Back to the Future

by Sirius1

In the year 1998, life is dangerous for young Harry Potter. In his final year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, with Lord Voldemort watching over the world, Harry learns new forms of hardship. However, a very special someone arrives who is ab

11. Back to the Future (11): The Final Battl...

So, I'm back after an eventful absence. The French exchange is over. Exams are over. School is now a joke. Time to finish Back to the Future, no? Any suggestions as to how to get The DeLorean into this story, by the way? Argh – too much genuine BTTF. Now ... dedications … this chapter is for my good friend Jae-san, more commonly known to most of you as Jason Mak, though he needs a haircut, all the R/H shippers, including Hallie, Rachel and others, and finally Mladybug3, for her encouraging words and comical reviews over the months. Here we go then:

Back to the Future (11): The Final Battle

Hermione could tell from James' expression that he was just barely keeping his emotions stable.

'Ron is gone?' she whispered disbelievingly. James nodded solemnly.

'Yes,' he said shakily. 'One moment he was there, and one moment he had disappeared, straight off the map. I don't know where he's gone, Hermione, but I've got a good feeling.' He didn't have time to speak as Hermione's face literally crumbled in front of him, and she let out a bitter sob. He leaned forward slightly and let her fall into his arms; her flowing tears soaking deep into his robes.

*

Harry sat in his room, feeling utterly dejected. Seamus was already asleep, but Neville and Dean were playing a quiet game of chess. They both seemed to perceive that Harry wished to be left alone as his face implied that he had just seen Lord Voldemort face-to-face.

So she didn't love him. He sighed. If only he had told her at the time; if only he had told her sooner; if only; if only … it was too late now. Hermione had said that herself. And she had been right, certainly. In his haste, Harry had completely overlooked that her feelings may not match his. There was no point in moping. He should be happy for his two best friends, not trying to split them apart. He sighed again. He was still decked out in his dress robes, despite them being rather dusty from the hasty journey back to the castle. All of a sudden, he felt sure he heard a scream from somewhere below him. And he recognised the voice, for it was the voice of one of his best friends.

'Hermione,' he muttered wildly, before sprinting out of the boys' dormitories.

*

'I'm sorry, Hermione, I really don't know what to say. Come on, don't cry … come here …' He pulled Hermione into an embrace and she sobbed unwaveringly into his robes. She felt that this really was the lowest end. She felt as though someone had taken her heart and torn it into pieces, as though a part of her had merely been plucked out. Ron was gone. How could he be gone? She let out another wrenched cry and broke away from James, tearing off her diamond necklace. James, eyes wide open, bent down to pick it up. Hermione shook her head, however, and James pocketed it. What were they going to do? Ron wouldn't come back unless … unless he was rescued. And that was when Hermione realised that the stony look on James' face implied that that was what he intended to do.

'Oh, James,' she said, between gasps. 'You can't go – you can't do it all … alone … you can't possibly –'

'Shhh … there, there, Hermione. We will rescue Ron. You'll see. We have to tell –'

Yet the person that James had to tell entered the room before he could finish his sentence.

'Hermione?' Harry asked concernedly. 'What's wrong? Where's Ron?' With a defeated sigh and a horrific expression, James began to talk slowly into the rapt silence…

*

Harry lay in bed thinking that night. He had lost two friends that day, his two best friends in the world. Wiping away a tear, he realised that he could well never see Ron Weasley again, and that thought chilled him to the bone. It was far more like losing his brother than his best friend. He could almost understand the pain Sirius had felt at Lily and James' demise. The old Lily and James.

And then there was Hermione. Now she was no longer Hermione his best friend, for she knew of his secret, and she had rejected him. There would undoubtedly be a change in their relationship. What with Ron being gone she was also likely to be much more adamant about how she stood in terms of romance.

When James had first recounted the news to him Harry had been literally blinded with grief. Though there was a small possibility that Ron was still alive, he hadn't been able to prevent the anguished cry escape him or the tears flow. A part of him had been untimely ripped out without any prior warning. Ron had just … disappeared. But how? That was what irritated Harry. How? Hogwarts, Hagrid had once told him, was the safest place in the magical community. And it was crawling with Phoenix members, from all of whom loyalty was assured.

Harry had to go to Voldemort. There was a reason for all his doings. First Donna, and now Ron – these were mere warnings. Warnings to Harry that the Dark Lord could take even his best friends in the most protected of places. And Hermione was likely to be the next target. As impractical as it was, Harry was going to have to face Voldemort, not for his own sake but for the magical community as a whole. He would most definitely risk his life to save those of others. He would even sacrifice himself, if it came to that.

And there was someone he felt sure he could rely on to help him. Perhaps it was fate, he wondered later, that James had come forward in time to exactly the time when Voldemort was at his strongest. Perhaps it had been foretold. There was no easy way of knowing, but either way, they had to take advantage of the situation and act accordingly.

Straightening up, Harry could hear Neville's snores from the other side of the room. Yet he had an odd feeling that James was definitely awake. Before he could react, he heard something that made him start, 'Yeah I am.' It had been James that whispered. Harry, however, stood in shock.

'What the –?' he began. James lit the end of his wand dimly, so there was sufficient light for him and Harry to see each other.

'What's wrong, Harry?' James asked.

'Nothing,' Harry lied. 'James, what are we going to do?'

'I really don't know, Harry,' James replied helplessly. 'I really don't know.'

*

Breakfast the next morning was a very depressing affair. Any newcomers to the Gryffindor table would have thought that the Dementor's Kiss had been administered to Harry and Hermione. And they weren't the only ones. Seamus too, had a very deadened look in his eye, and Lavender and Parvati were evidently fighting back tears. Though Ron had often complained to Harry and Hermione that his brothers overshadowed him, the mood at the table that morning proved with undeniable finality how special a person he really was.

Harry was still confident that Ron was alive, however. He maintained that if Ron were dead, Voldemort would waste no time in telling him. Dumbledore had been informed by Hermione, but had not made any form of announcement as yet. Perhaps due to the low morale of the school since Donna's death just a few short days beforehand, or maybe due to something else altogether, he had not brought it up.

Therefore, of the student body, only Harry, Hermione, James, Ginny, Seamus and a handful of other Gryffindors knew of the situation. All of the Phoenix members had been informed, and there was evidence of tighter security around the castle. The damage was done, however, and Harry could sense that Voldemort would keep hold of Ron unless he went to face him.

James, on the other hand, felt sick, both with sadness and hatred. Of course, he had suffered directly at the hands of Lord Voldemort before, but never to this extent. In Ron's absence, all happiness seemed to dissolve. The changes in Harry and Hermione were beyond evident. Then again, James thought, it would have been like that for him if Sirius had been captured. The most time Ron, Harry and Hermione could ever have spent apart over the last seven years was the weeks of the summer holidays when Harry had been forced to stay with the Dursleys.

Ginny, meanwhile, was in complete shock. She persistently muttered things to herself under her breath; James felt she could be reassuring herself that Ron would return. She had sent an owl off to her parents, Fred and George, and Bill and Charlie, now cohabiting in Spain. They would not have received the news as yet, of course.

Marie Déesse seemed particularly distraught. Though Seamus comforted her, telling her that Ron would be all right, she seemed very fidgety. She kept shooting furtive glances to her sister, who looked as stunned as anybody else. Even Lizzy and Adrienne Beauté, usually, according to Marie, the "life and soul of a party" looked miserable and downcast. Evidently they held themselves somewhat responsible for Ron's disappearance.

*

Hermione had collected the Dancing Trophy from Flora, but it was little consolation for anything that had transpired. She, James and Harry sat silently in the common room, not speaking and avoiding eye contact. Yet it was evident what each one of them was thinking. Would they see Ron again?

Seamus and Marie sat on the other side of the room, speaking very quietly. There was an untouched chessboard in front of them, and it was obvious that neither were interested in playing. They seemed preoccupied with staring into each other's eyes.

It turned out to be a sad, lifeless day. One day that stood out in Harry's memory similar to this was the day Ginny had been taken down into the Chamber of Secrets under the influence of Tom Riddle. Tom Riddle, Harry thought bitterly, he's the root of all this misery. How a person had been driven to such pure … evil was incomprehensible (a/n See footnote).

In light of what had happened, both Harry and Hermione seemed to have forgotten their conversation of the previous night. James, of course, knew nothing of the situation. Due to the fact that Hermione and Harry would probably not be speaking even if engaged, however, he did not notice anything unusual their lack of eye contact.

Marie Déesse walked over to the table just as James left for the kitchens. He had taken with him, again as a precaution, the Marauder's Map and the Invisibility Cloak. Marie walked over and muttered something quietly into Harry's ear. Though right next to Harry, Hermione could not make out any distinct words. Suddenly, however, Marie tripped and fell on top of Harry. It would have been hard for an unwitting observer to determine who seemed more dismayed by this – Seamus or Hermione. Though she was not open about it, Harry felt that Hermione did not see any of the Veela in a particularly favourable light. Marie, however, straightened up, apologising profusely to Harry, and dusted off her robes. She left the common room arm in arm with Seamus. Hermione did not notice the painful look in Harry's eye.

Or the green stain.

*

James strolled briskly down the hallway. Since Ron's disappearance, he knew he had not been himself. A distant part of his mind, somewhere, told him he had failed the young Weasley. Ron had saved his life. For that he would be eternally grateful, and he merely hoped he would see the boy again to inform him of this. Filled with these rather pessimistic thoughts, he entered a secret passageway he and Sirius had discovered nearly a lifetime ago that would lead him to the kitchens.

