Title: Love Will Prevail (10/?)
Author: Organyaelf
Email: saracourtney7@netscape.net
Category: Romance/ Drama
Keywords: Hermione, Ron, Harry, post-Hogwarts, Muggles
Rating: PG-13
Spoilers: All the books
Summary: Harry, Ron, and Hermione are reunited after the defeat of Voldemort. Things go well for a whilelove starts to bloom. But Harry's love interest gets kidnapped and the culprit is known to be a dark wizard. Will darkness overcome the wizard world once again? Or will love prevail?
Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
Author's Note: This is my first fan fiction. I hope you will like it. I have read others and I love the idea of writing stories that add on to the magic of the Harry Potter books. I hope you enjoy!
The five of them all stopped. Rose had a confused look on her face.
The man in turn, stopped when he saw the five of them, but Harry saw a smile play on his lips.
"Lupin?" Ron hissed.
"The name's Wolf," he stated nodding his head. He then sighed and added, "Ron Weasley, we meet again. But hardly in the preferred circumstances."
Lupin turned his knowing eyes to Harry.
"Knew you'd be here, Harry."
Harry stared back, too shocked to say anything.
"I know you must be wondering why the bloody hell I'm here. Well, I'm not a dark wizard or anything, so don't worry. It's going to take a while to explainmuch longer than we have right now. I suggest you get Rose out of here as soon as possible. The torture she's been through is unimaginable."
Harry's stomach lurched. He really didn't want to imagine it.
"You're coming with us," Harry commanded, finally retaining his voice.
Lupin gave him a sad look. "Harry, I wish I could, but-"
"You're coming with us. I don't care what horse shit you've got yourself intoI'm not letting you stay here with these awful people."
Lupin stared at Harry with what looked like a look of appreciation.
"Okay," he said shaking his head vigorously," I can help you get out of this place."
All of them looked relieved at this news.
So Lupin joined them. Harry was bewildered with all that was happening.
For a while they didn't meet anyone until they reached the main hall.
"What is this?" one man asked meanly, coming up to the group. "Why are you bringing the Muggle out here?"
Lupin gave the man an evil grin. Harry really had never seen this side of Lupin, and was a little taken aback.
"Come here, I'll tell you. Top Secret information from our Master," Lupin replied, pulling the man through the big doors.
"What is it?" the man asked, his voice filled with sick curiosity.
"This," Lupin growled as he pulled out his wand and hissed Stuptefy! The man slumped to the ground noiseless.
"Nice," breathed Ron.
Rose shivered uneasily underneath their grips.
"You alright?" Harry asked concerned.
"Yeah," Rose breathed weakly, " I'm just not used to all this magic stuff."
A small smile crept onto Harry's face. He was about to say something else but the rest of the group was pouring into the deserted hallway.
"You got her!" Cate exclaimed, running forward towards Rose. She grabbed her from Harry and Ron's grasp and gave her a comforting hug.
Rose couldn't help but leak hot tears on her dear sister-in-law's shoulder.
"Shhhhh," Cate comforted, "We're going to get you out of here."
In the mean time Sirius had come up to them with an expression of disbelief on his face.
"Remus?" he asked breathlessly.
A smile came over Lupin's face and he returned with a hearty, "Sirius! It's been a long time, Padfoot." Sirius laughed, surprising the rest of the room, and the two embraced each other in a brotherly hug.
"What the bloody hell are you doing down here?" Sirius asked with apparent shock.
"Long story, another time. Let's get out of here."
"I'm with you on that," Ron said, shivering involuntarily,
"So how do we get out of this place?"
"Well, there's a charm you're supposed to say and a ladder drops down from the hole," Lupin filled in.
"Right. Do you know the charm?" Sirius asked.
"Uhhhha littleI've only heard it a couple of times,"
"Might as well try, Lupin," Wood shot a little irritably. He gave a worried glance towards Rose who was now sitting against the wall, shaking uncontrollably. She was sickvery sick.
Harry went over and sat next to Rose. Even if she was still pissed at him about Thaurthoniel, that wouldn't stop him from loving her.
He wrapped an arm around her and whispered softly in her ear.
"I love you Rosejust hold on."
She shivered strongly and rested her sweaty head on his shoulder.
"I'm so sorry," she muttered tearfully against his shoulder, "I've caused you and everyone else so much trouble."
Harry was shocked. "Rose! We weren't going to sit around while you suffered in the hands of Mercanian! We all love you Rose, don't ever doubt that."
Harry could feel cold wetness seeping through his shirt where Rose's face was buried. He placed a hand on her head and stroked it gently.
In the meantime, Lupin was trying to figure out the charm.
