Authors' note: We appreciate the response we're continuing to get on this storyline. Thank you so much for reading!
At the hospital, Gabriel stretched his legs. He had slept in this uncomfortable chair in the waiting room for almost a week now. He'd only gone home sparingly to change his clothes and to appease his stepmother.
With a heavy sigh, he moved over and perched on the end of Alexa's bed. "Come on Lexie," he pleaded. "You have to wake up."
He placed a kiss to her forehead. "Excuse me, sir," the nurse said knocking on the door. "I have to do her morning check-up. You'll need to wait outside." Gabriel nodded. "Um, I was going to go home and change clothes. You promise if anything happens, you'll let me know?"
"Of course," the nurse replied.
Gabriel gave her one last kiss on the cheek before he left her room. There hadn't been any change. He wasn't going to give up hope though. Alexa's parents were waiting in the visitor area.
"Still nothing," he told them glumly. "The nurse was doing the morning check-up."
Karen nodded. "Patrick was just trying to convince me to go to the cafeteria."
"I'm going to go home and get changed," Gabriel said. "Then I'll come right back."
"I know it means a lot to her that you've been here," Karen said patting his arm.
"She's the most important person in the world to me," Gabriel said honestly.
Gabriel shook Patrick's hand and said a quick goodbye to them. Karen and Patrick left word at the desk that they were going to the cafeteria. RJ walked in carrying a bouquet of sunflowers, which were Alexa's favourites. He had stopped by quite a few times over the last few days, but always felt like an outsider. He knew Alexa's parents still hated him for what he'd done when they were dating.
He saw Gabriel at the same time the other boy saw him. "Hey," he said. "How is she?"
"No change," Gabriel said glumly.
RJ nodded. "I thought I'd go in and see her for a few minutes."
"I'm sure she'd like that," Gabriel said. "I was going to head home for a few minutes."
RJ nodded. "I'll keep an eye on her for you mate."
"Thanks," Gabriel said. "I'll see you later."
RJ headed towards Alexa's room. The nurse had just finished up and allowed him inside.
RJ set the flowers down on the bedside table and sat down. "You know, I always did like to watch you when you slept," RJ said. "But, I'd give anything to see you open your eyes right now, Lexie."
His ex girlfriend's eyes stayed closed, her breathing even.
"I keep thinking about that day in Hogsmeade," RJ said taking her hand in his. "Do you remember how nervous you were around me? I thought you were so cute."
He sighed. "I messed up with you, Lexie, but I still care about you. We've both moved on... I just want you to be happy."
RJ's eyes grew wide when he felt her squeeze his hand back. "Lexie?"
Gabriel came back in at that moment and stopped when he saw his girlfriend's eyes open.
"RJ?" Alexa said hoarsely.
"Lexie..." RJ stared back at her.
"W-water," Alexa said, her throat was so dry and she couldn't remember feeling so thirsty in her life.
"I'll get it," Gabriel crossed the room quickly.
Alexa barely registered the stranger in the room as he poured her a glass of water. Her eyes were focused on RJ's.
"I can't believe you're awake," RJ said happily.
Alexa took the glass of water and drained the glass. She wondered why this older boy kept staring at her. "Thank you."
Gabriel smiled too. "RJ, do you mind going and getting a nurse?"
RJ stood up, but Alexa grabbed his arm. "Don't go."
"Lexie--" RJ said. "I have to go tell them you're awake. Gabe will stay here, don't worry."
Alexa bit her bottom lip. "Um...you promise you'll be right back?"
"Sure," RJ nodded. "I promise..."
Alexa looked over at the other boy. "Could I have another glass of water, please?"
"Sure," Gabriel got it for her eagerly. "Lexie... I'm so happy you're awake. We've all been so worried about you."
"What happened?" Alexa asked before taking another sip of her water.
"You don't remember?" Gabriel asked.
Alexa shook her head. "The...the last thing I remember was--" Her words were cut off when RJ and the nurse came back into the room.
"We've been waiting for you to wake up," the nurse said with a bright smile.
