Strange Company Chapter One

By the time Cho had reached her twenty-first birthday, the war against Voldemort had taken escalated into something far greater than the relatively minor skirmishes of her youth. Emboldened by a series of early successes against the corrupt British Ministry of Magic, and the ranks of his Death Eaters swelled with pureblood followers from around the world and an army of criminals press-ganged from wizarding prisons, the Dark Lord had started to move more openly. Entire communities were openly conquered and destroyed by the Death Eaters, while attacks from his monstrous minions had left hundreds dead and the secrecy of the Wizarding World in jeopardy.

Yet, hope was not entirely lost. Following their graduation, the men and women of Dumbledore's Army, Cho included, became a part-time militia arrayed against the forces of Darkness, fighting to throw back the Death Eaters wherever they emerged. New reforms had come to the Ministry, with Amelia Bones working to weed out the corruption left in the wake of Cornelius Fudge's resignation and ouster. Voldemort's threat had been recognized, but would their efforts be enough?

Cho, for one, certainly hoped so. As an Apprentice Healer at St. Mungo's, Cho had seen the effects of war with her own eyes, the bodies broken and twisted by the Death Eater's spells, the homeless and the orphaned, their lives shattered by the violence inflicted upon them by the Dark Lord. In the wake of a major raid or attack, the wards of the hospital began to overflow with the wounded and the suffering, pushing their healing skills to the limit.

Others might have throw up their hands in despair at the situation, but Cho stubbornly refused. She was a Healer and the victims of the war needed her. Every night, she pushed herself harder and faster than anyone else at the hospital, treating burns and spell-wounds, resetting broken limbs, administering comfort and aid wherever it was needed. She cared too much about her patients to see them in pain, and so even when the other Healers were taking a much needed rest, Cho persevered in her ministrations, even to the detriment of her own health.

It was for that reason she had been sent home tonight, for some much needed rest. "You're pushing yourself too hard, Ms. Chang," Elder Healer Prescott had told her, sternly facing her in his office. "The work you do is exemplary, but I'm concerned that you will burn out after a while. Many fine apprentices have come to St. Mungo's utterly confident of their abilities, and ended up cracking under the strain before their tenure was complete. Take the evening off, then come here bright and early tomorrow, it will do you a world of good."

"But, Elder Healer!" Cho protested, ashamed at the thought of being coddled in such a fashion. "None of the other apprentices are going home tonight, and there is still so much to do."

"There is always a great deal to do, Ms. Chang," Prescott replied. "There is always a wound to be healed, an injury to be salved, a patient that needs our compassion and aid. That is what makes us Healers. But I will not lose you to stress and lack of sleep, especially after all the good work you have done for us. We're in a bit of a lull here and I don't expect to see many more patients, so take the next twelve hours off. Have a good meal, read a good book, spend some time with a young man, whatever it is that you enjoy, then return here in the morning."

And so Cho resigned herself to her enforced period of relaxation. Stepping out onto the rain-slicked streets of London, her shoes whispering on the stone, the young woman sighed as she Apparated back to her apartment. It was in a wizarding district of the city, so the sight of a raven-haired beauty appearing out of nowhere was not considered suspicious, if rather interesting. A spoken phrase in Mandarin, and the door opened, allowing her into the lush residence. Getting a blaze going in the fireplace and removing her flattering white Healer robes, Cho collapsed onto the loveseat, closing her beautiful almond eyes. Maybe he's right. A bit of rest would do me good. Merlin knows I haven't had a quiet night in a while. However, I should check if there is a meeting of the DA tonight, or if anyone needs help. I shouldn't leave them in a lurch just because I have a night off.

Then the soft beat of an owl's wings intruded her thoughts as Elric descended into the living room via the skylight, a scroll bound around his neck. "Good evening, Elric," Cho greeted her owl, accepting the message he delivered. Pausing only to give the snowy-white bird a treat for his efforts,  the young woman unsealed the scroll, delicate fingers untying the silk ribbon and pressing the wax seal bearing the Chang family crest. The magic of the scroll recognized her aura, and the elegant handwriting of her mother suddenly blossomed into being on the blank parchment, the words causing her heart to sink.


