How'd you guys like the last chapter?
Chapter Quote:
"We're identical!"
~Weasley Twins
Chapter 14
Ziva
Ziva grabbed her camera, now fixed after her plunge in the Thames a few weeks earlier, before running downstairs, making sure her jeans didn't trip her up because they'd been known to do that. Her purse was slung across her shoulder. Her mother had put an undetectable extension charm on it so she could fit more than normal in it. Her wand was stowed safely in her back jean pocket. Ziva didn't think she'd need it, but she was taking precautions now. Her purse had books, food, a water bottle, and her mother's shopping list for potion ingredients. Ziva was mainly going to see Fred and George's shop but her mother said that Ziva might as well make her trip productive and gave her the list for the potion's ingredients.
"Ziva, I can't stress this enough. Be careful. The Death Eaters have become very active and I don't like you going out by yourself and you have recently seemed to have a tendency to get into dangerous situations," Mrs. Herondale admonished, straightening Ziva's jacket. Her parents had become extremely on edge. With Voldemort on the move and looking for followers, they knew it was only a matter of time before he came to them. The Herondales planned to go into hiding next summer.
"I'll be careful mum. I'll be in Diagon Alley and if I feel in danger, I'll leave or I'll have Fred and George come with me. I'll be fine, I promise," Ziva assured. Her mum handed her the little cauldron of Floo powder and Ziva took a handful of it as she stepped into the fireplace.
"Diagon Alley!" She said, throwing down the gray-green powder. Ziva was engulfed in a green flame. She shot down a tunnel and ended up in Diagon Alley within seconds. Luckily, the tunnel landed her right in front of Weasley's Wizard Wheezes. She could see Fred and George standing on the stairwell, looking at their massive business. They both looked extremely proud and they should, she thought. They'd pulled off the impossible. In the dark times of the wizarding world, they were making people laugh and smile when there wasn't much to smile and laugh about.
"Are you just going to stand there or are you going to come in?" Fred whispered into her ear. Ziva jumped while throwing a fist at him which he managed to duck. She hadn't even realized he'd Apparated next to her.
"Bloody hell, Fred!" she breathed with a smile. "Don't scare me like that."
"How can you tell it's me?!" he whined.
"Lucky guess; and George is currently flirting with Angelina Johnson. Dead giveaway right there," Ziva explained.
"Come on, you got to see everything," Fred insisted, grabbing her hand and dragging her into the shop. Ziva was thrilled by the atmosphere. Everything was so bright and cheerful, a stark contrast to the dullness and darkness outside. She realized now how much the shop meant to not only the Weasley twins, but to everyone. People needed a laugh now and then. The Weasley's joke shop provided that prime opportunity.
"Pardon me while I go embarrass my brother," Fred said mischievously, dashing off into the crowd. Ziva smirked at the twin before heading off to one section of the store. The amount of products was so overwhelming that it was difficult to take everything in, let alone know where to begin. Ziva decided to take the store section by section. She stopped by the love potions and was looking dreamily at them, thinking on who she would ever use them on, when a lady bumped into her.
"Sorry!" Ziva exclaimed.
"Oh don't worry dear! That was my fault," the woman replied dismissively, sweetly. She had the same red hair as Fred and George and the same color eyes. There was no mistake this was the twins' mother.
"You must me Mrs. Weasley," Ziva observed sweetly.
"You would be correct," she answered with mirth. "Are you friends with my sons?"
"Yes ma'am. I'm in Gryffindor as well, fifth year."
"How lovely! What is your name? You look quite familiar. I feel that perhaps I know your parents."
"Ziva Herondale."
"Oh! Yes! I was in the same year as your parents. Christian and Ava. What a couple!" Mrs. Weasley exclaimed. "Everyone knew those two would end up together. Hardly talked to each other their third or fourth year, and the next year, practically inseparable from that point forth. Oh Arthur and I loved to tease them; of course they dished it right back at us saying Arthur and I were a cute couple, always saying we just needed to marry. Looks like they were right. How are your parents? I haven't seen them in years!"
