Author's Notes: I'm so sorry about the delay! But chapter 34 is finally here and believe me, its a VERY LONG CHAPTER! Actually, it's the longest I've ever written, 16 pages! I hope you're all excited about the next few chapters because I certainly am! There's action, angst, love, darkness death and a lot of twists and turns. You'll understand when you read this one.

It's Abby's last chapter and so I made her go through loads of stuff. After that, back to Draco and Hermione... nuff said!

Thank you to all my fabulous reviewers! Special shout outs to Jtfanaddict, Malfoy'sAngel, tomfeltonlover1400, Chewy518, if-666, warky, girl88, May (thank you for reviewing my one-shot! I'm sorry I didn't thank you earlier. I was feeling really homesick at the time when I wrote that story, depressive fanfic ideas just kept popping in my mind.), gozde, KriCket xO, LadySnake, D.r.a.c.o.H.e.r.m.o.s.O, nightmistrie, dracosgirl2515, roguish muse, GooseyCorsair, Alenor, Pippin1177, starangel 24, kate and BrownEyedQT715

Plus a special shout out to Chas3r my beta-reader!

You guys rock! Now onto the story which you've all been waiting for...

..~**~..

Chapter 34

Abigail didn't want to wake up. She kept her eyes firmly shut although she could feel the warm rays of the sun of her face. Instead, she wiggled closer to Harry, resting her head on his chest. His strong arms enveloped her tightly and suddenly she had a strange feeling in the back of her mind, telling her that Harry was in danger.

She pushed the thought away and smiled brightly as she thought of the previous day.

..~**~..

"He won't even look at me, Gin!" Abigail cried out, playing nervously with her hair.

Ginny and Hermione had both finished classes early and the two Gryffindors had joined Abby in the Head's common room. They were still wearing their uniforms whereas Abby wore black jeans with a pink T-shirt. She still wasn't attending classes. Abigail had told her friends how her day had been terrible, because Harry had completely ignored her all day. She had left her meeting with Malfoy concerning the prophecy out of the conversation. It was best that they didn't know.

"You have to give him time, Abby," Hermione explained once more, her eyes never leaving her homework.

"I'm going to kill Blaise and all those bloody Slytherins one of these days!" Abigail exploded in rage. "Those idiots are going to pay!"

She stood up on her feet as she spoke and pacing furiously around the room. Ginny looked at her with concern whilst Hermione barely lifted her head up.

"That's exactly what I'd like to see you do," Hermione muttered under her breath.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Abby snapped, whipping around to face her.

"Hermione, what are you talking about?" Ginny butt in. "She'd get expelled."

"Well isn't that better than hiding from them for the past two days? " Hermione continued, facing them. "Abby, seriously, it's time you confronted your problems. Being possessed by a dark wizard must have been the most frightening experience and yet you act as if nothing happened. You need to talk about it, you can't shut yourself out forever. Why do you avoid every attempt I've made so far to talk about the possession and your mother –"

Abigail stopped dead in her tracks.

"I don't need this right now," she snapped quickly, grabbing her cloak.

From the corner of her eye, she spotted Ginny, watching her, stunned.

"Are you coming, Gin?" she asked impatiently. "I'd like to have a bit of fun on my birthday instead of listening to the crap coming out of Hermione's mouth. She obviously doesn't know what she's talking about."

Striding across the room, as Ginny slowly stood up, Abigail opened the common room door but suddenly came face to face with green eyes.

"Hey," Harry greeted her nervously, running a hand through his messy hair. "Can we talk?"

Before Abby could answer, Ginny slipped past her, her eyebrow raised in interest. "I'll see you later guys."

She started walking away and Abigail clearly saw her mouth behind Harry's back, "Be nice!"

"Er - come in," Abby said hesitantly, stepping aside. She followed Harry back in the common room and seeing Hermione was still there revising, she led him to Hermione's bedroom. Harry stepped into the room and quickly closed the door behind.

"Um – what did you want to talk about?" Abigail dared to ask, sitting on the bed.

Harry stood before her, his hands in his pockets. Abigail was surprised to see him looking at her so intently when he had previously ignored her.

"Abigail, what I learnt about you yesterday hurt me - a lot," he began, stepping closer. "I didn't know how to take it and so I preferred to be left alone to think."

