DISCLAIMER: This story is based on characters and situations created and
owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to
Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros.,
Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is
intended.
((Greetings, I now offer you Chapter 9, another long read. So sit back, relax, and enjoy as everything gets worse and worse for our beloved characters.))
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"Tell me not, in mournful numbers,
Life is but an empty dream!
For the soul is dead that slumbers,
and things are not what they seem.
Life is real! Life is earnest!
And the grave is not its goal;
Dust thou art; to dust returnest,
Was not spoken of the soul."
-Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
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Hermione's eyes fluttered open from her slumber due to some unknown cause. Around her the walls were white and so bright she squinted her eyes in pain. She saw only the ceiling, with its bright modern looking lights, and she did now know where she was. She quickly sat up, growing nervous, a panicked feeling in the pit of her stomach. She grouped about for her wand but realized the pajamas she was wearing had no pockets. Nor were they her pajamas.
"Something is definitely wrong" she thought, and using her steady logic she inhaled deeply, her eyes scanning the room for clues as to where she was and how she's gotten there. There was a heavy gray metal door on one wall, and it had a slit in it which was closed. To the left of the door was a silver window she could not see though. It was large and seemingly pointless, yet something semi recognizable stirred up even more panic in her.
She pulled her feet over to the edge of the bed and placed them down on the cold, sparkling white tiles there. She felt a little shiver go over her. The thin cotton pajamas was wore hardly provided any warmth. The room was very small, no more than a cube with no more than her small cot like bed and a rigid looking chair bolted to the floor. Everything was white, bright, and spotless. It all gave the room a sense of coldness... it was so impersonal, so phony.
She walked to the door and attempted to open it but to no avail. It was locked shut. She tried to push the slit in the door open, but of course, that was locked shut too. She felt the panic within mounting. "Where's Harry?" She wondered, chewing her bottom lip nervously. "I fell asleep with him... I don't even know how long ago."
Knowing magic, any amount of time may have passed since she had been imprisoned. She suspected it to be the work of Voldemort... and yet, clean sterile cells was hardly his style. She expected an imprisonment by the dark lord to involve a dark, dingy dungeon with plenty of torture. How could have someone taken her in the night without her noticing.
She felt the world spin as she lost control. The room seemed to be closing in on her. She raced to the window and banged on it screaming for help, for someone to come. She tried to shatter it with her fists, but to no avail. She broke down in sobs and soon found herself lying on the floor in a crumpled heap. Suddenly the door sprang open and she saw the terrified face of Ron peering in at her. He stepped inside and closed the door.
"Ron!" She cried with joy, not bothering to brush away her tears. She threw her arms around him tightly, reveling in his familiarity. His hug as warm, but expressed none of the panic she felt.
When they separated his face was still scared, but calm and even. "They finally said I could visit you." He said simply.
"Who? What do you mean finally? How long have we been here? Where is here what happened?"
Ron looked ready to explode once more as he was bombarded by questions. Suddenly his expression changed to one of sympathy and sorrow.
"Oh Hermione, how can you not know? They said you were making progress!"
"Who's they?!" She spat, suddenly angry, not liking his pity.
"The doctors. I can't... this is just so hard." He swallowed back tears. "I don't want to go though this again. Hermione... after Harry's death you, you just couldn't cope. You started having hallucinations that he had returned. It's been months now, and all you keep talking about is some disc, and the House of the Heavens. You must know none of those things truly exist?"
His eyes were pleading but Hermione could not accept it. "No... no... he's alive, he is... HE'S ALIVE!"
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"He's alive!" She mumbled over and over again tossing and turning. Harry was quickly awaken and grabbed her by the shoulders, gently, and then more forcefully shaking her awake.
"Hermione, it's okay!" He whispered in hushed and hurried tones. As her eyes flickered open he gently brushed her hair back, still holding her close.
"He's alive" she said once more, though fully awake, her eyes wild and darting about. He kissed her firmly on the forehead to assure her of his presence and she began to relax, the tension draining from her body. The pace of her breathing began to steady as she slowly sank back down into the mattress.
"Harry..." she whimpered, her dark brown eyes looked into his deep green ones.
"It's okay" he whispered once more kissing her to dissolve any of her doubts about his solidity before her eyes. Tears silently steamed down her cheeks, barely gleaming from her skin in the blackness of the room.
Harry rolled slowly onto his back, taking Hermione with him so that her head was positioned resting on his chest, her tears soaking the thin white fabric of his shirt. They remained like that for some time, neither speaking.
Finally Hermione broke the silence, her voice sounding congested from her tears. "It's just so hard... why must it be so difficult?" It was the question behind their very being.
Harry said nothing which suited Hermione well as she was not quite finished unburdening herself of life's sorrows. "If our lives had been normal witch and wizard lives, everything would be so changed. How you ever stopped to consider how changed everything could be if Tom Marvolo Riddle was never born? Of course you have, what a ridiculous question."
She sniffed and straightened out so that they were both more comfortable. She began to speak again, and her voice was quick and excited, she was rambling as she often did in difficult situations. "Right now I bet we'd both be off at some Universities somewhere. I'd be training to be a Medi Witch, and you'd probably be playing Quidditch for some team. But we'd still be together, that wouldn't change..."
"And after that?" Harry asked, "After we graduated?"
"Marry and start a family?" She said, her response half a question and half a statement.
Harry grinned though she couldn't tell in the dark and her head was positioned facing away from him. Start a family... the thought had never crossed his mind, that someday he could have a normal life; he could actually be a part of his own family.
"We can still have those things" he said slowly. "Just not now, but someday... we will." He hoped she believed him, because he desperately wanted to believe himself, he truly wanted to believe it. More than anything he needed to believe it.
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Another Order meeting came up quickly and there were only a few dull days before Harry, Hermione, Ron and the rest of the gang were back at the long rectangular table which sat them during their discussions.
Dumbledore was late (as usual, it almost seemed as though he waited just to make a dramatic entrance) and Snape was the only other one not present. Suddenly the doors flew open and his the stone walls with such force that the impact created an echoing noise that resonated off the walls of the hall. Snape stepped in, his pace brisk and urgent, his black robes billowing out behind him.
"Where's Dumbledore?" He asked, his voice as unpleasant and monotone as ever.
"Not here" was Harry's simple response, he felt quite unfortunate for being unable to shake his juvenile hatred for the Slytherin head.
Snape gave him a scowl of disapproval meant to be scorching and threatening but Harry's facial expressions remained unchanged. "Read this" he spat to no one specifically, throwing down a copy of the Daily Prophet with a loud slap.
Harry picked up the newspaper as it landed before him and noticed out of the corner of his eye as other scrambled out of the room to find their own copies. Over his shoulder Ron and Hermione read the section clearly indicated by the bold headline at the top.
"DEATH EATERS STRIKE AGAIN! This time they attack a wizarding village- EMA sent in but none returned!"
"At approximately 2:00 this morning Death Eaters invaded the small wizarding village of Darvensport, setting houses aflame, and liberally administering Unforgivable Curses on innocent bystanders. It was at 2:17 that Minister Blake received an urgent owl from Mayor Edna Smart pleading for the dispatch of EMA troops to quell the raid.
"'I immediately ordered the release of 500 soldiers into the area, planning on sending reinforcements as soon as possible' reported Minister Blake at this morning's 5:00 press conference. 'It was only shortly after that I sent in additional troops only to receive news that the town was destroyed.'
"Destroyed means that, according to the most recent estimate, almost 200 citizens have been left dead, 256 EMA soldiers have fallen in the line of action and the remaining 600 citizens and soldiers have been taken as prisoners."
"The news on this catastrophic event is still coming in and we here at the Daily Prophet pledge to keep our readers up to date. Our thoughts and prayers remain with the victims, prisoners and their families in this time of loss and sorrow. Minister Blake is expected to address the public today at noon."
The article continued, and was accompanied by numerous others written on the same topic- the innocent, unprepared village of Davensport.
Harry growled in frustration, his echo rumbling the walls with fury. He leaned forward and ran his fingers roughly though his hair. He was trembling with fury. Ron stepped back nervously and Hermione attempted to lay a soothing hand on his shoulder but he pulled away from her, standing up and pacing about the room, Ron and Hermoine the only ones present to watch.
"DAMN IT!" He shouted, his voice so loud and dripping with venom that Ron headed for the door slowly and inconspicuously. Harry was muttering incoherently, his face turning red. He could see nothing and feel nothing but his rage and malice. He kicked at a chair and forgetting his own strength, sent it spiraling into a wall were in broke with a loud crack, the splinters clattering to the floor. His fury was still not suppressed and he lashed out once more, a stone column his victim this time. A combination of adrenaline an unconsciously added magic caused the rock to break with the blow, gravel added to the splintered wood on the floor. He grabbed at his hand and let out a low, bark of a yell before crumbling to his knees on the floor.
"HARRY!" Hermione yelled with panic, forgetting her fear at his temper and rushing to his side. He was doubled over, not moving, his breathing uneven a jagged. Ron approached Harry also, though more slowly, with a great deal of caution.
"Harry, please, sit up" Hermione begged, gently rubbing his back. Slowly Harry resurfaced from the floor, his expression unreadable. He was still clutching his hand and when Hermione looked, she saw it was dripping with blood.
"Oh Harry, you moron" she said, half sobbed half laughed. She gently took his hand in her own and cast an incantation that healed the gash across his palm. Harry arose to his feet and his face was set with a clear sense of focus and determination. He took long meaningful strides across the room. He picked up the newspaper and tucked it under his arm with the gentleness that constituted his true nature. He then headed for the door.
"Where are you going?" Hermione asked tentatively, stopping him at the threshold.
He did not turn, keeping his back to both her and Ron. "I have business to attend to." His voice was neither warm nor cold and with that he continued his trek off into the corridor.
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Harry had an exact end in mind, a precise destination. That destination was the Headmaster's office. As he approached the gargoyle that signified the passageway into Dumbledore's office Snape shifted out from the shadows, his expression bitter though not angry.
"The headmaster is not in" Snape stated, walking towards Harry.
"Surprise surprise" Harry muttered with unjustified acrimony. "Where is he?"
"Talking with that fool of a Minister" Snape replied and for once the two men could share in their feelings regarding a subject.
"Why weren't you given warning to this attack?" Harry asked quite abruptly as the question suddenly popped into his mind. "You are still working as spy for Voldemort are you not?"
Snape suddenly looked uncomfortable as they turned into the next corridor, both inadvertently walking towards the Great Hall.
"First of all, don't use the Dark Lord's name you damned fool" Snape spat, and then calming, he continued to speak in his dull monotone voice. "I was... it seems that the Dark Lord is onto my ploy for he did not summon me last night. His redemption for my treachery will be great. I suspect I may gain close to your status on his hit list Potter."
If Snape had expected a reaction from Harry he got none. "So basically, we have a fool of a minister beckoning open war with the EMA, and we have no connections remaining to survey the plans of the ever psychotic Tom Riddle." Harry smirked a bit, snorting with sarcastic laughter. "Just grand."
