48

The next morning at breakfast, wearing the necklace hidden beneath a scarf, a large envelope landed on her empty plate. The brown owl that delivered it hooted loudly to announce its presence before flying up the chimney. It was addressed in a hand that she had never come across before and, still wary of suspicious letters, she was about to cast it in the fire when she caught sight of a familiar crest showing through the envelope.

"What's that?" Ron asked bluntly through a mouthful of sausage. "Not more hate mail?"

"Dunno. I don't think it's that though." She ran her knife beneath the flap and pulled out a single sheaf of parchment.

"Well?" Harry prompted her as she read.

"I have to go to meet some lawyer person at Malfoy Manor; or more specifically, the gates to Malfoy Manor tomorrow at ten o'clock."

"Why?" Hermione asked curiously, buttering her toast.

"Doesn't say. It says that everything will be explained on arrival."

"I don't think you should go." Hermione; always the voice of caution. Something stirred in her mind; 'arrangements have been made'. Could these be the arrangements he had mentioned?

"I'm going."

"No, it could be a trick or something." Harry agreed with Hermione.

"Come with me then."

The next day the four of them were walking down the lane that led to the gates of Malfoy Manor, all of them wondering what was in store. A thin, balding man in plum robes was waiting at the gates and positively jumped when he saw them approaching.

"Miss Potter, Mr Potter, Mr Weasley, Miss Granger!" he gushed, bowing low. "Such an honour it is to meet you all, I had no idea you would be coming also."

"Thanks." Ron said nervously. "Who are you?"

"I do beg your pardon; I completely forgot I had not introduced myself. I am Matthias Whittet of Roxburgh and Whittet solicitors, the executors of Mr Malfoy's will."

"Will!" Kathryn exclaimed. "He's not dead?" it was hard not to conceal the note of panic in her voice.

"No, no. I should rephrase." He hadn't expected such a reaction. "I am under instructions to carry out his wishes in relation to the Malfoy estate as he, and his son, are likely to be somewhat," he paused, searching for the right word, "unavoidably detained for the foreseeable future."

"I see. And those wishes are?" Kathryn questioned him further.

"Let me see." He rifled through his papers. "That the guardianship of the Malfoy Estate, its contents and the family fortune pass to a one Miss Kathryn Potter." He read. "That is you, I believe." Kathryn nodded. "I need you to sign here in acceptance."

"Wait a second." Harry interrupted as he passed a quill to Kathryn. "He's giving the Malfoy estate to Kathryn?"

"It appears so."

"Why?"

"I have no details as to why, I am merely here to ensure that his request if fulfilled." He apologised to Harry.

"And what if she doesn't accept?" Hermione asked.

"The enchantments protecting the Manor will deteriorate when not in the hands of an owner or guardian; allowing Muggles to see more than they should. As I understand it, Muggles can see a lavish estate but thanks to the magic governing its protection, they also strictly obey the signs they see telling them that it is private land. Any decline in such protection could prove dangerous to wandering Muggles."

"Give it here." She took the parchment and signed her name. "There." She handed it back, ignoring the astonished looks Harry, Ron and Hermione were giving her.

"Thank you." He tucked the parchment away. "Now, another requirement of this is I show you around the property as there are certain essential items of information that the guardian must be aware of." Kathryn nodded and, with Harry, Hermione and Ron in tow, she followed Whittet down the drive.

Harry, Ron and Hermione, for the second time in just over a fortnight, were once again approaching the imposing façade of the Malfoy ancestral home. They hadn't really taken in the outside when they had come to get Kathryn back. It was, in no uncertain circumstances, amazing. Intricate, but understated, carving surrounded the windows and the entire place just reeked of money. The front doors were tall and made of thick oak with an old bell-pull at the side and a great iron knocker on each door. Hermione, Ron and Harry looked slightly daunted by the grand entrance, not having noticed it on their first visit. For Kathryn, however, it made her feel slightly warmer inside.

"Let's start at the top." He led them up to the second floor, taking them through each of the rooms in turn. Harry found it bizarre to have each of the rooms described to him when, only two weeks ago, they had prowled through here with their wands drawn.

"I can see the advantages of this." Hermione commented as he took them into the library. She perused the stacks for a while, running her hands over the spines of the leather-bound tomes. "Even Hogwarts doesn't have these." She pointed out a set of ancient volumes on alchemy. "There are only three sets of these in existence and he has one." Hermione was bubbling with the excitement of having these to read.

"There are two reading rooms." The lawyer pointed them out. "And a hidden chamber concealed in the larger." At the sound of a hidden chamber, Harry, Ron and Hermione immediately went in search of it. Kathryn watched in mild amusement as they lifted the rug and pulled bookcases aside. Their faces were a picture when Kathryn walked to the wall and released the panel; sliding it to the side to reveal the doorway.

"How did you know that?" Ron asked, in the midst of checking if any of the books were a disguised lever.

