Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of the characters.

Updated 1/22/2021

Chapter Sixteen

The Battle

"You know, I'm really starting to hate it here," a man said holding his head down on the table, shoulders slumped.

"Yeah, I do know that," a woman said smiling at the man. "They have no taste for your theatrics … they don't even know about them."

"I'm supposed to be the boss here, but if I don't do what 'they' want, I won't have enough people to fight," the man continued to complain. "It's rather frustrating. I don't think I'm really suited to be a leader. It's too political and not enough fun."

"Jake, you're a good leader," the woman said. "Or at least when you feel like acting your part … which you do …"

"It's lost its fun a long time ago, Lisa," Jake sighed. "The ignorant fool that craves power … what a loathsome part …"

"And it's really beneath you … you know I think I've heard you complain about this enough," Lisa groaned. "They expected Potter to be dead by now and they're losing confidence in your ability, especially after last time when you let him get away."

"I didn't let him get away," Jake smiled, suddenly excited. "Of course I was going to, like I'm sure you've figured out, but I didn't get the chance, he escaped before I even try to stop him. And Hermione … that spell … she must have know it could only be used once but …"

"Enough about that," Lisa said truly perturbed by his last comment. "You must have known that the Death Eaters wouldn't like this."

"Don't be jealous, she has nothing on you, you're the most skilled witch I know," Jake smiled at her. "And yeah, I thought they might … I just hoped they would at least give me one more time to play (which they would of if I'd had killed Hermione) … but no, they demand Harry's head."

"Jake, you lost over sixty percent of our fighters and the only truly successful mission you pulled was at Hogwarts and one of the hostages escaped … though you did incapacitate the other … it's still not a good track record."

"Are you calling me a failure?" Jake asked in-between being annoyed and amused.

"Of course not," Lisa said rolling her eyes. "But from the Death Eaters' point of view, you are. You appear weak …"

"Thank you, I do know that," Jake said coldly. "The stupid Death Eaters have beat that in my head already; ruining all my fun. At least I'll get to face Potter one on one though, I expect him to be a good dueler. I just hope that Ron and/or Hermione will survive this and I'll still have someone to fight after I kill Harry … Though they're sure to be there …"

"Then I shall endeavor to keep them alive," Lisa said. "Don't want it to get too easy for you, now do we?"

"I won't fight you after this is over," Jake said directly, he could tell she was worried about something.

"I take that as an insult," Lisa said. "That must mean that you don't view me as skilled enough to fight."

"Actually, it means that you're more entertaining alive," Jake smiled at her. "I won't fight you unless you make me."

"But you have to fight Mark, right?" Lisa sighed. "And there's nothing I could say to change your mind."

"I'm sorry, but there really isn't," Jake said gravely. "He knows I want to fight him too … he sees the fight I'm looking for every time it becomes almost unbearable … But he knows me too well to even put up his guard because I want this so much now, but as soon as this loses its fun … he knows that I'm going to fight and he'll be waiting for it." He carried on and then looked up at her sadly, "Will you fight me if …"

"I'm not sure," Lisa said. "We'll just have to see after everything is done with won't we … So I guess it's really important to keep frizz head and rooster alive … so you can continue to play your game."

"It will be a really dog fight so anything is possible," Jake smirk. "You know I do like the moronic plan the Death Eaters came up with. So simple, no traps, though I'm pretty sure they believe it is, and a real fight and either I kill him or he kills me. I'm honesty not sure how this will end."

"Well, desperate times call for desperate measures," Lisa shrugged. "They all think an all out fight is their only option. And you couldn't be happier about that fact … You're all a bunch of idiots."

O

"Arthur, don't be ridiculous," Ryn laughed as she watched Ari stuff a sandwich in his mouth. It was the day after Ryn had cried in Ari's arms and they have gone mostly back to normal since then.

'What?' Ari portrayed. 'This is how I always eat … you should know that by now Ryn.'

"I wasn't talking about your eating habits, though they are disgusting," Ryn said scrunching up her nose for effect. "I was talking about you enticing a kneazle with a piece of yarn … you know that they don't fall for that kind of thing."

