Love Conquers All

"Where is she?" Malfoy demanded.

"I'll never tell you, you filthy scum!"

Percy Weasley lay strapped to the floor of his office in a frenzied state. Snake-like ropes wrapped around his body, allowing him absolutely no movement as the frightful form of the Death Eater Draco Malfoy hovered above him. Despite his weak and worn body, which was now covered with deep slashes and cuts, Malfoy was able to instill fear in the young Weasley man. He had his wand pointed straight at Percy's temple, ready to hex him into oblivion if he did not cooperate. However, the redhead had been strong enough to resist Malfoy's interrogation thus far.

Malfoy swished his wand to tighten the ropes as they nearly crushed Percy's ribs. The Death Eater smirked at his victim's suffering as the torture became ever the more painful.

"Tell me, Weasley!" he spat. "She's not at Potter's apartment so where is she?"

Percy choked out a very weak, "Never."

Fury flashed across Malfoy's pale complexion and the ropes became tighter.

"It's not wise to be uncooperative, Weasley," he hissed. "I could kill you now, but why deny the Dark Lord the pleasure?"

Percy's eyes widened at the mention of Voldemort.

"You'll never take me," he gasped.

Malfoy's lip curled.

"We'll see about that!"

He made a circle with his wand then cut it in half. The ropes disappeared and Percy was thrown flat against the far wall, where he remained motionless, three feet off the floor. He glared at Malfoy with the utmost loathing in his eye, but showed no weakness.

"Tell me where to find Granger or die!" Malfoy barked.

He placed the tip of his wand to the middle of Percy's forehead. Percy stared at him, panting out of fear, but remained speechless.

"Very well," said Malfoy. "Avada Keda-"

"WAIT!" Percy shouted.

Malfoy lowered his wand with a smirk.

"Okay," Percy panted. "I'll tell you."

Sweat was pouring down his face as he murmured the coordinates to the eager Death Eater. When he was done, Malfoy cackled maliciously and disappeared with a swish of his cloak. The spell binding Percy to the wall was immediately lifted and he crashed to the ground in a crumpled heap. But he did not linger. He jumped up and ran to his office door. He had to tell Hermione, he had to warn her! To his horror the door was locked. Malfoy had locked him in. He was trapped.

He tried to bang on the door for help but none came. There was no other way to get out since he could not break Malfoy's charm with one of his own. He couldn't Apparate out of his office, Portkeys had to be authorized, and there was no fireplace by which to travel through with Floo Powder.

Percy moved over and slumped down on his desk and wiped his forehead, wondering how in the world he could have practically thrown someone else's life right into Voldemort's hands.

***

Harry was the first to wake the next morning from yet another nightmare. He had dreamt that Voldemort had killed both Ron and Hermione right in front of Harry's eyes. They glared a Harry as the Dark Lord prepared to perform the curse. Look what you've done to us, Harry read in their expressions. Because of you we have to die. He had let out a scream that made Voldemort howl with laughter as the bodies of his two best friends lay limp and lifeless on the floor. "Such a fool you are," Voldemort hissed. "I gave you a chance to save yourself and them, and you spat in my face!" It had been horrible. Just as Harry fell to the floor, shaking with terror, he had awoken, drenched in sweat, his scar searing with pain. He quickly felt around for his glasses, found them, and glanced frantically beside him. Hermione lay there, her brown curls spreading out on the pillow and her face calm and sleeping. Harry let out a small sigh of relief, but he still had one more thing to check.

"Ron? Ron are you there?" Harry called into the phone.

"W-what?" yawned an annoyed voice.

"Ron! It's me, Harry. Are you all right?"

"H-harry?" Ron stammered. "It's five in the morning!"

"I know," Harry panted. "But I had a nightmare and, oh never mind. See you at work."

There was a brief pause, and then Ron said, "Alright," and hung up the phone.

Harry crawled out of bed quickly and groped his way toward the bathroom. It was no easy feat, since he had forgotten he was at Hermione's house. He splashed cold water on his face and then examined his features. His jet-black hair was untidier than usual and tiny beads of water clung to the messy locks. His eyes were red, his lips white, and the mixture of sweat and cold water made his complexion appear as though it were melting.

I look horrible, he thought. I can't take much more of this.

