Third One's the Charm

by Aly Teima

Finished. The first of the trilogy, in which we meet the villainess, the situation and the same old characters dealing with changes in their lives

7. Fly to the Bottom, Swim to the Top

"Third One's the Charm"
Part 5- "Fly to the Bottom, Swim to the Top"


Author's Notes; Once again, and not to sound redundant, thank you to everyone who reviewed! It's tough work waiting for the next book (or movie) in the HP installment, writing passes that time quicker I think.

This chapter dedicated to Kay, Lady Kay and all of her many personalities :-) Thank you for reviewing my chapters and for providing honest encouragement.

Hmm, questions, well let's see.

Roxy- Heh, I'm glad you like to see more Harry. (Who doesn't? Everybody loves Harry, or they _should_ Fixes a stern glare on everyone) Poor Harry. He's rather out of commission in this fic, like my other one. That can't be good, but sappy, gooey, all around fluffy goodness (sounds like it'll get caught in your teeth) is coming later, for now Harry is being drawn further and further into himself.

Mappe does indeed have a home. I picture it somewhere near Bath, but more inland. It's not that large but she does come from a full-blooded wizarding family so she has some money in Gringotts. (_Deep_ in Gringotts hmm. She was Slytherin) but she has just inherited the estate from her parents, who passed on and I'm not sure if I mention this in the fic but they have died a little over a year before. Mappe goes into hibernation of a sort until Voldemort's rise, then all H-E-C-K breaks loose. Hmm, a pure Mappe story might be a bad idea, though I don't think I could write it, she's too much of a loose cannon. As for the name, I'm not exactly sure where I got it from, except I was thinking of the Arthurian legends and The Mists of Avalon lore, those kinds of names. I just fiddled with the spelling a bit, makes it easier for names. Thanks for the review, as always!


Percy and Ron rule, one of the understated connections in HP, and I'm a die-hard. It's _there_, that protective older brother, younger brother thing. It's damned sweet.

Kavish- Wow!! I mean, WOW! Thanks for your last review, that was....just, terrific! I thought that your insights on the characters were excellent, and they were very helpful for this next part as well.

I laughed so hard when I read your bit on Malfoy though. So true! And Percy!! Percy really is an underdeveloped character. I like him though. Really, all of your insights were great. Actually, I seriously thought about your plan for Percy getting Ron out, but I had to add a little more angst to their lives, just for fun and because I CAN! Just kidding. Just assume that Percy's original plan was what you explained. It makes sense.

Oh, and does anyone else think that Hagrid is neglected in a lot of fics? Hmm.......

Onwards we go!

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It was so still, so silent. Mappe Maleficent hummed to herself, tracing her long fingernails along a window pane. The light outside hurt her eyes, so she remained deeply concealed in the small room's shadows.

A shadow herself.

A giggle, more humming, then a broken whisper. "Little lamb, my little lamb....sweet boy."

A low moan from the bed and Mappe's luminescent eyes widened as she drew a shuddering breath.

"Mine, my dear boy. Sleep now, forget. Stay....please stay."

The dust swirled and circled in the window's light.

Yesterday's and this morning's copy of The Daily Prophet lay unheeded downstairs in the dark, musty library.

Mappe's lank hair fell forward, covering her face as she mumbled and hummed to herself. She wrapped her thin arms about her frame and rocked back and forth.

Another moan, then a sharp cry of pain, not physical but deeper. Something very, very deep.

Mappe stood and focused those eyes on the bed. The boy...._her_ boy lay there. She could feel the Dark One circling him. Trying to get into his mind.

One claw-like hand brushed over Harry Potter's famous lightning-shaped scar. It lit up with a blinding intensity and Harry screamed in pain before going completely limp.

A far-off cry of hatred sounded in Mappe's mind, shaking her to her core. Waves of darkness, of the power-lust, of anger hit her with shocking intensity.

She threw back her head and laughed. Trissy, downstairs, heard it and miserably pulled her ears down to try and block the sound. She knew that she had a loyalty to the troubled witch, but she also had a loyalty to the boy lying up there, lost in agonizing, troubled dreams.

Something was searching for him. Something was sweeping through this place, hovering outside. It was on the outskirts, venting its frustrations at not being able to reach the boy now that he was no longer within the protected boundaries Dumbledore had placed him in.

Trissy squeaked with growing terror. A phantom, an apparition (or was it?) floated by the window, creating a darkened space where only light should be. Slanted red eyes peered from it and fangs dripped with venomous intent.

~Give me the boy, hisss, give him to ME! Troubled one, he issssss of no concern to you~

Trissy darted under a table, her bulbous eyes overflowing with tears. The Dark One, as Missus Mappe called him, was beckoning.

The voice penetrated through the walls. Objects began to shake from their perched positions as though a ground tremor was shaking the mansion.

Mappe only wove her hand over Harry's scar. The boy's green eyes opened and a momentary flash of intense color was seen, along with fourteen year's worth of pain, sadness and fear. Then, it was gone, faded away to something that wasn't Harry at all.

The boy's body relaxed completely. Even his hair seemed to fall flat. The evil hiss, a whisper of maliciousness, grew shrill with rage.

~Give him to me! You will pay for thissssss, with your life you will pay!! The boy will die alssssssso, nothing can protect him from me. Return the ssssssssssoul, RETURN IT!!!~

Mappe laughed again and clutched Harry's forehead. The scar glowed intensely, changing from green to white and finally to a blood-red. A scream sounded through the walls and, like smoke escaping through a chimney, the shadow was gone.

Voldemort's connection to Harry was momentarily severed, though Mappe could still feel its tenuous strands reaching out.

She couldn't remove it completely. To do so would be to reverse time itself, to go back to that fateful night and undo Lily Potter's sacrifice, undo the rebounding of Avada Kedavra. And although Mappe never doubted the extent of her own power, she was satisfied with what she had.

This one wouldn't leave her. He was her's, her's alone. The hand moved to brush the soft, thick black hair away. Harry lay there as though in a coma.

Smiling, she took his glasses off and crushed them in a brutal gesture, her face never losing its peaceful composure. He would never need them again.

They belonged to another world, far away. The boy would never return to it. His soul was locked in a safe, distant place. It would never return. She could feel the essence of it, of the emotions, the sheer _power_. And it was her's alone.

The Dark One was warned. She had begged and pleaded, then threatened, but he had only wanted Harry. The boy was _her's_!!

A vicious snarl finally broke the eerie sublimeness of Mappe's gaunt face.

No matter. She could feed, she had the remnants of the connection. She could see all of what transpired among the Dark One's followers.......and she could feel the boy's endless potential, while he slept far, far away.

Never to return. Harry's eyes grew dimmer and dimmer, memories falling away like sand through a sieve. Emotions forgotten, meaningless.

A voice, glowing, swirling eyes. The voice sang in a hoarse whisper.

"Fly to the bottom, swim to the top. All this world has gone away, all you felt and thought. Sinking through the endless depths, falling, falling down. All which bound you to this place, failing, fading, drown......"

*Peace............*

******************************************************************************


1978- Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

"Everyone, stick close together." Two nods. James fixed his glasses determinedly. Sirius knew that gesture.

In Quidditch it meant that the opposing team was about to lose very quickly. He only hoped it would be the same case for Mappe.

"Are you sure Peter knows what he's doing?" He asked, a tinge of doubt coloring his voice.

James raised a dark eyebrow and shook his head a bit. "Someone needs to be watching from the outside, in case Mappe tries to make a break for it with Remus. Besides, you know he'll run to a teacher as soon as he thinks things aren't going well, which in this case could actually be a good thing."

Now it was Sirius' turn to raise an eyebrow. He never thought he'd see the day when James thought that conspiring with a teacher was a good idea. Except with Dumbledore. Something about the venerable old wizard inspired trust.

Lily said nothing, only grasped James hand tightly. Her lovely face was a mask of worry.
Sirius knew how close Lily was to Remus. Not in the same way as James, of course, but in an overprotective kind of way. When Remus had a particularly bad episode and seemed so very run-down, it was usually Lily who helped him recover.

And with Remus James exhibited _less_ than any feelings of jealousy. Not even with Sirius did he do that.

Of course, Sirius thought a trifle sheepishly, Remus had never tried to make the moves on Lily before she and James had become an item.

And Remus didn't have the reputation of being quite the ladies-man that the tall, good-looking and confident Black did.

