Chapter 23 Kidnapped Again

(Riddle Manor that same day early afternoon)

Voldermort was in a wonderful mood today. According to his newest follower the imposter that Dumbledore was trying to pass off as the bloody boy who lived had confronted the old man in front of the press, the ministry, a contingent of goblins, the teachers of Hogwarts as well as the student body with his duplicity and lies. The boy had also somehow got a hold of the old man's wand and broke it in half. Voldermort snickered. He really needed to get a hold of a pensive so that he could have Umbridge and Snape show him their memories of the events. He could almost imagine the old man's face when his wand snapped. To make matters even better the old fool had kidnapped Snape with the mistaken belief that he was protecting him. Delicious.

About the only sour note to the whole fiasco was the presence of the goblins at the dinner. Umbridge said that they appeared to be trying to protect the boy. 'I wonder if this means that the goblin nation is going to break off relations with the ministry. Perhaps it just means that the goblins have enough sense to hate that meddlesome bastard almost as much as I do.' Making a quick decision Voldermort left the audience chamber and swiftly made his way to the room that he was using to store his pet till he had another use for him. Throwing the door open he was satisfied with the bang it made as it hit the wall. Without breaking his stride he approached the cot that his pet sat on

"Crucio" He watched his pet writhe and contort his body into unusual positions on the cot for a few seconds before he lifted the curse. Malfoy lay on the cot panting and shaking from the unexpected curse that had struck his body. After he regained enough control over his body he slid to the floor and knelt with his forehead pressed against the cold flagstones. Voldermort sat on the cot and reached down to play with his pet's hair.

"Have you noticed my pet? You have not been punished for four days now" He yanked on the hair and raised the man's head till he was looking in his face. "Tell me, what happened to your son my pet?"

Malfoy began to shake again as he debated with himself weather to lie or tell his master the truth. Better tell the truth. Although it would most likely get him punished it was less apt to get him dead. "I…he was weak master. He, he wouldn't study when I tried to teach him. He never…he would fight me about learning what he, what you would have wanted him to know. I had to punish him…..because he wouldn't,-he refused to use the crucio on a lowly house elf. I had him beat- beaten but it was worse than I thought. The boy was…wasn't doing very well. Chandos Kane came for him and promised that if I didn't sign over my … control of the boy to, to him he would press charges agai---against me with ch-childrens services. I signed the papers and Kane took him away. That was about two years ago. We, my wife and, and I held a funeral for h-him and we put it out that the boy had died fa-falling down the stairs."

"Kane! He's the father of the fake Harry Potter. From all accounts a very powerful young wizard in his own right. Hmmm, I wonder, could there be two such powerful boys that are the same age that was adopted by Kane?" Voldermort smiled and Malfoy shivered in fear. "It's almost got to be…" Voldermorts voice dropped lower as he talked to himself. "A glamour to change his features so no one would recognize the boy…magical or even muggle methods to change the hair color. Yes, I believe that it must be." A shaking started in the man and soon his laughter burst out. "Clever Kane, clever Dumbledore. To find an elemental to use against me."

Voldermort stood with his hand still twisted in his pet's hair. He walked swiftly to the door and Malfor scrambled to keep up. The two made their way through the manor, one striding with an upright carriage and the other hunched over as his hair was pulled. The two entered the private bedroom of Voldermort before the man released his pet's hair. Swiftly kneeling before a large trunk Voldermort began searching for something. When he found what he was looking for he grasped it in his hand and raised it above his head. Dangling from a thick tarnished chain was a medal that the ministry gave out as awards for Services Rendered Above the Call of Duty. "Perfect" he said as he studied the medal. Turning to his pet he smiled and said, "I have found your son my pet and soon I will claim him. Fetch Umbridge for me."

Malfoy dropped to his knees before his master and kissed his robes before he said, "As you wish." With that he climbed to his feet and ran out of the manor to the apperation point. With a pop he was gone.

When Malfoy reported back to his master several hours later he had Umbridge with him. She knelt down and bowed her head. "How may I serve Master?" She asked.

Voldermort handed her the newly shined medal and instructed her to get another one. "I want both Kanes to be awarded these medals for their testimony against Dumbledore. Just make sure the boy gets this one."

With her head still bowed she reached out her hand for the medal. Voldermort placed it in her hands then stroked her face raising her head so that she could look at him. "Your services have pleased me my dear and because they have tomorrow I will place my pet at your disposal. You may use him as you see fit. I understand from his wife that he is quite skilled in the bedroom."

