Chapter 20

AN: So very, very, VERY sorry I have not updated recently. And sorry for how short this chapter is. It's finals time at school and things have been crazy! Hopefully, I'll have a bit more time to write this week. Only one exam to go! As always: read, enjoy, review.

Disclaimer: JK Rowling owns Harry Potter. Alex, Dani, and Jacqueline are mine.

He'll be gone in three days.

You're sure?

Yes. He's very angry. Has been since Christmas Eve when Harry escaped.

And the extra security enchantments will be down?

Yes. They're only up when he's here. The Death Eaters know everyone is too afraid of to try anything.

Not everyone. See you in three days.

XXX

"Come 'ere, Rascal. Come on out from under there," Dani coaxed. "You'll just be in there for a little while."

The cat glared at her from under the bed. She had been trying to get him to come out for an hour. Alex was going to be there soon. She had to be ready and could not lose any more time dealing her stubborn cat.

"Fine, be that way," she snapped. "Maybe we'll meet again one day. Have fun living with the Malfoy's. I'll miss you."

She scooted away from the bed and went back to packing her bag. Reluctantly and glaring, Rascal crawled out from under the bed and walked over to her.

"That's what I thought," she said smugly. "I'm all done. Jump in and watch out for books!"

After closing the bag, she grabbed her wand and quietly made her way through the Manor. The timing could not have been better. Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy were the only ones in the house. Draco and Severus were back at Hogwarts and all the other Death Eaters were out on various "jobs." She just hoped the defenses were low enough to get Luna and Mr. Ollivander out as well. Dani had told Alex to meet her at the back entrance, which was where she had been brought several months ago. It was out of the way enough that no one would hear her let them in.

There was a quiet knock on the door, causing Dani to sprint the last few yards to answer it. Upon opening it, she threw her arms around her brother in relief.

"You made it," she said, hugging him tightly.

"Yes," he said, smiling a little and hugging her back. "We have to hurry. The counter spell to the anti-apparition charm won't last long. The charm has been in place too long. It's too strong."

"Ok. Follow me."

She lead them all back to the cellar, going as quickly and cautiously as possible. Kingsley followed Alex and two Order members, who Dani did not know, brought up the rear. After ten minutes, they had reached the cellar. The two unknown wizards stood guard while Alex and Kingsley inspected the prison.

"Wow, they really don't take security serious, do they?" Alex said.

"Only when he's here. This cellar is the only exception. I haven't been able to identify which protection enchantments it has," Dani said.

"Dani? Alex? Is that you?" Luna said, her wide blue eyes visible through the small window in the door.

"Yes. Stay away from the door, we're going to get you out," Dani said, looking over her shoulder to make sure the Malfoys had not appeared.

"All right. Careful not to get caught this time though," she warned.

"What?" Alex said, spinning around to face.

"Later," Dani said, dismissing his concern. "We need to get them out. Now."

"Ok you two," Kingsley said, pointing his wand at the cellar door, "follow my lead."

They both raised their wands and repeated the incantation Kingsley was saying. They said the incantation for several minutes. The door began glowing a bright white-red. Dani thought it was going to work. Then the spell rebounded, blinding them and knocking them off their feet. It also threw the furniture into the wall, causing a big crashing sound. When Dani regained her sight, she saw Death Eaters apparating all around her and casting spells in every direction.

"Get your sister and get out!" Kingsley called. Dani felt a tight grip on her arm and was pulled to her feet.

"Come on, let's get out of here," Alex shouted over the din.

"We can't leave them!" she shouted back, fighting his grip.

"We don't have a choice!"

Alex wrapped both arms around her to stop her from struggling and spun on the spot. After the uncomfortable feeling of being sucked into a vacuum, they landed on a forest floor. Dani roughly pushed her brother away from her. She was furious. They were supposed to get Luna and Mr. Ollivander out! Merlin only knew what would happen to them now!

"How could you do that? You just left them there!" she shouted at her brother. She tried to get up, but every time she did a pain shot through her right side.

"There was nothing we could do. They would have killed those helping me and kept us both there," Alex said, trying to keep his voice calm. "Besides, if they're that protected, they're not in any immediate danger."

"But your sister is," Kingsley said, stepping between them. "Especially, if we don't stop that bleeding."

For the first time, the siblings looked away from each other. Debris from the backfiring of the spell had lodged itself in her left side and leg. The amount of blood was surreal. Dani, who had only felt a bit of pain while fighting with Alex, now felt the full blast of the pain, which, coupled with the loss of blood, made her very lightheaded.

Alex rushed to her side, removing her backpack and then talking to her. She was vaguely aware of Kingsley healing her wounds as she closed her eyes.

XXX

"She's a mess," Alex said.

He and Kingsley were keeping watch while the others slept. Alex kept glancing at his sister to make sure she was still there. He felt a pang of guilt every time he did. He had not noticed it at the Manor, but she was not in good shape. She just looked ill: her skin was too pale, her body too thin; there were bags under eyes…. She was a mess. And it was his fault. Clearly being at the Manor had been a much bigger strain on her than she had let on. He never should have agreed to let her go.

"She's alive," Kingsley said gently. "You can't really ask for more than that."

"We won't be able to go back, will we?"

"No, their defenses will be up all the time now."

They sat there thinking for several minutes before either of them spoke again.

"I had a thought," Kingsley said.

"About?"

"About making this site a temporary base."

Alex raised his eyebrows questioningly. Their best chances of not being caught were moving constantly. Staying in one place for too long was risky.

"Your sister will need time to recover," Kingsley explained. "She is no condition to move right now and won't be for a few weeks. Even after that, she may not be up to fighting right away. She's been through a lot."

"What about the risks?" Alex asked, glancing at his sister again.

"They won't come looking for us here. They never think to check the depths of the Forbidden Forest. It's too out of the way," Kingsley said, pausing a moment. "What do you think?"

"I think it's the best plan there is to get her physically health again."

"I'll tell the others in the morning. You need to get some sleep."

Recognizing a dismissal, Alex left the table and went to lie in his makeshift bed on the floor. He sighed. He might be able to get Dani back to physical health, but what about her mental health? He was sure she had issues to work through. But how bad were they? Would he even be able her work through them?

She started thrashing in her sleep for the third time that night. Alex sat up and stroked her hair, which seemed calm her for the moment.

"It's ok, baby girl," he whispered. "You're safe now."