Unofficial Portkey Archive

A/N: Jo Rowling owns this stuff - not me. I got no money, so don't bother looking me up.

-George Lucas

Chapter Four: Shades of Gray

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"Merlin's descendant…that's wicked, don't you think Hermione?" Ron asked after the small group had come through the Burrow's fireplace after meeting with Dumbledore's pensive and headmistress McGonagall.

Hermione nodded thoughtfully, "It certainly explains a lot."

Remus sat down heavily in a chair at the kitchen table, "I agree - it certainly explains how he was able to produce a corporeal Patronus at the age of 13…something which I might add that not even Dumbledore was able to do at the same age."

Ron raised an eyebrow at him, "How do you know that?"

Remus chuckled, "Because when I told Albus of how Harry's tutoring was going in your third year he was very impressed and mentioned that it would not surprise him if Harry pulled off a full Patronus before the year was out. He also added that he hadn't been able to do it until he was in his fifth year…which is still extremely impressive."

Hermione sat down at the table across from Ron, "I just wish Professor Dumbledore could have given us more insight into Belial…it would help us in saving Harry. I mean I can't believe we have never even heard of this Avatar before now."

Ginny took a seat next to her, "Guess we can't go looking through any books to find the answers."

Hermione nodded absently and rose from her chair, slowly she walked over to the window, "Still, if there is a way to help Harry - we have to find it. He needs us and I will not let him down - not again."

The others stared at her in shock and Ron opened his mouth -

Then Molly walked into the kitchen and started pulling a few fixings out of the icebox, "How about some sandwiches? Maybe if you all get some food in you it will help you come up with something. Fully belly - clear minds and all that."

Arthur smiled at his wife, "Sounds like a marvelous idea, love."

Hermione tuned the married couple out as she continued to stare out the window; feeling exhausted from the days revelations and desperate for a way to save Harry. Her eyes roamed over the darkened field that surrounded the Burrow, most of it obscured by the pouring rain that had not ceased when she caught sight of a figure standing under the giant oak tree. For a moment she couldn't breathe, couldn't think as through the pouring rain and pitch blackness of the night she saw a twin flash of green.

Harry…Is that you?

Then she caught sight of nearly a dozen cloaked figures gathered outside the protective wards and her blood froze.

No! Not now!

"Hermione," Ron said, "Are you alright?"

She spun around quickly, her wand suddenly in her hand, "Death Eaters - outside!"

For a moment, no sound was made or heard.

Hermione turned back to the window and noticed that the shape under the oak tree was no longer there. Where did you go Harry? Did you bring them here?

Ron looked at the others gathered in the kitchen and then outside at the Death Eaters that were starting to surround the Burrow.

"I think I have a plan…" He said.

The others gathered around him as Ron explained his plan.

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He watched from a distance as the cloaked figures gathered around the Weasley homestead; something within urging him not to interfere; not to prevent this from happening - that terrible piece of himself that now ruled his every waking moment.

Harry Potter felt the air shimmer with magic when his former friends had arrived back earlier that evening and he had also felt that arrival of the cloaked Death Eaters as they had apparated just outside the magical wards that protected the Burrow not more than five minutes ago.

He turned his head slightly to see through the kitchen window and saw Hermione talking very fast about something as the others listened intently, they would never know what was coming…that death was coming for them. They wouldn't stand a chance against more than a dozen Death Eaters…followers of a weak foolish wizard with backwards ideals.

Even though Harry was aware that the current rank of Death Eaters that were right now discussing the final plans of their attack; included a traitor to their cause, it would not be enough to allow those inside the Burrow to survive the night. The small part of himself that still cowered behind the cupboard door within his soul begged and pleaded to help them, to save them.

They deserve this…They deserted you…They betrayed you…

The voice again - twisting and gnawing at his insides until he couldn't tune it out any longer; telling him things he already knew but didn't want to believe…not about them and not about her.

You are beyond them…More then them…You are the Chosen One…My Chosen One…

The war was raging inside again - deep within himself he could feel the beast ripping and tearing at the little boy behind the cupboard door and he knew without a doubt that the little boy he used to be, one so full of love and compassion would soon be gone - destroyed devoured by the thing that he had become.

Gritting his teeth, Harry pushed those thoughts away; the voice was right - he was better then all of them, more than they could ever dream of becoming. If they were to die this night then so be it.

Then she appeared in the window; her heart shaped face showing signs of desperation and exhaustion and her hair was up in a messy pony-tail. Her eyes scanned the area and for a heartbeat she stopped and just stared at the spot Harry was standing in. There behind the giant oak tree that he was under, hidden by the darkness of the night and pouring rain.

Harry felt the cupboard door rattle and shake fiercely.

