Author's note: I apologize for the long wait for this chapter. I had a severe case of writers block. I will not post something I am not happy with, and I wanted to wait for the right inspiration to hit me. Please forgive me and Review!
Chapter 15: Alliances
Phoenix was livid. His nemesis had taken away the smartest Witch in the entire school, maybe even the entire generation, out from right under his nose and there was nothing he was able to do to stop her. That mad him even angrier. He let out a growl of anger while blowing a hole right through the nearest wall. The other Slytherin's were just grateful it wasn't their heads.
"That's it. We attack tomorrow. That Bitch won't know what hit her. I am sick of this shit. I will deal with Voldemort myself after I dispose of Rayne and that son of a bitch boyfriend of hers." He said with an evil determination.
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Voldemort stood menacingly in the shadows of an abandoned castle settled high in the mountains of Romania. He enjoyed the dark and drab surroundings. People who saw him didn't ask to many questions since they were used to seeing strange things. This was rumored to be Vampire territory. He found Vampires loathsome creatures who would feed on Muggles and other useless creatures to survive. The only thing they had going for them was that whole immortality thing. If it hadn't been something he had been desperately seeking, he would swear they were as bad as Mud bloods. He was currently listening to one of his followers describe Harry Potter mysterious disappearance and Phoenix's sudden take over of the student's of Hogwarts.
"That pesky child thinks he can out maneuver me.' Voldemort said in what sounded like was half hissing and half laughing. "No one will stand in the way of my defeat of Harry Potter. He will just have to die sooner than I thought. Come, he signaled to his faithful servant Peter Pettigrew, We attack tomorrow."
With that he disapparated with Pettigrew close behind. The signals would be sent out. The final war was beginning.
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Harry was staring out the window of his room when he saw it. The green eerie light in the sky depicting a skull with a snake slithering through it.
" Hermione, Rayne, we have a problem. A big one." Harry said nervously.
"Hermione and Rayne joined him at the window and immediately both let out a shutter.
"It is time then. I just hope we are ready." Hermione said absently.
"We?" Harry said catching her words.
"Yes, we." Hermione replied with a smile.
It was only a brief flicker of resolve in Hermione's eyes that gave away her intentions. It only took Rayne a moment to recognize the decision that had just been made, to understand the level of friendship Harry and Hermione had. A kind of friendship she had never trusted anyone with. One moment. That is all it takes to change your entire life. It only took one moment for Rayne to collapse sobbing to the floor. It only took one moment for Harry to run to her side. He didn't know what happened. Harry had never seen Rayne so weak, so broken. The weight of the world was on their shoulders, yet she had never wavered until now with the final battle looming.
"What's wrong?" There was a hint of panic in his whisper as he wrapped his arms around her protectively.
Rayne looked up at him with the most forlorn look he had ever seen, but she did not respond. He tried to touch her mind using their newfound path. All he found was the mental equivalent of a brick wall. He found that he was hurt. They had always been honest and open with each other, yet now, suddenly, she blocked him out completely. She felt his hurt immediately, and began to feel worse than before. She had failed. She had made a mistake. The whole world was counting on her to keep her head, to guide Harry on the right path, and all she had managed to do was piss off her worst enemy, give him a major advantage, and escalate a war that had been brewing for years. Harry could never understand. She couldn't let him feel her hate for herself, to see the darkness that consumed her, and made her want to die. She couldn't let him know she was unsure of herself, that she double guessed every decision she had made over the past year. If he found out how she really felt about the situation they were in, she was sure he would lose all respect for her and the decisions she had made for them, and now when the time was finally upon them, she couldn't afford to lose him.
Harry could see the clouded look in Rayne's eyes. He tried one last mental brush knowing that she was absorbed in her own thoughts. He knew she had let her guard down. He was right. It was all there for him to see. She thought she had failed the world before the battle had even begun. She was scared and frightened that she had made the wrong decision. She wished for death to end all this pain, a death she knew she had given up along with her mental hold over Phoenix. She felt alone. In her mind, Harry had Hermione. If anything happened to her, Hermione would be there for him, but if something happened to Harry, she would be completely and utterly alone to face an eternity of torment. Her inner conflict raged like a Hurricane in her mind.
"You aren't thinking clearly Rayne." Harry said seriously.
His words broke Rayne out of her reverie.
