The Streets of London

Penny watched, her gentle spirit breaking at all she saw. She slowly moved from the manor doors to the steps, saying to her grandmother, "I thought I heard one of the elves calling - something about preparing a place for our - for our prisoners." Narcissa seemed torn but her love and concern for what would happen if she did not prepare as she was asked to. She swept in the house, shooting looks of concern towards the action in the street.

Penny tripped forward, grabbing the bars of the gate, her head pressed against the bars, her large eyes watching the goings on. It seemed the professor and the blonde Weasley would be free. And Teddy - poor Teddy. Penny had always thought him handsome.

Skuli crucio-ed Teddy and she let out a small whimper, unheard from the craziness happening in the street. Rose let out a cry that sounded as though she felt her friend's pain. Her eyes momentarily fell on Penny's. The dark hair girl moved, her lips mouthing words that could not come. The redheaded girl mustered a look of disgust and then took off sprinting down the street.

Penny looked back to the commotion, her eyes watering. It seemed Skuli wanted to continue the job with Teddy. "WAIT!" she yelled, demanding the attention of the Death Eaters she was supposed to serve. She hurried out of the gates and scurried towards them, her neck bowed in submission. "I th-thought I overheard, from inside, that all captives must remain as unharmed as possible until the Dark Lord could decide to do with them as he pleased."

My, my, my. She was lying a lot. She only hoped they would believe her when she assured them all that she thought she had heard whispers in the wind, in the echoes of the corridors, on the tongues of house elves. She only wished to spare the living being before her any unnecessary pain.

((Damn those lips....btw, Draco's supposed to be at the school. XD))

Skuli was enjoying subjugating Teddy to his tortures, keeping the point of his wand pointing at the man for longer and longer periods as his body twisted under the cruciatus curse. He paused as the Malfoy brat ran up suddenly, transferring the Dark Lord's wishes. Skuli growled in frustration, but thrust his wand back into his robes. The Dark Lord rarely wanted his most valuable prisoners harmed....until the time came to gather information, so he had no reason to disbelieve Penelope.

"Looks like my fun has been cut short," Skuli said as he hauled Teddy roughly to his feet, "Too bad, but don't worry....I'm sure the Dark Lord will have his own prescribed treatment to administer. I'll be sure not to miss it."

Unable to help himself, Teddy leaned heavily on Skuli, breathing hard and trembling. Sweat poured down his face as he recovered from the immense pain he had just been forced to undergo. Now fear gripped his heart at Skuli's words.

"The Dark Lord?" he thought to himself, "He can't be back! He can't be!"

Teddy's thoughts were interrupted as Skuli pushed him forward and off of his supporting shoulder.

"Walk!" Skuli ordered, giving Teddy a solid shove between the shoulder blades.

Teddy stumbled forward, his feet fumbling as he fought to keep his weak knees from buckling underneath him. They failed on him, however, and he crumpled into a heap on the ground. Skuli kicked him in the leg, and then the stomach, demanding he get to his feet. Teddy force himself onto shaky legs, but was only able to walk a few steps before stumbling again.

"I don't have time for this," Skuli raged, walking past Teddy, twirling Ted's wand in his hand, "Oliver, get him inside. Surely you can handle him in this weakened state."

((Right... Forgot about that. XD Edited!))

Oliver was falling over himself, clutching at his parts - magic or not, that still hurt like hell. His sister had been hit very hard and, among the debris, had been torn up a bit. They stumbled together, groping for each other's hands so they could heal each other properly.

Oliver croaked out a groan of pain, but attempted to make his way forward, stumbling spectacularly. Penny swallowed. "I'll bring him in. I can. I am supposed to watch after the house, after all, and that includes... that includes welcoming guests." Her voice got fainter the longer she spoke but she stepped forward, putting an arm out to Teddy. "S-sir, if I may escort you inside?"

Skuli froze, one of his feet actually hanging in the air. His muscles tensed at what he had just heard. Skuli dropped his foot and spun around so quickly that he nearly stumbled in his haste to march back towards Penelope.

"Sir?! May I?!" he screeched in disbelief, "This isn't some rich prat coming to visit the family estate, this is an enemy of the Dark Lord! If we want them inside, we take them inside. We don't escort them!"

Skuli reached down and grasped Teddy's jacket by the shoulder, pulling him to his feet. Teddy stood unsteadily on his feet, his head hanging dejectedly. He glanced at Penelope through the corner of his eyes. Who was this girl? She seemed very much out of place for a Death Eater...and she looked to be school-aged. Why was she not in school?

"Get moving!" Skuli hollered, pushing Teddy roughly forward.

This time Teddy was able to keep on his feet, and though he shuffled along slowly, he moved forward, following Skuli who had again walked on ahead.

Penny turned red under Skuli's tirade, turning her head away from him like a dog cowering beneath the fury of a drunk, abusive master. She did not respond - she did not have rank nor power to match him.

He moved on, leaving Teddy to help himself. She looked to Teddy, wanting to help, but forced her eyes away, hurrying towards the twins and healing their minors wounds. They straightened up, gave her a look of contempt and followed Skuli in. She followed the procession in, taking it upon herself to close and lock the gates to the manor.