Abigail nodded, lowering her eyes as he spoke. She felt so embarrassed and ashamed to have hurt him. His eyes were filled with pain, something Abigail had sworn never to see again. It killed her even more that she was the cause of it.

"I've been thinking about it ever since and I've realised a few things," he continued, looking down at her. "The war is coming and I can't continue to ignore you. If anything happens to one of us, I'll regret not having said this earlier."

Abigail suddenly felt his hand on her cheek. He lifted her head, forcing her to look into his bright emerald eyes. "I forgive you," he whispered softly. "I know it wasn't your fault and that you had no control. Today, I felt so lonely - I missed you and I don't want to spend another second without you."

Abigail felt her heart skip a beat.

"Harry," she gasped, staring into his eyes. "I'm so sorry, I never meant to hurt you. I know, you don't need all these troubles right now, I'm sorry."

She hugged him tightly, not believing that he would forgive her so soon.

"I have something else to say," Harry said, a smile lingering on his lips.

Pulling away, Abigail looked at him seriously, surprised to see him smile.

"I know it's your birthday today so I got you something," he told her, taking out a small box from his pocket.

"Are you serious?" Abigail cried out, seeing the box. "This is insane! Forgiving me is enough already, I don't deserve this."

"Open it," Harry urged her, holding out the box to her. Slowly Abigail took it and opened it. Inside, laid a silver bracelet in the form of a snake. It was very simple, but beautiful.

"Hermione helped me transfigure it," Harry explained nervously. "Do you like it?"

Abigail, who hadn't said a word yet, continued to stare at the bracelet.

"It's beautiful," she murmured, trying the bracelet on. "Thank you so much."

"Your welcome," Harry murmured. He lifted her chin and kissed her lightly on the lips. "I have to go, I have Quidditch practice."

Abigail nodded. "I'll see you after dinner then."

After Harry had left for Quidditch practice, Abigail went into the common room and saw Hermione still sitting at the desk working. She lifted her head intrigued and smiled as she saw the silver bracelet around Abigail's wrist.

"So?" she asked intrigued.

"He forgives me," Abigail replied, bewildered, looking out from the window. She could see the Gryffindor team training on the Quidditch pitch. "He said he completely understood and wants to be with me again."

"Isn't that a good thing?" Hermione asked, seeing her expression.

"He didn't forgive because he understood," she said looking down at the bracelet. "He felt obliged to make up with me because of the war. He thinks something might happen and then it'll be too late."

Sighing deeply, Abigail went back into her room, lost in her thoughts. She needed a cigarette.

..~**~..

A few hours later, after dinner, Abigail sneaked back into the common room with Harry. She didn't want to see either Hermione or Malfoy after they had told her off about smoking. Abigail knew she had gone too far when she argued back but it was worth seeing their faces when she had said that Malfoy wanted to get laid.

"Where are they?" Harry asked confused, as they went to Hermione's bedroom.

"Probably doing Head duties," she answered vaguely. "Who cares? Anyway I think its best they don't know you're here. Hermione would kill me!"

"Yeah, you're right," he agreed, falling onto the bed. "Merlin! I'm so tired after that Quiddditch practice!"

Abigail put some Muggle music on and sat beside him.

"Need a massage, Potter?" she drawled in his ear.

"You any good?" he asked sarcastically.

Hitting his arm, she tried to get up from the bed but two strong arms held her back and made her fall again. Screaming and laughing, Abigail fought against Harry, playfully trying to get out of his grasp until he finally climbed on top of her and held her arms down on either side of her head.

"Okay, okay I give up!" she said breathing heavily.

Harry laughed softly, brushing a strand of hair out of her face. Abigail blushed suddenly realising that he was on top of her. Almost immediately, he bent down and kissed her. His tongue glided across her lips begging for entrance and Abigail obliged, allowing him to deepen the kiss. She suddenly realised how much she had missed him over the past few days. His hand kept hold of her wrist firmly, whilst the other one slid down to her thigh. Abigail slipped her free hand in his hair, pulling him closer on top of her. She kissed him with urgency, moaning against his lips as she felt his hand gradually slither under her pink T-shirt. She felt her insides burn with passion, as his hand roamed freely across her chest.

His kiss suddenly trailed down to her neck, where he sucked hard and long on her soft spot. Abigail had to bit her bottom lip, to prevent herself from whimpering.

