a/n: Thank you so much for the reviews! I have enough to continue to the next chapter! (That, and I was a little afraid of someone's flying monkey cows, and their magical powers! I've never had flying monkey cows attack me before, so I don't want it to happen now.) ? I've had a few suggestions (thank you!). One was to make this an 'R' rating, which I might have to do. The second was, to give more hints on who the kidnapper is. I hope this chapter gives you a hint. Let me know what you think! Thanks!
Chapter Three
"So, what did you find out?" Lavender asked Harry when they finished dinner.
"I had to check something. Our fourth year at Hogwarts… do you remember that reporter?"
"Rita Skeeter? Yeah, I remember her. Do you think it's her? "
Harry thought about that for a minute. "No. Well, I went to check her records, to find out where she's living. No one has lived in that house for twelve years. I don't know where to find her. It makes sense. It's Hermione's fault that Rita lost her job at the ministry."
"But, you don't think it's her?"
"I don't know. But, if it isn't, I don't know who else it could be." Harry paused for a moment, then asked, "Where are the babies?"
"Upstairs, sleeping. I just checked on them about ten minutes before you got home."
Harry nodded, and then got up to look out the window. "Is there something wrong, Harry?" Lavender asked.
"Get your wand. There's someone out there." He said calmly. Lavender walked out of the kitchen. She returned a few moments later with her wand. "Harry, what's going on?" She asked.
Before Harry could answer, the lights went out, and the babies started to scream. Harry started to run for the babies, but stopped at the door. "Don't move, don't light anything, and don't talk." Harry didn't wait for an answer. He bolted up to the nursery.
He picked the babies up and went back downstairs. When he reached the kitchen, Lavender was nowhere in sight. "Lavender!" He whispered. Where is she, he thought. "Lavender!" He ran though the house searching for her.
She was nowhere in the house, nor was anyone else, besides him and the babies. He put the kids in their playpen. He was weary about leaving them alone as he searched for Lavender outside, but he didn't think he had any other choice. Let alone, time to think of one. The lights came back on, just as he ran outside.
"Lumos!" Harry whispered, pointing his wand in front of him. He looked back inside the house, and saw the babies still in their playpen. Screaming, but still in their playpen. He looked around him.
"Lavender!" He yelled, running towards the street. Lavender was lying unconscious in the middle of the street. He knelt down beside her, checking for a pulse. He let out a sigh of relief when he felt it. "Ennervate!"
It didn't work. "Ennervate!" He said again. Nothing. He picked her up and brought her inside the house. He laid her on the sofa and immediately called St. Mungo's.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Hermione, Ginny, and Remus were sitting at Hermione's house when they got the call. "Lavender is at St. Mungo's." Hermione announced, hanging up the phone.
Ginny and Remus jumped to their feet. "Why?" Ginny asked.
"Was that Harry?" Remus asked.
"Yes, that was Harry." Hermione sat down again. She relayed the story just as Harry had told it.
"They're after Harry to…" Ginny said, her hands to her mouth.
"They could just be trying to keep him out of the way. The kidnapper must know that he works for the Ministry, and that he is the child's godfather." Remus suggested.
Hermione started to curse. Remus stared at her, wondering where she could have hear some of the words she is saying. Then she started to cry. Remus got up and put his arms around her. "Why is this happening?!" She cried.
"We will find out." Remus reassured her. "We will find out, and we will get our son back…alive."
"We should go see Harry." Ginny said.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
When Ginny returned to her house after seeing Harry and Lavender, she found her house broken into, and her door left open. The house was a mess, but it seemed that nothing was taken. There was a note taped to the door that simply said, 'You're next.'
Ginny called Hermione to tell her what had happened. Hermione offered no words of comfort. Instead, she cried and threw things across the room. She decided to call Draco instead.
Draco came over and helped her get her house back to normal. He stayed with her through the night, and the next morning, he decided to stay with her until the kidnapper was caught and the nightmare was over.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"The child doesn't know who his father is." She said to her minion. It was more of a statement, rather than a question. "He doesn't even know his name."
"Yes, it seems that no one does." The other woman paused, then added, "I dare say, you do?"
