Life Renovations
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Eye for an Eye
Harry had been pacing the library since Severus and the Ukatae vanished. He thought pacing would calm his nerves and at the same time give him something to do, but it was only increasing his agitation. He kept picturing Hermione in the worst possible situations… and it was entirely his fault!
"I know what you are thinking." Draco said into his ear. He pressed against Harry's back and wrapped both arms around his stomach. "This isn't your fault." Harry leaned back against Draco, allowing the embrace only because he was in dire need of the comfort and seeing everyone waiting patiently was driving him insane.
"How can you say that? It's always my fault… I shouldn't be here waiting." Harry pulled away from Draco, thinking he didn't deserve comfort right now. "I need to go find her."
"I think you're only upset because you aren't able to be the hero this time around," Draco stated as he watched Harry walk towards the door.
Harry stopped and turned around to face him. "Draco," he warned.
"No, because really, that's the feeling I'm getting." Draco crossed his arms over his chest and sneered. "Poor Potter with his hero complex stuck here without anything to do."
A year ago that would have pissed Harry off, but now it only amused him. "Stop trying to distract me, git. And I don't have a real hero complex. That's just a joke… one I believe you started because of your petty jealousy," he reminded as he moved back to stand with Draco.
"You do have a hero complex," Ginny stated after hearing the last part of the conversation.
"No I-"
"You do, mate. You do," Blaise said and nodded.
"Why don't we take a vote, hmm?" Draco looked around. "Who here thinks Harry has a hero complex?" he asked loud enough for the room in general to hear. Hands belonging to Lucius, Sirius, Pansy, Charlie, Amortia, Tom, Ginny, Blaise, and Draco rose immediately into the air. Harry huffed and snarled at them all.
Talyn stood back and watched with a small grin crossing her face. Draco had successfully distracted his young mate. Not only was he keeping Harry from going off to find his friend, but he was also keeping his mate from worrying about what was happening and whether or not it was his fault his friend had been kidnapped. Talyn wondered how her comrades were faring and if they'd found the witch yet. She glanced across the room to look at the human timepiece and found half an hour had already passed. They should have found her by now. Talyn hoped Ozemir had proved himself useful if just a little bit. Brumek's constant complaints about the Scholar were getting on her nerves.
"How can you be so calm?" she heard Harry ask Draco.
"I've had years of practice. When dealing with my family and the Dark Lord, one must have a firm grip on being calm," Draco answered, leaning against a dark wooden table. "Don't worry. I'll be calm for the both of us…" He reached out and pulled the frowning brunet against him and Harry buried his face against his chest.
"I don't know what you all are worried about," Lucius suddenly said. He was tired of seeing all the faces in the library look as if someone had died. It was really annoying. "This is Hermione Granger we're talking about. The Dark Lord's apprentice!" He slammed a fist down on the table before standing and glared at Harry. "She will not allow herself to become a victim. Shame on you for even thinking it! I don't know her as well as some of you, but I do know this much. Hermione's a fighter. She'll be fine until Severus can get to her."
Harry turned his head slightly to peek at his lover's father, half his face still planted firmly against Draco's chest.
"Mr. Malfoy has a point," Charlie said and Amortia and Sirius nodded in agreement.
"I hate your father," Harry said while returning Lucius' glare.
Draco chuckled and sifted his fingers through the black locks. "That's because he speaks the truth."
"And she can do an assortment of spells wandlessly. Many defensive spells… She's very adept at her defensive spells," Tom put in.
Talyn smiled from where she stood, impressed by all of them, and liking these humans even more.
"A healer is needed, along with four beds," a voice said from the shadows beside her.
"The witch?"
"She is well and our work is done. Bring Ozemir to the forest when he has arrived," Falde said before disappearing.
Talyn walked over to Harry and ruffled his hair. "Your friend is safe, little one." Harry spun around and began to smile. Talyn raised a hand. "There is need of four beds and a healer."
"Father, we need a small infirmary set up with four beds."
Lucius nodded and summoned a house elf. He instructed the house elf to arrange the infirmary in the large unused suite in the south wing of the manor. Another minute passed before the Ukatae circle appeared. Severus stepped out with Hermione still unconscious in his arms and immediately went for Amortia.
"She's lost a lot of blood, Amortia."
"Quickly, let's get her to bed," Amortia said and she and Severus quickly followed Lucius out of the library before anyone could say another word or even get a good look at Hermione.
"What are you three doing here?" Draco asked upon seeing Dean, Neville, and Luna. Knowing Hermione was in good hands with the Healer, Harry didn't follow and turned to his battered friends, wondering the same thing. His eyes narrowed before they even spoke, already having a fairly good idea as to why.
"That's a splendid way to travel!" Luna cried, thoroughly enchanted by the Ukatae powers. When the circle vanished, she then disappeared among the aisles of books, dragging Ozemir along with her by the hand. The Ukatae, still in the form of a busty blonde, did not complain as he had wanted to get his hands on the books since first seeing them. Falde was not present so he thought it couldn't hurt to have a little look.
"I have to admit, it is better than side-along Apparition and Portkey," Neville added after helping Dean limp out of the circle.
"Dumbledore had us taken as well," Dean answered Draco's question.
"You're kidding me?"
"Wish I was… Moody throws a mean Crucio."
"Alastor Moody tortured you?" Tom asked coming to stand beside Harry. Dean and Neville looked at him and nodded, wondering who he was. They recognized everyone else. Neville even remembered seeing Amortia at St. Mungo's sometimes when he visited his parents.
"Dean was the only one to be interrogated though. Hermione was able to break out of the chains before they came for Luna and me and we attacked-"
"You can explain everything that has happened after you've been looked after," Sirius interrupted, throwing an arm around Neville's shoulders. "Let's have Amortia have a look at you first."
"Where's Luna? She should be looked after as well," Dean spoke up before they made to leave the library. "She may accidentally hum someone to death again."
