Rory didn't know how she hadn't seen him there before. He rounded the chair from behind her. Maybe he hadn't been there a moment ago.

"You know who I am," he said.

She nodded. "Voldemort."

He seemed to smirk at the sound of his name. He held out a hand as if she might shake it. She couldn't move if she wanted to right now. She was paralyzed by how afraid she was.

"At last we meet, Aurora Lupin. In person, I should say. You've made a valiant effort at trying to help him close his mind to me, but unfortunately, his mind is not as up to the task as yours might be," he said.

Rory's hands were shaking. Maybe her whole body was shaking.

"Why am I here?" she asked.

Disappointment clouded his features at this question. "Now, I thought you might be bright enough to sort that out on your own." He waved his wand and the chair disappeared from beneath her. She caught herself on the ground and got to her feet. "Impress me. Tell me why you're here."

She looked past him to her uncle who stood in the doorway, looking bored as ever. Then she looked back to Voldemort.

"…The hearing. It was a setup. It didn't matter how things turned out today. You just wanted me out of Hogwarts. You wanted me here," she said. Rory looked to Levi. "But I don't understand why you'd help him."

"I know," Levi said dismissively. "I should have more loyalty to family."

"You don't think of me as family," she scoffed. "You never have. I'm a pawn to you. I don't know why you'd pass me off to him when supposedly you're supposed to use me to achieve your own ends."

Voldemort cackled and it sent a chill down her spine. He turned to Levi.

"An excellent question," Voldemort said. "Apollo, tell your Bright One why I haven't killed you."

He looked Rory over. "Because you're going to kill me. Or you'll try to."

Right now, Rory did have some murderous intent toward everyone in the room, but she didn't see herself ever killing someone. Certainly not in a power play like the Servants of Pythia and Levi were suggesting.

"You're mad," Rory said.

"You can make me a powerful wizard under the Dark Lord, or you can meet your end," Levi said.

Her uncle was a fool. If Rory didn't cooperate, Voldemort would certainly kill her. The idea of Voldemort sharing power with Levi was laughable. Voldemort had used Levi to get ahold of Rory. The moment Levi stopped being useful, Rory didn't doubt her uncle was going to meet the same bad end as so many others who had crossed paths with Voldemort.

But that was his problem. Rory had more pressing issues. Her own life.

"They'll be looking for me," Rory said. "I should've been back to school by now. They'll know that I'm gone."

Voldemort nodded, he gave her a pitying smile. "I'm counting on it."

Why would he want people to come looking for her? It was to his advantage that no one knew he was back. The Order showing up or a bunch of Aurors wasn't going to do him any good. But—.

A knot formed in Rory's chest, followed by a deep painful ache. She wanted to cry, to scream. She wished she'd seen this coming, that she could warn Harry. Terror started to seep into her bones. She backed against the far wall to keep herself upright.

"Now you see," Voldemort said closing the distance between them. "The fact that you are a seer is merely a happy accident. Do you know why I want you here?"

"…Harry," Rory said. "You want Harry."

"Yes," Voldemort said.

Because she was in danger. And Harry's Occlumency skills were virtually nonexistent. Voldemort was going to make sure that Harry knew that Rory was still here and that Voldemort had her. And her idiot boyfriend was going to come and get her.

"He'll come for you," Voldemort said. Rory blinked and tears started to fall from her eyes. "Don't cry. I'm not going to kill you. Not yet. Not if you do as you're told. But it's not you that you're worried about is it?"

Rory shook her head. Voldemort took his wand and pressed it to her chin.

"Let's watch you use that brain of yours some more," he said. "What's going to happen next."

"You want—" she started, but she could hardly breathe through the sobs that wanted to overtake her. Voldemort shushed her, an attempt to soothe her like a parent might, but it was mocking, and his wand pressed deeper into her skin. A threat. "You want Harry to come for me because you need him. To get the Prophecy."

