Now they were here. Now I was caught in an affectionate embrace I don't think I could have ever let go, but then explanations arose and I loosened my hug and began to speak, wiping the relieved tears from my eyes. I told my father everything, just before I realised that she was missing.
"Where -" I began.
"I - she's upstairs," Dad replied solemnly. His face was grave and pale, and he gave a heavy sigh. "Don't worry, everything will be all right."
"But - I began.
"Don't, Julia."
I swallowed, choked. Caleb came forward concernedly and my father jumped. "What - who are you?" He asked angrily.
"A friend," I said hastily. "He's helped me."
"But he's Carrow's boy!" My father protested heatedly.
"I said he's fine, father!" I objected.
Reluctantly, Dad nodded.
A chill ran down my spine as I heard a piercing scream from upstairs, and then footsteps descending some staircase. Light entered the cellar as someone opened the locked door, and I discerned a burly figure in the doorway, with rotting fingernails and teeth. I wrinkled my nose as a scent of sweat and blood wafted over. "Well, well, well," Fenrir Greyback said menacingly, rubbing his hands together maliciously. "What have we here? A brave girly come to save her dear parents, and Carrow's son betraying us all. What a pleasure, I'm positively charmed."
He mock bowed, and I shuddered.
My father stepped forward. "What do you want?" He asked irritably.
"I've come to bring you up - on business, of course." Fenrir Greyback grinned menacingly. "You know what for, Adams. You still refuse to give us what we want, and it's so simple."
My father glared, but looked worried. "I have to go. Julia -" he hugged me again. "Any time we could be gone - forever."
Tears sprung to my eyes. "Please don't go -"
"I have to." He grasped my hand affectionately before he reluctantly followed Fenrir Greyback out of the room. The door locked behind them, and we heard exchanged conversation, and though I recognised Fenrir's snarling bark of a voice I didn't recognise the other. Then I did, and my heart sank. Caleb tugged me into the corner, where the most dominating shadows were, and bid me tacitly to be quiet, as he raised a finger to his lips. The door opened.
Amycus Carrow entered. "I want a word with you, boy." He said.
Bravely, Caleb stepped out, hatred visible on his face. "I don't want to see you," he said, his voice trembling with anger.
Amycus smiled horribly. "I'll speak with you whether you like it or not," he said curtly. "Tell me - why did you do it?"
"You know why!" Caleb retorted. "You know I hate you - and you - you hurt her. My mother."
"Only mentally," Amycus Carrow said, in a falsely innocent voice. "You can't blame me really, it was necessary."
"It was not -"
Before I knew it Caleb had launched at Amycus, and pinned him to the floor.