A/N
A little reminder: "{Text}" is something said using Mind Speech (the Rapport spell)
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The third Task (Part 2)
(Hogwarts Quidditch Field and Cemetery in Little Hangleton – still the 21st of June)
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In Hate… (Hangleton)
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At the beginning there was only pain.
Harry wasn't able to open his eyes. His ears didn't hear anything besides the rushing of blood through his veins. He barely registered when someone took his wand away, he didn't fully notice the ropes that entangled him, lifted him off the ground and pressed his back against an ice-cold stone slab. He had felt a similar pain back in his first year around Quirrel and a second time in the Chamber of Secrets when he confronted the Basilisk and Tom. Harry wanted to push the pain and the reason behind it away. But he needed too long to recover, needed to hear the voice first, that voice he hated so much.
"Harry, dear boy, how I missed you," without his pain Harry would have noticed the false sweetness in the voice, but in his current condition he was barely able to understand the spoken words. "It's so nice for you to drop by today. We have so much to speak about, so many stories to share."
"Stop fooling around." It was weird to hear Tonks' voice knowing that it wasn't really her. "Is everything prepared, Pettigrew?" In between he had realized that this could only be Crouch junior again, but still the sight of Tonks' body disturbed him.
Harry opened his eyes wide and stared at the man, his eyes full of pure hate. Until now apart from the pain only the thought of using his portkey had been on his mind. But it all changed. Pettigrew – the damned traitor and co-murderer of his parents, the man who sent his godfather to Azkaban and even now stood between Sirius and his freedom. He was here, in Harry's reach. I can't leave without him.
"Yes, everything is ready," the rat-like man with the bulging eyes scuttled towards a large cauldron and put down the bundle he had held in his hands. For a moment Harry felt pity, because it seemed to be a baby. But this emotion stopped and turned into disgust as he noticed the eyes. Snake-like eyes in a face with nose-slits instead of a human nose, the skin leather-like and the teeth sharpened similar to a shark. But it was the emotion in his eyes, above all, that proved the inhumanity of this 'baby': Pure malice and spite were dripping from them as if his eyes were a fount spitting the diseased waters of some dark god.
"Begin the ritual."
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His part was done. Now it was time to lean back and watch the show. As expected, Potter had won the tournament. Not that it would help him in any way. Not that he would be there to receive the praise, fame, and money. That story was far behind him and now the boy had to play a totally different, darker role.
Crouch junior didn't know exactly why the ritual had to be performed here and now. He didn't need to know and his master hadn't told him. His master didn't trust him fully, trusted only Pettigrew, mostly because he was weak and his fear far too strong to allow him any thought of betrayal. Because that was what his master feared and rightly so: Betrayal.
His former Deatheaters had betrayed him after his fall. Instead of searching for him and doing all in their might to bring him back, they wiggled their way out of any accusation, escaped punishment through silly claims of being under an Imperious, and lived their own life without regret. Only a handful of servants like Pettigrew and himself had never forgotten. Barely out of the control of his father, Crouch junior started to search for his master. And today he would see him rise again.
In the beginning his master had wanted to immediately call his other servants to this place. He wanted to kill Potter in front of all of them, proving that nobody was able to resist him, that his might would crush any opponent. But Crouch had convinced him otherwise. He didn't know the specifics of the rituals, but he knew enough to understand that his master would be somewhat weak for days. It wasn't good to show himself to his servants in that state. Better wait for a few days, allow them to think about Potter's disappearance and fear what this could mean to them.
And then, when his master was strong again, he would call them to his side, and allow them to watch Potter's death. The hideout was ready, hidden and protected. Nobody would be able to find them. Crouch sighed. Only a few minutes left…
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Horrified, his disgust and hate battling with his fear, Harry watched what Pettigrew was doing right in front of him. He was unable to move, the ropes being too strong and tight to reach for his buckle. But even if he could touch it, he would have waited for a chance to grab the traitor. Pettigrew had to live and speak in front of Amelia Bones and other trustworthy persons. Sirius needs his statement.
Pettigrew, standing beside an open grave, had a thigh bone in his hands, and put it into the fuming cauldron.
"A bone stolen from the grave of the father…"
Harry paled. Where was he? Whose grave was this? He tried to turn around and have a look, but was unable to do so. Suddenly he felt dirty hands grabbing his arm. Pain, as a knife drew a bloody line along his skin. Blood was dripping heavy from the wound into a vial. "No," Harry yelled and tried to break free. Pettigrew only reacted with a wicked smile.
"Blood from the enemy, forcefully taken…"
Harry nearly fainted, as Pettigrew started to cut off his own left hand. How could anybody do something like this willingly?
"Flesh from the servant, willingly given."
Despite his handicap Pettigrew lifted the bundle and put it into the cauldron. The pain intensified tenfold. This can't be, Harry struggled. This all is a bad dream.
But despite his struggles he didn't wake up.
