Authors Note: This is a WIP. With work and what not, I can't guarantee how often I'll be able to update the chapters of this one. Please, bear with me in this.
Also, I do not own any of the characters or places in this story. The belong to J. K. Rowling and Warner Bros. I am making no money off this (would be nice though…laugh)
Sins of the Father
Chapter 10
=&=&=&=&=&=&=
Hermione staggered slightly as the port key released them. Looking around, she couldn't see much, barely being able to make out walls and floors of dark stone. Looking around, she saw Magnus holding onto Narcissa, with Philip struggling to get near him. Penelope was smiling smugly, her wand pointed directly at Hermione while she still held tight to Lily.
"Where are we Penelope?" Hermione kept her voice calm, hiding the fact that her heart was beating rapidly in her chest. "Where have you taken us?"
"Oh, I wouldn't worry about that Hermione. All your questions will be answered soon enough." Without waiting for any reply Hermione might have, Penelope walked forward and shoved Hermione aside. Reaching forward, she opened a door and flung it back to crash into the wall with a resounding clang as it struck. "Inside."
Still pointing her wand at Hermione, Penelope smiled coldly. Hermione ushered the two children in front of her, casting a quick glance to her right, checking on her children.
Penelope's voice brought her quickly out of her reprieve. "Not the brats. Just you. Come on mudblood." Hermione glared at her as the derogatory name left her lips.
"Now I know where Magnus learned such an uncouth word. I thought you were better than that Penelope," Hermione said softly.
"Well, we'll see who has the better attitude once Lord Flint finishes with you." Penelope smiled coldly at the recognition and realization in Hermione's eyes. "Yes, Marcus Flint, the new Dark Lord. He's more of a lord than Voldemort ever was. And now, thanks to Potter, he can step forward and claim his throne and rule the entire European Wizarding World with an iron fist. With me at his side."
With this said, Penelope shoved Hermione inside and slammed the door shut behind her. Muttering under her breath, she locked the door with a spell and turned toward the children. "You two, over here." Hermione stepped to the door as she listened to the other woman order the children around. Watching, she saw Penelope split the three children up and place them in separate cells along the corridor. None of them were placed in a cell adjoining the others.
"I'll leave you now, the Dark Lord is expecting us. Come along Magnus."
Listening carefully, Hermione heard Penelope and Magnus walk away, the silence suddenly broken by Penelope's sharp voice. "Magnus! Watch what you're doing! You almost knocked me down!"
"Sorry mother," came the soft reply.
Hermione heard a door clang shut, leaving silence in its wake. Once she was sure that Penelope was gone, she risked calling out to the children. "Phillip! Lily! Can you hear me?" Hearing nothing she began to cast around the cell, looking for what she knew had to be hidden there. Finding nothing on the walls, floor or ceiling she glanced at the cell door across from hers and saw the rune etched there, surrounded by others. A permanent charm against speaking with fellow prisoners, most likely to prevent any plans of escape. It was an intelligent move, something she would have thought of herself.
Leaning against the door, she studied the runes across from her and began to run through some complex Arithmancy spells in her mind, trying to decipher a way to break through the wards.
=&=&=&=&=&=&=
"Magnus! Stop dawdling! Move it!" Penelope's voice was cold and cruel as she ordered her son along behind her. Magnus knew that the caring mother he had known when he was younger was gone. She hadn't been affectionate to him in a couple of years now so he was used to it. But, he still had to admit that he missed the nights when they would talk and sing to one another.
"Yes, mother. I'm coming." Magnus followed his mother up some stairs. The hallway was beginning to become brighter as the climbed, torches kept closer together with an occasional tapestry hanging over the rough stone here and there on the walls. Reaching a landing, Penelope waved her hand in front of a door and smiled coldly as the loud click of a lock being released was heard in the still air.
Stepping through the doorway behind his mother, Magnus looked around briefly as he walked, taking in the wealth of the corridor they were now walking down. The walls were covered in rich tapestries that showed some disturbing sights as well as portraits of wizards and witches who grinned malevolently at him as he walked by. He heard a couple of them muttering to one another as they stopped before a set of double doors taking up the entire wall at the end of the corridor.
"Look there, it's the Weasley boy. Hm…I would have looked for red hair."
"Too good that lot is."
Opening his mouth to respond, he stopped when he heard the groan of the hinges as the doors swung inward, allowing he and his mother to step through them. Stepping into the room, he glances around noticing the unfamiliar faces scattered around the room as well as quite a few he knew.
"Ah, you've decided to return, Penny. How nice of you to finally join us." Magnus leaned around his mother to see who was speaking to her. The voice was filled with arrogance and sarcasm. He stopped when he saw the man stepping down from a dais at the opposite end or the room. He was clothed entirely in black robes that billowed around him as he walked, making him appear as if he were enveloped in a black fog. "I see you finally brought the boy. Very good, I've been anxious to meet him."
Penelope bowed lowly, pulling Magnus into one of his own as she purred at the man. "Yes, my Lord. This is Magnus, our son."
Magnus' head shot up at the statement from his mother as he stared at her in astonishment for a moment before looking up at the man standing over him. When he glanced into the man's eyes, he shrank back from what he saw there. Evil. Pure evil and madness.
