I have updated these VERY close together so please make sure your read the
last Chapter; The Pieces Are Set.
Rotae; Thanks. I too love Lucius (I just have a big thing for the baddies) but he had to go; I mean he was a nasty piece of work and probably the worst father in history. Thanks for reviewing.
Sheilalein; Thank you very much and I may take you up on the BETA offer for "That Which Draws Us Most" I probably should have got one for this story but never got around to advertising for one. Lol.
Ohmydroogs; Ah my wonderful typos. I do proof-read, I'm just awful at it. I like description too; makes it more real. Thank you for reviewing.
ilovedraco; Thank you very much *BIG smile* I am actually surprised that it is coming together; about half way through I was panicking because I haven't thought some things through (I won't tell you what though. Lol) So I'm glad you think it's working out OK.
juxtaposed; a special mention for you; I hope you approve :o) Thanks for the review. Mmmm.....moulding Draco in any way is fine by me, and I had to get "Voldie" in there somewhere; it'll make my friends who read it laugh as that's what we call him. Lol.
RaineMalfoy; I love taking advantage of HP being in a magical setting. It's like "hmmm......what can I make them do now? I know how about......but how can I explain it? MAGIC!" T'is wonderful to do. Although I know of many writers who are better than me but I will thank you for you compliment *MASSIVE smile* :o) To be honest I am so glad this is coming together as about half way through I was having sever doubts (I have the worst habit of throwing things in and praying I'll think of a way to fix it). I did think "this is where it will end and this is what I want in it" but getting there made my brain hurt. Lol. Thanks again, hope you enjoy this Chapter and what's left of the story.
dracohermioneluver; Voldie is dumb. I am taking great advantage of his ego in this fic; he assumes he is invincible therefore is blind to see when others plot against him in front of his nose; he thinks he is too great for that to actually happen. Thanks for reviewing.
beauty-of-asriel; Ah weddings and babies; you will have to wait and see. Thank you :o)
BigRed-2006, Samurai Amaya, padfootedmoony, Mintytoothpick, The Enchantresses, lizzy-malfoy87, Bride of Malfoy, Shina-Etsu, kkristy, sweet- 77-thang, BbyChick, Callie, quiet-mg, Luthein, Miss Rhapsody, Silverbutterfly, Orchid6297; Thank you, very much. I hope this update was soon enough and is good enough for you all :o)
Chapter 24; The Play is in Motion
Draco stood beside Voldemort as the allies of the dark side assembled for the final time. In a few moments time Voldemort would send a mental vision of himself to Dumbledore and the war would begin.
They stood, a huge army of darkness and evil, on the hill of the Shrieking Shack. The trolls and giants fighting over who was the more powerful, the Dementors gliding around and putting everyone ill at ease as they could not settle near those images of death, and the Death Eaters plotting how they were going to maim every member of The Order on the spot as they arrived. Over their heads Hungarian Horntails and Chinese Fireballs circled and dived, breathing fire and creating a thick, black cloud of smoke and ash over the abandoned village of Hogsmeade. The houses that Draco and Hermione had burned were nothing but smouldering piles now and many more were being reduced to cinders as the dragons had their way.
"My loyal Death Eaters, my strong allies," Voldemort addressed the milling crowd and all fell quiet. "I welcome you to what will go down in history as being our finest hour. I suggest you enjoy what will be your first night of death and destruction. But rest assured that there will be many more to come."
The Death Eaters let out a raucous cheer and Draco's heart jumped slightly as he joined in, whooping and hollering like the good Death Eater he was. One Voldemort's other side, Hermione planted a kiss on the dark Lord's cheek, whilst whispering sweet, malicious nothings of the evil she would commit that night, into his ear. Her eyes met Draco's through her dark curls and long lashes and Draco saw the fear she truly felt at what they were about to face.
"I love you." She mouthed.
"I love you too." He mouthed back.
Voldemort lifted his arms to the sky in a dramatic motion and raised his wand in salute, whispering the incantation that would allow Dumbledore to see him and his great army.
"I come to you Dumbledore to command you to submit yourselves and Potter to me or challenge me in battle tonight in the village beneath your school, where you will meet your doom." The Dark Lord waited for Dumbledore's response and, upon hearing it, lowered his arms declaring to the Death Eaters and allies that, as had been expected, Dumbledore had refused to surrender and that the battle would commence within the hour.
The Death Eaters broke into cheers and whispers as Draco walked to Hermione's side and took her hand, leading her to a soft section of grass where they sat down, holding hands and not saying anything.
"I'm scared Draco." Hermione confessed. "I'm scared I will be of no use to anyone. I don't have the Gods anymore."
"You don't need them 'Mi." Draco answered honestly, "You're the best witch in Hogwarts. Hell, you're the best overall at Hogwarts."
"Even better than you?" Hermione smirked.
"Well, I don't know about that." He smiled before confessing, "You know you are."
"Remind me to get that in writing; I bet people would pay good money to hear Draco Malfoy confess to being the second best."
Draco lightly punched her arm and she snuggled up to his body, seeking comfort in his familiarity, and Draco gratefully held her close, breathing in her scent; she smelt of cinnamon and vanilla, spicy and soft, light and dark; she would never escape it. She herself was in two halves and until she chose one she would be at conflict.
He sat in silence pondering Hermione's future as she leant against him, reminiscing to him about her adventures with Harry and Ron. Draco was sure to pay attention to what she said, but his mind was working on other things as well; namely how to ensure Hermione made the right choice. It was obvious to him how this had come about. Her powers had always been extreme; she really was the best at Hogwarts, and the natural darkness that was within everyone had begun to work once her powers had been discovered; that is, they had begun to tell her how else her powers could be used, and her psyche had listened slightly. She obviously hadn't given in completely or she wouldn't still be like she was, she would have been completely given to Lord Voldemort and there would have been little hope left for any of them. But, as it was, they had been lucky and she had never decided where she belonged. Now was her time. During the battle the decision would be made and a side would win, a side would be chosen.
"It's nearly time." Hermione whispered, breaking Draco's train of thought.
He turned to her and took her face gently in his slim fingers, lifting her chin so her lips met his. He kissed her softly and tenderly, letting all the feelings he felt for her flow out of his being and into hers in that single moment. He felt her smile softly and her chest rose and fell in a slight sigh if happiness
They pulled away and their eyes met in silent conversation; each promising to be there when the smoke cleared and it was over. They couldn't leave each other, not now. They had come too far and done too much together; a team. She smiled again and Draco kissed her softly once more before pulling her up from the ground and together they headed over to Voldemort.
