A/N: Just a quick thanks to all who have stuck with this story. Your encouragement has really inspired me to finish this. I kinda know now how it's all gonna play out so it's just about getting time to write now in the midst of actual life but hopefully I'll have it all done within a week or two, but of course, no promises. Thank again and I hope you enjoy.

Chapter 25: The End of the Beginning

When he woke the next morning the last thing in the world he wanted to do was get up. Still sleeping peacefully on his chest was Hermione, her bare chest rising and falling in rhythm against his. There were precious few moments in his life when he hat felt truly at peace, when everything felt exactly as it should that he hated to break the trance. This was especially true on a morning such as this. After their talk last night he realized now more than ever that he couldn't be sure how many deep breaths he had left. He hoped more for Hermione's sake than his own that they would be in and out of Hogwarts before Riddle even arrived but nothing was certain. What if they ran into Snape or Bellatrix? What would happen to them then? He was determined to avoid more death but the beauty lying in his arms had helped him come to realize that this was a war and as such there are unfortunate casualties. He just hoped he wouldn't have to face any of those today.

Taking a few more deep breaths and breathing in the scent of his love once more he carefully tried to slide out from under her. It was futile he knew and sure enough as he climbed out of bed he saw her stir and then her eyes open. "Mmm good morning Love," she said smiling up at him.

"Morning Love," he replied as he began to gather up his clothes from the night before. "How did you sleep?" he asked.

"Never better," she said smiling. "You?"

"The same," he replied. "I was just going to jump in the shower real quick," he stated.

"Be right there," she said as she slowly climbed out of the bed as well. Harry walked into the bathroom and was brushing his teeth when a few moments later Hermione walked in still in her birthday suit. He smiled at her as she came around to brush her teeth as well. They climbed into the shower and got themselves ready for the day and an hour or so later they were ready to go.

They stood in the kitchen and Hermione reminded him for at least the fifth time, "Okay so if we get separated for more than five minutes we apparate straight back here and regroup."

"I know Hermione," he said leaning smiling at her. "And don't worry, I wouldn't let that cute butt out of my site," he said giving her a soft peck.

Grabbing each other's hands Hermione raised her wand and gave it a wave and Harry felt the usual unnerving feeling of being pulled through a hole by the belly-button but just as quickly he felt himself being placed down in the same spot. "What happened?" he asked.

"The protections must still be up," Hermione replied. "It just sort of felt like I bounced off a wall and came straight back."

"We'll try again in a half hour," he stated and released her hand.

For the next half hour all he could really do was pace. He kept trying to go over plans in his head but he just felt so hopeless. A half an hour later they tried again with the same result. This time Hermione pulled out Hogwarts: A History and began to pour through the pages for what Harry was sure was the thousandth time. Harry kept pacing until they tried again in another half hour, same result. "Harry what if Snape doesn't take that particular protection down?" Hermione finally asked.

"He has to," Harry replied. "It would be the only way Riddle could get in unnoticed by anyone."

So they waited and tried again in another half hour, same result. More than worrying about not getting in Harry was beginning to worry that they would get in too late. He started to fear showing up at the same time as Riddle and not having any time to get anyone out. This has to work, he thought to himself while at the same time knowing things were starting to look rather dicey. Two more times they tried and two more times they failed and now Kreacher was making them lunch which they both ate in silence. It was nearing one in the afternoon when they tried again and again Harry felt his feet hit the floor but this time when he opened his eyes he saw the faces of three very shocked Gryffindors.

"We made it," Hermione stated.

"Finally," Harry exclaimed. He looked into the faces of the students they had barged in on and realized one of them was Jimmy Peaks, his former teammate. "Jimmy," he quickly cried. "Where is everyone?"

"Harry, how did you get her?" a bewildered Jimmy asked.

"No time to explain right now Jimmy, is everyone at their lessons?"

"No, most people up in their dormitories. It's lunch time but exams are coming up so most people are studying."

Harry looked at Hermione, "Go find anyone in the girl's dormitory that you think may be able to help us. We need to make a plan."

"Okay," she replied leaning up to kiss him and without another word they each split off and ran to the dormitories.

Harry went straight for the seventh year dormitory at the top of the stairs and burst through the door. Two very surprised wizards raised their wands at once. "Neville Seamus it's okay it's me," he cried.

"Harry, is that really you?" Neville asked not lowering his wand.

"Yes it's me," he exclaimed hurriedly.

"What spell did Hermione use on me in our first year?" he asked.

A grin appeared on Harry's mouth, "Petrificus totalus," he replied. "Still really sorry about that by the way."

A smile came over Neville's face and he dropped his wand, "Harry it really is you," he said as he ran over and shook his hand.

"But what on earth are you doing here?" Seamus asked shaking Harry's hand as well.

"And how did you get here?" Neville asked.

"I don't have time to explain everything but to make a long story short the protections are down right now because Riddle is coming," he stated.

"You-Know-Who is coming here?" Seamus asked.

"Yes and we need to make a plan."

"But how?" Seamus asked.

"I don't know but we need to figure out something. Hermione is getting the girls. Let's go meet them in the common room."

"Umm Harry I don't know that that's the greatest idea. We can't exactly trust all of the Gryffindors anymore?"

"Why?" he asked.

