Disclaimer - I do not own Harry Potter or anything else you recognise but the plot as well as anything you don't is mine.

Chapter 6 - The future is not set in stone.

Harry got increasingly nervous as the week progressed. There were so many variables with the plan. What if something went wrong? What if something or someone got in the way? What if the Death Eaters didn't turn up? What if? What if? What if? By Wednesday afternoon he realised that his current train of thought wasn't helping and instead turned his anxiety inwards, training to the point of exhaustion, dropping off to sleep like a stone, and getting up and doing it all over again. This constant state of adrenaline induced sleep did have its advantages however, as finally no dreams plagued him. Ron seemed happier now Harry wasn't avoiding him and Hermione seemed happy just because they had a plan.

Friday evening Harry caught Hermione's eyes as they sat during dinner in the great hall, nodding slightly. Hermione winked back and inclined her head in Ron's direction. She then glanced at the Slytherin table and raised an eyebrow. Harry glanced surreptitiously in the same direction before turning back and nodding almost imperceptibly.

'Tonash, tei wes tineshing.' (Well that was interesting) Came the curious comment from Harry's left.

'Kaiy?' Harry said innocently. (What?)

'Kaiy ares yuash anu Hermione ut tre.' (What are you and Hermione up to?)

'Yuashel finet outra momon.' (You'll find out tomorrow.)

'Cetra mis kowle noset.' (Can't I know now?) She pleaded in a whisper.

Harry shook his head. 'Tris lian pianle ho kowle tris bretre.' (The less people that know the better.)

Gwen seemed to realise that Harry wasn't going to be anymore forthcoming with information than that and continued to eat in silence.

Hermione fingered the stone in her pocket. The Portkey. Harry had given it to her earlier in the week after tuning it to Ron specifically. As soon as Ron grabbed it, the stone would whisk him away to the hospital wing. The Death Eaters had planned an attack on Harry and the students in Hogsmeade today, courtesy of the little idea Harry had planted in the mind of Pansy Parkinson earlier in the week. Voldemort was not coming, just a dozen of his most faithful. They would be attacked at dusk as they left the Three Broomsticks and headed back to school and all Hermione had to do was give the stone to Ron at a certain time. Sounded easy enough. The only problem was knowing when was the right time.

'Are you okay?' Ron asked at her side. They were walking towards Hogsmeade with the rest of the third to seventh years.

Hermione smiled at him, removing her hand from her pocket and linking her arm through his. 'Fine.' She assured him. 'Just thinking about which books I need to get.'

Ron rolled his eyes. 'Hermione, you buy anymore books and Hogwarts is going to need to build a new library in your room.' Hermione's eyes lit up. 'I was only joking.' Ron teased, ducking as she swatted him playfully on the shoulder.

'Very funny, Ronald Weasley. At least I can read.' She drawled. Ron's eyebrows shot to his hairline. 'What?' She asked innocently.

'God, Hermione. You sounded just like Malfoy.'

'Draco.' She corrected him.

'Malfoy.' Ron repeated stubbornly. Hermione just laughed and dragged him off towards the bookshop.

Harry walked about ten feet behind his two friends, his left arm around Gwen's waist. He snorted loudly when he saw her drag him towards the bookshop.

'But Hermione,' Came Ron's whining voice. 'I really want to go to Honeyduke's first.'

'Weasley's Wizard Wheezes?' Gwen said with a wicked grin. Harry rolled his eyes. Ever since their first visit to Hogsmeade, Gwen had become obsessed with the joke shop, sneaking down at all hours to try out the pranks. She had thought all her Christmases had come at once when she found out that Harry was still a silent partner in the business, the twins never having changed the deeds, even after he disappeared.

'Like living with one of the twins.' He muttered to himself.

'Much better looking though.' Gwen snickered as she dragged him down the street towards the lurid pink building that housed Fred and George's large shop. Harry hadn't even got in the doorway when there was an enormous explosion from further up the street.

'Shit. Not yet.' Harry swore softly. 'Round up as many students as you can and get them back to Hogwarts.' He yelled at Gwen over the screaming. Nodding, she began to herd any students she could find and sent them running as fast as they could back to the school.

Harry sprinted up the street, grimacing when he saw the front of the bookshop in ruins.

'Hermione? Ron?' Harry yelled, trying to see through the smoke filled street.

'Harry!' Hermione's scream sounded from inside the bookshop. Harry rushed in, wand in hand.

