The apartment was now filled with chattering people. Harry, Ron, and Hermione had owled anyone who thought they might be able to help them. Harry stood in a corner and watched the excited crowd talk of the news. He watched each person carefully.
First he set his eyes upon Sirius, leaning against a far wall. He was not engaged in conversation and had a grave look upon his face. He was the only one who had not been surprised after hearing the disturbing news. He had barely spoken since. Although he had never met Rose, he knew the situation was killing Harry. If Harry was miserable, Sirius was miserable.
On a near couch sat Ginny Weasley, accompanied by Draco Malfoy. Ginny looked the most cheerful of them all. This annoyed Harry at the present, but he figured it wasn't her fault. She had always had that optimistic attitude. Plus she had never met Rose. What was she to her? Harry found it very hard to believe that Rose couldn't mean anything to someone. Ginny had her hand on Draco's thigh. He was looking sour, as usual. Sure, he was good looking, but he had an air to him that always made Harry feel agitatedor even depressed. Draco wasn't saying much either. He looked like he was in deep thought.
Harry then averted his gaze to a clump of people standing in the hall. Fred, George, Ron, and Arthur Weasley were all talking quickly. Harry's heart went out to them. Arthur looked tired. Harry felt really sorry for the man, knowing he must have had hours upon hours of work, trying to cover up the attack. Fred and George had rare frowns upon their faces, and Ron just looked exasperated. This had been hard for him as well. He had taken time off from his Department and had come in personally to help his Dad out. Harry felt a pang of envy at the relationship those two had.
On a chair next the door, Harry saw Cate sitting. She was looking beautiful as usual in a clean white tank top and tight fitting jeans. Although, there was an anxious air about her. Harry had never thought of the relationship she might have had with Rose. He really had never talked to Cate.
Wood was kneeling down next to her, whispering what looked like comforting words into her ear. Harry watched the two and felt an overwhelming sadness. It had been so long since he had even seen Rose. Yet, he could remember her perfectly. Her rosy cheeks, and bright blue eyes, that seemed to sparkle with her emotions. Her soft pearly white skin, the way her laugh made him want to burst with happiness. The way she could take his mind away from all his problems, and just let himfree.
Harry shook his head, feeling tears building up behind his tired eyes. He looked at the kitchen table and saw Hermione and Mrs. Weasley sitting there. Molly seemed to be comforting Hermione, who looked worried and shaken. Molly was like a mother to them all, it was incredible. She managed to make every single person she looked upon feel loved and comforted. She was an amazing woman.
Hermione looked up and saw Harry watching her. She gave him a weary smiled and winked. He smiled and winked back. Harry saw Hermione pat Molly on the shoulder and excuse herself. She walked over towards Harry.
"How are you feeling?" she asked warmly, giving him a gentle hug.
"I'm alright. You?"
"On the edge of a mental breakdownthat's all."
Harry gave her a worried look and stroked her face. "Is this everyone?" He asked, looking around the room.
Hermione took in a deep breath. "Yes. Bill and Charlie couldn't make it for various reasons. I can't seem to contact Lupin. And Percy had an important Ministry meeting today."
"Of coursea meeting," Harry said rolling his eyes.
Hermione smiled, looking across the room at Ron. Ron was returning the gaze and Harry saw him mouth the words, "I love you" in her direction. She blushed slightly and smiled. Harry felt that same sadness sweep over him. Everything reminded him of Rose.
Ron had walked over and wrapped his arm around Hermione's shoulders bracingly.
"You okay Harry?" he asked sounding concerned, "You look pale."
"Ronto tell you the truthI'm really not okay. But I'm going to have to get through this."
Hermione and Ron glanced at each other and then looked back at Harry with pity in their faces.
"Harryyou'll always have us," Hermione said comfortingly, placing a warm hand on his arm. Harry sighed and put one arm around Ron and another around Hermione. They all leaned their heads in, so they looked like they were having some sort of huddle.
"I know," Harry whispered. He felt the warmth of all their breath filling in the crowded space of air between their heads and the ground.
"You ready to start the meeting?" Ron asked.
Harry took in a deep breath. "Yes."
**************
"Sweet dreams," sneered Willa as she threw Rose back into her pit of a room.
Rose couldn't speak. She was exhausted with pain and toil. After the multiple times she was put under the Cruciatus curse, she was forced to toil in the blazing hot rooms. She was forced to fuel the fires and scrub the uncleanable floors. If there were a Hell, this would be it.
What once was immaculate white skin, was now scratched, bleeding, and dirty. She was able to tie up her knotty, greasy blonde hair with a spare rubber band she had on her wrist. She smelled horribly of perspiration and soot.
