Harry Potter isn't mine. JK owns every thing HP. But this plot… is mine…. Enjoy reading and please review. Harry's back from his training just in time for the holidays but… dear ole Voldie can't wait. Read and find out. Thanks to all the reviewers of my story… Sorry if it took me a while on this one… I had been cut off from the cyber world for a while and I truly missed the Internet… I'm sad though I still haven't got a copy of the HP DVD…and to those who have one already I'm truly envious.
Chapter 13: Not a Very Merry Christmas
Harry and Dumbledore were walking back to the Hogwarts Castle. It was almost nightfall.
"I miss this place a lot. I can't believe Three months had passed," Harry said.
"To them it had only been three weeks and were just in time for Christmas," Dumbledore replied. "You learned fast Harry and I think you're just about ready."
"Maybe I can fly above the tents and surprise Ron and Hermione?" Harry asked Dumbledore. The old man nodded and Harry summoned the wind to carry him over to the tents on the Quidditch field and Dumbledore made his way back to the castle.
Harry was hovering around the tents looking for any sign of Hermione or Ron when Fred and George spotted him.
"Hey Harry what are you doing flying up there?" Fred asked.
Harry went down and met the twins, "Aren't you surprised to see me?"
"Aren't we surprised? Of course we are you bloody rascal, so how was the training? Judging from your flying around I think you've learned a lot," George pointed out.
"We actually thought you'd be away for months but I guess you're really that powerful to finish your apprenticeship in just three weeks. Most apprenticeship finish in years," Fred said.
"I have to say Dumbledore is a very good teacher and I just hope I'm powerful enough to finish off Volde…er You-know-who," Harry replied.
"Don't worry Harry. We were taught in the Auror training not to fear Voldemort's name so you can say it all you like," Exclaimed George. "Well, we're so glad to see you mate and I know your two partners in crime, specially the female one will be the delighted to see you."
"There in the third tent by the way with Professor Snape. I think Ron is going mental with that one almost. He's almost as worst as Neville," Fred joked.
"How's Neville by the way? Is he doing well, in the training?" Harry asked, a bit curious about Longbottom.
"He's doing pretty well, I guess. He's with a few female auror trainees under health and recovery. Having some really good use of his Herbology. Lucky lad I have to say," George added.
"Well, I better look for Ron and Hermione now. See you two chums around," Harry said to them and headed to the tent where their favorite Professor Snape torments his two friends.
"Weasley if I may say so, your potion would not be able to put a beaver into a trance more so for any human form. Now, I'm wondering why they ever allowed you in the Order when I don't see any use of your presence," Snape snarled at Ron who had made another folly with his Veritaserum.
Harry heard the insult to his friend and couldn't stop himself from speaking out. "Ron is as important to the Order as you are!" he said as he got inside the tent.
"Mr. Potter, you have returned. And how convenient for your friend here," Snape said calmly.
Harry was upset but upon the sight of Hermione and Ron had softened a bit. "Professor, forgive me but I over heard what you said and I think you of all people should not question Dumbledore's decision of allowing Ron into the Order just as we have trusted him with his decision of letting you in, even for the given fact that you were once a death eater."
Snape was taken a back by what Harry said. He clearly saw that the boy had changed from his apprenticeship under Dumbledore. It was Snape's unspoken dream to be taken under the wing of the great wizard but even that was given to James Potter. 'And to think James didn't even finish his apprenticeship and put the chance to waste,' the professor thought. The professor went out of the Tent and left the three. Harry had almost read his mind when he instinctively put up the wall.
"Harry!" Hermione cried out as she ran up to him and kissed him. "Oh, I missed you so much."
"I miss you too Hermione," Harry said hugging her tightly.
"Thank goodness you came mate!" Ron said and Harry hugged him too. "Snape was giving me the hell of a hard time, not letting me talk to Hermione to ask which ingredient goes to which potion. Dreadful Potion's lessons those were."
"I think he was right not letting you ask Hermione about those things you have to take your lessons seriously but I didn't like what he said about you being useless in the Order, because you're just about as important as any of us here," Harry said.