James had always enjoyed the company of the house elves. Their general attitude, though he knew it to be rather more slave like than anything else, always made him chuckle. When he entered, a group of them were standing in a corner by the huge wood-burning oven, supporting an extremely large stuffed turkey. Another group were disappearing through a fireplace, dustpans and cleaning liquid in hand. James chuckled again. There must have been some serious defect in house elves gone by to have made them work ethics rather than their human counterparts – work intolerant.

What with the excitement (or lack thereof) of the afternoon, James did not feel particularly hungry. Still, resigned to the fact that the others very well might be, he asked the house elves politely for a couple of hamburgers. Muggle fast-food restaurants had nothing on the Hogwarts kitchens - that was for sure. One of the elves, slightly taller and, in James' opinion, more authoritative, approached him, bowed, and asked reverently, 'Would sir care for some chips to accompany sir's meal, sir?' James nodded, laughing, as he mentally compared the words of this polite, respected house elf to the somewhat stereotypical attitude of the American Muggles he had seen in comics politely inquiring, 'D'you want fries with that?'

James left the kitchens, a plate of various delicacies floating ominously behind him. He suddenly thought – pulling out the Marauder's Map – that Sirius, if he was still around, might like some food. This in mind, he traced his finger across Remus' office. Empty. Glancing briefly to the Gryffindor common room, he noticed that Hermione was in there, alone. Odd, he thought, I wonder where Harry is. Oh, there he is – oh my God … James stopped thinking and started.

Hearing the platter crash to the floor behind him, he stared fixedly at the small dot on the map labelled, 'Harry Potter.'

Green.

*

Harry felt dizzy, and a searing pain was cutting through him. He was disorientated, and knew his thoughts were not his own. Follow me, said a voice from somewhere. Why? Harry thought back. He had known for years that he could throw off the Imperius curse, so this should be no exception, should it? I said follow me! the voice countered, and another shock of pain passed through Harry's body. He stiffened his resolve, the pain awakening his sense of awareness. No. But he was weak – he had been poisoned, no doubt. But by whom? His last thoughts before he slipped from consciousness were, where's James when I need him?

*

James ran at breakneck speed. He had to get to Harry. Something was wrong and he knew it. Ron had disappeared just hours after James had spotted his dot as green on the Marauder's Map – he would have to stick to Harry like glue to prevent him being taken as well. He flew around a corridor, not stopping to apologise to Professor Flitwick when he knocked him down in his haste. He kept on running, getting closer and closer to Harry, know walking, staggering, it seemed, down the second corridor. He rounded a corner, and flew headfirst into Flora Déesse and Draco Malfoy, looking distinctly hot and sweaty. He wouldn't have needed three guesses to determine what they'd been doing, but that was not important at that particular moment in time.

'Draco,' he gasped. 'Come with me – quick!' Draco raised an eyebrow.

'Why should I, Alfarero?' he sneered.

'Come with me, you arrogant git!' James snapped, grabbing Draco by the arm and forcefully pulling him forwards. Being as strong as he was, Draco was easily moved.

'What the hell are you doing?' he replied. 'I'm sorry about Weasley, and everything, but really –'

'Harry is about to be taken, idiot!' James hissed. Draco blanched.

'Let's go.'

*

Harry lay across two desks in the empty room, a small crystal necklace in his hand. He was quite unconscious; the person watching him had made sure of that. The shadow fell across him again, and chuckled.

'You think you're unstoppable, Potter,' it sneered. 'We'll see.' The shadow checked the small clock in the corner. Twenty seconds to go. It pulled out a shining, silvery material from its pocket – standard issue – and covered itself. And held Harry's hand.

Ten seconds to go – nine, eight, seven – six, five, four – three – on three, there came a tremendous crash. James and Draco burst into the room, and both grabbed onto Harry. The shadow cursed them both, but managed to keep its voice low.

One – zero – James felt a familiar hook jerk in behind his navel. He was rising – they were leaving. In a whirl of wind and colour, they left the small classroom, the Marauder's Map fluttering slowly to the floor.

Four less dots.

*

Seamus blinked. He and Hermione, back in the common room, were finishing a game of chess.

'What was that?' Seamus said. Hermione looked up at him blankly.

'What?' she asked.

'I just felt – or heard something – something uncomfortable.'

'A million voices cried out at once and were suddenly silenced?' Seamus raised an eyebrow.

'Yes,' he replied sarcastically. 'A million voices were suddenly silenced.' Hermione laughed at his tone of voice. 'It was probably nothing,' he reassured her. 'Don't worry. But where are Harry and James?'

'James went to get food – I think Harry followed him.'

'Strange – shouldn't they be back by now?' Hermione frowned.

'Perhaps,' she said pensively. 'Then again,' she added. 'You know what those two are like.' Seamus nodded, conceding the point.

Five minutes later, there was still no sign of Harry or James.

'I hope they're OK,' Hermione muttered nervously.

'I expect they will be,' Seamus said, sounding more confident than he felt. 'Don't worry too much about Harry. Although God knows he could do with some reciprocity.'

'Pardon?'

'Harry – worrying about everyone. He cares about us all, you know, Hermione. You especially.' It took Hermione just a few seconds.

'Wh – what?' she stammered. She pointed at Seamus. 'You – you know?' Seamus suddenly realised that Harry hadn't told Hermione exactly how much everybody knew.

'Er –'

'He – he told you before telling me?!' she hissed. Seamus nodded glumly. 'That bloody – if he hadn't – ohh, just wait until I get my hands –'

'What will you do?' Seamus cut in, his eyes shining.

'What?' Hermione snapped. 'I'll tell him –'

'I would think, Hermione,' Seamus interrupted, running a hand through his sandy hair, usually an action performed by Harry. 'That you could show Harry just a little more gratitude for saving your life.' His voice was calm and cold, and seemed to cut into Hermione like ice.

'What?' she said icily, her voice dangerously low, though it was clear she was avoiding Seamus' eyes. 'How dare you defend him – he didn't tell me!'

'And what would you have done, Hermione?' Seamus whispered back. 'In his position – would you tell your best friend that you loved them?' Hermione stuttered, and Seamus chuckled, resting back against his chair. 'I met Marie in Paris, some … two years ago. We met, although I don't think her mother was altogether too pleased, and hit it off practically straight away. Of course, it took me just three days without Marie – she was forced off somewhere – to realise how I felt about her. When she came back – to Paris – she felt much the same – it took us weeks to admit it to each other.' Seamus raised his head, evidently in a state of some agitation. His voice shook slightly. 'Wh – when we finally did tell each other – Marie had to leave just two days later.' He closed his eyes. 'It wasn't good, Hermione. All that remained for me was a tearstained letter and a broken heart – I thought I'd never see her again …' Hermione had allowed Seamus to talk into silence, obviously intrigued, and both of them remained silent for some minutes.

'You really love her,' Hermione said quietly, breaking the silence.

'Yes, yes I do,' Seamus replied. 'But don't you see, Hermione, Harry loves you even more – if that's possible. You surely must know the properties of Amora Primus.'

'Yes,' said Hermione irritably. 'They can be used only on a person who you are in love with.'

'Correction,' Seamus said, smirking. 'Amora Primus can only be used on a person's one true love!' Hermione opened her mouth as if to speak, thought better of it, and closed her mouth again. This was evidently news to her. Before she could think of anything to say, a few tears leaked from her eyes. She looked up helplessly.

'Seamus,' she said helplessly. 'I don't know what to do …'

'Come here, Hermione,' Seamus replied kindly, drawing Hermione into an embrace. She sobbed unrestrainedly into his robes for a few seconds before leaning back.

'Thank you,' she said, looking him straight in the eye. Seamus smiled

'I can understand why Harry loves you so much,' he said quietly. Hermione started almost imperceptibly and looked back directly into Seamus' eyes. He looked back at her, giving nothing away – for his gaze was as impossible to read as Ron's. They did not break eye contact, however.

Slowly their lips met.

*

James landed hard on cold stone. He felt his leg – it was fine, albeit a little painful. He turned to Draco, who had gone white with fear and shock.

'Oh God,' he said, in a tone that chilled James to the bone. 'We really don't want to be here.'

'Albania?' James ventured, even though he knew what the answer would be.

'Yes,' Draco replied. 'Come on – follow me – much as I hate to admit it – I know the geography of this place.' James face was etched in stone with determination.

'Let's go.'

'Not so fast,' an invisible voice hissed quietly. 'Stupefy!'

James and Draco fell motionlessly to the stone floor.

*

Hermione could hardly breath – fire was spreading through her, warming the tips of her fingers and toes. Kissing Ron had never felt like this. And yet, she could still not quite believe it – kissing Seamus – it would be like kissing one of her cousins, they were that close. Before she even had a chance to contemplate this, Seamus had pulled back, a slight smile playing at the corner of his mouth. Hermione tried to say something, but she could only gulp weakly.

'Seamus –' Seamus held up his hand, indicating to Hermione to keep quiet.

'I'm sorry if I upset you, Hermione. That was just something that might have been – under different circumstances.'

'What do you mean?'

'Oh come on,' Seamus replied. 'I have Marie – you have Harry. I can't see it happening, really.' Hermione clenched her fists again.

'There you go again – saying I have Harry. I don't!' Seamus smirked.

'Sure you don't, Hermione. I think – when you finally stop pretending and confront your feelings – you'll realise that Harry's love for you is more than mutual.' He didn't give Hermione a chance to answer as he rose from his chair. 'I'm going to look for Harry and James,' he said. 'See you in a bit.' He pecked her on the cheek, smiled again, and left the room through the portrait hole. Hermione watched his retreating figure leave the room, before she whispered, 'Seamus – that was amazing …'

*

Harry blinked. His head was hurting rather badly. The last thing he remembered was sitting in the common room with Hermione – where was he now? He sat up properly, and heard a chink of metal. His hands and feet were bound with silver chains. Silver? No, it wasn't silver; he had used that enough in Potions to know what it felt like. It looked like silver but was far too solid, too rigid. He attempted to pull his hands apart, but the chains were much too hard.

