Author's Notes: Its a rather short chapter, but a lot happens. I like to call this the chapter in which there is a serious ass-whooping. That is all.
Chapter: 13/15
In my dreams I'll always see you soar above the sky
In my heart there'll always be a place for you, for all my life
I'll keep a part of you with me
And everywhere I am there you'll be
And everywhere I am there you'll be
There you'll be
~There You'll Be, by Faith Hill
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter 13- Dark Lord, Black Dog
Hermione froze, fear coursing through her body. She had heard of the horrors of Voldemort, listened with a morbid fascination as Harry recounted his many encounters with the Dark Lord. Never before though had she been in such close proximity with the terror that was Voldemort. Never before had she been close enough to see his evil red eyes glaring with hate, to feel the evil radiating from his person. She was hard pressed to stop her knees from shaking. Voldemort smirked and swept his hateful gaze across the group. "Harry Potter," he said, his voice cold and menacing, the voice of someone used to being obeyed. "You did not truly think that an army of children could simply break into my headquarters and free the werewolves. Even you are not that foolhardy."
"What are you going to do?" Harry demanded. Hermione tore her eyes from Voldemort to face her best friend. He was practically shaking with rage, his fists clenched angrily at his side. There was no fear in him. It was easy to see that he held Voldemort, not Bellatrix responsible for the death of his godfather. Hermione looked around at her friends. Most of them had already crossed over on to the main land. Only Ron, Neville, Dean, Seamus, Lavender, Fred, George, Fleur, Mitsy, Dobby and Remus remained besides herself and Harry. Harry continued to rage at Voldemort. "The werewolves have all crossed over to the main land! You can't touch them!"
"True," shrugged Voldemort carelessly. "But surely you have become smarter than that, Potter. The werewolves were unnecessary, in truth. If I had not thought even you would have been suspicious, I would only have taken this one." He strode forward and laid a hand on Remus' shoulder. Remus instantly wrenched away, his lips twisted in a growl.
"Don't touch me," he snarled. "Don't you lay your blood stained hands on me."
Voldemort smiled slowly again, but walked away. "My spies told me of the relationship forming between yourself and the werewolf. Instantly I knew I needed him. However, it was too alike to what occured at the Department of Mysteries. So I made it a little more...interesting. The first to go were the Mudblood's parents, of course. I sent a few dreams to the werewolf, reminding him of how she had protected him. It was only natural that he wished to go and bring her home. Then I just let time do its work. I almost lost the link to you due to the wolf's stubborness, but eventually they began to love one another as father and daughter. I captured him, knowing you'd do anything for a friend. Once more, Potter, you've played directly into my hands."
His eyes fell on Padfoot, who stood growling fiercely at Voldemort. "I must admit, Sirius Black does have ways of annoying me, doesn't he?" he mused. "Those mirrors almost ruined it. Thankfully, your stupidity and heartlessness were to my benifit, Potter. You never thought that perhaps a godfather would want a way to chat with his godson, did you?"
"Shut up!" Harry roared. "You don't have any right to talk about Sirius that way!"
Voldemort laughed, a high cruel cackle that sent shivers down Hermione's spine. "Do you tire of talking, Potter?" he inquired. "Very well."
"Wait!" Harry cried. "You know about the Prophecy, don't you?"
Hermione looked flabbergasted at Harry, noticing the equally confused expressions on the members of Dumbledore's Army's faces. Remus, however, did not looked surprised in the least. "Yes," Voldemort said slowly, staring intently at Harry.
"Then you know I'm the only one that matters," Harry barged on. "Let them get on the barge. I'll fight you."
"Harry, no!" protested Ginny, lunging forward. Remus caught her by the arm, holding her back.
Voldemort smiled. "What makes you think I won't kill them once you're dead?" he inquired.
"Please, just let them sail away," Harry begged. "Have mercy."
Hermione glanced at Remus, surprised to find he had let go of Ginny. Ron was staring at Harry as though he had never seen him before. Fred and George were tensed, obviously ready to grab their wands at the first opportunity that presented itself. Fleur and Neville also appeared ready to stare down the Dark Lord. Luna was shaking, and both Mitsy and Dobby had fainted. Dean, Seamus and Lavender were all staring without blinking at Voldemort, their eyes wide in horror.