Every bone in her body ached with immeasurable pain. A constant stream of hopeless tears streamed down her stinging face. She crawled over to the rock hard bed. She curled up into a ball, holding her scraped knees to her chest. She was too weary to think. She cried for a while, and then fell into a deep sleep, in which many nightmares of the days to come haunted her dreams.
**************
Harry, Ron, and Hermione seated themselves in three chairs, facing the staring crowd of people.
"Sonow that you all know what has happened, we need to form some sort of plan. I will not rest easy until Rose is free. I have no doubt that this will lead to danger. Evil usually does. So if anyone wishes to back out nowby all means, go ahead."
Harry looked anxiously around the room. He doubted anyone would back away, and to his relief his theory proved true. He saw looks of determination, worry, and fear on all the faces. He then got back to talking.
"First of all, we need to know where to find her. I have no doubt this has to do with the rumors of a new rising Dark Lord. He goes by the name of Mercanian. I have dealt indirectly with this man before. First, I believe, with the attack on Percy and then again with my case with the elves. I really have no idea where this man is hiding outor even if Rose is in his care. Any information any of you may have would be a great asset to me."
Harry yet again looked around at the faces anxiously. He really was clueless. This case was looking more and more far-fetched as the minutes went by.
Harry looked sideways at Sirius. Sirius looked back with a look of unwillingness on his face. Harry nodded pleadingly and Sirius stepped forward.
"I really do not know much," he started softly, "And I know the information I share is quite confidential," he looked around unsurely, his gaze stopping when it reached Harry, "But I know this is important to you Harryso I will speak."
He took in a deep breath and continued. "This past month, I have traveled around. At the moment, I am working for an elite group of people. A group, I doubt any of you, save one (he muttered this), have ever heard of." Harry was staring intently at Sirius and did not notice Draco shift uneasily in his chair.
"I will not reveal the name of this organization in respect to the secrecy it has worked hard to maintain. Although, I will disclose some information I have learned. Harry's speaks of a new Dark Lord. WellI'm sure he is nothing compared to the likes of Voldemort, but his power is growing stronger as we speak. His name is indeed Mercanian. He is youngprobably in his early twenties. His mother and father were killed in the war against Voldemort, and he has spent most of his life getting revenge for their deaths. I, myself, do not know where this man is to be found. My assignment on this task was to find background on this mantalk to people he has dealt with. From what I've heard, he is brutal and harshyet not totally merciless. There is still hope within his morals. He has killed many innocent people, though. He is a passionate hater of Mugglesand is known for the worst types of torture." Sirius hated saying this in front of everyone. This definitely wasn't helping the situation. "Alasthis is the only information I have of importance," Sirius paused and looked across the room," AlthoughI do believe someone else might be able to tell us something more. Something of great importance."
Harry followed Sirius gaze. He couldn't believe it. The whole room was now staring at Draco Malfoy.
**************
Rose was standing by a pit of fire. She was weeping bitterly, afraid she might fall in. Her mother was standing on the other side, whispering words of comfort to her. Suddenly, Mercanian appeared behind her mother and pushed her into the fiery pit. Rose screamed from horror and started to jump in after her, but something held her back. Rose started yelling at the personcursing them, but she did not turn around. She couldn't take her eyes off of the burning pit. She felt herself being dragged backwards, into darkness. She was yelling in anger at the person who was dragging her and she quickly turned around to the face them.
It was Harry. She stopped weeping, but then noticed she was bleeding from her stomach. Buckets of blood were pouring out. She was dying. She didn't feel pain though. She looked into Harry's eyes and told him she loved him. He placed his hand on her stomach and stopped the bleeding. Rose fell to the ground. Harry picked her up in his arms and pulled her close. She looked into the darkness. She couldn't see anything. All she heard was Harry's voice. "It will be okay. It will be okay. Hold on. I am coming. I love you."
Suddenly Rose woke with a start. The room was totally dark; the candle she was given had blown out. She had no idea what time it was, or how long she had been asleep. She shivered at the thought of her dreamand yet felt comforted by the last words. "It will be okay. I am comingI love you." She surprised herself by smiling. The very thought of Harry gave her a slight inkling of hope. "I love you too," she whispered into the dark. She then closed her tearful eyes and fell back asleep.
**************
Draco flushed as he realized the sudden attention forced upon him, but he got up quickly from his couch and paced in on spot. He spoke in a tense tone.
"Yes, Sirius is right. I am part of this group he talks about, in factI am the one who founded it. I am under strict confidentiality, so I can not name any names." He paused, looking very pale. Harry had never really gotten along with Malfoybut he had respected him. Malfoy's current state seemed to touch a place in Harry's heart that felt more like a friend than anything else. He was surprised at this feeling of emotion. He looked down at Ginny, who at the moment looked like she was going to be sick. Draco looked like he was tearing apart inside.
