A/n: If you're wondering how Draco escapes? I shall quote Dumbledore. "Help should be given at Hogwarts to those who deserve it." Sorry for the way late updates. I've been going through a lot of stuff. But I am back and I will be doing the best I can. I have two more books I want to do after this. So get ready for War and excitement!
Chapter 14: Reunited
Hours later, the Weasleys, Josh, Harry, Hermione, Daphne, Astoria, and Tracey had moved to the Burrow. Most of everyone settled down as Molly chose rooms for the extra children. Sirius, Sandra, and Josh's new baby brother were taken to St. Mungo's to be looked over. Charlie, Bill, and Fleur had come joined everyone else at the burrow to keep the family together. The Weasley twins were informed of what happened and decided to stay at their family home at the behest of their mother. To keep her in a calm mind.
At the moment, Daphne, Josh, Ron, and Tracey were in the sitting room, being looked at by Molly and Fleur since they were the ones who were injured. Bill, Charlie, Arthur, and the Twins were outside, putting up the strongest wards they could think of. Ginny and Astoria were in Ginny's room getting ready for bed while Harry and Hermione were nursing some hot chocolates in the kitchen. Molly had started with Daphne who was covered in small cuts and scratches. Then Ron who had been pierced through his shoulder. With her limited abilities, Molly did her best with mending Tracey's and Ron's injuries. Luckily, Josh was in Healing and could help Mrs. Weasley with the mending. Ron was mended with a healing charm, though he had to wear a sling and his shoulder would be sore and still a bit painful. Same with Tracey who's bones in her thigh were mended but she would have to keep weight of her leg and use crutches. Josh had a few cuts and small burns that could be helped with a paste.
"Alright, that's the best I can do," Molly said, putting a stitched band-aid across Josh's cheek. "I'm sure you'll all be fine and back to normal sometime tomorrow. You three girls will take Percy's old room, and Ron, Harry will share with you as usual. Josh, take Bill's old room. Why don't you head up and get some rest." Molly then left the house to check on her Husband and her sons.
"Hermione?" Tracey called from the sitting room. Hermione entered the sitting room and looked around questioningly. "You don't happen to have any spare clothes, do you?"
Hermione shook her head. "No," she replied. "I was wondering about that myself." Josh turned to look over at Daphne who was silent and blankly staring down at the ground. "I didn't think I needed to bring any extra clothes. Which reminds me, I need to write to my parents." She turned back to the kitchen. "Harry, may I borrow Hedwig."
"I can't wear these wet clothes all night," Tracey sighed as Josh was petting Blaise's small head.
"Maybe Ginny has some spare clothes," Ron suggested, standing up. "I'll go ask her." He left up the stairs to grab some clothes for Daphne, Tracey, and Hermione. He did appear minutes later with one arm full of spare clothes, handing them out to the girls.
"Ron," Tracey called as He was about to head back up the stairs. "Could you help me?" Ron suddenly looked bewildered. "Up the stairs, I mean," she smirked, knowing full well what she was doing.
"Oh! Right!" Ron exclaimed, walking over to Tracey, helping her stand to her feet, and then up the stairs to Percy's old room.
Josh looked over to Daphne who still hadn't said a word. She sniffed every now and then, wiping either her eyes or her nose. He placed a hand one of hers and squeezed it. Daphne sadly glanced at her boyfriend, on the verge of crying. "Come on," Josh whispered, standing up while holding Daphne's hand and led her up to Bill's old room.
Once inside, Josh closed the door behind them, setting his bag down next to the bed but before pulling out a small pillow. He set the pillow on a table and then set Blaise on the pillow where it chirped and laid down. Daphne turned away from Josh and held her hair up. "Can you unzip me," She sniffed quietly. Josh walked over and unzipped her dress and turned around to giver her some privacy.
"Daphne," Josh spoke quietly.
"Don't," Daphne said in an instant. "I know what you're going to say, so don't. It wasn't your fault. None of it was."
Josh sighed heavily, rubbing the back of his neck. "I...I wasn't going to say that," he replied. "I mean, I don't know what to say. I can't imagine what you must be feeling right now. I just want you to know that I'm here for you. I will always be here for you." Josh suddenly heart light sobs. He turned around to find Daphne had changed into Ginny's clothes and was silently sobbing while hugging herself. Josh quickly stepped towards his girlfriend and pulled her into a tight hug. Daphne wrapped her arms around Josh, crying into his chest. They stood there for a while. There was no telling how long they stood there. Daphne had stopped crying as the two were still hugging. "Lay down," Josh told her, releasing the hug.
"Stay with me?" she whispered, looked up at Josh.