'Crookshanks is only half kneazle, and I assure you I did entice him to follow me with a piece of yarn,' Ari laughed. 'And caused him to run around a room full of paint … er … I'm sure you can imagine what happened after that.'

"What this about yarn and Crookshanks?" Hermione asked placing her hands on Ari shoulder, holding him in place. "What was my son telling you?"

"Er …" Ryn said still laughing hard (even harder because of the complete terrified look that Ari was giving her, shaking his head slightly). "I don't think I'm at liberty to tell you that."

"I see," Hermione said glaring down at her son, who shot his own glare at his friend (who's smile only broaden) then looked up innocently (and unconvincingly) at his Mum. "Are you going to tell me or am I going to have to guess?" she asked and when he didn't say anything she thought about it, and he could tell exactly when she figured it out (the frown turned to shock and then the corner of her mouth twitched). "I seem to recall when we first moved into our flat in England and when we were painting there was a time I came back from the kitchen to find a blue cat, a huge mess and a piece of yarn. What do you have to say for yourself, Arthur?"

Ari gave an auditable gulp, though it was obvious she was amuse (along with the others that were now in the room listening) it was also clear she was upset with him as well. 'You can't blame me, it was your fault.'

"And how could it possibly be my fault," Hermione huffed and Ari gulped again, praying that she would be amused by his answer or he was in serious trouble.

'You were the one to tell me kneazles didn't play with toys … I had to test if that was true with part kneazles, too," Ari portrayed.

"Arthur!" Hermione said exasperated but her eyes looked amused and everyone else was laughing (particularly Ron and Harry) seeing as Ryn had translated for everyone. "And why did you lead him into the paint room?"

"Er …" Ari looked shocked and couldn't think of a way around this one. 'I always wanted to see a blue cat.'

"That a boy," Ron said as he messed up Ari's hair all the while Hermione glared at the both of them.

'Come on Mum, I was only four and a half at the time,' Ari looked at her pleadingly, but before Hermione could respond to that George ran into the room with his wand in his hand.

"Harry, we need to get out of here now!" he shouted.

"What Happened?" Harry asked, and seeing as George was gathering supplies he deduced that the trouble wasn't in the house.

"They attacked Diagon Alley!" George shouted. "Auror Apparated there a few minutes before I left, but it seems like every Death Eater is there … they're really going to need help … so let's go."

"All right, I'll put a message on the coins, Charlie go to the safe houses and tell everyone there what's happening," Harry commanded immediately. "Everyone else, get what you need … we're leaving in five minutes."

At that Hermione got up and headed straight for her tent to get supplies. Ari watched as she went, looking terrified, and quickly got up and followed her as fast as he could. When he got there he grabbed his Mum's arm to stop her and made her look at him, 'What are you doing?'

"I'm getting ready for this fight, what does it look like I'm doing?" Hermione said trying to get out of his grasp.

'What about the baby' Ari portrayed putting his hand on her stomach to emphasize his point. 'It's too dangerous.'

"I have to go Arthur," Hermione said sternly, in a voice he knew when she used it he had to listen to her.

'I can't just let you go out there and risk everything,' Ari portrayed not letting her go. 'And seeing as no one else is here, I take it I'm the only one that knows about this baby.'

"I didn't have time to tell anyone," Hermione said (which is a good thing because Ron would never let me go no matter how dangerous it was, she thought to herself). "I haven't found the right time to tell him, yet."

Ari sighed and really wished that there were someone else that knew because it's impossible to change his Mum's mind. 'That doesn't matter, you can't go.'

"That's not an option Arthur, I have to go," Hermione said gravely but also sternly; she meant what she said.

'How can you risk your child like this?' Ari glared at her. 'Don't you care about the baby at all?'

"Don't ever say that, of course I care!" Hermione shouted, though she turned pale at his words. "I already love this baby as much as I love you … but I can't leave my boys alone like this … they need me."

'They would want you to stay if they knew … I should tell Dad,' Ari portrayed and then made to leave.

