Harry Potter and The Heirs of The Founders

Chapter 23

Eruptions of Evil

"I'm so tired of being here
suppressed by all of my childish fears
and if you have to leave
I wish that you would just leave
because your presence still lingers here
and it won't leave me alone

these wounds won't seem to heal
this pain is just too real
there's just too much that time cannot erase

when you cried I'd wipe away all of your tears
when you'd scream I'd fight away all of your fears
and I've held your hand through all of these years
but you still have all of me"

(from My Immortal, released by Evanescence on their Album, Fallen)

Sirius couldn't believe she had walked into the room. He couldn't believe it. After all his careful planning hhe couldn't believe it had been unravelled by his stupidity. How could he have been so stupid not to see if she were around?

'Chrys,' he called out after her as he chased her down the hallway. 'Wait a minute, please let me explain.' He almost sounded as if he were begging. She really was infuriating sometimes.

He followed her downstairs and she did not look behind as she headed towards the lounge room. She disapparated out of the room. Sirius could only guess where she had gone. With Chrystal you just never knew. And that was the problem. Sirius turned around. Lily had followed him downstairs. She had a concerned look on her face.

'Is she okay?' asked Lily somewhat sympathetically.

'I wouldn't know,' replied Sirius. 'She disapparated. As per usual. She doesn't like confrontation.'

'Well I did warn you,' said Lily almost angrily. 'You really need to talk to her Sirius. Your marriage is suffering because you don't ever talk about things.'

'No Lily, it's suffering because she hasn't told me everything,' said Sirius. He was furious. Why couldn't things be simple for a change?

'What do you expect Sirius?' she asked.

He didn't answer.

He didn't know. That was the problem. They'd rushed things. Just like she hadn't wanted to. She was right. No surprise there. She was always right. In thirty-odd years nothing had changed.

Sirius ran to the fireplace and immediately flooed for Dunvegan. Alasdair was in the sitting room smoking his pipe. He looked surprised to see Sirius.

'What can I do for you Sirius?' Alasdair asked as he spied Sirius enter the room.

'Has Chrystal come here this afternoon?' he asked almost desperately.

'No,' replied Alasdair almost a little concerned. 'But I was expecting Harry and Hermione to arrive home sometime in the near future.'

'I'm rather afraid I've put my foot into it this time Alasdair,' he said. 'If she comes by can you ask her to come to our rooms at Hogwarts tonight?'

'I can ask Sirius,' he said. 'But she won't be as obliging as she would have when she was sixteen.'

Sirius turned and walked out of the room and headed towards what used to be Chrystal's room and was now theirs. Alasdair was right. She had changed significantly from the girl he had fallen for and it had taken marriage for him to realise. She just went ahead and did things without considering their impact. So similar to what he had been like, but now was no longer.

The room he sat in held many memories for him. This was the right place to think. He sat and tried to make sense of his thoughts.

~~~~~~~~~~

Lavender screamed.

She hadn't expected to be confronted with what she saw as she entered the room which Seamus had been staying in.

She could see directly in front of her Seamus, bound and gagged with magical bonds, tied to the bedpost of the king sized bed. He was naked. There were gashes all over his torso. Blood was splattered all over the walls of the room. He did not appear conscious.

A knife lay at her feet. A large knife that was covered in blood. Seamus' blood. What kind of person would do something like this?

Lavender felt cold. The air around her was freezing. The door slammed behind her. She tried to move and found that she was stuck to the floor. She heard a disconcerting laugh. A hooded figure appeared and the light in the room faded.

'Welcome to my house of horrors Miss Brown,' it said in a deep masculine voice that she could only partially recognise. 'Thank you so much for joining us.'

'What do you want?' she asked with trepidation. 'I'll give you anything you want if you release him alive.' Lavender knew she did not sound very convincing. She could hear he voice shake.

'I want you Miss Brown,' it said. By now Lavender was fairly sure it was a man. 'And I knew I could get you if I used this poor pathetic fool.'

'But I had a premonition,' she said.

'You saw what I made you see,' he said. Lavender glanced at the figure with a confused look on her face. 'I orchestrated this knowing you would see. You are a Seeress after all are you not?'

Lavender nodded. She couldn't make sense of why the man wanted her.

'Good,' he replied. 'You will come with me then.'

It wasn't as if she had a choice. She was glued to the spot and was not about to move anywhere even if she wanted to. The cloaked man came over and placed some kind of handcuff on her wrists and then placed a gag over her mouth. It was oily and smelly. It almost made her want to be sick. And it was making her sleepy. She was having trouble keeping her eyes open. She closed them for just a second before she drifted off to sleep.

