Hullo!

::smiles sheepishly:: Ok. Now I owe a round of MIGHTY apologies to all of you. I was SUCH a bleep last chapter and since I fully believe you should never be above groveling...::gets down on his knees and bows repeatedly:: SO SORRY! SO SORRY! ::gets up and dusts himself, gathering whats left of his dignity:: Ok, now that THATS out of the way. But yes, I AM real sorry. My bad mood leaked out ten fold into my replies and stuff, which WON'T happen again. I'm just under alot of stress and it showed. ANYWAYS, onto my kickass (yes, my ego is as large as it ever was! YAY!) chapter. Only three more people!!!

Skittles-07: Actually, no it wasn't, but I LOVE THAT SONG! ::gives Maroon 5 a cookie:: I actually just say that alot. LoL, yeah, I'm a professional writer. Actually, my proper title is "Freelance Writer". In other words, "I'm a Bum Most of the Time and Only Get Paid When People Like My Shit". YAY BUMAGE! But don't worry, I go to college during the rest of my time. Anyway, thanks for the pride boost, I've never been bowed to before. Bomb-shelter in Denial Land! LMAO! See! Told you its a nice place to live...Ye of little faith

nfosurfer: MUHAHAHAHAHAHAHA::coughs:: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAA!

HoofsTails Gal: Glad you're happy! Glad the story's loved! WOOO SMOOCHES!

eeediot101: Read on my friend to find out the ever going ( not really) saga of HERMYKNEE AND HAIRY!

Bob33: heh...Sorry ::Chillaxing::I know the basis of reviews and I'm usually a good sport about them. In fact, I tend to welcome them. I guess I got ONE too many reviews criticizing Jimmy Potter and how Harry sucks and I was just overall in a really bad mood. I know thats no excuse, and I'm totally sorry for snapping at you. Your entitled to your opinion, and I swear I won't bite your head off for voicing it again ::grins:: And how'd you know I love Ren and Stimpy! I grew up on those guys, along with Beavis and Butthead...Oh my generation...

A trembling boy of seventeen shuffled to the side, his wand lying limply in his unsteady grip. He should be standing and fighting, its what his parents would've done. Its what they did. But he couldn't move for the life of him. Two years ago he had faced their murderer and unfortunately had used up most of his resolve then. Yes, his parents weren't really dead, but what they were now was much worse. They closely resembled those in Azkaban who had received 'The Kiss'. Neville Longbottom needed to stand and fight, but his limbs were refusing to comply. So all he could do was stand aside as Jimmy Potter gave a level glare to the woman but five feet in front of them.

"I'm getting past you, old woman," He spat, his wand staying steadily out in the air from his outstretched arm.

"Doubtful. Your brother could not kill me, what makes you believe you could do any better?" Bellatrix hissed, her bony features becoming even more unattractive in the shadows of Neville's wand.

"Because...I am not my brother, "He replied simply. "I have no problem disposing of TRASH like you."

Belatrix's lip twitched, "Trash? You dare call ME trash you despicable half-blood!"

Jimmy smirked in spite of himself; he'd hit a nerve. Ok, good, go with it." Yes, yes, I DID dare call you trash because that's what you are. Rotten. Stinking. Putrid. Useless. TRASH."

Obviously the Death-Eater didn't take to being insulted by someone she saw inferior to herself, for her face blossomed the most awful plum. Her eyes bulged then narrowed.
"You will regret that Potter," She seethed.

Neville didn't see it, even though his eyes were trained on the duo a few feet from him. But it had happened obviously. One moment Bellatrix was furiously blurting out a spell, the next Jimmy was on his belly on the floor, Lestrange on her back, knickers in full view. The Gryffindor blinked. What just happened?

"You'll have to do better than that Bella baby," Jimmy said as he rose back to his feet, seemingly unscathed but rather dirty.

Bellatrix leapt to her feet, even more furious that she had been caught off her guard," It seems I have underestimated you, Potter. Trust that I won't do it again."

