WARNING:Violence, Character Death, Kidnapping, Child in Peril, Angst boat-loads of it, two girls on a date together.

Disclaimer: We have no claim on Harry Potter nor any characters or locations thereof. We gain only amusement from writing this.

Bellatrix and the three Death Eaters she most trusted disappeared as soon as the Weasleys appeared at the farm and apparated to just outside the wards of the Burrow. Bellatrix looked at them and ordered, "Bring them down." As her own husband, brother in law, and Peony Parkinson went to work on the wards she fingered her wand. She'd planned ever since her master had given her the task she was about to complete, making contingency plan upon contingency plan and perfecting them in a thousand ways. She would succeed in this and her reward would be not only pleasing her master but finally having a child to love and raise. She would get to be a mother and honestly didn't care that she'd be taking the child from her cousin. That blood traitor didn't deserve it in any case.

Her lips curved up in a wild, anticipatory smile as the wards began to crumble before her. Yes, her success was at hand.

Inside the Burrow the hands on the kitchen clock labeled with Percy and Rigel's names suddenly began jumping from 'home' to 'in mortal peril' faster and faster until they split and broke off the clockface.

Percy's heart was pounding so hard he could feel it in his throat. He held Rigel tight against his body and had his wand ready. Percy had felt the wards crumble and together with Kreacher they were now holed up inside the deepest study. Kreacher had put up all the extra wards he could and now there was not much they could do other than wait. Percy was glad that Nads was with Viktor this evening, the last thing needed here was a hyper, barking puppy.

Bellatrix found the study easily and narrowed her eyes at the strong house elf wards. Those she worked at and brought down herself, blowing the door open and stepping in before dodging a pair of hexes, one from an elf the other from Percy Weasley. She dropped and rolled sending a cutting curse with careful aim at the elf, slicing off one big floppy ear.

There was so much blood for such a little creature. Percy wanted to call out but the elf didn't say a word, he just leaned his head to the other side so that he wouldn't over balance and continued to send house elf magic towards the dark witch. He had made a promise to protect the baby and the Weezy and that was just what he would do.

Bellatrix cursed in irritation as both beings continued to send hexes at her but she'd been on true battlefields for much longer than they and had the battle hardened control of steel needed to wait for just the right moment. It happened after the elf had stumbled, it's age showing all too clearly and giving her an opening to send a wordless Avada Kedavra at it. The green light seared into the elf and it dropped to the floor without a sound. She held her wand at the ready and studied the man holding the babe she had been sent after protectively, much as she herself would have done in his place. She felt a very faint twinge of compassion, something she'd have sworn had been beaten and wrung from her years ago, remembering that this young man had also had his child stolen from him in the most cruel of ways but she had a mission and she would fulfill it. "Give me the babe Weasley or die."

Percy angled most of his body away from Bellatrix, holding on to Rigel tightly. His wand was still directed at her. "I will never hand over this child to you. He belongs with his family and I'm not going to let you steal him away from his mother. No one should have to go through that pain." Percy looked straight at her. "You are going to have to kill me because you're not getting Rigel."

Her eyes narrowed. "I don't want to have to kill you boy. I know just as well as you do the pain of a lost child. Your precious 'Light' side not only killed my own babe it stole my chance to ever have another. I can and will burn your world down around you in vengeance for that injustice, for now however I will take...Rigel was it? Hm at least my cousin has some taste in regards to names." She weighed her options and, showing some small measure of mercy, cast an Imperio curse before also petrifying Percy Weasley as he fought it off. She rushed forward, snatching the now screaming babe from him as he fell. Narrowing her eyes further and knowing just how stubborn one who has a babe to protect can be she cast a series of devastating spells on Weasley, incapacitating him and leaving him bleeding, broken, and unconscious on the floor. Why she didn't kill him outright she'd never be able to answer but she left him alive, sweeping out of the house with the baby. She looked at her husband as she stepped outside then glanced back at the house, "Burn it."

