Author Note: Heading into Part 7-the last section! The chapters will most likely get a bit longer but hopefully I'm able to wrap up and and all loose ends.

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of the characters/places/events you recognize!

"No you can't be serious! You are practically setting him up like a pig for slaughter!" I yelled at my grandfather, baffled at my father's unusual silence. A part of me imagined this conversation feeling eerily similar to my mom's reactions about the modification plan. For her sake, I refused to step down.

"Emma, it is the only way…"

"I refuse to believe that. There is always another option!"

Before my grandfather could respond, my brother slowly stood. I braced myself for what he had to say.

"If Voldemort is waiting for me, I will play his game…"

I had no words left. To my grandfather, I could summon all the fiery energy needed to argue and debate, but to my brother and his words, I was powerless. I fell to my seat, refusing to look at Harry. The anger and rage boiled inside of me. I hated this plan. Allowing Voldemort's spy, whoever it was, to willingly enter Harry's name into the Goblet of Fire infuriated me. While we did not know the entirety of the tournament's tasks, I knew they would be dangerous, dancing upon the knife edge of death. One wrong move and my brother could be dead, long before ever facing Voldemort.

Sirius was next to speak.

"So what you are saying is that you believe Voldemort will use the tournament as a way to lure Harry to him?"

Albus nodded.

"But we don't know how or when!" I yelled, desperately trying to make them see reason. I looked over at my father who hadn't spoken since Albus revealed the plan.

"Dad, surely you do not agree with sending Harry into this tournament?"

"You can't keep me from this Emma. It's as much my destiny as yours."

I closed my eyes, fighting back the tears as his crushing words washed over me. When I opened my eyes, Harry was looking directly at me.

"I will be ready for him, Emma. It's my turn to face him."

"Harry's right."

I froze upon hearing my father break his silence.

"You can't be serious Dad! Mother would never forgive you if anything happened to him?"

I don't know why I said it, my grief and fear pushing me to say things I didn't mean. Anger flashed in my father's eyes and I knew I had hit something.

"Do not speak to me of your mother's forgiveness! Harry must do this. We all have a part to play in this, Emma and yours is not the parent."

My father stormed from my grandfather's office, his cloak billowing behind him. Once again, I fell to my seat, dropping my head to the table. Several chairs slid against the floor as footsteps took the remaining people from the room. I felt my grandmother's hand gently rub my back.

"It's okay, Kitten…"

At her words, the tears began to fall uncontrollably.

"This can't be the only way Granny!"

She didn't respond but continued to rub circles on my back. Her silence confirmed to me she was just as anxious about the plan set in motion. The school year was only days away. The other two schools would be arriving soon and the tournament would be well underway. The nature of the tournament's tasks was unbeknownst to us. We did not know the identity of Voldemort's spy. We were clueless as to the number and whereabouts of his Horcruxes. The helplessness of our situation felt all-consuming.

"How can we willingly let him walk into this trap?"

My grandmother took a deep breath, gathering her thoughts.

"Harry will not be alone in facing these tasks. We may not be able to be directly beside him, but we will all do what we can to ensure he is ready."

I lifted my head and turned towards her.

"I can't help but think something terrible is going to happen and I won't be able to stop it."

She quickly pulled me into a tight embrace as I began to sob.

"Kitten, it's not all on you to stop this. For far too long, you've been carrying these burdens. You are not alone in this. We will all protect Harry."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The act we all had to put on in response to Harry's name being pulled from the Goblet presented untold challenges. Watching my grandfather feign confusion at the fourth name coming from the cup, gutted me. We'd had every opportunity to catch the spy in action, but instead, we "opted" to let the cards fall as they may. My father remained utterly emotionless upon hearing my grandfather bellow his son's name as the fourth champion. Only my grandmother showed concern but that was a natural response regardless of her connection to Harry. Because so few knew the true relationship between Harry and I, I had to maintain a level of neutrality towards his participation in the tournament. He was supposed to be just another Gryffindor to me. After a summer of sharing nearly every moment together, we went back to rarely speaking. This should have killed me but after our disagreement regarding his participation, pretending to be strangers was surprisingly all too easy.

