Chapter Seventeen~ And So it Begins

***

Harry woke up and found himself hugging Cho next to him. The room was messy telling him what about what they did last night. Harry sat up and groaned a bit since he felt very tired. Harry looked at Cho and found her still looking fresh even after the last night.

Harry sighed and lay back on the bed. "Harry...?" Cho's weary voice came. Harry looked to her. "Hey there, are you okay?" he asked. Cho smiled and her eyes were half open. "Never better..." Cho muttered. Harry kissed Cho and stood up. Cho closed her eyes.

A flash of Hermione screaming... another figure was there... it was moaning in pain also... Hermione's voice was growing louder and then softer... she was in pain... she was screaming for Ron, Harry and Cho's help...

"Hermione!!!" Cho shouted as she thrust forward. Harry went to her. "Cho!" Cho was breathing harshly. "H-Harry... it was Hermione... she was... in pain... she's looking for us... Ron, you... me..." Cho then grabbed Harry's polo, which was unbuttoned, hanging loosely around him.

"We've got to help her Harry!! We have to help her!! Harry, she's dying! I can feel it!!" Cho said. Harry stared at Cho. "Hermione...? Hermione's dying?" Harry asked. Cho, who was panting with nervousness nodded frantically. "Harry! Please! Hermione's somewhere in..."

"Where Cho?" Harry asked as he held both her arms. "Where is she?" Harry asked again. Cho started to cry and shook her head. "I can't remember... Harry... tell the Order... tell them now!" she said. Harry hesitated as he looked at Cho with concern. He nodded and left the room.

* * *

"Yes! Cho said it!" Harry said to the whole Order. Tonks stared over to Dumbledore as if waiting for a reply. "When did she see this?" Dumbledore asked calmly. "We woke up... I stood up and then after a few moments, I heard her scream Hermione's name..." Harry said. He left out the private parts.

"Albus, what is this?" Professor McGonagall asked. Dumbledore eyes Harry. "Tell Ms. Chang she needs to tell me every single detail. Mad-Eye, you and Kingsley go to the Ministry of Magic and inform Cornelius about this incident. The rest of you, you stay." Dumbledore ordered.

Mad-Eye Moody eyed Harry, both his magical one and the normal one. "Take care of Chang, Potter." He said hoarsely and left the house of Black with Kingsley. Harry looked at Dumbledore. "I'll call Cho?" he asked. Dumbledore nodded.

Harry ran up the stairs and heard screams coming form, his room. Harry ran faster and bust open the door. His eyes grew wide when he saw Cho...

There she was on the bed, arching her back from time to time and she was perspiring... she was so pale and her screams were of unbearable pain. Cho twisted and turned on the bed erratically and moaned over and over.

"Cho!!" Harry shouted and ran to her, holding down her body. Cho settled once Harry had laid his hands on her. She was panting hard and her eyes were closed. "T-The... Cruciatus curse... I felt it... Harry... I felt it..." Cho muttered.

Harry hugged her. "How...? Why did you... it's impossible... no one else was here..." Harry said as he rocked Cho. Cho hugged him back and cried. "It was hell... like my body was being torn apart... Harry... don't leave me... never leave me..." Cho muttered.

"Why?" Harry asked, still hugging her. Cho's breathing was still harsh, "I don't know... Harry I don't know..." Cho said. Harry closed his eyes shut. Damn you Voldemort... don't you dare take my Cho from me... the hell with you... I'll kill you once and for all... you are making her suffer...Harry thought.

Cho let go of Harry's hug and put her hands on his shoulders. "He... he's coming Harry... he wants to kill... he wants you to suffer... he wants you in pain..." Cho muttered. "I-I'm going mad... I am..." "No Cho... no, you are not going mad, you are NOT!" Harry said as he held her waist. Cho was crying and her eyes were red. She looked very tired but still very beautiful.

