Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or any of its characters. They belong to the brilliant J. K. Rowling.
AN: Hello everyone! This is a Harry/Hermione story that takes place after the Half Blood Prince. Ron will be a jerk at first, but as the story progresses, he will get better. Ginny on the other hand will not stay likeable. Well, enough of my talk, on with the story!
Dragonthunder89
Love, Betrayal, and War
Harry Potter awoke from another nightmare, it was always the same. Cedric dying, Sirius dying, or Dumbledore dying. Harry felt like a gap had formed between himself and his two friends, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger. Harry had admitted to himself long ago that he was in love with Hermione, but Ron seemed to fancy her too and Hermione seemed to show interest in Ron so he tried to bury his feelings for her. Harry also figured that she would never reciprocate his feelings. He couldn't blame her, after all, the fate of the wizarding world rested on his shoulders and in the end, either Harry or Voldemort would die.
"I'm damaged goods," Harry sighed.
Harry walked to the mirror in his room at number four Privet Drive and looked at himself. Since he didn't sleep with a shirt, he could see all of his scars and bruises that littered his body. Harry was well toned and muscled, but skinny, but it wasn't the physical damage that affected him, it was the emotional and psychological damage that he had suffered over the years. Harry looked at his watch, midnight.
"Happy birthday Harry," Harry said.
Harry realized that he no longer needed to stay with the Dursleys since he had just turned seventeen. But that also meant that the enchantments on the house were lifted which left Harry vulnerable if anyone knew of his muggle residence. Harry noticed movement outside of his window and peered out to see a cloaked figure approaching the house. Harry grabbed his wand and rushed downstairs as he heard the front doors' lock click to indicate it was unlocked. The door opened and the cloaked figure threw off his hood to reveal Remus Lupin.
"Remus?" Harry asked confused
"Hello Harry, I decided to hurry over here since I figured you would be headed for Grimmauld Place now that you have come of age. Happy birthday," Remus replied.
"Thank you, well I was about ready to pack actually," Harry said.
"Good, well hurry up so we can get going," Remus replied.
Harry packed rather quickly and left a note for the Dursleys before he and Remus apparated to Grimmauld Place.
"Well here we are, I will be back tomorrow to check on you, good night Harry," Remus said as he disapparated.
Harry trudged up to the master bedroom and unpacked his belongings before he settled in and went to sleep.
Harry awoke early the next morning. After showering and getting dressed, he made his way to the kitchen and a few minutes later, Remus flooed into the house.
"Good morning Harry!" Remus greeted.
"Morning Remus, so how is everything going?" Harry asked.
"I'm afraid it's not good, but we can discuss that later, Professor McGonagall will be arriving soon to speak with you," Remus replied.
"Remus, how come none of you have written to me this summer? Did The Order prohibit you guys or something?" Harry asked.
"Ron and Hermione haven't owled you?" Remus asked.
"No not once," Harry replied with disappointment.
"Hmm...I am going to talk to Arthur, maybe I will find out then, but McGonagall will be here shortly so I'll be back later," Remus said.
"Okay, see you soon," Harry replied as Remus flooed away.
"Shortly thereafter, McGonagall arrived to see Harry cooking breakfast.
"Good morning professor, care for some breakfast?" Harry asked.
"Good morning Harry, sure that sounds lovely," McGonagall replied as Harry set a plate of food in front of her.
"So, what brings you here this morning?" Harry asked.
"Well, I have come to ask you if you plan on returning to Hogwarts this year," McGonagall explained.
"I see, well I have been actually debating that issue, but all of my thoughts have led me to think I will have a better advantage if I do return, however, I am still continuing my project that Dumbledore left for me. I would have to ask for at least three free periods for classes in order to perform my researches on my project," Harry replied.
"That would be agreeable, and if there is anything I or any of the other staff can do to help you in your quest, please ask and we will gladly help to the best of our ability," McGonagall said.
"Also, I was wondering if you could maybe let Remus come back to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts," Harry suggested.
"Why I believe I can arrange that, but he would need someone to fill his place when he..well you know," McGonagall replied.
"Yeah, perhaps Tonks would help him?" Harry asked.
"Perhaps, but I won't know until I ask her, but since I am short on time, I have to discuss the other topic before I leave," McGonagall replied.
"What is that?" Harry asked.
"I want to know how you would feel about me giving Mr. Weasley, and Miss Granger the Head Boy and Head Girl post?" McGonagall asked.
"Well, they earned it," Harry replied.
"Yes, but you won't be able to see them as often as before," McGonagall warned.
"Professor, I am used to being alone," Harry replied.
"Are you sure Harry?" McGonagall asked.
"I would be selfish to say no," Harry replied.
"Well alright, but I am afraid I must be going, thank you for a most satisfying breakfast," McGonagall said.
"Of course, I'm glad you liked it," Harry replied.
"Oh before I go, I am making you Gryffindor quidditch captain, this way you can pick your team, and you also have access to the restricted section for your project," McGonagall said.
"Thanks a lot professor!" Harry exclaimed.
"You're welcome, see you at school," McGonagall replied as she disapparated.
Harry cleaned up the kitchen and began to remodel Grimmauld place to make it less depressing. By nightfall, Harry had managed to make all but the attic brighter, and it cheered him up. As he admired his work, Remus flooed in and was in total shock by the change.
"Wow, Harry, this place looks fantastic!" Remus complimented.
"Glad you approve," Harry replied.
"I guess with magic, remodeling this place wasn't too hard," Remus noted.
"Well, yes, magic was a big part, but I put my own personal touches in too," Harry admitted.
"Well I am impressed and I daresay you did a fine job," Remus complimented.
"So, what's new?" Harry asked.
