Chapter Twenty-One.
The Letter Unsigned.

Harry looked around and tried to stay calm as the Dementors neared the ground where him and Hermione were standing. He pulled out his wand ready.

"It's ok, it's not like we haven't dealt with dementors before." Harry said his voice sounding slightly panicked.

"Dementors, Harry are you insane, giant snakes over their look!" Hermione shrieked grabbing tightly onto his arm. Harry looked at her for a second and saw her looking in a different direction to the dementors, but he saw no giant snakes. All of a sudden Hermione let go of his arm and screamed as she was knocked onto the floor backing into a corner looking fearful at something Harry couldn't see.

"Stupefy." Hermione cried and whether she hit anything with the spell, Harry didn't know. He stood there for a moment dumbstruck staring at Hermione when he realised the dementors were getting closer and closer to them.

"Expecto Patronum!" He yelled trying to concentrate on something happy. His stag came out of his wand and cantered around near the dementors for a second but the dementors glided now even faster over to him.

"What the…?" Harry muttered to himself. It seemed that the patronus hadn't worked against the dementors and he didn't know why. He heard Hermione scream.

"Harry can't you say something in parseltongue?" Hermione said desperately still shooting spells out of her wand backed into the corner.

"I can't if I can't see the snakes, if you hadn't noticed I'm a bit preoccupied." Harry said looking at the dementors who were now cornering him too. He suddenly remembered something from their second year and gripped his wand.

"Serpensortia!" A huge black snake appeared from his wand as it had done with Malfoy's once before.

"That's just what we need Harry, more snakes. Impedimenta!" Hermione said still firing spells at random. Harry ignored her and the dementors who were now inches away from him; he was starting to feel cold, weak and miserable from them but looked at the snake.

"Leave her alone. Do not attack." He ordered firmly, but a hiss came out of his mouth. He stood watching hoping it would work. And he saw the snake that had come out of his wand move away from him.

"It's working Harry!" Hermione exclaimed now struggling to move away from the corner. She carried on saying something as she moved over to him but her voice faded away, the dementors were all around him now, inches away from him. Sucking out every happy feeling he had. He saw Voldemort killing his dad once again, the screams of his mother, everything he'd heard before in his third year. He fell to the floor still clutching on to the cup, as everything turned black.

"Harry…wake up Harry…" Harry heard a man's voice calling him. He couldn't move, he felt weak. He laid still with his eyes closed for a second struggling to remember what had happened, dementors dozens of them, repelled the patronus…and Hermione, he'd left her.

"Harry?" That was definitely Hermione's voice; he opened his eyes suddenly and saw Aberforth and Hermione looking down at him with worried expressions. He sighed with relief as he looked around and saw he was back in Borgin and Burkes lying on the floor.

"What happened? Did we get the cup?" He asked, but it came out more of a groan than his own voice.

"Yes Harry we did, after you passed out I tried to wake you up but you wouldn't wake…"

"But the dementors?" Harry said bewildered.

"I couldn't see any dementors, I don't actually understand why." Hermione told him looking confused herself.

"They repelled the patronus." Harry said now sitting up as Aberforth offered him chocolate. Harry didn't ask where he'd gotten it he just took it and bit into it feeling warmth instantly.

"They weren't normal dementors Harry, do you really think Voldemort would protect his horcrux with just dementors?" Aberforth said looking strangely disappointed. Harry suddenly felt angry.

"Didn't see you coming to help us." Harry said heatedly.

"I'm sorry Harry, but you need to do these things alone, you came out of it allright though didn't you?" Aberforth said standing up and holding up the cup with a grin on his face. Hermione helped Harry up and looked at Aberforth angrily.

"So how do we destroy it then?" She said impatiently.

"Er…" Aberforth began. Examining the cup.

"Well obviously there has to be a way that it can get to your soul, that's how horcruxes work right?" Harry said now taking the cup from Aberforth. Aberforth didn't say anything for a minute but suddenly pulled out his wand and pointed it at the cup. Harry quickly put it down onto the table.

"Destrillendin!" He roared. A wave of light flew from Aberforth's wand, as soon as it hit the cup something erupted and knocked Harry and Hermione over, the cup immediately flew from the table gleaming with light and fell into Aberforth's hands. Harry got up and saw Aberforth on the floor, writhing around in pain with the cup still clutched in his hands. Hermione ran forwards towards Aberforth and Harry stopped her.

"Don't touch it Hermione." Harry warned her putting an arm out to stop her.

"What else are we supposed to do?" Hermione said in terror. They stood there for at least ten seconds, until Aberforth stopped moving and the cup fell from his hands. Harry ran over to him closely followed by Hermione. He saw Aberforth's eyes rolling around in his head, when they stopped Harry gasped as he saw his pupils were bright red and he opened his mouth to speak. Aberforth's voice didn't come out, Harry knew that voice and it was the voice of Voldemort.

