Harry felt a sudden urge to run away, but he knew he must face her sometime.
"Hello, Thaurthoniel," he answered, sounding somewhat bitter.
She looked back at him with a piercing gaze. He felt small and weak against that stare.
"I ask you a question, Harryalthough I fear I know the answer," she paused. Harry noticed she did not look at all composed like she usually did. His annoyance suddenly turned into pity and guilt.
"Do you love me?"
Those four words hung in the air. Harry quickly looked at the ground, unable to look at her anymore.
He was quickly reviewing in his head different ways to beat around the topiclet her down nicelynot let her down at all even. But he knew deep down inside what he had to say.
"No," he muttered, barely audible.
Thaurthoniel looked away from him and nodded her head slightly. A tear trickled down her porcelain face.
"I am so sorry Thaurthoniel," Harry started.
She raised her hand in protest.
"Don't be sorry," she stated, swiping away her single tear and trying to regain her composure, "Do not pity me Harry Potter. I gave you my heart of my own willI must take it back."
She quickly got up from the bed in one graceful movement. She swept past Harry, who was still looking at the floor, and headed towards the door. She paused when she placed her hand on the handle.
"Who was she?" she asked. Instantly Harry knew whom she was talking about.
"Rose," Harry muttered, suddenly feeling sadness came over him. Where was she now?
"Do not loose her Harry," Thaurthoniel said softly, "She is your love."
Harry looked up slowly into the eyes of the beautiful elf. Thaurthoniel's gray eyes shimmered behind the wall of tears, denying themselves the chance to flow freely on her face. To his surprise she smiled slightly and before he knew it, she had left the room, leaving Harry to his own, confusing thoughts.
****************
Rose woke to the strong sunlight blazing through the window. She felt slightly groggy. She had come home late last night from a late rehearsal. Luckily the apartment wasn't too far away from the building in which she was rehearsing. She felt really bad about staying with Ron and Hermione, but she couldn't help but admit it was incredibly convenient.
But lying there in bed, she suddenly felt an overwhelming sense of homesickness. Here she was, lying in another man's beda wizard actuallyand he wasn't even there! She was miles away from her house and friends. She couldn't very well go see her parents, for they were living in their home in the U.S. Plus Oliver was touring in France at the moment.
Rose sighed wearily and let a few tears role down her face. How happy she had been for that short month. Was it all over? She wished with all her heart Harry would just return. Then things would be all right.
Rose then heard a slight knocking on the door. She jumped slightly and quickly hollered a "come in." She quickly swiped away her tears as Hermione entered the room, looking pretty in a light blue shirt, and roomy khackis.
"You've been crying?" Hermione said in slight surprise as she noticed Rose's tear stained face.
Rose straightened up in bed, suddenly feeling very embarrassed. She must have looked very bad at the moment, what with her awful bed hair, blotchy face, and bad breath.
She sighed figuring Hermione really didn't care. "Ohit's nothing. Just a little homesick."
Hermione gave Rose an understanding look and came over and sat on the side of the bed.
"I know how you feel. I'd give anything to see my mom and dad now. I really haven't talked to them in a month or two. Way too long. They actually went on a cruise this last month."
"Lucky"
Hermione chuckled. "What are you doing today? I'm off workso I was wondering if you wanted to do anything? Ron's gone off to the ministry."
Rose felt relieved at once. Hermione was so easy to be around.
"That sounds great. I was hoping for something to do. What is it going to be, then?"
Hermione blushed. "Well, I was reading about this marvelous Impressionist exhibit the Museum of Art is having. I was just wondering if you wanted to come along?"
Rose smiled, "Sounds wonderful. It's about time I had a little culture in my life."
Hermione laughed, "Well thenI'll let you get dressed. I'm making breakfast. Scrambled eggs and tea sound good?"
"Perfect," Rose said with a smile, feeling much better than when she woke up.
