14
Gabrielle giggled again when she saw Ginny rolling her eyes.
"Per'aps you iz supposed to be reading between ze lines?" Gabrielle offered.
"What lines?" Ron asked, now exasperated. He turned the letter towards her again though nobody had forgotten what the letter said. " `Hi!' What am I supposed to read between `Hi'?"
Gabrielle giggled again; she enjoyed seeing Ron in this dilemma.
Ginny couldn't hold her mirth in any more, and she finally laughed. "Ron, maybe it stands for something?"
"Let's see," Ron said mockingly. "Let's all read it together and see what we come up with. First there's an `H' followed by an `I'. Gee, Gin, I'm surprised I didn't get it straight away!"
"What's going on?" Fred asked. He had walked into Ginny's room after hearing Ginny, Ron and Gabrielle all talking and laughing together.
"Ron got an owl from Luna," Ginny said quickly, only just beating Gabrielle.
"Nice going Romeo," George laughed. "You must have really impressed her yesterday. What does it say?"
"Hi!" Ron replied, shaking his head. He read it again to make sure he hadn't forgotten the letter's contents.
"Nice start," Fred said. "What else does it say?"
"There is nothing else," Ginny told him. She took the note from Ron and held it up for Fred and George to see. The parchment had only a single word on it, the word `Hi.'
"What do you think it means?" Ron asked the brothers.
"I'm guessing that is Luna's way of saying `Hi,'" Fred said.
"Maybe you're holding it upside down?" George offered.
Ron turned the note over. Ginny and Gabrielle couldn't take it any more and laughed together.
"iH?" Ron said. What's `iH'?"
"You muzt write Luna back, Ron. She muzt want you to," Gabrielle said, still laughing.
"Saying what? `Hi yourself'?" Ron turned the paper over again. It was clear he had no idea what was going on.
"That's a start, Ron," Ginny agreed. "Write back and ask her what her letter means."
"It doesn't MEAN anything. How could it?" Ron looked at the letter again hoping the letters would morph into something more meaningful.
"You git!" Fred said. "She likes you."
"What?" Ron said. " `Hi' means that? How do you get `I like you' out of `Hi'?"
"The fact that she wrote anything at all," George said. "If she didn't like you she wouldn't have written anything."
"She just about didn't!" Ron said showing his brothers the note again. "Anyone would think owl-post charges by the word."
Ginny laughed again and decided she'd had enough, walking out of her room.
***
'Similar to a Portkey' Kingsley had told him. To Harry it felt EXACTLY like a Portkey. He felt the familiar and uncomfortable sensation of having his abdominal organs squeezed inside out and his ears were ringing. Harry blinked a number of times and shook his head, hoping to clear the fog that had enveloped him as he put the ring on his finger. He was dizzy and felt as if he was going to be sick. But all of these uncomfortable sensations were secondary to something far more unsettling. Harry's scar was burning as if he was being branded by a white hot iron.
Harry removed the ring and placed it back in the box before pocketing it. He didn't want Riddle's vile ring on his finger a second longer than he had to. He doubled over and bit his tongue hard enough to draw blood. HE was near and Harry didn't want Voldemort to see he had such control over him. He couldn't let Voldemort see him so weak and defenceless; everything depended on it, his life depended on it. It might already be too late.
"Yes, my young friend," a voice came to him from within his own head... a voice that was not Harry's. "It is indeed too late! Too late for you, and for your friends."
A deep-throated, ominous growl could be heard behind him, although Harry was so disoriented the concept 'behind' had no real meaning. He half rose to one knee and tried to look behind him. His open eyes saw only blackness and his ears, still ringing, were also unable to provide him with any clues as to where he was or what was happening.
Harry drew his wand and held it out before him. He held it weakly and quickly turned around, still balanced on one knee, when he heard the growl come from behind him again.
The growl now seemed to be coming from his left side; it was too fast to track and Harry was losing his balance. He closed his eyes, deciding if anything was going to attack he would be no worse off and tried to calm his thoughts as well as his stomach. Harry still wasn't sure whether he was going to be sick but he would do everything possible to fight it. He had to appear to be confident and in control.
The scar continued to burn and Harry felt himself buckle again. The growl was closer now, much closer, and he could feel the hot breath of some animal at the back of his neck.
Eyes still closed and wand drawn, Harry rose to his feet, staggering slightly. All of his concentration went into fighting the pain from his scar. He tried to relax, reminding himself that Riddle wasn't going to kill him. Harry knew it wasn't true, but he told himself anyway. He had to be strong, for himself, for his friends, and for Hermione.
Mocking laughter could now be heard, the ringing in his ears slowly subsiding. "Too late for her as well!"
These words had the effect of giving Harry more strength. At the suggestion that Hermione was at risk, he stood straight up, regaining all of his balance as he fought the nausea off completely. He was going to be strong, he wasn't going to be sick, and he was going to fight Riddle here and now. Riddle would die.
"Really, my young friend, how do you plan to do that? Surely they taught you at that wonderful school of yours that the first step in duelling was to ensure you were at least facing your opponent."
