Vamp: Hmmm. . .sounds like a good idea. . .but. . .I really don't think
it'll help much in her case. . .she's a big girl. . .thanks anyway! I might
end up trying it if I get angry enough! And thanks for the compliment!
Laughing My Head Off: Really? I would think that James would be mad at Wormtail. . .I guess I'll fix it when I rewrite the story. . .that won't be for a while, though, sorry. Thanks for the info, though!
______________: Yeah, my friend, who didn't read the books, didn't understand why Hermione didn't hug Ron. . .and the "There's no Hogwarts without you, Hagrid." was kinda cheesy, but other than that it was a good movie! *So* much funnier than the first one! Yes, Hedwig is a marvelous creature, isn't she! Just wait, she and the black owl are gonna have more run-ins.
Kat: Wow, I'm impressed; somebody picked up on it already? Yes, the owl colors are symbols, I guess everyone else might pick up on it during the Christmas chapter. . .no more to say about that, though! Oh, and Hedwig didn't *kill* the black owl. . .just. . .well, you'll see soon enough.
_________: Nope, not good at all. . .and it gets worse. . .
Kimmy: Honestly, little sisters can be so annoying, can't they? Alas, my sis doesn't go to bed until like three in the morning. . .I might just have to try it though, 'cuz she's still making fun of me for liking the movie so much. Grr!
Laterose: Ending? Yes, well, I tried to lighten it up a little. . .kind of morbid still though, wasn't it? Ugh, oh well. . .You didn't like the movie? Well that's okay, at least you don't go around calling those who do childish. . .::sniff:: she's a twit! Perhaps the third movie will change both your minds, though! Til then, keep your individuality!
Leaf: Yes sir (or ma'am) I aim to please! Glad you like the chapter! And I promise to e-mail when I post this chapter! And if you're looking for Harry Potter fics, I started another one, Home for the Holidays, but I haven't updated in a while. I also wrote quite a few song-fics for Harry Potter, I could always use some more reviews for those! Other than that, only my originals are left! If you wanna see what I have, just click on my name, Centra_gal86, in the blue and you'll be transported to my page with all my stories! Thanks for the review!
Sirius lvr: Yes! How about Christmas Eve? We can all squash all her gifts! Mwa hahahaha! No, not really. That's just plain mean. . .but ya know what? I'll just throw out all her make up. That's cruel and unusual punishment for her! ::Smiles:: Thanks for your support though!
Kateydidn't-who-should-sign-in: Ummmm . . .sure! why not? I'm not scared of friendly opinions. . .just the mean ones! And don't worry about it! I know what sleep deprivation can do to you!
Wanted: Love Ch17: Duel to the Death
Harry grabbed the black letter off his plate as Hedwig chased the black owl out of the Great Hall again. To be quite honest, he was getting really beginning to get ticked off at the now daily ritual. Everyday for the past week the same black owl swooped down with similar black letters. As was expected, every one of them was loaded with some attempt at killing Harry and the booming voice of Voldemort, counting down the days to their supposed demise. Harry supposed that he was beginning to fear for his life as the days ticked away, as was he. Ron, Hermione, and Lavender looked up from their breakfast as Harry turned the letter over between his fingers. Everyone in the school now knew about them, and knew what they held. And while most feared talking to Harry, fearing that Voldemort might attack them, too, the Gryffindors rallied behind their friend.
Sighing, Harry stood up and left the Great Hall. It was impossible to just destroy the letters, like Howlers, they would produce a much more terrible fate to their owner if left unopened. Not wanting anyone else hurt, Harry was forced to leave the room and face whatever lay in wait in the letters. Once he was a safe distance from the others in the castle, he reluctantly slid his finger under the lip of the envelope and pulled it open. As soon as it was open, Harry tossed it a few feet from him and pulled out his wand. Much to his surprise, however, nothing happened.
Carefully, for fear it was a trap, Harry edged towards the letter and slowly picked it up. He peered into the envelope and pulled out the paper, a simple piece of paper. He turned it over and saw no words or threats. Eyes piercing to see if he missed something, he turned it over again, but once again found nothing. Giving a slight shrug, Harry threw it into the air and pointed his wand at it when a voice reached him.
"Harry." it said in a wispy voice.
Harry looked around and saw nothing. The letter hit the ground but flew up at first contact to eye level with him. Not really feeling all that surprised, Harry glared at the pair of lips that had formed on the paper.
"Voldemort." he acknowledged.
The paper laughed and shook in the air, "Me? No, I don't think so. But you should know me, Harry. Come on think. You thought you got rid of me, didn't you? Well, sorry to tell you, but Master rescued me!"
Harry looked at the paper, then suspiciously, "Wormtail?"
"Bingo! Do you really think that pathetic place, Azkaban, could hold me? Hmph, you've got to be kidding." Wormtail sneered.
"What do you want?" Harry asked heatedly.
"In a rush, are we? Very well, I have many preparations yet to take care of. Master has given me the honor of taking you out of the picture!" exclaimed Wormtail.
"What? A duel? Why should I bother?" asked Harry.
"Because if you don't, your girlfriend's family is going to get it!" Wormtail said nastily.
Harry felt as though he had just been knocked upside the head. Since when had the Grangers been abducted by Voldemort's crowd? And wouldn't they have found out about it by now?
"Why should I believe you?" he sneered.
"What? Surprised that no one's found out? Hmph, do you really think we're that stupid? We have two of our best playing the role of those goddamned Muggles. I have to go. Meet me in the Great Hall at one o'clock tomorrow morning. Don't be late. And. . .this is a private invitation. Bring anyone else and I might be forced to take out my anger on the poor saps." said Wormtail.
"I'll be there! And you better bring the Grangers!" Harry growled.
"Oh, no need to worry about that. Just make sure you don't chicken out, Potter." Wormtail chided.
