Unofficial Portkey Archive

The Last Turner of Time

I don't own the Characters but the story's mine.

Chapter Two

Three years before…

HE RAN!

Harry couldn't help but stand there gaping at the spot Voldemort had been standing just seconds before in the Great Hall at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

As the war raged all around them Harry had finally got his hated rival where he wanted him - in a one-on-one duel to the death.

Voldemort was convinced now that he possessed the Death Stick he was invincible but Harry knew better. He knew he could beat Voldemort because of the knowledge that cost Albus Dumbledore his life and he wasn't going to back down. Not this time - not ever! Voldemort would die this night!

But it was when Harry had asked the Dark Lord to show a little remorse he must have realized - Voldemort finally came to the conclusion this slip of a half-Muggle boy was not afraid of him and it unnerved him enough to reconsider what they were about to do.

The boy was waiting for him to make a move - but the Dark Lord would not be baited this night or any other.

With a scream of rage Voldemort twirled his wand over his head. Harry answered with a hasty Expelliarmus but his hex sliced through nothing but smoke…Voldemort had vanished, even through the anti-apparition wards of the ancient school Voldemort had managed to disappear.

He ran - leaving behind all those who chose to follow him - he left them to their fates to save his own reptilian-like skin.

But Voldemort had left behind a secret - one he had not considered. With the death of his beloved snake Nagini the Dark Lord was no longer anchored to this life by the abominations he had created years before. He was now mortal just like everyone else.

With the one-eighth portion of his soul that remained he was weak and vulnerable. As a result of his descent into the madness of the dark magic that gripped his mind his power had been diminished. He was now nothing more than a hollow shell of his former self.

But a madman knows no limitations and his bloated self-importance propped up his damaged ego enough to ignore the warning signs he felt within himself. He - the greatest wizard of all time - would not subject himself to the ridicule of those beneath him.

Lucius had failed him time and again - Peter had failed him - Severus Snape was a necessary sacrifice - even his most trusted had failed in keeping one of his most cherished possessions safe.

They would die for their failure at the hands of his enemies - It was a fitting end for them.

But it would not be the end - Voldemort had not been the only one who ran.

Harry stood there only a moment more as he watched Molly Weasley battle Bellatrix Lestrange until she turned tail to follow her despicable Master. Many other high level Death Eaters did the same.

It was Hermione and Ron who pulled him from the fray. They needed to regroup and try to figure out where Voldemort had gone. Hermione insisted they should wait until things were under better control.

The Ministry was under siege but the Order was holding its own along with the Aurors. It didn't take long for the right side to get the upper hand there and at Hogwarts.

Harry couldn't help but smile as he watched Kreacher, along with three hundred screaming House Elves take down Death Eater after Death Eater. They even went after the Werewolves without a hint of fear with Kreacher screaming "Fight…fight…fight" the whole way.

Before sunrise it was over and the losses tallied.

Remus Lupin, Nymphadora Tonks, Fred Weasley, Colin Creevey…and many other nameless Aurors and members of the Order were gone. Firenze was hurt, Hagrid was missing, scuttled off by a horde of Aragog's kin to parts unknown. Grawp was gone too.

After the tide of the war had turned and those who chose to stand and fight for the coward Voldemort were all but decimated the Trio withdrew.

The weeks that followed found Hermione checking on her parents in Australia, Ron morning the loss of his brother Fred and a seemingly endless line of funerals for those who had made the ultimate sacrifice.

Harry moved from #12 because of Bellatrix and Narcissa's connection to the place. He was advised by those who were wiser and more experienced in such things.

He moved to Godric's Hollow purchasing a cottage that once belonged to a retired History of Magic Professor who had taught before Professor Binn's time.

He loved the place. It was quaint, peaceful and quiet. It had plenty of room to spare and something he discovered that caused one Hermione Granger to almost swoon.

It had a magical library…

Harry remembered the day he and Ginny had discovered the nature of the little library and how it all worked but it was what happened between Harry and Hermione one evening in the little space that would cause both of them to see one-another as never before.

It was a small room, not much more than a broom cupboard, tucked into the back left corner of the house just behind Harry's bedroom. The walls were covered in shelves of books from floor to ceiling. The only spaces not covered by books were a small window set in the back wall, a small stone fireplace in the far right corner and the door.

In the center of the room was a small high table with a few stools around it. Above was a rather ornate wrought-iron chandelier with ever-lasting candles in it.

When Harry first bought the place the seller, who was the Great-Great Granddaughter of the original owner, told him a little about the library but she admitted she didn't know exactly how it worked.

After some investigation along with some clever trial and error they finally discovered all the little room's secrets.

It wasn't long until Ron and Hermione were there. They had come to see Harry's new place and felt safe in the knowledge very few knew about Harry's new home. No-one at the Ministry knew where the Trio was and it was exactly the way they wanted it.

The surviving Order members regrouped at the Burrow to decide how to move forward to find and finally destroy Lord Voldemort.

The wizard world now saw the supposed Dark Lord's true colors. He had a big yellow stripe running right up the middle of his spindly spine…as the Quibbler had reported in one of their issues. Luna had created a picture of the Dark Lord's head on a skunk's body and tail. It was very funny and the issue sold like butterbeer.

