Authors' note: You guys are still divided over the whole Alexa/RJ/Audrey/Gabe quadrangle. We were too---we've decided how that's going to end, but you won't find out for awhile. Mwhahahahha....but for now, it's back to Saffy and Ethan.
Saffron stared dully at the wall as Ethan made a mark on it. "It's got to be at least the end of November now," she said tonelessly. "They're never going to find us. We're like bloody sitting ducks in this stupid room."
"At least Jules hasn't joined us," Ethan said looking for the one bright spot. He couldn't have agreed with his sister more. They sat in this room day after day and just waited.
Saffron closed her eyes so she wouldn't start crying yet again. Each day she or Ethan made a notch in the wall, and each day it was the same thing. Gordon brought them food twice a day, and sometimes threw a pail of water in there so they could wash themselves as best they could.
"You---you don't think we'll be here for Christmas, do you?" Saffron asked.
"I don't know," Ethan said honestly.
"Christmas with Gordo," Saffron said sullenly.
Ethan pushed his hair out of his eyes. "Let's just try and stay positive, Saf." he said. "I know it's hard, but we have to try."
Saffron nodded. She knew her brother was right, but that was easier said than done. They'd sent that letter over two months ago and nothing had happened.
"Something has to happen soon," Ethan said, moving back to sit by her.
"At least Devereaux hasn't asked me to go eat dinner with him again," Saffron said resting her head on her brother's shoulder.
"I'm not about to let you out of my sight," Ethan said darkly. "Not with that psychopath."
"Thanks," Saffron said. "I don't know what I'd do without you, Ethan."
"I know, brat." Ethan said affectionately.
"I just hope Julie is safe," Saffron said. "I wonder if she went back to Hogwarts..."
"I'm sure she did," Ethan said. "And she's probably safer there than she is at home."
"Right," Saffron said. "I don't want her or Mum here, Ethan. We have to stop him before that happens."
"I've been racking my brain trying to think of ways out of here," Ethan confessed.
"He's been ahead of us every step of the way," Saffron said glumly.
"I know," Ethan said. "Especially since he can spy on us in here."
Saffron didn't tell her brother what else she was feeling at that moment. Her father was known all over the world for being able to do almost anything he put his mind to. Why hadn't he rescued them yet? What was he doing?
Saffron knew she had no right to feel this way, but the feelings were there just the same. She hated herself for having them.
Ethan patted her arm. "We'll think of something, Saf. We always do."
Hundreds of miles away, Neville was saying the exact same thing to Harry as they set out for another day of canvassing the surrounding areas for any clues.
"We'll think of something," Neville told Harry. "We always do."
"Not this time," Harry hit his fist on the table. "How many months now have we known that bastard Devereaux has my children? And we haven't been able to do a DAMN thing about it!"
Neville knew better than to say anything. It seemed that every thing he said to reassure his friend just set him off further. "I think we should start in Hogsmeade. Justin and Natalie are going to take Diagon Alley again."
"Fine," Harry muttered. "I can check on Jules that way."
"Let's head on out," Neville said, pocketing his wand.
Harry nodded, feeling dejected. This was the first time in his entire career that he hadn't been able to do something. He'd never felt more helpless in his life.
Things at home were tense to say the least. Hermione didn't come right out and say it, but he could tell it in her eyes. She was disappointed in him.
"Harry," Neville said. "Come on..."
Harry nodded and followed his friend out of headquarters.
The two men Apparated to Hogsmeade and Harry pulled up his hood as they walked around.
"Let's check out Hogsmeade Station first," Neville said. "We can work our way around the village."
"Fine," Harry glanced up at the castle where his oldest daughter was most likely teaching a class at that moment. He'd save the visit there for later that afternoon.
They questioned a few people at the station. But, of course, no one knew anything. Or if they did, they were too frightened to tell them.
"This is useless," Harry fumed. "We need to widen our search. Trace that owl again."
"It's untraceable," Neville told him, taking out his notebook to review some of the clues that they had so far.
An older couple was standing at one of the newsstands just across the way. The lead story in the papers was the kidnapping.
"Probably never going to find them if you ask me," the witch said to her companion.
Harry stopped in his tracks as he saw the story splashed across the front page.
He found himself crossing the street unbeknownst to Neville who was busy reading over his notes.
"You'd think the Great Harry Potter would be able to find them," the witch said loftily.
A wind blew Harry's hood off, but neither witch seemed to notice.
"He deserves whatever he gets," the man at the counter told the two witches. "The way he and that wife of his act all high and mighty. They deserve anything that comes their way!"
