A/N: Oops, for some reason this chapter was actually Chapter 3, hopefully it's fixed now! I tried to get it to replace the existing Chapter Two, without success...so after I tried the old 'delete and then re-post', I find out that the program won't let me. *sigh*. So, I'm faced with reposting the whole censored censored censored censored thing, or just putting it here. Guess which is gonna happen? Life is censored censored censored censored censored censored, and then censored censored censored censored! At any rate, at this point I'm too frustrated to think about doing anything other than just deleting the whole thing and taking up naked bungee jumping--but that would (a) make strong men weep (b) make women gasp (c) make the small children laugh and point fingers while (d) scaring the horses. So, here's the ORIGINAL second chapter. Will it ever get fixed? Dunno. All I can figure out is to delete everything and start over, which would be about as much fun as a long, slow root canal. Anyway, here it is....
Another note: well, this is now getting ridiculous, I'm my frustration level with trying to fix things is about at the 'screw it and be done' point...but I've been working very hard on resisting the temptation to just delete the whole damn thing and shred it. However, I've gotten too many good reviews to do that, so...I'm going to try ONCE MORE to post this chapter, then finish the story. After that, I really don't know at this point, but I do know enough to NOT make any final decision when I'm this angry and frustrated at a computer program. Especially since the sequel to this is moving along at such a fast clip. So, I hope you enjoy this fix...assuming you ever get to see it at all, that is.
See previous disclaimer
Chapter Two
"Avada Kedavra!"
Cedric Diggory realized what was happening just in time to know that he was going to die. He saw the brilliant flash of green streaking towards him….
…when all the molecules in his body felt like they were being portkeyed separately, simultaneously, in all different directions. There was a sensation of being torn to shreds at the most basic level, drawn through a sieve piece by piece, and then shoved back together like biscuit dough remnants.
He was dizzy, nauseous, disoriented, and off balance. Then, he fell on his arse.
It felt like he had landed on stone or concrete. A cacophony of sounds assaulted his ears; far too many to even begin to sort out. He was effectively blind from the spots and flashes that danced in his eyes. He began retching, but as all he had before entering the maze was a cup of Earl Grey, there was precious little in him to come up.
"Up we go, Cedric, there's a good lad," he heard a raspy voice say at his side. A strong arm linked beneath his, pulling him to his feet. "Sally, make sure you've got his wand, can't be leaving that behind."
When he heard his wand mentioned, Cedric realized that he must have dropped it when he fell. Instinctively, he began to struggle, wanting to be let loose to search for it, but the arm holding his refused to let go.
"My wand!" he croaked, somewhat surprised that he could talk at all. He felt a small hand press the familiar handle into his left hand, cool fingers wrapping around his to prevent him loosing it again.
"I've got it, we've got it!" A feminine voice rang out over the explosions and screams (?) that seemed to be coming closer. "Go, go, go!"
"Target is clear!" The voice from his other side rasped. Cedric had just enough time to realize that it was coming from the man holding his right arm before the familiar tug of a normal portkey jerked at him behind his navel.
After the cacophony they had just left, the silence was deafening. At least, that was Cedric's last thought before he passed out.
***
The former Miss Hermione Granger saw the threesome portkey out just before the first dent appeared in the blast doors. Part of her mind raced to calculate the amount of force needed to bend a meter of magically-reinforced metaloceramic alloy, but only a small part. A backup screen showing that particular corridor revealed only a dark, swirling mass which surged each time a resounding 'boom' came from the door. It was obvious that the door would not last more than another few strikes.
All around her, personnel were portkeying away now that their purpose had been accomplished. Turning, she regarded the one man she knew that she would have to drag from his post to safety.
"Neville, it's time to go."
The last of the Longbottoms shook his head. "No, 'Mione. This is my command. I won't abandon my post." Both of them almost fell as the entire complex shook to its foundations. A corner of the blast door ripped loose, and a gout of noxious flame shot into the room. Fortunately, they were the last two people there, and no one was injured. "I still have one last duty to perform." Reaching down, he put his palm flat on a glass plate, triggering the automatic scanning mechanism.
"Identify Neville Longbottom." His voice was calm, unhurried. The blast door boomed again, and more flames and smoke poured into the room.
The emotionless computer voice immediately responded. "Confirm Sir Neville Longbottom, Major, Commanding this installation." Inhuman screams and other sounds from the corridor were growing louder and louder.
"Action code Omega Zed. Repeat, Omega Zed. Confirm and execute." Another boom, and Hermione was sure that the next would bring the door crashing down.
"Confirm self destruct command. Self destruct in five seconds."
Neville straightened and stood to parade rest. He looked prepared to stand in that position for all eternity.
"Goodbye, Hermione, and godspeed. Tell my people I am proud of them."
With a rueful smile and a shake of her head, Hermione reached out and grabbed Neville's arm. "Gryffindor to the core," she almost laughed, as she activated her portkey. From the corner of her eye, she saw the much-abused door explode inward and come hurtling towards them. Then, they disappeared.
The multi-ton door slammed harmlessly into the far wall of the room just as the 50 kiloton nuclear device under Neville's chair went off.
***
When they landed in their designated safe house, Hermione turned to a sputtering Neville with the first grin she'd shown in far too long. If that grin was a little hysterical, well, Neville was too busy being outraged to notice.
"There, now you can say that you didn't desert…I kidnapped you, instead." She batted her eyes at him, suddenly reminding him of the girl he had attended Hogwarts with so many years past. "Think the courts-martial will forgive me for not letting one of our best generals get himself killed?" Sobering, she went on. "Nev, so many of us are gone already…please forgive me for not letting you throw your life away?"
Neville Longbottom had not earned a chest full of honors and awards by being stupid. Quietly, he took one of his oldest friends into his arms and held her as she allowed herself a rare moment to simply cry.
Of course, he would forgive her…as she knew that he already had.
