Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter and neither all the other characters. Most of them are JK Rowling's property. I'm just using them in a plot using the figments of my imagination. So please don't sue me for using these characters.

A/N: Whew finally it's done. This is the longest chapter that I've written so far. I hope I didn't keep you lot to wait for long. I have been extremely busy lately. And then I found out that my beta has temporarily discontinued to work with me as he is in mourning right now. Spo, it was like back to old times. I do hope there aren't many mistakes, and if they are any please don't sue me.

Another importantb thing is that I've been getting a lot of anonymus reviews. I haven't got anything against it but guys, membership to FanFiction.net is free. So please do sign up. It's always better to have a signed review rather than an unsigned. Also I've changed my E-Mail Address. If you want to know the new one you'll have to be a FF.net member and then look at my profile page.

Oh, in case any of you haven't found out yet, the sixth book is going to be titled, the Half Blood Prince. Also Rowling has stated that the HBP is neither Harry nor Voldemort.

Lastly a big hug to all m reviwers. Thanks a bunch fellas.

HarryPotterFan17: I know, about the songs. I told you though that this chapter ws small. Hopefully you'll like this chapter as it is nice and long.

Omeganian: Ha,ha. A wizard Batman indeed. Well that ws very humourous indeed. Ya, I like the idea but it was a little too far-fetched though.

heedless One: I am disappointed that you are not impressed. On your next review, give me ideas and things that you want to see so that I may be able to satisfy you with my writing.

ironic-humour: Thanks for the review.

creative reader: Yeah, I also think along the same lines. I've given you some pointers on your fic. Check the reviews, hope it helps. Keep reviewing though.

SerpentClara: I am flattered. Did the Romance sound so good? I didn't think so. I was downright nervous when I posted that chapter. I thought that I would mess it up. Glad to see that you liked it though.

Conz: Thanks for the review. Hey, my Beta reader was there for me only in the last two chapters. Before that it was me all along. Please don't speak like that about him. He is currently in mourning now. I know I suck at typing because I make too many mistakes. Glad to see you liked the story though.

Karl: Thanks for the review and for your opinion.

AutumnKate: You should have been a Ravenclaw, I'm sure you've already worked out the ending using your 'Ravenclaw' logic and understanding. Thanks for the review though and a sickle for your thoughts.

Stephie: Thanks for the review and for the vote. The very thought that I've influenced a person to read my fic even though he/she doesn't like HP/CC fics keeps giving me a certain degree confidence and keeps me going.

HoshiHikari4ever: Thanks for the review and for your thoughts. You know I'm getting good at this, ending chapters where they shouldn't end.

Enigma: Well it seems that we have two people using the same name, this may turn out to be confusing. So guys please sign up at FF.net. Thanks to both of you for the reviews.

Chaotic-Lord: Relax. Cool down, before you cause more chaos. It was just a joke. A silly joke. How can you expect me to write something aweful as that. Relax, Cho will only shag one person and nobody needs to have a guess who that is. Thanks for the review though. UI thought that I may have scared the living daylights out of you.

Charisma: Thanks for the review.

The Pureblood Returns
"Damn" Henry swore.

"Cho try to escort as many students you can to the safety of the castle. Give Mcgonagall a call and tell them that we need help here. Once you're done with the students you get any number of teachers that you can get and come down here. I'll try to keep them at bay."

"Are you sure you can handle this alone?"

"Trust me; it's for everyone's good. Someone needs to get the students out of the way."

Cho nodded and didn't argue. She hurried away.

"Malfoy, stop this at once."

"Ah, if it isn't the new defence against the dark arts teacher at Hogwarts. Tell me did you know that post was jinxed? Your death wouldn't come as a surprise to old Mcgonagall."

"I would very much like you to try."

"Indeed, I didn't think you would ask. I haven't had a good duel in years. Let's see what Durmstrang has taught you."

"I had been waiting for this day, Malfoy. I have been waiting to duel you for a long time."

"Well, what are we waiting for then? Our master wanted us to torture people here today, but I think he would be glad when we bring your dead corpse to him."

"You really think Potter is going to be happy with you if you try to hurt me. Not that you can be able to do it."

"Potter, is just there sharing his body with my master, soon he'll get his body back and then you lot will have hell to pay."

"Then, Potter will be dead and the dark lord will reign again. This time no one will be able to stop him."