"Of course, I do. But that's not the point." She paced the floor, thinking out loud, and cussing to herself. The other woman did not ask what the point was; she already knew. What she did not know was who the father is. And she did not dare ask that either. She was only helping because this woman was paying her a generous amount of gold.
She turned around and threw her wine glass. It hit the wall, shattering into small pieces. "They took what is important to me! I want revenge, and I will get it!"
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Remus sat in the den. He was too upset to sleep. He flipped through photos of the son he has never seen. The hatred he felt towards Hermione has been long replaced by the love he feels for her. He wondered how she could have been so cruel. What was she afraid of?
I missed it all. All the firsts, he thought. First steps, first words, first birthday. I missed it all. The first years of his life. And he's been denied a father. Tears burned at the back of his eyes, but he did not let them fall. He didn't have his son, but he still had his pride.
He would get his son back alive, he was certain of that. He vowed that he would find his son, and win Hermione's love. Sure, he should resent her for what she did, or what she didn't do, to be exact. But he knows he loved her and always have. He didn't think he did, until she showed up after five years.
Suddenly, the need to see her overwhelmed him. He rushed up the stairs to her bedroom, hoping she was still awake. She was. She was sitting on the side of her bed holding a picture of Lucas, tears spilling down her face. "Hermione…"
"Oh, Remus, who are we kidding? They're going to kill him." Hermione cried.
Remus walked over to her and sat down next to her. Hermione rested her head on his chest and cried more. He put his arms around her. "We will get him back, I promise."
She was so close and still not close enough. He wanted more of her, yet didn't want to take advantage of her in this state.
He kissed the top of her head. "Shh…you'll make yourself sick." He said. Hermione looked up at him, staring him straight in the eyes.
"Remus…"
"Yes, love?"
"If I asked you to do something for me, would you do it?"
Remus let out a sigh. He knew what she would ask. He also knew he would walk across hot coals to do anything she asked. He knew this was wrong, but he said yes.
She seemed relieved by his answer. He waited for her to continue. He closed his eyes, preparing for the question she was about to ask. "Make love to me, Remus."
It was more of a demand than a request. "Are you sure?" He asked.
"Please, Remus. You don't have to pretend that you like it, or even that you care about me. Just help me to remember what it feels like to be alive."
Her honesty hurt. He felt as if she'd just punched him in the gut. He couldn't deny that he wanted her. But to take her now is wrong. Five years ago, it was different. This isn't about some silly relationship, it was about her son.
Yet, he was reluctant to let her go. "Damn," He muttered. He cupped her face with his hands, pulling her head up to his. "I should have the strength to say no, but I don't. Damn it, Hermione. I can't pretend that I don't want you." Remus lowered his head and closed his eyes. When he looked up, he said, "Don't hate me for this…or yourself."
She pulled back. "What I feel for you is nothing near hate; nor will it ever be. Remus, this doesn't have to mean anything."
Remus shook his head. "No, Hermione, it already does mean something…you mean something to me."
Moments later he was on top of her, peeling off her clothes, then his. He kissed her, again and again, leaving a trail of kisses along her neck. He entered her slowly, and she closed her eyes, giving herself up to him.
Seconds turned in to minutes, and the minutes doubled and tripled. She trembled beneath him, begging for release. Each time he felt her muscles start to tense, he would slow down, leaving her on the edge of completion.
Remus slid a hand between her thighs, his fingers teasing the tight, swollen bud. Her eyes lost focus, her breath coming in short, fast gasps. The wave of climax washed over her, leaving her raw and wanting more.
He started to thrust harder. "Wrap your legs around my waist," He whispered. She didn't think she had the strength, but she found it inside herself to do what he had asked. Within seconds, she felt it again, the need to die and then be resurrected in his arms. She screamed his name and clawed at the bed, letting the climax come. It ripped through her body with severe intensity.
Remus felt the tremors of her climax flowing around him. He tried to hold back, but it was impossible. With a deep groan, he spilled into her.
They laid in silence. Hermione knew Remus would leave after finding her son. She'd already acknowledged it and accepted it. She knew there was nothing she could do to stop him.
If he chose to stay, it would be because of Lucas. It would never be because of her. "Remus – "
"Don't talk." He said, then kissed her forehead. "I want to remember this night, just as it is."