'Crœsium.' Harry turned swiftly. Severus Snape was lying on the floor next to him, a languid smile on his face, bound with exactly the same chains.

'Snape?' Harry said breathlessly with a sigh of relief. 'You're alive. What happened? How are you here? Where's Ron?' Snape chuckled.

'Slowly, Potter,' he said. 'You're bound with Crœsium chains, that is, chains that cannot be broken by magic. A recent discovery, nearly twice as effective as adamantine.'

'Crœsium?' Harry replied. 'What's that? 'And how did you get here?' Snape rose from the floor, holding his chained hands up to his eyes.

'It is an abnormally strong substance which repels magic. You know, of course, that werewolves are killed by silver?' Harry nodded. 'Crœsium, discovered by a French wizard of that name, is a compound of tungsten and caesium with a silver plating.' Harry stared blankly. Snape sighed. 'Anyway,' he said. 'The silver is as apt to repel magic as it is to kill a werewolf. It comes from the fact that werewolf hair is used in all magic wands.'

'It is?' Harry replied, amazed that his capture was turning into a potions interrogation. Snape sighed again.

'Yes Potter, it is, for it has various magical properties. Therefore –' He tensed the grip on his chains, '– we cannot escape.' Harry sat back down against the wall.

'How did you get here?' he asked Snape after a few minutes. Snape shrugged.

'I do not know. I went to give Avery and Pettigrew –' He spat the name with venom that Harry had never heard him use, '– their food, and I was ambushed as soon as I walked in. How and who by I do not know.'

'Couldn't they have attacked you as you entered?' Harry asked.

'Impossible,' Snape said. 'Dumbledore uses magnetic Crœsium to keep them secured in place. They are only released from this when they eat, for I control the Crœsium from outside the cell.'

'I see,' Harry said. 'When you enter, they are secured in place, when you leave them food and exit, you release them, when you return to collect the plates you secure them again and enter.'

'Exactly,' said Snape, his pale eyes glittering. 'So what happened I do not know.' Harry bowed his head in thought.

'Wait,' he said suddenly. 'When you take in the food, do you lock the door behind you?' Snape shook his head.

'There is little point,' he replied. 'I am only in there for about twenty seconds.' Harry thought hard again, eventually reaching the only possible answer.

'Yes,' he said. 'I see what happened. We'll have to be on our guard, Snape, because the Death Eaters are issued with Invisibility Cloaks.' Snape started.

'How do you know?' Harry fixed him with a piercing stare.

'I just do.'

'Do you not have your father's Cloak?'

'No I don't.'

'Then where is it?'

'Residing with its owner, of course,' said a voice from above them.

*

James jerked awake, his forehead covered in a thin layer of perspiration. His head felt terrible, shades of the mornings after the nights he and Sirius had spent at the pub in Hogsmeade some twenty years ago. He looked to the walls surrounding him and cursed swiftly. An adamantine cell – but – wait – was it adamantine? It didn't look like it, particularly. Despite shimmering, it did not possess the giveaway adamantine marble feel. Instead it felt harder, coarser even. James sighed and turned his head to look around the room, gasping as his eyes came to rest on a heap of robes covering a shock of flaming ginger hair.

Ron.

James let out a huge sigh of relief and approached the motionless form of Ron Weasley. He checked his pockets and realised, swearing loudly, that his wand had been taken from him. He lifted Ron so that his head rested against the wall of the cell. Once propped up, James proceeded to take his pulse. It was there, that was for sure – beating at an absolutely incredible rate. James' brow furrowed. How can his heart rate be so high if he's out cold? he pondered. He flicked his wrist, whispering 'Enervate!'

Nothing happened.

'Bollocks,' he hissed, realising that the cell was designed to repel magic. 'Now what?' He glanced around the room, searching for a possible means of escape. It looked futile – the room was empty except for the tiniest of grates in the far corner. James did not see what good it might bring, but he approached it nonetheless. It was then that he heard something that made him start violently. A voice, a low voice, a voice that he had heard thousands of time in the past, was speaking.

'Do you not have your father's Cloak?' Snape. It was Severus Snape, and he was in the cell below James. That reminded James of something … but of course! He still had the Cloak! He had taken it with him on the way to the kitchens! He straightened up and pulled out the silky, shiny material, dusting off against his sleeve. This done, he bent back down closer to the grate, resting on the floor so that his eyes could just make out the robes covering somebody's arms. An answer came swiftly, and James had a feeling he knew the other speaker.

'No I don't.' So Harry and Snape were sharing a cell. That was reassuring – to know not only that Snape was all right but also Harry's whereabouts.

Malfoy remained unaccounted for.

James lowered his head again and heard a reply come drifting up from the room below him, 'Then where is it?' Snape had asked. James lowered himself so he was right up against the grate, and Harry's alert green eyes came into view. He looked particularly chagrined, and was, unlike James, bound with chains. His mouth curling into a smile, James whispered, 'Residing with its owner, of course.' He saw Harry and Snape both visibly start and stare up at the ceiling.

'James?' said Harry disbelievingly, though his voice shook with some suppressed excitement. 'Is that you?' James replied in the affirmative, 'Yes,' he whispered. 'I'm OK – we're not tied up.' He could hear Harry moving around, sounding distinctly excited.

'We?' Snape replied acidly, obviously not so excited about James being in the cell above them.

'Ron's up here with me,' James hissed back, hearing Harry give a strangled cheer. He suddenly came into view right below the grate, though he was still bound in chains. He was smiling.

'Is he OK?' Harry asked, his voice and eyes full of concern.

'He'll live,' James replied. 'Just out cold is all.' Harry nodded to show he understood. 'What are you bound in?' he asked. Snape's voice brought back the answer.

'Crœsium chains,' he said slowly. 'The second hardest substance in existence. If we had diamond we could cut through it, but …' His voice trailed away. James nodded to Harry to show he comprehended the situation. They were both trapped, and nothing could save them but diamond … diamond … diamond …

James started, gasping loudly as he did so. Harry looked up at him, bemused, his bright green eyes veritably shining over the tops of his glasses. He pushed his glasses to the bridge of his nose, running a hand through his hair. He glanced up again at James, and said, 'What?' James, however, was fumbling with the pocket of his robes, and pulled something out of his robes, saying, 'Yes!'

Harry looked up again to see James positively beaming down at him his blue eyes alight.

'What is it?' he asked, for James was evidently in a state of excitement. James looked down and held something out for Harry to see. Harry gasped.

'Don't you see?' James asked. 'It's Hermione's diamond necklace! I picked it up last night after we found out Ron was gone! You can use it to cut through the Crœsium!' James heard Snape suck in a low breath as well. He muttered to Harry, 'It might just work …' Harry turned back up to the grate, his eyes shining with anticipation.

'Pass it down,' he said. 'Just through the grate.' James hesitated.

'I don't know,' he said. 'They sometimes have alarms here to prevent people passing things through to each other.' Harry sighed.

'Come on,' Harry persisted. 'It could be our only way out of here.' James nodded, and reluctantly dropped the small necklace through a single gap in the grate.

And immediately wished he hadn't

A piercing siren went off, practically shattering James' eardrums. Ron finally jerked awake and opened his eyes, his face stricken with horror. He turned to James, oblivious to the shrill alarm and the approaching footsteps.

'James?' he said, as James started. 'Where are we? I – this isn't the kitchens!' James did not have time to reply, however, for two masked Death Eaters had just entered the cell.

*

Harry froze.

'Shit,' he muttered, the siren still wailing loudly. But Harry knew what he had to do – grasping the diamond necklace very tightly in his right hand – he had hardly any time, it was imperative that he got this right – he started to cut into the Crœsium binding him. It cut almost like paper – within a few seconds, Harry had his right arm free, and was just in the process of freeing his left when …

'Stop right there, Harry.' Two Death Eaters with their hoods down entered the room – Peter Pettigrew and Jacob Avery. Harry cursed. Peter smirked, and turned to his companion. 'You go back upstairs to the Dark Lord, Avery,' he said. 'Inform him that the situation is under control.' Avery nodded, bowed, and swiftly lifted his hood. Looking very closely, Harry saw exactly what he had expected, and sighed. He glanced up to the grate and saw that James' face had disappeared – Snape was sitting in the corner, a look of twisted, pure hatred written across his features. Harry was quite alarmed – the last time he had seen that look was the look Snape had given Sirius years ago in the Shrieking Shack. Peter laughed. He was looking directly at Snape and chuckling. Harry couldn't help it – something in that ring – that tone of laughter – it was boring into him – he raised his right fist behind his back.

SMACK

Peter flew across the floor and hit the wall hard. Harry raised his head – he had hit someone – for the first time in his life he had hit someone. He had started to shake, and his breathing was uneven. Peter remained sprawled on the floor, conscious, but with a vivid black mark rising on his cheek. He smiled.

'Never should underestimate a Potter, I suppose,' he said languidly. He had started to breathe heavily as well, in the manner of a person who has done something against the law. He looked at Harry long and hard for a minute, and seemed to make up his mind. He got up, and suddenly started fiddling with something in his pocket. He drew something long and thin out of it, breathless triumph in his glittering eyes. He held a hand to Harry, and Harry started when he realised the thing in Peter's hand was his wand.

'Take it,' he said, avoiding eye contact. Harry stared.

'What?'

'Come on,' Peter said, the smirk disappearing from his features. 'I'm getting you out of here.'