"Of course," Josh replied with a nod. Daphne then crawled into the bed first. Before Josh joined her, he changed out his blood soaked and torn clothes into some fresh clothes. Josh crawled into bed next to Daphne who instantly clung onto him once he lied down. Josh held onto his girlfriend as she laid on his chest, listening to her breathing. He rubbed her back and held her hand as he mind wandered about what had just happened. They were caught off guard and it turned out to be a successful ambush. His cousin was kidnapped and he couldn't save her, nor could he have saved Daphne's mother. He couldn't imagine how Daphne's father was handling this situation with his wife. If Josh lost Daphne, he knew things would get dark. Daphne was the only person holding Josh back from his darker abilities. If she was killed, there would be nothing holding him back and his worst fear would have come true. It didn't take too long for the couple to falls asleep. All the emotional and physical exhaustion had finally caught up with them.
It was hours later when Daphne was murmuring in her sleep, turning her head. Suddenly, "No!" Daphne gasped as she bolted upright. Josh woke up when Daphne had pushed off of him and sat up as well.
"Daphne, are you alright?" Josh whispered, looking at Daphne who was sweating and breathing heavily.
"I'm alright," She sighed and nodded. "Just a dream."
Josh had a feeling it had to do with her mother. 'Did you want to talk about it?" Josh asked. Daphne glanced at her boyfriend and shook her head. Josh lightly grabbed her hand and nodded. Daphne stared into her boyfriend's eyes and without warning, she deeply kissed Josh. Josh knew this was a distraction for her so he gave her what he needed and kissed her back with the same passion. The couple put their arms around each other as he lay on top of her.
There was a knock at the door and then it was opened. "Josh, have you seen Daph - Oh." It was Tracey, followed by Astoria. Tracey's eyes widened with a surprised smile, while covering Astoria's eyes as the couple broke apart to see who had walked in. "Oh, I see you found her."
"Why are you covering my eyes?" Astoria spoke, pushing Tracey's hand away from her face. "I already saw them in their gross embrace." Josh and Daphne blushed in embarrassment sitting up in bed. "Dad will be here in a little while," She informed her sister. "For...er, I suggest you get dressed. Ginny said we could borrow some more of her clothes."
"They're already in our room," Tracey spoke and then pushed Astoria away. "We'll leave you to it then," she added with a wink and shut the door.
Josh and Daphne plopped back into the bed. "She's going to ask for details, isn't she?" Josh asked.
"More than likely," Daphne answered.
Minutes later, everyone had joined in the kitchen for a late breakfast. Everyone was wearing a famous Mrs. Weasley sweater including Tracey, Hermione, and Astoria. Tracey and Astoria were each wearing one of Ginny's older sweaters, Hermione was wearing one of Harry's old sweaters and Daphne was wearing Josh's old Gryffindor sweater. Molly had prepared a lot of food for everyone, maybe more than she should have, using her cooking as a distraction of last night's events. Bill, Charlie, and Arthur were sitting at one end of the table whispering amongst one another.
Josh sat next to his girlfriend while she sat next to Astoria, both of whom were somber and quiet. Breakfast was relatively quiet with a bit of light talking. What could they really talk about after the night they had been through. It was small chit chat about having to go back to school or what they had received for Christmas. Awkward silence was suddenly upon them for a few minutes while they ate breakfast, not know what else they could say or talk about.
"Arthur!" Molly suddenly gasped, standing out of her chair, her hand on her heart. "Arthur, it's Percy!" Everyone's heads turned to look out the kitchen window and sure enough, Percy Weasley was striding across the snowy yard, his horn-rimmed glasses glinting in the sunlight. However, he was not alone.
"Blimey, is that the Minister?" Charlie asked aloud. Sure enough it was the man Josh had seen many times in the newspaper walking next to Percy, limping slightly, his mane of graying hair and his black cloak flecked with snow. Within seconds, Percy opened the back door and stepped inside. There was a moment of painful silence. Josh remembered the last time he saw Percy was back at the Ministry when he had to take his OWL exams and saw Percy passing with a few other wizards rushing somewhere. He also knew that Percy was on the Ministry's side during the whole 'Harry, Josh, and Dumbledore' were lying plot from the papers last year. Josh had yet to forgive the third Eldest Weasley for not choosing the right side.
"Merry Christmas, Mother," Percy spoke rather stiffly.
"Oh, Percy," Mrs. Weasley cried as she ran over to hug Percy. Rufus Scrimgeour paused in the doorway, leaning on his walking stick and smiling as he observed this affecting scene.