****************
That evening
Ron sighed heavily. He had just gone through a mountainous pile of paperwork concerning reservations for the World Cup. Ron was thinking that Quidditch had been a lot more fun when he didn't have to plan the games.
"Well Ludo," he said heavily, "I'm out."
"Me too chap! Boy, all this work is making me hungry. Want to stop with me for a bite?"
Ron quickly tried to think up a realistic excuse. He really didn't want to sit through another couple hours with this man.
"Oh, Ludothat's really nice of you. ButI promised Hermione I'd be home for dinner. We have a guest over andwe were going to do something special."
"Oh really" Ludo said, looking disappointed. "Well, tell everyone I said Hi'."
"Sure will," Ron answered, feeling slightly guilty, "Well, see you on Monday!"
"Tata," he heard Ludo say as he quickly swept through the door into the busy hallways.
The Ministry building was huge and contained hundreds of different sects. His department was situated in a rather large portion of the building. He wiggled his way through the many bodies rushing home.
He suddenly caught sight of his dad through the slow crowed.
"Dad!" he shouted. This didn't work at first. Of course no one would respond to "dad" at the ministry.
"Arthur!" Ron tried again, this time with more luck. His father looked around and a broad grin spread over his face as he saw his son standing there, waving at him.
Ron hurried over to where his father stood, right outside his Muggle Relations office.
"Hey Ron!" Arthur said happily as he clapped his son on the back.
"Good to see you Dad," Ron said wearily, "It's been real busy these last weeks."
"You're telling melisten RonI really wish we could talk, but something's just come up." A grave look came over his face.
"What?" Ron asked anxiously.
"There's just been an attack at a Muggle Chinese restaurant in downtown London, Ching Wonno, nooh right, Ching Chow's Chinese. It's been really hard trying to tag down the people who fled in fear. We don't think anyone was hurt, but we don't know for sure. This is going to be a nightmare."
"Weirdwhy would there be reason for an attackand in a Muggle restaurant?"
"Who knows, Ronthere's been talk evil is rising yet againI can't help but heed the rumors."
Ron nodded, knowing only too well what his father was saying.
"Well, good luck!" Ron yelled as he let himself get swept away by the vast moving crowds.
***************
A little earlier
Rose and Hermione emerged from the fancy museum, filled with the beautiful images of the impressionist painters.
"That was beautiful" Hermione murmured, feeling exhaustion come over her.
"Oh I know!" Rose agreed, "But GodI'm starving."
"You and me bothlet's go somewhere fast."
Rose chuckled and saw a restaurant across the street called Ching Chow's Chinese.
"You want to go there?" Rose asked pointing to the shabby looking restaurant.
Hermione wouldn't have normally agreed, but under the circumstances of her growling stomach she nodded her head vigorously. A thought suddenly crossed her mind.
"Wait," she held out an arm to stop Rose, "Ron will be expecting us. I better let him know where we are. Can you hold on a sec while I Apparate in and leave him a note?"
Rose nodded, amazed at how easy it all sounded. She jumped when Hermione suddenly disappeared with a "pop". She sighed. What was Harry doing now? She had actually averted her mind of that certain dark haired manbut now that she was alone the pressing thought found her mind. A wave of sadness swept over her. I'm not going to cry, she thought angrily to herself. To her relief Hermione appeared again. For some reason Hermione made Rose feel so much better.
Hermione smiled, "All done. Let's go eat!"
The two women crossed the street, unaware that they were being followed
They opened the door, accompanied by the ding of the doorbell.
"Welcome," came the voice of a near by waiter. "Follow me please."
He led them to a small table in the corner and handed them sticky black menus.
Both women flinched and quickly let the menus drop to the table. They ordered their drinks and asked for the buffet, not trusting what things were going on in the kitchen.
"Well, not the most classy placebut its food!" Hermione said optimistically.