Neville gasped and pressed himself against the wall as a flurry of light came whizzing past his nose. It would've been beautiful to see so many different colors colliding with each other in an explosion of light if Neville hadn't known that they were really powerful curses. Jimmy moved fast. He was keeping up wonderfully with Lestrange's hexes, rattling off a blocking spell and then an attack spell to each of hers., keeping her constantly offguard. It was like the boy had a million jinxes and shields ambling round the front of his mind.

Jimmy gave a quick flick of his wand and Bellatrix found herself hanging upside down by her ankles. She growled frustratingly," Boy! You are wearing my patience!"

Jimmy was in the middle of a chuckle when suddenly it felt as if a humungous hand punched his stomach dead-on, knocking the air from his lungs and his feet from the ground. He scrambled to his feet just to get knocked down once more. Looking up, he saw that the woman had righted herself and had her wand trained on him.

"Crucio!"

Jimmy threw his head back but forced himself not to scream. His arms felt as if they were being bent every which way as his insides writhed in tight knots. Damn it, the Cruciatus Curse. How did he let that happen?

" Say hello to your filthy Mudblood mother for me."

"No! "

Jimmy's ears were pulsing with blood and his head throbbed. He wasn't sure if the screech had come from his throat or not. Before he knew what had happened, the pressure was released, leaving his body tingling and aching. He shook the fog that had covered his sight and hearing from his senses and tried to take in his surroundings. Only now did he notice the god-awful squealing, as if a pig were being slaughtered. He blinked a few times, registering with shock Neville hovering over Lestrange, his wand out and his face full of venomous hatred.

"Neville, no!"

He clambered to his feet, dashing over. But he jerked Neville's wand upwards a moment too late. The Death-Eater's body sunk limply into the unsettled dirt, her eyes and mouth still twitching at the corners. Jimmy looked down horrified as crimson began to slowly trickle from the edges of her dark eyes.

"What did you do?" He whispered through his shock.

"I...I...I did the Cruciatus Curse...but...but..."

Jimmy bent down, pressing a finger to the pale woman's throat. Her pulse was weak, but it was still there." That was your first time doing it, wasn't it?"

"Y-yes."

Jimmy nodded straightening up," She's pretty much gone.You must've really hated her. She's nothing more than a pile of flesh."

Neville didn't know exactly how to take that. Jimmy looked grim but satisfied, so he supposed it was a compliment.

"Remind me NEVER to make you angry," Jimmy said with a very small smile.

Neville didn't return the smile, however, and looked back down at the vacant woman. "Revenge was supposed to taste sweet..."

"It never does. You're just not a killer, Neville, and be grateful for that," Jimmy muttered.

Neville set his mouth in a tight line, staring down at the single person who had caused his family so much grief. He felt he should do more harm to her, but his heart just couldn't bring itself to doing it. He stood back as Jimmy muttered a binding spell on her.

"Help me move her."

They kicked and shoved the old witch against the wall, her black clothes allowing her to blend perfectly with the shadowed crags behind her.

"We'll come back for her after we're done, we need to get moving." Jimmy stated as he stood up and dusted himself off as best he could.

Neville merely nodded and chased off after him as they took the rest of the hall at a sprint.

------

Draco shifted Ron behind himself a bit, staring steadily at the silver-blonde haired man ahead of them.

The man sneered.

"Protecting scum, I see. I had half hoped the girl's reports were untrue, but clearly I was wrong," Lucius's perfectly handsome face contorted in pure rage." How dare you make me look a FOOL in front of the Dark Lord."

Draco smirked," You already were a fool."

Ron cast him a wary glance. This wasn't going to turn out well. Two angry Malfoys with tempers like Veelas and something to prove wasn't a good combination. Ron shot Draco a surprised look as the blond dragged him over to the side and set him down against the wall. Without a single word, the boy then took his place in a dueling position with his father.

"I wish it hadn't come to this, son." The man whispered.

"I don't," Draco replied darkly.

Malfoy Sr. raised a silver eyebrow, looking critically at his boy. He then extended his arm with a passive face," All in the name of the Dark Lord."

Before he knew what had happened, Ron screamed. His body writhed inside itself, twisting and jerking. All of his organs wanted out, unable to handle the fire burning in his gut. He couldn't take this kind of pain.

