Chapter 17: Abduction

Chapter 17: Abduction

Two days later found the Potters returning to Hogwarts. Harry's heart was slightly heavy over Ron's betrayal. He had a hard time coming to terms with how he never really knew Ron. How the redhead had only used him for his fame. Once back at the school, Harry had the unpleasant duty of informing Professor McGonagall that Ron was never to return there. All of his things were packed and sent to the Weasleys as he would not need them in his new life. He also informed her of Ginny's new status so that a set of rooms could be found to house the newly bonded couple.

Later that night as Hermione lay fast asleep, Harry along with Nate, went to the Room of Requirements to get the last Horcrux. Using the directions that Antiochus had provided them, they found the diadem. An hour later they returned to their respective rooms with the object.

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Victoria Potter was not going to let some young upstart, who was below her, take away her dreams or her daughter. One of HER children would rule the clans, not that half-blood abomination that was now in charge. She would have to dispose of him and the heir that his mate carried killing the mate in the process. Something that should have happened before all of this happened. The dagger should have done the job, but somehow they had survived. She hadn't known about the switch until it was too late.

She was so disappointed in her sons that, in her mind, only her daughter was fit to rule. The girl had done several things, some of which surprised her, but were none the less effective.

A plan began to form on how to release Nicola from her prison.

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Draco was very bored. Now that Nicola was under arrest, there was nothing to do. Snape had offered to continue to teach potions to him, but what did he need to learn them for anyway? He was a Malfoy and Malfoys didn't work. They paid for someone else to do it.

As he sat there and continued to brood over his fate, he realized that it was all Potter's fault. With that thought another one formed. The Dark Lord would reward him handsomely if he brought Potter's bitch to him. Especially when said bitch was pregnant with Potter's child. Potter would blow up for sure and the Dark Lord would be very happy.

Now all he had to do was get a hold of the bitch and leave the grounds with her, his oath be damned.

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The Potters settled into a routine at school. Nicholas or Nate stood guard outside of the classrooms wherever Hermione and Harry were attending, mostly to protect Hermione. The other one would guard the other classes, when possible, that contained their mates. Before they knew it itwas time for the Easter holidays to start.

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Crabbe and Goyle might not be the smartest people in Hogwarts but they were not the stupidest either. When Draco had contacted them about his plan, they knew that Potter would kill whoever actually did the kidnapping. So they bribed a couple of first years to do their dirty work for them.

The two watched as one of their accomplices approached the mudblood, using her status as Head Girl to get close to her. They saw the other one slip the timed portkey into her bag. It was programmed to activate in twenty-four hours, sending her to the Dark Lord as prearranged by Draco.

Two minutes later the mission was done.

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At the same time Victoria was making her way into the dungeons of the castle. Andrew had finally consented to allow her to visit their daughter but only when the half-blood and his bitch were not around. That would soon change.

The guards at the door recognized her. She smiled sweetly at them.

"I made some blood cookies. Nicola has been craving them. Would you like one?"

Although they hesitated for a moment, both guards took a cookie each. They never tasted the special poison that she laced them with. It was left over from the attempt on the current Lord's bonding. She was glad to have a use for what was left. She smiled to herself as she could see the half-blood blaming her son-in-law for it. That man was a traitor and would have to be taken care of later. First things first however.

Setting the cookies down, Victoria rummaged through the guards pockets trying to find the key to the cell. Five minutes later she found it and opened the door. Nicola looked at her mother in surprise.

"Did you really think that your father gave you your special nature?"

"No, Mother, but I didn't know you had it in you to do something like this."

"Never under estimate Mother, dear."

"Never again, Mother."

"Good. Now take this." Victoria handed her a blanket.

"Why? I'm not cold, Mother."

"Wrap it around yourself. It is a portkey. It will take you to your 'Master'. Stay there until I take care of things here. He will protect you?"

"Yes, Mother, he will. Thank you, Mother."

They hugged. "You are the only one who is worthy to rule my daughter. Mother will make sure that you do."

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The discovery of Nicola's escape caused a massive search in the castle and surrounding village. It was during the search that it was discovered that Draco was also missing and that Snape had been knocked unconscious. The poison vial that Victoria had used was found in his hand. Many were ready to kill the potion's master, but Andrew had a feeling that the entire plot was staged in order to frame the man.

Once Severus' head was looked at by a healer Andrew questioned him about what had happened.

"I was working in my lab when I was hit from behind. The only one that could have done so would be Draco. He is the only one to have access to my lab."

"What about the vial? We have already tested it and found it contained the poison that was used on the ceremonial dagger at the Bonding of the Lord and Lady. It was also used to kill the guards that were guarding Nicola."

"I cannot explain how it was in my hand. I do admit that I do know how to make that particular poison. But I have never used this kind of vial. I found that they changed some of the finished potions, making them unstable. You can ask any competent Potion Master about them. In fact I thought that the company who produces this went out of business. I brought none of my previous supplies with me."

Andrew realized that what his son-in-law said was true as he looked closer at the vial. It was the type that Victoria used.

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Harry, Hermione, Nicholas, Ginny, Nate, Lavender, and Pavarti all left Hogwarts when Andrew's message arrived about Nicola's escape. They were allowed to floo home from the Headmistress' office. Harry also brought along the diadem.

They arrived a few minutes later at the Entrance Hall in Potter castle. Andrew and Severus were waiting for them.

"My Lord."

"Have you any leads, Andrew?"

"Only that my soon to be ex-mate helped Nicola escape. Draco has also been discovered to be missing. One of them planted the poison evidence on Severus, trying to implicate him in their scheme."

Harry looked at his former professor. "I have no choice but to trust you on this."

"I realize that, Lord Potter, but I reaffirm my vow to you. I realize that Draco will die soon, either by your hand or by his own magic for breaking his vow. I only ask that I be there when you kill him."

Harry nodded. He then helped Hermione to their rooms and retrieved the Horcruxes. He had a feeling that the traitors had returned to their original master. He would need to destroy the Horcruxes before he went after them.

Harry left to find Antiochus.

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Harry had left their quarters before Hermione was even aware of it. Sighing, she reached for her book bag. She might as well finish her homework now. Who knew if she would get to later in the week? Her hand reached in and touched something that shouldn't have been in there. She disappeared from sight.

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Harry and Andrew met Antiochus in the ritual room. In Harry's hands were the Horcruxes. Antiochus greeted his Lord and than Andrew.

"I presume that you found the last one, my Lord?"

"Yes. I need to do the ritual soon. I feel that time is about to run out."

"I am aware of the situation. Be warned, however, my Lord. Once I start I cannot stop until it is complete."

"I understand and I'm ready"

"Then let us begin."

An hour into it Harry felt Hermione's panic. At first he thought that she was in labor or something like that. But as the minutes ticked by he realized that she was being tortured. He also knew that he couldn't do anything at that moment. He would have to wait until the ritual was done.