spell. Even a Fidelius charm cannot interrupt their connection." Pausing, he continued, "We will keep trying. Ms. Davenport, you will stay here until the young Mr. Montague is found."
Lucretia felt like collapsing. She didn't want to stay in this dreary and miserable place. When I finally find you Alexander, I'm going to hex you to Hades!
"Bellatrix?"
"Yes, my Lord."
Lucretia looked curiously at the tall, stately looking woman that joined her in front of the dais. Her long dark hair fell in shiny waves to the middle of her back. Bellatrix was a bit on the thin side, with pale skin and dark almond shaped eyes. Her cheeks had a slightly hollowed look, as if she hadn't had a good meal in sometime. Lucretia did notice though that Bellatrix seemed to exude supreme confidence and power.
"Ms. Davenport will be in your care while she is a guest here," Voldemort ordered. "I think perhaps, she may be able to learn a great deal from you," he chuckled softly.
"As you wish, my Lord," Bellatrix answered assertively. "Come along Lucretia, I will show you to your rooms."
Antares waited until the two women left the hall. Turning to Voldemort, he asked, "My Lord is there anything else we can possibly do?"
"Do not fret Antares. I will make inquiries amongst some of the other faithful students and see if we can determine what has happened to him." Recognizing the angst-ridden expression on the other gentleman's face, he hissed, "Do you think it possible he has abandoned our side?"
"No, my Lord, Alexander is a faithful servant! Besides, surely he would take the girl. He is very possessive of her."
"Hmm, I believe you are right." Voldemort sat in silence pondering the situation. It was quite out of the ordinary. Sighing, he dismissed Antares with a wave of his hand.
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"Where the fuck can he be?" Cassius groaned, as he buried his head in Aurelia's lap. They sat side by side on one of the many couches littering the Slytherin common room. Aurelia ran her hands through his short, dark hair as she stared into the flames. "It just doesn't make sense, Aurelia. How could he just disappear into thin air?"
"I don't know. It's all so strange," she uttered. "I can't believe Mr. Montague took Lucretia home with him. Do you really think someone would hurt her?"
Cassius groaned inwardly. He had a pretty good idea of why Antares Montague had removed Lucretia and an even better guess at her current location. He only hoped Lucretia would keep her temper, for her own sake.
"Cassius, you don't think…well, it's not possible that maybe Alexander changed sides?" Aurelia whispered.
"Damn it no! He's my best mate, Aurelia. I think I know him a little better than that," he answered fiercely. Pulling himself upright, he rose and started to pace in front of the fireplace. Cassius didn't want to admit it, but he had also been thinking of the possibility of Alexander switching to Dumbledore's side. It was a ludicrous thought. This was Alexander they were talking about for Salazar's sake; a bonafide Pureblooded Slytherin who was obsessed with the Dark Arts!
"Please don't row at me, Cassius. I know you were thinking it as well. Someone had to ask."
"I know," he grumbled.
"Have you spoken to Draco yet?"
"Why? He has nothing to do with this."
Aurelia flipped her hair back and looked at Cassius' quizzical expression. "I was thinking that a certain acquaintance of his may be able to find out if any of the Gryffs were involved."
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"Malfoy."
"Good evening, Warrington. To what do I owe this pleasure?" Draco looked up from his desk, and placed his quill down. He gestured for Cassius to take a chair.
"You've heard about Montague?"
"The whole school's abuzz with nothing else. It even seems to have topped Potter's little interview and Dumbledore's magnificent departure."
"Does Weasley know anything about it?"
Draco grimaced as he retorted, "Did a bludger get you in the head yesterday? Since when have I been on speaking terms with the Weasel King?"
"I was referring to the littlest one. What's the name Zabini calls her…the Weaselette?" Cassius drawled as he reclined back into the chair. If Malfoy wanted to be coy two could play at that game.
Draco's face flushed. "I'm insulted, Warrington. Really, you think I would sully myself with that blood traitor?"
"Everyone's seen you hanging out together. Bloody hell, she's been at our parties all year. Rumor has it you're shagging her. Don't blame you though, she looks like a hot piece of ass."
"I didn't think you were the type to listen to idle gossip, Warrington, or has your fiancée caused you to go soft?"
"Enough!" Cassius shouted as he slammed his fist down against Draco's desk. "You will leave Aurelia out of this if you know what's good for you!"
"I think you're forgetting who my father is…"
"I don't give a shite who your father is, Malfoy! Who do you think these questions are coming from? The top, that's where!" Cassius watched with satisfaction as Malfoy visibly blanched. "Listen, I know exactly what you've been up to and who you've been with. I also know that you're in over you head when it comes to that silly Gryffindor bint. If you want me to keep my mouth shut, you find out what she knows about Montague's current whereabouts and tell me!" Without another word, Cassius stood up. Sneering at the younger man, he turned and headed back to the common room.