"They very well, just nervous with everything going on," Ziva informed dismally. "Especially after a few recent incidents. They're thinking of going into hiding soon."
"If they need a place to stay, they're welcome to stay at the Burrow," Mrs. Weasley offered.
"Oh thank you Mrs. Weasley! I'll relay the message to them. I believe they're thinking of leaving the country altogether. The Death Eaters-"
"Have become fascinated by Ziva. She's always getting in their way," Fred interrupted.
"That's not what I was going to say but I won't deny what you just said," Ziva said.
"Why on earth would they want you?" Mrs. Weasley inquired.
"I'm not sure but this summer I've seemed to be everywhere they target. The bridge that collapsed a few weeks ago, it collapsed when I was on it. And then they've been following me when I've come to Diagon Alley. I don't know why they want me. Recruitment probably."
"Well do be careful. I better go make sure my other son isn't burning the Burrow down. It was nice meeting you Ziva. You must come by our house with your parents sometime!"
"I will and I'll tell them you said hi! Tell Ron I say hi too."
"I love how you knew I was talking about Ron."
"He's the only son living at home isn't he?"
"Well Fred and George are," she said, "but Ron is the only boy currently at the house. Hopefully Ginny is watching him. I must be off."
Mrs. Weasley dashed up to the twins' office; Ziva figured it was to use the Floo network.
"Come on, I'll show you around now that I've tortured my poor, dear brother." He once more dragged Ziva by the hand and led her on a tour of the practical joke shop. Ziva was enthralled by the sheer simplicity of an item's creation when it looked so complex. There were Puking Pastilles, Ten Second Pimple Vanishers (which she decided to buy one to see if it actually worked), Fever Fudge, Extendable Ears, and Fainting Fancies just to name a few. The twins had created everything imaginable!
"Fred, this is unbelievable!" Ziva praised, looking around in awe.
"Thank you! That Ten Second Pimple Vanisher is free, on the house."
"Are you sure?"
"Positive! So where are you going to now?"
"I'm going to the Apothecary for some potion ingredients and then heading home. I don't like being out for long periods of time."
"I don't blame you. If you feel threatened, head over here. We'll take care of them. Seriously, if you lead them into a joke shop that only George and I know how to handle, we'll win," he told her impishly.
"I'll keep that in mind. I'll see you around Fred." She gave him a hug before stepping out into the deserted Diagon Alley. The door shut behind her, leaving the wind as the only sound for her ears to hear. She shivered before walking down the alley, sticking close to the buildings, not standing out by walking in the middle of the alley. Thankfully, she wasn't noticed and was able to get to the Apothecary without any hassle. Ziva made the trip short. The check-out person understood her hurry and went quickly, bagging the items with an amazing amount of speed. She was out of the store in ten minutes.
As Ziva stepped out of the store and started walking down the alley again, she heard the cackling laugh, unmistakably that of Bellatrix Lestrange. There was no time to hide in a shop. Instead, Ziva dashed down a side alley just a Bellatrix rounded the corner. She ran through different ones, trying to get as far away from the psychotic Death Eater as possible.
"Going somewhere blondie?" A hulking man growled, stepping in front of her. His face was hairy, his teeth pointed. He had muscles larger than Ziva's head and his eyes raked over her hungrily.
"Nice job, Greyback, cornering this girl. You're a sly fox aren't you? Got yourself deep into trouble now haven't we?" Bellatrix teased, thoroughly enjoying the fact Ziva was trapped. There was another Death Eater whom Ziva recognized instantly by his midnight blue hair.
Jai Carter.
Jade's dad.
"I don't want any trouble," Ziva said firmly, looking at Bellatrix but keeping a careful watch on the man named Greyback.. His name seemed familiar. He was definitely wanted by the Ministry, just for what Ziva didn't know. Of course, he was a Death Eater so that could play a large part in it.
She completely ignored Mr. Carter. She wanted nothing to do with him.
"Oh that's what they all say. How old are you lovely? Seventeen?" Bellatrix asked, dragging the tip of her wand across Ziva's neck.