"If you want my horcrux destroyed Harry, you'll have to kill your friend. You and I both know that's never something you'll do." He said and laughed cruelly. Harry knew that this was Voldemort in another form, like the Voldemort that came out of the diary. Harry jumped up and pulled Hermione away from him.

"You don't know me. You don't know what I will or won't do." Harry said furiously. He was at a loss of what to do and he looked at Hermione.

"Were going to have to kill him." Hermione looked horror struck as she said it but Harry knew she was right. Voldemort had possessed Aberforth now. For all he knew if Voldemort left Aberforth's body, Aberforth would be dead anyway. Voldemort stared at Hermione.

"Of course the mudblood, I know who you are." He laughed again manically and got to his feet pulling out what used to be Aberforth's wand. "You shall now see what a fool you really are." He pointed his wand at Hermione.

"Sectumsempra!" Harry shouted before Voldemort could do anything to Hermione. He fell to the floor, blood pouring out of his chest. Hermione screamed and looked away, unable to bear the sight of it. Harry yelled it again pointing at his back this time. A cut seared through his robes and blood was everywhere as Voldemort in Aberforth's body yelled in pain on the floor. There was a bang and a crack appeared in the cup. The blood disappeared and Aberforth fell to the floor Voldemort now out of his body. Harry and Hermione ran over to him. Harry saw his eyes open slowly now back to their normal colour and sighed with relief.

"Are you ok?" Harry asked him helping him up. Aberforth was shaking violently and as he stood up lost his balance gripping onto the counter. He conjured a potion Harry had never seen before and drank instantly. Harry watched him impressed. He immediately stopped shaking and regained colour in his face. Obviously Aberforth was more skilled than he let on. He explained to Aberforth what had just happened and this was another thing none of them understood. "For a minute I thought I'd killed you." Harry said feeling an enormous amount of relief inside him.

"Me too." Hermione said quietly.

"I'm really surprised your not…" Harry began.

"The fact that Voldemort was inside me and not entirely in his own form tells me that he had hardly any of my soul and was taking it little by little as the seconds pass. That's why I guess I'm ok. Or it was all one big mind trick, the only way we will ever know I guess is to ask Voldemort himself." Aberforth said thoughtfully. "Anyway, better not stand here all night." Aberforth grabbed the horcrux and handed it to Harry along with his invisibility cloak. He walked over to Borgin and looked at them. "I'll just deal with him." Harry pulled the invisibility cloak over himself and Hermione and they walked out of the shop not saying anything.

"That was weird." Harry said now with all his worry and anger fading away. "Were one step closer to this being over." He laughed nervously.

"If Ron was here right now I'd feel so much happier about…" Hermione broke off.

"I know. I feel the same as you do. And we will find Ron." Harry said determinedly. Aberforth strolled out of the shop looking oddly cheerful.

"He won't remember a thing come tomorrow. Right let's go then." Aberforth smiled. The three of them apparated back to the hog's head. "Remember to keep practising the unforgivable curses both of you. It's important, and if you get any news on Ron let me know ok?" Harry and Hermione waved goodbye and made there way back to the castle. When they returned back to the common room, (Harry had placed the cup under the invisibility cloak.) they found Ginny waiting for them. She had gotten up and hugged Harry as soon as he walked in.

"I'll leave you both to talk." Hermione said and she bade them goodnight and walked quickly out of sight. The common room was dark as it usually was at night and Harry and Ginny sat down. Harry explained what had happened while they were gone but she looked happy they were ok.

"Got a letter from mum." She said tensely.

"Is She ok?" Harry asked.

"No not really, she said Percy doesn't even seem bothered by Ron's disappearance. Hasn't spoken to her or dad at all." She said bitterly.

"Percy's just a prat." Harry said feeling like he could kick Percy. Ginny kissed him in agreement. She pulled a bottle of something out of her robes.

"Here, it's more of that potion for a dreamless sleep." Harry took it from her gratefully, with the stress of Ron he didn't feel like he could handle any more horrific dreams. Harry kissed Ginny goodnight and went up to the dormitory.

"You allright Harry?" Neville was sitting on his bed reading something Harry guessed probably had to do with plants.

"Yeah fine." Harry lied as he drank some of the potion Ginny gave him.

"Any news about Ron?" Neville said.

"No, im afraid not" Harry sighed.

"Luna thinks he got taken by…"

"I'll stop you right their Neville. Is this something that isn't at all likely?" Harry said trying his best not to sound irritated.

"Well yeah it is I guess." Neville looked sheepish. "Hermione looks more miserable than you these days."

"Gee thanks." Harry mumbled. The next few days passed by slower than ever. People were still finding the time to gossip about where Ron had gone and Harry felt like he was just walking and talking but not at all inside his own body. It seemed weird without Ron, the one that always looked at the bright side of the situation. The days were uneventful until one morning Harry received a letter. With Hermione looking over his shoulder he ripped it open and read.

'Meet me just inside the forest tonight at midnight. Come alone. Don't show this to anyone.' Harry slipped it into his pocket hoping Hermione hadn't had the chance to read it.

