For those of you in our facebook group - Bubbleybear & Pienuniek's Story Nook - this news will come as no surprise. But I recently lost a very dear friend to cancer who was also an unofficial Pre-Reader for the Under Her Spell Series. Leonie Price, I miss you, so very much but I hope that you are free from pain, wherever you are.

In her honour, I am dedicating this entire book to her. Her enthusiasm helped me continue to write on many days where I felt ... lost. In fact, one of the last emails she sent me was that she wished that these books had been on the big screen; that they were better than the originals. I know it will never happen, but the thought was enough to encourage me. Please keep her in your thoughts as we continue with this story. Cheers.

I'm so glad that I can finally give you the next in the series. Just know I've already read Book Six and have taken my notes. Now ... I can say that I've started to write!

Thanks must go out to my team. My pre-reader Pienuniek and my Beta Alice's White Rabbit. I would be lost without the pair of you, truly.

I don't own Twilight, or Harry Potter, I'd be a richer person if I did. But I do so love to create my own places for them out in the world. No copyright infringement is intended.

See you at the bottom ...

Chapter Thirty-Two ~ La Porte de l'Enfer

There was a moment of complete silence while we watched as Sirius slowly fell backward, his eyes rolled, and he floated away into nothing. And then another completely silent moment as we all registered what had happened, but then complete pandemonium broke out. There were screams and cries, all upset at what had happened to Sirius.

But it was Bellatrix I kept my eye on because she was smirking and trying to back away.

"Remus, grab Harry!" Bella suddenly shouted before she lunged forward to do the same.

I turned to see that Tonks reached for Hermione only for her to realize that Hermione wasn't struggling. "Tonks, Hermione, reach for Ginny!"

Harry was fighting for all he was worth. "Why?" he shouted at Bellatrix, who thought she was getting away. "He was your family!"

The cackle Bellatrix let loose was creepy, maniacal, and completely insane before she frowned and pointed her wand at Harry. "HE. WAS. NOT. MY. FAMILY. He was a traitor to the magical world and a traitor to his pure-blood ancestry. That was why I killed him!"

Bellatrix once again cackled as Shane stormed forward from the back of the group. He had been able to maintain his composure until just that very moment. He started to move forward. He had already lost his wife, the one person who had meant the most to him until Harry was born, and now thanks to Sirius's very own cousin, Shane had lost Sirius as well.

I wanted to turn and stop Shane from attacking Bellatrix, from going after Sirius, but Bellatrix was going to make a run for it, and I had an idea. One that had been niggling at the back of my mind since we got here.

Bella and Remus were still struggling to contain a fighting Harry while Ginny was giving Tonks and Hermione a run for their money. So, it was Fred and George who barreled after Shane as I took off after Bellatrix. Once I had a hold of her, I ran toward the archway. "Bella, I need you to prepare. Keep a hold of everyone!"

"What? Edward, what are you doing?" She noticed where I was headed. "You can't do that! Edward, NO!"

I smiled at her. "Just trust me and sing! Make sure it's sad!" And with that, I towed a screaming Bellatrix through the veil.

Stepping through the veil was like falling from a great height. It wasn't an easy transition with Bellatrix determined to kill me as we fell. She wasn't happy about being dragged through to die. She wanted to be with her "Voldemort" and take over the world. There were feelings there for her idol, although I wasn't sure it was love.

"What did you do that for?" she screamed as she continued to fight. "I have so much more to do!"

I grabbed a hold of her hands and wrenched them behind her back so she couldn't attempt to attack me and hurt herself anymore. "I was making sure you weren't gonna hurt or kill any more of my family and friends." I smirked. "And this way you won't come back out."

"Agghhh!" Bellatrix screamed before trying to head butt me. Then she released her maniacal laugh. "You just dove through the veil, too! You aren't getting back to your little mate!"

I shook my head in mock disappointment as we landed near the river where the boatman was located. "For a breed of humans that are supposed to be smart, some of you can be so damn dumb." I dragged her over to the ferryman, who in many depictions could pass as one of Zeus's angels, but this one was closer to what I imagined death would be. He was bony, with armor built up around his skeletal frame and a wooden mask covering his skull. "I need passage to see Hades and Persephone, please, Charon."

"Nobody is permitted to see the gods of the underworld," Charon replied, but as Bellatrix started to smirk once more, a mournful, soulful song started to sound through the veil high above us. Charon looked up quickly before looking back at me. "That song reminds me of the one Orpheus played. The one that made the gods weep. I can take you and"—here he paused—"this one across the river Styx, but from there, you must make your way through the Underworld, starting with passing Cerberus, to the inner sanctum. It is there you will meet with the judges before meeting Hades and Persephone, if one is granted a meeting."

I nodded slowly to Charon. "And should I find who I want to return to the land of the living on my travels through?"

"Take them with you to meet with Hades and Persephone. Although, if that song continues, the Underworld will be crying by the time you get there. Please, climb aboard."

I stepped forward, pulling two galleons from my pocket. I pushed Bellatrix aboard, who had gone quiet, and gave both of the galleons to Charon as I stepped over the edge of the boat. He looked up at me, surprised when he realized what I had done.

I shrugged. "It is customary to pay you to cross the river, right?"

"It is. I hadn't thought about it. Thank you …"

"Edward. My name is Edward."

"Edward," Charon repeated while he stepped into position at the end of the boat and picked up his oar. He pointed up toward where we could still hear Bella's song. "That your mate?"

I nodded. "And she's waiting for me to return to her."

"Then let's get you over the river." Charon used the long oar, not only to push the gondola-type boat across the river but also to guide it in the direction it needed to go when the current would get too strong.

The trip was a long one, considering the River Styx was the river that the other four of the Underworld connected to and the main one in Greek mythology for Charon to ferry the souls of the dead across.