Snape's eyes slithered to the side where he was able to observe Harry as they walked, then dating back to the corridor before them. "The resistance is falling apart Mr. Potter. Do not be foolish enough to have hope. Despite what Albus Dumbledore may say, there is no hope. I am of the opinion that there never was."
Opening the door to the Great Hall Snape slid inside, leaving Harry alone in the hallway.
"Then I suspect there is much work left to be done" Harry muttered to nobody in particular. With a snap and flurry of robes Harry spun on his heel with the intent of tracking down Dumbledore.
Thus it was rather coincidental that Dumbledore found him, placing a hand on Harry's shoulder as the tense young man passed him in the corridor, preoccupied by thought.
Dumbledore's eyes were solemn and filled with despair but also determination. "Mr. Potter, I think it is very prudent that we have a prolonged chat in my office."
Harry nodded and together they set off, their pace brisk and their minds full.
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Seated in Dumbledore's office they skipped all small talk and polite gestures and cut straight to the chase.
"Harry, I know you are aware of last night's events. First of all, you should not blame yourself. In my experience with you, you tend to pile guilt and wearisome burdens onto yourself. But no good can come of that. Am I making myself clear?"
Harry was hesitant. How could it not be his fault? Had he defeated Voldemort, none of this would have transpired. Yet his mentor was right, there was only ruin to be found in self hatred and regret. Harry nodded, straightening in his chair.
"Very good Harry, very good. Now then, let us get directly to the subject. It is time we swing into full battle mode Harry. Pieces have moved into their places and they cannot be reversed without some crucial attacks that will require a whole change of sorts. We will become more than agents Harry, we must become soldiers."
Dumbledore watched as Harry nodded in accord and he felt his heart clench. Harry was prepared, more than men three times his age could ever be. Yet he was so young, too young to carry the burdens of the world, too young to do what Dumbledore was about to ask of him. However, Dumbledore had tried to protect Harry in the past and it only led to harm. He needed to set his affection and morals aside and get down to the dirty work.
"Harry, I want you to serve as General of our own sort of army. It will be a defense force, I have no intentions of taking the offensive. We will need recruits, training, and a well devised plan. Assign however you need to assist you. I myself will be remain as a chief general in all matters, but I fear I cannot be present in all matters. My presence in the castle may decrease as time passes. You see, only I can deal with outside issues regarding the Ministry and other such affairs. It is unfortunate but a fact. And Harry, to be quite honest there is no one I trust more than you to settle the matters of this castle. You are young, yes. But you have faced much evil and you have proved your resilience time and time again."
Dumbledore paused, giving Harry a meaningful look.
Harry shifted uncomfortably and then stood up, pacing shortly and then resigning himself to the window where snow was softly descending from the heavens. "Hogwarts is no longer safe." He stated, not turning to face the persistent gave that watched him so closely.
"You are correct" Dumbledore responded, his voice revealing no emotion.
"Then we must send the students home. Yet, home is not necessarily safe either."
Dumbledore had a quick response to Harry's thinking. "No, but the Ministry has set up a safe hold at the Havenirk Castle. The castle is quite ancient and protected by strong magic as well as a multitude off troops. I daresay it is the only thing the Ministry has done right. Families can go there if their area falls under attack. Still, there is the hazard of students being unable to escape. Port keys have been distributed, but it may not be enough."
"How do they know a port key will not be taken by the enemy?"
Dumbledore smiled a bit, a thin, pressed smile. "That in itself is a bit of genius, if I do say so myself. You see, I developed the idea shortly after my graduation from Hogwarts. Provided there are no apparation barriers around, those who have sworn a pledge to the ministry, an unbreakable pledge that results in a full body bind when broken, can use the port key."
"Like Hermione's list for DA in fifth year" Harry commented thoughtfully. "Yet they only work in areas unbound by apparation barriers."
"Yes, precisely why they won't work here" Dumbledore said in a brisk voice, leaning back in his chair as he spoke. "Students have a better chance of survival if they can portkey away from danger with their families."
"What of those who have no family?" Harry asked, turning towards Dumbledore and matching his gaze. Harry felt an important swell in chest reminding him the importance of representing such children as he himself had been one. "Will they be forced to fend for themselves if danger comes, activating the Port Key if their lucky and then heading to a lonely old castle where they may not know anyone?"
Dumbledore tilted his head downward, his face intense with thought. That factor had not occurred to him. "What do you suggest Mr. Potter?"
Harry turned away once more. "Gryffindor Manor" he said somewhat cryptically.
"Ah, your home, the house of the noble Godric Gryffindor. A safe location to be sure, but you left it deserted for over a month. What sort of condition do you suspect it will be in?"
"Same as when I left. Time freezes when it is left unoccupied by an heir of Gryffindor."
Dumbeldore chuckled. "Alas, in my old age I am becoming so senile I forget such facts. You seem to have sorted that Mr. Potter. Any further comments before you set about your work? I'll have the school evacuated tomorrow morning if you can prepare Gryffindor Manor to accommodate 6 students by then."
"I can. I do have a few more questions for you though. First, we will need many more recruits to secure this castle under attack. Students 18 years of age are already being accepted into the EMA. I suggest we recruit them into our service instead."
Dumbledore looked troubled by this. For sure he had already considered it on his own, and though he had concluded it was necessary it still tugged at his heart strings. "Yes, yes, very well" was all he managed and Harry paused, allowing him to recover.
"As a final point, it has been brought to my attention that Snape has been found out. We need eyes around the enemy, I seem to be no longer connected to him... he's blocked me somehow."
Dumbledore nodded in deep agreement. "That is most certainly true Mr. Potter. Keep in mind however, the task is a treacherous one. Voldemort does not act kindly, even on his servants, and he will not hesitate to torture and kill a follower for the slightest mistake." Dumbledore peered at Harry over his glasses. "And he will make them kill innocents."
Harry felt slightly paled by all this, and a bit light headed. It was a terrible task to ask of anyone, but he felt the necessity of it in his heart.
"Can you think of anyone suitable for such a task?" Dumbledore asked.
Harry nodded slowly, gripping the window ledge for support.
"So be it. Now, I think we are finished here? I regret to do this, yet it is necessary. I'm leaving for urgent foreign business. I leave much in your hands. Do not take it all upon yourself, I'm sure you'll find help shall always present itself."
Harry nodded as his mentor rose to his feet. Crossing the room and heading for the door Harry stopped and extended his hand to his father like figure. They exchanged a firm handshake. "Good luck professor." Harry said his voice sullen.
"You too Harry, you too."
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The snow had stopped falling and the sun was out, melting away the white fluff into puddles of mud across the grounds. Though it was still cold out, it had warmed considerably and Hermione opened the window to enjoy the fresh air. She sat on the window seat, breathing in the frigid outdoors, her knees pulled up to her chest and her arms wrapped around them for additional warmth. She tried to relax, letting her eyes travel the endless blue sky, marveling at its contrast with the black winter trees that clawed up into her vision. Suddenly a dot in the distance drew her attention and she focused her eyes into it until she recognized it as a messenger owl. With slow and graceful motions the white and grey speckled bird landed beside her on the window sill. She removed the letter from its leg and read:
Hermione-
The school must be evacuated of students by tomorrow morning. All 7th year students are needed to stay and supplement forces, so I need you to recruit those willing by tonight. I'll send Ginny to help you shortly.
Love, Harry
Tears stung at her eyes, products of her bleeding heart which mourned the evacuation of the splendid castle. She took a sharp breath to regain composure and neatly folded the letter, placing it in her pocket. She decided to wait for Ginny to come to her, planning in the meantime.
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Ginny flung the newspaper across the Owlery. "Enough of that" she said with a look of disdain.
"I was reading that" Chrome said lazily, slowly rising to his feet while brushing dirt from his jeans.
"Exactly my point, we shouldn't be obsessing over it." Her words seemed rather hypocritical though, for as she spoke she was clearly still thinking about what had happened judging by the distant look in her eyes. She absently tucked a stray piece of her soft red hair behind her ear, and for a moment Chrome found himself thinking her beautiful. He would have scolded himself for it, but he wasn't the type for self chastisement. "Besides" he thought, "alone for so long, it's inevitable that my mind would... wander." But he knew better than to act upon it. First of all, her friends and family would murder him if he did, and second, she already had a boyfriend. Cheating had never been an issue for him in the past, but the present was a different matter.
Blinking hard his expression barely changed as he attempted to shift his frame of mind. "Well, I expect things will be changing quickly around here soon."
Ginny looked unsettled by this, and visibly paled. "I bet they'll send all the students home... do you think they'll send me home too?" Her eyes showed a genuine fear, and Chrome saw what was truly disturbing her. The attack was disconcerting enough, but the idea of being made to turn away from the battle was something that was clearly making her feel even more at odds.
"Ginny, you faced the Death Eater club mission, and fought again just the other day. You're a member of the Order. They aren't going to turn you away, hell; they haven't even turned me away yet." He gave her a little grin that was half charming and half devious. "Considering what a reputation I have around here, you'd think they would have sent me back to jail long ago."
Ginny laughed a little, but still looked troubled.
Chrome stretched, raising his arms far above his head and yawned loudly. He wasn't sure what else to say and thought about heading for the door.
"What was jail like?" Ginny said, quite randomly.
Chrome's expression darkened even more than previously and he shuffled his feet a bit. "It's everything they say it is" was his simple response.
Ginny was glad to think of something else, and she focused her eyes on his stormy face and tired to look beyond his unreadable countenance. "That good huh?" She joked with a little smirk.
He replied with a nod and yawned once more.
"It's not that early you know. For all the yawning you're doing."
"I know" he replied wearily, "but I'm more of a night person."
"Me too" was Ginny's short response and silence filled the room once more. Ginny felt and unexpected tear trickle down her cheek and she made to wipe it away before he noticed but was too late.
He said nothing but instead crossed the room quietly and to her surprise she felt his hand on her arm. She looked up to see a look of questioning on his face. She took the opportunity to step into his embrace and as she felt him hug her back it was soothing, like the warm hug of a close friend. It was odd coming from him who was neither warm nor close.
Just then the door swung open and they stepped apart, not in a conspicuous manner, but rather to see who was approaching. Harry stepped in looking stern, his face set and grim. Suddenly he split a sly little grin which reminded Ginny why she couldn't help but think he was handsome.
"What're you two up to?" He teased, not really suspecting anything of them.
"We were starting a hot affair before you burst in" Chrome said with his typical sarcasm.
"Ginny, go see Hermione, she's in her room. You need to help her with something." Harry said abruptly, remembering why he was there.
Ginny nodded and went out the door without looking back, leaving Harry and Chrome behind.
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The sun had long since set and Hermione sat at her desk writing out some final details to the school's evacuation, relying on the dim light of the melting candle before her. The day had been busy and very taxing on her patience. Now that she was in a more secluded setting she felt slightly more settled, though not significantly so.
She felt two hands rest down on her shoulders and she immediately jumped in alarm before realizing that it was Harry. He gently massaged her tight and pained muscles and she let her quill drop to the desk top from her hand and melted into the back of the chair.