"You will do no such thing," Hermione grabbed his arm and pulled him back to her. "They don't know … they're not expecting me to be unable to help them. I can't just drop this on them. I promise I will tell them after today, but I can't let them go without me this time … we're stronger when we are together … you should know that."

Ari looked at her sadly, he didn't want anything to happen to her or the baby, but he wanted his Dad and Harry to be safe too (and they would be the safest if his Mum was with them). The truth is he knew what she was saying had value, 'the golden trio' really does fight better when they're together; he had seen that in person at the battle at the Ministry. So what was the right thing to do now?

"You of all people should understand why I have to go," Hermione said softly; she could see the conflict in his eyes and she wanted to persuade him to let her go. "The need to help your friends no matter what … you didn't get it just from Harry."

Ari glared at her with all the anger he could muster. How could she bring that up like this? 'And you want something like this to happen to you,' Ari said pointing to his head hotly.

"Of course not … that's not going to happen," Hermione said. "I just meant that you should understand how I feel and that there is no way I'm not going to Diagon Alley today."

He glared at her and she just stared back at him not blinking and he knew she really meant that; she wasn't going to let anyone stop her from protecting her love ones. 'Be careful.'

"I promise I will be," Hermione said putting her hand on his face. "When did you grow up so fast?"

'A little over time,' Ari smiled sadly. 'I'm not your little boy anymore, huh Mum?'

"You'll always be my little boy," Hermione said and hugged him tightly. "I just have to get use to the fact that you're a man, too. I love you so much Arthur … and don't worry about me."

'I love you too, Mum," Ari portrayed. 'And there is no way I'm not going to worry about you and the little guy.'

"I know love," Hermione said and walked to the kitchen were another argument was being held.

"Hannah, I'm going and that's final," Neville said not in a shout but in a calm voice. "The healer said I was fine and they need my help. This is it and we need all the help we can get to win this fight."

"I know," Hannah said leaning on his chest. "I understand and I'll be right next to you to make sure that you are."

"No you won't," Neville said. "You're going to go with Ernie or someone else, you can't be near me."

"I will be next you Neville," Hannah looked at him glaring. "How could I concentrate if I don't know where you are?"

"That's why you can't be near me," Neville said smiling sadly at her holding her head so she had to look in his eyes "If I'm around you, you'll be too worried about whether I'm safe or injured, you'll get distracted and I can't have that; please love, go with someone else."

"You just want to be alone with all your Gryffindor buddies don't you," Hannah said trying to laugh. "Be careful Nev … I love you."

"Don't worry mate … we'll keep you safe," Ron said slapping Neville's back before walking over to Hermione and kiss her. "We better get to this then … plenty for us all to do."

O

It's been nearly an hour since they Apparated into Diagon Alley and Hermione was all alone, she had made the other go on (telling Ron that she would cover their back so they knew that no one would come at them from behind) about twenty minutes after they got there. She had been in a duel no stop since they got here; she had already taken down six people. She was tired and the fighting was chaotic, but she knew where Harry was heading and that Ron would be close to him so she followed their path, knowing full well that someone else would come along it and she would have to fight them.

She heard the curse but by the time she turned around it was too late, all she could see was the red and black light coming at her and there was no getting away from it. What she hadn't counted on was someone jumping in front of her and taking the curse. Nor would she have ever guessed whom it was that did it, because he was supposed to be one of the people she was fighting.

"Why?" Hermione asked as she pushed the now very bloody body of Jeff Stone, who was breathing heavily.

"I don't want them to win," Jeff choked out coughing up blood. "I never did … I … hch … I just … hch … wanted change."

"Sh … it's okay, don't speak," Hermione said as she pushed down on his chest, trying to stop his wounds from bleeding. "Save your strength."

"No … too late," Jeff coughed, having to force every word out. "I wanted … hch … a better … place … hch … I didn't know how … how to get it … hch … So much anger … hch … and you didn't know … You need help … hch … I was trying to help."

"Just calm down," Hermione said, and he looked at her before he closed his eyes and coughed for the last time.

"Took him long enough," an even voice said and Hermione turned to see that Mark Moon was standing a few feet away from her.