'Hermione?'

'Over here.'

Harry followed her voice and found her underneath a pile of books. Carefully he began to lift the books off her as another explosion sounded further down the street. 'Are you okay? Are you hurt?'

'My wrist. I think it's broken.' She winced as Harry removed the last of the books allowing her to stand. Another two explosions sounded. 'They're early.'

'I know. Where's Ron?' Harry said suddenly. Hermione's face drained of blood as she began to look around frantically.

'Ron.' Harry yelled. 'Ron!'

'Harry, I'm over here. Behind the bookcase.'

Harry leapt over several piles off fallen books and damaged bookshelves to one that was leaning precariously against the wall.

'I can't reach my wand, Harry. I can't move the bookcase.'

'Hang on.' Harry levitated the bookcase and set it down away from the red head. 'Can you move?'

'Yeah. I'm fine. My sleeve was just pinned under the shelf and I didn't have enough room to wiggle out of it.' The redhead explained.

Harry helped him up and they clambered back over to Hermione. Harry saw her cradling her wrist and held out his hands.

'May I?' Hermione nodded and allowed him to take her wrist in his hands. Harry squeezed his eyes shut and spoke several words in Elvish as Hermione felt her wrist grow warm.

'Oh my.' She whispered as she felt the bones meld and fuse. 'That's amazing.'

Harry flashed her a quick grin, that looked more like a grimace. 'Come on. We have to get out of here.' He said, looking around. 'Was there any one else in here?'

Hermione shook her head. 'No, just us.'

'Good. Let's go.'

The three walked as quickly as possible to what had been the doorway, Harry looking carefully up and down the street, led them out and back towards the school. There were several groups of Death Eaters blasting large holes in the street.

'Potter!' One of them bellowed, as if trying to flush him out.

'Bloody hell.' Harry swore when the wind lifted the hood of the Death Eater's cloak to reveal the long silver hair.

'I thought he was in Azkaban?' Hermione hissed.

'He was.' Harry growled back. 'Get over in that alley.' He said, realising that there was no way they would be able to get past them and back to the school. He didn't want to stay in Hogsmeade. The attack wasn't going the way it was supposed to and too many things were going wrong to put any sort of value on their plan. Harry, Ron and Hermione sprinted over to the cover of the darkened alley. 'Now wait here.'

'Where are you going?' Ron said worriedly.

'I have to check for any other students.' He said firmly. He changed quickly into Black, ignoring the looks of shock on the other's faces and took off down the street like a black streak of lightning. He checked the Three Broomsticks and the other shops down that end of the street. He found several students huddled with Madame Rosemerta behind the bar and escorted the three others he found to stay with them.

'Stay here. It's not safe outside.' He instructed them as he moved back towards the door.

'Harry!' A tortured scream rang out.

Harry transformed and took off once more. Malfoy saw him first, and knowing that it was no used staying in his animagus form as the likelihood of a jet black panther traipsing around Hogsmeade was fairly slim, he changed back mid stride pulling his wand from his pocket and summoning his staff from the castle. When he got to the alleyway he saw Hermione being held by two Death Eaters as Ron writhed on the ground under the Cruciatus Curse; Malfoy standing over him laughing.

'Malfoy.' Harry hissed venomously, hearing the telltale whistling sound as his staff streaked towards him from the castle, smacking loudly into his outstretched palm.

'Hell of a wand you have there, Potter.' Malfoy smirked.

Harry just glared at the man, pointing his staff at Ron and conjuring a shielding spell around the boy. 'Leave them alone, Malfoy. It's me you want.' Harry snarled.

'Well actually Potter, you're wrong there. I don't want you.'

Harry's scar suddenly exploded in pain.

'No, I do.' A voice hissed from behind Harry.

The Boy-Who-Lived whipped around, desperately trying to keep his own shield up as he squinted through the pain. 'Tom. What the hell are you doing here?' Harry hissed through clenched teeth.

'Why Harry, You sound as if you weren't expecting me.'

'I wasn't.' Harry ground out.

'But you were expecting my followers.' It wasn't a question and Harry cast a glance at Hermione. 'Oh no, no, Harry. Your little mudblood didn't tell us.' Voldemort cackled. 'Although I am surprised you would have trusted such filthy blood with a secret this big.

'Shut up.' Harry hissed.

