A/N) Well, here is the next chapter! It's really long and it's taken me a while, but I've done it just in time for Christmas! Go me! Thank you for the reviews, you've all been so great! Onto the story!

WARNING: There is a horrible cliff hanger at the end of this chapter! Sorry, it just had to happen!

The Bond

Chapter 9 - Facing the Darkness Part 3

Sirius, in the guise of his brother, and Bellatrix, hidden with black Death Eaters robes, and a hood that concealed her insane features, apparated to the outskirts of Diagon Alley, hiding themselves in the shadows. Bellatrix peered round the corner, her black eyes seeking out their target.

"You know, I don't believe you are Regulus Black, not by a long shot. It all depends on your actions in the next few minutes. My lord will be especially pleased if you can bring James Potter to him alive." Bellatrix grinned nastily.

"Then why are we in Diagon Alley if we're looking for Potter?" Sirius asked, though he already knew the answer, he was aware that his brother wouldn't have that sort of information.

"Because, Potter patrols Diagon Alley, and today is his day. Your job is to nab him while I distract them. And if you fail, our lord will deal with you, very harshly indeed."

And with in mind, Sirius edged away into the darkness, searching for the best friend he was meant to capture.

With his black hair flying in the wind, James Potter stepped forward in the light breeze, listening intently to the sounds around him of Diagon Alley. It was quiet now a days since most of the people who owned the shops had either disappeared or been murdered. However the safety of the rest of the people had been James' priority and he felt it was unfair that no one was around to protect them. He had put two Aurors on duty every day. His partner today was a newbie Auror who had just passed into the service from training.

Megan Cole was a very talented young girl. At age twenty-one she had proved herself able with magic and her athletic skills would aid her immensely in any combat with Death Eaters. Megan hadn't wanted to be an Auror not until her entire family had been killed in front of her by Voldemort supporters, and she had barely escaped with her life. Her resolve had never faltered since then, and she had thrown herself into the task of ridding the world of evil.

She and James spread out over the alley. If either of them found anything of significant they would apparate to where the other was. James held his wand tightly in his pocket. He was ready for anything. His eyes spread over the people rushing around, desperately trying to finish their shopping as quickly as possible.

As he turned his hazel gaze in the direction of Megan, he noticed flashes of light. Then he saw the rushing of people coming towards him, fear in their faces.

"Megan…" he whispered. He rushed towards where she was, preying that nothing had happened to her.

As he rounded the corner he met the surprise of his life, as Sirius stepped out in front of him, hidden underneath the visage of his deceased brother, his wand raised pointing directly at James' heart.

"Sirius!" James mouthed, recognising his friend's disguise. "What are you doing?" He raised his wand.

"What I must." Sirius answered, the eyes of Regulus blazed. "STUPEFY!"

James blocked the spell, falling to the side, but Sirius tackled him, grabbing his legs, and holding him down on the ground. It pained Sirius to do this, but he had no choice. He was being tested.

"EXPELLIARMUS!" Sirius bellowed, and James' wand fell from his grip. Summoning it, Sirius tucked it into his robes. He grabbed James' collar, pulling him up, pointing his wand at the neck. He whispered in James' ear: "Trust me, James. The Dark Lord won't kill you, but for me to succeed you have to play along!"

James swallowed. He knew there had to be a reason, but dare he risk it? Could he really submit to his friend like this, knowing that he would have to face Voldemort? Sighing, he submitted. He only hoped what he was doing was right. Darkness overcame him as a stunning spell hit him.

Where am I?

Shaking his head, James cautiously glanced around, noting the unfamiliar surroundings and the horrid dank smell in the enclosed space. His arms were tied in front of him, attached to a small chain that linked with the wall. His ankles were bound with thick rope, and he knew instantly that any form of communication was out of the question. They had taken his wand, as he knew they would, but part of him hoped that Sirius had somehow let him keep it, no matter how impossible that feat seemed.

He lay there in the darkness contemplating. He realised that Voldemort wanted him dead, and Sirius had probably been ordered to capture him, but why would Voldemort order him to be captured if he wanted James dead?