"I was hidden in there once." She allowed the panel to slide back into place and left the room to rejoin the lawyer who was waiting patiently. Leading them downstairs, he showed them through the study which, after further inspection by Hermione, was deemed to hold some of the rarest books in existence.

"Yes, but I might not allow you to read them." Kathryn teased Hermione, who looked affronted by the suggestion. "Only kidding!" she laughed as they moved on down the portrait gallery.

Harry, Ron and Hermione could not help but find it unsettling as they walked down the long gallery. The many eyes of the portraits followed their progress, some turning their backs haughtily as they passed. Kathryn, on the other hand, found it rather interesting. She had never seen the portraits in the house before. They had always been covered when she had visited; he had not wanted one of the portraits to let something slip to his son, a visitor or, when she had still been alive, his wife.

"This is the Master suite." The lawyer informed them as they stepped into a room all too familiar to her. "There is a large en-suite, wardrobe and balcony attached." She wasn't really listening as he recited things she knew already. Someone, the house elves she supposed, had changed the bed linen since she had last been here; the bedspread and hangings now fresh and crisp.

"You don't half get a good view from out here." Hermione said from the balcony that overlooked the gardens. "It's a pity the people who lived here were so vile." Kathryn ignored their comments and sat down on the edge of the bed that she had so often shared; looking at her reflection in one of the facing windows. It was a while before she noticed the sun glinting off something beneath the bed. Kneeling on the Persian rug, she looked beneath to find herself looking into the emerald eyes of his serpent-topped cane. Harry, Ron and Hermione watched in amazement as, with a misty-eyed look, she brushed the dust off with her sleeve and set the silver tip on the floor.

"Ah, yes, well," the lawyer looked slightly puzzled, "on to the ground floor." Harry had to admit that, cane in hand; she looked very much as if she belonged in the manor. He shook these disturbing thoughts from his mind; she would never belong here, and followed them downstairs. The downstairs rooms were unchanged and they passed through them fairly quickly before making their way into the cellars.

"There are several secret passages down here." The lawyer informed them as they walked through the draughty passages. "I am, of course, unable to say where but this document here will provide you with all the details." He handed Kathryn a thick envelope which was sealed tight against attempts to discover the secrets within. "It is charmed to only allow the owner, or guardian, of the Manor to see their location." He led them through to the wine cellar and stores before doubling back and showing them a number of inconsequential rooms that held nothing of importance. At least, they all held nothing of importance apart from one.

"I'm not really sure what this is for." He commented as they looked in the door. "It does seem an odd place to have one." Looking at his sister, Harry could plainly see that Kathryn knew exactly what this room was. Her face had gone pale and she was staring at the four poster bed with wide, haunted eyes. Harry had a good guess as to what it had been used for and, judging by Ron and Hermione's looks, they did too.

Kathryn had gone numb with shock. The bedspread hadn't changed since she left and, out of the corner of her eye, she was sure she could see her silver earrings glinting on the mantel above the fire.

"I'll be off then." The lawyer was bundling his papers back together. "I will leave you to explore further." He bowed low to them all. "It has been a pleasure to make your acquaintances." He walked down the corridor, turned a corner, and they were alone. Shakily, Kathryn walked over to the mantel and took the small pieces of silver in her hand. Horrible memories flared in her mind and she pocketed the earrings quickly, closing the door behind her.

"So that was where…" Harry said, not wanting to finish his sentence. Kathryn gave a shaky nod.

"So what about those secret passages then?" Ron asked, trying to move the topic onto safer ground. Nodding, Kathryn broke the seal on the envelope and withdrew a single sheet of parchment.

"Well," she scanned the list, "apparently there's something right next to this room." She walked along and looked at the solid expanse of wall that faced them. "Accessible by password and a key." She read from the sheet.

"A key?" Hermione said questioningly. "How are you supposed to know what the key is?"

"It says that it's in the form of a ring." She looked at the small diagram beside the instructions.

"Well that's helpful." Hermione said in an annoyed fashion. "How many rings do you think the vile man has?" Kathryn ran her fingers over the ring that adorned her finger. Looking up the wall, she noticed a fault in the stone that, upon closer inspection, was a perfectly cut groove. Whilst Hermione bickered with Ron about the best way to get in, Kathryn pushed the sleeve of her shirt back and slid her hand up the wall. Ron and Hermione stopped and they saw the ring on her right hand slide into the purpose-cut groove with a click.

"Faust." She said.

"Inventive password." Hermione muttered darkly, but fell silent as Kathryn's hand was turned a quarter turn to the left before returning to its original position. It was released with another click and, listening carefully, they heard what sounded like a very complex lock being released. They stepped back as the wall slowly slid away and torches illuminated, casting the hidden chamber in a very eerie green light. It was Kathryn who understood first what its purpose was. Hermione gave a small shriek as her eyes caught sight of the shimmering objects that hung on the walls, some of them coated with what appeared to be blood.