His attention was pulled from Hermione as the Death Eaters began to form a circle around the Burrow, their wands out and ready to strike. Harry hesitated a moment before deciding that the best course of action would be to get as close as possible to see how this played out.

There you go…I knew you wouldn't let me down.

Harry cringed at the mocking voice within as he silently watched the lead Death Eater, a man about his own height, ordered his followers to attack.

The protective wards around the Burrow flashed as every jinx and hex known to wizard-kind burst against the barrier. The occupants inside the house could be seen running for the windows to get better positions to fight back against their adversaries.

Remus and Tonks came through the door first, their wands firing off hexes that took down the first Death Eaters that tried to get in their way. They took cover behind a giant cast iron planter that Harry knew would provide them with adequate protection against just about any spell.

Ron and Arthur came out next; Arthur had conjured a shield that absorbed a few stunners that allowed Ron to drop the Death Eater who had cast them with a couple stunners of his own.

Harry felt the breath catch in his throat as Hermione and Ginny came rushing through the door; Hermione fired of a particularly wicked hex that sent one Death Eater flying backwards and out of the fight, while Ginny got off a stunner that winged one Death Eater only to be hit with one herself. She was picked up off her feet and slammed hard into the wall behind directly behind her.

Ron, leaving his cover, dashed back to them as Hermione tried to haul Ginny to her feet and back into the house. Ron reached them just as a hex hit him squarely in the back, and he was sent sprawling forward into the house as Hermione screamed his name.

Arthur, having witnessed both his son and daughter fall, became enraged and started firing off hexes left and right. Harry was quietly impressed with his spell casting ability as three Death Eaters fell to his anguish; then the lead Death Eater waved his wand at Arthur and the older wizard crumpled to the ground like a discarded rag doll.

The tall Death Eater advanced on the remaining defenders, his wand fired off a nasty spell that punched a watermelon size hole in the planter that Remus and Tonks were hiding behind, the lovers scrambled to where Hermione was still struggling to pull Ginny through the doorway; Remus stopped just long enough to pick the fallen girl up in his arms and dove into the house.

Tonks cast a shield charm that absorbed a few hexes and stood with Hermione at the doorway trying to hold off the remaining Death Eaters.

Harry knew it would be over soon, they had fought valiantly, but it would make no difference in the end - they would all die.

Hermione stumbled to the ground as a random spell winged her in the shoulder; Harry took an unconscious step towards her, his heart in his throat

Again the cupboard door rattled violently, the hinges strained as the pressure from within exerted itself.

The lead Death Eater fired one final stunner that shattered Tonks' shield which sent the young Auror falling backwards over Hermione as the younger witch struggled to her feet.

"Now, now Granger…don't strain yourself - wouldn't want to mark that pretty skin up too much."

Both Hermione and Harry stared at the lead Death Eater in shock as they recognized the muffled voice behind the black mask he wore.

"Malfoy?" Hermione muttered in amazement.

The Death Eater slipped his mask off dramatically and revealed Draco Malfoy, "Been awhile Granger…how have you been?"

His tone was so casual and nonchalant that Hermione barely held back the choked laugh, "Oh you know…same day, different -"

Draco cut her off with an impatient wave of his hand, "I'm not really caring Mudblood, just trying to make pleasant conversation before I decide how to kill you."

His wand was now pointed directly between her eyes, which were staring defiantly up at him, "Go ahead - just know that after I am gone, your days will be numbered, and I stress days."

Draco chuckled in amusement, "Oh how the mighty have fallen, look around you Granger - your friends are all down for the count, and they will soon be joining you in death. Oh - and let's not forget that Scarhead isn't here to save your ass anymore."

Hermione flinched, "Malfoy - you're making a huge mistake. You don't want to do this."

Draco appeared to give it some thought before he smirked down at her, "Oh, yes I really do. I have been waiting for this moment for a long time…it will start with you and then it will end only when I become the new Dark Lord, this world is in need of a strong leader, and I am perfect for the job."

Hermione didn't bother to hold her laughter her in this time around, "The new Dark Lord? You can't be serious! You're an idiot - you surround yourself with idiots. Any government that you create and lead will no doubt crumble and fall because you are in idiot!"

Harry could hear Remus swearing and yelling curses at a Death Eater inside the house, he could see Ron as the young man began to stir on the floor just inside the doorway, but Tonks and Arthur were still unconscious and would not be able to help Hermione.

An uncomfortable sensation filled the pit of Harry's stomach as the hinges on the cupboard door were shattered and a bright blue light filled his mind - the little boy within came rushing out, filling Harry with something unexplainable, yet familiar.

Save her! Help her! Don't let her die! Save her!

No! Ignore it! Let her die! She deserves it!

NOO! Help her! We love her! Save her! Now! Save her now! Go!