Harry opened his eyes, and closed them just as quickly in reflex. Bright light had replaced the darkness; light so bright his eyes had hurt. He opened his eyes again just enough to see and was surprised to find his nose was just inches from a rock wall. Harry turned about and could see Voldemort standing a few meters away. As Harry turned, his wand jumped from his grasp and flew to the waiting hand of Voldemort who snatched it with the skill of a Quidditch seeker.
Voldemort smiled as he held Harry's wand up for him to see. Harry was now defenceless and for an instant, braced himself for the attack that would come next.
"Come, come, Harry. Do you really think I would have to disarm you before killing you? No, no, that simply wouldn't do."
Harry took a fraction of a second to look about and saw he was in a large chamber, almost certainly underground and probably also a cave. The chamber was about quarter the size of a Quidditch pitch, and was illuminated by flame torches fixed to the walls. Behind where Voldemort stood, a smaller chamber was evident. The smaller chamber was totally dark. Voldemort and Harry were the only people here, but Harry could feel someone or something else.
"There are rules to duelling that must be observed, after all. It's not just the fate of the entire wizarding world that is at stake, Harry. It's something more important still. This is a matter of honour."
"What do you know about honour?" Harry half shouted, surprised by the sound of his voice. It sounded strange to him.
"Honour is everything, Harry," Voldemort sneered. "Everything that you and I have done up to now has been about honour."
"What honour was there in killing my parents?" Harry yelled.
"That old chestnut?" Voldemort laughed. "Harry, that was years ago. You really must try to stop living in the past. I've killed so many people since that your feeble parents don't even register."
"They do to me!" Harry said defiantly.
"Tsk tsk. What's more, there are even more that will die in the months and years ahead, Harry."
"You're wrong!" Harry told him. "I'll stop you." He wanted his voice to sound convincing, but he knew it wasn't.
"Stop me? How do you intend to do that? Unless you are proficient at wandless magic?"
Voldemort's lizard-like lips withdrew and showed his yellow, broken teeth. His red-slitted eyes sneered at Harry and he laughed at his own joke. As Harry watched, the realisation dawned upon him that he had no idea of what he was going to do.
"But enough of that, there is something we must attend to first," Voldemort said.
"What?" Harry asked. The pain from his scar was weakening now.
"Dinner."
Harry's brow wrinkled in confusion; he didn't know what Voldemort was talking about.
From the shadows behind Voldemort a figure could be seen walking towards them both. Harry's eyes were still adjusted to the glare within the cavern so he didn't recognise the person until he was standing just behind Voldemort's shoulder. He was about Voldemort's height and wore long dark robes. His hair was also long and dark and his nose was slightly crooked.
Harry was stunned that he didn't recognise him immediately.
Professor Snape? Harry thought.
***
"You're home early, dear," Molly said. She smiled to see her husband home much sooner than he had been in recent weeks. Arthur Weasley stepped from the fireplace after Flooing home and didn't bother to brush the dust and soot from his robes. He took Molly's elbow and quickly led her from the Burrow's modest living area into the kitchen. Molly was going to say something until she saw the expression on Arthur's face.
"What is it?" she asked, now alarmed.
"Something's happened - - ," Arthur started to say.
"Are you all right?" Molly asked again quickly. "They haven't sacked you, have they?"
"Molly - - ."
"Is it Bill? Are Bill and Fleur all right? What's wrong?"
"MOLLY!" Arthur tried to calm her before he gave her the news. "Kingsley has just told me what the uproar in the Ministry has been about."
"You HAVE been sacked!" Molly started again.
"Shhh, keep your voice down," he said. "I haven't been sacked."
"Then what is it? What's wrong?" Molly looked over at the clock in the kitchen, the one that kept track of all of the Weasleys. According to the clock, Bill and Fleur were presently labelled 'Away' and Percy's picture had moved to 'Unknown'. Everybody else including Gabrielle was in a perpetual state of "Mortal peril."
"Molly, you have to - - ," Arthur started to say.
"Arthur, tell me - - ."
"I'm TRYING to tell you! Be quiet, I don't want the children to hear - - .
"Do you mean us?" Fred asked with a smile.
"Nah!" George answered. "He couldn't. He means RON and GINNY." George had called out the names of his brother and sister, who naturally came into the kitchen when they had heard.
"What's going on? Ron asked.
"Shhh. Dad doesn't want us to hear," Fred told him.
"Hi, Dad, you're home early," Ginny said. "What aren't we supposed to hear?"
Arthur fought back a smile. His news was serious but he had to admit he now had no option but to tell them all.
Gabrielle was the last to walk into the kitchen and immediately noticed the cool mood. "What iz 'appening?" she asked.
"Dad's about to tell us," Fred told her.
Molly had been looking at her husband during this family exchange as if to ascertain what he had tried to tell her quietly.
"I've just come from the Ministry - - " Arthur started.
"Gee, Dad, that's a shock," Ron said sarcastically.
"BE quiet!" Molly said to everyone. "Your father wants to have a private word with me if you don't mind."
"No, it's all right, Molly. We would have had to tell them anyway," Arthur said. "Come and sit down so we can discuss it together."
"Is something wrong?" Ginny asked, now alarmed.
