To Be Useful

March 1998
Aurora

Aurora couldn't help but pace around the den, wringing her hands and glancing towards the clock every so often. Remus had left an hour ago and she wasn't sure how long he would be gone. Not long after Bill's patronus arrived, informing them that Harry, Ron and Hermione had arrived there, Remus set off for Shell Cottage, tell her to stay with the baby. Of course, she had wanted to go with him - had very nearly set out before a word could be said. But Remus reminded her that she had Ryan to take care of and that they were expecting an owl from McGonagall. Aurora was torn between waiting for news on her daughter and seeing that Harry was safe with her own eyes, but in the end stayed behind. It had been too long since the professor had been able to get word to them and she was just as eager to know if Ellie was safe.

But now that the baby was sleeping for the night, there was nothing to distract Aurora from her worry. The minutes passed and there was no owl. No Remus. All this uncertainty was fraying her nerves and it was all she could do to keep from rushing out of the manor, going somewhere – be it Hogsmeade or Shell Cottage - and doing something.

Finally, as she was mid-pace, she saw the fireplace flare up out of the corner of her eye. She turned to it, then rushed over as soon as Remus stepped out of the flames.

"How are they?" she asked, her voice frantic as she gripped onto his shirt. Remus gently disentangled her fingers, though maintained a tight grip on her hands, and led her over to the sofa to sit. This couldn't be good, she couldn't help but think. Why did he want her to sit down? Oh, Merlin, it was bad news. Someone was badly hurt or, gods' forbid, dead.

Please don't let anyone be dead, she thought desperately.

"They're alive, but…" he started, though he sighed heavily. Aurora felt as though her heart was going to beat out of her chest. Or just stop beating altogether. "Dobby… he's gone. He was killed as he saved them from Malfoy Manor…"

All the color drained from Aurora's face as her mouth suddenly went dry. The story only continued to get worse.

"But… how? Why? Do not tell me that this assignment Dumbledore has them on led them there!" she said, her voice breaking.

"No, of course not. They were picked up by some snatchers and taken there, though thankfully Hermione was rather quick thinking and managed to disguise Harry before they realized who he was," Remus said wearily. "They got away before Voldemort arrived… saved Ollivander, a goblin named Griphook and Luna Lovegood while they were at it…" Aurora sat in shocked silence. She knew Ollivander had been taken, though none of them had known where and honestly, she had thought he would be dead by now. But she hadn't known about Luna. Why would the Death Eaters want her? Or a goblin for that matter. Just what were they planning?

She turned and leaned forward slightly, starting to massage her temples as a headache set in. Part of her didn't want to hear more. Didn't want to know the details. She almost told Remus to just tell her that they were fine.

"Please tell me they didn't torture them," she said softly, unable to help herself. Remus didn't answer for a while, which just set her further on edge. "For gods' sake, just tell me."

"Bellatrix was there… she had Hermione separated from the rest… They said it couldn't have been more than just a few minutes and her arm will heal, but…" he stopped speaking as Aurora's stomach began to churn. Her eyes flew open as she fought to keep from vomiting.

"Goddamn Bellatrix," she hissed as she blinked rapidly, anger starting to course through her. She knew the Death Eaters were capable of horrendous things, but it was something completely different to know that they were torturing people she cared about.

"They got out before it got too bad," Remus said, though he knew his works were of no comfort to Aurora as she seethed on the sofa, now staring at the unlit fireplace. He reached out and placed a hand on her shoulder, hoping to try and calm her down. "As I said, her arm will heal…"

"It's her mind I'm worried about," Aurora said hollowly, not wanting to think further about what they would face when this was all said and done. You didn't go through something like that and come out unscathed. "Please tell me that they are at least going to stay there."

Remus sighed as he removed his hand, causing Aurora to look at him, stunned, already sensing what he was going to say next.

"Harry's convinced they need to keep going… keep… searching," he said. Aurora shot up from the sofa, starting to pace in front of the fireplace.

"What the hell, Remus! Hermione was tortured! What on earth could Dumbledore have them doing that's so goddamn important!" she shouted. "You need to stop them!"

"They need to do this," Remus said firmly, watching her. "It's the only way that we'll be able to defeat Voldemort." Aurora stopped, staring at him as she planted her hands on her hips. "They're looking for horcruxes." She frowned, not familiar with the word. "Pieces of Voldemort's soul that he's attached to things… objects of importance. Until Harry destroys all of them, Voldemort can't be killed. So far three have been destroyed…"

Aurora's eyebrows rose as she took a deep breath, unable to speak for a bit as she came to terms with the enormity of what Harry, Ron and Hermione were doing.

"How long have you known about this?" she asked softly.

