Chapter 32 – I Got A Mind To Show My Strength

Note: Chapter Title from Christina Aguilera and Demi Lovato's song 'Fall In Line'

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or any of its characters.

TRIGGER WARNING: Torture, Alcohol withdrawal. If those are intense triggers for you, skip the chapter, I'll put a non-triggering recap at the bottom.

If the alcohol withdrawal is a minor trigger, there's an intense bit in the chapter I'm putting a warning before so you can just skip that bit.

Now that that's out of the way, let's begin…

Last time,

"Well, half of our objective is fulfilled. Find the kids!" Tonks states with fake cheer.

"Oh goody, I feel so much better now," Draco drawls.

The cell door slams behind them.

Now,

Remus opens his eyes to find himself in a cell he recognises instantly.

"No, no, no, no, no," Remus mutters, hands gripping his hair as he curls into a ball.

"Yeah, I thought that might happen," Sirius states, cursing under his breath as he slowly moves over to his partner. "Remus?" Remus flinches moving further away from him.

"What's wrong with him?" Hermione asks, "I mean, I recognise a panic attack but, what caused it? Surely Uncle Moony has been captured before."

"That's exactly the problem," Ron says as Sirius continues trying to calm his love. "Back in the first war, Jamie lived with my family for a long time while Remus was captured, he was never the same after that. It shattered him."

"How do you know about that?" Molly asks him.

"George told me. He and Fred remember it from when they were little. Only vaguely but, enough for me to put together what happened after getting to know Remus better," Ron replies, "They didn't want you to know that they remember any of it, didn't want you to worry." Molly and Arthur exchange looks, unsure how to deal with that.

They look back to Remus and Sirius to find Remus muttering and staring blankly in front of him, periodically flinching at things that aren't there. Sirius has managed to get him to recognise him enough to be able to hold him, stroking his hair in an attempt to calm him further.

"It's okay, Moons, it's going to be okay."

"No, it really isn't." They look up to see Rodolphus Lestrange in the doorway. He draws his wand and casts a nonverbal spell that pins them all to the walls except Remus who he then grabs and drags to the middle of the room. "Crucio!" Remus screams, writhing on the ground.

"LET HIM GO!" Sirius yells at him, "STOP IT, LET HIM GO!"

Rodolphus merely smirks. He ends the spell, only to cast another, "Sectumsempra." Remus cries out as cuts appear on his chest, Rodolphus casts it again on his back and his legs, healing them only enough to stop him from dying, just as Voldemort had done some months ago. "Crucio!" He casts again, Remus' screams turn to whimpers and sobs after Rodolphus holds the spell for a solid two minutes. "Bombarda!" Remus is flung into a wall, burning from the silver laced in them, before he slumps to the ground, curling in on himself. Rodolphus chuckles madly as he leaves the cell, locking it behind him. Only then does the spell pinning them to the walls lift.

Sirius hurries over to Remus who flinches back, throwing a hand up and Sirius is mildly grateful that their magic is being blocked in here, if only to prevent him from being flung into a wall as well.

"Moony, it's me, it's Sirius. Please, let me help you."

Remus presses himself closer to the wall, not registering the burn, eyes screwed shut and crying out at the pain pushing his cuts to the wall causes. "Not again, not again, not again, not again," He repeats to himself in a whisper.

"Remus, please, listen to me." He lays a hand on Remus' knee, only for him to jerk violently away. "Remus, do you know who I am?" He asks, Remus opens his eyes slightly, staring at him in sheer terror. "What's my name, Remus?" He asks, falling back on tactics used when memories of Derek would cause flashbacks.

"No, no, not real, can't be real."

"What does he mean, not real?" Ginny asks fearfully.

"When Remus first got back, he thought we were hallucinations, we had to convince him we were real," Moody tells them, "It was Alice that managed it. But she's not here anymore."

Remus whimpers again, shaking and pulling away from Sirius slightly.

"Remus, we're real, we are. Come on, tell me my name," Sirius continues.

Remus continues muttering and whimpering. Sirius sighs in defeat until he hears a quiet, "Sirius."

Sirius' head snaps up and he nods, "Yeah, Rem, it's me."

"Trapped, trapped, Sirius, don't wanna be here again, don't wanna be here," Remus sobs. Sirius moves forward, putting his arms around him again and gently getting him away from the wall. He buries himself into Sirius' chest, sobbing and shaking uncontrollably.

"Oh my God," Mary says under her breath, never having seen him like this.