At that moment every door in the place slammed open and Harry stood there as all the lamps blew out. "I beg your pardon," he said icily.
The man looked up in surprise and the two witches turned around. "What do you want?" the man barked.
"You don't think I could find my own children?" Harry snapped. "You don't think I've been doing anything and everything I could?"
"Must not be good enough if they're still missing," the man said with a grin.
Neville noticed that Harry was no longer beside him and he hurried over to break up whatever was about to happen, but he was too late.
Harry grabbed the man by the throat. "Want me to make sure you go missing?" he threatened.
"Harry!" Neville called out. "Let him go!"
"No," Harry's eyes glowed. "The bastard needs to own up to what he's said."
"Why don't you own up to what you've done?" the man retorted angrily. "You're apparently not the wizard everyone has made you out to be. Can't even find your own children!"
Before Harry realised what he was doing, he had pulled back and smashed his fist into the man's face. He fell against the floor and glasses rained down around him, cutting into his arms.
Neville reached for his friend's arm but Harry shrugged him off.
"Harry!" Neville said. "You've got to stop!"
All the frustration and anger was coming out of Harry as he withdrew his wand and pointed it at the man.
"NO!" Neville shouted. "Harry!"
A crowd had gathered now, but Harry didn't see or care about them.
"Expelliarmus!" Neville shouted.
Harry's wand flew from his hand and he turned on his partner in anger.
Neville ignored him. He looked at one of the witches. "Someone needs to notify St. Mungos."
"I'll do it," one person hurried behind the bar to the back room to use the fireplace.
"He--he tried to kill me!" the injured man wheezed from the floor.
"No he didn't," Neville said.
"I want to press charges against him!" the man exclaimed.
"Come on, it just got blown out of proportion," Neville tried to reason with the man as Harry glared at him.
"You saw him!" the man argued. "And so did all those witnesses! I want him arrested!"
"I'd like to see you try," Harry answered darkly.
Neville grabbed his arm. "You need to get it together, Harry."
"I'll knock his lights out if he says anything else about Ethan and Saffron," Harry yanked away.
Healers from St. Mungos arrived a few moments later and tended to the man.
"Harry," Neville said quietly, shaking his head. "I hate to do this--"
"Hate to do what?" Harry asked impatiently.
"I have to take you in," Neville said reluctantly.
"You're not taking me anywhere," Harry told him.
"Don't make me lead you out in shackles," Neville said.
"You're really going to do this?" Harry asked him. "Neville---"
"You assaulted him," Neville replied sorrowfully. "Harry--"
Harry glared at him. "You do this and you and me are finished."
Neville stared at him wordlessly.
"Do what you have to do," Harry said bitterly.
"Come on," Neville said quietly as he led Harry out of the room.
Harry followed him out under the watchful eyes of the crowd.
"I don't want to have to do this," Neville said as he used his wand to bind Harry's wrists together.
Harry didn't say anything in response.
Neville tossed some Floo Powder into the fireplace. "Let's go."
Harry's face was expressionless as he stepped into the fireplace with Neville.
To say everyone was shocked when Neville led Harry into an interrogation room would be an understatement. Remus Lupin was beside himself trying to figure out what was going on.
"He assaulted a man in Hogsmeade," Neville told Lupin.
"Why?" Lupin asked, looking into the room.
Neville told him everything that had happened.
"I had no choice," Neville said. "He would have killed him if I hadn't stopped him."
Lupin raked his hands through his hair and sighed heavily.
"I didn't want to do this," Neville said. "He's my best mate, Remus."
"I know," Lupin assured him. "And Harry knows too."
"I'm not so sure," Neville said quietly.
"We'll have to get his side of the story," Lupin said. "And the other man's."
"I'll let Hermione know that she might want to come down here," Lupin said.
"Good idea," Neville said wearily.
"Nymphadora will help you taking his statement," Lupin said.
"Thanks," Neville replied, reaching for his wand before Tonks joined him/
Hermione arrived a few minutes later. She was upstairs in her office when Lupin arrived looking quite grim. She didn't know what she expected to hear from him, but it wasn't that her husband had been arrested for assault.
"What?" she gasped. "Surely there must have been some mistake!"
Lupin shook his head. "Neville was the one who brought him in, Hermione."
"Why on earth would he do something like that?" Hermione said, looking in on her husband.
"Frustration," Lupin guessed.
Hermione sighed. "There's still no news, is there?" she asked. Lupin didn't have to ask to what she was referring.
"I'm sorry," Lupin said shaking his head. "But no."
