Chapter 14: A Life for a Life
Ginny woke up to a warm glow on her face. She slowly opened her eyes and saw Kyra with her palm held out in front of herself as she stared at a tiny orb of light. Beads of sweat slowly trickled down her forehead, and she looked rather faint. Her whole body seemed to tremble with the focus and energy she was using on the little orb.
"Kyra?"
She didn't reply, nor did she show any signs of hearing Ginny, who assumed that she would be ignored for the next little while. Her stomach growled loudly and she looked hopefully at where the food had been dropped off yesterday. Much to her dismay, there was nothing.
'Damn them,' Ginny thought viciously. She missed Harry so badly, but she refused to show weakness by crying. Harry would want her to be strong. Surely it would only be a matter of time before he found her?
There was a soft thump and Ginny turned around. She gasped hoarsely and struggled to crawl towards Kyra, who now lay limp and pale on the ground.
"Kyra, wake up!" She pleaded, but the elf didn't respond.
Kyra didn't budge. Wishing she had her wand, Ginny tried to use wandless magic like Harry would use from time to time, hoping to revive her, but she was just too weak from starvation and the lack of water.
Ginny swore and continued to shake her desperately. Minutes later, she gave up and just sat next to Kyra, checking vitals every other minute. It felt like hours before the a wall slid open, and a platter of food was shoved unceremoniously into the miserable room.
She made to get up but immediately froze. The wall had not slid shut. Ginny jerked her head up and scurried farther from her captor.
"Still alive?" She asked with a harsh laugh.
Ginny felt her stomach churn and her muscles tense and go numb out of terror and fury.
"Drew," Ginny whispered, staring at her friend in disbelief. "Why did you… how… you're a…"
"Witch, yes. Now eat your scraps like a good little savage." Drew smirked but it vanished when her eyes fell upon the elf.
"She hasn't died has she?" Drew asked her moodily.
"I would doubt that you'd care, even if she was!" Ginny retorted angrily.
Drew turned her cold eyes to Ginny, a smug look on her face. "I would, actually. This elf is very valuable to us, Weasley."
"It's Potter" Ginny snarled.
"Right… sorry, I forgot you married Perfect, Precious Potter!" Drew laughed. "Well, your dear lover boy is no where near here. And Ginny, rest assured that we have every intention of keeping him as far from us as possible."
Drew paused and then folded her arms, leaning casually up against the wall.
"I'm actually surprised you have bled to death," Drew remarked nastily.
Ginny said nothing, but glared back. Drew seemed to be putting two and two together as she looked from Kyra to Ginny's healed wounds.
"Damned elf," she muttered. "No matter… I'll make sure you've been cut up good before that damned Potter gets here."
"You're sick! Why are you doing this to me?"
Drew looked both pleased that she asked the question and irritated that Ginny was talking to her so rudely.
"Why? Because it was the perfect plan. I managed to run into you in muggle London. I knew you were trying to run from your mistakes, from your past. Master knows everything... So I befriended myself with you and gained your trust all too easily. I could have killed you or your little brat numerous times, but my orders were to continue with the plan. I put sleep potion into your lover's dinner and a headache draught into yours. And it worked out nicely didn't it? Even if the elf did help you."
"But… you were so…"
Drew laughed again. "Nice? Yes, well, I was always rather good at acting. Now I must leave… I have new orders to fill out. Scream if the elf dies…"
With that, Drew left the room, the stone wall sliding shutting behind her. Ginny swore again, this time more out of fear and frustration, rather than anger. She carried the pitcher of water and stale bread back to where Kyra lay motionless.
She drank and ate her share, leaving the rest for Kyra if she were to wake up. Ginny lay down for hours at a time, keeping a watchful eye on Kyra, though she never moved. The room got colder and so Ginny assumed it was nightfall. She half-expected more food, but since she got food this morning, she suspected that she wouldn't get more until tomorrow.
Ginny's eyes slowly closed, and hours later, fell to sleep. Her stomach was clawing hungrily at her sides, her lips were cracked and dry, her throat burned and her head pounded from a nauseous headache.
