Chapter Eighteen

Disclaimer: J.K. Rowling's stuff. I own nothing here except the plot and that blasted Stuart Steward, teehee. Alas, no money is being made. This is for entertainment purposes only. Happy reading!

A big thanks goes to my beta, Charmed Nay, and I would also like to thank GinnyW for helping me go through this a second time and dusting it off.

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"Glad you could join us, Mudblood," Bella said hatefully.

Hermione rubbed her eyes and tried to sit up. Her side was aching terribly. She didn't remember anything happening to her other than falling into the snow when she was hexed. "Where... am I?" she was able to ask. Her throat and mouth were very dry, and it took a moment to form the words.

"You're in my home," Terence said. "Remember me, do you?"

Hermione nodded. "That night... just out of Hogsmeade."

"Oh, who cares?" Bella screeched. "You are going to die, little creature of dirt. We are going to have some fun with you first though. Tell me. Does Sevvie treat you well?"

"Leave Severus out of this! He'll come for me, you know," she said, sneering hatefully.

"I hope Severus does come," Bella said. "That is the point."

"I am talking about Harry," Hermione said defiantly. "He'll kill you all." Bella slapped her soundly.

"Our new Master will be happy to have rid the world of someone of dirtied blood. The traitors shall die as well," Bella said, slapping her once more.

Terence spoke nervously. "Bella? You saw how mad Potter was earlier. What if she's right? What if this just angers him further? He'll never forgive us."

"What are you? A man or a child? You don't understand how it works, I suppose," Antonin said, clearly aggravated. "You have to prove yourself to your Master. This is the way for us all to do that."

"Yeah," Rabastan chimed in. "The Mudblood, young Malfoy, and the two traitors. We sacrifice them for our Lord, and he will accept us. He'll know that we are prepared to do what has to be done for him."

"Why do you want Harry to be your new Dark Lord? You all hate him for killing Voldemort," Hermione said, determined to hit a nerve. If she kept them talking, perhaps they wouldn't kill her just yet. Harry had told her to just hold on, and he would be on his way.

Antonin kicked Hermione in her side. Pain flared throughout her body. "I should have killed this one two bloody years ago, but the bitch silenced me. Don't say our Lord's name, Mudblood."

"The Dark Lord lives within Potter," Bella said, eyes wildly gleeful. "Our Lord hated all those not of pureblood. All dirty creatures. I saw it in Potter's eyes today. My Master is there, living with him, living through him."

Something struck Hermione suddenly. "Where is Draco?"

"He's a little out of it at the moment," Rabastan said coldly. "I have an idea on what to do with him though. Ought to prove right entertaining, it should." He moved to the corner of the room. "Ennervate." Hermione breathed a sigh of relief. Draco was still alive. "Hello, baby Lucius. Come and join the party."

"Oh, leave that scum there," Bella said.

"Why? He is friendly with Potter. Marietta has told me about it. I think he might be an asset if he joined us. Why can't we give him a chance to prove himself? Wouldn't it be harder on Lucius to know that he changed sides for naught? That his son still followed our Lord's path?" Terence pleaded. He'd had two years to know Draco, and he always thought him worthy of becoming a Death Eater. Why not give him one chance?

"No," Bella said immediately. "I made a promise to Lucius that I would rip the boy's heart out before his eyes. I will keep that promise."

"So, do that by ripping Lucius' heart out. Seeing his son join us and dying while knowing he failed his child will be a worst fate," Antonin agreed. "I've always liked Lucius. If it would be up to me, I would see if he wanted to join us again. He probably just switched to save his own hide. It's no more than we would have done, given the chance."

"He's a traitor," Bella hissed. "Severus as well."

"I've always liked Severus. He played a good game of chess," Rabastan murmured. "It was Lucius I had a problem with. Always flaunting his money about as if he were better than us. Hell, we did the dirty work most of the time."

"Enough!" Bella turned to Draco. "Imperio. Draco, you will come assault the Mudblood sexually. You will fuck her, and we shall watch."

To Hermione's horror, Draco stood up and began to fumble with his pants. "No!" Terence called. "I want first taste at her. We agreed that she would be my Mudblood."

"Very well," Bella said. "Stop, young Malfoy." Draco paused just before he would unbutton his last button on his trousers. He eyed Hermione intently. Hermione wished that she could read minds. She knew that Draco had to play along. They had to do what they had to do in order to survive. Harry would come for them. Severus and Lucius would come for them.

"Well, I can't do it if you're watching," Terence said uneasily.

"You aren't planning something, are you?" Rabastan asked. "Have you fallen for the girl, and are trying to save her?"

"I'm not fucking thick, you know," Terence said indignantly. "If I wanted to protect her, she wouldn't be here, would she? I want her to be my Mudblood whore." He stalked over to Hermione. She flinched away, but he pulled her up by the hair. Deftly pulling a knife from his boot, he severed a large strand of hair. He then took his blade and sliced a cut in her arm.

"Owww," Hermione complained. It only smarted slightly. He hadn't put much pressure on the knife. It seemed that he just wanted to draw blood.

"Were you two engaged?" he asked incredulously, pulling the ring off of her finger.

"We are," she said defiantly. "We will be married."

Terence smirked. "In the next world maybe. Not this one, Granger." He took a strip of leather from an old coat that had been lying on the floor. After smearing Hermione's blood all over the thick lock of hair and ring, he rolled them inside the material. "I'm going to be back in a moment. I'll mail a little parchment to your lover saying what a good fuck you were, and it was a pity that I had to kill you."

"No," Hermione said, launching at the boy. He merely threw her back against the wall. The pain in her side increased, so she simply let herself slide down. Antonin crouched down next to her, groping at her breasts for a moment.

"I think I'll have some of you as well. I've thought of you every fucking day for the last couple of years, Mudblood. Payback has always been on my agenda where you're concerned," he said, squeezing her breast painfully. Hermione whimpered and looked to Draco. She could see that his breathing had quickened, and his knuckles were white with his rage. She prayed that he would keep his cool. If she could put up with this, then he should be able to.

The aching in her side was nothing like the aching in her heart. When Severus saw that ring, her hair, and the blood, he would think that she had died. What if Harry's magic didn't work? What if they never found her or Draco? She said a silent prayer to hurry Harry and Severus along. If Severus lost control, who would control Harry? She closed her eyes to pray for sleep, for a dulling of the pain and worry, for Severus.