The answer came to him almost immediately.

He knows! Voldemort knows that Sirius is Regulus! And he's playing with him, through me!

James bit his lip, feeling stupid in agreeing with Sirius' insane plan. There was no way it was going to work. Why were we so foolish?

Before he could answer his own question, the door to his cell creaked open, revealing a tall figure in black, red eyes glaring at him, a triumphant smile, cracking across the snake like face.

Voldemort.

Behind him came Sirius, still in his disguise (at least Sirius hasn't been discovered, yet, James thought) and Bellatrix, grinning madly.

"James Potter." Voldemort stepped forward, "Welcome."

"It's a pleasure," he replied, pretending to sound enthusiastic.

"My my, you have not changed a bit have you, Potter?"

James glared. "You killed me once Voldemort, you may as well do it again, because I will never join you, no matter how much you try to change me."

"I don't intend to kill you myself, Potter." The dark lord replied.

This doesn't sound good.

Voldemort turned to Sirius, and demanded, in a cold cruel voice: "To prove your loyalty, I want you to get him to tell me what Dumbledore is up to."

James tensed. This is defiantly not good.

The only question that needed to be resolved was whether Sirius would do it or not: harm his own brother in an attempt to protect himself? And James had a sickening feeling what he would choose, but he was ready for it, bracing himself.

"CRUCIO!" Sirius bellowed.

James screamed. He didn't know how long it lasted but when it ended he looked up at his friend and looked deep into Sirius's eyes, hidden through his disguise. He saw pain there, and he knew that he wasn't the only one suffering.

Sirius was too.

Darkness pressed in on him, yet his body refused to let it claim him. James screamed again, as another curse struck him, but he refused to yield. It had been two days since the first time he had woken in the cell. Voldemort had not come since, leaving Sirius to make him talk. James was sure that if Bellatrix hadn't continued to be there, then his friend would not have hurt him, but he had no choice.

Bellatrix was laughing cruelly, her eyes glinting with undeniable pleasure. James winced as another curse struck him, but he forced himself to ignore it, letting the pain wash over him. The Death Eater bent down and looked into his eyes, her grin faded as she realised that he had not yet given up.

She grabbed his hair, lifting his head up, sneering into his face. "Why won't you break?"

"Because I never betray those that believe I'm something to them. Dumbledore is my friend, what makes you think I would tell you what he is up to?"

"Because," the evil woman responded, "no one can last forever under this pressure. If you want to see precious Harry again, then maybe you should rethink your position."

"You have my answer." Spat James.

Glaring, Bellatrix stood up, turned away and motioned for Sirius to accompany her. The two left the cell, leaving James in peace.

Light flashed around him.

Green.

Red.

Purple.

Blue.

A variety of curses all coming towards him, intent on engulfing him. Voldemort stood in front of him, a face of satisfaction, his lips curling in glee.

Harry Potter stood his ground, holding his wand high, desperate. He knew he would die, he could feel it in his bones. Around him lay the bodies of Ron and Hermione, and off to the side, his father, James was cradling a dead Sirius in his arms. Tears was rolling down his father's face, and anger filled his eyes.

He watched as James Potter scrambled to his feet and rushed at Voldemort. The Dark Lord turned his attention to the elder Potter, and cast the killing curse. James took it in his stride and he fell back, his body limp.

A pair of glazed eyes haunted Harry from that moment, and he knew he had just lost everyone he cared about. His actions had cost them everything.

A flash of green light came his way. He did not move. And then -

The dream shifted…

He was looking down in a cell, seeing his father, struggling to breathe under the amount of curses being thrown at him. Off to the side Harry could see a Death Eater, one he did not recognise, the other in the room was Bellatrix.

"HELP!" James begged. "Please help me…" his voice began to fade, and everything became silent.

Harry opened his eyes. He was laying in bed, sweating, his scar hurting. Had he just seen the future? But he knew that the last dream had been real. It was happening now. He pulled off his covers and started to pace, quietly, trying to disturb the others in the dormitory. He rubbed his forehead.

