Title: The Sides of Fear (28/?)
Author: Azeroth
Author E-mail: [email protected]
Category: Mystery, Drama, Action/Adventure, Romance
Keywords: Harry, Ginny, Voldemort, Chalice
Rating: PG-13
Spoilers: For all four books
Summary: Harry begins his fifth year at Hogwarts with a female Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, feelings of guilt for Cedric Diggory's death, and looking for someone to share his emotions with. Voldemort has steadily begun to build his reign of terror as a sense of urgency and vigilance goes through Hogwarts and the rest of the wizarding world.
Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.

The Sides of Fear

Chapter 28
Return

The Ball was nearing its end and several couples had taken refuge to the outdoors where more privacy was available. The music was playing softly and a few of the students were affectionately embracing each other weaving across the dance floor. McGonagall seemed to think a bit too much affection was shown, but she herself had been taken on a dancing fling by a smiling Professor Flitwick. It had looked rather amusing with Flitwick using the trademark levitation spell to be face to face with his partner.

Harry was staring at his napkin trying to grasp what had just happened. She had told him that she loved him. He did not even have the chance to say anything before she stormed out of the Great Hall. Nobody had noticed her sudden departure, and Entwhistle had apparently made it clear that he would like to spend some more time with Cho, which was why they were out on the floor dancing. Harry shot them a glance before he went back to stuffing his napkin into one of the glasses on the table.

He knew Ginny had had a crush on him during her first year, but not anymore. At least, that is what he had thought. Now she was in love with him. Harry groaned as he kicked the table.

"Yes, I enjoyed it too," he heard Cho say, "but I need to sit down for a while."

Harry turned around and saw Entwhistle's disappointed face, and he tried not to look too happy when Cho sat down next to him. She leaned in close to Harry.

"He won't leave me alone Harry," she whispered. "Let's get out of here and hide somewhere...anywhere."

Harry did not much feel like going anywhere, but feeling that stuffing more napkins into goblets would provide little as far as entertainment was concerned, he got up and led Cho out of the Great Hall. Right before passing through the doorway he turned his head just enough to catch Entwhistle scowling at them.

They made their way out onto the grounds and found themselves walking in silence until they reached the lake. Painful memories of the Triwizard Tournament swept through Harry's mind and it was obvious Cho was thinking about the same thing. She sat down only a few feet away from the water and Harry joined her feeling a bit cautious. Cho looked out over the lake with a sad expression.

"Harry, I want to know," she said suddenly. "I want to know exactly what happened to Cedric."

Harry swallowed before taking a deep breath. "Where do you want me to start?"

"Tell me everything," she replied turning around to face Harry. "I need to know...I just...need to know."

With a deep sigh Harry begun his story with the stars shining brightly in the evening sky.

***

"Ron! Wait for me!"

Ron slowed down his brisk walk and let Hermione come up by his side. He did not look at her, but he could feel her eyes on him, boring their way into his head. Somehow he felt like Hermione could read his mind.

"Why do you let them get to you?" she asked timidly, not wanting to upset Ron again.

"Because they're gits," he muttered. "That and prats. Moronic too I might add. And stupid, and...and..."

"Ron, they're you're brothers. You know they don't mean anything by it."

Ron sighed. Hermione was right. Of course she was. She was always right.

"I know, it's just...well, things are difficult right now." His voice lowered. "They've been different ever since..." he trailed off.

Hermione put her hand in his and she felt him squeeze it gently.

"You really should talk to someone about this. I know you better than you think Ron. You might be very emotional when it comes to showing...anger," she paused waiting for Ron to disagree, but he just kept on walking with her so she continued. "But I know that you keep many of your other emotions to yourself. Things you'd rather not discuss with anyone."

The only reply she got was another squeeze and she could feel his arm trembling slightly.

"The only thing you can do is try to talk to someone about it." Ron nodded. "I'm here if you ever need someone to talk to Ron. I just wanted you to know that."

