Chapter 7 Against Everyone
She hesitated, but recognised the dismissal. She picked up the book and then walked back past him into the tent, but as she did so, she brushed the top of his head lightly with her hand. He closed his eyes at her touch, and hated himself for wishing that what she said was true: that Dumbledore had really cared.
Harry opened his eyes widely, sweat was running down his face, and he couldn't see, but he knew he was in a house, in Grimmauld, people were talking somewhere close to him. Hermione! Her parents!
'Ron, please stay, you can talk with them and-?' McGonagall's voice was heard from somewhere near him.
'No they are both fine, I'm leaving,' Ron's voice replied, Harry snapped his head up. Ron was there!
He tried sat up on the bed, but pain surrounded his body and head. 'Ron, stay, please,' he murmured but the door shut close and only the figure of Minerva McGonagall approached him as he could see without his glasses. Crookshanks was close to him as he could see the cat near him.
'Lay down, Harry, it's OK,' Minerva said and pushed him back on the bed. Harry resisted and stopped her. Harry's mind filled with images from the hours before, Hermione was dieing before he fell down as well.
'Where is Hermione? Where is she? She wasn't moving before; she is alive, right? Her parents, are they-?'
'They are fine Harry, her parents are fine, and they are still sleeping in the room next to you. Hermione is fine as well, she was here, next to you, and she left for awhile to be with them.' Minerva said, still trying to push him down on his pillows. Harry kept his "defense" on that.
'Why was Ron here? What happened before?' Harry asked, as he remembered more of the attack and Ron's voice.
'Well, that's I wanted to ask you. How did you, Hermione, and the Grangers get captured by the Death Eaters? We were waiting for you for minutes; some people of the order were even starting to get worried. The letters we exchanged must be stolen… But we though you would be late so weren't there on time. When we did, we found the four of them, holding the four of you. Then we fought. How had they captured you? The three Grangers were very damaged from being under the attack for so long. They passed out. Lestrange tried hit you with the Avada but someone else tried hit him with a stunner, Lestrange ducked and the spell hit you.' McGonagall explained her voice shaky.
'I don't know, they may have known about my trip to Australia and the return, they must guess or they were waiting out of here for days…' Harry said. He put his feet down of the bed. Minerva's lips disappeared in the famous line they could be.
'Where you think you're going?' she asked, ready to scream. Harry's body was in pain, but he didn't care.
'To Hermione, she needs me.' Harry said casually. 'Ron didn't want to stay, right?' he asked as Minerva supported him to his feet. She shook her head no. Harry lowered his head. He started moving out of the room. Minerva followed him but he stopped her as soon as they were out of the room.
'Thank you for everything, Hermione and I will be downstairs to see you as soon as we talk, but, can you please leave us alone for awhile?' Harry asked and Minerva nodded and patted his shoulder.
'She has been crying for the last two hours. Ron didn't talk to her and that with the attack… she is really sad and we can't calm her. The Death Eaters are still upstairs, Order members are interrogating them.' Minerva whispered as she made her way to the stairs. Harry opened the door and stepped in.
The room, the same one Hermione and Ginny were sleeping years ago, was as Harry could remember it. Now a double bed was set there. Amele and Alexander were sleeping, both of them were pale. Hermione collapsed on a chair next to the bed. She had hid her head on her lap, her entire body shaking in the rhythm of her sobs; she didn't look at who had entered the room.
'Please- leave me,' she murmured and gasped. Harry approached and hugged her tightly. She immediately understood who was holding her and gripped her arms around Harry's neck. He knelt next to her chair and hugged her tightly. She kept crying and half-screaming, half-gasping.
'I though, I though I would never experience the Cruciatus again. Dolohov was touching me, and – I – I though my parents- would –die. They – never did- a thing, they- always support m-me.' Hermione said and cried harder.
Harry's body was shaking by her sobs' force, and his anger. The Death Eaters are still upstairs. He remembered Minerva's voice.
'Ssssh 'Mione, it's over, I promise it is. None will ever touch you again,' Harry whispered in her ear and Hermione hugged him tighter.
'You'll never leave me,' she sobbed.
'Never, I promise, no matter what,' he confirmed, guilt building inside him, tears collecting in his eyes. Hermione let of his hug after awhile, her face flushed by crying, her eyes red and tired. The rest of her skin, her hands and feet, were pale. She looked exhausted. Harry noticed red marks on her neck. He stretched his hand and touched the skin there. It was warmer than the rest of her body, under his thumb her pulse was beating fast. She looked at him.
