I haven't read through this very much so if there are many mistakes I am very sorry x

Ok first off this story isn't finishing in the very near future, I plan to do all of the school year destroying horcruxes etc. so the final battle is a little way off but hopefully I should have some action in it anyway. Thank you once again to my lovely reviewers who were really nice and gave me the most reviews I have ever so far had for a chapter-37 yay!

Thank you to:

CelticHeiressFiona,

GinnyWeasleyLover,

maqiquill9,

Florrie- glad you liked the interaction, and I know another cliffie- I can't resist! :-)

raul-1331,

Csnow,

NorrthStar,

momocalady,

mangagirl18,

WhatI'vedone,

WilltheWompingWillow,

Luthien Faye,

Annie Nomous-I laughed when I saw your suggestion that seems the most fun so far and I think Ofelia deserves it! And raising Ron and Ginny- we can dream…

BookWyrm711,

TheWall,

Su-33,

Kiaralight,

killing you with umbrellas,

Bookwormluver3- I'm glad you liked it.

Mikee,

Juliper,

blueyblonde,

NaruXHinata-Rules,

The French Dark Lord,

mudbloodpotter05,

kurleyhawk2- I'm glad you did :-)

EelvenGirl,

ShadowMoonDancer,

googlibear,

The Lady Reaper of the Shadows,

contestshipper,

jojobevco,

keekers15,

Rodrigo Black Potter,

US2UK06

and

impteen16- Thanks for saying that about my story and I bet this is a quicker new chap that you anticipated (grins)

Chapter Twenty Five

Silence, absolute silence, nobody moved, nobody spoke. They are just stared at Teddy and Hermione suspended in the cage, Hermione's scared face peered out from between the bars staring terrified at Ofelia.

Teddy clambered around Hermione and spotted Anton who was gazing at Teddy with an odd look on his face.

'A'ton!' he yelled his voice cracking the silence.

'Shut up!' Ofelia warned him.

Anton took a step forward his eyes fixed solely on Teddy 'are you ok?'

Teddy nodded his head 'I'm fine,' his voice was whispered.

'If you have harmed a hair on his head!' Anton hissed furiously.

'You'll what?' Ofelia demanded sarcastically 'you'll send some sparks at me?'

'Release them,' Anton said his voice shaking with barely suppressed rage.

'No,' Ofelia snapped.

'I will kill you for this,' Anton seethed.

'Oh La dee da.' She smirked 'with your history on actually succeeding in killing anyone important you'll excuse me if I don't put to much faith in that statement.'

'Just because I don't take pride in parading around the names of those I've killed it does not mean the Death Eaters were insignificant.'

Ofelia turned her head from Harry to look at the assembled Order members,

'Welcome Order,' she said with the politeness of inviting them to tea, 'how rude of me not to introduce myself.'

'They know who you are,' Anton interrupted impatiently.

'They have never met me in person,' Ofelia retorted 'so it's only courteous to introduce myself.'

'Then allow me to do the honours,' Anton pushed 'Order meet Ofelia Rengrag, murderer, traitor and all round bitch.'

'The end really wasn't necessary,' Ofelia said calmly.

'I just wanted to make sure they knew who they were dealing with,' Anton replied considerately.

'Every time you decide to be that thoughtful you're putting your Godson at more risk,' Ofelia threatened lightly.

'So what's your plan here?' Sirius said loudly 'even if you kill them you aren't getting away.'

'Sirius, Sirius, Sirius,' Ofelia purred 'how nice to see you…in the flesh.'

As only Sirius and Anton knew of the real meaning to this sentence it was Anton who cleared his throat in warning.

'Oh live little,' Ofelia smirked 'or at least until I kill you and your Godson.'

Anton jerked forward raising his sword which gleamed a violent red, Ofelia raised her hand and the cage rattled. Anton immediately halted.

'One more step and I'll do it!' Ofelia snarled.

'How long is this going to last girlie?' Mad-Eye challenged 'are we all just going to stand here until the other gets bored?'

