A Promise Kept - Chapter 57 - Tying a Nott

Tying a Nott

He watched as the Death Eater posing as Sabine exited the common room, he nostrils flaring in anticipation of what he was about to do. It was a strange feeling raising his dagger to strike the girl down, but he did so with as much force as he could muster, and she crumpled to the ground, unmoving, with a trail of blood staining the stone floor.

“Was that really necessary?” Professor Collins asked.

Harry nodded as he removed the disillusionment charm he’d placed on himself in lieu of using the cloak.

“If this is who I think it is, then yes, absolutely.”

Professor Collins simply released a deep breath as Harry bound the unconscious Death Eater.

“Well, one day, Potter, I would rather you visited us under better circumstances.”

“As would I,” Harry returned sincerely, casting a few more charms to make travelling with a prisoner easier. “Until next time, Professor.”

He stared at his bloodied hands before his gaze shifted towards the deceased Barty Crouch Jr.

If he believed there was any chance Voldemort would trade hostages, he would’ve kept the man alive in an instant, but Harry knew the man better than that.

He would not give up what he had, not even for the prophecy.

No, having Sabine in his possession was too great a victory for him, and there was nothing Harry could give him short of his own life that would see the Dark Lord release the others he’d taken.

The only way they would see the light of day again was if they were rescued.

Malfoy Manor.

It had taken him less time to break Crouch than he’d expected, but the man had proven to be resilient.

Nonetheless, there was only so much an already weakened mind could take, and under Harry’s care, it had all but shattered, along with his body.

It was a rather grim sight to behold, and Harry could not help but wonder why it was he felt no guilt or regret for all he’d inflicted upon the man.

With Pettigrew, it had been a personal matter, and perhaps it was with Crouch too.

Somehow, the man at least partly responsible for Dumbledore’s death, and Harry had not forgotten the part he’d played in kidnapping his friends.

Still, he felt as though he was much too calm for someone who’d all but tortured another to death.

Maybe Voldemort had turned him into a monster in his own right.

He snorted at the thought as he began cleaning up the mess he’d made of what had once been his parent’s living room.

It wasn’t as though Harry or Lily would ever live here again.

No, when he reached his majority, he would build them a new home, somewhere they wouldn’t be haunted by the memories of the night their family had been torn apart.

For now, however, Harry’s thoughts were elsewhere.

Malfoy Manor, where Sabine was being held by Voldemort.

Once more, his thoughts darkened at the image of the girl being made to live in her own filth, wanting nothing more than to free her, and yet, he knew he needed to proceed carefully.

Malfoy Manor would not be easy to breach, and when he was inside, there was no telling what it was he would face.

Harry, however, found he didn’t care.

There was nothing that would stop him doing what he was setting out to do, even if that meant employing tactics he’d rather not.

No, no matter what it took, he would get Sabine home.

(Break)

“He’s been gone for hours. Do you think he is okay?” Marcus asked nervously.

He had seen how Harry Potter’s demeanour had changed, how something quite terrifying had ignited in his eyes, and though he did not know the young man at all, Marcus knew there was something quit frightening about him, but it equally brought him comfort.

He had vowed to rescue his sister, and although such a man would usually cause him concern, he was grateful for it this time.

It meant that Harry Potter truly did care, which begged the question, just how close had he and Sabine gotten during their years at Ilvermorny?

To Marcus, it didn’t matter, nor was it something he’d given much thought to.

His own marriage had been decided before he was born, so he’d never considered the prospect of anyone else.

Sabine, however, evidently had, and she’d chosen perhaps the very worst person to develop feelings for, as had Harry.

“Harry will be fine,” Sirius Black sighed. “It’s anyone who provokes his ire you should be worried about.”

Marcus had heard of the Blacks, knew of their reputation well enough. Only a few years prior when his younger brothers had gotten on the wrong side of Harry Potter, his father had told him about the man standing before him, and of those that had been the Lord of the family these past centuries.

“I would rather avoid trouble with them. They are not people to be taken lightly. Their reputation for being ruthless towards their enemies is not unwarranted.”

Fortunately, nothing further had come from the incident that had seen his siblings taking quite the beating, something Marcus was relieved by given the circumstances Sabine found herself facing.

Almost six hours had gone by before the fireplace flared into life once more, and Harry Potter stepped back into the office, his gaze hardened, and Marcus stood to greet him.

