The next morning Harry awoke with Claire lying in his arms. The sun was shining through a chink in the curtains, and the only sound was Claire breathing softly. Harry felt so content and happy, looking down at her lying so peacefully. Finally everything seemed so clear. He understood why everything had happened and it wasn't because Claire didn't care about Harry any more. And although Harry knew that this wasn't going to be easy, that the Dark Lord was after them, at least he knew that he and Claire could face whatever happened to them together. Harry put his hand on Claire's soft hair, and ran his fingers through it. He did this until he felt Claire stirring. She opened her blue eyes and looked up at Harry.

'Good morning,' she smiled sleepily.

'Morning,' Harry said softly. He kissed Claire on the forehead.

'Thanks for last night,' Claire said. 'It was amazing.'

'I think I should be thanking you for that,' Harry grinned.

'No, Harry. I feel so bad for what I put you through, I'm surprised you want to come near me at all.'

'Of course I want to be near you. It's all I can think about,' Harry said. 'I love you Claire.'

They lay together like this for a while until they decided to go down and have some breakfast. They were both hungry after the energy they had used up the previous night. They went down into the Great Hall, which always seemed even bigger during the holidays, being virtually empty. Harry and Claire sat down at their table, and tucked into the food. Claire had taken her first bite of her second piece of toast, when and owl flew in carrying a letter, and dropped it down in front of Claire.

'Probably from Paine,' Claire said, eagerly tearing it open.

It was, in actual fact, from Vincent.

To Claire

Lulu is very ill and she could die. She wants to see you, to say goodbye. Please get here as soon as you can.

From,

Vincent.

'Oh my gosh!' Claire exclaimed.

'What is it?' Harry asked.

'I've got to...I've got to...' Claire got to her feet. 'I've got to go get my things.'

'Things for what?' Harry asked. Claire started walking back up to the Gryffindor tower, and Harry followed her. 'Get your things?' Harry persisted, when Claire declined to answer. 'You aren't going away again, are you?'

'Not for long,' Claire said. 'But I do have to go away.'

'Why?' Harry asked. 'You can't leave me again. Muffin.' Harry spoke the password, and the portrait opened, allowing them access to the common room.

'This letter is from Vincent,' Claire said, turning to face Harry. 'It's about Lulu. He says she's very ill, he thinks she might die...' Claire's voice cracked.

'Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry Claire,' Harry said. He put his arms around her, and held her as she cried.

'My own mother died, and I never shed a tear,' Claire sobbed. 'But Lulu was more of a mother to me than she ever was. If she's going to die, I have to be with her, I have to say goodbye.'

'I totally understand,' Harry nodded.

'I'm going to fly,' Claire said, wiping away her tears. 'It's the fastest way.'

'Shouldn't you tell Dumbledore?' Harry asked.

'What if he doesn't let me go? Or tries to arrange some other way of getting there? That'll just delay me. No, it's best if I just go.'

'Are you sure?' Harry asked.

'Completely,' Claire said firmly. 'If I get there, and it's too late...' she couldn't finish.

Harry nodded. 'But hurry back.'

Claire smiled. 'Thank you for understanding.' She hugged Harry, and then kissed him on the lips.

'Be careful,' Harry told her. 'And I hope Lulu gets better.'

Claire turned and went up to her dormitory. Harry knew she wouldn't be back down. She would probably grab her things and fly straight out of the window. Harry went over to the common room window, and looked out. Sure enough, a minute later, Harry saw Claire flying through the sky, away from the castle and into the distance.

Now Harry was alone, the time seemed to drag by. He wished now that Ron or Hermione had stayed. But this time alone wasn't necessarily a bad thing, at least now for Harry's education, for it gave him a chance to start catching up with his homework. Harry missed Claire terribly, but at least he had the comfort of knowing that wherever she was, they were together in their hearts.

The next day, Harry was in the Great Hall having lunch, when Snape approached him.

