WARNING: EVIL CLIFFHANGER AHEAD (I'm warning you now so don't say I didn't!)
Dedication: this chapter's dedicated to Courtney Anne cause her review was the one that really made me start writing this chapter, since I was having doubts. So thanks!
A/N: This chapter I wrote quite quickly, in order to get it out to you all, so I didn't get much time to edit it, so if there are any mistakes you know why. Things are really heating up here, and the climax is directly ahead! The reviews have been a tremendous support, THANK YOU and keep them coming!!! Well that's pretty much it...except I'd like to make a public announcement that all the death threats to kill me because of my cliffhangers honestly have no effect over me whatsoever, they make me laugh and tempt me to wait even longer for an update...luckily for you all I'm nice! Lol...thanks again and hugs! Haystack)
Usual Disclaimer
To my lovely reviewers...
SamboTheGreat: I sense a bit of internal conflict in your review...lol! Hopefully Ally will keep you in check! Haha...thanks for reviewin!
Orchid6297: Glad you liked the scene with Harry and Hermione. It was one that "flowed" if you know what I mean...lol anyways, thanks for reviewing!
SOBs 4 Sirius 223: Yes, Harry and Draco are caught in a pretty bad situation aren't they? Oh well...we'll see what happens; well actually you'll see what happens since I already know since I wrote it...lol never mind I'm just rambling now...enjoy! And thanks for reviewing!
Courtney Anne: I'm sorry I can't say anything!! Actually I must tell you though, that your review was the one that made me physically start typing, so.... hence the dedication. Thanks!!!!
Smiles28: Great to hear from you again! I read this, and this made me update it, since it was written yesterday! So thank you!!! Hope your enjoying it!
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CHAPTER TWENTY –FOUR: SACRIFICES
Among Ron, Neville and Ginny there had once been the sound of whispering emerging from their isolated corner, crying had also been heard, but now the only thing that could be heard was silence. None of them moved, none of them breathed; Ron's crying stopped, Ginny gasped no more, Neville's whispers silenced. All simply stared at the scene that had insanely been preformed in front of their eyes.
Too much had happened in a few simple seconds for any of them to comprehend! One moment Ron had been crying over the loss of Hermione, the next Ginny finally realizing that Harry had come back, and finally here they were: Hermione was free but Draco and Harry were being sentenced to death!
"He's back," Ginny finally whispered, breaking the long silence "He's back and I haven't been able to touch him; and now...now he's going to die again!"
Neither Ron nor Neville knew how to respond to this, so both settled comfortably into silence yet again.
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It had been a few moments, and Hermione hadn't moved. She'd had them both! She'd almost gotten Draco free...she could have run away with Harry...but neither had happened. Instead now they were BOTH about to die torturous deaths, while she was free to go! She'd live the rest of her life mourning the loss of her best friend, back from the dead, and killed again, and her boyfriend, the one she'd given her heart to, the only one who truly loved her. She would have nothing to live for! She had to save them, even if she died in the attempt. She'd regret leaving Ginny and Neville but her heart ached for Ron. He would miss her the most. But all these thoughts were useless considering that she remained standing here like a complete git.
"CROUCH!!!!!!!" She bellowed
"Yes Miss Granger?" He replied in a mock-innocent voice, smirk still on his mouth.
"Take me instead," She said quietly
"Pardon me?"
"Take me instead!" She repeated, much louder than before.
Crouch grinned evily, "I'm sorry I didn't hear that" He played dumb.
"TAKE ME INSTEAD!!!!!!!"
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"No!!" Ron whispered loudly
"She can't!" Ginny said
"No, she can't be serious" Neville agreed
"Hermione.... what are you doing??!!" Ron moaned
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"Take you instead? Instead of what?"
"Stop acting like a dumb ass Crouch. You and I both know what I'm talking about!"
With a nervous glance
towards the rocks Ron, Neville and Ginny were behind, he smiled.
"You're right, I do know what you're implying. But I'm
afraid it won't work"
"And why not?" She snarled
"Because--"
"Just let them both go...you can torture or kill me as you like!" She interrupted
"I admire your Gryffindor bravery, but notice, you are one person, and you are asking for me to set free two people! The math doesn't prove it a fair trade or maybe perhaps, a mudblood like you overlooked that!"
C'mon just ignore that...he's just trying to get under your skin. If you're going to do this you have keep yourself under control to get what you want. She thought to herself.
"Please" she begged "I've already said that you can torture me any way you like!"
"I'm afraid that's not good enough"
"You-You can r-rape me" She offered, trembling with the very words. This was the last way she wanted to loose her virginity but...she'd do anything to save Draco and Harry.
"Tempting..." Crouch said, circling her, and making Hermione feel like a doll on display, every feature of her out for public critique. "Hmm....yes VERY tempting"
Hermione felt like she was going to be sick, but she swallowed the feeling down. This was something she had to do for them. Draco had given up every security that he had known for her...Harry had given his life for her and the rest of the world...now it was her turn to sacrifice.
But her thoughts were interrupted by Crouch's sudden hand grabbing her face. "You have no idea how much I would give to fuck you right now. You are such a beautiful witch...." Hermione inwardly cringed, here it came "But even that's not a good enough trade for the lives of Malfoy and Potter."
Hermione's heart dropped, even though a feeling of relief guiltily did wash over her. She couldn't save them...they were destined for death.
"But here's what I will do for you Miss Granger...I'll exchange your death...for the life of one other"
"I-I don't understand"
Suddenly Crouch snapped his fingers and Harry and Draco appeared, though magically binded.
She rushed over to the two, tears of relief, that they hadn't been harmed, tempted to fall from her eyes.
"Hermione!!" The pair shouted in unison
"Not so fast Miss Granger..." Crouch said, motioning for a Death Eater to stop her from reaching the boys.
"What?" She snapped, maternal feelings kicking in, the urge to hold them and make sure that nothing had happened to them extremely strong.
"You have yet to give me an answer"
"What do you want me to tell you?"
"I agreed to let you die in one of their places."
"Yes I understand that"
"Hermione you can't!" Draco shouted
"'Mione don't do it!" Harry screamed "I'll die...I did it before and you all seem to be fine. Please 'Mione...we're both begging you here!"
Hermione plainly ignored them and focused her attention on Crouch once again.
"One, Miss Granger. Choose the one you wish to set free (the one you want to live) and the other will die"