Chapter 21 Discussing the Past

Harry had just left Eric with his friends. Eric seemed to fine on the surface, but who knew what could have happened in the last two hours. Harry had to resist every urge not to take them back to the castle himself. But he had to find Malfoy before he got away again. Hagrid would have seen the sparks. He would find them easy enough.

Harry could not believe that it was Eric who restrained him. Out of all the things that happened, Eric certainly was lucky.

Soon Harry found a hole on the ground next to a tree. He peaked in and saw a cavern. Harry slowly lowered himself down. On the floor of the cavern was a wizard in a Dark robe. It was obvious he had been frozen.

"Malfoy." Harry said amazingly polite as he picked up the frozen wizard. "You are once again under arrest for escaping, kidnapping, and use of illegal curses." He said before thrusting him back against the wall. Harry resisted the urge to break his nose.

Malfoy still held the same surprise expression on his face.

"You know I do believe this is the second time that Eric has out done you. I do believe we are starting a trend." Harry moved Malfoy closer to the hole in the ceiling.

Harry did a small levitation charm on himself until he was out of the hole. He then did a summoning spell on Malfoy to pull him out. Harry sent a call message to the fellow Aurors before heading towards the castle.

"I really want to know what you were thinking taking Eric like that. If I find out that you really hurt him I will do everything I can to see you are killed when you reach Azkaban. Do you understand?"

Malfoy could not give a response. But Harry was pretty sure he got the message.

Along the way to the castle Harry met up with Lucas and Bones.

"I almost can't believe it." Bones said when she saw Malfoy. "Were you able to find Eric?"

"Yes, he's in the castle by now." Harry answered. "Turns out that Malfoy did kidnap him."

"The holding cell is ready for transport." Lucas said. "We just need to get him up to the castle."

Lucas, Bones and Harry escorted an unmoving Malfoy towards the castle. For the time being it was the only place of transport. The holding cell was a room towards the dungeons that was unused. It would be a place no one would look for escape.

They arrived at the castle with very little fanfare. The way Harry wanted it. They escorted Malfoy to the room and prepared a portkey that would take him right to Azkaban.

"We'll take him back." Bones said. "We can handle him. You go check on Eric."

"No, I'm the one in charge all take him back."

"You did enough and we are telling you to go see Eric." Lucas said.

Harry could tell that they were not going to back down.

"You know that this is insubordination." Harry said before walking out. He trusted them. Malfoy would be back in Azkaban.

Harry walked towards the hospital wing. Outside the door he saw Ron and Hermione with the children.

"Daddy." Christine Lily hugged her father. "Did you catch Malfoy?"

"Yes I did." Harry said. He wasn't sure how Christine Lily found out the name. Or that he was looking for him. "He is going back to Azkaban." Harry said to all of them.

"Thanks Harry." Ron said.

"Is Eric awake?" Harry asked. He really did want to talk with him.

"He's in there with his girlfriend." Molly said giggling with Elisabeth.

"Olivia?" Harry asked.

"Yes," Hermione said. "How did you know they were couple?"

"He asked me for advice." Harry answered. "I better go in before he gets too tired. We'll talk later."

Hermione nodded and herded the children towards the Gryffindor Tower.

Harry walked into the Hospital Wing and headed towards the back. Eric was lying on his bed with his leg propped up talking with a girl.

"I saw Hagrid on his way to the Head's office." Olivia said to Eric.

"Probably to say I was found." Eric answered.

"That and I am sure that she is thanking him for finding you." Olivia said.

Eric gave Olivia a funny look. Her tone had changed when she said thanking.

"Don't tell me that you didn't know." Olivia said. "The whole school knows about Headmistress McGonagall and Hagrid."

Eric shook his head. He never knew anything of the sort.

"They're married." Olivia answered. "They married sometime after she became headmistress. Supposedly only a few people know. They've been keeping it a secret."

Eric was dumbstruck by the image in his mind. He needed to get that image out fast. "Hello, Uncle Harry." Eric said glad to see him.

"I see you got the nerve to ask her out." Harry said taking a seat on the bed next to Eric. "It's nice to meet you Olivia." He looked down and saw that Eric and Olivia were holding hands in a very gentle manner.

Olivia blushed.

"With a little help from Christine Lily." Eric said.

"You mean she talked with you too?" Olivia said.

"It would appear she is going to become the Hogwarts' Matchmaker." Harry said. He was going to need to keep a closer eye on that girl from now on.

"I'll let you talk with your Uncle. I better get to the tower before curfew." Olivia said heading out.