And just as suddenly as it started, it stopped. Ron fell to his knees, retching on the dirty floor. Looking up through bleary eyes, he saw Draco standing still as a statue over the older man's body. Ron staggered to his feet and hobbled over cautiously.

Draco's cool grey eyes were ignited with hatred. The pools of stone rippling dangerously as they looked almost mad.

"Does that hurt? I bet it does," He hissed through perfect teeth, watching with an empty rage as his father's body tossed and turned like a fish out of water. He forced the man's bones to arch and bend in ways no human body could permit. The sickening crack echoing off the hallway walls was undeniable.

Ron flinched, looking away as blood began to seep from the quivering lips of Lucius Malfoy. He could hear the man groan and whimper, and Draco's breathing quicken as he took sick pleasure in all of this. The redhead grimaced hearing gurgling, a shutter coursing over his freckled skin. He shook his head, pressing his lips firmly together to prevent from throwing up again and limped onward, past the gruesome sight at his back. He paused at the end of the hallway, closed his eyes and waited. A terrible nausea was coming over him as the black of his eyelids replayed the grotesque scene. How could he do that? To his own FATHER?

A subtle scent of crisp men's cologne and blood spilled over his shoulder and ripped a spasm from his stomach. "Is it done?"

"Yes."

"Do you feel better now?"

"Yes...I do." Draco paused." I'm sorry he attacked you...I didn't think he would sink that low. It was supposed to be just between us."

"I guess not."

Draco didn't know what exactly to say. Ron's face was pale and he was clutching his stomach. It was obvious the boy's constitution was weak, unable to handle the sight of death. But it had to be done." I don't necessarily care whether you understand my reasons or not, nor do I have the time or energy to explain it to you. It was my own business and we'll leave it at that."

Ron opened his eyes finally, steadying himself. With a grim expression, he peered into the Slytherin's slate eyes with his brown," Once a Malfoy, always a Malfoy."

Draco frowned darkly and didn't attempt to grip Ron's arm as the redhead limped away, jaw set firmly. But together, they entered the previously invisible doorway, the smell of blood wafting its way throughout the long stretch of hall.

-------

"Hermione."

A smile tugged at the corner of her pale lips as she pressed the tip of her wand harder into his forehead. "I've been waiting a long time."

Harry blinked furiously, trying to fight back the tears. She was right there. Hermione was RIGHT there. He had come all this way for her specifically, and all he could do was cry about it," Hermione, you've got to snap out of it. You must fight."

The girl who stared out at him wasn't his best friend of six years, nor was she his old girlfriend. He could see the lines of age and stress litter her young face. Dark circles lined her dark eyes, strands of gray streaked her hair and now that he noticed it, her body seemed to be held up only by magic.

Hermione frowned and jabbed her wand at his skin," I hope you got a good look! My smiling face will be the last nice thing you see."

Harry winced as she slammed a spell into him, making him fly against the wall. Pain shot out in his back and skull as he straightened himself out.

"Now draw your wand and duel." She demanded.

"N-no...I...I won't fight you..."

"Draw your wand!"

"No."

"Do it!"

Harry flinched as his body was thrown roughly backwards, a protruding rock stabbing his lower back. Warm liquid started to trickle down his skin, clamping the area to his shirt. "Hermione, please stop...This isn't you."

"It is now. I love my Lord and I will do as he wishes," She replied calmly.

The brunette gaped at his former friend, unable to believe that the once warm and intelligent girl was now this cruel creature," But I know you don't believe that...The Hermione I knew would die before she let herself be controlled like you are now."

"I am to do his bidding, and that's that," She hissed, hitting him with another hard shove." Now duel! Stand up and duel like a man! My Lord will get no satisfaction unless he knows you are at your best."

"So, he has you doing his dirty work?" Harry spat, blood coming with the words.

"No. I am to simply warm you up. Lord Voldemort has been waiting for this moment and I am who he entrusts to bring you to him."

"Why not his daughter? You would think something like this would be given to her and not you," Harry said trying to get up and not make the cut in his back worse.

Hermione's face scrunched in disgust, " THAT twit? Entrusted to something as important as this? Even my Lord knows enough not to trust her entirely. Her heart betrays her loyalties."