The nearer the door to the Manor loomed, the more panicked Teddy began to feel. His breath quickened, and his heart pounded in his chest. He felt that he was going to die. Perhaps not right away, but this could only end in death. He would leave this world too early...leaving behind his Victoire, James, and even Jack. Teddy gulped, tears stinging his eyes, though he kept them from spilling over and down his cheeks. Being an Auror, Teddy had been in dangerous situation before, but never had he felt as mortal as he did now.

The doors to the mansion opened and Teddy blinked, his eyes adjusting to the dim light. He saw Draco's mother already standing in the hall. The words 'Dark Lord' floated around in Teddy's head. Was he about to meet Voldemort face to face? Would the monster from his childhood stories be the one to do him in? Teddy stared at the floor as a feeling of utter hopelessness overwhelmed him.

Narcissa stood, staring down at the stooped form before her, a small smile forming on her face. The Dark Lord would be pleased. She was sure of it. When the Dark Lord was please, everyone breathed a little easier.

"M'lord," she called softly into the sitting room, "We have captured the best friend of Harry Potter's son, Ted Lupin."

Voldemort swept in, clad in the body of Teddy Lupin's godfather and primary caregiver. Somewhere within, Harry called out, cried out, for the first child to ever steal his heart. Harry did not look upon Teddy and see a legal relative, he saw a son. He could see Remus in the boy, he could see Tonks, but he could see the life and morals he himself had instilled. And now he would see the boy be destroyed by his own hand.

"I am honored to have the last Lupin staying with me," the Dark Lord said. "I hope you will not hesitate to overstay your welcome. I'm certain that with such pleasing company, we can expect more visitors."

He looked about, his eyes falling on Skuli. "I shall want a full account of the events at hand. Let's give our guest time to settle in, shall we?" He looked to Narcissa and her granddaughter. "Show him to his room. Rowle. Tinkers. You shall tell me of what had happened here."

Teddy's breath caught painfully in his chest when he saw who it was that stood before him, bearing the title of 'Dark Lord'. Lupin....the last Lupin Harry had called him. There was no warmth or pity in the eyes staring down at him from the face of the only father he had ever known.

Before he could process much of the situation, Narcissa was carrying out the Dark Lord's orders, and began pushing him towards the cellar where the dungeon which had once imprisoned Harry Potter himself lie in wait. Teddy plodded half way across the living quarters, when something within him cracked.

"FATHER!" he screamed, "What has happened to you?! How can you be doing this?! You were our savior! How could you take on the title of Dark Lord?! You cannot be the real Harry Potter! You CANNOT!"

"Silencio!" Narcissa hissed, pointing her wand as Teddy's throat, and his voice was instantly silenced, though his mouth still opened in silent screams, the tears finally streaming down his face.

((Skuli will give his version of events...just want to leave in a pause for Volarry's reaction. I imagine Teddy would have called Harry father, practically being raised by him, and he calls James brother.))

Penny swallowed, but bowed her head in reverence and began to lead the way to the dungeons where Teddy would be kept. Her grandmother was being rough with poor Teddy, but her poor heart was not brave enough to challenge her.


Voldemort watched without pity as the man was dragged from his sight, as the soul of the stolen body screamed in protest, reaching out towards someone he had always loved. But Voldemort would have none of that. He waited to see Teddy let out and then turned to Rowle. "Speak."

Skuli swallowed hard, hoping that the Dark Lord would not be upset that they had lost the two Weasley girls. After all, Teddy was much more important, right? Rather lose the two girls and have Teddy, than keep the girls and lose Teddy. Skuli sure hoped that the Dark Lord shared his sentiments....he could be quite unpredictable.

"Septimius and myself were following a girl who turned out to be one of the Weasley spawn," Skuli explained, "and I managed to corner her inside the alley next to the Manor, within the boundary of the disapparition jinx. I had her cornered, and was going to bring her in, but then the auror, Ted Lupin showed up and defended her. Oliver here joined me, and that's when the old Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher came to their aid. About that time Narcissa and Marceline here showed up, and the girl I had been tailing proposed a trade. Marceline countered, asking for Lupin in exchange for some girl they had with them. Victoire Weasley, if I am not mistaken. I have no idea how they ended up with her, but Ted agreed and we began the exchange. As soon as Lupin was within reach, I forced him into submission and took his wand, then attempted to capture the others, but they.....they managed to escape. Septimius should have been stationed on a roof near the alleyway, however, so perhaps he managed to get one of them."

Marceline picked up the thread of conversation. "My brother and I spotted Victoire on the street. I immediately approached and found that her memory was severely damaged - she didn't have any recollection of current events or her identity, nor my own. We immediately brought her here. We were inside the gates when the chaos between Lupin and the other Weasley began to unfold."

Voldemort listened. "Two of three gone free. Though I respect that the quality of our prize is larger, I would hope that we would be able to hold on to the majority of prey. And I do not like witnesses. Three people are free that know your faces. I assume you all know that this is personal for you - you'd better personally see to it that they join us. And soon."

