Chapter Seventeen

A/N: Thank you for those who have reviewed! This is going to be a shorter-ish chapter. Sorry. :S

Thalia's POV

"Rose has been abducted."

"What?" Albus and I said, shocked. I couldn't believe this. Just when things were looking up, something bad happens!

"Are you sure?" I asked. "Are you sure she isn't just away with her mum or something?"

Scorpius nodded solemnly. "Do you want to see for yourself?"

I looked at Albus. His hand was gripping mine so tightly his knuckles were turning white. His (extremely gorgeous) emerald eyes were wide with shock, concern, and determination. "Let's go," He said.

As Scorpius Flooed to Rose's house first, I took the time to talk to Al. "Do you think she's fine?"

He looked at me and leaned in to give me a soft peck on the lips. Ever since we'd first kissed, I had felt different. I felt like I could do anything, like I was fearless. All of my depression had evaporated and was replaced by confidence. When I heard that Rose had been abducted, I didn't feel the fear that usually boiled at the pit of my stomach. Now, I just felt white-hot anger for whoever who did it.

When he pulled away, I saw such love and adoration in those eyes. I felt my heart melt (something that usually doesn't happen) and he squeezed my hand. "She'll be fine," He said, "We'll find her." I smiled and squeezed his hand back.

We let go so that I could Floo to the Weasley residence first. Stumbling out of the fireplace, I examined the sitting room. It was tidy and clean – courtesy of Mrs. Hermione Weasley – with black leather couches, watercolour paintings, a Muggle television set, lamps and nightstands.

As Albus Flooed in from behind, we walked over to Scorpius who was looking sadly at a portrait that portrayed Rose's family. It was a Charmed photo, and everyone was beaming at us, except for Rose, who was pleading at us with her eyes, as if to say, Help me. Looking at the grandfather clock to the right, I saw that her hand was at Mortal Peril.

"Come on, I'll show you her room." Scorpius said, tearing his eyes from the portrait.

When we reached Rose's room, we were met by shattered glass littering the floor. There was a giant hole in the window, where it was probably obvious she was taken.

"When I Flooed in, I heard a crashing sound upstairs, so I ran up here as soon as I could, but I was too late. All I could see was the tails of two brooms. And look at this note." Scorpius handed Albus and I a crumpled piece of paper.

What on earth is with these notes? I thought as Al read it aloud.

"' If you want her, come and get her. Meet us at Malfoy Manor and we can make a deal.'" Albus looked up from the parchment. I looked over his shoulder and I saw that it was signed by a snake coming out of a skull's mouth; the Dark Mark.

"Death Eaters?" I asked, shocked.

Scorpius nodded solemnly. "It does fit, doesn't it?" He sighed and looked out the window, running a hand through his silvery blonde hair. Albus and I locked eyes. Suddenly, I had an idea.

"Why don't we go after them? I mean, you know where Malfoy Manor is, right, Scorpius? We could take brooms and fly there."

Scorpius turned away from the window, I look of pure disbelief. "And possibly get killed? And if we survive, possibly get expelled from Hogwarts? We may be Gryffindors, but that is crossing the line between brave and irrational! No way!"

I wasn't going to give up this easily. "Look, this is Rose we're talking about. We've got to save her. I mean, they're probably waiting for her parents and relatives to come, aren't they? We'll catch them by surprise."

"Thalia, I think that is a little irrational. I mean, we're just underage Hogwarts students. We can't take on Death Eaters!" Albus said.

I looked at him pleadingly. "Oh, come on! If it was me, you'd be over there by now!"

Albus looked like he was fighting an internal battle. Finally, he gave in. "Oh, fine. Rose is my cousin. Scorpius?"

"Yeah," I added, "Her fate rests in our hands. And if you loved her, you would do this."

Scorpius sighed. He looked like he wanted so much to go after her, but at the same time, he didn't want to risk expulsion from Hogwarts. Finally, after a few minutes of silence, he said, "Do you know if Mr. Weasley has any spare brooms? Preferably Nimbuses?"

"Yes! Thank you Scorpius!" I said, running over and hugging him. He patted my back, a small grin on his face.

We went outside and grabbed three Nimbus 3000s from the shed in the Weasleys' backyard. "Do you have your wands?" I asked.

They took their wands out of their coat pockets and lifted them up in the air. Making sure I had mine, I stowed it back in my own coat pocket and swung a leg over my Nimbus. The air was cool but there was barely any snow falling. Glancing over to Scorpius and Albus, who were also readying themselves, I said, "Are you ready?"

They nodded. Scorpius said, "On the count of three! One, two, three!" On the last word, we kicked off hard. I laughed, joyful, happy to be back in the air. I closed my eyes as the cold air whipped around my face, blowing my braid back and forth.

"Follow me!" Scorpius yelled. We formed a line, Scorpius first, me next, and Albus last. Making sure we weren't spotted by Muggles, we rose up and flew mostly behind the clouds. Shivering and wishing that I had worn a thicker jacket, I looked down. The houses were growing less and less, and the scenery turned mostly snowy white with the occasional mansion here and there.

We swerved left and right, adjusting to the moving clouds. Just when I lost the feeling in my face, we swooped down, apparently nearing our destination. As we drew closer to the ground, I saw a giant mansion, handsome, old, and looming. As we finally landed in front of the iron wrought gate, shivering and shaking off the snowflakes that gathered on our clothes, I observed the mansion closely. It was white and majestic, but with the air of an old and weathered house. The gardens and front yard were blanketed with snow, with a few solitary patches of green.

Scorpius shuddered. "Ugh, I haven't been here in years, ever since my grandfather stopped talking to me and my father. It looks so creepy."

I nodded, agreeing. My heart was thumping loudly in my chest, not with fear and anxiety, but with adrenaline and bravado. I reached for Albus's hand, squeezing it for reassurance.

He smiled at me, and then sobered up again. "Let's get going."

As we pushed open the gate, we made our way up the long drive as Malfoy Manor became larger. When we reached the giant front door, I took a deep breath. My heart was now throwing itself against my ribcage. The excitement I felt was like how I felt before a Quidditch match.

Pushing the door open, we stepped in.

A/N: Please review!

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