Author's Note: I sincerely apologize to all for not updating more often. I know there are more people out there who (so far) like this story and I really want to make it good, so I agonize over every detail and that is why it takes forever for me to update. I also have not had any real inspiration and have generally just been a lazy sod. I will not promise, since I always keep my promises even if they kill me, but I will try to update more often. Please forgive me and enjoy this new chapter. I beg thee to review and I will Promise that if you stick with me the story will truly rock! Thanks and enjoy!

P.S. This chapter is dedicated to my muse, the Hermione to my Harry, Cool B. You rock and are my rock! Here is your chapter, now stop bugging me!

--------------------------------------------The Lake of Fire-------------------------------------------

All three could not understand what was going on. Where a once beautiful area of water stood was now a raging fire. Flames danced on the lake like a drunken wedding party as Harry and his friends watched in confused horror fixated on the rapidly growing fire. Soon smoke engulfed the young wizards as they tried to comprehend the impossibility of what laid before them.

"We need to get help now!" screamed Hermione snapping the two boys out of the stupor.

"Are you okay to run Harry?" asked Ron.

Harry was too preoccupied with what was happening to respond to either Hermione or Ron. Instead Harry felt a strange calm come over him, like a backup generator finally kicking on. His senses, which up until this point had been dulled because of the intense headache that had came upon him, suddenly became sharp. Everything focused to a fine point and almost like a premonition Harry could tell that something bad was about to happen, but before Harry could warn the others the fire on the lake exploded and sent all three of Hogwarts finest to the ground. After a few moments Harry opened his eyes and, for a small second, hoped that it had all been a very bad nightmare. Suddenly reality crept in and Harry was brought face to face with the prospect that this was all too real.

"Ron, Herm. Are you guys alright?"

"Yeah Mate." came the croaked reply from Ron.

"We need to get some help now!" Hermione reiterated.

"Let's Go." Harry said.

The three of them got and dusted themselves off and turned to run toward Hogwarts. All three could feel that flames on their back as they ran up the hill. When they got to the top they could see that things in the distance were not any better than they were down by the lake.

Smoke had surrounded Hogwarts and only shapes could be made out. Harry, Ron and Hermione stopped in their tracks not knowing how to proceed. The three of them huddled close together and walked closer to the school. The closer the trio got the more they could see. It started as shapes being followed by flashes of light, and then the shapes became people. People the trio knew. They could see their faces frozen in terror as they darted in and out of the trio's line of sight. The closer they got, the more apparent it became that the fun and games that were planned for the day had been replaced by panic and fear, and those flashes of light were curses thrown by Deatheaters.

Although they were much closer to the school, Harry, Ron and Hermione could not make out anyone they knew in the ensuing chaos that had taken over at the once peaceful campus. All three had joined hands so as not to get lost in the thick cloud of smoke. Once they joined hands it seemed that they could feel each other's fear and trepidation.

"Try and stick together!" yelled Harry as he could feel Ron and Herm's grip tighten.

"We need to find a Professor." Hermione shouted back.

"No. We need to find cover!" Ron said

As Ron and Herm continued to argue Harry tried to still his rapid heartbeat and focus on the situation. Harry could feel someone trying to access his mind and it seemed to him like he was fighting himself just to get a small thought out. Harry tried using his Occlumency training but found it more difficult with all of the surrounding distractions. Harry focused on blanking out his mind and closed his eyes but it was for not as everytime Harry closed his eyes he would see the lake on fire and feel the fear of his friends. Finally, after what seemed a fruitless effort, Harry was able to clear his mind enough to close it from what ever was trying to access it. With that roadblock out of the way, Harry tried to slow his heartbeat and resharpen his senses and figure out what to do next. He could feel his heartbeat slow and his senses shapen. He could pinpoint the screams and hear the curses that soon followed. Soon apprehension came upon Harry and spread throughout his body like a virus. He couldn't tell what was going to happen, only that something was going to happen and happen soon.

"Ron, Herm we've gotta mo—"

Harry voice was interuppted by a large greenish glow that exploded at the trio's feet and sent all of them flying high in different directions. As Harry rose above the smoke everything slowed down and he could see the battle taking place. Deatheaters and dementors on one side and students and teachers on another firing curses back and forth. He saw a dementor kiss a 3rd year Ravenclaw and Professor Flitwick disarm and knock out a deatheater. He saw more deatheaters flying in as he suddenly reached the hilt of his ascension. For a moment everything froze for Harry. The curses that flew seem to stop in midair and he himself felt that he was never going to come down. Harry looked down at the fracas and focused on the small group of students kneeling behind Professor McGonagall who herself was crouched behind a oak table. Harry could see a curse flying right towards the small group and tried to shout to them, but as he opened his mouth nothing would come out. The curse gained moementum until it hit the table and sent shards of oak in every direction. With that explosion, time seemed to rapidly come back to normal and Harry found himself falling towards the ground at a exceeding rate until he hit the cold grass. Harry felt his shoulder pop out of his socket and screamed in pain as tears welled up in his eyes and his breakfast rose up in his throat. Trying not to pass out Harry surveyed his surrondings. His first instinct was to find Ron and Hermione and then get to safety. He started to rise up as the pain in his shoulder grew more intense and the sounds of the ragin battle filled his ears. As Harry stood, he tried to look around for a familiar face but all he saw was smoke. His senses still dulled from the explosion, Harry tried to make sense of all that surrounded him. He didn't see the masked man standing a few yards behind him with his wand raised and pointed to the back of Harry. Still trying to make sense of it all Harry slowly turned and out of the corner of his eye he could see the dark figure and the beam of light about to dischrage from the wand. Harry froze as he felt his impending doom wash over him. He shut his eyes tight as the light grew close and braced himself for what was about to happen.