Alexa set her glass down. "I feel like I've slept for a year."
"It's been a week," RJ said.
"The healer will be here in just a few moments to check on you," the nurse told her. "One of you young men should go and get her parents."
"I'll go," RJ wanted to give Gabriel time with Alexa.
"No," Alexa said, reaching for RJ. "Please, stay."
"Lexie..." RJ was confused.
"I don't know him," Alexa whispered, motioning to Gabriel with her head. "And he keeps looking at me. It makes me nervous."
"You don't know him?" RJ was startled. "Lex... that's--"
"No," Alexa said, reaching for RJ. "Please, stay."
"Lexie..." RJ was confused.
"I don't know him," Alexa whispered, motioning to Gabriel with her head. "And he keeps looking at me. It makes me nervous."
"You don't know him?" RJ was startled. "Lex... that's--"
"Miss O'Leary," the nurse said stepping closer. "Do you know who you are?"
Alexa nodded. "Alexa O'Leary. I'm a student at Hogwarts. I'm in my fifth year."
Gabriel crossed his arms and stared at her.
"I need you young men to leave the room while the healer examines her," the nurse said as the healer entered the room.
RJ and Gabriel silently went outside. "I swear mate," RJ said. "I don't want to encourage this..."
"What's going on?" Gabriel asked. "Why doesn't she remember me?"
"I don't know," RJ said. "When that curse hit her, it must have done something to her memories."
"Well, they can fix this, right?" Gabriel asked.
"I hope so," RJ said quietly.
Gabriel sighed. "I--
I guess I'll go and get her parents."
RJ could hardly look at him. "Okay," he answered.
Gabriel looked back at the closed door to Alexa's room before hurrying down the corridor.
RJ leaned against the wall hoping that the healer would be able to help Alexa. Hopefully Dolohov's curse wasn't that bad and a few reversal spells would make things good as new.
"RJ!" Alexa called out to him.
He hurried back inside. "Yeah?"
"She was asking for you," the healer said. "Would you stay with her until I get back? I need to confer with my colleagues?"
RJ nodded and sat back down on the edge of Alexa's bed. She smiled shyly at him. "You've cut your hair. Last night in the common room, I was telling you that it was getting a little long..."
"Uh yeah..." RJ decided to play along for now. "You like it?"
"I do," Alexa said softly. "But, I was only teasing you last night."
"It was getting in my eyes when I played Quidditch," RJ said truthfully.
Alexa took his hand. "It was really sweet of you to stay here with me. I must have been really sick, huh? If Madam Pomfrey sent me to St. Mungos."
"Yeah," RJ said. "You uh... you've been sick."
"Seeing you makes me feel better," Alexa said blushing. She was still getting used to being so forward with RJ. It wasn't too long ago when she could barely stream two words together in his presence.
"I'm just glad you're awake," RJ said, hoping the healers would come back soon.
"Alexa!" Karen exclaimed. "Sweetheart, you're awake!"
"Hi Mum," Alexa said. "Hi Daddy."
"The healer said he'd be back," RJ told them.
Karen nodded, while Patrick looked over at him with an unreadable look on his face.
RJ felt bad when he saw Gabriel wince when he saw Alexa holding his hand.
"How are you feeling?" Karen asked.
"Like I've been sleeping for a year," Alexa repeated. "I just can't believe Madam Pomfrey had to send me to St. Mungos."
"Madam Pomfrey?" Karen asked, confused.
"She's the nurse at school," Alexa replied. "Usually she can heal anything."
Gabriel stepped closer to the bed. "Lexie? You--you don't remember me?"
Alexa stared at him. "Should I?"
"Of course you should," Karen said. "He's--"
The healer interrupted. "Might I have a moment, Mr and Mrs O'Leary?"
"Of course," Patrick replied. "We'll be right outside, Alexa."
Alexa nodded and smiled again at RJ. "I'm so glad you're here," she said. "I can't believe Dumbledore allowed you to be here."