~~~~~~~~~~

Sirius made his way downstairs. He had made the decision that he thought was the best for the both of them. It was going to be one of the hardest things that he ever had done. Alasdair was still sitting in his arm chair.

'Still here Sirius?' he asked.

'I'm about to leave Alasdair,' he said. 'Is Mum around?'

'She'll be back later,' he said. 'Is everything okay Sirius?' Sirius ignored the question. Nothing was okay. His life was falling apart at the seams.

'Listen Alasdair, I've been thinking about your proposal,' he said.

'Yes?' asked Alasdair with a little surprise.

'I'm willing to accept it,' he said. 'I can start tomorrow.'

'Fine,' said Alasdair. 'I'm glad. Can you meet me tomorrow morning? Five o'clock?'

Sirius nodded.

'I have to go and find your daughter,' said Sirius. 'I'm prepared for fireworks.'

With that he disapparated.

He arrived in the village of Hogsmeade and made his way towards the Hogwarts castle hoping against all hopes that Chrys would be there. He knew that it was probably unlikely. He made his way up to the Staff Quarters and gently opened the door to their sitting room.

Chrys was there. He felt his heart flutter as he saw her. She was lying on the bed glancing at a photograph and crying. It was of the two of them at James and Lily's wedding. As Sirius glanced at it he felt as if a hand had grabbed his heart and ripped it out of his chest. He felt awful for what he was about to do. He sat on the bed and placed his hands gently on her shoulder.

She turned around and looked at him. Her bright blue eyes were glazed over with tears.

'Can I talk to you about this Chrystal?' he asked softly. She nodded, still crying.

'I'm sorry about this whole mess Chryssy,' he said. 'I realise that I should have talked to you about it. But you were just so headstrong about it that I didn't know what to do. You've become so impulsive.'

'Impulsive?' she asked with disbelief. 'Me? Impulsive?'

'Like with what you've done about Rose,' he began trying to explain what he meant. 'I never agreed with that, yet you went on and did it without even consulting me. It implicated me as well Chrystal and you didn't even consider the impact it would have on me.'

'I didn't think,' she said defensively.

'No you didn't,' he said. 'Why did you do it Chrys?' He desperately wanted to know. It was something that she would never have suggested years ago.

'I have my reasons Sirius,' she said.

'Chrystal how could you have changed so much?' he asked. It made his gut retch to even think about what she had become.

'Changed?' she asked slightly confused.

'You're not the girl I fell in love with anymore,' he said. He had not been intending on saying anything remotely like that, yet when the words tumbled out of his mouth he realised it was the truth.

The look on her face was heartbreaking. Sirius could hardly stand what he was doing.

'Then who am I Sirius?' she asked. Her voice was shaking. 'What do I mean to you?'

'To be honest Chrys I just don't know anymore,' he said his heart heavy. 'You were right.' He hung his head in acknowledgement.

'I was right?' she asked. 'What was I right about?'

'You were right when you said to me a year and a half ago that you didn't want to rush things,' he said. 'Then three months later we were engaged and less than a year later we're married. We try to have a child and loose it and everything ends up like this. We rushed into things trying to make up for lost time. We didn't give ourselves time to get to know each other again. Please forgive me. It was a mistake.'

'It takes two Sirius,' she said looking at him longingly. 'It takes two.'

'Evidently,' he said. 'You learnt that while I was away did you?' He hadn't meant to say that, yet he couldn't help but feel a large bout of jealousy every time he thought about Tadgh Moran.

'Sirius if this is about Tadgh I'm sorry,' she said softly. 'I should have told you. I was wrong.'

'It is but it isn't Chrys,' he said. 'You didn't tell me about Tadgh, yes that hurt. That's not the problem. It goes so much deeper than that. There are so many things you didn't tell me it's hard to know what to expect. You've changed so much and I don't know where that leaves me.'

'I love you Sirius,' she said desperately. 'I've loved you since I met you. Maybe I've changed. That could be true. But the fact that I love you hasn't changed. Yes you've hurt me. You've hurt me deeply. That doesn't change the fact that I love you.'

'I love you too,' he said sincerely. 'That's why I have to do this.'

