Chapter Fourteen: Or Worse
Hermione checked her backpack again. It was early in the morning, too early if anyone asked her to be up, and they were preparing to start their tri-assault. Harry had spent the night with her, just holding her as she fitfully sleep. It was hard to sleep, the anxiety too much for her to get a good night's rest. Harry made no comment of it, rather content in staring off out the window in her room while holding her. She wanted to ask him about his thoughts, but their bond told her that they were resting on the same thing hers were.
"All set?" She looked up, putting away a length a room as Ron entered the room. He was carrying a similar bag over his shoulder.
"Yeah, but I really have no idea what we're up against," Ron said. Hermione gave him a look before lifting her own bag onto her back. She packed light, trusting Harry to get them through this. It was about all she could do. "Let's go meet him at his office."
They walked in silence. Hermione was going over a series of spells she had picked specifically for this mission. She could only guess that Ron was doing that same, but with Ron you never knew.
"Its not done yet," Snape's voice yelled.
"Like that's ever stopped me before," Harry's voice echoed back. Hermione and Ron shared a look before running the rest of the way to the classroom.
The door was open, or just enough that Hermione could see the two men in the room. They were glaring daggers at each other, trying to stare the other down. There was a vial of something on Harry's desk, something that Hermione could not recognize, but knew it was smoking.
"I thought you'd be happy to see me die," Harry commented back. Hermione quickly shut their bond to a minimum and shuddered. She did not want that thought in her head. Snape laughed at this, though the laugh was hollow and empty.
"If only Potter, but this will not kill, only make you wish for death," Snape snapped. "I'm only tell you this because you need to know the consequences." Harry stopped at this. He was pacing, and turned to look at the Potions Master. Hermione could not hear what Harry said, but she could tell it had a strong effect on Snape.
She could not see Harry's face, his back was to her, but the look of respect and concern on Snape's face was hard to miss. She did not even know he could look like that.
"It's my choice," Harry said, louder then what he had said before. Hermione opened the bond a little. She knew she'd never be able to find out what he was now hiding from her without him knowing. Giving Ron a look that snapped him out of his shock, she knocked on the door, letting their presence be known.
"Did we interrupt anything?" Hermione asked, stepping inside of the room.
"No, Miss Granger, I was just leaving," Snape said. He gave Harry one more look before nodding and leaving them with his classic exit: robes billowing behind him.
"What was that all about?" Ron asked before Hermione could. She stared at him, testing the bond. He was not hiding anything on the surface, but she did not want to test his trust by probing any deeper.
"A last resort," Harry said, taking the vial and slipping it into his jacket.
"You trust him?" Ron asked. Harry looked at Ron for a moment, then moved his gaze over to Hermione.
"He doesn't have a choice." They all turned to see Lupin entering, carrying his own pack. "Snape is one of the best potions masters alive. If what he gave to Harry was an indication of his skill, Harry has to trust him." Harry nodded at the man's words, and a sense of relief fluttered across the bond. Hermione held her smile back, happy to know that at least one bridge was mended between Lupin and Harry.
"Damn straight," Harry said. He threw on his jacket, covering the tattoo on his back. Hermione smiled lightly, knowing she had explored it closely. He gave her a look as he strapped the his gunblade over his back. "We've got about ten minutes, any last questions."
"What hell are we getting into?" Ron asked.
"No clue," Hermione muttered. She turned toward Harry, forcing a question through the bond. What was that all about? Harry shrugged his shoulders.
Its the lottery, I either win or lose. Harry sent back. She wanted to ask more, but knew he wouldn't give it away."We're getting into a source of evil that is unlike any you have ever seen before. Or even glimpsed at."
"So is it a horocrux?" Lupin asked. Harry led them out of the room and to the courtyard. Harry had set up the three portkeys in different areas, ensure that everyone got to where they needed to go. The man wasn't even phased by the amount of magic he spent just to make them, kept right on working. Sometimes Hermione wondered if he ever did sleep. Or even need it.
"No idea, that's why we're heading there, to find out," Harry said. He checked his watch, before pulling out a scarf. "Grab a side and hold on tight. This will last a little longer than your used to. If you feel a bump, do not let go."
"Why would there be a bump?" Ron asked.
"Got to get through the ward," Harry said. Hermione took the scarf without question. She had already had this discussion with him when he created it. She did not know where he got the power to push through wards like he did, but it had to come from somewhere.
"In three, two, one," Harry counted down. Hermione wrapped her arm around his waist before "one" hoping that it would give her some balance.
The portkey was like any other she had felt, until the bump. Her grip tightened, both around Harry's waist and the scarf. He wasn't kidding when he told them not to let go. They stalled in mid-air, pushing against the ward before another burst of energy pushed them through it.
They stumbled to the ground, well, everyone but Harry did. He landed like he jumped through wards all the time.
"Sorry bout that," he said, scratching the back of his neck. "I haven't ridden with anyone in a while, forgot to warn you about the landing." He held his hand out for her, letting her grab onto as he pulled her up.