He was right. There was nothing left to be said.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Harry awoke to a grumbling pain in his stomach. He looked around, momentarily unaware of his surroundings. Then it hit him. Like a sharp blow to the gut. "St. Mungos…" He mumbled.
He looked at Lavender lying on the bed next to him. He rested his hand on hers and kissed her forehead. You'll get out of here alive, I promise, he thought. With another kiss on her forehead, he left the room.
When Harry returned home he made himself some breakfast. He thought about picking up the twins from Lavender's parents, but decided against it, thinking he could get some work done.
After he ate, he made a list of possible suspects, and reasons why. Unfortunately, he could only think of one person: Rita Skeeter. And she was nowhere to be found. Harry got on his computer and searched the database to find any information on Skeeter. According to his research, she was still employed at the Ministry of Magic. Everything corresponded to what might have been true five or ten years ago, but not now.
Harry glanced at the clock. 10:30. He figured Hermione would be awake by now, so he called her. He cursed at his computer, and grabbed the phone, pushing in Hermione's number.
"Hello?" Hermione answered. She sounded tired. Harry couldn't blame her. She was stressed, and above all, worried about her son. Harry couldn't stand to think about what his godson must be enduring right now.
It's Harry. How did you sleep?" There was no point in asking how she is doing. He already knew the answer.
"Terrible. Please tell me you have good news."
"I have bad news, and worse news." Harry paused for a moment. "Which would you like first?"
"First, you can tell me how Lavender is, then you can tell me the bad news. But, before that…Ginny called last night. Her house was ransacked. They left a note. All it said was 'you're next'. Just thought you'd like to know that."
Harry cursed and hit the phone against his head. He took a deep breath before continuing. "First my parents, then my godfather, then my wife and godson! What did I do to deserve this?! She's hurting my best friends – "
"She? I take it you have a lead?"
"That's why I'm calling. I have reason to believe Rita Skeeter is behind all of this. Obviously, Voldemort is out of the picture. I killed him five years ago…"
"Rita Skeeter?" Hermione questioned.
"Yes. I went to search her house. She hasn't lived there for twelve years. That's the bad news. The worse news is, I checked her records. They have nothing up to date. It says she still works at the Ministry, and her current address is the place I found abandoned." Harry said, then added, "The woman is nowhere to be found."
"Well, we will look harder. She's got to have family somewhere, right?"
"Yes, she does. Her family is 'unknown'. We have nothing."
Chapter Three
"So, what did you find out?" Lavender asked Harry when they finished dinner.
"I had to check something. Our fourth year at Hogwarts… do you remember that reporter?"
"Rita Skeeter? Yeah, I remember her. Do you think it's her? "
Harry thought about that for a minute. "No. Well, I went to check her records, to find out where she's living. No one has lived in that house for twelve years. I don't know where to find her. It makes sense. It's Hermione's fault that Rita lost her job at the ministry."
"But, you don't think it's her?"
"I don't know. But, if it isn't, I don't know who else it could be." Harry paused for a moment, then asked, "Where are the babies?"
"Upstairs, sleeping. I just checked on them about ten minutes before you got home."
Harry nodded, and then got up to look out the window. "Is there something wrong, Harry?" Lavender asked.
"Get your wand. There's someone out there." He said calmly. Lavender walked out of the kitchen. She returned a few moments later with her wand. "Harry, what's going on?" She asked.
Before Harry could answer, the lights went out, and the babies started to scream. Harry started to run for the babies, but stopped at the door. "Don't move, don't light anything, and don't talk." Harry didn't wait for an answer. He bolted up to the nursery.
He picked the babies up and went back downstairs. When he reached the kitchen, Lavender was nowhere in sight. "Lavender!" He whispered. Where is she, he thought. "Lavender!" He ran though the house searching for her.
She was nowhere in the house, nor was anyone else, besides him and the babies. He put the kids in their playpen. He was weary about leaving them alone as he searched for Lavender outside, but he didn't think he had any other choice. Let alone, time to think of one. The lights came back on, just as he ran outside.
"Lumos!" Harry whispered, pointing his wand in front of him. He looked back inside the house, and saw the babies still in their playpen. Screaming, but still in their playpen. He looked around him.
"Lavender!" He yelled, running towards the street. Lavender was lying unconscious in the middle of the street. He knelt down beside her, checking for a pulse. He let out a sigh of relief when he felt it. "Ennervate!"