Rodolphus grinned manically at his wife and cast a series of Incendio spells towards the lopsided building. He watched the flames rise in glee, watched them devour the shed those filthy blood traitors called a home. They deserved everything they got for turning their backs on the one true wizarding way. The fire cast an orange glow into the sky and Rodolpus followed his wife down the path and then apparated to Wiltshire before they would be caught. Their mission was accomplished, the Dark Lord would be pleased.

Ginny was laughing delightedly at Alicia's description of Oliver's latest mishap with the Puddlemere United team when an uneasy chill went through her. She swallowed and looked back towards home, something in her screaming that she needed to return.

"What's wrong Ginny?" Alicia leaned across the table and took the redhead's hand. Something was clearly upsetting her date and if there was something she could do to help then Alicia wanted to do it. She'd had a crush on the fiery girl since her Hogwarts days.

"I'm not sure." Ginny turned back to the dark woman, "I feel like something's wrong at home," a worried frown was on her face, her brown eyes reflecting her unease, "bad wrong. Lissy can you apparate me there? I don't know why but...I have to get home."

"Of course. Come on, we'll go around the corner." Alicia got up from the table, still holding Ginny's hand. They walked around the corner so that they wouldn't draw attention and Alicia wrapped her arms around the younger girl, apparating them to the burrow with a pop.

Ginny cried out in distress as she saw her home on fire and, in typical fashion rushed in to look for her family. She had her wand out and was casting an Aguamenti to cut through the leaping flames. She found the study and gasped at the sight of her brother crumpled on the floor at an awkward angle. She knelt beside him, her hand shaking as she felt for a pulse, breathing a sigh of relief when she felt the thin thready beat against her fingers, her gaze went to Kreacher and she knew he was dead, his huge eyes open and unseeing in their direction.

Alicia rushed to Ginny's side when the redhead came out of the house, her brother slung over slim shoulders. "Are you absolutely mad Ginny? You could have gotten really hurt." Alicia gasped when she saw the state of Percy and all the blood already turning Ginny's clothes a sticky red. "We need to get him to Mungo's." She looked over her shoulder at the still burning house not knowing what she should do.

Ginny swallowed stiffening her spine. She knew her parents weren't in the house, bless the clock for showing her that they were 'out' though out where she didn't know, and Percy was injured. "Can you side-along us there? I know taking two people is a strain."

Nodding Alicia had already wrapped her arms around both of them. She honestly didn't know if she could do it but she would bloody well try. She already cared about Ginny a lot and she knew Percy since school, they were her friends, all the Weasleys were and she wouldn't leave then hanging. "Hang on and keep your fingers crossed we'll get there in one piece." Alicia closed her eyes tightly and disapparated.

Exhausted and somewhat more tattered than usual Arthur and Molly were not at all expecting the sight that met them when they apparated back home. The Magical Fire Department were fighting flames that had almost completely consumed their house. Arthur rushed forward, aware of his wife just behind him, "Dear Merlin Percy!"

Molly found herself rooted to the spot, too shocked to scream or cry. Her home, it was practically gone. Only a black skeleton remained. Her blue eyes were wide and horrified as they took in the damage. Percy! Where was Percy, the boy she had only just gotten back. She wanted to move closer, to rage and search the rubble for her child but she couldn't get her feet to move.

A man moved from the shadows and grabbed the man running towards the burning remains of his home, "Arthur stop! He's not in there. No one was except for an old house elf, I looked."

So Kreacher was dead then. Molly still felt numb but she walked forward to her husband and the white haired man. "Xenophilius, do you have any idea what happened here?"

The man shook his head. "No, Luna saw the smoke and told me there was trouble," he nodded over to where his daughter was poking about in the bushes, "but the killing curse was what did the elf."

Arthur felt sick, his son and Rigel were missing, Kreacher had been killed, and the home he'd built for and with Molly was reduced to cinders and all while they'd been off fighting Death Eaters who'd scattered after giving an anemic fight. It had been a set up, dear Merlin.

Molly sank down to her knees, her heart broken. Their home, their safe place in the world was gone and they had failed to keep their promise to Sirius and Remus. The baby along with Percy was missing and Kreacher was dead. She buried her face in her hands and cried bitterly, not being able to stop the tears.

