Disclaimer- Are you serious? That's what I thought.

Chapter 11

The dark lord turned to face the two teenagers holding him at wand point, and laughed. "Do you really think you're any match for me?"

"If the last sixteen years are any indication..." Harry boasted, stepping forward, only stopping when Voldemort raised his wand parallel with his heart. "What's the matter, don't like being reminded of the failure you are? Cat got your tongue?"

"Tell your death eaters to stand down." Hermione spoke boldly.

The dark lord laughed. "Why would I take orders from a silly little school girl? A filthy Mudblood, at that." He sneered.

"I'm no silly little schoolgirl." Hermione shouted, rapidly training her wand onto Lucious Malfoy, easily picking him out of the group. "Perfectus Totalus!" His body immediately went stiff. "Wingardium Leviosa!" He rose into the air. "Caduta Grande!" Hermione finished, Malfoy's frozen form plummeted roughly back against the ground.

"You think you wound me with your games child?" The dark lord spoke, darkly amused. "Crucio!" He spoke, training his wand on Hermione. She found her body too weak from the trials of the past few days, she could not resist the pull of the spell. Hermione found herself crumbling down onto her knees in unwilling submission. A voice in her head urged her to speak. Say it. 'I will not bend against the will of my master.' Say it.

"I" Hermione's voice wavered as she fought against the pain coursing through her body. "will" Her face twitched as her head lurched from side to side. "not bend" Her shoulder shot back as her head shot forward in a gagging motion. "to the will" Her entire upper body shot forward until she found her head inches from the ground, still on her knees. "of my" Her head seemed to waver between raising and crashing into the dirt. In one quick motion she overcame the urge to bury her head in the ground and rose her eyes to meet those of the dark lord. "oppressor." She collapsed against the ground, her eyes closed and only faintly breathing. The spell lifted leaving her looking worse for the wear.

"NO!" Harry shouted, not daring to move, finding the dark lords attention once more upon himself. Now was not the time for mistakes. Hermione was still breathing. There was still hope, he needed to get them out of here. All of them.

"Being the hero never pays Harry." The dark lord began, laughing as Harry continued to stand his ground. "You want to kill me, don't you Harry. You want it desperately, I can see it in your eyes. Must you always wear your emotions on your sleeves?" Hermione groaned, diverting Voldemort's attention momentarily.

"Crucio!" Harry shouted. Voldemort blocked the spell, his attention immediately re-directed.

"Now really Harry. I thought dear old Dumbledore would have taught you better manners. It's very rude to attack behind your opponents back. Perhaps it is time I taught you a few." At the exact moment in which he raised his wand, he tumbled forward, Skye raising to her feet behind him. She had kicked him in the knees sending him spiraling forward.

"Harry, GO!" She shouted, hovering over her father. "Get Hermione and..."

"Haven't had enough then." The dark lord interrupted, once more on his feet.

"The crystal! Now, Harry!" Skye shouted, pleadingly, her eyes focusing for a brief eternity on Harry's.

"Say hello to mummy for me." The dark lord sneered, raising his wand. "Avada Kadavera!"

"Skye!" Harry shouted falling to his knees at Hermione's side. Skye was became enveloped in a bright green light, for a moment she seemed to float inches above the ground, before collapsing into a limp heap upon the ground. "Skye." Harry whispered, a tear slid down his cheek as he clutched Hermione's hand with one of his, and the crystal in his other hand.

The crystal activated, once more becoming a portkey, and Harry felt the familiar tugging sensation as the clearing faded into complete and utter darkness.

●○●

"Hermione, come on. Work with me here. We've got to get back to the school." Harry pleaded, trying to get Hermione onto her feet. She was only faintly conscious.

"Oww." Hermione groaned. Wrapping one arm around Harry's shoulders, allowing him to slip an arm around her waist. He squeezed her hand reassuringly.

"Just hold on. Your going to be alright. I promise." Harry whispered, his voice wavering.

Hermione laughed feebly. "That's one heck of a promise." She paused before adding quietly. "But you haven't let me down yet."The two trudged on in silence for a few moments before Hermione finally found her voice again. "Skye." She whispered hoarsely. "She... He really... She's gone isn't she?" Harry couldn't bring himself to speak, it was all he could do to lean his head against Hermione's and nod. "Oh." Hermione, whispered, her voice breaking and a tear sliding down her cheek.

●○●

Hermione sighed heavily, her body ached and she found herself discovering muscles that she had never known existed. That's what you get for being such a bookworm. She thought to herself. Meaning to brush her frizzy hair out of her face, she tried to raise her hands but found that only her right hand would come. Something had a hold of her other hand. Alarmed, she quickly opened her eyes, using her only freehand to swat away the hair covering her face. Her immediate fear; however, quickly subsided as she found Fred at her bed side, clutching her hand, his head laying near their hands, he was fast asleep.

Smiling softly to herself, she took the opportunity to take in his appearance. His hair more unkempt than usual, his expression far more pained than she ever remembered. Where was her mischievous, fun loving Fred? Tentatively she reached out her free hand to brush some hair out of his closed eyes. "What's got you so down, huh?" Hermione whispered softly.

"I missed you." Fred murmured, though Hermione wasn't sure she had heard right, for a moment he didn't move at all. Then, all at once he opened his eyes and smiled. "I missed you." He repeated, taking her other hand in his own free hand. His eyes seemed to dim, what was left of his previous smile forced. "I was so worried..."