As soon as Hermione had walked in the door she was assaulted by a mass of slender arms and flowing red locks. A beaming Ginny towed her around the house giving her a tour. When she showed Hermione Harry's bedroom the youngest Weasley blushed to her roots.

Hermione couldn't help but chuckle at her friend. Ron, on the other hand watched Harry with a significant expression, arms tightly folded saying very little.

When they finally made their way to the small door in the back left corner Ginny grinned like a loon.

"This," she gestured to the door with a hand, "is the library!" With a giggle Ginny pushed the door open.

Hermione was instantly hit with the unmistakable smell of old books. The aroma of ancient parchment, leather bindings and ink assaulted her senses as her eyes went wide as saucers.

"Oh for Merlin's sake Harry," Ron complained loudly, finally breaking his silence, "Now I'll never get her out of here!"

Hermione turned and glared at him for a moment. Ron then turned on Ginny as if deciding he wasn't going to keep his thoughts to himself any longer.

"And what are you doing here…alone with Harry. How long have you been here? Does mum know where you are?"

Ginny suddenly looked as if she was about to spontaneously combust. Harry was about to put his two Knut's worth in but Ginny stopped him with a growled retort.

"No Harry!" Ginny said through gritted teeth, "I don't have to explain myself to Ron or anyone!"

"Gryffindor's left buttock you don't," Ron returned heatedly, "Mum will have garden gnomes…"

"Ron," Hermione huffed, "It's none of our business…"

"The bloody hell it's not!" Ron answered getting angrier, "You wait, mum will blame me!"

"Oh shut it!" Hermione said, "Leave them alone. Harry and Ginny are happy. Harry," she looked at him with a beaming smile, "I love your new home. It's warm and vary cozy. Now if you'll all excuse me," she turned toward the little door to the small library with nose in the air, "Heaven awaits!"

Harry wanted to lite into Ron but Ginny still looked as if she could lift off at any moment blasting into orbit around the planet. She turned to Harry taking him a rather stiff embrace. He knew she was barely controlling her rage toward Ron. She placed a soft kiss on his lips and spoke with forced control.

"I think I need to get a few things straight with my gormless brother. Why don't you show Hermione how the library works love? I'll be along in a moment."

The look she gave Ron suggested to Harry to argue would not only be futile…but quite possibly dangerous! He fled to the library as quickly as he could tossing his best mate a sympathetic glance as he passed. Ron was beginning to look a bit peaky.

When Harry had entered the room the door closed on its own behind him and he felt the unmistakable flare of a ward being placed.

`Silencing spell…no doubt. Oh bugger…this is gonna be bad! But…better him than me!'

Harry watched with a smile as Hermione made her way around the room. The expression on her face was that of peace and contentment. She let her fingers glide softly across the binding of what were unmistakably ancient tomes. She closed her eyes reveling in the atmosphere of the space.

"This is brilliant Harry," she whispered as if speaking loudly would somehow break the spell.

"Hermione," Harry chuckled, "You don't know the half of it!"

Her eyebrows rose when she glanced at him with a questioning look.

"This library," Harry began looking around the room smiling, "is much more than it seems. While it might look like a simple collection of books, manuscripts and texts it's a bit more complex than that."

He patted the top of the high table and slipped onto one of the stools.

"Join me and I'll show you."

Hermione moved to the table and slipped onto her own stool laying her arms folded on the table.

"So what's the big mystery Harry? Do the books fly about the room knocking information into your head?"

"Erm…no," Harry chuckled, "Think of a subject…any subject."

"Ok," Hermione replied looking thoughtful, "Now what?"

"No…erm, you've got to say it out loud."

"Oh, alright, the subject I thought of was…"

Harry stopped her with a hand.

"No…no, let's try this again. Basically you say, `I need a book on…' then say the subject. Got it?"

"Oh," Hermione said giving him a funny look, "well why didn't you say that in the first place?"

Harry just shrugged his shoulders. Hermione straightened up then looked at Harry with a rather devious grin.

"I need a book on the possible transmutation effects on the space/time continuum as applied to repeated continual apparition during an electric storm." She couldn't help but chuckle.

"Is that even a real subject?" Harry asked stunned.

Hermione was about to respond when a few books began to float off the shelves around them and settle in a neat pile on the small table in front of her. The look on her face was priceless. She picked up one of the books and read the title.

"`Understanding the Time Turner and the Possible Effects on the Balance of Space and Time!' Why Harry that's…that's…"

"If you'll notice," Harry gestured to the shelves, "There doesn't appear to be a single book missing does there?"

Hermione looked about her and it was as he said. All the shelves appeared full.

"It's something Ginny and I discovered one day when we were investigating all the secrets this place contained. When you request something it will give you all the books available which contain information on that particular subject or when you pull a book off the shelf…"

Harry moved to a lower shelf and pulled a random volume. Hermione watched in amazement as another book slid into the slot vacated by the book in Harry's hand from behind.

"But…but," Hermione stammered. Harry couldn't help but laugh at her confunded appearance as he slipped the book back on the shelf. The book that took its place retreated into the shadows.

"The owner told me her Great-Great Grandfather was a serious academic. I suspect you and he would have got along famously. She said he spent a good portion of his life in pursuit of knowledge and after procuring permission of the Ministry connected this room to almost every major wizard and Muggle library, university, museum and public records facility around the world. If there's a book about it…you should be able to access it right from this room!"

