dysonrules | Twinsensibility Part Fifty Six

OMG it's ON TIME EVEN! O.o

Lorcan inched closer to James, trying to avoid the clinging hands of the man touching him. For a single moment, he allowed himself to consider what might happen should they not be rescued. He imagined Kirby groping his bare flesh, touching places that only Lysander had ever touched—was even allowed to touch… He shuddered.

A loud knock sounded at the door and everyone froze. Kirby’s hands thankfully left Lorcan’s crotch and he rose to pull out a stubby-looking wand. There was a flurry of activity as the wizards hissed to one another and moved into more defensive stances.

Digger, who was nearest the door, pushed away from his slouch on the wall and stood aside as he flung it open, obviously alert for anything.

The doorway was empty.

“What the hell—?” someone muttered. Wand ready, Digger walked through the door, which slammed behind him. The others jumped.

A loud shout rang out and Kirby slumped to the floor, landing partially on Lorcan’s legs. He kicked at him sharply, several times, using as much force as possible. Two other wizards fell and the others shouted and started casting random hexes, just as the door opened to disclose Albus Potter, casting hexes with frightening speed and accuracy. Hugo and Rose Weasley were right behind him.

Before Lorcan could fully acknowledge their presence, a familiar head of blond hair appeared and then strong arms wrapped around him and the comforting scent and presence of Lysander filled his senses.

“Lorcan! Merlin, Lorcan, I can’t believe it.” Lysander’s breathless murmur whispered against his cheek and he clung so tightly to Lorcan that it almost hurt.

“Lys,” Lorcan said on a half-sob.

Lorcan was dimly aware of other activity in the room. Scorpius Malfoy slithered out of the invisibility cloak he had worn, grinning at Albus, who laughed and tried to press a kiss into Scorpius’ cheek, only to be rebuffed by a palm to the face. “Now is not the time, Albus.”

Rose knelt next to James and began to untie the ropes binding him.

Lorcan tried to speak through the lump in his throat. His lips moved against Lysander’s neck. “Think you might let me go and release these ropes?” he asked, striving for dry amusement and failing miserably.

“I’ll never let you go,” Lysander said quietly. “Not ever again.”

Hugo chuckled, having moved close enough to hear Lysander’s words. “That might not be the smartest idea right now. Hopefully, this lot will stay unconscious until Harry gets here. Al, did you call your Dad?”

Albus left off trying to kiss Scorpius and grumbled as he lifted his wand. “Yeah, all right.” He cast a Patronus and then asked, “Guess what my happy thought was?” He waggled his eyebrows at Scorpius.

“You’re impossible,” Scorpius said. “James, you okay? Any idea who these blokes are?”

James got to his feet and dusted himself off. “Dunno, but one of them has my wand. They were talking about selling us to some brothel, so I don’t think they were here to play poker.”

“Brothel?” Lysander repeated, arms tightening.

“Lysander, honestly, it will be much easier to get the ropes off of Lorcan if you let go. I’m just saying.” Hugo’s tone was amused, but still serious. Lysander’s grip finally relaxed and he pushed away from Lorcan to stare at him with a worried expression. His face was dirty and he looked haggard. Lorcan wanted to know what had happened to Lysander’s captive, because Lorcan still meant to murder him.

Lily and Absinthe were ransacking the bodies of the fallen men. “Found your wands!” Absinthe called, holding them aloft.

“Merlin, these blokes are loaded!” Lily said, jingling a handful of Galleons before stuffing them into her pocket.

“Lily!” Rose cried. “That’s stealing!”

Lily shrugged. “You think these gobshites came by it legally? I’m liberating it from the hands of evil.”

Albus said, “Better liberate faster, before Dad gets here. In fact, you and Absinthe should probably not be here at all. Scorpius, want to escort the girls back to Hogsmeade so they can get to school before anyone notices they’re gone?”

Scorpius nodded. “Good idea. I don’t really want to be here when Harry Potter shows up. Come on, girls.”

Lorcan’s bonds fell away and Lysander helped him to his feet. Lorcan wrapped his arms around his brother and felt him tremble. With exhaustion, or injury? Lorcan drew back and frowned. “Are you hurt?” he demanded.

Lysander shook his head, but Lorcan’s eyes went to his chest, where a jagged line was crusted with dried blood. Rage nearly blinded him for a moment. “I’ll kill him,” Lorcan said quietly. “Where is he?”

“Tied up back at the place we found Lysander,” Albus commented.

“Lily, come on!” Scorpius snapped.

“Hey, what happened to the one that was out here?” Absinthe called from outside the door.

“Oh fuck, don’t tell me we lost one.” Albus groaned.

“Albus?” someone shouted from outside.

“Go!” Albus cried. “Go, go, go!”

Absinthe ran to Scorpius and Lily snatched up one final pouch from the unconscious lion-maned man before joining them. Scorpius nodded to Albus once and then Disapparated with Lily and Absinthe in tow.

Lorcan gathered Lysander close once more, unwilling to remove his hands even for a moment. He closed his eyes and held tightly, thanking everything he could think of for the fact that he had Lysander back. He planned never to lose him again. No matter what.

“What the—?” he heard from the doorway.

“Hi, Dad,” Albus and James said in unison.

Harry Potter sighed heavily and Lorcan felt his tension drain away. It wasn’t until that moment that he knew everything would be all right.