Author's Note: I'm so sorry! I had writer's block! And I know it's been forever since I've updated and I have such a boring chapter here cause I still have writer's block. I get really annoyed with authors like me right now, and I am SO SORRY! Um, if you don't rant on about how annoying I am, I promise, that um, you will get um, a mansion when I get rich and famous, okay?
To Wo Ai Ni16, haha…is the baby Harry? Hmm…you'll find out soon…hehe…
Disclaimer: I wish I owned Harry Potter, I really do, but it belongs to J.K. Rowling. What do I own? Anette and the plot, but Anette doesn't appear in this chapter.
My Demon Child
Chapter Nine: Saving the Unfortunate Victim Part II (actually, there's no actual saving in this chapter)
Previously on My Demon Child…"Maybe's there's a password to open the door," Remus suggested.
He and Sirius were still standing dumbfounded at the door. Both were convinced that James was inside, but no matter what they did, the door would not budge.
"What do we do then? Just say out random words?" Sirius asked. Sirius faced the door and said, "Voldemort! Death eaters! Pureblood! Dark mark! This is stupid!"
Amazingly, the door opened.
***
"What in Merlin did I just say?" Sirius asked.
"You said 'stupid', I think," Remus answered.
"That was the password?" Sirius asked skeptically.
"Maybe it was on of the other words you said-"
"Oh great. Now what do you want?" asked an all too familiar voice. At that instant, Sirius and Remus grinned.
Sirius pulled his mask off and said, "Tsk, tsk, Prongs. That's no way to thank your rescuers."
James looked in shock at his best friends. Remus, too, had pulled off his mask and was grinning ear to ear. He hadn't seen his friends in over two months, and magically here they were grinning in their childish way as if sneaking under Voldemort's nose was just another school prank.
However, after a moment, Sirius and Remus stopped smiling. They saw the state that James was in, and he looked terrible. He was never fat, but now he was so thin. His clothes were tattered, and scratches were all over his body. His hair was more ruffled than usual, and that was saying something. Miraculously, his glasses were still okay, although there was a tiny crack in one of the lenses.
"I know, I look like hell," James laughed.
"No, no you don't," Remus started uneasily. However, he couldn't find one compliment in his appearance, so he said, "You don't look that bad. Blimey, what did they do to you?"
Sirius shut the door behind him, and they sat on either side of James, eager to listen.
"Oh, you know, couple of curses now and then. They didn't do anything serious," James lied.
"You have too much pride. We'll find out what he did to you once we're back at Hogwarts," Remus started, "but first, we have to get out of here."
"How?" James asked.
"First, we need Snape back. At first, we were just going to have you sneak out through the floo fireplace with an invisibility cloak, but it turns out that, well, You-Know-Who, got Trelawney. So now Snape wants to rescue her too," Sirius explained.
"Yeah, he reckons Dumbledore might have uses for her," Remus continued, "which he's probably right. Cause, I mean, she might know if that prediction about Lily is true or not."
"How is Lily?" James automatically asked.
Remus scratched his head and replied, "Well, at first she was all sad and stuff cause we thought you were dead. Then she was happy when we found out you were alive. Then she became sad again because of something I don't know. She said whenever this place is mentioned, she gets all sad and stuff. I don't know. I guess it's just her past haunting her."
"I bet Diggory's been helping her sulk over my supposed death," James said bitterly.
Sirius grinned and asked, "Why such a cold heart toward Diggory?"
"Listen, let's just get out of here first," James quickly snapped, "and then we can talk all we want."
"I suppose, but we don't know when Snape's coming back," Remus said.
"Come on Moony, we should go outside and pretend we're guarding or something like that," Sirius said miserably. He pulled out the invisibility cloak and threw it to James.
"This isn't my cloak," James exclaimed.
"That doesn't matter right now. We'll find it when we get back. Just take it just in case you have to hide or anything," Sirius said.
James shrugged and hid it in his bed.
