A/N: Dumbledore's thought that the only way to remove the horcrux in Harry Potter was to get him killed by Voldemort. But what if Harry did not have a horcrux in him and Voldemort does cast the killing curse on him? Hermione gets seriously injured by Dolohov at the Department of Mysteries during their botched rescue of Sirius Black. The curse began draining her magical core and she only has a month to live. After Hermione's death and with no will to live Harry lets Voldemort cast the killing curse at him. Character deaths. Initially I started it as a one shot but now I divided it into parts for easy reading. Hope you enjoy it!
Declaration: I write for my own pleasure and not for profit. I do not own Harry Potter Universe.
Prophecy Fulfilled
Part 1
The 'Ministry Six' as they were being called, came back from the Ministry of Magic building tired and mostly uninjured. Harry was lured into the ministry building by a vision sent by Lord Voldemort, in which Sirius Black, his godfather was being held in captivity and tortured by his Death Eaters. Despite Hermione's warnings that the vision may be a trap, which later proved to be correct, Harry as usual rushed to the rescue and was accompanied by his friends who refused to heed his warning to stay away. The only casualty of that night was Sirius who fell into the veil of death after being hit by Bellatrix Lestrange's stunner.
Not only was it a trap with 12 of the inner circle death eaters waiting for them but also Voldemort himself made an appearance. Harry was possessed by Voldemort in an effort to escape from Dumbledore's onslaught and the possibility of getting the 'Golden Boy' killed by a stray curse also added incentive. In the end Harry managed to force Voldemort out of his mind and regain control of his faculty.
While grieving for the loss of Sirius, Harry was led away by the headmaster and told about a prophecy, which was the reason for Voldemort sending Harry the fake vision. The only way that Voldemort could get to the prophecy was either going to the 'Department of Mysteries' by himself or through Harry. The prophecy foretold that neither Harry nor Voldemort could survive while the other lives and was unaware of the total wording and now Voldemort finally managed to get his hands on it.
Back in the office of the headmaster, "You are the means to end the existence of Lord Voldemort Harry. Unless Voldemort is killed you cannot have a peaceful existence that is what the prophecy means. 'The power that he knows not' is the way that you can defeat him" said Dumbledore to the grieving teenager.
"I don't believe that to be true Sir, the prophecy does not specify who will survive. It only says that only one can survive in a battle and it will be Voldemort if we were to face off. You must have seen how pathetic I was in the duel with him and I have no means of knowing what this power is that can help me."
Dumbledore gave him a large smile, his eyes twinkling with happiness, "It is Love Harry, and your capacity to love is the best that I have seen in any one. It is this pure intention and the power it gives you that will help you defeat Voldemort."
Harry scoffed at that, "Power to love! That power does not help anyone, at least not anyone that I care about. My intention to save Sirius is what got him killed and my insistence to share the Triwizard win is what killed Cedric Diggory. No sir, you are wrong. Love is what is going to get many people killed, people who love me and those that I love."
Dumbledore frowned at Harry's naivety, if he Dumbledore told someone what the matter is then that is what the matter is. No one can question him; he has never been wrong before and he is not going to start now. Some of his decisions did not come out to be the best but it was for the 'greater good'. Love is a very pure emotion and Voldemort had none while growing up. Love is the way that Harry was going to end Voldemort, it has to be, it is the only thing that Harry had in abundance. Otherwise how was he going to end the very powerful dark lord, he has had no training to even survive for a couple of minutes in an all-out duel. Dumbledore was convinced that was the only way Voldemort's reign of terror will come to an end; there was no other way for Harry to defeat him.
This was not the time to debate it though, the very public fight in the ministry building has now convinced the minister that the dark lord was indeed back and he is expected to meet with the minister to get the situation under control. "Why don't you go to your dorm my boy and rest up. We will discuss about this further, do not worry about it we will give you all the help we can."
Harry was tired and now with the revelation of a prophecy and the enormous burden that he was carrying, he was depressed. Sleep did look like a much better option, he needed Hermione to make some sense out of the prophecy and get her opinion on a future course of action.
