Disclaimer: I own NOTHING!!!! NOTHING AT ALL! I don't wish to get sued.
A/N: This takes place in their sixth year… but you'll have to use your imagination a bit as always in fan fiction. I love to hear from you if you liked the story! Please Read and Review, but no flames. I don't feel they are necessary.
I am so sorry that it has taken me so long to write, but I've been busy with my new job. This chapter and the next one has a bit of spoilers for the sixth and seventh book, however, I have twisted the stories to suit my own needs. Just bear with me, the next two chapters are my own opinions of how Harry and Hermione keep their relationship alive during the difficult times.
Thank you all for the Amazing reviews! I really appreciate them! Keep 'em up! They really help me keep up my writing quickly!!! I love reading your comments!
Hermione groans and sits up, pulling away from Harry. She is not in the mood to explain how the two of them are more than friends now. She is not in the mood for the looks and the questions about their new relationship, "What are you doing?" Harry asks.
"I'm not ready… are you?" She asks, her brown eyes, looking over into his green eyes.
"No, I suppose not." Harry replies. She has always been the most reasonable out of the friends, and he is not about to contradict her.
The voices get louder as Harry and Hermione sit close to one another, but not close enough to touch. Harry picks up his quill and begins to write his paper. Hermione does the same thing, but her mind still wandering. She can't believe what had happened in the past thirty minutes.
"Hey you two." Ginny says, smiling as she and Seamus walk in through the portal.
"Hi Ginny." Hermione smiles, "Hi Seamus."
"Hi." Harry says to the two of them. He looks over at Hermione whose cheeks are now flushed. He smiles at the sight.
"Hullo." Seamus says.
"What are you two up to?" Ginny asks, smiling at the pair sitting rather close by the fire.
Hermione's cheeks flush even more, before she responds, "Um, just studying, and working on our paper that's due in a couple weeks."
"What about you Harry?"
"Same as Hermione." Harry shrugs.
"She's really becoming a bad influence on you mate." Seamus teases.
"I can say the same about you." Harry smiles, looking from Ginny to Seamus. He turns to Hermione who still has the glow of embarrassment on her cheeks, even though they were not caught doing anything out of the ordinary. "Don't forget Quidditch practice tomorrow Ginny."
"Oh don't worry, I am going to be there. I wouldn't miss it for the world." Ginny grins, winking at him, "The cup is way too close."
"Yes, it is." Harry smiles, "Three weeks."
Ginny sighs, "I don't know how you did it Harry."
"Did what?"
"Quidditch and the OWLS all at once."
"If you remember, I was off the team during the OWLS."
"Oh yeah, you knocked Malfoy out." Ginny says, smiling.
"How could you possibly forget Gin? You were the seeker!" Harry laughs.
"I didn't forget, I just wasn't thinking."
"Blonde are you?" Seamus questions her, as he gets a swift punch in the arm, and a scowl, "Please don't hex me." He laughs, "I was only joking."
"I'd be in right mind to hex you though, don't you agree Hermione?"
Hermione laughs, as she inks her quill, "Yes."
"Better watch out Seamus. They keep in a pack." Harry teases.
Hermione nudges Harry with her elbow and laughs. Harry has always loved Hermione's laugh. He could listen to her laugh for hours on end. He doesn't realize he is staring at Hermione until Ginny shakes him from his thoughts, "Where's that brother of mine?"
"He's off sending a letter to Charlie. He had to find Pigwidgon and actually get him to settle down for the long flight." Harry explains.
"So I'm brother-free for the moment?" Ginny asks, as Seamus pulls her hair affectionately away from her neck.
"For the moment." Harry smiles.
"Fabulous." Ginny laughs, "I'll catch you guys later."
Hermione smiles, "See you later Ginny, bye Seamus."
"Bye." Seamus smiles and the two walk off to do only Merlin knows.
"I can't believe how protective Ron is of Ginny still." Hermione laughs, as she pulls her knees up under her.
"I guess it comes with the territory." Harry laughs, "She's the only girl, plus the only one Ron is older than. He kind of learned from the others how to be protective of her I guess."
"She's fifteen though…. Well, almost."
"Doesn't matter what age she is. Her six brothers will always be there. I guess when you marry her, you marry the other six."
Hermione giggles at Harry, "I believe you are right."
Harry leans over towards Hermione and softly touches her lips with his. He lets them linger a bit, before pulling away, "What was that for?" Hermione asks, smiling.
"Do I really need a reason?" Harry asks.
"No." Hermione says, smiling as she tilts her head back against the back of the couch. Harry leans down and kisses her yet again, a bit harder and longer than before, his fingers run the length of her hair, gently stroking the tamed curls. Hermione brushes her fingers against his cheek, before her arm lands around his neck.
"Oi!" The familiar voice startles them and the pull away from one another, "Now I have to put up with you two snogging?"
"Bloody hell Ron! You scared the daylights out of me." Hermione says.
"I reckon that's the truth, since you throw yourself fully into what ever you do." He teases Hermione. Hermione turns scarlet after realizing that she has been caught doing something she has never done in public. "So… what's going on with you two?"
"Well…" Harry smiles, "We're just starting out…"
"Starting out eh?" Ron teases them, "I'm happy for you two. It's about damn time though. This has been building forever."
