Disclaimer… Yes…it just arrived in the mail….the rights to Harry Potter…or it could just be my credit card bill :(
A.N. So here I am again thanking you guys for reviewing and for your support of this story. Sometimes I look at the number of reviews and I sit back, wondering if my eyes are playing tricks on me. If they are, then please Merlin don't let it stop :) Now that I've done that bit get ready for the next chapter of …
Devil's Deal
Chapter 14 – Definitive Directions
Hermione told Luna that she had been working with Draco three days after her talk with Pansy and she also confided that she did indeed have feelings for the pure blooded wizard in response to Luna's persitent questioning. Her statements had been concise and close ended. She didn't offer any explanations nor give any details only the very bare facts.
"Well I can't say I'm surprised" Luna said sitting across from Hermione, a small cauldron of steadily boiling potion between them. Hermione was instantly reminded again of the look of understanding that Luna had given to her when she had been rushing to go to Pansy, it was that same memory that had encouraged her to finally let Luna in on her secret today.
"I'm always amazed by how perceptive you are" Hermione told her with a little shake of her head.
"It was so obvious" Luna responded shrugging her shoulders demurely to which Hermione narrowed her eyes speculatively.
"Well it was for me" she clarified as she leaned forward onto the table as she went on to further elaborate.
"There is this… tension whenever both of you are next to each other" she stated with a bright smile and Hermione tried to keep the colour from flooding her cheeks.
"I saw it the night at the game when you were sitting together and don't think that I didn't notice how both of you disappeared at the same time and then reappeared almost together" Luna teased her, laughing at the uncomfortable expression on Hermione's face.
"But the first time I noticed it was the night he forgave Pansy at the restaurant, when you spoke to him and his face went totally blank I knew something was up and of course our anniversary party when you tried to ignore him…I've never seen someone get that much under your skin Hermione" Luna finished seriously although the smile remained on her face. Hermione looked at her friend and simply smiled thinking that Luna was perhaps the most observant person in the entire wizarding world.
"I'm happy you shared it with me though" Luna told her again serious.
"I'm happy that I did too" Hermione responded, her expression sincere and then she looked confusedly at Luna who had started to laugh.
"Oh I can't wait until Harry and Ron find out, that moment should be priceless" Luna said, her face red with mirth.
"Please don't remind me" Hermione said unenthusiastically.
"And lets not forget Ginny she is going to put you through hell for keeping her in the dark" Luna persisted and Hermione suppressed a shudder, truer words had never been spoken. She could just imagine the huge scene Ginny would make and she let out a long suffering sigh.
"Cheer up, at least the issue will be that you didn't confide in them rather than the fact that you have feelings for Malfoy" Luna pointed out reasonably and Hermione had to agree to that. Somehow she just knew that her friends would not have a problem with her being with Draco now especially since he was unintentionally in their good books. Surprising change in events that, considering that they had been sworn enemies for so long.
To be quite honest she didn't really want to tell her friends about Draco just yet, considering again that he had said that he wouldn't let anyone know about them, but she owed them the truth. Yet she was still resolved to wait for as long as possible to disclose her interaction with Draco and she would actually prefer to speak to him first before she revealed it to anyone further. Her mind became instantly aware that she had automatically thought of seeing Draco again and she smiled imwardly realizing that although she was still worried about him she was in a more positive frame of mind.
"How do you feel about Thalia?" Luna asked quite suddenly, her attention piqued
"How am I supposed to feel" Hermione prevaricated rather than answer the question.
She had deliberated for only a moment before earlier telling Luna about Thalia's involvement in the war as well as her past with Draco. Hermione trusted Luna with Draco's as well as her own life and in that case she was completely assured that she could trust Luna with Thalia's.
"I'm sorry if this sounds rude but I would prefer if Draco ended up with you." Luna stated unequivocally and Hermione smiled at Luna's support.
"Thanks, but after hearing about their relationship my money would be on the other team" Hermione said although her heart clenched at the thought.
"Hermione, Draco is the type of man who gets what he wants. There would have been nothing to stand in the way now if he had wanted Thalia" Luna pointed out seriously and Hermione understood what Luna was getting at but she had to disagree.