From the corner of my eye, I watched jealousy and envy wash over Ronald's face. I knew that would cause contention and issues for my brother, in addition to whatever he was tasked with facing. In the few weeks leading up to the first task, Professor Moody had taken a keen interest in my brother. Albus believed it would be helpful for the ex-Auror to train my brother, knowing at some point he would need to be ready to face Voldemort. It didn't sit well with me. Then again, none of this did.

To curb my anxiety, I spent every minute reading up on Horcruxes. There was, not surprisingly, very limited information available in the general section of the library. The night before the first task, I tried to obtain a pass from my father. Despite my attempted subtlety, he quickly picked up on my true intentions.

"Emma, this is not something for you to concern yourself with. You have your studies to focus on…"

I cut him off before he could continue, convinced I knew the direction this argument was headed.

"Really? You think I should be more concerned with catching up on "everything" I missed this past year while I was Voldemort's hostage than looking for ways to help my brother!"

It was evident my words cut my father. He stood up from behind his desk. I leaned in.

"Do not put those words in my mouth Emma!"

I met his response with utter sarcasm.

"Why else should I be more focused on my studies if not to catch up? Because I'm so far behind, missing out on more than half of last year! But let's not forget…I'm a 19 year old trapped in a 16 year old's body!"

My father moved out from behind his desk. I felt my breath catch in my throat. I had never seen such anger in his eyes, especially that level of anger being directed at me. He leaned in close, our faces only a few centimeters apart. His deep voice demanded full respect and attention, his eyes staring into my own. His hand firmly wrapped around my upper arm.

"I will not allow you to speak to me like this. You are the child, my child. I will not have you flirting with evil anymore than is absolutely necessary. And researching Horcruxes does not fall under that category, do you understand me? You may be the Child of Light and Dark but I refuse to willingly subject you to any more of Voldemort's darkness!"

I fell silent. His words stung. But in that moment, I suddenly understood my brother better than ever before.

"You can't stop this father anymore than I can prevent Harry from participating in the tournament. Whatever my role is in all of this, it is steeped in darkness. I might as well be armed with as much as possible before that day comes."

Without giving him a chance to respond, I turned and fled from his office. I needed to find Harry.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~I was unsuccessful at finding my brother that night. And now it was time for the first task. I walked to the stadium alongside my classmates, anxiety and worry weighing me down.

"Hey Cub, wait for us!"

Relief flooded over me as I heard my uncle's voice. I turned to see him and Sirius walking up the path hand in hand. Before I could process my concern about potential dangers surrounding their presence at Hogwarts, Sirius spoke,

"Don't worry, the others don't see us as we truly are."

I smiled.

"A glamour spell. Clever. Well I'm glad to see you both."

I threw my arms around both men, relief breaking through the grip anxiety had on my heart. I wouldn't have to watch my brother face a dragon by myself.

We turned and continued walking to the stadium.

"Any idea what he plans to do for today?"

I shook my head. Guilt immediately filled inside of me.

"I wasn't able to find him last night. We haven't exactly been speaking as of late."

A knowing look based between my uncles.

"What? Did my father speak to you?"

Remus smiled.

"Of course he came to us, Cub. He's terrified for both of his children and he is powerless to do anything about it."

"You don't know what it's like to watch the people you love face a fight they can't run from," Sirius added.

"Yeah…Guess you're right. This isn't easy for any of us."

"You got that right kid. It's not easy for anyone in this family to accept what is in store for you or Harry. But you've got to stop punishing yourself. And them, for that matter."

I offered the two men a soft smile.

"We are exceptionally good at doing that, aren't we?"

"You get it from your father, he's unreasonably talented at punishing himself. Only Lily could get him to stop subjecting himself to self-loathing."

"I guess it's up to me to fill her shoes."

"Not entirely kid," Sirius interjected, "that responsibility is not yours to bear. It just goes to show that Lily always saw the best in everyone and never let them become their own worst enemy. It's on all of us to prevent Sev and you and Harry from making this any more difficult than it needs to be."

I couldn't help but laugh. My uncles gave me a slightly confused look.

"You are right. I also hope you two decide to become parents, you're infuriatingly good at it!"

They both wrapped their arms around me.

"Hopefully one day!"

