Chapter Eight - My Sweet Prince

The night wind slapped his cheeks as Harry hurtled through the air. The hands clenched around the smooth wood of his Firebolt were frozen and stiff from hours of travel, and he doubted he'd be able to pry them loose had he the inclination. His skin was long since numb with not even a tingle to show life. His glasses fogged over more than once and he was forced to anxiously bend his head to wipe them on his upper sleeve. He couldn't afford the delay or rest, for every second he wasted he couldn't help feeling guilt for whatever ordeal Luna was facing - and thinking about how he was the only one who could help her.

Harry's mind wandered now to the visions he'd had the previous year of the dark little man's screams for mercy as he was tortured by Voldemort. Now his thoughts were moved towards hatred rather than pity as he recalled the last letter he'd been sent, where the author had signed his name in such large, mocking script, as to convey arrogance and an unworried confidence in his success.

My angel is with me. Do not worry, for she will come to no harm while in my care. If you have any desire to see her again, come to me and come alone, and perhaps we can work out a bargain - if the lady hasn't already decided her heart's desire leads her to me permanently.

Avery

Included with the letter had been a map with a few carelessly scribbled notes on the back about where to meet him - and that if he dared bring another, Harry would never see either of them again. Now, Harry could feel the map like a frozen stone in his pocket and burned with anger as he knew how much Avery must be enjoying his hold over him.

The lights of civilization were far behind him as he sped over the wild, Scottish countryside. He could see very little in the dark and frequently brought his wand out to point him in the right direction. His hair was damp with moisture and he had to take care to fly well below the clouds, lest it freeze to his head.

Hold on, hold on, hold on… his mind chanted, both in motivation for himself and as a plea for Luna. He couldn't think about her without rage flooding his veins. If Avery tried anything… if he took advantage of his power and touched her, harmed her in any way…

But for all Harry knew, Luna could be having the time of her life. He remembered her rapturous expression as she gazed at the sky outside the Forbidden Forest that night, eagerly awaiting her love. Perhaps she wanted to be with Avery, and his coming was only an interference and a bonus for Voldemort, as Hermione was quick to point out.

"Harry, you mustn't," she had cried anxiously, her eyes brimming with tears after he'd read her and Ron the latest in a corner of the Gryffindor common room. "You'd be walking into their hands, defenseless. That's exactly what he wants. Let's go to Dumbledore. We should have hours ago. He'll know what to do."

"But I have to go alone! He won't meet me if I'm with anyone."

"Harry, please, listen to me. You must know it's a trap. You can't hand yourself over like it's no big deal. You're too important to the us, the world!"

"And Luna's important to me. I won't stand by while Avery does whatever he likes with her." Frustrated, Harry had appealed to Ron, who met his eyes with an oddly serious gaze. Ron had nodded slightly before lowering his eyes and Harry knew then that somehow his friend understood.

"You do what you must, mate," he said softly, and Harry felt a wave of gratitude towards him.

"No. If Harry goes anywhere, we're going with him," Hermione had insisted stubbornly, but Harry shook his head with just as firm resolve.

"I'm going by myself. See Dumbledore if you like. He may be able to help. But for this first part, I need to be alone."

Now, solo and flying in the dark, Harry would have been glad for their company, but didn't regret his decision. He would do nothing to endanger Luna more than she was, and knew doubtlessly that whatever demands Avery made, he would give without question to see her safe.

The small flickering lights beneath him were coming closer together until they concentrated into a little village. His wand buzzed a signal. This was the place.

Harry took care to fly a ways out from the village and landed in a little clump of trees, too sparse to be called a wood. He buried his Firebolt in a pile of dead leaves. It was difficult to leave it behind, a comfort and means of escape, but he knew that strolling through a Muggle town with a broomstick swinging at his side was hardly inconspicuous. Leaving regret aside for anger, Harry started towards the town.

Town was slightly misleading, for the settlement constituted of a handful of buildings alongside the village's main road, which branched off into smaller one lane streets, leading to further apart buildings scattered along the countryside. He walked down the main road, which was devoid of life except for a sprinkling of laughter coming from down the street. Harry knew immediately where he was headed.

The pub was illuminated from the inside by electric lights, incongruous with its obvious age. The dangling wood sign above the door proudly read 'The Fire Fox,' and showed a cross-eyed, cartoon fox on fire, its tongue hanging out and limbs splayed. It was supposed to be comical: Harry wasn't amused.

Coolly ignoring the sign taped to the window that read 'Must be over age to enter tonight," Harry pushed open the door and stepped inside.