Harry wiped some blood from his lip, "You mean her love?"

"Love. Ha! What a ridiculous emotion. Only for the weak. The Dark Lord used that to his advantage, of course. All Potters are alike it seems."

Harry scowled," You mean to tell me all of this was a setup? You and me...Skye and Jimmy...?"

" Mistress Riddle was supposed to lure YOU, but she stupidly disobeyed orders. She will pay for her mistakes with her beloved's blood. A small price to pay, I think."

He clenched his fist, instinct making him reach for his wand. Hermione grinned.

"Yes, that's it...Draw."

Harry's fingers paused as they brushed against the cool wood of his wand in his sleeve. She was egging him on. If he could somehow resist, maybe he'd have a chance at releasing her from Voldemort's spell. He knew the powerful but complex counter curse, he'd found it in an ancient and sacred library during one of his obsession driven nights while he was in Rome. He only hoped his powers were trained enough by now to complete it properly. If not, he'd lose his chance at taking back his Hermione.

"Get on with it, Potter. Don't tell me you're chickening out, " She taunted. "The famous Boy-Who-Lived. You can't even beat ME, what makes you think you can defeat the Dark Lord?"

"I can and I will. He may have taken my family, but he will NOT take you as well, " He growled, somehow finding the strength to stand up.

Hermione's teeth set firmly," Crucio!"

His body set on fire, writhing in internal flames. Fortunately, his fixation on being trained and prepared for this moment allowed him to practice fending off the curse. UNfortunately, however, he wasn't expecting Hermione to be casting it in the first place. Either way,the curse lasted just long enough for the wind to get knocked from him, making his legs give out from beneath his body.

"Fight me."

Harry dug his fingers into the dry earth, "N-no..."

His scream bounced off the hollow walls, echoing down into the darkness. His body held completely still through it all, despite the fire licking and scorching his insides. Harry drew in a shuttering breath as it stopped. Carefully, he opened his eyes to look up blearily as the bushy-haired girl glared daggers at him.

"FIGHT ME!"

"No!"

"FIGHT.ME!"

"I can't!"

"Then suffer!"

His head was thrown back as his back arched, ripping open the wound. Blood gushed more freely than before as his limbs kept igniting in flames. He was using all his strength to repell the spell, but it kept leaking through his shields...She was powerful. Incredibly powerful...He couldn't stand to fight off the curse for much longer. His body wanted to cry out but his throat was far too sore and dry already.

"The Boy-Who-Lived," She scoffed." Just a boy."

"Hermione, you got to stop. I know this isn't you! I saw you, Hermione! I saw you a few nights ago and you were fighting! You can't deny that you're still Hermione Granger inside and that she's-"

"SHUT UP!"

Harry flew onto his back, losing control over his shield. He soon found himself twisting and jerking under her dangerous and dark powers. Her anger was seething now, her teeth bared in a growl. But he couldn't give up, he had to free her. "I know you're not in control, Hermione, and thats ok! I can help you!"

"I'm not the one spread-eagle on the ground, squirming like a worm on a hook," She hissed.

He seemed only to be making her even more mad, her Cructius becoming more painful each time she performed it on him. "H-Hermione, please..."

"SHUT! UP!" She screamed.

In the blink of an eye, the scene changed. Hermione faltered, wobbling a bit on her unsteady legs. They felt like jelly and never before did she feel so heavy. How did she get here? What's going on? Looking down, Hermione's stomach gave a grimace. On the filthy ground, covered in dirt and blood, was Harry. He was pinned up against the wall, whimpering and flinching as if he was just dealt a jolt of electricity. Suddenly, it hit her. SHE did that. Her hand was trembling around her wand. There wasn't anytime, she might go under again, " Harry! Oh, god, Harry!"

The boy winced as she helped him sit up, but she didn't care. She was managed to grab a few moments of coherency and she wasn't going to let all her efforts die in vain," Oh my god, Harry, I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to do it! ANY of it! Voldemort attacked me one day while I was on a date with Viktor. He forced me to take this potion. He said if I didn't, I'd never see my family again. He was possessing me, Harry...I'm so sorry!"

