Castle of Glass
London
As soon as Rumple apparated back into Harriet’s apartment, Kreacher flew into action. Ushering Rumple into her room, he motioned for the dark wizard to place Harriet on the bed. Seeing the devastation on his face, Kreacher tried to be kind. Over the last few days, he had noticed a bond forming between the dark wizard and his mistress and he was loath to inflict pain where it would do no good. While he was still leery of Rumplestilskin, Kreacher could admit that having him around was beneficial for his mistress. What did he care for wizard politics as long as his mistress was happy?
He hadn’t forgotten what the Dark Lord had done to his Master Regulus. Yet, the differences between the Dark Lord and the Dark One were stark, something that Kreacher was still puzzling through. He knew he didn’t understand, so he refused to pass judgment until he did.
Kreacher watched as Rumple gently placed Harriet on the bed and reluctantly exited the room. Closing the door, Kreacher set to work cleaning the blood off Harriet’s forehead and hands. He changed her clothing and made sure the scars on her wrist didn’t show. He knew she would be mortified if anyone saw them. He fussed and moved her pillows so she would be more comfortable and finally covered her with blankets. Satisfied, Kreacher opened the door to call for Rumplestilskin when he noticed Ron and Hermione standing in the living room, looking uncomfortable.
Seeing the door open, Rumple lurched to his feet and quickly entered the room. While Kreacher was attending to Harriet, Rumple had taken off his suit coat, fixed his shirt, and rolled up his sleeves. He still felt unkempt, but refused to leave her side until he knew Harriet would wake up. Looking at her face, he sighed in relief. While she still looked drained, she didn’t look nearly as close to death’s door.
“Thank you Kreacher,” Rumple muttered as he conjured a folding chair and sat next to Harriet's bed, taking her hand in both of his. Hermione and Ron looked at each other and frowned. Neither wanted the dark wizard there and would have preferred if Kreacher had thrown him out. However, Kreacher only nodded his head and went into the kitchenette. He began cleaning furiously his worry for his mistress apparent.
Coming to stand at the end of Harriet’s bed, Hermione crossed her arms and glowered at Rumpelstiltskin. It wasn’t right that he was allowed to stay. Not when HE was the reason for Harriet’s collapse.
“You should leave,” Hermione snapped, becoming more furious with the dark wizard as she noticed how devastated he appeared. What right did he have to feel pain? To care? Ron approached Hermione from behind and began rubbing her shoulders, hoping to sooth her before she became too upset. He wasn't happy with Harriet’s new “friendship” but he didn’t think it was the appropriate time to start yelling at the dark wizard.
“That’s not gonna happen dearie,” Rumple replied, refusing to look away from Harriet. He didn’t understand why she hadn’t awoken yet and he was afraid to leave her. The particulars of their connection were still largely unknown and anything could happen while he was gone.
“I said leave!” Hermione thundered, as she pulled her wand. Lazily, Rumple moved his hand in a slight arc, making the wand disappear from her hand and reappear into his. Looking at it dismissively, Rumple flicked his wrist and banished it.
Hermione stilled and swallowed hard, fear coursing through her. On instinct, Ron began to pull his own wand, which he too lost to Rumpelstiltskin.
“You will get your wands back when you leave,” Rumpelstiltskin replied, glaring between Ron and Hermione, “For now, you stay here and wait until Harriet wakes up.”
Hermione wanted to argue, determined to put the dark wizard in his place, when two folding chairs appeared on the opposite side of Harriet’s bed.
“Have a seat,” Rumpelstiltskin said forcefully, gesturing for them to sit. Knowing they had no other choice, they sat, both uneasy without their wands. Ignoring them, Rumple again took Harriet’s hand in his. Nobody spoke and the only noise to be heard in the apartment was Kreacher cleaning.
Ron and Hermione silently watched Rumple as he leaned forward, thumb rubbing the back of Harriet’s hand, and began to whisper to himself. Neither one of them could understand what he was saying, but both were once again struck by how devastated Rumpelstiltskin seemed. While it still bothered Hermione, she couldn’t help but wonder if his devastation was genuine. If so, what did it mean that the great and terrible Lord Voldemort could now feel?
Finally unable to take the whispering and silence anymore Ron asked, “Should we slap her?”
Rumpelstiltskin’s head snapped up and he glared, prompting Ron to ask, “Isn’t that what your supposed to do when someone passes out?”
“You do and I’ll slap back,” Harriet suddenly croaked. Hermione and Ron quickly stood and rushed to her side while Rumple smiled faintly, still rubbing her hand with his thumb.
“You frightened us dearie,” Rumpelstiltskin muttered.
“I didn’t mean to,” Harriet replied, struggling to sit up. Hermione put her arm around Harriet’s shoulders to help her sit, while Ron began stuffing pillows behind her back. Harriet felt weak and drained, like she usually did after a particularly horrific nightmare. Smiling at her friends, she felt touched by the care they showed her.
“I know,” Rumple replied, still rubbing the back of her hand, “That was my fault.”
Harriet just smiled faintly at Rumple and then turned her attention to her friends.