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… and Love (Hogwarts)
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"He's gone, Ana. I can't feel him anymore." Daphne's small frame trembled helplessly in the arms of her aunt.
"What does she mean, Ana?" Agatha demanded to know with an iron hard voice. Her eyes narrowed: "You didn't… ? You did!"
Ana sighed: "I had to, Agatha. She needed the security. I bound them for a week, one-sided, allowing Daphne to feel Harry over a large distance. That she is unable to feel him now… he has to be farther away than even Hogsmeade." She kissed Daphne on the top of her head. "I'm so sorry, dear. I really hoped it would be enough."
Roxanne wanted to yell at Ana, wanted to scold her but a single glance at her daughter stopped every word. Daphne looked so broken, so hopeless. She only had wanted to be near her boyfriend, wanted to protect him and it hadn't been enough.
"He's not back," Agatha whispered into Roxanne's ear. "Apparently he was unable to use the portkey so far. That's a bad sign."
Roxanne nodded weakly. She had already thought the same and fear choked her.
Where are you, Harry?
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"Why did she do this?" Neville asked his girlfriend totally flabbergasted.
"I don't know," Augusta answered instead. "I would never have expected this to happen."
If there had been any doubt about the change of Petunia's feelings of towards Harry, a single look into her troubled face would have quenched them all.
"It wasn't Tonks really," Hermione explained unnaturally calm. "Tonks would never do such a thing. She may be clumsy and a bit silly sometimes, but she really cares for Harry and would never betray him willingly. He used Polyjuice Potion again – Crouch."
The eyes of Neville and his grandma showed understanding and slowly they nodded. That made sense. Together they watched the Aurors landing in the middle of the maze, securing Cedric and the Goblet, searching for any signs of the boy. The unrest, insecurity and anxiousness among the audience was incredible. Hundreds of voices demanded explanations, demanded that the Aurors find Harry and his abductor.
The happiness of moments before was totally gone. Only minutes before they all had happily watched – on three screens as the goggles of Poliakoff, Ancuille and Sprout had shown the event – how Sprout had treated Fleur's hand. Mistress Ancuille – instead of helping – had only muttered something in French. Hermione, being one of the few to understand her, had gone red with anger hearing this. With a cry of joy and punching the air, the girl had reacted to Madam Sprout stopping the French mumbling first with a Silencio and then – like an afterthought – a punch to the nose, sending the totally surprised teacher to the ground.
"You're a completely disgusting bitch and sad excuse of a teacher." Her words had been heard all over the tribune.
But now the joy was gone and everyone was running around or exchanging wild opinions about what had happened. Nobody listened to the Minister who tried to calm down everybody with nonsense about some maniac trying to sabotage the tournament. While a few Aurors searched the maze for any signs, others went for the castle, perhaps hoping to find some information about Tonks.
"Look," Neville suddenly caught Hermione's attention as he pointed towards the sky. The Dementors left their position and slowly descended to land near the entrance of the maze.
"The Minister should send them away," Hermione remarked coldly. "They couldn't protect Harry and they can only worsen the situation now."
She started to walk towards Daphne and her mother. Augusta and Neville followed her after a moment, leaving Petunia and the Grangers in Remus' care.
Neville nodded sadly. What could they do?
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A Time to live (Hangleton)
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This can't be, Harry groaned. He's back, he's really back.
For a moment he shuddered. Harry wanted to deny the facts but they were all too clear. He remembered far too well the feeling of Quirrell and his 'head guest' three years ago. This was the same, only a hundred times worse. And it proved what Nowles had said about his scar: Somehow Voldemort had left a tiny part of himself there fourteen years ago. He could feel him, in a way even helped him to return. Harry sobbed.
"Don't cry little boy. Your pain won't last too long." The voice was ice-cold, without any real emotions and sent shudders down his spine. A cold hand caressed his cheek in an unnaturally feeling gesture. "For your service I'll allow you to live for a few more days. Use them wisely. Think about your friends, whom you'll never see again. Think about your parents, who died senselessly, unable to protect you in the end."
Somehow these words, meant to make him despair, caused a completely different reaction. A year ago he would have been crushed, but not now anymore. He had friends; he had a family; he had a girlfriend. They cared for him. They loved him. They would search for him. He had to survive. Hate filled his eyes as he looked at Pettigrew. He had to capture the traitor. I won't despair. I won't die, he promised himself.
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Voldemort walked around, testing his legs and arms, relishing the fact that he had a real body again. Pettigrew had offered him his old wand and Voldemort accepted. With a wave he freed Potter, stared at him with an amused expression, like daring him to try anything. But Harry hesitated. Voldemort was too far away and despite his weakened condition, he was certainly still very dangerous. And there was Crouch.
"We should go to your hideout, Dark Lord," Crouch remarked.
"Yes," Voldemort hissed. "We'll rest for a few days and then we'll send the call. It's time for my servants to remember who is in charge. Far too long they played with their own little playgrounds, ruled their own silly kingdoms. They'll realize that it was wrong to forget their oath to me. And then we'll free those who stayed loyal to me. I want my lovely Bella back. I missed her and her eagerness."