"Long day huh?" He whispered in her ear and she shivered slightly, nodding. She reached back and grabbed a hold of his hands, then turning around to face him. "Harry, how are you?" She asked, her eyes lit with concern.
He stepped back and sat down onto the bed. His face was unmistakably angry; he didn't bother to hide his emotions before her. "If I had just... if I had killed him..."
"Harry, you couldn't have! He was immortal! You know that!" She rushed to his side in despair, not wanting him to increase his own burden.
"I know..." Harry sighed and then laid back on the bed, running his fingers through his hair. "I just can't get it out of mind... I'm in charge of this whole operation right now while Dumbledore's away..."
Hermione stood up angrily, her arms crossed and her eyes narrowed. "You're what?"
"I've been assigned General of the resistance, Dumbledore remains Chief General, but now that he's away..."
"Harry, why would he make you do this? You already have enough on your plate without assuming this entire operation!"
Harry was now standing as well, looking equally angry. "I know that Hermione, but what else am I supposed to do? I messed this up! I need to fix it, no one else!"
"Harry that's lunacy, it's not as if you created Voldemort! None of this is your fault!"
Harry grabbed his jacket and headed for the door.
"Harry!" Hermione cried out, near tears. "Don't go!"
Harry turned around and his expression was softer. "I need to bring the students to Gryffindor Manor, see that they're all settled in. I won't be back until tomorrow morning." He turned back towards the door and then faltered for a moment. "I was right about one thing Hermione. Only I can fix this."
He then went out through the door, closing it quietly behind him.
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Supporters of the Order were starting to enter during the night. Ginny was shivering in the cold night air as she stood just outside the castle entrance checking off people and telling where to go as they entered.
She finally saw the face she'd been looking for all evening, her long boyfriend Dean Thomas.
"Hey, what's up baby!" He said with a charming little smile.
"I'm freezing my ass off!" She whined with a little laugh, leaping into his arms.
"Well that's no good!" He teased with a wink.
They exchanged a kiss and then she found herself studying him skeptically. "What took you so long?"
"Aw, yeah know Ginn, things at the ministry have been hell. What, with the EMA and all."
"EMA? I thought the Order would be more important to you than any lame ass attempt to form a resistance."
Dean suddenly looked tight and angry. "The Ministry is very important to me, as is the EMA Ginny. Both should be important to you as well."
Ginny's jaw dropped in shock. "You can't be serious?! Do you have any clue what this so called 'army' could do to everything we've fought and lost for?!"
Dean threw his bag onto the ground and grabbed Ginny be the shoulders, forcing her to look into his eyes. "You really have no idea do you? Without the EMA the ministry is powerless!"
"Not if they have a little faith in Dumbledore!" Ginny gasped. "You can't tell them about the Order Dean!" She suddenly shouted, panicking as she realized how deeply he supported the EMA. If Dean spilled his guts about all the people avoiding the EMA draft for the Order there would be devastating consequences.
Dean clenched his jaw. "You're infuriating" he choked and she pulled away from his grip.
Her eyes showed hurt and anger. She had not expected her seeing him would proceed as it had.
Dean clenched his fists up and groaned loudly. "Alright, let's just forget about this for now. Now's not the time to fight, especially since we have seen each other in such a long time." His eyes grew soft and endearing. "And I've missed you Ginny."
Ginny felt herself melting a bit and she nodded. "Well, lets go inside then" she agreed, and he took a hold of her hand as they walked together.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Harry observed the worried and frightened faces of the six young children before him. Three of them were just first years, their eyes big and innocent, helplessly relying on Harry's protection. There was also a forth year Ravenclaw who held the hand of one of the first year Ravenclaws in the attempt to comfort her. Harry had been informed the two were sisters.
One of the first years was a bleach blonde haired Hufflepuff with rosy cheeks that were now paling and curious bright blue eyes that reminded Harry of Dumbledore's. The third of the first years was a Slytherin, which Harry was at first not pleased with until Dumbledore explained the boy's situation. His name was Adam and his parents had been Death Eaters who betrayed Voldemort and paid with their lives. Adam now watched Harry with nervous grey eyes, his light brown hair rather immaculate looking considering his age and the fact that it was early morning, not even dawn yet.
The last two were fifth year girl and sixth year boy from Gryffindor, both whom looked reluctant to leave the castle, wanting to stay and fight as the seventh year students were. The boy was looking at Harry with a particularly stormy expression and Harry wished he had brought Hermione along... he wasn't very good at dealing with children.
"Well then" Harry began, standing before the group. "Do any of you know who I am?"
They all shook their heads no and Harry took in a short breathe before recommencing. "I am Harry Potter. I know you all think I'm dead, but as you see, I'm not. I'm granting you sanction in my home, for as you know Hogwarts is no longer safe. I think you'll find my manor a rather splendid place to stay at, though hopefully everything will return to normal soon."
"What's normal?" He thought angrily. "Normal for me? I sure hope not because I'd sure as hell hate for these kids to experience a single day of my 'normal'."
Harry pulled a fake smile and looked back at the small crowd before him. The two Gryffindors were looking at him with uncovered awe, their faces lit up with hope. All the other children looked far less afraid as well, and Harry was pleased he could offer them at least that brief solace.
"Shall we go then?" He asked, clearing his throat. The children nodded eagerly. "Very well. Take a handful of Floo dust, step in and say 'Gryffindor Manor'. Got it?"
Harry counted as each child passed him by, disappearing in a roar of green flames. After the fifth one was out of sight he turned to the last to see him trying to sneak out the door. It was the Gryffindor sixth year and Harry was not surprised at the poor escape attempt. Raising one hand Harry needn't mutter so much as a word to have the boy frozen in his tracks. A quick swish of his arm had the boy turned around and facing him.
"You want to fight don't you?" Harry asked in a monotone voice.
The boy, finding he could talk but was still unable to move his legs replied in the affirmative, hopeful that the great Harry Potter would understand.
"What's your name?" Harry asked, quietly drawing nearer.
"Bryce, Bryce Carney" the boy stuttered, suddenly feeling intimidated by Harry's display of power, his quiet but deliberate motions and the look of death in his eyes.
"Well Bryce, why do you want to stay and fight?"
"To protect the castle! To avenge my parents murders! To protect my friends and those I love!" Bryce's response was loud strong and riveting, but Harry appeared unmoved.
"And how do you plan to do that if you die in, oh say the first minute?" Harry asked, a dark look in his eyes.
"I wouldn't!" The boy spat, looking hurt.
"Oh you wouldn't? When black robes swarm on the horizon and all you see is green, when everyone is falling beside you, dragons pour flames from the sky and Dementors feast on the souls of men what makes you so sure you will still be standing?"
Bryce could hear his heart pound. He could see fire in Harry's eyes, a sort of flame that placed conviction in every one of his words. Bryce could see that Harry knew of the horrors in which he spoke, and that made Harry all the more intimidating. He had no response for Harry's questions.
"In a year this war may yet rage on, and it is then that we will need you. Train for a year, prepare yourself fully. And then, when you are called upon, you will serve us well. Don't be willing to sacrifice your life just yet."
Bryce felt the spell release him, and he bowed his head slightly in defeat.
"I think you'll find my home ideal for training. If you will come along."
Bryce rose his tilted his head to meet Harry's powerful gaze. Straightening out he nodded his head and took long, confident strides to the fire place. Stepping inside he was off with a roar of flames.
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Hermione awoke slowly, trying to remember where she was. Her neck and back was sore and as she sat up she realized that she'd fallen asleep at her desk. She groaned in discomfort and stretched with a long, loud yawn. She then noticed a rapping at her door, the reason for her awakening.
She crossed the cold stone floor barefooted, feeling each chill stab at her as she walked on.
Opening the door she saw Ron, already showered and dressed. "What the hell Ron?" She asked groggily and he merely grinned at her. "We're supposed to be evacuating the school this morning. Remember?"
"Oh shit, why did I have to go and fall asleep?"
Ron gave her a smug grin, amused by her foul temper. "We have 20 minutes yet, just meet me down in the Great Hall."
Hermione nodded and then closed the door in his face, earning a laugh out of the tall red head.
Ron proceeded to the Great Hall in a casual manner, strolling along easily, and glad to not have to rush for once. He suddenly felt a hand at the crook of his arm and he looked down to see Cho smiling shyly at him. He bent down and exchanged a quick kiss with her as they linked arms and continued walking.
"I assume you got here last night?" Ron asked with a warm smile.
"Yes, I told Ginny to let you know but I see you never got that message. She was probably too busy being off snoging with Dean."
Ron turned slightly green and Cho laughed, she loved how easy it was to get a rise out of him.
Cho suddenly turned serious. "We all received a briefing last night from your parents." She stopped walking and turned Ron towards her. "We were told that Harry's alive. Is that true?"
She looked doubtful and concerned, rather frightened to hear his answer. He eased her tension by replying that it was indeed true, Harry had tricked death once more.
She smiled and kissed Ron happily. "That's wonderful Ron! I mean, granted that's the understatement of the century, but still! Wow... they explained it to us, but I still don't quite understand the whole thing. Still, if it's true what does all that matter. And I'm just so happy for you also Ron."
Ron gave her a childish little grin, infinitely pleased that she was always thinking about him, that someone was concerned for HIS emotions, however self centered it might seem. "Well, Harry's not here right now, but I'm sure you'll see plenty of him soon enough." Ron laughed a little and they began to walk once more.
"Where is he?"
"Oh you know, off doing Harry stuff. I never seem to know what the entails. The man has about 1,000 things happening at once, I can never keep it all straight in my head. He skulks about all hours of the day, I believe he never sleeps." Ron laughed, hoping he didn't sound bitter. He would never want to trade places with Harry as he had often wished in his childhood. Money and fame were nothing when they came with the world's burdens and the haunting, ever present ghost of death.
They were finally at the doors to the Great Hall and as they entered they changed the topic to the more professional matters at hand. Both knew it would be a long day.
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"Welcome, to Gryffindor Manor" Harry said, grinning at the awe in the faces of his audience. They stood in the entrance hall, with its splendid grand staircase, lavish décor and massive gold and red chandelier that hung from the ceiling.
The young Hufflepuff boy dropped his shrunken trunk to the floor with a loud clatter, suddenly turning extremely red with embarrassment.
Harry smiled kindly at him. "How about I show you all to your rooms where you may unpack you trunks. Then I'll give you the grand tour. That's guaranteed to take some time."
They all laughed at this obvious statement and headed for the grand staircase, following Harry's lead.
Harry began to pass his own room and then hesitated a moment. He gave it a gentle push and saw that he had not locked it. "Continue down the hallway, I'll be with you in a moment."
The kids merely shrugged and did what was asked of them. Once they were out of sight Harry opened the intricately detailed oak doors, slipping inside them and then closing them firmly behind him. He was submerged in complete darkness, but this did not unnerve him. He knew the room well and pointed towards the fire place, igniting it at once. The fire let off a low murmur of light in the room and Harry quickly navigated his way about, making sure everything was in place. His pain killing potions still sat in their glass containers, collecting dust. His quill lay haphazardly discarded on a sheet of paper, a trail of dried black ink left in its wake on a scrap of paper. Harry felt a chill of familiarity creep down his spine. It was in this room that he had faced his darkest hours of loneliness, and as he observed its dark foreboding décor he saw the room for what it had truly been. Not a haven from the world, but a hellish isolation that reflected a torn soul.
