Author's Note: A lot of you asked about Hermione getting pregnant. My answer: No. She will not be pregnant, nor was it my intention to get her pregnant.

I hope you all enjoy this chapter, and please leave me a review. I greatly appreciate it and enjoy reading all of your feedback.

I do not own anything.

Hermione had trouble sleeping. She's been tossing and turning ever since she went to bed earlier. She didn't know why, but for some reason she found she couldn't sleep.

She had the slight feeling that something was wrong, but couldn't put her finger on it.

She didn't know whether that as the reason as to why she couldn't sleep, or because of what happened earlier.

The memory of her and Harry in the Room of Requirement flashed through her mind, and she gently rubbed her tired eyes, smiling as she did so.

Her thoughts were distracted, however, when the fake gallon began to vibrate on her nightstand. Opening the shades, she quickly grabbed it, wondering who could be messaging her right now.

'Hermione….come quick! It's Harry!'

Without missing a beat, she threw off her bedsheets and quietly ran out of her dorm. She then rushed to the fifth-year boy's dorm, but she ran into Ron, who was helping Harry stand.

Her breath caught in her throat as she saw Harry. He was extremely pale; he was sweating and shaking. He looked like he was about to get sick.

"Hermione, we need to get to Dumbledore's office right away. Can you help?"

"Yeah!" she said, moving to Harry's other side. She wrapped her arm around him and together they began their quick descent to Professor Dumbledore's office.

"What's going on?" Hermione asked.

"My dad's been attacked," Ron said, his voice caught in his throat.

"What?" she asked. She then looked over at Harry. "Did you see it?"

Harry nodded, refusing to say anything.

"Professor McGonagall's waking Fred, George and Ginny now," Ron continued on.

They reached Professor Dumbledore's office and the door opened. Professor Dumbledore stood behind his desk, his face grave.

"What is going on, Harry?"

"Ron's dad has been attacked!" Harry said. "Voldemort's snake attacked him!"

Dumbledore looked straight at Harry before sighing, turning to a portrait frame.

Hermione sat down next to Harry, gently taking his hand in hers. She wiped her hand across his forehead and wiped some of the sweat off of it, staring at his scar as she did so.

"How are you feeling?"

"How do you think I'm feeling?" he said bitterly.

"Everything is going to be ok." She then turned to Ron, who remained silent. "They'll find him. I know they will."

"How did this happen?" he asked, shaking his head.

"Your father's been found," Professor Dumbledore said. Hermione let out a sigh of relief.

"Professor Dumbledore, how did Harry see all of this?"

"I want to talk to you and Harry, but, first, let's get the Weasleys to Grimmauld Place. We will get all of your trunks. You all are leaving for break early."

Harry squeezed Hermione's hand tighter. She looked over at him.

"Stay with me," he whispered.

"I will always stay with you," she whispered back, gently stroking his hand with her thumb.

When the Weasleys were gone, Professor Dumbledore turned back to Harry and Hermione. "Harry, I tried to tell you about this months ago."

"Tell me about what?" he asked, lifting his head up.

"There is a connection between you and Voldemort. A very strong connection, at that."

Harry reached up and touched his scar. "That's why I can feel his emotions? Have these dreams?"

"Yes," Dumbledore said sadly. "I thought that you being with Miss. Granger would stop the connection, but, apparently, it has not."

"It has been," Harry said quietly. "I've told Hermione this before. I told her that I didn't feel like myself. I have been feeling different. Except when I'm around Hermione. When I'm around her, I feel like myself again. My scar doesn't hurt when I'm with her."

"There was that one time," Hermione said. "In Umbridge's class."

"What happened?"

"My scar was hurting so badly that I had to lay down. Nothing severe."

Dumbledore nodded. "Anything else?"

"Harry and I fell asleep on the couch one night during the break," Hermione said. Harry looked over at her.

"Hermione!" he whispered.

"Harry, he's trying to help. Professor, he didn't have any dreams until we went to bed. When we separated, the dreams started again."

"Fascinating," he said, smiling softly at them.

"There's more," Hermione said, suddenly looking down. "I couldn't sleep tonight. Something felt wrong, and I didn't know what. I was going to study in the common room when Ron and Harry came down."

Dumbledore leaned back in his chair, looking between Harry and Hermione. "I will speak to the two of you soon. For now, let's get all of you to Grimmauld Place."