Draco wanted to fight the bastard that was pawing on Hermione, but he knew that he could do nothing if he wanted to buy some time. If he wanted to live. If Hermione was to live. The others would be coming. His eyes widened as Rabastan moved towards him, groping his own cock. "I've always wanted to fuck Lucius over, you know. He was a right bastard to most of us. Prison is such a lonely place." The man sighed dramatically before glinting at Draco evilly. "On your knees, boy."

~~~~~~~~~~~~SS~~~~~~~~~~~~HG~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dawlish, Shacklebolt, and Tonks entered the office of Cornelius Fudge near noon. With a broad grin on his face, Shacklebolt said, "You have to come with us, sir. You are being incarcerated, pending an investigation. There is substantial evidence that links you and Dolores Umbridge to a break out from Azkaban last night."

"That's absurd! We were at my place all evening. You can't just barge in here. I have work to be getting on with," Fudge said indignantly. Sweat began pouring from his brow. This was it. They'd found out somehow.

"You can come quietly," Tonks said.

"Or we'll take you by force," Dawlish finished.

Fudge stood up abruptly. "You will pay for this. I will prove you all wrong."

"Actually, sir, it's a closed case already. We're just going to detain you until you can get a full trial in front of the Wizengamot." Shacklebolt smirked as he magically bound the man's hands.

"Preposterous! What are the charges?" Fudge said, clearly worried.

"Aiding known criminals, assisting with two counts of jail breaking from Azkaban, the use of an Unforgivable Curse, the clearing of one's memories without just cause or permission, and the list goes on. We also have reason to believe that you are involved in the escape of Bellatrix Lestrange and the murder of Carlton Warrington," Dawlish said, reciting from a list.

"Dawlish, you and I have worked together for many years. You know I wouldn't do those things," Fudge said uneasily.

"You will have a chance to rebuff the charges during your trial," Dawlish responded, tight lipped. "Come along. Minister Bones would like a word with you as soon as she has finished her conversation with Madame Edgecombe. Madame Umbridge has already been taken in."

A dejected Fudge followed Dawlish out of the room. Tonks and Shacklebolt exchanged happy glances. For the first time in months, it seemed the Ministry had caught the inside infiltrators with enough proof to lock them away for a long time.

~~~~~~~~~~~~SS~~~~~~~~~~~~HG~~~~~~~~~~~~

Harry threw on his Invisibility Cloak and placed his extra wand in its pocket, just in case he'd have a need for it. His plan would work. He whispered the spell that would bring him to Hermione. A faint green smoke materialized in front of him and snaked off in the direction of the lake. He followed at a quick gait. If his calculations were correct, Hermione and Draco had been gone for about forty minutes. There was no time to leave a trail for Severus, Lucius, or Dumbledore. He had to act fast. He knew how to let them know where he was once he found his mates.

The snaky smoke circled the spot where Hermione had lain after they'd hit her with a hex. It then slithered towards the forest. After walking for nearly ten minutes, his magical guide stopped. "They must have Apparated from here." He began testing for traces of their Apparition, but he found nothing. Too much time had passed. He held out his hand towards the smoke and grinned as it curled around his arm. "Ssssyyethhssss Ssykasheesssss." Crack!

Harry found himself outside of a large estate home. So, the idiot had brought Hermione to his house. Why was it that the Aurors had not found a trace of Bellatrix or Terence? There must be a secret chamber or dungeon here. Digging into the back of his mind, he pulled up every memory of Voldemort that he had, everything that he'd seen in the man's mind, and everything that he'd ever heard about him. He let anger seep into his body, he let the darkness fog his mind, and he placed an evil smirk on his face. Voldemort would be like a fresh dessert compared to what he would do to them if they'd harmed a hair on Hermione's head... or Draco's.

He approached the front door, and without bothering to knock, he magically unlocked it. No wards? Harry laughed. The old fool thought he was safe, eh? Harry walked in easily, warding the door to seal behind him. Nobody in this house would get out without his knowledge. Ambling down the hall, he noticed a door, slightly ajar, to his left that caught his attention. He whispered for the smoky snake to precede him into the room. Harry held back a snigger at the old wizard's expression.

It must have looked odd to see the door open with only a smoky, greenish snake gliding in the air come through. "Good Lord," the man rasped. Harry saw him clutch at his chest. "Who are you?"

Harry thought this would be a good moment to remove the hood on his cloak. He did so slowly, glaring at the man hatefully. "You have something that belongs to me," he said in a low deadly voice that would have made Severus proud. "I do not appreciate you taking what is mine."

"Potter," the man said firmly, though Harry noted the fear in his eyes. "I have nothing of yours. There has been a mistake."

"No mistake. I smell her," he said, cackling at the man's sharp intake of breath. "I have marked her. She is here. Ssssyyethhssss." The smoky snake began circling the room slowly and made for the door. "I am going to follow my guide, and if I find what I already know is here without your cooperation, I will kill you and everyone here."