"I agree with Harry. No matter how much you hate Snape you have to remember that what we're studying is vital to our succeeding over Voldemort," Hermione added.
"Okay, I will but why can't he be as nice as the other teachers. For example Mandungus, he doesn't yell at Hermione when she takes a long while in our Physical training," Ron reasoned as all three took a seat around Hermione's potion's table.
"If you think Mandungus is giving me special treatment because he's my personal divinations trainer, you're wrong. He's just being patient with me because I'm not as agile as you boys and beside I'm not the only one, one third of the auror trainees are female and they're not as fast as you," Hermione defended.
"My goodness, I can't believe you guys still argue like children. I've been off for three whole months and I thought you guys would have learned to listen to each other," Harry sighed.
"You've been only away for three weeks Harry," Ron corrected.
"Actually Harry's right. He's been in the Hidden Valley for three months," Hermione explained. "See I asked Sirius why they were snickering back there when Harry and Dumbledore left. They said that Harry would be there for months but to us it would only be weeks. And Dumbledore was just playing us with the sad goodbyes."
"Why didn't you tell me? So that's why you weren't all fidgety," Ron retorted.
"Well, you look funny, getting all worried. The Hidden Valley is the safest place and not even Voldemort can get in. only the greatest wizard of his generation can enter the portal to it. I believe most of them came from the line of Potters," Hermione said.
"So you mean the next time the Portal will open and since Harry finished his apprenticeship he will be the one to take the next apprentice to the valley?" Ron asked.
"It goes like that I guess," Harry said. "I think the next portal opens just as the next apprentice is ready." Then he felt like he hadn't eaten for ages, "Why don't we go back to the castle it's almost dinner and I'm famished. Pauline fed us a lot but the travel between Portals was tiring even if it didn't felt like it," Harry said.
Hermione gave him a suspicious look, "Now, who's Pauline?" she asked giving Harry the death glare.
"Guys, I better run I think Lavender is waiting for me at the gates of the field. See yah." Ron made a run for it not wanting to be caught in the middle of what seemed to him a brewing catastrophe.
"Harry James Potter who's this Pauline?" Hermione asked again. She stood up and paced around as if she was an auror interrogating a death eater.
Harry was in such a jovial state that he didn't mind playing a long with his jealous girlfriend. " How would you like to use your Veritaserum on me so you'd know I'd speak the truth." Harry offered.
"That sounds fair enough," Hermione said giving her bottle of serum to Harry, "Now drink up, you won't have an over dose of it I made sure that my mixture would suffice no matter how much the quantity you intake."
Harry drunk whole of the bottle's content and pretended to be in trance. Training with Dumbledore did not just teach him spells and incantations it also made him invulnerable to potions at least not very powerful ones.
"So, Harry Potter, who is this Pauline?" Hermione asked again after seeing the potion had taken effect. She took a seat on the chair facing Harry.
"She's a girl in the Hidden Valley, who looks just about our age but is as old as Dumbledore," Harry answered faking his trance but telling Hermione the truth just the same.
"Hmm… as old as Dumbledore you say but looks young? Well, is she pretty?" she asked looking attentively at Harry.
"Quite beautiful really, with nice long blond hair, sparkly blue eyes and nice rosy face," Harry described to her. It was really what Pauline looked like it really didn't matter much to Harry though because while he was training the one person he missed so much was Hermione.
"So she's really pretty? Hmm… you must have forgotten about me while you were there with your beautiful blonde girl?" she asked sounding hurt and the look on her face showed it too.
"Of course not Hermione. You were never out of my head. I was always thinking about you. The thing that kept me going was the thought that I'll be back to you," Harry replied loosing the act of being under a trance and thus getting caught.
"You tricked me. My potion didn't work on you! But how could it not work? I double checked it?" Hermione said a bit infuriated and confused.
"Calm down Hermione," Harry said while he took her hands on his. "The serum doesn't work on me because I've developed a protection in my body from potions and serums and only very powerful ones may affect me. But what I told you a while back was true. Pauline is just a girl I met the valley and nothing more and I would never forget you. You know that," he assured her.