Why does this keep happening to me? he silently asked the world, but it held no answer.

As he looked out the window, he made his decision. Whether or not his dream had been real, he had to find his dad. Had to make sure he was alright. And if he wasn't he had to save him, before he lost his dad for good.

A tuft of black hair was the defining feature on the small child's head. James and Lily marvelled at the small baby they had both created and brought into the world. Bluish. green eyes stared up at the wondering, affectionate eyes of his parents. Little Harry gurgled. Only a few hours old and already he was entranced by his parents.

James peered closer, his straight nose, rubbing gently against his son's tiny one. "I love you, my little one. I will look after you, always."

"Can you believe it?" Lily whispered, in disbelief. "Can you hardly believe we are parents? This little boy is ours, the thing that we created from our love."

"I can't believe it myself, Lils, but here we are. This child is ours, and I mean it, I will protect him until my dying breath."

"I know you will, James. I could never doubt you." Lily smiled, her eyes shining.

James grinned. "Our little angel," he whispered, tracing his finger over his son's face.

Little Harry closed his eyes, gently falling asleep in his mother's arms. Devoted parents watched, contentment flying through them.

Eyes flashed open, and James moved, groaning in pain as he felt a sharp sting rush up his back. He could barely remember what had happened. He could vaguely remember Bellatrix returning and inserting a needle into his back sending jolting pains through him, and then nothing, just blackness.

Whatever she had given him was meant to toy with him. He tried not to move, choosing to ignore the threatening pain that tore through him. He glanced around, listening for any sound.

In the distance he heard shouts. Someone was arguing. Then footsteps, quietly coming towards him. James stiffened his posture trying not to show that he was worried. His cell door creaked open slowly, and someone slipped into the darkness.

"James?" a quiet voice said.

"Sirius? That you?"

"Yeah." Sirius knelt beside him, holding a wand, releasing the chains binding James. "I'm getting you out of here. I can't leave you to suffer like this. It's tearing me apart inside."

James gripped Sirius' arm, ignoring the sudden pain. "No. I won't go. If you release me they will know."

"Better me then you. Harry needs James, not Sirius, James." Sirius' eyes blazed with pure logic. "You have to let me get you out James. I know they will make me kill you. And if I am told to do that, I won't do it. And I'll be caught. But at least this way I have a chance of not being caught."

James sighed. "Alright, but I don't like this."

Sirius helped his friend to his feet. "I managed to slip away from Bellatrix. She's in an argument with her husband, and judging by the quiet, I think they've noticed I've disappeared. We need to hurry."

Whether it was a planned escape or not on Voldemort's part, Sirius managed to slip James out of the dungeons and out of the Riddle House. He had an eerie feeling that something bad was going to happen, but he was not going to waste this time in not helping his friend. No Death Eaters met them, and though this was odd, Sirius had known that Voldemort was gathering his members together for a meeting.

"James, I know what Voldemort is up to. He is planning to attack Hogwarts; and he's got Draco Malfoy helping him. That kid is up to something, and whatever it is it's not good. I'm not sure if this is true or not, but I believe that Draco has been tasked to kill Dumbledore, so that he is out of the way for when Voldemort attacks the school. You have to warn him, but he probably knows. I'm going to stay here to see if I can dig up any more dirt. Don't worry about me James. Focus on Harry and yourself. The Wizarding world needs you more then me."

James was about to object, but Sirius silenced him. "Now get out of here."

They had found a secret tunnel under the floorboards, which Sirius had discovered when he had first arrived in the house. The tunnel led to outside the Riddle House and they stood at the end of it. The tunnel was quite small, and for a part of the way they had to crouch down slightly, bending their backs forward. It had been very dark and murky and a nasty smell crept to their noses. At last a light appeared and they emerged from the tunnel. They turned to face each other. James quickly hugged Sirius, patting him on the back.

"Good luck, mate. I don't want to lose you." He felt like crying but that was not an option. Reluctantly, James turned and started to sprint out into daylight. Reaching the borders of the wards, James looked back once and then apparated.

