Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter J.K Rowling does.

Thanks goes to MariusDarkwolf for editing this chapter.

Lord Voldemort was puzzled; he did not like to be puzzled because when he was puzzled he tended to kill people. The reason for his puzzlement was one Harry Potter. That infernal boy was nowhere to be found. He had sent his men to scour the entire country but they all turned up empty handed, he had his men wait outside Potter's house to see if he ever went there but they never saw hide nor hair of him, and he had even set up that damn Taboo to see if they could capture Harry if he said his name, but still nothing.

Voldemort growled in frustration and sent a reducto to one of the ornate cabinets in the Malfoy Manor drawing room causing it to explode in a fountain of glass, wood and other odds and ends. The Death Eaters in the room all shivered at their master's anger praying, that he would not shower his wrath on them. Voldemort stood up from his throne like chair, which was situated near the large fireplace, and walked towards the large French windows. He stared outside and watched the setting sun lighting up the sky in a pink hue and wondered again where the hell was Harry Potter.

Harry Potter woke up with a groan. He pulled up the covers and pulled it over his head trying to block out the morning sun coming from the window. Kreacher had as usual, opened up the curtains and gave his usual greeting, informing Harry that breakfast would soon be ready. Unable to fall back to sleep, Harry threw the covers off himself and got of the bed, stumbling sleepily towards his bathroom.

Oddly enough he had had quite a good night sleep. Ever since he made the deal he had had no visions or any emotions coming from the scar. It was as if it had been closed permanently. He was not complaining as he was finally getting some good rest.

He stepped into the shower and allowed the hot water to sooth his muscles, he scrubbed himself thoroughly as while his magic had removed all traces of blood from last night's torture it still left one feeling unclean.

Harry got out of the shower, put on some clean clothes, and went downstairs for breakfast. As he walked he began to wonder what he was going to say to Hermione. Last night he had vented his anger at her and now he was confused. He did not know what to do with her. He realized that she had come back for him, but the problem was that she had left in the first place. Sure he still loved her but now he did not know if he could trust her again.

Harry came out of his deep thoughts and saw that he had wound up at the kitchen door and with mild trepidation he opened it. To his surprise it was void of Hermione; there was only his breakfast on the table. He ate in silence and wondered where his house mate was currently at as she usually was the one to be up early.

After finishing his breakfast he got up and began wondering around the house looking for Hermione. Finally as he came to the third floor he noticed the library door open and realized that Hermione was probably there reading that book.

He took a deep breath and stepped into the room. His eyes scanned the room from left to right. He saw the fireplace had been lit and gave the room warmth, and the gas lamps lining the walls were all lit, lighting the room. His eyes then finally rested on her. She was sitting at one of the small oak desks and was busy writing down notes on some parchment while simultaneously reading from a book. The only sound coming from the room was from the scratching of her quill. Harry leaned against the door frame and folded his arms and started at Hermione. He watched her scrutinize the pages from the book carefully and jot down her notes at warp speed. He watched how she bit her bottom lip whenever she was deep in thought, it was mesmerizing.

Hermione Granger carefully read the tiny print on the rather old and worn pages from the book Harry had told her about. She had woken up extremely early and had a quick wash up and a small breakfast. She had promised herself that she was going to find a cure for Harry and set out to find it as soon as possible. She had then gone to the library and took over one of the small study tables and began studying the book.

That book, it made her shudder whenever she touched it, it was the pinnacle of darkness. It had things in it that no sane man would dare attempt; it had spells that only the insane would cast, spells that made the Unforgivables seem like mere tickling charms. Then there were the rituals, the things that they required nearly made her throw up in horror.

Finally after much searching she had found the chapter explaining about Harry's predicament. Hermione had paled considerably when she read about all the pro's and con's about it, and she had cried when she realized that it was because of her that this had happened. She had jotted down all the important notes that she could make out and had hoped to show it to Harry when he finally woke up. She hoped that after him shouting at her and venting his anger last night that he would at least talk to her. It would be a start, in her opinion, towards repairing their broken friendship. These thoughts ran through her mind as she wrote down her notes, when suddenly a rustling noise distracted her making her look up, and see Harry standing in the doorway leaning against the door frame watching her with an impassive face.

