A/N: Hello my lovelies! I know it's been awhile again, but not as long as before. (Cowers in shame) I just want to say thank you to all who still read this. My story is a little over a year old! One year, 27 chapters, and it still isn't finished, but it will be soon. There is only one chapter left and then the epilogue and that will be it. I'm looking forward to the end because I'll be able to write other things but I'm also sad because this was my first fan fiction. It's all so bittersweet, but each and every one of who has been lovely, leaving me wonderful reviews and being so kind and patient. I love you guys so much! (Hugs)
This chapter is kind of fast paced because that's what's happening to the characters. Things are quickly coming to an end and it's all so sudden but it has to be that way, especially when an evil Dark Lord is on their tails. The next chapter and the epilogue have been formed in my head already since the beginning so writing them will be easy, meaning they will be out soon. I hope you all enjoy these last few chapters to my story! Without further ado, here's chapter 27!
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Ron was sure he had set some kind of new record. He had reached the Gryffindor Common Room in mere minutes, snatched the book from its hiding place, and was already making his way back towards the Headmaster's office.
He let his mind wander to thoughts of Tom and Hermione and he slowed his quick sprint to a measured pace. Why return too quickly and take away the precious moments they had left together?
Walking more slowly now, Ron thought about everything that had happened since Tom's arrival. He admitted to himself that he was jealous of Tom in the beginning, but he was able to get over it when he saw how well he treated Hermione, how good of a couple they made. He was happy that at least, for a little while, Hermione had found her match, who unfortunately happened to be from a different time, not to mention the fact that he was once the young Lord Voldemort… but not anymore.
"Tom will fix things. He'll make it right… he has to." Ron whispered. He had to keep reassuring himself or else it meant facing the other half of him that was filled with doubt.
'What if this doesn't work?' He thought miserably, and then shook his head against such an idea. It was going to work.
Ron had been so wrapped up in his internal debate that he hadn't noticed his surroundings and ended up walking right into a wall. His forehead banged against the rough rock with a loud thud and he stood momentarily stunned before he felt an onrush of pain.
Clutching his forehead and cursing all the stone walls of Hogwarts, he looked around and saw that he was standing right next to entrance of Dumbledore's office.
"Great," He whispered, rubbing his throbbing head, "At least I'm here now before I get a concussion and forget where the damn place is."
He spat out the password to the gargoyles and waited impatiently for them to allow him access to the office. He couldn't be sure but as the gargoyles parted to allow him inside, he could have sworn that they were… it was almost as if… they were snickering at him.
Ron shook his head as though to clear it and made his way through the arched entryway. "Maybe I have a concussion after all." He muttered.
He walked down the little hallway until he reached the large oak doors where he stopped for a moment. He had to prepare himself for the looks of despair that would greet him when he opened those doors and, after several deep breaths, he gathered up all his Gryffindor courage and entered the office.
Ron blinked once, twice, and then lightly slapped himself on the face for good measure. He was sure that he was seeing things.
"Why… why are you all smiling?" He asked, aware that he sounded both confused and somewhat frightened.
Everyone in the room turned to look at him and each one of them looked as though they hadn't a care in the world. They all seemed so happy, especially Hermione who was wrapped up in the arms of an equally happy looking Tom.
Ron clutched his head and tried not to sway on his feet.
"Mr. Weasley, is something the matter?" Dumbledore asked in that gentle, soothing tone of his.
Ron shook his head and winced at the pain the action caused. "I think I have a concussion." He said, sounding miserable. "I hit my head on my way up here and now I'm seeing things."
"You're not seeing things mate… these are real smiles on our faces." Harry said, trying to contain his laughter. "And only you would find a way to injure yourself in the simplest endeavors."
Ron glared at him and raised the book so everyone in the room could see it. "I got the book." He said sounding rather putout.
"Thank you Ronald." Hermione said softly. She had her arms wrapped around Tom's waist and her head was pressed against his chest while Tom's arms were wrapped firmly around her, holding her close. Both looked so comfortable and relaxed that Ron actually felt his mood lighten while looking at them. The moment was broken however when Ginny decided to speak up.
"You know Ron that bump on your head is a really nice shade of purple that matches your eyes." She commented.
The others in the room tried not to laugh as Ron turned sharply on his heel and headed towards Dumbledore to hand over the book.