"How do you know that Potter will be dead? How do you know that Voldemort will not die instead? How do you know that Potter isn't the one controlling him instead of the other way around?"

there was a sharp hiss from the death eaters.

"You dare speak his name with your ungrateful half blood lips!!!" a short death eater standing beside Malfoy hissed.

"Sure I can. I know what happened that night as well between your so called filthy 'Master' and Harry Potter."

"Enough" the Death Eater roared.

"Enough is enough. It is time we converted our talk to words. Crucio!!!"

Henry watched the spell come to him in slow motion. The red jet of light burst out from Lucius Malfoy's wand and rushed towards him. He paused to think for one moment and then let his defences fall and let the curse hit him. He had to make this look to be normal.

Pain, enormous pain. He shivered and lay on the ground writhing in pain. He didn't shout or scream but flinched horribly. After a long time Malfoy withdrew the curse.

"Liked it Patterson? That was just an appetizer. Want some more?"

"There's nothing that you can give me." He spat.

"Manners, Patterson. And you're a teacher. Shame on you. What would the teachers say? Not to think about the fact that what kind of impression you'll have on the students. I think you need to be trained a bit more. Crucio!"

Henry dodged fast and waved his hand around Malfoy and shouted.

"Riparaus!"

His entire hand glowed purple before a huge surge of energy left him. The power of the spell was so great that it absorbed Malfoy's Cruciatus Curse and then it struck Malfoy and the three nearest Death Eaters. For the next few minutes the other death eaters watched in horror as their four colleagues screamed aloud in pain. They saw their veins turn purple and burst out. When Henry finally released the curse the four were a bloody heap.

"Know what that was! The Ripperatus Curse. Chokes all veins and arteries before ripping them. Was banned five hundred years ago, shortly after it's discovery due to its brutal nature. You don't need the Cruciatus Curse if you know how to do this. Now if you lot don't want to be it's victim I suggest you leave. And take this mess with you."

The death eaters looked at each other before nodding in a silent agreement. They picked up the bodies of their comrades before apparating away. Henry looked around. There were a few people staring at him.

He sighed and spoke.

"Get back to your houses. Hogsmeade is safe for now."

He turned to walk back to Hogwarts when suddenly it struck him. Something didn't feel right. Something was drastically wrong. He had specifically instructed them to bring back someone.

"But they all went away, didn't they?" a quiet voice in his mind spoke.

"Unless, unless they planned a diversion, for something else. What if ..."

He shuddered and hurried away hoping his thoughts were wrong.
Alice wandered about Hogsmeade village. She was now roaming around the outskirts of the village. She was near the craggy, rocky areas of the town. There were caves. She kept looking around them. Normally she would've spent her time looking around the bookshop searching for new arrivals. But today was different. She couldn't bear to be near to Harry. She felt she would explode if he approached her. She now completely hated him. She hated everything about him. She kept pondering on this thought when she was jerked from her thoughts by the swishing of a cloak. She was about to speak out loud when she heard voices and paused to hear.

"Blast him, Master will punish us severely. Damn, I didn't even have the idea that he was so powerful. He won't be so powerful next time. He merely got us by surprise."

"Shhh. I can sense someone around here. In the caves."

Alice was completely unprepared when two tall men in black robes entered her hiding place and dragged her out.

"Well, well, well. If it isn't that daughter of the filthy mud blood and the blood traitor."

"Yo-you are the ones from the train station. You are death eaters."

"So, you know us that would make short of the introductions. But still let me tell you my name.... My name is Nott and I'm famous for... Crucio!"
Harry and Justin were at Zonko's Joke shop trying out their new products and comparing them with the ones sent by his favourite uncles when he heard a shriek.

They quickly went outside the shop and were joined by other students. They saw a gruesome scene unfolding. There were about forty people with black cloaks and a mask covering their faces. They cloaks had their hoods up. They were torturing a young girl and her parents. They were held up high in the air and they kept turning them over. The girl was looking green. A few men cackled and one of them sent a curse at her and she started to scream as if a thousand knives struck her.

"Run, everybody run for your lives, death eaters are on loose."

Death eaters. The name struck a chord in his ear. He had heard it before, somewhere. But where? Where had he heard it? It sounded familiar but he just couldn't place it. Then it struck him. These people had attacked the train. They had attacked his dad. They were responsible for all unhappiness in the world. They were the followers of you-know-who and Harry Potter.