A small smile crept upon his face as they walked across Hogwarts toward the peaceful lake. They could see and hear other students in various places, none of them as openly visual as where he and Hermione finally stopped at. As they walked around the lake they found themselves getting close to the Forbidden Forest, and they sat down together next to path. Ron picked up a few small rocks and begun tossing them into the water.

"You really shouldn't do that," Hermione said.

Ron smiled as he threw another stone into the lake. "And why's that?" he said teasingly.

"Because you never know what you might be disturbing down there. Remember the Merpeople?"

"Yeah, I remember them. I can't believe Harry did that," he said. "You know, sometimes he's bloody stupid. Brave, but bloody stupid," he chuckled throwing another rock and watching it sail through the air and hit the surface of the water.

"He's not stupid," Hermione said swatting Ron on the arm.

"I didn't say that. I said bloody stupid," smiled Ron, lying down in the grass.

Hermione followed suit and soon found herself gazing at the stars. This year more than ever she had felt the pains and joys of growing up. She knew the time would come when wizards would fight one another again and she only hoped that their side would win again. Her parents had seen a change in her during the summer, but as close as she was to her mother and father there were some things she had a hard time explaining to them. It helped that her parents had tried very hard to read up on everything they could concerning wizards, but she could sense that they somehow felt left out of their daughter's life.

"You know, it's really unfair," Ron said suddenly.

"What?"

"Well, here I am, acting the way I am, and I still have a family that cares about me. Just think what it must be like not to have someone there all the time. I can't even imagine what it must be like for Harry." Ron turned on his side facing Hermione.

"I mean, he's been treated like dirt his whole life, but he's not a prat. Amazing really. This summer I read something. It was one of Dad's Muggle magazines about how children take after their parents or whoever they live with. It was fascinating. Anyway, I guess it just made me think of Harry and how..." Ron stopped midsentence as Hermione's mouth and eyes were wide open. "What's wrong?"

"You...you...read?" Hermione stuttered.

"Yes, I do know how to read."

"You? Read?"

"What part of yes don't you understand?" said Ron grinning. "Anyway, as I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted, isn't it strange that Harry's so...well...nice?"

Hermione just stared at Ron.

"Hermione? You there?" he said waving his hand in front of her.

Hermione shook her head still confused from the surprise from hearing the two words "I" and "read" in the same sentence coming from Ron.

"Why do you think that is?"

She managed to regain her composure and answered Ron. "Well, maybe that's the reason why he's so nice. I don't think Harry wants or feels the need to be mean to anyone because he knows what it's like to be on the receiving end of it all."

"I suppose you're right about that. Never thought about it that way I guess," Ron said picking up another rock, but stopping his throwing motion and letting it drop by his side. "You know," he said, "everyone thinks that we're, you know...snogging," he said feeling his face heat up.

"I know," replied Hermione looking down at the grass.

"It's not like I haven't wanted to," Ron muttered before suddenly realizing he had said it out loud. "I didn't mean that," he said quickly.

Hermione bit her lip as she turned away from Ron and looked up at the sky again. Why did he have to be such an idiot about all of this?

"Hermione, I'm sorry. I...I really do..." Ron flushed. "I mean...you know..."

"I know."

"Hermione?"

"Yes?" she replied turning her gaze from the sky.

Ron was looking at her nervously and as he moved closer to her she could tell what was going to happen. He leaned forward slowly and Hermione did the same. Their eyelids covered up their vision and she felt his breath edge closer. He was breathing unevenly. Her head was buzzing with thoughts but it all stopped when their lips met. It was a timid kiss, but Hermione, who had not had much experience, felt relieved that Ron was as nervous as she was. Their lips slowly parted and the two of them opened up their eyes and looked at each other with a hesitant smile.

"Shall we try that again?" Ron asked with a devilish grin. Hermione could tell that he was not as brash as he made out to be by the tips of his ears. Instead of answering Hermione leaned in once more. However, before she knew it his eyes had flown wide open and he tugged at his sleeve and dug out his wand.

"Watch out Hermione!" he yelled raising his wand looking ready to do battle.

It all happened so quickly and the only thing she remembered seeing was Ron falling into a crumpled heap and as she turned her head she saw a silver fang glisten.

