Lost and Found...Love

Chapter 16

We're Doomed

"This backpack has been getting a good workout this holiday," remarked Neville, as he and Harry finished packing some clothes for their weekend at The Burrow.

"Good thing you stored it in the bottom of your trunk, 'just in case'," replied Harry. "You never know when you might need to transport a house elf, an owl and the odd suitcase or two."

"Right," laughed Neville. "Your typical packing list. So, is that it?" He fastened the lid and picked up his jacket and wand.

"Yeah, let's get downstairs," said Harry, swinging the backpack over his shoulder. "This is going to be fun."

X # X # X

Arriving in the kitchen, they found Anna showing Winky some old pictures of her Mom and Dad. Daisy, their house elf was in the background, waving shyly.

"I is remembering when Daisy was killed, Miss. And Toby. We's hearing all about it. Dobby was house elf for the Malfoys and he was telling me, also. Terrible bad wizard, that Malfoy."

"Indeed. Well, he's in Azkaban for the time being, Winky, so the less said about him the better." Anna spotted the two boys entering the kitchen. "Ah, here you are. I found these pictures when you and I were going through that box the other day, Harry. Just sharing with Winky. So, are you two ready?"

"Yes, we're packed and ready to go," answered Harry. Neville nodded.

Anna walked over to the fireplace at the back of the kitchen. She pulled the huge old pot hook, with the decorative copper cauldron hanging from it, out of the way. Reaching up, she lifted down a small crock from the mantel and popped off the lid.

"Are you sure you don't mind us going to The Burrow, Aunt Anna?" Neville asked, as he took a handful of Floo Powder.

"No! As a matter of fact, Winky and I are going to be taking all of the decorations down, denuding the tree and then sorting and storing all of that mess back into the attic. So, sad to say, I'll probably not even have time to miss you."

"Oh, nice!" Harry rolled his eyes. "If that's how it is, then I say let's go." He took a fist full of Floo Powder and stepped into the fireplace to stand next to Neville.

"Right. Ready? See you, Aunt Anna." Neville waved.

"See you Monday afternoon, Anna," added Harry, smiling.

"My love to everyone."

Anna stood back as the boys threw down the Floo Powder and called out together, "The Burrow!"

With a great puff of green smoke, they were gone.

X # X # X

It had been five days since Narcissa had come to see him on New Year's Day. Lucius lay on his cot and stared at the ceiling, vaguely aware of the wind howling outside the thick walls of Azkaban. It was late, past midnight and the guard had just passed, making his inspection walk down the row of cells. His foot steps were just fading away when Lucius became aware of another sound, scratching, tapping. He sat up and looked around the cell.

"Ah, Wormtail, you've come at last."

The rat was sitting up on his haunches, looking up at him, then, turning, Wormtail grabbed the leather thong lying next to him and began pulling a small leather pouch under the lower bars of the cell door.

Lucius watched as Wormtail sat up and tugged the pouch open with his teeth and front paws. He stuck his nose into the pouch and pulled out a silver ring, in the shape of a snake, which he spat on the floor. He looked up at Lucius and then at the ring.

Silently, Lucius stood and walked the two steps to the cell door and picking up the ring, inspected it.

"Is it a Portkey?"

Wormtail shook his head no.

"I didn't think so, that would be too easy, but impossible, especially with all of the extra security spells that have been place on Azkaban for our 'benefit'. So, what does it do?"

Wormtail tilted his head.

"Very well,' Lucius said as he put the ring on his finger. He stood there for a moment, and then began pacing the cell. Suddenly, he stopped, swayed and putting out a hand, leaned on the wall.

"What is this? What's happening?"

Wormtail sat up, observing him carefully. His gaze slowly tracked lower and lower as Lucius shrank down, down, down, until he was less than two inches tall. Lucius looked around, startled, and then he put back his head and laughed. Walking over to Wormtail, he looked up at the now 'giant' rat.

"Now what?"