Umbridge licked her lips and darted a glance over at the very pale and shaking Malfoy. "Any" she cleared her throat and pulled her eyes back to her master, "Anything Master?"

Voldermort smiled, "Whatever your pleasure or perversion is he will fill it for you. Would you like him waiting naked for you with a lotion to massage your body? Chained to a bed spread out like a tasty treat? Kneeling on the floor with his back exposed and a whip at his feet?" Her mouth was hanging open as she listened to her master describe what she could have for her reward. "Choose how you want him waiting my dear so that he will be ready for you" Voldermorts voice had taken on a soft and sexy sound as he listed what she could do to his pet.

She swallowed with a gulping sound. "Ch-ch-chained to the bed naked, spread out waiting for me." Malfoy made a soft moaning noise as he knelt next to her.

Voldermort released her face and dismissed her with a caution to return the following day after her sift at work was finished. "You will have him till you must leave again. Now go."

Voldermort waited for the woman to leave before he turned to the man on the floor. "When your son gets here you will stay away from him unless I order otherwise. If you cause him anymore harm I will turn you over to all of my death eaters to use as a sex toy. Do you understand me?"

With tears in his eyes the blond whispered "I understand master."

(An undisclosed location in Scotland Same Day)

Where was that blasted man! He was only to be gone long enough to find out the location of the boy. That was almost 18 hours ago. Dumbledore tossed the wand he held across the floor in his anger. Stupid wand. It wasn't a good match so it acted finicky with his magic. Some of his spells were over powered and some were weak.

"When I get that boy back I'm going to do more than beat his ass for him. I'm going to lock him in his room for a month on bread and water after I beat his ass and after his month is up I just might beat his ass again."

With a huffing sound he picked up the blasted wand again and went back to work on the wards that surrounded the house. He had to get them finished because an owl had found him this morning with a letter from the justice department demanding that he present himself for a trial of inquiry in the morning. He was to be formally charged. He ground his teeth together in frustration. Him! Albus Dumbledore, Order of Merlin, first class, Grand Sorcerer, Chief Worlock, Supreme Mugwump, International Confederation of Wizards, famous for the single handed Defeat of Grindelwald to be charged like a common criminal. Well, Fudge might play games like that now but just wait till Voldermort started killing people and his popularity in the polls took a nose dive. Then they would all come crawling back to him on their knees, begging for his help and guidance. Just wait….

Just…wait a second…Albus scrambled over to the trash bin and started digging in it till he found the discarded copy of the prophet from this morning. Where was it, here… here was the article. He scanned the article till he got to the part that interested him.

Chandos Kane and his minor son will be giving testimony in the morning of October 15 at the Ministry of Magic Courtroom 5 before a full counsel…

Albus smiled as he began to make plans now that he knew where the boy would be in the morning…..

(Ravearks Home Same Day Dinner Time)

Raveark was happy to set the table for his dinner guests. It was the original three plus the two Kanes and the three new members from this morning as well as Griphook and another goblin who had been put in charge of security for the Kanes when they were not at the bank. With so many guests his wife had outdone herself in the selection of foods she was offering. Four meat dishes, six vegetable dishes, three pasta dishes and twelve desserts. At the knock on the door the goblin put the plates he had been about to set around the table down so he could greet his guests. Opening the door he was met with the Kanes and Severus Snape. Ducking their heads the three came into the room. When Raveark started talking to the adults Shadow followed his nose to the kitchen.

Inhaling the appealing aromas that graced his nose he looked around with curiosity. He had never been in a goblin house before. Well of course he hadn't. Before he was kidnapped he had never even seen a goblin before. Looking over at the short goblin woman he smiled and offered to help. "I do at home sometimes and the smells coming from here made me a little bit homesick, I hope I'm not intruding."

The woman smiled at the boy, "No, not at all. My name is Miglina wife to Raveark. And you are?" she said as she handed the boy a full platter of sliced meats.

"Shadow Walker but friends and family call me Shadow" he said as he took the platter from her.

"Well Mr. Shadow Walker, if you would be good enough to put that on the table for me I would be grateful."

Shadow grinned at her and walked into the dining room with the meat. Placing the full platter on the table he picked up the stack of plates and set one at each chair. Finished with that small chore he went back to the kitchen to help carry the rest of the food out.