Harry was about to retort but the paper burst into flames that were so bright that Harry had to shield his eyes. He stood there for a minute not moving, wand still clenched at his side. He knew that it was undoubtedly a trap, but at the same time, could he really risk the safety of Hermione's parents? Harry stuffed his hands into his pockets and headed back towards the Great Hall. He couldn't risk it. He knew he couldn't.
By the time he reached the Great Hall he could hear Sirius' voice echoing off the walls. He sounded quite angry and when Harry walked into the room, unnoticed, he saw him in the middle of the room ranting and raving to those around him. Apparently, he had been gone longer than expected, for only his friends, Dumbledore, Sirius, and Remus (AN: Use your head, Tali has a class.) were still in the room.
"---and if that goddamn mother fucker thinks that I'm gonna let him within ten feet of Harry, he has another thing coming!" Sirius shouted.
Harry walked up behind his friends, "What's he talking about?"
The three jumped then smiled when they saw who it was.
"Oh, hi, Harry. Back already? What was in it this time?" asked Lavender.
Harry looked around uneasily for a moment then decided to ignore the question, "What's he talking about?"
Ron looked at Sirius then back at Harry, "Fudge came back. He wanted to see you."
Harry groaned, "What's he want this time?"
The three looked at each other before Hermione finally spoke up, "You know how everyone knows about these letters you've been getting?"
Harry nodded and Ron continued, "That bloody prick wanted to take you to some place in Siberia to keep you hidden until its time for you to get rid of You-Know-Who."
"He what!?" shouted Harry as his jaw dropped to the floor and the others in the room suddenly seemed to notice that Harry was in the room.
"Don't worry, Harry. Cornelius is not going to take you anywhere." said Dumbledore calmly.
Harry rolled his eyes. He wasn't worried about Fudge taking him anywhere. It was no threat with the powers he now held. What had him upset was that, once again, someone took it upon themselves to try to control his life. Especially Fudge. Harry knew better of him by now, and it shouldn't had come as much of a surprise that he would attempt to protect him up until the day he was supposed to die and then send him on his way. It wasn't any skin off his back if Harry had to die. As long as the precious Minister of Magic was well and alive, Harry doubted that Fudge cared who had to die.
The silence that had erupted over the room was abruptly broken by Remus, "Come on, Harry. Sirius and I are taking you, Ron, Hermione, and Lavender to Hogsmeade today."
Ron's face split into a smile, "Perfect! I'm down to my last dung bomb!"
Lavender giggled, "Yeah, I can still picture the face on Malfoy!. . .Er. . .that is---"
Dumbledore stuck his finger in his ear and started to walk off, "I really must get Madame Pomfrey to take a look at my ears. I can't hear a thing lately."
Lavender breathed a sigh of relief, "That was a close one. You know, he can be pretty cool for a headmaster."
**************
"Say, Hermione. . .have you heard from your parents lately?" Harry asked as they sat down at a table in Honeydukes, waiting for the rest of their friends to get their butterbeers.
Hermione nodded, "Yes, I just got an owl this morning. Why?"
"How are they doing?" Harry asked, ignoring the question.
". . .Fine. Harry is there something I should know about?" Hermione asked.
Harry shook his head quickly, "No, forget I mentioned it."
Hermione looked at him and sighed before putting her hand on him, "Harry, are you okay? You've been acting strangely lately."
"I'm fine, Hermione." he said, smiling, as he took a sip of his butterbeer.
The look she gave him clearly stated that she wasn't completely convinced of this. Luckily, however, she didn't pursue the topic.
"Hey, don't go getting all lovey dovey on us, now." Ron joked, elbowing Harry, as he and everyone else joined them at the table.
Hermione snorted, "Oh, you should talk. I'm surprised Lavender still has her head after the session you two had yesterday. Honestly, there is a fine line between kissing and assault, Ron."
Lavender blushed and hid her head behind her drink as Ron glanced evilly at her, "Can you really blame me. Besides, if there's anyone you should be barkin' at it should be Sirius. Did you see him and Tali yesterday? God, I thought they were going to pass out from lack of air!"
Sirius spit all his butterbeer out onto Remus and the students all burst into fits of laughter.
Remus wiped his hand down his face glared at Sirius, "Lovely, Padfoot."
"Where'd you see that!?" Sirius asked, not hearing Remus' comment at all.
"Oh, you know. You go to double check on a homework assignment and you find your teacher making out with a certain someone. School just isn't what it used to be." Ron smirked.
Sirius blushed and muttered something under his breath as Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Lavender burst out laughing again.
"I'm sorry, Moony. Oh, don't mention it, old friend." Remus went on talking to himself.
"You okay, Moony?" Sirius asked.
Remus rolled his eyes and left to go get a towel.
"So, Harry, you never answered me this morning. What was in that god forsaken letter?" asked Lavender before taking a sip of her drink.
Harry's mind raced for a minute but he forced himself to maintain his cool, "Oh, you know. Pretty much the same thing as always. Voldemort must be getting pretty nervous."
"Yeah, but there's no use in trying to intimidate you. Hell, if Merlin himself said you're going to defeat him then you're going to damn well beat him!" exclaimed Ron, clapping his hand on Harry's back, receiving a feeble breath of a laugh from Harry in return.
"Yes, but you should still be careful, Harry. Don't kill yourself trying to get rid of him." joked Hermione with a hint of seriousness.
Harry exchanged nervous looks with Sirius and Remus (who had just returned and was sponging out his robes). The three Gryffindors seemed to notice the uncomfortable silence.
"What?" asked Hermione. Harry, Remus, and Sirius forced meager laughs.
"Don't worry, Hermione. I won't go that far." Harry said. Sure, it might be stretching the truth, but it wasn't a lie. After all, he wasn't going to kill himself, Voldemort was.
*****************************
Harry turned his gaze away from the window and looked around the room. He hadn't been able to sleep so as soon as he was sure everyone else in the room was, he had gotten out of bed and awaited one o'clock. Even through the piercing darkness he could make out the beds. Neville was snoring away as always and Seamus could be heard muttering nonsense under his breath. Hedwig nipped gently at his fingers and Harry absently stroked her. He wasn't sure what time it was but by the depth of Neville's snores, Harry guessed it was around twelve thirty. And while he refused to admit it, Harry was beginning to have second thoughts about his duel with Wormtail. It had to be a trap, there was no other explanation. Wormtail would never be brave enough to face him on his own, without a plan. But somewhere from the depths of his mind, there was a little annoying voice that had been haunting him all day with the same question.
