Ok, I skipped about four months ahead because I really needed to get to the plot of this story. So please tell me if it's n e good, k?

Disclaimer: J.K. Rowling owns everything, except Dani, Taylor, and the plot

Chapter 10: True Colors

Dani's POV:

It was mid-May. The weather was warming up, sixth years were learning to Apparate, and the work load was getting heavy. On top of all this Taylor hadn't shown any sign of improvement in about five and half months.

"Since when," I said slamming my book shut, "do they give so much homework?"

"Since the end of year exams are getting closer," said Harry.

"How was your meeting with Dumbledore?" I asked.

He then told me about how Voldemort created seven Horcruxes-split his soul seven times. He then told me the possible items that might be Horcruxes.

"Is this supposed good or bad news?" I asked.

"Well it's good news because we have an idea of how to him, but—"

"But it's disturbing of what he did to make himself immortal, right?" I finished.

"Right," said Harry. "Where are Ron and Hermione?"

"They went to bed over an hour ago," I said, "they, unlike me, finished most of their work."

He sat down next to me and I put my head on his shoulder.

"Dumbledore really thinks that if you destroy the Horcruxes, you'll be able to kill Voldemort?" I asked.

"I hope so," said Harry.

I felt really tired and overwhelmed. "I'm gonna go to bed," I said kissing him on the cheek. "'Night."

"'Night," said Harry.

I went upstairs and crawled into bed. Voldemort had a weakness. If what Harry—and Dumbledore—said was true it would be possible to kill Voldemort. I hope they're right, I thought.

I was sitting next to Harry in D.A.D.A. the next day. Ron and Hermione were speaking again so we didn't have to worry about them fighting. Snape was sitting at his desk and grading papers. We were supposed to be writing an essay on how to defend yourself against non-verbal spells—only because some people could still not perform a non-verbal spell. However, most of the class had already finished their essay and were just waiting for class to be over.

I wrote a note to Harry: Snape seem a little different to you lately?

You mean like he's not giving me such a hard time or the fact that he doesn't seem to be living in the same world as the rest of us.

The latter.

It was true. Lately Snape had been acting weird. He'd signed the form that said I go to Hogsmeade, he wasn't giving Harry as hard of a time as usual and other just out of the ordinary; well, out of the ordinary for Snape that is.

Did you tell Ron and Hermione about, ya know?

Yeah, before you came down for breakfast. Did Snape really sign your Hogsmeade form?

Yeah, I'm not sure why though. Any ideas?

"Riddle," Snape said suddenly, "I need you to stay after class; the rest of you are dismissed."

Harry passed me back the note I took it and told him I'd catch up with him. I walked to Snape's desk.

"Just to let you know it was your father's order for the form to be signed," he said without looking at me.

"So who are you really working for, Voldemort or his opposing side?" I asked.

He didn't answer or even look at me; he just said I could go and gave me a pass. I paused outside the classroom. Was that a hint I should be worried or should I just ignore it? I shook my head and put Harry's note in my pocket and went to put my D.A.D.A. book in my bag when I noticed I had forgotten my potions book in my dormitory.

"Shit," I mumbled. Could I go and get it? I did have the pass that Snape had given me; I turned and headed to the dormitory. I was almost there when—

"Hermione? Shouldn't you be potions?" I asked.

"Yes, but…can we talk in private?" she asked tentatively.

"Um…sure."

She looked really worried and it wasn't like her to skip class. She held open a door that led to a room that was full of books and other odd objects. I heard her shut the door behind us.

"So what did—"

"STUPEFY!" someone from behind me shouted. Then everything went black.

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Harry's POV:

I walked back up to Dumbledore's office. He had found a Horcruxes. Where had Dani been? They had seen her since this morning. I had given Hermione and Ron the Felix Felicis so they'd be ok if Draco was planning something—and I did think he was planning something. I reached Dumbledore's office.

"What's the matter Harry? You seem troubled," he asked.

"It's just that I haven't seen Dani since this morning and I'm wondering if something happened to her," I told him.

He nodded, "I'll see to that when we return. Right now we need to focus on finding the Horcruxes—I'm sure that's what she'd want you to do first."

I nodded; he was right, that's what she would want. I followed Dumbledore out the door, still hoping that she was alright.

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Dani's POV: (about midnight)

I woke up in total darkness. It took a few minutes before my eyes adjusted; when I could see I saw I was in a very dusty, old room. The wooden floor I was lying on was covered in dust and creaked with every move. My head was throbbing right above my right eye. I reached up to see if I was bleeding; I felt dry, sticky blood above my eye and the blood trail went all the way down the right side of my face.

Where was I?