"We must forgive the intrusion," He said. "Percy and I were in the vicinity - working - and he couldn't resist dropping in and seeing you all." Josh noticed his eyes wondering over to Harry. Percy didn't seem so interested in greeting the rest of his family. Mr. Weasley and Percy's siblings were all observing him, stony-faced.
"Please, come in, sit down, Minister," fluttered Mrs. Weasley, straightening her hair. "Have some breakfast or some fruit?"
"No, no, my dear Molly," Scrimgeour said. "I don't want to intrude, wouldn't be here at all if Percy hadn't wanted to see you all so badly..." Josh furrowed his brow, and by Percy's stoic expression, he figured that the Minister was lying and had something else in his mind. "...We've only looked in for a few minutes, so I'll have a stroll around the yard while you catch up with Percy. No, No, I assure you I don't want to butt in, but since I am here I would like to thank Merlin that you are all safe from last night's events - " Josh heard a couple of sniffs notably coming from Daphne and Astoria, " - and the Aurors and the Department of Law Enforcement are investigating the attack and interrogating the captured Death Eaters. The Ministry has it all taken care of." All of the children shared unsure glances with one another. "I do, however need to speak with Mister Potter and Mister Black." Josh and Harry suddenly turned towards the Minister. "If you two would please, come take a stroll with me." Josh and Harry shared a confused look as everyone else stared their way.
"Yeah, alright," Harry said into the silence. He stood up from his chair, waving down Charlie and Arthur who wanted to speak up. Josh gave Daphne's hand a squeeze as he too stood up from his chair. The two boys walked out of the Burrow to take a stroll with the Minister. "Wonderful, we'll take a lap around the garden, and then Percy and I will be off." The Minister led Harry and Josh across the yard towards the Weasley's snow-covered garden. Scrimgeour limped slightly in front of the two. "Charming, isn't it." He obviously meant the garden the were passing. "I've been meaning to meet the two of you." Harry and Josh shared a curious look. "I've wanted to speak to you."
"About what?" Harry curiously asked.
"With everything that has been going on," the Minister began, "Among other things." Scrimgeour looked towards Harry. "You see, the people of the Wizarding World seem to believe that you are the 'Chosen One'. They think you're quite the hero - Which of course, you are, chosen or not. You've faced you-know-who countless times with Mister Black by your side, the Heir of Slytherin." Josh hadn't heard that in a while. "The point is, you two seem to be a Symbol of Hope for many. The idea that there is somebody out there who might be able, who is destined, to destroy He-who-must-not-be-named - well, naturally, it gives people a lift. As for you," he turned to Josh. "The descendant of Slytherin himself. People love to see a true heir stand for what is truly believed in during these dark times. And I can't help but feel that, once you two realize this, you might consider it almost a duty, to stand alongside the Ministry and give everyone a boost. What say you?"
"Wait, wait," Josh said with the shake of his head. Was he understanding correctly?
"Yeah, what do you mean?" Harry asked. "Stand by the Ministry?"
"Oh, well, nothing huge, I assure you," Scrimgeour replied. "If you were to be seen popping in and out of the Ministry from time to time, for instance, that would give the right impression. And of course, while you were there, Mister Potter, you would have ample time to speak to Gawain Robards, my successor as Head of the Auror Office. Delores Umbridge has told me that you cherish an ambition to become an Auror." Harry and Josh shared a glance as anger boiled inside them at the mention of Umbridge. "As well as you Mister Black, I do know a few goblins who would love to have a new Curse Breaker on their hands."
"Basically," Harry began as he wanted to clarify a few points. "You want to give the impression that we work for the Ministry?"
"Well, you are the chosen one," Scrimgeour said, "At least people seem to believe you are. And it would lift their spirits to know that you were on our side."
"That we agreed with what the Ministry is doing?" Josh added, crossing his arms. "Like locking up innocent people for instance."
"I assure you Mister Black, that any people that have been arrested during these menacing times were proven criminals," Scrimgeour countered with a stern look.
"But what about Stan Shunpike," Harry spoke up, "He was arrested for being mind controlled by the death eaters and you're just using him as a scapegoat - "
"Not to mention that you still have a pink psychotic toad employed in your offices who all but tortured me and Harry last year at Hogwarts," Josh added in. "And it seems like that you just want to use us for your own personal gain."
"I assure you that that's not the truth." Scrimgeour argued.
"It sounds like it," Harry agreed with Josh. "I agree that some of the things the Ministry does, it's good, but for the last couple of years, from my perspective? It's shown me the truth beyond what you older witches and wizards do in a panic. Thing tend to not go the way you like." Josh nodded in agreement. "So I say this, Minister. No, I will not be popping in and out of the Ministry and be used as some people's champion of sorts. Nor will Josh. We both have problems that we have to deal with personally in our lives."