He opened up the medicine cabinet and rummaged through it until he found the Dreamless Sleeping Potion that he always kept handy. Madame Pomfrey had granted him a vial of it at the end of his seventh year that automatically refilled itself every time it emptied. She gave it to him for his nightmares, but warned him to use it sparingly so as not to become too dependant on it.

It's been a week since I last used it, Harry thought, turning over the bottle of amber liquid in his fingers. I'll take some tonight.

He proceeded to wash his hands before dragging himself into the kitchen for a cup of coffee. While the warm brew simmered in the pot, Harry went and placed himself at the table to think.

This is awful. Why did all this happen to me? Why can't I just have a normal life like everyone else? All I want to do is marry Hermione and live happily with her without having to worry about Voldemort! Damn the prophecy! Damn the Ministry! Damn Voldemort!

Suddenly, a loud thump echoed from the bedroom, shaking Harry out of his reverie. He assumed it must be Hermione getting up, for which he was glad; he was in need of comfort. The buzzer on the coffee machine went off. It was followed by another loud thump and then a muffled cry. Intense shuffling could be heard throughout the bedroom. Harry stared at the door of the kitchen a moment, brows furrowed in concern.

The shuffling continued and Harry stood up slowly and made his way toward the bedroom. Just as he had placed his hand on the knob, the noises stopped.

"Hermione?" Harry called into the room.

There was no answer.

Harry called again. Still, there was no answer.

Cautiously, he opened the door.

The room was still dark, but somehow it appeared colder and gloomier than it had when Harry had left. The window was open and the curtains were fluttering in the early morning breeze. His gaze traveled over to the disordered bed. Hermione was not there. Harry's eyes ran frantically around the room in horror. She was nowhere to be seen. He ran over to the bed and threw away the covers, looking for any sign of his fiancée. That's when he saw it. Burnt onto the headboard directly above where Hermione had been laying was the Dark Mark. Harry grabbed his throat that had suddenly gone dry and his eyes went wide with shock.

"NO!" he shouted.

Yes, Voldemort's cold voice hissed in his head. Yes, Potter. You have lost her. Because of you, she is now mine!

Harry screamed out in horror and fell upon the bed.

"NO!" he cried. "THEY'VE TAKEN HERMIONE!"

He began to shake with sobs and cursed himself for leaving her alone like that again. Now she was in Voldemort's hands and it was all his fault. Harry knew he should have never fallen in love with her. It was always the ones he loved who were made to suffer and now he had led another of the ones closest to him down a path of certain death. What was he to do? He had to rescue Hermione, but he had no means of finding Voldemort unless he was led directly to him. But who was going to do that?

Harry needed help. Someone had to help him find Voldemort. It had been far too long since Harry had learned of the prophecy and now it was time to fulfill it. He was going to kill the Dark Lord once and for all and get Hermione back. And there was only one man capable of helping him do so.

He grabbed his wand off the bedside table and with one flick, dressed himself in dark black clothes. His mood was now angry and determined as he stared into the mirror.

"It's time," he murmured.

His reflection nodded and quickly waved him off. Harry took a deep breath before Disapparating out of the house.

***

"Potter will be here soon, I am sure," Voldemort said with a satisfied smirk. "You have done well Malfoy."

The scrawny Death Eater bowed in gratitude before his dark master. His own lip was curling in pleasure of his own well-performed work, though he did not let Voldemort see this. The kidnapping had been swift, silent, and simple. These were Draco Malfoy's trademarks, and he upheld them well. His first attempt at kidnapping Granger had failed because Potter had returned sooner than expected. Malfoy blamed it on the foolish band of Death Eaters who had created the diversion. They had clearly not done a very good job of drawing Potter away long enough. Now none of it even mattered, because he alone had captured the Mudblood at his master's command.

"Potter will surely come to the girl's rescue," Voldemort continued. "His loved ones are his only weakness."

"Yes, my lord," Malfoy whispered.

"It is a shame, though," Voldemort said, more to himself than to Malfoy, "that I must kill that boy. He would have been a powerful ally."

Malfoy merely nodded, ever intimidated by the Dark Lord's presence.

"Where is the girl now?"

Malfoy looked up into those horrible red eyes.

"Locked away in another room," he answered.

"Bring her to me."

The Death Eater stood up and exited to room. A moment later he returned with Hermione who was bound, gagged and looking furious. Upon seeing Voldemort, her eyes went wide with terror and she began to shake as Malfoy pushed her forward. Voldemort took delight in her fear.

"Not to worry, my dear," he cackled. "I won't kill you, not yet anyway."

Hermione appeared even more terrified than before.

"Actually," the Dark Lord added. "Your lovcrboy will be the one to decide your fate. If he surrenders, you will be spared. If he does not, I may have to kill you."

Hermione dropped her head. This only amused Voldemort more.

"Never fear, girly. Potter would do anything to save you."

Hermione didn't move, but she understood.

Voldemort began to laugh like a hyena. Malfoy joined in with him, but Hermione kept her head down the whole time.

"Take her away!" Voldemort ordered.

Malfoy bowed, grabbed Hermione by the collar, and nearly dragged her away. In the gloom of that dark chamber, no one saw the tears that were streaming down her cheeks.

***

Harry burst through the door of the Minister of Magic's office, nearly causing Fudge to fall out of his seat.

"Potter!" exclaimed the Minister. "What is the meaning of this?"

Harry glared at him and half-shouted, "I need to speak to Dumbledore!"

"What?" exclaimed Fudge. "Why?

"Don't ask questions, Fudge!" Harry barked. "Where is he?"

Fudge looked taken aback.

"I'm not entirely sure, Potter," he said bluntly, "but as the Minister of Magic, I must ask-"

"I told you no questions!" Harry spat.

Fudge was beginning to get angry.

"Now really, Potter, this is quite unreasonable behavior. I-"

"Cornelius!"

Fudge glared towards the door, not happy at having been interrupted twice in a row. Harry turned to look as well, and there, standing in the doorway, was Albus Dumbledore. Both were shocked by his appearance. He appeared to be paler and weaker than he had at the meeting the previous day. Harry wondered if the man had even slept since.

"You wish to see me, Harry?" he said in a barely audible whisper.

"Yes!" Harry cried. "Alone!"

The young man and the old man both stared at Fudge. He gaped back at them.

"Me?"

Dumbledore nodded.

Fudge began to protest, but his words got caught in his mouth. As he hustled out of the room he muttered, "Honestly! Thrown out of my own office!"

Dumbledore closed the door behind him.

"What is it, Harry?" the old man inquired.

"I have to find Voldemort now!" Harry hollered.

To his utter shock, Dumbledore smiled.

"A hero who goes looking for trouble is no hero at all," the headmaster said.

Harry glared at time.

"I've got no time for a morality speech, Albus! I have to find him!"

"Very well, very well."

"Well?" Harry said, tapping his foot impatiently.

"Harry, you must calm down," Dumbledore said, patting his shoulder. "It will take all of your self-control to solve this mystery."

"What do you mean?" Harry demanded.

Dumbledore was still smiling, an act that annoyed Harry much so.

"Harry, you know well that there is a connection between you and Voldemort. He has used it many times to his advantage. Now it is your turn. Use that connection to find him."

Harry stared at him with a mix of confusion and anger.

"How the hell do I do that?" he inquired.

Dumbledore sighed.

"Think, Harry, think! Concentrate on Voldemort! On finding where he is!"

Harry was completely baffled but did as he was told. He took of his glasses, ran a hand through his hair, closed his eyes, and began to think.

Voldemort. Voldemort. Where is he?

Nothing came.

He thought harder and harder. Hermione's face crossed his mind.

Damn you Voldemort! WHERE ARE YOU?

Then it came to him. The vision flashed across his eyes: a long, narrow corridor with a single door at the end. He passed through that door and found himself in a completely black, circular room with doors all around. The door directly left of him flew open. However, he didn't go farther. His eyes fluttered open and he stared at Dumbledore.

"He's in the Department of Mysteries!" Harry cried out.

"You have seen this?" Dumbledore asked.

"Yes," Harry replied.

"Go then. Face him. Defeat him."

Harry nodded and made for the door.

"Harry," Dumbledore said, making him stop.

He turned to look at the old man questioningly.

"Good luck, Harry," Dumbledore said softly. "And remember what I told you. Love conquers all."

Harry acknowledged the old man's words and hurried out of the room.