I think I just heard a few jaws drop...
A few questions need to be answered now I think...
Dawn was pregnant and had a baby?
Yes and yes. This is part of the reason why her memory was obliterated. We're heading deeper into the mystery at the English end this chapter.
So that's why Draco and Dawn split, right?
In part. Her father didn't want someone tainting his royal bloodline even though Dawn was merged from a mystical green energy ball. And our dear Dawnie has some powers yet to be revealed. She and Draco split under his father's accord and then Dawn disappeared for almost nine months. Hmmmmmm.
Thank you to you loyal reviewers! If you haven't spoken up yet and wish to, I answer all questions and inquiries and accept all pacts of criticisms. This may not have been what you were looking for in a sequel... but hey. It is a sequel. Ideas? Thoughts? Notions? That door is ALWAYS open...
Updated Disclaimer: I have seen only the first two seasons of Angel. And yet here is a nice Angel crossover that depicts a relationship between Cordy and Connor. I've heard disturbing rumours about their past and figure them true. Don't kill me if I fuss this up, because I haven't seen it. So... I'm adlibbing here a bit, okay?
- - - - -
Chapter 7
Wrongs Darker Than...
- - - - -
"Is she... you know... aware of what we're doing?"
"I don't know, Connor."
"Can't we ask her?"
"And what, she'll beat us to a bloody pulp with her answer?"
"Cordy... what are you doing anyway?"
Cordelia sighed and turned away from where she'd been sitting on her knees in front of Dawn for the past hour. "What does it look like I'm doing?"
"Looks like you're sitting there staring at her."
"Gee, that's brilliant," Cordy said sarcastically as she turned her gaze back to Dawn's blank stare. "I'm trying to read her energy."
"So that's what your demon-y blood is used for," Connor replied, standing stoically behind her, arms crossed, an apprehensive expression on his face.
"If you would actually get over here, you could help me too," Cordy said, clearly fed up with his ignorant attitude. "Angel wanted us to find out if she was dead or anything."
"Dead? Her?" Connor asked, staring at Dawn's silent figure appreciatively. "I'm sorry, Cor... but she don't look dead to me."
"Why does that attitude not surprise me?" Cordy muttered under her breath as she put her hands on Dawn's knees. "Why won't you let me inside, sweetie? Let me in... and I promise I... oh!"
Suddenly Cordelia found herself staring up at a fire burning around her.
"Useless wretch!" a voice shouted. She turned to see Dawn surrounded by flames, as chains and whips clashed against her flesh carelessly. "Clever witch!"
"No, stop it! Stop!" Dawn was pleading as they finally relented and the flames died away.
"Can you tell us of your evils, of your sins?" one man demanded, holding his chain out threateningly.
Dawn stood up to her full height. Although her face and hair were matted with blood and she seemed able to collapse in a step, she shook her head defiantly. "I will never bow to you."
"We will erase every thought from your mind, every action from your body... as long as you defy us, as long as you carry the truth... your mind and body will be a sacrifice."
"So. Be. It."
"Crucio."
Cordelia suddenly snapped out of it as Connor helped her sit up. "Cor? Cordy? What is it?"
"Oh my God," Cordelia breathed as tears threatened to overcome her.
"What was it?" he asked, stepping aside as Cordy stood up and glanced around them. "Cordy?"
"Where's the phone?" she asked in a wild, hurried voice.
"Right here," he said, reaching inside his coat and pulling out his mobile. "Cordelia, what did you see?"
"It wasn't just magic they used on her," Cordy whispered, her fingers fumbling with the keypad. "It was torture. They maimed and bruised her. They beat her and yet she fought... she fought so hard..." She felt tears spring to her eyes as she saw Dawn in the corner, staring lifelessly into a quiet fire. "And look where it brought her. She's trapped. They made her like this."
As Cordelia attempted once again to make the phone call, Connor returned to Dawn's side. "See?" he muttered to no one in particular. "I told you she wasn't dead."
- - - - -
Harry checked both ways to make sure the coast was clear before running across the street. It was early in the morning and surely if someone saw a young man running into a bar at this hour, they would get suspicious.
Bypassing the bar by going in one door and out another, he got to the corner before pulling out his wand, tapping the stones, and watching as they gave way to Diagon Alley.
The sleepy London town wasn't here, as witches and wizards were moving around, going about their early morning business.
Harry yawned slightly as he approached Fred and George Weasley's shop, which still had its large 'closed' sign displayed in its front window. And yet, as he knew that they would be along quickly, this was the perfect meeting spot.
Sure enough, a shadow fell across his face. Harry looked up and grinned. "Good morning, Lupin."
Remus Lupin gave him a tired smile and ran a hand down his prematurely aged face. "Good morning, Harry. What is the trouble? Or is there any trouble?"
"I need your advice," Harry said in a low voice as they ducked behind the shop to talk in private, away from prying eyes and ears. "I've decided to go to America."
To his surprise, Lupin showed none. "I understand."
"I feel like I need to rationalize this to an adult... and you're the closest thing to a Father I have..."
"I appreciate the sentiments, Harry," Remus said slowly. "Tell me why, first."
"Dawn," Harry said softly. "I'm sure by now you've seen the Prophet. Draco's been in custody this, Draco's been in questioning that. Now apparently Lucius Malfoy's been brought in, the Prophet has gone all hush hush, and Dawn remains incapacitated in California."
"Is that the only reason?" Remus asked him pleasantly.