Tunium Nubius Unum Salve
Nothing happened.
He tried the spell over and over, different variations and pronunciations, with no success. After ten minutes, he sighed.
Sirius came over and patted him on the back.
"It's okay, Remuswe'll figure out a way to get out of this place."
"OrI could just tell you," came a voice from the entrance.
Everyone snapped around to behold the smirking face of Mercanian.
"The charm is Tullius Nunum Ullus Salve."
A loud noise came from the top of the tunnel. A light shone through into the darkness, proving that indeed the tunnel was now open. A ladder fell down from the open hole.
Everyone just stared at Mercanian in disbelief.
"Go on," Mercanian said in mock cheerfulness, waving his hand, "Get out of here. You know I hate people who wear out their welcome." He said this menacingly, his eyes flashing dangerously.
"What's the catch?"Ron said slowly and apprehensively.
Mercanian turned on Ron, who jumped back a little, and sneered, "Ronald Weasley, Harry Potter's trusty sidekick. Funny how you're the one to always overlook things. Well, how ironicyou caught me. There is, one catch, I am afraid." He said this with every indication of delight in his voice.
"What" said Harry slowly, getting up from his position on the floor. He dreaded the answer.
A wicked smile spread over Mercanian's face. "She," he said pointing to a sickly Rose, "stays here."
"No way," shot Harry immediately, "You're going to fight us if you want her that badly."
"Oh, Harry," Mercainian said evilly, "But I already do have her."
"What the hell do you mean?" Harry asked, now trembling with fear and anger.
Mercanian pulled out a small hemp necklace from his robe pocket. On that necklace was what looked like a prism, but in the prism was contained a red liquid. A liquid that looked remarkably like-
"Is that her blood?" Wood asked bewildered, a repulsed look on his face.
"Yes, Oliver, it is." Rose gave a slight whimper from the corner. Harry wanted more than anything to go back and comfort her, but he knew he should stand his ground against Mercanian.
"Okayso you have a nasty little necklace," Ron said sarcastically, "What's the big deal?"
"This, Mr. Weasley, is a Magnetium enchantment. Like its name, it works as a magnet. Rose's blood is contained in this prismI hold the prismtherefore, I hold Rose. Plus," Mercanian said, his lips twisting into a smirk, "Whatever spell hurts the holder, hurts the prisoner."
"You're a sick man," Wood sputtered. "Why? Why my sister? She's just a Muggleno threat to you!" His voice cracked slightly as he said this. Harry felt extremely guilty as deep down he guessed the answer. He watched with a sickening feeling as Mercanian hung the charm over his head so it shone menacingly on his chest.
"Because if I have RoseI have him." Mercanian pointed a bony finger towards Harry. The two men stared at each other, each one building up immense and powerful hate towards the other.
"Harry," he hissed, "I'll make you a deal. Rose will be returned to her pathetic life, ifyou consent to become my prisoner."
"No, Harry," Hermione commanded, "Don't let him trick you."
Harry looked from an anxious Hermione, back to the sneering Mercanian.
"No deal," Harry replied angrily, hoping, praying that he could come up with a plan to get out of there, along with everyone else.
Mercanian's smile disappeared sharply from his face.
"Fine, you foolish manyou can just watch her die now."
To Harry's horror Mercanian strode over to where Rose was leaning against the wall. She started to protest, but he was too strong. He stuck his hand out and forged it around her neck.
Harry pulled out his wand with one quick movement of his arm, but Mercanian put up a hand to stop him.
"Remember, Harry, I have Rose's enchantment. Whatever damage you do to meyou do to her." He then gave Rose a repulsive look and pressed harder against her long neck, making her gag and flush a distressed reddish-purple.
"Stop, Mercanian," a voice sounded from the shadows.
Mercanian released the pressure on Rose's neck, letting her collapse to the ground in a coughing fit. Wood, who was closest to her, rushed over and helped her recover. He looked scared and angry and Harry suddenly felt very relieved he wasn't the one on the other side of that hate.
But knowing that Rose was in the care of another, Harry turned his attention towards the man who had spoken- and saved Rose. Harry gasped inwardly as he realized the man was Draco Malfoy.
"Draco," Mercanian said slowly turning around. Harry realized his face was expressionless, but his eyes held recognition and surprise.
"You must stop this, Mercanian," Draco stated, a desperation in his voice.
"Why?" Mercanian spat," Why the hell should I stop? I am powerful, Draco. More powerful than you could ever dream of. What do you know, Draco? You, who dare to call yourself a Malfoy."
Draco's face shone with an anger that was beyond words, yet there was sadness in his eyespity?
