Author's Note: Only a few of the characters are my invention but their affluence is not mine at all! Otherwise I'd be very rich. Now, I just had an idea, and I don't know whether it'll work. If it does, review. If it doesn't, still review.
"I have to go see my mummy, she'll be wondering where I am…"
A scared, small five-year-old voice echoed out over the empty room, a small whimpering plea to the man who held her arm, keeping her still with his obvious power. The man merely gave a sneer, a slight malevolent laugh, and stared down at the small girl.
"Do you know how long I've wanted to see your dear mummy?" He asked, grinning, showing his unkempt and rotted teeth. "How is your mummy? And your daddy, too?" His voice was a cold hiss, but smooth and flowing, almost calming. But it had that scary edge. The edge that scared the living daylights out of the little girl.
Whining, a tear trickled down her cheek. "Let go." She protested, scraping her feet in desperation, beginning to cry harder. "Mummy…daddy…."
Sarah Potter was begging for mercy from a foe she didn't know even existed, until he'd stolen her away from her parents.
"Put the cat out, Harry!" Ginny yelled through to her husband, who was sat reading a book on the sofa, quite at leisure with the world.
No response.
"Harry!" She yelled again, and then dug her hands out of the bread dough, rolling her eyes and trying to pick up the mewling cat with very floury and sticky fingers.
"Fine, I'll do it then!" She shouted, throwing the ginger cat out the door into the Spring sunshine. Washing then wiping her hands, she made her way through to the lounge, and put her hands on her hips. Harry was reading and not seeing that Sarah was almost covered from head to toe in Ginny's lipstick.
"Sarah!" Ginny protested, scooping her up in her arms and placing her on the sofa. "Don't touch mummy's lipstick!" She replaced her hands on her hips. "Do you watch or listen to anything, Harry?" She asked, scornful.
"Mmmmhmm…what was that, Gin?" Harry asked, then saw the look on her face. "Er. Sorry. Caught up in this." He said, saving his page and then looking at Sarah. He burst out laughing.
"Don't encourage her, Harry! Go up to your room, Sarah…" Ginny said, looking positively murderous. The little auburn-haired girl pouted, before grabbing the lipstick and running off upstairs. "I've been cooking all day, you could at the very least do something, this room is a tip…" She started, before Harry got up and put his arms around her.
"Shush, Gin. Sorry. I'll do whatever you want, don't worry." He assured her, and despite herself, she smiled.
"Whatever, eh, Harry?" She asked, moving her lips to his.
Crash.
Upstairs, the floorboards shuddered. There was a scream, and another crash. Then all was silent. Ginny and Harry broke apart, shock apparent on their faces.
"Sarah!" Ginny panicked, and ran upstairs as quickly as she could. Harry followed, coming up behind Ginny where she stood frozen in Sarah's room doorway.
Glass covered the floor. There was a trail of lipstick across the wardrobe, and a few specks of blood apparent on the carpet. There was no clue as to where Sarah was, or what happened.
Ginny sank to the floor, tears welling in her eyes. She pulled her knees close to her, and Harry crouched down to her level, wrapping her arms around her, a tear trickling down his cheek. "We'll find her, Gin. I'll alert the Ministry…" He murmured, his voice cracking.
Outside, the cat meowed through the window, trying to get back indoors.