Oh Merlin! How does he do that?

Her legs instantly wrapped themselves around his waist, causing him to groan and she felt him getting hard. He broke away from her neck only to stare into her glittering dark eyes, which betrayed the debate going on in her mind.

"Harry, I think we should stop," she finally suggested, freeing her hand from his.

He sat up, looking annoyed. "What? Why?"

"Are you still – Is this your first time?" she asked him quietly.

She watched as his eyes suddenly became unfocused and he brushed his messy black hair back.

"Harry," she said softly, sliding closer to him. "I don't want us to rush into anything just because of the war."

He sighed deeply as she spoke. Seeing his frustration, she put her hand on his cheek, comfortingly.

"Trust me," she explained, trying to catch his gaze. "You don't want to rush into this and mess it up. Believe me, I regret that my first time happened the way it did."

His eyes suddenly locked with hers. "What do you mean?" he asked seriously.

Abigail took in a deep breath. "I rushed it. I was drunk, I didn't think it'd be such a big deal. But in the end, it was really horrible and now I regret it."

She smiled gently, hoping he'd understand. "You know," he began, pulling her closer to him. "Once this is all over, I think we should disappear from the wizarding world for a while. Take a holiday on a desert island far away from here with palm trees and miles of sandy beaches. At least then you'll be all mine and we could finally do whatever we want."

She laughed softly, kissing him lightly. "That sounds great."

"I guess I'd better go then," he said getting up.

"No," she pleaded, pulling him back on the bed with her. "You can still stay with me tonight."

He cracked a smile and kissed her back hungrily.

..~**~..

A few hours later, Abigail woke up hearing Harry scream.

Switching on the light, she saw him clutching his head, tears streaming down his face.

"Harry, Harry!" she shouted, trying to wake him up.

His eyes opened wide and he clutched his scar in pain. "My - scar - burning me!" He managed to cry out, falling out of bed, still clutching his head. He writhed in pain, breathing heavily trying to fight the pain.

Suddenly, it ceased and Abigail looked down at his panting figure, afraid.

"It's stopped," he stated, standing up with difficulty. He grabbed his wand and muttered a few healing spells for his head. "I'd better see Dumbledore. He'll want to know about this. Stay here, I'll be right back."

Abigail stayed awake, fearing what Harry's sudden burning scar meant. She waited patiently for him to return.

An hour later, he was back looking extremely tired.

"Are you okay?" she asked with concern.

"I'm fine," he yawned, slipping back into the bed. "Let's go back to sleep."

..~**~..

"Morning," Abigail heard him whisper in her ear. She opened her eyes against her will and looked at him smiling brightly.

"Time for breakfast," he stated, kissing her softly on the head, before getting out of bed.

"What did Dumbledore say?" she asked quickly, not bearing his silence.

Harry turned around, his smile faded from his face. "He said I needed sleep and that he'd take care of everything. Don't worry about it," he reassured her.

Abigail didn't feel reassured though and watched him get dressed, thinking. She frowned as she saw his well-defined body in black boxers. "Since when have you been so muscular?" she asked, opening her eyes wider.

He laughed. "Since I train for Quidditch. You know... we do train four times a week, three hours per session and –"

"Yeah, okay, I get it," she said smiling, getting up too.

"Listen, I'd better go back to Gryffindor tower before breakfast," he said, finishing putting his clothes back on. "I'll meet you in the Great Hall."

"See you later," she called after him, kissing him gently.

As soon as he left, Abigail noticed an owl pecking at the window, waiting to be let in. She opened the window and took the parchment off its leg. She didn't recognise the owl and so immediately opened the letter, sensing it was urgent.

What she read, she did not expect.

We have your Mudblood cousin. Don't try to save her or intervene in the war if you wish to see her alive again. Serpents cannot choose sides in this war. You are warned.

Abigail gasped, dropping the letter as if it had burnt her hand. The owl flew away having accomplished its mission.

Running out of the room, she quickly went to Draco's bedroom but found it empty.

..~**~..

Abigail rushed down to the Great Hall, trying to find Harry. As soon as she reached the doors, she saw Hogwarts students chatting animatedly among themselves. Suddenly, she spotted Ginny running towards her.

