Chapter Eighteen

Draco Malfoy slowly returned to consciousness, his head pounding out a steady beat. His whole body felt sore, like he had been beaten. He could taste the coppery-hot taste of blood in his mouth. He was strapped to a table with rough leather straps.

"How do I open the Box, Draco?"

Draco jerked his head. Lord Voldemort was standing next to the table, the Box in his hands. "How did you get that?"

Voldemort didn't turn his eyes on Draco. "I have my ways. Never mind how I got it, just that I have possession of it. How do I open it?"

Draco clenched his jaw and didn't answer.

"Being cheeky, are we? We have ways of dealing with that." The thin, twisted lips curled into a wicked smile. "Crucio."

Draco's body erupted into violent spasms he couldn't control. He could feel his arms, legs, and back slam against the table beneath him, bruising the skin and muscles. The excruciating pain moved into his brain, but Draco held onto the sight of the dark room lit by a single fireplace. It a moment it subsided, leaving Draco heaving for breath.

"How do you open the Box?" Voldemort repeated in his smooth voice.

Draco kept his teeth clenched together.

"Fine. Crucio."

The pain was worse, this time. His head was racked with pain and Draco struggled to double up. Crucio. Crucio. Crucio. Draco vaguely heard Voldemort asking him questions as the room and his evil red eyes blinked in and out of focus.

"I don't know! I've…I've never opened it," Draco croaked just before another round of pain.

The playful look in Voldemort's eyes disappeared. "Who can open it?"

Draco gathered the strength to lift his head to glare at Voldemort. "I'll never tell you."

The Dark Lord smiled. "Are you sure you won't tell me? This little escapade can be over in a flash. I can make your death quick and painless."

"No. I won't."

"Fine. As you wish, Mr. Malfoy. There are ways of dealing with that."

Dumbledore looked over the people in his office. Snape, Remus, Minerva, and Kate.

"Do we know yet? How did he get in?" Minerva was pacing the room and her usually steely eyes showed her worry.

Albus Dumbledore had thought of this many times before. "I have many theories, but each is as unlikely as the next."

She nodded severely. "Yes, but it's been months. Have we found where he is keeping Malfoy?"

Kate sat in the chair quietly, wishing she could disappear. Draco had been gone months.

Remus shook his head. "No. We haven't found him. Like you said, it's been months. Surely he couldn't have lasted that long?" he said, repeating Kate's fears.

Kate's voice was shaky, but certain. "No. Draco's alive, I'm sure of it. I would know. I would have felt something. We are Guardians. There's a connection, isn't there?" She wished she felt as confident as she sounded.

"That's correct. The Guardians have what's known as the Golden Cord. Once they accept the Guardianship, they're bonded together," Snape said and Diana's face flashed to his mind.

Remus' voice was cruel and spiteful. He and Snape had never gotten along. Snape was, after all, a Slytherin. "Yes, and tell us what you would know of the Guardianship, Severus. If you care to remember, Diana left you for a man who wasn't even a Guardian before you got the responsibility. What would you know about the Golden Cord?"

Snape glared at him and turned to Kate. "Don't worry, Kathleen. Draco's fine, I'm sure. If anything was mortally wrong, you would be the first to know."

Kate stood at the window in the Tower, looking over the Garden. Because of the increased security all around her, Remus slept on the couch only feet away from where she stood. Kate never got a minute alone now that she was on constant guard. At least Dumbledore had let her send the letter to Harry. Of course, it would be sealed with the best charms and spells, making it impenetrable to all but Harry…praying he knew the codes to open it. She had gone against her own logic and wrote a letter to Harry, asking for help. Pleading, more like. If anyone could find the Dark Lord, it was him.

Not that he would be doing it alone. An assault had been planned against Voldemort. Kate would be bate, and the Order and its forces would attack. Dumbledore had been planning it all for months. He just didn't expect Kate to volunteer in such a profound way.

Days after Kate sent the letter, Harry turned up in Dumbledore's office. He held the letter in his hand, demanding to see Kate.

"I need to see her. Now!"

Dumbledore observed his anger briefly and disregarded it. "What did she tell you, Harry?"

"It's none of your bloody business!" Harry snapped, slamming his hand on the desk, crinkling the paper. Since he left, he'd regretted it and was taking his anger out on an old friend that didn't deserve it. Harry sighed apologetically. "I'm sorry, Professor. Please. Just tell me where she is."

When Kate saw Harry open the door of the Garden, she was on her feet and running to him, throwing her arms around his neck.

"Harry! I knew you'd come. I knew it."

Harry grinned. "Yes. You knew I couldn't stay away. Especially if you needed help." His expression sobered. "What's wrong, Kate?" She hadn't told him in the letter.

Kate swallowed. "It's Draco."

"What's that ferret got to do with it?"

"Harry, he was kidnapped by Voldemort." Kate's eyes watered and scanned Harry's face.

"Good. Good riddance, I say."

"Harry! You can't mean that. Harry, Draco's a Guardian. With me."

"But…He can't be. He left you. How is that possible?" Harry turned his back to her.

"Harry, you left me too," she said quietly. "Draco came back. Now I need you to help me get him back before Voldemort figures out how to open the Box."

Harry didn't turn around. "I can't. I'm sorry, Kate."

"Harry, how dare you! You left me. Abandoned me. Draco's a Guardian now. The Box affects us all. You included. If Voldemort opened the Box and lets it out…"

"Kate. Please rethink this. We were meant to be together. Please. I love you."

Kate softened and took his hand. "Oh, Harry. I love you too. I always will, I promise."

"Then marry me." Harry kissed her.

Dazed, Kate stepped back. "Harry, you know I can't marry you. I love you, but I'm in love with Draco."

The fact hit Harry hard. And it hurt. He was quiet for a long time, holding her hand. Kate didn't say anything, didn't look at him. It hurt too much.

"I'll do it. If it'll make you happy to be with Draco, I'll help him."

Kate leaned her head closer to him and kissed him, meaningfully. "Thank you, Harry."