Holy crap. That's all I have to say about how long I've taken to post. Sorry! It's just been so busy with Christmas and New Year that I've barely had anytime to do this! But here is a nice, long chapter so I hope you all enjoy!
Disclaimer: I will only own Harry Potter when I am the last person alive. Till then, I DO NOT!
The Fine Line Between Love and Hate
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CHAPTER 10: TRYING TO END IT ALL
It was utterly ridiculous. Completely preposterous. Unthinkably disagreeable. And extremely unbelievable.
Draco himself hadn't believed his eyes when he had gone over his personal accounts and business accounts.
Usually he simply passed them along as Geraldine organized everything and handled all the transactions. But that day for a reason he didn't understand, he had felt the need to go over them himself.
He'd felt guilty at first for double checking Geraldine's work but blamed it on Hermione and Ella because of their consistent nagging that Geraldine was not what she appeared to be. His guilt had immediately disappeared when he had gone over the account transactions and discovered that they were most likely right in their assumption.
"Geraldine!" He bellowed.
She appeared in front of him, smiling prettily. Her beauty, however, had no effect on him this time. As far as he was concerned she was an evil temptress who was stealing from him.
"Sweetheart? What on earth is the matter?" Geraldine sounded concerned.
"I just went over the accounts." Draco held up the papers and an involuntary expression of worry passed over her face.
"Yes, is there a problem?" She wondered, recovering quickly. It didn't matter if she put on a show now. He had seen her expression and was now absolutely positive she had stolen from him.
"A problem?" Draco fumed, "Over one thousand galleons are gone!"
"Oh no!" Geraldine bit her bottom lip; "Surely there is a mistake. I must have miscalculated-"
"The only miscalculation," He interrupted angrily, "Is me thinking that you were a decent, trustworthy person that I could consider marrying."
Her eyes widened, "Are...are you saying that...you can't honestly think I would do such a thing? It must have been a mistake!"
"A mistake that happened every month since I gave you access to the accounts?" Draco scoffed, "I don't know. It seems a bit coincidental that the day you were given the access, money started vanishing."
"It...it...must have been, er, a mistake. It has to be a mistake." Geraldine mumbled.
"I don't think so. Nearly ten thousand galleons are missing and I know you took them. That's not a mistake Geraldine, that's a felony." He narrowed his eyes at her at which she squirmed uncomfortably.
"What's going to happen?" She whispered worriedly.
"For starters, it's over. Secondly, you're out of my house and thirdly you're fired." Draco replied simply.
Geraldine gasped, "But I have nowhere to go!"
"I'm sure there will be somewhere you can snake your way into like you did with me."
"Oh yeah?" She was suddenly angry, "Well good riddance you giant, ugly prat! I don't care if you've figured me out! I wouldn't want to be stuck with you for life! I was planning to leave soon and not come back anyway, once I had some more money!"
Draco raised an eyebrow, "Oh really?"
"Yes really! Who could stand to be with you?" She shook her head, "Not me that's for sure. It was easier with Harry because he was a better person but not you. The only thing that was appealing about you was your money!"
"Well. I guess I can understand that." He said coldly. Geraldine didn't seem to register the tone of his voice and continued.
"No you don't understand! You don't know what it's like to come from a pathetic little poor family with no money and hardly any possessions!" Geraldine screamed.
"So that gives you the right to steal and use others?" He demanded.
"Yes!" Geraldine had tears in her eyes, "Because I am better than some stupid little poor girl! I am better than my family and I am better that most people who do have money! I am better than you!"
"I can't believe you," Draco turned around, "Pooty!"
"I'm better than that filthy house elf too. How disgusting are you calling it by it's first name?" Geraldine muttered. Pooty appeared with a crack and smiled up at his master.
"Yes Master Malfoy?" Pooty asked eagerly.
"Get her out of my sight." Draco said, waving in Geraldine's direction. Pooty's smiled widened as he turned to the woman who had treated him like dirt every time she saw him.
"With pleasure sir." He raised his fingers and prepared to click them when Draco spoke again.
"You don't have to be gentle. Get her out of the house any way you please." He said before disappearing out of the room. Pooty grinned and turned to the woman again.
Draco heard Pooty click his fingers and Geraldine squeal in shock as he walked down a corridor and a small smile surfaced. It was wiped off his face when the past morning seemed to click into place. From him going over the account information to his confrontation with Geraldine where he discovered that all along she with him for his money. She'd never loved him and to think he was going to marry her!