Kathryn took in the thick-topped wooden table, the furnace in one corner, gleaming knives, brands and other devilish implements with a cool gaze and then vomited. Harry quickly grabbed her about the shoulders and pulled her away to lean against the wall. Hermione made quick work of the mess whilst Harry tried to reassure Kathryn who had slid down the wall into a sitting position.

Seeing the sadistically equipped torture chamber only served to remind her of how close she came to death that night. How easily he could have kept her in there instead of next door. Her eyes ran over the razor sharp blades and all she could see were images of what could have been had he been so inclined. What made her feel even more ill was, despite the fact that it had not been intended that way; he had given her the key to his twisted playground. Her hands shook as she waved her wand and the doorway sealed itself once more.

"So that's where all those poor Muggles went." Harry said, helping his sister to her feet.

"That's where I could have gone." She said in a hollow voice.

"Let's leave the other passages for a different day." Hermione steered them back down the passage and up the stairs into the entrance hall.

"So I guess that isn't a ring you bought in a cheap shop in Diagon Alley then." Harry said in an injured tone.

"No." She replied frankly.

"So when did you get that?"

"Last year. He slipped it into my pocket." Harry could not help but notice that, again, she became all misty eyed and ran her fingers almost lovingly over the serpent head of the cane.

"What's wrong with you?"

"Nothing." She realised her mistake when she heard the defensive note in her voice.

"Please don't tell me you're-." Harry never got to finish what he had to say as a loud knock echoed through the hall. Instinctively, the four of them raised their wands and approached the door with caution. Opening it a crack, she caught sight of a pinstriped cloak and lime green bowler hat. Flinging both doors open wide, she stood commandingly in the opening, as if daring them to come any further.

"I don't remember inviting you Fudge." She said in a cool tone to the Minister who was flanked by several Aurors; Scrimgeour and Dawlish the most prominent amongst them.

"Yes. But I do not recall this being your house." He countered, pushing his way past her.

"Check your facts Fudge." She addressed him in the way Lucius had always done; cool and superior. "The last time I checked, I was the guardian of this estate and I did not invite you."

"Oh we won't be here long. It just so happens that you have conveniently placed yourself. Saves us a lot of bother actually."

"What are you on about?" She said with a note of boredom. "I do have other things to do you know."

"I am here to place you under house arrest pending trial." He recited in a practiced manner.

"What for?" she asked in an angry voice, resisting the temptation to raise her wand.

"Consorting with Death Eaters."

"And you didn't? I sat here and had dinner with you and Malfoy. You don't call that consorting?" she interrupted him.

"Deceit," Fudge went on, "passing information to the enemy. Treason, for want of a better word."

"He always had your ear!" she couldn't believe Fudge. "You were always willing to listen when he slipped a sack of Galleons in your pocket."

"I," he puffed his chest out haughtily, "was deceived. My decision is final. You may be a hero but you are not above the law." He turned on his heel. "Mr Potter, Miss Granger, Mr Weasley; I must also ask you to leave."

"Why?" Harry's voice was calm but filled with quiet rage.

"I am taking measures to ensure that your dear sister cannot escape."

"You wait until Dumbledore hears about this." Hermione spat.

"Dumbledore has no sway in the matter, now come." The three of them shot Kathryn apologetic looks as they followed Fudge towards the doors. They were outnumbered three to one and they did not want to start another fight with the Ministry.

"How long do you intend to keep me here?" Her voice shook slightly but the firm tone remained.

"As long as needs be." Fudge was now standing on the front steps. "You've chosen a magnificent prison." Kathryn stood in the centre of the entrance hall, her insides turning to ice as she watched them walk away. Then she realised that, instead of just feeling it, her entire body was becoming cold. With a thrill of terror she saw the familiar, eerie black shape descending towards the manor. Someone was screaming; a desperate, guttural scream that was enough to make a grown man shudder. She looked around to see who was screaming and then realised; it was her scream that she could hear. A scream that had passed her lips two years ago.

"What do you think you're doing?" Harry screamed at Fudge as he saw the four Dementors descend upon the house. "Don't you know what they do to her?" he conjured his Patronus to protect them as the Aurors shepherded them towards the gates.

"I told you I was taking steps to ensure that she stays put." Fudge sniffed, ignoring the girl that was sill standing in the hall.

"They'll kill her!"

"Nonsense. They are only there to stop her leaving."

Kathryn stood there and watched them go. Her friends were abandoning her; her brother was just walking away. Sinking further and further into despair, she could not muster the strength she needed to find that one happy memory needed to repel the advancing Dementors. All she could hear was her screaming and all she could feel was the pain as they forced her to re-live some of the worst moments of her life. She clutched the cane close to her chest, trying to cling onto the memories of the one thing that made her happy beyond measure.

Harry looked back as he heard the doors creaking shut. He saw his sister slowly sink to her knees; doubled over in agony as desperate sobs wracked her body. That was the last the three of them saw of her before the doors banged shut with an ominous thud.