"I wouldn't have been anywhere else," RJ said truthfully. "Until I knew you were okay, Lexie."
Gabriel bit his lower lip and walked over to the window.
"One of the many reasons why I love you so much," Alexa said leaning in and kissing his cheek. "So very much."
That was as much as Gabriel could take. Without looking at either of them, he turned and rushed out of the room.
"Do you think they'll let you stay with me until I go home?" Alexa asked hopefully.
"I... I don't know," RJ looked at the door. "I don't really know what's going on right now."
Just outside the room, Gabriel was trying to stay in control of his emotions. Over the last few days, he'd been through so much, but that paled into comparison to his girlfriend looking at him and not knowing who he was.
"...memory modification charm," the healer was saying to Alexa's parents. "Seems like your daughter doesn't remember anything of the past two years."
Karen let out a cry. "She's lost two years of her life?"
The healer looked sympathetically at her. "We've seen a number of memory charms. But, we've never seen anything like this one. The wizard who cast this spell certainly knew an awful lot about them. Which is why, we don't have any way of reversing it at this time. Hopefully, she'll remember on her own."
"How long would that take?" Gabriel asked.
"We're not sure," the healer replied honestly. "It could be days, weeks, months..."
"She's supposed to leave in a few months for University overseas," Patrick said. "What if she doesn't remember? What can we do to help her remember?"
"Right now, you shouldn't scare her or make her try to remember," the healer told them. "She needs to feel calm, safe, and peaceful. We'll keep her here for the next few days. Don't try and tell her anything differently. This would only make her cling to the past. It's best if she remembers on her own."
Patrick sighed. "She thinks that RJ is her boyfriend all over again."
"So we shouldn't tell her about Saffron?" Karen asked.
The healer shook his head. "Might be too traumatic for her to hear. I don't recommend it."
Gabriel jammed his hands in his pockets. "Is there anything else we can do for her?" he asked.
"Be patient," the healer told him. "I know it's not easy. But it's in her best interest."
Karen put a comforting hand on his arm. "She'll remember you, Gabriel."
Gabriel hoped so. He couldn't imagine losing her like this.
The healer led the way back into the room to deliver his "diagnosis" to Alexa. RJ stood up and walked over to Patrick, who silently filled him in on what was going on with Alexa.
"We're going to keep you here a few days, Miss O'Leary," the healer told her. "You have a touch of the wizarding flu and we think it best if you stay here until you're better."
"Just the wizarding flu?" Alexa asked.
"Just the wizarding flu," the healer told her. "You just need to get your rest and concentrate on getting better."
Alexa sighed. "All right..."
"Your father and I are going to go home and bring you back some of your belongings," Karen told her. "We'll be back shortly, sweetheart."
"Can you owl Saffy for me?" Alexa asked. "I'm sure she's worried."
"Of course," Karen replied, tearing up a little as she thought of her daughter's best friend. Saffron was like a member of their family and Karen hated to think about what had happened.
RJ couldn't believe this was happening. Alexa thought they were still at Hogwarts and still dating. How in the world was he going to explain this to Audrey?
"Listen uh... I really should get back." RJ said to her. "I'll come by again."
Alexa didn't want him to go. "Can't you stay? Just a little while longer?"
RJ felt horrible. On one hand, he didn't want to encourage this, but according to the healer they weren't supposed to tell Alexa what was really going on. "I'm sure Gabe here wouldn't mind staying..." he said lamely.
Gabriel shook his head. "No, it's alright. I should get home anyway."
"Please just stay for a little while longer," Alexa pleaded with RJ. "I hate hospitals."
"I suppose I could stay until you fall asleep," RJ relented.
"This is why you're the best boyfriend," Alexa said, leaning back on her pillows.
Gabriel quietly left the room and RJ felt guilty, but this was what the healer had told them to do.
"Come on," Alexa said scooting over. "Cuddle with me. My parents aren't here..."
RJ hesitated. "Lexie---"
"It'll be okay," Alexa said with a grin. "Wizarding flu isn't contagious."