Luna came to stand with her father. "Papa, the leaf flees say that they were three to break the wards down."

Arthur frowned, crouched to put his arm around his wife, and was about to let his distress get the better of him and snap at Luna when a drag thump and a grizzled old voice caught his attention.

"Aye it'd take at least that many to bring down the wards that were here." Moody stumped over to Arthur and Molly. "Your boy's in St. Mungos Arthur, the healers are still working on him but your girl got him there in time."

The redheaded man looked up, "Percy's at St. Mungos? What about Rigel?"

Moody shook his head.

"What on earth could You-Know-Who want with a baby?" Molly was still crying. "It was all a set up to get to Rigel, everything and we played right into his hands. Leaving Percy to get hurt and practically handed the child over." She fisted her hands in Arthur's cloak. "You should go to the hospital, be with Percy and let the rest of the family know what's happened. I...I need to stay and let Sirius know that we've failed them."

Xenophilius crouched, "Molly this isn't your fault. This was planned out, obviously planned very carefully."

Moody nodded, "Xeno's right. No way for you to know what would happen. Both you and Arthur should go and be with your children. Your girl is going to need you Molly, she looks about ready to fly off at the handle and charge Voldemort's stronghold herself."

Xenophilius nodded, "Luna and I will stay and tell Lord Black about what's happened. Your family needs you there Molly, they need their mother."

Molly did her best to put herself together though the tears wouldn't stop flowing. Everything her and Arthur owned, everything they'd been through together was gone along with the house she had lived in since she was seventeen. "Thank you." She said both to Moody and Xenophilius and Luna. "We should go then, I'll send a patronus to Bill if you send one to Charlie and the twins."

He nodded. "Of course love." He squeezed her shoulders, helping her stand. He extended a hand to Mr. Lovegood. "Xenophilius, thank you."

"We're friends Arthur, and fighters for the same cause, we have to stick together," he took the redhead's hand and shook, "Now go. We'll hold things down here."

Arthur nodded and in a pop he and Molly were gone to St. Mungos.

Their heels clicked against the polished floors as they hurried along the corridors looking for someone who could tell them where Percy was. Molly caught sight of a flash of red and pulled on Arthur's hand. Ginny was pacing a narrow hallway. Their little girl was covered in soot and blood. "Ginny!" Molly called out and hurried her steps.

The young redhead spun and ran for her mother, "Mum!" Her arms closed hard around Molly and she buried her face in the woman's shoulder. "Mum, the house, Percy..."

Arthur moved so that he could embrace his wife and daughter together, his eyes catching sight of Alicia Spinnet standing off to the side to allow them privacy.

"There, there Ginny." Molly rocked her daughter feeling grateful to have Arthur's arms around the both of them. "Are you okay poppet? Are you hurt? Have you heard anything about Percy?"

"Um...I'll just go to the cafeteria and get us a spot of tea alright?" Alicia felt like she was intruding, the least she could do was give them a moment to themselves.

Arthur mouthed a thank you to the young black woman as Ginny shook her head.

"I'm fine. It...the blood's from Percy. I-I haven't heard anything since the healers took him back." Ginny held tighter, feeling her Dad pet her hair and her mother's soothing rocking. "I was with Lissy when I just had a bad feeling, I just knew I had to get home and then I did and the house was on fire and I ran in, stupid I know but I had to. Percy was in the back study, crumpled on the floor bleeding so badly and Kreacher was dead and Rigel wasn't anywhere round. I had to get Percy out and then Lissy popped us here. What happened to Rigel Mum? I didn't leave him in that house did I?" Her voice broke at the mere thought of it.

"No, no sweetie, you didn't leave Rigel." Molly held on to her daughter, running her hands up and down Ginny's back. "It was a trap, the Death Eaters got me and your father out of the house so that they could take Rigel. I should cuff your ears blue for running into a burning house but you probably saved your brother...My dear, sweet, brave little girl."