"Oh, I missed you so much and can I help it if I'm jealous. From your description, that girl is so lovely," said Hermione as she held Harry in a tight embrace.
"You know that you're the only one for me and not even a million Paulines can replace you," Harry said. "Speaking of Pauline, she gave me something for Remus."
"She knows about Remus?" Hermione asked as they both went out of the tent to look for their former DADA Professor.
"She'd known about him apparently from my father," Harry replied.
"What is it that she wanted you to give to Remus?" Hermione asked him as they reached the tent of the Aurors.
"It's water from the springs. I've drunk a lot of it of course because that's the only source of water there. It's very refreshing indeed but from what Pauline said this would cleanse Remus," Harry said showing Hermione the flask of clear water.
"Of course. Remus will be healed. The springs of the Hidden Valley have cleansing powers that if you wash your wounds there it would be cured and even werewolf bites are no exceptions. I think if Remus drinks this it would make him a normal wizard again since all his wounds have healed and the bite infections can be cleansed internally," Hermione exclaimed excitedly as Harry handed her the flask.
"Harry, since when did you arrive?" came Sirius who was beaming at his godson.
"Sirius, it's so nice to see you again," Harry said hugging his godfather. "Have you seen Remus?" he asked as he parted with Sirius.
"He's in the Shrieking Shack. Tonight's Christmas eve and a full moon at that," Sirius said.
"I'll bring the water to him," Hermione said. "I can transform into my fox self and give it to him."
"What will you give to him, Hermione? Whatever it is I think it is better if I'm the one to deliver it to him. He already knows me even in his wolf form," Sirius said.
"I think he's right Hermione," Harry told her. "Sirius would you let Remus drink the water in this flask. It might cure him," he told his godfather.
"Okay I will. See you both at the feast later. Merry Christmas to you both," Sirius kissed both Harry and Hermione's foreheads as if they were little kids.
"Bye Sirius!" Harry and Hermione both said as they made their way out of the tent.
"Hermione, I have a little surprise for you. I want you to close your eyes," Harry instructed Hermione.
"What are you up to Harry?" she asked.
"Don't you trust me at all?" Harry said pretending to be hurt then gave Hermione as mischievous grin.
"Okay, I'll close my eyes, but don't do anything stupid," Hermione said and did as instructed. She felt Harry holding her around her waist then she couldn't feel her feet on the ground. She was floating or better yet she they were flying.
"Harry, how did you?" she wanted to say but Harry just moved about to face her still holding her by the waist.
"It's magic and its no Wingardium Leviosa," Harry said and he twirled around Hermione with the wind supporting her by his command.
"You've mastered the elements! I can't believe it. Can you control all four?" Hermione asked. She was so amazed with Harry's accomplishment.
"I can control each one of them although it takes a lot of effort to control all four together. Combination of two is bearable. Three would be too much and I've tried controlling all four and combining them but Dumbledore said I'll be able to do it at the right time," Harry explained.
"Well, I'm just happy your back. I mean it's bad enough that I won't see mom and dad this Christmas, at least I've got you," Hermione said as she gave Harry a hug. They flew around the castle for a while then they went in to see the others.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Ginny is it okay for me to be here. I mean what if Fred and George goes out and make some joke on me," Draco said as they entered the great hall. All the Weasleys were coming to join the Christmas feast. Mrs. Weasley missed her children and since all of them are in training except for Ginny, she wanted to spend Christmas with the whole family.
"Relax, mom and dad are here and so are Bill and Charlie and their wives. Fred and George won't do anything since Angelina and Katie would be around. Where is Ron he's suppose to be here with Hermione and Lavender," Ginny said looking around for a sign of her older brother. "Draco, please stay calm. Like I told you before you're are part of the family just like Lavender, Harry and Hermione," she assured him.
"Mr. Malfoy, it's nice to finally meet you," said Arthur Weasley as he stood behind the only Slytherin seated at the Gryffindor table with his only daughter.
Draco stood up and faced Mr. Weasley and shook hands with him zealously. If it had happened before with Lucius around, he would have to ignore the extended hand but just as his life changed he was eager to know the people surrounding the girl he loves so much. "I'm pleased to meet you sir," Draco said semi-stuttering.