"I know that there is a good person with in you, Mercanian. I used to be like you. I know the temptation. But it is not true Mercanian. Good is the only way. You can get what you want faster with fearbut it will not last."
"I didn't know you could be so sentimental Draco," Mercanian sneered. "But you speak of gooddo you consider betraying Lucius, a man I considered a father, and causing his death, good? There is no good, Draco, only power and those who are able to achieve it."
Draco gave Mercanian a disgusted look.
"You use the words of your old masterhow touching. But that's where your wrong. Look at Dumbledore and Voldemort. Dumbledore won, Mercanian. Good won over evil. You can't force people to trust and admire you. Power through fear is weak. Power through trust will last forever."
"Since when did you become so "good" Draco?" Mercanian spat, "I never thought you'd stoop so low. Your father taught you all he knew, hoping he would have a worthy heir. He believed in you Draco, as did I. You and I both know you are capable of becoming a powerful dark wizard."
Draco flinched and shivered slightly. Harry barely noticed. He was still getting over the fact that he was watching his biggest enemy and Draco Malfoy debating over good and evil. So many questions were running through his mind at this moment, it was hard to concentrate on anything else.
"You could join me Draco," Harry heard Mercanian whisper. Mercanian walked slowly towards Draco. "You and I could be the most powerful rulers of all time. After you left the Death Eaters, there has been a deep hole. But if you come, it will be filled."
Draco looked Mercanian in the face. The two men stared at each other for a long time. Harry wondered if Draco was actually thinking this over.
"No," Draco hissed shakily.
The two men were now face to face. "Why?" Mercanian asked almost desperately, "Forget these people," he said waving his hand around impatiently, "They are nothing. Just as old times Draco Malfoytell me why."
Harry was confused as to what this meant, but to his surprise felt totally sure in Draco.
"Because I hated it," Draco said vehemently. "I hated being alone. No one to loveno one to love me in return. You say I betrayed my father. He was no father. He was just a man, forcing his sick and evil powers on an innocent, brainwashed child. But, Mercanian, as I got farther into my life I began to see through the temptation. I found that there are better things like friendship, real friendship, trust, and love." His eyes lingered across the room to Ginny who was standing with wide eyes, her hand over her mouth. Harry knew she was feeling the same thing he was, and probably more: total confusion and disbeliefand yet deep respect.
Mercanian was still looking at Draco. His all-powerful mask had disappeared. He now just looked like a man; a man who was afraid of what he had become. He seemed to have forgotten anyone else was there.
"Draco," he said shakily, "You were like a brother to me. When my parents died and your father took me inyou were all I hadbesides our Master." Mercanian paused slightly, breathing hard. Draco had a look of pity hidden in his blank expression. But then, Mercanain's eyes narrowed.
"ButI do not see the Draco I once knew. He had diedalong with the father you killed. You said you didn't know of trustor friendship. WellI trusted you. You weren't a friend, but a brother. But now you have broken that trust. You have denied that friendship! You are a walking contradiction and I will not wield to you!" Mercanian's voice was getting louder until at the end he was yelling fiercely. Harry was now feeling apprehension creep back into his mind. Draco also looked fearful of Mercanian's passion.
"Mercanian," he soothed, "This is still the same boy you knewbut better. A friend would accept the change I have been throughtrust metake my advice and do not hurt these innocent people."
Mercanian was shaking now, tears welling up in his large eyes. Harry couldn't tell if this was from fear, sorrow, or anger.
"Draco," he whispered shakily showing an anger in his voice, "I have worked for this my whole lifewaited, dreamed of this moment, when I could kill the man who led to Voldemort's, the greatest wizard of all time, downfall. You are not the same. You and I have gone different ways,
and that must have consequences. You are not trusted and you are not my brother. You are nothing more than a foolish man in my way to power." He stood there, hot tears pouring down his flushed face. Everyone stood in awe. Draco looked down in resignation.
"GUARDS!" Mercanian yelled at the top of his lungs. He turned to the rest of them and gave them an evil smile.
"We need to get that enchantment from him," Sirius whispered gruffly behind Harry.
"I know," Harry hissed back, feeling a jump of fear as he heard the footsteps of what sounded like dozens of guards charging their way. "I'll take care of it. You must get out of here while you can. Save as many people while the ladder is here."
Sirius gave Harry a worried look, "Harry, you can't take all these men on by your-"
"Yes," Harry interrupted, "I can. All we need to do is get the enchantment. You need to get the others out. There is no use endangering more lives than we need to."
Sirius had a stern look on his face, but his eyes shone with resignation.
But before Sirius could say anything else, the doors burst open behind Mercanian.