"Um, thanks I guess." Hermione says, turning even more scarlet, something that Harry has never thought possible.
"We're keeping it quiet though." Harry responds to his best friend.
"Consider it kept." Ron says, "On one condition…"
"What's that?" Hermione asks, cocking her head to the side, her chestnut hair flowing down over her shoulder.
"Keep the snogging to a minimum in front of me. It's quite revolting."
Harry punches his arm lightly, laughing, "Deal."
"Just because I know, doesn't mean you can feel free to snogg whenever I'm around."
"Ronald…" Hermione frowns in warning.
"Come on now Herm. I'm just teasing." He smiles.
"Call me that again and you'll have a flock of birds flying after you Ronald Weasley."
Harry laughs, "I'd believe her Ron."
"I do." He says, sitting across from the two, in his armchair, "So I got rid of Pig for a while."
"You'll miss the little ball of feathers." Hermione says to him.
"No, I truly won't." Ron says, "He's quite irritating."
"And in three days when he hasn't come back you'll be wondering where he is." Hermione replies in a matter of fact tone. She is still a bit ticked off at his Herm comment.
"Oh come on now Hermione, I apologized about the Herm comment…"
"No you didn't." Harry reminds him.
"Whose side are you on?"
"Mine." Hermione smiles brightly, looking affectionately at Harry.
"Oi, I'm out numbered now." Ron groans, but smiles as he sees his two friends happy.
Hermione laughs, and leans up against Harry's shoulder as his arm wraps around her shoulders.
Harry looks at the clock on the wall suddenly, "Oi, I'm going to be late for Dumbledore's lesson if I don't leave now."
"How are they going?" Ron asks.
"Great! I'll tell you more when I get back." Harry says, sitting up from Hermione. He kisses her cheek, something that Ron is use to and won't make a comment about, and then says, "See you in a bit."
"Bye." Hermione smiles at him.
"See you Harry." Ron says, as Harry leaves the common room very quickly, "So… you and Harry eh?"
"Oh for crying out loud Ron!" She says, "Is it really that big of a deal?"
"Um, yeah! Two of my best friends are dating!"
"I don't think I'd call it dating yet…"
"Well what would you call it?"
"I…"
"Yes?" Ron asks, smiling widely.
"I… I don't know!" She says, throwing her hands up in the air, sighing. "I've got charms to read."
"Me too… let's do the work together."
Hermione groans, "Oh come now…"
"Hermione, really, all jokes set aside, let's study."
"As long as you keep quiet about Harry and I…"
"Now, or forever?" He asks, raising his eyebrows playfully.
"While we are studying."
"I can handle that." He says, moving over to Harry vacated spot on the couch. He opens Hermione's charms book and the two begin to read until bed.
It is midnight and Harry still is not back yet, "I'm going to bed." Hermione says, yawning, "You?"
"I think I'm gonna stay up and wait for Harry."
"Right, tell him good night for me."
"Sure thing Hermione." Ron says, as she stands up, "Night."
"Night." She smiles and heads up to her bedroom.
Ron continues reading his charms book after Hermione leaves the common room. Harry walks in about thirty minutes after Hermione has gone to bed. He feels exhausted; his hair looks more disheveled than it usually does. He sighs and sits down heavily on the couch next to Ron.
"Rough night?" Ron asks him.
"Yeah. I feel like I have just practiced Quidditch for the twenty-four hours, with no break."
Ron smiles at the analogy that he can relate to, "You look it. So what did Dumbledore tell you?"
"I am going with him to find a horcrux with him."
"A what?" Ron asks.
"A Horcrux… it's basically a memory… no, hang on, let me explain it to you. Tom Riddles Diary, that Ginny found, remember that?"
"Of course I do." Ron says.
"Well, that was a horcrux. There are seven of them, the Diary was one of them, but I destroyed it. Dumbledore thinks he knows where another one is, and has been preparing me to go with him."
"Well, what is it?"
"Kind of like a memory. It is made because someone has committed a murder, in this case, some of the people Voldemort has killed by ripping the soul out of them. The Diary was created because he killed Moaning Myrtle."
"And what does Dumbledore expect you to do?"
"Help him." Harry says shrugging his shoulders.
"Is that it?"
"That's it." Harry sighs.
"When does this journey take place?"
"I dunno." Harry sighs, "I just want to rid the world of Voldemort, I'd do anything to stop him."
"What are you going to find?"
"I believe it's a cup… but I dunno. Dumbledore says he'll know it when he sees it."
"So, is this dangerous?"
"Extremely." Harry sighs.
"Hermione know yet?"
"Not yet."
"How do you think she'll take it?"
Harry thinks a bit. He knows that she will be extremely nervous and is dreading telling her, but he also knows that she feels that Dumbledore will lay down his own life for Harry, so maybe it won't be that bad, "You know, I don't know."
"You gonna tell her?"
"Not yet." Harry replies, looking at Ron, as his green eyes dance with the reflection of the amber flames.
"I suggest you do it sooner than later."
"I will." Harry sighs, "I just don't know when it is going to happen."
"Tell her. You two are a couple now. You should be able to talk to her about everything…"
"I can! I always have been able to!" He says, shouting at Ron a bit.
"Come on Mate, I didn't mean anything by that. Just don't keep this from her. She'll be worse for wear if she finds out the night you are leaving."