And still, with all the fear and worries that raced through her mind, she was content with the dream that was lulling her into a deeper sleep. She was dreaming that Harry had rescued her, that she was back home with Hope, safe and sound.
She could only hope that she'd see her beautiful daughter again.
Harry paced back and forth in Commander Ziles's office. Finally, Ziles re-entered his office and sat in his seat.
"Sit, Potter." He ordered sternly. Harry reluctantly did so and waited for him to speak.
"Well," Ziles began wearily. "I'll be honest. We've not got a bloody lead on this case…"
"Not one?" Harry asked faintly and Ziles shook his head sadly.
"Just facts and confirmation. The blood on the knife left behind was Ginny's, the DNA on the knife belongs to Ginny's roommate, Drew something, but nothing else…"
Harry got to his feet and ran a hand distractedly through his hair. "What's next?"
"A few Aurors are looking for more leads, Potter."
"And that's the best we can do?" Harry asked furiously.
A sudden and sharp rap on the door interrupted Ziles's reply and a man in long formal black robes appeared.
"Sir, your reports. Seems we've got two missing beings." The man told him matter-of-factly. "We've just received word from a distant Elven city that they request help from our Aurors. An elf belonging to a community for destroying you-know-who's rising and claim of power was sent on a task and never returned"
Ziles leaned back in his chair, pulling out a cigarette and lighting it.
"Have a message relayed, requesting for a meeting with whomever sent the distress call."
"Yes sir!" The man said hurriedly, nearly bumping into Harry as he raced from the office.
Harry plopped back into his seat. "Don't tell me you're going to push aside my wife's case! This is an extremely serious situation!"
"Of course is it, Potter. But please keep in mind we must keep our allies with the Elven communities. United we stand, eh Potter?"
Harry's mind raced. Images of Ginny lying alone in a dungeon were making him feel ill. Soon they images were replaced by memories of seeing her lying in the Chamber of Secrets-barely alive.
"Ziles, I demand we host a full search of the island. The way this case is being treated is complete bull shit!" Harry shouted.
Ziles looked taken aback by his sudden outburst. He crushed his cigarette in a small silver platter, looking mutinous.
"Potter, I've told you- we've done all we can already. Now, we must also deal with the war, your wife and this missing elf!"
"Sir?" The man asked, poking his head in the door again.
Ziles looked irritated with his interruption. "Damn, Roger, what do you want now?" He snapped.
Roger looked apologetic, and spoke in a quiet voice.
"Sir, the elf's representatives are here. They wish to speak with you."
Ziles's eyes widened, but nodded. "Send them in, please."
Harry remained in his seat, waiting impatiently for the Elves' meeting's end. He had no intention of leaving this office. He'd wait out the stupid meeting.
Three people entered. A tall, wise-looking male elf, a shorter, nervous-looking male elf and a beautiful female.
Ziles stood up and shook each of their hands, asking for them to be seated.
"Now," Ziles began in a voice of forced-calmness. "What can I help you with?"
"I trust you have been informed with our situation, Ziles," The taller man said slowly. He wore long robes of golden yellow. His hair was short and graying. Harsh, dark eyes shone out from under thick eyebrows.
"Yes, I have." Ziles nodded, his voice grim.
"Well, we want to make sure you can help us. How much do you know?" The shorter elf asked. He had light brown hair that reached his shoulders. He had light blue eyes, and wore long red and yellow robes.
"Very well," Ziles said quietly. "Oh, my apologies. This is Mr. Harry Potter. His wife has disappeared around the same time as this young lady you speak of."
The men glanced at Harry, barely acknowledging his presence. The female elf, however, held her gaze for much longer. Harry glanced at her, and was reminded of a Veela. She had almond-shaped, dark blue eyes, with long flowing white blonde hair. She dark blue robes were tight around her slim figure, outlining her body.
"Well, her name is Kyra Lengoli-Na'teirm. I'm sure you know of how she disappeared…" The taller elf began.