"What?" She asked confused for a moment.
"You heard me. You haven't done anything wrong. What have you ever done that wasn't for the right reasons?" Harry was trying to talk sense into her.
"I made a mistake. You don't understand. I DON'T make mistakes. I CAN'T make mistakes. Mistakes cause innocent people their lives." Rayne replied darkly.
Hermione had been watching all of this from the opposite side of the room. She had remained so quiet, that they had forgotten she was there. Suddenly she felt an overwhelming need to set Rayne straight.
"You are looking at things all wrong Rayne." Hermione softly scolded her. As Harry and Rayne looked over at her, she continued.
"You think you made a fatal mistake, but you are failing to see one important thing. You aren't looking at what you have gained. In fact, I am not sure you can even comprehend what you have really done. Yes, you gave up you mental hold on Phoenix, but that is the only thing you lost. Think about what you have added to your arsenal. First, you have increased strength and speed. Your senses are more acute than ever. No one could pull a sneak attack on you. You are to tuned to your surroundings now. You have incredible magic. Not only were you an elemental to begin with, but now you can control the weather itself. I am guessing that you have increased mental abilities seeing as you used incredible mental power to save me, and you can communicate silently as well. Of course there is also the most important thing when it comes to battle. You have made yourself practically immortal. They will not be able to kill you without supreme effort, and even then it will be difficult. That brings me to your newest and biggest advantage. They have absolutely no clue you are what you now are. So all in all, I would say, you made a sacrifice, but never a mistake."
Harry smiled a thankful smile at Hermione. She always could see the truth where others could not. He glanced at Rayne and saw her clouded look had disappeared. He felt a calm overcome her. She had accepted Hermione's explanation and was at peace with herself once again.
"Thank you." She told Hermione.
Hermione crossed the room and kneeled down next to Rayne. She enveloped Rayne in a heartfelt hug. Rayne finally felt like she wasn't alone, that she had a friend. That was all she needed. She stood up, straightened her clothes, and turned towards the window.
"Hermione, what exactly happened while Harry and I were gone?" Rayne asked.
"It all happened very quickly. One minute everyone was going about there daily routine and the next everyone looked as if they were zombies. I tried to get Ron to snap out of it, but all he did was mumble in a monotone voice. He said that he was sick of Harry getting away with everything because he is famous and that If I knew what was good for me, I would stay out of his way. I didn't know what to do, so I let him go. He walked right out of the Common room. I should have followed him, but I decided to try to wake up a few other students instead. None of them would respond to me. I eventually was captured by Phoenix, after he caught me trying to pretend to be like them to find out what was going on. The rest you know. I think the reason Phoenix's powers didn't effect me, was that I had learned Occulmency in Fifth year in order to help Harry, even though he never wanted me to." Hermione replied.
"Ron always had a hard time resisting mind control spells. It really isn't surprising. Phoenix probably used his jealousy of me as a catalyst for the take over." Harry mused.
"Phoenix was always good at turning people against each other. He always finds a way to bring out the worst in people." Rayne added.
"I am sorry Ron turned on you like that, Hermione. I know it must have hurt." Harry said consolingly to his best friend.
"It's OK. I realize that he isn't himself. I am just really disappointed. After all we have been through together I thought he would have been stronger." Hermione replied sadly.
Rayne had continued to stare out the window through the entire conversation. She was debating what the next move should be. She knew Harry and Hermione were still discussing Ron, as the noise in the background faded from her mind. How could they keep Hermione safe through this battle, when it would be only the three of them? She hadn't asked Hermione what happened to the Faculty yet. She found it Odd that Dumbledore and all the teachers were no where to be found.
"Where did they go?" Rayne whispered out loud, still lost deep in her thoughts.
Harry and Hermione didn't hear her, but Harry could feel her mind working out a plan in his. He entered Rayne's mind while still talking to Hermione. He found her going over the best way to protect Hermione in her head. She knew that Harry and she had an advantage being immortal, but poor Hermione was still vulnerable. She was thinking about some of the things her mother had told her about being a vampire, and was leaning towards something Harry had never thought possible. She was seriously thinking of turning Hermione.
"Harry, are you Ok?" Hermione asked. "You suddenly went pale as a ghost."
"It's nothing." Harry said too quickly.
"Fine, "Hermione said not believing him. "I really want to go back to my dorm room and grab my stuff and take a shower. I think I will leave you two alone for a while."