'Do what?' she asked. Her voice sounded frightened.

'I have to leave,' he said. Tears were rolling down her face.

'Please don't,' she begged.

'I've got a job to do mo gràdh ,' he said. 'I have to go away for about a month. I'm going to think about where we stand. Can you do the same for me please?'

'Fan. Toilich. Ise liobh thu a Shirius, ' she begged him.

'Na mo cridhe , he said. 'I have to go. To save us.'

'Why?'

'I told you I have a job to do,' he said. 'I will be back in a month. Geall mise a Chrystal dhuit smuainich. Toilich. '

'Seadh mo Sirius ,' she replied.

'Ise liobh thu mo Crystal, ' he said. She glanced at him with wide open eyes.

'Will you stay the night?' she asked tentatively. He nodded.

'If that's what you want,' he said. 'I'll be gone when you wake up.'

He sat down next to her on the bed. His hand reached towards her face and wiped away her tears. His touch, something she hadn't felt in a while was in someway comforting. He gently kissed her on the lips. Although she was mentally confused her body responded to his gentle caressing of her thigh. She moved her hands through his knotty hair as she tried to reach for his face. She moved her hand across his face and stared at his eyes. She could see his longing. His want and need for her. She moved her hands down towards his shoulders and hesitantly reached underneath his robe. He allowed her to gently slide his robes off. His soft skin was pale in the moonlight that crept in through the open window. She shivered as he ran his hand down the front of her chest. He moved his body on top of hers Chrystal felt herself give in completely to the man that she loved. Their bodies moved in perfect unison together until the two of them could no longer move. She collapsed with exhaustion and fell asleep.

~~~~~~~~~~

Chrystal awoke the next morning feeling empty. She reached over to find that Sirius was not there. She had hoped that the previous night had just been a bad dream. She turned over and saw a letter on his pillow.

Mo Chrystal,

True to my word I am not here. I do not know how long I will be gone for but I am writing to my mother everyday in the event that something happens to me you will know. Please do not worry about me. I will be fine.

I have arranged for Remus to take your classes this week. I thought perhaps you and Lily might like to spend some time away from everything.

I love you,

Sirius.

When she finished reading the letter she burst into tears. He was really gone. He had left. She sat in bed feeling empty. Once again she felt as if she were all alone. Her cat Maestro jumped up on the bed and started pawing at her hand gently as if she wanted a pat. Chrystal sighed as she tried to give the animal the attention it required.

She heard a knock on the door.

'Come in,' she said. Her voice was weak. She didn't even recognise it herself.

The door opened. It was Lily.

'I heard a rumour you might need some company,' she said. 'Did what I think happen, happen last night?'

Chrystal nodded her head and burst into tears.

'He left me Lil,' she said. 'I don't know if he's ever coming back.'

Lily said nothing but walked towards the bed, sat down next to Chrystal and held her while she cried.

She dried her eyes when she had no more tears left to cry.

'What do you want to do now?' Lily asked her.

'I need to go home,' said Chrys. 'I need to get away from everything. Will you come with me?'

Lily nodded and Chrystal began to summon a few things into a shoulder bag.

'I'll just let James know,' said Lily. 'I'll be back in a few minutes.'

It didn't take Chrystal long to throw everything she required into the bag and sat on the bed waiting for Lily to return. She glanced the photograph that she had been staring at the day before. They two of them had been so young then, yet they had already suffered a lot. How much more would they have to suffer?

The door opened and Lily re-entered.

'Shall we?' asked Lily. 'I assume when you say home you mean Dunvegan?'

Chrystal nodded. The house she had had in Portree had never been a place where she and Sirius had spent any time. It was the place she had mourned him last time he had been lost to her.

Lily transformed into Crookshanks as Chrystal located the Floo powder. They flooed to Dunvegan arriving in the old deserted gardeners shed. Chrystal glanced at Lily and indicated that she should transform.

'What if people see me?' she asked hesitantly.

'I really am going to have to tell my father what's going on,' replied Chrystal. 'I'm just not sure how to explain it to him.'

'Why don't you let me?' asked Lily. 'It might be better however if you talk to him about what's going on between you and Sirius first. He's bound to ask questions anyhow.'

Chrystal nodded in reply. She really didn't care what other people thought at the moment. She just felt too numb.

They walked up to the castle, Chrystal not feeling the surge of pride that she normally felt on surveying the grand old castle. An elf opened the door for them and then they headed straight towards the sitting room. Chrystal scanned the room for her father vaguely. She didn't really notice Harry sitting there until he came towards them.

'What are you doing here Mum?' he asked with a touch of concern. 'Is Dad okay?'

'He's fine Harry,' replied Lily. Chrystal was secretly relieved that Lily had spoken. It saved her the trouble of trying. 'Chrys and I will just be staying here for a while. Why don't you help me take our things upstairs?'

Harry and Lily disappeared and Chrystal walked around the room. She collapsed into a chair in front of the burning fire. She was exhausted and had absolutely no idea what she was to do now. She felt awful and there was more than a little something on her mind. She felt that last night had been a dreadful mistake. She should have just let Sirius go. Now she had done something extremely stupid, having made love to him under the effects of a fertility potion. Now instead of knowing instantly that she was pregnant she would have to wait until the potion wore off in a week's time. She was slightly angry with herself. She didn't want to bring a child into the world in the state it was in at the moment.

Her father entered the room not long after. He looked exhausted from his day of work. She didn't want to burden him anymore than he was already burdened. Yet she could never hide anything from him. She never had been able to.

'I take it not everything went well with Sirius yesterday mo leanabh ,' he said. 'Chrystal you look as if you haven't slept a bit.'

'He left,' she said shaking. She couldn't say anything more.

Her father came over towards her.

'I'm so sorry Chrystal,' he said. He gently held her closer before she jumped up and ran out of the room. She didn't stop until she reached the room that had been Sirius' bedroom when he was younger. She threw herself on the bed and thought about the night Sirius' father had died. Sirius had been so upset and all Chrystal had wanted to do was cheer him up. She had come in and told him that he could share her father. She had hated to see him suffering so much that she had been willing to sacrifice that for him. He had been angry and had yelled at her, yet he had fallen asleep in her arms that night. There was nothing she could do to stop his pain then, and there was nothing she could do now.

Then it hit her.

He was really gone this time. And this time it would be far worse. This time he would return and would not be returning to her. She had allowed him to infiltrate her soul and now he had wrenched himself from it. She knew Sirius. She knew him very well. He had decided that they were over. He had been right; they were no longer suited to each other and no matter how much you loved someone there came a point in time when you had to let them go. When you had to let them be free, no matter how much it hurt.

Freedom.

She longed to be free.

She longed to be released from the Covenant, to be released from the Prophecy and all her responsibilities. She wanted to be allowed to live. That was why she had loved Quidditch, it allowed her to soar away from everything that was bad and evil. Yet she had given it up. For Sirius. And for their future.

Chrystal glanced out the window. The winter snow was beginning to melt. The time had come for her to soar. For her to be free. She opened the large windows before she stepped out the window and allowed herself to fall towards the ground.

She felt alive for the first time in so long.