“You’re here?” Harriet asked, her voice small and filled with wonder.
“Of course we’re here,” Hermione exclaimed, her fear for her friend making her shout, “We couldn’t leave you with HIM!”
Harriet winced and Rumple glared. Hermione however, found the courage to glare back. As politely as he could, Rumple said, “Please lower your voice. She just had an ordeal.”
“And you didn’t?” Harriet asked, tightening her hold on his hand, “How does your chest feel?”
“Like I was run over by an ogre,” Rumple replied, bringing his free hand up and rubbing his sternum, “But the pain will pass. My ribs have already healed from your ill-conceived CPR attempt.”
“Sorry,” Harriet apologized sheepishly, and Rumple smirked.
“Don’t be,” Rumple replied his eyes sparkling with good-humor, “Although, I would have preferred not to be called a mother fucker as a lay dying.”
Harriet chuckled at that, breaking some of the tension in the room. Rumple continued to smirk as he stood.
“I’m going to shower,” Rumple announced. Looking at Hermione he said, “You will sit with her.”
“Of course,” Hermione nodded, realizing she had no choice, but then sardonically said, “And not just because you haven’t given our wands back.”
“Rumple?” Harriet asked questioningly.
“They pulled them on me,” Rumple replied with a shrug, “So I took them. They’ll get them back when they leave.”
Sniffing, Hermione looked at Harriet, expecting her to side with them. Harriet just nodded, “That seems reasonable.”
“Reasonable?” Hermione asked wonderingly. Harriet couldn’t possibly be suggesting that Lord Voldemort had been in the right?
“You shouldn’t come into people’s homes and threaten them,” Rumpelstiltskin replied reasonably, “Should you?”
“This isn’t your home!” Ron burst out, causing Rumple to look as if he’d been slapped.
However, Rumple quickly recovered and sneered, “Maybe not, but it’s not yours either.”
Then he left.
Harriet sighed and looked at her two friends.
“Please try and get along with him,” Harriet pleaded tiredly.
“He shouldn’t be here Harriet,” Hermione replied, sitting on the edge of her bed, “It’s not right.”
“Why?” Harriet asked resentfully, “Because you say so?”
“I don’t have to tell you everything he’s done,” Hermione insisted, looking surprised at her friend, “You know what he’s capable of better than anyone.”
“Yes,” Harriet said, shifting in the bed to lean toward Hermione, “I am. Which is why I’m telling you he is different now.”
“What do you mean?” Ron asked, frowning. While he still thought Harriet was being unreasonable, he was willing to hear her out. If only to show her how crazy she sounded.
Harriet swallowed and said, “He was reincarnated in another world.” Ron and Hermione frowned and looked at each other in puzzlement, “It’s very different from ours. He had completely different parents and completely different surroundings.” Biting her lip she continued, “He couldn’t even use magic until he was an adult.”
Hermione and Ron looked at each other, doubt in their eyes and Harriet sighed, “You don’t believe me.”
“We’re trying to understand Harriet,” Hermione replied quietly, “But you expect us to believe in reincarnation.” She wanted to be there for her friend. Hermione couldn’t begin to understand what it was like to feel so alone that Lord Voldemort seemed like an acceptable companion, but she never wanted her friend to feel that way again.
“I know,” Harriet replied quietly, “But you haven’t met the people I have or seen the things I’ve seen.” Harriet looked away and said quietly, “You can’t feel him like I can.”
“Feel him?” Ron asked, concerned.
“In my head,” Harriet said, fingering her scar. Then with a sigh she put the same hand on her chest and said, “And in my heart.”
Taking a breath she continued, trying her best not to feel uncomfortable at the dawning horror on her friends faces, “Sometimes even in my gut.”
“That’s horrible,” Hermione whispered, taking her hand. But Harriet bit her lip and said, “It was before. When he was filled with nothing but hate and rage and selfishness. But now……”
“Now?” Ron asked, taking the seat Rumple had vacated, “How is it different?”
“There’s still anger,” Harriet replied quietly, “And selfishness……but the hate…..the hate isn’t there as much. Now, there is love and laughter and kindness.”
“Kindness?” Ron asked thoughtfully, looking away from Harriet and back toward the living room, “Is that what you call it?”
“What else?” Harriet asked, frowning, “He’s been kind to me. He makes me eat and keeps me from drinking. He listens to what I have to say and he never makes me feel like I have to be someone I’m not.”
“That sounds like guilt,” Hermione whispered, wincing at the shadow that passed across Harriet’s face.
“And if it is?” Harriet asked, her voice gravelly, “He never felt guilt before.”
“I just don’t think you're thinking clearly,” Ron said, licking his lips nervously, “I think you're overwhelmed and lonely.”
“Rumplestilskin is very charming,” Hermione said quietly, glancing over her shoulder, “The children already adore him,” Grimacing Hermione whispered, “I can’t believe I left him alone with our children.”
“He wouldn’t hurt them,” Harriet said, rushing to reassure her friend, “Monie, that is one thing he wouldn’t do.”
“He hurt you,” Ron said quietly, making Harriet wince, “You were a baby when he came for you. You had to live with the Dursley’s because of him. You never had a moment's peace at Hogwarts because of him.”
