Coming Silence

Ch: 17

Disclaimer: Not mine.

Dedicated: to LinaInverse. You know who ya are, girl. I told you I would and I did.

"Who said I had to go with you?" asked Severus. The taller wizard stood with his arms crossed, a small smile on his face.

Harrry narrowed his eyes. A small frown marred his face but was soon traced away by a grin. Slowly he stalked forward, intent on his prey.

"Severus, do you love me?" asked Harry. He slowly put his arms around his love and waited for the response.

"Yes, I do," responded Severus, more than a little shocked at the question. Severus wrapped his arms around Harry's small waist and pulled him closer.

"Good. Then you'll forgive me for doing this….. STUPIFY!" Harry watched as Severus's shocked body fell slowly to the ground. "Sorry, love, but this way you won't get hurt. Kasha, start the Rip. Tell anyone who can be spared to join me as soon as possible. I have a feeling we are going to need the extra help at Hogwarts"

"Alright Harry. I'll do that. Get ready for the Rip," said Kasha as she raised her inner arm.

A glittering dagger appeared in her hand and she quickly sliced the inside of her arm.

Unlike the other Gates, the Rip had to be controlled by blood and magic. If the caster could not concentrate on his or her magic while watching their blood flow, the Rip would become unstable and kill the caster. Which was why no one used the Rip.

"Harry, be careful, alright?"

Harry nodded and grabbed Severus's body. He watched as a small hole began to appear in the fabric of reality. With a deep breath, he focused his thoughts on his destination and jumped.

Wind immediately slashed around his body, tearing at his clothing and whipping harshly through his hair. Harry pressed Severus's body closer to his own, protecting the unconscious man with all his might. Harry closed his eyes as intense colors pounded away at his already wind abused body.

This was what reality was made of. Wind and colors and, distantly, musical sounds. The melodies of life that made the grass grow and the planets revolve around the sun. It was what made the heart beat and blood boil. The wind and colors and sounds made life. In return, it made what we define as reality.

Immediately a small black hole grew in size at the end of the tunnel. Harry gathered his strength as he was swallowed and spit out of the black hole.

"SHIT!" howled Harry as he slammed roughly into stone. Severus landed on top of him, still stunned and unaware of what had happened. Harry knew Severus was going to be pissed.

Harry rolled Severus over and stood, wincing as his body protested at the movement. If a few bruises were all he had attained in the Reality Rip, then he could put up with bruises.

He pointed his wand at Severus, murmuring the counter-spell to release the other man.

Severus blinked and immediately stood up, barking, "No, I will not forgive you for that, you insolent brat."

"Sev, you know it was the only way to make you come with me. Besides, I saved you from all these bruises. You should be thankful."

"Thankful or not, that was downright rude. Come, we should see Dumbledore."

Harry pouted but followed Severus down form the Astronomy Tower they landed on and through the many halls of Hogwarts. He was still pouting when Severus stopped at a familiar gargoyle statue. The other man whispered something to that statue and immediately it moved. Up the stairs the older wizard went while Harry paused. He really didn't like the way that statue was glaring at him.

"In trouble already? When will you students learn to follow the rules?" asked the statue. "Always thinking you're invincible…."

Harry growled and leaned forward. With a hiss, he raked his claws across the statue, leaving five furrows imbedded in the rock.

"HEY!" cried the statue.

"That's for glaring at me, you freak…."

Harry hissed one last time before bounding quickly up the stairs after his lover. He didn't even bother to knock, figuring the old man would know he was coming, and quickly opened the door.

And stopped dead in his tracks. His mouth dropped open as he saw two students he recognized bound and gagged on the floor. The first student he immediately recognized. And the second had him more than a little shocked.

"Pansy Parkinson and…..NEVILL?"

"Just as we had said, Harry," said Sirius. Harry's godfather gave him a tight hug before moving further into the room.

