Harry saw a pale, thin man with red eyes starring coldly at him and lounging in a tall chair. A snake lay circling around him, and then changed its route to include Harry.

"So you are finally awake, yes?" He smiled an icy smile that curled the Harry on the back of Harry's neck. "You're friends are all gone. One captured and the rest fled. Not even willing to risk trying to save you. You think I don't know who you are? A hasty glance may have made the others unsure but I knew. I will never forget those eyes, Harry Potter. You will pay. You're alone now. Death Eaters guard every door. You're friends are gone except for that one. I may keep her for a while yet. She did put up quite a fight; gave split lips and black-eyes to two of my men, petrified three more, and turned one into a ferret."

"If you hurt her I swear I'll-"

"Crucio!"

Harry felt white-hot fire searing every inch of him. He wanted to die and couldn't. He slumped to the floor.

"Did you enjoy that? That was just a taste. I was wondering when you'd come. I was just getting ready to send my trolls to go play with you at Hogwarts."

"Where is it?"

"The Torch? Here it is." He lifted a box of dark metal and opened it. The Torch was there, waiting, unlit, "With this I could send you home at the bottom of the ocean or in a volcano. But instead I'll send you to Hogwarts. They'll find your mangled body in your own bed. Or maybe I won't kill you. Yet. I'll send you back under the Imperius Curse. You'll kill Dumbledore and you're friends before you kill yourself. I like that." He raised his wand.

He had to stall. "Where does Pumblechook fit into all of this?"

"Him? A mere tool in my design. Useful when needed and now disposed of. He was a bit unstable, had ideas of replacing me." He lifted his wand and took a breath.

"Where's Renata?"

"She's eating if you must know. Or rather not eating. She refuses to touch her plate. I plan to make her a Death Eater whether she wishes it or not. She won't have a choice. I'm not going to let her starve herself; she's too useful. No more questions."

"Why did you kill her dad? That's why she hates you. Jonathan Delano. You killed him."

"Did I? I don't remember. Delano.I think he was an Auror. I thought he was your parents' secret keeper. He wouldn't tell me where they were so I killed him. I didn't find out until after that that Wormtail was the secret keeper. I knew it'd be Delano or Black. The husband of Lilly's best friend or James's best friend. One or there other. Why your father was stupid enough to use Wormtail I'll never know. Now, it is your turn to die."

Harry glared. Another person killed by Voldemort because of him. When was it going to stop? Harry did something very stupid then, but also very brave.

Harry ran at Voldemort, catching him by surprise. He tackled him at the knees, bringing both of them to the ground. The Torch fell from Voldemort's hands. Harry wrestled to take the wand too.

"Give up, boy," he whispered.

"Never."

Voldemort's wand snapped.

"You'll pay for that!" They both abandoned the two pieces of broken wand and dove for the Torch.

They struggled, hand to hand. Grappling for the Torch. Voldemort began to speak words that Harry couldn't catch. A wind came and rose to deafening volume. The swirling wall of green flame tried to draw them in. Voldemort got sucked in, screaming, "Death Eaters come to me!" and Harry kept his grip on the Torch and anything else he could grab onto.

The nearly forty Death Eaters appeared out of nowhere and were sucked into the portal. Gone.

He thought desperately, trying to remember the all-purpose cut off spell he'd learned long ago. "Finito!" The portal closed. Harry lay on the floor another minute, catching his breath.

He got up, leaning on his elbows. He had to find his friends. He had to get them home. He tucked the Torch under his arm and stood up. Wondering which way to turn he picked left. Renata was left-handed and that was as good a reason as any to choose his direction. He found his wand and Renata's lying by the door. Bad guys seemed to get more careless everyday. He put Renata's wand in his sleeve and held his at the ready in case there was anybody who hadn't left when Voldemort had.

Harry began to stroll through the corridors. He stopped at one particular room. A Death Eater stood there; Harry knew she must be, though she wore no mask. She turned around at his footsteps.

Harry saw her and she would have been awfully pretty standing there with her long red hair and her silky black robes, she would have been pretty if she didn't look as though she was about to kill him. Harry took in his surroundings and was stunned by what he saw.

Five identical Renatas lay side by side on the ground. All wearing black robes, their hair an identical shade of blonde like honey. None wore any makeup. They were identical, they could have been clones.