"Let's hope its food," Rose said with a sarcastic tone. She looked around. There weren't many people there. A Chinese couple sitting by the window, deep in conversation, a single woman sipping hot tea and reading a newspaper, a group of teenagers talking loudly and laughing as they tried to eat with their chopsticks, and a mandressed in what looked like black robes. She found that very weird, but noticed he had begun staring back so quickly averted her gaze.
"Ready to eat?" Hermione said hopefully. Rose nodded and the two women got up from the table and went over to the buffet. Rose noticed that the man in black did also.
"Is he a wizard?" She whispered to Hermione.
Hermione looked around slowly and quickly turned back around. "Merlinit appears soI wonder why he is dressed in his robes?"
They had begun to dish up their plates. The man in black was now standing next to Rose and filling his plate with food as well. She quickly looked up at him and saw his face. He was light skinned and had wavy brown hair. He was actually sort of handsome. Rose suddenly stiffened when she felt something poke her back.
"Don't move," said the voice of the man, "I am a wizard and could kill you in an instant."
Without thinking Rose suddenly dropped her plate, which went clattering to the floor.
Hermione, along with the rest of the restaurant looked up.
"RoseRose, what's the matt-"
The man in black suddenly wrapped his hand around Rose's arm and flung her to the side. As a quick reaction Hermione pulled out her wand and pointed it at the man's heart.
"Don't touch her," she said through gritted teeth.
A grin spread over the man's face and he released Rose's arm. Hermione held her ground.
"What do you want?" she asked angrily.
The man at the front desk quickly came over.
"What is the meaning of this?" he asked angrily in a heavy Chinese accent. Hermione, distracted, looked over at the manager. In that one instant, the man grabbed Rose again and knocked Hermione's wand out of her hand. He made to grab her as well, but Rose, now aware of what was happening, sunk her teeth into the mans burly arm. He howled with pain and cursed loudly. He hit Rose over the head, hard. She felt dizzy with pain. She saw that Hermione was scrambling on the groundsearching for her wand. The man was dragging Rose towards herbut he was too late. Hermione had grabbed her wand. Rose thought for a moment Hermione would disarm himbut before she knew it, a strange sensation came over her. It was like the room around her had suddenly disappeared. Dizziness came over her. She was swirling fast. Her eyes had been closed; they would not open. She heard the scream of Hermione in the background.
**************
Ron appeared in the alley way beside the apartment. That was the standard Apparating place, for no one would see them there. He quickened his pace, feeling a warm feeling come over him at the thought of finding Hermione at home.
After many stairs, he finally reached their door. He stopped to read a sloppy note that was taped upon the door. As he read his face turned white:
Ron-
Rose and I spent the day out and are just going to eat dinner out, some Chinese place downtown, across from the Museum of Art-Ching Chow's Chinese. If you need anything, you know where to reach me.
All my love,
Hermione
His conversation with his father pulsed in his head. The information clicked. An attackdowntown LondonChing Chow's Chinese
"Oh bloody hell," Ron murmured as he sprinted down the hall.
***************
Hermione screamed as she realized the man had Disapparated with Rose. Fear pulsed through her veins. She was unaware of the people running from the restaurant, yelling in confused tones.
She felt someone poking her. She looked up to see the face of the manager. He looked scared and angry.
"What has happened. What the hell was the that?" he babbled.
Hermione didn't know what to do. She quickly looked around, found no one else in the place, picked up her wand and muttered Memoria. It was a powerful memory charm. A blank look came over the man's face. She suddenly felt very sorry for him, but she didn't know what else to do. She jumped up and ran for it. She couldn't risk the chance of being caught or questioned.
She rushed out the door and found a secluded area. She avoided the strange glances she got from the interested people walking by. As soon as she was alone she Disapparted to the alleyway.
************
Ron pounced down the stairs rather recklessly. Awful thoughts kept filling his mind. An attack. By a wizard. Why? After Hermione. Is she alive? He moaned unwillingly but then yelped out in pain as he ran head strong into someone.
He bounced back on the stairs, pain searing through his back.
"Ron!" he heard a man's voice exclaim. It was Harry.