Voices and laughter stunned his ears at first, but he didn't pause and strode towards the back of the room where Avery had indicated he'd be waiting. Heads turned as he passed and several people whispered, but no one tried to stop him. Harry was glad - it made things easier, not only for him but them as well, for nothing was going to stop him that night. He hardly cared about exposure at that point.

In the back of the pub, sitting at a little corner table in the shadows, was a man with a midnight blue cloak shielding his face. Gritting his teeth for control, Harry walked towards him. The man was smoking a long pipe that protruded from underneath the cloak and was blowing purple and green smoke rings into the air. The woman at the table next to him watched in fascination, but her companion was so intent on his Guinness and watching her that he didn't notice.

"Overloading on melodrama tonight?" Harry asked when he got close and stopped before the table, his hand dangling over the pocket of his robes.

Avery lowered the pipe and smiled. His eyes glinted black from beneath the cloak. "What's the use of playing the villain if I don't look the part?" he asked and laughed. And then: "Why don't you sit down, Harry?" He gestured to the chair across from him.

Instead of behaving, Harry pulled out his wand and held it levelly before him. "So do you want to do this now or waste more time on small talk?" The woman at the next table gasped a little, her eyes wide, and even the man looked over and blinked stupidly at the scene. But Avery smiled and leaned back in his chair.

"Put that away, Harry. I have not intention of playing games with you. Not yet. I asked you out for a drink and a chat. That's all."

But Harry didn't move. His eyes narrowed to slits as he glared all the hatred he felt. After a moment, Avery lost his smile and frowned at the boy.

"Go ahead. Blast me in front of the whole bloody pub. What should I care? You'll cause a scene, and I must say you'll deserve all the trouble it gets you. Not to mention you'll never see her again. Not without me." He smiled, knowing he had him, and held out his hand. "Give it to me, now. Slowly."

Harry hesitated. The hand gripping the wand shook slightly. He hated the thought, but Avery was right. What could he do without him to lead? Carefully, hating him, Harry placed the wand in Avery's outstretched hand and watched with a sick heart as it disappeared into the folds of his robe.

"Now that your little tantrum is over, sit."

Harry stayed where he was, unmoving.

"Don't be a fool, boy," Avery snapped.

Harry sat.

"That's better." Avery gained his easy smile again and regarded him lazily. "So you came. I must admit I had my doubts. For surely even you wouldn't be that stupid."

Harry said nothing. His hands gripped the seat of the chair beneath him, knuckles white.

"But on the other hand, it's no more than I would have done had our places been reversed. I commend you on your affection. Congratulations. Too bad it will get you nowhere with her."

Harry was tired of his taunting. "Where is she?" he demanded steadily, regardless of his shaking hands.

Avery smiled, liking his directness, amused by the track of his mind. "Safe at my home. Where the hell else should she be?"

"Then what are we waiting for? Take me to her. I don't want to play games either."

Avery regarded him thoughtfully. "True. I suppose if we have anything to say to each other, it can wait. But just so you're aware - you come with me now and there's no getting out. I am not inclined to displays of mercy or kindness, so even though I'll allow you a glimpse of her, it's only time before I hand you over to him and receive my reward. I'm not in the mood to lie to you or give you false hope. If you have any objections, feel free to get up now and walk away. You'll be back in your safe, cozy Hogwarts in no time."

Harry said nothing. He stayed where he was.

Avery burst out laughing.

"Oh, what a joke. All the Dark Lord's scheming and planning, and all it took was for puberty to kick in to trap you so easily. Don't look at me like that; what else did you expect? Oh, I suppose you still think you have a chance of saving her. I can see it in your eyes. You'll scale the walls of my home and escape with her into the dawn on a white horse. Oh, the visions of youth. Well, follow along, young heart, and I'll take you to her. If you don't want to prolong your freedom, that's your concern."

Avery stood in one easy, fluid movement and took a few steps forward before stopping and turning to wait for Harry. He smiled at the staring Muggle and she blushed, much to the annoyance of her male friend. "Come on," he said to Harry. "Our lady awaits." And laughing, he walked out of the pub and into the night.

O O O

Luna was getting tired of waiting. She had paced every inch of the small room three times and gone through the contents of the drawers for something that could help her, but Avery had very thoughtfully removed all sharp objects and magical supplies. This did not mean there was any lack of items in the room. No. She found quite a collection of odds and ends.