"I've heard a lot about you from my boys and from what I hear you have been quite a good young man," Mr. Weasley said warmly. He first didn't approve of the young man because of their early encounters with him and his father Lucius but Arthur saw the big change in the boy and he couldn't help but be fond of the young lad who captured the heart of his baby girl.
"Oh, Arthur let the young ones be. Oh hello dear," Said Molly said warmly at Draco and gave him a jolly hug as well.
Draco was a bit startled by the show of affection but he hugged the nice woman in return. "Merry Christmas to both of you," he greeted Ginny's parents.
"Oh, Ginny where are your brothers?" Mrs. Weasley asked.
"I don't know mum but I told them that you'll be here," Ginny replied.
They saw the other Weasleys enter, Charlie with Laura, his wife and Amy, the first Weasley grandchild, Bill with his wife Fleur who at the moment was pregnant. Fred and George came with their fiancées Angelina and Katie. Percy was with Penelope his long-term fiancée. The Auror trainees were starting to come in. Finally Ron came in with Lavender. Everyone was busy with their own little conversations, when Harry and Hermione quietly entered the great hall. But to the couple's surprise everyone looked at them and one by one people came up to greet Harry. Hermione was just beaming at Harry who was showered with attention.
The feast went on with everyone enjoying a very hearty meal, Dumbledore and the rest of the faculty at the high teachers table. Then two latecomers entered the hall. It was Sirius and Remus not in his wolf form. Truly the water from the spring served its purpose. Remus was no longer a werewolf but the better effect of the water was he was able to retain the wolf form as animagus.
They joined in the feast. Sirius took a seat beside Arabella and Remus sat beside his friend beside Madame Sinistra. The feast was going splendidly when Hermione fainted and fell from her seat. Harry caught her in his arms at the last minute.
"What are you doing in here? You can't get pass the wards of the ministry," Hermione heard a man say. The voice was awfully familiar.
"Why Fudge, don't you agree that you should be giving me a warm welcome," a cold and eerie voice said.
Hermione was inside the office of Fudge in the ministry of magic.
"Stay away from me. You…you monster!" Fudge said putting out his wand.
"Ah… a duel perhaps?" Voldemort replied his laughter hunting the room with an eerie feel of coldness. "Very well, since you've helped me reach the Dementors in Azkaban I have come here to award you myself. I shall kill you and you won't feel any pain. I will relieve you from your ministry duties. Merry Christmas Fudge! 'Avada Kedavra.' Goodbye Minister," Voldemort said as he laughed his horrid laughter. Hermione was quiet in that corner of Fudge's office. Shocked from what she had witnessed when Voldemort turned and seemed to look at her. "Your family's next my dear and this day you'd wish you never met Potter!" Voldemort once again laughed and slowly the room faded.
"No!" Hermione cried out, Harry holding her in his arm.
Mandungus hurriedly went to his protégé's side.
"He killed Fudge! Voldemort killed Fudge and he's coming after my parents," Hermione cried out. Holding on to Harry tightly.
"Hush, hush. I'll come and see your parents myself," Harry said.
"No Harry. He wants you to go there. I can't let you," Hermione replied.
"We will go then. We will make sure your parents are safe," Mandungus said. Sirius, Remus, Arabella and surprisingly even Snape went out towards the gates of Hogwarts to aparate.
"Harry, my parents he wants to kill my parents," Hermione whimpered in his arms.
"Let me go Hermione I'll aparate them here," Harry tried to convince her.
"It's too risky. When I had the vision Voldemort looked at me with those serpent eyes and I knew he wanted to lead you into a trap. I'm only worried what if he does kill my parents. Of Harry this is all my fault," Hermione said. "Harry, he wanted me to hate you. He wanted me to despise you. He told me so." Madame Pomfrey pointed her wand at Hermione and said 'slumber,' and Hermione fell asleep.
"Don't worry she will tone down the hysterics when she wakes up," Madame Pomfrey and she levitated Hermione towards door of the great hall.