He needed to talk to someone and the only person that came into his mind at that moment was Ginny. Draco found his bedroom several minutes later and before long his head was bobbing in the fireplace and he was looking into Ella's living room.
"Hey! Anybody there!" He shouted.
An angry looking Ella appeared in front of him within moments.
"What the bloody hell? Do you realise how loud you were?" She demanded.
"Oh," Draco pulled a face, "I'm sorry. I didn't wake up Beth did I?"
"No! You woke up me." She snapped.
"Sorry." His voice was strained.
Ella surveyed him and her frown was replaced with a look of concern.
"Draco, are you all right?" She wondered.
He sighed, "I'd like to speak to Ginny, is she in?"
"Yeah. Sure. I'll just go get her." Ella disappeared and a minute later Ginny appeared in her place.
"Hey. Are you all right?" Ginny asked straight away. Draco took a deep breath before telling her everything that had happened that morning and everything that Geraldine had said to him. When he was finished Ginny frowned and began to splutter.
"That...that tramp!" She cried, "I cannot believe that someone can do something like that to another human being! It's just wrong! I told you didn't I? I said she was a gold-digger! Oh the tramp! How could she do this to you?"
Ginny sat down in front of him and shook her head, "Draco, I'm so sorry."
He sighed, "So am I. I suppose I should have seen the signs."
"There were signs?"
"I don't know," Draco shrugged, "It seems like a pretty big thing to miss. Ten thousand galleons..."
"Are you going to be all right?" Ginny asked softly.
"Yeah. It was a lot of money but I'll be able to work out something so nothing goes astray..."
"No," Ginny knelt down in front of his bobbing head, "Are you going to be all right?"
Draco paused. Was he?
"I suppose I will be," He frowned, "It's just that I really did love her you know? I know she was a bit annoying and clingy but I did. I was going to marry her Gin, I think that speaks volumes. It's the worst possible thing to love someone who doesn't love you back."
Ginny now frowned. She opened her mouth to speak a few times before closing it again upon deciding that what she wanted to say should remain unsaid. She instead sat back and smiled at him a little.
"You'll be okay." Ginny told him after a few moments. Draco nodded, hoping he would be.
* * * *
Harry had lied to her. And she had believed him. How long since she had seen him had he told her that 'it would be over soon'? She was counting a little over three months now. Three months, five days, sixteen hours...
"Stupid lying prat. I hate him." Ella snapped before placing a copious amount of chocolate in her mouth.
"Yes? I'm sure you do," Hermione, who was currently back for yet another visit, smiled, "Not as much as I hate Ron however."
"And not as much as I hate Draco." Ginny added. The three friends, in the midst of their anguish, were sharing chocolate and Butterbeer in Ella's kitchen.
Ella scowled, "Why can't I hate him as much as you hate them?"
"Because," Ginny drawled, "That slightly large stomach suggests that you don't hate him that much."
"Yes, it is beginning to protrude a bit." Hermione grinned.
Ella scowled again and pointed to her stomach, "This would be more of a reason to hate him. He is going to have two children with me and he's off in...well okay, he's fighting for the Wizarding world and I know that's a selfless act and it's probably costing him a lot but dammit! I'm lonely. Sometimes I just wish I could find him and see him..."
"Same goes for Ron. Stupid redheaded prat. What gives him the right to tell me he loves me before disappearing for nine months?" Hermione glowered.
"I hate him just for leaving. He's my favorite brother." Ginny shook her head.
Hermione and Ella had decided to tell Ginny what had really happened to Harry and Ron. Eventually it just hadn't seemed fair that she was uninformed. So after they had figured that anyone that might have been a danger to them because of the disappearance was no longer a threat they told her. Ginny had been enraged when they told her the truth but now she just seemed to be grateful she knew what had really happened.
"I do miss Ron," Ella took another piece of chocolate, "He was the first real friend I ever had."
"First boy I ever liked." Hermione sighed.
"First brother that didn't baby me...no...wait. He was the first brother I never fought with. No, he was the first brother that..." She trailed off thoughtfully.
"Ron's a character all right," Hermione said darkly, "Just like Draco with you. Will he ever realise how you feel about him?"
Ginny blushed, "Er, well you see. I've come to the conclusion that he's not going to realise it."
"What are you going to do?" Ella wondered.