"Yes, there is," her father told her. "Molly, we're going to need some tea."
Molly shot into the kitchen where she spent the majority of every day, and put the kettle on.
"What is it, Dad?" Ron asked.
"It's about Harry."
***
Tonks stumbled into her apartment, feeling as tired as she ever had. She had been with Arthur when Kingsley had told them the news and Arthur left right away so he could tell his wife. Tonks desperately wished that Remus was at home so she could talk to him. She stayed at the Ministry another hour even though it was after her normal finishing time and her heart wasn't in it. She didn't want to go home to an empty apartment again.
Climbing the several sets of stairs to her front door, Tonks didn't even notice the thin shaft of light beneath it. She pointed her wand at the door and removed the locking charm she placed on it each time she left. Her Auror training had taught her to feel for tell-tale vibrations in her wand that would have indicated that the door had been opened or someone had Apparated within while she had been away. She felt that vibration immediately, and concentrated to ensure she had read it correctly.
Flinging the door open she threw her wand to the floor as she called out. "Remus, you're home!"
Remus Lupin had been waiting for her and smiled as she ran into his arms. He smiled again as he saw her purple coloured tuft of hair at the front immediately change back to pink. Pink just happened to be Tonks' favourite colour and she only wore it when Remus was home. It was Arthur Weasley who first picked up on the fact that Tonks was changing her hair colour in this manner, although as it turned out Tonks had been doing it quite subconsciously.
"What a lovely welcome," Remus managed to say before his mouth was smothered by hers. She kissed him deeply and not so gentle. Remus kissed back and held her as tightly as he could. Only when Remus realised he was running short of air did he feel something was wrong.
He managed to remove Tonks' lips from his own as she started crying against his chest. He held her even tighter, wondering what was wrong. Remus tried to ask but Tonks wasn't able to speak. She was sobbing against him, as she had after Sirius's death had sunk in.
It was Remus then who managed to hold her and to make her know she wasn't alone. She had spent weeks in that dark part of her soul that was so unusual for her. Everyone knew Tonks to be upbeat and happy; she was the life of every party. But the price she paid for being so fun-loving and optimistic was that when she was down, she was all the way down.
After Sirius had died, Remus wasn't happy to leave her alone for five minutes. He was afraid of what she might do in those dark days. But Remus had found her and touched her; he had put his hand out to Tonks in support and she had grabbed it. She had grabbed his hand and then she had grabbed him. Tonks dare not tell even herself that something wonderful had come out of Sirius's death; but deep down she knew it had.
Tonks knew only too well that Remus had his own personal demons. She had managed somehow to get to the point where Remus knew he wasn't alone, that she was there for him as he had been for her. So, together they had found each other; they had found the one thing neither knew they had been searching for.
It had been several minutes before Tonks' tears had subsided enough for Remus to talk to her. He held her, slightly rocking as if he were her mother, and all the time trying to tell her that it was all right. "Shhh, it's all right, I'm here. What is it? You can tell me."
Tonks raised her tear-stained eyes to look at him. She smiled as she saw once again the face she had lived without for the past two weeks. "Harry!" was all she was able to say.
Remus felt his whole body go rigid with shock. Something had happened to Harry, and he hadn't been there for him. Remus felt his stomach tighten and a dull ache within his heart. The colour completely faded from his already pale complexion and his hands tightened against Tonks' shoulders to the point that he was hurting her.
"Remus, it's Harry! He's gone to Vol- Vold- ." Tonks burst into tears again and continued crying into Remus's chest. He released his gripping hold on her and once more enveloped her protectively. Harry was gone! Harry was gone and he wasn't there to protect him.
"Tell me everything," Remus implored.
Sniffing, Tonks managed somehow to find words. "He sent word to the Ministry that Harry had to meet with him, or every member of the Ministry would be killed."
Remus let the news sink in: Voldemort hadn't gone to Harry; Harry had been forced to go to him.
"Where? How?" Remus asked.
"I don't know. He sent a Portkey."
That made sense, Remus thought: a Portkey couldn't be tracked. So wherever Voldemort was, no one could say. And now Harry was there with him.
"When?" Remus asked, knowing that it really didn't matter. The only thing that mattered was that Harry was gone.
Tonks moved her head to look at the clock. "A little over two hours ago."
Remus held her and could feel his heart breaking. Harry was gone!
"The letter said Harry wouldn't be harmed," Tonks told him and instantly felt Remus scoff. "Why would he do that? Why would he say Harry would be returned?"
"Voldemort just said that to get his hands on Harry. He can't be trusted, you should know that," Remus told her.
"But Harry would have gone anyway, Remus. Once he read that the lives of the Ministry staff were in jeopardy, Harry was always going to go. What choice did he have?"
This made sense to Remus and he hugged Tonks thoughtfully while he went over in his mind what he had been told.
"Where was he, still at Hermione's?" Remus asked.
Tonks nodded. "Poor Hermione, I can't imagine what she would be going through," Tonks said.
"She's going to need someone," he told her and Tonks nodded in agreement. "You should go."
"But you've just got home," Tonks protested. "I need you!"