She closed her eyes for a long moment. "I just don't know what else to do, and it kills me."
"Stay strong," Lupin said giving her a hug.
"I'm trying," Hermione said. "I really am. It's just so hard..."
Neville came out looking quite weary.
"He's asking for you," Neville said to Hermione.
Hermione nodded. "Thank you Neville."
She didn't even know what she would say to her husband.
Taking a deep breath, she entered the interrogation room. Harry sat, his wrists still bound, staring at the wall.
"What were you thinking?" Hermione asked him.
"Don't start," Harry warned.
Hermione sat down. "Don't start what? Harry---"
"Those bastards said we'd never find them, okay?" Harry nearly exploded. "What was I supposed to do?"
"Look, I know that you're frustrated, but you need to be out there looking not stuck behind bars," Hermione said angrily. "Your temper has always been one on your weaknesses..."
"And you're one to talk about weaknesses," Harry answered sarcastically.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Hermione asked him.
Harry looked like he was going to argue for a moment but he sighed. "I don't know. I don't know anything anymore."
Hermione reached out and put her hand over his bound hands. "We can't do this."
Harry shook his head.
"I've never felt more disconnected from you," Hermione said quietly.
"It's been hard not to fall apart," Harry said.
"I love you," Hermione said moving her chair over so she could be closer to him. "I know that you're doing everything you can to find them."
"No I'm not," Harry said. "If I was, I'd have found them by now."
Hermione saw tears in her husband's eyes.
"Harry," Hermione said. "If this is anyone's fault, it's mine. I was the one who brought him in to our lives. I was the one who didn't monitor his condition over the years like I should have. It was me who didn't trust you in the beginning when you had your doubts about him."
Harry shook his head. "How were we to know he'd find a way to get himself released? I should have killed him when I had the chance."
Hermione put her arms around him. "We are going to bring them home. They will be here for Christmas."
Harry let out a harsh sob. "I'm sorry, Hermione."
"This isn't your fault," Hermione said holding him tightly. He couldn't hug her back because of his bound hands. "This is Gordon's and we're going to make him pay for what he's done."
"Soon as I find the bastard," Harry said.
"We will find him," Hermione said determinedly.
"I've got to get out of here," Harry said, pulling at his wrists.
"I should go and ask Lupin how much longer you'll be here," Hermione said.
"You might have to bail me out," Harry said sheepishly.
"Whatever it takes to get you out of here, I'll do it," Hermione said pecking him on the cheek before heading out of the room.
Harry watched his wife approach Lupin. He felt bad for the things he'd said to Neville, although he didn't regret what he'd done to the man in Hogsmeade.
"It's not my call, Hermione," Lupin told Hermione regretfully. "He'll have to be arraigned. The judge might not set bail."
Hermione sighed. "I'll have to see if I can pull some strings."
"Of course," Lupin said nodding.
Hermione approached the room. "Lupin says a judge has to set bail before I can get you out," she said. "I'm going to go see what I can do."
Harry had expected as much. "It's not so much fun on this side."
"I'm sure it isn't," Hermione touched his arm. "I'll do what I can to get you home tonight."
There was knock on the doorframe and the couple looked up to see Neville standing there. "I'm sorry. I have to take you to...to your cell now."
Harry sighed and stood up. "Fine..."
"Harry," Neville said. "You know I don't want to do this."
"I know," Harry said.
"You're just doing your job," Hermione reassured Neville.
"This way," Neville took his friend's arm and led him down the corridor.
"I'm sorry for what I said," Harry told him.
"I know," Neville replied. "I don't want to have to do this, but that bloke is insisting. I'm seeing what I can do about getting you arraigned today."
"When I find Devereaux," Harry told him. "I'm going to kill him, Neville."
Neville stopped in his tracks. "Harry---"
"I don't care if you're there or not, but that's what I'm going to do. That bastard has caused enough problems in my life." Harry said bitterly.
"Look, I know that you want to get him back for what he did to you, but you can't just---" Neville tried to reason with him.
"I'm going to kill him," Harry said coldly.
"I didn't hear this," Neville said looking at him. "You didn't have this conversation with me."
Harry nodded. "Fine by me."
Neville unlocked the cell and undid the binds around Harry's wrists.
Harry sat down on the hard cot, rubbing his wrists.
Neville locked the cell. "I'll keep you informed, Harry. I promise."
"Thanks," Harry couldn't look over at him.
Neville left him alone and Harry put his head in his hands. They were wasting valuable time here.
He only hoped Hermione's influence could get him out of here.
