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Chapter Two: A Family Affair
As Ginny repaired the dish she dropped, Harry silently went out of the kitchen and up the stairs. He met Hermione at the top.
She pointed to the guest room and said, "He's in there, Ch-Charlie I mean." Harry opened his mouth to say something, but Hermione read his mind and said, "Ron went to tell the rest of the family. They'll probably come to see him…"and her voice trailed off. They both stood there in an awkward silence, when Hermione finally asked the question burning in her mind, "W-what did Malfoy say about Lily."
Harry sighed, "She was kidnapped," he whispered, then closed his eyes, "She's… kidnapped."
"Oh Harry!" Hermione threw her arms around him, "Harry, don't worry. We'll get her back. Ron and I, we will do everything we can to help—"
"No, Hermione," Harry said forcefully, "I've already caused too many people to suffer on my account."
"Oh Harry, don't start that rubbish again…"Hermione paused when they heard a sob from the kitchen, then she said, "How's she doing?"
Harry shrugged, "How would any mum act in this kind of situation?" Hermione gave a wistful laugh, and then went down the stairs.
Harry went to the guest room, took a deep breath, and went inside.
Charlie looked so peaceful, as if he was sleeping, excluding the fact that he wasn't breathing, and that there was no color in his face. He was just lying there, and Harry felt as though he somehow should be doing more, he deserved more than just a sudden death.
As Harry reflected back to the events that had just occurred, he realized something; this was the first time Harry had ever seen Malfoy actually kill somebody. During all of the battles, after everything he was supposed to do, he never killed. For the second time in his life, Harry felt a twinge of pity for Malfoy. He must've really been worried about his son to have killed Charlie. Harry remembered that look in Malfoy's eyes, panic almost to insanity.
Harry began feeling almost guilty that he wasn't going to the same extremes to search for Lily. Actually, he hadn't really done anything to find Lily. And for some reason, Harry felt like he shouldn't do anything. He couldn't really explain it, but it was as if he was putting everyone in danger if he asked for help. He had to either do it alone, or work with Malfoy.
Harry stood there for a few more moments, then he started towards the door. As he reached for the door handle, it burst open and a head of bushy red hair came into the room.
As Mrs. Weasley's eyes fell on Charlie, she dropped down next to his bedside and began sobbing. She was followed by Bill, who looked devastated, then Fleur, who looked positively shocked. Bill kneeled down, put his arm around his mother, and buried his face in her shoulder. Fleur looked at them and, deciding it was best to leave them alone, headed for the door. On her way out, she motioned for Harry to come. He followed her out, and when he closed the door, Fleur turned to him and said, "'Ow did eet 'appen? Who would do such a thing?"
Then Harry told her about Malfoy.
"There's one other thing…" he added as Fleur started down the stairs. She stopped, and turned to face him, looking apprehensive. Harry continued, "He said that the letter included that Lily was kidnapped as well."
Fleur gasped, then said, "But surely you know where she is?"
Sadly, Harry shook his head and said, "We have no idea where she is. Malfoy is at Hogwarts right now, getting more information."
Harry started down the stairs when Fleur stopped him, "Vot do you think you are doing?"
Harry spun around, confused, "What are you talking about?"
Fleur gave him a look as if he was missing something obvious. When his face remained clueless, she heaved a frustrated sigh and said, "You are 'Arry Potter! You killed Voldemort! You faced about a 'undred dementors! Are you just going to seet 'ere while your daughter is een danger?!"
"What am I supposed to do, Fleur? Okay, go to Hogwarts, but then what? I can't do this. Not again…" A wave of grief suddenly swept over Harry.
Fleur put her hand on his shoulder and said, "Oh 'Arry, eet must be 'orrible to go through what you are going through. Life may seem impossible at times, but you can't give up. Lily will be counting on you to save 'er. You are 'er father and a 'ero. Don't let her down." Fleur stopped talking when she saw Ginny come up the stairs.
"Harry, an owl's just arrived," she said breathlessly, "It's from James."
"Thanks, I'll be right down," Harry said. Ginny nodded and went back down the stairs. As she left, Harry turned back to Fleur and said, "Thank you Fleur. You're right, about everything. I just need to pull myself together." With that, the two went downstairs.
Sitting in the living room was Hermione, Ginny, Victoire, Ron, George, Sarah, Melanie and Christina, Percy, Rowena, Thomas and Hannah, and James's snow owl, Hedwig. Nearly everyone looked absolutely miserable and Harry couldn't help but feel as though he was the one who had caused everyone's pain.
Wordlessly, Harry strode over toward Hedwig and took the letter.
Dear Dad,
Please, please don't blame me, but Lily is gone. Professor McCreevy said that was kidnapped! It can't be true though, could it? I thought all of that dark magic stuff was over. Do you know what's going on?
Albus is hysterical. First he was crying about Lily being gone. His new worry is that he will be the next to disappear. I'm trying to calm him down, but he just won't budge.
Dad, I think Scorpius Malfoy took Lily. He's gone too, and Uncle Ron did say that his dad was a "right-foul git" when you were in school.
By the way, Professor Longbottom said that Al, Rosie, Hugo and I are coming home on Wednesday. Why are we all being sent home? Rosie said that Hogwarts only sends kids home when the 'situation demands it'. Wouldn't just Al and I come home? This is so frustrating.
Well, I hope you and Mum are alright. Say hi to Uncle Charlie for me.
Love,
James Potter
P.S. Al demands that I remind you not to forget to pick us up from King's Cross.
Harry let out a breath of relief. At least James and Albus were alright. He looked around the room and saw Ginny looking at him anxiously, waiting for the update. Harry motioned for her to come with him into the kitchen.
Finally, they were alone. Before Ginny could say anything, Harry assured her, "It's alright. The boys are okay. They are coming home in two days, along with Rosie and Hugo."
"Oh, thank God they're alright." Ginny said, relieved. They stood there for a couple of moments, hearing an occasional sob from the living room. Ginny finally broke the silence and said, "Harry, this isn't your fault. None of it is."
Harry sighed," Yes it is, Ginny. Look at that lot in there. They wouldn't be here, miserable, if I hadn't—"
"Harry, you didn't do anything! You always blame yourself for everything. Just stop it. It's not your fault."
"Yes it is, Ginny. If Malfoy didn't think I had Scorpius, he wouldn't have come and—"
"Harry, You didn't kill Charlie. Malfoy did. It had nothing to do with you."
"Yes it did Ginny. It had a fat lot to do with me. And now, because of my past, Lily's gone." Harry paused to heave a sigh, then continued, "What if Charlie's just the first death of many, like last time. All those people died, trying to protect me."
Ginny sighed, "Harry, you know those people were willing to die for you, and we still feel that way."
"Ginny, that's great that everyone's willing to die for me, but you don't know what it's like, to live with the fact that you were responsible for all of the deaths."
"Harry, no one blames you for anything. And FYI, Charlie died trying to protect me." Ginny's voice cracked and Harry could see the tears rolling down her cheeks. He sighed, kissed Ginny's forehead, and gave her a well-needed hug.
Ooooh, what did James say?? Find out next!!
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