"If there's a moment when we surrounded or are about to, I want you to run," he whispered. He stopped her from speaking, his finger on her lips. "You are too important to me to get trapped in there. Too important to me." He kissed her hard at this, the bond opening completely between them. She felt her mind melting into his as she melted against him. "And I can always find you. We haven't gotten to where you can find me." He kissed her again, this time short. As he pulled back, she felt the bond shuffle slightly, but not close. More like his magic reaching out to catch her, protect her.
He glanced down at his watch, checking the time. "They should be starting their assault in a matter of moments." Hermione took the time to look around.
They were in the middle of a desert that stretched out for what had to be miles. She covered her eyes as she stared into the sun. There was nothing, why where they here? No, that was stupid. They were here because nothing else could survive what had to be miles out to the middle of nowhere without knowledge of what already existed.
"Ready Hermione?" Harry asked. She turned back. Ron and Lupin were at the entrance of the cave, or rather a door to the cave. Harry held out his hand, asking her to take it silently. She gave him a nervous smile before doing so. The comfort of his arms surrounded her as she held his hand.
"Open the door Moony, Ron, prepare a shield," Harry said. Hermione moved to Harry's side, not letting him push her behind him.
Her wand in hand, Hermione watched as Lupin spelled the door open, and Ron conjured moss from inside the cave. A rush of spellfire escaped the cave and collided with the wall of moss Ron just made. In a matter of moments the spellfire stopped, and the wall collapsed.
"It safe?" Ron asked. Harry let go of Hermione's hand, moving in front of both.
"Only one way to find out," Harry said. He walked in without a moment of hesitancy. He stood there for a moment, and as much as Hermione wanted to glare at him, his confidence seemed to be helping her as well. It was helping them all.
Hermione felt a wash of magic come over her as she entered behind Ron. Though Harry had not moved from the outside, his movement inside was obvious. He seemed frantic, almost worried, but the calculating look in his eyes told her otherwise. His pacing stopped as Remus entered behind Hermione.
"Bout time," Harry said. "I was wondering how long the delay was."
"What delay?" Lupin spoke first. Harry removed his watch from his wrist and tossed it to Hermione. Ron slipped in almost immediately after he started talking.
"Looks about the same, just a few minutes," Hermione said. The clocks weren't off that much, if anything Harry's was a little slow..... "Twelve hours?"
"Close to it at least," Harry said. "We didn't spot it because a mage had put it up. Or at least, we could not have until we came in. A dark blue is plastered along the entrance. A time variation, if I had to guess. But because of that, I don't want to know what horrors await us down here."
"You think its going to be that bad?" Ron asked.
"No, I think this is just the beginning," Harry said. He removed his wand from his belt, lighting up the dark passage before them. "Moony, you take the back, scan for any changes in the terrain as we go along. Try and make a map so we can get the hell out of here safely. I'll take lead, Hermione follow me, but be prepared to be pushed out of the way. You're going to be looking specifically for any irregularities in regards to the flow of magic in this place. Ron, help Moony where you can or try to get a fix on the number of creatures we got in here."
"What are you going to do Harry?" He gave them a smile as he placed his wand back into his jacket. The ball of light remained, bouncing to and fro along the passage.
"I'm going to take the first stab in the dark."
So began their journey. They walked for several miles, finding nothing more than darkness in front of them. No more spells or dangers around them. No one really talked, which made the darkness all the more forbidding. Hermione felt the weight of pressure from all this growing. Still, she kept check for changes in the magic around them, like Harry asked. Nothing. He was guiding them wordlessly, motioning them to stop at times between forks in the path and then walking down them without a second glance at the other path. The ball of light that he cast remained floating, though around Hermione and Ron. Harry had seemingly lost all need for light, despite the remnants of his tattoo lighting on his neck.
When they stopped, Hermione could not help but collapse against Harry. He gave her a smile, which reenergized her more than she really wanted to admit. "How much further?"
"I hope not much longer," Harry said. "but I suggest we stop and maybe get a bite to eat."
"See, I told you we needed something to eat," Ron said, happily taking things out of his bag. Though none of it was food Hermione noted. He finally took out a book, before reading a passage rather quickly. She watched as he gathered his mana before releasing it.
Several pieces of fruit appeared before them, along with some jugs of water. Ron just grinned as she and Lupin stared at him. "And did I not give you the means to do it yourself?" Harry asked. He reached forward, grabbing two apples before settling back against the wall. His arm wrapped around her, pulling her against his side.
She looked back at him as he held out an apple for her. "Feeling protective?" He smiled as their bond fluttered open.
"I'd be lying if I said no," Harry said. She felt a pit of fear in him, and she wrapped herself around it, holding her mind to it to calm them both down.
"Then this time let me protect your body," Hermione said as she wrapped her arms around his stomach. "And you protect my mind." He made his way through the bond, taking a firmer hold of her than it seemed with only his arm around her.
She knew that Lupin and Ron were looking at them, but at the moment, she did not care. She sat up and kissed him gently on the lips before settling back at his side.
"You too are certainly a lot closer than the last time I saw you," Lupin said. Hermione shrugged her shoulders.
"We are doing what is right," Hermione said.
"Still, you don't think its kinda out of the blue for you two to be together?" Lupin asked.