Wanting nothing more to do with such memories, he extinguished the flames in the fire and pulled the doors closed behind with a loud thump, locking them with a decisive click.
The kids turned and jumped as he caught up to them, clearly not expecting his approach. He did not bother to comfort them with a false smile, he merely opened the doors with a swish of his hand. "Choose a room" he commanded and the kids eagerly set to the task.
Harry leaned against the wall as he waited. He was beginning to grow tired. He rather missed being immortal for that fact that he never grew cold, hungry or weary. Mortality required so much more effort. His eyes were closed and his head tilted when he realized he ought to show Bryce his training facility before the others were ready for the tour.
Rapping on Bryce's door he was greeted by a smiling version of the formerly reluctant young man. Harry stepped inside Bryce's room and realized why Bryce was so excited. The room wasn't enormous but it boasted a heavy wooden framed bed, a handsome dresser, a desk, a fire place and a window which over looked... the Quidditch pitch. Harry had added the pitch when the crime business was running slow one month. He had been spying in a slow moving club that had yielded no benefits and he had decided in his spare time to build the Quidditch pitch.
Harry was amused by Bryce's pleasure at this and Harry promised to show him at a later date, taking in Bryce's display of décor in the meantime. Bryce had wasted no time in putting up a Quidditch poster of Puddlemere United, as well as a muggle movie poster. On the desk Harry noted a picture of what he assumed to be the boy's deceased parents and another picture of a girl which Harry was willing to guess was Bryce's girlfriend. Harry quickly shifted back to the matter at hand.
"Now follow me, if you're going to train you need to see my equipment." Bryce sobered, his green eyes growing dark. As they walked side by side down the hall Harry wondered if he would have been like Bryce in sixth year... had it not been for the prophecy and his running away. Bryce was serious and devoted, Harry could sense the bravery in him. Yet he was not exposed to violence and death to the same degree as Harry had been at his age, and he did not have the same cloudy disturbance hanging over him at all times as Harry had.
Harry touched his hand to a large door at the end of the hall, unlocking it. The door crept open with a loud creak and Harry grinned. "I haven't been in here for a while. I think you'll find it has more than you need. Let me show you around."
Harry cast a quick "lumos" on the room, bringing light into the previously blackened room. Bryce's jaw dropped as he took in the sight that greeted his eyes. The room was lined with various weapons- swords, bows and arrows, maces, everything from medieval to modern. The room looked like a sort of gym, exercise equipment in one area, empty space in another.
Harry gave a brief explanation of each device. Once they'd neared the empty space Harry walked over to what appeared to be a rectangular piece of glass floating in mid air. "Now, this here is really awesome" Harry said with a grin. "To activate it is simple, and what it does is duel with you. You send spells at it and it fires back at random. The spells are harmless, but the point is to try and avoid them. It promotes agility as well as aim."
After a brief demonstration Harry was hurrying Bryce back to the rest of the group. "Well then, on to the rest of the Manor."
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It was mid afternoon when Hermione decided she was on the verge of insanity. The castle had been evacuated, but to say it had gone off without a hitch would be a laughable lie. Numerous students attempted to stay behind for the fight, others pulled practical jokes to feed off the fear of the already frightened. There were arguments, fireworks, tears, screams and many a student who forgot something they needed and ran back to fetch it. The Order members were beside themselves, the teachers were beside themselves and Hermione was mentally strangling every last one of them.
Now she was faced with the task of signing all the new arrivals to the just deserted rooms of the castle. It should have been a simple task but for that couples wanted to be together as did, siblings and friends. Then there was the "do not put togethers" for even amongst allies of a cause there were enemies. People kept changing their mind, complaining about there accommodations, on and on and on. One would think they were staying at a hotel and not the headquarters of a resistance force.
Hermione was desperate for Harry to return, after all, he was the "general". He could use his grand leadership title to organize the hellish mess that had massed about her.
"Excuse me? Are you Miss Granger?" Hermione turned to the whiny, nasally voice to see a balding wizard with large glasses and purple robes approaching her.
"Yes, that's me" she responded rather snappishly.
"My room is on a really... bad side of the castle for me. You see, I can't sleep when the moon is shining through the window, and..."
He was cut off by a young girl with blonde hair and bright blue eyes. "Hermione Granger? Yeah, my boyfriend is here and I really need to be in the same room as him, so..."
"How old are you?" Hermione protested, quite sure the girl was a seventh year.
"Hey you!" Bellowed another voice of a middle aged woman with sloppy graying hair. "Why is my room so close to the lavatories? How can I sleep when..."
Aware that a crowd was gathering about her of angry people Hermione decided to make a break for it, backing away from their approach until she reached the door that brought her into the Order's section of the castle. Rapidly ducking inside she slammed the door closed behind her and set off down the hall, not watching where she was going.
She felt a hard jolt as she crashed into someone and grabbed the person before they fell from the collision. "Oh Ginny!" She cried out, "I'm terribly sorry, I wasn't even watching where I was going, are you alright?"
"Yes, yes, fine. Bloody hell, they've all gone mad haven't they?"
Hermione grinned wearily, "yes, I believe so, I just fear I may be joining them soon."
"You look positively exhausted! Come let's just step into your room here, you need some rest Hermione!"
Hermione acquiesced, relieved to return to the secure and private confines of her room. She flopped down onto the bed as Ginny settled into a chair.
"Ugh, I couldn't take a minute more of it!" Hermione groaned, covering her face with her hands.
"I know what you mean," Ginny noted absently. "I was trying to escape too. Then I went looking for Dean... I can't seem to find him anywhere."
"How could you in all this chaos?" Hermione jested, noting that Ginny looked quite fatigued also.
Just then a knock sounded at the door and even as Hermione called out for them to enter she began formulating plans to kill the intruder at first sight. Chrome swung the door open loudly, allowing it to crash against the wall.
"Must you do torture on my pounding head Chrome?" Hermione asked, covering her head with a pillow.
He grinned at her, seemingly pleased. "How about I don't answer that one. Uh... Ginny, your boyfriend is down in the Great Hall making a big fuss about seeing you. I figured I'd come get you to shut him up. He's acting rather... odd."
Ginny grew concerned. "What's up?"
"I dunno" Chrome sighed. "I suggest you go find out though."
"Good luck with the maniacs" Hermione muttered from under the pillow.
"Plan on coming out anytime soon?" Chrome asked, moving out of Ginny's way to grant her passage through the door.
"Never" Hermione said dully, not moving.
"Ah ha, should have known. Well then, later." With that he followed Ginny down the hall.
Ginny suddenly turned to him, her face etched with concern. "Do you think something happened? I mean, he seemed fine last night."
"Really now?" Chrome commented dryly, waggling an eyebrow in a suggestive manner.
"Don't be as ass" she scolded, picking up her pace.
As they neared the Great Hall Ginny could already hear Dean calling her name.
"Ginny? Where the hell is she? I have important news to tell her..."
Ginny pushed the doors open loudly and ran over to him, her expression filled with anger.
"What do you think you're doing?" She spat.
Dean wasn't paying her any heed however. His eyes were narrow and he fixated his gaze on something behind her.
"Oh, I see what's happening here" he muttered, his tone angry.
Ginny spun around to see Chrome standing not far behind her talking with Bill. Turning back to Dean, her face lit with fury she glowered at him. "What in the bloody hell are you on about?"
"I should've known that Irish bastard was no good from the moment I set eyes upon him. You're having an affair with him aren't you?"
Ginny couldn't even reply, her throat making clicking noises as she attempted to restrain herself from choking him. Jumping to that conclusion was so preposterous that it made her head whirl. They were on their third year of dating, she couldn't believe he would make such wild accusations.
Dean just nodded as if her silence affirmed his belief. Then his face mellowed and it was only then that she noticed the wild look in his eye, his panicked breathing. Something was not right. "Dean what..."
He cut her off as he dropped down onto a table bench. "Ginny, I can forgive you, but in return, you must forgive me."
"What?" Ginny sputtered and she suddenly realized they were beginning to draw an audience.
His big, beautiful eyes sought hers, so familiar, at one time filled with affection. Now they looked scared and failed to maintain steady contact with hers. "I know you don't believe in the EMA... but they had to know..."
Ginny took a step back and felt Bill put two comforting hands on her shoulders. The hall was silent and she could feel the eyes of peering viewers bore into her.
Dean licked his lips and continued. "They had to know about the Order, about this entire force. They need all the help they can get... they had to know that Harry's back. That's where I went this morning. Last night I made up my mind Ginny- they had to know."
Ginny felt her head spin. She could already feel the repercussions of it all weighing down on her. "How could he?!" Her mind raged. "How could he break the trust of the Order, of Harry... of Dumbledore... hell, how could he break MY trust?!" She heard a collection of gasps, curses and exclamations go up in the room. She spun on her heel and ran full force for the exit.
"Ginny- it's for the best!" She heard him yell and then she heard a loud whack and he didn't yell out again.
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((PLEASE REVIEW!!!! I WANT TO GET TO 75!!! Of course that's ideal, but I won't punish anyone if I don't. I just thrive off of reviews. I'm begging, please review!))
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Mabelmione: Glad all your waiting paid off! This chapter took a little while to, but as you can see very long. Your review made my day to hear that you were so happy about my update. Thanks for taking the time to review.
PadfootProngsMoony: Hehe, if you'll look back at "The Darkest Hours" I think you'll see that it is VERY possible for me to have a bad chapter. I do hope these ones are better by a long shot. I'm glad you liked the romance and emotion because I'm a bit fearful at times that I suck at it and only have a mind for violence and action. So thank you for reassuring me on that component. I'm happy to know that your friend would be eager to read this as well, it boosts my ego to imagine that people out there are actually discussing my fic, or at least thinking about it when they aren't just sitting there reading it (of course my friends would probably urge you NOT to boost my ego any greater than it already is ;)). I do believe I emailed you- my memory is worse than Gilderoy Lockheart's after the memory charm backfired- my email is sax555@MSN.com if you don't have it.
Merlana: Thanks for the compliment. I AM currently working on a piece of original fiction (horror/ romance) if you ever want to read it let me know. Anyhow, yes, last chapter was very long... hopefully not too long, this one is long as well. All that I have written thus far is almost novel length, so as you can tell, I've been doing a lot of writing. Thanks for reading it!
Ears91: Hang in there on the Chrome/ Ginny- I won't say much about it, but it's a possibility looming in the distance. I'm glad to hear from you, I look forward to your loyal reviewing. Thanks. (oh and yes, Harry really is collecting scars).
Gryffindor260: You are the best, you always review!!! Thanks a million, I hope you liked this chapter- I think it's next chapter when Harry finally gets to kick a little butt again. Very exciting ;).
Mrs-ousbournes-class: Your review provided some very nice compliments and thoughts that I truly appreciated. Skipping a TV show for reading is not an honor to be taken lightly as I have certain shows I just love. I appreciate all your support, thanks again.
