Prelude to a War

Disclaimer: It's not my creation, but I do enjoy manipulating things. No money for me though. Enjoy.

A big thanks will always go to my lovely beta, Charmed_Nay, and cheers go to my friends over at Potter_Place.

Madam Pomfrey smiled warmly. "Your arm is completely mended!"

Hermione nodded. "I could tell when I woke." This came out a little more sarcastically than she'd intended.

"Well," the matron said, tone sharp, clearly offended, "you shouldn't have gone there in the first place! We were worried about you and Potter both."

Sighing, Hermione turned away. She didn't need a lecture or for anyone to tell her that what she did was foolish. She knew that already. Harry always did things before thinking, and normally, she went along with it. She had her own reasons. If he had gone alone, they might have done something to him or worse: brought him to Voldemort. I was right to not allow him to go alone, even though it nearly cost my life. The Wizarding community could have suffered a far worse loss if he'd been killed.

Having tuned out Madam Pomfrey, she nearly missed when she said that she would be able to leave as soon as Dumbledore fetched her and brought her to wherever she was to be kept. "Will he be by soon?" she asked hopefully. She wasn't ready to speak with Severus and hoped to be gone before he could visit. There was much that she had to think about, and she wanted to be prepared. They would have a talk...a long one.

"He will return shortly," Madam Pomfrey confided. "He left earlier with Professor Snape. They had something important to discuss." She shrugged. "Not that I was eavesdropping, mind."

Before Hermione could reply, a rustling of fabric alerted them to someone's presence. It was the headmaster. "Good to see you awake."

"Good to be awake," she returned evenly.

"I suppose you are ready to get back to your private location?" he asked softly.

"Please."

He nodded to the table next to her bed. "Put on Harry's cloak, and I shall lead you."

As quickly as she could, she put on the cloak and slipped the shoes next to the bed onto her feet, not bothering with socks. She followed behind him quietly, making certain to avoid others when they passed by. In record time, she found herself sitting on the settee in the common room that she shared with Harry.

After the headmaster summoned Dobby to bring her a meal and something to drink, he asked, "Is there anything you wish to talk about or ask?"

She shook her head. "I said all I had to say yesterday."

"Hermione, if you remember anything at all that you may have forgotten yesterday, please feel comfortable in telling me." He sat down across from her. "Perhaps there was something else that happened after Severus got there, and you might have only remembered it today."

The hair on the back of her neck stood up. He was trying to find out information about Severus or to see if he'd been told the truth about what occurred. Why? Why question someone he supposedly trusted? Did that mean...? "It was as he said, sir. Please don't make me talk about it again. The whole situation..." Her voice trailed away as tears came to her eyes. "I just never thought that would happen. I could have died. If he hadn't come for me, I would have."

Dumbledore nodded. He opened his mouth to speak, but Dobby returned with a tray of food and drink. Though Hermione had no appetite, she pretended to be interested in her food. The headmaster just sat in his chair, humming to himself as she nibbled on a slice of toast. She eyed him warily. What did he really want? She would not betray Severus. Severus had lied to him about some of what had gone on. He didn't elaborate much on how he'd killed Lestrange, and he'd made Narcissa sound as if she'd barely had anything to do with it. That was unsettling. It was like he was covering for his friends.

"Have you eaten enough, my dear?" he asked kindly.

Hermione nodded. "I suppose so." She put the tray aside. "What do you really want to talk about, sir?"

Dropping all pretenses, he looked at her sternly for a moment before speaking. "I cannot prove it, but I believe that things have gotten out of hand with you and Professor Snape."

"What?" she asked incredulously. "Severus saved my life! I would have been killed if he hadn't come for me!" Saying this aloud seemed to make her feel better about what she'd witnessed. She pushed those thoughts aside. "Of course, you aren't talking about yesterday, are you?"

He shook his head. "I'm not." He leaned forward and said, "Hermione, if at any time you would like things to change, you need only to let me know."

She opened her mouth and closed it. Things had already changed, but she didn't feel right speaking to Dumbledore about anything personal. She was not going to say anything to contradict what Severus had said. Not without talking to him first. "Sir, he is not my professor any longer. You told him that if..."

"I know what I told him," he said. He sat back in his chair. "I am wondering if I should send you to Grimmauld Place."

"I want to stay here," she said immediately. "When is Harry coming back?"

"Harry will be back shortly, but I am afraid that I do not trust either of you to stay in these rooms as instructed. I am going to have to lock you in," he said firmly.

