Hey guys! So here's chapter 10. Hope you guys like it. I also hope that you guys are recovering from the epicness that was Deathly Hallows Part. 2. I know I am, slowly but surely. Very, very slowly. It still hits me randomly that there isn't any new Harry Potter to look forward to and then I get really sad. Oh well, at least we have Pottermore and fanfiction right?
Alright, enough about that. Happy reading!
Disclaimer: This only belongs to me in the best of dreams. In real life, it belongs to the great J.K. Rowling.
Chapter 10
"Crucio."
A loud, piercing scream echoed throughout the dungeon.
Voldemort stepped out of the shadows, looking pitifully at the figure on the floor.
"I must say, you disappoint me, Ollivander," he said softly as the screams died down.
Ollivander remained on the floor, his body twitching every now and then. He remained silent as Voldemort paced around him.
"Your reputation precedes you and yet, you have done nothing but fail me." He paused and pushed Ollivander on his back with his foot. "What you told me last proved false. Harry Potter still managed to evade me yet again." His voice remained soft but the underlying anger was not lost on Ollivander.
Ollivander flinched as Voldemort raised his wand but was relieved to find that pain didn't immediately overtake his body. Instead, Voldemort levitated him until he was floating right in front of him, giving him no choice but to look Voldemort in the eyes.
"Now, why don't you tell me something I can actually use before I lose what little patience I have left," he said coldly.
Ollivander's face was racked with fear. His eyes were glued to Voldemort's no matter how much he tried to look away. Even in his weakened state, he could feel the harsh intrusion on his mind.
"Ah, but what's this? The Deathly Hallows?" said Voldemort after a moment, a curious lilt to his voice.
Ollivander nodded quickly, not wanting to anger him further. His voice cracked as he said, "It is rumored there are three."
Voldemort was controlling his features but it was obvious from his tone of voice that he was interested. "I was under the impression that it was just a children's story."
"Yes, there—there are people who would like it t-to remain that way."
A contemplative look settled on Voldemort's face. "Continue."
"The Elder wand is said to be the most powerful wand in existence, crafted by Death itself with wood from an elder tree. Countless bloodshed has been spilt for it. All three have long since been lost but there have been rumors of the wand's whereabouts," Ollivander said weakly.
Voldemort could do nothing to hide his intense curiosity. "And what is the latest rumor?"
Ollivander stayed silent for a moment before saying, "It is rumored that the last known person to possess the wand was Grindelwald."
Voldemort's eyes gleamed as silence overtook the room. He dropped Ollivander, who fell with a small groan of pain upon impact.
Voldemort walked away and, with his back to Ollivander, said, "Let us hope for your sake that you do not disappoint me again. If you do…"
Screams immediately filled the silence, overtaking the room as they echoed around the dungeon, the crack of disapparation barely audible over the cries of pain.
Harry's eyes snapped open. He remained still for a couple of seconds before wiping the sweat from his forehead. He was still mulling over the dream, remembering the screams, when Hermione walked in. He quickly tried to calm himself but before he could do anything, she looked over at him, concern immediately taking over her features.
"Harry, what's wrong?" she asked, quickly walking over to him.
"N—nothing, it's just—" he immediately stopped at the look on Hermione's face. It was clear she wouldn't believe anything he said unless it was the truth. He sighed and looked at her.
"It was another dream wasn't it?" she asked.
Looking away, he nodded.
"Hey, what's going on?" said Ron as he walked into the tent.
Harry frowned. A couple of days had passed since his talk with Hermione (a talk that had been rudely interrupted by the redhead) and while things weren't as tense as before between Ron and Hermione, it was clear that Hermione was still mad at him; it seemed like it would be that way for a while, a fact that Ron had fully accepted. He spent his days in the tent much as he did before but he was much more helpful. What confused him was that Hermione had just been outside and apparently so had Ron; she didn't spend time alone with Ron if she could avoid it.
Hermione's voice broke through his thought process. "He was looking around the area; I was at the entrance," she said softly so only he could hear.
Harry nodded. He hated to admit that this made him somewhat happy. He looked at Ron again, who was staring at them with a confused look on his face.