~~~~~~~~~~

Lavender came to. Her head ached and throbbed. She looked around. Everything seemed slightly blurry. She hoped that it was just due to her throbbing head.

The room she was in did not appear to have a door. The wall was circular and made her feel that if she even attempted to spin around to try and find a door she would instantly be sick.

The wall was white. So was the ceiling. And the floor. It was almost too much to cope with. She was certainly isolated and all alone. And she could almost guarantee that nobody decent would know where she was.

She couldn't believe that she had been so stupid. She should have listened to Seamus and stayed put. Somebody else could have searched for him.

It hurt her that Seamus had been taken because of her. She hated that there was so much evil in the world. It simply wasn't fair on the innocents of the world.

She hoped Seamus would be okay.

~~~~~~~~~~

After they reached the top of the stairs Harry looked at his mother.

'What's going on?' he asked. 'Something's wrong. Is it Sirius? Because Chrystal looks as if she hasn't slept in weeks.'

'Sirius is fine,' his mother replied. 'He's not dead either. No one is dead and no one is injured.'

'Sirius and Chrystal had a fight didn't they?' he asked. 'About the potion. I overheard what happened yesterday.' Harry confessed to his mother how he had overheard their conversation without telling her about eavesdropping with the Invisibility Cloak.

'Well I guess you'll find out eventually,' his mother said reluctantly. 'Sirius left. It doesn't look like that he'll come back to her either.'

'Why?' asked Harry in surprise. 'Why would he leave her?'

'I think they've had their fair share of problems Harry,' said Lily. 'They had their problems before you were born and I guess they've never really addressed them. Listen Harry, perhaps it's best we talk about something else. Help me with these bags.'

His mother handed him a bag and lead him down the corridor. She opened a door to reveal one of the guestrooms.

'Is anybody staying in here Harry?' she asked.

'I don't think so,' he replied.

'This was the room I stayed in a few times when I came to visit,' she replied. 'I think I'll stay here if nobody else is. Are Heather and Madeleine around?'

'Maddie's not,' replied Harry. 'One of the horses is sick. Heather has been here a few times this week. She'll probably be around tonight.'

'What do you think of them?' she asked. 'Are they trustworthy?'

'I'm really the wrong person to be asking,' replied Harry.

'I always liked Madeleine,' his mother said. 'She was a sweetie. Heather was always lovely. The rest of the Back's just were not worth knowing. Dark to the core. Did you know they killed Sirius' father when he refused to follow Voldemort?'

Harry glanced at his mother in disbelief. Sirius had never told him that.

'No,' replied Harry shaking his head.

'James' mother, Mary, told me once,' his mother said. 'I doubt that Sirius even knows. I think we've given Chrys and Alasdair enough time. We should head down. Heaven knows what Alasdair is going to say when he sees me.'

Slightly disconcerted by the conversation Harry obediently followed his mother downstairs. He saw Alasdair in the sitting room, Chrystal was no longer there. The two of them entered the room and his mother spoke.

'It's been a while Alasdair,' she said. Alasdair MacLeod turned around. His face was pale and white. Harry could she the blood draining from his face. He looked as if he had seen a ghost.

'Lily Potter?' he asked shaking. 'I must be dreaming. Harry can you call a Healer please?'

'I guess I've given you a shock,' she said. Harry remained still. 'Yes it's Lily.'

'But you're dead,' he said shaking.

'Chrystal didn't explain?' she asked. Harry made his way to the couch and sat as a spectator. 'It's thanks to Chrystal that I'm alive. She found a charm which protected me.' His mother didn't go into details. 'I was trapped as an Animagus for sixteen years and Chrystal has only just revealed me. I'm not dead but I've been keeping to myself. People would react the way you are right now.'

She wandered over toward a table and picked up a little gold bell. She rang it twice. A house-elf popped into the room.

'Alasdair would like some tea,' she said. 'So would I. Harry?' Harry nodded. 'Thank you.'

Alasdair eyed Lily from top to bottom.

'Did you see this Harry?' asked Alasdair sceptically trying to put together the pieces of the puzzle.

'Yes sir,' replied Harry. 'I watched Chrystal reveal her. She had been Hermione's cat.'

