Was and will be

by simply-rosali

History is a circle that goes round and round, we will see how this can change if you have love on your side. Our friends are leaving Hogwarts to start a new life, one with more unexpected turns than they would ever imagine

6. All for one and one for all

Was and Will be

Title: Was and will be (06)

Author name: Rosali

Author's email:

Category: Action/Adventure

Sub Category: Romance

Keywords: Warlocks H/Hr/D D/G/N

Rating: R

Spoilers: SS/PS, CoS, PoA, GoF, FB, QTTA, OoTP

Summary: Sayings are not just because. When they say that two heads are better than one, they mean it. As Dumbledore and the Sorting Hat said: Unity is going to be the only way to come across and survive. Love, hate, power and a few surprises ahead. So jump in and take good care.

DISCLAIMER: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.

CHAPTER VI

All for One, And One for All

Oh, know the perils, read the signs,

The warning history shows,

For our world is in danger

From external, deadly foes

And we must unite inside her

Or we'll crumble from within

.- The Sorting Hat

A/N: I know, I know. 'Stop it with the part one and part two of the chapters. Bloody make it one whole thing!' I'm sorry you guys, just that it's much more organized and easy that way. I hope you don't mind, that I put down in words… how long a chapter can be… lol.

Thanks to my new team of Betas, Aurora and Emily; and Indra of course (although they're still beta-ing chapter three). Susie, you rock with your art for Chapter one hun! Thank you! And I hate that you can't do it anymore. Damn RL!

The chapter is quite long, but I'm positive you'll like it as much as I do, now that it's finished (because I hated it more then once when I couldn't manage to write a single good paragraph).

As usual, please R&R. I really appreciate the feedback. And thank you all who have reviewed.

Part One – Journey into a stormy night

(The previous night)

In the darkest of nights, he sat. The black night pressed his eyes. He was away, just what he'd decided; but now he had no idea where to go, or what to expect.

Harry apparated from Grimmauld Place to Hogsmaede, not really thinking on where he was going. When he registered where he was, he sagged and shook his head; he had just wanted to get away; protect them, but now… he was alone, completely alone. Malfoy's voice echoed painfully in his head: You're a selfish coward. You're a fool for not seeing it when you had your chance. She's with me now. He thought of Ginny… maybe Sirius was right. No! A voice said defiantly in his head. I love her… also.

Finally, he drove himself away from aching memories and thoughts, and concentrated in the task at hand. Find Voldemort and end it; one way or another. He thought for a minute and made up his mind; they were either in London or in Rome. Harry didn't really want to go back there, but it was the most plausible option; he remembered the Death Eaters had been there, and apparently they had something set… at least before Harry wrecked it. He shivered at the reminiscence. Besides, Agnese was there; any problem he knew he could g to her.

In order to think a little and get some sleep, Harry took the train at Hogsmaede. It would take him to Platform 9 ¾ and Diagon Alley, he could use some stuff there; the twins would probably help him.

Luckily, there was a midnight train to London, and it departed in less than ten minutes; he got in. The Hogwarts Express was almost deserted, except for a witch, heavily cloaked and apparently fast asleep. Harry saw, in another compartment a wizard that resembled oddly to Dumbledore. He gave the boy a grave look and Harry closed the door immediately. You're tired and have just ran away, that's all. There's no way he could know you're here. Harry assured himself.

At long last, he found an empty compartment and threw his bag inside, shutting the door soon after. He found himself staring at the bag with melancholy, as if it were a long lost treasure. He had never been alone in the Hogwarts Express: even in the ride back this year, Ginny had been there, and so had Neville; while Hermione kept popping in and out. He felt lost, and lonelier than he could ever remember.

Harry sighed and suddenly wished he had had a bite before leaving; he hadn't eaten in over twelve hours and he seriously doubted the Food Trolley would appear at three o'clock in the morning. He pulled out Wuthering Heights from his bag; it was Hermione's favourite book and he had been curious to know what all the fuss was about when he got it, a couple months ago.

She was the most wining thing that ever brought sunshine into a desolate house – a real beauty in face – with the Earnshaw's handsome dark eyes, but the Lintons' fair skin and small features, and yellow curling hair. Her spirit was high, though not rough, and qualified by a heart, sensitive and lively to excess in its affections. That capacity for intense attachments reminded me of her mother; still she did not resemble her; for she could be soft and mild as a dove, and she had a gentle voice, and pensive expression: her anger was never furious…

Harry felt himself being pulled into a restless sleep, and he didn't fight it. He sunk in the seat and let his head rest against the crystal and to the dark night.

That night could've easily been one of the longest Draco had had to endure in all of his life. The grim atmosphere was almost unbearable, seeing Hermione and Ginny so worried about Harry stung him somewhere in his mid-section. He had no idea what this was or why was it haunting him, but there it was.

There was nothing he would've liked to do more than just leave and forget about everything that had happened. Even though he hadn't said anything, his father knew too well that he was violating one major rule: Never let anyone close, never care about anyone unless it has a later use. Draco presumed Lucius would leave him to learn it the hard way. He also knew this, and part of him hated it. But remembering all the good times they had had in the scarce month or so of relationship, he couldn't help it. Besides, he had promised he would look after Hermione, and A Malfoy never breaks a promise. That's why Malfoys never make promises. Unless you're in a life and death situation, or have a bigger gain out of it. And if they do, they must have a very accurate use of the words. So he was going to stick around.

They barely spoke as the clock tickled hour after hour. Each one was obviously thinking so many different things. Things they would so gladly speak out loud, but wouldn't.

As Draco pondered whether he should go after Potter or not, he stared and read everyone around him. Being a distrustful Slytherin had its advantages in the long term. He could rather easily make out what people were feeling or thinking; just by looking at their eyes.

Hermione, for example. As much as he hated to admit it, she was much more mortified by the fact that Harry was gone than by the fact that she and Draco had just broken up. She was obviously torn and angry at the same time. Such complicated feelings were care and love. One could easily do without them, in Draco's opinion; even though he was probably in love himself.

Ginny, on the other hand, was completely crushed that her beloved Harry had gone without leaving a note or anything for her. She was obviously jealous of Hermione; by the way she directed glances at her. But she loved her anyway. There was also something he couldn't exactly place in her chocolate brown eyes. It was some kind of discomfort at a special situation… or rather person. But it wasn't an ill feeling; it was a confused one. Draco shrugged and mused to the air, 'Potter, Potter, Potter…'

Harry was standing in a large open area. He looked at the sky above; it was so bright… and lifeless. It was beautiful in its pale blue, though it felt empty at Harry's eyes. He opened his arms and took in air; an oddly cool air, even though the sun shone as if it was summer.

He folded his arms back and sighed, looking just in front of him. It was a beautiful and ancient house, like the one described in Emily Brönte's book. Instead of reading "Hareton Earnshaw", it read "Harry Potter". He frowned and walked to the house that was apparently his.

Before he reached the entrance, he stopped and flinched. He saw three children playing in the front lawn. Two of them were coppery skinned; one had black hair, and the other one, silvery blond. The last child had a fair white skin and brown hair. He stared at them for a while and intended to get closer. As he closed in the distance, he could distinguish they were around eight and ten years old.

A woman came out of the house, despite her young features, her eyes looked sad and old. Harry was touched when he saw her, he longed her presence somehow. Later, another woman came out; she was small and slender, and Harry smiled at her. When he was about to get closer, when a stab shot though him. The last person he would've wanted to see normally; but just then, he was somewhere between relieved and angry. Somehow, he knew he wasn't going to be the next person coming out of the house. He knew it was only those three and the children.

Harry looked away for a second and then took a few more steps towards the house. When he was on the porch, he saw Draco Malfoy kiss Hermione on the cheek, and she smiled. Harry felt the usual pang of jealousy, it was thrown to the back of his mind when he saw Malfoy and Ginny kiss lovingly on the lips. He drew a gasp when the pieces came together. The children are- he thought, startled.

Hermione smiled at the couple and then looked away, a deep melancholy in her light brown eyes. Harry knew what had happened there, and felt horrible. Ginny let go off Malfoy and kneeled besides Hermione, putting a hand on he knee.

'You know why he did it. He left you a great present,' she said softly while she brushed a tear from her face.

'Yes, Ginny, I know'

'It was for the best…'

'Yes, I guess so…'

Harry felt like running up the stairs and holding her, tell her he would never leave her. But he couldn't, for just then, a shot of light went past him, right to Hermione's chest. She flew back and slammed against the wall of the house.

'Hermione-!' Harry cried and ran to her. She was lying on the floor, barely conscious. Harry turned to see where the attack had come from, and distinguished half a dozen hooded figures approaching.

Draco rant o where Hermione was lying and helped her up. 'You ok?' he asked. She nodded. 'Take the kids inside Ginivra!' he ordered.

Ginny nodded and picked the three children, taking them in the house. Draco stood and much to Harry's surprise, he didn't pull out a wand. He just pointed at them and shot a stunning spell that sent one of the Death Eaters flying ten meters to the ground.

'Get out of the way! You traitor! We just want her!'

'You'll have to get past me'

'Fine! Avada Kedavra!' the Death Eater yelled and Draco fell dead instantly. Hermione screamed and Harry heard a hard thump on the door, inside the house. Ginny.

'I told you. He didn't leave anything!'

'We don't want the Prism anymore, we have it. We only need your blood to open the Chest'

'I'll never help you!' Hermione cried from the floor.

'Who said we needed your consentient. Only your blood. Avada Keda-'

Harry woke with a start, drenched in sweat and feeling sick. He leaned forward and threw up. No matter what I do, no matter where I go, I'll always be Harry Potter and she'll never be safe. That thought was tormenting his head at that moment, and then he realised where he was. Panting, he looked up to the sound that has awoken him. The compartment door was open and Neville was standing there.

'Neville? What are you-? How did-?' He stopped himself, for he noticed his friend changed. His factions were different, he was much more built; his dark blue eyes had a look that definitely wasn't Neville's. Overall, Harry noticed he looked beautiful; almost inhumanly beautiful. He tensed and was ready to strike. 'Who are you? What have you-?

Neville spoke in a low, musical voice before Harry could continue. 'You are in no danger. Not from me, that is to say. You must get out of here, now'

Harry frowned, puzzled. 'What are you talking about? No one knows I'm here,' Harry pointed out.

