Begin Transmission

Lacy here. Check it, I'm still alive! It was a close call. Katie chucked a pumpkin at me and I'm not real swift on dodging or moving quickly. Basically, I'm Tonks. Scary, I know. So this chapter isn't going to be easy. We all know Bellatrix and how she's not exactly all up there in the head and well, like I said, not fun. And the adults will be joining the kids on the search for the youngest Potter. Have...no.

Disclaimer: I own Heidi.

End Transmission

~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~

Remus adjusted a pile of corrected exams on his desk and stood to make his way out of his office. It was nearly dinner and Remus had promised Tonks he wouldn't lock himself in his office to finish correcting exams. He told her she was being crazy if she thought he'd do that. She pointed out that he did the same thing to study for those exams. She had no doubt he'd do it again to correct them. He'd stood silently for a moment before pouting ever so slightly and saying it was no fair to bring up the past.

Making a mental note to stop by Snape's office for his potion, Remus went to open his door when something on the Marauder's Map, which was pinned to the back of the door, caught his eye.

On the edge of the map, just about to go out of sight, were three dots that had Remus's heart pounding.

Nearly taking the door off its hinges, Remus bolted from his office. He had to find Sirius and Tonks.

~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~

Heidi groaned softly as she woke up and realized she was in the Shrieking Shack. In fact, she moved her head around a bit. Yeah, she was in the exact room that Remus transformed in. Well, she had to give her crazy aunt, even if not by blood, credit. She planned well. She wouldn't give Wormtail any credit. The rat was lucky if he could find his wand hand without a map.

"Well, well," a high pitched voice rang out. "look who's awake."

Heidi rolled over so she was on her back and glaring at the older witch. "If this is awake, I'd like to go back to sleep, please."

Bellatrix tsked at her. "Now don't mouth off baby Potter. It won't end well for you."

Heidi shifted a bit. "I don't see this ending any way but badly so what difference does it make?"

"You should listen to her, Heidi." Wormtail piped up from the corner. "She means it."

Heidi aimed a glare in his direction. "Go crawl back in your hole, Pettigrew."

Bellatrix smiled at Heidi. Well if that twist to her lips was really a smile. "I think it's time to play for a bit."

Heidi swallowed. That did not sound good. And as Bellatrix pulled her wand, Heidi knew it wasn't going to be.

"Crucio!"

Heidi screamed.

~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~

"Heidi!"

Three voices shouted Heidi's name together as they tried to locate her.

"Ladybug, where are you?" Harry called as he searched the grounds. He'd taken his eyes off her for two seconds and she was gone. What kind of big brother was he?

"Harry!"

Harry spun around as his guardians came running towards him. "What are you guys doing out here?"

Remus, who hadn't stopped running since leaving his office, panted before answering. "Heidi was taken by Bellatrix and Peter. They took her through the Whomping Willow path to the Shrieking Shack."

"How did they get her?" Hermione asked.

Tonks shook her head. "They probably never left the grounds after the first time they entered the castle."

"The forest," Sirius said. "it's big enough and has enough creatures in it that the dementors would never be able to pick them out."

"You said the Whomping Willow," Ron said. "how exactly do you suggest we get passed it?"

"Hit the knot." Harry, Tonks, Sirius and Remus chorused.

Before Ron could question, the six took off for the tree. Sirius ran ahead of the others and transformed mid run into Padfoot and as the tree started swinging, he easily evaded the branches and hit a knot at the base of the tree. The branches froze and Sirius changed back.

"Let's go."

~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~

Begin Transmission

I know, super short chapter but I planned it that way. The next one will be good length and have a lot going on...as long as it writes how I planned it. For now, let me know what you think, flame policy stands and thanks for reading.

End Transmission