*

'Never – do – that – again!' James groaned again. He was sprawled out on the floor, being kicked repeatedly in the stomach by a masked Death Eater. He should have known better than to try and drop something between the grates – they had always been armed to prevent wizards passing wands to one another. He opened one eye as one of the Death Eaters stopped his companion. James could feel himself slipping from consciousness, but he held on.

'Now,' said one of the Death Eaters in a low hiss. 'You will do as we say. We are going to return you to and stone cell, tie you up, and kill you.' James could have sworn that he had heard a low gasp, but realised he was probably not thinking straight.

'Up!' the wizard barked. 'Now!' James scrambled to his feet, swaying slightly to one side. He looked up into the white mask and saw a pair of brown eyes glittering back at him – he recognised those eyes from somewhere. But where? How could he possibly know any people in the future, unless … James racked his brains … surely there was no one … no … surely it couldn't be … no … it was impossible. But the further James stretched for a possible alternative, the more assured his fears became. But why would he become a Death Eater? James summoned every ounce of strength he could feel within him, lunged forward, and pulled at the Death Eater's mask. It came away easily, dropping silently to the floor. James gasped and then began to shout – shout and scream louder than he ever had before.

'No,' he whispered, holding out a hand, '– surely it can't be you …' The Death Eater raised his eyebrows.

'When you've quite finished with the identification parade,' he snarled. 'Perhaps you would move.'

'Why?' James asked. 'Why did you do it?'

'Do what?' the man replied absent-mindedly, pulling out his wand.

'Switch to the Dark Side,' James replied. The man stopped and started up at him. 'Why did you do it – you had a future – you had friends – Lily and James would be disappointed in you.' This was clearly too much for the man, whose eyes seemed to come into focus properly at the mention of James and Lily. He raised his fist and sent James sprawling to the floor.

'Don't ever,' he hissed. 'Ever talk about Lily and James Potter! NEVER MENTION THEM IN MY PRESENCE!' he sent James another furious glare. James was shaking his head, however.

'You were at their house only days before they died,' he recalled. 'You said you'd always be there for them.' The man paled.

'Who are you?' he said, pale as parchment. He pulled out his wand, sending James to the floor with a low kick. 'I'll kill you,' he said, eyes glittering, 'Unless you tell me who you are.' He kicked James again, and James felt himself slipping from consciousness. He looked up, winded.

'You wouldn't believe me if I told you,' he choked. The man's eyebrows narrowed.

'Good bye,' he said. 'Avad –'

'Stupefy!' A loud, feminine voice rang across the corridor. Both Death Eaters slumped noiselessly to the ground. James, just about to pass out, looked up. Someone was standing over him – watching him – he caught a flash of a necklace – no, surely it couldn't be – impossible – no – how could she be here? With a final gasp, he drooped his head to one side and sank to the floor in a dead faint.

*

'What?' Harry replied, choking on his words. Snape had stood up and was eyeing Peter interestedly. Peter's eyes were on fire, yet he looked perfectly calm. He knew exactly what he was doing.

'Like I said,' he replied, coughing slightly. 'I'm getting you out of here.'

'But – Peter – why?' Peter looked at Harry intently. Looking into his eyes was no different to looking into Lily's eyes. He softened slightly.

'Because I have to, Harry,' he said silently. 'I'm in your debt and I'm in your parents' debt. I have to pay you back.' There were a few minutes silence. Snape was looking down at the floor, obviously not wanting to intrude. Harry was merely staring at Peter, and, for the first time, he did not see the man who had murdered his parents but the friend he had been to them. There was a soft look in Peter's eye as he gazed wistfully to the wall of the cell – Harry had a feeling he knew what Peter was thinking about. Approaching the door, he turned back to Peter.

'Why are you dong this?' he said. 'Why the sudden change of heart?' But Harry knew the answer long before Peter finally stammered out an answer.

'James,' he whispered, his lips white. He sat down in the corner of the room, slumping hopelessly to the floor. Harry could tell they would not be moving for a while. Carelessly shutting the door with his wand – he sat down on the ground opposite Peter, imploring Snape to keep a lookout.

'Tell me about them,' Harry said quietly. Peter looked up at him, his lips shivering slightly, and started to talk quietly.

'James Potter was the first person I ever met at Hogwarts – he helped me to load my suitcase into the Hogwarts Express on platform nine and three quarters. We got to know each other during that journey.' He stopped talking to wipe his eye. 'About halfway through that day, Sirius Black entered our compartment. He and James –' His voice broke slightly, '– even in that first five minutes conversation, I could foresee what great friends they were going to be. They were laughing and chatting – when Lily came in with one of her friends…

Peter suddenly let out a low chuckle.

'James was always chivalrous to Lily, and I literally mean always. Even then he offered her his coat when she started to shiver. James – in my eyes – was an amazing person. The way he spoke to you – it almost warmed you from the inside. Everyone could talk to James.

'We talked for hours on that journey – all of us. But you could always count on James taking centre stage. You see – I don't mean he was actually showing-off – but he had a way of expressing things and of talking which made you want to listen and made him the centre of attention. Thus began our friendship.'

Peter sighed again and leaned back slightly. Snape, standing in the corner, has his ears pricked, and Harry could tell he was listening intently. Snape knew what was coming.

'We settled into Hogwarts,' Peter said, his eyes slightly misted over. 'I was amazed to learn how clever Sirius and James were. Believe me – this was not cleverness – it was bordering ingenuity.' He allowed the corner of his mouth to curl into a grin. 'Of course, they didn't just exercise this intelligence on Charms homework, oh no. They were a rare pair – instead of the almost clichéd Dumgbomb attacks, James and Sirius specialised in Forbidden Forest excursion and illegal trips to Hogsmeade. In fact, as I recall, they once spent eight hours in one day combing the school with their wands for hidden passageways. This was seriously planned out stuff. They would spend days, even weeks, planning adventures. It was brilliant, but then …' He gulped, 'then there was … Severus …' Peter stopped talking and glanced over to Snape, who was staring fixedly at the wall.

'Go on,' Snape replied, his voice hoarse. Peter nodded reluctantly.

'Snape and James got on rather well at first – both were clever and popular in their houses – despite being a Gryffindor and a Slytherin they were both good friends. However, Snape had been raised with certain ideals that James did not altogether share …

His voice faded out again, as Snape rose from the Dungeon floor.

'I'll check the corridors for any security,' he said quietly, his black eyes oddly over bright. Peter nodded, and drew a second wand from his pocket. Snape left with the look of … something … still in his eye. It was a mixture of pity and regret. Peter turned back to Harry.

'Anyway – Snape was somewhat disapproving of Muggle-borns – though he rarely admitted it. If you ask me, James told him to keep a lid on it. But – one day – Lily started an argument with Snape – I don't know how it stemmed – they were standing outside the Charms corridor all guns blazing. Snape was arguing that only half-bloods or more were eligible for Hogwarts – pure Muggles should not be let in. However, I don't think he meant all this – it was just instilled in him from birth. They carried on, attracting more and more attention when Lily suddenly made a remark about Snape's mother. Big mistake.

'Snape hit her. Not hard, granted – we were only thirteen years old – but Lily went sprawling to the floor. Snape had only about three seconds before James had knocked him unconscious. He came down the corridor just as Snape struck out, saw Lily go down, and then gave Snape such a punch, as I'd never seen. James was strong, you see, very strong. It sounded a little like a hammer hitting rock – it was a nasty crack, no doubt about it. Snape slammed right back into the wall – not unlike I did just now.

'James was completely unperturbed by this, however. Seemingly ignoring everything and everyone around him, he picked Lily onto his shoulders and took her up four floors to the hospital wing. We all followed – there were people cheering him – but he took no notice. All he made sure of was that Lily was all right. He stayed with her talking for hours that night…

'James was a people person. Very much so. People who had troubles or worries went to him like birds to a lighthouse. He wasn't just a good listener – he was wise. Wise beyond his years. Sirius was much the same, especially as he got older and sneaking into the Forest became a little boring for him. They had their sights set on something much better …'

'Animagi,' Harry whispered, slightly wistfully. He had never heard any sort of account about his parent's time at Hogwarts in this detail, except perhaps in the Shrieking Shack some years ago. 'Go on,' he whispered. Peter's finger slipped slightly on the fastening of his cloak.

'Of course, as the clock moved on, the lot of us got closer. We became Animagi, yes – I haven't even mentioned Remus yet – we had many great adventures. The thing that always made me proud to be James and Sirius' friend was that they treated me so well. They always encouraged me, and so forth. The nicest time I believe I ever experienced at Hogwarts was Lily and James getting together …' Harry tensed slightly, but Peter relaxed, with the air of one telling a tale told many, many times before.

'Of course, the night they fell in love was some months before. It was blindingly obvious to me, though Sirius and Remus failed to perceive it. Jason Mak recognised the symptoms, too, as I remember. Anyway, the Christmas Ball was when events came to a head. To cut a long story short, Lily ran from the Hall when Snape insulted her. James chased after her, met her in the common room …' he smiled a warm smile.

'Nothing was seen of the two until they came down from the boys' dorm together the next morning. Of course, we all had our suspicions, but never any proof. I can see by your look that you jump to the same conclusion. Anyway, after that, Lily and James were literally inseparable, and they –'

'Why, Peter?' Harry asked suddenly, his eyes over bright in the dim light of the cell. 'You've just described a time that you have said was wonderful and yet you still joined Voldemort. Why?' Peter sighed, a long, low sigh that echoed around the small room.

