The air around Godric's Hollow was cold. There was snow on the ground and except for the wind that rustled the black robes of the hooded figures standing quietly in the cold, the air was still.

"I'm freezing," said Evan Rosier to his fellow Death Eater, Kenneth Wilkes.

"Me too, but we've no choice but to endure it. The Dark Lord said to watch the house, so that's what we'll have to do," replied Wilkes.

"I'm still cold," complained Rosier.

"Didn't you cast a warming charm on your robe?" asked his exasperated companion.

He didn't answer, which told his friend everything he needed to know. They sat in near silence blowing into their hands and shifting restlessly, waiting.

About twenty minutes later, they watched as Mundungus Fletcher arrived at Godric's Hollow and Lily Potter ushered him into the house.

"That can't be good," said Rosier.

"Should we contact the others?" asked Wilkes.

"How," snapped Rosier.

"They must know," said Wilkes. "We've lost the element of surprise."

"It's still only the girl and Fletcher in there. They will be no match for the Dark Lord."

"I suppose you're right."

"Of course I am. You worry too much. Dumbledore's little band of blood traitors are no match for us. The Dark Lord is taking them out one by one. Potter's wife is next and then he'll take care of the last Potter."

"What is the big deal about the Potter's anyway? Why is he so intent on getting rid of all of them?"

Rosier leaned in closer to Wilkes and lowered his voice. "Not many know this, but Potter's father was one of the first wizards the Dark Lord approached to join him in our noble endeavor."

"Potter?" replied Wilkes in surprise. "He's been loyal to Dumbledore since he was a young man. Why would the Dark Lord believe he could persuade him?"

Rosier shrugged. "It isn't for us to question the Dark Lord's decision."

"What happened when Potter refused?"

"Nothing at the time, the Dark Lord was not yet in a position to take care of Potter the way he should have been taken care of. He had to bide his time."

"And now he's determined to finish the rest of his family," said Wilkes with a cruel smile.

Rosier chuckled. "The price for rejecting the Dark Lord's friendship is visited on the whole family."

As they talked amongst themselves, they watched as the front door opened for a second time and two men stuck their heads out. They scanned the area and then retreated back into the house.

Wilkes and Rosier stood in stunned silence, not believing what they had just seen.

Rosier whirled on Wilkes and took hold of his robes with his fists. "I thought you said the girl would be alone for the weekend."

"She was supposed to be," choked Wilkes. "I don't understand what they're doing in there."

"Do you think the Dark Lord will be satisfied with that answer," hissed Rosier.

Wilkes pulled uselessly at the fists around his neck, gasping for air. "Please," he choked.

"What is the meaning of this?" said a low voice from behind them.

Rosier jumped and released Wilkes who fell to the ground couching and trying to take in deep gulps of air. Rosier nearly doubled over in a bow before Lord Voldemort. "My Lord," he rasped.

"I do not intend on repeating myself," said Voldemort sternly.

"The Potter girl is not alone," said Rosier quickly, hoping to avoid Voldemort's further displeasure. He was unsuccessful. In seconds a pain beyond pain consumed him and he dropped near Wilkes twitching and screaming.

Voldemort lifted the spell quickly, not because he was feeling any compassion for his follower, but because his screams annoyed him. "How is it that she is not alone?"

"My Lord," spoke up Wilkes, hoping his quick obedience would spare him the punishment Rosier had received. "The conman Fletcher must have alerted them. He arrived only a short time ago."

Voldemort stepped closer, looming over the two men. "And how is it he knows anything of our plans?"

"I am not sure, my Lord. But if you'll remember, it was through him that we were able to get rid of Potter. We allowed him to overhear false information that we knew he would share with Potter and Dumbledore. They must not have taken the bait." Wilkes hunched in on himself preparing to have the Cruciatus Curse descend on him. It never came.

"How many are in there?" demanded Voldemort.

"We don't know," trembled Wilkes.

"Incompetent fools," spit Voldemort, but he did not curse them. Instead he turned toward Godric's Hollow. He strode purposely toward the door and with the flick of his wand, blasted it open.

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"They're here," said Hermione. "They've put up anti-apparition wards." All around her were grim faces. "Can we take the floo out?"

James shook his head. "Too dangerous. If they've put anti-apparition wards up, then they might be monitoring the floo network. We could be walking into a trap."

"We are trapped," said Sirius.

"Maybe we should risk it," suggested Remus.

"Wait a second," interrupted James. "We have some time. After my parent's died, Dumbledore and I talked. We put up some security charms around the house. They won't just be able to walk in."

"How much time do you think we have?" asked Hermione.

"Don't know."

"Well could you take a guess," said Hermione, feeling extremely annoyed.

"I don't know," returned James angrily. "Maybe five minutes, maybe fifteen, maybe they're at the front door right now. Shall I just go and see?"

"Stop it," shouted Lily. "Why are we arguing? We're going to have to work together if we're going to get out of this."

Everybody remained silent, feeling properly chastised.

"If Voldemort's out there, those wards are not going to last for long," continued Lily. "I think we're just going to have to fight our way out of this."