The Dark Lord stood in front of his proud Death Eaters and loyal allies watching the area at the foot of the hill in anticipation. Draco and Hermione walked over to where Snape and Ron stood;
"How are we supposed to go about this?" Hermione asked. "I mean, how do we declare we're on the other side?"
"Do we say before or during the battle? Or after and hope none of Voldie's following notice us slaying them?" Draco asked. He had to admit he hadn't though about this moment. He had simply, and stupidly, assumed it would all flow together and be OK.
"Well," Began Snape, "I have given it much thought and to be honest I feel the best, if the most dangerous way to do this, would be to simply announce it at the beginning of the battle. That way it is out of the way and we are no longer living a lie."
"It'll be dangerous though; we risk getting killed on the spot. And I can't very join The Order looking like He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named's biggest follower."
Draco rolled his eyes at Ron;
"Honestly, it's quite simple. When did you last take the potion?"
"About forty five minutes ago." Ron confessed, looking sheepish at not thinking ahead.
"Right, well I don't think I need to say any more. Let's just hope The Order arrive soon and not later as then you'll be a Weasley amongst Death Eaters and even I don't wish that upon you."
Hermione smiled at him.
"Hey," he said defensibly, "He bugs me but I don't want him dead."
"So that's the plan is it?" Hermione said, "We walk over? It will never work; we'll be killed before we're half way there."
"Hermione." Ron exasperated, "How many times in one life time can you forget who your are? Apparation!"
Hermione said nothing but instead scowled at Ron before flouncing over to Voldemort. Ron wandered off to think for a while and Draco was left standing with his old mentor, watching Hermione flirt and giggle with Voldemort. On the Dark lord's other side stood Draco's mother, talking to Bellatrix. Both were eyeing him with immense distaste.
"You know what Severus; I don't think my mother gives a flying fuck if I live or die tonight. If I die it's one less thing to shame the family."
"And if you live?"
"I'll be disowned. I swear I'll cry laughing when she realises who her husband is. Her face is going to be a picture."
Severus said nothing and Draco noticed her was staring at his mother in an odd way; a combination of sadness, pity and anger. Draco filed the image away to study later, but right now it looked as if things were beginning to happen. He ran over to Hermione and Voldemort with Snape and Ron soon joined them. The sent silent messages to each other and each new what had to done.
"My Lord," Hermione purred to their Master, stroking a long, red finger nail down his cheek, causing the skin to split and spill crimson, "There is something I must tell you before the battle begins."
Voldemort turned to her;
"What is it my Raven? What troubles you?"
"Oh no Master, nothing troubles me I just thought you should know that," Hermione's palm connected with Voldemort's face, her fingernails slashed beneath his eyes and her knee met his groin all in one swift movement "we quit!"
The four of them apparated to where The Order were beginning to appear, thank fully Ron was now back to himself; looking slightly odd in robes that were too big for him on the shoulders and too short in the arm. Hermione waved her wand and Ron smiled at her thankfully when the robes shrank and grew to the appropriate size. Dumbledore was the first to arrive, along with Harry, Tonks, Lupin, The Weasleys and Mad-Eye, and one by one the rest of the members appeared.
"Ah you made it here in one piece." Dumbledore marvelled.
"I doubt Voldie will though." Draco smirked, "Hermione's just disabled his sight and reproductive system."
Dumbledore and Harry eyed Hermione with pride whilst Tonks smirked and pulled Hermione into a hug.
"How you doing?" She asked the younger witch and Hermione smiled.
"I'll be fine. I'm just firing myself up for this."
From nowhere a flash of green flew past Hermione's head, catching her hair as it flew into the air before exploding into nothing.
"Looks like they're staring without us." Draco sneered, whipping around and hurling spell after spell at the oncoming Death Eaters who had begun to advance down the hill.
"So my loyal followers show their true colours." Voldemort shouted, advancing with the Death Eaters, "And they turn out to be not so pretty. Oh my dear Raven, what fun we could have had, ruling the world together."
"Eat dirt moron!" Hermione shouted, hurling a spell at Voldemort who deflected it easily and instead began to focus his attention on Harry. "I'll deal with you later you traitorous little bitch" He spat. "I shall have a lot of fun disembowelling you and watching your pretty little face contort in pain as I watch those who are loyal fuck your dirty Mudblood brains out."
Hermione glared at him and spat on the ground before focusing her own attention on the advancing attack. The Dementors were gliding around, looking for any witch or wizard who was not paying attention, in the hopes of sucking out their soul, and the trolls and giants were thumping around, flattening any stray witch or wizard. The Dragons were soaring over head and the sky soon became dark as a black fog descended on the two sides and the curses began to fly.
Houses became flames as the dragons vengefully destroyed them, and Draco's lungs soon became infested with the thick, black smoke they produced. His eyes smarted as he penetrated the gloom frantically, searching for Hermione or anyone on their side, but he appeared to be alone. The others must have scattered in order to confuse the enemy. A flash of light to his left indicated that his only companion was not if the friendly variety and Draco whirled around to face his adversary.
He faced a Death Eater in full regalia, mask and hood and dark robes; had he been anyone other than Draco Malfoy, he was sure he would have fled at the sight of one. But he was Draco Malfoy, and not only was he not one to flee; he was also a damn good fighter and would duel until he won. He raised his wand into the duelling position and hurled countless curses at his attacker. He wasn't sure if they were allowed to use the unforgivables or if he would be permitted use of his Dark Magic, considering the extraordinary circumstances. He mentally kicked himself twice; once for not asking Dumbledore and a second time as a well aimed curse by the Death Eater nearly took his head off.
He swore severely as he shook of the head-confusing curse, in an attempt to clear his thoughts, and aimed his wand at the advancing enemy, firing a scorching charm at them. The Death Eater fell back with shock and Draco immediately summoned the wand of his adversary. He snapped the wand in two and towered over the defeated wizard, sneering at him.
"You're disgraceful." He smirked, "Following a crazed lunatic as if he were the best thing since transfiguration. You are sad and strange, and you have my pity."
The Death Eater made a futile attempt to attack Draco using any branches, bricks and rubble he could lay his hands on but Draco was quick to place a binding curse on the flailing Death Eater, before muttering the killing curse. A flash of light and the Death Eater was dead. Draco turned away; he didn't care who it was. As long as they remained anonymous he felt little guilt; they were faceless to him, inhumane; and that made it more acceptable.
