Shitza: Okay. I know you are probably going to hate me for this chapter, but it had to be done. (Takes a deep breath and murmurs something unhearable)

Hope you didn't hear that, you will read! After that all flames are welcome because I know what you are going to say, it's much that has been planned into this chapter, very much. I hope I'll be able to put everything in it.

It will probably also be long, so hope you enjoy.

Warning: This chapter contains violence and swearing, which is why I have rated the whole story as PG-13.

Chapter 33 Giving up

The sky has darkened, the wind stood still, the earth tastes like ash in your mouth and you wake up to slave for this terrible thought of evil. Your powers are gone forever, your worst foe laughs as you carry the heavy burden on your back up the hill. Whips and splashes remind you of why you have survived for this long. It's not because of feelings; it's because of that you had to become so ruthless hard. You are a mind of steel, not able to see differences of friends or foes. You breath heavily, a whip strikes your feet. They are bleeding, but you can't feel pain. You are naked in the dark, unable to move, to show, to feel.

Your friends have abandoned you, they fell long ago. First the sorceress, who was terrible tortured until she chose to take her life. Then the one you loved, the one you cared for the most. She abandoned you, she choose to toss herself out a cliff. Then your friends, one by one they fell. They counted on you, but you betrayed their trust.

You know He can change all that, the god you serve, the one who made this at you. You gave him your powers, made an unbreakable bond. With this bond you are cursed, you cannot get away from it. You feel it wherever you are, when you are carrying the burden, when you are asleep, when you are whipping innocents to their deaths.

Yet the question remains, why did I do it? Why did I betray them? Why did I give up my strength?

You are lost in an endless labyrinth of thoughts, not able to find the way back to from where you came. Only then it will be an end of all things.

Ron woke up, sweating. His dream had been so horrible. He couldn't get the images out of his mind, but he knew what it meant.

He sat up, looked around the dorm he shared with everyone else. Dean and Thomas were fast asleep. His best friend Harry was murmuring something in his sleep, yet it didn't seem like he was having nightmares at least. Blushing Ron though that he didn't want to hear what his best friend was saying. Instead he quietly walked out the dorm.

To his surprise he noticed Neville wasn't asleep, and it more surprised him that the Hufflepuff was waiting for him outside.

"Ron, there is something I need to tell you!" Neville said sounding very serious. Ron nodded, he would have been very foolish if he would suspect that the heir of Hufflepuff wouldn't know about this.

The two boys walked out from the Common Room, down the corridors towards Ron's own Chamber. He invited Neville to enter, since it was only he who knew how to open it.

Neville followed and sat down into the red and gold armchair Ron usually sat in. He looked sad as he looked upon Ron.

"I know what dream you had, because those are my own thoughts of what will happen if you choose the wrong path" the Hufflepuff said calmly.

Ron stared at him, unable to find words.

(Letter)

Dear Ron

I am so sorry things turned out as they became, your father and me feel like all this was our fault. Please, don't go looking for us and put yourself into danger, whatever happens to us you must protect Ginny and yourself from all dangers. You have to understand, we sacrificed us in order to keep you safe, don't go there and end it all, don't pick the wrong choice. We love you very much, even if you think you was a shadow of your brothers you were so wrong. You are what you are, our son, our heir, and the glory of our blood. Don't give up, fight him until the end.

Love

Your mother and father

(The Daily Prophet 20th December)

Through a letter arriving this Monday the Dark Lord, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named declared and open battle between the magical world and his armies. The question of war was discussed as late as yesterday and only now they Ministry's have accepted. What now Ex-Minister Cornelius Fudge has thought of the situation hasn't been able to come out into the spotlight, yet nasty rumours have been told about him For instance one of the most popular says Fudge has completely ignored the fact of war, which very much would describe why this question has gotten interest this late. The question has also been discussed if it isn't time for a new Minister. For those things Fudge has put himself on the list once more, but also not only him but also Mrs Dolores Jane Umbridge, an old hag and also Fudge's special pup. Putting her at power would be even worse then having Fudge around.

Currently they are searching for worthy candidates for the place of a new Minister. There are some more contestants, but who all had since weird accidents retreated. Rumours say this has something to do with them competing, living by the Ministry's is nowadays as dangerous as living with the Dark Lord.