"We should check and see if anyone is really out there yet. Maybe they haven't arrived," suggested Remus, but his voice held no hope.

"It's worth a look," said James, but even he couldn't muster up any hope. He moved toward the front door, Remus following close behind him, and opened it. He and Remus peeked out and scanned the area. "There," whispered James. "To the left, do you see them?"

"Yeah," returned Remus, trying not to move his mouth. "Two of them."

"All right, back inside," said James and he closed the door firmly.

His friends and wife were standing behind him, waiting. "There are two out there," said James grimly.

"That we can see," interrupted Remus. "They're confident," he said angrily. "They're not even bothering to hide themselves."

"Remus is right," said James. "There are probably four times as many that we can't see. We're in big trouble," he sighed.

"Wait a minute," said Hermione. "Don't give up. We just need a plan."

"Hermione's right," said Sirius. "We have to work together."

"What do we do," spoke up Dung, from the corner of the room. He was standing next to the couch where Laura, who was still stunned, was laying.

"We're going to have to wake her up," said Hermione with a sigh. "We can't worry about carrying her as we move. If we have to, we'll use memory charm on her later."

"She's not going to take this well," said Lily regretfully. "She's going to be very frightened."

"Don't worry, I'll take of her," said Sirius. "She's my responsibility." He pulled out his wand and pointed it at her. "Enervate."

Laura blinked a few times, before a small scream escaped her mouth and she sat up.

"Laura," began Sirius. "Please don't be afraid."

"You stay away from me," she whimpered, her fright was written all over her face and in her voice.

"We're not going to hurt you," said Sirius gently.

"What the hell are you," she demanded boldly. "What do you want from me?"

"Nothing," said Sirius. "I swear, I'm not going to hurt you. I know it's hard, but you have to trust me. We're all in danger."

"Why should I trust you," said Laura. Her fear had transformed itself into anger. Hermione couldn't help but admire how she was trying to control the natural impulse to panic. Laura pointed at Hermione. "What did she do to me?" she demanded.

"She stunned you," explained Sirius, taking a step forward. Laura jumped off the couch and moved away from Sirius, trying not to turn her back to anyone. "It was a spell," said Sirius.

"You're crazy," she accused. "I'm getting out of here." She tried to push past Sirius, but he grabbed her and held her. "Let me go," she shrieked.

"Please calm down," begged Sirius. "We won't hurt you."

"Laura, please listen to him," said Hermione coming forward. "We're not who you think we are."

Laura continued to struggle, but Sirius held her tightly.

Hermione held out her wand. "Look Laura," she said. She cast a simple spell and bubbles shot out of her wand. "This is my wand. We're wizards. That's how I was able to stun you, but we'd never hurt you."

"Magic tricks," laughed Laura humorlessly. "You expect me to believe that."

"It's more than tricks," said Hermione. She pointed her wand at the couch. "Wingardium Leviosa," she said and the couch hovered off the ground.

Laura gasped, suddenly going still in Sirius' arms.

"We can all do this," explained Hermione. "But we'd never use our wands to harm you."

"You knocked me out," she argued.

"Yes, I know," agreed Hermione. "But I didn't have a choice. You were panicking and there are some very bad men outside who want to harm us all. We don't have time to explain everything to you. We just need you to trust us."

"And if I don't?" asked Laura.

"Then we may all die," said Hermione firmly. "I'm sorry. I know you're scared. We all are. But please, put your fear aside and trust us." Laura still hesitated. "Sirius, let her go," commanded Hermione.

Sirius immediately released Laura and to her credit she didn't try to run.

"So," she began nervously. "You're telling me you're all magicians?"

"Wizards and witches," corrected Hermione.

"Right," said Laura doubtfully. "And there are men outside trying to kill us."

Hermione nodded, not bothering to sugar coat their situation.

"I don't know if I believe you, but if there really are men trying to kill us, then I guess I don't have any choice but to trust you."

"You can trust us, Laura," said Sirius placing his hand on her arm.

She wrenched away. "Don't touch me."

Sirius looked pained at her rejection, but knew he deserved it. She was in danger now because of him. "I'm sorry," he whispered.

She didn't answer.

Satisfied that she would at least follow orders, Hermione turned her attention back to her friends. "We have to..." She never finished her sentence. At that exact moment, the front door blasted open, the force of which threw them all to the floor.

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A man stood alone staring at the imposing castle in front of him. He had stood staring at the one safe place left for him for the last three hours, unable to decide what to do. Every time he tried to approach the castle, something held him back.

"Damn it, Severus," he muttered to himself. "Stop being so bloody indecisive, it's either this or back to Him." He took a deep breath and forced himself to walk into the castle and straight up to the Headmaster's office. If Headmaster Dumbledore wasn't there, he didn't know what he would do. This was his only chance. They were all too closely watched for him to try this again.

Fate was on Severus Snape's side on this night however. The Headmaster was indeed in his office. Dumbledore looked up as Snape entered his office, but made no move to raise his wand. Snape lowered his hood. "Headmaster," he said weakly. "I need your help."

