𝐕𝐈. 𝐍𝐄𝐏𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐇𝐄 ➵ 𝐏𝐉𝐎 𝐱 𝐇𝐏

010.

⋆⁺₊⋆ ☾⋆⁺₊⋆

⟻ NEPENTHE ⟼

010.

the capture.

——— ☾𖤓 ———

HARRY FELL, PANTING, ONTO GRASS and scrambled up at once. They seemed to have landed in the corner of a field at dusk; Hermione was already running in a circle around them, waving her wand. "Protego Totalum. . . Salvio Hexia. . ."

"That treacherous old bleeder." Ron panted, emerging from beneath the Invisibility Cloak and throwing it to Harry. "Hermione you're a genius, a total genius. I can't believe we got out of that."

By this point, Harry had regretted leaving Grimmauld Place. As soon as both Theo and Regulus left— the trio had left under the instructions of Harry towards Godric Hollow. He had insisted that they needed to get to Dumbledore's Elder Wand before Voldemort could.

And while his intentions were all for the right reason, he hadn't thought through the plan. As soon as they had arrived to Dumbledore's grave— they found out that Voldemort had been there. Harry had been too late.

Then he stumbled into Mundugus Fletcher— and the man had called out to Voldemort— to which a lot of Death Eaters appeared. Hermione had apparated them out towards somewhere in the forest during the pursuit by the Death Eaters.

He regretted not listening to the two Slytherins.

"Cave Inimicum. . . Didn't I say it was an Erumpent horn, didn't I tell him? And now his house has been blown apart!"

"Serves him right," said Ron, examining his torn jeans and the cuts to his legs, "What'd you reckon they'll do to him?"

"Oh I hope they don't kill him!" groaned Hermione, "That's why I wanted the Death Eaters to get a glimpse of Harry before we left, so they knew Xenophilius hadn't been lying!" "Why hide me though?" asked Ron.

"You're supposed to be in bed with spattergroit, Ron! They've kidnapped Luna because her father supported Harry! What would happen to your family if they knew you're with him?" "But what about your mum and dad?"

They found out through Mundungus that anyone supporting Harry was interrogated and captured, including Luna as a safekeep for Xenophilius to inform them if Harry dropped by his place.

"They're in Australia," said Hermione, "They should be all right. They don't know anything." "You're a genius," Ron repeated, looking awed. "Yeah, you are, Hermione," agreed Harry fervently.

"I don't know what we'd do without you." She beamed, but became solemn at once. "What about Luna?"

"Well, if they're telling the truth and she's still Alive—" began Ron. "Don't say that, don't say it!" squealed Hermione. "She must be alive, she must!"

"Then she'll be in Azkaban, I expect," said Ron. "Whether she survives the place, though. . . Loads don't. . . "

"She will," said Harry. He could not bear to contemplate the alternative. "She's tough, Luna, much tougher than you'd think. She's probably teaching all the inmates about Wrackspurts and Nargles."

The thought of Luna being captured brought Harry back to the thought of Regulus. The boy had told him of how he was close to the girl's mother— Regulus and his two other best friends would be furious if they found out.

"I hope you're right," said Hermione. She passed a hand over her eyes. "I'd feel so sorry for Xenophilius if—"

"—we need to focus on the matter. You-Know-Who has the Elder Wand.," said Ron. They put up the tent and retreated inside it, where Ron made them tea. After their narrow escape, the chilly, musty old place felt like home: safe, familiar, and friendly.