• flares • Barty Crouch Jr •

Chapter 29

Mysti had been living with the Weasley's for over a month now. She spent each day hoping someone would take her away and each day she found herself disappointed. She hadn't heard anything about her family or Barty since the battle of Hogwarts, though she was certain the Weasley's were keeping things from her.

Mysti sat at the Weasley's table the next morning quietly eating breakfast. Mrs Weasley came bustling into the kitchen

"I've just heard from George this morning, the joke shop is back up and running" she smiled

Mysti looked around as everyone else at the table chatted excitedly about the news

"Looks like a trip to diagon Alley is in the cards today" she added

Mysti smiled lightly, trying not to show how excited She was at the opportunity She was being handed. She could try to escape, or at the very least try to find someone who would deliver her family a message. She had a good feeling about the day indeed

Once Mysti had gotten changed she headed down to the fireplace where the others had all gathered.

"Mother! Surely you can't be serious about her coming" Ginny exclaimed as she saw Mysti by the bottom of the stairs

Mrs Weasley sighed loudly

"Well we can't leave her here, so we will have to take our chances dragging her around town with us"

Ginny rolled her eyes glaring at Mysti

Mysti raised an eyebrow and smirked back, getting under Ginny's skin had become somewhat of a new hobby for her.

"Okay but mum there's no way she's using floo powder she'll say another destination and poof she'll escape" Ginny said loudly

Mrs Weasley hummed in agreement

"She can apparate with somebody, Hermione, you could apparate with her couldn't you"

Mysti saw Hermione nod and  Mysti groaned internally, this really would not do.

"Really? You're going to trust her not to lose me" Mysti spoke in fake surprise

Mysti put on the bitchest face she could muster, aiming to plant a seed of doubt in Mrs Weasley's mind

Mrs Weasley turned to look at Mysti a thoughtful expression on her features

"Hermione is one of the best witches I know but strength wise-

"She has the strength of a twig" Mysti finished rolling her eyes

Mrs Weasley gave Mysti a serious look

"Harry, you'd be happy to apparate with Mysti wouldn't you" she asked turning to him

"Of course" he said leaving Ginny's side to stand by Mysti , Ginny looked less than pleased and Mysti gave her a wink

**

They arrived in Diagon alley just after noon, Mysti grinned as her eyes explored the busy streets, surely someone would see her.

"Keep her close" Molly said looking to Harry

Harry dragged Mysti along with him as they walked through the streets of Diagon Alley heading towards the joke shop. Once they entered the shop Mysti was finally allowed to walk around freely, she headed up the stairs to the top level

"If it isn't my favourite Slytherin" a voice spoke from behind Mysti

She turned to come face to face with George Weasley

"Anything I could interest you in?" He said gesturing to the products around him

"Freedom?" Mysti sassed

George smirked

"You must be happy to be out of the burrow for once" he said

"Oh you have no idea, seeing people that aren't red heads is bringing me so much joy, I must thank your mum for the PTSD" Mysti sarcastically replied before turning and exploring another part of the shop

After a little while the group reconvened by the entrance.

"Now I have some things to do in town so you kids run along and don't let her out of your sight" Mrs Weasley said pointing at Mysti

***

The trio had dragged Mysti around several different shops and her patience was beginning to wear thin.

They exited the last shop before deciding they should find Mrs Weasley. As they walked Mysti could see the turn off to knockturn Alley approaching, she bit her lip, she knew that if she broke free from the group and somehow made her way there that she might possibly run into someone who could help her

The turn off was mere meters away now and the trio were busy talking, this was it.

Mysti quietly departed from the group without any of them noticing, she turned down knockturn Alley and broke into a run. She knew it wouldn't be long before they figured out she had disappeared.

Mysti ran until she reached Borgin and Burke's, it was the most familiar place she knew in knockturn Alley and she was aware of Voldemort's history with the shop. She pulled the door open and entered to find the store completely empty, it wasn't the place she remembered and even worse it was abandoned, there was no one there to help her.

She opened the door pausing in the doorway for a moment, a tear rolled down her cheek

"Not crying are you Lestrange?" A voice came from the back of the shop

Mysti turned around to see none other than Amycus Carrow

"Survived did you?" Mysti replied

"As did you, I guess I underestimated you" he said walking out into the middle of the shop

"Look I need to know have you heard anything about Barty?" Mysti asked

Amycus chuckled

"Last I heard he was going crazy looking for you"

"Has he been here?" Mysti asked

"In Knockturn Alley? Absolutely not, there's a big price on his head. No matter how much he wants to find you he's not that stupid" Amycus stated

"I need to get out of here I need a wand" Mysti said talking more to herself than Amycus

Amycus didn't get time to respond before the trio came running into view spells flying out of their wands. Harry grabbed Mysti detaining her. She saw Amycus pull out his wand preparing to apparate

"Wait!!" Mysti yelled at him

He held eye contact with her giving her mere moments to speak

"Tell Barty!" Was all she managed to get out before Amycus disappeared into nothingness