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June 30.

Lying down on the couch, Deanna patted Fawkes' head mindlessly while reading the newspapers in the past few weeks. She was just waiting for her father who was absent for the past week. It didn't help too that there were more unfortunate events happening. Three dementor attacks in a week... She just hoped her father was all right, wherever he was.

"Fawkesy... He's all right. Right?"

Fawkes just let out a cry, but despite not knowing what he meant, Deanna took it as his reassurance that Dumbledore was fine.

"Oh, don't worry about him, Deanna." Armando Dippet's portrait said. "You know your father, he's busy as always. But he can always hold up on his own."

"I know, Professor." Deanna let out a sigh and sat upright. "I'm his daughter. You can't help me from worrying..."

She just couldn't help it. Somehow, she had a bad feeling about today. Like something bad was going to happen, like she should do something to prevent it from happening, but she had no idea what was going to happen or how it was going to happen.

The portraits just exchanged glances at that. Of course, all of them knew everything that was spoken of in that office, but even if Deanna Dumbledore deserved to know, they did not have the right to tell her about it.

Suddenly, the door opened revealing Albus Dumbledore himself with a long black traveling cloak around him. He smiled at Deanna. "Hello, little phoenix."

"Pops!" Deanna jumped up from the couch with a huge smile on her face, hugging the old man tight. "Where have you been?"

Dumbledore chuckled and stroked his daughter's hair. "I'm sorry I've been gone for the past week, love. But I've promised you could come with me, right?"

Deanna's eyes widened in realization and she jumped up and down in excitement. "You found a Horcrux?"

"Yes, Deanna." Dumbledore laughed softly. "I'd like you to come with me... If you'd like to?"

"Of course, Pops!" Deanna answered enthusiastically. "Where? Which one?"

"I am not sure which it is — though I think we can rule out the snake — but I believe it to be hidden in a cave on the coast many miles from here, a cave I have been trying to locate for a very long time: the cave in which Tom Riddle once terrorized two children from his orphanage on their annual trip; you remember?"

"Yeah... How about Harry, Pops?"

"I've sent a message to Harry, and he'll be coming soon, I hope." Dumbledore then frowned at her. "Deanna, I promised that you could come with me, but it is dangerous and –"

"And I don't have to worry, Pops." Deanna cut him off and patted his good hand. "We have each other... We'll be fine."

"Thank you, love." Dumbledore swallowed the lump in his throat, smiling tearily at her. He knew his time was almost up. He knew his end was coming, and he just felt sorry he wasn't able to let his daughter grow up naturally. He felt sorry she had to go through so much. He felt sorry he wouldn't be able to walk her down the aisle when she got married. He just hoped Hermione Granger would be there for Deanna until the end.

Deanna frowned upon seeing his tears. She wiped them away gently. "Are you alright, Pops? What's wrong?"

"You've grown so well, my little phoenix." Dumbledore caressed her cheek softly, smiling weakly at her. "And remember, I'm proud of you. I'll be with you all the way. Always."

"I love you, Pops." Deanna brought him into a hug, burying her face into his chest.

"I love you too, Deanna." Dumbledore cleared his throat and smiled at Deanna. "Now, go get ready."

Deanna nodded, running up to her room while Dumbledore watched her go. He locked eyes with Fawkes and let out a sigh. "I know you'll be there with her. I'm not afraid."

After Deanna changed her clothes and wore a cloak, her eyes widened at the familiar feeling she had when meeting Voldemort. And just as she turned around, she saw Voldemort there with a smirk on his ghostly face.

"What are you doing here?" Deanna glared at him. "Haven't you gotten enough from the last time we've talked?"

"So, you're dating someone now." Voldemort commented with a scoff. "She'll die soon."

Deanna clenched her fists at his words. "Shut up! She's not like you. She's –"

"No, she's not the problem..." Voldemort's eyes flashed red. "You are."

"Your words mean nothing to me." Deanna shook her head though a seed of doubt was planted in her heart. It was her choices that would change this war. What if her choice would kill Hermione?

"Your choices... This connection between us. It will kill everyone you love and know."

Voldemort let out a cold laugh, and just as Deanna was about to defend herself, she was thrown back and she found herself lying on the cold floor, staring up at the ceiling. She felt cold due to Voldemort's words. What if Hermione, her father, her friends would die because of her?

A knock on her door made her sit up. "Love? Harry's here. Shall we go?" Dumbledore's voice came through.