"Some time now. I offered to go with them, help. Harry said there were more important things for me to do," Remus replied softly. Aurora nodded and looked away, her brow furrowed.

"For now, they'll stay. They need to rest and recoup. And Harry's not so sure just where they'll go next anyway," Remus said, hoping to alleviate some of Aurora's worry. "They won't leave without some sort of plan or at least an idea of where to go." Aurora nodded, though walked over to a decanter of firewhiskey and poured herself a rather large drink. She needed it.

She then walked back over and sat on the sofa next to Remus.

"I just… it's all getting… chaotic," she murmured before taking a drink. "We don't know where Harry is most of the time. And now that I know what he's doing… McGonagall barely writes anymore - that owl still hasn't come, by the way - and… I have no idea if Ellie is safe. Or if she's hurt. Or if he's…" Aurora looked over at Remus, tears glistening in her eyes. She could clearly see her own worried mirrored in his face. "And I can't do anything. Part of me wants to run off and join Harry as well. Or go to Hogsmeade and, and, lead some attack on Hogwarts to get Ellie back. Or… finally track down that bastard…"

"Hush, Rora," Remus said gently, reaching out and rubbing her back again. "It won't do you any good to get yourself all worked up… We're working on getting Ellie home. Shacklebolt and Dora should be back soon and surely they'll have some sort of word."

"Certainly hope so," Aurora muttered. "I'm so sick of sitting around and waiting. There must be something more I can do." Remus only sighed.

"Me as well," he murmured.

As though they had conjured them, Shacklebolt and Tonks walked into the den and once again, Aurora was on her feet, walking towards them, the glass of firewhiskey forgotten on the table.

"Please tell me you've heard something," she said desperately. "Did McGonagall contact you?"

"She was able to smuggle a letter out," Shacklebolt said, reaching into his pocket and pulling it out. Aurora ripped it from his hand, reading it eagerly. "Ellie is still safe." Aurora breathed a sigh of relief, but just as quickly as the relief came, it was gone. She may be safe now, but there was no guarantee that she would stay that way.

"Is there really no way that we can get into Hogwarts? Or at least… someone on the inside could sneak her out?" Aurora asked. "Or… any of the students out?" Shacklebolt studied her a bit, before glancing at Tonks and then back at her.

"It's not impossible," Shacklebolt said. "But… you're talking about a full-scale evacuation, Aurora. Something like that would take time and thorough planning. Not to mention more people than we currently have." Aurora frowned and shook her head.

"Fine, then how quickly could we plan something to get just Ellie out?" she asked. "I just… I get this feeling… something is coming soon. We need to get her home now. Before something bad happens."

Shacklebolt sighed and walked over to a chair, sitting down in it. He suddenly looked extremely tired and weary.

"We need to find someone in Hogsmeade who could help," he replied. "Outside of figuring out a way in and out of the village, then in and out of the castle, we'll need somewhere in Hogsmeade to hide." He looked up at Aurora. "At the very least, we could try to smuggle Ellie out - maybe Ginny and a couple others as well - but… I'm not sure how many we could stand to get without attracting attention."

"We can't leave all of them at the mercy of the Carrows," Aurora said firmly. "Merlin, do their parents even know? Surely if they did, they would all demand that they be pulled from school… Even in school, those two were twisted."

"It's complicated, Aurora. We've been over this-"

"Well, then we need to try harder," Aurora snapped. Shacklebolt sat up in his chair and rubbed his face.

"I know," he said, the expression on his face saying that he clearly had the weight of the world on his shoulders. "I don't like the idea of anyone being at Hogwarts right now any better than you do - especially considering how difficult it is to know exactly what's going on there. And with Snape in charge. But… there are only so many of us up against hundreds of Death Eaters. And I can't just call off all the other missions as well." Aurora stared at him and then finally sighed and ran her fingers through her hair.

"Of course, Kingsley. I wasn't suggesting that you do that," she said. "I just… I'd like to at least try to get Ellie out as soon as we can-"

"Shacklebolt!"

Aurora stopped speaking as everyone looked over to see Thacker rush into the room. He took in their grim faces and frowned.

"What's happened?" he asked.

"It's fine for now," Shacklebolt said with a sigh. "What is it?"

"We've just got word on another meeting set for tomorrow night. Got time and location this time - even know some of those who are to attend," he said quickly. "I think there could be some good information in it." Shacklebolt nodded slowly as Aurora furrowed her brow, her thoughts immediately turning to Evan.

If he was set to attend, it could be her chance to take him out before he went after Ellie.