A sudden burst of anger caused him to flame inside. But as soon as it came it was gone. He felt a pair of strong hands land on his shoulder and drag him away.

"Get back to the school. Tell your mum and dad to be here fast." Professor Chang's voice sounded from very far away. Justin tried to drag him from the scene but his feet were rooted.

"Harry let's go, you heard what she said. We gotta tell your parents."

"Ya, but-but, Alice?"

"What about her?"

"She doesn't know about this. She must be warned. I must warn her. Justin go and tell my parents."

"I'm doing nothing of that sort. You're coming with me right now."

"Justin, she's my sister. I cannot let them harm her. I'll have to warn her so that we can come back safe. You warn them. Go Justin."

Harry rushed away towards the outskirts of the village. He kept running in the general direction, which he saw Alice take while she kept wandering away.

Justin saw his best friend running towards the opposite direction. He shrugged and nodded his head and sprang on his heels and ran towards the school.
Harry kept on running till he reached the craggy rocky hills. He looked up and groaned. There were scores of caves here and she could be in any of them. He started to climb the rocky surface. His face began to sweat and his breathing became laboured from the effort.

He knew he had to go on. Pushing out all unnatural and tragic thoughts from his mind he focussed on finding his sister before the damned death eaters do so. He shuddered to think of what might happen if they found her before he does. He had seen with his bare eyes of what they had done to his dad. What if she was struck with some kind of same spell? He shook that thought from his head. No, he was going to find her first.

He was pondering his thoughts when he heard a sharp scream followed by a blood-curling shriek of pain. Too late they have found her.

"Come on, hurry up. She's in trouble." He urged himself.

He quickly moved around a large rock and the entire scenario unfolded before him. There she was, lying there on the floor covered with dirt. She was surrounded by at least five other death eaters. She lay on the ground still like a crumpled heap.

"Oh God please let her be all right." He prayed silently.

He slowly started to make his way towards stealthily. The death eaters hadn't seen him yet. So he still had the element of surprise with him. He hid behind a large boulder. He took careful aim at the death eater towering over Alice as he raised his wand to curse her again. Next he made the same movement taught to him by his defence Professor and muttered the incantation.

"Expelliarmus!"

Immediately the wand flew from the death eater's hand and landed near Harry's feet. All of them looked up and saw Harry lurking behind the boulder.

"Well, well, well. If it isn't the brother of the foolish girl. Thought you could take on us, did you? Well then you are so wrong. We don't need wands to kill you or your pathetic sister here. We could do so with our bare hands. But I must admire your courage. You came down here when none would. I appreciate it and that's why I'm going to kill both of you."

"Crucio!"

Harry heard three voices cry out the spell. He saw through the corner of his eye jets of red light streaming towards him. He didn't know much about duelling but he had common sense to dodge them but three spells for a first year was too much. He bypassed the first two but the last one struck him straight in the chest.

Pain.

He felt pain. It was pain like he never experienced before. His bones ached and it seemed that his muscles would rip apart. He screamed out loud. He shouted and he howled. After a long time the curse was finally lifted off him. He lay on the floor just like his sister covered with dirt and blood seeping from his nose. Now he knew which spell caused his sister to scream. He didn't envy her. It was very painful and he'd have given anything to get both of them outside from this situation. He knew he had called for help. He knew they would be coming soon, but where are they? Why haven't they shown themselves yet? Questions popped inside his little head.

"Get the portkey ready, we are leaving with these right here. The death eater told one of his companions. Master will be happy."

"Aaaaaaaaaarghhhhhhhhh"

Henry heard the voice. He recognised it too well. It belonged to one of his favourite students that reminded him of his childhood days. He increased his pace cursing himself for not being able to see through this trick of Malfoy's.

He soon reached the entrance of the cave. He saw his two students tied with ropes magically and gagged. This sight infuriated him. His body began to burn with anger. They were two first year students and these vermin were bullying them. They needed to be taught a lesson. He made a mental note of that. He appeared into view of the death eaters and feigned a cough to catch their attention.

"You!" One of them cried out.

"Yes, it's me. I see that you have been torturing two young students who have not even completed a full month at Hogwarts. Shame on you! What would your master say? You left they big bullies and now you are going after the little ones and that too taking them as hostages. How embarrassing!"

"Leave now, you son of a bitch" he spoke with gritted teeth.

