Dedicated to Highlander348 for inspiring the last bit of this chapter :-)

Chapter 14

"Duckling," my uncle Remus whispered in my ear as he held me tightly against me. I could feel his body shaking. "I was so worried something had happened to you. I know you know what you are doing but when your portkey returned without you—"

"I assure you, I am fine Uncle Moony," I assured him, affectionately using his nickname. "They thought I was with the real Harry. We were surrounded by Death Eaters and Voldemort came—"

"What," my uncle hissed. A significant and questioning look was in his eyes. I knew he wanted to ask me something, but he could not with non-Order members within ear shot. "He appeared to you?"

"Yes, like I said he thought George was the real Harry. Then he just disappeared after someone called out to him," I explained still clutching the tattered robes in my last surviving family.

"That must have been when they found me," Harry interrupted. Uncle Remus let go of me, nudging me to the dark haired boy. As soon as I was out of my uncle's arms I was in Harry's. He was holding me tightly as if I would disappear any minute. "Keys, I am so sorry."

"It's a part of the war," I said breathing in Harry's intoxicating scent that was only him. We had only been apart for a few hours, but after everything that had happened it felt like days. "Is everyone accounted for?"

"Mad Eye is dead," Harry choked. "I saw him fall when I was trying to ward off some Death Eaters. Mundungus disapperated without a second thought."

"He's always been such a coward," I snapped. "But you're okay?"

"Yes," Harry reassured me. "What happened to George?"

"Snape," I said, noticing that everyone had left us. "He was trying to curse George for not being you, but we managed to maneuver out of the way enough to not be too seriously hurt. Unfortunately for George, he will only have one ear for the rest of his life."

"I'm just glad that nothing more happened to you," Harry said leaning his forehead against mine. "I don't know what I would have done if you were injured or worse if you hadn't—"

"Harry, I'm fine," I promised in a whisper.

"Keys, I can't let you—"

Harry couldn't say anymore because I cut him off with a kiss, which was still the most effective way of making him stop talking. I didn't need him worrying about me and making my guilt increase. "I will always come back to you one way or another," I murmured against his lips, trying to reassure him.

Harry pressed his lips against mine again briefly. "Keys, I can't put you or anyone in danger. I have to leave… tonight."

"The Death Eaters do not know what safe house you are in and besides there are enough protective wards on the Burrow no one would be able to get through without being privy to the enchantments."

"It doesn't matter," Harry snapped becoming more heated by me trying to reassure him. "Look what happened to George and Mad Eye… what could have happened to you."

"You can't go this alone, Harry."

"YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND," Harry yelled, pushing me away from him. I knew he didn't push me to hurt me, he just needed his space as he blew off some steam. "I'M PUTTING EVERYONE IN DANGER. I HAVE TO LEAVE!"

I just stood there watching the Chosen One pace and rant in front of me. His yelling had caught the attention of a few people from inside the house. Hermione and Ron emerged, approaching us.

"I already told you, mate, we are going with you," Ron said as he approached us. He had changed out of Harry's clothing and was back once again in his own. "We have been through too much to abandon you now."

"We have been preparing for this since we left Hogwarts," Hermione explained offering a small smile. "We are here for you."

Harry yelled out in frustration before charging into the house. The adrenaline and emotions from the night were getting to him. I knew he was going to do something so I would have to keep a closer eye on him, but for now I would give him a bit of space to cool down.

"I'm glad you're back safe, Keely," Hermione said, watching Ron retreat after an irate Harry.

"You too, Hermione," I replied in return. "Hermione, listen. I need you to promise me something."

Hermione held up her hand to make me pause. "I think I know what you are about to say and yes, I promise if something happens that I will make sure that Harry gets away as fast as possible even if you are not with us."

I smiled at the witch next to me. "I promise I will never be more than a couple of steps behind you guys."

"You know more about what is going on than most of the Order, don't you." She didn't say it like a question. She had already come to the conclusion that I knew more. "I know you can't tell me. I know how unbreakable vows work."

"I have no idea what you are talking about and even if I did I could not confirm or deny what I may or may not know," I said to Hermione, but I couldn't help but give her another small smile, glad she had figured out some of why I often acted so odd.

Harry's mood had only slightly improved as the evening went on; he was still a bit standoffish when people were discussing his safety or the loss of Mad Eye Moody. He, like everyone else, was exhausted from the events of the night and eventually decided to turn in. Kingsley had left long ago to return to the protect the muggle Prime Minister, Uncle Remus and Tonks had gone back to the cottage, and Bill and Fleur back to their home. The rest of the Weasleys' were in their designated rooms, with Harry sharing with Ron while Hermione and myself were with Ginny in her room.