"Ron, please look after Hermione. I want to speak with Dumbledore," Harry said.
"Harry, I know you want to go there but Hermione said it's too dangerous," Ron reasoned.
"Harry, what do you intend to do?" said the voice of Dumbledore from behind him.
"Professor, I want to go to the Grangers. I need to save them," Harry said earnestly. "I know that it would be risky but I can't let Hermione suffer what I've been through. I don't want her to loose her parents just as I did."
"Very well, I shall come with you then," Dumbledore said.
"Thanks professor," Harry replied before he disapparated, Dumbledore following after. Ron was shocked because Hogwarts was warded against aparating and Harry just disappeared right in front of him inside the Great Hall, but knowing Harry the rules simply doesn't apply.
Ron went to follow Madame Pomfrey and his mother and sister. Lavender was by his side and took hold of his hand as they walked out of the great hall. The Weasley boys went on guard of the castle and so where the trainees and other Aurors left in the castle. The rest were sent to their common rooms.
Mr. Weasley made haste to reach the Ministry office and flooing the others of the event that took place. McGonagall was left to take in charge. It had been one of those fearful days of the wizarding world. Everyone dreaded the return of darkness.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Harry appeared inside the Grangers house. It was quiet and it looked just like the way it used to when he last saw it a couple of summers ago. "Mr. Granger? Mrs. Granger are you home?" he asked.
"The place is quiet and let's look around we might be able to see them?" Dumbledore suggested.
Harry went to look at the kitchen and he saw that the Christmas Eve dinner was barely touched. He yelled out their names again and this time he saw what he came looking for. Mr. and Mrs. Granger were suspended in the air both unconscious.
"I knew my message would get through," Voldemort's evil voice sent a shiver down his spine.
"Why do you always pick on the helpless? Scared you'll be beaten by a boy again?" Harry said bravely.
"Oh… trying to put a brave face are you?" Voldemort said. "You should have taken you're little witch's advice. You could have let the others handle the situation," Voldemort said mockingly.
"I see you haven't change Tom," Dumbledore's voice came. The old wizard appeared at the kitchen door.
"You have come to be a little help to this boy," Voldemort said with remorse.
"I shall see you again Potter and next time it would only be the two of us. As for now keep this two muggles. I have no use for them," Voldemort said as the two fell on the floor and Voldemort disappeared.
Harry tried to check for pulse and both Grangers were still breathing and alive.
"It is not safe for them to stay here. I think it is best if we bring them to Hogwarts," Dumbledore suggested. And with that Harry carried Mrs. Granger and Dumbledore took Mr. Granger, both disapparated back to Hogwarts.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Aurors arrived right outside the Grangers but none of them could get in.
"Mandungus, there is a field I cannot penetrate," said Arabella.
"I think Harry and Dumbledore are inside and Voldemort is in there with poor Hermione's parents," The old wizard said. "We cannot alter this we can only hope that they'd be able to survive. In a few minutes the field disappeared and when the Aurors got in there was no sign of Harry, Dumbledore, Voldemort or the Grangers.
"What shall we do?" Arabella asked.
"They're safe. Let's go back to the ministry and see what happened to Fudge," Mandungus ordered the Aurors apparated.
"Killed by the unforgivable curse," Snape said. "Who shall take over the ministry now?" he asked Sirius with some hostility in his voice
"I think Dumbledore would be a good replacement but what about Hogwarts," Sirius said ignoring his unlikely attitude towards him.
"The officials will be following right away. I think we should take caution. The ministry without a minister may cause too much aggravation to the people," Mr. Weasley said. The rest of the officials in the ministry building were also killed.
"They're not wasting any time, are they? Voldemort really wants to take over," Sirius said.
"The more we should be prepared. The order should take its rightful role and fight him," Snape said. "The ministry should also have a leader for the people would take it gravely."
"What is left of the ministry officials will meet tonight. I called upon them. This has to be settled and fast. We also need to add reinforcements. Are the trainees ready for this kind of battle? The inevitable had finally come and we have to face it," Mr. Weasley said as he closed the lifeless eyes of Cornelius Fudge, the head of the Ministry of Magic.