Which was probably why the girls flocked to the young werewolf and Sirius had to work a bit for his share. Maybe it was that innocent look to his face, something about his eyes too. You could see the nature underneath, kind, composed but tormented at times.

Probably they just went wild over the thick, tousled, brown locks that always flopped over Remus' face in an endearing way.

Sirius didn't realize he was gripping his robes tightly, his knuckles white. Guess he was a little worried himself.

The map, glowing softly in James' hands, did not show anything encouraging. Remus' name was getting dimmer and dimmer.

Lily couldn't take her eyes off of the parchment either. When her lip trembled, Sirius tapped James on the shoulder, breaking the other boy from his deep concentration.

The tunnel was dark, they were almost to the end. But....silence, nothing on the other side. That was certainly new to Sirius and James.

Finally, a door. A creepy, blueish light could be seen, though very faintly, through the crack at the bottom.

James held Lily's hand up and kissed it before fixing his glasses again. Sirius clapped his best friend on the back and all three entered, James, Sirius and Lily at the rear......wands out.

The boys had never seen the Shrieking Shack so still. The very dust seemed frozen. Nothing moved.

Nothing could be heard. James made a quick motion with his hand and the three followed the light, up the stairs, where it was glowing stronger. Sirius felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up.

Lily shivered. Something crackled like electricity. James' wand hand was a little unsteady as he pushed the door open.

It's usually noisy hinges didn't make a sound.

A bone-thin figure sat at the far corner, beside the foot of the moldy old bed. Mappe's long, thin hair fell around her face. Her body, clothed in torn hospital robes, glowed with the unnatural light.

And beside her, his head in her lap, lay Remus Lupin. James didn't take his eyes off of his friend but Sirius was watching Mappe with growing horror.

As the witch slowly raised her head, Lily screamed in terror. Mappe's eyes were glowing, the blue light pouring from them gave her face a gaunt, skull-like appearance.

Sirius couldn't tear his eyes away. Something about this...all of this. His mind felt far-away, his knees were buckling. James grabbed his shoulder, yelled his name.

Lily made a move to go to Remus but a shriek of rage came from Mappe, followed by a low, evil hiss.

~ 'I've waited too long.......too long.' 'Then you should have _died_, died rather than betray them' Harry.....Harry~ Sirius' thoughts were jumbled, he couldn't focus....

"Sirius...PADFOOT!!" James was yelling in terror as Sirius came back, feeling dizzy and sick. It was James there, of course it was James, who else would it be? But...the eyes, something.....he didn't understand.....something was wrong.

James looked him over before running to Lily's aid.

Mappe screamed again and waved her hand. Lily crumpled to the floor in a boneless heap.

"Lily!!" James forgot everything else. He was at her side, wand held out. "Stupefy!!" The spell hit Mappe and knocked her away from Remus.

She wasn't unconscious, but she seemed momentarily stunned. James wand flew away from him and into Mappe's waiting grip, but she didn't seem to remember how to use it.

Sirius charged at the witch, yelling in anger. Mappe came back to life and Sirius felt himself pushed towards the far wall, his head hitting something solid and his vision clouding momentarily.

Lily was trying to stand up, though with difficulty. "Remus! Remus!! Please, come back!! You have to, please! It's Lily, Remus!"

James, circling Mappe, looking for a way to retrieve his wand, motioned to Lily to try and drag Remus away from the Slytherin.

A finger on Remus' hand suddenly twitched. Sirius, shaking his head to clear it and feeling blood on his forehead, felt a wave of relief. The map, forgotten on the floor, was showing Remus' name a little more clearly.

"Lily!" Sirius' tried to yell, but his voice was so weak. "The map! Keep talking to him!"

Lily nodded, terrified and smoothed Remus' hair back. Her lips were moving but neither of the other boys could hear what she was saying.

Sirius grabbed his own wand and yelled, "Expelliarmus!" James wand came soaring into his own hands.

"One, two, THREE!" On cue, the boys hit Mappe with the strongest spell they could. "Impedimenta!!"

Mappe crumbled.

Remus suddenly threw his head back and screamed in agony. Sirius and James were beside him in a heartbeat.

"REMUS!" Lily was sobbing. The young werewolf's skin was like paper, gray and life-less. His eyes opened and instead of the intelligence one could usually see, they were dull and empty.

Lily was crying. "Oh, James....what did she do to him? Remus? Can you hear us? Please, answer....."

James was white as a sheet. "Remus? It's James, come back mate. C'mon, please....Moony?"

Sirius felt odd. Memories, emotions, he felt as though he were in two places at once. ~Brother, embraced him like a brother......believe me, Remus, believe me old friend...you're all I have left. If you're gone, what will I do.....?~

He didn't know he'd said the words aloud until Remus stirred again.

Somewhere, far away, the mists on the moor cleared for a moment and Remus Lupin saw a man, a skeletal-thin man, broken from despair. 'Sirius?' The word echoed throughout the cold, lonely place.

Sirius, *How can that be him!* didn't answer. Friend...brother....comrade, Moony, we wouldn't desert you.

Doesn't matter, we don't see the wolf, we see _you_. We care about you, Remus....we love you, for you.

The moor's rains and thick fog seemed to be clearing. Green, brown, red, colors were coming back,.... light glinted off of a familiar pair of glasses. James. A wand....the Lumos charm, apparently.

Sirius, Lily.....beautiful Lily. She always cries over me. _For me_.

Remus blinked. "Remus?" Lily said uncertainly. A wisp of a smile touched the young werewolf's weathered face and he nodded.

"Remus...thank god, oh...." She embraced him tightly. Sirius was gripping Remus' hand. He turned to look at his old friend.

A connection, a promise, the future and the past. The dark, cloudy moment passed and Sirius hugged his friend as well, followed by James who mussed Remus' hair up.

"P-Peter?" Remus' voice was barely heard, weak from lack of use.

"Outside, probably with the entire Hogwarts staff with him by now." Remus laughed before coughing deeply.

James' brow furrowed in concern. "C'mon old friend....you need to see Madam Pomfrey."

"James? Um, what about, _her_?" Lily, her vivid green eyes full of compassion (now that Remus seemed all right) looked towards Mappe's body.

"Let Dumbledore deal with it. I think this is over our heads." It was Sirius who spoke with uncharacteristic um, seriousness.

The other two nodded and Remus' head drooped exhaustively. Lily pressed a hand to the young werewolf's cheek and he tried to smile again to say he was okay, before passing out.

Sometime later, Remus could feel himself drifting. But.....he was warm, someone was watching over him. The wolf's howl had been silenced, all he felt now was content.

He opened his eyes gingerly, his head pounding with the effort and saw four heads in various positions of sleep around his bed.

From the looks of it, they had snuck up after Madam Pomfrey had ordered them to bed. All in their pajamas, all looking completely exhausted. Remus noticed that Sirius' head was bandaged.

Remus felt something deep and powerful touch his battered heart. They cared about him, they loved him. They had all risked danger for him. _Him_, the werewolf, the monster.

Lily's head stirred as though she could sense Remus' disconcerting thoughts. No, not a monster, but a person, a friend.

His composure momentarily shattered, Remus wiped away the few tears that leaked out, quickly, and noticed two notes on his bed stand.

One, scribbled by Madam Pomfrey, said that the Lupins would be there early in the morning, and that they send their love and their relief.

Remus recognized Sirius' messy handwriting on the other. It read

Moony,
Glad you're okay, mate, gave us quite a turn there. Mappe has been sent to her parents, Dumbledore decided that they would know what to do. He wants to talk to you tomorrow about some things that you...um, experienced. I think its got something to do with repressed memories, blah, blah, blah...

Remus grinned before continuing.

...anyway, we decided that Snape needs to be introduced to Mappe as soon as possible. What do you think? Oh, and you know when you need to talk, the Marauders will always be here to tease you mercilessly.

Padfoot
Prongs (in James' more even scrawl)
Wormtail (Peter's minuscule, shaky handwriting)
Tigerlily (There was a heart there too, Remus noticed, blushing and shooting a glance at the sleeping James)

Although he felt happier than he had felt in a long time, knowing that four of the greatest friends ever were watching his back, he still had an uneasy premonition.

They were going to go off and start their own lives, even with Voldemort's increasing threat. But Remus knew, somehow, as he drifted off to sleep, that he hadn't seen the last of Mappe Maleficent.

******************************************************************************

"Dad....Dad, Dad!!"