Voldemort laughed loudly. "In all of our dealings together, have I ever shown any sign of mercy, Harry Potter?" he asked.
Harry glared up at the Dark Lord. "I think it is time to get this over with, don't you?" Voldemort inquired. Then everything began happening at once. Remus lunged forward, knocking Harry out of the way as Voldemort sent a Killing Curse at him. Padfoot jumped away as well. He ran through the Dark Lord, momentary distracting him with the cold chill that would have shuddered through him. Fleur, who seemed to have been expecting something of this nature, began herding everyone away from the Dark Lord.
"'Urry, 'urry!" she shouted loudly. "Zis way, you fools, zis way!"
Almost everyone followed her, save Hermione, Ron, Ginny and Luna. Voldemort had recovered from his shock and was preparing to turn on Harry again. "Give me my wand, Remus!" shouted Harry.
Remus shook his head and leapt to his feet. "Get going!" he ordered. "All of you!" He turned to Hermione. "'Mione, give me your wand!"
Realising that she was completely out of her league, Hermione handed Remus her wand, feeling more than a little numb. Remus cast aside Harry's carelessly, then turned to face Voldemort. Hermione watched in horror as he began to do battle with the Dark Lord. Remus was in his element, exactly the way Hermione had seen him in the Department of Mysteries. He quickly dodged a red curse, then sent back one of his own.
Fear flooded her as she watched her guardian fight one of the most powerful wizards in the entire world. "He can't win this fight," Harry said darkly. "I'm the only one who can kill Voldemort."
"Then why aren't you out there?" screamed Hermione, panic flaying at her.
"Want to see me die, do you?" Harry inquired, clearly upset Remus was not letting him fight.
"No," Hermione said hastily, never taking her eyes from the fight. "No, of course, not. Its just..." She fell silent and no one moved to add to the conversation. Fleur came running back.
"'Arry!" she called. "Ze barge is coming! I 'ave all of the members of ze Army ready to board as soon as it arrives. Will you come?"
"No," Harry said sternly. "But take the others."
"No way, Harry," Ron said firmly. "You're friends are with you*."
"Why?" demanded Harry, his eyes not leaving Remus. "We're all completely useless."
"Please, 'Arry, please, come to the barge," begged Fleur. "Remus is a full grown wizard. 'Ee can take care of himself."
"No one can 'take care of themselves' when facing Lord Voldemort," Harry informed her.
"Harry, go," Hermione said suddenly.
"What?" frowned Harry. "Are you coming too?"
"No," Hermione said. "But the rest of you are. You all have to get out of here, you have to get to safety."
"Not without you," Ron declared.
"Yes, Ron, without me," Hermione said sadly. "My place is here, with Remus. However, you all have places back home. Go, Harry, go for me."
Harry regarded her silently for what seemed an eon. There was a mutual understanding between Harry and Hermione now. Both had lost parents and both had found a man to take the place of those parents. Harry had lost his godfather though, and it appeared as though Hermione would shortly lose hers. Harry knew, that given the chance, he would never have left Sirius in those last few moments, though he would have wanted others to go. If he had had the chance, he would have died beside Sirius at the moment. "All right," he said, eyes now trapped in Hermione's. "All right, we'll go." He pulled Hermione to him in a tight embrace. "Be safe," he whispered. "I'll come back on the barge as soon as I can to collect the both of you."
"Maybe you shouldn't," Hermione said softly. She accepted hugs from Ginny, Fleur and Luna, then came to face Ron. She was crying now, and identical tears streaming from the other girls' eyes. Harry felt tears pricking his own eyes, but Ron showed no sign of sorrow.
"You'll be back," he said firmly. "I know it."
Hermione smiled brightly and hugged him. "Now, all of you get on that barge!" she said through her tears. "I'll see you sometime soon."
Without looking back, Harry lead the others to where the barge was waiting, already loaded with its last passengers. He realised when he reached the barge that Padfoot had remained with Lupin. He had to remember that although Sirius would chose Harry over Remus, Padfoot would chose Moony first. He resigned to the fact and then steadied himself, going into what he now referred to as his 'control mode.'
"Where's Hermione?" demanded Lavender as soon as she saw the group approach.