Wormtail lowered himself onto the floor and Lucius climbed up onto his back. Taking the leather throng again in his teeth, the rat proceeded to the next cell, Lucius Malfoy riding along astride him, thoroughly enjoying himself.

X # X # X

It only took a total of ten minutes for all of the Death Eaters to transform into the miniature versions of themselves. Wormtail tugged open the pouch and held the edge up with his silver paw, pointing with the other paw, indicating they should get into the pouch. With much pushing and muttering, the Death Eaters managed to squeeze in.

Tugging the pouch tightly closed with his teeth, Wormtail proceeded to run down the hallway, dragging it, none too gently, behind him. He climbed through an air duct, ran along two more passageways and down a drainage pipe, to finally emerge near the terrace at the front gate to Azkaban, where visitors both Apperated and Dis-apperated, or used a Portkey to come and go.

Dragging the pouch over to the side of the terrace, he shoved it, roughly, into a black boot that was lying under a bench. Crawling in himself, he curled up to ward off some of the cold, and waited. Within minutes, the boot glowed with a strange blue hue. With a soft pop the boot and its human contents were Portkeyed away.

X # X # X

"The weekend went too fast," Neville observed, as Mrs. Weasley served more scramble eggs to the group of teenagers gathered around her kitchen table.

"We got some good practice time in with our slingshots," noted Hermione, ever mindful of their homework assignments. "Anna will be pleased, I think."

"Does everyone have enough to eat?" Molly asked, checking around the table.

"Yes, Mrs. Weasley." "Plenty thanks." "Um, hum." "Stop fussing, Mum."

"Is Luna coming over to say good bye?"

"She said she would, as soon as she saw her Dad off to work," answered Neville.

Just then they heard footsteps outside the kitchen door.

"That's probably her now," speculated Ginny as the doorknob turned.

But it was Arthur Weasley who came through the door.

"Arthur! Did you forget something, dear?" Molly smiled at her husband, but then, seeing the serious look on his face, her hand went to her throat. "Arthur, what is it...what's happened?"

"The Death Eaters have escaped from Azkaban. All of them."

"WHAT!" "Oh, no." "All of them?" "Bloody hell." "When did this happen, Arthur?"

"Sometime after midnight, last night."

"How?"

"No one knows for sure. There's no evidence of spells being performed in their cells, but it's still being looked into. All hell's broken loose at the Ministry, but I popped home to alert you. It hasn't been released to the public, yet. They're afraid of panicking people."

"Too bloody right, they will."

"Does Albus know?"

"Mad-eye is contacting him."

"What do we do, Dad?"

"Nothing, Ron. We don't know what's going to happen next, but there's no use rushing around in circles. I'll get back to the office and let you know of any developments."

Giving Molly a hug and kiss, he waved goodbye and walked out the door.

X # X # X

"We've got to get back to Anna's," said Harry, turning to Neville, who nodded agreement. They stood and headed up the stairs to Ron's bedroom to get their things packed. Ginny and Hermione looked at each other and followed them. Ron walked over to Molly, who was standing at the door, staring out the window, with tears in her eyes.

"It'll be alright, Mum."

"Oh, Ron...no, it won't. I'm so afraid...for all of us."

Ron put his arm around her shoulder as Molly sniffed into her handkerchief. Just then, Luna came up the walk, smiled and waved, but as she drew closer, her smile faded when she saw Molly's red eyes and Ron's frown. Coming in the door she cocked her head at Ron.

"The Death Eaters escaped from Azkaban last night," he informed her, grimly.

"Oh. What are we going to do?"

"Nothing. At least until we hear from Dad or Dumbledore."

"Where is everyone?"

"Harry and Neville are packing. Ginny and Hermione are upstairs somewhere."

"Come on, let's go make plans."

"Oh, no! You will do as you're told. We're waiting to hear what's happening. There'll be no running off like last year. I won't have it!" Molly put her hands on her hips. "Don't even think about going and doing anything on your own!"

