Ch. 54
Anything For You

Ratican. That name was so strange that it took Harry a minute to process that it actually belonged to the man in front of him. It sounded like something an evil villain would be named, something that could strike fear into someone's heart just at the uttering of it's smooth syllables.

Harry swallowed, glancing over at Katrin and Cain. The two, so much like what he now knew was their father, were both staring at their feet. Katrin was biting her fingernail, a habit he had noticed she couldn't seem to shake. Cain's jaw was tight, his eyes blazing as he looked at his black sneakers. His hands were clenched behind his back and the edges of his teeth just visible beyond his lips. For once, Harry could see past the boy that he had been- admittedly- sort of jealous of, saw the person behind that perfect facade. He met the determined, angry boy, and it was actually quite frightening.

"Nice to meet you all." Harry finally said, swallowing. He watched as the man in front of him made a sort of triangle with his fingers as he rested his elbows on the table. Ratican looked at him like he was a priceless artifact behind glass.

"Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Potter." He said, "Now, I assume something has happened that you should be separated from your Mate." That word was awkward in Harry's ears. Even the term 'Bond Mate' made him fidget, but that was what he and his girlfriend were called and would be called until they died.

"Yes," He said. He looked over to Cain and Katrin, hoping for some help. He seriously didn't think he could talk about Ginny at the moment. Even the thought of her made his throat tighten and worry sprout in his chest.

"She's trapped inside her own mind." Katrin supplied, her voice tight, "We have to save her."

Ratican's gaze went to his daughter and his expression immediately became cold. His teeth bared, then he relaxed and sent a swift glance to Harry before replying.

"Please hold your tongue, Katrina, your place is the Guardian. Let your Master speak."

Harry's breath caught in his throat at that and Katrin moved to retaliate. Then, she seemed to shrink in on herself.

"I'm not her Master." Harry said brittlely, not able to bear his friend being spoken down to like that.

"Harry," Katrin muttered so only he could hear, "Thank you, but it's better if you just listened to him. Trust me."

Harry looked at her with shock. It was strange to see this girl who has always been so fiery and independent allow herself to be talked to like that. To be honest, he had kind of hoped she'd give her father an earful.

But with the way her eyes were glazed over and her arms crossed over her chest, Harry knew there was more to this than what met the eye.

Turning back, he put on a strong expression and narrowed his eyes.

"I need you to help me kill someone."

///

The darkness was all around her. Encasing her and only allowing the smallest portion of light to break into her prison. Ginny was curled into a ball, her entire body shaking with the effort to not fall asleep. To keep fighting against Tom's dark magic infiltrating the Bond. To keep Harry safe.

He needed time.

More time.

He'd fix this, she knew he would. He'd get her out of this torture and he'd keep the Bond from snapping.

But even thinking that with such confidence, she wasn't so sure.