'It was a culmination of events,' Peter sighed. 'It sounds pathetic, but I truly had no one to turn to. You see, some time after Hogwarts, Remus and I had just had a heated argument – very heated, you should note – before he left the country. Of course, I felt very angry towards him afterwards. Several days later, my girlfriend split up with me – she hadn't been a patch on Jenny, but I still felt terrible when she called me worthless and pathetic. The thing was that Sirius and James were not in the country at that time. They had been called away to help the Chief of the International Confederation of Wizards to sort out a complication in Egypt and I was in the flat all-alone. Then, of course, Lord Voldemort showed up. I was young and foolish – he gave me promises of glory and fame and power. Now, for once – maybe one of the first times in my life – my judgement was blinded by greed. I have come to regret it now, but at the time I was overcome by these illusions and agreed to join Voldemort. Of course, also overshadowed was the thought of my friends. From somewhere I –' His voice cracked quite distinctly, and Harry noticed tears about the corner of his eyes. His hair seemed more flecked with grey than ever. '– I had this delusion that none of my friends cared about me any more. I had always willingly played subordinate to James and Sirius and suddenly realised I had a chance to be famous, to be in charge. When I said this, Voldemort agreed. He told me that they were plotting against me …' Peter put his face into his hands.

'I don't know how or why I believed him, but from that time onwards, I no longer perceived James, Lily or Sirius as my friends. Voldemort poisoned my mind against and I, stupid as I was, believed him. And then I helped to kill them and realised what I had done.

'Lily and James – dead – something just didn't seem right. It was more like something was missing than anything else. It wasn't a part of me, particularly, more like a part of society. For Lily and James were – hardly anyone in the wizarding world did not know their names – they made themselves famous. For the two of them to be killed was like taking a chunk out of the wizarding world. It would be like our time without you, Harry.' He looked at Harry with kind eyes, which, to Harry, was rather disconcerting. This man had killed his parents – put his godfather through years of hell. Surely he wasn't thinking about forgiving him. Peter seemed to read his thoughts.

'I don't ask for forgiveness, Harry, certainly not. I don't want it. I have dug my grave and I'll damn well see I don't go to it a traitor to my only friends. These could well be my final hours, but anything I can do to help you, Harry, I will. I owe James and Lily, and I owe you. I never forgot what you did for me in the Shrieking Shack. Voldemort means nothing to me any more – that much has become obvious since James found my hiding place in Hogwarts.'

He finished speaking and there was a long silence. Harry merely sat, not looking at Peter, but rested in deep thought. There was a note of such sincerity in Peter's words – Harry felt he could at last be telling the truth. He looked up at him, smiled slightly, and whispered, 'Let's go.'

*

'James? James? James!' James jerked awake. Such a vivid dream. He remembered seeing an old friend, and then a blinding flash of green light, and then … James started as he remembered what he had seen. Ron was standing over him, his robes still stained green but a smile playing at the corner of his lips. He looked in a hurry, however.

'Come on, James,' he said. 'We need to move.' James blinked a couple of times, saying something incoherent.

'What?' Ron said. 'Come on – we need to move. Snape just let me out of the cell and went back to join Harry and Peter.' It took a few seconds for James to register the meaning of this sentence.

'Peter?' he repeated, shocked.

'Yeah, he let Snape out and gave him his wand – no idea why. Come on though, we need to move.' James nodded, and shakily rose to his feet. Then he noticed something odd.

'Hey,' he said. 'Where are those two Death Eaters?' Ron looked back at him, nonplussed. 'They were here …' James said, his voice tailing off into the shadows. Ron shrugged.

'Maybe,' he said, '– but I didn't see anyone. Anyway, come on; let's get out of here. Maybe we should use the Cloak' James rose to his feet and smiled. He was in the process of extracting the Cloak from his pocket when he heard something to make his blood freeze. Laughter. Cold, high laughter. Laughter that he had heard before on more than one occasion – and it was coming from the walls.

'My young friends,' came a voice. 'It was insulting of you to think I had not anticipated your every move.' More laughter. Ron swore as the door at the end of the passage opened and six Death Eaters entered, flanked by two Dementors.

And then it started. James heard screaming – screaming he had never heard before in his life – he recognised the screaming – it was Lily – he had to get to her. He lunged forward blindly and felt strong arms grab him.

'No,' he muttered. 'Lily – must get to Lily …' He opened his eyes, and saw that two Death Eaters had him by the arms. One of them leaned into him and muttered, 'don't worry – you'll be fine.' James started imperceptibly, for he recognised that voice – he just couldn't quite place where he had heard it before.

The Death Eaters began to lead them forward. James noticed that one of them seemed a deal smaller than the others – he overlooked it, however, as he and Ron were led down corridors and through doors. They finally emerged in a gigantic chamber – it seemed to be carved out of ice, though James knew better. Magnificent stalactites hung from the ceiling, glittering in the flickering torchlight coming from the walls. Candles were also floating around the room, supported by bats. The room was filled with line upon line of masked Death Eaters, all of whom had turned to face the newcomers to the room. At the front of the room stood a glorious silver effigy of a skull with a snake protruding from its mouth. Severus Snape lay stunned at the foot of the statue – and in a green throne above him, resplendent in robes of rich purple and with a thick python encircling him, sat Lord Voldemort.

*

Harry and Peter rounded a corner. Snape was nowhere to be seen – they came to another door. It was locked – Harry whipped out his wand and was on the verge of saying, 'Alohomora', when Peter hissed at him not to.

'You can't,' Peter said, choking slightly on his words. 'This place works in the same way as Hogwarts – he can detect any magic that is performed outside of the cells.' Harry nodded. Peter moved forward and put his Dark Mark against a small panel next to the door. There was a quiet hissing sound and the door slid open. Peter nodded to Harry to move through, and after he had come through also, they heard the swift movement of the door closing. Peter turned to Harry.

'Harry,' he said, lowering his voice. 'This place is the root of all Evil – but it does have a core. An energy field in the depths of the Albanian forest powers it – approximately two kilometres from here. Now, this energy field was created years ago by Voldemort to essentially make everything in this forest dark and evil. It also powers his base of operations – here. To enter the energy field one needs the Dark Mark and the Jade Ring.'

'The Jade Ring?' Harry asked. 'What's that?'

'No time to explain, Harry,' Peter said, his face contorted with concentration. 'Now, I have managed to procure the ring, but it is only a matter of time before the Dark Lord realises. Therefore I must go to the field and destroy it – and unfortunately myself along with it.' Harry let out a cry of indignation, but Peter overrode him, 'It is the only way, Harry. I have to keep the Dark Mark held against the override systems until the point of explosion. Anyway, nobody else but me can perform this task now. All I ask is that you have escaped from this hellhole in precisely forty-five minutes from the time I leave it. Once I have overridden the force field, the whole base will explode, along with anyone in it. Even Voldemort will not be able to survive the blast, Harry, for it is the core of his magic – it makes him infinitely powerful. Go now – this next door is the Apparation point – you must face him, Harry, for it is your destiny.'

Harry started violently – not only had Peter said Voldemort's name, but he had just given Harry an incredible pronouncement. Peter, again reading his thoughts, grinned.

'I took Divination NEWT,' he explained, '– I don't fear him now, Harry – I have a duty to perform. He turned, and then turned back to Harry. He grasped his hand.

'Good luck, Harry,' he said, as the door behind him slid noiselessly open. 'Tell James, Remus and Sirius that I am sorry and that they - they were right about me, Harry. They were right about me …'

And then he disappeared.

Harry hesitated – where should he go from here to get to Voldemort? It was then, however, that he noticed a slip of paper on the floor just where Peter had disappeared. He picked it up and noticed, starting, that it was a Map identical to the Marauder's Map in every respect – except that it was a map of the dungeon. There was a note attached.

Harry,

I took the liberty of preparing this map for you – I envisaged your arrival at some point. By this point I will have left for the field – all I can wish you is good luck.

Farewell,

Peter

Harry smiled as he unfolded the map in front of him. He studied it carefully for a few minutes. Ron and James were being held captive in separate rooms – as was Snape – they were all in rooms adjacent to one huge room in which Harry spotted the dot 'Tom Marvolo Riddle' He traced a route to the room with his finger, noticing a short cut immediately to his left. He crawled into the passage, which inclined slightly. He emerged eventually next to a door with the statue of a snake next to it. The flickering of the light made the snake seem alive, and Harry knew what to do. He whispered, 'open' in a low hiss and the door slid open. Gripping his wand tightly, and taking a deep breath, Harry stepped through it.

*

James sat in the small damp room, a single Death Eater covering him with his or her wand. He sighed – he merely hoped that Harry would be able to help him – he had certainly made a mess of things. Peter had given him the chance to escape and he had walked straight back into capture. But had it been Peter – there had been the woman in the hallway – had it been who he thought? It was an absurd supposition – Polyjuice Potion existed, didn't it? Anyway, he thought, I need to concentrate on a way out of here.

His attention was suddenly drawn when the Death Eater who had been guarding the door tapped him on the arm.

'I'm here to help,' the enigmatic figure whispered. 'I know what is to happen and I beg that you do not attack those Death Eaters with a blue stripe across their mask.' The figure suddenly pulled back and James saw, with a gasp, that his or her mask indeed had a blue stripe across it. He nodded, perplexed by this character.

'Who are you?'

'That is not important – there will be four of us with blue masks, mark that. We will help you to overcome the enemy.'

'OK –' James began, but there was suddenly a loud gasp from the Hall outside. There was an air of great anticipation within the noise made. The Death Eater waved a hand over his face, and his mask returned to its original white. Another Death Eater stepped into the room the moment the Death Eater had resumed his position.

'He is here,' the former said excitedly. 'Our Lord requests that the other prisoners be brought through.' The latter Death Eater nodded.