Draco picked his way carefully and silently through the rubble of Hogsmeade, pressing himself against the small wall that remained of the book shop. As he edged around the corner he felt heavy breathing and hot breath behind him and turned to face a twenty foot giant, looking highly annoyed at something.
"Shit. It just isn't my day is it big guy?" Draco muttered, before leaping into action and grabbing hold of the giant's belt in order to reach a higher position; the skull being the weakest part of a giant, it made more sense to get closer to it.
The giant, being of the slow witted variety, took a while to register that an extra weight had attached itself to his belt and, by the time it had, Draco was already on his shoulders trying to figure out the best route to the giant's head. The scenery before Draco blurred and whizzed in front of his eyes as the giant fought to hit Draco from it, but Draco held tightly to one of the massive ears and secured himself there before deftly leaping onto the lumpy skull.
Draco clung onto the wisps of hair that grew sparingly on the giant's head, and more than once found he had pulled one out and was about to fall until he grabbed another. Without giving his actions a second thought he hurled curses at the giant's thick skin in order to penetrate and make some kind of headway in gaining the advantage of the battle. The giant flailed beneath him, trying to swat Draco from his perch and Draco was finding it increasingly difficult to hold on with one arm and throw curses with his wand in the other. In a desperate move Draco summoned up the dark power that he normally would never call upon. He cursed himself for using it twice recently and vowed that he would never again once the battle was over. The giant swayed on the spot and began to slump as black lightning crashed in the skies and struck the giant squarely on the forehead. As the giant crashed to the ground Draco leapt wildly from his shoulders and onto the low roof of one of the few surviving buildings. He felt his ankle crack beneath him and a sharp pain in his chest as he crashed onto the tiles but he thanked the Gods that he was safe.
"Draco!" A female voice shouted from the ground, "Draco!"
He looked down and saw Cho Chang waving at him, flailing her arms for him to come down;
"Quick. It's Jennifer; I think Pansy's going to kill her."
Draco jumped deftly from the roof, swearing violently at the pain in his ankle; he would have to fix it later but now was not the time, and came face to face with the catfight of the century. Pansy had Jennifer in a headlock and was mercilessly trying to cast the Crucio but Jennifer was fighting back with vengeance and was firing repeated knock-out charms haphazardly at the Slytherin girl's head, resulting in Pansy occasionally loosing consciousness but not letting go of Jennifer. Draco and Cho ran to the fighting pair and hauled them apart.
"I'll fucking kill her!" Pansy screamed, "Little bitch; taking my Draco away."
"He wasn't yours Pansy and he's not mine either." Jennifer shot back, attempting to reason with the crazy girl.
But Pansy was beyond all reason and began hurling unforgivables at the trio, hitting Cho with the killing curse. Draco watched, stunned, as the pretty ex-Ravenclaw fell to the ground, her face a mixture of shock, anger and fear.
"You evil bitch." Draco screamed, preparing to kill Pansy himself.
"No," Jennifer said, "you see to Cho; get her out of the way."
Draco's eyes met Jennifer's and he nodded; she had to do this. For all the times that pansy had made every other girl's life hell. For all the bullying and the manipulating she had done and for all the lives she had or nearly ruined Jennifer raised her wand in combat. Draco knelt next to Cho's dead body and watched.
"Oh, so you're going to fight me then are you? Ravenclaw?" Pansy spat.
"You say my house as if it were an insult." Jennifer mused. "I'd save my breath if I were you."
But Pansy would not; she was not the kind to keep her mouth shut when duelling, instead opting to taunt her opponent, pick out their weak spots to deflate their self-esteem and then knock them off guard. Pansy played dirty. Unfortunately for Pansy though, Jennifer knew that.
The pair circled each other, all the while Pansy insulting whichever part of Jennifer she could; her looks, her background, her parents, her house, even her friends, but Jennifer stood tall, taking none of it to heart, her face set in stony determination as Pansy fired the first curse; an unforgivable. From then on the rules did not apply and each dodged and threw off the Crucios that flew back and forth. Jennifer writhed in pain as one hit her in the shoulder but Draco had to marvel at the way she handled herself and managed to catch Pansy off guard whilst she was gloating. And as Pansy fell to the floor Jennifer muttered two words;
"Avada Kedavra."
Pansy fell and Jennifer stood, shocked at what she had done, staring at her ex-schoolmate (if that was the right term to use) before falling into Draco's arms in silent tears. When she was spent Draco eased her away and together they levitated Cho's body to the side of the building; they would collect it later.
Numerous flashes of light were being fired all around them and with a final hug and "I'll see you at the end." Jennifer fled into the night, her wand at the ready.
Within moments of Jennifer leaving Draco's side a vision entered his head, it was Dumbledore.
"Assemble at the centre of Hogsmeade. It will end there."
Draco didn't need telling twice and, after healing his ankle crudely with a charm, he made his way to the centre of Hogsmeade, his wand at the ready and firing one or two killing curses on the way. He was not sure if they met their targets but, as he was still alive, he assumed they must have done.
Carefully Draco edged around the buildings, ensuring he would come out on the right side, and sure enough he found himself creeping up towards a fallen tree where Snape and Hermione were crouching at the back of a crowd. Draco gripped Hermione's hand tightly and McGonagall approached them. Over her shoulder they could see through the fog ridden air the silhouettes of the many wizards and witches who were trying their best to ward off the Death Eaters as Dumbledore and Harry duelled frantically with Voldemort.
"How many have we lost?" Snape asked, fear in his voice.
"More than any of us would like." McGonagall sighed, her hair in disarray and her eyes were filled with open fear. She began to recall names; "Neville and Luna fell early on, as did Dennis Creevey and his father, Charlie Weasley, Neville Longbottom, Luna Lovegood and Padma Patil that I have counted regarding students."
"What about staff and The Order?"
"Just as bad; Tonks, Kingsley, Mad-Eye, Flitwick and Sinstra. It's not looking good but Dumbledore has a plan worked out. I just pray that it works." She turned to Draco "I believe your Mother has fallen as well."
"I wouldn't expect her not to." Draco admitted, "She'll have died the way she wanted to and I doubt I would be the most favoured child in history had she survived. But...We've lost Cho too." He added in a mutter and Hermione let out a gasp.
"Oh Gods, we're dropping like flies. We were outnumbered anyway but now it must be at least ten to one." She cried her hand over her mouth to quiet her sobs.