'Potter where's my niece?' he asked. 'I want to ask her if I could take her out for the day tomorrow.'

'Oh, she's-she's gone,' Harry admitted.

'Gone?' Snape asked in disbelief. 'Gone where?'

'She got a letter from her foster brother who she stayed with when she went away. Lulu is dying, Claire's gone to say goodbye.'

'Potter, you idiot, you should have told someone!' Snape said. He sounded extremely angry, but Harry had seen Snape angry before, and this was different. There was an element of panic in his voice. 'What have you done?!'

'What do you mean, what have I done?' Harry asked. 'What's going on.'

'Lulu isn't dying,' Snape snapped. 'She's a very good friend of mine, why, I got an owl from her this morning, she's perfectly fine.'

Harry stared at Snape. 'You mean..?'

'I mean you should have told someone right away. Merlin only knows where she is...' Snape shook his head. Just then, and owl flew down, dropping a letter into Snape's hands, before flying away. Snape opened it and started to read it. Harry, however, barely noticed. His head was spinning. If Lulu wasn't ill, they why had Claire been sent that letter? Perhaps Vincent was trying to think of a reason to lure Claire to their home, and then surprise her with something wonderful, and yet somehow much darker explanations seemed more likely.

Snape put the letter into his pocket. 'I'm going to try and find Claire.'

'Shouldn't we tell Dumbledore?' Harry asked.

Snape shook his head. 'There's no point in worrying him until it's definite that she isn't with Lulu.'

'Can I come?' Harry asked. He couldn't bare the thought of waiting around the castle and worrying.

'I thought you'd ask that,' Snape said. 'Alright. You may come if you wish. Go and get your broom and meet me at the front gate in ten minutes.'

Harry nodded, and without further ado, ran up to the common room.

When Harry reached the front gate, Snape was already there. Harry didn't recognize the make of the broom Snape held, the wood was a very dark colour, and Harry suspected it was foreign.

'Ready Potter?' Snape asked.

Harry nodded.

'Well then let's go.' Snape mounted his broom, and Harry did the same. They then kicked off, and rose into the air. Harry followed Snape over forests and countryside, until finally in the distance Harry could see a small village. Harry knew Snape was too worried to be concerned about being seen by muggles, for he landed right outside the house where Lulu must live. Harry would have found it interesting to be at the place where Claire had stayed, if he hadn't been so worried about her. Snape knocked on the door, and a tall woman with long brown hair answered.

'Hello Severus, what can I do for you?' Lulu asked.

'Lulu, this is important,' Snape said urgently. 'Are you dying?'

'Dying?' Lulu laughed. 'Why would you think that? No, I'm perfectly...'

'Is Claire here?' he asked.

'Why no, I...'

'Look, Lulu, I don't have time to explain what's going on now, but if Claire comes here, keep her here and keep her safe.'

'Of course I will, but...'

'Goodbye Lulu,' Snape said, mounting his broom. Harry did likewise.

'Goodbye Severus,' Lulu cried as they rose into the sky.

'Where are we going?' Harry asked Snape, as he realised they were not flying back in the direction of the school. 'Shouldn't we go and tell Dumbledore?'

'If you-know-who's got her, we don't have a second to spare. But I'm pretty sure where he'll have her,' Snape said grimly.

'But how do you know where he'll have her?' Harry asked.

'I used to be a Death Eater Potter, of course I know,' Snape snapped.

They flew on in silence. Harry felt a little uneasy. Why didn't Snape go and get Dumbledore? Surely it wouldn't waylay them that much, and if they were going up against Voldemort, they would surely need him. But then again, like Snape, Harry felt the urgency to get to Claire as soon as possible.

Harry began to wonder where they were going, but from the look on Snape's face, he thought it best not to ask. They flew over moors, countryside and forests. The sky was grey and it was beginning to drizzle. After what seemed forever, Harry saw in the distance an old, ruined castle. Surely they couldn't be going there, it was so dilapidated, and yet as they got closer Snape started to descend. Harry followed suit. Harry began to feel a strange aching in his scar, and the closer they got the castle, the more it hurt. Soon they landed a little way from the crumbling entrance.