"I've decided to tell him. Next time I see him," Ginny blushed harder, "I'm going to just come out and say, 'Draco, I have something to tell you that is very important-"
"What's important?" Draco asked entering the kitchen. Ella smiled at him forcibly.
"I just love how you always come over uninvited and interrupt whatever is happening." She told him. Draco shrugged.
"If I feel like coming over then I'm going to come over."
"But it's my house..."
"So?" He shrugged again.
"You rude arrogant scum." Ella snapped.
"Hormones again?" Draco was amused as he joined them at the kitchen table.
"No," Hermione spat, "She's right. You, like all men, are scum. Scum, scum, scum. S-c-u-m."
"Wow," He stole some chocolate, "You can spell. Amazing Hermione. You really are smart."
"Git. You stupid git! What is it with men? Do they think they can do what they want?" Ginny wondered.
"Coming in and out of your life..."
"Using you as they please..."
"Ignoring you like the oblivious morons they are..."
"Never asking..."
"Always taking..."
"Selfish. They're always so selfish..."
"Well," Draco stood up and frowned, "I actually did come over for a visit. Beth is sleeping I suppose. So I'm just going to go."
Ella glared at him. Men were so typical. But this particular man was a man that Ginny loved. Even now Ginny was staring at him adoringly and he just didn't notice. And Ella had seriously thought Draco had loved Ginny...
"Ginny," She leant forward conspirationally, "This is the next time you're seeing him."
Ginny's eyes widened and she gaped. She cast Draco a pained look before sighing and standing up.
"Draco. Can I talk to you for a minute?"
"Not if its more badgering towards my sex. Seriously, you three are ridiculous." He shook his head. Ginny rolled her eyes and grabbed his hand as she pulled him out of the kitchen.
* * * *
"They've been gone for fifteen minutes. Do you think we should go and see what happened?" Hermione wondered. Ella shrugged and placed the last of the chocolate in her mouth.
"I actually do need to check on Beth," She smiled, "So why not?"
Hermione didn't know whether to consider it was a good sign or bad sign that they hadn't heard anything. Ginny would surely be crying loudly if Draco had rejected her but if he hadn't she would have come into the kitchen ready to tell them the news. She held her breath as Ella quickly went in and checked on her daughter before they made their way down to the end room, Harry and Ella's room, where Draco and Ginny could be heard from behind the door.
Hermione crept a little closer and stood outside the door.
"Are you sure we should be doing this?" Ella whispered. She was still halfway down the hallway and it didn't seem like she dared to get any closer.
"It's for Ginny's sake." Hermione considered even though she knew it wasn't true. She never really eavesdropped but for some reason she couldn't help herself. She took another step closer and placed her ear against the door just in time to hear Ginny finish her sentence.
"...I always think that you don't feel the same because you never come out of your way to associate with me." Ginny mumbled.
"But Ginny-" Draco began.
"No. Don't speak. Let me finish," She took a deep breath, "I'm in love with you. And even though you might not feel the same I wanted to tell you."
Hermione heard her friend choke on a sob and she felt herself promise to curse Draco if he refused.
"Can I speak now?" Draco wondered, "Good."
"But...but just don't be harsh. I want the truth but try to be gentle about it." Ginny whispered.
Hermione felt Ella by her side as her friend pressed her ear against the door too. Ella shot her a worried look as they both strained to hear everything clearly.
"Ginny," Draco cleared his throat, "I do love you. We have been friends for years now. You saved me from myself and for that I think I will owe you always and forever but-"
"But you're not in love with me?" Ginny said meekly, her voice barely a whisper.
"But if you don't know that," His voice became firm, "I want you to. Because I do love you like that. I have for years."
There was silence and then muffled sobs from which Ginny's voice said something that Hermione couldn't hear.
"Of course I do," Draco said loudly, "How could you think I didn't? I thought you didn't! That's why I settled for Geraldine...oh Ginny."
There was silence again but Hermione was certain that they were kissing a kiss that had needed to occur for years and years. She smiled. Ginny would be so happy and she deserved it.
"Well, I guess we can go now." Ella murmured, she was smiling too.
"It's been so horrible," Ginny's voice rang out and they stopped in their tracks, "Every time I saw you I wanted to say something but I've never had the guts too."
"I understand, believe me," Draco sighed, "Ginny I don't ever want to be away from you now I know you feel this way. I couldn't stand it."
"It hurts me too," Ginny agreed, "Though I thought you didn't feel the same way I ached for you all the time."