"He'll be fine," Benni tells them, not seeming all too worried, "He'll calm down eventually, barely remember a thing, be shaky for a while, scull a bottle of something, wake up with a hangover, and be absolutely fine."

"I wouldn't call that fine," Kingsley says.

"And there is no alcohol here," Hermione adds, looking nervous.

"We'll get out of here, we'll be okay," Draco tries to reassure her.

"Dray, everyone who could come to rescue us is in this room. They got everyone except Dumbledore and if they thought he'd be able to get to us, they wouldn't have taken us. Seeing as You-Know-Who is afraid of Dumbledore, he must be pretty damned sure that this place is impenetrable."

"That's because Albus has no idea where this is," Moody says, "I believe we're in the actual cell that Remus was kept in. No one knows where that is except the people in this room. No one alive anyway. The one who smuggled him out is dead now." Sirius flinches slightly at that. "Sorry, Black."

"Right, Remus mentioned something about your brother saving his life," Ginny says. Sirius nods but tries to keep his focus trained on Remus to avoid thinking about it.

"Severus knows," Arthur reminds them. The others nod, now feeling more hopeful.

"They'll keep coming back for him though, won't they," Tonks asks, tears in her eyes and concern on her face.

"They don't want anything from us except for us to be out of the way. But they've been hunting Remus for a reason, they want to know where the necklace is and have quite correctly assumed that knowing they are hunting him, he will have hidden it and not told any of us where in case we were captured. So yes, they'll keep coming back for him," Sirius replies, brushing hair from Remus' eyes and making an insane mental note that Remus needs a haircut.

"Astute observation," Avery says as he opens the doorway. Suddenly they're all pinned to the wall again.

All except Remus.

Severus sneaks through the bunker he suspects the Order is being kept having been tipped off to the children's capture and the Order's rescue attempt by Peter. Peter had been told by Remus that if they were gone for more than 24 hours to contact Severus. He heads towards the innermost cell until he hears his name.

"Severus," Voldemort greets, "Going somewhere?" Severus looks from the doorway he'd been heading towards and back to the Dark Lord, knowing he's sprung. "Severus, Severus, Severus. Is it possible that you're still trying to find ways to defy me? After all this time?"

Severus looks him in the eye, "Always."

Voldemort's face grows dark, "I thought you might say that. Rabastan!"

Rabastan Lestrange moves forth, grabbing Severus and manhandling him down to the cell, throwing him to the ground inside.

"Ow," Severus groans, getting up and finding everyone in there. "Well, I was right about where you are."

"Please tell me Snape didn't just get thrown in here with the rest of us," Harry requests, hearing Snape but obviously unable to see him anymore than he can everyone else.

"Okay, we won't tell you," Draco tells him, Harry sighs.

"Great," Ron says, "That's great. What the fuck do we do now?!"

Benni rushes over, hugging his Papa around the waist tightly. Severus lifts him up into his arms, holding his son as close to him as he can manage. "I'm scared, Papa."

Severus doesn't know what to say. He looks over them all, stopping on Harry in confusion, "Why are you wearing a dress?"

"Because my legs are fantastic, is this really the priority right now?!" Harry asks incredulously as he looks at the blob he thinks is Severus.

Remus whimpers quietly from his place tucked into Sirius' chest.

Severus shifts Benni to one side of him, freeing an arm and making him glad for his enhanced Zombie strength. He moves over, muttering soothing words in French. Remus slowly uncurls just enough to lift his head ever so slightly. "Sev?" He asks quietly. Severus holds a hand out to him and he grabs it with an iron grip. "D-Don't leave me here, please," he whispers desperately.

"Believe me, Re. I'm don't think I'm going anywhere any time soon."

It's been three days, they think, and things haven't gotten any better. In fact, they're really taking a turn for the worst as Remus breaks out in sweats, his heart races and not out of fear, and he starts shaking more than he was before.

"I don't know what's wrong with him," Sirius mutters, holding him close.

"Withdrawal," Hermione says quietly, "The alcohol, I assume."

"We knew it had gotten bad but…I never considered he'd actually go through withdrawal," Severus states, feeling rather foolish.

"How do you know that's what it is?" Tonks asks Hermione who curls in on herself slightly.

"I went through it last year, drugs. I'm recovered now, thanks to them," She explains, nodding to Ron, Harry, and Ginny. "Put too much pressure on myself in a variety of ways and…something had to give, I guess." Hermione shrugs, "It was stupid but, after Cedric, and knowing Voldemort was back despite everything we've done since we were eleven to try and stop it, I just couldn't take it anymore. I needed an escape. From that, from school, from a home that would never truly be a home."