“I don’t blame the Dursley’s on him,” Harriet said quietly, looking away, “ I would have lived with them regardless of how my parents died.”
“If he hadn’t killed them, they wouldn't have died!” Hermione yelled, frustrated.
Harriet winced and looked down at her hands, twisting the blankets with her fingers. Her head was hurting, her mouth was growing dry, and she felt unsettled. She wanted to get up and move, but she knew that she was too weak.
“I know,” Harriet said quietly, her stomach rolling. There were so many things she didn’t want to think about. So many problems in her life that she could lay at Rumple’s feet. She should be angry, she should want revenge. At the very least, she should want nothing to do with him. Yet the idea of him leaving made her want to cry.
“Maybe when we figure out how to break this connection, I’ll want him gone,” Harriet said quietly, “Maybe when we’re no longer so enmeshed, his kindness will fade. Until then, we have to work together.”
“Fine,” Hermione said, her shoulder’s slumping, “But he isn’t to be around our children.”
Harriet nodded, face impassive. She knew it was only right. That she would do the same in Hermione’s position, but it bothered her that she wouldn’t be able to see the children.
“Alright,” Harriet said, refusing to cry in front of her friends. They weren’t safe. They didn’t understand, and she found she couldn’t be vulnerable with people who didn’t understand, “Just tell them ... .tell them I love them, please.”
Ron began to speak but Hermione cut him off, “We will.”
Sniffing Harriet looked at her hands and tried to keep them from shaking but found that she couldn’t. God, she hated how pathetic she was.
Suddenly, a knock came from the door and Rumpelstiltskin stuck his head in. He looked distraught.
“Hugo is here,” Rumple said, pushing the door open and allowing the little boy to come in. He was crying as he rushed toward Ron.
“Hugo!” Ron exclaimed as he picked him up. Hermione rushed over to her son, “What are you doing here?”
“I was thinking of you and mommy,” Hugo cried, his whole body shaking, “I wanted to be with you so bad and then I was here!”
“What is going on?” Hermione asked, reaching for Hugo and taking his hand, “Hugo, where is Rosie?”
“She was screaming,” Hugo went on, “There was someone chasing us.”
“But you were at Granny's,” Harriet said quietly, “Hugo, did something bad happen at Granny's?”
Hugo shook his head and said, “We…..after we were done playing with Uncle Rum we went……to the woods.”
“Hugo!” Hermione scolded, “You’re not allowed there!”
“I know!” Hugo wailed, “But we go all the time and nothing bad happens, but today……today we were playing tag and this man appeared out of nowhere and started chasing us.”
“What?” Harriet thundered, pulling her covers back in order to get up, “What did he look like?”
“I don’t know,” Hugo said, sniffing, “He was in a long cloak. I couldn’t see his face.”
“What did his hands look like?” Rumple asked as he helped Harriet out of bed.
“He wore black gloves,” Hugo said quietly, “Rosie yelled for us to run.”
“But where is Rosie?” Ron asked, his voice wavering.
“The bad man jerked her back,” Hugo said crying, “And I got scared and wanted you.”
“We’ve got to find her,” Harriet said, standing and taking a step forward only to sway and almost fall. Rumple caught her and helped her to sit back down.
“You’re in no condition for a rescue mission,” Rumple said, his voice hard, “I’ll go.”
“You’re going nowhere near my daughter!” Hermione thundered.
“I understand your reservations,” Rumple’s voice was low and urgent, “I understand protecting your own child, but what you have to protect her from isn’t me.”
Producing Ron and Hermione’s wands with a flourish, Rumple extended them toward the couple, “Take them and we’ll find your daughter, together.”
Hermione frowned and looked at Ron, who stared at the wands for a moment before saying, “I’ll stay with Harriet and Hugo. Go with him, Monie. We can’t waste any more time.”
“I can watch Hugo, Ron,” Harriet offered, but Ron shook his head as he took his wand from Rumple. Looking it over, he returned his attention to Harriet, “You’re in no condition to be left alone. Let alone with a child. This is where I need to be.”
Harriet nodded and watched as Hermione took her wand from Rumple. Reluctantly, she took the dark wizard’s offered hand and, in a blink, they were gone.
Ron looked at Harriet, an edge to his voice, “I hope you're right about him.”
“Me too,” Harriet whispered, her voice small and lost.
The Woods
Rumpelstiltskin and Hermione appeared at the edge of the woods. It was dark and overcast, prompting Rumple to cast Lumos. Surveying the area, he could see the Burrow in the distance. While the children had gone far while playing, they had made sure to keep the Burrow in their sights. They were reckless, but not stupid.
“Send a patronus,” Rumple commanded as he scanned the ground. In one hand he held a ball of light, in the other he leaned heavily on his cane, looking for signs of a struggle, “We may need help.”
Hermione pursed her lips, disliking Rumple’s commanding tone, but did as he bid. Then she cast Lumos herself and began searching. Suddenly, Rumple made a noise in his throat. Allowing the ball of light to dissipate, he picked up a child’s sneaker ...it was Rose’s.