"Lock us in?" she asked incredulously. "That's unfair! We've been caged up as it is!"

"And look what happened the first time you left school grounds," he said kindly. "I don't want you to think that I am the only one who thinks that this is a good idea. Severus agrees."

"Oh, yeah, he would," she said bitterly.

Dumbledore's eyebrows rose. "I get the feeling you wish to talk about something. I am prepared to listen to what that might be."

"You're interested in finding out if Severus has been telling you the truth! That's what I think. He's told you all that's gone on, and I'll not sit here and go through that again. I want to forget about it!" she said, nearly yelling.

The headmaster rose and shook his head sadly. "To be honest, I only thought you might like someone aside from Severus or Harry to talk to about the trauma you had to endure." He smoothed down his robes. "I trust Severus enough to not question what he tells me, and I simply wanted to be certain that you were handling your relationship with him."

Fearing that she'd offended him, she said, "Sir, I'm sorry. I've just..." She didn't know what to say to explain her harsh words.

"Been through something traumatic," he said, smiling once again. "I will always be willing to listen to you."

"Thanks."

Hermione watched as he strode away, purple robes swaying noiselessly. Was it true? Did he have that much faith in Severus? Guilt washed over her. Had she lost faith in her lover? She'd jumped to that conclusion because it was what she was feeling inside. Dumbledore had only been trying to help. She couldn't condone what Severus had done. Well, that wasn't completely true. She didn't approve of the way he'd done it at any rate.

Since she'd opened her eyes that morning, she'd been playing what had happened over and over again in her mind. She could still see Severus' eyes and expression. Of all the times she'd seen him acting particularly nasty, she'd never seen him look that way or heard him speaking in such a way. She kept hearing the snap of Rodolphus Lestrange's neck, kept hearing the way he'd talked to her when she feared he was going to do the same to Narcissa Malfoy, and kept hearing the conversation he'd had with the woman. He had been a different person. She'd needed comfort, and though he'd shown her that he cared, he'd sent mixed signals. He'd referred to her as a girl and a concubine. Was that how he and the other Death Eaters truly saw her? It made her feel less respectable.

She wasn't so naïve that she didn't know what Death Eaters did, but she supposed she'd always thought that he was an exception. She'd never imagined him to actually take part in... distasteful activities. The only thing she could admit was to feeling utterly stupid. How had she never thought of him in such a way? Could she love a murderer? He'd killed a man with his bare hands. There was really no struggle at all, and he'd taken pleasure in what he'd done. It was one thing to kill someone while fighting for your life, but to toy with him and kill him so brutally?

"Stop it," she said aloud, moving from the settee to her own room. "That bastard would have killed me if Severus hadn't come to find me." She shivered slightly, remembering the stench of his breath, the way he'd laughed as she'd screamed, and the feel of his blade upon her skin. He deserved what he got, she thought bitterly, buried feelings surfacing. The way she felt deep down disappointed her slightly. That was the worst of it, aside from nearly becoming some psychotic man's masterpiece of course. She wasn't a violent person. If she'd been given a choice, she would have requested that he be sent to Azkaban for an unpleasant life spent in prison, but would he have gotten out and come after her again as Severus had said?

It was likely. Besides, if Severus didn't know, who would? Those people were his friends. When she'd asked if he was truly not on Harry's side, his eyes...for a moment...had been narrowed and filled with malice, and his voice had been filled with hostility. If she had pressed further, would he have bodily forced her to keep quiet?

No, he cares about me and likely loves me. He said he'd never hurt me. He said he would see no harm come to me after he'd killed Rodolphus. I've nothing to fear and am ridiculous for questioning his loyalties... again. Everything will be clearer once the shock of it all wears off.

Hermione heard a sound outside her door. She opened it and saw Harry slumped against the wall. "Oh, Harry," she cried, leaving her room to hold him. His arms came around her as if she were a lifeline. His pain mixed with hers, and she let slip all of the emotions she was feeling, sobbing loudly.

"It's my fault," he said, voice hoarse. "I shouldn't have let you come with me. I should have waited."

"That was my decision, and Severus found me anyway."

"Yes, I did." The silky voice of her lover startled her.

Wide-eyed, she turned to look at him. "Severus, I didn't know you were here."

"I can see that," he said, brow raised.

"Dumbledore sent him to get me," said Harry.