"Wait," the man said, standing slowly. "She is here. I... I will bring you to her, my Lord." Harry narrowed his eyes as the man approached him and kneeled before him. A sudden surge of feeling his power flowed through Harry's veins. This man was paying his respects to him. This man would do anything he asked. Was this how Voldemort felt? Harry growled derisively. "Get up, old man. Show me." The man walked out of the room slowly with the smoky snake following him. Harry pulled his hood back on to remain invisible. For their sakes, and his own, Hermione and Draco had better be alive.

~~~~~~~~~~~~SS~~~~~~~~~~~~HG~~~~~~~~~~~~

Severus wiped his weary eyes before standing. "So, we will just stick to the plan then. We all go to the Burrow tonight, and after a while, the three of us sneak away to go to Higgs Manor."

"Yes, yes. There is no way they can hide Bella and the others. I just hope the Ministry does their part in this. There has to be some way to prove that Fudge and the others were involved." Lucius put his tumbler aside. "You've been here for just over an hour, Severus. We've been talking in circles."

"Who is your spy? Why can't you just tell me?" Severus asked for the third time.

"I don't want to say, Severus. If he had anything to do with Warrington's death, then the less people who know, the better," Lucius said.

Severus sneered. "I think Bella had him killed, so as to not tell anyone of their plans."

"Likely," Lucius agreed. "All the same. I swore on my wand to not tell anyone the nature of our association unless I positively had to. I don't think that this warrants that."

"Understood," Severus said. "If we are sticking to the same plan, why was it so urgent for me to come over? You could have just waited a couple of hours. I thought maybe your spy had found out something important that would help us."

"Hang on, Severus. What are you on about? I didn't ask you to come here?"

"Yes. I got the owl from you saying..." Severus' face paled considerably. "We've been set up. They are making their move!" He strode quickly to the Floo and threw in some powder. Nothing happened. "Unward this!"

"It's not warded from within," Lucius said, heading for the door. "It's been jammed."

Both men scrambled to get outside, past Lucius' Apparition wards. Once in the clear, they Apparated to the front gates of Hogwarts. Neither spoke as they ran to the front entrance. Two smug men were shaking hands with Albus, Minerva, and Rolanda. "We've tried to contact you numerous times," Rolanda said. "These two blokes are here about what happened yesterday and last night. They've just told us that Fudge, Edgecombe, and Umbridge have all been arrested for involvement."

"Bout time the Ministry does its job," Severus said with a sneer. The two young men shuffled uncomfortably, remembering their old Potions master's ire. "Headmaster, I must talk to you."

Albus nodded. "If you will excuse us, gentlemen, I shall allow the ladies to see you off the grounds. We appreciate the information that you have given us. Poppy will be waiting for someone from the Ministry to come for Miss Edgecombe within the hour."

"Thank you, Headmaster." Minerva and Rolanda ushered the men away before they could question either Severus or Lucius.

Once they were out of earshot, Lucius spoke, "Headmaster, we have been duped, Severus and I. We think they are planning to do something with Granger and Draco today. They wanted Severus out of the castle."

A large, black eagle owl swooped down on Severus. "What the bloody fuck is this owl about?" It was trying to peck him as he tried to take the parcel.

"Severus, Lucius," the headmaster began, "they have already come. Hermione and Draco were taken. They were out by the lake. Professor Steward tried to intervene, but he is now in the infirmary alongside Miss Edgecombe. They were both hexed."

"Shit," Lucius bellowed. "My son is gone." Albus noticed the man looked broken and furious at the same time.

"Hermione," Severus whispered. "Where is Harry? He can track her. He put a spell on her." Severus had hope and thanked Merlin that the boy had gone on his own to place that enchantment on her.

"He is in his dormitory," Albus said. "We'll go get him. Don't you want to open your package?" Dumbledore nodded to the small box in Severus' hand.

Numbly, Severus opened the box. There was a bundle of leather, he unwrapped it easily and nearly vomited. Matted hair and his mother's ring were inside, soaked with blood. Blood that had to be Hermione's.

"Good Lord," Lucius said, stooping to pick up a fallen piece of parchment. "Oh, Severus," he said sadly, handing the page to the man. Severus couldn't believe what he read. She was dead. They'd killed her. They had killed his Hermione.

"Find Harry. Meet me in the dungeons," he said, throwing the parchment down. He hoped that Lucius would stay with the headmaster. He needed a few moments to compose himself. By the time he made it to his chambers, tears were flowing down his cheeks. She was gone. All he had left of her were her things that were in his room, a long lock of her hair, and a bit of her blood. He went to his bedroom and stared at his bed. Without thinking, he laid down on her side and pulled her pillow to his face. He had never told her that he loved her. She died not knowing how he felt. She knew, Severus. You told her in the dream. You showed her each day.

"I didn't say it," he said miserably, trying to inhale the remnants of her scent. Jasmine. He could not live without her. Hermione was his life. He would assist Harry in finding her, what was left of her, and they would destroy the bastards that took her. Maybe there was still some hope for Draco though that was highly unlikely. He would do what he could to avenge her, and then he would join her. There was no future for him if Hermione wasn't in it.

Lucius barged in. "Potter is gone!"

"What?" Severus asked, jumping up.

Albus walked in, looking solemn. "I'm afraid that Harry has left. I fear that he has gone after them."

"Let's go to Higgs Manor. It's the only place we can start. We will force that old bastard to talk to us," Severus said angrily. "Damn it, Harry!" Lucius flinched with Severus' sudden outburst. Without warning, Severus began blasting things and kicking furniture. Lucius went to stop him, but Albus placed a hand on his shoulder. Severus pushed over his table, and the little sphinx that Hermione had given him for his birthday tumbled onto the floor. He kneeled down to cradle the figurine to him and wept, openly and loudly. He wept for his mother, his lost love, and for life itself. He'd finally dreamt of living again, only to have it snatched away. They would die for destroying what was his.

Suddenly, something began to burn in his flesh. His eyes met those of Lucius' briefly. Both men began rolling up their sleeves to see their Marks. The Mark was glowing bright crimson and felt as if it were aflame. "We are being summoned," Lucius said incredulously. "What the fuck is going on here?"

For the first time in a couple of days, Albus' eyes were twinkling. "I think your new Dark Lord is having his first meeting. I would imagine he wants to see all of his members and see who are loyal to him. I suggest you go, and we will send people to Higgs Manor to investigate. I expect to know where you are as soon as you can."

"They might still be alive yet, Severus," Lucius said, a new hope in his voice. "Let's go."

"Right then. Stick to the plan we discussed."

~~~~~~~~~~~~SS~~~~~~~~~~~~HG~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Hem, hem," Umbridge said with a false smile. "If you would allow me to speak, I could tell you that I have no idea what you are talking about. Cornelius and I were at his flat all evening. There was no Flooing, no owling, and no leaving."

"Look, Dolores," Minster Bones said coldly, "we have a statement from Madame Edgecombe. She claims that you ordered her to stop all Floo traces in Fudge's home, your home, both offices here, Percy Weasley's flat, and you told her that Malfoy Manor's Floo needed to be disconnected as of this morning. So, if there happened to be Floo activity, we wouldn't know about it. The jig is up. We know you were at Azkaban last night."

"Give me Veritaserum if you must. I am telling the truth," the toad-like woman replied sweetly. "This is a big misunderstanding."

Arthur Weasley moved forward. "Madame, you were Obliviated last night. We have found your security pass on the grounds of Azkaban, and we have proof that you were there. We know your codes opened those doors. Your palm print was used. You may have no recollection, but you are guilty."

Dolores couldn't speak. She honestly had no remembrance of what he was saying. Well, that would mean that Fudge had done this to her. Maybe. "Has Cornelius been Obliviated as well?"

"He was the one that Obliviated you. He didn't think to clear his wand, the berk," Tonks said snidely. "Where were you the night that Bellatrix Lestrange escaped from Azkaban?" The woman before them seemed to shrink away. She did have recollection of that. How they had put that together, she would never know. As far as she knew, the witch was supposed to have been disposed of. It was no more than what she deserved, the trash.

"I refuse to speak until my representation is present," she said sweetly, smiling softly.

