Sirius Black's POV
After a good, hearty evening of drinking with Remus, I was now dozing off in bed when I felt a warm shape press into my side. I felt my heart begin to lift because the shape and scent were wonderfully familiar – but then, the incriminating whispers began. "Ugh, you stink, Sirius. Were you drinking again?"
I mumbled out something incoherent and began to turn away, when a small, but firm hand caught my shoulder. "No, you can't run away just because you don't like the question. Come back here. Answer me. Were you - ? Oof!"
I lazily slung my arm over Raylynx's neck and brought her facedown into her pillow. "Sh…" I hushed her.
Raylynx let out a muffled groan as she reached up and shoved my arm off of her head. "Sirius!"
I ignored her, and buried my face in my own pillow.
"Merlin, you're impossible," Raylynx sighed. "You've got this stupid, big body of yours, but you don't even know what to do with it." She poked at me none-too-gently, paying me back for shoving her down into her pillow.
"'S too late for your nonsense," I grumbled and turned away from her entirely. "Shuddup and sleep."
I could feel Raylynx staring at me, with her skeptical gaze aimed at the back of my head. After a moment, though, she relaxed and let out a sigh. "At least you made it to your bed. I found Remus mumbling about in the hallway. I had to enlist Tonks to get him up to bed. It's amazing how talkative Remus is when he's drunk. He's so focused on trying to prove that he's not drunk, and all the while, completely nonsensical things are falling out of his mouth, like he can't help himself." Raylynx pulled the blankets up over me as she continued talking. "He confessed that he wanted to one-up you in drinking, at least once, even if it costs him his liver – or his soul. Also, he complimented Tonks on her hair and it went all pink, even brighter than it usually is." She paused to pat the blanket down around me as she concluded, "Now that I think about it, Remus is sort-of endearing when he's drunk. But you, you just blunder on up here and take up the entire bed all by yourself." She poked me in the back.
"If you don't want to sleep on the floor, cut that out," I grunted.
Raylynx laughed. "That's my line. Sirius, much as I like to fall asleep with you, I wish you wouldn't drink… or at least shower after drinking."
"I dunno what you're on about. Whiskey's a nice, pleasant scent," I murmured. Then, I subtly hooked my leg around hers and yanked her down into the bed – she let out a noise of surprise – and muttered, "Now shush, you're ruining a good night's sleep for me."
"Fine, fine," she grumbled back.
Hearing her grumble like that, a small smile passed over my lips before I fell back asleep.
Emmeline Vance's POV
I was happy to help Jasper, but I was already damn well fed up with Roslyn.
I'd told her to take a shower and offered her a clean change of clothes. But when I brought said clothes over to her, she'd rejected them as "low-grade cotton." I gripped the clothes tightly in my hand and stared at her, fuming.
Roslyn and I were still glaring at each other, in a bit of a stand-off, when suddenly, a small head poked itself around the door and a happy voice cried out, "Daddy! It's a princess!"
"Dorcas, please don't run off like that. Come back here, now."
"But there's a princess in there!"
"What are you talking about?" Big hands came and scooped up the curious little girl, then a much taller head poked itself around the door. "Oh."
"Seth," I acknowledged. Taking advantage of his presence, I said briskly, "Could you stay with Roslyn for five minutes? I need to go find her some high-grade pajamas."
Seth blinked. "Uh, sure, but what does that mean?"
"No idea," I said irately, as I passed by him and left the room.
When I came back five minutes later, I found that somehow, Seth and Dorcas had gotten quite close to Roslyn. In fact, little Dorcas was delightedly pushing her small hands against the soft fabric.
"Don't – Be careful now," Roslyn was saying to her, looking a bit annoyed with Dorcas. "This is expensive!"
"It's so pretty," Dorcas sighed.
"But avoid that bit," Seth told his daughter, nodding at a patch of mud on the dress. "That part's all dirty."
I came into the room. Tossing the new set of pajamas onto the floor, I said, "Here. That's the best I could find. You sleep in that or you sleep in your wedding dress." I paused. "Or naked."
Roslyn looked up at me and grimaced.
Dorcas squeezed away at the fabric in her hands. Then, realizing that there was more fabric under the top skirt, she gasped in delight. "It's a big dress, Daddy! There's lots to it."