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Hermione coughed as the cloud of dust began to settle around her. She scanned the area around for her friends. Her eyes landed on a man in a black robe standing less than ten feet away from her. She lifted her head to see the imposing figure of Lord Voldemort, standing boldly in the middle of the room.

"Well well well," he said, sounding almost delighted. "I came to deal with the new Mrs. Potter and I find I have stumbled on an even greater prize. I wouldn't have punished my servants so severely if I knew what awaited me here."

Hermione stared back at Voldemort with all the hate she could muster. "You leave Lily alone," she said.

"Done," said Voldemort easily. "I'll take you instead." He stepped toward Hermione, raising his wand.

"Expelliarmus," came several voices all at once.

"Protego," yelled Lord Voldemort, whirling around.

There was a scream and then lots of movement. Hermione felt herself being lifted and dragged away as spells and curses were shouted back and forth. She could hear breaking glass and more yells.

She turned to the person who was dragging her to see it was Remus. He pushed her into an adjoining room and stood at the edge of the wall, aiming and throwing curses back into the living room. Hermione clenched her wand and joined Remus by the edge of the wall. She peered around and took in the scene.

Sirius, James, and Lily were cornered in the living room, using the furniture as shields against Voldemort. Dung had had the presence of mind to pull Laura out of the living room and into the room Hermione and Remus had escaped to. Laura was pale and shaking with her hands over her ears and her eyes screwed shut. Dung was doing his best to keep her calm, while aiming spells at Voldemort to keep his attention from their trapped friends. Hermione and Remus were shouting spell after spell, but nothing seemed to connect. Most of the spells bounced harmlessly off Voldemort, but the effort of keeping the three of them at bay was preventing him from focusing on Sirius, James, and Lily.

"We've got to get him out of there," said Remus to Hermione. "Give them a chance to escape."

Hermione nodded, not bothering to speak and halt her endless onslaught of spells and curses. Then she did something no one was expecting. She dashed back into the living room, facing Voldemort alone. Remus tried to grab her before she made it into the room, but she was too fast and her action too unexpected.

"Brave girl," said Voldemort appreciatively. Remus and Dung were forced to stop throwing spell to avoid the chance they might hit Hermione.

"You want me, then come and get me," said Hermione, trying to show more bravery than she felt.

Voldemort broke out into a cold cruel laugh that only served to anger Hermione further. She raised her wand. "Conjunctivitis," she yelled and then dodged, expecting a return spell, but none came. When she returned her gaze back to Voldemort, she was surprised to see him clutching his face.

"Run," she screamed at Sirius, James, and Lily, but they didn't need to be told. They were already up and running out of the room. Hermione followed them. She was nearly to safety when she felt a spell hit her from behind and she was knocked off her feet. She rolled onto her back quickly and pointed her wand, but she was just as quickly disarmed. She realized with a sinking feeling, how vulnerable she truly was. Her friends had seen her fall and had immediately turned to retrieve her, but Voldemort had thrown an invisible barrier up between them and they were unable to get past it to her.

"Hermione," Remus called out desperately.

Hermione stared at Voldemort, who was advancing on her, looking very angry. He raised his wand. "Crucio," he screamed. Hermione felt the pain ripple through her body and knew she was dying. Pain like this just couldn't be endured.

When Voldemort finally lifted the spell, she could only draw her knees up to her chest and shake in the fetal position. She wouldn't speak or move or do anything to make Voldemort use that curse again.

"Do you know the price of defiance, girl?"

Hermione whimpered, still unable to speak.

"Speak," demanded Voldemort. "Or I will demonstrate it again."

"Y... Y... Yes," stuttered Hermione.

"Leave her alone, you bastard," yelled Remus from behind the invisible barrier. "Or I'll kill you myself."

"How would you like me to demonstrate the full extent of my power on your werewolf?" Voldemort asked Hermione.

"No," said Hermione immediately. "You leave him alone." Voldemort raised his wand and she flinched and clenched her eyes closed.

"Then you will tell me everything I demand to know," he ordered. "Or I will show none of them any mercy."

Hermione looked over to see her friends staring helplessly back. "I'm sorry," she whispered.

"Hermione, don't tell him anything," said Lily. "You wanted me," she said addressing Voldemort. "I'll go with you willingly if you let her go."

Voldemort laughed. "You are the lesser prize now my dear Mrs. Potter." He approached Hermione and pulled her to her feet. "You'll come with me now, Miss Granger."

"Hermione," her friends called frantically as Voldemort dragged her out of the house.

Hermione looked back and met Remus' eyes. "I love you," she mouthed, before Voldemort pulled her from the house.

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A/N: So sorry for the delayed update, hopefully this chapter was worth the wait. There were two major problems in the last chapter that I have to correct. One of them was placing Charley in Hogwarts when it should have been Bill (I've fixed that already), the second was concerning whether Remus and Hermione had announced their engagement or not. As one reviewer pointed out I had already outed their engagement in a previous chapter. I will correct chapter 37 sometime this week, but it won't change the story too much.