"Eh?" Blaise asked, looking around for the blonde girl.
"Excuse me? To death? Again?" Harry sputtered.
"Our Luna?" Ginny's eyebrows shot way past her hairline. "You must have been hit in the head, Dean."
"Loony Lovegood killed someone?" was Draco's question.
"Three or four wizards—swear on Merlin!" Neville exclaimed when everyone looked at him like he was crazy. "She hummed two of them to death!"
"I think both of you have head injuries," Harry murmured. "What you say makes no sense."
Draco looked at him. "Isn't that Loony's forte?"
Tom looked around trying to spot this person they were speaking about. Why were they so surprised the witch had killed someone? Murder wasn't something hard to do. Even Hermione could do it. And it was easier to do when in self defense.
"Ozemir! Come out and bring the human with you. She needs to see a healer and we must depart!" Talyn called.
From somewhere in the back aisles, suspiciously close to the hidden Dark Arts section, everyone heard a sorrowful moan, and then a tall, scantily clad blonde woman appeared holding hands with Luna Lovegood as if they were best friends.
Ozemir bent down to whisper in Luna's ear, "we'll come and look some other time."
"Yes please. I would like that very much, Ozemir," she said dreamily.
"That's the one who hummed?" Tom asked.
"The short one, yeah," Harry answered, and then looked at the taller blond as the two stopped in front of them. "Why the hell are you dressed like that?"
"What? You don't like?"
"I prefer blonds with flat chests," Harry dead panned. "You look ridiculous."
"She doesn't look like she would or could kill a bug," Tom said to Draco about Luna.
"Hmmm?" Draco was sneering at Ozemir's appearance and wasn't paying much attention to anything else.
Ozemir snapped his fingers and his human disguise dissolved. "That's better," Harry replied and Draco turned his sneer onto him.
"Not really, mate…" Blaise muttered and was seconded by nods from Dean and Charlie. Ginny kicked Blaise's shin, while Pansy glared death at Charlie who seemed oblivious.
"Oi, you lot! You can catch up later." Sirius pushed Harry and Draco towards the door. "We're going to see Amortia. Thomas, can you walk?"
"Some help would be appreciated," Dean muttered. "Don't know how much longer this leg will hold me up. Moody did something weird to it."
"We're going to stay here and wait for you guys to get fixed up," Pansy said, indicating herself, Charlie, Blaise, and Ginny. Charlie went back to looking scared and watched in desperation as he was left almost alone with Pansy once more. Draco waved to let Pansy know they heard.
"You alright, Neville? Luna?"
"Just scratched up is all," Neville answered Harry as they walked down the hallway following Draco who was the only one to know where they were heading.
"You have a lovely home, Draco," Luna remarked softly, her glazed eyes roaming over every bit of the walls, floors, and high ceilings as they moved through the manor.
"Thank you, Loony," he answered, trying to hold back the sneer in his voice. Wouldn't do to get Harry mad at him now.
"Luna, are you hurt?" Harry asked as he came to walk beside her.
"Did you know Dumbledore can be really aggressive when he wants to be?" Luna said, rubbing her head where she'd been hit. "Just like a Snook stork. He's a liar too!" She smiled dreamily while wrapping her arm around Harry's and laying her head against his arm. Usually her head would fit perfectly in between his shoulder and neck, but now that Harry had grown so much due to his transformation, Luna's head rested a few inches below his shoulder. Tom watched as Draco looked over his shoulder at them and then moved to pull Harry away from her. But Harry shook his head forcefully.
Fine… but only because she's been through an ordeal. Draco sneered one last time at the Ravenclaw before turning forward again.
Thanks.
I want more than just words for your thanks, Potter.
Harry nodded as he watched Draco walk ahead of him and took in the blond's spectacular form. His eyes zeroed in on Draco's neck and he licked his lips and felt his fangs tingling with anticipation.
They entered the makeshift infirmary just after Hermione regained consciousness and came in to hear her talking a mile a minute, demanding to know where Dean, Neville, and Luna were and whether her friends were all right or not. Amortia was trying to calm the witch down without much effect. Even when Hermione was told her friends were fine, the witch would not believe. Now that she was safe it seemed Hermione was allowing herself to become hysterical.
"Shut your mouth, witch! Let the Healer attend to you. I assure you, your idiot friends are fine!" Severus finally snapped. His nerves were so frazzled by this point that he couldn't take any more.
"Don't call my friends idiots, Severus!" she shrieked back. "I wouldn't be here if it weren't for them! Where are they?"
"She's got a pair of lungs on her," Dean murmured to those around him. "We're here, Hermione! All of us are fine, thanks to you."
Hermione gasped upon seeing her friends. "Thank Merlin," she breathed and then proceeded to burst into tears.
Severus felt his chest tighten when he saw the tears in Hermione's eyes and her entire body was shaking. Her eyes announced to the world how frightened she was, and now that she and her friends were safe, she was allowing the fear and pain to take over. There was only one thing Severus wanted to do right now, but he couldn't do that while Hermione was still injured.
"Heal her already!"
"Don't snipe at me, Severus." Amortia pushed him away and shut the curtain around the bed. To distract himself from the crying witch, Severus bullied the others into their beds. As soon as Luna lay on the bed, she closed her eyes and began to hum.
"Luna, stop!" Dean and Neville yelled and their shouts echoed around the room. Both of them covered their ears.
"Um… Luna?" Harry went to stand next to her bed, and waited until her eyes were opened and as close to focused on him as they would get. "Did you really kill four wizards? Two by humming?"
"Don't know, Harry." She smiled and waved her hand in front of her in a careless fashion. "They say that's what happened. Hermione killed three of them. Two by crushing them and one by splitting his stomach open."
"But Luna, you made a waterfall of blood pour out of that one bloke's mouth!" Neville exclaimed.