'Come on Potter,' Snape commanded.

Harry followed. A horrible, hollow feeling inside him stopped him from saying anything. He was afraid, afraid for himself, afraid for Claire and what could have happened to her in all this time. He followed Snape into the ruins. But the strangest thing happened. As they stepped inside, what looked like from the outside like it was broken and ruined, was actually a magnificent building. As they stepped into the room, Harry felt a bolt of pain in his forehead. He grabbed it with his hands, and Snape looked down at him, but made no comment.

They stood in a Great Hall, not as big as the one at Hogwarts, but that was perhaps because everything was dark and bleak, making it seem like the walls were closing in on them. The walls were black and adorned with paintings depicting strange, fearsome men, or scenes of extreme violence and horror. There were spindly, golden candles everywhere, giving out an eerie, flickering light. At the other end of the hall was a grand staircase made of blood red marble.

Snape looked around with the eyes of a man who had seen this place many times before, but wished he had never even set foot there. To Harry, the air felt thick and stuffy with evil. Snape set down his broom and started walking towards the staircase. His shoes tapped loudly on the wooden floor, the sound breaking the silence and echoing round unwelcomely. Harry stood for a moment, then put down his broom and followed after Snape. He pulled out his wand, and noticed Snape had done the same.

They started walking up the stairs. Harry looked around uneasily. Perhaps Voldemort wasn't here after all, perhaps Snape had got it wrong. But they both continued up the stairs none-the-less. When they reached the top, there was a corridor.

'This way Potter,' Snape muttered, and started walking off to the right. Harry cautiously followed. At the end of the corridor was a door, which looked like it was made of the same wood as Snape's broom. Snape took the golden handle, and turned it. He stepped inside, and Harry followed.

As soon as Harry stepped into the room, it felt like a hot poker had been pressed up to his head. He gasped with the shock of the pain, which made him feel dizzy and nauseous. He put his hands to his head, but could not touch it, for his fingers just stung it even more.

'Ah Severus,' Harry heard a voice, and looked up. He stood in a torture chamber. There was still the memory of blood-curdling screams, mangled bodies and bones twisting and breaking left lingering in the air. 'How nice of you to come. And I see you've brought the boy.'

Harry looked over to the source of the voice. There, stood Voldemort. Just looking at him made what felt like the fresh wound of his scar twinge again. He lent a little on Wormtail, but there he stood on his own two feet.

'Where is she?' Snape asked, his voice cold.

'Shame on you Severus, you really think I would keep her here?' Voldemort asked mockingly. 'Why, she is in her room. Bella is jut fetching her. Lovely little girl, isn't she? It was only out of respect for you that I didn't have my way with her...' Voldemort laughed as Snape's wand hand jerked up with anger, but then slowly descended as he restrained himself. 'So Harry,' he looked suddenly down. 'Back for more? You have escaped me one too many times, I think today you have perhaps run out of luck. Here's a little taster of the things to come...' he raised his wand, but Snape stepped in front of Harry.

'First give me Claire.'

Voldemort laughed again. 'You may be an expert in the art of betrayal Severus, but I keep my word. What did you think I was going to do to him? Just a little pain, that's all.'

Snape scowled. Harry was finding it very hard to understand what was going on, he couldn't think clearly through his pain. The only thing he knew was that he wanted to see Claire again, and he wanted her to be safe.

'Ah, here she is now,' Voldemort said. A door behind him opened, and in walked Bellatrix, dragging the protesting figure that was Claire.

'Claire!' Harry exclaimed. He went to run over to her, but Snape put out his arm to hold Harry back.

'Let her go Bella,' Voldemort commanded.

