Chapter 24 - Check Mate
Harry and Ron apparated from one wooded area into another.
"Did we make it," whispered Harry.
"We're close. Assisted apparation isn't always very accurate." Ron surveyed the area around them. "Wands out, ok," he said unnecessarily.
Harry nodded and held his wand higher. "Ok, let's go."
"Wait a second Harry. We have to have some kind of a plan." We can't just charge in there."
"I'm not sitting here while Voldemort's got Hermione," said Harry angrily.
"I'm not suggesting we just sit here. I'm saying that we should have some idea of what we're going to do before we do it."
"Fine, what do you have in mind?"
"Well," began Ron. Godric's Hollow is in a clearing. The last time we were here, he had Hermione off to the side somewhere. Lupin and I were able to stay hidden until we wanted to be seen."
"So it's possible that one of us could remain out of sight."
"Yes," agreed Ron.
"Ok, you do it. You were right before. Voldemort wants me. It's always been me. I'll distract him and you do what you have to to get Hermione."
"That's a pretty thin plan, Harry."
"We don't have time for anything more elaborate."
"We could wait. Ginny went to get Dad. He'll rally the Order."
"Who knows how long that will take? I'm not waiting."
Ron hesitated.
"You don't have to do this with me, Ron," said Harry.
"It's not that. I was just thinking."
"About," prompted Harry. When Ron hesitated again Harry grew frustrated. "We don't have time for this, Ron."
"I know. I'm sorry. It's just that, there may be something else we can do."
"What?" Asked Harry eagerly.
"It's actually part of the reason I can't talk about my job. But if there was ever a reason to try this, it's now."
"You're not making any sense."
"I know. Just hear me out. A bunch of the old group from Hogwarts has been developing new spells. They're not really new spells; they're more like group spells. We've been developing a way to link two wizard's wands to create a sort of amplified spell, something that can't be blocked by most of the known blocking charms."
"That's amazing," said Harry. "Why haven't I heard about this yet?"
"You have to understand, the work we're doing is completely experimental and secret. You know about Katie Bell, don't you?"
Harry nodded quickly.
"She was part of the group. We think that was the reason she was taken." Ron's voice took on a sort of far off tone. "We have no idea what happened to her or if she's even still alive."
"I know," said Harry. "I'm sorry."
Ron shook his head. He couldn't dwell on that now.
"What is it we have to do?" Asked Harry.
"You won't actually have to do anything," said Ron. "I'll amplify your spells."
"Great, we'll do that then," said Harry and he went to continue walking.
"Wait, Harry," said Ron grabbing his arm. "You have to know the risks. Once you cast your spell, I'll have to cast the exact same spell on your wand. If I'm a few inches off, the spell will hit you."
Harry nodded slowly.
"So then you understand," continued Ron. "That when you throw the killing curse at Voldemort, and I amplify the spell, then you could..," Ron didn't finish.
Harry looked his best friend in the eyes and was glad to know that Ron had known exactly what he was thinking. He had no intention of letting Voldemort ever come after anyone else he loved ever again. One way or another it was going to end tonight. "I trust you, Ron," was all he said.
"All right," Ron gave in. "Let's just do this." Ron led the way to Godric's Hollow.
"The last thing we did together was fight. I was so angry at her," said Harry bitterly.
"Don't mate, it's not productive."
"If anything happens to her," choked Harry.
"Nothing will happen," said Ron firmly. "We're almost there."
Harry nodded. "I'll go on ahead and you stay back." He turned to Ron. "Once we get her back, I promise I'll fix our friendship."
"It's not necessary," said Ron. "I know I always gave you a hard time about taking her away, but the truth is, I understand why you did it. I guess I was just jealous."
Harry looked at Ron in surprise and Ron rushed on. "Don't misunderstand. I didn't want Hermione for myself, but it's just that, well it's Hermione. I don't think I ever realized how important she was, you both were, until you were gone."
"I'm really sorry."
"Forget it. Let's go get Hermione."
Harry nodded and moved forward. Ron went in the opposite direction as quietly as he could.
When Harry got the clearing in his sights he saw Hermione sitting in the middle of the field by herself. Harry gritted his teeth, it took everything in him not to run to her. Had it been five years ago, he probably would have gone straight to her and gotten them both killed, but his years of impulsiveness had taught him the hard way that his first instinct wasn't always the right one.
He quickly moved behind a tree. "Hermione," he called out. "Are you ok?" As soon as he had finished he moved quickly to another area.
"Harry," Hermione called out. "Get back. It's a trap."
"It's ok, honey," said Harry loudly, moving faster. "Can you move?"
Hermione turned toward his voice. "They have me magically bound."
Harry had expected as much.
"He's going to kill you," she cried. "Please go back."
"No one's going to kill anyone, sweetie," he said trying to keep his voice calm and even.
"I wouldn't say that," said Voldemort stepping into the clearing.
Harry seethed as Voldemort approached Hermione and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Why don't you come out, Harry," mocked Voldemort.