Luna giggled. "Yes. It was rather very gory, wasn't it? But also fascinating like a grotesque painting in the making."
"Oh… err…" Harry weakly smiled, not sure what to say to that. Who in their right mind would describe a killing like a painting being created? But Luna wasn't always in her right mind, was she? He looked at Tom and shrugged. The Dark Lord was studying the Ravenclaw intently.
"And what were you two doing?" Draco asked Neville and Dean. "Knitting or something?"
"Hey, we helped…" Dean muttered, embarrassed that he hadn't been more help.
"Seems Hermione and Luna were better equipped with their damaging spells. We've only been taught defense! Wish I knew more though. I would love to give Moody a piece of what Hermione dished out to those other wizards."
"You leave Moody to me," Severus said lowly. "He will pay for this. Now, tell me what happened."
"We could always view it in the Pensieve."
"Good idea, Harry. I want to see what happened," Tom said.
"Tom Riddle," Luna suddenly said, bringing everyone's attention back to the Ravenclaw. Her eyes focused directly onto the Dark Lord and she sighed. "Not what I expected." Tom watched her eyes glaze over and drift away from him to stare at nothing at all.
"Tom Riddle?" Dean whispered, staring at Tom, who stared blankly back. Everyone who had attended the DA meetings knew who Tom Riddle was thanks to Harry's teaching.
"Yes?" Tom raised an eyebrow and stared back at the black boy.
"Oh, well I… just… um…. Harry?"
"Tom, stop looking so intimidating," was Harry's reply, which really wasn't what Dean was expecting him to say. It didn't help relieve his fear at all.
"How did she know?" Draco asked about Luna knowing who Tom was. "Why is she acting more than weird? Her craziness has taken on a new level."
Severus breathed a sigh of relief when Hermione's cries seemed to have stopped; though Amortia could still be heard talking to the young witch soothingly.
"Hey, Harry," Neville began and fidgeted under everyone's stare, especially Tom's. "When we managed to escape from the place Dumbledore took us to, we met your cousin. He took us to where he lives, let us stay there until Professor Snape and that woman or man or whatever came to get us. His mum even cleaned us up and stuff. Just thought you might want to know…"
"You're joking! Dudley and Aunt Petunia would never do that. Did they know you were associated with the word magic?"
"Yeah."
"There's no way they would have helped you!"
Severus sighed. "It's true. Your aunt and cousin told me to tell you they think about you and are truly sorry," Severus accounted. Harry stood still and silent, staring at Severus. He was unsure of what to say. What could he say?
"And why should Harry care about that?" Draco asked while studying his nails. "He's finished with them forever."
Suddenly the curtain around Hermione's bed flew open and she glared at them. Her hair was a wild crazy mess. A thin black bathrobe replaced her dress robes. Her shoulder had already been healed, and now Amortia was casting spells over her right hand, making disgusted noises over the damage.
"Harry, I'm going back to say thank you! Your cousin could have passed us on the street, but he came over because he wanted to know how you were. Are you really going to stand there and say nothing? Plan to do nothing?"
The tone in her voice suggested he better think about it and come up with the answer she wanted. Harry's eyes narrowed on his best friend and they commenced with a war of staring. It could have gone on forever if Severus hadn't stepped in between them, breaking their eye contact.
"I am not going to say more about the matter. That will be your decision, Harry." Severus turned and looked at Hermione and began to use his Professor persona. "A decision he will make on his own and in his own time. Is that understood, Miss Granger?" Hermione frowned, while her eyes blazed. "Do you understand?"
"Yes, of course!" she snapped. And then her frown turned into a grin. "I understand perfectly, Sevvy dear."
There was a round of hushed laughter, except from Neville who look petrified. Was Hermione trying to commit suicide? Sirius and Lucius, who had been standing near the doors, content to watch and listen also began to laugh. Lucius shook his head and led Sirius out of the room. "Bye bye Sevvy!" Sirius called before disappearing. Hermione glared one last time and wandlessly swished the curtains closed again. Harry and his friends made sure to hide their grins when his uncle turned back to them.
"Professor Snape? I need to go back to my father at St. Mungo's," Luna said. Everyone turned to the girl to find her standing by her bed with a frown on her face. "I can't leave him alone. I've already been away from him too long."
"What happened to your father?"
"He's very sick. The Healers don't know what's wrong with him. But I need to be there. So if you could show me to a Floo."
Severus looked over when he spotted Amortia who had come out from behind the curtains. They locked eyes and she shook her head sadly at his inquiring look. Luna didn't see the look, but everyone else did and a heavy silence fell over them all.
"I'll just go and find a Floo… Thank you for the rescue, Professor Snape."
"Just a minute, Miss Lovegood. I'll have a look at you three first, and then I'll return to St. Mungo's with you," Amortia said. "Lay back down and I'll get to you in a moment."
Amortia smiled at the girl. Luna smiled back and did as she was told. As Amortia went over Dean's injuries every second that passed she became more angry. "This boy's leg has been broken and his jaw is fractured!"
"You did all that with a broken leg, Dean? That's incredible," Neville said in awe.
"I didn't know… It doesn't feel broken, and my jaw feels fine, just banged-"
"Stop talking!" Amortia quickly interrupted. "Did Moody cast unknown spells on you?" Dean nodded. "To keep you from feeling the pain," she murmured to herself. "Do not talk anymore and relax your jaw until I've fixed it. He cast the spells so that you would continue to walk around and talk despite injury…"
"What's the point of that? Seems like a waste of a spell…"
"It would cause permanent damage, Draco. Regardless of the medical treatment received," Severus replied. "Did we catch it in time?" For a boy who was so dark, Dean was looking incredibly pale.
"But we were going to be killed. Why would Moody do that if he were going to kill us anyway?" Hermione asked. She had vacated her bed after her hand was healed and was now leaning against Tom. Dean and Neville were having a hard time believing what they were seeing, especially when Voldemort put an arm around Hermione's waist to support her.
