Disclaimer: Harry Potter and all related names and places are the legal property of J.K. Rowling, Bloomsbury, and AOL Time Warner, and have been used without permission.  No copyright infringement is intended.

A/N:  Well now that that horrible chapter is out of my head and posted, I have at last found my muse again. I have to give a big thanks to a friend who (though he didn't know it!) helped get me back on track.  Also the Irish curse that is used is a gift from him.  Thanks to my best guy-pal!!  Alright, only one chapter after this one. Originally the last two chapters were supposed to be only one, but after thinking about it I just couldn't see having one massive chapter.  So I finally found a good stopping point and divided them up.  Hope you enjoy!!

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The entire school was buzzing about Cho Chang.  No one was sure what had happened to her.

"Alright guys, can we you please settle down!"  Harry had to shout over his teammates. Ron was the last to fall silent.  "Look, we've got a decision to make here.  I had a meeting with McGonagall this morning and she's given me some options for the Cup match.  With Cho's...er...departure..."

Katie snorted.  "Departure?  Oh come on, Harry!  You mean her complete breakdown!"

A few of the others laughed along with her. "Does anyone know what happened to her, exactly?"

Ginny spoke up from the back of the group.  "We had a prefect meeting the day after it happened. The only thing McGonagall said was that she was sick and had to go to St. Mungo's."

Ron spoke up.  "The next thing we know Flitwick and some house elves cleared out her room and Andrea Mitchell is named new Head Girl."

The team once again broke out in a loud discussion.  Harry rubbed his forehead. "Guys, can we please focus on the meeting?  I know this whole thing is strange, but I need you all to listen!"

Everyone fell silent and stared wide-eyed.  Harry hadn't meant to yell.  He had a headache coming on and the idea of being cooped up in a small room with Ginny for too long made him edgy.  Even if the room held five other people...

"Sorry, I got a bit carried away.  Alright, this morning McGonagall told me we had a few options.  Since the Ravenclaws are out a Captain and a seeker, they've got some problems. They didn't take on any reserves this year, so there aren't any replacements.  With the Cup game coming up in two weeks there isn't any time to find and properly train a new seeker."  Harry took a deep breath.  "So here is where we stand.  As the opposing team, we can force them to forfeit the match or we can force them to find a new player and play the scheduled match.  Choice three is we can postpone the game until the last week of term and give them time to get a suitable player."

Just as Harry suspected, everyone began shouting out there suggestions and yelling at their neighbor for disagreeing.  He was just about to start shouting himself, when Ginny hoisted herself on top of the desk Harry was perched on.  She let out a shrill whistle.

"Everyone shut up!"  Ginny smiled when they all faced her.  "Thank you.  Alright, here's my thought on this.  Gryffindor has held the Cup for three years.  Two of those years we actually played and won the Cup.  We earned the Cup.  If we force Ravenclaw to forfeit, then we haven't earned anything.  If we force them to play with some Seeker who hasn't a clue, then we still haven't earned it.  I say we give them a chance."

Harry couldn't help but smile at her.  "I agree with Ginny.  If we just take the Cup, then we're as bad as the Slytherins.  It's the last day of April.  If we postpone the match, then Ravenclaw has just less than two months to find a new Seeker.  That's not a lot of time, but it's a start.  Plus think of all the extra training time it gives us."

Murmurs of ascent broke out in the group. Katie stood up.  "I think we should give them a chance.  Let's show everyone just what being a Gryffindor means!"  So, in the end everyone agreed to postpone the match.

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There were mixed reactions from the other students the next day.  Some thought that the Gryffindors were living up to their reputation.  Others said that they were simply trying to show off.

Harry's foul mood hadn't evaporated, but it had subsided a bit.  He'd apologized to Ron and Hermione for snapping at them. Once he had given it thought, he had to admit that he was grateful for them not mentioning anything about Sirius's death. 

Watching Ron and Hermione had become one of Harry's favorite ways to pass the time.  It was amusing to say the least.  He wasn't sure if they had ever actually admitted how they truly felt for each other, but they were acting odd.  Even now as Harry watched, Ron was pouring Hermione's orange juice and she was buttering Ron's toast.  Both were carrying on conversations, just as serving each other's breakfast was the most normal thing in the world. Harry snorted when Ginny spoke up.