'Get out of here Harry Potter!' Neville roared and Harry stood with a jump.

'At least tell me what the danger is!' he demanded as he took his bag.

'Peril approaches Harry.' Neville raised his hands and a transparent veil fell around Harry.

He looked around. 'Where did you learn—?' He didn't finish, for the train had come to a sudden stop. He almost fell to the floor with the shake, though Neville remained there, unmoved.

'Now!' Neville roared and disappeared.

Harry hesitated, but decided it would be better to go with the safe option. He apparated to The Leaky Cauldron.

Tony, the bartender, registered his presence and flinched at first. He came closer. 'Mr. Potter, sir! Welcome to—'

'Get me to the safest room, quick!' Harry bellowed before Tony could finish.

He bowed. 'Yes, sir. Follow me'

They went upstairs, to the top story. The bartender performed some enchantments with his wand and then extended his hand, palm up. It was touched by a red light and finally the door melted; Harry memorised the spells and entered.

'Thank you, Tony. I'll be leaving first thing in the morning.' Harry managed a smile despite the wild thumping of his heart and all the adrenaline.

Tony bowed again and went back down without a word.

Harry plunged himself to the huge bed. Sometimes, having a vault full of money has its uses, Harry thought as he gazed around the majestic room.

Neville woke with a start; his pyjama shirt was sticking to his chest form sweat. He sat upright on bed and looked around. Somewhat he was exhausted, and panting.

He registered his surroundings, I'm at home, he found himself assuring. Was that a dream? I'm so drained. It was so real, it felt so real… He mused inside his head, clearly confused. Finally he went back to sleep.

'He's gone, he was warned ahead'

'Who warned him?' A grave voice echoed in the compartment, coming from a little muggle Swatch.

'I have no idea, sir'

Well, find him!' It ordered angrily; the Italian accent strongly marked.

'Yes, sir'

'He can't get to Rome. Do you understand that?' the voice continued, dead serious. 'Not if he's not with the others,' it added more calmly.

'But sir, we only have identified one other'

'They'll come round eventually. They awake at the same time, remember that'

'Yes, sir.' The man sighed and dissapparated.

It had certainly been an exhausting search. They had had to literally go around the word to get the necessary materials to build the chest. But they had them all now, and they were going to start constructing it as soon as Salazar came round, once again.

Helga opened the doors of Godric and Rowena's room. She looked weary and much older than less than a year ago. She smiled, 'he's back,' she just said.

The couple stood with a jump and followed Helga through the castle, to Salazar's chambers. Godric sat on the edge of the bed. 'Salazar, I-'

'I know,' he said darkly.

He sighed, hoping his friend wouldn't stay mad at him for too long. Ever since they had moved to Ravenclaw's castle, their friendship had started to deteriorate after the numerous stunnings Godric had thrown Salazar. He leaned and kissed his forehead, hoping it would mean something to Salazar. He said nothing.

Helga noticed the tense atmosphere and walked to where they were; she sat on the other side of the bed and hugged her boyfriend, placing a peck on his cheek. 'Glad you're back'

'You always are, hun,' Salazar pointed out and managed a small smile.

'Of course I am! Who would if not me?' she beamed and directed an amused look at her friends.

'Because if not, you don't have where to keep your hands, right?' he said with a smirk. Lately, it was rather difficult to tell when it was whom speaking. Sometimes they were comments the usual Salazar would never say, but he made them the Salazar-ish way.

Helga rolled her eyes, trying not to think of anything else.

Rowena came closer and smiled at her former lover. 'You up for it then?' she asked. She would like to stay and joke around with them, but something told her they didn't have much time left of their friend Salazar, as much as it hurt to accept it.

Salazar looked up at her and returned the smile, which fell when she brought up the subject. 'Yes, I am Rowena,' he just said. 'I just need a few more hours rest'

Rowena nodded and kissed him gently on the cheek. 'Ok hun,' she said softly.

Later that day, the four of them were in the Conference Room, with all sorts of things in the magically enlarged table. Flame chimed its tune softly, it would keep the Symbio from coming out while it sounded in the room.

Godric took a hand to his forehead and let out a breath. 'Ok, so we have the plans?'

'Yes we do,' Helga pulled out a piece of parchment and placed her wand on it. Rowena did as well and Godric and Salazar placed their fingers on it.

'Aparecium,' they all said at the same time, and the parchment started drawing itself. There was a drawing of quite a posh-looking small chest. It was golden with rocks inlayed on the outside. Small lines came from several places of the chest with little circles with numbers in the end, you had to tap it with your wand (or finger) and the explanation would appear.

'That's it! I'm going after him! I don't care if I have no idea where he is, but I'm going!' Ginny stood from the sofa and said, half annoyed, half determined. They had been sitting there all night, waiting for an owl or something, but nothing came.

Dumbledore stood and Ginny felt herself diminishing at his imposing presence. He spoke softly, but his eyes told he should not be disobeyed, as usual. 'Ginivra, we know how much you care about him. We do also, but you must understand that we can't afford more reckless decisions'

'But professor, what if something happens to him? What if he never comes back?' Ginny cried.

'Listen to me. Great men have chosen the wrong decision just to find the right path. Let's just hope he gets to the path before it is too late,' he sort of thought out loud this last part.

'But-' she said nothing more. She let out a breath and sagged, sitting back down.

Everyone stared at her with sympathy and shook their heads.

'We shall get some tea,' Lupin stood and went to the kitchen. He poured three cups of tea and then produced a small flask containing a white-ish liquid. He sighed and put a little stream in each, there was no other choice.

Hermione, Draco and Ginny stared after him, bewildered. They looked at each other and shrugged; especially since it was three in the morning.

Draco felt himself panic for one moment, and his heart started thumping wildly. He panted, and after a few minutes, the sensation was gone. He looked up and saw Hermione's hand on his. She squeezed his hand, a concern look on her face. 'I'm ok,' he muttered. Hermione looked at him with a bit of sadness creeping to her light brown eyes.

Lupin came back with the tray and offered them tea, it was more like a "drink-it-now" kind of offering; they took it. Hermione eyed her former professor suspiciously but drank the tea anyway.

By the time the three had finished the tea, they were all dozing off. She identified the source of that feeling and glared at Lupin; he noted it and gave her an apologetic smile in return. Hermione sighed and took off to her room.

Ginny dried her eyes and followed her friend, bidding good night to all. When she got there, she fell asleep almost instantly.

Draco felt the constant sleepiness that was wrapping him; it was rather strange that he was dozing off after such an adrenaline rush. He supposed Lupin had given them a Sleeping Potion in the tea; he fought the drowsiness until they had all cleared. He knew what he was about to do and what he was risking, but something was impelling him to do it. Somewhat, the words of the centaurs echoed in his head, 'You must be a pillar for him';and he had Hermione and Ginny's look of gloom in his head. He apparated out.

(The following morning)

Harry woke with the sun in his eyes. He reluctantly opened them and looked around, to register where he was. He remembered and felt the weight fall on his shoulders once again. He sighed and stood from bed, throwing a green T-shirt over his head and pulling a pair of worn jeans up.

He went down to go to Diagon Alley before everyone got there, so he could go see the twins, who were living in the second story of Weasley Wizardring Wheezes. Supposedly Fred and George were already ok and had gone back to their place the night before. He took a deep breath, reassuring himself he could trust them to not say anything.

Past the main stores, Harry spotted the Joke Shop. They had gotten a pretty nice-sized store with Harry's winnings from the Triwizard Tournament; he smiled at it and walked to the door; he knocked.

A sleepy voice called from inside. 'Sod off! We're not open yet!'

Harry laughed and knocked again.

'Get out or we'll hex you!' another voice continued.

'Well come down and hex me then, Headless Hat,' Harry replied, amused.

To moment later, the door opened and a young man, with tangled fiery-red hair stood on the threshold, wearing pin striped PJs. At first he looked surprised and then he grinned at his friend. 'Wotcher Harry! So good to see you!' he exclaimed.

Harry gestured wildly with is hands, indicating to keep quite. 'Shhhhh. Publish in The Daily Prophet that I'm here, won't you?'

George flinched and frowned, letting Harry in. Inside, Fred was padding bare-footed to the door; 'what's taking- Harry? Harry!' he called out.

George ignored his twin's greeting. 'Why-? What happened? Is everything all right?' he asked, worried.

Harry nodded. 'Yes, everything's fine. But I sort of ran off in the middle of the night,' Harry said, somehow lamely.

Fred was scratching his head, trying to put sense in what he'd just heard. 'Blimey! Why would you do that? It isn't because of what that git said, is it?'

Harry looked sheepish and shrugged his shoulder.

'Oy mate! He's just a bitch, you know that!' George said.

Something inside Harry hurt at this expression. How many times had he heard Ron say the same. He shrugged it away for the grater good and looked at his friend. 'It's not entirely about that. It just that-' He stopped and looked at the other twin. 'It doesn't matter; I just crashed here and thought you could sort of help me out a bit'

George made a face, he wasn't too keen on letting this go, but Harry didn't seem as he would give anymore explanations. He bit his lip and then managed a smile.

Fred caught the hint. 'Whatever we can do for you man,' he assured.

Harry smiled back at them. 'Thank you very much fellows,' he said honestly.

'Well, we won't be in debt anymore'

'Yeah, and as long as you don't get yourself killed-'

'-everything's fine,' Fred finished the sentence.

'So, what do you need? Apart from a new life, that is,' George joked.

Harry laughed a little. 'Some food first,' he said tentatively.

The twins laughed. 'Of course! Sorry mate, you just surprised us'

'That's ok,' Harry said and followed them both upstairs, to where their flat was.

They showed him around, and when they got to Fred's room, he spotted ex-chaser Katie in Fred's bed, sleeping peacefully. Fred was about to wake her when Harry shook his head.

'Let her sleep, I'd rather if the least people know where I am'

George prepared some French Toast and Scrambled Eggs, he served them and Harry ate hungrily, he hadn't had a bite for a very long time.

'I know I can trust you, right?' Harry asked before continuing with anything.

They nodded at the same time. 'You know you can,' they said in unison. Harry smiled.

The planes were done and it was all set. They gathered early that day because that little creation would take them a lot of time.

And enlarged piece of parchment hung from the ceiling, the little numbers danced merrily on their spot. The four friends looked at it and exchanged tired glances, even though they hadn't even started.