"It sounds like you two were close," Hermione answered trying to get away from Jeff grip while keeping her eyes on Mark.

"Don't worry, I'll let you get ready this time," Mark said looking at her with cold eyes.

"You didn't seem to mind when you shot at my back a moment ago," Hermione said standing up holding her wand.

"He took the curse for you," Mark said simply. "That means you get a few minute to prepare yourself for your death."

"Since when do you have a sense of honor like that," Hermione said, the way Harry talked about him, he would kill anything in his way.

"I have no problems shooting at someone in the back … as long as they're fighting me on a battle field," Mark said evenly, "or killing women and children as long as they have a wand in their hands. But for a sacrifice like this, that man bought you a chance to fight."

"And you'll give anyone that chance even if the person is able to beat you," Hermione said waiting for him to start his attack.

"Yes," Mark said simply as he raised his wand. "I believe we've talked enough, don't you."

"I believe I don't have a choice," Hermione said, still waiting for him to cast his curse, she knew she couldn't surprise him.

"Scindo," Mark yelled and the red and black curse shot out of his wand.

"Togo Declino," Hermione yelled and the curse hit her shield and deflected to the building next to her.

"Good deflection, the only one that would work, too," Mark said. "I supposed it was stupid to use the curse I used on your friend … I just found it rather interesting one to use. But I'll stop underestimating you now."

Hermione just stared at him, she couldn't see any weakness in his stance, his movement … nothing, he was a good dueler that wasn't going to be distracted and she wasn't likely going to find an opening. He sent another curse at her and she dodged this one, it was a simple stunning curse, and obviously this was a distraction so she sent up a shield that worked just in time to block the curse. She fired her own curse at the same time he did and it deflected his killing curse away from her.

"Jake was right to keep you alive," Mark said. "For him you pose the biggest threat outside of Potter. He wanted to continue this game of his with you … too bad for him, you met me … I'm not going to let you go."

Hermione didn't say anything again; she was thinking hard on ways to try and get around this guys. She fired a curse that he easy blocked and almost instantly fired his own and she barely had time to duck out of the way. Thing persisted this way for another fifteen minutes and she could tell that she was getting tired but he was the same as he was when they started this fight; not a good sign. But she had finally came up with an idea that was her best shot at beating him and coming out of this alive.

So they danced around each other for a while longer, Hermione waiting for him to use the right curse.

"Scindo," Mark yelled again.

"Iunctura Alica," Hermione yelled, that was one of the curses that would be powerful enough for this to work. The two curses collided and instead of deflecting the spells fed into each other, like her spell was supposed to do.

The combinations of energy of their spell were building, and as long as they were connected by them they were unable to move. Hermione knew that the spell Mark used would have enough energy put into it to make her plan work but what she hadn't counted on was the fact that he was still feeding energy into the curse now. It was making her use up all she had just keeping their combination from exploding, because she knew that that wouldn't be a good thing to happen with the energy … energy that was still building by the second, being this close.

It happened without warning, one second he was steadying putting energy into his spell and the next he fell down causing his energy to fluctuate. A flux, that caused their energy to change enough to become unstable … which in turn cause an explosion.

O

"Harry!" Ron shouted and pulled his friend around the corner as a curse missed his head by inches.

"Thanks," Harry said catching his breath. "So, did you see how many of them were there when you saved my life?"

"Yeah, there were only two," Ron said, and nodded his head as the two of them walked around the corner and shot the Death Eaters, both of them knocked out.

"We need to talk before we continue on mate …" Ron said turning to him seriously.

"Whatever it is, I think it can wait until we are out of here mate," Harry said not looking at him, turning to keep moving.

"You have to calm down, Harry," Ron said grabbing his shouldered and holding him in place. "You've been acting really weird lately; trying to get to the main street, trying to get to that Jake guy … you're not thinking straight."

"Of course I'm trying to get that Jake guy," Harry said glaring at his friend, who was now in his most stubborn state. "The sooner I get there the sooner this is all over with, Ron … You know that, we've got to keep moving."