“But where is she,” Rumple muttered in frustration as he used Hermione’s light to study the sneaker.
“Oh god,” Hermione groaned as she reached for it, but Rumple stopped her.
“Wait,” Rumple said, grabbing her wrist, “Don’t touch it.”
“Give me her shoe!” Hermione shrieked, causing Rumpelstiltskin to roughly pull her forward and glare. Bitingly he said, “If you want to find your daughter, you will stop fighting me every step of the way.”
Hermione was breathing rapidly trying to keep her hysteria at bay. Sighing, Rumple let go of her wrist. Pulling back, Hermione looked away from the dark wizard and whispered, her voice cracking, “I just want to find her.”
“Then listen to me, dearie,” Rumple replied, his voice turning soft, “We WILL find her, and we’ll make whoever took her pay.”
Hermione looked at him then. Conviction and confidence radiating off him in waves and she begrudgingly nodded. She would do anything to get her daughter back, even work with Lord Voldemort.
Looking at the shoe, Rumple took a deep breath and then slowly let it out. He knew blood was an important component of many spells. A blood tracer spell would be ideal, but they didn’t have time to find a map. However, if he were able to use the blood itself as the tracer, then it could work. Gripping his cane, he transfigured it into a golden dagger, placed the shoe on the ground, and passed it over the shoe.
Of course nothing happened.
Disgusted, Rumple threw the dagger on the ground and growled, “Of course it won’t work. It’s not the right damn dagger.”
“Why do you need a specific dagger?” Hermione asked. Rumple sighed and looked at her in agitation, “Think of the dagger as my wand.”
“But don’t you use wandless magic?” Hermione asked, frustrated. She was annoyed at her own curiosity. She didn’t want to engage with him besides what she had to. Yet, she couldn’t help but be curious. The magic Rumpelstiltskin used was fascinating and Hermione, despite her current profession, was a scholar.
“Magic is all about intention,” Rumple lectured, kneeling in front of Rose’s shoe, “Wands and other magical conduits help channel that intention. Sometimes enhancing a person’s power, sometimes diminishing it, but always focusing it. Right now, the spell I intend to use is one I’m not familiar with. It would help to have a magical conduit to focus my power.”
“Can you use my wand?” Hermione asked. Rumple frowned as he looked at Hermione then looked at the shoe. He was aware of how long this was taking. If this took much longer, they might not find Rose alive.
Reaching out, Rumple took Hermione’s wand, plunging them into inky blackness. Blinking, Rumple gritted his teeth and closed his eyes, focusing on the Darkness. While he couldn’t see in the dark as a human, as the Dark One he could.
Opening his eyes, he found the environment around him was visible, if grayish and dark. Looking at the shoe, he focused on centering himself. He pushed the worry, agitation, and anger aside and left only calm. Staring at the blood, he imagined it lifting off the shoe and hanging in the air, glowing faintly in the dark. He then moved the wand over the shoe in a complicated pattern. The blood rose off the shoe, glowing crimson in the dark and shot forward, leading them deeper into the woods. Quickly Rumple grabbed his dagger, while Hermione grabbed the shoe, and both rushed after the blood trail.
Rose was scared. She had tried to run, but the bad man had caught her and she couldn’t get away. She tried to disappear like Hugo had, but she couldn’t seem to get the trick of it. Instead she was dragged deeper into the forest. She had kicked and screamed and fought, but they were too far away for anyone to hear her.
Now she was tied to a tree, far away from the Burrow and the safety of her family. She didn’t know what was going on and she was afraid. Sniffling, she watched the robed figure pace in front of her.
“If he doesn’t come get her soon,” The man hissed viciously, “I’m going to slit her throat myself.”
Rose whimpered, her fear only heightening when she saw something move in the trees. Letting out a desperate wail, she hoped that her family could hear her. Surely by this time Hugo had found their parents?
It didn't take them long to find Rose. Surprisingly, the kidnapper had made no attempt to hide her, which concerned Rumple. Quietly, he dispelled the blood trace and handed Hermione her wand. Feeling disquieted and fearing a trap, he pulled up his hood and motioned for her to be silent. Nodding, Hermione crouched behind Rumple as they slowly made their way forward. Thankfully, their area of the woods didn't seem to have much underbrush, aiding them in their rescue mission.
They had just closed in for the attack, when Rose let out a terrible wail. Seeing his opening, Rumple used the kidnapper's distraction against him. Reaching out with his magic, he pulled the kidnapper away from Rose and toward him. Grabbing him by his robes, Rumple wrestled the man to the ground while Hermione sprinted toward her daughter. Using her wand to cut the ropes that bound her, she pulled Rose into her waiting arms.
Rumple felt the Darkness within him grow excited by the violence and he made sure to compartmentalize his emotions. He didn’t want to scare Rose. Or give Hermione more ammunition to turn Harriet against him. She already had enough.
Grabbing the man by the throat, Rumple growled, “What do you want with the girl?”