'Ok, so down to action, shall we?'

'The first thing we need is the Sulemine, we have to shape it'

'We?' Salazar asked with a raised eyebrow.

'Ok, you, the men, the strong ones. You will do all the work while we, the helpless little women just cook and boil,' Rowena said sarcastically after rolling her eyes. Salazar nodded, apparently very satisfied with the answer he had gotten.

'Accio Sulemine.' Nothing happened, Godric sighed. 'Right.' He walked to the shelf and carried the huge rock. It was too heavy and Salazar hurried to help his friend. They both laughed at the picture of the "Great Warlocks" doing such a physical job.

'Darling, what part of "magic doesn't work with Sulemine" don't you get?' Rowena laughed; she and Helga giggled.

'Oh yes, that's my man!' Helga exclaimed and Salazar directed her a not-so-friendly glance; they all laughed.

Salazar stared into it and took a deep breath; after that, he took the chisel and started carving. Godric did the same on the opposite side of the metal.

Helga came up. 'Hold on, we need a little sample to put into the potion'

Salazar looked at her and raised an eyebrow. He shrugged and stepped back, leaving her space to break a little part. She kissed him thank you.

Both girls went to the other side of the room and summoned all of the ingredients to make the potion. It would make the Sulemine vulnerable for a short period of time; in which they would cast the spells so that the only way to make the Sulemine susceptible to magic was with the correct enchantments, said by the correct people. The plan was that Helga and Rowena would make the potion and then the four would pour their blood inside and say the right words to enchant the Chest.

'A little Aconite, some powdered unicorn horn, dragon tears-'

'Wait! Don't put the Tears yet. It has to boil for ten minutes or it'll make the Nangi-room useless,' Rowena told Helga.

'I think it's only seven minutes or the Aconite will boil to weed,' Helga retorted.

'No, I am sure it's ten minutes'

'Rowena, I've worked with Aconite and Porlocks before. The potions would have no affect whatsoever because it was just weed and had lost its properties'

Salazar, who had been taking a break from the restless carving, noted the discussion going on in the other end of the room. He stood and walked over to them. 'What's the problem here?' he asked silkily.

'Rowena is being a stubborn prat,' Helga whined.

'Helga won't listen,' she said defensively.

'What's the discussion again?'

'The boiling before the Dragon Tears,' Helga informed.

'What ingredients?'

'Aconite and Nangi-room'

'Aconite can boil to weed and lose effects. But Dragon Tears are too acid for the Nangi-rooms'

'Exactly!' Both girls said at the same time and glared at each other.

'Now, now. Let's cool down, shall we? The thing stinks if those Tears aren't added in time,' he said lazily. Rowena and Helga gave him killing looks. 'It is supposed to boil exactly eight and a half minutes or both things will happen,' Salazar added quickly, before the girls murdered him. 'And if my time is right, you have ten seconds left for that,' he said with a smirk.

They both gasped and hurried to the silver cauldron. Helga took the Dragon Tears before Rowena could and poured two drops in. She made a face to her friend, who stuck her tongue out.

Salazar just laughed at the two thirty-three year old girls acting like teenagers. He was pulled back by Godric calling him.

'Oy! Lazy arse! Get your butt back here because I'm not carving anymore… at least for ten minutes,' he added at Rowena's warning glance.

The next morning, they all slept in. Eventually, Remus had decided he had to take the Sleeping Potion too. It was almost noon and the day was a bright, summer one. They didn't even bother with breakfast; partly because they went straight to St. Mungos to see how Mrs. Weasley and Bill were doing. Mr. Weasley had been released with some bandages and about four potions to drink, but he was all right after all.

No one paid much attention to the rest until it was lunch time. Hermione looked around and frowned; she turned to Ginny. 'Have you seen Draco?'

Apparently, Ginny hadn't noticed he was gone. 'No, but he's probably just outside, I reckon'

'I'll go look'

Ginny nodded.

A while later, Hermione was back, looking rather pale. Ginny saw her and worry crept to her face. 'Is he-?' Hermione nodded. She closed her eyes and shook her head. 'Why would he just walk away? I know you just broke up but…'

Hermione seemed deep in thought and didn't appear to be listening to Ginny. She was frowning and then took her hand to her forehead, resting her elbow on the table where she had just sat.

Ginny came to her. 'What's the matter?' she asked, somehow lamely.

Hermione looked up, her eyes over-bright. 'He's probably been summoned,' she said heavily. His birthday is next week'

Ginny gaped at her, not entirely understanding it. But what she understood was that Draco was probably gone to gather with the Death Eaters or the Junior Death Eaters. She shook her head and said nothing.

Later that day, they were back at Grimmauld Place and the grim atmosphere continued to haunt them. They were all much more calm, but still lingered the uncertainty. Dumbledore was gone to some business with the Wizengamot, and Ginny was glad for the first time that the Headmaster wasn't there. She stood and went upstairs.

Neville noticed her leave and took it she was probably going to cry her gone boyfriend. He still resented his friend a little, but seeing how happy she was when she was with him made him sigh and be happy for her. He went upstairs and knocked on the door. 'Are you visible?' he asked.

'What's the matter Neville?' Ginny asked from behind the door.

'I just want to know if you're ok'

'I am, don't worry,' she called as she threw her trunk open.

Neville heard the thump of wood and frowned. 'What are you doing? Is everything all right?

'Yes it is, please go away'

Neville heard more rustle inside the room and decided to enter. He met a Ginny that was dressed in a heavy travelling cloak, putting stuff inside a backpack. 'What is going on here?' he demanded.

Ginny stopped and looked at him. 'I'm going to look for him, I'm not sitting around and wait till I get an owl with a piece of Harry,' Ginny said determined.

'But Dumbledore said-'

'Sod what Dumbledore says!' Ginny snapped, louder than she had intended. 'He has no idea!'

Neville flinched and then regained his posture. 'You're wrong, Ginny. Dumbledore knows better…' he began

'Knows better what? So keeping the truth from Harry so long was knowing better? So telling us to sit around and wait even though we could do a lot is knowing better? I don't think so!'

Just then, Hermione came inside the room. 'What's all the yelling about?' she asked and her glance swiped the room. She frowned. 'What's going on Ginny?' she asked slowly, knowing too well the answer.

'She's going after him. Getting herself killed' Neville responded flatly.

'Have you gone insane? What did Dumbledore say yesterday?'

'I don't care what he said'

'Well, we do, and you're not going anywhere,' Hermione snapped and yanked the bag from her hand.

'What do you think you're doing? Leave me alone, I know what I'm doing'

'Yeah right. Because you have such a great plan and so many weapons against Death Eaters, right? Oh! And because you can also apparate eh?'

'Hermione, I'm going and you better get out of my way or I swear I'll hex you,' she warned.

'Ah, so you'll hex me? And what makes you think you can'

Ginny narrowed her eyes and Neville decided to jump in. 'All right. That is enough you two! No one will go anywhere until we get Dumbledore or Professor Lupin to approve, understood?'

They both turned to him. 'Haven't I just told you I don't care about them anymore?' Ginny answered. 'I'm going and that's the end of it'

'No you're not'

'Oh, watch me,' Ginny yanked her bag back and pushed past Neville. She didn't get far, for there was a firm grip on her arm that held her back. 'Ow, dammit!'

'Very strong you are, are you?' Neville said.

'You…'

Hermione took a deep breath and made Neville let go of Ginny, but she stood between her and the door. 'Look, Ginny. Your family is in a very critical situation right now. Your mother and older brother are in the hospital and I don't think your dad can take losing anymore of his children' Hermione said softly.

Ginny sagged. 'Look, I'm not going to get myself killed, I promise. I will just find him and bring him back'

'You can't be sure of that,' Neville said and his voice wasn't angry anymore.

Ginny turned to him. 'True, but I can't stay here'

Hermione closed her eyes and then opened them again. 'Ok, we'll go and bring him back. Just stay here with your father, all right?'

Ginny looked at her quizzically.

Neville stood next to Hermione. 'We'll bring him back. I just want you to be safe,' he said honestly.

Ginny smiled softly, she did understand her friends and had to admit they were right. She ate her pride and put her bag down. 'I don't want either of you to get killed'

'We won't. Just like you said you wouldn't,' he assured.

'Ginny came closer and put a hand on his face; she stood in tiptoe and kissed him softly on the cheek. 'Thank you,' she said. And then turned to Hermione and hugged her. 'Thank you too. You're a wonderful friend'

They both nodded and Ginny went to her bed. She buried her face in her pillow and waited for them to leave.

After Harry left the twins, he had no idea where to go. Hell! He had absolutely no clue on where the Death Eaters might be. He decided to go to Knockturn Alley, he would sure find people there that might "help" him.

When he stepped into the narrow and dark alley, he had a sudden flashback to his Second Year at Hogwarts, after leaving the Dursleys, from where the twins and Ron had taken him. He met the Burrow that year and smiled sadly at the memories.

He shook himself and stepped in, his hood pulled up. He saw several Death Eaters he had seen in the papers last two years. Death Eaters that had been sent to Azkaban for a very short period of time since there had been no evidence to hold them there any longer. He narrowed his eyes at them but kept walking.

Finally he spotted a Death Eater he recognised as Parkinson; he had been there that night in the Graveyard. He targeted him and walked straight to where he was and opened his hand towards his neck. He concentrated and as he walked forward, Parkinson levitated and floated backwards roughly.

Harry felt so good when all this power went flowed through his bare veins. He felt outstandingly pleased when he saw what he could do, even if it took him to hurt someone else; and that scared the hell out of him. But when he had to do it, he had to do it.

He walked until Parkinson hit the far wall of the Alley. He was blunting out unintelligible words, for his throat was pressed by an invisible force. You could make out things like 'Who the hell are you' and 'You better put me down or I-'

Harry laughed almost maniac-ly and had to remember himself why he was doing it. 'It is of no importance who I am, I want some answers,' he said in a voice that didn't sound at all like his.

'I ain't giving you no shit!' he retorted defiantly. An American accent could be placed.

'Oh, you won't?' he closed his open hand into the air apparently, but there was a small cry that signalled Parkinson's supply of air was becoming an issue.

'Who. Are. You?'

'You don't care. Now, where is the Death Eaters' hideout' he loosened the grip on Parkinson's throat, so he could speak. He drew a lungful of air.

'We have no hideout. We don't hide,' he replied dryly.