About thirty guards charged into the room. Spells were flung everywhere, ricocheying off walls and once in a while hitting someone, Harry dreaded to know who.
He quickly dashed into a dark corner, shouting spells as fast as his mouth could say them. He feared for Rose's safety. Why did she have to be so vulnerable?
Harry quickly looked over in her direction and was surprised to see her fighting in her own waywith hands and legs. She was randomly kicking and punching at whoever tried to attack herand this stratedgy was working surprisingly well.
Harry quickly was rushed back to attention when he felt a spell rush past his ear.
Harry yelled to Sirius, "Get them out of here!"
Sirius quickly looked up at Harry, nodded, and proceded to run over to Cate who was at the time free of guards and helped her onto the rope.
Harry shot a nervous glance over at Mercanian who was too busy shouting orders to his guards to notice the escape. Even so, Harry thought he should distract him and quickly made his way over to the evil wizard.
************
Oliver yelled in pain as a slicer charm hit him in the arm. He clamped his hand on his wound and felt the sticky blood oozing out. He felt himself pale from pain and fear. He quickly ducked another spell and muttered a few more spells at attacking guards.
He then felt a strong hand on his shoulder and he swung around to hit the person, but found himself staring in shock at Sirius.
"Wood," Sirius panted, wiping sweat from his brow, "you need to get out of here."
Oliver gave him an exasperated look and yelled Stuptefy! at a guard attacking Ginny across the room.
"Oliver," Sirius persisted urgently, making Oliver pause.
"Sirius, I can't leave. Harry needs me. Rose needs me."
Sirius just stared at Oliver for a while. He was beginning to feel uncomfortable, seeing a blur of shapes beating each other up at the corner of his eye.
"Oliver, I know this is hard, but you really can't do much good. Harry has this taken care of. The best thing you can do is leave now. Rose can not leave until Harry has the charm. You are injured, Oliver. You can not fend for yourself. Come with me. It's okay."
Oliver felt himself screaming inside, It isn't fair! But he knew Sirius was probably right. His arm was almost blinding him with pain. He had confidence in Harry. Harry was used to fighting evil wizardsbut he was not.
He was interrupted by a yelp from Sirius as a spell hit him in the chest. Blood was visibly seeping through his shirt.
"Sirius!" Wood yelled and held the man up.
"Wood," Sirius panted, looking sweaty and pale, "We have to go."
Wood, who was now concerned with this present matter, nodded and helped Sirius towards the ladder. He felt Sirius groan and stiffen.
"Sirius, are you alright?" Wood asked feeling very helpless.
"It's not deep, I was just skinned by it. But unfortunately it hurts like hell anyway."
Wood sighed inwardly and helped Sirius towards the ladder. There did not seem to be any guards in the way. He was surprised at how quickly they had managed to take them out.
"Sirius, on three run. One, Two, THREE!"
With that he let go of Sirius and ran as fast as he could. He prayed with all his heart he would make it to the ladder. He saw it get closer. Closer, closer. He could feel Sirius's heavy breath next to him. He also felt the zoom of a spell shoot right above his head.
After what seemed like forever he reached the ladder, jumped as high as he could and clutched onto the scratchy rope. All his mind was set on was climbing. Climbing, climbing. The noise of the fighting seemed to die and he started to feel reassuring sunlight beat down on his back. After a tiring climb Oliver felt the hole end. His eyes barely open, he collapsed on the ground, exhausted by the pain in his arm from the climb.
He heard faint buzzing noise in the back ground, but Oliver slowly felt his eyes droop close. His mind was set free as he then passed out.
*************
Harry was hindered by a strong arm on his shoulder.
"What are you doing?" Ron breathed, his cut lip slurring his speech.
"I have to get the charm," Harry hissed, ducking a red shot of light, which singed his hair. "The others are escaping. Goand take Hermione with you." His eyes searched out Hermione, who was near-by, but looked badly bruised having just been brutally punched by a guard who had lost his wand.
Harry and Ron both flinched and rushed over to help her.
Half of the guards were down by now, so Harry had a little time to help his friend.
"Hermione," Ron panted crouching down next to her, "Are you alright?" He was shaking her rather forcefully, which Harry didn't think helped her very much.
"Ron, Ron," she said soothingly, "I'm alrightjust a little punch in the face."
"We have to get the charm," Harry said looking around at the fighting crowd. Now only Ginny and Draco were left fighting the five guards left. Mercanian seemed to have disappeared for a moment.
Then he heard Hermione gasp. Harry spun around and was looking at Mercanian face to face, fearful green locked upon hateful blue.
His stomach gave a sickening lurch when he saw Rose's limp body was clasped in his arms.
