AN: I figured out an evil twist for the story for down the line. I can't wait to finish it some more. Thanks for all the great reviews and those that put this story or me on their favorites. I'm truly humbled. Thank you.

Chapter Nine

"I never knew
I never knew
that everything was falling through
That everyone I knew was waiting on a queue
To turn and run
when all I needed was the truth
But that's how it's got to be
It's coming down to nothing more than apathy
I'd rather run the other way than stay and see
The smoke and who's still standing when it clears…"

~The Fray

There's a moment when you stop and think about how everything in your life has come to this pivotal stop. Everything up until now has been child's play, but this would be the start of our true terror, the moment that would define who we were not just as humans, but as witches, wizards and theological deities. Until this moment we had only graced to edges of evil, not even our occurrence in the Department of Mysteries could come close to the adventure that would await us, and now with this new knowledge we were even more in danger of our secret being discovered. Harry was His main target, and in association so was I, being a Muggleborn particularly. But the rest of them, no matter where their loyalties lay, were in immediate danger of being stolen, kidnapped for a power more ancient than any out there, more powerful than the Dark Lord could hope for. I wanted to protect my friends, old and new, but I had to be there to protect and support Harry as well, I would just have to learn to do both.

"Everyone understand tomorrow's mission?" Kingsley mentioned as the members of the Order gathered around Molly Weasley's small dining room table. It was decided that we needed to sneak Harry out of his aunt and uncle's home a day before his protection charms wore off to ward off any potential threat that the Dark Lord could plan. There would be 13 of us going to help Harry, everyone was of age and agreed to the risks. Ginny desperately begged to join in place of a grumpy Mundungus, but there was no way the Order would let her go. Tomorrow would be our first step into the unknown, a taste of the future to come.

"I suggest then we all retire and get a good night's sleep." Molly announced as cheerfully as possible. She had the most at stake, since half of her family would be participating in the "7 Harry Adventure" as we were now calling it. Most of the Order would be sleeping over, or staying nearby, which made for a cramped living quarter. I saw Ron glance over and attempt to get my attention but I shook my head, there would be plenty of time to figure out our (mine, his and Harry's) horcrux adventure later; tonight was for researching and discussing with Ginny.

"It's just not fair! I know I'm not of age, but everyone else, except mum of course, is out there risking their life for him and I can't. I have a very bad feeling about this, Hermione." Ginny argued at me and I saw the tears she was trying to hold back in her eyes.

"Ginny, if I could fast forward your age a year I would do so in a heartbeat you know that." I replied, attempting to give her some kind of comfort.

"Have you gotten anything new yet?" She asked and I pulled out the letter Pansy sent early this morning.

H,

HE knows about the happy powers, but not about who holds them. Couldn't get much else because I looked too nosy for a woman. Let me know what you find. Oh, and there's a surprise coming for you.

P

"'Happy powers?' That's her idea of a code?" Ginny snorted aloud. I laughed alongside her, it was kind of funny.

"A surprise? From Pansy? This can't be good." I muttered while dragging out my pile of books.

"What do you suppose it is?" Ginny asked as she grabbed a book on alchemy.

"I honestly don't know. Sending anything more than a letter is dangerous on her end. Not only because of her father, but because she's betrothed to Malfoy and his family is even further inside the loop." I tried to keep the bitterness out of my voice so as not to startle Ginny into knowing my secret fling. It would be easy to tell her, I wanted to tell someone, but it was just too complicated and with us now on opposite sides the chances of us both coming out alive is slim to none.

"Okay, so let's narrow down what we know already and figure out what we need to look up. Otherwise we'll be pouring over these books for hours without direction." I mentioned to change the subject.

"Okay. So we know the Goddesses: Ran, Brigid, Inanna, Gaia. We know they represent the four alchemic elements water, fire, air, earth. We know the stones that are used to represent the elements: moonstone, carnelian, tiger's eye, malachite. We also know which of us represents which deity: Luna, myself, Pansy and you." She mentioned while copying down some notes.

"So what we need to figure out is two parts: one, what powers the stones themselves possess and as such what elemental power can be gained from it. The second we to find out more about the goddesses themselves and why they in particular are represented, or if nothing else why they appear sporadically throughout history." I replied while making my own notes in a spiral notebook. Wizard quills were nice, but it was just soothing to the Muggle in me to still use a pen and paper the old fashion way.

"Which one do you want to tackle. We can probably cover an hour or so tonight. I know you have a long day tomorrow…" She trailed off and again I felt ashamed that she couldn't help rescue the boy she loved while the rest of us could.

