Deatheaters' revenge, chapter five.
Disclaimer:-
Harry Potter belongs to J.K.Rowling, her various publishers and Warner Brothers. The only things in this story which belong to me are the plot and any characters not found in JKR's books.
Author's note...
Sorry for the long delay. As I said at the end of the last chapter I've been working extra hours over Christmas and New Year. Even worse, my computer died on me, so I've been unable to do ANYTHING for weeks. Very frustrating for me too.
RECAP.
Hermione has now been captured and is being held alongside Ginny...
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Hermione had suggested to Ginny that she try to think "Help! Riddle house," to Evanna at night when Evanna was less likely to be being distracted, but most evenings the would-be death eaters came in to torture them, or sometimes simply taunt them. The girls weren't sure which was worse. Either way, Ginny found she simply couldn't concentrate afterwards.
"Why don't they simply torture us every night?" asked Ginny.
Hermione thought for a moment. "I think they're using psychological torture," she replied.
"Psycho what?"
"It's a muggle thing. You can adapt to bad treatment, but when you don't know what's going to happen, or when, it's worse."
Ginny muttered her agreement. "I'm sorry, Hermione," she said suddenly.
"What for?"
"I can't do this. I simply can't concentrate enough."
"It's okay. They'll find us eventually."
They were suddenly aware of the door opening. "Hah. Find you, will they? I hope so, I really hope so."
"Why?" asked Ginny
"The house is cursed. There's only one way in without tripping the curse. Anyone else will be cursed into oblivion. And you," he sneered, looking at Hermione, "you're supposed to be the brightest witch of your age. You mean you hadn't guessed that."
Hermione was too shocked to even look defiant. Her look was met with laughter and the cruciatus curse, which left both girls screaming yet again.
Hermione was deep in thought all the next day, trying to think of a way to warn Ron and Harry.
"Ginny," she said suddenly, startling the other girl.
"What?"
"I've an idea. Whatever happens tonight, try not to get involved."
"What are you going to do?"
"Never mind. Just stay out of it, whatever they do. Promise me?"
Ginny hesitated.
"I mean it, Ginny. You must. Promise me."
Ginny's eyes were wide and Hermione could see her struggling mentally.
"Please, Ginny. This has to work."
"I promise," Ginny nodded.
When the would-be death-eaters came in that evening, Hermione flung herself towards the leader of the and, thinking to herself, 'Ron, forgive me,' began to kiss him.
He was enraged and flung her to the wall. "Filthy mudblood. All of them pointed their wands at her, crying "Crucio."
Fortunately for Hermione, the effect was slightly lessened as she was barely conscious. She'd hit her head hard on the wall. Despite that, her body contorted with the pain and Ginny had to force herself to do nothing.
Finny it was over and the men had gone. Ginny ran to Hermione, "Please don't be dead," she wept. "Please..."
Hermione didn't stir.
After a while, Ginny returned to the bed more determined than she'd ever been.
"Evanna, Help me. The Riddle house. Cursed," she screamed in her thoughts, over and over again.
Evanna, meanwhile, had been getting more and more depressed. The others told her repeatedly that she wasn't to blame for not being able to get in touch with Ginny, but she was blaming herself. Even Bonnie's joking about her getting 'Harry Syndrome' couldn't make her laugh any more.
Some of the others had gone out for the evening, to relax, for once, instead of more interviews, but Evanna had opted to stay behind.
The others came back to a harassed-looking member of staff. "Thank God. Your friend was having a nightmare and screaming the place down." At their look of concern, she added, "she's okay now, but very shaken."
She left Evanna's friends with her, giving a sigh of relief. "What happened?" asked Bonnie.
"I just had a nightmare."
"Tell us," insisted Emma. "It might be important. Wait, I think we ought to call Ron and Harry first." She pressed the communicator coin they'd given her and Harry and Ron appeared with two quiet pops only seconds later.
Emma quickly explained that Evanna had been screaming in a nightmare, then asked Evanna, "So what happened?"
"There's not much. It was like I was watching...", she looked reluctantly at Ron and took a deep breath. "They were torturing Hermione. She just collapsed. I think... I think she's dead. But it was just a dream, right?" she begged.