"Yes, Dark Lord," Crouch bowed, partly to hide his expression. He didn't really want Bella back. He didn't want to meet Malfoy. They would be the right and left hand of the Dark Lord again, he was sure of that. Positions they didn't deserve, at least in Malfoy's case. Bella at least had never forgotten the Dark Lord, but she wasn't fully trustworthy in her behaviour. She had already been a maniac a decade ago and the years in Azkaban certainly didn't improve the situation. But it wasn't his place to decide this. The Dark Lord's wishes – nothing else mattered.
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His eyes narrowed to slits, Harry watched the conversation. So they would leave this place. He was free again. It was time to act, time to flee. Now he only had to wait for Pettigrew to step nearer. Come, little rat, come closer.
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A Time for hope (Hogwarts)
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"They won't do anything," Daphne yelled at her family. She pointed towards the Aurors, running around like startled chickens. "They have no clue what to do."
Suddenly she felt arms around her, dragging her into a tight embrace. "Calm down, Daphne," she heard Hermione's softest voice. "They'll find him. Amelia is there and Kingsley. They'll know what to do, I'm certain. Only give them some time."
"No," Daphne tore free of the embrace. "I don't want to wait. I want to find him. Ana, help."
Ana sighed: "I don't know how, Daphne. He's too far away, even for you."
So she had been right, Hermione pondered. Somehow Daphne had been able to feel Harry – at least until Crouch abducted him.
"We're seven," Roxanne suddenly mentioned.
They others stared at her with wondering eyes, only Agatha immediately grasped her daughter's idea. "You mean a finding ritual."
"Can we do that?" Daphne asked with new hope in her voice.
"What do you think, Ana?" Agatha asked. "Could we enhance Daphne's link with a ritual? We all have been linked before. Neville is a boy but he's close enough to Harry and Daphne to compensate for this little disadvantage."
Normally Neville would have been hurt by the remark about 'boy being a disadvantage', but even he knew that many spells and rituals of this family worked far better with only women around. He looked around. This would be the same group as with the New Year Ritual. But this time Daphne would be at the centre.
"We can at least try," Ana responded after a long time. Her expression showed her doubts, but she had no other idea how to help now and Daphne would feel better doing anything for Harry. Ana put her hand on Daphne's shoulder: "We'll try it."
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"Bombarda!"
Nobody raised an objection when Agatha simply 'opened' the broom closets of the Ravenclaw team with a single spell, shredding the doors without damaging the objects of her desire. Seconds later the whole group was flying towards the centre of the maze. It was certainly proof of the wild disorder of the situation, that nobody stopped them until they reached the place of Harry's abduction.
"Kingsley," Ana addressed the British Auror, who was in charge there, in her best command voice. "We need the place for a location ritual. Keep your folks away and prevent any disturbance."
Kingsley opened the mouth, wanted to object. Only Mrs. Bones had the right to command him. But these were Lady Agatha Pinegrew and Lady Augusta Longbottom. No man in his right mind would try to stop them, especially not in a situation like this. He closed his mouth again and only nodded, before he turned away and waved his men to leave the place. Minutes later they were alone.
"Let's begin."
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A Time to flee (Hangleton)
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Pettigrew grabbed Harry's arm with more force than necessary and dragged him away from the stone slab and the open grave. He reeked wretchedly and his breath wasn't much better. Harry allowed him to drag him along, emphasized stumbling at every step. After a while he slumped to the ground, starting to sob pitifully. As expected Pettigrew grinned and tried to heave him up the ground.
"There goes the rumour of the Gryffindor bravery," Crouch commented.
Pettigrew glared at him, but said nothing. He wasn't the right one to respond to this, not after his life of cowardice and betrayal. Suddenly a red light became visible. Harry had used the moment of distraction to pull his second wand and stun the human rat. Rising in a position that used Pettigrew as protection against Crouch and Voldemort, he touched Pettigrew while his other hand went to his belt buckle. Time to flee, he mused.
Was it a shadow that warned him? A tiny noise perhaps or simply his seeker reflexes? Whatever the reason – something prompted Harry to jump aside, avoiding the sudden attack by an inch at most. What was that? Another Basilisk – no, a snake, Harry realized. But what an animal: Certainly at least fifteen feet long and thick as an arm. The long teeth dripping poison had tried to bite him. Rolling around a few times and very fast, he escaped a second time and used a hastily Banishing Charm to send the snake flying away.
But now he was too far away from the – luckily still stunned – Pettigrew. For a second Harry thought about fleeing, nearly heard the yells of Daphne, Roxanne and Hermione to do just this. But he had to help Sirius if at all possible. He only needed to touch Pettigrew for a second – only.
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He's playing with me.
Nimbly Harry dodged another curse and sent a stunner against Voldemort, only to watch him protect himself with a shield. Crouch did nothing besides grinning and holding his wand ready to defend against stray spells. Pettigrew was still stunned and the snake somewhere in the grass.