"Abby," she cried out. "Did you hear? Dumbledore wants everyone in the hall this morning. He has something important to tell us."

Ginny gulped nervously as she saw Abigail's pale face. "Do you think it's war?"

"Harry's scar was burning him pretty badly last night," she told her quietly, deciding not to mention the letter.

She was then forced to leave her friend and make her way to the Slytherin's table as prefects asked everyone to settle down. No one seemed to have noticed Malfoy's nor Hermione's absence. Abby received a few glares as she sat down among her housemates. As she had predicted some Slytherins, faithful to Voldemort, must have heard about her previous confrontation with the Dark Lord and her narrow escape. She preferred to keep her head turned to the staff table.

She instantly noticed that many professors were absent including Snape, Hagrid and McGonagall. And then, Dumbledore rose from his high-backed golden chair in the middle of the staff table and silence fell upon the hall.

"My dear students," he began gravely, looking out from behind his half-mooned spectacles. All eyes were fixed on him as he announced the dreaded news. "I am afraid that the time has come. The time to fight for what you believe in has come. I have received news last night as well as this morning that Voldemort has planned to attack Hogwarts school tonight."

At his words, the Hall broke out in gasps, shouts and whispers. Some of the first years even began to cry. As Dumbledore continued his speech about defending the castle and fighting for freedom, Abigail's eyes scanned the room, searching for a certain green-eyed boy. She finally saw him and locked eyes with him within seconds.

Oh Merlin! It's too soon!

She then looked around and realised the seriousness of the situation. Dumbledore had gathered around him all the remaining professors and all the prefects, giving out orders to everyone as the other students remained seated, looking terrified, gulping nervously or simply crying.

"Now is the time to act," Dumbledore concluded. "We have many advantages on our side and I believe with everyone's courage and force put together we can win."

At his words, several Slytherins stood up and discreetly left the room. Obviously they had no intention of fighting on the good side. No one seemed to notice though as preparations for war continued and prefects went around the tables trying to comfort the youngest ones and giving out Dumbledore's orders to the others.

Sighing deeply and shaking her head, Abigail also walked out of the hall. They were all going to die.

..~**~..

Abigail spent the rest of the day outside in the cold, wrapped in her cloak, sitting beside the lake as the students buzzed inside the castle. What was she going to do now? She couldn't help in the war but she also needed to leave Hogwarts before Voldemort's army arrived.

Where would she go?

Home. She would go home.

A voice inside her head told her it wasn't right to abandon everyone but she quickly silenced it, remembering the letter this morning. If she helped Dumbledore, Voldemort would know and Hermione would die. She couldn't let that happen, she wouldn't choose sides; she would go home.

You can't leave, the voice told her in the back of her head. Since when do you follow the rules, since when have you become such a coward?

Oh please! Abigail thought to herself. As if the students have a chance to win against hundreds of Death Eaters and other foul creatures! They should all flee before it's too late!

She had made a decision and now it was time to leave. But as she got up, she suddenly heard footsteps behind her. She knew he would eventually find her. She also knew what he was about to ask her.

"It's time," Harry said, standing behind her.

She took a deep breath, ready for the unavoidable and spun around to face him.

"Time for what?" she stated sharply. Harry frowned. He had changed from his school uniform into dark jeans and a black hoodie, along with his Gryffindor black cloak, billowing in the wind.

"Time for war!" he reminded her, his eyes dancing with excitement. "The school's gone wild, the Order is ready and everybody's ready to fight!"

Abigail shook her head at him. "Everybody's ready?" she repeated slyly, giving a small chuckle. "What – to die?"

Harry stared at her in disbelief. "What's the matter with you?"

"What's the matter with me? I'm just being realistic, Harry!" she cried out, trying to make him understand. "You're going to lead Hogwarts students to massacre!"

"I'm not staying at the castle," he said sternly, throwing a piece of parchment in her hand. "I'm going to save Hermione."

"What?" Abigail asked bewildered, reading the letter.

We have your Mudblood friend. If you want to her back alive, you know where to find us. You have until sunset.

"I need you at Hogwarts to lead the students," Harry finished, looking expectantly at her.

"I got the same letter this morning. They asked me to stay out of the war or they would kill Hermione," she said seriously, sitting back down. "I have no intention of disobeying."

