Harry, Ginny, Neville and Luna went inside cautiously, with wands out in front of them. Harry immediately knew he was in the right place.

"We need to find Row Ninety-seven," he said urgently.

They walked down an aisle until they found some numbers, and found the right way to go. As they got closer, Harry picked up speed. As he passed eighty-eight, he got a sense of foreboding. Surely he should be hearing or seeing something already.

He ran to ninety-three, ninety-four, ninety-five, and he started to slow down. "Shit!" he cried, as he got to Ninety-seven.

"Aw, he's not here," said Luna, sadly.

Ginny and Harry were looking around, huffing. There was no sign that anybody had been there lately.

"Harry, look. It's got your name on it," said Neville.

Harry and Ginny turned to look at him, then up at the shelf he was looking at. Sure enough, in one of the orbs it was labelled, 'SPT to APWBD Dark Lord and Harry Potter(?)'

Harry looked uncertainly at Ginny, who shrugged. "It's what everyone's after. You may as well take it."

Harry hesitated, then reached up and took it. Immediately, the mist inside began to swirl. He heard the familiar tones of his old Divination teacher.

"The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches...born to those who have thrice deified him, born as the seventh months dies...and the-"

"Harry!" Ginny's urgent cry drew his attention back to their surroundings. To his horror, he saw cloaked figures with masks on surrounding them and getting closer. Without even thinking about it, the four moved so they were back to back, covering all angles.

"Where's Sirius?" yelled Harry.

"We'd like to know that as well, Mr Potter. However, our most pressing issue is what you hold in your hands. Give it to me," said a masked figure.

"You want this?" jeered Harry. "Too bad." He tossed it in the air and caught it, making the masked figure catch his breath.

"Oh, itty bitty Potty wants to play."

Harry felt Neville tense beside him as Bellatrix Lestrange came into view. "Easy Nev," he muttered quietly, trying to make sure Neville stayed focused.

"Maybe we need an incentive to make him see things our way," jeered the masked figure. His wand pointed to Ginny. Harry linked his arm through hers, pulling her slightly behind him.

Bellatrix was still focused on Neville. "How's Mummy and Daddy? Last time I saw them-"

Neville shook with anger and cut her off. "No, you don't get to mention my parents, you psycho bitch!"

Bellatrix cackled with laughter, but Harry recognised that the other Death Eaters had lost focus.
"Now," he yelled.

"Stupefy," yelled Harry, Ginny and Neville. Luna sent a Jelly-Legs Jinx at the closest one to her.

"Run," yelled Harry, pulling Ginny with him. Neville grabbed Luna and they followed the others. Luna flicked her wand and some of the orbs fell off, hitting the Death Eaters who were chasing them.

They rounded a corner and saw three more Death Eaters approaching. "Reducto," yelled Ginny, putting as much force into it as she could. The result was that all the shelves of the Department of Prohecies began to collapse. "Shit," she cried, fearing they would all be crushed.

"This way," called Neville. He lead them out, thinking that they were at the door they had entered at the start. He opened it and the others ran out, immediately dropping in the air several feet. They stopped, spreadeagled, about a foot from the floor.

"Oof," grunted Harry, as he fell to the floor. He quickly got up, glad he hadn't lost his wand. "Bloody Department of Mysteries."

Luna had walked off a way. "Can you hear it? Mum?" She was staring intently at a veil that was fluttering.

"Luna, be careful," called Ginny. Harry walked over to Luna, mesmerised by the sounds he heard coming from behind the veil. He and Luna looked at each other. "I hear it, they're calling me," said Harry, reaching out his hand to the veil. Luna did too.

"Harry!" called Neville, breaking the spell. Luna and Harry broke their gaze from the veil and looked to see Lucius, Bellatrix and four other Death Eaters had silently come in. Harry recognised Greyback, who had Ginny, and Bellatrix had Neville, their wands under their throat.

"Give us the prophecy, and we'll let you and your little friends go," said Lucius Malfoy, coming closer to Harry. He held out his hand, and nodded encouragingly.

"What do you think Voldemort would do if I were to destroy it," taunted Harry.

"You dare speak his name," said Bellatrix harshly. "You're not fit to lick his boots."