The Death Eater glared at him while smiling nastily. "Yes, that chit is here. I poisoned her. I hate her! She pulled my hair. Threw food at me. The horrible wench. But she paid for it. It's an odd poison. You see, she won't begin to show signs for another half an hour. By the time she shows them, it will be too late for her. Here's the antidote," she pulled out an orange vial and held it just out of his reach; she was quite tall. "But there is only enough for one. Guess the wrong girl and your little friend here dies." She swept her hand over the lot of them. "Don't guess at all and she dies anyway. How's your luck? Can you guess?" She tossed the vial to Harry and snapped her fingers.

Barely catching the precious vial that could save Renata's life, Harry watched the five get up. The woman, the Death Eater, slipped away but Harry couldn't let Renata die. Harry listened to them speak and watched their movements.

"Where am I, Harry?" That wasn't Renata's walk.

"Harry, save me." This one swung her arms too much.

"Help me, Harry."

"Harry, I need you." This one batted her eyelashes.

"What's going on here? Someone is going to be crying when I get done with them!"

That was it! Whoever had last spoken was the real Renata. Which one was it? "Which one of you is the real Renata?" It was worth a try.

"I am," she fluttered her eyelashes at him. Definitely not Renata.

"Liar! Me, stupid."

"I'm Renata." She came and tried to take his hands, standing close.

Harry grimaced, backing away. Not Renata. Not Renata. Not Renata.

"Not me."

"I'm Renata, you arrogant idiot."

Harry sought out the one who had said that but at that moment the other four shifted. He lost her again. What could he ask? Harry grinned, "What do you think about girls playing Quiditch?"
"Girls should be cheering for us in the stands, not on the field. That's a man's place." Definitely not Renata, not even a real female.

"We have as much right to be on the field as you do. Chauvinistic pig. You've got no respect toward women."

Who had said that? They all moved again. He'd have to keep an eye on them this time. Like that trick where you put a marble under one cup and moved it and the other two cups around and made someone try to guess which one had the marble. He'd never been very good at it. He had a wicked idea. This one would keep Renata talking longer and louder than the rest, long enough for him to be sure which one she was even if the rest traded places. "When did Renata kiss me?"

One Renata said, "Valentines Day, sweetie."

"Never!" said another.

"I don't remember." This was the one who was batting her eyelashes at him again.

"What are you talking about?" Harry saw one of the Renata's take on a glare that would kill if looks could kill and her face turned red. "I-did- not-kiss-you! You kissed me! How dare you? When I find my wand again you are going to be in so much trouble for even thinking such a thing, much the less for saying it. I swear, when I get my hands on you I am going to throw every curse I can think of. And if that's not enough I'll beat you with my fists, break your arms and your legs. You'll be lucky if I don't break you neck. Harry Potter, I'm going to-"

She never got a chance to finish her sentence.

The others had tried to get her lost in them but Harry knew which one she was now. He went straight to her, and took her by the arm. Dragging her away. She tried to kick him and was screaming. The others tried to stop him but he shouted, "Stupify! Stupify! Stupify! Stupify!" pointed his wand at the imitation Renatas. Harry looked again at the Renata he was holding on to. She looked no different from the others except for the familiar glare on her face. When he got outside the room he asked, "Now, tell me how I know you are you and not some imposter."

"Harry, you know it's me. How many times did you have a leashing spell on me in our fifth year? How often have I read your mind? I know which card you sent me on Valentines Day. It's me."

"How can I really be sure, without a test first?"

"What are you going to do, Harry? Don't. Harry-"

Harry bent down and kissed her, not really sure why he was and knowing that she would probably slap him afterwards. He didn't care. When he came away and looked down at her uncertainly, smiling a little, she looked like she was trying to decide whether to smack him or.did she want to kiss him again? Impossible.

She seemed to make up her mind quickly enough. "Stop grinning like an idiot, Harry. I-" Her legs buckled underneath her and Harry had to catch her to keep her from hitting the ground. The poison! Harry knelt down on the ground lowering Renata with him.

He held her head in one hand on his knee and using his teeth he opened the vial of orange liquid. "Open your mouth, Ren. Come on. Open up." He gently pried open her mouth and put the vial between her teeth. "Drink. Drink. Don't be too late. Please don't be too late." Harry sat there for two agonizing minutes, waiting for something to happen muttering all the while. "Wake up. You can't die on me. I won't let you die. Don't die. Please don't die."