"You're not going to fight?" Harry stated deadly serious.

"You think you're ready to fight?" she bit back, holding his angry gaze. "You think you're ready to kill Voldemort? Can you even kill anyone, Harry?"

"I don't know, but I'll soon find out," he said honestly.

"You're an idiot."

Her words caused something to snap inside of Harry. His stare became a dangerous one and she suddenly felt his power overwhelm her.

"But at least I'm trying!" he lashed out at her."What have you done Abby, that's so brilliant these past days? Huh? What gives you the right to criticise my actions when you've been absorbed in self-pity these last few days?"

Abigail was up on her feet in a flash. "Shut the fuck up, Potter!" she barked back, pointing an accusing finger at him. "I saved you from self-pity, you prick!"

"Yeah and now I'm actually ready to do what you helped me with. I'm going to kill Voldemort whether you're with me or not!" he shouted in her face, his eyes blazing with anger.

Abigail had never seen him so mad or determined before. She expected him to walk off and leave her alone but he didn't. He stood firmly in front of her, apparently battling with his mind. Abigail's heart was racing while her mind was going through all sorts of emotions. How could she leave Harry to die? Why couldn't she bring herself to help him? Why had she let her fear control her for so long?

"I want you by my side," Harry continued with conviction.

"What, as a miserable sidekick?" Abigail sneered, wishing she could stop the aching in her head and find a solution to the war.

"No, because you gave me hope again, you gave me confidence again and I need you by my side. I'm not blind, I know what you've done for me over the months but I still need you. You're the best weapon we've got along with Dumbledore."

"Oh, so you need my powers then not me!" she retorted, deliberately making it difficult for him.

"No!"

His eyes were betraying his internal battle and Abigail secretly wondered what he was hesitating to say.

"Then what are you trying to say?" she shouted in exasperation, her hands on her hips.

Harry took a deep breath.

"Abby, I – I need you because I love you," he admitted, staring into her bewildered dark eyes.

Abigail's heart suddenly stopped racing. She felt paralysed. She should have leapt for joy, she should have kissed him right there and then but instead, she stood still, staring back into his desperate green eyes.

"Help me?" Harry pleaded softly, taking her hand. "Please?"

His emerald eyes begged her as they both knew what would happen to him if she didn't. Harry was far from stupid. He also knew the outcome of the war but he was too brave to admit it. He would rather die than admit defeat and flee.

Bloody Gryffindor courage! she thought angrily before remembering that she was the one who had helped him find it. Deep inside, Abigail wanted to help him, more than anything. But fear still clung to her and the thought that she might witness his death terrified her.

"I can't," she admitted in shame. "It's too late. Didn't you see what the Slytherins did to me? I'm too scared Harry, I won't go through that again."

It was then that Abigail realised that she had to break his heart.

"I just can't help you!" she said desperately. "I'm not allowed to choose sides! I'll lose my powers, I'll lose everything!"

Harry suddenly dropped her hand. "No," he answered bitterly. "I would have been there for you, just like I thought you would be here, for me."

He walked away hurriedly towards the Forbidden Forest before she could stop him. They both knew it was too late for that anyway. Her heart caught in her throat, Abigail felt the tears falling freely down her cheeks.

"I'm so sorry," she breathed out after him, the image of his pained face stuck in her mind. It was to be the last time she would see Harry, she was certain of it. He was going to die and she wouldn't be there to save him.

..~**~..

With a heavy heart, Abigail walked slowly back to the castle and made her way to the Head's common room without being seen. She had to get her belongings and leave the castle before the Death Eaters arrived, which didn't leave her much time.

The sun would set in half an hour. As she reached Hermione's room, she opened her trunk and started throwing her things inside. She blocked every thought out of her mind and focused only on her packing. She thought she could leave without a struggle; she was wrong.

As she was collecting her things, Ginny burst through the door.

"There you are!" she shouted in frustration. "Hermione and Harry are missing and it's driving everyone mad! We have to find them before –"

She stopped dead in her tracks as she saw the trunk half-packed.

"What's going on?" she asked, pointing to the trunk.

"I'm leaving," Abby answered coolly, throwing her CDs in.

"WHAT?" Ginny cried out in disbelief. "The school's about to be attacked by Voldemort's army and you're leaving?"