'Well you must be Lily Potter because the wards would not have allowed you here otherwise,' he said pondering. 'As far as I am aware the only people on the list that could come and go as they chose were you, James and the Blacks. I take it you are here to be with Chrystal? She can be a stupid girl sometimes.'

'Yes,' replied Lily.

'Things are strange,' said Alasdair as the house-elf appeared with the tea. 'When I saw Sirius yesterday he was so afraid that he had ruined everything.'

'I think he needs time to think things through,' said Lily softly. 'Things haven't been easy for either of them lately.'

'Perhaps he does,' Alasdair said as Harry walked over toward the window.

'Look at this,' Harry said. 'A horse is plummeting form the sky.'

Both his mother and Alasdair ran towards the window.

'That's Chrys,' said his mother with some alarm.

They all watched as the horse almost reached the ground before it spread its wings and soared into the sky.

'She hasn't changed has she?' said Alasdair with some amusement. 'Well Lily, Heather will be here for dinner. No doubt she'll be quite surprised to see you. I think I'd better warn her before you walk in. Is Hermione joining us for dinner?'

'She wasn't feeling too well,' said Harry. 'I think I'll go up and check on her.'

'Be down for dinner at five then Harry,' he said. 'I believe that's less than an hour.'

Harry made his way upstairs and found Hermione lying in bed. She wasn't asleep, but she looked kind of drowsy. He gently kissed her on the forehead. She looked only slightly better than she had that morning.

'How you feeling honey?' he asked as he gently placed his hand on her forehead. 'You're still a little warm.'

'Slightly better Harry,' she replied. 'I'd feel much better if you'd come here and give me a hug.'

Harry gave her a smile before he sat down on the bed next to her and held her as he lay on his side.

'So I heard your Mum's voice,' she said. 'What's going on?'

'Sirius left Chrystal,' he said softly. 'He's gone away to think things over. Promise you'll never do that to me Hermione.'

She turned around and stared lovingly into his eyes.

'Are you worried I will Harry?' she said.

'Hermione I don't know what I'd do if I lost you,' he said honestly. 'It would tear me apart.'

'Just don't you leave me and we'll be okay,' she said. 'I know we're both young, but together we can face anything.'

Harry placed his hand on her growing stomach.

'Here's our next challenge right here,' he said as he felt something against his hand. Hermione looked at him with a smile.

'Did you feel that?' she asked with a smile on her face. 'There's certainly a personality waiting in there to come bustling out.'

'You coming down for dinner?' he asked softly glancing at his watch.

'No,' she replied. 'Although a little old remedy chicken soup would be nice.'

'I'll see what I can do,' he said kissing her gently on the nose before he made his way downstairs.

Everyone was already at the table when he arrived. He didn't know what to say to Chrystal. He just gave her a vague smile before he sat down. The atmosphere was tense throughout the entire meal. Harry could hardly wait until he had finished his main course, excused himself and headed towards the kitchen to organise some soup for Hermione.

He wandered slowly upstairs and opened the door of their bedroom to find Hermione lying there just as he had left her. She glanced up at him, as he opened the door.

'You're back early,' she said with a smile appearing on her face.

'It's kind of uncomfortable out there,' he said. 'And besides, Ron's coming over after work to practice and I have to be ready.'

'Boys and their games,' she said shaking her head as Harry quickly changed his clothes and headed out the door blowing her a soft kiss.

He walked towards the strange room where Alasdair had taught them to fence. To be honest neither of them were very good, but just the act of doing something at the same time every week brought a regularity to their life that certainly hadn't been there before.

Harry arrived in the room to find Ron there waiting for him. He gave Harry a grin before drawing a sword off the wall.

'Shall we?' he asked.

Harry didn't reply, he just nodded as he pulled the sword off the wall with a smile on his face.

The two of them began their weekly ritual of swinging swords at each other until they were both drenched in sweat. Harry fell to the ground with exhaustion.

'I don't think I need another work out this week then,' he said with a smile. Ron collapsed on the floor next to him.

'Me neither,' he said. 'Between this and running around Spain looking for Lavender and Seamus, I've had a long day.'

'Have you found either of them yet?' he asked.

Ron shook his head.

'Nah,' he said. 'No luck yet. I'm going to talk to Seamus' little sister Katie tomorrow. I'm hoping she has a hint in one of her letters.'