"Fair enough," Minister Bones said. "Take her to the holding room."

~~~~~~~~~~~~SS~~~~~~~~~~~~HG~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hermione was pulled roughly to the corner, opposite of the one that Draco had been dragged to. Terence was unbuckling his trousers. He lowered his voice to a whisper, "Look, I won't be rough with you. I promise, but I need you to cry and moan as if I am. If you want to live for a while, play my game. Being my personal slut is better than being dead. Only when others are around will I mistreat you like this... unless you give me a reason."

Hermione nodded numbly. She was going to be raped. Someone other than Severus was going to enter her. Would he even want her after she was used? She couldn't bring her eyes up to see what was happening to Draco. She had heard a scream and some blows being exchanged, but she couldn't bring herself to look. She only hoped that he would not watch what Terence was about to do to her. At that moment, the old man came back into the room.

"What the hell is wrong with you, Higgs?" Bella asked, pushing Antonin aside.

"He knows," the old man said.

"He?" Bella asked with a sneer. "What is that green smoke?"

Hermione felt a tremor pass through the room. The candles began flickering as an eerie breeze began flowing through the room. There was a sudden hissing and murmuring all around them. Terence flew away from her with a scream and slammed into a wall. In the other corner, Hermione saw Rabastan fly away from Draco. To her relief, Draco was still dressed, but his face was slightly bruised. Hopefully, he hadn't been compromised. It felt as if Harry was there. Hermione stood up quickly and made for the smoky greenish mist in the middle of the room. "Sit down, Mudblood," Antonin yelled.

"Terence! Rabastan! What is going on?" Bella asked, looking around wildly. "Explain your wards, old man!"

"He is here," the old man said. The old man kneeled down and bowed his head. The smoky snake circled Hermione's waist protectively. It was then that Harry threw off his Invisibility Cloak. His face had never been so distorted with rage. Hermione nearly backed away, but he held out his hand to her. She stepped into his embrace and began crying.

"Who has touched her?" he asked icily. Terence, Bella, Antonin, and Rabastan all moved forward. Bella dropped to her knees next to old man Higgs, but the others eyed Harry defiantly. Terence seemed indecisive. His father pleaded with him to kneel down.

"Why should we kneel to a child?" Antonin asked scornfully. "I'm surprised at you, Bella."

"It's our Master. He lives in Potter," she said, bowing her head.

"Who has touched her?" Harry repeated, eyeing Terence. The prat had been standing over her, unfastening his trousers. It had to have been him. "Someone cut her hair and assaulted her."

"We don't have to tell you anything. Prove that our Lord lives within you," Rabastan said, going for his wand.

Harry's anger was rising. Hermione could feel him shaking. The temperature in the room seemed to be dropping. He flicked his wand, and the other man's wand flew into his hand. Harry snapped it in half. "Who has touched her?"

Rabastan kneeled down next to Bellatrix, warily watching Harry. Draco made his way to the others. "Harry, you made it," he said with a smirk. His face was bruised worse than Hermione had thought. His lip was bloodied, and he had finger marks along his neck.

"Of course I did," Harry said coldly. "Kneel down with the others." Draco smirked even more and took a knee next to the old man. "Serpensortia!" A snake flew out of Harry's wand. "Engorgio." The snake grew to a larger size. "Ssssyyethhssshkaa." Harry watched as the snake slithered towards the two standing men. Antonin kneeled down quickly while Terence backed away. "Who touched her?"

"It was me," Terence said. "I only cut a lock of her hair and made one small flesh wound for blood. I didn't hurt her. You can ask her." The boy was stammering and full of fear as the large viper languidly moved to him.

"My Lord, please, spare my son," the old man said. Harry turned blazing green eyes in his direction.

"He would not have spared her. Why should I? What good is he to me?" Harry asked. "Speak."

"He is an asset. He will live to do your bidding. Anything, my Lord," the old man pleaded.

A whisper of Parseltongue halted the snake's progress. "Come here, boy," Harry said. "Mione have a seat." Hermione moved to a chair and watched this new side of Harry as he walked forward. He whispered to the snake, and it made its way back to coil near the others. Terence unsteadily made his way to Harry. "I have her Marked. There is no place that she can be that I couldn't find her. She belongs to me."

"But, she is a Mudblood. You... you have the Weasley girl," the boy said, flinching.

"Yes, that's right. I have the Weasley girl. This girl, though," he said, eyeing Hermione, "is my right hand. She will never be harmed. Ever. She is to be for Severus only. No sharing."

"That traitor!" Bella said. Harry flashed his eyes in her direction.

"A traitor with no secrets from me. He has always been loyal to me." Harry grinned wickedly, forming a plan. "You think just because I share my body with Tom Riddle that I can't make my own decisions? Riddle... Voldemort, you decide what to call him. I destroyed him. Join me or die. Kneel," he directed to Terence. The boy wasted no time kneeling. Harry drew his wand, and the door to the far left banged open. Hermione gasped as she saw a large snake slither out. Nagini.

Harry began conversing with Nagini in Parselmouth. The snake seemed to affectionately rub her head against Harry's leg as she made her way to the other large snake. Harry directed numerous other snakes to remain in the room. They had been filing out after Nagini. Harry then walked back to the group of kneeling people. "Nagini says that she has been well cared for. I thank you," Harry said to the old man. "She is loyal to me, and she will kill anyone who tries to do me ill." He cackled in perfect imitation of the old Dark Lord. "Malfoy, what was occurring between the two of you when I came in?"

"I was being assaulted, my Lord. They tried to use the Imperius on me to assault Hermione." Draco's eyes never left Harry's face as he spoke.

"Rise." Harry walked around the group once. "Rabastan Lestrange, do you refute these charges?"

"I do not, my Lord. How was I to know who was loyal to you? How was I to know that I was even loyal to you? This is something new to me," the man admitted. "I've had only one Master for all my life, mostly, and here is a new one ready to take his place. I just needed proof."

"An honest answer," Harry moved forward. "Legilimens!" Harry saw numerous flashes of the man's life. Mostly scenes from Azkaban. He had been abused whilst a prisoner. Harry sensed no guilt for any past deeds the man committed. He also sensed that the man would attempt to harm him when his back was turned.

"My Lord?" the man queried, uncertainly as Harry backed away.

"Malfoy, you may seek revenge on Rabastan Lestrange for the wrongs he committed against you." Harry dared the man to move. Draco moved forward and kicked the man in the stomach. He moved back to his position. "Is that all, Malfoy?"

"For now, my Lord. I request permission to kill him if he ever steps out of line."

"If I deem it necessary, yes," Harry answered smoothly. "Hermione, I will not allow you to seek retribution against Terence for the wrongs he committed to you." Hermione gave him a puzzled look. "That will be for Severus to do."

"Thank you," Hermione said softly. "My Lord," she added as an after thought.

Harry walked forward and grabbed Antonin's arm. He pulled the sleeve back and saw the Mark. It was his Mark: a phoenix and snakes. He traced his thumb along the mark and felt powerful magic simmering there. It was a heady feeling, knowing that he could be someone of position and power. "We shall see who it is that answers my call," Harry said, digging his thumb into the Mark. Bellatrix and Rabastan began cradling their forearms as if to relieve the pressure.

Smirking, Harry stepped back. Severus and Lucius would be coming. He was glad. He was having too many ill thoughts. The power, the urge, the rage, and the darkness seemed to want to take hold. He almost enjoyed acting like a Master. There was one thing that he didn't like about this. If they did the right thing, who would guarantee that they wouldn't escape again to come after them in the future? Harry longed to end all of their lives. He longed to let Nagini feast. Absently, he patted Nagini's head. He reached over to pat his conjured snake's head as well. "I think I shall call you Loony. That's an honor, you know." Harry's eyes met those of Bella's. "We must have a little chat, you and I."

"Yes, my Lord," she murmured, lowering her head.