"I bet you do,"said Neville, struggling to break used her wand to cut him and he cried out.

Harry hesitated. Greyback was sniffing eagerly at Ginny, and Bellatrix's husband Rodolphus had grabbed Luna. Neville was a bit of a loose cannon, and Bellatrix knew what buttons to press that could make Neville go off.

"You'll let us go?" asked Harry, warily.

"Yes, yes," assured Lucius, his gaze not leaving the precious orb.

"Tell your Death Eater pals to let my friends go, and I'll give it to you," ordered Harry, backing away.

Lucius gestured with his head, and Harry could see the Death Eaters release their grip. He started to hand over the prophecy when there was a sudden gush of wind.

"Get away from my godson."

Lucius turned to see who was speaking. It was Sirius! He drew back his fist and punched Lucius in the jaw. Before Harry could blink, other members of the Order of the Phoenix apparated in. Kingsley, Remus, Tonks, Arthur, Bill and Hagrid quickly took control of the situation. In his confusion, Harry was nudged and the prophecy fell from his hand. Lucius made a lunge for it, but it smashed to the ground. Trelawney's voice could be heard, but with the yells all around, it was soon drowned out.

Sirius dragged Harry away. "Go, leave while you can. Find Hagrid, he'll see you out. Meet us back at Grimmauld Place."

Harry shook his head. "No, I want to stay and fight." He saw Hagrid helping Luna and Ginny, while Greyback was fighting Remus. Rodolphus had let Luna go as he was fighting Kingsley and Bill.

"Come on, Harry," yelled Tonks, gesturing to the direction the girls had gone with Hagrid. She was pulling Neville along.

A spell narrowly missed Sirius. "Harry, go," he yelled.

"No, I won't leave you," he yelled back. The two of them looked at each other determinedly, then jumped up and started fighting Bellatrix and Lucius.

Bellatrix cackled as a spell she cast hit Sirius in the shoulder. "All those years in Azkaban slow you down, cousin?" she taunted.

"You okay?" asked Harry, fighting off Lucius.

"Don't worry about me, kiddo," quipped Sirius. He sends a curse over Bellatrix's head and it hit Rodolphus, who was Stupefied.

"Come on, come on, this way," yelled Hagrid, to Ginny, Neville and Luna.

Bellatrix and Lucius look over at the half giant, then back at each other. Ginny had hesitated, looking back at Harry and Sirius. They were shocked when their two Death Eaters apparated away.

They reappeared close to Hagrid. Luna and Neville had got away, but Ginny's hesitation had cost her. She was now duelling with Macnair. Rodolphus came to and staggered to his wife,

Bellatrix smirked as she eyed the half giant, and Lucius leered as he eyed Ginny Weasley.

"No," yelled Harry, starting to run toward them both.

They all turned their wand on Ginny, who had just stunned Macnair. She started to run toward Hagrid, who had put his large body in the path of the Death Eaters. The three raised their wands at the half giant and together shouted "Avada Kedavra."

Most spells didn't have much effect on Hagrid, because of his size, but three AK's, cast by powerful dark wizards with evil in their heart, found their target. Hagrid had a look of surprise on his face as he fell backwards, and went through the veil.

It was as if time stood still. Everyone was stunned. Ginny looked around in confusion. Where had Hagrid gone? He couldn't be-surely not- not Hagrid? Tonks quickly came and grabbed her and dragged her out of there.

Lucius and Bellatrix couldn't believe their luck. The big oaf was gone. One of Dumbledore's confidantes, killed! Together, their magic had done the job. Their master would be proud.

Harry almost collapsed in shock. Sirius grabbed him. "Harry, we've got to get out of here now."

Bellatrix cackled with glee. "Now, where's the little girl? Let's play with her next."

Harry felt an intense fury. He grappled out of Sirius' arms and began to chase after Bellatrix. Lucius grabbed Rodolphus, and the other Death Eaters apparated out of the Ministry.

"Crucio," yelled Harry, as he finally caught up with Bellatrix in the Atrium. Bellatrix fell to the ground, stunned. As Harry stood over her, his heart was pounding so hard with the realisation of how much he wanted to hurt her for what she had done to Hagrid.