Gordon Devereaux cackled gleefully when he heard the news come over the Wireless. The great Harry Potter had been arrested after assaulting some poor bloke in Hogsmeade. Did it get any better than this? With a wave of his wand, he directed the audio from the Wireless be piped into Ethan and Saffy's room.
The siblings turned their heads when they heard the voices. "Dad!" Saffron jumped up and ran over to the desk.
"...witnesses in Hogsmeade said they feared for their own lives," the reporter was saying. "One witch who wished to remain anonymous said she thought he was going to take out the whole village..."
"What?" Ethan sounded disbelieving. "That doesn't sound like Dad!"
"Potter was arrested following the attack," the reporter continued. "Word is that his good friend Neville Longbottom was the arresting Auror."
"Shite," Ethan shook his head as Saffron clenched the edge of the desk with her hands.
"There's no word on how long he'll be in custody," the reporter continued. "This is just the latest setback for the Potter family. The two youngest Potter children were kidnapped earlier this summer. Tragedy also struck when---"
The audio went dead and Saffron banged her fist on the table. "What tragedy?"
"Now, now," Gordon's voice came into the room. "Temper, Hermione."
Saffron rolled her eyes. "What tragedy, you asshole?"
"PERHAPS," Gordon began icily. "If you asked nicely..."
"Please?" Saffron asked angrily.
"You're not being sincere, Hermione." Gordon answered.
"What aren't you telling us about our family?" Ethan asked, trying very hard not to lose his cool. Devereaux was playing with them.
"Be quiet, boy." Gordon ordered.
"Who did my father assault then?" Ethan asked. "Hmm? Or did you make up that too? Just like you made up this image of some happy family with you as the leading man?"
Gordon was silent and Saffron let out an aggravated cry when the wireless disappeared.
"Don't let it get to you," Ethan told her. "He's just making it all up. He's toying with us trying to get us riled up. Let's not give him the satisfaction."
Saffron sighed. "I'll try."
Ethan didn't want to think that something else might have happened to his family. He wanted to think of Maddie, Julie and his mother safe and sound.
"What are we going to do, Ethan?" Saffron slumped against the wall.
"I don't know," Ethan said. But, he did know that if Gordon Devereaux set foot in this room again, he would kill him.
"I just want to see everyone again," Saffron whimpered. "I can't take much more of this place."
She had been here the longest and he could tell day by day that she was getting more and more frustrated and despondent with each passing day. Ethan held open his arms. "Come here."
Saffron let her brother hug her. She buried her face in his shoulder and let out a shaky sigh.
"Don't fall apart on me now," Ethan said. "We are going to get out of here."
"I just keep thinking Dad should have been here by now," Saffron admitted.
"He's looking for us, Saf," Ethan tried to reassure her.
"It's just that sitting in here... with nothing to do, I keep thinking of what happened that day," Saffron wiped her eyes. "I keep seeing Sean step in front of me- and I keep seeing him cast that spell at Lexie. If it weren't for me, they'd both be okay!"
"Saffy, that wasn't your fault," Ethan said. "Sean did what he had to do to protect you. And Lexie---she's your best friend. She knew who you were when she befriended you."
"But if I hadn't gotten back together with Sean, he wouldn't have been there that day!" Saffron said.
"You two were still friends," Ethan pointed out. "Who's to say that he wouldn't have been? Look, Saffy, you can't keep beating yourself up over this. I know this is hard."
"What if it had been Maddie?" Saffron asked. "What would you be doing to yourself?"
"Point made," Ethan said quietly.
"I just wish I could tell him I'm sorry," Saffron pushed her tangled hair out of her eyes.
"You can write it all down," Ethan said.
"What good would that do?" she muttered.
"You could get out all that you're feeling," Ethan said thoughtfully.
Saffron looked over at the dirty parchment strewn over the table. "Maybe you're right."
"Maddie swears by it," Ethan said.
Saffron sat down and reached for the quill.
She thought for a few long moments about what she wanted to write.
Sean, she began. I don't even know how to begin this letter to you. I know in some way, you know how I always felt about you.
You were always there to make me smile and laugh.
I know the second time around it wasn't quite the same, and that was all my fault. I should never had led you on when I was still in love with Andrew. But one thing I was sure of- I did care about you a great deal.
You saved my life and I don't even know how to begin to comprehend that. You didn't deserve to die. If I could have switched places with you, I would have.
I'll always remember you Sean, and I swear when I get out of here I'll come visit your grave as often as I can.
She was in tears by the time she finished, but she didn't want to show Ethan. She knew he had enough to deal with and Merlin knew he'd tried to reassure her.