He's too strong and fast. If this is his weakened condition, I don't want to fight him at the peak of his might.
Lazily Voldemort sent three spells in fast order against Harry, forcing him to do a silly dance to avoid them. Harry seemed to be a bit faster than his opponent, but perhaps he only held back. In any case he was far stronger, his shields invincible. Luckily Harry didn't intend to win this fight, he only had to convince his enemy that he wanted to.
"Conjunctivitis!"
"Expelliarmus!"
"Impedimenta!"
Voldemort's face showed a growing amount of boredom. He had to act fast. Using a tactic similar to Daphne and Roxanne, Harry sent three spells against his enemy. The first two were only meant as a distraction, the third apparently missed its target completely. Only: Voldemort hadn't been its target. Behind him the noises of three apparitions became audible. Instead of turning around and offering Harry his unprotected back, Voldemort – for the first time in this fight – moved fast. He executed a swift roll to the left, using these seconds to have a look at the place behind his back. Naturally nobody was there, but these few seconds had been enough for Harry to jump at Pettigrew's side.
"It's time for a visit," Harry hissed, before he touched his belt buckle…
… and nothing happened.
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To the rescue (Hogwarts)
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They were alone now, sitting in the form of a hexagon around Daphne. Everyone's right hand rested on the shoulder of a neighbour, the left touching some of Daphne's skin.
"{Simply relax, especially you, Daphne,}" Ana commanded. "{Open your mind and hear. Agatha and I will redirect the energies towards you. Everybody else: Simply relax and don't resist. Allow your power to flow freely.}"
From all Aurors only Kingsley was watching them. His men he had sent away far enough to be out of sight, but near enough to come in case of urgency. He had no idea what these women and the boy were doing exactly, but he heard enough about Ana Hernandez to trust her abilities. In a way he was thankful that someone at last was willing and hopefully able to do something. They had absolutely no idea where Harry Potter was at the moment; had no idea who had abducted him and why. I hope they'll find him.
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It was a weird feeling to open her mind. At first she only sensed the slowly dissipating emotions of Harry before his abduction. He had been here, he had thought about her. He had been happy and relaxed. Why had someone to disturb this? The last year had really been difficult enough for him.
But he wasn't here anymore. No sign, no hint, no trace was noticeable. Daphne sighed. For a tiny moment she wanted to surrender. For a short moment heavy sobs tried to break free. But no – Daphne inwardly shook her head. Ana had told her, that the link was still there. It was only very faint now, stretched to its limit. She had to fight for him. She had to find him. Harry would trust her. Again she relaxed, opened her mind to the limits. Daphne felt the energies of the circle: The slow, sustained flow of Augusta and Agatha, the airy waves from Roxanne and Ana, the surprisingly fiery emotions of Hermione and Neville. Everyone wanted to help; everyone lent her a large part of their energy. Her horizon broadened.
Within seconds she left Hogwarts behind her, felt Hogsmeade falling behind, sensed the edges of Northern Scotland. Where are you, Harry?
Suddenly a single impulse reached her: Pain. Daphne trembled, but Roxanne's gripping hand brought her back and she calmed down again.
A new impulse: Hate.
This time she saw the direction, turned around and allowed her senses to float towards England. Someone gasped in exhaustion. She had to find him and quickly. This was certainly at the limits even of her aunt.
Suddenly a picture overwhelmed her mind. It seemed to be a picture Harry had brought to his mind to hold on, to find a reason to live and survive, a happy thought like those used for a Patronus spell. It showed Harry sitting within the circle of family and friends: Roxanne and Agatha, Hermione and Neville, Daphne and Astoria. For a moment she melted as she noticed her favourite sister among these people Harry hoped to see again. I have to survive, she'll find me.
"{HARRY!}"
"{He can't hear you, Daphne.}"
"{I feel him. He's there. I feel him.}"
"{Calm down. Hold the line open.}" Ana commanded and Daphne tried her best to obey.
"{What now?}" Augusta asked.
"{You'll stay here with Hermione and Neville. If Harry is able to use his portkey, I want someone trustworthy near the tribune. Catch Madam Pomfrey, perhaps we'll need her – and Severus in case of… something special.}"
Hermione wanted to object, but obeyed. Ana breathed deeply. "{We Pinegrew ladies… we'll apparate there. Daphne will guide us. I'll finish the apparition.}"
"{No,}" Agatha intervened. "{With Harry not back despite his portkey, I'll expect some kind of ward against apparition there. We'll have to break through and you know the risks of trying that.}"
Hermione gasped. Breaking through an apparition ward was very difficult and dangerous, nearly impossible if the ward was a stronger one. Whoever tried this would hurt herself and certainly pass out.