'Quite,' he or she said quietly. 'Come on,' he said, grabbing James' wrist. Through the mask James saw another familiar pair of eyes – but this time he could not think whom they belonged to. He sighed, nodded, and, the two Death Eaters either side of him, walked through the open doorway into the Main Hall.

*

Harry could not have imagined such a spectacular yet terrible place. His attention on entering the Hall was immediately drawn to the spectacular Dark Mark statue beneath which sat the Dark Lord. He noticed a loud gasp go up when he entered. However, no Death Eaters accosted him. He walked steadily to the front of Hall, the scarlet red eyes in front of him getting closer and closer. As Harry passed the front row of Death Eaters, Lord Voldemort rose to his feet, bowing mockingly to Harry.

'Welcome, my young apprentice,' he said, as the Death Eaters snickered. 'Welcome to the Hall of Death.' Harry raised an eyebrow.

'Surely you could have done better than that,' he said through gritted teeth. Voldemort raised one of his spidery hands to his chin with the air of one thinking over a complex problem.

'No,' he hissed. 'I don't think anything could be more appropriate. Now, Harry Potter – it is time for you to fulfil your destiny.' Harry said nothing – he merely stood silently, the slight breeze in the Hall rustling through his hair. Voldemort's mouth curled into a smirk.

'You will join me, Harry Potter,' he said quietly. 'Or pay the consequences.' Harry looked at him for a long moment, his green eyes locked against Voldemort's red. And then, all of a sudden, he began to laugh softly.

'No,' he said quietly. 'Never.' It was Voldemort's turn to laugh.

'Perhaps those manners have still not been implanted in you, Harry,' he hissed, his red eyes bright. 'Crucio!' Harry, however, was ready. He merely held out his hand and stopped the jet of light from hitting him. He waved it aside, drawing out his wand as he did so.

'Impressive,' Voldemort said. 'Your training is complete – now you must join the Dark Side at my side and fulfil your destiny.' Harry smiled again.

'I have said never,' he said venomously. 'And I mean never.' Voldemort stopped smiling.

'So be it,' he hissed again. 'If you will not join me, you will die – and your friends with you.' Harry flinched slightly, but Voldemort noticed, the smirk returning to his features. 'Ah yes, Harry – do not think I had not anticipated your moves. I have your friends here with me – and three Death Eaters are stationed at the Energy Field.' Harry cursed under his breath. 'What's that, Harry?' Voldemort continued. 'Surely you do not think I did not know that that fool Pettigrew was a traitor.' He laughed. 'His life will soon be at and end, and yours with it.'

'Take me,' Harry said. 'Give me a chance to save them.' Voldemort looked back at him, apparently satisfied.

'You may have your wish,' he said quietly. 'I will give you a chance to save your friends – if you are victorious, they can go free –' He narrowed his eyes. 'If not – they will die, and you will join me.' Harry's eyes were so thin that they seemed little more than green slits.

'Agreed,' he said finally. Voldemort motioned to two Death Eaters stationed at two doors off the Hall. They nodded, and left. After two minutes both arrived back again, accompanied by James and Ron.

*

James immediately caught Harry's eye and winked. Harry winked back. He and Ron, who was completely silent, were forced to the front of the Hall, where they stood next to Harry, facing Voldemort. Voldemort himself had revived Snape, who now stood on Harry's other side, looking pale yet determined. Voldemort resumed his seat and faced the four.

'Mr Potter and I have made a bargain,' he said delicately. 'I will let you go free if you can defeat my forces. If you lose, however …' The cruel smirk was ever present, 'you will die.' He raised his hand, oblivious to the horrified looks of those in front of him, and two wands came swooping into his outstretched hand. He threw one to James and one to Ron. He then stood again.

'Death Eaters,' he said. 'The time has come for you to prove your valour.' He clicked his fingers, and every Death Eater in the Hall stood up. With a jolt, James noticed a small group of Death Eaters in corner stand up, invisible to Voldemort – their masks were striped with blue. As quietly as he could, he whispered to Harry, Ron and Snape that they were there to help. He noticed, with a jolt, that when he put his hand on Harry's chest inadvertently, he could feel Harry's heartbeat. Rapid. Inhumanly rapid. He finished speaking and the other three nodded, and, all of a sudden, Voldemort's hand rose. He brought it down swiftly, and every Death Eater pulled out his or her wand and turned to face the four at the front of the Hall.

Everything started at the same time.

*

James immediately struck down two Death Eaters with a curse he had been preparing, whilst Snape sent a third crashing into the walls. Harry, James and Snape were bunched together in a group, sending out curses left and right. Death Eaters sprawled to the floor one by one – and then James noticed something. The four Death Eaters with striped masks were Stunning their companions. He lost his concentration for just a second, and immediately wished he hadn't. A curse hit him full on in the chest, and he stumbled back, winded. A large Death Eater was charging at him – it was sent crashing to the floor by Ron. James smiled, but Ron merely continued to send out curses.

It was quickly clear that there were too many Death Eaters – James and Harry were only just holding them off – Snape, however, who had started to fight them individually, looked badly hit – he had curse marks covering his robes. Ron, however, seemed calm. He was cursing left and right as though it was perfectly natural. There were only a few curse marks on his otherwise stainless robes.

Two Death Eaters then came charging at Snape, but were countered by one of the blue-striped Death Eaters on the floor. However, many of the Death Eaters seemed to have noticed that there were traitors amongst them, and now the four vigilantes were being attacked as well. The fighting continued, fast and furious, with Death Eaters being stunned left and right. Each of the Light Side members had cast Shield charms over themselves, though these were becoming increasingly weakened. Snape's, especially, was getting thinner and thinner. Ron's, however, seemed fairly untouched. Evidently not as many curses were being thrown at him.

James and Harry were now standing back to back, in one combined Shield charm, firing curses in every direction. Death Eaters were falling to the floor right, left and centre, and yet every time one went down it seemed another replaced him or her.

The four traitorous Death Eaters in the centre of the floor were running into trouble. The four were locked in a combined Shield, and yet it was becoming weaker. Harry noticed one Death Eater sneaking up behind Snape, and send another Stunning charm at him. The Dark Wizard slumped lifelessly to the floor.

Lord Voldemort, still up on his throne and yet behind an impenetrable shield, was looking both dismayed and impressed. His mouth was curled into a thin smile as he watched Harry and James dispose of wave after wave of Death Eaters.

And then, suddenly, there was a cry of despair. Severus Snape's Shield Charm had been broken, and there were Death Eaters advancing on him – Harry turned and sent another curse – several Death Eaters fell, but still they advanced on Snape. Snape, however, had lost his look of despair, and appeared suddenly to be performing a feat requiring great concentration. He was looking directly at Harry and James, and muttering something quietly under his breath.

'Kill him!' came a scream from Lord Voldemort. He was too late, however. A stream of bright golden light issued from Snape's wand – and went straight for James and Harry. Everybody in the Hall had stopped to stare at this. The golden beam wrapped itself around Harry and James time after time, and, eventually, the two were encompassed in a large golden arc.

Harry felt power surging through him, and heard a voice in his head. Harry?

It was James' voice – he had somehow been connected to James. He replied, what's this? James' reply was quick and excitable, 'we're invincible – the shield can't be broken.

However, Snape falling lifelessly to the ground punctuated these thoughts. Two Death Eaters immediately surrounded him, and, before anyone could stop them, they shouted, 'Avada Kedavra!' just as Snape cried, 'Forgive me!' and lay still.

Harry and James let out anguished cries, as did several of the blue-striped Death Eaters. Ron, too, had tears appearing at the corner of his eyes. He focused his anger into his wand, and let out a bout of curses at a group of Death Eaters who had stopped to watch Snape.

James and Harry then realised again that they were untouchable. They couldn't relax now – even though Severus was dead – they had to keep fighting; they had to take advantage of his sacrifice. They struck back against the Death Eaters, faster and more furiously than at any point previously. They sent dark wizards flying everywhere; even Ron stopped to watch at one point. The two were still encircled by the cage of golden light, and every curse sent at them bounced harmlessly off it. They were concentrating their anger at Snape's end into sending out curse after curse at the Death Eaters.

A small Death Eater marched forward determinedly, and pointed his wand at Ron. Harry felt a surge of anger flow through him – before he knew what he was doing, he had said, 'Avada Kedavra!' and pointed his wand at the small wizard. There was a blinding flash of green light, and the wizard slumped noiselessly to the ground. Harry stared; wide-eyed, and realised he wasn't the only one. James was looking something between impressed and horrified, and some of the blue-striped wizards were staring in amazement. Ron, however, merely nodded to Harry, a thankful smile on his face.

The Death Eaters were, slowly but surely, being overcome – that was obvious. Voldemort was beginning to look a little chagrined – he seemed a little perplexed at the bond between James and Harry.

He doesn't have a clue who you are, Harry pointed out to James as he glanced up to Voldemort, looking at the golden light worriedly.

He'll find out soon enough, James replied, cursing one of the dark wizards approaching the small group of ex-Death Eaters.

The Death Eaters were definitely running out, Harry noted. As he, Ron, James and the four blue-striped wizards sent curses in all directions, the number of Death Eaters on the floor was slowly accumulating. Soon there were only two-dozen or so Death Eaters left, and Voldemort held out his hand to stop their attacks. They retreated, taking up positions at the side of the Hall. Harry turned at that point and suddenly realised that two of the wizards with blue-striped masks had disappeared. The two other masked Death Eaters had approached the front of the Hall, and, slowly, they removed their masks, a Shield charm still surrounding them.

Draco Malfoy

Marie Déesse.

Harry and James both started violently when Marie removed her mask. There was a look of fierce determination and hatred in her eye.