“Sabine…”

“I know where she is,” Potter broke in. “It will not be easy to get her, but I will find a way.”

“Who was it?” Sirius asked.

“Crouch. He’s dead.”

Marcus’s eyes widened, but what took him aback more was just how casually he’d spoken of killing someone, and how the older man accepted it without question.

“Malfoy Manor,” Harry sighed. “That’s where all of the hostages are being kept.”

“Bloody hell,” Sirius cursed. “That won’t be easy.”

“No, but not impossible,” Harry assured him. “I have a few ideas, some less ideal than others, but not knowing what is in there, I need to be prepared for anything, especially if Tom is there.”

“You’re not thinking about doing this alone.”

“I have to. Believe me, I would rather have help, but that only increases the chance of being discovered before I even make it inside. Don’t worry, I know what I am doing, well, kind of.”

Sirius was not pleased, but he nodded his understanding.

“I will make sure I am nearby with the others, just in case.”

Either he was exceedingly bold, or completely insane. Marcus wasn’t sure which, but as the younger man looked towards him, he felt comforted by the certainty he could see in his eyes.

“This will be risky, and even more so for your parents. Those acting as their guards will kill them if anyone suspects something is amiss, which is why they will need to be dealt with first. Are you certain there are only two of them?”

Marcus nodded.

“I have seen them. They don’t speak and spend most of their time acting as any guards should.”

“Then they will have to be dealt with first. Can you get me into your parent’s home?”

“I can.”

“Then you should go back to America, and I will get a message to you when I need you. I need time to prepare and think about what to do next. I have no intention of delaying it, but for now, Sabine is safe. She is more valuable to them alive, for the time being.”

Marcus watched as he removed a piece of parchment and began casting a series of charms on it before handing it to him.

“I will look out for your message. Thank you, Harry Potter. Truly, I cannot put into words how much this means to me.”

“Don’t thank me yet,” he responded darkly. “So many things could go wrong before I even get to her, but I will find a way, no matter what it takes.”

He meant it.

Marcus would not pretend to know much about the old British Manors, but if the security around his own home was anything to go by, it would not be easy to find a way inside, and that would likely be only the first problem Harry Potter would face.

This Voldemort was a dangerous wizard, and yet, he could not help but think that the young man before him was equally so, perhaps even more in this scenario with someone he undoubtedly cared about in such mortal peril.

(Break)

Although this was likely to be the most harrowing thing she would ever experience in her life, Sabine knew that she was fortunate compared to most others she found herself being held captive with.

For the most part, she was left alone, fed well enough that she wasn’t starving, and not harmed unless she chose to argue back with whomever was guarding them.

Oddly, the man named Snape, would actually tend to any injuries, and ensure none of the women here were subjected to the most heinous of things, even cursing one of the other Death Eaters when he’d attempted to force himself on the Abbott girl.

Still, he’d done nothing to prevent Terry Boot having his legs broken by another but had waited several hours before offering any assistance to him.

As fortunate as she knew she was, given what it was she was experiencing, things here were not good.

Another two of the prisoners had been taken and not returned, and each day that went by, Sabine knew her own chances of being freed became less and less.

“How’s the legs, Boot?” Macmillan, one of the other prisoners asked.

“They hurt like hell,” Boot chuckled humourlessly. “Bones, how’re you?”

“Oh, I’m having the time of my life, but I’m no worse than Malfoy will be when I get my hands on him.”

The sentiment was readily shared, even by Sabine.

She’d known Draco was an unpleasant boy when she’d met him, but to do what he had by capturing his fellow classmates and handing them to Lord Voldemort made her realise just how despicable he was.

“If we ever get the chance,” Zacharias Smith croaked from his cell.

“You’re awake then?” Boot asked.

Smith coughed and groaned, and Sabine heard the clinking of chains from where he was attempting to move.

He’d been the first to begin threatening the Death Eaters when he’d woken up, and the one named Rabastan had taken exception to it, cursing and beating Smith until he couldn’t move.

It had taken Lucius Malfoy and another named Dolohov to stop Rabastan, who had merely laughed as Smith pleaded for his life.

He’d remained silent ever since, only speaking his first words some days later.