As he moved to step back, he felt a hand in his back and saw his mother glaring down at him. "Say hello to your father Magnus. You're true father."
Gaping at his mother in shock, he turned back and blinked away the tears that sprang to his eyes. Looking at the man's face, he could see subtle hints that he and this man did indeed share a common heritage. Seeing the tears in the boys eyes, the Dark Lord threw his head back and laughed loudly, causing Magnus to turn and run from the hall, ignoring his mother's calls for him to return at once.
=&=&=&=&=&=&=
"Magnus! Come back here this instant!" Penelope's voice rose in malevolence as she yelled at the boys retreating back, only to be stopped short by a hand on her shoulder. Turning, she smiled up into the Dark Lord's face and shuddered. "I'm sorry Marcus, I don't know what's come over him. He's normally well behaved."
"Don't worry about him my dear," Marcus said softly as he leaned closer to her. Reaching his hand up, he grabbed a fistful of Penelope's hair and pulled her closer to him, kissing her roughly and deeply, drawing a chorus of raucous cheers from around the room as he did so. "Now, did you bring me what I wanted?"
"Yes, Lord Flint," Penelope said, her voice breathless from the rough kiss, her lips beginning to show signs of a bruise. "I also have the mudblood wife of the Malfoy traitor."
"Oh, this is excellent indeed." Marcus' eyes glinted as he considered the news she delivered. Turning away from her, he began to call people to him, leaving Penelope to find their son.
Leaving the hall, she glanced around the corridor, contemplating where he could have gone. Deciding to check the gardens first, she walked toward the doors and contemplated an appropriate punishment for her son since he had behavior in front of the new Dark Lord.
=&=&=&=&=&=&=
The Ministry: Earlier that day.
Walking back to her desk, Millicent noticed the Auror coming out of the Minister's office, followed by a very relieved looking Percy Weasley. Sitting down, she heard the Minister's words to the elegant woman in the scarlet robes.
"Thank you ever so much Ralena. I was wondering if that had something to do with it." Percy's voice was quiet but filled with satisfaction and a little bit of, could that be excitement?
"You're more than welcome Minister. I'm glad I could help. Besides, it wasn't until you mentioned the rings that I realized what exactly you were talking about. I have to say, you certainly gave my old memory a jog on that one. Well, good day to you sir."
"Yes, good day to you as well. And thank you, once again Ralena. You have a wonderful afternoon. Give my regards to Katie, won't you?"
After watching Ralena Bell walk away, Millicent turned her attention back to her work as she heard the Minister's door close behind her. A few moments later, she heard the door open again and watched the Minister walk out, his face clouded in thought as he walked. "Going out Minister?"
Stopping at her desk, Percy blinked owlishly and then shook himself, as if waking from a dream. "Yes, I'll be out for the rest of the day. I trust you can hold the fort down here while I'm out then?"
"Yes sir. Have a good afternoon." Millicent smiled at him as he walked away, wondering why she hadn't seen Oliver Wood in a few days. The man almost never missed coming by to have lunch with the Minister. Realizing that the Quidditch season was preparing for the new season, it dawned on her that he was most likely caught up with practice and what not.
Nodding her head at her wonderful deduction, Millicent turned back to her work and let the conversation between Ralena Bell and the Minister fade from her mind.
=&=&=&=&=&=&=
Walking through the door, Percy regarded the Ministry's Owlrey around him with determination. He knew that this message would need to arrive at a specific time, otherwise his chance would be lost and any hope of getting Oliver back would be gone.
Seeing an older owl snoozing in the corner, he walked over and patted the bird on the shoulder, causing it to wake up with a startled hoot to stare at him in bewilderment. Smiling down at the old bird, Percy held up the letter. "I think you're just the owl I need for this delivery. Take your time, there's no rush on this one."
The owl hopped down from its perch and held out its leg for Percy to attach the letter to before flying to a nearby window ledge. Pausing on the ledge Percy laughed softly as the bird turned to face him and hooted a soft question. "Yes, deliver it to Molly Weasley, The Burrow, please." Watching as the owl took flight, Percy nodded to himself and turned toward the door.
Closing the door behind him, Percy set himself to the various tasks he had to complete quickly so that he could take care of the problems at hand, and hopefully have Oliver back in his arms before long.
=&=&=&=&=&=&=
Magnus slipped down the hall, hoping he wouldn't be seen as he tried to find the door he and his mother had come through. Reaching up to brush his hair out of his eyes, he found his cheeks wet with silent tears. This 'Dark Lord' was his father? It was impossible. Ron Weasley was his father…wasn't he?
Looking around, he spotted the tapestry he had seen as they had come out of the doorway. Looking to his left, he saw the door and reached for the handle, surprised to find it unlocked. It opened easily under his hand. Stepping across the threshold he heard his mother call for him. Pulling the door closed behind him, he listened for her voice and heard her walk past and continue down the hall.
Relieved that he hadn't been seen, he released his breath in a great sigh and began to descend the dark stairs. Pulling his wand from his robe pocket, he held it out before him and spoke a single word. "Lumos." Immediately, the stairs were covered in a pale blue light, giving the dark stone an otherworldly appearance.