The man just sputtered and tried to pull out of Rumple’s iron grip. Growling at the kidnapper, he dragged him toward the tree and slammed him against the trunk. The kidnapper groaned in pain while Rumple smiled in grim satisfaction. Twirling his finger, the discarded rope snaked around the man’s body and bound him tightly to the tree Rose had just vacated.
From the corner of his eye, Rumple watched as Hermione fought to hide Rose's face from the violence. She was slowly walking backward, trying to put distance between them and the dark wizards. Rumple heard Rose whimper and he felt his anger heighten. Glaring at the kidnapper, he reached out to strike him when a sudden crashing could be heard from behind. Spinning around, Rumple watched as Severus, Remus, Charlie, and Mr. Weasley emerged from the woods, lighting the area with a modified wand charm. Without a second thought Rumple stepped back into the darkness and checked to make sure his hood was still in place.
“Is she hurt?” Mr. Weasley frantically asked, as he ran toward Hermione. Skidding to a stop beside his daughter-in-law, he peered at his granddaughter, who was reaching out to him. Without thinking, he pulled Rose from her mother’s arms, leaving Hermione free to pull her wand and point it at the monster that took her.
The kidnapper struggled as he spat, “Get away from me ya mudblood!”
Hermione quickly fired a stunning spell, only for it to suddenly freeze in place and then completely vanish, leaving everyone shocked. In the silence that followed, Rumple spoke, “If you stun him, we won’t know why he took Rose. The Ministry will take him before we have our answers.”
Frustrated, Hermione was about to argue when Rumpelstiltskin stepped out of the darkness. He pulled back his hood and Hermione felt the words die in her throat. She hadn’t noticed when he changed. She was only focused on finding her daughter, but she should have known he would. Quickly Hermione moved into action when she heard Mr. Weasley and Charlie gasp
“Don’t!” Hermione shouted, turning toward her brother-in-law. She knew he would be the first one to fire.
“Don’t?” Charlie spat, eyes never leaving the Dark One.
“It’s Rumpelstiltskin,” Hermione said, putting her hand out to restrain Charlie.
“Rumplestilskin?” Charlie echoed, slowly lowering his wand. “But…. he isn’t human?”
“Not even close,” Remus growled, his hackles rising at the crocodile appearance of the dark wizard.
Rumple was about to respond when the kidnapper behind him spat, “Get away from me ya freak!”
Glancing at the bound man, Rumpelstiltskin threw back his head and chortled darkly, causing the man to cringe. Then in a swift motion, he tore the kidnapper’s hood off.
“You!” Hermione gasped, “You’re supposed to be in Azkaban!”
Walden Macnair sneered at Hermione but said nothing. Rumpelstiltskin giggled, his Scottish brogue more distinct as he mocked his death eater, “My, my Macnair. Did you finally learn to think on your own?”
Macnair glared at Rumpelstiltskin and spat at him. Rumple sneered before slapping him with the back of his hands, “Do that again dearie, and you won’t have lips to spit.”
Rose whimpered again and Rumple jerked his head at the sound. Blanching, Rumple said, “Take her home. She doesn’t need to see this.”
“Why?” Rose involuntarily asked as she looked at Rumpelstiltskin. She took in his scaled armor and brownish gray hair. Even in the gloom she could see his reptilian eyes and crocodile skin and she found her voice long enough to ask, “Are you going to hurt him, Uncle Rum?”
Taken aback, Rumple glanced at the fierce little girl in Mr. Weasley’s arms. Seeing the care Mr. Weasley took with her, made him miss Henry all the more; his own fierce boy. Deciding to be truthful with her, like he would Henry, he said, “Yes lass. I am, and you don’t need to see it.”
The little girl held his gaze, something many grown men couldn’t do, and simply said, “He threatened to slit my throat.”
Rumpelstiltskin growled and slowly turned his head to Macnair. Macnair looked from Rose to Rumpelstiltskin and began to whimper. He thought if he’d been caught, they would just drag him back to Azkaban. He didn’t account for this. The freak in front of him didn’t seem like he played by the same rules as the Ministry.
“You’re a cruel little snot, aren't you?” Rumpelstiltskin hissed, causing Macnair’s blood to run cold. He had heard that voice before, he still dreamed of it during the night. But it couldn’t possibly be. His master was dead.
“Who are you?” Macnair whispered fearfully as Rumpelstiltskin reached out and gripped Macnair’s hair, making him look into his eyes.
“Don’t you remember your dear old Master, Macnair?” Rumpelstiltskin mocked and the bottom fell out of Macnair’s stomach. Pain exploded in his mind and he found himself remembering the last twelve years all at once. All his plans and schemes to get out of Azkaban, all the failed attempts, and every conversation he had with his employer in the past week. All of it was violently ripped from his mind, leaving him screaming in agony. Aggressively, Rumple gripped his former deatheater’s neck and twisted, cutting off Macnair's screams.
Breathing hard, he took a step back and just stared at the lifeless lump of cruelty in front of him. How he had ever thought to use men like Macnair as anything other than target practice he couldn't fathom. Turning back to the group, he pinched the bridge of his noise when he saw Rose was still there.
“Didn’t I say to get her out of here?” Rumple grumped as he walked forward.