Arthur turned to meet his second-oldest gaze but his eyes were far-away.

Charlie glanced at Bill in concern and the eldest Weasley put a hand on Arthur's shoulder. "We need to do this the right way. If...Malfoy um, has something, or knows anything."

"Yes, of course boys. I know." Arthur's voice wasn't completely steady.

"The winds picking up, I think there's a storm on the way!" Charlie shouted. Arthur didn't act like he had heard.

"Weasley...."

Three red-heads turned his way as Mundungus Fletcher sighed. "Arthur.....ya wantin' me to go in first? Scope things out afore we, er, y'know."

Arthur Weasley's eyes could have frozen a block of ice in the Sahara. "No....I'll deal with this."

"Dad......"

Arthur didn't bother with the door-knocker but used his fist to pound on the heavy front door of Malfoy Manor.

Four wands stood at the ready, including a piece of paper Fletcher carried to avoid, um, _embarrassing_ questions.

A sullen face could be seen through a crack as the door opened. Bill pushed his father aside and smiled at the young girl, tucking a piece of escaped ponytail hair behind an ear.

"Hello there! We wanted to speak to Mr. Malfoy, miss?"

The girl looked Bill over with an interested glance and a hint of a smile could be seen on her heavily made-up face.

"Uh...Mr. Malfoy ain't here, but I'll be _glad_ to visit if you want."

She battered mascara coated eyes and Bill's smile faltered for a nanosecond before it brightened.

"Sure, but me and my companions here are going to be soaked in a bit. I'm here on Gringott's business, you know."

The girl smiled brighter and cocked her head at the good-looking Weasley. On cue Bill took out is Gringotts ID and flashed it at the girl.

Charlie had an expression of amazement behind his brother. There had never been a situation that Bill couldn't charm his way out of.

"Come on....in..." The girl's smile faded away when she saw Bill's companions and, though it took a while, pieced two and two together.

Maybe it was the excess of red hair. "Say, I thought you said this 'ere was Grin'ott's busi-ness, wot's them doin' 'ere?"

"They're here to aid in my, um..investigation." Bill's voice had an edge of steel to it. "I hope you could give me a hand as well."

"I don' know nothin'"

"We didn'a say ya did, lass." Fletcher spoke up, fingering his wand. The gesture wasn't lost on the girl.

"Uh..um, asides, Mr. Malfoy ain't here. You don' 'ave any right to be 'ere!"

"Harper!! Who's there? Is it Draco? Tell him I'm _very_ upset and....."

A beautiful woman came rushing down the stairs. The four men got the feeling she was usually more composed than what she was right now, with strands of curling blonde hair around an elegant, if cold, face.

Large blue eyes widened in shock then darkened in anger. "You!!" She hissed at Arthur. Mr. Weasley stood his ground, his expression blank.

Bill eyed the woman appraisingly and Narcissa Malfoy, catching the tall red-head's eye blushed before scowling furiously.

"Harper!!" She screeched.

The maid actually flinched.

"What possessed you to let _this_ into the house! I warned you about that."

"They 'ad an excuse, ma'am. Lied to me face, they did."

Bill winked at the girl who turned red with fury and.....something else.

Arthur didn't waste any more time.

"Narcissa, where is Lucius?"

"You barge in here and give _me_ orders!!" The perfect nose turned up haughtily. "I don't know, he's away on business and I'm not certain when he'll return, now kindly....."

"I don't believe you." The room's temperature dropped at Arthur's tone. Bill stepped back to stand beside his father, realizing what must be running through his head.

"I'm going to ask you a very important question." Narcissa blinked.
"Where are my sons?"

"Your sons?" Narcissa asked blankly.

"Yes!" Arthur was growling. Charlie, used to working with dragons, put a restraining hand on his father and even Harper backed away.

"Percy and Ron. So help me, _where_ are they!! Forgive me if I think your husband's _business_ might be connected to their disappearance."

"How _dare_ you....."

"I dare, Narcissa. Where are they."

"I-I don't know." Bill caught his younger brother's eye. She was telling the truth. You could see it.

Bill tried a more diplomatic approach. "Your son, Draco? He doesn't get along with my brother I've heard. Or Harry Potter."

Harry's name hung in the air, creating a new tension.

"Yes? What about it?" Narcissa backed away. Harper stepped closer, fixated on the eldest Weasley.

"Is he missing also?" To everyone's surprise, Narcissa looked away.

Her beautiful face was in a snarl when she looked down again. "That is _none_ of your business!! At least decent wizarding families like us know how to care for our children, instead of that half-clothed rabble you choose...."

"That's enough." Fletcher was holding Arthur back. Mr. Weasley seemed to be hanging on to his self-control by a thread.

"Uh, ma'am?"

"Shut up you stupid, stupid girl!!"

Harper flinched.

"You have something to say?" Bill asked her kindly.

"Harper, I swear I'll turn you from this place without a crust of bread you ungrateful, little...."

"Go ahead, I'm listening." Bill remarked as though Narcissa hadn't spoken.
"Uh...there's was one of yer brothers, not the youngest but...."

"Percy?" Arthur asked eagerly.

"Yeah, tha's 'im, I think. Glasses? Nose turned up like so? Got a glare on like he's a-used to it?"

"That's Percy" Charlie remarked wryly.

"He uh...slipped out this mornin'. Dunno where 'e went but...well, there....."

Silence. Narcissa looked startled.

"Harper, what in Salazar's name are you talking about?"

"Mr. Malfoy, ma'am, he uh...had this 'un write a letter...."

"Was Percy all right?" Arthur asked quietly.

"Sure thing! At least, he was when I last saw 'im." Harper's reply wasn't altogether comforting.

"And Ron?" Charlie asked.

"Dunno about that 'un. Wasn't 'ere, didn'na see 'im either. Can't tell ya."

Bill smiled at the girl. "Thanks for the info, you've been a big help."

Narcissa had slid down to sit on a step, her expression completely bewildered.

"Your husband should keep you better informed." Arthur said coldly.

"My Draco is gone." She said softly. "He's been gone since this morning. I was afraid to ask questions, I'm not sure where he would be and my...Lucius, would be....upset."

"Figure that...." Gus snorted.

Charlie stomped past all of them. "W-where are you going?!" Narcissa asked distractedly.

"To search your husband's office, if that's all right ma'am." Charlie's sarcasm was barely heard.

"Uh...excuse my brother." Bill smiled at Narcissa, offered her an arm and motioned with his head for Arthur and Gus to follow the second-eldest Weasley.

The door, locked, was thrown open with a flash of light and a muttered spell. Narcissa cringed at the sound of crashing wood.
"Hate to see dear 'ol Lucius' reaction to all of this." Bill said softly.

"Oh, he won't be too angry." Narcissa said, her voice distant. "He mainly works in there for show, the real work takes place....far away."

As much as Bill's heckles were up, and although he didn't trust this woman, he got the feeling that Narcissa knew as little about Lucius' moonlighting as possible and that suited her just fine.

"You're not afraid of him?"

"Of Lucius? Oh no.....he wouldn't touch me or Draco. It's those that don't mind seeing him out of the way that he worries about."

"What a prince." Bill muttered.

A loud banging stopped all other activity in the mansion.

"What was that?" Narcissa gasped.

Harper shrugged and looked ready to bolt.

More banging. Bill cautiously stood up and opened the front door.

He pulled his now rain-soaked head inside again. "Can't see much, getting too dark. Looks like two people are out there though."

Harper glanced at her mistress. "Ya want I should let 'em in, ma'am."

Narcissa seemed to be debating with herself, glancing at the enemy and feeling foolish for her temporary fraternization with him.

"Fine."

The gate could be heard opening and the door was opened. Two figures, one much taller than the other stood there.

Arthur, pale and sweaty, came in at this moment and looked at the two new-comers in bewilderment.

"What...what are _you_ doing here! Your parents will...."

"Uh, hi Mr. Weasley. I think I know where Ron is." Hermione Granger's bushy hair was even more wild thanks to the humidity and the sopping rain.

Next to her, drenched himself, stood Severus Snape.
******************************************************************************

Remus Lupin, former professor at Hogwarts, School for Witchcraft and Wizardry, jerked awake with a start.

He was drenched in sweat, his hands clenched in fists. *Nightmare* He'd had a nightmare. One of those bad ones, the ones that slipped away from him the moment he awoke but that contained dark shadows and deep fear.