Ethan put a hand on her shoulder. "Did it help?"
Saffron wiped at her eyes before turning around to look at him. "Yes."
"Good," Ethan smiled at her.
"I didn't know Maddie kept a journal," Saffron said.
Ethan nodded. "She writes in it every day."
"She certainly has a lot to write about now," Saffron mused.
Ethan nodded. "Yeah..."
"You'll see her soon," Saffron told him.
"I miss her so much, Saf." Ethan said.
"I know," Saffron said smiling sympathetically at him.
"We've been having so much trouble before I left," Ethan confessed. "Not between us, but she wants a baby."
"And you?" Saffron asked. "What do you want?"
"I'd love a baby too," Ethan said. "But I've been trying not to bring it up quite so much. It really upsets her."
"Mum and Dad had those problems too," Saffron remembered. "I mean, that's what Julie said."
"That's why I think it's my fault," Ethan turned to look out a crack in the window boards.
"Maybe...maybe when we get out of here, you can go have tests or something," Saffron suggested. "To see...and you could always adopt like Frankie and Will did."
"Maybe," Ethan said.
Gordon watched the two of them from the doorway. They were so much like Hermione like this. Even the boy, though it pained Gordon to admit this. He was the most like Potter.
Saffron gasped when she saw their captor staring in at them. "Ethan!"
"What do you want?" Ethan asked glaring at him.
"Quiet, boy." Gordon said coldly.
Saffron looked over at their captor. "You said that you'd do anything to make our mother happy?"
"Of course I'd do anything for you, Hermione." Gordon said pleasantly. "That's why I'm doing this."
"Then let us go," Saffron said. "Let us go home."
Gordon nodded. "You will go home. When all of us are together again."
"Ugh!" Saffron exclaimed in exasperation.
Ethan glared at the other man. "We're never going to be a family with you."
"I was thinking," Gordon said gazing adoringly at Saffron. "That we could try for one of our own..."
"WHAT?" Saffron shrieked.
"One of our own," Gordon repeated. "A little bit of you and a little bit of me. A baby, Hermione. Just think about it."
"You're SICK!" Saffron shouted at him.
"I love you, too," Gordon said softly. "I'll see you too, later."
"Ethan," Saffron's eyes filled with tears as Gordon shut the door.
"He's out of his mind," Ethan said shaking his head. "Don't worry, Saffy. We're getting out of here."
"What if he tries to touch me?" Saffron asked fearfully. "I can't fight him off."
"It's never going to come to that," Ethan promised her. "I will not let that happen, Saffy. Ever."
Saffron nodded and kicked at the wall for what felt like the billionth time. "GET ME OUT OF HERE!" she shouted.
"Saffy---" Ethan tried to calm her down.
"What if you're asleep?" Saffron asked angrily. "And he tries something then?"
"It's not going to happen," Ethan told her, putting his hands on her shoulders. "Listen to me. He is never going to lay one finger on you. Not while I'm alive."
Saffron's face crumpled and she fell against her brother, crying.
"Where's Dad?" Saffron sobbed into his shoulder. "Where is he, Ethan?"
"I don't know Saf," Ethan said.
"It's been months!" Saffron pulled away to look at her brother. "Months!"
"I know," Ethan said. "I just... I'm sure Dad's doing everything he can."
Saffron angrily wiped at her eyes. She was sick of this room. She was sick of waiting for her father to find her. He wasn't going to come. Devereaux had thought of everything and he wouldn't rest until he had her mother and Julie there, too.
"Don't give up on Dad," Ethan told his sister. "I'm frustrated too."
Saffron didn't say anything.
"Saffy please." Ethan said. "Dad loves us. He'd trade places in a second if he could."
Saffron looked away from her brother. She didn't like feeling this way.
Ethan sighed. "I know he'll come and rescue us."
"I have been here since June!" Saffron told him bitterly. "June, Ethan! I have to deal with that psychopath calling me mum's name and making suggestive comments at me! Forgive me if I don't share your optimism!"
I know," Ethan tried to appease her. "I wish I could get him to leave you alone. And if I could think of any way to get us out of here, I would."
"Just---just leave me alone," Saffron said quietly.
"Saf--" Ethan began.
Saffron kept her back to him as she sat down on the bed, hugging her knees to her.
Ethan ran his hands through his hair as he sat down at the desk.
Saffy was right about one thing, Ethan thought to himself. They couldn't just sit here and wait for their father to come to their rescue. Devereaux had certainly planned this well, but he wasn't perfect. He would slip up eventually. Ethan knew that when he did, they would have to act.