As it is we warn all witches, wizards and squibs to remain inside and well hidden. There is no knowing what will happen now that the magical world has been deprived its freedom and peace.

Rita Skeeter

Harry reread the article once more. He was sitting with the others at the Three Broomsticks, sipping on a cup of coffee while reading the newspaper over and over again. Rita's article didn't say much and rumours told them that the Editor for the Daily Prophet had thrown her out after this. The other heirs were all silent, except for Ron who was rereading the letter from his parents one more time.

"I cannot believe all this have happened!" Draco said.

It had been a misery to find out that Ron's parents and oldest brothers; Bill, Charlie and Percy, had in fact been kidnapped by Voldemort as blackmail to retrieve Ron's firepowers.

"Don't worry Ron, we will fix this somehow." Hermione said.

Ron didn't answer, he couldn't say anything. Instead he folded his arms on the table and then fell forward to cry. It felt as if his whole life had been shattered. Cassandra immediately ran to his side to give comfort, but it didn't help.

"That bastard will pay!" Draco said clenching his fist. Why do he really have to do all this, it makes even more hatred towards him then despair for us. First Harry's parents, then Neville's, who are mad, then Cassie's family and my father. Now this! I swear he will pay for this, for all the blood he have spilt!"

Hermione rushed over to Draco. Harry sighed as the bearer of the Black magic of le Fay kissed her boyfriend on the cheek, crying in his arms.

"He killed them even before I really got to know them." He said sighing again.

"His Death Eaters cursed my parents before I could even walk" Neville said.

" He ordered all those things to happen to my family." Cassandra whispered.

"He knew my father had to die." Draco said, hugging Hermione.

There was a deep sigh. No one knew what to say. Just then some of the teachers arrived, carrying shopping bags with them. It was Professor McGonagall, Professor Sinistra, Professor Wing, Professor Snape and tiny little Professor Flitwick. All of them were talking about the calm peaceful day, until they saw the sulky faces upon the heirs.

"My god, what is this?" professor Sinistra asked.

Ron sighed and crumbled up the letter in his hand. Yet he didn't burn it like he used to, this could perhaps be the last thing he would ever hear from his parents.

"What has happened?" Professor Wing asked.

Still no answer, yet Cassandra started crying. Hermione handled her a napkin from her pocket.

"What is going on?" Professor McGonagall asked.

Draco stared at her, his face showed no emotions, as if it had been carved from stone. But his eyes showed an endless amount of thoughts and feelings.

"Why are you all so sulky?" tiny Professor Flitwick squealed.

Hermione sighed, she wondered who would have the strength to answer, not her that was for certain.

"It's Voldemort, isn't it. What has he done this time?"

Ron sighed before tossing the letter to the Potion mater's hand. Professor Snape read and his eyes widened. Yet then he smiled.

"I should have known this, ever since I came to the last meeting he seemed to be a bit too happy to be true. At least now I know his plans."

Ron stared at him, eyes red from all the tears. "Professor, you don't happen to know where Voldemort is hiding?" he asked.

Everyone stared at him, both teachers and heirs.

"NO RON, YOU CAN'T GIVE UP YOUR POWERS IF THAT IS WHAT YOU ARE THINKING!" Hermione screamed.

"Why not, I bet you guys can do better without me after all. Besides, I am the only one who can protect my family, and a loss is a loss. At least I won't have t o make them suffer. Please Professor, tell me where I can find him."

Professor Snape hesitated.

"T-there is a meeting tomorrow, yet…"

"Do you mind company?" Ron asked.

"N-n-no, but…"

"Good, then I'll come with you."

Harry opened his mouth to say something, but Neville managed to speak before.

"Be brave Gryffindor, because your heart is the key of your powers. Voldemort may think whatever he wants, but I know if your heart is one the right place then he will not corrupt you."

Everyone stared at Neville, but then slowly nodded. The Hufflepuff was right.

"Yet know our battle will be harder, as the dark Lord will now control one of the elements, he don't control water as the real heirs do, but he will now have the power over fire, which means the end of this decision will be harder. His goal is to corrupt us all, and now he has begun. I can't tell you yet what fate has decided for us all, but as well as power is good it can be devastating."

Harry sighed.

"Be careful Ron, don't let him finish you off."

"Shouldn't anyone go with you?" Hermione asked.

