A/N - Thank you for the continued support, I hope you enjoy this chapter!

Chapter 15: Disaster Strikes

The morning of the Slytherin game came sooner then expected. Harry felt like he should be getting ready for the second game of the season not the first, but as he was the new captain of the Gryffindor team, he found himself pacing the common room going over every play and strategy imaginable. He even held a last minute practice the night before to make sure everyone had their assignments down. He began to understand why Oliver Wood was so worked up before every game, being captain meant you are responsible for everything that happens on that field. Another thing that was making Harry anxious was Ron still hadn't given him the o.k. to ask Hermione out. Harry figured that Ron would at least need a couple of days, maybe a week, but he was hoping not much longer then that. It was still too early to head down to breakfast so Harry decided to walk outside and get some fresh air.

The halls of Hogwarts were as quiet as a monastery. The bright early morning sun fell through all the windows casting shadows here and there. Harry slowly made his way down to the back doors and pushed them open. He was blinded for a moment by the sun but once his eyes adjusted he could see the hoops of the quidditch pitch off in the distance.

"A little early for you to be up isn't it?" came the soft voice of Dumbledore. Harry wasn't startled at all. He had a feeling the Headmaster might show up.

"No, not really, its nice to have the castle all to yourself," said Harry as he continued to look at the pitch. Dumbledore now stood right beside him.

"You're mother use to do the same thing," smiled Dumbledore.

"That doesn't surprise me," chuckled Harry. "I bet she was more nervous then my dad about games."

"Oh yes, but she never showed it . . . at least not in front of your father," said Dumbledore. Harry smiled at the thought of his mum worrying about his dad, but then a thought crept into his head.

"Sir, if my mum was a seer did she know who she was going to marry?" Harry wished he could just ask his parents about when they feel in love. It was hard for Harry to try and figure these things out on his own. He longed to have some one he could call family to be there when he had questions.

"She knew she would fall in love with a man of great courage and strength, just like she had. I think when she came to Hogwarts there was an immediate attraction to James and though you might not have seen it displayed in Professor Snape's memory, they were truly meant for each other." Dumbledore spoke with warmth in his voice as he recalled Lily and James's school years.

"So they had an undying love, just like the sorting hat mentioned?" asked Harry. Dumbledore eyed him carefully.

"Just like the sorting hat mentioned," he beamed.

"How do you know if that's what you feel towards someone?" Harry had never known love until he came to Hogwarts.

"Harry do you remember what I said at the end of last year. Because you were deprived of love for so long that you feel it on every extreme. If I'm not mistaken, you have very strong feelings towards Miss Granger?" Dumbledore winked as he finished the sentence. Harry began to blush.

"That obvious huh?" said Harry as he looked down.

"Only to an old man who can spot undying love a mile a way," Dumbledore put his arm around Harry. "Now I do believe that breakfast is about to be served," the two turned around and headed for the great hall. Harry ran back up to Gryffindor tower to grab his bag and broomstick. When he returned to the hall Harry put his bag down at his table and walked up to the staff table to continue talking with Dumbledore.

"Professor," Harry was hesitant to ask his next question. "If Hermione does represent undying love, and I know Ron represents the love of a friend, how will I have the love of family? I only have my aunt left and I know she doesn't love me."

"You've already found the hardest of the three, the last one will fall into place before the battle," said Dumbledore as he looked at Harry over his half moon glasses.

"Yes but even if she did have a change of heart, what am I to do with these three elements?" asked Harry as the first set of children filed into the hall.

"That my boy is the mystery," said a worried Dumbledore. "We can talk more again later, right now you should have some breakfast. You need your strength to beat Slytherin today," Dumbledore whispered. "Besides I have a bet with Snape and Julia that you can catch the snitch in under fifteen minutes," he laughed.

"Under fifteen minutes it is then, I won't let you down," Harry chuckled as he left the staff table. Ron who looked like he hadn't slept in days soon joined him.

"What are you doing up this early?" asked Harry as he ate some toast.

