Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or any of the Characters.
A/N: I'm sorry this is another bouncy chapter.
RON'S P.O.V.
Ron awoke, the next morning, to a burning in his left forearm. He bound out of bed and began throwing clothes on. He ran from his room towards the ballroom. His heart was beating so hard, he feared it would pop out of his chest. He met Draco halfway down the corridor.
"You don't think he knows, do you?" Ron muttered.
"I don't know." Draco replied and Ron could hear the fear in his voice. "I hope not. For all our sakes."
They continued walking, in silence, as quickly as possible. They entered the ballroom to find most of their fellow Death Eaters forming a semi-circle, facing their Lord's throne. They took their places and waited.
Five minutes and several Death Eaters later, the Dark Lord arrived. His presense, like always, sent shivers down Ron's, as he dropped to one knee to show his respect. His fellow Death Eaters did the same. Voldemort took his time as he walked through the center of the semi-circle to his throne.
"Rise, my loyal followers." he said in his snake like voice. Ron and the others did as the were told. "Lucius and I have spent the last couple months planning a little surprise for what remains of Longbottom's army. We're going to launch a surprise attack tonight."
Ron cheered with the other, to keep up pretenses, but his mind was shouting fuck! What were they going to do? Did the Dark Lord know?
"Now, I know you're all wondering why I waited so long to tell you. I didn't want anyone to tip Longbottom off. Yes, I know one of is a traitor and tonight I'll find out which one." Voldemort continued. "I have decided to leave five of you here to watch our pets. Those five are Crabbe senior and junior, Goyle senior and junior, and Nott junior. The rest of you will come with me to Hogwarts, where we will rid ourselves of Longbottom and his friends. Now go, rest. We leave at seven thirty."
The Death Eaters began to disperse and Ron found Draco and Snape. When he opened his mouth to say how screwed they were, Snape cut him off.
"Don't speak. Just come back to my quarters."
The three exited the ballroom, Ron worrying that everything was about to go to hell in a hand basket. How were they goning to do what needed to be done? What if one of them died before they could reverse the wishes? All these thoughts were running through his head.
DRACO'S P.O.V.
They walked to Snape's quarters in silence. Draco couldn't figure out why Voldemort wanted to attacke tonight. Did he know what they were going to do? How would they fix it?
Draco paniced until they reached Snape's quarters. The three entered and Draco listened as Snape put up silenicing barriers. ONce he finished, Draco was the first to speak,
"What are we gonna do?"
"I'm going to warn Longbottom. And you two are going to tell Potter, Hermione, and Ginny to come up with a different plan." Snape answered.
"But does this mean He knows?" Ron voiced exactly what Draco was thinking.
"I don't know.' Snape replied, "Which is why we need to be careful. If he doesn't know, we can't let him find out."
Draco was already extremely nervous and Snape's lecture wasn't helping.
"We can't fail." Draco stated. "There's too much at stake."
"Keep your cool. Don't give yourselves away and we won't." Snape replied, "Now go and talk to them. I'll go to Hogwarts."
Snape opened his door and Draco exited, followed by Ron. All Draco could think was, if there was a God in heaven, they'd succeed. From where he was standing though, success looked utterly impossible.
HARRY'S P.O.V.
Harry awoke that morning to someone whispering his name and shaking him.
"Huh? What's going on?" he asked as he opened his eyes to see Draco standing over him.
"Wake Ginny. I have to put up a few wards. Then we'll explain." Draco told him.
Harry looked over to see Ron, gently, trying to wake Hermione, then he looked back to Ginny, still asleep in his arms. He face was tear stained from the night before. He began to gently shake her.
"Gin, you gotta wake up." he whispered, "Draco and Ron need to talk to us."
She began to stir and Harry looked over ot see Hermione sitting up. She was wrpped in her comforter because she and Ginny were both in their ratty, torn nightgowns. He felt Ginny to sit up and pull the blankets over her shoulders.
"What's going on?" she asked stretching.