"Are you exercising caution or displeasure?" Hermione said. She fixed a glare on the older man. "Because neither are not asked for or warranted. We can maintain our relationship. Stop worrying about ours and focus on your own." Lupin sat back, not a little surprised at her reaction. That did not matter to her, what matter is that people understood that this was what she wanted.
"Let them do what they want Lupin," Ron said. "Trying to get Hermione to change her mind about something is damn near impossible." Hermione shot him a look before taking a bite out of the apple.
They sat in silence for several moments. Hermione felt the flickers of panic and fear from her plains. Ron looked nervous as well, and Harry felt it. She could not tell from his face or body language, but it was there, over the bond.
They sat there for several minutes, maybe at least half an hour. Hermione didn't know how long, but it certainly felt like it had been that long. Harry was the first to stand, taking her up with him. Ron and Lupin followed them quickly.
"I think its best if we keep moving," Harry said. He looked back at the path they just came from before continuing forward.
"Something wrong?" Lupin asked as they moved back into formation.
"The air is not moving, meaning that the longer we stay, the larger chance we have to suffocate," Harry said. "Don't ask me how I know, just trust me."
Hermione held onto his hand as they walked. While it looked slightly uncomfortable for Harry, he did not complain the hours they walked. He stopped them from time to time, pausing to look down a path before taking the other path. They talked very little, with Harry only doing so to give them a direction. While Ron did not look like he had a problem with it, from time to time, Lupin looked disgruntled over the orders. Or he just looked disgruntled. Harry noticed as well, their bond reducing her worry for a little while.
She couldn't feel a change in the magic, a flat line. It scared her if she wanted to admit it. Usually, there was a little change from here to there, but nothing. She knew there was magic in the cave, but whatever it was, it was gone, hidden, or something.
The path carried them down to a cavern with a stone bridge that carried to an altar on the other side. While Hermione logically knew there was a bottom to the cave, beneath the bridge, she could not see it.
"This doesn't look good," Harry said, stopping them before going across.
"What's wrong, we haven't had any problems so far," Ron said. Lupin just grunted. The little light they had made Lupin look dark, angrier than she had ever seen him. Even while he was a werewolf.
""You feel it don't you, Moony?" Harry said.
"The wolf's fighting back," Lupin grunted. Hermione held back a gasp, finally understanding what was going on.
The dark magic was exuding from the altar, causing the fear in them all, and a little anger as well. While the trio could fight it off reasonably well, Lupin had begun to fight off the wolf inside of him. Harry held the least anger of them all, or at least was able to fight it the best. He fought off her anger as well, and Ron seemed to have gained a hold on his anger through the years.
"I need you to watch my back at this point," Harry said. "Something isn't right. It's got to be a Horocrux, but I'm not positive." Hermione looked at him, before nodding for the rest of them. She really wanted to see how he took care of the previous Horocrux.
He walked slowly across the bridge, torches lighting up as he did. Hermione held her breathe, feeling confidence fighting his nervousness. She began to touch her plains, hoping that she didn't need them, but was ready to use them if she needed to. Ron's nod gave her the impression that he was ready as well. All three of their wands were drawn, however focused on Harry.
He stopped before the altar. She was too far away to see before if there was anything on it. Now Harry was blocking her from seeing anything at all. The flames upon the torches began to waver and flicker as Hermione felt Harry draw upon his mana.
She felt him drawing extensively upon his plains, drawing out the cleansing power within them. The white glow around him gave away the white mana use as well. As the mana centered in on Harry, Hermione felt her eyes drawn to movement at the bottom of the cannon. Something was down there, something that sparked the fear.
"Harry?" She let her voice waver as she watched the floor rising up quickly.
"Almost got it..." Harry called back. His hands were moving quickly, but not as quickly as the floor.
Ron sent out the first spell, hitting the rising mass. Hermione could not call it a floor anymore, she saw arms and teeth. She repressed the shiver that ran over her; those things were the source of the fear. Harry did not waver as he finished whatever he was doing.
They were worse than Inferi. More dead, yet more alive. The stench followed them as they rose quickly upwards. Hermione felt her magic flaring slightly as the torches went out; only Harry's light remained, giving them little to work with. Hermione did not want to lose her wand to a Lumos, so she kept it trained on the approaching abyss.
She felt the strain through their bond, but knew she couldn't help him. His mana control was unlike anything she had ever felt, even those few glimpses and touches across their bond. It fought her fear and only made it grow at the same time.
Harry drew the remnants of the light into him, leaving the zombies and them in the darkness. Hermione felt the air around her getting colder, yet she felt find. Her bond tightened, sending her waves of heat and care over it. Her frown stabilized, no longer letting the fear over come her. Harry was there, and this would be over soon.
The bond flared as the creatures rose, covering the bridge. Hermione watched Harry disappear into the black, her only connection being the bond.
She watched the creatures coming toward her. Heads dented in, the skull visible in deep grays against what little light was coming from their wands. She could hear the snarling echoing across the cavern, no distinguishable words coming from their mouths.
Only once before had she felt this kind of fear, only once before. Their third year, when the Dementors came....