Harry rolled his eyes and closed his hand a little. Parkinson gasped.

'We. Have. No hideout!'

Harry was starting to get annoyed. You certainly didn't want to piss a Warlock off. He let go of him and he fell from ten feet.

'Argh!' Parkinson cried and was clutching his right leg with his left hand. The other had drown his wand out and was about to hex him.

'Expelliarmus! Don't even think about it'

'How the hell did you-?'

'Tell me what I want to know. Where is your little rathole?'

'I won't tell you anything!'

'I don't want to, but you'll force me to torture you,' he singsonged. Truth be told, he did want to torture the bloke, but was trying to keep that thirst in line with all his will.

'No! You can kill me if you like!'

'That won't be necessary. And it would be sort of messy, so no. Veritas!' he called and a very dark purple light shot into Parkinson's chest. He screamed and looked at the sky. Harry had never really used that spell and was surprised he had actually did do dark magic, and so easily to be honest. 'Now tell me, where's your hideout'

'I. told you. We have no. Hideout.' Every word sounded as if it was being ripped from the deepest of his insides.

Harry rolled his eyes and groaned. 'Where is your Headquarters?' he asked slowly.

'It is located in Rome. In the outskirts; in. the Catacombs,' he said and looked horrified at what he was saying.

'Thank you very much. Oh, and Finite Incantatum,' Harry waved his hand roughly and unluckily for him, his hood fell back, showing his emerald green eyes, jet black hair and lightning bolt shaped scar.

Parkinson gasped as Harry struggled hopelessly to pull his hood back up. 'Potter!' he whispered but couldn't say anymore, for Harry was gone. He stood tentatively and summoned his wand back. He apparated away.

'Nonno, please listen to me. He is no danger to the Chest. He doesn't have the prism and the others are not with him.' She grabbed her arm, almost begging him. A Canepa never begged, but she was doing it right now.

He pulled his arm away from her with disgust. 'Some witch and her friends save your life, you stay with them a little while and now suddenly the mission is of no importance at all, is that it?' he asked in his northern italian.

Agenese looked away. To be honest, she really cared about them, and she didn't want that to happen to any of them seeing how close they were. She said nothing.

Nonno stared at the mortified expression of her grandchild and sighed. 'Agnese, darling. You cannot let you judgement be clouded with things like this. That is why we always go out at night, why we don't have any direct contact. The mission is the most important thing, do you understand that? I have to do this'

She looked at him, her eyes over-bright. She had always looked up to Nonno, but right now she didn't know what she was feeling. 'Nonno, but they have already lost one. It is not fair'

His gaze turned from soft to serious and even cold. 'The Power of Shikeon must not be freed unless the four are together again and can control it. It is not time for it to be released yet. I don't even know if it should ever be released'

'That is for the heirs to decide, Nonno,' she said shyly.

'But I'm the guardian of the Chest of Power. It is on my shoulders to prevent that catastrophe to happen again. You'll understand when you have the burden on your shoulders'

'I don't think I want that burden,' she muttered defiantly but with a touch of fear in her voice. She had never stood up to Nonno, no one had; but seeing the trio that day at the Piazza Navona, and then the sleeping Warlock named Draco, and the solver, called Hermione had brought to her, feelings she had never imagined having.

'What did you say Agnese?' he asked dangerously.

'Harry is no danger from what Hermione told me. And Draco hasn't even awoken,' she pleaded. 'Please leave Harry alone. He won't get far'

'That's not what you said. And I'm sorry but the answer is no. He must be stopped before he gets a clue on this. And he is already here if I'm not mistaken,' he said, sensing the air.

'But Nonno, I-'

'Agnese! You will carry the guardianship to your grave, and it'll pass to your child, just as it'll pass to you when I'm gone'

'I don't want to carry the guardianship of the Chest! And I won't have children with whoever you set me up with!' She finally had broken free of the Canepa legacy. She had defied an elder and there was no turning back.

He slapped her hard, and she fell to the ground, holding her injured face. 'You will, whether you want it or not. Is that clear?' He waited for a moment and no answer came. 'I said, is that clear Agnese Canepa?' He made a special emphasis in the last name.

'Yes Nonno,' she sobbed softly.

'I did not hear you'

'Yes, Nonno. It is quite clear,' she said more steadily.

Nonno nodded and then kneeled besides her, to help her up, she yanked her arm from him, he sighed. 'Agnese, you know it's for the best. And you know I love you,' he said softly.

Agnese didn't even look at him; she stood and walked away, to her room, still holding her cheek.

Harry appeared in Rome, panting slightly. He looked around and found himself at the last place he had been with Ron before the catacombs. He didn't really want to go back there, but if Voldemort and his cronies were there, he would save him the trouble of destroying him piece by piece.

The Piazza Navona looked as beautiful as it had that day, when they first arrived. Pity they had many more things in their heads and they couldn't sightsee the least bit.

He walked around and admired the majesty of the fountains, the tiny little details in each expression. They were all saying so much and nothing at all.

Suddenly he felt lonelier than ever. The nostalgia of Ron's memory, added to the fact that he was away from the people he loved, and that this mission was probably one way, didn't help at all. He wished Ginny was there with him, he wished Hermione could be there to admire all those wonderful things with him. He sighed and blinked tears away; he pulled out his wand, 'Point me!' he ordered it and the wand started spinning on his palm. Finally it stopped and was pointing north. Harry smiled at it and started walking east, remembering that night.

A few moments later, when the light of the day was already fading into night, Harry perceived a group of men gathering around him, slowly. He frowned and hurried his pace, they would follow him.

Finally, one jumped on him, making him fall hard on his knees to the floor. He wasn't really expecting a direct, physical attack; he was expecting a spell and for that he was prepared.

It was no use that he had his wand almost out, because it flew three meters from him. The man was hitting him hard in every inch of the body he could, and Harry felt the bitter flavour of his own blood in his mouth. He tried to defend himself, but it was useless, for they were much bigger than him.

Just then, he remembered he didn't need a wand to do magic. 'Campo Forcip' he said, but the force field was no use, for they were all over him and it wasn't magic attacking him. He kicked hard and managed to get one of them off of him; that bought him enough time to gather air. 'Stupefy!' he called and the biggest man fell unconscious. One of the others gaped and backed away.

Harry looked at his attackers. 'What. Do you want?' he asked between ragged breaths. No one answered. Harry saw another one of the men about to jump on him, when he heard a vaguely familiar voice.

'Leave him alone! That's an order!' she spoke in soft, yet firm italian. Harry didn't understand a thing.

The men stopped beating Harry and looked up at the young woman. But miss Canepa, we have direct orders from Nonno to beat the hell out of this boy, although he's rather weird,' he admitted.

Harry was trying to get up and away, but his beaten up and aching body wouldn't let him.

'Well, I'm telling you to leave him alone!' she demanded.

The man hesitated. 'But Miss-'

'No buts. Just go!'

He though for a moment and then bowed before Agnese. 'I am sorry miss.' And he and his cronies disappeared from sight.

She ran to him. 'Va bene?' she asked

Harry frowned and managed to perform the translation charm. 'What. Did you say?' he asked, holding his mid section, where he probably had a few broken ribs.

'Are you all right?' she asked again.

'I've been better,' he admitted with a slight smile.

'Let's get you to the Wizard's Hospital here,' she said and helped him up.

'Is there a Wizardring Hospital here?'

'Yes, there is, Harry'

He nodded, feeling a little embarrassed he had asked that.

Part two – The value of a soul

And just as he had thought when he apparated from Grimmauld Place, his wand started vibrating; he was being summoned by his father. He pulled it out and held it on his open palm. It glowed light brown and a voice echoed in the air, apparently coming from the wand.

'Where are you, son?'

'About to enter the Headquarters father,' he replied almost lazily.

'Good, hurry'

Draco sighed; the other phrase that was rounding his head was his old Headmaster's; "in front of you is love; just behind, is betrayal. Choices make us who we are, far more than our abilities or our destiny". He stepped in front of the small Church and walked straight down to the crypts. It all went dark and Draco just closed his eyes, prepared for whatever was coming of t he labyrinth curse, but nothing happened. He frowned and opened his eyes; sighing when he saw his surroundings.

He was in a large yard and his father was standing there, staring at him. Lucius motioned Draco to come to him, he started forward, but when his father saw Draco, he gasped, a very rare thing for Lucius Malfoy; pulling out his wand and pointing at him. Draco flinched and looked down at himself, he also gasped. He was in Hogwarts Graduation robes… Gryffindor Graduation robes. Dumbledore was standing in front of him, looking straight in his eyes.

'You have successfully become a Gryffindor, and your blood mix has been altered as well,' he was saying.

Draco took a couple steps back, shaking his head desperately. 'No, no, no, no, it can't be. I just spent with them a couple of weeks; it can't be enough to make me one. But what would the problem be with that?' His head jerked up, and his father was staring at him with even more disgust that when he had tried to stand up to him in the past. That's the problem, he reminded himself. Dumbledore continued to speak.

'However, you didn't get the prizes. Let me remind you, you were close in everything, but you know he was better. Harry Potter gets the award for outstanding Quidditch player, and the Head Boy's cup. Also, the winner of the best wizard in everything, is Harry Potter. I'm sorry Mr. Malfoy, but step off the podium please,' he said softly.

Draco looked down and indeed, he was standing in the first place of an Olympic podium. He slowly got down, and once again, met his father's cold gaze.

Bloody hell! I should've tried harder. But Potter is always better, no matter what I do. An anguished voice spoke in his head and he took his hands to his face. His father spoke.

'You're a disgrace to the Malfoy family, I am enormously disappointed. I always knew you were the weak link. But I was fool enough to believe you could actually give yourself some use,' he said and turned around to walk away. However, he stopped after a few steps and turned to face him again. 'And give me the Family ring back, you're not worthy of it'

How can I call myself a Malfoy? The same voice kept speaking as he took his hand to his finger; to the ring with the Malfoy Family crest engraved. He broke at the sole thought of disappointing his whole family, at not being able to fulfil all that was expected from him as Lucius' heir.

At that moment, he remembered Hermione, telling him about the curse and that all she had needed was a lot of will power. He already knew it; he had beaten that curse a lot of times before, but he needed to be reminded right now. He lowered his hands and stared at them. Why does my father always have to be in my fears? Why do I want to please him and my family so badly? He thought angrily.