'I was discussed of his – touch- and didn't release how much I rubbed my neck with a towel,' she whispered and Harry kissed the skin of her neck, she let a sob again and hugged him as he made his way up her face and captured her lips. They stood there for awhile, supporting each other, kissing, trying to heal the new wound. They stopped after awhile.
'Ron didn't talk to me, he was next to the bed they had put us. But when I opened my eyes, I think I murmured – your name, and he left of the room. I tried talk to him, but-' her voice trailed off as another sob escaped her lips. Harry cupped her face with his hands.
'We knew it would be difficult. The Weasleys, except Ron and Ginny, believe that we are friends. We'll talk to them, but first, I want to do something else. You stay here.' Harry said and stood up again. Hermione gripped his hand.
'I want to be with you,' she said. Harry nodded and sighed. He helped her on her feet and both made their way down the stairs. Mrs. Weasley stormed inside and walked towards them.
'Merlin, you are awake! Come on, you have to eat something, everyone is so shocked about what happened.' She said quietly, not disturbing the old portrait of Mrs. Black, looking at both of them smiling sadly. 'Ginny and Ron are in the kitchen, they are sad, so sad. But now everything is-'
'Where are the Order and the Death Eaters?' Harry asked, cutting her. Molly's eyes darkened.
'Harry, the order has take over now, everything is fine, please don't get involved-'
'Where are they?' Harry repeated. Molly took a deep breath and nodded upstairs.
'In Sirius' mother's bedroom.' She said quietly.
Both Harry and Hermione turned and moved upstairs. They walked through the old corridors and they heard voices behind a door at the end of the corridor.
'Dolohov killed Remus, Kingsley, am I righ,t Death Eater?' Arthur Weasley's voice heard and Harry felt numb.
'Yeah… true-will you miss the animal?' Dolohov's voice heard shortly after.
Dolohov had killed his last father figure, Dolohov hadn't only attacked to Hermione, twice, he had also killed Remus, the last of his father's closest friends. The last person banding Harry with his parents as none else. Harry felt his blood boiling, Harry looked at Hermione and she nodded her head.
Hermione opened the door and everyone turned around and looked at them. Yaxley, Dholov, Lestrange and Malfoy were bound on the chairs. McGonagall, Kingsley, George, Mr. Weasley and some other Order members Harry knew by face kept looking at the young people as they stepped inside.
'Harry is better to take Hermione and go downstairs; we won't let them go anywhere.' Kingsley said, forcing a smile.
'Hello Mudblodd, you want more than I gave you before?' Dolohov said as he spat blood of his month and smirked. Both Harry and Hermione grabbed each others' hands. Harry stormed on him and then Hermione but the order members gripped both of them and pulled them away.
'Harry, take Hermione away from here.' Minerva said and Harry tried set him self free.
'NO, not this time, all of you out, I don't care of ministries and orders, all of you out, this is my case.' Harry said firmly and Hermione shouted her agreement as George and Mr. Weasley kept her away from the chairs.
'Harry, you need to rest, Hermione, you need the same if not even more, we'll-'
'I BEAT VOLDEMORT AND NONE THAN HERMIONE WAS WITH ME TO THE END! ALL OF YOU! OUT!' Harry screamed this time and the members left of Hermione and him at the same time. Everyone looked at each other and then nodded. One by one all of them left the room and let the couple and the death eaters alone. Harry looked at Hermione which nodded and both of turned at the four. None of the men in the chairs said a simple word.
Harry approached them, Malfoy was ready to say something as a smirk appeared in his blooded face but before Harry could act Hermione had punched Lucious so hard on the face, her hand's knuckle heard creaking. Lucious' head fell back, a river of blood flew for seconds in the air. Harry looked at Hermione impressed and proud.
'Potty, the Mudblood is yours, huh? Well from the blood traitor, to her… how low can you go?' Rodolphus Lestrange asked Harry and he turned to face him.
'You have no idea how nice I felt when I heard Voldemort screaming when Bella died by Molly's wand… it was so nice. And when your Lord cast the curse on me on the forest… do you remember how loving Bella asked him if he is alright?' Harry asked, and before Lestrange could answer, his head was felling back and he hit the wall by Harry's hands.
Yaxley didn't dare to talk; the members of the order had already hit him as the rest. Harry approached him and kicked the chair he was on. Yaxley fell down and hit his back and head on the floor and the wall behind him.