"Hermione's supposed to spend the break with her parents," Harry said. Hermione closed her eyes and let out a sigh.

"I miss my parents, Harry. I really do. However, I need to go to Grimmauld Place with you and the Weasleys."

"Hermione, you haven't seen your parents in nearly a year. You didn't spend the summer with them. You need to go and see them."

"I need to be at Grimmauld Place. I'll write my mum and dad there and tell them I'm staying at Hogwarts. I'll make it up to them."

"Very well, Miss. Granger. Let's get you two there."

"Hi," Hermione said, sitting next to Harry. He nodded. "Do you want to talk?"

He shook his head. Sirius walked over to them.

"Harry, can I talk to you in private?"

Harry stood up and followed Sirius. Hermione let out a sigh as she turned to Ron, who was still quiet.

"He's going to be ok."

"I hope so," Ron replied, rubbing his hands together. She gently rubbed his back.

"Your dad's a fighter. He'll pull through."

She looked over at Ginny, who was resting her head on Fred's shoulders. Her eyes were bloodshot. Fred and George were refusing to look at anyone.

'Everything will be ok. I just know it.'

Sirius led Harry up to his bedroom, closing the door behind him. He then turned to his godson, who had refused to say much since he had gotten here.

"Harry, I know."

"You know what?"

"I know about the prophecy."

Harry turned his head and looked out the window. Sirius sat down next to him, gently placing his hand on Harry's shoulder.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"Why me, Sirius? For years I have asked that question and had no answer to it. Now I know. All because of some stupid words."

"Unfortunate as it is, you were chosen. There's nothing that can be done about that."

Harry remained silent, choosing to stare at the floor instead.

"Remus and I have been talking," he continued on. Harry turned back to look at him. "We feel as though you are very unprepared for this. We don't want you to go in blind. Remus and I have agreed to start training you."

"Training me?" Harry asked, looking up. Sirius nodded.

"Remus did a great job teaching you in your third year. However, he had to leave. Now, you have a Death Eater teaching you and a nut from the Ministry not teaching you anything. For what you're about to face, you can't have that. You need to learn."

"What do you plan on doing?"

"Getting you started while you're here," Sirius said. "After that, we'll continue during the summer."

"Dumbledore doesn't know about this, does he?"

"Not at all. In all honesty, he hasn't made me happy lately. He won't be happy when he finds out, but, it's not going to stop me or Remus from teaching you." Sirius stopped for a moment. "Does Hermione know?"

"No," Harry said, wrapping his hands behind his head.

"Why?"

"I'm not ready to tell her."

"You know she's as big in this as you are."

"That's why I don't want to tell her."

"And I'm not going to force you. I know you will tell her when you're ready. She's here for you."

Harry nodded.

"Is something else bothering you?"

"Sirius, I felt like I attacked Mr. Weasley."

"What do you mean?" Sirius asked, looking quite worried.

"When I had that dream, I felt like I was the snake."

Sirius looked down, not wanting to tell Harry, but feeling as though he should. "Harry, Dumbledore thinks that Voldemort may be possessing you."

"What?!" Harry asked, suddenly jumping up from the bed.

"He thinks that Hermione may be blocking the connection, but, it's unknown if you'll be protected from him or not."

"How is Hermione protecting me?"

"Voldemort can't understand love, Harry. Hermione's love for you may, somehow, be blocking the connection."

Harry closed his eyes, not wanting to believe a word that Sirius was saying. "I need to be alone."

"Harry-"

Harry walked out of the room. Sirius sighed as he stood up, going to find the one person who could make all of this right.

"Harry?" Hermione asked, lightly tapping on the door. "Harry, open the door."

The door opened and she was pulled into the room. The next moment she was pulled into a hug.

"I love you, Hermione. I love you so much!"

"What's going on? You're scaring me."

He grabbed her hand and led her to his bed. He then sat across from her, grabbing her hand in his. He let out a deep breath.

"I have been hiding something from you," he said, choosing to look down at the floor instead. "I'm finally ready to tell you."

He tightened the grip on her. She smiled softly at him.

"I'm right here, Harry."

"There's a reason why my parents are dead, Hermione. Sixteen years ago, a prophecy was made about someone who can stop Voldemort."

"No," Hermione whispered, shaking her head.

