Disclaimer: All I own are the characters I have created, the rest of the Harry Potter universe belongs to the wonderful J K Rowling.
A/N: Once again I thank the wonderful Amy aka w&m_law for kicking my butt and I believe making me a better writer. Without her I would be lost. Huggles to you my dear, you are the best!!
I would also like to announce that I have started a yahoo group called Draco's Secret where you can ask questions about any of my stories, make comments or just hang out in our silliness……
When Evil Returns
Chapter Fifteen: Anna
Suddenly the door opened and Draco rushed inside causing everyone to look at him. With an excited voice he announced, "Kyleigh knows where he is."
* * * * * * *
As Draco and Severus approached the building, many bad memories flooded their minds. This was where Draco was raped when he was 5, where Severus had been beaten and left to die, where Katarina had been held captive and tortured for 19 years.
Upon entering, they saw the building in total disarray. Severus stopped at the door, memories rushing to him like a flood.
"Are you all right?" asked a concerned Draco.
"Yes," he replied sadly, "Just a lot of conflicting memories here. Sadness, evil, hate, and yet there are still the feelings of new love blooming. There were so many happy times I shared with Katarina here," he continued as he just stared off into space.
Mentally shaking himself, he came back to the present and took on the task at hand.
"Kyleigh said Rupert was in a room with no windows, correct?" inquired Severus.
"Yes, she said it was a sad room, very dark and damp," interjected Draco.
"It must be the basement. That is where Kat hid me when Lucius came for her." Thinking of that day made Severus angry. That was the day that Lucius nearly killed Katarina by beating her.
Trying to distract him, Draco asked, "Are you ready?"
"Yeah," he said, determined to shake the feeling of hate that he harbored for Lucius.
Upon entering the basement they were hit with a stench that almost made Draco gag. Rotting food, human waste, mold and blood assaulted their senses as they ascended the stairs.
A man of about 60 years was lying in the corner, naked, bloody, cold and starving. Rupert Bragdon, a once striking man, lay near death. Apparently Lucius had left him to die cold and alone.
Rupert's once silky black hair streaked with silver was now a matted mess as it lay across his shivering shoulders. The room that he was in had been nearly destroyed from his violent transformation. Now he lay there bleeding from wounds he had inflicted during the full moon.
"Is he still alive?" asked Draco as he covered his mouth trying not to gag from the stench.
"Barely," whispered Severus as he tried to suppress the urge to retch himself. "Let's get him outside in the fresh air." When they saw him in the light they were even more disgusted by the condition of the man. Using various cleaning charms, they tried to clean the filth from his body. Once that was done, they conjured a robe to cover his nakedness and took him back to the manor.
Once inside the hospital wing, Anna and Ginny cleaned Rupert's wounds, healing his broken arm, cuts and bruises. There was little else they could do for him, what he needed was rest.
Once he was settled, they went to see their other patients that were in the other room. Luna Adler Lupin sat next to her husband on his bed. Luna, a petite woman with long flowing dark brown hair that reached her small waist containing a silver streak running underneath, which was only visible when her hair was pulled back. Her eyes were a stormy gray that changed to light blue when she was .....in the mood. This was always been a private joke between her and Remus because they were light blue a lot when he was around. Her parents were Muggles and worse than the Dursleys, abandoning her when she was six because she was different. She was soon taken in by a kind woman, a witch that had recognized her gift and encouraged it. She was sent to Beauxbaton's when she turned eleven and was now teaching divination there. Luna was very quiet, but had an air about her that prevented others from bothering her even when not a wolf; she was a gifted witch who had learned to transform at the early age of 12. The one and only time she saw Remus in her crystal ball was fifteen years ago, knowing immediately that he was her destiny. They met for the first time under the full moon as wolves and had been together ever since.
"So, Remus," smiled Ginny, "how are you feeling this morning?"
"A lot better now that this wonderful woman is here with me," he replied as he lifted the delicate hand he held to his lips and kissed her palm, watching her eyes turn that beautiful shade of light blue. She looked at him with need.
Not taking her eyes from his she asked, "Ginny, when may he leave?"
"If he promises to….take it easy," she said clearing her throat to keep from giggling, "he can go up to his rooms now, but he needs a lot of rest," she continued as she smiled.
"Oh believe me, he will be totally pampered," assured Luna as she smiled mischievously, "he will want for nothing."
"Remus, do be careful with that hip. Although it's healed it is still delicate," Ginny warned tenderly.