"I'm glad that you finally got the nerve." Harry said. He looked around to make sure they were alone. "Malfoy is on his way to Azkaban."

"Good." Eric said. "That's where he belongs."

"Do you want to talk about it?" Harry asked.

"Mum said he had me for over two hours." Eric said.

"Yes," Harry answered. "Why don't you tell me what happened."

"I was knocked out for part of it. He really didn't do anything." Eric said. "It was just what he said."

"What did he tell you?" Harry asked.

"He said that the only reason you beat Voldemort was luck. That he tried to make peace with you and you wouldn't have it."

"That is partially true. He never gave us any reason to trust him." Harry answered.

"He said that he escaped from Azkaban by stealing a wand and using a spell to draw power from others without them knowing." Eric said. "That was how he regained his magic. That's what he said he was going to do to me. He told me the section of Azkaban that he was in drained a wizard's power."

"Now we know how he escaped for sure." He paused for a moment. "That is what happens to Wizards in that section." Harry said. "What is it that you really want to tell me?"

"He told me things about Mum." Eric said. "He told me that he was in love with her."

Harry stayed quiet for a moment. He just nodded. It was a very surprising statement.

"He said that when the deatheaters were attacking the Quidditch World Cup he was trying to get mum away from the danger. He said dad didn't do anything to help. He also told me about how he attacked Mum."

"He told you about that?" Harry was surprised that Malfoy would mention that.

"He said that he used her guilt against her. To prove that he could hurt her again." Eric said. "He told me that after she was found she ran from Dad and our world. No one told me about that. Malfoy said the version you all told me was Sugar Quills."

Harry tried to relax himself a bit before he spoke. "After we did the Occlumency spell on your Mum she got scared. She didn't have any of her own memories only mine and your Dad's. Afterwards she told your dad to stay away from the two of you and she left."

"She left. She really did leave." Eric said in shock.

"She returned a few days later." Harry quickly said. "Your Mum's memories came back to her. When she came back she was so guilt ridden. When she approached your dad she was groveling for his forgiveness."

"Mum doesn't grovel." Eric said.

"She did that one time. What she asked for was for him to be a father to you nothing more. She didn't ask anything for herself. She only looked out for you."

"I don't believe it. Dad did take her back?"

"That was the day they were married." Harry answered. "I also told you that day that I would have to find a way to thank you for bringing them back together. I suppose now you are old enough, so thank you for having the strength and drive to bring them back together." Harry said.

"That explains my boggart." Eric said.

"What?" Harry asked.

"Last year I was walking around the castle and I ran into a boggart. I watched my Mum say she was leaving my dad and he was to leave us alone." Eric answered.

"Now you know where it came from. We honestly thought you would forget about that. Your Mum belongs in this world and she is here to stay, alright."

"Thanks Harry." Eric answered. "For staying here to talk."

"Get some sleep." Harry answered. "I need to talk with your Mum and Dad."

Harry closed the curtains around Eric's bed and stepped outside. Hermione and Ron were there waiting on him.

"I figured he would want to talk with you." Ron said.

"He told me what happened. I don't think that Malfoy hurt him too much." Harry answered.

"What happened though?" Hermione asked.

Harry explained everything that Eric had told him. He also told them about Malfoy's crush on Hermione. This caused Ron to be very irate.

"Malfoy also told Eric that he did attack you. Malfoy used your guilt about leaving Ron against you."

Hermoine looked surprised.

"Is that why she thought she was Sara again?" Ron asked.

"Yes," Harry answered. "He was trying to distract us from Eric. I am really looking forward to interrogating him to find out everything he knows."

Hermione had leaned in and started hugging Ron during Harry's explanations.

"Eric also remembers about the day we did the Occlumancy." Harry said. "He remembers you leaving."

"But, he was young." Hermione said. "How could he remember that?"

"He knew Penny on sight." Harry answered. "He remembered it in his subconscious. It is just something that he is nervous about. That's probably why he gets uneasy whenever he watches you two fight."

"Should we talk to him about that?" Ron asked.

"I did a little." Harry answered. "But I am sure he would like to hear it from you. Professor McGonagall told me that she set up the guest quarters for you."

"You're not staying." Ron said.

"No, I have to see that Malfoy's paperwork is processed and I know Ginny is missing me right now. Just do me a small favor."

"Anything." Hermione said.

"Keep an eye on Christine Lily tomorrow." Harry said.

Hermione and Ron agreed even though they did not understand why.

For those of you interested in the McGonagall and Hagrid thing consult the Sorcerers Stone. Namely the Christmas Dinner.