Sirius watched his friend leave, and then he slunk back towards the house, treading carefully so as not to make a lot of noise. It was damp and murky in the underground tunnel, and the air smelled polluted. He came to the hole in the floor which he had cleverly covered when they had first came into the passage, and he lifted it up, moving it slowly off him, looking around. He didn't see anyone.

As he hoisted himself up, his danger sense flared. Suddenly a wand came in front of his face, held by his cousin, Bellatrix, a maniac grin on her face. Sirius swallowed, knowing that the game was up. Someone pulled him out of the hole, throwing him onto the floor.

Bellatrix kicked him. "Come on, cousin, the dark lord would like to see you." She grinned, laughter pouring from her mouth. Her eyes sparkled dangerously and she led the way out the room.

It was over. Everything.

At least James knows what Voldemort is up to.

It was quiet, dark, and a little eerie, when James apparated outside the looming gates of Hogwarts. He glanced upward, a half-moon peeked through the clouds, sending rays of sparkling light to hit the grass. He inched forward, said the magic words that would open the gates and recognise his signature. The gates creaked open, and James walked through, then broke into a sprint, heading up the steeping hill to reach the doors. He had not even broken a sweat, so consumed was he in reaching Dumbledore that he hardly spent energy to tire him out, even in his injured condition.

He pushed the great doors open with all his strength and marched into the hall. He sped for the stairs, surprised that he hadn't been met by the Aurors guarding the school or by teachers patrolling the corridors. He made it to the headmaster's office without incident. He said the password, but the statue didn't move.

"Damn it!" James cursed. Frustrated he kicked the stone gargoyle, hurting his toes. Just then Professor McGonagall approached him and said the password: "Caramel Twirls."

The gargoyle turned, revealing stairs. Without waiting for the gargoyle to stop moving, James dashed up the stairs, pushed the headmaster's door open and shouted "Dumbledore!"

The old man sat at his desk, patiently waiting for James, as if he was expecting him.

"Professor, we have to do something to help Sirius!" James said, the words rushing out of his mouth.

"Yes we do, but not now."

"Why not?" James demanded. His eyes flashed angrily. "How can you leave him? He's going to be caught!"

Dumbledore stood, leaning forward. "Our greatest concern at this moment is talking Harry."

James stopped short as he heard his son's name. "What do you mean by that?" And then it occurred to him. "He tried to come after me, didn't he? Somehow he found out, right?"

Dumbledore nodded. "I'm afraid so. We managed to catch him, as he tripped some of the defence spells we have in place round Gryffindor for his own protection. He didn't know but our Aurors caught him, even though he was in his invisibility cloak, the Aurors know about that as I told them. They caught up with him, and apprehended him. They've had to detain him as he refused to go with them. We need to make him understand that it's not safe, and I want you to do that James. Don't mention about Sirius. We can't let him know about that."

James nodded slowly. He could not lose Sirius, but losing Harry would hurt more. Harry was the one thing left that was part Lily, and he was his son, the one person he had sworn to protect from the day he had been born. "I will, but please, promise me, you'll do everything you can to get Sirius safe."

"I will, James. For now, we don't know if he has been caught. We will know soon, as I am sure that Voldemort will make it happen, whether he tells us himself or Harry has a vision. Either way, we will know."

James bowed. "Thank you. I will speak to Harry. Where is he being held?"

"McGonagall's office." Supplied Dumbledore.

James smiled, turned and rushed out of the office, leaping down the stairs and rushed away to the Transfiguration floor.

They had taken away all the drinks he had in his pockets, tied his hands to a pole, and waited for the potion to fade away, revealing his true appearance. Sirius sagged, realising that they had been waiting for him to act. They had known all along. His plan had failed ever since he had been confronted by Bellatrix. She had known, and yet he had been led on, convinced that he had remained undiscovered. Even when he had captured James and tortured him, that had not convinced them, but it had him! He had foolishly thought that he had them fooled.

How stupid could he have been?

Ashamed, he hang his head, awaiting his fate, nevertheless he was determined to meet his end with dignity, and if he could, respect.