"Okay, but here take this." Harry said handing Hermione his invisibility cloak. "We don't want to risk you getting captured again. Be careful."
Hermione took the cloak and without another word left the room.
Harry turned to Rayne who was still gazing out the window lost in her own world.
Harry walked over and stood behind her, putting his head on her shoulder while looping his arms around her waist. That brought Rayne right out of her thoughts.
"Where's Hermione?" She suddenly asked.
"I gave her the invisibility cloak. She needed some time alone." Harry told her.
"Oh." Rayne replied.
"Why are you thinking of turning Hermione? What would that do for her?" Harry asked
"It would let us communicate telepathically with her. It would ensure that the Avada Kedava can't touch her. It would enhance her fighting abilities. It would keep her safe." Rayne said.
"Or?" Harry said pressing her for an alternative.
"I could bite her, and not change her. That would allow me to talk to her telepathically, but she won't be able to respond." Rayne said.
"Why don't we let her decide? I do not want to turn her if we can prevent it. This is our last resort, not hers. She shouldn't have to live like this for eternity, having to watch the people she loves die around her, while she remains unchanged. It would be a lonely life for her. We have each other, she has Ron, when he comes to his senses, and he won't be a vampire." Harry reasoned.
"Let her decide then." Rayne conceded.
"You have a plan don't you." Harry said sensing Rayne was still working out details in her head.
"I think we should draw them out, before they attack any muggles. We need to beat them to the battle." Rayne said.
"Tonight." Harry said completing her thought.
"Yes." Rayne acknowledged.
"It is three on one thousand. How can we beat those odds?" Harry questioned.
"Trust me, I have it all worked out." Rayne smiled.
Harry couldn't help but believe her. She always had something up her sleeve. He leaned his head into her neck and began to lay soft kisses on it. He could hear the blood running through her veins. He was so tempted to bite her that his fangs elongated in his mouth. Rayne could sense his Bloodlust; she was going through the same thing. The Blood Bond along with becoming vampire had left them feeling uncontrollable desire for one another. They just hadn't had the time to notice it until now. Rayne turned around so that she was facing Harry. She took a moment to stare into his beautiful green eyes. Then he leaned in and kissed her. Their soft kisses slowly turned into rough passionate ones. Harry began to unbutton Rayne's school robe. Rayne was working on Harry's. They were making their way to the bed. Clothes were falling everywhere. Harry pushed Rayne down, and fell on top of her, still kissing her passionately. He knew that they may never have this moment again. If something went wrong, one of them could end up destroyed, and the other would soon follow. He wanted to show Rayne just how much he needed her. As he entered into her, it was Rayne who initiated the vampire mating ritual. She ran her tongue over Harry's pulse once, twice, and then pierced his neck with her fangs. Harry felt a surge of electricity and ecstasy run through his body. As she took his blood, she couldn't help but notice how good he tasted. She was lost in the smooth liquid running down her throat, and in the amazing feelings Harry was creating for her. As she ran her tongue over the two pin pricks to close them, she was lost in the sensation of Harry making love to her. As they came closer and closer to the edge, Harry took his turn, slowly running his tongue over her pulse and then biting her neck. It was Rayne's turn to feel the white hot energy and sheer pleasure that the blood exchange created. As he took her blood he couldn't hold back any longer. He surged forward and brought them both to ecstasy. As he closed the bite with his tongue, he realized just how much he loved Rayne. He rolled to her side and kissed her tenderly.
"I love you." He whispered.
She turned so that she was facing him on her side and smiled. She leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss on his scar. "I love you too."
Rayne hadn't realized she had fallen asleep until Harry wrapped his arms around her, and gave her a gentle hug and a kiss on the cheek.
"We better get ourselves together. Hermione will be back soon." Harry told her.
"You're Right." Rayne replied placidly, still reveling in the feeling of giving herself so completely to someone.
They slowly got up and got dressed. They made sure they wore clothes that were easy to move in for the fight ahead. Just as they finished Hermione returned freshly showered and ready to go.
"Alright, we have some things to discuss." Harry walked over to the bed and sat on it.