"The two of you act more and more like Mum and Dad everyday."

Harry was amused to see Ron's ears turn violently red and Hermione nearly dropped the knife she was using. Before either could retort, several owls flew down and landed amidst them.  Several owls bearing packages thronged around Ginny.

"Bloody hell!"  Ron's face went nearly green looking at the birds.  "Oh Gin, I'm so sorry!  I completely forgot all about your birthday!"

Ginny as pulling the paper off a large red box, when she looked at her brother.  "Not to worry Ron.  I figured you would forget.  That just means you'll have to be very nice to me for a long time."

Ron looked aghast.  "Well…what about Hermione? And Harry!  They forgot your birthday, too!"

"Hermione did not forget me.  She gave me my present this morning." Ginny pulled several scarlet colored quills from her bag. "She knows I've been dying for some red ones, so she ordered them for me."

Ron wrinkled his nose at Hermione.  "Thanks a lot, Hermione.  Well what about Harry?  He forgot about you, too!"

Ginny was about to answer, when Hermione gave a shriek.  She laid out her copy of the Daily Prophet on the table.  "Read this!"

Escaped Deatheaters Sighted

            Over the past two weeks, several residents of Hogsmeade Village have reported sightings of two known Azkaban escapees.  Also there have been reports of another person who seems to be consorting with the two escapees. Interviews have been conducted by Aurors stationed in the village.

"We've managed to get fairly good descriptions of the three people.  After meeting with all the witnesses, we've been able to identify who two of the three are."  says Nymphodora Tonks, a third year Auror. "Lucius Malfoy is one.  The second is no doubt Dolores Umbridge."

            Lucius Malfoy, among others, was placed in Azkaban awaiting trial for his involvement with none other than You-Know-Who.  Dolores Umbridge was convicted of "using cruel and unusual punishment" and "attempting to use an Unforgivable Curse".  She was sentenced to five years in Azkaban.  Last August, all prisoners brought in after the Ministry break-in managed to escape when Aurors delivering Umbridge to Azkaban were overpowered. 

This is not the first time that the escapees have been seen in public. Several of the escaped Deatheaters have been accused of the murder of two muggles on Christmas Day.

            As for the third sighting, Auror Tonks had this to say.  "Honestly, we can't say who the third person is.  We've got several people who've given descriptions, but not one of them fits any of the other escapees."

Daily Prophet reporters contacted the Department of Magical Law Enforcement and were given this statement: "We are doing our best to investigate these reports.  Aurors have been stationed all around the country since the escape looking for any unusual behavior. We aren't sure why these two have chosen Hogsmeade village, or why they would allow themselves to be seen.  We can say that our Auror team will do their best to ensure that these fugitives are apprehended.  Also, we ask that the community remembers these criminals are considered extremely dangerous.  Whether they are armed with wands or not; we are unsure.  We ask all citizens to be on the watch and report any unusual behavior immediately.

The four merely stared at one another.

Ron scowled up at the staff table.  "I wonder why none of the teachers have said anything about them being seen in the village?  If Tonks knows, then so does Dumbledore."

"I want to know who this third mystery man is. They know what he looks like, but can't get a positive identity on him."  Ginny continued to scowl at the front page.

"I think that's pretty obvious."  Harry said.  The others looked at him.  "Wormtail; it has to be him."

"Why do you say that?"

"Well, if he's been dead for nearly sixteen years, no one is going to really remember what he looks like.  The Ministry is still certain he's dead.  Tonks and the others know better, though.  I'll bet Dumbledore knows exactly who it is."

Hermione nodded.  "But there's still something odd.  Why would they allow themselves to be seen? Malfoy isn't stupid."

Harry looked over at the Slytherin table.  Just as he expected, Malfoy looked up from his copy of the Prophet and smirked at him.

"I've got a better question." Ginny said, pouring herself a glass of orange juice. "Why is Umbridge consorting with Malfoy?"

Apparently none of the other three had thought of this.  Their jaws dropped and their eyes grew wide.