Ron opened his eyes, blocking out the pain.
"Harry," Ron panted, "Hermione's in trouble. Rose too."
The color faded from Harry's face. "Whatwhat is it?"
"There was an attack, by a wizard, in a Muggle restaurant the two were eating at. I assumed the worst. Why would a wizard attack a Muggle restaurant? Harry we've gotta get there! Apparatethe name is Ching Chow's Chinese."
All this came as a blow to Harry. He leaned against the wall, Ron's last words screaming in his mind. Hermione and Rose are in trouble. The two most important women in his life.
"Let's go," he said breathlessly.
Ron jumped up and ran behind Harry as they made their way to the alleyway.
**************
Hermione felt the familiar concrete beneath her feet as she landed at her destination. A sudden feeling of nausea came over her. What would happen to Rose? She had to get to Ron.
She started to jog down the alleyway, when she stopped. Two figures were sprinting towards her. She couldn't see their faces, for they looked black against the sunlight. She pulled her wand out, but then she heard one of them yell, "Hermione!"
It was Ron.
She sighed heavily and ran forward to meet him. She ran right into him and enveloped him in a painful hug. She pulled away, tears streaming down her face.
"What is it?" He asked forcefully. She turned to look at the man beside him, Harry. She started to sob. She pulled away from Ron and gave Harry a strong hug. She felt so bad for him.
"Hermione" Harry said soothingly, "What is it?" She could sense the tone of fear in his voice.
"It'sRose," she managed to sob out. She felt Harry go limp against her embrace. He pulled away and grabbed her by the shoulders.
"What happened?" he asked, his voice cracking at his distress.
She pulled away from his painful grip and slumped against the dirty alley wall. Ron came up next to her and put his arm around her. She let him support her weight. She literally couldn't hold herself up anymore.
"Wewe were attacked. In the restaurant," Her voice came in rasps. "A manbrown, wavy hair. He grabbed Rose and knocked my wand out of my hand. He made to get me to, but I had found my wand. I meant to stop himbut he Disapparated too quickly. He took Rose with him. Rose is gone." Tears were streaming down her face and Ron held her close, his grip tight with distress.
Harry couldn't believe what he was hearing.
No. No. NO! he thought to himself. This isn't happening! He buried his head in his hands and began to pace. He felt like crying out. He felt like sobbing. But his confusion, anger, and sadness were too great to actually portray it with any emotion.
"Hohow could he Disapparate with her?" Harry stuttered, "She's a Muggle!" He screamed the last part to the open air. His voiced echoed in the cool night air of the alleyway. Hermoine shuddered.
"It must be Dark Magic, Harry. It isn't unheard of. He could have discretely put a spell on Rose that would enable her to Disapparate. Or he could have put a spell on himself, in which would enable him to take whoever he touched along with him." Hermione took a deep breath. Of course it was always up to her to do the thinking. She watched as Harry paced uneasily up and down the streets. Then she turned her gaze towards Ron, who was still standing close by her. He looked pale and his face showed hurt. She knew it was not only for Rose, but also for his best friend.
Hermione lent in and softly whispered in his ear, "It will be okay." He turned his face slowly around. His face was serious and grave- a very rare look for Ron. He bent in and kissed her on the forehead. For a second she thought everything was back to normal, but then the sight of Harry caught the corner of her eye.
He was now leaning against the opposite wall, head buried his hands. He looked perfectly miserable. He slowly brought his face and looked with a piercing stare at Ron and Hermione. His face was red from where his hands had run over it and his eyes were watery and helpless looking.
"What are we going to do?" he whispered weakly.
****************
Rose screamed as she felt her surrounding disappear around her. But it seemed as soon as they disappeared, they reappearedin what looked like the most hellish place she had ever been.
Fires blazed up around her. It was feverishly hot. The walls were black and burnt. Ugly creatures fed fires and other ones were creating what looked like wandsbut they were steel.