"Snape should be back soon, he's been out for a while," Remus pointed out. "So we'll just be outside."
"Oh, by the way, do you know what the password to the door is?" Sirius asked, grinning.
"I think it's 'dark'," James replied.
Sirius snapped his finger in a boyish way and said in a kiddish voice, "Aw shucks, so it isn't the phrase 'this is stupid.'"
James raised his eyebrow, and Remus laughed. Remus said, "We'll explain everything later. We have a lot to catch up on."
"That's for sure."
Sirius and Remus decided that until Snape came back, they should go out and pretend that they were guarding James's room in case any should be suspicious. Sirius and Remus were getting tired now as they hadn't eaten or slept in hours. Sirius gave a big yawn, and as yawns are contagious, Remus followed suit.
"I'm getting tired," Remus said heavily.
"Oh no, everyone's coming back," Sirius observed.
"What are you talking about?" Remus asked. He opened his heavy eyes and saw that cloaked figures were now walking the halls talking in deadly whispers and laughing with malice. Remus quickly stood up and became wide awake.
"Snape should be coming soon, then," Remus thought aloud.
And as if on cue, Snape came walking up to them and sneered, "Had fun?"
"Sure," Sirius said quaintly.
"Did you two figure out how to get in?" Snape asked bluntly.
"Yep," Remus replied happily, "and have you figured out how to rescue Trelawney?"
"Not really. They're putting tight security on her. The Dark Lord himself is guarding her. He must be getting very worried. I found out she's staying in some kind of chamber connected to the Dark Lord's inner room, and the only way to enter is with permission by the Dark Lord and you need to say the password in parsletongue," Snape explained in a grim voice.
Remus stroked his chin and concluded, "That sounds a tad difficult."
"Should we get James back first, and then come back for Trelawney?" Sirius asked.
"Well, it's going to take more than three or four people to rescue her with all the security she has. We should at least inform Dumbledore first," Snape whispered. "The Dark Lord hasn't resulted in torture yet, it might damage her skill to See. But he's losing patience. All she does is predict everyone's death."
Sirius folded his arms and said in a weird voice, "Just out of curiosity, why do you call Voldemort 'the Dark Lord'?"
"Since when have you called him his real name?" Remus asked with shock.
"Just now. I've been thinking about it. Dumbledore's not afraid to say his name, and what's the worse a name can do? Sure it gives me the creeps, but maybe saying his name is the best thing we could do right now, and not give him that kind of authority over our emotions."
"Who are you, and what have you done to Sirius Black?" Remus asked.
"Stop being a prat. Never mind I even asked Snivellus-"
"You dare to call me that again-" Snape began to threat, reaching for his wand.
"Can't you curse him some other time? What are we gong to do about James and Trelawney?" Remus asked skeptically.
Within a few minutes, the three men agreed that they would sneak James out, and tell Dumbledore about Trelawney. From there, they would attempt to get Trelawney out. Snape took Sirius's guarding post so Sirius could sneak into James's room and tell of the plan.
"I want to rescue Trelawney too, so I should stay here," James said stubbornly when Sirius explained everything.
"You're in no condition to do that Prongs. Now once the death eaters are back to whatever they do, then we'll sneak you out-"
"But I know this castle pretty well, wouldn't I be useful in any way?" James pleaded.
"Snivelllus knows this place pretty well, too. Prongs, look at you! You're not very, erm, healthy," Sirius said. It pained him to say no to his best friend who had been tortured for months, but he had James's best interest at heart.
After a moment's pause, James suggested, "Okay, you can get me out, then we'll ask Dumbledore what he thinks is best."
"Okay. Agreed."
The door opened, and Remus poked his head in the room and hissed, "There is absolutely no one out in the corridor. If we're going to get you out James, it should be now."
***
Lily clutched her robes tighter around her and looked at her surroundings. The healer was in the corner of the room filling out some parchment while Lily waited for the results of her check up.