Ginny puts her arms around Hermione, "You got through it, and you're stronger for it. A year sober, Mio. That's not nothing." Hermione nods.

"We need to keep him hydrated," Ron tells them all. They look at him in surprise. "I asked Pomfrey about it, just in case it happened again and we couldn't get to help," Ron explains with a sheepish look to Hermione who seems more grateful than anything though she is concerned that he might be falling back into old habits of trying to save everything and learn everything and stop everything. "She said that if that were to happen, the main thing we could do was keep you hydrated. Any withdrawal comes with a dangerous likelihood of dehydration. Severe dehydration, and that staving that off would be just about all we can do apart from make sure you don't drown in your own vomit."

As if on cue, Remus pukes all over Sirius.

"S-Sorry," Remus apologises quietly, perhaps the most coherent thing he's said in days.

"Don't be, it's not your fault, babe."

"I should've listened to you," He says, "I should've stopped."

"It doesn't matter now," Sirius tells him, stroking through his hair, "Just breathe Remus. It's all okay."

Warning

"And we can make it better," Rodolphus says as he opens the cell door and once again pins the others to the walls. Without Sirius to lean against, Remus weakly collapses to the floor further, having been sitting up before. Rodolphus screws his nose up and vanishes the sick on Sirius who is glad for it but still wishes the Death Eater would fuck off. Especially when he holds up a bottle of firewhiskey. Remus' eyes are instantly drawn to it. "It's all yours, and we'll stop them from interfering," Rodolphus says, nodding to the other Order members and accompanying children, "And all you have to do is answer one question about Grimmauld Place."

Remus weakly pushes himself back up to sitting, "W-What?" He asks, curling in on himself like he hates himself for asking.

"What's the address for the Order's headquarters where you've been living."

Remus frowns in confusion, wracking his brain to work out what's wrong with the question. Then he finally does, "You just said Grimmauld Place, you already know," Remus tells him.

"Yes, we do. But we want you to tell us," Rabastan says from behind his brother, moving to stand beside him.

Remus opens his mouth, then hesitates, "No, no, no, no, no, no." He knows this tactic, they've tried something similar before. This training, he answers questions, they give rewards, make him more open to answering questions the next time. It didn't work before, it won't now.

"What's he trying to give him?" Harry whisper asks the person beside him.

"Alcohol," Hestia replies quietly.

Rodolphus opens the bottle, moving towards Remus with it and quite literally waving it under his nose. He moves back quickly when Remus subconsciously reaches out for it. "It's a simple question, and you know we know it anyway, so just tell us."

"N-No, can't, no," Remus says, tears in his eyes. He grabs at his hair, shaking his head, "Need it, need it, can't."

"You can have it, Remus, just tell us." Remus looks at the bottle desperately, shaking his head even as he inches closer to the Death Eater.

"Remus you said I was right, you said you should've stopped. Now's your chance," Sirius tells him.

"Silencio," Rabastan casts from the doorway.

"You're so afraid being back here, I know you are. And, we just keep hurting you. Isn't that what you've been trying to numb with this all along?" Rodolphus continues, trying to tempt Remus. "Wouldn't it all be easier to deal with? You could stop being so scared. The pain could dull. It could all go away again."

Remus shakes, looking at the bottle like it's the best and worst thing he's ever seen. "T-Twel-"

"REMUS DON'T!" Tonks shouts, the noise frightening Remus back into a ball. Rodolphus takes a deep, frustrated breath and nods to his brother who silencios Tonks as well, and every other Order member for good measure.

"This fear, Remus. You don't have to feel it. You don't have to feel anything. You could be so drunk, so quickly. Isn't everything better when you're drinking?"

Remus looks up again, tears streaming down his face, "Tw-"

"You'll regret it." Remus spins in fright, seeing Bellatrix sitting on the ground in front of him. "If you give in, you'll regret it. But you're stronger than that, I know you are."

"No, I'm not," Remus replies brokenly to the confusion and worry of everyone else.

"Hallucinations," Hermione says, "Also a common symptom of withdrawal."

"Perfect," Rodolphus mutters irately before gesturing for his brother to silencio the children as well, then he turns back to his prey, "Remus, focus up. Whole bottle of alcohol here for the taking."

Remus turns back but Bellatrix gets up and walks in front of him.

"Do you remember when we first got back together and you were still drinking?"

"Yes," Remus replies, and for a moment they all think he's responding to Rodolphus, until they realise he's not actually looking at him.