The answer came to me in a flash—I saw four murders and lots of green light. The Riddle House. That's where—according to Harry—Voldemort had killed his father, grandparents, and an innocent Muggle. But why would he come back to a place where his Muggle father lived?

The door to my left creaked open, letting in some light—and a giant snake. I wasn't sure how big it was—maybe six or seven feet long. It stopped right in front of me and was level with my head since I was still lying on my stomach. I closed my eyes, maybe I couldn't speak Parseltongue but I could read thoughts. Maybe, just maybe, because I was related to two Parselmouths I could understand what it was thinking.

I could; and apparently that's exactly what I was supposed to do.

My name is Nagini, thought the snake. Do you understand me?

Only what you think, I said in my head. I'm not a Parselmouth.

I know, your father told me. He will be very pleased that you can at least communicate to snakes in some way.

What!

You will understand in time. Now get up and follow me.

I did as she told me. She led me down a narrow hallway. I don't know how I didn't trip over Nagini, the hallway was pitch black. She slid through a door at the end of the hall. I paused outside the door and checked the pocket of my robes to make sure I still had my wand; I felt it there and a piece of paper. I pulled the paper out: it was the note from Harry. I read his reply in the dim light:

He could be working for Voldemort. Be careful.

I'm sure he was right, but that didn't help me at the present moment, did it? No. And right now I think any kind of help would be better than none at all. I shoved the note back in my pocket and slowly opened the door.

I was roughly pulled into the room; someone held my arms behind my back. I tried to get free, but they were to strong. I stopped struggling and looked around the room. There were at least fifteen black hooded figures in the room. I couldn't see their faces; but I knew they were Death Eaters.

Nagini was hissing something. I "listened" again; this time my eyes were opened.

The girl can understand Parseltongue by reading your mind when you speak it.

Very good Nagini, you've been most helpful.

"How nice of you to join us Dani," Voldemort said in English.

"How'd I get here?" I asked. Hey, I was freaked out and wanted to get to the bottom of this now.

"Ah, yes, perhaps you would like to know how you got here, no? We do have plenty of time," he said, more to himself then me.

I stayed quiet. God, I wish someone, anyone was here; then I wouldn't feel so alone.

"Well, Dani, we really have young Malfoy to thank for all of this," Voldemort said.

"What?" I asked in disbelief. I knew Draco was low, but I had hoped he wouldn't throw his life away like his parents. I should've known better.

"Yes, I didn't think he could but he did. See it was all part of his assignment, which was to get Death Eaters inside of Hogwarts and kill Dumbledore. He used a pair of Vanishing Cabinets, one's in Hogwarts and the others in Borgin and Burkes. He used a Polyjuice Potion and disguised himself as a friend to lure you here. Quite ingenious for him, isn't?" Voldemort asked in amusement.

It was, but I knew it wouldn't work; Draco wasn't a killer—not yet anyway. Oh, and the one time that I actually know something that'd help someone and I had no way of telling anyone.

"Of course, he might not fully succeed, not if he doesn't bring Potter here, but then that's one of the reasons you're here," Voldemort said. There was something in his voice I didn't like, was it malice?

"And why am I here?" I asked through gritted teeth. I could feel my anger rising with my fear.

"You're here because I'm offering the same offer to you as I did to your brother. And I suggest you take it so to not end up dead like him," he said in a firm voice.

"Which is?" My anger had just passed my fear.

"That you join us and help me destroy Potter. Think about it absolute power and fear over others—and you're the best person to kill Potter. I mean, he trusts you without question, doesn't he? You could easily kill him," he said in what, I guess, what was supposed to be a cajoling voice.

"So really, you're asking me if I wanted to join you and become a murderer; and become a murderer by killing someone I care about, correct?" I spat. "Well thanks, but no thanks. I would never sink to your level of scum." I felt something hot brush my cheek; then I felt blood drip down my face.

"BELLATRIX!" he shouted at a hooded figure. "I TOLD YOU NOT TO HARM HER!"

"Sorry my Lord, I didn't approve of how she spoke to you," Bellatrix said haughtily. I noticed Nagini was hissing angrily at her now.

"I agree," he said more calmly. He nodded toward the Death Eater who was holding me and that Death Eater threw me toward the center of the room. I caught myself and rolled over.

"CRUCIO!" someone bellowed.

I felt pain shoot through my body. I bit my lip to keep from screaming—they wouldn't get that satisfaction. My eyes started to water from the pain, I still refused to scream. Just kill me now, I thought. Death has got to be better than this. Then as quickly has it had started the pain stopped. I lay on my back panting; my lip was bleeding from where I bit it to keep from screaming.

