DISCLAIMER: I did not own Harry Potter when I started this story. I do not own Harry Potter now. I will never own Harry Potter either…unless J.K. Rowling decides to give it to me but that will never happen.

A/N: I know these chapters are short but I just want to get them up before school starts so I apologize….

Chapter 24: Free

"Raven," Lucius purred. "The Dark Lord is really displeased with you for this little stunt."

"Yeah?" Raven asked sarcastically. "Who cares?"

Anger flashed in Lucius' eyes but he quickly put the icy mask back into place. "So, the double crosser double crosses again."

"You could say that," Raven smirked mockingly at him.

Lucius smirked back at her then nodded in Harry's direction. "You'll never fit in with them. You will never be one of them."

"I know," Raven said honesty, her face emotionless. "But that doesn't mean that I have to sit by and let him be killed by you monsters."

"Do you care for him?" Lucius asked unbelievingly.

Raven thought about it for a moment. "Yeah, I do," she said with a slight shrug of her shoulder. "For some reason he believed in me."

Raven glared at him. "Now, I'm going to free him. I suggest you get out of my way."

"Or what?" Lucius challenged.

"I'll kill you," she replied simply.

"Will you now?" Lucius laughed. He drew his wand and pointed it at her. "I don't think you've got what it takes to murder someone."

Raven smiled chillingly at him and raised an eyebrow sardonically. "You don't?"

She let out a bitter laugh and glared contemptuously at him. "You're forgetting who my father was Malfoy, and how he raised me."

Lucius bowed his head slightly at her and looked into her eyes challengingly. "Then come on," he invited, flicking his wand in warning.

Raven walked slowly forward, as if she had all the time in the world, till she stood in front of the Death Eater. "It all ends here Malfoy. Live or die, it ends."

"Agreed," Lucius blurted, swishing his wand to cast a spell. But before he could even blurt out a curse from his mouth, Raven struck.

The panther was on him before he could react. It tore at his throat and clawed his chest and arms. Before long, Voldemort's right hand man was lying dead on the stone floor.

Raven changed back and wiped the blood from her mouth with her already blood-stained sleeve. She spat out the warm blood in her mouth. She just stood there for a moment looking at Lucius' lifeless body.

Shaking out of her trance, she turned back towards Harry. They merely stared at each other for a little bit, neither knowing quite what to say.

"Let's get you out of here and someplace safe," Raven finally said.

It took her about five minutes, but she finally got the chains free. She helped Harry to his feet and placed his arm over her shoulders for support.

She apparated them to a small house in a dark and spooky forest. It was very dark inside but held traces of being lived in, though not cleaned very well from the looks of it. She lead him over to a squeaky couch and pushed him down upon it.

"Stay here and rest," she ordered. "I'll come back for you when it's safe."

"Oh no, you're taking me with you," Harry drawled as he tried to stand.

"Don't be silly Harry. You can barely stand as it is."

"You have to take me, Raven."

"No, I don't."

"Yes you do. I'm the only one who can kill Voldemort!" Harry argued.

"Now is not the time to try to be the hero," Raven said impatiently.

"I'm not trying to!" Harry shouted. "It's all in the prophecy."

Raven stopped in mid-stride and turned back towards Harry, her confusion showing on her face. "What are you talking about?"

"There was a prophecy made saying that a boy would be born at the end of July to parents who thrice defied Voldemort and that only he could kill the Dark Lord. I am that boy," Harry explained.

"That is why Voldemort tried to kill me as a baby," he went on. "That is why he killed my parents. That is why he's still trying to kill me."

He looked straight into her eyes. "You have to take me Raven. For the sake of the wizarding world, you have to take me."

Raven was visibly torn as she thought hard about the situation. If she took him and he died, she would be at blame. But, on the other hand, if she didn't take him, Voldemort would live to continue his devastating ways.

She growled as she realized there was only one option. "Fine," she bit out, "let's go."

A/N: I know short…but to make up for it, I'll update Monday. PROMISE! But you have to review. Come on, click that little button and review! Thank you to all of you who are taking time to read my story/stories.

I am also now writing under the penname Silenzioso Lupo. I have one story posted under there so far (Walk Alone). It's a Sirius/Hermione fic.

Till Monday….

Amaya