There was a jar of ancient coins, some with holes in their centers or shaped like an octagon or rhombus, all of which looked quite valuable. Also sheets of faded, crinkled paper, which appeared to be nothing more than century-old grocery lists. A jewelry box with an ape head on the top that cackled wickedly upon opening - and a silver ring set with a large ruby inside. A moldy box of bat ears. A collection of twigs, neatly tied with a red ribbon. Some ladies' powder and cream. Nothing useful.

Frustrated, Luna glanced again at the door. Avery hadn't forbidden her to wander, just warned her that it was useless to try to leave. Well, she wouldn't. But she could explore. Convincing herself that this was no different than walking the darker corridors of Hogwarts, Luna walked towards the door and boldly pushed it open.

The hall outside was dark and lit with flickering candelabras on the walls, burning with enchanted flames on candles that would never melt. Luna shut the door behind her, feeling it against her back, before stepping forward and down the long hall. She shivered, not only from the drafts sweeping along the old walls but also at the sheer size of the place. The hall looked endless from where she stood, sweeping forever into darkness in both directions. She compared it to the cozy little country house she shared with her father, littered with the useless junk he liked to collect and souvenirs from trips in search of the world's lesser known beasts. It was always bright and cheerful. Not cold and desolate like this mansion.

She came across a large, curvy staircase that led down to a grand library. There must have been thousands of faded, dusty books, most of them probably never read. Luna wandered over to the balcony overlooking the room and started to lean against it but gasped and stepped back to catch her balance when it wobbled before her. Her heart pounded as she backed away. Not that way.

So she walked on down the hall, occasionally peeking inside the rooms she passed. Most were deserted, with furniture covered in white sheets and a strong smell of mildew and moth balls. Unused for years. She didn't know why, but it made her sad. Especially thinking of Avery, wandering perhaps as she was, looking into the empty rooms that used to be filled with family and life, but were now bare and silent…

Luna shook her head and slammed the door to the room she was looking in at that thought. What was she doing? The man was crazy and certainly didn't deserve her pity. But she found she couldn't stop thinking about him, and that he had it regardless. No wonder he had fixated on a stranger - if this was what he lived with every day.

Forget it, she ordered herself. Now was not the time for compassion. He had kidnapped her, after all. Think about that. So she brushed her pity aside like a gnat and continued along.

The hall was not endless after all. At the end were a pair of white double doors, gilded with gold designs on the front. The handle seemed to be made of gold as well. Luna put her hand on the knob and hesitated. She had a strong feeling that she shouldn't, but what made this room different than every other she'd trespassed? Even though orange shadows of a fire crept under the space between the door and the floor, showing this room was used…

Curiosity got the better of her uneasiness and Luna pulled open the door. It was another bedroom like the one she had, except that this one was about three times as large. A fire flickered in the fireplace on the other side of the room, dying out. Despite the crackle of the flames, a stillness hung in the air. This was Avery's bedroom. She could feel his presence as clearly as if he was standing beside her.

Luna peered around the room, looking at the various pieces of furniture. The little sitting area in the corner with red-upholstered chairs… the large antique wardrobe carved with snakes… the bed, with the same green hangings as hers…

Her eyes fell on a desk on the opposite wall, beside the window, and she walked towards it. A mirror hung above it and she glanced at her reflection, seeing how pale her face was, especially against the white dress. Moon goddess, indeed. She bit her lip.

She sighed and looked down at the desk. There was a little bottle of ink next to several quills and a roll of parchment. Luna touched it gingerly, recognizing the paper. So this is where he sat, writing to her. Gazing up at his reflection thoughtfully and tapping the quill against his teeth, before smiling and busying himself again in the latest letter. Her fingers trailed along the gauges in the wooden desk made from furious writing and her hand came to rest next to a silver picture frame laying face down on the edge of the desk. A lost family member perhaps, some memory so painful he could hardly stand looking at it.

Without thinking, Luna lifted the frame and set it up on its stand. When she saw the picture, she froze.

It was family. Just not his.

Hers.

Her mother as a girl in a Hogwarts uniform, laughing and chatting animatedly with someone outside the frame. Looking as alive as when Luna saw her in her dreams. Even though it was a black and white photo, the light of her golden hair seemed to outshine everything around her. She looked very young, very relaxed and very happy. Completely oblivious that someone was taking her picture. She tossed her curls over her shoulder and smiled at the sky, her eyes faraway, lost in some dream. Luna touched the frame, feeling how cold it was against her fingers. The feeling crept through her skin.