“You didn’t give us enough time,” Hermione replied tiredly. She was studying him, trying to understand what Harriet saw, “Why did you kill him? He hadn’t answered our questions.”
“Oh but he did,” Rumpelstiltskin replied sarcastically, tapping his temple, “The joys of Legilimency, Mrs. Weasley.”
“And do you plan on sharing?” Severus snapped, giving Rumpelstiltskin a suspicious look.
“Of course,” Rumpelstiltskin tittered, “Just as soon as someone gives me a vial.”
Severus glared as he pulled an empty vial from his robes and aggressively handed it to Rumpelstiltskin.
“Thank you,” Rumpelstiltskin replied, his voice high and manic. Hermione handed him her wand without thought, causing Charlie and Mr. Weasley to protest. Hermione just ignored them.
Placing the wand to his temple, he quickly pulled a copy of Macnair’s memories from his mind and placed them in the vial. Sealing it, he handed the vial to Severus and said, “Here ya go, Severus. I hope that helps.”
Severus ignored Rumple as he turned on his heel, apparating from the woods. Rolling his eyes, Rumple handed Hermione her wand and asked, “Are you ready to go, dearie?”
Mr. Weasley tightened his hold on Rose as Hermione reached out for her daughter. Pulling away, Mr. Weasley urgently said, "I don’t feel comfortable with this Hermione.”
“I know,” Hermione acknowledged as Rose squirmed to be let down, “But Ron’s still with Harriet and Hugo. We’ll be fine.”
“Will you?” Remus asked, looking at Rumpelstiltskin like he was little better than an animal, “He just killed a man!”
“Who was going to kill my daughter!” Hermione thundered. Mr. Weasley’s lips tightened and he absently sat Rose down as he began to argue with Hermione. Rose looked between her mother and grandfather before she ran straight toward Rumpelstiltskin. Startled, Rumple could only watch as Rose immediately wrapped herself around his ankle.
“Rose!” Hermione gasped in surprise. She thought Rumpelstiltskin’s violent nature would deter her daughter from wanting to be near him. She was very upset to see that she was wrong.
“Lass,” Rumple began when Remus shouted at Rose, “Get away from him!”
Rose whimpered and tightened her hold on Rumple. She was scared of Macnair, worried about her brother, and frightened of what was going on. All she knew was the Rumpelstiltskin was powerful and scary, and he could protect her and her mother. She wanted Uncle Rum, and she wouldn’t be forced off his leg.
“Do NOT yell at the girl,” Rumpelstiltskin snarled, glaring at the wolf, “Unless you want to join Macnair.”
Remus wisely pressed his lips shut but continued to glare at the Dark One. Ignoring him, Rumple reached down and patted Rose’s head, “Lass, it’s alright. Macnair can’t hurt you anymore. I made sure of that.”
Rose nodded against Rumple’s leg and then asked in a muffled voice, “Uncle Rum, can you take me and mummy to Hugo and daddy?”
“Of course,” Rumple replied with a sad smile, “Just hold tight, little one.” Straightening, he reached out to Hermione who quickly took his hand. Startled by Hermione’s lack of hesitation, he gave her a puzzled look, before they disappeared back to Grimmauld Place.
A dark figure stood in the shadows; confident he wouldn’t be spotted. He watched as Remus placed a stasis spell on Macnair’s body and kept an eye on Mr. Weasley and Charlie as they looked for any remaining clues. When they found nothing, he sighed in relief as all three wizards left.
Stepping out of the darkness, he walked toward Macnair’s body and frowned.
“Well now,” said the dark figure to himself, “That was enlightening.”
A week ago, he’d been horrified when the dark mark reappeared on his arm. Terrified of the repressions, he had just started panicking when a searing pain had spread up and down his arm; dissolving the mark. When he’d reached out to his contacts in Azkaban, they confirmed that all the death eater’s there had the same experience.
The bizarre turn of events turned out to be his salvation. It prompted him to finally move forward with his plans. Before, he’d been too afraid of the aurors. They had been surprisingly efficient in capturing the last of the death eaters and he was afraid they were somehow attuned to the dark mark. While it had faded with the Dark Lord’s death, he had been sure it was still there, inked into his bones.
Now the mark was gone forever, setting him free. Although, he wasn’t sure why. It was obvious the Dark Lord was still alive, but extremely changed. The wild manic outbursts were still the same, but the tender care and protectiveness he had shown the Weasley girl was very different from the master he once knew.
Clicking his tongue in annoyance, he turned on his heel and left. Now that he knew the truth, he would have to adjust his plans. He was determined to find out what was happening.
Nothing would stand between him and the destruction of the Golden Trio.
London
Harriet quietly watched Ron pace beside her bed while she rocked Hugo. The little boy had been utterly exhausted and had fallen asleep just as soon as he snuggled into her arms. To keep herself from panicking, she began gently rocking him. She could feel Rumple’s twisting emotions but worked to remain impassive. She didn’t want Ron to see how connected she still was to Rumple. It would just be another reason for Ron not to listen to her.
