Chapter Nine

Rain Soaked Plans

Hermione tore through the house gathering as many items as she could once Ginny had left for home. Molly had gone back with Ginny to the house that Ginny shared with Harry…until tonight. Hermione filled a bag with any clothing she might need when she went away with Harry. Remembering her mother's necklace she went over to the bedside table and picked up the heavy silver cross. Hermione didn't know if her mother would agree with what she was doing by running away but she knew that by taking the necklace with her she would have a part of her mother. Thinking of her family made Hermione sad to the core but Harry could be her family now couldn't he? Making sure that everything was ready and that she had packed all of the items that she needed Hermione decided that it was time to leave. Hermione took one last look around her old room and gave it a sad smile goodbye…

All that was left to do was leave but Hermione desperately wanted to tell Molly, she had to let Molly know just how much she loved her and how grateful she was that Molly had cared for her all these years but she knew that Molly would try to make Hermione stay, she would make Harry return to Ginny and Hermione would not be able to cope with that. Instead Hermione grabbed a piece of parchment, a quill and some ink to write Molly a note. In the note Hermione made sure that she told Molly everything and how much Molly had meant to her. Taking one last look at the parchment Hermione remembered her brother's latest letter that Hermione hadn't read. She picked up the note and placed it into her bag.

Harry was waiting for Hermione on the edge of the woods just as icy drops of rain began to fall. Hermione was so happy to see Harry that she broke into a run and leapt into his arms. As soon as Harry's arms were around Hermione she felt at home and so safe.

"Are you ready to leave? I have enough money to have a carriage take us all the way to London." Harry said before he kissed Hermione on the lips.

"London?" Hermione asked warily. "Why London?"

"I have family there Hermione and I have money in London. It's the best place for us to go to. I know you don't want to go there because of this Malfoy person but he'll be gone soon, he'll be here and far away once we're in London. Is that agreeable with you?"

"Yes…yes, it seems like the best plan to have." Hermione said even though it made her worried to be in London.

"Well then, let's be off." Harry said taking Hermione's hand and walking towards Minerva's cottage.

By the time Harry and Hermione reached Minerva's cottage the rain was heavy and icy. Hermione was soaked and frozen to the bone and she was very grateful when Minerva opened her door quickly. Minerva smiled at the pair of them which made Hermione feel better even with the rain.

"Storm is too bad to travel in tonight. You can stay here tonight until the weather becomes less fierce." Minerva said.

"Thank you Minerva." Harry said grasping the elder woman's hands. He and Hermione came into the cottage and warmed themselves by the fire while Minerva found them tick blankets and dry clothes to wear. While Minerva was heating some broth over the smaller fire in the tiny kitchen Hermione and Harry changed out of their wet and cold clothing. Once they were dressed Harry gave Hermione a quick kiss on the lips. "We're going to be ok love."

"But what abouts this Malfoy coming to the village?" Hermione asked fearfully. Harry sighed and placed Hermione's hand in his own.

"We'll be far away from here by the time he arrives. Please don't be scared" Harry said.

"What's this talk of a man called Malfoy?" Minerva asked.

"He's a religious man Ginny wrote to, she told him I was a witch...if he finds me he'll burn me for sure." Hermione said as Minerva handed her a bowl of broth. Minerva cursed under her breath with a violent hiss.

"Hermione, I've told you that it won't happen because I'm getting you far away from here." Harry said. "Now eat, you'll need your strength for the journey." Harry said kissing Hermione on the lips again.

"Harry is right Hermione, you need to eat up then you two can take a large bed upstairs, I can sleep down here by the fire." Minerva said.

"Are you sure Minerva?" Hermione asked. After all, Minerva had done so much for Hermione and it felt like Hermione could never stop owing her.

"Of course Hermione." Minerva said giving Hermione a warm and knowing smile.

After the broth Hermione could barely keep her eyes open so Harry helped her up the tiny staircase to the only room upstairs in Minerva's cottage. The room was warm and all the furniture inside of it was made of wood like the rest of the furniture in Minerva's house.

"This is going to be the first night that we spend together." Hermione said. She was amazed that she actually felt shy. Maybe it was because of how she felt for Harry, now much she liked him. That made her very nervous. She placed her bag of clothes and things on the bed. Hermione didn't notice when the letter from her brother slipped out the bag and Harry quickly picked it up.