"I knew your mother at Hogwarts," Avery had said. "She never saw me. But now I have her daughter."

Now I have her daughter.

Oh, God.

Luna backed away, shivering. She had to get out. Somehow, she had to find a way. She couldn't reason with someone like that, someone who had wanted another for so long that he'd take anything that would bring her back to him, even from beyond the grave…

"There you are," Avery said pleasantly and Luna spun around, swallowing the little squeak that threatened to escape. She couldn't help backing away as he strode towards her so that she was pressed against the desk. Her hand groped behind her and she set the picture frame back into the position she had found it. She didn't want him to know she had seen. She was unsure how he'd react.

"I see you're wearing the dress," he continued, stopping before her. His eyes were interested. "It suits you."

Luna nodded. She didn't know what to say. Didn't know if she could speak. But Avery didn't seem to care whether she ever said a word.

"You've been looking around." He smiled at her fondly. "Good. This is your home, too, after all." Luna blinked at him, trying to control her breathing. How could he act so naturally, as if it was her idea to come?

"I can show you around." He looked so hopeful.

"N… no… that's okay," she managed to say and he shrugged.

"Better for later, anyway. When it's just the two of us. For now, supper is served and our guest is waiting."

Luna's heart leapt at that. Harry. He had come. She suddenly found that she was having trouble breathing. She wished he hadn't. How was she supposed to look after herself if she had to worry about what Avery would do to him?

"Take my arm, Diana," Avery said, his eyes intense. Luna felt sick.

"I'm Luna, not Diana."

"Of course you are. Who else should you be?" This with a brilliant smile.

Luna said nothing.

"Let's go." When she didn't move, Avery grabbed her arm and started pulling her from the room. Luna didn't resist, but followed him numbly down the hall, a flight of stairs and around several bends. She was so lost in her thoughts that she noticed nothing at all of her surroundings until Avery pulled her into a dining room with a long, black polished table. The table was set for three with perfectly white china and crystal goblets. More candlesticks sat in the center, lighting the room. First course was already set: soup, with steam lightly rising from the top. A fresh loaf of bread sat waiting beside a slab of butter shaped like a star.

And Harry was tied to a chair beside the cheese wheel.

Luna took a step forward. Stopped. She looked at Avery.

"So we're all gathered here together. How nice," Avery said, striding forward, and pulled out a chair for Luna. He nodded her towards it and she sat warily, her eyes on Harry, who looked back, expressionless. Avery himself sat at the biggest chair at the table's end and beamed at them.

"Oh, don't look so glum, both of you. There's no reason for it. Well, I suppose Harry might be dead tomorrow, so that is cause enough for him, but there's no reason for you to look so sad, my dear. You're here with me. So eat up, eat up, and we'll talk." And with that said, he picked up his spoon and dove into his soup like he hadn't eaten in a week. Green liquid dribbled down his chin.

Luna tore her eyes from him and looked again at Harry. He was watching her, his eyes looking her over, checking to see if she was okay. She wanted to give him an apologetic smile, but her lips trembled and refused to move. His eyes lingered on her dress and he frowned. There was something in his eyes then - was it disgust?

Luna looked away. She felt very small.

Avery licked his lips and smiled at them. He daintily wiped his chin with a black napkin. "Eat," he insisted again. "Harry, you don't like the soup? I made it just for you. Oh, that's right… you can't move your arms." His eyes sparkled. "Well, there's always dessert."

Harry said nothing. His eyes were lowered and he glared at the tablecloth. He's here because of me, Luna thought. Avery will hand him over to You-Know-Who. It's stupid and unfair. And it's all my fault. He wouldn't be in danger if it wasn't for me. Her eyes started to tear but she blinked and forced them back.

"Darling," Avery said, watching her. "Aren't you eating?" Luna shrugged a little and managed a tiny smile. He reached out and took her hand then, and brought it to his lips. Luna felt cold soup against the back of her hand.

"I'd do anything to make you happy," he said, but his eyes were on Harry. Luna glanced back at Harry, as well, and found him silently glowering at them both. As delicately as she could, Luna extricated her hand from his and brought it to her lap. She wiped it on the tablecloth out of his sight.

"I'm so glad you like it here," Avery continued loudly. "We shall be very happy together." He was taunting Harry, baiting him, and enjoying himself immensely. Luna felt he was having more fun making Harry miserable than trying to please her.

Luna was doing some very quick thinking. She glanced around the table and her eyes came to rest on the candlestick nearest her. It was tall, silver and covered in rubies and emeralds in the pattern of a rose. For a moment it was all she could think about, watching the flames flicker and reflect on the gems, but then she cleared her throat and smiled at Avery.