"Well, Hermione has been at the Burrow all summer, and Tonks and I will be bringing them over the day after tomorrow," Remus replied.
"What about the war?" Harry asked.
"Well...we have lost a lot of good men and women, but we have a more pressing matter," Remus replied.
"Which is?" Harry asked confused.
"The minister, has been badgering Tonks to arrange a meeting with you, it seems he wants to know what you and Dumbledore were up to the night he was murdered," Remus replied.
"Well, tell Tonks to give him this message from me, he's wasting his time. I am not going to tell him what I am doing," Harry said.
"Am I allowed to know?" Remus asked.
"Oh! Of course, I trust you more than most people. See I am trying to find Voldemort's horcruxes, he has seven of them," Harry replied.
"He has seven?!" Remus asked in shock.
"Well, technically six, my second year I found his diary and destroyed it, which I found out later that it was a horcrux. Dumbledore and I also recovered Salazar Slytherin's locket the night of his murder. I am still trying to figure out how to destroy it, and now I have some idea how to find the others," Harry explained.
"How's that?" Remus asked.
"Well, one piece lies inside Voldemort himself, I am guessing he has one in Nagini, his pet snake, and the other three are stored inside of a significant object that belonged to Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, and Ravenclaw," Harry finished.
"Well it seems we have our work cut out for us," Remus replied.
"I absolutely have to destroy the first six horcruxes before I kill Voldemort himself, and I am going to need help doing it," Harry said.
"As the last of the Marauders, and as your friend, I am with you until the end," Remus pledged.
"Thank you," Harry replied.
"Sure, well I best be going, I will see you the day after tomorrow!" Remus said.
"Bye Remus," Harry replied as Remus flooed away.
After working tirelessly all day, Harry decided to turn in early, tomorrow, he planned on remodeling the basement and turn it into his own personal gym.
Harry's dream
Harry rushed at the Death Eater in front of him in a rage and began to pummel him with his fists. Suddenly something to his right caught his attention. Harry stood and turned only to see Voldemort and two Death Eaters standing in front of him. Harry noticed that the two Death Eaters were Dolohov and Bellatrix Lestrange. Dolohov was holding Hermione while Bellatrix was holding Ron.
"Come now Harry, surrender or watch your friends die!" Voldemort exclaimed.
"Let them go!" Remus yelled as he rushed at the three with Tonks by his side.
"No guys don't!" Harry pleaded.
"Avada Kedavra!" Lucius and Snape yelled from behind them.
Harry screamed in rage as Remus and Tonks screamed as the they were hit square in the back by the killing curse and fell dead.
"Remus...Tonks..." Harry whispered.
"Oh, so sorry Mr. Potter," Snape said coolly.
"You cowardly, backstabbing, scummy, dirt bag!" Harry raged.
"Oh, that hurt," Snape mocked.
"Expelliarmus!" Harry yelled.
Snape dodged it and turned to Voldemort.
"My turn," Snape smiled cruelly.
"Allow me to join you," Lucius drawled.
"Avada Kedavra!" they yelled in unison.
"Harry screamed as the two green beams of light hit Hermione and Ron in the chest.
end dream
"No!" Harry screamed as he bolted upright in bed sweating.
Once Harry had his bearings, he calmed down and looked at the clock, ten thirty. He looked out the window and saw that the sun was shining already. Harry groaned and got out of bed and headed for the shower. Once inside he let the hot water run down him as he closed his eyes and enjoyed the relaxed feeling it always gave him.
'I won't let that happen, I will be dead before it comes to that' Harry thought.
Once Harry had finished, he got dressed and went down to have some breakfast. He had just finished making it when he saw his snowy white owl, Hedwig fly in through the window with a letter.
"What do have there girl?" Harry asked.
"Hedwig hooted in response and nibbled Harry's ear affectionately before flying to the perch Harry had set up fo her. Harry opened the letter up and immediately recognized Ron's handwriting.
Dear Harry,
Sorry for not writing to you, but with Bill and Fleur's wedding coming up at the end of this month, mom hasn't let me have any breathing room.Hermione says hi and we are looking forward to seeing you tomorrow!
Ron
Harry had forgotten about the wedding, but this letter only made Harry wonder even more, it sounded to him like Ron was hiding something and Harry didn't like it. Harry made his way to the basement and found to his surprise, that Sirius used it for the same purpose as Harry wanted to, although dirty from lack of use, it had everything Harry needed. Exercise machines of all types, dummies to practice on, punching bags, and a large wrestling mat for combat purposes.
"Looks like this will be easier than I thought," Harry said.
It only took him a couple of hours to fix the place up and after lunch he was finished. Harry changed into some black training pants that were snug but not tight and fit comfortably and a tight fitting tank top that showed his well toned assets. After conjuring a couple of water bottles, he began to get into an exercise routine. He jogged on one of the treadmills for two miles, then he used the dead weights for awhile and so on until he had used every machine in the gym. He then, began to punch and kick on the dummies and punching bags. After an hour of this, he set up the dummies on the mat and practiced spells and jinxes on them. After a few hours of rigorous training, and after he drained all of the water from the water bottles, he decided to call it a day and eat dinner. After a quick dinner he relaxed in the lounge and continued his search for the significant objects of the founders of Hogwarts.
"Damn, after three hours I still have no idea, oh well something is bound to turn up," Harry sighed optimistically.
He finally went up to bed, excited to see his friends, and anxious because of his feelings for Hermione. That night, Harry didn't dream of Voldemort, or the war, he dreamt of a beautiful brown eyed witch.
AN: Well? What do you think? Please review and hopefully I will have another update by the end of the week. But I guess that depends on the feedback from you guys lol. Well anyway, until next chapter!
Dragonthunder89