He didn't have to guess what had caused it. Anxiety over the fate of the two missing Weasleys, Molly and Arthur, but most of all.....Harry. Harry was missing and no one knew where he was.

Dumbledore, keeping a close ear to the ground and to someone else behind enemy lines, had heard no news. At least none that he had conveyed to the two worried Marauders.

But.....something was bothering him, something was on the outskirts of his mind and he couldn't break through.

Those eyes, the moor's winds howling around him, he couldn't see, couldn't remember. Remus rubbed his temples in a tired gesture. If only he could recall!

Tying on a robe, Remus headed downstairs, noticing how disheveled his small cottage was becoming. Of course, cleaning wasn't top priority for him right now. The dust that he kicked up was a bit depressing though.

A light was in the kitchen, coming from a solitary candle. The deep lines in Sirius' once youthful face were even more prominent in the dim room.

Lupin felt a stab of deep pity for Sirius, who really hadn't asked for any of this but who was now deeply involved with James and Lily's son's life. Not that he would have had it any other way.

Dear Harry.....

What a marvel that boy was. "I don't suppose it's any use for me to tell you to try and get some rest, Padfoot?"

Sirius looked up, his eyes bleary from exhaustion. "Oh, Moony...didn't hear you come in."

Black's voice was hoarse. Remus tried not to notice. "I..um, couldn't sleep." Sirius shrugged dejectedly.

"Dumbledore said that Voldemort and his slaves don't have Harry."

"I know, I was there when he told us."

"So....do you think you're doing the boy any good killing yourself? You need sleep, old friend, try and take your mind off of...."

"How?!!" Sirius' sharp reply resembled a bark. "What if he's dead? Or hurt, or lost, or...."

"Stop!! You think that I don't care? That Harry isn't all I have left too? Just....._stop_ Padfoot. You're driving yourself mad and taking me with you."

"I'm....sorry"

"I know"

The two sat at the table, not saying anything for a long time. Outside, thunder rumbled and they could hear the rain begin to come down.

Remus stood silently and got a cup of tea ready. Sirius, he noticed, didn't drink any.

The ex-convict dug the heels of his hands into his eye-sockets, his shoulders shaking for a moment.

Remus didn't know what to do except pat his oldest friend on the shoulder and wait for it to pass. "This is worse......"

"I have a hard time believing that."

"Well, it is. At least in there my visions weren't real. I mean, Azkaban may have been a hell-hole but this...."

"I'm sorry."

"We've covered that already."

"No, I mean, for doubting you. I shouldn't have. I mean, it didn't make sense even at the time Sirius, but I should....."

"You trying to take over Trelawney's job now, Moony? You couldn't have known, but you believed me when it counted."

"Sure wish Harry was upstairs right now, getting ready to wake up in a few hours."

"Yeah, I'd go to get him some of his school supplies tomorrow. Robes, books, a new broom."

"Padfoot......." Remus raised an eyebrow.

"Quidditch everything, books on pranks, books on anything _except_ school subjects."
"Padfoot!"

"Then, I'd teach him how to ride my motorcycle."

"Oh for....Sirius!"

Black actually grinned, the deep pain that never seemed to leave his eyes abated for the time being. It was nice to lose himself in these kind of thoughts, even though it was dangerous to stay away for too long.

"Where _is_ that motorcycle anyway?"

"In storage at the Ministry, along with your wand. Hagrid turned it in after, um...the incident."

"Oh. Well, hopefully he got some good use out of it for awhile."

Remus stared moodily into his half-empty cup, looking at the swirling colors. There, there it was _again_. At the fringes of his memory.

"Uh, earth to Moony?"

"Remember what we talked about the night Harry vanished?"

Sirius stiffened and nodded, his expression carefully neutral. "I couldn't remember exact details though. Any luck on your part?"

"No. Padfoot, I think there's been some sort of....block, put on us, to keep something important out of our subconscious."

Sirius stared at him intensely. Neither one of them had talked about that night before they graduated from Hogwarts. Probably because neither could remember specific details, but the phantoms were still lurking there.

The wolf howled, long and low from inside Lupin and Remus shivered. "I need to see Dumbledore first thing in the morning. Don't know why I didn't think of it sooner, actually."

"Think of _what_?"

"I think the Headmaster would know how to retrieve our memories, like a Pensieve or something."

"What does this have to do with Harry?"

"Everything old friend. There are just some very, uh, odd coincidences at work. Why would Harry leave now? He knows the danger and its not like him to leave without being provoked. And those letters. That's not Harry."

Again, that spasm of pain....and guilt on Sirius' face. "I should have kept in closer contact with him."

"Now's not the time, Sirius! We have to focus on what could be happening to Harry right now."

Sirius turned white. "No...no, don't look like that. Apologies, he's okay, just keep believing it."

"I'm trying"

"Harry left when everyone thought you were after him, but he was seriously provoked, according to sources."

"Damn muggles."

Remus snickered. "Don't let Arthur catch you saying that." The werewolf trailed off, looking uneasy.

"Poor man, no news there either?"

"A search party has looked through Malfoy Manor but didn't find anything. Although they did discover something of interest."

Sirius opened his mouth to ask what when a clatter, a scurrying of feet and the sound of something being knocked over was heard.

A deep growl came from Padfoot's throat and Remus pulled his wand out of his robe pocket. "Any idea what, or who, that was?"

A sharp bark that didn't promise anything good for the person on the receiving end of those teeth echoed through the small house.

More scampering, frantic sounding this time and a shattering of glass. Remus casually let Padfoot go and closed his eyes tightly.

All hell broke loose in the next room. Barking, squeaking, yelling, whimpering, objects being broken, toppled over, glass broken, squeals, curses and finally a shout of triumph.

Sirius stood there, holding a squirming bit of filth in his hand. A rat.

Remus' eyes narrowed and he took the squealing rat from Sirius, who transformed again. There was murder in those pale eyes, hatred pulsing from them.

"Hmm, fancy seeing you again Peter. Did Voldemort get tired of your incompetence and decide to inflict you on us?"

Saliva was dripping from Padfoot's mouth. "I would transform if I were you, it will make you more difficult to swallow."

Peter Pettigrew appeared and cowered at the bottom of Remus' robes in a shivering, pathetic lump.

"Sirius, easy....."

Sirius wasn't paying attention as his jaws snapped inches away from Peter's throat. Peter squealed and backed away but since there was a wall behind him, he could only scratch at the faded paper. His actions make him look even more rodent-like than usual.

Sirius transformed and before Remus could stop him he slammed Wormtail against the wall with brutal force.

"I'll ask you once before I tear out your still-beating heart. WHERE IS HARRY!!" Peter was weeping now and Remus stepped back in disgust to what he saw on his floor.

He should make the miserable traitor clean that up as well, if he could still function enough to do it later on.

"I would answer Peter." Remus' collected expression was at odds with the virulent anger in his eyes.

"I....d-d-don't k-kn-know."

"You lie like the filthy, miserable rat you are. That was your only chance."

"NO! N-NO, p-p-please, I r-real-ly d-d-d-don't know. M-M-Master is l-look-king for him!!"

"And the Weasley boys?! What has that snake done with them? You piece of trash, they took care of you!! Ron and Percy, you don't deserve to....."

An expression of confusion passed over Pettigrew's pointed face, before panic set in.

"I-I d-d-don't kn-know anyt-th-thing about t-tha-that. Th-Th-They're g-gone?"

"They're gone?!" Sirius mimicked cruelly before drawing a fist back. Remus caught it and shook his head slightly, though the werewolf didn't take his eyes off of the rat.

Sirius was panting too hard to continue. He caught his breath and slammed Peter against the wall again.

"And you were sent here, WHY!!"

Peter shook his head, crying and denying being sent there by anyone.

"Oh come now Peter. You know as well as we do that there isn't any reason you would stick your neck out unless you were given express orders to spy on us."

"N-n-no!"

"And Harry isn't here to save your stinking neck! But I swear, and you'd _better_ believe me. If anything has happened to that boy, if one hair has been disturbed on his head, I'll make you pray for your own death...."

Even Remus stepped back from Sirius at that. "Take _that_ message back to your _Master_" Sirius spit out.

Peter Pettigrew collapsed to the ground in a dead faint.

Sirius cursed and looked at Remus. He actually grinned. "Guess you overdid it, Padfoot."

"Overdid it nothing. I meant every word."

Remus kicked at the unconscious Pettigrew distastefully. "Do you think he's telling the truth?"

