Rescue

Ginny ran for Harry and Moody. Snape had levitated Viktor into a wingback chair and was examining his wrists. When Ginny and the others entered the room, Ginny saw that there clearly were the same markings that had been on Hermione's wrists earlier.

In addition, there were other marks. Older scars that Snape did not want to consider just then. He needed Viktor calm and focused. Without a phial of Calming Potion, the only thing he could do was cast a spell. "Imperio! Viktor, you will wake up and be calm. You will go eat dinner with the Potters and their guests. Then, you will go upstairs and go to sleep. You will meet me at St.Mungo's in the morning at ten o'clock sharp. Together, we will work to bring your wife back to herself. Is that understood?"

"Yes, Snape. I understand." Viktor's response was mechanical. He stood up and went into the room where dinner was being served, right past Harry, Ginny, and Moody.

Snape looked at the Potters and shrugged. "He was picking up on her dreams and is over-stimulated. The boy is close to breaking completely. I used the Imperius to calm and focus him. I'll remove it in the morning. Yes, Ginevra, he is an empath. He has felt everything that has happened to Hermione since she left him. Close your mouth, Harry. The reason I know is that after Harry defeated Voldemort, Viktor and Hermione came to the Shrieking Shack, where I lay barely alive. Between them, they healed my wounds and saved my life. I had never seen a male empath before, as they are the stuff of legend. I had already recognised that he and she were soulmates. Only a connection that strong could send him into such agony. I had suspected something of the sort after seeing how upset he had been after the Yule Ball. I have kept his secret; I pray all of you will do likewise."

Minerva nodded her head, remembering things that had seemed strange at the time. "That explains so much, Severus. It was, of course, the reason you sedated him and locked him into the Slytherin guest quarters after the third task of the Tournament. He was feeling the pain of the entire school, combined with his horror at being Imperiused by Crouch, Jr."

"Yes, with Igor having done a bunk, there was no one to take proper care of the boy. Therefore, I dosed him with Dreamless Sleep and shut him up for a day and a half. He should be fine by tomorrow morning. I instructed him to meet me at St. Mungo's, and I will do the memory extractions. Harry, have you any potions here?"

Alastor spoke up at once. "I gave Ginny a phial of Dreamless Sleep for Viktor. I can Floo home and bring anything else you need, Severus."

"Thank you, Alastor. In the morning I will need a phial...no...two of Draught of Living Death: one for Hermione and one for Viktor. That way, I can pull the memories out without either of them having to relive them. All of you go back and sit with him. He is exceedingly fragile right now. He has harmed himself before because of her plight; there are scars. Take care of him."

Snape disappeared back into the Floo just as an owl tapped at the window.

Harry retrieved the message and scanned it. It was from Percy: he said there was finally a trace of Ron's whereabouts. He was meeting the Patil sisters in Hogsmeade at the Hog's Head.

Alastor and Harry decided to go with Percy. Luna was going to meet them there. Ginny and Minerva went back and chatted with Viktor until he had finished eating and gone upstairs. Ginny had dosed his tea with Dreamless Sleep when she sent Kreacher to take it to him. Minutes later, she went to check on him.

Minerva crept up the stairs with her. They opened the door and found Viktor sound asleep in bed.

Minerva tucked the sheets in around him and brushed a lock of hair away from his face.

"He looks peaceful. I just hope this all works. They deserve some happiness after everything that has happened."

"Minerva, would you stay here and keep an eye on him? I want to go to Hogsmeade and see if the Patil sisters brought those babies. If they are the missing children, then we may be able to help both Viktor and Hermione."

"Of course, dear girl, go on. I'll just sit here and read a bit. Kreacher is within call if I need anything."

Ginny ran down the stairs and threw green powder into the fireplace saying, "The Hog's Head Parlour."

She arrived just as Luna walked in the door. The Patil girls were sitting at a back table with two baby carriers between them.

Ginny improvised, calling, "Luna, I was afraid I'd miss you. Harry and Percy are coming. They just had a bit of business to finish. I was surprised to hear you're dating Percy now." She winked at Luna, who picked up on the cue.

"Oh, it is early days yet. We met for lunch a couple of times, but it isn't really serious."

"Let's go find a table. They should be here soon. I'd really like to see Perce find a lady friend. He is the only one of my brothers who isn't married. I was kind of hoping I'd get you for a sister-in-law."

"Oh, look, Ginny. It's Padma and Parvati! Hi, how are you both? And who are these little ones?"

Parvati answered, looking very cross, "Our adopted kids, Luna. This is Mark and that is Jana."

Ginny squealed, "Oh, they are so adorable and tiny. How old are they?" She knelt down next to the little boy's carrier.

Ginny silently said the spell that Moody had taught her. A soft blue light on the child's chest told her this was indeed Viktor and Hermione's child.

Parvati answered, "They were born yesterday morning. Beltane, you know how lucky that is for a baby."

"Yes, of course, Parvati. May I see the little girl, too?" Ginny held the sleeping child and cast Moody's spell again. The result was the same. These two were the missing children. She handed the tiny girl back and went to the table where Luna waited.