"Right, first of all, Hermione, I need you to make a choice." Rayne started. "We are both concerned about you going into this battle. Harry and I want to ensure your safety. There are two ways we can do this. The first way, the one that I prefer, is to turn you. The second way, which Harry prefers, is to bite you. By biting you I mean taking enough blood so that I can speak to you telepathically. You will not be able to communicate back however. That will only happen if I turn you. By turning you, not only will you be immune to the Avada Kedava, but you will gain strength for the battle. It is your choice. Think it over carefully."
"Rayne," Harry interrupted. "How are we going to draw out both Voldemort and Phoenix? Won't one wait for the other to finish us off?"
"Not if we have something that they both would kill each other for." Rayne said with a slight smirk.
"What on earth could we have that they both would want?" Hermione asked.
"I happen to have just the thing." She grabbed her wand and with a swish and a flick she said the word "REVEAL". The music box that sat on her desk floated up in the air and gave off a green glow. It suddenly turned into a glistening green crystal.
"What is that?!" Harry exclaimed.
"This is the key to drawing out our enemies. This is the Snake Blood Crystal." Rayne said with a proud smile.
"I've read about that crystal." Hermione recalled.
"Fantastic, so you know what is it is for." Rayne said with a satisfied smile.
"Yes, it is the key to an ancient spell that Salazar Slytherin left behind for his heir. Slytherin knew his heir wouldn't be of Pure Blood, so he created the spell that would purify their blood, and infuse them with his power. So basically, not only will one of them become the Pure Blood Wizard they long to be, they will inherit all of Slytherin's power as well." Hermione stated.
"Then why on earth would we risk one of them getting their hands on it!" Harry looked at Rayne as if she were crazy.
"There is no chance they will get this crystal away from me. Don't forget, I have Slytherin's blood in me as well. One of the protections Slytherin left on the crystal was that only those of his blood could use it, and until the person in possession of the crystal is destroyed, it can not be used by another of the bloodline. When we performed the ritual the other night, we died. Before we left, I cast a spell to hide the crystal in case something went wrong. When I came back, I still had Slytherin's blood in my veins, even though it was diluted due to the blood bond. The stone recognized my blood and bond itself to me again since I was the first person of the bloodline to come in contact with it since my own death. Now we are immortal so killing me again will not be an easy task. Of course they won't know that." Rayne said slyly.
"That's Brilliant!" Harry said in amazement.
"Thank you. Hermione, have you made your decision? We are going to start the war tonight, so I need to know as soon as you decide." Rayne turned to Hermione and said.
"It isn't an easy decision to make you know." Harry quickly cut in before Hermione could answer.
"Harry, it's OK, I have decided. Rayne, I understand the offer you have made me, and I just don't think I will be able to watch the people I love die while I live forever. I want you to bite me, not turn me." Hermione said.
"Alright." Rayne replied and walked over to Hermione. She brushed Hermione's hair off of her neck and without another word, bit into her neck. Hermione let out a small gasp as Rayne's fangs pierced her skin, but remained silent as Rayne drank. Rayne took just enough to ensure that she could communicate and track Hermione at all will. Harry watched his best friend and his Girlfriend, and couldn't help but feel a little jealousy that Rayne was so close to Hermione. The vampire in him couldn't help but wish he was over there with them.
"I don't do threesomes." Rayne shot at him mentally.
Harry just smiled.
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Night finally fell over Hogwarts. It was time for Rayne to put her plan into action.
Rayne had sent Harry and Hermione on ahead of her. With Harry guarding Hermione and both of them mentally linked to her, she wasn't to worried about anything happening to them yet. She had snuck out a secret passageway that leads to the Black Lake. She turned around to take one last look at Hogwarts. Who knows if it would still be standing when the war was over? Rayne raised her arms above her head her hands raised toward the sky as if holding an invisible ball. She stood with her eyes closed and concentrated. A purple ball of energy began to take shape between her hands. As it grew, the light it gave off became brighter. She knew Phoenix had disapparated about an hour earlier. No doubt to try and throw them off guard with a false sense of safety. He hadn't returned. All she could do was ensure the safety of the entire student body of Hogwarts. She would make sure that they weren't to be used as pawns in Phoenix and Voldemort's game.
"PETRIFICUS TOTALIS MAXIMUS" she screamed letting the huge flow of Purple energy go and cover the entire school. The entire student body would be petrified until the war was over. Now they only had to worry about Voldemort's army, which was no small task in itself. She turned back toward the lake, and looked toward the sky. She saw the green light hovering high over the distant mountains. The Skull with a Snake through it.