"I'll tackle the mythological history, how about you take on the alchemy." I mentioned softly already mentally going through the volumes I grabbed and which one would be the most helpful.

"Sounds good." She replied.

We worked in companionable silence for the next hour or so. Taking notes quietly by a single candle light since we knew her mother would most likely be patrolling the hallways to make sure those of us who were going the next day had a good night's sleep. I forced myself not to rip my hair out in frustration, there just wasn't enough material about these powers. It seemed as though they appeared and disappeared randomly and no one in history had ever investigated as to why. So I did the next best thing, and any time I saw a picture of a battle or war and noticed one of our artifacts, I made a note. Maybe the pieces would come together on their own from there.

It was well past midnight and Ginny had already given up the fight for sleep. I commended her ability to fall asleep easily under any circumstances and knowing that I wouldn't be sleeping well myself, decided to go over her notes.

"Alchemy believes that the universe is made up of four elements: Earth, Air, Fire, Water..." From here it looked like she split her notes between the elements themselves and the stones themselves.

'It seems the Greeks had a completely different viewpoint on alchemy and the elements that are rooted from an even older source. However, they were the ones accredited with its discovery. Earth is strength of force, stability, the most grounded, and a perfect manifestation in Hermione.' I stopped at this note, having to take in what she wrote for a minute. Was I the most grounded, the most stable, the rock? I never looked at it that way but I guess in terms of Harry and Ron I was always the most grounded and the most logical, while they each had their own talents and personalities to add to the mix. But the rest of us, the four of us, I wasn't so sure. I was the bridge between Ginny and Luna to accept Pansy after discovering the truth, but that was more due to necessity than anything else really. Oh well, time to move on.

'Air is unpredictable, not always calm, always changing/moving, and during the belief of the four humors, represented blood. Pansy also is a perfect testament to that." I snickered picturing Ginny's voice while reading this.

'Water is heart, it is pure, it is healing, it's unchanging and yet always changed. Luna is a pure heart.' She was right, if there was anyone more perfect to being pure of heart it was Luna. The only problem is would she have been that way had she not had her accident.

'Last is Fire. Fire is energy, it is movement, it is life. Well mum always said I was a ball of energy as a kid…' That I could definitely see. It didn't look like she had time to go more in depth into her understanding of the four elements so I went back to her notes on the stones themselves.

'Carnelian: Fire, Brigid. Power, ambition, used for making choices and decisions. Motivation. Protection from 'negative energy'.'

'Moonstone: Water, Ran. Balance between heart and mind. Intuition. Soothes/balances emotions.'

'Malachite: Earth, Gaia. Fidelity in love and friendship. Interpretation. Spiritual Evolution. Guilt.'

'Tiger's Eye: Air, Inanna. Protection, integrity, will power. Balance. Courage. Grounding.'

It looked like that was as far as she could get before falling asleep on her notes. I knew it had to be well after 2 a.m. but part of me could still not shut down enough to sleep. Everyone would be up early no doubt to prepare for the 'adventure' even though we wouldn't be leaving the Dursley's till later that evening. Almost as soon as I contemplated the possibility of sleep a small piece of parchment breezed through the window. It was not carried by owl, nor by messenger, it was as though it appeared outside the window from thin air and floated in. It wasn't any kind of charm I was familiar with but I knew it would be for me.

H,

It's starting. Stay safe.

D

I knew I couldn't reply since it was found out that his family's manor was being used as headquarters. But I couldn't help a part of me that was dying inside at the separation. Stories like ours never did seem to have a happy ending. A modern day Romeo and Juliet on the brink of war.

The only positive thing I could say about the next day was that almost all of us survived in relatively good condition. The attack came out of nowhere, though it wasn't as if we were completely surprised. The Order's motto lately has been hope for the best but expect the worst, so we were ready to fight. The use of 7 Harry's was brilliant and it did throw the Death Eaters and Voldemort completely off guard which we were grateful for, but we still lost Mad Eye in the end, along with Harry's beloved owl Hedwig. The only other significant injuries was George losing his ear due to curse issued by Snape. The house seemed hollow even with all the extra bodies, no one spoke for the rest of the night but rather sat there listening to the sound of the fire in the hearth crackle. I couldn't help but notice Harry trying not to look at Ginny, but failing miserably.

"We should all just go to sleep. We'll talk in the morning." I mentioned to Ginny and the boys as we bid the adults goodnight and retired to our rooms. Harry went into Ron's room first, and Ginny into hers, I gave her a quick sign that I'd be inside in a moment.