"How sweet," Mercanian sneered, "A bonding session between the three who lived." He gave an evil cackle. "Well, I'm sorry to saybut I'm not sure you'll be the three who lived anymoremaybe the three who died foolishly, chasing after a Muggle."
Harry shook with unleashed anger. His eyes spun around the room looking for something to help him. He found all the guards were down, and Ginny and Draco were standing, wands out, pointing them at Mercanian.
Harry nodded at them and then again towards the ladder, hoping they would get the message to leave. He, Ron, and Hermione could take on Mercanian. He didn't want to put the others in danger.
But they stood their ground. Draco had a determined smirk on his face and shook his head slowly in return. Ginny looked too stunned to notice anything. All her attention was focused on Mercanianand what he was about to do next.
Harry sighed internally. He knew he would never win an argument against Dracoespecially when only facial expressions were involved.
Mercanian seemed to have noticed the little interlude and a nasty grin was playing on his face.
"Trying to help your friends escape, Potter?" he asked with sneering disdain.
Harry just stared back, trying to keep his face as expressionless as possible. He hoped no one heard the loud thumping of his heart against his rib cage.
"Speechless are we? I would be too if I knew the people I loved were going to be killed right in front of me."
Mercanian's face broke into an evil grin and Harry felt a look of panic flash across his face. Mercanian roughly clutched at Rose who was leaning heavily against him. Her pale blue eyes were barely open and her ghostly skin was shimmering with fever.
Harry felt Hermione and Ron move closer to him. He felt Hermione's soft and comforting touch on the back of his sweaty shirt.
A shimmer of light then caught Harry's attention. His eyes swiftly moved to the Magnetium Charm which was reflecting the light from the taunting exit hole. That's it, Harry thought, I must get the charm, without hurting Mercanian. Then Rose will be safe and we will have a chance of escape. But how?
But Harry's thoughts were interrupted by a scream from Hermione. Mercanian had drawn his wand and aimed its spell at Ginny. Her eyes were wide but she was not able to move out of the way fast enough. The spell blasted her against the near by wall. A bunch of dust and bits of rock fell to the ground where she now lay in a groaning heap. Harry's stomach lurched.
He saw a flash of anger take over Draco's face. Before Harry could stop him, Malfoy had raised his wand and shouted Inflamio!
Mercanian looked stunned for a moment, obviously not expecting the attack. Draco's face paled as he realized what he had just done. Both Mercanian and Rose yelled out in pain. InflamioHarry knew the spell. It was like invisible fire burning the objects skin.
Harry started for Rose but Draco was much faster. He had already yelled Subsidus! and the screams of pain had subsided.
At that moment everything happened. Draco ran to Ginny who was stirring with pain by the wall. Hermione and Ron rushed to hold up Rose who looked on the brink of collapsing and Harry ran towards a panting Mercanian. He yelled. He was so angry. All that pain, anger, and fear that had built up during that day had finally released. He didn't need a wand. He remembered Mercanian's earlier words, whatever spell hurts the holder, hurts the prisoner. Yes, whatever spellbut not physical pain. Harry then found himself just running blindly at the other man, who's eyes were wide in shock.
Harry saw Mercanian go for his wand and faintly heard Hermione yell something inaudible. Harry took no heed. He swiftly knocked Mercanian's wand out of his hand so it went sliding across the stone floor.
Draco, in the meantime, who had heard the sound of more guards put a powerful spell on the doors that would lock them. It was a rare magic spell. It would not be affected by Alohomora or any other opening charm. Harry would have been surprised at this rare power, but he was too busy fighting with Mercanian. To Harry's dismay Mercanian fought as well as he took. Harry tasted bitter blood in his mouth and his jaw ached from continuous punches there. Harry was relieved when he saw Ron's flame colored hair coming towards him. Ron jumped on Mercanian's back and pulled him away from Harry.
Mercanian fell back under Ron's weight and yelled in annoyance and anger. Harry, taking advantage of the situation grabbed the enchantment around Mercanian's neck and pulled with all his might. To his relief he felt the hemp break apart against his strength and the charm lay in his hand.
His daze was broken quickly by Mercanian's angry yell. To Harry's horror he tore Ron's arms off of his neck with incredible strength and flung the poor man into the wall. Ron was knocked out in an instant, but Harry was too scared to move. Without any chance to move he saw Mercanian make for his wand and yelled Repellio! Harry felt as if a huge, invisible hand had flicked him. He went flying into the opposite wall. Harry yelled out in pain and coughed up blood which dribbled down his chin. His vision began to fuzz up and without having any control his hand gave out. The prism which he had once held so tightly, now slipped off his palm and fell deathly slow through the air, until it broke into a million pieces on the floor.
