Disclaimer: Characters, places, and all manner of such things are property of J.K. Rowling and Warner Brothers. I do not own anything, not even the computer I'm writing it on. This story is meant as a tribute to J.K. Rowling and her great stories. It is purely for the enjoyment of myself and others, and it is in no way meant to infringe on the copyrights and trademarks of the series' owner. Comments and such are welcome, but please not on here. If you wish to comment or review the story, only include constructive criticism or praise. If you don't like the story, too bad, read something else. I write mainly for myself, and if others happen to enjoy it, then that makes me happy. This story is rated R, and may include adult situations and language. I won't go too in depth when it comes to "steamy" scenes, but all the same be fore warned. If you have any qualms about reading such material, you are under the age of at least 16-17, or it is illegal to read such material where you live, then don't read it.
Summary: This is a Harry/Hermione story. It is my rendition of the final battle of the war, and the aftermath. The first part will take place just before the final battle, and during it. The rest will be set after the war, though at this time I have not decided how far into the future it will be.
Chapter One: The Night Before Hell
Harry potter, The-Boy-Who-Lived, The Chosen One, sat in the Gryffindor common room, a glass of celebratory Firewhiskey in hand. He ran a hand through his raven locks of hair, and smiled at Ronald Weasley, one of his best friends for the last 7 years, who was across the room talking with Lavendar Brown. As his hand came back forward through his hair, his fingers traced the all to familiar line of the lightning bolt scar over his right eyebrow. As the party raged around him, Harry couldn't help but think about their final year.
Harry had spent the first part of the summer between their 6th and 7th years mourning the loss of Dumbledore. Even now his eyes still watered when he thought about the people they'd already lost to this cursed war. After his 17th birthday, when Harry was officially declared an adult by wizarding world standards, he was forced to leave the Dursley house. They no longer wished him there, and the protection that his blood gave him ran out after his birthday anyway. In all honesty, Harry was glad to leave there. He'd packed his stuff up in record time, and immediately left for Number 12 Gimmauld Place.
There he lived with Remus Lupin, who had been a childhood friend of Harry's parents, and Remus' girlfriend Nymphadora Tonks. The house was owned by Harry, left to him in an inheritance from his godfather Sirius Black, and Harry allowed Lupin and Tonks to live there, along with the Order of the Phoenix, who used it as a base of operations. The first month had been spent adjusting to life in the house, and then Harry, Ron, and Hermione had set out on their quest to destroy the remaining Horcruxes that held Voldemort's soul.
It had been hard and trying for them. Since Dumbledore's death at the end of their 6th year, they had felt lost. Especially Harry, who had spent his sixth year with Dumbledore, tracking down the first couple of Horcruxes. Over the time they spent together over the summer, Ron and Hermione had drifted back into friendship, after a brief romance that went no-where. Harry had always felt uncomfortable around them when they would be making out in one of the many rooms of the large house on Grimmauld Place, having broken up with Ron's sister Ginny after Dumbledore's death. Whenever he caught the other two locked at the lips, he felt a wave of loneliness pass through his body. But after a particularly nasty fight between his two best friends, they had broken up.
The Golden Trio, as they were called at school, spent the last weeks of summer tracking down the last three Horcruxes. One was Voldemort himself, and until the final battle, that would be impossible to destroy. The other two were the Hufflepuff cup, and Nagini, Voldemort's pet snake. They found and destroyed Nagini, and then the Hufflepuff cup, as the last week of summer came to a close. With only Voldemort left, they decided to return to school for their 7th year.
The year had been uneventful, with the exception of Harry getting his Apparation license. Harry had witnessed Ron go back with Lavendar Brown, and Ginny, after unsuccessfully trying to get Harry to resume their relationship, went back with Dean Thomas, much to Ron's chagrin. Harry and Hermione had grown closer as their friends found love. Harry knew he was in love with Hermione, had been since their 4th year when she came to the Tri-wizard tent to make sure he was ok. He kept his feelings a secret from her, especially after he learned that Ron liked her. Harry figured he was meant to be alone, after all, there was a great chance he would die in the final battle with Voldemort.
