Disclaimer: I don't own it.

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Thirty-Eight: Rescue

Harry screamed as Hope was thrown into the lake. He was completely helpless to do anything, but he continued to struggle against the restraints holding him until he heard Voldemort's cackle.

"Poor Harry Potter. Finally ready to meet your end?"

Harry stared up into the cold red eyes of the monster standing before him. "I won't be dying tonight. Neither Hope nor I will, in fact."

Voldemort laughed again. "Don't you think you're a little late? You're girlfriend's body is at the bottom of the lake by now."

Harry kept his emotions in check while looking around for anyone who could help him. That's when he saw movement in the woods: Seamus!

"I don't think so. It's amazing what a little love can do to save a person. Isn't that how you fell the first time?"

"Crucio!" Voldemort hissed out venomously. Harry's body convulsed from the pain as he cried out.

After a few minutes Voldemort broke off the curse and Harry silently begged Seamus to hurry up. Right then he felt his bindings break, releasing him from the hold. He quickly reached back and grabbed his wand before turning and facing Voldemort again.

All the Death Eaters moved to pull their wands, but Voldemort stopped them. "He's mine. Leave him."

Harry smirked and walked a step closer. "Dear Tom, I'm not going to curse you. Want to know why? Because with a simple incantation that I learned earlier in the year…" Harry paused and moved his wand in a complicated manner while saying some words in Latin. He smirked at Voldemort's look. "…your entire wards come crashing down. And now, you're going to be found by Aurors and the Order in three…two…one." A sequence of pops surrounded them.

"Potter, you will die! I guarantee you that, Avada Kedavra!"

The curse, however, missed. As soon as people starting arriving, he turned and dove into the lake, casting a charm on himself in the process. He started searching for Hope, praying she was still alive.

He swam for what seemed like an eternity until he saw something that caught his eye. He picked up his pace and saw a mermaid, guarding Hope's body as if it were a jewel.

Harry looked at the mermaid, pulled his wand out and said another charm enabling him to speak to the being.

"Is she dead?" He asked, his voice cracking.

The mermaid smiled. "No, she is alive. We thought it would be in our interest to keep her alive."

Harry looked confused. "Why?"

"Well, since she is the only one who can currently speak to animals, we figured she would be useful in the war. We all know of you and Hope, Mr. Potter. We want you to win this war. It would not be possible without the animals in the forest, in the mountains, everywhere. It also would not be possible to reach them without Hope."

Harry nodded and made a move to grab Hope, but the mermaid grabbed his arm.

"Harry, you must be quick. The moment you touch her, the spell will wear off. You have to get her to the surface before she drowns."

Harry nodded and quickly grabbed Hope before taking off toward the surface. He met several animals on the way up that would give him a push or a shove, and eventually, he broke through, gasping for air. He dragged Hope over and laid her on the bank, searching for someone to help.

The scene before him was not what he expected. He thought Death Eaters would be fighting with aurors, or curses being thrown in all directions. What he found was all of them standing around the lake, looking sad.

"Harry!" Two smaller figures rushed out of the group, hurrying over to the young boy. They stopped at the look on his face.

"Harry?" Hermione asked, slowly coming closer.

"I need Professor Snape, Professor Dumbledore, anybody! She needs help." Harry's voice came out as a whine, but he didn't care.

Two more figures rushed out of the group and dropped down beside the girl. Snape hurriedly did a scan with his wand and looked up at the headmaster. With a nod, he picked her up and apparated away.

Harry looked where they had been and panicked. "Where'd they go. Is she okay? What are you going to do?"

Dumbledore held up a hand to stop the succession of questions. "We're taking her to the Hospital wing, the same place you're going. Come on now. Draco, I trust you can get Hermione back safely?" Draco nodded and Dumbledore took Harry's arm. "Let's go," he said, and then both of them disappeared with a pop.

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A/N: Hey Everyone! I'm in a really good mood after getting off work so you get another chapter. Don't make me regret it, so show me how much you appreciate it by reviewing.

Another note, the story is nearing a close. There is only two more chapters in this and then the sequel will start. Once I start the sequel I will be back to posting once a week. I really want you guys to put your ideas and imput into the sequel so review or email me with any ideas. Hope you all enjoy it.

Kayla