"I know Harry, but you got that look in your eyes," Ron said. "The look that says you're not sure you can win this."

"I know I can beat that guy in a duel, I will," Harry angrily. "I don't have a choice … I must …"

"Of course I know you can beat that guy, Harry," Ron said smiling. "But you haven't been acting like yourself since you talked to that wanker and he told you that you could never beat him. You're playing his bloody game mate and you really shouldn't be doing that."

Harry looked at Ron incredulously, he hadn't realized how upset he was letting himself get. "You're right," he chuckled softly. "You always have a way to kick sense into me whenever I need it mate … thanks."

"It's what I'm here for," Ron smiled, and then pushed him forward. "Now what are you waiting for, we really should get a move on, don't you think?"

They traveled for the next ten minute, only running into one other Death Eater on their way to the main street where they knew that Jake was and when they got there two people were waiting for them; Jake and Lisa.

"Looks like the two of you finally found us," Jake said. "And just in the allotted time too, pay up Lisa."

"How about we wait until after this fight?" Lisa said. "I don't fancy reaching into my pocket at the moment."

"Okay, I guess you have a point," Jake said. "And Harry, I guess it's time to finish our game."

"I'm not playing any games with you," Harry said his voice calm now. "So are you ready to fight or not."

"You know Jake, I'm not sure I can keep the rooster alive," Lisa frowned; she never had control when a fight was at hand. "I'll have to ruin your fun."

"That's okay, I think it's more important that Hermione survives; she's the fun one after all," Jake said smiling; as Ron shook with furry.

"I'm sorry to be the one to tell you this, but I just heard from someone a minute ago that she was fighting Mark, and we all know that's not going to be an easy fight … I don't think any of the trio is going to make it," Lisa said.

"That's too bad, this is going to be a sad day," Jake said gravely.

"I wouldn't count Mione out even if she is fighting that psychopath!" Ron shouted, despite his words it was obviously that he was afraid for her. "And neither are Harry and I … so let's get this stupid fight started already."

"He does have a good point there … let's get started," Jake said raising his wand as everyone else did the same, but before any curse could be fired there was a huge explosion a few blocks away. Black smoke seemed to be coming from there and Ron got a bad feeling in his stomach but couldn't worry about it now.

"That was exciting, now where was I," Jake said and then fired a curse at Harry and they started circling each other as Ron and Lisa did the same thing, just glaring at the each other as the size the other up.

"Harry, you seem more focused today," Jake and after ten minutes, he was hiding behind a door.

"Focus is my middle name, Jake," Harry said, from behind a corner talking a breath; his arm had been grazed and it was starting to hurt.

"And you're joking, that's not like you … though it was a horrible joke," Jake said. "What happen to you?"

"Nothing," Harry said coming out of his cover and blasting a hole where Jake head had been a second ago.

"Nice shot," Jake said and fired one of his own curses, missing Harry by inches; he had to dive quickly to get out of the way.

Harry then threw a potion on the ground that cause grey smoke to surround him and Jake was unable to see anything; though he thought that Harry's move was predictable and beneath a fight of this magnitude. When he heard the crack from behind him he fired the curse at it and turned around and punched a space that just happen to be Harry's face.

"Bloody hell that hurts," Harry said as he moved into the smoke again and Jake still couldn't see him in there.

"Yeah, it really did," Jake said shaking his hand. "I don't think I'll be punching people in the face again."

"Already over your physical violence bit," Harry said wiping the blood off his nose. "I never thought you would give up on something so easily."

"I don't like it, but I'm not an idiot … I'm not going to do something that I'm not good at, that's pointless," Jake said.

O

Meanwhile the other fight was going on more hotly and Ron was trying his hardest to end this as quickly as he possible could. The ill feeling in his stomach kept on getting worse the longer he was fighting here and he wanted to get over to where the thick black smoke was coming from.

"You can feel it, can't you," Lisa taunted as she fire a curse at him. "That you're lovely miss thing was killed."

"I told you, Mione wouldn't get kill by the likes of that psycho … she's better than that!" Ron shouted firing his own curse hotly.

