DISCLAIMER: I live in WEST VIRGINIA not London or anywhere over there so I'm not British, I do well to speak English. Which means: 1. I do not own Harry Potter 2. I will never own Harry Potter and 3. I will probably not be using any British words and for those of you who are British, you are going to be seeing some American words, sorry. I only know some British phrases and terminology. I do well to speak English.

A/N: First off, Remus and Tonks fans should be happy. Snape lovers will…er… probably be mad. In my own defense, I was once a Snape lover (heck, I'm a Voldemort lover) but he…well, ticked me off. I hold grudges and get revenge on people. But to make it up to you guys, I will be reintroducing Harlem (I know, torture) BUT I will think of an awful and horrible way to kill her…. Since Moony's version was so good, I might try to "persuade" her into helping me… we'll see.

Chapter 24:

After leaving Sirius, Remus and Tonks headed back down to the library. Sirius was in one of his moods and they knew better than to try to comfort him.

"Want a drink?" Remus asked as they entered.

"What do you have?"

"Water, tea, anything…"

"How about something a little stronger," Tonks answered with a smile. "I say we'll probably need it what with everything…."

"I think Sirius kept some Firewhiskey and mead in here," Remus muttered as he began rifling through the drawers of the desk.

"Mead will be fine if he has any."

Remus found the hidden bottle of mead and poured them both a glass. He handed one to Tonks and kept one for himself. They drank in silence for a while, neither knowing what to say to break it.

"I just don't know how to help him anymore," Remus muttered dejectedly softly after a bit.

"We help him by being here for him," Tonks told the werewolf.

"He won't let us…"

"We don't give him a choice," Tonks said quickly. "You're his best friend, Remus. He needs you more than he'd care to admit."

Remus ran an unsteady hand through his hair. "Maybe you're right," he said softly, his eyes drawn to the floor away from her steady gaze.

Tonks stood up suddenly. "I know I am," she declared.

She walked over to him and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "He lost her once Remus and he's scared he'll lose her again. We have to make him see that he won't."

"You're right," Remus nodded.

"I know," Tonks said happily, sitting down beside of him.

Then her face grew serious as she gazed at him. "Er…what's our plan?"

Remus chuckled softly and leaned closer to her as he whispered the plan to her.

Tonks leaned back and laughed loudly. "I LOVE IT!" she cried as she threw her arms around his neck and kissed him smack dab on the lips.

Remus, shocked, just sat there for a moment before primal instinct kicked in and he wrapped his arms around her waist, kissing her back.

"Er…I'll…er….just…um…pretend I never saw any of that….." A very red Harry and a chuckling Ginny tried to backed out of the room quickly but not quickly enough.

Remus leaped up from his position and stared at the retreating couple. "No, that's alright. We were…er…just discussing ways to help Sirius."

Ginny rolled her eyes and smiled at him. "Sure you were."

"We were," Remus protested while Tonks just sat there with a small smile playing at her lips as she gazed at the lycan in front of her.

"Well," Harry said, still a bright red, "we just came to inform you that Dumbledore called a meeting for this evening. Something's happened though he won't tell us."

"Must be something serious," Remus said thoughtfully.

"Someone say my name?"

Everyone looked at the door where Sirius just strolled in, baby monitor in hand. He looked worn out and there were dark circles under his eyes from lack of sleep. He was also getting a bit on the thin side, though he insisted he ate plenty.

"You look bloody awful," Tonks said blatantly.

Sirius threw her a dark look and muttered, "Shove it."

He looked around at everyone else. "What's going on?"

"Dumbledore's called a meeting for tonight," Harry informed him.

"Must be something big for him to call a meeting like this," Sirius frowned.

"I wonder what's happened," Ginny said.

"Guess we'll find out tonight," Sirius shrugged and walked over to the desk to pour him something to drink. "Who's been in my supply?"

Remus and Tonks glanced at each other and quickly pointed at Harry and Ginny before bolting out of the room where they could hear Harry and Ginny stuttering their innocence.

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Dumbledore sat in his office, a thick fleece blanket thrown over his lap, as he stared into the burning fire. Worries filled his head.

The last war had taken a lot out of him; Minerva's death had taken a large chunk out of him. He didn't know if he could last through this war too.

Now, he had even more things to worry him and occupy his thoughts. The latest news still sat upon his desk, the letter facing him even now.

He had called a meeting immediately, not informing anyone of the latest news. He knew he was worrying them by not telling but he had to formulate a plan first.

And that was where he was still at an hour later: in front of the fire trying to figure out what their next move was going to be. What he needed was more information.

Hermione's kidnapping and Ron's death still weighed heavily on his heart; they had become, along with Harry, a part of his family. Now they were both gone- one kidnapped and one dead- and he could not find them. He had failed them.

"Oh Minerva," he whispered into the night, "how I wish you were still here."

