Hello, readers! I am back in about a week (I apologize) with a new chapter. I tried to make this longer but I've got so many things to do (school's almost starting, you see) so I don't have much time. But I'm homeschooled so I'm on my computer all the time.

Current song: This is War by 30 Seconds to Mars.

I don't really have much to say except this chapter has got a bunch of flashbacks. I hope you enjoy it!

"…and they've got these classes, I heard from Fred and George, where they use actual dragons that breathe fire and…"

Harry found himself walking home from Draconfiors on his first day with Ron Weasley. Ron knew just about everything about the wizarding world, growing up in a pure (yet accepting) family that had taught him so much. Harry found it fascinating and never thought he would be excited about returning to Draconfiors the next day.

"…and I'm sure that the hospital wing's got some maladies if you get wounded, so we don't have to worry. Nobody's died in about two centuries," he finished, catching his breath as he had said a lot.

"It sounds like a handful," Harry said with raised eyebrows. "But I am quite excited."

Ron only smiled at him, but stopped right outside a large, replica of Draconifors-looking white school where Harry could only make out girls. "I hope you don't mind. I have to pick up my sister, Ginevra. She goes to Lapifors, right here."

Harry shrugged. "I don't mind."

Harry and Ron sat by the wall separating Lapifors fromthe stone road they had been travelling down. Ron's head turned as a young girl, about his age, with vivid red hair and freckles tapped his shoulder and said, "You haven't been waiting long, have you?"

"No," Ron said, getting up an brushing grass from his pants. "You ready to go home?"

"Yeah," Ginny said. She looked startled at the sight of Harry, then her face suddenly reddened up. "Who – who's your friend?"

"Oh, this is Harry," Ron said, pointing at Harry. "Harry Potter. He's the one mum and dad are going mad about."

Harry smiled at Ginny and raised his hand to initiate a wave. "Hey."

Ginny looked petrified and started walking, leading the trail back to Muggle & Burrow.

"D-did I say something?" Harry said, looking at Ginny with uncertainty as she skipped ahead.

"No," Ron said, shrugging. "Come on, let's go."

As he was pulled into the room for another interrogation, he knew more people had arrived to marvel at 'Harry Potter'. As he entered the room, his hands bound behind his back, whispers followed him: "That is Harry Potter?" "Perhaps the King has made a mistake." "He can't be Harry Potter!" He shook them off as he was forced into a kneel in front of Riddle, but he staggered and quickly regained his standing posture.

"Bow," Riddle said defiantly, pointing at the ground.

Ron only stared back, hatred in his eyes. "I only bow to those worthy of your title."

Riddle smacked him across the face, the blow acting as an echo. "If you will not bow, you will suffer!" he said, raising his hand and using magic to force him into a kneel.

Ron groaned as he fell to his knees, his back facing the followers.

"That's better," said Riddle softly, gliding from his pedestal to face his followers. "This is the famous Harry Potter," he announced to them, Ron's grunting still audible in the background. "This, apparently is the 'Chosen One' who will slay me." Laughter erupted throughout the room and Ron's ears turned bright red. Bellatrix's wretched sounds were also audible in the background.

Ron, his eyes closed, chose not to refute and instead breathed heavily, refusing to stare into Riddle's closed eyes.

"Are – are you sure, my lord?" said Pius Thicknesse, one of his followers, eyeing Ron with great discomfort. "My lord, he…he does not seem to look like James…"

"His mother," said Riddle. "He has his mother's hair, and her face structure…he has admitted his identity. I am most certain. Do you question my authority, Thicknesse?"

"No, my Lord, I simply –"

Riddle said nothing, though Thicknesse was cut off as Riddle wavered his arm towards him; Thicknesse let out an ear-piercing shriek and Ron whipped around quickly to catch the follower crumble to dust, another victim of Riddle's Salazar Touch. Ron's eyes widened at the sight of what he would be facing.

"Such a pity," Riddle interjected softly as he walked back towards his pedestal, unfazed by what had just occurred. "We must arrive back to Hogwarts some days time. I must regain my strength. The Salazar touch is powerful, and it takes great energy to perform it. Lock up the prisoner," he said to Bellatrix, indicating Ron, who was still kneeling down.

Bellatrix smirked and motioned at Wormtail, who pulled Ron up and dragged him out of the room, back to the dungeons.

