Chapter Three
Capture
Kreacher glared his beady eyes at the ginger cat violating the priceless Black kitchen table. Master Crouch, however little Black blood resided in his body, was more of a master than Harry Potter would ever be. And that was what had him cowered up against the old stove as red-faced Weasley roared at him.
"You call 'Mione a mudblood one more time Kreacher and I'll turn you into a bloody tea cosy!"
Kreacher made a whimpering sound and with every aching muscle in his body he looked up to meet Weasley's large eyes. His mouth contorted into a cruel smile. "Kreacher doesn't take orders from you...or the mudblood."
Ron fumed. He pulled out his wand and aimed it at Kreacher with a shaky hand. Kreacher didn't move. Kreacher had had a wand pointed at him too many times to feel scared. Hermione stormed up behind him and snatched the wand out of his hand with a killer look.
"Ronald Weasley you stop that!" She snapped irritably, "how many times do I have to say it? The word does not bother me anymore because it's outdated prejudice that will die away as soon as people treat it as it is: just a word."
Ron was not pleased and shot a sour look at Kreacher before bumbling back to the table and plopped himself back onto his chair. Hermione huffed and pushed a wild strand out of her face. She did glance briefly at Kreacher, the look one of pity, before she too sat opposite the sulking Weasley. Kreacher pretended to clean the stove with a rag while the two talked. As Master Crouch had ordered.
"When did you say Harry and Ginny would be back?" Hermione asked with a hint of venom.
"Dunno," Ron grumbled, "Harry just said they had some news and wanted us both here."
Hermione fiddled with her fingers, pondering. "Do you think it's about the dark mark?"
"Doubt it. No one's talked about it for over week and from what Harry says there's been no other sightings."
Silence.
"I'm scared, Ron."
Ron's head snapped up to gaze longingly at Hermione. Though the two had separated romantically three years ago his first thought was always to protect her. She didn't make that easy, but, years of the three of them saving each other from certain death left a mark all of its own. Ron winced as guilt stabbed his heart. He really should have done better. Instead he smiled amicably, "'Mione it's alright to be scared after what we went through."
"No one ever talked about it though, did they? The aftermath after the war? I feel...useless without us on the run finding horcruxes. I know that's silly but it's true. At the Ministry I get so restless all the time."
Ron wanted to agree with her but couldn't, after all, once the war was over Hermione got to go back to her parents and make them remember her again. Ron hadn't had that luxury with Fred. Fred was gone and it had broken all the Weasleys, but not as much as George who barely left the pub these days. "I know what you mean," he lied, "but I'd rather be restless than nearly dying every second."
Hermione huffed a laugh. "That's true." Then her back straightened up. "So, how's Lavender?"
Ron winced again. "Don't start Hermione."
"Start what? It's a simple question."
"I know what you're thinking though."
"That makes a change," was the snarky reply.
Ron's ears burned bright red. "Yes I know I have the emotional range of a teaspoon, no need to tell me again."
Hermione smirked. "At least you remembered."
They chuckled awkwardly. Thankfully before the silence engulfed them again a burst of green light glowed through the doorway and in came Harry and Ginny, arms interlocked, with grins wider than a dragon's mouth.
"You're getting married-"
"Ginny's pregnant-"
Ron and Hermione said in unison. Disappointed eyes landed onto Ron instantly. "What?"
"Ron we've already been married for three years," Harry said, "you went to the wedding as my best man."
"Did I?"
"Yes and made a right hash of your speech," Ginny added, snorting.
Ron's head nodded slowly for a moment and then his eyes widened. "Wait you're pregnant?"
Harry and Ginny both nodded excitedly. And like that the room was a raucous noise of 'congratulations' and other cheerful sounds that made Kreacher cover his long, pointed ears. Kreacher was clearly invisible to them as they huddled around the table, Hermione and Ginny giggling together while Ron gave Harry a pep talk on how to approach it to Mrs Weasley.
"She'll kill you, either literally or by a hug," Ron explained in a serious tone. "But wow, a Weasley-Potter child."
"I know, Professor McGonagall is going to retire the day they start at Hogwarts."
"Nah," Ron replied, "she'll see it as her greatest challenge yet. Plan on giving it the invisibility cloak?"
"And create more hassle for the headmistress? Maybe not."
"oh go on Harry," Ron said, "your dad gave it to you."
"Actually Dumbledore gave it to me," Harry corrected.
"Your dad would've wanted to give to you. And you'll want to give it to your child too."
"Ronald don't you go encouraging him," Ginny butted in, "that's my job."
Harry could only hide his smile behind a hand.
And so it went on and on and on. All happy smiles and happy noises and happy everything, and Kreacher listened intently as he cleaned the already sparkling stove. He looked down when something pressed up against him. The hideous cat that the mudblood had brought with her was purring as it swerved between his skeleton legs. Kreacher suddenly smiled with malice.
"A cat?" Barty questioned. Yes he was insane but even he couldn't understand the importance of some dumb animal.
Kreacher, however, was adamant about it. "Yes Master Crouch, mudblood nearly always brings it with her. Mudblood is very fond of the cat."