"I don't think so. You will free the students and leave now unless you want another live demonstration of what happened today earlier." He commanded. His voice had grown deeper and seemed more powerful.

"I don't think so." The death eater sneered.

He picked up Alice and aimed his wand at his throat.

"Move another muscle and she gets it." He threatened.

"How about this, you give them back to me and I'll let you live."

"You hear him, he wants to kill us all alone outnumbered as he is."

"So, was Lucius, earlier today until he got a piece of my magic."

The sneering smile faded from the death eater's face and he shouted.

"Avada Kedavra!"

Henry half expected this. He quickly dodged the curse and flipped on his stomach and rolled forwards. The other death eaters also started to send curses at him but he rolled out of the way. He stopped till he was in front of the death eater, and then got up. The death eater now looked scared.

"Avada Ke-" he couldn't complete the curse.

Before he could, the professor's fist has made contact with his jaw and he was sent flying across the cave.

Henry quickly picked up Alice and rushed over to Harry and let her down. Next he raised both his hands above his head and made a certain swishing motion with his hand. Immediately an invisible shield had formed around the three of them. The death eaters tried to throw all kinds of curses at them but all of them bounced back.

"I gave you a chance to flee, but you lot were too stubborn to take it. Now pay for your consequences. Ripperaus!"

For the second time those words escaped his mouth. He watched at the miserable death eaters as they groaned and howled in pain. He saw their bodies elongate and their clothing burst as the veins exploded within their body. He saw their skin rip apart as blood started to freely flow. Strangely he felt no remorse at his actions. He felt they were cowards trying to attack to little kids but that didn't matter to him anymore. He wanted to hurt them. He wanted to hurt them bad. All his anguish and vent up emotion burst out. He remembered that it was because of these accursed 'creatures' that Sirius had died. He felt that they deserved the same. He didn't lift the curse as he had done earlier. He watched them scream in pure agony. But he didn't lift the spell. He watched them waste away in front of his eyes. Only when the screams stopped did he lift the curse. He saw that only a few lumps of flesh and some blood stained robes were all that remained of the death eaters.

All of Hogsmeade was searched at that moment. Each and every shop and the houses were being searched thoroughly. Cho was comforting Hermione who was uncontrollably weeping on Ron's robes. Ron himself looked tearful. Neville was out their with a bunch of aurors searching the village and Minerva Mcgonagall and Albus Dumbledore were talking gravely in low tones. Dumbledore looked grave. Snape was standing against a wall. He too was anxious.

"Do not worry Hermione. Nothing will happen to them. Harry is a smart kid and Alice is good too. They will be alive." Ron was trying to comfort her but he was not very successful.

"Hermione, Henry is with them, I think. He won't let anything happen to them." Cho comforted.

"According to the eyewitnesses Henry single handedly drove them away before mysteriously vanishing away. I'm sure he is with them right as we..." Cho's voice faltered.

She couldn't believe her eyes. She saw Henry appear out of a corner; Harry walking by his side and Alice had her arms around him. He was carrying her like a loving godfather. Harry had a haunted look on his face and Alice looked nothing less than scared to death. Both of them looked as if they had travelled to hell and back.

"Oh, Harry, Alice. You are safe. I was so worried about you. I thought you were taken."

Hermione leapt at them. She began hugging both of them, almost strangling them.

"Thank goodness both of you are okay." Ron spoke in a hollow voice. His voice cracked and tears of joy started to flow from his eyes. He then proceeded to give his son and his daughter a fierce hug.

Henry was a mute spectator to all this. He watched the happy family reunited again. He smiled to himself and then proceeded to walk away. He had a lot of work tonight. He went along trying to find Neville and the aurors. He had to tell them about the death eaters lying bloodied outside the cave. Then he had to go back to his 'home' and punish his lot of morons.

He was searching for Neville when he heard a voice calling him.

"Henry?"

He turned around and saw Ron calling him. He smiled and walked up to him.

"Look I'm sorry for what - "

"It's okay. I understand. There's no need to apologise on Hermione's behalf. She had every right to suspect me. I understand."

"No, no. We are truly very sorry. I didn't know about your past. Dumbledore told us just now. We shouldn't have been so rude to you. You had the best intentions at heart."

"Ron I told you, there's no need to be sorry. You all were right to be suspicious. If I had bee in your place I'd be too."