“Does it matter?” Smith snorted. “It’s not like we’re going to live to get out of this, is it? We’re in Malfoy Manor being guarded by every fucking Death Eater in the land. No one is coming for us, not even Bones’ Aunt can get us out of here with the entire Ministry helping her. Not that she’d risk it. No, one day, our lives will mean nothing to them, and they’ll kill us, just like they do the others they take from here.”

It was a rather dour outlook, and yet, Sabine couldn’t help but think that he might just be right.

Still, she was not quite as broken as Zacharias Smith, and until the moment came she knew for certain it was over, she could not bring herself to give up.

No, someone or something had to be being done to set them all free.

She simply could not believe that this is where it ended for her, even if, from time to time, she had those moments where the same thoughts Smith had spoken of found their way into her mind.

(Break)

She never would get used to attending funerals.

The very first had been for her parents, who had died in a car crash shortly after she’d graduated Hogwarts, and the second, her husband’s only a few short years later.

Remus’s had come after that, and now, she stood at another grave, this time comforting a mother who’d lost her son.

Molly Weasley wept silently as Bill’s coffin was lowered into the ground, and Lily did not doubt it was all she’d done since learning of what happened to him.

In a way, she could relate.

When she’d regained consciousness that night in Godric’s Hollow, her first thought had been for what she had believed to be her slain son, and her heart had been shattered.

Fortunately for her, Harry had somehow survived against the odds, mending it, but she knew of loss just as well as any.

Wrapping an arm around the woman’s shoulder whilst her husband consoled their other children, she looked towards where a solemn Harry was standing with Sirius and Emmeline, along with the other members of the Order, and a few others who’d been invited.

He too had experienced loss like no other, and fought each day to ensure there wasn’t more.

Despite his efforts, it was inevitable that it was to be, and she could see that he knew that.

He carried that weight on his shoulders, and somehow, did so admirably.

Even so, it wasn’t merely the thought of loss he carried, nor the burden of what he must do, but something else that was making him irritable, restless, and coiled tightly like a spring.

What that was, Lily didn’t know, but she would soon enough.

“Thank you,” Molly whispered. “For coming, and for Harry… Arthur told me what he did, and what would’ve happened had he not come. I would’ve lost more than one son that night.”

Lily offered her a sad smile.

Molly Weasley was a strong woman, stronger than most could hope to be.

She had dedicated her life to raising her children, her pride and joy, and to have one of them taken from her was nothing no mother should endure.

“I just wish that Percy had come.”

Lily narrowed her eyes at the mention of the man.

He’d chosen to side with Fudge and the Ministry when they’d denounced any rumours of what had happened when Dumbledore had been murdered; a choice he was undoubtedly now regretting.

Fudge was dead, and the Ministry he loved so dearly was in disarray, usurped by the very Dark Lord responsible for the ills of the country.

Still, he’d not come to his own brother’s funeral. Whether that was from shame, stubbornness, or even guilt, it didn’t matter.

“What do you think they are talking about?” Molly asked, pulling Lily from her thoughts as she nodded towards Harry and Arthur.

The redhead’s expression was grim, and even apologetic as he shook his head before he removed a piece of parchment and quill from within his robes and noted something down.

Harry accepted it and even puled the man into a tight embrace before speaking with the Weasley siblings that were here.

“Nothing good,” she murmured.

“Is anything good right now?” Molly questioned.

“It feels as though it is gone, but it will come back.”

“What makes you so sure?”

“Because it is my son that will see to it,” Lily said proudly, giving Molly another hug before approaching the young man. “What are you up to, Harry?”

“Finding a way to break into Malfoy Manor and retrieve the people Riddle has taken as hostages.”

For a moment, she thought he was jesting, but quickly realised he was being serious.

“And there was me thinking you were planning to do something completely ridiculous.”

“You know me, Mum. I like to keep things simple.”

She tutted and shook her head.

“Just, be careful,” she urged, knowing that since the idea was already rooted in his mind, there would be no talking him out of it.

“I always am,” he replied with a smirk. “Come, let’s go for a walk somewhere. Let the Weasley grieve, and give those two prats some time together,” he added, jerking a thumb towards Emmeline and Sirius.

“Walk where?” Lily asked.

Harry shrugged.

“Knockturn Alley could be fun.”

“What’s left of it,” Lily sighed, unable to hide her smirk.