"I had to go in. I didn't see you or Dad or Percy outside so I had to go in, in case you were trapped or anything."

Arthur kissed the top of his daughter's head, "Our little lioness. I'm so proud of you."

Ginny sniffled and pulled back, wiping at her cheeks, "Why would the Death Eaters take Rigel? What could they want with him?"

Arthur shook his head, "We don't know poppet. This is all so confusing and there's no way to tell why they did this, not as of yet."

Molly found a seat and sat down, wrapping her smoke smelling cloak tightly around herself. "We don't know anything. Not a thing other then that we were played." She looked around for a healer, wanting to know how her boy was doing. "Oh I almost forgot the patronus." Molly picked up her wand and sent a message to Bill. "I feel sorry for disturbing him this late but he should know shouldn't he?"

Arthur nodded and sent one of his own to the twins along with an added message for them to get a patronus to Charlie. "He'd want to know."

Ginny started pacing again, her mind whirling at a few thousand miles an hour, thoughts tumbling one after the other. "Has anyone told Headmaster Dumbledore about this? Would he know why the Death Eaters took Rigel?"

"I don't know if anyone's told Albus." Molly shook her head. "When we left he didn't know but I don't know if Moody's sent a message to him or if he would know what's going on. Sirius and Remus don't know either and I don't dare to disturb the ritual." Molly started crying again. "Sirius and Remus...Poor, poor souls."

Ginny's eyes widened, "Merlin, they'll go mental." The she went over to her mother and wrapped her arms around her. She couldn't say that it would all be alright because there was no way of knowing that, even of knowing if Percy would be okay, but she did know one thing. "We'll fight. We'll find out what's what and we'll fight to get Rigel back. We're all family and we'll stand together."

Arthur smiled at Ginny and rubbed his wife's back, "That's my little girl."

"We have raised fine children, we have at least done that right." Molly brushed a red lock of hair behind Ginny's ear. "You are right Ginevra. We will stand together and we will fight. We'll get Rigel back too...I have to believe that we can do it."

Eventually a tall thin man in healer robes came towards them with a somber expression. "Mr. and Mrs. Weasley?"

Arthur rose, along with his wife and daughter, "Yes, we're the Weasley family. My son, how is he?"

"Your son was in very bad shape when he came in. Several broken bones, slashes and internal bleeding. We've had our best healers and curse breakers work on him non stop." The healer looked at them sympathetically. "We've gotten most of his injuries under control but there is a bleeding in his brain that worries us. We haven't found a way to control it so we've been forced to put your son under a stasis spell for the time being. Right now he is stable but I will not lie to you. He is in critical condition and it can go either way. I'm sorry and I assure you that we are going to keep doing our very best to heal him."

Molly was pale as a ghost and she sobbed silently into Arthur's shoulder.

He held his wife close, running his hand up and down her back in comfort though his face was set in grim lines as he nodded at the healer, "Thank you. You've pulled out miracles before and I've no doubt that Percy is in the best hands possible."

Ginny was trembling in anger and upset, not sure whether to go with her impulse and knock on the door of the first known Death Eater's house and hex them until she either had answers or felt better, or if she should buckle her temper down and think this through.

"S-someone should probably send a message to Viktor too." Molly looked broken. "He shouldn't h-have to read about what's happened in the P-prophet." All she could think about was Percy lying in a stasis charm, hovering between life and death. Her quiet little boy that had been through so much already.

Ginny turned and hugged her mother again. It was hard, seeing the strong woman who'd been the guiding force in her life for sixteen years so broken down. "It will be okay Mum, I believe that. Percy will be up and nagging us about cauldron bottoms again in no time."

Arthur nodded, "He's strong and I fully agree about Viktor. Knowing he's here will give Percy even more reason to fight."

Ginny stepped back. "I'll go find a floo and tell him straight away." She pulled out a handkerchief and dabbed at her mother's cheeks, "Don't cry Mum. You'll see, it'll turn out right."

Molly smiled shakily at Ginny. She didn't want her daughter to see her weak and broken but right now it felt as if nothing would be truly right ever again. "Good girl, we'll be here when you get back." It wasn't as if they had anywhere else to go.