"Couldn't sleep, I started worrying that everyone forgot what to do and before I knew it I was up going over the play book again and again," said a paranoid Ron as he started to fill his plate.

"I felt the same way, but I don't know why," added Harry.

"Probably because if we lose they'll blame us . . . well you more then me," said Ron as he stuffed a fork full of food in his mouth.

"I never thought of that," gulped Harry.

"Oh by the way mate," Ron paused and looked down at his plate. "Go ahead and ask her." Harry just sat still for a moment with his toast halfway in his mouth.

"Are you sure, if you need more time –"

"No I'm sure," Ron gave a small smile. The two friends continued to eat in silence. Harry started to think of ways in which to ask Hermione out, but before he could decide the best way, she soon joined them for breakfast.

"Have you guys noticed Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff?" she asked as she sat down. "I didn't realize all the support we had." Both Harry and Ron looked around the hall. Both Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff had banners in the Gryffindor colors. Some with saying like. "We're With You All The Way Harry!" or "Weasley Is Our King Today!" Harry just stared in awe.

"Wow!" was all Ron could say as he turned back to face Harry and Hermione. "Hey, we should probably get going?" Ron slowly stood and motioned for the rest of the team to get up.

"I'll walk you guys to the door," smiled Hermione. They all headed for the door but Harry grabbed Hermione and pulled her into another hallway.

"I'll be right there guys," he said over his shoulder. He needed to make sure he could talk with Hermione after the game.

"Harry you okay?" she asked as they stopped.

"Yeah I'm fine I just – well I want to talk with you after the game," he couldn't look her in the eye he was too nervous.

"Sure, what's up?" she smiled

"I – I wanna talk about that memory I saw this summer," he uttered as he looked up at her. Hermione dropped her head.

"Oh Harry do we have to–" Harry put his fingers under Hermione's chin to raise her face to look at him.

"Yes – yes we do because," he was struggling to find the right words. "Because if a dementor attacked right now, that would be my happy memory, not my parents or Sirius, just you. "

"Harry come on we've gotta go!" shouted Dean from down the hall.

"Just a minute!" He yelled back.

"Go Harry, we'll talk after the game," she slowly leaned up towards him and kissed his cheek. "Win won for me." She smiled. Harry was now charged with a new energy he grabbed Hermione and spun her around. After a couple of twirls he put her down and start to half jog over to Dean and Seamus who were waiting for him. Before he turned the corner Harry turned around and looked back at Hermione.

"I'll catch the snitch in under five minutes!" he said with excited glee.

"Just win!" Hermione shouted back to him.

As Harry got ready for the match all he could think of was Hermione's smile when she agreed to talk with him. He also kept rubbing the spot on his cheek where she had kissed him. We're going to win this match even if I have to do it all by myself, he thought. Madam Hooch stopped by their locker room to inspect everyone's gear and brooms.

"Very well, five minutes to go," she said as she left the room. The team looked nervous as they sat and waited.

"I know some of you are nervous," Harry started. "I'm a little nervous myself, but that's okay because deep down I know we're a better team. We have the best chasers in school," he motioned over to them. "Our beaters can hit anything that moves and our goalkeeper . . . well he's our king isn't he?" The team laughed. "The one thing I want each of you to do is have fun above all else just have fun." As Harry finished there was a knock on the door to indicate the start of the game. The team made their way over to the entrance and in unison mounted their brooms.

"And now here comes Gryffindor," said Colin Creevey, who replaced Lee Jordan as the announcer. "Gryffindor is lead by captain Harry Potter and co- captain Ron Weasley." Colin continued to announce the players as the team flew around the pitch. Minutes later the game was underway. Harry soared high above the stadium to try and get a better view.

"Look at how the Gryffindor chasers handle the quaffle," said Colin. Harry continued to search the sky for any sign of the golden snitch.

"Ginny Weasley scores the first goal, Gryffindor leads it ten to zero," cheered Colin.