After a few moments Harry slowly opened his eyes to see that his attacker was on the ground and not moving. Confused, Harry fully opened his eyes and turned to see his mentor Albus Dumbledore standing in front of him with his wand drawn.

"We must move quickly Harry. It is unsafe to stand around" spoke the bespectcled wizard as he grabed Harry's hand and lead him away.

"What's happening Professor?" Harry asked.

"Well, as far as I can tell the Deatheaters and Dementors have chosen our little picnic to attack the school. Since no one can apparate onto the grounds, the Deatheaters have flown in using their brooms. Madam Hooch was their first victim as she was flying above the picnic and saw them coming, but by that time it was too late as the curses were flying rather quickly. We've already lost Professors Sinistra and Vector that I know of. I've sent Professor McGonagall and Hagrid to gather up students and take them to shelter. Come on Harry we don't have a lot of time."

Dumbledoor draged Harry towards the entrance of Hogwarts while avoiding curses and sending them back to the deatheaters. With a flick of his wrist, Dumbledore was able to send a small group of dementors flying through the air. As they got closer to the entrace Harry could see a large group of students standing behind a small protective shield in the entry way. Harry could make out Hagrid standing guard by the students beckoning to Dumbledore and Harry. As they got closer to the entrance Harry could see Ginny standing next to Hagrid. Relief encompassed Harry as he ran toward Ginny. When he got to her he grabbed her and hugged her tightly as she cried in his arms.

"It's so horrible!" she weeped. "I saw a dementor kiss Anthony Goldstein and he collapsed to the gound. I saw a Deatheater put the Cruciatus Curse on a group of 4th years and when Dean went to to to –"

"Dean did what Ginny! Dean did what!" Harry yelled at Ginny but all he got in response was loud sobbing and weeping as she fell to the ground.

"Mr. Potter, I am afraid that Mr. Thomas has been lost." replied Dumbledore as he put his hand on Harry's shoulder.

Harry looked down at Ginny and then looked into the sad eyes of Dumbledoor. Tears began to well up in Harry's eyes as he knew that he would never hear Dean's voice again. Never would Harry hear Dean's pleas that West Ham football was better than Quidditch or who was better looking Parvati or Padma Patil. Harry mind wandered over all of the losses in his life. From losing his parents, to watching Cedric die and most recently the death of his Sirius. It seemed to Harry that his life was built on death. Almost everyone close to him dies, except for Ron and Hermione. Ron and Hermione! Suddenly Harry's mind snaps back to reality and becomes crystal clear.

"Ginny, have you seen Ron or Hermione?" asks Harry.

"N-n-n-no." Ginny sobs.

"Has anyone seen Ron or Hermione!" Harry shouts out to the group. The group of students murmur and shake their heads no.

"Professor, I've got to go find them." Harry says.

"I'm afraid I can't allow it Mr. Potter." spoke Dumbledore. "This protection may fade soon and I will need to seal up Hogwarts to protect the rest of the students and faculty. Plus we know why this is happening . Voldemort is most definatly out there and he is searching for you. You are already in grave danger, if you go out there it will only get worse. Stay here and wait for Professor McGonagall to return she may have already come across Ms. Granger or Mr. Weasley."

Harry looked into the eyes of Dumbledore and knew that his professor and mentor was being protective, but Harry also knew that if he lost Ron or Hermione he would never recover. Not after all of the loss he has already experienced. Harry knew what he had to do and when Dumbledore was momentarily distracted with an injured student Harry took off toward the batlle.

"Mr. Potter! Mr. Potter! come back here immeadiatly!" Dumbledore shouted. He understood what Harry was going to do and although all he had to do was flick his wrist and Potter would be brought back to where he stood seconds ago, it would be worse for Harry in the long run. All the professor could do was pray that Harry was protected and he would come back safe with Ron and Hermione.

Harry ran as fast as he could toward the still raging battle. As he ran, his thoughts drifted back to the conversation the three of them had only a few minutes ago. Harry thought of this future that he wanted so bad. To be a part of a family again. To feel the love that is there when you are a family. It almost seemed to Harry that he wasn't so concerned with saving Ron or Hermione, but saving that future and making it his own. As the smoke enveloped Harry he drew his wand not knowing what to expect but knowing one way or another his future would be decided here.