Disclaimer: All recognizable characters and settings belong to J.K. Rowling.
Harry didn't know how much time he had before Voldemort made a move, it could be hours or weeks or months. But he had to let his friends and family know how much they meant to him. As soon as Daphne and Astoria returned, he would tell Daphne he loved her.
Harry returned to the library where he had left his friends studying. Well, some like Hermione, were still studying.
"Hey mate, what did Dumbledore want?" Ron asked, sitting playing chess with Draco.
"Just to touch base, basically," Harry lied, smiling as he watched his friends. Slytherins and Gryffindors. Who would have guessed?
"Ha! I won!" Ron looked smugly at Draco.
Draco scowled. "That was just luck."
"Luck? No, no that was skill." Ron smirked.
"Harry, are you okay?" Hermione asked as he sat next to her. Ron came over and sat with them while Theo started a game with Draco.
"Yeah, I'm fine," Harry hoped his smile was casual. "Hey, do you remember that troll our first year?"
"How could we forget?" Ron laughed. "We were almost crushed to death!"
"You two saved my life that night," Hermione smiled. "After that night the three of us became best friends."
"You two have been the best friends anyone could have," Harry said, struggling not to get choked up. "You faced danger with me without a second thought."
"Someone had to try and keep you out of trouble," Ron quipped.
"Harry, are you sure you'll all right?" Hermione asked.
"Of course," Harry said. "I guess I'm just feeling a little sentimental after everything that has happened this year."
Hermione relaxed. "Understandable."
"Are you guys done going down memory lane?" Draco asked.
Harry laughed. "Yeah, sorry. You know, you guys have been great friends too. Something I never would have thought would happen my first and second year."
"True," Draco said. He smiled at Hermione. "I'm glad things changed." Theo and Tracey nodded in agreement.
Later, Harry, Ron and Hermione were walking to the Tower when they passed the defence room and Harry stopped when he heard Remus and Sirius laughing. "I'll catch up with you guys later."
"You can't be alone, Harry," Hermione reminded him.
"Sirius or Remus will walk me to the Tower." Harry said, leaving them to enter the classroom. "Having a party?" He greeted.
"Talking about old times," Remus said with a grin.
"Not that old," Sirius protested.
Harry looked at his father's best friends, feeling a lump in his throat. "I really love you guys."
Sirius and Remus looked at him in surprise. "Pup, what's going on?" Sirius asked, putting his arm around his godson.
"Nothing," Harry managed a light laugh. "Just thinking of my dad, I guess. I can see why he was best friends with you. You're both great."
"So was he," Sirius said fondly.
"And your mum," Remus added. "It's no wonder you're such a wonderful kid."
"I'm not a kid," Harry protested.
"Of course not," Remus winked at Sirius. "Quite grown up."
"Shaving yet?" Sirius teased.
"Very funny," Harry said, touching his chin curiously, causing Remus and Sirius to break into laughter.
HPHPHP
Harry knew he wasn't supposed to walk the castle alone, but what did it really matter? Nothing was going to happen to him here, not according to the prophecy. His destiny was to be killed by Voldemort, not tripping down the stairs or something. Even if the children of death eaters, like Blaise, tried to kidnap him they would just take him to face his destiny. Besides, he liked walking the corridors alone and remembering his years at the castle. His first home. He spent some time in the Owlery, petting Hedwig before he had a sudden thought and headed outside to Hagrid's hut.
"Hey Hagrid," Harry said, bending down to pet Fang who had come up to greet him.
"Hey, 'Arry," Hagrid said cheerfully. "How are things?"
"Um, not bad," Harry said. "Come across any new interesting creatures?"
"Well, now that you mention it," Hagrid began. "I may have. You'll have to wait until class to find out." He winked.
Harry chuckled. "Hey Hagrid, did I ever tell you that when you showed up to take me shopping for school, it was the best the day of my life?"
Hagrid's face softened. "Aw 'Arry. I knew when I meant yeh, yeh were special. A kind heart despite those 'orrible relatives."
"You were my first friend," Harry swallowed hard. "I'll never forget that."
Hagrid reached out and pulled him into a hug. "Yer a good kid, 'Arry."
Harry struggled not to start sobbing right there. "One of my favorite memories is you giving Dudley a pig's tail."
Hagrid gave a booming laugh. "Mine too!"
HPHPHP
After his talk with Hagrid, Harry wandered to his quarters and into his dad's personal lab. "Hey Dad, do you need any help?"