Sirius growled dangerously. "I'm not sure, but it looks that way, why else would he be here except to get information?"

"So Voldemort can't get to Harry either, huh. That's one comforting piece of information. 'Bout time we had some."

When Peter awoke, he was tied to a chair in Remus' kitchen, with two very angry former Marauders looking at him, one of whom with their wand fixed in his sights.

"Go ahead Peter, transform. Make our job a lot easier."

Sirius grinned, Peter began sweating. "Certainly, Moony. We'll get the evidence we need to clear my name, your body. Of course, it might take a day or two but we'll get it. Yuck, if ordinary rats taste foul enough, what would this sorry excuse be like?"

"Don't know, curious to find out _Wormtail_"

Peter was about ready to take back those words about being more afraid of Voldemort than these two.

They both had an unnatural light in their eyes from a combination of worry and lack of sleep. That, and a complete, encompassing hatred of _him_.

"My master has powers, you'll be...s-sorry."

"Who'll be sorry?" Remus' cool reply was even more nerve-racking than Sirius' open rage.

"A werewolf and a murderer....."

Peter squealed as Sirius wrapped his hands around the pudgy neck. "Not a murderer yet but I'm willing to make exceptions."

Peter began squeaking in a very high voice. "I don't know where Harry is, I swear, I swear it!! My master wants him! I don't know, please, believe me!!"

"Oh, of course we believe you Peter and we'll show you the mercy you showed James and Lily."

"And Sirius" Remus clapped his friend on the back.

"And Harry" Now Sirius looked very, very dangerous. Remus and Peter caught the glint of a small knife in his hands.

The chair under Peter began to shake uncontrollably. "How about I do to you what you did to my godson? Huh? Cut into his elbow, tie him to a gravestone, strike him....how does all of this sound? Don't you realize by now that what you do to him, you do to me?"

Peter was opening and closing his mouth but seemed to have forgotten how to speak.

"You can do what you want to me, I'm stronger than you'll ever be, but when you come after Harry, then you pay the price....."

Remus had forgotten how intimidating the former Auror could be. No wonder he'd been on a few Death Eaters' hit list before Voldemort's fall.

Peter's self-preservation, his strongest trait, kicked in, consequences be damned.

"You kill me and you'll never find where Harry went. It's too late now, it's too late, for all of us!!" Wormtail began giggling like a mad-man.

"Oh, I wouldn't say that." Peter's eyes nearly popped out of his head.

Sirius and Remus whirled in surprise.

Albus Dumbledore stood there, calmly ringing water from his long-silver beard.

"Why, hello Peter! It _has_ been awhile, hasn't it?" The half-moon glasses reflected Peter fainting yet again.

******************************************************************************

*I _Hate_ this* Percy sniffled miserably.

He was stuck under an awning, deep within Knockturn Alley. It had been a _difficult_ morning. He had moved slowly, weak from lack of good food and rest and had reached here only a short time ago.

Then, it had started to rain. No, not just rain, sheets of cold water pouring down without mercy.

Percy was drenched, his red hair sticking to his head and dripping water down the back of his sodden robes. His glasses kept fogging up, of no use to him, especially in the dark.

Cursing everything that had gotten him into this position yet again, Percy tried to stay as inconspicuous as possible.

The rain actually made that easier, thank Merlin for small favors. No one was loony enough to be out and about in this weather.

Well....almost no one.

Percy sneezed. He was probably catching a terrible cold. His physical discomfort took away from his constant, nagging worry for Ron.

Thinking of his little brother, however, it all came back.

Ron......who acted like he hated him, had acted that way since coming to Hogwarts. Percy sighed and shook the emotions off. He couldn't afford self-pity. Not now, not ever.

It had been like this at Hogwarts too. He may have seemed wooden and unfeeling but that was because he had a _responsibility_. Four siblings under him, four to watch and keep safe, despite their best efforts to thwart him.

He couldn't break down or get all emotional every time something happened. He needed to think things through. Be on top, get things done.

Percy sighed again. Of course, somewhere along the line he had lost something very important. Precious, even.

He didn't quite know how to get it back. His brothers didn't trust him, his parents treated him like he was made of glass, or walked around eggshells whenever he was around.

*Don't make Percy too angry, he'll leave us to go to the Ministry without a second thought. Or, who cares about Percy anyway? He's never satisfied no matter what we do so we might as well have fun taking him down a peg.*

What they all didn't understand was how much of Percy's behavior came out of necessity. In Ron's third year it was true that his mum had asked him to keep an eye on Harry, and Ron too. But he had seen the way Harry reacted to all of that attention.

The boy hated it with a passion. So Percy had tried to disguise his actions, therefore, to reflect back on him. Even if it was negative. Even if he looked pompous and self-important, then maybe he wouldn't look like he was fussing so much. He could actually keep a closer eye on things that way.

But the annoyance and embarrassment he seemed to provoke in his siblings was getting worse and he didn't know how to stop it.

And it was difficult.

Percy shivered and it had little to do with the cold. All of that didn't matter now. Only Ron mattered.

Ron mattered to him, had for a long, long time. He was going to kill his little brother for placing himself in mortal danger, again. And that was okay as long as Ron was there for Percy _to_ be angry at.

Percy stepped out from under the awning and trudged quickly down the street. He needed a plan, but what?

He couldn't just charge in there and demand that those three goons release Ron, could he? Well....maybe.

Percy almost hit himself in the forehead for not thinking of it sooner. It was so simple!

He continued down the street, ignoring the strange glances he was getting from those wise enough to keep out of the rain.

*There it is!* Finally, Percy saw the dingy steps. Taking a deep breath and swallowing hard, he began making his way up.

Loud voices and some crashing sounds from inside didn't bode well. Still....for Ron.

Percy kicked the door open and saw three burly Slytherins throwing punches at each other and bellowing. Wynken had Knodd by the neck and looked to be throttling him. Blankton was blinking at the two, with difficulty since one squinty eye was swelling up and changing color.

A flash of silver-blonde hair caught Percy's eye and he saw Draco Malfoy cowering underneath the table.

Draco saw Percy at the same time Percy spotted him. Pale eyes narrowing, he crawled out, dusting off his expensive robes with as much dignity as he could muster.

The other three remained frozen in their positions, though Knodd was starting to gargle and turn blue.

Then Percy saw it. A chair, upended in the corner. Frayed ropes were everywhere....and there was no sign of Ron.

"You!" Draco hissed at the same time Percy took a step backward. It was already too late. His well-constructed plan went out the window.

The four began to walk towards him. Percy wondered how much time he had before they could catch him. Not a lot, he decided as he bolted and saw the others charge after him.

"GET HIM!!" Draco's scream of rage echoed in Knockturn Alley. At its edge, a red-headed boy stopped running and, clutching a stitch in his side, turned in confusion.

*What the.....*

******************************************************************************

Percy ran for everything he was worth. It was lucky he'd spent a lot of time chasing after the twins after one of their pranks because even though he wasn't in as good a shape as he used to be, he left the others in the dust.

He was gasping for air, running out of steam when he noticed that Malfoy was keeping pace easily.

Damn that little......

Right, he was a Seeker, remember? Not as good as Harry by half but still small and fast. Percy was so busy looking behind him that he didn't see a blur coming from a side-alley.

Coming towards him at breakneck speed. A long-limbed, freckled, red-headed blur. Percy and Ron collided with a sickening crunch.

Both of them sat on the ground groaning in misery, Percy holding his glasses in their broken frames, Ron simply holding his head.

Both did a double-take at the other before the other moved. But before either could react, three burly Slytherins were on top of them in a whirlwind of fists, kicks and punches.

Draco simply watched from the side, smirking in satisfaction as the two Weasleys fought it out. They, however, besides being smaller than the other three, were weak from lack of food, sleep and the toll stress had taken on each.

Still, it took a little while for the group to separate, Knodd and Blankton holding a struggling Percy, Wynken gripping Ron's arms.

Ron's nose was bleeding and he was swearing a streak that made even Wynken look at him with new respect.

Percy stopped struggling and held up his hands as best he could. "I...d-did what you s-said. Let him go." He was panting, making it difficult to form words.

"Don't give 'em any credit, Perce. They would've thrown you to the dogs."

"Shut UP!!" Five voices said simultaneously. Ron was slightly subdued.

"I...went to M-Malfoy and gave him your message. That was my end of the bargain, you keep yours."