A hand on Harry's shoulder pulled him from his thoughts. He looked up at the face staring down from behind him. Hermione was smiling down at him. "You ok, Harry?" She seemed concerned that he was lost in thought again. He did that a lot lately.
Harry smiled back up at her, and scooted over on the couch, making room for her. "Yeah, 'Mione. I'm doing alright. Just...remembering." He looked back at the glass of Firewhiskey in his hand, then downed the last of the drink.
Hermione sat down next to him and swatted his arm. "You know you shouldn't be drinking that, Harry, even if the twins did sneak it to Ron for this party. There's no excuse to get drunk, even if we did graduate."
Her hair, which normally was quite frizzy, was actually pulled back into a pony tail for this occasion. They had graduated from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, hence the party being thrown. They all knew that the 7th years from the other three houses in the school were partying as well.
"I know Hermione, I just didn't want to insult Ron by not drinking it." He turned to the side and set the glass down on the side table table by the couch.
"It's ok Harry. I was just giving you a hard time." She looked sheepishly down into her lap. "I know you've had a rough time, especially in these last couple years. I don't blame you if you wanted to wash the pain away." She looked back up to see Harry staring at her funny. "What? Do I have something on my face?"
He shook his head in the negative and reached out a hand, placing it on one of hers. "Thanks, Hermione." She gave him a 'what am I being thanked for' look, so Harry elaborated. "For always being there for me." He removed his hand from hers after her face started to turn red.
"That's ok, Harry. What are friends for?" She smiled back up at him, but Harry turned away. He hated being reminded that they were just friends.
"I know Hermione. I'm going to go to bed. Tell the others I said 'Goodnight' for me." Before she could respond, he was up and heading for the boys dorms. Ron, having saw Harry get up and leave, walked over to the couch.
"Where's Harry off to?" The red head sat down beside Hermione and offered her his glass of Firewhiskey. She shook her head no, and then looked at him.
"He said he was going to bed. He's been bothered all year long, Ron. I can't figure it out." The brunette shook her head in frustration. It wasn't often that Hermione didn't have all the answers. It irked her to no end that she didn't know what was bothering her best friend.
Ron smiled knowingly. He knew what it was. He'd gotten Harry to confess how he felt about Hermione, about half way through the year. Ron had encouraged him to pursue a relationship with Hermione, but Harry didn't think she felt the same about him. "I promised him I wouldn't say anything, 'Mione. But, I know he won't say anything on his own, and what kind of friend would I be if I didn't help a bloke out?"
Hermione looked over at Ron, confusion written on her face. "You know what's wrong with him, Ron?"
Ron couldn't help but laugh. As book smart as Hermione was, she could be clueless sometimes. "You couldn't figure it out? Even with all the clues? The looks? The sudden shyness?" Hermione's look of further confusion made Ron almost drop his drink. He had practically said it. "Harry's in love with you Hermione. He has been for a while now."
Hermione coughed and stuttered for a second, her mouth trying to work, but nothing coming out. Finally she composed herself enough to speak. "You're kidding me, aren't you?" When Ron shook his head no, she blushed again. "Harry's in love with me?"
Ron nodded. "Yeah, I know you love him too Hermione. I've sen the looks you give him when you think he isn't looking. The sighs when you daydream."
"How did you know?" Was all she could manage to say.
"Hermione, I'm a first rate Wizard's Chess player. You know what makes a person so good at chess?" She shook her head. "Observation. I may not be as smart as you, or as powerful as Harry, but I notice these things."
Hermione didn't know what to say. "Go on Hermione."
She shook her head furiously. "If he's in love with me, why didn't he say anything?"
Ron couldn't help but laugh. "Hermione, this is Harry we're talking about. The boy with the weight of the world on his shoulders. He's has to face Voldemort, and even though he won't admit it, he's afraid he might die. He didn't say anything because he doesn't know you feel the same about him, and he think's he's going to die."