"Any tips for getting through the Underworld?" I asked as we were three quarters of the way across.

"Keep your goal in mind. Remember the love for your mate, and let that guide you." Here Charon leaned forward. "The gods, especially Persephone, are softer at heart than they want people to believe. Know that your love will be your saving light."

I stood. Forcing Bellatrix to do the same when we reached the other side of the river. "Thank you, Charon. Maybe I'll see you on the return trip."

"I hope to see you again, Vampire Edward."

Bellatrix and I were silent as Charon pushed off the bank and guided his boat back across the river.

"Now what?" Bellatrix sniped when I turned her around.

"Now, we start through Tartarus." I pointed in front of us. "After we get past that gate with Cerberus. Only he can allow people into the Underworld."

~*~UHS~*~

Bellatrix struggled for all she was worth as I guided her forward toward the large three-headed dog that stood in front of the gate to the Underworld. She was struggling so much that I was becoming more frustrated by the minute.

I picked her up by her shoulders and held her in front of my face. "Do you think I need you alive to get what I'm after. As long as I hold your soul—what little of it there is—I will be able to complete what I want to do down here. So, I suggest you stop your struggling, or I will wring your damn neck."

It seemed that while Bellatrix was used to the idea that she may die because of following Voldemort into the dark arts, she had never had her mortality shoved in her face quite so blatantly as I had just done. She was so stunned that she stopped and just stared at me with her mouth open.

"That's better. Now … walk." I spun her back around and placed her on her feet. When she didn't move straight away, I poked her with my wand. "I will kill you. Get a move on."

With hesitant steps, she began walking again. I'm going to die down here. I'll never see Earth again.

I snickered. "No, Bellatrix, you will not. This will become your prison for the rest of eternity."

What? "What? Did you just answer my thoughts?"

"Oh, yeah! Vampires can have many talents. Mine just happens to be hearing thoughts. Pretty handy when dealing with people like you."

Bellatrix was stunned silent. In fact, as we continued to walk toward Cerberus, she stayed completely silent, in thought and voice, and she hadn't closed her mind. I looked over the Hound of Hades as we approached him. Over my many years, I had read a lot of different descriptions of this very beast. He had been described as having anywhere between three and a hundred heads, with the tail of a snake. There was one description where he also had snakes protruding from various parts of his body.

But this hound, this version of Cerberus, was similar to Fluffy. The dog of Hagrid's that Dumbledore had used to guard the Philosopher's Stone during our first year at Hogwarts. Cerberus was brown, instead of black, and his fur seemed to be courser than that of Fluffy. But the biggest difference between Fluffy and Cerberus was the spirit aura that seemed to encompass him. There was almost like a blue film, or fog, that surrounded the dog and moved as he moved. His eyes glowed with power, responsibility, and even a touch of pride at the task he had been given.

As we approached, one of the heads lowered itself so that he could look directly at me. You read minds? he thought when we came to a stop in front of him.

"I do."

You wish to enter the Underworld? You realize that nobody leaves? Cerberus looked up as Bella continued to sing. Although, I have a feeling you know more than the average person who comes across my door.

"You may be right, Cerberus. There's more than meets the eye. I would like to have a meeting with Hades and Persephone. May we enter, please?"

I wish you luck, sir. I hope to see you get your return trip.

I nodded in respect. "Thank you."

Cerberus stepped aside. In all the literature I had read, Cerberus had been described as the right-hand man of Hades. A dog that was more temper than companion. And he would devour the souls of those who came to the Underworld. That wasn't how I would describe him. He seemed to be intelligent and well spoken. I wondered, was his description as such because nobody could understand him but me? Had he seemed aggressive and argumentative because he had been trying to communicate and nobody had taken the time to try to understand him.

I was so glad that Bella hadn't made the trip with me. She would have wanted to take the dog home with us, and I'm sure Hades would not have liked that one bit.

I steered Bellatrix around Cerberus and stepped toward the ornate gate to the Underworld. It was an imposing image that rose in front of us. With statues of the devil crouched on two pillars on either side, plus depictions of lost souls, horned figures, and the image of death all on the gates themselves, it was decidedly terrifying. Even to me. Bellatrix was just about shaking in her leather boots.

And on top of that, Hades had made the gate squeal when it was opened. It seemed that the leader of the Underworld had an interesting sense of humor.

There was nothing funny about the image that greeted us after the doors opened however. It was dark and foreboding while seemingly lifeless, yet full of anguish. I could hear the souls of the damned and those of the enemies of Zeus.

Tartarus was desolate. There was no other word for it. While mountains rose at the horizon, the vast landscape was red and empty. We could see for miles and miles. And from what I could see—which was more than Bellatrix—I couldn't see a damn thing. I knew the place wasn't empty. I could hear that, and I knew my Greek history, but I couldn't see anyone.

I forced Bellatrix to step through the gate. As we did so, the howling souls of the damned that I could hear were now audible to Bellatrix as well. They became louder and more tortured as we continued walking. The gate clanked behind us as it closed, secured with a chain that rattled, locking us in.

"What are you planning?" Bellatrix whispered as we walked further into Tartarus.

I looked around at the landscape. I'm not sure it could get any more depressing nor any hotter. While there were hills and flats, I could also sense the kind of heat that could only come from lava. As we walked, I looked out to the left to see a river of lava flowing between two different levels of red dirt. What I realized was that while the landscape was bare of anything resembling life, there was a stark beauty to it, too.

If this was Hell, then I didn't think it was too bad. Minus the screaming, torturous cries of the damned.

I looked back at Bellatrix. "I plan to walk out of here with Sirius in tow."

Bellatrix snorted. "And how do you plan to do that? We crossed the veil; you're as dead as I am."

"Hmm, nope." I shook my head playfully. "The advantage of growing up in the muggle world and spending decades going to school and college is that I learned all about the ancient world. There's a story that will get me out of here. You … not so much."