What if he was telling the truth?
He knew that he couldn't risk the deaths of Hermione's parents. So, as he had decided earlier that morning, he would go see what Wormtail had up his sleeve, and hopefully live to see the sun rise.
"Go on, Hedwig. Go back to the Owlery." Harry whispered, shooing her off.
Once she was gone, Harry pulled on his Hogwarts robe over his pajamas and quickly tied his shoes before opening his trunk. He kneeled there for a few minutes, holding his father's invisibility cloak and pondering whether he should take it and risk it going into Wormtail's clutches, or to go as he was. Technically, he wasn't a student anymore, so he didn't have a curfew. And even if he did get caught, he could make up some story about having a dream and needing to talk to Dumbledore about it. Harry sighed as he came to the decision to leave the cloak behind. He stood up, tossed the cloak on his bed, and closed the trunk lid. . .a bit too loudly.
Harry froze and waited in a hushed breath to see if he had woken anyone up. Fortunately, no one did and Harry thanked the heavens that all his roommates were heavy sleepers. He breathed a sigh of relief, grabbed his wand, and left the room, pausing at the door to take in its features one last time. For only a brief moment did he consider peaking in on Hermione, but decided not to because of the possibility that one of the girls might be up having personal reflection time.
As he walked through the corridors and listened to the muffled echoing of his shoes bouncing off the walls, Harry's mind wandered through a vast amount of topics. It seemed as though he had only just left the common room when he stood outside the doors to the Great Hall. Harry took in a deep breath before grasping his wand firmly at his side and pushing the doors open.
There was no light or sound in the room, nor any people for what he could tell. Harry gulped silently before lighting his wand and taking a few steps into the room. It wasn't until he had reached what he guessed was about half way to the other side of the room that anything happened.
"So glad you could join us, Harry." Wormtail's voice boomed.
Harry spun around and looked for any sign of movement, "I'm not going to play games with you, Wormtail! Let's just get this over with!"
"Hmm. . .I don't think so." said Wormtail.
Suddenly the doors to the room slammed shut and hundreds of balls of fire fell from the ceiling to the floor where they lit the room. Now that he could actually see where everything was, Harry felt somewhat more comfortable. That is until he saw what there was in the room.
Mr. and Mrs. Granger were tied with odd looking rope floating at least thirty feet up in the air. Below them, sitting on the professor's table, was Peter 'Wormtail' Pettigrew.
"You see," said Wormtail, "I have control over whether or not these 'dear' Muggles live or not. We play by my rules, Potter. So get used to it. And don't bother trying to run away. I've sealed the entrances."
"Like I'm actually scared of the likes of you. You got what you wanted. I'm here. Let Hermione's parents go!" Harry growled.
"I'll do as I please." said Wormtail, pointing his wand at the Grangers, "See, I can squeeze the life out of them,"---as he said this the rope around the Grangers tightened and a strange pink light floated away from them, "---or I can give them power. . .though, don't think me fool enough to do so."
"Bastard." Harry snarled, "What happened to Wormtail the Marauder? The Wormtail my father knew?"
Wormtail laughed, "I hate to break it to you, Potter, but I was never your father's friend. Oh, what's the word for it. . .a spy I believe. You see, Master needed somebody to keep him updated on your father and keep him away from that Mudblood mother of yours. . .didn't work to well though. . .But that's beyond the point! I have failed Master far too many times for his liking. He rescued me from Azkaban and this is my last chance and I won't fail this time."
"But how come the papers haven't reported your escape?" asked Harry.
"Are you really that dense? Hmph, like father, like son, I suppose. Same way we managed to capture the Muggles. And most interested Master was in aunt and uncle." laughed Wormtail.
"What are you talking about?" asked Harry.
Wormtail laughed more heartily at this, "I suppose you would like to find out, wouldn't you? Well, sorry to say, but unless I fail, which is *most* unlikely, I fear to say you will never know. Now, shall we get down to business? Are you going to go down quietly or am I going to have to hurt you?"
Harry smirked, "Better question. Are *you* going to go down quietly or am *I* going to have to hurt *you?*"
"Nice try, kid. But I'm bigger and better than I was last time we faced each other. Let's do it! Grexis Polaris!" (AN: Okay, spells are kinda hard to come up with. . .leave me alone.) Wormtail shouted.
A strong wind knocked Harry down to the ground roughly, but he managed to roll to the side before the white hot ball of energy hit him. When it finally disappeared, there was a large hole where Harry had been but moments before.
"Soakariax!" Harry shouted from his position on the ground.
Wormtail was blown high up in the air and suspended for a second before being slammed back down to the ground. Both males stood up quickly and stared at each other in silence for less then a second before exploding into a series of curses and hexes. They went on, nonstop, for over five minutes. The smoke let off from the spells became so thick that Harry feared the Grangers might be hit by a stray one. He also wondered if they had awoken anyone from their slumber with all the noise they were making, but he had little time to think about at it. At the moment, he was only concerned with the safety of Hermione's parents.
Then, just when Harry was running out of ideas of spells, both came to an abrupt halt. As the smoke thinned, Wormtail and Harry could both be seen hunched over, trying to catch their breath. Both covered in cuts and blood. And both with a new found respect for one another's ability.
"Not. . . .bad. . .Potter." Wormtail gasped.
"Hmph. . .if you think that was good. . .you ain't seen nothing. . .yet. . .Expellairmus!" Harry shouted the one spell he should have done in the beginning.
Wormtail's face fell faster than his wand left his hand. But quickly hiding his shock, he put on a sneer.
"You think you're so high and mighty." he said walking towards Harry.