Slowly, everything began to fade away and Draco sighed in relieve, he didn't think he could've stood anymore of that. The door materialised in front of him and he started to open it. When his hand touched the handle, a rush of memories of that day flooded him. He had to close his eyes and shake his head to shrug them away; after calling Alohamora, the door opened.

His father was inside, with most of the Death Cupola; except of course, The Dark Lord. Right now, the last person he wanted to see was his progenitor, but he fixed his face and his look –which lately had been a little more difficult to manage, he had had to think it, instead of it coming naturally- and walked towards Lucius and the rest. 'Hello father, it is nice to see you again,' he managed. You all nearly killed the whole Weasley family just because Ginny's father is the Minister and is actually doing something against you and the Dark Lord. But they had it coming; no one can oppose The Dark Lord. His thoughts were confused and contradictorial; which was giving him a really bad headache.

'Good that you finally are done with that Mudblood girlfriend of yours. I expect you got us some nice information'

Right, that… Wait a minute… 'How did you-'

'I know, son. I know'

A rush of fear surged inside him, but luckily he had been well taught to not show any emotions, so his face stayed blank as he figured a way around it. 'They don't have much on the rest of the puzzle, but they do know you have the Prism and that they need it for the purpose. They are relying on the centaurs right now,' he informed, figuring that a little omission of details such as them calling him "Master" and "Living Heir" wouldn't do any harm. Malfoys always have a very good dominion of the language, and the order of the words used. He smirked lightly.

'You've done well, son. I'm proud. In five days you will be one of us.' He smiled the least bit, but it was a smile after all.

Those little two words filled Draco with a strange sensation, and he didn't quite know how to interpret it.

Lucius continued. 'The Chameleons have seen your little friend here in Rome'

'You mean Potter?'

'Yes. And he's probably looking at finding The Dark Lord and duel him.' He let out a forced and mocking laugh and continued. 'When he gets here, I want you to really hurt him, understood?'

Damn! She would kill me! I'd rather face the Dark Lord himself than a really angry Hermione! 'Yes, father,' he replied.

'You haven't known on the rest of that extremely annoying gang coming, have you?'

Yeah, his little gang has beaten almost as many Death Eaters as the Aurors. Take that! How's that feel? Stupid git, Potter; messing with us… He thought to himself and then frowned, would it be possible that I'm becoming a schizophrenic? He asked himself when seeing all the different voice arguing with each other inside him. He pulled himself away from his thoughts as he felt his father's gaze fixed upon him. 'Uh, no, father. He went off in the middle of the night, the stupid prat'

'Good, we're glad he doesn't have any bodyguards right now… right?' he asked inquiringly. Draco nodded in silence, and Lucius took that as a show of respect.

They went away from Grimmauld Place, they would discuss where to go when they were out of sight from Ginny. Hermione and Neville apparated to King's Cross, not exactly sure why there.

'So, have you got any idea where he might be?' Neville asked lightly, obviously with a touch of irony in the phrase.

Hermione bit her bottom lip. 'I may have'

'How come?' Neville asked, surprised.

'Uhm… well, he went to face Voldemort. The Order doesn't know of any hideout but the one in which we- went,' she forced continuance in her statement.

'So, you reckon he's gone to Rome?'

'Uh-huh'

Neville bit his lip. 'Uhm… and how are we supposed to get there. You don't want to-'

'Good heavens no! you can splint yourself! You've never been there, have you?'

'Nuh-uh'

'It's ok, we'll do what Ro- we did that day'

Neville didn't say a thing, but knew she was having trouble with all this; who wouldn't? 'And that is?'

'I'll conjure a one-way portkey'

'But you have no validation'

'Neville, one good thing about being in the Order of the Phoenix and having an almost second father as Minister of Magic has its uses,' she said matter-of-factly.

'Ah,' was all he managed to say. He had never seen the rule-breaker side on Hermione Granger's live, and it was highly instructive how determined she seemed.

'What are you smiling at?'

'Nothing, never mind,' he shrugged.

'Uhm... o-k. Let's get something…' she looked around and took a piece of old newspaper. 'This will do. Unne Vie Portus,' she said and tapped the newspaper with her wand. 'Hurry Neville,' she ushered.

Neville touched the newspaper and the room vanished in a swirl of colours, to materialize in a dark alley. He opened his eyes and looked around. 'Are we here?' he asked.

Hermione opened her eyes and a million memories and emotions overwhelmed her; she had to look for support in a wall of the alley when she saw the Piazza. Neville turned to her, alarmed.

'Hermione, you all right?' he asked.

She nodded, feeling a little dizzy. 'Yes, Neville. I'm ok. Was just a- never mind'

'You sure?'

'Yes, let's get going,' she forced herself to stand straight and walked out of the alley where they had apparated… like last time.

Neville nodded, unsure, but anyway followed Hermione's lead.

She looked around Harry might've been here, I hope he all right, she thought to herself with a little fear. She looked around and saw blood on the floor, her eyes widened and she ran there. 'Oh Merlin! Please, let him be all right,' she pleaded.

Neville followed her and stopped before the blood, he closed his eyes and then opened them again. 'It's ok, he's alive,' he assured.

Hermione looked at him inquiringly. 'How do you know?'

'I just know. But we should hurry'

Hermione nodded and followed Neville. 'We must head east,' she pointed and they started that way.

Soon they were getting to the very Church where Ron had been killed. Hermione stood in front of it, not wanting to go in there at all. But there was no choice. She took a deep breath, and fighting back all the emotions, locking them in the back of her mind, she stepped in.

Neville looked around, am I really on a rescue mission with Hermione? Are we really intending to save Harry from the Death Eaters and maybe even from The Dark Lord himself. I must really be out of my mind. He assured himself as he followed Hermione inside.

She led the way down to the Catacombs and before anything happened, she turned to Neville. 'You're about to face a labyrinth curse. But this is a modified one; with dark magic. It hurts you physically too, so be careful'

Neville nodded in silence, anguish was rising inside him. But he had to do this, and he wasn't leaving Hermione alone. He took a deep breath. 'All right,' he said.

Hermione nodded and smiled reassuringly at him. 'You managed to master it rather easily, I don't reckon you'll have much-' The room went dark and Hermione knew it had started.

Some time later, Hermione had emerged from her own mind. She had seen all of her loved ones die in a battle, where she could get hurt but not attack. She saw Harry marrying Ginny without much of one glance back at her. But it was all a product of the spell.

She looked around and saw Neville staring at her, looking pale, a little blood coming from his mouth. She hurried to him and pain shot through her right leg, she stopped and looked down to a very nasty cut. 'Ouch,' she just said and collapsed to the floor.

Apparently Neville came out of his trance when Hermione fell. He focused his gaze and ran to her. 'Hermione! What happened?'

'I'll be all right. Ascepcio!' she said and the tip of her wand ignited a light orange, slowly healing her wound. When she was finished, she smiled. 'Medical Magic one,' she simply said, then she noticed Neville for the first time apparently and gasped. 'Are you all right? You look terrible'

Neville smiled and nodded shakily. 'I'm ok. Let's just say I had to face old buried things…'

Hermione smiled sympathetically and stood with Neville's help. 'So, shall we? Are you ready? There is no turning back now Nev. Behind that door, we'll probably find a lot of Death Eaters to say the least. You can go back if you want, no harm done.' She said all this very quickly.

At first Neville was scared, but then, he smiled at Hermione's quick talking. 'Let's go, Harry might be needing us'

Hermione quieted and nodded. They went to the door and opened it. There it was, the same big ball room of that day, just that this time, There was no Ginny in the centre, but the Death Eaters were sitting around what appeared to be an amphitheatre intended for something Hermione didn't even want to start imagining.

They stepped in and there was one second in which no one moved. Ones expected to see a black haired boy, alone. And the others expected to see a battle or something worse. But that didn't last much. The DE were the first ones to react, standing with a bolt and pointing their wands at the two youngsters in front of them.

Hermione pulled her wand too and Neville jumped next to her, ready to fight. He was the first one to send out a curse. 'Stupefy!' he yelled and one of the DE fell.

The others gasped; they had clearly underestimated his capacity for a quick response. One shot a stunning spell at Neville, which he deflected instinctively. He ran up to the centre of the huge Ball Room, a sensation like flying washing over him.

Hermione quickly stunned the DE that had tried to stun Neville and hurried to his side. The Death Eaters now sobered and started sending showers of red and green lights. They ducked or deflected the curses. One of the DE was hit by one of the Killing Curses and fell dead immediately.

'Macnair!' Lucius yelled and glared at Hermione. 'You little mudblood! You'll pay for that!' He diverted his attention from Neville and bolted towards her.

Hermione tensed when Lucius directed her, but somehow, she felt her gaze pulled to the right and saw him. She paralyzed; she knew he was probably there, but the shock of actually seeing him there was stronger than she had thought.

Draco saw Macnair fall dead and closed his eyes. Hermione, you stupid girl! He snapped at her in his head, but what could he do?

Neville was trying to deal with two Death Eaters at the same time. One shot him with a Reducto curse that hit him on the shoulder and he fell to the ground, clutching his wounded arm. He managed to stand and raise his wand. 'Bombarda!' it hit one of the DE on the leg, and he fell, his wand flying from his grip.

The other DE raged at this. 'Crucio!'

Neville felt daggers pierce at every inch of his skin; he let out a scream of pain. Suddenly, getting killed right now sounded as a very appealing idea if it ended this horrible pain. The curse stopped and the DE laughed. Neville stood with difficulty and looked at him from under half-closed eyelids. 'Expelliarmus!' he yelled and it was a very strong disarming spell, for it sent the DE flying across the room.

Another saw him perform that bit of magic and gasped, then frown. 'You're dead boy… Avada Kedavra!'

Luckily Neville had seen him coming and managed to deflect the curse, which hit the wall. He looked at the DE and then quickly scanned the room for Hermione. Lucius was about to attack her. Bloody hell! He'll kill her! He though and started towards her, but was stopped by a Locomotor Mortis hex. He fell on his face and looked back at the DE he was to duel right now.

With his wounded arm, it was rather difficult to keep concentration, but he didn't care. Right now, all he wanted was to get out of there and get Hermione alive out of there. He pointed his wand at his legs. 'Finite;' he could move them again.