"Ron." I stopped him before he could finish going up the stairs.

"Yeah?" His face was dirty and his eyes were beginning to droop in exhaustion.

"He's going to blame himself, he'll let his guard down and you know that effects his connection with Him." I emphasized hoping he got the implication.

"I'll keep an eye on him don't worry." He smiled and finished going upstairs. Sometimes it was a comfort to have friends that knew you so well that word's were unnecessary.

The house was in an uproar getting ready for Bill and Fleur's wedding. Harry, still in mourning over Mad Eye, refused to acknowledge his birthday in anything more than a simple cake and a nice dinner with the family. The Weasley's and the Delacour's were busy with the wedding decorations which left Harry, Ron and I to plan our horcrux chase by day, and for me and Ginny to plan our 'special happy powers' by night.

"I wish I could go with you." Ginny moaned the night before the big event. I told her everything I knew about Harry and the task we were left by Dumbledore. I knew she wouldn't tell anyone, and as much as she wanted to go, she had a responsibility to protect the students at Hogwarts next year. Her and Neville and the rest of the D.A. would be tasked with keeping an eye on the new Headmaster, Snape, as well as protecting their younger classmates with whatever changes Voldemort would have in store. It was only a matter of time after all till the Ministry fell too.

"I know, but you will serve just as great a purpose. Besides, it's dangerous for us all to be in one place until the moment its necessary. We still do not know the full use of our powers, and if we are divided then the less chance the Dark Lord will get to having our powers. He needs all four of us for his plan to work and the more spread out we are the better. You have your mission now, and I have mine and by the gods let's hope we all make it out alive." I shuddered in honesty.

"I know. I know you guys were tasked to do this. I know, logically I have my role as well. It doesn't mean I have to like it." She pouted. It helped letting her in on the information. It was the only time of the day I could pack my magically enhanced satchel with the supplies we would need when we took off. Lately Mrs. Weasley had been noticing that we were up to something and has tried everything to keep the four of us separated.

"Have you owled the others back yet?" Ginny asked while making some more comments on her notebook.

"Yes, last night. I sent Pansy and Luna the information we gathered so far. I think I've narrowed down the pattern on when the artifacts appear."

"What's the pattern?"

"Every time a major war breaks out, it seems like these artifacts appear. Not always at first, but at least by the end, and usually by the winning side. It's as though the gods or whoever send the artifacts to their individual representation to basically tilt the odds in their favor."

"So that leaves two questions. How do they decide on the 'winning' side? Also, it doesn't explain my artifact. It explains yours and Luna's, even Pansy's. But according to my mum this ring has been in the family for ages. So has it always been that way or does it become that way in time of need." I hadn't really thought about that, not thoroughly. Mine and Luna's showed up after a time of great sorrow. Pansy received hers when she was abandoned, but Ginny's was passed down through generations supposedly.

"I guess the gods chose who they want to win, to answer your first part. Which isn't the most comforting thing if you think about it. The second, I don't know. Maybe they placed a memory charm on your mum to make her think it was passed down from mother to daughter. Anything is possible." I finished with a yawn.

"That's true, hadn't thought about that. So I guess since we were chosen, and we're friends with Harry, they want us to win?"

"I hope so. But that just gives us a leg up on our opponent. It doesn't give us a guarantee. Especially since we don't know the full potential of the artifacts and how we have to use them."

"Here's hoping we don't have to just wing it." She mentioned in mock salute. I sighed in reply, we could have all the knowledge in the world and I doubt it would help. A leg up on Voldemort right now would just mean we could kill him, again, but not destroy him. As much as I hated to admit it, the horcruxes were a higher priority. Without destroying them he would just return again, like Dracula, over and over and over…

"At least the wedding tomorrow will take our minds off of it." She shrugged as she climbed under her red comforter.

"That and seeing Harry pretend to be a Weasley will definitely help." I replied.

She shuddered.

"Ugh, too incestuous…" She said with a yawn and within seconds her eyes were shut. I glanced out at the three quarter moon and gave into the sleep that I knew would be restless. Something was coming, and soon.

It seemed like the most ridiculous thing in the world. A wedding. In the middle of a war, but it was, and it was beautiful. Fleur was absolutely stunning in her dress, and Bill, though scarred from his run in with a rogue werewolf, still managed to be dashing. Ginny kept herself occupied by dancing with Viktor Krum but still would sneak glances at Harry's redhead. Harry himself was occupied it seemed by Ron's aunt and by another older gentleman who looked oddly familiar. But the biggest surprise of all was Ron, who hadn't stopped dancing with Luna since she arrived. The look on his face when he held her told me more than I ever needed to know. He may have been infatuated with Lavender, but Luna, she was something more, something special, something treasured. This was true love in its finest and I couldn't help but feel just a little bit of envy at the sight.