"What is this Hermione?" Harry asked.

"What? That? Oh…it's…it's not anything." Hermione quickly said reaching for the letter.

"It's a letter to you, who is it from?" Harry asked.

"It's my letter Harry." Hermione said snapping.

"Hermione?" Harry said taking Hermione's hand and kissing it. Hermione tried to turn away but Harry kept hold of her hand.

"It's…it's a letter from me brother ok?" Hermione said quietly. "It's from my brother in London."

"I didn't know that you had a brother." Harry said. How could he know really? Harry had moved into the village two years after Hermione's parents had died. Her brother had already left for London by that point and Hermione never motioned him to anyone.

"I don't speak about him. I haven't seen him since he left for London after my parents died." Hermione explained.

"Oh Hermione, I'm sorry." Harry said pulling Hermione into a hug and he rested his head on top of hers. Hermione suddenly felt very safe and if all her worry, all her upset, was dissolving. "Everything is going to be ok" Harry said. Hermione nuzzled herself into Harry's chest and sighed deeply. "Come on my dear, it's getting very late. We need to set off soon in the morning for London." Harry then said. Hermione nodded in agreement. Nothing would happen between them tonight, Hermione's nerves were too shaken for that, but soon she would show Harry just how much she loved him.


A bright bolt of lightning lit up the bedroom and a loud clap of thunder shock the house as Ginny Potter opened her eyes. She reached over for Harry but found that the side of the bed that Harry slept on was vacant. Ginny frowned and sat up quickly while she looked around the room. She wondered if Harry had left for the fields already but he wouldn't have done that without waking up Ginny and saying goodbye to her. Now that she was beginning to waken up she noticed that the room looked oddly empty.

In the kitchen Ginny looked around the room trying to figure out what was wrong, what was different, if anything was wrong. She did not find the letter for a good five minutes even though it was sitting on the table. Her name was written on the front in Harry's familiar script. The thick parchment felt so heavy in Ginny's hands as she unfolded it and began to read Harry's words.

My dear Ginny

I write this letter not to hurt you but to explain a truth that you need to know. Over some time I have found myself falling in love with a women whom is not you and I can no longer hide the feelings I have desperately wanted to squash. I have found myself falling for Hermione Granger, I believe that I am very much in love with her Ginny and I am ever so sorry for the pain this may cause you. This pain however cannot excuse you for how you have reacted to Hermione especially may accusing her of the sinful act of witchcraft. Hermione and I know of the man from London Ginny, we know of this Draco Malfoy who is coming.

For Hermione's safety we have decided to leave. I have yet to know where we are going but even if I did I do not think it is wise telling you where we plan to go.

I will never stop loving you but just not in the same way that I have found myself loving Hermione. Once again I am deeply sorry for the pain this letter may have caused you even if that was not my intent at all.

I am sorry and goodbye

Harry

Ginny could feel tears forming in her eyes; she could feel her chest tightening and her heart beginning to race. No, no this could not be happening at all. This all had to be an elaborate dream placed in her mind by the talk she'd had with Luna. That must have been the reason because there was no way this could be happening…

Ginny gripped onto the letter, her vision blurring as tears swam in her eyes and finally she began to sob, load and gut wrenching sobs that wrack her body. She sobbed, cried and screamed for so long that she did not hear her mother knocking on the door and then walking into the house.

"Ginny? Ginny! What's happened?" Molly cried rushing over to her daughter but Ginny's sobs drowned out any words she might have formed. "Ginny you need to stop being so hysterical. What has happened?" Molly asked. Ginny wiped away several tears staining her face and breathed in deeply. "Ginny, please tell me what happened." Molly said pleadingly.

"Harry has left." Ginny said between her tears.

"What do you mean by left?" Molly asked. Ginny went over and picked up the letter. She handed it to Molly for her to read. Once Molly had finished reading she pulled Ginny into a tight hug.

"He's gone with that vile whore of a witch Hermione!" Ginny said weeping. "Did you not know that something was going on? Did Hermione tell you anything? Anything at all?" Ginny asked desperately. Molly shook her head.