"Remarkable," Voldemort laughed. "You are even more brilliant in person. What is it that he says about you? 'The only fish who can climb a tree.'"

Rory choked back a sob and a hand came up to her mouth. She felt sick hearing Harry's words parroted back to her through Voldemort. Sullying something that was special, sacred, between the two of them.

"But I need something from you too. There's no prophecy in there with your name on it, but you're so talented, that I know you'll be able to tell me what one said," Voldemort said. "Even your dear uncle doesn't know what the prophecy that spawned your Great Grandfather's interest in you said. But we'd like to know."

Rory shook her head. "I don't — I don't know what it said either."

"But you can find out. You just have to look," he said. "And you can make this easy by cooperating and no one has to hurt you."

"I would never do anything to help you," she said.

"I thought you might say that," he replied. "No matter. Your screams should be enough to get my point across to Harry Potter. And when he comes to save you, and he will come for you, I'll make sure you see him suffer before I end his life. And I will still make you tell me what I want to know before I let you join him."

Rory felt fear rise in her again. But she didn't have time to think about the fear. Because that's when she felt the pain.

The pain in Harry's scar started as soon as Rory kissed him goodbye. Try as he might to ignore it, the pain lingered on through most of the exam. His brain sifted through his History or Magic knowledge and he tried to distract himself from the pain. He tried to visualize notes he'd taken or that he'd read in Rory's notebook. He didn't have the energy to drag himself up to his dormitory when the exam was over. He sat in the courtyard with Ron and Hermione.

"Are you okay?" Hermione asked.

He tapped his forehead, which was dumb because somehow that seemed to intensify the pain.

And then he was walking down that familiar corridor to the Department of Mysteries. He reached the room filled with many doors and walked through the one leading to the hall of prophecy.

He walked down the rows and rows of glass orbs and then heard shuffling, groaning, soft crying.

At the end of the next row, he came to, he saw Voldemort. But he also saw Rory. She was breathing heavily, tears streaking her face. She was sitting on her knees and Voldemort knelt in front of her.

"What does it say?" Voldemort asked. She shook her head, sobbing, and Voldemort shook his head in kind. He pressed his wand into her cheek. "No, none of that. You've already proven that you can find out. So tell me what it says."

Rory shook her head frantically, her fear palpable.

"I don't—I don't know. I told you, I don't know," she pleaded.

Her plea fell on deaf ears. "Cruccio!"

Rory was on the ground now, writhing, screaming in pain.

With a wave of his wand, Rory stopped writhing. She lay on the ground weeping.

"Shall we try again?" he asked.

Still on the ground, she shook her head. "Please."

"Cruccio!"

Harry was on the ground, Rory's screaming still ringing in his ears. The pain in his head was immeasurable. People were staring. Ron and Hermione were helping him to his feet.

"You alright?" Ron asked.

Harry shoved them away and took off running.

This couldn't be happening. Not to Rory. No. He had to help her. He ran up to the hospital wing to find Professor McGonagall. He had to tell the Order that Voldemort had Rory. They had to get to her. He had to get to her.

He was out of breath and his vision was spotty when he reached the hospital wing. Madame Pomfrey was startled to see him.

"Potter," she said. "What on Earth—?"

His eyes scanned the room. "Where's Professor McGonagall?"

"St. Mungo's," Madame Pomfrey said. "She wasn't doing well. Needed more help than I could give her here. I wouldn't worry though. She's a tough—."

Harry was already on his way out of the room.

Ron and Hermione were waiting there.

"Harry, what's wrong?" Hermione asked.

"He has Rory," Harry said heading toward Gryffindor Tower.

"What?" Ron asked.

"Voldemort has Rory. They're at the Ministry. He has her," Harry said. "I saw it."

"Harry slow down," Hermione said, grabbing hold of his arm. "You're not making any sense."

He shook her away and continued onward. "It's exactly what I said. I was in the Department of Mysteries like I always am, and he was there, and he had her. He asked her for something else, but she didn't know, and he—."