"Luna, if you had a relationship with Harry that is as loving as the one you have now, then you were separated and you got involved, for a very short space of time with someone else and then Harry came back, could you honestly…honestly tell me that you wouldn't want to be with him?" Hermione asked and she nodded as Luna was unable to respond, proving her point exactly.
The reality was that Draco and Thalia's love was the kind that endured over a lifetime and although she herself loved him she had to accept that. Whatever happened when he came back would happen, but she knew that if he even gave the slightest indication that he wanted to be with her she would grasp that immediately and perhaps never let go but those would be issues for later on.
"Well I hope this potion brews properly" Luna finally said and Hermione knew she was making an effort to change the subject. Hermione looked at the bubbling cauldron and she nodded in agreement. They fell into a companionable silence, each lost in their own thoughts.
The last few days had been quite hectic and Hermione would be grateful for the rest of her life for all the help that Luna had given to her. A few hours after she had written to Luna, her friend had responded with very positive news. Not only had Luna's past tutor been able to identify the ingredients and given them information on each one but he had also given them locations where they could obtain them. Hermione had resolved to take the time of to get the ingredients regardless of whether the ministry fired her but Luna had instead volunteered to do so and without even questioning Hermione of what this entire thing was about. While she went to work and completed the translation of the texts, Luna had been busy apparating all over the place.
That same day Hermione had finished translating the texts and made the discovery of the method used for brewing the potion. Of course this had been the last bit of information that they needed. Everything had finally fallen into place and they had been ready to start brewing the counter potion except for one thing, obtaining the key ingredient for the potion.
The place that Luna's tutor had indicated had been completely destroyed by landslides and they had to wait and hope that he could identify another source. Yesterday he owled them and they had both journeyed to a remote mountain town to get the last and most important herb in the potion, a plant called the aedesura. They had been very fortunate that the old, gnarled witch had the purple coloured, small leaved plant in her possession, but they had been distressed to find out that she was the only person who had been able to cultivate one outside of the aedesura's indigenous home of Dhiaran. Further to that was the fact that the plant took an entire year to have its first leaves and that was time that they didn't have. If they were successful in creating the counter potion then they would have to hope that they could get the plant in Dhiaran to produce the mass of potion that would be needed to win the war. They were both looked up when a large brown owl flew into the green room to deliver a message.
"Harry said that he is leaving with Ron to go to Ginny's game" Luna told her after reading the missive.
"Did you want to go?" Hermione asked Luna feeling guilty that she had monopolized all of Luna's time for the past few days.
"Of course not" Luna assured her with a gentle smile and then started to laugh.
"I'm just thinking that Harry will usually come here to find me but he's been so cautious about respecting our privacy that he chose to owl me instead" Luna finished and her face glowed when she talked about her husband. Luna had told her that Harry had been very concerned about her the day she had run off and wanted for them to go after her. It had taken Luna telling him that Hermione had some things to deal with and that he should give her some time that had finally calmed Harry down. Harry was not known for his patience while Luna was the epitome of it so she could imagine how firm Luna had to have been to stop Harry that day.
The next day he had owled Hermione and told her that he was very concerned about her and although he didn't known what was going on with her, he was glad that atleast she was letting Luna help her. He had not questioned her about anything and Hermione knew that Luna had a large part to play in that. He also told her that he had taken her advice and apologized to Luna but that had only made her angrier at him.
"So are things good between you and Harry now?" Hermione asked realizing that this was the first time in days that she could question her friend.
"Of course, but nothing was wrong with us" Luna said sincerely and confusion was written on her face.
"I was referring to the other day when you became angry at him before breakfast?" Hermione reminded her.
"Oh that…" Luna said with a blush staining her cheeks "I haven't been feeling too charitable toward Harry recently but its nothing that I can control" Luna said and her gaze was troubled.
"Anything you want to speak about?" Hermione asked concerned and worried.
"I will talk about it but after all of this is over" Luna said at the same moment that the potion emitted a large burst of smoke. Both of the women were startled before they started to grin at each other in excitement. Hermione glanced at the pocket watch in her hands and her grin grew.