Bellatrix reluctantly let go of Claire, who ran over to Harry and her Uncle. She hugged her Uncle, and then threw her arms around Harry.

'I'm so glad you're here,' she whispered shakily in his ear. 'We have to get out of here.'

'How touching,' Voldemort said dryly. 'I do hate to break up this little reunion, but now it's time for you to uphold your end of the deal Severus...'

'Severus, no!' Annabelle Weasley cried out as she burst into the room.

'I thought I told you to come alone!' Voldemort roared.

'Annabelle, what are you doing here?' Snape exclaimed.

'I found the letter, Severus,' Annabelle said. 'I can't let you do this.'

'Get out of here Annabelle, there's nothing you can do,' Snape pleaded.

Voldemort was enraged. He aimed his wand at Annabelle, and shouted,

'Accio wand!' Annabelle's ready wand flew out of her hand over to Voldemort. Then he shouted again, 'crucio!'

It all happened in a split second. Snape saw what had happened and jumped in front of her. The curse hit him, and he fell to the floor.

'Uncle Severus!' Claire cried, and let go of Harry and fell to her Uncle's side. She grabbed his hand, which was shaking with pain.

'And now to finish you off,' Voldemort said, turning to Harry. Harry desperately tried to think of a curse to throw at Voldemort, anything, but the pain in his forehead was making his head spin. 'Avada Krevada!'

Harry braced himself, waiting for death. But it didn't come. The curse hit him, and bounced off of him, hitting Bellatrix who stood beside Voldemort. The impact of the curse threw both Harry and Voldemort back wards onto the floor.

'Master!' Wormtail cried, running to his master's side.

Harry felt a pain in his stomach like he had been winded as the curse bounced off of him, and he banged his head on the floor as he fell backwards, which stunned him momentarily. He saw a dark shape over him. For a moment he thought it was Voldemort, come to finish him off. But then he heard the sound of Claire crying, and he felt her hand on his cheek.

'Oh Harry,' she cried, he voice thick with despair. She thought he was dead.

'I'm...I'm okay...' he croaked. Talking took an unbearable effort, but he had to let her know he was okay. 'It bounced off me...'

'You're alive!' she took Harry in her arms and hugged him tight, her body shaking as she cried with relief.

'We have to get out of here,' Annabelle said. She stood over Harry, her arms around Snape, supporting him.

'Is...is he dead...' Harry asked slowly.

Annabelle shook her head. 'He's unconscious. The curse didn't hit him, it hit Bellatrix.'

'Did it kill her?' Claire asked.

Annabelle shook her head. 'It wasn't aimed at her, so she didn't feel the full force of it. Come on, we have to go, before he wakes up...'

'There's something I've got to do, before I go,' Claire said, helping Harry to his feet.

'We've got to get out of here!' Annabelle pressed.

'You don't know what I've been going through while I've been here,' Claire said determinedly. 'I just have to do this one thing.'

Harry was now on his feet, and he could see Bellatrix lying on the floor, and Voldemort lying further away, Wormtail sniveling beside him. What would happen if Voldemort woke up now? But he didn't move, as Claire walked over to a case of assorted nasty looking weapons. She picked out a sword, which looked beautiful but deadly, and had a red hilt and Japanese symbols on the blade. Claire held it up, then walked over to Bellatrix. She looked down at the woman, he eyes hard and determined. Bellatrix opened her eyes, and lifted her head weakly.

'No...' she said with as much effort as she could muster. But she was just making it easier for Claire. She lifted the sword into the air, and brought it down with all the force in her body. The sword whistled through the air, and sliced through Bellatrix's neck. Harry saw the red flash of blood before averting his eyes.

'There,' Claire said firmly. 'Now let's go.'

Harry took one look back at Bellatrix's headless body, now pouring blood, with her head rolling a few inches away, and felt his stomach turn, before following Annabelle from the room. They rushed, as fast as they could with Harry and Snape both less than fully able, back down the stairs into the main hall, where they grabbed their brooms.