I felt something brush my fingers. I sat up, still panting, and looked down to see Nagini. She was sitting (if snakes can sit) next me in a protective manner. She made I contact with me and I could here her thoughts.

Do not be afraid. He is testing you; just like he tested the Potter boy a few years ago. He was brave, be brave, stay strong.

The image of Voldemort coming back and battling with Harry flashed before my eyes.

I am enslaved for life, but you still have the chance to fight your father. Be brave, stay strong.

I could only nod my head; she seemed to understand. She turned and slid out the door, leaving me very much alone. Yet, she had given me a small wave of hope. I stood up and put my hand in my pocket to make sure my wand was still there. It was.

"I'll give you one more chance," said Voldemort.

"My answer is still no," I said fiercely.

"Very well," he said. "CRUCIO!"

I felt the pain shoot through my body again. Then, suddenly, it stopped. I sat up—the force of the spell had knocked me over.

"What is the meaning of this, Narcissa?" Voldemort asked. I think he finally lost the remainder of his patience.

Narcissa was pleading and his attention was no longer on me. I took this opportunity and bolted threw the door. I ran to the end of the hall and down the stairs. I ended up falling down the last ten steps or so and heard a sickening crunch. I tried to stand at the bottom of the stairs and almost fell from the pain. I heard screaming behind me; I limped toward the closet room, went in and shut the door behind me. I slid down the wall, panting. The voices were growing closer.

There had to be a way out of here. Then it came to me; I could Apparate back to Hogwarts. I had Apparated once or twice; I could Apparate to the gates of Hogwarts. Then, for the second time that night, I had a vision. I saw the Dark Mark, Snape killing Dumbledore, Snape fleeing with other Death Eaters; then it ended. Had it already happened? Or was it the all to near future? I couldn't tell.

The creaked open and Voldemort came in. His red eyes glinted from beneath his hood; his pale skin gave him the appearance of a ghost's glow.

"Good-bye, Danielle. I had hoped it wouldn't end like this; you had so much potential," he said in a calm, cold voice.

I closed my eyes and pictured Hogwarts' gates.

"Avada—"

There was a whirl of wind in my ears and then I fell on the cool grass. I gasped. I couldn't believe it. I was alive. I stood up, using the gates for support; I thought for a minute that I was in the wrong place, but I knew I wasn't. There was shouting, the Dark Mark over a tower and figures running toward the gate. I slid along the gate and behind a pillar. The Death Eaters rushed out and once they got outside the gates they Apparated, not even looking in my direction. I slid inside the gate and fell. The pain from my leg was unbearable; I think it was because of the Cruciatus Curse from earlier. Whatever it was, I was so exhausted that all I could do was roll over and faint.

I don't know how long I was out, but I knew it wasn't long. I opened my eyes; I was in the hospital wing. There were a lot of people crowded around two beds; I couldn't see who was in the other. They had just found out that Dumbledore was dead, I could tell by the mutterings around me. I sat up and felt dizzy. I moved my leg; it was no longer broken. The cut on my face was a mere scratch now and I had a bandage above my eye where the deeper cut had been.

"Dani!" I heard someone gasp. I blinked a couple times and saw that it was Mrs. Weasley.

"How'd I get here?" I asked.

"Arthur and I saw you on our way up here," said Mrs. Weasley.

I looked at them all; their faces were extremely pale.

"Dumbledore's dead, isn't he?" I asked part of me still didn't believe it.

"Yes," she said solemnly, "how'd you know?"

"I had a vision before—" I broke off, my experience flashed through my mind's eye. I shuddered.

"Dani, what happened?" I looked up to see who asked; it was Harry.

"Malfoy, he used some vanishing cabinet-thing to get me out of Hogwarts; and he disguised himself as Hermione. You were right, Harry, about Malfoy and Snape; they were up to something."

"Where'd he take you?"

"To the Riddle House, to Voldemort. He tried to convince me to join him and kill Harry. When I said no he used the Cruciatus Curse and tried to kill me…" I swallowed, the memories were almost worse then the experience.

"But how'd you escape?" Ron asked.

"I'm not sure, Narcissa Malfoy distracted him for a second, I ran and Apparated outside of Hogwarts." I couldn't say anymore, and I wasn't sure if now was the time to bring up Nagini either.

"What happened here?" I asked.

They told me everything that had happened. It turned out Bill had been attacked by Greyback and might have some wolfish traits from now on. It seemed impossible that so much damage had been done in one night, but it wasn't. But it had all happened. I'm not sure if it pushed people apart or brought them together. My mind seemed unable of handling all of this, because the next thing I knew I lying back down and falling asleep. I had one thought before falling asleep: Should I be alive or dead right now?

Please Review! Part one ends with Chapter 11 and Part two starts with Chapter 12.