"Potter!" yelled Draco. Harry turned to see Draco tailing him. "Don't look at me, just act like I'm egging you on," Draco instructed. Harry turned around but made sure he didn't go to far so he could hear Draco. "Something bad is going to happen. I don't know what yet, but people were talking last night about there being an attack. Something to scare you, so that you knew the Dark Lord can get to you even at Hogwarts."

"When are they planning to attack?" Harry yelled with out making eye contact with Draco.

"I think some time during the match! I've told Dumbledore and Aurors are surrounding the stadium, but I wanted to tell you so that we can find that snitch and get everyone back in the castle," shouted Draco, just then Harry saw a hint of gold.

"I think I see it!" he shouted back.

"Go I'll trail you!" Draco said as he began to follow Harry in his pursuit of the snitch.

"Gryffindor scores again they lead it thirty to ten." Harry heard Colin shout as they began to dive towards the field. The snitch was darting between the towers. Harry and Draco were weaving in and out trying to avoid hitting the stands. The snitch then changed directions and was heading straight for one of the Slytherin goal posts.

"Harry catch!" yelled Ginny. Just then Harry saw the quaffle being thrown at him, he caught it and realized two Slytherin chasers were heading his way. He barrel rolled to the left to avoid the first one then stopped and barrel rolled into a dive to avoid the second. Once he was clear of them both he threw the quaffle into the same hoop the snitch was going through.

"Harry Potter has just given Gryffindor a thirty point lead," Colin shouted. Cheers could be hear all around the stadium, but all Harry could concentrate on was the snitch, which had dived and was hovering mere inches above the ground. Harry followed as it now had switched directions again and was heading towards the middle of the field. Harry couldn't get low enough to reach it so he flipped himself upside down so he could be lower to the ground. He stretched out as far as he could and started to feel the breeze of the flapping wings. He pushed his broom harder and grasped the snitch just as he lost his grip on his broom. He skidded on the ground for a moment and stopped in the dead middle of the field, but now cheers or announcements came. The stadium had become quite silent. Harry stood up and looked around to see what had happened. His eye rested on a group of Death Eaters flying above the Slytherin goals. A familiar laugh was echoing through out the pitch.

"Very good baby Potter," snickered Bellatrix Lestrange. The only Death Eater that wasn't wearing a hood. "But can the brave Harry Potter save his fellow classmate?" Lestrange flew her broom closer to one of the hooded Death Eaters and removed a hood off of someone.

"HARRY!" cried the voice of Hermione.

"Hermione!" Harry gasped as he slowly walked towards them. "LET HER GO!" he boomed his voice full of rage and a hint of fear.

"Or what you'll stun us?" she laughed along with the rest of the Death Eaters. She suddenly stopped and pointed her wand at something in the air. "Call off your guards Dumbledore or the girl dies!" she hissed.

"Back off Tonks," Dumbledore's voice resonated around the field. Slowly several Aurors took they're invisibility cloaks off. Soon Harry saw Lupin, Mad Eye, Tonks, Bill and Charlie appeared in mid air.

"All of you land now!" instructed Lestrange. They all landed near Harry and put their brooms on the ground. "Good, now before we leave I'll let the prisoner say her last good byes."

"NO!" screamed Harry.

"Oh is Potter going to miss his friend," just as Lestrange spoke, Harry felt a gust of wind pass over his head.

"You're the one who's going to be saying good bye, smelly belly," echoed a voice. Even though Harry was on the ground he could still see Lestrange's mannerisms change.

"Show yourself coward!" demanded Lestrange. Julia appeared ten feet away from Lestrange with her wand pointing right at her.

"The only coward here is you Bellatrix!" Julia said between gritted teeth.

"Impossible! How did you survive?" a shocked Lestrange asked.

"You'll find I'm full of surprises, now hand the girl over to me!" demanded Julia.

"You want her! Go get her!" shouted Lestrange. The Death Eater that was holding Hermione shot up towards the clouds. Julia who was climbing higher and higher followed him. Harry could barely make them out when they finally stopped. Hagrid, Dumbledore, McGonagall and Snape had joined the Order members and Harry on the field.