"Anything else?" asked Ron, in a level tone of voice that belied his feelings at that moment.
Evanna shook her head. "I'm sorry. Nothing."
Ron turned to Emma. His face was grim. Can you get the one who woke her?"
Emma returned with the barmaid who'd been called in to wake Evanna by the night porter.
Ron asked her, "Can you remember what Evanna was screaming?"
"No, why? Does it matter?"
Ron sighed. "No. Thank you for waking her."
He heard Harry mutter something and the barmaid turned towards Harry. She looked at him strangely for a moment, then shrugged and walked away.
"The Riddle house," said Harry. "I got it from the barmaid's mind. That's what Evanna was screaming. They're at the Riddle house."
"But it was destroyed, wasn't it?"
"Obviously not. Let's go."
"No, wait!" cried Evanna. "It's a trap. I know it is."
"Fine," said Harry with an icy voice. "We're ready. Ready, Ron?" Ron nodded.
Evanna almost threw herself at Harry. "Please. It's cursed!"
"How?" asked Ron.
"I don't know. I just know it is."
"Well, I'm still going," insisted Ron.
"Don't you have someone who can check it for curses?" asked Emma.
"I'll get Bill," said Ron. "Meet you at the entrance to the grounds in five, okay Harry?"
Harry nodded, then disappeared. Ron disappeared a moment later.
Less than three minutes later Ron and Bill joined Harry at the entrance to the grounds of the Riddle house.
Bill only took seconds before turning to the other two and saying, "Yes, it's cursed."
"Can you...?"
"No Problem. It'll take a few days though."
"A few days?" Ron almost screamed, desperate to see Hermione.
"Ron. In Egypt we sometimes work for months to break the curses on a tomb. This will be easy in comparison, but it will still take time." Seeing Ron's stubborn look, he added, "Don't even think of going in there first, either of you. You'll be dead before you get there."
Ron's look of pain was almost more than his older brother could bear. "I'll get you there. She's strong, Ron. She'll make it."
Ron turned away, determined not to let anyone see the tears forcing their way from his eyes.
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The charm alarming them about intruders had sounded and the would-be death-eaters looked out.
"Come on in," one of them muttered quietly.
"You two, shut up. That's Bill Weasely."
"So what?"
"He's one of Gringott's best curse-breakers, that's what. We need to make a plan."
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After the first frustrating day, to save time, Bill had asked Gringott's for the help of the other curse-breakers, and, to his surprise, his request had been granted. He apparated home to tell Fleur.
"Fleur!" he called.
No answer.
"Fleur?"
He began to panic now.
"FLEUR?"
His eyes picked up a small envelope. He opened it.
We have her.
Just an encouragement NOT to succeed at the Riddle house.
Bill angrily scrunched the note in his hand and apparated to the Burrow. Even after all this time, it was the place he felt instinctively to go if he was in trouble.
He wasn't surprised to see Ron and Harry there.
He handed Ron the note.
"I'm sorry, mate," Ron began, but Bill cut him off.
"Don't say it."
"I'll understand if you don't want to..."
"Forget it. They wouldn't spare her anyway. Her best chance is for us to get in there, fast. I've borrowed the other curse-breakers from Gringott's..."
"How?"
"They seem to think highly of Harry for some reason." Bill almost smiled. "We'll get in there tomorrow or I'm not a Weasley."
"A team of Aurors is already on standby. Just give us the word."
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"See your loving husband? He's out there still. He can't love you very much."
His hand was instinctively roaming over Fleur's body. Even when she hated him, her Veela charm was irresistible.
Fleur refused to answer him and her determination was met with a slap across the face. Then his hand edged lower.
He was interrupted with a shout. "We don't have time for that."
He pulled his hand away, appearing to struggle to do so. "Later, my beauty."
"Never," she whispered.
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The curse breakers were working as fast as they could. At times it almost looked like a battle as spells were set off and lights flashed everywhere or explosions detonated.
It was a long day. Finally it was Arthur Weasley who walked up to Bill and said, "You need to rest now. So do they," he added, pointing to the other curse breakers.