We'd been walking for about half an hour—although time seemed relative here—when one of the many titans Zeus had overthrown stepped into our path. I couldn't help but gape up at him. Hagrid was big. And the giants I had seen in his thoughts when he had gone to see them were even bigger. But this guy … he was huge! He had to be twice the size of those giants, and he seemed to be completely made of a dark-colored stone. How on earth did he move so quietly?

He placed his hand on his chest and bowed his head to me. "Cronos, vampire. How did you end up here?"

I bowed my head back, straining my neck to look up at him. "My name is Edward. And that's a long story that I would love to share, but I need to get through to see Hades."

"We have time. Spare me some torture and spin me a tale from Earth." Cronos slowly lowered himself into a sitting position so that I wouldn't have to strain so far to see his face. But even sitting on his ass, he was still as tall as a giant.

I spent the next while explaining what had been happening, not only this year but over the last few since I found myself in the wizarding world. And the whole time, Cronos listened with rapt attention, only interrupting me with questions when he needed to clarify something.

There was something I noticed about the pallor of his skin as I told my tale, shaking Bellatrix every so often to keep her quiet when she tried to butt in. It took me almost as long as the tale itself to realize that he was covered from head to toe in bruises and cuts. Old ones, new ones, and some that were placed some time in between. To see, and feel, the torture this one being had experienced must have been horrible.

"Sounds like an impossible place to be in," Cronos mused. "But you have the right idea and your little mate up there." He pointed up to where we could still hear Bella. "She has the right idea. As do you. Just beware that even if Hades grants you what you want, there will be consequences for not following the rules." Cronos smirked. "I should know. I once did the same things."

I laughed. I couldn't help it. "I have no doubt. But now, I need to go."

"You do. Just don't trust everything you see in the Underworld."

"I won't. Thank you," I said as I started to walk around Cronos so he didn't need to get up right away. "I hope that maybe, one day, you and Zeus might sort shit out."

Cronos laughed. A deep belly laugh. "One can only hope, Edward. Even if it sounds improbable after all of these years. Good luck."

I waved to Cronos, wondering why Zeus wanted him out of power when he seemed okay to me, but kept walking. I assumed Zeus had wanted the power for himself, but I also remembered that to prevent a self-fulfilling prophecy of his children overthrowing him to be the gods of Olympus—just like he did to his father—Cronos ate his children after they were born. Zeus was the last child to come from Cronos and his wife Rhea, which she hid from Cronos until Zeus was old enough to challenge his father for control. When Zeus was old enough, he led the others on a ten-year long war to overthrow the titans and banished them to Tartarus.

Huh. Maybe Carlisle wasn't so bad after all.

I kept propelling Bellatrix forward. This trip was taking longer than I wanted it to. I was so lost in thought about how to make this faster that I was startled when Bellatrix started shaking and whispered an "oh my, Merlin" aloud.

I looked up to see that we were still in Tartarus, but the landscape had shifted. Instead of just the barren red that we had encountered upon entry, we were now wandering through hundreds, thousands, if not millions of people living out their worst nightmares. They were fighting monsters, being killed by maniacs, or having unspeakable tortures placed upon them. I couldn't understand what we were now seeing until I pulled from all my learning about religion and worked out that … "This is Hell," I whispered back to Bellatrix. "Where all those who had a chance to live their best life but utterly failed at being a decent human being come to reside to get their just desserts. To be repaid in kind with what you did when you were alive." I pushed her through because I was starting to see the end of this rather depressing tunnel. "Think this is where you're going to end up after all is said and done? Maybe you'll find Rabastan and Rodolphus here?" I snorted before leaning down to whisper, "And Voldemort when we beat him because that's what we're going to do."

Bellatrix lost her shit. There was no other explanation for it. She thrashed and screamed and cried and threatened me to within an inch of my life. Honestly, it was quite funny. But what I found even more interesting was that the reason it freaked her out so much was because she recognized some of the people in this area being tortured. They had been death eaters from the first war she participated in. These were people she had come to rely on. These were people she had wondered about—not that she'd ever admit to being worried—when they had disappeared.

"You really just don't get it yet." I snorted into a chuckle. "This is it for you. There will be no going back to Voldemort. There will be no surviving this. You're done. Besides that … no mere human witch or wizard can cast a spell strong enough to kill a vampire or a Veela. Your precious Voldemort won't be able to kill us. So, if it comes down to a duel between him and us … he's going to lose." I shoved her hard. Hard enough that she stumbled. "Think about them apples."

She continued to fight as we continued to make our way toward the next giant archway. I would have worried about the fight leaving her if I hadn't spotted what she spotted. A large, fiery cage with the name Lestrange already above it. It didn't say which Lestrange, just the single last name. She knew then what I had been telling her before. There was no getting out of this. There was no way Voldemort and all their followers were in the right. Just like every evil dictator, and those who whole heartedly believed in him or her, this was where they ended up. And where she was going to lose her mind, well if she had any sanity to start with.

She trudged to the next giant archway with me only to find ourselves in another almost-desolate place. While this one wasn't as barren, it still had rivers of lava flowing around and through. At least, this place had some type of greenery throughout.

The most disturbing thing about this area was the fact that the inhabitants were almost entirely women. These women, however, were all dressed in mourning clothes. Black dresses with black veils covering their faces. I could see all the different eras of clothing, too. Some modern but most were old. Very old. Although, that wasn't the worst part about where we had found ourselves. The worst part was that these women were all crying, wailing, or screaming about their lost loves.

What happened here? I thought as I walked through after Bellatrix. I never liked it when the women in my life got upset, and being here in this place was ten time worse. Everywhere I looked, there was a woman who was upset and needed consoling.