'While your occlumency skills may be unparalleled, Potter, Miss Parkinson's leave a lot to be desired.'

'Harry, what is he going on about?' Ron asked.

'Nothing Ron.' Harry grunted in pain once more.

'This was a set up, Weasley.' Malfoy sneered. 'You friend arranged for us to be here.'

Ron glared at Harry angrily and Harry could see his friend's face turning red as if he was about to start yelling at any minute, had he been able to anyway. 'What? Why would you do that, Harry?' Ron gasped from his position on the ground.

'That's what we would all like to know.' Voldemort smiled evilly, and expression that was so out of place on the skeletal face that Hermione shuddered. Harry shook his head, trying to dispel the fuzzy feeling that had settled over it as the pain had gotten so great; and took several deep breaths.

'Tell us Harry. Why did you bring us here.' Voldemort hissed sibilantly.

'I didn't bring you here.' Harry snarled. 'You aren't supposed to be here.'

Harry grimaced as a fresh wave of pain washed over him. *Hermione* he concentrated hard on her.

*Harry?*

Harry could all but hear the yelp in her mind. *We have to get Ron out of here. This isn't safe. We don't have the upper hand. I don't know whether we can save him or not.*

*How?* Hermione's thoughts were almost a shriek.

*The Portkey* Harry sent calmly.

*I can't get it out of my pocket.* She struggled for a moment causing the two Death Eaters holding her to laugh.

'Calm down, Mudblood.' Malfoy drawled. 'You can have your turn in a minute. In fact you are going to have lots of turns. First we have to deal with the muggle lover.'

Ron looked at Harry incredulously as Voldemort pointed his wand as the red head. 'Harry, help me.' He pleaded.

*I'm going to summon the stone. You have to try and move over so the Death Eater holding your left arm is directly behind Ron.*

Hermione nodded her understanding and lurched violently to the left, dragging the two Death Eaters with her. She could now see Voldemort just over Ron's shoulder. During the commotion Harry surreptitiously summoned the stone from Hermione's pocket.

'Bella, get a hold of that brat.' Voldemort yelled.

'Forgive me Master.' A soft feminine voice replied as Harry's head snapped up at the name.

She was the one who killed Sirius. He glared at the Death Eater, hatred pouring off him in waves. The stone hadn't indicated who the Death Eater was that was supposed to be killed today, only that they were.

'Hello, baby Harry.' She teased. 'My, haven't you grown up quickly. Heard about that lovely wife of yours; an elf no less. Hope she is happy to live the next eight hundred years or so by herself.'

'No one is dying her today Bellatrix.' Harry spat the name out as if it were a four letter word. 'No one except you.'

'That is where you are wrong Potter.' Voldemort hissed, watching the exchange with amusement. 'I swore you would pay. I swore I would make you pay and you will. But first you must suffer and I can think of nothing that would make you suffer more than the death of your friends. Are you watching carefully now?'

Voldemort raised his wand once more.

'Avada.'

'Ron, catch.' Harry threw the stone towards him.

'Kedavra.'

Hermione screamed as Ron crumpled to the floor, the stone landing just short of his hand. Everyone stood frozen for a moment before Harry whirled on Voldemort.

'You bastard.' Harry hissed, not realizing he had switched to Parseltongue. 'What the hell did he ever do to you?'

'He was your friend. That was enough for me.' Voldemort smirked.

Harry launched himself at the Dark Lord. Voldemort raised his wand and conjured a shield stopping Harry from getting to him. 'Keep your friends close Potter.' He laughed before apparating away.

Harry watched as Hermione wrenched her arm free and tossed her his wand. He sent a choking spell at Lestrange as Hermione stunned the other Death Eater. He saw Hermione run over to Ron before turning his attention to Malfoy who was laughing hysterically.

'When the hell did you get out?' He growled.

'I've been out for months. Your precious Headmaster knew, courtesy of that traitor.' Another thing Dumbledore saw fit not to tell me, Harry thought to himself. 'Crucio.' The curse whizzed past his head as he ducked quickly.

'Expelliarmus.' Harry yelled.

'Nice try, Potter.' Malfoy snorted as the spell bounced off his shield.

Harry grunted and began chanting in Elvish. His staff trembled as the power within it grew. There was an enormous bang and a ball of red light burst out of the end and rushed towards Malfoy. The dark wizard had barely enough time to blink before he was slammed into the back wall of the alley with a horrendous crunch and crumpled to the ground, his head lolling at a sickening angle. Harry looked at him coldly, staring, until the sounds of Hermione's sobs broke through his ruminations.