With the click of the door closing behind Warrington, Draco groaned and ran his fingers through his hair. Fuck! He was screwed! This thing with Ginny had gotten way out of hand and Draco feared that others, besides Warrington, had begun to notice. June 1st was rapidly approaching and he was quickly running out of options. How was he going to be able to keep Ginny safe? He had to bring her to the Dark Lord. There was no question about that…Voldemort would surely kill his parents if he didn't succeed. But how to ensure that she wasn't auctioned off to the Inner Circle or worse taken by Voldemort himself. Draco had to find some way of guaranteeing that she was to be his.
"Hey mate, why the long face? Weasley holding out in the sack again?" Blaise asked as he entered their suite.
"Sod off, Zabini," Draco answered sullenly.
Blaise laughed. "Or maybe it's that she's too randy! Is that it? Your bits are all tired out and she's whining for more? I can see that. How else does that family breed so much? They're like bloody animals!"
Draco snapped his mouth shut. He had been about to tell Blaise where he could go stick his bits when an idea popped into his head. It was truly mad, but just might work. "Yes, that's right…it could work. Father would be mad not to agree," Draco chuckled to himself.
"What did you say, mate?"
"Nothing, Zabini. Listen, I've got rounds tonight. I'll be back later."
Blaise watched Draco as he continued to mutter to himself. Grabbing his cloak, Draco headed out towards the common room for patrol. Shaking his head, Blaise prayed that Draco was not about to do something stupid.
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"No that was horrible! Try it again," Bellatrix ordered, her disdain for Lucretia's feeble attempts very apparent.
Lucretia sneered at the older woman as she picked herself up from the cold, stone floor for the fifth time. Her knees were scraped and her elbow was bleeding through her shirt. Lucretia had been attempting to fire off spells with her wand while maintaining a shield using wandless magic. Wandless magic was a difficult gift to master, but using the two disciplines at the same time was impossible!
"You're not concentrating hard enough. You're letting your mind become distracted!"
"You would be distracted to if a maniacal bitch was hexing you to pieces," Lucretia grumbled under her breath.
"What was that?" Bellatrix sneered.
"Nothing."
Bellatrix frowned and flicked her wand at Lucretia. "Crucio."
Lucretia screamed in agony as she fell to the ground. What was only seconds felt like hours and she lay withering on the floor in residual pain when Bellatrix lifted the curse. Bella's angry face hovered about her. "You need to learn respect, my dear. Acting like a teenage brat isn't going to endear you to the Dark Lord or any of his followers. It would be best if you learned your place now. Now get up and try again."
"Yes, Bella," she whispered hoarsely. Lucretia had only been training with Bellatrix for one day and already the mad witch had placed the Cruciatus curse on her five times! She didn't try and intentionally provoke Bellatrix, but Merlin's beard, the woman seemed to expect her to be able to perform bloody miracles! Picking herself up yet again, Lucretia brushed the tears and snot off of her face.
"Well, if it isn't the Black Widow herself? Hello, Bellatrix," drawled a deep voice. Bella and Lucretia both looked over at the doorway of the training room to see the lithe figure of Tristan Rosier leaning against the frame. He looked gorgeous, Lucretia thought. His perfectly tailored robes showed off broad shoulders and a thin waist. His goatee and hair were trimmed perfectly and his green eyes sparkled with mischief. Unconsciously, Lucretia reached up to smooth her hair into place.
"Tristan, always a pleasure to see you," Bellatrix purred as she extended her hand to him. Striding into the room, he placed a delicate kiss onto her pearly white knuckles.
"I hear you have a new charge. Ms. Davenport, how nice it is to see you again," he commented as he dropped a chaste kiss onto Lucretia's hand.
"Yes, she is a pretty, little thing, isn't she? Quite young in the ways of world, but what can you expect…probably coddled from birth," Bella chuckled as she cupped Lucretia's face and studied it. "Nothing that a firm hand couldn't mold."
Tristan appeared amused at Bella's comments and inside Lucretia seethed. Why of all times is she treating me like a baby now! I can't believe the way she is speaking about me to Tristan bloody Rosier! This has to be the most embarrassing moment of my life.
"Indeed," Tristan drawled, now looking down at Lucretia in a pointed way. "I'm sure the Dark Lord was correct in entrusting Ms. Davenport's, how should I put it, "education" to you, Bella dear. I've never met another dark and crafty beauty such as you."
What the fuck! Stupid git! The last time we we're alone he was going on about how beautiful I was. I should have known better. All men are pricks!