"Why don't you two get dressed first." Draco, who had just finished with the wards, suggested as he conjured a pair of jeans and a pink t-shirt for both girls.
Draco and Ron turned their backs on the girls and when Ginny stood, Harry followed their lead. He stood there, still utterly amazed at the changed he saw in the two boys, in less than forty-eight hours. He was however; also curious as to why they were here so early in the morning.
"Okay. We're done." Hermione said.
Harry noticed her voice shook slightly. He figured dhe wasn't used to being on speaking terms with them nor was she used to their respect for a female's body.
The three boys turned around and Harry chuckled at the look on Ron's face when he saw Hermione. Harry thought he was just realizing how beautiful Hermione really was. She must have noticed Ron's staring as well because a second later she asked with a slightly defensive tone,
"What are you staring at?"
"Nothing, I've just never seen you in normal clothes before." Ron answered.
"Or rather, you've never seen me not dressed as a slut!" she yelled.
"Now's not the time to discuss clothing guys." Draco stated.
It wasn't until that moment, that Harry realized how close Draco and Ron were in this world. Draco knew all about Ron's temper and when Draco intervened, Ron let it go.
"So, Draco, what is it the time to discuss?" Ginny asked.
Harry noticed that she tensed a little, as if expecting punishment for using Draco's first name. Draco however; aimply answered her questioned,
"The plan."
"What about it?" Harry asked.
"Let's sit." Draco suggested conjuring five chairs.
They sat. Ginny and Hermione on either side of Harry. He knew they still didn't completely trust Ron and Draco, who were sitting accross from them.
"The plan needs to change." Draco stated.
"What? Why? What happened?" Harry asked trying not to panic.
"Our Lord had a surprise for us this morning." Ron stated. "He told us he's been planning a surprise attack on Hogwarts for tonight."
"What!" Ginny gasped and stood to pace. "Somebody's gotta warn Neville. Tell him not to come! Have him make a plan! Evacuate or something! Damn it!" She punched the wall. "Ow!"
Harry stood to make sure that she was alright. Ron; however spoke first,
"Calm down, Ginny! Severus went to see him. He'll take care of all of them. We need to focus on us right now. I know that's gonna be hard but it's the only way we can succeed."
Harry lead Ginny back to her chair and sat. She laid her head on his shoulder and he felt a few tears drip on to his shirt, so he took her hand. He then looked up to see Draco looking darkly at them for it.
"Dont worry, Draco, you'll always be my number one." Harry said with a slight smile.
"I don't know what you're talking about." Dracp replied, blushing slightly.
"Please! Don't think I didn't see that look." Harry stated with a chuckle.
"Boys," Hermione yelled. "Plan now, flirt later! We need to concentrate."
"Thank you, Hermione." Ron staed.
Harry laughed to himself. For a moment it felt just like his world. Like they were studying and Hermione was reprimanding them for letting their relationships get in the way of their studies.
"Right, sorry." Draco said.
"Okay." Harry said as he shook thoughts of Draco and his world away. He noticed Ginny withdrew her hand from his. She was probably Draco would try to attack her if she didn't, "Okay, what's His plan?"
""We leave here at seven thirty. He's taking all but five of us." Draco replied.
"Which five?" Harry asked.
"The two Goyles, the two Crabbes, and Theordore Nott." Ron answered.
"Excellent!" Harry stated.
"What do you mean excellent?" Hermione asked, "If ron, Draco, or Severus aren't here, we can't get out."
"Yes we can. It'll be slightly more difficult but we can still do it." Harry responded.
"How?" Hermione questioned.
"I'm still working it out." Harry responded, "I Know we're gonna have to outwit them because we can't overpower them."
"What do you need from us?" Ron asked.
"I just need you to be at Dumbledore's office by ten minutes til nine." Harry answered. "I'll take care of the rest."
"Are you sure?" Draco pressed.
"Yes. Now go back to your quarters before someone gets suspicious." Harry said.
They all rose and Draco made the chairs disappear. Draco and Harry embraced and Harry assured Draco everything would be okay. Harry shook hands with Ron. Then watched as he hugged Ginny, shook hands with Hermione and Draco shook hands with both.