"I, myself, do not go on any of the missionsunless an emergency calls me to do so. I am merely an organizer of informationfeeding any vital tidbits to the Ministryand other, more powerful organizations."
Harry looked up. He had never realized there were other, more powerful organizations. Malfoy was really deep into this spy network.
"And yes, I can help you Harry." Draco stopped pacing and stood, staring at Harry. His pale blue eyes were shining with a bright and powerful light Harry had never noticed before.
"One of my menanother double agentis inside Mercanian's hide out. We have only been able to meet with him twice in the three weeks that he has been there. It is located in a large, underground cave in the Sahara Desert. It is well hidden, but our agent has supplied us with specific information regarding where to find the entrance. The problem is getting in. Many hexes and people guard it. We may be able to sneak through, but then we have the problem of even finding Rose." Draco stopped, out of breath. He looked up at Harry with a very doubtful and sad look on his face. Harry returned the gaze with a pleading in his eyes that he knew Draco could see.
"But," Draco started slowly, "No matter how faulty this mission may appearI will help you Harry. You will have me by your side."
**************
Rose felt herself being shaken roughly. She was tiredunbelievably tired. She had no idea how much sleep she had gotten, but it had been too little.
"Whatwhat is it?" she asked groggily, not opening her eyes.
"Get up you lazy bitch," she heard the familiar voice of Willa bark.
"Good morning to you too," Rose shot back quickly sitting up right and giving Willa a hard glare. If she was going to be treated like this, she might as well be obnoxious too.
"Don't be smart with me, Muggle," Willa retorted, fire in her eyes, "It's just your luck that Mercanian is a very merciful man. He has ordered me to send you breakfast and then directly to his company."
Rose snorted, "It's not what I'd call a lucky day."
Willa turned on her roughly and whispered threateningly, "You better be more grateful. Your lucky you're even alive."
This shut Rose up. She knew deep down in her heart that this was true. She shivered unvolentarily.
Willa grinned, content she had won that battle. She turned and left the room.
Rose was beginning to wonder after a while if her breakfast was ever going to come. She really wasn't that hungryfear and pain nagged at her. But she knew she should eat.
Finally a man came into the room. He was carrying a tray laden with food.
"Here you are," he said curtly.
"Thank you," Rose said gratefully as a plate of bread and a boiled egg was handed to her.
She began to nibble at the bread, but noticed the man was not leaving.
"Do you want something?" she asked, trying not to sound rude. The last thing she wanted was another enemy.
The man looked around the room nervously and his eyes lingered on the door. He then rushed over and kneeled next to her.
Rose started but he placed a hand on her leg to stop her.
"Don't be startled," he said soothingly, "I am your friend. I work for Draco Malfoyand I know your brother, Oliver Wood." Rose turned pale at the sound of her brother's name. She wanted to burst out crying she missed him so much.
"Whywhy are you here?" Rose asked confused.
The man looked doubtful but then quickly whispered, "I am a spya double agent. Malfoy knows about this place and I am sure he is doing something to help you. Don't loose faith."
With that, the man jumped out and ran out the door. Rose slumped on the bed, replaying the words in her mind. Don't loose faith, she told herself. Easier said than done.
**************
After Draco's valiant speech, everyone remained quiet and thoughtful. Then Sirius barked, "Well, let's get started." He looked around gruffly, but before he could say anything else Ron stepped forward.
"We need to designate different jobs to people. If we're going to go through with this, we better be organized."
Hermione nodded and followed behind him. "Draco, how exactly do we get in?"
"There is a special cactus, exactly 2 miles north from the Shafaka Hotel, a small building in the near a wizarding town called Dumans. The cactus looks normal, but is in the faint shape of a wizard holding a wand. On the bark is the incrusted dark mark, and when touched by a wand it will grow red and ask you the password. It is Mercanian. Obviously this fellow thinks very highly of himself. After that, the cactus will jump aside and present to you a dark whole, in which you must jump into. You will fall for a while, but will land clearly enough, for it is charmed to keep a steady landing. After that, I do not know what guarding is kept." Draco looked doubtfully at Hermione. She then looked at the ground and thought as hard as she could.
"So," she started slowly, "We need people willing to go in. Some, I would think, should stay out and guard the area. We can't risk having evil wizards coming in while we are attacking their home."
"Right," said Harry for the first time in a while, " I will be one to go in."
"So will I," Draco seconded.
"And I," Ron stated.