James opened the door to the room, entering to see Harry sitting reluctantly on a chair, surrounded by Aurors, with McGonagall keeping a stern eye on him. Harry glanced up, his eyes widened.

"DAD! You're alive!"

"Yeah." James grinned. "I escaped."

Harry smiled in relief. "Then there's no reason for me to leave! You're okay!"

James halted but quickly recovered. He didn't want his son to suspect anything bad had happened. He was quite proud at that point, as Harry was showing the true qualities of the Potters. For many generations, the Potters had always made decisions on what to do when things had gone wrong, but Harry, not knowing anything about Sirius, could not act as that knowledge had been kept from him. Somehow, he had found out that his father had been captured and had taken it upon himself to find him, but now that James had shown that he was alright, Harry had no need to rush off.

He had no intention of informing Harry about Sirius's possible capture; it would only give him more incentive to rush off.

James hugged his son. "I'm so glad you are safe, and that the Aurors caught you before you left the grounds."

Harry crossed his arms. "I'm not. If you had not escaped I would be coming for you dad, I cannot lose you."

"And I you." Replied James. "If you find out that anyone you love is in trouble, please don't do anything, to help them. You're only putting yourself in danger as well as the people you hope to save. I know its hard, I've seen it many times myself, but I've waited and things have always come out better in the end. Please, promise me, no matter what people say or what you see, don't ever act on it, unless you have no other choice. Whatever happens, people will always be trying to help each other. Dumbledore and the Aurors were looking for me, trying to save me,"

This was a downright lie, but if it worked to persuade Harry not to act on what he heard and saw, then it was for the best.

"And, yes they may not seem like they are doing something, but they are. Sometimes it requires planning and what the enemy wants from you. We know that Voldemort wants to kill you, Harry, and he will do anything to see that through."

"I know," answered Harry, he returned the hug, "but I saw you die. Voldemort killed you, in a dream I had, but it was a vision. I've had the same type of things happen all the time, and yet the dream comes true. I cannot prevent it. Dad, I cannot promise. I have to go to make sure that it isn't real."

James sighed. "You don't have to go to find out whether the dream is real or not."

"Yes I do! How am I going to find proof?"

"You send a letter to me, or you go to Dumbledore and tell him."

"But Dumbledore doesn't do anything!"

"He uses the best course of action suited at that current time. Sometimes you can't act straight away. Aurors learn this. We have to act when it's the best possible time, and its not always straight after we find the information."

Harry remained silent, his sparkling green eyes, glistening in their sockets, screwed to his father's face, watching him.

"Please trust me. Please try for me. Try to ignore the dreams or do what I suggest. I am always here to help you, so is Dumbledore, Remus and Sirius."

Harry said bluntly: "Sirius hasn't been answering the letters I've been sending him."

"He's busy." James lied, hating that he couldn't tell his son the truth.

"Doing what?" Ever more the inquisitiveness boy, James had been, Harry was showing more how he was so much like his father. James had been the same with his own parents, always asking after details.

"Order of the Phoenix business. Can't say. Even I don't know what it is."

Harry stared, as if he was trying to detect a hint of lying in his father's words. Being scrutinized by his own son was not very nice, and he had a feeling that Harry would work out the truth eventually. Finally Harry spoke.

"I feel reluctant to believe you…but I will say you're telling the truth, not because you're my father, but because I can see no deceit in you."

James felt confused. Did that mean Harry didn't trust him? He had to find out. "Don't you trust me?"

Hesitant.

Harry said, "Yes."

James was not convinced. True he had just lied to his son, but if he had said the truth, Harry would leave and never trust him again. He had put himself in a very dangerous position. Things between he and Harry were not as solid as they could be.

The bond between them was slowly falling apart, and soon nothing would protect them. The bond showed strength, trust and love, and yet the trust was falling. Harry did not trust his father, and that hurt James more then ever.

Yes it was true he had lied but that was for Harry's own safety. His first priority was to protect his son. Lily had bade him to, and he would, and if lying helped him to achieve that, then that was what he had to do, no matter how much it hurt him to do that.