"To the exact second" Hermione told Luna who was looking at her with unabashed expectancy and they peered into the cauldron to see the potion turn from the dark purple to a light lavender colour. Hermione consulted the notes in front of her while Luna walked around the table to read over her shoulder. If the notes were true then they were a mere few hours away from creating the counter potion and Hermione could feel the exhilaration coursing through her.
"Merlin I hope this works" Luna said quietly and Hermione completely echoed her sentiments both of them knowing that a success now would mean hope for not only the people in Dhiaran but also for their people who were fighting in the war.
Three hours later they both stood next to the cauldron with Luna holding the vial of dangerous potion from Dhiaran in her slightly trembling hands.
Hermione had dosed herself with laudanum and braced herself before stretching out her arm.
"I don't know if I can do this" Luna said, her eyes large and Hermione understood her hesitancy.
"I'm ready Luna and we have to do this" Hermione told her seriously, ensuring that she kept the worry out of her expression. With a quick nod, Luna opened the vial and poured a drop of the potion onto Hermione's palm. Almost in a trance she saw the liquid fall to her skin and then her knees buckled with pain when it started to burn through her flesh. She could quite imagine that this was the feeling one got when they were doused with acid.
She dropped to her knees and her grasp on her hand tightened, it was all she could to do to stop from crying out against the pain but there was no holding back the tears of agony that fell from her eyes. She focused on the wound and alarmingly saw the hole that had been bored straight through her palm, with blood flowing freely from the severed blood vessels of her hand. She knew she was teetering on the brink of consciousness and she all but welcomed it but then she felt another drop of liquid on her hand.
Luna had wasted no time in administering their potion and even as her mind tried to battle with the pain she was enduring she was overcome by a feeling of relief the instant the potion covered her palm. Suddenly she could breathe again and then unbelievably she felt the hole in her hand start to come together. At first the pain was similar to the one before but it was due to her tissues regenerating rather than decimating. She held her breath and she heard Luna gasp as the wound disappeared and her hand became whole again. Experimentally she flexed her hand, bemused to find that she had no pain and that it was fully functional. The experience was so surreal that she would have thought she had imagined it if the floor wasn't still covered in her blood. She raised her eyes to Luna who had dropped on her hunches next to Hermione and she wasn't surprised when Luna gently took her hand and inspected both the palm and back hand.
"Oh my Merlin" Luna breathed in awe.
"Yes…thank Merlin" Hermione whispered, her voice cracking a little as she realized what this meant. She stumbled to her feet, her body filled with adrenaline and her mind already aware of what she must do. There was no time to waste.
She turned to see that Luna was also standing and handing her the vial of counter potion, her smile broad as well as proud. Hermione took the vial and then impulsive leaned down to hug her friend.
"Thank you Luna, thank you so much" she whispered, for once her extensive vocabulary failing her. Luna hugged her back before pulling away quickly.
"Get going" she told Hermione in a strict tone but there was a gentle smile on her face and that look of pure understanding in her eyes. Hermione nodded, her hand gripped tightly around the vial of liquid in her hand.
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The Minister was simply astounded when he finished viewing the pensieve recalling Hermione's test of the counter potion. Immediately, and under total secrecy he had himself retested the counter potion on his arm and Hermione had to respect the lengths he was willing to go to in order to help win the war. Needless to say he had been completely convinced of the counter potion's ability and listened attentively as Hermione explained the ingredients of the potion and the method of brewing it.
The only stumbling block came when she told him of the aedesura and the fact that it could only be found in Dhiaran. He had glanced at the spot where the potion had wounded him and in a commanding voice told her that they would stop at nothing to obtain as much of the plant as they could.
Hermione had been heartened at this and immediately put forward the case for her to be sent to Dhiaran. She told him that she was more than willing to go, that she had knowledge of brewing the counter potion and that would help the researchers and… he cut through her enunciations after that point, heartily agreeing that her going to Dhiaran was a necessity and that the Ministry was grateful for her assistance and dedication. Hermione saw the relief as well as determination in his eyes when he had decided that she would need to travel with a convoy. Total secrecy was the order of the day and they had both agreed that they would need to be particularly careful with who they entrusted the discovery of the counter potion with. Hermione already knew who she would have to speak with and told the Minister of her intention, informing him that she would do so whether or not he approved. He deliberated on the names for a moment before finally nodding his head and it was then that she sent owls to her friends requesting them to meet at Luna's green house. She left the Minister making arrangements for her departure, after agreeing to bring all of the information as well as being ready to leave in four hours. Her blood was strumming with excitement as she apparated, her thoughts on the wounded in Dhiaran who would have a chance to live now and also on the mercurial-eyed wizard who held her heart in his hands, Merlin she hoped she would see him soon.