It took me a few moments to realize that this wasn't just any place within the Underworld. We had now entered the Fields of Mourning. These poor women, and very few men, were the souls of those who were hurt by love. Whose ruthless love did waste away. Back in the muggle world, ghost hunters would have called these souls "women in white", simply for the fact that they were women who were hurt by the ones who were supposed to love them the most.

What I disliked about this area of the Underworld was that these souls were destined to wander in paths unseen, or in the gloom of Myrtle Grove; not even in death would they forget their grief of long ago. They were destined to grieve for the men who had hurt them, that had probably killed them, and their families left behind—forever. It made me sad to see so many had been hurt by their loved ones.

I just wanted to help them all. That was until we came across one who screamed at us like a banshee. She was all brown hair, with a torn dress, and her mouth so wide open that it contorted her whole face. She looked so much like Bella that my feet faltered, and I almost stumbled. I couldn't imagine my girl looking like this, and for as much as it terrified Bellatrix, it terrified me that much more.

This was one of my worst nightmares. That Bella could become something like this, not because I hurt her or killed her but because of a decision I made. One that took me from her life and left her in a permanent state of mourning.

"What are you doing?" Bellatrix shrieked, trying to squirm away from the woman in front of us. "Get away from it. Destroy it. DO SOMETHING!"

"What do you suggest I do?" I asked her as we inched away from the screaming woman in front us.

"Something … Anything … Fling a bloody spell at her!"

I swapped my hold on Bellatrix from my right to my left so I could release my wand. I wondered what kind of spell I could use against a banshee, then I wondered whether she was a banshee at all.

Maybe she was a … "Riddikulus!" I stated loudly, hoping to turn her into something much funnier, only for it to hit her and almost sink into her chest.

"That didn't work!" Bellatrix shouted as she started to freak out even more.

"I can see that," I replied in a growl. I was getting frustrated because the women who were mourning were wearing down my control. I wanted to help them. This one was screaming at me, and Bellatrix was being no help what-so-fucking-ever. It was all building up to a fever pitch in my head so that the next spell was just blurted out with a wave of my wand in the shape of a Z. "Confringo!"

Bellatrix and I watched in stunned silence as a bolt of fiery orange magic exploded from the end of my wand, only to land right where the stomach of the woman would be. The spell sunk through her skin, only for her body to start to warp and bulge outward. Instead of just standing there, I pulled back on Bellatrix's hands and moved a few, or a dozen, steps backward, only to duck when the banshee in front of us exploded from the inside out.

I waited to be covered in brain matter, entrails, and blood as we ducked down, covering our heads. It took a few seconds to realize that nothing was raining down on us. As I stood so did Bellatrix. I realized as I looked around that even though the banshee had exploded, and while the other women were still wailing, that pull to help them was gone.

I didn't wait for it to come back. I picked Bellatrix up, threw her over my shoulder, and bolted. I wanted out of the Mourning Fields as fast as I could. I kept my eyes averted and just ran until I passed through the archway into the next area of the Underworld.

I skidded to a stop once I'd passed through the archway and lowered Bellatrix back to her feet. It was as I looked around that I found the place was covered in asphodel flowers as far as the eye could see. The flowers here were beautiful, and I only knew what they were because Esme loved to plant them, being that they are a hardy perennial flower that grows just about anywhere. They had narrow grass-like leaves, an elongated stem, and were covered in white, pink, or yellow flowers made up of six petals.

I would never have thought that the actual Asphodel Meadows in Greek mythology would have been covered in asphodel flowers. I thought it was a metaphor for a beautiful place to end our days. I knew this area of the Underworld was where all the average people, who had lived their best lives—those just making it from day to day—came after they had passed over to the other side, and as such, that's what we could see.

Average people, continuing to live the best lives they could. They weren't ones who dreamed of making it famous or being rich. They just wanted to be the best they could be.

Compared to the last two areas of the Underworld, this part was almost stunning. The people walking around were working the land or building homes. They were spending time with each other and enjoying the wonderful weather. And nothing was extravagant. Their houses were small but had everything that was needed. Their yards, again, were simple. Most just tending to the asphodels around them.

This is so … so boring. Didn't these people aspire to be anything?

I snorted and propelled Bellatrix forward. "Not everyone wants to be something other than what they are. They don't dream of world domination, or fame and fortune, or even to build a legacy. Some people"—I indicated to the people around me—"just want to live and love freely. And to be who they are. That's what the Asphodel Meadows is for. For everyone else."

"Why?" Bellatrix enquired. She wasn't being snotty, nor was she being mean; this question was posed with complete confusion. "Why would they not aspire to be better than where they started?"

"Because not everyone wants to change who they are. Some people are happy being and doing what they've grown up doing. It really is that simple."

Bellatrix still didn't understand. And it's not something I think could be understood by someone who had more devious ambition than most people ever dreamed of. It was something I had known. Up until I entered the wizarding world, I had no dreams of ever doing something for myself or something different than what we had always done. It just never seemed to be an option. Now, however, I could aspire to be anything I wanted to be.

Especially as I would have a family of my own one day. I had more to fight for now than ever before. Being average just wasn't going to cut it anymore.

The trip through the Asphodel Meadows was rather quick as nobody stopped us to chat or to find out what was happening. Only to stop short after stepping through the archway into the Elysian Fields—the only area of the Underworld that we hadn't been to yet—seeing the three people waiting for us on the other side. One I would know anywhere. She had been displayed in moving photographs in the Forks house for as long as Harry and James had been living with us, and now, she has pride of place, not only at Grimmauld Place but also at Potter Mansion where James spends most of his time. He also has a smaller version on his desk at The Truth.

Lily Potter.

But it was the other two my eyes fell to because they weren't paying a bit of attention to me. They were glaring at Bellatrix Lestrange. I had only seen them in one photograph that had been shown to us at the beginning of the year by Alistair Moody. The photo was of the first Order of the Phoenix, and they were the Prewett brothers. I didn't understand why they were standing with Lily however.