Dolohov was now sat on the chair, a smug smile never letting his eyes and blooded face. He looked at Hermione and she looked at him with mixed emotions as Harry could see in her eyes. Anger, pain, disgust, fear…
' Hmmm the werewolf is dead by my wand Potter… he fought, I have to admit, but what an animal can do to a pure wizard?' he addressed to Harry and then looked at Hermione again. 'For a Mudblood, you are not that bad, and your tits are not bad either, would you like show me the mark I left on you? Marking you as mine? Come on- sho-'
Both Harry and Hermione gripped him by his hair and neck. Hermione spat on his face and hit him with her knee at the best place she could imagine of hurting him without a wand. Dolohov collapsed onto the chair growling. Hermione gripped his hair as Harry let her do what she wanted to.
'I'm not yours! I swear Dolohov, you left a mark on my chest, there'll be no soul in you!' Hermione hissed to his ear. She dragged Dolohov's head and he fell as well as Yaxley and Lestrange on the wall and then on the floor behind. Hermione was shaking. Harry hugged her tightly and rubbed her back.
'I promise he'll pay.' Harry whispered. They both left of the room; all the members were inside before, were now in the corridor, waiting. Both Harry and Hermione left them without saying a word, arms still around each other. As they stepped away, Harry could feel his blood still boiling inside him. For Dolohov and the rest of the Death Eaters, for Voldemort, for the endless problems in his life and for Hermione's pain. They moved down the last stairs. Harry didn't notice and kicked the old troll foot. The portrait of Mrs. Black started screaming again. Harry couldn't take more.
'TRAITORS! MUDBLOODS! BASTARDS! CURSED! ALL OF YOU CURSED! ALL OF YOU DOOMED TO HELL! '
'SHUT UP!' Both Harry and Hermione screamed. Wild wind started blowing in the hall, and Harry nor Hermione paid any heed to it. They wanted that bloody painting down, once and for all.
And then it happened. The portrait exploded in thousands of small pieces of wood, fabric and pieces of canvas. The pieces hit both Harry and Hermione and spread to the floor and the stairs. Harry felt many scratches forming on his body even above his clothes. Hermione fell on her knees and he did the same, he felt exhausted. Many people approached them from the kitchen and upstairs. He couldn't see much more, darkness surrounded him again.
Harry opened his eyes, sunlight was hitting his face. He looked next to him, Hermione was still asleep. Her face, scratched in many places, under the wounds, her face was pale. Harry looked around and spotted someone across the room; he couldn't see the face but recognized the long ginger hair. Ginny was looking out of the window. Harry took his glasses on and stood up, Ginny snapped and turned. She smiled at him, she approached him, and Harry could see the sadness in her features. She looked at Hermione and then at Harry again.
'How are you feeling?' she whispered.
'I've been better…' Harry said and Ginny smiled a bit.
'They asked of me to wait until you were awake. It's past breakfast time, but mum is making a great meal for lunch. The portrait is in history, McGonagall said that both of yours and Hermione's power destroyed it. The Death Eaters are in Azkaban already, I think-'
'Ginny,' Harry cut her.
'Yes, Harry?' she answered, her eyes still looking at him as he turned and looked at Hermione's sleeping form.
'Where is Ron?'
Ginny looked at him scared for awhile. 'Harry, he is furious; you know…' she said, not sure of how to say more.
'He hates us,' Harry said and looked back at Ginny. Ginny didn't nod in agreement or some objection. Harry took a deep breath.
'I though about the things we discussed before you left for Sydney,' Ginny said after some very uncomfortable moments. 'And you are right, I love more your surname than your name, and I'm sorry for that, but that doesn't mean I have stopped loving you. I – I was just thinking that you are the one- and stuff. I released that- I don't know my self as I though I did, and this is only my fault.' She whispered again. 'I couldn't recognize what I'm searching for and I though I wanted only you. When you left, I realized that I wasn't empty only because of you but because-' she stopped, stood up and walked away.
Harry didn't say a word. He knew she would see as clearly as he did, sooner or later. At least she didn't slap or punch him as Ron would do. Hermione stirred next to him and he lowered his body and kissed her bruises lightly. She opened her eyes and looked at him. He started kissing her and she responded on the spot, welcoming the new day with the best day. 'I love you,' he murmured as the kiss was over.
'And I, you,' she whispered.