'How's Boot?' asked Harry. 'Keeping out of trouble?'

'He hasn't put a foot out of line,' said Ron. 'I think we might have been wrong in suspecting him.'

'It's just hard to imagine anybody else,' said Harry sighing as Hedwig soared through the window towards him. He reached up and retrieved the letter from her beak, before she soared off. Harry glanced at the letter.

'It's a reply from Dudley,' Harry said. 'I wonder if he's told his parents yet.'

Harry ripped open the letter to find a horridly scrawled mess.

Dear Harry,

Haven't told them yet. Dad's sick. Can you please meet me tomorrow?

One o'clock, Leaky Cauldron. Send an owl if it's inconvenient.

Dudley.

Harry handed the letter over to Ron looking slightly confused. Ron read over it carefully.

'The past couple of letters from Dudley seem a little strange Harry,' he said. 'You've got to admit that.'

'I know,' said Harry sighing. 'I just can't help but wonder if he does really need my help and I don't show then I will have let him down.'

'But if it's a trap,' Ron warned.

'Yeah I know,' Harry said a little angrily. 'Perhaps we should talk to Hermione about it. She's not feeling particularly well but I'm sure she'd like to see you anyway.'

'Is she okay?' asked Ron with some concern.

'She's just got a little bug,' said Harry. 'Nothing to be concerned about. She'll be fine in a few days.'

Ron nodded and followed Harry as he led Ron to their bedroom. Harry gently opened the door to check to see if Hermione was awake before allowing Ron in. Hermione gave Ron a smile as he entered the room.

'How's Spain?' she asked.

'The weather's a bit better than it is here, but so far no luck,' he said. 'I'm due to go back there tomorrow afternoon.'

'I can't believe Lavender would just run off like that,' said Hermione.

'It's a little thing called love,' said Harry with a smile. 'I'd only hope you'd do the same for me.'

'Of course,' replied Hermione as she pulled Harry closer towards her, bringing her lips close to his before Ron interrupted them.

'Excuse me, I am in the room,' he said. Harry looked up seeing his friends face was a little red. 'I thought we were going to ask Hermione what she makes of Harry's letter.'

Harry handed Hermione the letter from Dudley. She read over it carefully before nodding her head.

'It does seem a little strange that you've received yet another letter from him asking you to meet him urgently,' she said. 'On the other hand it could be harmless.'

'Well what do you suggest I do then?' he asked somewhat frustrated.

'It's quite simple Harry,' she said. 'Meet him here. That way if it is a trap then the other people involved won't be able to get here.'

'That's all well and good Hermione,' said Ron with a touch of amusement in his voice. 'You seem to be forgetting that Dudley is a Muggle. He cannot Floo here, he cannot apparate here and he would have to leave now to arrive here by any other means.'

'Well get a portkey and bring him here,' she suggested. 'That way only he can come and you don't have to screw around with the arrangements. All you have to do is ask Alasdair for a portkey and ask him to allow Dudley to come here.'

'Sounds like a good idea to me Harry,' said Ron. 'And if he panics when you suggest that you go elsewhere you'll know he's a part of something.'

'Besides, you can get Chrystal to suss him out,' said Hermione. 'See whether or not he's trustworthy.'

'Fine, I can do that providing she's not plummeting off buildings again,' said Harry. 'I think you're both right. I'll ask Alasdair in the morning. Do you want to stay over Ron?'

'Why not,' he said. 'I take it that's a hint. Anyway, it's been a long day. Why don't you show me to the spare room?'

Harry blew Hermione a kiss before leading Ron into the hallway.

'Sorry mate,' he said to Ron.

'Nah, seriously I am tired,' he said. 'I'll go and see Katie Finnegan in the morning and then I'll return and help you suss out Dudley.'

'Thanks mate,' he said as he watched Ron walk into the spare room. As he wandered back to his he thought more about his last meeting with Dudley. He wasn't really that concerned about Vernon, although he wondered if there was something more sinister going on. He'd find out the next day at any rate.

He quietly snuck back into his and Hermione's bedroom and dimmed the light. He quietly slipped into bed.

'Is there anything I can do to make you feel better?' he asked. She gave him a soft smile.

'Maybe in the morning,' she said. 'For now I think I need some sleep.'

Hermione rolled over onto her side. Harry moved close to her and held her gently until he could hear her soft breathing as she slept. They were okay. They would survive this.