"It's about me. I'm the only one who can stop Voldemort."

She drew her hands back, covering her mouth as she did so. She got off of the bed and paced the room, trying her best not to cry.

"What does it say, Harry? How do you know it's about you?"

He held his hand out to her and she took her, returning to sit down on the bed. He stared at her for a moment before he said the words that has been haunting him since September.

"The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches. Born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies. And the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not. And either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives. The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies."

Hermione felt her eyes water. She closed them as she felt her chest tighten and found she had a hard time breathing. He got off of the bed and pulled her up. He then wrapped his arms around her and pulled her in. She buried her head in his chest.

"This is why I didn't tell you, Hermione. I didn't want to hurt you."

She pulled away and looked up at him. His hands came up and gently wiped her tears away then he kissed her forehead.

"Your scar? That's how he marked you?"

"Yes," Harry replied. "It was either me or Neville, and Voldemort chose me."

Hermione dropped her eyes, unable to look Harry in the face.

"There's more."

"What do you mean?"

"It involves you."

"Me?" she asked, taking a step back from him. He nodded, biting his cheek as he did so.

"Do you remember what the sorting hat said at the feast?"

She played the words through her head, shutting her eyes when she realized.

"He was talking about you, wasn't he?"

"And you. Love will stand by his side. It's his greatest power, and his greatest strength. The prophecy said nearly the same thing. They were both referring to you. I love you, and you have already made me so much stronger than I could have ever imagined. Without you, I will lose. I will lose the war."

She dropped to the bed, shock filling her face as she did so. He kneeled down in front of her, pressing his lips to her forehead again.

"There's still more. Sirius just told me that Dumbledore thinks I'm being possessed by Voldemort."

"What?"

"However, they also believe that you're preventing it from happening."

"How am I doing that?"

"Voldemort has never understood love."

She smiled slightly, shaking her head as she did so. "This is a lot to take in."

"I know," he whispered. "That's why it took me so long to tell you. I was so scared on how you would react."

"Harry," she said, taking hold of his hand, "I don't care what some prophecy says. You will never be any different to me. I love you. If you're destined to beat him, and I'm destined to be with you the whole way, then I will be. I will help you however you need help."

"Sirius told me that he and Remus plan on teaching me. They're going to help me get ready, and I think you should be there. You're dating me. Who knows what Voldemort to try to get to me. I want you to be prepared."

She nodded. "Whatever you want. I'm not leaving your side."

He leaned in and caught her lips, pouring all of his love for her into it. They broke away after a moment and smiled at each other.

"You are the most wonderful friend and girlfriend. I love you so much."

"I love you, too. Last night was amazing, by the way."

He smiled. There was a knock on the door and Sirius poked his head through. "Arthur is going to be just fine. The Weasleys are going to see him. Do you two want to go?"

They nodded.

"The first thing about training is to relax yourself. You can never freak out while you're in battle. Clearing your head is the first step."

Remus' voice filled Harry's ears. Harry closed his eyes, getting rid of all of his current thoughts. He then opened them and saw Remus staring at him, his wand pointed between Harry's eyes.

"I have my wand pointed at you. What are you going to do?"

Harry pushed Remus' arm out of the way and said, "Stupefy!" Remus fell, unconscious.

"That was great, Harry!" Sirius said, going to revive Remus. "You can't always use your wand, especially if you do not have it. Your body can be your greatest weapon. Hermione, I'm going to do the same to you."

He went up and pointed his wand between Hermione's eyes. She quickly pushed his arm out of the way and pointed her wand at him, crying out "Stupefy!" as she did so. Sirius rolled out of the way to avoid the spell.

"Great job, Hermione! I only moved out of the way so Remus didn't have to revive me."

"You both are progressing beautifully," Remus said, smiling at them. "Training is never easy. The more you progress, the harder it becomes. I have plenty of faith in you. Harry, you have always been advanced in Defense Against the Dark Arts. It's as though it comes naturally to you. Hermione, you are one of the brightest people I have met. You think before you act. The two of you balance each other out."

Harry looked to Hermione and smiled. "She's always stopped me from doing something stupid."

"If Voldemort gets his hands on the prophecy, he will know everything about it and how truly important it is."

"Is that what the order's protecting at the Ministry? Is that why Mr. Weasley got hurt?" Hermione asked.