By then we made it to an empty row of seats in the stadium. My uncles sat me down between them, knowing it would take both of them to calm my nerves. I looked everywhere for my father, unsure of how the nature of the first task was hitting him. Upon discovering dragons as the first task, I nearly fainted but not before knocking Ron upside the head for being a dunderhead about the whole thing. Hermione had been able to provide some comfort, telling me that Moody had instructed Harry to focus on his talents. My brother was unnaturally good at flying and I only hoped he would be wise enough to summon his broom.

We watched with a mixture of awe and terror as the first three champions battled their dragons. I could see how other students were quite enjoying being spectators of the tournament. But as the older sister of the youngest champion, I was beside myself at the sound of the cannon. Harry looked so small stepping out into the arena. The golden egg was suspiciously unguarded. I held my breath as I watched my brother look around for the Horntail before darting towards the egg. My scream mixed with dozens of others as the dragon materialized in front of my brother, a long stream of fire erupting from it. I shut my eyes and squeezed Remus' and Sirius' hands. I began repeating over and over again,

Summon your broom. Summon your broom.

I refused to watch, the sounds of a fire breathing beast fighting against its chains was enough to cause me panic. Suddenly, I heard Hermione yell,

"Your wand, Harry. Use your wand!"

Thank you Hermione!

Soon enough, the stadium erupted in cheers. I opened my eyes to see Harry jumping onto his firebolt. Sirius and Remus exchanged a high five while I let go of the breath I'd been holding for ages. My father was initially livid when my uncles gifted Harry a firebolt for his 14th birthday, but at this moment, I was sure he was truly grateful for his son's possession of the world's fastest broom. After several more agonizing minutes of watching the Horntail chase Harry around Hogwarts, my brother successfully snatched the golden egg. Somehow, my breathing returned to a more regular rate as my uncles escorted me back to the castle. I heard snippets of plans for a party in the common room and my uncles encouraged me to go. It would be an easy way to approach my brother, under the guise of excitement for his accomplishment. I smiled,

"Of course I'll go. But there is someone I need to speak to first."

They both nodded to me, my destination completely obvious to them. I quickly made my way through the crowd of students and descended down to the dungeons. I knew my father would have gone here immediately after the first task to regain composure.

I knocked on his door before entering, the wards easily admitting me. My father turned around, a smile gracing his lips as the tears rolled down his cheeks. I felt tears immediately form in my own eyes as I ran to him.

"I'm sorry father. I'm so so sorry," I sobbed into his robes. In response, he wrapped his arms around me tighter.

"You have nothing to be sorry for, my child. None of us know how to navigate what's ahead. I didn't mean to be dismissive of your experiences."

I clung to him, refusing to let go, afraid that if I did, somehow it would all be ripped away from me, a lingering manifestation of my childhood trauma.

"I'm right here. I'm not going anywhere Emma."

My words came out muffled as I buried my face into his shoulder.

"I love you Dad!"

"I love you too, Emma."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After dinner, I left to go find Harry before the celebration. He was walking with Ron and Hermione back to the common room.

"Harry!"

At the sound of my voice, my brother turned around, watching as I ducked into the nearest classroom. He immediately followed me, his two friends standing watch at the door. The distance between us the past few weeks immediately melted away as I ran to throw my arms around him. Thankfully, he returned the gesture just as tightly.

"I'm so sorry for ever doubting you Harry!"

"It's okay Emma. You were scared. We all are!"

"I know but I never want you to think I don't believe in you! You're right. I can't stop what's coming. But we are in this together."

"Thanks Ems!"

We pulled apart, each wiping the tears that had escaped down our cheeks. I clapped my little brother on the shoulder,

"Good job out there today little brother!"

He grinned.

"Thanks sis. I can't believe I did that!"

"Better believe it kid! I'm sure the next task will be difficult but I promise I'll be right there beside you to help figure it out."

"I'm glad. Moody was helpful for the first task but he creeps me out."

I nodded.

"Me too. I know Albus trusts him but I feel wary."

Before I could get too carried away, I shook my head.

"But that is not something that needs to be discussed today-go! You have a celebration to get to, Champion."

"Thanks Emma! I'll see you in the common room!"