It all seemed to happen in slow motion, each sound magnified a thousand times. Each shard of glass that bounced off the stone screeched in his ears. Harry snapped his head up to look at Rose. She stood alone in the center of the room, a translucent pale. Harry felt himself sigh in relief for a moment. But then slowly her once bright and lively eyes rolled up into the back of her head and she collapsed in a heap to the ground.
Harry felt himself yell in anguish and run forward. He fought back stinging tears in the back of his eyes. She couldn't be dead, she couldn't.
"Harry, watch out!"
Hermione's scream shot Harry back to reality. A strong fist then collided with his head. Harry stumbled back stuttering in pain and confusion. Through blurred vision he saw the figure of Mercanian walking towards him.
"Ironic, isn't it?," he sneered, "that you should be the one to kill her."
"Shut the hell up," Harry panted. He heard rustlings where he presumed the others were, but all he could really see was Mercanian advancing upon him, drawing his wand out of his robes.
In the back of his head he heard a rythmic poundingor was that the guards trying to get in? Slowly his vision began to come back. He was seeing things more clearly now. Ron and Hermione were advancing wands raised. Draco and Ginny were taking care of Rose. Harry felt his stomach lurch. Harry then shot a look at Mercanian who had now stopped, his arms folded, wand in hand, looking almostlazy.
"What," Harry whispered, "No fight?"
Mercanian smiled. "I'm just letting you rest. You must be thinking my actions quite cocky. Well, I have no reason to be afraid of you or your pathetic little friends who are at this moment trying to gang up on me."
Harry watched as both Ron and Hermione looked at each other with wide eyes. But with out warning they both shouted, Expelliarmus!
Harry watched with amazement as two blue streaks shot from their wands. But instead of hitting Mercanian, they repelled off of him and instead directed themselves back at the two of them.
Harry shouted in fear, but it was too late. Each spell had hit both of them and their wands went flying out of their hands and landed efficiently in Mercanian's outstretched palm.
They both looked too shocked for words. Mercanian laughed hollowly.
"Why don't you two join your friend?" he asked mutinously. He then raised his wand, shouted Accio!, and pointed it at the two people. They were shot into the air and zoomed straight into Harry. All three of them landed in a painful heap on the hard, stone floor.
Harry's ears were pounding. He heard Mercanian's hollow laugh.
"Nice little trick," he chuckled.
"I bet it's really horrible dark magic," Hermione snarled, clutching her arm which seemed to be dangling loosely at her side.
"So what if it is?" Mercanian sneered back.
Hermione gave him a repulsed look that would have shrunk Harry in a second.
Harry's attention was then taken by Draco and Ginny. Ginny was hunched over Rose, muttering inaudible words. Draco was staring back at Harry.
"GET AWAY" Harry mouthed silently and was annoyed when Draco shook his head vigorously. Mercanian noticed.
"So, Malfoy," he drawled, "You and Potter have become good mates? I'm sorry, but I find that really pathetic."
"Let them go Mercanian, or you will fight me," Draco retorted stepping forward.
Mercanian laughed and waved his hand in a semi-circle. A translucent blue screen appeared between them. Draco grunted in annoyance and placed his hand on the wall. He sprung back in a yelp and clutched his hand. Ginny ran over to help him. Harry couldn't hear what was being said. Mercanian was laughing loudly and Harry knew the screen blocked out most sounds.
"You're just bubbling with helpful dark magic, aren't you?" Ron said sarcastically, sitting with a hopeless look on his face.
Mercanian turned to the three of them. Harry thought to himself that they must look like a pretty sad prospect. Hermione was kneeling clutching her useless arm, Ron was sprawled on the ground, not seeming to care what happened, and Harry was slowly standing up, his back stinging with pain. He knew he probably had a million bruises. Soon Ron and Hermione followed suit.
The trio faced Mercanian.
"So, this is what Voldemort was conquered by," Mercanian stated rather astoundedly. "I don't mean to disrespect my powerful successor, but how is that possible? Is it really going to be this easy?"
Harry stirred uneasily. Mercanian's egotistic attitude was really getting on his nerves.
Mercanian shrugged and stuck out his wand towards Hermione. A look of resign was on her face.
"Boundium!" he shouted. Ropes shot out of the tip of his wand and wound themselves roughly around her. She winced in pain and stumbled back against the wall.
Ron ran over to untie her, but found himself in the same situation.
Harry watched in silent horror as his two best friends were bound with unbreakable ropes. This man was unstoppable. A hopelessness found it's way into Harry's mind. But was soon drowned in something else: Anger. Pure madness.