Draco pulled her into a tight hug and saw over her shoulder, numerous dark figures gliding towards them.
"Dementors!" He yelled, pushing Hermione out of the way.
The four of them began to conjure up the happiest memory they could ain order to ward of the Dementors but Draco struggled. His patronus fizzled at the end of his wand as he searched through his childhood memories to find a single happiest moment. He found none there. To his left he saw Hermione; her face was flushed but determined and the ever stray strand of hair had again escaped the binding she had attempted to put it in and she pushed it back wildly as her otter attacked two Dementors.
He had found his happy thought.
"Expecto Patronum!" Draco yelled and a panther leapt from the end of his wand, diving forward and taking down another two Dementors.
"It's about to begin." McGonagall whispered as her monkey patronus and Snape's crow finished the Dementors off, and the three inched forwards, their wands at the ready. Between them and Harry and Voldemort lay numerous Death Eaters and they resorted to dirty tactics of sneaking up and attacking from behind in order to pull the numbers back slightly. Draco glanced to his left and noticed that Lupin was moving in with other members of The Order and students on their right, and Mr and Mrs Weasley were on the left with even more. They were going to encircle the Death Eaters who were attempting to surround Harry and Dumbledore. They would be caught by their own trap.
Silently the light encircled the dark and it was all too late that the Death Eaters realised the position they were in. A small handful threw down their wands, defeated; they would be taken to Azkaban, but others stood defiant, refusing to abandon that which they believed in. The students and The Order each cast Expelliarmus, catching every wand as it flew to them. Voldemort's followers were defenceless and all fell silent.
"You will falter Albus and you will lose." Voldemort's voice rose above the. "I have the gift of the Gods and you have nothing but a boy with a scar and a grudge."
"Alas, Tom you do not know that which you are dealing with. You have nothing but your disillusioned dreams. It is we who hold the power to defeat all for it is Harry that Asriel has chosen."
"Never!" Voldemort screeched, "The Dark God would not choose that protector of light to use his power."
"Harry offers Asriel more than you ever could." Dumbledore roared back and Draco saw the anger that had scared so many previous wizards; the Headmaster's eyes flashed with blue fire and his whole being seemed to grow and sparkle with his own energy.
And as Draco watched so did Harry's as Asriel began his work to save wizarding kind. Yet when the power began so to did the interference from the other Gods and Harry lit up with the essence of them all. His body flickered red and green as the powers took over. He began to levitate from the ground, deflecting all the curses that were sent his way by the distraught Voldemort who, in vain was attempting to break the circle in which he had been caged but no amount of threatening or cursing would allow him to pass. In his rage he stood before Ginny Weasley who proudly in front of him, her eyes never flickering;
"Move girl." Voldemort spat.
"Never."
"Then die." Came his response, and in the same instant that Voldemort said the words Harry threw a portion of his power to the circle of captors and, although Ginny fell to the ground, she was breathing, caught be only half of the intended curse as Harry's shield pushed the rest of it back.
Voldemort screeched in rage and turned to the centre of the circle where Harry was now hovering and it was then that The-Boy-Who-Lived carefully took aim with his wand, pointing it to the centre of Voldemort's heart and loudly, so all around could hear, he spoke the two words that the wizarding world had been longing to be spoken to the Dark Lord for nearly 20 years;
"Avada Kedavra."
As the green light swooped downwards from Harry and towards its goal Voldemort let out a strangled cry;
"No!"
With mere seconds to live the He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named wheeled around to where Draco, Snape and Hermione stood.
"Traitors!" He yelled to them and with a wild, inarticulated yelp he threw a curse wildly at them. Hermione was hit and Draco could see a crimson line of fire on her skin where the curse had hit across her stomach.
Everything happened in rapid succession. Draco knelt next to Hermione who gave him a weak smile;
"I'll see you in a bit." She whispered, "I need to rest." Her eyes closed.
Draco frantically gripped her hand and felt her wrist; her pulse was faint but steady.
Tears stung his eyes as he watched the Dark Lord fall. The winds rose around him as the green light of the killing curse engulfed him into the storm. His cries peaked and died just as suddenly and as the ashes fell Dumbledore stepped forward and to collect them in a black ornate box with silver inscriptions. Harry fell to the floor panting and, as the survivors gathered around him and Hermione, Dumbledore turned to Draco;
"Mr Malfoy," he said solemnly, "I must ask for your help one last time."
Draco walked to the old man.
"I must ask you to seal this box with the greatest knowledge of Dark Magic that you possess."
"Sir, may I ask, why do you not seal it yourself?"
"Alas, Draco I am too old to be doing such things; the spell that seals this box must be done by someone able to guard over it for along time and pass it onto the next in their family. Only then will it be truly safe. I have little time left on this physical plane and have no kin to pass this onto, so I ask you to do it for me. I ask you because, out of everyone here; including Harry, you know most of all what terrible things the wizard in this box was capable of doing."
Draco nodded, a lump in his throat at hearing the wizened words of the favoured Headmaster and he called upon his strength for the last time. The storm clouds gathered and combined with the smoke and flames as Draco asked for use of the power for this final necessary task. His being filled to the core with the pure Dark Magic and he could feel it longing to escape its restraints, but he channelled the energy into the pretty little box with a promise from himself and the power that it would never be opened.
As the spell was completed the storm clouds parted, the fog lifted and the rosy hue of dawn crept into the devastated village, Draco glanced into the crowds where he saw Hermione. He heard voices;
"She won't wake."
"There's something wrong."
"They've interfered with her."
He tried to listen further but the noises blurred together, he tried to move but his legs gave way, tired of all the fighting and running and stress they had endured. His eyelids wouldn't stay open and his mouth wouldn't speak as he collapsed, exhausted to the soft earth.
AUTHOR'S NOTE; THIS IS NOT THE END!!!!!! I WILL FINISH THIS STORY SO PLEASE DON'T ASK ME ANY MORE. THERE ARE ABOUT FIVE CHAPTERS LEFT SO I WILL NOT BE ABANDONING IT. PLEASE, NO MORE REVIEWS ASKING ME TO FINISH IT. IT WILL BE FINISHED. Have I made my point? Lol. Honestly, I love that you enjoy the story so much but I am really not cruel enough to just leave it unfinished. I know this Chapter took forever but I hope you can see why; it's three times as long as usual and it's taken me over two weeks to get it as right as I think I can. The rest of my updates will be back to the usual length and should be more regular :o)
Rotae; Thanks. I too love Lucius (I just have a big thing for the baddies) but he had to go; I mean he was a nasty piece of work and probably the worst father in history. Thanks for reviewing.