"You keep thinking that, but that's where they were fighting, so I would image you're wrong," Lisa said. "You know what this means, and I really can't help but feel please that that bitch is dead, though it would have been more fun to kill her myself."

"As if you could," Ron said his blood boiling in his ears but he didn't let her taunts push him into doing something stupid. He wasn't a teenage anymore; he didn't have the luxury to react to every taunt he heard no matter how angry they make him. "Though, I could see why you'd want her gone, she is the best witch out there, how does it feel to be behind her, a Muggle-born."

"She is not the best," Lisa shouted and fired a couple of curse at him angrily, breathing heavily.

"Look at this, cool and collective Lisa is unnerved, you have to let go of your anger," Ron said taunting her instead.

She didn't say anything, she knew his advice was right (she always fought better when she was level headed) but right now all she could see was red and she wanted to curse him to oblivion for his slight.

She fired three curses repeatedly at him, each one more deadly than the last, and he had trouble dodge or blocking them. Maybe I shouldn't have made her this angry, he thought but he could tell that though she was faster, she wasn't as defensive as she was before and he could use that as his opening to take her down.

O

"It seems like your friend is having trouble now," Harry said noticing Ron and Lisa duel. "She might lose you know."

"There's always a chance," Jake said. "Ron does have a brilliant way to get people angry with him … to fight to his advantage … a nice strategy …" He then fire at Harry catching him on the arm causing blood to splitter all over the place.

"Ach …" Harry said from behind the building; his left arm was bleeding profusely, the cut was really deep (though luckily it was his arm that was already injured).

"You're slowing down Harry … you should have been able to dodge that one," Jake said concern. "Are you getting so tired you want to stop the fight?"

"Not unless you're giving up!" Harry shouted, as he magic a bandage over the cut, his arm felt like dead weight now. "Besides, your left hand is hurting too … you knuckles must be throbbing now. So I'd say I'm okay over here."

"That's true, but I'm the one that hurt my knuckles punching your thick head when you tried to use the stupid trick to distract me," Jake said laughing. "You haven't hit me once with a curse and I've gotten you … what … five times?"

"No only four, the punch doesn't really count, and I'm just bidding by time, giving you a false sense of security," Harry said.

"Come on Harry, we both know that's not true, stop trying to fool me … It's rather boring to tell the truth," Jake said. "I thought you were better than that."

"I'm not playing, and I am better … I was just waiting for you to fall for this," Harry said running out in the open and shooting a curse of Jake foot. Jake tried to move but he found that his foot was stuck to the floor.

"Argh," Jake yelled when the curse hit him; it felt like a high voltage current was running through him and he couldn't move at all. Harry then hit him with another curse that sent him flying into the wall opposite him (his shoe in the same spot that he was stuck to before) his wand flew away and his body felt like it had been crushed.

O

Lisa gave Jake fall a second of her concentration, a second that was long enough for Ron to cast a curse that knocked her off her feet and rendered her to the floor helpless and out cold.

"Nice distracted there, mate," Ron said walking over to her body and binding her up, his left cheek was bleeding but overall he wasn't hurt.

"Any time, mate," Harry said and made his way slowly to Jake, he was holding his arm; he was barely able to keep standing but didn't allow that to show to Jake. "The smoke potion wasn't just me trying to get around you to curse you from some unknown location. I used it so you wouldn't see me drop this stickup paper (another of George's inventions) on the ground. I allowed you to push me around, push me back so I could get you to stand in it. Sorry Jake, but I had you since the beginning of the fight, you lose."

"I didn't lose," Jake said, it seem like the only part of his body that he could move and that didn't hurt was his head. "As long as I live I'll try and get out of this and I will. This isn't over with."

"Yes it is, because you won't even try to break out of Azkaban," Harry said looking him in the eyes.

"And why shouldn't I try … it's just the next challenge to come in this game of ours?" Jake laughed.

"Because you did lose Jake, and losers don't get what they want, they just lose," Harry said calmly.

"And why do you win … besides the fact that I'm lying here broken in front of you … that's only temporary?" Jake asked.