"Bad dream," said Harry.
"Blimey, they're still happening?"
"Apparently, yes," answered Hermione. "Harry you're supposed to try and protect your mind. What if You-Know-Who finds out where we are?"
"I know, Hermione, I know. But despite what you may think, I haven't been having them as often as I used to. Now all that happens is that I get glimpses of what he's doing, not the other way around." He paused as he sat up. "It's almost as if he can't tell that I'm watching."
Hermione still looked worried but let the topic drop, much to Harry's relief.
"So what did you see, mate?" Ron asked, kneeling beside his cot.
Without hesitating, Harry said, "He has Ollivander."
"What? Why?"
"Bloody hell."
"He's looking for a wand," said Harry.
"A wand? Why would he want a wand?" Hermione asked, her face taking on a look of great concentration. Harry could see that she would soon figure out why.
He was right. A couple of seconds later realization dawned on her face as she looked at Harry. "The twin wand cores."
Harry nodded. "I think he's already tried something before but it didn't work because he told Ollivander that he had already failed him once." He looked at both of them. "I think it must have been when we were ambushed but it didn't work; my wand still reacted like before."
They remained silent until Ron asked, "So now what is he going to do?"
"Ollivander told him about something called the Deathly Hallows," Harry said, looking confused.
Hermione and Ron both had a look of familiarity on their faces. Hermione got up and headed over to the book covered table.
Harry and Ron were both watching her as Ron said, "The Deathly Hallows? Why would Ollivander tell You Know Who about that? It's just a children's story."
"You know what it is?"
"Yeah, mum used to read it to us."
"Hermione?" Harry asked.
"The story is in the book that Dumbledore left me in his will," she said as she walked back to them.
"Ollivander said there's three."
Ron and Hermione nodded. "One for each brother," Ron said.
"There's the resurrection stone, the Elder wand, and—" she paused and looked at Harry.
"And what?" Harry asked.
"The cloak of invisibility," she answered.
Harry stared. After a moment of silence he said, "So it's true then?"
Both of them looked at Hermione. "I wouldn't have thought so originally but hearing this…well, now it makes sense why Dumbledore left this book for me."
Harry still looked confused so Hermione continued, "In the story, three brothers were supposed to have died trying to cross a river but since they were wizards, they didn't, something that angered Death."
"Yeah, so to 'reward' the brothers, Death gave them all one wish," continued Ron. "The oldest brother asked for the most powerful wand, so Death made one from an elder tree and gave it to him; the next brother asked for a way to bring back the dead to humiliate Death further, so Death gave him the resurrection stone."
Seeing Harry's look of interest, Hermione quickly continued. "The youngest brother, the smartest and humblest of the three, asked for a way to leave without being followed by Death, so Death gave him a piece of its own cloak. The cloak allowed him to leave undetected," finished Hermione.
"So You Know Who wants the most powerful wand in existence," said Harry. "Why doesn't that surprise me?"
Hermione nodded. "He must think that will override whatever connection he has with your wand. Which is most likely true; it is the most powerful wand after all."
"But he won't be able to find it right?" Ron asked. "I mean, all three are supposed to be rumors; I doubt anyone actually knows where they are."
Harry shook his head. "Ollivander told him that the last rumored person to have it was Grindelwald."
"Grindelwald?" Hermione asked.
Silence and worry settled over all three of them. Voldemort with the most powerful wand in existence? That didn't sound good to any of them.
Ron broke the silence. "Well, maybe it'll turn out to be just that; a rumor. Maybe You Know Who won't find it."
Harry wished he could be hopeful like Ron but found it hard. Looking at Hermione, he knew she felt the same.
He sighed. "Yeah, maybe."
He looked at both of them before saying, "Alright, well I'll go take watch now. You guys should rest."
Ron nodded before climbing into his bunk. Hermione continued to stare at Harry until he left the tent. She got up and headed over to the rest of her books, intent on doing more research on the Deathly Hallows. It wasn't long before Ron's snores filled the tent.