"So, you're not the chosen one then?" Scrimgeour said.
"I thought that didn't matter to you," Josh said. Scrimgeour stood up straight and raised his head with a stoic expression. "You don't care whether Harry lives or dies, do you? You only care that Harry convinces Everyone that you're winning this war when we all know for a fact that that's not true at all. Not even close."
Harry raised his the back of his fist where the words "I must not tell lies" were carved into his flesh could be seen by Scrimgeour. "I seem to recall you or anyone else running to my defense when I said that Voldemort was back. The Ministry wasn't so keen to be pals last year."
"That was not me, that was Fudge's doing - "
"But you were apart of Fudge's Ministry," Josh interrupted Scrimgeour.
Scrimgeour sighed through his flared nostrils. He obviously was not going to get through to these boys. "I've seem to have wasted my time with you two," he spoke, "You see right through. Now tell me, what is Dumbledore up to!? Where does he go when he leaves Hogwarts.
"No idea," Harry answered straightly as Josh shrugged. They really didn't know where he went. Josh had no idea he was leaving Hogwarts but seeing his chair empty for most meals does make sense to him now.
"Neither of you would tell me if you knew would you?" Scrimgeour said.
"No, we wouldn't," Harry replied as Josh nodded in agreement.
"I am not surprised," Scrimgeour spoke, staring at the two boys. "Again, I am deeply sorry for your losses, Mister Black. The Auror offices are doing everything they can to find the rest of the subjects that attacked your home last evening. War is a terrible thing, but even so, sooner or later, one way or the other, you will be on the side of the Ministry. "
"What does that supposed to mean?" Josh asked, but Scrimgeour already turned and began walking away not opting to answer.
Harry and Josh had stayed outside for a while longer, standing in the yard and kicking up the snow. "What are we going to do now?" Harry wondered, "With our home gone, what now?"
Josh shrugged, "Start somewhere else," he answered. "Find a new place to live, buy new things I expect. Things are replaceable but when it comes to family - " Josh paused as Rina came to his mind. Harry noticed and patted Josh on the shoulder. Josh looked up to Harry. "I'm going to get her back, whatever it takes." But just then a owl swooped down, landing on the fence nearby Josh and Harry. The two boys walked over to the owl that had a letter attached to its leg. It was addressed to Josh.
"What does it say?" Harry inquired.
Josh took the letter and opened it, scanning the letter. His heart suddenly began beating faster. "He's alive," Josh breathed, staring ahead, and holding the letter out to Harry.
Harry quickly read the letter:
Josh,
Draco's been found alive! Pansy encountered him in the hallway. He was bruised and battered, as if he had been tortured since he'd been gone. Not only that, but the culprit who had him has been caught. But Draco's been alive all along, Josh! He never died, but I know who did! I'll tell you all about it when you get back to Hogwarts.
William.
Harry looked up from the letter to glance over at Josh who was staring at nothing in particular.
Daphne had moved to the sitting room when Josh had left the kitchen to speak with the Minister. She was waiting for her father to come get her, her sister, and Tracey to take them home. But Daphne was thinking about her mother and how she had passed away. Not only her mother, but the many friends she lost this year. She had felt useless, just sitting there watching her mother or her friends dying in front of her. She froze when Tracey was dying of poison and unsure of what to do. It was Josh who had thought on his feet, summoning the bezoars when he did. And as she sat there, watching her mother die, wanting nothing more than to save her mother with some healing spell, but she didn't know any strong enough healing spells to save her mother. Even if there was a spell that could have saved her mother, she wish she knew what it was.
"Are you okay?" Daphne looked up to see that Tracey was limping into the room and sat next to her friend. "Sweetie, why are you crying?" Tracey asked.
Daphne reached up to touch her face, feeling the wetness on her cheeks. She had no idea that she was crying since she was lost in thought. "I was thinking about my mother," Daphne sniffed, wiping away her tears. "And the friends we lost." Tracey nodded. "I don't want to feel useless anymore. I don't want to sit by and just want to watch my friends or family die."
"You want to fight," Tracey said, "I can understand that."
Daphne shook her head. "That's not what I just want to do," she replied. "I want to help them and save them from dying." Tracey looked at her best friend questioningly. "I want to learn Healing magic, Tracey. I want to learning anything there is to know about healing injuries. I don't want others to feel the pain I'm going through," Daphne choked as more tears began to flow.
"Pathetic." Daphne and Tracey looked up to see Astoria with her arms crossing, looking down at her older sister.
"What do you mean that's pathetic?" Tracey scoffed. "I think's it great that Daphne wants to be a Healer."
