A/N: Happy New Year all.

Well, as most of you know, I was not happy with book 7 for very obvious reasons. I had hoped the passing of some months would make me feel differently but instead the feeling of disappointment intensified. So I'm going to choose to pretend the last few chapters of book 7 never happened.

I am elated that I was right about Snape but I will never forgive JKR for killing him. I will finish this trilogy eventually.

Thank you to all reviewers and welcome to all new readers: Acacia 59601, inu-youkai 911, DracoMalfoylover113, wynnleaf, Droxy, Missy, Dilandau-is-My-Boyfriend, elementalmage2008, Tinsel Tinkerbell, Melindaleo, lilyseverus100, DarkHiei11, Phoenixx Rising, Dalou28, Silvercrystal 77, Suvivor Chick, Gwenneth, Ashleyy, abraxis, band122005, Zareen, grrl.in.question, Gala000085, perfectpureblood, bgrimes, hobesan, Mystical G Panther, Thesymbol, gizmama1, ginnylove9990

Disclaimer: None of it is mine; it all belongs to the extremely talented JKR

Chapter 13 – mourning a werewolf

"What happened!" Mrs. Weasley shouted running forward as they apparated into the kitchen at Grimmauld place.

"We're all right, mum. Death Eaters are at the Burrow and, and…" Ginny's voice trailed off.

"And what?" Mrs. Weasley asked looking at the others.

Harry's tormented green eyes met hers, and then he turned away and walked out of the room.

Hermione turned to go after him but Ginny stopped her. "Let me."

Worriedly Hermione nodded her eyes full of tears.

"It appears the werewolf has died." Draco said coldly.

"What do you mean?" Arthur asked.

"Professor Lupin. We think that he…" Ron's voice dropped to a whisper. "He died."

Gasps could be heard across the room.

"How?" Tonks asked shocked.

"A werewolf attacked me and Harry cast a Petrificalus Totalis spell on him and he hit his head – he's dead. Professor Lupin was out there." Hermione explained tearfully.

Hesitantly Draco went over to her and put his hand on her back. She turned and buried her head on his shoulder.

"Remus isn't the only werewolf out there. It might not have been him. Let's not assume the worst. If he doesn't return tomorrow, we can start to worry." Arthur stated calmly although he looked shaken.

Harry found himself in the bedroom. His heart pounded so fast he actually started to feel dizzy. He collapsed onto the mattress.

"Harry, are you all right?"

He looked into Ginny's concerned eyes. "I can't believe he's dead, I can't believe I killed him. I killed Remus." He shook his head.

"Harry, no! You killed a werewolf that's not the same as actually killing Remus. You had no choice. You didn't even plan to kill him – it was an accident." She sat down beside him.

As much as Harry enjoyed having Ginny near him the terrible pressure on his heart was suffocating him. She reached over and took his hand. "We'll all get through this together. Everyone understands. No-one blames you."

Harry laughed harshly. "I blame myself."

"It wasn't your fault. You just did what you had to do to save your friends."

"Remus was my friend too," Harry argued.

"You can't keep beating yourself up over this. You need to let it go and focus on Voldemort. He's the one who is really to blame." Ginny's voice became sterner.

He ignored her words. "Maybe it wasn't Remus. Maybe it was some other werewolf."

"The only way we will hear is if he doesn't come back?" Ginny surmised.

"That doesn't mean he's dead. That just means that Voldemort has him."

"Harry, I really think it was Remus. We knew he was out because of the full moon. It was the right area."

Harry stayed silent.

"I know you don't want it to have been him but all wishing in the world won't bring him back."

"I know it looks bad, I know it looks like I killed him but what if I didn't. I have to know for certain."

Ginny sighed. "Ok let's just see what happens in the morning." She left his room and headed back into the kitchen.

"How's Harry?" Hermione immediately asked.

"He doesn't want to believe that it was Remus. He thinks if he doesn't return that Voldemort has him."

