Chapter 15
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The wand spun to the left as they stepped into Diagon Alley proper. Just then, a parchment appeared in a flash of golden flame and dropped into Lucius' outstretched hand. They all stopped and watched as he read the message from Albus. Lucius scanned it quickly.
"Shacklebolt contacted Albus, as it was quicker. Draco is still in custody, and his magic is still bound. Shacklebolt went down and checked the cell himself."
"So, if this isn't him, then who, the bloody hell is it?!" Ron demanded.
"And is he working for Draco, somehow?" Bill added.
"We shall soon find out." Severus stated firmly, as he turned and strode purposely in the direction his wand had pointed.
Everyone hurried after him, their hands on their wands, just in case. They'd gone past a dozen or so storefronts and the sun was beginning to set, when Severus' wand glowed brighter yet and changed directions again. Everyone stopped as one and looked up, finding themselves in front of the Leaky Cauldron, the blue wand tip pointing at the entrance. They only hesitated for a moment before they all hurried in, Severus at the lead.
Tom, the innkeeper and bartender, raised an eyebrow, when he saw the group of familiar faces enter. Bill hurried over and explained quickly what was going on, and asked him to keep an eye out and keep any stray reporters away. Tom laid his Muggle baseball bat, a long-ago gift from Arthur Weasley, on the bar and returned to wiping glasses as he kept one eye on the door.
"Tom will keep watch." Bill said in a rush as he rejoined the group at the bottom of the stairs.
"Harry is upstairs." Severus announced as he began ascending the stairs, the glow at the tip of his wand darkening again and growing larger, the higher up the stairs he went.
The wand kept pulling upward, past the first two floors of rooms. They reached the landing on the third floor, where the long-term guests stayed. There were three hallways; one to the left, one to the right, and one straight ahead.
"Now what?!" Ron growled, as he peered over Bill's shoulder and looked down each long hallway.
Sirius draped an arm around the redhead's shoulders, "Ron, trust Severus' Tracking Spells. The man never uses shoddy spells."
Everyone turned and looked at Black in surprise. Severus' eyebrows had climbed almost to his hairline. "Black, did you actually just say something positive about me?"
There were several snickers as Sirius turned the famous Black smile on the man, "Gotta keep you on your toes, Severus. Beside, it is the truth isn't it?"
Severus just shook his head.
"Merlin's knickers!" Remus mumbled.
George tossed a Galleon at Fred, as his brother snickered. "I told you George. But you didn't believe me."
Severus groaned. "As my father would say, pigs have flown." He mumbled as he swung the wand toward the entrance to each hallway.
Remus snorted in amusement, as everyone else looked confused.
"This way." Severus headed down the long hallway to the left.
He hadn't gone very far when the blue glow began to pulse. He picked up his pace, the other's following suit. Though they moved quickly, ingrained war training had them doing it silently. The hall was very long and it got darker the farther they went, with only one drape-covered window at the very end.
The twins and Ron raised their wands and cast Lumos. All the doors became immediately visible, their numbers easily readable. Severus' wand spun and then stopped in front of a door numbered thirty-five, halfway down the hall.
"Here," Severus' whispered. All the men stopped moving, listening for voices, noises--anything. Severus placed a hand on the door. He could feel the wild magic that was all Harry, beyond the wood, pulsing madly. The other's moved silently around until they flanked the door, four on either side. Murmuring could be heard, though it seemed to be almost a one-sided conversation. There were no raised voices or yelling. Ron cancelled the Lumos spells.
Remus' Wolf was enraged. Someone had his cub--was hurting his cub--behind that door. With the Wolf at the surface, he took one step back then forward, and kicked. No magic...just one well placed kick and the door crashed inward and slammed against the wall. Lucius raised an eyebrow at Severus as they followed the Were into the room.
Rushing into the room, the first thing he saw was Harry curled into himself, arms wrapped around his updrawn legs, huddled into the corner of the bed against the wall, trembling uncontrollably as his magic crackled around him. His face was ashen, cheeks blotchy from crying, and his red-rimmed eyes wide with terror as he stared at the man sitting on the edge of the bed, reaching out, a proffered strawberry in his elegant fingers. His eyes immediately told him this was Draco Malfoy. Slender, long almost white blond hair--perfectly coiffed, pale skin, upswept eyebrows, long elegant fingers, impeccably dressed in finely tailored robes and handmade boots, expensive jewelry on his fingers and at his throat; his bearing that of an aristocrat. A very expensive walking stick with the silver head of a lion with ruby eyes, lay on the desk nearby. It wouldn't surprise Remus if the head pulled out and revealed a hidden wand.
The man turned suddenly at the sound, going for his cane, pulling the wand free and putting himself between the bed and the door, wand pointed at his intruders. There was a collective gasp from behind Remus when the man faced them. If they hadn't known with a certainty that Draco was at the Ministry, they would have thought this was him, but for the cane and the pale blue eyes. Everything else about the man screamed Pureblood Malfoy heir.
"What do you want!?" He demanded. Looking quickly over his shoulder to assure himself Harry was still there. "Don't worry, my Love. It's my turn, and my duty, to protect you."
Harry whimpered, and Remus growled, taking a step forward.
"Stop! I remember you... you taught Defense Against the Dark Arts. Professor... Lupin." Colin drew himself up, and raised his wand higher. "Why have you burst into my room, uninvited?!"
He eyed the intruders, realizing some of the others were also familiar to him. The higher volume and sternness of Colin's voice frightened Harry even more. He knew Draco was finally going to start beating him again. And, this time, he might really die. Trying to curl himself into an even smaller ball, he pulled the quilt up, trying to cover himself with it. He began to cry again, audibly.
Remus growled, gold flashing in the angry blue eyes. "What are you doing? Who the HELL are you? And what have you done with MY cub!
Before Colin could answer, a timid voice was heard.
"R-Remus?"
When Colin turned to look back at Harry, Severus cast Incarcerous on the man and watched, as he dropped to the floor unable to move. When Colin looked up, he was starring at four angry Weasley's and the ends of four sparking wands pointed at his chest.
Remus, Severus, Sirius, and Lucius moved to the bed to tend Harry. The young man was nearly catatonic and his wild magic was preventing them from getting to him. Severus finally cast a Sleeping Spell on him, so they could wrap him in his robes and get him back to the Manor. Kingsley and two Aurors met him in the hallway, to take custody of Colin. Once that was done, the groupApparated back to Malfoy Manor.
Tbc…