A cold wind blew into the Atrium. "You have to mean it, Harry," said Voldemort, unimpressed. "You want to hurt her, punish her."

Bellatrix whimpered. Voldemort barely noticed, his attention all on Harry.

"Your minions didn't get the prophecy. It was destroyed," said Harry. Where was Sirius or Remus? Where was the Order?

"Did you feel the darkness, Harry? When you wanted to hurt Bellatrix?" asked Voldemort.

"She killed my friend," yelled Harry.

"Do it. You know the curse. Use it," encouraged Voldemort, his words hypnotic in Harry's ear.

He held his wand on Bellatrix whose eyes never left his. Harry's wand was pointed at her, all he had to do was say the words and he would get revenge for Hagrid. Dear Hagrid. His wand wavered.

Voldemort started to laugh. He waved his hand and Harry's wand flew out of it. Bellatrix smirked.

"Pathetic," muttered Voldemort. "This is my great adversary?"

"He's not alone, Tom."

Harry and Voldemort turned to see Albus Dumbledore step out of the shadows. "The Aurors are on their way, Tom."

None of them noticed Bellatrix escape into the fireplace and floo away.

"I'll be long gone by then...and you'll be dead," gloated Voldemort. He then sent a strong curse towards Harry and Dumbledore. The latter pushed Harry aside and counteracted the curse with a strong one of his own.

Harry was mesmerised by the strength of the magic . He could feel it all around him. These two were equally matched. As Voldemort sent a burst of fire magic, Dumbledore doused it with a burst of water magic. In his fury, Voldemort shattered all the glass in the Atrium, sending it heading straight for Dumbledore and Harry. Harry feared he was going to be shredded, but Dumbledore cast a protective shield, and then sent it back to Voldemort.

Voldemort disappeared in a mist. Harry and Dumbledore looked around warily, as the mist moved between them.

In his periphery, Harry could see Remus and Sirius come running in. He didn't see Ginny and Tonks follow. Ginny was startled. She had seen Voldemort just before he had disappeared. He wasn't the dark handsome boy she remembered as Tom Riddle, now he was unrecognisable; hideous.

Suddenly Harry doubled over. Voldemort was inside him. Harry fell down, with Dumbledore beside him. "Feel the darkness, Harry," Voldemort whispered. "Embrace it." Harry's scar was warm, a comforting warmth that he had never felt before. He closed his eyes, welcoming the warmth.

"No, get out. Get out of him, you bastard," yelled Ginny, breaking past Sirius and Remus and coming to where Harry lay. She put her hands on Harry's head. "Harry, look at me."

Harry opened his eyes, and she gasped. They were red. "Ginevra," Harry rasped. He licked his lips.

"Get out of him now, Tom" cried Ginny. "He's too good for you."

With a cry, Harry felt the warmth leave him, to be replaced by another kind of warmth. The second warmth felt more like he was used to. He opened his eyes, and saw Ginny look down at him. She smiled at him with tears in her eyes. Harry didn't want her to cry, not for him. He wanted Ginny to be happy; she deserved to be happy. He wanted to make her happy.

"Oh," cried Ginny, her smile turning to a look of surprise. She collapsed next to him.

"Ginny," cried Harry," struggling to get up.

"Ah Ginevra. It's been a long time," whispered Tom.

"No. No, I can't do this again," sobbed Ginny, in her mind. To those watching, she was twitching and tossing her head. Harry gathered her in his arms.

"You're mine, Ginevra. You'll always be mine," said Tom.

"I won't. You've already cost me too much, Tom," cried Ginny.

"Ginny, come back. Get out of her, you bastard," cried Harry. He looked to Dumbledore. "Do something."

Dumbledore shook his head. "It's up to Miss Weasley, now. She has to be the one to get him out."

"Come back to me, Ginevra. Harry doesn't need you. He's never needed you," taunted Tom.

"Ginny, don't leave me, I need you. Please Ginny," sobbed Harry.

Ginny focused on Harry's words. "He's lying," whispered Tom seductively. "He doesn't need you like I need you."

"You're right," said Ginny. "You need me to manipulate me, to get me to help you hurt someone I care about. Harry is my friend, my family. He'd never want me to do anything like that," protested Ginny.

