All's fair in…. LOVE AND WAR

CHAPTER 3

It was late at night and Hermione was engrossed in a book, as Harry laid his head back on the couch. "Will Ron ever get over himself?" Hermione shrugged, too focused on her book. "He can't just….he's our friend. He should be more concerned about Moorburg…and everything else! I told him about the Death Easters and…and… Instead he's too busy being ignorant!" Hermione didn't reply. "For god sakes Hermione! Aren't you worried about Ron at all!?" She sighed. "Of course I am Harry, but there's no use fighting him, he needs time. He'll come around." "And if he doesn't?" "Then we'll go to him-in time." Harry took a deep breath. Just then, Stanley Moorburg approached them from behind. "Potter. Granger. Why am I not surprised?" Harry stood firmly, Hermione straggling behind him. "So Mione, Why is it that you don't want to go out with me?"

"Leave her alone." Harry said firmly. "I don't believe I asked you, Potter, I asked little Miss Hermione here. I mean she already cheated on Ron with you…why not me? This conversation doesn't concern you!" "Yes! It does concern him!" Hermione spoke up. Harry looked back at her; she met his glance only for a second and held onto his arm tightly. "Ahh…so you two are going to play that game! Two best friends who fall hopelessly in love and abandon all odds. No matter, in the end, the truth will come out." "Just go away Moorburg! You're not wanted here!" Harry ordered.

"We'll see about that," He said walking backwards and winked at Hermione. Harry took an angered step forward, his face showing at any minute he could attack Stanley. But he felt Hermione's hand on his arm, pulling him back. "Harry…no." "Yes, Harry, do hold back." He smirked, turning around and walking from the room. He turned to face her. "Merlin I HATE that guy!" "I know, I do too, I just don't want you to do anything you'll regret." "I suppose so…" He pulled her closer. "'Mione, I'm worried about you. That guy…he…" "I'll be okay Harry, I will. And if I'm ever not, I know you'll be here." They smiled. "As long as I'm breathing." He promised sarcastically. "Stop it!" She playfully hit him. "I'm just saying, I have no idea what's going to happen with- them around."

"I know that you'll be okay. And, no matter what, I'll be right there with you. Through everything. I'll be beside you-fighting." She said, courage plastered on her face. "You will do NO such thing!!" He exclaimed, backing away from her. "What!" "I won't put you in that kind of danger! You're already in severe danger with me feeling the way I do about you! The war put me over the edge…I could have lost you! I almost did...you risked you life then…and I won't risk your life again like that. I can't lose you. If anything ever happened to you, I'd die! I can not lose you!"

"Harry! I am strong enough, and you won't lose me, I can't lose you! No matter what you say I'm going to be there, Forever. As long as I live. You're not getting rid of me!" He looked at her, she looked insistent. "I don't like this. But we can talk later, I guess. I'll never live with myself if anything ever happened to you because of me." "Harry…I love you. I'm tired of hiding it from everyone. I love you." He pulled her closer and wrapped his arms around her. "I love you, too." She kissed him, cupping his face, her hands moving up and down his shoulders, as he held tight on her waist and back. He grabbed her tighter, pulled her closer. He felt her warm body, he smelled her. He loved this feeling, the world slipped away when he was like this with her. He never wanted to let her go. And he told her. "I never want to let you go." "You don't have to." She whispered in his ear. "Yes, I do!"

He exclaimed backing away, "I promised Ron! I promised him that I wouldn't do this…" A cowering Neville spoke up, "McGonagall needs to see you, Harry, right away." Neville turned right around and walked away. "I guess I have to go." He said depressed. "No worry, mate, I'll keep her c'mpany" Moorburg said suddenly. Harry turned to face him, and then turned back to Hermione, "Oh, no. You're coming with me." "But he only wants…" "I don't care- I won't leave you in his hands." "Okay," Hermione agreed reluctantly. Harry added, "I guess we should go, then…quickly." He grabbed her hand and intertwined their fingers. They walked to McGonagall's office and Harry banged on the door. "Mr. Potter! Good, I need to see you," he looked at Hermione, "Miss Granger would you mind waiting outside?" "Certainly not." She smiled and tried unsuccessfully to let go of Harry's hand. "No." Harry said yanking her back close to him. "If you want to talk to me, Hermione's coming." He looked extremely determined to get what he wanted. "Harry, I'll be…" "No," He looked to her, "I'd die if he…Moorburg…did anything to...I'd never forgive myself. I promised, remember?" She smiled and he set his eyes back to McGonagall. McGonagall had a face of utter confusion on, but clearly was more focused on the impending urgent manner. "Very well then, Miss Granger, if he feels that way, you may join us. But none of this can leave the three of us, understood?" She nodded. "Then why don't you two come in."

Hermione grabbed his arm as they walked in. "Harry, they know, and their here, in Hogsmeade." Hermione's eyes grew wider as she gripped his arm tighter. "You mean…they…they're…" "Yes. At any moment. Several Death Eaters will reappear-and they will begin to attempt to complete Voldermort's mission." "I can't believe this is what it's come to, after everything with the war..." "Miss Granger, I know you are often involved in Harry's troubles, but I'm warning you. You are in just as much danger as Harry, if not more, considering how close the two of you are." McGonagall said, as if he knew exactly what Harry and Hermione felt for each other, and he probably did. "More?" Harry questioned urgently. McGonagall nodded. "We don't know when, and we don't know where. But I needed to warn you, it's coming soon." And with that and a sigh, the meeting was over. McGonagall led them out and closed the door. Harry and Hermione stopped halfway back. Professor Snape, though his presence was unknown to them at the time, was watching the two, doing his nightly rounds before he went to bed. "Mione…we can't. I can't love you. Just go away and just…leave me." "WHAT?!" Hermione exclaimed. "I don't love you, I can't."