~~~~~~~~~~~~SS~~~~~~~~~~~~HG~~~~~~~~~~~~

Molly sat on her son's bed holding a set of robes in her arms. She could still smell the scent of his cologne on the fabric. Percy had tried to sever ties with them a couple of years ago, and it had hurt every day since then. To know that he'd never stopped loving them, according to Harry, mollified her a little. Wasted time! So much of it. Why hadn't she tried harder to make amends with him? He was her third child, and being quite honest, her most ambitious son.

"Mum," Ginny said softly, "I've found his journal. It's just here. It won't open, so he must have warded it."

"Give it to me, dear," the older witch said with a sad smile. "Go check on Ronald for me, love. He didn't look all right."

"You don't look all right either, Mum," Ginny said, handing the journal containing her brother's last thoughts to her.

"None of us do," the woman whispered. "Go on while I box up some more things."

Ginny nodded and left the room. Ron was still sitting in the corner, slouched against the wall. "Ron? I know this is hard for you, but you have to shake this. Things will get better. They have to."

"Shake this? You just don't understand," Ron said miserably. "I hated Percy. Own brother and all! Then, Luna, she's down because of me as well. It just doesn't sit right with me, is all."

"Ron, we all had mixed emotions where Percy is concerned. He chose to walk out on us. You might have thought that you hated him, but you didn't. Not deep down. As far as Luna, Merlin, that was terrible, but that is not your fault, Ron. Those berks did this. They will pay for what they've done. Harry will see to it. In fact, he's doing it now."

"What?"

"I feel... something. Remember the spell he put on me? It seems like it is still working. I was feeling extra sorrow, not my own, you know? Now, I feel righteous rage, and there is such a flow of power. I think he's doing something," Ginny said.

Ron sprung up. "Not without me!" She grabbed his arm.

"You don't even know where he is or what is happening, Ron! Stay with us! How do you think Mum would feel if another son was hurt? Or, worse, killed? He'll be all right, Ron," Ginny said, pulling her brother to her for a tight hug.

Ron nodded. "After we box some of Percy's things, want to go to St. Mungo's for a bit to see Luna?" Ginny simply nodded in agreement. To be honest, she didn't feel like seeing Luna's pale face or blank eyes. It was too much. The curse felt like her fault more than anything. She pushed the memories from the previous day away. There were more important things that needed to be done. No time to wallow in self-pity.

~~~~~~~~~~~~SS~~~~~~~~~~~~HG~~~~~~~~~~~~

Rolanda smiled at the hexed man once more. "Drink up. That's a boy." She was holding a glass of water for him. "Enough?"

"Thanks," he said, voice barely audible. "Why have I not been healed yet? Is there something more?"

Yellow eyes looked away for a moment. "Poppy says three different things hit you at once. It's been a slight bit difficult to heal you up easily. When the Aurors come to take the bitch over there away, they are also taking you with them. You will be transferred to St. Mungo's. After what happened to that Warrington kid, they are going to have a guard on duty with you at all times. No chances now."

Stuart smiled. He didn't like the sad look on the usually spunky witch's face, but he wouldn't let on that he noticed anything. "Well, I'm sure they will fix me right up. I'll be back here to race you in no time. I think we should use our own," cough, "brooms this time. The school brooms just do nothing for a person."

"You're on, old boy!" Rolanda said excitedly. "Never can turn down a challenge." The tired man drifted back to sleep. For a brief moment, Hooch debated on going to smother that Edgecombe tart, but alas, they would likely know that she did it. There had to be something more that she could do though. Why sit around at Hogwarts? Rolanda determinedly made her way to the entryway. Lucius and Severus were running out of the castle without a backward glance. Albus came walking up swiftly. "Where are they off to? Did they find them?"

"Harry is summoning them. I think that Harry has found Hermione and Draco, but I'm not sure what state they will be in. They've made a plan, and I believe that this plan will end things once and for all." Albus looked around. "Where is Minerva?"

"Well, after we saw those blokes off the grounds, we came in. She picked up a parchment just over there. Said she had to go to her chambers. Haven't seen her since," Rolanda said. "Stuart is sleeping again. Poor bloke. I do hope they can heal his... er... problem." With a slight chuckle, she added, "With his bits."

"I think I need to see to Minerva. I can only imagine what parchment she found. I hadn't noticed it being dropped." The old wizard shook his head sadly. "I thought Severus still had it."

"All right, but I want to do something. No action for me? Sitting here seems like torture."

"Meet me in the hall in about twenty minutes. I need to see to Minerva," Albus said softly. "If I'm correct, the parchment she found was the one that told Severus that Hermione had been tortured and killed." Rolanda gasped. "Yes, they sent a lock of her hair and his mother's ring back. Covered in blood. I fear Severus will not get past this, Rolanda. We shall have to take extra care with him to ensure that he doesn't harm himself."

~~~~~~~~~~~~SS~~~~~~~~~~~~HG~~~~~~~~~~~~

Travers and Mulciber eyed each other fearfully. They had been on the run since their Master had fallen. Some strange things had been happening. The previous day, they each fell to their knees with the old, burning pain from the Dark Lord's Mark. Upon further investigation, they'd realized that the Mark had changed! Now today, they were clearly being summoned. Each knew that if they didn't go, it would only throb and get worse until they would black out from the pain.

Mulciber said, "I don't know if we should go or not. This could be a trap designed by the Ministry."

Travers shook his head. "Nobody but our Lord could have altered our Marks. He must have found a way to come back. We have no choice. Bloody Potter brat must have failed in defeating him again, the little bastard."

"Perhaps we don't. I am tired of being on the run, living in hovels, stealing food to survive. If our Master is back, we need him. If it's a trap, at least we'll have a cozy cell with meals each day," Mulciber said thoughtfully. "I'm right glad they did away with the dementors in Azkaban."

