CHAPTER 4
Ron opened a painful eye. He gazed around the room he was in. It was dark and gloomy. He tried to move but he was strapped tightly to a wooden chair. His hands were held back with rope that rubbed against Ron's skin. It felt sore and uncomfortable. There was a thick piece of material in his mouth, stopping any words from leaving his throat. He was gagged.
'Where am I?' he thought. Suddenly, memories came flooding back to him.
Ron saw himself, Harry and Hermione at Hogwarts. They were outside under a big maple tree. The sun was shining and there was a soft breeze that floated like a feather.
As quick as the memory came, it was replaced by another memory. Graduation. All of his year, throwing their hats into the air. Cheers and yells of joy sang out. 'What's happening to me?' Ron moaned.
A new scene came after that. There were figures, shadowy figures, about six of them, all of which were closing in on him. All of a sudden, one of them struck him hard in the face. Pain came again and it felt almost unbearable.
His brain came to a big thump and he was brought back to reality. He tried to loosen the ropes but they wouldn't budge. Suddenly, Ron could see a door open. A tall person came into the dark room.
The person walked over to him and leaned close so Ron could hear the person whisper.
''They think I want money, they think it's a silly random. Ha ha! They are mistaken, MUCH mistaken. Potter will soon be under my control, and I will gladly kill anyone who stands in my way!''. The person's voice was filled with rasp and glee. Ron could not see who this stranger was since his eyesight was blurred by pain.
All he could try to say was a small and pathetic, ''Harry...''
Harry, Hermione and Adam were sitting at the kitchen table. No-one was talking in case they said something which would make them feel even worse, if that was possible.
Harry shuddered as a wave of guilt wash over him as he re-read the note.
If YoU wAnt 2 sEe yOur FrIEnd aGAin, LEavE 100'000 gALLionS oN tHe BoaT tHAt LEaVes On tHe 14 OF July, NO LATer Or yoUr FRieNd IS DoomEd!!!!!
Hermione wept silently, her shoulders shaking with every breath she took. Adam was looking very pale making him seem like he wanted to run to the toilet was be sick for hours. Sort of how Harry felt.
''Is Uncle Ron alright?'' asked a small voice from the doorway of the kitchen. They turned to see Jordan standing in his pyjamas. He too looked ghostly white.
Hermione let out a wail and she ran to her son and hugged him tightly. ''Oh yes, yes he's fine. Don't you worry, Jordan. Please don't worry.'' She cried.
Adam stood up and announced, ''we can sort all this out in the morning, we can't do anything while our brains are not fully awake, let's get to bed.''
They all agreed.
It was nine o'clock the next day that ministry detectives were searching the street for footprints. The head of the party was a Mr Niodruhm. He was a short, bald, old man with wild orange eyes and wore a blue cloak and matching hat.
Harry had finished getting washed and went out to meet the head detective.
''How's the search going?'' Harry asked.
Mr Niodruhm sighed heavily, ''I'm not going to lie to you, Mr Potter, and it isn't good. But it is still quite early in the investigation. Our officers are asking the muggle neighbours if they saw anyone go near Mr and Mrs Theodore's (Adam and Hermione's second name) house last night around eight to nine o'clock.''
Harry nodded sadly and went into the living room where Hermione and Adam were speaking to the chief inspector, Mr Garrison. They were in deep conversation and they seemed to be studying the ransom note.
''See the coat of arms there? Most wealthy wizarding families have one, this one I have never seen before,'' Mr Garrison said gruffly. He pointed to the top corner of the paper. ''a serpent, Dragon and a murdered unicorn, quite a selection.''
''Not like we haven't come across these things, eh, Herm?'' Harry muttered, remembering the first two years at Hogwarts, the basilisk, Hagrid's dragon and the dead unicorn in the forbidden forest.
Hermione gave him a fierce look.
''that looks like that picture mummy's got in a thick book upstairs.'' Jordan spoke up.
''Really, young man? Can you show us?'' the inspector said.
Jordan nodded and ran upstairs. He took about five minutes before he hurried down stairs again. ''Got it!'' he cried breathlessly. He flicked through the pages until he found what he was looking for and handed the book over.
''Hmm, yes, that's it, that's the coat of arms printed on the note.'' Mr Garrison said. ''It belongs to the family of 'Malfoy'.''
Hermione and Harry looked at each other.
''Malfoy? My dad used to work in the same department as a Lucius Malfoy before he was arrested,'' Adam said, surprised he could give information.
''Really?'', Garrison said. ''Could you both,'' he pointed to Adam and Hermione, ''go to the magical study store in Middle London, search for 'Malfoy' to see any connections.
Hermione nodded. ''Come on, Adam.''
Jordan noticed his mum and dad leaving and looked up at Uncle Harry. ''Are you looking after me today?''