RJ kicked off his shoes. "Have I ever been able to refuse you anything?"
"Nope," Alexa closed her eyes and leaned against him.
RJ felt a wave of nostalgia hit him. How many times had he been like this with her in the past? "I was really worried about you, you know that?"
"I didn't mean to make anyone worry," Alexa said softly.
"It's not your fault," RJ reassured her.
"I'm tired," she said.
"You've been through a lot," RJ said softly. "Get some sleep."
"Just stay with me until I'm out," Alexa rested her head on his shoulder.
RJ put his arms around her. "I'm not going anywhere, Lexie."
"I love you, RJ." Alexa said as she drifted off.
RJ kissed the top of her head. "I-I love you too, Lex."
She sighed happily before falling asleep completely.
Back at the flat, Andrew was looking at the morning papers. The big story continued to be Saffron's disappearance. Andrew had been able to think of little else. He'd even hung out at the Ministry trying to get word to Saffron's parents or Ethan that he wanted to help, but security was tight and he hadn't gotten through.
He wished there was something he could do to help them. Despite them not being together anymore, Andrew still cared about his ex a great deal.
It had been a week now. The papers were speculating as to whether or not she was still alive since there hadn't been any ransom demands.
"She has to still be alive," Andrew muttered.
There was a knock on the front door and Andrew set aside the papers. He wasn't really in the mood to see anyone. He sighed when he opened the door and saw his parents standing there.
"Mum, Dad?"
Andrew Kirke, Sr. looked sympathetically at his son. "We were worried about you. Wanted to see how you were holding up."
"Okay," Andrew shrugged. "I'm just so worried about her."
Tricia Kirke gave her son a hug. "We were just at the Potters..."
"You were there?" Andrew asked. "Why didn't you tell me?"
Andy and Tricia stepped into the flat. "We just stopped by after brunch," Andy told his son.
"They're beside themselves with worry," Tricia said.
"I can imagine," Andrew raked his hands through his hair.
"They seem to think Nikolai Dolohov is behind all of this," Andy said.
"He sure seems to be," Andrew replied.
"We gave the Potters your regards," Tricia told her son.
"I've been trying to get in touch with them," Andrew said.
"It wasn't easy for us to get through," Tricia said. "But your father ran into Ethan at the Ministry."
"That's what I've been trying to do all week," Andrew said morosely.
"I'll make us some tea," Tricia said. "Have you eaten, Andrew?"
He shrugged. "A little breakfast."
Tricia nodded and headed for the kitchen. "I'm going to make you some eggs."
"Mum--" Andrew protested, but it fell on deaf ears.
"You know she loves to take care of you," his father told him.
Andrew gave a half-hearted smile. "All too well, Dad."
"Let her fuss over you," his father said.
Andrew nodded. "I'll try to eat something."
"That's my boy," Tricia called out from the kitchen.
Andrew forced a smile as his mother made him some eggs and then some tea.
"How's Natalia?" Tricia asked.
"Fine," Andrew answered. "I... I really haven't seen her much all week."
"She's a lovely girl," Tricia remarked. "Very sweet."
"Yeah," Andrew said absently. "But she deserves better."
"Are you two having problems?" Andy asked.
"I just can't commit to her the way she wants me to," Andrew stuck a fork in his eggs.
"Why's that?" Tricia asked.
He sent his mother a rueful glance. "Saffron."
"You're still in love with Saffron?" Tricia asked.
Andrew shrugged. "I don't know, Mum."
"Sounds like you have some thinking to do, son." his father said.
"Yeah," Andrew said quietly.
"If you still love Saffron, it's not necessarily fair to string Natalia along," his mother said gently.
"I care about Natalia," Andrew said thoughtfully. "She's been great for me. She's funny, beautiful, sweet..."
"And she's crazy about you," Tricia said.
"Saffron and I are over," Andrew said. "She'd moved on. And now this---"
"If you still care about her then you really just need to figure out where you stand in all this," Tricia told him.
Andrew nodded. "Thanks Mum."