'You recognise this design of cage don't you Moody?' Ofelia smirked pirouetting to face the scarred man.

'It's tied to the owner, anything they wish to happen will happen to anyone within the boundaries, even death.' Moody growled out.

'Well done,' Ofelia nodded 'a very accurate description.'

'If you wish them dead then we'll kill you,' Lupin added 'simple as.'

'Lupin I am impressed,' Ofelia smiled 'this is quite an unusual stand point from you.'

'What makes you think you know anything about me?' Lupin asked suspiciously.

'You'd be surprised,'

Anton cleared his throat again earning a glare from Ofelia.

'I learnt my lesson Anton,' she laughed but the sound was cold and unfeeling.

'Moody's got a point,' Anton voiced 'how long is this stalemate going to last?'

'You've blocked my escape,' Ofelia said annoyed 'what exactly did you expect me to do after backing me into a corner.'

Silence descended once more and they all seemed to be thinking over their strategies. Anton's eyes flickered from the cage holding his Godson to his former friend, Teddy's huge eyes swirled from deep purple to bright yellow like a cats. Anton flashed him a reassuring smile earning a small one in return.

'This has to end,' Anton snarled 'now!'

'Then what do you propose.' Ofelia asked as if under sufferance.

'You release them.' Anton said grimly.

'What's in it for me?' she said starkly.

Anton didn't say anything,

'I wish,' Ofelia said quickly 'they feel the pain of crucio!'

-

Utter pain, the pain of a thousand knives stabbing into their bodies, Teddy and Hermione could both feel the screams ripping from their lungs, their arms thrashed and their bodies bucked in agony.

Hermione was aware of hardly anything but the pain until a sharp voice broke through.

'STOP IT!'

-

Anton could feel the blood pounding in his ears, instinctively he had closed the closed the distance before Ofelia had the time to realise. Anton couldn't control the emotions surging through him, without thinking and taking Ofelia by surprise he had fastened one hand tightly around her throat and with the other his sword was held high ready to bring down.

'Tell me why I shouldn't!' he yelled.

'If I die, they die,' Ofelia spat 'now let go of me if you know what's good for you!'

Anton didn't move until he felt a firm hand on his shoulder,

'Anton let her go,' Sirius said softly 'this won't accomplish anything.'

Anton grudgingly loosened his grip on her neck and lowered his sword slowly.

'Now take a step back,' Ofelia said a warning note in her voice.

Anton reluctantly moved back his eyes once again fixed on Teddy who was watching Anton with fear in his eyes.

'This is what's going to happen,' Ofelia said authoritatively 'you're going to let me leave, you're not going to follow me and you're going to go back to your headquarters.'

'And in return?' Sirius asked evenly though those who knew him well could see the anger in his eyes.

'I release the girl and the whelp,'

--

'How do we know you won't double cross us, kill them and escape anyway?' Tonks said incensed.

'You don't,' Ofelia replied and everyone could see the slight amusement in her expression.

'No.' Anton said surprising the others.

'Don't you want Teddy back in one piece?' Ofelia questioned.

'An unbreakable vow,' Anton insisted 'you promise to release them unharmed and we let you go tonight.'

Ofelia appeared to be thinking it over before she nodded in agreement.

'Lupin will be the bonder,' she declared.

Lupin looked slightly aggravated at the familiarity the Dark Witch was showing him, but nevertheless he stepped forward gripping his wand determinedly.

Ofelia held her right hand out in invitation, Anton looked up at Teddy suspended a metre a half up, the child bit his lip in fear his eyes set rigid on his Godfather. Anton took a deep breath and holding out his arm they grasped right hands, this was the closest he'd touched Ofelia with anything less than violence for over three years, his blood boiled.

Lupin placed the tip of his wand on their linked hands, Anton spoke first.

'Will you Ofelia, free Teddy and Hermione causing them no harm while they are taken to safety?'

'I will,' said Ofelia.