Smiling, Luna replied, "Oh he won't be going anywhere but to bed and will be staying there at least a week."
"I leave him in your capable hands then," responded Ginny.
"Before you go Remus, I need some of your blood so I can start on this serum," interjected Anna as she came over to him with her medical bag.
"Oh but of course," he said rolling up his sleeve. "Did you find Rupert?"
As Anna drew his blood, Draco and Severus filled Remus in on finding Rupert at the cabin and the condition he was in.
"Merlin's beard, is he going to be alright?" inquired Remus thoughtfully.
"Yes, he should be healthy again soon, once we get some weight on him," explained Ginny as she walked over to Sirius' bed to check on him, seeing that he was awake and sitting up reading.
"All right, I'm finished. He is all yours Luna," said Anna with a knowing smile.
"Thanks Anna for everything," whispered Luna with a mist of tears threatening to spill, as she hugged Anna, "I would have died if I lost my wolf."
"I would never let that happen," replied Anna knowing how she felt. If anything were to ever happen to Charlie, she would die.
As Luna and Remus exited the room, Sirius called from his bed laughing, "Don't do anything I wouldn't do."
"Oh believe me, we won't," came the reply as Remus smiled wickedly at his best friend as they left.
"Now about me," smiled Sirius. "When can Hunter and I leave?"
"Don't you like it here with us?" asked Ginny with a smirk.
"Oh you are just fine. It's Anna and her needles," he explained giving a little shiver.
"Oh Dad, they aren't that bad," chimed in Hunter, blushing at Anna who was checking his wounds.
"Thank you Hunter," Anna smiled and then turned her head to Sirius, sticking her tongue out at him.
Laughing, Sirius asked Ginny again, "When can we leave?"
"Take off your shirt and let me make sure you are all healed," Ginny demanded still laughing at Anna.
After close examination, Ginny deemed Sirius fit to leave. He was ordered to take it easy for a few days. As Sirius swung his legs off the bed, Ginny stepped up and whispered something in his ear causing him to turn bright red. Laughing she walked out of the room followed by Anna.
"What did you say to him to make him blush like that?" asked Anna, who just couldn't wait to hear this explanation.
"I simply told him he had a nice butt," Ginny explained as Anna burst out laughing.
"You didn't," asked Anna, on the verge of hysterical laughter.
"What?" said Ginny, trying to look serious but failing miserably, "He was nekkid when we found him and you have to admit his butt was rather nice, but then again so was Remus's."
This is when Anna lost it. Gales of laughter escaping her and Ginny as they went about the task at hand…. Help for Hunter.
* * * * * * *
Rupert slept through the night, however he was restless. As Ginny headed down to breakfast with Harry, Anna, Charlie and Draco entered the hospital room to find Rupert's bed empty. Suddenly, Rupert flew out of a darkened corner throwing Anna up against the wall with a sickening thud, knocking the air from her body. Draco had his wand out instantly yelling "Stupefy."
Charlie rushed to Anna's side as she slid to the floor gasping for air that wouldn't come. As she started to turn blue, Charlie asked frantically, "What do I do?" Draco stood there watching in amazement as Anna lifted her fingers shakily to her lips and then placed them on Charlie's, helping him to understand what he needed to do. Charlie lay Anna flat, slightly lifting the back of her neck to get a clear airway. As he pinched her nose shut he covered her mouth with his and gently blew air into her body as he watched her chest rise with each breathe he gave. After a few times she started to breath on her own. Looking down at her with tears welling in his eyes he whispered beseechingly, "Are you all right?"
Anna smiled and replied quietly, "Yes," as tears of her own fell. Charlie pulled her into his arms wanting to hold her forever but she winced.
"What's wrong," he asked in concern, wanting to kill Rupert for hurting his beloved.
"My shoulder," she explained as she cried out in pain, "I think it's broken."
Charlie lifted her as gently as possible and carried her to a bed as Draco rushed from the room in search of Ginny.
When Ginny and Harry entered, Charlie was sitting next to Anna, softly talking to her. Seeing his sister, he moved out of her way so she could examine his wife.
Raising her wand she whispered a healing charm causing Anna's shoulder to become warm and tingly. "How's that?" Ginny inquired worriedly.
Breathing deeply, Anna responded, "Much better, thanks."
"What the hell happened?" Ginny asked puzzled.