Hermione looked over at Ron, and then at the stairs leading to the dorms. After a few moments of hesitation she looked back at Ron. "Thanks, Ron. You really are a good friend." She stood up and kissed Ron on the cheek before dashing up the stairs.
At the stairs, Hermione stopped and then turned toward the girls dorms. She ran to her room, and quickly pulled out a trunk full of her muggle clothes. She had this stuff for when she went back home between years, since her parents lived in the muggle world. She rarely wore clothes that others would deem 'sexy', but she did have a nice green skirt, which she thought matched Harry's eyes, and matching top. She quickly checked herself, and used a makeup charm. She let her hair down, and then smiled.
Hermione left her room and walked to the 7th year boys dorms. They had been surprised earlier in the year when they were told that 7th year student got their own separate rooms. She was glad for that now otherwise she'd be too afraid someone would walk in when she was laying her heart out for Harry. She stopped at his door and took a couple of steadying breaths.
Harry had been lying on his bed, staring up at the ceiling. Hedwig sat on her perch by his bed, and his right hand slowly stroked the feathers on her head. The owl cooed in delight at the attention she was getting. "Why does life have to be so bloody complicated, Hedwig?" Harry looked over at the owl, almost as if expecting her to suddenly start talking and give him an answer. Instead, she screeched and started flapping her wings, moments before he was interrupted.
A soft knock came at the door, and Harry sat up, propping himself on his elbows. Damn it. I'll bet it's Ron trying to get me back down to that stupid party. "Yeah? Who is it?"
A voice like sound of little bells came through the door. "Harry?" He knew that voice all too well. "It's Hermione. Can I come in?" Harry was dumbstruck for a minute. Finally, pulling himself out of his trance, he got up and grabbed the shirt he had discarded earlier. He laid back down on the bed, and then, after unsuccessfully trying to fix his unruly hair, decided he was decent.
"It's open." The door slowly opened, and Harry's breath caught in his throat.
Hermione stood in his doorway, wearing clothes he never had seen her wear before. She had on a matching top and skirt, which came down to about mid-thigh on her He didn't know why she had clothes that seemed to hug her curves in the right places, but he wasn't complaining. He sat up in bed, and kept looking at her. Then he realized that she had not been wearing those clothes earlier. Why did she change?
Hermione stepped into Harry's room, and turned to close the door. She stayed facing it, so she could calm down. The way he had been staring at her made her turn three shades of red. She had almost los her nerve, but considering that she had come this far, it wasn't really an option to turn back now. After a second she turned back to face him. He was sitting up in bed now, and she smiled shyly, pushing a lock of hair behind her right ear.
"Hi, Harry." God it sounded lame to her ears. You get dressed up, come to his room, alone, and the best thing you can think of to say is 'Hi, Harry?' Brilliant Hermione. He probably thinks you're a retard now. "I..." She couldn't think of what to say now. And he just kept staring at her. It wasn't helping to make her mind work right.
After a brief, uncomfortable minute, Harry stood up. "Umm. You, you wanna sit down?" He motioned to the bed, since it was the only place to sit in the room, other the floor or the chair at his study desk. She nodded and walked to the bed and sat down. Harry had never noticed before, but her hips seemed to swish when she walked. Why did he notice these things now? "So." He started uncomfortably, running a hand through his hair. "What's up?"
Hermione looked over at Harry, and took a deep breath to gather her courage. "I wanted to talk to you Harry. I umm...I have a confession to make." Harry sat down beside her, and she scooted closer to him. She reached out her hand and placed it on his. Hermione lifted her eyes to his green ones and locked gazes with him. She took another breath, after seeing the look in his eyes, which she had never noticed before.
Harry's eyebrows knit together as he watched her. He was wondering what it was she wanted to tell him. She seemed nervous about it, and he couldn't figure out why. He knew what he wanted her to say, but he highly doubted she would say it. And then she spoke. "I love you, Harry." His mouth dropped open and he could only stare at her for a while. He couldn't believe she had just said the words he'd wanted to hear from her for 3 years.
