"Cronus Rising"

"Chapter Seventeen: The Rescue"

Harry was pacing, wearing out the brand-new hardwood floors in his living room. It was already three in the morning and Malfoy had not turned up to tell them where Teddy was. He could not sleep, could not eat, could barely think of anything except that his tiny godson was locked up somewhere afraid and in grave danger. What did Cronus want exactly with the little boy? Was it all to lure him there, to capture and torture him to death?

Ginny had not been fairing much better. She was curled up in the large armchair by the fireplace. Her knees were drawn to her chest, her head resting on the back of the chair, her eyes vacant and wide. The Weasleys fussed over her, trying to convince her to relax and get some sleep because the stress wasn't good for the baby. She had not listened and did not move.

She blamed herself for Teddy's absence, blamed herself for ever letting the boy out of her sight. Harry didn't blame her though. Any time Harry tried to reassure her that it wasn't her fault and he didn't blame her, she burst into tears. Harry knew that Ginny would have died to protect Teddy.

Ron and Hermione were sleeping on one of the couches, her head resting on his shoulder. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley had also stayed and both were fast asleep on another couch similar to Ron and Hermione. They had stayed for moral support he supposed. They refused to leave and jumped at the chance to do anything for Harry or Ginny.

"Where is he?" croaked Ginny.

It had been over a day and a half since they realized Teddy was missing. When Malfoy was called to a meeting, Harry had been anxiously awaiting news. What if he didn't know where Teddy was? What if Cronus had told no one about the boy? Maybe that's why Malfoy had not appeared at Potter House – he simply had no news.

"We'll find him and we'll bring him home," Harry said evenly, determination setting into his bones.

At some point in the night, he had collapsed down into an armchair. His mind was numb and every time he dared to close his eyes, he would see Teddy's scared face burning a hole into his eyelids. He ended up just staring at Ginny who looked just as haunted as he felt. He wondered if she saw his face lingering behind her eyes as well.

The hours ticked by at an excruciatingly slow pace. At around five in the morning, Ginny had dosed off to sleep, still curled up in the armchair. At around six, Mrs. Weasley woke up and wordlessly disappeared into the kitchen. He assumed she was making breakfast as he heard pots and pans clanking. He had no desire to eat. At around seven, Mr. Weasley woke up and disappeared into the kitchen. Ron and Hermione too woke up but didn't say anything. They looked cautiously between Harry and Ginny, worry clouding their eyes and frowns stretching across their faces. At eight, Ginny woke up and instantly sought out Harry's eyes before she started to silently cry again. Still, no news came.

By nine, Harry was pacing around the around the living room again. He couldn't stand not knowing what was going on. He had a team ready to go over twelve hours ago. They were on high alert, waiting for a Patronus to tell them when to gather at Potter House. He couldn't help but curse Malfoy. What if he had betrayed them?

He'd be dead.

Malfoy couldn't have betrayed them. He wouldn't break the Unbreakable Vow. He gave Teddy the mirror. More than anything, he wanted Teddy to contact him through the mirror. His gaze lingered on it resting on the coffee table in the middle of the room. He didn't dare try to contact Teddy. What if Cronus was with him or another Death Eater? They could transport him somewhere else or, worse, kill him. He may never see him again if that happened.

By ten, Ginny had disappeared into the bathroom. Harry felt fatigue start to set in. He didn't think he slept more than an a few hours since Teddy had gone missing. His sleep had been erratic as he only slept for ten or fifteen minutes at a time. He was on edge, jittery. He gladly accepted the cup of caffeine that Mrs. Weasley offered him. He didn't even taste the hot liquid as it burned down his throat.

By eleven, Harry found himself sitting on the couch with Ginny curled up on his side. He could feel his shirt by his shoulder saturating with tears. It had officially been two days since Teddy had gone missing. Bill, Fleur, and Victoire had arrived for an update. They lingered around – Fleur cleaning the house and keeping herself busy with Victoire trailing after her. By eleven thirty, George and Angelina had appeared as well.

It was slightly pass noon when it happened. There was a familiar pop sound that rang throughout the house. Harry had taken down the anti-Apparating wards from the house when Teddy had gone missing. He was up on his feet in seconds and his eyes sought the pointed face of his childhood enemy. Malfoy stood in the living room, his hands stuffed in his black robes, his paleness shining.

"Where have you been?" snapped Harry. "You were supposed to be here last night! It's noon!"

"Yes, because I wanted to be with Cronus and your werewolf pup for longer than need be," sneered Malfoy. "I only just got away."

Harry was in front of Malfoy in five strides. He gripped a fistful of his robes and slammed Malfoy into the nearest wall. Pale eyes narrowed as his hands came up to push Harry away from him.

"Stop!" Ginny shouted as she rushed towards the two men.

"Where. Is. My. Godson?" Harry snipped out each word dangerously.

"He's at an old Lestrange estate home – one of the smaller summer homes in Wales."

Ginny's wand raised into the air and a silvery horse emitted from the tip. Harry didn't need to ask what she was doing. He knew she was calling the Order and the Aurors who were due for the raid to get Teddy.

"I'm going with you," Ginny said evenly as she pulled a ponytail holder off her wrist and started to tie up her hair.

"The hell you are," Harry snapped harshly. "You're pregnant. You're not going."

"I am going. I care about Teddy as much as you do! I want to be there for him!"

"Then be at the house waiting for him! I'm ending this today. It's done. I need to know you and the baby are safe. I need to know you'll be here for Teddy in case the worst happens!"

Ginny jerked backwards as though she had been slapped. The words hit her hard, angry tears filled her eyes as soft pops started to fill the room as everyone gathered for the rescue mission.

"You think you're going to die today?" Ginny snapped. "You're looking to be reckless just to end this mess?"

"I didn't say that," Harry responded, his anger subsiding. "I have to worry about Teddy. I can't worry about you and the baby too."

"Ginny, Harry's right, you can't go," Mrs. Weasley spoke from behind them, causing Malfoy to roll is eyes and step away from the group that was gathering. "You need to think about the baby."

"I am thinking about my baby. Least you forget, I have two of them. One was kidnapped by a psychopath."

Harry took a deep intake of breath. It lingered in this throat nearly suffocating him. He knew that if someone had told him to stay back, there was no way in hell he would. He could sympathize with Ginny, understood that she had come to see Teddy as her own child. If Teddy had been there, if he had heard Ginny's words, Harry had no doubt that his tiny godson would have been crying tears of joy. All he ever wanted was parents.

"Look, Ginny," Harry spoke calmly as he placed his hands on her shoulders and forced her to look at him. "We're a team. We're a family. Right now, we need to divide our attention on our children, okay? I will focus on Teddy. You focus on the baby in your belly. We each protect one, okay?"

Ginny looked like she wanted to argue, to scream, to fight him on the matter. Except, very slowly, she nodded her head with fresh tears prickling her eyes. Harry reached a hand down and touched her stomach, an encouraging smile spreading across her features. Her hand laced over his, a sob escaping her lips.

"I'm going to bring him home," whispered Harry.

"Just… just make sure you come home with him, okay?"

Snaking a hand on the back of her neck, Harry pulled her close to him. His lips brushed against her forehead and held it there for several seconds before pulling away. His gaze looked beyond her, checking to make sure everyone was there who needed to be there. They had already discussed the plan over twelve hours ago, the teams were already set. His eyes flickered back down to Ginny one last time.

"I love you. We will see you soon."

He stepped away from her, his hand running down her arm as he walked slowly away. He faced the Order and Aurors who had come. Malfoy had joined him, standing next to him like he was a second in command. He told the group the location with coordinates of where he thought the best place to appear was. With a curt nod from Harry, soft pops filled the living room like fireworks as they all Disapparated.

Harry Apparated outside of a lopsided, dilapidated house. His stomach lurched at the thought of his godson being anywhere near the house. He heard faint popssounding behind him in rapid succession. Turning his gaze to the forest surrounding the house, he noted the dark figures that seem to be lurking forward. They were waiting for them.

Before he could get into a battle, Harry darted off to the house. Spells flew towards the forest and, soon after, spells flew out of the forest. Harry paid no attention. He knew he had to get inside and find the locked bedroom Teddy had talked of in the mirror.

Throwing open a backdoor which lead to a kitchen, he froze at the sight in front of him. Cronus was standing there, a hand reaching out and touching his godson's shoulder. Teddy shifted his head, his eyes catching his godfather's gaze. His mouth hung open; his eyes welled with tears. Harry wanted nothing more than to scoop the tiny boy in his arms but knew there would be time for that later.

Cronus turned around, his hand leaving Teddy as he moved. The two wizards had wands drawn at each other, hatred shining in their eyes.

"Don't you dare touch my godson," Harry growled.

Throwing a Disarming Spell, Harry watched out of the corner of his eye Teddy taking a few steps backwards. Cronus blocked the spell. Harry, without thinking, turned his wand onto Teddy and forced him out of the way of the battle. He was dragged across the kitchen as though led by an invisible string and deposited against a wall. His wand then glided to the small kitchen table and flung it on its side in front of Teddy to save him from any stray spells.

Harry rolled his wrist, a loud crack filling the silent room, before he started shooting off a succession of spells. Cronus struggled this time during their duel. The wand he had acquired after losing his own was not as connected with him as his old one. The Shield Charms seemed to not hold up as well, the sparks that flew towards his opponent seemed less bright. Inwardly, Harry smiled. He noticed Cronus approaching a physical rather than magical defense during the battle. He often dodged the spells instead of trying to shield them. A frustrated growl seemed to escape his lips every time a spell failed to live up to its full potential. He was weakened and angry by this unforeseen complication.

The more discouraged Cronus grew, the more confidant Harry became. He had every intention of defeating Cronus, dragging him into the Ministry, and locking him away for a long time. While he wasn't fond of Dementors and had helped Kingsley ban them as guards of Azkaban, there was a part of Harry who would have liked to see Cronus get a kiss from one of the horrid creatures. If anyone disserved such a fate, it was Cronus. He vaguely wondered what Kingsley would say of the cruel suggestion.

A slash of Cronus' wand connected with Harry's face. He felt his skin split open and the blood immediately started to spill out. He stumbled back a step, his wand tightening in his hand. A sneer worked its way onto Cronus' face, a little noise of triumph escaping his lips.

"NO!" Teddy had shouted desperately, his body leaving where he had been hiding behind the table. "LEAVE HIM ALONE!"

Teddy was making his way to his godfather, determination set in his little features. Another spell came hurdling at them, Harry activated a Shield Charm to protect them. He knew he couldn't win the duel with Teddy by his side. He'd play it too cautiously, his fears of a spell ricocheting and hitting his godson were too great.

"Teddy, hide!" Harry hissed as he threw up another shield.

Teddy was lingering behind his godfather not moving. The boy stubbornly stood next to his godfather as though his presence could save them both. His chest was heaving, fresh tears cascading down his cheeks. Harry was forced to throw up another Shield Charm, his insides clenching. Why wasn't he listening?

"Teddy, get behind the table. NOW!" Harry shouted desperately.

The boy only took a step back, his unwavering loyalty to stand by his godfather infuriating the older man. He had never wanted to scream at Teddy as much as he wanted to in that moment. Protego! Harry's mind screamed as another shield popped up in front of the pair.

A masked figure burst into the kitchen, halting both Cronus and Harry in their spell casting. The slender figure with golden white hair looked at the scene in front of him. Harry pointed a wand at the masked figure, tugged his wand backwards and the mask flew off. Draco Malfoy stood there, pale eyes darting around the room. Cronus sneered rejoicingly as Harry trained his wand back onto Cronus. As soon as he noticed Harry did not care of the new figure in the room, his face twisted in confusion.

Malfoy took a few steps forward, grabbing Teddy around the waist and pulling him backwards. Harry shot a Body Binding Spell towards Cronus, who snapped out of his shocked reverie just in time to dive out of the spell's way.

"HARRY!" Teddy screamed as Malfoy held the boy close to his chest, away from the battle.

"Draco, what are you doing?" Cronus shouted, fury and shock lacing his words.

"He doesn't work for you," Harry spat. "You really think I didn't have a spy? You really think he gave a damn that you were his so-called cousin?"

Cronus' head jerked towards Harry whose chest was heaving in anger and whose face was drawn into a smug smirk. He tightened his grip on his wand, deciding what he wanted to do with Cronus. He had half a mind to make the man suffer for kidnapping Teddy and then another part of him wanted to murder the man in front of him.

Cronus trained his wand onto Malfoy and Teddy. Before Harry could stop him, the Killing Curse escaped wordlessly from Cronus' wand. The green jet darted towards the two gracefully. Malfoy raised his wand, casting a shield around him and the boy. Teddy's face was buried securely into the man's chest, his fists clenching his robes. Harry trained his own wand on the discarded table and flung it forward to stop the spell in case Malfoy's shield wasn't strong enough. Not many Shield Charms could stop a Killing Curse.

The seconds ticked by slowly, Harry's stomach was suddenly in his throat. The spell collided with the wood, making a sickening crack fill the air. The table split down the middle, either side flying through the air. Blind fury filled Harry. His wand was trained on Cronus in a second, hatred filling his every inch of him. He tried to kill Teddy. He tried to kill his godson. Chest heaving, breath ragged, pure hatred shining in his eyes, Harry uttered a curse he never thought he'd say.

"AVADA KADAVA!"