"{Daphne will be in need of your duelling skills, Ana. And Roxanne isn't strong enough to break through a ward. I'll do the apparition.}"
Ana pondered about this for a while, but she had to admit, that there was no fault in Agatha's reasoning. "{Alright, we'll do as you said.}"
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The pain of disappointment
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"Tut-tut, Potter," Voldemort sneered. Slowly he neared the boy, while Crouch walked to the right to get a clear line of sight. "It's rude to leave a party too early. Didn't your mother teach you any manners?"
Harry glared.
"Oh." Voldemort flicked his fingers. "I forgot. She didn't have the opportunity to teach you anything. Poor, poor kid," he finished with mock pity."
"You know, Voldy," Harry growled back. "No drinks, abysmal company and a lousy entertainment – I thought it's really time to go now before it gets even worse."
Instead of getting angry about the nickname the reaction seemed to amuse Voldemort. He sighed: "Sorry, no drinks and only poor me for company. But we can do something about the entertainment… CRUCIO!"
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He had long lost count of the number of hexes and crucios Voldemort had sent his way. How long had he been here? The sun was still high in the sky, so it couldn't have been too long. And with interesting entertainment the time flies by, Harry grinned bitterly and spit some blood on the ground.
"You know, Harry… it's okay if I call you Harry, isn't it? It feels like we have known each other our whole life, don't you think? At least your whole life. I regard your behaviour as a bit insulting – thinking that I wouldn't protect this place against apparition and portkey. Certainly you share my opinion that we don't want any intruder to this nice happening." He walked around Harry while talking his little monologue, interrupting his speech with a short Crucio from time to time. "I remember your parents quite well. Too bad you never had the chance to get to know them. Especially your mother – she was such a sweet bird. Perhaps I should have offered her to survive, sharing my bed for a while. Then again," he sighed "she was a Mudblood, so that's not the best idea."
Apparently he expected Harry to explode, hoped for some silly physical attack or something similar stupid. But Harry had no intention to do such a thing. He was waiting – waiting for his chance, waiting for his family. He would get his revenge.
Voldemort sighed again. "You're still hoping for some kind of rescue, don't you? But it won't come. They have no way to find you. They have no way to reach you. You'll die alone, Harry, completely alone."
"You have no idea." The determination and security in Harry's voice stopped Voldemort for a short moment. He laughed again, but this time it wasn't as nonchalant as he wished it to be.
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The pain of love
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Again Daphne relaxed, again using the flow of energy to find Harry. It was worse than before. Pain, more pain than ever before crossed the distance and reached Daphne's heart. She had to stay strong, to guide her grandma.
Ana undertook the task to gather the energy alone now, allowing Agatha to concentrate on the apparition. She only hoped that Agatha was wrong about the ward, hoped that a possible ward would be weak.
Everyone tried her best to send the maximum of energy towards Daphne, energy needed to establish a link towards Harry strong enough to shine like a swarm of fireflies. She dearly wished it would be enough.
Agatha concentrated only on the task at hand. It would be the most difficult apparition of her life. It was exhausting enough to take three people with her, but if there really was some kind of ward, she had to be prepared. She couldn't allow her family to be splinched at the end of this magical jump. They had to be ready and able to fight. Crouch would have some helpers, hopefully not too able. She hoped.
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Normally an apparition only lasted a second.
Normally someone enduring a sidelong apparition only had time to feel a moment of squeezing, a sensation of vomiting.
But this time was completely different. Daphne saw her family, she sensed them, followed them towards Harry. Within moments the greatest part of the distance had been passed and she already felt the end point. But there was something like a glowing shield, blocking everyone from crossing into the area. Agatha sent her mind out against it, small tendrils of energy flickering around the obstacle. It seemed far too strong, too invincible.
Daphne sobbed, feeling despair for a tiny moment until a wave of emotions reached them all.
"You have no idea."
He was still alive.
Daphne felt her grandma gathering all her strength, preparing for one attack. She had to succeed. There would be neither time nor power left for a second try. She increased her speed, left her family behind and hurled her body like a bullet against the shield.
"Family!"
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Reunited
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An incredible loud apparition thunder announced the arrival of the cavalry. Everyone turned around, even Voldemort. If he only had a wand now, if he only was be in any shape to start a fight. Gasping he watched the appearance of the Pinegrew ladies, cried out silently as Agatha instantly went to the ground – unconscious or worse. Harry's abductor and even Voldemort were shocked that someone had breached their ward.
Roxanne, a furious glare in her eyes.
Ana, wand at the ready to destroy any resistance.
Daphne, sweet Daphne. Harry smiled for the first time since he arrived at this blasted place.
The moment to flee was gone.
Now it was time to fight.
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Her experience allowed Ana to instantly detect the greatest threat around. Without losing a second she sent a flurry of cutting curses and Reducto spells towards Voldemort. Her opponent tried to evade, tried to block, but still a few spells reached him. He started to bleed from several wounds but it showed instantly that he was no usual wizard, that he – despite still being weakened – he was far stronger than any enemy Ana had ever battled.