The familiar tongue of brilliant flame issued from the wand and wound around their hands like a red hot wire.

'Will you Anton, leave me to leave in safety, free from fear of attack or retribution on this night.'

'I will,' said Anton.

A second tongue of flame shot from the wand and interlinked with the first, making a fine glowing chain.

'Will you agree to a temporary stalemate on this night and tomorrow protecting both sides?' Anton continued.

'I will,' said Ofelia though she didn't look best pleased.

A third tongue of blazing flame shot from the wand, twisted around the others and bound itself thickly around their clasped hands like a rope, like a fiery snake.

They separated their hands the moment the vow was over both glaring at each other.

'I'll be going then.' Ofelia smirked.

'The faster the better,' Anton growled 'now release them.'

Ofelia swished her wand at the cage and the lock clicked open, Ofelia placed her wand back in the holster and re-sheathed the sword.

'Have a good Christmas,' she grinned maliciously 'bye bye.'

Anton yanked the door open to the cage with force and the next second he was lifting a small soft bundle down and into his arms.

Teddy's small arms snaked around his neck and hugged him tightly as if fearing he wasn't really back with Anton. He could feel the tears warm on his check as he took in the scent he thought he'd never smell again and he could feel Teddy's little frame shaking with sobs.

Sirius and Lupin were helping a shaking Hermione from the cage, now the rush of fear was over and she was back to safety her body had gone weak with relief.

'Let's get out of here.' Moody ordered taking control 'we don't know if she'll find a loophole in that vow, she might send other dark wizards to attack us instead.'

'Teddy,' Anton said gently looking into his Godson's tear-filled blue eyes 'fancy some side-long apparition?'

Teddy small mouth tilted into a tentative smile and he nodded his head though tears still poured down his undernourished face.

'On the count of three then,' Anton whispered unable to quite believe who he was holding.

He looked to the others, Sirius and Lupin had already taken Hermione to safety and the others were getting ready to leave as well.

'Right then, one…two…thre…'

--

Anton landed outside the open front door of Sirius's house, he hurried through the door leaving it ajar for the following Order members. Teddy was clutching him like a life line his body was trembling and he seemed to be shivering with shock.

There were quite a few members of the Order present in the house but no where near full force, Mrs Weasley was vanishing up the stairs after Hermione, Lupin and Sirius. Voices could be heard from upstairs as the teenagers realised that Hermione had come back, the hallway in which Anton was standing in was empty but he knew in a few moments it would be filled.

Shifting Teddy's weight slightly he carried his young charge into the living room, Teddy still had an iron grip on Anton and as he himself was anxious to break it soon he sat down in a chair and held Teddy on his lap. This was new territory for him, he was in his early twenties and he was responsible for a small child, what's more was that Rhoan wasn't there to help him like he always had.

'Teddy I can't believe you're here,' Anton choked 'I thought I'd lost you forever.'

'You weren't there!' Teddy's voice cried plaintively 'I kept waiting for you and Rho Rho to come, but you didn't, I was so scared.'

Anton felt his heart fracturing as he rested his cheek on Teddy's thick blue hair,

'I'm so sorry,' Anton whispered begging forgiveness his own tears dripping from his eyes 'I'm so so sorry.'

Teddy turned his head and looked Anton firmly in the eyes, his own big and full of seriousness 'I knew you'd come though, even though Felly said you wouldn't, I knew you would, and I was right!'

'Yes Teds you were right,' Anton agreed though he still felt like he'd failed 'the second I knew where you were…'

They stayed holding each other tightly, the last remnants of their old lives.

After a long while they were interrupted by Mrs Weasley who crept quietly into the room for fear of scaring the child.

'Just to let you know Hermione's going to be fine,' she said softly 'Poppy said she's got mild lacerations ,bruises and is freezing cold and suffering from shock, but she's young and strong.'

'Thank god,' Anton whispered 'I could see this ending much worse.'