"No Ginny…Hermione never told me anything. I didn't even know she had left…Ginny…Ginny I am so sorry."

"No you're not…but you will be." Ginny hissed wiping her tears away and glaring at her mother. Molly back away, terrified by the ice cold look in Ginny's eyes.


Hermione Granger awoke with an arm wrapped around her waist. It took her a moment to remember that the arm belonged to Harry Potter. She turned over and watched him as he slept. His face was rugged from his work in the fields but he was still the most handsome man she had ever seen in her life. His dark hair stood out from his pale skin and Hermione knew that when he opened his eyes she would see those piercing green eyes that she had fallen so very much in love with. Harry began to stir and Hermione couldn't help but kiss him lightly on the lips.

"Morning." Harry mumbled sleepily. "Did you sleep well?" Harry asked Hermione. Hermione thought at it. Even with all the of turmoil she was feeling over leaving Molly and running away with Harry, Hermione had to admit that she now felt calm. Calmer than she had left in a very long time. Hermione nodded and kissed Harry yet again. "Good. Shall we wake Minerva and make her breakfast before we leave for London?" Harry asked.

"Yes, it is the least we can do." Hermione said. She climbed out of the comfy bed and smoothed down her underclothes. She retched for her shirt and skirt and quickly got dressed. Hermione went downstairs to the small room that Minerva cooked in. She was surprised to see Minerva up already. "Oh, good morning Minerva. Harry and I were hoping you would still be asleep, we wanted to wake you then make you breakfast before we left. We wanted to say thank you for everything."

"You won't be leaving today Hermione." Minerva warned. "The rain has yet to stop and the roads and lanes are flooded. You'll have to stay here for at least a few more days."

"What? But Draco Malfoy shall be here in less than a week! Harry and I have to be as far away from him as possible!" Hermione said. "We need to leave!"

"Hermione it isn't possible! The roads are too dangerous to travel by and the rain is persistent. You'll have to stay here, there is no other option." Minerva said.

"What is the matter?" Harry asked walking downstairs. "Hermione?"

"We can't leave for a few more days. The rain as washed out all the roads." Hermione said. "We're going to have to stay here even though this Malfoy man is coming." Harry sighed as Hermione continued to gabble. Harry walked over and pulled her into a strong hug.

"It will be all fine Hermione. We can stay here then leave as soon as the roads clear. It will be fine Hermione, I promise you." Harry said.

"How can you promise that though?" Hermione asked. Harry sighed again. "Harry please, I'm so…I'm so scared." Hermione said. Harry realised that there wasn't anything else that he could possibly say to Hermione to calm her down; she was just too scared by the thought of this Draco Malfoy fellow.


"When will you return Sir?" Pansy Parkinson asked her master as she placed a cloak around Draco's shoulders.

"As soon as I have dealt with this witch. The woman who wrote to me has made it clear that their village will be better off without the vile strumpet. The quicker the better." Draco explained. His assistant, Neville Longbottom, came into the room wrapped in a thick cloak.

"Did this woman have a name? The one who wrote to you?" Pansy asked.

"Yes she did. Her names was Ginny." Draco said. Pansy handed him his Bible and his cross so he was ready to leave.

"Ginny?" Neville asked. Why did that name bring up memories for him?

"Yes, Ginny Potter. Why Neville? Do you know this woman?" Draco asked. Neville shook his head. No, that was a different time and there was no possible way that this Ginny woman was the same Ginny. No possible way at all.


Author's Note: Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Happy New Year everyone! I hope that everyone has a wonderful holiday and gets everything they wanted.

Ok so I got a few questions asked via messages so I'll quickly answer them here.

Q: Who is Hermione's brother? Will we see him in the story?

A: He's quite key to some of the plot. We've already seen him actually. Hermione will meet him again soon.

Q: How many chapters are you planning on writing for this fic?

A: Nowhere near as many as I wrote for A Rather Reluctant Potter. This fic will have fifteen chapters tops.

Q: Are the chapters going to be firmly from Hermione and Harry's POVs from now on that they are leaving the village?

A: No, not at all. I've always been a fan of multi character fics and this is going to no different. We will see from Ginny, Draco etc again.