"Let's go to our fate."

~~~~~~~~~~~~SS~~~~~~~~~~~~HG~~~~~~~~~~~~

Jonas Stebbins, former Hufflepuff, felt his Mark burning as he sat with his family for their lunch. He'd read that some of his old mates had escaped from Azkaban: first Bellatrix and then Rabastan and Antonin. He'd read about the goings on from the previous day. His Mark had burned and changed quickly at one point, and his new wife had nearly seen the Mark.

He'd been taking special care to never let her see his Mark. When it changed slightly, he had been relieved. He could always claim that he had some Phoenix and snake fetish. After his friend Cedric had been killed, he'd been fascinated with the Dark Lord. He had wanted to learn how a destroyed man could come back and orchestrate such horrific deeds as if he hadn't missed a beat.

Purposely, he'd begun hanging out in some dodgy spots, hoping to come across any Death Eaters that might allow him to join and take the powerful man's mark. His first intentions had been to help bring them down. To spy. To avenge his best mate's death. It was too late when he realized that he'd gone too far by accepting the Mark. He was mostly a behind the scenes follower. Nobody suspected him, so he, like Terence Higgs, was able to go out in the community to get things that his Master needed. They needed more people like him after Potter and his friends ousted a good portion of the followers. Even after they'd broken out, they couldn't show their faces in public.

Stebbins sighed regretfully. He'd never killed, raped, or tortured anyone. Once he got in, he couldn't get back out without risking death to himself or his family. Nobody would ever believe him. "I have to go out for a little while. I've just remembered something that I need to do."

"All right, love," his pregnant wife said, leaning over to kiss him softly.

His mum said, "Could you pick up some sweets while you are out, son?"

"Sure," he said with a false smile. He was going to answer the summons, but he didn't know what to expect. If the Dark Lord had found a way to come back, he had no choice. His wife, mum, and unborn child would not suffer.

~~~~~~~~~~~~SS~~~~~~~~~~~~HG~~~~~~~~~~~~

Harry circled the kneeling followers before him. Draco was the only one that he'd allowed to stand. It might be prudent to allow another to stand. It would cement to them that he was willing to accept them. "Higgs Senior, you may rise." The old man proudly stood next to Draco. Harry could have slapped the smile off of his face. He looked to Hermione. She was holding her side as if in pain. He strode to her. She had a few bruises on her, but aside from the minor cut and huge chunk of hair missing from her head, she seemed fine.

"What's wrong?" she asked softly. Her eyes were dulled. Harry needed to get her out of here. He pulled off his class ring, pointed his wand at it, and whispered, "Portus." His ring glowed blue for a moment before returning to normal. "Take this. Tell Albus what you know. Pomfrey needs to see to you."

"No, Harry, I want to stay with you," she said, but accepted the ring that was shoved onto her finger.

"Three, two, one," Harry counted. Hermione suddenly vanished. If one good thing had occurred, it was his ability to get her to safety.

"Where did you send the Mudblood?" Antonin asked. "She'll bring back Aurors, she will!" They all looked at each other uneasily.

Harry smirked and whispered something in Parseltongue. Nagini glided over to the nervous man and hissed menacingly. "I've sent her to get medical attention. Some of you seem to have worked her over. Severus will be along shortly to avenge her. After everyone is accounted for, and scores are settled, we will have to decide where to go from here." Harry patted the old man on the back. "Higgs, here, has a perfect hiding place. His dungeon is nearly impossible to find. Well, for most," he said arrogantly. "But, not to me. However, I think that they will be doing a more thorough search soon. We will have to find another place to hide you perhaps."

Conjuring a plush chair, Harry sat down. Thinking things over in his mind, he decided to take a page from what he'd witnessed in Severus' nightmare. "You can all get up." When Antonin tried to stand, Nagini struck his leg in two rapid successions. Harry shook his head and cackled. "Ssheekkayyssstheess." The snake moved away to coil by Harry's left side. The other snake, Loony, slithered over to coil by his right side. "Someone heal the blighter." Both Higgs moved forward to administer healing spells to the man's wounds. Harry knew that Nagini hadn't projected any poison in her bite. She was nearly putting pain and fear into them. She wasn't so bad, Nagini. Not once you had a decent conversation with her. She was brilliant!

Crack! Crack! Two men Apparated into the room and looked around wildly. They greeted their mates jovially before noticing an irate Harry Potter glaring at them intently. "I know you, Mulciber, but who is your companion?"

The confused wizard looked to the others. Bella spoke, "Potter is our new Lord. Our old Master lives within. Pay your respects."

The man kneeled down quickly and made to crawl to Harry's feet. Harry lifted a hand. "Stop. There is no robe kissing here. You are a man, aren't you?" He glared at the man still standing. "Is there a problem?"

"Yes," the man said tartly. "I'm not kneeling down to a child. I hate you. Hated you since you was a baby and all. Prayed you'd die."

Harry sneered. "It appears that your prayers have not been answered." The eerie wind began blowing through the room again. Harry whispered to Nagini and Loony. Both sprang forward. The man was knocked to his feet. Both vipers wrapped around his body tightly. One on his lower body, and the other around his torso. Harry shook his head. "It's really too bad about him, isn't it?" Harry suddenly realized who the man was. Some flash of memory that was once Voldemort's came through. Travers was the bloke's name. "It appears that Travers has never learned to clip that saucy tongue of his. I told him that if a Crucio wouldn't stop it, Nagini would." He saw the odd exchange between the others. His plan was working perfectly. They believed that the words he'd just spoken were those of Voldemort.

Crack! Crack! A wild-eyed Severus Snape and a livid Lucius Malfoy Apparated before them. "You may rise, Mulciber. Take your place among the circle." The man scrambled away to join the others. "Severus, Lucius, good to see you."

Lucius glanced to Draco to be sure that he was still alive and filled with relief. His son and heir still lived. Thanks again to Potter no doubt. Blast! He'd owe the boy so much. "Thank you, Lord Potter." Lucius wasn't exactly sure what to call Harry, but that seemed adequate.

Severus eyed everyone with his normal sneer. Harry noticed that he was looking around for Hermione. "She is safe, Severus. I've Portkeyed her to Hogwarts." The man let out a ragged breath, and Harry could see that his eyes were shining brightly. To save him from humiliation, he said, "I wonder who else will be coming? Is someone missing? Someone that is still alive that I don't know about? Someone I can't remember?"

Bellatrix spoke. "We have been in Azkaban, Master. We are unsure who died and who is running. I thought Travers to be long dead," she said, eyeing the twitching man uneasily. "I only knew of Antonin and Rabastan through Higgs."

"Higgs?" Harry questioned.

Before the old man could speak, there was another Apparition. Crack! A young boy, not much older than Harry, appeared before them. Blast! Stebbins! Harry had no idea. Anger boiled in his veins. This boy was a friend to Cedric! How could he have joined the bastard that had his mate killed? "So-sorry I'm late," the scared boy muttered. "My wife..." The boy swallowed hard, seeing two snakes squeezing the life out of one of their own.