"Oh, I don't think so...." Wynken was cut off by a lazy drawl.

Malfoy, the only one who looked composed, not a strand of silver-blonde hair out of place, came strolling over.

He looked Percy up and down and the former Head Boy didn't like what he saw in those slanted, pale eyes.

"Henry, show this one what we do to those who double-cross us." Wynken slammed Ron against the far wall without any hesitation.

"NO!! Stop...let him go, he...it was me, he didn't do...."

"He didn't keep his end of the bargain." Malfoy's tone was patiently placating. It made Percy sick. "He was supposed to wait for the signal and then you could both leave."

"In a pig's eye!! He's lying....don't listen Perce, he was going to double-cross...." Ron got no further. Wynken slammed one fist, then the other into Ron's stomach. The younger Weasley doubled over, gasping for air, his face gray with pain.

"RON!!" Percy thought fast.

"Listen, you want to know why Malfoy hasn't shown up yet to give you orders?" Three confused looks at Draco.

"Not him the _other_ one. You think that _he's_ got any sway with V- You-Know-Who's circle? He's just some wanna-be, why, he's been beaten by Harry Potter time and time again."

Ron, despite his pain, managed to give Percy a weak grin.

Draco's face was bright pink with rage. "You....and you two" Three gestures towards Knodd and Blankton. "I want you to make him very sorry...."

"But...." Wynken looked at the still groaning Ron.

"Forget him! Pummel this one."

Percy talked faster. "That's right, I was the one that told Malfoy what a bunch of miscreants you all were. I remembered you from school, you know, Hogwarts? Where Gryffindor has beaten Slytherin the past four years in a row now?"

Percy tried not to think of how he was going to look after all of this when the three Slytherins started in on him.

He was hit from every direction, after awhile he stopped trying to see where the blows were coming from. He couldn't breathe right, something had cracked inside. His hearing was behaving strangely, it sounded as though he was underwater.

"STOP! STOP!!" Both Ron and Draco's voices came through. Percy could barely believe his swollen eyes, especially without his glasses.

Draco was sporting a corking nice black eye, a bloody nose and a cracked lip. Ron, who's bruised face didn't look much better, was scarlet with fury. And he was holding Percy's wand. Not only that, the wand was glowing with deadly intent.

The very air crackled around them.

"First of all" Ron spoke calmly, but his voice shook. He gave Percy a half-look and his hazel eyes became a little glassy.

"If you don't back away from my brother, _slowly_, I'm going to break this little ferret's arm and believe me he has it coming."

Whimpers from Draco.

"Then, I want you to get out of here and if you come near another person in my family, or one of my friends" A particularly vile look at Malfoy. "I'll see you locked up in Azkaban for _longer_ than your miserable lives."

Percy was suitably impressed. Or he was before his eyes rolled back and he lost consciousness.
Ron, tried hard to keep his composure when he saw Percy slump to the ground. "There are going to be some reinforcements coming, believe me. Just...get out of here, stupid excuse for..."

What Ron wouldn't have given to be able to tell them that it had been Draco who had sold them out! But he couldn't reveal anything, it was pure luck that he'd heard those idiots talk about the letter to Snape, giving Ron fresh incentive to escape.

How thick can you get? Lucky for him, they weren't too clever at the kidnaping business. But they were still brutes, and dangerous ones at that.

Draco, glowering at Ron, thinking long and hard. "Why should we believe you?"

*Uh....good question* "Because...because..." *Come _on_ Ron! Where's Hermione when I need her! Oh, oh yeah!*

"Well?" Draco's sneer twisted his entire face.

"Because my brother is a spy, to....to, uh, weed out the..um, disloyal..uh, factions, or to see uh, who's loyal to You-Know-Who. Kind of like, uh, well, um....to catch 'em before its too late, et cetera, et cetera."

Four blank stares. *Oh capital job, Ron*

"And you're all in big trouble for taking Harry Potter!! Wait'll the ministry gets a hold of you, you fell right um..into our trap?" Ron's voice was going higher. It would take a bloody miracle for them to actually believe.....

"But...bu- we didn'a take nothin'!"

"Yup, don' know anytin' 'bout that...."

"Yeah!!"

Draco was glowering. "You...you imbeciles...."

"Oh boy....we, fellas, we beat up a spy! Our arse is in the meltin' pot fer certain now."

"We did'na mean no 'arm!! Don' be throwin' us in...Azkaban!" Wynken's voice quavered on the last word.

"I bet that Percy has already contacted some of the best Aurors around, probably did before he even paid Malfoy a visit. And besides, don't forget that my brother worked for one of the toughest fighters against Dark Magic when V-Vold-demort was getting power." Ron couldn't believe it, he'd said the name!

And oh boy, did he wish for a camera right now to capture the expression on Malfoy's face!!

Ron raised a red eyebrow. "Uh, yeah....and um, if you know what's good for you, then you, uh...better get out of here, maybe it'll go easy for you."

"Come on!!"

"Fancy meetin' one of 'em Dementors!"

"And bein' blamed fer takin' 'Arry Potter!!"

Draco was shrieking after them. "Come back, you complete, absolute, dotting, MORONS!!"

The other three didn't look back. "This doesn't make any sense, just _listen_ to what he's saying, are you completely daft? You...."

Ron casually patted Malfoy on the head. "Care to face me without your cronies, _Draco_"

Draco sized Ron up before sprinting away. Ron caught his arm quickly before he got too far.

"Where's Harry!!" He demanded.

"I don't know!" Draco snarled back. "All I know is what you know, he's gone. And good riddance."

Luckily for Draco Ron had to let go to take a swing, or else it would have gone badly. The Slytherin slunk away.

A low moan on the ground brought Ron crashing back from his first sense of euphoria and disbelief that that had actually worked.

"Perce? Percy, can you hear me?" Ron gently took his older brother's shattered glasses off after kneeling down beside him. Percy's face was chalk-white. He didn't seem to be responding.

Ron tried to turn him over but stopped when Percy gasped in pain.

Sweating, Ron cursed. He didn't know what to do! He couldn't move Percy and he didn't dare leave him alone here.

Percy's arms were around his middle and his breathing sounded labored. No, scratch that, it sounded like....like he was breathing through something.

Percy tried to take a deeper breath and began to cough violently, blood spurting out onto his robe. Ron was absolutely horrified.

He put Percy's head in his lap and tried to move his brother's arms. Gently...as gently as he could Ron pulled the robes and then the shirt away....and was close to being ill.

Percy's stomach didn't look....right. One side was swollen and discolored. Something deep inside told Ron that was very, very bad.

"Perce?" Now Ron's voice was shaking. *No...no, oh god, god no...please* "Percy?! C'mon Perce...it's me, it's Ron....Perce?!"

Nothing. Ron felt his eyes leaking and didn't care. Percy's lips were turning a funny shade of blue and it sounded like he was breathing through mud.

"Percy!! Why did you do that, you stupid, stupid prat!! You made 'em mad, do you think I don't know, so they would leave me alone a-and go after you. That's just _like_ you Percy....always, h-having to...hog the g-glory....You bloody prat!!"

Ron was sobbing. "Perce!" He pleaded. "Don't do this, _please_ don't. I can't take it, I'm sorry, I'm really sorry, so, so sorry. I don't know what to do, Percy!! Help me, Please!!"

Percy's hazel eyes fluttered open for a moment and a very weak, pain-filled smile could be seen. He put a hand up to Ron's face.

"Ron" It was like a small breath, the single word was so soft.

"Yeah? C'mon Perce!! You can't...you...."

"You're okay" The words sounded surprised, amazed even. Ron sobbed harder, not caring that only sissies cried.

The dark streets remained deserted. *Where _was_ everybody? Didn't anyone care what was happening here?!*

"Perce!! HELP!! Please, Help ME!!" Ron began yelling, hoping someone would hear. The growing thunder covered most of the sound.

Percy had slipped away again, coughing up more blood as he struggled to breathe.

"Percy? I..I, didn't mean it. Anything I..I s-said before. I love you, you're my brother...." Ron's chest hurt he was crying so hard .

He felt someone squeeze his hand tightly. "Love you....baby brother"

Percy was gasping now, the world was swimming.

The former Prefect felt as though he were drowning, it was so hard to breathe! Ron, Ron who never cried, was sobbing like a little kid.

His little brother's face kept leaving his focus, the dark shadows on the outskirts of Percy's subconscious were trying to take over. Percy didn't want to leave Ron, though. He wanted to stay with his brother.....to explain to him, well...everything.