"No, Henry please, let me be. You saved our children today. You risked your life to save our children. How can I ever repay you? And to think we suspected you. I am so-so ashamed."

"You don't have to repay nothing. And as saving your children are concerned, it was my duty. I'm the Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher of the school. It was my duty to protect the students. And your children are also my students. So, I was just doing my duty. There's no need to feel that you're in debt."

"No, tell me, anything just tell me. I wouldn't be able to rest till I'd done something for you."

Henry smiled.

"Alright, there's one thing that you can do for me."

"Anything, just name it."

"You can give both your children a good night's rest and give them a strong dose of Sleeping Draught as they had seen many horrors today that even grown wizards shouldn't see."

"I'll do it. But what did you mean by horrors?"

He sighed. This was going to take some time.

"Well for starters, your son did a noble yet foolish task of trying to look out for his sister when the death eaters first appeared. He sensed that Alice had wandered off to the desolate parts of the village. He found her only to see her being subjected to the Cruciatus Curse by half a dozen death eaters. Then in an admirable source of courage he stood up to himself and challenged them. He fought of one of them but the rest of the lot subjected the Cruciatus upon him. Hearing his shrieks I came upon the place.

"I would've killed them Henry. They have no right to attack two first year children who even haven't managed to learn the simplest of spells properly. Heck they aren't even one month in school. I don't know what you did with them but I'd have killed them." Ron was sobbing again at the thought of what his hildren had gone through.

"I that case Ron, your wish was granted. Because I killed the whole lot of them and in a most brutal manner. All that remains of them is a few pieces of flesh, and some blood stained robes."

"How did you kill them?" Ron spoke softly.

"Ever heard of the Ripperatus Curse? I don't think so. It is one, which kills a person with sheer pain. It rips the blood vessels and tears apart the skin causing massive bleeding. Eventually the person bleeds to death. There was only one instance in the history of magic when a person was killed before. It was way back three hundred years back when the spell was discovered. The person died while testing the curse. It was banned immediately. No book publishes about such curses. You will forget the Cruciatus Curse if you experienced this. The Cruciatus Curse attacks the brain and subjects us to mental pain, but this one offers you true physical pain. The 'Avada Kedavra' is a blessing compared to this. It allows you to die in a moment but this one kills you slowly breaking down your body. It is most gruesome to see someone die like that. I am sorry to say that both your children had to witness this tragic event."

Ron just stood there stupefied. He had no idea that any curse could be so gruesome. He had heard of the Unforgivables but this one made it sound the Unforgivables a joke.

"I had no idea such kind of gruesome spells existed."

"You have no idea."

With that he left Ron glued to the spot and he left to find the aurors.

"Bloody Fools! You let that pathetic teacher get to you. I am gravely disappointed in you Lucius. I thought better of you. It appears that fool has already caused enough damage to your pathetic self to land you in this pitiable state. I must say though he did use a nice curse. He made me remember a lot curses that I read a long time ago. It will be useful against that muggle loving fool. They would be expecting us the usual unforgivable curses, but this will surprise them. He at least did one good thing to remind myself of the existence of those curses."

Lucius Malfoy pretended to stand up but he immediately fell down. His body was injured heavily.

"Crabbe, Goyle you ugly morons help the fool and take him away from me before I change my plans about killing him."

Two big and dumb death eaters waked up and grabbed Malfoy's shoulders and carried him away.

"Now, it appears that we have a new member joining us today. Ah Severus, it's been a long time isn't it since we have had a nice little chat."

One of the death eaters standing at the very end of the circle nodded very slightly.

"Come forward, Severus. We need to have a talk."

Snape moved forward. He felt his heart beating rapidly. He had expected this dread for a long time. He had repeatedly told Dumbledore that he wasn't up to the task but Dumbledore had refused. So he had been sent on this 'suicide' mission. He silently cursed himself for being so nervous. He tried to calm himself and rid himself of all emotion so that the dark lord would not see through his disguise.

Harry watched his ex-potions master walk up to him. He bowed and kneeled down. Slowly Harry rose from the throne and started to walk towards Snape. He was aware that each and every movement made by him was closely watched by him, through his mask. With a sudden movement Harry stepped onto the light revealing his face to the double agent.