"We're not that stupid, Mum. Last year was, well, it just happened."

"Totally different set of circumstances, Mrs. Weasley," Luna reminded her.

"We just need to talk about what we can do when we get back to school, that's all. It's ok, Mum, really," said Ron, hugging her.

"Oh. Right. I'm sorry...I shouldn't have snapped at you like that. Why don't you go see if Harry and Neville need any help with their packing; make sure they don't forget anything."

X # X # X

Ron and Luna ran up the stairs to find the others crowded into Ron's bedroom. Luna walked straight to Neville and hugged him. To his own surprise, he wrapped his arms around her and held her tight for a minute. Harry was sitting on the bed with his arm around Ginny, who looked very pale. Hermione rose from her seat on the end of the bed and put her arm around Ron's waist as he draped an arm over her shoulder.

"Well, it's started, hasn't it?" Ginny said, barely above a whisper.

"No, not yet," Luna replied, looking over at her. "They're in no shape to go straight out, attacking people. They've been in prison for over six months."

"But without having the Dementors as guards," noted Ron.

"True, but now they have Voldemort's wrath to face, for what happened last June at the Ministry. He hasn't had a chance to vent his anger about their failure to get the Prophesy. I'd hate to have to try and explain that to him." Hermione shook her head. "They were better off in Azkaban; at least safer."

"Harry, have you had any, you know, flashes, from Voldemort? Is he mad or happy?" Ron asked.

"No, nothing. Ever since he realized we were connected, he's blocked his emotions from me. Sorry, no help there."

"What can we do? Anything?" Ginny asked.

"Just get back to Hogwarts and get on with it. Anna's doing all she can to get us ready. We just have to do our bit and learn everything we can, as fast as we can." Harry looked around at his friends.

"Practice, practice, practice."

X # X # X

"Bella, let go of me!" Narcissa raged at her sister, as Lucius' screams of pain echoed down the hall. "I have to do something. He's killing Lucius!"

"If that was our Master's will, he'd be dead already. Stop, Narcissa! There's nothing you can do! You'll only make it worse for Lucius if you dare to interfere!" Bella's grip on Narcissa arms didn't lessen.

"I can't just stand here!"

"You must! I did, when he was punishing Rudolphus. We all know the price for failing our Master."

Narcissa stopped struggling and turning to face her sister, pulled Bella's hands off of her arms.

"That's where we differ, dear sister of mine. I was watching and you were enjoying it; listening to your husband's pain and suffering."

"Yes, I admit it. It thrills me in some deep way. Even when he was punishing me last June, I accepted the pain...I'm actually beginning to enjoy it."

Narcissa turned away from Bella.

"But why must he punish them now, for something that happened last year?"

Another scream rent the air and Narcissa covered her ears. Bella grabbed her wrists and wrenched them away.

"Why did he bring me here, Bella? To torture me, having to listen like this? I did what he asked of me. I didn't fail him, so why is he making me listen to this?"

"You still don't understand, do you? Our Master couldn't care less about you; you're here as a treat, for Lucius, after our master finishes with him. A reward for renewing his allegiance to our Master."

"What?"

"Know this, Narcissa. Lucius will not want your sympathy or tears. He knew he had to pay for his failure. It will make him stronger. He will serve our Master more willingly and with better results from now on. But don't let him, don't let any of them, see your weakness. It will reflect on Lucius. He won't like it and you know what he's like if he's not happy."

"Happy, mad, upset, bored, whatever, he's always the same; a bastard. I hate him."

"Liar."

Narcissa looked at her sister and then hung her head. Bella turned and walked out of the room, leaving her standing alone. Narcissa slowly sank to the floor, tears running down her cheeks.

"What's happened to us, Lucius?" Another scream broke the silence. "We're doomed," she whispered.

Change of Plans

With a poof of green smoke, Harry and Neville appeared in the kitchen fireplace of #42 Harley St.

"I'll check down here, you check upstairs," said Harry.