"Go back to bed Harry," James requested, "Just close your eyes, and sleep."

"I will try, no promise." Answered Harry and then he was gone, leaving James alone in the room with McGonagall and a group of Aurors. Then his anguish caught up with him and he fell to the floor, curling his knees up to his chin, and sobbed.

The world had delivered him a cruel blow. He had lied to his son, and left his best friend. He now stood to lose both.

And James Potter did not want that.

"Did you really think you could fool me so easily?"

He stepped closer.

"Did you really think you could get away with it?"

Another step, the glowing red eyes bearing down on him from above.

"Did you think you could blind me with Polyjuice Potion? That I would not see through the disguise when I saw your brother's dead body for myself?"

A wand, long, and used many times to kill. A dark cloak, insane laughter. Bellatrix and Voldemort all in the same room.

Sirius met eyes with the Dark Lord, staring him down. "I would risk my own life to help Harry kill you!"

Voldemort chuckled, clearly amused by his prisoner's blunt statement. "A boy of sixteen is going to kill me? Oh, I must be so scared!"

"You should be." Sirius growled. "You couldn't even kill Harry as a baby. What makes you think you will be able to kill him now that he is older?"

Voldemort did not answer. Instead he nodded to Bellatrix who stepped behind Sirius. He felt a burning piece of robe tie tight around his neck and tighten very slowly, carefully cutting off his air a bit at a time. He choked. When he felt that he could not hold onto the living much longer, the Dark Lord signalled for Bellatrix to stop the torment.

Reluctantly she did so. The rope was released and flung to the floor. A belt emerged in her hand. She moved round to face him, grinning madly at him. Then she hit him, striking him again and again.

Sirius did not scream neither did he make a sound.

He was paying the price, and as long as it was neither James nor Harry in his position, he was willing to die for them.

Hermione Granger was studying. She sat comfortably in Gryffindor Tower, holding her quill and reading. She was attempting to write her notes into an ordered folder so that she would find it easier to revise for the final exams in her last year. Though she still had another year, she felt she should be ready for what seventh year held for her.

However there was one distraction.

Ronald Weasley.

He was watching her study, his eyes and his mouth smiling, as he gazed. She found it irritating and annoying, but she put up with it, not because he was a friend, but for another reason she was not entirely sure about. She put down her quill, and firmly crossed her arms, looking Ron straight in the eye.

"Ron, please tell me why you keep staring at me like that?"

The red head blushed suddenly and turned away. "No reason."

Hermione faintly smiled. "Ronald Weasley, do you fancy me?" She had a sneaky suspicion that he did. Ron had always acted strange around her and he had been jealous of Victor Krum. "Please, I'm asking you to tell me the truth."

Ron hesitated, as if he was at war with his own soul. Finally he admitted the truth that burned deep within his heart. "Yes, I do. I've liked you for a very long time."

Hermione nodded, glad that the truth was out at last. "I like you too, Ron." She went to pick up her quill, but instead found her hand on Ron's. "Ron?"

Their eyes met.

"Hermione, would…" Ron swallowed, "would you like to…to…go for a walk with me…to Hogsmeade?"

"Now?" dubious Hermione asked.

Ron nodded, waiting.

Hermione was dedicated to her work but she realised that Ron had been brave enough to admit he had feelings for her, and she might miss her chance if she rejected him. She smiled, accepting the invitation.

She wasted no time in packing away and before they knew it they were sneaking out through the passage on the third floor and out to Hogsmeade.

Ron turned to Hermione, as they travelled along the passage leading straight to Honeydukes cellar. "I told Harry what I was going to do, and he said I could have his invisibility cloak. But, I think we'll leave the cloak in the passage. Nothing can happen. Besides it will make this a special experience for both of us."

Once they reached the end of the passage, Ron took Hermione's hand and led the way into Hogsmeade.