'Oh god, Ron.' Harry breathed, rushing to his friends' side, banishing his staff as he fell to his knees. 'Oh god, this wasn't supposed to happen.' He gathered the red head in his arms as Hermione sobbed hysterically on his shoulder.

How long they sat there before they heard the running of feet coming up from the school, Harry had no idea. At the intrusion of sound, he slowly stood up; cradling Ron's body to his chest, Hermione clinging tightly to his arm as she softly stoked the red hair in front of her.

'Harry? Are you alright?' Gwen cried rushing up to them.

Harry didn't answer her, just continued walking slowly, unseeing, towards the school.

'Harry?' This time Dumbledore tried to get his attention.

'Harry?' Snape reached out towards the other man only to be stopped by a Callen's hand on his shoulder.

Harry ignored them all as he, Hermione and Ron continued their trek up to the castle. The only indication of Harry's state of mind in this, the trio's final walk together, was the silent tears making their way down his face and the murderous glint to his eye. Students and teachers alike looked on in horror as the three climbed the steps to the castle slowly. Madolyne and Darius stood just inside the entrance, obviously having been prevented from going to Hogsmeade by the other Callens surrounding them.

'Oh Harry.' Madolyne cried.

Harry ignored her too; isolated in his anger and grief. The walk to the hospital wing seemed indeterminate; Hermione having finished sobbing for the moment and just whispering softly to herself.

'Oh my.' Poppy whispered as Harry lay the still form on a bed, straightening and taking Hermione in his arms. 'What happened?'

Harry just shook his head and buried his face in Hermione's hair. Gwen, Dumbledore, Snape, McGonagall, Madolyne and Darius all piled, one after another, into the hospital wing; Half of Gryffindor House pouring through the doors after them. The sight of Ron's still body and Harry and Hermione's shared grief too much for most of them, and they too, began to cry softly.

Throughout the last six years at Hogwarts the Gryffindor Golden Trio had shared a special bond; a bond that most of the students wished they could be a part of. It was difficult enough with Harry's disappearance but at least there had been some chance he was still alive. That chance, for Ron at least, was over. With the death of one of them it was like the others were missing a limb. They stood grief-stricken and alone in one corner as everyone else looked on.

'Oh god. I'm so sorry, Hermione.' Harry breathed.

'Harry, it wasn't your fault. It was mine.' Hermione sniffed.

'No. I should never have told you.' He said vehemently.

She pulled away from him, her brown eyes alight. 'Don't you dare blame yourself for this. You had to tell someone. Lestrange is dead. That was what we wanted. That is what had to be done.' The bushy haired witch insisted loudly.

Severus glanced at Albus who shrugged. There seemed to be many confused expressions on the faces of those watching.

'Hermione, don't.' Harry reached up and cupped her cheek.

Hermione shook her head, all but tossing his hand from her face. 'Harry. We did what we had to do. I'm sorry Ron died but this was bigger than him, bigger than both of us.'

Harry grasped her arms and shook her. 'Hermione don't. Don't hold it in. Tell me what you really feel, please.'

'Harry, nothing.'

'Hermione; tell me!' Harry shouted at her.

Hermione swallowed a sob. 'Alright, you want to know the truth.' Hermione voice rose to almost a screech. 'I hate you!' Harry's eyes widened. 'That's right, I hate you. I hate me too. We did this!' She pointed at Ron. 'This is all our fault. He shouldn't have had to die just because he was friends with you. Life is not fair but I fail to see why everything has to go wrong. I loved him and now he is dead. Dead, and he will never come back!' Hermione was screaming by this point and she lunged forwards pummelling Harry's chest with her fists. 'It's not fair. It's not fair.' She cried.

Harry gathered the hysterical girl in his arms. 'Shhh.' He whispered, stroking her hair. Gwen went to move across the room towards them but Albus grabbed her arm, shaking his head.

'I'm scared, Harry.' Hermione sobbed. 'Scared I'm going to loose you too. Again. I don't want to be alone.' She broke down sobbing again and collapsed to the floor, a wild keening noise escaping from her throat as Harry fell to the floor with her and held her as she cried.

Albus began quietly moving people from the room, leaving the two friends with their grief. As he closed the door behind him he heard Harry's scream of pain, frustration and loss. It was a wild, desperate sound that shocked them to the core.