Hermione sat there unable to move or blink or even breathe.

"Uhba…uhba…uhba," she muttered stupidly.

"I tried asking for books on dark magic one night when I was here alone. I was almost crushed under a mountain of books as they flew off the shelves filling the little room to bursting. I learned fairly quickly you have to be a bit more specific on some subjects."

"As much as I'm loath to admit it," Hermione breathed looking completely bewildered, "I think Ron's right."

"Speaking of Ron," Harry gave her a significant look, "I hope Ginny isn't chewing him up too badly."

"Well Harry, he brings it on himself most of the time. He needs to learn to mind his business."

"Ever since she first arrived at Hogwarts Ron's kind of taken it upon himself to make Ginny his business. I think it got a bit worse after second year."

"I suppose that's true Harry but Ginny isn't a little girl any more. She's tough, a lot tougher than me that's for certain."

"I don't know if I'd go that far Hermione," Harry grinned, "So…like the place?"

"Silly question that!" Hermione laughed, "This is like finding Valhalla, surrounded by Utopia sitting smack dab in the midst of Nirvana on the island of Paradise!"

"I'll take that as a yes," Harry chuckled as he slipped from the stool. Uttering the word `return' the books on the table flew back to the shelves.

Hermione came to stand in front of Harry smiling.

"You know Harry, a small kitchen and a loo and I would never have to leave this room again," she absent-mindedly pulled him into a tender embrace. She didn't even realize she had done it until she felt Harry's warm soft lips on the side of her forehead.

Something happened at that moment - something neither of them expected or understood until years later. A connection was made. It was something deep and profound. It shook them both to the very core of their existence. A power surged through both of them. It manifested itself with warmth and familiarity, love, strength and unity.

For a brief moment neither Harry nor Hermione were separate. They were one entity existing in the same space. They both felt the surge of power. It wasn't frightening or upsetting. It was actually quite calming and reassuring.

Hermione found herself pressing into Harry even tighter. It wasn't a conscious thing, it was more a reaction to the strange situation.

`What are you doing Granger? Harry has Ginny! You have Ron!'

But apparently whatever was happening she was powerless to stop it. It felt…right…perfect.

Harry found himself drifting on the emotional and physical response to Hermione's closeness. It was as familiar and reassuring as holding his wand. For the first time in his life he felt what he was certain was real love. True love - the kind you don't find - it was the kind that found you.

The realization of the power of this strange and wonderful connection slipped into both their consciences at once. They slipped apart almost as if they'd both been hexed. They stood staring at one another for a moment, neither one speaking when Harry felt the silencing ward go down and the door opened.

Ginny came in smiling, looking much calmer. She slipped her arm in Harry's and beamed at a still rather stunned Hermione.

"Well," Ginny asked, "What do you think of the place?"

Hermione shook her head slightly to clear it and beamed back at her red-headed friend.

"Ginny," Hermione looked around her in wonder, "This little room just might replace Hogwarts as my new favorite place on earth!"

Ginny laughed. Harry couldn't help but grin.

"Well, it's here whenever you need it," he said.

"Erm…careful there Harry or you'll have yourself a roommate," Ginny quipped.

Both Harry and Hermione blushed. Hermione wanted to break the sudden uncomfortable tenseness between her and Harry before Ginny caught on to the unusual connection that had happened between them.

"So, is he whole or should I fetch the broom and dust bin to clean up the carnage?"

"Oh he's whole. There might be a few chunks missing from his bum but he'll live." Ginny said smirking.

"Right," Hermione replied, "Well I better go put some healing salve on his horribly bruised ego. This is an amazing find Harry. I'm very proud of you and…" she paused looking at her hands for a moment, "I'm happy for you both."

But somewhere in the back of Hermione's mind she realized for the first time - She didn't really mean it and could tell her words had fallen a bit flat. It shocked her and she mentally whacked herself with a Beater's bat for considering such a thing but as she made her way out of the little library she realized there was no help for it.

Ron was sitting on the sofa facing away from her when she came into the room. She made her way over to him when he spoke without looking up. He had the appearance of someone who had been properly scolded by an angry Professor McGonagall. She had to stifle a chuckle that rose in her throat all on its own.

"Come to have a go at me as well," Ron asked miserably.

"No Ron," Hermione sighed, "I think Ginny's done enough damage for one evening."

Ron lurched to his feet so abruptly it made Hermione take a step back.

"Do you think I'm pushy, overbearing and thick as a Hippogriff's rump?" He asked loudly.

His question caught her completely off guard. She hesitated for a moment trying not to burst out laughing. Ron's eyes went wide.

"Bugger me, you do don't you?"

"Ronald," she huffed, "I'll admit you have your moments," she quipped sauntering up to him folding him in an embrace, "but you're my Hippogriff's rump!"

Ron looked down at her with a doubtful look for a moment then rolled his eyes pulling her in tighter.

Hermione realized that moment how different it felt being in Ron's arms as opposed to Harry's. It felt stiff, almost foreign in comparison. It bothered her greatly. She didn't want to feel different but she couldn't deny the truth of it.

Luckily for her Harry and Ginny had come out of the little library and they all moved into the kitchen. Ginny had planned a dinner for which she decided to cook for them all on her own.

When Ron opened his mouth to offer what he thought about the idea Hermione wisely thumped him in the ribs with an elbow.

