|| Star-Crossed ||

75

A Chance

HARRY POTTER

"Treacherous little bleeder! Is there nobody we can trust?" Ron exclaimed. We all sat down by the river to breathe. Hermione started to read and Ron pulled out the radio. Then it happened.

"This is Vernon Dursley. I'm here with my friends Ricky, Kevin and Brody. We need to talk to Dudley Dursley or maybe his cousin. Over," a voice said. We all froze. I looked at them quickly. "Is this the Order's broadcast?" I asked. He nodded. "It could be a trap, Harry," Hermione said. "Yeah, a lot of people know about the Dursleys," Ron said. "Only a few people know about Ricky, Kevin and Brody. What if someone is trying to contact me? But they don't think they can say my name?" I asked. They exchanged looks. "It's up to you," Ron said. I pressed the button on the side of the radio and cleared my throat. "Come in, This is Dudley. Over," I said. "I know who you're looking for and I know where they are. Over," the voice said. "Who am I looking for? Over," I asked. There was a moment of quiet. "I always forget the 3rd letter of the Alphabet. If you come to the purest safehouse, maybe you can remind me," the voice said. My mind was racing. Third letter is C, and the purest safehouse is the place Theo took us. "When? Over," I said. "Now," the voice replied. "What the bloody hell was that? Where are we going?" Ron asked. "The third letter of the alphabet is C. Caroline. I think someone knows where Caroline is," I said. Their eyes widened. "Harry, this feels like a trap," Hermione said. "Then stay here. You don't have to risk it. But if there's even a chance I could find my sister, I don't care what I have to do," I said. They nodded. "We'll come with you," Hermione said. I nodded. Then we apparated.

When my feet hit the floor in the woods, I immediately drew my wand. Ron and Hermione did the same. We walked towards the cabin and the door opened. I sighed in relief when I saw Theo. "Fucking hell, you really made it difficult! I don't know how to code messages!" he exclaimed. "Where's Caroline?" I asked. "Nice to see you too," he mumbled. I shot him a look. "Ok, sorry. Come inside," he said. We went inside and he shut the door. "She's at Malfoy Manor," he said. "Are you going to tell me why Malfoy kidnapped her that night or do I have to beat it out of him the next time I see him?" I spat. "She followed him. To the Room of Requirement. He panicked and after Snape killed Dumbledore, he took her to Malfoy Manor," he said. "Why?" Hermione asked. "He was scared. Somehow, in his twisted mind, he decided it would be the safest place for her." he said. I scoffed. "He put her in this room on the third floor. Nobody ever goes up there. He put up wards and we brought her meals. For a while, she was safe," he said. "Then what?" I asked. I had a pit in my stomach. "She got depressed. So was losing it so- I- I tried to help her- help her escape," he said. My face fell. "We got caught," he said. "Is my sister dead, Nott?" I asked. He looked at me and shook his head. "No, but I'm afraid if we don't get her out soon she will be," he said. "What are they doing to her there?" I asked. "Harry," Hermione said softly. "You don't want to know," he said. My stomach lurched and my heart sank. "Are they torturing her?" I asked. He just stared at me. "God damn it, Nott! Tell me!" I screamed. "Whatever you are imagining, it's worse," he said. My eyes filled with tears and I forced them away. "How do we help her escape?" Ron asked. "There has to be a way to get in and get her out. Will Malfoy help?" Hermione asked. "Will Malfoy help?! Are you mad?! He's the reason she's in this mess! This is his fault!" I screamed. "Potter, Draco did the wrong thing but he loves-" Theo started. "Don't! Don't you fucking dare tell me he loves her! I let you all make me believe that and I let my guard down and I trusted that fucking snake! And look what happened! She is being tortured and God only knows what else because of him! So no! The second I see him, he is fucking dead!" I screamed. They all stared at me in shock. "Harry, calm down," Hermione said. "Draco is the only reason she is still alive right now. She was supposed to be dead last month," Theo snapped. "He took her 8 months ago," Hermione said. "I know. The Dark Lord was going to kill her last month. A public execution, to draw you out. But Draco convinced him not too. Said the Order is still too strong and we don't have the numbers yet." Theo said. I rolled my eyes. "The Dark Lord tortured him for contradicting him. He coughed blood for a week." Theo added. "I don't care. I care about Caroline," I said. He nodded. "I know, so let's figure this out," he said.