I am sorry it took so long I had writers block. Some good news I now have a beata reader so please a big round of applause for Sara1985.

Once agian I say I don't own Harry Potter I only wish I did. Now on to the story.

Chapter 4- The Letter

The silence in the kitchen was deafening; everyone sat quietly at the table while Mrs. Weasley bustled about putting on a pot of tea. Not knowing who suggested it or how they were now sitting at the table staring at the contents of their cup and watching the steam rise or absentmindedly stirring the contents. No one said anything until Ron finally broke the silence as his mother sat down with her cup of tea.

"Daniel acts so much like him you know?" Ron says looking down at his cup of tea. "That same grin Harry used when he saw us at the Leaky Cauldron our third year," spoke Ron to anyone and no one at the same time.

The sound of the creaky step pulled everyone's attention to the stairs. All eyes were on Hermione as she cleared the corner and came around the table to sit next to Ron.

"How is he?" asked Mrs. Weasley,

"He's fine. He's still asleep," replied Hermione as she reached for Ron's cup of tea.

"I want to read you all something. It's a letter that Harry sent me," she said after taking a couple of sips. Setting the cup down, she reached into her back pocket and pulled out the folded letter. Without waiting she began reading the contents.

Dear Hermione,

I don't know what to say to you that would make this much easier. Both you and Ron know that when it comes to expressing myself, I was never good with words. But right now I will try. I wanted everyone in the wizarding world to believe that I was dead. (yes, even you and Ron) I know that making you all believe I was dead was cruel but I have a good reason; it's a good reason to me anyway.

After defeating Voldemort I searched the battlefield to find you both. In my search I found something that made my heart stop; in the mass of bodies I found the one thing that I fought for, taken away from me. My angel lay among the filth of evil that I fought so hard to rid the world of. I saw her, I saw Ginny, I saw my beautiful Ginny dead.

Hermione paused as gasps filled the room, but when no one said anything she continued;

My whole world stopped the moment I saw her. I cried, begged, and pleaded to all that was right and decent in the world to bring her back; offering my life in exchange for hers, but no one answered me. With a heavy heart I held her one last time in my arms and kissed her one last time with all the love I had for her and I walked away.
I had nothing to live for and I had nothing to go back to. Yes, I know I had you and Ron, but it wasn't the same. Don't get me wrong I love you like a sister and l love Ron like a brother. Nothing in the world could or would change that. It just would not be the same; I would not be the same. Just too many places and too many things to remind me of Ginny and I cannot escape the pain.

I didn't want to destroy what I saw happening between you and Ron. You are probably wondering what I'm talking about. I am talking about the way you two feel for each other; I see the way Ron looks at you Hermione when you're not looking and I could see the way you look at him and I didn't want to destroy that love with the anger and hate that consumed me. I didn't want the two of you to fight over me; you two did it long in enough in school and I didn't want to be the reason you two never got together. I never told any one this but I always knew the two of you would end up together. (And now if you two are not married now, Hermione I ask you that you walk up to Ron right now and smack him over the head really hard and call him a git for me and tell him it has been long enough.)

A course of chocked laughs echoed through the kitchen. With a small smile Hermione continued,

In all seriousness it is time I explain to you why a blue eyed boy with short black hair and a killer grin has just found you. His name is Daniel James Potter and he is the love of my life and I would trade my life for his in a heartbeat. His well being is the only thing that I care about now. I have always believed that after the war was over, when Voldemort was defeated that I would pay a heavy toll from his followers for the death of their master. Losing Ginny was just the beginning of it. My son now is the only thing I have left. If you are reading this now then it means that I traded my freedom or most likely my life for him. I ask you here and now to please Hermione, please take care of him for me.

You are the only one I trust. You are by far the most loyal, caring, brave, and down right scariest witch I know. I admit you are the only witch alive now that I am afraid of. I have always been scared of you. You are just as stubborn as I, maybe even more when you believe in something. You always looked out for me and that is something I need for my son. Also, you are the only one I know will take care of him, love him, and raise him for the person he is, not for who his father is or was. I know you are right person for the responsibility I just handed to you. If I didn't believe that you could do this then I never would have named you his godmother. You are my only hope. When they come and I know they will, I will not let myself be taken alive. Before I die I want to know that he will be alright. Please this is the last thing I will ever ask of you.

With all the love in my heart,

Harry J. Potter

Not even a hundred miles away in an unknown location Harry Potter slowly came to in a dimly lit room. His eyes fluttered open as he fought of the heaviness of his eye lids. A small groan escapes him as pain shots through his left shoulder and down to his right side and the dizziness and the nausea set in from the blinding pain behind his eyes and the pounding in his head. Biting down on his lip he took in his surroundings for the first time he noticed he was chained, and can hear faint voices coming from the other room. With everything he had left he pushed down the pain as he strained to hear what he could from the men outside.

"… Not how it was supposed to go but I imagine it will have the desired effects in the end no doubt. Just make sure I get what I want. I don't care what method you use as long as I have his son."

Harry's blood ran cold as he realizes his greatest fear is coming true. With the threat to his son's safety; Harry had renewed strength as he pulled on his chains trying to get free. With a deep calming breath Harry closed his eyes and concentrated on wandlessly and silently freeing himself from his bindings. After a few moments the chains gave way with a clang but not in time to prepare for his next move as the door to his cell swung open.

"Aah Mr. Potter so very nice of you to join us. You were not however in the possession of what we were seeking when we found you."

His fear set in as the hooded man approached him.

"How shall we get this information out of Mr. Potter? Any suggestions?"

"Veritaserum," replied a second man from the door, "But I prefer through pain. It is more fun that way." The man said as he stepped into the room drawing his wand and aiming it at Harry's chest.

Before Harry respond, the cruciatus curse hit him. A blood curling scream escaped him as he thrashed around on the cold dirt floor trying to escape the thousands of knives cutting and stabbing him throughout his body. Moments later the curse was lifted but Harry still thrashed around in pain as his muscles continued to spasm. With heaving breathing and heavy eyes, Harry stared up at the man as he rolled on his side facing the man and the darkness swirled around him.

"You can make this quick and painless or slow and painful. It is up to you," said the man as he stepped into the room and squatted down in front of Harry.

"Either way we will get what we want and there is nothing you can do about it," said the man as he stood and kicked Harry in the head rolling him on to his back and the darkness began swirling around him faster. With a last flicker of his eyes he descended into darkness once again.

I know I' mean until next time.