"I'm sure I've lectured you enough," Tricia smoothed back her son's hair.
"I'm used to it," Andrew said with a slight smile.
His father laughed. "Not the best answer, son."
"He's our only son," Tricia said defensively. "And I only want what's best for him."
"I know that," Andrew said hastily.
"And," Tricia said. "Whatever you decide, we'll support you."
"Thanks," Andrew managed to finish his eggs.
"Is there any news on the O'Leary girl?" Tricia asked.
Andrew shook his head. "Not that I know of. RJ went over there to see her a little while ago."
Tricia sighed. "Such a tragedy."
"Lex isn't going to die," Andrew said a bit sharply.
"I'm sure St. Mungos will do everything they can to help her," his father said.
"I hope so," Andrew said. "I just want Saffron to get home safely too."
"She will," Tricia tried to reassure him. "She has so many people who care about her. They're looking for her and won't stop until she's found."
"I just really want to help," Andrew said.
"Andrew," Tricia said worried. "I don't want you---"
"Mum I have to," Andrew said. "I have to get her back somehow. I do still love her, okay?"
"I just don't want anything to happen to you," Tricia said putting her hand on his arm. "You're all that we have, Andrew."
"I know," Andrew replied. "If I get the chance to help, I'll be careful."
"That's all we can ask," Andy said to his son. He reached into his pocket for his mobile and punched in a number. "Neville Longbottom, please."
"Dad--" Andrew said. "How do you know Neville Longbottom?"
"I went to school with him," Andy replied. A moment later, Neville's voice came over the line. "Hello, Neville. This is Andy Kirke."
Andrew wondered what his father could possibly be doing.
"How are you Nev?" Andy continued. "I know...I can imagine. Tricia and I were just at the Potters...."
Andrew looked at his mother, who shrugged and started cleaning up the kitchen.
"If you need any extra help, my son and I would be more than willing," Andy continued. "...an hour? Well, I think that would be okay. At headquarters, then? Right...okay. Thanks, Neville."
A smile broke out on Andrew's face for the first time in days.
"Neville said they would appreciate any extra help," Andy said after turning off the phone. "We can meet him at headquarters in an hour."
"I'll go get ready right now," Andrew sprinted to his bedroom.
For the first time since this had happened, he didn't feel helpless. He felt like he had a purpose. Sitting here doing nothing was only driving him crazy.
He pulled a jumper over his head and was about to head out when his mobile rang. He had left it on his bedside table. "Hello?" he asked a bit impatiently.
"Andrew? Hey, it's me," Natalia replied. "Where are you?"
"Talia," Andrew said. "Um... I'm about to... go out with my parents."
"Oh," Natalia said quietly. He'd obviously forgotten their plans. She was going to make him breakfast.
"I'm just kind of busy today," he hedged. "Can I ring you later?"
"Sure," Natalia said trying to hide her disappointment.
"I'll talk to you later then," Andrew said.
Natalia hung up the phone and sighed. Things with Andrew had been going so well, but now everything seemed strained. He wasn't talking to her even though she knew he was upset about the disappearance of Saffron Potter. Audrey had mentioned that Saffron and Andrew had dated in the past. Natalia wondered why Andrew hadn't shared this with her.
She understood him feeling distracted and sad about what had happened. She would have felt the same way. But, she wished he would have talked to her about it.
Meanwhile Andrew had already put the thought of his current girlfriend out of his head as he followed his father to the Ministry.
They had to go through heightened security to even get to Auror Headquarters.
Andrew stared around in wonder at the chaos. He wondered if most of the Aurors here were assigned to look for Saffron.
"Andy!" Neville called out.
"Hullo, Neville," Andy smiled at him.
"Hello, Mr. Longbottom," Andrew said shaking his hand.
"Andrew," Neville nodded. "Good to see you. I hear you both want to help."
"Yes sir," Andrew replied eagerly. "Anything."
"We have owls coming in all the time," Neville said motioning to where a few volunteers were sorting through piles and piles of letters.