Sheilalein; Thank you very much and I may take you up on the BETA offer for "That Which Draws Us Most" I probably should have got one for this story but never got around to advertising for one. Lol.
Ohmydroogs; Ah my wonderful typos. I do proof-read, I'm just awful at it. I like description too; makes it more real. Thank you for reviewing.
ilovedraco; Thank you very much *BIG smile* I am actually surprised that it is coming together; about half way through I was panicking because I haven't thought some things through (I won't tell you what though. Lol) So I'm glad you think it's working out OK.
juxtaposed; a special mention for you; I hope you approve :o) Thanks for the review. Mmmm.....moulding Draco in any way is fine by me, and I had to get "Voldie" in there somewhere; it'll make my friends who read it laugh as that's what we call him. Lol.
RaineMalfoy; I love taking advantage of HP being in a magical setting. It's like "hmmm......what can I make them do now? I know how about......but how can I explain it? MAGIC!" T'is wonderful to do. Although I know of many writers who are better than me but I will thank you for you compliment *MASSIVE smile* :o) To be honest I am so glad this is coming together as about half way through I was having sever doubts (I have the worst habit of throwing things in and praying I'll think of a way to fix it). I did think "this is where it will end and this is what I want in it" but getting there made my brain hurt. Lol. Thanks again, hope you enjoy this Chapter and what's left of the story.
dracohermioneluver; Voldie is dumb. I am taking great advantage of his ego in this fic; he assumes he is invincible therefore is blind to see when others plot against him in front of his nose; he thinks he is too great for that to actually happen. Thanks for reviewing.
beauty-of-asriel; Ah weddings and babies; you will have to wait and see. Thank you :o)
BigRed-2006, Samurai Amaya, padfootedmoony, Mintytoothpick, The Enchantresses, lizzy-malfoy87, Bride of Malfoy, Shina-Etsu, kkristy, sweet- 77-thang, BbyChick, Callie, quiet-mg, Luthein, Miss Rhapsody, Silverbutterfly, Orchid6297; Thank you, very much. I hope this update was soon enough and is good enough for you all :o)
Chapter 24; The Play is in Motion
Draco stood beside Voldemort as the allies of the dark side assembled for the final time. In a few moments time Voldemort would send a mental vision of himself to Dumbledore and the war would begin.
They stood, a huge army of darkness and evil, on the hill of the Shrieking Shack. The trolls and giants fighting over who was the more powerful, the Dementors gliding around and putting everyone ill at ease as they could not settle near those images of death, and the Death Eaters plotting how they were going to maim every member of The Order on the spot as they arrived. Over their heads Hungarian Horntails and Chinese Fireballs circled and dived, breathing fire and creating a thick, black cloud of smoke and ash over the abandoned village of Hogsmeade. The houses that Draco and Hermione had burned were nothing but smouldering piles now and many more were being reduced to cinders as the dragons had their way.
"My loyal Death Eaters, my strong allies," Voldemort addressed the milling crowd and all fell quiet. "I welcome you to what will go down in history as being our finest hour. I suggest you enjoy what will be your first night of death and destruction. But rest assured that there will be many more to come."
The Death Eaters let out a raucous cheer and Draco's heart jumped slightly as he joined in, whooping and hollering like the good Death Eater he was. One Voldemort's other side, Hermione planted a kiss on the dark Lord's cheek, whilst whispering sweet, malicious nothings of the evil she would commit that night, into his ear. Her eyes met Draco's through her dark curls and long lashes and Draco saw the fear she truly felt at what they were about to face.
"I love you." She mouthed.
"I love you too." He mouthed back.
Voldemort lifted his arms to the sky in a dramatic motion and raised his wand in salute, whispering the incantation that would allow Dumbledore to see him and his great army.
"I come to you Dumbledore to command you to submit yourselves and Potter to me or challenge me in battle tonight in the village beneath your school, where you will meet your doom." The Dark Lord waited for Dumbledore's response and, upon hearing it, lowered his arms declaring to the Death Eaters and allies that, as had been expected, Dumbledore had refused to surrender and that the battle would commence within the hour.
The Death Eaters broke into cheers and whispers as Draco walked to Hermione's side and took her hand, leading her to a soft section of grass where they sat down, holding hands and not saying anything.
"I'm scared Draco." Hermione confessed. "I'm scared I will be of no use to anyone. I don't have the Gods anymore."
"You don't need them 'Mi." Draco answered honestly, "You're the best witch in Hogwarts. Hell, you're the best overall at Hogwarts."
"Even better than you?" Hermione smirked.
"Well, I don't know about that." He smiled before confessing, "You know you are."
"Remind me to get that in writing; I bet people would pay good money to hear Draco Malfoy confess to being the second best."
Draco lightly punched her arm and she snuggled up to his body, seeking comfort in his familiarity, and Draco gratefully held her close, breathing in her scent; she smelt of cinnamon and vanilla, spicy and soft, light and dark; she would never escape it. She herself was in two halves and until she chose one she would be at conflict.
He sat in silence pondering Hermione's future as she leant against him, reminiscing to him about her adventures with Harry and Ron. Draco was sure to pay attention to what she said, but his mind was working on other things as well; namely how to ensure Hermione made the right choice. It was obvious to him how this had come about. Her powers had always been extreme; she really was the best at Hogwarts, and the natural darkness that was within everyone had begun to work once her powers had been discovered; that is, they had begun to tell her how else her powers could be used, and her psyche had listened slightly. She obviously hadn't given in completely or she wouldn't still be like she was, she would have been completely given to Lord Voldemort and there would have been little hope left for any of them. But, as it was, they had been lucky and she had never decided where she belonged. Now was her time. During the battle the decision would be made and a side would win, a side would be chosen.
"It's nearly time." Hermione whispered, breaking Draco's train of thought.
He turned to her and took her face gently in his slim fingers, lifting her chin so her lips met his. He kissed her softly and tenderly, letting all the feelings he felt for her flow out of his being and into hers in that single moment. He felt her smile softly and her chest rose and fell in a slight sigh if happiness
They pulled away and their eyes met in silent conversation; each promising to be there when the smoke cleared and it was over. They couldn't leave each other, not now. They had come too far and done too much together; a team. She smiled again and Draco kissed her softly once more before pulling her up from the ground and together they headed over to Voldemort.