"We have to hurry. Did you take care of the school?" Harry asked.
"Of course I did. " Rayne replied.
She mounted her broomstick and flew toward the mountains. She needed to find a high point, so she could ensure that both Voldemort and phoenix would see her signal, but first, she needed to catch up with Harry and Hermione.
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Hermione and Harry sat on the edge of a cliff nestled in the side of a mountain. The very same mountain Rayne was flying toward at that very moment. This was the first time they had been alone together since sixth year. They had reminisced about their adventures over the years, but Hermione noticed Harry was distracted during the conversation.
"You are thinking about her aren't you?" She asked quietly.
Harry's eyes fell to the ground and silently he nodded.
"You really care about her don't you? I am happy for you. You of all people deserve someone who loves you the way she does." Hermione said.
Harry immediately cut off all mental contact with Rayne at that moment. He wasn't about to take the chance she would hear the thoughts in his mind.
"I wonder if she needs me the way I need her." He stated.
"How's that?" Hermione coaxed him. It was such a rare thing for Harry to open up about his feeling to anyone, she wasn't about to stop him.
"She has become my life. No, she is my life. What if she dies? What will I do?" Harry asked his friend.
Hermione sighed.
"I guess you will have to deal with that when the time comes. I don't have an answer for you, but I can tell you, that she I one of the strongest, stubborn people I have ever met and she really taught you a lot. I don't think she will die in this battle. I am willing to bet she is thinking the same about you right now."
"I cut contact with her. I don't know what she is thinking right now." Harry replied.
"Well then, she is probably either worried sick, or very hurt by the fact you shut her out. I am willing to bet it is more of the worried sick part." Hermione informed him.
"Why do you say that?" Harry asked absently.
"Because the minute you cut contact with her, she immediately went into a panic. She has been scanning my mind for any sign of danger and begging me to make sure no harm comes to you. Actually, she is about fifteen minutes away and flying at lightning speed no less." Hermione informed him.
"Hermione, can I enter your mind? I want to see something." Harry suddenly had an idea.
"OK." Hermione replied.
"Harry entered her mind and gave her instructions.
"I am going to lend you my power to communicate with Rayne. I need you to say exactly what I tell you. I want to see her response." Harry said.
"Harry, she will think something awful has happened to you. Why would you do that to her?" Hermione said not understanding.
"Because I need to know." Harry replied. He was going to test Rayne. He took a pocket knife out of his pant's and sliced a thin gash across his chest. It didn't bleed much, but it hurt like hell. It would give Rayne the sense he was in pain. She would be furious when she found out, but he was willing to chance it to ease his mind. She would get over it eventually.
"Rayne, Harry has lent me his power to communicate with you. Some thing awful has happened. Voldemort's followers launched a surprise attack on Harry. I was able to escape, but Harry is wounded." Hermione said while Harry listened intently for the response.
"How bad is the injury, I can feel the throbbing in my chest. Is he OK?" Harry heard the response and noticed a hint of panic in Rayne's voice.
"He is gravely injured. I think he will bleed to death. I don't know what to do for him. They are taking him now. I don't know how much longer I can maintain this connection."
"I am ten minutes away, you must stall them. They can not take him." Rayne said.
"I don't know how to protect him. They tied me up." Hermione said. She felt tears forming in her mind. Harry was putting on a great show.
"Tell Harry to open his mind. I have to talk to him." Rayne said desperately.
"He says he is too weak. He says he loves you, and he will find you in the next life." Hermione reluctantly played Harry's game.
"NO! You will not let him die!" Rayne was frantic now.
"He says you will have to battle alone. He is sorry." Hermione said as Harry cut the connection.
Silence was the only response she heard.
"I hate you for making me do this to her." Hermione glared at her friend.
"I want to see her reaction." was his only response.
Out of nowhere, he felt a storm forming. He thought it was strange, since only moments ago there hadn't been a cloud in the sky. That is when he realized it wasn't an ordinary storm. It was the way it had been created. Rayne was pissed. He suddenly had a very uneasy feeling like someone was staring at him. He slowly turned around and then wished he hadn't.
Standing behind them was one extremely pissed off vampire.
"Shit." was all that Harry could come up with.