"And this matters becauseā¦"
"If Master Crouch wants mudblood, Master Crouch must get the cat."
Barty rolled his eyes but hastened a quick glance around him to see that no one was around. Dark shadows danced upon the rows of houses and plants wavered a little in the breeze but otherwise there was no movement. "Alright fine, fine. Anything else to report?"
Kreacher faltered.
For the first time he felt like denying orders from a Black.
Barty picked up on the hesitation and loomed over the house elf with threats bubbling under his skin. "Kreacher?" He said, darkly.
"Mistress Ginny is...is pregnant."
Oh. Well now. Harry Potter wanted to father a child now? Barty couldn't hold back the maniacal giggle that escaped his lips. That child would be damaged by the time it left Hogwarts with the weight of it's father's fame crushing it's little fragile soul. Deranged thoughts flashed through his mind. What better way to hurt Harry Potter the most than that of his unborn child?
Kreacher could see the cogs turning in Master Crouch's head. Swiftly he continued on, "the mudblood is vulnerable now. Mudblood separated from the Weasley many years ago but it still hurts her."
Barty mused on that information, sadistic pleasure rolling around in his head. He did still want the brave little lion. Torture his friends and his family would send Harry Potter into the deepest despair. "Good Kreacher, good. When is Granger next supposed to be visiting?"
"Tomorrow, Master Crouch."
Oh it was just too perfect. "Then tomorrow do whatever you can to get the cat out of the house."
"Yes...Master Crouch."
"I'll just be outside Mrs Weasley."
"Harry, dear, call me Molly for goodness sake."
Harry smiled warmly. "Never going to happen Mrs Weasley."
He sucked in the countryside air and felt relief flow through him. Mrs Weasley hadn't killed him for getting her only daughter pregnant, in fact she had be so thrilled she had nearly dropped their evening meal onto all of them. Thankfully, Mr Weasley knew his wife's reactions well enough to catch it but had still congratulated them with his friendly words. Harry himself hadn't stopped smiling since Ginny had told him and he soon realised he had never truly smiled this much since he found out the truth of Sirius Black all those years ago.
He wished Sirius was here now, celebrating, he wished everyone he had lost to be here. Harry's smile didn't falter despite the sudden rush of sadness as he knew, deep down, they were here. As his mother had told him in the Forbidden Forest a lifetime ago: none of them had truly left him. They were all here with him, just out of his reach, and were likely as thrilled as Mrs Weasley was. He imagined his father chattering the ear off of everyone else.
He spun around when he abruptly heard footsteps approach him and soon faced Draco.
It wasn't Draco Malfoy. Draco hadn't truly been Draco Malfoy since the moment he had thrown Harry's wand to him. But even now Harry couldn't help but find it ironic that the two had become quite close friends after so many youthful years being pitted as enemies. Draco no longer sneered either, his face prominently blank of any expression as he stood beside Harry and stared dreamily into the distance.
"Potter," he said.
"Draco," Harry replied.
Draco chuckled. "It sounds wrong to hear you say my first name, even now."
"Yes, well, calling you Malfoy feels wrong. You're not bound to your father anymore."
"That is very true. Probably has erased me from all existence at Malfoy Manor," Draco said bitterly. Harry knew living with his Aunt and muggle Uncle was still difficult for Draco, all those years having prejudice and hate drilled into him was hard to remove. However, as Draco stood beside him with an emerald green Weasley sweater with a silver 'D' sewn into it, Harry Potter knew Draco was a good, changing man.
"Even if he did Draco, is it worth caring about?"
Draco snorted, "no, actually, it really isn't. My father is a coward...I wish I had seen it sooner."
"Would you have run away?" Harry enquired, reminded of Sirius.
Draco blinked at him a few times before answering. "No, I wouldn't have, because I am a coward like him." He glared when Harry let out a short laugh. "Something funny, Potter?"
"Coward? You ran, with your back facing hundreds of Death Eaters, and threw my wand to me in the full view of Tom Riddle and your parents and nearly the entire school. Draco, you're ten times the man Lucius will ever be."
Though Draco did not thank the praise, even he wouldn't lower himself that far, but his eyes did sparkle after many years of dullness and his posture slackened. He looked to him while Harry still stared up at the sky and felt as if he was transported back to that day in Madam Malkin's when he had first seen him. Being praised by Harry Potter was not something Draco had ever thought possible. He dropped his gaze. "Might I say, congratulations on...the child. But please say nothing your smile is sickening enough," Draco spat out but there was no venom in it as a smirk curled the corner of his pale lips. Harry was about to retort when a high-pitched squeal came from the Burrow.
"Dwaco!"
"Merlin's beard," he whined.
The two turned around to see a boy with vibrant blue hair sprinting towards them. Teddy Lupin stopped short of Draco's knees and outstretched cake-covered hands upwards. Harry had to hide his chuckles behind a hand as Draco rolled his eyes at the young boy. Still, the self-proclaimed Slytherin gave in and picked the boy up.