"Right." Neville took the stairs two at a time as Harry went the length of the kitchen to look in the conservatory, and then he headed for the office.

"Anna?"

No one there, either.

"Aunt Anna?"

Harry could hear Neville calling. Nothing. Harry hurried up the stairs to the front hall, where he dropped the backpack by the hall table.

"Nobody's here, apparently," Neville noted, emerging from the library.

"Wait...WINKY?"

"Harry Potter, sir, is that you?" the house elf inquired as she came hurrying down from the upper floors, dust brush in her hand.

"Where's Anna, Winky? It's important we talk to her, straight away."

"Oh, she is going to St. Mungo's. She is seeing your parents, Neville Longbottom, sir," reported Winky, turning to Neville.

"When's she due back here?" asked Neville. "Did she say?"

"For lunch, Missy Anna is telling me. At one o'clock, which is meaning two o'clock, sir." Winky smiled.

"Right. Thanks, Winky." Neville turned to Harry. "What's the fastest way to St. Mungo's?"

"Floo."

"Let's go."

Turning, they thundered down the stairs, back to the kitchen.

"St. Mungo's!" they chorused as they threw down their handfuls of Floo Powder.

X # X # X

Arriving at the Long Term Care unit, they looked through the small windows set into the doors. They could see Alice Longbottom seated at the far end of the ward, gazing out the window, but no sign of Anna. Neville reached out and rang the bell. The ward matron came to the door and recognizing Neville, smiled and opened the door wide.

"Master Neville! What a pleasant surprise. Come in. And Harry Potter, too, how nice to see you again."

"Hello Sister, is my Aunt Anna - Professor Twigg- Jones, here?"

"She was here, but left with Professor Lupin about half an hour ago."

"Damn!" Harry exclaimed. "Didn't happen to say where they were headed, did they?"

"No, dear. I'm sorry."

"That's ok, Sister." Neville smiled at her.

"I've got an idea about where they went. Come on Neville."

"I'll be back later to see Mum and Dad, Sister."

"Very good, dear, we'll be here." She waved goodbye and closed the door.

X # X # X

"Where do you think they've gone, Harry?"

"Headquarters. Come on, let's go." They started down the stairs.

"I've never been there, although Professor Dumbledore told me all about it last summer, when he came to see me. It's at #12 Grimauld Place."

"You remembered the address?" Harry stopped dead in his tracks to turn and look at his notoriously absentminded friend. "I'm impressed, Neville."

"Oh, shut up. I can remember what I need to. I figure; everything else I can look up, or ask Hermione."

They both laughed as they clattered down the stairwell, headed for the Floo Station in the lobby of St. Mungo's.

X # X # X

Anna, Lupin and Mad Eye Moody were seated at the kitchen table, downstairs at the Headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix, #12 Grimauld Place, which had been the home of the Black family for generations. Now, with Sirius' death, it had been willed to Harry, but stood vacant, except when needed by the members of the Order. But there was still an ancient house elf, Kreacher, who skulked around, muttering, doing nothing towards the upkeep of the place. They could hear him shuffling about upstairs, which was just as well, as they didn't trust him not to try to eavesdrop and then leak information to the only remaining members of the Black family he deemed worthy; Narcissa Black Malfoy and Bellatrix Black Lestrange

"I'm going back to Hogwarts a few days early to get ready for this term. I've got lots to set up and plans to finalize with Filius Flitwick concerning the spells and charms the kids need to start learning this term. I'll be pushing them, hard, but I think they're ready and they'll be eager to get back to it, when they all hear the news."

"Let's hope we won't have to utilize them in the near future," Remus expressed his concern. "I'm not sure I would have been ready when I was their age."

"Wasn't even thought of back then, lad. But, with young Potter involved, it seemed like the rest of his age group just fell into step with him."

"I just worry if..."

Poof! Green smoke belched from the fireplace as Harry and Neville stumbled out, brushing soot form their clothes.