Remus kissed her again. "Hermione needs you. If it were me instead of Harry, you wouldn't want to be alone."
"Hermione has her parents," Tonks said.
"Her Muggle parents who love her, but they don't really understand what we are all in the middle of. At least go to her and see if she needs you."
"You think I should just Apparate into Hermione's parents' home?" Tonks asked him.
Remus thought for a moment before replying. "Send a note asking if she needs you."
"What will you do?" she asked.
"I'll go and see Kingsley and Mad-eye. They'll want to know I'm back anyway."
"Okay," Tonks said. She Accioed her wand as well as a piece of parchment. Taking a few seconds to scribble a sentence or two, she reread her note and Apparated it to Hermione.
"I didn't even think to ask. Did you find anything?" Tonks asked Remus.
"I missed him by only a few hours. I'm getting closer, Tonks. I'm sure I can get Greyback next time."
"How sure are you that he doesn't know you're tracking him?" Tonks wanted to know.
"Only as sure as a fellow werewolf and Defence Against the Dark Arts Teacher could be," Remus smiled, hoping to allay some of Tonks' fears.
"Not just a teacher, but the BEST Defence Against the Dark Arts Teacher Hogwarts has ever seen!" Tonks replied.
A note Apparated in front of her with a POP! Tonks grabbed it and saw it had a single word reply upon it.
Yes.
"I'm going," Tonks told him, and she fell into him again, kissing him once more.
"Be careful," Remus told her, giving her his `I mean it' look.
"You too," she replied. "And make sure you're here when I get back. I promise I'll make it worth your while!"
Remus blushed and this caused Tonks to giggle. The shock of the news had dissipated slightly and Tonks felt she was back to her normal self.
Almost.
***
"Yes, Potter!" Snape spat. "It is my HAPPY duty to report that dinner is served."
"You've GOT to be kidding!" Harry said to Voldemort. "If you think I would sit down and eat with you and HIM!"
Voldemort sneered and seemed to enjoy watching Harry and Snape cross verbal swords. "I'm afraid Severus won't be dining with us, Harry. He has very kindly volunteered to serve as Maitre de this evening. But I assure you that there will be no shortage of interesting dinner guests."
"I'll bet!" Harry said. "And you can forget it!"
"I'm afraid I must insist," Voldemort replied. "Your choices are that you either sit and dine with us willingly or I petrify you and you'll dine unwillingly."
"I WON'T!" Harry said defiantly.
"You will, or I'll have Severus force feed you."
The idea of Snape feeding Harry like a baby was too humiliating to contemplate. Once more, like all the other times, Harry's hands were tied. He closed his eyes and took a big breath. Harry wondered what Dumbledore would do in this situation. He'd smile at Tom Riddle and accept his dinner invitation, that's what! And after it was over, Dumbledore would ask for seconds. Harry's heart ached with the absence of Dumbledore; he missed him desperately.
"Fine," Harry said. He looked Voldemort directly in the eye and from nowhere the patented Potter grin appeared. "Let's eat, Tom. But I warn you, I won't be leaving a tip."
Riddle was taken aback; he clearly did not expect Harry to display such bravado. He returned Harry's keen gaze and then laughed.
Snape looked at Harry curiously. He didn't expect Harry to act as he had. "This way then," Snape said, pointing towards the darkened chamber to their right. Harry walked off, taking large, confident strides as if he owned the place.
Harry entered the far chamber and as he did flaming torches blazed against the wall. He could see a long table set for a fancy dinner, with ten chairs set around it. Four chairs on each side of the table were filled; Harry noticed he knew several of the "guests" immediately. Two chairs at the end of the table were empty, obviously meant for himself and Riddle. Harry walked around the table, glaring at each of the guests in turn. He saw Bellatrix and Dolohov and gave them particularly evil stares. He then walked to the empty chair at the far end of the table and waited for Riddle to walk to his own chair.
Riddle smiled at the assembled Death Eaters, keeping an air of being in control and in charge. Harry decided to take initiative immediately.
"I suppose you're all wondering why I called you for this meeting," Harry said loudly. Several of the Death Eaters looked stunned while the large blonde fellow on his immediate left laughed. Voldemort looked slightly amused at Harry's behaviour but said nothing. Not waiting until he was asked, Harry sat down quickly and said again in a loud voice, "Let's eat. I'm starved!"
The large man laughed again, followed hesitantly by Riddle and the remaining guests. Harry wasn't sure where he was getting his confidence from, but he decided to keep it going.
"This WILL be fun," Bellatrix Lestrange said, giving Harry an evil look. "It's just a pity Potter didn't dress for the event." Harry was wearing jeans and a tee-shirt and he looked down at his shirt.
"Bellatrix, isn't it?" Harry asked with sarcastic sweetness. Bellatrix nodded in answer, wondering why he asked; he knew full well who she was. "I thought I could smell you from the other room."
Bellatrix half rose and removed her wand. She pointed it at Harry's chest and began to speak when Riddle interrupted her.
"Bella, please! Harry is under my protection. How would it look if I let you kill him, especially before dinner is served? Put that away and return to your seat."