~~~~~~~~~~

Seamus felt weak. His head felt frail, his limbs felt weak. He felt as if he were paralysed from the neck down. He was lying in a bed. He wondered who had brought him here. All he could remember was the cloaked man entering his room and stunning him. He wondered what had occurred since then.

He tried to pull himself up. It was really no use. There was no point in trying. There was no way he could move.

The door opened, but he couldn't turn his head to see who it was. He got a glance of some white cotton but that was about it.

'How's the patient today?' he heard a familiar voice say.

Patient?

The voice had sounded like Parvati's. He must be in St Mungos. Thank Merlin. He was saved!

'Hi Parvati,' he said weakly.

'You're not feeling too well are you,' she said. 'I've got a glass of water here for you. It's important you get your fluids up. Would you like me to help you?'

'Yes,' he said. Parvati helped him sit up in bed before she carefully fed him small sips of water.

'What happened to me?' he asked her.

'We're not entirely sure,' she said. 'Someone tried to cause you a lot of damage. You've been stabbed with a knife several times. You lost a hell of a lot of blood. That's why you feel so weak. But now we're just working slowly on getting you better. It will take time Seamus. Please don't get frustrated.'

'Is Lavender okay?' he asked her.

'I hate to tell you this Seamus,' she said. 'But Lavender's missing. No one's been able to find her.' Parvati covered him with a blanket before making her way to exit the room.

Seamus chest tightened. He hoped sincerely that Lavender was alright. He couldn't understand why she had left Hogwarts. He hoped she hadn't tried to save him.

He knew she would have realised he was missing. He had promised to write to her every day. He didn't know what day it was, but he figured he probably hadn't written for a while.

My love.

Stay, please. I love you Sirius.

No my love.

Please think about it. Promise me.

Yes my Sirius

I love you too, my Crystal

My child