"A Healer?" Astoria replied with disgust. "You want to avenge mum's death by being a Healer? Like I said, pathetic." Tracey glared at Astoria. "Why don't you do something that'll mean something. Like avenging mother's death by killing that bitch who took her away."
"Astoria!" Tracey gasped.
"I'm not going to sit around and wallow in my tears," Astoria argued. "I'm going learn all the defensive magic I can and then I'm going to kill that bitch myself!"
Daphne sniffed, stood up, and walked over to her younger sister. Without warning, Daphne suddenly slapped Astoria across the cheek. Tracey gasped as Astoria lightly yelped, touching her cheek that was now pink. She glared up at her older sister, her eyes brimming with tears. "Our mother didn't raise us to speak that way," Daphne said. "You will do no such thing. You are too young. You will not be participating in anything dangerous at all. You will stay in school, and you will stay safe and stay put until this whole war blows over."
"I hate you!" Astoria gasped, pushing past her sister and going back to Ginny's room.
"Daphne," Tracy said, standing up. "You can't just slap your sister and expect her to do what you want. Not now. You two just lost your mother. You need to get closer to her, not push her away."
"What do you know," Daphne said, hugging herself. She felt instant regret after she slapped her sister, but she did mean what she said. "I meant everything I said. She will do as I tell her to."
Tracey sighed through her nose and rolled her eyes. "I see you're already turning into your mum," she mumbled.
"What was that?" Daphne asked.
"Nothing!"
The doors of the Hospital Wing opened up to reveal a tall man with straight blond hair and blue eyes in elegant robes, and next to him was a beautiful woman with braided blonde hair and green eyes in a green long-sleeved dress looking around in awe and wonder. The two adults strode through the Hospital Wing, and stopped at the bed that was occupied by William with Pansy sitting in a chair next to him. William looked up at his parents feeling a little nervous because he had to tell them why he was in the Hospital Wing.
"William," William's mother, Isle, said in her Danish accent, moving over to her son, sitting next to him. "Sorry we're late. You're father's been held up at work and he's the only one who could bring me here to the amazing castle." She looked around in awe, then back to her son. "Now tell me, why are you in here? What happened?"
"Well," William began a bit nervously. "I have these friends and - "
"Speak up, William," His father, Leif, spoke.
William cleared his throat and spoke louder, "I had a friend who was going trough some stuff and I wanted to help him."
"Help him?" Isle repeated. "What could you have helped with to have you end up in this place?" William's father looked sternly at his son with a curious brow.
"Well," William swallowed and took a deep breath, "Josh and I created this spell and I drank this potion, you see, this was back when I, er, we thought that Draco Malfoy was dead. And a whole has been happening at this school and Josh was overwhelmed by everything and had this hunch about who was behind it all but there was no proof so we created this spell to pick up the essence of a person and combine it with a potion which would show the drinker the person who had died their last moments up till they died. So I took it upon myself to drink the potion - " William's mother gasped while his father stood silently. "And then I thought I was knocked out but I saw the memory. It was too real, as If I was the one who...who...died." William slowly stopped talking as he thought back to the memory that seemed so real to him. When it happened, it was like nothing he had never felt before. It was emptiness and just nothing. No feelings, no anything. It was actually very horrible and terrifying.
"Oh, dear," William's mother spoke as she touched the cheek of her son. "Why do such a thing?"
William half shrugged. "I wanted to help him," he repeated. "And I wanted to help Draco - "
"Malfoy?" Leif asked. William looked up at his father and nodded. "You would help the son of a murderer?"
"Father, it's not like that," William replied in exasperation. "It's a little complicated."
"How complicated is it?" Mr. Nielsen asked.
"Draco is nothing like his father, Dad," William replied.
"He is a Malfoy," Mr. Nielsen replied with a stern tone. "Malfoys are a known dark family. They are not to be trusted."
William glared at his linen blanket, and then glanced over to a worried looking Pansy. William looked back up to his father. "Draco Malfoy is my friend!" he said defiantly. "I wanted to help him and Joshua Black to find out who tried to kill him!"
"Black!?" William's father spat. "As in Sirius Black!?"
William nodded. "Father - "
"Why have you been associating with these dark families!" Leif heatedly spoke his his native danish language.
"Darling," Isle calmly said in danish. Leif sighed heavily and visibly calmed himself. "Our son has a pure heart and only wants to help others. I know our son would never help someone who doesn't deserve it."
Pansy had been sitting next to William, trying to to listen or pay attention. It was easier once they started to speak Danish. She sat a bit awkwardly for a bit and when she sense the silence, she looked up to see William a bit uncomfortable and stressed. She reached over and grabbed his hand. William looked over to Pansy and smiled. She smiled back. Isle noticed the exchange, her face blank.