"Y-Yeah, I'm ready, Pops." Deanna stood up shakily and took a deep breath, putting a smile on her face. She opened the door and grinned at her father, hoping it convinced him. Dumbledore smiled back, leading her down to where a flying Fawkes and a fuming Harry were.

"Harry." Deanna greeted pleasantly, earning a smile from the other.

"You two wish to come tonight?" Dumbledore spoke seriously. The two students nodded.

"Very well, then: Listen. I take you with me on one condition: that you obey any command I might give you at once, and without question."

"Of course."

"Yes, Pops."

"Be sure to understand me. I mean that you must follow even such orders as 'run,' 'hide,' or 'go back.' Do I have your word?"

This earned nods from the two.

"If I tell you to hide, you will do so?"

"Yes."

"If I tell you to flee, you will obey?"

"Yes."

"If I tell you to leave me and save yourself, you will do as I tell you?

"I —"

"Pops, you –"

"Do you two understand?"

Deanna and Harry looked at Dumbledore for a moment before answering.

"Yes, sir."

"Fine, Pops."

"Very good. Harry, I wish you to go and fetch your Invisibility Cloak and meet us in the entrance hall in five minutes' time." With that, Harry left the Headmaster's office and Deanna frowning at Dumbledore.

"Pops –"

"We'll be fine, love. I have you." Dumbledore gave her a smile and opened the door. The two of them went down silently. Dumbledore thinking about what was to happen and Deanna thinking about her encounter with Voldemort. They stopped beside the doors and still kept their silence, too immersed in their thoughts. Deanna knew their mission was dangerous, but she just hoped for one thing. None of them to die.

"Love?" Dumbledore broke the silence.

"Yes, Pops?"

Dumbledore stroked Deanna's hair, smiling softly. "No matter what happens, I only wish for your safety. I love you, Deanna."

"I love you too, Pops." Deanna hugged him tight, the uneasy feeling in her chest growing more. What if someone was going to die because of her? What if Voldemort was right all along. She would destroy everything she loved in the end... Deanna just tightened her hug on Dumbledore's waist, seeking comfort in her father's arms.

On the other hand, Dumbledore knew something was wrong with her, but now was not the time to confront her about it. They would have to talk about it later. If they had time. Panting, Harry suddenly came from behind, making the two Dumbledores turn.

"Harry, please wear your cloak. Deanna, please go under the cloak as well."

Deanna went to Harry's side, the Cloak covering the two of them.

"Very good. Shall we go?" At that, Dumbledore started off, Harry and Deanna hurrying after him.

"I know something's happening tonight. I asked the others to keep watch." Harry whispered to Deanna.

"Let's just hope they'll be safe." Deanna whispered back, feeling a little worried for Hermione and their friends. "Pops, what will be your excuse for going out?"

"I'll say I am off into Hogsmeade for a drink," said Dumbledore lightly. "I sometimes offer Rosmerta my custom, or else visit the Hog's Head... or I appear to. It is as good a way as any of disguising one's true destination."

"Professor," said Harry quietly, as the gates at the bottom of the drive came into view, "will we be Apparating?"

"Yes," said Dumbledore. "You two can Apparate now, I believe?"

"Yes," said Harry, "but I haven't got a license."

"Me too. I can't take the test until November." Deanna grumbled, making the two chuckle.

"No matter," said Dumbledore, "I can assist you again." They then ventured into Hogsmeade. Near Three Broomsticks, they heard some shouting.

"— and stay out!" shouted Madam Rosmerta, forcibly ejecting a grubby-looking wizard. "Oh, hello, Albus... You're out late..."

"Good evening, Rosmerta, good evening... forgive me, I'm off to the Hog's Head... No offense, but I feel like a quieter atmosphere tonight..."

Deanna's eyes widened at that. Will they be able to see Aberforth and Ariana? But it seemed they weren't because as soon as they came near, there was no sign of her uncle and aunt.

"It will not be necessary for us to enter," muttered Dumbledore, glancing around. "As long as nobody sees us go... now place your hand upon my arm. Come close, love. There is no need to grip too hard, Harry, I am merely guiding you. On the count of three... One... two... three..."

Deanna let her father wrap an arm around her, the same sensation of Apparating coming over her, and in a second, she was standing in cool darkness, breathing in lungfuls of fresh, salty air.