"Well, now, don't - " Roslyn began, but Dorcas had already dove under the skirt.
"Dorcas." Seth sighed and pulled his daughter back out.
Dorcas looked up at her father and whispered, "Sorry, Daddy. I got too excited."
Seth melted at once. "You little rascal," he muttered, but he said it so affectionately that no one could doubt that Dorcas had already won him over.
"You're so soft for her," I said, rolling my eyes at him. But I smiled when I saw how Dorcas, deciding to take a break (or, more accurately put, to give her father a break), nestled up in her father's arms.
"Reckon my daughter's right, though," Seth murmured, rather thoughtlessly. Nodding at the dress he said, "That's a lot of fabric for one dress."
Roslyn reached out and snatched up her dress, bringing it close to her. "It was my wedding dress and it was custom-made," she said defensively. But then, her eyes dimmed and she murmured, "Well, it was supposed to be my wedding dress."
Seth looked over at her, and then over at me. "You know, I never really heard the full story. All I knew was that some woman was being forced into a marriage that she didn't want."
I looked over at Roslyn. "To be honest, that's all I really knew too."
Roslyn held her head up high as she returned both Seth's and my gazes. She remained silent, apparently unwilling to talk about it.
I shrugged. I didn't particularly care to hear her answer. Actually, I wanted to leave Roslyn, but Seth was clearly planted to the floor for the moment, as Dorcas was snoring away in his arms. He stroked her little head affectionately. She was so energetic, but she also fell asleep so quickly and slept so soundly.
In that awkward silence, Roslyn slowly began to speak. "It was more complicated than that. Mr. Rosier – I mean, Evan could be kind. When he chose to be. And there was a certain regality to him. It was only that… Sometimes he was cruel. I saw him torture a house-elf because I had accidentally spilled wine on the table. It wasn't even her fault. But he tormented her. It was like he had all of this pent-up anger from my mistake, but he knew he couldn't take it out on me, so he took it out on someone else, someone weaker than him." She shivered and wrapped her arms around herself. "I wasn't a fool. I knew, even then, that the only reason Rosier didn't lay a hand on me was because he would have to take responsibility for it if he hurt me and I told my parents. But in my mind, I realized that as soon as we were married, and I became his, I would slowly but surely become just like that house-elf, taking abuse for mistakes that weren't even mine."
Seth and I stared at Roslyn, and we watched as a tear streaked down her icy, bloodless cheek.
Roslyn turned her head. Upon seeing us staring at her, she became defensive again. She snapped, "What are you two looking at? I don't want your damn pity. I've still lived a far more luxurious life than both of you." She scornfully gestured at the pajamas I had brought. "That sad piece of clothing is proof of that."
"Thanks," I said wryly. "I appreciate your gratitude for our hospitality."
Watching Roslyn, Seth realized, She's like a wild animal who's been cornered and caged. No wonder she's feeling sensitive.
Catching Seth still looking at her, Roslyn growled, "Stop looking at me like th - "
"Wait a second," Seth said abruptly. "Evan Rosier? That's who you were supposed to get married to?"
Roslyn hesitated. "Yes… So?"
Seth started to chuckle. "So, then, your name would been Roslyn Rosier. Rose Rosier, Rosier Rose." His chuckle grew louder.
Affronted, Roslyn muttered, "That's neither here nor there."
"It would have been ridiculous," Seth laughed, his merry brown eyes twinkling. "Merlin, I'm so glad you escaped that."
Roslyn crossed her arms over her chest. "That's hardly the reason why - "
"Sure, sure," Seth agreed easily. "But you've got to admit, you dodged a bullet there, even if it's just because of the name."
"Seth?" I said weakly. "Now's not the time for your off-brand humor."
"Sorry, sorry," Seth replied, still laughing to himself. "It was simply something I noticed. Forgive me."
Dorcas, who had woken up due to Seth's laughing, now stared up at her father. She reached up and touched his chin. "Daddy, you kept bumping into me here. It tickles."
"Sorry, Dorcas, love," Seth said, bending his head down to look his daughter in the face. "Did I wake you up?"