The Dark Lord stood in front of his proud Death Eaters and loyal allies watching the area at the foot of the hill in anticipation. Draco and Hermione walked over to where Snape and Ron stood;
"How are we supposed to go about this?" Hermione asked. "I mean, how do we declare we're on the other side?"
"Do we say before or during the battle? Or after and hope none of Voldie's following notice us slaying them?" Draco asked. He had to admit he hadn't though about this moment. He had simply, and stupidly, assumed it would all flow together and be OK.
"Well," Began Snape, "I have given it much thought and to be honest I feel the best, if the most dangerous way to do this, would be to simply announce it at the beginning of the battle. That way it is out of the way and we are no longer living a lie."
"It'll be dangerous though; we risk getting killed on the spot. And I can't very join The Order looking like He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named's biggest follower."
Draco rolled his eyes at Ron;
"Honestly, it's quite simple. When did you last take the potion?"
"About forty five minutes ago." Ron confessed, looking sheepish at not thinking ahead.
"Right, well I don't think I need to say any more. Let's just hope The Order arrive soon and not later as then you'll be a Weasley amongst Death Eaters and even I don't wish that upon you."
Hermione smiled at him.
"Hey," he said defensibly, "He bugs me but I don't want him dead."
"So that's the plan is it?" Hermione said, "We walk over? It will never work; we'll be killed before we're half way there."
"Hermione." Ron exasperated, "How many times in one life time can you forget who your are? Apparation!"
Hermione said nothing but instead scowled at Ron before flouncing over to Voldemort. Ron wandered off to think for a while and Draco was left standing with his old mentor, watching Hermione flirt and giggle with Voldemort. On the Dark lord's other side stood Draco's mother, talking to Bellatrix. Both were eyeing him with immense distaste.
"You know what Severus; I don't think my mother gives a flying fuck if I live or die tonight. If I die it's one less thing to shame the family."
"And if you live?"
"I'll be disowned. I swear I'll cry laughing when she realises who her husband is. Her face is going to be a picture."
Severus said nothing and Draco noticed her was staring at his mother in an odd way; a combination of sadness, pity and anger. Draco filed the image away to study later, but right now it looked as if things were beginning to happen. He ran over to Hermione and Voldemort with Snape and Ron soon joined them. The sent silent messages to each other and each new what had to done.
"My Lord," Hermione purred to their Master, stroking a long, red finger nail down his cheek, causing the skin to split and spill crimson, "There is something I must tell you before the battle begins."
Voldemort turned to her;
"What is it my Raven? What troubles you?"
"Oh no Master, nothing troubles me I just thought you should know that," Hermione's palm connected with Voldemort's face, her fingernails slashed beneath his eyes and her knee met his groin all in one swift movement "we quit!"
The four of them apparated to where The Order were beginning to appear, thank fully Ron was now back to himself; looking slightly odd in robes that were too big for him on the shoulders and too short in the arm. Hermione waved her wand and Ron smiled at her thankfully when the robes shrank and grew to the appropriate size. Dumbledore was the first to arrive, along with Harry, Tonks, Lupin, The Weasleys and Mad-Eye, and one by one the rest of the members appeared.
"Ah you made it here in one piece." Dumbledore marvelled.
"I doubt Voldie will though." Draco smirked, "Hermione's just disabled his sight and reproductive system."
Dumbledore and Harry eyed Hermione with pride whilst Tonks smirked and pulled Hermione into a hug.
"How you doing?" She asked the younger witch and Hermione smiled.
"I'll be fine. I'm just firing myself up for this."
From nowhere a flash of green flew past Hermione's head, catching her hair as it flew into the air before exploding into nothing.
"Looks like they're staring without us." Draco sneered, whipping around and hurling spell after spell at the oncoming Death Eaters who had begun to advance down the hill.
"So my loyal followers show their true colours." Voldemort shouted, advancing with the Death Eaters, "And they turn out to be not so pretty. Oh my dear Raven, what fun we could have had, ruling the world together."
"Eat dirt moron!" Hermione shouted, hurling a spell at Voldemort who deflected it easily and instead began to focus his attention on Harry. "I'll deal with you later you traitorous little bitch" He spat. "I shall have a lot of fun disembowelling you and watching your pretty little face contort in pain as I watch those who are loyal fuck your dirty Mudblood brains out."
Hermione glared at him and spat on the ground before focusing her own attention on the advancing attack. The Dementors were gliding around, looking for any witch or wizard who was not paying attention, in the hopes of sucking out their soul, and the trolls and giants were thumping around, flattening any stray witch or wizard. The Dragons were soaring over head and the sky soon became dark as a black fog descended on the two sides and the curses began to fly.
Houses became flames as the dragons vengefully destroyed them, and Draco's lungs soon became infested with the thick, black smoke they produced. His eyes smarted as he penetrated the gloom frantically, searching for Hermione or anyone on their side, but he appeared to be alone. The others must have scattered in order to confuse the enemy. A flash of light to his left indicated that his only companion was not if the friendly variety and Draco whirled around to face his adversary.
He faced a Death Eater in full regalia, mask and hood and dark robes; had he been anyone other than Draco Malfoy, he was sure he would have fled at the sight of one. But he was Draco Malfoy, and not only was he not one to flee; he was also a damn good fighter and would duel until he won. He raised his wand into the duelling position and hurled countless curses at his attacker. He wasn't sure if they were allowed to use the unforgivables or if he would be permitted use of his Dark Magic, considering the extraordinary circumstances. He mentally kicked himself twice; once for not asking Dumbledore and a second time as a well aimed curse by the Death Eater nearly took his head off.
He swore severely as he shook of the head-confusing curse, in an attempt to clear his thoughts, and aimed his wand at the advancing enemy, firing a scorching charm at them. The Death Eater fell back with shock and Draco immediately summoned the wand of his adversary. He snapped the wand in two and towered over the defeated wizard, sneering at him.
"You're disgraceful." He smirked, "Following a crazed lunatic as if he were the best thing since transfiguration. You are sad and strange, and you have my pity."
The Death Eater made a futile attempt to attack Draco using any branches, bricks and rubble he could lay his hands on but Draco was quick to place a binding curse on the flailing Death Eater, before muttering the killing curse. A flash of light and the Death Eater was dead. Draco turned away; he didn't care who it was. As long as they remained anonymous he felt little guilt; they were faceless to him, inhumane; and that made it more acceptable.