"Cue soppy music." Ella chided quietly. Hermione stifled a giggle.
"I want to be with you always. I love you so much." Draco said emotionally.
"Me too. I'm not like Ella with Harry. If I have to go a week without seeing you I'm going to go bonkers." Ginny replied.
Hermione felt Ella shift uncomfortably beside her but she said nothing.
"If I go a day without hearing from you I'll be worried." Draco whispered.
"So what do we do now?" Ginny wondered.
"You come and live with me or, and I think your parents would appreciate this better, we start a relationship and allow it to progress." He suggested.
"As long as it means I get to see you often I don't care. We have a lot of time to make up for. Years."
"We do."
"Promise me Draco," Ginny said softly, "That it will work out. I don't want to have to find you like this to lose you again. Especially to another Geraldine Maple."
"It wont happen," He laughed, "Love shall conquer all. I promise."
"Good. So, what do you propose we do..." Ginny's voice sounded mischevious.
Hermione pulled a face and dared to listen for a few more minutes while Ginny and Draco further discussed their love together before she pulled away, content that Ginny had succeeded and she knew she would be happy.
"Oh Ella, isn't it wonderful..." She started, turning around. Ella however was nowhere to be seen.
"Ella?" Hermione called. She looked in the lounge room and then the kitchen before she went into Beth's room. Her breath caught in her throat as she looked into Beth's empty cot, discovering that she wasn't there. Instead there was a folded up piece of paper.
Hermione gingerly picked it up and opened it before reading the hurriedly scrawled note:
I've taken Beth and gone to find Harry. Please don't worry or be mad. I've been thinking about this for a long time and I have some idea of where he is. It will be fine. I love you all and will be back before you know it.
Ella
Hermione scrunched up the letter and closed her eyes, "Oh Ella. No. You'll be killed."
* * * *
What was she doing? Did she want to die? Did she want Beth to die?
Ella was in a daze as she walked down one of the small streets of Pendleton. She'd been working for a few weeks on the Ultimate Locator Spell and it had worked merely two days before. She hadn't been going to use the information that it gave her but Ginny's words had sprung her into action. I ached for you all the time...I'm not like Ella with Harry...
No one knew what Ella was like with Harry. Him visiting her had caused to her miss him even more and each day that passed added to that.
Yes, she was going to find him. And then she was going to kill him for disappearing without a word. Twice.
Beth wrapped her arms more tightly around her mother and smiled up at her. Her daughter seemed to sense Ella's anxiety and she appreciated the strong understanding they seemed to share.
"It'll be fine bub. Don't worry. We're just going to find Daddy. Stupid prat he is." She mumbled. The information in her hand stated he was in an old house not far from where she was. It was getting dark and Ella was glad she was going to be there soon. Something about the town made her feel uncomfortable. It was some sort of presence of evil, she knew that, and it made her uneasy about what she was doing.
"Maybe we should just turn back?" Ella whispered to Beth, "This is a mistake. I shouldn't be here. What was I thinking? It's too dangerous! Come on Beth, we'll go back to the Portkey..."
She turned back around and gave a yelp of surprise as she ran into someone. Ella regained her composure and looked up into the face of the black, hooded figure.
"I'm so sorry. I wasn't..." She trailed off and her eyes widened as dark eyes gazed back at her, sending her stomach cold, "Oh no."
* * * *
He was Ronald Weasley. Ron Wealsey preferably. He had lived a content life. He had a family who loved him. The best and most loyal friends a person could ask for, and the love a wonderful woman (kind of). But he was putting that all away now as he was preparing for his death.
He knew he would die. He wasn't the great and powerful Harry Potter. He was merely a sidekick. The second best. A normal, ordinary, worthless person. People like him were always the people who died in things like the mission he was about to go on. Harry would triumph over it, the much-adored hero, while he, Ron, would be shunted to the background after having been insignificantly acknowledged.
But for some reason he didn't really care. Possibly because he was too numb with fear. Harry didn't look to good either. He was unusually pale and sitting by the window contemplating to himself.
"What do you think Ron?" Harry wondered turning around, "Will we be alright?"
"I don't know mate. We're about up against the evilest wizard of all time. We're infiltrating his lair and it's surrounded by Deatheaters. If we defeat them then we have to go up against him and it'll be hard. Yeah, we should be alright." Ron shrugged. Harry grinned at him gratefully.
"Thanks mate."
