Part 6 is the final chapter of Sought. But fear not, I am not done with the intrepid Charlotte. Please stay tuned and spread the word, I love having people read my fic (and review of course ^_^). Thanks to everyone who has reviewed so far, thanks also to my beta, Lockholm and the long suffering KungFooGirl, LaSerenissima, JoyfulGirl and Snake (who knows who he is). Enjoy!
It was far too late to be scared. They had materialized beside a large house, a mansion really, all white stone and ionic columns. Malfoy tapped a brick with his wand and the stones formed a door that swung inward. She was carried inside, through a dark tunnel, up a short flight of steps and into a small grey room. Malfoy's goons shoved her against the wall and a coil of rope began to bind her wrists and ankles to conveniently placed iron loops in the stone. Lucius dismissed his assistants with a sharp command; Charlotte couldn't tell if they were disappointed or relieved. Lucius shrugged out of his black robes, revealing a white, flowing poet's shirt underneath. While he bound back his hair with ribbon, Charlotte looked around the room. There were two doors, the one they had come in by and another at the opposite side of the room the presumably led into the house itself. Metal shelves lined the wall in front of her and were filled with bottles and jars, some of whose contents she recognized from the potions stores at Hogwarts. A small cauldron and similar equipment were arranged carefully on a desk, the room seemed to serve a dual function as torture chamber and workspace. No, she was not scared, she was frozen. Her brain refused to move from the inescapable fact that she was going to die in a most painful and unpleasant way at the hands of an obsessive bigot. Think girl, think! What have you been training for these last few months? Okay, two ways out – one of them definitely warded. Bound with magical ropes, wand – she watched Malfoy set the wand down beside the cauldron – out of reach. Not good. Stay calm Charlotte, an opportunity will present itself. At least you know he's not going to kill you right away, that gives you time. We'll play his game, for now. Lucius appeared satisfied with his appearance and turned his attentions to his captive.
"How good of you to join me, Professor," he purred, emphasizing the last word. "I have been most interested in seeing you again; I have so many questions to ask you."
"Well, get on with it then," she responded in what she hoped was a flippant tone, "I've got things to do, papers to grade."
"Ah, but what guarantee do I have that you'll tell me the truth? I suppose I could always administer Veritaserum, but that is so –" he searched for the right word, "inelegant. And I have far more interesting ways to persuade you to tell me what I want to know." With a wave of his wand he slashed through her heavy cloak and sweater from wrist to shoulder, exposing her skin to the cool air of the room. He selected a jar from the shelf and tapped it with his wand. Very carefully he allowed a single drop to fall on the inside of her forearm above the elbow. The nerve endings in her arm fired immediately and Charlotte gave a hiss of pain as she watched the drop move down her arm leaving a violent red trail behind. "It's an acid of my own devising," Lucius said conversationally, staring intently at her arm. "It will eat through bone and will travel in a straight line independent of gravity – to say nothing of the pain it can cause," he added with a cruel smile. "Now, why has Dumbledore taken such and interest in you?"
Charlotte felt every millimeter of the acid's slow progression down her arm, like a white-hot poker raked across her skin. "Dumbledore is a good man who doesn't judge people based on their background."
"A very touching sentiment but, I think, inaccurate. The person I encountered in Oxford was no witch. And while you have acquired the trappings of one," he sneered at her robes and wand, "you are still no witch – not even a filthy mudblood – no more than a common Muggle."
"You're wrong Malfoy; I stopped being a Muggle the moment I picked up my wand." Her throat tightened as she echoed Snape's words in the quidditch stands. "I'd think you'd rather think of me that way," she continued boldly, "What a terrible thing to be bested by a Muggle."
Lucius laughed, "One battle does not make a war, Professor. I believe I will have the final win." He placed another drop on her wrist and Charlotte screamed.
"Who rescued you in Oxford that day?" he asked, clearly enjoying her pain.
"I don't know," she gasped. There was a knock at the interior door and it swung open. A trembling house elf stepped into the room
"How many times have I told you I am never to be disturbed in this room?" Lucius spat at the creature.
"Moggy is sorry, Master. There is a visitor for Master."
"Tell them I'm not here, you fool!"
"Master, it is Professor Snape, sir. He said it was very important." Charlotte fought to keep her pain-riddled face intact when her heart longed to jump from her chest and tap dance on Malfoy's head. He was clearly torn, but with a muffled curse and a swift kick to Moggy's side Lucius stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind him. Charlotte noticed after a moment that Lucius had exerted so much force on the door that it had not caught properly and now stood slightly ajar.
***
By the time Lucius greeted Snape in the parlor his usual cool affability was back in place. "Severus, my friend, what do I owe the honor of this visit?"
