Cabinet Conundrum

Tortured Souls

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Ryan kissed Cedric and ordered the toys to return to the chest, "Four huh ... too late now. I guess Severus, Draco, Theo and Tom will find out the hard way."

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"How have the preparations been going?" Ryan asked the head elf in charge of Sun Castle who appeared in the dining area to make his report.

The house elf, who was dressed in a simple black uniform with a sun symbol on its breast pocket, nodded, "Quite well, Master Ryan. We have only a few touch ups in the bedrooms. All the classrooms have been set up and so has the infirmary. The basic plants are in the greenhouse. I have taken the liberty to contact Gringotts. They have finished the review of both castles and are ready to apply the advanced wards you ordered."

"Very good, tell them to begin the process. I want it finished before I start interviewing candidates. Ideally I'd want both castles' ward systems completed, but if not possible then they must finish with Sun first. Contact the head elf here the second Gringotts starts on Sun and have your elves assist those here with as much as possible before you're kicked out for the warding process here. Due to the discovery of some Devil's snare along the edges of the property we're a bit behind here. I want it all removed before the wards go up and makes it difficult to find the smaller pods. Should anything come up, I'll be with Argus." Ryan ordered as Cedric, fully dressed this time, walked into the room just in time to see the elf bow and disappeared in a puff of smoke.

Cedric smiled as Ryan pulled him into a hug and kissed him, "Good news?"

"Everything is nearly done. There was a drawback in the courtyard here with a Devil's snare outbreak along the very edge of where the wards will go, but hopefully that will be handled. Where are you going today?" Ryan asked as he noticed the fancy robes his lover was wearing.

"I'm going to the execution." Cedric said and before Ryan could open his mouth Cedric explained, "As the friend of Harry Potter I have to go. I will not get too close and Sirron is going to be following me."

Ryan sighed, "Yes ... unfortunately, you're right, but be careful."

"You saw something when they were being tortured. Something that confirmed your suspicions, yes?" Cedric asked, but he knew he was right the second those violet eyes looked in his.

"Nothing terribly concerning ... it's amazing what someone will do just to satisfy their own curiosity even at the expense of their own soul, but not think of the price that has to be paid. Little soul fragments are easy to see against their host or object, but trying to see if a soul is missing a piece, even if the symptoms are there, is difficult. The pain from last night's torture and my blood magic made it easier to see the soul through the body and reveal that another person broke their soul." Ryan said with an annoyed and deeply disapproving sigh, but then smiled at Cedric.

"You didn't show any sign at the party last night." Cedric stated pouting slightly at being left out of the discovery.

The white haired wizard smiled softly, "I apologize. I did not want to stress you. Don't think about it, love. Just focus on your health and let Argus and I handle the fool."

"I will." Cedric said with a little rub on his lower belly. "If it wasn't for the role I played, I wouldn't risk being near dementors when pregnant, but it would look odd if I wasn't there. My parents are going to cast a shield around me just in case."

Ryan chuckled in relief, "In that case, then, it's alright, but please don't push it." He said softly and he kissed Cedric on the lips.

"Of course, as long as you have fun with your Slytherins." Cedric chimed with a playful smile.