She then realized the man standing beside her, his grip cutting off her circulation.
She kicked him in the shins and wrestled herself free. To her annoyance he began to laugh menacingly.
"You can try how ever you want, missbut you will never escape."
"Who the hell are you?" she asked angrily, fear pulsing through her veins.
"I am your worst nightmarealso known as Mercanian. I despise all scum like you on this earth and it is my duty to dispose of you."
"Scum like me? What the hell do you mean?"
A disgusted look flashed across his face. "You don't even know how pathetic you are. You are a Muggle. A human being lacking the skills of magic. Totally useless if you ask me. That's why you're here."
"Why me?" she asked desperately.
"Because I know that Harry Potter would do anything for you. You are his love, if there is such a thing. He will come for you, no doubt about it, and try and save you. But I will attack and capture him as well. My master may have died, but his wishes will still be carried out. Our power will rise againand weak creatures like you will be our slaves!"
An evil grin spread over the man's face. He must be crazy, she thought.
"You could never kill Harry," Rose said strongly.
"Ha!" Mercanian retorted bitterly, "What do you know of Harry Potter? You are just a Muggle. You have no concept of what he can or can not do. Do not speak of things in which you have no understanding."
"Hmph," Rose grunted, "There is one thing I do understand, and that is that you are the scum. Harry could never loose his life to such a selfish and horrible person as yourself-" Rose could not continue for Mercanian had hit her soundly on the face. She started backwards, but then steadied. She was not going to be weak against him.
"Do not insult me, bitch. I do find it wise, if you treasure you life."
Rose didn't reply. She found it better if she kept her mouth shut. She felt hot. Incredibly hot. And faint. Her vision was becoming blurredpain in her face overcoming her feelings. She saw a small smile come over Mercanian's face as she kneeled to the ground while darkness came over her.
***************
The first thing Harry, Ron, and Hermione did when they returned to the apartment was contact Wood. He was on tour with the Cannons at the time, but had Apparated to the apartment within the hour of his notification.
He was hysterical.
After Hermione had explained everything to him, he had thrown the glass he had been drinking from against the wall. The other three just watched apprehensively, for Wood looked like he would much rather take his anger out on a human form.
But much to their relief, his anger soon subsided and he sighed weakly. The blood drained from his face and he stiffly collapsed on the nearest couch.
Hermione slowly walked over and sat next to him on the couch. She rubbed his back with her hand soothingly.
"How canwhat can we do?" he managed to squeak out.
"Do you think the Ministry would help us?" Ron asked.
"She's not a wizard, so it's doubtful," Harry started, "But, we might as well try. I'm going to go over right now. We don't have time to waste."
"I'm going too," Wood stated hastily, shooting up from the couch. "I don't think I'll be able to cope with my nerves without something to do."
Harry nodded. He then looked over at his two best friends. He looked at Hermione sitting wearily on the couch. Harry suddenly felt guilty. He had not stopped to think that she had been in the attack just as much as Rose had. He quickly walked over and sat down on the couch next to her.
"HermioneI'm so sorry this had to happen to you. I just want you to know you're my best friend and I love you. You get some rest while I'm gone."
She started to protest but Harry placed his cold hand on her face and gave her a forceful look.
"Alright, Harry. Good luck." She leaned in and kissed him on the cheek.
Harry smiled and slowly got up and walked across the room to Ron, who at the moment looked very frizzled.
"I'll be back soon," Harry stated.
Ron nodded and suddenly gave Harry a hard hug. Harry returned it gratefully. Harry and Ron didn't hug muchbut when they did, it was when they needed it most.
"It'll be okay," Ron assured Harry, clapping him on the back.
"I can only hope as much," Harry returned. He pulled away and started towards the door, Oliver following.
***************
Harry and Oliver burst through the doors of the Ministry.
"May I help you?" the witch at the front desk asked.
"Yeah, we need to speak with the Minister of Magic," Oliver stated. Harry's eyes went wide at the thought that they just asked to speak personally with the Minister, but he felt urgency inside him.