"HARRY!" A burst of light streamed across the bridge, connecting to her chest, to her bond. She felt a pull from her waters, the seas and islands giving strength to the red beam that connected.
The light grew bright, tossing some of the zombies to the side as it pierced others. Ron and Lupin had already begun firing at them, trying to stop the onslaught of the abyss. Hermione only could stare into the beam of white light, despite her plains still standing strong. She prepped them, but did not used them. Her islands were near gone though, their energy leaving her quickly as the beam left, going back into the mass of light that had become Harry.
She grasped onto her wand, ready to fire, despite the anxiety now filling her. Half of her mana was gone, and she felt empty without it. She knew it was there, but she kinda felt bare without it to draw upon.
The light spread out before sucking back, destroying the zombies that had managed to cover the ledge Harry was on. Hermione kept firing every spell she knew, hoping that he was alright. Their bond was strong, and she felt his heart somehow beating along side her own.
Sparing a look, she could feel the fear growing closer as she stared at Harry. He was hunched, standing up by leaning against altar. He did not notice the zombies surrounding him, but Hermione did. She could see the air growing cold around him as well. She took off across the bridge, flying as she went. Spells came out of her wand even before she thought of them.
Harry turned, holding the chard remains of what had to be a diadem. Ravenclaw's diadam. That boy was going to tell her what the hell he knew when they got out of here. He smiled at her, he stopped, the smile turning into a look of fear. She froze in her tracks, feeling the cold breath of.....something on her neck. Of hell upon her neck. Hermione turned to see the dark face of death, it pulling back its mask.
She felt a tug on her soul as the darkness surrounded her. And then there was just darkness....
I0I
Harry rushed forward, grabbing hold of Hermione as she fell to the bridge. His gunblade slide from his back as he stopped behind her, protecting her as he swung. He felt his bond swagger as Hermione collapsed. His world froze as he watched the beast take her soul. "Dementor." His hoarse voice snarled. His gunblade swung at the Dementor, but evasion and cowardice were its tactics.
He pushed his way past the climbing zombies, to Ron and Lupin, who were standing stunned. "Take her," Harry said, pushing her body out to them. He knew the bond would die soon, but soon outside of this place. She was still alive as long as he felt her holding onto that bond, with what little strength she had left.
"What? Harry, she's-" Ron started, but Harry glared him down. He felt the fire building in his chest, but he could feel her. She was still there.
"She is still alive," he tapped his chest as he screamed at them. His voice stilled the zombies, with not only the terror, but with the pain. "She's still in here. You keep her safe until you get out. If I'm not out behind you in five minutes, close it."
"You'll be there Harry?" Lupin asked as he took the limp body from Harry. He nodded, holding out his hand. "The potion?"
"More than that," Harry said. "Faith." He swung he blade again, catching a half dozen zombies. Lupin saw something in him, something that maybe the man needed to. When he got out of this hell, the two of them were going to have a long talk.
He stood facing the devils of Voldemort's heart. The demons that stole Hermione's soul, that stole apart of his own. He felt her holding onto that bond, their bond which he gave his all into, his lasting connection to her. He wrapped his heart around his side of the bond, pulling tightly onto it.
Their eyes bore hatred in them, darkness that he had seen in his own soul, only once. But his mountains, his passion drove that darkness out. His Hermione. His plains, his connection to the light that he could not give up.
The dragons roared into the darkness, his voice echoing their rage. Again, the zombies stumbled back, this time, there was confusion. They questioned who he was, what monster could fight their lord?
His goblins built the mountains, built the defense around his bond. They were small in size, but massive in numbers, coming out from all of his pores, from all of the tunnels in and through his mountains. His goblins were ready to prove their greed, holding onto the only piece of gold Harry ever wanted.
But it was his fire, the fire within the mountains that Harry felt burnt him the most. With each second, he could feel another atom of Hermione slip away. With each moment, another flame burnt stronger, burnt with more anger and fury that an thousand suns. They had stolen his only jewel, his only ray of light.
Her plains were strong, holding onto her soul. His flames searched for them into the darkness, looking for something more forbidding that held onto her. The potion that would seep through his pours would work only once, allow him to hold onto the power only once. And only for a moment. But that was on the outside. He could only guess how long he had inside this hell.
A moment was all he need.
Harry became lost in the motions, swinging and firing his gunblade out and upon the mass and crowds of zombies. He could see that demon holding onto her, holding onto his love, his light.
Removing the potion from his belt, he held it in one hand as he swung his gunblade with the other. "Hello boys." He could not help but grin at them all. They had no idea what they were getting into.
I0I
Hermione felt herself floating around in nothing. In darkness.
She did not even know if her eyes were open, or how she saw. But she did.
She had a thin string attached to her stomach, her belly bottom it seemed. There was nothing around her but cold, fear, loneliness, and desperation. She hugged her body tightly to chest, wanting to fight off some of those feelings.
Her bond to Harry was faint; the worst it had ever been, even when he was gone, and traveling. She could still 'feel' him, in her heart. Now, Hermione questioned if she was truly gone.
No, the tug on her stomach, on the string told her otherwise. She could feel Harry out there, somewhere. He was the other end of the string, at the end of the darkness.