"Yes sir, sleep does look inviting now" he got up to go when he remembered, "Sir how is Hermione? I know that the others are relatively fine but she was injured badly."
Dumbledore did not know how Hermione was, but she could not have been injured that badly could she? Madam Pomfrey can cure anyone and any injury in a jiffy, "She will be fine Harry as you know Madam Pomfrey is an excellent healer. I have full faith in her capabilities, you can meet Hermione in the morning and escort her for breakfast" Dumbledore concluded with a genial smile.
Harry nodded his head and dragged his feet to the fifth year boy's dorm for a much needed sleep, it was nearing sunrise 'hopefully the visions will stop now that Voldemort has got what he wanted.' With that thought Harry fell into a deep sleep as soon as his head hit the pillow.
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In the hospital wing, however, it was not all fine and dandy. Madam Pomfrey was working feverishly on a still comatose Hermione but she feared that all her efforts would be for nothing.
Coming out of the screened area, she addressed Professor McGonagall Hermione's head of house, "Minerva, I fear the worst, I am not sure that the girl can come out of her coma let alone survive."
The stern deputy headmistress gasped, "Surely her injury is not that serious?"
"The injury that you see is just the surface Minerva; the curse did more than injure her. It is draining her magical core even as we speak. I have not seen anything like that before" the healer replied with tears threatening to fall from her eyes.
Now even the infallible professor looked ready to breakdown, this young woman was one of her favourite pupils beside Harry Potter and now that life was threatened to be cut brutally short. "Are you sure Poppy? I do not doubt you but will it be better if we contact someone from St. Mungos, an expert perhaps?"
"I am sure Minerva. This curse was last seen almost a hundred years ago and even then the victim succumbed to it. Our teacher alluded to it and he was the best when dealing with curses that affect the magical core and was never replaced after his death. I am sure that there will be no one at St. Mungos that would have even heard about the curse, but if you feel better you can contact them."
McGonagall gave her friend a pat on her shoulder, "It is better to be safe than sorry Poppy, I will confer with Albus and let you know about his decision."
Pomfrey nodded her head and went back to attend on Hermione.
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The next day Harry was rudely awakened by a hand shaking him. He was so tired that he fell asleep with his torn and dirty clothes on and did not even wake up in time for breakfast; through his befuddled eyes he saw that it was a concerned Professor McGonagall that was waking him up.
"Mr. Potter, please get ready and accompany me to the hospital wing as soon as you can."
Harry was suddenly awake, sleep having left him in a flash, "Is Hermione alright professor?"
McGonagall pursed her lips, "Just get ready Mr. Potter."
Harry did just that, he was out of the bathroom within 10 minutes finishing his morning ablutions at a speed that would have left his aunt Petunia fuming at him. Following the professor, Harry was in a tizzy, already beaten by Sirius' death and blaming himself for that, he could not take any more shocks especially not to Hermione who was his girlfriend in secret for more than two years.
Entering the hospital wing he saw Ron, Ginny and Mrs. Weasley to one side of one of the beds in the room and Hermione's parents Daniel and Emma Granger on the other side. Professors Dumbledore, Snape, and Madam Pomfrey were in between the two groups almost as if separating them. He was not sure why Mrs. Weasley was there but it looked like she was angry while Ron and Ginny were looking on a little fearful. What caught his attention, however, was the look of utter fury on Dan's face and at his side Emma was struggling to keep him from hitting someone.
Harry was brought to a halt when he saw Hermione lying motionless on the bed. An angry red scar, barely healed, ran from left to right across her stomach stopping just below her navel and on the other end was running underneath the modest black bra covering her chest.
Harry choked back a sob, his best friend and girlfriend was lying on the bed probably dead and it was all because of him. If only he had listened to Hermione and not gone to the ministry building.
His entry, instead of calming the storm that was Dan Granger gave it a new direction, "Now who are you? This is not a county fair that you keep calling people to gawk at my daughter."