((Greetings, I now offer you Chapter 9, another long read. So sit back, relax, and enjoy as everything gets worse and worse for our beloved characters.))
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"Tell me not, in mournful numbers,
Life is but an empty dream!
For the soul is dead that slumbers,
and things are not what they seem.
Life is real! Life is earnest!
And the grave is not its goal;
Dust thou art; to dust returnest,
Was not spoken of the soul."
-Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
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Hermione's eyes fluttered open from her slumber due to some unknown cause. Around her the walls were white and so bright she squinted her eyes in pain. She saw only the ceiling, with its bright modern looking lights, and she did now know where she was. She quickly sat up, growing nervous, a panicked feeling in the pit of her stomach. She grouped about for her wand but realized the pajamas she was wearing had no pockets. Nor were they her pajamas.
"Something is definitely wrong" she thought, and using her steady logic she inhaled deeply, her eyes scanning the room for clues as to where she was and how she's gotten there. There was a heavy gray metal door on one wall, and it had a slit in it which was closed. To the left of the door was a silver window she could not see though. It was large and seemingly pointless, yet something semi recognizable stirred up even more panic in her.
She pulled her feet over to the edge of the bed and placed them down on the cold, sparkling white tiles there. She felt a little shiver go over her. The thin cotton pajamas was wore hardly provided any warmth. The room was very small, no more than a cube with no more than her small cot like bed and a rigid looking chair bolted to the floor. Everything was white, bright, and spotless. It all gave the room a sense of coldness... it was so impersonal, so phony.
She walked to the door and attempted to open it but to no avail. It was locked shut. She tried to push the slit in the door open, but of course, that was locked shut too. She felt the panic within mounting. "Where's Harry?" She wondered, chewing her bottom lip nervously. "I fell asleep with him... I don't even know how long ago."
Knowing magic, any amount of time may have passed since she had been imprisoned. She suspected it to be the work of Voldemort... and yet, clean sterile cells was hardly his style. She expected an imprisonment by the dark lord to involve a dark, dingy dungeon with plenty of torture. How could have someone taken her in the night without her noticing.
She felt the world spin as she lost control. The room seemed to be closing in on her. She raced to the window and banged on it screaming for help, for someone to come. She tried to shatter it with her fists, but to no avail. She broke down in sobs and soon found herself lying on the floor in a crumpled heap. Suddenly the door sprang open and she saw the terrified face of Ron peering in at her. He stepped inside and closed the door.
"Ron!" She cried with joy, not bothering to brush away her tears. She threw her arms around him tightly, reveling in his familiarity. His hug as warm, but expressed none of the panic she felt.
When they separated his face was still scared, but calm and even. "They finally said I could visit you." He said simply.
"Who? What do you mean finally? How long have we been here? Where is here what happened?"
Ron looked ready to explode once more as he was bombarded by questions. Suddenly his expression changed to one of sympathy and sorrow.
"Oh Hermione, how can you not know? They said you were making progress!"
"Who's they?!" She spat, suddenly angry, not liking his pity.
"The doctors. I can't... this is just so hard." He swallowed back tears. "I don't want to go though this again. Hermione... after Harry's death you, you just couldn't cope. You started having hallucinations that he had returned. It's been months now, and all you keep talking about is some disc, and the House of the Heavens. You must know none of those things truly exist?"
His eyes were pleading but Hermione could not accept it. "No... no... he's alive, he is... HE'S ALIVE!"
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"He's alive!" She mumbled over and over again tossing and turning. Harry was quickly awaken and grabbed her by the shoulders, gently, and then more forcefully shaking her awake.
"Hermione, it's okay!" He whispered in hushed and hurried tones. As her eyes flickered open he gently brushed her hair back, still holding her close.
"He's alive" she said once more, though fully awake, her eyes wild and darting about. He kissed her firmly on the forehead to assure her of his presence and she began to relax, the tension draining from her body. The pace of her breathing began to steady as she slowly sank back down into the mattress.
"Harry..." she whimpered, her dark brown eyes looked into his deep green ones.
"It's okay" he whispered once more kissing her to dissolve any of her doubts about his solidity before her eyes. Tears silently steamed down her cheeks, barely gleaming from her skin in the blackness of the room.
Harry rolled slowly onto his back, taking Hermione with him so that her head was positioned resting on his chest, her tears soaking the thin white fabric of his shirt. They remained like that for some time, neither speaking.
Finally Hermione broke the silence, her voice sounding congested from her tears. "It's just so hard... why must it be so difficult?" It was the question behind their very being.
Harry said nothing which suited Hermione well as she was not quite finished unburdening herself of life's sorrows. "If our lives had been normal witch and wizard lives, everything would be so changed. How you ever stopped to consider how changed everything could be if Tom Marvolo Riddle was never born? Of course you have, what a ridiculous question."
She sniffed and straightened out so that they were both more comfortable. She began to speak again, and her voice was quick and excited, she was rambling as she often did in difficult situations. "Right now I bet we'd both be off at some Universities somewhere. I'd be training to be a Medi Witch, and you'd probably be playing Quidditch for some team. But we'd still be together, that wouldn't change..."
"And after that?" Harry asked, "After we graduated?"
"Marry and start a family?" She said, her response half a question and half a statement.
Harry grinned though she couldn't tell in the dark and her head was positioned facing away from him. Start a family... the thought had never crossed his mind, that someday he could have a normal life; he could actually be a part of his own family.
"We can still have those things" he said slowly. "Just not now, but someday... we will." He hoped she believed him, because he desperately wanted to believe himself, he truly wanted to believe it. More than anything he needed to believe it.
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Another Order meeting came up quickly and there were only a few dull days before Harry, Hermione, Ron and the rest of the gang were back at the long rectangular table which sat them during their discussions.
Dumbledore was late (as usual, it almost seemed as though he waited just to make a dramatic entrance) and Snape was the only other one not present. Suddenly the doors flew open and his the stone walls with such force that the impact created an echoing noise that resonated off the walls of the hall. Snape stepped in, his pace brisk and urgent, his black robes billowing out behind him.
"Where's Dumbledore?" He asked, his voice as unpleasant and monotone as ever.
"Not here" was Harry's simple response, he felt quite unfortunate for being unable to shake his juvenile hatred for the Slytherin head.
Snape gave him a scowl of disapproval meant to be scorching and threatening but Harry's facial expressions remained unchanged. "Read this" he spat to no one specifically, throwing down a copy of the Daily Prophet with a loud slap.
Harry picked up the newspaper as it landed before him and noticed out of the corner of his eye as other scrambled out of the room to find their own copies. Over his shoulder Ron and Hermione read the section clearly indicated by the bold headline at the top.
"DEATH EATERS STRIKE AGAIN! This time they attack a wizarding village- EMA sent in but none returned!"
"At approximately 2:00 this morning Death Eaters invaded the small wizarding village of Darvensport, setting houses aflame, and liberally administering Unforgivable Curses on innocent bystanders. It was at 2:17 that Minister Blake received an urgent owl from Mayor Edna Smart pleading for the dispatch of EMA troops to quell the raid.
"'I immediately ordered the release of 500 soldiers into the area, planning on sending reinforcements as soon as possible' reported Minister Blake at this morning's 5:00 press conference. 'It was only shortly after that I sent in additional troops only to receive news that the town was destroyed.'
"Destroyed means that, according to the most recent estimate, almost 200 citizens have been left dead, 256 EMA soldiers have fallen in the line of action and the remaining 600 citizens and soldiers have been taken as prisoners."
"The news on this catastrophic event is still coming in and we here at the Daily Prophet pledge to keep our readers up to date. Our thoughts and prayers remain with the victims, prisoners and their families in this time of loss and sorrow. Minister Blake is expected to address the public today at noon."
The article continued, and was accompanied by numerous others written on the same topic- the innocent, unprepared village of Davensport.
Harry growled in frustration, his echo rumbling the walls with fury. He leaned forward and ran his fingers roughly though his hair. He was trembling with fury. Ron stepped back nervously and Hermione attempted to lay a soothing hand on his shoulder but he pulled away from her, standing up and pacing about the room, Ron and Hermoine the only ones present to watch.
"DAMN IT!" He shouted, his voice so loud and dripping with venom that Ron headed for the door slowly and inconspicuously. Harry was muttering incoherently, his face turning red. He could see nothing and feel nothing but his rage and malice. He kicked at a chair and forgetting his own strength, sent it spiraling into a wall were in broke with a loud crack, the splinters clattering to the floor. His fury was still not suppressed and he lashed out once more, a stone column his victim this time. A combination of adrenaline an unconsciously added magic caused the rock to break with the blow, gravel added to the splintered wood on the floor. He grabbed at his hand and let out a low, bark of a yell before crumbling to his knees on the floor.
"HARRY!" Hermione yelled with panic, forgetting her fear at his temper and rushing to his side. He was doubled over, not moving, his breathing uneven a jagged. Ron approached Harry also, though more slowly, with a great deal of caution.
"Harry, please, sit up" Hermione begged, gently rubbing his back. Slowly Harry resurfaced from the floor, his expression unreadable. He was still clutching his hand and when Hermione looked, she saw it was dripping with blood.
"Oh Harry, you moron" she said, half sobbed half laughed. She gently took his hand in her own and cast an incantation that healed the gash across his palm. Harry arose to his feet and his face was set with a clear sense of focus and determination. He took long meaningful strides across the room. He picked up the newspaper and tucked it under his arm with the gentleness that constituted his true nature. He then headed for the door.
"Where are you going?" Hermione asked tentatively, stopping him at the threshold.
He did not turn, keeping his back to both her and Ron. "I have business to attend to." His voice was neither warm nor cold and with that he continued his trek off into the corridor.
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Harry had an exact end in mind, a precise destination. That destination was the Headmaster's office. As he approached the gargoyle that signified the passageway into Dumbledore's office Snape shifted out from the shadows, his expression bitter though not angry.
"The headmaster is not in" Snape stated, walking towards Harry.
"Surprise surprise" Harry muttered with unjustified acrimony. "Where is he?"
"Talking with that fool of a Minister" Snape replied and for once the two men could share in their feelings regarding a subject.
"Why weren't you given warning to this attack?" Harry asked quite abruptly as the question suddenly popped into his mind. "You are still working as spy for Voldemort are you not?"
Snape suddenly looked uncomfortable as they turned into the next corridor, both inadvertently walking towards the Great Hall.
"First of all, don't use the Dark Lord's name you damned fool" Snape spat, and then calming, he continued to speak in his dull monotone voice. "I was... it seems that the Dark Lord is onto my ploy for he did not summon me last night. His redemption for my treachery will be great. I suspect I may gain close to your status on his hit list Potter."
If Snape had expected a reaction from Harry he got none. "So basically, we have a fool of a minister beckoning open war with the EMA, and we have no connections remaining to survey the plans of the ever psychotic Tom Riddle." Harry smirked a bit, snorting with sarcastic laughter. "Just grand."