Sirius came running over and knelt beside Ginny. Harry looked up trustingly to him. "Sirius, help me. Help Ginny, please."

Tom Riddle felt the power of love. It repulsed him and he couldn't remain inside her. As Sirius lay one hand on Harry's shoulder and one on Ginny's face, Tom was ripped from her body. Ginny let out a huge gasp, drawing in a much needed breath.

As Cornelius Fudge and his Ministry assistants, as well as the Aurors arrived, Voldemort smiled viciously at Dumbledore. He turned his attention to Harry, who still held Ginny in his arms.

"You're a fool, Harry Potter, and you will lose. I will take all you hold dear-" he looked to Sirius and Ginny. Harry held Ginny tighter and felt Sirius' grip on his shoulder tighten. "-and you will be left with nothing."

He nodded to the Minister for Magic, who stared in shock. "You're back?" Voldemort smirked, and apparated away. "He's back!"

Harry and Sirius' attention returned to Ginny. Remus and Tonks joined them. "Let's get her back to Grimmauld Place. I'll get Mum," said Tonks. She apparated away.

"I must return to Hogwarts. I'll have to notify the staff and students about Hagrid...I can barely believe it myself," said Dumbledore, sadly.

"We'll need to have an Order meeting," said Remus. "Tonight, if possible. Were there any other casualties?" he asked Tonks.

"Nothing major," said Tonks. "Molly should be able to take care of Bill and Arthur. Kingsley and I took Nev and Luna back to Hogwarts."

"Thanks, Tonks," said Harry, his eyes not leaving Ginny's pale face.

Sirius got to his feet and picked Ginny up. She stirred, and he hushed her. "Lay still, we'll get you home."

"Harry?" she asked weakly.

"I'm here, Gin," he said quickly, moving to her side.

"Hagrid...he, he-"

"I know," said Harry, sadly.

"I'm so sorry," said Ginny. "So very sorry..." she passed out again.

"Let's get her home and get Andi to check her out," said Sirius, grimly. "Remus, you'll keep us informed?"

Remus nodded. "I'll stay and clean things up here with Kingsley. We'll need a cover story for Fudge, not that he'll need much. He's probably shitting his pants at what he just saw. I'll return to Grimmauld Place as soon as I'm done."

Sirius nodded and he and Harry headed for the floo.

"Harry."

Harry stopped to turn back and look at Dumbledore. "I'd like to talk with you and Sirius once all this had settled down. I think it's time I told you all I know. Please let me know how Miss Weasley is," said the tired old man.

Harry nodded, more concerned with Ginny than what he had just said. "Let's go, Harry," said Sirius.

Andromeda was waiting with Tonks by the time they returned to Grimmauld Place. Sirius gently lay her on her bed, and then he and Harry left her in Andi's care. They went downstairs, and Sirius immediately poured three shots of Firewhiskey. Tonks joined them.

"For Hagrid," he toasted. "Hogwarts won't be the same without him."

It burned Harry's throat as he swallowed it. "My first friend. A gentle half giant, with a heart as big as himself," he sputtered.

Tonks smiled sadly. "To Hagrid and his pink umbrella. I never saw him use it when it rained-funny that!"

Andromeda joined them, and accepted a glass as well. "To Hagrid. A friend to many creatures, and to us all. He will be missed."

They all had another drink. "How's Gin?" asked Sirius.

"Sleeping. I've given her a Dreamless Sleep potion, and I've left one for you too, Harry. She'll probably be weak for a day or two. Harry is bigger in body, so he should recover quicker. Ginny's mindset may be a concern. She was quite down on herself after the ordeal with the diary, according to Poppy. This may affect her similarly," said Andromeda.

"We'll help her get through it, won't we Harry?" said Sirius. Harry nodded, his mind adrift. The adrenaline was leaving his body and he was starting to feel weak and tired. Tears threatened when he thought of Hagrid. The firewhiskey hadn't helped. He didn't want to sleep, though. He needed to stay focused, alert. Voldemort was back, and now everyone knew it. His mind drifted back to the prophecy.

"The prophecy. It's gone, and we'll never know what it said," said Harry miserably.

