Penny and Kurt headed towards the auditorium. Kurt was heavily leaning on Penny for support, but she hardly noticed. All her thoughts were focused on Brian and Finn. If they apparated, they probably went back to Brian's house, knowing she'd follow. In a way, she was sure it was a trap, but there was nothing else she could do. At least Harry was here now. With Harry and Ginny, they might stand a chance against Brian. Unless reinforcements were called in. If that was the case, Penny didn't know what to do. All she knew was they needed to get over to Brian's house immediately
"Penny?"
Penny turned her head to see Mr. Schue half leaning out of a doorway to look at her. Penny felt her face turn red. After all, she was suppose to be in his class at the moment. "Oh, Mr. Schue, I'm so sorry. Kurt is sick here and I was just taking him to the nurse."
"That's in the other direction."
"I know, but see..." Penny struggled to think of something.
"I left my bag in my last class." Kurt piped up. "It has a certain medicine in it that I really need."
Penny nodded in agreement, all too happy Kurt spoke up.
Mr. Schue hesitated for a moment. "Alright, just... make sure you make it to practice after school. I can't have all four of you missing again."
"Of course." Kurt said. "We'll be there."
"Four?" Penny stood up straighter.
"Rachel's out sick again. At least you, Artie and Finn are back." Mr. Schue frowned. He glanced back in his classroom, then to them again. "See you after school."
Penny looked at Kurt, confused. "Sick again?"
"What?" Kurt asked. His cheeks were still red from crying. "Oh, she'd been out sick for a while. Something bad, I guess."
The thought processed in Penny's mind for a moment, then all the color drained out of her face. "Since... since Artie and I were gone?"
Kurt nodded his head. "It's been hard on the glee club."
Penny felt lightheaded and had to lean up against the wall to support herself and Kurt. The horrible thought of what Neville said earlier came back to her.
"I-Pens... Marcus killed a girl."
Penny pushed herself away from the wall. "We need to hurry."
"What's wrong?" Kurt asked.
Penny didn't answer. Instead she picked up her pace, pulling Kurt along with her.
When they reached the auditorium, Penny pushed open the doors with so much force they clanged loudly against the stoppers. "Guys! We have to hurry! They apparated and-"
Penny stopped dead in her tracks. With one swift movement she shoved Kurt behind her. Her entire body started to tremble. All thoughts of Rachel disappeared from her mind as she stared at the horrible scene in front of her.
On the stage stood Brian, wand extended. A small trail of red light lead from his wand to Harry, who dangled a few feet off the floor. He was writhing in pain, crying out. Penny recognized the curse, her own memory of the pain aching in her body. Behind Harry was Ginny, being held back by Finn. While Ginny struggled and screamed, Finn held on to her with a strength not possible unaided. Artie was no where in sight.
At the sound of Penny's entrance, Brian simply looked at her before going back to laughing at Harry.
"Stop it!" Penny screamed, taking a step toward the stage.
"Don't worry. You'll get your turn next." Brian laughed, keeping his eyes on Harry. "How amazing is this, though! The great Harry Potter, destroyer of Voldermort himself, withering like a fish on a hook!"
"Leave him alone!" Ginny cried out. Her wand lay on the floor, tossed to the side. Finn's unnatural grip around her waist and arms kept her in place.
"Finn?"
Penny turned to see Kurt looking towards the stage with wide eyes.
"Brought me another muggle?" Brian laughed. "They're so fun, don't you think?"
"Brian, you promised." Finn said, too quietly for Penny to hear over Harry's screams.
"Don't you dare." Penny pulled out her wand, pointing it towards Brian. "Put him down!"
In a swift movement, Brian dropped Harry to the ground and shot that all too familiar green bolt towards Penny. She deflected the bolt, sending it crashing off into the wall beside her. "Stupify!" A bolt of white light shot out of her wand.
Brian laughed, deflecting her spell. "Underage magic will get you in trouble, my dear."
"You're younger than me!" Penny growled. "Stupify!" She tried again.
Again, Brian tossed her spell aside with ease. "Please. Like those pathetic Aurors could trace me. Isn't that the beauty of being the son of one? I know all their tricks."
Harry groaned, sitting up. He rubbed his head. As the realization of what was going on hit him, he reached for his wand. But Brian was too quick for him. "Crucio!"
"No!" Penny flicked her wrist, trying to disarm the wizard again.
Brian dropped Harry once more to deflect Penny's attack. Realizing he was outnumbered, Brian turned to Finn. "We're leaving. Take her with us."
"But-" Finn started.
"Shut up, boy!" Brian snapped. He grinned over at Penny. "Why don't you come on over, and we'll finish this at my place?" He grabbed Finn's arm, and in a blinding flash of light, the pair of them and Ginny were gone.
"Ginny!" Penny cried out. She forgot all about Kurt and raced towards the stage. It was too late. Her friend was gone. She knelt down by Harry. He was conscious, but only just barely.
"Harry, you have to get up." Penny said. "They've taken Ginny."
"They apparated right behind us." Harry said, sitting up. He didn't look too good. "Took us by surprise. There was nothing we could do."
"I know." Penny put her head down. Why did she assume they went to Brian's house? Of course they'd go to Ginny. Harry was probably just a bonus to them. She leaned back on her legs and asked the burning question. "Where's Artie?"
"Who?" Harry paused for a moment. "The kid in the wheelchair?"
Penny nodded.
Harry shook his head. "He left just after I got here. Said he was going to find you."
Penny leaned back, confused. She hadn't seen him in the hall on the way there. "I have to go find him."
"We have to go get Ginny!" Harry snapped back. "We can't let them get away!"
Penny froze. She hadn't really hung out with Harry much, but she'd never seen him this angry before. It scared her. He was, after all, the boy who lived. "I can't... I can't leave him."
"I'll find him." Kurt spoke up, startling Penny. She'd forgotten he was there.
For the first time since she'd met him, Penny didn't trust Kurt. "You live with Finn."
"So?" Kurt asked, as if it didn't mean anything. "I've never seen him like this. He looked... tortured."
"But..." Penny started.
Harry stood up, slowly. He looked like he was still in pain. "Penny, we have to go now."
She glanced over at Kurt once more. The boy that had given her a makeover. The boy that sang with her the first day of glee. Kurt couldn't be evil. But she'd thought that about Finn, too. She shook her head. "I have to find Artie!"
"Penny!" Harry sighed.
Kurt put his hand up. "Listen, I know you don't think you can trust me, but I'll find him and keep him safe. I promise."
Penny frowned. "No questions? No fear? You just saw magic and you don't seem phased."
Kurt looked off to the side for a moment. "That's... something I can't really process right now."
Penny thought about it for a moment. He did see Brian apparate earlier, and she'd been the one to tell him she was a secret agent in charge of finding Brian. Maybe his muggle mind could only comprehend Finn looking distraught. Besides, she didn't have much of a choice.
"Fine. Take Artie to the park by his house, and don't you two dare leave there until I come get you. Understood?"
Kurt looked a bit confused, but nodded. "Glee club?"
Penny nearly laughed out loud. The thought of the club seemed silly at this point. "Now! Don't even wait for school to get out!"
Kurt jumped, then ran out the door.
Harry looked over at Penny. "To Brian's house then?"
She nodded. "He said to go to his place."
Penny held her hand out. Harry grabbed it, and the two apparated off the stage.
I know, I know! It's been forever! I promise I'm still working on this! Thank you everyone for your kind words and support. I'll hopefully have another chapter up tomorrow night. I promise to finish this REALLY SOON! Toon in again next time, readers!