"To torment you before death, I imagine," Severus mused. "He must have planned to keep you alive for a while… Probably until you told him what he wanted to know."
"You will come to St. Mungo's with Miss Lovegood and myself," Amortia told Dean. "Hopefully it isn't too late."
"Who gets to kill Moody?" Draco asked after they all had viewed Hermione's memories of the kidnapping and escape.
Hermione had handed over the memory and then returned to her room, having no intention of going through all that again. Severus remained behind to view the memory, but promised to visit with her after she had some rest. He promised there would be consequences for calling him Sevvy in front of everyone, to which she only smiled and nodded.
And now only Lucius, Sirius, Harry, Draco, Tom, and Severus were left, sitting around the Pensieve, all of them glaring daggers at it. Neville had been pushed off to sleep in a guest room, and Pansy, Blaise, Ginny, and Charlie left to spread the word around to the rest of their family and friends to keep on their guard. Dumbledore might try to capture someone else.
"Would it be in our best interests to kill him?" Lucius asked and when everyone looked at him with surprise and disbelief he simply raised his hand and continued, "he deserves it, no doubt, but… couldn't he be used?"
"He's completely mad, Luce. It wouldn't be good to use him. I don't see how we could anyway."
"I agree." Severus sat back in his chair, his brow furrowed in thought. "He'll only cause complications."
"He needs to be eliminated. One less dog loyal to Dumbledore," said Tom. "I think Severus should deal the killing blow, don't you? After all, it was his witch that was taken and injured." There were nods all around.
"Hermione did handle herself well though didn't she? She made me proud," Sirius said with a quick grin. "She was calm and cool the entire way."
"She made us all proud," Lucius agreed.
"A rescue wasn't even needed in the end. They did it themselves."
"I really hate to say this but I was surprised and impressed by Longbottom," Draco admitted grudgingly. "Did you see the way he took on that guard? He didn't want to stop hitting him!"
"I told you Neville can handle his own. There is a reason he was put in Gryffindor. And what about Luna? What was that about?" Harry put his elbows on the table and rested his head in his hands, contemplating everything they had seen.
"That was just creepy!" Draco shuddered. "She did it all with that loony smile of hers, skipping around, humming. Like killing people was something she did every day."
"I agree, very creepy," Sirius said.
"I actually enjoyed watching that," Tom said softly.
"No, what you liked was watching two normally innocent witches taking the lives of others, Tom. We know what turns you on," Draco said and jabbed the Dark Lord in the ribs.
Tom smirked. "Silence, you inbred oaf."
"I take offense to that," Lucius drawled.
"Ah, Harry? Your cousin passed right through the muggle repelling charms…" Sirius began in a thoughtful manner.
"I don't want to talk about him right at this moment. I don't even want to think of what that means," Harry replied softly.
"So it is agreed? I will take care of Moody?" Severus asked understanding a change of subject was in order.
"Yes, Severus. However, we will all be going." Tom rose from the table and everyone followed his actions. "We should get there before Moody and clean up. Let's make our presence a surprise, shall we."
Brumek glared at one of the large roots of the tree he stood beside, imagining the root shooting up to curl around the neck of the human Ozemir had draped himself over. It didn't matter that it was obvious the human did not like the fact that he had Ozemir hanging on his arm. The fact was… he'd had Ozemir on his arm. And what was Ozemir thinking? Flirting with that human, chatting him up like they were friends. It made Brumek sick just thinking about it. But why was he worrying about it? Why did he care whom the Scholar spoke to?
It was probably the fact that it had been a human. That was it. He was vexed because Ozemir had been happily conversing with a mere human… Brumek nodded, determined to keep that thought it mind. It had nothing to do with Ozemir's skill with a dagger, or how his eyes had begun to bleed red while he licked the blade clean. No, that didn't matter at all.
"Talyn and I will return home and report to the Council."
Brumek nodded and hid how impressed he was that after all these years he could never hear Falde come up on him. And he'd practiced for years to be able to do the same thing to Falde and had never succeeded.
"You and Ozemir will work together. Stop thinking that he is useless," Falde said when he caught the ferocious frown cross Brumek's face. "We cannot work well as a team if you do. We cannot protect these young ones to the fullest of our abilities if you continue to doubt him. Surely his actions today have proven he can be of some use." Brumek remained silent and continued to glare at the tree root. He heard Falde sigh and didn't react when Falde put a hand on his shoulder and squeezed. "Ozemir has not always been only a Scholar. Think upon that for a while."
Brumek was so surprised that he began to sputter. His surprise was expected. Because when Ukatae decided upon an occupation, he or she remained in that one occupation until death. It was unheard of for someone to have two official occupations.
"How is that possible? And what else could he possibly be suited for?"
Falde shook his head; displeased that Brumek did not understand him. "You underestimate Ozemir, and you are letting your personal feelings get the better of your good judgment, Brumek. This is not what a good warrior does. This is not what I've taught you and you are putting us all in jeopardy by refusing to see. As my Second, you should know better."
"I don't understand," Brumek hissed with frustration.
Falde sighed. Brumek had always been the most stubborn out of all of his students. He would leave off on the discussion for now as he sensed Talyn and Ozemir returning.
Talyn and Ozemir immediately noticed Brumek's stony expression. It wasn't anything new; they saw it all the time. Brumek was always so serious about everything and he hardly ever spoke unless necessary. Except when it concerned the Scholar, Talyn suddenly realized. Brumek was very verbal to and concerning Ozemir.
"Talyn, since it was your idea to play along with the humans and the young ones, you will accompany me to report to the Council," Falde said to her and ignored her pout.