"She stayed behind with Remus," Harry said coldly, supervising the boarding of the barge.
"You...you're going to let her throw her life away like that?" Seamus asked, incredulously.
"Its her life, Seamus, not mine," Harry said, voice emotionless. "She's free to do with it as she will." Ron nodded, although there was a fierce passion burning in his eyes.
"She will come home, won't she, Harry?" he asked, suddenly needing confirmation.
Harry glanced at his friend. "I...I hope so, Ron," he said, bewilderment in his eyes.
Harry quickly counted the passangers and realised with a start that Ginny was missing again. He looked around frantically for her. He sighed with relief when he saw her standing a little ways away, peering intently at something in the sky. "Ginny!" he shouted, as Ron boarded the barge.
Ginny turned to face him. Her long red hair swept up in front of her and there was a huge grin on her face. "Harry!" she shouted. "Its Fawkes! Dumbledore's here! We're saved!" Without looking back, she rushed away, quickly disappearing from Harry's line of vision.
"Where the hell is she going?" Ron demanded, starting to step off of the barge.
"No!" Harry shouted. If he couldn't get off this island himself, than he'd be damned if one of the trio didn't make it back. He pushed Ron backwards, sending him falling into the barge. In a quick movement, he pushed the barge off. "Goodbye!" he shouted. "See you later!"
"Harry!" screamed Lanvender.
The barge was quickly swept by the rising tides and they were quickly disappearing into the mists. "Turn around!" screeched Fleur into Lee's ear. "We must turn around and save ze others!"
"I can't," Lee said helplessly, uselessly trying to spin the wheel around. Harry began to turn, but his eyes met Ron's eyes. His best friend was staring at him, in utter hurt and disbelief. Harry pitied his friend. In less than ten minutes, Ron had lost his two best friends, or as good as. Fear was flooding into Harry. This was it, his life was ending. At least he had managed to save some of his friends.
'I'm sorry,' he mouthed to Ron.
Ron lifted his hand in farewell, and understanding. Harry smiled sadly and mimicked the gesture. Then, without another word, he turned and ran after Ginny, quickly losing himself in the fog.
Showna Applegate twisted her body and narrowly avoided a Stunning Charm fired at her by Elizabeth Markle. Showna could hear her comrades fighting around her, but she was completely immersed in her own battle. They had barely been on the shore of Azkaban for ten minutes before they were attacked by what looked like every single one of Voldemort's Death Eaters. The battle had been going on for nearly twenty minutes, now. Several Death Eaters were down, but thankfully all of the members of the Order of the Phoenix were up. Showna tore herself out of her thoughs and focused once more. Markle was a fierce dueler, and, even worse, she was smart. "Amburo!" shouted Markle. The charm instantly set Showna's sleeve on fire. Not fazed, Showna pointed her wand at the fire and whispered "Auqo" before turning back to the Death Eater.
"Vaxatio!" she hollered, sending an electrical shock through the Death Eater's body. Although obviously in pain, Markle managed to scream out her next curse.
"Distraho!" Showna barely managed to errect a hastily ensembled shield to save herself from a broken limb. She dropped the shield quickly and shouted "Diruo wand!" The spell was supposed to destroy Markle's wand, but somehow, Markle managed to deflect the spell, catching Showna unprepared with another spell.
Showna knew at that moment that she was as good as dead. "Avada Kedavra!" shouted Markle. Showna's world was filled with green light and then she knew no more.
"Stupefy!" screamed Tonks, pain and anger coursing through her as she watched her best friend collapse, dead. Markle fell to the ground, Stunned mere seconds after the killing curse had left her lips. Tonks screamed again, running towards Showna.
The young Auror was motionless, undoubtably dead. Her mid-length black hair hung in her face and her green eyes were wide in terror. Her mouth looked startingly red in her ghastly pale face. She was already going cold. Tonks knelt by her friend, weeping openly. How had this happened? The battle was as good as over when she turned to see her best friend go down, hit by the accursed green light of a killing curse. Tonks had been close enough to see the light drain from her friend's eyes.
"Tonks?" questioned Kingsley, coming to stand behind her. "Is she...?"
"Yes," sobbed Tonks, tears coursing down her cheeks. "A...a killing curse."