"Yes, he felt the need to allot to me the distasteful task of talking some sense into him," Severus said, nodding to Harry. "It remains to be seen if it has worked or not." He backed away, an odd expression upon his face. "Well, now that he's in good hands, I shall leave you to it. I am pleased to see that you are up and about."

"Wait!" Hermione called, moving out of Harry's arms and following Severus. "That's it? You're just going to leave?"

"I have things to do." He sneered at Harry for a moment. "I'm certain he can comfort you."

"Don't you dare be that way!" she yelled, not caring if Harry was in the room with them. "You have to talk to me about yesterday! Don't you dare try to turn this around so you can get out of discussing this!"

"There is nothing to discuss, Hermione," he said. "If you will excuse me, I truly must leave."

"If you leave..." She allowed the threat to linger.

He spun around immediately and strode back to her. "If I leave? Go on. Finish it."

"I'll not forgive you," she said determinedly. "I really need you right now."

Growling slightly, he said, "Don't you think that I want to have you right now?"

"I'm not talking about sex," she said, stepping back. "I need you to help me through this. I know you only did... that because you felt you had to, but I just need to be reassured that it was just the once."

He eyed her oddly. "What are you talking about?"

"The way you killed him." She looked down to his hands, which were currently clenched into fists at his sides, and she pulled them up in front of her. "I'm confused. I mean... I know that you had to do it, but you were so violent. I just need to be reassured that you'll never be that way again."

His hands unclenched and clasped hers. "There will be time for words later, but if I keep the Dark Lord waiting any longer," he eyed Potter warily, "he'll not be pleased with me."

She nodded. "All right, but I want to talk to you. Seriously. Please come back later."

"I shall," he said curtly, releasing her hands. He turned on his heel and left her there.

Hermione didn't realize she was sagging until Harry grabbed her. "Are you all right? What the hell was that about? What really happened yesterday?"

"Nothing, Harry."

"Nothing? It sounded like something!"

She could see the misery in his eyes and hear it in his voice. "I am sorry about Gabrielle," she whispered.

"Maybe she's still alive. Maybe he didn't hurt her," he said hopefully.

Hermione shook her head sadly. "No, Harry, if he took her, he did horrible things to her."

"Don't you say that," he yelled angrily, shaking her slightly. "Don't!"

"He was crazy! He was laughing while I screamed," she admitted, pushing him away. "I've never been so scared in my entire life."

Pulling her to him roughly, Harry said, "He'll never hurt you now. I'll never let anyone hurt you."

He can't hurt me because Severus was there for me. Severus will always come for me. She relaxed in his arms, seeking the comfort that she had previously sought from her lover.

"Don't leave me, Hermione," Harry said suddenly. "You're the only one that understands. Always have. When Ron's been an arse, you've been there for me."

"I'll always be here for you, Harry."

"When I thought the worst about what happened to you, I wanted to give up. Losing Gabrielle was hard enough, but to lose you as well would be devastating. I wouldn't know what to do."

"Shhh. Let me just hold you." She wondered if Severus would disapprove and realized she didn't truly care. Not at that moment. Harry needed her.

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"Are you certain?" hissed the Dark Lord.

"I am." Severus had allowed his Lord to see what had happened with Rodolphus up until the point where he grabbed Narcissa by the throat. "If Bella had known, she would have been there. I don't think she would betray you. Not even for her sister and husband. Those were Narcissa's last words before her life left her."

Voldemort nodded, ruby eyes glinting. "I will find out."

Severus stood back and waited as the man left to speak with Bellatrix. In the case that one of them wanted to witness Narcissa's demise, he hoped that the false memory he'd created of him killing Narcissa would be enough to fool them.

"Bastard!" Bellatrix screeched. "My sister! How dare you touch her?"

He pulled his wand before she could get to him. "What would you have done had you seen her disobeying our Lord? Harming what's yours? It's what you tried to do. There is more to it." He'd luckily seen the memory flash through Narcissa's mind when he'd been using Legilimency on her to see if she'd played more of a role in the hurting of his Hermione.

"That will do, Severusss."

Slowly putting away his wand, Severus watched as the Dark Lord grabbed Bellatrix by the face roughly and gazed into her eyes. A few moments later, he pulled his wand and hissed a few words. After a while, Bellatrix began to cry silently, and she was released.

"Memory Charm," he said triumphantly. "Luckily, she was weak when casting it, and I found it very easy to break." The Master seemed quite pleased.