Standing on a rock, Deanna opened her eyes, the moonlit sea and star-strewn sky meeting her gaze. She felt the breeze blowing through her hair and looked back to see a towering cliff behind them. She left Harry under the Invisibility Cloak and stood behind her father who looked around.

"What do you think?" asked Dumbledore.

"They brought the kids from the orphanage here?" asked Harry. Deanna could understand. It did not look like a place for a picnic.

"Not here, precisely," said Dumbledore. "There is a village of sorts about halfway along the cliffs behind us. I believe the orphans were taken there for a little sea air and a view of the waves. No, I think it was only ever Tom Riddle and his youthful victims who visited this spot. No Muggle could reach this rock unless they were uncommonly good mountaineers, and boats cannot approach the cliffs, the waters around them are too dangerous. I imagine that Riddle climbed down; magic would have served better than ropes. And he brought two small children with him, probably for the pleasure of terrorizing them. I think the journey alone would have done it, don't you?"

Deanna repressed the urge to shudder because she couldn't even imagine what Voldemort did to those children.

"But his final destination — and ours — lies a little farther on. Come." Dumbledore beckoned them to the edge of the rock where they stepped on jagged niches to arrive at the boulders and closer to the cliff. Deanna supported Dumbledore from the back and he smiled at her over his shoulder.

"Lumos," said Dumbledore and light came from his wand, illuminating the dark water and the dark wall of rocks. He lifted his wand and Deanna saw a fissure into which dark water was swirling. "You see? You will not object to getting a little wet?"

"No," said Deanna and Harry.

"Then take off your Invisibility Cloak, Harry — there is no need for it now — and let us take the plunge."

Dumbledore slid from the boulder, landed in the sea and began to swim towards the dark slit in the rock face, his wand in his teeth. Deanna followed after him and kept in her curses. The water was too cold. She swam with all her strength towards the shimmering light, now deeper into the cliff.

They soon arrived at a tunnel and Deanna continued swimming, observing their surroundings as she swam. Finally, Dumbledore stopped and rose from the water. Deanna rose up, shivering uncontrollably. She squeezed the water out of her clothes and saw the cave in front of them.

"C-Come on, Harry." Deanna reached a shaking hand out, helping the Gryffindor up.

"T-Thanks, Dee." Harry stuttered, the two of them continuing into the cave. Deanna felt even colder as she entered. They saw Dumbledore standing in the middle with his wand held up high.

"Are you okay, Pops?" Deanna asked him worriedly, looking at his withered hand that was shaking.

"Yes, love." Dumbledore answered lightly while looking around. "Yes, this is the place."

"How can you tell?" Harry spoke in a whisper.

"It has known magic," said Dumbledore simply. Deanna ran her hands up and down her arms to warm herself, remembering the feeling of coldness she felt as she entered the cave.

"This is merely the antechamber, the entrance hall," said Dumbledore after a moment or two. "We need to penetrate the inner place... Now it is Lord Voldemort's obstacles that stand in our way, rather than those nature made..."

Dumbledore approached the wall of the cave and caressed it with his blackened fingertips, murmuring words in a different language. He walked right around the cave twice, touching the rough rock over and over again until he finally stopped, his hand pressed flat against the wall.

"Here," Dumbledore said. "We go on through here. The entrance is concealed." Deanna and Harry could only exchange glances as none of them knew how Dumbledore knew. Dumbledore stepped back and pointed his wand at the rock. As soon as he did that, an arched outline appeared there, blazing white.

"Y-You did it, P-Pops!" stuttered Deanna once more, but suddenly, the outline had gone, the rock as bare as it had been before.

Dumbledore turned around and frowned. "Oh dear. Deanna, Harry, I'm so sorry, I forgot." He cast a spell on each of them, and Deanna's clothes were warmer and drier than ever.

"Thank you," said Harry gratefully.

"Thanks, Pops." As she said that, Deanna saw that Dumbledore was looking at the cave wall again. He just stared at the wall while Deanna and Harry kept silent.

After two minutes, he spoke quietly. "Oh, surely not. So crude."

"What is it, Professor?"

"I rather think," said Dumbledore, pulling a knife out of his pocket, "that we are required to make payment to pass."

"Payment?" said Harry. "You've got to give the door something?"

"Yes," said Dumbledore. "Blood, if I am not much mistaken."

"Blood?" said Deanna incredulously.