'I've brought this for you Claire,' Annabelle said, handing Claire her broom.

'But how did you know..?' Claire asked.

'No time to explain,' Annabelle said urgently. 'We've got to leave, now.'

They went outside into the cold, dark air. Annabelle looked at Snape and Harry.

'Harry and your Uncle aren't fit enough to fly all the way to Hogwarts. We'll impose upon Lulu's hospitality and spend the night with her.'

Harry wanted to protest, he wanted to go back to Hogwarts to his own bed, but he knew Annabelle was right, as he mounted his broom and it took him into the air. He tried to keep a steady grip on it, but he was so weak, it was very difficult to fly properly. Snape, who seemed to be in shock, didn't seem much better. Harry was finding it very difficult not to just fall asleep on his broom, and he could barely see in the dark, it was only Claire flying up ahead of him that kept him going. After what seemed like forever, they touched down. The next half and hour passed in a blur to Harry. It seemed like just a moment later that he was lying in a cozy warm bed, and falling asleep.

Harry didn't sleep well that night. He drifted in and out of consciousness, having strange, warped dreams, his scar aching. He could feel Voldemort's anger like some strange, outside emotion. His weary body, which had for the second time survived the deadliest unforgivable curse was rested, but him mind was not. He was glad to get out of bed the next morning. After being separated from Claire, he felt a strange wrenching in his gut. He wanted to be with her, her never wanted to leave her side again, he wanted to protect her. And there were some things about last night that didn't make sense to Harry, and he wanted them explained.

He left his bedroom, and went downstairs. Sitting in the living room was Annabelle, Snape and Claire. Harry went and sat down next to Claire. They smiled at each other, and Harry felt Claire take his hand in hers.

'Good morning Harry,' Annabelle said. 'Lulu's making breakfast.' She paused. 'I sent an owl to Dumbledore as soon as we got back yesterday. I wouldn't count on them getting there in time though.'

'What happened last night Annabelle?' Claire asked. 'How did you all know where to come to find me?'

Annabelle looked at Severus, who was sitting sullenly in a corner. 'Do you want to tell them, or shall I?'

Snape looked at Annabelle, but said nothing.

Annabelle sighed. 'I was looking for Severus. I couldn't find him anywhere. I was in his office, when I found the letter.'

'The letter?' Claire asked, frowning.

'The letter from you-know-who. Telling Severus to bring Harry to the castle, or else he would never see you again,' Annabelle explained.

Claire gasped. 'You mean..?'

Harry stared at Snape. He had taken Harry to Voldemort as an exchange for Claire? It made perfect sense. That was why Snape hasn't wanted to go to Dumbledore, and why Voldemort had given up Claire so willingly.

'I went straight there,' Annabelle continued.

'Why didn't you go to Dumbledore?' Claire asked.

Annabelle shook her head. 'I didn't think I had time. I just panicked I guess. I thought that if a massive group of Auror's turned up then it would be putting you at a greater risk.'

Claire shook her head. 'This is all so hard to take in. Uncle Severus, were you really going to exchange Harry for me?'

Snape looked up at his niece. 'What else could I do? I love you Claire, I had to get you back. I would do anything for you. To be honest, I hadn't thought it through. I don't know what I would have done if Annabelle hadn't turned up when she did.'

Claire stood up. 'I need to think about this.' She ran from the room.

'Harry, maybe you should go too,' Annabelle said. 'I need to speak to Severus alone.'

Harry nodded, and walked from the room. The only reason he hadn't taken off after Claire immediately is because he thought perhaps she wanted to be alone. Harry felt numb as he walked up the stairs. Snape had taken Harry along as an exchange for Claire. It didn't surprise him one little bit, and yet he couldn't begin to imagine what situation he might be in now if the exchange had been successful.