An hour later her friends gathered around her in tense silence, anxiously waiting for her to tell them the reason she had called them. She met Luna's eyes and then Pansy's, seeing the support mirrored there and was strengthened to begin.
"Get on with it already Hermione, the silence is killing me!" Ginny suddenly exclaimed from her perch on the wooden table, startling a few of her friends
"We know you're finally going to explain all of this cloak and dagger stuff, so start already, I've been waiting forever" She finished in normal Ginny fashion.
"Herms is it true? Are you going to tell us what's been going on with you? Is it bad? Should I sit? Should I stand?" Ron told her looking decidedly green with worry.
"I think you should stay quiet Ron and let Hermione continue, Merlin knows she took long enough to do this" Harry answered and there was no missing the inflection in his voice.
"Maybe you should stay quiet Harry and let Hermione continue" Luna told her husband with a glare.
"What!…It was Ron who started all this nonsense" Harry defended himself.
"That's true Luna" Pansy interjected gently
"Hey, it was Ginny" Ron stated hotly, his face getting red.
"There you go again spitfire, causing trouble as usual" Blaise responded with a wink at Ginny.
"Why for Merlin's sake is he here?" Ginny said angrily, her fierce glare directed at Blaise.
"I asked him to come because this concerns him too." Hermione said evenly, knowing that she had made the right decision with inviting Blaise and her voice instantly quieted down the noise her friends had been making. She looked at each of them directly, noticing the concern they, save Luna, were hiding.
"I've called you all here because there is something that I need to tell you and I want for you to not interrupt me when I'm speaking alright" she told them kindly but the steel was there in her voice. She took a deep breath and began, trying to choose her words carefully.
"We've found the counter potion for the potion that they are using in Dhiaran" she told them directly, her mind alert as she waited for their reactions.
At first they were all in a stunned silence and Hermione could almost feel the conclusions that they were drawing.
"You found the counter potion! That's great" Pansy exclaimed and she was the first one to break out of the trance and hug Hermione. Hermione met Luna's smile before she responded to Pansy's words.
"Luna and I found it" Hermione qualified, with a nod toward her friend.
"Oh that's so wonderful" Pansy gushed and embraced the now blushing Luna.
"So that's what you have been working on" Harry breathed sounding relieved as he walked over to hug his wife, who embraced him tightly in return as though she hadn't been about to bite his head of only moments earlier.
"I should have known the Ministry would never leave you out of this Hermione" Harry told her with a huge grin, his expression one of pride as he glanced first at her and then his wife.
Ron and Ginny both came over to hug first Hermione and then Luna, expressing their congratulations in their typical rambunctious manner. Hermione glanced at Pansy and Blaise to see that they were smiling at each other, sharing their relief. She knew, for them, this news would have particular importance because of Draco and even for Thalia's safety.
"Actually Harry I wasn't working with the Ministry on this… I was working with Draco" she confessed, her words resonating and a hushed silence again enfolded the group.
"With Malfoy? When? How?" Ron asked confused as though understanding that there was more to this story. Hermione opened her mouth to explain to him but no words came out.
"Draco asked Hermione to help him because she is so knowledgeable with this kind of thing" Pansy quickly told the group, coming to stand next to Hermione. Luna also disengaged from her husband to stand with them, undoubtedly a sign of solidarity. Hermione looked at her friends' faces and she knew they could sense that she was going to finally reveal her secret.
"Its okay Pans" She told the other witch kindly and she took a few steps toward the people who were dearer to her than life, Harry, Ron and Ginny.
"I was helping him because at that time we were… involved" she stated and the clear meaning of her words was easily distinguishable.
"Involved" Harry breathed, his eyes showing his confusion and then his disappointment.