***

Harry had told Cho everything and he realized that it felt good to be able to talk to her about it even though it was painful to relive the culminating events of the previous year. She was resting her head against Harry's chest, but her crying had subsided to a gentle sobbing. When he closed his eyes he could still see Cedric's face right after he had been hit by the Killing Curse.

"Now do you see why it's all my fault?" he whispered feeling tears coming on. "If I had only taken the Cup as I was supposed to Cedric would still be alive and everyone would be happy. You wouldn't be sitting here with me crying, but dancing with Cedric in the Great Hall."

"That's not true Harry," she said looking up at him with tearstained cheeks. "It's not true and you know it. How many people have to tell you that before you can accept the fact that you didn't kill Cedric, but He did."

Harry tried to look away but Cho pulled his face towards his and as their lips met he could feel the anguish and sorrow that both of them felt. Her soft lips lingered for a second before breaking away slowly. Her eyes were red from the crying, but Harry thought she looked more beautiful than ever.

Suddenly there was a flash of light from the other side of the lake and Harry was sure it had been a spell of some sort. Without a word he got to his feet and started running towards the source of light. Cho who had been taken by surprise by Harry's actions followed him as quickly as her dress robes allowed. As he came closer he could make out two bodies lying on the ground and finally he recognized his two best friends laying unconscious on the ground.

"Ron! Hermione!" he yelled getting down on his knees and grabbing Ron by his shoulders. He tried to shake some life back into Ron, but he was out cold. He heard Cho's footsteps come closer and he turned towards her.

"Are they..." she said putting her hand to her mouth.

"No, they're still alive. Go back to the castle and tell one of the teachers that Ron and Hermione have been attacked." Cho stood glued to the spot seemingly paralyzed. "Hurry!" he cried. Cho's eyes grew wide as she desperately tried to pull out her wand, but it was too late.

From the darkness of the Forbidden Forest four dark hooded wizards appeared with one leading them up to the bodies of the four stunned students.

"Hurry up. We mustn't keep our Master waiting," hissed the leader. "I will take care of Potter and see to it he completes the task. The three of you will take the others to the final location. Remember, he wants them to be in prime condition."

The three Death Eaters nodded as they levitated Ron, Hermione, and Cho away from the lake and into the Forbidden Forest. The lone Death Eater kneeled by Harry and searched the robe for a wand. He pulled out Harry's wand from the left sleeve and pocketed it.

"Now Harry Potter, you will finally do us some good," he said to himself as he levitated Harry into the Forbidden Forest and away from Hogwarts.

***

"My Lord, the first phase has been completed and they have arrived with the prisoners."

"Excellent Wormtail. What about the second phase?"

"He is taking the boy to it as we speak. Will he survive?"

"Of course he will, and if not then we have saved ourselves the trouble wouldn't you say?" smiled Voldemort.

"Yes my Lord."

"That old fool Dumbledore will have made sure nothing happens to the boy. It almost pains me to know what I am about to do. Almost."

"What do we do with the prisoners?"

"Bring them in here and tie them against the wall. Are they awake?"

"No my Lord. The spells were quite forceful and..."

"Enough. Just bring them in here. I have other business to take care of. See to it that I am not disturbed unless the boy arrives."

Wormtail nodded and left the room to get the prisoners. Meanwhile Voldemort made his way upstairs where another Death Eater was waiting for him.

"I see you have brought me what I asked for Lucius."

"Yes my Lord. Your will is my command."

"Does it pain you to see it come to this?"

"No my Lord. I always knew the day would come," replied Lucius carefully keeping his head bowed.

"Don't lie to me Lucius. You did once before and I pitied you. I will not do so again," hissed Voldemort. "I will ask you again. Is it painful to see all you have worked for disappear?"

"Yes my Lord. Very much so."

An evil smile spread across Voldemort's face. "Good. Pain only makes you stronger, and pain only makes you a better servant."

"Yes my Lord."

"Now leave and go home. What happens here tonight is of no concern to you. You have already been generously compensated by having your life spared after repeatedly failing me."