Harry didn't want to say it, let alone think it. The sound of her screaming, her begging, it was going to haunt his nightmares for eternity. His stomach gave a violent lurch and it was all he could do to push down the acrid taste of bile that gnawed at the back of his throat.

"He's going to kill her if we don't do something," Harry pressed on.

"Harry this doesn't make any sense," Hermione said. "She's at the Ministry for a hearing and to take an exam. She's probably back already."

He was going to find out one way or another. He headed up to the tower, but on the way there, Matilda and Neville were headed towards him.

"You've looked better," Matilda said.

"I don't have time for this right now, Matilda," Harry said shoving past her.

"Stop," Hermione said grabbing him.

"Is Rory in the tower?" Ron asked.

Neville shook his head. "We were actually going to see if she'd found you first. Should've been back about half an hour or so ago. Just assumed she was running late."

"I told you!" Harry said shoving out of Hermione's grip again. He didn't have time for this. He had to find her. He had to get to her.

"What's going on?" Matilda asked.

"Harry thinks he saw—."

"I know what I saw, Hermione!" Harry scolded her. "She was there. He has her."

"Who has her?" Matilda asked.

"Voldemort," Harry said. "That's why she's not back from the Ministry yet."

"Are you sure what you saw was real?" Hermione asked.

"What?" Harry asked.

"What if it was just a dream? What if he just wanted you to think it was real?" Hermione asked.

"What if it is real?" Matilda asked. "Do you think it's a coincidence that she's not back yet and that he saw this?"

"Everybody, stop for two seconds," Neville said.

Matilda took a deep breath. "I'm inclined to be on Harry's side with this one. Rory did say she had a bad feeling about today."

"Me too," Ron said.

"Yes, but the whole time the Order's been worried that if you can see what Voldemort's seeing, then maybe it works the other way, and what if he wants you to see him hurting Rory so you do something stupid. He's probably counting on it," Hermione said.

"What do you mean by that?" Harry asked.

"I mean… You kind of have a thing about saving people, Harry," Hermione said meekly. "Especially, Rory. And didn't Rory tell you not to act rashly before she left?"

Harry felt the bracelet on his wrist. The reminder that he wouldn't do anything stupid.

"Let's just figure out if she's really missing before we go and do something crazy," Neville said.

He conceded. "Fine."

There was an easy way to solve this. They went to his dorm and he pulled out the Marauder's Map. They scanned every square inch of the castle. He kept hoping that he'd see her in the library, in Umbridge's office, with Trelawney or Flitwick or Firenze, but Rory was not in the castle. She was not here. And she was not back yet. Every second that ticked by, things felt more and more dire.

"What do now?" Matilda asked.

"We have to tell the Order," Harry said.

"How? McGonagall is gone," Ron said.

Harry went into his trunk and grabbed his invisibility cloak. "We'll use the fireplace."

"She's watching them now," Hermione said.

"She won't be watching her own," Harry said. Even if she was, he couldn't give a shit. He was going to save her no matter what happened.

They left the tower as Harry put together his hastily formed plan in his head.

Matilda and Neville would keep watch, and Ron would distract Umbridge and keep her from coming back to the office. Hermione was going to go with him into Umbridge's office.

Harry and Hermione lurked near Umbridge's office and waited for Ron to cause his diversion. He was getting antsy. He didn't know what Ron was going to do to lure her away, but he needed to get on with it.

"Relax," Hermione whispered to him. "She's going to be fine."

Harry was going to make sure of that, which is why Ron needed to hurry—.

There was a loud explosion from down the hall. There were screams and laughter. A fine layer of smoke started to fill the corridor. A moment later Umbridge came stomping out of her office. Harry was surprised to see the Auror, Dawlish, with her.

"…just what I need in the middle of all this," Umbridge complained.

"Right now it looks like Goldfinch has probably run off with her," Dawlish said.

Umbridge scoffed. "I find it more likely that she ran away on her own. Mark my words in a few days, she's going to turn back up with that half-breed again."