"Yes," Remus replied. "Only the people who the prophecy refer to can touch the prophecy."

"So, why doesn't Harry go in there and get it before Voldemort does?"

"I'm not welcome in the Ministry, Hermione. Remember? They think I'm crazy."

"I would love for us to gain control of the prophecy. It would put me at ease."

"There has to be something we can do!"

"Hermione, I promise you that the order is working on it."

There was a knock on the door. Remus went over and opened it, showing Ron.

"What can we help you with, Ron?"

"Professor Dumbledore's here and he wants to see all of you."

"Busted," Sirius grinned. "This should be fun."

They all walked down to the kitchen and sat at the table. Professor Dumbledore smiled at them.

"Good afternoon."

"Afternoon," they all replied back.

"I have been thinking about the current situation," he said, his eyes drifting to Harry. "And, I've come to the conclusion that Harry should be taught occlumency."

"The magical mind defense?" Remus asked. "That's extremely risky. Who would teach him?"

"Severus."

They all looked at him in shock. Sirius' face quickly filled with anger.

"Professor Snape?" Harry asked.

"Yes."

"Are you kidding me?" Hermione spoke up. She stood up, slamming her hands on the table. "Professor Snape is the worst person to teach Harry whatever you plan on teaching him!"

"Hermione, I know you care deeply for Harry, but I am doing what I believe is best."

"Since when, Dumbledore? All you've done his whole life is lie to him! You sent him to those people, you lied to him about the prophecy and now you want someone who can't stand him to teach him a very dangerous subject!"

"Sirius-"

"No, Professor!" Hermione said. "If you want Harry to learn this, then you need to teach him. Or else there's no point in him learning it because Snape will not teach him. It would be time wasted that Harry doesn't have."

"I agree with Hermione, professor," Harry said, speaking up for the first time. "Is there any point in me learning this? If you think there is, then you need to teach me. Or else I refuse to do it. Snape is not going to teach me. Snape wouldn't care, either. I don't give a damn about him and he doesn't give a damn about me!"

"Harry, language!" Hermione said, walking up next to him.

Professor Dumbledore let out a sigh while Sirius smirked. "That's my godson."

"Sirius," Remus said, shaking his head.

"Harry, I know you're frustrated. I understand that. I know the occlumency will work."

"You said Hermione was blocking the connection."

"It seems as though she only blocks the connection when she's near you. Sleeping in separate will not stop the connection, and there's no way you're sleeping in the same bed."

"What's he talking about, Harry?" Remus asked. Harry sighed.

"When Hermione and I first got together, we stayed up late one night and we fell asleep on the couch. It was the first and only time I didn't have any dreams."

Remus and Sirius turned to each other, as though having a silent conversation with each other.

"Professor, I know about the possible possession. I told Hermione this a long time ago, but, if I'm not with her, I don't feel like myself. She stops me from feeling so angry. Even just a minute ago she ordered me to stop and I did. No one else can do that. The longer that Hermione and I are together, the less I feel him. I need her, professor."

He looked down at Hermione, who smiled up at him.

"I agree with not letting Harry and Hermione sleep in the same bed," Remus said, his eyes moving towards the couple. "I don't agree with occlumency, however. I don't think it's the best option. It's too dangerous."

"Especially if you're letting Snape do it," Sirius said bitterly.

"Sirius!" Remus warned.

"We can't keep letting Harry have these dreams. They need to stop."

"I agree they need to stop," Remus said, standing up to talk to Dumbledore, "but there has to be another way."

"I don't think there is. Not without Miss. Granger next to him."

"I'm not doing it," Harry said, shaking his head. "If Sirius and Remus don't feel comfortable with it, then I don't."

"Harry, I am going to ask you to reconsider."

"No," he said, shaking his head. "Hermione's all I need. No, I can't sleep next to her, but, I know she'll be there for me. The sorting hat and the prophecy both said it."

"We've been training these two, Dumbledore," Sirius said.

"What do you mean you've been training them?"

"Sirius and I have started teaching Harry and Hermione proper defense. They need it especially since they don't have a professor willing to teach it."

Dumbledore pulled back to look at everyone around the table. He then closed his eyes. "Harry, Hermione, leave."

"Professor-"

"Leave."

The teens nodded and left the kitchen. Sirius stared definitely at Dumbledore, as though challenging him.

"Who authorized that?"