"Edward Masen?" Lily asked, looking at me. She was avoiding looking at Bellatrix and doing a bloody admirable job, too.

"I am. Lily Potter?"

Lily nodded. "It's good to finally meet you. I've been watching over your family since Harry and James came to live with you. I feel I know you as much as I know my son. I want to say 'thank you' for everything you've done for my family."

"You're very welcome. They're my family, too."

"I know you've been told that these are the Prewett brothers." Lily indicated to the men standing on either side of her. "What you don't know is that they are Molly's brothers, Fabian and Gideon, and she lost them during the first war."

I shook hands with Fabian and Gideon. "I take it you two are the reason Molly is trying so hard to keep the younger ones away from this war, even though it's heading directly for them?"

Fabian nodded, but Gideon answered me. "We are. Molly has always been afraid of losing those she loves … like always. Losing the two of us just made it that much worse. You have helped her see reason though. Even if she still fights."

"No problem. But maybe a word from you two will help sway her a little more?"

"Oh, you are devious. We'll think of something before you leave here."

Lily indicated that I should follow them through the Elysian Fields, which was smaller than I anticipated it to be. "I'm glad Harry has you on his side, Edward. You're helping him become the man who will be needed to fight and defeat Voldemort. He's learning that doing the right thing sometimes takes sacrifice." Bellatrix hissed when Lily said her beloved master's name, but Lily looked down her nose at Bellatrix. "You have no more sway or power here, Bellatrix. Do you not see the people who reside in this place?"

I looked around and noticed that while these people were normal, everyday people, they all had something in common. "You guys are heroes. Ones who gave up your lives"—here I paused and indicated to Lily—"to save someone else. When I heard that the Elysian Fields were for the elite, I thought it meant those who were rich, that made something of themselves."

"A common misconception, I'm afraid. Most of those people actually end up back in the Asphodel Meadows, living their lives a lot less extravagantly than they are used to. And that takes a while because they kick up a massive stink, thinking they belong here. But as you can see, Elysian is for those who sacrificed, those who gave up their lives for someone else, and those people can now live without pain or fear." Here Lily snorted. "For the most part. I still live that every day for my husband and son."

I nodded in acknowledgement as we continued to walk silently to the next gate in front of us. I couldn't imagine what it would be like to watch those I loved fight every day for their lives, especially when I had died trying to give them the freedom not to have to do that.

"Edward, this is the last gate you need to pass through. Hades is on the other side in his sanctum. When you go back, please tell my son, my husband …" Lily had to pause to hold back a sob "… that I love them very much, and I cannot wait to see them. A long, long time from now."

I pulled Lily into a hug with the hand that wasn't holding Bellatrix. "I will. I promise. And I'll look after them for you."

"Thank you." She sniffled and took a step backward. "And tell James that it's okay to move on, to love another."

"I doubt that will happen. He loves you very much."

Lily nodded and looked down at her fidgeting hands. "I know."

I was about to turn and walk through the gate when Fabian and Gideon called out to me, sounding so much like their nephews, with a "Hey, Edward?"

"Yeah?"

"Tell Molly she needs to let go … a little. She needs to give them hell. To arm the children with all the knowledge she possesses so they can fight for themselves and each other," Gideon started, only for Fabian to finish with, "And tell her to let Fred and George be what they want to be. They don't fit the ministry mold, and they'll be happiest doing what they love."

I nodded with a "got it" before turning to the last gate. "All right, Hades, here we come."

I forced Bellatrix through the gate, only to find a set of stairs leading up to an elaborate door, one I had seen in a museum in Paris. Hades had to have a sense of humor. Why else would this be the door to his inner sanctum? The door in question was a monumental piece of art. Commissioned by the Directorate of Fine Arts for a planned Decorative Arts Museum in 1880. From my research, the Directorate had asked for an inviting entrance, although thanks to Auguste Rodin's admiration of Dante's Inferno, Rodin had begun to build this doorway: The Gates of Hell, or in French La Porte de l'Enfer.

Standing at six meters high, four meters wide, and a meter deep, it contained—roughly—one hundred and eighty figures, some of them arguably just as famous as the door itself. Like the Thinker or Le Penseur, sitting atop the doors themselves. Smack bang in the middle of the door surrounds where the doors split to open, The Thinker sat on his rock, completely nude, with his right elbow on his left thigh and holding the weight of his chin on the back of his right hand. He is contemplative of how he seemed to get in the position he was in.

Right at the very top of the door surround and staring down at those who might enter stood The Three Shades or Le Trois Ombres. Their heads hung low, almost perpendicular to their shoulders, all with their left fists in the center. To me, they seemed placed there as judges of those who came before Hades.

"Are we going or not?" Bellatrix asked, interrupting my study of the door in front of me.

"We are," I answered, giving her a small nudge to get her going. "I was just admiring the doors at the top of the stairs.

Bellatrix looked up as we ascended. "What? You actually admire that hideous monstrosity?"

I was still looking at the door when those words fell from Bellatrix's mouth. If I hadn't been, I would have missed the two Shades at the front look up from their prone position and glare in Bellatrix's direction. "Not sure you should be saying that," I murmured to her quietly, but I continued before she could interrupt. "And, yes, I do admire the door because it was started by a muggle in 1880, and it took him thirty-seven years to complete. He took the description from a poem called Inferno. The journey of a man, named Dante, through Hell. The fact that Hades has this door is just a little bit ironic."

"Hades admires muggles?" Bellatrix scoffed. "Shouldn't he be demanding they worship him instead? He's a supposed god, after all. Everyone craves power, admiration, domination, and worship. That's all there …" Bellatrix trailed off as she looked up at the Three Shades on the top of the door.