"I said it was crude," said Dumbledore with a frown. "The idea, as I am sure you will have gathered, is that your enemy must weaken him or herself to enter. Once again, Lord Voldemort fails to grasp that there are much more terrible things than physical injury."

"But still..." Deanna clenched her fists at the mention of him. "We should avoid getting hurt as much as possible."

"Sometimes, however, it is unavoidable," said Dumbledore, exposing the forearm of his injured hand.

"Professor! I'll do it –"

"Pops! What on earth are you doing? "

Protests came from Deanna and Harry who hurried towards Dumbledore who raised the knife, but before they could do anything, Dumbledore smiled and made a deep cut in his own arm, the rock wall was splattered with drops of Dumbledore's blood.

"You two are very kind," said Dumbledore, healing his wound with his wand. "But your blood is worth more than mine. Ah, that seems to have done the trick, doesn't it?"

This time, the silver outline of the arch did not fade away. The blood-spattered rock vanished, leaving an opening into the darkness.

"After me, I think," said Dumbledore, and he walked through the archway with Deanna and Harry on his heels. Soon, they were met with the sight of a great black lake in a cavern so high. There was a misty green light far away in what seemed to be the middle of the lake. That light and the light from their wands were the only sources of light in the darkness.

"Let us walk," said Dumbledore quietly. "Be very careful not to step into the water. Stay close to me." Deanna and Harry followed close behind him around the edge of the lake, their footsteps echoing around the cavern. They walked on for a long time, in silence, the view of the darkness and the misty light not changing.

"Pops?" Deanna said, breaking the silence. "Do you think the Horcrux is here?"

"Oh yes," said Dumbledore. "Yes, I'm sure it is. The question is, how do we get to it?"

"We couldn't... we couldn't just try a Summoning Charm?" Harry said. Deanna thought it to be a good idea.

"Certainly we could," said Dumbledore, stopping so suddenly that Deanna almost ran into him. "Why don't you do it, Harry?"

"Me? Oh... okay..." Harry cleared his throat and raised his wand. "Accio Horcrux!" Deanna jumped slightly due to the sound of an explosion. Something rose from the water, but it quickly splashed down again, making ripples on the surface.

"What was that, Pops?"

"Something, I think, that is ready to respond should we attempt to seize the Horcrux."

Deanna felt her head suddenly ache while she looked at the lake. She blinked her eyes repeatedly to regain focus.

"Did you think that would happen, sir?"

"I thought something would happen if we made an obvious attempt to get our hands on the Horcrux. That was a very good idea, Harry; much the simplest way of finding out what we are facing."

"But we don't know what the thing was," said Harry.

"What the things are, you mean," said Dumbledore. "I doubt very much that there is only one of them. Shall we walk on?"

"Pops, we're not going into the lake, are we?" asked Deanna.

"Into it? Only if we are very unfortunate."

"You don't think the Horcrux is at the bottom?" asked Harry.

"Oh no... I think the Horcrux is in the middle." And Dumbledore pointed toward the misty green light in the center of the lake.

"So we're going to have to cross the lake to get to it?"

"Yes, love, I think so."

"Aha," said Dumbledore, and he stopped again; Deanna bumped into him, but just as she was about to fall into the water, two arms seized her back. Dumbledore looked over her worriedly. "I'm so sorry, love. Did you get hurt?"

"No, I'm fine, Pops. Thank you to you and Harry." Deanna smiled reassuringly at them.

"Yes, alright then. Stand back against the wall, please, you two; I think I have found the place."

Deanna and Harry stood back though they did not understand him. Deanna thought it was probably the countless enchantments Voldemort had put on the place. Seemingly detecting something, Dumbledore was running his hand through the thin air as though expecting to find something.

"Oho," said Dumbledore happily, seconds later. His hand had closed in midair upon something invisible. Dumbledore moved closer to the water with his hand still clenched midair. He tapped his fist with his wand and immediately, a thick coppery green chain appeared out of thin air, extending from the depths of the water into Dumbledore's clenched hand.

Dumbledore tapped the chain which slid through his fist and coiled itself on the ground, pulling something from the bottom of the dark waters. Deanna's eyes widened while Harry gave a gasp when a tiny boat, glowing green, rose up and floated towards where Deanna, Harry and Dumbledore stood

"How did you know that was there?" Harry asked in astonishment.

"Magic always leaves traces," said Dumbledore, "sometimes very distinctive traces. I taught Tom Riddle. I know his style."

