The separate groups were spread out into a dozen separate camps, no sign of life found in them. Everyone lay in their tents trying to sleep, but adrenaline reminded them that they were about to fight. They had a small climb to make before reaching the large fortress. The sky above them was black, the clouds swirling around the peak of the mountain. Rolls of thunder occasionally broke their silence. A sense of dread was filling the camp, something they hadn't felt in some time. War was their life in this world, but suddenly they felt like running and hiding.

Jessica was also in her tent, but instead of resting she was pacing. She had been for the past three hours. Her armor was already on and she was deep in thought, many situations running through her head. She was no stranger to bloodshed, even before coming to this hell. She was also no stranger to pain. Usually she had a rush before a battle, but every instinct screamed at her to get out of there. Hearing quiet footsteps outside of her tent she froze, wondering who would be walking outside so close to the enemy.

"Jess?"

She opened the flap to her tent, eyes widewith shock. "Finian?"

"Hello to you too," he gave her a cheerful grin, but his eyes flashed with worry.

"Come in," Jessica quickly pulled him in. "What are you doing, walking around camp like that? Someone could see you."

"If I don't die in two hours I surely will before we get out of here."

"Don't talk like that," she narrowed her eyes, sitting on her small bed.

He sat in the chair she motioned to and allowed his frown to appear. "Jess, what is it we are going into?"

"The enemy fortress," she chuckled, but no humor was found. It was rather bland.

"Jessica, you know what I mean. I can feel it. Everyone can feel it. This place is shrouded in darkness. You've been feeling this for a few days now. What is it?"

"We are about to walk into a group of Death Eaters and other followers of Voldemort! Why else would you feel so jumpy?" she snapped, eyes flashing. "Battle may be something we have grown to accept, but this is different. People will die and people will escape. This world is approaching its end. That is what you feel! If we don't get out by tonight we will die. All of us."

"How do you know all of this?"

"My mark is burning, but also radiating his apprehensive attitude. Voldemort is up to something, Finian. If he succeeds and we are still here, then the world will remain intact. This world, that is. But he won't. We will win the war, whether in this world or out there."

"You are beginning to confuse me," he sighed, rubbing his head.

"Finian?" she whispered, eyes running over his face. The once cheerful young man she had trained with was beginning to change. His smooth face was wrinkling up and his blond hair was turning grey.

"I don't think I can do this, Jess," he quietly admitted.

"Stop feeling how old you are, Finian!" she snapped, her eyes full of fear.

"What?" he looked up, his now wrinkled hand falling into his lap.

She kneeled down in front of him and put her hands on his face, rubbing the wrinkles as though that would get rid of them. "This world adjusts the by the way you feel or what you believe! Stop thinking you are so old! You are a great, young soldier that can beat even me at sword fighting!"

His eyes ran over her worried face before taking a deep breath. "But I feel so old."

"Resist it!"

After a few minutes of silence his face began to grow young once more. She exhaled heavily and stood, turning away. "Is there anything else you need, Finian?"

"I just want to know one thing. How can you be so sure we will get back to the real world?"

"I promised, that is how I am so sure," she grinned.

"I have a family, Jess. I have 4 children at home who think I am dead. I want to see them again."

"Then fight for them."

He nodded and left her alone once more. She collapsed onto her bed and closed her eyes. She needed her strength to do what she needed to, so she willed herself into a fitful sleep.

Severus Snape sat in his tent playing with his armor and weapons. Jessica had made sure he was well equipped. He had been in only small fights since reaching this world but Death Eater meetings prepared him for the blood he knew would flow. The men surrounding him were sleeping fitfully, every one of them tense and unprepared with what was waiting for them. He didn't know why Jessica was so jumpy. When they reached camp she had set up her tent first and kept herself for the past 5 hours. He was guessing that it was morning now, but they couldn't tell through the clouds covering the sky. It was always night up here.

A sharp whistle pierced the air and the camp quickly began to become alive once more, men throwing on their armor and grabbing what they needed. Severus walked out in all his armored glory. Albus would surely have a laughing fit if he could see him now. A sharp pain ran through his heart when he remembered Albus's death. It was all his fault. Anger quickly overtook the pain and he left his tent to join the rest of the men. He would redeem Albus by killing any man that supported the Dark Lord.

Snow was beginning to fall thickly as the army made its way up the mountainside. When they reached the foot of the final steep path, Jessica turned around and motioned for them to stop. She walked up a few more feet so everyone would be able to see her. Severus watched as the young woman pulled out a bow and arrow. She looked up toward the towering fortress, then back at them.

"The time is now to avenge those affected by this war! We are here to silence the cries of the innocent blood spilled! What happens here is real. Fight like you've never fought before. Take to heart the memory of those you've lost and avenge them!"

No one cheered, though many of the men looked eager for her to continue.

"Stay silent, take them by surprise, then kill everyone."

The men began to quickly make their way up the path. Severus followed, his own bow out and ready. Her words were running through his head. He was almost enjoying the idea of killing everyone that stood in his way. But his growing thirst for blood was stopped as soon as he saw Jessica walked away from the group. She was going up a broken trail. Casting a longing glance at the men preparing to attack the fortress, he reluctantly gave into his curiosity. He followed her unnoticed.

Hmm, what ever could Jessie be doing?