"I asked you what it is you had left to forget. Derek was gone and I was back, everything that had hurt you wasn't real anymore, some of it never had been," Bellatrix reminds him.

"This is different," He whispers, shaking his head, "This is real," He says, looking away from her and back to Rodolphus.

"The thing that isn't real this time is his promises. Because we both know that drink won't help. It hasn't in a long time. You end up feeling worse. Remus, please. I did everything I could to help you before, but this time you have to decide."

Remus shakes his head, a sob wrenching itself from his chest, "No, no."

"Remy, look at Benoit. Look at your child." Remus looks over to him. "Your child is terrified," Bellatrix tells him, and it's true. Benni looks as afraid as he did when his brother lost his mind. He looks as afraid as Phia did when he killed Derek. He looks as afraid as Remus feels. "That's the real choice, Remus. Your drink, or your kid. And that's no real choice at all."

Remus shakes his head again, "No choice. Should've made it before." Remus backs away from Rodolphus.

"Now, now, Remus, why make yourself suffer?" Rodolphus asks with faked concern.

"Go fuck yourself, Lestrange. Your wife's dead, not like anyone else is gonna do it anymore."

Everyone looks to Remus in shock, Remus sees Bellatrix laughing and feels the tightness of his chest loosen, just barely. He hasn't seen her happy in so long.

"Crucio!" Remus screams as the spell takes hold. But feels a warmth beside him and knows his Trixie is with him. It's agony, but he's not alone. And when it's over and the brothers leave, Sirius is with him instantly, pulling him back into his embrace.

It's over

"I've got you Remus, I've got you," Sirius tells him.

"S'okay," Remus tells him, "She stopped me."

"Who, Remus?" Sturgis asks.

Remus looks over in confusion, only to see that Bellatrix is no longer there. He shakes his head, "I'm sorry. I-I was so close to telling them." Remus' eyes fill with tears again, "I just wanted to make it stop."

"We understand," Harry tells him, "You did the right thing. You stopped yourself." Remus isn't convinced that's true, sure that Bellatrix had been there.

"What I want to know is how they knew about Grimmauld Place to begin with," Moody grumbles.

"The mole," Fleur realises, the other occupants of the room looking at each other, on edge as they realise just how vulnerable this mole truly makes them.

They hear a scuffle from upstairs, getting closer.

"What's going on?" Ginny asks.

"We're literally trapped in a cell together, Gin. How could we possibly have anymore information than you do?" Ron asks her.

"Ronald!" Molly chastises. Then the door opens, and they all look over.

Severus frowns, "What the fuck?"

2 days earlier…

Jamie and Fred walk into the kitchen at Grimmauld Place, called here to their shock by Lucius Malfoy, and by George. Jamie's even more surprised by who she sees awaiting them.

"What the bloody fuck is she doing here?" Jamie demands, pulling her wand out.

"Now, Jamie," Lucius begins placatingly, "We need more help."

"For what?"

"The entire Order has been captured," Lucius explains, "Including your Father and your brother. Severus left to save them and didn't come back, I can only assume they caught him as well. He knew that was a possibility and told me to come here, told me where he thinks they're being held."

"And the day had started out full of so much love and hope," Fred mutters.

Lucius looks confused until he notices his niece fiddling with a ring on her left hand. "I see, congratulations," He says, looking to Fred and Jamie. Fred smiles but his fiancée does not.

"What does she have to do with Dad getting captured? She can't even do magic," Jamie sneers.

Phia sighs, "Actually, I accidentally used magic and now I can't seem to stop." She takes a breath, "Look, Jamie, you have all the reason in the world to hate me. But I am here to save your Dad, are you really going to turn down that help?"

Jamie frowns in suspicion, arms crossed as she turns to her Uncle, "Why are you involved in this? Doesn't helping us sort of put your place as his Death Eater in jeopardy?"

"They've got my daughter and my son," Lucius replies, voice thick. "I'm not a Death Eater right now. I'm a Father." Jamie smiles slightly and nods.

"Do you have blueprints of this place?" Fred asks him.

Lucius shakes his head, "No, but I can get them."

"Do that," Jamie tells him, "We'll get Phia as up to speed as we can. But no matter what, we're bringing them home, tomorrow."

Everyone nods before Lucius heads to the floo and leaves.

"George, tell Dumbledore what's happened, see if he knows anyone else who can help," Fred tells his brother who seems nervous but nods and goes to leave.

"I know some people who will be willing to help too, wizards, good ones," Phia tells them. Jamie bites her lip before she nods. Phia gives George an address and a note from her before he heads off.