Hermione turned when Lucius threw her a stunning curse she barely avoided and threw back the same curse, which Lucius deflected easily.

'You stupid girl! Crucio!' he cried.

Hermione rolled on the floor with pain, screaming desperately. She managed to articulate the words 'Draco' and 'please'.

Lucius laughed. 'You really believe he'll help you, don't you? Come on, give me your best,' he stopped the spell long enough for Hermione to stand and acquire her position.

Please Hermione, don't. He'll kill you! Draco had never been so torn and anguished and frustrated at the same time. He didn't know either to help Hermione or just stand there and watch his father drive the woman he loved mad with pain.

Despite the pain that rang in her head, she managed to put up a smirk. 'You know what you could use? Riktusempra!'

Lucius fell to the ground, laughing uncontrollably.

Oh great! Now you're going to piss him even more. Draco shook his head.

Finally, he managed to put together the spell to end it and he stood, clutching at his mid section, where it hurt from so much laughter. 'Very nice. That is going to cost you more than you imagine. Crucio!' he called and Hermione's tearing scream broke in the room again.

Bloody stop it father! Draco thought desperately as he saw her on the floor. Finally, he couldn't take it anymore and stepped from his corner. 'Leave her alone!' he demanded.

Lucius stopped and turned to his son with a frown. 'Boy, can't you see I'm busy?'

'I said leave her alone,' he repeated in a more dangerous tone.

Lucius sobered and fixed his cold gaze upon his heir. 'What do you mean?' he asked slowly.

'I mean what I say, father'

'You're not thinking straight'

'I don't reckon I've ever thought straighter'

Hermione was startled when Draco stood up to his father; and too shocked to do anything. Suddenly, she felt something knocking the wind off her and she fell consciousness drifting away from her. She fell to the ground under Bellatrix Lestrange's Stunning spell.

'You're a traitor'

'Depends on your definition of traitor, father'

'Don't try the smartarse act on me'

'If traitor means deciding I don't want to go torturing people whenever they piss me off and killing people just because, then I guess I am a traitor'

'You've made a decision. You'll be sorry'

Neville had just finished with the Death Eaters he was facing, when he saw Bellatrix attack Hermione from the back and Draco about to duel his father.

'Oh no, I won't,' Draco also acquired the duelling position. It was quite a strange sight, both wizards facing each other. They looked like one person and his mirror self about to duel the other. They both had the same position, their silvery blond hair stood fair as ever, despite the fight. Their pointed face made them look more menacing. It was like looking at the same person, duelling his younger self.

'NO!' Neville screamed and hurried to where Bellatrix was standing, oh how much he'd waited for that.

Harry was lying on a bed in Allegro Hospital for Wizards, at the outskirts of Rome. He had barely been holding up out of tiresome and multiple injuries. When he got to the medi-witch, he happily received the sleeping potion.

Suddenly, he was jerked awake by a cold rush of anguish. I'm not worthy of being one… he though as he jumped awake. He winced and fell back to bed; very strong feelings followed this, confusion, then anger, and finally relieve. Harry frowned at himself. Geez! What must I have been dreaming about? He asked in his head and drifted back to sleep, confusion still holding him in his embrace.

Some time later, he jumped awake again and the pain wasn't as searing; he clutched at his mid-section, not knowing where this frustration and panic came from. An image came to his head, Hermione rolling on the floor, crying out loud in pain. Harry gasped and stood from the bed, ignoring the pain and the reproaches from the nurse.

He was pulling his cloth on when he stopped for one second to think. What if this is the same as fifth year? What if he's just dragging me to him? He told his inner self. But there would be no need to, for I'm already going to him, he argued with the voice.

Just then, Agnese came in. 'Qui sucede?' she asked.

Harry frowned; this thing of having to perform constant translator spells was really annoying. He made a mental note that if he came out of this alive, he would take italian classes; and maybe French too. He pointed at his head, 'Traducto Oracione,' he cast and asked again. 'What did you say?'

'I said, what's the matter?' she responded calmly.

'I just saw Hermione, tortured. Have to get there. But maybe it's a trick again,' he said all this in ragged breaths, distress building up inside him.

Agnese bit her bottom lip. 'You were going anyways, right?'

'Yes, I better hurry then'

'Uh- yes, you better go do that'

'What's the matter?' Harry asked, there was something different in her voice.

She hesitated, and for a moment, she looked as if she wanted to say something really important, but stepped down from it. 'N- Nothing. Better hurry,' she said looking away.

Normally, Harry would've pressed the matter, but not now. He nodded and dissapparated, appearing in front of the small Church. He swallowed, not really wanting to go back there.

Ginny paced up and down, she hadn't eaten anything since they left; she thought that if she did, she would definitely throw up.

She had had to stand all the telling offs her friends should've been receiving for going away without telling anyone in such a reckless way, and she cursed them for that. They would pay when they came back… if they came back.

Professor Lupin had tried performing a soothing charm on her, but she had snapped at him so bad, he had left her alone. Ginny didn't think she could take it much longer.

They were in the kitchen of Grimmauld Place, the three heads of the order, along with the inner circle members; pondering what to do with this children.

'Why do they always have to be like that?' McGonnagall was sniffing angrily.

'They're children, and it is probably calling them,' Dumbledore was saying calmly.

'How can you act so calm Albus! It's our children out there facing Merlin knows what perils! We must do something! Anything!' Molly was crying desperately.

'We don't even know where they are Molly!' Remus responded, trying his best to keep panic from his voice. He knew what they were up against, for he had been there nearly twenty years ago.

'So we just let them go and get killed! There must be some way of finding them!' She stood up, determinedly and went to get her cloak.

Albus stood as well. 'Now, Molly. Calm down,' he said softly. She started to argue back but he held a hand in front of her. 'Urgency without a plan of action, is wasted energy'

'I do have a plan of action. I'm going after them'

'And what exactly do you plan on doing wherever you go?' Snape put in, in his grave voice.

Molly opened her mouth a couple of times to argue and closed it again. She glanced at her husband for support; he closed his eyes and then gave her a reassuring look.

'Molly, dear. They can take care of themselves. Besides, they have their own paths already set in front of them. We cannot go against what they are,' he said softly, coming to her.

'But they're just kids, for crying out loud!' she argued back, although she sounded kind of defeated already.

'They're kids that were forced to grow up fast. They're kids who had to face death much before they should've'

'They're not ordinary kids, Molly. You know it,' Remus put in.

'We'll hear from them soon, I'm sure,' Tonks tried to be comforting.

Molly glanced at her, who had black and red long hair today. She sighed and slumped in the chair closest.

Arthur took the opportunity, putting his arms around his wife. 'It'll be all right, Molly,' he whispered in her ear.

'I don't want to lose her too, Arthur.' If they knew their daughter, it wouldn't be long until she couldn't stand it anymore and sneaked in spite of the wards they had put on her room. 'Or lose Harry or Hermione,' she whispered. It seemed as if she were afraid to say it out loud in case it came true.

'Look. When I put the wards, I placed a Zaomian crystal in the girl's cloak. Maybe it'll help if she sneaks out to find them. Then we can try and locate it,' Moody tried to help.

Molly looked up at him, hope shining in her face. A part of her wished Ginny stayed up there, where she was safe, but the stronger part knew she was one too, and that she was probably being called as well.

She finally stood and took a small purple crystal from her robe pocket. She held it on her hand a little while and then produced a map from her bag. She tapped it with her wand and it attached to it, as an extension of the piece of wood. She started muttering some words and the crystal started glowing. Suddenly, it stopped and pulled Ginny's hand and wand down, in a place on the map. She looked down at it. 'I knew it!' she said with glee.

She took her small bag, with potions and things she though she would need. She had just gotten her apparating license, but she could try and do it all the way to Rome. She knew it was highly possible that she splinted herself, but she wasn't sure she could conjure a portkey very well.

She weighted her choices. 'If I apparate to Rome, and splint myself, there's no turning back; I'm history. The worst thing that could happen with a wrong-conjured portkey is that I appear in the middle of the ocean or something. Gee, great choices you got there Ginny…' she muttered to herself the last phrase. Sighing, she decided for the portkey. 'I can always apparate from the ocean to some island,' she found herself assuring.

Taking an old Teddy Bear she had in her and Hermione's room at Grimmauld Place, Ginny tapped her wand to its furry head. 'Unne Vie Portus,' she cast and took a deep breath, prepared for anything.

She touched and the room vanished in a swirl of colours, but materialised again, in the same place. Ginny frowned. 'What the bloody- Fuck! Bleeding Moody!' she growled.

She looked around for ways out and found a small window to the far left corner; she smirked and pulled one of the hairpins in her head. She had learned from Fred and George the uses of muggle tricks. The lock clicked open and she smiled to herself. 'I love you bros,' she cheered to the air and slipped through the window. Luckily she was of small composure and fit perfectly through it.

She never let go off the Teddy Bear and as soon as she was on the roof of the old house, the early night sky vanished and materialised in a dark night, at an alley. It was nice to come back here without three Death Eaters holding her down to take her to the Catacombs.

She recalled that day and pain shot in her chest. She bit it back and tried to remember which way they took her. It was rather hard, since she had been upside down most of the time. But she was positive; she had to go to the East.

And indeed, soon enough, she saw a sign that said Catacombs Church, 1km ahead. It was written in italian as well as in english.She laughed softly; tourist information… She followed the arrow and after about ten minutes she was in front of the very Church she had been taken to that day.

Neville and Bellatrix held a very impressing display of power. He shot a spell, she deflected it, but he had shot another one that hit her. She stood and threw a hex at Neville, he slammed against the wall, but stood again.

It was a back and forth shower of spells, none would give up, they would ignore any broken bones, bleeding wounds or tiresome.

The door of the Ball Room opened and they both stopped. A pale-looking red haired was standing in the doorway, with a shaken, though determined look on her face.

Neville gasped. 'Ginny! What are you-' he didn't finish the sentence. Bellatrix stunned him.

'Neville!' Ginny gasped and ran to him, but stopped when a silvery blond glimpse stole her look, flying against the wall. She gasped again and took her hand to her mouth.

Draco was duelling his father and was pretty beaten up, but so was Lucius. Her eyes travelled through the floor, Death Eaters lying on the ground, stunned, unconscious or dead. She stopped at a mat of brown hair she recognised. Hermione. She ran to her friend, but couldn't get to her, for Bellatrix had thrown her a jet of light that sent her flying through the room. Luckily, she managed to perform a cushioning spell before hitting the floor and landed softly, but the place where the spell had hit her, hurt like hell.