From Crouch to the Halloween troll to the 2nd Task, everything. Tell Ron that he loved him more than himself and would do anything he could to keep him safe.

But all he could do is hold onto Ron and try and let him know it would be okay. But his lungs, his chest, it all hurt so bad!!

Everything went dark.

******************************************************************************

Ron saw Percy close his eyes and something snapped inside. He knew. It was too late.

Percy had put himself at risk for him and now.....

Ron was shaking, he turned his head aside into the gutter and was very sick. After, he wiped his mouth and turned back to his older brother, saying Percy's name over and over, willing him to say it back.

Wait...someone _was_ saying Ron's name...that couldn't be.

"Get away, Weasley. We'll see what we can do." Ron looked up and saw.....Professor SNAPE?!

Someone was holding his shoulders, gently pulling him away from his brother but Ron fought it. He didn't want to let go of Percy's hand.

"Easy Ron....it'll be okay." Hermione. It was Hermione.

Those deep, brown eyes were looking at him, bright with unshed tears. Ron was still shaking, he didn't understand and she buried his head (not an easy task considering the height ratio) into her shoulder.

Ron held onto her like a life-line. She was shushing him, making comforting little noises, he was crying like a baby and he didn't care.

Her arms around him felt so good....and he'd been worried about her. Hermione hugged him with all the strength she had.

He'd worried for her, she'd seen the relief in his face. She gently touched his cheek. "Oh...Ron, are...I heard and...you...."
*Uh Oh* Ron's only thought was interrupted when the young witch burst into tears.

A coughing gasp and more labored breathing turned his attention back to his brother on the ground.

Now there were three other red-heads, along with Snape. His dad was holding his head in his hands and Charlie was patting him on the back, looking very white.

Snape looked even more unpleasant than usual, as he tried spell after spell. Percy didn't seem to get much better.

Bill stood up and grabbed Ron in a bear hug. "Ron....oh man, are you okay?" Ron was watching Percy, but felt his head bob once. Bill pushed Ron's hair off of his forehead and hugged him again.

"It'll be okay" Bill didn't look as though he believed it, however.

Hermione stood there, uncertain for a moment before.....

"P-Professor?"

"Not _now_ Granger!!" Snape hissed, looking very sour. His hands, Ron noted, were shaking and covered with blood.

Ron shut his eyes. *Percy's blood*

His dad was calling to Percy, telling him to hold on. "But..Professor!!"

Snape didn't reply this time. He looked up at Arthur, his mouth twisted with....something.

"He's bleeding internally. We don't have the equipment to get him to a qualified healer, he'd die long before arriving. Arthur....you, have...arrangements?"

Arthur Weasley swayed and was held up only by Charlie who looked horrified.

"NO!!" Ron tried to get away from Bill's grasp but his older brother easily held him back, several tears snaking their way along the eldest Weasley's handsome face.

"Professor?"

"What, Gr..Hermione?" Snape simply looked too tired to be nasty.

"Maybe if we relieve the pressure on his lungs we could buy some time....and...."

"Don't you understand, you idiot girl?!! He's _dying_, he's lost too much blood and it is filling up his body from the _inside_ . Do I have to draw you a picture!!" Snape rounded on her before losing his fire.

The Potions Professor put a hand on Arthur's shoulder, who looked like he was in shock.

Hermione brushed past them and began muttering over Percy. The others did nothing to try and stop her.

Finally, finally, after what seemed like forever, she brushed some sweat off of her forehead and stood up. She then brought Percy's head up and tapped his chest with her wand.

Percy began to cough up blood, but only a bit before taking several rasping breaths, each clearer than the last.

"Percy....." Arthur hugged his son's head to his chest, crying hard. "You....you gave us a s-scare, my boy."

Percy smiled very weakly. Arthur wasn't able to speak for a minute before hugging Percy to him, although gingerly, again.

Snape was looking at Hermione with a strange expression. "Um...well done, Granger"

Hermione absolutely beamed and Ron inwardly groaned, back to himself now that Percy seemed all right. *She's going to be _intolerable_* But somehow, he didn't care.

She deserved it. She'd bought Percy time, which was all he needed. Another figure who Ron hadn't even noticed had sent a signal and several wizards and witches in white robes were there in a flash.

Ron, finally escaping Bill, grabbed Hermione, wanting to say thank you, to tell her how smart she was, how pretty she was becoming, how kind and self-sacrificing.....

"Don't tell me you actually _responded_ to Malfoy's letter?!" Was all that came out. Hermione's face went from blissful joy to surprised anger.

"Ron Weasley, you are the most ignorant....self-absorbed, _git_, no, you're _the_ git of gits." Hermione was actually sputtering.

Ron grabbed her in his long arms and held onto her again, this time for much longer. "Thank you, thank you 'Mione. You're wonderful."

"And..you..don't think that you're off of the hook, I...oh Ron!" *Oh no, not the waterworks again!!*

Percy was gone, apparated away by professionals. Arthur was holding onto a piece of parchment that said where Percy would be. The med-wizards had seemed confident that he would be all right.

"Ron...." Ron was getting pretty sick of all this mushy stuff but he guessed he could accept another crushing embrace if it was from his dad.

Arthur rocked Ron back and forth for a minute, mortally embarrassing him by kissing him on top of his bright hair. "Thank the Founding Four.....you...do you know how worried your mother and I have been?"

Arthur's voice was scratchy as he forced Ron to look at him. "Sorry."

Another hug, Ron felt as though he was drowning in a sea of emotional sappiness :-)

But his dad looked a lot older then when he'd seen him last, only a few days ago. "That's all right son. You're....very lucky. Both of you." Ron's arms remained wrapped around his father for a long time.

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The stark, white room was very quiet, except for the comings and goings of the extended Weasley clan.

Many of Ron's siblings were waiting outside, as the small room wouldn't hold them all. His mum and dad, though, had stayed at Percy's side since the healers had told them it was all right to see him.

Molly's eyes were red and bloodshot but she was calm now. When Arthur had told her what had happened she had gone into hysterics.

Ron felt as though his ribs would never recover from the Weasley hugs inflicted on him all around after arriving at the Burrow.

Fred and George were also in the room, eerily quiet. It wasn't natural. Ron couldn't ever remember seeing them like this....well, except for one time.

During his third year, when Harry had fallen off of his broomstick. The Hufflepuff Match. With the Dementors. Harry......

Ron felt crushing depression hit him. Hermione was outside with Ginny, after telling her parents that things were fine, well....at least with him and Percy.

Percy still looked bad, but his color was gradually coming back and his breathing was normal. Whatever hostilities Molly had for Hermione the previous year were certainly gone now after she heard what the young witch had done for her son.
As for Harry, well.....Ron, in the only snatch of sleep he'd been able to grab had dreamed that dream again. Where Harry fell off of his broomstick and hadn't gotten up again. Sometimes it was Wormtail that looked gleeful, sometimes Filch or Snape, but the end was always the same.

~You can always make new friends~ Ron rubbed his eyes viciously. He had already cried enough to damage his pride for the rest of his natural life.

Molly saw Ron's gesture and quickly moved to sit beside him.

"It'll be all right sweetie." She crooned. Ron sighed, more babying was certainly on the way for him as well after all of this.

"I'm glad that...um, Percy didn't have anything to do with...well, after what you told us."

Ron nodded wordlessly.

Molly kissed him on the cheek. Ron did notice the shadows under her eyes though. *She's worried, its more than just me and Percy....Harry, where are you mate?*

"Hey, Ron." Ginny was motioning to him from outside the door.

"Yeah Gin?" Ron was tired and a little grumpy.

"Er...are, you okay?"

*If _one_ more person asks me that.*

"Fine, just spiffing, corking, bloody-all fine."

Ginny flushed. "Just asking!! I.....we, were worried. Is Percy going to be all right?"

Ron nodded, relief in his hazel eyes. "Thanks to Hermione."

"Yeah, um....that was neat, huh? Did you know that she wrote to Snape too?"

Ron looked over at his bushy-haired friend, scribbling on a piece of parchment a short distance away.

"She did?"

"Yeah! She knew that if something um..bad was happening then Snape would be the first one to know who was behind it! And where to go." She added as an afterthought. "Charlie said that Lucius hadn't been seen for awhile so, when Harry disappeared, Snape was told by Dumbledore to search Malfoy Manor and when Hermione's letter came, well...he put two and two together. Oh, and that slimy git Malfoy spilled the beans as to where you were so You-Know-Who would come....are you all right Ron?"