He placed it in the aged hands of the Headmaster who gave him a warm smile and thanked him for his speedy return. Ron began to say 'no problem' but stopped when he felt a cool rush of air soothe the wound on his head. He could tell that the lump was still there but it no longer caused him any pain. He smiled at Dumbledore who gave him a quick wink before setting the book down upon his desk and opening it to the first page.
Harry stood from his seat and clasped Ginny's hand as they moved closer, followed by Hermione and Tom who ended up standing on either side of Ron. It never went unnoticed by any of them that Ron didn't exactly have another for personal comfort so the couple would offer what little they could for him, and themselves, at a tense time like this.
And tense it was. Their contented smiles were replaced by looks of anxiousness as Dumbledore leafed through the book searching for the spell.
It was a good thing that Albus was fluent in many languages or else it would have taken them all ages to translate the passages until they reached the right one, whereas Dumbledore found it in minutes. His hand stalled on a page not too far into the book and he seemed to examine it more closely than he had with the others.
The small group inched closer to Dumbledore's desk, all trying to look upon the page that he was reading. There were a few words at the top and a small passage in the middle but other than that the page was bare.
Dumbledore sighed and looked up at the group of friends and smiled when he saw that they were watching his every move.
"Miss Granger, I understand that you happened by the Tempus Rectum Spell on accident, am I correct?"
Hermione nodded her head. "Yes Headmaster. I hadn't intended on finding it but that spell was in English and once I learned that it could be done I formed the…" She couldn't bring herself to say 'the plan'. Tom wasn't a plan, at least not anymore. He was someone she loved.
Dumbledore understood as did Tom, who reached a long arm behind Ron's back and caressed the sensitive side of Hermione's neck, just under her ear. She leaned her head into the touch and reached her right hand up to caress the fingers that were touching her.
Ron, who could feel what was going on behind him, blushed but smiled nonetheless.
"Yes, well," Dumbledore continued, "It seems that the reason the spells were separated were to keep the traveler of the past from going back to his/her time. It is a natural law concerning time travel that time must not be disrupted. In this case it would mean not sending Mr. Riddle back; however, that is exactly what we want to do.
"What did the first spell require Miss Granger?" Dumbledore asked.
Hermione thought for a moment before answering. "Just a circle created from hourglass sand." She blushed. "I had to summon the sand from my Time Turner in order for it to work, but I made sure to return the sand before we left the bathroom." She added hastily.
Dumbledore chuckled. "That's ok Miss Granger. I'm just happy that the spell worked properly since I believe it can be very dangerous if done by, shall we say, someone less qualified."
Hermione blushed while all of her friends smiled at her.
"Now according to this text it seems that another ring must be created out of Byzantium Salt."
"Where are we supposed to find that?" Ron asked.
Beside him Tom chuckled. "Byzantium Salt is what they call the sand that's put into Time Turners." He explained.
"Oh, of course it is." Ron mumbled.
"I can just summon it again." Hermione said. Her voice sounded hesitant and Tom turned his head to look at her. He could tell that she didn't want to do this, didn't want to send him back but they had no choice.
"Yes, that sounds about right. And the last thing is that someone needs to say the spell to open a hole in time. Mr. Riddle was pulled through one when he was brought here and he will most likely be sent back through the same one as he returns.
"I expect you to return to the exact moment you left." Albus said, addressing Tom.
Tom nodded and cleared his throat. It was strange for him to think that he would soon be back in the 40s where he had no real friends but merely followers… where there was no Hermione.
He cleared his throat again and willed his eyes not to water.
"And I think that it would be proper for Harry to say it, if you don't mind me suggesting Miss Granger." Dumbledore said.
"No sir, I understand. It should be Harry; it says so in the Prophecy that Harry is the one to help end all this."
"But I don't know any Latin." Harry added quickly. "Only Ginny knows some, besides you of course Headmaster."
"Then she can guide you." Dumbledore said. They all looked at him.
"No, I don't intend on being there. It's something personal to be shared between friends, and I respect that. You will do fine without me, I'm sure." He said, his eyes twinkling in the afternoon light.
The group felt a rush of gratitude for Albus, especially Tom who had never really given him a chance. That however, along with a great many things, would soon change.
"When?" Hermione said, asking no one in particular. She was trying her best to ignore the tightening in her stomach and the knot in her throat.
Harry and Ginny moved closer to her and Ron grasped her hand that was at his side. She smiled at her friends and relaxed against Tom when she felt him move behind her.