It was close to two in the morning, when I quietly rose from my cot on the floor. I spelled my blankets to look as though I was tucked inside, even having the blankets move slightly to imitate my breathing. Silently, I left the comforts of the Burrow and walked to the point outside the wards I could disapperate.

I sucked in a breath as soon as I was outside the protection of the Burrow, the sense of dread and guilt returning to deep within my bone causing me to shiver despite the warm July air. With one more breathing trying to calm my nerves I disappeared from sight with a faint 'pop.'

I reappeared in a dark alleyway, many miles away from where everyone thought I was sleeping. I quickly walked into the main street, taking care to stay in the shadows and away from the light from the street lamps. I finally came to a door that showed nothing significant about it. Just a plain looking door of a house that looked like all the other ones on the block.

"You gave me false information," A sneering voice said as soon as I entered the house and closed myself inside.

"I gave you what I knew." I retorted harshly, to the voice. "They had changed the plans at the last minute. There was no time to include me in details because I had been on guard duty for the past three days."

"Yes, I am sure it is terribly difficult for you to play house with your famous boyfriend." Snape ignited the tip of his wand so I could see only his pointed nose and dark eyes.

"Shut it, Snape," I snapped, following him deeper into his own private lair. I hated having to meet him here, but I knew this was one of the only safe places we could speak freely. "You nearly killed George Weasley tonight. What if that had been Harry?"

"I knew it wasn't, Potter," Snape said harshly. He ushered me into his study, closed the door with a snap. With a wave of his wand he locked the door and silenced the room. "You would have been far more protective of him using much darker spells against the Death Eaters if it had been him."

"You don't know that." I glared at the former potions master. He had no right claiming he could predict what I would or would not do in the midst of a battle.

"Oh but I do know that. Dumbledore taught you to protect him by any means necessary. I knew as soon as you used your first spell."

I couldn't argue that point, because he was correct. "You didn't have to try to maim George."

"I don't care about, George Weasley. None of them are of my concern. My only concern is you and you do not seem to be playing your part to the fullest."

"I am doing my part! I am leading somewhat a double life because it is part of the plan. A plan I did not volunteer for, by the way. It was decided for me long before I was born," I sneered. I could feel the anger boiling just under my skin.

"You think I signed up for this?" Snape sneered in return. "None of this is what I planned on doing either."

"You were given a choice to work for both sides, and you took it," I exclaimed in exasperation. "Both you and Pettigrew were given a choice!"

"Pettigrew is an idiot and weak minded," Snape muttered darkly.

"I don't want to be a traitor to my friends and family like him," I cried out. Snape was the only one who knew what I was going through.

"You are stronger than Pettigrew. You will not fall prey to the Dark Lord's influence. Dumbledore made sure of that when you were training." This time Snape softened his voice when he spoke to me. "He made sure you were strong of both mind and heart."

"So he tortured me to make me strong," my voice shook with dark mirth.

"He prepared you unlike he prepared Pettigrew in this situation," Snape reasoned with a hardness that never seemed to leave with his voice.

"I don't want to be the reason so many people die. I was personally impacted by Pettigrew's betrayal," I sighed, biting my bottom lip remembering all the times I wished I had my father to teach me how to ride a broom or all the times I wanted my mother to be in the moment with me and not lost in her own memories of how things used to be. Because of Pettigrew's betrayal I lost out on so much. "I don't want to be the cause of Harry losing everything… again."

"You will not be," Snape crouched down to look directly at me. I saw the sincerity in his eyes. It was rare for anyone to see and for Snape to allow me to see such was a sign of trust. Right now, I had to put my own trust in Snape, something I never thought would happen. "Now, is there any information you can give me that may be useful?"

"I cannot tell you where Harry and the rest of them are," I closed my eyes, unable to look at Snape as I told him the information Voldemort wanted. "I can tell you they will be most vulnerable on the 1st of August, the day of Bill Weasley's marriage to Fleur Delacour."

"That is the night, the Dark Lord plans of taking over the Ministry of Magic. You mustn't tell anyone from the Order what I just mentioned."

I nodded in understanding. "I doubt I would be able to say anything without them questioning me as to how I came across such valuable information."

Snape undid the enchantments on the room and walked back to the front of the house. Before I allowed him to unlock the door to the streets, I paused. "Please, try not to harm anyone at the party. I already have Moody's blood on my hands."

"It was already in the plan that he would die the night Potter left the muggles," Snape stated. "But I will try not to excessively harm anyone at the party."