It wasn't long and they were sitting down to a rather surprisingly excellent meal of baked salmon in a lemon and white wine marinate, red potatoes smothered in butter, herbs and garlic, grilled asparagus and delicious home-made rye cakes.

When they had finally come up for air Ron was the first to comment.

"Ginny that was fantastic! I didn't realize you'd been paying attention to mum's cooking skills all these years!"

"Well," Ginny blushed, "One doesn't grow up with Molly Weasley without some of it rubbing off, yah, unless you're one of the men in our family, who are all content to simply consume said nosh at an alarming rate."

They all laughed at her cheek. Even Ron seemed much less annoyed by their previous altercation. They had settled in the living room and began discussing the possible whereabouts of Voldemort when Molly's flaming visage burst forth from the fireplace.

"Oh, Ginny dear, so sorry to intrude but I was just wondering when you and Ronald might be home. Charley is in from Romania and I thought you'd like to visit. Bill and Fleur are here with the baby as well."

Ginny rolled her eyes gritting her teeth.

"Tell me again why you gave mum permission to use the floo?" She whispered to Harry. Harry just smiled and shrugged.

"It's safer this way you know that," Harry replied, "Last thing I want from your mum is a Howler. No thank you very much."

"Well, I suppose I better go or she'll be popping in every ten minutes if I don't," Ginny grumbled. She then turned to Ron, "You coming?"

Ron just tossed his sister a disinterested glance.

"You go on ahead. I'll be along in a bit."

With a dark look she gathered Harry into a bone crushing embrace and kissed him quite senseless before turning toward the floo. She irritatingly grabbed a hand full of powder and tossed it in. The fire roared and turned its usual green color.

Just before she stepped in uttering `The Burrow' she looked at Harry sadly.

"I love you," she whispered.

"I love you too Ginny," Harry replied with a sad smile, "I'll see you soon. I promise."

With a flash she was gone.

Harry couldn't help but stand there looking at the fireplace for a moment lost in reflection. He loved Ginny with all his heart. He loved her strength and toughness as well as her unflinching devotion to him. One moment she was fearlessly battling Death Eaters and the next moment she was making unimaginably intense love to him. He adored her and would die for her…

But as he realized those things he couldn't help but recall the strange…connection that happened with Hermione in the library. It was all a bit disconcerting.

He felt a hand fall gently on his shoulder snapping him out of his musings.

"She'll be back before you realize she's gone Harry."

He looked up into Hermione's eyes. He could see something in them - something he thought shouldn't be there - confusion. He knew what it was because he was feeling it himself.

All he could do in response was nod.

Moments later had the Trio sitting in Harry's parlor discussing the possible whereabouts of one `He-Who-Bolted-Like-A-Frightened-Rabbit.'

"Do you think he could have gone back to the Malfoy place?" Ron asked.

"Seems likely enough," Hermione interjected, "I think it might have been sort of a home base for the Death Eaters anyway."

"I don't know," Harry said lost in thought. He stood and began pacing the room, "I'm not sure if he would. I mean, after all, that's where the Snatchers brought us lot after they captured us. He would obviously know that so it would stand to reason he may think it would be the first place the Order and the Ministry would look yes?"

"Mmm, I suppose that's a logical assumption Harry," Hermione added. She began nibbling her thumb lost in her own musings.

"But where then?" Ron asked a bit irritated, "Where would he go I wonder. Do you think he realizes all the Horcruxes are destroyed?"

"Yes Ron," Harry said darkly, "I'm certain of it. After Neville killed Nagini he was enraged beyond belief. I saw into his mind when he went to the cave and to the old Gaunt home place but I'm not certain he realizes we destroyed the Diadem of Ravenclaw. I'm certain he knows we have it but he may still think it's in tact. I don't know."

"Unless Draco told him," Hermione said.

"I don't think that likely," Harry responded, "I think the Malfoy's have gone into hiding."

"They did if they know what's good for them at least," Ron groused, "We should have let Malfoy roast along with Crabbe…Would have been a fitting end for the wanker!"

"Ron," Hermione shot him a warning glare but Ron didn't appear to be apologetic in the least. She looked back up at Harry still pacing, "So where could he be then…Voldemort, I mean?"

"Hermione," Ron jumped to his feet, "Don't say his name! For Merlin's sake you know what happened last time!" He moved quickly to the front window peering out through the blinds looking left and right.

"Oh come on Ronald," Hermione huffed, "I'm almost certain that barmy spell's been broken and I'm not so sure his followers would be all that enthusiastic about doing his bidding anymore anyway."

Ron still looked white as a sheet but Harry found himself in agreement with her assessment. Still yet…

"No sense taking chances though, yes?" Harry said giving Hermione a significant look. She just folded her arms thinking their fear silly.

In the next moment the sitting room exploded in a visceral light of a patronus as it streaked passed Ron's left shoulder to land in the midst of the room. Ginny's harried voice filled the space…

"The Burrow…under attack…dozens of them! NEED HELP!"

It was all the message had said. The patronus winked out as Ginny's terrified plea echoed off the walls.

All three of them stood frozen for a few heartbeats looking at one-another. It was as if time had come to a grinding halt and the earth stopped turning for just those few seconds.

"The B…Burrow," Ron whispered. It was enough to snap them all out of their frozen terror.