Snape's eyes slithered to the side where he was able to observe Harry as they walked, then dating back to the corridor before them. "The resistance is falling apart Mr. Potter. Do not be foolish enough to have hope. Despite what Albus Dumbledore may say, there is no hope. I am of the opinion that there never was."
Opening the door to the Great Hall Snape slid inside, leaving Harry alone in the hallway.
"Then I suspect there is much work left to be done" Harry muttered to nobody in particular. With a snap and flurry of robes Harry spun on his heel with the intent of tracking down Dumbledore.
Thus it was rather coincidental that Dumbledore found him, placing a hand on Harry's shoulder as the tense young man passed him in the corridor, preoccupied by thought.
Dumbledore's eyes were solemn and filled with despair but also determination. "Mr. Potter, I think it is very prudent that we have a prolonged chat in my office."
Harry nodded and together they set off, their pace brisk and their minds full.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Seated in Dumbledore's office they skipped all small talk and polite gestures and cut straight to the chase.
"Harry, I know you are aware of last night's events. First of all, you should not blame yourself. In my experience with you, you tend to pile guilt and wearisome burdens onto yourself. But no good can come of that. Am I making myself clear?"
Harry was hesitant. How could it not be his fault? Had he defeated Voldemort, none of this would have transpired. Yet his mentor was right, there was only ruin to be found in self hatred and regret. Harry nodded, straightening in his chair.
"Very good Harry, very good. Now then, let us get directly to the subject. It is time we swing into full battle mode Harry. Pieces have moved into their places and they cannot be reversed without some crucial attacks that will require a whole change of sorts. We will become more than agents Harry, we must become soldiers."
Dumbledore watched as Harry nodded in accord and he felt his heart clench. Harry was prepared, more than men three times his age could ever be. Yet he was so young, too young to carry the burdens of the world, too young to do what Dumbledore was about to ask of him. However, Dumbledore had tried to protect Harry in the past and it only led to harm. He needed to set his affection and morals aside and get down to the dirty work.
"Harry, I want you to serve as General of our own sort of army. It will be a defense force, I have no intentions of taking the offensive. We will need recruits, training, and a well devised plan. Assign however you need to assist you. I myself will be remain as a chief general in all matters, but I fear I cannot be present in all matters. My presence in the castle may decrease as time passes. You see, only I can deal with outside issues regarding the Ministry and other such affairs. It is unfortunate but a fact. And Harry, to be quite honest there is no one I trust more than you to settle the matters of this castle. You are young, yes. But you have faced much evil and you have proved your resilience time and time again."
Dumbledore paused, giving Harry a meaningful look.
Harry shifted uncomfortably and then stood up, pacing shortly and then resigning himself to the window where snow was softly descending from the heavens. "Hogwarts is no longer safe." He stated, not turning to face the persistent gave that watched him so closely.
"You are correct" Dumbledore responded, his voice revealing no emotion.
"Then we must send the students home. Yet, home is not necessarily safe either."
Dumbledore had a quick response to Harry's thinking. "No, but the Ministry has set up a safe hold at the Havenirk Castle. The castle is quite ancient and protected by strong magic as well as a multitude off troops. I daresay it is the only thing the Ministry has done right. Families can go there if their area falls under attack. Still, there is the hazard of students being unable to escape. Port keys have been distributed, but it may not be enough."
"How do they know a port key will not be taken by the enemy?"
Dumbledore smiled a bit, a thin, pressed smile. "That in itself is a bit of genius, if I do say so myself. You see, I developed the idea shortly after my graduation from Hogwarts. Provided there are no apparation barriers around, those who have sworn a pledge to the ministry, an unbreakable pledge that results in a full body bind when broken, can use the port key."
"Like Hermione's list for DA in fifth year" Harry commented thoughtfully. "Yet they only work in areas unbound by apparation barriers."
"Yes, precisely why they won't work here" Dumbledore said in a brisk voice, leaning back in his chair as he spoke. "Students have a better chance of survival if they can portkey away from danger with their families."
"What of those who have no family?" Harry asked, turning towards Dumbledore and matching his gaze. Harry felt an important swell in chest reminding him the importance of representing such children as he himself had been one. "Will they be forced to fend for themselves if danger comes, activating the Port Key if their lucky and then heading to a lonely old castle where they may not know anyone?"
Dumbledore tilted his head downward, his face intense with thought. That factor had not occurred to him. "What do you suggest Mr. Potter?"
Harry turned away once more. "Gryffindor Manor" he said somewhat cryptically.
"Ah, your home, the house of the noble Godric Gryffindor. A safe location to be sure, but you left it deserted for over a month. What sort of condition do you suspect it will be in?"
"Same as when I left. Time freezes when it is left unoccupied by an heir of Gryffindor."
Dumbeldore chuckled. "Alas, in my old age I am becoming so senile I forget such facts. You seem to have sorted that Mr. Potter. Any further comments before you set about your work? I'll have the school evacuated tomorrow morning if you can prepare Gryffindor Manor to accommodate 6 students by then."
"I can. I do have a few more questions for you though. First, we will need many more recruits to secure this castle under attack. Students 18 years of age are already being accepted into the EMA. I suggest we recruit them into our service instead."
Dumbledore looked troubled by this. For sure he had already considered it on his own, and though he had concluded it was necessary it still tugged at his heart strings. "Yes, yes, very well" was all he managed and Harry paused, allowing him to recover.
"As a final point, it has been brought to my attention that Snape has been found out. We need eyes around the enemy, I seem to be no longer connected to him... he's blocked me somehow."
Dumbledore nodded in deep agreement. "That is most certainly true Mr. Potter. Keep in mind however, the task is a treacherous one. Voldemort does not act kindly, even on his servants, and he will not hesitate to torture and kill a follower for the slightest mistake." Dumbledore peered at Harry over his glasses. "And he will make them kill innocents."
Harry felt slightly paled by all this, and a bit light headed. It was a terrible task to ask of anyone, but he felt the necessity of it in his heart.
"Can you think of anyone suitable for such a task?" Dumbledore asked.
Harry nodded slowly, gripping the window ledge for support.
"So be it. Now, I think we are finished here? I regret to do this, yet it is necessary. I'm leaving for urgent foreign business. I leave much in your hands. Do not take it all upon yourself, I'm sure you'll find help shall always present itself."
Harry nodded as his mentor rose to his feet. Crossing the room and heading for the door Harry stopped and extended his hand to his father like figure. They exchanged a firm handshake. "Good luck professor." Harry said his voice sullen.
"You too Harry, you too."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The snow had stopped falling and the sun was out, melting away the white fluff into puddles of mud across the grounds. Though it was still cold out, it had warmed considerably and Hermione opened the window to enjoy the fresh air. She sat on the window seat, breathing in the frigid outdoors, her knees pulled up to her chest and her arms wrapped around them for additional warmth. She tried to relax, letting her eyes travel the endless blue sky, marveling at its contrast with the black winter trees that clawed up into her vision. Suddenly a dot in the distance drew her attention and she focused her eyes into it until she recognized it as a messenger owl. With slow and graceful motions the white and grey speckled bird landed beside her on the window sill. She removed the letter from its leg and read:
Hermione-
The school must be evacuated of students by tomorrow morning. All 7th year students are needed to stay and supplement forces, so I need you to recruit those willing by tonight. I'll send Ginny to help you shortly.
Love, Harry
Tears stung at her eyes, products of her bleeding heart which mourned the evacuation of the splendid castle. She took a sharp breath to regain composure and neatly folded the letter, placing it in her pocket. She decided to wait for Ginny to come to her, planning in the meantime.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ginny flung the newspaper across the Owlery. "Enough of that" she said with a look of disdain.
"I was reading that" Chrome said lazily, slowly rising to his feet while brushing dirt from his jeans.
"Exactly my point, we shouldn't be obsessing over it." Her words seemed rather hypocritical though, for as she spoke she was clearly still thinking about what had happened judging by the distant look in her eyes. She absently tucked a stray piece of her soft red hair behind her ear, and for a moment Chrome found himself thinking her beautiful. He would have scolded himself for it, but he wasn't the type for self chastisement. "Besides" he thought, "alone for so long, it's inevitable that my mind would... wander." But he knew better than to act upon it. First of all, her friends and family would murder him if he did, and second, she already had a boyfriend. Cheating had never been an issue for him in the past, but the present was a different matter.
Blinking hard his expression barely changed as he attempted to shift his frame of mind. "Well, I expect things will be changing quickly around here soon."
Ginny looked unsettled by this, and visibly paled. "I bet they'll send all the students home... do you think they'll send me home too?" Her eyes showed a genuine fear, and Chrome saw what was truly disturbing her. The attack was disconcerting enough, but the idea of being made to turn away from the battle was something that was clearly making her feel even more at odds.
"Ginny, you faced the Death Eater club mission, and fought again just the other day. You're a member of the Order. They aren't going to turn you away, hell; they haven't even turned me away yet." He gave her a little grin that was half charming and half devious. "Considering what a reputation I have around here, you'd think they would have sent me back to jail long ago."
Ginny laughed a little, but still looked troubled.
Chrome stretched, raising his arms far above his head and yawned loudly. He wasn't sure what else to say and thought about heading for the door.
"What was jail like?" Ginny said, quite randomly.
Chrome's expression darkened even more than previously and he shuffled his feet a bit. "It's everything they say it is" was his simple response.
Ginny was glad to think of something else, and she focused her eyes on his stormy face and tired to look beyond his unreadable countenance. "That good huh?" She joked with a little smirk.
He replied with a nod and yawned once more.
"It's not that early you know. For all the yawning you're doing."
"I know" he replied wearily, "but I'm more of a night person."
"Me too" was Ginny's short response and silence filled the room once more. Ginny felt and unexpected tear trickle down her cheek and she made to wipe it away before he noticed but was too late.
He said nothing but instead crossed the room quietly and to her surprise she felt his hand on her arm. She looked up to see a look of questioning on his face. She took the opportunity to step into his embrace and as she felt him hug her back it was soothing, like the warm hug of a close friend. It was odd coming from him who was neither warm nor close.
Just then the door swung open and they stepped apart, not in a conspicuous manner, but rather to see who was approaching. Harry stepped in looking stern, his face set and grim. Suddenly he split a sly little grin which reminded Ginny why she couldn't help but think he was handsome.
"What're you two up to?" He teased, not really suspecting anything of them.
"We were starting a hot affair before you burst in" Chrome said with his typical sarcasm.
"Ginny, go see Hermione, she's in her room. You need to help her with something." Harry said abruptly, remembering why he was there.
Ginny nodded and went out the door without looking back, leaving Harry and Chrome behind.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The sun had long since set and Hermione sat at her desk writing out some final details to the school's evacuation, relying on the dim light of the melting candle before her. The day had been busy and very taxing on her patience. Now that she was in a more secluded setting she felt slightly more settled, though not significantly so.
She felt two hands rest down on her shoulders and she immediately jumped in alarm before realizing that it was Harry. He gently massaged her tight and pained muscles and she let her quill drop to the desk top from her hand and melted into the back of the chair.
"Long day huh?" He whispered in her ear and she shivered slightly, nodding. She reached back and grabbed a hold of his hands, then turning around to face him. "Harry, how are you?" She asked, her eyes lit with concern.