They both watched each other, staring into each other's eyes. The silence stretched on as the tension grew palpable. Hermione grew nervous as she looked into the depts. of Harry's eyes. What was he doing, what was he going to say, these thoughts ran through her mind as she sat there.

Finally Harry broke the silence "What have you found out?"

Hermione came out of her thoughts and muttered "Wha?"

Harry gave a small smirk and said "From the book, have you found out anything useful?"

Hermione scrambled about the small table moving about the loose pages and books trying to orient herself. "Ye…yes there is quite a bit written regarding your predicament. Although I have not yet to finish the book I have written down the main things about it."

Harry looked at her and nodded slowly, he stood up straight and turned around planning on going to his room but as he stepped out of the library Hermione voiced a question "How did you control it? The craving, it says that the person will always get a craving and has to sate it otherwise he would go insane. What did you do?"

Harry stopped in his tracks and turned around and looked at Hermione with pain filled eyes.

"I had to kill. The first time it happened there was a Death Eater outside, Blaise Zabini, I stunned him and brought him into the house and killed him. For an entire week after that, I was in complete despair, every time I closed my eyes I saw his body, I heard his screams, it drove me mad. The second time was when I found you. Those three men helped sated the craving and oddly enough I feel no remorse."

Hermione looked at him with Horror and before Harry knew what was happening Hermione had him in a tight hug. At first he flinched and stiffened but after a while he loosened up and hugged her back. He felt her tears through his robe and felt her body racking with silent sobs. Harry lowered his head into her hair and inhaled her scent, it intoxicated him. He breathed in deeply and gripped her even more tightly. For some reason as he held on to her a small glimmer of hope erupted in him, maybe just maybe he might have a chance.

It had been two days since the day they had the conversation in the library, and the atmosphere in the house had lightened considerably. The relationship between the two had begun the repairing process that day, but it was still a long way to get to where it was before. Both realized this and were trying their hardest to mend it. Although Harry still hadn't fully forgiven her, and was prone to do things on his own and not talk to Hermione over long periods of time.

Now though Harry was feeling restless. He had the information on the whereabouts of the next Horcrux, but he couldn't do anything. It was in Gringotts, in the LeStrange vault, which was one of the most highly guarded vaults there. It seemed impossible to get to but time was running short, and drastic measures had to be taken. The snatcher had spoken of Bellatrix being at Malfoy Manor and now he had to find a way to get there. She was his only way into the vault.

Harry had still not told Hermione about the information he had, and realized that it would be best to tell her and get her view point on it. And so he now found himself trudging along the threadbare carpets making his way to the library, which now seemed to be Hermione's room. She had been stuck in that room and refused to leave it, constantly pouring over the books and constantly writing down notes. He had tried to get a word out of her but she did not say anything about how far she had gone and how much progress she had made.

He entered the room and saw that she was standing beside the window staring outside, watching the snow fall slowly to the ground. Slowly and quietly he crept into the room only to have Hermione ask him softly "Do you know that no two snowflakes are alike? It is quite fascinating, is it not?"

He looked at her and replied "Really, it is quite fascinating."

"So many millions and billions of them floating down to earth, none of them the same. There are quite similar to humans in that respect. No two humans are alike, we are all different no matter how big or how subtle the difference. All of us defined by the choices we make."

Harry slowly walked towards her thinking about what she was saying and said "Yes that is true."

Hermione turned around and faced him and asked him in the same soft quit voice "Why do Death Eaters make their choices? Why do they choose to murder, rape and torture innocent people? How do they live with themselves?"

Harry stopped in his tracks and gave her a sad smile before replying "They are foolish people, led on by a mad man to believe all sorts of lies and deceit. How they live with it, well only they will know."

Silence overcame them as they pondered about the minds of the Death Eaters. Harry then broke the silence by asking "I think I know where the next Horcrux could be but first tell me what new information have you found?"