"Snape will be there, and besides this is nothing to do with you guys. I don't want you all to get dragged into this."

By then Cassandra rose from her seat and fled, crying. Everyone watched her go, but no one rose to hurry after her. Yet after what seemed like hours both Draco and Harry rose from their seats, thinking the same. They hoped she wouldn't go drowning herself into the lake after this.

"Take care of her while I am gone, and you guys" he said as the two heirs were about to make the move out. "If I don't survive, tell her then how much I love her."

Harry and Draco hurried off. Hermione and Neville each took Ron's hand.

"Ron, you are definitely the bravest person I have ever met." Hermione said.

"No matter what that thing will do, you always have your friends with you." Neville aid.

The three heirs rose from their seats to walk outside to the cold. The passed the stunned teachers and as Ron walked he thought. 'Watch out Voldemort, you have really made me pissed off."

(London, the open streets)

Tonks cursed deeply as she walked towards a small hotel at the corner of the street. She had heard rumours this was were that hag was sleeping at the moment. That hag who had thought that metamorphoses were freaks. Freaks! They just had an odd branch off magic in their veins. FREAKS!

She passed some bookstores and restaurants. She was close now and she could feel the blood in her veins burn of hatred. She wasn't alone in this hate, she had told this towards Moody, who had fainted, Lupin, who had howled of rage and Petunia who had offered to come with her. Yet Tonks wanted to do this on her own, she didn't need the Muggle's help for this.

She ran the last yards to the entrance. Panting she arrived and asked for the room to a certain Mrs Ivy. Ivy, tss… Mrs Hag or Bitch would certainly describe that old witch much better.

The man showed her up to the third floor and into a cosy room. It was a shock to arrive; the room had a shocking pink colour and enough cats to make you cough fur balls.

To Tonks irritation Umbridge wasn't there. But she could wait. Fingering on her wand she knew she could wait.

An hour later Dolores arrived at her room. It had been a most tiring day; she had been signing what seemed like a hundreds of documents.

'I will change that once I steal the throne from Cornelius.' She thought mischievously.

She didn't know what would blast her to the wall as she put her key into the door and open.

"EXPELLIARMUS!"

Umbridge was thrown off her feet into the wall. She opened her eyes carefully and saw this really angry woman standing in her doorway, a wand pointed at her heart.

"Who are you?" she asked.

"Oh, you know me, a freak as you call me and my friends. Have it ever occurred to you that some of us were born like freaks and are dead proud of it."

The woman's face changed, her blue eyes turned red, her hair turned black with blood red stripes.

"You!" Umbridge said getting to her feet.

"Yes, so!" Tonks said breaking the other woman's wand into two pieces.

But Umbridge hadn't been all unprepared and Tonks had never known how low she could get. In a flash of three seconds Umbridge had taken out what looked like a small knife and tossed it towards Tonks. The knife hit her knee and the poor woman fell towards the floor, unable to stand. Her wand rolled over towards her enemy.

Umbridge smiled and said.

"The Egyptians should have received about a hundred galleons for this charm, since it is the only thing that can exterminate things like you. Good bye, it's been a pleasure battling you."

She opened her mouth to call out a deadly curse when all of sudden something hit her on the back. It looked like a cloudy angel or something really glorious, but then it fainted and as it did Umbridge fell towards the floor, badly bruised and completely knocked out. Behind her stood Petunia.

"Thanks!" Tonks said as she tried to stand once more.

"No need thanking me, I so much wanted to do this after calling Muggles freaks. Yet you shouldn't try standing yet, I'll call for the others."

(The next day)

the castle was silent, no one dared say anything. The Gryffindors all stood by the windows of their tower watching their heir take the same carriage as the Potion master. Ron had made his choice, he would sacrifice himself, to save everyone else he knew.

"I don't like this" Hermione said as she watched him go. "What if Voldemort is pulling a trick on him."

"You should be happy you don't see the possibilities for the outcome Hermione." Neville said. "If not fate had decided this, then I would have been first to stop him."

Harry just sighed. He felt so alone, Ron had ever since their first year been his best friend. Seeing him go, not knowing if he would return or not, didn't feel right. Not right at all.

One floor down Cassandra sat in the Ravenclaw Common Room surrounded by fellow Ravenclaws. Everyone knew her sorrow and everyone tried to comfort her.