Ozemir remained silent as he heard this, but he shifted uncomfortably on his feet when he realized this left him alone with Brumek. The warrior surely wasn't pleased with this arrangement. But Brumek remained silent even when Falde explained that the young ones would be leaving once more to London to find revenge for their friend's abduction, which meant that he and Ozemir would need to follow as well.
"Interaction?" was all Brumek asked.
"Not unless it is necessary." Falde nodded at both of them, his gaze lingering on Brumek. "You may go." He and Talyn watched them race across the grounds and disappear inside the Manor.
"Brumek has always been stubborn," Talyn said, turning to Falde.
"If he will not see, I'm afraid we'll have to change team members… Ozemir will volunteer without thinking because that's the way he is."
"Ozemir shouldn't have to leave. He's done nothing wrong and he's perfect for this mission. I sense he is already trusted by the young ones."
"I agree."
"What do we do, Falde? I like our team."
Falde tugged on her braid. "Stop pouting. How many times do I need to say warriors don't pout?"
"But I look beautiful when I pout," she replied and swung her braid around her shoulder to her back.
"That is true, but it is also distracting." Falde returned his attention to the Manor. "As for Ozemir and Brumek, we can't do anything about that at the moment. You and I have an appointment with the Council."
"I don't like the Council… They are a bunch of weak idiots. They'll all be dead within the year. Why should we take orders from them?"
"I said stop pouting."
Severus stood across the street from the office building in London's town center with Harry and Draco, staring at the four-story empty office building. Harry and Draco had doused their Ukatae physical traits and were dressed in teenage muggle clothes; Harry was back in his jeans and black t-shirt while Draco chose to wear black cargo pants that rode low on his hips, a black tank top, and a blood red short-sleeved shirt that he'd left unbuttoned. Harry was sure it was unbuttoned just to show the world how well toned he was. Severus was wearing the muggle business suit again as he refused to wear any casual muggle clothes. Harry enjoyed life so much that he refrained from commenting on how well Severus looked dressed like a muggle businessman.
"Shall we go in? I don't like standing out here in the open," Draco spoke while what seemed like hundreds of people passed them on the sidewalk. It was one of the busiest times of the day.
They walked right into the building the muggles didn't seem to notice. Once Harry knew what everything looked like and where everything was, he was able to return to Malfoy Manor and bring Sirius, Tom, and Lucius back in the Ukatae circle. They all had a look around, made quick time in repairing the damage and hiding the bodies. The two that were still alive and tied up were immediately killed. When all was said and done, the seven of them were left with over an hour to wait before the sun would set and for Moody's return. Harry and Draco felt waiting outside would better suit them, and they made their way to the roof, where their presence was hidden by high walls on all sides. Draco complained it might as well have been called another level of the building, just incomplete because it was missing a ceiling. After that, Draco found a number of other things to complain about as well. Harry told him to shut up and appreciate the fact that there was a breeze and fresh air.
"I could have done without the waiting though," Harry conceded where he was leaning against the wall staring at the opposite wall. Draco, who happened to be leaning against that wall, shifted and gained Harry's undivided attention. Draco hummed his agreement, shoved his hands into the deep pockets of his pants and leaned his head back against the wall, showing off the pale column of his neck. Harry licked his lips. He could smell Draco, could smell the blood flowing through his lover's veins…
Harry pushed off the wall and closed the distance between them. He caressed the flawless skin. Draco closed his eyes and hooked his arm around Harry's waist and pulled the Gryffindor flush against him. Harry replaced the caressing finger with his tongue, swirling it around the jumping pulse point a moment before sinking his fangs into Draco's warm flesh.
Draco's breath came out in short gasps as his heady blood flowed into his mouth. Harry purred against Draco's neck as he sucked and Draco's tremors grew and his knees gave way under the euphoria. Draco started to slide down the wall with Harry following and he didn't allow one spec of space to come between them. Finally he shifted Draco onto his back so that he could lie on top of his lover. He felt Draco's hand move into his hair, the grip was almost painful but was only because Harry was doing his best to torment Draco by continuing to slide against his obvious erection.
"Stop or I might have to fuck you right here," Draco whispered.
"It'll be better if you wait to do that after you've killed. I'm telling you, nothing is better!" Ozemir called from somewhere above them. Harry raised his head and chuckled before licking the fang wounds on Draco's neck closed. He sat back and straddled Draco who looked on him with glazed eyes.
"Is that true?" Harry looked around and found Ozemir sitting at the top of the wall grinning down on them. Brumek was standing on top of the opposite wall facing out, sneering at all the humans below.
"Oh yes, blood lust and all that… at least that's what I've always heard," Ozemir said cheerfully with his body leaning forward, while his legs swung back and forth. "I apologize for watching, though I'm not very sorry. I haven't had a good blood in so long," he mourned.
"We don't mind you watching this part." Harry grabbed Draco's shirt and pulled him up and guided Draco's face to his neck. "Just not—ahh," an eager mouth pierced his neck, "just not…the sex part." Draco growled against his neck and Harry forgot all about Ozemir.
"Course not… wouldn't dream of it." Though his tone suggested he was lying.
"Ozemir," said Ukatae looked over surprised to find Brumek was now sitting beside him, his eyes locked onto the white haired Ukatae. "We were told no interaction."
Ozemir had nothing to say at first. Brumek's voice, usually so cold and harsh, was soft and he was sitting so close that their legs were touching. His long black hair was coming loose from its high ponytail in the wind, with the blood red streaks seeming to glow from the light of the setting sun. Ozemir studied Brumek's face while trying to control his surprise. His face was as always. Hard. Brumek's face was a little tanned, well rounded, and not thin like most Ukatae. Like their leader, Brumek's face was scarred, but the scar wasn't as long or noticeable like Falde's, whose scar was a crescent shape that curved from the top of his eyebrow down his cheek to his neck. Brumek's scar was a thin line across his chin. But he had other injuries that were very noticeable. Brumek was missing his right ear and his nose was crooked, all gained from battle. Most highbred Ukatae thought less of him because of these wounds but Ozemir believed that made Brumek even more beautiful.