Dorcas nodded. "But that's okay," she said decidedly. "Because I'm hungry."
"You are? Then let's go get some food." Seth got up, while hugging Dorcas to his chest. "Em, I'll see you later?"
I nodded.
Seth looked over at Roslyn. "Rosie Rosier, thanks for letting my daughter see a real-life princess today."
"Bye!" Dorcas said brightly, waving her hand at Roslyn.
Roslyn's mouth fell open. She was disgusted by the entire situation, but she was equally disarmed.
I laughed to myself a little as I got up to my feet.
"And where – where are you going?" Roslyn suddenly asked me.
"Uh, to my room."
"You're just going to leave me here?"
"You'll be fine here," I said. "That's why we brought you here."
"But I've never been without a maid," Roslyn said worriedly.
A maid? Merlin. I let out a heavy sigh. "Well, you'll have to do without here. I'm sure you can get by. Besides, your house-elf will come find you, I'm sure, once she's received her orders from Jasper."
Without waiting for her response, I marched towards the door, eager to escape her presence. But at the doorway, I found myself turning around. In a slightly depressed voice, I listed off, "Listen, there's soap and shampoo in the bath, your unwanted pajamas there, and if you want water or any food, just head down to the kitchen. There's always someone there on watch."
I looked back at Roslyn. She only nodded back at me.
With a light shake of my head, I stepped out and closed the door behind me.
Raylynx Kingsley's POV
I yawned. I'd only slept for a few hours, but it was my turn for Order watch duty tonight.
Barely awake, I was headed the stairs and into the kitchen when I heard two voices, very different in pitch and demeanor, conversing.
"But Missus will not take cold water at night - "
"Well, take this for now and she can heat it up for herself if she wishes. It's not a difficult spell, Peaky."
"Peaky knows, but Missus has missed the glass before and set fire to her room."
"Merlin. Rose is capable of deceiving all of the Ministry and pure-bloods at once, but she can't keep her own bedroom intact, can she?"
"Master is having his little joke, yes?"
A chuckle rang out. "Exactly. Peaky, my dear, you still know me so well."
"Well, Master has not changed, except that he has grown much, much taller."
I quietly stepped into the kitchen. "Who is - ?"
Two figures, one very tall and one very small, whipped around.
I immediately drew out my wand. "Watch it!" I shouted, instantly awake.
But then – "Raylynx, it's me."
"Oh!" I squinted and came closer. "Jasper?"
"Yes, ma'am. And here's my house-elf, Peaky."
Peaky curtsied.
"Nice to meet you, Peaky."
Peaky looked up at Jasper. "Peaky will take the water, then."
"Yes, please do."
Jasper and I watched as Peaky scurried out of the kitchen.
"You have a house-elf?"
Jasper replied, "Peaky only came to me recently. As an... inheritance of sorts."
I stepped forward to get a better look at Jasper. "What in Merlin's name are you doing here?" Then, it occurred to me: "Are you a member of the Order?"
"Yes, I am."
I looked at him curiously. What's changed? I wondered, but I didn't say anything. Instead, I said warmly, "It's good to see you, Jasper." I sat down at the table. "How were Sehtzer and the village folk, when you left?"
Jasper sighed heavily. "It was still a dire situation. I stayed long enough that we were able to create enough vials to cover the entire village. Abbe, Jared, and Alexia helped, of course. But now the village must make a choice as to whether they want to remain defensive and use those vials as a last resort in case of a vampire attack, which is inevitable, or else try to use those potions to make a run for it and to set up their village elsewhere."
I frowned. "That's an impossible decision. That land is holy land, they've made it so, and in trying to relocate, I can't see a situation where the entire village would survive."
"Neither can I," Jasper agreed. "But if they stay, the vampires will always know where they are."
"There were protective enchantments, though," I pointed out. "They held up well, from what I remember."
"Yes, Sehtzer and Isidore were able to create an immensely powerful barrier, and since Jared gave them the Sword of Damocles, it will be neigh impossible for anyone to break into the barrier. Unfortunately, the village needs things that require leaving the protected area. That's where things become tricky." Jasper's eyes narrowed, as he continued, "And it seems that the vampires are growing stronger, day by day. I don't know what kind-of blood bond they have with Voldemort, but it's intensely symbiotic."