In the dungeons Draco paced the room back and forth. He didn't want to think off what could happen, he just prayed everything would be all right. He had told Snape to contact him mentally if something would happen. Even he was worried, after all he had learnt to like Ron after all, even if he didn't always trust him. Yet Ron was his friend these days and companion in everything they did.

"Take care of her while I am gone, and you guys" he said as the two heirs were about to make the move out. "If I don't survive, tell her then how much I love her."

those words rang like a bell in his memories, he knew Ron could sacrifice everything he had in order to help his friends and family. Yet by sacrificing himself, Draco didn't want to think of the horrors he would have to meet.

Slowly they disappeared out of sight and out from the Hogwarts grounds. The life slowly returned to the halls, yet it wasn't laughter or joy, which could be heard in the corners, it was tears and anxiousness. Especially the Gryffindors were worried, and students and teachers from other houses tried to cheer them up, in the end even the Slytherins started to sound concerned. It was, as the lessons proceeded, suddenly one third year ran straight to Neville, white from a shock.

"There's a man at the gates, he says he must speak to Gryffindor!" she said.

Neville, who had been making a Ice potion slowly rose from the cauldron he was bent over and hurried down to the gates. He really wondered who it could be, he didn't think one of Voldemort's spies had gone of to Hogwarts and he definitely hoped it wasn't Snape returning, bearing ill news.

On his way he met Harry and Hermione. The two of them followed him down. They ran through the two front doors and towards the gate. First they didn't see anyone, but when they got closer they saw something lying right outside.

"It's Percy!" Hermione cried as she opened the gate and Harry hurried over to him to see if he was still alive. Neville picked out a small bottle from his pocket.

"Lift his head." He said calmly to Harry. Harry did as he was told and Neville popped the small cork out. Then he measured up three drops of the potion, it smelled like garbage, but it did seem to have effect as the older man's breathing slowed and he opened his eyes.

Harry conjured a stretcher and brought him up to the Hospital Wing. Neville told Madam Pomfrey that he really wished to take care of all Percy's injuries by himself. Madam Pomfrey nodded and returned to take care of her own patients. Recently the whole school had been caught in a irritating flu, which made the whole Wing overfilled with sick students. Yet thankfully the Wing also had a more private ward, with just one bed, and there they always brought the most serious injured ones.

Neville ordered Harry to fetch a large amount of different potions, everything from Calming Draughts to Shocking Vapours. Harry had no idea what all this was used to, but he knew better then to ask. Something he had learnt about Neville and potions was that sometimes you didn't want to know about it. Neville had a tendency to use things that either sounded like pure torture or things containing Vampire blood, Trolls droppings, rotten Mummy bandage with more.

"Hold him!" Neville said coldly as he took one spoonful of some red potion. He poured it into one long gash on Percy's right leg. To everyone's amazement the gash closed, but then he began shaking violently as if in pain.

"I am sorry to do this Percy, but the potion is meant to rebuild everything that was broken. Unfortunately it still hurts very much.

Percy looked at Neville and sighed. The pain had dropped, but there were still many wounds to take care of. They didn't know what could have happened, yet from looking at it, something dreadful.

Neville poured the same potion in two other gashes, one on his left arm, the other one on his back. The one on his back though looked as if it could have come from a whip. Neville didn't ask about it, he kept silence as much as he could, unless he needed to instruct something to someone.

After two hours Percy had finally been healed enough so that no wounds would reopen and no serious pain would make him suffer through his sleep. He was tired, yet before they left he said one thing.

"He has taken him."

Then he cried into his sleep. The three heirs stared at each other, speechless they wondered how they would be able to say this to everyone else.

TBC

To Reviewers:

Draco's Wife Lover: Hope you are getting better soon and hope you liked this chapter. I am sorry it's late, yet I had much work to do. Good luck with your story and thanks for reviewing.

gary: Well, sorry this chapter came so late, I wanted to update during the weekend, but then, had lots of things to do. Yet I hope you liked this chapter and thanks for reviewing.

End Notes:

Maybe, maybe not, I will be able to update soon. That depends on how much more homework my teachers will give me, as it seems I didn't have as much as I thought this week after all. Gonna update my bio, hope you all know I leave update notes at the bottom there.

Shitza