"Harry?" Her voice died, barely reaching her own ears. This place seemed to suck everything out of her. She tried to gather her thoughts through the fog that now seemed to be choking them.
They were in the cave, looking for some sign of a Horocrux..... Harry did seem to know about it, but sense something was there...... He led them down the cave, and destroyed the diadem..... The zombies, or something like zombies attacked them.....She rushed over to Harry, hoping that she could help him....... That damn Dementor appeared behind her..... And she stupidly didn't defend herself.....
She began to mental berate herself for her actions. She had gotten herself killed. Looking at the string, and the tug on it again, she realized that it was about as close to being killed without being dead. And now Harry had to save her. Again.....
Not this time. She was going to get out of this alone. Even if this was Hell, she was going to fight her way out and get to Harry. Another tug on her string. It was white, much like the color of her plains.
She still had those, she hadn't used them, and Harry hadn't stolen them either. Another thing she was going to have to yell at him for; how dare he do that without telling her?
Concentrating on her plains, she felt them still thriving, if a little shook up from...wherever she was. They were fine though. Pushing a little of that mana into her, she felt a warmth beginning to spread outward, the darkness turning into bright light.
Vaguely, someone screamed. She could not help the smile that crossed her face. So....this hurt a Dementor......
This was going to be an all or nothing shot. She had only one chance, and she was about to do something that she could only describe as a "Harry Potter." Monumental stupid and not thought out at all, yet probably going to succeed.
Gathering her plains, she felt the magic pooling in her chest. The string tugged at her again, this time more violently. She shrugged it off, concentrating on tapping into her mana. She felt the animals and birds she had gathered upon her plains gathering around her center. They watched, and in a moment turned into energy, joining into her. She felt the power grow even more as she held onto it.
Again, a scream echoed in this dead place. Hermione felt the tug on her again. It began to hurt her, and she knew that she only a had one chance at this.
She felt the energy burning inside of her, fighting for a release. The wrath of a thousand stars. The wrath of a god descending upon the unjust and false believers.
"Hermione!" She looked around, seeing nothing, but the voice echoed, unlike her own. She turned toward the direction of string, watching what had to be a light at the end of the tunnel. She knew that voice, Harry, Harry was calling for her.
The ripple of a tug could be seen coming toward her. If Harry's voice came from down that string, that that meant it was an exit. Only he would be foolish enough to save her from death. And only she would be smart enough to figure her own way out, while he managed to bust his way in.
"Not this time," she muttered. With that final tug, she let go of the energy building inside of her. The tug pulled her outside of the blast, and she had just enough sense to watch it as the blast followed her out, consuming the dark world that she floated in. The wrath of this goddess destroyed all that was in it path.
With a smile, she felt the warmth of her bond return, and she wrapped herself in it. Things would be okay. Harry always saved the day.
I0I
Harry pulled once more on the bond, this time harder and fiercer than he previously had. He felt the warmth fill his chest as the potion did the rest. His bond settled, the potion allowing him to hold onto more mana than he had ever thought possible. Even with his plains used up, his still had his mountains, though, those were fast going, and possible used up before he finished his quest. Now he had Hermione'splains, her used up islands, and a mismatch of other sources she could learn to use. His swamps were no effect here, but still used to start that destabilization of diadem.
Halfway through his swing at the Dementor, he felt the explosion. It was eminent, it would happen. Capturing Hermione's mana seemed to be the only source that proceeded the threat, and he had to do everything he could to 1. make sure she survived; 2. make sure he survived; and 3. make sure that the army of endless zombies didn't get him while he was completing one and two.
Harry spun away, using a body of a zombie to deflect some of the damage the explosion was going to deal to him. He finally found the Dementor that held Hermione, after a trial and error period of several years. Now, he just had to survive this blast and-
"DAMN IT!" He screamed. But it was not heard over the blast.
The blast tossed him into the wall, knocking both the wind and sense out of him. On wabbly legs, he stood back up, pushing his gunblade against the ground. He had long since run out of bullets, relying solely upon the blade to fight. Parts of zombies, cloaks, and weapons were strung around, hanging on and off of every crevice, crack, and anything was covered in some kind of goo or mess. He glanced up at his impact mark, chuckling slightly. He wasn't surprised, he was used to seeing 'Harry' shaped impacts on walls, floors, ceilings, roofs, etc., etc.
He groaned, clutching his heart. The potion flared the mana, burning him slightly.
"You know, that was incredibly stupid," Harry said. The mana flared again. Looking at the path he had just taken, and another at the end of the cave, he took his chances, walking up the path behind him.
He felt the smoke rolling off of him, healing him as he walked. The mana flared again, and he just staggered along.
"Yes, I've done things like that before, and yes you can take care of yourself." He knew that talking to himself was a sign of insanity, but he had take to it after wandering and fighting in this place.
He knew that time slowed down in here even more, after destroying the diadem. If only to ensure that the person inside would be too weak to fight off Riddle when they emerged. They had not expected Harry to be one of a kind though. He couldn't keep track of the days in here, the lack of light preventing him from even getting a good biorhythm set. He only had to guess that it had been several years.