"Right, first thing's first," She says, turning to her estranged Aunt, "You're going to need a wand, and there's only one place to get that."

"I can't do it!" Phia snaps, slamming her new wand down on the dining room table.

Jamie sighs, "Yes, you can. You just have to-"

"I have to be a witch. I can't do that."

"Can't or won't?" Jamie snaps back. Phia glares at her niece.

"Hey Cockamaime, can I talk to you for a minute?" Fred requests. Jamie groans but follows her fiancé out of the room.

"What?" She asks him.

Fred sighs, "What's wrong?"

"My parents, little brother, and almost everyone else I care about in the world is missing. Do I need another reason to be angry?" Jamie asks short-temperedly.

"Jamie, we are trying to rescue a whole bunch of people. Rescues aren't about anger, they are about hope, and loyalty. You go in there angry, you try and teach her to be angry, and we will fail."

Jamie frowns, "She abandoned my Dad. Why should she get to save him now?"

Fred smiles, pushing a piece of hair away from her face and behind her ear, "When a person you love is in danger, priorities shift rather quickly."

Jamie frowns again before she takes a deep breath and nods, the two head back.

"My Dad used to tell me stories, you know," Jamie tells Phia as they come back into the room. Phia frowns in confusion. "Stories of when you were both younger. He said that you both always swore that you'd do anything for each other." Phia's eyes fill with old pain as she looks to the ground. "Were you lying?"

Phia bites her lip, thinking of using those exact words on Remus just a few months ago. Thinking of how he came to her aid despite the risks. Thinking of every time he's ever done that.

"HOW CAN YOU SIT THERE ACTING LIKE THIS IS MY FAULT? LIKE I ABANDONED YOU? YOU ARE THE ONE WHO DECIDED NOT TO GO! YOU WORRY ABOUT HOW I FIT IN TO THE WIZARDING WORLD YET PURPOSELY LEAVE ME ALONE IN IT! YOU LEFT ME PHIA! YOU CAN BLAME IT ON ME, OR ON GREYBACK, OR THE FACT THAT I'M A FUCKING WEREWOLF, BUT WHEN IT COMES DOWN TO IT, YOU. LEFT. ME!"

"How can you say that to me? After everything I've done for you?"

"EVERYTHING YOU'VE DONE FOR ME?! ALL YOU'VE EVER BLOODY DONE IS BLAME ME, AND RUN AWAY."

She won't run away again. Phia looks up, determination filling her eyes. Jamie seems relieved as she grabs her Aunt's wand from the table and holds it out to her. She takes it.

"All right, now. I told you earlier to think of everyone who ever hurt my Dad and use that anger to power your magic. That was bad advice."

Phia raises an eyebrow at Jamie, "Then what am I to do?"

"Don't think of all the bad times, think of all the good ones. Think of every moment you spent with Dad that was filled with warmth. Think of all the reasons you love him," Jamie tells her, "I have spent my life believing that my anger was my power, but it wasn't. The most powerful thing you can have in this world is love."

Fred stands in the background, leaning against the doorframe and smiles lovingly and proudly as Jamie looks back to him.

Phia looks back to the chair, she closes her eyes and thinks of everything good.

"Phia they know I'm a Werewolf. They aren't like the others."

"Okay I'll meet them."

"YES! OH MERLIN I LOVE YOU SO MUCH YOU ARE THE BESTEST THING TO EVER EXIST THANK YOU!"

"PHIA!" He yells launching himself at his sister who hugs him tightly, "What are you doing here? How did you get here?"

"Well, I figured you'd be freaking out so James and I planned for his parents to meet me in Diagon Alley and bring me back here through the weird fireplace thingy." Remus looks at her in shock.

"You entered the wizarding world? And used a floo?"

"Haven't I said this enough Rem? Anything for you Brother.

"No monster is capable of loving you both, and Phia, the way I do." … "Stop lurking and join us you silly sod." Phia enters the room properly and goes over, joining the hug.

"We love you too."

"FOBBLEDEGOOP!" Phia rolls her eyes.

"You always play that card, glupsburt."

"Rude."

"Is this some twin thing I don't know about?" Peter asks.

"Yes," Remus and Phia say at once, James grins.

"You should not have lost the things you love because of some psychopath that attacked us, and you should not have lost the love you had for things. I'm hoping I can show you what it is you've missed, so that you don't have to miss it anymore."

"Remus…"

"Yes Phia?"

"Aren't you afraid of heights?"

"Yep."

"Why are you going flying then?" Remus grins at his sister.

"Because you love them."

"Hey, Sophia." Phia's eyes snap up at him in an icy glare.