A light breeze fluttered through the room, stirring the fire. It wrapped itself around Dumbledore before settling.

Dumbledore smiled. "We will find them, Minerva, we must not give up."

With his new found confidence, Dumbledore sat up straighter in his chair and a planned formed in his head. They would retrieve those they lost.

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She rose her head and met Snape's gaze again. "If I ever escape," Hermione harshly whispered loud enough for him and Lucius to hear, "I will kill you, that's a promise."

Lucius bent down close to her ear and whispered, "Why not now?"

"No," Hermione said crossly, hate filling her voice as she glowered at the man on the floor. "Death is too quick, too easy."

(Couldn't kill him too quickly, he has to suffer…. :evil laugh: )

Lucius laughed. "My, my, you are a spiteful little thing aren't you."

Hermione turned her glare onto the blond haired man. "You should have figured that out a long time ago Lucius," she spat to which he merely smirked.

"You always were entertaining."

"And you always were a prat."

Lucius' smirk fell from his face and anger filled his eyes. "You best remember your situation, Hermione. Remember, I can kill you…"

"So do it," Hermione challenged. "Go ahead, kill me."

Lucius smiled as he raised his wand. "Too easy."

Hermione shut her eyes, awaiting for the pain. She heard Lucius cry, "Crucio," but the pain never came. She opened her eyes to see Snape wriggling around on the ground, his mouth open as if to cry out but no sound escaped his lips.

Lucius ended the curse and turned back to her, running a finger down her cheek. "I will break you Hermione, and when I do, you'll never challenge me again."

"I wouldn't count on that," she growled.

Lucius opened his mouth but then shut it again. He strode away from her and back to his chair. Five Death Eaters entered the room and walked over to him.

"Take her back to her cell and take this scum…," he kicked Snape, "to the dungeon. Make sure you take good care of him."

Each of them bowed and said, "Yes, my lord," as they set upon their tasks.

Two of them grabbed her while the other three picked up Snape, dragging them off their separate ways to where they were to be kept.

After the Death Eaters threw her into the cell, Draco was immediately at her side. "What happened? What did they do to you?"

"They have Snape," Hermione said bitterly.

"What?" Draco cried, shocked. "Now the Order has no spy…"

"Lot of good he would have done at that," Hermione spat, crossing her arms.

"What do you mean?"

"He offered them Harry and Sirina if they would allow him to join them."

"WHAT!" Draco was now on his feet, staring down at the angry witch in front of him.

"You heard me," Hermione huffed. "He was playing us, Draco. He was willing to hand over Harry and my daughter to be one of them."

"There must have been some mistake…"

"No, there wasn't. I faced him. They were torturing him and your father brought me in to see him and what he's become. He didn't deny it."

Draco knew now was not the time to try to convince her otherwise. He was about ready to ask if Lucius had told her anything when Hermione clutched her stomach in pain.

"Hermione," he said, sitting back down on the floor by her side, "what's wrong?"

"I don't know," she gasped as her body gave a violent lurch and she threw up.

Draco moved her hair back away from her face and ran one hand comfortingly up and down her back.

"Are you okay?" he asked as she finished and wiped at her face.

"Who knows," she muttered sickly. "I'm not feeling too well…"

"Why don't you go over there and lay down?" Draco suggested. "I'll keep watch for awhile while you get some much needed rest."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, I'm sure. You need it, you look awful."

Hermione grimaced. "Thanks."

"I didn't mean it like that…it's just…"

Hermione held up a hand to stop him. "It's okay, I know."

She sighed and smiled softly at him. "Thank you, I'm sure I'll be alright in the morning."

"Just get some rest," Draco said as she walked over to the corner where she could sleep.

"Good night Draco," she said softly.

"Night Hermione."

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A/N: I think I royally screwed up the Dumbledore section but I couldn't figure out a good way to fix it. Sorry this is short but I just wanted to get it updated. One more night of VBS and then it's over! My babysitting days are over too. Next week, I go back to summer band practice. Oh joy :rolls eyes sarcastically: How I miss the days of marching on asphalt during the hottest part of the day and the sweat bee stings….

Any ways, for any of you who know who they are…Me, Blaze, and Spirit are going to see Brad Paisley (WV native) and Josh Gracin (HOT!) in concert on the 17. Can't wait. Our little county fair comes in next week in the evening and my dad just informed me that I was working so I probably won't update during the week. I'll write in every spare minute I have!

Again, no trivia question. I know, it's a shame isn't it. I'll try to find one, though I'm almost out of questions, for the next chapter.

I have to formulate a evil and demonic way of killing Snape. I reasoned that doing it so soon would be too easy. He has to suffer. I'll try to think of a way of bringing Harlem back in so I can kill her off.

You guys know the drill, Reviews Happy Author…. Happy Author quicker updates… or something along those lines .. So review PLEASE. And thank you to all of you who do review. I greatly appreciate it!

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