"I'll tell her soon." Harry says, "Where is she by the way?"
"Went up to bed. She says goodnight though."
"Ah, well I think I'm going to turn in as well."
"Me too." Ron says as the two walk up the stairs to the boys dormitory.
It is about a week later, and Harry still has not told Hermione about the trip he is going to be taking with Dumbledore. He just can't figure out how to tell her without getting mad, but now it is too late. Dumbledore sent a message to Harry at the table. Harry nervously opens the letter and reads it. He show's Ron, not realizing that Hermione is standing behind the pair, reading over their shoulder, "What is this about?" She asks, making the boys jump, "Where are you going with Dumbledore tonight?"
"Oh, um…" Harry begins, "I have to meet with him."
"Why? You don't have any more classes with him do you?"
"This is kind of the final class." He says to Hermione.
"What the hell does that mean?!" She asks, starting to get frustrated with him, her eyes narrowing into slits.
"It means…" He looks around at the crowded hall and stands up, "Not here."
"No! I demand an answer!"
"Not here." He says again. They leave the hall and go into an empty classroom.
"Where are you going?" Hermione asks him again, folding her arms across her chest, frowning at him.
"I'm going to destroy a Horcrux."
"A… a what?!" She cries. She knows what a horcrux is, her eyes open in fear, "Voldemort?
"Yes."
"What… are you insane?! Harry do you know how dangerous that is going to be?! You could die!"
"Dumbledore is going with me. This is what I have been preparing for lately."
"How long have you know this?"
"About a week."
"And you haven't told me?! Harry this is horribly dangerous! I don't think you should go."
Harry gets frustrated with Hermione, "Don't think I should go, do you? You don't think I should try and save the world then huh? Well this is a change from you always standing by my side Hermione! You think I should bow down? Take the easy way out, and await the rise of Voldemort? Make it so he will come back and take over the magical world? Kill me? Kill you? Kill everyone who is not a pureblood?"
"That's not what I'm saying!" Hermione argues with him, "I'm saying that I think that you could…"
"I'm going, and I leave tonight." He says.
Hermione turns her back on him, tears filling her eyes, "Why couldn't you tell me this before?"
"I didn't know how." He sighs.
"You could have started by saying, 'Hermione, I'm doing this asinine thing, and I may get myself killed.' That could have been how you could have started it Harry."
"I leave at midnight." He says, "I'll see you when I get back."
Hermione doesn't say anything. She stands in the empty room with her back to him, trying to keep her tears at bay, but failing. Harry sighs and starts out of the room. He has his foot out the door when he hears, her beg in a quiet voice, "Please, don't do this."
"I'll be alright." He says, "I'll be with Dumbledore. Nothing is going to happen."
"You can't promise me that Harry. I know the prophecy. You have told me it a million times. You have read it to me and recited it a million times! I know what can happen! How can you do this? How can you go looking for danger?"
"Because it will help in the long run. Do you think I want to lose you? You come from no magical family Hermione! You are the type that they are after! You were born a muggle! If Voldemort lives, I will lose you. Merlin, can't you see why I'm doing this? My parents died because of him…"
"Revenge?" Hermione asks.
Harry sighs, "Part of it. I want him dead Hermione, and I am going to do everything in my power to do it. Dumbledore didn't ask me to come along, I chose to go. I want to be there. I want to finish this once and for all."
"Promise me you'll come back." She says, turning towards him, wrapping her arms around his waist, "Promise me…"
"You said I couldn't promise you that."
Hermione tightens her grip as he holds her close to his chest. Tears are flowing freely now down Hermione's chest, wetting his sweater, "I don't want to lose you too Harry."
"You won't. This will turn out fine in the end. I promise."
She nods, but doesn't relinquish her grip around his waist. They stand in the classroom alone as everyone else in the school eats. Harry rests his chin on top of her head, rubbing her back in circles. His mind wanders to all his lessons with Dumbledore. His thoughts go to what he has learned and he hopes that it is enough to keep him alive and enough to get rid of Voldemort once and for all. All Hermione can think of is losing Harry for good.
Harry pulls himself away from Hermione and looks at the clock in the room, it is almost eight. They have been standing in the room for almost two hours, arguing and just staying with one another.
"I've gotta get ready." Harry says, sighing. Hermione doesn't want to let go,
"Hermione…"
"I heard you." She says, still not pulling away.
He kisses the top of her head, "Stay with Ron tonight. I'll be back sometime tonight."
"Please, be careful."
"I will." He says looking down at her, "I reckon you're not hungry right now… because I'm not."
"Not at all." She sighs, as she drops her hands and stands upright.
Harry sighs, and takes her smaller hand into his larger one. He gives her a reassuring squeeze and the two of them head back to the Gryffindor common room.
Hermione stops outside the fat lady portrait a fresh back of tears flowing down her cheeks yet again. Harry looks at her as he feels his arm pull taunt as he realizes Hermione has stopped, "Hey… no more tears ok?"
Hermione looks up at him, her brown eyes still brewing with tears, "Promise me…"
"I promise." He says, kissing her cheek, "Everything will be fine."
She sighs. His words bring little comfort to her right now.
Harry heads inside and up to their sixth year dormitory, leaving Hermione at the stairs, with a final squeeze of the hand. She sighs and heads up to her dorm, grabbing her charms book, before heading back downstairs, to read. She opens her book and stares off into the fire. She barely notices people coming in and out of the common room, but she somehow manages to acknowledge them. Her charms book never changes pages as she stares into the amber glow. Before she knows it, the clock strikes quarter of twelve. Harry comes down the stairs with Ron.
"Just… be careful Mate, alright?" Ron says.
"You know me." Harry smiles.
"You sure you don't want me coming?"
"No, it's just Dumbledore and I."
"Do you have your cloak?" Hermione asks, her back towards to two.
"Yes." He says, before walking over to her.
"Be careful." Hermione says, her arms wrapped around her chest.
Harry leans down over her and kisses her lips gently, "I'll see you in a bit."
Hermione nods at him, and watches as he leaves the common room, "God Ron…"
"I know." He says, sitting down next to her. He pulls her against him in a hug, and sighs, "He'll be fine."
"Next time he does something like this I am going with him, no and if or buts about it."
"You and me both." Ron says, sighing.
Hermione pulls away from Ron and leans against the arm of the chair. Hermione pulls her knees under her and shakes her head sighing, "What?" Ron asks Hermione.
"He's gone mental." Hermione replies honestly.
Ron looks at her and starts laughing. He isn't quite sure why Hermione's comment struck him so funny, but it did. Hermione smiles and starts to giggle as well. They laugh until tears flow from their eyes. Hermione nudges Ron with her foot, after her giggles cease and she wipes her tears away from her eyes. He smiles at her and shrugs, "I guess we have gone a bit mental as well."
"Maybe a bit." Hermione smiles, turning back to her charms book.
Sometime during the next two hours Hermione and Ron fall asleep, without each other noticing. Hermione wakes up suddenly to the door being swung open and footsteps coming towards the couch. She wipes the sleep out of her eyes and looks at the clock, seeing it says five in the morning. She sees Harry, slowly walking through the common room, as if in a trance. He is bloodied and exhausted, but still alive, "Harry?" Hermione calls, as Ron starts to wake up. Hermione runs over to him and puts her hand on his back, "Harry, are you alright?"
He takes her into his arms and hugs her tight. She feels tears flowing down his cheeks and into her hair, "I'm fine."
"What is it?" She asks, looking up at him.
"Snape…"
"What about him?" Ron asks, walking over to his friend.
"He killed him."
"Killed who?" Hermione asks.
"Dumbledore."
"What?!" Ron and Hermione shout at the same time.
"He killed him… I watched. I couldn't do anything. Dumbledore put me in a body bind. It was like he knew it was coming. He knew and welcomed that bastard! A nod and then he used it… he used the killing curse on him."
"Are you sure?!" Ron asks Harry.
"What the bloody hell do you mean, am I sure?! Of course I'm sure! I watched him! He killed Dumbledore! Dumbledore is dead because of that coward! That sniveling coward!"
McGonagall comes rushing into the common room, "Hospital wing now Mr. Potter. You can talk tomorrow to your friends."
"I'm not going!"
"You are going!" She says, firmly, practically dragging him to see the nurse.
"I don't need to go! I need to…"
"Harry, I am well aware of what happened, and I am horribly taken back by it, however, you are my top priority right now, so come down to the hospital wing with me and get checked out!"
Harry looks at Hermione and Ron, Hermione nods to him, "Go. We'll be down soon."
Hermione sits by Harry as he is checked over by Pomfrey again and again. She watches Harry's eyes stare off into the distance, and she takes his hand. He recoils a bit from the touch, before turning his face up to her. His eyes look blank, "I thought it would be Draco, and here it is a professor. I knew he was a snake. I knew it. Why didn't anyone believe me? How could they let a man like him teach in Hogwarts. Once a death eater, always a death eater."
Hermione sighs, "I… I don't know Harry."
Harry leans back against the pillow, staring up at the ceiling with a look of both pain and anger crossing his face. Hermione shivers a bit at the draft flowing through room. She stares at Harry as he lies there.
"You should go back to the tower and get some sleep." Harry says, catching Hermione off guard.
"What?"
"Go and get some sleep." Harry replies.
"Harry…" Hermione begins.
"I don't want to hear it Hermione, I'm fine. Go. You too Ron. No sense in you two staying down here all night."
"Fine." Ron says, standing up, "If you're sure you're alright."
"Fine." Harry says, still staring up at the ceiling.
"But…" Hermione says.
"Go Hermione." Harry says a bit on the cold side.
"Come on." Ron says, pulling at her arm, "We'll see you tomorrow Harry."
Hermione leans down and kisses Harry's cheek, and gets nothing in return, "See you tomorrow."
The two leave the hospital wing, as the sun just starts to come up over the mountains, "Huh, I guess it is morning." Ron says with a laugh. He looks at Hermione, who is deep in thought, "Did you hear me 'Mione?" She doesn't answer, "HERMIONE!"
"Yes?" She says, startled a bit as she is pulled from her thoughts.
"I said its morning."
"Oh yes, I suppose it is." She says, seeing the beginning of the sun coming up.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing…" She sighs.
"Come on Hermione, we've been friends' way too long for me to believe that."
"It's just Harry." She says as they walk down the hallway to the stairs, "Why didn't he want us there. It was as if he couldn't wait to get rid of us!"
"He's just in shock right now Hermione. Hell, I think we all are. Dumbledore is gone, did you ever think that was possible?"
"I haven't even had time to think about that… "She sighs, "I've been so worked up over Harry."
Ron smiles, "You really care for him don't you?"
"You do too!" She begins to argue.
"Yes, I know that. He's like a brother to me, but you… you fancy him immensely."
Hermione sighs, and doesn't answer, "Do you think he'll see us tomorrow?"
"Yeah, I think he will." Ron says, trying to reassure her, "It's not us Hermione. He just…"
"I know. He's just trying to come to grip with what has happened."
They give the password and head inside. Ron hugs Hermione tightly before they both head upstairs to their sixth year dormitory. Hermione lies down and falls into an uncomfortable sleep. She can't wait to be with Harry and make sure he's ok.
Two days later, they were told that Dumbledore's funeral will be the following morning. Hermione sits in the common room with Ron as they study for their exams. Harry sits across from them, saying little to nothing as he stares off into the empty common room. His mind races as he tries to figure out why Snape killed Dumbledore, and why Dumbledore sat back and let him. Harry lost yet another person to Voldemort. His green eyes blazed red as he continues to think about what he saw the other day. Dumbledore is dead, how could that be? Why did it happen. He has not spoken much to Ron and Hermione in the past few days, no matter how much they tried to get him to.
Hermione looks up at Harry, "Are you going to study at all?"
"What's it matter." Harry sighs.
"Well, grades are quite important in this school."
"Grades aren't everything Hermione." Harry barks at her.
"Don't get all cross with me!" Hermione barks back, "We lost Dumbledore too!"
Harry stands up off the armchair and storms away from the pair, "I don't need this right now."
Hermione watches him, about to burst into tears, "Why won't he talk to us about this?!"
"I'm guessing for the same reason you chose not to talk to Harry and I about your father passing."
Hermione sighs, and continues reading her book, until she makes a decision to go up and talk to Harry, "I'll be back."
"Where are you going?"
"To talk to Harry."
"He won't want your help right now Hermione."
"I can try can't I?"
"I suppose." Ron sighs.
Hermione walks up to the sixth year boy's dorm and sees Harry sitting on his bed, "A penny for your thoughts?" Harry sighs, but remains quiet, "Come on Harry, talk to me. You have barely said twenty words to me in the past two days."
"Bit over dramatic isn't it Hermione?"
"No… it's true."
"Been counting, have you?" He snaps at her.
"Harry, please talk to me."
"No Hermione, I don't wish to discuss this."
"Why not?"
"Because there is no sense in talking about this, what's done is done."
"I can help Harry."
"You think so Hermione? Can you bring Dumbledore back? Can you bring my parent's back? Can you bring Sirius back? I don't believe you can, but please, tell me how you can help."
Hermione sits on the bed next to him, and places her arm around his shoulder, feeling him tense up and shrug her off. Tears spring to her eyes, "Harry, I want to help. Please tell me what I can do."
"You can go." He says plainly.
Hermione nods and says, "I'll go now, but I'll see you in a few minutes."
"No… I can't. I can't have anything to do with you right now. You mean too much to me. I can't bear to lose you too."
"Harry… I'm not leaving you. I haven't during the past six years, why would I leave you now? You're stuck with me… and Ron."
He turns his back on her, and she decides to take the time and walk out of the dorm, back down to the common room.
"Won't talk?"
"Told me to go." Hermione says, sighing. Ron reaches over towards her and wraps his arm around her shoulder, "Why is he doing this Ron?"
"Because he's a git sometimes." Ron sighs, "Just let him go for a bit. He'll come around."
The funeral is the next morning. Once again Hermione pulls on the black dress, something that she figured she'd never have to wear again, or at least not this soon. Harry still isn't talking to the two. It is almost as if he feels if he opens his mouth to them, they will perish as well. Hermione looks at herself in the mirror of the girls bathroom and decides she has made herself up as good as can be. She turns and runs into Ginny, whose eyes are red and puffy, "Awful isn't it?"
"That's an understatement." Hermione replies, hugging her redheaded friend, "I'm not ready for this Gin."
"That makes two of us Hermione… and the whole school. How's Harry taking it?"
"Not very well. He hasn't really talked to Ron and I in a few days."
"He'll come around."
"That's what I keep hoping." Hermione sighs, "I'll see you in a bit."
"Right." Ginny says as she goes to finish changing.
The funeral was awful. Tears flow down everyone's eyes. Hermione's shoulders wrack with sobs as Ron comforts. She cries on his shoulder instead of Harry's. Ron rubs Hermione's shoulders numbly as she sobs against him. He turns his head towards Harry and sees the blank stare on his face, not even acknowledging that his girlfriend is hurting. Ron can't help but feel angry at Harry, for treating the two of them like they aren't even there. Hermione leans against Ron's form harder than she was before. He looks down at her as she stares at the coffin. The service ends and the three walk back to the castle. Harry walks behind Ron and Hermione, slowly and then he stops. Hermione looks back towards him, "Harry? You coming?"
Harry shakes his head, "I'll be up later."
Hermione sighs as he walks away, down towards the forest. Ron looks at Hermione and shrugs, "Shall we?"
"I'm going to go after him."
"Hermione…"
"Ron, I have to."
"Fine. You go, and I'll get to him later."
Hermione nods and walks after Harry, quickly catching up to him at the edge of the forest, "Harry…"
"Hermione, I need to be alone."
"Well, I need you right now."
"Just let me be." He says, not turning towards her.
"I can't Harry… I don't want to be alone right now." Hermione says, tears stinging her eyes, flowing down her cheeks.
"Ron's up at the castle."
"I don't want Ron Harry, I want you. If I wanted Ron I would be with him instead of you."
Harry sighs, knowing that he isn't getting rid of Hermione anytime soon. She follows close to him as they walk down by the lake. He goes over to a rock and sits down on it, causing Hermione to stand to the left of him, "Talk to me Harry."
"I'm going to fix this Hermione… once and for all."
"What do you mean?"
"I'm going to find all the horcrux and I'm going to destroy Voldemort. I'm going to kill him."
Hermione winces at his blunt discussion, "Harry… I'll go with you."
"No! I told you already. You can't. You're muggle born Hermione. You are Voldemort's key target. He'll kill you in a second, knowing how close we are."
"You are NOT doing this alone Harry!"
"I have no choice Hermione. Look at what happened to Dumbledore when he fought my fight. He died Hermione, and didn't even need to."
"He was helping you Harry!"
"I don't need help." He says, turning to face her, with a cold look.
"Oh yeah, that's right. The-Boy-Who-Lived doesn't need any help from anyone! You're just going to be a hero the entire time. Save the world without anyone around you. Stop Voldemort when you are an underage wizard. Do you know how many times I have stood by you and not said anything? Do you remember how many times I've helped you over the years? Do you even know me at all?"
"You are NOT getting involved in this Hermione!"
"I'm already involved. Why can't you understand this! I am with you Harry! I always have been! I am not about to step down and let you do this on your own, and I'm sure Ron isn't either. Harry, I know how much you are hurting that Dumbledore is gone. I know that revenge is on your mind, but just don't do anything rash right now. I'm here for you Harry, just like you have been there for me. Please talk to me."
Harry turns to her, and takes her hand in his, "Please, let me do this alone. I can't lose you Harry."
"Losing me is not an option." Hermione says, sitting down on the rock in front of him,
"I'm with you Harry, all the way."
He sighs, and turns his head away from her as tears flow down his cheeks.
"Harry…" Hermione says, placing her free hand on his shoulder, "Talk to me."
"I can't have someone else hurt because of me Hermione. I lost so many people because of who I am. I don't even want to be me anymore…"
"That's not a possibility." Hermione smiles, "And if you weren't you, I doubt we'd be together here right now."
"I don't know what I'd do without you." Harry sighs, running his fingers through her hair.
"You'd have been dead years ago." She teases him, "Everyone knows I'm the brains in this outfit. That's why we go together so well."
"Are you alright?" Harry says finally turning his attention towards her.
"I'm all right." She says, though her tone of voice tells him otherwise.
"I know, it's awful…" Harry sighs, wrapping Hermione in a tight hug,. "I don't know what I'm going to do without Dumbledore Hermione. He hasn't told me everything, I know he hasn't."
"I'm sure he's told you enough."
"What's enough?" He says, sighing, tightening his grip on her, "I wasn't much comfort to you this morning… I'm sorry for that."
"I wasn't either." Hermione sighs, "So do you have a plan in how in the hell we are going to find these horcrux things. DO you know of any yet?"
"I have an idea. I just have to figure out where the hell they are."
"That's going to take a while… I mean summer…"
"I'm not coming back Hermione."
Hermione sighs, but she knew this was coming, "So we're quitting Hogwarts after this year eh?"
"You don't have to."
"I do, because I'm with you all the way. I can go back to school another time if I really feel the need to do so."
"What do you think Ron will say?"
"You know he'll be there for you Harry. He IS your best friend."
"I guess he will be." Harry smiles.
"We just need to make sure we don't start this till after Fleur and Bill are married, because Mrs. Weasley will never forgive us if we don't show up to that."
"It's going to be a long and hard road Hermione."
"And it would be even longer if you don't have us to help you out."
"I just want to make sure…"
"Which part of I'm with you aren't you getting?" Hermione asks him.
He kisses the top of her head as they sit on the rock together. Harry sighs deeply and smiles as she leans harder against him.
Hermione and Harry sit outside the castle for what seems like forever. They spend the time with each other, discussing Dumbledore and what Harry had seen. He tells her everything that he did not before, and she listens. Hermione doesn't even try and cut in when he explains the whole incident with Dumbledore. She nods and listens carefully to him, finally speaking when he stops and stares down at her, "Well, we really need to start preparing. IF we don't have our seventh year at Hogwarts under our belts, we're going to have to prepare."
"That's where you come in." He says.
"What do you mean?! If you think that I am going to be the only one preparing for this quest you've got another thing coming Harry! I am not going to prepare for this trip on my own."
Harry laughs, "No, we are going to try and help, and then you will do everything on your own anyway because you like being in charge."
Hermione scowls at Harry, but can't think of a comeback quick enough, "Come on Hermione, let's go back up."
She sighs and nods, as he takes her hand, "Are you alright Harry?"