Voldemort circled round the pole that Sirius was tied to, his wand hanging loosely at his side. "You asked me 'what makes me believe I will be able to kill Harry Potter now that he is older, when I failed to destroy him as a baby?'." A smile tinged the lips of the dark lord. "And that answer is simple."

"What?" Sirius asked.

The wand came up.

"You."

And then a spell and Sirius Black forgot everything.

They had been walking in the Wizarding village just musing around, hardly talking but enjoying each others company. Their joy was short-lived when ten dark shapes slinked out of the darkness of the houses, walking towards them, wands raised.

Before either of them could react, for they had come on so quickly, a jet of stun light came rushing towards them. Hermione was hit, but Ron ducked quickly enough to avoid. "HERMIONE!"

He pulled out his wand and shot a spell, dived out of the way of another stunner. A Death Eater tackled him from behind, sending him sprawling. He fell losing his grip on his wand.

"Argh!" he cursed. Someone clubbed him on his head. His eyes blacked over, and he fell into unconsciousness.

Hermione was the first to wake. She found herself laying on the floor in a darkened room. Her hands were cuffed, and she felt dirty. Ron was beside her, but he remained in the darkness that she had just returned from. Fear spread through her as she noticed that they were in a room filled with dark relics, some of which that, she knew, had been banned from the Ministry, and if any were used on others the person using them would get a life sentence in Azkaban.

It was without any doubt that she and Ron had stumbled right into the trap that had been set for them. How they had known must have been a guess, unless there was someone watching them. Could Harry have been right about Malfoy? He did have connections to the Death Eaters through his father.

It dawned on her that Harry was right. No one else could have been watching them. It was impossible. She sighed, wishing that they had been more careful. But the question was, why capture them? Was it to capture Harry or was it for an even more powerful purpose? She highly doubted it.

Suddenly movement caught her eye. Ron was stirring.

"Ermione?" he asked, his voice sluggish.

"Ron!" Hermione whispered. "We're in a house occupied by Death Eaters!"

As Ron came too, he soon came to the same conclusion. When his speech was normal, he said, "Why us?"

"I think it's to get Harry."

"And we were stupid enough to fall into their trap!" Ron moaned.

Confusion scattered Hermione's face. "What do you mean?"

"I received an anonymous letter," admitted Ron, "It told me that I had feelings for you and that I should act upon it by offering to go with a walk with you to Hogsmeade."

Hermione exploded. "How could you listen to a letter? Especially in these dark times? Didn't it occur to you that it could be a trap? They knew you liked me!"

Ron lowered his head, obviously embarrassed. "I'm sorry. It was the blunt truth. It didn't occur to me. It sounded like a good idea at the time. I even thought about telling Harry about the letter but I didn't. I know I was silly to believe it, but I really like you, Hermione. I have for a long time."

Hermione was speechless.

Before Ron could say anything, a cruel laugh came from the corner of the room. Hermione squinted into the darkness and then gasped in horror. Voldemort was standing there, red eyes shining in pleasure.

"Young love, how sweet. It's a pity that poor Harry won't live long enough to see your love blossom into something more."

Neither said a word.

Voldemort turned towards the door. He motioned for something to be brought in. Two cloaked Death Eaters dumped something on the floor. Then the Dark Lord left, laughing lightly in his throat.

"What is it?" Ron asked.

"I don't know." Hermione whispered, inching forward. As she looked at the thing on the floor and recognised it, she let out a long shriek of denial, and stumbled back, tears falling from her eyes.

"Hermione?" Ron asked urgently. "What is it?"

She pointed at it. "Uh…uh…uh…its Si…Siri…Sirius!"

Ron gasped, tears falling down his cheeks too. "I can't believe it."

Laying on the floor, was Sirius Black's dead body, his eyes blank as they stared lifelessly at the ceiling.

TBC

Um, please don't kill me. This had to happen. There is no way he would've survived, sorry. He is gone, sorry. But it is necessary for the plot as well as the relationship between Harry and James.

I will try and update before new year, and if I do, it will be a short chapter, if not look for one in the New Year where hopefully the chapter will be longer!

Thank you for all the reviews and let me know what you think!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

MissBlackPotter