Snape looked up briefly from the potion he was working on, a slightly surprised look on his face. "Curfew is soon. Are you spending the night here?" When Harry nodded, he gestured to the counter. "If you want to cut up those ingredients, I wouldn't say no."
Harry stood next to him as he began working. "Healing potion?"
"Mmm. For the infirmary," Snape said. "Never know when you'll end up there again." He teased.
"Ha, ha," Harry said with a small grin.
"Looking forward to Daphne's return tomorrow evening?"
"Yeah, I have something to tell her," Harry said as he carefully cut some Wormwood.
"Oh?"
"I, well, I love her. I thought I should tell her," Harry said, flushing.
"I'm sure she would like to hear it," Snape said, raising an eyebrow. "It's a big moment, to tell someone that."
"Yeah," Harry said. He stopped cutting. "I hated you when I started here." He said bluntly. "I hated you because you hated me."
"Harry -"
"But you ended up changing my life," Harry continued. "You saved me, you love me, you took me into your heart and home as your son. I don't know what I would do without you. I love you, Dad. I really do."
Snape stared at him. "What brought this on?"
"Just thinking about things and I wasn't sure you knew how much you meant to me," Harry said, doing his best to Occlude so his dad wouldn't see the truth in his eyes. "I probably take you for granted but I don't mean to."
"I never feel that you do," Snape said slowly, wondering what was going on. "In fact, I probably take you for granted. You accepted me as your father knowing about my past. You forgave me for how I treated you. I think you are an exceptional young man, I just wish I had seen it from the beginning. I couldn't love you more Harry, if you were of my own blood."
Harry hugged him, breathing in the scent of cloves and spice that he associated with Snape. I just hope you will forgive me for leaving you when the time comes, he thought sadly.
HPHPHP
Harry happily fell into bed, exhausted from his talks with everyone and thinking about what Dumbledore had told him. He was emotionally exhausted and forgot to Occlude before falling into a deep sleep.
Hear them Harry? Hear their screams?
Daphne and Astoria were screaming in pain as the Crucio was cast on them. Their parents were also being tortured.
Harry bolted up in his bed, his heart pounding. "No!" He shut his eyes and the vision continued. Anger and fear filled him. Stop, he sent to Voldemort.
Why should I?
Harry panted, trying to keep this connection with Voldemort was costing him. His head was killing him. I know why you want me at the ministry...
Do you?
You want the prophecy.
There was a moment's pause. You know it! Voldemort accused.
Yes. Stop torturing Daphne and her family, leave all of them unharmed and I'll tell you.
Not good enough. I'll leave them unharmed, if you trade yourself for them. That way you can tell me in person.
Harry shut his eyes. He had to do it. He had to save Daphne and her family, even if it meant his life. It was time. He had hoped for longer, to spend more time with his loved ones but maybe it was better to just get it over with. And he couldn't stand to think of Daphne and her family being hurt.
Deal.
HPHPHP
Harry tiptoed to his dad's room, grateful that he was still sound asleep. He left a note on the nightstand. "Thank you for everything," He whispered softly before turning away. He crept through the corridors, ignoring the few portraits that noticed and asked why he was out so late. He hurried, using the One-Eyed Witch secret tunnel to creep into Honeydukes Sweetshop. He entered through the store and hurried out hoping he hadn't set off some kind of alarm or something. He used Alohomora to open the door so he could escape into the dark village, turning around the corner into the first alleyway. This is where Voldemort had told him to go, that one of his death eaters would meet him. "Hello?" He called out nervously.
"Wittle Hawrry Potter," Bella grinned, stepping out from the shadows. "You did come. And alone. Such a brave, brave boy." She cooed.
"I want to see Daphne and her family." Harry said, trying not to show how scared he was. "Voldemort promised that -"
"You do not say his name!" Bella yelled, slapping him. "You have never shown my master the proper respect. I should hurt you, I want to hurt you," She said softly. "But master said no, to bring you to him unscathed."
"Then do it!" Harry snapped.
Bella stared at him before laughing. "Oh, how I will enjoy watching you cower, Potter." She grabbed his arm roughly and they disapparated.
HPHPHP
Sirius and Remus rushed into Snape's quarters early in the morning, pounding on the door. "Severus, Voldemort has Harry!"
Several moments later, the door opened and Snape stood in his dressing gown, glaring at them. "What is going on?"