"Fifteen."
"So you're unable to use magic, aren't you?" Her voice raised an annoying octave.
"I'd use it if it meant defending myself," Ziva retorted.
"Bellatrix, leave her alone," Mr. Carter said. "She's no threat."
"Don't defend me," Ziva snapped angrily. "I don't want any help from you. I can do it on my own thank you very much."
Bellatrix slapped her across the face. "How dare you speak to one of us like that!" She squeaked.
"Bella!"
"Sorry, but I have no respect for Death Eaters and nor do I have respect for you Mr. Carter. No wonder Jade is so distant from you. You serve a man that would order you to kill her and you'd do it!"
"Jai, what is she talking about?" Bellatrix demanded.
"Nothing," he replied coolly. "She's bluffing."
"Yes, because I could come up with such an amazing lie like that right up on the spot. Give me a break. You don't even care what happens to Jade, do you?"
"Shut up."
"Jai has a daughter!" Bellatrix sang.
"Thank you for that newsflash," Ziva muttered. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to get home. I have better things to do than argue with illogical, irrelevant people." Ziva tried to push her way through, knowing that if she didn't get out of here soon, she'd probably be dead, especially with what her mouth was blurting out.
Bellatrix stopped her, pushing her back into the circle. "Stay dear. Join us," she whispered in Ziva's ear. "Join the Dark Lord's forces."
"I will do no such thing."
"He can lead you to greatness, teach you spells you haven't even dreamed of."
"I don't know, I can dream quite a lot."
"If you don't, you'll die fighting against us," Bellatrix warned. "And I'd hate to have a fellow Pureblood dead."
"Get it through your head that my answer is no. I will not join, because Voldemort is nothing but a murderer!" Ziva spat angrily. She had barely finished her sentence when Bellatrix shouted "Crucio!"
Ziva dropped to her knees, thrashing on the filthy, wet pavement of the alleyway. She refused to scream but the pain was so excruciating, it was almost impossible not to.
"How dare you speak his name! You bloody traitor!" Bellatrix screamed. She broke off the curse briefly, only to allow Ziva to say, "I won't stop until you scream pretty."
Then it looks like you'll be here for a while, Ziva thought silently. Bellatrix cast the spell again; Ziva wriggled and writhed on the ground, forcing herself not to give the Death Eater the satisfaction of her screaming. Mr. Carter just stood there, watching with an impassive face as Ziva groaned and grunted.
Ziva wasn't sure how long she'd been tortured when she let out her first scream. It was blood-curdling. Bellatrix laughed but didn't stop.
"This will teach you to say his name you stupid little girl!" she snarled.
"Stop! Please stop!" Ziva screamed, tears beginning to stream down her face. The world was going fuzzy, it was spinning and swirling. Colors began to blend together, becoming one. Sounds started disappearing. Ziva didn't know what was happening but whatever it was, it wasn't good.
Someone started shouting. It sounded like "Stop." It was a male's voice.
And then everything did stop.
Her vision began to focus, sounds began to come back.
"What the hell were you doing?" The new voice inquired furiously. Hands were cupping Ziva's face as she attempted to figure out who it was.
"She insulted the Dark Lord! She deserved to be punished!" Bellatrix's voice hissed.
"She's a mere child Bellatrix!" Another woman snapped.
"Oh hush Cissy. Draco, do you like her?"
So that's who was caressing her face so gingerly. He's the one who had stopped the torturous curse that caused the sensation that every particle which made up Ziva's body was going to explode.
Once more, Ziva owed her life to Draco.
"She's a friend from school. I'm taking her back to our-"
"Take her to my house. Keep her in a quieter setting," Mr. Carter ordered.
"I'll see you when you get home, Draco, okay? Bella, come. We have tasks that must be done," a woman said firmly. Ziva heard Bellatrix mumbling but it faded away rapidly.
Someone slipped their arms underneath her and lifted her up. Her body still screamed at her whenever she moved in the first place; this new movement was too much for her to handle and she slipped into darkness.
The introduction of Mr. Carter. What do y'all think?! Please review!