Despite her concern for what he was often doing, she was still proud of him, even if she couldn’t quite bring herself to say it, not yet, at least.

(Break)

“How many more of those do you think we will have to endure?” Emmeline asked as they arrived back in the kitchen of Grimmauld Place.

Sirius could only shake his head in response.

“Too many. There will be more deaths before it is over.”

“It feels different to last time.”

It did.

During Voldemort’s first rise, there had been so much uncertainty, so much mistrust, and though it was prevalent now, it did not feel so daunting or so new. It was almost as though the battle lines had already been drawn, but no one was talking about it.

Most preferred the bliss of ignorance, which meant they could feign disinterest, or remain on the fence to avoid being persecuted against.

That, however, could not be an option.

Wizarding Britain needed to unite, but with so many of those in a position to make a difference having been neutralised, it seemed to be all but impossible for any to make a stand.

Those that could were so few, but if Harry did indeed manage to do what he intended to, that could well shift with a vengeance.

That was quite a big if.

Finding Malfoy manor was one thing, but infiltrating it, rescuing those taken prisoner, and getting out alive… Sirius wasn’t sure it was possible. Still, Harry made a habit of doing what was understood to be such.

Since he’d been a babe, he’d defied the odds, and Sirius would never doubt his godson.

“Is it me or is it cleaner in here?” Emmeline asked.

Sirius frowned.

“I’ve noticed that too,” he murmured. “Kreacher?”

The elf appeared without delay, his usually soiled pillowcase now immaculately clean, and even his wispy grey hairs had been groomed. Sirius could only look upon the elf in disbelief for a moment.

“Master Sirius called for Kreacher?”

“Have you been cleaning?”

Kreacher nodded.

“Master Harry asked Kreacher to do it, and to make sure he looks after Master Sirius. He is the Lord Black, and Kreacher serves the House of Black.”

Sirius looked towards Emmeline, who was as taken aback as him.

“Well, continue what you’re doing,” he instructed, and Kreacher offered another bow before vanishing with a gentle pop. “I don’t even want to think about what brought this change on.”

“Best not look a gift horse in the mouth.”

“What does that even mean?”

Emmeline shrugged.

“It’s a muggle thing.”

“Sounds like something Lily would say. You know, she probably has at some point over the years.”

“Must be where Harry gets his ability to give advice from.”

“Harry? He’s given you advice?”

“He might have,” Emmeline said airily as she closed the distance between them. “With how ignorant you can be at times, Sirius Black, it was appreciated.”

“When did…?”

He broke off as she wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her lips against his.

It wasn’t the first time they’d kissed, nor that she’d given him a sign that she was interested in him. They even flirted back and forth regularly and seemed to simply gravitate towards one another.

Emmeline would often just arrive at Grimmauld Place for no other reason than to be around him, and Sirius was always pleased for it.

“What advice did he give you?”

“That’s none of your business. So, are you going to ask me on a real date, or am I just wasting my time with you?”

“Well, I mean, if you want to,” Sirius said, coming across a little more shyly than he’d intended.

It was ridiculous.

He’d never been shy around members of the opposite sex, and even at twelve-years-old, had asked the older Emmeline out when they’d been at Hogwarts.

What he was thinking back then, he didn’t know, but he’d done it, and now that she seemed ready to accept, he found his tongue was failing him quite spectacularly.

“I think you can do better than that, Sirius.”

He chuckled amusedly.

“Would you like to go on a date with me?”

She hummed thoughtfully.

“Where would you take me?”

“Wherever you want to go.”

Emmeline shook her head.

“I don’t want a line you’ve used on a dozen others, Sirius Black.”

“It worked for them,” he grumbled.

Emmeline quirked an eyebrow at him, and Sirius took her hands before she could turn away from him.

“I’ve not been on a date in almost twenty years,” he sighed. “You might need to help me. I’m out of practice.”

She took pity on him with a smile.

“I’ve always wanted to see the northern lights.”

“Then I will take you.”

“When?”

“Now,” Sirius decided.

“I’m not ready for…”

“You have twenty minutes to get ready. This day has been bloody miserable. We can at least try to salvage something good from it.”

Emmeline nodded.

“I’ll be back in ten,” she declared, placing a kiss on his cheek before vanishing through the fireplace.

Whatever it was Harry had said to her, Sirius was grateful for it.