Snape let out a gasp. Whatever he was expecting it hadn't been this. He looked into a wizard with torn tattered robes and a dusty, muddy cloak. He had long hair and a beard. But his eyes were the most striking feature. He had red eyes. Thin slits for eye holes. He didn't have any spectacles with him and the scar on his forehead that made him so famous was now burnt pitch black.

"Potter!!!" that was all Snape could manage to blurt out.

"I am disappointed in you Severus. I thought that you knew better than to think of something like that. Yes I'm in Potter's body but I control him right now. Potter has nothing to do with my actions. He is just useful for his body. Surely you didn't think Potter was wise enough to kill al those people back at Azkaban, or on that day ten years back."

"Bu-but Potter was the one who killed those people."

"Severus, were you not paying attention, it was I Lord Voldemort who killed those people. I possessed him just before he tried to kill me. I made him suffer. I made all those people close to him hate him for his actions. It was me all along. I left Potter to his misery for ten years, till he was on the brink of insanity. Then I re-possessed him and escaped from Azkaban. I needed his body till I had enough strength to get myself a new body."

"So Potter was innocent all along. He didn't kill those people."

"You know Severus maybe you should leave Hogwarts, Dumbledore is now eating up your brains."

"I'm sorry my lord."

Harry looked at the Potions master and thought of all the pain he had caused. He could curse him into oblivion right now, but he knew he could release him also. He had just told a member of the Order of the Phoenix about his true condition. He knew if Dumbledore heard about this then all his plans will be lost. He could be welcomed back to the wizarding world but did he want that?

A silent voice in the back of his head answered the question for him.

'No, you don't. You want revenge. You want the death of the person who destroyed precious ten years of your life. The most important ten years of one's life; the time when an individual indulges in romance and gets married and have kids. No he didn't want forgiveness. He wanted revenge. He wanted the head of Albus Dumbledore.

No, Snape couldn't be free. He had to be kept here.

"Leave, you ugly morons before I turn you into snails. Severus, Draco remain. The rest leave."

Snape now was afraid. There must be a reason why he was asked to stand back. Draco also looked curious. He hadn't expected this also.

"Severus, I've told you more about my awakening than I should have told you. I hadn't intended to, but well it sure seems to serve a purpose. Now, I can't let you run to Hogwarts or to Grimmauld Place telling that crooked fool everything about what I told you today. It would destroy the grand finale that I had planned. Potter will be proved innocent and you know that I certainly wouldn't want that. Its better that Potter gets all the blame for my dirty work."

"I - I don't know what you are talking about my lord." He stammered.

"Really? Then I would have to refresh your memory Snape. You were the one to work behind my back, stabbing me from behind. I thought you were working for me when all the time you were working for that fool. You even try to save the Potters' didn't you when I set out to kill them? But you were s wrong. I have finally seen through your disguise. You cannot hide from me forever. And soon you'll realize that you've joined the wrong side. Very soon Dumbledore'll be dead. Then I would rule the planet. Lord Voldemort would rule again."

Severus was shaking now. He was very frightened. He looked up at his former student's face but saw cruelty in it. He didn't see any signs of relief. Those eyes which had been once green full of mercy was now red full of destructiveness.

"Draco, take our little visitor down to the dungeons and put him up for entertainment. I would like to visit him sometime. And come back soon, I've business with you."

Malfoy soon returned.

"Is everything all set Draco?"

"Yes, my Lord."

"Good. Now go to Hogwarts. I remember that Dumbledore offered you a post if Snape was not present. I guess this is your opportunity. Keep your ears open there. And mind your behaviour there. I have my most faithful servant there and he won't be grateful if you tried to make his life difficult. Now leave."

Draco curtly nodded and then bowed gracefully before apparating away.

Harry watched Malfoy, disapparate away. He normally would remain cruel after one of his death eater meetings and tonight he had a spy captive in the house. Yet his mind seemed to flutter away to a faraway distant place. He had seen her; he had spoken to her after more than ten years.

Ten years, this had made his life a living hell. He had felt maddened all those years and had forcefully thought up all the hatred that he felt and had targeted towards her. All those times, he had felt betrayed and he felt abused. He felt that he had been mistreated by her. But all the barriers of hate that he felt towards her had cracked when he first saw her; at Hogwarts and today whilst talking with her all those barriers had come tumbling down. All the deceitfulness, trickery, cruelty, lies and pain on which Harry had harboured his feelings towards her had come tumbling down. He had felt miserable seeing her moaning and calling out her name. She obviously was recollecting one of their fond memories. It was painful not only for her but also for him.