Blood magic… I thought of Harry and his protection from Lily's blood relations, from Petunia… I thought also of Harry's protection from Lily's sacrificing herself for him, and how Voldemort had overcome that protection by taking Harry's blood to revive himself. I grimaced. However, keeping those thoughts to myself, I turned my attention back to the conversation at hand. "I wish I could help. I owe Sehtzer my life, many times over."
Jasper's eyes flickered to me.
"Perhaps if one could somehow sever the blood bond between Voldemort and the vampires," I mused. "That could force the vampires back into the shadows. But I suppose that blood magic is a tricky thing, isn't it?"
Jasper said quietly, "Yes, very tricky. I daresay as tricky as trying to destroy the Goblet of Fire."
I paused.
Jasper looked sternly at me. "You nearly died."
"It was – It was simply an experiment," I said, trying to sound nonchalant. "Something I had to try for myself - "
"I was there, Raylynx. I saw what you did."
I fell silent.
"That was a damn foolish and desperate thing to do. And ever since, I've had to wonder: What would have led you to make such a rash decision?"
I dropped my head, avoiding his gaze.
"Won't you tell me?"
I stayed perfectly still.
Jasper sighed. "Very well. I can only pray that you haven't gone too far into the deep end."
"I… haven't," I said quietly.
Jasper continued to gaze at me, almost as if he were studying me. "You know, Raylynx, when I first met you, you were living in a state disconnected from the rest of the world. You couldn't seem to move on from the war, but you were very grounded in yourself. You knew what you stood for, and I was drawn to you partly because of that." His voice dropped slightly, as he said, "But now… You seem more determined than ever, but it's like you're lost somehow. It's as if you're disconnected from yourself. I don't think you know what you want anymore, or what you're supposed to do."
I refused to look up at Jasper, but I swallowed hard as his words hit me.
Jasper said, "Your attempt to destroy the Goblet… Perhaps it was your attempt to bring the world down to your level – to break everything into chaos, so that you could reforge everything the way you need it to be. But don't you think there's something frightening about that?"
A soft buzzing appeared in my head, melding with Jasper's voice as he continued to speak.
"Raylynx?" A hand came over and gently pushed my head back up. "Raylynx…"
I wasn't crying, exactly, but my misty eyes and my trembling lip told Jasper everything he needed to know.
In my head, I heard Sirius' voice saying, Crybaby. I took a deep breath. "Point taken."
"I'm sorry, Raylynx. It wasn't my intent to - "
"I'm fine, Jasper," I said quietly. "I know you didn't mean any offense."
Jasper fell back in his seat, and he didn't say anything more. The two of us sat in silence until suddenly, a low groan sounded out from the hallway. A second later, Remus stumbled into the kitchen. Pressing one hand to his forehead, he clumsily made his way to the counter, where he fetched himself water. He poured it rather sloppily, dousing the front of his shirt with water.
"Remus?" I called.
Remus looked at me sheepishly. He opened his mouth and said, in a hoarse, cracked voice, "I'm beginning to suspect… that I can't hold my liquor very well anymore." He came over, sat next to me, and then slumped onto the table.
"There, there," I said, laughing as I gently stroked his back.
Remus, who had buried his head in his arms, mumbled, "And you and I can resume fighting tomorrow."
"Huh?" I said, confused. "Were we fighting?"
"No, not you. Riley."
I looked up at Jasper. He merely shrugged at me.
Remus mumbled on, "If you win, you can have Sirius. But if you lose, Emmeline Vance has asked me if we can throw your sister out the window, bridal gown and all. Emmeline says that the gown will probably save her from certain death, and that your sister may even float away… forever. Best case scenario, she says."
Jasper looked surprised for a moment, but then he started to laugh.
My head whipped around as I looked at Jasper. "Your sister?" I questioned. "You have a sister?"
"I do." Jasper's eyes glimmered in a somewhat mysterious way, as he informed me, "She's here, actually."
