Disclaimer: I don't own the Harry Potter characters. I get tired of saying that!

Warning: Contains major *OOTP SPOILERS* and *SB/RL SLASH*. If you wish to avoid those things, please turn back now.

Notes: *PLEASE READ!* This story is COMPLETELY AU, meaning it never happened and probably never will (sadly). This is just me trying to bring back the character I love the most.



~*~*~*~*~
Back from Beyond the Veil, Part 10


Ron paced up and down his bedroom, punching his fist into his palm. Harry was sitting on Ron's bed, eyeing him nervously. For the better part of an hour, his best friend had been pacing and muttering dark threats under his breath. Harry wondered what was going on in his mind.

Er - Ron?

Ron ignored him. Harry frowned and launched a pillow at him.

Ron yelped as the pillow collided with his head. Harry! What?

I was just going to ask that, too, Harry said sourly. You've been pacing around all day, talking to yourself. It's really creepy. Sit down and tell me what you're thinking about.

The redhead dropped onto the bed beside Harry. Mostly Fred, he muttered. I miss him, you know, but every day it's... it's like I need to get revenge for him. I think I'd do just about anything to get back at Bellatrix for killing him....

Harry put an arm around his shoulders. I know what you mean. I still want to to kill her for what she's done to Sirius. I mean, he's okay - physically, anyway - but still.... His emerald eyes narrowed. Sometimes I think it would be worth becoming a murderer, just to see the end of her.

The end of all of them, Ron sighed. I'm so tired of it all, Harry. I wish we could go back to the way it was, with nothing to worry about but our exam results.

Me too, Harry said glumly. But you know we can't... our only choice is to fight back as best we can and hope everything turns out all right.

Ron ran a hand through his hair and sighed unhappily.

Come on, I expect Penelope's going to be calling us for lunch soon, Harry said, standing.

I guess... Ron sighed, getting to his feet as well.

Harry opened the door and nearly walked into George, who had been standing directly outside. They both jumped.

Ron gasped, clutching at his chest. George, what were you doing lurking around my door?

George bit his lip. I - I came up to tell you it was almost time to eat, and I - overheard what you were talking about. He looked down at his feet, uncharacteristically ashamed. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to overhear, but there's no use pretending I didn't. And Ron - I have to say that I feel the same way you do. I think Bellatrix should rot in Hell for what she's done. But first I want to see her suffer.

There was an odd gleam in his eyes that hadn't been there before. Harry glanced at Ron, and was alarmed to see a similar look crossing his face.

George's got a point, Ron said slowly. He seemed to be thinking hard. After all, it's her fault Fred is dead. Everything's her fault, right? It's... like a chain of events. She killed Sirius. He came back. And everything that's happened since then has been screwed up, right?

It's not just Bellatrix, Harry said. The Malfoys are behind some of this, too.

Then... let's just kill them all, George said.

Wait - kill? Harry shook his head. George, I think the best thing to do is send them back to Azkaban -

Harry, are you daft? Come on. They've escaped from Azkaban once. And besides, the dementors are working on You-Know-Who's side now! They're not going to resist if his supporters decide to just waltz out the door! Ron led the way downstairs. It's either kill or be killed. Don't you get it yet?

Kill or be killed? Bill had overheard them. What are you talking about?

Taking on the Death Eaters, George said fiercely. To get revenge for everything they've done.

Hang on! Bill shook his bangs out of his eyes. Are you guys all stupid, or something? You can't do that! The most you'll do is get yourselves killed! The Death Eaters are a lot more powerful than a bunch of underage wizards - it's best to leave this in the hands of Dumbledore and the Order!

Easy for you to say! George argued. You're in the Order! You can do whatever you like, can't you? I'm going to do whatever I like, Bill. I'm of age now. You can't stop me, and neither can Mum or Dad!

I wish you'd think of Mum and Dad before you start all this! Bill said crossly. They've already lost Fred. Do you really want them to lose you too? And Ron? It's a suicide mission, and you know it.

George glared at his brother. You know, Bill, you can be an annoying berk sometimes. He stalked into the kitchen and flopped down in his seat. He looked angry, but there were tears in his eyes. Do you seriously think we should just sit on our asses all day and not do anything? For Fred? Come on, Bill!

The other Weasleys, Fleur, and Hermione joined them at the table. Ron was silent as he and Harry sunk into their seats, but George plowed on.

Who cares if we're alive, if we're not doing anything to help? Even if we die, we might as well take a few Death Eaters down with us!

Bill looked helplessly at his younger brother, at a loss for words. You... you can't do it!

George glared back. Ron cracked his knuckles, staring at the floor. Everyone else was quiet.