Harry had only met Hermione's parents in passing and never got the chance to meet him personally but he knew that Dan was a pretty easy going guy. Something bad must have happened to get him riled up to such an extent that he was lashing out at anyone he saw. Harry was also regretting the decision not to reveal their relationship to even Hermione's parents and this definitely was not the time and place to do that. But now he has no choice, he wanted to extend his hand to Dan but was not sure if he will get it back. Instead Harry walked up to Hermione's side and taking her unresponsive hand into his said, "I am Harry Potter sir. I know that we have not told you before, but I am Hermione's boyfriend" he finished meeting his eye but casting a side long glance at Emma, who looked as if it was news to her too. If Hermione's mother did not have any hint about their relationship, he was in deep trouble.
All the occupants would not have been more shocked if he introduced himself as Merlin. The three Weasleys were fuming while Professor Dumbledore looked as if he had a vomit flavoured Bettie Bott's bean in his mouth. Professor Snape was sneering as ever while the only one who looked even a bit happy at the announcement was Professor McGonagall, she suspected it a long time back and now her suspicions were confirmed.
Emma found her voice first, "The professor here" pointing at Dumbledore she continued, "said that the redhead over there, Ron Weasley was her boyfriend. We have only heard not so flattering things about him and you can understand our anger and surprise at learning that he was Hermione's boyfriend."
Harry scoffed at that, "Do not let Hermione hear that, she will either kill Ron or rip Dumbledore's tongue out."
McGonagall voiced her own opinion now, "I told you Albus that Mr. Weasley being Hermione's boyfriend is as true as saying Hagrid's Blast Ended Skwerts are loveable. The two always end up fighting, on the other hand Harry has been at her side right from the start. As far as I am concerned it is more than likely that he and Hermione are a dating."
Dan was apoplectic, "How dare you insinuate things that you have no knowledge of" only Emma firmly holding onto him prevented Dan from doing something more disfiguring than just verbally lashing out at Dumbledore.
The headmaster still managed to look regal even with all the hits to his pride he was taking, "I do not make it a point to get to know the student's love life Mr. Granger. I merely relayed what Mrs. Weasley and her son told me."
Harry was unable to understand why there was this hostility between all those present. He could see that Hermione was injured badly but it looked like she will survive and even now her regular breathing suggested that she was not in pain. He was definitely missing something here.
Things looked like they were calming down so he turned his attention to Hermione. Gently rubbing his thumb over her cheek, she liked it when he did that; Harry tried to wake Hermione up, "Honey it's time for you to wake up. I am alone with your father and had to tell him that we are dating, you do want to see me live, right?"
Madam Pomfrey interjected, "She is in a coma dear and cannot hear you. I am trying my best to get her out of it but nothing is working."
Harry though paid no attention to what she was saying, "Sweetheart it's me Harry, look at me dear. Wake up" he bent down and pressed a kiss to her forehead.
All those present were watching the scene with bated breath. Ron especially looked like he was going to murder Harry more so after seeing him kiss Hermione, yes it was on her forehead and he saw Harry doing it before too, but that was when he did not know that the two were dating. It felt like betrayal to Ron, 'How dare they go behind my back' he thought viciously.
To the surprise of all Hermione began stirring. Pomfrey darted forward and began waving her wand over Hermione and muttering something began directing her wand at a parchment lying on the bedside table which immediately began recording her vitals. Seeing that Hermione was nearly topless and in the presence of a lot of people, Harry grabbed a blanket from the next bed and began draping it over Hermione, she would not like to know that a lot of people were ogling at her when she was in that state. Emma rushed forward and grabbed the blanket from him and with a quiet "Thank You Harry" completed the task for him.
The first thing that Hermione noticed on opening her eyes was the concerned faces around her bed and her parents beside her boyfriend. "I take it that you told them the news?" she half questioned Harry trying to cheer them up.
Harry gave a small chuckle, "Yeah it is a wonder that I am not occupying the bed next to you even after that." He raised their joined hands and kissed the back of Hermione's hand, "You gave me a fright for a moment there. I thought that I lost you."