Voldemort began to laugh again – his cold, high laugh that made the hairs on the back of James' neck stand on end. He turned to Draco and Marie. Draco, meanwhile, had a pale look of courage across his face – he stared back at Voldemort, unperturbed.

'Well well,' Voldemort hissed, stroking his wand between his fingers. 'What a pretty little party this is. Now I find I have not one but three traitors in my service. Or had. The shield between Voldemort and the others suddenly disappeared, and Voldemort cried loud and clear, 'Avada Kedavra!' Before he uttered the words, Marie and Draco shared a look and nodded simultaneously. As soon as Voldemort's spell issued, they broke the Shield Charm and dove to either side. The spell passed right between them and hit a Death Eater at the back of the Hall, who fell instantly to the floor.

I see why this is called The Hall of Death, James said to Harry nervously. Harry nodded silently. Voldemort, meanwhile, did not look pleased.

'Very well,' he said. 'If your friends will not die, Potter –' Marie and Draco had left to take on the remainder of the Death Eaters. Harry suddenly looked at his watch.

Ten minutes.

'– then you will!' He raised his wand again, and Harry prepared to dive, when he realised, paralysed with horror, that Voldemort's wand was not pointing at him

'Avada Kedavra!'

Ron Weasley fell lifelessly to the ground.

*

Harry let out a wrenched howl, his mind draining of thoughts.

'No!' he cried. 'No – Ron – no!' He approached the limp form of Ron Weasley, whose eyes were still wide open in shock.

He felt some part of him be literally ripped out and strewn across the floor. He looked down for what seemed like an eternity into Ron's lifeless grey eyes – they had lost their warmth and colour.

Ron was dead.

Harry let out another anguished cry, one that reverberated loudly around the Hall, echoing back several times. That cry held within it all Harry had ever known about friendship, seven years of happiness – for his best friend was gone. And so was a large part of that happiness. His mind had gone completely blank as he stared again into the vacant face of his friend.

'Oh Ron,' he said, holding his friend in his arms, as though to will him back to life. 'Please,' he said, tears in his eyes. 'You can't be gone – you can't!' He buried his face in his hands, tears flowing freely.

He still hadn't quite registered the fact that he would never see Ron Weasley again – never hear Ron crack another joke – never hear Hermione or Ron have a petty argument. Hermione! What was she going to think? He realised suddenly that he had started to shake violently, tears misting his vision. Cold laughter reached his ears.

Voldemort.

He felt anger surging through him, coursing through his veins. It was thicker than poison, and hatred more violent than any he had experienced in the past. He felt his hands shaking, and saw his knuckles go white – he gripped his wand extremely tightly, his hand sweaty from the use of it. Yet he felt cold – very cold. He felt it well up inside him, clamouring to be released. He heard the laughter once again and lost control.

'Avada Kedavra!!'

He turned. Voldemort was still standing up, a look of cruel satisfaction on his face. He had blocked the curse.

'You are foolish, Potter,' he hissed. 'Do you not know that I cannot be defeated? It is impossible. You are weak and those whom you care for blind your judgement. Love is a myth, Harry Potter, there is no one sacred on this world but you – remember that. There is only one way I can be defeated, and it is beyond impossible. You will now join me or die.' Harry thought fast.

'Nothing is impossible,' he hissed, his voice full of black hatred.

'It is, Harry Potter. There is but one way – it is ancient magic, and – I think I will tell you, so you realise the hopelessness of your situation. This spell requires the combined power of a traitor, an enemy, and –' He smirked. 'I see you look hopeful, Potter – the final piece of this ancient magic is – the power of a victim.'

A victim. A victim. A victim.

James.

'Every one of my victims is dead, Potter,' he sneered. 'So you have lost.'

'So you think,' said a quiet voice. Voldemort turned, as did Harry. James had spoken.

A final bond of understanding was made between Draco and James. James nodded to Draco, and Draco held his wand tightly in his hand, prepared. James turned back to Lord Voldemort.

'You say all your victims are dead, Voldemort,' he said dangerously. 'Are you sure?' Voldemort looked, for the first time, taken aback, as James stared on at him. 'Well, my Lord,' he hissed, in a tone Harry had never heard him use. 'Do you remember me?' James turned away, and ran a hand over his face. He turned slowly back, and faced Lord Voldemort. And Voldemort did something Harry had never heard him do.

He screamed.

Fear passed across his face for the first time ever as he stared into the cold blue eyes of James Potter.

The victim.

'Draco!' James shouted. 'NOW!!' Both James and Draco pointed their wands at Harry, and two beams of light shot out of the end of them. James' was deep blue and Draco's fiery red. The two beams hit Harry simultaneously.

Harry felt an infinite power course through him. The power of a traitor. The power of a victim. Only one thing was still essential – the power of an enemy. He focused his mind completely on what he was about to do – he could see that Voldemort was frozen with horror. Harry grasped his wand one final time, and threw it forward. Just before he spoke, however, a beam of black light shot from Voldemort's wand – it passed James and Harry and rose high up into the air. James and Draco followed its flight, amazed, but soon it disappeared into the air. Voldemort slumped to the ground, and Harry pushed his concentration to the maximum.

'Potestas Coniungo!' he screamed with all his might, bringing his wand down. A beam of green shot out, combined with blue and red – slowly it transformed into pure gold – and shot at Lord Voldemort.

There was a horrific scream.

The light pierced Lord Voldemort's body and began eating away at him. Smoke began to rise – there was another terrible scream. The screaming continued and continued as the golden light moved its way up the Dark Lord's body – it started at his feet, the web of gold glowing brighter as it moved up his body, his torso and finally his head. The evil red eyes that had haunted Harry for seventeen years were suddenly immersed in gold, and with a tremendous BANG Lord Voldemort exploded into a thousand pieces as golden light broke through him. A beam of golden light shot upwards to the ceiling and out of the high windows, and with a final, prolonged and anguished scream, Lord Voldemort disappeared for the last time.

*

Seamus blinked. Hermione turned to look at him. They and almost the rest of the school were standing nervously in front of Hogwarts Castle. Harry, James, Draco, Ron, Snape and Marie had all disappeared. They were all now hoping anxiously for a return.

'What?' Hermione asked, noticing Seamus tilt his head.

'You know earlier you asked if I had heard a million voices cry out and then be silenced?' Hermione nodded.

'I just heard a thousand silenced voices cry out with joy.'

*

Harry gasped loudly as he looked at the empty space in front of him. He felt strong hands on either side of him as he looked on at where Lord Voldemort had disappeared.

'It's over,' he said weakly. 'It's – it's finally all over.' He turned around to see James, Draco and Marie veritably grinning at him. He felt beyond exhausted because of the spell, but suddenly felt overcome with joy. He smiled a weary smile as Draco and James helped him to his feet.

'Thank you,' he said to James, embracing him unsteadily, his feet almost giving way. He turned to Draco, and saw the smile in his grey eyes. 'Thank you Draco,' he said, as the two boys embraced.

United.

Harry glanced suddenly at his watch, and turned to the others.

'Look,' he said worriedly. 'Peter went to destroy this place, and, if he's successful, it'll blow in approximately two minutes. I don't want to wait and find out whether he is successful or not, so I say we –' He choked slightly on his words. 'We take the bodies and get out of here quickly.' The others nodded.

Harry could still feel a balloon swelling inside him as he looked to where Voldemort had disappeared – but it deflated slightly when he saw Ron and Snape. He felt truly exhausted – the spell had drained all of his energy. He looked up again and felt his strength slipping away – and his consciousness. He smiled wearily just before he fainted, and thoroughly felt for once he had done a good day's work.

*

'Come on, James,' Draco cried. 'We don't have very long – we really need to get out of here.' He was supporting Ron on his shoulders – James was holding Harry – whilst Snape floated along, supported by Marie. James felt Harry's pulse – 'Shit,' he said. 'It's getting weaker – that curse has nearly killed him. We have to get out.'

'In here,' Draco said. He opened the door to the Apparation chamber, and, as he did so, his sleeve drew back slightly. There was no Dark Mark there.

'Everyone ready?' James cried, as he watch showed twenty seconds. He was just about to Apparate when Malfoy cried, 'Stop!'

'What?' James said, the time running out.

'We can't Apparate – we won't come out on Hogwarts grounds. We need a Portkey!' Marie stepped forward, smiling, and pulled a small crystal necklace out of her pocket.

'It got us here,' she said, noticing worriedly the pallor of Harry's face. 'It'll get us back.' It took James a few seconds to get her meaning.

'It was you,' he said to Marie, realisation at last crossing his features. She turned to him, her eyes wide.

'Yes, James, it was,' she said sadly. 'I will explain everything when we return. Everyone hold on –' Three seconds – two – one.

As the first explosions came to James' ear, he felt a hook jerk in again behind his navel. They were rising from the floor – it was all over – they were going back …

*

James felt himself fall forward onto soft grass. He heard voices, but could only think Harry's going to die – we need to move him. He scrambled to his feet with a sudden surge of energy, and saw Hermione and Seamus approaching. Hermione saw Ron and screamed. Seamus stood back, horrified at the sight of Snape and Ron.

'It's over,' James said quietly. 'It's all over!'

The next ten minutes were a complete blur. Hermione was being calmed down by James and Draco – and Seamus and Flora were comforting Marie – all thoughts of his kiss with Hermione forgotten as he held Marie in his arms.

Harry, however, remained lying in the grass. Dumbledore had insisted that he remain there for a few minutes whilst he fetched something from his office. Madam Pomfrey had been summoned, but it looked as though, after several more minutes, Harry was beyond help. He lay surrounded by people as Madam Pomfrey shook her head sadly. There were tears in more than one eye, and suddenly it was being shouted across the night sky.