Greetings, daughter,
Your father and I have found another worthy candidate to be your husband, and will be bringing him to meet you at 9 o'clock sharp tonight. His name is Roland, of the Ancient and Most Noble House of Angelous, and has been studying at the Allanon Institute in America. He is of impeccable breeding and his family is quite wealthy, and I believe that you two would be very happy together.
We will expect you to be prepared and ready to greet him, we do not want to leave him with a bad impression of you.
Love,
Song

Angrily, Cho crumpled the letter in her fist. Damn my parents and their adherence to pureblood marriage tradition! she snarled inwardly, casting the offending note aside. Breathing deep in an effort to calm herself, she considered her next course of action. They'll want some supper, of course, and I'll need to get changed into something more appropriate for the setting. And they'll want to inspect my rooms, so some tidying would be a good idea. And all for their obsession of finding me a husband and getting a good bride-price!

Cho had been raised as the ideal daughter for a rich pureblood family, as such, that would mean arranging a marriage for her. Her parents were not obsessive about blood purity like so many others, but tradition was tradition, and the Changs were unwilling to let even the smallest part of their business empire fall into unworthy hands. For her part, Cho detested the concept of arranged marriages. If she was to be a bride, then it would be on her terms, with someone of her choosing and without sacrificing her independence, career or self-respect in the process. As foolish as it sounded, marrying out of love was the only way she would ever accept it, and she would not become a housewife into the bargain.
Besides, she was not ready for a committed relationship, especially one with such importance placed on wealth and social status. Her love for Cedric had ended in pain and tragedy, and even all these years later, Cho still cherished the time they spent together. She missed him, and while his death did not consume her every waking moment, she would never forget the man she called her first love.

Her subsequent relationship with Harry, meanwhile, had been a disaster. She had been consumed with grief and anxious to find any source of succour to heal the pain, while he was experiencing an incredible amount of stress with Voldemort's return and blaming himself for Cedric's death. The timing had been poor, and it had ended in tears.

Harry, came the unbidden thought, and Cho pursed her lips. Harry had grown and matured beyond all her expectations, he had risen above his mistakes to rally a generation to fight alongside him, and perhaps most impressive of all, he had found it in himself to forgive her for siding with Marietta over him. And here I am, unwilling to forgive myself.  She knew now that Harry had been in no condition to offer her the support she needed, and that he was a child when they last dated, prone to making a child's mistakes. The rift between them had shrunk and vanished with time, trust and communication, and now they counted themselves good friends and comrades-in-arms against the darkness.

But you'd want him to be more, don't you? A part of her wondered as she stripped, turning on the shower. You want to get ready tonight for Harry's sake, not your parents or this Roland.

Shaking her head under the warm spray, Cho stifled such thoughts. Harry was in a position of tremendous pressure;  the responsibility for Dumbledore's Army, if not the fulcrum of the war effort itself, lay upon him. He didn't need romantic entanglements as well, especially given their prior history. She wanted him to be happy, and the idea that she might unintentionally cause him harm terrified her. No, it was better this way. Cho the compassionate Healer, Harry the dedicated fighter, and never their hearts shall meet.

Finishing her shower, Cho went into the bedroom and swiftly dressed, donning a matching set of black silk undergarments, along with black silk stockings. A blue silk blouse followed, along with a black skirt that extended to just below the knee and a white silk scarf to complete the ensemble. Zipping up a pair of knee-high black leather boots, the young woman threw on a light blush and red lipstick, checking over her appearance one last time before she made her way towards the kitchen. She just hoped that she had something in the refrigerator for tonight, it had been a while since she went out for groceries...

The thump in the living room immediately drew her attention, and Cho stopped, listening intently as she reached for her wand. "Mother? Are you there? I thought you would be here later, actually..."

The thug had been kneeling behind the couch, waiting for Cho to step into his line of sight and hex her into unconsciousness. He didn't count on the young woman's quick reflexes, however, and the Stunner went wide, leaving a black stain on the wall of the kitchen. Cho, meanwhile, didn't miss, and her assailant flew head-over-heels, slamming into a bookshelf and burying him under countless tomes. Cho saw the look of shock on the face of her assailant and grinned despite herself. She was a member of Dumbledore's Army after all, and she had been trained well.