Bellatrix, however, was as distraught as he'd ever seen her. "I wasn't going to allow it. She Obliviated me. My own sister."

"There, there, Bella," the Dark Lord said dispassionately. "You'll be fine. Husbands are easy to come by. In time, you'll be over their treachery. You have proved to be a most loyal servant. I hold you in high regards."

Bellatrix nodded numbly, eyeing Severus shrewdly. "Where is her body?"

"I've burned her and placed her ashes with those of Lucius," he said. "Though they ultimately betrayed our cause, I still... appreciated the friendship they'd shown to me whilst alive." He sighed. "Your husband lies in a forest not too far from Malfoy Manor. I took no time with him, as I owed him nothing. I could lead you there of course."

"Yes," she answered immediately. "I would see him buried properly."

"Not now," their Lord interjected. "We've a Potter to kill. This has gone on long enough." He pulled Severus to him and placed his hand upon his Dark Mark, summoning all followers to him. "Today, we attack Hogwarts. I know the boy is there."

Severus allowed a tight smile and a nod, moving away to take his place, but internally, he was horrified. He simply hoped that he had enough time to warn Dumbledore. That gave him pause. Did he want to warn him? Why not let things end now? It'll keep the Potter brat away from my witch. I saw the way they were holding onto each other, taking comfort whilst in misery. No, that would not do. Albus deserved fair warning. Then, if the headmaster or Potter were meant to perish, so be it. Hermione would be safe.

Remembering Hermione, Severus spoke again. "May I speak, my Lord?"

"You may."

"My witch is at the castle. I would like a chance to remove her."

"Request denied," the Dark Lord said immediately. "Nobody leaves until we all go together. Dumbledore and Potter will go down. I shall instruct all to not harm your concubine."

"Very well," Severus said, hope for warning the headmaster fading. He schooled his features to pretend indifference and waited obediently as his Lord began greeting those Apparating to them.

A thought occurred to Severus. If Hermione would happen to look at her map, perhaps he could convey a feeling to her through it. Maybe she could warn the headmaster for him. It was a long shot, but he would try to convey the message to her. If he only had his parchment, he could easily get her to do his bidding. His new hope faded as he realized that he'd warded them in.

They were trapped in their room. Trapped but safe. They won't be found right away. By then, Aurors and other Order members will be about. She will be safe. On the off chance that the headmaster would be there, he would try to subliminally reach her anyway. He couldn't take the chance that Bella might accidentally hex her in retaliation.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

For some reason, Hermione was compelled to slip away from Harry's side and check Severus' parchment. She felt a little guilty for treating him so harshly...especially when he had to go meet the Dark Lord. He truly needed his wits about him. If she'd ruined anything, she'd never forgive herself. She pulled out the parchment, held her hand over it, and said, "Locus Severus."

Currently on the Kincardineshire east coast, in the Dunnottar Castle with Lord Voldemort, feeling quite distraught.

"Well, that's not good," she whispered. Over the next few minutes, she cast the spell to see the several changes in the wording.

Currently on the Kincardineshire east coast, in the Dunnottar Castle with Lord Voldemort, feeling horrified.

"Oh, no, Severus," she mumbled, bringing a hand up to her mouth and imagining the worst of scenarios. "Is Voldemort upset over the loss of Lestrange? Over Narcissa?"

Currently on the Kincardineshire east coast, in the Dunnottar Castle with Lord Voldemort, feeling confused.

She lifted her hand to erase the words, but she noticed that it was adding another part to the sentence.

Wishing there was a way to warn the headmaster of an attack on Hogwarts.

Hermione stood up. "Oh, my God!" It was no wonder he was distraught and horrified. For some reason, Voldemort must have decided to move things forward. She had to tell the headmaster. Shoving the parchment back in her nightstand's drawer, she ran out and shook Harry awake.

"Harry! Wake up! Harry!"

"Wuzamatter?" he asked groggily.

She pulled him up roughly by the front of his shirt. "Voldemort is coming! We have to warn the headmaster!"

He jumped up and away from her, pulling his wand. "What?"

"I've had a message from Severus. We're to warn the headmaster about Voldemort! They are going to attack the school!"

"Shite!"

"I know!"

"Come on," he yelled, pulling her towards the exit. It took them only a moment to realize that they were locked in. "Shite!"

"Oh, think, think," Hermione chanted. "Floo? Do we have powder hidden for emergency?"