The pounding in Harry's ears was so loud it was painful. He watched, his body shaking in unleashed anger, as Mercanian kicked Ron in the groins and he stumbled backwards and landed at Hermione's feet. She screamed for Harry to do something, but Harry was beyond doing anything rational. All he knew was this current anger. This obsessive hatred. He was beyond fear. He just stood there staring and the ground, focusing all his anger on the ground.
He heard Mercanian's footsteps coming towards him and he concentrated harder. He wasn't sure why he was doing this, but it seemed natural. He hated Mercanian. He hurt his friends, insulted him, and probably killed the love of his life.
With this last thought a jolt of fury shot through his body. Harry was completley shocked when the ground gave a horrendous lurch. He stumbled backwards and looked up quickly at Mercanian who had a shocked look on his face.
"What the hell was that Potter?" he asked fearfully.
Harry just looked back in wonder. His gaze shot over to Hermione and Ron who were looking at him with amazed looks on their faces.
Harry's eyes turned back towards Mercanian. He was looking at Harry with an angry expressionbut his cold eyes held fear.
Harry narrowed his eyes and concentrated really hard on his anger. He felt a strange power surging through his veins and he knew deep down inside that somehow he had made the ground tremble.
He watched with passive eyes as Mercanian charged at him. He clenched his fists in concentration and then suddenly he was rewarded when the ground heaved and Mercanian fell to the ground. Harry was able to stand up straight. His anger grew and grew and he heard rocks crumbling and the ground cracking. He watched as the ground began to crack in a circle around him and Mercanian.
In the distance he heard a woman scream: Hermione. A man shouted something, but Harry couldn't make out the words. All his concentration and energy was focused on this one matter.
He and Mercanian were now standing on a rock island, deep chasms surrounded them. Mercanian quickly took out his wand but Harry was too powerful. With one look it flew out of his hand and fell into the deep abyss on the side. Mercanian's faced turned to one of horror.
Harry's concentration faltered. How the hell was he doing this? He began to become fearful of himself. Mercanian seemed to notice this falter and charged at Harry with a scream of hatred. Harry quickly jumped out of the way and watched as Mercanian stumbled to the ground. Harry watched with fear as Mercanian panted on the ground.
Harry then looked around. The translucent cage that had surrounded them before had disappeared. Ron and Hermione lay bound on a tiny piece of rock against the wall that had now turned into a cliff. To the other side he saw Ginny and Draco standing with looks of awe on their faces. And then he saw Rose. She was lying by Draco in a graceful heap. She did not move at all.
That same uncontrollable anger seared through Harry like electricity. He turned his angry gaze back to Mercanian who had now gotten to his feet and was running towards Harry. Everything happened so fast. Harry concentrated on one thing. Mercanian must die. Mercanian must die.
Just as Mercanian came within a foot of Harry put up his hand. Mercanian froze with a yell. He was unable to move at all. Harry narrowed his eyes and pushed Mercanian with his eyes. In response Mercanian was slowly pushed back and back. A fearful look came over his face.
"No, Potter, NO!!!!" He screamed in fear.
But Harry was beyond mercy. Mercanian had killed the woman he loved. She was gone.
With one last shot of energy Mercanian went sliding off the island and went falling into the unending gap. Harry could hear the echo of his scream bouncing off the cave walls.
Then reality hit. Harry stumbled onto the ground as the island gave a huge lurch. This was an earthquake and everyone was going to be buried if they did not get out of there soon.
Harry ran over to the edge of the island and shouted to Ron and Hermione over the crumbling rocks.
"You guy's have to jump, quick!" Harry screamed in complete terror.
"We can't bloody well jump with these ropes around us, now can we?" Ron screamed back. Harry marveled for a second at how he could still be sarcastic in the most serious situations.
"Blimey!" Harry yelled, "Relisio!"
The ropes that once bound Ron and Hermione shot off and the two were released. Ron held onto Hermione with all his might while they edged farther away from the impending edge. Suddenly Harry's island gave a huge lurch and fell back a few inches.
"Ron, Hermione!! You have to jump NOW!!" he yelled frantically.
"You jump first," Hermione panted. Ron panted heavily and kissed her shakily.
"I love you," he stated and then turned quickly and jumped. As he landed on the island it gave another lurch and he and Harry tumbled backwards. Now the island was many feet away from the edgealmost impossible to jump.
Ron and Harry jumped to their feet and ran to the edge.
"HERMIONE!!" Ron called frantically. Harry could only pant in fear and hopelessness.
"JUMP NOW!!" Harry screamed, "There's still a chance!!!"
"Isn't there another way?" Ron asked Harry pleadingly.
Harry looked back into his friends pleading blue eyes but all he could do was shake his head.