The doors of the Hospital Wing opened up once more. Josh was the first to run in, searching the beds for his cousin. "Where is he!?" he announced. "Draco!" Josh saw one bed that was surrounded by curtains and quickly ran towards it. He also noticed William in a bed surrounded by his parents and Pansy, but he ignored him for now to see his family that he thought was dead. Sirius, Sandra, and their newborn baby casually walked, following after their oldest son. Another woman also slowly entered the Wing, quickly glancing around. Never would she thought she'd ever be in this castle again.
Josh pushed the curtain aside and sure enough, there he was. Josh let out a deep gasp as he saw his bruised and battered cousin laying in bed, unconscious. "Draco," he breathed, walking over to the bed examining his cousin. He wondered why Draco looked like he was hit by the knight bus.
"My boy," Josh heard someone gasp. Josh turned to see Narcissa flow over to the bed, kneeling next to it. "My boy," she whispered, reaching to tough Draco's face, tears silently falling, filled with happiness. "It's okay, Draco. Mummy's here. She's here and she's going to keep you safe." Narcissa took her son's hand and held it. Josh smiled, glad to see mother and son reunited.
A couple of chairs were brought over for Narcissa and Sandra to sit next to Draco and wait for him to wake up. Josh was sitting on an empty bed with his father sitting next to him. Many unanswered questions filled his mind. Where had Draco been this whole time? Who really died that day and who had kept Draco captive? Who had beat him to near death? He also remembered what Daphne had told him about Cyrus having eyes in Hogwarts. He was sure McGlaggen was one of them, but who else was in the Death Eater ranks?
"Is there something on your mind?" Sirius asked. Josh glanced towards his father. "Probably wondering what was going on with him." Josh nodded.
"It also has something to do what Cyrus said," Josh replied. He looked around and then whispered to his father. "He has eyes on the inside."
Sirius furrowed his brow. "You mean there are Death Eaters inside Hogwarts?" he whispered back.
Josh shrugged. "I mean, I don't know," he replied, "But i have a suspicion of someone."
"Who?" Sirius asked.
"Cormac McGlaggen," Josh answered.
"McGlaggen?" Sirius repeated. "Thaddeus's boy?" Josh nodded. "But Thaddeus is a good man, so is his brother, Tiberius. Why do you think his son is a Death Eater?"
Josh shrugged. "He comes around as a jerk," He answered. "He's manipulative and snide. With that stupid smug face that I just want to wipe off his face."
"Are you sure?" Sirius asked, "or is this because you have a vendetta against him because he's just your rival."
Josh sighed and shook his head. "I knew you wouldn't believe me," he muttered, he stood up and saw William talking with his parents. He needed to talk to William but he didn't want to interrupt his talk with his parents. He'll speak to him later. Pansy was also there, sitting next to William, trying not to listen to William and his parents talk.
"Son," Sirius said, standing up. "Do you have any proof?"
Josh snapped to his father. "Dad, I know he's doing something fishy. I just know. I can feel it in my gut," he exclaimed. "He is up to something, and I need to find out! And you know better than anyone that people aren't what they seem."
"Alright, alright," Sirius sighed, placing his hands on his shoulders. He knew his son was talking about Pettigrew who Sirius once knew as his friend. "I go back into work soon, and I'll find out what I can about the family. Maybe they're putting up a facade, alright?" Josh exhaled and nodded. It was at least something.
"Joshua, Sirius." Josh and Sirius turned to see Sandra was peaking behind the curtains. "He's waking up." Sirius and Josh made their way behind the curtains to see Draco slightly moving his head and moaning lightly.
Draco's eye fluttered open. He looked around seeing the familiar faces of his family and then his mother. Once his eyes landed on his mother, Draco began to cry. "Mum," he breathed out. Narcissa began to sob as she hugged her son close. "Come on," Sirius said to Josh and his wife. "Let's give them some privacy. You can talk to him later."
Josh, Sirius, and Sandra, who was holding her newborn, left to give the mom and son some privacy and for them to regain their familial bond. As the family was moving over to a different area of the Hospital Wing, the doors opened to reveal some Aurors. "This can't be good," Sirius said, walking ahead of his family to intercept the Aurors. "Jeffries, Comb, Rutherford," he greeted with a nod. "What can I do you for?"
"Official Auror Business Black," Comb said, crossing his arms, "We're here to question Malfoy on his whereabouts."
"On whose Authority," Josh interrupted, stepping next to his father.
"The Ministry's," Comb replied, "They want to know why Malfoy faked his own death - "
"You can't be serious!" Sandra exclaimed in shock. "The boy was beaten and tortured."