"I'm not allowed to choose sides, I'm a Serpent," Abigail stated clearly, continuing to pack.

"What? But that's bullshit!" Ginny shouted, closing the lid of the trunk in anger. "You've been siding with us all year!"

Abigail narrowed her eyes at Ginny as she slammed the trunk shut. She then sat on Hermione's bed and raised an eyebrow, remaining silent.

"Where's Harry?" Ginny inquired, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Voldemort's hideout. He's gone to save Hermione who's been kidnapped. He thinks he's ready to confront Voldemort but he's fallen into the most obvious trap in the world."

Ginny barely flinched as she heard what had happened to Hermione. "Why aren't you with him then?" she remarked loudly, keeping her fiery eyes locked on Abigail's dark ones.

"I already told you," Abigail said stubbornly.

"No, I'm not Harry. I want the real reason."

Ginny was the queen of stubbornness after all. Abigail remained silent, looking away. "Hermione was right about you. You let your fear overwhelm you and now you're stuck. You're too scared to do anything and so you hide behind your sorry excuses. You're pathetic!"

Ginny's words cut Abigail like a knife. She snapped her head up and glared at the Gryffindor.

"Don't mess with me Weasley! I'm still a Serpent after all," she said dangerously, taking out her wand.

"No, you're not!" Ginny shouted back, stepping closer to the bed. "Abigail Serpent was the girl who rescued Hermione from the Slytherins time and time again without hesitation. She braved her own house again when she became friends with Gryffindors and fell in love with Harry Potter. Hell, she never even hesitated to confront Malfoy, a well known Death Eater."

Ginny took another step forward, her voice softening. "She was so worked up on being powerful and following her mother's footsteps that she forgot to take care of herself. And then, when her mother got sick, she didn't hesitate to punch Malfoy, insult Snape, kill a Death Eater and threaten the darkest wizard of all times."

Abigail stood still as Ginny spoke before suddenly sprinting for the door. She couldn't listen to her friend anymore, she had to get away from her as quickly as possible. she didn't realised that Ginny was telling her exactly what she needed to hear.

Once she reached the door, Ginny quickly locked it.

"Let me out!" she screamed but the Gryffindor took no notice of her.

"Abigail Serpent saved my life, she saved Hermione's life, she helped Harry Potter better than anyone else and she's my friend. She's the bravest, most hot-headed and stubborn person that I've ever met and one thing's for sure - she never let anyone scare her or walk over her, not even Voldemort."

Suddenly, Abigail whipped around to face Ginny, tears falling down her face.

"But I was hurt countless times. I lost my mother and before I could even recover I lost my dignity. When I was possessed I was practically raped, Ginny! Malfoy even tortured me on Voldemort's orders! It's too much! Do you understand? It's just too much, I can't take it anymore!"

Ginny continued to stare angrily at her. Why did she look as if she was about to slap Abigail?

"Well I'm sorry to burst your bubble Abby, but I do understand your pain," the red-haired said flatly. "I was possessed by Tom Riddle no less when I was only eleven years old and I lost my brother Charlie last year. I understand the fear and pain you're feeling right now. But I pulled through, I refused to cry and do you know why? Because I knew that that son of a bitch would pay for all the suffering he caused. I knew one day Harry would kill him."

Abigail watched her stunned. Of course, Ginny had been through the same pain and Abigail had never even realised. She thought no one could understand her, she felt so lonely but all this time, Ginny had been right by her side.

"Today's the day, Abby. Today, Voldemort will finally pay for his crimes but for that, Harry's needs your help."

She paused.

"Do you love him?" she asked.

"Yes," Abigail answered quietly.

"Then I know you won't let him die. You won't flee like a selfish, pathetic little –"

"Alright, enough," Abigail cut in, moving away from the door. "You're right, I am fucking scared but that never stopped me before. I'm a crazy witch who never played by the rules and maybe it's time to find out just how extreme I can be."

She let out a deep sigh, feeling her hands still shake with fear but pulled her friend into a hug instead. "Merlin, Ginny! Thank you for opening my eyes, I'm sorry I'm such a slow learner."

She felt Ginny's arms hug her tighter as she spoke.

"You can do this, Abby," her friend whispered in her ear. "But don't let the fear overtake you."