"When we came in the room, Rupert wasn't in his bed and before we knew it, he had thrown Anna against the wall. I stupefied him and he is now restrained to his bed," complained Draco as he looked at Rupert who was still under the influence of the spell.
"I think it is time for us to revive Mr. Bragdon and find out exactly what happened," insisted Harry as he walked closer to Rupert's bed with his wand drawn saying, "Ennervate."
Suddenly, Rupert sprang to life as he strained against his bindings. Looking around the room in wildly as he yelled in a terrified voice, "Why are you doing this to me?"
"Rupert," Ginny said quietly, "We are not trying to harm you, No on the contrary we are trying to help you, and you can help us," explaining as she walked cautiously up to the side of his bed.
"Then why the hell am I restrained?" he shot at her angrily.
"Because you tried to kill my wife," spat Charlie before Anna could stop him. Ginny gave him a stern look, turning back to Rupert. "You see earlier today you attacked my brother's wife, Anna, and could have very easily killed her, so you must understand why my brother is upset," she said gently trying to get him to understand the severity of the situation.
"Oh gods," he moaned as the memory came flooding back to him. "I thought it was…." he stopped mid sentence when he saw Draco standing a short distance away. He pointed his finger as best he could in the restraints and bellowed, "Keep him away from me. You are not trying to help me, you want me dead just like Lucius there."
"I'm.. not..Lucius," Draco stated flatly. "Unfortunately I am his son and I want him dead just as bad as you do," he continued coldly.
Rupert stared at him in disbelief studying his face. After a moment he realized that it indeed wasn't Lucius. This man had kind eyes. "I'm sorry I insulted you, I can see you are definitely not Lucius. Can you please unbind me, my hands are starting to go numb. I promise that I won't hurt anyone," he said imploringly.
With a wave of his wand, Draco released the bindings. Rupert sat up and rubbed his wrists. "Thank you," he said to Draco, holding out his hand for Draco to shake. Taking his hand, Draco shook it hesitantly.
"Now what is it you said? You could help me and I you? How?" he asked with interest.
"We need your blood," responded Anna as she came to life.
* * * * * * *
Over the next two weeks, Anna worked diligently on the serum she was trying to create but something just wasn't right. She spent most of her time in her makeshift lab, doing experiments on the three bloods, trying to find something that would enable her to kill the virus that raged through their bodies.
"Aaggghhhh," she said as she pulled her glasses off, rubbing her eyes. "What am I missing?" she groaned aloud as she placed her head in her hands, fingers in her hair.
Charlie watched his wife from the doorway as she struggled with the demons she had no control over. He watched her shoulders slump in exhaustion as the stress took over her body and she began to weep. He walked up behind her, placing his large hands on her shoulders, needing softly.
"Morning love," Anna said as she quickly wiped the tears from her eyes.
"Try afternoon," he whispered into her hair. "You missed breakfast and lunch again."
"Oh well that's okay, I could always stand to lose a few kilos," she said nonchalantly, dismissing the idea of food.
"No you can't, Anna," scolded Charlie. "You have already lost a good 6 or 7 kilos. You are going to get sick," he continued.
"I..I'm…oh Charlie, why can't I find it?" she sobbed turning into his embrace.
"You will, love," he whispered tenderly as he lay his cheek down on the top of her head. "What you need is to get away for the night and not think about it."
"I would love to get away for an evening but I can't. I have to find a way to help Hunter, he can't go through that again," she replied realistically.
"You will be no good to him if you collapse, Anna," Charlie retorted exasperatedly.
"Charlie," she said as the tears rolled down her face, "You didn't see what he went though, I can't forget it, the pain in his sweet face, the look in his eyes as they pleaded for help. Oh God," she sobbed.
"Oh Anna," he sighed as he pulled her closer, letting her cry.
"I love you, Charlie," she whispered into his chest, reveling in the sound of his fast beating heart.
"I bet I could make you forget for just a little while," he said softly in to her ear, making her knees grow weak. "A basket of food, raging fire, bottle or two of wine and me. Now if I can't distract you with that then I am losing my touch."
"Oh sounds lovely but where would we go for all of this?" she asked, smiling at her husband's enthusiasm.
"Draco has a cottage in the mountains that he said we were more than welcome to use. It's far enough away so we won't be bothered and it will give you a chance to relax for a little while, just for one night, please?" he begged.
"Okay, but just for one night. The moon will be full in 10 short days," she agreed.