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Chapter 6 - Battle at the Burrow

They had been at the Burrow for 2 days and there was still no sign of Mr or Mrs Weasley, Fred or George. The mood between the group was sombre as they waited for any news. It was only 4 days now until they were expected to head back to Hogwarts. Tonks had arrived to pick up their New Year lists and had gone to Diagon Alley for them. They were excited about going back but at the same time nervous. None of them knew what to expect.

Harry was in the Kitchen, helping Hermione wash up after she had cooked dinner. They hardly spoke at all these days, Harry thought sadly. I wish I knew what I had done to make her angry but she never even looked at me.

He decided now was as good a time as any. "Hermione, are you ok?" he asked tentatively. She looked at him and smiled. "Of course Harry, I'm fine, just a little bit worried about Ron's Mum and Dad. This family have had enough to worry about after what happened to Percy." Harry just gave her a confused look. Hermione started.

"Oh Harry, I didn't realise you didn't know!" Harry waited, wanting to hear. He had been very angry with Percy last year, who had treated him and theWeasleys very badly after siding with the Ministry over Voldemort's return.

"Percy was so ashamed Harry, after the Ministry finally accepted the truth about Vol-Voldermort. He couldn't speak to any of his family. He disappeared".

"GOOD!" Harry snapped. "The stupid little git. He tried to stop Ron from seeing me, remember?"

Hermione looked uncomfortable at this. "I know that Harry but - but he was found 3 weeks later." She paused, whilst Harry groaned at this news. "Found tortured to death Harry. Found by Ron."

Harry froze at this. He didn't know what to say. He hadn't even asked Ron how he had been and now this. "I didn't know Hermione, I'm so sorry for what I said about Percy, I didn't know."

"Are you sorry?" a voice whispered behind them. They both spun round and saw Ron in the doorway with an unreadable look on his face. "He was my brother, a good man who just followed the wrong people. You didn't see him Harry. It looked as if he'd been put under the Cruciatus curse for hours. The look on his face...."

Ron stopped talking and turned away from then. Harry walked slowly towards his best friend and put his hand on Ron's shoulder. Ron jumped away from him.

"You can be so selfish Harry! You think because you lost Sirius you are the most upset person in the world and should be treated specially. We've all gone through pain Harry, not just you."

Harry felt anger go through him. "I know that Ron, but I do know how it feels to lose someone.

Ron glared at him. "Oh yes, you are the expert on bereavement aren't you, Potter?"

Harry now stepped towards him, hand clutched on his wand in his pocket. "No Weasley, I didn't say that but I have lost 2 parents and someone who was like a Brother to me".

Ron snorted. "Oh, I see. Sorry my mistake. That does make you an expert. You lost the parents you never met and a "brother" you knew for 3 years! Well boo hoo Potter, boo hoo!"

Harry pulled his wand out of his pocket and pointed at Ron. He hadn't felt that angry for ages. He saw Ron grab for his own wand and opened his mouth to Hex him when Hermione stood between them, her own wand out.

"That's enough! From both of you" Harry saw she was crying and was surprised that this made his heart ache. "You are both feeling terrible. We all are. Why do you both have to act like a pair of Malfoys?" She then held her wand up, ready to use it if she had too.

Both Harry and Ron just stood there, unaware of what to do. They realised Ginny, Luna and Neville had all entered the kitchen and were gazing at Harry, Ron and Hermione. "Well?" Hermione snapped. "Are you too going to start acting your ages?"

"Well, that would be a first, wouldn't it Mudblood?" a cold voice said from the corner of the room. All the children spun round. Harry realised that they had formed a pack, wands at the ready. Good, he thought grimly. We are going to need to be organised.

6 Death Eaters stood on the other side of the kitchen. They all wore masks and had their wands pointed directly at Harry. The leader, the one who had spoken, stepped forward.

"We only want Potter. The rest of you can leave now unharmed". He then pointed to the door with his wand. Hermione stepped forward beside Harry. "We are staying here". Harry smiled gratefully at Hermione and then took sideways glance at the others. Neville and Ginny had sounded their agreement when Hermione had spoken and Luna merely stuck her finger up to the Death Eaters. Harry chuckled, despite himself. This left one person. He turned to Ron. Ron seemed to be thinking it over.

He then turned to the leading Death Eater. "I think Ill take up that offer" He said with no emotion and sauntered out of the room, humming. Hermione let out a shocked "Ron" and Neville stopped Ginny running after her brother. Harry just stood there. He was fighting back tears. The leading Death Eater started laughing. The rest of them soon joined in. "well, well Potter" the leader said "Having problems in the ranks are we?"

"What do you want?" Harry said, his eyes flashing.

"To watch you die, actually, like that Weasels brother!" He laughed again, Ginny sobbed, trying to get free of Neville's grip.