Draco picked his way carefully and silently through the rubble of Hogsmeade, pressing himself against the small wall that remained of the book shop. As he edged around the corner he felt heavy breathing and hot breath behind him and turned to face a twenty foot giant, looking highly annoyed at something.
"Shit. It just isn't my day is it big guy?" Draco muttered, before leaping into action and grabbing hold of the giant's belt in order to reach a higher position; the skull being the weakest part of a giant, it made more sense to get closer to it.
The giant, being of the slow witted variety, took a while to register that an extra weight had attached itself to his belt and, by the time it had, Draco was already on his shoulders trying to figure out the best route to the giant's head. The scenery before Draco blurred and whizzed in front of his eyes as the giant fought to hit Draco from it, but Draco held tightly to one of the massive ears and secured himself there before deftly leaping onto the lumpy skull.
Draco clung onto the wisps of hair that grew sparingly on the giant's head, and more than once found he had pulled one out and was about to fall until he grabbed another. Without giving his actions a second thought he hurled curses at the giant's thick skin in order to penetrate and make some kind of headway in gaining the advantage of the battle. The giant flailed beneath him, trying to swat Draco from his perch and Draco was finding it increasingly difficult to hold on with one arm and throw curses with his wand in the other. In a desperate move Draco summoned up the dark power that he normally would never call upon. He cursed himself for using it twice recently and vowed that he would never again once the battle was over. The giant swayed on the spot and began to slump as black lightning crashed in the skies and struck the giant squarely on the forehead. As the giant crashed to the ground Draco leapt wildly from his shoulders and onto the low roof of one of the few surviving buildings. He felt his ankle crack beneath him and a sharp pain in his chest as he crashed onto the tiles but he thanked the Gods that he was safe.
"Draco!" A female voice shouted from the ground, "Draco!"
He looked down and saw Cho Chang waving at him, flailing her arms for him to come down;
"Quick. It's Jennifer; I think Pansy's going to kill her."
Draco jumped deftly from the roof, swearing violently at the pain in his ankle; he would have to fix it later but now was not the time, and came face to face with the catfight of the century. Pansy had Jennifer in a headlock and was mercilessly trying to cast the Crucio but Jennifer was fighting back with vengeance and was firing repeated knock-out charms haphazardly at the Slytherin girl's head, resulting in Pansy occasionally loosing consciousness but not letting go of Jennifer. Draco and Cho ran to the fighting pair and hauled them apart.
"I'll fucking kill her!" Pansy screamed, "Little bitch; taking my Draco away."
"He wasn't yours Pansy and he's not mine either." Jennifer shot back, attempting to reason with the crazy girl.
But Pansy was beyond all reason and began hurling unforgivables at the trio, hitting Cho with the killing curse. Draco watched, stunned, as the pretty ex-Ravenclaw fell to the ground, her face a mixture of shock, anger and fear.
"You evil bitch." Draco screamed, preparing to kill Pansy himself.
"No," Jennifer said, "you see to Cho; get her out of the way."
Draco's eyes met Jennifer's and he nodded; she had to do this. For all the times that pansy had made every other girl's life hell. For all the bullying and the manipulating she had done and for all the lives she had or nearly ruined Jennifer raised her wand in combat. Draco knelt next to Cho's dead body and watched.
"Oh, so you're going to fight me then are you? Ravenclaw?" Pansy spat.
"You say my house as if it were an insult." Jennifer mused. "I'd save my breath if I were you."
But Pansy would not; she was not the kind to keep her mouth shut when duelling, instead opting to taunt her opponent, pick out their weak spots to deflate their self-esteem and then knock them off guard. Pansy played dirty. Unfortunately for Pansy though, Jennifer knew that.
The pair circled each other, all the while Pansy insulting whichever part of Jennifer she could; her looks, her background, her parents, her house, even her friends, but Jennifer stood tall, taking none of it to heart, her face set in stony determination as Pansy fired the first curse; an unforgivable. From then on the rules did not apply and each dodged and threw off the Crucios that flew back and forth. Jennifer writhed in pain as one hit her in the shoulder but Draco had to marvel at the way she handled herself and managed to catch Pansy off guard whilst she was gloating. And as Pansy fell to the floor Jennifer muttered two words;
"Avada Kedavra."
Pansy fell and Jennifer stood, shocked at what she had done, staring at her ex-schoolmate (if that was the right term to use) before falling into Draco's arms in silent tears. When she was spent Draco eased her away and together they levitated Cho's body to the side of the building; they would collect it later.
Numerous flashes of light were being fired all around them and with a final hug and "I'll see you at the end." Jennifer fled into the night, her wand at the ready.
Within moments of Jennifer leaving Draco's side a vision entered his head, it was Dumbledore.
"Assemble at the centre of Hogsmeade. It will end there."
Draco didn't need telling twice and, after healing his ankle crudely with a charm, he made his way to the centre of Hogsmeade, his wand at the ready and firing one or two killing curses on the way. He was not sure if they met their targets but, as he was still alive, he assumed they must have done.
Carefully Draco edged around the buildings, ensuring he would come out on the right side, and sure enough he found himself creeping up towards a fallen tree where Snape and Hermione were crouching at the back of a crowd. Draco gripped Hermione's hand tightly and McGonagall approached them. Over her shoulder they could see through the fog ridden air the silhouettes of the many wizards and witches who were trying their best to ward off the Death Eaters as Dumbledore and Harry duelled frantically with Voldemort.
"How many have we lost?" Snape asked, fear in his voice.
"More than any of us would like." McGonagall sighed, her hair in disarray and her eyes were filled with open fear. She began to recall names; "Neville and Luna fell early on, as did Dennis Creevey and his father, Charlie Weasley, Neville Longbottom, Luna Lovegood and Padma Patil that I have counted regarding students."
"What about staff and The Order?"
"Just as bad; Tonks, Kingsley, Mad-Eye, Flitwick and Sinstra. It's not looking good but Dumbledore has a plan worked out. I just pray that it works." She turned to Draco "I believe your Mother has fallen as well."
"I wouldn't expect her not to." Draco admitted, "She'll have died the way she wanted to and I doubt I would be the most favoured child in history had she survived. But...We've lost Cho too." He added in a mutter and Hermione let out a gasp.
"Oh Gods, we're dropping like flies. We were outnumbered anyway but now it must be at least ten to one." She cried her hand over her mouth to quiet her sobs.