Once the two had gone, Harry sat in a corner and tried to work on a plan. He noticed the girl's concerned and sad looks which only made things harder. He knew he had to get them out of her. They didn't deserve this. They were here because of him. Yes, they had all made their own wishes, but if he was still the boy who lived, things wouldn't be this bad.
DRACO'S P.O.V.
(A/N: I know this is a wierd spot for a conversation like this but I wanted to show how close Ron and Draco are in this world. And that it is possible for them to be like brothers to eact other. Also, I felt some actions would be less confusing with this conversation.)
Draco walked silently alongside Ron until they reached Ron's quarters.
"Do you think Potter will come up with a plan?" Ron asked after putting up some wards.
"Yes." Draco said. He had to believe in Harry, especially after the kissed they shared the night before. "Considering we won't be here tomorrow, can I tell you something?"
"Drake, you're my best mate. You can tell me anything." Ron said.
Draco's heart thudded in his chest. He never told anyone about this. If his father knew, he'd end up like Kat. Come to think of it, Kat was the only one he ever told.
"I think I'm gay." he finally said.
"Duh!" said Ron. "I've been suspecting it for years. And after seeing you with Potter, I knew I was right, especially after that kiss. Did you think I notice that you have absolutely no passion when you're with the girls. You were always in it for the pain and the feeling of being totally in control. But not a single one caused you pleasure. Not even Hermione. She just feared you so much that you could control her."
"How could you tell?"
"You've always had to be inflicting some kind of pain even before you raped them. Since, them simply being women didn't do it for you, you got off on their fear and the pain you were causing. Which is why you were always so rough on them." Ron replied.
"I just figured if I didn't ever do anything with them, Lucius, would get suspicious and that would've been very bad."
"Lucius is an asshole."
"I have to believe that Harry can figure this out. I want to get away from Lucius and be the man I want to be."
"All we can do is wait and hope. Now, go get some rest. We're gonna need it."
"Right."
Draco left the room and headed for his quarters. Once there, he flopped on his bed. Thoughts of everything that could possibly go wrong ran through his head until he fell into an uneasy sleep.
HARRY'S P.O.V.
When seven thirty finally arrived, Harry, Ginny, and Hermione sat inside the "house" and listened for Voldemort to command his troops out, which he did at seven forty five. The three waited until eight to intiate the plan.
Harry stood to the right of the door with Hermione next to him. He watched as Ginny ran to the door and began beating her fists against it screaming,
"Please let me out! Please, I have to warn him! Please!" she even began to cry as she screamed and beat the door.
After about five minutes the door opened and Goyle Jr. stood in the doorway. He grabbed Ginny by the hair and Ginny dropped to her knees. Harry assumed it was due to the pain.
"If you know what's good for you blood traitor, you'll shut the fuck up!" Goyle yelled yanking her hair some more.
"Leave her alone!" Hermione yelled.
"Gutsy little mudblood, aren't we?" Soyle said releasing Ginny and stepping towards Hermione.
Harry stuck out his foot and tripped him.
"Come on, Hermione!" Harry yelled and held the cloak up for Hermione to get under.
She looked back at Ginny, who nodded, and got under it. They ran out as the four other guards ran in.
"What happened?" Nott asked.
"I came in, somoeone tripped me, and a mudblood got away." Goyle stated.
"We didn't see anyone leave." Nott stated.
The voices faded as they ran then Ginny's scream pierced the air and Hermione froze.
"We can't go back." Harry stated as his heart broke.
"We can't just leave her." Hermione protested, "They'll kill her."
"If we don't get to Hogwarts, they'll kill all of you, eventually." Harry yelled. "I don't like it either, but we have to go!"
He had to pull her about five feet before she began to run again. Ginny's cries faded as they ran. Harry felt tears fall, knowing Ginny's death was inevitable. He wished she didn't have to make the sacrifice.
RON'S P.O.V.