Bellatrix paused, she had no choice but to obey, but the hate she felt for Harry was too great. Slowly she sat back down, and returned her wand to the pocket within her cloak. "You won't be so lucky next time, Potter," she spat.
Harry said nothing but smiled at her. "Tom," he said as if he was speaking to an old friend, "aren't you going to introduce me to the rest of your maniacs?"
Riddle paused. When he decided to arrange this meeting, he thought he would be in control and that Harry would be nervous and terrified. Harry looked to be neither. Riddle sneered at him.
"Certainly, Harry." He raised his left hand and pointed at the woman sitting at his immediate left. "You will remember Alecto Armly?"
Harry nodded; she had been one of the Death Eaters the D.A. had battled a month ago on the stairs of the Astronomy tower. Harry glared at her.
"Of course you remember Bella. She has only the very best of things to say about you."
Harry looked at Bellatrix Lestrange and was suddenly taken back to the battle within the Department of Mysteries.
"You killed Sirius," Harry said softly and Bellatrix cackled with glee.
"So sweet of you to remember," she said sarcastically. "That is one of my fondest memories. That stupid, blank look he had on his face as he fell through the veil was simply delightful."
"But not as delightful as it will be seeing your ugly face back in Azkaban where you belong," Harry said.
Bellatrix cackled again and the rest of the Death Eaters laughed along. "The Dark Lord was so pleased with me that day that he has given me first pick of who among your little army I kill next. I simply can't wait."
"Moving along," Riddle continued, "Antonin Dolohov."
"A pleasure," he smiled at Harry.
Harry hadn't forgotten the curse from his wand that had struck Hermione. He feared she had been killed and remembered the cold, empty feeling he had. "As will your recapture be. I think Hermione has a special hex set aside for you," Harry said and instantly regretted his words. Right at this point he didn't care what happened to him, but he didn't want to direct any attention towards his friends.
"Ah yes, the mudblood! I regret that I won't have the chance to kill her next time. The Dark Lord has taken that treat for himself."
"Yes, Antonin. As much as I'd like to let you finish her this time, I must insist. You see, Harry, when we next meet I intend to kill her and Weasley while you watch completely helpless. Then I'll kill you."
"Tom," Harry said sweetly. "You've tried and failed so many times already I've lost count. Next time we meet will be the last."
"Agreed!" Riddle said. "See, everyone?" he said to those around him. "I knew we would come to an understanding."
"Understand this, your bunch of lap-dogs are all going back to Azkaban. You on the other hand - - die!"
Harry looked at the man sitting on his right. "Malfoy!"
Lucius smiled and gave Harry an evil look. "Harry and I are old friends. Perhaps he'll let me speak at his funeral."
"I have a message for you Malfoy from Dobby. He says to say-" and Harry blew a raspberry sound. The dinner guests except Lucius all laughed until Lucius looked at them. Riddle was very much enjoying the proceedings.
"You see, ladies and gentlemen, the level of education at that atrocious school of his has fallen to such a miserable state that the lad doesn't even know enough to fear a pureblood."
"I hope you get your old cell back again Malfoy. Where is Draco by the way? Perhaps he can join you."
"Ah, Draco sends his apologies, but he is otherwise busy performing important work for the Dark Lord. He regrets he is unable to join us."
"Tell him I'm pretty sure McGonagall is going to ask him to hand in his prefects badge," Harry said, then looked at the large blonde man at his left. "You I've seen as well. I think I have you to thank for killing one of your own Death Eaters for me."
The blonde man grunted, he obviously did not appreciate being reminded of the fact.
"Ron said he had so much time to duck your curse it was almost embarrassing."
Riddle pointed to the man to whom Harry was talking. "Harry, allow me to introduce Ivo Kass."
Harry laughed, "Ivo? What kind of name is that?"
"It is a name you will long remember."
"What, when I'm dead? Tom, how am I supposed to remember his name if I'm going to be dead? Your recruitment programme doesn't rely on intelligence, does it?"
"I am tiring of you, Potter!" Riddle shouted. "Have all the fun you like for now but soon, very soon, I shall be the one laughing."
Harry's scar started to burn again and he could feel the malevolence directed at him from Riddle and swallowed. He was on thin ice and knew if he kept antagonising them, Riddle would forget about his agreement.
"Grayson Goyle," Riddle said, nodding at the next guest. Goyle said nothing, but merely grunted an acknowledgement.
"I see where your son gets it from," Harry said weakly. "A real chip off the block."
"Amycus Armly." Harry remembered him too, also on the steps to the Astronomy Tower. The lop-sided grin hadn't changed.
"Leaving just?" Harry asked.
"Harold Yaxley," Riddle responded. Harry searched his mind for the name but couldn't find it.
"I don't know you," Harry said. Yaxley shook his head and said nothing.
Harry looked around the table and made sure he would recognise them all. "Is this it, Tom? Eight Death Eaters, no, nine including Professor Snape? Is that the best you can manage?"
Snape was standing at Harry's right shoulder. Harry turned to look at him and suddenly had an idea.
"`Professor'? So, Harry," Riddle said, "you are able to show respect after all. And no, in answer to your question I have many more Death Eaters than what you see presently. The others are - required elsewhere."