"What exact date did she vanish?"
"Two weeks today." The female said softly, her eyes narrowed and glaring at Commander Ziles.
Ziles took out a notepad and quill and began taking notes.
"Perhaps these two cases are related, Ziles!" Harry suggested suddenly.
"They were taken by the same enemy, so the chances of them being held hostage together are 50!" The shorter elf exclaimed.
The elves glanced at each other, then at Ziles, who ran his hand through his hair with a sigh.
"I suppose it is a possibility, assuming we know that the same person captured Mrs. Potter as Kyra." He thought for a few moments. "Were there any witnesses when she was captured?"
"Yes" The female said swiftly. "I was with Kyra when she was taken."
Ziles nodded, and leaned forward. "What is your name, dear?"
"Serenlily" She responded.
Ziles wrote it down quickly, then leaned forward stiffly. "I need you to tell me everything," He said seriously. "Anything you remember could help us track Mrs. Potter and Kyra down."
Serenlily nodded and shifted slightly in her seat. Harry's eyes on were her, and he hoped that wherever Ginny was, she could stay alive long enough for him to find her!
"We went on the task together. I was her guard and backup if she were to die in the middle of the journey. So we were crossing through the forest, and it was very dark out. Kyra insisted we cut through the forest to get the information to its receptor quickly. I reluctantly followed her. We were on horseback, and everything was oddly quiet. Suddenly, Kyra saw something in the distance, so she took out her bow and arrow."
Serenlily took a quick breath before continuing. "Minutes passed by, and still, nothing appeared. Nervous as we were, we continued, still riding with our weapons at the ready. Then they appeared. They had surrounded us, and our horses panicked. Stunning spells were flying in every direction, and I was tossed off my horse, who bolted. Kyra, however, stood and fought. She was stunned and I assume, unconscious within minutes of the hopeless fight."
"They hadn't forgotten me that easily, though. I kept still, hoping they'd leave me be. One took a dagger and stabbed my arm, and watched the blood flow for minutes. Still, I didn't move. When they'd thought I was dead, they quickly disapparated and took Kyra with them."
Everyone in the room was staring at Serenlily with intensity. Ziles was the first to speak.
"Thank you." He sighed. "Potter, please go have Aurors sent out to the forest to search it again. Then please go alert Roger and tell him to have rewards offered for their safe return."
Harry nodded, not sure what to think of Serenlily's story. He stood and left the room in a hurry, doing the tasks he was told to do. On his way back, a thought struck him. It was stupid and probably wouldn't work; however it was worth a shot.
The elves were still there when he returned. He shut the door and sat back down.
"Sir, I have an idea" Harry began.
Serenlily and Harry strode into the forest with little confidence. Harry was horribly desperate for his plan to work, and he doubted it would work. They walked silently into the middle of the forest and then Harry sat down on the forest floor.
Serenlily glanced at Harry and nodded. She looked unsure, but then began screaming at the top of her lungs for Harry to wake up. Harry lay on the ground, pretending to be unconscious.
When five minutes passed, Serenlily's throat was dry and she could no longer yell. Harry glanced up at her and they both exchanged looks of despair.
"Shoot sparks, give away our location… wait!" Harry said quickly, pulling out his wand. "Morsmordre!"
A horrible skull now hung in the air, and Harry felt half-proud of it. He tucked his wand hurriedly into his pocket and hissed to Serenlily.
"Hurry back to the others, tell them to wait at a distance!"
Serenlily hesitated, but then bolted from the forest as fast as she could run. The minutes ticked slowly by and Harry nearly lost hope. But then, several cracks echoed through the trees and Harry hastily closed his eyes.
He heard footsteps, more cracks, and the crunching sound of feet crushing leaves. There was an excited, cruel laugh and then a short discussion.
"Take him back to headquarters!" Hissed a low voice, robes swishing as they walked.
Harry's body was yanked up, but he lay limp in a Death Eater's clutch. Immediately, he felt the familiar tugging sensation behind his navel and a portkey whipped away.