She had just started thinking that maybe she should try Occlumency, when she felt a blinding pain slam into her forehead. Flashes of someone else’s life passed before her eyes too quickly to understand, yet she felt it was important.
Her whimpers woke Hugo and he cried, “Daddy, something’s wrong with aunty.”
Ron stopped pacing and rushed to Harriet’s side just as the images passed and the pain vanished. Sighing in relief she said, “I’m fine Ron.”
“What happened?” Ron asked, confused.
“I don’t know, " Harriet replied quietly, “I think Rumple was using Legilimency, but I can’t be sure. Hopefully, they’ll tell us what happened when they get back.”
“How are you so calm about this?” Ron asked, looking at Harriet in disbelief, “ you literally have someone else messing around in your brain!
Harriet sighed, “ I can’t do anything about it now Ron. We just have to work together to understand it.”
Ron threw his hands up with a frustrated “oi”. He’d just started his pacing again when Rumple reappeared with Rose and Hermione.
“Daddy!” Rose yelled as she let go of Rumple and rushed into her father’s arms. Ron held her like she was his own personal lifeline while Hugo slid off the bed and hugged his sister from behind. Hermione smiled as she took her family in her arms and hugged all three of them at once.
Rumpelstiltskin watched them, his heart in his eyes. His mind wandered to Bae, Belle, and Henry. He wished desperately for his boys and mourned all the missed moments with Belle. There was so much they would miss, so much they would never get to do.
Glancing at Harriet, he found his heart stuttering to a stop. She was staring at the Weasleys with naked longing. Focusing on their connection, Rumple could feel her desperate need for family. He became physically ill at the realization of just what he took from her.
Sitting in his vacated chair, he took Harriet’s hand and asked, “Are you alright?”
“I’m fine,” Harriet said, her voice soft and cracking. She was fighting tears,” I had a vision while you were gone.”
“I performed Legilimency,” Rumple confirmed quietly.
“Who was it?” Harriet asked, biting her lip. She refused to look at either her friends or Rumple. Instead, she just stared at her lap.
“Walden Macnair,” Rumple replied, his voice hard.
“A death eater,” Harriet said quietly, she gently took her hand from his and began twisting her fingers in the blanket.
“Yes,” Rumple whispered, pain in his voice, “One of mine.”
“What did he want?” Harriet asked bitterly.
“His memories were scattered,” Rumple replied, “But it was someone on the outside that helped him escape.”
“Great,” Harriet whispered, leaning her head against the pillows, “Another problem to figure out.”
“Just rest, love”, Rumple said, unthinkingly. He began fussing with Harriet’s blankets to make her more comfortable. Harriet watched solemnly as Rumple said, “We can discuss this more in the morning.”
Harriet nodded, watching Rumple’s skin glitter in the lamplight. She reached out and took his hand. “You changed,” She said.
Rumple stiffened and then replied, “It was dark and Rose was tied to a tree.”
“Ah,” Harriet said worriedly.
Knowing it calmed him, she lightly traced the back of his hand. Shuttering, Rumple changed back into his human form.
“That was cool!” Hugo exclaimed. Wiggling away from his parents and walking up to Rumple, “Can you teach me?”
Smiling at the boy, Rumple kneeled and fixed the boy's sweater, “I'm sorry lad. It’s something only I can do.”
“Are you half-human?” Rose asked quietly, coming to stand very close to Hugo.
Rumple smiled sadly and said, “In a way. Some people are born this way. I……made myself this way.”
Ron and Hermione looked at each other and quietly agreed to let the dark wizard speak. The Lord Voldemort they knew would never have been able to fake kindness, let alone tenderness. He never would have helped them get their child back. The least they could do was listen.
“How?” Rose asked with a frown.
“I did bad things,” Rumple replied quietly, “very bad things.”
Rose hadn’t seen him kill the kidnapper, but she had heard the crack of his neck and the satisfied grunt that had accompanied it. She may be only eight, but Rose knew enough to know that killing someone was supposed to be hard. You weren’t supposed to enjoy it.
Solemnly staring at Rumpelstiltskin she said, “Do you still do bad things?”
Rumple didn’t say anything for a moment. He just evaluated the two children in front of him. Finally, he replied, “On occasion.”
“Like saving me?” Rose asked, trying to understand.
Rumple replied with a soft smile, “I wouldn't say saving you was a bad thing.”
“But you killed the bad man,” Rose said, seemingly confused.
“Yes,” Rumple replied hesitantly. He glanced at the Weasley’s but neither parent seemed inclined to stop the conversation. Deciding to be honest, he said, “Sometimes you have to do bad things to save the people you care about.”
“And that’s why you do them?” Hugo asked, scrunching up his little nose. Chucking Rumple bopped the boy on the nose and said, “Yes. That’s why I sometimes still do bad things.”
Hugo giggled and Rose faintly smiled, but then she held her middle as a loud growl emanated from her stomach. Chuckling, Rumple yelled for Kreacher and asked the elf to make Hugo and Rose a late-night snack. It was nearing ten o'clock and he was sure they were famished. Cheering, they followed Kreacher into the kitchenette, eager for whatever the house elf would whip up.