Hermione noticed the look her was giving her, and started to worry that Ron had lied to her. She started to grow uncomfortable as he just kept staring at her with his mouth open like that. "Harry? Ugh, I knew it was a mistake to come here. I'm sorry." She stood up and turned to the door, to leave. "I'll g---"
Harry's hand shot out with the speed only a Quidditch seeker would have, and grabbed her right hand. She stopped mid stride, and mid sentence, turning back to face him. He was on his feet and had finally closed his mouth. He looked at her dark eyes for a moment longer then took the step needed to close the distance between them, had caught her lips with his own. The action was so sudden, that she actually squeaked a little in surprise, which didn't last long as she wrapped her arms around his neck and closed her eyes.
Hermione was in heaven, Harry was kissing her. He hadn't said anything about his feelings for her, but he was kissing her. She could live with that. Harry pulled away, breaking the kiss, much to her disappointment. She pouted at him until he started to speak. "I love you too Hermione." A huge smile broke across her face, and she practically attacked him. He whole of her body suddenly was thrown at him as she latched onto his lips again.
The force of her lunging at him caused him to fall back on the bed. He bounced a couple times from the springiness of the mattress, and grunted as her weight settled on him. She wasn't at all heavy, not by a long shot, but it had been unexpected. Harry's hands rested on Hermione's waist as they continued the kiss, which was slowly becoming more and more passionate. His tongue touched her lips, as if asking for permission to enter. Her mouth opening slightly was all the ok he needed, and their tongues started to twine around each other.
Harry's right hand slowly started to move along her side, stopping along side her breasts. He left it there a moment, un sure what to do. Her hand grabbing his, and pulling it onto the spot he had wanted to put it, was all that he needed in the way of encouragement. Harry sat up in the bed, bringing Hermione up with him so she was forced to straddle his lap. He reached down to the hem of her shirt and slowly lifted it up and then pulled harder, so that she had to remove her arms from around his neck. The shirt was quickly off and tossed onto the floor. He looked down at her upper body which was only shielded from his view by a black lace bra. He looked back up at her and quirked an eyebrow.
"Don't even say it, Mr. Potter. I know what you're thinking." He had been thinking that black under garments were a sign that someone wanted to get laid. At least, that's what Dean and Seamus had told him. Harry wouldn't really know, since he had never done anything mor than make out with a girl. So instead of speaking, Harry reached out and placed his hands on her lace covered twin mounds, the only thing that made one look different from the other, was the scar over her left breast from that bastard Dolohov. Hermione let out a soft moan, and then stopped his hands.
"Harry. I, ummm. I've never done, you know, this before." Harry's eyes went wide. He was almost certain her and Ron had had sex before. After all the kissing and such that they had done.
"You mean, you and Ron never--?" He couldn't really finish it. He didn't want to.
Hermione shook her head. "Merlin, no Harry. We made out, but nothing more. Do you really want to talk about that now?" Harry smiled and shook his head no. "Good." She reached back to undo her bra.
Outside the door, several of the guys from the party were listening in. Seamus had his eye up to the key hole, trying to get a look. He was so far disappointed since Hermione had her back to him. A throat clearing caused the group of boys to look up right into Ron's wand. His voice came out as a whisper so as not to disturb the occupants of the room. "I think it would be best if you gents scattered." The look on his face left nothing to doubt his seriousness.
The small group got up, muttered a quick apology and high tailed it out of there. Ron walked to the door and pointed his wand at the keyhole, muttering a glamour under his breath. A small flash of light latter and anyone trying to spy in would instead see a beach scene on the other side. He smirked and walked back down toward the stairs. "Have fun Harry. You deserve it mate."
