Chapter 9
"Ron! Wake up!" Harry said, sending a pillow soaring in his best friend's direction.
"Bloody Hell," came the muffled reply as the pillow hit its target. Ron's messy red head peered out from between the curtains surrounding his bed. "What?"
"Get up."
"Why?"
"We're spending the day together. You, me and Hermione."
Ron stared disbelievingly at Harry. "Harry, mate," he started slowly, "you spend every bloody day together with us!"
Harry grinned sheepishly and rubbed his scar. "I know but I want to do something exciting."
"Mate, when is there a BORING time with you?"
"I meant something non-life threatening. Now get dressed and meet me with your broom out on the pitch."
Ron stood and looked excited about flying but then asked, "What about Hermione? She hates flying."
Harry grinned from the window, Firebolt in hand. "That's because she doesn't know how," he said eyes twinkling, "Yet." He grinned at Ron, who grinned back, and took off out through the window.
TAP! TAP! TAP!
Hermione opened her eyes.
TAP! TAP! TAP!
She sat up and peered out through her bed curtain.
TAP! TAP! TAP!
"Damn it!" she heard Lavender Brown yell and watched as she stomped to the window. "What in the name of Merlin is that-" Lavender ducked as something flew through the window.
"Good morning ladies," Harry said winking. He stood in the middle of the girl's dorm room holding his Firebolt as the girls screeched and dove for their beds.
"Harry Potter!" Lavender screeched, "what on earth are you doing in here?!" She leapt back into bed and drew her curtains closed, like the others, embarrassed that Harry Potter saw her without her make-up.
"I'm looking for Hermione," he said glancing at all of the closed curtains. Lavender's hand shot through her curtains and pointed to what Harry assumed was Hermione's bed. He walked over to it and carefully pulled back part of the hanging.
Hermione was sleeping, or at least appeared to be. Harry knew better. He didn't miss the slight twitch at the corner of her mouth. He used the opportunity to just watch her. She looked like an angel. Her mass of brown curls encircled her head. Her lips were slightly parted as she breathed slowly. Harry gently reached down and ran his index finger along her cheek.
"I know you're awake," he whispered leaning close to her.
Her big brown eyes opened and she looked up at Harry smiling. "Prat," she said.
"I'm your prat."
He didn't know what came over him. The words just slipped out. His face flushed and he struggled for something, anything, to say.
"I know," Hermione said simply. The smile never leaving her face. "Now what do I owe the great pleasure of having Harry Potter in my dormitory?"
Harry smiled, welcoming the subject change. "Get dressed and wear something comfortable. I'll be waiting in the Common Room."
"Why? Where are we going?"
He grinned and without answering tossed her something in a ball and left abruptly. Hermione was suddenly surrounded by her dorm mates.
"Why was Harry here?" Lavender asked plopping onto Hermione's bed.
"He told me to get dressed and meet him downstairs," Hermione said bewildered.
"What's that?" Parvarti Patil asked gesturing to the red ball Harry had tossed Hermione.
Hermione shrugged and uncrumpled it. Squeals were heard as she held up the burgundy shirt. On the front read "Gryffindor Seeker". She turned it around and saw the words "Potter 7" emblazed in gold.
She couldn't help beaming.
"Do you think Hermione will like it?" Neville asked as Harry said waiting for Hermione in the Common Room.
"I dunno," Harry said breaking his gaze from the girl dormitory steps and looking at Neville. "I think she's afraid of heights."
Neville nodded slowly, "She travels with her parents constantly. She told me once that she doesn't might the height as long as she feels secure."
Harry smiled softly, "I'd never let her fall."
"My hero," a voice said next to them. Neville and Harry turned to look at Hermione. "Thanks for the shirt, Harry," she said uncharacteristically shy, her cheeks turning pink.
Harry gaped at her. She was wearing faded jeans and his not-so-baggy Quidditch jersey. Her hair was flowing freely down her back. "Wow," he managed to breathe.
"You look great Hermione," Neville said making the girl blush even deeper. She whispered a thank you and looked expectantly at Harry.