Arabella and Mandungus entered. "The Grangers are safe. Harry and Dumbledore came just in time," Figg said.
"Thank goodness," said Sirius. "We have to call for medical attention here. We have to check if there is still anyone alive."
"I've sent Aurors for medical attention. I think we would also need Civilian help. If war would break we need all the help we can get. Death eaters would soon show themselves and with dementors no less," Mandungus explained. "Who will head the ministry?"
"We shall talk about it when the officials arrive," Mr. Weasley said.
"I do hope they choose you to be the Head Minister," Mandungus said and patted Mr. Weasley's shoulder then he suddenly saw a vision. "Arthur, your house…"
"Why what's wrong with the burrow?" Mr. Weasley asked.
"It's burnt down by death eaters, I shall go there and check the place myself," Mandungus offered.
"The burrow is destroyed. But where will my family live? I have to go there," Arthur said. It wasn't at all what he expected.
"No Arthur, you are needed here. We will go to your house and your family can stay at Hogwarts where it's safe," Mandungus said reassuringly.
"I'll go with you," Remus said with few Aurors following behind him.
"My house…" was the only thing that Mr. Weasley can say. He had to have presence of mind and the ministry and the whole of the wizarding society is in a distressing situation. "Arabella Please inform Molly what happened I do not have the heart to tell her what happened to our home."
"I will," and Arabella left followed by Snape.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Harry bought Hermione's parents straight to the hospital wing where Hermione was also confined.
Dumbledore told Madame Pomfrey what happened and she took over the two unconscious adults.
"Harry, dear we're glad you're safe, and so are Hermione's parents," Mrs. Weasley said as he hugged Harry in her most motherly way. "Hermione will be okay and she will feel a lot of better if she finds her parents here and alright."
"I sure hope so, for a second there I though Voldemort was going to kill me but when Dumbledore came in the kitchen he backed out and went off. He must really be afraid of Dumbledore," Harry said. "Good thing Dumbledore came with me and Voldemort wasn't able to hurt Hermione's parents."
"Sure, dear. You are very lucky indeed," said Mrs. Weasley when suddenly Arabella came into the room and whispered something to her.
"Oh my…My house," Molly said in semi-hysterics.
"What's wrong mum?" Ginny and Ron both asked.
"Our house was destroyed. Good thing we all came here and no one in our family got hurt," Molly muttered hugging her to children close to her.
"That does it. I'm going to ask Dumbledore to meet the members of the order. I see an end to this if it's the last thing I do!" Harry said as he let go of Hermione's hand that he was holding and he stormed out of the room.
'Hermione I'll make sure I'll put a stop to all these,' he thought, hoping she'd answer him.
'Harry, don't not yet,' was her only reply but his heart was stricken with too much pain from all the suffering around him.
Then Harry remembered the Dursley's. They were his only family left even if they hated him a lot. He was going to apparate to go to them when he felt a hand stop him.
"Don't be foolish Potter. At least have someone come with you," Snape said.
"Professor. I need to see the Dursley's. They might be in danger," Harry reasoned.
"But I thought you hated those muggles. Why do you care to save them now?" Snape asked him almost trying to persuade him.
"They might not be the heavenliest of people to be with but they don't deserve to die because of me. I owe them that much for they took me in even if they didn't want to. It's the least I can do," Harry tried to reason with his professor again.
"Very well, I shall go with you then, to make sure you come back safely here," Snape offered and Harry accepted it since he didn't have any choice.
"Wait! We'll go to!" Draco called out followed by Ron.
"Fine, come along lets get out of Hogwarts so we can apparate. I'll take Draco with me and you bring along Weasley," Snape instructed and all four went out to save the Dursley's.
It was almost midnight when they apparated inside #4 Privet Drive. The Dursley's were sound as sleep.
"Uncle Vernon? Aunt Petunia? Dudley? Are you all home?" Harry called out. "Wait here I'll check upstairs," he told them.
Snape just stood in the living room while Draco looked around at the muggle things in the Dursley home. Ron went up to follow Harry and not following what he said.