"With tips?" Andrew asked.
Neville nodded. "I know it doesn't seem like much, but we always need a fresh set of eyes. Would you and your father like to read over some of the owls and see if you can find anything concrete?"
"Uh... sure." Andrew was a bit dismayed. He thought they'd be doing something more exciting, but he supposed this was better than nothing."
Neville looked at him. "Every little bit helps, Andrew."
"I know sir," Andrew nodded.
Neville showed them to their seats and had a couple of the other volunteers show them what they needed to do.
In an adjacent room, Maddie was sitting with Justin and Ethan. Justin and Ethan were going over everything the Ministry had on Dolohov and his family.
"I guess being a crook runs in the family," Justin said sarcastically, heaving another box of files onto the desk.
"You can say that again," Ethan rolled his eyes. "Just great."
I wish we were out there in the field.
Maddie looked up from her own files. "Justin, what did you say?"
Justin raised an eyebrow. "Nothing."
"But I just..." Maddie sighed. "Sorry..."
Cranston and Beckley are out there in the field. This is their first bloody year on the job. Ethan and I... pushing papers.
"They sent first years out instead of you two?" Maddie asked.
"Don't remind me," Justin grumbled.
Ethan looked quizzically at his wife. He didn't know how she would have known that.
Maddie opened her mouth to say something but stopped. "I um... I'll be right back." she hurried out of the room, suddenly sick to her stomach.
Ethan was going to get up and follow her, but he knew when to leave well enough alone. Besides, she was probably just knackered. They all were.
In the loo, Maddie wiped her mouth. It seemed like lately whenever she heard someone's thoughts, she also grew violently ill.
She hadn't mentioned anything about it to Ethan because he already had enough on his plate.
"Get a hold of yourself," Maddie brushed back her hair.
She closed her eyes and suddenly saw a vision of her sister-in-law sitting on a bed. She was making something...but Maddie couldn't see what. Was it some sort of weapon?
"Saffy?" Maddie whispered.
The vision went away just as swiftly as it had come. Maddie hurried out of the bathroom and back into the room with Ethan and Justin. "Ethan! I saw her!"
Ethan stared at his wife. "What?"
Maddie was still a little woozy so she sat down. "Just now in the loo. I had a vision. She---she's in this small room. There's no windows. She was making something. I think she's trying to find a way out."
Ethan smiled. "Maddie- that's great! She's okay!"
"I just wish I could have seen more," Maddie said wistfully.
Justin hurried out of the room so he could get Harry and Hermione.
"I need a pensieve," Maddie said. "Everyone can see it that way."
Ethan nodded. "I can get one for you. Are you okay, love?"
Maddie nodded. "I think so."
Ethan gave her a kiss. "I'm so proud of you."
Maddie gave him a trembly little smile. "I just want her to be okay, Ethan."
Ethan gave her hand a squeeze and rushed out of the room to get the pensieve. He saw Andrew sitting at one of the tables. "Maddie had a vision. She saw Saffy."
"What?" Andrew shoved back his chair. "What was she doing? Did she look okay?"
"Maddie said she was okay," Ethan said. "I have to get a pensieve so Mum and Dad can see it too. If you want, you can come in there, too. I know how much you care about my sister, Andrew."
Andrew nodded. "I'd do anything for her, Ethan."
Ethan smiled. "She knows that. Go on. Maddie's in the second room on the left."
"Thanks," Andrew hurried down the corridor.
Ethan made it back to the room a few minutes later with a pensieve. His parents were already waiting there, eager for even one glance of their daughter.
Maddie withdrew her wand. "I just want to warn you that it wasn't that much. It was only a few seconds..."
"It's better than nothing, Maddie." Hermione said, her face anxious and drawn.
Everyone watched as Maddie stored her vision into the pensieve.
"There it is," she said a moment later, motioning for them to crowd around.
Harry felt his breath catch in his throat as he saw his daughter for the first time in over a week.
"Baby," Hermione whimpered.