The Order of the Phoenix gathered around, faces grim. "Oh, Merlin," Amara breathed, eyes wide in disbelief. Amara did not frequently go on missions, always too busy with her teaching. Showna was the first death she had ever seen.
Moody came forward, the small crowd parting for him. "Oh, Showna," he sighed. "I warned you that you may not be ready for the dangers of our Order. May God watch over you, little one." He knelt beside her and with his hand, brought down the eyelids of his treasured pupil. Tonks whimpered, clutching her friend's body to her.
"Come, Tonks," Dumbledore said, laying a hand on her shoulder. "I will Transfigure her into something small so that we might carry on. When we return to the main land, she shall have a funeral that is all of her due." Tonks reluctantly let go of Showna and Dumbledore turned the body of the young woman into a button.
He carefully slipped it into one of his many pockets. The other Order members remained silent, exchanging grim looks. All remained sunk in their memories of their coworker, waiting for Dumbledore to take action. Tonks lost herself in her memories of Showna- her first day at the Order in December when she had been so scared, yet so excited, the days following where her brisk nature and cool logic began to prove their uses. Yet, beneath that cold exterior, Showna was a loveable soul. In the days after breaking up with Remus, Showna had been a shoulder to cry on. Tonks would never forget her laughter or her fierce glance that was always delivered to the enemies before she felled them. No more would she laugh or fell Death Eaters.
Dumbledore breathed heavily, his memories uncomfortably back to the day when Sirius Black had passed on. It had been a day such as this- adults venturing into danger to save the children lead by Harry Potter, and a death after it seemed the danger had passed. He shook his head angrily and began taking in his surroundings, looking around for any sign of where to go next. Snape, McGonagall and Vector were beginning to bind the Death Eaters and Tranfigure them into buttons as well so that they might take them back to the Ministry to deliver them to the justice they fullly deserved.
He regarded the other members, all waiting patiently for his next orders. He opened his mouth, but a shout interrupted him. He turned quickly, ready to face this new evil.
Harry's long legs quickly allowed him to catch up with Ginny. They ran for a few moments before cresting a rise to find members of the Order of the Phoenix milling around in the shallow valley below. Severus Snape, Amara Vector, Minerva McGonagall, Albus Dumbledore, Flitwick, Tonks, Clay Stoat, Mundungus Fletcher, Kingsley Shakleton, Alastor Moody and Dawson Walker were all there, all with their wands out. "Look!" grinned Ginny, gleefully. "I told you! We're saved!"
"All right, all right," Harry smiled, his heart a little lighter at the sight of the adults. For one thing, now the burden of decision making and responsiblilty could be shifted to someone else and for another, dying never seemed a likely thing around Dumbledore. "Lets go down to them! Lupin needs us to be as quick as possible."
Ginny nodded firmly and followed him down the hill at a run. "Dumbledore! Dumbledore!" they shouted loudly.
The Order members all swirled around, looking alert. However, when they caught sight of who was running towards them, most of them relaxed- looking relieved. However a few, Snape and Moody mainly, looked downright furious. "Dumbledore!" shouted Harry as he ran up to his Headmaster. In the past few weeks he had been loath to trust the Headmaster after all the lies he had been told for five years. However, he knew know that Remus' fate rested on him getting Dumbledore's aid.
"Hello, Potter,' Snape said coldly. "First the Department of Mysteries, now Azkaban. Are you determined to kill off every single member of the Order of the Phoenix before you graduate from Hogwarts?"
Harry shot his least favourite teacher a glare, planning to ignore his warning, but Moody shocked him by snarling at Snape. "Severus!" he growled. "That was not Potter's fault. I taught Applegate everything she needed to survive. She slipped up, she lost her viligance. It was her own fault she took one for the team!"
"SHUT UP!" screamed Tonks. "DON'T YOU TALK ABOUT HER LIKE THAT!" To Harry's shock, Tonks dissolved into tears.
"Whats wrong?" he demanded. "What happened to Showna?"
"She...fell," answered Kingsley grimly. Harry went numb. He was not even aware of Ginny frantically explaining their problem to Dumbledore. Kingsley's words kept ringing in his head. She fell. She fell. She fell. She fell. Another gone, another Order member dead because of his stupidity!