"What the FUCK are you trying to pull!!? How dare you!" Rayne's eyes had gone from there normal sparkling blue-green to a dark midnight blue. She was standing in the storm, tears streaming down her face. The rage he felt from her was enough to make him back away from her and put himself between her and Hermione.
"I just needed to know." Harry said calmly.
"WHAT THE HELL DID YOU NEED TO KNOW!!? THAT NO FORCE ON EARTH COULD STOP ME IF SOMEONE KILLED YOU!!!? THAT ANY PERSON WHO DARED TO LAY A FINGER ON YOU WOULD DIE!!? THAT WITHOUT YOU I WOULD DIE!!? IS THAT IT!!? FUCK YOU!" Rayne screamed at the top of her lungs she was so angry. The she began to sob uncontrollably. She spoke softer. "I died after you once. You wouldn't ever have any idea how it felt to have your soul ripped from your body. I gave you my heart. You are all I have in this world. And this is what you do? You fucking test me? When was I disloyal? When did I tell you anything but the truth? And you can't trust me? FUCK YOU!"
"I had to see for myself just how much I meant to you. I needed to know that you weren't censuring your thoughts because we were always in each others head. I had to make sure I made the right decision." Harry had remained calm, taking Rayne's verbal assault. He didn't even seem to flinch when she screamed at him. He simply held his ground and stayed between Rayne and Hermione just in case.
Hermione had the presence of mind to remain silent, hoping Rayne wouldn't blame her for Harry's little act.
"The right decision, huh." Rayne felt as if she had been slapped in the face. The hurt was evident in her voice. "I see. Even after everything we have been through, you still doubt me. There is nothing more I can do. I love you Harry, but after this battle, you will never see me again."
"What? Why? You just said you love me, how can you just leave like that." Harry still remained calm. He was talking to her like she was an over emotional child.
"Easy, I turn around and walk away. I should have known better. Everyone I have ever loved has tried to destroy me. Why would you be any different? How could you trust the daughter of your greatest enemy. Face it, when it comes down to it, love just isn't enough is it." Rayne bit out between sobs. She turned around and started climbing toward the summit of the mountain, leaving Harry and Hermione behind.
Hermione glared at Harry.
"I hope you're happy. I think you have found your answer." Hermione scolded him.
"Actually, I did." Harry replied watching Rayne climb the side of the mountain.
Rayne knew she could have apparated to the summit, but she was so angry and hurt by what had just happened, she wanted to let off steam by climbing the mountain the Muggle way. She couldn't let anything distract her from her mission, because if she did, if she thought about him, she would breakdown and then she would fail.
"Hermione, stay here and don't move till I get back. I have to do something." Harry told her. Hermione nodded in agreement. Harry then disapparated.
Rayne had finally reached the top of the mountain. She pulled herself up onto the flat surface that was on the summit of the mountain. She took one moment to gaze across the horizon and take in the view of Hogwarts in the distance below her. Then out of nowhere she heard athe crackle that signaled an apparition. She turned around swiftly. Harry stood inches from her. She just stared at him. Anger and hurt flashed in her eyes, but she didn't say anything. She just stared into his eyes. How she loved those beautiful green eyes. She was going to miss them. She shook herself out of her reverie and abruptly turned back toward the scenery below the cliff.
"Rayne, you don't have to say anything, but just hear me out." Harry said taking a step towards her. Her back still turned towards him. He put his hand on her shoulder, and when she didn't flinch at his touch he moved even closer. He knew he was pressing his luck, but he wanted to make sure she couldn't run from him. He gently wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her backwards against him. He put his head on her shoulder so he could whisper what he had to say into her ear.
"I love you. I shouldn't have put you through that. I had to see if I made the right decision, but you didn't stay long enough to find out what I meant by that. This afternoon, while you were napping after we made love, I made a decision. I know now that it was the right one. I just had to see for myself that you needed me as much as I need you. I love you with everything I have in me. You are my world, my whole life, and I refuse to ever take the chance that I will never see you again. Rayne, before we go into battle, I need to know one last thing." Harry paused.
He turned Rayne around to face him, holding both of her hands. He kissed her on the cheek, which was wet with tears, and then dropped to one knee. He pulled out a small worn velvet box and opened it.
Rayne's breath caught in her throat. Inside the box was an antique Emerald and diamond ring.
"Rayne, I love you, Will you marry me?"