"No, we don't!" Harry said. "Are you sure, Hermione? Did he send an owl?"

"An owl! Where is Hedwig?"

"Out! I'll open a window."

"All right. I'll check for Floo powder. Maybe they thought to leave some incase of emergency."

Each went their own way in hopes of finding a way to contact the headmaster. Hermione found no powder near the grate. Harry didn't see Hedwig. Nor did he see any other owls about.

On a whim, Hermione asked the painting of the sleeping man on the wall to wake up. He didn't open his eyes until Harry threatened to slice the canvas. When she had his attention, she said, "Sir, could you please get a message to the headmaster for us? It's important!"

He yawned and stretched dramatically. "No. Sorry." With that, he closed his eyes and pretended to snore.

"What do you mean you won't?" Harry asked hotly. "It's your duty to help the current headmaster round here!"

The painting's face contorted into a vicious sneer. "I don't have to do anything you say. I only answer questions the headmaster asks. If I don't want to step away from my painting, I won't. It's not like I'm a painting in his office or anything."

Harry lifted his wand to blast him, but Hermione stopped him. "Look, we really need your help."

Suddenly, the man's eyebrows wriggled up and down. "Mmmm. You again."

Hermione's spine stiffened. "Pardon?"

He winked and leered at her suggestively. "Be glad I didn't gossip about the extreme liberties you have given away in this common room. It did, however, force me to seek out the portrait of an old lover."

"You loathsome wanker!" Hermione exclaimed indignantly, completely embarrassed by what the painting had revealed in front of Harry.

Harry's face reddened, but he only asked, "You mean paintings shag? Not sure I wanted to know about that."

"Oh, I assure you..."

"We don't care!" Hermione yelled in annoyance, shooting a spark from her wand at the painting, causing him to flee.

"Great! What now?"

"Now, we wait."

"For?"

"Dumbledore will be round to check on you," she said, pulling her hair up and out of her face. She fastened it with an elastic tie that was lying on the table.

"It feels like we're not thinking of something!" Harry said, sitting down.

"I know. Maybe I should try to get through the spell keeping us in."

At that moment, Dobby popped in with a large tray laden with food. Harry and Hermione looked at each other and started laughing.

"Well, it's official. We've gone mad." Harry grinned. "I'm feeling a bit thick right about now. You?"

"I agree," Hermione said. "Dobby, we have an important job for you. We need Professor Dumbledore! It's an emergency."

"Dobby is happy to be getting the headmaster, he is."

"Quickly," Harry urged. The elf nodded and popped away. "I don't think we would have ever thought of that. "

"I'll be right back," Hermione said, running to her room. She quickly used the loo and pulled her parchment from her drawer. "Locus Severus." She gasped.

Currently on the Kincardineshire east coast, in the Dunnottar Castle with Lord Voldemort and numerous Death Eaters, feeling determined and hoping his witch received her message to keep safe.

"Oh, no. They're congregating! The lot of them! They'll be here soon."

She heard Harry's excited voice calling to her, and she quickly went to him, noticing he was not alone. "Headmaster! We've news. Severus sent word for me to tell you that the Dark Lord and numerous Death Eaters will attack Hogwarts!"

"Harry's just told me. There is no time to waste. Come with me," he said quickly. To Harry, he added, "Put on your cloak."

"What of Hermione?" Harry asked in confusion.

"She'll not be targeted by those coming here. Not if Severus is with them. Do as I say, Harry. Do it now."

Hermione was afraid. What if something went wrong? How could they possibly prepare for an attack with so little time? She felt an invisible hand on her shoulder and smiled at what she hoped was Harry's face. "We'll be all right." Why wasn't the headmaster questioning her about how she'd been contacted? How could he be so certain that she wouldn't be targeted? Wasn't she just attacked the day before? It seemed... unreasonable to not at least worry a little. Did he know something they didn't?

"I'll protect you," he said.

She shook her head. "You stay alive, Harry. You worry about yourself first. Promise me."

"No," he said defiantly.

"This is your chance to defeat him, to end all of this. If you have that chance, you take it, Harry. It's you we're counting on. The Wizarding community's future is nothing without you. I won't be able to think clearly if I'm worried about you worrying about me."

"All right," he agreed reluctantly.

They remained quiet as Dumbledore instructed the staff to go about with Portkeys and having the students get to immediate safety at different locations previously allotted for that purpose. After that, he sent Fawkes off with a message to Molly Weasley. He finally spoke to them. "It might take a while, but the students will be safe. The house-elves will help to protect the common rooms until they've all gone. Then, they will be able to help us."