"Well it's kinda hard to explain but there was some resorting done this year and well we just don't really know everyone any more," Neville continued.

"Well then where are we going to go then?" Harry asked.

"Why not the Room of Requirement?"

"Neville I can't exactly go wondering the halls."

"So don't. If the protections are down you can apparate. I'll just go there first and make it open for us," Neville replied.

"You can do that?" Harry asked.

"Of course I can," he said confidently.

"Okay go do that then. Seamus you go down and meet Hermione and tell her the plan. Tell her to take whoever we can trust and meet us there. Then bring whichever guys we can still trust and meet me back here."

"Okay, I'll send out the signal when I'm ready," Neville stated.

"What signal?" Harry asked. Both Neville and Seamus grinned as they reached into their pockets and pulled out a gold galleon. "Are those really the…" Harry began and they both nodded in response. "Brilliant. Okay, go quickly but try not to draw any attention to yourselves."

And with that the two boys took off out the door. Harry paced the room for a few minutes until it opened again a few minutes later with Seamus followed by the Creevey brothers, and Jimmy Peaks. "This is it?" Harry asked.

"Everyone else we just can't be sure of," Seamus replied.

"Jimmy, what about those two that were with you in the common room?"

"Didn't you notice Demelza?" he asked.

"The pretty brunette that was with you?" Harry asked.

"Well thanks, she's my girlfriend now but yeah. And the other one was Trinity Lynn. She's one of the other chasers now. They're both with Hermione."

"Okay wow, great," Harry replied.

"And we sent the other members of the DA a message telling them to meet us there as soon as they can."

"Brilliant," Harry exclaimed. He then began to ask them all about what life was like at Hogwarts with Snape as headmaster. He found out about the Carrow's, brother and sister who were new teachers and in charge of discipline. He also found out that Snape was rarely seen, even less than Dumbledore had been.

Finally after a few minutes the four boys held up their coins, "He's ready," Seamus said.

"Okay Collin can you apparate yet?"

"Yes," he said excitedly. "I just passed my test two weeks ago."

"Great, you go alone, I'll take your brother. Seamus you take Jimmy," Harry said and everyone nodded and took the appropriate hands. "Ready?" Harry asked looking at them. "One, two, three." And then with a crack they in the same room Harry had used to teach Dumbledore's Army during his fifth year. He saw Neville standing there and a few moments later her heard a pop and looked over to see Hermione appear along with Lavender, Parvati, Demelza, Trinity and Ginny.

Harry ran over and gave Hermione a hug, not even realizing how much he had missed in even in such a short time. "I told Ginny about us?" she whispered into his ear as they embraced. He pulled back slightly and looked quizzically at her. She nodded and leaned in again and whispered, "It's okay. She's dating Neville apparently now." Harry looked over and indeed saw Ginny and Neville coming together for a very familiar embrace and he smiled. Before he could away she caught his eye and they smiled at each other. "We still have to wait for the others," Hermione said looking up at him. "Go talk to her."

He smiled at her and let go and began to walk towards Neville and Ginny. Ginny saw this and released Neville as well and began to walk towards Harry, "Hey," he said as they got near each other.

"I haven't seen you in nearly six months and all you've got is 'hey'?" she asked.

Harry feared she was angry but the smile that came across her face reassured him. "Sorry," he stated. "Hey you." Ginny giggled before they both opened their arms to embrace one another. "It's good to see you," he said as they hugged.

"It's good to see you two. When my parents told me Ron was back I was afraid something might happen to you two."

"No we've been okay, we found a safe place. How've you been?" he asked finally pulling away from her.

"All things considered I've been okay. Just trying to cause as many problems for Snape and the Carrow's as I can," she said smiling. "Yeah I heard you and Neville got the DA going again. That's really great."

"Yeah it's helped to have a purpose instead of just sitting here waiting for something to happen."

"Yeah," he said nodding his head which was followed by a few moments of silence.

Finally Ginny interrupted it though, "So you and Hermione huh?" she asked grinning.

"Yeah, umm yeah, that kinda came out of nowhere," he replied.

"No it didn't, not to anyone who was actually paying attention," she stated.

"I always thought it was going to be her and Ron and I was going to be the third wheel. That's why I was so glad when you came along, so I didn't have to feel alone."

"Oh my idiot brother wouldn't deserve her in a million years. Don't get me wrong I love him but Hermione is way outa his league. No it's you two who should be together. I think you and I just used each other to realize that real love can exist," she stated. "I really did love you Harry but I don't know that I ever really knew you." He began to protest but she put her hand up. "It wasn't your fault. I only saw the legend. There's more to you then that and while I'm sure they're pretty similar I don't know that I'll ever be able to see past your legend."

"Well at least you see the good side of me," he said with a smirk.

"Yeah I'll let Hermione deal with the other side," she said grinning.

"Neville's a good guy," he stated.

"Yeah, he really is," she said looking over at Neville who was now talking with Hermione.

"I'm glad you're happy."

"I'm glad you finally wised up," she said smiling.

"Me too," he stated. He then looked around the room and realized it had filled up considerably. "I suppose we should get started," he mentioned.

"Go lead us legend," Ginny said grinning.

"Let's not make that a thing okay."

She laughed before walking with him towards where everyone was gathering, "We're all ears."