Myrtle9

Myrtle started towards the door, but Harry held her back. Harry got up, walked slowly to the door and reached out to open it with one hand. The other hand was concealed in his robes clasped tightly to his wand just in case. He turned the handle gingerly and the door creaked open. To everyone’s relief, it was just Sirius and Lupin.

“Harry, we came straight away. As soon as you left Hogwarts, Moaning Myrtle arrived. She had been haunting about your pipes and she saw somebody leave with a baby and Hermione break down into tears. Moaning Myrtle came straight to me, and here I am. I picked up Lupin on the way.” Sirius’s tone had become calmer than before, a relief for both Harry and Myrtle.

“I don’t believe that Elli could have done this. In the back of my mind, I don’t even believe that it is Voldemort either. I would have sensed it earlier, it doesn’t seem right.” Said Harry angrily.

“Harry, I’ve started an enquiry at the Ministry. All those former Death Eaters will be investigated. Any of them could be involved in this. You did take away their master. They all have a grudge against you. We will get to the bottom of this.” Said Lupin.

“Thanks.” Harry said abruptly.

Myrtle was terribly confused by the entire situation. She didn’t know for certain if Elli did steal her brother, she didn’t even know anything about the brother who was stolen. It hurt her to see everyone passing her by and only consoling her mother and father. It was an inappropriate time to become jealous, but Myrtle hated with all her might people excluding her and treating her like a simple-minded child.

She silently left the party downstairs and retreated to her bedroom. As she opened it, the door creaked in its usual fashion. The poster of her favourite band, “Juice the Pumpkins” was slipping down from its perch above the bed. Her room was just as she’d left it. Or so it seemed. …..

Beside her bed stood few photos she treasured greatly. A flying shot of Harry at his final Quidditch match, herself and Antoinette playing exploding snap and a picture taken only two months ago of Harry, Hermione, Myrtle and Elli. Above the photos hovered a mysterious green mist. Peering at it closely, it transformed into the Dark Mark and all the faces vanished from the photos below. All except one. Elli.

“Daaaaaaddddd!!!!!” Myrtle’s scream echoed through the house.

Harry, Sirius and Lupin all appeared at the doorway in a trice. All three needed no explanation as their eyes wandered over to the bedside table. If looks could kill, Harry would have dropped dead instantaneously. His horrified look made Myrtle feel that all the happiness had been sucked out of the world.

“I guess that you are right Sirius. Voldemort’s back. He’s after my family and me, again.”

“Harry, I don’t mean to be rude or insensitive, but I don’t think this is any time to be thinking about battling to the death with Voldemort. I know you feel obligated to save your family from any further harm, but think logically. You are not fit to protect them by yourself in this state.” Lupin’s voice was calm, but his hands were shaking.

“Your, our priority is to find Sirius and Elli. And to make abundantly sure that Hermione, Myrtle and Remus remain safe.” Sirius too was shaking.

“Myrtle,” Harry said, looking at her for the first time. “I don’t want you to go back to school for the moment. While Professor Black is here with me, you too will remain here in this house.”

“Harry, this house isn’t safe. Not even if we remain here all day and night.” Retorted Sirius.

“We’ll do nothing of the sort. We will be out looking for my lost children and destroying the evil that did this. I have a way to stop anybody getting into this house. Voldemort himself will never come. But I have a way to make sure nobody else can get in here. I’ll call him now on his broom phone.” Harry snapped.

Sirius, Lupin and Myrtle looked at each other in astonishment then left the bedroom. Elli’s face remained smiling in the otherwise blank photograph on the bedside table.

***************

As darkness approached, there was still no sign of Harry’s mysterious savior. Nobody in the house had eaten since breakfast, yet nobody cared. Food was the last thing on their minds. They all say anxiously on the edge of their seats, waiting for something to happen.

Suddenly, the door was pushed open with a great force and a large figure loomed in the doorway. Myrtle thought it looked like a giant and she immediately thought it was Hagrid. However, it wasn’t.