I looked up with her to see that two of them were morphing and changing shape. One of them I recognized as her husband Rodolphus, but the other I didn't. It wasn't until Bellatrix flinched at the look he was giving her that I checked her thoughts. The other man was her father Cygnus Black the III, and it seemed that he was an even worse father than he was a human being. In fact, from the memories I was witnessing, Cygnus Black may have been even more vile and despicable than Lucius Malfoy could ever hope to be.

I watched as Bellatrix literally cowered before him with the look he was bestowing on his daughter. I couldn't imagine one such as her afraid of anyone. But it certainly put new understanding on how she turned out to be who she was, and why she was married to Rodolphus to begin with. It seemed that when Cygnus's youngest daughter, Andromeda, ran off to marry a muggle by the name of Ted Tonks, Cygnus sold off his other daughters in the most advantageous political matches he could find. Bellatrix to Rodolphus and Narcissa to Lucius. He wasn't going to lose control of the other two if he could help it.

I shook my head. There were always going to be nasty people in the world who took advantage of those less powerful than them. It made me sick. I also thought that was how the house elves ended up in the position they were in. Hermione had a lot of work ahead of her.

We stopped in front of the door, and I looked around to see if there was a doorbell or a door knocker anywhere. When I couldn't find one, I reached out and knocked on a flat piece of metal.

We waited a few seconds to see if the door would open. I expected to hear thoughts or footsteps of the person who approached the door. I hadn't heard anyone, but all of a sudden, the door began to creak open slowly, revealing the inner sanctum of one of the most well-known gods of the Underworld: Hades.

I had expected his sanctum to be as dark and foreboding as the man himself. What we found, however, was a complete contrast. His rooms were bright, almost sunny, and the man himself was a dichotomy of differences. He was all dark clothes, dark shoes, dark hair, and hat until you looked at his face and saw the bright smile and the happy countenance.

"Welcome, welcome!" Hades called out as we continued to stand in the doorway. "Come in, come in!"

I pushed Bellatrix through the door, silently, as I took in what was happening around the room. I could see the big, plush, comfortable furniture in shades of browns, reds, blues, and even greens. There were also tables, chairs, and even a fridge. I didn't know that gods needed to eat. Guess you learned something new every day.

But the thing that shocked me down to my core, apart from the fact that I could still hear Bella singing, was that Sirius and Rodolphus were in the room as well. It seemed that Hades was keeping them in separate bubbles though because every so often, they would fling spells at each other. Not that they hit each other. I watched as Sirius flung one at Rodolphus, only for it to absorb into the bubble surrounding him.

"Edward Anthony Masen Junior, welcome to my humble abode," Hades said with his arms out wide. "It's a pleasure to have one such as yourself coming to visit me." Hades looked over at Bellatrix. "Unfortunately, it's not such a pleasure to have you visit me."

I couldn't help the snicker I let out when Bellatrix's mouth dropped open. "How dare you?" she almost shouted in his direction.

Instead of answering, Hades frowned in her direction. His hair, which was normally blond, flared a brilliant blue. With no thought, no wave of his hand, nothing to indicate what he was doing, Bellatrix was ripped from my hands and placed in her own little bubble next to her husband.

"I really have no time for people like her," Hades mumbled, still frowning in her direction. "The problem with people like her is that no amount of control or worship is enough. They only crave more and more."

I tilted my head as I looked over the god of the Underworld. "Is that not something you have being in control here? Is that something you want more of, like Zeus?"

"Hell no!" I couldn't help the bark of laughter at the pun in Hades's words. "I wouldn't want that kind of responsibility! The ones I have down here are hard enough. And I have a feeling that Tartarus will be having a larger number I'll have to control soon enough."

"I'd say I'm sorry about that, but …"

"But you're not. Nor should you be. I've been waiting a long time to get a hold of a piece of that soul. He needs torture on a level I'm not even sure I can provide." Hades sighed and walked over to one of the lounges placed in the family room area. "Come, sit, Edward. Please?"

I slowly walked over and sat down opposite Hades. While he seemed calm and relaxed while a little upset, I didn't want him to keep me here if I upset him.

Hades leaned back and looked over at me. "You don't belong here, Edward."

"No. I don't."

"You came through the gate anyway. You aren't dead but you came through with her."

I nodded. "We're going to need all the help we can get, and if we lose that man"—I pointed at Sirius, who was now watching us with rapt attention—"then some of our side might just fall apart."

"I shouldn't let you go. You came through the gate to the Underworld; that means you should stay here."

Bella's singing got louder as if in response to Hades' words. "I have a feeling you would bring on the wrath of a very powerful witch if I didn't keep my promise to her."

Hades nodded. "One of the truly immortal creatures in the world. She would raze Hell to the ground to come and rescue you."

I smirked. "And I would help her from this side."

"What makes you think you could?"

"The Underworld might be where the dead reside, but it's also a part of the Earth itself. And while you have power, almost unlimited here, so do I." I stood, releasing my wand as I did so. I turned and pointed my wand in Sirius's direction. With a wave, I silently cast bombarda, causing the bubble around him to pop. "For as much power as you have, the Earth powers mine, making mine and Bella's as strong as yours."

Sirius was surprised, if his gaping mouth was anything to go by. But as I turned back to Hades, I could see that he was, too. Hades was about to say something else when there was a shimmer next to him. Slowly, a feminine form took shape until a stunning brunette was standing next to where Hades was still sitting. Although stunning, she was nowhere near the beauty of my girl. And that was saying something because she was a goddess.

I inclined my head, bowing at the lovely lady who had joined us. "Lady Persephone. I truly apologize that you had to leave the wonderful views of Mount Olympus to join us here in the Underworld."

"I appreciate your apology, Edward Masen. Is that your mate I hear?" Persephone pointed at the ceiling as her image gave a little flicker. It seemed that she hadn't come all the way down but was appearing as a hologram. "I could hear that mournful song all the way up on Mount Olympus."