Umbridge and Dawlish walked out of earshot. Harry was equal parts seething and terrified. Umbridge was a vile person, but she'd also just confirmed that Rory had fallen off the radar while she was at the ministry as well. No one knew where she was. Except Harry.

They got up the stairs to Umbridge's office and cautiously pulled off the invisibility cloak.

"I'm sorry," Hermione said as they went to the fireplace.

"For what?" Harry asked.

"Something happened to Rory. Even if what you saw isn't real… Something bad is happening," Hermione said. "I'm sorry."

"As long as you can help me find her, I'll forgive you," Harry said. He knelt in front of the fireplace and took a handful of floo powder. Before he knew it, he was looking into the lounge at Grimmauld Place. The room was empty.

"Hello!" Harry shouted. "Someone!"

His heart was pounding in his chest. At the very least, Sirius and Theo would be there, and more than likely Lupin. He continued shouting, praying that someone would hear him. After what seemed like ages, he saw the door open. Sirius and others stepped into the room.

He didn't waste any time. "It's Rory," he started.

But then he felt a yank and he came tumbling backward out of the fireplace onto the floor of Umbridge's office. She stood over him glaring. She yanked him to his feet and shoved him down into a chair.

Harry scanned the room. Hermione had been shoved into a chair on the other side of the office, her arms being tied behind her back by Millicent Bulstrode. Neville and Matilda were sitting just on the other side of her, hands similarly bound.

"I should've known you had something to do with this," Umbridge said. "Where is she?"

Harry wanted to laugh in her face. She thought Harry had something to do with Rory disappearing. This wasn't doing anything but delaying getting help to Rory.

"What are you on about?" Harry asked.

Harry was only a little stunned when he felt Umbridge smack him.

"I've had enough of you," Umbridge said.

The door opened again. This time Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle came in, with Ron, and to Harry's surprise, Ginny and Luna as well.

"We found these two trying to help him get away," Draco said. He shoved Ginny forward. "Pretty sure she's the one who set off the fireworks."

Right, the explosion. If Fred and George weren't around, it made sense that Ginny would be the one setting off the explosives.

"Excellent work, Mister Malfoy," Umbridge said. She turned back to Harry. "Now, tell me where she is."

"I don't know what you're talking about," Harry said.

She stood up straight. "Very well. I have other ways of getting information out of you. Draco, please go and fetch Professor Snape. Tell him I need him here urgently."

Draco nodded and walked from the room. Umbridge sat down at her desk and pulled out a parchment and quill.

"Let's see you talk your way out of trouble this time," Umbridge said. "There'll be no Dumbledore to keep you from getting expelled this time."

Harry didn't care. Even better, if he got tossed out of Hogwarts right now, that would make it even easier to get to Rory.

But then Harry had another thought. He despised Snape, but he was in the Order. If he could somehow tell Snape where Rory was, the Order could get to her. There was still a chance.

Draco returned with Snape. He surveyed the room and the half dozen teenagers with their hands tied behind their backs with gags in their mouths. Harry could swear that even Snape was wondering if Umbridge had truly lost her mind.

"Is there a problem?" Snape asked.

"I need veritaserum," Umbridge said. "If you would be so kind.:

Snape nodded. "Unfortunately, you used the last of my stores of the last time you interrogated Potter and Lupin. It will take me at least a month to be brewing more, I'm afraid."

Umbridge looked furious. The quill in her hand snapped in two. She was definitely cracking.

"That will be all then, Professor," Umbridge said.

Just as Snape turned to the door, Harry knew it was now or never.

"He has her!" Harry said quickly. Snape stopped and looked back at Harry over his shoulder. "He has her at the place where it's hidden."

Snape stared at Harry for three long seconds. There was no hint of recognition on his face at all.

"Severus," Umbridge said, "what is he talking about?"

Snape shook his head. "I have no idea." He looked to Umbridge. "If that will be all." Snape walked out the door and closed with a thud behind him.