"Yes, we shall," she said suddenly, surprising herself. Both Harry and Avery looked at her and she swallowed back her wariness to grin at the latter. "You have a very beautiful home."

Avery looked surprised at her sudden interest, but shrugged it off and gave her his warmest smile. "My offer still stands. After supper, when we get rid of this kid, I'll give you a tour such as was never seen in this house. Everything my ancestors built, and the wealth they amassed over the centuries. There are paintings, tapestries, a mountain of old manuscripts. Jewelry. Whatever you like, I will show you."

"I look forward to it," Luna said. She was mostly telling the truth. She looked again at the candlestick. "Like this," she continued. "I've never seen anything so beautiful outside of a museum. It must have cost a fortune." Her hand reached towards it but she stopped herself and slowly closed it into a fist. Hesitantly, she looked at Avery. "Might I have it?" she asked.

Avery had never looked more pleased. "Of course, my dear," he said. "Didn't I tell you that everything I have is yours?" He smirked at Harry who was watching the scene, looking miserable. "See how good I am to her?" he demanded to the boy. "See how I give her everything she wants? Jewels, clothes. What could you offer her? Fizzing Whizzbies?" He laughed.

Luna really liked Fizzing Whizzbies. But of course she didn't tell him that. She took the candlestick in her hand and blew out the flame, only half-listening to Avery continue to contrast himself with Harry. She turned it over in her hands, examining the jewels. It was so beautiful she could hardly take her eyes off it.

"Thank you," she whispered and looked at Avery, true gratitude shining in her eyes. He trailed off in mid-sentence and stared at her, completely struck by her expression. Slowly, Luna stood and went over to him. She knelt by his side, took one of his hands in hers, and leaned forward to kiss his cheek. His skin was surprisingly warm beneath her lips.

"My pleasure. Name it, and all I have is yours." Glee shone in his face. He gloated without words, and his lips were twisted in a wide smile. Confidence shot from his eyes: I win, I win, I win. She's mine. She wants me. He was so thrilled at beating Harry, that he nearly forgot Luna was in the room altogether.

Which was why he didn't notice when she lifted the candlestick and swung it towards the back of his head.

The silver hit his skull with a sickening impact, and his eyes briefly rolled over to meet hers before he pitched forward onto the table and into his bowl. Soup splashed on the tablecloth and all was silent except for Luna's labored breathing. The hand holding the candlestick trembled and she dropped it on the ground. The resulting 'clang' echoed in the room.

I did it, she thought in a strange, abstracted way. I really did it. I hit him.

Harry was too stunned to speak, and for a few moments they both stared at the unconscious Avery. Finally, he cleared his throat.

"Is he…?"

"I don't think so," Luna said shakily. She hoped not. She wanted to leave, but she'd never actually wanted to kill anybody. Carefully, she nudged him aside, out of the bowl, and saw that he was breathing. "No," she breathed, very relieved.

Harry was watching her. "I thought you two were…"

"I know," she said. "I'm sorry. I had to."

He still stared. "You didn't…?"

"Please. Not now." Luna brushed her hair out of her face with a shaky hand and looked around the table for something sharp. She grabbed the butter knife and hurried over to Harry to work on the ropes. She may as well have tried to cut through diamond.

"He's enchanted them," Harry said flatly. "If only I had my knife…"

Luna frowned as she struggled with the ropes. "Harry," she started awkwardly, "why did you come?"

"To rescue you," he replied. Luna paused in her efforts to untie him and gave him a look. He blushed and cleared his throat. "Well, I was getting around to it. I really did have a plan."

"Uh huh. Involving what? Oh, this is useless." Luna tossed aside the knife, frustrated.

"His robes. He has my wand. I don't think he's changed."

Luna ran to the end of the table where Avery lay. She hated doing this, searching an unconscious man, and tried to avoid touching him. Mostly she couldn't. He was still so warm.

"Got it," she gasped as her hand closed around something wooden, and she pulled out not only one wand, but two.

"You'd better take his," Harry suggested. "You'll need it."

Luna was already on her way. She hurried back to him and whispered a spell to loosen the ropes. Harry struggled out of them, pulling them over his head and around the chair until he was free. He took his wand from the two Luna was holding out to him and brushed his black hair off his forehead. They both looked at Avery, breathing heavily.

"He's going to be disappointed," Harry said.