Harry pointed both wands at him but Wormtail kept walking forward until the wands were pressed flush against his chest, "Go on, Harry. Kill me. Avenge your parents. I know you want to."
Harry gulped. The words were in his head, in his throat, but he couldn't seem to get them to exit his mouth. It should have been the easiest thing to do. After all, Wormtail had felt no remorse when he sold his parents over to Voldemort, nor did he feel any when he framed Sirius. So why was it that he couldn't bring himself to kill him?
Instead, Harry turned his attention to the Grangers, "It's going to be okay, now."
They nodded and Harry lowered them to the ground.
"Don't ignore me! I know you want to kill me! So go ahead," said Wormtail, pointing Harry's wand back to his chest, "I dare you."
Harry closed his eyes, "A. . .ava. . ."
Harry turned his head down and gave Wormtail a shove towards the Grangers, "Untie them."
Wormtail smirked and then snorted, "Impossible. That's not ordinary rope. Only the counter curse can destroy it."
"What is it?" asked Harry.
"Give me my wand and I'll do it." Wormtail said.
"Oh, please. I wasn't born yesterday. Just give me the goddamn counter curse." said Harry, rolling his eyes.
Wormtail shrugged, "Herdinonius."
Harry pointed his wand at the Grangers, "Herdinonius."
The rope did disappear, however, much to Harry' surprise and disapproval, he was thrown up and back several feet, landing with a crunch on the ground and losing the wands. Wormtail quickly picked them up and smiled evilly.
"Oh, did I forget to mention. Only the caster can uncast the spell safely. I'll just take these." said Wormtail picking up the wands.
Harry slowly sat up and brought one hand to his head and the other to his leg. There was no doubt that his leg was broken, but it had happened so often that he really couldn't feel that much pain anymore. . .or at least that's what he fooled himself into thinking for the time being. He needed all his concentration to be on Wormtail and getting his wand back. At the moment, Wormtail had his back turned on him and was addressing the Grangers, and, though, Harry couldn't tell what he was saying, he knew it wasn't good by the look on their faces.
"Let's see. You having to hurt me. . .somehow I think you had it backwards, Potter." Wormtail said, stalking forward confidently, "Pity. No one will be here to see you die. . .and live to tell about it. I think a Muggle, then you. . .then the other Muggle."
Forgetting that his leg was broken, and that he was wandless, Harry quickly got to his feet, leaning against the Hufflepuff table for support.
"Oh, I'm so sure that'll prove your bravery! Killing two Muggles and a kid without as much as his wand! Yeah, you'll get *so* much respect for that!" Harry derided.
"But you've misunderstood me. I have no interest in respect. All I have to worry about is killing you. Besides. . .need I remind you that I'll be the only one leaving here alive, whose to say I *didn't* kill you with your wand?" Wormtail said, then turned to the Grangers.
"No!" Harry shouted and tried to run forward to prevent it, but with his leg he simply fell to the ground.
"Avada Kedavera." Wormtail said casually with his wand pointed toward Mrs. Granger. Harry turned his head up just in time to see Hermione's mom collapse to the floor, dead.
"No!" Harry yelled at the top of his lungs, but couldn't manage to get any closer to them.
Mr. Granger was shaking his wife with tears in his eyes, trying to wake her up. Harry felt a wave of guilt wash over him. He hadn't done it. He hadn't been able to save them.
"Now, Potter, it's your turn." said Wormtail walking over to where Harry lay and pointing his wand at him.
Harry closed his eyes and waited. There was no way he would be able to beat him. Not with the condition he was in. Moreover, Harry wasn't sure he would be able to face anyone, especially Hermione, after what had happened. But before Wormtail could kill him, a voice cried out the words that saved him.
"Expellairmus!" Ron shouted, coming out from under the invisibility cloak Harry had left on his bed.
The wands in Wormtail's hands flew over to Ron who promptly caught them and walked forward, "Sorry I didn't help you earlier Harry. Someone's spell hit me and I couldn't move till just now."
Ron helped Harry to his feet and handed him his wand, "What're you doing here, Ron?"
"Tell you later. Right now we have to deal with this bloody bastard." Ron said. Wormtail shrunk back and glanced around for a way to escape.
'Then again,' Harry thought to himself, 'Perhaps he didn't change that much.'
"Go ahead, Harry. Use one of those spells of yours." said Ron.
Harry nodded and hobbled forward a few feet. He lifted his wand and searched his mind for the proper spell. When he found it, his breath was deep and ragged. He lifted his wand and pointed it at Wormtail.
"Ge---" he started, but before he could finish the spell, a tremendously strong wind erupted out of nowhere.
Harry covered his face and attempted to stay in the same place, but found himself being blown back a few feet.
"Good job, Potter! You've defeated my representative! Too bad you won't be nearly so lucky when I get to you! And you, Wormtail, can consider yourself banished from my order! I will not tolerate such weakness!" Voldemort's voice boomed out, "Now, let's see what you two can make of this!"
As suddenly as it started, the wind stopped. Those in the room looked around nervously to see what the Dark Lord had meant. For several seconds nothing happened. Then, suddenly, the wind started up again and all the light disappeared. The sound of a powerful storm could be heard above them. Harry couldn't see a single thing, until two streaks of light hurtled down from the ceiling and, while he couldn't see where the other one went, he had a pretty good idea.
Wormtail's shriek echoed clearly off the walls, even through the wind. But before Harry determine anything else, the other streak of light hit him. Harry fell to his knees and then to the floor. He wasn't sure if he was screaming or not and tears of pain clouded his vision. He wasn't sure how long it lasted but eventually it let up and the wind left and the lights came back on. Immediately, Harry someone rushing up to him, but before he could figure out who it was, he passed out.
Author's Note: Golly gee. . .where is the world did this chapter come from? Hmm. . .oh well. . .I like it! Poor Hermione. . .stupid Wormtail!!!!! Wondering why I chose Ron to be there with Harry? Well, lots of reasons. One you'll read about next chapter, the other because I feel I haven't really been using him that much. Besides, Harry and Ron have a great friendship! But what do you think? Write me a review and tell me! Please!