"Malfoy?" Ron asked as though trying to come to terms with this reality while Ginny remained quiet, her hurt very evident in her eyes.
"I'm sorry that I didn't tell you this earlier" she told them quietly, her stance unconsciously vulnerable "but I wasn't ready to share it as yet. I know you probably wouldn't understand why I didn't confide in you, but you must know that it had nothing to do with my trusting you" she told them beseechingly "Things with Draco and I just…happened and I was afraid to share it with you. Afraid that you would be disappointed in me and afraid that you wouldn't forgive me for keeping this secret when we share everything with each other" she finished with her eyes downcast, for the first time in her life unable to meet the gaze of her friends. The silence really was deafening as she waited for them, feeling her heart tighten with every second that went by.
"Hermione…we would be the biggest hypocrites in the world if we stood here and tried to play sanctimonious" Harry told her seriously and she raised her eyes to see that they stood looking at her without any hurt or look of betrayal in their expressions.
"We are disappointed in you, but because you thought we wouldn't understand" Harry continued, his voice firm and unflinching
"Have you forgotten the story of our lives?" he asked her with a small smile and she looked at him questioningly.
"All of our relationships started in the same way, Luna and me" he said with smile to his wife before continuing "Ron and Pansy" he nodded to Ron "and…" all eyes automatically turned to the red headed witch and the dark haired wizard standing next to her.
"What!... I'm not part of that" Ginny denied hotly, moving to stand closer to Hermione, her back firmly turned to a now smiling Blaise.
"Nevertheless …when we went through it, you supported us. You never questioned us or doubted us and you welcomed both Luna and Pansy with open arms. To be quite truthful, I know that we are all happy to support you now" Harry finished, his eyes alight with sincerity, while Ron nodded his head, grinning broadly at her and Ginny embraced her in a tight hug.
Hermione's eyes welled with tears and she started to cry uncontrollably when Harry and Ron also embraced her. Feeling profound happiness because of their response and also extreme gratefulness that they were still standing by her. For long moments they stood like that until Luna finally tapped her gently on the shoulder. She met Luna's gaze, seeing the tears in her eyes and smiled, knowing that Luna was reminding her that she still had more to tell her friends.
"I also wanted to tell you that… I'm leaving to go to Dhiaran" she told them after pulling reluctantly out of their embrace. She saw the immediate worry that accompanied her words as they understood the importance of her statements.
"Why do you have to go there?" Ginny asked, her expression showing her horror.
"I'm going to help the researchers to brew the potion and…" She told them about the entire process and why her presence was required. She had experience now in brewing it and so that automatically made her an expert in the field. Also, as agreed by the Minister, she was to coordinate the efforts with the higher-ups of the security personnel to find the aedesura, a task which she was only too willing to do.
"So when do we leave?" Ron asked her when she had finished.
"What?" Hermione asked not believing her own ears.
"He asked, when we will be leaving" Harry reiterated sounding very firm.
"You can't mean to come with me" Hermione told them, worried at that this new turn of events.
"I think they mean exactly that and I for one intend on going to Dhiaran also" Blaise spoke and it was the first time that she had ever heard the ring of certainty in his voice.
"Draco is over there and if the bastard hadn't been so sneaky about going I would be there fighting with him right now" Blaise continued "so there is no way that I'm losing out on this opportunity" he finished authoritatively.
"Hermione you can't expect that we'll sit idly by while you traipse all over Dhiaran" Ginny told her and there was no mistaking the seriousness in her voice."You wouldn't let any of us do that so why do you think we would allow it"
"It's true Hermione, its either you go with us or… you go with us, those are the only options" Ron told her squarely.
"Ron but you have your family to think of, in fact you all do and there is no way that I'd ask you to jeopardize your safety" she told them rationally, hoping that they would see the logic in her words.
"You are our family Hermione and Draco is too, if I didn't have Lucinda to take care of I would also be going. As it is I would be very disappointed and angry at Ron if he didn't go" Pansy stated, her glance to her husband full of support.
"Could we just stop all this twiddling fingers and Hermione just answer Ron's question already" Ginny interrupted loudly, her patience at its wits end. Hermione knew it was futile to argue with them.
