Everything's Not Lost

Everything's Not Lost

Chapter 1

It's been like this for years.

Most are beginning to forget what the times of peace were like.

But they never give up.

The fighting has to cease eventually.

Right?

There are two lights in all the darkness. Harry and Hermione Potter; married right out of school. The 'Chosen One', and the smartest witch to ever grace Hogwarts. Both power in their own right, but an even bigger force to be reckoned with when together.

But even though the two most powerful of their age are on the side of the light, the most powerful in the world is on the side of the dark.

It has been six years since Lord Voldemort returned. Four since Dumbledore died. Two since the Weasleys (it was Christmas; Ron was the only survivor). Day after day there were more casualties on both sides. Families destroyed by both loss and betrayal.

This is the beginning of the end.

~-~-~-~

The day had started out easily enough for Hermione Potter. She got up, showered, and then left Harry and Michelle (both sleeping) at their hideout on the outskirts of London. She drove down to the local muggle grocer (one of the few businesses in the area that remained open; the war had spilled over into the muggle world, and most stores were closed), and that was when all hell had broken loose.

She couldn't tell if it was just a random Death Eater attack, or if they had somehow found out where she was, and were aiming to capture and/or kill her. Either way, it was five to one and already two muggle customers were down. With some quick wand work, Hermione sent three of the Death Eaters flying; all dead before they hit the ground.

The remaining two Death Eaters had disappeared. She quickly ran over to the muggles to check for a pulse. Both were breathing.

She had been so caught up if seeing if the muggles were okay, that she didn't notice the Death Eater sneaking up behind her until she let out an "oh!" of surprise as a knife pierced her side and she slumped over, unconscious.

~-~-~-~

"Well done, Nott. Things are going according to plan. The loss of the other three is unfortunate, but this will be worth it," said the Dark Lord before he performed a quick Cruciatus curse on the kneeling Death Eater.

He slowly stood up and walked over to where the Potter's mudblood lay. "This had better work, Bellatrix..." Voldemort started slowly. "This girl is the key to Potter. We break her, and he soon follows." He then conjured a flask containing Putonovous and poured it down his prisoner's throat. He placed his cold, white hands on her forehead and dove into Hermione Potter's mind.

"It has begun," he whispered.

~-~-~-~

Harry slowly got out of bed, still groggy from sleep. He'd noticed Hermione wasn't in their bed, but he dismissed it, telling himself that she was just in the study or the kitchen or Michelle's room. His nerves were always on edge. He knew their flat was secure, but...

Harry walked down the hallway to his daughter's room. He smiled as he saw her sitting up on her small bed, reading Green Eggs and Ham.

"Hey, girlie. Wanna go eat?" He asked, walking into her room.

"Mm, okay, daddy."

Harry leaned down and scooped Michelle up in his arms, and then walked toward the kitchen quickly leaned in to the study, noticing it empty. He frowned and continued on to the kitchen---

Empty.

"Michelle, have you seen your mum this morning?" Harry asked, brows furrowed.

"No, daddy. She wasn't here when I woke up. I was mad," she pouted.

"Okay, um... just--- stay here. I'm going to go floo call Uncle Ron real quick." He set Michelle down on the counter, and ran over to the fireplace, throwing in a handful of floo powder.

"Ron Weasley!" he shouted as he stuck his head in the flames. "Ron. RON, ARE YOU HOME?"

"Coming, coming!" Came his friend's voice as he came pounding down the stairs. "Harry, what is it?"

"It's--- Ron, Hermione's gone! I woke up, and she's not anywhere in the flat, Michelle hasn't seen her, and there's no note or anything..."

"Okay, um. Don't worry, Harry. We'll find her. Maybe she just went to the market and forgot to leave a note?"

"Even if she did...She likes going early in the morning, and it's almost noon. She would've been home by now."

"Hermione's tough, Harry. Let's not assume the worst."

Harry nodded. "But--- I mean, what if Death Eaters got to her? Or worse, Voldemort?"

"Like I said, Harry, Hermione can hold her own. Don't rush in to anything; we'll find her."

~-~-~-~

Standing up, Harry walked back to the kitchen.

"Daddy," said Michelle, waving a piece of paper around. "A big black bird came and dropped this..."

Harry grabbed the piece of parchment from his daughter's hand.

POTTER-

WE'VE GOT HER. DON'T COME LOOKING. WE'LL GIVE HER BACK WHEN WE'RE THROUGH.

"Daddy, when's mommy going to be home? I'm not mad at her anymore, honest!"

Harry crumpled the letter up in his hand and smiled at Michelle. "Soon, baby girl. Soon." I hope...