Both Harry and Hermione noticed that the concern on the watcher's faces changed to resignation and pity, Emma looked like she was going to breakdown crying. "I need to go to the bathroom" Hermione began lifting the blanket that was covering her and saw the ragged scar which was still tender and on the mend, "That's going to leave a mark" she commented dryly.
She shifted the blanket and with the help of Harry draped it over her upper torso like a poncho and began walking to the bathroom on unsteady feet. Harry was onto her side in a flash and led her to the bathroom. Leaving her in there he took the blanket from her and returned with a set of hospital pyjamas. Seeing that she was done with her ablutions, Harry helped her out of the bloodied jeans and the transfigured bra. Hermione changed into the fresh pyjamas with Harry's help and returned to sit down on the bed. She still felt weak and so leaned on Harry for support.
All this was not lost on both Dan and Emma who were hovering at the door of the bathroom, the acknowledged couple looked so easy and accustomed in each other's company and Hermione was not even showing any sense of body modesty before Harry. 'How far did the two go in their relationship?' was their thought.
As soon as Hermione reached the bed, Pomfrey returned with a couple of potion vials, "You have lost a lot of blood and are very weak. I have brought you a blood replenishing potion and a pain killer, so drink up."
Hermione winced while trying to drink the potions, the wound nearly ran to her right shoulder and it would take her a couple of days to fully regain the function of her right hand. Harry took the vial from Hermione and helped her drain it.
Dumbledore wanted to get things under control and at the same time communicate to all those in the room who was in charge, "Ms. Granger can you please tell me about the fight that happened at your end? Harry told me that he was in another room and did not know what happened there."
"Yes, I want to know who was responsible for you getting injured" Dan was seriously angry and he still did not have had an outlet to get it out of his system. If he was at home he would have whacked a few golf balls in his garage.
"That would be my mistake Sir; it was my recklessness that got Hermione injured" Harry offered. "I came to know that Hermione was injured from Luna before I was whisked away by the headmaster even before I could see her."
Emma knew from Hermione about Harry's tendency to take the blame for everything on him and so wanted to hear Hermione's version, but Dan looked ready to kill him. The fact that Hermione was not angry at Harry and was still leaning on him for support was probably the only thing that stopped him; he could wait till he was alone with the boy. Harry saw that Dan was still seething, 'Wasn't he overreacting a bit, Yes Hermione was injured but she was mostly healed now' Harry mused.
Hermione's first words immediately calmed down Dan some, "No Harry, it was not your fault. Even my argument to stop you from going there notwithstanding, I would have done the same thing if I was in your shoes."
She then went on explaining all that happened the night, starting from the events before they went to the ministry building. She alluded to Harry's vision and also Kreacher's confirmation that Sirius was not in the house thus confirming Harry's presumption that Sirius was indeed being held hostage. She stressed on the fact that Harry's previous vision saved Mr. Weasley from a certain death, a fact which was confirmed by both Dumbledore and McGonagall; how could he know that this was different?
"Still I should have listened to you Hermione, if I did not go there you would not have been injured and Sirius would still be alive" Hermione knew that Harry was stubborn to a fault when taking blame but she let it go as she was still too weak to argue.
Emma though had no such qualms, "Harry you acted with the best of intentions with the limited information you had. You cannot blame yourself for everything that goes wrong." She saw that Harry was still not convinced, 'He is one stubborn guy, Hermione was right' so she tried a different tack, "Harry what if Hermione was wrong? How would you have felt learning that your godfather was indeed captured and killed, and even though you knew about it you did nothing?"
Harry understood what Emma was trying to say, "I would have felt horrible probably even more than now" he confessed giving her a wry smile.
Emma latched on to it, "So stop blaming yourself. If you have to blame someone blame those who were supposed to take care of you." Shooting a glare at Dumbledore she continued, "You should have been told that there was something there at the Department that Voldemort was actively seeking and may lure you to that. That information itself would have prevented all this from happening."
Dumbledore tried to explain his reasons, "The knowledge of the prophecy was dangerous and it would have been a disaster if it got into the wrong hands."