Saffron looked up at them, tears in her eyes. And with that, she was gone.
"She's alive," Hermione said wiping at her own eyes. "She's alive."
Harry could hardly hold himself together. "Can... can we watch that again?" he asked. "I need to see what she's doing."
"Of course," Maddie said standing back.
Hermione also gazed down. "Harry, what's she doing?"
"She's---she's making something," Harry said focusing on the object in his daughter's hands. She was using a plastic knife to whittle something. "She's going to use that to defend herself."
"That's my girl," Hermione said, pride in her voice.
Andrew was also staring at the pensieve, with a faraway look on his face.
"What if he hurts her?" Justin asked thoughtfully.
"I'll kill him," Andrew said harshly without even realizing he was speaking aloud.
"Join the queue," Ethan said.
"There's no windows in that room," Harry said trying to focus on the surroundings for some sort of clue.
"That's barely a bed," Hermione said. "More like a pile of blankets."
"Those are the same clothes she was wearing the morning she was taken," Harry remembered.
Hermione began to sob. "She's alive."
Harry put his arms around her. "I know, sweetheart. I know."
"This is good, Mum." Ethan said. "We have somewhat of an idea now."
Hermione nodded. "Thanks to Maddie."
"I really didn't do anything," Maddie began.
"Yes you did," Hermione told her. "You've given us hope. I wake up each morning not knowing whether or not she's alive. Thanks to you, I saw my baby girl. She's not safe yet, but she's alive. She's alive."
Maddie nodded. "If I see anything else, I'll make sure you know straightaway."
Hermione gave her a hug. "Thank you, Maddie."
Maddie nodded, hugging her back. "I'll do my best to try and see her again."
"Thank you," Hermione said turning back to look at the pensieve once more. "Saffron Grace."
Harry put a hand on his wife's arm. "I want to keep studying this," he said.
"Me too," Ethan said. "There's got to be something else there that we're not seeing."
"I'll get back to the post," Andrew felt renewed. "Now I have a better chance of weeding out the rubbish."
Harry stopped him. "Thank you for helping, Andrew."
"Anytime, sir." Andrew said. "I'll do anything I can to find her."
"We need all the help we can get," Harry said before turning his attention back to the pensieve.
Andrew nodded again before turning to leave the room.
"I can't stop looking at her," Hermione whispered.
"I know," Harry tightened his hold around his wife.
In the dingy house, Saffron heard a noise and she quickly hid the makeshift weapon she was trying to make underneath her pillow.
"You are wasting your time and energy," that same cold voice called out to her.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Saffron lied.
"Well," he said. "I did have a surprise for you..."
"What?" Saffron asked suspiciously.
"You've been wearing those same clothes," he replied. "In the closet, you'll find something new to wear."
"I don't want it," Saffron wrapped her arms around herself.
"It's there when you're ready for it," he called back. "Don't look so sad. You're not going to be alone for long."
"What do you mean by that?" Saffron asked. "You keep saying that! What are you going to do? Why can't you just let me go?"
"I'm not through with you, my pet," he said in a tone that sent shivers down Saffron's spine.
"Just let me go," she pleaded. "I want to see my parents and my brother and sister."
"I want to see them too," he said cryptically.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Saffron said, growing angry. "You're a bastard! You killed my boyfriend, hurt my best friend, and now you're always talking about how I won't be alone. WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO?"
There was no response. Saffron threw a book at the wall. "YOU COWARD!"
There was still no response and she flung herself back on the pile of blankets with a huff.
She didn't even know why she was bothering with that makeshift weapon. She'd been here over a week and she'd never set eyes on her captor. He taunted her with his cryptic comments, but he never showed his face. He never came into the room. Her meals appeared each day on the desk. When she was finished, they disappeared. He'd obviously put quite a bit of time and effort into his sadistic plan.
She hoped desperately that she'd see her father or brother break into the room to take her home, but she knew they probably had no idea where she was. SHE didn't even know where she was.
"Mum, Dad," Saffron whispered. "Please. You have to get me out of here."