"Is... is this boat safe, sir?"

"Oh yes, I think so. Voldemort needed to create a means to cross the lake without attracting the wrath of those creatures he had placed within it in case he ever wanted to visit or remove his Horcrux."

"Will the creatures not attack us then if we use this boat, Pops?"

"I think we must resign ourselves to the fact that they will, at some point, realize we are not Lord Voldemort. Thus far, however, we have done well. They have allowed us to raise the boat."

"Why?" asked Deanna suspiciously, remembering what happened earlier with Voldemort. What if he knew they were going here?

"Voldemort would have been reasonably confident that none but a very great wizard would have been able to find the boat," said Dumbledore. "I think he would have been prepared to risk what was, to his mind, the most unlikely possibility that somebody else would find it, knowing that he had set other obstacles ahead that only he would be able to penetrate. We shall see whether he is right."

Harry looked down into the boat. "It doesn't look like it was built for three people. Will it hold the three of us? Will we be too heavy together?"

Dumbledore chuckled. "Voldemort will not have cared about the weight, but about the amount of magical power that crossed his lake. I rather think an enchantment will have been placed upon this boat so that only one wizard at a time will be able to sail in it."

"But, Pops — ?"

"I do not think you two will count, love: You are both underage and unqualified. Voldemort would never have expected a sixteen-year-old to reach this place: I think it unlikely that your powers will register compared to mine."

Deanna and Harry looked at each other, still unconvinced. Dumbledore noticed it and said, "Voldemort's mistake, Deanna, Harry, Voldemort's mistake... Age is foolish and forgetful when it underestimates youth... Now, you two go first this time, and be careful not to touch the water."

Harry climbed in first, and Deanna went in after him, just as careful. Dumbledore stepped in too, coiling the chain onto the floor. Deanna was almost sitting on Harry's lap due to the cramped space, and Dumbledore tapped his lap for her to sit.

"Are you sure, Pops?" asked Deanna worriedly. "I've gotten heavy due to all the hotdogs I've been eating."

Dumbledore and Harry couldn't help chuckling due to Deanna's endless love for hotdogs. "Just come, love." Deanna smiled before sitting on Dumbledore's lap, feeling warm due to her father's embrace. The boat started moving as if an invisible rope was pulling it towards the light in the center.

Deanna looked down at the water and let out a gasp, her wandlight illuminating something strange. Harry glanced at her worriedly. "What is it, Dee?"

"P-Pops, H-Harry, a b-body. There are bodies in the water!" Deanna's surprised voice echoed around the cavern.

Harry looked down at Deanna's words and quickly sat back down, feeling sick at what he had just seen.

"Yes, indeed, love," said Dumbledore calmly. "But we do not need to worry about them at the moment?"

"At the moment?" Harry repeated. Deanna looked at Dumbledore with a frown, her heart beating faster due to what they had just seen.

"Not while they are merely drifting peacefully below us," said Dumbledore. "There is nothing to be feared from a body, Harry, any more than there is anything to be feared from the darkness. Lord Voldemort, who of course secretly fears both, disagrees. But once again he reveals his own lack of wisdom. It is the unknown we fear when we look upon death and darkness, nothing more."

Deanna's bad feeling just worsened because of them. If it was Voldemort who put them there, it meant that they were dangerous.

"But one of them jumped," Harry said, trying to keep calm. "When I tried to Summon the Horcrux, a body leapt out of the lake."

"Yes," said Dumbledore. "I am sure that once we take the Horcrux, we shall find them less peaceable. However, like many creatures that dwell in cold and darkness, they fear light and warmth, which we shall therefore call to our aid should the need arise. Fire." He smiled at Deanna. "Your specialty, love."

Deanna just nodded. "You can count on me when it comes to fire, Pops." Dumbledore smiled at her before looking back at the greenish glow. Deanna was afraid, but she knew she had to stay strong because they were against dark magic. She thought of Hermione and smiled widely. Nobody was going to die today. They'll come home safe.

"Nearly there," said Dumbledore cheerfully. Within minutes, the boat came to a stop. They reached an island of smooth rock in the center of the lake. "Careful not to touch the water." Deanna climbed out of the boat and helped Harry out.

Deanna saw the green light was coming from a stone basin that was set on top of a pedestal. They approached the basin and looked at the emerald liquid that glowed.

"What is it, Pops?" asked Deanna quietly.