Laughing My Head Off: Really? I would think that James would be mad at Wormtail. . .I guess I'll fix it when I rewrite the story. . .that won't be for a while, though, sorry. Thanks for the info, though!
______________: Yeah, my friend, who didn't read the books, didn't understand why Hermione didn't hug Ron. . .and the "There's no Hogwarts without you, Hagrid." was kinda cheesy, but other than that it was a good movie! *So* much funnier than the first one! Yes, Hedwig is a marvelous creature, isn't she! Just wait, she and the black owl are gonna have more run-ins.
Kat: Wow, I'm impressed; somebody picked up on it already? Yes, the owl colors are symbols, I guess everyone else might pick up on it during the Christmas chapter. . .no more to say about that, though! Oh, and Hedwig didn't *kill* the black owl. . .just. . .well, you'll see soon enough.
_________: Nope, not good at all. . .and it gets worse. . .
Kimmy: Honestly, little sisters can be so annoying, can't they? Alas, my sis doesn't go to bed until like three in the morning. . .I might just have to try it though, 'cuz she's still making fun of me for liking the movie so much. Grr!
Laterose: Ending? Yes, well, I tried to lighten it up a little. . .kind of morbid still though, wasn't it? Ugh, oh well. . .You didn't like the movie? Well that's okay, at least you don't go around calling those who do childish. . .::sniff:: she's a twit! Perhaps the third movie will change both your minds, though! Til then, keep your individuality!
Leaf: Yes sir (or ma'am) I aim to please! Glad you like the chapter! And I promise to e-mail when I post this chapter! And if you're looking for Harry Potter fics, I started another one, Home for the Holidays, but I haven't updated in a while. I also wrote quite a few song-fics for Harry Potter, I could always use some more reviews for those! Other than that, only my originals are left! If you wanna see what I have, just click on my name, Centra_gal86, in the blue and you'll be transported to my page with all my stories! Thanks for the review!
Sirius lvr: Yes! How about Christmas Eve? We can all squash all her gifts! Mwa hahahaha! No, not really. That's just plain mean. . .but ya know what? I'll just throw out all her make up. That's cruel and unusual punishment for her! ::Smiles:: Thanks for your support though!
Kateydidn't-who-should-sign-in: Ummmm . . .sure! why not? I'm not scared of friendly opinions. . .just the mean ones! And don't worry about it! I know what sleep deprivation can do to you!
Wanted: Love Ch17: Duel to the Death
Harry grabbed the black letter off his plate as Hedwig chased the black owl out of the Great Hall again. To be quite honest, he was getting really beginning to get ticked off at the now daily ritual. Everyday for the past week the same black owl swooped down with similar black letters. As was expected, every one of them was loaded with some attempt at killing Harry and the booming voice of Voldemort, counting down the days to their supposed demise. Harry supposed that he was beginning to fear for his life as the days ticked away, as was he. Ron, Hermione, and Lavender looked up from their breakfast as Harry turned the letter over between his fingers. Everyone in the school now knew about them, and knew what they held. And while most feared talking to Harry, fearing that Voldemort might attack them, too, the Gryffindors rallied behind their friend.
Sighing, Harry stood up and left the Great Hall. It was impossible to just destroy the letters, like Howlers, they would produce a much more terrible fate to their owner if left unopened. Not wanting anyone else hurt, Harry was forced to leave the room and face whatever lay in wait in the letters. Once he was a safe distance from the others in the castle, he reluctantly slid his finger under the lip of the envelope and pulled it open. As soon as it was open, Harry tossed it a few feet from him and pulled out his wand. Much to his surprise, however, nothing happened.
Carefully, for fear it was a trap, Harry edged towards the letter and slowly picked it up. He peered into the envelope and pulled out the paper, a simple piece of paper. He turned it over and saw no words or threats. Eyes piercing to see if he missed something, he turned it over again, but once again found nothing. Giving a slight shrug, Harry threw it into the air and pointed his wand at it when a voice reached him.
"Harry." it said in a wispy voice.
Harry looked around and saw nothing. The letter hit the ground but flew up at first contact to eye level with him. Not really feeling all that surprised, Harry glared at the pair of lips that had formed on the paper.
"Voldemort." he acknowledged.
The paper laughed and shook in the air, "Me? No, I don't think so. But you should know me, Harry. Come on think. You thought you got rid of me, didn't you? Well, sorry to tell you, but Master rescued me!"
Harry looked at the paper, then suspiciously, "Wormtail?"
"Bingo! Do you really think that pathetic place, Azkaban, could hold me? Hmph, you've got to be kidding." Wormtail sneered.
"What do you want?" Harry asked heatedly.
"In a rush, are we? Very well, I have many preparations yet to take care of. Master has given me the honor of taking you out of the picture!" exclaimed Wormtail.
"What? A duel? Why should I bother?" asked Harry.
"Because if you don't, your girlfriend's family is going to get it!" Wormtail said nastily.
Harry felt as though he had just been knocked upside the head. Since when had the Grangers been abducted by Voldemort's crowd? And wouldn't they have found out about it by now?
"Why should I believe you?" he sneered.
"What? Surprised that no one's found out? Hmph, do you really think we're that stupid? We have two of our best playing the role of those goddamned Muggles. I have to go. Meet me in the Great Hall at one o'clock tomorrow morning. Don't be late. And. . .this is a private invitation. Bring anyone else and I might be forced to take out my anger on the poor saps." said Wormtail.
"I'll be there! And you better bring the Grangers!" Harry growled.
"Oh, no need to worry about that. Just make sure you don't chicken out, Potter." Wormtail chided.
Harry was about to retort but the paper burst into flames that were so bright that Harry had to shield his eyes. He stood there for a minute not moving, wand still clenched at his side. He knew that it was undoubtedly a trap, but at the same time, could he really risk the safety of Hermione's parents? Harry stuffed his hands into his pockets and headed back towards the Great Hall. He couldn't risk it. He knew he couldn't.