"Oh…" I wanted to ask why I'd never met her before, when he had met my siblings, but, figuring that it was not my place, I held my tongue. Instead, I flicked my wand. Accio Clear-Up Potion, I thought. A drawer opened, and a small green bottle came whizzing towards me. I caught it and then, I uncapped it and slid it before Remus. "Drink up, Remus."
There was no reply.
"I think he's gone back to sleep," Jasper observed – and so he had.
It was dawn. Yawning yet again, Jasper and I deposited Remus in his bedroom (and I left the Clear-Up Potion on his bedside table), before I made my way to Sirius' and my bedroom. Sirius was still sleeping. I slipped into bed and nudged his shoulder.
"Bugger… off…" Sirius grunted.
"Sirius, it's me."
"I know it's you," he muttered. "Do you ever sleep?"
"It's six in the morning."
"Exactly. Sleep, you fool."
"I will," I promised. "I'll be sleeping when you're up."
Sarcastically, Sirius whispered back, "Start now."
"Before that, did you know that Jasper's here?"
"Yes," he grunted.
"When did you find out?"
Sirius groaned, hating that I was making him think. Finally, he muttered, "Well, he joined the Order last night. So, last night."
"Are you all right with him being here?" I asked.
"Sure, sure, I can handle the jealously. The two of you ended things years ago, anyways."
I paused. "I was talking about how he was after you for so long. How he nearly put you back in Azkaban several times."
At this, Sirius became irked. He turned over so that he was facing me and he cracked open an eye at me.
I smiled to myself. Of course, Sirius wouldn't know this, but I was so very amused by how alike Sirius' angry one-eyed glare and Pendragon's angry one-eyed glare was.
Annoyed, Sirius said, in his sleepy, raspy voice, "Hey, he did not 'nearly put me back in Azkaban several times.'"
"What? Wasn't he on your tail all of last year?"
"'S not the same thing, love. He never really caught me."
"Is that so?"
"Yes, that's so. Now, shush, you yappity demon."
With that, Sirius reached out and pulled me down on top of him. I sighed, but I happily relented. It was what I wanted, anyways. I placed a kiss on his chest, and he responded by sleepily kissing the top of my head. It was, however, immediately followed by a snore, and his arms dropped away from me rather quickly as he fell back asleep.
I laughed lightly, but I didn't mind at all, as I snuggled into him and finally caught some sleep of my own. I needed to sleep, for I planned to visit my godson tonight.
Harry Potter's POV
It was six in the evening. I followed Crookshank's pawprints in the mud and found a small bag of Peppermint Toads hiding in the lilies and petunias in the front yard. I smiled as I pocketed it. But a minute later, I let out a long sigh. Why aren't Professor Kingsley and Sirius inviting me over to their house, as they usually do?
A part of me already knew the answer: Now that Voldemort was back, they were sure to be busy.
But then, there was the obvious follow-up question: Why isn't anyone telling me what's going on? I was the one who saw Voldemort return. It's because of me that everyone knows e's back. I almost died going through that. Cedric did die going through that. A lump rose in my throat. I quickly unwrapped a Peppermint Toad and crammed it into my mouth, to stop the lump from rising anymore.
As I stared blindly out at the street, I thought sullenly, Doesn't anyone feel that I deserve at least a scrap of information about what's going on now? No one's sent me any letters – even Ron and Hermione. And Professor Kingsley's leaving me sweets and toys like I'm still some kid. I know I'm young – but I've survived so much. Why am I being kept out of everything? Damn it, why is everyone treating me as if I'm just some stupid little kid that'll mess everything up if I'm let into the discussion?
Just then, I heard a loud blast of overly happy music sound out from inside the Dursleys' home, for the front window was open. Crouching down, I squeezed under a large hydrangea bush at the front of the house. Maybe there'll be something on the news, I thought. Some Wizarding news disguised as Muggle news…
Uncle Vernon, who was sitting on the couch beside Aunt Petunia, grunted out, "Glad to see the boy's stopped trying to butt in. Where is he anyway?"
"I don't know," Aunt Petunia replied vaguely. "Not in the house."
"Watching the news…" Uncle Vernon said scathingly. "I'd like to know what he's really up to. As if a normal boy cares what's on the news — Dudley hasn't got a clue what's going on, doubt he knows who the Prime Minister is! Anyway, it's not as if there'd be anything about his lot on our news — "
"Vernon, shh!" Aunt Petunia interrupted suddenly. "The window's open!"