"Harry!!" a voice shouted from downstairs. Harry turned about and heard footsteps running up the stairs. Ron appeared and saw Harry and Cho. "Harry!" he said as he ran to them. Harry looked at Cho and she was unconscious. "Cho! Cho!" Harry shouted as he gently shook her.

"What the..." Ron muttered. "When did you arrive?" Harry asked Ron. "My dad brought me. Dumbledore ordered the whole Order to come so my dad came and brought me. What happened to Cho?" Ron asked. Harry stared at the Asian girl. "She... had a vision... of Hermione..." "Hermione? Where?!" Ron asked as he neared Harry.

"She didn't tell me, she was under the Cruciatus spell when I came here from downstairs... Ron, Cho's in trouble." Harry muttered.

* * *

It was nightfall. Harry was outside 12 Grimmauld Place with the night breeze swaying his tousled hair. He was in shock. Cho was with Professor McGonagall and Professor Tonks. Dumbledore was inside and the rest of the Order wasn't there.

Harry looked up at the night sky. It did not have stars. It was a cloudy night. Harry sighed. Please be alright Cho... don't die on me... Harry thought. He then saw a couple of specs in the sky... it was moving. Harry squinted and got ready for a possible scar prick. Nothing.

He then saw it; the specs were two people on brooms. Harry stood up as he stared at them. It was Mad-Eye Moody and Kingsley. They landed smoothly beside Harry. "What did the Ministry say?" Harry asked. Moody eyes Harry with his magical one. "They sent out Dementors everywhere. One little movement of possible Death Eaters or You-Know-Who himself, they would inform us." Kingsley said.

Harry nodded. "HARRY!" a voice of a girl came. Harry wheeled around. It was Hermione's voice. "Hermione?" Harry said out loud. "What?" Moody asked. Harry stared at them. "You heard her, she called out my name..." Harry said. Moody made a face (if that was possible). "Potter, are you alright? Ms. Granger isn't here." He said.

Harry frowned. "I heard her! I heard her and..." "Harry! News! We have to go to Hogwarts right now!!" Ron said, popping his head out the house.

* * *

Harry, Ron, Tonks, Lupin, Mad-Eye Moody and Kingsley landed by the lake, near the Forbidden Forest. "What's going on?" Harry asked. No one had said a word during their journey.

"It's Hagrid, he's injured." Ron said as the rest of the Order made their way to Hagrid's hut. Harry and Ron followed bringing their brooms with them. Lupin knocked on the door. "Hagrid?" he asked. Everyone was quiet.

"Come in!" an elderly woman's voice came. Everyone entered. They saw Madam Pomfrey with a sleeping Hagrid. "What happened?" Tonks asked. "He was attacked. He said before I put him to sleep that two Death Eater's visited his hut, Malfoy and Rookwood, he said. They were asking the whereabouts of young Potter here and the rest of you." Madam Pomfrey said.

"And?" Kingsley asked. "Of course, as noble as Hagrid is, he didn't tell. They tortured him with spells not of my knowledge." Madam Pomfrey said as she stared at Hagrid. Harry went near Hagrid. "He's here, isn't he?" he asked.

"What?" Ron asked. Harry faced everyone. "Voldemort... he's here." Harry said. "Balderdash! He can't be here in Hogwarts unless..." Tonks said as she eyed everyone. "Dumbledore. He isn't here, Voldemort has a clear chance." Harry said.

A screeching sound was heard. Harry and the rest of them wheeled about. There was an owl coming their way. It went on the table and Harry went near it as he took the parchment.

Harry,

Ms. Chang is missing! We let her Rest in your room and When we Were about to check on Her, she Is gone. Harry, look for Her and Be careful. Keep her alive.

Molly Weasley

Harry froze. Ron was eyeing him. "H-Harry...?" he asked nervously as if expecting Harry to knock over something. Tonks took the letter and read it along with Lupin and Kingsley. Moody's magical eye was turning about.