"Enough talk". A death eater moved forward to stand along side the leader. "Get them. Remember, The Dark Lord needs Potter alive! GO!" and all the Death Eaters charged forward. Harry shouted, "stupefy" at the leader and he fell down with a cry. Hermione waved her wand in the air and screamed protecta and all the death eaters fell where they stood and seemed to be unable to get up. Harry grimly nodded at Hermione and knocked out to more Death Eaters with his stunning curse. Hermione was tying the leading 2 up and Neville and Ginny were charming the others wands away. "Great work guys" Harry said and then stepped towards the leader, his wand ready. "How did you get in here and what do you want?" The Death Eater snarled at Harry. Harry raised his wand and was ready to hex the Death Eater when Ginny screamed and Hermione cried out to him. Harry spun round and gasped. 6 more Death Eaters had apparated where the others had stood. One sprang towards Harry yelling "expelliarmus". Hermione pushed Harry out of the way just in time. "Lets go", she yelled to him. "There's to many of them." He nodded and cried for the others to run. They did, dodging hexes all the way. Neville was the last out of the door, just as a stunning curse smashed plates above his head. They all fled in different directions. Harry and Hermione sped off together. "Harry, how did they get in here? Dumbledore had created magical barriers. No one should be able to get through them." "Unless Dumbledore had told them how, "Harry pointed out to her and then hissed "keep moving". "But that means, one of the Order must have - Harry this is terrible!" Hermione exclaimed. "I know, just keep going," Harry urged her.

They passed a small room. "In here" Harry yelled. They quickly opened the door and jumped through. "This must be Mr Wealsey's work shop" Hermione noted looking around. "There might be something we could use". Harry nodded. He ran to a large table and yelled "Hermione help me" and together they pushed the table up against the door.

Hermione sunk to the floor sobbing and, breathing hard, said, "Harry, what are we going to do?" He sat down next to her. "I'm not sure. I just hope the others got away." He took her hand and squeezed it. "It'll be ok, I promise." "How", she asked him. "Trust me", he told her now touching her face with his hand. "Always" she replied and held him. Harry felt very strange, wondered what to do next when -

BANG. Their shield against the door exploded and wood flew everyone. Hermione screamed and started to get to her feet but a voice yelled "stupefy" and she fell to ground, unconscious. Harry leapt to his feet, wand at the ready. The voice cried "expelliarmus" and Harry's wand flew out of his reach. Three death eaters walked towards him, all three wands pointing at his heart. Harry backed away, glancing at the prone form of Hermione. The leader walked towards him. "Don't move", he threatened. Harry glared at him. "Grab him," the Death eater ordered his fellows and Harry soon found himself held still by his arms, unable to move. The Death Eater moved towards him. "I've waited a long time for this Potter". "Have you", Harry replied, coldly. The Deatheater giggled from under his mask. "Oh yes, my father would be very proud of me." Harry felt fear deep in inside him "Your Father?" He asked. "Who are you?" The death eater laughed loudly, making Harry feel even more uncomfortable. He then ripped off his mask. "Now do you understand, Potter?" Draco Malfoy asked, his fists clenched.

Harry stared. "You arrogant little Prat!" he yelled, "You are part of this?" "Of course" Malfoy said. "Someone had to take over from my Father". He paused, turning away from Harry. When he faced him again, Harry saw saw a tear in Draco's eye. "You did it", he whispered. "It was your fault". "I have no idea what you are talking about Malfoy". Harry snapped to him. "Don't lie to me!" Draco screamed, marched over to Hermione's prone body and gave her a vicious kick. Harry struggled against the grip of his captors. "Stay away from her Malfoy, I'm warning you!" Malfoy slowly turned to Harry, his face unreadable. "You are warning me, Potter"? Malfoy then nodded to one of the death eaters holding Harry. He punched the boy hard in the stomach, winding him. Harry gasped for air as Malfoy walked towards him. "Do you have any idea what the Dark Lord has in store for you Scarhead? It's really going to hurt, you know. I think Ill give you a taster. He pointed his wand at Harry and cried "crucio". Harry felt the familiar pain of white-hot knives piercing his skin, felt the Death Eaters drop him, the pain seemed to go on and on, he was screaming. He opened his eyes through the pain and saw Malfoy walking towards him. "By the time the Dark Lord is finished with you, you will beg for death". He knelt down beside Harry. "You think this hurts. You deserve it for what happened to my Father. You thought I wouldn't want revenge. You are a fool". The pain then ended. Harry looked up at Malfoy. He had tears in his eyes. "I - don't - understand - you" he breathed. Every word was a struggle. "LIAR" shouted Malfoy and kicked Harry hard. He then allowed his death eaters to punch and kick Harry until he grew bored. "You will admit what you did, Potter. I'll make you. You think I can't do it? I've changed, you changed me you know". "I don't know" cried Harry, "I swear to you." Malfoy shook his head and put Harry under the torture curse again." Harry writhed on the floor at Malfoys feet. "Admit it!" Malfoy yelled. "Please stop" Harry whimpered. Malfoys face broke into an evil grin. "What?" he enquired, pulling Harry's face up by his hair. "What was that, didn't quite catch it." Harry looked up at him through the intense pain, his hatred for the blond haired boy obvious. "Please, it hurts." Malfoy chuckled and took his wand away. Harry slumped to the ground. Malfoy knelt down beside him. "As you can see Harry, I'm much better at the Unforgivable curses then you are". Harry, whose eyes were now nearly closed, whispered, "Well, I'm sure your Daddy taught you well, Draco" and smiled at him. Draco shouted in anger and kicked Harry in the head. Harry lay on the ground, unconscious. Draco stared down at him in fury, went to kick him again when a cough from behind him stopped him. "Draco" a quiet voice said. Malfoy turned round and smiled. "Professor Snape, success I think!"