Abigail slowly pulled away and nodded. "Take care, Gin. Remember once Voldemort is down, hopefully the Death Eaters will flee Hogwarts and you'll all be safe."

She squeezed Ginny's hand before turning back for the door. "Good luck."

A single tear fell on Ginny's cheek as the Slytherin ran out of the room, wand in hand.

Abigail ran quickly down the flights of stairs and arrived in the main hall where she ran past by Dumbledore and halted.

"Harry's gone after Voldemort by himself. He went to save Hermione who was kidnapped," Abigail said quickly, breathing heavily. "I'm going to help him. I guess you already know about Draco."

She looked up and noticed Dumbledore's eyes twinkle in delight. "Good luck, Miss Serpent."

She nodded and ran out of the castle, in the darkness towards the Forbidden Forest. Suddenly she heard a voice call out her name behind.

"Ron, what are you doing here?" Abigail said turning around. "Go back inside the castle."

"No!" he cried out, stunning her for a moment. "I heard what you said to Dumbledore and I want to help. My two best friends are in danger and I want to help them! They would have done the same for me."

She paused noticing his determined face. Even if she said no, Ron would probably follow her to Voldemort's hideout. "I can't prevent you from saving your friends," she told him seriously. "I just hope you're aware of the danger we're about to face."

"Let's go," Ron said, waving her comment away.

"Wait," she stopped him, pointing her wand at him. "Protego Leo!"

A dark green light enveloped Ron and nodding in satisfaction, Abigail cast "Protego Alexia!" on herself.

"It's the strongest protection I can give you. With a bit of luck, it'll protect you against an Unforgivable curse at least once," she explained, before making her way into the forest.

"Thanks," Ron called out, following her trail.

They silently made their way to the forest clearing and stood in the centre.

"Here we go," Abigail said with excitement. "Hold my hand."

Ron looked at her outstretched hand and frowned. "What are you going to do?"

"We need to apparate into the mansion directly. It's got heavy anti-apparation spells so the only way to get in is for me to apparate us there."

Ron narrowed his eyes at her. "Are you kidding? Side apparation with anti-apparition spells? That's not possible. I thought you knew –"

Rolling her eyes, Abigail grabbed his hand before he could finish and they disappeared with a loud pop.

..~**~..

"Bloody hell!" Ron said as he realised what Abigail had just done. "How did you do that?"

"Family secret," she whispered, holding out her wand. With a flick of her wrist and a muttered spell, she was no longer wearing Muggle clothes but her dark green robes, with her family emblem embroidered in gold in the back. They had apparated in the corridor by the door leading to the dungeon cells where Hermione was surely kept.

"Stay here," she ordered Ron. "Hex anyone who comes round the corner."

Ron nodded and she opened the door as quietly as possible. Catching the glimpse of black robes, Abigail burst through the door and stunned the first Death Eater. There were only two wizards guarding the cells and she quickly stunned the other one before he had time to react. She looked through their robes and quickly found Hermione's wand. She levitated the two Death Eaters into an empty cell, put body binds around them and locked the metal cage.

Walking past the other cells, she looked around for Hermione. All the cells were empty and Abigail suddenly felt a knot in her stomach, thinking maybe she was too late. She rushed to the last cell and saw a small figure, clapped in iron chains.

"Hermione?" she asked, breaking the lock open.

Abigail summoned Ron through her thoughts and quickly went by Hermione's side. The Gryffindor looked awful and extremely weak. She realised it was the third time she found someone she loved in such a pitiful state because of Voldemort. She grabbed the cup of water from the food tray and helped Hermione drink.

"Abby?" the girl asked, feeling slightly better.

"We've come to save you and Harry," Abigail said quickly, getting rid of her chains.

"Harry's here?" Hermione asked afraid, taking her wand back.

"Yes, he got a letter from Voldemort and decided to come and rescue you," Abigail explained angrily, healing every cut and bruise she could find on the Gryffindor's frail body.

What have they done to her? Abigail thought, remembering how she had found her father in a similar condition.

"But isn't that the most obvious trap in the world?" Hermione retorted, no longer in pain.

"That's what I said," Abigail muttered under her breath as Ron arrived running.

"Hermione, are you alright?" he asked, hugging his friend.

"Ron! I'm so glad you're here!" she admitted, smiling brightly.