"Oh, yes. Sorry, dear."
Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia fell silent. A jingle about Fruit n' Bran breakfast cereal played on the television. Feeling hungry myself, I slowly and quietly unwrapped another Peppermint Toad and popped it into my mouth.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Figg, a batty, cat-loving old lady from nearby Wisteria Walk, slowly ambled past. I was quite glad to be concealed from view. Mrs. Figg, for whatever strange reason, had recently taken to asking me around for tea whenever she met me in the street. It was rather odd, but I'd dealt with the problem as elegantly as I could – by diving into whatever bush or behind whatever tree was nearby to avoid her.
The news picked up again - "Record numbers of stranded holidaymakers fill airports as the Spanish baggage-handlers' strike reaches its second week…"
Stranded holidaymakers? I closed my eyes. Why…? Why isn't there any news of Voldemort's return? Of course the Muggle news wouldn't say that a Dark Wizard has returned to power, but there has to be some sort-of announcement, right? I mean, the Muggles were posted about Sirius Black. Then, why not Voldemort?
Just then, a loud CRACK! disrupted the sleepy silence of Privet Drive. Instantly, I drew out my wand. At the same time, a cat streaked out from beneath a parked car and took off, faster than a bullet, down the street.
Was that Crookshanks? I think it was! Wait! Professor Kingsley! I made to race after her, but I'd only managed to stand up from behind the hydrangea bush when two large hands reached through the open window behind me and closed tightly around my throat.
"Put – it – away!" Uncle Vernon snarled into my ear. "Now! Before – anyone – sees!"
"Get - off – me!" I gasped loudly.
For a few seconds, we struggled, with Aunt Petunia scolding me in the background. But then, it felt like a subtle, but very real, bolt of lightning ran down my body – and Uncle Vernon, with a yelp, let go of me.
"What was that sound?" a voice croaked out.
I hastily shoved my wand back into my jeans before turning around.
It was Mrs. Figg. She was staring down the street.
"Think it was a car backfiring!" Uncle Vernon said loudly, trying to sound as cheerful as he could. "Gave Petunia and me quite a turn!"
Aunt Petunia, who had just walked up to the window, nodded vigorously.
Mrs. Figg looked once more at the Dursleys. Then, she slowly strode away, back to her house.
Uncle Vernon turned back to me. "What the devil do you mean by it, boy?"
"What do I mean by what?" I kept looking left and right and up the street, trying to catch a glimpse of Crookshanks.
"That sound you just made - "
"I didn't make that sound."
"Then why were you lurking under our window? Hm?" Aunt Petunia asked.
"Yes!" Uncle Vernon said victoriously. "A very good point! What were you doing under our window, boy?"
I looked from Uncle Vernon to Aunt Petunia and back to Uncle Vernon. He let out an angry huff that obviously meant "Well!?"
With a sigh of resignation, I confessed, "Listening to the news."
Predictably, Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia went into an outrage.
"What!? Listening to the news? Again?"
"What's the matter with you? As if there'd be anything about your lot on our news! Preposterous!"
Raylynx Kingsley's POV
I chased the two Death Eaters down the side street. They were barreling down the tiny avenues between the sides of the houses in the Dursleys' neighborhood. Fortunately, my cat form was quite lithe in running along the rooftops and jumping over fences. I easily caught up to them. I did not want to give myself away as an unregistered Animagus, however, so I ran in front of them and then quietly hid behind a tree as I transformed back into my human self. I pulled out my wand and then stepped out –
"What the - ? Stupefy!" the Death Eaters cried out together.
But I had already shot a Cutting Curse straight at one of the Death Eaters.
"Guh!" One of the Death Eaters tripped backwards as my curse caught him right in the arm. He fell to the floor and his hood fell off – It was Yaxley.
My eyes flashed. I lifted my wand again and stepped forward. The other Death Eater made to cast a Shield Charm, when Yaxley barked out, "No, you idiot! Get the dementor to the Potter boy!"
I stopped. A dementor… to Harry?
The other Death Eater turned and – crack! – he Apparated.
