Note: Harry Potter belongs to J.K. Rowling.

Tuesday, May 5, 1998; evening

Bill appeared composed as he apparated to the front gate of Malfoy Manor. He made a striking figure, standing there alone in the late dusk. Seemingly alone, at least. He knew he had to be careful as he walked forward to touch the gate. It was crowded out here and the plan hinged on not giving that away until they were all inside the wards. Of course, there was the possibility that Lucius Malfoy would be able to tell how many people were crossing his wards, but all they could do was hope they made it in before he could do anything about it. Bill heard whispering in a couple of places, then a muttered scolding, followed by the Silencio the offenders should have had in place to begin with.

As soon as he touched the gate, he knew someone would be sent out immediately. Sure enough, two Death Eaters appeared in full robes and masks. They wore the generic masks of underlings, not the fancier personalized masks the inner circle wore. Bill waited patiently through their long, long walk to the gates.

"Who are yah and what do yah want?" a surly voice came from one of the underlings.

"I am Bill Weasley. I am here on behalf of the Order of the Phoenix to negotiate the release of certain prisoners."

They both laughed. "What's left of the prisoners, maybe!" said a younger voice this time, perhaps female, filled with dark mirth.

Bill did his best not to react to that statement, clearing his throat before stating, "I wish to speak with the Lord of the Manor."

Surly Voice laughed, "Course yah do. Come on, then." He waved his hand and the gates opened silently, the wards with them.

This was the most important part. The longer Bill could stall, the more certain they would all make it inside. "I'm not setting foot inside those gates until the Lord of the Manor comes out to me. I want to meet on ground that is as neutral as possible and I think that by these gates is the best."

Suddenly, there were pops all over the front lawns as Death Eaters appeared everywhere. A limping figure with the shining white-blond hair of the Lord of the Manor shouted,

"Why are you imbeciles letting in a bloody army!?" The two underlings turned toward him in confusion when both suddenly fell, stupefyed to the ground.

Tonks had dropped her disillusionment charm to give Bill a cheeky grin and take off after another Death Eater, before she tripped over herself but recovered in time to hit him with a stinging hex right where it would hurt. "Wotcher, Bill! I've got this. You go help those kids get the prisoners out. Keep them safe!"

Bill cast his own disillusionment charm and began weaving through the many duels now happening all around. He could only hope the rest of the plan went as smoothly as this entrance had gone.

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Ron was sprinting under Harry's invisibility cloak. He didn't know if the rest of his team was keeping up with him or not, that was an unfortunate part of this mess. He occasionally stuck his wand out to shoot a hex at someone as he darted silently past, taking particular joy in the slice he made down Bellatrix's arm.

Having been to the Manor not long ago, he knew exactly how to get to the dungeons. The only problem was that when they arrived, the dungeons were empty: the doors standing open.

"What?" Dean Thomas exclaimed in bewilderment. He, too, had been a guest here not long ago and knew the way. He cancelled his disillusionment charm as he spoke and was followed by a number of others making their way in.

Ron took only a moment to allow his disbelief in and then turned to the team, "We know they're here somewhere. Everyone back to hiding. Dean, Seamus, Parvati, and George, you take the bottom floor - be careful - the snake himself may be here somewhere. Luna, Anthony, Ginny, and Justin - second floor, should be mostly bedrooms and the like. I'll take the top floor with Cho and Michael."

"And me," Bill's disembodied voice said from the staircase. Ron just nodded at the space.

Invisible once more, they all set out. When Ron reached the third floor, he whispered instructions - Cho and Michael taking the rooms down the left hall while he and Bill took the ones to the right. Most rooms took just a moment to unward, but it was the fourth room that gave them pause. Bill had to work on it while Ron went down the rest of the hall and came back. "Maybe we should just go, Bill. I heard a fight of some sort down Cho and Michael's way."

"No. I've almost got this. There has to be someone or something worth getting to in this room." As he said it, the last ward gave and he pushed the door open. Ron and Bill were both overcome when they saw Charlie's red hair and his blue eyes staring at them. At the door at least. It took Ron a couple of heartbeats before he remembered they were invisible and yanked the cloak off himself to run to his brother.

Charlie was wearing dragonhide pants, bruises, and a collar that kept him chained to the giant bed in the room. He could stand and walk in a small semi-circle, even use his hands, but he couldn't get any further away and there wasn't anything to do within that space except pace like a caged dragon. Ron was sure his brother must be going mad. The decor here was an austere black and white. Charlie looked out of place against the luxury and severity of the room. He wrapped his younger brother in a hug just as Bill joined them.

"Charlie! Let's get you out of here!" Bill cried.

"No," their brother argued, "The Longbottom boy is locked in the closet." Charlie pointed. "She's beaten him bloody and crucioed him half dead. She'll kill him when she gets back, or keep up the crucios til she drives him around the bend."

With reluctance, Bill left Ron to figure out Charlie's collar as he worked on the closet's wards.

"Who is 'she'?" Ron asked, though there wasn't much question which female Death Eater would do this.