Hermione's expression changed from utter shock to her usual dogged determination to take control.

"We need a plan…"

"PLAN!" Ron screamed, "WE NEED TO GO HERMIONE!"

Ron bolted toward the door. Harry watched this take place as if he were in a trance. He couldn't seem to get his arms and legs to work fast enough.

"NO…Wait Ronald…" Hermione screamed as she tumbled forward after him.

It was then Harry finally regained control of his faculties and bounded after Hermione, summoning his Invisibility Cloak as they made for the front door.

Out in the front yard just beyond the wards protecting Harry's home they heard the unmistakable sound of apparition as Ron took off for Ottery-St. Catchpole.

Harry could hear Hermione's desperate sobs just in front of him. She turned back to look at him, the look on her face a mask of raw fear.

"Go Hermione," Harry pressed, "Into the trees just outside Mr. Weasley's shed! I'm right behind you!"

"Ron!" Hermione gasped.

"We'll find him Hermione…GO!"

They both turned and disappeared at the same time…

Harry landed hard but rolled to his feet in one smooth motion, wand out ready to fight. He felt Hermione appear just behind him.

The sounds of battle raged all around them as they cautiously moved to the corner of the shed. Bright flashes of red and green jets of light flashed in every direction as the cracks and pops of curses gained their marks.

"Where could he be," Hermione asked barely controlling her panic.

"Knowing Ron he ran right into the thick of it!" Harry growled.

"Please Harry! We have to find him."

"Let's go," Harry said flipping his cloak over them both, "but keep your head down and eyes open. They don't know we're here so the element of surprise is on our side for now. Stun anything that moves," he told her, "we'll sort out the details later."

Hermione nodded and off they went. As they made their way around the corner of the house into the garden the bulk of the fighting was there. They saw Arthur battling furiously with three Death Eaters. When Harry approached he and Hermione took out two of the three leaving Arthur free to deal with the last.

Hermione insisted on coming out from under the cloak. Harry decided to do the same.

"Where's Ron," Hermione asked a panting Arthur.

"I told him to go in the house," Arthur gasped, "Protect the girls! Harry what are you doing here? You've put yourself in great peril by doing so!"

He had no time to respond as several nasty curses zipped passed them, one just missing Harry's right ear. They dodged sideways just as one whole side of the house blew off, splintered wood and glass flying everywhere.

Harry was up throwing curse after curse. He hit one tall Death Eater with a reducto and the bloke flew back into the garden. He could see tiny little garden gnomes swarm the prone man's form, their sharp little teeth tearing chunks of flesh from him as he screamed and thrashed.

As Harry tried to gain the house a Death Eater popped up from behind a smoking piece of furniture. It was Bellatrix Lestrange.

With a surge of hatred that caused a coppery taste in her mouth Hermione sent a curse flying at the vile witch. It just missed her and hit the chair she was hiding behind instead causing it to explode into a million flying splinters, the pieces peppering Bellatrix' face causing her to shriek with pain.

The older woman covered her face and apparated away in a blink.

Once inside Harry quickly donned his invisibility cloak again but was met with the same tall blond wizard who stood in the entrance hall at Hogwarts throwing random curses in every direction. He was doing the same thing this time and Harry had to dive behind the overturned kitchen table to keep from getting hit by his errant curses.

Outside Hermione heard more sounds of apparition as she began to see Auror tunics appear everywhere. The tide of the fight began turning quickly when it was as if the entire world exploded. The rumble of the blast shook the ground. When she looked up she saw the Dark Mark hovering directly above the Burrow.

"RON…HARRY!" Hermione screamed but she was knocked off her feet as another explosion filled her senses with bright light, heat and a thundering boom.

As she lay just outside the garden she watched in horror as the house erupted in flames. It started on the haphazard upper stories and quickly raced downward to devour the floors below. The smoke and fumes made it almost impossible to see anything.

She knew Harry had gone inside looking for Ron and Ginny but she had not seen him come out. She pulled herself to her feet and staggered toward the burning house. Curses still flew this way and that but the volume had dwindled drastically after the Ministry arrived.

She saw Kingsley Shacklebolt take out the big tall blond wizard almost slicing the bloke in two with a severing curse.

"Mr. Shacklebolt," Hermione cried out. She was about to ask him if he had seen Harry or Ron when she spied two figures over his shoulder coming out of the smoke and destruction. Harry was supporting Ron with an arm slung over his shoulder.

She dashed past Kingsley exploding in tears of relief as she threw herself at her boys.

"Thank Merlin!" Hermione exclaimed but when she looked up into the battered and soot covered face of the boy she loved it was wrinkled with pain, tears streaking his cheeks.

"They took her," Ron choked, "They took Ginny!"

Hermione's eyes moved to see the look on Harry's face terrified at what she might see but to her utter shock he looked quite calm but conviction and determination rolled off him like waves of powerful magic. He set Ron down on the scorched ground and stepped away from them. He was about to turn away when Hermione lurched forward.

"NO Harry," she yelled in the bossiest voice she could manage, "You cannot go alone and besides we don't even know where they've taken her!"

What happened next was eerie. It was almost as if it was in response to Hermione's comment.

A strange silence fell over the entire area. Everyone stopped fighting and for some reason was compelled to look up. The Dark Mark shifted and a high piercing voice cut through everyone's mind like a white hot knife blade.