"No problem," Ron sat down next to him and was quiet for a moment, "I bet you wish you could see them one more time before we do this."
"Yeah." Harry sighed.
"It's been hard. Nearly ten months without any of them. Who knows how they've changed and everything. I'd give anything to see them. I bet you would too." Ron said softly. Harry shuffled in his seat and for some reason looked uncomfortable.
"I'm sure they haven't changed much." He said.
"Oh I bet Beth has. Would she be talking now and walking and everything? I don't know. I reckon it's pretty amazing!" Ron stopped himself, "Sorry."
"No. It's all right. I think it's amazing too and-" Harry was interrupted as Conner O'Mara entered the room, followed shortly by David Regan. David was a pretty all right kind of guy. He was a few years older than Ron and Harry but he was fun and very fond of Quidditch, which Ron thought was good. The only problem with the guy was that he seemed to think O'Mara was some sort of legend. He followed his orders strictly and adored the guy. He didn't seem to see the rude, arrogant and insensitive person O'Mara could be. It was kind of irritating.
"Ready. Up. We're going. Now." Their boss commanded sharply. Ron tried not to glare at his boss as he followed him out of the house and into the street. He trailed behind the small group, eyeing the darkness carefully and gripping his wand under his robes. O'Mara and Harry were walking quickly at the front and David was only a few steps ahead of him. Ron's thoughts unwillingly traveled back to the negative things he'd been considering before. I'm at the back again, Ron thought, shunted to the back because I'm not important. Why don't I care anymore but? Is it because I'm used to it or because I really just don't think it's important...
"Now we do this swiftly and without error. Potter," O'Mara nodded at Harry, "You know what to do. We'll hold back the Deatheaters while you sneak into the lair and do your best to defeat that scum that calls himself Voldemort."
Harry nodded his head in understanding and the four of them slowly crept up the steep hill. At the top, in a big and old house was Voldemort's hideout. Voldemort was hiding in a small town in the Muggle world and it was genius that Harry Potter was right under his nose and he didn't suspect it. After all, who would look for their enemy right under their nose?
It took about fifteen minutes of steep climbing for them to reach the top of the hill. Ron found himself breathing heavily as he tried to regain his energy before he stopping breathing all together as he was told to 'Shut up'.
"Don't worry," Harry whispered, "I reckon he's just as nervous as we are."
"Nervous?" Ron squeaked, "I'm not nervous. We're only going up against the most powerful dark Wizard in the world, what is there to be nervous about?"
"I'm scared too." Harry smiled at him.
Ron gulped, "Harry, what if we die?"
His friends smile immediately disappeared.
"You are not going to die. I promise Ron." Harry reassured him.
"Okay. But what about you? How are you going to-" Ron was cut off as he was hit over the head forcibly.
"Wealsey. I mean it. Shut up. You'll give us away," O'Mara snarled, "All right Potter. Go now before we miss our chance."
Ron watched his best friend disappear into the darkness without a word and he felt an instant sense of loss. And uneasiness. Something wasn't right but he couldn't exactly put his finger on it.
He shook the feeling away as he followed David and O'Mara over to the entrance of the old house. They crouched down behind what looked like an old wall and observed the entrance.
"Give us the information Wealsey."
Ron's eyes flickered back and forth, "There's seven of them. Three to the right of the road, two to the left and two sitting outside the doors. They don't appear suspicious. I propose two of us attack from this position while someone gets closer to attack. It will put them off for longer if they are being stunned from more than one place."
"Excellent, you just volunteered yourself. Now go." O'Mara snapped.
Ron scowled and got on his stomach as he slid over to the spot where he thought would be the best to attack from. It would be easy enough to bring down the Deatheaters outside but who knew how many were inside the house?
O'Mara pointed his wand in the direction of the Deatheater's and as soon as Ron heard the spell leave his companions mouth he raised his and did the same.
"Stupefy! Stupefy!" He yelled, trying to remain hidden. The spot where he lay was not as secluded as he had thought.
After a few minutes Ron sighed in relief as the last of the Deatheater's fell to the ground unconscious. He jumped up and walked over amongst the fallen bodies. It was such a pity that things had to come to this, fighting each other all the time. Good against evil. But still, he did get caught up in the glamour of it all.
"That was brilliant," He muttered, "We got them all down so easily."
"We did, didn't we?" O'Mara smiled at him as he joined him.
"But how many more are there?" Ron wondered worriedly.