"I am concerned about Draco, Lucius."
"Draco?" Malfoy echoed, perplexed.
Snape nodded. "His schoolwork has fallen off of late – perhaps even beyond what I can salvage," he added meaningfully.
"Well, I will certainly speak to the boy. Thank you for your concern Severus, but I'm afraid I have something I must attend to."
"Lucius," Snape said calmly, "I don't think you appreciate the gravity of the situation. His potions grade is assured; transfiguration and charms are less secure. He needs those classes to advance with his peers. As for American Muggle Studies-"
Malfoy held up a hand. "I do not think Muggle Studies will be a problem."
"He will still be enrolled in the class even after his lordship turns Professor Parnell over to you." Severus' keen eyes saw Lucius blanch slightly and swallow. Apparently the ramifications of taking advantage of the opportunity presented by Charlotte's trip to Hogsmeade had not fully occurred to Lucius. He suppressed his desire to roll his eyes; it was hard for Snape to believe that he had ever respected the man before him. But it would not do to become unfocused. He had to stall Malfoy for as long as possible.
She didn't imagine that the Crutacius curse could be any more painful than the acid burning through her skin. Her eyes were watering, but she would not let Malfoy see her crying. The door opened slowly and Charlotte tensed, expecting the worst. But there was no Lucius, no Moggy, no one at all. In the blink of an eye Remus and Sirius were before her.
"What do you think of your cavalry now?" Black grinned, folding the invisibility cloak.
She gasped, "Thank Merlin! Get me out of these ropes!" Sirius stood watch at the door while Lupin removed the charm on the rope. The coils lost their iron grip and Charlotte lowered her arms gratefully.
"Now we've got to get you out of here," said Remus.
"There's another door down those stairs, but it's warded in some way – keyed to Malfoy's wand."
Remus nodded, "We'll have to go back the way we came."
"Here he comes!" Sirius suddenly exclaimed.
"Quick! Get under the cloak and hide in the tunnel," Charlotte said, pushing Lupin towards the stairs. She returned to the wall and slid her hands back into the rope restraints, trying to make them appear tight against her skin.
Lucius strode into the room, his cruel smile firmly in place. He examined the state of her arm with satisfaction. "Now then, back to more pleasant business," he purred.
"Actually, Lucius, there's been a change of plan." With one swift move she pulled her arm free of the ropes and connected her fist solidly with Malfoy's nose. He bent double, cradling his face with his hands and she sprang away from the wall grabbing her wand from the desk. Malfoy started towards her, face bloody and contorted with rage. Charlotte was ready, shouting Stupefy with such vehemence that Malfoy was flung backwards across the room and down the stairs.
"He's unconscious," came Remus' voice from the tunnel
"And then some," added Sirius, "but still alive."
"Okay," answered Charlotte, staring at her trembling wand hand, "I think I'm going to faint now."
Both men bounded up the stairs and Lupin pressed a piece of chocolate into her hand. "Not yet Charlotte, we still have to get out of here."
"If she rides on my back, I think we'll all fit under the cloak."
"On your – oh." Charlotte stared at the black dog where Sirius had been. She straddled Black as she would a horse and Lupin draped the cloth over them. Very slowly they made their way out of Chateau Malfoy. Charlotte remembered very little of the journey, slipping in an out of consciousness as they traveled, a combination of pain and shock. When she saw Hogwarts beyond the lake she felt a measure of strength return. She was safe at Hogwarts.
Sirius helpfully carried her until they reached the hallway before the great phoenix statue that guarded Dumbledore's office. Standing there was the black robed figure she knew so well. With a cry she slid off her mount and half-ran, half-stumbled into his arms. Her eyes filled with tears as she felt his warm body close around her and inhaled the scent of him. She was safe, she was home. They said nothing, they didn't need to. Lupin and Black approached more slowly, ill concealed shock on their faces.
Snape released his hold on Charlotte and looked sternly at the two men. "Listen well gentlemen, you will not hear these words pass my lips again." His eyes rested on Charlotte and his expression softened, "thank you." Remus and Sirius exchanged startled glances which transformed into bright smiles.
"Do invite us to the wedding," said the irrepressible Sirius.
Snape and Charlotte both cringed, but it was Charlotte who replied, "Shut up, Black."
Severus favored her with a half smile. "The headmaster is expecting us."
"Actually," said Charlotte, swaying slightly, "I think I should go to the infirmary first." And at last she mercifully fainted.
***
I have got to stop making a habit of waking up here, was her first thought opening her eyes in the infirmary. Her second was that someone was holding her hand. She smiled when she saw the figure beside the bed watching her intently.
"Severus."
"I believe we have our roles reversed," he said archly.