"I have taken something of great value to you Harry Potter…If you wish to ever see your precious blood traitor alive again you will come to the house of my disgusting Mudblood father and we shall finish what was begun at our beloved Hogwarts. I would tell you to come alone but I know your precious little friends will refuse to be left behind. By all means bring them with you - the more the merrier - bring anyone you wish to witness your utter destruction but keep in mind…the more you bring the more your little red-haired she-devil will suffer! You best hurry. The longer you terry the closer to death she will find herself."

"Oh, Arthur!" Molly cried as Bill helped her and Fleur and the baby from the ruins of the house.

"GINNY," Ron screamed and before anyone could move he apparated with a pop.

"NO," Hermione screamed as soon as she realized she was holding nothing, "Harry!"

Without a word Harry moved forward and with one smooth motion slipped his arm under Hermione's and lifted her to her feet. When he turned them to apparate the look on his face was almost demonic as his eyes gazed into hers.

"Voldemort dies tonight!" He whispered. With a loud crack they were gone.

---@>---

When Harry and Hermione landed on the edge of the Riddle property they instantly covered themselves with the invisibility cloak. They began to move toward the house when Hermione spotted someone lying in the grass off to the left.

As they moved closer Harry put a hand on Hermione's arm to stop her. When she looked up at him he whispered "wards."

Hermione nodded but as she peered through the darkness she recognized the trainers on the feet of the figure lying prone in the grass. She started shaking with fear as she grasped Harry's sleeve and started tugging on it nervously. It was taking all her strength to keep from completely losing herself.

With a wave of his wand Harry cast a protection charm on them before he towed a shaking Hermione forward. When they reached the figure Hermione fell to her knees and broke down.

"No…Merlin please!" She choked. Harry could do nothing more than stare. He felt numb.

Ron Weasley lay face up with arms and legs splayed wide. The look frozen on his face was that of complete shock, his mouth agape and eyes wide in death.

As Harry stood looking down at his dead best friend something inside him snapped. He looked up at the old house as rage, an emotion he was not all that familiar with, filled him to bursting but along with the rage came a strange sense of calm.

A voice inside his head told him he must not lose control. It was a voice very much like that of his old Headmaster, friend and mentor, Albus Dumbledore.

He stepped up beside Hermione, her face now in her hands as she sobbed uncontrollably for the boy she loved. He placed a hand gently on her shoulder.

"Wait here and send your patronus to the Kingsley at Hogwarts," he whispered, "I'm going to go find Ginny and finish this once and for all."

The next moment had Hermione shrugging off his hand as she lurched to her feet. The look on her face was sheer agony and hate. It struck Harry like a physical blow. He had never seen that look in her eyes before.

"NO!" Hermione growled tears streaming down both cheeks, "I want to watch him DIE Harry. I want to look that foul bastard in the eye as his life leaves him! You WILL NOT keep me out…NOT NOW!"

Harry knew to argue was pointless. She had come all the way with him so there was no point. He simply nodded and with another glance at Ron's dead body lying at their feet, they turned and, slipping back beneath the cloak, made their way to the Riddle house.

It didn't take long for them to get inside. The few Death Eaters left to guard the exterior were no match for the invisible duo. There curses and hexes were so amped by anger, hate and adrenaline it would be days before they would even find some of the guards who had been hit by Hermione's pumped up magic.

One of the blokes had slammed into a tree when the spell hit him. The sickening sound of snapping bones could clearly be heard upon impact. It didn't faze either one of them.

Harry decided to go around to the rear of the house. They found the same service entrance Frank Brice had once used the night he had stumbled upon Peter Pettigrew and an infantile Voldemort. Before they crossed the threshold Harry looked down at a very angry and determined Muggle-born witch.

"We need to find Ginny," Harry whispered.

The look Hermione gave him was a mixture of pain and utter sadness.

"They thought nothing of killing Ron, Harry," she replied, her voice cracking, "I can't imagine them letting Ginny walk away."

The horrible thoughts of what might be happening to her flooded his conscious mind. He had to force himself to stamp them down or risk losing control. He looked at Hermione seriously.

"Leave no-one standing," he growled. He then turned and cast his patronus. He sent it to Kingsley.

After watching his stag streak off into the distance they both turned and went into the Riddle house to finally fulfill their destiny…

When they entered they found themselves in a small room behind a huge kitchen area. They saw two figures standing on the far side of the space near a doorway.

The first Death Eaters to fall were the elder Crabbe and Goyle. They never knew what hit them. When they passed their prone forms lying on the cracked and filthy kitchen tile floor blood could be seen trickling from the elder Goyle's mouth. Harry felt nothing. They moved on.

The exit from the kitchen led into a short hall that went to the right. The darkness on the first floor interior was almost absolute. They didn't dare light their wands. Even under the invisibility cloak it would be risky so they made their way forward slowly. When they reached the other end of the hall they heard voices.

There was no mistaking who it was. They eased their way around the corner taking great care not to make a sound as the silhouettes of two figures came into view.

"Do you really think Potter would be stupid enough to walk in here and just give himself up?" Bellatrix asked.

"I believe," replied Lucius Malfoy pausing, putting a hand to his pointed chin, "the Dark Lord thinks he will so it doesn't matter if we do or not."

