h o s t a g e situation (isabelle/open)

[dudelsack]

Harry and two fellow Aurors stood outside of the building, robes billowing in the cold wind, evaluating the situation. They had received a hostage threat note at the ministry, the kidnapper wanted a ransom for the hostage, if their demands weren't met, the victim would be dead. Harry bit his lip, these things had to be handled delicately, as the hostage had to be freed unharmed, the demands of the captor met, and the perpetrator caught- hopefully without injury in the crossfire. At least whomever it was had chosen an abandoned sect of the city, out of the view of muggles.

Before they could discuss a strategy, a bewitched note flew over to the three of them, landing in the hand of his colleague. The man read it, frowned, then looked up. "It says if anyone but 'Arry goes in the hostage'll be killed," said he. Harry swallowed forcefully. He looked at his two coworkers, heart hammering forcefully in his chest. "Well, I guess I haven't a choice then," Harry said, then entered the building, drawing his wand as he stepped over the threshold. He looked around, following the noises of someone screaming, but muffled by some sort of gag. Harry stopped dead when he saw it was his wife in the chair, unable to even process the sound of footsteps.

[gaspevil]

Isabelle emerged from the shadows, stepping into a beam of the moonlight, her undead skin shining brilliantly. Her deep burgundy eyes surveyed Harry, he seemed overwhelmed with shock, his brain was moving too slowly, his pulse was irregular. This was going to be fun. "I was wondering when you might join us, Harry," Isabelle said lazily, twirling her wand between her fingers. She stepped up to the chair she had bound poor Ginevra to, wrapping her hand around the red-head's shoulder, other hand pointing the tip of her wand at her neck. Her demeanour was unusually calm, as if there wasn't a human beneath her. "Do you know this woman?" asked Isabelle casually, in the manner how someone might inquire about the weather.

[dudelsack]

Harry gulped forcefully, if he admitted to Isabelle that Ginny was his wife, he would surely kill her. But would she release someone if they were not connected to him in any way? It seemed like a catch 22 to him. Harry felt frozen, as if he could not move or could not speak. Ginny's beautiful eyes were looking up at him, pleading, he was her only hope. He could only hope that he was doing the right thing... "N-No, I don't," said Harry, his voice shaking.

[gaspevil]

Isabelle kept a straight face, though she had a strong desire to grin evilly. This was more enjoyable than she had anticipated, both of the Potters had racing pulses, they were so scared silly that they didn't know what to do with themselves. It was actually quite comically. "Do you understand me, Potter?" Isabelle said in her lazy drawl, "I asked if you knew this woman. You really don't know her? Haven't seen her before?" She fought the desire to laugh, keeping a completely stoic sort of facial expression.

[dudelsack]

"No, I do not know her," Harry said, firmly this time. He was praying with ever fibre of his being that Isabelle would let Ginny go if he swore they didn't know each other. His wife was crying, but he had to remain emotionally stable, though he felt like going off on an emotion-laden frenzy. Harry gripped his wand tightly, though his palms were sweating so profusely that the wood was slippery.

[gaspevil]

"Really? If you're sure..." Isabelle said, tone filled with mock-skeptical hints. She performed the spell quickly, there was a flash of green light, and Ginevra Weasley fell limp against her bindings. Those blue-grey eyes of hers open, expression of terror etched upon her now dead face. She allowed herself a smile now as she directed her gaze back to Harry. "Then I guess you won't mind that I killed her." Isabelle said simply. She laughed, waved at Harry, and disapparated.

[dudelsack]

Harry took a sharp intake of air at the mere sight of the flash of green, he knew what that meant. He couldn't even react until after Isabelle had left. He felt as if he had gotten hit by a freight train, the air was practically knocked out of him. Then, in a sudden jolt, he came to his senses. Dropping his wand, Harry sprinted to the chair and untied his wife, as if expecting her to stand. He fell to his knees beside Ginny, settling himself on the floor. Gingerly, Harry pulled her body into his lap, closing her eyelids. His breathing became shallow and unsteady, his eyes stung. His wife was dead. Harry wasn't sure how long he was there, his colleagues never came for him. At long last, he allowed himself to cry because he knew nobody was there.

[itsaspaz]

Liam was concerned, he was supposed to have had a meeting with Harry discussing a mission, but he had never turned up. When he had checked the Ministry, he had been told that he was dispatched on a top-secret operation, but had been unable to obtain any details. It was perhaps by chance the Liam found the appropriate place, the door to the abandoned warehouse left ajar so he could see the scene within. He ran as fast as he could, stopping before Harry, who was cradling his wife. It was then that Liam realized she was dead, and he felt a weight drop into his stomach.

[dudelsack]

Harry looked up only when he noticed the shadow cast over him. It was Liam. He could scarcely tell through his tears. He sniffed, turning away, ashamed. He had hoped to have more time alone to mourn. With a start, he thought of the children. Albus, Evangeline, Alexandria... And Angel. "It's all my fault," Harry mumbled, bringing his wife close to him. Her body was already beginning to grow cold. Harry closed his eyes, breathing deeply, trying desperately to regulate himself.

[itsaspaz]

Liam allowed Harry a long time for his initial mourning, but after a while, found it necessary to intervene. He crouched beside his fellow Order member, doing his best to keep calm. That was what Harry needed most at that particular moment. "Harry," Liam said gently, "you can't do anything now. We need to go, we shouldn't be hanging around here." He placed a hand on Harry's shoulder, and another on Ginny's, trying not to cringe at the feel of dead flesh. Concentrating, Liam apparated the three of them to St. Mungo's, so the healers could take care of the corpse.

[dudelsack]

Harry had not been expecting to apparate, but what was worse was when a swarm of healers pulled his wife away from him. He felt as if they were tearing out a portion of a soul as they pried her away from his arms. "All my fault," Harry kept repeating, too quietly to be heard. The grief he had felt before had given way to numbness, he barely heard what the healers were saying around him, hardly conscious of the fact that two of them had seized him by the arms and were practically dragging him away. Harry only noticed the change in surroundings when he was in a chair with a strong cup of tea forced into his hands.

[itsaspaz]

Liam followed to the tea room, selecting a chair next to Harry, quietly thanking the lime green clad woman that handed him a steaming cup of tea. He held it in both hands, observing Harry as his tea was too hot to drink. He couldn't imagine being in that position, Cici was his life. And his fellow Order member had four kids, one was estranged, granted, but there were four nonetheless. Liam bit his lip, wishing he had something comforting to say, but nothing came to mind.