The morning sun rose, creeping through the windows of Harry's room. He opened his eyes slowly, squinting against the sun. He reached over to the night stand, grabbing his glasses it, and then slid them into place on his head. He rolled over to see Hermione sleeping beside him, the blankets of his bed the only thing keeping her nakedness covered. He smiled and kissed her forehead softly. He wrapped an arm around her, and laid there watching her sleep peacefully.
He could get used to that sight. Waking up every morning to her sleeping beside him. Harry could picture a life with her, having kids, a house of their own. Knowing her, she'd work either at the school, or at the Ministry. He'd probably be an Auror, like he'd told Professor McGonagall he wanted to do. He'd be happy.
Hermione stirred, moaning in protest to the sun that wanted them to awaken. They didn't have anything to do today, except get ready to leave for their homes tomorrow. That meant that Harry, Ron, and Hermione had to finish preparing for the final battle. Hermione's eyes opened slowly and she smiled at the sight of Harry in bed with her. "Good morning, Love." He greeted her.
She leaned forward and kissed him quickly. "Good morning. What time is it?" Harry shrugged. "I better go back to my room and get dressed." Harry kissed her again.
"Do you have to?" He mock pouted and she laughed.
"Yes, silly. The others are probably going to be breathing down our necks. You know half the common room probably knows. They always manage to find stuff out." Harry nodded, they did have that annoying habit. Like when Ron and Lavander had hooked up, the whole common room knew not even two hours later.
Harry uncovered and rolled out of bed. He grabbed a pair of pants and put them on. Hermione sighed at the sight of his toned body. God bless Quidditch, was all she could think. It was the reason he had the body he had. All the training and practice, not to mention preparing for the final battle. She followed suit, getting dressed as well. When they were dressed she turned and kissed him again. "I'll see you later, Love."
As she turned to leave, Harry grunted, and grabbed his scar in pain. It was burning with the fury of a thousand suns, so much so, that when Hermione turned around to look at him, she saw a glow coming off the scar. "Harry? Harry what's wrong?" He dropped to the ground and started screaming in pain. "RON!!!" She screamed out for their other friend, knowing that he had the room right next door.
The door burst open as Ron came charging in, half undressed, wand at the ready. "Hermione?1 What's wr--" He stopped as he saw Harry writhing on the ground. "Harry! Harry mate, come on." Ron rushed to his friend's side and grabbed his hand. Hermione had started to cry, having never seen his scar hurt so bad that it was visible.
A group of people started to gather in the doorway, whispering amongst each other. Ron turned to them. "Someone go get madam Pomfrey." They stayed there for a moment longer, watching. "NOW!!!" When he yelled, a couple boys scattered and started spreading the news.
Harry was in pain like he'd never felt before. His scar felt like someone had poured hot acid on it. But that wasn't the worst part. It was what he saw and heard. Voldemort, speaking to him through their link. His snake like face, and raspy voice calling out to him over the vast distance. "I hope you're ready, Potter. You won't escape me this time! I'm coming for you." His laugh echoed through Harry's head, and quieted down as he slowly was brought back to consciousness.
Harry awoke with a start just as Madam Pomfrey and Professor McGonagall came running into his room. The transfiguration teacher knelt down beside him while the school's nurse started to examine the scar, which was slowly losing it's glow. "Are you alright, Potter?" The aging instructor asked. "What happened?"
Harry looked at all the faces staring at him. His breathing was heavy and erratic. His eyes finally settled on Hermione, who was trying to get her crying under control. Harry reached out and pulled her against him, hugging her to calm her down. "I'm alright." He whispered into her hair. Then he looked up at the others. "It was Voldemort." Gasps echoed around, followed by whispers as Harry freely spoke that dreaded name. "He's coming for me." Hermione looked at Harry, disbelief in her eyes. "Tonight."
Hermione's tears started anew as Ron placed a hand on Harry's back. He reached back and grabbed Harry's wand off the night stand. He handed the wand to Harry. "I think you'll need this, Mate." Harry's hand slowly wrapped around the grip of his wand.
"Thanks, Ron. Let's get ready!"