All his life he had wanted her, desired her. Even today when he saw her at 'The Three Broomsticks' his eyes had glowed with lust and his heart had been beating wild with excitement. His mind had been filled with passion. He had wanted her there itself. It had been taken a great amount of control to restrain himself from the overpowering urge to take her right then.

But to speak with her, to communicate with her, to listen to her sweet voice had sent shock waves through his body. His mind had been screaming to tell her all about himself and the position he was in. he didn't know why he still harboured the same feelings towards Cho, whereas he hated the rest of his friends about their attitude towards him when he thought he had lost everything. Those were his dreams when he was locked up in Azkaban face to face with his greatest fear. He remembered all the horrors of his past. His mother screaming and pleading to a high pitched cackle as she died, seeing Cedric fall down lifeless envisioning Sirius falling through the dreaded veil gracefully like a swan, seeing the return of his arch enemy Lord Voldemort, the defiant look on all the people he 'thought' knew him, the look on all the Weasleys eying him with disgust, as if he was a piece of vermin. But the thought which terrorised him most was the crying Cho, yelling at him 'I hate you, I hate you. I wish you had never entered my life'.

That was what kept the dementors going. The thought that even his beloved Cho didn't believe him; that had almost broken his heart. It drove him to the clutches of insanity. Yet, after all he still was madly in love with her. Any other person would want to kill her on sight at what she had done but Harry didn't. He somehow felt that he couldn't hurt her. was this a sign of weakness on his part?

'No.' a small voice in the back of his head answered.

Then what was he feeling? What was this strange emotion? What was it that kept him from hating him? And the answer to all the questions came to him in an instant. It was so simple. Why hadn't it thought of it before? Love. He was just experiencing love. True love that a couple felt for each other. He knew what he had to do. He picked up a parchment and started to write.

He had to be with Cho. No matter what happened in the end he wanted her beside him. They were to go through this together just like it was destined to be. He couldn't spare a moment alone without her. His body ached and his mind stopped working. He wanted to feel her again. He wanted her. He needed her as soon as possible.

Cho looked up at the sky and sighed. It was so lonely. She had returned after everything was under control. The Weasley family at Hogwarts had decided to sleep together in one of the guest rooms in Hogwarts. She felt grateful for Henry. He had been superb and shown great calmness whilst duelling some of the most wanted and feared wizards alive. But now her mind wandered off to yet another dark headed wizard with green eyes, and raven coloured hair and spectacles. The more she thought about him the more pained she became. She thought

about earlier that day. Her memory had flooded all the events from the past. All the happy thoughts had enriched her memory. All those memories which she had shut down with great difficulty had broken the barrages of her patience and consciousness and had returned to haunt her.

"Cho"

A voice softly called her.

She turned fro the window to look in to the eyes of Albus Dumbledore, her former headmaster.

"Yes, Professor."

"Cho, I need to know, if Harry has contacted you. You know that the both of you shared a special relationship. So if he's coming after anyone you will be first on the list."

"Why do you think he will be coming after me Professor?"

"I have a shrewd idea why. And normally my shrewd ideas turn out correct. It is my belief that before he shows his full potential to the magical community he will want you by his side."

"He-he wants me by his side?"

Dumbledore nodded gravely.

"All I ask is if he tries to contact you please come to me immediately. I believe he'll want to see you and that is the opportunity we must use of. Cho, you have to see you are the only advantage to our side. I truly hope he still harbours the same feelings towards you. If he does not then we all are doomed. If he goes out in battle then his extreme magical strength will cause mayhem and destruction that might lead to the decimation of the entire magical world."

"Aren't there any way we can stop him?"

"The logical way would be to put him back in Azkaban again before he causes enough damage. The other way is to make sure he turns his back to the dark side which is quite impossible. But the best way would be if someone of his equal duels against him and tricks him enough to suck in his powers."

"So, if you duel him then this can end right?"

"Alas, it's not so easy, I'm afraid if I duel against him then I will be defeated in a matter of minutes. His powers rival that of the great Merlin himself, and only Voldemort in his full supreme can have the honour of duelling him with any hope of victory. In these dark times, I wish that he was back. I never thought that these words would escape my lips but I sincerely wish that Voldemort was back!"

Cho sighed heavily.

