Disclaimer: I don't own HP, JK does.

Chapter 10

They say a parent should never have to bury a child, but is it really any easier for a child to bury a parent? This was the thought that ran through the mind of one Harry Potter. True the Weasley's were not his real parents, but since the age of eleven they were the closest he had come. Having lost his real parents over thirty years ago to a dark wizard, Harry had never thought he would have to do it all over again. It is crazy how obvious things can be after they have happened. Hindsight, that is what Hermione called it while he had beat himself up over what he should have known. And yet, here he was standing in the kitchen of the Burrow II. He had been here thousands of times, but it just wasn't the same without Mrs. Weasley bustling about telling him "You're too thin." He allowed a small smile to form as the thought floated across his mind.

"Shut-up the both of you!" Angelina cried as Fred and George continued their Quidditch debate.

"Sorry," the twins replied in unison.

Harry noticed how tense everyone seemed and it was all his fault. Glancing around the room he was taken back to his youth, when Voldemort had returned after the Tri-Wizard Championship. The Weasley's had been in danger then too because of him. Letting out a heavy sigh, Harry took a seat beside Ron. "I think the kids and I are going to go home. Let me know if you need anything," he said patting Ron's shoulder.

"See ya Mate," Ron replied as he sipped his tea.

It was dark when Harry reached Godric's Hollow. Turning the key, he flipped on the light and carried a sleeping Landon to his room. He watched as Landon snuggled into his pillow. It was funny how everyone had said that Landon was the spitting image of Harry because all he could see in the sleeping child was Ginny. There was no denying that Landon was Ginny's son. That wild Weasley spirit and fiery temper, Landon had all the qualities that had caused Harry to fall in love. It was now while looking at his son that he realized Ginny was right here and had never really left him.

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Silas pulled his cloak tight about him as he crossed a small bridge leading to a cottage nestled among the trees. Slowly Silas crept up to the window, he knew she would be alone tonight; that was Marvolo's plan. Looking into a large study he saw her. "It couldn't be," he whispered to himself as he took in the figure of the stunning witch. "Carla," he said closing his eyes. He watched as she tucked a strand of mousy brown hair behind her ear. He was suddenly back to that fateful day when his world had officially ended.

It had been cold that night, as he and the other aurors patrolled the streets of London. Carla had been his partner for the past three years and everyday of those three years had turned him down. He had loved her since the minute he laid eyes on her. She had shoulder length mousy brown hair, brown eyes, and legs that went on for miles. He would have given anything for her to agree to drinks, but Carla was seeing some hotshot in the unspeakable department named Rick Spellbomb.

"Did you see that?" Carla said pulling her wand to the ready.

Silas glanced down the dark alley. "I don't see anything."

It was then that curses, hexes, and spells rained down upon them. Silas took cover behind a few trashcans. The next thirty minutes were all a blur. When it all finally ended, Silas began looking for his partner. It didn't take him long to find her. She had been hit with a unforgivable course; more specifically the Curtacious curse. She had spent the next three years in St. Mungo's until finally she died of a self inflicted wound. Everyday since her death, Silas could be found sitting on a bench next to her grave. He had loved her, but she loved another. Oh what he wouldn't give just to see her again. He didn't care if she was married to another man, all that would matter would be that she was alive.

Silas watched as Hermione sipped her drink and turned the pages of her book. She reminded him of Carla and Marvolo or no Marvolo, he wasn't going to harm one hair on her head. He watched her for hours until she rose and turned out the light. Walking back toward the bridge, Silas felt something he hadn't felt in years… He closed his eyes and envisioned Carla's grave. He couldn't wait to tell her he would never kill again.

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Harry woke suddenly to the sound of someone beating on his door. Grabbing his wand he headed down the stairs. The house was dark and the Grandfather clock at the foot of the stairs announced it was only 3:00 am. Cautiously, Harry pulled open the front door wand at the ready. Standing there in the pouring rain was a hooded figure. Throwing off his hood Marcus cried, "We've found the son of a bitch! Get dressed." Harry didn't waste anytime throwing on a shirt and some jeans. He had been waiting for this moment for far too long. Finally he would look Ginny's killer in the face and he knew just what he was going to do.

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Staring out the window of his small flat, Silas re-read Marvolo's last note. He was supposed to kill the witch only a few hours ago, but somehow Marvolo knew he had not. Silas' heart was racing he had never been this afraid in all his life. It wasn't the prospect of his own death that he feared, but that of whom Marvolo would find to replace him. He sighed heavily as he thought about the young brunette reading her book. He had gone to Carla's grave after leaving the little cottage. For hours he sat and just thought over everything he had done. That night he had planned on turning himself in and helping the aurors stop Marvolo. After all he had plenty of proof that the real killer was still out there, but when he arrived at his home he found a letter taped to his front door. Marvolo's words were ringing in his head. "You have betrayed me, Silas."

"Betrayed," Silas cried. "I have betrayed no one but my self." He knew that before the dawn Marvolo would get his vengeance. He wasn't sure how, but he knew that this would be the last night he was to live. Slowly he walked to the kitchen and poured himself a glass of firewhiskey. With nothing left to do, Silas took a seat on the old tattered sofa and waited.

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Harry had an eerie feeling as he climbed the stairs leading to Marvolo's flat. Marcus had told him that they received an anonymous tip that the killer would be here along with all the evidence they would need to place him behind bars. As a rat ran across the floor Harry's heart began to pound. He could almost hear Andy's heart beating. Glancing over his shoulder he noticed that Andy looked as though he was about to charge head on into a dragon's cave. Andy was a young man and yet at this moment he seemed to have aged about ten years. It was funny how something like this affected a man. Harry closed his eyes as they all gathered around the door. This is the moment of truth, Merlin give me strength.

As Blaise kicked in the door, Harry caught his first glimpse of the greasy haired man that Marcy had described. Everyone charged in the room wands out. There was so much yelling.

"Throw your wand down now!" Harry heard one man yell.

"Get on the ground!"

"Put your hands behind your back!"

Everything was happening so fast all Harry could do was stand in the door way and watch as Blaise and Ron pulled the killer to his feet. He was yelling something, but Harry couldn't seem to comprehend the words falling from the man's lips. He saw the scene that was before him, but it felt as though he was seeing it through someone else's eyes. The man was a short thin wizard, with greasy black hair and a crooked nose. There was no sound anymore. People's lips were moving but no words were formed, Harry could feel the heat as it spread throughout his entire body. He could feel himself losing control; this was it the moment he had been waiting for. Finally he would be able to kill the man that had ruined his life. He felt his arm as it raised, all he could think about was Ginny.