"I don't think he knows who I am. Not really," Luna answered quietly. They were silent for another minute.

"Let's go," Harry said softly, and reached for her hand before they both took off running.

Luna remembered very little of what happened next, whether it took a few minutes or hours. His hand felt solid and strong around hers, and what at first gave her hope soon turned to dismay and panic. For no matter which way they turned in the house, they kept returning to the same spot. They would purposely take different routes and stairs, hurrying along new corridors, searching for a door, a window, something! But no sooner than they thought they had discovered a new passage, they found they had returned to a corner or a room they had been through a dozen times before. Avery had been right: they simply could not get out. The house had become a labyrinth.

"What do we do?" Luna gasped, holding his hand tightly. Harry looked around, his green eyes dark.

"If he won't let us find an exit, we'll make one ourselves," he said simply, and with that, raised his wand and blew a hole in the wall. Luna threw her hands before her face and coughed as the resulting debris filled the air and splattered against them. When she waved the dust from her eyes, she saw a gaping hole in the wall big enough for a body to slip through. Harry was already on the other side.

"Come on," he insisted, holding out an arm.

Luna clasped his hand with hers and stepped through.

Once they had raced across the empty sitting room he had revealed, Harry lifted his wand and did it again. And again. And yet a further time. "It has to end," he told her, as he crawled through the hole into the fifth room. "It can't go on forever."

But Luna wasn't so sure. Still, she followed him, trusted him. Finally, they blasted their way into a room with a window on the opposite side. They were on the ground level and saw the moon shining from the outside, lighting the field surrounding the house with a silvery glow. Luna and Harry leaned against each other in relief and exhaustion.

"We made it," Harry said. "I knew we would."

Together, they stumbled across the room and lifted their wands at the same time to make the final hole. Harry bent and leaned against his knees to catch his breath. "After you," he said, sounding tired, but happy. Luna looked over her shoulder one final time at Avery's horrible house before stepping through the hole and into the night.

She was in a maze of mirrors. She saw her reflection before her, her dress torn and dirty, her hair more scraggly and disheveled than ever. Luna leaned forward and touched the glass in disbelief. "What?" she whispered, and turned to tell Harry that they had failed, except that Harry had disappeared. The room had disappeared. The mirror behind her showed her reflection, more alabaster pale and frightened than ever.

"Harry? Harry!" she screamed, clawing at the glass, but it was useless. She was alone.

"Luna!" She could hear him calling her, but his voice sounded faint, far-away. Desperately, Luna stumbled through the dark, using the light from Avery's wand to show her the way. Her heart raced. Her skin was glazed with sweat. She turned one corner and another, seeing a hundred panicked Luna's running along with her in the mirrors. She turned and ran into one of them. Lost her balance. Fell.

"Luna!" There he was, just ahead of her. Luna struggled to her feet in relief and staggered forward, only to collapse against another mirror. The Harry raced by her. Another reflection. She shut her eyes, feeling tears stream down her dirty cheeks.

"Harry," she cried again and heard him bang against a nearby mirror in frustration.

"Stay there," he insisted. "I'll find you." Luna slid to the ground, her head in her hands. It was hot in the maze but she couldn't stop shaking. They were never going to get away. Avery was going to wake up soon. He was going to win.

She heard footsteps hurrying towards her and opened her eyes in relief. "Harry…" she started, but the hand that grabbed her upper arm was not gentle. It violently squeezed and with a cry Luna was jerked her to her feet.

"You dare betray me, bitch?" a dark voice growled and she was shoved back against the mirror. She dropped the wand in surprise, and he quickly retrieved it and held it against her throat. The light lit up his face. Avery.

Blood was dried against his forehead and matted in his hair, looking almost black in the darkness. But more frightening was the expression on his face, in his dark eyes. His teeth were bared and she saw a glint of white teeth as he breathed against her neck. From a distance, she heard Harry calling her name, but it was useless. She was caught in Avery's web.

"So the little white mouse thought it escaped with the cheese and now is trapped." He laughed coldly. "We must punish the naughty children." And then slowly, terrifyingly, Avery began to smile.


I know! I know! It was Loony Lovegood... in the dining room... with a candlestick... ;)

Hello and a thousand apologies that it took me so long to get this one up. Completely unacceptable, I know. Well, my computer did crash... and I was too upset to rewrite what I'd lost, so maybe that's excusable. Or maybe not.

Anyway, I think there will only be one more chapter with a possible epilogue. Thanks to all who've been reading thus far! And I'll do my best not to take another few months before updating...