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Harry did feel very bad about forgetting Ginny's birthday.  That of course was after the shock of the article had worn off and he remembered forgetting.  He tried to apologize, but she was always rushing off to patrol or study for O.W.L.'s.

As the end of May drew near, Harry began to feel a sort of anticipation.  He couldn't explain it, but it was like he was waiting for something to happen. Seeing Ginny sitting in the corner pouring over books made him think that he was just nervous about his exams.

The final day of May dawned bright and beautiful; however Harry could barely register it.  From the moment he had left his bed, a strange feeling overtook him.  It felt as though he were anticipating something wonderful, but feared that something would go wrong.  He tried to shake the feeling, but it stayed with him throughout the morning.  By dinner he felt as if he had truly gone mad.

He sat listening to Seamus telling the tale of how his parents had met. 

"...so then he says to her 'May the curse of Maggie Malone and her nine illegitimate children follow you so far over the hills of damnation that even God himself can't find you with a telescope!'  Then Mum shouts back, 'Colin Finnigan, if you ever swear in front of me again, I'll show you a real curse!"

The group around Seamus burst into laughter.  Hermione, wiping tears from her eyes, looked at Harry.

"What's wrong?"

"I still have that feeling.  You know, like something good's supposed to happen, but something might go wrong."

"Harry, maybe you just didn't get enough sleep last night."  Hermione had offered.

"No, I slept alright.  That's actually a big surprise in itself."

"Maybe you're worried about that Defense test Monday."

"Come on Ron, we both know that we won't fail.  Besides, I've never been this worried over some stupid test.  It's something else."

Hermione looked as though she were about to scold him, but was interrupted by Colin Creevey.

"Sorry to interrupt, but I was wondering if any of you have seen Ginny?  She didn't show up for our study session today."

Before anyone could answer, several of Ginny's roommates appeared next to Colin.  The tallest girl looked worried.  "We were just about to come and ask you about her, Colin.  We haven't seen her all day."

Cold dread spread through Harry's body.  "When was the last time you saw her?"

The tall girl, (Harry recognized her voice as Diana.) "Last night when we went to bed.  When I got up this morning, she was gone.  I assumed she'd just gotten up early."

Ron looked angry.  "And you're just now wondering about her?"

The smaller, blonde girl spoke up timidly.  "Well, we don't usually see Ginny much on the weekends.  But we haven't seen her at all today.  She promised to meet me in the common room an hour before dinner to go over Arithmancy homework.  It's not like Ginny to just forget."

Hermione stood up.  "Alright, let's split up.  She's probably sitting somewhere and lost track of time.  You three go and look in Gryffindor Tower again.  Colin, go and see if she's in hospital.  Maybe she's sick."  She turned to Ron and Harry.  "The three of us should look outside.  Maybe she's out by the lake."

After scouring the grounds twice with no sign of Ginny, Harry began to feel the panic crescendo.  When the others met them at the front doors, the news wasn't good.

Colin was beside himself.  "No one has seen her all day.  She wasn't with Madame Pomfrey and I started asking around."

Diana was pale.  "Her things haven't been touched.  Her bag is still beside the bed, but her wand is gone."

Suddenly the feeling of anticipation Harry had felt all day, swelled.  "Everything is going perfectly."  Harry heard the voice in his head, but what...

The answer hit Harry.  The connection was back; he could hear what Voldemort was thinking.  But what was going perfectly?

Just as he turned to tell Ron and Hermione, the ground began to rumble.  The sound of splintering trees crackled throughout the grounds.  The group looked wildly around for the source of the noise.  The answer was obvious fairly quickly.

"Dear Lord..." Hermione managed.

"Giants..." Ron breathed.

A group of at least ten giants was forcefully clearing a path through the Forbidden Forest towards Hogwarts.  Their footsteps were shaking the ground around the castle.  People began to crowd behind Harry and the others to find the disturbance.  An eerie silence fell over the group.

Just as quickly as the silence fell, panic set in.  People began to scream, teachers tried to restore order, the giants loomed ever closer.