"I'm not going to die, Harry. I'm here." She smiled. "I won't die." She tried to sit up and he pushed her shoulder down.

"Stay. Rest. Don't worry about anything. Just stay here. Ssh."

"You have the Torch. We can get home, Harry. Hermione and Ron are waiting for us, they're safe. We can leave. I'm sorry I got captured. I didn't mean to. It was an accident. I threw a few good punches first though. Where's Voldemort?"

Harry stroked her hair, trying to soothe her. She'd nearly died. She needed rest; she shouldn't be worrying like this. "It's okay. It's okay. He's gone. He got away. I sent him back to our world. I was going to chase him but I couldn't leave the three of you and Hagrid here..."

"You chose to save us rather than to hunt him down?"

He nodded.

"Leave me here. Go after him. I'll be fine." She tried to sit up again and fell down weakly.

"I'm not leaving you. What about Mr. Potter?"

"Dead. He died when Ron and Hermione escaped. Go. Killing him is more important than saving me."

"No it's not." Harry smiled ruefully. "If you weren't so tall I might be able to carry you to look for the others." He'd nearly said "so heavy", even though she wasn't fat, but he stopped himself just in time. The very last thing he needed was her screaming at him again.

She pouted. "I can walk." With Harry's help she stood and then took a few tottering steps on her own. "See? I can walk."

"Barely." He put his arm around her to help her walk. "Come on. Let's go find Hermione and Ron." Harry helped her limp back outside where she said Hermione and Ron were. Hagrid wasn't with them.

"Where is he?" There was no need to ask which he.

"Hagrid's.Hagrid's dead, Harry. We couldn't do anything. We got the key and unlocked him. More Death Eaters came, they carried you away and kicking and screaming, took Renata too. Though they had a hard time of that. We couldn't do anything. We tried. They killed Mr. Potter. Hagrid got so mad; he recognized him as your dad sort of, Hagrid picked us up and threw us out of the room. He told us to run. There was nothing we could do. When we went back inside, Renata was gone, you were gone, the Death Eaters were gone, and Hagrid was dead. I'm sorry, Harry." Ron spoke in a low voice. Hermione was crying. Harry suspected Ron was as near to tears as he himself was. Renata hadn't known Hagrid as long as the others but she had known and liked him too. She cried too.

The four of them stood together, arms around each other, comforting themselves. Crying and with their heads on each other's shoulders.

Hermione looked up. "They're in a better place. Where are Voldemort and the Death Eaters?"

"Back in our world, somewhere. I don't know where exactly."

Ron noticed at last the Torch, still under Harry's arm. Looking at it he asked, "So, do you know how to drive that thing?"

"I think I remember the words. But let's get Hagrid, we can't leave him on this forsaken rock."

They nodded agreement and left in search of their friend's body. They found him sprawled on the ground.

Hermione said quietly, "I think they threw Mr. Potter's body in the ocean." It would be long gone by now, no way to retrieve it.

With Hagrid's body and their bags, they assembled to return home. Harry kept one hand grasping the bar of a cell door and held out the Green Flame Torch with the other. If he went threw the portal first the others mine not make it threw and he didn't know how he'd be able to come back. He began to recite, willing the portal to open at Hogwarts. It opened, a mass of green flames pulling at them, sucking them all in, even Hagrid's massive body. Harry made sure his friend's were completely gone before he released his grip on the bar. It was just as well, he thought his fingers might detach from his hand if he held it longer. He was sucked through the portal, keeping his grip on his bag and broom, almost like security blankets, and above all else his grip on the Torch.

He hit the ground with a thud. He may have blacked out for a few minutes but he saw familiar faces swimming above him. A pretty blonde girl. A man wearing a half-moon spectacles. That was Dumbledore. There was Snape. Unpleasant man. Where'd the pretty girl go?

He tried to sit up.

"No, no, no, Harry. Stay."

Harry tried to glance at his surroundings. He had expected them to have him in the hospital, that's where he always seemed to wake up, but instead he was in Dumbledore's office, lying down on a couch. He didn't remember a couch in Dumbledore's office. Thoughts floated unconnected at the edges of his memory. Hagrid. Dead. His father. Dead. Ren's dad. Dead. Dead because of him. Everyone dead. Renata wasn't dead. That was good. He tried to smile.