"I love her, too, Ronbut you've got to let her take this chance!"
Ron nodded quickly, with doubt in his eyes.
"Can I jump now?" Hermione yelled, her voice cracking in fear.
"Yes!" Harry yelled back, he and Ron creeping towards the edge to help her up if she needed.
Hermione took a deep breath and jumped.
Everything seemed to be going in slow motion. Her face was a perfect portrait of determination and fear. Her small body flew threw the air and Harry and Ron both looked with terror on their faces. Was she going to make it?
Their question was answered in the few seconds of eternity. Hermione hit the side of the island, her hands barely grasping on to the edge.
"HOLD ON!!" Ron screamed and dropped down on his stomach and grabbed her hands. Harry did the same and took one hand from Ron. It seemed so small. It was very sweaty from fear and was hard to hold onto. He slowly brought his hand down to her forearm, where he got a better grasp. Ron did the same.
Hermione was crying. Hopeless tears poured down her face.
"It hurts," she panted, "Just let golet me go"
"Stop it Hermione," Ron shot, "We're not letting you go."
"You gotta try harder than this!" Harry yelled, feeling anger at the thought of loosing her.
Hermione's face crinkled in determination and pain. She nodded and scraped her feet against the stone side, trying to crawl up and give the two men some ease on their arms. For a few seconds they started to pull her up slowlygradually.
But then, her shoe slipped and her she fell back again. The suddeness of her full wieght surprised Harry and Ron and her slippery arms fell out of their sweaty hands.
Slowly Hermione fell into the darkness.
"NO!" Ron cried and started to crawl over the edge after her, but Harry held him back. And uncontrolable power was surging through his veins. He leaned over the edge and stared at the falling figure. His eyes just stared hard, completely still. But, if someone had seen them they would have seen the green of the iris swirling. It was like a powerful mist was controlling them.
"Stop falling," Harry muttered, "Stop falling."
"She can't stop falling!!" Ron screamed through his sobs. He pounded on the ground in fits of sobs.
Harry ignored him. "Stop falling, stop falling," he said, his voice getting louder. Hermione's body was only a white object now. "Stop falling, stop falling, stop falling, STOP FALLING!" Harry yelled with all his might.
Suddenly, the white speck that was Hermione stopped.
Ron's crying ceased.
All of a sudden everything was silent.
"Come up," Harry said sternly.
For a minute he didn't think anything was happeningbut then he slowly began to see that the figure was getting biggercloser.
Ron shouted in joy. Now the tears were of happiness. Once Hermione was upon the island with them, Ron smothered her with kisses upon her face. Both were crying histerically. Then Ron ran over to Harry and grabbed him into a forceful hug. Then they both ran over to Hermione and they all just hugged and cried and kissedjust happy to be alive.
"Shit, Harry, you just did some wicked powerful magic," Ron said out of breath.
"Yes, wellI have an idea about what isbut quite frankly we better get the hell out of here!" Hermione said frantically.
All the other events suddenly shot back into Harry's mind. He looked around. Draco and Ginny were holding onto the exit ladder for support from the hard shakes of the earth. Rose was draped over Draco's shoulder, her thin, limp body looking as if it weighed nothing.
When the rock lurched backwards it became closer the other edge so it was easier to crossjust a little jump.
When all three of them were across, they ran over to Draco and Ginny.
"Fucking Merlin, Harry" Draco breathed.
"Fuck yourself, Malfoy, lets get out of here!" Harry retorted back.
Draco gave Harry a smirk and stepped back for Ginny to climb up. Hermione followed, then Ron. Harry looked at Rose draped over Draco's shoulder. Draco must have seen Harry's gaze for he stated.
"She's alive Potter, don't go all suicidal yet."
Harry started back, totally shocked.
"I'll explain later. We're in the middle of a bloody earthquake, I suggest we get out."
Just then a huge boulder fell and the two men had to grab onto the ladder for support.
"You and Rose go first," Harry stated.
Draco gave Harry a sarcastic look but then headed up with Harry following, his head burning with confused, happy, angry, fearful thoughts.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity he reached the light. He shut his eyes tight, sheilding his eyes from the burning light. He heard muffled voices from the others and some crying.
He felt someone pull him up and hug him, but he had no energy left. He just collapsed to the ground in a dead faint.
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Author's Note: PLEASE REVIEW! I'm sorry, I know I haven't been bugging anyone about reviewing this whole time, but because of that I have gotten a total of ZERO reviews!! I am very disappointed L I really love to hear what people think about my story and what I can change. I feel like I'm writing in the DARK here! So, please PLEASE review and you will make me a very happy person :D