Incendio

Chapter 38: Flames at The Bottom Of The Cup

*Trigger Warning, This Chapter Contains Graphic Material, Including A Brief Mention Of Domestic Violence.*

Lee burst into Samantha's room. He normally had better discretion when it came to privacy.

She sat up quickly out of her bed, pulling the covers over her less than covering night shirt. She suddenly regretted never using the lock he'd given to her.

"Merlin's Beard Lee!" She exclaimed.

"They took Luna!" He yelled quickly and turned around, "The Death Eaters!" 

"What? Accio dressing gown." She called and her dressing gown flew to her, she threw it on quickly before standing up. "What happened?"

"Ginny told Fred and George! They just arrived to celebrate New Year's Eve with us tomorrow. The Death Eaters came and just took Luna right off of the Hogwarts Express." Lee said, running his hands through his dreadlocks.

"Oh my god." Samantha said quickly, she pushed Lee through the door, she closed it, but yelled through the door, "I have to see Xenophilous. Does he know?" She began quickly throwing on the first clothing she could grab.

"Of course he knows. I think he'd know if his bloody child didn't come off of the Hogwarts Express. They did it because of what he's been writing in The Quibbler." Lee yelled back inside. "I don't think it's safe for you to see him."

Samantha exited the room, pulling her unruly hair up into a ponytail. "Why wouldn't it be safe?"

"If they took Luna there is a chance they are watching Xenophilous." Lee argued. "I mean they can't attack him outright per-say, they obviously just want to manipulate him into changing his writing."

Samantha stopped in her tracks. "Oh. Honestly Lee, when did you become any kind of logical?"

"I have my moments you know. We can mention Luna's capture on the show, but there isn't much else we can really do." Lee shook his head and put his hands on her shoulders.

"There has to be something we can do. Luna's one of my best friends and Xenophilous has, well, he's done more for my career than he ever should have." Samantha said, her body shaking.

"Too many of our informants are known only to you." Lee again argued with logic. "You can't go somewhere they are actively watching."

Samantha put her hands on her waist and looked down. She turned to look into her room. There, next to Whisp's cage, was Luna's letter. She'd written about how brave she thought Samantha was and how much she missed her. She'd also sent the recipe for her 'Wrackspurt cure.' Lee wasn't wrong, but she felt so useless.

"Are you planning to go anywhere important today?" He asked.

She nodded. "Yeah, I'm supposed to meet Kingsley. I need the distraction if I'm honest."

"I can go with you if you'd like." He offered with a smile.

Samantha coughed, he'd never offered to go with her before. She wondered if he was trying to be gallant. "I can take care of myself Lee. Besides, I'm meeting up with Kingsley. He has a lead who will only meet me if Kingsley is present."

"I know that, but I'd feel better." He said with a shrug following her. "I don't know. I mean if they can take Luna right off of the Hogwarts Express-"

Samantha rolled her eyes and interrupted him, "I'm fine. Besides my parents aren't writing oppositional pieces against You-Know-Who. That's my job."

"My point exactly." He said strongly. "What if they realized it was you working for Potterwatch? They could target you and everyone you are close to!"