"It is. Bella has been studying all sorts of things since we joined her from the muggle world a few years ago. Ancient histories of other civilizations being one of them. She took a particular interest in Ancient Greece and Ancient Egypt. The stories of the gods and their underlings were really fascinating to her."

Persephone smiled, but it was Hades interest that sparked his question of, "Oh, what story in particular?"

"That would be the one of Orpheus and Eurydice."

Bella's song changed from mournful to downright sad before a note of hope filtered through. She was pulling out all the stops to get Hades and Persephone to let us—especially me—return back to her.

Hades' mouth had dropped open, but Persephone nodded to me. She turned to her husband. "They cannot stay, dear heart; they do not belong."

"But they came through the gate!" Hades stated, standing up to face his wife.

"And not all who come through the gate are dead. How many times has Hercules come through here? They are not due to die yet. They have more to do. Besides, Edward may never die, and I would like to come back to see my husband. How can I do that if you incite the wrath of that Veela up there?"

Hades frowned. I could see his hands twitch as he wanted to reach out for Persephone's hands. "What do you mean? Will she destroy the Underworld?"

"Tiresias was unsure. He said that should you not allow them both to return, there is a possibility that the souls down here will be evaporated, and the new ones might not have any place to go." Persephone paused. "You know that Veela cannot die. Vampires are considered immortal, too, for the most part. Do you really want to separate them and run the chance of losing me?"

Hades looked at me and Sirius, who had come to stand next to me, and sighed before turning back to his wife. "No, my love, I would never run the chance of never seeing your beautiful face again." Hades faced me once more. "You know the story well?"

"I do."

"Then you know how this is to work. Although Sirius is not dead, and you are trading one soul for another, it must work the same way. Do not look back until the both of you have crossed the veil through the gate or Sirius will remain in the Underworld."

I bowed to both gods in front of me. "Thank you both. How do we return to the gate we came through?"

Persephone looked toward me with a smile. "Go back the way you came and ask Charon to take you to the gate on the river Acheron. That gate will take you home."

With another nod and a thank you, I turned from the two Greek gods in front of me. I didn't look at Sirius, but I reached for his hand and placed it on my shoulder. "Do not let go until we get home. I don't want to run the risk of losing you down here."

"Got it, Edward. Let's go."

Sirius and I were quiet as we made our way out of Hades' inner sanctum and away from Hades and Persephone and into Elysium. I could hear Sirius thinking over things as we walked through. The shock was palpable when we saw Lily and Molly's brothers Fabian and Gideon among those living their best afterlives.

It wasn't until we stepped foot into the Asphodel Meadows that Sirius voiced at least one of the questions floating around in his head. "Why, Edward? You didn't have to."

"I did. You've all lost enough the first time around. I couldn't let you become a casualty, too."

"There are going to be times when you can't fix it," Sirius whispered as we stepped into the Fields of Mourning.

"I understand that, Sirius. More than I could possibly tell you. But for now, I was able to do this."

Sirius grunted a disapproval. "How did you know it would work?"

I walked silently for a bit. We were almost at the gate to Tartarus when I offered my answer. "I didn't. Not really. It was a gamble."

"One you shouldn't have made. You could have left Bella alone!"

"You're right; I could have. But I also have to trust my gut, and that told me I could return from this. And with you in tow." I paused with a rueful smile. "Although, I have a feeling I might get an earful from Bella before the night is through."

"As well you should."

"Hmm. Maybe." I shrugged. "She'll understand, and she'll forgive me."

"Before or after she chews your ear off?"

I snickered. "After, of course."

I continued through the Fields of Mourning, guiding Sirius along with me. The women were hard to ignore as they continued to wail and cry for their lost loves, but I knew I couldn't stop to help them.

I held strong and continued walking with Sirius behind me toward the archway I could see ahead. We had almost made it; I could see Cronos being tortured on the other side of the archway when one voice stopped me cold. The only voice that could. Bella.

"Edward? Where are you? Where's Sirius?" she called out from behind me.

"You're not here," I whispered to myself. I couldn't panic. Not now. "You're up ahead and through the gate at the ministry."

"Edward, are you bringing Sirius back with you?" Bella called out again.

"She's not there," Sirius told me this time. "I promise you she's not there."

But as the voice of Bella continued to call, my resolve faltered. I could see ahead. I knew I had to keep moving forward, but Bella's voice would always be able to get me to turn to her. I watched as somehow Cronos managed to escape the torture being forced upon him and stood to watch me as I slowly began to turn my head away from him.

It was as my eyes left him and looked out to the side that Cronos spoke. "Don't do it, Edward. You came to save your friend, and if you look back, that will never happen." My eyes snapped back in Cronos's direction. "That's it … keep focused on me. Come this way. I promise that whatever you're hearing is Hades attempt at humor. He might not want your friend's soul, but that doesn't mean he wouldn't at least attempt to take it."

I nodded and continued to ignore the voice as it continued to call to me. It was the single hardest thing I had ever done. To ignore my Bella was paramount to a sin in my book. But thanks to Cronos keeping eye contact with me, I was able to maneuver Sirius and me through the last of the Fields of Mourning and into Tartarus.

Cronos nodded when we walked past him; once again, being tortured. The faded bruises being replaced with new ones. It seemed that Zeus was never going to let his father forget. He was never going to forgive his father for … eating … his older brothers and sisters.

"Thank you, Cronos. How do I ever repay you?"

Cronos smiled. "By never ending up here. Live your best life, Edward. Don't squander it like I did."

"I will. I think you should try to talk to Zeus. Even if you're never let out of here, maybe he won't torture you so much."

"No. This is my penance." Cronos shook his head. "I deserve no less for what I did. Go, now, before Hades tries again."