"Potter!" Snape said, looking down on him.
"Professor." Harry grimaced in pain and held his scar. "I guess you aren't going back to Hogwarts."
"I guess not!" Snape spat.
"Detention isn't going to be the same without you," Harry said. The dinner guests all laughed except Yaxley.
"It's good to see you still have your sense of humour, Harry," Riddle said.
"Don't thank me, thank Snape here. His Potions classes always put me in a good mood."
Snape looked at Harry intensely, trying to ascertain just what he was playing at.
"Severus," Harry said; he had never used Snape's first name before, but that was what Dumbledore called him. "Was it really necessary to supply Professor Umbridge the Veritaserum she asked for after she caught me using her Floo?"
Snape's eyes never wavered from Harry's for an instant. As he remembered, he DIDN'T supply the requested potion. Snape remembered full well he used an excuse of having none in stock. "You see, Potter, unlike you I know my place and am able to follow orders. Giving Umbridge the tool with which to prove you were lying is just one of the benefits of being Potions Master. You only got what you had coming."
Harry nodded, as if accepting the answer. His scar still burned and he was having trouble focusing. Whatever else happened this evening Harry at least knew which way Snape's allegiance ran. He was still in the Order.
"Severus," Riddle said. "Now would be a good time to serve dinner."
Snape nodded and waved his wand at the table. Just as they did back at Hogwarts, the tables instantly overflowed with food.
***
Tonks appeared with a Crack! in the middle of the lounge-room. The sound of her arrival had brought Ginny from the kitchen. Tonks was both surprised and happy to see the youngest Weasley.
"Wotcher, Ginny," Tonks said with a slight smile. "I take it you're here for the same reason I am?"
Ginny nodded. "Moral support! Dad told me what happened so I sent word to Hermione asking whether she needed company. I've been here for a little over an hour."
"How is she?" Tonks asked. She and Ginny returned to the kitchen where a red-eyed Hermione was sitting at the table surrounded by Emma and Gabrielle.
"She's fine," Hermione told them as she had heard the question. "She is also happy she has such wonderful friends."
"That iz what friends is being for," Gabrielle added.
"Thanks, Gabby," Hermione said. She tried to smile but her heart wasn't in it.
Emma stood and welcomed the new arrival. "Nymphad - - ."
"Just Tonks, Mrs. Granger," Tonks told her. "Nobody calls me anything else."
Emma smiled and nodded. "Tonks it is then. Thank you for thinking of her."
"And of Harry," Hermione said. Hermione had been crying off and on ever since Harry had left. She was scared she was never going to see him again.
"So while Harry's out having fun, it's just us women who have nothing better to do but worry and wait. Sounds about normal to me."
Ginny, Gabrielle and Emma laughed and Tonks noticed the mood had changed a little for the better already.
"Kingsley told me about the letter, Hermione. Remus agrees with me that HE didn't need to guarantee Harry's return in order to get him to go. Harry really didn't have any choice."
Hermione shook her head, still not able to make eye contact with anyone. The sudden realisation of what Tonks had said caused Hermione to snap her head in her direction.
"Remus is back?" she asked.
"Just back... only a few minutes ago. I just had time to fill him in."
"Tonks, I'm sorry. I never realised. If I'd known - - ."
"Forget it, Hermione. He's gone to see Kingsley and Alastor anyway, so it was either sit at home all alone or be here with you."
"Thank you again, Tonks," Emma said as she could see Hermione was too deep in thought to reply.
"No sweat, Mrs. G.," Tonks returned playfully and saw Emma grin at the sound of her new nickname. "You know how it is with men anyway. We're either constantly waiting for them or letting them wait for us."
"I like the second way better," Ginny laughed.
"What would you know about waiting for men, Ginny? How many dance invitations do you have now?" Tonks could feel she was her normal upbeat self, no doubt mainly due to Remus's return.
"Only three," Ginny replied, and only half pretending to be embarrassed.
"Zink how many zere will be when school is returning," Gabrielle said, causing everyone to laugh.
"Jealous?" Ginny asked Tonks.
"Hell no! I'm definitely a one guy gal, and I've already hooked him."
Hermione looked at Tonks and offered a small smile while raising a questioning eyebrow.
"Okay, okay, Hermione, you dragged it out of me. YES there is a wedding scheduled for the very near future," Tonks confessed.
Shouts of congratulations rang around the table and Ginny who was nearest hugged the bride-to-be. Even Hermione managed a genuine smile.
"When is the wedding?" Emma asked.
"Hmmm, difficult question. There is so much to organise, ya know? I have to set a date, organise flowers, guests, wedding dress... Oh yeah, I have to ask Remus, then there is the - - ."
"He doesn't know?" Ginny asked.
"That silly fool? Of course not, he has no idea. I'm thinking I'll spring it on him when I get back. After."
"After what?" Ginny asked again.
"Just after, young lady. You DON'T want me to go into details as to what I have planned before. May I just remind you that we are consenting adults and the last time I saw him was over two weeks ago?"
Everyone laughed again, and this time it was Ginny not Hermione who was blushing.
"I'm sorry I asked," Ginny said, causing them all to laugh again and Tonks merely winked at her.