By now, Hermione was a jumble of frayed nerves and hysterical sobbing. She very well knew Voldemort would catch on that she had freed herself briefly from his powers, and who knew what he'd make her do then.
"You have to destroy me, Harry. You have to kill me. Now, do it now."

"N-no.." Harry muttered, trying to compose himself.

"You MUST. He'll only possess me again, and I can't go through with it, Harry! My body can't handle all those dark powers! My mind can't handle all that I've seen! I can't live with that kind of guilt! So please, do it. Do it now!" She pleaded and rammed her wand into his grimy hands.

Harry stared at her unable to wrap his mind around any of what she was asking him. He just couldn't do it. He WOULDN'T do it. Not after all he'd been through...Harry rose to his feet, raising both his wand and hers in his good hand. He gently pressed the smooth tips into her slender throat, watching it flinch as she swallowed hard. Her chocolate eyes gazed into his, simultaneously pleading and saying farewell. All that they had been flashed between them in an instant. Years of eternal friendship ending in a murky, bloody cave.Harry took a deep breath, struggling against the tremors coursing through his body.

"I love you, Harry," Hermione whispered, and then closed her eyes, unable to keep herself together if she could see his achingly beautiful emerald gaze. She wanted those eyes to be the last thing she ever remembered, not a blinding green light ripping her life from her body. So, she stiffened her body, fighting back the infuriated icy voice biting at the back of her mind.

Harry summoned all of his will, all of his strength, and all of his love for Hermione, then shoved it out through his wand, " CRUCIUM LA FINE ED INNESTA LA RETROMARCIA!'

Hermione slumped forward into Harry's awaiting arms, blissfully knocked unconscious. Harry muttered a sleeping charm to insure her slumber through the whole ordeal and also to protect her from another of Voldemort's possessions. With a grunt, Harry heaved the former Gryffindor over his shoulder, leaving his wand hand free, and hurried as fast as he dared down the remainder of the hallway. When Hermione wakes up, he could only hope she'd back be to normal.

------

Jimmy was the first to stumble through the barrier wall that had originally appeared to be nothing more than a grungy looking wall opposite an elaborate set of double doors. Neville had instantly followed, terrified that he'd lost Jimmy in some horrific hex Voldemort had set up. But they found themselves in a seemingly empty, though quite large, chamber. Its walls slanted upwards to come to a point, unseen in the darkness of the ceiling where the light from the flickering blue torches did not reach. Amazingly enough there was a huge carpet in the center of the cavernous room, depicting a scene of one single sorcerer standing atop the corpses of countless victims, holding his wand, with its tip giving off an eerie green glow, to the thunderous sky. Black cloaked figures stood about his feet as only one other person protruded from the rest. Even from the distance Jimmy and Neville could not mistake the signature red eyes and long raven hair.

"Sick bastard who had to make that," Jimmy mumbled, feeling his stomach begin to unsettle.

"AHH!"

"Watch it you moron!"

"Who are you calling a moron, moron!"

"YOU obviously!"

"ME!?"

"YES, you! Do you see any other prat around here that STUPIDLY tried to just waltz up to a certain door in a certain Dark Lord's cave? No? Cause its YOU!"

Jimmy couldn't help the weight that lifted from his heart. He gave a relieved sigh and smiled," You're both prats."

Ron and Malfoy paused from their argument, looking thoroughly startled that someone had spoken. Instantly, Ron hobbled over with a lopsided grin on his face and gave the flustered brunette a mighty hug," Oh, thank Merlin. We thought something might've happened to you."

"Where's Harry?" Neville inquired, standing on his tiptoes now that he noticed there was only the two of them.

"We assumed he was with you," Draco replied after taking his turn in hugging his Gryffindor friend.

"No, we got separated at the slides." Jimmy answered, noting Ron's limp and Draco's blood splattered shirt.

Neville frowned, "He must be with Skye th-"

"No, I'm not, but look who I found."

The four boys whirled around to see Harry walking towards them, looking the most beat up and bruised. He shifted what looked like some sort of sack on his shoulder when the others realized it wasn't a bag, it was a person wrapped tightly in Harry's cloak. Gently, Harry set down the person against a far wall, the boys hurrying over to encircle the two.