"I did. Harry's legal guardian."

"You're not his guardian, Sirius."

"I should have been," Sirius said, standing up. "I messed up, Dumbledore, and I will admit that. You messed up, too, however!"

"How did I mess up?"

"You should have known that I didn't do it. Why the HELL would I do it? You should have pushed the Ministry for a trial!"

"Sirius," Remus said, standing up and placing a hand on his friend's shoulder. "Albus, you have no say in this matter. Sirius and I felt it was best. We asked Harry and he wanted to do it."

"I do not agree with this decision," Dumbledore said. "If the two of you feel this is necessary, then I will not object. Harry could do with some training."

With that, Professor Dumbledore walked out of the kitchen. Sirius and Remus looked at each other.

"Merry Christmas," Hermione said, walking up to Harry.

"Merry Christmas."

"I have a present for you."

He leaned down to her ear and whispered, "I thought you already gave me my present?"

She grinned up at him. "I have another present for you."

She gave him a square wrapped present. He took it from her and opened it, seeing that it was the album of his parents that Hagrid had given him in his first year.

"I believe I already have this," he grinned.

"I talked to Remus and Sirius and I was able to find more pictures of your parents. I also added some pictures of us and us and Ron in there as well."

He opened the album and looked at the new photos, smiling softly as he did so.

"Do you like it?"

"I love it. Thank you, Hermione."

He leaned down and gave her a kiss. "I have a present for you, too."

He grabbed a present that was next to him and gave it to her. She tore off the wrapper and her jaw nearly dropped to the floor.

"Harry-"

"Merry Christmas," he smiled.

She ran her hand over the cover of the book, smiling softly as she did so.

"How did you know I wanted this?"

"Our first date. We went Tomes and Scrolls, remember? I saw you staring at it for quite some time. So, after you disappeared, I quickly bought the book and hid it in my pocket."

Her hand stopped over the cover of the book, shaking her head as she did so.

'Defensive Spells for All Generations.'

"I was considering this for our group. It's supposed to have everything we need."

"I looked at it before I wrapped it. It's quite a good book, actually. However, I feel there's more of a reason than you buying it for the group."

"I'm not the best at Defense Against the Dark Arts, and I was embarrassed to ask you so I was considering getting this book to help."

"Why would you be embarrassed to ask me?"

"I didn't want to look bad."

"Hermione, that's ridiculous. I'm not the best at Transfiguration but look how good you are. You help me with it all the time. If you need help you know I will help you."

"I know it is," she said, laughing slightly. "Thank you for the book, Harry. I love it."

She wrapped her arms around him and they lingered for several minutes. He eventually pulled away, kissing her head as he did so.

"Are you two coming?" Ron asked, poking his head in the door. "Breakfast is ready."

"We're coming," Harry grinned. "Ready?"

She nodded, smiling at him as she did so.

"You wanted to talk, Sirius?" Harry asked, softly closing the door behind.

"Come here, Harry," Sirius said, patting the seat next to Harry. Harry sat down next to him, looking quite confused. "Have you and Hermione….."

He trailed off, rubbing his head as he did so. Harry turned away.

"That's not any of your business."

"I know it's not. I'm just a little concerned with how close you and Hermione are. The last thing anyone needs is for her to get pregnant, Harry."

Harry sighed, not believing Sirius was having this conversation with him. "Once, and we used protection."

Sirius let out a sigh of relief. Harry bit his cheek, wishing he wasn't having this conversation with him.

"I'm at least relieved to hear that. If you and Hermione feel as though you're ready for that, that's completely your decision. Just promise me that you will always use protection."

Harry nodded, completely agreeing with Sirius. "Promised."

As soon as he said that, Harry reached up and grabbed his scar, hissing out in pain. He fell to the floor.

"Harry!" he heard Sirius cry out.

"Hello, Harry."

"Get out!" Harry thought back, clutching his hands to his head.

"Tell me the prophecy, Harry."

"No! Get out of my head!"

There was another jolt, and Harry cried out in pain. He could feel Voldemort probing around for the prophecy, and tried everything to keep him away from it.

"Tell me the prophecy, Potter!"

"Harry!" Hermione cried, sliding down next to him. She placed her hands on her his face and looked down at him. He opened his eyes and looked at her, his love for her coming in at full force.

Harry heard Voldemort scream, and he knew no more.