"Not many," O'Mara sighed, "Many of them attacked Hogwarts in what was supposed to be a simple takeover but the school retaliated strongly and many got defeated."
"Wow," Ron frowned, "How did you know that?"
"I'm the boss. I'm supposed to know these things."
Ron continued to frown as he looked amongst the bodies. It really had been too easy...
"What's that?" He pointed at O'Mara's robes. They had a large red stain down the front.
"Blood," O'Mara shrugged, "Must have made a mess."
"Blood?" Ron asked meekly.
"Yes." O'Mara didn't seem to care about it.
Ron's brow furrowed. There had been no blood spilled. The Deatheaters had been stunned. How had O'Mara gotten blood on his robes?
"Where's...where's David?" Ron stammered. O'Mara stared at him for a moment before sighing. His hand went up to rub his cheek and before Ron knew it, a wand was pointed at his face.
"Had to catch on didn't you Wealsey?" O'Mara spat, "You had to prove to the whole world that you're not as stupid as you look!"
"What did you do?" Ron demanded, but he was already putting pieces together in his head.
"Nothing that one should be ashamed of. A bit of this and that. I killed Regan. I killed the Muggles in this pathetic town and now I'm going to kill you," He shoved the wand sharply into Ron's throat, "All in the name of the Great Lord Voldemort."
"You bloody bastard." Ron growled. He wanted to strangle O'Mara. How could he do something like this?
"Now now. Language," O'Mara grinned, "Drop your wand. I don't want you getting a last minute surge of courage and attacking me."
Ron obeyed but couldn't stop himself from asking, "How could you?"
"How could I not? The Dark Lord is so strong that I could not refuse him," He paused, "I was going to give you a swift execution when you weren't expecting it. Regan put up a bit of a fight but I was hoping I wouldn't have to go through the same with you. I'm rather fond of you Wealsey..."
Ron glared at the man in front of him but his eyes widened in surprise as O'Mara's expression became suddenly pained and he jumped back.
"Help me," He pleaded, "Help me. Oh god. I didn't mean to. All the people dead. I killed them! They're all dead..."
Ron knew he should have used to time to attack but he was too shocked by the sudden change in attire. Then it hit him. The Imperius Curse! O'Mara was under the Imperius Curse. But it was very strong. It must have been if it wasn't faltering until now...
O'Mara shook his head and pointed his wand at Ron again, "Pathetic little Muggle-lover. Kill the Muggle-lover. I'm going to kill you."
Ron reached for his wand and raised it, "Stupefy!"
The spell deflected and the green beam of light shot back past him. O'Mara laughed darkly.
"You stupid child. I'm wearing a body shield. No minimal spell will harm me. But I'm sure I cannot say the same for you!" O'Mara raised his wand, "Crucio!"
The younger boy fell to the ground and began to spasm in pain. Ron had never felt anything like it before. It was unbearable.
He would have to kill O'Mara. He would have to use the Avada Kedavra curse. It was the death spell but it was a strong spell and it was the only one he could think of that would possibly penetrate the body shield charm. Where was his wand?
"Oh. Oh Wealsey. I killed them. I'm sorry. I'm... so... sorry," O'Mara took a faltering step back, his facade changed again, "He has me controlled, I can't fight it. I can't... I will kill you! Muggle-lover! Dirty Wizard! Filth!"
Ron barely had time to react to what was happening. He rolled over and picked up his wand just as O'Mara pointed his at Ron again. Ron took a deep breath and shouted the spell that had never before left his lips just as O'Mara went to do the same. Ron was thankfully quicker and he moved aside as his boss's body slumped to the ground.
"Oh Merlin," Ron muttered as he stood up shakily, "Oh Merlin. Oh Merlin. It's a trap. This is all a trap. It was all set up."
The plan hadn't been genius. Voldemort had known all along where they were and he had held a spy amongst their midst the entire time. David was dead, O'Mara was dead because Ron had killed him and Harry...
Harry didn't know it was a trap! Ron's best friend was walking right to his death.
"Oh Merlin! Harry!" Ron's eyes widened as he ran towards the entrance doors and pushed them open. He ran through the corridors of the old house, hoping he would reach Harry before Harry reached Voldemort.
* * * *
It was strangely quiet as Harry made his way across the side of the house. He had heard his other companions go to battle but he had heard nothing since it had died down nearly five minutes ago. The silence made him suspicious and he decided to take a different approach.