"Be back in a tick." She scampered away, glancing back at her parents and felt her guts clench. As much as they were hurting, how much worse would it be for Sirius and Remus? She hoped someone was ready with a quick stunning spell because there was about to be a very torqued werewolf after ripping some heads off.

Hermione smiled at Regulus and Harry as they walked from the apparation point to the Burrow. Harry was being carried on his lover's back as the ritual had drained him so much his legs were almost like noodles. It had drained them all but it was well worth it. It had worked. The bit of Voldemort that had been in Harry's forehead was gone and obliterated. With luck that would put the foul bastard Voldemort in a bad mood once again. She looked from Harry and Regulus to Sirius, who was tugging his mate's hand in a bid to get him to hurry up to the Burrow so they could cuddle their son. As they drew closer, Hermione registered a smell of something burnt and frowned.

Sirius was chattering when the smell hit him and it came from the direction of the Burrow. Without a second thought he took off in a run, aware of Remus hot on his heels. All exhaustion fleeing at the very thought of something happening to Rigel. They cut through forest and backyards and broke from the bushes to stare in horror at the blackened remains of the Weasley home. His eyes were wide and he scanned the scene, looking for someone to offer answers.

Remus' vision suddenly turned sharp, the darkness of the night not being an obstacle anymore and scents hit his nose. He knew the wolf had surfaced moon or no moon but for once he didn't push it back down. This time he drew strength from it as he rushed through the burnt remains of what used to be the Burrow.

Ron stopped and stood stock still at the sight of his home. He rubbed his eyes as if to make the vision disappear but when he opened them again it was still true, the Burrow was gone.

Hermione gasped at the sight and her hand lifted to Ron's shoulder, an offer of support and possible control in case he flew off at the handle. She glanced back at Regulus, noting his serious, grim countenance as he came to stand beside his brother.

Sirius' gaze caught on two heads of bright pale blond hair coming towards them and swallowed hard, "Xenophilius? Luna?"

The Lovegoods came to a stop in front of him and Xenophilius bowed shortly. "Lord Black."

"What the bloody hell happened here? And where's my son?"

Xenophilius straightened his shoulders, knowing this would be a blow. "Molly and Arthur were called away to assist a family under a Death Eater raid. Percy stayed behind with your son but, from all we've managed to gather, the raid was a ruse to draw Molly and Arthur away. At least three people brought down the wards and attacked Percy before setting fire to the house. Your son...we believe they took him."

Hermione's hand flew to her mouth and Sirius' knees went weak, his brother shooting out a hand to catch him and hold him steady when he'd have fallen. "No. Oh dear Merlin please no."

An absolutely inhuman growl rose from Remus's throat and he actually felt his teeth elongate and his nails sharpen in to claws. "Bellatrix," He spat the name out as if it was poison. "I can smell her foul stench all over the place. She was here...She has our son." Remus was ready to tear after her right now, all that ran through his mind was to get Rigel back and to make them pay.

Harry was kneeling next to Hermione and Ron, he still wasn't strong enough to stand on his own but a wave of guilt was almost drowning him. It was because of him they had been away, it was because of him Sirius and Remus had left Rigel. "What...What about Kreacher? You didn't mention him." Even Harry's voice was weak and strained.

Xenophilius looked over at Harry, "The house elf?"

Sirius nodded, already knowing the answer in the very pit of his stomach.

"He was killed. Percy was gravely injured and would have gone with the house had Ginevra not come home early and gotten him out. I told Molly and Arthur to go to to St Mungos for their children and I would stay here with Luna to tell you what happened." Xenophilius' voice was gentle.

Regulus lost his grip on his brother's arm, feeling as if he'd just been plunged into a frozen river. Kreacher had been the house elf assigned to him since he'd been a babe and hearing that he'd been killed and his nephew taken was a sharp knife to the heart.

Sirius, hearing his mate's growl, fell to the ground with a pained moan. "Dear gods, Bellatrix has him. Bellatrix has my baby." He shook with gut-clenching fear. What could Bella possibly want with his son?