Sirius shrugged. "No use crying over broken prophecies. Why don't you go to bed, Harry. It's late, Gin will sleep through the night, and you look like you're about to pass out too. Go on, now."

"No, I want to go to the Order meeting. I need to know what's going on," protested Harry.

"Harry, Remus will fill us in tomorrow," said Sirius.

"What, you're not going either?" asked Harry. Even Tonks looked surprised.

Sirius shook his head. "Nope, my kids need me. Go on, off to bed. Take that potion," he ordered.

Harry hesitated. "You promise you'll stay? You won't say it, then go anyway, when I'm asleep?"

Sirius looked shocked. "No, I give you my word as a Marauder. I solemnly swear I have no plans to leave this place tonight without you and Ginny. Okay?"

Harry ran into Sirius' arms. "Thanks," he said, relieved. Andromeda and Tonks looked on.

Sirius hugged Harry hard. "I'm here for you, Harry. You and Gin. I don't care about the prophecy or Voldemort or Dumbledore, unless it affects you and Gin, understand?"

Harry smiled and nodded. "Thanks. I mean it. I think I needed to hear you say it, that's all."

Sirius nodded in understanding. "I know, it's fine. Go on, go to bed," he said gruffly.

"Take the potion," called Andromeda, as Harry left the room. He waved to indicate he'd heard her. He slowly made his way up the stairs, pausing as he nearly went past Ginny's room. He went in and saw her laying there asleep. He remembered how it felt to have Voldemort inside of him for that brief time, and he wished Ginny hadn't had to go through that too. No-one but them knew what it was like to have that evil inside of them.

He took her hand and leaned over to kiss her forehead. "We'll get through this together," he whispered. Ginny made no sign that she'd heard him, so he left her to her slumber and went to his own room. He thought of Hagrid and turned his face into his pillow to muffle his cries. He couldn't believe he was gone.

Downstairs, Andromeda sighed. "Poor kids. They should be worried about exams, and dates and such, not what these two have been through tonight."

Sirius sighed. "I know. Neville too. I'm sure dear Bella was spreading her poison in his ear, about his parents. Maybe we should have brought him here too."

Andromeda sighed. Sirius looked resigned. "Sorry Andi. I know she's your sister and all..."

Andromeda shook her head. "It's fine. Bella was always a bit more-intense than me and Cissy. Speaking of, was she there tonight. Narcissa?" Tonks shook her head.

"No, but Lucius was," said Sirius.

The three of them took a moment to think about their estranged family, fighting on the dark side.

"I've got to say, Sirius, that I'm impressed with your parenting skills with Harry and Ginny," said Andromeda.

"I owe it to Harry, Andi. I should have been the one to take him when James and Lily were killed, but no, I was too set on myself and I let my anger and thirst for revenge overtake anything else. Both he and Ginny are good kids, and deserve better than me, but I'm going to do my best for them both. It's about time they knew they've got someone who's wholly on their side. Not to finish off Voldemort, or anything else. Just them," said Sirius.

"You can count on us, too," said Andromeda, gesturing to Tonks and herself.

"I know. Thanks," said Sirius.

"I better go and catch up with Kingsley and Remus, see if they need a hand. Be in touch, hey," said Tonks, squeezing Sirius' shoulder as she went past.

"I should go too. Call me if there's any problems, otherwise I'll pop back tomorrow," said Andromeda.

The two witches left and Sirius secured the floo. He knew Remus would apparate in if he needed to get in touch. He went upstairs to go to bed, checking on the kids first. Both were sleeping like the dead. A shiver ran down his spine at the thought he could have lost both of them tonight. Damn Voldemort and his mind tricks. He knew Harry would take Hagrid's loss hard.

Sirius meant what he said to Andi. Those two kids came first with him, no matter what. They needed to know that, and that he was there for them. No secrets either. If he heard something, he'd tell Harry. He'd had enough lies and betrayals in his young life.

* No flames please. I was never going to kill Sirius off, but it had to be someone close to Harry to get that sort of reaction where he went after Bellatrix. There aren't too many that he'd feel that emotional about. Happy to receive your thoughts, though, and I know you'll be sad about Hagrid. His loss will only bring Harry and Ginny closer together.