Harry couldn't move.  He knew that if they all ran inside, the giants would simply destroy the castle around them.  If they all ran outside, the giants would pick them off one by one.

"We have to do something!" Harry heard Ron manage to shout.  He looked around.  Half the people were trying to run back inside, half were tearing down the drive for the village.  Teachers were shouting for the students to get back in the castle, while they tried to slow the giants' progress.

Suddenly Harry came to his senses.  "They'll never manage alone!  We have to help!"  He looked to Ron and Hermione. "If we all attack maybe we can hold them off until the Aurors get here!"

Harry tore off across the grass to join the teachers.  Surprisingly, a large number of people followed him.  He could hear Hermione barking orders at them.

"Stunners won't work!  Use the Conjunctivitis Curse; it will slow them down!"

Harry tried it on one of the closest giants.  It merely roared and quickened its pace.  "One won't work! You'll have to work as a group!"

All around, students began to group and concentrate on one giant.  Harry, Ron, and Hermione teamed together against one.  Just as the spell hit the giant, it gave a roar and swung out its long arm.  None of the three had time to move and were scattered by the blow. 

Harry tried to steady himself again.  He looked around but saw no sign of Ron or Hermione.  He spotted Hagrid trying to subdue the giant who had attacked them, aided by none other than Grawp.  Spells were flying in every direction, but the giants continued to press closer to the castle.

Just as Harry made to rejoin the fight, a pair of arms grabbed him from behind.  He had a momentary glimpse of Crabbe snatching away his wand.  Then Draco Malfoy's voice cut through the din. 

"I told you that you would pay.  Now it's time."

Harry felt something heavy collide with his head, and he knew no more.

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His head ached terribly when he tried to open his eyes.  The smell of dirt filled his nose when he breathed, and he realized he was lying on the ground.  Before he had time to lift his head, he was roughly pulled to his feet.  He heard that voice again, but this time it didn't come from inside his own head.

"So glad you could join us, Harry."

Harry looked up and saw him.  The skull like face, the red eyes, the person that haunted his dreams. Voldemort stood only a little way from him. Harry tired to struggle but was being held by someone.  Looking down, he saw a glimmer of silver.  Pettigrew...

"Harry, Harry, Harry, did you think I had forgotten about you?  We have a debt to settle, you and I."

Harry felt his heart sink.  He should have known. 

"There will be no escape this time, Potter.  You see, the fool Dumbledore is much too busy to worry with you.  He won't even know you're gone until long after I've killed you."

"And what makes you think you're going to kill me?  You've tried five times already, what's so different this time?"

Voldemort sneered and stepped closer to him.  "Because I have something that I think will convince you to cooperate."  He snapped his fingers and Harry could see two figures emerge from behind a clump of trees.

"GINNY! YOU!"

Harry watched in horror as Umbridge held onto Ginny, forcing her to walk.  He saw that Ginny was still in her white nightdress and her head was lolling around.  She was conscious, but seemed to be in a daze.  Umbridge smiled nastily at Harry, still holding onto Ginny.  Her eyes seemed glazed and unfocused.  "They've drugged her." Harry thought.

"I told you we'd meet again, Potter."

"So you've stooped to being one of Voldemort's mindless idiots."

Umbridge stopped smiling.  "Lord Voldemort took pity on me.  After that fool Fudge turned on me and threw me to prison, he showed me the error of my ways."

Voldemort held a hand up to her and silenced her.  "Give the girl the antidote and go back to your post."

Umbridge nodded and roughly shoved Ginny to the ground.  Pulling Ginny's face toward her, Umbridge poured the entire contents of a brown bottle down her throat.  Ginny sputtered and coughed.  She no longer looked confused, but alert and terrified.  Umbridge slipped back into the forest.

Voldemort approached Ginny. She stared at him with wide fearful eyes, and then looked to Harry. 

"No, please don't do this."

"There is no need to beg, my dear.  I have no reason to hurt you.  That is as long as Potter behaves himself."

Harry didn't know what to do.  Someone would come, surely.  Someone had to come and help them.

Voldemort pulled Ginny to her feet and pushed her close to Harry. 

"Harry..." Her voice broke before she could finish.

