Fire and Ice (Book 2)

Chapter 24 - The Missing Piece

ROSE'S POV-

As the week went on the aches and pains my body possessed slowly began to fade away. The purple bruises faded to yellows and I gained the ability of being able to sit up. As my body started to heal so did my memories. Things no longer remained foggy and unreadable. I could now remember most things that Lucius had done to me. Every hit, kick, and punch constantly reverberated through my memories. Him yelling at me and saying how I had no chance of ever getting help. The days on end feeling sick because of lack of food. But the one thing I can't seem to remember is why Lucius decided to take me back to Scorpius.

Leaving me on a dying heap on his doorstep he rung the bell and left. I'm constantly being asked why he brought me back. There must be a reason, right? And I want to be able to give an answer. I want to know. To remember. But I can't, and that's what frustrates me the most. The whole situation makes me so angry. I want to find Lucius and kill him because I don't deserve this. I shouldn't have to live in constant fear. I should be able to enjoy being married. But I can't because a crazy lunatic is trying to ruin my life. And that makes me really bloody mad.

But my anger only fuels me to do better. To figure out this long and twisted mystery so I can finally be happy. So, we've been working. And when I say we I mean me and Scorpius. Al and Alice left a little over a week ago so we could get back on track. So here's what we know. Lucius had the pheronixon over 20 years ago and used it to kill people. The whole ordeal got him thrown in azkaban. A year ago he busted out. He has proceeded to torture us and steal a time turner. We don't know why he needs to time turner but assume it has something to do with the Pheronixon. Side note, nobody bloody remembers Lucius having Pheronxion or it's existence in the first place. We don't know why that is.

So, what we've concluded is that we need 3 things. We need to figure out why Lucius has the time turner. What the time turner has to do with the Pheronixon. And how come nobody remembers anything about Lucius's case. Then, we can figure out how to stop him from doing whatever the hell he's planning.

Sitting propped up by pillows in my bed I slowly went through all we had to figure out. Three things. Three things and I can live a normal life. "So, why do we think he needs a time turner?" Scorpius asked. I was snapped out of my thoughts. "To turn back time." I said obviously."I know that. But why does he want to go back."He asked. "Haven't we already been over this? It has to do with the Pheronixon." I said. A thought popped into my head. "You know, we haven't actually done much research on the drug. We only really looked at what was in Lucius's case file. There's so much we don't know!" I cried. "I understand that. That's why we just need to look things up. Maybe we'll find some answers." He said. "Ok, maybe we should talk to someone. Looking things up can only get you so far." I suggested. "Who?" He asked. "Hand me the case file." I said. After grabbing it from him I looked at the spot that had been bothering me. "Look who the article was written by." I said. "Ingrid Youtz. How does that help anything?" He asked. Being careful to move in a way that wouldn't hurt me, I slid the newspapers towards me. Ruffling through the articles I finally found the one I wanted. "Aha!" I cried. "Read this." I said shoving it into his hands.

Earlier this week well renowned writer, Ingrid Youtz, was found half dead in her home. It seems she dueled someone and lost. Her attacker left thinking she was dead. Healers said she had serious injuries to her head and neck but is healing properly. Though she refuses to speak about the matter she has said she will continue writing when she is released from St. Mungo's. 

The short article gave us everything we needed. "I bet Lucius attacked her." Scorpius said after he finished reading it aloud. "I wouldn't doubt it. And this was dated back to two weeks ago. I bet she's still in the hospital. If we go and talk to her maybe she can tell us more about Pheronixon. She obviously had to know a lot about it if she did a report on it." I said. "When should we go?" I asked. "Not anytime soon. You still can't walk." He said. My face fell. He was right. "Then go without me. We can buy one of those muggle recorders and you can record the whole thing. I can listen to it when you get back!" I said. "I don't want to go without you." He said. "Don't worry about me. I'll be here when you get back. And think of it this way. The longer we wait for me to get better the more Lucius gets away with." I said. "You're right." He said. "I know. Now let me transfigure you to look different." I said. He sighed and sat down in front of me.