"Take your places amongst the circle," Harry said quickly. "I suppose there is nobody else. I shall begin. Higgs, you can get with me after to discuss some that may be in hiding." The old man nodded. "Time to settle old scores." He walked to stand in the middle of the circle. "Severus, Lucius, and Draco have been loyal to me. I will not accept any bitterness towards them at any rate. I will also not accept any rubbish about someone's blood. I am a Half-blood just as Voldemort was before me." A couple of those present gasped. Harry scoffed. "Please, let me know if there is a problem." Harry eyed them all quickly. "Agreed that we will all put the past behind us and start anew after this day?"

"If I may speak?" Bella asked. Harry nodded. "If they betrayed our Lord, how do you know they won't betray you?"

"Good question, Bella," Harry said. She beamed brightly and looked smugly to the others. "We have the same beliefs. I delve into their minds easily and see their secrets. We've been working together for a long while. I trust them. I ask that you accept that."

"I do, Master," she said, nodding once.

"Very well. Rabastan has assaulted Draco." Harry heard Lucius' indignant growl. "I have given Draco the chance to take revenge. He has done so, and he requests the task of killing the man should he try to do us ill." Harry stared at the man coldly. "I have sensed that he plans to do just that, so I will keep a very close eye on him. Very close indeed."

"Sorry, Lord Potter," the man said quickly.

"Enough. On to Hermione," Harry said loudly, casting accusing glares to those present. "From what I gathered, she was hurt when she was hexed. She was roughed up a bit here by more than one of you, and Terence Higgs did the worst of it. He admitted to cutting her hair, slicing her arm..."

"What?" Severus yelled angrily. "He did what?"

"One moment, Severus," Harry said chidingly. Damn! He'd forgotten that Severus didn't know the details. "I found him towered over Hermione when I came. It seemed that he was considering an attempt to take pleasure. Severus, as punishment for his damage and attempted damage to your property, I leave this up to you."

Severus pounced on the boy before him, pounding him with his fists before wrapping his fingers around his throat. "You touched my Hermione! I will kill you." Harry gaped at the scene before him. He'd never known that his friend was so powerful. His hands were around the boy's neck, and he was holding him off of the floor to look into his eyes as the life began to drain away.

"My Lord?" Old man Higgs questioned. "My son. Please spare him."

Hell, Harry had been mesmerized by the bulging, fearful eyes and the feeble attempts to claw at the hands on his throat. Harry didn't want Severus to go to Azkaban. He conjured his Mark and manipulated it so that the song of the Phoenix could be heard. Not only would this calm his anger, but it would also quell the odd emotions he was feeling. It would also bring sense to Severus.

Severus watched as the boy under his hands wiggled desperately. Suddenly, he heard the song of a Phoenix. Said to relax most men and drive fear into the heart of the evil. Phoenix. Fawkes. Dumbledore. Trust. Hermione. Severus dropped the boy to the floor. As much as he wanted to kill him, he would have to allow him to live. If he killed him, he would go to Azkaban. Where would that leave his Hermione? Gods! Hermione was alive! Harry had saved her. As soon as this was over, he would kiss the boy. Well, no, he wouldn't, but he would find a way to show his appreciation. He turned his eyes away from the boy gasping on the floor to Harry. He nodded in acknowledgement. Sometimes it was hard to not answer the call of darker emotions.

Harry watched as Severus moved back into place. The Phoenix song was slowly ending. The reactions of the others had him puzzled. Rabastan, Antonin, Bellatrix, and Mulciber seemed deathly afraid. Old man Higgs seemed anxious about his writhing son. Travers was now dead. Harry felt no pang of remorse, but he knew that he would likely feel it later. Stebbins had tears in his eyes. Interesting! "Tend to your son, Higgs." The old man hurried forward. "Lucius, do you wish to take further action against Rabastan?"

The blond man sneered. "I will accept that my son has made the right decision."

"Very well," Harry said. "As only these three know, I have been researching a new spell that would combine the Imperius and the Cruciatus. My main researcher was Luna Lovegood." Harry sneered and stepped closely to the hollow-eyed witch before him. "Tell me. What's happened to her?"

"I have no countercurse, Master. It was something that I had been working on before... for you... er... for our old Lord. All of my papers were confiscated, so I went on what I had from memory. I am afraid that there is nothing that we can do for your... researcher." She dropped to her knees. "Please forgive me. Had I known, I would never have destroyed someone eager to help in our cause."

"We will find your papers. You will write down everything, and you will attempt to restore her. Only you can since you created it." Harry touched his chin for a moment. "In fact, we shall utilize this spell also. It's brilliant. Rise." Bella stood proudly.

Harry wondered how long they could actually keep up this charade before the Aurors came. He needed Bellatrix to figure out a cure for Luna. After that, then there would be hell to pay. He approached the young Stebbins. "Do you remember me?" Harry asked. The wizard nodded warily. Harry really wasn't all that much of a Legilimens, so he called Severus forward. "Check into his mind. I want to know why we don't know much about him." Severus pulled the nervous Stebbins to the side.

Draco winked at Harry. "My Lord?"

"Yes?"

"I need to use the loo." Harry chuckled at Draco's pained expression.

"Higgs, leave your boy alone. He is fine. Show Draco where the loo is." The old man sneered at Draco for a moment, but he led him away. Harry whispered for Loony to follow the pair. Just in case.

Severus motioned for Harry to come back. "A word."

"All right," Harry said, pulling Severus to the side. "What of him?"

"He's never really been involved in things. I felt a great deal of anger towards the Dark Lord for his friend's death. I believe he joined to seek revenge, but he became caught up in the mix of things." Severus eyed the boy again. "I will talk to Lucius, but I truly do not remember much about him. He was one of the newest berks to have joined up."

"Good deal," Harry said. "I shouldn't have let this happen." He nodded to the body of Travers, which Nagini was still wrapped around. "I... don't know. I just ordered it, and it was done."

"We will talk on that later, Harry. We have other issues to work with now." Severus gave him an anxious look. "Was Hermione all right?"

Harry nodded. "Frightened. Roughed up a bit. She'll be all right. I'm sure she can magic her hair to grow back quickly. Are you all right? You seemed... broken when you came. As if all was lost."