'Albus, do we know what happened yet?' Severus asked quietly. Harry's family together with Grordin, the two Heads of House and the headmaster were sitting in the sitting room off the headmaster's office; the Aurors having arrived to take care of the mess in Hogsmeade.

'As yet we don't know. The Aurors found four Death Eaters. Avery and Crabbe, stunned and bound outside Honeydukes and the other two in an alley near the book shop.' Albus sighed.

'The other two?'

'Bellatrix Lestrange was found face down, the victim of a Choking Curse and Lucius Malfoy had been thrown into a wall, with some force I might add, and was found to have suffered a broken neck and internal injuries. They also found a round stone on the ground with Harry's magical signature on it. They believe it was a Portkey to somewhere.'

'Malfoy?' Gwen looked confused, completely ignoring the last statement. 'I thought Draco's father was in Azkaban.'

'He was.' Severus said softly.

'Does anyone know what Harry and Miss Granger were talking about in the hospital wing?' Minerva asked.

'I believe it had something to do with the Seer's stones Harry saw a few weeks ago. I don't know exactly.' Darius volunteered.

'I guess we will just have to wait.' Albus sighed.

'If you will excuse me, Headmaster. I have to find young Mr Malfoy.' Sanpe murmured, standing up and heading towards the door.

'Of course Severus.'

The potions master left the room leaving a stilted silence behind him.

'Draco.' Severus said quietly. 'I'm afraid I have some bad news.' They were currently sitting in Severus' chambers, a teapot on the table with two untouched cups of steaming tea beside it.

'What is it?' Draco whispered hesitantly.

Severus glanced at his godson; inwardly wondering how the boy would take this news. 'It's about your father. I'm sorry Draco. He's dead.' He said slowly.

Draco just looked at him in shock. 'How? How can he be dead? Mother said he was coping with the Dementors well.'

Severus sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. 'Draco, you father wasn't in Azkaban. The Dark Lord got him out back in August.'

Draco's face paled. His father had been free. His father had been out of prison for over three months.

Snape took in the boy's reaction. 'That's why we didn't tell you.' The older man went on. 'I spoke to Narcissa and she said that knowing your father was free might upset you although she refused to tell me why.'

Draco sighed and shifted in his chair. 'I went to see him in Azkaban in June. When I got there, he was quite lucid. I guess not having any conscience means he thinks he is innocent of everything.' He muttered sarcastically. 'Anyway, he told me that Voldemort would be coming for me before school returned. That he needed a spy in Hogwarts and I was to be it. I told him no; that I wouldn't bow down to anyone. He hit me. He actually struck me with his bare hands.' Draco shook his head in disbelief and Severus reached out and patted his shoulder gently. 'He yelled at me; told me the Dark Lord would find out. Pettigrew, I assume. He said when the Dark Lord came I was to make him proud. I was a Malfoy and family came first. A Malfoy was destined to be Voldemort's right hand man, and with him in there, it was my duty to join him.' Tears made slow tracks down Draco's face.

'Then what happened?' Severus asked encouragingly,

'I said no again.' Draco grimaced. 'In hindsight, that was a mistake. I should have just left. Father grabbed me by the throat and threw me against the wall; called me a coward. Said I wasn't fit to be a Malfoy. As soon as I got home I told Mother what had happened and she called Dumbledore. He hid me under the Fidelius for the rest of the month.'

'So that's why you have made up with Harry.' Severus said wryly. 'I wonder why Albus never told me.'

Draco snorted softly. 'Probably because he knew you would kill my father for hurting me and he needed his spy out of Azkaban.'

Severus raised an eyebrow. 'You knew?'

'Father told me at the end of fifth year. The first time I went to see him in prison.' Draco said softly. 'So what happened?' He asked.

'You father was one of the Death Eaters in Hogsmeade today.'

'Is it true, what they say? Is Weasley really dead?'

Severus nodded sadly. 'Yes.'

'Poor Harry.' Draco stammered. 'What about Granger, is she alright?'

Severus' brow rose at Draco's question. 'Worried about the "Mudbloods" Draco.' He said sarcastically.

Draco squirmed again in his chair. 'I just know how close the two of them were, especially after Harry disappeared.'

Severus sighed. 'They're in the hospital wing awaiting Mr Weasley's family.'

'Could I see them?' Draco asked hopefully.