I watched my brother rejoin his friends, their laughter audible even as they moved further away. For the first time in a while, my heart felt light. But I knew that feeling was fleeting.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A loud crack filled the room. Minerva turned to see her husband appear behind his desk, stumbling and clutching his hand. She immediately felt worry erupt within her.

"Albus! What happened?"

The man could barely utter a word.

"Sssev..rus.."

"Severus?"

He nodded. Minerva sent her patronus to find her son. No sooner had the shimmering cat disappeared when the Floo roared to life, revealing the Potions Master.

"What happened?"

Albus was hardly coherent, unable to describe the event that had rendered him like this. Severus helped Minerva lower the older wizard into their bed, whatever ailment he had clearly spreading to his limbs. Severus retrieved various vials from his robes, having been forewarned by his father to have them on hand. Albus let out a groan and then appeared to relax into some state of sleep. Minerva clutched her son's arm as he began to inspect his father's damaged hand.

"Severus. Do you know what could have caused this?"

"I have my suspicions, yes. Whatever the cause, it is dark magic. He's lucky to have made it back here in one piece."

"What have you done for him?"

"I've stopped the curse from spreading. But I'm not sure the true extent of the damage he incurred. Call for me as soon as he wakes. From there, I'll see what I can do."

Severus gently placed a kiss on his mother's cheek before returning to his office. While his body longed for sleep, he knew he must discover the full extent of the curse upon his father's hand. Albus had warned him that something like this might happen on his errand tonight. He silently cursed to himself, fully aware that the source of the curse was a Horcrux.

So the old man found one?

He pondered. In secret, Albus and Severus had pulled together all of their knowledge about Tom in hopes to deduce the number of objects he'd created. Severus shivered. No, more accurately, how many murders he had committed in order to split his soul.

His mother's patronus interrupted his thoughts requesting his immediate attention. Severus took to the floo and in moments was by his father's side.

"Severus, thank you for coming."

"Care to tell me what happened to your hand?"

Albus turned and gave Minerva a knowing look. She scowled but understood.

"Alright. I'm going to co check on my Lions and their common room celebration of our Champion. When I return, there will be no more of this secrecy nonsense."

It was easy to pick up her annoyance through the Scottish accent, a tell-tale sign she was displeased with being dismissed. Albus managed to flash her a small smile before his face contorted in pain.

"Did you find one?"

Albus nodded.

"A ring. It enticed me. Right before I destroyed it, I heard a voice. It told me how I could see my sister again if I put the ring on."

"And you listened to it?"

Albus leveled a stern glare at his son.

"It was Tom's voice."

In his father's knowing look, Severus recalled the experience last year in the Chamber. A young Tom Riddle had materialized from the diary. It clicked.

"The ring and the diary…"

"Two of his Horcruxes now destroyed."

"But how many more? They could be anywhere! How do we destroy them?"

Albus weakly lifted his hand to cease his son's questioning.

"I imagine Tom set out to create a number of Horcruxes to make him feel invincible. Whether he succeeded before he "died" is a different story."

Severus' vision began to spin, that lingering helplessness starting to grow.

"Any leads for the next one?"

Albus shrugged his shoulders.

"Possibly. But we must first attend to this."

He gestured to his damaged hand. Severus felt the fear of failure begin to swirl within him.

"Father… I've done all I could."

Albus appeared unphased by the comment, as if he had almost expected it.

"How much longer?"

Severus was at a loss for words, his father requesting to know the rate of his decline. It made him sick.

"I'm not sure. I would imagine anywhere from 6 months to a year."

Without skipping a beat, Albus stood and faced his son.

"Then we must ensure Tom's plan to lure Harry happens before this ends me."

Severus couldn't help but stagger back, falling into one of the stone pillars surrounding his father's desk.

"What will mother…"

Albus cut him off, a severe look in his eye.

"You will say nothing. To anyone. But especially not to Minerva."

Severus moved to argue with his father but held his tongue when the door to his parents' private quarters opened.

"Swear to it, Severus."

The weight of Albus' demand came crashing down on the younger wizard. It felt reminiscent of the request Severus had made all those years ago, during their modified state. Back then, Albus agreed which left Severus no choice but to obey.

"I swear, Father."