He’d spent months wondering what it was that was happening between him and Emmeline, whether they were simply seeking comfort in one another in the face of the same misery that lived almost two decades prior, or if there was more to it.

Now, it seemed he finally had his answer, and it appeared he had Harry to thank for that.

(Break)

He could not believe he had missed what was now such an underlying tension in the family home. His parents had never been the closest of people, preferring to live separate lives, but hadn’t made the distance between them obvious whilst Marcus and his siblings were growing up.

Much like he did with his own wife and children, his father had ensured he was always around, never missed anything important to any of his children, or even his wife, but it was clear the two of them were not in love.

He did not doubt they were fond of one another, but it had never been in love.

Marcus was in a similar situation.

He didn’t hate his wife or even dislike her, and she was undoubtedly an attractive woman, but they were not compatible. She was something of a social butterfly, and Marcus had always preferred his own company.

Still, as his own parents had, their three children would be put above all else, which was why he’d not noticed the additional stiffness in his mother’s posture, nor the furtive glances of his father towards the two men serving as their guards.

“I trust your trip to Peru was fruitful.”

Marcus nodded.

“It was. Miguel is doing an excellent job, and he expects the yield to be even bigger this year.”

“Excellent news,” his father declared. “Did he mention how long it might be until he would be rid of the old stuff?”

“He is confident it will be gone very soon. He assured me it would.”

His father nodded and continued eating his meal, and Marcus finished his own, hoping his jolt of surprise was not noticed as he felt a disturbance in his pocket.

“Well, as always, it has been nice to dine with you both, but I have an early start. I’ll be in the office around seven.”

“I’ll be in around ten I have a meeting in the Valley first thing.”

“I will see you then.”

Buttoning up his coat, Marcus did not give the guards a second glance as he stepped into the adjoining room to use the floo network, activating it and stepping through, only to apparate away from his drawing room to one of the stables on his parent’s property, where he removed the piece of parchment Harry Potter had given him.

One hour… I will find you south of the front gate.

His words almost felt as though they were a threat and given what Marcus had learned of his exploits since taking an interest in what was happening in Britain, he was that Harry Potter was not coming to find him with unaffable intentions.

The same, however, could not be said for those responsible for taking Sabine.

Marcus would not forget the expression of the younger man when he’d learned of what had happened, and that sudden influx of darkness that filled his gaze.

It had been as concerning as it was reassuring, and with only an hour to wait until he arrived, Marcus moved to where he’d been directed, nervous but anticipating what would happen in the coming moments.

(Break)

“When was the last time we did something like this?”

“Walk along the beach?”

“Spend time together.”

Harry frowned at the question.

He couldn’t remember, and it saddened him.

He had always been close to his mother, partly because she and Sirius had been just about the only company he’d had for the first eleven years of his life, and she was the most important person to him.

Since he’d left to attend Ilvermorny for the first time, it was as though he’d somewhat forgotten that n the ways that mattered.

“I was ten,” he sighed. “You took me to California, and then told me off for looking at the women’s…”

“It is rude to stare.”

“Even if they’ve got them out like eggs on a plate.”

She rolled hr eyes at him.

“Sometimes, you really are a little too much like your godfather.”

Harry couldn’t deny it.

He’d certainly not followed in his father’s footsteps when it came to the opposite sex. According to his mother and Sirius, James had laid eyes on his mother during their first evening at Hogwarts, and his eyes had never strayed.

“Maybe,” he conceded. “Maybe I just wasn’t as lucky as Dad.”

His mother offered him a warm smile.

“Not many people are,” she said with a grin.

“What eventually won you over?”

She frowned thoughtfully for a moment.

“It’s not as though he wore me down to agree to go out with him. I think it was mostly me realising that my pre-conceived notions of him had been mostly wrong. He always came across as a cocky, arrogant prat. He was those things, just not in the way I thought. I always felt that James believed he was entitled to things because of the name he carried, and it frustrated me because he seemed to be good at everything without even trying. I thought he'd been given a tonne of help before coming to Hogwarts. Even if he had, it didn’t explain his talent in Quidditch and Transfiguration. He was leagues above everyone else by the time he was in his third year in both.”

“But he was still a prat.”

She smiled fondly as she nodded.