Harry wanted to touch her, he wanted to be sure she was real, but Peter held his arms tightly.

 Voldemort pushed her away and looked back at Harry.  The moment their eyes met, Harry felt the familiar feeling.  Voldemort was invading his thoughts.  He was going to find the Prophecy.

Just as soon as he had felt it, another feeling overcame him.  It was as if Ginny were whispering into his ear. 

"Don't give in.  Don't let him win."

Suddenly the feeling was gone.  Voldemort had been pushed from his mind.  He looked angry as he turned quickly to Ginny.

Harry couldn't understand what had happened.  Voldemort was still looking at Ginny.

"It seems I've underestimated you, girl."

Ginny was struggling to get to her feet.  She faced him defiantly.  "Just like you underestimated Hermione? Maybe you should choose your bait more carefully next time, Tom."

Harry saw the anger rising.  Voldemort stepped closer to her.

"How dare you, you filth!"

"What's the matter, Tom?  Don't you like your name, Tom?" 

Harry managed to lock eyes with Ginny just as she said this.  Again, he could hear her talking to him.  "Try to get away.  I can't keep him distracted for long.  Go."

Voldemort was getting angrier by the minute.  "How dare you speak to me?  You will pay! Crucio!"

Harry fought against Peter's grip as Ginny fell to the ground, writhing and screaming in pain.

A sudden memory hit Harry.  "...the time may come when you will be very glad you saved Pettigrew's life.

He turned his head slightly to look at Peter.  "Don't let him do this!  I could have let Remus and Sirius kill you, but I didn't.  Please, stop him!"  Harry whispered franticly. But, Peter remained still and Ginny's screams still echoed through the forest.

"Stop!  Let her go!"

Voldemort raised his wand and turned back to Harry. He approached him and met his eyes.  Again, Harry felt the feeling of having his mind read.

"Don't give in."

Voldemort's face contorted with rage.  Ginny called out weakly from behind him. She was standing, facing him with determination. "What's the matter, Tom?"

"I've had enough of you! Imperio!"

Instantly, Ginny's body went slack. Harry saw her eyes staring ahead, devoid of any emotion.  Voldemort raised his wand and Ginny bent to pick up something silver from the ground. Harry watched in horror as she placed the tip of the silver blade just below her wrist. Without flinching, she pierced the skin and slid the blade the length of her forearm.  Blood began to flow freely.

Smiling a twisted smile, Voldemort lifted his wand.  Ginny seemed to wake up and looked down at her arm. She gave a terrified shriek and sank to her knees, clutching at the cut.  Tears streaming, she looked at Harry.

"Don't let him win.  Please, don't."  Ginny fell to the ground; she was gone.

Harry couldn't speak.  She was dead and it was his fault.  Voldemort stood in front of him again.

"You see what happens to people who defy me?  I do not kill without reason, Harry."

Harry could feel Voldemort entering his mind again, but had no power to stop him.  The memory of the morning in Dumbledore's office played out in his head.  He could see the memory of Trelawney rising from the Pensieve, and recite the prophecy.  Harry couldn't care at the moment.  Ginny was dead and now that Voldemort knew the prophecy, he would die too.

"Well Harry, it seems I have an even greater reason to kill you now."

Just as Voldemort raised his wand to Harry, two things happened at once.  Somewhere behind Harry a voice cried "Stupify!" and something heavy collided with Voldemort knocking him off balance.

Harry realized that Peter had released him.  Looking around he saw Peter standing over Voldemort, pointing a wand at him.  The thing that had collided with Voldemort had been Ginny.  She had somehow managed to launch herself at him and knock him headfirst into a tree. She now lay crumpled in a heap close to him.

Harry rushed to where they were and saw that Ginny was still breathing slightly.

"He won't stay out long.  Get the girl and get out of here!"  Harry felt Peter shoving two wands in his hand.

"But...why?"  Harry stammered, looking at him.

Peter shoved him towards Ginny's body.  "There isn't time; just go!"

Harry nodded and quickly swept Ginny's limp form from the ground. Pocketing both wands, he looked around.  "Which way do I go?"