The mana burned again, and he leaned against the wall, this time, the anger in Hermione's plains evident. "Did you expect me just to leave you there?" He ignored the replying burn choosing instead to stand back up and walk toward what he hoped was the exit. Lupin had left him the map, but he had moved so far off it, that Harry could tell really if he was going the right way.
"Give me a break, I don't have directions." Harry said to the burn. "Its not my fault I'm lost." He rubbed his chest, trying to calm both the burn and his own heart. He did not know how long he had, this potion untested.
Another burn, and he decided not to comment. He was know for his stupidity, as well as his brilliance. They just happened to often contradict each other.
He walk in silence, the burn bobbing in his chest, rising and falling like waves. He felt Hermione's plains holding on, her holding onto him. That alone gave him the strength to walk on, through the pain of hunger that began to settle into his stomach, the pain in his legs that came from walking too much, and the headache settling in his head. He had to be strong though, the ending had to be near.
"Almost there," he muttered as the burn began to fill his chest, swarming out to his arms. He did not know how much time had passed, only that he hoped that they did not close it up behind him.
The path continued upward, there were not zombies following him. He could only hope that this was the path to the sun. The path to freedom. The path to Hermione.
I0I
Ron followed Lupin out of the tunnel, thankful to see the sunlight coming from the entrance. The sounds of impacts and explosions echoed up behind them as they ran. He had to trust Harry on whatever he was going to do.
Lupin carried Hermione, holding her tightly to him as he ran in front of Ron. Ron knew that Hermione was fast becoming the reason for Harry to keep going. To fight these battles that they needed to win.
Not a moment after Lupin passed through the entrance, did Ron follow him. The outside had not changed much from their entrance into hell and their exit from it.
Ron quickly conjured a mat, letting Lupin place her down. They watched her, surprised to still see her breathing, shallowly, but breathing.
"What do you think Harry's doing in there?" Ron breathed, finally find his own chance to. The run up had been killer, and he didn't realize how out of shape he was. Then again, Lupin seemed to be in the same position, breathing deeply.
"Hopefully winning, but right now I have no idea," Lupin said. They sat in the sweeting sun, switching their gazes between Hermione and the entrance. Ron resisted the urge to look at his watch. He trusted Harry to get out in time, though, he did not want to think of what would happen if the man didn't.
"What was your problem with Harry?" Ron asked, to void the silence. Lupin looked up from his watch , surprised at the question.
"Everyone seems to be asking me that a lot. You, Tonks, Hermione, hell even Harry asked me it," Lupin said. He looked worn, tired and beaten almost. Their trip into hell must have taken its toll on him. "Its a lot of things really."
"Well, i think we've got a few," Ron said. He gave into temptation, and looked at his watch. "three minutes."
"Sure, all the time in the world," Lupin said, smirking like a joke was told. "I guess part of it has to do with his high and mighty act. Harry already me the riot act for it, or rather Dan did."
"Mr. Granger tore into you?" Ron questioned. He couldn't believe it, Mr. Granger barely knew the guy.
"Right to do it too, but that is beside the point." Lupin stood up for a moment, walking toward the entrance. "I thought that when he came back, things would stay the same, that he would be James, all over again. Strong, egotistical, protective."
"Which of those things isn't Harry?" Ron couldn't help but ask. Lupin shook his head.
"He's not James, and I thought he was going to be him, confident, but still afraid." The air grew silent, as Lupin gathered his words. "There is not any fear in Harry, not like there was in James, especially about Lily," Lupin shook his head. "He looked almost dead, his eyes I mean. There was nothing there. But he still fought. God, could he fight. How he did it, I don't know. He didn't need any of us anymore.
"I want to say that he is James, with a Lily thrown to calm him. I want to say he is Lily, with a little of James to rattle the cages from time to time." Lupin sat back down, next to Hermione. "He's more like Harry's grandfather, James's father. A stonewall, impossible to penetrate with emotion. Except by Harry's grandmother. She was able to get through to him, no matter what the scenario. Much like Hermione does for Harry."
"So what are you worried about then? Do you know what Harry is going through right now to save her?"
"I'm worried about what will happen to Harry if Hermione doesn't come out of this alive," Lupin said. "I saw what the war did to James' father, it damn near destroyed him. Had he not been killed, I doubt that there would have been much of him left after the war to finish off."
"You think the same will happen to Harry?" Ron asked, looking back at the entrance. Lupin stood, letting go of Hermione as he did.
"Why else would he had stayed behind?" Lupin said. Ron wanted to disagree, he wanted to agrue, but he understood. They did not leave one of their own behind when they could get away with it, but they had her body. As much as it pained him to say it, Hermione was dead.
Taking one look at Lupin, he stood, knowing their time frame had run up. "Magic or mana?" Ron asked, raising wand. Lupin looked at the entrance for a moment before turning away. They lost two of their own, their brightest and their strongest.
"Mana." Lupin's gaze was upon the endless desert. Ron felt some relief that the man would not see his own tears as he began to gather the energy.
The forests represent nature, a cycle. All things live, and they all must die. It was their turn to enter the great beyond. Ron kept repeating that to himself, hoping that it would help ease his pain. "You think we should put Hermione's body in there? I mean, so at least it is with Harry?"