"Dawn's my biggest reason," Harry admitted. "But Cho is another. She's marrying a Muggle boy."
"I worked with him on several occasions," Remus replied, sitting down on a bench and inviting Harry to sit next to him. "He is no ordinary Muggle, just like Dawn is no ordinary girl. When the Prophet story leaked out, I was wondering if it would ever come to pass, since there are few of us in the Ministry who knew that Dawn did not return to America the day I brought her to the airport." He sighed heavily. "I bet you anything it was Lucius. He had it in for Dawn ever since... since she returned to their household."
Harry scoffed. "I bet. I can just see Draco defying his Father with a Muggle girl."
"It's what your Father did, Harry," Remus said gently. "Now... you're going to America to help Dawn... and you're going to help Cho. Anything else?"
"There is," Harry said heavily as he pulled a small packet from his coat and unwrapped it. Holding it up to the early morning light, Lupin smiled.
"I was wondering if you were ever going to find that."
It was Sirius Black's last will and testament.
"It was," Lupin continued, "in his estate that you be granted everything."
"I don't want it," Harry said softly. "So I'm going to put it to a better use. I was just hoping you could tell me for what."
"You were going to give it to that Maclay girl, weren't you?" Remus asked him with a kind smile.
Harry nodded. "She... her family knew Sirius' more than my own did. She knew him. She can keep these trinkets."
"You have a good heart, Harry," Remus said, clasping Harry's shoulder gently. "And now I'm going to give you advice I'm not sure you'll want to hear."
Harry turned toward Remus curiously.
"Be careful what you look for in the states," Remus said, his tone concerned. "There are evils there that parallel our own universe. They don't understand our world, Harry. Don't go looking for trouble... because your life and the lives of your friends... may very well depend on it."
Harry thought a moment as his words sank in. "I'll remember that, thanks."
"One more thing," Remus said as Harry wrapped the will back up and replaced it in his coat pocket. "When are you leaving?"
"Tomorrow evening," Harry replied. "Hermione's flight gets in later today. I've already talked to her and she's agreed to come with us. More for Ron's sake than my own, of course. And Ginny's match in Latvia is over, and they have two weeks of leave. And Mrs. Weasley thought it be appropriate if someone else went with us who's older..."
"I'm flattered you asked," Remus said, "but I'm afraid I cannot leave now."
"I know," Harry said quickly. "I've asked Percy Weasley to come with us."
Remus looked slightly taken aback. "Of course, yes, of course."
"He'll hopefully keep Ron in line and he has certain... powers in the Ministry... if we get into any trouble over there, he has the connections to get us out."
Remus nodded thoughtfully. "It was a brilliant idea, Harry."
"I thought so too," Harry grinned. "But it was Ginny's idea."
"Are you two still--"
Harry nodded.
Lupin beamed. "I'm glad. I haven't seen two people more deserving each other than you two."
Harry smiled at the compliment.
"If you ever need anything, Harry... I've put a Muggle phone in my new lodgings, so feel free to call or write if you are ever in a bind," Remus said softly. "If you need help or anything, the British Ministry of Magic is at your call."
"I appreciate that," Harry said in relief. "Although I have no idea what I'm looking for."
"Oh, Harry," Remus said, laughing as the two stood up and shook hands, retreating to the sunny side of the shop, which had just sprung to life. "You'll find more than you think you know, trust me."
And, as Harry left Diagon Alley behind, he had no idea what Lupin had meant by that.
- - - - -
"They wish to see you now, Mr. Malfoy."
Draco tried to smile at the receptionist, but felt it was more of a grimace as he crossed the lobby and disappeared into the office of the group of witches and wizards who were about to pass judgment on him.
Cornelius Fudge himself was waiting just inside the doorway.
Draco took a deep breath and sat down in the chair they offered him. "We have come to pass judgment on you today," the Witch began in a serious voice. "I think you'll agree with me that what your Father did, no matter how cowardly or immoral, was to protect your family's good name."
"It was," Draco said in a voice devoid of energy.
"It is therefore the decision of this court to have you rectify the behavior and sins of your Father."
Draco started, his eyes wide. "What do you mean?"
"I believe that you are about to make a journey of your own," the Witch said with a kind smile as she handed Draco a folder. "I have heard a report that Harry Potter is going to California. You will go with him. Dawn needs to be around those who know what happened to her."
"I can only account for six days," Draco said, his voice trembling. "What of the others?"
"Your... Father... is in questioning now," she said softly as Draco turned his attention to the folder. "Your flight leaves late evening tomorrow. I have included your ticket inside. For the protection of all Muggles, all magical garments and objects will be packed into luggage. Make the necessary arrangements at home, because we've granted them at work." Her face took on a grave look. "It's time you tell the Slayer and her friends what really happened to Dawn Harris."
Draco nodded. Although he despised the thought of going across the Atlantic on board a plane with his mortal enemy, at least he was doing something right for someone he thought couldn't deserve any less.
As he left the office, he saw the newly repaired fountain of a gold witch, wizard, centaur, goblin and house elf. Stepping forward, he emptied the gold from his pockets, watching it bounce lightly on the bottom of the shimmering pool.
"I'm coming, Dawn," he promised himself as he joined the queue to hit the floo network out of the Ministry. "I'm almost there."
- - - - -
To be continued...
Look for part 2 to come later today, once I get it back from my beta.
Chapter 8 -- Harry and Draco come face to face. Cho deals with her parents and makes her hardest decision of all.