''looks like it.'' Harry smiled.
Harry sat on the couch, thinking. 'Why is Malfoy in all this? What has he done to Ron?' Harry thought.
Lucius Malfoy died three years ago. It was on all front pages of newspaper over the globe. The rich man left over thirteen million galleons to his only son, Draco.
It was Draco Harry was thinking about. It must be him that did this, it just had to be. He was the only Malfoy left, He had no brothers or sisters, no kids, no parents, since Narcissa died when Harry was in sixth year.
Of course, since Harry was in America, he never knew what Draco did with his new fortune. 'Probably bought his own mansion, married that pig-face, Pansy Parkinson and had three darling little demons,' Harry thought.
''Uncle Harry?'' said a voice. Harry looked up to see Jordan holding the telephone. ''Mum needs to speak to you.''
Harry took the phone off him and said, ''hiya, Herm,''
Hermione answered, ''Harry! You have to do something for me!''
''What? '' Harry asked.
''I need you to visit Malfoy, ask him a few questions if you can,''
''Pardon? ''
'I said I need you to visit Malf-''
''Wait, Draco Malfoy? I visit him?''
''Yes,''
''Why would I do that?''
''To find out what happened to his family mansion! Honestly Harry!'' Hermione snapped over the phone.
''what do you mean, doesn't he own it?'' Harry asked, getting quite annoyed.
''Don't be silly. A maniac can't handle that much responsibility.''
''Maniac? Hermione what are you on about?'' Harry said.
There was a silence over the phone for a few seconds before Hermione said, ''oh Harry, don't you know?''
''know what?''
''Malfoy is a psycho, he's being held at Willowdunes Wizard Hospital for the Mentally Unable, he's been there for three years, just a few days after his dad died.''
Harry went quiet. Malfoy was in a loony bin?
''Harry! Harry, are you there?'' Hermione called.
Harry managed to say, ''Malfoy's...crazy?''
Hermione let out an annoyed sigh. ''Look Harry, we need to find out who has the Malfoy property, and Draco,'' she said the name as if it was a disease, ''may be able to tell us. The hospital closes in three hours, you need to go there and ask to see him. Ask him who has the mansion, come home, tell us and then we might be able to find out who has Ron, ok?''
She said all this very quickly and Harry could only pick up the main points. ''Ok, but tell me, do you really think they'll let me see him? They wouldn't know who the heck I am.'' Harry said.
''just say you are a friend from school, I don't know how long it has been since Malfoy had a visitor but you'll probably be the first in a very long time.''
''School friends, lye a little, make up a crap story about us being best pals.'' Harry said in a very bored and annoyed tone, ''Got it Herm, I'll call as soon as I get anything.''
''Thanks Harry! You're the greatest! Bye!''
Harry heard a beep as Hermione hung up.
Harry found Mr Garrison talking to an officer. ''Sorry for interrupting, but could I have I word please?'' Harry said politely. Garrison looked at him before closing the conversation he and the officer were having. The officer walked away.
''Mr Potter, you wanted to speak to me?'' Garrison said.
''Yes, you see Hermione, em, Mrs Theodore, has just phoned to ask if I could do something, would it be alright if I disappeared for a couple of hours?'' Harry answered. He hoped there would be a problem if he left so he could have an excuse to not visit his rival.
''Of course not, Mr Potter,'' Garrison smiled. ''we'll be here for a while, you take a break.''
Harry tried to look happy to have a 'break', he turned to leave but he saw Jordan in the front hall. He looked very uncomfortable.
''Er, Mr Garrison?'' harry called. Garrison turned to face him. ''What about Jordan, would he be ok if I left him here?''
Garrison thought for a moment before saying, ''He may be in danger if you did. No one here would notice if he disappeared so you may consider taking him with you, wherever you're going.''
Harry did consider it. If Jordan had the brains of his mother, he would be fine, but Harry was not taking any risks. Harry nodded to the inspector and called to Jordan.
''Jordan, come on, we're going out a while.''
Harry couldn't believe he was doing this. He was walking down the streets of London, going towards the huge building at the end of the road that had, with big, bold gold letters, Willowdunes Wizard Hospital for the Mentally Unable. Harry sighed.
''Uncle Harry,'' said Jordan, who was jogging to keep up with his uncles long strides. ''Where are we going? Are we going to see Uncle Ron?''
''no, we're going to see another schoolmate of your mum and I.'' Harry said calmly.
''oh,'' Jordan muttered.
They crossed the road over to the building. They walked up to the glass doors, which slid open as they approached.
Harry whispered, ''Oh boy.''
A.N. Hi readers, I had to re-write this chapter since the last one just didn't make sense, sorry to all those who got confused. All my fault. Please review and tell me what you think of it, bye y'all!