"I know all your damn secrets Remus Lupin, watch it." He grins at her, opening his arms, she hugs him tightly.

"I'll see you in Hogsmeade, right?" She nods into his shoulder, "Everything's going to be better this year, I can feel it."

"I believe you. I love you Rem."

"I love you too Phia."

Phia opens her eyes, tears prickling them as she points the wand to the chair in front of her. "Wingardium Leviosa!" She casts, waving her wand as Jamie had showed her. The chair lifts into the air, directed by her wand and Phia can feel it. The magic, thrumming through her body. Magic that has always been there, magic that she has spent far too long denying. Phia smiles, awe-filled, "I'm a witch."

The floo activates multiple times. Fred, Jamie, and Phia all go to find out who George had managed to round up, only to be shocked when they walk into the living room with the fireplace.

George shrugs, "Turns out there's a lot of people in the world who care what happens to the others."

Before them stands twelve people. Jamie was expecting two or three, and instead, in front of her is Andromeda and Ted Tonks, Peter Pettigrew, Lyall Lupin, Percy Weasley, Lee Jordan, five people Jamie doesn't recognise, and one hell of a surprise.

"Auntie Del?!" She asks in shock.

Del smiles, "Albus decided I'd be more useful on this rescue mission than I am sitting in prison. My sentence rather suddenly was revoked and I was freed."

"And who are you lot?" Fred asks the randoms.

The teenaged blonde girl smiles, "My name is Lillie, and I'm here to rescue my idiot of a best friend. My parents came too," She says, nodding to two of the adults they hadn't recognised.

"Good to see you again, Andrea, Daniel," Phia tells them, "Thank you for coming."

"We'd do anything for Harry, you know that. I'm glad you let us know," Daniel Polka replies.

"This is Hank, he's an old friend of ours," Peter tells the others, nodding to Hank who waves and nods hello to the others.

"Scarlet would have come too, but we've two kids at home," Hank explains.

Peter nods, "Glad to have you here, and congratulations."

"And you?" Phia asks the final person in attendance.

The man, who appears to be around her Grandpa's age, smiles sadly, "My name is Philip Randona, your Father and his friends meant a great deal to my wife. She'd want me to save them."

Lucius appears through the floo, confused about the crowd for a moment before he meets Jamie's eye. "I've got the blueprints," He says, "And another helping hand." The floo activates one more time.

Del gasps, walking over and hugging the person who has come through, "Narielle?"

Nari smiles, "Welcome home, Del."

Jamie looks around one more time before she nods, "Right then. Into the devil's lair we go."

Present time…

Severus frowns, "What the fuck? Who the hell are you?"

"I've come to collect my idiot."

Harry chuckles as he recognises the voice, "Did you come all the way from India just to rescue lil ol' me?" He asks in a mocking voice.

"You know, I could have sworn we made a deal when we were six that if we ever became rich and famous we wouldn't also become arrogant twats, though not in those words," Lillie replies. Harry looks at her, someone he's been worried about seeing again ever since accepting the fact that there were reasons she wouldn't have told him the truth. But suddenly the last eight years don't matter. He walks over and hugs her close, she automatically grabs his arm slightly and puts it around her so that he doesn't accidentally hit her in the face, just as she had done many times when they were kids before he got his glasses. "Much as I'm glad to see you too, Hank, we gotta get moving. Other-Hank and Lee can only keep that hallway empty for so long."

"Right then," He turns to the cell of confused people, "Let's get the fuck out of here."

"So, how the hell did you end up captured by a bunch of second-rate dickbags?" Lillie asks Harry as they move down the hallway.

"Second-rate dic- do you have any idea whose bloody lair you've walked into?" Draco asks the stranger in shock.

"Yeah, that's why I was expecting to meet more resistance on the way in than we did. Which, you know, sort of screams trap. I don't think they were expecting quite as many to be on this mission as there are." Lillie gives a rather predatory grin right as Peter Pettigrew comes around the corner with Percy Weasley watching his back and a bunch of wands in his hands.

"I think these belong to you lot," Peter says, holding them out.

"Uncle Wormy?" Harry asks in confusion. Remus, Harry, Hermione, Ginny, Ron, Tonks, and Severus take their wands without hesitation, Hermione grabbing Harry's and putting it in his hand. Remus hands his to Sirius, not trusting himself with it right now. Everyone else takes a minute before deciding to do so.

Percy smiles, clapping Harry on the shoulder affectionately. "It's good to see you again, Harry."

"Percy," Harry greets with a smile.