"Do you know if-"

"No, we didn't hear anything about him," Thacker said, cutting her off. She asked it every time someone set out to try and infiltrate a meeting. Her shoulders slumped slightly as she started to slowly pace again. He didn't leave though, just continued to study the distraught mother. He had overheard some of the previous conversation and knew that Aurora needed to get out of the manor or she might have another breakdown.

"You and Tonks can go," Shacklebolt said to Thacker. "Start working on the logistics."

"That's the thing, sir, it's going to be heavily warded," Thacker said cautiously. "I'm not sure I can get through them without being detected." He glanced towards Aurora and then back at Shacklebolt, making it clear what he was thinking. Shacklebolt studied him, then looked at Tonks, who gave him a short nod and a smile. He then turned to Aurora.

"I know that you're worried about Ellie, but… it seems that we need to you to go tomorrow," he said. "It might help take your mind off things if you're focusing on something else." She avoided looking at Remus, fairly sure that he wouldn't be so happy with her for doing this, but Shacklebolt made a good point. It couldn't hurt for her to be more involved with the Order.

"I'll do it," she replied. "It's better than sitting here and worrying."

"I'll go with you," Remus said immediately afterwards. Aurora glanced over at him, noticing that he didn't appear angry. That was an improvement.

"Are you sure?" Shacklebolt asked. Remus nodded.

"I'll feel better if I were there rather than waiting at home," he replied. Shacklebolt sighed and pushed up out of the chair.

"Then we best get started…"

Aurora frowned slightly in concentration as she worked, her wand moving through the air as various incantations fell silently from her lips. She was nearly finished undoing the last of the wards so that she, Remus and Tonks could slide through the protective barrier. Truth be told, they weren't nearly as difficult as Thacker had made them out to be.

"Feels like old times," Remus whispered behind her.

"And like old times, I need to concentrate," Aurora whispered back, though there was a small smile on her face. "There. Should do it."

She stepped back a bit and then cautiously put her hand out, moving it around. When nothing happened, she continued moving forward with Remus and Tonks following. As she had done before, she created a small rip in the magic that would allow them through without alerting anyone inside to their presence. The three crept around to the back of the house, seeing a door and large window that was luckily open, meaning they wouldn't need to break into the house and risk running into anymore wards. As they drew nearer, they could clearly hear voices coming from inside.

Aurora held her breath as she felt Tonks move ahead of her, the auror now pretty much invisible under a disillusionment charm. For a moment, Aurora was a bit disoriented and unable to locate her, the auror moving with much more stealth than she usually exhibited. But finally, the three were crouching under the window in some bushes as loud laughter poured out the window.

Aurora did her best to stay still as they listened, but the longer they were there, the more her legs started to cramp. She shifted her weight and nearly fell over onto Remus, though thankfully he caught her and help her re-stabilize without a sound.

"Say, why's Selwyn not here?" a voice said. Aurora stopped breathing, her entire body going tense at the mention of his name. She knew he wouldn't be there, but even just the mention of his name was enough to set her on edge.

"Who bloody knows… the Dark Lord's always got him working on some sort of 'special' mission, the way he tells it," another voice grumbled. "The arrogant prat. Thinks he bloody walks on water."

"He'll be at the next one," a different voice warned. "And I'd be careful. Prat, he maybe, but he's somehow on the Dark Lord's good side. Nott's too."

"Like I give a rat's arse…"

The complaining continued for a bit longer, but soon they moved on to other topics. While they spoke about the next meeting a few more times, there was no mention of where it would take place, though they were able to glean the names of two more death eaters that they had not previously known would be attending. As it started winding down, Tonks reached out and touched Aurora, signally for them to hurry back to the barrier in order to leave before any of the Death Eaters left the house and discovered them there. The three scrambled back and Aurora deftly patched up the protective spells before they started jogging towards the port key that would take them straight to the manor that they had hidden in a nearby tree trunk. No one said anything until they were safely within the many wards surrounding the manor.

"We'll get someone to follow some of the Death Eaters there tonight. See if they'll give up the location of the next meeting," Tonks said as they headed towards the back door.

"We need to find out where it is. It might be our only chance to take him down," Aurora replied. Remus shot a worried look at Tonks.

"We have to be careful. Chances are we'll be outnumbered," Tonks said. "Not to mention, we're still working on a way to get Ellie out of Hogwarts..."

"Right," Aurora replied as she pushed open the door.

"Don't worry," Tonks said to Remus, stopping him before he followed Aurora in. "I'll make sure she doesn't do anything foolish." He nodded and gave her a small smile of appreciation.

"Thanks, Dora."