Harry appeared and his captor in a colder area, but he couldn't open his eyes, at least not yet. He heard a door open and then someone whispering something. The sound of stone sliding over stone was a sickening thing to hear, but he did not wince. Finally, he was tossed carelessly onto what felt like a stone floor.
He landed painfully on his front, but he forced himself to stay still. The Death Eater seemed to stare at his body for a few moments, before re-locking the room and disappearing.
Slowly, Harry opened his eyes with a groan. The room he was in had no lights and was completely empty except for two limp figures on the ground. Harry jumped to his feet, his heart pounding. Ginny and the elf lay on the stone ground.
He threw himself at Ginny's side and shakily touched her cheek. She was freezing! He shook her desperately, but she was still. He checked her breathing and to his relief, he felt a soft stream of air on his cheek.
He then glanced over at the elf and checked her vitals. To his surprise and relief, both of them were simply unconscious. Harry plunged his in hand into his pocket, but a sickly feeling of dark surprise and horror filled him. He did not have his wand.
He swore under his breath. "Of course they'd take it…" he muttered.
He knelt by Ginny again and scooped her up into his arms, feeling the tears behind his eyes. He begged for her to wake up, but she didn't. Harry was beginning to think how stupid this was. He might have found Ginny, but now all three of them were hostages.
He looked over at the elf he assumed was Kyra again and gently laid Ginny back down. He knelt by her and placed a hand on her head. She was as cold as Ginny.
Suddenly, Harry leapt back in shock, when Kyra shifted and her eyes slowly opened. She looked at Harry, her eyes widening in fright.
"Shh," Harry ordered. "It's okay."
Kyra looked unsure, but she didn't move from the floor. Harry suspected she couldn't move.
"I'm Harry Potter, I used to be an Auror for the Ministry of Magic. I met Serenlily and two other elves from your city…"
Kyra still looked hesitant, but she nodded and licked her cracked lips.
"There's no way out. Your rescue plan was poorly thought out and planned."
Harry knew she was right and tried to ignore her rudeness. "I've heard of your powers. Can you not contact other elves through your mind?"
Kyra shook her head no, eyes flashing. "I am in no state to do such a thing!"
Harry thought quickly and then responded. "What if I gave you some of my health. It's worth a try…"
Kyra stared at him for a least a minute. Harry felt uneasy and weak under her gaze. "You could die, Mr. Potter."
"But if it worked, you could get my wife and yourself from here, and that is worth my life."
Kyra continued to gaze at him for a few moments more before she sighed and stared over his shoulder. "You ask of my help, though I sense our doom. I ask my heart whether it is worth my while. My powers are much more complicated and extreme than a man's, and I am not sure of your health."
Harry's temper began to rise. "Look, they are going to come back for me, to kill me any minute once they alert Voldemort they've captured me alive! It has to be now, Kyra!"
Kyra's expression became unreadable, as she nodded and took his hands.
"I will help your wife escape. Now relax and allow me to penetrate your soul."
Harry instinctively tensed up, but Kyra's gaze became oddly interesting and he suddenly felt dizzy and nauseated as his energy was drained from him. His head became light and his body felt as if it were floating. He swallowed, as his vision began to blur.
Kyra did not stop, and soon, Harry's vision went black, though he still remained conscious. All the while, he was praying for Ginny's safety, for Hope's happiness and health.
Then it hit him. It felt like an icy dagger. It tore into him, stabbing at his mind and soul. The pain was unbelievable and he barely felt himself fall backwards, while Kyra clutched his hands in a tighter grip.
'I love you, Ginny,' Harry thought quickly, as the life slowly faded from him. 'Keep our daughter safe… Hope, I'll always love you… Daddy will always be there….'
Then he felt no more….
Kyra let him go quickly and immediately focused her renewed energy on contacting Serenlily to guide her to their aid.
Note: The entire idea to include an elf was inspired by the amazing work of 'Eragon' by Christopher Paolini. Also, Kyra's power of being able to contact others through their mind also belongs to Christopher. Therefore, I take no credit for it.