Ron opened a painful eye. He gazed around the room he was in. It was dark and gloomy. He tried to move but he was strapped tightly to a wooden chair. His hands were held back with rope that rubbed against Ron's skin. It felt sore and uncomfortable. There was a thick piece of material in his mouth, stopping any words from leaving his throat. He was gagged.
'Where am I?' he thought. Suddenly, memories came flooding back to him.
Ron saw himself, Harry and Hermione at Hogwarts. They were outside under a big maple tree. The sun was shining and there was a soft breeze that floated like a feather.
As quick as the memory came, it was replaced by another memory. Graduation. All of his year, throwing their hats into the air. Cheers and yells of joy sang out. 'What's happening to me?' Ron moaned.
A new scene came after that. There were figures, shadowy figures, about six of them, all of which were closing in on him. All of a sudden, one of them struck him hard in the face. Pain came again and it felt almost unbearable.
His brain came to a big thump and he was brought back to reality. He tried to loosen the ropes but they wouldn't budge. Suddenly, Ron could see a door open. A tall person came into the dark room.
The person walked over to him and leaned close so Ron could hear the person whisper.
''They think I want money, they think it's a silly random. Ha ha! They are mistaken, MUCH mistaken. Potter will soon be under my control, and I will gladly kill anyone who stands in my way!''. The person's voice was filled with rasp and glee. Ron could not see who this stranger was since his eyesight was blurred by pain.
All he could try to say was a small and pathetic, ''Harry...''
Harry, Hermione and Adam were sitting at the kitchen table. No-one was talking in case they said something which would make them feel even worse, if that was possible.
Harry shuddered as a wave of guilt wash over him as he re-read the note.
If YoU wAnt 2 sEe yOur FrIEnd aGAin, LEavE 100'000 gALLionS oN tHe BoaT tHAt LEaVes On tHe 14 OF July, NO LATer Or yoUr FRieNd IS DoomEd!!!!!
Hermione wept silently, her shoulders shaking with every breath she took. Adam was looking very pale making him seem like he wanted to run to the toilet was be sick for hours. Sort of how Harry felt.
''Is Uncle Ron alright?'' asked a small voice from the doorway of the kitchen. They turned to see Jordan standing in his pyjamas. He too looked ghostly white.
Hermione let out a wail and she ran to her son and hugged him tightly. ''Oh yes, yes he's fine. Don't you worry, Jordan. Please don't worry.'' She cried.
Adam stood up and announced, ''we can sort all this out in the morning, we can't do anything while our brains are not fully awake, let's get to bed.''
They all agreed.
It was nine o'clock the next day that ministry detectives were searching the street for footprints. The head of the party was a Mr Niodruhm. He was a short, bald, old man with wild orange eyes and wore a blue cloak and matching hat.
Harry had finished getting washed and went out to meet the head detective.
''How's the search going?'' Harry asked.
Mr Niodruhm sighed heavily, ''I'm not going to lie to you, Mr Potter, and it isn't good. But it is still quite early in the investigation. Our officers are asking the muggle neighbours if they saw anyone go near Mr and Mrs Theodore's (Adam and Hermione's second name) house last night around eight to nine o'clock.''
Harry nodded sadly and went into the living room where Hermione and Adam were speaking to the chief inspector, Mr Garrison. They were in deep conversation and they seemed to be studying the ransom note.
''See the coat of arms there? Most wealthy wizarding families have one, this one I have never seen before,'' Mr Garrison said gruffly. He pointed to the top corner of the paper. ''a serpent, Dragon and a murdered unicorn, quite a selection.''
''Not like we haven't come across these things, eh, Herm?'' Harry muttered, remembering the first two years at Hogwarts, the basilisk, Hagrid's dragon and the dead unicorn in the forbidden forest.
Hermione gave him a fierce look.
''that looks like that picture mummy's got in a thick book upstairs.'' Jordan spoke up.
''Really, young man? Can you show us?'' the inspector said.
Jordan nodded and ran upstairs. He took about five minutes before he hurried down stairs again. ''Got it!'' he cried breathlessly. He flicked through the pages until he found what he was looking for and handed the book over.
''Hmm, yes, that's it, that's the coat of arms printed on the note.'' Mr Garrison said. ''It belongs to the family of 'Malfoy'.''
Hermione and Harry looked at each other.
''Malfoy? My dad used to work in the same department as a Lucius Malfoy before he was arrested,'' Adam said, surprised he could give information.
''Really?'', Garrison said. ''Could you both,'' he pointed to Adam and Hermione, ''go to the magical study store in Middle London, search for 'Malfoy' to see any connections.
Hermione nodded. ''Come on, Adam.''
Jordan noticed his mum and dad leaving and looked up at Uncle Harry. ''Are you looking after me today?''