"Harry, let's look for her first." Ron said as he put a hand on Harry's shoulder. Harry tossed it off violently. His eyes were neither brilliant nor vibrant. His eyes were a smoky green. He felt so angry he could kill anyone in the hut right now.

Harry dropped his broom, took out his wand and left the hut. Ron and the rest of the Order followed. Harry ran to the entrance of the forest. He looked up and it was starting to rain.

"COME AND GET ME!! YOU WANT ME, RIGHT?! GET ME YOU FILTHY SCUM!!" Harry shouted. Rain started to pour. Harry closed his eyes. Everyone was watching him. "TAKE ME!! KILL ME!! JUST DON'T HARM CHO! DON'T YOU DARE KILL HER!!" Harry shouted again.

"Potter..."

Everyone then took out their wands. Ron was shivering but he stood his ground. Harry lowered his head. He looked straight at the forest. He frowned. "Voldemort..." he muttered. Ron heard him. "Harry, don't go in there alone!" he shouted, as the rain grew harder.

Harry took a few steps forward. "Where are you... where are you dammit...?" Harry said softly as he walked. "Harry!! Don't... AHHH!!" Ron shouted. Harry turned around and saw dark figures circling the order and Ron.

"Death Eaters!!" Harry shouted. The figures didn't stop. "Spread out!!" Lupin shouted. Moody, Kingsley and Tonks, who grabbed Ron, ran to different directions.

Spells started to shoot everywhere, stunning spells, petrifying spells, everything! Harry dodged the beams as he ran into the forest, trying to avoid them.

Harry was now out of range and he looked around. He was inside the large forest. Harry looked around and didn't see (or hear) anything but howls of animals, fog, trees and the usual roots sticking out.

A dark figure was behind Harry, walking closer to him. Harry felt it, someone was there. He turned around to see who it was but it was too late, the figure grabbed him. "Ahhh!!!" Harry shouted. "Who are you?" Harry asked as the figure clutched him tightly.

The figure removed its hood only to reveal the familiar and most dreaded face to Harry... Bellatrix Lestrange.

Harry's bright eyes grew big. "B-Bellatrix..." he muttered. Bellatrix gave him a sarcastic smile. "Potter, so we meet again!" she said. Harry frowned and shouted, "Expelliarmus!!" to her making her jolt backwards.

Bellatrix stood up. She was only about less than ten feet away from Harry. Harry's eyes were big, he was panting hard and he had his wand up to her direction.

"Ah... nice touch Potter... not good enough though!" she said as she spat out blood and wiped the corner of her mouth from blood. Harry lifted up his wand higher. "Where is Cho?" he asked demandingly.

Bellatrix tossed off her hair and stood up straight. "It's not polite to ask for things without 'please'." She said mockingly. Harry frowned more. "Dammit!! Tell me where she is or I just might spare you from torture!" Harry shouted. Bellatrix laughed. "Ah, ah, ah! Such language little boy!" she said as she moved her finger side to side.

"TELL ME NOW!!!" Harry shouted. "Tell me now..." Bellatrix mimicked. "Stupef..." Harry was about to shout when another voice was heard. "Bella, do not mock the boy..." the eerie voice said. Harry turned around. He saw a figure half covered with fog...

"Voldemort." Harry said as he lowered his wand.

"That is LORD Voldemort to you, you wretched child!!" Bellatrix spat at Harry who paid not attention to her.

"Looking for Chang, Potter? Fortunately, I accept to help you even without 'please'." Voldemort said. Harry raised his wand to him. "Bring her to me." Harry said. Voldemort did not move. "BRING HER TO ME TOM!!" Harry shouted.

"Very well..." Voldemort said and with a wave of his wand, Harry's vision blurred... things swirled around and Harry felt light... very light...

* * *

Harry opened his eyes as found himself in a dungeon-like place. Only it was larger and it was on the outside. Slime was all around and there was moss growing from everywhere. It was like they were in a forest-dungeon place.