"Thank you my Lord," said Lucius before Disapparating to Malfoy Manor.

Voldemort strode over to the body of Narcissa Malfoy and took out his wand.

"Ennervate"

Her eyes flew open and she tried to twist out of her bindings to no avail. When she looked up she stared into the eyes of Voldemort.

"What do you want from me?" she spat.

"I don't want anything from you my dear," Voldemort hissed, "but I know someone that wants something very precious from you."

"Who?"

"Oh, we don't want to spoil the surprise do we? You'll find out soon enough."

Voldemort walked over to the door, but stopped and turned around to face Narcissa once again.

"You know, I really like this house. It has so much history, so much...death. It makes me remember that painful night, but do you know what makes it better?" There was no reply from Narcissa and Voldemort just smiled at her. "What makes it better is that tonight I believe I will be able to get some revenge. As will others. So much pain lives in this house, and soon," he paused, "there will be more."

Voldemort walked back over to Narcissa and traced one of his bony fingers across her chin. "I have something very special planned for my...revenge, and I'm sure the benefactor of your husband's failure has a similar fate in mind for you. You know, I always knew your father would crumble. He never had enough cruelty harbored inside of him. At least someone in your family has that ability." Voldemort retracted his hand and stood up. "Now, if you will excuse me I think I have a few guests to entertain."

***

Harry swatted at his face as he felt something crawl on his nose. He opened his eyes slightly and there was a young man sitting opposite to him in the unmistakable garments of a Death Eater. He was watching Harry closely with a smile.

"Wake up. It's time for you to make a dream of mine come true finally."

Harry pushed himself off the ground and brushed some dirt off his robes before looking around. He knew he was in the Forbidden Forest and somehow he felt like he had been in the exact same place before.

"Come on! Let's go!" hissed the Death Eater pointing his wand at Harry. "Just follow the path and you'll be fine."

The two of them continued walking through the dark forest and every now and then Harry would stumble and fall over the thick roots that stuck up from the ground.

"Where are we going?" Harry asked trying to buy some time and prepare himself for an escape.

"You'll see. There is something only you can do for my Master."

Harry braced himself to lunge behind a large rock, but the Death Eater, as if sensing Harry's plan, quickly added "and don't try to escape if you want to see your friends again. My Master has them now and if you do not complete your task they will be killed."

Harry knew it was hopeless at that point and he trudged on into the depths of the forest not knowing what task had been appointed to him.

"Stop," said the Death Eater suddenly, and when Harry turned around he could see fear in the eyes of the man. "I believe you know that my Master seeks the Consacrer Dagger, and thanks to one of our informants we have been able to find out that you are the only one that can get it for us. Follow this path past the hill and under the giant tree. The Dagger will be waiting for you there, and I will stay behind and wait for you to return."

"Why are you letting me go alone?"

"No more questions. Just do what I say," snarled the Death Eater.

Harry made his way up the hill and found himself standing in front of a giant tree with one of its roots forming an overhang above what looked like a tunnel leading further into the forest. He hesitated briefly before crouching down and slowly made his way through the tunnel. There was a light coming from the end of the tunnel and when he emerged from it he immediately recognized where he was and his breathing quickened. Before he could do anything a familiar voice came from the other side of the star lit hollow.

"Who dares enter my kingdom?" a voice clicked.

Harry knew to whom the voice belonged to and as he watched the enormous figure of Aragog climb into his line of sight he could see the rest of the spiders converge on him.

"I'm here for the Dagger," Harry blurted out in panic.

"The Dagger? Wizards before you have come for it and now you shall meet the same end," clicked Aragog threateningly. "We have been asked to protect it for a friend and we shall do so."

"Hagrid asked you to protect the Dagger?"

Aragog stopped. "Do you know Hagrid?"

"Yes, yes...Hagrid is my friend. I've been here before. Three years ago a friend and I were taken here, but we managed to escape."

"I remember now. Hagrid told me about you. Does he wear the mark?" Aragog said directing the question to one of smaller spiders who walked up to Harry pushing aside the hair covering up the scar.