"I thought it was, Harry. I thought it was."

~~~~~~~~~~~~SS~~~~~~~~~~~~HG~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hermione appeared in the Infirmary. "Madame Pomfrey? Poppy? Are you here?"

She stopped as she saw the sleeping form of Stuart Steward before her. Poor fellow had tried to save them. She wondered what was wrong, and if his wounds were very serious, why was he still here? It was then that she noticed Marietta. That bitch! Hermione slowly made her way to the girl's bed. Her hands and feet had been magically bound to the railings on the bed. She didn't look like she had any serious wounds, so Hermione imagined that she was simply in a Bewitched Sleep until they decided what to do with her.

The urge to reach out and smother the girl scared Hermione. She backed away from her quickly. What had she been about to do? Holding her aching side, she made for the Great Hall. Surely, someone would be about.

Oddly enough, no students were in the hall, but three staff members were present. Professors McGonagall, Dumbledore, and Hooch all looked at her with surprise. Minerva ran forward and clutched her tightly. "My sweet girl! I thought I had lost you." Hermione had never seen the normally stern woman so riddled with emotion. "It was horrible to find that note! Are you really here?"

"I am. Where is Severus?"

Albus spoke quickly. "Did you not see him? Lucius and he left as soon as Harry summoned them." She shook her head. "You need to see Poppy." She was holding her side again. "Something is wrong."

"I just left from the Infirmary. Harry made me a Portkey to get in. Poppy isn't there," she said, wincing suddenly. It felt as if something was bursting. Rolanda reached over to help Minerva steady her.

"Calm down, girl. We'll see you there," the yellow-eyed witch said confidently. "We'll get you in to rest near Stuart. He'd like to know that you are all right before he goes."

"Go where?" Hermione inquired as they led her forward.

"St. Mungo's," came the reply. "They will be able to help him better."

They made their way back to the Infirmary. Hermione answered as many questions as she could about Harry's arrival, the brilliance of his control, and about Draco's welfare. Poppy tended to her as soon as she came back in. She had been in the back in her personal stores, finding potions. "I will have to give you three doses of this Hermione. I warn you that any medications that you are taking may be tampered with due to the potency. Understand?" Poppy asked firmly.

"Sure," she whispered. She wasn't taking any ongoing medications anyway. She needn't worry. She just wanted some relief. She wanted some rest. She wanted Severus. According to Dumbledore, he had been beside himself with grief. She trusted that he knew she was alive by now, but hoped that he wouldn't do anything brash. Harry needed his help more than ever.

As sleep began to overtake her, she heard Dumbledore telling Minerva that she was in charge. He and Rolanda had business at Higgs Manor. She also heard him telling her to see to Stuart and Marietta. He wanted them both transported quickly before they could ask too many questions about Hermione's condition. She remembered Poppy pulling a screen around her bed and feeling Minerva's hand holding hers.

"I think of you as a daughter, Hermione," the witch admitted. "I really do." Hermione wanted to reply, but she couldn't. Darkness came to her and with it, an unsettling dream.

"Hermione, why have you not called on me to come for you? You don't miss me?" a silky voice asked. She opened her eyes to see Severus standing over her bed.

"Severus, is everyone all right?" she asked softly. He nodded. She noticed that Professor McGonagall had dozed off. She moved over so that Severus could lay with her. "Hold me, Severus."

"With pleasure, love," he said, slipping in next to her. "I have missed you so much. This past month has been hard not being able to see you."

"Month? Good Lord! How long have I been out? Has Minerva been sitting here the entire time?" she asked incredulously. "Where is Harry? Draco? Ron?"

"Forget about them. Think about me. I want to love you. It's been so long." He kissed her cheek as he pulled her half on top of him. "Show me that you love me."

"You know I love you," she whispered fiercely. She pulled the short nightgown over her head and smiled at his appreciative glance. She had no clothing underneath. Minerva must have magically clothed her for bed. Severus' hands and mouth found their way to Hermione's breasts. She arched against his lips and fingers. Merlin! He always felt so good to her. She began unbuttoning his shirt eagerly, wanting to place kisses on his chest as well.

She could feel his erection pressed tightly to her bum. She wished that his pants would just vanish so that she could take him inside of her and show him how much she loved him. "I love you, Hermione." Her eyes met his for a moment, and something clicked. A month? Love? This was a dream. Severus was not real. He was here in dream form only, but he felt so good to her. So real. So much like the Incubus. Shit!

Hermione pulled away to look at the man under her. "Incubus?" she asked uneasily. The man simply smirked and vanished. What the hell was going on? They had defeated that spirit already, and it usually only left after it put up a fight. She snuggled down into her covers and gave the room a once over, one more time. The dream Severus was gone. Odd. She'd have to think about that later. For now, she was exhausted.

~~~~~~~~~~~~SS~~~~~~~~~~~~HG~~~~~~~~~~~~

Luna's unblinking eyes were still seeing all that happened around her. She couldn't communicate at all. The only thing she could do was lay there and listen to everyone. There was nothing that could be done. She might as well give up. The moment she drifted into sleep the most horrible night terrors would take over. She wanted to die. She didn't even feel as if there was magic within. It felt as if she was only a burden to those who cared for her. They all had lives, but she could just imagine them wasting away next to her bed. She'd only been here since the day before, and it felt like eternity.

Her father would come and cry. All he would talk about was her mum and how things could have been. Ron was the worst. He would come and say how he'd had all these plans for them. Ginny would just sigh and wish things had turned out differently. So did she. She wanted a life with Ronald and a bunch of little Weasley babies. She wanted to write for her dad. She wanted to look into her mum's failed experiments. There was so much she wanted to do.

It seemed that all she had to look forward to was days upon days of nothing and nightmare after nightmare of the most horrible things. The worst part was that she couldn't even cope properly. It would feel so good to have a big cry over the situation. She couldn't even do that. Her eyes were so dry that they burned. She would love to taste cold water on her tongue. Hell, she couldn't even feel it when they touched her skin, fingered her hair, or placed small kisses on her cheeks. She prayed for death to come. It was the only answer.

~~~~~~~~~~~~SS~~~~~~~~~~~~HG~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tonks, Kingsley, and Moody met Albus and Rolanda outside of Higgs Manor. He quickly brought them up to date on all that Hermione had told them. He explained most of Harry's plan to them. They decided to make a plan of their own. The situation was critical. If they went barging in at the wrong moment, things could go terribly wrong. As far as they all knew, Harry was pretending to be the new Dark Lord, and the others were following him. That was from what Hermione had seen, but since Severus and Lucius were summoned, there was no way to be sure what was happening.

"Hermione has kept a log of everything that's been going on. I'll hand that over to you as soon as we are back to the castle. For now, let's help finish this," Dumbledore said. All twinkling disappeared from his eyes. "Rolanda, I need you to stay just in the brush near the gate. If someone comes, activate this Portkey. It will bring you straight to me. It will be our only warning."

She hated missing the action, but someone did have to keep a lookout. It was best that the experienced blokes went in, she supposed. "Finish it then" Rolanda agreed. "Always ready for a good row. Someone tries to pull something out here, it'll be a bad day for them, it will! I'm tired of losing people I care about for ruddy Voldemort's cause!"

"Keep a sharp eye, you lot," Moody groused. "CONSTANT VIGILANCE! We don't know who is in there, or what we are dealing with."

Kingsley whispered Disillusion Enchantments on everyone. Tonks said, "Wotcher! Here we come!"

---

Southern's Notes: I do adore Harry this way. It'll get interesting soon! We'll see everything that happens inside the house in the next chapter.