"I willget him back Siri. Believe it." Remus voice was still a rough growl and Moony was in control now. Remus didn't mind all that much. As long as the wolf was there he could give in to his rage and his hatred instead of his gut clenching, heart breaking fear.

"You think this is why You-Know-Who has been so happy lately? That he's the one who planned this?" Ron's words were a whisper. He couldn't focus. His home was gone and his brother was hurt. Little Rigel was stolen. Nothing made sense.

Harry looked at his friend with fear in his eyes. Bellatrix wanting Rigel was bad but if she had stolen him for Voldemort then that was much, much worse.

Hermione swallowed hard. "It may be."

Sirius turned an agonized look over to Hermione. "What would he want with my baby?"

She chewed on her bottom lip and made a mostly unfounded leap of logic. "Well, the only way available to him to have any kind of immortality is through his Horcruxes. As of now he is down to two."

Regulus clenched his jaw. "The cup and his familiar but if he created another he'd be left with almost no power."

She shook her head. "But what if he's not going to create a new one? We've easily destroyed every object he sealed a piece of his soul in and even with Harry the ritual just took care of that but we couldn't use that same ritual on an infant and we certainly wouldn't kill Rigel. If there's a ritual to remove a soul piece, could there be one to move it from one vessel to another?"

Sirius rose shakily to his feet. "No, I will not let that bastard do that to my son." Fury and exhaustion blended in his voice and destroyed his reason. "I'll go kill Voldemort myself before he can do anything to my son."

"Get in line." Remus looked at his mate with glowing wolf eyes. "I will rip him apart with my bare hands making sure there's no way he could possible put himself back together again before he so much as breathes on Rigel. That bastard has just made the biggest mistake of his miserable life because I will take him down and I will laugh while doing it. I don't care how much blood I will have to wade through. I promise you on everything that I am that I will get our son back, safe and well."

Harry had managed to crawl over to Regulus, wanting to offer his lover some comfort. His nephew was taken and Harry knew just how much Kreacher had meant to him.

"Hermione." Remus turned his glowing eyes on her. "If there is such a ritual, can you find out anything about it. Where it needs to take place and what is needed to go through with it? The more we know the better chance we have of stopping it."

Hermione nodded, relieved she wouldn't have to talk sense into Remus about staying calm rather than charging in like the Papa Wolf he was. "I'll look in the books as soon as we get back to Grimmauld."

"Excuse me Mr. Lovegood." Ron turned to Xenophilius. "Do you know anything more about Percy? Do you know how badly he was hurt?" It was truly terrible that Rigel was taken, Ron was in agony for Sirius and Remus but he was worried about his brother too. "If Percy had Rigel then he would never have let go willingly...I'm worried what it would take to make him let go."

Sirius' head whipped around, he'd forgotten about Percy for a moment and now it occurred to him that he wasn't the only mother facing the possible loss of a child right now. "Xenophilius? Is Percy..."

"I don't know. Moody said that the healers had him when he came to tell Molly and Arthur about it. I don't know what's happened in the interim."

"He's alive." Fred stepped into the clearing where his family home had once stood. "Mum sent me to get you all. Percy's alive but he's got a brain bleed, they've got him in stasis." He looked haggard as he went over to his little brother, holding a hand out to help Ron to his feet. "Gin got to him in just the nick of time but it's still up in the air."

Ron took his brother's hands and hoisted himself to his feet. "Stasis, that's when they stop everything right? Heart, breathing...Everything just frozen?" It sounded so scary. "Where are we going? Does mum want us to go to the hospital?"

Remus eyed Fred, he didn't want to leave. He wanted to chase down Bellatrix and rip out her throat while her scent was still fresh in his nose. He didn't want to be collected and calm, he wanted to cause as much pain as he was feeling. As much pain as he knew Sirius felt.

Sirius held out his hand to Remus, needing his mate's touch and reassurance. He didn't know if he could offer anything to Molly should she need support, not while his own baby was missing in his vile cousin's hands.