He stepped back and sat down onto the bed. His face was unmistakably angry; he didn't bother to hide his emotions before her. "If I had just... if I had killed him..."
"Harry, you couldn't have! He was immortal! You know that!" She rushed to his side in despair, not wanting him to increase his own burden.
"I know..." Harry sighed and then laid back on the bed, running his fingers through his hair. "I just can't get it out of mind... I'm in charge of this whole operation right now while Dumbledore's away..."
Hermione stood up angrily, her arms crossed and her eyes narrowed. "You're what?"
"I've been assigned General of the resistance, Dumbledore remains Chief General, but now that he's away..."
"Harry, why would he make you do this? You already have enough on your plate without assuming this entire operation!"
Harry was now standing as well, looking equally angry. "I know that Hermione, but what else am I supposed to do? I messed this up! I need to fix it, no one else!"
"Harry that's lunacy, it's not as if you created Voldemort! None of this is your fault!"
Harry grabbed his jacket and headed for the door.
"Harry!" Hermione cried out, near tears. "Don't go!"
Harry turned around and his expression was softer. "I need to bring the students to Gryffindor Manor, see that they're all settled in. I won't be back until tomorrow morning." He turned back towards the door and then faltered for a moment. "I was right about one thing Hermione. Only I can fix this."
He then went out through the door, closing it quietly behind him.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Supporters of the Order were starting to enter during the night. Ginny was shivering in the cold night air as she stood just outside the castle entrance checking off people and telling where to go as they entered.
She finally saw the face she'd been looking for all evening, her long boyfriend Dean Thomas.
"Hey, what's up baby!" He said with a charming little smile.
"I'm freezing my ass off!" She whined with a little laugh, leaping into his arms.
"Well that's no good!" He teased with a wink.
They exchanged a kiss and then she found herself studying him skeptically. "What took you so long?"
"Aw, yeah know Ginn, things at the ministry have been hell. What, with the EMA and all."
"EMA? I thought the Order would be more important to you than any lame ass attempt to form a resistance."
Dean suddenly looked tight and angry. "The Ministry is very important to me, as is the EMA Ginny. Both should be important to you as well."
Ginny's jaw dropped in shock. "You can't be serious?! Do you have any clue what this so called 'army' could do to everything we've fought and lost for?!"
Dean threw his bag onto the ground and grabbed Ginny be the shoulders, forcing her to look into his eyes. "You really have no idea do you? Without the EMA the ministry is powerless!"
"Not if they have a little faith in Dumbledore!" Ginny gasped. "You can't tell them about the Order Dean!" She suddenly shouted, panicking as she realized how deeply he supported the EMA. If Dean spilled his guts about all the people avoiding the EMA draft for the Order there would be devastating consequences.
Dean clenched his jaw. "You're infuriating" he choked and she pulled away from his grip.
Her eyes showed hurt and anger. She had not expected her seeing him would proceed as it had.
Dean clenched his fists up and groaned loudly. "Alright, let's just forget about this for now. Now's not the time to fight, especially since we have seen each other in such a long time." His eyes grew soft and endearing. "And I've missed you Ginny."
Ginny felt herself melting a bit and she nodded. "Well, lets go inside then" she agreed, and he took a hold of her hand as they walked together.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Harry observed the worried and frightened faces of the six young children before him. Three of them were just first years, their eyes big and innocent, helplessly relying on Harry's protection. There was also a forth year Ravenclaw who held the hand of one of the first year Ravenclaws in the attempt to comfort her. Harry had been informed the two were sisters.
One of the first years was a bleach blonde haired Hufflepuff with rosy cheeks that were now paling and curious bright blue eyes that reminded Harry of Dumbledore's. The third of the first years was a Slytherin, which Harry was at first not pleased with until Dumbledore explained the boy's situation. His name was Adam and his parents had been Death Eaters who betrayed Voldemort and paid with their lives. Adam now watched Harry with nervous grey eyes, his light brown hair rather immaculate looking considering his age and the fact that it was early morning, not even dawn yet.
The last two were fifth year girl and sixth year boy from Gryffindor, both whom looked reluctant to leave the castle, wanting to stay and fight as the seventh year students were. The boy was looking at Harry with a particularly stormy expression and Harry wished he had brought Hermione along... he wasn't very good at dealing with children.
"Well then" Harry began, standing before the group. "Do any of you know who I am?"
They all shook their heads no and Harry took in a short breathe before recommencing. "I am Harry Potter. I know you all think I'm dead, but as you see, I'm not. I'm granting you sanction in my home, for as you know Hogwarts is no longer safe. I think you'll find my manor a rather splendid place to stay at, though hopefully everything will return to normal soon."
"What's normal?" He thought angrily. "Normal for me? I sure hope not because I'd sure as hell hate for these kids to experience a single day of my 'normal'."
Harry pulled a fake smile and looked back at the small crowd before him. The two Gryffindors were looking at him with uncovered awe, their faces lit up with hope. All the other children looked far less afraid as well, and Harry was pleased he could offer them at least that brief solace.
"Shall we go then?" He asked, clearing his throat. The children nodded eagerly. "Very well. Take a handful of Floo dust, step in and say 'Gryffindor Manor'. Got it?"
Harry counted as each child passed him by, disappearing in a roar of green flames. After the fifth one was out of sight he turned to the last to see him trying to sneak out the door. It was the Gryffindor sixth year and Harry was not surprised at the poor escape attempt. Raising one hand Harry needn't mutter so much as a word to have the boy frozen in his tracks. A quick swish of his arm had the boy turned around and facing him.
"You want to fight don't you?" Harry asked in a monotone voice.
The boy, finding he could talk but was still unable to move his legs replied in the affirmative, hopeful that the great Harry Potter would understand.
"What's your name?" Harry asked, quietly drawing nearer.
"Bryce, Bryce Carney" the boy stuttered, suddenly feeling intimidated by Harry's display of power, his quiet but deliberate motions and the look of death in his eyes.
"Well Bryce, why do you want to stay and fight?"
"To protect the castle! To avenge my parents murders! To protect my friends and those I love!" Bryce's response was loud strong and riveting, but Harry appeared unmoved.
"And how do you plan to do that if you die in, oh say the first minute?" Harry asked, a dark look in his eyes.
"I wouldn't!" The boy spat, looking hurt.
"Oh you wouldn't? When black robes swarm on the horizon and all you see is green, when everyone is falling beside you, dragons pour flames from the sky and Dementors feast on the souls of men what makes you so sure you will still be standing?"
Bryce could hear his heart pound. He could see fire in Harry's eyes, a sort of flame that placed conviction in every one of his words. Bryce could see that Harry knew of the horrors in which he spoke, and that made Harry all the more intimidating. He had no response for Harry's questions.
"In a year this war may yet rage on, and it is then that we will need you. Train for a year, prepare yourself fully. And then, when you are called upon, you will serve us well. Don't be willing to sacrifice your life just yet."
Bryce felt the spell release him, and he bowed his head slightly in defeat.
"I think you'll find my home ideal for training. If you will come along."
Bryce rose his tilted his head to meet Harry's powerful gaze. Straightening out he nodded his head and took long, confident strides to the fire place. Stepping inside he was off with a roar of flames.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hermione awoke slowly, trying to remember where she was. Her neck and back was sore and as she sat up she realized that she'd fallen asleep at her desk. She groaned in discomfort and stretched with a long, loud yawn. She then noticed a rapping at her door, the reason for her awakening.
She crossed the cold stone floor barefooted, feeling each chill stab at her as she walked on.
Opening the door she saw Ron, already showered and dressed. "What the hell Ron?" She asked groggily and he merely grinned at her. "We're supposed to be evacuating the school this morning. Remember?"
"Oh shit, why did I have to go and fall asleep?"
Ron gave her a smug grin, amused by her foul temper. "We have 20 minutes yet, just meet me down in the Great Hall."
Hermione nodded and then closed the door in his face, earning a laugh out of the tall red head.
Ron proceeded to the Great Hall in a casual manner, strolling along easily, and glad to not have to rush for once. He suddenly felt a hand at the crook of his arm and he looked down to see Cho smiling shyly at him. He bent down and exchanged a quick kiss with her as they linked arms and continued walking.
"I assume you got here last night?" Ron asked with a warm smile.
"Yes, I told Ginny to let you know but I see you never got that message. She was probably too busy being off snoging with Dean."
Ron turned slightly green and Cho laughed, she loved how easy it was to get a rise out of him.
Cho suddenly turned serious. "We all received a briefing last night from your parents." She stopped walking and turned Ron towards her. "We were told that Harry's alive. Is that true?"
She looked doubtful and concerned, rather frightened to hear his answer. He eased her tension by replying that it was indeed true, Harry had tricked death once more.
She smiled and kissed Ron happily. "That's wonderful Ron! I mean, granted that's the understatement of the century, but still! Wow... they explained it to us, but I still don't quite understand the whole thing. Still, if it's true what does all that matter. And I'm just so happy for you also Ron."
Ron gave her a childish little grin, infinitely pleased that she was always thinking about him, that someone was concerned for HIS emotions, however self centered it might seem. "Well, Harry's not here right now, but I'm sure you'll see plenty of him soon enough." Ron laughed a little and they began to walk once more.
"Where is he?"
"Oh you know, off doing Harry stuff. I never seem to know what the entails. The man has about 1,000 things happening at once, I can never keep it all straight in my head. He skulks about all hours of the day, I believe he never sleeps." Ron laughed, hoping he didn't sound bitter. He would never want to trade places with Harry as he had often wished in his childhood. Money and fame were nothing when they came with the world's burdens and the haunting, ever present ghost of death.
They were finally at the doors to the Great Hall and as they entered they changed the topic to the more professional matters at hand. Both knew it would be a long day.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Welcome, to Gryffindor Manor" Harry said, grinning at the awe in the faces of his audience. They stood in the entrance hall, with its splendid grand staircase, lavish décor and massive gold and red chandelier that hung from the ceiling.
The young Hufflepuff boy dropped his shrunken trunk to the floor with a loud clatter, suddenly turning extremely red with embarrassment.
Harry smiled kindly at him. "How about I show you all to your rooms where you may unpack you trunks. Then I'll give you the grand tour. That's guaranteed to take some time."
They all laughed at this obvious statement and headed for the grand staircase, following Harry's lead.
Harry began to pass his own room and then hesitated a moment. He gave it a gentle push and saw that he had not locked it. "Continue down the hallway, I'll be with you in a moment."
The kids merely shrugged and did what was asked of them. Once they were out of sight Harry opened the intricately detailed oak doors, slipping inside them and then closing them firmly behind him. He was submerged in complete darkness, but this did not unnerve him. He knew the room well and pointed towards the fire place, igniting it at once. The fire let off a low murmur of light in the room and Harry quickly navigated his way about, making sure everything was in place. His pain killing potions still sat in their glass containers, collecting dust. His quill lay haphazardly discarded on a sheet of paper, a trail of dried black ink left in its wake on a scrap of paper. Harry felt a chill of familiarity creep down his spine. It was in this room that he had faced his darkest hours of loneliness, and as he observed its dark foreboding décor he saw the room for what it had truly been. Not a haven from the world, but a hellish isolation that reflected a torn soul.