Harry heard footsteps approaching.

"The patient should have been brought immediately to me like the others and the girl should have come with the first two. Gone for a week and who knows what could have happened." She gently but firmly lifted his head and poured a vile tasting liquid down his throat; he didn't bother resisting, it never helped and Madam Pomfrey's concoctions always worked that he could remember. But right now he couldn't remember much. His head hurt.

He hadn't needed to see her face to know it was her; of course it would be her, they'd never send Snape to come help a sick person. That was funny, Snape actually healing Harry.

A voice like an angel said, "Harry, you got us back safely. Are you all right, Harry? Harry? Are you okay? Harry-"

"Away from the patient. He needs rest. Out, now. Miss Delano, I assure you that-"

Harry didn't hear the rest. He was tired. Couldn't keep his eyes open..

Harry expected to wake in the hospital but instead found himself still on the couch in Dumbledore's office.

"Ah, good morning, Harry. Nice to see you awake. I've managed to get most of the story of your escapades from your friends, though if you are up to it I'd love to hear your tale. I know there are people anxious to see you. You've been gone a week. How are you feeling?"

"Did any one write to Ron's mum?" Mrs. Weasly had always treated Harry like her own sons since as long as he'd known her. "And Renata's? And Hermione's parents?" They would be worried about their daughters. No chance the Dursleys would worry about him, if they'd even been told. He doubted they had. They'd probably be disappointed that he'd had yet another near death experience that did manage to kill him properly. "Did anyone talk to Sirius yet?"

"Concerned over your friends as always. Yes, the fastest owls were sent to inform them of your return and Snape was here when you popped in yesterday. It was quite a surprise to have three students, luggage, and Hagrid appear in my office while I was having a discussion with him. After just getting over the shock of seeing the rest of them, you appear." He smiled a friendly and comforting smile.

Harry started at the beginning. "We left the table at Valentines Day to go to class and." He told the whole story from start to finish, omitting of course his kissing Renata. That wasn't Dumbledore's business. "And so that's how we ended up back here." He was surprised to find his voice hoarse when he asked, "Some things can't be changed, Professor, can they?"

"I don't think so, Harry. There are some things that are meant to be, no matter what."

"Professor, even there, they died, and it was my fault. My dad died after I did in that world and it was still my fault he was dead." He had omitted something earlier and with a heart like lead, said it now, "It's my fault Renata doesn't have her dad. Sort of my fault anyway. Voldemort knew that either one of the Delanos or Sirius was my parents' secret-keeper. By the time that Wormtail said he was, Jonathan Delano was already dead."

"I'm sorry, Harry."

"I'm sorry doesn't do anything, sir. I'm sorry that Hagrid's dead, that Voldemort is alive, that I live with the Dursleys, and that my cousin is the size of a young whale but that doesn't change any facts. I'm sorry isn't good enough. I'm sorry isn't worth anything. Wherever the Torch is, I don't want it. Keep it, destroy it, I don't want to see it again. Ever."

"Harry, you don't know how long it took to pry it from your hands. Ron and Hermione hardly agreed to leave your side. They are in the hospital, now, Madam Pomfrey wanted to keep them overnight to make sure nothing had happened. Renata refused to leave you here until Professor McGonagall all but dragged her off by her ear. Madam Pomfrey wanted you in the infirmary as well but I convinced her to let you stay here and promised that I would look after you."

Harry saw his schoolbag lying on the floor near the couch, still stuffed full of the things he'd gotten in the other world. Right now he want to set fire to whatever was in there.

"Treasure from your little adventure?" Dumbledore lifted the bag and put it in his lap. Harry tried to sit up to see better. "That Silver Arrow really interested Madam Hooch."

Harry remembered something he'd her say once, "She said she learned to fly on one. Thought it was a shame they weren't made anymore. If she wants it, she can have it."

"I'll let her know."

Harry settled back further into the couch but still remained sitting. "Can I see my bag? I don't really remember half of what's in there."

There was a knock at the door.

