(A/N: I'm not going to say much other than it took me a long time to write this chapter and since it was rather long I split it into two chapters. So since most of the next chapter is already written I would expect an update before Wednesday at least!! Thank you to everyone who reviewed, and I'll let you all know of my next story once this one is done! Here's chapter 33-hope you all enjoy! Hugs, Haystack)

Usual Disclaimer

To my WONDERFUL reviewers...

Smiles28: Hope the update was fast enough! Once again, you're faith in me is so encouraging! I'll do my best for you! Thanks for staying such an enthusiastic reviewer!

ewagurl4eva: Thank you for understanding the situation so many writers here are put into—life calls! Lol...it's hard to balance but it's manageable! Thank you for that, and I hope that cliffhanger wasn't too bad! Thanks for reviewing! Nice to hear from you!

dracoisahottie13: Sorry for my 'hell of a cliffie' lol...but you must admit that we haven't had one for a long time. I was a good girl...Yes, I'm sure you all can tell that I'm beginning to wrap up the story. I don't have plans for it so we'll see where the keyboard takes us! Thanks for reviewing!

Courtney Anne: Hopefully the explanation is what you think it'll be! Sorry about the update! Thanks for reviewing!

Taela: You are a truly amazing reviewer...thanks for your understanding with my arm and updating-let me know when you post a story, I'd love to read it! It does take a long to put everything into dialogue...gotta rack the brain! Lol I'm glad you're favorite thing to do is make others happy, you certainly did with me! Thanks for reviewing!

SOBs 4 Sirius 223: Thanks for reviewing! Sorry about the update!

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CHAPTER 33: EXPLANATIONS PT. 2

By this point in time, the sun has lowered its self quite dramatically and the sky burst with vibrant colors; Soft blues and greens, alarmingly bright reds and yellows, and all shades of colors in between. The rainbow flew in the window of Dumbledore's office and bounced around the dim room, creating a warm, somewhat stuffy atmosphere that the students sat comfortably in and calmed their nerves at the prospect of what their Headmaster would say.

Sitting there, twirling the ends of his enormously large snowy beard, he sat behind his desk, watching the six for signs to begin. Once his half moon spectacles received the signal he cleared his throat, sat on the edge of his chair and leaned over his desk with his hands under his chin. Slowly, he began.

"I blame myself for everything that happened to you that day" Professor Dumbledore said sadly

"What?" the group asked

"Yes, yes, I'm afraid it's true. The Order and myself, we underestimated the Death Eaters. We'd forgotten."

"Forgotten what?" Ginny asked

"When Mr. Potter here died, how did that feel?" The old man asked bluntly, catching the six off guard.

The group suddenly looked uncomfortable, everyone refusing to meet the gaze of another.

"Ah I see; this is something you have not discussed yet"

Stumbling a bit over his words, Ron spoke up "P-Professor can we move on?"

"Certainly Mr. Weasley, but I need an answer to my question before I can proceed. How did Harry's death make you all feel, in reference to the Death Eaters that remained?"

"It made me want to kill them all; and leave not a single one alive" Draco said suddenly

"Good Mr. Malfoy. Exactly what I was looking for. You see, when Harry, our leader died, Voldemort, their leader died as well. The symbols of good and evil were gone. But what did they leave behind?"

When no one answered his question he submitted the answer.

"Their faithful followers, wanting revenge on the other. Barty Crouch took some notes on you all when he impersonated Professor Moody in fourth year. He knew your greatest weakness--each other."

To this, the group had to smile.

"So he began calculating a plan. As I've mentioned before, this was a very intricate plan that we only now know the details of because of Veritasserum Crouch knows your personalities from being your teacher for so long and (knowing he had to kill all of you for revenge to be complete) he assumed the only way to accomplish this was if Miss Granger agreed to go, being the smart witch she is."

Hermione blushed at the compliment

"The Death Eaters believed, Miss Granger, that you were in love with Mr. Potter"

"WHAT?" Draco, Hermione, Harry, and Ginny chorused

"Yes, Crouch had been misinformed and assumed that since you were the only girl in the trio that Harry would have fallen in love with you, and you for the hero"

Harry and Hermione glanced at each other, smiling at the absurdity. Draco grabbed Hermione's hand, possessively to which she chuckled.

"The spell used to bring Harry back is a complicated spell even I had forgotten existed. Only in the Oldest of Spellbooks can you find it. It comes in three parts and once started, cannot be stopped. Unfortunately for Crouch, it was in the first stage that word had finally come from Hogwarts that Miss Weasley here, was the one in love with Mr. Potter and Miss Granger with Mr. Malfoy. But it was too late; the potion could not be stopped. Harry's return would lure Ginny and unmistakably Ron, who they believed would do anything for his baby sister. But Mr. Longbottom, Mr. Malfoy, and Miss Granger they assumed, would not follow—being too sensible to rush into a mysterious cave."

Harry laughed, "I suppose those Weasley's can be pretty reckless sometimes"

Ginny slapped him playfully and Ron grinned while the others laughed in agreement.

Dumbledore continued. "The Death Eaters needed some way to lure Mr. Longbottom and especially Miss Granger to them and the answer for that, was Mr. Malfoy. Scheduling their attack to take place on a Hogsmeade weekend, when they knew the five of you would be, they thought it would be easy to capture Mr. Malfoy. Their plan worked brilliantly as I'm sure you'll agree, but not everything went exactly as planned. They needed to create a stir; something that would provoke the other three to make their presence known so that it would be easy to round you all up. So they decided to present Miss Granger with a choice, something that would emotionally break her down."

Hermione stiffened, remembering the incident with distinct clarity, and silently wishing that Dumbledore had not said anything on the subject. Draco squeezed her hand gently, and not looking at her, brought it to his lips. Hermione smiled sadly at the gesture.

"Her boyfriend, or best friend? No one really knows the answer to that question. I'm sorry Miss Granger, but they had no intention of letting either Harry nor Draco live. Once Ginny, Ron, or Neville reacted they would round you all up and kill all six of you—the ultimate gift they could have given Voldemort."

No one spoke. All just sat and stared at Dumbledore with bewildered looks. There had not been enough time to soak in this information and it was several minutes before they could process it.

"Wow" Neville said finally

"Yea..." Draco said

"Their bastards" Ron said violently

"Ron!" Hermione scolded

"Hermione! You heard the man..." He exclaimed passionately

"They're evil...that's what Death Eaters are." She sighed "But there is no need for such violent language"

"It's an expression 'Mione!" He grumbled

"Well it's a very vulgar expression!" She snapped

"At least he's expressing something!" Harry piped in

This was met with confused glances and the silence that was becoming more common as the day turned into night.

"What?" Draco asked slowly, perplexed

Harry sighed, "Ron, you haven't talked about anything since I've come back!"

"Harry..." Ron began "What are you talking about?"

"After I died Ron, what happened?"

"I-You've gone bonkers!"

"Answer my question. What happened after I died?"

"Harry what are saying?" Ginny asked concerned

"None of you have said anything about that time. I want to know what happened."

"You don't have to know everything Harry" Hermione said so softly it was almost inaudible.

"This comes from the girl who was dubbed the know-it-all" He joked, waiting for the others to laugh.

Only silence was heard and a guilty look passed from Ron to Hermione. Harry looked to Professor Dumbledore, who hadn't moved since they had begun talking, for help. The man rose.

"Harry has been dead for eleven months. I believe you all will agree with me when I say that that is a rather long time to be out of the loop. Perhaps it would be best to fill Mr. Potter in"

Hermione, never one to disobey the Headmaster nodded solemnly and sighed, exasperated. "What do you want to know Harry?"

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