"Thank you." And with that I ventured back out into the night. The air was still thick and warm but I felt cold.

I landed back outside the Burrow and crossed over the fidelius enchantments. The dark silhouette of the Burrow loomed crookedly in the darkness. A loving family resided in that home along with the boy that I had grown to love. He didn't deserve a person like me, but I could not stand the thought of him being with anyone else. He was the only one I ever wanted and the greatest thing I could lose if I was found out.

Nearing the house, I could feel the peaceful energies of each resident inside. However, one stood out as slightly more lively meaning one person was awake. Not wanting to be discovered out of bed, I pressed myself into a dark nook of the house.

A shadowy figure skulked out of the door closest to the hidden nook where I stood. They listened for a few seconds, ear pressed to the closed door, as if making sure no one was following. The magic was now humming even more, almost nervous at the thought another could be awake. Once satisfied no one was in pursuit, the person passed by me unaware of my presence.

I glared at him as he passed and followed him passed the protective enchantments protecting the Burrow, knowing what his in tensions were. Harry was trying to leave in order to begin the search journey alone.

Not allowing Harry get much further, I non-verbally created an invisible wall to prevent him from disapperating elsewhere. He crashed hard into the barrier and fell to the ground with the wind knocked out of him.

Panic crossed over Harry's face as he continued to get passed the invisible barricade boxing him in. Just when he was about to use magic, I made my presence known. "What the hell are you doing," I hissed into the darkness.

"Keely," Harry practically jumped out of his skin, whipping his head around trying to locate my exact location. He finally spotted me. "I was leaving."

"Oh and where are you off to," I asked playing coy, clearly knowing the reason for his departure, but allowing him to hear the irritation behind the words.

"You know where," Harry clipped. "I can't put anyone of you in danger."

"And how exactly are you planning on finding these Horcruxes without the use of magic, huh? Did you forget you are not yet 17 and still have the magical trace on you as an underage wizard?" Becoming more frustrated that Harry continued to not think clearly about the dangers that were waiting for him.

"I don't care. I need to do this on my own," Harry said defiantly adjusting the rucksack on his shoulder.

"The bloody hell you do," I snapped. It was early in the morning, I was tired and guilt ridden. There was absolutely no way I was going to allow Harry to put himself in harm's way after the interaction I just had with the other side.

"Let me do this—" Harry's voice rising.

Knowing the argument was only going to escalate, I non-verbally set a silence charm around the Burrow as to not wake anyone. "No! I can't let you do this on your own." My own voice rising to match his.

"I have to—" He argued.

My own frustrations were becoming clear. "What the hell are you not understanding? I cannot protect you if you leave alone."

"Why does everyone believe I am the one that needs to be protected? This is my responsibility. Dumbledore gave this to me to bear, no one else."

"You think you are the only one Dumbledore had plan for? You think you are the only one that has a burden he left on your shoulders? Well, let me tell you Harry Potter, you are not the only chosen one."

"I am not the bloody chosen one," Harry yelled, completely ignoring my slip. "I couldn't live with myself if anything were to happen to you!"

He rushed forward pinning me against the invisible wall, taking me completely by surprise. "I can't let anything happen to you. I couldn't live with myself. Please, just let me do this so I am not a danger to you."

"Then stay," I whispered, suddenly exhausted from the entire night, leaning my forehead against his. "You only have a couple more days before you turn 17 and the day after is the wedding. Just stay until then. With me."

"He's out there somewhere," Harry said defeated. "He out there planning, waiting to make his next move."

"There's nothing we can do about it, Harry," I replied leaning into Harry even more. "Voldemort is out there. I'm sure the Order is trying their best to figure out why he is remaining dormant, but they cannot be too obvious about it without being discovered. That is another reason why you need to stay. The Order does not need something else to worry about."

"I don't like waiting for the war to come to me," Harry sighed, closing his eyes as I reached up to cup his cheek. The tips of my fingers brushing the ear piece of his glasses.

"It's not going to be easy, Harry. The time will come that he makes himself known, but we need time to prepare. You have to be patient and wait even if it is only another day or two until you are off the Ministry trace."

"I know, but Dumbledore promised me—"

"Dumbledore is dead, Potter. And we have your lovely girlfriend here to thank for that." An amused voice interrupted behind us.

We turned to see two men pointing their wands directly at us. Death Eaters.

A/N: Thanks for reading :-)
Sorry about the cliff hanger. It was a turn even I was not expecting while writing. What kind of spell(s) should Keely use against the Death Eaters?