This joining went on until everyone reached a conclusion. The guards would be Molly and George. Everyone else was going in.
"Wow," said Fred in amazement, "This is just like some action movie. I feel so important."
Hermione smiled, but then worries came back into her mind, "Yes, wellI just hope we can find her."
"Don't worry Mione," George said, patting her on the back, "You've been through worst and survived. Plus saved practically the whole wizarding world! I really doubt that you won't be able to get her out. Plus, in the little time that I've known Rose, I know she won't be easy to subdue."
***************
"Why hello, Rose," Mercanian's sarcastic drawl welcomed as Rose entered the familiar torture room. "That is what they call youRose? Ah, what an interesting name. I would never compare a beautiful flower to a disgusting Muggle as yourself."
"What would you know about beauty or flowers, when you spend all your time here in this hell whole?"
"You do not like my creation?" Mercanian asked dryly, "That is a pity, for I fear you will be spending the rest of your days here."
"I fear you may be mistaken. I have no intention of prolonging my stay."
"I don't think your intentions' have any say in the matter. You are under my control, and if you choose to test that control, you might find yourself in a bad position."
"Not if Harry Potter has anything to do about it."
Mercanian's eyes flashed at the sound of the familiar name.
"Ohof course. The valiant Harry Potter here to save the day. You know, you really are quite dense. The whole reason I'm keeping you alive is to drag him to me. And when he comes and I finally capture himI will kill you right in front of him. I can't wait to see the look on his face while he watches your life ebb away in front of him." Mercanian paused with a dirty grin on his face. "Of courseI can't believe he'd be too devastated. I mean, of all the people to love, why the hell did he choose you?"
I won't let him get to me. I won't let him get to me. Rose kept saying this over and over in her mind. She decided she wouldn't say anything anymore, since every time she did she got shot down by his hurtful remarks. A small tear trickled down her face involuntarily.
"Ohpoor Rose. Am I hurting your feelings?"
"What do you care about my feelings. What do you care about anything?"
"Oh, well, your rightI really don't care about your feelings. You don't deserve to have feelings."
Rose scoffed and shook her head. " You claim that you're all powerful and wizards are the only beings that the should have the right to live free, but all you do with this power of yours is hurt and persecute people. What good is that doing? Why don't you use your power for a purpose worth the effort? We haven't done anything to you. You're a monsternot a wizard."
Mercanian had an awful look on his face, which made Rose shrink back in fear.
" You doubt my power? I'll show you power!" He raised his wand and muttered Crucio Rutiatis! Rose had felt pain and it hurt. But thisthis was beyond pain. This was human torment. She felt her whole body stiffen and shake with the most powerful sensation of burning Rose had ever felt. It was hell. It was pure torture. She could see red blisters popping up all over her burning skin. She was scalding, without the heat. It was like her blood was boiling inside of her. She screamed at the top of her lungs. She hated Mercanian. She hated him more than anything. Her eyes were welling with unshed tears. She couldn't cry. All her energy was focused on the pain. Rose saw through blurry vision the figure of Mercanian looming towards her. She could make out his evil gray eyes looking into her blood shot ones. He smiled as he saw her immense pain. Her screaming did not seem to affect him. He raised his hand and slapped her hard against the face. She knew that he had left a mark, as if his hand had branded her. She collapsed to the floor as she slowly felt the burning fade away.
"Help me," she murmured against the floor. She knew she was in a bad condition. Her whole body was blistered now. She could hear Mercanian's footsteps coming towards her. She yelped in pain as he kicked her in the ribs.
"Get up bitch," he snarled.
Rose kneeled and slowly got to her feet. Mercanian looked at her with an evil grin, but before he could do anything Rose had charged him. He was obviously not expecting this and he received a hard punch in the face. He stammered back, and Rose punched him again, hitting him square in the eye.
Mercanian howled and she could hear guards running in the hall. She kicked him in the groins, just for the hell of it and laughed as he fell backwards onto the ground.
"I don't need a wand to hurt people. I can do it with my own two hands."
Mercanian growled and began to get up, but guards barged into the room.
"What's the matter?" one of the asked.
Mercanian got up quickly, not wanting any of them to see he had been attacked.
"Ohshe just, uhh, surprised me that's all. Take her to the dungeons. She better get working." He gave Rose a look that could kill while she was dragged by the guards off to her daily torture.
The only way she got through that day was madly repeating, Harry will come for me, Harry will come for me.
***************
Harry awoke that night with a start. He had just had a vivid dream with Rose in it. She had been crying, but he couldn't reach her. He lay back down in the bed, wiping his sweaty head.
He whispered into the dark, "I'm coming for you Rose. I'm coming."