Teddy peered at Mrs Weasley from under Anton's arm, Mrs Weasley well experienced with dealing with children smiled brightly and walked slowly towards Teddy,

'Hello dear,' she said in a mothering fashion 'I'm Molly, and you must be Teddy.'

Teddy smiled shyly unused to people he didn't know being kind. Mrs Weasley smiled cheerfully at the boy but Anton could see her running an appraising look over him.

'He needs a good wash, some food and sleep.' She instructed 'it's two in the morning, and you wouldn't go far wrong with sleep yourself.'

'I know,' Anton nodded tiredly 'but I don't think I could sleep right now.'

'You will sleep,' her voice left no room for argument 'less than a month ago you were fighting for your own life, you have a weak immune system, you insist on actively fighting and you intend to continue teaching. If you want to do all that you need to sleep!'

Anton surrendered to her formidable glare and standing up he whispered to his Godson,

'O oh somebody looks mad.'

--

Teddy's eyes were drooping closed, with all of the action and emotions and plus being only five he was definitely tired, Madam Pomfrey had seized on them as they were walking up the stairs and after a thorough examination she had concluded that Teddy wasn't in too bad a shape, he would most certainly need nutritional potions though and maybe the occasional dreamless sleep potion.

Anton with his rational fear of water had scourgified the sleepy child but did concede to wash his face and hands however he intended to bribe one of the others to actually give him a bath that had always been Rhoan's forte. Once he had tried but Teddy had splashed so much he'd ended up with a cold.

At three in the morning both of them were exhausted, nearly everyone else had gone to bed already recognising the need to give Anton and Teddy space.

Anton opened the chest of drawers in his room and pulled a pair of red pyjamas he'd never worn out, tapping them with his wand he shrunk them to fit Teddy and helped him into them.

'A'ton.' Teddy yawned staring at Anton.

'What's up Teddy?' Anton said gently as he pulled the neck right on the pyjamas and smiling as Teddy's hair flickered to red.

'I'm really glad we're back together.'

'Me to.' Anton grinned picking up Teddy and swinging him onto the huge double bed 'now which side do you want?'

--

They fell asleep almost instantly and Anton woke only once when Teddy hugged him in his sleep, with a smile in his face Anton drifted back into sleep.

--

It was late in the morning when the residents of the house woke up, Anton was woken up by snuffling coming from next to him, he was fully awake in seconds and checking on his Godson.

'What's the matter?' Anton asked gently.

'Is this a dream?' Teddy sniffed turning over to look at his Godfather 'am I really here?'

'Yes Teddy,' Anton said softly 'and I'm not letting you go anywhere ever again.'

Teddy hugged him tightly, a knock on the door came seconds before it opened and Mrs Weasley bustled in her eyes puffy from what Anton assumed the cause was the jumper that Percy had sent back.

'Happy Christmas,' she said smiling 'I was wondering if you wanted me to bath Teddy as I forgot last night you don't like much water.'

Anton threw the covers back and jumped out of bed, swinging Teddy with him,

'I really appreciate that Molly,' Anton admitted relieved 'I was worried I'd have to bribe someone.'

'Nonsense!' Mrs Weasley announced 'anyone would jump at the chance, isn't that right Teddy.'

Teddy turned to Anton to see what he made of Mrs Weasley, when Anton nodded encouragingly Teddy leaned up to Anton's ear and whispered.

'She's like Jenny.'

Anton felt a sliver of ice slip down his spine, Jenny had been Mrs Weasley's alias during the war, Anton forced a smile.

'Well maybe if you ask politely she'll sing you some songs jus like Jenny used to.' Anton whispered back setting Teddy down on the floor.

--

While Teddy trundled off with Mrs Weasley (and some more of Anton's shrunken clothes) Anton wandered downstairs to find Sirius singing as he cooked breakfast, the teenagers were sitting at the table waiting for food most of them dressed in their new jumpers which made Anton realise he had nothing for Teddy- he didn't think the boy would be to bothered but something to open would be nice and he also had to take the child shopping very soon.