"He abandoned us at Hogwarts!" Bellatrix declared in a whining whisper, "Why Lucius? Why would he do such a thing? We've been loyal to him from the beginning. Why would he turn his back on us…on ME!"

Lucius made no reply at first but then responded in a low voice.

"You've always been a self-absorbed self-serving bitch Bella!"

Harry and Hermione couldn't agree more. Two bright flashes filled the hallway…

Seconds later - the lifeless corpses of Lucius Malfoy and Bellatrix Lestrange lay sprawled on the tattered and dusty carpet.

On the floor above Tom Riddle felt magic stir the still air of the dank musty house. He stood slowly from the same chair he had once occupied years before when he was forced to rely on the pathetic Peter Pettigrew.

"Potter is here," he muttered. His Death Eater Mulciber gave him a crooked-toothed evil grin as he pulled his wand and turned to the door.

Voldemort knew the idiot didn't stand a chance of stopping whoever resided below but he didn't care. It would be a distraction while he positioned himself for the kill. With a swirl of the Elder Wand he vanished - reappearing in what could be described as a large sitting room in the center of the first floor of the Riddle home.

After hearing the exchanges of curses in the all-to-brief scuffle just outside the room's double doors Voldemort couldn't help but smile to himself.

`Potter is indeed a worthy opponent - it's too bad the weakness that plagues him will be his ultimate undoing!'

The Dark Lord knew below, in the dark basement of his disgusting family's home several of his more vile followers were using the youngest blood traitor girl as a plaything to assuage their weak, vile and despicable desires of the flesh. These were things the Dark Lord cared little for. He was about to show the world they had reason to fear him…fear the very mention of his name…

Harry knew where Tom Riddle was. His scar pulsed and throbbed, searing his head with the familiar pain. As he turned toward the two ornate double doors before him it was clear the end was near. He would either end a madman's violent reign of terror or he would fall in the attempt. As he cast a glance to Hermione, her face set with utter determination he willed her with all his strength to stay back but he was aware the mere attempt to suggest it would cause her to turn her wrath on him.

"Be ready for anything," Harry whispered. When he pushed one of the doors open it swung slowly inward with a creak of rusty hinges. When he peaked around the door jamb he saw Voldemort standing at the far end of the large room. He stood with arms folded, head bowed and eyes closed. Harry could see the tip of the elder wand showing pressed against his dark cloak by his left shoulder.

"Welcome Mr. Potter," Voldemort said in a loud whispering hiss, "Welcome to the final moments of your life!"

Harry straightened up then standing tall in the doorway. No more hiding - no more cowering in fear. He would meet his fate with courage and dignity - he had done it once already.

He moved into the room to stand across the open space from the vile and decrepit villain. In another heartbeat Hermione Granger appeared at his left shoulder, wand held out before her ready to fight. The look on her face made Harry think Tom Riddle was indeed in a lot of trouble.

"I don't think I'd be so quick to assume you'll win Tom," Harry said in a taunting voice, "How well did that work out for you last time?"

He saw something flash across Voldemort's features for just a blink but it was replaced instantly by that ever-present arrogance that had perpetuated his continual decline.

"Do you really think you can defeat me boy!" Voldemort growled.

"Yes," Harry responded without hesitation, "I do!" He smiled.

"If he doesn't," Hermione added stepping forward. Harry put a gentle hand on her shoulder holding her back, "I will!"

The conviction in her voice was absolute. Voldemort would not leave this place alive that was certain.

"Do remember Harry I possess something you desire," Tom Riddle sneered, "a flick of my wand and she ceases to exist in this world - but perhaps you will be reunited in the next along with your filthy mudblood mother."

Hermione reached behind her and put a hand on Harry's arm to steady him. She knew what Voldemort was trying to do. It wasn't going to work this time.

Harry patted her hand to let her know he was ok and stepped around her to face his nemesis for what he told himself would be the last time. As Harry approached his eyes never left Toms.

Behind him Harry heard someone entering the ballroom, a wailing cry piercing the dark decaying space.

"YOU KILLED HIM!" Narcissa Malfoy's wild gaze scanned the room as Hermione turned to cast a protection ward between them.

"The mudblood killed your husband Narcissa," Voldemort said grinning madly, "Destroy her!"

Even on her best day Narcissa Malfoy was no match for Hermione Jean Granger. She was certainly no match for her in the little Muggle-born witch's present state of mind but the distraction was enough for Voldemort to try and take advantage.

He cast several nasty curses at Harry, each one deflected with only minimal effort on Harry's part. It didn't take long until Voldemort was outraged by the Elder Wands lack of effectiveness against his younger, weaker opponent. He screamed in outrage. Harry could only smirk at the so-called Dark Lord.

As they circled the room around one-another Harry saw, out of the corner of his eye, Hermione had captured Narcissa in a binding spell. She lifted the older woman off the ground and was shaking her like a rag doll screaming at her to give up the fight or she would die taking care to keep her adversary between her and Voldemort.

`Smart girl!' Harry thought.

Harry got the impression Hermione was reluctant to kill a woman grieving for the loss of her husband even though he had been a life-long Death Eater. She had spared Harry after all…even if it were only a small consolation at present.

"What's wrong Tom?" Harry asked, "Plan not turning out as you expected?"

With a howl of rage Voldemort flicked his wand. A bright blue visceral apparition streaked off through the room and out the door. Harry instantly knew what it was. He had sent his patronus to his minions who held Ginny.