"No, we should bring her back to her parents," Lupin said. Ron caught the old werewolf wiping his eyes with his arms. "Close it up Ron." He didn't mean to stall, but maybe it just took a few more seconds for Harry to come through.
The moss this time did not build the shield like it had before, but expanded over the rocks. He was going to bring them down over the entrance. He let the moss grow, expanding as it pushed against the rocks. The moss continued to expand, grow, and outright demolish the stones that it over took. While he wasn't surprised to see that he could do things like that, he didn't think it would work on too many objects.
The forests drained their energy has he pushed the mana outward, releasing it as the stones and rocks crumbled under his power. With a sad smile, he watched the tomb of his best friend seal, while his other friend lay dead on the ground next to him.
"We should probably head out," Ron said, turning toward Lupin. The older man nodded, finally looking at the closed entrance.
"I think a portkey to Cairo might be our best choice," Lupin said, wiping some tears on his shirt. Ron knelt next to Hermione, wiping away a hair blown by the wind.
"You know-"
The crack of thunder disrupted the air, both of their necks snapped to the entrance, a single, bruised fist sticking out of the rock. The hand began to glow red, the rocks shaking around it. Lupin quickly cast a shielding spell as Ron drew his mana reflexively while casting his own spell. They did not know what manner of creature would emerge, nor did they know what it could do them. The only thought running through both their minds was to protect the body of their friend, in memory of their other one.
The ground shock, cracks breaking apart the area around the covered entrance. The fist began to flex and twist, the red spreading out among the cracks in the rocks as it did. It started to move inward before thrusting outward, the red flashing into a white color.
Ron looked over at Lupin, questions flickering across the werewolf's eyes. He shrugged his shoulders, but kept his mana primed and wand ready.
The fist continued to thrust forward before it stopped. Ron turned his gaze away as the red shifted into a bright white light. The thunder snapped and the force of whatever was coming out at them pushed them onto the ground. Dust was kicked up in the air and he felt the rocks hit his shield.
"God damn it!" he screamed. A dull pain filled the back of his head and he rubbed it as gently as he could. He brought his hand forward, the red of his blood standing out against the dirty hands.
"Brilliant!"
Ron looked at Lupin, who was laying next to him, covered in the dust and debris of the explosion. The man shook his head, his wand still prime.
"My god, I can't believe that worked." A man's shadow appeared before them, limping slightly as he walked. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. The force of the mana's acceleration just seemed to overwhelm the seal placed upon the door. I've never seen a force quiet like it, just - BOOM!"
"What?"
"What would refer to a thing, a noun that could only be personified or an event waiting to, has, or is happening." The voice again, jubilant in tone, making all the more awkward when placed in their presence in the desert. A hand took his own, pulling him to his feet. Ron felt the sting in his eyes as the dust hit it, but blinking a few times, he felt it lessen. "I would happen to be a who."
"Harry?" Lupin asked first, beating Ron to the draw.
"Of course." Ron could see the smile upon his face. "Now, I need to do something first before we can talk."
"What?" Harry just smiled and looked around them for a moment before turning away.
He knelt next to Hermione, lifting her head up off the ground. What dust there was in the air, it settled quickly as Harry held her. Ron felt a little shock to see the spots of gray in the man's hair, and some scars along his arms and face. His clothes were tattered shreds, barely hanging onto him. Lupin put his arm out, stopping Ron from moving closer. The older man shook his head. Ron nodded and began to ignore the pain in his head and his chest as he watched what was happening before him.
"Hey, you ready to go home? I am," he spoke in a soft voice, like to a child. "I hope this works Hermione, because Hell's going to find me at its doorstep again, just to drag you out of it." He caressed her hair, brushing it out of her face. "And if you're in heaven, St. Peter better keep you at the door. Cause you're still needed here.
"So, one for the money, two for the show," he leaned closer. Ron could just barely hear him over the pounding in his head. "Look out baby, here I go."
The spark of mana filled the air. Ron felt the heat beginning to burn away what air there was in the air. He felt it sucked out of his lungs as he collapsed to his knees, choking. Lupin stood only a second longer before falling next to him. The pounding sensation in his head only got worse as the light got brighter.
He held his head in his hands, pushing against the pounding sensation that filled it. His eyes felt like they were being pushed out of their sockets. He couldn't even breath as his throat felt constricted. The bright light began to turn black.
I0I
Harry pulled back, smiling lightly as Hermione's eyes fluttered open. It felt good to not have that burning sensation in his chest. Worse then heartburn really. He kissed her lightly on the lips again, feeling the fire still burning for her just beneath the surface.
"You can't get rid of my that easily," Hermione whispered. Her arms wrapped around his neck, pulling him as close as he possible could go. He just smile as she erst against him.
"I tried that, though it didn't work out to well for me," Harry said as she pulled out his neck. "Seems that hell looks a lot like a world without you in it. Did you know that?"
"Must have, because you weren't in my world either," Hermione said. He felt her calm shake over the bond. Tears began to form in her eyes as the implications of the day began to settle in. "Can I have a moment, then can you hold me again?" He nodded, knowing she needed to get through the surge on her own.