All the time Ron prayed Harry was safe. Whatever happened to him did not matter. Harry and Hermione had to be safe.

-O-o-O-o-O-o-O-

"Hello, Madam Granger," Harry said to Hermione's mother. He had decided to get an early start and visit Hermione, in her nearby home at Muggle & Burrow. Hermione's mother looked worn out, with tired eyes and pale skin. She wore a dark colored dress with grease all over it. "Is…is Hermione home?"

"Yes, Harry," Madam Granger smiled down at him. "She's in her room, first door on the right upstairs."

"Thank you," Harry said, stepping into the house. Before he went up the stairs, he turned back to Madam Granger. "I … I hope I'm not intruding."

"Nonsense, my dear," she said to Harry, still smiling genuinely. She vaguely reminded him of Hermione herself. "Go on. Hermione will be happy to see you."

Harry smiled once more at her, and raced up the stairs, slightly eager to see her and how she was doing, but every time an optimistic thought popped into his head, he thought of Ron and sadness refilled him. He gave three firm knocks on Hermione's bedroom door and waited for an answer. "Come in," said a hoarse voice, as though she had just finished crying.

Harry took a deep breath and opened the door. It was a sad sight. Hermione had just got off the bed, pulling on a long brown cloth to cover her night clothing. Her eyes were puffy and red, and about five or six used handkerchiefs were in view. "Harry," she said, sniffing and slightly smiling at the sight of her friend. "What brings you here?"

"Why wouldn't I be here?" Harry said. "I won't leave your side, Hermione. I know you're still recovering from that experience –"

Hermione chuckled a bit. "Oh, it's nothing, really."

Harry shook his head. "It's not 'nothing', Hermione. How are you feeling?"

"Swell," she said, although she didn't look the part. "It's not me we should be worrying about." Harry saw a tear slide down her face as she spoke.

"Hermione," Harry said, and she looked up at him. "I was thinking about it, and…we should do something."

Hermione sniffed and looked up at Harry. "W-what?"

"Do something," Harry said again simply. "I've taken enough of 'stay out of it' lectures from Sirius…Ginny has from her parents…we have to do something."

Hermione stared blankly at him. She quickly scratched the 'mudblood' mark on her arm and pulled her sleeve over it. "Well, what do you propose we do?" she demanded, setting her hands on her hips. "We can't just barge into the place, fetch Ron and leave. That would be completely nonsensical."

"I know," Harry said, walking towards Hermione's bed and sitting on it. "We'll have to plan. And quickly, too. For all we know, he might be –"

He ceased speaking and immediately looked at Hermione, who had burst silently into tears, loads of them streaming down her usually fixed face. She sniffled loudly and stared out at the window.

"Er – Hermione – I'm sorry – I, er didn't mean to – please –"

"Don't," Hermione said, hastily brushing away her tears and turning to face Harry. "It's – it's not your fault. This is a war we're facing. It would be so unrealistic if a few people don't … d-don't p-p-perish…"

Harry walked over to her and pulled her in a lawn and drawn out hug, as he said, "He hasn't perished. I am most certain of it."

As he pulled away he saw her face slightly dryer, and a smile lit up on her face. "Thank you, Harry," she said quietly. "Just wait downstairs, I'll be there quite soon."

"Alright," Harry said, walking towards the door, before leaving, saying, "we'll then be off to R- I mean, Ginny's place," Harry finished hastily.

Hermione smiled as he closed the door, and rushed down the stairs to the foot of it, and sat at the first step while he drummed his fingers on his lap, humming as he waited for Hermione to finish getting dressed up.

He closed his eyes for a second, just to relax…to get away from his current surroundings…he felt his head throb slightly as he fixed a memory…

"Ginny, slow down!" Ron puffed as he caught up with her. They were nearly at the gate of Muggle & Burrow now, and Harry saw a prominent small figure closer to the gate then they were.

It was a girl, with bushy brown hair. She spotted Harry and Ron running towards the gate to Ginny, who was already inside the busy village, and rolled her eyes, wondering why on earth two boys could be running home to Muggle & Burrow.

As Harry and Ron reached the same pace as the girl, panting, Harry looked at her and saw she had a bossy sort of aura.

"You've got dirty on your nose," she said to Ron, pointing at him and fixing her eyes to the dirty spot of soot on his nose. "Right there."