Hermione looked like she wanted to argue and get the information first but one look at Harry and she knew that she had to speak first. "Well there is still no cure but I have found something interesting. It seems that you have the power to actually summon a creature from hell to help you."

Harry nodded at this and said "Yes I had read that but did not go into much detail."

Hermione went to her desk and rummaged about looking for a specific parchment and read from it "Well there is an incantation that you have to say and then they will somehow arrive through your essence."

"Well it could come in use when we finally go into battle."

"Yes it could, I mean even if it still dark magic we do need all the help we can get. Although there is no specific incantation, it seems that intent is the key. Now tell me what information do you have? "

Harry sighed and sat down in one of the soft chairs "It seems that one of the Horcruxes is in the vault of Bellatrix LeStrange. I interrogated one of the men who had tried to rape you. He told me that he overheard a conversation between Tom and Bellatrix about a special cup that Tom asked Bellatrix to keep safe in her vault. He also told me that there is a Taboo on Tom's name, if anyone had to say it all protections around them would fall, and the Death Eaters would know your location. Apparently they are using it to capture Order members. Also they have Luna and Ollivander as prisoners at Malfoy Manor."

Hermione mulled over this new information and began to think of plans on getting the Horcrux "Well for starters it is impossible to get into the vault with Bellatrix or her husband. Even if we had polyjuice potion and disguised ourselves as her the vault would not let us enter as it checks the magical signature. So we need to kidnap her and to get to her we have to get to Malfoy Manor which must be buzzing with Death Eaters. So now how do we get there?"

Harry to started thinking of the possible ways of gaining entry but all seemed doomed for failure but suddenly he thought of a brilliant idea "Dobby."

Immediately the little elf popped into the room looking around for the one who called him and as soon as his eyes fell upon Harry he immediately smiled and began talking fast "Harry Potter sir is calling Dobby. What can Dobby be doing for Harry Potter sir?"

Harry looked down at the small elf who was bursting with excitement and couldn't help but smile at him "Dobby is there any way for you t take me into Malfoy Manor? I need to get to the dungeon."

Dobby smiled back at him and bounced up and down on the souls of his feet "Yes Harry Potter sir. Dobby can be popping yous into the dungeons. Is Dobby taking yous now?"

Harry shook his head and replied "No not now Dobby but just now. I just need to get ready."

With that Harry got up and went to get ready to leave but he also noticed Hermione getting up as well "Were do you think you are going?"

Shocked at his question Hermione said "I'm coming with you of course."

Harry glared at her and said "No you are not. It is too dangerous. You just stay here."

Hermione glared back at him and said in a dangerous tone "I am coming; I promised you that I will be with you all the way. I broke that promise and it was the worst mistake I have ever made. So I don't care what you say but I will not be leaving you."

Hermione then pushed past him with her head held up high and stalked off to her room. Harry shook his head in disbelief and went to get ready as well. Harry put on a comfortable pair of robes and gathered the knife he had used on the two men he killed; he had grown quit attached to it and he thought of it as a sort of good luck charm. He had also gotten Kreacher to put up to beds for the prisoners at the Manor. Five minutes later he met up with Hermione back in the library where Dobby was still standing and staring around the room with his large tennis ball eyes. They both gave each other glares before grabbing hold of Dobby and popping away to Malfoy Manor.

^v^

Ron Weasley sat on his bed staring at his ceiling bored out of his mind. He had read all his comics and quidditch magazines six times and was sick of them. He had eaten his lunch and half of the chocolate cake his mother had baked until she had chased him away to his room. Now he just lay there thinking how badly life treated him. He had thought that he had finally gotten one over on the great Harry Potter when Hermione had left with him, but it was not to last as she had gone and stayed at Bill's. Hermione was his, why didn't she see that. Anger grew inside him, why did she have to always choose that damn Potter. Sure he was famous, rich and was good looking but that was all. As he lay there his anger grew more and more until he thought of only one thing, She will be mine though, whether she wants to be or not.

^v^

A slight popped signaled the entrance of two humans and a house elf in the dark and damp dungeons of Malfoy Manor. Harry and Hermione stayed still listening to check if their presence was known, and to let their eyes get used to the darkness. Harry cast a silencing charm on his and Hermione's shoes and began exploring the room.