The plan had originally been to take the back cellar door into the dungeon and then up into the house but Harry thought of something better. He closed his eyes tightly and winced uncomfortably as he felt his bones begin to reconstruct themselves. He began to shrink and before long he was on the windowsill staring at his feathered appearance.
He would fly up to the top room and he would reach Voldemort. That way, he would surprise the Wizard and have time to attack.
Harry spread his wings and gracefully took off. He flew around for a little bit, enjoying the wind in his face before he landed on the windowsill of the room at the top of the house. He jumped inside and transformed back into his human self, gripping his wand tightly straight away. Harry stood up and pointed his wand around the room before a deep frown etched itself across his features.
It was empty.
But O'Mara had told him that Voldemort would be in the top room.
"What the hell is going on?" Harry wondered aloud. Where could Voldemort be?
He decided he would search the house. It seemed like the only logical thing to do. Harry muttered an Invisibility charm on himself and went to leave the room when a screech stopped him in his tracks. He pressed up against the wall and watched the window he had come through. He couldn't help but become confused when a Phoenix flew in through the window in the exact same manner as he had done.
"Fawkes?" Harry said quietly, "What are you doing here?"
Dumbledore's Phoenix hopped towards him and held out his leg. Attached to it was a small piece of parchment. Curiously, and a little bit suspiciously, Harry took the parchment and opened it. It was in McGonagall's scrawl and read:
Harry,
The most powerful form of magic is love.
Remember this.
"Not this crap again," Harry sighed, "No offense McGonagall but this kind of stuff isn't going to help me in hand to hand battle."
He scrunched up the paper and threw it aside. Fawkes was watching him in a manner that made him feel a little guilty about ignoring McGonagall's words but nevertheless he left the room and continued down the corridors of the house. He didn't know where he was going and the house was enormous but still he continued on.
The house seemed to echo darkness and evil. He heard whispers and cries coming from all around him and behind locked doors that he didn't dare open. One word echoed more loudly than the others did. Dungeon... dungeon ... dungeon...
Once Harry was certain he knew what the word was he began heading down the stairs towards what he hoped would be the dungeon for he knew it was where the house was telling him Voldemort was. It didn't really make sense. He was lucky he hadn't obeyed orders and gone through the basement into the dungeon in the first place because he would surely have been caught. But why would O'Mara give him the wrong directions?
Harry didn't want to consider what his mind was telling him. That O'Mara had done it on purpose. For that wasn't possible. He was the head of their regiment and definitely on the right side.
Harry crept down lower and lower in the layers of the house until he came to a dark stairway. Slowly making his way down he found himself in front of a large, metal door. On it were inscriptions of a text he didn't understand. But he knew the engraved pictures that wound themselves around the text. They were snakes.
He ran his fingers lightly across them and as he heard a click and the door swung open he was reminded fleetingly of the door from the Chamber of Secrets.
He cautiously took a step forward and when nothing happened followed with another step. Soon he found himself half-running down the dark corridor, slowing down only when the stone walls became dirt and the air became staler.
Finally Harry came to the near end of the cave, before him was a large and dimly lit open place. He couldn't see anyone in it yet he still crept forward slowly. It was a fairly big area. The light provided came from the tops of thin, wooden sticks that emitted burning fire from the top. The air was sour and smelt of death and the promise of death.
Harry held his breath and paused before he stepped from the corridor into the lighted space. He choked on the air he had inhaled as both his hands went up to clutch his scar which had begun to burn itself into his skin. It was like it was trying to embed itself into his skull. He could smell the burning flesh. Oh Merlin it hurt! Why was it acting like this...
"Hello Harry," A cold voice said as a cloaked figure stepped out from the shadows, "We meet again, for the final time."
"What?" Harry mumbled, pressing against his scar harder.
"It is the final time we meet. For this time, I'm going to kill you." The figure pulled back his hood and revealed himself as Lord Voldemort. Following this, several things happened at once.
Harry's pain intensified. Voldemort raised his wand. Half of the fire lamps went out. A ghost entered the room and Ron appeared out of nowhere.
Harry gaped at his friend and at the ghost.
"Harry! It's a trap! You have to get out of here!" Ron exclaimed, buckling over beside him and breathing heavily. He had clearly been running. The ghost shook his head.
"No more running Harry. I'm afraid you must face this once and for all."
Voldemort's snake like eyes flittered back and forth between the ghost and Harry.