Harry's heart soared as for just one moment - he was free…his eyes misted over in rage and before he knew it, he had apparated down the hill and now stood between Hermione and Malfoy.

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Blue tendrils of mystical fire reached out from Harry, which forced Malfoy and those Death Eaters that were closest to him to back away form Hermione and the unconscious forms of Arthur and Tonks.

"Touch her, ferret." Harry said wickedly, "And you will know that there are worse things then death."

Malfoy nearly dropped his wand in shock, "Potter?"

The mystical fire that surrounded Harry…extended outwards towards Hermione and the young watched in silent amazement as the flames surrounded her in a mystical cocoon that she knew would protect her from any spells that the Death Eaters directed at her.

"This- this isn't possible! You were dead!" Malfoy said.

Harry smirked, "I got bored...."

Hermione gasped, "Harry!"

"Not now Hermione." Harry said through clenched teeth. "I am giving you one chance, Malfoy - leave this place and never return or…or you'll find out what I did to Riddle…first hand."

Harry's eyes flashed an ominous green as if to emphasize his point and Malfoy took another step back.

"To hell with this - he is just one man!" A young Death Eater yelled as he raised his wand at Hermione and shouted the incantation for the Killing Curse. "Avada Kedavra!"

"No, you idiot!" Draco shouted.

Ron had finally regained consciousness to wake-up to the familiar scene of the eerie green light of the Killing Curse being hurtled at Hermione and knowing that he was in no position to help her…again.

The green streak of death shot like a missile towards Hermione and the young witch didn't even have time to gather her breath for a scream when a hand shot out in front of her and seemed to grab the spell out of midair. She looked up to Harry as his fist closed around the green ball of light and saw his face harden in anger.

"Bloody hell…" Ron muttered.

"That's impossible." Malfoy said; his eyes wide in disbelief.

Harry brought his closed fist up and squeezed…the green light seemed to flicker between his fingers, then died out as if it were never there. "Like I said…there are worse things then death."

Faster than anyone thought possible, Harry extended his right arm and a burst of blue magic flared out from his hand and struck the Death Eater who had cast the Killing Curse dead center, ripping through his protective cloak and tearing into his skin as if it were nothing more than tissue paper.

Blood rushed up through the Death Eater's throat and sprayed out his mouth as he tried to scream in agony; his eyes rolled up and he fell over, then his chest slowly began to cave in on itself. The other Death Eaters scrambled away then, Malfoy right behind them. They disappeared into the night and the faint sounds of apparating could be heard moments later.

Hermione winced as she watched the bloody Death Eater convulsed on the wet ground and grab at his chest attempting to attempting to understand what was happening to him and looking for some way to stop it.

Harry casually walked over towards the fallen Death Eater, "Much worse than death - don't you think? This will never end you know? You will never know peace from this agony."

The young Death Eater looked up at him with frightened eyes and blood flowing from his mouth begged, "Please!"

Harry considered him for a few moments before finally waving his hand over the Death eater. The man immediately stopped his tormented screams and ran his hands over his chest…it was as if nothing had happened, only his burnt cloak and the singed robes underneath showed any signs of the spell that Harry had struck him with.

The young man looked up at Harry, "Umm…"

Harry glared at him, "Go!"

The Death Eater didn't need to be told twice and jumped to his feet and ran off into the darkened fields where he apparated away.

The protective blue flames that surrounded Hermione flickered and died away. Slowly with the help of Ron she got to her feet and together they looked apprehensively at Harry's back, who was now staring at his right hand - the hand which had caught the Killing Curse as if it were a Golden Snitch.

"Sometimes…" Harry began weakly, "Sometimes I wish that I had never been born."

He turned to look at his former friends, "Then I wouldn't know what it is I gave up so you two could live. Don't ask me why I did what I did Hermione - I wont have an answer."

Hermione's face went red with frustration, "Well I do! It's because deep down - you're still Harry! You still care about us!"

Harry gave them a half smile, "Care? Damn it, Hermione! Don't you get it yet? I more than care about you!"

Shut up! You have wasted too much time here! You must go now!

"What?" Hermione tried to whisper, but she found that breathing was not something she could do at the moment.

"Oh no…" Ron moaned as a look of understanding crossed his face. "Oh Harry…I didn't know…If I had…"

Harry chuckled quietly, "And that just makes all the hurt fade away…"

Leave! Now! They still betray you; look at how he holds her!

No! Stay! They can help -

The little boys' voice was suddenly silenced and within him, Harry heard the cupboard door slam shut.

He looked at his former best friends then to the others that had gathered in the door behind them, "I can't be here - I don't belong."

Hermione reached out to him, "No - you do! Please Harry come back to us!"

Harry looked at her sadly, "I have things I must do…Goodbye Hermione."

And in a flash of blue light, Harry was gone.

To Be Continued….