"Bellatrix," Charlie confirmed, "He gave us to her as rewards. We're not the only ones who've been given away either. You have to go find Professor McGonogall and Hermione!"

"There are teams searching each floor," Ron assured his brother, noticing how relieved he looked, "Why'd she hurt Neville so bad but barely took a go at you?"

Charlie stared at his clueless little brother for a moment. "Not what she wants me for," he said with a shrug. "Listen, I only know so much. They obliviate us all often. But the other prisoners, the ones he hadn't given to anyone, they aren't here. I heard her talking to Nott about it earlier. They were transferring the rest to his manor, sending them there with his son as the acting Lord until Nott can go there next week. I'd get them out before then if you can. I think Fleur is with them."

Bill suddenly groaned under the dead weight of Neville as he lifted the boy out of the closet. He was a true mess. Ron was surprised he was even alive.

"Charlie, stop talking like you won't be around to tell us this later." Bill growled. His brother looked at him with sad eyes. "Ron, take Neville. I'm getting rid of that collar."

Bill shot a weightlessness spell at the battered boy as Ron scooped him up and began to head out. He turned at the doorway, "Bill, there are six Death Eaters at the head of the stairs. Cho and Michael don't look like they're in good shape." Choking on a sob, he barely whispered, "We're out of time."

Charlie squeezed his brother's hand. "Go, Bill. She's just another kind of dragon. Maybe I'll tame her, too." He gave his brother a roguish grin that didn't quite reach his eyes.

"Charlie, I'm not leaving you here!"

"You have to," he said with grim determination, "Bill, get those kids out of here!"

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Remus didn't know what to do with himself. He had come back feeling triumphant. Ron's plan had worked. Even with the Death Eaters being alerted so quickly - clearly Lucius Malfoy was able to feel each intrusion of his wards - many of them had been seriously injured, while none of the Order had gotten more than a broken arm. The prisoners mostly hadn't been there, but Ron and Bill had rescued Neville. They had also gathered some significant information. There had been hints that perhaps someone had escaped that morning, a Death Eater wondering aloud why they hadn't taken everyone then instead of coming back for an attack. They knew where the other prisoners, including Bill's wife Fleur, had been taken thanks to Charlie. They knew where McGonogall had been taken thanks to a muggleborn wizard, Finian, who had been a captive to Rookwood for almost two years and was now joining the Order. George had even found the formal study and made quick replicas of some of the Death Eater's plans.

But his Dora wasn't back. That wasn't part of the plan. Not at all. Remus couldn't control the despair he felt when he thought about going home to their baby boy without her. Merlin, he had told her not to come. They had barely survived the Battle, it had been a miracle neither of them were dead or taken then. But now. Now she was gone. Would they move her to Nott Manor as the other prisoners were? Would she be given to someone? Locked away in the previously empty dungeons at Malfoy Manor? How could this have happened?

"Professor Lupin!" one of the kids called. He didn't want to answer. Could they not leave him alone for a few moments of grief?

It was Ron. "Professor Lupin! They said to come to you for information, sir. That everyone reported to you. What did we find out about Hermione?"

He stared at the boy. There were tear trails down his face. Remus knew they had found his brother Charlie, too, but hadn't been able to get him out before the death eaters overwhelmed them. Leaving him behind had broken Ron's heart, Bill's too, he had heard, even though the second Weasley brother had apparently put on a good face about it when he told them to go. He coached himself not to yell at Ron. The boy didn't know about Tonks. He didn't know that Remus' heart was broken, too, and that he couldn't bear to discuss yet another missing person.

"There was no word of her, report Bill gave says Charlie mentioned her in a way that implied she was given to someone, but we don't know who. No one saw any signs of her."

Ron's whole face and ears turned red. "That can't be true! Is she somewhere dangerous? You think we're not brave enough to get her out? I'm going to find her anyway so you better just tell me where she is!" He was physically getting into Remus' space.

Now Remus wasn't the only one angry and reeling. His wolf growled at the foolish boy in front of him. Ron's eyes grew a little wide at the growl, but then his face changed back to anger and he continued to yell vitriol. Remus barely managed to keep his tone above a growl, "You're not the only one hurting. You're not the only one missing someone."

"I've lost Hermione and Harry and Charlie and Mum! Don't try to pretend all the people you aren't even close to mean you've lost something I haven't. You better tell me wh…"

Remus shoved him against the wall, nearly losing all control. "Tonks is missing thanks to your little plan."

Ron's face paled immediately as he started stammering an apology, "I had no idea. I'm so sorry, Professor!"
"I'm not your damn professor." Remus took three very deep breaths while Ron continued to babble. "Look," he interrupted, "Your plan was good, Ron. It went exactly as we had hoped. Tonks is the only part that didn't go right."

"And leaving Charlie. And not finding Hermione," Ron added glumly.

"It's been a long night, kid. I understand, truly, how you're feeling. Now get out of my sight before I lose my temper again. The wolf is worried about his mate and far too close to the surface tonight."