"He wears the scar," clicked the spider.

"Then you are free to pass, friend of Hagrid," clicked Aragog slowly stepping aside to reveal a path leading into the large web.

Harry watched as the spiders backed away from him opening up for him to walk past Aragog and into the misty web. The foul smell that hit him as he entered into the hole through the web was enough to make Harry sick. Holding his breath he walked as fast as he could until he could go no further. At the end of the tunnel he saw the dagger resting on rock and he quickly grabbed it and ran back through the tunnel and out into the hollow once again. Aragog was waiting for him still, but the other spiders had disappeared.

"Did you find what you came here for?"

"Yes."

"Then it is time you left. Our task has come to an end."

Harry turned to leave, but whirled around.

"Excuse me, but could you possibly let Hagrid know that we..."

"Leave now before my children return," the giant spider clicked.

"Please, we are in great danger and..."

"My patience runs dry friend of Hagrid, and I ask you to leave before it is too late."

Harry knew better than to argue with the spider and as suddenly as he had found himself in the hollow he was making his way back to the waiting Death Eater.

"Did you get it?"

Harry held out the Dagger only for the Death Eater to pull it out of his hand. "Finally I will have my revenge," he whispered. Turning his attention back to Harry he pulled out a necklace from underneath his robes. The pendant was in the shape of a silver fang and it gleamed in the dark.

"Grab a hold of the necklace," said the Death Eater.

As soon as Harry touched the pendant he felt the familiar tug of a Portkey. He felt weightless and he watched as a kaleidoscope of swirling colors surrounded him before the journey came to an abrupt stop. As he got up he could make out a house about fifty feet away from where he had landed.

"Get a move on!" yelled the Death Eater giving Harry a kick and pushing him towards the house. "Open up the door slowly and take the door to your left," he commanded.

Harry did as he was told and as he entered the house he looked around in the hallway. It was a much larger than it looked from the outside and there was a staircase leading up to the second floor.

"The right door," hissed the Death Eater menacingly.

Harry turned and opened up the door and the room was lit up by a fire dancing in an old fireplace. Ron, Hermione, and Cho were gagged and bound to the wall, but before Harry could run over to make sure his friends were still alive he heard a far more frightening voice than the one of Aragog.

"Welcome home Harry. Welcome to Godric's Hollow," hissed Lord Voldemort.

***

The corridors of Hogwarts were empty save for a small figure wandering aimlessly. Ginny had fled from the scene of her revelation and she knew by the way Harry had looked at her that the feelings were not mutual. She knew he could never love her, but she had to let him know. In any case it was too late now to go back. Maybe if she had a Time Turner she could travel back in time and stop herself from making a complete fool out of herself. As much as it hurt loving Harry from afar, it hurt even worse telling him how much she cared about him and seeing the look on his face.

In her dreams she had imagined him looking at her with those emerald green eyes and telling her that he loved her as well, and that they would be together for eternity. Stupid dreams of a little girl. How could she possibly face him the next day? Ginny began to feel sick to her stomach as she realized that soon everyone would know. Not that everyone did not know already anyway. It had been so obvious but her brother's wits, or lack thereof, must have rubbed off on Harry as he had been too blind to see.

She leaned her head against the wall and hit it with her balled up fist.

"Stupid, stupid, stupid," she whispered hoarsely to herself.

Her eyes were stinging from the tears and as she wiped her eyes clear she realized that she was lost. From the looks of it she was down in the dungeons somewhere, but this was a part of Hogwarts that she had never seen. Not that she had strayed far from her classrooms, but on occasion she had gone on explorations. This however, was new to her.

She knew better than to wander further down into the dungeons as she had heard of students getting lost for quite some time doing exactly that. The sound of voices caught her attention and not heeding the voice in her head to turn back she continued down further into the dungeons of Hogwarts. She stumbled down a staircase as there was no light and she was about to turn back when she heard the voices again. Her hands were feeling the walls as she slowly made it down the stairs and found herself in a dark corridor with several doors. She stopped and listened, but the voices had faded away. All of sudden she heard the voices coming from the end of the corridor but there was nothing there but a dead-end.