A patronus comes around the corner and tells them the next phase is clear. Remus and Severus recognise the Patronus.

"How the bloody hell is Del, here?" Remus asks without stopping their progress.

"Someone named Albus got her out of prison that she was in for some reason? I don't even know who she is, but Phia says she's good people, and that's good enough for me," Lillie replies.

"You know my sister?" Remus asks her.

"Oh you're Sparky," Lillie says with a smirk.

"Fuck," Remus curses.

"I think it's cute." Remus' head snaps around at the voice, seeing Bellatrix once more.

"Not again," Sirius mutters, "It's not real, Rem, we need to keep moving." Remus' hands shake as he nods and keeps moving, Severus and Tonks helping him walk.

"How'd you get involved in this, Uncle Wormtail?" Hermione asks Peter who shrugs.

"Dumbledore said you lot were in trouble."

"Didn't Bridget want you to leave the war alone?" Ron questions as Moody and Percy lead the way around a corner, only to meet Lee Jordan and Hank Carlysle at the end of the hall.

They stupefy two Death Eaters before Lee turns to them with a grin. "Bout time you lot caught up. Ted and Andromeda are getting overrun, Fred's going to help them but we need to hurry this up."

"Hank?" Sirius asks in astonishment as they all rush forwards faster.

Henry grins, "Good to see you again, Kid."

They get through the next door before Peter turns to Ron. "Bridget did want that, yes. However when Dumbledore showed up, Bridget took Rema from me and told me to go bring our chaos-prone friend back so that she can kick him for worrying her again." He looks to Remus as he says this. Remus smiles slightly before his eyes flicker off to look at nothing.

"What's wrong with him?" Lillie asks.

"Tactful as always," Harry tells her, pretty easily guessing who she's talking about. She rolls her eyes at him knowing that at this distance he should be able to see movement and put it together. He sighs, "Alcohol withdrawal. It's a long story."

"Well, not really, see I'm assuming the story is something along the lines of 'crappy werewolf life, turned to alcohol, alcohol turned on him, got captured and lost access to said alcohol, regrets all of life.'"

"How do you know he's a Werewolf if you don't know who he is?" Sirius asks her suspiciously.

Lillie gives a feral grin again, "Like recognises like."

Harry smirks when the others look at him in shock.

Finally they exit the hallway into what seems to be the main area of this bunker. They find a bunch of people unconscious on the ground.

"Fuck you," Jamie says, stupefying one of the three upright remaining Death Eaters, "and fuck you," She says stupefying the next, "And fuck you the most!" She says, stupefying the last.

"Jamie?" Severus asks in concern.

"You really didn't need to do all of that," Fred tells her, leaning on Andromeda while holding his side, face pinched with pain.

"They hurt you. How the fuck are we supposed to get married if you're dead?"

Fred sighs, muttering under his breath about 'Black family genes', but otherwise does not argue back. Draco and Benni both run over immediately to hug Jamie. She holds them close, very relieved that they are both okay. She looks over the rest of the group, a little worse for wear but so far, they've gotten everyone in place.

"Where's Phillip? He should be here by now," Peter says, looking around in concern.

"He and George had to go extract Del," Andrea says as she and Daniel enter the room.

"Mrs Polka!" Harry calls in delight as he runs over and hugs the blob her voice came from, almost tripping on an unconscious Death Eater he didn't see but righting himself at the last minute. The instant hug shocks the Order and his peers.

"Harry, thank God you're okay," Andrea says.

Harry hugs Daniel next who hugs him back. "I'm fine, you lot worry too much. When do I ever get in trouble when Lillie isn't around to pull me into it?" He asks.

"From what we've been hearing, your impulse control seems to have moved away when we did, so don't even try that, young man," Daniel tells him. Harry gives him an innocent look that has Daniel ruffling his hair affectionately.

Phillip, George, and Del come rushing into the room from a different hall, firing spells down it before shutting the door and spelling it shut as much as they can.

"That'll hold them for a bit," George says.

"Hopefully," Phillip adds.

"Sirius Orion Black, you had one job!" Del immediately starts ranting when she sees Sirius, everyone around them looks amused. "Keep the kids out of anything you might've been involved with as a kid."

"You say that like it's easy, have you ever met our Son?" Sirius asks, flinging a hand to gesture at Harry who grins toothily though he can't tell from this distance where the two them are. Del just walks over and hugs Harry tightly. Harry hesitates a moment before remembering his conversation with Severus. He hugs his mother back, smiling and feeling oddly safe.

"…What happened to your parents being dead?"