I saluted Cronos and his torturer and continued through Tartarus toward the gate that was closed in front of us. Once we reached the gate, it had opened, and Cerberus was waiting for us on the other side. It seems you have made it through unscathed. I am glad to see that.

"I'm glad for that also, Cerberus. I have a mate I need to get home to."

Then I shall step aside and let you pass. Go with the grace of the gods and know that they support you on your quest. I look forward to the punishment Hades will dish out on the one who has plagued the world for far too long.

I shook my head with a laugh. "I have no doubt it will be creative. Thank you for your help earlier."

You are welcome. Safe travels.

"Let's go, Sirius."

I could almost feel him gaping at my back. "What was that?"

"That was Hades' right hand friend Cerberus. He reminds me of Hagrid's dog Fluffy."

"How do you know about Fluffy?"

I laughed. I couldn't help it. "You sound exactly like Hagrid did when we spoke to him during our first year after finding Fluffy guarding the entrance to the hiding place where they were keeping the Philosopher's Stone. 'Who told you about Fluffy?'"

Sirius chuckled. "Yeah, Fluffy was certainly something new. I wonder if he was related to Cerberus back there."

"I wouldn't be surprised. You doing okay back there?"

"Yup. Let's just get out of here."

I nodded and continued along until I came across the jetty where Charon would come across the river. He wasn't there when we arrived, which meant we had to wait until he had crossed with the next soul who could pay.

Sirius and I were quiet as we waited. He was contemplating all that we had seen and the fact that there was a life after death. He now knew that no matter what happened with the upcoming war, he had a place to go. He would be able to be with family and friends when the inevitable happens.

I, however, was contemplating whether Bella and I would have somewhere to go if anything ever happened to us. Although I knew we were almost indestructible, it didn't mean that something couldn't happen.

"Edward!" Charon called as he moored the boat to the jetty. "To be honest, I wasn't sure I would see you again."

I laughed. "Me either. But it seemed that Persephone wasn't going to let Bella come down here and blow the place apart."

Charon smirked as he let the gentleman off his boat. "Anyone who has seen people in love knows that the best way to get a man to do something … is to go through his wife. Hades and Persephone are no different."

"Of that, I have no doubt." I flicked Charon a few more galleons as Sirius and I boarded his boat, and I walked to the bow. I wanted to make sure that I kept my eyes on the direction we were going and not what was behind me.

"Am I taking you back across the river?" Charon asked as he pushed away from the jetty.

I shook my head. "Persephone said that you would need to take us to the gate on the river Acheron. That was the way we needed to get home."

Charon steered the way down river. "You got it. Let's get the two of you home."

I couldn't wait to get out of the Underworld and back into Bella's arms. Although, I had no doubt that it wouldn't happen straight away. We still had to finish fighting the death eaters who were in the ministry and find out what exactly happened to Esme. It was going to be a long night for all of us. Hopefully, things would be calm when we returned.

It was a hope I would cling to even if I didn't believe it would be that way.

I surveyed the land that was on either side of the river as we made our way along the Styx to where it joined the other four rivers. You could almost say it was normal. Green grass, tall trees, and even other shrubbery. The only thing that made it stand out was the abundance of fog that covered both sides. The only way you could tell there was a river was to hear the water flowing. Otherwise, you could walk through the fog and fall right in.

The trip on the river was quiet. I knew Sirius didn't want to talk on the off chance that I looked backward at him. It did make me wonder why Charon didn't speak; though, it could be for the same reason. At the juncture of the rivers, Charon steered the boat around to the river closest to our left. It was a sharp turn that would have taken all his concentration because of the flow and ebb of the river currents.

"Not long now," he called as he steered us over to the right side of the river. "You'll be home before you know it. Look to the right, but in front of you."

I followed Charon's instructions to see another gate with the veil over it. This one, though, was more elaborate than the gate we had crossed through. I frowned. Surely, this couldn't be the same gate. "Do they all look like that?"

"From this side, yes. Do not let it fool you. If Persephone says this is the way home, then trust her. She would not steer you wrong." Charon guided the boat until it was moored bow first so I could step off without turning around. "Do not look back, young Edward and Sirius. Defeat what is coming to you. And maybe call one of your children after me!"

I snorted as I put a foot on dry land. "I'll talk to my Bella about it."

Charon laughed. I could hear him push away from the dock. "Don't take this the wrong way, but I hope not to see you again."

"Likewise. Goodbye, Charon."

"Goodbye, Edward."

Sirius and I quickly walked across the land in front of us. The distance between us and the gate being eaten up by our faster strides. It was but a few seconds later we stood in front of the gate that would take us home.

"Ready, Sirius?"

"Oh, you have no idea, Edward. Let's get you home to Bella."

With that, I lead the way through the veil.

I expected a rush of air as we travelled from one plane of existence to another, but as I took my second step into the veil, I stepped back out and onto the same stage in the ministry where I had left what felt like days ago. Just on the opposite side from where I entered the archway itself.

Instead of the noise I expected, I stepped out to hear the last notes of Bella's singing fading away, though she wasn't in sight, and some rather loud snoring. I could only imagine Bella's singing had put the death eaters to sleep.

I knew the very second we had cleared the veil because there were sharp breaths of relief from those I could see.

It was with those thoughts filtering through my mind that I spun around and grabbed Sirius in a hug that was a little too tight because he grunted in pain. I couldn't believe I had gone to the Underworld, to save a friend no less, and survived.

Now to survive Bella.

~*~UHS~*~

Well ... I don't know what to say. People asked me to save Sirius. They hated what had happened to him in the original books - and trust me, I was right there with you. Did I do it justice? Was it everything you hoped for? Now you know why a proper teaser would have given too much away!

Let me know your thoughts. Especially about whether or not Bella will kill him ... or just rake him over the coals!

See you in a fortnight!