"Miglina wife to Raveark, what goes next" he said

She giggled at the silly boy before correcting him, "Just Miglina" and handed him a bowl full of vegetables to carry out.

"Shadow shook his head no, "If you are going to call me Mr. Shadow Walker then I can do no less than to call you Miglina wife to Raveark." With a cheeky grin he carried the bowl out and put it on the table beside the platter of meat.

On his third trip the woman handed him a bowl of pasta. "What do you wish me to call you then?"

Before he grabbed the bowl he bowed low to the ground at the woman. Grabbing the bowl he answered. "Shadow, just Shadow"

Between the two of them they had the food loaded on the table in fairly short order. Shadow didn't notice the other adults had arrived or that everyone was watching him interact with Ravearks wife

Raveark nudged Chandos in the ribs, "He does that well doesn't he."

Chandos just shrugged, "He likes people. What can I say?"

The company was good, the dinner was excellent and the desserts were stupendous. Everyone ate too much so when they got up from the table there was some groans of contentment.

Shadow started to grab some plates to help clear the table after the feast but Miglina shook her head no. "Go with the others child; they need to make plans for your security when you and your father go to the trial tomorrow."

The group gathered in the living room of the goblin and they all went over the security arrangements that had been decided upon earlier in the day.

Shadows eyes took on a glazed look as his father went into lecture mode. "Remember Shadow, you stay beside me till you are called to the stand. When that happens just answer the questions they ask truthfully but don't volunteer any information. If asked if you are Harry Potter try to sidestep it without actually telling a lie The goblins are not allowed inside the courtroom but they will be waiting for us in the atrium. Black, Lupen, Weasley, Snape and McGonagall will flank you at all times once we are separated from our guard. I can't stress this enough…Stay Close to us"

After the talk was over the guests departed with the Kane's being escorted back to the Gringotts guest rooms by the goblins. Father and son chatted for a short time about how Fudge had sent the howler after his aide found out they were staying in Gringotts itself for safety sake but soon Shadows yawns convinced him that it was time to go to bed. They had a busy morning ahead of them.

In the morning the two Kane's showered and dressed then met in the dining area for breakfast. Shadow practiced the art of patience as Chandos practiced the art of lecture as the two ate. Shadow had nodded so often at his father that he almost felt like a bobble headed doll that was stuck on a recording of 'Yes sir, No sir.'

When it was time the duel collected their escort and floo'd to the ministry of magic's atrium where the goblin contingent stood aside and the human counterparts took over. The two were enclosed in a net of protection as they were escorted into the courtroom. Not really expecting to find him there Shadow still looked around for the headmaster.

The court clerk stood and asked for the accused to stand. A moment of silence swept the court as everyone looked around for the old man. When it became obvious that he was not there Fudge told the clerk to add the charge of "Failure to Appear" to the list. The clerk then read the list of charges that were being levied against the old headmaster. These charges started with the least serious Failure to Appear and went on to the ones of kidnapping and performing blood magic against an unwilling victim.

Shadow was called to the stand first and when asked to repeat his name he stated loud and clear that his adoption papers listed his name as Henry Kane. He sat in the witness chair and answered question after question about his kidnapping, the spells that had been used on him, the lies he had been told about his family and about himself. He neatly sidestepped the question of whether he was indeed Harry Potter by saying that before he had been kidnapped he had never even heard the name. He told them about waking up and being shown the family tree by Dumbledore then being told that as he slept he had been fed the stemma –atis potion. He shrugged his shoulders. "I can't say for sure that I took it or not. I don't know sir."

The barrister who had been assigned to represent Dumbledore stepped forward till he was crowding into the boy's private space. "Is it not true that you have a scar above your eyebrow in the shape of a lightning bolt?"

Shadow reached up and pushed the hair back off his forehead. The scar stood out like a beacon drawing the eyes of the whole court. After everyone was looking at him saw the scar the whispers began. Shadow heard several people make comments like "He has the scar. Dumbledore could be right about the boy" before he moved his hand and allowed his hair to once again cover the scar. He settled back into the chair and before he could be asked another question he popped out with, "It's on the wrong side. The boy who lived has a scar above his right eyebrow. Mine wasn't there before I was kidnapped and when it showed up it was on the wrong side of my face." The frantic talking increased sharply in volume after he said that.