It seemed that they were currently at the entrance of the dungeon which just seemed to be one long corridor with cells on either side. He began walking along the walls peering into each cell to see if there were any inhabitants. All the cells he walked past seemed to be either empty or had a few dead bodies in them. Finally he arrived at the end of the long corridor and saw that in the last cell there seemed to be some light coming from it. Silently he crept up to it with Hermione trailing behind him. He looked into the cell and saw that Ollivander was in the back of the cell leaning against the wall and he appeared to be unconscious. In the center of the cell he saw that Luna was lying on the floor bruised and battered and a Death Eater hovering over her attempting to remove his pants.

Anger flooded Harry's veins, but as he was about to curse the man a red light flew from behind him and hit the man in the back, causing him to fall unconscious. He looked behind and saw that Hermione was standing there, with her wand held tightly in her hand and panting slightly. Her eyes held a fury that he had never seen before, then remembered that not so long ago she was in the same situation so it was obvious that she would be affected by what she saw. Cautiously he opened the cell door and entered. He walked over to Luna and saw that she too was knocked out. Carefully he enervated her and saw her slowly open her eyes and when they met his she smiled and said "I knew you would come Harry Potter."

He smiled down at her and whispered the address to Grimauld Place into her ears, and told Dobby to take her away. He did so with a small pop and as Harry stood to check on Ollivander, he noticed Hermione standing over the unconscious Death Eater. Silently he watched her boot the man until he was facing the ceiling, where he could see that it was one Nott Sr. With a snarl Hermione booted him in his genital region smashing it with her boots. She then flicked her wand and blood soaked into his robes from his groin, she had castrated him.

Harry watched all this go on in silence and without commenting. He nodded to himself and walked towards Ollivander where he did the same as he did with Luna. Silence reigned over the cell as Dobby popped away Ollivander; Harry looked towards Hermione and saw that she was still staring at the man, watching him bleed to death. Harry walked up to her and wrapped his arms around her causing her to melt into him. She clung onto him and got her breathing under control.

"Do you want to go? Dobby can take you if you want?" Harry asked her with concern.

Hermione hastily let go of him and took in a deep breath and replied in a steely tone "No I am fine. Let's just get this over with."

She then proceeded out of the cell and started to make her way to the entrance of the dungeon with Harry following closely behind. Slowly and cautiously they crept up the stairs with Harry on point. As they ascended more and more gas lamps littered the walls, giving them a better view of the surroundings. Finally they made their way to the top of the stairs, and found themselves at a large iron door.

Slowly and carefully Harry opened the door and peeped into the room. He saw that it was what appeared to be a large living room with luxurious furniture, expensive carpet, and some exquisite paintings. It seemed that they had hit the jackpot though as the only occupant of the room seemed to be Bellatrix LeStrange. She was sitting on one of the couches with her back turned to them lazily playing with her hair. Harry opened the door carefully but it snagged on the carpet and made a slight noise. He froze in place as Bellatrix stopped what she was doing and said in her maniacal voice "Finished already Nott. What, the girl getting too much for you?"

Harry strode into the room and with a well aimed punch at the back of her head knocked Bellatrix off the couch and onto the floor. She scrambled to get up and when she lifted her head she was shocked to see Harry Potter looking down at her, and the mudblood not far behind him. She cursed herself for not having her wand on her and sneered up at Harry and spat out "Well…well…well Harry Potter how nice to see you. You know my master has been looking for you for a long time and I'm sure that he will reward me well when I hand you over to him."

Harry smirked at her and flicked his wrist causing her to fly into one of the cabinets smashing into the glass, ripping into her skin and shredding her robes. Harry walked over to her and said "No Bella. That really won't work at all. You see I am here for you. I have a job which requires your expertise."

Slowly Bellatrix got up with blood dripping from her cuts. She gave Harry a smile and began laughing like an insane maniac "Really Potter. I'm afraid that your plan just will not work, because you see, I have friends."