It didn't work. "Ennervate!" He said again. Nothing. He picked her up and brought her inside the house. He laid her on the sofa and immediately called St. Mungo's.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Hermione, Ginny, and Remus were sitting at Hermione's house when they got the call. "Lavender is at St. Mungo's." Hermione announced, hanging up the phone.
Ginny and Remus jumped to their feet. "Why?" Ginny asked.
"Was that Harry?" Remus asked.
"Yes, that was Harry." Hermione sat down again. She relayed the story just as Harry had told it.
"They're after Harry to…" Ginny said, her hands to her mouth.
"They could just be trying to keep him out of the way. The kidnapper must know that he works for the Ministry, and that he is the child's godfather." Remus suggested.
Hermione started to curse. Remus stared at her, wondering where she could have hear some of the words she is saying. Then she started to cry. Remus got up and put his arms around her. "Why is this happening?!" She cried.
"We will find out." Remus reassured her. "We will find out, and we will get our son back…alive."
"We should go see Harry." Ginny said.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
When Ginny returned to her house after seeing Harry and Lavender, she found her house broken into, and her door left open. The house was a mess, but it seemed that nothing was taken. There was a note taped to the door that simply said, 'You're next.'
Ginny called Hermione to tell her what had happened. Hermione offered no words of comfort. Instead, she cried and threw things across the room. She decided to call Draco instead.
Draco came over and helped her get her house back to normal. He stayed with her through the night, and the next morning, he decided to stay with her until the kidnapper was caught and the nightmare was over.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"The child doesn't know who his father is." She said to her minion. It was more of a statement, rather than a question. "He doesn't even know his name."
"Yes, it seems that no one does." The other woman paused, then added, "I dare say, you do?"
"Of course, I do. But that's not the point." She paced the floor, thinking out loud, and cussing to herself. The other woman did not ask what the point was; she already knew. What she did not know was who the father is. And she did not dare ask that either. She was only helping because this woman was paying her a generous amount of gold.
She turned around and threw her wine glass. It hit the wall, shattering into small pieces. "They took what is important to me! I want revenge, and I will get it!"
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Remus sat in the den. He was too upset to sleep. He flipped through photos of the son he has never seen. The hatred he felt towards Hermione has been long replaced by the love he feels for her. He wondered how she could have been so cruel. What was she afraid of?
I missed it all. All the firsts, he thought. First steps, first words, first birthday. I missed it all. The first years of his life. And he's been denied a father. Tears burned at the back of his eyes, but he did not let them fall. He didn't have his son, but he still had his pride.
He would get his son back alive, he was certain of that. He vowed that he would find his son, and win Hermione's love. Sure, he should resent her for what she did, or what she didn't do, to be exact. But he knows he loved her and always have. He didn't think he did, until she showed up after five years.
Suddenly, the need to see her overwhelmed him. He rushed up the stairs to her bedroom, hoping she was still awake. She was. She was sitting on the side of her bed holding a picture of Lucas, tears spilling down her face. "Hermione…"
"Oh, Remus, who are we kidding? They're going to kill him." Hermione cried.
Remus walked over to her and sat down next to her. Hermione rested her head on his chest and cried more. He put his arms around her. "We will get him back, I promise."
She was so close and still not close enough. He wanted more of her, yet didn't want to take advantage of her in this state.
He kissed the top of her head. "Shh…you'll make yourself sick." He said. Hermione looked up at him, staring him straight in the eyes.
"Remus…"
"Yes, love?"
"If I asked you to do something for me, would you do it?"
Remus let out a sigh. He knew what she would ask. He also knew he would walk across hot coals to do anything she asked. He knew this was wrong, but he said yes.
She seemed relieved by his answer. He waited for her to continue. He closed his eyes, preparing for the question she was about to ask. "Make love to me, Remus."
It was more of a demand than a request. "Are you sure?" He asked.
"Please, Remus. You don't have to pretend that you like it, or even that you care about me. Just help me to remember what it feels like to be alive."
Her honesty hurt. He felt as if she'd just punched him in the gut. He couldn't deny that he wanted her. But to take her now is wrong. Five years ago, it was different. This isn't about some silly relationship, it was about her son.