"Thank you all for your support and …we're leaving in a little over an hour" she said with a smile and one which was mirrored on the faces of her friends. It was just amazing to be this blessed, how fortunate she was to have these people beside her.
"Well that doesn't give me much time to pack" Ginny responded with a huge grin.
"You don't need to pack because you're not going anywhere" Blaise suddenly told her furiously.
"Excuse you?" Ginny asked him equally furious.
"You heard me" he said glaring down at her, none of his cultured charm to be found.
"And I would listen to you because…?" she scoffed sarcastically.
"Because …Merlin, why are you so stubborn?" Blaise responded angrily, to which Ginny just infuriatingly shrugged her shoulders. It was strange seeing them like this with Ginny being the subdued one and Blaise becoming enraged.
"Why can't you stay here like Pansy" he countered trying a different tactic but not backing down.
"Pansy has Lucinda, I don't" she pointed out rationally.
"Luna, are you going?" Blaise asked the witch who had her head resting on her husband's chest. She shook her head no and Hermione knew she didn't miss the look of relief that crossed Harry's face. She knew that after all the loss that Harry had endured he was especially protective of Luna's safety and she had to respect that he still let his wife make her own decision in this.
"See even Luna isn't going" Blaise told Ginny, his expression bordering on desperate.
"Well unlike Luna…I'm not pregnant" Ginny told him loudly then immediately clapped her hands over her mouth. Her eyes wide as she and everyone else turned to Luna.
"What?" Harry asked Luna who had gone uncharacteristically quiet.
"It's true" she whispered, finally meeting her husband's eyes and then she smiled that radiant smile.
"Merlin, I'm going to be a father" Harry exclaimed, lifting Luna clear of her feet and soundly kissing her. While everyone, with the exception of Hermione, cheered and congratulated them.
"That's why I've been so out of sorts lately Harry, I'm sorry for snapping at you but I just can't seem to stop myself" Hermione heard Luna say, to which Harry responded happily that he didn't care if she was like that for the next nine months.
"What's with that look Hermione?" Luna asked her and Hermione hadn't even realized that Luna had walked to her. "Aren't you happy for us?" Luna asked, linking her hand with Hermione's.
"I'm ecstatic for you, but Luna if I'd known, I would never have made you help me" Hermione told her quietly, remembering the hectic past few days.
"I would never jeopardize our child's life Hermione and if I thought that there had been any danger of that I wouldn't have helped" she assured Hermione gently "I also agree with Pansy and Harry has to go with you. Just promise me that you will win this war and that you'll all come home safe" Luna finished kindly. Hermione thought of all that was at stake now and her answer was easy.
"I promise" she told Luna with fierce determination, her mind and body fuelled with the knowledge that she would not fail in bringing Harry back home safely…in fact bringing everyone back safely.
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"Potter, I would be grateful if you went, but the rest of them…I don't know" said the Minister, his dark eyes scanning the group who had only moments before bombarded his office.
"Sir with all due respect I can personally vouch for them, they may not look like soldiers but they are well versed in the art of combat, having been involved in the last war" Harry didn't have to continue his explanation as the Minister very well knew to what he was referring. Added to that was the fact that Harry had been the Head of Aurors for five years and only resigned his position when he went in search of Ron and Pansy a year ago. Undoubtedly having someone of Harry's knowledge and experience would be a great advantage in the war and the Minister hesitated for only a moment before acceding to their request.
"Just don't get your selves killed and remember that this is a secret mission, only Marcus and I know why you're going to Dhiaran so don't make the mistake of discussing it with anyone" He warned them gravely, then smiled at Hermione.
"Good luck over there" he told her, a fatherly smile on his weathered face and Hermione smiled in response. There was a small knock on the door and an Auror entered after the Minister gave him permission.
"Time to leave" he continued as the younger wizard paused at seeing the large congregation in the Minister's office.
"Follow Marcus, he'll take you to Dhiaran, my most trusted aurors will be waiting for you. Potter you'll already know them" He told them from the doorway as they walked after Marcus "and bloody well win the war!" were the last words they heard before Marcus ushered them down a secret corridor and into a room where a glowing orb was positioned on a pedestal.