Looking up, Harry grinned. "Did I hear my name?" He looked at Mad Eye. "You were saying, Professor Moody?"

"Harry! Neville! What the hell are you two doing, popping in like this! You're supposed to be at Ron's until lunchtime." Anna was on her feet, hands on her hips, angry scowl on her face.

"Knock it off, Anna," Remus reached out and touched her arm. "They've heard, or they wouldn't be here. Right, lads?"

"Too bloody right we've heard. So, what's the latest? Mr. Weasley didn't know much, earlier this morning, when he came back to The Burrow to tell us," Neville asked casually, as he and Harry pulled up chairs.

Anna sat down, slightly taken aback by Neville's boldness. Harry just grinned. Remus sat back, arms crossed, enjoying seeing Anna at a loss for words. Mad-Eye looked at her, shaking his head.

"Cat got your tongue, there, Anna?" he growled.

"What? Oh, no, I just, well, I wasn't even thinking about seeing these two this soon and it's set me back a minute. Well, ah, let's see. They still don't know how it was managed, but that's a moot point, really, isn't it. I'm not even thinking about the Death Eaters. I'm just anxious to get back to Hogwarts and get going again with your training...class work. I'm going back Thursday, just to get everything ready and get with Professor Flitwick to go over this term's agenda."

"We'll go with you," Harry volunteered and Neville nodded agreement.

"No, Remus is going to see you both onto the Express on Sunday and you'll be coming back with the rest of the students. Besides, I can only fit one of you on the back of Tut and I'll make better time by myself." Anna looked back and forth between the two boys, who looked at each and then nodded that they understood and agreed with her plans.

"Alright then, we'll just have to get the D.A. together for a quick meeting Sunday night, after the evening meal. Spread the word on the train while you're traveling back on Sunday," suggested Anna.

"Right, but I expect we'll be hearing from everyone before then, as soon as word of the escape gets out.

"Well, hopefully, by Sunday night, we'll have more definitive news. I'm going over to the Ministry with Mad-Eye this afternoon and get briefed. So tell Winky I won't make it for lunch, will you?"

"Can we come with you?" asked Harry, knowing the answer, but trying anyway.

"No. You don't work for the Ministry and you're underage and a student and not supposed to know this stuff or know about the Order or...need I continue?" Anna stopped counting on her fingers and smiled at Harry, who grinned back.

"I knew you'd say that, Aunt Anna," Neville laughed, "even as the question came out of Harry's mouth."

"Actually, the best thing would be for you two to get back to the house and enjoy the rest of your holiday, as normally as possible," suggested Remus. "There really is nothing for you to do. Seriously."

"Right, well, we'll just pop off, then." Neville stood and Harry followed him to the fireplace. "You'll be home for dinner, then, Aunt Anna?"

"Yes, about sixish."

"Ok, see you about seven then."

"Cheeky! But probably correct."

"Goodbye boys," Remus said, smiling at them.

"Potter, Longbottom." Mad-Eye held out the pot of Floo Powder.

Standing side by side, they threw down the powder as they said Anna's address and Poof they disappeared.

"Have to keep an eye on those two, Anna." Moody stumped back over to the table. "Determined to get into it, I'm thinking."

"But they make a good team," Anna observed. "I may encourage that." She tilted her head and watched the green wisps of smoke drift up the chimney.

X # X # X

It was just after sundown on Thursday when Anna turned Tut onto the gravel drive leading up to Hogwarts Castle. She had left London early that morning, leaving Winky to watch over the boys. The house elf had wanted to accompany her new mistress, but agreed to stay and come back on the Hogwarts Express in Neville's backpack. Anna had also arranged for Molly and Arthur Weasley to come to London on Saturday, bringing Ron, Ginny, Hermione and Luna, staying overnight at the townhouse, and then seeing all of the kids onto the Express on Sunday morning.

That gave Winky more than enough to do, and she wasn't all that upset about being left behind.