"We were both just as shocked as you were. However," explained Remus, "Neville is not here on his own accord. Headmaster gave Pansy and Neville both Veritaserum before you arrived. Pansy admitted she placed Imperio on Neville. Neville gave valuable information to Voldemort. Neville, under no fault of his own, has been pardoned. Pansy, however, will be sent to the Ministry for trial. Her wand has been snapped."

"So, what Ginny said is true. Neville was acting strange."

"She had good reason to suspect Neville."

"What does Voldemort know, Headmaster?" asked Severus.

Dumbledore sighed and reclined in his chair. "What doesn't he know? He knows you and Harry have bonded, he knows what the Dagger is supposed to do, and he knows the wards on the school are scheduled to be reset."

"Damn…" muttered Severus.

"My thoughts exactly."

"Then we have to reinforce the wards," said Harry. "They are already weak. Pulling them down now is too great a risk."

"Good thought, Harry," replied Dumbledore. The twinkle in his eye was long faded. "Unfortunately, to reinforce the ward completely, a few have to be removed."

A rapid pounding on the door silenced everyone.

"Enter," said Dumbledore.

Draco Malfoy tumbled into the room, his hair flying everywhere and his eyes wide and wild.

"Headmaster, their here, their coming! Voldemort is trying to tear down the wards!" cried Dumbledore.

The old man stood as the others rushed out the room and down the hall. Sirius pulled the daggers Harry had given him out of his pockets as they went.

"ALL STUDENTS, REPORT TO THE DESIGNATED AREAS IMMEDIATELY! THIS IS NOT A DRILL! I REPEAT, REPORT TO THE DESIGNATED AREAS IMMEDIATELY!"

Students immediately ran down the halls, some screaming, some holding smaller children tightly, all worried and frantic. The older sixths and seventh year students fled to the Entrance Hall. They wanted to fight.

Harry ran out the front doors and stopped. Voldemort stood at the gates, throwing spell after spell at the glittering wards that kept the school safe.

"Severus," cried Harry. "Stay safe."

Severus stared at Harry, an unreadable look in his soft black eyes. He exchanged a quick kiss as a loud bell sounded across the grounds. The wards had fallen.

"You be safe. Don't die on me after we found each other."

"I will…try…"

As one they turned amidst the now flowing spells and raised their wands. No mercy was to be showed by them.

"Petrificus Totalus!"

One death eater fell. All around them swarmed hundreds and hundreds of death eaters and Order members alike. Students took cover in the Entrance Hall. Their duty was to keep the enemy from approaching the castle.

A soft wind ghosted over him and Harry immediately dropped. He kicked his attacker and turned, burying his claws deep into the enemies belly. A warm feeling trickled down his arm as his Psychic Sword-for once-decided to appear.

"LIGHTNING FIRE!"

Twin lightning bolts flashed through the sky, raining down on the giants that stood guarding the one man Harry hated above all others. Voldemort. The Dark Lord simply vanished as the smell of rotting meat filled the air. Another lighting attack came from his left. Sirius had unleashed his daggers.

"Still to slow, Harry….."

AN: SORRY SORRY SORRY SORRY SORRY SORRY SORRY for the long update wait! A lot has happened this month. First, Lent. I work a fish restaurant. By the time I got home, I was too tired to write. Second, Prom. I had to go. I promised my friends. Third, my baby Gabriel-my puppy, not an actual baby-got kennel cough and I had to force feed him pills he refused to take. Fourth, got a new computer. Lost all the chapters I had created. This sucked. Then, My grandparents new house is built. My gran is a quadriplegic so grandpa designed a house she would be able to have more mobility with her wheelchair in. It's done but most of my free time-which isn't a lot between school and work- was spent boxing boxes for the big move. I know, I know, no excused. But still, I am sorry. Please forgive me! Anyway, I have to dedicate this chapter to LinaInverse, she threatened to roast me on a fork if I didn't, so here it is. Hope you enjoy.

~Cheers