|In The Dark|

31

Stealth Mission

TIME JUMP: 4 WEEKS
ANNABELLE LUPIN-BLACK

"How are you feeling?" I asked Draco. He shrugged. "I'm fine," he said. I nodded. We were all sitting in my room and drinking. Dad's were at a meeting. "We have to go back," he said. Theo and I looked at him sharply. "Are you mad?" I exclaimed. "I have to see if my mum is ok, and we need our stuff." Draco said. "This is mental, we can't actually go back there." Theo said. "Fine, stay here. I don't want either of you getting hurt anyway." Draco said. I scoffed. "Yeah right, you aren't going by yourself." I said. "I'll be fine," he said. "Fine! You are still recovering from the last time we were there." I said. "Mate, this isn't a good idea." Theo said. "Plus my dads will never go for it." I said. "So what, we just leave all our stuff there, and what about my mum?" Draco said. Theo and I looked at eachother with concern. My thoughts began to race.

"Listen, I'm going whether you like it or not," he said. I sighed. "I'm with you mate, till the end of the line." Theo said casually. I looked at them both and rubbed my temples. "This is a horrible idea but at least we can all die together." I said. They laughed and Theo kissed me. "We'd better go now while my dads are still gone." I said. They nodded. I grabbed my wand and put on my shoes and coat and we walked outside. "Ready?" Theo said. We all took his hand and nodded.

"Apparate," he said.

The world spun and we landed outside of Malfoy Manor. "Ok, I vote for a stealth mission. We get in, get our stuff, check on your mum and get out." Theo said. We both nodded. "Agreed." I said. We snuck in and Winky appeared with a crack in front of us. His eyes widened. "Young Malfoy is in danger. Master Malfoy is angry, very angry. Winky must warn you." he said. "We know Winky. Where's my mum?" Draco asked. "Winky will show you," he said. "Is Mr. Malfoy here?" I asked. "Master Malfoy is in his study." Winky said. I held Theo's hand and he gave me a reassuring smile. "We'll be fine." Theo said. I nodded. We walked into the drawing room and Narcissa was sitting on a chair doing her needlepoint. "Mum!" Draco exclaimed, running over. She looked up in shock. "Draco!" she said. He hugged her tightly. "Little dragon, you shouldn't be here." she said. "I had to make sure-" he started. Theo and I walked over and Draco was staring at her. Narcissa had black eyes and her eyes were red and puffy. "He did that to you?" Draco asked. "It's alright. I'm fine. Just get your things and get out of here. Quickly." she said. "Cissy, you can't stay here if he hurts you." I said. She smiled and hugged me. "I'll be ok darling." she said. My eyes watered. "Mum, what if he-" Draco started. "Draco, I want you to know I love you. I don't care who you love as long as they make you happy. Do you understand me?" she said. Draco's eyes watered. "I understand mum," he said. "Guys, we have to go." Theo said. We started to sneak up the stairs and I gathered all my stuff and charmed my trunk to make it smaller. Then I headed for the stairs. I got to the top when Theo grabbed me and clamped his hand over my mouth. Him and Draco were standing there hiding. Draco shook his head as a warning and Theo pointed. I looked where they were looking and then I saw it.

Lucius was talking to Narcissa and our escape route was compromised. "Who were you talking to? I heard voices." Lucius said. "Nobody dear, there's nobody here." she said. "Don't lie to me." Lucius spat. "Why would I lie? There's nobody for me to talk to." she said. "What do we do?" Theo whispered. "I don't know." I whispered back. Just then Narcissa looked at us and nodded slightly. "You know Lucius dear, you seem tense." she said as she stepped closer. She caressed his skin and I shut my eyes. Narcissa was going to do this to save us. Lucius smirked and grabbed her wrist. He began to drag her to their bedroom and we ran for the door. Once we got outside and hidden, we stopped to catch our breaths. Draco was seething. "Draco mate, are you-" Theo started. "No! I'm not ok!" he yelled. We both went quiet. "My mother is going to do that- with that man. She wouldn't have to if-" he started. "Draco, your mom saved us." I said. "She shouldn't have to." he spat. Then we apparted home.

"Where the hell have you three been?!" Sirius yelled the second we walked inside. "Sirius, calm down." Remus said. "Dad, we're fine." I said. "Where were you?" Sirius asked. We all looked at the floor. Then Remus saw our stuff. "You went back!" he exclaimed.

"We had to get our stuff and Draco needed to make sure his mum was ok." I said. "How could you think that was a good idea?! How could you not tell us? You could have been hurt all over again, all three of you." Sirius said. "We're fine. Nobody got hurt Sir." Theo said. "Except my mum." Draco mumbled. "We're just glad you are all safe, aren't we Sirius." Remus said. "Next time, just tell us where you're going. I can't have you running around alone, it's not safe." he said. "I wasn't alone." I said. "I mean all three of you. It's not safe for any of you. With you-know-you back-" Sirius started. "Sirius-" Remus warned. He stopped talking. "No dad, what? If something is wrong, I should know." I said. He smiled and kissed my forehead. "It's nothing kiddo. Just be more careful." he said. I nodded and hugged them both. Then we all went to bed.

TIME SKIP: 1 MONTH

I woke up with the sun shining in my face and Theo's arm draped over my side. Draco was still fast asleep on the couch in my room. I laid in bed and just watched Theo sleep. I gently brushed his dark curls from his face and his eyes fluttered open. He smiled at me and I sat up. "Hey Belle-" he said in that deep morning voice. "Hey," I said. I kissed him gently and got up. "I'm going to go start breakfast." I said as I pulled a jumper on. He nodded and dozed off again.
I walked downstairs and into the kitchen. Normally, my dads were already up by now but they weren't. I checked their bedroom and their bed was made and their wands were gone. I started to get worried as I looked all over the house. Then I found a letter sitting on the table.

Annabelle-

Sorry for leaving without saying goodbye. We had to go in the middle of the night and didn't want to wake you. Harry was attacked by dementors and now the Ministry is trying to get him kicked out of Hogwarts. We don't want you to worry though because Harry is safe and everyone in the order including Dumbledore is going to make sure that doesn't happen. Please just stay home and try to enjoy the rest of your summer with Theo and Draco. We love you so much!

                      -Dads

I sat down and my thoughts were racing. How was Harry attacked by dementors? Is he ok? Will they be able to stop his expulsion? Where are my dads even going? Are they going to be safe? Where is Harry right now? I had so many questions and no answers. I was worried for Harry, my dads, Professor Dumbledore, and all the members of the order. This is crazy, They cant-

"Belle-" Theo said, standing behind me. I turned around and he looked worried. "Are you ok?" he asked. I handed him the letter. "Fucking hell." he mumbled. "I know." I said. "They'll be ok. They can't expel Harry Potter, I mean, it's Harry Potter." he said. "Theo, I heard them talking the other night. The Ministry is trying to cover up Voldemort's return. They are trying to tell everyone Harry's a liar. The Minister thinks Dumbledore is out for his job. That's why they are doing this." I said. Theo sighed and buried his head in his hands. "If anyone else used the patronus charm to fight off dementors, even in public, they wouldn't be punished. Harry's a scapegoat." I said. "Your dads won't let that happen." Theo said. "I hope not, because without Harry, Voldemorts unstoppable." I said.