"You didn't change me, Jake," Harry said. "You didn't make me do something I never wanted to do. You didn't change my values, sure you made me suffer and blame myself and lots of other crap like that, but you didn't change me. Not killing you is the only way I can win; because it's the only way I stay me. And since I win Jake, that means that you lose …" Harry said and then paused looking him over. "And I can see you agree with that."

"I do," Jake said looking like he was trying hard to overcome Harry's logic but he couldn't seem to. "I didn't change you did I … you're not one to kill if you can prevent it … well that sucks … I thought there was no way you could win."

"I know, to bad for you, you were wrong," Harry said. "So you won't try to break out right?"

"I don't know about that Harry, that's a tall order," Jake said. "All I can promise is that I'll stay put as long as I can't find a hole in your logic. But if I do, I'm sure to be coming for you."

"That's a little cliché isn't it?" Harry said shaking his head. "I'm disappointed that you would say that."

"So am I, but you're the best opponent out there; it has to be you," Jake laughed. "But don't worry Harry; I won't come at you in the same way … I'll have to think of something new. Probably have least people involved, but mark my words, whatever it is, it will be brilliant and it will catch you off guard."

"Then I'll hope you'll never got around my logic," Harry said and a moment later two Aurors found them.

"Ron, Potter, you're okay," Lor said looking worst for wear but still standing. "What happened here?"

"A fight," Harry said holding his arm tightly and starting to feel dizzy. "What's going on out there? Tell me everything you know."

"The fighting stop and I'd say that we stopped most of those bastards before they could all get away," Lor said. "They came about two hours ago with about fifty of them. All the Aurors came but there were only twenty of us … we tried to surround them and push them in but then more of them came … I don't know how much but we were hit on both sides for about ten minutes before you and your friends came to help … thanks for that by the way. Though the fight became more chaotic after that and I'm not sure how many we got … or how many got away but it looks like most of them were taken out."

"Well, this is their leader, and Ron took out another top fighter," Harry said pointing at Jake. "Things should calm down now."

"You mean this is over," Lor smiled. "No more fighting this stupid sneak attack war anymore."

"It's not over, but its time I go back to work and do my job the right way," Harry smiled.

"Are you sure, there's still a lot of Death Eaters out there … I don't mind staying in charge for a while longer so you can hunt them down," Lor smiled.

"Well, it might take a few days before I'm up for it," Harry smiled as he rubbed his arm, trying to assess how hurt he was.

"Well, take your time boss, I've got you covered," Lor said. "And just know that after today, the world is a safer place … what with that monster out of the way and all."

"He wasn't really a monster, he was just crazy and like chaos too much," Harry said looking at Jake.

"I wasn't talking about him," Lor said shaking her head. "I was talking about Mark, we past his dead body on our way here."

"What?" Ron said and he and Harry looked at each other worried. "Where was that? Did you see Hermione?"

"No … just him, it was over there were the smoke is," Lor pointed out and Ron and Harry went pale. What Lisa said before seemed so real now and they feared for Hormone's safety. "What's the matter with you two?"

"Lor, don't leave these two, get back-up and take them to Azkaban!" Harry shouted as Ron ran toward the smoke. "You've got to get help to round up all the Death Eater and organize search parties; there are probably a lot of people hurt out here hidden in the rubble." Harry finished and then ran to catch up with Ron.

Ron ran as fast as he could until he got to the smoke and he looked around for her … his heart pounding in his chest and the ill feeling growing by the second. "Hermione!" he shouted walking around looking for her. "Hermione … Damnit Hermione, where the hell are you?"

And then he saw the top of her head sticking out of some rubble. He ran to her and pushed the pieces away, desperately trying to free her. She was just lying there … covered in bruises and cuts and looking small and defenseless. "Hermione," Ron said sobbing; she hadn't moved and he was too afraid of what he would find to check her. "Hermione, don't do this to me, you have to be okay … I can't lose you now."

A/N: So I'm leaving it as a sort of cliffhanger, but don't worry I'm nearly done writing it so I'll probably have the next chapter up in a few days; likely Monday.