~Chap. 8: Almost There!~

Over at the tree in which Jake had slept in, Ron and Cho were getting ready with a plan. Cho and Ron launched themselves up on a tree. Once they were crouching on the think, soft branch, wands ready with Stunning spells and fire blasts, Cho said breathlessly, "Ron, that's my husband and son down there. Make me proud, ok?"

Ron nodded and gulped. "Today's that day, Cho!" He smiled weakly and said, "Ok, ready? They're in target range. ready, aim.fire!"

While Cho shouted, "STUPIFY!" trying to Stun as many of Viksa's goons as possible, Ron was next to her, shooting down balls of fire with his wand, which made the goons shriek with pain, catch fire, and die. Finally, Harry was able to reach them all without looking behind his back - they were all gone.

Cho jumped down from the tree and hugged her son and kissed him while Jake yelped, "Mum! Mum, I'm ok! Mum, geroff me!" But it wasn't completely over yet. "Wait! Viksa said that even if you did save me, I'd die cuz the Necklace will kill me! Unless I get to the Temple of Destiny before the sun touches it!"

"Wait, what necklace?" Harry said in horror. Jake showed him the necklace he was wearing, which he couldn't get off.

Cho suddenly had a petrified look on her face. She pointed outwards, "Harry - look." The sun was coming up. "Oh, God. . ."

"Time to go, Jake!" Harry grabbed Jake and shoved him on his shoulders again, bolting towards the Temple. The sun's light was flooding towards them, it was so close. . . Harry reached a clearing and saw the Temple looming before him. The sunlight was travaling faster and faster, oh no, it'd reach the Temple before they would. . .Harry put on a extra spurt of speed and zoomed into the Temple - landing on the hard dusty floor, just as the sunlight bathed the who hall. They'd made it.

Harry gasped and panted heavily. His stomach was rising and falling rapidly, trying to breathe properly again. "It's - tough - being - Dad," Harry gasped.

"Yeah, but you do it really well." Jake breathed.

"Yeah? Thanks," Harry panted. He hugged Jason, though still breathing heavily. Cho and Ron, followed closely by Lydia, Andy, Kathleen, Jason, Hermione and Casey abruptly burst forth unto the clearing.

"Ah, they made it!" Cho said in relief. Harry sat up and waved successfully.

However, in one moment, Viksa, who appeared out of no where, walked into the clearing. Everyone was frozen - no one knew what to do. Viksa took out the small knife she'd threatened Jake with and she walked straight into Cho with it.

Smirking with satisfaction, she said carelessly, "I'll be in the Temple if anyone wants to come and fight me off." and she snapped her fingers and she dissapeared. Each person stared at Cho, confused. Cho stood there, paralized with fear and pain. 'What was going on here?' She slowly, with a trembling hand, reached down and felt her own blood wetting her skin. She felt tremendous pain, and she keeled over.

"NO!" Harry yelled. He ran to her, Jake streaking at his side. Harry knelt down next to Cho, not knowing what to do. "Cho!"

Cho's face was pale and was a shaking and drawing breaths at odd moments. Harry knew. . .knew that Viksa had murdured Cho. Cho looked up a Harry, who was now crying - he knew what was coming. "Nooooo, Cho."

Cho swallowed and took Jake's hand, who was standing white-faced next to her. "I love you, sweetie." Cho murmured. Jake was crying as well, and sniffing. Then Cho's eyes turned onto Harry and she let go of Jake's hand. Harry slightly pushed Jake away - he didn't want him to watch this. Jake got the picture, he moved backwards, stumbling a bit. Lydia moved up and she crouched low, and hugged Jake. Everyone was staring a Cho with rapt attention. But this was it - Cho seemed to be giving her last. "Take care of Jake," she said softly. Harry, through tears, nodded. Cho took in a shuddering breath, and whispered her final words to Harry. "I love you."

*~*~*~*~*~

Harry wailed in dispair, not knowing what to do or who to turn to. He just cried and cried. Jake buried his face into Lydia's shoulder. Lydia, though she was about to cry herself, kept her voice calm and soothing as she murmured, "Shhh, baby, it's ok, it ok." It was a tragic moment for all of them.

Quite suddenly, Harry stood up, his tear-streaked face glaring at them all. He turned on his heel and said sharply, "Keep and eye on Jake for a sec, and don't let him or any of you follow me."

And he walked straight into the Temple. No one said or did anything for at least 15 mintues, just standing there. Finally Andy muttered to Ron, "What d'you think they're doing in there?"

"Dunno. . .probably trying to steal the. . .wait! That's it!" Ron yapped suddenly.

"What?" Everyone said in unison.

"The potion! It's in there! We can bring Cho back! Jake has the Necklace, we only need the Potion and the Book of Fate!"

(A/N: Sap and sobs. . .what more????? Yeah, I know it was HELLA sappy. . .and maybe a little confoosling. . .but hey! It's in the movie! Had to make this happen!! R/R!)