###
As Harry sat outside, only one thing occupied his mind: the resurrection stone. Out of all of the Hallows, he knew that if he ever had a choice, he would choose the stone. The yearning he felt for this magical object was immense. The possibility of being able to bring back his parents, Sirius, Dumbledore…he would give anything to have that possibility.
He wrapped his arms around himself as a cold gust of wind hit him. They were no longer in the Forest of Dean; Harry actually had no idea where they were, somewhere in Scotland he assumed. They had left shortly after Ron's return and while it wasn't snowing here, it was still pretty cold.
He was still thinking about the stone when he heard someone come out of the tent.
Hermione.
Hermione hadn't found anything on the Deathly Hallows in her textbooks, something that didn't really surprise her. Not many people put much thought on objects from a children's story. She had seen the look on Harry's face when Ron had mentioned the stone though and she knew exactly why that particular Hallow would interest him. Looking at him now, she knew that he was still thinking about.
She walked over to him and asked, "Mind if I sit down?"
Harry shook his head. Even though she hadn't sat too close to him, he could still feel the warmth radiating from her body.
Hermione stayed silent for a moment before softly saying, "It wouldn't work, Harry."
He looked at her in surprise. It never ceased to amaze him how she was always able to read his mind so easily. The surprise didn't last long, however. He remained silent as frustration took its place.
"The second brother brought back an old sweetheart that died before they were able to be together. He was happy for a while and so was she but that didn't last long." She paused, never looking away from Harry. "She didn't belong in the land of the living anymore. She was depressed all the time and this drove the brother mad with grief. He killed himself because of it."
At his continued silence, she added, "There's no way to bring back the dead, Harry."
Harry sighed. "Would it be so bad to be able to see them once, just once?"
Hermione's heart ached. Not for the first time, she wished that none of this had ever happened to him. That he had grown up with loving parents and a normal childhood.
She hated herself for saying this but he needed to hear it. "But where would it end, Harry? One time would never be enough."
Harry sighed. Why is it that she's always right?
Hermione could see the frustration and sadness in his eyes. Her heart ached even more; she was sure it was going to break soon.
"Harry, you don't know how much I wish I could tell you what you wanted to hear; to give you something to be happy about," she said softly. "More than anything, I wish that none of this had ever happened to you."
Harry couldn't help but smile. "Do you think we would've met, though?"
A warm, soft hand touched his left, gently coaxing it out of its tense state. Harry didn't resist as his fingers intertwined with Hermione's. Despite the awkwardness that had settled over them after their talk, Harry could only relish in the comfort that Hermione was always able to provide him.
"Yes," she said, smiling when he looked at her. "I think we were meant to meet, Harry. It was fate."
"Fate? Since when have you believed in anything other than logic and cold, hard facts?"
"Since I met you," she said, almost whispering.
Since she met me? Why?
"Don't do that. Don't question what I'm telling you." She turned her body to his, still holding his hand. "When are you going to get in through your head that you're a great person? You're brave, smart, caring…you would do anything for the people you care about." She paused. "You're amazing, Harry."
Warmth spread through him as he looked at her. "How do you do that?"
She blinked in surprise. "Do what?"
"How do you always know what I'm thinking?" he asked.
Looking down, she said, "I don't know…I think I've just always had this connection with you." She paused and looked at him. "I've never been able to read anybody like I can with you."
Swallowing, he looked away. He didn't know what he would do if he continued to look at her; her gaze was too intense.
Looking down, Hermione whispered, "It isn't completely one sided, though, you know."
Harry nodded. It was true; just as Hermione with him, he couldn't read anybody as well as he could her.
Silence overtook them again. It was hard to tell whether it was an awkward or comfortable one, though. Having Hermione around was always comforting but there was no denying the awkwardness that now lingered over them whenever they were alone. There was so much he wanted to tell her; so much he wanted to ask her but now, more than ever, he was confused. He now knew that he liked Hermione and not just in a friendly way.
Like? Do you think that's the right word? I'm pretty sure it's a little more than just like.