"Where's Mr. G?" Tonks asked.
"Upstairs," Emma answered. "He's uncomfortable waiting for Harry surrounded by women so he decided to leave us alone."
"He's a big baby," Hermione said still not looking at the others and her eyes were quite red and puffy. "If it was the other way around and we were waiting for him, Harry wouldn't run off to be by himself."
"Dan isn't Harry," Emma smiled at her daughter.
"I'll say!" Tonks, Ginny and Hermione said as one and Gabrielle giggled.
***
Dinner ended with Harry still in pain. Riddle had been pushing images of Ron and Hermione dying before his eyes, as well as the rest of the D.A. Riddle missed no one, he knew every member of Dumbledore's Army. Once or twice Harry could feel Riddle searching for information from his mind, and he had to use all his strength to keep his mind closed.
Harry looked at his plate, he had eaten practically nothing. Not that he suspected the food had been poisoned, it was more a matter of the blinding pain behind his eyes was taking away any strength he had left. He was practically powerless, and wanted to get back to Hermione more than he wanted anything before in his life.
"Tom," Harry managed to say. "Shouldn't we get to the point of why you wanted to see me?"
"Of course, Harry," Riddle smiled. He rose and walked into the area where Harry had first appeared. The remaining guests all followed obediently leaving Harry and Snape behind. Harry rose slowly, clutching his head and staggered slightly. Snape caught him, enabling Harry to keep his balance - just.
Harry quickly placed a hand softly on Snape's shoulder and gave a friendly, gentle squeeze. Refusing to make eye contact with Snape, Harry walked off in the same direction as the others and immediately saw that Riddle was waiting for him. He had been watching Harry, and if Harry had smiled or said anything to Snape, his cover would have been well and truly blown.
If it wasn't already.
The room Harry had Portkeyed into now had a duelling strip down the centre. Riddle marched over to the far side and stood at one end. "You're kidding, right?" Harry said. "You don't expect me to do this, here?" Harry felt like a puppet and Riddle was pulling every string.
Riddle knew just about everything there was to know, from the prophecy to the members of the D.A. and Grimmauld Place. Harry knew Riddle had felt his mind and had seen brief snatches of the interior of number 12 Grimmauld Place. Riddle knew of Grimmauld place but couldn't find it. As long as the Secret Keeper didn't divulge its location, Sirius's home would remain hidden. Anything Harry thought he could keep secret from Riddle was coming apart from his mind.
Riddle smiled, and that growl Harry had heard earlier had returned, though Harry couldn't see from where it had come.
"Codeus duellos!" Riddle said. "Have they taught you what that means yet?"
Harry refused to answer, trying not to give anything away.
"Loosely translated, it means fair-fight."
Harry scoffed. "What do you know about fair?"
"Codeus duellos was meant to prevent vendettas between families, Harry. Before it could be used, the combatants had to show that they had exhausted all non-violent means of reaching an agreement."
Harry tried to take in what Riddle was saying, but it wasn't making sense. Harry had no power left. Riddle had been playing with him all this time, showing him how much stronger he was. Not only was Riddle stronger, he had been a wizard for much longer than Harry (what would Ron have to say about that?).
And there was something else as well but Harry's mind struggled to find it.
"We are talking about the rules of the duel, Harry. As the challenger, it is my right to demand restitution from you."
"What restitution?" Harry asked.
"Your death will be enough," Riddle answered.
"I thought you might say that," Harry replied. "I hope you don't mind if I spoil your fun and live to a ripe old age."
"Not much chance of that, I'm afraid. Harry, under the terms of duelling I get to choose the site of the duel, and you can agree or propose an alternate. After that we have to decide the matter of seconds."
"What?" Harry asked. He was losing it, near the end of his strength.
"Witnesses. I'm thinking one will be sufficient," Riddle told him.
"Sure, whatever!"
"So everything is set, Harry. Shall we do it now? Of course first blood won't be sufficient, we shall fight to the death!"
Harry staggered again; he was clearly in no position to duel with anyone. Bellatrix laughed and he wondered how much longer he could take Riddle playing with his mind, when suddenly the visions ended. Harry had his head back, his head was clear. He found he was stooped over and stood gingerly.
"Don't tell me the Boy-Who-Lived is scared!" Voldemort said, laughing. "You know you can't win, Harry," Riddle told him. Harry felt Riddle was right, he was much stronger. "You see, Harry, I know something you don't."
Riddle put out a hand, and from nowhere a crystal ball appeared. "For you," he said and handed it to Harry.
Harry looked at the clear ball and saw Hermione, Ron and himself standing together. In the ball Riddle could be seen in front of them. He pointed his wand and a green streak flew from the tip hitting Ron in the chest. Ron fell, dead! Another streak of light hit Hermione and she fell as well. Both lay on the ground, laying perfectly still.
They were both dead. A third green light leapt from the wand and struck Harry. Harry could not avoid it, there was no doubt he was also killed. The vision in the crystal cleared and the scene was played out again from the beginning.
"The future is already ordained, Harry. You can't avoid it."
Harry tore his eyes from the image with great difficulty and handed it back.