Ron grinned weakly, shaken at how close he could have come to being another Unforgivable victim.

"Yeah, just...it's Voldemort, okay?" Ginny gasped and pushed Ron away from her.

"Are you starkers, Ron?"

"Harry says it all of the time" The two turned towards the new voice.

Hermione was standing in the hall, holding another piece of parchment in her hands, this one quite new. Her face was a strange mixture of emotions.

"What is it?"

"Well, this just came, barely."

The sun was peeking up over the landscape, peering through the curtains to land on three young, tired teenagers.

"Harry's been found."

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The rain was stilling falling in Knockturn Alley when Dumbledore finished speaking to Peter Pettigrew.

Or rather, Dumbledore asked all of the right questions and Peter sputtered on as usual, sometimes giving the affirmative when Sirius bared his teeth at him.

It was very late, or very early depending on how you chose to look at it. Sirius felt as though it had been one of the longest weeks of his life, and he was an expert on how bad a week, a day, or even an hour could be.

"So.....um, Headmaster? What do we do now?"

"Well, you're a free man Sirius, and I must say congratulations. It's been far too long my boy, and too hard of a road."

Sirius met the Dumbledore's light blue eyes cautiously. The venerable old wizard always seemed to know just what he was thinking.

"So...Peter?"

"This one...." Peter quaked when Dumbledore pointed his wand at him, "is headed towards the Ministry of Magic. Sirius, I'm afraid you'll have to come too and it won't be too pleasant at first."

"No Headmaster."

Remus gaped at his friend. "Sirius....."

"I only want one thing, to find Harry. What do I care if I'm free? I mean, I care, of course I care..." Sirius said quickly as Peter squirmed in his seat. "But, what does anything mean if something has happened to my godson? Please....if you know something Headmaster. I mean, you've done so much for me already."

Dumbledore's eyes twinkled warmly. "Not at all, dear boy. Always a pleasure. And anything I can do for young Harry, certainly."

"So...there hasn't been any news, Headmaster?" Remus ventured cautiously, keeping a watchful eye on Wormtail.

Dumbledore was silent for a moment. He answered Lupin's question with one of his own. "Has something been bothering you as of late, Remus? Something out of the ordinary?"

Remus shouldn't have been surprised that Dumbledore knew, but somehow he always managed to be astounded at how much didn't pass the Headmaster by.

"Odd dreams, the like."

Sirius raised an eyebrow. Remus shrugged uncomfortably. "Well, there's these mists. I.....it's like I'm living in a memory, but one that's not real. Except...."

Lupin ran a hand through his hair distractedly. "These voices that sound like people I knew but I don't recognize them. It's like my mind is trying to remember but it just can't grasp it."

"There is a very good reason for that, Remus. Arabella and I have spoken and I could not help but compare Harry's actions before he vanished with...something else."

"Headmaster?"

"You know that I believe that every student should have the chance to learn and grow."

Both of the younger men nodded. Peter looked like he wanted to disappear himself.

"Well, some students don't turn out the way we would like, that is to be expected. In your case Remus, you did turn out to be an excellent example of what a good education can give."

Remus blushed slightly, still confused but honored.

"But, as you once told young Harry, there are horrors in your past that many others don't have. Fears, uncertainties, and there are some that can only understand the darkest aspects of one's emotions since they have no understanding of how to feel and behave like a normal person."

"I believed I was helping you, trying to block out the negative effects of a terrible experience. You can very close to losing yourself in a dangerous, dream world Remus. When the mind chooses to give up, it is inevitable that the body will follow and quickly. I didn't want such an experience to plague you, you needed to be free of the poisoning effects some forms of black magic can have on someone with deep scars....er, inside."

"Are you telling me that I have repressed memories of something, important that could help us here?"

"Yes, my boy. And before I divulge any further information, I must ask you if you wish to bring up these memories. They are not only painful, but dangerous. The siren call of euphoria, peace...even apathy can be very dangerous for those that live in a more turbulent world."

"Like Harry" Sirius whispered.

"Yes....like Harry."

"Headmaster, you know that I'll do whatever I have to, to...."

"But you see, you don't _have_ to, Remus. I'm giving you a choice. We will find Harry, I know where he is as we speak."

"What?!!" Sirius looked shocked and angry but silenced when Dumbledore held up a hand.

"This....threat, however, is one I have not seen for a long time and I, foolishly, believed it would remain hidden and stable forever. Voldemort has been very quiet lately, forcing several of his Death Eaters underground. He also has not tried for young Harry, even though the boy is outside of his protective wards."

Sirius' gaze looked outside Remus' window. It was a haunted, depressed look.

"He is afraid of something, or someone. Someone who managed to do to him what no one else could do. See beyond his name and his changes, even his power to what he was....truly what he was and manipulate that."

"What does this have to do with Harry?"

"That I've yet to understand. If Voldemort does not have Harry, then I don't know why he is being held. There has been no ransom, nothing. In fact, the ties that bind Harry and Voldemort have become more tenuous, I have been tracking the Dark Lord's attempts to find Harry that way."

"What do you mean, tenuous?"

"It's Mappe, isn't it Headmaster?" Remus said very quietly. Everything, everything he had put away came back to him.

"But...the charm, Dumbledore, you said that if he didn't want to remember."

"I did nothing, it was Remus' own doing. When you chose to remember, you did. It does not take magic for that."

"Why would Mappe do this?" Remus asked, more to himself than to anyone else.

"Because she's evil, that's why!"

"No...she's not. She's really not, she's disturbed, malicious even, but she's not evil. I can't explain it." Remus looked very earnest.

"Nor should you have to. No, I don't believe she's evil. She does have some very misplaced ideas, however, and I fear that they are getting stronger. Especially with the news about Harry."

"So what do we do, run in there and demand that Mappe give Harry up? She won't, I remember that very clearly." Indeed, Sirius' own memories were coming back. It was very odd, how he couldn't seem to recall until Remus had said the name.

"Or, she could hurt him, who knows what she's capable of."

"She won't hurt him." Remus said in a strange voice.

"What?! Moony, are you...."

"I can feel it, it's strange. And...." He looked to Dumbledore who nodded his head gravely. The former professor didn't want to explain his premonitions to Harry's godfather but.......

"Harry is beyond anything like that now. He's....Padfoot, he's very far gone."

Sirius looked panicked. "What do you mean, far gone? You mean...his mind?"

"He's fading, Sirius. We need to get him out of there as soon as possible. And we need help to do it."

"Who?"

"You won't like it."

"If you say Snape, I'll......"

"I won't have to since you already have."

"Dumbledore!!"

"Come now, enough of this. Harry's life is in a precarious position, will you truly let such a small thing get in the way of helping him?!" Dumbledore's usually cheerful blue eyes blazed suddenly.

Remus suddenly noticed how tired the Headmaster looked.

"How do we know exactly where she is?"

"I know where her home is located. Peter?" Peter jumped and cringed, obviously hoping that the others had forgotten about him.

"You can feel Mappe's presence, can't you?"

Wormtail began quaking. "N-no, of c-course not...."

"Here is your chance to repay Harry Potter for not saving your life, and your chance to make amends for what you did to him a few months ago. I haven't forgotten." Dumbledore suddenly looked very intimidating.

"You will come with me to the Ministry. I will there try and secure some help for you, Remus and Sirius, and, if I'm not mistaken, our friend will have some reinforcements of his own to help the two of you. In fact, a letter he received from a Mr. Malfoy was very helpful in clearing up at least one part of this turmoil."

"Then...."

"I've yet to see, but I'm sure that the two Weasleys will be all right."

Sirius glanced at Remus, who looked pale and a little disoriented. "Moony, if you don't want to do this."

"No, we have to. You heard Dumbledore, the body without the mind." Sirius turned even whiter than before.

"Well, we took care of her before."

Remus looked thoughtful. "Did we Padfoot? I wonder. I....I think it has to be Harry to 'take care of her' as you said. And, old friend, if Harry won't come back."
Sirius looked to the subdued Peter and knew that not even this sweet revenge on that filthy rat really mattered if he had to answer that question.

And it had to be them, for Harry. Things were too topsy-turvy everywhere else. The sun began to peak through Remus' faded curtains. And it looked like the storm had passed them by.....for the moment

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