Making small talk with Luna, Ginny managed to whisper, "It's them, Luna. You saved them. No telling what Ron would have done to them after he realised Hermione was free."

Luna winked at Ginny and sprang to her feet. "Oh, Ginny, I think there are Nargles flying around in here. I'm going to open the door to see if they will fly out," Luna said loudly.

She walked to the door and opened it, surprising Ron, who was about to walk in, carrying a large burlap sack.

"Hello, Ronald. Stay out of the way, I think there are some Nargles flying around in here. If we leave the door open, they can escape." Luna smiled brilliantly at Ron.

"You are still as looney as ever. What the hell are you doing here with my sister?" he snarled at Luna.

Ginny came to stand beside Luna. "We're here to meet Harry and Percy. There was some Ministry business Percy had to finish up here in Hogsmeade. We decided to have a couple of drinks together. Why is it any business of yours, anyway, Ron?"

Ginny saw Alastor approaching the open door and pulled Luna out of the way of the Stupefy he cast at Ron. Then, she turned and cast the same spell at the Patil girls.

Harry and Percy came through the Floo just at that moment. Alastor had immobilised Ron, casting Langlock to keep him quiet. Ginny and Luna had taken custody of the two babies.

"Alastor, you do the spell. Check both of them. I think these are the babies." Ginny was excited. His results matched hers. These were the Krum babies.

Harry went outside and sent a Patronus to Kingsley. Within minutes, there was a squad of Aurors there to pick up Ron and question the Patil girls.

Both Padma and Parvati swore that they hadn't known who the children were, but were just going to care for them until Ron told them to give them back. He had contacted them that day to bring the children to the Hog's Head.

Percy was so overcome with happiness about the children that he grabbed Luna and kissed her spontaneously. Then he blushed and apologised.

She giggled a bit and patted his hand. "Never mind, Percy. I quite enjoyed it. Do you think I could take care of the little ones until Hermione is better? From what Ginny tells me, neither Viktor nor Hermione is going to be able to deal with babies for a time."

Percy saw a beautiful young woman offering to help him guard and nurture the two children their combined efforts had saved from whatever fate Ron had devised. He was stunned that Luna had actually enjoyed his kiss.

"Oh, yes, of course, Miss Loveg... Luna! I'll have to check in with you about them. Would that be acceptable?"

"Oh my, yes, Percy. We could discuss them over dinner."

She reached out and took his hand again. He clasped her small hand in his, amazed at the comfort her touch brought him.

Ginny and Harry, who were holding the twins, watched the interplay between Percy and Luna with high hopes for a relationship to build between them.

"Come on, Gin. Let's get them out of here."

Alastor made a suggestion just then. "Why not take them to Poppy to check over? She's close by and can do it quickly. Then you can send them on with Luna."

Harry immediately saw the benefit to that plan and agreed.

Twenty minutes later, Ginny and Harry had gotten a clean bill of health on both children and turned them over to Luna and Percy. Alastor followed them through the Floo back to Grimmauld Place.

Minerva was reading quietly in Viktor's room when the others returned. She spoke softly to them, "He twitched a bit a little while ago. Did anything happen?"

"Ron is in custody and we found the babies. They are with Luna until things straighten out. Percy is going to be checking on them and Luna quite often, I think." Harry quipped.

Minerva smiled at the thought of the airy Ravenclaw with studious, precise Percy Weasley.

"What a lovely match. They would certainly be good for each other. Now, I think we should go back and actually have dinner."

Kreacher had imposed a stasis charm on the food, so it was still warm, and everyone helped themselves.

Alastor was extremely pleased with the evening's events. His comment to Harry showed his continuing interest in Ministry matters.

"Kingsley is going to have Ron checked over. There is nothing in his background that would account for this kind of behaviour. Can you think of anything, Harry?"

Suddenly, Harry had a horrible thought. The memory of Ron trying to kill the locket Horcrux and it showing him images of Hermione with Harry... and Viktor.

"Oh, yes, there was an incident when we were hunting the Horcruxes. Ron was trying to use the Sword to destroy the Horcrux in that locket of Slytherin's, and it was throwing images of Hermione with me and with Viktor at him. For a minute there, I was certain he was going to kill me instead of the Horcrux. Could part of the locket have injured him?"

"If the portion of soul in that locket had been there long enough, it may have contaminated the glass as well as the metal itself. A very good point, Harry, I'll have the Healer check for that. Any chance you still have that locket around?" Alastor asked.

Ginny was outraged. "You can't be thinking he didn't know what he was doing? She was nearly dead when I found her. The scars and bruises were awful. He must have known at least a part of it."

Harry put a hand over Ginny's to calm her. "Gin, love, he always had the worst time when we were wearing that piece of shite. It ate at his peace worse than it did ours. And he hasn't been right for a long time. It could very well be possible. The remnants of the locket are at the Ministry, Alastor. I'm sure Kingsley will let you examine it."

Minerva felt she had to speak up. "Harry, that could be true, but remember, he was always rude and discourteous to her even as a first year. It got worse as time went by. When his behaviour was discussed in the teacher's lounge, we felt that he was jealous of her friendship with you. Later, we thought that was why he wasn't happy when you started seeing Ginny."