Ron looked rather offended and hastily rubbed his nose.

"Oh dear Albus," the girl said, now fixing her eyes on Harry. "Jet black hair? Vibrant green eyes? Are you Harry Potter? My parents have said lots about you."

Harry looked taken aback, but replied, "Er, yeah…"

"Not to worry, I'm from this village too. My name's Hermione. Who are you?" she added at Ron, who was staring at his feet.

"Oh – I'm Ronald," he said to her, but she didn't seem at all interested.

"Oh," she said. "Are you a Weasley? My parents know yours. They're all up about Harry Potter, as well. I know your sister, Ginny, from Lapifors, you see. We take the same classes. No surprise, she seems to be very well at magic. I'm not bad either."

Harry looked at Ron, who looked like a mixture of annoyance and surprise. "Erm, nice to meet you, then," Harry said. "We'll be off home now."

Hermione nodded at them. "I should be off home, too, my parents will be expecting me. See you around, Harry, and, er…Rupert," she added at Ron.

"It's Ron!" Ron called to her as she entered the gate, out of view. He turned back to Harry, his face screwed up in confusion. "What the bloody hell was that all about?"

Harry shrugged. "I'll race you to my house!" he said, running ahead of Ron.

"Hey, no fair!" Ron called, running towards Harry. "You got an early start, you prat!"

Harry only laughed as the view of his house grew larger.

"She won't say anything," said the solemn and shaky voice of Madam Granger, interrupting Harry's thought.

He spun round and stood up quickly. "M-madam," he said. "I'm sorry, you startled me."

She said nothing, but shook her head. "I was so worried when I had realized that you and her and that Ron boy had gone missing," she continued. "So very worried. Having her back, and her not saying anything to me…it kills me inside."

Harry did not know what to say. He only looked at her, then said, in a hoarse voice, "My godfather once told me that everything would alright one day," he said to her, and she stared at him intently. "He said that Riddle would soon perish, and everybody, even his believers would have a better life. And that Hogwarts would be a whole new place. And that a new king would stand above all."

Madam Granger smiled at him. "Strong words, my boy. Your godfather is very wise."

Harry nodded. "He was. But he's dead…I'm afraid he won't live long enough to actually witness it."

She looked at Harry and said, "I am sorry for your loss."

Harry nodded, understanding her words of comfort. They sat in a moment of silence, before light footsteps took Harry's attention away and he saw Hermione hurrying down the stairs, her eyes still slightly red. "I am ready, Harry, let's – mother," she said, catching site of her. "Oh…Is everything alright?"

"Swell," Harry said to her. "Alright then, Hermione?"

"Of course," she said. She turned to her mother quickly before she followed Harry out of the door. "I'll be back before dinner," she said, kissing her cheek.

Madam Granger wiped her hands on her dress and said, "Stay safe!" as Harry and Hermione ran to Ron's house.

-O-o-O-o-O-o-O-

"Bellatrix!" Riddle's high voice said. "Bellatrix!"

"My lord?" Bellatrix's tired voice said, rushing to Riddle and bowing before saying anything else. "My lord, what is it you require?"

"Bellatrix," he said. "I am most certain – my energy will be fulfilled quite soon," he finished, staring down at his eyes, a smirk slapped on his face.

"My lord?" Bellatrix said, confused.

Riddle looked up at her. "I wish to execute Harry Potter this evening."

"My – my lord," Bellatrix stammered. "Are you most certain? The – the circumstances are very…"

"Enough, Bella," Riddle said, getting up and straightening his robes. "What's done is done. Prepare him for this evening. A lesson will be learned here in the gates of Hogwarts." As he glided off the pedestal he was sitting on, he could only whisper to himself, "What's done is done…"

DUN DUN DUN! Will Harry and Hermione get there in time? Well ,in all honesty, I don't know either because I haven't written Chapter 18 yet :D

But fear not readers! I shall update as soon as possible…I really am unsure why I am speaking in a medieval manner.

Oh, and did you like that Harry/Hermione's mom moment I slipped in there? I am not a shipper of these two (ew) but I don't think there's any interaction at all between Harry and Hermione's mom…*awkward*

I also really enjoyed writing flashbacks. So tell me what you think about those!

As always, please read & review!

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