Ron marched alongside Draco, with his fellow Death Eaters, toward Hogwarts. The Dark Lord was talking, but Ron didn't take in a single word of it. Nothing that man had to say was imprtant anymore. The only things he could concentrate on right now were he and Draco getting to Dumbledore's office and Harry and Hermione escaping and getting to Hogwarts. The latter of which, seemed utterly impossible.All he could do was pray fro a miracle.
Once they had reached the gates of Hogwarts, Ron was shocked to see the were opened. Maybe just maybe, Snape had managed to help Longbottom form a plan. Or the Order had given up. He prayed that wasn't the case. They continued through the grounds, past the forest, and the half giants "house. Yet, no one tried to stop them. Ron didn't understand.
He realized there was difnately something wrong, when they reached the castle and nobody tried to stop them from going inside. They looked around the Entrance Hall but nobody came out of the shadows.
"Be careful, men." Voldemort stated, "They could be anywhere. I want you to split off in pairs, search everywhere. I want Longbottom for myself but you have permission to have fun with everyone else. Now go!"
Ron, of course, paired with Draco and they headed off in the direction of Dumbledore's office. He was nervous, so many what ifs were running through his head. What if they got caught? What if Harry couldn't make it with Hermione? He didn't know how he managed to keep going with all his doubts.
"It's gonna work. I believe in Harry." Draco stated which made Ron feel like his doubts were written all over his face.
"I believe in him too. It's just..." He began but was cut off by someone by the shoulders and pulling him into a dark empty classroom. "What the hell?" he yelled.
"Shut up." he heard a semi-familiar voice say. "You'll get caught."
"Isn't that what you want?" came Draco's voice from the door. He, Ron assumed, had followed them in.
"No I want you two alive until Potter arrives. Which means we're gonna sit here until he comes." the voice replied. A moments silence followed then the voice asked, "How's Ginny?"
That's when Ron realized he was talking to Longbottom.
"She was fine when we left. Extremely worried about you but she wasn't hurt." Ron replied.
What do you mean, when you left?" Longbottom pressed.
"Due to having to make new plans, we had to leave Hermione's escape to Harry. We have no idea what happened. I'm sorry." Ron replied solemnly.
"I don't mean to sound insensitive but where is everyone?" Draco, who was still standing by the door, asked.
"Oh, I forgot. When Snape told us of the attack, we consulted with what was left of the Order and decided the best course of action was to hide some place safe. "
"Good, but why did you stay?" Draco questioned.
"I need to make sure you guys succeed, in order to save Ginny. Which means I've got to keep you alive until Potter gets here. Now, we need to be quiet so no one finds us.' Longbottom answered.
Ron sat there just beginning to realize what a good man Neville Longbottom was. Here he was helping out an enemy for the greater good of the world and with almost no hostility. Ron suddenly felt a rush of gratitude towards Neville and would've embraced him, if only they could see each other.
HERMIONE'S P.O.V.
Hermione ran accross the grounds of Riddle Manor clutching Harry's hand and fighting back the tears. Ginny was her best and only friend, when she thought about it, and yet, she just ran away, leaving Ginny to her fate. She had fought to go back but Harry reminded her why the sacrifice was necessary. Besides, when she really thought about it, she knew Ginny would not want her to blow the whole plan by going back.
She was brought out of her thoughts by a sharp pain in her side.
"Are we almost there?" she asked Harry, who was still half dragging her. "I don't think I can run much further."
"Just a little further." he panted back. "I'm sorry we had to leave Ginny."
"Don't apologize. I know why we had to." Hermione clutched her side when they finally stopped and Harry released her hand.
"We gotta apparate now, then we can rest in Hogsmeade." Harry stated.
"Okay." Hermione breathed. "What do I do?"
"Just hold my hand and relax. I'll do the rest." Harry held out his hand.
She took it, he turned, and she suddenly felt like she was suffocating.
The sensation left as quickly as it had come. Hernione found herself, for the second time in her life, in Hogsmeade, or at least, what was left of it.