“That never changed. He was always doing something to make others laugh, and I realised it was one of the things I really liked about him. It wasn’t until your grandparents died and he stopped doing that for some time that I realised just how much I missed it. I got to know him, Harry, beyond what he showed on the surface, and I saw him as the brilliant, funny, and kind boy he was. By then, it was too late for both of us. I wanted him just as much as he’d always wanted me.”

He always liked to hear how his parents had eventually ended up together. It never failed to bring a smile to his lips, but now that he was older, he understood it more.

“And then you got married.”

“Almost as soon as we left Hogwarts. There was a war, and we could never be certain if tomorrow would come. Mabe we rushed it, but I have no regrets, Harry. I loved you father and still do.”

“I’m surprised he didn’t try to keep you out of the war.”

“Oh, he tried, and I reminded him that I am not some damsel who needed rescuing. We had quite the duel, and neither of us really came out on top. He was so damned good at Transfiguration and me with Charms that we negated each other’s offense. We decided we were better fighting together than against each other. Our styles were complimentary; That’s how we survived Voldemort more than once.”

“Three times, if the prophecy is right.”

His mother’s expression darkened.

“Three times,” she confirmed. “I only wish we could’ve done more.”

“You had me,” Harry returned with a shrug. “It will be me that will do what no other can.”

“I know, Harry. I do not doubt you, but you shouldn’t doubt me either. Your father did, and I proved him wrong. Like I told him, I am no damsel that needs rescuing. It’s about time you realise and accept that too. I am grateful you want to keep me safe, but I do not need a shield. I need someone who will fight with me when the time comes.”

Harry released a deep breath.

Perhaps he was a little too protective of her.

He’d seen what his mother was capable of in the Department of Mysteries, and how she’d defended herself against the werewolves before he’d been able to make them flee.

She truly was a brilliant witch in her own right, but that didn’t stop him worrying about her.

“You’re all I’ve got left, you and Sirius.”

“And you are everything I have, but I am expected to just accept everything you do.”

“Fair point,” Harry conceded, wrapping an arm around her shoulder. “Look, there’s an ice cream van over there.”

He could still taste the sweetness of the treat on his lips, but that moment he’d needed with his mother had now given way to yet another bout of unpleasantness he was to undertake, but once more, it was for a worthy reason.

It had not been difficult to locate the Van Droombeeld home.

The location was freely available to any that cared to look into it, and though the defences were quite remarkable, they were nothing Harry couldn’t bypass.

Not that he would need to, or so he hoped.

No, sensing a presence nearby, he revealed himself, and pressed a finger firmly to his lips as the worried Marcus spotted him.

“There’s only two?” he asked.

The man nodded.

“Just two, and there is no indication the house is being watched.”

“No, they wouldn’t wish to draw attention to themselves, and as ever, Riddle believes he has everything under control.”

“Do you really think it best to take these two out before…”

“I do,” Harry interjected. “They will kill your parents, and there is no promise I will be able to get in and out of Malfoy manor without causing a scene, and enough time to alert these two here to what has happened. Don’t worry, I know what I am doing.”

“I hope so, because I have no idea.”

“Well, you only need to get me inside. I will handle the rest. Here, you can use this to avoid detection,” Harry offered, wrapping the cloak around Marcus’s shoulder.

“What about you?”

“I have ways to hide my presence. Even you will not be able to detect me, and you know I am here.”

Marcus frowned at him as he eyed him speculatively.

“It’s hard to believe that you are only seventeen.”

“Sixteen,” Harry corrected. “I have a few months yet before I come of age.”

Marcus shook his head.

“Just give me a moment, and I will get us in.”

“Don’t open the gate if you can avoid it. Just negate the protections.”

“You can walk through metal?”

“We are about to find out,” Harry chuckled.

Marcus shook his head once more and vanished within the folds of the cloak. It was only a moment later that Harry felt the protections around the gate vanish, and putting into practice what he’d read in one of the many book Albus had left him, he stepped through the gate without needing to open it.

It was an odd feeling to do such a thing, but Harry was merely pleased that it worked.

Now, he only needed to make his way into the house, to where two Death Eaters were unknowingly about to greet him.

(Break)

Augustine Van Droombeeld.

It was a name he carried with pride having had it bestowed upon him by his father for the grandfather he’d always looked up to.