"Ron, take care of Hermione. Make sure all her wounds are healed," Abigail told him, casting spells on the food in the tray.

"Here, eat this," she said, holding out a piece of bread and a plate of beans to Hermione. "You'll feel much better after and in perfect condition to fight. I'll call you guys as soon as things get complicated. Try not to get caught."

Rushing out of the cell, Abigail made her way out of the room and back into the corridor. She looked around and seeing that it was empty she continued to walk. After stunning half a dozen Death Eaters and walking down several corridors and rooms, Abigail felt positively lost. She was looking for the flight of stairs leading to the Great Hall where Voldemort and Harry surely were but didn't want to apparate there blindly.

Suddenly, she heard someone screaming and turned around, following the noise. She opened a door and finally found a flight of stairs leading to the ground floor. She stepped quietly up the stairs and once again heard the horrifying screams above her.

Abigail froze on the spot.

It was Harry.

Finally reaching the top, Abigail came face to face with a door that lead to the Great Hall. Hearing Harry's screams again, Abigail grabbed the handle and slipped inside quietly. Straight ahead of her, Voldemort was sitting on his throne in the middle of the hall on a platform. Malfoy stood next to him in black robes. His hair shone like a halo in the middle of the dark hall. A few hooded Death Eaters were dispersed in a semi-circle around a motionless Harry, who lay in front of them, sprawled on the stone floor. A puddle of blood surrounded him.

No one seemed to have noticed her presence yet. Without a second thought, Abigail made her way to Voldemort, her blood boiling inside as she took in the sight before her. Seeing Hermione was already enough to make her mad but now as she saw Harry, something inside of her snapped.

"If you thought kidnapping my cousin would prevent me from intervening in the war, then you're not as smart as I thought," she stated loud and clear, walking down the hall, her robes trailing behind her. She kept her eyes locked with Voldemort's beady red eyes, who had already noticed her presence. The others, however, brandished their wands as they suddenly saw her.

"You've murdered my mother, tortured my father, caused Salazar Slytherin to possess me, tried to kill me and my friends several times and generally pissed me off!" she continued, glaring at him murderously. She stopped in front of Harry, protecting him from further harm. Voldemort sat still as his Death Eaters shifted nervously next to him.

"What do you think you are doing, Serpent?" he hissed loudly, causing everyone's blood to run cold.

But Abigail's blood was boiling with rage. At that instant, nothing he could say or do would cause her to be afraid.

"I'm choosing sides!" she announced, brandishing her wand, a silver bracelet dangling from her wrist.

"STUPEFY!" she shouted, stunning the closest Death Eater. Her shield protected her from the curses the other three sent her and she managed to stun another two hooded black figures. A red light hit her in the chest as the last Death Eater tried to kill her. Fortunately, the spell bounced off her shield and hit her aggressor back.

He dropped dead.

"Accio wand!" Voldemort hissed, causing Abigail's wand to fly out of her hand and into his bony spider-like fingers. Within seconds, a couple of Death Eaters emerged from the same door she had come through and held her firmly by the shoulders. Abigail tried to fight against them, her anger back in full but the wizard on her left twisted her arm forcefully causing her to fall on her knees and cry out in pain.

"How foolish!" Voldemort said in high, cold voice. "I will deal with you later. First of all, it's time for Harry Potter to die!"

..~**~..

The real battle happens in next chapter! I know you're all thinking, what about Draco? Why doesn't he help? Well, will Draco help Abby or will he stick with Voldemort? This was Abby's last brave attempt to save Harry but even her magic has its limits...

Don't you simply want to murderher when she refuses to help Harry? That whole scene has been plotting in my head since the beginning and I'm glad it turned out that way! I'm very glad about Ginny's big bit too. She's Abby's only true friend in the end, the only one who understands her.

So will Voldemort be defeated? Will Harry live til the end? Will he forgive Abigail? Will Draco see Hermione again? Will this fic end happily? Can't say… most questions answered in the next chapter. I won't reveal anything about chapter 35 except that it's called "The Storm" and it's all about the war. I'll update very soon to make up for this long wait, hopefully before the weekend. Btw, it's my BIRTHDAY on Wednesday, I'm gonna be 20!

PLEASE REVIEW! A lot happens in this chapter and I'm sure there are things you want to comment on! Take care Hathor xxx