"Catch your breath." Harry said as he pulled the cloak off both of them. He sat on the ground and she followed suit.
"Harry, how are we gonna get to Dumbledore's office?" she asked realizing how impossible it looked. " 'Cuz there's no way we're gonna get through a battle without being seen or seperated, even with the cloak."
"Follow me." Harry answered.
Harry stood and headed for one of toward one of the burnt up shops.
Is he trying to kill us? Hermione thought as she went after him.
"Harry that's a death trap." she stated.
"Trust me." Harry replied as they stepped in to the shop.
Hermione followed but thought they were both crazy. She stepped very carefully praying the floor didn't cave in. It took her a few minutes to realize, Harry was using a spell to make it sturdy .
"Where'd you learn that spell?" she asked.
"From you." he answered.
"Really," she was in shock. She couldn't believe she taught others magic. After all, she had only been in possession of a wand for six months and could barely disarm someone. "So, I'm good."
"Better than any of the best pureblood in our year. Hell, maybe even the whole school."
"Wow."
She was beyond shocked. She just couldn't believe she had the guts to try being better than a pureblood.
They came to a set of stairs and descended them, Harry still using his spell.
"Where are we going?" Hermione asked.
"I'll explain in a minute." Harry replied. "There should be a trapdoor around here somewhere."
He began kicking the dust and debris around the floor. Hermione did the same. She even got sown on her knees, pushing it all around.
"Found it!" Harry finally yelled. "Come on!"
Harry flipped the door opened as she ran over. She climbed in first and Harry followed closing the door.
"Lumos." Harry muttered. His wand lit and Hermione shot him a quizzical look. "We were just in what's left of Honeyduke's Sweetshop. This is a secret passage way that leads to Hogwarts. We'll be able to get in without being seen."
"And after that, I'm making this up as I go."
They walked for what seemed liked forever. Hermione was beginning to wonder if they'd ever make it, when she saw stairs, but at that same moment she felt a dooming feeling in her stomach. She knew what it meant.
"Oh shit!" she yelled as she felt the familiar pull. They had been caught and she was in trouble.
For a split second, she felt as if she were falling then she landed hard on her knees, in the Great Hall, in front the Dark Lord.
"Well, well, well," he said grabbing a fistful of her hair. "You again. Don't you ever learn that, you can't escape from me."
"I'm sorry, my lord!" she said terrified.
What if he actually killed her this time? Hurry, Harry! She thought.
"Apology not accepted." He said and shoved her head back to the floor. "What I'm curious about is how you got all the way here."
She didn't say anything. She just laid there on the floor praying for Harry.
"I asked you something!" He yelled and she felt a sharp kick to her ribs.
"I won't ever answer you!" she said defiantly.
"Crucio!" he yelled.
Pain racked every nerve of her body. She screamed and beg for it to end. What was taking Harry so long? Finally, he stopped.
"Once again, how did you get all the way here?" He said.
She still remained silently. There was no way in hell she was going to give any of them away. Not even, Draco or Ron.
Voldemort kicked her a couple more times and yanked her up by her hair once again.
"How did get here?" he yelled directly in her ear.
"I brought her here!" she heard Harry's voice say.
Thank you, God! She thought.
"And who are you?" Voldemort asked.
He yanked her around to face Harry and pointed his wand at her chest.
"I don't think you want to know." Harry answered.
"I think I do." Voldemort said. "And if you want her to live you'd better tell me?"
"The hiding place of the Order of the Pheonix and their families is Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry!" Snape suddenly appeared out of thin air as did about fifty other people.
Being unable to see everyone, Voldemort was disarmed and released her.
"Run!" she heard Snape yell and took off out the door.
She heard him tell Harry to do the same thing but didn't stop.
A/N: Sorry, for the length of the chapter. It was actually supposed to be two but once I reread I thought it seemed better as one. Plus, I'm not sure if my idea for the fidelius charm would work for Rowling, I mean Voldemort already knowing the Order resided at Hoqwarts but just try to stretch your imagination a little kay.