The words left Harry's mouth before he could stop himself. He stood frozen, the green sparks flying out of the tip of his wand. They hit Cronus square in the chest, the sneer dying from his features. The body twisted backwards, colliding with the refrigerator before falling to a heap on the floor. Dead eyes stared back at him, mouth hanging open as though one last spell was on his lips.

He had never actually killed anyone before. Sure, Voldemort had died during their duel, but Harry had never uttered the Killing Curse. Voldemort's own Killing Curse had killed him when he lost the duel. Even in his years as Auror, he had never killed anyone. It was always apprehension and Azkaban. He had let the other Unforgivable Curses escape his lips but never this one. His mind flung to his parents. He pictured the sickening green light connecting with his mother's chest, pleads and screams dying in her throat. It was what had killed his parents. He vowed he would never use the curse, vowed he would never kill anyone. He had been so angry though, so desperate to protect his godson. He vaguely wondered what Sirius would say… what Remus would say… what Dumbledore would say… what his parents would say. Would they understand?

"Potter!" Malfoy hissed with his arms still securely around Teddy, jerking him out of his thoughts. "Behind you!"

Harry reeled around to come face to face with Rodolphus Lestrange. The Cruciatus Curse hit him square in the chest, knocking him backwards onto the floor. White, hot pain filled every limb in his body. He was only vaguely aware that he was screaming, only vaguely aware that Teddy was also screaming. The pain lifted after what seemed like forever but he knew it, in actuality, had been no longer than several seconds. He twitched on the floor for a few seconds, his head lolling to the side just in time to see Malfoy blasting Rodolphus through a window. Teddy had been shoved behind him, pale and shaking like a leaf.

Forcing himself up, Harry jerked his legs forward to close the space between him and Teddy. He knelt down on the floor, his hands cupping either side of Teddy's face. Tears were pouring down the young boy's cheeks. He was shaking under his touch. The boy's own hands reached up and grasped his godfather's wrists. His skin looked almost translucent. The mop of black hair currently situated on his head only highlighted how white he looked.

"It's okay," Harry murmured. "You're okay."

"Harry," Teddy managed to sob out as large tears fell from his eyelashes.

"I need you to go with Malfoy," Harry said in a steady voice. "He will take you to Ginny. She's waiting for you."

"NO!" he screamed in response, the boy's nails digging into his godfather's wrists. "I want to stay with you!"

"I need to help everyone outside. I need you safe. I need you to stay in the house. Go with Malfoy now."

Harry turned to look at Malfoy who was stepping towards the small boy. His hand found Teddy's shoulder to attempt to pull him back. Teddy fought him, jerking his shoulder away from the grasp and attempting to get closer to his godfather.

"Leave me alone! Don't touch me!" Teddy sobbed as Harry gathered the boy's wrists in his hands.

"Ginny's waiting for you," was all Harry could manage to say.

"Please, Harry, please, don't leave me! Don't leave me! I'm sorry! I'm so sorry! I won't leave the house again! Just don't leave me! PLEASE!"

Harry's heart clenched. His godson was desperately trying to get his wrists free so that he could no doubt launch them around his godfather's neck. It pained Harry to leave the boy, but he knew he had to. He had to get Teddy to safety. He had to help the Order and the Aurors with the battle outside.

"I'll see you soon," Harry promised and pushed the boy backwards. "I love you."

Malfoy's arms wrapped around Teddy's tiny body, pinning his arms down to his side. Harry felt his heart drop at the look his godson was giving him. He looked betrayed. Offering what he hoped was a comforting smile, Harry stood up on shaky legs.

"HARRY! HAR-"

With a pop, they were gone. Harry's chest heaved as he clenched his wand tighter in his hand. Turning towards the back door, he was going to make sure that he ended it here and now.

Stepping outside into the brisk fall air, Harry saw swirls of colors darting through the air. Drawing his wand back, Harry started throwing as many Stunning Spells in rapid succession as he could manage. His wand darting around at the mass of people who had not noticed him exit the house. The spells shot from his wand in rapid fire, bodies falling to the ground one by one.

Okay, the story is officially finished being written. I just have to proof read. The next and final chapter will be posted on Thursday. I have also written an epilogue awhile ago. I struggled whether or not to include it since I was going to do a sequel. But, I already wrote the epilogue ages ago so I might as well release that too. So, I'll post the epilogue over the weekend. Then, I'll probably take a week or two off before I start posting the sequel which will be entitled "Just Desserts" (the first chapter is already completed) and will skip ahead a few years in the timeline. Teddy will be eight and James will be two. Please, leave a review like always!