No! I made to Apparate too, when suddenly – "What's going on over there? Mundungus Fletcher, is that you, you conniving thief!? I'm going to flay you alive, I tell you!"
Yaxley, who had gotten to his feet, turned around. To my horror, it was Mrs. Figg, hobbling along.
"Get out of here!" I shouted loudly, but it was too late.
With a gleeful grin, Yaxley raised his hand and made to cast a Cruciatus Curse at her.
My mind went into a frenzy. Harry! I've got to get to Harry! But what about Mrs. Figg? I can't just let her die! And she can't protect herself.
I gnashed my teeth together as I screamed, "Protego Maximus!"
A huge silver shield went racing forward, reaching Mrs. Figg in the blink of an eye. Still, it barely made it to her in time, the speeding curse just ricocheted off of the shield and crashed into a nearby fence.
People from inside the house suddenly screamed, as they heard and saw their backyard fence suddenly caving in.
Taking advantage of the chaos, I quickly shot a Stunner straight at Yaxley's back. Yaxley snarled and made to deflect it, but it was too late – it caught him in the back. Though the hasty spell was too weak to actually Stun him, it still knocked him down.
I immediately followed up with nonverbal spells of "Expelliarmus!" and "Accio!" and Yaxley's wand flew right to me. I snatched it out of midair.
Yaxley growled, "Still too faint-hearted to kill me? Pah, you're fucking pathetic, Mudblood."
With a snarl, I kicked Yaxley in the face. But when I felt my foot connect with his face, and I saw blood spewing from Yaxley's nose and mouth, I grimaced – not at the blood, but at myself. I quickly stepped back. Behind me, Mrs. Figg clapped her hands over her mouth and let out a muffled cry of horror.
"Who's there!?" Someone from the family whose fence had been destroyed was stepping over the ruins of the fence, clearly looking for the perpetrator.
Yaxley reached into his cloak – I braced myself, lifting my wand – but he threw a glass bottle onto the ground. It exploded, and a plume of green smoke erupted, and Yaxley disappeared.
"Oi! No fireworks allowed here!" the Muggle man, who had just appeared from amidst the rubble of his fence, yelled. He waved at the air furiously, trying to see past the smoke to make out who was standing there.
Cursing, I dashed over to Mrs. Figg.
She hurriedly explained to me, "Mundungus Fletcher was supposed to be here. He's technically on-duty – "
"Never mind that!" I shouted. Grabbing Mrs. Figg's arm, I turned, Apparating back to Harry's house.
Only, Harry wasn't there.
"Why isn't he there?" I said anxiously. "Where did he go? He was just there, getting scolded by Petunia and Vernon. Where could he have gone?"
I started to perform a Tracking Spell, when Mrs. Figg said knowingly, "Well, he usually goes to the nearby park to brood after he's been scolded."
"Show me the way," I said. "And hurry, please."
Mrs. Figg went hobbling off as fast as she could, and I was right on her heels – when all of a sudden, it started to rain. I stopped, for I recognized the unnatural cold of the raindrops beginning to drench our clothes and skin.
This isn't normal rain.
I looked up – and I let out a frightened breath, for racing over the grounds, already over a hundred yards in front of us, were two dementors.
I leapt in front of Mrs. Figg and ran towards them, knowing that they were headed straight for Harry.
Only, less than ten seconds later, they disappeared. What? How can they disappear like that?
I blinked, trying to see through the now-downpour. Shit, I thought furiously. What if they saw Harry and went for him already?
I was in an impossible situation – to cast a Patronus in a Muggle neighborhood, especially when the Wizengamot was looking for any excuse to lock me up after Sirius' escape and when I had promised Dumbledore not to go see Harry, was asking for a load of trouble. Besides that, casting a Patronus with no idea of where to send it meant that the Patronus would be weak and incapable of fighting off a dementor, much less two. But I had no other choice.
I lifted my wand and shouted, as fiercely as I could, "Expecto Patronum!"
My lynx Patronus burst out of the end of my wand. Mrs. Figg gasped.
"Go!" I begged it. "Find Harry! Now!"
The silver lynx dashed off, and I ran after it as hard as I could, hoping that it would lead me to my godson in time.