"No, Harry," Riddle said. "I want you to have it. My gift to you, just so there are no doubts whatsoever what is in store for you."
Riddle gave a sinister smile and held out Harry's wand for him to take. Harry took it and for a fleeting second wondered if he could use it before Riddle could respond.
"No, Harry. You aren't quick enough. You will never be quick enough."
Harry looked up and was astonished to see Riddle was pointing his own wand at Harry. The speed with which he drew it was blinding, faster by far than any snitch Harry had ever seen.
"Something by now I am sure you DO know concerns this," Riddle said, indicating his wand. "Dumbledore would have told you that both our wands share a phoenix feather at their core."
Harry nodded, there was no sense denying anything at this stage.
"So just like at the churchyard back in Little Hangleton, your wand can't defeat me." Riddle told him.
"But you didn't kill me that day, Tom," Harry said.
"I'm far stronger now, Harry. Do you think your wand will be able to stop me this time?"
Deep inside, Harry knew Riddle was right. He wouldn't last a second, as the image in the crystal ball illustrated.
"Then there is the matter of the Horcruxes," Riddle said.
Harry grimaced; Riddle knew what he knew. Any chance of surprise by destroying the Horcruxes was gone.
Riddle waved an arm toward a darkened corner of the cavern and Harry could see a large throne-like chair surrounded by several objects. A wand rested on the chair, as did a book and a golden cup. Other objects Harry couldn't make out clearly sat at the foot of the chair.
"In answer to your question to your mudblood, the answer is seven. There were seven Horcruxes."
"Gee," Harry said with no enthusiasm. "Thanks for getting them all together for me. Makes it much easier for me to destroy them before I destroy you."
"By all means, Harry. Destroy away. You see, I intend to destroy them anyway; so you would be doing me a favour. Once I destroy them all, I can set about to create new ones, thousands and thousands of Horcruxes. Harry, you aren't going to live to see it but I'll be practically immortal."
"Is that it?" Harry asked. "I'd love to stay and chat some more but I clearly don't intend to."
"Almost, Harry. If I can't get you to agree to duel right here and now and get this over with, then I must introduce you to one more person before you leave."
Harry heard and felt the growl coming from darkness at his side. Fenrir Greyback walked over to Harry and stopped in front of him.
"You smell it, Fenrir?" Riddle asked.
Greyback inhaled deeply and held his breath momentarily; the senses within his nose examining whatever it was he was looking for.
"I smell it. The instant he arrived I could smell it. I smell HER!"
Greyback had detected Hermione's scent upon Harry... not surprising considering how much time they had spent together. Harry's eyes shot open; one of the reasons Riddle wanted him here was so that Greyback could smell Hermione's scent. He planned to track her.
Harry turned to Riddle but he had gone. He turned back to Greyback and he had gone as well. All of the Death Eaters had disappeared, and where it was light a heartbeat before, it was now pitch black.
***
"He ISN'T coming back!" Hermione said again. She had no more tears and Emma knew if Harry was much longer she would probably have to agree with her daughter. It was after midnight and no one had spoken for a long time.
"Hermione - -," Ginny began but Hermione shook her head.
"He'd have been here by now," she told Ginny.
"It's not like he's out having fun, Hermione," Tonks told her. "He'll be back first chance he gets."
"How long am I supposed to wait? Forever? This is tearing me apart and I can't wait forever! What if I'm right and I never see him again? Riddle lied. We all knew this would happen!"
Emma gathered her daughter in and let her cry again. Gabrielle looked at Ginny; neither Weasley could offer any more support. Hermione might be right. Even Tonks had nothing more to say.
Dan had heard Hermione and walked into the kitchen. There was nothing he could say or do to console his daughter.
Several minutes later Hermione regained some composure and walked back near the spot she had last seen Harry. She remembered the look on his face as he told her he was coming back. It seemed as though he couldn't after all.
A Crack! was heard and everyone's head turned. Hermione was standing less than a yard from where Harry Apparated in and saw at once how weak he was. His face was white as china, his brow drenched in perspiration; he looked on the verge of collapsing.
Instead of jumping into his arms as she thought she would do hours ago, Hermione took two steps and slowly came to him. Harry put his arms around her and hugged but without any strength. To see the state he was in, Hermione cried against him softly. "What can I do?" she asked.
"Hold me when I'm scared - - ," Harry whispered.
Of course she could do that. She would always be there for him; such a simple request would be easy for her. She would hold him when he was scared, and he would never need to ask.
Hermione thought that was the only thing Harry needed; she thought he had finished. But Harry wasn't done, there was something more he needed, something much harder for Hermione to do.
" - - love me when I'm gone!"
A/N - `Hold me when I'm scared - love me when I'm gone' is from When I'm Gone by the band 3 Doors Down. What more can one ask for a lover, but to hold them when they are scared, as well to remember them when they are gone? What more could one do?
The feel from the second track on the album, Away From the Sun leads into the next chapter. It sees Harry return to a very dark place. If you have any lyric sites among your favourites it's well worth reading the lyrics to this song.
I know it wasn't fair to bring Harry and Hermione together only to pull them apart again, but isn't that life, and love?
-->