Why had he been so foolish as to fall into another of Voldemort's traps? It was all so obvious looking back. He'd fallen for the exact same trap and the exact same thing had happened. "Well, Potter, are you coming?" Amara inquired coldly. Harry looked up and realised the Order was moving. Most of them were heading towards the sea where no doubt they had boats, or perhaps a Portkey waiting for them. However, Dumbledore and Ginny were walking in the opposite direction, towards where Remus would be fighting.
"N...no," he said shakily to the professor. "I'm going with Dumbledore." Without looking back, he dashed towards Dumbledore and Ginny. When he caught up, Ginny offered him a feeble smile, but Dumbledore didn't acknowledge him. Harry didn't blame him. For one thing, Dumbledore was no doubt pouring over every spell he knew, for another, he was probably not impressed that Harry had fallen into the same trap not once, but twice.
Harry's fingers tightened around his wand, knowing that technically it was useless as his own wand and Voldemort's wand would never be able to do battle. However, he still felt as though he was going to war.
"Crucio!" shouted Voldemort.
Hermione screamed as Remus began to wither in pain. He had been taking quite a beating, but giving his own in return. However, Voldemort had as good as won the battle. He was now only toying with Remus, angry that he had dared to attack Lord Voldemort. She ran to Remus, who now lay on the ground. He could barely see through the blood that coated in face and his dirty robes were now stained with his own blood. Hermione's own vision was blurred through her tears. She didn't think Remus had ever looked so beautiful. She flung her arms around him, and even as he bit back screams, he managed to hug her. "I...I'm so...sorry...'Mione," he rasped. "I...failed....y-you."
"No," argued Hermione, crying on his shoulder. "You didn't fail me, Remus. You could never fail me."
"I...its over, 'Mione," he struggled to say. "I'm...dying. I...I want to say...I...love you."
Hermione felt numb, so numb she couldn't even fail the pain that was ripping away everything she had ever known. It had all gone horribly wrong. Harry and the others were gone and Remus was dying in her arms, whilst Voldemort watched them, amused. These thoughts fed the fire buried deep within her soul. Soon the numbness was fading, replaced with a hatred and anger such as she had never known. She gritted her teeth and took her wand out of Remus' hands.
She stood and turned to face Voldemort. Voldemort smirked. "What of it now, Mudblood?" he inquired. "Are you going to fight me? Perhaps win where your beloved werewolf failed miserably? He's dying, you know. It won't be much longer now."
"Then I will die with him!" screamed Hermione. "Sublevatium!"
Voldemort screamed as the equivalent of a lightening bolt shot through him. He gritted against the pain and turned his wand on her. However, at the last minute, he switched the wand's direction and shouted. "Bigatus!"
Hermione's own scream mixed with Remus'. Bigatus was Latin for silver and Voldemort was currently pumping floods of silver at the highly allergic werewolf. Hermione began to cast another spell, but Padfoot had a far wiser idea. He leapt at Voldemort, barring his teeth. Voldemort was forced to cut off the spell as he ducked away from the dog.
"ENOUGH!" shouted a voice Hermione had never thought she'd hear again. She turned with a large grin to face, not only Albus Dumbledore, but Ginny and Harry too. She smiled happily at Harry and Ginny. Voldemort's face twisted into a snarl.
"Hello again, Tom," greeted Dumbledore, almost cordially. "I thought I had taught you the last time our paths crossed not to threaten my students or their guardians."
"The lesson was not adequetly taught and therefore quickly forgotten," Voldemort replied coldly. However, despite his derisive words, Hermione thought she could see fear in his red eyes.
"Then perhaps it is time you attended summer school, Tom Marvolo Riddle!" Dumbledore snapped.
Hermione paid no more attention to the exchange, running to Remus. She was quickly joined by Harry. "Is he all right?" Harry demanded. Hermione quickly felt for a pulse, and was overjoyed when she found one, as weak as it was.
"I think so," she breathed. "He's going to need a lot of help from Madam Pomfrey though."
"What about you?" Harry inquired. "Are you all right?"
"You mean besides being scared out of my wits?" inquired Hermione. "Yeah, I'm fine."