Harry's blood turned to ice. For just a brief moment he wavered. He wanted to save her. He didn't want her to die because of him. He didn't know how he would survive it.

It was Hermione's voice who cut through his sudden debilitating paralysis but what shocked him - she wasn't speaking out loud. The voice of his best friend - the one he was closer to than any other was in his head. Her piercing eyes were on him, her gaze intent.

`Do not falter Harry,' her voice said cutting through the pain in his scar as clear as if she were standing right beside him speaking, `There still may be a chance to save her…FINISH HIM…PLEASE…YOU MUST!'

He turned back to Voldemort with renewed determination silently praying for Ginny - but he knew Hermione was right - Voldemort had to die!

Hermione had subdued Narcissa and was now watching Harry. As he took a step toward Tom a thought occurred to him that came from nowhere. He remembered what he had been told about the first time Voldemort tried to kill him. He remembered the story of his mother's sacrifice to save his life - The power she had given to him just before her life was ripped from her - It was at that moment Harry knew the answer…

As he looked at the vile creature before him the anger and hate that filled him fell away. The only thing left was pity.

Harry dropped his own wand at his feet as he stood before what was left of Tom Riddle there in the house of his family - a family Tom himself had destroyed.

Hermione screamed at Harry but it was lost in the blast of a curse hurled in her direction to distract her from assisting. Hermione was thrown back off her feet and covered in a pile of rubble.

Voldemort then turned to Harry. The look on his face was that of one completely insane.

"What are you playing at? Pick up your wand boy and face me as an equal!"

"No," Harry replied calmly, "You have no power left Tom. Your time is over…you're finished!"

With an ear-splitting scream Lord Voldemort - the one the British wizard world considered the most dangerous dark sorcerer of all time - the one who had terrified them all by the mere mention of his self-appointed name - the one who had been convinced he would one day be the Master of Death - hurled a curse at Harry and the entire world exploded in a bright green light…

---@>---

The resulting explosion rocked the entire Riddle house to its very foundation. A huge crystal chandelier that hung in the center of the room crashed to the floor and exploded in a million flying projectiles.

When the fallout from the blast subsided the room was still filled with choking dust and debris. Hermione Granger slowly opened her eyes.

She was laying under what appeared to be what was left of the lid to a grand piano. Taking quick stock of herself she realized, with the exception of minor bumps and what she knew would amount to some major bruising, she was mostly whole and undamaged.

Thoughts clearing finally she lurched to her feet.

"Harry?" she cried out but received no response.

After a few moments as the air cleared further she could see the outline of a figure standing quite still in the approximate center of the room. With a sigh of relief she realized who was left standing almost instantly. She would know him anywhere.

The wreckage was astounding. The precise cause was still unclear but it didn't really matter. As Harry stood there, eyes closed, thankful whatever forces that had worked on his behalf spared him from a possible alternative fate, he thought of Hermione and turned to search the debris-strewn floor.

When he saw her stirring from a small pile of rubble and heard her cry out his name he realized he began breathing again. As he watched her gingerly pulling herself to her feet he heard a pitiful wailing groan emanate from the opposite side of the room.

He was moving, even before he realized he had done so. When he reached the source of the noise he looked down to see the product of his adversary's own self-inflicted destruction.

What remained of the once-arrogant and self-important Dark Lord was nothing but reptilian-skinned sack of dried bones. His hollow eyes gaped up at Harry as he felt Hermione appear at his right shoulder. She looked down at the rotting corps with a face completely emotionless.

"A fitting end to you…you disgusting piece of filth," she whispered.

In a voice as dry and parched as a desert what was left of Tom Riddle Jr. attempted to raise the Elder Wand with a withered and skeletal hand, "I will destroy…"

"NO!" Hermione screamed and kicked his arm. It shattered like dried twigs, "Enough! Just die already!"

The emaciated corps screamed.

Harry watched as tears of frustration and anger fell from Hermione's tormented eyes. His thoughts turned to Ginny as they heard Voldemort speak again.

"Can't…destroy…me," he gagged, "Very soon it will be you begging for death…"

Hermione had heard enough but as she raised her wand to finish him she heard footsteps land on the stairs and race up to the second floor.

Without another thought she was off. Whoever it was she would take them down. She wasn't about to let any of Voldemort's lot go unpunished for what they did.

As she made the second floor landing she stopped. Casting a quick silencing charm about her she moved slowly and carefully down the darkened hall listening for any sound. As she neared the last few rooms toward the end she heard a muffled whisper coming from the depths of the room to the right.

"Come on! Work you stupid…"

As she turned the corner of the doorway she saw a tall figure silhouetted against the window behind. He was trying to manipulate something in his hand, shaking with frustration and nerves. As he heard someone enter behind him he froze. Without turning around he spoke.

"Well, well…come to have a go at me you jumped up little mudblood?"

"Turn around and face me you foul loathsome little cockroach!" Hermione hissed with all the venom she could produce.

He laughed - loudly. It was a high pitched manic laughter of one who knew he was facing certain death.

"Where have I heard that before I wonder…" He said as he spun round, wand at the ready - but he never got the chance to use it.

In what felt like slow motion Hermione raised her wand. In a flash of green light the figure crumpled to the floor in a heap…lifeless as the stale air and dust that surrounded him.

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