Evan sighed as he looked around the dark pub, feeling a bit too exposed. Even though he knew no one would dare confront or bother him, he still didn't like being out anywhere remotely public for too long and wasn't sure just why Alecto Carrow had sent him an urgent message to meet her there. Surely, they could have met at Nott's manor, or Malfoy's. Not to mention, he knew that Aurora and the Order were attempting to track him down. As much as he would enjoy a confrontation with his ex-wife, he wanted it on his terms - not theirs.

"Good, you're here," Alecto said as she rushed up to him and sat across the table.

"And you can tell me why," he said, his annoyance clear as he cast a distasteful look down at the half-empty glass in front of him. "The libations do leave a lot to be desired and I do not like to be kept waiting." His cold blue eyes flicked up to Alecto.

"I didn't want the others around," she said quickly. "They might try to talk you out of it."

"Out of what?" he asked, irritated.

"I can get you into Hogwarts," she said, smiling.

"And?" he replied. This was nothing new. She had told him this several times throughout the year. But still, the timing didn't seem quite right. And even with Snape in charge, Evan was certain he'd have to go through a load of professors throwing themselves in between him and Aurora's daughter. No, there were still too many unknowns for him to risk breaking into Hogwarts and kidnapping her. It would be better to wait until she was in transit - on her way home for the summer.

"You need to act quickly if you want to get Black's bastard," Alecto continued, dropping her voice. "She's most vulnerable now." Evan frowned, not quite sure what she meant by that. "She and Nott Jr. have broken up - she's no longer under his protection."

"And how does that help me?" Evan nearly growled, becoming even more irritated, though he wasn't surprised to hear about the break-up. She was a Gryffindor and a Black, after all. This meeting was turning into a giant waste of time. Didn't Alecto know that he was someone rather important with important things to do?

"Some of the students have found a way out of the castle," Alecto said. Evan frowned as he leaned forward slightly. This was new. Alecto leaned towards him also, seeming far too eager to share the rest of the information. "More and more are skipping classes. Going missing from their houses and dorms. Snape is keeping it under wraps - wouldn't be halfway surprised if he was helping them." Evan glowered at her.

"You honestly think Snape would go against the Dark Lord? Careful what you're insinuating, Alecto," he asked, his voice dangerously low. Alecto's eyes widened slightly as she shook her head quickly. While Evan might be indifferent about the man, he was an opportunist, and once they won, Snape would be very high-ranking in the new regime. It wouldn't hurt to stay on his good side.

"Anyway… I believe that she might attempt to escape. And soon," Alecto continued, glancing around the pub. "If you want to grab her, you need to act quickly."

Evan sat back in his chair, thinking it over. While he hated to admit it, Aurora was still a brilliant witch. Just as good at building up protective layers of charmwork as she was at taking them down. He had been searching for her for months now and been unable to get anywhere close. If he waited until Ellie was back at Greenthistle Manor, it would be much, much harder to get to them - though not impossible. Especially not now that Aurora seemed to be carrying out missions for the Order.

He studied Alecto coolly, thinking perhaps she was right. This once. If he wanted to draw Aurora out of hiding, he would need to make his move on Elliana. Kidnap her from Hogwarts.

"I suppose it is time," he said, his expression remaining neutral. Alecto grinned in response.

"What do you wish for me to do?" she asked eagerly. Evan took a deep breath and slowly let it out.

"Explain to me just how you plan to get me into the castle undetected," he said. Alecto nodded quickly, then hurriedly explained what to do as Evan listened calmly, his mind already whirling with a plan to draw Black's daughter away from Gryffindor Tower and down into the dungeon level where Alecto's office was located. Away from her friends and the other professors. Really, Hogwarts was a rather large place.

Once Alecto finished, he downed his drink and stood, walking to the door.

"But… where are you going? Don't we need to plan?" Alecto asked. He paused and slowly turned to look at her.

"I'll plan," he said. "I will inform you with things are set and ready to be put in motion. In the meantime, keep an eye on the girl. Do what you must to keep her in the castle." He then turned and strode out of the pub, glaring at anyone who dared to look at him and reveling in the looks of fear that filled their eyes as they turned to look away from him.

As he stepped out into the night, he couldn't help but grin as the plan floated through his mind. He still needed to take care of a few things, but it wouldn't be too long before he could act. And once he was done, he'd use Elliana to bring Aurora to him. If he was lucky, the bloody werewolf would follow and he could kill the girl and him at once. Then that just left the youngest bastard. Though he supposed he might consider letting him live if he finally had Aurora within his grasp. He was still a baby. Could still be raised and brought up the correct way.

"I'm coming, Aurora," he murmured. "I hope you're ready for me…"

I really do like putting Aurora to work. And well, as strange as it seems, it's kind of fun getting into Evan's head. I did much more of that in the first story and not at all in the last one. Figured this one needs more of his side to flesh it out.

Anywho, thanks for reading and following!