"There's no way of truly knowing that," Comb said with a shrug. "He could have inflicted those injuries himself."
Josh scoffed and rolled hie eyes. "There's no way Draco would have done that to himself," Sirius spoke. "Draco Malfoy has been nothing but exceptional in the past couple of years."
It was Comb's turn to scoff. "He's a Malfoy," he said. "The son of Lucius Malfoy."
"And I'm the son of Sirius Black," Josh retorted in anger. "Who was the son of Walburga and Orion Black. Prominently dark people yet their son is an Auror, fighting against Voldemort."
"What's your point, son?" Comb asked in annoyance.
Josh clenched his teeth. "Not everyone takes after their parents," he said, "Nor do they want to follow in their footsteps."
"Whether its the case or not," Comb began, "It doesn't matter. We need to know everything that's happened to Malfoy since his alleged disappearance. Or did you forget of the terrors that happened over the last few months? He disappeared right after the explosion at your birthday or the mass poisoning at Slughorn's party where the culprit has yet to be identified. Maybe because he was hiding in the shadows and was waiting for the right moment to strike."
"You can't be serious!" Josh growled through his teeth, stepping forward. Sirius place a hand on his son's shoulder, but Josh shrugged him off. "He's been found, bloody and beaten, on the brink of death. He was tortured - "
"Or, he was caught and was in a fight with the one who found him," Comb said.
"We know who found him," Josh replied, glancing over to Pansy.
"No, I mean the first person who found him and fought him," Comb said.
"Who was that?" Sirius asked.
"I believe it was a Mister Inigo Elphwick," Comb answered, "We also have word from a Mandy Brocklehurst who was also attacked my Mister Malfoy - "
"Oh, bullocks," Josh cursed.
"And we have an eye witness!" Comb spoke loudly.
"This is stupid!" Josh growled.
Sirius stepped forward before anything became worse. "Look, even if this sounds plausible," he began, "This boy is still unconscious." Josh glanced sideways towards his father. "And it doesn't look like he's waking up anytime soon. And even if he was awake, you wouldn't get a clear answer out of him." Josh was wondering why his father was lying, though Comb seemed convinced.
"Right then," Comb said, "We'll come back in a few hours, though a couple of Aurors will be posted outside the doors." Josh rolled his eyes as the Aurors turned around and began to leave the Hospital Wing.
"I need to find out what happened before they do," Josh said to his father.
"I don't know if Draco would be up for it," Sirius replied to son. "I don't think i bought us enough time for you to talk to him and learn all you can. It looks like he's been through a lot as well." Josh nodded as he and Sirius turned and quickly walked back over to Draco's bed.
Leif had been been watching the exchange between the Blacks and the Aurors. He turned towards his son and spoke in Danish. "You see?" he said, "They suspect him of creating these attacks as well. There seems to be eyewitness and proof."
"They're lying, father," William replied in Danish, "I am a good judge of character - "
"You are blinded!" Leif hissed, "This school has changed you, William. I should send you to your Aunt back in Denmark so you can finish school there!"
"You can't," William replied in English. "Because I won't go and you can't make me! My friends need me here!"
"I am your father!" Leif hissed, "And you will do as I say!"
William clenched his teeth, glowering at his father, and unknowingly squeezing Pansy's hand. She slightly grimaced when William tightened his hold on her hand a little too hard.
Narcissa still happened to be hugging a confused Draco when the two arrived. Josh watched as Draco confusingly looked around, his eyes landing on Josh. "What's going on?" he asked. "What are you doing here, mother?" Narcissa released her son, suddenly looking confused as well. "Why am I in the Hospital wing?"
"You don't remember?" Narcissa worriedly asked. Draco shook his head.
"What's the last thing you remember?" Sirius asked.
Draco looked pensive and then looked up at Josh. "I remember the attack at Diagon Alley," Draco began to speak. "And coming to school, going to class." Draco then looked up at Josh. "Isn't your birthday coming up?"
Josh and Sirius shared worried glance. "Draco, it's December," Josh informed him.
Draco shook his head. "No, it can't be," he muttered. "I remember Daphne asking me for advice and gift ideas for you. And I got you a book on advanced charms. It can't be December. Where I have I been the past three months and why can't I remember."
"Sirius, can you hold your son," Sandra asked, Sirius nodded. Draco finally saw the baby and was very shocked.
"The baby has been born?" Draco said, his heart starting to race.
"Yes," Sandra replied, moving closer to Draco. "May I?" she asked Narcissa who nodded. Sandra place both of her hands on Draco's cheeks and looking directly into his eyes.
"What's his name?" Draco asked.