"All right Professor, I'll let you know as soon as I get any news from him."

"Thank you Cho. That's all I ask from you. I know it must be hard for you harder than any of us but you must understand what is at stake here. You must understand that there are things that are worth dying for."

"I understand Professor. Good night."

Dumbledore nodded at her and then walked away with a swish of his robes.

Cho sat down on her bed and soon was fast asleep.

The next morning, Cho walked out to the Great Hall to see the usual commotion return to the place. It seemed quite improbable that less than twenty four hours ago there had been a death eater attack in the adjacent village. Cho entered the Great Hall and sat down at her customary position at the Head's table.

She started on her usual toast when the post arrived. Oblivious to the great number of flapping wings entering the great hall she continued with her breakfast. She knew she wasn't expecting any mail soon enough. She continued with her toast until a white snowy owl landed near her plate.

She appeared amused. She hadn't been expecting an owl and this owl looked pretty much different from any other owls as it was snowy. She looked at it closely and the owl thrust its leg forwards and Cho noticed an envelope sticking out of its leg with her name on it. She continued to gaze at the owl and then at the letter.

"Hedwig!"

The words escaped her mouth unconsciously.

She removed the letter and the owl gave a soft hoot before flying away.

She broke the seal of the envelope and opened the envelope. A folded parchment fell on her lap. She unfolded it and started to read it.

Beloved Cho,

I hope you are doing well. I am writing this letter to you because I believe from my heart that only you will be able to understand my condition. Cho I am in great pain now. Not physical, but mental. That is why I decided to write this letter to you. In this letter I will tell you everything that you need to know. All questions regarding myself will be answered.

This is the first time I'm telling about this incident. Cho, you are the only one I believe. Only you can help me now. On that fateful night after you left, Cho Voldemort tortured Dumbledore till he was out cold. Then after he gave me the mark, I cast a powerful spell which would have effectively trapped his soul but I didn't know that the trapped soul resides in the place where the individual wants it to be placed. It was one piece of vital information unknown to me. That bastard tricked me and allowed his soul to enter my being. Then I had only moments before portkeying Dumbledore out. I felt the change coming over me. I was not strong enough to prevent it. Voldemort's soul captured my body. Then when the aurors entered he blasted all of their heads off. After I was taken to Azkaban, I was left to be haunted by my worst fears. They sucked away all my happy thoughts except one. That was your smiling face. That face kept me sane. Recently I felt the snake inside me arouse again. Voldemort again took over my body and he again used me as a puppet to destroy my character. He butchered all the people there at Azkaban. I understand that what I've been put to writing must be strange to believe but it's the truth Cho. It is. I was innocent. That bastard is now inside me. He sometimes takes over me, when he feels the need. Now I am myself now, but very soon enough he'll be back. Cho, all I want is one chance. I know a way by which Voldemort may be rid from me but I'll need your help.

I know you still think me of as an evil bastard. Also Cho, Voldemort has spies all around Hogwarts. Be careful Cho. If you do not wish to help me, I'll understand. You will then think this as yet another ploy to get to you. Yes, I'll understand. In that case this letter will shrivel up and be destroyed instantly. If not, then it'll remain as it is.

Cho blinked at the letter, and then as though an invisible quill was writing on he parchment, words started to form.

I knew you would help me Cho. I can't write more t you about it. But I can tell you in person. Meet me on the cliff near Hogsmeade. The one with the lighthouse, at midnight tomorrow. We'll talk then.

For now, goodbye dearest.

Your love,

HP.

Cho looked around the head's table and then at the great hall; there was no Dumbledore in sight.

She panicked. She got up and headed for the headmaster's office, when the two gargoyles parted and Dumbledore walked out of the passage. He cast one look at Cho's face and the letter in her hand and his face turned serious.

"What has he written?"

Cho didn't reply but silently pushed the parchment into Dumbledore's hands. He quickly scanned through the letter and his face turned even graver. He was about to speak when someone interrupted him.

"Professor, we have someone new in our midst." Henry was walking fast towards the duo.

"Yes, Henry?" Dumbledore enquired questioningly.

"Professor, the new Potions master have arrived." He moved away from the duo's view allowing their eyes to settle on a blond haired man, with a sharp pointed face, smiling slyly at them.

"I hope you had a good journey Draco."

A/N: Liked it, you know what you have to do, just push the magic button below and send in your thoughts.