"Lillianna!" Andrea chastises.

Harry just laughs into his Mother's shoulder. "Yeah, funny story, that," Harry replies as he pulls away. "Well, actually it's quite a depressing one but…anyway."

"Can we just get out of here?" Severus asks as Remus' knees buckle and he dry heaves for a moment, luckily not vomiting again.

Draco hurries over, "Uncle Re?"

"I-I'm okay, Little Dragon," Remus rasps out, convincing absolutely nobody.

"Not yet," Jamie responds, "We've got to stick to the plan. Narielle and Grandpa should be here any moment with the port key."

"They should've gotten back here before Mr and Mrs Polka did," Fred mutters to her.

Jamie sighs, nodding, "Give it another minute before we start finding our own way out."

"That door will give any minute," Del warns Jamie who nods.

"How has Voldemort not turned up yet?" Mary asks the others, frowning deeply.

The rescue group exchange looks before Jamie's face hardens, "He's being distracted."

"By whom?" Harry asks in concern.

"A volunteer."

"That went badly for her."

Everyone spins to face the direction the voice had come from to see Voldemort holding Phia by the throat.

"NO!" Remus screams, he goes to move forward but is easily restrained by Severus and Tonks.

"Let her go," Jamie demands, moving to the front of the group.

Voldemort smirks, "No."

"Who does he have?" Harry asks quietly, not directing the question at anyone in particular. Something hits his foot and he looks down, picking it up hesitantly and recognising them as glasses. He puts them on and can see again.

"I had them fixed for you," Voldemort tells him.

"A fact I would be far more grateful for if you weren't currently holding my Aunt by the neck," Harry replies instantly.

The Bellatrix only Remus can see steps towards him, "You sent me on a mission in a war, knowing about Ella, knowing what I could lose." Bellatrix turns to Remus, "I should hate him more than I do. But once you're dead…it's hard to hate the living." She shakes her head, looking at Tom again, "No, I don't hate you. I pity you, Tom. I pity you."

Remus jerks free of the grip of his friends and stalks over, "You killed Trixie, you knew about my daughter when you sent Bellatrix out." Remus shakes his head, "You will not harm Jamie, too."

"Ah, Constellation Lupin. A pity, war has casualties, I never intended for Baby Ella to be one of them, Remy." Tom grins, "As for your dear departed Trixie…she was in my way." Remus snarls at him, but has no chance to reply.

"Avada Kedavra!" Narielle casts towards Tom.

"NO!" Harry jumps in between his Father and the curse heading towards him. He lands on his side and skids across the floor.

"Harry!" He hears his sister scream.

Harry stays still, he needs a plan. Questions will be asked, why did he do this, why would he protect Voldemort? Truth is, he still needs him alive, but they can't know that. Harry opens his eyes, locking eyes with his cousin, Jamie. 'Trust me?' he mouths, she nods slightly. He makes a 'shh' motion, she nods again as he turns around and stands back up.

"Harrison?" Sirius asks in shock, everyone looks just as shocked except Hermione and Neville who have seen him survive this spell before.

Harry ignores him, walking over and standing beside his Father who seems proud. Harry turns back to the Order.

"What are you doing, Harry?" Tonks asks, frantically confused.

"Helping the only person who has ever been honest with me, and making the choice I should have days ago when he first asked," He replies simply, all but feeling his Father's smirk.

"What?" Sirius questions.

Harry's eyes go hard, jaw clenched. "You should have told me the truth, Dad." He gives Remus a look that, despite no change in expression, conveys his simple orders not to contradict the statement. He'll have to explain things to Jamie later, but for now he knows no one will give up the lie.

Narielle moves over to the others, grabbing Phia by one arm, Lyall taking the other without ever moving his wand from where it is pointed at Voldemort. They pull her over to the others, Nari holding out an umbrella to the others who know it must be a port key and all grab hold.

"Be seeing you," Voldemort tells them, putting an arm around his son's shoulders, "All of you."

Non-triggering summary:

So, the mole told the Death Eaters about Grimmauld Place. Jamie mounted a rescue mission, bringing along Fred, George, Phia (Who she and Fred taught some basic spells), Andromeda, Ted, Del (Albus let her out of gaol), Peter, Lillie, Andrea and Daniel Polka, Phillip Randona, Lyall Lupin, Percy, Lee, Narielle Avery, and Hank Carlysle (The Gryffindor Prefect from the Marauder's Hogwarts years).

The rescue attempt was successful except Harry blocked a killing curse aimed at Voldemort and stayed with his Father while the others used a port key to get away.