By the time he reached the Great Hall he could hear Sirius' voice echoing off the walls. He sounded quite angry and when Harry walked into the room, unnoticed, he saw him in the middle of the room ranting and raving to those around him. Apparently, he had been gone longer than expected, for only his friends, Dumbledore, Sirius, and Remus (AN: Use your head, Tali has a class.) were still in the room.
"---and if that goddamn mother fucker thinks that I'm gonna let him within ten feet of Harry, he has another thing coming!" Sirius shouted.
Harry walked up behind his friends, "What's he talking about?"
The three jumped then smiled when they saw who it was.
"Oh, hi, Harry. Back already? What was in it this time?" asked Lavender.
Harry looked around uneasily for a moment then decided to ignore the question, "What's he talking about?"
Ron looked at Sirius then back at Harry, "Fudge came back. He wanted to see you."
Harry groaned, "What's he want this time?"
The three looked at each other before Hermione finally spoke up, "You know how everyone knows about these letters you've been getting?"
Harry nodded and Ron continued, "That bloody prick wanted to take you to some place in Siberia to keep you hidden until its time for you to get rid of You-Know-Who."
"He what!?" shouted Harry as his jaw dropped to the floor and the others in the room suddenly seemed to notice that Harry was in the room.
"Don't worry, Harry. Cornelius is not going to take you anywhere." said Dumbledore calmly.
Harry rolled his eyes. He wasn't worried about Fudge taking him anywhere. It was no threat with the powers he now held. What had him upset was that, once again, someone took it upon themselves to try to control his life. Especially Fudge. Harry knew better of him by now, and it shouldn't had come as much of a surprise that he would attempt to protect him up until the day he was supposed to die and then send him on his way. It wasn't any skin off his back if Harry had to die. As long as the precious Minister of Magic was well and alive, Harry doubted that Fudge cared who had to die.
The silence that had erupted over the room was abruptly broken by Remus, "Come on, Harry. Sirius and I are taking you, Ron, Hermione, and Lavender to Hogsmeade today."
Ron's face split into a smile, "Perfect! I'm down to my last dung bomb!"
Lavender giggled, "Yeah, I can still picture the face on Malfoy!. . .Er. . .that is---"
Dumbledore stuck his finger in his ear and started to walk off, "I really must get Madame Pomfrey to take a look at my ears. I can't hear a thing lately."
Lavender breathed a sigh of relief, "That was a close one. You know, he can be pretty cool for a headmaster."
**************
"Say, Hermione. . .have you heard from your parents lately?" Harry asked as they sat down at a table in Honeydukes, waiting for the rest of their friends to get their butterbeers.
Hermione nodded, "Yes, I just got an owl this morning. Why?"
"How are they doing?" Harry asked, ignoring the question.
". . .Fine. Harry is there something I should know about?" Hermione asked.
Harry shook his head quickly, "No, forget I mentioned it."
Hermione looked at him and sighed before putting her hand on him, "Harry, are you okay? You've been acting strangely lately."
"I'm fine, Hermione." he said, smiling, as he took a sip of his butterbeer.
The look she gave him clearly stated that she wasn't completely convinced of this. Luckily, however, she didn't pursue the topic.
"Hey, don't go getting all lovey dovey on us, now." Ron joked, elbowing Harry, as he and everyone else joined them at the table.
Hermione snorted, "Oh, you should talk. I'm surprised Lavender still has her head after the session you two had yesterday. Honestly, there is a fine line between kissing and assault, Ron."
Lavender blushed and hid her head behind her drink as Ron glanced evilly at her, "Can you really blame me. Besides, if there's anyone you should be barkin' at it should be Sirius. Did you see him and Tali yesterday? God, I thought they were going to pass out from lack of air!"
Sirius spit all his butterbeer out onto Remus and the students all burst into fits of laughter.
Remus wiped his hand down his face glared at Sirius, "Lovely, Padfoot."
"Where'd you see that!?" Sirius asked, not hearing Remus' comment at all.
"Oh, you know. You go to double check on a homework assignment and you find your teacher making out with a certain someone. School just isn't what it used to be." Ron smirked.
Sirius blushed and muttered something under his breath as Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Lavender burst out laughing again.
"I'm sorry, Moony. Oh, don't mention it, old friend." Remus went on talking to himself.
"You okay, Moony?" Sirius asked.
Remus rolled his eyes and left to go get a towel.
"So, Harry, you never answered me this morning. What was in that god forsaken letter?" asked Lavender before taking a sip of her drink.
Harry's mind raced for a minute but he forced himself to maintain his cool, "Oh, you know. Pretty much the same thing as always. Voldemort must be getting pretty nervous."
"Yeah, but there's no use in trying to intimidate you. Hell, if Merlin himself said you're going to defeat him then you're going to damn well beat him!" exclaimed Ron, clapping his hand on Harry's back, receiving a feeble breath of a laugh from Harry in return.
"Yes, but you should still be careful, Harry. Don't kill yourself trying to get rid of him." joked Hermione with a hint of seriousness.
Harry exchanged nervous looks with Sirius and Remus (who had just returned and was sponging out his robes). The three Gryffindors seemed to notice the uncomfortable silence.
"What?" asked Hermione. Harry, Remus, and Sirius forced meager laughs.
"Don't worry, Hermione. I won't go that far." Harry said. Sure, it might be stretching the truth, but it wasn't a lie. After all, he wasn't going to kill himself, Voldemort was.
*****************************
Harry turned his gaze away from the window and looked around the room. He hadn't been able to sleep so as soon as he was sure everyone else in the room was, he had gotten out of bed and awaited one o'clock. Even through the piercing darkness he could make out the beds. Neville was snoring away as always and Seamus could be heard muttering nonsense under his breath. Hedwig nipped gently at his fingers and Harry absently stroked her. He wasn't sure what time it was but by the depth of Neville's snores, Harry guessed it was around twelve thirty. And while he refused to admit it, Harry was beginning to have second thoughts about his duel with Wormtail. It had to be a trap, there was no other explanation. Wormtail would never be brave enough to face him on his own, without a plan. But somewhere from the depths of his mind, there was a little annoying voice that had been haunting him all day with the same question.