Claire's door was ajar. Harry pushed it opened, and looked inside. Claire sat crying on her bed. Harry sat down beside her, and put his arms around her. For a while, they sat holding each other, Claire crying on Harry's shoulder. Eventually, she lifted her head, and looked up at Harry with her eyes red and swollen.

'I'm sorry Harry,' she sniffed. 'It's just been a...a difficult few days.'

'You're telling me,' Harry said. 'When I thought that something might have happened to you...' Harry suddenly felt his throat tightening and his eyes welling. He felt all the emotions that had been building up inside him tumbling out. 'I was terrified Claire. I thought I'd lost you to him, like I'd lost my parents, and like I'd lost Sirius. I mean when I thought you hated me, at least I knew you were alive and well, but when we were flying to find you, and I thought you might be dead...' his voice cracked, and his tears started to flow.

'Shhh,' Claire said soothingly, pulling Harry to her, and letting him cry on her shoulder. 'It's okay now Harry, I'm safe.'

'But what if something had happened to you,' Harry sobbed, his body shaking. 'I let you go, without even telling Dumbledore. And Voldemort would have been killing you, because of how close you are to me. I would never have been able to forgive myself.'

Claire held Harry tightly to her, trying to show him that everything was alright, that she was safe and warm.

'Oh Harry,' she whispered. Harry looked up at her, and Claire wiped the tears from his cheeks. Gently she stroked the side of his face, and ran her finger over his bottom lip. Then, she lent in, and pressed her lips against his. Their kisses made them feel alive, and united them once again.

'Claire?' Harry asked when she pulled away. 'Before you killed Bellatrix, you said we didn't know what you'd been going through while you were there. What did they do to you Claire?'

Claire looked down. 'I...I...gosh Harry, I don't know if I can talk about this...'

'It's alright, you don't have to,' Harry said quickly.

'No. If I can't talk to you, who can I talk to?' Claire asked. 'I've never been so scared in all my life. I thought they were going to kill me...I thought I was going to die...I thought...' She stopped for a moment to compose herself and hold back tears. 'I thought I was never going to see you again. But when they didn't kill me...there was times I wished they would. That's why I had to kill Bellatrix.' Claire swallowed. 'She knew things about me Harry. She was the one who killed my father and Sirius, and she couldn't stop gloating about it. She said I was going to end up like them and my muggle whore mother...' Claire's voice cracked and a tear rolled down her cheek. Voldemort wasn't so bad. I think...I don't know, he kept away from me out of some respect to my Uncle...but Bellatrix...she enjoyed putting different spells on me and the worst thing...the worst thing...' Claire didn't look as if she could carry on. Harry put a comforting arm around her. 'A few of the Death Easters came and went, and when a male one came she would...she would put the imperius curse on me...so I couldn't move....and let them...let them...touch me....' She started sobbing. 'It was horrible Harry...horrible...'

'Shhh, it's okay,' Harry said. He didn't know what else to say to make it better. He was disgusted. That filth had been touching Claire, her beautiful, pure skin. If only he had made Claire go to Dumbledore before she went. Harry felt like it was all his fault.

Lulu served them all breakfast, although none of them could eat very much. Vincent tentatively came down to meet Claire, and seemed happy to see her, but he could sense something serious was going on. Once they had eaten, they prepared to go back to Hogwarts. They had already been away far too long.

Just before they got onto their brooms, Snape walked over to Claire. It was the first time he had spoken to her since that morning.

'Claire...are you okay?' he asked, putting a hand on her shoulder.

'I'm fine...' she said, not meeting his eye.

'Look, Claire, everything I did, I did for you. I felt I had no choice,' Snape told her.

'And I am grateful. If it weren't for you, I would probably be dead, or worse...But I can't believe you put Harry's life in danger. And to be honest, I'm most worried about what's going to happen when we get back to Hogwarts. You're going to get into trouble for what you did Uncle Severus. I don't want them to take you away from me, I need you...'

'No one's going to separate us Claire,' Snape said, hugging his niece.