Reaching the bottom of the stairs, he walked down the hall, until he reached the first occupied cell. Looking through the bars, he came face to face with a pair of blue eyes that blazed with anger. "Narcissa, I know you don't like me. I don't blame you but please, believe me when I tell you that I'm here to help you get out."
He watched her mouth twist into a smirk and saw her lips move silently. Shaking his head, he explained to her what was going on. "The cells are spelled. You can hear me but your voice can't be heard out here or by the others. Please, just let me help you get you to your father."
With this said, Narcissa's eyebrows rose slightly. Stepping back, he considered his words for a moment before nodding slowly and stepping back from the door. Sighing in relief, Magnus pointed his wand at the door and muttered the spell that his mother had used to lock the doors. To his amazement, the runes etched into the doorway flared to life with a soft red glow that quickly faded to white followed by the distinctive sound of the lock disengaging.
Stepping back, he watched Narcissa emerge from the cell, glancing up and down the corridor as she watched for a trap. Glancing at Magnus, she met his eyes briefly before speaking. "You betray us again, and I'll tear you to shreds, understand Weasel?"
Saying nothing, Magnus only nodded, knowing that he deserved that comment and more. "Come on, we haven't much time before we're discovered. We have to free the others."
Nodding her head, Narcissa moved down the hall, before stopping at the cell that housed her brother. "Phillip! Stop! Calm down! We're going to get you out. I'll explain everything later!" Turning to face Magnus she nodded her head toward the door. "Free him while I find my mother and Lily."
Turning to the door he came face to face with Phillip's hate-filled eyes and flinched, knowing that he wasn't going to like what happened when he opened to door. Sighing with resignation, he unlocked the door and waited with his eyes down for the blows that never came.
Instead he only heard Phillips voice soft in his ear. "You've brought yourself up a bit Weasel. Watch your back, because unlike my sister, I know things that would make your blood boil…literally."
Backing up in involuntary fright, he swallowed nodded as Phillip turned to follow his sister down the corridor. "Don't dawdle Weasel. We have work to do."
Nodding his head, he followed Phillip until they reached the door to the cell that housed Lily, who was shouting at Narcissa while the other girl tried to calm her down. Shaking her head in frustration, she stepped back and motioned Magnus forward. "Do it."
When Magnus stepped into Lily's line of vision, he saw her eyes go wide and then watched as she began to yell and gesture wildly at Narcissa. Ignoring her, he bent to his task and opened the door. He heard the lock click and was stepping back when the door swung open and his face met Lily's open palm with a resounding smack.
Stumbling back into the wall, he raised his hand to his check in shock at the impact as Lily stalked toward him, shouting the entire time.
"…I'm not kidding this time! You bloody, arrogant bastard! If you so much as attempt to lay a hand on any of us again, I'll destroy you! You hear me?"
Phillip and Narcissa rushed forward, stopping Lily in her tracks as Magnus pushed himself into the wall. "Lily, wait. He's freed us. I don't know what's going on but he said he was going to get us to father. Now hurry, we haven't much time. We have to free our mother." Phillip's calm tone seemed to work on Lily.
Stepping back, she brushed her long black hair out of her face and took a deep breath to calm her self. "Fine, but I wasn't joking Magnus."
"I think he gets the picture you two," Narcissa said, smiling softly. "Between the three of us I think we've managed to scare some sense into him."
"Good." Lily's reply was followed immediately by another voice.
"Magnus? Are you down here?" Penelope's voice carried down the corridor causing all four of the children to freeze where they where.
"It's her!" Lily's voice was a strained whisper as she watched down the corridor.
"We have to hide." Narcissa's whisper was short and business-like as she moved toward the last cell. Turning she saw her mother standing there shouting silently at her while motioning with her hands.
Blinking at her mother, Narcissa was able to make out what she was shouting. "Get out!"
"Mother wants us to leave," she said softly to her brother as he reached her side.
"No. We're not going anywhere." Phillip's voice was soft but filled with determination.
"We don't have time to free her and escape before my mother finds us," Magnus said walking up behind them. "She'll be safer locked in her cell."
"We can't leave her behind!" Phillip's protest was followed quickly by Narcissa's.
"We have no other choice! They won't do anything to her. I imagine that they plan to use us to lure both of your father's here so that my fa-…Flint might be able to destroy them. They won't harm her because they will want to use her as bait!" Magnus pulled out the port key his mother had used to bring them here.
"Where did you get that?" Lily's question was laced with suspicion as she regarded him and the old bottle.
"I slipped it out of my mother's robe pocket when she wasn't paying attention. It'll take us wherever we need to go and I'm thinking that Mr. Malfoy would be our safest bet right now."
"Magnus! What have you done!" Penelope's voice cut the air like a knife, causing the four children to turn toward her in shock. "Why are they out of their cells? What are you holding? HOW DID YOU GET THAT?"
Penelope began to rush toward them as Magnus turned back to the other three yelling "NOW!" All four of them touched the port key and felt the familiar pull behind their navels as the world twisted around them.
TBC…