"I'm not interacting. I'm observing, recording information in my mind," Ozemir finally said before turning away from those cold gray-piercing orbs.
"What did you do before you were a Scholar?" Brumek asked and watched carefully for Ozemir's reaction. The cheerful expression on Ozemir's face morphed into impassiveness as he swiftly stood with incredible balance. He quickly walked away along the edge of the wall.
"I've always been a Scholar," he called back in a strangely cold manner.
Brumek didn't know what to think then. This was the first time Ozemir had walked away from him and spoken in such a bitter tone. Usually it was the other way around. He glanced down at the young ones, then hastily stood and turned back to stare at the human city. The young ones were beginning to do more than just take blood…. They should know better!
"Aren't you on a mission!" he yelled over his shoulder at them. "You need to focus!"
"We are focused," came Harry's soft husky reply.
"That's not what I meant! Not on each other, idiot!"
Ozemir jumped down from the wall and approached the two young ones. He lifted his hands into the air and brought his wrists together with his palms cupped to the sky. He kept his hands up for a few seconds as he moved until he was standing over the two who were wrapped up tightly around each other. Ozemir then moved his cupped hands over the young ones before separating his wrists and opening his hands. Buckets of water seemed to magically appear from the sky then, only raining down to soak Harry and Draco, who then sprang apart and jumped to their feet, soaking wet. Draco glared murderously at the elf.
Ozemir turned his back on them and looked up at the sky. "Strange… It didn't look like it was going to rain." He laughed. "Oh well."
"Where did the water come from?" Harry asked. It only took him a moment to realize that Ozemir had done the right thing. Draco however looked like he could do murder.
"The precipitation in the air. Ukatae can utilize anything having to do with nature. I simply gathered the precipitation around the immediate area and brought it all together…"
"That's really wicked! I want to learn how to do that."
"Eventually, I will be the one to teach you…"
"But not now because we aren't supposed to be interacting with you… This is a stealth mission, Ozemir!"
Brumek shook his head in frustration. Ozemir had been angry and cold before but whatever had bothered him, he must have pushed it away because the Scholar was back to being as carefree as always… and there! That stupid goofy grin!
"Draco, leave Ozemir alone. He's right. We can play after we get Moody," Harry said when he noticed Draco's dark look, his eyes cold with malicious intent as he inched closer to the Scholar. But upon his mate's words, Draco stopped. He still looked really mad though. It was confirmed when Draco whipped out his wand, dried himself, then stomped off to the stairs, not looking back once.
Alastor Moody immediately knew something was wrong when he entered the seemingly empty building. There was always something wrong in his mind. When he entered the building, everything looked as it should be and Jacks was even there to meet him in the hallway. Still, Moody suspected something was off.
"Anything happen while I was away?" he gruffly asked, pushing passed Jacks to the stairway. Moody looked around with his magical eye, and still he could see nothing out of the ordinary.
"Where are the others?"
"Three are below guarding the prisoners and the others are patrolling the halls."
"I didn't see them." Moody pointed his wand on Jacks. "They aren't patrolling."
"Maybe they went for a break. C'mon, Mad Eye. Stop pointing that at me. Why are you always so suspicious?"
"Hmm." Moody dropped his wand and returned to climbing the stairs, though he continued to keep an eye on Jacks with his magical eye.
"Moody? That Granger witch has been demanding to see you. She won't shut up."
"Is that so?" Moody stopped again and furrowed his brow in thought. "I was going to work on that idiot Longbottom next, but she will do. I'll go down myself and do it there. Maybe if we torture them all at once, one of them will talk upon seeing their friends in pain… That's how they generally work."
Moody and Jacks changed direction and headed for the basement. When they arrived they could already hear Hermione's shouts from the cell. Moody sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose. He didn't feel like dealing with Granger. She was a very stubborn witch. "We should probably kill her right away. She'll be more trouble than worth. Unfortunately she is also the only one who probably knows exactly what Potter and Malfoy are up to with You-Know-Who…" he said more to himself. Jacks stayed silent behind him.
"Let me out you son of a bitch! I know you can hear me! I swear I'll kill you!"
Moody growled as he neared the cell and didn't even bother to use the magical eye to view inside, though if he had he would only have seen the illusion cast on the cell by the Ukatae showing that there were prisoners inside. "She's chained, correct?"
"We followed your instructions," Jacks responded in a flat tone that had Moody turning to look at him from over his shoulder.
"Jacks?"
Jacks rose an eyebrow in what was a really uncharacteristic move, putting Moody on his guard, though it was a few seconds too late. Jacks had already begun to move, swiping his hand between them. Jacks' fingers, which now sported long claws, sunk deep into Moody's right arm. The damage done by the claws nearly took the old wizard's arm off. Moody howled in outrage and pain and dropped his wand to cradle his useless arm to his chest. Jacks waved his hand and Moody's wand flew into it.
"You won't be needing this anymore." He destroyed the retired Auror's wand and vanished the remaining pieces.
"Jacks? What is the meaning of this?" Moody growled while staring at the mangled arm against his chest. He was in so much pain; he knew he was defenseless, especially without his wand and the use of only one arm.
"I'm sorry but Jacks in now unavailable due to death. You'll have to deal with me instead."
Moody looked up from his arm, recognizing the voice. "Potter!" he spat.
Harry dropped the glamour as he spoke and glared back at Moody, baring his fangs. "That's right…" he grinned wickedly when the door behind Moody opened. "And company."
Harry shoved Moody into the cell and followed. Draco, who had opened the door and was the one who had been playing Hermione's recorded voice from his wand, kicked Moody from behind and Moody flailed forward to land at the feet of Lucius, Sirius, Severus, and Tom, all who sat in chairs against the wall. Harry and Draco transformed into their animal forms and sat at the door to guard the exit, happy enough to let their friends do all the torture.