Wanting nothing more to do with such memories, he extinguished the flames in the fire and pulled the doors closed behind with a loud thump, locking them with a decisive click.
The kids turned and jumped as he caught up to them, clearly not expecting his approach. He did not bother to comfort them with a false smile, he merely opened the doors with a swish of his hand. "Choose a room" he commanded and the kids eagerly set to the task.
Harry leaned against the wall as he waited. He was beginning to grow tired. He rather missed being immortal for that fact that he never grew cold, hungry or weary. Mortality required so much more effort. His eyes were closed and his head tilted when he realized he ought to show Bryce his training facility before the others were ready for the tour.
Rapping on Bryce's door he was greeted by a smiling version of the formerly reluctant young man. Harry stepped inside Bryce's room and realized why Bryce was so excited. The room wasn't enormous but it boasted a heavy wooden framed bed, a handsome dresser, a desk, a fire place and a window which over looked... the Quidditch pitch. Harry had added the pitch when the crime business was running slow one month. He had been spying in a slow moving club that had yielded no benefits and he had decided in his spare time to build the Quidditch pitch.
Harry was amused by Bryce's pleasure at this and Harry promised to show him at a later date, taking in Bryce's display of décor in the meantime. Bryce had wasted no time in putting up a Quidditch poster of Puddlemere United, as well as a muggle movie poster. On the desk Harry noted a picture of what he assumed to be the boy's deceased parents and another picture of a girl which Harry was willing to guess was Bryce's girlfriend. Harry quickly shifted back to the matter at hand.
"Now follow me, if you're going to train you need to see my equipment." Bryce sobered, his green eyes growing dark. As they walked side by side down the hall Harry wondered if he would have been like Bryce in sixth year... had it not been for the prophecy and his running away. Bryce was serious and devoted, Harry could sense the bravery in him. Yet he was not exposed to violence and death to the same degree as Harry had been at his age, and he did not have the same cloudy disturbance hanging over him at all times as Harry had.
Harry touched his hand to a large door at the end of the hall, unlocking it. The door crept open with a loud creak and Harry grinned. "I haven't been in here for a while. I think you'll find it has more than you need. Let me show you around."
Harry cast a quick "lumos" on the room, bringing light into the previously blackened room. Bryce's jaw dropped as he took in the sight that greeted his eyes. The room was lined with various weapons- swords, bows and arrows, maces, everything from medieval to modern. The room looked like a sort of gym, exercise equipment in one area, empty space in another.
Harry gave a brief explanation of each device. Once they'd neared the empty space Harry walked over to what appeared to be a rectangular piece of glass floating in mid air. "Now, this here is really awesome" Harry said with a grin. "To activate it is simple, and what it does is duel with you. You send spells at it and it fires back at random. The spells are harmless, but the point is to try and avoid them. It promotes agility as well as aim."
After a brief demonstration Harry was hurrying Bryce back to the rest of the group. "Well then, on to the rest of the Manor."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It was mid afternoon when Hermione decided she was on the verge of insanity. The castle had been evacuated, but to say it had gone off without a hitch would be a laughable lie. Numerous students attempted to stay behind for the fight, others pulled practical jokes to feed off the fear of the already frightened. There were arguments, fireworks, tears, screams and many a student who forgot something they needed and ran back to fetch it. The Order members were beside themselves, the teachers were beside themselves and Hermione was mentally strangling every last one of them.
Now she was faced with the task of signing all the new arrivals to the just deserted rooms of the castle. It should have been a simple task but for that couples wanted to be together as did, siblings and friends. Then there was the "do not put togethers" for even amongst allies of a cause there were enemies. People kept changing their mind, complaining about there accommodations, on and on and on. One would think they were staying at a hotel and not the headquarters of a resistance force.
Hermione was desperate for Harry to return, after all, he was the "general". He could use his grand leadership title to organize the hellish mess that had massed about her.
"Excuse me? Are you Miss Granger?" Hermione turned to the whiny, nasally voice to see a balding wizard with large glasses and purple robes approaching her.
"Yes, that's me" she responded rather snappishly.
"My room is on a really... bad side of the castle for me. You see, I can't sleep when the moon is shining through the window, and..."
He was cut off by a young girl with blonde hair and bright blue eyes. "Hermione Granger? Yeah, my boyfriend is here and I really need to be in the same room as him, so..."
"How old are you?" Hermione protested, quite sure the girl was a seventh year.
"Hey you!" Bellowed another voice of a middle aged woman with sloppy graying hair. "Why is my room so close to the lavatories? How can I sleep when..."
Aware that a crowd was gathering about her of angry people Hermione decided to make a break for it, backing away from their approach until she reached the door that brought her into the Order's section of the castle. Rapidly ducking inside she slammed the door closed behind her and set off down the hall, not watching where she was going.
She felt a hard jolt as she crashed into someone and grabbed the person before they fell from the collision. "Oh Ginny!" She cried out, "I'm terribly sorry, I wasn't even watching where I was going, are you alright?"
"Yes, yes, fine. Bloody hell, they've all gone mad haven't they?"
Hermione grinned wearily, "yes, I believe so, I just fear I may be joining them soon."
"You look positively exhausted! Come let's just step into your room here, you need some rest Hermione!"
Hermione acquiesced, relieved to return to the secure and private confines of her room. She flopped down onto the bed as Ginny settled into a chair.
"Ugh, I couldn't take a minute more of it!" Hermione groaned, covering her face with her hands.
"I know what you mean," Ginny noted absently. "I was trying to escape too. Then I went looking for Dean... I can't seem to find him anywhere."
"How could you in all this chaos?" Hermione jested, noting that Ginny looked quite fatigued also.
Just then a knock sounded at the door and even as Hermione called out for them to enter she began formulating plans to kill the intruder at first sight. Chrome swung the door open loudly, allowing it to crash against the wall.
"Must you do torture on my pounding head Chrome?" Hermione asked, covering her head with a pillow.
He grinned at her, seemingly pleased. "How about I don't answer that one. Uh... Ginny, your boyfriend is down in the Great Hall making a big fuss about seeing you. I figured I'd come get you to shut him up. He's acting rather... odd."
Ginny grew concerned. "What's up?"
"I dunno" Chrome sighed. "I suggest you go find out though."
"Good luck with the maniacs" Hermione muttered from under the pillow.
"Plan on coming out anytime soon?" Chrome asked, moving out of Ginny's way to grant her passage through the door.
"Never" Hermione said dully, not moving.
"Ah ha, should have known. Well then, later." With that he followed Ginny down the hall.
Ginny suddenly turned to him, her face etched with concern. "Do you think something happened? I mean, he seemed fine last night."
"Really now?" Chrome commented dryly, waggling an eyebrow in a suggestive manner.
"Don't be as ass" she scolded, picking up her pace.
As they neared the Great Hall Ginny could already hear Dean calling her name.
"Ginny? Where the hell is she? I have important news to tell her..."
Ginny pushed the doors open loudly and ran over to him, her expression filled with anger.
"What do you think you're doing?" She spat.
Dean wasn't paying her any heed however. His eyes were narrow and he fixated his gaze on something behind her.
"Oh, I see what's happening here" he muttered, his tone angry.
Ginny spun around to see Chrome standing not far behind her talking with Bill. Turning back to Dean, her face lit with fury she glowered at him. "What in the bloody hell are you on about?"
"I should've known that Irish bastard was no good from the moment I set eyes upon him. You're having an affair with him aren't you?"
Ginny couldn't even reply, her throat making clicking noises as she attempted to restrain herself from choking him. Jumping to that conclusion was so preposterous that it made her head whirl. They were on their third year of dating, she couldn't believe he would make such wild accusations.
Dean just nodded as if her silence affirmed his belief. Then his face mellowed and it was only then that she noticed the wild look in his eye, his panicked breathing. Something was not right. "Dean what..."
He cut her off as he dropped down onto a table bench. "Ginny, I can forgive you, but in return, you must forgive me."
"What?" Ginny sputtered and she suddenly realized they were beginning to draw an audience.
His big, beautiful eyes sought hers, so familiar, at one time filled with affection. Now they looked scared and failed to maintain steady contact with hers. "I know you don't believe in the EMA... but they had to know..."
Ginny took a step back and felt Bill put two comforting hands on her shoulders. The hall was silent and she could feel the eyes of peering viewers bore into her.
Dean licked his lips and continued. "They had to know about the Order, about this entire force. They need all the help they can get... they had to know that Harry's back. That's where I went this morning. Last night I made up my mind Ginny- they had to know."
Ginny felt her head spin. She could already feel the repercussions of it all weighing down on her. "How could he?!" Her mind raged. "How could he break the trust of the Order, of Harry... of Dumbledore... hell, how could he break MY trust?!" She heard a collection of gasps, curses and exclamations go up in the room. She spun on her heel and ran full force for the exit.
"Ginny- it's for the best!" She heard him yell and then she heard a loud whack and he didn't yell out again.
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((PLEASE REVIEW!!!! I WANT TO GET TO 75!!! Of course that's ideal, but I won't punish anyone if I don't. I just thrive off of reviews. I'm begging, please review!))
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Mabelmione: Glad all your waiting paid off! This chapter took a little while to, but as you can see very long. Your review made my day to hear that you were so happy about my update. Thanks for taking the time to review.
PadfootProngsMoony: Hehe, if you'll look back at "The Darkest Hours" I think you'll see that it is VERY possible for me to have a bad chapter. I do hope these ones are better by a long shot. I'm glad you liked the romance and emotion because I'm a bit fearful at times that I suck at it and only have a mind for violence and action. So thank you for reassuring me on that component. I'm happy to know that your friend would be eager to read this as well, it boosts my ego to imagine that people out there are actually discussing my fic, or at least thinking about it when they aren't just sitting there reading it (of course my friends would probably urge you NOT to boost my ego any greater than it already is ;)). I do believe I emailed you- my memory is worse than Gilderoy Lockheart's after the memory charm backfired- my email is sax555@MSN.com if you don't have it.
Merlana: Thanks for the compliment. I AM currently working on a piece of original fiction (horror/ romance) if you ever want to read it let me know. Anyhow, yes, last chapter was very long... hopefully not too long, this one is long as well. All that I have written thus far is almost novel length, so as you can tell, I've been doing a lot of writing. Thanks for reading it!
Ears91: Hang in there on the Chrome/ Ginny- I won't say much about it, but it's a possibility looming in the distance. I'm glad to hear from you, I look forward to your loyal reviewing. Thanks. (oh and yes, Harry really is collecting scars).
Gryffindor260: You are the best, you always review!!! Thanks a million, I hope you liked this chapter- I think it's next chapter when Harry finally gets to kick a little butt again. Very exciting ;).
Mrs-ousbournes-class: Your review provided some very nice compliments and thoughts that I truly appreciated. Skipping a TV show for reading is not an honor to be taken lightly as I have certain shows I just love. I appreciate all your support, thanks again.
