Crimson Ink

Mercy

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"Outside." Harry said not wanting to explain that he sent Vesta to learn what she could about what's going on. Instead he started telling Narcissa what little he knew about the intruder ...

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"This is the place." Quirinus said as they appeared in front of an old house that looked like a peaceful cottage.

"I was under the impression Grindelwald was being kept in the prison he used to use as a homebase during the first wizarding war." Tom said as they slowly approached the cottage. It soon became clear that this place was not as friendly as it seemed. The simple fact that you couldn't see in the window, which were all closed despite the nice weather, was a good indication that something wasn't quite right. The wildlife also stayed clear of the cottage. Evidence was found if you just listen ... there are no birds ...

Peter nodded, "I heard that was the case."

"Stop here. This point is where the wards start. Only one person is allowed in so Peter if you'd follow me." Quirinus explained when they reached a spot several feet from their goal. The ravenclaw turned into a sparrow and fluttered forward with Peter in his rat form and Tom following after him. Once they were safely in the wards the animals resumed their human forms. "To clarify, I thought he'd be imprisoned there too, but I didn't find any records saying he was getting food or anything there. It was either he died or he was held elsewhere."

"I see. His death would've been reported by Gringotts like all criminals when their account shuts down as a result of the passing. How did you find this place and why is the security set up to allow only one human through instead of just locking everyone out?" Tom asked as they approached the cabin. He had his suspicions considering the set up and the options weren't pretty.

Quirinus frowned, "I managed to get a look into Gellert's account at Gringotts. It actually fine to do so if the man was convicted of crimes and expected to die in prison. The goblins allow it in case someone wants to buy the belongings or properties after the death. I found the paperwork this property. As for why his own property was used to imprison him or why the are set up this way I don't really know, but with security wards like this anyone can just walk in. Perhaps Dumbledore assumed no one would come this far into this forest without another person with them so the wards wouldn't let them in ... it still doesn't make sense."

"Tom, Quirinus ... over here." Peter called out. He had walked around to the side of the cottage where he found several skeletons and a decaying body of a starved girl. "I smelled them when I transformed ... it looks like this one died only a week ago from starvation ..."

"Dear Merlin ... I didn't even notice them." Quirinus said as a wave of guilt washed over him for not noticing the poor souls earlier.

"There's magic decreasing the stench." said Peter.

Tom sighed sadly, "Quirinus, did you transform when you left?"

"Yes, why?" The ravenclaw asked wondering why this was important.

"Peter, go outside the wards and tell me if something is different." Tom ordered.

Peter turned into a rat and raced to the edge of the wards. He felt the tingle of the wards as he passed through them and looked around before quickly bounding back into the wards "I can't see the cottage from outside now!"

"It's as I thought ..." Tom groaned as he rubbed his temple. "This is a trap that was used long before either of you were born. There was a group of wizards who hunted muggles for sport by trapping them in a double ward that locks. The muggle will see something, like a curious looking cottage, and accidentally walk into the wards, which instantly shifts to prevent anyone outside from seeing them. The wizards would watch from inside like this cottage as the muggle slowly died unable to get in the cottage or get the attention of the people searching for them possibly only feet away. The wards sensed me as its next human victim and locked. Not that that's a problem for me since magic can counteract it easily, but I'm starting to understand Gellert's situation." Tom said as he went back to the front of the house. "Someone wanted him to suffer. To be unable to help the innocent people as they slowly died. He was forced to listen to their screams for help, the banging of their hands as they desperately tried to get in the cabin and finally their lasts breaths ..."