Chapter Two:
CRACK! CRACK! CRACK!
Harry frowned and looked up.
"YOU ARE SURROUNDED!" a voice boomed. "HAND OVER THE GIRL!"
His letter had made it to the Ministry and now three rings of aurors surrounded Number 6. For the first time, he questioned his decision to leave Ariel in the dark.
"He says that when I do magic the bad people can find us," Ariel had said. "He gets mad when I do it because he doesn't want the bad people to take me."
Harry, you idiot!
Harry jumped to his feet, dropping his trowel. Before he even had chance to realise what he was doing, he was running at the aurors. He broke the third ring only to have three wands aimed at him warningly.
"Please," he said, holding up his hands in the air. "She doesn't know. She thinks you are the bad guys. She won't come if she…"
Screaming cut him off. He looked over to the house. Two aurors were pulling a struggling Ariel outside, followed at a distance by Mr Reynolds, who had five wands pointed at him.
"NO!" Ariel shouted, twisting and pulling. "I don't want to go with you!"
Harry watched, horrified, as Ariel broke free and ran for Mr Reynolds. Augustus Reynolds smirked as Ariel clung to him.
"Sir don't let them take me," she begged. "I didn't do magic! I promise!"
Taking the aurors shock as an opportunity to break through their barricade, Harry sprinted to Ariel. Whilst the wands aimed at Reynolds didn't move, yet more wands were trained on him.
"Ariel, they're not the bad people," he said, keeping his voice calm and controlled. "Mr Reynolds is the bad one."
Ariel stared at him, eyes flooded. "B-but…"
"He kidnapped you," Harry explained, "from a family called the Malfoys. I go to school with your brother." He left out that he and Draco hardly got along. "That's why he hurts you and you're not allowed to read The Daily Prophet or do magic."
Ariel looked up Mr Reynolds. "Is…is it true?"
Mr Reynolds rolled his eyes, sighing. "Might as well tell you now. Yes, I took you." He gave a short, cold laugh that sent Ariel stumbling backwards. "Eye for an eye, child for a child."
Harry frowned. "What does that…"
"Mr Potter, Miss Malfoy, step away from Reynolds so that we can properly restrain him," an auror with deep chocolate skin and a low voice ordered.
Harry took Ariel's hand and gently pulled her away from the aurors, noticing for the first time the crowd of muggles staring at them. His aunt and uncle looked apocalyptic and as Vernon's eyes found him, his fury boiled over like an erupting volcano.
"BOY! YOU HAVE DONE IT THIS TIME!" he roared, storming forwards. "SETTING FREAKS ON THIS NEIGHBOURHOOD!"
Harry pushed Ariel behind him, trying his best not to cower. He hadn't seen his uncle this angry in a very long time.
"YOU CAN THINK AGAIN IF YOU THINK YOU'RE GOING TO EAT THIS SUMMER!" Vernon continued, stomping closer, his meaty fists clenched. "YOU ARE AS GOOD AS DEAD!" Vernon stopped moving, seething over Harry, spittle getting stuck in his moustache. Out of the corner of his eye, Harry saw his uncle's hand raising.
He collided with the pavement. Someone yelled "Stupefy!" and another screamed. The world spun. For an alarming moment it felt as if his ears had imploded. His right cheekbone throbbed. His left arm stung.
"Numbers 4 and 6 are officially crime scenes," someone was saying. "Close them off. No-one is to enter or exit those houses until the forensics team arrive."
"Mr Potter, can you hear me?"
"Yes," he got out, forcing his brain to catch up.
"My name is Auror McKenzie. A team of aurors are taking yourself and Miss Malfoy to St Mungo's to be looked at by healers. Do you understand?"
"Yes."
"Can you stand?"
Internally he scoffed. He had been made to do worse than standing in worse shape. Within moments he was on his feet, trying to ignore the feeling that half of his face had been broken.