"So, shall we make it official?" Anna asked before she left. "Would you like to be my house elf permanently, Winky? Do you think you can be happy, now that you've seen how it is in this crazy household?"

"Oh, yes, Missy Anna! Winky would be honored to be you's house elf." She had thrown herself into Anna's arms and burst into tears of joy.

Now, as Anna climbed the stairs to her chambers, she realized how much the little creature had come to mean to her. She missed her. 'Oh well,' she thought, 'I'm spoiled already, but I suppose I can manage on my own until Sunday night.'

X # X # X

Changing into a gown and robe, she made her way down to the Great Hall. There was a small table in front of the staff table, set for dinner. Professor Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall, Severus Snape and Professor Flitwick were already seated when she entered the vast room.

"Anna, my dear, you made good time," observed Albus Dumbledore as he rose to greet her. Flitwick and Severus also stood.

"I left very early. The weather forecast wasn't very promising. Icy roads and motorcycles don't go together. Well, hello Filius," said Anna as she gave the diminutive Charms professor a hug and kiss. "How was your holiday trip?"

"I had a delightful journey, thank you. And your holiday in London?"

"Hectic, crowded, noisy and loads of fun. Minerva." Anna gave her a peck on the cheek.

"I'm glad you beat the foul weather, I can hear the wind starting to pick up, as we speak."

"Indeed. It was starting to get nasty just as I drove through Hogsmeade."

Severus pulled out her chair as she paused to give Albus a hug and kiss.

"Thank you, Severus." She laid a hand on his arm. He nodded his head and sat back down.

X # X # X

Dinner passed pleasantly, with the telling of stories of their days as students at Hogwarts. Even Severus volunteered an anecdote about Anna in potions class, comparing her first efforts to those of her godson, Neville.

"Severus, that's a lie," Anna protested, "I never melted a cauldron in my life. It sprang a leak, that's all.

Professor Flitwick was laughing so hard he nearly toppled off of his chair.

"Oh Anna, did you really?" he squeaked. "Oh my, that's very amusing!"

"Ha, ha, very funny." She crossed her arms and turned to pout at Severus. "Thanks a lot, Severus. Go ahead and ruin my reputation."

"Hardly. I was just relating a true story for the amusement of my fellow staff members. "

"Well said, Severus," said Minerva McGonagall as she whipped tears from her eyes. "Oh, that was funny, Anna, admit it."

"That's it, I give up." Anna threw up her hands, and then turned to give Severus a long thoughtful look. "Hum, let's see if I can tell a tale on you, old friend."

"Doubtful. I was a model student."

"Ha!"

"Pardon me?"

"I can think of two incidents I could talk about and totally embarrass you, but, I won't. I'll hold them in reserve, for future reference, I think."

"Really. I shudder at the thought."

"Putz!"

"Yes."

"Ditto."

X # X # X

"I've got an awful lot of preparation to do tomorrow, so I'll come to your classroom on Saturday morning, to discuss the schedule, Filius, if that's alright with you?"

"That would be fine, dear. Good night all."

The tiny Professor scuttled off down the hall, leaving the others standing at the bottom of the grand staircase.

"Good night, Filius." "Pleasant dreams." "Good night." "Good night."

"Well, I think the best course of action is to maintain as near an atmosphere of calm and normalcy as possible, when the students return." Dumbledore looked at the other three. "We can't pretend the breakout didn't occur, but the less it's mentioned, the less the students will worry. Don't ignore their questions, but don't dwell on it, either." The others nodded in agreement. "Well, then, I'm off to do some reading. See you all sometime tomorrow, probably lunchtime. Goodnight."

"Goodnight, Albus." "Headmaster." "Sleep well, Albus."

"I'm off, myself. Goodnight, you two," said Professor McGonagall as she turned and headed to her rooms.

"Goodnight, Minerva." "Professor McGonagall."

At last, they were alone, standing, gazing at each other.

"Midnight."

Severus turned and went down the stairs leading to the dungeons as Anna climbed the main staircase.