Thoughts like these only helped to confuse him further. Yes, he had strong feelings for Hermione but now what? He had almost told her a couple of days ago but now, he wasn't so sure. For one thing, there was Ron. Sure, Hermione hated him now but that didn't mean she didn't have feelings for him anymore. Then there was Ginny, but to Harry that seemed like less of a problem than Ron. Deep down, Harry had a feeling that Hermione felt something for him too. That look in her eyes from before was still ingrained in his mind; it was almost like she had wanted him to say that he has feelings for her.
She would be an even bigger target if something happened between us.
This was the one thought that brought the most problems for Harry. He hated putting Hermione in any danger at all and something like this would put her in incredible amounts of danger.
Bloody hell, how many times does she have to tell you that she's with you no matter what? Didn't she prove that when Ron left? She stayed with you. You know she could have left but she didn't.
Harry scowled. I can't put her in any more danger than she already is. Being one of my best friends already has her high on the hit list; her being anything more than that would put her only second after me. I can't lose her. I don't know what I would do without her.
"What are you thinking about, Harry?" Hermione asked quietly, although she was sure that his thoughts probably mirrored the ones she was having.
Harry stayed silent for a moment before saying, "I was thinking about how…how I don't know what I would do without you." He was sure she would've have preferred his main thought but, technically, he wasn't lying.
"You have to stop thinking about that, Harry."
He turned to look at her. "But I can't, Hermione. No matter how hard I try, I can't."
The look on his face almost sent her over the edge. "Harry…"
"Hermione, you're one of the only people I have left. I can't lose you. Just thinking about losing anyone…Ron, the Weasleys, Lupin or Tonks, Luna, Neville…I just…I can't. But losing you…the thought just makes me want to lock you up somewhere so that you stay safe. I would gladly put up with your fury if I knew you'd be safe." He paused when he realized that he had taken both of her hands in his. Brushing the thought aside, he continued, "I almost lost it when that curse hit you fifth year. I froze, Hermione. If it wasn't for Neville…I don't know what I would've done. And then when you didn't wake up when we got back from Godric's Hollow…it was worse. I was alone and I felt so useless and daft not being able to help you." He looked away, the memory making him feel ashamed for his lack of knowledge.
Hermione didn't know what to say. She wanted to reassure him that she would be fine; that everything would turn out for the better but in all honesty, she didn't know herself. Even if she told him that, she knew he wouldn't feel much reassurance.
"Harry…don't you think I feel the same? I've almost lost you countless times and let me tell you, it doesn't get any easier with experience. Sometimes, I want to lock you up somewhere far, far away. Or maybe stuff you in my bag and just run away to some tropical island or something. The fear is overwhelming sometimes but we have to get through this. We can get through this." She smiled weakly when he looked at her again. "We have to be strong for each other, Harry. We have to keep believing that good can conquer evil; that right will triumph over wrong. We can't lose that hope, Harry."
Looking at her now, there was nothing he wanted to do more than kiss her. Well, what are you waiting for? Kiss her! You know you want to! Unfortunately for Harry, the other part of his brain, the one that always sounded like Hermione, spoke up. This is isn't the right time. There are too many things going on to focus on something like this. Even if there wasn't, there are still so many things you two need to talk about.
Harry sighed. A hug will have to do then. He leaned forward and hugged her, trying hard not to dwell on the look of hope that flashed across Hermione's face when he did.
"Thanks, Hermione. You always know what to say," Harry whispered.
Hermione pushed aside the rush of disappointment coursing through her and instead focused on the feeling of Harry in her arms. It wasn't a kiss but it was still something she relished, especially now when Harry was the one initiating them.
"You don't have to thank me, Harry," she whispered back. "That's what friends are for right?"
Harry sat back and smiled weakly at her. "Right."
Harry looked out at their surroundings, preparing himself for the long night ahead. He didn't protest when Hermione made herself more comfortable, moving closer to him in the process. It was clear that she wasn't going anywhere and Harry found that he didn't mind in the least.
As they sat in comfortable silence, neither of them failed to notice that they were holding hands again.
Alright, so there it is. I hope you guys liked it. Reviews are always welcome :)
Thanks for reading :)