"Alphard Black," Sandra answered without blinking. "But we call him Alphie." Sandra released her nephew and looked over to Sirius. "He's been obliviated." Narcissa gasped as Josh and his father looked stunned.
"Are you sure?" Josh asked. His mother nodded. "Can it be reversed?"
"It would be better if the caster could reverse it, because they have a more successful chance of doing so," Sandra began to explain. "If I should do it, it would take time and precise magic, else I could damage his mind."
"Maybe I can navigate through his mind to find the memories using Legilimancy?" Josh suggested.
"That is too dangerous," Sandra replied, shaking her head. "If not done properly, you could break his mind, and leave him with a shattered brain.
"We have to figure something out," Josh pleaded, "If we don't, Draco will be arrested and sent to Azkaban."
"What?!" Narcissa gasped. "No!"
"How?" Sandra asked. "Why would they arrest him?" Sirius and Josh went on to explain to the mothers about what the Aurors had told them earlier.
"This is horrible," Narcissa said, glancing at her son, then back at Sirius. "What are we going to do?"
"I'm not sure," Sirius answered, "We were able to stall the Aurors for a bit, but they will be back. Apparently they have a witness to Draco attacking someone last night."
"Him attacking another person? Look at my boy," Narcissa cried, "He looks like he was the one who was attacked."
"There's no doubt about that, Narcissa," Sandra said, turning to Sirius. "I can tell the Aurors that he was obliviated, maybe that could buy you some time to investigate what really happened?"
"Won't they think he obliviated himself to forget?" Josh concernedly asked.
"It's possible," Sandra said, but then smirked, "But if we check the wand he was using and look at the last spell he used. That could clear him."
"Where's the wand he was using?" Josh quickly asked, looking at everyone who didn't have the answer to that question.
A second later, Madam Pomfrey appeared with a tray of potions and salves. "Alright, you lot," she said, placing the tray one a bedside table. "I must ask all of you but Mrs. Malfoy to leave. Give Mr. Malfoy some space and some more rest." Sirius nodded as he, Sandra, and Josh bid goodbye but not before Josh turned to Madam Pomfrey.
"Madam Pomfrey?" He said. The nurse turned to curiously look his way. "Who was the person that brought Draco here?"
"I believe that would be Miss Parkinson."
Cyrus was looking at himself in the mirror. Staring at the scars that his cousin had caused on his body. No matter what it was going to take, Cyrus was going to capture Joshua Black and torture the Black Family right in front of him. Cyrus smirked to himself at the thought his his crying cousin when there were thumps and screams from a room next to him. He sighed as he pulled on a black shirt, turning to leave his room. He walked into the corridor and down to the next door where three Death Eaters were huddling around it.
"What is going on?" Cyrus demanded. The three Death Eaters turned towards their new superior as one of them stepped forward.
"That damn girl won't shut her trap!" The death eater hissed.
Cyrus suddenly brought up his hand and backhanded the death eater in the face. Cyrus then pointed at him. "Watch how you speak about my sister, Cuthbert." Cuthbert, who was now holding his cheek while his lip bled, nodded.
"S-sorry, mi'lord," Cuthbert apologized. "But she will not calm down."
Cyrus nodded, "Go get her some food and put some sleeping draught in her drink," he ordered. The Death Eaters nodded and left Cyrus alone in the corridor. Cyrus turned to the door, waved his wand over it, unlocking the door. He walked in to see his sister trashing the room she was given. It was a nice and comfortable room, but Rina had torn the drapes, tossed vases were broken on the floor, pillows ripped apart with feather and cotton strewn across the room. Rina was huffing and puffing, her hair and clothes disheveled as she stopped trashing the room once her brother entered the room. "Tut,tut," Cyrus tutted, walking further int the room. "Save your strength, sister. You're going to need it."
Rina glared at her brother. "Let me go, Cyrus," she demanded. "I don't belong here."
"Oh, but you do, Rina," Cyrus replied, "Don't you see. You're home. Back with me. Back with mother - "
"She is not my mother," Rina hissed.
"Ah right," Cyrus nodded, "I forgot. Father bedded that filthy half-blood. Which was his biggest mistake he ever made, but the silver lining was you. My little sister, whom I think dearly of." Rina glowered at her brother when suddenly she mad a run towards the door, but Cyrus caught her and tightly grabbed her by the arms. "You're not getting out of here," he said through his teeth. He smiled. "You are home. Get comfortable." He then tossed Rina to the floor and left the room. Rina watched her brother leave, her eyes brimming with tears. She had no idea how she was going to get out of here and hoped that her true family was doing okay. She also held onto hope that Josh would come find her and rescue her like he had done before. Rina hugged her knees to her chest and began to cry into the night.