Peter pulled him towards the right.  "This way.  Keep heading north; you'll come to the school.  Or what's left of it..."

Harry was about to set off, when Peter called his name.  He turned.

 "I'm sorry."

Harry didn't need to ask why, but nodded and set off at a run for the school.

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The forest was dark, but Harry didn't dare light his wand.  He didn't know how long Voldemort would remain unconscious. Even thought Ginny was light, Harry began to feel his legs give out. He was forced to stop once to check his direction.

"Point me!"  The wand pointed slightly to his left.

He looked down at Ginny.  He couldn't see her face, but he could feel how cold her body was.  Her blood had soaked through both of their clothes.  Harry tore off part of his robes, wrapping the sections around her bleeding arm, trying to stem the flow.  Hoisting her onto his back, he set off again.

Every sound caused him to run faster.  He was afraid that they wouldn't make it out.  And even if they did, what would be left of Hogwarts?  Would there be anyone left to help them?

Harry lost track of time as he ran.  The muscles in his legs were burning.  When they reached a small clearing, he was forced to stop.  Placing Ginny on the ground, he lit his wand and let the light shine on her. Her face was ghostly white, and her lips were a pale shade of blue.  But she was still breathing, though very slightly.

A rustle of leaves made him jump to his feet.  Something or someone was approaching.

"I won't let you!  I'll kill you; I swear it!"  Harry was shouting.

He was shocked when several bodies emerged from the trees.  Centaurs were surrounding him.

"You have been warned about coming into this forest before."  Harry recognized him as Bane.

"Please, I didn't...Voldemort...he's after us..."Harry tried to say.  He stood over Ginny, holding his wand as the circle of centaurs pressed even closer.

Bane was about to speak again, but a small voice behind Harry stopped him.

"Father!  This is the girl I told you about!  She's the one who helped me."   Harry spun around to see the youngest centaur he'd ever seen.  She was standing, gazing down at Ginny.

"Are you sure it is her?"

"Yes, I remember her hair.  It's red; like Mother's..."  The young centaur raised her eyes to Harry.  "What have you done to her? Why have you hurt her?"

"No, it wasn't me!  She was brought into the forest by Voldemort.  He forced her to do this to herself.  I'm trying to get back to the school."

Bane reared. "The school has been attacked by the giants.  It has been destroyed."

Harry's heart sank. "But surely there'll be someone there to help her. Please, I just want to get her to people who can help her.  She'll die if I don't!"

Bane and the other's stood and looked at Harry.  Harry knew that every moment that was wasted brought Ginny closer to death.

"Very well.  We shall escort you to the edge of the forest.  I only grant this favor because the girl helped my daughter. Come."

Bane and several others closed in around Harry and Ginny.  Harry pulled Ginny back into his arms and set off with them.

They walked in silence.  Harry wanted to know what Ginny had done for the young centaur, but thought it best to keep silent.  Finally the trees began to thin out and Harry could see moonlight.

"This is where we leave you. The school is just through there. Do not return."  Bane turned with the others and began to walk back into the depths of the forest.

The young centaur lagged behind. She turned to Harry as soon as her father was out of ear shot. 

"Will you tell her that Malaya said 'thank you'?"

Harry nodded and watched her set off for the group.  He continued to walk until the sights and sounds of Hogwarts met him.  Harry nearly lost control of his emotions as he saw the scene before him.

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A/N:  WHEW!! Okay not great, but at least it's done.  I know I left some big unanswered questions. What happened to Cho, the comment about underestimating Hermione, why Ginny was basically inside Harry's head and the story of Malaya will all be answered next chapter.  Not completely though, there are some things that I need to carry over to the next story. I promise everything of immediate importance will be cleared up next chapter! Also, I had a lot of trouble deciding about Ginny's wound.  But after reading GoF again, I realized that if Wormtail could live for so long with his whole hand missing, then Ginny could live with a cut.  But since she's already weak and slightly ill (that will be explained much later...) I figured she wouldn't be up for much fighting.  Thanks to all my reviewers and thanks to everyone who didn't kill me for making you wait so long for that disastrous last chapter! Well R/R please!