What if he was telling the truth?
He knew that he couldn't risk the deaths of Hermione's parents. So, as he had decided earlier that morning, he would go see what Wormtail had up his sleeve, and hopefully live to see the sun rise.
"Go on, Hedwig. Go back to the Owlery." Harry whispered, shooing her off.
Once she was gone, Harry pulled on his Hogwarts robe over his pajamas and quickly tied his shoes before opening his trunk. He kneeled there for a few minutes, holding his father's invisibility cloak and pondering whether he should take it and risk it going into Wormtail's clutches, or to go as he was. Technically, he wasn't a student anymore, so he didn't have a curfew. And even if he did get caught, he could make up some story about having a dream and needing to talk to Dumbledore about it. Harry sighed as he came to the decision to leave the cloak behind. He stood up, tossed the cloak on his bed, and closed the trunk lid. . .a bit too loudly.
Harry froze and waited in a hushed breath to see if he had woken anyone up. Fortunately, no one did and Harry thanked the heavens that all his roommates were heavy sleepers. He breathed a sigh of relief, grabbed his wand, and left the room, pausing at the door to take in its features one last time. For only a brief moment did he consider peaking in on Hermione, but decided not to because of the possibility that one of the girls might be up having personal reflection time.
As he walked through the corridors and listened to the muffled echoing of his shoes bouncing off the walls, Harry's mind wandered through a vast amount of topics. It seemed as though he had only just left the common room when he stood outside the doors to the Great Hall. Harry took in a deep breath before grasping his wand firmly at his side and pushing the doors open.
There was no light or sound in the room, nor any people for what he could tell. Harry gulped silently before lighting his wand and taking a few steps into the room. It wasn't until he had reached what he guessed was about half way to the other side of the room that anything happened.
"So glad you could join us, Harry." Wormtail's voice boomed.
Harry spun around and looked for any sign of movement, "I'm not going to play games with you, Wormtail! Let's just get this over with!"
"Hmm. . .I don't think so." said Wormtail.
Suddenly the doors to the room slammed shut and hundreds of balls of fire fell from the ceiling to the floor where they lit the room. Now that he could actually see where everything was, Harry felt somewhat more comfortable. That is until he saw what there was in the room.
Mr. and Mrs. Granger were tied with odd looking rope floating at least thirty feet up in the air. Below them, sitting on the professor's table, was Peter 'Wormtail' Pettigrew.
"You see," said Wormtail, "I have control over whether or not these 'dear' Muggles live or not. We play by my rules, Potter. So get used to it. And don't bother trying to run away. I've sealed the entrances."
"Like I'm actually scared of the likes of you. You got what you wanted. I'm here. Let Hermione's parents go!" Harry growled.
"I'll do as I please." said Wormtail, pointing his wand at the Grangers, "See, I can squeeze the life out of them,"---as he said this the rope around the Grangers tightened and a strange pink light floated away from them, "---or I can give them power. . .though, don't think me fool enough to do so."
"Bastard." Harry snarled, "What happened to Wormtail the Marauder? The Wormtail my father knew?"
Wormtail laughed, "I hate to break it to you, Potter, but I was never your father's friend. Oh, what's the word for it. . .a spy I believe. You see, Master needed somebody to keep him updated on your father and keep him away from that Mudblood mother of yours. . .didn't work to well though. . .But that's beyond the point! I have failed Master far too many times for his liking. He rescued me from Azkaban and this is my last chance and I won't fail this time."
"But how come the papers haven't reported your escape?" asked Harry.
"Are you really that dense? Hmph, like father, like son, I suppose. Same way we managed to capture the Muggles. And most interested Master was in aunt and uncle." laughed Wormtail.
"What are you talking about?" asked Harry.
Wormtail laughed more heartily at this, "I suppose you would like to find out, wouldn't you? Well, sorry to say, but unless I fail, which is *most* unlikely, I fear to say you will never know. Now, shall we get down to business? Are you going to go down quietly or am I going to have to hurt you?"
Harry smirked, "Better question. Are *you* going to go down quietly or am *I* going to have to hurt *you?*"
"Nice try, kid. But I'm bigger and better than I was last time we faced each other. Let's do it! Grexis Polaris!" (AN: Okay, spells are kinda hard to come up with. . .leave me alone.) Wormtail shouted.
A strong wind knocked Harry down to the ground roughly, but he managed to roll to the side before the white hot ball of energy hit him. When it finally disappeared, there was a large hole where Harry had been but moments before.
"Soakariax!" Harry shouted from his position on the ground.
Wormtail was blown high up in the air and suspended for a second before being slammed back down to the ground. Both males stood up quickly and stared at each other in silence for less then a second before exploding into a series of curses and hexes. They went on, nonstop, for over five minutes. The smoke let off from the spells became so thick that Harry feared the Grangers might be hit by a stray one. He also wondered if they had awoken anyone from their slumber with all the noise they were making, but he had little time to think about at it. At the moment, he was only concerned with the safety of Hermione's parents.
Then, just when Harry was running out of ideas of spells, both came to an abrupt halt. As the smoke thinned, Wormtail and Harry could both be seen hunched over, trying to catch their breath. Both covered in cuts and blood. And both with a new found respect for one another's ability.
"Not. . . .bad. . .Potter." Wormtail gasped.
"Hmph. . .if you think that was good. . .you ain't seen nothing. . .yet. . .Expellairmus!" Harry shouted the one spell he should have done in the beginning.
Wormtail's face fell faster than his wand left his hand. But quickly hiding his shock, he put on a sneer.
"You think you're so high and mighty." he said walking towards Harry.
Harry pointed both wands at him but Wormtail kept walking forward until the wands were pressed flush against his chest, "Go on, Harry. Kill me. Avenge your parents. I know you want to."
