The Raven's Call

Taken

The train was quiet again. Most of the other students had dozed off or buried themselves in sweets and silly chatter about holiday plans. Luna sat across from me, staring dreamily out the window. I pretended to read. Then, without warning. BANG. The carriage jolted violently, and for a second, I thought we'd hit something. Screams echoed down the corridor, the lights snapped to darkness, then flickered back with a sickly green tint. The air changed — colder, heavier. This was a familiar setting.

My hand slid inside my coat for my wand. "Don't," Luna said softly. She was still staring out the window. "They're here for me." I stared at her. "And you think that means I'll just sit here?" She turned to look at me, eyes wide and impossibly calm. "You shouldn't get involved." The compartment door exploded before I could answer. Shards of wood flew through the air. Smoke, curses, and three Death Eaters stormed the threshold like they owned the bloody train. "Luna Lovegood," one of them rasped. "You've got a date with the Dark Lord." I stood. "Over my dead body," I said, voice cold, wand already up. They didn't hesitate. Neither did I.

The first spell they threw was a Disarming Charm. Pathetic. I dodged it, sent a Blasting Curse that cracked the corridor wall, but they were fast — too fast. One of them deflected it, another flanked me, and— "Stupefy." Pain bloomed across my side. I staggered, vision doubling. I hit the floor hard. "Atticus—!" I heard Luna move, but someone grabbed her first. She didn't scream. That disturbed me more than anything else. I struggled to rise, but a boot hit my shoulder and pinned me down. My wand was kicked away.

"This one's not on the list," one of them sneered. "He is now," said another. "Gaunt, isn't he? Family name might be useful." I spat blood onto the floor. "Touch her again and I'll gut you." That earned me a kick in the ribs. I heard something crack. "We'll see what the Dark Lord wants with you," the leader hissed. And just like that — crack — they Apparated. The world twisted and collapsed around me, cold air rushing in like a scream.

Darkness took hold.

The world snapped sideways as the Death Eaters disarmed me. I tried to reach for Luna — my Luna — but someone blasted me off my feet. The spell hit like a damn freight train. I hit the floor with a grunt, the taste of copper flooding my mouth. My wand skidded out of reach. I still scrambled forward. Crawling, dragging myself. It didn't matter what they did to me — they weren't taking her. Luna stood behind me, trembling, wide-eyed — but not afraid. Never afraid. Just... watching. One of them lunged toward her. I lost it.

"DON'T TOUCH HER!" I roared, pushing up onto my knees, reaching for my wandless magic, anything, anything that would work. But they were faster. Stronger. There were three of them, and I'd already taken two hits. A hand slammed against the back of my neck, shoving my face into the floor. Another clamped around Luna's arm. "No—NO!" I thrashed, teeth bared like an animal. "Let her go! I swear to Merlin, I will kill you—"

"We'll take this one too," the masked figure hissed. "They'll want to see how Gaunt's loyalties play out." The last thing I saw before everything cracked apart was Luna's eyes locked with mine. She wasn't afraid — she was apologizing. And then, crack. Pain greeted me before light.

I woke up on stone, my back aching, blood drying on my temple. My wrists were bound. My mouth tasted like ash and fury. Then I heard her voice. "Atticus." I turned too fast, groaning, but there she was. Luna. Alive. Pale, but unhurt. Sitting against the far wall, ankles crossed, arms wrapped around her knees. "Are you alright?" I rasped, dragging myself upright. She nodded slowly. "They weren't that rough with me." I exhaled through my nose, rage simmering just under the surface. "They're going to regret that."