"Where's Ariel?" he asked the auror who had been speaking to him – a man of about 25 with red hair and blue eyes.
"Miss Malfoy has had to be stupefied," McKenzie said. "My partner has already taken her to St Mungo's."
Anger surged inside of him. "You did what?"
"Miss Malfoy was too hysterical to be reasoned with," he explained, "or safely apparated."
"Take me to her. Now," he snarled.
McKenzie stepped back in surprise, before offering his arm. "Hold on tightly and do not let go."
Harry took hold of the Auror's arm.
"Ready?"
"Yes."
All at once Harry felt himself sucked inwards, inside out, through a miniscule tube. He lost all sense of himself and then suddenly it stopped. His feet hit hard ground and the world righted itself though he was left blinded for a few seconds before he was able to see that he had landed in what looked like a waiting room. Almost immediately a small body collided with him.
"Harry," a voice sobbed. "I don't understand. What's happening?"
Harry wrapped his arms around Ariel, swallowing. "Mr Reynolds was a bad man who took you away from your real family. Do you remember your birthday and how you weren't allowed to read the Prophet?" She nodded. "That's because there was an article about you with a photo of you in Oxford Street. He didn't want you to see it. When I found out, I sent a letter to the aurors and they came to rescue you."
Ariel sniffled. "Sir said aurors are bad."
"He lied."
"Like how your aunt and uncle lie about you?"
Harry stiffened slightly, becoming hyperaware of the bruising forming on his cheekbone. "Yes." He paused. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you."
Ariel hiccupped. "It's…it's okay."
McKenzie coughed. "Miss Malfoy, Mr Potter, if you would allow the healers to give you both a physical evaluation now?"
Harry nodded, and pried Ariel off him, though allowing her to keep hold of his hand.
A kindly, middle-aged woman in green robes led them over to a small, quiet room containing two hospital beds and asked them to lie down. It took a moment to persuade Ariel to let go of him, but eventually they were both lying flat on separate beds.
"I am Healer Chester," the woman said. She gestured at the younger healer beside her. "And this is my colleague, Healer Greengrass. We're just going to cast a few spells to check your physical health, okay?" They nodded. "It will take a few minutes."
Harry positioned himself so that he could see Ariel whilst Healer Chester waved her wand above him and Healer Greengrass repeated the same motions above Ariel. The tiny girl had slipped her thumb in her mouth, as she was prone to do, and looked back at him. Her eyes were swollen, and puffy and tear tracks marked her ivory skin. Guilt gnawed away at him; he should have told her first.
When the healers were done, Healer Greengrass produced a bright red lollipop from his pocket and handed it to Ariel, who shyly took it.
"We'll be back momentarily," Healer Chester said, her face taut. "Please do not leave the beds."
Harry waited until both Healers had left before he spoke.
"Are you okay?"
Ariel shook her head. "Scared," she said around her lollipop.
"You'll be okay now," Harry said. "The Malfoys are…" he swallowed, "…good people."
"What about you?" Ariel asked, tilting her head.
Harry thought about how mad his uncle had been and how much madder he was going to be and pushed the fear down. "I'll be fine," he managed. If he went back, he wasn't going to survive this time.
The door opened and Healer Greengrass entered.
"It has been decided that you will both remain here for the night," he said, "so that we can run a few more tests, the DMLE can sort out the paperwork and so that you can both have a psych evaluation."
"Wait, what?"
Healer Greengrass gave Harry a sympathetic look. "I know you likely don't want to talk to a stranger but it's protocol for abuse, neglect and victim cases."
"But why do I have to do it?" Harry demanded, trying not to let his fear show.
Healer Greengrass looked surprised. "Has no-one told you?" He shook his head. "Mr Potter, your homelife is presently being investigated by the aurors and you are now under Ministry Protection."
A/N - Question, does anyone have any questions about why Ariel is the way she is? Also, thank you to those of you who have reviewed, followed or favourited.