Draco perceived a new presence and his attention was drifted for one moment, but it was enough for his father to take advantage and direct him with a Bombarda hex. Draco fell to the ground, bleeding and barely conscious. 'Ginny-' he managed.

Ginny stood. 'Leave him alone, you old bastard!' she yelled.

Lucius looked up at her. 'Don't get into this, little girl, you'll get hurt. This is something between this individual and me'

'I'm not a little girl and I'll sure kick your arse if you don't leave him alone right now,' she demanded. 'And he's your son. And if you didn't remember, his name is Draco by the way,' she said heatedly. She knew she was no match for Lucius Malfoy, especially seeing how Draco was right now. She didn't know why, but she felt she had to gain time.

'I do remember the name he was given. But traitors lose their names. He's not my son or a Malfoy anymore'

'Is that supposed to be a punishment? Cause I find it quite appealing if I have you as a father'

'You wish your family had half the class the Malfoy family has, muggle-lover'

Granted, it was paying off knowing Draco. Malfoy Family pride was the subject no one could touch, unless it was for praising. 'At least we have ethics,' she said, feeling really stupid at this last phrase.

Definitely. Lucius started laughing. 'Ethics? Those are nonsense'

'It makes people love you instead of fear you'

'Fear is respect'

'But you never know who your real allies are'

'Shut up! Crucio!'

Ginny felt her skin tearing apart, every piece of her body breaking in a million pieces. The piercing of a surgical blade with no anaesthesia. She cried out loud.

Hermione started to stir, and her eyes flew open when she heard her friend's voice. 'Ginny!' she gasped and tired to stand, but pain seared her and she fell back. She looked around for her wand. 'Wand! Wand!' she cried

Ginny stopped crying out loud and bit back the pain. 'You. Won't. Get. One more. Scream from me!' she finished defiantly.

Lucius was startled at her willpower, and this angered him even more. 'Avada-'

Draco registered what his father was about to do and jumped up, despite all his injuries. He flung himself where Ginny was; putting himself between the spell and Ginny. He had no idea why he did that.

Neville's eyes fluttered open in an instant. His dark blue eyes settled in a way they had only had once before. He stood with no struggle at all and looked at Lucius, who was about to send the Killing Curse at Ginny. He raised a hand in front of him. 'Stop!' he ordered, and somehow, Lucius mouth didn't finish the spell; apparently, he had lost the ability to speak.

Lucius turned to the boy with wide eyes.

Neville raised both his hands and he said some unintelligible words to Hermione's ears; she had never heard that spell or read about it before. She studied Neville for a fraction second and saw a completely different being in his friend's eyes, she gasped softly, but since he had saved Ginny, she took it he was on their side.

A white light shot from his hands and Lucius and Bellatrix were paralysed in the act. He looked at the three teenagers, staring blankly at him. 'Go! Now!' he roared.

Hermione stood with an effort and took Draco's arm. 'Let's go!' she ordered.

At first, Draco was reluctant, but then followed. The three leaning onto each other. 'This way' Draco pointed and touched one of the pieces of wood in a very particular way. A door appeared in front of them and they stepped through.

Hermione stopped just before he fully stood in the other room and motioned Neville to come. He obeyed.

When they went through the door, and it closed, Neville collapsed to the floor with a loud thump.

'Neville!' Ginny ran to him.

Slowly, his eyes opened. He was drenched in sweat and was panting. 'What happened?' he asked dazedly.

Draco stumbled in, one of his hands on the wall for balance. Hermione noted he was looking paler than usual. His skin looked as a dead man's. He looked up at her with unfocused eyes and then fell forward. She tried to catch him, but was too late, her body wasn't responding very much either.

Ginny heard Draco fall and turned from Neville. 'You all right?' she asked. He nodded and sat upright. She hurried to where Draco was, remembering the pool of blood that lay around him on the other room.

Hermione walked to the door and sealed it.

She took his pulse and looked up at Hermione with panic in her eyes. 'We're losing him,' she said.

'What-? No!' she managed, but couldn't move.

Ginny looked down at him, she had his head and shoulders on her lap. 'Come on Draco, don't leave us.' No response. His chest rose and fell ever more slowly, and he wouldn't stop bleeding.

She examined his wounds. 'My potions won't be enough,' she muttered. 'Please Draco, stay with me,' she pleaded with tears in her eyes. Instinctively, and without really knowing why, she took her hands to his most serious wounds. All she had in her mind was saving Draco.

Hermione noted a yellow glow had started to come out from her body as she took her hands to his wounds. She wondered what this was; something similar had happened to her that day.

A small bubble formed around her and her patient and slowly, his wounds healed perfectly, leaving no mark at all. When Ginny opened her eyes, she gasped when she realised she was glowing and that Draco's wounds were healed. Almost the same happened with Bill, but now I feel different, she thought and looked up at her bewildered friends.

Something appeared out of nowhere and landed on Draco's chest. It was glowing yellow and Ginny felt her hands being dragged towards it. She took it hesitantly and saw it was a rustic-looking necklace, with a very beautiful stone hanging. She stared at it and put it around her neck, feeling a warm sensation she had never felt. It was as if she was wrapped with all this magic, and she felt complete.

Draco opened his eyes and focused on the red hair, with the necklace on her and the rock in her hand. 'Ginny?' he managed, his voice hoarse.

He went through the Labyrinth curse once more, but it was a bit easier this time, knowing what he was up against. His fears dissipated with the room and he found himself in the cold underground, with the door in front of him. He swallowed a breath as he remembered Ron's smile before he dropped dead under the killing curse. He pushed it out of his mind, concentrating in the image of Hermione being tortured and opened the door.

Death Eaters were lying all over the once elegant room, some were stirring and others were stiff; dead. A rush of coldness ran through Harry's spine and he closed his eyes, not even wanting to imagine what had happened there. What a blood bath, he thought heavily and scanned the room for the familiar faces of his friends, nothing. He didn't know if to be relieved or even more scared for them; he chose relieve.

Finally his mind started to work and with a wave of his wand, invisible ropes tied the stirring Death Eaters together in the centre of the room. Harry smiled at himself and started walking where his feet carried him.

He looked around for any doors, nothing. Finally, following his instincts, he closed his eyes and raised both his arms at shoulder height. Words came to his head and he pronounced them: 'Dissendium Abitaciao.' The room started glowing gold and the walls became almost transparent.

Harry opened his eyes and gasped in surprise. He looked all around, there were four doors. He chose one and started walking straight as the spell wore off. While he walked, he realised he wasn't as tired as he used to get whenever he repeated this procedure of concentrating and letting his mind make the spell for him.

He got to the far wall and started feeling around for a switch or something. He tapped at a corned with two fingers and a door revealed itself. Harry smiled, satisfied and tentatively pushed the door open.

He found himself in a smaller room, but equally decorated as the "Ball Room" he had just left behind. He looked around and a moment later, his scar started to hurt horribly. His knees failed a little, but he stayed on his feet. He must be close. Harry closed his eyes, willing his mind blank as Dumbledore had taught him on his sixth year, when he took over the lessons Snape had been giving him. He wasn't too successful but managed to ease the pain a little bit and focus again in the room.

He distinguished a terribly familiar outline in front of him. Tall and white, narrow slits as pupils and eyes red as blood. Voldemort. His long fingers were intertwined and he stared at Harry from under his cat-like pupils; he was wearing a long black robe and a hood hung over his head.

'I see you managed to get here boy,' he said in a high pitched whisper.

'As you see, I did,' Harry responded. He was tense all over and his head throbbed almost unbearably.

'Is your head hurting?' he continued conversationally as he walked closer.

Harry considered his answer for a moment and figured it was no good to lie about that. 'Yes, thanks for your concern,' he managed. He was very surprised to hear his voice calm and even detached.

'I see. I might have underestimated you'

'For the fifth time,' Harry finished the sentence and enjoyed as he saw a bit of anger past his almost inexpressive eyes.

'Funny, you are. Eh?'

'I consider myself fairly amusing sometimes. I see you don't have your Death Eaters to back you up,' Harry continued and he was extremely aware of any slight movement he might make. He had to be ready to repel any attack, or at least protect himself.

'And I couldn't help but notice you don't have your little friends with you'

'Then that leaves us alone. One on one, hm?'

'I think it does. Are you ready to face death?'

'Depends on the idea you have on death tonight. If it includes me dying, I don't think so. However, if it implies you laying on your back, suffering for all those you have made suffer before you die, then I am completely sure I'm more than ready.' Truth was, he was feeling much less confident than he sounded.

'Shut up boy!' Voldemort snapped and raised his wand to him. 'Avada Kedavra,' he shot a green jet of light, which Harry repelled with a shielding charm. At that moment, occurred the same as three years ago, when Voldemort first came back to power. Both wands locked into each other and an energy bubble wrapped them both. The wands started to heat up much faster than last time and they both let go off them at the same time with a groan.

'Bloody hell!' Harry heard his voice as he was slightly thrown back. He saw Voldemort was in the same situation.

'Guess it'll come down to wandless magic'

'Or the old muggle way,' Harry finished the sentence yet again.

'I'd rather go with magic,' Voldemort added conversationally.

'For the first time in your life, I agree with you'

'Good, you should do that more often,' he said as if they were old friends chatting.

'I don't think so,' Harry said with a frown and a smirk.

'But I daresay you're in disadvantage'

'How's that, eh?' he said defiantly.

'Since you barely can do wandless magic'

'You're doing it again'

'What?'

'Underestimating me; Callagua!' A thick beam of light shot from Harry's fingers. Voldemort managed to duck it.

'Don't say I didn't make the offer'

'Don't worry, I won't. Reducto!' Harry threw and Voldemort fended it off with one single movement, though it seemed to Harry that it had hurt him to do so.

'Crucio!' Voldemort threw and Harry fell to the ground with loud screams of pain. He managed to finish it after a while and was surprised at his own ability. He stood up.

'Stupefy!' Voldemort flew back, but he wasn't stunned.

'Diffindo!'

'Impedimenta!' but it wasn't enough, for the hex still reached him and opened a huge wound on his left arm. Harry clutched at it, wincing.