"Yes the exact wording of the prophecy if it did get out to Voldemort maybe, but not the knowledge that there is a prophecy. I understand that it is now in Voldemort's hands anyway, what was the use of all this secrecy? Instead of Harry knowing it before his enemy and start to prepare himself, he now has been forced to know about it and at a disadvantage too" Emma was not giving any quarter.
Dumbledore had no answer to that accusation and so wisely kept quiet. Hermione wanted no bad blood between her parents and the headmaster, "Anyway all this is of no consequence now. I will be released from the hospital soon and then everything will be alright. Harry will train hard and then defeat the monster once and for all." Harry had no dispute with that, he was willing to train hard and had a powerful incentive too, a peaceful life with Hermione; but Dumbledore was refusing him any specific training.
This time Emma burst into tears and all of the Hogwarts staff exchanged looks of guilt. Dan was trying to console his wife but it was a losing battle. Harry and Hermione exchanged puzzled looks; something was definitely wrong and it was something big.
Madam Pomfrey was about to open her mouth but Dan interrupted her, "Do all these people need to be here?" he demanded throwing a scowl at the three Weasleys and also managed to include the Headmaster in that. Taking the hint Dumbledore escorted the Weasleys out of the room with Snape following at a sedate pace.
Emma was now sobbing uncontrollably frightening Hermione, so Dan sat down on the bed in front of Harry and Hermione and lifting Emma into his lap began rocking her. McGonagall and Poppy sat on either side of the two teens and it fell to the Hogwarts healer to deliver the blow, "There is no easy way to say this but you have to know. The wound you have is not just superficial Hermione; the curse also disrupted your magical core. You core has stopped recharging and it is only a matter of time before it drains out completely."
Harry felt as if a knife has been plunged through his heart, this cannot be happening and not to Hermione, "What happens if the core runs out?"
Poppy was fighting to stem the tears that threatened to break out, "For a witch or wizard the magic in their body is as essential as air to live."
That was all it took for Hermione to breakout sobbing, she was catatonic. Clutching onto Harry like a lifeline her body began wracking in choking cries. Harry emulated Dan and pulled Hermione into his lap. He wanted to scream out to the heavens about the gross injustice in his life, everyone that came close to his heart was being taken away from him. His parents, Sirius and now the one girl he loved with all his soul, the girl with whom he wanted to share all his happiness and his life, was being taken away from him.
He wanted to rant and rave but the only thing going through his mind at the time was 'be strong for Hermione', he asked the inevitable question, one that he was dreading the answer for, "How long does she have before her core runs out?"
It was Professor McGonagall that answered him as Madam Pomfrey had to bolt out of the room hiding her tears, "We cannot say for sure but it may be about a month or a month and a half at the most."
Hermione's sobs subsided slowly and she looked up at Harry. Though no sound was coming out of him, she could see the stream of tears flowing down his eyes unabated and soaking his shirt. He too lost the battle to the tears.
The professor stood up and taking a chain from her robe pocket handed it to Hermione before walking out the hospital wing. Dan and Emma saw that the chain held two rings, one looked like a gold engagement ring with a diamond set in it and the other was definitely a gold and platinum wedding band. Hermione took the chain and looped it around her neck.
"Hold me Harry"
"Always my love" Harry tightened his arms around Hermione who began drifting off to sleep.
Madam Pomfrey returned to the bed and saw Hermione nodding off, "The blood replenishment potion has a mild sleeping draught in it; it will help her rest."
Harry nodded his head and loosened the top two buttons of her pyjama shirt in line with her breasts, just the way Hermione liked to sleep with no bra on. He stretched back onto the pillow, pulling Hermione with him. Emma had a million questions running through her mind, the two rings now adorning her daughter's neck and Harry loosening the buttons of Hermione's shirt without any hint of hesitation were only two of them. Looking at Harry she saw that even he was beginning to drift off, the events of the morning probably tiring him out too. She decided to wait a little longer for her answers. She straightened Hermione's legs and moved her hair from Harry's face and covered them both with a blanket leaving them to sleep. The two teens finally fell asleep with Harry's arms holding Hermione tightly to him and with her head perched on Harry's chest.