"Hermione!" screamed Ginny. "Look out!"
While Hermione and Harry had chatted quickly, the battle between Voldemort and Dumbledore had begun. Dumbledore immediately began to prove the victor. Remus had sufficiently tired the Dark Lord, while the Death Eaters had not laid a hand on Albus Dumbledore. Sensing that out right power would not be the victor in this match, Voldemort took the only way he saw. The coward's way. "Accio Mudblood!"
Hermione was helpless as Voldemort's summoning spell pulled her towards him. His cold hands clasped on tightly to her shoulders. She struggled but his grip was strong. He placed the tip of his wand at her temple. "Move, and I'll kill you, Mudblood."
Hermione immediately froze. "Let her go!" demanded Harry.
"I hardly think so," Voldemort smirked. Dumbledore glanced around helplessly, obviously torn. Hermione felt helpless as well. She would be the reason Voldemort got away, because of her lack of awareness.
"Dumbledore!" cried Hermione. "Just attack! It doesn't matter what happens to me, just kill him!"
"No!" screamed Ginny.
The noise and screams had stirred Remus' from his stupor. He was hardly in his right mind, but he could register the fact that Voldemort was holding Hermione at wand point. Fury washed through him and he felt himself snap. The wolf completely took over and he lunged to his feet. He was the alpha male and the enemy had taken his cub. With a wordless snarl, he surged forward. Harry, completely shocked, made no move to stop him. Voldemort, though, was also shocked when the weakened wolf threw himself at him.
The two wizards fell to the ground. Dumbledore grabbed Hermione and pulled her behind him, motioning for Harry to join her. "Go!" he shouted. "Get out of here!"
Harry and Ginny began to, but Hermione, her eyes still glued to Remus let out a scream. Voldemort and Remus had come to a stop, Voldemort on top. The Dark Lord raised his wand and shouted his next spell. "NO!" screamed Hermione, darting forward.
She was not alone. Harry, knowing that the last of the Mauraders could not die, joined her. Wandless, he ran forward, determined to strangle Voldemort with his bare hands if he could. Ginny had also rushed forward. She had seen too much pain in her short life and she was bound and determined that another should not die while she stood helpless on the sidelines. Padfoot bounded along in their wake, rushing to the aid of an old mate. The dog's four legs carried him quicker than the children's and he reached Voldemort before them.
He leapt into the air and on to the Dark Lord, attempting to tear at his throat. Voldemort rolled off of Remus and away from the dog. Padfoot began to lope in for the kill, but Voldemort was too quick for him. "Diruo effigia!" shouted the Dark Lord.
Harry felt like laughing. Did Voldemort actually think he could kill a ghost? However, Hermione's horrified gasp, accompanied by Ginny's scream, cut off his laughter. Padfoot disappeared. Voldemort himself looked shocked. Dumbledore rushed into the weakness. "Stupefy!"
However, once more Voldemort reacted quicker than Harry thought possible. By the time Dumbledore's spell had reached him, he had Disapparated. Harry looked around frantically, searching for Padfoot. "Padfoot!" he shouted. "Padfoot! Sirius!"
Dumbledore laid a hand on his shoulder. "He won't come, Harry," he said softly. "He's gone."
"No," whispered Harry in disbelief. "Thats impossible. He's a ghost, he can't be gone. He just can't be."
"Padfoot wasn't Sirius come back," Dumbledore said. "He was just a dog, Harry, just a dog. He wasn't your godfather."
Harry felt tears streaming down his cheek and he felt the old familiar emptiness he had thought he had long ago hid away return. He had lost him again. Before the tears could really begin to fall, Ginny's scream distracted him. 'What now?' he asked silently. Ginny's scream continued, so he turned. Hermione was kneeling over Remus, but her wide eyes were not resting on her guardian.
Ginny was pointing, her mouth still opened in a scream at another body. Harry knew who it was, knew who it had to be. A part of him screamed to stay away, but he couldn't. He had to see for himself. In a dream, he walked towards the body.
It was that of a man, his black hair combed neatly and tied back. His eyes were closed, but Harry knew they would be a bright black. His pale skin did nothing to retract from his handsome face. Harry fell to his knees, clasping one of the man's hands in his. He lost all sense and began kissing the cold hand and face, praying to every God and Goddess that the eyes would suddenly open and a smile would spread on to the face of his godfather. "They're never dead until you see the body," he said morbidly.