And suddenly more were upon her, five figures in black robes tossing off Invisibility Cloaks, emerging from every linen closet and hallway to box her in. So many. How could they get through the wards? Cho wondered, steeling herself for the onslaught. Brilliant sparks burst from the tip of her wand, blinding the intruders, and Cho made a run for the door, regretting her choice of combat-inappropriate footwear even as the enemy spells screamed all around her. Fire burst from the staircase leading to her bedroom, and Cho whirled to face the new target. "Fumbus!" The thug's fingers suddenly squirmed and shrunk, transmuted into thumbs, his wand falling from the now unless digits. "Tregaro!" Invisible hands seized him by the robes and threw him into the wall, taking him out of the fight.

One of the thugs grabbed her by the shoulder. Cho suddenly seized him by the wrist, fingers pinching the major nerve cluster. He screamed, releasing her, and Cho put a Blasting Curse into his belly, catapulting away. Another moved in from the side, and the young Healer uttered the basic Levitation Charm, summoning the unconscious body of the first to her, shielding herself from the enemy fire before throwing him at the attacker, knocking him out as well.

"Lethargus!" came the cry, and Cho suddenly became woozy and light-headed. She stumbled, and the final two thugs were on her before she could raise her wand. A meaty hand clamped over her mouth, while her wand was violently ripped from her grasp, leaving her helpless. No, can't get taken down like this...

"Onto the couch, now!" one of the attackers said, throwing her down and shoving her head into the cushions. "Get her secure, before the MLES gets here."

Cho's wrists were firmly wrenched behind her back, and coils of rope emerged from their pouches, binding them together. "This wasn't supposed to happen like this," the second man said as he bound her ankles and thighs, before drawing up coils of rope above and below her breasts. "We were supposed to bag her quietly, not get four of our guys put down in a firefight with her!"

The raven-haired beauty moaned as the ropes tightened around her chest, pinning her upper arms to her sides. The Drugging Charm was an effective one; Cho had used it herself to sedate struggling patients on occasion, and knew she had only a short time left before the spell left her unconscious. "Please," she begged, flexing her body against the bonds. "Why are you doing this?"

"Shut her up, now," the first man said. "Can't risking her scream."

A black leather panel gag was brought forth, and Cho's eyes widened in horror as she saw the large rubber plug attached to the interior of the moulded leather. "Please, don't do this! Let me-MMMMPPPHHH!" Her weak pleas were cut off as the gag was inserted into her mouth, the plug forcing her jaw open while the lower half of her face remained covered by the leather panel, laying flush against her skin. The buckles clicked, and the plug suddenly shifted and transformed, widening to fill her mouth entirely, further stifling her screams. "Mmmmpppgh mmmmm mmmpgh! MMMMMPPPPGGGHHHH!" Cho cried out as the black leather blindfold descended, cutting off her sight. Oh, Merlin, this isn't happening...

"Get the retrieval team to revive these losers, we'll bring the target to the carriage," spoke the first man, picking up Cho bridal-style in his arms. Callused fingers brushed her upper arms, and the girl shuddered. "As long as we bring her to them, that's all that matters."

Despite herself, Cho began to weep. All her training, all her skills, it had availed her nothing. She was a prisoner, and as she began to succumb to the enchantment, she began to scream in terror, kicking and thrashing against her confinement in a vain attempt at release.

"Sounds like someone needs more medicine," the second man quipped, pressing a foul-smelling cloth against her nose, intensifying her screams. "Nighty-night, Healer. Enjoy the ride, it'll only get worse from here!"

No... Cho thought, the drowsiness only increasing. I have to...have to...fight. But the repeated druggings had done their work, and as Cho slipped into unconsciousness, she felt her body being carried away and placed on cushions. Whips cracked, wood creaked, and the carriage rolled away from  her apartment, off into the darkness of her captivity...

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To no one's surprise, business was booming at Club Hex that night. The throng of young witches and wizards waiting at the door curved around the building and stretched toward the main street, and more came with each passing minute, drawn in by word-of-mouth and owls from their friends to what many considered to be the hottest club in Wizarding Britain. Even in the middle of war, nothing would stop the young generation from having a good time.

If only Zach would get here... nineteen-year-old Ginny Weasley fumed, leaning back against a nearby building as she listened to the thumping techno beat from across the street. Flipping open her compact, the red-haired girl made a few final alterations to her make-up, admiring the pouty effect produced by her lips. Watching the other girls that came to the club, Ginny could only attempt to stifle her jealousy at their flattering attire. Even with her job at Madam Malkin's and her work as a model for Enchantress Weekly, she brought in only a little money, and most of that was being saved up so she could leave the Burrow and her nag of a mother behind. Regrettably, the fine undergarments and exotic gowns she wore for her photo shoots were the property of the magazine, and were not available for her own personal use in her spare time. As such, she was dressed in faded jeans and a purple Weird Sisters t-shirt, along with a black leather jacket and red sneakers. It wasn't exactly the same level as many of the other girls were wearing, but then again, most of her dates with Zach usually ended with her clothes off anyways.