'We have to tell them, Ginny already talked to me and she needs time I think,' Harry said and Hermione looked at him surprised. 'I will explain you later, I think today is the change we need.' He added and she nodded.
'I know,' she whispered looking away. He kissed her again and she turned at him again, hugging him, a small moan of pain slipped out of her lips as their bodies touched each other.
'I won't leave you,' said Harry.
'I know,' Hermione said and hugged him tighter.
When the couple went down the stairs the hall was clear again, the spot the portrait was for years was now empty. Harry took Hermione's hand and kissed it before entering the kitchen. The room was full of people. Molly, Arthur, Ginny, Ron, George and Percy Weasley were all around, preparing the lunch. Minerva and the Grangers were sitting down, talking and smiling. Amele and Alexander looked better than the day before. Amele smiled at her daughter. Hermione ran to her parents and hugged them both. Harry smiled at the picture. His smile faded when he looked at Ron. His best friend was looking at the tabletop. Harry didn't say something, Minerva approached him.
'At least you two destroyed the darn portrait,' she said amused. Harry forced a smile. She looked at him for a long moment and then said.
'If you have to announce things, this is the best time, for both of you…' she said and stepped away.
The table was set very soon. Everyone sat around it. Harry –as the master of the house- sat on the head of the table, at his right Hermione sat down and her parents beside her, Minerva after them. Molly put Ginny at his left and then Ron, their parents and brothers beside them.
Molly looked at Harry and Ginny and smiled. Harry felt his heart ache at the pain he would cause her soon. But there was no other time. Everyone ate, small chats started about the differences between muggle and wizarding world and the trip in Australia. Harry caught Ron looking at Hermione. She was avoiding his gaze and Harry knew Ron was getting angrier after every passing moment. After some more hard minutes, Harry stood up. Everyone stopped talking and looked at him. He cleared his throat and looked at everyone.
'I have something to announce.' He started.
'We are listening, dear,' Molly said smiling, making him feel worse than before. He looked at Ron, the young man returned the gaze firmly. Then at Ginny, she didn't look up at him. And then at Hermione, she was looking deep into his eyes. She stood up as well.
'Hermione and I are together.' He blurted out as he looked back at the table. George and Percy looked at each other. Mr. and Mrs. Granger smiled at the couple. At the other side, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley were looking at him, pale, frozen. Ron next to them hadn't stopped looking at him. Ginny kept her head low. Minerva gave a smile at the two standing people.
Ron stood up first, looked at everyone around. He moved fast –throwing his seat behind him on the floor- at Harry and Hermione. Gasps heard but Ron stopped right in front of them, looking at Harry then at Hermione and then back at him. His eyes, normally full of cheeriness and happiness, were now sources of pain and anger. He spat on the floor in front of them.
'Your sister, eh?' he blurted out. 'Well, just so you know, brothers don't fuck their sisters!!' Ron screamed and everyone held their breaths. He moved away, disgust all over his face and apparated with a loud crack.
George and Percy followed after Ron, murmuring something between their disbelief and congratulations. Ginny stood up and gave at Harry and Hermione the most complicated look, she was smiling, her eyes full of tears, and she took a deep breath and gripped a little floo powder as she moved closer to the fire place. She left the kitchen in bright green flames. Hermione had lowered her head since Ron had screamed at them. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley stood up at the same time and left with loud cracks as well. Now only the two Grangers and Minerva had remained. She stood up as well, she gave them a bright smile –both Harry and Hermione never had seen her doing that.
'You're brave enough to clear this out with the people who care about you, and I'm with you, no matter what.' She said and left as well with a loud crack. Hermione's parents were now left there, but Amele nodded to her husband and both stood up and left the couple alone. Harry felt Hermione collapsing and gripped her, and she held on him tightly.
'We lost them all,' she said quietly. But she didn't cry, she couldn't cry more, Harry was sure. He kissed her neck.
'We have us,' Harry said and started rubbing her back. Kreacher showed up in the large kitchen and looked around, surprised at the lack of people. He made a bow; Harry let of Hermione and looked at him. The elf was holding a letter. Hermione looked at the elf.
'Master Harry, Mistress Herminy- I have this letter from my master Regulus' cousin.' The elf said.
'You mean Andromeda?' Hermione asked, taking a deep breath, calming herself.
'I think is about her but the letter is from mistress Narcissa.' The elf responded. The couple looked at it and then each other surprised and worried.
What could Narcissa Malfoy possibly want?