"I think we've both spent too much time here." She looked at her other arm. It was wrapped in bandages but pain free.
His eyes darkened. "What happened?"
"Malfoy of course." She told him about the acid, the rescue, punching Lucius, "It felt really good, you should try it sometime" and what she remembered of their escape.
"The house elves alerted the authorities and Malfoy was transported to St. Mungo's. He is as yet still alive. Dumbledore and some members of the Ministry believe that this may be enough to send Lucius to Azkaban."
"Have you heard from Voldemort?"
"Not yet – but it won't be long. Lucius is one of his most loyal and best connected followers. Imprisoning him should curtail Voldemort's activities, at least temporarily." He paused, "you will have to testify at the hearing."
She nodded. "This isn't really over yet, is it?" she asked softly.
"I wish I could tell you otherwise, but no. It will not be over until Voldemort is dead."
"If we do get Malfoy shipped off to prison, I'd say I've earned a place on the Dark Lord's hit list," she sighed. "Will anyone suspect you had a hand in my escape?"
"I think not. The only people who might suspect are the house elves, but their loyalty extends no further than the bounds of their servitude. You were the one who punched Malfoy, the one who Stupefied him. I would imagine the bulk of the blame will rest on your shoulders."
"Yay." Poppy came by, checked on her bandages and pronounced Charlotte discharged, although the mediwitch commanded her to report back the next day to see how her arm was healing. They walked slowly to Charlotte's room, saying little. As soon as Celeste caught sight of them she let out a shriek louder than any portrait had a right to be.
"Charlotte I was so worried about you! When you didn't come back, and then I heard you were in the infirmary, I assumed – all the most awful things." The girl looked like she was going to cry.
"It's alright Celeste, I'm only marginally the worse for wear," Charlotte consoled, holding up her bandaged arm. "We'll talk more later, I promise." Celeste nodded and swung open for them to enter the room.
The portrait had hardly closed when the fire in the hearth turned green and a voice called, "Charlotte, it's Albus, may I join you?" At her assent, the headmaster stepped out of the fire.
"Ah, Severus, good," were the old wizard's first words. His tone indicated that he was not at all surprised to see the potions master. "How are you feeling, Charlotte?"
"Fine sir, thank you."
"I have spoken with the Ministry. A hearing will be held once Malfoy has recovered. He is under twenty-four hour guard at the hospital and will remain there until the hearing."
"So the question is what do I do now? Well, I'm here through the end of the school year, but what then? Going back to English Lit just doesn't have the appeal it used to," she said with a weak grin. "I want to continue learning about wizardry, but I'm obviously not done with Malfoy and Voldemort yet."
"If you are interested," began Dumbledore, "I could speak with my old friend Lisbet Scolere. She is head of Sortilege College at Oxford. I'm sure a transfer could be arranged from New."
"Is Sortilege a wizarding college then?"
"Indeed. They are known to be slightly more modern than their colleagues at Cambridge. Shall I contact her?"
Charlotte looked at Severus, who inclined his head as if to say, go on. "I'd like that sir, thank you."
Dumbledore, on whom the silent exchange had not gone unnoticed, smiled. "I must insist that you remain with us at Hogwarts until we can make suitable arrangements elsewhere." Charlotte nodded happily and the headmaster stood. "I am glad to have you back, Charlotte," he said and stepped back into the fire. Charlotte dropped into the plush couch by the hearth.
"Looks like you'll be stuck with me for a while," she said as he sat down beside her.
"An unfortunate necessity," he rejoined, "but we must all make sacrifices for the greater good."
"How noble of you," she murmured as he pressed his lips to hers. After a moment she broke contact. "But is it wise for you to be involved with a mudblood, and an American at that?"
Severus sighed and sat back. "Not publicly, no. If I am to maintain my status among the Death Eaters it would be best for me to actively dislike you." He paused and his lips twitched, "But I find I am unable to do that. You know that my work for Dumbledore must come before any personal wishes. If you would rather search for a more suitable target for your affections, I certainly understand."
Charlotte laughed, hardly the reaction he had expected. "I'm hardly a prize catch now myself. Anyone involved with me is a potential target for Malfoy and company. I'd say we're a pretty good match, don't you?" He made his agreement known with a kiss that turned her insides to slush.
"I have no gift for the florid turn of phrase," he began, taking her hand. "but over the past few months you have managed to worm your way under my skin so successfully that I find it hard to imagine what I would do if you were not around."
She smiled brightly. "I'm fond of you too, Severus," she replied. After a pause she added, "I'm glad you ran into me that day in Queen's Lane."
Severus decided it was best not to mention that she had clearly been in his way and simply said, "I am too."