"But, Dad..."
"No, son. Think. If you don't all rest, you'll make mistakes. Getting yourselves killed won't help the girls."
"But..." Bill began, then sighed. He knew his father was right. He called to the others, "That's it for today. Come back at seven tomorrow morning. Thanks for all your help."
They shouted back their goodbyes and "you're welcome" and left, with pops rather louder than usual. His father had been right, they were getting tired.
"Thanks, Dad."
"You need to sleep too," he replied.
"I couldn't."
"Take a dreamless sleep potion," he insisted. Your mother will have some.
"I need to be alert tomorrow," Bill argued.
"You won't be if you don't sleep."
As Bill resisted, Ron added, "You won't be any good to the girls if you aren't one hundred per cent. We need you tomorrow, bro."
Bill nodded, a look of resignation in his eyes. He knew he'd lost this battle. The one he had to win wasn't until tomorrow.
Evanna was upstairs in the Burrow. She looked tired and drawn. "Still having nightmares?" asked Bill.
"Yeah. Not so strong though. I think I'm just remembering the first one."
"If you remember anything specific, be sure to tell us."
"Of course," Evanna snapped, looking hurt.
"Sorry. I'm just worried."
"I know. I am too." She desperately wanted to add, "They'll be alright," but she just wasn't sure they would. Reluctantly she took herself to bed again.
"Evanna?"
"Yes, Mrs. Weasley?"
"These nightmares aren't doing you any good. Why don't I give you some dreamless sleep potion as well?"
"No, thank you. I have to stay alert, just in case."
She didn't explain further. She didn't have to. Mrs. Weasley understood.
"Okay, dear."
Evanna went upstairs and flung herself on the bed, crying.
She had another almost sleepless night and when she got up, Bill, Ron and Harry had already gone.
"Bill, I thought the idea was NOT to set off the curses," asked Harry.
"Normally, yes. But this is quicker."
"Okay. Be careful, okay?"
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"They won't be long now."
"My husband will feenish you all," said Fleur.
"Nothing we haven't planned for." He pointed his wand at her face and whispered something she couldn't hear.
Suddenly her face was burning and she collapsed with the pain.
When she woke, Ginny was looking at her.
"My face? It feels..."
"Burned," said Ginny. "I'm sorry."
"Then it's over," the Veela replied after tenderly feeling her face. "I can't go back like this."
"Why?"
"My Bill, he deserves better."
Ginny almost cried. "You think Bill won't love you now? You don't know my brother. Did what happened to him stop you loving him? You think he's really that shallow?"
Fleur thought for a moment and actually smiled. "No. He's not."
"You think he'll blame you for... for what they've been doing to you?"
"Never!" Fleur protested.
"Well then. Fleur. Bill saw more in you than your looks and your Veela charm. He saw what we didn't."
"What do you mean?"
"We didn't exactly welcome you, did we?"
Fleur didn't answer.
"I'm sorry for the things I said about you. You're a real Weasley. You risked your life for Harry and now I know you've been deliberately distracting them and keeping them from me."
"I.."
"Don't deny it," Ginny snapped. Fleur looked a little ashamed. "Fleur, I just hope we get out of this alive. I want to tell Bill how proud I am to have you as my sister-in-law."
She didn't have a chance to see Fleur's reaction as stunning spells suddenly hit them both.
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"Now it's just ordinary wards,"said Bill with relief.
His team took less than a minute to dispose of those and they fell with a loud crashing sound.
Ron looked at Bill for confirmation.
Bill nodded. "Go!"
It took just a couple of minutes for Ron to return. "Bill. Fleur's hurt. She's alive."
Bill ran, following Ron.
Fleur was still unconscious, but beginning to come round. Her face was badly burned and he could smell the burning still.
"I'll take her to St. Mungo's," he told Ron. Then, "The others?"
"Gone," said Ron in a voice that betrayed his hopelessness. "They were here, but they're not here now."
Author's note...
After a week of working at two jobs and another week learning my new job, I'm now going to be working just five days a week. Sorry for the long delay. Hopefully I'll have a little more energy to write now.