"I, uh. Well, um," Harry stuttered. Hermione smiled. He cleared his throat to speak again, "My jersey looks better on you than it does on me." He winked as she blushed. "Are you ready?"
"Sure," she said looking hesitant.
"Don't worry Hermione," Neville said before they walked out of the Common Room, "Harry won't let you fall."
"Harry, Ron, I'm not so sure about this," Hermione said nervously while eyeing the two boys floating on pieces of wood in front of her.
"Exactly Hermione," Harry replied. "You're always so certain of your actions. For once we want you to act –"
"Like us manly men," Ron said while puffing out his chest. Harry smirked and Hermione rolled her eyes.
"I was going to say on impulse, Hermione."
"Harry since when has doing anything with you not on impulse?"
"She's right mate."
"But Hermione we want you to feel the freeness we feel when we fly."
"Yeah, next lesson we'll teach you proper Quidditch."
Hermione's face paled at the thought and both boys erupted into laughter.
"I'm kidding Hermy."
"Don't call me that, Ronnie."
"Harry!" Harry yelled and his two friends looked at him strangely. "Hermy, Ronnie, Harry. They all rhyme!" The look on Harry's face was one of monumental achievement causing Hermione and Ron to double over with laughter. Harry's cheeks turned red but he laughed too. Ron started circling his CleanSweep around Hermione. "Stop staling Hermy."
Harry beckoned her closer so she could get on his Firebolt. "Did you ever ride a bike?" he asked watching Hermione grow more nervous each passing second. He saw her nod her head slightly. "Well flying is like that," he explained. "It's hard until you master it but then you never forget it." He lowered the broom so she could mount.
"Harry," she said uncertainly.
"Hermione nothing will happen to you," Harry said as he gently raised them. "Hold onto the handle so you can steer." Ron was next to them giving Hermione tips as she hesitantly led the broom higher.
After a few tense minutes Hermione relaxed, her back leaning against Harry's chest and his arms wrapped protectively around her. They flew high over the Quidditch Pitch and over Hagrid's hut. Finally after two hours of gliding in the sky Ron suggested they go get food. Hermione turned the broom and made to land but Harry stopped her.
"What's wrong?" she asked.
"Did you see that?" Harry asked motioning Ron over. "Over there," he said pointing to a part in the Forbidden Forest, "I saw something." A bright light shone from the spot, "There!"
Ron squinted, "Let's go find out what it is. Lead the way."
Harry gripped the handle of the broom with one hand and crushed Hermione to him with the other. "Hold on," he whispered in her ear. He sped away and she let out a shriek.
They landed in a clearing just inside the forest. Hermione shrunk their brooms and put them in her back pocket as they started walking.
"Stay close," Harry instructed as he led them deep into the forest. "And be quiet." He kept walking and it was hard to tell which direction they were going in. Suddenly a bright light went off and a POP! sounded from their left. Harry jetted over to the sound and Hermione and Ron followed.
They hid behind bushes surrounding a small clearing. Hermione gasped as she saw Dolohov pacing back and forth and Lucious Malfoy sitting on a tree stump firing random spells at insects. Harry's hand gripped Hermione's and Ron looked about ready to pounce.
"What do you think they're doing here?" Hermione whispered.
"Looks like they're waiting for something," Harry answered, his green eyes darkening at the sight of the monster that almost killed his best friend. Not once, but twice.
"Or someone," Ron spat motioning to moving branches.
The Trio instinctively couched lower and watched as a figure emerged to join the other known Death Eaters. Black cloaks and a crooked nose.
"Snape!" Harry hissed. "Severus bloody Snape!"
"Why that pompous git!" Ron spat. "That bloody jerk! Damn Death Eater!"
"Both of you quiet down!" Hermione whispered staring wide-eyed at the meeting. The boys quieted and returned their eyes to the scene before them.
"Now Dolohov," Snape drawled lazily. "What is so important that you felt the need to call me from the castle?"
"I need that girl!" Dolohov said. "This is taking too long. Potter can't be stopped unless she is dead.