'I don't think that's a good idea right now Draco. They are both quite distraught. When we left Harry was screaming loud enough to bring the castle to its knees and Miss Granger was inconsolable.'

'If you see them, will you tell them I'm sorry.' The Slytherin murmured softly.

The potions master frowned. 'Draco, you are not responsible for the actions of your father.' Severus said sternly.

Draco swallowed and nodded but Severus could see that he really didn't believe the older man's words. 'I know. Will you tell them anyway?'

The potions master finally sighed and nodded. 'Yes. I will tell them. Now do you want to go home for a few days? See your mother?'

'I don't want to miss too many classes. Can she come here?' Draco asked hopefully.

Severus smiled. 'I'll see what I can do. Run along now.'

Draco stood up and hugged his godfather before leaving the room swiftly.

'Curious.' Severus murmured. 'Very curious.'

Harry lay Hermione gently down on the bed. She had cried herself to sleep and now Harry placed a hand on her forehead, muttering several words in Elvish to make sure she would stay that way for several hours before turning to the bed that contained the body of his best friend.

'I'm so sorry mate.' He whispered. Ron, naturally, didn't answer and Harry just wiped a solitary tear from his cheek as he turned towards the door.

'Look after them for me.' He said softly to Poppy who was standing quietly by the door, a look of sorrow on her face. She nodded and hugged him quickly before he walked out the door.

'Time to face the music.' He muttered as he made his way towards the headmaster's office. He didn't even see the students pointing or whispering or crying as he walked as if in a trance towards the gargoyle.

'Bertie Botts.' He said listlessly, before walking up the moving staircase and knocking on the door.

'Come in Harry.' He heard through the door.

He took a deep breath and opened it, taking a solitary step into the room before he found his arms full of elf. 'Gwen.' He breathed, hugging her tightly to him, lifting her off the ground and burying his face in her soft hair. No one said anything as they continued to stand there, Harry breathing heavily, Gwen still in his arms, as he struggled to control himself.

'Harry?' Albus said eventually.

Harry and Gwen broke away as they sat down; Harry immediately pulling her onto his lap, wrapping his arms tightly around her and burying his head in her hair once more. Whether he was subconsciously using her as a shield against the questions he knew were coming, or if he was just afraid that if he let her go something would happen to her too, no one knew. They all just stood or sat quietly waiting, except for Severus, who had returned from talking with Draco and who exchanged a meaningful glance with Albus over Harry's head.

'Harry, what happened?' The old wizard said softly.

Harry took a shuddering breath. 'It's my fault. I killed him.' He whispered.

'That's a bit melodramatic Harry. Even for you.' Severus snorted.

Harry glared up at the man. 'You don't understand. It was my fault.'

Snape arched an eyebrow in reply. 'You said that about Diggory. The Dark Lord killed him, not you. You were just there.'

'You're not listening.' Harry yelled. 'I killed him. I knew the Death Eaters would be there. I knew Ron was supposed to die today; we had a plan to save him. But the Death Eaters were early and that Bastard.' Harry spat the word in anger. 'wasn't supposed to be there at all. It all went pear shaped and I couldn't control it.' Harry finished in a whimper, burying his had back in Gwen's long hair once again. He couldn't meet the eyes of the others in the room. He could just imagine the looks of horror and disgust on their faces.

The others in the room exchanged confused glances before Albus spoke. 'What do you mean you planned it?' He questioned slowly.

'The stones. From the Seer's.' Harry mumbled. 'I had to choose one. I couldn't decide. I shouldn't have had to decide. I'm not God.'

'What are you talking about?' Severus questioned after another glance at the headmaster.

'The stones had three outcomes.' Harry sighed, lifting his head even as his eyes remained closed. 'This first we discounted as far too unlikely, and I had to decide between the other two. I couldn't decide between them. Hermione talked to me. She helped me.'

'Miss Granger agreed with you to put Mr Weasley in such danger?' Albus raised an eyebrow and Gwen's eyes were wide in disbelief.

'Actually, it was her idea.' Harry said, his eyes dropping to the carpet once again. 'She said the wizarding world couldn't afford to loose the other person.' He whispered.

'Who was the other person? Who died in the other stone?' Albus asked softly.

Harry stiffened noticeably, raising his eyes to meet that of the Headmaster and Albus' stomach clenched at the pain radiating from their depths.

'You.' Harry said softly. 'You were.'