As Ginny tapped her foot impatiently, a strong male arm suddenly encircled her waist, even as a hand closed over her mouth at the same moment, stifling her shocked yelp. The smell of his cologne permeated her senses, and Zacharias Smith grasped his girlfriend tightly, breathing deep of the honeysuckle aroma of her scarlet curls. "Nice to see you too, baby. You've been waiting here long?"

"Mmmmmpgh..." Ginny groaned into his hand, ashamed that she had fallen for such a ploy. The obstruction was removed, and the young woman began to verbally lay into him. "What kept you, Zach? I've been waiting for about half an hour!"

"Sorry about that, had some stuff to take care of," the blond young man said, kissing her on the back of the neck. Ginny shuddered with pleasure, and Zach's hands dipped to her waist, fingering the fly of her jeans. "Hope you haven't been too lonely without me..."

Her hands quickly moved to pull his away. "Stop, Zach. Not now, okay? Later tonight though," she told him, turning to face her lover. "I came to enjoy the club, after all."

A flicker of displeasure formed on Zach's expression, but he quickly stifled it, leading her towards the club. Recognizing the young man, the bouncer let him cut ahead of the considerable line-up and enter the VIP section with a nod, eyes lingering on the girl's backside. The throb of the music was palpable at this point, and Ginny felt her head bobbing in time to the beat, closing her eyes and letting the harsh rhythms flood her senses. They entered the VIP section overlooking the main dance floor, the room a whirlwind of light and energy and sound beyond the glass. Ordering some drinks for them, Zach held his lover close on the leather sofa. "You know, babe, this place also hires dancers for the main floor. You see?" he pointed to the half-dozen women dancing on pedestals around the primary dance floor, leading the patrons into the music. "I know a guy here, maybe I could get you an in?"

"Dance isn't really my thing, Zach," Ginny responded, signalling for a drink.

"I know, babe," came the reply as his hand moved to caress her neck. "But you have an awesome body, after all, so you might as well take advantage of it."

Rough hands moved to caress that body, and Ginny sighed in pleasure, allowing her lover to stroke her curves with a possessive touch. Yes, Zach only cared about her body, but he was honest about that, and after her last relationship, Ginny wasn't looking for anything too emotional. Her heart had been broken once again and she was sick of it, so she wanted a man she didn't have to get too attached to. Meanwhile, Zach's interest in her was shallow. He wanted a pretty girl on his arm and in his bed, and for the moment, Ginny was content to play the role.

It hadn't been like that with Harry, of course. For all the trials that had been placed upon him, Harry was a sweetheart, and had always sought to treat Ginny with respect and make their relationship work. Even in the middle of his intensive Auror training, he had done his best to spend time with her, to make her feel wanted. Ginny, for her part, was living the dream she had longed for since she was eleven. She and Harry Potter were together, and she had promised herself that they would never be apart.

Bitterly, Ginny looked back on those days. The Harry Potter she had constructed in her mind was nothing like the man she had dated. True, Harry was bold and brave and heroic, but he was also afflicted with doubts and a guilty conscience, struggling to deal with the burdens of leadership and the demands necessary to fight the war. Reality did not match up to the dream, and she subconsciously began to resent him for it.

They had broken up two month ago, and in a way, Ginny was glad. By the end, they were just making each other miserable, and Ginny had grown up and gotten over her infatuation with him. Harry was not a selfless paragon of virtue; he was a human being, with all the flaws and strengths of one, imperfect despite his nobility. Moreover, it was clear that he didn't love her, and as much as it hurt to admit, she had long since stopped loving him.

And so they had separated, resolving to remain friends and continue their struggle against the Death Eaters. Within a few weeks, Ginny and Zach had become lovers, much to the shock and consternation of Harry and Ron. Zach was merely the rebound guy; he knew this, and didn't care so long as she satisfied his baser urges. Ginny was the object of his lusts, not affections; she knew this, and didn't care so long as she herself was satisfied.

