CHAPTER 2

Lying still for a minute, she listened closely for the first time in what felt like a life time, to the sounds around her, the fear filling the room. People all around her were still deep in battle, whether anyone had noticed whether or not she had fallen was not an issue she cared about. It was better this way, she would be able to go unnoticed and seek out Harry, she knew that finding him was important as he would be the only one who would believe her.

She opened her eyes and slowly got to her feet. Molly Weasley had gone, most likely back to war. With this thought the sense of urgency quickly crept in. She must take action now, she must help in ending this, in ending him.

She felt dirty having been used for years, living with a parasite inside her. Being used by that man and probably several others, she didn't want to dwell on it. She had something far more important to attend to, her wounds could be healed later.

She cautiously looked around the room but there was no sign of Harry or him.

She took off with a run and found herself at the bottom of the stone steps leading up to the Gryffindor common room. She had to plan this, she didn't want to become engaged in battle with anyone else, she needed to seek out Harry.

She wished she knew something about him which would indicate where he might go, how he might deal with facing the dark lord. She wished she knew something about the dark lord so that she would know at least where to start looking for them.

She was thinking so hard, a harsh ring and cry of the battle from the other room bursting inside her, she couldn't concentrate, all she could see when looking at the past was blank, dark and cold. She really had no idea how she got here or why.

A thought. Dobby. He would help. He hates dark magic and wants the dark lord gone as much as the next person. If she could show him an act of kindness he might be willing to help? To assist?

She ran to the kitchens where she knew the elf would be, unless the house elf's had been caught up in battle also?

She entered through the portrait hole into the warm comforting kitchens. Her lungs were filled with a mixture of smells, freshly baked bread, cakes, chicken soup and roast beef. She did think it slightly strange, full meals being prepared with everything that was going on upstairs. Then again, unless a house elf is told what to do by his master, they would simply carry on as normal.

"Dobby" she called out in a small soft voice, "Dobby, are you here?".

She heard a small shuffling to her left and an old house elf, whom she did not recognise from her time at Hogwarts, appeared.

"Dobby is dead".

She was shocked. Her one independent thought she had had in what felt like an eternity, and it was gone. He was dead.

She stood routed to the spot, not sure what to do next. The dark fog covering her brain once more it felt till she managed to shake it free.

She realised she had all the house elves in front of her, watching her quietly, some had weapons and all looked unhappy to see her.

"How did he die?" she asked the eldest who had broken the news.

This caused outrage among the elves.

She sunk to the floor with exhaustion and disappointment. She can't have? For what reason would she want or need to kill an elf?

She rubbed her temple, trying desperately to regain some control over her thoughts, over her emotions. Talking to herself, ok he's gone, he cannot help…. "help will always be given at Hogwarts to those who deserve it" a little recognisable voice reminded her.

She smiled. "Help me, please?" she asked the elves in a little voice. I need to find Harry Potter. I need to help him, I want to help him.

A loud crack echoed the kitchens and Kreacher had brought Harry Potter to the kitchens.

"Thank you Kreacher, I'd be dead by now if you hadn't rescued me". Kreacher gave his master a deep bow.

"Harry" Bellatix said in a quiet voice. "Please listen to what I must tell you".

Harry wheeled round and stared at her, eyes wide open.

"You're dead, Mrs. Weasley killed you." He couldn't believe what he was saying.

He raised his wand high, ready to battle Voldermort's most loyal servant.

"Please Harry, please just listen to what I have to say" she pleaded with him.

He noticed that she did not have her wand drawn, in fact it wasn't even in her hand, though this did not make him drop his guard.

"Ok then, spit it out" he spat at her.

"Harry, I have been where you have been. I have been to the place that is white and spoken with Professor Dumbledore, I have seen the vile part of Voldermort which is now dead. I was like you Harry, I was a Horcrux too, I was being possessed. Unable to think and feel for myself. Unable to decide just to follow. I am not a dark witch Harry and I want to show you. I need for you to trust me, to believe me. We need to defeat him and together we can do that."

She prayed he believed her. She didn't know what else to say so stayed quiet to wait his reaction.

"You killed Sirius. You killed Dobby. You tortured the Longbottom's and you tried to kill Ginny and Mrs. Weasley. Why should I believe this?"

He was angry with her. How dare she stand there and try and convince him of something he had seen for himself. He had seen that she was a dark witch, he had seen her dark magic, he had witnessed her love for death and glory. This was a trap. He had been brought here by Kreacher, he had been brought to his death. It all made sense.

She could see what he was thinking, she recognised the fear in his eyes.

"Harry, please believe me. I want to help."

Quickly thinking to herself she knew how to convince him. The Horcrux.

"Harry, I was one. I was a Horcrux. When my killing curse re-bounded off Molly Weasley it hit me. I don't fully understand how they work but that killed the Horcrux. How else would I know of that room. Of the brilliant unnatural white surrounding. Of the monster under the bench screaming and riddled with pain. Harry. Please, I am telling you the truth. I was under control. I'm not sure how or even why but together we can kill Voldermort once and for all. I can name every single Death Eater and locate every trace of dark magic. Please, believe me".

There was something in her voice that made her words seem real to him. Maybe it was the way she described the room only they had seen?

He was still weary of her but decided he needed all the help he could get.

"Are all the Horcruxes gone?"

"Yes, the snake was the last one".

"Where was he last?"

"In the Great Hall. News of your death reached him. He's angry. He nearly killed me, if it hadn't been for Kreacher, I would be gone".