To her right Roxanne gestured Daphne to hurry at Harry's side, while she started to fight against Crouch. In the meantime the Polyjuice potion had lost its effect and he appeared as his real self again. Hastily he sent an Enervate towards Pettigrew before he deflected the stunners sent towards him with a Protego.
But before Pettigrew had a chance to react, before the stupor left his body, Daphne hit his head with a Babbling Curse, following a second later with a Leg Locker Jinx that sent him to the ground the instant he tried his first step and finishing with a Conjunktivitus. Her expression wasn't nice. Daphne had no problem realizing who this man was, and how much he had hurt her boyfriend. She only regretted not to have more time to show him how much she despised him.
"Harry!"
Daphne went on her knees at his side and started to examine him.
"Hey, you," Harry tried to grin: "You here, what a coincidence."
That she bent down to kiss him was neither very intelligent nor professional, but she really needed this after the last hour. Harry didn't object, but after a moment he frowned. "My… my wand."
Daphne realized: Naturally, he wouldn't be allowed by his abductors to keep his wands.
"Accio Harry's wands." Two pieces of wood flew in her direction and with a sigh of relief Harry snapped them out of the air. He smiled, wanted to thank her, as he noticed something. Crouch, realizing what happened behind him, had changed his position and prepared to send a number of spells towards the teenagers.
"Protego!"
The first cutting curse hit the shield, the second missed Harry's head only by inches.
No, Daphne's mind yelled. I can't lose him, not now.
Her magic reached out, sensed the dissipating residues of the ward and of her grandma's apparition magic. She concentrated. Only two dozen steps, only two dozen steps, she prayed.
For a moment there was a squeezing feeling. The next thing Harry noticed, before he had time to really comprehend that Daphne had apparated with him away from Crouch, was her scream. Horrified he noticed the long gash reaching from her lower rips down to her thigh.
A far beyond furious Roxanne watched her daughter splinching herself in her attempt to rescue Harry, while a number of Crouch's hexes hit the position she had been a second ago: "Not my daughter you bastard." A high powered Reducto smashed his shield and hurled Crouch away a few steps before he crushed to the ground.
Voldemort, battling Ana far more seriously than he did with Harry, still had the time to send a few spells towards Pettigrew to bring him into the fight again and pointed his wand at Roxanne to bring her down.
Harry had only a second to decide. His heart yelled at him to heal Daphne. But he knew that his healing spells would be too weak, that her best chance was to have Roxanne at her side as fast as possible. And she would expect him to protect her mother nonetheless. More than once she had shown that the life of her mother was more important to her than her own. And despite his own emotions he had to respect this. With determination Harry turned around, ignored Daphne's screams, ignored his own pain and started to defend Roxanne.
A hastily erected shield stopped the cutting curses Voldemort had directed at her. Luckily Ana doubled the intensity of her attacks and forced him to concentrate on her alone. It was difficult enough for Harry and Roxanne against Pettigrew and Crouch alone. Harry still had problems to concentrate on the fight at hand as did Roxanne with Daphne moaning in pain. And he was weakened by the former torture. His hand trembled and after a while he had to admit that his attacks were too inaccurate to be a real danger for Pettigrew or Crouch. So he concentrated on the defence, while Roxanne – trusting him to protect her, concentrated on Pettigrew first, her weaker opponent.
"{Don't kill him. We need him.}"
Roxanne only nodded, but increased the intensity of her spells. She had to risk serious injuries, had to knock the rat out and fast.
A dozen steps away the war between Ana and Voldemort raged on. Ana wasn't nearly as powerful as he or Dumbledore were, but she was fast, really fast. More than once she dodged a spell that would have killed a lesser duellist, but it was only a question of time until she committed an error.
Harry had to admit that Pettigrew was surprisingly nimble, dodging Roxanne's curses and jinxes with much more ability than his own spells showed.
"Grex Corvorum!"
Surely most opponents would have expected a Serpensortia from a Slytherin like Roxanne, but apparently it paid off to have a Ravenclaw mother. With wild arm movements Pettigrew tried to shield his face from the dozen raven birds that attacked him.
A swipe of Roxanne's wand and the ground below Pettigrew turned into greasy mud. One step to dodge a raven and he lost his stance, went down in a heap. All the time Roxanne didn't even flinch when another one of Crouch's spells hit Harry's shield to her right.
She trusts me, Harry thought, his heart growing warm. She trusts me like Daphne would.
Crouch changed his tactic and started to throw spells at alternating targets, switching between Roxanne, Daphne, Harry and even Ana. Harry trembled with exhaustion. The exertions of the fights at the task, the fights here and the torture added and he really needed a break. But he couldn't stop. Not now, not at this moment with Crouch trying to kill his godmother.
Suddenly it all happened so fast.
"Expelliarmus!" Her second try to disarm him was successful and Pettigrew lost his wand. He rolled around and decided to quit this fight. Roxanne's body binding spells shot above him, missing him fully because he changed into a rat. Harry had no time to watch this, because he noticed how Crouch prepared his next attack.