"Shh..." Hermione cooed, breaking her left hand from his grip and bringing a finger to his lips. "There's nothing to be worried about anymore." Her smile brightened. "I'm right here. I'm not going anywhere." She spoke, blinking away the tears threatening to fall. He appeared so forlorn. "I'm right here." Hermione whispered.

"I was so afraid that you were... that I had lost you." Fred whispered, moving his hand to stroke her tangled hair. "I..." He paused for a moment, locking his gaze with hers. "Hermione, I love you."

"Fred..."

"Mr. Weasley!" Madam Pomfrey came into view from around the curtain. "Visiting hours were up hours ago, how on earth did you get back in here, Ms. Granger needs her rest." She finished, fixing her stern gaze on Fred. "Come now, scoot." Fred stalled a minute, glancing over towards Hermione who rolled her eyes and winked.

"I guess she's right. See you later?" Fred nodded. He offered to follow the school healers lead, Madam Pomfery; however, was very aware of the Weasley twins and their antics and wisely insisted that Fred lead the way. Hermione couldn't fight the smile that crept across her face.

●○●

"Wow." Ron murmured, laying back against his chair by the fire. Harry nodded, turning to stare despondently into the fire. The room was silent for quite some time before Harry finally broke the silence.

"Its time. I can't sit here and watch this happen anymore. I can't watch anymore people die because of me."

"Harry, it is not your fault..."

"Isn't it?" Harry growled, forcing Ron to meet his steely gaze. "My parents died protecting me, Cedric died because I had the idea to share the 'limelight', my fault, Sirius died trying to save me. Not one of them would be dead now if it weren't for me."

"That's ridiculous and you know it!" Ron exclaimed, matching Harry's tone. "Your parents were sworn enemies of...Vol-Vo-Vold-Voldemort anyway, you know that! And Cedric, that wasn't your fault, how were you to know that the Cup was a portkey? Last I knew you weren't a Seer Harry. And Sirius, are you kidding me! You and I both know he was miserable living in that house, he died the way he would have wanted it. He went down a Hero, Harry. He went down rebelling against his dark family one last time. He proved to himself that he wasn't like the rest of them, that he was better." Ron paused, watching Harry intently. "And Skye wouldn't want you saying this either. It sounds like she went into this knowing she wouldn't be coming back."

Harry's head was in his hands now and when he spoke Ron couldn't make out what he was saying. Finally, Harry lifted his head, his eyes drowning in salty tears. "I know." He whispered. "But it hurts, Ron. I'm tired of feeling so helpless."

●○●

Skye sat cross-legged on the floor of the sixth year girls dormitory, twirling her mothers ring between her thumb and forefinger. "You can't withhold your secrets from me forever." Skye muttered softly, laying the ring on a piece of fabric before her. She studied it carefully for a moment before reaching up and plucking her wand from behind her ear.

"Draw courage from truth: and strength from within." Skye muttered softly, continuing to eye the ring. "Teken moed van waarheid: kracht van." Skye murmured, seeming startled at so easily speaking in Dutch. A single tear slid down her cheek. "But what if I don't like my truth." She seemed to sob. "How could you not tell me. That monster, I can't imagine how you must have resented me, that's why you were sometimes seemed afraid. How could you love me?" Skye shook her head. "I can't dwell on this."

"I need to accept it. He's my father. Voldemort is my biological father. That doesn't mean anything about me. I'm not him. I'll never be him. Mum knew that. She understood that." Skye paused. "If I was right... if what Tonks said was... than I can avenge my heritage. I can avenge my fathers wrongs."

Skye inhaled deeply, glaring down at the ring. "I suppose it's now or never." Skye spoke softly, raising her wand. "Nascosto rivelatore!" The ring rose into the air, drowning in a blue glow. Skye nodded, and for a moment the ghost of a smirk seemed to cross her face. "Gotcha." She whispered.

The scene dissolved, colors and objects swirling into a black background before Harry once more found himself standing before the Headmaster's desk. Wordlessly, Dumbledore took a seat, laying the empty vial and its cork on his desk top, next to the pensive; when Dumbledore remained silent, Harry also took a seat. "Professor, I don't understand. Why would Skye hand me a vial containing that memory."

The Headmaster sighed heavily, seeming to weigh his options; for a moment he appeared as though he was going to speak, but then caught himself. It was several moments more before he finally began to speak. "Skye was a very intelligent individual Harry." He began. "And this particular memory, this particular discovery is very important. Very important indeed. In fact Harry, it validates my own thoughts." The Headmaster fell silent, studying Harry through his half-moon spectacles.

"Professor?"

"Harry, may I see Skye's ring?" Harry handed the ring over, and the Headmaster held it gingerly. "You see Harry, this ring is one of several steps to Voldemort's demise. This ring," The sapphire glinted as the sun hit it at just the right angle, and the foggy center began to swirl more rapidly. "is a horcrux."

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I'm not sure what I think of this chapter. It gave me a lot of trouble for some reason. Though truthfully, these past few weeks have been tough. Though I'm sure you don't want to hear about that. Anyway, I thought it was about time I got an update out for you all. I hope you liked this installment, though I'm sure more than one of you are going to be a bit disgruntled with me. Anyway, let me know what you think, Reviews are always appreciated!

I would like to give a big thanks to my loyal reviews. You guys are great!

Ravendove2007- I'm glad you liked the way I ended that last chapter. I was rather fond of that part myself. :D

Storm Tigeress- Thank you so much for your kind review. I'm glad you like what you've read so far. I'll definitely take your pointer's into consideration. :)

tutucute- Wow, thank you so much! I'm really glad that you liked that last chapter. Thanks for your wonderful review!

Until next I type...

Peace ;)