Dumbledore smiled at the students… at the adults that stood before him. There would never be any others like them, not exactly like them. Time would change and they would be back, but they would be different people. Albus looked forward to getting to know them as he had known this group that he looked upon now.
"I wish it wasn't so Miss Granger, but the sooner the better." Dumbledore told her solemnly.
Hermione nodded, no longer feeling as pained as she had, at least not when Tom was there to hold her like he was.
"Where to then?" Harry asked, not wanting to delay this. The longer they waited the more they would want to keep Tom around.
"Not here." Tom said. "I know it's risky, what with Voldemort knowing about Hermione, but I need to go somewhere before I leave, and I want you all to come with me. We'll have to Apparate."
"Do you mind if I ask where?" Dumbledore asked.
Tom tightened his hold around Hermione's waist. "My mother's grave."
Hermione jumped a little and turned in his arms to look up at him. Tom leaned down to kiss her forehead. "You didn't think I had forgotten about your gift, did you?" He said, smiling.
Hermione smiled back, feeling bittersweet at the thought of Tom being with all of them, and his mother, as he was sent back.
"You're right Mr. Riddle, it is risky." Dumbledore said. "Voldemort will sense your presence as soon as you leave the school and I'm sure he'll try to hunt you down."
"Then we'll have to be quick." Ron said. "I want Tom to be there when he leaves, and… and I'm honored that he wants us to be there too."
Everyone looked at Ron and then at Tom as he let go of Hermione for a moment and pulled Ron into a hug.
Ron's ears turned red but he hugged Tom and patted him on the back.
"Alright, alright, let's not start acting like women." He said after a moment.
Tom laughed and released him.
"Miss Granger," Dumbledore said after a moment, "Do you feel it's safe to perform this spell there?"
Hermione nodded. "I do Headmaster. It's a small, local cemetery, and I found the location to be somewhat secluded in my research. I doubt we'll come across anyone there. And even if we do, assuming we are successful with the spell, then it won't really matter."
Dumbledore smiled and nodded his head in agreement. "You're right Miss Granger, as are you Mr. Weasley. I too think it's a place that you all need to be when it happens. As soon as Tom is back in the 40s this time here will cease to exist and another one will take its place. If Voldemort does come after you, and I believe he will, then you will be safe as long as you work quickly."
The group nodded in unison.
Dumbledore paused for a moment and looked at Tom. "This isn't goodbye Mr. Riddle." He said, smiling at the young man that stood before him. "We'll see each other again soon… all of us will."
Tom was fast losing his composure. He looked at Dumbledore with what he hoped was a firm and steady gaze but he could feel the slight stinging sensation in his eyes. He would not cry though, he wanted to be strong for Hermione and for the others.
"Thank you sir." He said, realizing that he never thanked this man for his help and for his patience.
Dumbledore shook his head. "Thank you Tom."
Tom nodded and smiled. He thought he could already feel the change taking place in this time.
"We'd better go." Ginny said, who was still holding onto Harry's hand.
"Too right you should." Dumbledore said. "I think it's safe to say that I shall see you all in the future. And you four," he said to Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny, "I expect to see a little less trouble coming from you."
Ron chuckled. "I wouldn't count on it."
Dumbledore laughed as well. "Nor would I Mr. Weasley. Good luck."
That seemed to be their signal to leave. Dumbledore marked the place in the book and handed it over to Ron who took it with a grateful smile.
With a final nod of appreciation to Dumbledore, the group made for the office doors and filed out. Harry waited and let them all pass through but before following he turned to look at Dumbledore.
This was the last time that he would see him as he was. As Harry the orphan, Harry the boy who lived, Harry the one with the scar. The next time they would meet he would just be Harry. Harry Potter.
"No goodbyes Harry. We'll see each other again." Dumbledore said, eyes twinkling from behind his familiar half-moon spectacles.
"Not goodbye sir, just thank you… for everything."
"It was an honor Harry." Albus said, sounding fatherly and warm. "Now be off."
Harry smiled and nodded and finally left the room that he had grown so accustomed to seeing over the years at Hogwarts.
The others were waiting for him at the entrance to the office and they all smiled as they saw him approach.
"We have to get outside of the gates if we're to Apparate." Harry told them. "But there's a problem; who here even knows how to Apparate?"
"I was just saying before you arrived that I can guide all of you." Tom said. "The legal age to Apparate back in the 40s was 16 so I already know how."