"Can you put a protection charm on her?" asked Lupin.

"No they've put an anti-charm hex on her, we can't do anything short of the killing curse on her," grumbled Mad-Eye. High above the field, Julia was in a staring match with the Death Eater.

"You can't win, just give the girl over to me," Julia said in a much calmer voice.

"Who says we can't win," said the Death Eater as he picked Hermione up and dangled her off his broom. Hermione screamed.

"No!" cried Julia. Screams of people down on the ground could be heard as they saw Hermione being held off the broom. Harry's heart pounded hard in his chest, he slowly began to straddle his broom but someone grabbed his shoulder.

"They've jinxed the brooms as well Harry," whispered Lupin. Harry was now filled with terror as he watched helplessly.

"How did you survive? Lord Voldemort destroyed your home while you were still inside. I was there!" asked the confused Death Eater.

"I'm just a clever one, ain't I," smiled Julia. "Now hand the girl over!"

"If you're so clever lets see how you get out of this one. INCARCEROUS!" shouted the Death Eater. Julia was completely caught off guard and found her self tied up by ropes. She struggled for a bit then saw the Death Eaters smile as he slowly loosened his grip on Hermione.

"Julia help!" screamed Hermione, fear written on her face. Julia was filled with utter panic as she realized what the Death Eater was planning.

"She can't help you now sweet heart, hope you have a nice fall," and with that, he dropped Hermione. Her body began to plummet towards the earth. Julia just looked at the Death Eater and smiled, and then she fell off her broom and began falling after Hermione. Screams and shouts came from all around the field as people began to point at the two body's falling. But then Harry noticed a bird flying towards Julia, it was Rosie.

"Rosie can you catch Hermione?" thought Julia.

"She's moving to fast I can't catch up!" said an anxious Rosie.

"Cut me lose I'll get her," Screamed Julia out loud, the bird did as instructed and ripped the ropes off of Julia. Once free Julia continued to freefall but began to catch up to Hermione. "Hang on Hermione!"

"HELP!" a blood-curtailing scream came from Hermione.

"ACCIO BROOM!" Julia's voice reverberated around the field and for a moment no one could hear anything but her. The broom looked as if it was shot our of a cannon and was heading towards it's master. Harry watched in horror as they were getting closer and closer to the ground.

"CAN'T WE DO SOMETHING!" he screamed.

"LOOK!" shouted Lupin. Harry turned to see Julia about to grab Hermione.

"Hermione grab my hand!" Julia began to reach for Hermione.

"I can't," she whaled.

"YES YOU CAN!" yelled Julia who saw they were only seconds from hitting the ground. "GRAB MY HAND!"

What Harry watched next happened in a heartbeat. Julia reached Hermione and pulled her into a hug. Julia's broom had caught up with its owner and Julia grabbed it and began to pull up. Just as it looked like they were dead, the broom pulled out of the dive but went straight into one of the goal posts. Hermione and Julia hit the post with a sickening thud. Their bodies went limp and the sand around them began to seep with blood. Harry couldn't move for a moment, they had survived the fall but they had gone into the goal posts with such speed the impacted might have killed them. He unconsciously sprinted towards them and fell down in the sand besides Hermione.

"Hermione wake up," Harry began to cry as he knelt down towards her. He stroked the back of her head until he felt a warm liquid. He lifted his hand to see it trenched in blood. "NOOOO!" he screamed. He felt himself being jerked away from her body. "LET ME GO!" he yelled.

"Harry we got to get them to Hogwarts!" a calm Lupin said as he tried to restrain Harry.

"I need to be with them please!" Harry cried as he tried to pull lose. Ron came over to help Lupin contain Harry. As Harry continued to try and break free he heard Madam Pomfrey talking with Dumbledore.

"We need to move them quick, they're breathing is shallow and they're pulse is dropping," she said as she pointed her waned and bandaged their heads for transport. She looked at Dumbledore with a serious face. "They may not make it."