Harry continued moving, staying low and circling the clearing.
"Of course, I already have the best part of your family right here." He removed the curse from Hermione and pulled her into a standing position.
"Get your hands off her, you bastard," Harry muttered under his breath as he continued to circle the clearing.
"I'm tired of playing with you, Harry. Come out."
"Let her go first," shouted Harry.
"No," shouted Hermione. "Harry don't."
Voldemort pushed Hermione back to the ground with a laugh. She fell hard on her stomach and gave a small cry.
"Ok, that's it," shouted Harry losing his temper. He emerged from the clearing directly behind them, with his wand pointed at Voldemort. "Don't move."
Voldemort remained still with a large smirk on his face.
"Hermione, come here," said Harry holding out his free hand. Hermione pushed herself up and went to him slowly. As soon as she got close enough, he grabbed her hand and pulled her close. "You ok?"
Hermione nodded. "You shouldn't have come alone," she said.
"I couldn't leave you," returned Harry edging Hermione back to the wooded area, his wand still pointed at Voldemort.
"Do you really think you'll get very far, Potter," sneered Voldemort.
Harry didn't answer. He surveyed the area with Quidditch eyes and could spot the almost imperceptible movement in the bushes and trees. "I'd say you've only got about six or seven Death Eaters in invisibility cloaks surrounding us. I've got way more people on my side."
"You lie, Potter. At most you have the Weasley blood traitor and he will soon be incapacitated. But you have guessed right about the invisibility cloaks." At his words the wood seem to shimmer as six Death Eaters threw off their cloaks and began enclosing Harry, Hermione, and Voldemort in a circle, albeit not a very tight one.
Harry kept Hermione close to him as he moved closer to Voldemort. "Tell them to get back or I'll make you sorry."
Voldemort began laughing and the Death Eaters soon followed. "Enough of this," said Voldemort. "Disarm him." Harry tightened his hold on his wand, but knew he could do nothing. They were outnumbered seven to three and Hermione was unarmed.
Harry allowed his wand to be yanked from his hand as Voldemort continued to laugh. "Grab the girl. I want to have a little fun with Potter."
Harry stood helplessly as Hermione was grabbed and torn away from him. She went wordlessly, refusing to cry in frustration. She was determined that Voldemort would never again see her cry.
Harry stood alone facing down the man who had haunted his waking and sleeping dreams his entire life. Voldemort pulled his own wand out, almost lazily.
"You have been a thorn in my side long enough, Harry," he said low enough for only Harry to hear. "And when I'm done with you, I promise that I will take my time with her."
Harry sprang at Voldemort.
"Crucio," Voldemort cried and Harry crumbled to the ground at Voldemort's feet. The Death Eaters surrounding them began to cackle with laughter. Hermione bit her lip so hard that she could taste blood, but still she refused to cry out. Harry lay twitching on the ground, in obvious agony, but silent as his wife.
After nearly half a minute of the excruciating torture, Voldemort lifted the curse.
"Now, that's not fair. If you're not going to play with me, we might as well end this here and now." Voldemort leaned closer to Harry. "Goodbye, Harry Potter." Then he stepped back and aimed his wand at Harry's forehead. "Avada…"
Hermione could hear the laughter of the Death Eaters ringing in her ears and she could see Voldemort's mouth forming the words and suddenly she realized the Death Eater holding her had relaxed his grip. In the same instant Voldemort threw his fatal curse she launched herself at Harry pushing him free and then she felt as if her body was being consumed by fire from the inside out and then she knew no more.
Harry righted himself and immediately pulled the too still form of his wife close to him and gave an anguished cry. She was so pale and still, he couldn't quite register what had happened.
"Stupid girl," spat Voldemort. "But at least now there's no one left to interfere with…," Voldemort never finished his sentence.
Harry reached into his back pocket and pulled out his wife's wand, the one that Voldemort had thrown by Ron's side when he had taken her. "Ron, now," he shouted and he cast the curse. "Avada Kedavra," came two unified voices.
When the other Death Eaters saw their master fall, they immediately panicked and all instantly disapparated. Harry paid no attention to them, totally unconcerned about where they went. He cradled his wife's limp body against his own. "No, Hermione," he cried in anguish. "Oh no."
Ron came running and dropped to his knees beside his two best friends. He bowed his head and angry tears spilled down his face. He grabbed her wrist in vain and felt for any sign of hope. Against all odds, he felt a tiny flutter.
"Harry," he cried. "I think she has a pulse."
Harry looked up through unbelieving eyes at Ron. Ron took her body from Harry's grasp and laid her flat on the ground. Her lips was white, whiter than anything Ron had ever seen. It was if all her blood had drained from her face. As Ron ran his hands over her, he was surprised to feel warm stickiness on her thighs. He lifted his hands. They were covered in with blood. Both Harry and his gaze fell on the exact same spot.
"I don't understand," choked out Harry.
"We have to get her to St. Mungo's. Now," said Ron picking Hermione up and instantly apparating with her. Harry wasn't half a second behind them.