"Take all the time you need," Harry said. He laid her back down on the mat. Standing up, he noticed Moony and Ron on the ground. Moony was just staring at him while Ron looked unconscious.
"Seems someone is going to be learning a lesson," Harry said. He offered his hand to Moony, pulling the werewolf onto his feet. "How you been?"
"You're alive?" Moony asked instead. Harry raised an eyebrow, slightly confused.
"In almost every sense of the term I am," harry said. "You're going to have to check with Hermione to confirm on that idea, but for the most part, yeah, I'm alive."
Moony shook his head, shaknig the rocks out of it before grabbing Harry into a bear hug. "I thought you were dead."
"I think we just established that I was alive," Harry asked confused. He waved off the response though, letting go of his friend. "We really need to get back. The three of us need to be check out." He motioned back to Hermione and then Ron.
"You see fine, just a little older," Moony said, looking at Hermione who didn't seem to be moving much. Harry knew she was muttering, and all he could do was offer the comfort of the bond, which she had anchored herself to it seemed.
"Not quite stable up here," Harry said, tapping his head. "Been missing a few screws for a while. And years of isolation can drive someone round the bend." He shrugged his shoulders, then motioned toward Ron. "Now, him, he's an idiot."
"What do you mean?" Harry couldn't help but smile at the confusion on the Marauder's face.
"I mean, he pooled his mana, and didn't use it," Harry said. "It backfired on him." He chuckled as he removed something from a pouch on his torn pants. He placed a round stone on Ron's chest before standing back up. "Brilliant way to finish a mission though. Knock yourself out." He laughed again before going over to Hermione's side.
"You okay?" Harry asked. "And don't give me any of this 'I almost died' shtick." He got her to giggle, a smile forming on his face. "You didn't 'almost die,' you lived. And got yourself out of it on your own too."
"Pretty stupid thing of me to do huh?" She asked. She started to move, as if to sit up, but Harry stopped her.
"Stay seated," his tone of voice leveled off, not having the jolly carefree note to it as it did moments before. "Ron passed out." He felt himself going into doctor mode, checking every part of her body for damage or injury. He started with her head, moving it side to side.
"You mean I left my body and I'm in better shape than he is?" Hermione asked, shock written across her face. Harry nodded as he continued to examine her. She seemed to give in, letting him look her over. "Why did you take my islands from me?"
"I didn't take them per say," Harry said. His voice had changed tones as he moved his knees so he was sitting instead of kneeling next to her. "I need to access the mana from a blue source in order to stabilize the destructive nature of both the red mana and the white mana. Think of it like adding water to a potion base to dilute it so it does not harm a person, only the object intended for it."
"You talk too much," Hermione said. She reached up, patting his cheek with her hand. "I know how you feel right now, the bond is telling me. So shut up, and lets get back home." Harry lifted her up, letting her rest against his chest. He didn't feel tired anymore, like he could even head back in there. Not that he wanted to, just the thought that he possible could went through his mind.
"How are you doing that?" Lupin asked. He looked stunned, but Harry understood that response.
"I lift with my knees," Harry said. "Keeps the pressure off my back."
"Are you saying I'm fat?" Hermione asked through a giggle. He felt her relaxing, wanting to go to sleep. He gave that thought a gentle push through their bond. She didn't argue with him, if anything began to fade faster into her dreams.
"Not at all, simply that by lifting with the knees, the tension is placed upon those joints, instead of the vertebrae." Hermione nodded against him as he walked up to Moony. "Think you can manage to get Ron at least sitting up?"
"Yeah." Harry couldn't hold back the smile on his face, knowing that he thoroughly had Lupin confused.
"You have so much explaining to do when we get back," Hermione muttered against his chest. He shook his head, knowing that it was a battle he had already lost.
"Brilliant, another thing that you people are going to bug me about," Harry said. His smile offset his words though. "Now, lean him against me."
"What do you want me to hang onto?" Moony asked. Harry knew it probably was a sight to see him carrying Hermione and Ron leaning against him like a drunk.
"Grab my shoulder." Moony did, the grip hard enough for Harry to do what he needed to. "Now, this isn't going to bumping and dangerous in anyway." He began to draw his energy inward, letting the magic encompass them all. He concentrated on the destination, knowing that he was about to do his specialty, the impossible.
He smiled lightly at the brightly colored world spinning around them. If Moony had his eyes open, he certainly was in for a wild ride. As always, using magic in this manner, charms and such, he had greater control than just about anyone he knew. Now if he could only stop making things explode...
With a lurch, he felt the magic stop and the world stopped spinning. He stood inside of the the hospital wing, with Fleur and McGonagall talking about something.
"Hello ladies," he said. The reception he got wasn't the one he expected. Both Fleur and Minerva jumped a good half a foot before pulling their wands on him and screaming. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry."
"Harry, you're back already?" Minerva asked first. He just nodded as he moved toward a bed. Ron's head smacked against the floor as Harry carried Hermione to a bed. He didn't respond to either Minerva's question or Ron's sudden change in vertical to horizontal. He only cared about Hermione.
After she was taken care of, they could get to the less important things.
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