"Our spies in the Order, they sent word that Voldemort has Harry!"
"Not possible," Snape said. "Harry's here."
"I don't know how, but he has him. The Aurors who are undercover saw him with Bellatrix! They are at the Daphne Greengrass's house. Voldemort has taken the family hostage!"
Snape sucked in a breath and hurried to Harry's room, which he found empty. He stared dumbfounded at the unmade bed. It couldn't be...how?
"Severus," Remus said in a shaky voice.
Severus sent a message for the Headmaster. "Let's go." He waved his wand and was instantly dressed.
The Headmaster was waiting for them, grief etched in his face. "I've received word. We will need to proceed carefully," Dumbledore said. "There are five lives on the line."
"Why wouldn't he have come to me for help? It's obvious Voldemort sent him a vision of having Daphne and her family, why would he go alone?" Severus paced. "How did he know it was even real?"
"Because he knows he needs to face Voldemort," Dumbledore said.
"Now? Alone?" Severus stopped, remembering how Harry had acted the previous evening. "What did you do, old man?"
"Severus," Dumbledore started.
"What did you do?!"
"Severus, you have to believe me. If I thought there was any other way..." Dumbledore sighed. "Harry, or rather is scar, is a Horcrux. In order for Voldemort to truly be able to be killed, he must be the one to destroy that Horcrux."
"No," Remus looked horrified.
"But then that means -" Sirius eyes widened. "Harry is going to let that monster kill him? No!"
"It's the only way," Dumbledore said. "To save everyone from Voldemort, this must happen. Severus -"
"You told him," Severus hissed. "You told him this, and being the heroic young man he is, he agreed to die."
"Albus, how could you?" Remus asked in shock.
"There is no other way," Dumbledore said gravely.
"How long have you known?"
"A while," Dumbledore admitted. "I didn't know how to tell you."
"You knew I would stop him!"
"We need to go and rescue Harry and the others," Sirius said, glaring at Dumbledore. "Unless you are going to try and stop us?" He said in a challenging voice.
"No, I will help -"
"We don't need your help!" Snape said in a seething voice. "You don't have Harry's best interest at heart. I don't trust you. Stay away Albus, or else!" He gestured for Remus and Sirius to follow him out of the office and they followed him with no hesitation.
HPHPHP
"Where are we?" Harry asked when he and Bellatrix appeared in a house. A cozy, normal looked house. He noticed a portrait of Daphne and Astoria with their parents and realized they were in Daphne's home. "Where are they?" Harry demanded. It made him sick to think of his girlfriend being tortured by death eaters. And Astoria, she was just a sweet kid. He winced as his scar gave a painful throb.
"Patience, young Potter," Voldemort said sweetly as he swept into the room, victory in his red eyes.
"You gave me your word." Harry hissed.
"I'll keep my word, Potter," Voldemort said. "Although, the muggle..." He said distastefully.
Pettigrew came through with Daphne, Astoria, their mother and step-father. They were pale, shaky, and looked scared, had a few bruises but otherwise looked unharmed.
"Harry!" Daphne gasped.
"It's going to be okay, Daphne," Harry assured her.
"Yes, Potter has given himself over to spare you and your family," Voldemort said in a mock sweet voice. "Isn't that nice of him?"
"No," Daphne's mum said. "Harry, you shouldn't have come!"
"Run, Harry!" Astoria yelled, cringing when Pettigrew rounded on her. He raised his hand as if to hit her.
"Don't you dare!" Harry shouted. He turned to Voldemort. "Listen, you have me. Now let them go. That was the deal."
"Yes," Voldemort said slowly. "They are free to go, even the muggle."
"But master, I wanted to torture them more, especially the muggle," Bella whined.
"Quiet! First, however, I want them to watch. We need witness's, after all," Voldemort gave a cruel smile. "They can tell the world how they watched the great Voldemort kill the boy-who-lived."
Daphne started forward but her mother grabbed her and held her back.
"Shall we duel, Harry?"
"No," Harry threw down his wand. "We end this now." He looked over at a horrified Daphne. "I love you," he said hoarsely.
"I love you too," Daphne whispered, tears spilling down her cheeks.
"Enough of this!" Voldemort snapped. "You're right, Potter. We end this now. It's gone on long enough. Avada Kedavra!"
Harry heard Daphne and Astoria yell, heard the death eaters cheer, a door crash open. He had only a moment to think of his dad, his friends. I love you all so much, was the last thought he had.
TBC: