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xix. seeing through illusions

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"Come on, Hermione, Deanna wouldn't want to see you like this," said Ron, exchanging worried glances with Harry. Ever since the departure of the Dumbledores five days ago, Hermione was a mess. She didn't sleep well, she couldn't eat well and she kept on staring at the Hufflepuff table.

Instead of spending her time at the library like she always did, Hermione would instead walk past the Headmaster's office, which closed itself off to Umbridge, to Hermione's delight, or she would go to the kitchen where the house-elves had warmed up to her after seeing her countless times with Deanna.

"I know," said Hermione in a grim tone. "I just..."

"Just what?" Harry and Ron asked simultaneously.

"Miss her," said Hermione in a soft voice. She sighed and took her bag. "I'm going to get some work done. We've got a Transfiguration essay for tomorrow." When she left, the two boys shook their heads and looked back at their food. It was Easter, and they didn't have any homework.

Hermione did not go to the library or Gryffindor Tower. She went up to the Headmaster's office and smiled slightly. She remembered the memory of her and Deanna almost kissing in her room. That was the memory she had been thinking of when she cast her Patronus. That was just the effect Deanna Dumbledore had on her. She made her feel joy when she was there and sadness when she wasn't. Knowing Deanna was gone even if it was just for a while made Hermione feel this emptiness she had never felt before.

"Will you just stand there?" Hermione jumped and looked to her right to see nobody. She looked around and shook her head, thinking she was hearing things. "Right here, you..."

Hermione gasped when she realized it was the gargoyle who spoke. "You can talk?"

"I am talking to you now, am I not?" said the gargoyle, making Hermione blush. "And she said you're brilliant."

"Who?"

"Why, Deanna Dumbledore, of course." The words made Hermione turn even redder, but her face suddenly fell at the mention of the Dumbledore andΒ  once again, she felt the emptiness in her.

"You could come in," said the gargoyle.

"Really?" said Hermione in surprise. "But Umbridge-"

"Will never be Hogwarts' Headmaster. You are a friend, maybe more than a friend, of my master. Now quickly. Before someone sees." He swung forward and revealed the staircase to the Headmaster's Office.

"Thank you," said Hermione with a smile before she ran up the staircase. She took a deep breath and opened the door. Her eyes widened when she saw the House Ghosts, Peeves and Moaning Myrtle there, playing a ghost version of Exploding Snap.

"Why are you here?" Myrtle said, glaring at Hermione over her glasses.

"Er..."

"Oh, don't be like that, Myrtle," said Helena. "She's Deanna's friend, remember?"

"Is that so?" said Peeves, flying to Hermione and looking her up and down. "Are you our Daredevil's friend?"

"Y-Yes. The gargoyle let me in," said Hermione meekly. She was looking at Sir Nicholas for help. He was the only one she ever had a conversation with among the ghosts, and the mischievous look on Peeves' face, the glaring of Myrtle and the staring of the Bloody Baron weren't helping her nerves.

"Her room is upstairs," said the Fat Friar before they went back to the Exploding Snap they were playing.

"Thank you," said Hermione as she walked past them and up to Deanna's room. She frowned slightly when it was empty, and the only things that were left were the phoenix wallpaper and the furniture. She sat down on the bed and smoothed the sheets, looking around the room. Her eyebrows furrowed when she saw a piece of paper, stuck behind the mirror. Hermione walked over to it and pulled it out.

"She always talks about you," said a voice behind her. Hermione dropped the paper and her eyes widened when she saw the Bloody Baron there.

"W-What do you mean?" asked Hermione while picking up the paper, her cheeks flushing.

"We all know you because she's told us about you," said the Bloody Baron, staring at her, which made Hermione feel even more anxious. "Deanna Dumbledore has gone through a lot. Do not dare hurt her. It won't only be Peeves, coming after you. She has all of us behind her."

"What-" But before she could finish her sentence, the Bloody Baron flew out the door and Hermione was left alone in the room. She let out a sigh and sat back on the bed, opening the paper.

Dear Hermione Granger,

Though the chances are low, I hope you find your way to the Headmaster's office and read this piece of paper. I'm sorry that I have to go and leave without a farewell. I do wish you're taking care of yourself. You should be sleeping well, eating well and take a break from your work and just go to the kitchen and have a butterbeer. Don't worry, it won't be long until we meet again. Even if we're miles apart, I'll come back to you, Hermione. I always will.

Love,

Deanna

Hermione let out a shaky chuckle and wiped away the tears that fell from her eyes. Even Deanna's letter had the ability to make Hermione feel happier than she had in days. Deanna may not be by her side, but she was coming back, and Hermione would hold on to that.

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"Great job, little phoenix," said Dumbledore proudly, letting the spell finally fall. Deanna grinned at him and let herself fall on the ground, watching the sky. Dumbledore chuckled and sat down beside her.

It had been two months since they had gone from Hogwarts, and Deanna and Dumbledore were having lessons every other day. Dumbledore taught her most of the spells he knew and tried teaching her Occlumency again, but they gave up on that when Deanna seemed to be getting worse and worse with every session.

Deanna got updates from her father a few times when he would go out. It seemed the Weasley twins took off from Hogwarts and took Deanna's advice in buying a spot at 93 Diagon Alley. Deanna was proud that they went out with a bang. She was angry to hear that Umbridge attempted to arrest Hagrid in the middle of the night and instead injured Minerva with four Stunning spells. Umbridge better wish that she would never see Deanna again because being a toad might be more appealing than what Deanna was planning.

"I'll go out for a bit, love," said Dumbledore, kissing the top of her head. "You'll stay here with Fawkes, understood?"

"Yes, Pops," said Deanna. Dumbledore nodded before he Apparated out of the place. It was a good thing that Dumbledore's enchantments were powerful because none of the Ministry workers could see them there even if they were face to face with Deanna at times.

"Come on, Fawkes," said Deanna, standing up with Fawkes flying behind her. She was just about to open the door when her eyes closed and she fell to the ground. She was back in the Department of Mysteries. She saw Sirius in front of her with Voldemort beside her. Sirius had sweat all over him as he stared Voldemort in the eyes.

"I need that prophecy," said Voldemort in his cold voice.

"You'll have to kill me," said Sirius firmly.

"Oh, I will, but first, you will fetch it for me," said Voldemort, walking around him. "Crucio!"

Surprisingly, Deanna couldn't feel the pain, but Sirius did and fell to the ground, screaming. "Don't!" Deanna yelled, trying to move, but she couldn't.

"Crucio!" Sirius screamed again and writhed in pain while Voldemort laughed maniacally. In her vision, Deanna saw the row 97, and the plain black door once more. Her eyes opened and she was back in the Mould-On-The-Wold. She turned to Fawkes, gasping for breath.

"Sirius. P-Pops, I need Pops," said Deanna, quickly standing up and running into the house. Her mind was all over the place. She needed to help Sirius, but how? How could she help him? Fawkes cried and flew to her shoulder, instantly calming Deanna down. She took a deep breath and waved her wand. "Expecto patronum!"

She sat down on the sofa and rubbed her forehead. She suddenly remembered what her father said about the pain she felt. She would only feel it whenever Voldemort unconsciously opens his mind and lets them see what was happening. Five minutes have passed, and still no sign of Dumbledore.

Deanna stood up and checked the watch worriedly. "What's taking him so long?" She looked at Fawkes and let out a sigh. "Fine, we wait five more minutes. We'll go to the Department of Mysteries and save Sirius." She started pacing up and down and suddenly stopped. She stared at Fawkes. "If it was a vision he unconsciously let us saw, why didn't I feel the pain?"

Deanna's eyes widened in realization and she bent down to Fawkes. "We have to check 12 Grimmauld Place."

Fawkes cried, and Deanna sighed frustratedly. "We can't wait for Pops anymore. He's been gone for 10 minutes and I don't know where he is. We have to go now." Fawkes stared at her for a few minutes before flying up and letting his tail fall. Deanna grasped it and felt heat throughout her whole body as they disappeared out of the Mould-Of-The-Wold and into 12 Grimmauld Place.

"Deanna? What are you doing here?" said Sirius in surprise. Deanna looked around and saw that Sirius, Remus, Tonks, Moody and Kingsley were there.

"Thank Helga you're here," said Deanna, rushing forward and hugging the Black. Sirius looked confused before hugging the Hufflepuff back.

"I had a vision," said Deanna shakily. "You were in the Department of Mysteries with Voldemort, and he was torturing you... For a prophecy..." The members of the Order exchanged surprised glances, and suddenly, someone came out of the fire. It was Snape.

"Deanna Dumbledore?" said Snape in surprise at the sight of her before shaking his head and looking at Sirius. "I see you're here after all."

"What do you mean?" said Sirius in confusion.

"Potter said you were at the Department of Mysteries, but I see that Miss Dumbledore has warned you already," said Snape.

"How could I forget about Harry?" said Deanna, groaning. She shook her head and started focusing at the matter at hand. "I'll go to the Department of Mysteries-"

"You can't!" said Sirius. "They showed you that for a reason, they-"

"Professor Snape, please check if Harry's still at Hogwarts," said Deanna to him. Snape nodded at once and left through the Floo Powder. Deanna turned back to the Order with a firm tone. "You need to prepare and find my father. I can be bait. I can buy you time. I know they need me and whatever prophecy's in there, they need it too. Harry, Hermione and everyone need me. They'll be expecting me there so I'll go on there first. Fawkes will come when it is time." The members of the Order agreed immediately Deanna was just like her father, a natural-born leader.

"Good," said Deanna, smiling slightly at them and hovering her hand over the tail of Fawkes. "I'll see you there." With that, Deanna clasped her hand around Fawkes' tail, and they appeared in the Department of Mysteries. "Look for Pops, Fawkes. Fly safe." Deanna stroked his feathers. Fawkes nuzzled into her hand before flying away.

Deanna took a deep breath before she turned around and saw the black door. She walked down the black and long corridor and turned the knob. She saw at once that she was in a room filled with crystal balls. "Prophecies," she whispered in realization and took out her wand. "Lumos." Deanna started walking down the hall with her lit wand.

"Deanna?" Somebody said behind her, and she smiled slightly when she saw Harry, Ron, Hermione, Luna, Neville and Ginny. They all ran to her and hugged her tight.

"Yes, I missed you all as well," said Deanna, chuckling lightly, her gaze lingering on Hermione before she turned serious. "Listen-"

"Now is not the time, Deanna," said Harry quickly. "You saw it too, right?"

"Yeah, but-"

"Come on." Harry took Deanna's hand and started pulling her with him.

"Harry, listen-"

"Here, row 97," said Harry, his voice dying down. They were at row 97, but Sirius was not there. He looked at his friends. "He should be here."

Deanna was getting frustrated now about how they kept on cutting her off. "He's not-"

"Harry, Deanna?" said Neville suddenly. Deanna turned around and saw him looking at two glass orbs. "It's got your names on it." Deanna and Harry looked at each other before walking to the two glass orbs.

C.S.T. to G.A.G.

Tom Riddle (?)

And Deanna Dumbledore (?)

Deanna reached out for hers when Harry's orb started talking. "The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches. And the Dark Lord shall mark him as his equal, but he shall have power the Dark Lord knows not... For neither can live while the other survives."

They all exchanged glances before Deanna took hers. The orb started speaking with the same voice as Harry's. "The heir of Slytherin and the heir of the phoenixes... A love that was destined but broken by choices made out of love and thirst for power... A connection that will last until the phoenix burns... She is-"

"Deanna." Hermione said, and Deanna looked away from her orb and her eyes widened when there was someone ahead. She and Harry strode in front of their friends and pointed their wands at the man. The man was masked and the sound of his footsteps echoed across the room while he walked towards the group of seven slowly.

"Where's Sirius?" said Harry.

"He's not here!" snapped Deanna, and Harry looked at her, horrified. "That's what I have been telling you this whole time, but you kept cutting me off."

"You know, you really should learn to tell the difference between dreams," he took out his wand and made his mask vanish, "and reality. Dumbledore here seems to have learned it." Deanna glared at Lucius Malfoy, remembering how he and the other Death Eaters had chased her just a few months ago. The group of students came closer to each other, and Deanna felt a hand grasp hers. She smiled slightly, knowing right away that it was Hermione.

"You saw only what the Dark Lord wanted you to see. Now, hand me the prophecies."

"If you do anything to us, we'll break it," said Harry immediately. Someone laughed evilly and came from behind Lucius Malfoy. Deanna's eyes hardened when she saw it was Bellatrix Lestrange.

"He knows how to play. Itty, bitty baby Potter," said Bellatrix in a mocking tone.

"Bellatrix Lestrange," said Neville lowly.

"Neville Longbottom, is it? How's Mum and Dad?"

"Better, now they're about to be avenged," said Neville, raising his wand.

Deanna stepped in front of him and held him back. "Neville, calm down. You'll get justice." Neville took in a deep breath and went back to his position.

Bellatrix's eyes hardened when she saw Deanna. "And you... the only one the Dark Lord ever loved," she said with a tone of envy.

"And so?" said Deanna, raising her eyebrow. "Why? Have you taken a liking to him? That git won't have feelings for you, you know that." Bellatrix raised her wand in anger.

"Now, let's everybody just calm down, shall we?" said Lucius Malfoy. "All we want is that prophecy?"

"Why did Voldemort need us to come and get this?" said Harry, nudging Deanna with his foot and whispering through gritted teeth. "Stun." Deanna nodded and started passing the message down, taking Hermione's hand and writing the word on her palm. Hermione squeezed her hand back before passing the message.

"You dare speak his name?" whispered Bellatrix before she shouted. "You filthy half-blood!"

"It's all right. He's just a curious lad, aren't you?" said Malfoy. "Prophecies can only be retrieved by those about whom they are made." Deanna raised her wand when she looked around and saw that they were surrounded by Death Eaters.

"Which is lucky for you, really," continued Malfoy, walking towards them. "Haven't you always wondered the reason for the connections between you two and the Dark Lord? Why he was unable to kill you, Potter, when you were just an infant? Don't you want to know the secret of your scar? And you, Dumbledore... Don't you want to know why he put you into a sleep for fifty years when you could've been by his side the whole time? Why you've had this pull to each other that day fifty-five years ago?"

Deanna then thought about it but kept her tight hold on her wand and she sneakily handed her prophecy to Hermione. Lucius Malfoy and Bellatrix Lestrange were now a few meters from them. "All the answers are there in your hands. All you have to do is give them to me. Then I can show you everything" Deanna stared at Malfoy's outstretched hand then glanced at Harry, who nodded subtly. They were surrounded, but they wouldn't give up now. Not without a fight.

"I've slept for fifty years," said Deanna.

"And I've waited for fourteen," said Harry.

"I know," said Malfoy in mock sympathy.

"I guess we can wait a little longer. Now!"

"STUPEFY!" said seven voices all at once. They started running down the hall together and turned a corner when Malfoy appeared in front of them. They started separating into different paths. Deanna ran down the hall and met up with Harry, Ron and Hermione. She saw four Death Eaters around them, and they nodded once before battling each of their own.

"I never got my wand back, Dumbledore," said the Death Eater Deanna recognized as Avery.

"Stupefy!" Harry shouted.

"And you never will. Ignis Rugiet!" The fireballs hit him and just like he did before, Avery flew away with scorched clothes and burns. She started running, Harry and Ron in front of them and Hermione beside her. Hermione cast a spell that made the crystal orbs fall on the Death Eater behind them and Deanna cast the fireballs once more.

"Brilliant," said Deanna, grinning at Hermione.

"Fiery," said Hermione, grinning back. Harry and Ron just chuckled, seeing she was the happiest she had been in two months.

They stopped at the intersection where they bumped into Ginny, Neville and Luna. A Death Eater came flying towards them. Ginny raised her wand, "Reducto!" A powerful blast of light came, and the crystal orbs started falling. They watched them fall for a few seconds while backing away slowly. Neville pulled back the dazed Luna.

"What are you waiting for? A call?" said Deanna. "Run!" They started running while the balls and shelves fell all around them. Each of them jumped out of the open door, which closed immediately. They were falling at a high speed, and just as Deanna was about to touch the floor, she stopped mid-air then fell. Deanna groaned and stood up. She helped Hermione stand and looked at her prophecy in Hermione's hand, trying to wonder how it would finish.

"Department of Mysteries. They got that bit right, didn't they?" said Ron.

"Thank you, Hermione," said Deanna, reaching out for the orb when she heard a voice behind her. Deanna looked around in confusion, but all she saw was a veil. She was about to turn back to Hermione when she heard the voices again. They were saying something Deanna could not understand, but she found herself wanting to hear what they had to say.

"The voices," said Harry, staring at the veil as they all started walking to the veil. "Can you tell what they're saying?"

"There aren't any voices, Harry," said Hermione. "Let's get out of here."

"I hear them too," said Luna.

"What are they saying?" said Deanna, walking closer to the veil.

"Deanna, Harry, it's just an empty archway," said Hermione, pulling her back. Deanna took off Hermione's hand and started moving again. Hermione held her back once more. "Please, Deanna."

"Get behind me," said Harry, raising his wand. They did the same while going behind him.

"Down!" Deanna yelled when the Death Eaters came flying towards them in black smoke. She felt someone hold her, and she tried to cast a spell, but her wand was wrestled out of her grasp. She felt herself moving and heard Hermione yell, "No!" Deanna was about to move when she felt a wand pointed to her throat and a hand pulling her hair back. She glanced sideways and saw that it was Bellatrix Lestrange who was holding her.

Deanna saw that the Death Eaters held each of her friends but Harry. When she saw Hermione's hair being pulled back by Dolohov, she shouted. "Don't hurt her!"

"Crucio!" yelled Bellatrix and Deanna fell to the ground, writhing in pain and screaming. She heard her friends shouting and crying for her.

"Shut up!" said Deanna through her pain. It was like what she felt at the time that Avery was being punished or that time during the summer when Voldemort found out they let her escape. It was pain at its finest.

"Now," said Bellatrix in a low whisper. "The Dark Lord may love you and told us to keep you safe, but he never said we couldn't make you suffer for a bit."

"That's enough, Bellatrix," said Lucius Malfoy, looking at the woman warily before he turned back to Harry with Deanna's prophecy in hand. "Did you actually believe or were you truly naive enough to think that children stood a chance against us? I'll make this simple for you, Potter. Give me the prophecy now or watch your friends die."

Harry looked at each of them, feeling torn on what to do. When he locked eyes with Deanna. She shook her head as much as she could. Bellatrix pressed her wand harder to her throat.

"Don't give it to him, Harry," said Neville, and Nott shushed him. Harry took a deep breath before placing the prophecy in Malfoy's hand. Deanna felt defeated. He had both of their prophecies now. Then, there was a sudden burst of white light. Deanna grinned when she saw who came up behind Malfoy.

"Get away from my godson," said Sirius, and he punched Malfoy in the face. While Harry went toward him, Deanna stepped on Bellatrix's foot and took her wand from her belt.

"Flammarum!" "Crucio!" The jet of red light bounced back against Deanna's shield of fire. She started walking back while holding her shield, smiling when the members of the Order appeared and started fighting off the Death Eaters.

"You got us the time we needed, Dumbledore," said Moody, coming up behind her.

"Took you long enough," said Deanna cheerfully. She watched the prophecies fall to the ground and though she had a sense of disappointment, she was happier that Voldemort wouldn't get them anymore. "Come on, Mad-Eye." The two of them rushed into the battle.

"You again," said Deanna, battling with Nott. She deflected his Stunning Spell and spoke to Moody. "Where's Pops?"

"He's coming." Moody stomped his staff and sent a Death Eater flying.

"Ignis Rugiet!" Nott became unconscious with the hit of the fireballs, and Deanna nodded at Moody before facing another off. "Stupefy!" Crabbe hit the wall, and Deanna chuckled slightly. "You still don't learn, do you?" She saw Bellatrix Lestrange Apparate a few meters away from Harry and Sirius where Sirius had just stunned Lucius Malfoy.

"Avada Kedavra!" "Flammarum!" A shield of fire protected Harry and Sirius. Bellatrix's eyes narrowed at Deanna before she cast a spell at Moody and ran through the door. Deanna growled and chased after her.

"Deanna!" She heard Harry shout behind her, but Deanna was set on chasing after Bellatrix in a rage. She could have killed Sirius or Harry if Deanna hadn't seen her.

"Coming to get me, Dumbledore?" cackled Bellatrix. "Next time, I'll kill both of them. Harry Potter and Sirius Black."

"Crucio!" someone shouted behind her, and Deanna's eyes widened when it was Harry. Bellatrix just fell to the ground when the red jet of light hit her. Harry was just as angry as Deanna was. He pointed his wand at Bellatrix, who was looking frightened all of a sudden.

"Harry!" said Deanna, and she stopped in her tracks when she heard a cold voice echo around the room.

"You've got to mean it, Harry. She almost killed the two of you. She deserves it." Deanna gasped when she saw who was there. Right behind Harry, who was shaking, was Voldemort himself. It was Deanna's first time actually seeing him, not just in dreams and visions, but in person.

"You know the spell, Harry. Do it," said Voldemort in Harry's ear. Bellatrix started cackling madly.

"Harry, don't!" said Deanna, but Voldemort had already disarmed Harry with a wave of his hand.

"Bloody hell," murmured Deanna before she cast a Stunning spell at Voldemort and pushed Harry behind the wall. "Stay there," she ordered him.

"Deanna-"

"Just do it, Harry." She took a deep breath and walked out again. Voldemort was staring at her with a soft look in his eyes that seemed to be impossible for him to have.

"Master, let me-"

"No, Bellatrix," said Voldemort softly. "This is between me and my badger." Bellatrix nodded and with one last glare at Deanna, she slid to the fireplace and disappeared through the Floo Powder.

"I'm not yours anymore," said Deanna angrily. "Everything has changed."

"I don't want to do this with you, Deanna," warned Voldemort. "You know I don't."

"But I do." Deanna saw his face falter before his eyes hardened again. At the same time, they raised their wands.

"Stupefy!" "Flammarum!" While Deanna held up her flame shield, Voldemort blew up the statue behind her, making Deanna cover herself. She bit her lip when she saw a cut made on her shoulder.

"We could have ruled together." Voldemort cast an Expulso at her, which Deanna dodged. "If only you didn't think that Mudbloods were our equals and if only you opened your eyes to the truth about the Wizarding World. About what we could become together."

"Confringo!" Deanna's red fire met his blue fire. "They are our equals, Tom. And I never wanted to rule, I never wanted power."

"You were the only one I needed in my rule!" Voldemort blocked Deanna's fireballs. "I was never fully happy because you were the only one missing."

"And you took my life away from me!" She threw another fireball at him. "If you did love me-"

"I did love you! I still do!" Voldemort shouted when their ceasefire stopped temporarily. Deanna's eyes softened when she saw a single tear falling from his red eye. "I've done everything for you. I-"

"All I needed was you," said Deanna softly. They were a few meters apart, former lovers staring at each other, all of their emotions were out now. Tom Riddle's longing and love for Deanna Dumbledore. Deanna Dumbledore's sorrow and sympathy for Tom Riddle. "All I needed was your warmth and love. I never wanted power or glory. It was just you. And now I look at you, and I don't see you anymore. Let's finish this, Tom, once and for all."

Voldemort looked like he didn't want to, but Deanna had already cast a spell on him. "Auriflam!" "Virdilux!" The golden flame met the green acid in the middle, and Deanna held her wand with two hands to match Voldemort's power. She was not of his caliber yet, but she was hoping to fight him until her father's arrival. Deanna knew he would come. He always did. Voldemort suddenly raised his free hand. Deanna was confused before she glanced behind her to see Harry coming out from the wall and holding his wand out.

"Harry, no!" shouted Deanna, and she cast a flame shield to protect them from the green acid.

"Are you all right, Harry?" said Deanna worriedly.

"Thank you, Deanna," said Harry shakily before he took a deep breath. Because Deanna took her focus off Voldemort, she didn't see him hesitate before pointing his wand at Deanna.

"Obcidolens," whispered Voldemort, and Deanna's eyes widened when the green light hit her. She saw blood dripping on the floor, and held a hand to her mouth from where the blood was coming from. Deanna fell to one knee and coughed up the built up blood.

"DEANNA!" Harry yelled, his eyes filling with tears while he held a hand to the wound on her stomach.

"It was foolish of you to come here tonight, Tom," said Dumbledore, emerging from one of the fireplaces. "The Aurors are on their way." He looked at Harry and Deanna with worry.

"T-Take him down, Pops," said Deanna, coughing up blood again. Dumbledore smiled slightly.

"By which time I shall be gone," said Voldemort, glancing at Deanna with worry then he remembered who was in front of him and glared at Dumbledore. "And you shall be dead."

"Harry, take care of her!" shouted Dumbledore and with a wave of his wand, Deanna and Harry went sliding to the side. Beams of red and green light connected and made sparks around the room.

Deanna tried sitting up, but Harry pushed her down. "D-Don't, Deanna. Let me take care of it, o-okay?"

"You're doing fine, Harry," whispered Deanna, blinking her eyes repeatedly to keep herself awake. "Please, I want to see." Harry wanted to protest but sighed and helped her up carefully. Deanna leaned against Harry while watching the duel between the Dark Lord and the Only One He Ever Feared. It was legendary, and Deanna felt lucky to witness her father's dueling skills. Voldemort started making chips of the wall fall and hit Harry and Deanna, but Harry cast a shield around them. Dumbledore was slowly advancing towards Voldemort when Voldemort made a huge serpent out of fire and laughed.

"P-Pops!" Deanna croaked and spit out the blood from her mouth when the serpent started advancing towards Dumbledore, but Dumbledore managed to control the fire and turn it back towards Voldemort. Voldemort vanished the fire while Dumbledore took water from the fountain and submerged Voldemort in it. With his two hands, he made a ball of water. When they were getting too close to Deanna and Harry, he made the two move to the side again.

Deanna was slowly losing her sight, but she focused again, knowing how important it was that she watched it. It was her father against her former lover. Voldemort sent a dark beam towards Dumbledore, who deflected it with a blue light of his own. With a yell, Voldemort made all the glass in the room break. Harry covered Deanna with his body while Dumbledore fell to the ground. When the glass was falling to the ground, it suddenly slowed down and floated right back up. All of the shards went behind Voldemort before they went flying towards Deanna, Harry and Dumbledore. Dumbledore kneeled in front of the two and made a shield. All the shards of glass turned into dust. Voldemort's face fell before he disappeared in a cloud of dust.

"Deanna, are you all right?" said Dumbledore, turning to her but still looking around for a sign of Voldemort.

"Y-Yeah, Pops," said Deanna, leaning on Harry and holding her stomach wound. Her eyes widened when the dust on the floor started moving towards where she and Harry were. Harry let go of Deanna, who was caught by Dumbledore. Harry fell to the floor and writhed as if he were in pain.

"H-Harry?" said Deanna worriedly, coughing up blood again. Deanna and Dumbledore went closer to the squirming Harry. She gasped when she saw that Harry's eyes weren't his own. They were darker and had a malicious intent to them.

"You've lost, old man," said Voldemort in Harry's body. Harry grunted in pain and Deanna started crawling to him.

"Deanna-"

"Let me, Pops," said Deanna gently while wiping away the blood from her mouth. She took Harry's hand while he writhed on the ground and breathed heavily as if he was fighting something. Harry looked up at her, his eyes flickering between his own and Voldemort's. "Let go of him, Tom. He does not deserve it."

"Harry, it isn't how you are alike," said Dumbledore softly. "It's how you are not."

Harry gasped for breath before he moved again in pain and screamed. Deanna cupped his face and made him look into her eyes. "Fight him, Harry. Remember. You have something he doesn't." At Deanna's words, all the bad memories that forced their way into his mind took off and they were replaced with the good ones. Deanna turned around at the sound of footsteps and saw Hermione, Ron, Luna, Neville and Ginny running in. Hermione's eyes widened at the sight of the bloody Deanna, but Deanna shook her head, warning them with her eyes to stay there.

Harry breathed heavily and looked at them one by one. From Luna, Neville and Ginny to Hermione to Ron to Dumbledore to Deanna. He stared into Deanna's eyes and remembered every good memory he had. He stopped moving and lay on the floor. "You're the weak one. You once had love and friendship, and you let go of it, and I pity you."

Harry screamed again before he lay flat on his back and dust and a dark smoke came from his body. Then there was a cloud of dust surrounding Deanna and Harry. Voldemort walked to them and grinned at Harry. "You're a fool, Harry Potter. And you will lose everything."

"H-He won't," said Deanna feeling fainter than ever. Voldemort looked at her, his face immediately softening. "He has me. Until the end, he has me and everybody."

"Why won't you just come with me?" whispered Voldemort in a hurt tone. "Everything I've ever done was because of you. I-I love you, Deanna. I just wanted to keep you forever."

"It was never for me. It was always for you, and I feel sorry for you. This is goodbye, and I'm letting you go," said Deanna before she started feeling faint and fell to the ground beside Harry, coughing up so much blood. Voldemort was about to say something when people started coming from the fireplaces. They were Fudge and the other members of the Ministry. With one last look at Deanna, Voldemort disappeared in a cloud of smoke.

"He's back," said Fudge fearfully.

"Deanna?" said Dumbledore, kneeling beside her with tears in his eyes. Deanna had gone considerably pale from the blood she had lost.

Harry sat up, trying to do anything to help the girl. He held a hand to her wound. "I-Is this fine, Deanna? S-Should I get you something? Chocolate milk" said Harry, trying to keep himself calm, but it was evident from the way his tears were streaming down his face that he wasn't.

"I-I've got everything here, Harry. You," whispered Deanna. "Friends," she glanced at Ron, Ginny, Neville and Luna, who were watching her from a distance because the members of the Order, who were staring at Deanna sadly, were restraining them.

"You, Pops," she said, holding a hand up and wiping a tear from his cheek. She turned her head slowly and smiled weakly at Hermione, who had tears in her eyes. "And Hermione..." And with that one last word, Deanna closed her eyes. If it was her end, she was happy that Hermione Granger's face was the last thing she saw before she would.

"W-What happened to her, Dumbledore?" said Fudge, horrified at the sight of so much blood.

"We will talk later, Cornelius," said Dumbledore, standing up and taking Deanna in his arms.

"Sirius Black!" shouted Fudge. "What are you waiting for? Get him!"

"Sirius Black is innocent, Cornelius," said Dumbledore exhaustedly. "You will not act until we talk. Please." The pleading tone in Dumbledore's voice was one none of them ever heard before. His daughter was on the verge of dying, and he couldn't lose her again. Not when he had just got her back after fifty years.. Fudge's eyes softened and he held a hand up to stop the other Ministry workers.

"Thank you," said Dumbledore quietly, walking past them to where Fawkes was waiting. Hermione sobbed and held a hand to her mouth when she saw Deanna, looking so broken. There was blood all over her and Fawkes' tears weren't working at all. 'I love her.' Hermione thought, and she struggled against Tonks to get to Deanna, but Tonks was too strong for her.

"She'll be fine, Hermione," said Ron, wrapping his arms around her, trying to calm his best friend down. "Dumbledore won't let her die." Hermione buried her face into his chest and hugged him tight for comfort. Harry joined the hug and looked at Deanna worriedly. She had to be fine... She just had to.

Dumbledore watched Fawkes cry on Deanna's wound but it wasn't healing. Fawkes stopped crying and started nuzzling Deanna's hand. Dumbledore was confused about what he was doing, but his eyes widened when Fawkes' tears started healing Deanna's wound on her stomach. Deanna's breathing went back to normal, and blood stopped coming out of her mouth. Dumbledore stared at Fawkes nuzzling Deanna in surprise and curiosity, wondering what just happened.

Fawkes turned to him and let out a cry, holding out his tail. Dumbledore stood up and turned back to look at everyone. Everybody was watching them intently, and he looked at Hermione, who looked relieved that Deanna was out of danger. He smiled slightly at the witch before clasping his hand around Fawkes' tail and they disappeared out of the Ministry.

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