"Anytime you're ready" Marcus told them walking over to the orb. Hermione looked at each of her friends seeing the look of pure courage in their expressions, she walked to the orb. They took places around the glowing object and apparated in silence.
Dhiaran was cold, freezing cold and she pulled her cloak closer to her as the wind whipped at it. She tried to look around only to find that she couldn't see more that a foot from her. They had reached in the dark of night and except for the whistling of the wind, all was quiet.
"What now?" she heard Ron ask and she barely made out Harry shrugging his shoulders.
"They should be here soon" Marcus told them.
"I think I see lights!" Ginny exclaimed quietly, pointing to a direction east of them. Sure enough there was a group of persons headed their way with torches in the hands.
"They're our aurors" Marcus told them when the group of them drew their wands.
"You can never be too careful in war Marcus, that's a golden rule" Harry told him and Hermione say a glimpse of him as he had been as Head Auror.
"Of course Sir" Marcus said, instantly contrite as he also drew his wand, his respect for Harry evident in his voice.
They all took defensive positions as they group neared them, waiting expectantly for them to identify themselves.
"Hollyhock Sword" one of the wizards called out throwing back his hood.
"Dancing white moon" Marcus responded and then dropped his wand, while the other group did the same. They were indeed the Aurors.
"We weren't expecting such a large contingent" said a blonde hair one, raising his torch to view the faces of the group.
"Last minute change" Marcus responded.
"Sir, I didn't know you would be coming" the blond one exclaimed when he realized Harry was amongst them.
"Can't let you men have all the fun" Harry answered with a laugh, as the combined group began walking east from where the aurors had come.
"We're about fifty miles from Dhiaran, but the war has touched even this far" Marcus told them and Hermione was about to question him further when she noticed a black ball in the white snow, highlighted by the light from the torches. She deviated from the group a little which caused them to stop, and knelt in the snow next to the furry little body. It raised its little head and mewed quietly, green eyes wide.
"What are you doing out here little one" Hermione asked the kitten quietly, picking him up and gathering the little body to her. The cat immediately huddled into her and mewed again.
"Oh how cute" Ginny said coming to stand next to her and touching the kitten's tiny head.
"He must have wandered from the village" the blond haired Auror told them, pointing to the direction they were currently walking to.
"Oh someone must be missing you" Hermione said walking back to the group as they proceeded up a slight incline and then downward to the town. Even in the darkness Hermione could tell something was dreadfully wrong. The smell of smoke in the air was suffocating and as they neared the buildings Hermione felt her heart drop clear to her feet. The village was well lit by torches and huge bonfires and Hermione could see Aurors everywhere. It only took her a moment to realize that some were digging graves while others where taking the dead bodies to be buried.
"Oh no" she heard Ginny say in abject horror and Hermione barely recognized Blaise enfolding the stunned witch in a hug.
"Merlin" Ron breathed, his hands covering his mouth.
"Were there any survivors?" Harry asked, his voice quiet as though already knowing the answer.
"We didn't find any" the blond one said sadly, "they were attacked a few hours before we arrived"
"Why would they do this?" Hermione asked, finally finding her voice after the shock.
"We don't know, but Merlin I hope they pay for this" the blond one again answered, his voice shaking with repressed anger.
"Please come this way" he guided them around the village and up to where a huge tent stood in a clearing and then paused indicating for them to precede him.
Hermione who had been walking right behind him stopped at the sight that met her eyes, her fingers tightening slightly on the kitten in her hands. The group automatically stopped when they noticed her hesitance, and although they looked at her questioningly, her eyes were focused solely on the man who stood a few feet away.
He was standing near a table, facing her but his eyes were trained on the map before him. His strong arms were crossed and his stance was commanding. His expression was serious, his beloved face implacable and his brow was furrowed. The joy and relief that swept through her nearly made her light headed and it was all she could do to contain it.
Suddenly he raised his head as though sensing her scrutiny and his mercury eyes clashed with hers. For an eternity time stood still and then he straightened slowly, his expression fierce and then he spoke.
"What the bloody hell are you doing here?" he asked her in a harsh voice that was colder than the wind around them.
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A.N. This chapter is dedicated to my precious, may you be happy and loved forever my angel. Your sweet ways brightened my life and your memories will always live on in my heart.