The Survivors

Chapter 34

Chapter 34

The inaudible wailing of Daphne as she collapsed to the floor was the first thing to hit Harry's senses. His senses were so surprised he didn't even have the urge to process that they had lost. If Nott had Tracey and Astoria then someone was going to die, and it was going to be his fault. His fault that he hadn't protected Daphne's family. He was the most powerful sorcerer in the world, and he had failed.

The resurrection stone was such an obvious answer to his questions. He had consulted with his dead relatives on a regular basis since he had pulled the Hollows from his safe. Why hadn't he thought to summon Nott? Ask him who killed him? Fuck. Is this how Dumbledore felt when he made mistakes that cost people their lives? No wonder the old coot-

SLAP

He heard the blow before he felt it. His shock was still setting in as his mind reeled with what should be done.

SLAP.

The second blow snapped him back to reality, and a furious looking Hannah Abbott was staring at him, "Harry I know this is a lot to process, but Daphne needs you. We all need you. If we are going to save lives tonight we have to move now. Maybe we can get to both of them."

"Both of them?" Harry asked snappishly, "I don't know where one of them is, how in the name of Merlin are we going to find both of them?"

Hermione was at his side next, "Nott said there was a right answer. Harry that has to mean something. I need you to think. Think about the games we have played so far, the games that the others have played. There is a right answer. What does it mean?"

"I don't fucking know Hermione! I didn't see this coming, much less do I understand what this asshole is thinking or planning."

Ron was at his side next putting a hand on each of his shoulders, "Harry, Daphne really needs you right now. You got us through the last war, you defeated Voldemort. Between the three of us we pieced together the Horcrux puzzle that baffled the minds of witches and wizards a lot cleverer than us. We may not be able to save both of them, but dammit we have to save at least one of them. Forget about choosing, let's just find one or those girls that are family to Daphne, or they are going to end up looking like Neville. You are one of the greatest aurors our world has ever seen. Now where do we start looking for Tracey and Astoria?"

At the mention of Neville Harry turned his eyes to his best friend of the last several years. His breathing still seems labored, and uneven from the pain he had endured. He seems to wince every few seconds, and his silent groan of pain started a fire in his stomach. This bastard had hurt his friend.

His eyes shifted to Daphne who was being comforted by Cho and Luna. They were whispering into her ear trying to assure her that the Head Auror would have a plan. The young Master stared at the woman he loved as she cried into her hands sobbing inconsolably. His friends were talking at him trying to get his attention, but he only had eyes for one.

His magic pulsed and his friends all took a step back from him quickly, while Daphne's eyes shot up to meet his blood red from the tears. He knew what he had to do. Slowly he stepped towards the woman, and gathered her hands in each of his, "I know what I have to do. I just don't know if I am strong enough."

Daphne sobbed lightly, "Just bring my sisters back to me Harry...Please."

Locking eyes, blue on green, an understanding passed between the two. Leaning forward Harry kissed the girl on the forehead, "It will be done. Just trust me."

Standing to his feet he took a deep breath as he closed his eyes focusing his magic. Slowly the Elder Wand slid into his hand, the cloak of invisibility formed into a cape around his neck that turned into a hood that went over his head, and the resurrection stone shot into an archimedes sphere like necklace that seemed to materialize from nothing. His clothes shaped into a darker construct, and suddenly he felt a cold power coursing through his veins, "Everyone stays here. No one leaves Potter Manor until I return."