Harry crushed Hermione to him and felt her shaking despite her look of determination. He looked to Ron who had gone positively livid. Harry's grip tightened around Hermione.
"Antonin why waste your time on that Mudblood?" Malfoy asked, also looking bored.
"That Mudblood is useful to Potter!" Dolohov screeched. "She must die! The Dark Lord's orders!"
Ron gasped and looked towards Harry who was cradling Hermione. Silent tears rolled down her cheeks but her facial expression never wavered. He grasped her hand and carefully wiped a tear. He felt her trembling and wanted nothing more than to throttle the Death Eaters before him.
"You called me out here to talk of the Granger girl?" Snape asked his eyes darting quickly to where the Trio hid.
"He knows!" Ron whispered frantically.
Harry nodded, "Don't move. Something's up, he hasn't mentioned us."
"You're her professor, Severus!" Dolohov said frantically. "Can't you detain her somehow?"
"Granger is top of her class-"
"Stupid Mudblood beating Draco," Malfoy interjected.
"Things will look out of the ordinary," Snape finished. "Do not bother me with this nonsense anymore," and he apparated away.
"The Mudblood must die!" Dolohov said to Malfoy. "Don't you see Lucious? She is the reason the Dark Lord can't touch Potter!"
"Antonin what would you like me to do? Have Draco set up a play date and then murder the girl?" Malfoy responded hotly. "I know this is difficult! This girl, this stupid filthy Mudblood has caused nothing but problems for us. Don't you think I want her dead too?"
"Use Draco! Your son!"
"Draco is no son of mine. He is nothing to me. Turned out just like his useless mother."
"What are you-"
"Enough." Malfoy apparated away; Dolohov shortly after.
The silence of the forest was deafening. Time seemed to stand still around the Trip. They stood motionless trying to decipher what had happened. Ron was still clutching Hermione's hand and her face was buried against Harry's chest. He could feel her tears soaking his t-shirt and felt her uncontrollable trembling in his arms. He looked down into her now pale face; her brown eyes a sharp contrast to her white cheeks.
"H-Hermione?" he choked out in a whisper. "D-do you want t-to go back?"
The young sixteen year old in his arms didn't respond. He looked frantically towards Ron, urging him to provide help.
Ron cleared his throat and tugged gently on Hermione's hand. "C'mon Hermione," he whispered, "Let's get you back to the castle."
Hermione nodded against Harry's chest but only tightened her hold around his waist. They tried making their way back but it proved a difficult task. They stopped after a few feet and Harry picked up Hermione, crushing her to him as her arms snaked around his neck. With Ron's wand lighting their way, the Trio made it back to more familiar Hogwarts grounds.
Once they passed Hagrid's Hut, Harry placed Hermione down on her unsteady feet. Both boys flanked her and she smiled slightly at them.
"I'm alright," she insisted when they took hold of her arms.
"Hermione, I-"
"Don't you dare take any blame for this Harry James Potter."
"But Herm-"
"No," she said forcefully, meeting Harry's eyes. "This is not your fault."
"Alright, Hermy," Ron interjected, "Harry won't blame himself. Let's just get back to the castle."
Hermione nodded and started walking. She turned when they didn't follow.
"We'll be right there," Ron said as Harry shot him a weird look. Hermione nodded and walked slowly up the hill. Ron turned to Harry and looked at his best friend seriously. "Mate, she's right. This isn't your fault. Something is going on and Hermione is the target."
"They want her dead, Ron! DEAD!"
"We just have to protect her," Ron said solemnly. Harry nodded and looked up to where Hermione had stopped to wait for them. She was hugging herself as random tears spilt from her eyes. His heart broke at the sight of her; she looked like a lost child.
"We have to talk to Snape," he said to Ron, his eyes never leaving Hermione's form.
"But he could-"
"No, he would have exposed us and he didn't. He knows something."
Ron nodded and they made their way to Hermione. Upon reaching her, Harry put his arm around her waist as Ron's slid around her shoulders. Hermione smiled shyly and whipped her tears. She knew they would protect her as much as they could. But she also knew what she must do. For now, though, she would stay contently in the arms of her best friends.