Snape walked towards him. He looked from Hermione to Harry and then to Malfoys smiling face. Snape nodded "You have done well boy, but I believe the Dark Lord requires Potter alive". Oh, I just didn't want him to escape Sir, Draco said, grinning. Snape sneered. "Oh, I don't think there is much chance of that." He turned round "Crabbe, Goyle, bring him." Harry's captors yanked him up by his arms and began dragging him to the door. Snape muttered something. "Sorry Professor", Draco asked him, turning around. Snape shook his head and said, "oh don't worry Draco, I was just thinking about the others. Where are they?" Draco shrugged. "Well, I dealt with the mudblood, the Weasel ran away and I'm sure the others have been rounded up". "Excellent Draco." Snape said smiling at him. "I must go now, the Dark Lord needs me." He rubbed his arm at this. "I'm sure you can deal with this situation". He nodded once more to Draco, glanced at Hermione then apparated. Malfoy put his mask back on and headed towards the door.

"Not so fast" came a scream from behind him. Malfoy whirled round. Hermione was stood up, wand in hand. She cried "expelliarmus" and all three death eaters wands flew towards her and she caught them. "Damn her" cried Malfoy. At that Lupin, Moody and Tonks apparated in the middle of the room. Hermione crawled towards Harry and gasped when she saw his face. "Drop him!" yelled Malfoy. Crabbe and Goyle did as they were told and Harry dropped to the floor with a crash. "Go now" he cried and the three of them flew out of the door. "Later Potter!" Malfoy screamed back as he ran. Hermione crawled towards Harry and gasped when she saw his face. "After them" Lupin snapped to Moody. "Too late," Moody said, opening the door. Fletcher was stood there. "All got away I'm afraid." He spoke quickly. "3 eaters were here, had hold of the Longbottom boy and Ginny Weasley. Let go of them, grabbed 3 other eaters and apparated." He said, and then walked over to where Neville and Ginny were picking themselves up. Luna was rubbing her head, a few paces away. Moody growled in anger then walked back into the room.

Hermione was cradling Harry's head in her lap whilst Tonks and Lupin stood over them, concerned. Hermione looked up at them, her face tear stained. "Why, why do this?" she whispered. "Look at him." They didn't know what to say. "Stay with them Tonks, Lupin, you and I must report to Dumbledore". Lupin nodded, and with one last glance at Harry, they apparated.

"Lets get him up Hermione". Tonks said softly. "He should go to bed." Hermione nodded. "We can use Percy's" she muttered then remembered. "Ron! He ran away, Harry and him had a row. They may have got him!" "OK Hermione, OK" Tonks said. "We'll look for him". She took Harry's arm and waited for Hermione to do the same. At the moment Harry gasped. "Malfoy, it was Malfoy, Hermione he is a death eater!" "Harry, we know. Shhh now", Tonks whispered and put her finger on his lips gently. "His Dad - he kept saying - my fault - didn't understand." "It's alright Harry", Hermione urged him. "Don't worry. This is why we were so surprised Draco came to your house and warned you." Harry gave her a strange look. "It wasn't Draco who saw me, it was his Dad Lucius, he warned me. I don't understand. What does Draco blame me for? Did Voldemort punish his Dad for coming to see me?" Tonks and Hermione were looking at each other in amazement. "Harry, that's impossible". Tonks said, real concern creeping into her voice. "I know its weird" Harry started but Hermione interrupted him. "Harry, you don't understand. Lucius Malfoy is dead. He was executed by the ministry along with the rest of the Death Eaters who were caught with him that day. It has pushed Draco over the edge and he blames you for it. It couldn't have been Lucius Malfoy you saw." At this news, Harry cried out and, although he tried not too, began to sob. He had just gone through too much and slowly passed out on the floor, his body giving in to the pain.

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Friendshipanda - Glad you like it. Please let me know what you make of this chapter. Thanks!