'I'm offended, now you're doing it. You'd think you could stop the curse'

'As a matter of fact, I did,' Harry accepted. 'Bombarda!'

Voldemort half-avoided it ; it hit him in the mid-section, hurting him. 'You're also rather fast'

'I've been practicing. Protego!' Harry didn't protect himself in time, he flew back. But before he hit the wall, he managed the Cushioning charm and it didn't hurt as much.

'Has anyone told you you're as annoying and arrogant as your father?

'Indeed, they have'

'Good, because you are. But I killed him fairly easy, I might fear you'll be as easy. Or maybe like your mother, she squealed like a pig when I killed her'

Harry's anger rose at the mention of his parents. He remembered the tearing screams he had heard when the Dementors had approached him, four years ago. 'You don't even dare mention their names!' Harry roared.

'Uh, did I touch a nerve there?'

'You bastard! Crucio!'

Voldemort fell to the floor and let out a small scream of pain. He stood up after a moment. 'Second time round and you still can't manage to perform a good unforgivable. Now, tell me boy, how many unforgivable did they teach you?' he said, rounding Harry. His tone was as cold as ice and as smooth as silk.

Harry didn't lose sight of his opponent, his posture was set and ready, though his mind was racing. 'The three that I'll use in you, bastard,' he said in a dangerous, cold voice. His bright green eyes were worn and even deadly.

'Well, they missed one...' Voldemort replied, amused.

This caught Harry off his trail of thoughts for a second, but it was enough to let his guard down.

'Energio!' he hissed, and a jet of poisonous blue light hit Harry square in the chest. He stumbled a little, looking where the curse had reached him. After a few seconds, he looked up at Voldemort, a smirk on his face.

'Well, now I know why they missed it. They must've put it in the Curses for the Useless book- Crucio!' Harry tried once more, and this time he did manage to get it right. Voldemort didn't have time to react and fell to the ground, revolving in pain. Harry couldn't help but feel too good about him suffering.

Soon, the hissing scream became a shrill laugh. Voldemort stood with an effort and looked at Harry closely, as if seeing a strange bug for the first time. 'How do you feel now boy?'

Harry stared at him and out of nowhere, he felt tired. He pushed it to the back of his mind and narrowed his eyes. 'What do you mean?'

'I just want to know how you're feeling,' Voldemort said slowly.

'Shut up! Volpermio!' Harry shouted and a jet of black light emerged from his fingers.

Voldemort choked a breath, as if someone had just punched him in the stomach. He coughed and spitted blood. 'If we're playing like that, you'll just lose faster. Foremica!'

The black light that shot from Voldemort's fingers hit Harry and he received a piercing hole on his right leg, he fell to the ground. He was feeling extremely drained now and had no idea why. 'Levimaia!' he managed and sparks of lavender came from his fingers. But he couldn't focus much anymore and the curse brushed past Voldemort.

'Feeling a bit tired, Potter?'

'What have you done to me?'

'I told you they had missed one'

'You- Reducto!'

Voldemort flew back and hit the wall, sliding down to the floor but not losing consciousness.

Harry could barely keep his eyes open now, and when Voldemort didn't throw a spell back, he decided to throw another attack. 'Stupefy!' He didn't get to see if the spell had hit him, for blackness wrapped him.

They worked all day in the Conference Room with Fawks humming softly. They only stopped to have lunch and they didn't even get out of the room for that. Finally they had put all the spells in it with their blood and had written the spell needed throughout the chest's outside in the form of a riddle.

'Bloody headache!' Salazar complained and took his thumb and index fingers to his forehead.

'We are all tired,' Rowena said softly.

Helga leaned in and kissed his forehead gently. Salazar managed a smile and kissed her back.

Godric bent forward and spoke in Rowena's ear. 'I don't think this has to do with him being tired, not of working, that is'

'I know, but we can't tell him that,' she whispered back and they both sighed.

Fawks stopped singing, for he was definitely tired. They all looked up at it and knew he had to get some rest. They turned back to their finished masterpiece and smiled at each other.

But that happiness didn't last much. Moments later, Godric sensed the shape of his friend's mind change and his head snapped up. 'No Salazar, don't let it-'

But it was too late. 'You think you can just keep that power from me? You honestly are that stupid?'

'Let him go, you evil thing!' Helga ordered, but the Symbio was no ordinary creature, for it was joined to a wizard, and a warlock for that matter.

'Ha! You are pathetic, you know? Oh yes! I've told you that several times, haven't I?'

'Salazar, honey, I know you can hear me. Come back to us,' Rowena pleaded.

'Your phoenix isn't singing anymore, it's of no use'

Godric tried to reach out for his friend's mind, but was abruptly pushed away. He winced and bent over, clutching his head.

Rowena gasped. 'Godric!'

'This is going to end now!' He directed his fingers to the phoenix, resting calmly. A shot of black light hit it and it burned to ashes. The other three gasped. Salazar laughed coldly. 'Now, the most important thing.' He turned to the now finished chest. 'Deletr-'

He didn't finish, for Godric jumped in front of the chest. 'Oh, no you won't!' he spat out.

'Want to bet on that? Cruc-' he stopped in mid-incantation.

Godric stared at him. 'That's it Salazar, fight it!' he encouraged.

'Gah! Deletrius!' he said and a jet of light shot towards the chest. Luckily, Rowena had though more quickly and put a shielding charm on it. The spell bounced but the shield blew apart.

Godric took the chance. 'Stupefy!'

Hours later, Salazar was waking up and taking a Pepperup Potion to regain his strength. Helga came to him as soon as he was able to walk and perform magic. 'Salazar, get up love. We're going to hide the chest right now.

'Huh?'

'We're going to the old Battlefield and seal The Power of Shikeon to hide it away somewhere else,' Rowena came in with clean robes for her friend.

'Uhm… all right,' he said, still feeling a little dizzy.

'Get dressed, we're off,' Godric ordered wearily and Salazar just obeyed, he didn't feel strong enough to argue back.

They had been wondering around the huge Headquarters after they had all rested enough and had potions Ginny had brought to regain strength. Strangely enough, she wouldn't let go of the little amber that hung from her neck. Hermione just stared at her with suspicion.

They got to a door and opened it. As soon as Hermione did it, she closed it again louder than she would've intended. Draco frowned and opened the door, staring into the raging heads of a dog just like Fluffy, back in first year. 'Right, what is behind door number two?' Draco commented.

Ginny wondered why they were acting like that and peered her face through the door.

'Ginny, no!' Draco pulled her back, but she fought to stay were she was. 'Have you gone insane?'

Ginny didn't seem to listen to him and entered the door, still holding the small amber in her hand. She spoke in a language none of the other three understood.

As if it had been a miracle, the dog calmed down and even stepped aside from the door it was guarding. They entered and found a wounded Voldemort standing over an unconscious Harry.

Hermione gasped soundly and ran to him. 'What have you done to him!' she demanded.

Neville and Draco were already pointing their wands at him and he stared at them. 'Don't bother, I'm off now. My work here is done.' He was holding a small flask that appeared to be blood of Harry's.

'What do you mean?' Ginny finally managed.

Voldemort laughed and took some steps backwards into the shadows. 'It doesn't matter anyway, he's more dead than alive now.' And he dissapparated with a soft pop.

Ginny ran to him as well and put a hand on his chest, the yellow glow healing his bleeding wounds. But he would still not awaken.

Hermione felt his pulse and her eyes widened. 'It growing slower,' she informed as panic crept to her broken voice.

Draco felt an impulse to do something, anything! He threw himself on his knees next to Harry and felt his pulse as well. 'Come on Potter! Don't die on me!' he demanded. No response. He pushed the two girls away, they protested soundly.

'What do you think you're doing, Malfoy?' Ginny began.

'Draco, what's the matter with you?'

'Just—don't say anything,' he heard himself saying from very faraway.

They both frowned. Neville just stood there, staring at the two boys. Hermione looked at him for support, but couldn't really make out who she was looking at right now.

Draco pulled Harry into his lap. 'Come on, Potter! You have to kill the bastard! I didn't defy my father and renounced my Family's name so you could die peacefully!' he said and wrapped his arms around the other boy's chest with his eyes closed.

He didn't really know what he was doing, all he knew was that Harry had to survive and deep down, he knew he was the only one that could do that. He rocked back and forth, and moments later, a golden light –just like the one that had wrapped Harry that day, months ago- started to emanate from Draco's body.

Hermione and Ginny gasped and stumbled backwards. Neville, however stood in his ground, staring at the scene.

Draco's "aura" grew steadily and slowly, it started to sink into Harry's body. Moments later, he sagged and fell backwards. Hermione and Ginny both ran to the two boys that lay on the cold stone floor.

Harry's chest rose and fell quicker and steadily, while Draco's was rising and falling ever more rapidly, as if he had ran a marathon.

Ginny pulled Harry's face up tentatively and he slowly opened his eyes. 'H—Hermione?' he muttered weakly.

Ginny felt her chest tighten. It was true what she had feared all along; he loved Hermione much more than he loved her. She pushed those thoughts away as she realised he was alive and so was Draco.

The door of the room slammed open and half a dozen Death Eaters burst in, wands held up high. As soon as they saw them, spells and hexes started to fly all over. They managed to duck most of them, but it was increasingly harder seeing they had two unconscious boys with them.

Neville was standing still and then he turned to Hermione and Ginny, speaking in a deep, melodical voice, but it was dead serious. 'Get the Warlocks to the corner!' he ordered.

Hermione and Ginny stared blankly at him, Warlocks? What is he talking about? Ginny thought, not moving.

'Now!' Neville roared and they both flinched and jumped, dragging Harry and Draco with them to the corner. Neville performed some spell that Hermione didn't recognise, but it slowed down the Death Eaters' movements enough for him to go to them and, opening his arms, he apparated them all out, to Grimmauld Place.

A/N: I am so, so, so sorry I took so long to post this chapter. Between RL and wanting this chapter to be perfect, I got stuck more than once. I hope you liked the chapter despite the length, for I'm very proud of it.

I thought it would be fun to make Parkinson an American, that's all. Oh! And yes, I'm a huge Spider Man fan ;)

This time it's going to be mine / This new find is staying overnight / With all the discoveries, you'll want to take a break / But no worries, you won't have to wait (hopefully not that much lol).

If you like my story(ies), you can join me, AmyNoelle and MetroDweller at : .com/group/BrainstormQuill