The previous week Dumbledore had made an appointment at St. Mungo's for Lily. Lily had totally forgotten about prenatal care and regular check-ups, so she had been very surprised when she was reminded that she was actually pregnant.
The healer, a woman, was middle-aged and quite fat. Her hair was short and curly and bounced whenever she walked. Her spectacles were rather annoying because they were so thick and retro styled, but her personality was kind enough.
"Well, Lily, in your condition we can't really tell if everything for you is all right and normal. However, I think your pregnancy is going on fine enough. There's more activity from the embryo than is usual, but I think that is to be expected," the healer explained. Lily nodded.
"Sometimes, I can feel it move," Lily said.
"Well, as the embryo starts to develop into a fetus and then into a baby, I think that you should expect more activity going on," the healer kindly said and continued, "However, there is just one minor thing I am a little concerned about. Your blood pressure is quite high. Have you been stressed about anything lately?"
Lily thought back to the previous months. Yes, she had been stressed. Amos had broken off their engagement. James was deemed dead but now Sirius and Remus were on a rescue mission to get him back. She was sick and tired of having sudden pains in her stomach. She wasn't very fond of her room in Hogwarts.
"Oh, just a little stressed," Lily smiled.
"Well, you ought to get more rest then. Right now, high blood pressure isn't very dangerous but later on it could be unhealthy for the baby. So, I want you to rest more, ok?"
"All right then," Lily said weakly. She stood up and asked, "Is that all then?"
"Yes, it is. You should make another appointment with the clerk downstairs. Next month we can get an ultrasound for you so we can see the baby," the healer said excitedly.
Lily smiled and left the room.
***
"I'm out of that mess now," James said happily as he walked onto Hogwarts grounds.
James, Sirius, Remus, and Severus arrived in Dumbledore's office tired, but satisfied with their job. Professor Dumbledore wasn't in his office apparently, so the four men decided to sit in some chairs and wait.
"What time is it?" James yawned.
Remus looked for a clock and said, "It's eleven in the morning! Blimey, we were out for a long time."
The door opened, and Dumbledore walked in looking a little stressed, but happy all the same to see James's safe arrival.
"Why, hello James," he smiled. Dumbledore, too, took a seat at his desk.
"Welcome, welcome! Everyone will be excited to see you! I trust that everything went as planned?" Dumbledore asked.
"Actually, Albus, Sybill Trelawney has been caught," Sirius replied.
"Indeed?" Dumbledore said mildly surprised.
"Shouldn't we go back and rescue her?" James asked boldly.
Dumbledore raised his spectacles and said, "Yes, it would be prudent. Do you know where she is kept within Voldemort's quarters?"
"She has high security, the Dark Lord himself is guarding her," Snape supplied the answer.
"But maybe when he finds out I'm missing, he'll stop guarding her and chase after me!" James exclaimed.
"You're not coming to get her," Snape gritted.
"Why? Couldn't I be used as bait?" James whined.
"You could get caught, you could get killed, Prongs!" Remus said, horrified.
"All of you could get caught or killed too!" James exclaimed.
"You're in no state to do anything, Potter," Snape sneered. "Perhaps you should just go to a hospital. Since you're so weak."
James glared at him. He couldn't think of any words to say to that "ugly, slimy, big nosed git."
"Boys, it's high time you all mature and learn to cooperate," Dumbledore thundered.
Everyone started to feel ashamed. They were all thinking the same thoughts-if we were going to argue, we should wait until Dumbledore is out of ear shot.
Dumbledore turned to each of the men in turn and ordered, "Severus, you will come with me and we will try to think of some kind of plan. Sirius, you will try to get more people from the Order to help us. Remus, you will accompany James to St. Mungo's and report back here and help Sirius."
"I have to go to St. Mungo's hospital?" James shrieked. "Why? I could help!"
"James, you are going to help, but first I need you to recover your strength. Now go."
James was fuming, but Remus managed to drag him to Dumbledore's fireplace so they could travel by floo powder.