Moody's eyes widened on the two massive felines. Harry stepped forward, growling so loud that Moody whimpered just slightly and scrambled back when Harry swiped at him with a huge paw. Draco came forward and bit onto Harry's tail and pulled the panther back to the doorway. Harry whined at his mate who merely flicked his ears and dropped the black tail.
"What have you done to the others?" Moody asked after regaining some of his composure.
"You mean the incompetent fools you left to guard our people?" Severus smiled. "Hermione and the others killed some of them when they escaped and Tom was happy to kill the rest. You shouldn't feel too bad, Alastor. I'm sure your people tried their best, but Hermione and the others escaped all on their own. We didn't get here until after the children had left…"
"Hermione won't like it that you've called her a child, Snape."
"Shut it," Severus hissed at Sirius.
"Do what you want… I'll not say anything. Might as well kill me now," Moody panted, looking around the room. He looked from Severus over to Sirius, then Lucius, and finally to Tom. When he saw Tom his eyes widened. Oh, yes. He knew exactly whom that young man was who smirked at him.
"Moody… After what you did to Hermione and the others, do you really think we'll give you an easy death?" Lucius drawled.
"Hermione is it? Taken a muggleborn as your lover now, Malfoy? Guess she's good enough for dog shite… Then again I hear she'll do anything to gain power."
Both Severus and Sirius surged to their feet. Sirius got to Moody first and kicked him in the mouth. "Watch your mouth!"
Moody spat out the broken teeth and blood from his mouth and began to laugh. "Always quick with the temper. It's what got you killed the first time, isn't it, Black? A shame you were able to come back."
Severus stepped forward and shoved his wand under Moody's chin. "Keep talking in such a way, and we'll leave you here for the cats' dinner. I assure you, they are hungry."
Both Severus and Moody looked at the jungle cats. Harry and Draco stood on all four and meowed hopefully, both licking their muzzles, anticipating bloodied meat. Severus smiled at them. "But you wouldn't want to die that way, would you? It wouldn't be dignified for a wizard like you, would it?"
"Do your worst, Snape," Moody replied.
"Ah, he's no fun," Sirius whined and slumped back into his chair. "He's not even begging for his life."
"I would like to know why you chose to kidnap the other three. I understand the need to abduct Hermione, but for you to take Lovegood, Longbottom, and Thomas… They wouldn't know anything," Tom said, his eyes glittering with the prospect of soon to be torture. He caressed his wand lovingly while looking down at the old grizzled wizard. "If you explain your actions, I'll tell you what we plan to do." Everyone looked at him, surprised. But Tom had a calculating look in his eyes. "I'll even tell Dumbledore what we're up to…" At that both cats roared their outrage, a sound so loud that even the muggles would have heard had the building not had silencing spells around it.
"You're lying," Moody replied, staring at Tom.
The Dark Lord stood slowly and moved to stand between Harry and Draco, both of who were looking at him with questioning eyes. He reached down and caressed both their heads. "Beautiful," he whispered to them and the Ukatae began to purr loudly. Tom turned to Moody. "No I'm not lying. You see… I want that old man to know what we're about. I want him to realize there is nothing he can do to stop us… Dumbledore's coffin has already been nailed shut. I just want him to realize he's already in it…"
Moody didn't look like he was going to talk anymore and when Tom realized this he raised his wand. Surprisingly, Moody's eyes widened then and he started to blurt out words. "Dumbledore feels Longbottom is just as much a threat as Potter and Granger," he confessed. Those around Moody began to grin. Seems Moody was terrified of the Dark Lord after all.
Harry meowed, his slit eyes held a very smug look as he looked across at his mate.
"Yes, Harry. We know. You told us…" Sirius laughed.
"I never doubted it," Tom surprised everyone by saying. "And why did you torture Thomas like you did? Why was he taken?"
"He was with Longbottom." Moody shrugged. "We figured might as well get him as well. One less troublesome Gryffindor for us to deal with." It didn't escape anyone's notice that they had said the same thing about Moody only hours ago.
"But Dean hasn't done anything…" Sirius spoke. "And you might have crippled him for life!" he shouted.
Moody laughed gruffly and shrugged. "We knew he would eventually cause us problems. It was clear he intended to remain friends with Potter after it was known Potter had allied himself with Malfoy."
Everyone in the room knew how Harry was going to take what Moody had just said, and Lucius was the first to say something that would keep Harry from thinking all this was his fault. "Then this had nothing to do with them being Harry's friends. This all had to do with your fear that more people would turn against Dumbledore and give us more support and power. You tortured Thomas on pure speculation then. You couldn't possibly have known what he was going to do."
"Don't give me the high and mighty look, Malfoy! Your side does the same thing!"
"That's true, Luce. How many times did you try to torment Harry, hmm?" Sirius said with a mighty frown, causing his husband to shift uncomfortably and look everywhere but at Sirius. After a moment, Sirius turned and grinned at Moody. "But thanks to you Luna, Dean, and Neville are now firmly on our side, having pledged their allegiance to us as soon as they could. Thanks!"
"They joined the Dark side? Why would they do that?"
"I think the vision they had of the Dark has changed, Moody. After all, we haven't really done anything wrong recently," Severus supplied. "The world will see that soon enough. There is no Light and Dark side anymore…"
"And Lovegood?" Tom continued his questioning.
"That was Dumbledore's idea. I have no idea why he wanted her out of the way. She couldn't possibly do any damage to anybody."
"You're mistaken about that," Lucius replied. "It was Luna and Hermione who killed your men."
"Dumbledore must know something about Lovegood that we do not. It must be something That would explain why he went after her himself," Severus thought aloud. "And you planned on killing all of them?"
"Yes." Moody looked like he would say no more.
