Chapter 10 - The First Move

~ Friday 31st October ~

Teddy had his arm around Scorpius, who wore a navy button-up shirt with long black pants.

"I'm so glad you could come!" Victorie hugged Scorpius. He was smiling like he used to when he won any quidditch games in school. He was relaxed and happy, it was enchanting. James walked up to Scorpius, his expression stern, the tension between the two was filling the room like a flood. All eyes were on the two, silence made it painfully obvious that no one had seen Scorpius in years. I was hoping it wasn't going to turn into a fistfight. My Dad looked disapprovingly at Scorpius, you could guess what he was thinking. Uncle Fred moved closer to where the action might happen. I was frozen watching the two, Scorpius stood straighter and didn't back down. There were no words said until James clapped him on the shoulder and cacked himself laughing. Before we knew it, everyone was laughing releasing the weight of confrontation.

The attention shifted to me and how I was reacting to Scorpius' presence, which happened to be standing frozen like a brain-dead zombie.

Fred, my cousin, called from across the room, "What's wrong Red, Pixie got your tongue!"

"You'd better be careful of what you eat for the rest of the night Freddy!" I glared.

"Hey Rose," Scorpius smiled.

"Hey, Scorpius," I paused the silence that followed was too quiet. I had a gut feeling something was wrong. I turned to look out the window, it had gotten dark already. I search for Lyra but I can't see her.

I put down the glass and without a word walked out the front door. A shiver ran down my spine as I saw nothing but abandoned toys in the yard.

"Lyra! Lyra!" I run to the front gate.

Rose's face drained of coloured as if she saw a ghost when she saw me. Thankfully, it wasn't me who caused that expression. She looked frantically out the window into the dark.

"What are you looking for?" Esme askes, though Rose doesn't answer, she walks straight out the front door.

When she starts yelling, "Lyra! Lyra!" down the unusually empty street. Everything clicks into place. Worry is replaced with rising panic.

"Rose," I grab her shoulder and she looked at me with wide eyes of a panicked animal, "I will find her."

Mr. Weasley runs out and understood in an instant, he cast a spell to reveal any trace left in the yard. Mr. Potter followed soon after from the house.

"Looks like it's the ones we've been tracking. Scorpius you're coming with us." Harry instructs as more people filter out of the house. I nodded as we apparated to the next traceable location.

We arrive in a dark hallway with windows streaming moonlight to our aid. Voices behind the door in front of us. Harry gives a signal to be ready on the count of three as he grabs the door handle.

Mr. Potter charges in the door followed by Ron. I follow into a room the seemed familiar somehow. All the furniture was against the walls, children tied up sitting on the floor, as Harry and Ron untie them, I notice none had those familiar blonde ringlets.

I scan the room, it occurs to me, the old Malfoy summer house. One of three, this one was sold off. The furniture was overly decorative and green-themed. Where would they take her? The dining rooms? Not enough escape routes. The kitchen! I ran straight for the kitchens.

I open the door without hesitation. A dark-robed figure had their hand over her mouth, she had a black blindfold. My anger rose exponentially. After a stare down for a few seconds, the dark figure said, "Malfoy keep out of this or else you will be punished, she is safe if you don't pursue." The voice was deep and brutish.

My mind flooded with questions but pushing them aside. Lyra is in danger and I will save her. "Sorry but that's my daughter I'd rather leave with her."

First to move would be the one to win. Wand at the ready down my sleeve, they sent a curse my way, I blocked it. I counter and they block, it goes back and forth as they inch closer to the do leading to the gardens.

"Lyra, when I say so duck!" I yell while blocking.

I send two spells in succession, "Duck!"

As instructed, she drops to the floor as the dark figure is knocked back. The man floated out the kitchen door in the well-known black smoke before I had the chance to apprehend him. I ran straight to Lyra and check out the door for any other threats.

Lyra starts to get up from the floor and pulling at the blindfold. I untie it for her, "Lyra, are you hurt? Are you ok?"

She burst into tears and shook her head. As I pick her up, Ron and Harry race through the doorway. "She seems ok, just scared."

They both nod, we gather in the previous room and apparate back to Vic's house.

I pace outside the house. If anyone hurts her then all on the Ministry couldn't stop me from inflicting a world of pain on them. They better wish they move to Greenland and die from the cold rather than face me.

"Rose come on let's wait for them inside," Dominique reaches for my arm, I pull away.

"I will wait here." I feel so useless, I should have watched her, I should have been the one to go after her. What a terrible mother I am.

Esme rests her hand on my shoulder, "They'll be back." I nod in response.

I want my baby girl back. I had no idea until she was born that she is my whole life. Without her nothing is right.

Staring down the street where they disappeared, will do nothing I know. But it's all I can do.

My heart skips a beat when I hear the pop. Walking, then running towards the sound, where the figures are.

"Lyra!"

Scorpius is carrying her, and she looks over, "Mummy!" she wriggles out of Scorpius' grip and runs to me. I have a shiver run down my arms as I kneel and hug my beautiful daughter. She's crying and I can't help but cry too.

"My sweet girl, you're safe now. I'll never let go of you." I pick her up, Scorpius moves closer and puts his arms around both of us.

He whispers, "My girls."

I cry more and allow myself to lean into Scorpius, just for tonight.