"Sir," Harry asked from their left, "can we win? Can I win?"

"We shall," Dumbledore said positively. "I admit that I didn't expect him to come so soon and without proper warning, but if we can hold off until the Order and Aurors get here, we'll be fine. Perhaps today is the day that Tom Riddle is put to rest once and for all."

"I hope so," Hermione said.

At this point, Dumbledore began only addressing Harry and giving him advice. She paid attention, but from the headmaster's tone, she could tell he was worried.

"Remember, Harry," he was saying, "about all the things he's done to you. Your parents' death was his doing. Cedric's death was his bidding. He used Sirius in an attempt to get you to the Ministry, ultimately causing his demise. He ordered Hagrid's death. He ordered Grawp's death. Now, his followers have taken Gabrielle from you. Use these negative emotions when you face him, Harry. Let them guide you and give you the power to smite him down."

She knew that Harry had to feel those emotions to truly be able to cast a curse to end Voldemort's life. It was the way of things, and the prophecy would have it no other way. Hermione decided to try to summon the anger and fear that Rodolphus had caused her to feel just incase she'd need to use an Unforgivable Curse. Her brow creased as she thought, Does that make us any better than Severus? Maybe he truly only uses a Killing Curse or other means when he has to. He told me that he felt he had to kill Rodolphus in order to make certain that he didn't come back after us one day.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"I will not tolerate any disobeying of my orders," the Dark Lord said, eyeing Bellatrix as he did so. "We must strike now while there is no way for them to find out. That old fool won't know what hit him. There are only a couple of Aurors about, and they mostly stay closer to the train station." He shrugged. "They will be easy enough to destroy, and if any are placed near the gates, we'll simply remove them. Severusss shall unlock the gate if it's locked."

Severus listened attentively as their Lord reiterated the plan again. The end was near. One way or another, his double duplicity would come to an end. He was actually relieved. He could finally have a normal life. Screaming brought him out of his reverie. The Dark Lord was casting a Cruciatus Curse against some new recruit.

"Never question my judgment again," he said angrily after he released the man. "Remember what I said about Severusss' concubine. She'll likely be with Potter. He is mine, and I don't want either to be touched. Take Dumbledore at will."

He bent down to caress Nagini affectionately and hiss something to her. In a daze, he watched as Voldemort pulled up his hood and walked forward to clasp his arm. "We go to victory, Severusss."

"It's been a long time coming, my Lord."

"I sense that you are relieved and hopeful that it will be over quickly."

Severus nodded and admitted, "Yes, I grow weary of being Dumbledore's stooge."

"That all ends today." With a cocky arrogance that only the Dark Lord could possess, he turned to face the others. "Give me victory in any way you can get it. Do this, and you will be in Lord Voldemort's favor. Should you fail... Well, I'll not have to remind you of what will happen. Come."

Following his Lord out onto the unkempt grounds of the dilapidated castle, Severus felt his stomach bubbling nervously. Who would win? Who would die? Would his witch be safe? He looked to his right and saw that Bellatrix had a glazed look in her eyes. At that moment, she gazed at him and nodded. Perhaps he needn't worry about Hermione after all. Bella seemed to accept the fates of her loved ones easy enough, blindly following the Dark Lord's orders without questioning them.

Severus paled. If the Dark Lord won this war, he would have to be certain that nobody ever found Lucius and the others. He'd given Lucius a warning on their last meeting, and the man had agreed that it was nothing that he wouldn't do either. He would dwell on that later. His main concern was staying alive and taking care of his witch.

Southern's Notes: Sorry to stop here, but I have special plans for the next chapter. Any ideas as to which characters might bite the dust? Will Harry win? Voldemort? Who are you pulling for?

There are so many things that I could say right now, but I'd hate to give any of it away. We will see most of the story's characters in the next chapter. I am sorry, but there will be character deaths again soon. I just wanted to give a fair warning to you all. I have it outlined somewhat, and as I don't have any beta jobs due at the moment, I should get it out quicker. Thanks!

My beta is having a hard time with work lately. This is a busy time of year for them, so it took a few days before she could read this over for me. Sorry about that, but I don't feel right uploading without having it checked over. On another note, the next chapter is nearly done since I had the extra days. I'll be sending it to her tomorrow evening. I hope you'll enjoy.