The witch gave them a quizzical look.
"UhhhI think he's busy right nowyou'll have to make an appointment."
Wood looked furious. He pressed his hands onto the desk and leaned in.
"Listen," he said spitting everywhere, "This is an emergency."
"I'm sorry siryou will have to wait"
"No," Harry cut in, " Pleaseplease, we really don't have time." He said this desperately and the witch looked at him with pity.
She sighed as in giving in.
"Alright, just a moment."
A grin spread over Woods's face. But soon disappeared as thoughts of what had just happened came back in to his mind. Harry patted him on the back.
Wood looked back at Harry with a worried expression. He opened his mouth to say something but voices in the hall interrupted them.
"Right this way sir," came the witch's voice, "There are two men here to see you."
****************
Rose awoke with a start in a plain, hard cot in a dank dark room. She was confused at first, but then her memories shot back into her mind and she was filled with an uncontrollable fear. She felt like crying out and weepingbut her fear was beyond that.
She noticed that she had been stripped of the nice dress she had on before and was now wearing an itchy burlap dress, which was sleeveless and came a little above the knees. She jumped with fear as she heard a voice.
"You are finally awake." A woman came out of the darkness. She was wearing black robes, sort of like the ones of the man they had met in the restaurant, and sported a look of utter repulsion.
"Who are you?" Rose whispered fearfully.
The woman laughed meanly.
"I am Willa. I am to be your supervisor while you are with uswhich to my knowledge, will not be long." She looked greatly pleased.
"My master has ordered me to keep you alive, and I fear I must obey his wishes, even though I despise you Muggle scum."
"Uhhh you people," Rose said, her voice cracking. "What's the big deal?"
Willa gave her an annoyed look.
"Obviously, your so called "friends" have told you nothing. Muggles are non-wizardsand you are not a wizard. To any respected wizard, Muggles are the most repulsive things on earth. They are weak and foolish; ignorant and sloppy. They do not deserve to walk along side wizards."
Rose looked down at the bed.
"Look, I've heard all this already from your master, I guess, Mercanian. What my question is, is what the bloody hell are you going to do to me?"
An evil grin spread over Willa's face.
"If you'd just follow me, then maybe you'll find out."
*************
"Mr. Potter, Mr. Woodplease have a seat," directed the Minister. They were now facing Gregory Yanter, Minister of Magic. Fudge had retired in Harry's last year of Hogwarts. He was now living in Australia on a private, invisible island. Yanter, a short, stumpy, man of about fifty years old, stared back. He was balding, and the greasy peeled back hair that he had, was a graying black. Harry really didn't care much for Yanter, but he tried to put up with his decisions as agreeably as possible.
"How can I help you fellows?" he asked stoutly.
Wood and Harry both looked at each other doubtfully. Harry nodded to Wood, and Wood began to spill out the whole story.
Yanter looked at his desk the whole time Wood was telling the story. He was fidgeting with a gold pen, which annoyed the hell out of Harry. It was like he didn't think this was very important at all.
Wood finished, out of breath, and Yanter looked up with a slight smile on his face.
"I'm really sorry about all this," he started, really not sounding sorry at all, " But what is it that you want me to do?"
Harry gave him a really annoyed look.
"We were wondering if you could send out a team. A search party. Anything. I have some suspicions of my own. I think if we stick our heads together, we may be able to rescue Rose, along with bring down the growing threat."
The same sick smile was still on his face.
"Mr. Potterthis woman, Rose, you say.well, she's a Muggle. We can't just send out a search party because you ask us to. This really isn't our problem."
Wood looked like he was about to physically hit the Minister. Harry didn't blame him. Without thinking, he shot up from his chair and shouted, "What do you mean it's not your problem? Yeah, maybe she's a Muggle, but a wizard, possibly the next leader of the Death Eaters, kidnaped her! How can you just sit back and watch this happen?" Harry stood there, positively shaking with anger. Yanter looked shocked and angry.