After Shadow was dismissed he went back to his seat and waited till the trial was over so that they could leave. Although tired he felt justified as all of the charges levied against the old man with the exception of the kidnapping of Severus Snape had stuck. Just let the old fool try and wiggle out of this one when he was found…

When the small group reached the atrium they found a crowd of reporters waiting for them. There was a small stage set up and the Kanes were accosted by Deloris Umbridge. In a simpering little girl voice that drew shivers down Shadows spine she explained that the two were being presented with medals by the Minister Himself.

Shadow leaned over and whined in his fathers ear, "Daaaddd, please can we leave? I don't want some dumb medal."

Chandos sighed. "Lets just get this thing over with son. We promised to cooperate with the ministry and if that means getting a medal then we get a medal. If you don't want to keep it then just ditch it when we get back to Gringotts." He whispered back to his son.

The two made their way up on the stage where the minister gave a short speech about the public being grateful for the testimony supplied by the two 'in this difficult situation' before he was handed the first medal. Chando stood straight and tall as the shorter man briefly struggled to get the medal around his neck. When he was finished with the father he was handed the other medal which he slipped around the boy's neck. The two thanked the minister for his kindness and for the honor he had done them. As they passed in front of the reporters a young woman quickly reached out and grabbed the boy. Before anyone could react the portkey was activated and the two vanished…

Chandos stood there in shock for all of two seconds before he threw his head back and screamed, "Fuck!" Looking around wildly he yelled, "Where's his security?"

The human and gobbling guards rushed forward and began the arduous task of trying to trace the portkey signature so that they could follow.

When they managed to trace the location of the portkey the group as a whole apperated. Expecting to find the boy they were upset to instead find his staff and another trace of another portkey…

Shadow stumbled as he landed in the grass outside of the wards of a run down manor house. Before he could catch his balance he was hit with a stunner and everything went black.

Albus was chuckling when he canceled the glamour that had disguised his form from the ministry. Crouching down over the boy he took the staff and tossed it aside before reaching down and patting the boy's cheek with glee. As if the boy could hear him he talked. "Remember son, you brought this beating on yourself. After this you will learn to think twice before crossing me." He threw a feather light charm on the boy then reached under his knees and neck and lifted the boy up against his chest. He was still laughing when the second portkey activated and transported the two of them someplace that neither of them wanted to be.

(Riddle Manor)

Shadow felt the fog lifting from his head and a pain centered in his lower back. He knew that feeling. Stunner and a fairly powerful one at that. He moaned softly before he opened his eyes. The ceiling didn't look familiar to him at all. Twisting his head to the left he could see Dumbledore standing there facing something or someone in front of him. He had a wand in one hand and his other was extended away from his body as if he were ready to throw something. He was standing stiff and still. Shadow turned his head to the right and saw three people in black robes with silver white masks on their faces kneeling. Not good. No one stopped the boy as he twisted to his side and made it to his knees, with a little bit more effort he made it to his feet where he swayed as if drunk. When he caught his balance he gave the room a more careful look. Dumbledore was facing another wizard who also had a wand drawn and no one was moving at all.

Shadow felt a sharp pain pierce the center of his forehead and then he heard a gentle female voice talking to him inside of his head. 'Child of Gold you are not yet grown enough into your powers to face either the Gray or Black so the abeyance will begin and will continue for the next six years. Leave here after you release those who will not be held.'

Shadow bowed in acknowledgement of the voice. His staff appeared at his feet and he grabbed it before turning to the three people who were just starting to move. They acted confused as he ordered them to find everyone here and to get them out NOW Without questioning his orders the three ran off in different directions. Shadow walked outside and moved beyond the wards that surrounded the manor house and waited. It took about 15 minutes before he was joined by twelve others. All except one was dressed in a black robe. The last one who had stumbled out was a man with white blond hair. He was naked and trembling with cold. His wrists and ankles were chaffed and cut. He had tears falling from his eyes.

One of the ones dressed in black took off her robe and wrapped it around the naked man. She then came to stand in front of him and with a stiff bow she said "Thank you. My husband and I owe you for what you have done here. How can we repay you?"

Before Shadow could reply a golden dome of pure energy grew up around the house. Those closest to the dome were knocked off their feet by the power it contained. "Wow" Shadow exclaimed before he turned back to the blond woman. He wagged his eyebrows at her and smiled. "Can you give me a lift to Gringotts?"