Fred shook his head, "Just you Ron and anyone else who wants to check on Percy. She says that she's got her baby safe, if hurt, and that Messers Moony and Padfoot should see to saving their own baby." He met Remus' amber eyes. "And she said to tell you she's sorry she failed to keep Rigel safe." Fred was of two minds about that. One the one hand he'd rip into anyone who dared blame his mum for something out of her control but on the other, the one that had just learned he'd be a father soon, he could understand the need to find somewhere to put the blame.

Remus closed his eyes. He didn't blame Molly or Arthur, he didn'tbut his baby was gone! He wanted to lash out at everyone and everything and scream out his pain and fear until everyone felt just as bad as he was feeling. "Tell...Tell Molly thanks and that we are praying for Percy." He held on to Sirius' hand tightly, drawing strength from his mate.

"I'm coming with you Fred." Ron turned to Sirius. "I'm sorry, if you need anything I can help with I will be there in a flash but I need to go be with my family now. I hope you understand."

Harry wanted to stay and help but he would only be a burden the way he was now...Unable to even stand without help.

Sirius nodded, he wanted to rip something apart just as much as he knew his mate did but he also felt compassion and kinship with Molly in this and he knew that in her shoes he'd want all his babies within reach. "I understand. Tell Molly that if we get to my bint of a cousin before she can come with us for the fight I'll put a few shots in for her."

"I'll do that." Ron nodded and stepped closer to Fred, he was old enough to apparate by himself but the ritual had drained a lot from him and he felt safer going with his brother. "I really am so sorry and I wish you the best of luck. Stay in touch, send a patronus if you find out anything. I promise we'll do the same." Ron took one last sad look at the smoking pile of ash that had been his home and apparated away with Fred.

Regulus held tight to Harry and looked over at Xenophilius. "Is...was anything left of Kreacher?"

The man nodded and gestured to a sheet covered form off to the side. "I went in to see if anyone was trapped inside not long after the blaze started. It hadn't reached his body yet."

"Thank you." Regulus looked between Harry and the sheet then stood, lifting his lover in his arms. "We have to get back to Grimmauld for now. Will you look after his body until I can retrieve it?"

"I will take care of him professor Black. I promise." Luna looked at the tiny sheet covered body. "Such a brave soul...He hasn't disappeared without leaving an impression...Nature itself will remember." She turned and walked over to Sirius and Remus. "I don't know if this helps but I spoke to the flowers earlier...They say your baby was safe when they left here...he was angry and scared but not harmed in anyway. He is strong."

Sirius gave her a smile and then a fierce hug. He knew most thought of Luna as barmy but he knew the sight and nature of a seer ran strong in those dreamy blue eyes. If she said his baby was safe, he believed her. "It helps, thank you. And thank you for looking after Kreacher for us."

Regulus nodded. "Yes, thank you Miss Lovegood."

Hermione stood up, dusting off her knees and shoving her exhaustion off to a corner of her being. There wasn't time to be tired. "I'll go on and apparate back. The sooner I get started researching the better and someone should get in touch with Dumbledore. We'll need every sneaky mind we can get for this."

"I'll floo Albus when we get home." Remus said, doing his best to rein in his anger and his bloodlust. "I'll ask him to speak with Severus too, Snape is our best chance at hearing if our son is with Voldemort and how he is doing." He wrapped his arms firmly around Sirius. "Let's go to Grimmauld and see about getting our son back where he belongs."

Xenophilius watched the group apparate out and turned to his daughter, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Come let's get Kreacher's body and take him to our place. I do believe an article in the Quibbler about the nobility of Kreacher and what happened here needs to be written as well."

"Yes Papa, someone needs to tell the truth." Luna could have easily levitated the small body to their home but she wasn't afraid of death. She bent down and picked up the dead house elf, carrying him carefully as she and her father made their way over the hill and to their own house. "I think I shall place him in the gazebo for now, there's lot of flowers there and the stars will keep him company, they won't let him be lonely."

Xenophilius nodded, pride in his daughter allowing him to smile despite the grim reality of what had transpired.