A Messorius, he paled, he wants to cast a Messorius. Crouch concentrated, allowed as much power as possible to flow into this spell, fully willing to shatter any defence Harry would put in front of his godmother.
You won't get her, Harry promised silently. Forgetting his own pain and exhaustion he mustered his last reserves to erect a barrier as strong as possible right in front of Crouch. It would stop the spell, regardless of its intended target should he try to change it at the last moment.
"MESSORIUS!"
The pale green scythe-like spell left his wand, hit the barrier with a loud screeching noise before it rebounded. Crouch didn't even have enough time to scream before his own spell hit him, slicing into his chest a handbreadth deep, nearly cutting him in two. With an expression of shock and surprise the former DADA-teacher toppled to the ground, leaving behind a very pale Harry.
I killed him. In deep shock he stared at the corpse. I killed him. He hadn't intended this. Yes, Crouch certainly deserved to die but still he had been a human being – somehow. He had taken a life for the first time, even if involuntarily.
Roxanne didn't notice any of it, neither the attack, the defence, how Crouch went down nor that Harry was a mess. She was too eager to hit the rat that tried to hurry away. But the target was too small, too fast and agile. Every single spell missed. She dearly wished to have her daughter's skill at targeting. But she had other ways, her own ways. A widespread Aguamenti Spell, roughly targeted at the ground around Pettigrew, flooded the area, instantly followed by a Glacius. Normally she used this combination to deny an opponent a sure stance. But at this moment it was time for 'Rat on the Rocks'.
"Got you!" With a broad smile she turned around, the smile fading as she noticed Crouch on the ground and Harry in shock. "Harry, what…?"
It wasn't Roxanne's question but Daphne's new scream that ended Harry's stupor. Whirling around he saw the snake, the same snake that nearly had bitten him some time ago. Daphne was clenching her arm, the arm that hadn't been injured before. The snake reached back for a second attack.
I forgot the snake. How could I forget the snake? He knew why: Because his mind was simply too addled at the moment, but this insight did nothing to calm his self-reproaches.
His Reducto hit the snake's head a split second before she was able to bite Daphne a second time. The snake was hurled back. Harry staggered with sudden pain. Someone yelled.
Ana tried to use the moment of Voldemort's distraction – the Dark Lord pressing his left hand against his head – for another attack. But he was still aware enough and deflected it. Just as he wanted to return the favour with his own curse, Harry hit the snake with another Reducto. Again he staggered with pain, Roxanne watching him curiously, and Voldemort's concentration broke again.
There was something amiss with the snake, as much was obvious. A third hit prompted the snake to flee and Harry to lose consciousness. Voldemort staggered even more now, barely able to protect himself.
But then – he was gone. From one second to the next he had apparated away, leaving behind a confused Ana. She knew that she couldn't have defeated him. She knew that she barely scratched him. So why did he flee?
Roxanne watched the snake disappear. For a second she wanted to pursue her, but Daphne was more important. Hurrying at her side – only slowing down to send a Stunner and a Binding Hex at the rat – she went down.
Never before had she been more thankful about the fact that her daughter was never without a Bezoar.
.
Back away (Hogwarts)
.
The confusion of voices had calmed down a bit. The Aurors still had no ideas how to continue their search and Chief Amelia Bones was standing unhappy at Augusta Longbottom's side. Severus Snape was with them, happily avoiding looking at Remus Lupin. A few minutes ago Madam Pomfrey had joined them too. Fleur Delacour and Viktor Krum – under guard – had been sent to St. Mungo and she was free to help again, help anyone returning from the rescue mission.
Amelia had been furious to learn about the solo action of the Pinegrew ladies, but Augusta had stopped her cold: "You had your chance before. You didn't allow your Spanish colleagues to help; you didn't allow Ana to be the one watching over Harry. I'm totally sure that she wouldn't have allowed anyone to assume her appearance and to take her place like your Auror did. Tonks may be trustworthy and talented, but she is still too inexperienced."
Amelia had nothing to respond. They had found Tonks and Professor Vector quite fast – with the help of Hermione Granger who had somehow been able to lead the way after a visit to the Gryffindor tower. Now she knew how Crouch had been able to abduct Harry, but this didn't help in the least. Augusta was right: She had botched this completely.
Luckily Augusta stopped her scolding, if only because Hermione was nearing. She had spoken with Madam Sprout and somehow convinced her to lend her the goggles. Amelia had no idea why the girl was wearing them now; had no idea why she was staring at a point in front of the tribune. Was she hoping that her friend would be returning, if she only wished it strong enough? Silly teenagers, Amelia sighed.
.
Everyone was on their feet in seconds when a group of persons appeared at exactly the point Hermione was watching. She trembled – like the picture that was visible on the screen – as she noticed the condition of the persons. Three of them – Agatha, Daphne and a man she did recognize – where lying on the ground, unconscious or dead. Harry leaned heavily against Roxanne's side, incredible pale and shuddering in an uncontrolled way. Only Ana seemed to be quite alright, her wand pointed at a heavily magically shackled man: Pettigrew.