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Severus Snape was fairly certain he would have been better off letting the snake finish him off. His recovery was excruciating and slow - so excruciatingly slow. There were Weasleys in and out of the hospital wing at all hours, sometimes wailing and carrying on. Potter, of course, had constant visitors. Then there were minor inconveniences like everyone hating him and being sure he was evil. He needed to be up and about so that he could go down to his potions lab and find a way to wake the Chosen One.

Of course he would let everyone believe it was just so that Potter could clear his name. There was no reason to talk about how much Lily's son meant to him. He also hated him, of course. Half James and exactly like him in looks and attitude. But every now and then he was struck by the boy's internal goodness and how very much like his mother he was in that regard.

Severus had argued to Kingsley just a little while ago that he needed to be released, full healing be damned, so that he could get on with it. He could tell the man fully agreed. It probably didn't hurt that no one really cared whether he made a full recovery or not. Except Madam Pomfrey, of course. She treated everyone whether they deserved it or not, regardless of her personal feelings about them. Severus admired that, even aspired to it, but he was still irritated.

As he had that thought, the lady herself came huffing toward him. "I'm told I have to let you out. Even though you can't walk all the way down to that drafty dungeon of yours alone."

"There are spells for that," he snapped.

Pomfrey rolled her eyes at him and said, "Your magic isn't ready for you to be working any of them and you won't be getting your wand back anytime soon anyway. Lucky for you, there's one student here who's willing to help you." She pushed forward a very subdued-looking Gregory Goyle. The boy was just as enormous as ever, but he looked sad and a little lost. He said nothing and Madam Pomfrey offered no explanation for him being there. The boy wasn't branded, but Severus knew he had planned to be a death eater as Malfoy and his father had both told him he would be.

Before Severus could say a word, the hulking boy leaned down and scooped him out of the bed, carrying him bridal style. Severus immediately began to fight and curse. "Put me down you overgrown imbecile!" The boy walked sedately on. People quickly filled the hallways as they went to see what the commotion was about - and stayed because everyone was badly in need of a laugh these days. Someone even got their hands on Colin Creevy's old camera and caught a picture or two. Severus was mortified.

He was sitting in what had been his chair behind the familiar old desk in the dungeon before he stopped screaming. Professor Slughorn was there, but had immediately hopped up when they burst through the door and backed up against the wall. Straightening his hospital gown, Severus glared at the boy still standing nearby, looking like he planned to become a statue. "Goyle! Fetch me some real robes this instant." Goyle nodded and disappeared back out the door, leaving the two potions professors staring at one another.

Slughorn's eyes were huge as he said, "I don't know what you think you're doing down here, but this is very much my potions lab these days, Severus."

"I am aware," Severus drawled, biting back the bitterness he felt. He hadn't enjoyed teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts as much as he had always hoped, and certainly hadn't wanted the position of Headmaster. He found he rather missed his potions lab. He had become a potions master at such a young age because the Dark Lord commanded him to, but he had come to enjoy it rather quickly. It had taken far longer, but perhaps now he could admit that he even enjoyed teaching it - to the students who weren't dunderheads, that is, few though they were. Not that it mattered since he would never have the chance to teach it or anything else ever again. But, if he could wake Potter, and if the boy could forgive him, perhaps it was possible. "I am here for potion brewing, Horace. It is assumed I may be Mr. Potter's best chance to wake up."

"Oh my!" Slughorn exclaimed, clearly a bit horrified.

They were interrupted by Goyle's return with the robes he had requested. After a few very deep breaths, Severus stood.

"I will be properly attired in a moment and we will begin. You will assist me as your cabinets are no doubt arranged as you like them." His sneer communicated, as he meant it to, that the new arrangements were undoubtedly inferior.

He was well enough to walk to the ingredients cabinets and change inside. By himself, thank you very much. Goyle moved to follow him and help, but retreated when Severus glared at him hard enough. Slughorn was still staring with his mouth agape when Snape made his way back out, avoiding stumbling by clinging to the wall.

"Close your mouth and prepare three stations for us. One pewter cauldron, two silver. I have a number of ideas to begin with." Severus didn't check to see if the professor was obeying, merely hobbled back into the ingredients cabinet and gathered a few items. When he returned and painstakingly walked toward a table, he found Goyle lifting cauldrons into place. Slughorn was sitting at his desk looking angry.

"Are your ears as inadequate as your penmanship?" Severus said sharply, holding up two bottles of powdered something. "Which of these is powdered asphodel vs powdered ash petals? This one over here isn't even labeled! How would anyone ever know?"

Slughorn glared, "See here, Death Eater, you're not welcome in my potions lab and your opinions certainly are not welcome. I always knew nothing good would come of you. I'm going to go have a talk with Madam Pomfrey and the Headmistress. You shouldn't be down here unattended." With that, he whipped his sumptuous robes around himself and stormed out, leaving Severus and young Goyle alone in the lab. Severus rolled his eyes at the pompous idiot, then smiled. Figuring out the ingredients might be tedious, but this made the lab much more pleasant. Goyle might not be the brightest, but he could follow simple instructions. It would do.