She and Zach were kissing now, and Ginny gasped as his hands came to her breasts. "Anxious, are we?" she purred, tossing her head back.  Her lips tingled from the intensity of the kiss, and she knew from past experience that they would be somewhat bruised by the end of the night. "We've barely been here five minutes, Zach, and I don't think your friend at this club would appreciate us making a mess on his seats."

The music grew louder, forcing Zach to shout over it. "Let's get out of here," he stated, reaching for her hand.

Ginny squirmed out of his grip. "Just let me freshen up, darling, I'll be back before you know it."
Heading into the ladies room with a sway of her hips, Ginny smiled. Oh, he wants me so badly, she thought to herself, taking a moment to reapply her lipstick. She knew she was being rather shameless with her body and that her parents would not approve, but it was not their life to live. The war was descending into a bloody stalemate, and every day came with the possibility of death. They had all seen friends and colleagues die, and she doubted their woes would end anytime soon. With so much pain and grief, why not indulge in life's pleasures before they were lost forever?

The tube of lipstick slipped from her hands, and Ginny cursed, moving to retrieve it.

The reeking, soaked cloth suddenly clamped over her mouth, causing her to cry out in surprise. That Zach! "Mmmmpgh! Rrrraghhh!"

"Sorry, darling, I'm not your boyfriend," the kidnapper stated, wrapping an arm around her body and pinning her arms to her sides. "You be a good girl and let the drug do its work, and I'll treat you alright."

"MMMMMPPPPPGGGHHH!" Ginny screamed, blue eyes widening in terror. The stench of the cloth was becoming stronger now, and the girl kicked and fought with all her might. The man holding her was at least six inches taller and several hundred pounds heavier; it was like a small cat trying to fend off a mountain lion. "MMMMMPPPPGGH! MMMPPGH!" she wailed into the cloth pad, lashing out against the wall with her feet, hoping to signal for help. The only reply was the throbbing techno beat of the club, drowning out her increasingly pitiful cries. "Mmpppgh..."

"Don't worry about your boyfriend, Red, a few taps on the head never hurt anybody," the lead kidnapper stated mockingly, signalling two others bearing ropes and a leather panel gag. Now thoroughly sedated by the drug, Ginny could only watch helplessly as the cloth was removed and the gag forced into her mouth, moulding to her lower face like a second skin. The ropes followed, binding her wrists, thighs, ankles and upper body. Oh, Zach, Ginny thought, struggling against the well-tied knots. Please tell me you are alright...

Then the blindfold left her in darkness, the drugged cloth lured her into sleep, and Ginny was taken from the club into the waiting carriage. In her delirium, she felt the warmth of another person at her side and a soft moan, but the sedation had done its job. Even as Zach lay bleeding and beaten in the VIP section, Ginny Weasley and Cho Chang were being whisked away, helpless and alone.

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The two young women had no idea how much time had passed before the carriage creaked to a stop, rough hands seizing them from the passenger compartment and hauling them inside. The ankle bonds removed, Cho and Ginny tottered on unsteady legs, frogmarched down staircases and along hallways as best as they could manage while bound and blindfolded, occasionally pushed on by their kidnappers. A door flew open, and Cho grunted as she was pushed onto a mattress, the weight of her abductors forcing her down even as the ankle bonds were replaced. More hands kneaded and groped her shapely breasts, inciting a scream from the beautiful Healer. She vainly thrashed about on the mattress, crying in dismay as unseen hands stroked her thighs. "Damn, she is beautiful. Mind if we have her afterwards?"

"Speak for yourself, mate," a second voice interjected, and Cho heard a muffled scream from the edge of her hearing. "I prefer redheads myself."

"Enough of this, both of you!" a third voice barked, silencing the others. "Put them under and get them secured. They are not to be touched until we have what we need."

As the scented cloths descended on the two captives, two figures observed from the hall. "Two of the most important members of Dumbledore's Army, Minister," the first said, an older woman in a pink cardigan. "Allow me to interrogate them at once, and I will have the answers we seek."

The second figure, a portly man in a black bowler hat, chuckled. "I'm not the Minister any more, Dolores, at least, not yet," Cornelius Fudge stated, examining the two bound, gagged and blindfolded women in his possession. "But by all means, feel free to question Miss Chang and Miss Weasley. With their knowledge and the aid of our agent, we can finally bring down Potter and his vigilantes.  Wizarding Britain's return to sound rule and sane order begins today."