"Pettigrew!"
Out of the corner of her eye Hermione saw Remus drawing his wand. Without a second thought she did the same: "Expelliarmus!"
Fuming with anger her former favourite teacher turned around but was instantly stopped as she explained: "We need him alive, Remus. Sirius needs him alive." Recognition dawned in his eyes and he nodded.
During that time Snape and Pomfrey hurried towards the group. Hermione heard Harry say something about Daphne, a snake and a Bezoar. Certainly Snape would be able to help with a case of poisoning, who else if not him? Roxanne directed Poppy towards Harry, before she whirled around and stopped the coming running Aurors and Ministry officials with her wand pointing at them: "Stop, everyone." Stunned everyone stopped, unsure how to proceed. Before anyone had time to ask for her reasons, Roxanne yelled for Kinglsey Shacklebolt and Amelia Bones, and both followed her call swiftly.
"What's this all about?" An unsurprisingly confused Minister of Magic dared to ask. He stared at the man on the ground, then at the bounded one. "Are these the abductors?" Before Roxanne had a chance to answer, he ordered some of the Aurors around him to grab the prisoner.
"Stop!" This time it was a fuming Hermione that stepped between the prisoner and the would-be abductors. "Pettigrew is going nowhere before Mrs. Bones had a chance to interrogate him." She didn't trust the Minister in the least and this prisoner was simply too valuable.
"Step away, child," one of the Aurors demanded, but Hermione didn't flinch. He tried to grab her arm, only to find Neville barrelling into his side and throwing him to the ground. "Don't touch my girlfriend."
Within seconds he was surrounded by the Weasley twins, Tracey and Blaise, while Astoria seemed more interested in the condition of her sister and was barely able to allow Professor Snape enough room to examine her. Trying to stop the escalating quarrel, Amelia Bones stepped between the squabblers. She had an idea why Roxanne Greengrass and the Granger-girl wanted to 'protect' Pettigrew. There had been too many weird errors in handling of the Sirius-case to believe in coincidence anymore.
At least the Aurors had stepped back and followed the heated discussion between their boss and her boss. Neither Amelia Bones nor Minister Fudge was willing to back down, and the whole stupid discussion was visible and heard by everyone, with Hermione's goggles working steadily to spread the information. Fudge – unsurprisingly supported by his trio of doom – was adamant on laying his hands on the culprit, while Amelia and Roxanne demanded to hold him secure and execute a first questioning under Veritaserum right now.
It was a mix of ice-cold shivers running down her spine and a number of yells that caused Hermione to turn around. Neville, reacting a bit too late, stared horrified after his girlfriend, as, in pure Gryffindor manner, she hurried away and threw herself between Pettigrew and a new danger. A number of Dementors had left their position and neared the prisoner. For a moment Neville wondered if Fudge had ordered them to do so, because they had stopped his Aurors, but his terrified expression convinced him otherwise. Everyone else backed away and for a moment Neville could do nothing else than watch in unadulterated adoration how the girl he loved stood there, willing to stop the Dementors, prepared to risk everything to give Sirius Black a chance at freedom.
Only then the madness of the action became clear to him. Hermione was far to close to the Dementors to be able to produce a Patronus. She was already staggering under the influence of their vicinity.
A happy memory, Neville's mind raced. A happy memory…
It had been the day after Headmaster Dumbledore's resignation. It had been the first day of happy relief, of hope that Hogwarts could perhaps be the secure haven they all wanted it to be. Just minutes before Neville and Hermione had used the Floo to visit Pinegrew Manor he had stopped her. Neville had been trembling and very pale. He was certain about his own emotions and the same about hers. But still this was a large step, perhaps too large and too early. But he wanted this and with Harry showing his courage a day before he wanted to do this now. So he fetched the little box from his pocket. "Hermione…"
He had been faltering and stuttering. He had no real memory of the words he used. But he remembered quite well that moment she answered, answered with a "Yes" and the happiest smile she ever had shown to him.
"Expecto Patronum!"
Faster than anybody else, more powerful than could be expected, Neville spelled his Patronus into existence – a large and very corporal one to add. Remus gaped as he saw a more than man-sized angry Asian badger running forward, passing Hermione within moments and hurling itself against the leading Dementor. With a screech the monstrosity backed away, followed seconds later by the others, as more and more Patronus were called into existence. But none of them was this solid or this large; and with a proud smile an extremely exhausted Harry watched Neville, watched his Patronus standing beside Hermione, protecting her against everyone.
With this new danger handled, Amelia Bones had no wish to continue her quarrel with her boss anymore. Instead she stepped towards a very pale and nearly fainting Pettigrew, drawing a small vial from her pocket.
"Mister Pettigrew, I have a few questions to ask."
.
A/N
To clarify the result: Voldemort and Nagini fled, Crouch Jr. killed by his own spell, Pettigrew captured and questioned, Agatha unconscious, Daphne splinched and bitten, Harry multiple injuries.