"Come in," Harry saw Dumbledore's gaze shift to the door. Harry was facing the opposite wall and didn't see the man who entered. "Harry, I must be going. Important Headmaster things to do. I'll see about having someone discover all of your missing assignments." His eyes twinkled behind their half moon spectacles.

Sirius came and took Dumbledore's place by his side. "Harry, are you okay? We were all worried when you and Ron and Hermione and Renata and Pumblechook disappeared. I should have known he'd had something to do with him. I didn't like the looks of him from the start." The lines etched in his brow and the frown that had been growing disappeared as though they had never existed and he threw back his head and laughed. "Boy, you're gone a week and look at that stuff growing all over your face."

Unconsciously, Harry's hand went to the lower half of his face. He needed a razor badly. He was sure the week of growth was probably starting to look more like a scruffy beard and a mustache. He'd take care of it tonight. None of the other boys in his dorm kept any facial hair. "Sirius, it's good to see you too. Can you hand me my book-bag?"

"Here. It's heavy. What do you have in here, rocks?"

"No." Harry started pulling things out. Two cloaks, a set of Hogwarts robes, the light blue pajamas Renata had teased him about, the letters and journal from the dormitory of the other Hogwarts, the compass, and the first aid kit Hermione had found. Wonder of all wonders his own schoolbooks had survived the trip too.

Sirius read through the letters and flipped through the diary. Looking up at Harry, confused, he asked, "What happened there, Harry? Dumbledore wouldn't give me the story and Madam Pomfrey hasn't let me in to speak to the other three."

Harry told the story again, but in fewer words than Dumbledore had heard it. "Pumblechook came up behind us with the Green Flame Torch and sent us into another world." Harry pointed to the cabinet across the room. Dumbledore's Penseive was kept there with a few other things of danger and importance. Harry knew that's where the Torch would be. "We spent nearly a week wandering around Hogwarts in that world. It had been deserted for decades. We searched all the rooms, the library, the laundry room, the kitchen, everywhere for anything that could help us get back here. Pumblechook and the Torch were long gone. That isn't even his name. It's Lars Liechtenstein. He tortures people for fun, he was behind the attacks this year. Finally we found out how to do a location spell to find out where they'd taken Azkaban and how to teleport there."

Sirius's eyes widened, "Teleportation has been considered a lost art for nearly two hundred years. How did you do it?"

"I don't know. But, together we managed to reach Godric's Hollow. I went looking for my parents."

"Maybe that's it. Every other witch and wizard as tried alone but the four of you worked together. What did you find in Godric's Hollow?"

"My dad."

"James.alive?" he asked hoarsely.

Harry nodded. "My mum was dead. Died and then I went to kill Voldemort for betraying her to the Muggles. They knew all about us. They were in control. Death or enslavement to anyone known to be a witch or wizard. Apparently my counterpart there killed Voldemort but died in the process. Then we went to Azkaban. Before we went, he offered to let us stay with him. My dad did. Forever. If we couldn't find the Torch. I told him I couldn't because it wasn't my home. I offered to take him home here but he said it wasn't his place. He didn't have the same memories that my dad did. Different worlds."

"He's right though. His place isn't here."

"It doesn't matter. He died at Azkaban anyway. Died with Hagrid. Trying to save the rest of us."

"They got Hagrid? No."

"Yes. They did. I was hauled off and brought face to face with Voldemort. I sent him back here. This world. I don't know where. Most of the Death Eaters went too. He called them and they came to him and went wherever he did. They hauled off Renata too. Poisoned her. Then had four look-alikes with her and I had to figure out which one she was. I was given enough of the antidote for one person. If I had guessed wrong she would have died." Harry grinned, remembering; that last had been fun if nothing else had been.

"How did you figure which she was? She's not dead, is she?"

"No, not dead yet, but likely will be the death of me." Sirius looked at him with something between amusement and confusion. Harry didn't explain himself. "I figured it out by.creative questioning."

Sirius grinned. "What did you do, ask her what she thought of you?"

"Something like that."

"I'm supposed to take you to the hospital. Madam Pomfrey wants to be sure there's nothing wrong with you. No more wrong than usual anyway." He pulled the blankets off of Harry and handed him his shoes. He walked with him to the hospital wing. Harry hated this place but was grateful to all Madam Pomfrey had done for him with his various injuries and ailments over the past six years. He needed to see his friends again, too. To make sure they were okay.