''looks like it.'' Harry smiled.
Harry sat on the couch, thinking. 'Why is Malfoy in all this? What has he done to Ron?' Harry thought.
Lucius Malfoy died three years ago. It was on all front pages of newspaper over the globe. The rich man left over thirteen million galleons to his only son, Draco.
It was Draco Harry was thinking about. It must be him that did this, it just had to be. He was the only Malfoy left, He had no brothers or sisters, no kids, no parents, since Narcissa died when Harry was in sixth year.
Of course, since Harry was in America, he never knew what Draco did with his new fortune. 'Probably bought his own mansion, married that pig-face, Pansy Parkinson and had three darling little demons,' Harry thought.
''Uncle Harry?'' said a voice. Harry looked up to see Jordan holding the telephone. ''Mum needs to speak to you.''
Harry took the phone off him and said, ''hiya, Herm,''
Hermione answered, ''Harry! You have to do something for me!''
''What? '' Harry asked.
''I need you to visit Malfoy, ask him a few questions if you can,''
''Pardon? ''
'I said I need you to visit Malf-''
''Wait, Draco Malfoy? I visit him?''
''Yes,''
''Why would I do that?''
''To find out what happened to his family mansion! Honestly Harry!'' Hermione snapped over the phone.
''what do you mean, doesn't he own it?'' Harry asked, getting quite annoyed.
''Don't be silly. A maniac can't handle that much responsibility.''
''Maniac? Hermione what are you on about?'' Harry said.
There was a silence over the phone for a few seconds before Hermione said, ''oh Harry, don't you know?''
''know what?''
''Malfoy is a psycho, he's being held at Willowdunes Wizard Hospital for the Mentally Unable, he's been there for three years, just a few days after his dad died.''
Harry went quiet. Malfoy was in a loony bin?
''Harry! Harry, are you there?'' Hermione called.
Harry managed to say, ''Malfoy's...crazy?''
Hermione let out an annoyed sigh. ''Look Harry, we need to find out who has the Malfoy property, and Draco,'' she said the name as if it was a disease, ''may be able to tell us. The hospital closes in three hours, you need to go there and ask to see him. Ask him who has the mansion, come home, tell us and then we might be able to find out who has Ron, ok?''
She said all this very quickly and Harry could only pick up the main points. ''Ok, but tell me, do you really think they'll let me see him? They wouldn't know who the heck I am.'' Harry said.
''just say you are a friend from school, I don't know how long it has been since Malfoy had a visitor but you'll probably be the first in a very long time.''
''School friends, lye a little, make up a crap story about us being best pals.'' Harry said in a very bored and annoyed tone, ''Got it Herm, I'll call as soon as I get anything.''
''Thanks Harry! You're the greatest! Bye!''
Harry heard a beep as Hermione hung up.
Harry found Mr Garrison talking to an officer. ''Sorry for interrupting, but could I have I word please?'' Harry said politely. Garrison looked at him before closing the conversation he and the officer were having. The officer walked away.
''Mr Potter, you wanted to speak to me?'' Garrison said.
''Yes, you see Hermione, em, Mrs Theodore, has just phoned to ask if I could do something, would it be alright if I disappeared for a couple of hours?'' Harry answered. He hoped there would be a problem if he left so he could have an excuse to not visit his rival.
''Of course not, Mr Potter,'' Garrison smiled. ''we'll be here for a while, you take a break.''
Harry tried to look happy to have a 'break', he turned to leave but he saw Jordan in the front hall. He looked very uncomfortable.
''Er, Mr Garrison?'' harry called. Garrison turned to face him. ''What about Jordan, would he be ok if I left him here?''
Garrison thought for a moment before saying, ''He may be in danger if you did. No one here would notice if he disappeared so you may consider taking him with you, wherever you're going.''
Harry did consider it. If Jordan had the brains of his mother, he would be fine, but Harry was not taking any risks. Harry nodded to the inspector and called to Jordan.
''Jordan, come on, we're going out a while.''
Harry couldn't believe he was doing this. He was walking down the streets of London, going towards the huge building at the end of the road that had, with big, bold gold letters, Willowdunes Wizard Hospital for the Mentally Unable. Harry sighed.
''Uncle Harry,'' said Jordan, who was jogging to keep up with his uncles long strides. ''Where are we going? Are we going to see Uncle Ron?''
''no, we're going to see another schoolmate of your mum and I.'' Harry said calmly.
''oh,'' Jordan muttered.
They crossed the road over to the building. They walked up to the glass doors, which slid open as they approached.
Harry whispered, ''Oh boy.''
A.N. Hi readers, I had to re-write this chapter since the last one just didn't make sense, sorry to all those who got confused. All my fault. Please review and tell me what you think of it, bye y'all!