"We will find them, m'lord!" Skuli said hurriedly, "Septimius should already be on the case. Would you like them brought in, or killed?"

((Oh, no!!!! One liner!!!! Nuuuuuu!!!!! D: ))

Voldemort regarded them dully. "I'd prefer alive to dead, and I'd prefer dead to free. Interpret the risks accordingly."


The last three times that Rose had checked behind her had proven that no one was following her, but she did not stop running. She sprinted madly, her bag clanking heavily against her back, her feet crying with pain, her lungs begging for air. Muggles watched her, looking concerned. She was out of the apparation boundaries, but there were muggles everywhere and honestly... where would she go?

"Of course, m'lord," Skuli replied with a short bow.

He turned immediately and exited the Manor, assuming that the twins would be behind him. He wasn't going to waste anytime in finding the escapees. Maybe he'd get lucky, and the Dark Lord would allow him to take one of the Weasley spawn as his own personal prisoner to torture. Torturing loved ones was a great way to obtain information when done before the eyes of a family member.

Narcissa returned from the dungeon and approached the Dark Lord. "We have him chained to the wall in the cellar," she reported, "Not even a house elf can apparate someone out their chains."

She gave him a significant look, hoping to remind him that the house-elf named Kreacher could pose as a hazard should his loyalties waver....just as her own house-elf had done years ago.

Voldemort turned to view Narcissa, one of the few in the Manor he believed to actually follow through the way he hoped. He bowed his head. "Very good. You have done well. See to it that someone keeps him alive, at the least."


Penny had told her grandmother that she would be right after her, she simply wanted to check that the other chains in the other cells would be ready in case there were new prisoners coming in. As soon as the door closed behind her grandmother, Penny wrapped her hands around the bars of Teddy's cell.

"I can bring you water," she said. "If you wish. You must be tired."

Narcissa glowed under the praise, though she could never forget that this was the man who had killed her husband. She must do everything she can to keep the rest of her family safe!

"I will have Penny see to the boy, m'lord," she said, "It will give her something to do."

-----------------------------------------

Teddy lifted his head slowly, glaring at the girl staring at him through the bars around his cell. He didn't answer, but watched her carefully, fearful of a trick.

((Okay, you do not want to know what I went through to find this picture. XD

This is sort of how I envision Teddy chained. His feet are free, but his hands are chained to the floor at his sides so that he can sit somewhat comfortably leaned up against a wall, but he can only raise his hands a few inches. He would not be able to stand.))

Spoiler:

"Very good," Voldemort repeated. "Now, leave me. Dinner must be prepared for our crew. See to it that it is done."


Penny swallowed, glancing towards the door and shifting from foot to foot. "They're going to keep you alive. So, I wouldn't be poisoning you or anything. I'm probably going to be the one required to tend to you. So, please, tell me what you need."

Teddy sighed in an almost irritable manner, wishing the deathies would just leave him be.

"I realize that they want me alive," Teddy replied in a soft voice, "Otherwise I'd be dead already."

Teddy struggled to keep his head up as he regarded Penny.

"Please? Earlier you called me sir....aren't you a bit soft for this line of work?"

She gnawed on her lip, torn. How she wished to expose herself as an ally to the Order of the Phoenix. She wanted to do good - she wanted to be kind. But she could not risk that being known, not so early in the game. She swallowed and timidly said, "I just believe in being polite. This isn't my war. I take care of the house."

Teddy studied her for a few more moments, before opening his mouth to say, "I suppose I could use a drink."

((Yeah, yeah. One-liner...so sue me. ))

She bowed her head, excited to do anything of help. She scurried off and out the dungeon.

She ran into her grandmother on the way, who distractedly told her she would be in charge of the Lupin man. Penny bowed and continued on her task.

Only a minute later and Penny was hurrying down the steps, a large pitcher and a goblet in her hand. She stepped before Teddy and placed the goblet down, pouring some water into it. She pushed it before him mildly.

Keeping a careful eye on Penny, Teddy reached for the water with his right hand and gingerly began to sip at it while watching the girl from over the lip of the glass.

"How did someone so young and mild-mannered as yourself end up working for Death Eaters?" he asked her.

She stepped away once she was certain he could reach his drink. She wanted to help, but she also didn't know how desperate he might be to escape. She watched, not sure what else to do, but wanting to remain away from her family and the Death Eaters.

His question implied he thought better of her than the Death Eaters - something that pleased her but also made her wary. She needed to blend better. "My dad owns this house," was all she said. "They thought they might need some assistance. So I'm being home-schooled while I help make our guests feel more comfortable."

Teddy nearly inhaled his water from surprise. He choked, coughing out the water which had tried to enter his lungs.

"You.....are you Draco Malfoy's daughter?" he gasped between coughs, tears leaking from the corners of his eyes from pain. He felt that one of his ribs may be broken.

Penny's cheeks turned pink as he realized who she was and seemed shocked by it, though she did her best to keep her head held high. "I- I am."