Harry could only pray that he'd done enough.

"What if we set his house on fire?" Sirius suggested.

"Technically, it's my house," Theo said. "And I figured that since I suck as a parent that the least I can do is leave property to the two humans I birthed."

Sirius nodded. "Good point. Burning his house down is not an option." He'd been hopeful that his usual ridiculous banter might cheer up Remus but to no avail. Sirius knew it would be a long shot, but he'd had to try.

Remus sat across from him, staring blankly at the empty mug in front of him. It had been filled with tea before. Sirius had been pretty sure Remus hadn't actually wanted tea, but mostly just needed a distraction of any sort.

The door down the hall opened and strolled in Moody, Mundungus in tow.

"I told you," Mundungus said, "those culty people are crawling around everywhere." He looked to Theo. "The sooner Tonks takes care of that brother of yours, the better. They're making me look bad."

"That'd be quite a feat, Dung," Sirius said. "Who could possibly make you look bad?"

"Well, I cater to a special type clientele, as you well know," Mundungus said. "These cult types are always out and about though, getting preachy in people's ears. Now my people are starting to think I'm one of them. And no one wants to buy merchandise from someone who's going to go around prophesying to them and such."

"I think the word you're looking for is 'proselytizing,' Dung," Remus said, seeming to come out of his trance.

"All the same. No one wants to be preached at when they're buying… Household necessities," Mundungus said.

"Can't say that it's such a shame that your business might be hurt," Moody said. "You have anything useful that you want to offer?"

Before Mundungus could answer there were footsteps from down the hallway again. Tonks burst through the door and scanned the room. Then her eyes landed on Remus.

"I need you to go to your flat, right now," Tonks said.

"What?" he asked.

"Go home, right now. Rufus Scrimgeour and Kingsley are on their way there right now and you need to be home. I cannot tell you more, but you need to go now," she said. He opened his mouth, but Tonks walked over and yanked him from his seat. "I don't have time for your questions, Remus Lupin. Go home and wait. You have about two minutes."

She practically shoved him out the door. Once he was gone she came back to the dining room.

"I'm going to assume something not good has happened," Sirius said.

"Aurora never made it back to Hogwarts after she took her exam today," Tonks said.

"What?" Sirius asked, a rock dropping down into his stomach.

"She took her exam. I just spent 30 minutes interrogating Archibald Haverthorn from the Examinations Authority who gave her the exam. He said she sat for her OWL and then he escorted her to Dolores Umbridge's office. Except no one saw her there. The last anyone saw her, Haveerthorn was making his to Magical Law Enforcement," Tonks said. "At first I thought someone modified his memory, but he's in the fucking cult."

"He didn't say what he's done with her?" Theo asked.

"No," Tonks huffed. "And naturally after the way things went at the hearing today, it crossed people's minds that maybe she ran off on her own, which is why I sent Remus home because they'll be looking for her there. However," Tonks said, "I paid a visit to Levi Goldfinch and his house is empty and he's in the wind as well."

"He took her," Moody said.

"Seems that way," Tonks said.

Sirius heard a voice from down the hall. Everyone else seemed to hear it as well. Someone was shouting.

"Is that coming from the lounge?" Theo asked.

They all got to their feet and headed to the lounge. They could see Harry's face in the fire.

"It's Rory," was all Harry managed to say, but he quickly disappeared from the flames and the fireplace went dark.

Silence engulfed the room.

"I'm willing to bet that Harry Potter's head in the fireplace right as Aurora's gone missing isn't a coincidence," Theo said.

"I doubt it," Tonks said.

"I'm going to get a message to Snape," Moody said.

"Dawlish was at Hogwarts questioning Umbridge. I'll get a word in with him," Tonks said. "I'll go talk to him and then head back here with Remus."

Sirius was itching to do something. Aurora was gone, somewhere with Levi. He couldn't just sit there and do nothing. But no one could do anything at the moment. Not until they knew more, knew where to start.