"Is this some sort of trick?" He demanded, "You conjured up the image of Dumbledore to try and distract me?"
"Dumbledore?" Ron raised his head and stared at the ghost, "Dumbledore! What? I don't-"
"Stupefy!" Voldemort shouted. Ron was hurled back into a dirt wall and fell down unconscious. Dumbledore shook his head sadly and floated over to a corner of the cave.
"You shouldn't have done that." Harry said angrily, glancing over at Ron's motionless figure.
Voldemort sneered, "I don't want anyone else interrupting this meeting again."
"What...what do you mean anyone else again?" Harry demanded.
Voldemort's sneer became content as he looked Harry over.
"I mean another one of your friends. Killing them is becoming most...tedious."
Harry's heartbeat quickened, "Who did you kill?"
"Someone that you wont have a chance to miss." Voldemort said in a fathombly manner.
"Who did you kill?" Harry cried.
Voldemort didn't flinch. He seemed to be enjoying his tormenting.
"A girl."
Three names went through Harry's head; Ella, Ginny and Hermione. He couldn't have killed one of them! He just couldn't! But if he did... Oh Merlin! Which one?
Voldemort's eyes glinted, "A girl with whom I believe you are deeply connected. I killed your pregnant lover."
Ron stirred from where he was but Harry barely noted the movement. Ella was dead? That wasn't possible! But no, she couldn't be. Voldemort said she was pregnant and she had been pregnant months ago.
"No you didn't." Harry snarled, angry that the idea had been insinuated.
"Don't doubt me you arrogant child! I killed a woman with a baby who was also pregnant," He smirked, "Her last words were that of her child's. But I gave her no mercy and killed her child before her."
Harry was numb. Ella was pregnant? He was going to be a father again? No. He wasn't because she was dead and Voldemort had killed her and Beth.
The sudden thought of Beth made his stomach tighten even more but he didn't have time to process the pain as Ron stirred again and Voldemort's gaze traveled over to him. Harry saw the look. Voldemort wanted to kill Ron.
Harry raised his wand, "No you don't!"
Voldemort reached forward and swiftly snatched his wand from him, breaking it in two. Harry blinked twice. He was now defenseless.
"Ever since the incident in the cave with that Staff of Vigor, I have been training myself especially," Voldemort hissed, "So I can kill you."
Harry clenched his fists, if need be he would kill Voldemort with his own bare hands. It was like Voldemort read his mind for the pale, old Wizard clicked his fingers and Harry was grabbed from behind. Thick vines had shot out from the wall and wrapped themselves around Harry, pulling him back so he was unable to move.
"Perfect. Utterly perfect," Voldemort looked at Ron, "I shall kill him in front of you. It would be best."
"Best for who?" Harry yelled, "How can you be so evil! I don't understand it!"
"I am not evil," Voldemort said blankly, "I am simply powerful."
"Ron," Harry turned his attention to his friend, "Ron get up. Run! Ron!"
Ron rolled over and pushed himself up but he had trouble standing because he was so weak. He finally looked up at Voldemort and his eyes widened in fear.
"Harry." Ron said quietly as he pressed himself up against the wall. Voldemort was gloating over the fear he was bestowing.
"Run Ron! Get out of-" Harry began but it was already too late.
"Crucio!" Voldemort thrust his wand at Ron and Harry watched helplessly as his best friend fell to the ground crying out in pain.
"Stop it!" Harry pleaded. He couldn't do anything to stop it. He couldn't move. Voldemort was going to kill his best friend right in front of him and there was nothing he could do about it.
Ella and his child...no, children were dead. He would die too. There was no point in trying to live. He couldn't do anything. Voldemort would kill him and then take over the world, killing every Muggle and Muggle-lover he came across.
"I'm sorry Ron." Harry muttered, feeling nothing but defeat.
Ron merely continued to cry out in pain, oblivious to the fact that the good of the world hung by a thread that was becoming more unstable by the second.
~~!!!~~
A/N: Oh no! Ron is going to die! MWAHAHAHA! That is my attempt at a cliffy. Oh well…
I have it down that there is only two more chapters to go. But so much can happen in two chapters.
Thanks to my wonderful reviewers! Especially Kagome19 because you review so much!
PLEASE REVIEW, REVIEW and REVIEW!
*ONLY FIVE MORE MONTHS UNTIL THE THIRD HARRY POTTER MOVIE! YAY*