"Harry knocked at the room of his uncle and aunt.
"Why it's late at night. Who the bloody hell is out there…" his uncle yelled as he came out of the room with his bathrobe on.
"Uncle you have to wake aunt Petunia and Dudley. You have to come with me. You have to leave this place now," Harry said to him.
"What are you talking about boy? Storming here in the house with all your non-sense. Were kicked out of school?" Vernon said sternly. "And why did you have to bring your friend along?"
"Ron I told you to stay with the Snape and Draco," Harry scolded him. Ron just went to check into Dudley's room.
"What the bloody hell is he doing in Dudley's room?" Vernon yelled and upon hearing him aunt Petunia woke up.
"Hi! Aunt Petunia if you'd all come with me there wouldn't be any problems," Harry said.
Draco came running upstairs, "Harry! Death eaters they're coming! Hurry let's go!"
"Sorry uncle Vernon, aunt Petunia but this is for the best," Harry said and before his uncle our aunt could say anything, "Petrificus Totalus," and they both fell on the floor. Draco levitated Mrs. Dursley and Harry took his uncle Vernon. Ron got the sleeping Dudley out of his room and was going down stairs.
"Hurry you three they are coming," said Snape.
The door burst open. Death eaters headed by Lucius himself came to face them.
"Ah… Snape my old friend," mockingly greeted his former ally.
"I believe it's former friend," Snape retorted.
"And my good for nothing son is here too. Aren't you going to give daddy a hug?" Lucius said.
"I think I've lost my father years ago. The only thing I see now is a remnant of what he used to be," Draco said bitterly.
"I will ask you for the last time now Draco. Join me and live or go against me and die with your pathetic friends and professor," Lucius grunted.
"Never! I will never side with you nor will I ever call you father again. And you know what. You no longer have a son. You killed my mother you murderer!" Draco retorted.
"Lucius get out of our way or you'll regret it!" Harry said pointing his wand at him.
"I daresay what courage you're showing me Potter but I'm certainly not impressed," Lucius spat.
"Harry I don't like this," Ron whispered to Harry.
"Trust me, we'll pull this of," Harry answered. He tapped the floor with his wand and motioned Snape Draco and Ron to stand back still supporting the Dursleys.
"Goodbye and see you next time," Harry said and from the floor burst open a big wall made of Rocks and soil.
Snape was sending curses to the death eaters and took hold of Ron's arm, which dragged Dudley along with it and disapparated. Harry and Draco stood together taking hold of Petunia and Vernon before they disapparated. They got through with their grand escape.
They got safely to Hogwarts but the night was filled with terror for the death eaters were growing in number and Harry soon would face Voldemort and the only thing he could do was to be prepared.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Master why didn't you kill him in the mudblood's home?" asked Peter.
"Let him think that I fear Dumbledore. I want him to have false hopes that I have any fears for I haven't," Voldemort said. "Have you found those missing pages? I don't care if the book was back with Dumbledore but I need those end pages to see how I'd defeat the boy. For I certainly will."
"McGregor must have kept it somewhere. I don't know where it is master," Peter replied.
"That foolish man. He could have lived and served me but he refused me by giving the book without the last pages. Come to think of it. He didn't give me the book I took it from him and so was his last breath," Voldemort said and he laughed out loud sending the eerie feel in the air.
"I will try and search for it," Peter said and bowed his head to his master.
"What I want you to do is get McGregor's son and maybe his wife will give us the pages," Voldemort said. "Send for the death eaters to get the boy."
But the pages weren't with the McGregor's. Peter was the one who took it and he was the only person who knew where it was or who has it.
To be continued……….
Author's note: did I keep you waiting? I'm sorry… anyways, the long been waited battle scene would take place on the next chapter so keep posted… thanks for the reviews that kept me going…although I still think I ain't good enough, my deepest thanks to the few who believed in me. I just hope I would be able to live up to the expectations…r/r Love to you all! And chapter eight of the Aftermath is still a work in progress I still have my Thesis Title defense this Monday I just can't squeeze writing into my schedule….