"Oh dear," was Molly's worried response.

"Well won't Snape be able to tell him once he returns?" Ron suggested.

"He might be able to confirm whether or not it was Lupin. I just hope he comes back in one piece," Tonks added.

"I wonder if my father was there," Draco mused quietly.

"You're not still thinking about him are you? After everything he did?" Ron snarled.

Draco scowled. "I'm only worried about Snape and what my father might do to him."

"Severus can handle Lucius, and quite honestly I don't think he will harm Severus anymore," Tonks remarked.

"Why wouldn't he? All he cares about is gaining the Dark Lords approval."

"I'm not so sure anymore. He actually saved my life. I think he may be realising that being a Death Eater isn't as prestigious as he thought it was." Tonks explained. She studied Draco waiting for his reaction.

The blond sat quietly for a few moments as if digesting the news. "So you think that maybe he's actually changing?"

"I wouldn't go as far as to say that but being tortured all the time by Voldemort seems to have made him a little more wiser. I don't think Severus is in danger from him anymore."

Draco nodded. "That's good. They used to be friends you know."

"Once Severus realized how Lucius treated you that friendship immediately died. Your father may have grown a bit wiser but he is still the same man that did all those awful things to you don't forget that, Draco." Tonks warned him.

The blond's eyes flashed icily. "I will never forget what he did!" He got up and stormed out of the room. He didn't know what prompted him to head to Harry's room but he found himself pulling the door open.

Harry looked up startled. "What do you want?"

He shrugged. "I don't know, I just wanted to get out of the kitchen."

"Is there any news?" Harry asked hesitantly.

"No. I think it really was him, sorry," Draco said sincerely.

The black-haired wizard didn't respond.

"It wasn't your fault."

Exasperated Harry yelled. "I know all right, Ginny and I already had this discussion. It doesn't make me feel any better however knowing that I was the one who killed him accidentally or not."

Draco sat down wearily on a chair near the bed. It was then that Harry noticed how pale he was. "It's been a long day. You're still recovering you should go lie down."

"I'm fine, Potter!"

Harry sighed. "I need to end this once and for all.

A soft knock came at the door and Ron entered. "Harry are you…oh Malfoy I didn't realise you were in here. Is everything all right?"

Harry threw him a disgusted look and Draco raised his eyebrows in disbelief.

Ron shook his head. "I meant, oh never mind, I know it isn't all right." He sighed.

"I have to find Voldemort." Harry stated.

Draco laughed harshly. "And then do what?"

"I hate to say it but Draco's right. You have to find out how to kill him first." Ron agreed.

"I need to talk to Snape before I can do anything." Harry looked at the blond Slytherin. "Draco, there is something that you don't know."

"What?" He frowned.

"At the end of the school year, Snape told me something that Dumbledore never got the chance to. You know how I can speak parseltongue? And the fact Voldemort couldn't kill me when I was a baby? Apparently I have a piece of Voldemort's soul inside of me. Before I can kill him I have to get it out. So far the only way is for me to die."

Draco's grey eyes had gone wide in disbelief. "Sorry, Potter." He looked down at the floor. "Sorry too that I took off before you found out. At least you had the Weasleys and Hermione."

"Harry didn't tell us till his birthday." Ron said throwing an annoyed look at the dark-haired wizard.

The door opened and this time a very exhausted looking Snape entered.

Harry leapt to his feet. "Did you hear anything about Remus? Is he still alive?"

"I don't know. His body might have been found but I didn't hear about it. I'm sorry, Harry. I know how much he meant to you. We can go back in the morning to check."

"I want to find Voldemort and end this. I can't keep living like this." Harry pleaded. "I'm willing to try anything to get his soul out of me."

Snape sighed deeply. "We can discuss this in the morning. If we do this you will need to accompany me to the ministry of magic."

"Why does he have to go there?" Ron interjected.

Snape's cold eyes bore into him. "Because that is where the veil is."