Harry gulped. The words were in his head, in his throat, but he couldn't seem to get them to exit his mouth. It should have been the easiest thing to do. After all, Wormtail had felt no remorse when he sold his parents over to Voldemort, nor did he feel any when he framed Sirius. So why was it that he couldn't bring himself to kill him?
Instead, Harry turned his attention to the Grangers, "It's going to be okay, now."
They nodded and Harry lowered them to the ground.
"Don't ignore me! I know you want to kill me! So go ahead," said Wormtail, pointing Harry's wand back to his chest, "I dare you."
Harry closed his eyes, "A. . .ava. . ."
Harry turned his head down and gave Wormtail a shove towards the Grangers, "Untie them."
Wormtail smirked and then snorted, "Impossible. That's not ordinary rope. Only the counter curse can destroy it."
"What is it?" asked Harry.
"Give me my wand and I'll do it." Wormtail said.
"Oh, please. I wasn't born yesterday. Just give me the goddamn counter curse." said Harry, rolling his eyes.
Wormtail shrugged, "Herdinonius."
Harry pointed his wand at the Grangers, "Herdinonius."
The rope did disappear, however, much to Harry' surprise and disapproval, he was thrown up and back several feet, landing with a crunch on the ground and losing the wands. Wormtail quickly picked them up and smiled evilly.
"Oh, did I forget to mention. Only the caster can uncast the spell safely. I'll just take these." said Wormtail picking up the wands.
Harry slowly sat up and brought one hand to his head and the other to his leg. There was no doubt that his leg was broken, but it had happened so often that he really couldn't feel that much pain anymore. . .or at least that's what he fooled himself into thinking for the time being. He needed all his concentration to be on Wormtail and getting his wand back. At the moment, Wormtail had his back turned on him and was addressing the Grangers, and, though, Harry couldn't tell what he was saying, he knew it wasn't good by the look on their faces.
"Let's see. You having to hurt me. . .somehow I think you had it backwards, Potter." Wormtail said, stalking forward confidently, "Pity. No one will be here to see you die. . .and live to tell about it. I think a Muggle, then you. . .then the other Muggle."
Forgetting that his leg was broken, and that he was wandless, Harry quickly got to his feet, leaning against the Hufflepuff table for support.
"Oh, I'm so sure that'll prove your bravery! Killing two Muggles and a kid without as much as his wand! Yeah, you'll get *so* much respect for that!" Harry derided.
"But you've misunderstood me. I have no interest in respect. All I have to worry about is killing you. Besides. . .need I remind you that I'll be the only one leaving here alive, whose to say I *didn't* kill you with your wand?" Wormtail said, then turned to the Grangers.
"No!" Harry shouted and tried to run forward to prevent it, but with his leg he simply fell to the ground.
"Avada Kedavera." Wormtail said casually with his wand pointed toward Mrs. Granger. Harry turned his head up just in time to see Hermione's mom collapse to the floor, dead.
"No!" Harry yelled at the top of his lungs, but couldn't manage to get any closer to them.
Mr. Granger was shaking his wife with tears in his eyes, trying to wake her up. Harry felt a wave of guilt wash over him. He hadn't done it. He hadn't been able to save them.
"Now, Potter, it's your turn." said Wormtail walking over to where Harry lay and pointing his wand at him.
Harry closed his eyes and waited. There was no way he would be able to beat him. Not with the condition he was in. Moreover, Harry wasn't sure he would be able to face anyone, especially Hermione, after what had happened. But before Wormtail could kill him, a voice cried out the words that saved him.
"Expellairmus!" Ron shouted, coming out from under the invisibility cloak Harry had left on his bed.
The wands in Wormtail's hands flew over to Ron who promptly caught them and walked forward, "Sorry I didn't help you earlier Harry. Someone's spell hit me and I couldn't move till just now."
Ron helped Harry to his feet and handed him his wand, "What're you doing here, Ron?"
"Tell you later. Right now we have to deal with this bloody bastard." Ron said. Wormtail shrunk back and glanced around for a way to escape.
'Then again,' Harry thought to himself, 'Perhaps he didn't change that much.'
"Go ahead, Harry. Use one of those spells of yours." said Ron.
Harry nodded and hobbled forward a few feet. He lifted his wand and searched his mind for the proper spell. When he found it, his breath was deep and ragged. He lifted his wand and pointed it at Wormtail.
"Ge---" he started, but before he could finish the spell, a tremendously strong wind erupted out of nowhere.
Harry covered his face and attempted to stay in the same place, but found himself being blown back a few feet.
"Good job, Potter! You've defeated my representative! Too bad you won't be nearly so lucky when I get to you! And you, Wormtail, can consider yourself banished from my order! I will not tolerate such weakness!" Voldemort's voice boomed out, "Now, let's see what you two can make of this!"
As suddenly as it started, the wind stopped. Those in the room looked around nervously to see what the Dark Lord had meant. For several seconds nothing happened. Then, suddenly, the wind started up again and all the light disappeared. The sound of a powerful storm could be heard above them. Harry couldn't see a single thing, until two streaks of light hurtled down from the ceiling and, while he couldn't see where the other one went, he had a pretty good idea.
Wormtail's shriek echoed clearly off the walls, even through the wind. But before Harry determine anything else, the other streak of light hit him. Harry fell to his knees and then to the floor. He wasn't sure if he was screaming or not and tears of pain clouded his vision. He wasn't sure how long it lasted but eventually it let up and the wind left and the lights came back on. Immediately, Harry someone rushing up to him, but before he could figure out who it was, he passed out.
Author's Note: Golly gee. . .where is the world did this chapter come from? Hmm. . .oh well. . .I like it! Poor Hermione. . .stupid Wormtail!!!!! Wondering why I chose Ron to be there with Harry? Well, lots of reasons. One you'll read about next chapter, the other because I feel I haven't really been using him that much. Besides, Harry and Ron have a great friendship! But what do you think? Write me a review and tell me! Please!