"I know you didn't just come for small talk about my ward. Is their something in particular you needed, Tristan?" the words dripped from Bellatrix' ruby red lips.
"Hmm, I was hoping to speak with you…in private, of course."
Bellatrix nodded carefully, but Lucretia saw the glimmer of desire in her mentor's dark eyes. "Go to your rooms and clean up Lucretia. I will see at dinner," Bella ordered.
Lucretia scowled as left the room. Pausing outside the now closed door to the training room, she distinctly heard Tristan cast a locking and silencing charm. Bitch! Arrgh, she makes me so angry…always acting so high and mighty. Someday, I swear…
Someone should scourgify that filthy mouth! If I ever get out of here…
Lucretia came to a dead stop in the hallway. A wave of dizziness crashed over her and she struggled to stay upright. Alex?
Lucretia, you can hear me?
His deep voice seemed to echo hazily in the back of her mind. She closed her eyes tightly, trying to gain a better hold over their connection. It was so different…fuzzy and his words ghosted through her head like thin wispy clouds. Alexander, where are you?
Not sure…everything black…
Alex, wait I can't hear you. Alex! Lucretia strained trying to hold onto his presence, but he had already slipped away. Her head ached and her stomach rolled violently as another wave of dizziness washed over her. Lucretia tumbled to the ground still holding her throbbing head. Cold sweat dripped down her temples as she retched violently, emptying the contents of her stomach on the marble floor. Without warning, pain ripped through Lucretia's head as if it were being cleaved in half.
Wet and cold, ugh, this is disgusting!
Alex, what happened, where are you? Scrunching her eyes she could just make out a dim figure that seemed to be trapped head first inside a toilet. What in Hades name? Around her she could hear other voices shouting. Suddenly an out of breath Professor Snape was standing before her, but he seemed to see right through her. He ordered Malfoy and Warrington to pull out Alexander and deliver him to the Hospital wing. Lucretia watched idly as Alexander's soaked and unconscious body was carried out of the room. Slowly, the vision began to dissipate.
"Lucretia, what are you doing?"
Bellatrix's shrill voice brought Lucretia back to reality. She coughed hard and looked up at the older woman through blood shot eyes. "They found him…Alexander, he's alive." Her eyes fought to stay focused, but the blackness seeped in and she fainted.
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"How is he?" Aurelia inquired as came up behind Cassius.
"Still out. Every now and then he mutters something, but its gibberish," he answered dryly.
"I'm sure he'll get better, Cassius." Aurelia slipped her arms around his waist and shifted her body against his broad back. "It's just going to take some time."
"The Weasel twins are going to pay for this," he spat, cracking his knuckles menacingly.
Aurelia remained quiet, knowing that now was not the time to try and reason with Cassius. She looked down at Montague, his pale face seemed more luminescent and his breath came out in sharp wheezes. "Will they let Lucretia come back now?"
"I don't know. His parents were here earlier, but they didn't mention her at all. Knowing Antares, Lucretia won't be allowed to return to Hogwarts until Alexander is fully recovered."
"Well we'll still see her over the holidays, right? She is staying at Fortis House after all."
Cassius pulled Aurelia around to face him and wrapped his arms around her. "I don't know, luv. Antares isn't likely to let her go gallivanting around while his son lies in the hospital wing."
"It's not her fault though this happened," Aurelia hissed, gesturing at Montague's limp form.
"I know that, Aurelia, but Antares isn't the most logical individual."
"Why do you say that?"
Cassius sat down on the bed next to Montague's and pulled Aurelia into his lap. "See, Alex is actually Antares and Lavinia's second son. He had a brother, Aldebran, who was five years his senior."
"I didn't know Montague had a brother? What happened to him?"
Cassius raised his finger to Aurelia's lips. "Patience, luv. My mother told me that Aldebran was the light of the Montagues' life. Lavinia in particular, took him everywhere she went. Antares wasn't fond of this, but indulged her. When Aldebran was three or four years old, Lavinia took him with her on a shopping trip in muggle London. Apparently he was always a tad on the sickly side, but he caught some type of muggle illness…something like dragon pox, but much worse. The healers were baffled and couldn't figure out how to cure him. He ended up dying three days later."
"Oh my, that's horrid!"
"My mother said Antares has never been the same since. He blames Lavinia for taking the child near muggles, but most of all he blames himself for being too lenient. Rumor has it he locked her in the house for the next twelve years and would only allow her to leave when he escorted her out. Only when Alexander started attending Hogwarts, was she given some freedom back."
"And now, Mr. Montague's doing the same thing to Lucretia, even though she didn't have a thing to do with Alexander's injuries?"
"Yes."
"Poor Lucretia," Aurelia whispered.