"I am not sure," said Dumbledore. "Something more worrisome than blood and bodies, however." Dumbledore pushed back his sleeve and stretched out the tips of his burned fingers toward the surface of the potion.

"Pops, don't touch – !"

"Sir, no, don't do — !"

"I cannot touch," said Dumbledore, smiling faintly. "See? I cannot approach any nearer than this. You try."

"I'll do it first, Harry," said Deanna immediately. She tried to touch the potion, but there was an invisible barrier that prevented her from touching it no matter how hard she tried. Harry had tried next, and the same happened to him.

"Out of the way, please, Deanna, Harry," said Dumbledore. He raised his wand and made complicated movements over the surface of the potion, murmuring soundlessly. Nothing happened, except perhaps that the potion glowed a little brighter. Deanna and Harry watched him silently.

After a while, Dumbledore withdrew his wand and Harry broke the silence. "You think the Horcrux is in there, sir?"

"Oh yes." Dumbledore peered more closely into the basin. "But how to reach it? This potion cannot be penetrated by hand, Vanished, parted, scooped up, or siphoned away, nor can it be Transfigured, Charmed, or otherwise made to change its nature."

Dumbledore raised his wand again, twirled it once in midair, and then caught the crystal goblet that he had conjured out of nowhere. "I can only conclude that this potion is supposed to be drunk."

"What?" said Harry. "No!"

"Pops! We don't know what this is!" protested Deanna.

"Yes, I think so: Only by drinking it can I empty the basin and see what lies in its depths."

"But what if — what if it kills you, sir?"

"Oh, I doubt that it would work like that," said Dumbledore easily. "Lord Voldemort would not want to kill the person who reached this island."

Deanna glared at him. "Pops, this is different. Voldemort –"

"I'm sorry; I should have said, he would not want to immediately kill the person who reached this island," Dumbledore corrected himself. "He would want to keep them alive long enough to find out how they managed to penetrate so far through his defenses and, most importantly of all, why they were so intent upon emptying the basin. Do not forget that Lord Voldemort believes that he alone knows about his Horcruxes."

Deanna was about to protest again, but Dumbledore raised his hand, thinking hard and frowning at the liquid. "Undoubtedly, this potion must act in a way that will prevent me taking the Horcrux. It might paralyze me, cause me to forget what I am here for, create so much pain I am distracted, or render me incapable in some other way. This being the case, you two, it will be your job to make sure I keep drinking, even if you have to tip the potion into my protesting mouth. You understand?"

Deanna and Harry stared at Dumbledore, the former glaring and the latter worried, none of the speaking. Deanna felt horrified and understood now why she had a bad feeling since meeting with Voldemort. This potion... This potion could cause her father unbearable pain, and they had to make sure he drank it?

"You remember," said Dumbledore, "the condition on which I brought you with me?"

"But, Pops –"

"You swore, did you not, to follow any command I gave you?"

"Yes, sir, but —"

"I warned you, did I not, that there might be danger?"

"Yes," said Harry, "but —"

"Pops, please," pleaded Deanna. "I –"

"Well, then," said Dumbledore, shaking back his sleeves once more and raising the empty goblet, "you have my orders."

"Let me drink it!" said Deanna angrily.

"Why can't we drink the potion instead?" asked Harry desperately.

"Because I am much older, much cleverer, and much less valuable," said Dumbledore. "Once and for all, Deanna, Harry, do I have your word that you will do all in your power to make me keep drinking?"

"Sir, couldn't — ?"

"Do I have it?"

"But, Pops —"

"Your word, Deanna, Harry."

"Sir — all right, but —"

"And you, Deanna? Do you promise to not drink it no matter what?" Dumbledore and Deanna stared at each other, neither backing down. "Remember, we need you and your fire because of the dangers in this cavern."

Deanna let out a sigh after a few moments and raised her hands. "I promise. No fingers crossed."

Dumbledore smiled at them and lowered the goblet into the potion. Deanna frowned when it touched the potion and when the goblet was filled, Dumbledore lifted it to his mouth. "To your good health."

And he drained the goblet. Deanna and Harry held hands tight, terrified at what could happen. They didn't even notice how their grips were too tight.

"Professor?" Harry said anxiously, as Dumbledore lowered the empty glass. "How do you feel?"

