The Rebirth

Jack Croft

"So let me get this straight. You want to know about Bellatrix Lestrange? You two? To stop her psycho daughter?"

"That's right." Ginny nodded confidently. Hermione smiled. She loved Ginny's natural confidence and flair. "We need to know more about her – it might help us find out what she wants and how we can stop her."

Mr. Croft laughed bitterly. "Even though she's dead, she pollutes your lives – do you two ever get peace? I mean, the men I get – but you two? Surely, you must get tired of it."

"Actually no, I think you'll find we can handle it perfectly fine – just because we're women doesn't mean we're less capable of handling it if that's what you're trying to say! If anything, we handle it better than them." Ginny's face was nearly as red as her own hair. Clearly, she wasn't a big fan of Mr. Croft.

"Sorry sorry, I didn't mean to upset you, I was merely saying – actually, forget it. You're right." He got up to make tea, still not looking convinced. As he had his back turned, Ginny turned to whisper to Hermione. "His attitudes are as bloody ancient as his hair! We're wasting our time, nearly a ruddy hour we've been here and we haven't got anything."

"Let's just hear what he's got to say, you never know. Calm down Ginny, you're going to burst into flames in a minute if you continue to go any redder." She smirked, turning back to sit in her original position. No matter how old she was, Ginny always had a fire in her that Hermione admired. A few minutes later, Mr. Croft had a cup of tea in his hand.

"I don't want you to get yourselves into dangerous situations anymore, that's all. You're known worldwide by witches and wizards for your bravery and more – you're bloody good people, and you deserve good lives, but if you must eradicate this threat in order to do so, I'll help you."

Hermione kicked Ginny's leg lightly as she rolled her eyes and muttered "finally."

"Now I want you to know that Miss. Lestrange was and still is, to this day, one of the prisoners I shall never forget. She was so damaged, to the point where she relished the madness. She didn't care if she left, if she stayed. All she cared was for Voldemort, and his return to power. It can drive you up the wall, hearing her screams of how he would return and murder us all - that was one of the reasons we started to increase the number of dementors."

"Yep, she was a nightmare. That's great and all, but we really just need to know if Bellatrix had Ivy in Azkaban."

"Really, Miss Weasley, it's as if you don't want to be here. If that's how you feel, maybe you should both leave." He had a dark glint in his eye. Suddenly Ginny didn't feel so comfortable - she was starting to see the damage Azkaban had done to him – it was visible in his eyes. Eyes never lied.

"Sorry Mr. Croft, it's just that this is a very tense situation, and we don't have much time – we don't know when she'll strike. So if you could please -"

But Hermione didn't finish her sentence, as a sound could be heard in the room next to them. It was as if someone was there – or something. Mr. Croft stood up, gripping his wand. The two women hadn't noticed that he'd been holding it the whole time. "Probably the ruddy street cat again. I'll go check now." Hermione noticed he was talking loudly, as if he wanted not only them to hear. Before he left, he muttered "accio", and yellowing parchment came flying into his hand, followed by a tatty purple quill. He wrote something on it, before bowing his head to Hermione and Ginny. He moved closer to them suddenly, his voice lower than a whisper. "She's here. Just go. I can deal with it. Take this." He shoved the paper into Hermione's hand, and left. Ginny looked at Hermione and grabbed her hand, and they disappeared into the air.
Minutes later, a green light illuminated the living room. A dull thud could be heard as Mr. Croft dropped to the floor. Ivy stood over him, laughing as the light left his eyes.

"You always did talk too much Jack."

And with that, she too, left, disappearing into the air, leaving Jack Croft's dead body alone in the dim, now very silent, living room.

I loved writing this chapter so I hoped you like reading it, thank you for all the support and 4K reads! Thank you for all the support, x