"Brilliant. There's one less thing to worry about." Harry said. He saw their questioning looks and sighed. "My scar, it's starting to hurt again. I think Dumbledore was right in saying that Voldemort will be hunting us down as soon as we leave, so we'd best hurry."
"Right," Tom said, reaching for Hermione's hand and grasping it firmly. "Let's get going."
They made haste as they sprinted through the castle and to the front doors. No time could be spared at the moment, especially not when Harry kept making little sounds of pain now and then. His scar was bothering him more by the second… they had to hurry.
The group didn't even have to time to clothe themselves properly when they reached the castle's main doors and exited out onto the snow covered grounds. Their thin cloaks weren't enough to keep their bodies warm but none of them complained as they raced towards the castle gates.
Reaching them took only minutes but Tom stopped them before they could pass through.
"Hermione, you're going to have to guide me as well. I'm not exactly sure where the cemetery is." He said. "You'll have to focus on the spot and I'll bring us to it."
"No problem." Hermione told him, squeezing his hand that was still holding hers.
Tom could feel her hand trembling in his and, looking into her eyes, he knew it wasn't the cold that had her shaking. He wanted to hold her but that would have to wait until they were at the cemetery.
Harry, who was standing by the gates, received a nod from Tom telling him to open them up. With one swift push the gates parted and with determined faces the young wizards stepped away from the safety of the school and onto land that was unprotected and unsafe.
Harry let out a pained groan. "It's now or never." He said, hating himself and Voldemort for making them hurry. It wasn't fair for Tom and Hermione. This was too rushed… too soon.
"Take a hand everyone and hold on tight. Remember to let Hermione and I guide you. Don't think about anything else expect following us." Tom told them.
Tom and Hermione stood side by side and clasped their hands together once again. Ron reached for Tom's while Harry, who was holding Ginny close, reached for Hermione's.
Their faces were turned towards the castle, each saying a silent goodbye in case none of this worked. Tom and Hermione concentrated hard and as soon as they were ready they entwined their cold fingers and closed their eyes.
The unfamiliar tightening sensation of Apparition began to pull at them and they all, except for Tom who was fairly used to it, gasped for breath and tired to focus.
It was working. They could practically feel a change in the air as if they were already in a different place. A sharp pop sounded and the five teenagers vanished from the spot.
None of them noticed the lone figure gazing out at them from the Headmaster's office.
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It was here. The damned dreaded moment he had been waiting for. He knew something was about to happen, he could feel it in his very bones, but it still wasn't too late.
Voldemort could tell from their connection that Harry was experiencing a great sense of anxiety and he knew it involved Tom.
"Damn her to hell!" Voldemort swore out loud. "Damn Severus!"
He had been in a foul mood ever since Narcissa came to him, telling him of Draco's imprisonment, along with Peter's. The girl wasn't dead and it was all because of the two traitors who saw fit to defy him.
Peter was going to rot in Azkaban, forgotten and pathetic, and Severus… Voldemort vowed to destroy him for what he'd done.
Both had helped them save the Mudblood, and now she was to be the end of him.
"No!" Voldemort hissed. "No. It is not over."
He could feel Harry. He knew that he was away from the school and wherever he was going he knew that Tom and the Mudblood would be there too.
It was his last chance. He had waited too long, thought that he had time but time had made a fool of him. Something had to be done now.
He would go alone. No Death Eaters would be there to foul up yet another mission and besides, this was personal. He would make Tom and his little friends watch as he choked the life out of the little Granger girl.
He would enjoy it. He would revel in it and he would make sure Tom saw every second.
Voldemort was jolted from his musings. Through the connection he could fell Harry's anxiety wane. He was obviously more comfortable now and that meant that he and his little friends were at a certain location.
He would soon find it. Harry didn't know Occlumency, didn't know how to block him and his ignorance towards magic would be his downfall.
"I'm coming Tom." Voldemort whispered, opening up his shared connection with Harry further. An ugly smirk twisted his lips at the thought of all the pain this was causing Potter.
"This will end tonight."
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Hello again! Did you like it? I know it was a bit much and fast paced but I hope that didn't bug you guys too much. (More hugs)
The next chapter is called "My Name is Tom" and it will be out shortly. I mean it this time! Give it a week, assuming nothing big comes up. Thanks again you guys for sticking with me till the end.