Slowly, she walked up to the wall feeling the bricks of the wall hoping the wall would give way. Nothing happened and she pressed her ear against the wall to see if she could hear the voices again. Several minutes passed and she was about to turn herself into St. Mungo's when the she heard the voices clearly coming from behind the wall. They were growing louder and to her horror she realized they were coming towards her. She stumbled backwards and fell over on her back with a loud yelp.

"What was that?" a voice said from behind the wall.

Ginny in desperation got on her feet and reached for one of the doors. Luckily it opened and she hid inside the room just before she could hear a spell being muttered and the sound of brick scraping against the floor. She heard the sound of footsteps and they stopped right in front of the door she was behind. The handle creaked as it slowly moved down. Ginny took out her wand readying herself to do battle.

"It's time," came another voice that seemed strangely familiar to Ginny. The wizard let go of the handle and Ginny heard him leave and walk up the staircase. The sound of the wall scraping against the floor again alerted Ginny that the other wizard had gone back behind the wall. Carefully she opened up the door with her wand at ready. The corridor was empty and the wall was there as it had been before. She walked up to it and pointed her wand at it uttering the password she had heard the wizard use.

"Chimaera," she said and the wall opened up to reveal a dimly lit room. A body was lying on the floor and a dark hooded wizard was kneeling down over it.

"Don't move," Ginny said as firmly as possible. Her voice was trembling, but the wizard stopped what he was doing. "Don't reach for your wand as I've...I've been trained in dueling."

"Have you now?" replied the wizard in a husky voice. "I didn't think they taught fourth year students dueling, but I might be wrong."

"Who are you?" said Ginny feeling like the voice reminded her of someone, but she could not put her finger on it.

"You shouldn't be here," he replied getting up from the floor. His voice was no longer husky and Ginny knew to whom the voice belonged to, but it could not be.

"I said don't move!"

"What are you going to do? Stun me?" he said turning around slowly.

Ginny could barely see his face but when he turned around the light struck it cleanly and Ginny stared at him. Her mouth fell open and her wand fell to floor as she fainted. The wizard quickly ran up to her and lifted her off the floor carrying her over to the table. He walked over to the sink and wet a towel. He heard Ginny groan and he hurried back to her and put the towel on her forehead.

"Don't worry, everything's going ok," he whispered as he put one of his boots up on the chair. The dragon hide it was made of reflected the sparing light into Ginny's eyes.

Ginny shot up and screamed, falling off the table in the process. She tried to crawl towards the wall all the time screaming.

"Shh...Ginny, it's ok...it's me," he said leaning down and hugging her.

"No, no, no...it can't be..." she cried.

"It's me Gin..."

"But...but..."

"It really is me Gin..."

"B-Bill?"

~~~~~

A/N: I don't have any excuses that could justify the fact that it's taken me so long to update, but sometimes other things take priority before anything else. I guess that's the situation I found myself in. I understand if some of you have been upset/frustrated/angry/etc because I think I would feel the same way. I'm really sorry for not updating for a long time, but...well, there's not really anything else I can say but "Thank You" to all of you who stuck by me anyway and politely asked when I was updating. Anyway, enough of this and I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Not too many left now. Probably about 2 or 3 chapters left. Oh yeah...I never said Bill was dead did I? *Voldemort cackle*

Thank you to everyone who reviewed since the last update:

Eliza Azure, Starr, Conlan, Tonyfo98, Lively, Cactuskitty, Chochang913, Guster597, Kitty, Wilma (Nikos Etolopolus is the co-author of the book Ginny received for her birthday), tabula rasa, wrenbirdy, Yosti, crankywonderjoe, shev, Dannern, morgan, Asgarath, abba, Makaveli, takari4ever7, Dark Soul #7, Blue Roses, Capt Master, Jedi LoreLai, Lilbluangel25, Bianca, Freidrich, Sassy_sama, fogish, Lin, Tomono Shadows, Ash, Carol, Blacksheep, E, Christine.