It was a strong name, one that exuded power, and yet, he felt weak, helpless, and more than a little ashamed of how easily he’d been cowed by a foreign Dark Lord he’d never even met.

Worse yet, they’d taken his only daughter.

Sabine had ben with them for weeks, perhaps even months now. Crouch had not been clear with how long he’d been impersonating the girl, but any time he’d taken such a liberty was too long.

“What ae you doing?” one of the guards demanded to know.

Augustine shook his head irritably.

“Taking a moment to myself,” he answered. “I’ve had a long day, and it will be an either longer one tomorrow with you breathing down my damned neck.”

The man merely grinned in response, and folded his arms, refusing to leave him be, and Augustine chose to return to the kitchen, where his wife was being watched over by the other.

They were nothing short of prisoners in their own home, and even though he was allowed to leave for work, it was all to maintain a façade of normality, so not to raise suspicion.

Marcus had assured him that he’d found Harry Potter, and that the boy would find a way to help them, but Augustine was not so sure such a thing could be done.

The situation was quite impossible, but he had to keep faith.

Something had to give eventually, after all, and if Sabine was harmed, he would use every last one of his resources to ensure those responsible would pay for it.

As he’d grown used to these past weeks, he found his wife to be as miserable as him, and he offered her as comforting a smile as he could muster, only to collapse to the ground as he feet gave way beneath him.

Augustine did not know what had happened, but when he slowly regained his clarity, he was lying on the floor next to his wife.

His ears were ringing uncomfortably, but he could see through his swimming vision that they were no longer alone with the two men posing as their guards.

The other young man among them was familiar, but a far cry from the second-year student he’d briefly met five years prior when he’d visited Ilvermorny at the behest of two of his younger sons.

Harry Potter truly was on the cusp of manhood, and he cut quite the imposing figure as he secured the two Death Eaters to a chair each.

“You have my apologies, Mrs Van Droombeeld,” he offered as he helped his wife to her feet. “The effects of the spell will wear off in a moment.”

Augustine found the grip assisting him to be strong, unwavering, but it was the magic of the young man saturating the air he could not ignore.

It was like nothing else he’d ever experienced; powerful, suffocating, and reeked of danger.

Still, it wasn’t as though it was aimed at him, and as his vision cleared, he was greeted by the sight of Harry Potter looming over the Death Eaters.

“You’re dead, Potter!” one of them threatened.

Potter chuckled amusedly and moved with an impossible speed in response.

Augustine had not seen what he’d done, but his action elicited a scream from one of the Death Eaters, and as Potter stepped away, he saw an intricate dagger protruding from the knee of the man who’d spoken up.

“I think you’ll find, Nott, that you should not make threats you cannot keep. Now, you are going to tell me what it is I need to know, or your life is going to become very uncomfortable in the coming moments. What do you say?”

“The Dark Lord will kill…”

His words were cut off from a sharp blow courtesy of Potter, and Nott’s nose began to bleed quite profusely.

Even so, he seemed undeterred and leered at the younger man.

“I am not so easily intimidated!”

“Crouch said the same,” Potter replied with a shrug, and Augustine felt bile rise into his throat at the sight of the human head deposited so callously on the ground before the Death Eaters.

His wife whimpered from fear, and Augustine wrapped an arm around her shoulder.

“As you can see, he did not die well, but it is not death you need to worry about,” Potter spoke coldly. “I will tear whatever I want from your minds, but I want you to think about your son. Theodore, isn’t it? He’s at Hogwarts, where I can quite easily reach him, and what I have done to Barty here will look like a warm up. Now, how do I get into Malfoy Manor?”

Although Nott did his utmost to remain uncooperative, Augustine did not miss the hesitation in his eyes and knew that Potter had touched a nerve.

“I’m waiting, Nott.”

Still, the man remained silent, and Potter deflated before turning towards Augustine and his wife.

“I think it is best you give me some time with them. They’re being rather stubborn, and I need information if you want me to be able to get Sabine back for you.”

Augustine nodded and led Valerie from the room, not missing the next words spoken by Potter.

“You’ll find there is nothing I will not do when it comes to the people I care about, Nott. So, your next words will determine your future, and that of your entire family. How can I get in?”

A moment of silence followed before a bloodcurdling scream rent the air, and though Augustine found such things to be distasteful, he could not deny that he would be doing the very same thing to the two men given half the chance.