Chapter 49

The letter from Lucius Malfoy and my cousin Narcissa involved me? I glanced at Severus, whose expression was severe, then back at the letter. After reading just a few lines, my heart sank. I gripped the letter tightly, glancing at Lily beside me who had also gasped in shock.

"Believe it. They wouldn't lie about this; they're our allies," Severus said rationally, though with a hint of coldness.

Ignoring the aristocratic rhetoric and pleasantries, the letter clearly stated that Bellatrix and her husband planned to capture my parents to force me to act as their spy.

I gripped Severus's hand so tightly that my knuckles turned white. "The letter says the plan is for today. Today is Saturday, and both Mom and Dad are home! There are no other wizards nearby. Eileen and Murtagh left long ago—the defenses I set up won't hold against Death Eaters! Could they already be captured..."

"Sawyer, calm down! Relax your grip; you'd know if your defenses were broken! If they're at home right now, they're still within the safety of the wards!" Lily pried my fingers off Severus's arm, making me realize how tightly I had been holding him. His arm bore several red marks from my grip.

"Sorry... I can't calm down. I have to go home!" I deflated almost immediately. "But what good will it do if I go back? I'll just be captured too. If they can find Spinner's End, where could we possibly escape to?"

"You've thought it through," Severus finally spoke up. "Now we have to decide. You can either submit to them to save your parents or seek Dumbledore's help."

Did I have to choose now? I had hoped to escape this cursed situation and not be controlled by anyone. Though Aunt Druella had promised I could remain neutral, I never trusted her completely, always fearing she would betray me. Now, despite believing the threat was gone, I found myself coerced, with my innocent parents involved! I knew Bellatrix didn't value me but realized she saw some use in me.

I suddenly felt Bellatrix had only made her move now because Aunt Druella had protected me. With Aunt Druella gone, Bellatrix had no reason to hold back.

Steeling myself, I made a decision. "I'm going to find the headmaster."

I ran all the way to the headmaster's office, fortunately not far from the Room of Requirement. But no matter how much I called or knocked, there was no response. The gargoyle, growing impatient with my incessant knocking, finally spoke. "No password, no entry. The headmaster isn't here."

I felt a surge of anxiety. Of all times, he had to be absent. Severus and Lily arrived just then, with Lily pulling me towards the stairs. "Let's find Professor McGonagall!"

Luckily, she was in her office. Seeing us standing breathless at the door, she looked surprised.

Before she could ask, I stepped forward. "Professor McGonagall, I need help! My parents are in danger. Death Eaters plan to kidnap them to force me into spying for them!"

McGonagall was visibly shocked, clearly skeptical. "How can this be? How did you find out?"

"Someone wrote to tell me. I'm certain it's not a joke; the information is real. Please believe me!" I pleaded.

McGonagall, without further hesitation, let us into her office. She waved her wand, and a silver cat emerged, her Patronus. She whispered to it, and it nodded before leaping out the window.

"The headmaster isn't at the school right now, but he should contact us soon," McGonagall explained, conjuring armchairs for us. "You'll need to wait a bit, but it shouldn't be long."

I breathed a slight sigh of relief and sank into the armchair, elbows on knees, staring at my clenched hands. I tried to calculate when the letter might have been sent. It must have been this morning; it said the plan was for today but didn't specify when. Since I hadn't felt the wards being breached, there was still hope.

A steaming cup appeared before me. I looked up to see McGonagall offering it. "You look pale. A hot cocoa might help."

The stern professor's concerned gaze and the sweet smell of the cocoa revived my spirits. I thanked her softly.

McGonagall gently patted my head. Her usual stern demeanor softened, replaced by motherly warmth.

Turning to my left, I saw Lily watching me with worry. Severus was on my right, his emotions typically hidden. But I could read his expression—concern and pain.

Feeling warmth in my heart, I lowered my head to drink the cocoa, the warmth soothing my anxiety.

Minutes felt like hours until a blazing phoenix appeared, dropping a note before vanishing.

"That was Fawkes, Dumbledore's phoenix. The note says he'll be here in five minutes," McGonagall's voice was strangely calming.

I finished the cocoa in one gulp, anxiously awaiting Dumbledore's arrival.

With a burst of green flames in the fireplace, the white-bearded headmaster appeared. At that moment, I found his whimsical appearance oddly reassuring.

"Sawyer, Professor McGonagall briefed me. I need more details," Dumbledore said, getting straight to the point.

I told him about the letter, its timing, and contents, omitting the sender. Given Lucius and Narcissa's discreet approach, I believed they wanted to keep it secret.

"I need your help, Headmaster! They want to force me to join the Order as a spy. My adoptive parents are Muggles; if they fall into Death Eaters' hands, they'll be tortured!" The thought made me shudder. The Daily Prophet had often reported Muggle families being attacked, the victims tortured to death. Even if the Death Eaters didn't kill my parents outright, they would undoubtedly suffer torture. Perhaps the Cruciatus Curse...

A hand gripped my trembling one—Severus. An arm wrapped around my shoulders—Lily. Drawing strength from them, I looked at my only hope with pleading eyes.

Dumbledore's expression was grave. "We will do everything to prevent this. What's your home address?"

"23 Spinner's End."

After a brief conversation with McGonagall, both sent their Patronuses—likely alerting members of the Order.

Though I should have felt reassured, an uneasy feeling persisted.

As if confirming my fears, the magical link to my home's defenses was suddenly yanked. I jumped up. "They're here! The defenses are under attack! I felt it!"

Everyone was startled. Dumbledore's expression grew even more serious. "The Order members have been notified and will get there as quickly as possible. Let's hope your defenses hold a bit longer."

Ironically, the link was yanked a second time, then vanished. I felt a cold wave wash over me.

"It's broken..."

I felt a deep sense of failure.

Dumbledore immediately summoned Fawkes. "Minerva, use the Floo to contact Caradoc and Marlene. I'll get the Prewett brothers. Stay here with them." With a nod, Fawkes grabbed him, and they vanished.

McGonagall quickly used the Floo network.

She soon returned and sat beside me. I couldn't focus on anything, my mind filled with fear.

"Poor child, it'll be alright." She held me gently. "The Order's best members, Marlene McKinnon, Caradoc Dearborn, the Prewett brothers—they'll bring your parents back."

Her soothing words were like a mantra, but I couldn't stop the pessimistic thoughts. Once the defenses fell, the Death Eaters could subdue my parents in less than a minute and Disapparate away. How could the Order find them? Even if they did, how much would my parents suffer in the meantime? Would there be accidental injuries during the rescue...

I couldn't bear to think about it.

After about ten minutes—though it felt like hours—the silver phoenix Patronus brought Dumbledore's message: my parents were safe at St. Mungo's.

I collapsed into Severus's arms, sobbing uncontrollably. I hadn't cried like this since I was reborn. It was embarrassing.

Years later, when Severus and I occasionally talked about this, I would cover my face in shame.

Severus would gently pull my hands away and hold me. "That was the first time you cried in front of me. I realized you had a vulnerable side."

"Did you think I was invincible?" I'd pretend to be annoyed, trying to push him away, only for him to hold me tighter, his muffled laughter vibrating through his chest.

"All I knew was I never wanted to see you cry like that again."