"What are you doing?" She said looking at him curiously. "You're not going to go are you? Harry that would be extremely dangerous." Harry pretended he hadn't heard her. Who could the letter be from? He had a feeling; he hoped it was something to do with Ron. What else could it have been? Hermione carried on. "I know what you're thinking, if it is something to do with Ron, all the more reason you shouldn't go."

"What! Why not?" Harry said angrily.

"Because it could be from a death eater or someone." Hermione said looking worried.

"What are you two talking about?" Ginny asked as she sat down next to Harry. Hermione was forced to stop talking but she gave him a significant look. All throughout the day Hermione desperately tried to convince Harry not to go, he was doubtful whether it was a good idea, but he had made up his mind. That night he grabbed his invisibility cloak at half past eleven and crept slowly down the boy's stairs. He had told Hermione he wouldn't go, as he predicted if she thought he was going she would go with him in the end. He got closer to the portrait hole when someone grabbed his arm. Harry jumped in alarm.

"Lumos." He whispered and as light came from his wand he saw Hermione staring at him anxiously.

"What are you doing down here? I told you I wasn't going!" Harry said accusingly.

"I didn't believe you, and I was right wasn't I?" Hermione frowned.

"Well ok, I'm going, but your not coming with me." Harry told her taking his arm away from her grip.

"Please Harry." Hermione pleaded. Harry saw now there were tears forming in her eyes. "What if you get taken too and then both of you will be gone. I can't let that happen."

"I'm sorry Hermione I have to go." Harry said feeling slightly guilty. He pointed his wand at her. "But I don't have time for this, your not coming and I'll hex you if I have to."

"You wouldn't." Hermione said in an almost daring tone. Harry slipped his invisibility cloak over himself taking no notice of her and climbed out of the portrait and headed for the forest with Hermione not following him. When he arrived outside the forest he suddenly felt anxious of what was waiting for him inside. He realised he didn't know where exactly in the forest to go. He didn't want to show himself until he knew who he was meeting but maybe the person he was meeting wouldn't show unless they saw him alone. Harry pulled off his invisibility cloak hesitantly and carried on into the forest. Almost the moment he walked into the forest as if they'd been waiting for him he felt a pair of hands grab his shoulder and pull him deeper into the forest as he struggled to see who had hold of him. When he was finally let go he turned around and saw Snape staring at him resentfully, behind him he gasped as he saw Ron with very ripped robes and injuries all over him. There were several bruises and cuts on his face, he looked exhausted and worn down but grinned all the same when he saw Harry.

"Ron!" Harry grinned and ran over to him clapping him on the back and Ron winced in pain as he did. "Sorry Ron." Harry apologised.

"Its allright, just don't do that again." Ron said now putting a hand over his back.

"Sorry to interrupt this little reunion, as touching as it is to see, I don't have a lot of time so if you could just listen to me now Potter." Snape glowered at them. Harry turned to Snape and nodded ready to listen.

"The dark lord took Weasley to gain information on what you were doing, his memory was modified after each meeting with the dark lord so he will barely remember any of it. I don't know the exact information the dark lord has gained but he knows of your search for his horcruxes, and anything Weasley knows, the dark lord most likely will know too."

"So why's Ron still alive now? And what are you going to say when Voldemort asks where Ron's gone?" Harry asked bewildered.

"The dark lord saw Weasley better as alive, to be used as bait when he needed to get to you, and find out everything there is to possibly know about you. Doing this will most likely be the cause of my death, but it is my duty to Albus Dumbledore to do whatever I can to protect every Hogwarts student." Snape said without even a tone of fear in his voice.

"Ron!" Harry heard an excited shriek and a blur of brown bushy hair run past him and ran into Ron in a hug that nearly knocked him over.

"Hermione…" Harry began but Hermione interrupted him.

"I know I wasn't supposed to come but I couldn't let you go alone and then…"

"Hermione it's just…" He was interrupted again.

"I lost you when someone grabbed you when you entered the forest…" She carried on talking quickly and happily still not letting go of Ron who looked like he was in extreme pain.

"Hermione your…"

"But now I've found you isn't it a good thing because…"

"Hermione your killing Ron!" Harry said now loudly and clearly this time half laughing. Hermione pulled away from Ron who looked at Harry appreciatively.

"Ron you look awful! I'm so sorry I didn't realise I was just so excited to see you." Hermione said looking embarrassed.

"When you're done Miss Granger as I said I don't have much time." Snape said coldly. Hermione turned around to look at Snape but didn't say anything. "I have one last thing to tell you, there is a planned attack on Hogwarts school very soon, do what ever you can to prepare. And Potter, keep a closer eye on your friends in future."

"An attack, but why?" Harry asked.

"Because Potter…"

"Isn't this a nice little party? Didn't invite me to join then Severus?" Harry heard a voice he knew well and Bellatrix Lestrange stepped out of the trees with her wand raised looking extremely excited with a twisted triumphant grin on her face.