Two loud cracking noises announced the appearance of Sirius and Remus, who had just Apparated. They blinked in surprise at the looks on everyone's faces.

Um - bad timing? Remus asked.

Bill huffed. Are you going to tell them, George? Or shall I?

Tell us what? the two older men looked confused. George and Bill glared at each other. Finally, Ron cleared his throat.

George and I want to take on the Death Eaters, he said flatly.

Sirius and Remus exchanged skeptical looks, then sat down. Everyone eyed them, waiting for the shouting to begin.

But Remus spoke quite calmly.

What d'you mean, George demanded angrily. They killed Fred, after all! Do I need a better reason than that? How about, I want to protect the rest of my family? What if they show up tomorrow and try to kill Ron or Ginny? What am I supposed to do, say sure!' and let them go at it?

That's not what I mean. Remus said sharply. My God, George, do you even understand what a risk it would be? And besides, you don't even know where the Death Eaters are located! How could you know where to find them?

The Malfoys are Death Eaters, George said stubbornly. I'll bet anything that they've got Bellatrix and maybe a few others hiding right in their own house.

Don't be stupid. Sirius said bluntly. You're not going off to get yourself killed. Not while I'm alive and kicking, at least. You can't take them on. Bellatrix is sneaky - and she knows a lot more spells than you, George, and is pretty damn powerful. Trust me, all right?

Of all people, I'd expect you to understand the most, George said softly. You hated her anyway, and she's been trying to kill you ever since she escaped from Azkaban. Why not take the opportunity and kill her?

I'm not willing to become a murderer for the likes of her. Twelve years in Azkaban was enough for me. And it won't matter if she's a Death Eater or not - you kill her, you'll be headed straight for Azkaban. You're not an Auror - the Ministry's got laws about ordinary citizens doing an Auror's job. Sirius brushed his long hair out of his eyes and glared at the plate of steak-and-kidney pie Penelope set before him. Look, I understand where you're coming from - but think about it. D'you think Fred would've wanted you to end up in Azkaban for life because of him?

He had struck a nerve. George opened his mouth, shut it, opened it, shut it. He clenched a fist around his fork. As much as he hated to admit it, Sirius and Bill were both right. But he couldn't bear the thought of just sitting here, doing nothing...

And now that the Death Eaters and You-Know-Who have been found out, they're bound to be more cautious, right? Ginny spoke up. I mean, everyone's on the lookout for them... even the Muggles are on the lookout for the Death Eaters that escaped from Azkaban.

Not necessarily, Charlie sighed.

It became silent once more as everyone began eating, mulling over what had been said. Remus longed to have a peek into Sirius' mind and see what he was thinking; but then again, he thought, noting the ugly look on his lover's face, maybe not.

~*~*~*~*~

Lucius Malfoy swore and threw his ashtray across the room, swearing. Narcissa wrung her hands, looking scared. She had finally told Lucius about her uncle's ring, and Lucius was not taking it well. Obviously, he had an idea of what the loss of that ring meant.

And Bella was positive? Lucius growled, turning to face her. He flicked his cigarette butt into the fireplace. Dammit, woman! he seized Narcissa by the wrist and slapped her hard. Couldn't you have thought to tell me this sooner? Things like this can't be kept from the Dark Lord. If he gets wind of it... and if he thinks we held it from him....

He let go of Narcissa and pushed her roughly away. Her feet got entangled in the hem of her gown, and she tripped. She cried out in pain, but Lucius paid no attention. His grey eyes were gleaming with a strange, insane light.

But perhaps... if the Dark Lord is informed...

He let that thought hang, standing stock-still and staring into the fire. It'll be very tough to get it away from Black. Do you think we could... get Andromeda to steal it for us?

Narcissa laughed hollowly. Are you kidding? Never in a million years.

There's got to be some way to retrieve it.

If he knew we were after it, he'd destroy it. You know he'll die before he gives it up - and the way it's been going, he'd come back to life and get it back.

This is no time for jokes. Lucius looked enraged. Narcissa couldn't tell if it was because of her, or if he was angry at Sirius. Either way.

Lucius turned abruptly and crossed the room rapidly.

Hey, where are you going?

He shot a look over his shoulder at her. The library, my dear. I have a few things I need to attend to.

But -

Be a dear and send Rodolphus and Rabastan upstairs, would you? Lucius stormed off, leaving his wife to stare after him, dumbfounded.



To Be Continued....


(A/N: Sorry for such a short chapter. I ran out of ideas at the end!! This story is getting impossible! I don't know what I'm going to do next! Argh!! But better a short chapter than no chapter, right? Anyway.... expect a long wait before Chapter 11, because I don't know what I'm going to do. I might have to abandon this story, if I can't get any more ideas. *sniff* And it's so good, too!)