"Mr. Potter," he started, his voice squeaking highly, " I understand this could be some sort of lead onto the next Dark Lordbut truthfully, I find that very unlikely. You don't have any hard evidence that this could be true, and I refuse to spend valuable money and time to follow up on this case." He stopped somewhat out of breath. Little bullets of sweat were dripping down the sides of his face. The sight of him made Harry sick. The same grin had again appeared on his face. He leaned in and whispered, "She's only a Muggle, Harry."
Harry took a few steps back. Was he imagining this. How could the Minister of Magic be such a jerk?
"Well, you know what Mr. Yanter? I happen to love that Muggle. I am ashamed in this Ministry for hiring someone like you. You would let someone die, just because you didn't want to waste your precious money and time. Well, Ministergoodbye." Harry strode past Wood, who looked too angry to speak and out the door. Wood then seemed to come to his senses. He gave Yanter a look that could kill and followed Harry out the door, making sure he gave it a good slam.
*****************
"Here she is, Master," Willa sneered as she pushed Rose to the ground. They had entered a small circular room with a stone table in the center. One man, the same one who had taken her, Mercanian, and two guards were the only occupants.
"Very well, Willayou may go back to your duties."
Willa looked very disappointed at this dismissal, but she grumbled and sauntered out of the room.
Rose was scared- incredibly scared.
"You're looking nice," Mercanian sneered, with a greasy looking smile on his face. "I'm sorry I had to take away your nice clothesit's just, they wouldn't suit the type of things you'll be doing here."
"What things?" Rose asked forcefully. Mercanian laughed. He pulled something out of his robes. It was a steel wand like the ones she had seen being made when she first arrived.
"This is what I like to call a Battle Wand. It is made of a special magic metal, cheaper and more efficient than making wooden wands. It can not perform all the hexes, charms, spells, and such, a wooden wand can, but lets just say it can do the essential things."
Rose gave Mercanian a doubtful look.
"I'm sure you're wondering what these essential things are," he stated, malice in his tone, "Well, I was just wondering the same thing myself. You seeI actually haven't had the chance to try these wands out yetand I was thinking, I could test them onyou."
Rose's heart sank. I am going to die here, she thought. She tried not to cry. She could feel herself shaking.
"Let's see," Mercanian pondered, "What spell should I use first. Ah! How about the Cruciatis curse. This could be painfulso brace yourself."
He said this with every indication of delight in his voice. Rose squinted her eyes as she saw Mercanian raise the wand. She heard him yell, "Crucio!".
She screamed. She screamed until she felt her throat burning uncontrollably. The pain she felt was indescribable. She felt like her skin was being torn, shredded from her body. Her blood was burning inside of her. White-hot pain was searing through her veins.
In the distance she heard a laugh, loud and mean. It tortured her mind. She could feel tears streaming down her face. They burned her cheeks. She couldn't stand it anymore. Her voice had gone she had screamed so loud. She was sure her body had disintegrated.
Suddenly, it stopped. She could actually see now, but the ghost of the pain she had felt was still with her. She was sobbing loudly now. She really didn't care what Mercanian thought of her. Fine, she was a sniveling, weak, Muggle. All she wanted was to go home. Why is this happening? She asked herself in vain.
"Yesit hurts doesn't it?" Mercanian asked curiously. "Worked rather well for a Battle Wand. Only two minutes and you were practically dead with pain."
Rose just lay on the cold ground. She couldn't speak. Her anger and fear that it would happen again was too great.
Mercanian looked down at her with no pity in his eyes, "I have a feeling this is going to be a long day for you."
***************
Harry and Oliver Apparated back to the apartment, each one too angry to speak.
Ron was sitting on the couch, Hermione's sleeping head in his lap.
"How did it go?" he asked quietly.
Wood snorted.
Harry looked at Ron with determination in his bright green eyes, "Ron, I think we're going to need a Weasley meeting."