Rumple smiled as he watched the children go and then he looked at their parents. His smile slowly dropped, and it was replaced with a tired sadness that Harriet had only ever seen on Albus Dumbledore’s face. She was strongly reminded of just how old he was.
“I suppose you want me to stay away from the children?” Rumple asked as he sat down in his vacated chair.
“You heard us,” Ron said, his voice flat.
“Yes,” Rumple replied and he began rubbing the tiredness from his eyes. His fingers itched to spin, but he knew he had much to do before he could rest.
“And I understand your fears,” Rumple continued, but stopped when Ron snorted, “How could you possibly understand?’
Anger flashed across Rumple’s face and Ron felt himself stiffen at the rage that emanated from the dark wizard. Then just as suddenly as the anger appeared it drained away from Rumple’s face, leaving a deep sadness in its place.
“I had a son,” Rumple replied, his voice horse.
“Oh,” Ron said quietly.
“He died recently,” Rumple continued.
“I’m sorry,” Hermione said, just as quietly. Rumple nodded and then looked into the living room. The apartment was so small that he could easily see the children happily munching on the scones that Kreacher had warmed for them.
“Children should be protected,” Rumple said quietly, smiling faintly at the small children, “I’ve always thought that. Even as the Dark One.” He swallowed. He wanted to say more but couldn’t find the words. The Weasleys needed reassurance. They needed to know he posed them no danger, but his grief was too raw and his pain too fresh to continue.
Harriet cleared her throat and said, “It’s late. Why don’t you take the children home and get some sleep.”
Ron nodded and bent to kiss Harriet’s forehead, “I’ll see you tomorrow, Harry.”
Harriet nodded, surprised by Ron’s tenderness. He had always treated her like one of the guys and very rarely interacted with her like she was a woman. Her natural inclination toward tomboyish behavior had only promoted the idea that she wasn’t a “girl.”
It had never bothered her. However, it always touched her deeply whenever Ron let her see the tenderness he felt for her. Trying to keep her tears at bay, Harriet whispered, “Okay.”
Giving Harriet a hug and kiss on the check. Hermione began ushering her family home. Harriet smiled as she heard the children protest, and when silence descended on the small apartment, she found herself missing the noise. Glancing at the clock, she groaned when she saw how late it was.
“You should sleep,” Rumple said, clearing his gummy throat. Harriet nodded and watched as Rumple stood. She could tell he was stiff and exhausted. She couldn’t help but wonder why there was such a difference between how Rumple used magic as a human and as the Dark One. Was it another price of his immortality? Or was it a consequence of his splintered mind?
He began walking to the living room when he stopped and said, “I’m sorry about today.”
“Sorry?” Harriet asked, surprised.
Turning to look at her he said, “For not taking Albus’ glasses into account. For turning into the Dark One. For Macnair.”
“None of that was your fault,” Harriet began but Rumple cut her off. In a desperate voice he whispered, “For Lord Voldemort.”
Harriet felt herself choke and tears sprung to her eyes. However, before she could say anything he exited her bedroom and quietly shut the door. Birding her a quiet goodnight.
Alone with her whirling thoughts, Harriet was afraid she wouldn’t sleep. Too much had happened and there were so many things she needed to consider. Yet, the moment she heard the whirl of Rumple’s spinning wheel, she tumbled into dark and twisted dreams.
The Woods
Albus and Severus studied Macnair’s body. Nothing had been disturbed, yet Albus felt someone had been there recently. He couldn’t tell if it was his intuition or if he was sensing another magical signature, the feeling was faint, but he decided to listen to it.
“I do believe someone else was here,” Albus said quietly, looking around for possible places to conceal oneself.
“If he had been using a concealment charm,” Severus said tiredly, “We wouldn’t have seen him.”
“No,” Albus agreed, “You wouldn’t have.”
“If he did…..” Severus sighed, “He heard everything.”
“We must assume that he did,” Albus agreed.
“So someone else knows the Dark Lord is alive,” Severus said, sounding exhausted.
“It would seem so,” Albus surveyed the ground absently. He couldn’t make out whose footprints were whose.
“I had hoped to leave this cloak and dagger nonsense behind,” Severus muttered.
“So had I, Severus,” Albus replied looking at the younger wizard, “But it would seem life had other plans for us.”
Severus pinched the end of his nose. While it was fascinating to know there were other worlds, he would have rather lived in ignorance than for the Dark Lord to be alive. He wanted to rest. He was tired of fighting other people’s wars.
“What are we going to do about Potter?” Severus asked tiredly.
“We have both let her down,” Albus replied, his voice grim, “Now, we have to follow her lead.”
Severus nodded, shame reddening his face. Whenever he thought of the past, he was most regretful of how he treated her. While he couldn’t have been kind to her in public, he could have treated her differently in private. He could have used their Occlumency lessons as a way to build a rapport. Instead, he allowed himself to hate her.
For that alone, he would follow Harriet’s lead in regard to the Dark Lord. Still, he wouldn’t be fooled by Rumpelstiltskin’s charm. There was still a monster there, lurking in the darkness, and Severus would be ready for when he could no longer hide it.