"James, stop being so stubborn," Remus grinned, "didn't you hear Dumbledore? You'll help later, but now you need to recover. You want to go first, or shall I?"
James pursed his lips, but he grabbed some floo powder and sprung it into the fire. He called out, "St. Mungo's hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries!" He stepped in and disappeared.
***
"Hello, I have James Potter here just rescued from You-Know-Who and is in poor health and needs to recover. Where should I take him?" Remus said very quickly.
The Welcome Witch, a witch who looked unwelcoming with a raspy voice, arched her eyebrows. She looked behind Remus and saw James dressed in black, but his clothes were all tattered.
"Well, if all he's doing is recovering, there isn't really a place for him. Take him to the second floor. I'll have a healer come take him," the witch said uneasily. "Next!"
Remus pulled on James's arm and dragged him up the stairs. James's arms were folded and his facial expression was as hard as stone. He looked like a grown man with the spirit of a toddler.
***
Lily walked down the hall to a nearby staircase. She had to go make an appointment for her next check up, and she had been walking aimlessly for a long time trying to find out how to get downstairs. She was on the second floor, and the healer in the maternity ward and told her that the clerk was on the first floor.
She turned around and decided to ask for help, despite her pride. However, she saw someone that she did not expect to see at that moment.
"Amos? What are you doing here?" Lily asked, completely shocked.
"Lily? Oh, you're here," Amos said, his voice faltering.
"What are you doing here?" Lily asked.
Amos paused for a while before answering slowly and carefully.
"Oh, I'm going up to the fourth floor. My-um-brother has spell damage and-"
"Amos?" Lily said defiantly.
"Yes?"
"You're an only child."
Amos remained silent. His thumbs were jerking this way and that, he was bouncing on his toes, and the ring on his finger was oh so noticeable.
"Well, erm, enough about me," Amos said with a lopsided grin. "But what are you doing here?"
"Check up on Voldemort Junior," Lily slyly grinned. "I guess I should be going now."
"Yeah. I'll see you later then. Take care."
"You too. Oh! By the way, do you know where the staircase to downstairs is?"
Amos looked like he was trying to keep a straight face but had the courtesy to reply in a normal voice. "You just passed it. It's a little down there, but if you keep your eyes open you'll see it."
"Thank you. Well, bye then."
Lily turned around and began to walk. Healers were scrambling from door to door, and other patients were making their way into their respective wards. Some looked gruesome, and some were vanishing before Lily's eyes.
Right away, she saw the descending steps and made her way over. And once again, she saw someone she did not expect.
"Oh my god, James?" she whispered.
"Hey, Lily, you're okay?" James weakly smiled.
Lily ran down the stairs and kissed him on the cheek. She embraced him, and she felt tears coming to her eyes.
She stood back and looked at James. He was smiling, but he was in a horrible state. Lily felt so sorry for him, but she was so glad that he was okay.
James pulled her in for another hug.
***
Dumbledore and Snape were peering over parchments with scribbles and ideas on how to get Trelawney out. They had called some Order members to help them, but they couldn't figure anything out.
Ransom was out, because Dumbledore and Snape agreed that Voldemort could care less if one of his supporters were killed.
Going undercover was out because they would need someone who could speak parsletongue, and someone who could impersonate someone of a high rank so they could be allowed admittance into Voldemort's inner room and chamber.
Using James as bait was out, that was too risky.
Luring was out, because that was too risky.
Snape rubbed his eyes and yawned.
"Perhaps I and some others can sneak in during a raid night. About half the death eaters will be gone that night," Snape said.
"Will Voldemort go with the raiders?" Dumbledore inquired.
"He usually goes, but he might stay at his quarters this time because he needs to guard Sybll. The raid is being planned for Bristol in a couple of days."
Dumbledore put his hands together and slowly said, "Count that as a possibility then, Severus."
***
Author's Note: I'm not really proud of this chapter. I thought it was poorly written, but I thought that it was about time I updated. I'm so sorry!