"Oh my god..."

"Its HERMIONE!"

Harry gave Ron a grim smile seeing the redhead's brown eyes start to shimmer in the torchlight.

"Is she alright?" Jimmy asked, bending down to examine her state.

"I knocked her out with the counter curse then put a Sleeping Spell on her as well."

"Just incase," Draco supplied.

"Yes," Harry confirmed. He watched as Jimmy found a pulse and performed another few spells to insure her safety and health.

"She should be ok, the counter curse sucked a lot out of her. Probably why its never done," Jimmy said, tucking the flaps of Harry's cloak tighter around her slumbering body. He tried not to grimace as he noticed just how tiny her figure really was, almost fragile. How a girl so small could take so much was beyond him. This really must be the infamous Hermione Granger, he thought to himself. Lost third of the world-renowned Golden Trio.

"I didn't even know there WAS one for the Cruciatus," Draco mumbled, finally glancing round the room.

"For every curse, there's a counter curse. It's basic physics and common sense. For every up, there's a down, for every to a fro. That sort of thing, " Harry answered.

Neville shook his head in awe," Bloody brilliant."

Jimmy rolled his eyes as Harry blushed and smiled another small smile. He knew his brother hated glory in the face of his natural talents. Harry never had to do much to become great. He already WAS great. He was and always would be, more than Jimmy could ever strive to be. He faced danger straight in the eye without flinching. He did what was right and good instead of taking the easy way out. He saved his best friend whom everyone else had given up hope on...Harry would always be a hero and Jimmy would always be just another teenager.

"Welcome, Mr. Potter...Ah, and I sssee you've brought visssitorsss, how niccce of you. Had I known thisss would be sssuch an event, I would've made tea."

Harry shot up like a bullet, his body turning rigid as he glared into the direction of the serpentine voice.

From the darkness, slowly emerged a heavily cloaked man, all limbs hid in the folds of coal fabric. He lifted his head, a glint of light playing off his eyes, making them look as if they were made of pure fire.

"Voldemort," Harry growled, his hand instantly clenching around his wand.

"Ah ah ah. Letsss not be ssso hasssty, Harry. happen.."

At his words, a flock of Death-Eaters suddenly appeared out of thin air, quickly blocking their escape routes.

"QUICK!" Harry exclaimed scooping up Hermione and leading the way in a sprint to the last stretch of unguarded wall.

Jimmy hastily felt his hands all over the area until they pushed through and seemingly disappeared," Here! Over here!"

Harry ushered all of them through in a mad rush, pausing as Ron refused to walk through behind Draco.

"Harry, please, no, I can stay and help you," Ron pleaded, looking very much distressed.

"Ron, take Hermione. You can help me by making sure everyone gets out alright," Harry silenced his friend with a raised hand after he deposited the unconscious girl in the Weasley's arms." You're the only member of the Order of the Phoenix who can do it...Now go!"

Ron nodded sharply and cradled Hermione in his arms like a precious jewel, then ducked through the wall as Death-Eaters closed in around them.

Harry turned to his brother, both grief and determination playing on his face," Watch them, ok?"

"No, Harry, I'm staying with you."

"You can't. This is MY battle and mine alone."

Harry glanced warily as Voldemort's minions sprinted towards them faster then he would've liked.

"This is my battle too, Harry. Mom and Dad would've wanted it this way."

The boy furrowed his dirty brow, still unsure.

"I love you, Harry, and like Mom and Dad, I'm willing to die for you," Jimmy muttered, grabbing hold of his twin's hands.

Harry's eyes shined, clamping firmly onto the last of his family.

A smirk flickered across Jimmy's lips," Besides, like you could tell me what to do anyways."

Like a pair of criminals facing execution, Harry and Jimmy turned and stood their ground as the onslaught of Death-eaters came barreling at them.

"Let no one pass," Harry said through gritted teeth, his wand at the ready.

"No one," Jimmy echoed, flicking his aim from face to face, picking which one would be first.

They weren't ready to kill, but they certainly weren't ready to die. So, with a horrible flash of brilliant green light, the boys took the first of many lives contained in that huge room.