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CLAWS
OF A RAVEN
by Tyde
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Chapter Thirty Four
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While Poppy and Molly had been working on Julian's increasingly limp body Arthur was searching his many pockets for the Portkey he knew would take the bearer straight to St Mungos. Finally locating it in the pocket second from the right (along with a plug sample from Egypt Bill had given him for his birthday) he handed it to Molly who looped an arm through Julian's. Poppy grabbed a hold of an increasingly frail looking Sorora and placed a hand on the old soft drink can with the Switzerland flag emblazoned on one side as the air around them began to swirl.
The tug behind their navels unsettled Sorora and as soon as they arrived in the emergency room of St Mungos she collapsed onto the floor, shaking violently for several seconds and threw up all over herself. A groan sounded as she lost consciousness and her head hit the hard wood floor. Poppy had a few words to a MediNurse before heading down the hall with Molly as they handed Julian over to a team of waiting wizards. The two ladies Apparated back to Malfoy Manor where several members of the Order were in need of healing.
Sorora was levitated off the ground by the MediNurse Chi-Wei and whizzed into the nearest room and onto a comfy bed. An Anti-Nasea Draught was administered drip by drip so she wouldn't vomit and choke on it while she was not awake. A tapping on the window alerted him to an owl. It was a mottle coloured owl with huge yellow eyes and it had a light green piece of parchment attached to it's leg. Opening the window he reached out and took the parchment with a nod to the owl. It hopped from one leg to the other anxious at the state of it's mistress and it was then that the MediNurse realised it wasn't just a Medical Alert Owl, it was Sorora's personal owl. He nodded again and indicated the perch in the corner of the room which Ulula flew to and watched the scene carefully.
The unravelled parchment read as following:
Please note this patient is susceptible to 'episodes' of mental instability. Extensive use of the Unforgivable Curse, Cruciatus was performed (upwards of five hours) many years ago and she has not fully recovered. Please use force methods as necessary (this hereby gives authorisation of the use of Petrification Paste) and Dreamless Sleep potion when needed. For further information check hospital records.
He activated the bed alarm and soon a Mediwitch by the name of Elsbeth Mockford stood at the door. "Chi-Wei? What is it?"
"This woman came in with a man. How is he doing?" As he spoke a file materialised in his hands with the name Snape, Sorora written on it and dated 15th April, 1981.
"Yes, Julian Palgetti. He was an Auror, in a very bad way I'm afraid. Poppy told me this was his wife. What seems to be the problem?" Chi-Wei flicked through the file quickly as the Mediwitch spoke.
"Mental instability. Cruciatus Curse. Should I transfer her to Psychiatric?"
"How bad?"
"She's a high level Grade 6 according to this"
"Violent?"
"She passed out as soon as they got her here. Vomiting and shaking before that. Poppy said she was subjected to a relapse just two days ago. Weakness of the body, as well as the mind. I've got an authorisation here to use PP" He held up the parchment and Ulula hooted softly. It may not have sounded threatening but Petrification Paste was highly toxic. In some cases the side effects far outweighed the benefits.
"There is a spare room next to the husband and wife in Ward 3. Put her there. Matron Adler is on duty this evening, she'll sign off on the medicines for you"
"Thanks"
"If she improves you can transfer her back here – put her in with her husband. The closeness might help his recovery. He's in room 404"
The Mediwitch didn't notice the look of dread that passed across his face when she mentioned the room number.
The stretcher floated down the hallway with the prone body of Sorora Palgetti resting on top of it. Just as it entered the room, there was a click as someone came out of the room next door. An old lady and her grandson walked slowly down the hallway, arms around each other in an embrace of comfort, the boy with tears in his eyes.
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Hagrid had dumped Draco rather heavily into an armchair and Snape had bound him immediately to the chair with bonds from his wand. After several minutes of interrogation it became clear that the younger Malfoy would answer none of their questions. In fact he laughed at their attempts to extract information, spitting on Snape and insulting everyone.
The cold grey eyes of the student danced with mirth at his ex-professor's anger and those of the men surrounding him. Snape took a vial of Veritaserum from the pocket of his robes and forcibly poured it down Draco's throat. A few drops would have been enough to extract the information they needed and soon Arthur had to gently remove Snape's hand and the vial as Draco began to choke on it.
"Thank you Severus. How about you go and join Mason downstairs. He's keeping an eye on Lucius and the others. We can handle things up here"
Snape looked furious, but obeyed. He gave once last glare at Draco before exiting through the bookcase. The blonde boy started to cough and vagueness overtook him.
Arabella peered into his eyes and noticed the cloudiness surrounding the pupils. "He's ready"
Arthur cleared his throat. "Where is the Dark Lord?"
"He has gone to kill Harry Potter. He found out where he is staying. Master left shortly before I was captured by that big oaf"
The Order exchanged worried glances as this news was revealed.
"Was he alone?"
"Yes"
"Right. Hagrid you stay here and hold the fort with Severus. Everyone else, Apparate to Remus Lupin's cottage – 15 Arlington Row, Bibury, Cotswolds"
The group closed their eyes, concentrated hard and weak pops sounded around the room as they disappeared.
"They'll be catchin' 'im in no time" said Hagrid happily as he lowered himself onto a divan, the wood groaning. But alas, he had spoken too soon as all at once the members of the Order that had just Disapparated reappeared and all fell backwards as if they were bouncing off a big rubber wall. Arthur looked shocked as he got to his feet.
Sirius was the first to speak, or rather growl. "Someone get outside and tell those wizards to undo the barrier charms. We've wasted enough time already"
Remus didn't look as worried as his old friend. "I gave Harry the Portkey Padfoot, they'll be fine"
"I just hope they managed to use it before Voldemort got to them"
Feeling that he'd been forgotten Draco spoke up, the Truth Serum still working it's way through his veins. "He'll kill them all. He won't stop at Potter, he'll kill Weasel and the Mudblood and anyone else he comes across. You won't be able to stop him."
The Slytherin was blown halfway across the room as the force of the Order of the Phoenix Stunned him, smashing his body through the window pane and landing in a prickly bush in the front garden. The Aurors in front of the house paused momentarily at the disruption of their spell breaking practices. Chunks of debris lay at their feet. They all glared at Draco before raising their wands again to continue de-charming the house.
Hagrid picked Draco up by the scruff of the neck and threw his limp body back into the house where it connected with the fireplace and he crumpled to the floor with a cry of pain. No one opened their mouth to tell Hagrid to be gentle.
And behind the head of the half-giant, far in the distance and framed nicely by the broken window frame, were tiny pinpricks of light forming golden wings. The image of a phoenix with his mouth wide open in song soared up into the night sky.
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Author's note: Sorry for the delay in posting, couldn't upload on Thursday or yesterday. The last two chapters will go up next Wednesday (or thereabouts). I can't believe it's 6 days until the next Harry book comes out. I am so freaking excited!
anntagonist – thanks for that, nice to see you're still reading. My parents are a little like Molly and Arthur sometimes (don't you think?) so I just drew from that.
Colleen – *SPOILER* I've decided Peter will definitely die. Next chapter. I'm not normally one to be so blatant about things, but yeah, he's a goner. WOO HOO!!
Kaelli Karali – I'm sensing that you want me to write more :o)