"Now there's something I wasn't expecting." A voice announced from over my shoulder. I was standing on the outskirts of the tent near a fairy columned pillar and apart from the crowd, so having someone behind me caused quite a shock.

"You…look familiar." It took a minute to realize who this man was. He was tall, his hair was a dark blonde almost brown. His eyes were a dark blue, and he had a small about of scruff on his chin. But it was the pointy chin and the air of superiority that made me realize that this man was all charms, in the literal and figurative sense.

"Are you insane!" I whispered at him while taking his hand and walking further into the shadows and away from the crowd.

"I was wondering how long it would take for you to guess." He smirked. Oh the smirk. He could charm every physical feature about him but that smirk and the tilt of his chin would always give him away in my book. Part of me was thrilled while the other half was ready to scold him over his apparent lack of common sense.

"If they find you here they'll kill you. How did you even sneak away?" I asked. It was then I noticed the smirk turn into a frown.

"Something's going on tonight. They're planning to take the ministry. I agreed to be out waiting for the moment all the wards come down to help 'attack'. They think that I'm finally earning my place amongst them. They were happy with me after I failed to kill Dumbledore…" He trailed off and I couldn't help but notice the look of shame and guilt in his eyes.

"I should warn the others…" I said and made to turn back to the group. I looked out at friends and relatives and couldn't spoil the festivities just yet. There was time, there had to be time.

"I…I missed you." I whispered, still facing the crowd. I knew he was behind me, I felt his arms go around my waist where the flare of the dress spilled out.

"You look beautiful." He whispered in reply, taking in the dress and make up that I had done for the event. He placed a kiss on my neck and I felt my knees go weak like jelly. I had to lean back into him.

He didn't say anything then. Just grabbed my hand and led me further out where no one could find us. There was barely any light, and he began placing warning spells to notify intruders. We were still close enough to the house in case of trouble, but far enough away for privacy. He conjured a blanket and placed it on the ground.

Our hands were everywhere at once, torn between wanting to savor this moment, every last second, but needy and full of greed to get to the flesh underneath the restricted clothing. He tried twice to slow the pace but I wouldn't let him.

"Gods Granger…" He roared as his hands moved everywhere at once. I was no longer the shy virgin in the prefects bathroom, we needed as much fulfillment as we could get in a short amount of time. My bracelet, now anklet, was humming with warning that something dangerous was on its way.

"Don't talk. No time." I mentioned as I took his lips in hunger. My fingers shook as I loosened his belt buckle and unzipped his pants. I heard his breath become ragged as his hands moved under my dress to remove the restricted cloth underneath. The idea that magic could have saved us precious minutes was completely removed from our minds. Primal need replaced common sense and at the moment I didn't care if anyone caught us.

He barely had time to laugh at my comment when I straddled his hips and took him deep inside. I watched him watching me as we slowed are pace down just a little. Satisfied that at least this feeling, this fulfillment was here and the rest, the slow rise and fall of our bodies, the rising climax and need for release that would come soon. His charms were fading, his blonde hair splayed across the rough blanket, silver blue eyes shining in the light of the moon, he had never looked more beautiful, or more dangerous in his life. Without missing a beat I felt him grab my back and turn us around, always the need to be the dominant player as he slowly lowered my body back against the blanket.

"Draco…please…" I begged as he quickened the pace and my need to release was just on the edge of my vision. I felt him peak, he was almost there as well, and as he leaned down to kiss me I felt every barrier inside my body break all at once. I loved him. I loved everything about him, and yet I could never have him. He was betrothed to someone else and it killed me deep inside. I couldn't help the tear that fell from my eye that night.

"Are you okay?" He asked as he collapse his weight onto mine. I couldn't tell him, so I said the next best thing.

"I'm worried about you." I replied not wanting this moment to end. Not wanting to feel the heat of his body go away. He sat up on his elbows, taking some of the weight off my chest and looked at me with those inquisitive silver-blue eyes.

"You're worried about me?" He asked genuinely.

"Yes." I whispered in reply.

"I have little to fear in my position. I worry about you. Do not forget what I told you." He said, suddenly becoming more stern and his eyes hardening.

"That I'll survive, I promise." He helped me up and we both fixed our rather messed up dress clothes. I barely had time to kiss him one last time when the warning came from Kingsley.

"The Ministry has fallen…"