"You get any of that cake on my sweater and you'll know about it."
The boy only giggled at funny Draco before grinning at Harry. "Con-gra-tu-la-tions Uncle Harry!" He shouted, concentrating on the getting the difficult word exactly right. He was even happier when Harry grinned back.
"Hang on there," Draco said with narrow eyes, "if you can say the r's in Harry's name, why can't you say the one in mine?"
"Because you're Dwaco."
"Is that so, is it?"
Teddy nodded his head fervently. Draco may have feigned indifference but he had grown quite fond of the 'werewolf-baby' as he used to call him. His blue hair began to tinge to pale blond at the tips as it always did whenever he was close to Draco. Yes, Draco could at least admit that he cared for his second cousin, to himself anyway. "If that is the case then I think it's bedtime."
"Noooo," Teddy whined.
Draco cocked an eyebrow much like Mrs Weasley did. "If you go to bed now without fighting me I'll get you a chocolate frog."
Teddy pretended to consider it. "Two chocolate frogs."
"Alright deal," Draco said, then turned to Harry, "you coming back in, Potter?"
Harry looked towards the shallow swamp a little way off and reminisced on the time Dumbledore had practically dropped him into it. To this day he still wondered whether Dumbledore had done it purposefully or not.
"In a little while. Still need some air."
"Suit yourself."
Sometime later Harry and Ginny eventually left the warmth of the Burrow and returned to Grimmauld Place. It was rather late, darkness peaking it's shadowed head as the sunset dipped down. They still had to have a catch up with Hermione and while Harry loved seeing his best friend the yawn constantly falling out of his mouth made it hard to concentrate on another conversation.
"Maybe I should just Floo quickly to Hermione and ask her to come tomorrow?" Ginny suggested.
Harry shook his head mid-yawn. "No, no. I'm used to little sleep, remember? I'll stay up and wait for her, you should go to bed."
Ginny rested a hand on her waist. "Ordering me about are we?"
"No," Harry replied mischievously, "only a suggestion."
"If you say so, don't fall asleep."
Harry tried to heed the command as he sat at the kitchen table, he really did, but even with the coffee cup in his hand he still managed to fall asleep with his head bent low. He was tottering on the edge of falling forward onto the table when Hermione stormed through the fireplace in the other room, Crookshanks curled up in her hands. Once Crookshanks realised where he was he hastily dropped from Hermione's arms and scampered off in search of a spare ear.
She called out a few times. Silently cursing the late hour she dipped her head into the kitchen to see Harry sound asleep. She shook her head which ruffled her mangled mane of hair. Honestly, why had they decided such a late time? A sudden hiss and a spit made her walk back into the halfway. The front door was wide open and she just managed to see a fluffy orange tail disappear out into the night. Hermione sprinted after the troublesome cat but hugged herself when the chilly night air hit her.
"Crookshanks," she called softly, "puss, puss, puss come back now."
A meow sounded, echoing from around the corner. Hermione felt a rush of suspicion run through her as she cautiously rounded the corner away from Grimmauld Place. Crookshanks didn't just run off, nor did the front door magically open on itself. Instinctively she took out her wand so it was at the ready and continued to call for Crookshanks. Vigilant eyes danced around the street. Another meow, coming from an alleyway. Now Hermione knew it had to be a trap.
She stood directly at the mouth of the alleyway, darkness spreading so much that she couldn't even see past her own nose, and whispered, "Lumos." The tip of her wand burst into white light instantly and she aimed it down the alleyway as far as the light would dare to travel.
"Petrificus totalus!"
Hermione instinctively countered the spell with ease though a slight squeal of surprise left her lips. Another spell was called out loudly, animalistically, but again she rebounded it. Her own mouth fired out spells in response, a number of them in fact, but the figure hidden in the darkness countered all of hers too. And then the spells stopped. Silence. Until a hateful hiss sounded and then the figure stepped out of the shadows. Hermione gasped. It wasn't the man that caused the shock, it was seeing her precious Crookshanks being roughly held by the tuft of his neck and a wand aimed at him.
"Don't!" She cried. No, she was a Gryffindor. "Don't you dare hurt him."
The man grinned maliciously, drinking in her panic. "So it's a he, is it?" He said with mild disgust. "Looks more like an old carpet. Smells like it too."
Hermione grounded her teeth. She didn't recognise him but somehow in her gut she knew he was the one who had created the dark mark over King's Cross Station. "Why?"
The man took a slight step forward, wand still poised at Crookshanks. "Because, little lion, I need you to come with me. We're going to have a nice little chat, long way away from here, and then," his eyes were wild as his tongue flicked out, "I'm going to make you scream."
This is a warning that after this chapter the story will get very, very dark. I will put another warning onto the next chapter but there is a reason why this is M rated.
Also after this chapter I plan to make these either weekly or every other week depending on how much I can write down before summer starts as college work for next year is at the front of my mind. Sorrrry.
Barty is exteremly sadistic but who knows this may change *wink wink* (still don't know if there will be a legitimate pairing of these two, maybe, but not the typical ship if I can help it, we will see)