Dumbledore shook his head, his eyes closed. Deanna watched him worriedly as he plunged the glass back into the basin and drank once more. He did that three more times, but halfway through the fourth goblet, he fell forward against the basin, eyes still closed. Deanna and Harry went to his sides immediately.

"Pops, can you hear me?" said Deanna worriedly.

Dumbledore did not answer, his face twitched as if he was in a nightmare. The potion was about to spill from his goblet, but Harry quickly held it steady.

"Pops?" said Deanna once more in a small voice. She was terrified.

Dumbledore panted and spoke in a frightened voice. "I don't want... Don't make me..."

Deanna stared at him with terror on her face. She had never seen him that frightened before. Just what could have made him like that? Just what was that potion and what did it do to her father?

"... don't like... want to stop..." moaned Dumbledore.

"You... you can't stop, Professor," said Harry. "You've got to keep drinking, remember? You told me you had to keep drinking. Here..."

Deanna closed her eyes. She held him while Harry forced him to drink. She felt her father shake against her body, but she tightened her hold on him and tried her best to keep her voice calm. "Shhh, it will be over soon, Pops. It will be over soon."

Harry brought back the refilled goblet with worry on his face. "Deanna..."

"Let's continue on, Harry." Deanna swallowed the lump in her throat and smiled at him. "Go on."

"Let me go..." Dumbledore groaned. "I don't want to..."

"It's all right, Professor," said Harry, his hand shaking. "It's all right, we're here —"

"Make it stop, make it stop," moaned Dumbledore.

"This will make it stop, Pops." Deanna rubbed his back comfortingly. "Just a bit more." Her own heart was breaking at the pain he was feeling, but she needed to do it. They needed to do this... Dumbledore gave a scream when Harry tipped the contents into his mouth. Deanna closed her eyes again and took a deep breath. She needed to stay strong. She needed to.

"No, no, no, no, I can't, I can't, don't make me, I don't want to..."

"It's all right, Professor, it's all right!" said Harry loudly. "Nothing's happening to you, you're safe, it isn't real, I swear it isn't real — take this, now, take this..."

And Dumbledore drank it. He rested his weight on Deanna, shaking uncontrollably.

"It's all my fault, all my fault," he sobbed. "Please make it stop, I know I did wrong, oh please make it stop and I'll never, never again... I'll tell them. Yes, I'll tell them."

"This will make it stop, Pops." Deanna's voice was shaking as Harry tipped another glass of potion into Dumbledore's mouth. Her father who had always been strong was breaking down, and it was because of damned Voldemort... or maybe, she should have insisted more. Voldemort was right – no, it was not the time to think about that. Dumbledore needed her. She needed to stay strong.

Cowering, Dumbledore moaned, "Don't hurt them, don't hurt them, please, please, it's my fault, hurt me instead... don't take her away from me. Please... I'll be better."

"Here, drink this, drink this, you'll be all right," said Harry desperately. Deanna nodded to him and she held on tight to Dumbledore who was flailing around.

"Please, please, please, no... not that, not that, I'll do anything... Don't let it be her..."

"Just drink, Pops, just drink..." said Deanna, rubbing his back again. "It'll make you feel better."

When he finished, Dumbledore yelled again. "No more, please, no more..."

"Nearly done, Dee," said Harry upon scooping up the tenth goblet.

"See, Pops? We're almost done. Drink it." Deanna helped him drink and held onto him once more when he screamed.

"I want to die! I want to die! Make it stop, make it stop, I want to die!"

"Drink the last one, Pops. It will be done soon..."

Dumbledore drank, and no sooner had he finished than he yelled, "KILL ME!"

Deanna blinked back her tears and just continued rubbing his back. It would be over soon... They would be all right... Her father would be all right. No one was going to die...

"This — this one will!" gasped Harry. "Just drink this... It'll be over... all over!" Dumbledore finished the last drop and rolled over onto his face.

"Pops! Wake up, Pops!" shouted Deanna while Harry kneeled beside her. They rolled Dumbledore on his back.

"No, sir, you're not, dead!" Harry shook Dumbledore.

Deanna pointed her wand at his chest. "Rennervate!" There was a flash of red light, but nothing happened. "Rennervate! Rennervate! Pops –"

Dumbledore's eyes fluttered open, and Deanna and Harry let out sighs of relief.

"Sir, are you — ?"

"Water," croaked Dumbledore.

"Water," panted Harry. "Yes, I'll get some —"

"Oh, Pops." Deanna let out a sigh and looked at him worriedly as Harry got some water.