Hermione was also up though she looked quite pale and worn

'Hey Anton,' Sirius called from the stove 'how's Teddy?'

'He's actually a lot better than I thought he'd be,' Anton admitted 'I think that Ofelia mostly ignored him.'

'Well Mylee's coming round for lunch and so are Tonks and Lupin and a few of the others,' Sirius told him serving the sausages which were quickly devoured 'and then we're going to St Mungo's to visit Arthur.'

'I was going to take Teddy to get checked out, but as Poppy did it last night hopefully there isn't anything to worry about,' Anton said getting some food onto his plate.

The door of the kitchen burst open and Teddy ran in closely followed by Mrs Weasley, the second he saw Anton he ran over to him and jumped onto his lap.

Anton leaned back slightly from his Godson's wet hair, but put some food on a plate for him.

'A'ton! Molly's just like Jenny and she sang me a song!' Teddy exclaimed happily 'and did you know its Christmas!'

Anton smiled at Teddy's exuberance 'I did know that its Christmas, and you are the perfect present.'

'Anton I know you like red and black,' Mrs Weasley said looking at Teddy's black jeans and red hoodie which Teddy had matched his hair to 'but you need to get Teddy some of his own clothes that are different.'

'I know,' Anton conceded 'but there aren't going to be any shops open today.'

Mrs Weasley opened her mouth to say something but Teddy beat her to it.

'A'ton where's Rhoan?'

Silence filled the room and everyone looked at Anton who was biting his lip slightly.

'Teddy do you remember Gia?' Anton started dreading what was to come.

Teddy nodded his head in slight suspicion 'she went to live with the angels like Mummy and Daddy and Grams and Gramps and Jenny and…'

Anton interrupted him gently 'well Rhoan really wanted to stay but it was…'

'NO!' Teddy screamed wrenching away from Anton in realisation 'NO!'

'Teddy,' Anton tried as his Godson launched himself to the floor tears rushing down his face, Anton felt guilt erupt in himself he couldn't remember the amount of times he'd been the one to break it to Teddy another loved one was gone.

'MAKE HIM COME BACK!' Teddy bawled 'I don't want him to go away! I want RHO RHO!'

'Teddy,' Anton began once again getting off his chair and bending down to eye level with the small child 'Teddy, Rhoan never wanted you to be upset.'

'He promised! He promised he'd always be here!' Teddy turned and ran from the kitchen.

'I hate this part.' Anton muttered miserably before hurrying after Teddy, knowing his Godson he'd choose a small dark hiding place which he'd feel safer in.

'Teddy?' Anton called softly as he stood in the hallway.

A sniffling sob caught his ears and he followed it to the living room, he lightly pushed the door open and walked in.

'Teddy?' he said again.

Another sob this time coming from behind the settee, Anton treaded quietly to the side of the sofa and crouching down he looked into the dark space containing his Godson. Teddy was scrunched down shaking as barely suppressed sobs rolled down his cheeks, his hair was deep black and his hands were crushed into little fists.

'Teddy you need to come out from there,' Anton said kindly but firmly.

Teddy shook his head.

'Teddy you can't stay there all day, Rhoan is in heaven now and he wouldn't want you to be hurting this much.'

'HE LEFT!' Teddy burst out turning damp eyes to Anton.

'No Teddy, Rhoan would never have left out of choice, he loved you so much.' Anton soothed.

'Then who made him go?' Teddy wailed.

'Someone very mean,' Anton said choosing against telling the five year old. 'Come out Teddy, please.'

Teddy uncertainly crawled out, the second he came within arms reach of Anton the older man pulled him into a hug, Teddy immediately burst in thick choking sobs and clung to Anton desperately.

'I just want him back!' Teddy hiccupped his breath coming in gasping heaves.

'I know,' Anton soothed 'I know.'

Hope you all liked it, I now have to revise once again with the thought that when I finish I get two months off- oh the joy just ten exams to go. But while I'm doing that I will be trying to think of a good enough punishment for Ofelia-hmmmn…