Draco pulled her into a tight hug and saw over her shoulder, numerous dark figures gliding towards them.
"Dementors!" He yelled, pushing Hermione out of the way.
The four of them began to conjure up the happiest memory they could ain order to ward of the Dementors but Draco struggled. His patronus fizzled at the end of his wand as he searched through his childhood memories to find a single happiest moment. He found none there. To his left he saw Hermione; her face was flushed but determined and the ever stray strand of hair had again escaped the binding she had attempted to put it in and she pushed it back wildly as her otter attacked two Dementors.
He had found his happy thought.
"Expecto Patronum!" Draco yelled and a panther leapt from the end of his wand, diving forward and taking down another two Dementors.
"It's about to begin." McGonagall whispered as her monkey patronus and Snape's crow finished the Dementors off, and the three inched forwards, their wands at the ready. Between them and Harry and Voldemort lay numerous Death Eaters and they resorted to dirty tactics of sneaking up and attacking from behind in order to pull the numbers back slightly. Draco glanced to his left and noticed that Lupin was moving in with other members of The Order and students on their right, and Mr and Mrs Weasley were on the left with even more. They were going to encircle the Death Eaters who were attempting to surround Harry and Dumbledore. They would be caught by their own trap.
Silently the light encircled the dark and it was all too late that the Death Eaters realised the position they were in. A small handful threw down their wands, defeated; they would be taken to Azkaban, but others stood defiant, refusing to abandon that which they believed in. The students and The Order each cast Expelliarmus, catching every wand as it flew to them. Voldemort's followers were defenceless and all fell silent.
"You will falter Albus and you will lose." Voldemort's voice rose above the. "I have the gift of the Gods and you have nothing but a boy with a scar and a grudge."
"Alas, Tom you do not know that which you are dealing with. You have nothing but your disillusioned dreams. It is we who hold the power to defeat all for it is Harry that Asriel has chosen."
"Never!" Voldemort screeched, "The Dark God would not choose that protector of light to use his power."
"Harry offers Asriel more than you ever could." Dumbledore roared back and Draco saw the anger that had scared so many previous wizards; the Headmaster's eyes flashed with blue fire and his whole being seemed to grow and sparkle with his own energy.
And as Draco watched so did Harry's as Asriel began his work to save wizarding kind. Yet when the power began so to did the interference from the other Gods and Harry lit up with the essence of them all. His body flickered red and green as the powers took over. He began to levitate from the ground, deflecting all the curses that were sent his way by the distraught Voldemort who, in vain was attempting to break the circle in which he had been caged but no amount of threatening or cursing would allow him to pass. In his rage he stood before Ginny Weasley who proudly in front of him, her eyes never flickering;
"Move girl." Voldemort spat.
"Never."
"Then die." Came his response, and in the same instant that Voldemort said the words Harry threw a portion of his power to the circle of captors and, although Ginny fell to the ground, she was breathing, caught be only half of the intended curse as Harry's shield pushed the rest of it back.
Voldemort screeched in rage and turned to the centre of the circle where Harry was now hovering and it was then that The-Boy-Who-Lived carefully took aim with his wand, pointing it to the centre of Voldemort's heart and loudly, so all around could hear, he spoke the two words that the wizarding world had been longing to be spoken to the Dark Lord for nearly 20 years;
"Avada Kedavra."
As the green light swooped downwards from Harry and towards its goal Voldemort let out a strangled cry;
"No!"
With mere seconds to live the He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named wheeled around to where Draco, Snape and Hermione stood.
"Traitors!" He yelled to them and with a wild, inarticulated yelp he threw a curse wildly at them. Hermione was hit and Draco could see a crimson line of fire on her skin where the curse had hit across her stomach.
Everything happened in rapid succession. Draco knelt next to Hermione who gave him a weak smile;
"I'll see you in a bit." She whispered, "I need to rest." Her eyes closed.
Draco frantically gripped her hand and felt her wrist; her pulse was faint but steady.
Tears stung his eyes as he watched the Dark Lord fall. The winds rose around him as the green light of the killing curse engulfed him into the storm. His cries peaked and died just as suddenly and as the ashes fell Dumbledore stepped forward and to collect them in a black ornate box with silver inscriptions. Harry fell to the floor panting and, as the survivors gathered around him and Hermione, Dumbledore turned to Draco;
"Mr Malfoy," he said solemnly, "I must ask for your help one last time."
Draco walked to the old man.
"I must ask you to seal this box with the greatest knowledge of Dark Magic that you possess."
"Sir, may I ask, why do you not seal it yourself?"
"Alas, Draco I am too old to be doing such things; the spell that seals this box must be done by someone able to guard over it for along time and pass it onto the next in their family. Only then will it be truly safe. I have little time left on this physical plane and have no kin to pass this onto, so I ask you to do it for me. I ask you because, out of everyone here; including Harry, you know most of all what terrible things the wizard in this box was capable of doing."
Draco nodded, a lump in his throat at hearing the wizened words of the favoured Headmaster and he called upon his strength for the last time. The storm clouds gathered and combined with the smoke and flames as Draco asked for use of the power for this final necessary task. His being filled to the core with the pure Dark Magic and he could feel it longing to escape its restraints, but he channelled the energy into the pretty little box with a promise from himself and the power that it would never be opened.
As the spell was completed the storm clouds parted, the fog lifted and the rosy hue of dawn crept into the devastated village, Draco glanced into the crowds where he saw Hermione. He heard voices;
"She won't wake."
"There's something wrong."
"They've interfered with her."
He tried to listen further but the noises blurred together, he tried to move but his legs gave way, tired of all the fighting and running and stress they had endured. His eyelids wouldn't stay open and his mouth wouldn't speak as he collapsed, exhausted to the soft earth.
AUTHOR'S NOTE; THIS IS NOT THE END!!!!!! I WILL FINISH THIS STORY SO PLEASE DON'T ASK ME ANY MORE. THERE ARE ABOUT FIVE CHAPTERS LEFT SO I WILL NOT BE ABANDONING IT. PLEASE, NO MORE REVIEWS ASKING ME TO FINISH IT. IT WILL BE FINISHED. Have I made my point? Lol. Honestly, I love that you enjoy the story so much but I am really not cruel enough to just leave it unfinished. I know this Chapter took forever but I hope you can see why; it's three times as long as usual and it's taken me over two weeks to get it as right as I think I can. The rest of my updates will be back to the usual length and should be more regular :o)