Yet, he was reluctant to let her go. "Damn," He muttered. He cupped her face with his hands, pulling her head up to his. "I should have the strength to say no, but I don't. Damn it, Hermione. I can't pretend that I don't want you." Remus lowered his head and closed his eyes. When he looked up, he said, "Don't hate me for this…or yourself."
She pulled back. "What I feel for you is nothing near hate; nor will it ever be. Remus, this doesn't have to mean anything."
Remus shook his head. "No, Hermione, it already does mean something…you mean something to me."
Moments later he was on top of her, peeling off her clothes, then his. He kissed her, again and again, leaving a trail of kisses along her neck. He entered her slowly, and she closed her eyes, giving herself up to him.
Seconds turned in to minutes, and the minutes doubled and tripled. She trembled beneath him, begging for release. Each time he felt her muscles start to tense, he would slow down, leaving her on the edge of completion.
Remus slid a hand between her thighs, his fingers teasing the tight, swollen bud. Her eyes lost focus, her breath coming in short, fast gasps. The wave of climax washed over her, leaving her raw and wanting more.
He started to thrust harder. "Wrap your legs around my waist," He whispered. She didn't think she had the strength, but she found it inside herself to do what he had asked. Within seconds, she felt it again, the need to die and then be resurrected in his arms. She screamed his name and clawed at the bed, letting the climax come. It ripped through her body with severe intensity.
Remus felt the tremors of her climax flowing around him. He tried to hold back, but it was impossible. With a deep groan, he spilled into her.
They laid in silence. Hermione knew Remus would leave after finding her son. She'd already acknowledged it and accepted it. She knew there was nothing she could do to stop him.
If he chose to stay, it would be because of Lucas. It would never be because of her. "Remus – "
"Don't talk." He said, then kissed her forehead. "I want to remember this night, just as it is."
He was right. There was nothing left to be said.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Harry awoke to a grumbling pain in his stomach. He looked around, momentarily unaware of his surroundings. Then it hit him. Like a sharp blow to the gut. "St. Mungos…" He mumbled.
He looked at Lavender lying on the bed next to him. He rested his hand on hers and kissed her forehead. You'll get out of here alive, I promise, he thought. With another kiss on her forehead, he left the room.
When Harry returned home he made himself some breakfast. He thought about picking up the twins from Lavender's parents, but decided against it, thinking he could get some work done.
After he ate, he made a list of possible suspects, and reasons why. Unfortunately, he could only think of one person: Rita Skeeter. And she was nowhere to be found. Harry got on his computer and searched the database to find any information on Skeeter. According to his research, she was still employed at the Ministry of Magic. Everything corresponded to what might have been true five or ten years ago, but not now.
Harry glanced at the clock. 10:30. He figured Hermione would be awake by now, so he called her. He cursed at his computer, and grabbed the phone, pushing in Hermione's number.
"Hello?" Hermione answered. She sounded tired. Harry couldn't blame her. She was stressed, and above all, worried about her son. Harry couldn't stand to think about what his godson must be enduring right now.
It's Harry. How did you sleep?" There was no point in asking how she is doing. He already knew the answer.
"Terrible. Please tell me you have good news."
"I have bad news, and worse news." Harry paused for a moment. "Which would you like first?"
"First, you can tell me how Lavender is, then you can tell me the bad news. But, before that…Ginny called last night. Her house was ransacked. They left a note. All it said was 'you're next'. Just thought you'd like to know that."
Harry cursed and hit the phone against his head. He took a deep breath before continuing. "First my parents, then my godfather, then my wife and godson! What did I do to deserve this?! She's hurting my best friends – "
"She? I take it you have a lead?"
"That's why I'm calling. I have reason to believe Rita Skeeter is behind all of this. Obviously, Voldemort is out of the picture. I killed him five years ago…"
"Rita Skeeter?" Hermione questioned.
"Yes. I went to search her house. She hasn't lived there for twelve years. That's the bad news. The worse news is, I checked her records. They have nothing up to date. It says she still works at the Ministry, and her current address is the place I found abandoned." Harry said, then added, "The woman is nowhere to be found."
"Well, we will look harder. She's got to have family somewhere, right?"
"Yes, she does. Her family is 'unknown'. We have nothing."