Bellatrix strode past a shocked Lucius and Narcissa, the now silent babe in her arms. The poor child had screamed himself to exhaustion but it was better he not be screaming when she informed her Master of the success of her mission. She clipped down the hallway and entered the throne room to the shock of the Death Eaters gathered within. She came forward and knelt before her lord. "My Master I have successfully retrieved the child."

Voldemort was in pain, excruciating pain that left him pale and shuddering. Those fucking do gooders had managed to destroy another piece of his soul, leaving him weak and vulnerable. Bella had succeeded just in time. Time was running short for him. "Excellent Bella. I knew I could trust you with this." Voldemort was very careful not to show any sign of his discomfort outwardly. These vultures could smell weakness miles away and he only had power over them as long as he was in complete control. Voldemort wasn't fool enough to believe that they followed him out of love and belief. "Take the child to your chambers and care for it. I cannot use it just yet."

Bellatrix's smile was brilliant and reminded everyone in the room that, if one bothered to look past the insanity and slavish devotion to Voldemort, she was a very beautiful woman. "Yes my lord." She rose gracefully to her feet, carrying the babe out of the room. Once out of earshot of the others she cooed to the infant, "Come little one, I've a nice comfy bassinet all ready for you." She went up to her bedroom, where her dear Rodolophus had placed the bassinet she'd requested of him earlier today, and she laid the infant down in it. She pulled a chair over to watch the baby sleep, a warm feeling spreading within her. Finally she had the one thing she'd longed for, a child. She knew it would take a little time for him to grow used to her but he was not even six months old as of yet so when he spoke for the first time, when he uttered 'mama' for the first time, it would be she he addressed, not her traitorous cousin. She brushed her hand gently over soft, fine black hair and began humming a lullaby it felt she'd spent a lifetime waiting to voice.

Narcissa had fled up the stairs, disbelief over what she had just seen. Her sister had stolen a babe, and not just any babe but that of their cousin, and at Voldemort's orders if the scene in the throne room were to be believed. She'd known, of course she'd known, that Bella was desperate to be a mother but this? This was unbelievable and somewhat horrifying.

Lucius followed his wife up the stairs, finding her in the small guestroom they had been demoted to. Just another way Voldemort showed that they were not the masters of Malfoy Manor any longer. Narcissa stood by the window and her whole body was tense. Lucius walked up to her and placed his hands on her shoulders, pulling her into his body. "A child, Sirius Black's child." He had so much he wanted to say, to talk through with his wife but even here the walls had ears.

"Not just Black's child but Lupin's as well, and a precious family member to Potter." She looked up at him, being sure to couch her words so that no one could find anything condemning in them. "Can you imagine what Potter will do once he knows where the babe is? Her fingers curled into his robes, seeking comfort and solidity. She could follow some of the manipulative thoughts behind this insanity but not all and certainly not enough to reassure her. This was both hope and curse for them. Lucius would be revealed as a spy when Potter and other came for the infant but in the same token they'd get their home back.

"I imagine there's not a thing Potter wouldn't do to retrieve that child." Lucius nodded, his arms still around Narcissa. He knew that in some way this child would be the turning point, one way or another the war would soon be settled. Harry Potter would come charging in and with him the rest of the brave, true fighters. Lucius snorted in his mind. It was horrible that a child had been stolen but at least something was happening. "The question now is what the 'savior' will be asked to do." He looked down at his wife knowing that from now on they had to be ready for anything.

"We will all see in due time." Narcissa leaned against her husband and closed her eyes. So much was about to change and she knew that when the time came her last thread of connection to her sister would snap. Bellatrix had crossed over an invisible line and when Sirius reclaimed his son things would go one of two ways, Bella would go down in flames taking everyone she could with her until she was stopped or she'd turn her wand on herself.

TW's A/N: Okay, before ya'll take up your pitchforks and torches i would just like to say that there WILL be a happy ending. Both Ash and I are incapable of anything else when we write together. Thank you for staying with us so far and I do hope you're enjoying this fic.