Harry stood up slowly and saw a large wall, a cliff-like wall. Harry took his glasses and wore them. His eyes grew larger. "Cho!!" he shouted. Cho was lying on the ground. She was in her casual clothing and she looked particularly dirty. Harry went to her and stared at her.

"Cho... Cho no, wake up! Wake up!" Harry said as he shook Cho. Cho had wounds everywhere. "So, you found her." a woman's voice came. Harry turned around. "Bellatrix, what did you do to her?" Harry shouted.

Bellatrix came out from the shadows; her hood back in place but her face was still visible. She was smiling. "Just some fun, Potter. I wanted her to feel pain. God! This girl has too many pleasures in her life so I wanted her to have a taste of misery... get it?" she said as she took out her wand.

She gave it a wave and muttered words not familiar to Harry. Cho woke up. "What... where am I?" she asked, blinking a few times. She caught sight of Harry, who was staring at her. "Harry?" she asked.

"Cho!!" Harry said out loud and grabbed her for a tight hug. Cho hugged Harry back. Bellatrix let out an impatient moan. "Yeah, yeah reunion for the two lover's, great... now get ready Potter!!" she screamed. Harry let go of Cho and looked at Bellatrix.

"I-It's her!! She was the one who kidnapped me from Grimmauld Place!! She was doing the Cruciatus curse on me!!" Cho screamed. Harry eyed her. "How did she find out the headquarters' of the Order?" Harry whispered. "I... I do not know..." Cho muttered.

Bellatrix laughed. "Want to know how? Here you go!" she said and waved her wand. Two figures appeared. One was Hermione and... Professor Snape?!

Hermione and Snape seemed unconscious. Harry saw them. "S-Snape? What is he... doing here?" Harry asked.

"Oh I simply tortured him. It was funny really. I mean, a stone-cold hard hearted teacher became so easy to be a little snitch to me." Bellatrix said in an as a-matter-of-fact tone. "I asked him questions, he did not cooperate. I asked where the Order was and you Potter. The other slime ball Death Eater's couldn't get anything out of Hagrid so I had to take measures."

"M-Measures?" Harry asked. Bellatrix sighed. "I asked Snape. He wouldn't tell me of course so I had to get it out of him... he told me everything with a tint of Veritaserum. And of course, I took the opportunity to torture him. Ah, you should have seen it! And Granger here..." Bellatrix turned to Hermione.

"Stubborn girl, I must say, very stubborn. She practically fought my Veritaserum. But no need, Snape told me everything. I tortured Granger also. When I found out you two were in 12 Grimmauld Place, I had to take your weakness..." Bellatrix raised her wand to Cho who backed away a bit.

"Cho Chang. Yes... your love interest. It was easy, I take her, I tortured her with the Cruciatus, I wounded her badly, out of pleasure of course, and... you came." She said in a conclusion. "Can't stop being a hero, can you Potter? Always save, save, save... you can't even protect the people you love. You let me, no, allowed me to succeed easily." Bellatrix smiled again.

"Good isn't it? Good plan. Granger and Snape here knew what was happening. I had to take care of them," she said. There was a pause. Harry was so angry; he was standing up now, clutching his wand in his hand tightly.

"Oh! I forgot!" Bellatrix said. She waved her wand again and there appeared the same black rose Harry and Cho saw before. Harry's green irises grew big. Bellatrix twirled the rose between her fingers. "You know who this is, Harry?" she asked and eyed him sinisterly.

Harry did not respond.

"This is Chang." Bellatrix said triumphantly with a wider smile. Cho gave a little gasp.

~Okay so that's chapter seventeen. Where are they? Do you guys have a clue? Find that out! My answers to the reviews will be in chapter eighteen. By the way, chapter eighteen will be entitled, "Thorns to a Rose", kinda like the climax of the story and the real battle... so keep reviewing! I'd love to hear from you! ~