'Harry's dead! He's dead! Potter's dead!'

There was more uproar. People started to crowd around Harry – their celebrations at Voldemort's final demise severely damaged by the deaths of Ron and Snape – and it seemed as though Harry would follow shortly.

When suddenly;

'I saw his arm move!'

And then Hermione Granger froze where she was standing.

And, over the wind, though she knew it was beyond impossible, she felt sure she heard a soft, kind voice; whisper in her ear, 'go to him'. She knew what she had to do, and she could feel that it was the right decision. She turned to face Harry.

Seamus, on her side, stood hand in hand with Marie. They also were looking at the prone figure of Harry, and stepped back to let Hermione through. She carried on towards the body, people dispersing to left and right to let her pass. Flora had appeared next to Draco, and both smiled at her as she passed them. She noticed Dumbledore coming down from the Entrance Hall, a worn piece of parchment in his hand and a smile on his face. By the time everyone had moved, she had a clear walkway to Harry, people on both sides. As she came towards the end, she saw a swift movement, and James appeared, the small crystal necklace in his hand and a smile on his tired face. His eyes glittered with an unnatural fire and he winked to Hermione.

He knew.

She walked forward, something very painful going on in her chest. But, as the soft pine scent of Harry's soap caught in her senses, she realised that this was something she had to do. Hermione had lived for years by the motto "Don't let your heart rule your head".

Now was the time to forget it.

She leaned over Harry, and heard the people around her suck in low breaths. She held her breath, and moved in closer, something powerful striking through her.

'Amora Primus.'

****

I've resigned to the inevitable, what can I say?

Only one chapter left, guys, containing several funerals, missing links, a big goodbye and use of the quote, 'Journeys end in lovers' meetings.' Not forgetting the nice killer twist at the end …

Ze Thanks Section (which will take a while)

HGW (Blimey. First again, HGW, you must be lurking in the shadows when I upload these. Thanks a lot – can you make it four in a row?), Lilly Potter (Yes, lots of question *cackles*. Thanks, LP. Love ya.), Mina (Mweheh. I knew I could get the kiss in. No acid, though *damn*. Getting in quickly, too, Maria. Still suffering Acidophobia? Hmm … fanfiction God? Me? Sounds about right … thanks – love ya!), Joshua Eide (Nup – only the one left. Thanks a lot!), Imp3use (Thanks a lot.), pool (Great! Thanks.), the aptly evil shipper queen AngieJ (I can tell you find R/H OOC, you evil person. *Cackles* 'Twas a great twist in TiP. Hmm … no Azkaban for me? Nadia and Hallie and several others will be disappointed. Thanks a lot, Angie/Ebony. Love ya.), Sapamfa (Cheers.), Switchblade Malfoy (You know, your 'moreee' made it very hard to read my reviews – they're one word deep! Going AQAP), minestreybabe (Thanks. Will do.), the scary Hallie sound-alike Lizzy/Tygrestick (Mweheh. No snogs for Lizzy. "Ron's dead – MWAHAHA" – LOL, you're evil. Thanks a lot, though. Love ya!), herm (Thanks.), Grace (Make sure the rocks at the cliff bottom are nice and pointy *eg*. Cheers, Grace. Love you.), illusions2525 (Thanks once again, illusions. Love you ~as alwayz~), Cassandra Lynn (Why does everyone want Ron dead, I wonder … you must have been camped out for a while. Cheers. Love you.), Trinity (Thank you), Ayla Pascal (They're Veela for the purposes of this story. Thanks), A. Spinnet (Were you Florencia, or am I wrong? Ohh well – thanks a lot anyway. Love you.), rachyr (Ack. Hard to do R/H from this position.), amy (Thanks!), Rishi Khiara (Ohh, you get Most elaborated!Review award. Cheers), someone2 (Yer too kind, s2. Still going AQAP. Love you!), Twilight and Silence (Yes I do *nods*. Voldie came in a bit at the end, I suppose. Thanks again, T&S. Love you as usual.), Caro (Dah – meant to be AFAIC – As Fast As I Can. 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Ciao), The House (Tenterhooks my arse. Still, cheers anyway. Ciao.), Angelina Johnson (OK. Ciao), California Love {x3} (Thanks very much! Hayden Christensen, eh? I've heard of him from somewhere. Have you, Flora?), Celestia (You haven't died yet? Damn – remind me to postpone for a month with chapter 12. Cheers), Gorbut (Quite. Your name sounds like an exaggerated cleaning fluid. Cheers anyway!), Arabella Figg (This is longer, I think. Thanks a lot, AF. Love you.), Falcon (Merci!), Prima (x10) (WOW!! ALL TEN AT ONCE!! You win Greatest!Person award. Thanks very much!), Moonlight girl ('Tis not the best. You want to be in a story of mine, all I need is a name and vague description. Thanks!), Lavander (Always lazy. People are so unimaginative! Why not, 'couldn't sign in due to compluter imploding', hmm? Ohh well. Thanks L, love you.), *Ice Lily* (Going quick. Not only does everyone hate Ron, now they hate Hermione. No pleasing some people. Thanks), a.n.g.e.l (Thank you), lee-anne (Merci beaucoup), crazy­­_laulo (Cheers), Starlight (Applaud the photo? Have you no sense of sight? Ohh well. Cheers. Hope you're not too busy, Kim. Ciao), Jenn (Thanks a lot. Nearly there.), Addie (u do? gr8! Thanks a lot for reviewing), Caty (Just made up a new rule. Voting twelve or more times for one ship actually means you wish to see the other. Ohh, look at R/H soar into the lead! Thanks!), -=moonlight girl=- (x3) (Thanks! I'm all for cameos, y'know. All I need is name and vague description. Love you!), Mina (Argh! You again! Odd review. Shame that pre-teen Maria/Seamus fic FAILED! Anyways, "French Affair", is much better. Love you. Tchau.), Sara Cassidy (Thankelidankely.), Priori Incantatem (Confusing is right. Cheers.), Kirst (OK - thanks. Ciao), will (Great! Thanks), sandrine black (Merci. Au revoir.), akaSailor Mars (I've had a lot to do, really I have. Thanks a lot!), phoenix (There goes my plan to put ch.12 up in October sometime. 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Thanks.), Zapper (Danke.), Griffin (1 – yes, astute observation. 2 – I don't think the age thing actually matters – 'tis only a couple of weeks. Wait until they check his age *cackles*. You're certainly right. Thanks!), ever-so spiky Jae-san (Ohh, highly original review, Jas. Still – potado potada – great! Ciao mate.), Cari (x2) (Thanks. 'Tis confusing at the start, I agree.), LittleNymph (Makes me think, certainly. About who else would be insane enough to write a Thanks Section this long. Thanks.), Snuffles (Again with the laziness. Thanks.), StarChildHermione86 (OK – thanks a lot.), Panther Lady (There's always one. Most informative!review for you! Thanks.), elizabeth (He doesn't look like Harry any more, as Iago. Thanks a lot!), DaveH (S'all right, James will go back to his time soon enough – whether it is with or without the knowledge you will soon find out. Thanks. Ciao.), Undercover Angel (Yup, I'm 14. 15 on July 31^st. You're Irish, you say? 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I'll draw out ch.12 as long as possible. Just in time for Xmas, hopefully. Danke. Salut.), Megan (Odd review. Nice rhyme, though. Cheers.), lm;l;kkkk ("Hurry up already!"? Is this some Americanism I'm failing to comprehend. Already? You want me to go faster … already. Right. Isn't that some sort of tense discrepancy? Ohh well. Thanks a lot.), ex-LongLongHair (Way-hay! Got yer letter, Jo, albeit, well, illegible. Wait 'til you see my scrawl. It was very heroic of you to review from Marshmead. Love you. Ciao.), Topaz (x5) (Thank you, Topaz, knew you had it in you. At last! Someone who supports Hermione/Dumbledore! In yer face, Hallie! Cheers, T. Love ya.), Uzbekpilot ('Course it's confusing – makes it all the more fun. Thanks a lot!), the last MaKenna (Thank you), ~hermione~ (Thanks so much for reviewing and for being {unless Pacey gets a move on} the last reviewer. Always nice to finish this INHUMAN PRACTICE. Thanks. Ciao).

Siwius's twivia

Overall: 16326 words

Thanks Section: 1760 words.

Percentage: 10% (ish)

Fic length: 14194 words

Thanks again to all the guys behind the scenes. The House for all his new and great ideas – likewise to Jae-san. I'm sure if Pacey slowed down he'd help me too. To people like Mina and Switchblade, constantly nagging me every five minutes on Messenger to hurry up with the next chapter. To Lizzy, just for making me laugh (with her British accent), Hallie, without whose daily dose of sarcasm I'd feel miserable, and most of all Flora, without whose beta-reading this fic would not be what it is (which is hopefully good). And also to all of you who take the time to read this fic and express your own opinions. Thanks guys – t'wouldn't be the same without all of you. Give yourselves a pat on the back. Go on. No, Maria, I sat pat on your back, not hit Dillon …

Little links:

I'm drawing this out, I know, but these have been recommended. I said "(see footnote)" somewhere in the fic, and that is for:

Nemesis: I am Lord Voldemort – http://www.fanfiction.net/index.fic?action=story-read&storyid=48699

James and Sirius: First Year Nonsense - http://www.fanfiction.net/index.fic?action=story-read&storyid=294101&chapter=1

Lizzy/Tygrestick: Hermione's Sweet Revenge – http://www.fanfiction.net/index.fic?action=story-read&storyid=51116

OK, that'll do me for this chapter. Stay tuned for the finale.

Ciao