"I'll be fine. I guess that means Professor McGonagall is our new Headmistress, huh?"
"I suppose." Hermione sighs, "I doubt she wants it right now though, at a time like this."
Harry sighs, "I'm just really… god Hermione if only I could have done something."
"He put you under that cloak because he knew you would have probably been dead too."
"I hate Snape."
"So do I." Hermione sighs.
They walk up the lawn and into the castle. The two walk through the long hallway and up to the Gryffindor Tower.
"Ronald." Hermione says seeing the redhead sitting on his armchair.
"Huh?" He questions her.
"We need to tell you something."
"Alright…" Ron says, curious to what Hermione has to say.
Ron sits and listens to Harry explain what he will be doing in nothing but a few months. After he gets out of the Dursley's and of age, he is going to be going on a quest for horcrux's. Ron's eyes widen, but he agrees with everything that Harry is trying to do, "So are you with us Ron?" Harry asks.
He nods, "Haven't stopped yet have I? May as well finish Voldemort off then."
"One thing I am worried about is the prophecy." Hermione sighs.
"If it means I have to die to kill Voldemort, then I'm going to do it Hermione." Harry shrugs, "I don't want him around. He killed way too many of my family and friends for me to sit around and do nothing."
"Well, that's where we come in then. We just have to make sure that your ass stays alive." Ron smiles, "How hard can that be? I mean we've been doing it for the past six years."
Hermione smiles and nods, "It's not going to be easy though."
"No, it's not." Harry says, "And I'm not going to hate you if you back down. That goes for either one of you."
"I think I can speak to myself when I say we aren't backing down." Ron replies.
Hermione nods and squeezes Harry's hand gently.
Harry smiles at the two. He knows that he only has to get through a bit more and then his revenge will come. Everyone that Voldemort has killed he will avenge, but for right now, he just has to sit tight and plan his quest, with his two best friends.
The wedding of Bill and Fleur came quicker than anyone would plan. Already several people have died trying to hide Harry, before his mother's protection wore off. After the wedding, everything happens. Hermione, Harry, and Ron would set off. The golden trio in one last hurrah. Harry will do his best to keep his best friends alive.
"Harry! Do you have your dress robes?"
"Yes Mrs. Weasley." Harry smiles, before turning to Ron, "Well they're all right."
"Yeah, who would have thought that Fred and George would actually get me something that looks nice."
Harry smiles at Ron's robes. He knows that without his help, Ron would still be in maroon and lace. That is one secret that he will always keep from Ron, knowing that his tri-wizard winnings went towards his new robes and the joke shop.
"Did Hermione tell you what she is wearing?" Ron asks.
"No. I asked the color and she wouldn't even tell me that." He sighs. Their relationship continues to grow, though only their closest friends know that they are an official couple.
"I suggest we get downstairs. We only have a few moments before the wedding."
"Right." Harry says smiling. They head downstairs and await the wedding party. Harry spends his time talking to both Luna and Krum. Krum had been invited by Fleur because they competed against each other. Harry was glad to see him on one level, on the other level, he was sick to death of having to remember everyone who lived after the tournament.
After a bit of time, Harry turns to the sound of his name flowing over to him through the warm air. He turns and his mouth drops at seeing Hermione's form standing only a few feet away from him. Her dress is a sapphire color, cut just by the knee. Her hair is tied up and out of her face, with just a few curls falling around her face. Her height is enhanced by two inches. HE excuses himself from Viktor and Luna and makes his way over to her.
"You look beautiful." He smiles, kissing her cheek.
Hermione blushes a bit as his lips gently brush against her cheek for a second time, "Thank you. You look great."
"Not as good as you." He smiles.
Hermione smiles brighter and feels him take her hand, "Some day isn't it?"
"Yes, it's a nice day for the wedding."
"Yes, it is."
Hermione and Harry spend the wedding sitting next to each other and talking. Slow song after slow song comes on and Hermione sighs every time. Harry doesn't ask her to dance at all. She knows that he has a lot on his mind and just deals with it. He gets up occasionally to go and mingle with other people, but he always ends up back with Hermione. Hermione frowns when she sees Viktor coming over to her. She knows why he is there.
"Hermione, how have you been?" He asks her. Hermione sighs. While his English has gotten better her name still comes out incorrect.
"Well Viktor, how are you?"
"Also well. It has been some time."
"Quite." Hermione replies.
"I wanted to apologize how we ended the last time I saw you."
"How we ended? You mean you basically coming up to me and saying, 'It was fun, I'll see you when ever'? That? I've completely forgotten about it."
"You're still a fireball aren't you?"
"Is that what you call me?"
"I just hope that we can put our differences aside and become friends."
"Can you do that? I mean our relationship was a physical one."
"I'd like to try."
Hermione sighs, "I suppose."
Harry watches Hermione from afar and sees Viktor hug Hermione. He excuses himself from Bill and heads over to his girlfriend, "Care to dance?" He asks her.
"I thought you'd never ask." She says beaming, as he takes her hand and escorts her to the dance floor.
Harry wraps his arms around her waist as she wraps them around his shoulders and she asks, "So tell me, is it because Viktor hugged me that you finally decided to ask me to dance?"
"I'm not too great of a dancer. You saw me at the Ball the other year."
"I thought you did fine. Then again, I was quite swooned by Viktor to notice you completely."
"I see how it is." He smiles, kissing her temple. Hermione leans her head onto his shoulder and against his neck.
Harry looks over towards Ron who is busy talking to one of the many Weasley family members at the wedding. Ron smiles as he glances at Harry and Hermione and gives Harry a quick thumbs up. Harry smiles back at him, as he tightens his grip on Hermione. After the song is over, the two walk back to the table and sit down.
"Hermione, I need your help." Ginny says, grabbing her best friend by the arm, "Sorry, I'll bring her back in a second Harry."
Hermione follows Ginny into the house leaving Harry sitting there alone, however that did not last. Krum comes over and sits beside him.
"So, there is nothing going on between you two huh?" Viktor sneers at Harry.
"No, now there is, before there wasn't."
"I see the way you look at her, and the way she looks at you. She would do anything for you."
"The feeling is mutual." Harry smiles.
"I always knew that you meant something more to her than just a friend. The way she use to support you, especially after the second task. It has always been you. There was something in her eyes that just shined when you were around, something that no one else could have ever gotten from her. I think you knew it too. I wish you had told me…"
"Viktor, when we were in the forest together, I told you there was nothing going on between Hermione and I, and I stand by that. There was nothing going on, not until a few months ago did I even consider being with her…"
"You may have not noticed it, but I did." He sighs, "And… well, I guess that's just the way it goes. Just, make her happy if you can. She deserves the best, and I knew that I couldn't give it to her."
Harry sits there without words with how open Viktor is being to him. As he stares at Viktor he realizes he wants Harry to finish the conversation, "No worries." Harry says simply and stands up, "I've got to be off. I'll talk to you soon."
"Soon." Krum says as he stands up as well, shaking Harry's hand. They both walk the opposite way, Harry towards Ron and Krum towards Fleur.
"What was Krum talking to you about?" Ron asks, taking a swig of fire whisky.
"He wanted to know about Hermione and I."
"What did you tell him?"
"I told him that we were together."
"Finally admitting it to people?" Ron smiles.
"Oh come off it, you know we've told people."
"Present company excluded?"
"Well…"
"That's what I thought." Ron snickers.
"Oh piss off." Harry grumbles.
Ron laughs out loud as Harry frowns. The frown quickly changes into a smile as Hermione comes over to the two boys smiling.
"What did Ginny need?" Harry asks, as his hand snakes around Hermione's waist, pulling her close to him.
"Magic."
"Why couldn't she ask mum?" Ron questions.
"Eh, she tore her dress a bit and didn't want to hear it from your mum."
"Makes sense, especially since she can't use magic yet." Ron replies gloating a bit.
Hermione rolls her eyes at him and the three friends enjoy the rest of the wedding together.
Hermione wakes up with an uneasy feeling. She looks around the dark room at the Burrow and sighs. Standing up she pulls on her dressing gown and quietly creeps out of the bedroom she is sharing with Ginny. She walks downstairs trying to step over the squeaky stairs as she descends. She walks through the fire lit first floor and stops when she sees a form standing at the back door, "Harry?"
She sees him jump a bit, turning to face him, "Jeeze Hermione, that's enough to give a guy a heart attack!" Harry's mouth drops as he realizes what he said. He looks at Hermione, her face dropping, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to say that… it just slipped out."
Hermione shakes her head, "Don't worry about it."
Harry can tell that his words have bothered her, but he doesn't want to dwell on his choice of words, "What are you doing up?"
"I dunno, I just kind of woke up… what are you doing up?"
"Coming to a decision."
"And what decision is that?"
"I'm leaving in an hour."
"We're leaving in an hour…" Hermione says, her voice dropping low, "Don't forget Harry that we are in it till the end. I'm not leaving you and neither is Ron."
"I've gotta get some things together. I just can't stay here anymore Hermione. It's not safe for the Weasley's having me here."
"They'd keep you forever Harry…"
"I can't sit around and wait for someone to come after me. It's time. I need to go grab some things."
"Where are we going?"
"Grimwald place. It will be safe there for at least a bit… I hope."
"I've got things packed already. I put a spell on my backpack which can hold an indefinite amount of items, for little weight."
Harry smiles at her and pulls her into a tight hug, "Are you sure you want to do this? I won't be angry if you say no."
"I'm with you Harry." She says hugging him tight.
"We leave in an hour." Harry says, "I'll wake Ron."
Hermione nods and smiles at him, "I'm ready."
Harry, Hermione and Ron do last minute packing, before they head out of the Burrow. They all know it will be dangerous, but they need to do it. Harry knows that it is necessary for him to destroy Voldemort, because of the prophecy. HE knows that he can do this with the help of his two best friends. The things that always made him the happiest were Ron and especially Hermione. The three of them have come this far, and it is time to finish the battle. They stand close together and link arms with each other as they apperate right outside of Grimwald Place. They look at each briefly and head into the house, not knowing what to expect, and not knowing where to start, but they were together and that is all that matters.
A/N: So like it? Love it? Comments? Review please! Chapter 11 will be up soon! Chapter 12, everything starts to come together!!! I decided that this story is going to continue as a long one due to all the messages I have had and the positive reviews… Keep them up please.
Forgive me if this chapter is not up to my usual par, the next one will be right back on track!
Thanks a lot!
Stary