"How...how is this possible?" Ginny asked, flabbergasted.
Dumbledore peered intently at Harry and Sirius, the younger man frantically hugging and kissing the corpse of his godfather. To Ginny's and his own astonishment, he uttered three words he had never said in his entire life. "I...don't know."
"I do," Remus said. The party turned in surprise. Hermione was helping Remus to stand up. Their hands were clasped, but Remus was looking at the body of his friend, tears streaming down his face, mirroring those on Harry and Hermione. "Love."
* Yes...I blatantly stole that line from The Two Towers. Get over it. ;)
Author's Notes
Yolinare:: **begins writing frantically so as not to anger the reviewer** Heh. Thanks for your review!
HarryPotterFreak1234: Glad you're enjoying. I can officially say there will be no more cliffhangers in this story....aren't you proud of me?
Rykatu*L: Ha...smoothly...well, we certainly made up for that, didn't we?
Wolfspaw: Thanks so much for your review and compliments. Sorry for the whole suffering bit...glad you're liking it!
Shellme: Glad you're liking it! Thanks for your review!
InkFairy: Yes, the fic is coming to an end. However, I've got something that I think is rather exciting lined up...glad you're liking it!
Dadaiiro:: Yes, I am quite the Ginny/Harry shipper...though I do like Hermione/Harry occasionally. Heh...I never said he got to keep the ghost. I am not planning on encompassing the next full moon into this story, save by mention of it in the next chapter. Glad you're liking it and thanks for you're lovely long review! :D:D
Christian Lee: I won't stop...promise. Thanks for your review!
Daughter of Black: Thats okay...just a review to let me know you enjoy it is more than enough.
QTpie-pippinsgurl: You get out of the hurricane all right...I hope so. Thanks for your review!
Marie: Yes, thank you...I do enjoy being cruel. Glad to see you're a fan...I'm a fan of you just because you wrote that! Thanks so much!
JT14: He...Tommy boy did come out to play...and got beat...real bad...lol. A break from hw is always nice!
Ashley: Aw, thanks so much. You're the greatest. Thanks for your review and I'm glad you enjoyed it!
padfoot1979: Yes, a writer can't make it too easy for the characters, can she. **smirk** Plus, who doesn't enjoy torturing people now and then? Thanks for your review!
Mr D. Gray: I wouldn't say I was a goddess...but if you insist. lol. No more cliffhangers in this story, I promise. Thanks for your review!
Kady Rilla Wholi: Actually, yes, I can. ;)
heart-on-her-sleeve: I am a very naughty girl, indeed. I won't be naughty anymore, promise. Glad you're still liking it!
cosmo-queen: Glad you're enjoying it! Hate school...I hate it. ;) No, I suppose problems can't get much bigger than Voldemort, can they? I'll have to think of something bigger sometime or another...lol
Mizuki Ashiya:...ooh, thats a clever idea, that is. Heh. Remus is sweet...but not too sweet, you know what I mean? Glad you're enjoying it and thanks for your review!
Mistri: Glad you're liking it! Thanks for your review!
sunkyssed: Sorry, this wasn't too quick...hope it was worth the wait though. Thanks for your review!
Bombshell: You are pretty siriusly brilliant yourself for using that pun that I evilly stole. :D
Calm Serene: Oh shit..hmm, thats probably what a lot of characters were thinking during this chapter. Glad you're enjoying it!
Jocelyn Padoga: Wow! Thanks so much for your review! Sorry the last chapter and also this chapter took so long to get up. School and all that bloody awful stuff.
MandaB: Good luck with that biology, which you've hopefully finished by now. Glad you liked it! Thanks for the review.
October Spirit: I do still want to read you're story. Unfortunately, I don't know what HPFF stands for...is it a site of something? Anyways, thanks for your review!
Sparky: Heh...I is evil with a capital E. Long live Sparky the Rambler!
Sayra Lousise: **sigh** Me and my cliffhangers. There aren't any more in this story. I promise. I love your pen name...just thought I'd let you in on that lil fact. Glad you're liking it!