Tom came forward and grabbed Moody's good arm and ripped the robes off his shoulder. Tom pressed his wand into Moody's shoulder and hissed, "Morsmordre."
Moody began to scream. "Wait! What are you doing?" he tried to pull his arm away from Tom's grasp, but the young Dark Lord was strong enough to keep him in his grip. Moody watched horrified as the Dark Mark was painfully etched into his skin. Once it was done, Tom moved back and laughed.
"Ironic, isn't it? You're the only one here who has the Dark Mark. You'll die with the Dark Mark on your arm, and everyone in the Wizarding World will think you are a Death Eater." Tom sneered. "A traitor to the Greater Good."
"You promised to say what you've planned," Moody rasped after he regained his senses, though he continued to stare at the Dark Mark staining his shoulder.
"We're trying to make our world a better place." Tom sat back down and crossed his legs. "You and Dumbledore are nothing more than warmongers. We only want a semblance of peace… And unlike you and the Greater Good, we'll not pretend on the issue of muggles and muggleborns. We don't like muggles, but will welcome muggleborns, but only if they keep the muggle world away from us. We only want to protect our ways and create a better Wizarding World."
"That can't be it!"
"I assure you, it is." Tom replied. "Can we get on with the torture?" he asked his companions.
"Yes please!" Ozemir chirped from his corner where he appeared. Everyone heard a groan from beside him and knew it was Brumek.
"Hirsha save me! Ozemir…"
"Well they just keep talking and talking and I want to see more blood!" whined Ozemir.
"Who are they?" Moody asked, hoping to extend the time before his end would come, but he was completely ignored.
"We're not here!" Brumek growled at the room in general.
"Don't be ridiculous, obviously we are," Ozemir responded, ignoring the death glare given to him by his companion. The panther jumped up and bounded over to Ozemir, purring his happiness at seeing the other Ukatae, even though he'd seen Ozemir a short time ago on the roof. The white tiger remained fixed by the door, but Draco did share an understanding look with Brumek.
"I'll start, shall I?" Sirius said, and surprised everyone when he pointed his wand at Moody and Cruciated the bastard. "Might as well do something to make up for the time I spent in Azkaban. I have thirteen years of torment to make up for, correct?" he pulled off the curse. "I should be allowed to do whatever I want for the next thirteen years for that time spent in hell!" he snarled at the twitching wizard at his feet. Sirius racked his brain for another spell and suddenly grinned. "Censumosis!" Moody began to scream and thrash around; heedless to the further injury he was doing to his damaged arm.
"And what is that spell?" Tom asked, surprised that he had never heard of it, but it was obviously a great torture spell.
"Causes the victim to feel as if every bone in the body is literally on fire." Sirius smirked at Severus. "You weren't the only one to make up spells in Hogwarts. You're just lucky I never used it against you."
"Whatever… But I have to admit… He's screaming louder now than he did under the Cruciatus curse." Severus stepped forward and raised his wand at Moody's good arm, "sectumsempra!" He effectively cut the arm off at the elbow. He wanted to make sure the Dark Mark was attached to the rest of the body.
"It's one less bone to feel as if it's on fire, eh Moody?" Sirius kicked the cut arm aside and watched disgusted as Harry and Draco padded forward to lick at the blood pouring from Moody's body.
"Could you please not do that?" Lucius exploded at his son and Harry and then turned his back on the grotesque scene.
"Yes. Please stop," begged Ozemir. He grabbed both Harry and Draco at the back of the neck and pulled them over to the corner where he and Brumek stood to watch. Ozemir sat down and allowed Harry to rest his head in his lap after lying down by his legs. He then smiled when the massive white tiger lay on the other side of his legs and rested his head over the panther's neck. "It's not fair that you get so much blood and I haven't had any in months!" he mourned.
Surprisingly, Brumek didn't say anything to chastise him for speaking and he realized why when he looked up at his companion. Brumek's eyes were wide and unblinking as he watched the torture go on. It was obvious to everyone that Brumek liked torture just as much as Tom and Ozemir did. But that was to be expected. He was, after all, a Ukatae. But Ozemir was surprised that Brumek was letting his guard down in front of the humans. However, he would not complain. One hardly ever got to witness Brumek being anything but serious.
Brumek looked down at Ozemir and spoke very quietly. "I'm starting to appreciate these particular humans." He received a blinding smile in response.
"You should not have messed with our witch or the others who had done nothing to deserve what you planned for them. Did you honestly think there would be no retaliation?" Tom asked.
"I'm sure retaliation was expected, but not like this," Lucius said when Moody remained quiet. "Dumbledore doesn't realize how much we rely on Hermione, does he? How ingrained she already is to our side. You didn't think we'd take her seriously, with her being a muggleborn. That was one of many mistakes you've already made. And I'm sure Dumbledore thought we would do something stupid once we found her dead, but… you both have underestimated the power behind us." He smiled when Moody looked at Harry and Draco, both of who bared their sharp teeth at him. "You're not looking so assured now, you old mad geezer. Hmm, what shall I do for my part?" Lucius tapped his finger against his chin and looked as if he was sorting through all the spells in his head.
"Oh yes… Viscus Rupio." Lucius smiled after a moment. He had just erupted all of Moody's internal organs.
"Omniexo Confringo," Tom said quietly, and everyone winced when they heard every single bone in Moody's body snap and break. Moody wasn't moving now, and his mouth was open in a permanent scream, blood slowly pouring out of his mouth and nose… Everyone stood around him watching the old wizard slowly die.
"Severus, it's now or never," Tom said.
Severus stepped forward and made sure Moody was looking at him. "I would leave you to die like this, but I want you to know who had the killing blow. I want to be responsible for taking your very last breath, Moody. Just think, no one will mourn your loss with that mark on your arm… Avada Kedavra!"
A/N: Edited 10/19/2011