With that said Bellatrix stood up and did two things at an incredible speed. One she threw a knife straight at Hermione, and the other she hit a rune that was close to her, causing an alarm to go off. Harry watched in slow motion as the knife flew through the air spinning as it made its way to its intended target. Hermione just stood there, frozen in place staring at the knife, but as the knife was about to hit her, a slight pop was heard. Harry watched on in horror as Dobby the house elf popped in front of Hermione and took the knife straight in the chest.

Time seemed to speed up as Harry watched his friend slowly fall to the ground, with blood starting to seep out of the wound. Death Eaters flooded the room but Harry could do nothing as he just stared at his friend slowly bleed to death. Numbly he felt two Death Eaters hold him and forcing him to kneel onto the ground and at the back of his mind he could hear Bellatrix and Lucius arguing among themselves.

It was then that something cracked within him. Anger grew in him and he started struggling against his captors. He screamed out in rage and his eyes flashed a red hue. Then something extraordinary happened that caused all the occupants of the room to freeze. The two marks on Harry's wrists simply slit open and out flowed out a red powder-like substance. It joined together in front of Harry and started swirling around like a tornado until it reached the height of a man.

The cuts immediately healed, and Harry saw that the swirling cloud was actually starting to take the shape of a human figure. By this time Harry's captors had let go of him and had backed away. The red human shaped cloud started turning into liquid, which then transformed into flesh and bone. It was like seeing someone being made in front of their eyes. Soon there in front of him was a naked woman. Her body was perfect in every way, without any flaws. Her head was bowed down hiding her face with her long hair. Clothes seemed to form from out of nowhere and covered up only her important bits, but still leaving nothing to the imagination.

Slowly she lifted her head and pushed her hair out of the way revealing her face. Harry gasped as he saw that she looked almost exactly like Hermione with the exception of her eyes, which were yellow and had slit pupils. She gave a small giggle and said in a throaty tone "Master has called. What does master need?"

By now most of the Death Eaters had fled the room leaving behind a select few. Harry looked around and saw that all of them were just staring at the woman in complete shock so he used that to his advantage. Quickly he got up and pointed to the guys holding the real Hermione "Kill them."

Quick as a flash the devil Hermione had both men by their throats. A quick squeeze and a snapping sound signaled that she had killed them. Harry screamed for Kreacher and told him to take Dobby and go. Harry then grabbed onto the real Hermione and a still stunned Bellatrix and apparated out of the building smashing through all the wards in the process.

Harry found himself in the kitchen of Grimauld Place, and surprisingly Bellatrix was allowed through the wards as well, he didn't stop to bother but quickly stunned her and ran to check up on Dobby with Hermione hot on his heels. Finally he reached the landing of the second floor and entered the room designated for Luna and Ollivander. Hurriedly he opened the door and entered the room looking about wildly for Dobby. Harry saw that Kreacher had made a small bed for Dobby and slowly Harry made his way over to him. His heart soared as he saw the little elf's chest rising slowly, he was still alive. Harry looked around the room and saw that Luna and Ollivander were both looking much better and were currently sleeping in their beds.

Beside him Kreacher popped and croaked out "The two humans are doing quite well now and yous is lucky that yous called Kreacher for Dobby. If yous have waited a minute more Dobby would have died."

Harry sighed with relief and thanked Kreacher. He turned around and saw that Hermione was looking at him with a small smile on her face. He went over to her and hugged tightly giving her a small kiss on the top of her head.

They then made their way downstairs to the kitchen where they saw that the devil Hermione had arrived somehow and was currently relaxing on one of the chairs watching Bellatrix.

"Who are you? What are you?" Harry asked her.

She smirked up at him and replied "I am a demon from hell. As you have made a deal with my king you are entitled to help. I came to your aid when you most needed it."

Hermione looked at her and said "Why do you look like me?"

Devil Hermione laughed and said "Because I thought it would be funny."

Harry looked at her in annoyance before turning his full attention to the unconscious Bellatrix. They had actually done it, they had kidnapped Bellatrix LeStrange, one of the most insane Death Eaters and most powerful. Now all they had to do was go to Gringotts and get the damn cup from her vault.

Please R&R and thank you for reading.