"Aguamenti!" Harry shouted, bringing water back. He brought the glass to Dumbledore's lips but it was empty. Deanna's eyes widened as Dumbledore began to pant.

"But I had some — wait — Aguamenti!" said Harry again, pointing his wand at the goblet. Once more, for a second, clear water gleamed within it, but as he approached Dumbledore's mouth, the water vanished again.

Deanna and Harry looked at each other in worry. Why was it not working?

"Sir, I'm trying, I'm trying!" said Harry desperately.

"Pops, stay with us!" Deanna started shaking Dumbledore who was breathing heavily.

"Aguamenti — Aguamenti — AGUAMENTI!" The goblet filled and emptied once more. And now Dumbledore's breathing was fading.

"Deanna, what do we do?" Harry asked in a panic.

"Give it to me, Harry!" Deanna snatched the goblet from him. Without another thought, she plunged it into the lake and luckily, the water did not vanish this time. However... Because of the hand that suddenly gripped her wrist, Deanna held out the goblet. "Harry!"

Harry ran to her and took the goblet, bringing it to Dumbledore's lips. Deanna gritted her teeth, thinking of a way to escape because the hand was pulling her slowly towards the lake. Everywhere she looked, there were dead bodies.

"Harry, take care of Pops!" Deanna shouted to him and pointed her wand to the Inferius that held her. "Stupefy!" The Inferius released her and Deanna quickly went back to them.

Harry looked at her in confusion. "Deanna –"

"Inferi. Keep your guard up, Harry!" The two of them crowded around Dumbledore and started throwing spells at the Inferi who were climbing the rocks.

"Petrificus Totalus! Impedimenta! Incarcerous!"

"Expelliarmus! Stupefy! Flipendo!"

"Sectumsempra! SECTUMSEMPRA!"

"Impedimenta! Levicorpus!"

Despite the countless spells the two threw at them, the Inferi were relentless and they walked on towards them. Deanna felt helpless. What should she do? She felt hands clasping around her and she needed to think of something quick.

"Deanna, fire." Dumbledore managed to croak out.

Deanna's eyes widened in realization and she raised her wand once more. "Ignis Rugiet!" The fire erupted through the darkness, and the Inferi holding Deanna and Harry released them. Deanna grazed her arm on the rock and watched as another fire joined hers. She looked behind her and saw Dumbledore casting his own fire spell.

Deanna went over to him. "Pops..."

Harry walked to them with a worried gaze. "Sir, are you –"

"Yes, love, Harry." Dumbledore scooped the locket from the bottom of the stone basin and put it in his robes. "Don't let go of the fire, little phoenix." He led them back to the boat with the fire still cast by the two Dumbledores and soon, the Inferi went back into the waters. Deanna and Harry supported him into the boat.

"Sir," panted Harry, "sir, I forgot — about fire — they were coming at me and I panicked —"

"Quite understandable," murmured Dumbledore. They finally reached the bank and Deanna and Harry went out, helping Dumbledore immediately. As they got out of the boat, Dumbledore let his fire vanish, Deanna following after. The boat sank into the water once more and the chain slithering back into the lake too.

Dumbledore gave a sigh and Deanna went to his side to support him. "I am weak..." he said.

"Don't worry, Pops," said Deanna with a reassuring smile. "We'll get us back. Harry and I can Apparate us back."

"Lean on us, sir." Harry and Deanna went to each of his side, guiding the old Headmaster around the lake.

"The protection was... after all... well-designed," said Dumbledore faintly. "One alone could not have done it... You did well, very well, little phoenix, Harry..."

"Don't talk now," said Harry. "Save your energy, sir... We'll soon be out of here..."

"The archway will have sealed again... My knife..."

"I got cut on the rock, Pops. Just tell me where," said Deanna firmly.

"Here..."

Deanna wiped her forearm upon the stone, and the archway reopened once more. They crossed the cave and got back into the cold water that filled the crevice in the cliff. Deanna and Harry did not stop in speaking comforting words to him.

"It's going to be all right, sir," said Harry comfortingly. "We're nearly there... We can Apparate us back... Don't worry..."

"You have us, Pops. Don't worry... You have us," said Deanna, rubbing her father's back.

"I am not worried, Deanna, Harry," said Dumbledore, his voice a little stronger despite the freezing water. "I am with you."

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